Lacey planned the perfect trip for us!
Thailand | Feb 6 - Feb 15, 2024

Bailey
Bailey W.
Moorhead, MN | Reviewed on Feb 22, 2024

Lacey planned the perfect trip for us.
I was a little apprehensive about using what felt to me like a random travel agency website but it was a wonderful experience all the way from planning it to the plane ride home. Lacey met all of our needs and requirements and was incredibly helpful. We wanted an active, culture filled trip with a little bit of relaxation time on the beach and we got exactly that. Our adventures with elephants were with sanctuaries that seem to treasure their animals. All of our guides were incredibly kind and helpful. Chiang Mai was our favorite part of the trip and I wish we had flopped it around so that the city was last so I could have spent all of my money and extra room in my suitcase at the night market.

We absolutely adored our guide, Pukie, in Chiang Mai. If you go to Chiang Mai I hope you are lucky enough to meet her.

Hotel Reviews
Na Nirand Resort
Chiang Mai

This place was lovely. I felt to relaxed and cared for here. The staff was friendly and thought of everything for us. When our van was late they were calling the place to make sure someone was on their way and they had towels ready for us when we visited an elephant sanctuary. And not that we wouldn't have paid for it but it was the only hotel in Thailand we stayed at that offered us bug spray for free. The tea we had when we first arrived was to die.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel is in the middle of the city but the aesthetic and tree walled surrounding makes it feel completely separated. The atmosphere is very zen.
Location
Only a 5 minutes walk from the night market!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Once we would leave for the day they would come in and tidy up. They even arranged my makeup on the counter and put it in a little container.
Our Jungle House
Khao Sok

The hotel itself is so unique and fun to be at. I would caution travelers to just be aware of the heat and bugs and brace your heart for that before arriving. There is no AC and on my first day here I was so hot, and with no escape from the heat, I just wanted to leave. But, after getting used it, I really enjoyed my surroundings, the animal life and the very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hot and bug but that's literally what you're signing up for
Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa
Phuket

This hotel has stunning views, amazing staff and so much to do.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's only a few minutes from Patong Beach and the shopping and nightlife there but the traffic is so intense it was nearly a 40 minute drive.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Phi Phi Island & May Bay Discovery with Snorkeling by Hype Yacht Join-in Activity
Phi Phi Island & May Bay Discovery with Snorkeling by Hype Yacht Join-in Activity
Phuket

It's a really great tour but I had read the description with the wrong thought process. "Sunset sailing, relax, have a drink, dance, until the sun goes down." To me this meant like a romantic sunset tour after snorkeling during the day but is in fact a party yacht with WAY MORE PEOPLE than you would expect to join you on the boat. It really wasn't my vibe and I did not enjoy it but for someone looking to have drinks with their friends and dance, its perfect. Not the tour's fault but monkey beach was packed and tourists were throwing rocks at the monkeys which just made it really sad. They shouldn't have to but its not like the guides come with to the beach to force adults to behave.

Quality of Experience
Food
I had put down that I am lactose intolerant and this was something they struggled with a bit.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Full day)
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Full day)
Chiang Mai

We really loved getting to hear about the elephants. Their names, history and relations were super interesting. We liked feeding them and making their medicine. We really appreciate seeing that they are free animals. We liked that they explained that any activity would end as soon as the elephants showed they didn't want to participate anymore.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
John Gray's sea canoe - Hong by Starlight joining tour
John Gray's sea canoe - Hong by Starlight joining tour
Phuket

We loved this tour. The group of people were larger than we expected but it didn't matter because you are paired off with one person on a canoe and that feels like the real tour. Our guide was Tar and he was kind, knowledgeable and took photos of us with my phone. He pointed out animals, fish, and cool shapes in the rocks. They also served authentic and unique dishes we hadn't found yet.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lacey Ngo
Lacey
Lacey Ngo
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Feb 27, 2024

Dear Bailey,
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback. This will help us a lot to improve ourselves and do our better job. Hope to accompany you in your next trip to Southeast Asia :)
From Exotic Voyages team with thanks!