Meet Kaila, the happy founder of The Content Castle in Thailand, a revolutionary concept in accommodation – a house purpose-built to inspire creativity in writers, that doesn’t require any budgeting.
Introduce yourself: what do you do and where do you come from?
I’m Kaila, hailing from Vancouver Island, Canada. I’ve lived in Thailand for 8 years now and on Koh Phangan for the past 6 of those years. I run a writing/ editing agency from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
When did you start traveling?
I started traveling the moment I graduated university – in fact, my first destination abroad was Japan! I lived in Awajishima, teaching English as part of the JET programme.
Why did you choose Thailand as a home base?
I love the weather, the people (most of the time), the topography, and of course, it’s very affordable to live here. You can really design your own lifestyle in Thailand, in a way that you can’t in the West.
What would you recommend to solo female travelers who want to explore Thailand?
Be respectful by covering your shoulders and knees when near or in temples; Wai often (a ‘wai’ is the traditional Thai greeting and is a big sign of respect) and by learning basic Thai phrases to help you get by and earn the respect of Thai people.
Who do you prefer traveling with?
My fiance makes a great travel companion. I also love traveling with my girlfriends, who come from all over the world.
What is your favorite and must-sees places in Thailand?
Definitely Koh Phangan. Also, Krabi and Trang province – anywhere with a view of Phang Nga Bay – having the best views in all of Thailand. That’s why we’re getting married there this year!
Tell us more about the Content Castle? How does it differ from another hotel?
The Content Castle is a haven for writers. We have just five bedrooms, and residencies are granted through applications, which can be found on our website. Our residents do not pay to stay with us – at least not in the traditional sense. Instead, they write/ edit 10,000 words a week, in exchange for their private room, 2 meals a day, participation in our writing workshops, and access to all our facilities.
When and why did you decide to launch the Content Castle?
I first stumbled upon the building that is now The Content Castle in September 2016. From there, I came up with the concept, drew up a business plan, found investment, renovated the place, and we opened mid-March 2017.
What is your next project?
Possibly Content Castle II and Content Castle III 🙂 I hear Chiang Mai might be a good next location…
Visited over 50 countries Traveled by foot, train, bus, plane, bicycle, boat, scooter… Social Media Addict Looking forward to new adventures