Chiang Mai Elephant Friends

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jun 2026

Kyra

The elephants were chained up after around 4pm, and when they weren’t chained they were either doing day experiences with tourists or confined to small areas. It seemed like the elephants had real connections with their handlers and were given positive reinforcement through treats to do their tasks and not physically injured but worked all day none the less. It felt unethical and took away from the whole experience. Also we understood that we would be far from most things but we were unaware that we would be unable to picked up from a Grab so transportation pretty much only runs through the sanctuary.

Apart from that, the staff were VERY kind and the food was pretty good. The bungalows we stayed in were also unique and unlike anything we’ve stayed in before.

There was a restaurant and cafe, but the bar was closed when we were there which was unfortunate.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Apr 2026

Danielle

Great experience from the customer services in the beginning throughout our stay. Beautiful property, engaging and knowledgeable guide, elephants were awesome! Just a great time!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Apr 2026

Chantelle

Beautiful views we did not want to leave , rooms are as advertised, had good air conditioning and a mosquito zapper , we loved staying amongst the elephants that seem to be well looked after and happy in their sanctuary also good restraunt on site staff was friendly and very helpful

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2026

Kendra

This place was great. Great restaurant, and the elephants seemed very happy! The AC worked well once you ran it for a while. It's a little bit rustic so don't expect perfection. Bugs can get through the cracks in the floor/etc. but it was well maintained and cleaned so we had no issues.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2026

Carlos

Beautiful place nice and friendly people

Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2026

Victoria

Staff are amazing very attentive had an amazing time would definitely recommend

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2026

Lauren

Well kept facility and surrounding area. Side note- sliding glass doors are extremely clean so be careful not to run into them, although it did make for a good laugh.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2026

Rosemary

Beautiful area, beautiful view, room was clean, AC worked great!
Dinning there is phenomenal, loved the staff!
Andof course the elephants were so amazing, they are so sweet, definitely coming back next year!

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

Christopher

Amazing experience with the elephants! The staff were so nice and attentive to elephants. Nothing fancy about the rooms, but you come here for the elephant experience anyhow.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2026

Ismael S.

Id you’re really looking for that Elephant ChiangMai experience, this is the right place. Great service, super clean rooms and super nice people.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2026

Alexis

Beautiful place, clean, good food, amazing to wake up with elephants everywhere

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2026

John

Awesome staff and up close experience with the Elephants great restaurants

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jan 2026

Josie

The staff was amazing! Daniel and Nickay were so kind and helpful. We had so much fun and the food was awesome.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jan 2026

Tamara

10/10 recommend this stay

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Dec 2025

Hazel Yvonne

Whole experience was fabulous

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2025

Michael

This experience was one we will remember forever! The staff was great, food was excellent and the time spent with the elephants was unforgettable. Spend the money and do the experiences

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2025

Benjamin

We loved the experience with the elephants! This is a full-day paid addon to the stay (or you cna just do the experience and not stay, but we were glad we did). The room was very nice, and well-maintained. The little bar and restaurant ahs limited opening times but we enjoyed the food and the pleasant service.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2025

Barbara

The elephant experience was great and all the staff was super helpful. Our cabin was very clean and comfortable and the food in the restaurant was excellent

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

27 Oct 2025

Raquel

What a great experience we had here, something out of this world with the elephants.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2025

Fabiola

Amazing place!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2025

Francisco

Great people

10/10

Exceptional

09 Sep 2025

Grupo

Nos gustó mucho como está el hotel en la naturaleza , nos encantó la convivencia con los elefantes .

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

29 Aug 2025

Blanca

Everything is very beautiful. But I suffer from claustrophobia and couldn’t stay overnight. The staff is very friendly, I only spent a few hours feeding the elephants. A very beautiful and unforgettable experience

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2025

Michael

Amazing and beautiful

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2025

Fernanda

If was a nice experience, however a lot of trash everywhere. Specially at the lake!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2025

John

Magical Stay a Elephant Friends

Our time at elephant Friends in Mae Wang was excellent. It was all that we expected and more. The staff is very attentive and polite. Be prepared to walk a bridge from the reception area to your room! It's actually quite cool. I had expected it since I saw it on a YouTube video. However, they will also let you know that as well. If you're expecting the city scape, this is not the place for you! This is rural living at its finest! River flowing, mountains in the landscape, trees, and oh, elephants! Those huge gentle animals. You can see that they are content! You will not be disappointed if you choose this place as a destination.

Partner

2/10

Poor

06 May 2025

Verified traveler

Warning- this is not an elephant sanctuary but a tourist business. Elephants are chained up 12 hours a day and made to do tricks.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2025

Elizabeth

It was an extremely relaxing atmosphere, staff were very friendly and helpful. There were multiple things to do and the accommodations were great. My only addition would be in room coffee. There was a hot water pot, but no beverage package.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2025

Lizbett

Beautiful experience!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2025

Kristi

Don’t miss this one.

Amazing, all of it, only downside we didn’t stay longer. It was truly special. I loved the entire property. The elephants, the food, the people that worked there.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2025

maria ignacia

Me encantó!!! Limpio, cómodo y se ven muy bien cuidados los elefantes 💜

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

28 Feb 2025

Sarah

Lovely people, terrible beds.

This place is fantastic! The staff were lovely. The beds were worse than sleeping on the floor. I've never had such a hard bed in my life. The cabins are outdated. But I can't get over the pain of the beds. Literally like sleeping on rocks.
I'd recommend visiting but not staying over or if you do one night max for the elephant wake up. It was a lovely place so I feel bad not giving 5 stars but need to be accurate in my review.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2025

Karina

This is the most amazing place love love this place

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Feb 2025

Cristin

A great experience at a great place!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2025

Yvonne

Just Wow! We had an amazing stay at Elephant Friends Resort. Our bungalow was right in the river. Very comfortable beds. Everything you need! The staff was amazing and restaurant food excellent. We did the bamboo river rafting which we loved!!! Then the morning of our departure the elephants came for breakfast. Just a magical experience. I highly recommend this resort. And the elephants are well cared for ❤️

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

01 Feb 2025

John

The views overlooking the river are just amazing. The bungalow is simple but clean with wifi, comfortable bed and a/c. Staying here for the day is fantastic. You will see the elephants walking around all day and you can watch others with their elephants. I especially liked that if you sign up for a walk or bathing etc it will be only with your group. The staff go out of their way to take pics for you on your phone so you can focus on the elephants. Must do the morning wake up... the best.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2025

Chris

What a amazing experience you can see the elephants are well taken care of the food at the restaurant was sooo good views are amazing

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2024

Sarah

Beautiful experience

I stayed for 2 nights in the small bungalow with the little private pool. It was absolutely wonderful. This was at the end of my first solo travel to Thailand and it was a great way to end my trip. The property was very peaceful and quiet, the elephants are just amazing, and the food was delicious.

It's an hour away from Chaing Mai old town and I used the hotel transport, check in was super easy as I had already paid when I booked. All of the activities cost extra and you pay at check-out, I felt they were all very comparably priced compared to other tours in the area. I did the elephant feed & walk and the rafting. Both were wonderful! The stuff was very friendly & helpful, the food was very good and the view was beautiful.

My room was clean & had an a/c unit, it was actually cool enough I never turned it on, the bed was very firm but the pillows and blankets were soft and comfy.

Over all it was the highlight of my trip and I plan to return with my kids in the future.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2024

Andreas

The staff is wonderful and they treat the elephants very well. We would love to see more care for the environment with just so much garbage in and around the river but it did not take away too much from the experience. Leo was our guide for the full day and was a very kind hearted guy who genuinely cares for the animals.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2024

Melissa

Everything about my stay was amazing....staff were great, food was excellent and the elephant experience was a once and a life time adventure

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2024

Chad

This place was quiet and peaceful. Everyone here was polite and helpful. Our time with the elephants was awesome, my wife loved it! Would recommend to a friend. This place also has good food!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2024

Genesis

We had so much fun in this hotel . The staff were very helpful and friendly . I will definitely come back with my family.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2024

WESLEY

One of the highlights of our trip to Thailand was our 3-night stay at Chiang Mai Elephant Friends. The entire staff was extremely personable, always greeting you with a smile throughout our visit. The two on-site restaurants serve excellent Thai cuisine and delicious smoothies! And the interaction with the elephants - feeding them and bathing them - truly a memorable experience that we will always cherish!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Nov 2024

Magaly

Love this place staff are very friendly

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2024

Kimberley

Amazing experience.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2024

Elizabeth

Amazing

Amazing place in the jungle. We did the elephant wake up, the day with the elephants and trip to Doi Inthanon. The elephants were incredible, the highlight of our trip. The restaurant was fantastic...some of the best food we had. Breakfast had lots of choice too. The room was very basic and there was a distinct drain smell in our room. However, it was worth it for the once in a lifetime experience.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Sep 2024

Hilda

It was such a great stay. I loved the elephants that you’ve seen everywhere the property, had fun bathing Nono and feeding Sakhong and the rafting was a great as well.
It was far from the city and the walking to the room was a bit of a challenge but staff are very helpful to give us a ride in their motorbike.
We had a great time,

10/10

Exceptional

13 Sep 2024

Sun

It was indeed an amazing experience and I will definitely recommend to everyone. Thanks for having me 🙏

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2024

Nathali

I loved every single second. Such an amazing place and staff.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2024

Julia

This stay was amazing. It was truly a 3 person room and we had plenty of space among us. The room was clean and the natural light was a pleasure to wake up to.

Family