Get the resort experience without staying overnight at Golden Elephant Resort
[This resort now also goes by the name The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant]
We absolutely loved our family stay here in 2018 and 2021 and thought we’d come back for a swim and a putt on their mini-golf course. More about the mini-golf coming up! The pool was just as lovely as we remembered it, although with less floaty toys. You can bring your own though!
The swimming pool
The pool and its surroundings are absolutely lovely with the grounds of the resort being so well kept. Because if this, being only 30 minutes from the centre of Chiang Mai some how makes you feel worlds away.
Where there may be a concern for you with the pool is that it is deep the entire way around. There is no shallow end or kiddy pool, which could be an issue for children who aren’t confident in the water yet. When we went, we held our young son in the water the whole time and he actually ended up falling asleep! You could also bring arm bands or a life jacket along just to make sure any little ones are comfortable.
Is there shade?
Along the poolside there are lounge chairs that have sun umbrellas. There are also a few trees that provide some shade, but the pool itself is in the sun. At least this keeps the pool a nice temperature! We are not a fan of too cold pools, and The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant (formerly Golden Elephant Resort) pool is just right.
Mini-golf in Chiang Mai!
Families are often asking, ‘’where can you play mini-golf in Chiang Mai? Does Chiang Mai have any mini-golf courses?’’ Yes it does!
Directly behind the restaurant is the Inter Mini Golf 18 hole course. It’s a professionally designed course and they even host international mini-golf competitions here every year! We absolutely loved having this attraction right on our doorstep when we stayed here. Every morning after breakfast the kids and I would play a round of mini-golf (it’s included in the price if you stay at The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant). It really helped to break up the day into different activities.
You can also come here just to play mingolf! No need to eat anything, or be a guest. Simply walk in and tell them you want to play mini-golf. The cost is 100 baht for adults and 60 baht for children. The price includes a putter, unlimited balls (so many of ours ended up in the neighbours property or in the pond), and a score sheet.
If you take mini-golfing seriously, it will take around 30 minutes to do the entire course assuming it’s just your family there.
Food and drink at The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant
Food
The menu offers a nice selection of Swiss and Thai food at moderate to high prices. When we stayed at the resort in April 2018 and again in May 2021, the food was so good! In fact, we ate at their restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. The prices were really reasonable.
Drink
They’ve got all the usual available but at resort prices. Local beers, sodas, smoothies, milkshakes, coffees are on the menu, including wine! If you stay at the resort you are welcome to bring in your own drinks from outside as long as you drink them in your room or by the pool.
The restaurant is a bit of a walk
While we really enjoyed our family getaway in Chiang Mai here, the one thing that was slightly annoying was how far the restaurant is from the resort. In order to reach it, you either had to walk through the mini-golf course, or around it.
It was only possible to order food or drink by physically going to the restaurant, which can pose a problem if you are the only adult around looking after the children. Once you’ve ordered though, the staff will bring the food to you by the pool which is nice!
Stay and enjoy a family getaway in Chiang Mai at The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant
For years The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant had been on our radar as a place to enjoy some family fun time. You have probably seen it advertised in those free magazines around Chiang Mai and we were really pleased with everything while we stayed there.
Initially we’d planned on staying only 2 nights, but the owner was so lovely and the rooms and pool were so nice that we extended our stay to 5 nights! We also decided to upgrade to the Jacuzzi room!
That’s right, a Jacuzzi – right in your room! It could hold 4 adults in it and of course the kids loved it! If you’re looking to stay at a resort in Chiang Mai with a Jacuzzi, then this may be it!
Each room is located in a large semi-detached bungalow and has a living room area, a front porch, and a bedroom area in it. This means there is plenty of space for your family and the beds were large and comfortable. We slept 3 in the bed and one in a crib. If you need an extra bed, the resort has cots available for an extra charge.
Another great thing is that nearly every room has a pool view! Moms and dads can relax on the porch while the kids are swimming and you can still see them clearly. The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant is a great value for the price!
Check it out on Agoda to see when it’s available!
We returned recently in 2021 to find that they had updated the restaurant and rebranded to The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant or Minigolf CNX. Everything was just as great as last time and we still very much recommend staying here.
How to get to The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant
To get toThe Minigolf Resort & Restaurant (formerly Golden Elephant Resort) from the city centre takes about half an hour. If you don’t have your own transport, then Grab is a great solution or you could take a taxi.
If you plan to drive here just get yourself to the 1317, the San Kampaeng road, and drive straight. When you get past the second ring road (the 121) get in the right lane and keep an eye out for the next set of lights where the 1317 meets the 1014.
At this intersection, you’re going to make a u-turn and keep an eye out for an enormous rainbow shaped green and white sign on your left that says Inter Minigolf Chiang Mai. Turn left and drive straight. The entrance to The Minigolf Resort & Restaurant is the road directly across to the right. Drive in and park in the parking lot near the restaurant.
Hours: open to the public during daylight hours everyday
Cost: Adults 100 baht. Child 100 baht.
Towels included: No
Pet friendly: No
Food available: Yes
Pool system: Chlorine
Phone: 053 391 093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theminigolfcnx
Website: http://goldenelephantresort.com/
Location: Google Maps
Things to consider
To find other pools around Chiang Mai or near you, have a look at our best pools in Chiang Mai post! It’s often updated with new pools.
