Since my last visit to Sampran Riverside in Thailand more than 20 years ago I had made a promise to return, but somehow that did not materialise. So when a weekend retreat was planned there after WITX-Women In Travel in Bangkok last month, I jumped at the opportunity.

Situated about 30km west of Bangkok, Sampran Riverside is about an hour’s drive, depending on traffic. We were lucky that Saturday morning we reached journey’s end in just over an hour.

At first glance, the resort seemed to look the same – as tranquil and peaceful as ever with its 70 acres of lush gardens along the Ta Chine River (pictured above).

But changes soon became apparent. First and most noticeable is the resort’s name – it’s now the Sampran Riverside. Then there were new additions such as a hotel, spa, herb garden, among others.

I learned from Arrut Navaraj, Sampran Riverside’s managing director (pictured left), that the name change was officially announced on April 24, 2012. It was to commemorate the family-run resort’s 50th anniversary, and to better reflect its Thai heritage.’

The name ‘Rose Garden’ came about in 1982 from the family’s business of cultivating roses and supplying them to Bangkok flower markets. The garden of blossoming roses attracted visitors, who then referred to the place as ‘Suan Sampran’ or ‘Gardens of Sampran’.

“Our business focus has not been on roses for many years now, but more on the traditional/local way of life through cultural and organic farming activities. Hence it’s appropriate to name it after our Sampran district. Besides, our original Thai name was ‘Suan Sampran'”, explained Arrut.

“It might be some time for people to get used to our new name. But I think it’s more of an identity problem calling ourselves ‘Rose Garden” when we hardly have any roses,” he added.

Arrut, who took over the resort’s management from her mother Suchada Yuvaboon (pictured right), who had inherited the business from her mother, Khunying Valee Yuvapuran, has made a number of changes, among them the spa offering traditional Thai treatments, a range of natural and herbal products and lifestyle/health packages. There is also a café serving Thai snacks and a mini floating market (Read Rose Garden’s journey to Sampran Riverside: A travel story).

With the name change also came a new tagline for the resort – “An eco-cultural destination”.

“The WITX ladies retreat was a tailored programme using our new facilities and activities such as morning cultural workshops, organic farm, spa and cooking class (pictured below). Basically, we’re adapting ‘traditional Thai ways’ to suit client’s programme/requirements. We try to provide more hands-on experience where guests can have fun and learn through participation rather than just ‘watching””, said Arrut.

Our weekend programme did reflect this new direction the resort is taking. We had a consultation on our metabolic type by Dr Dimple Arora, a holistic practitioner, a yoga session, cooking class, sunset river cruise, herbal compress/herbal product workshops at the Arusaya Spa, massage and, of course, delicious Thai cuisine.

Dr Arora is working closely with the resort to come up with more health programmes. In the pipeline is a week-long holistic retreat as the resort is the perfect venue. I couldn’t agree more from the morning yoga session beside the Ta Chine River.

The traditional attractions are still there and are still attracting numerous visitors – these include the elephant rides, vegetable carving, candle making, Weekend Farmer’s Market and the Thai Village Cultural Centre.

The accommodation has also been upgraded with the addition of the riverside hotel with 160 rooms, and six antique 40-year old Thai houses around a serene lake.

I stayed in Chomanad House No. 3, (pictured below), which has four bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom,  a common living room and lakeside patio. The house is simply lovely and sitting on the lakeside patio to watch the sunrise is breath-taking.

The resort’s market mix has reversed in recent years due to the political events in Thailand and global economic uncertainty – from a predominantly foreign base to domestic (80% domestic, 20% foreign) currently.

Arrut is refocusing the market on meetings and incentives. “Our aim is to get a more even mix, especially for regional business events that is our main focus. We try to promote through the internet and by attending more regional travel related shows. I believe our product is quite unique but needs rather specific ways of marketing and public relations.”

Holidays are about balance and I found this to be true at Sampran Riverside. In fact, it’s more like spending a weekend in a community rather than a ‘typical’ resort.

Pictured left: Sunrise from the lakeside patio of Chomanad House No. 3