Kimkim Trip Reviews for Thailand

We have stayed at many lovely resorts but this one is in a class by itself. The Amanpuri effortlessly and graciously exudes elegance. We were picked up at the Phuket airport and dropped off at the hotel's open-air lobby; the setting is breathtaking and set the promising vibe for our entire stay. The staff were so attentive and polite, seemingly with only one objective in mind...ensuring that our visit was amazing. And thanks to them it was. The physical setting is out of a storybook...stunning buildings, spectacular amenities (especially the restaurants...the food is so darned good), incredible rooms and beachfront location that can't be beat. For all of the resort's physical attributes, they pale in comparison to the men and women who made the place tick, from the General Manager (who personally greeted us when we arrived) to the restaurant wait staff to the team on the beach attendants who adjusted our towels and umbrellas and made sure that all of our needs were taken care of. And best of all, this service was discreet, seamless and elegant. We will definitely be back...even though our flight to Phuket took 25 hours in each direction!!!

Sena Cruise was an incredible experience. The cruise director did a great job, and they efficiently arranged for our early departure to catch a changed flight. The entire process was handled smoothly, and the staff ensured we were well taken care of, even putting us on a speedboat when needed. The level of organization and care they showed made the cruise a highlight of our trip.

La Niche d'Angkor Boutique was a fantastic hotel with wonderful staff who looked after all our needs. The facilities were great, and the entire stay was enjoyable. However, the beds were very hard, which made the first two nights uncomfortable as we struggled to sleep. By the third night, we were either too exhausted or had adjusted to it.

This was much better than expected. Loved going to the market and learning about the food and culture. Our guide was amazing and kept it very fun

One of the best tour guides. Loved Anne jist knowledgeable

We enjoyed everything about this hotel except the location. The room was wonderful as was the service, the pools, the breakfast. Regarding the location, it’s about 1.4 km to the bleach and the action of Patong, a nice walk except that the road is very busy and there are stretches with no sidewalk. Consequently we ended up eating at the hotel restaurant 2 nights. The food was good but we would have liked more options.

The islands are beautiful. The downside is the long run by speedboat which was pretty bumpy and the number of people also visiting. The first stop (Maya Bay) in particular was just dense with people. We spent more time in line getting back to the boat than we did at the Bay.

Really enjoyed this, more than we expected. Going in we were concerned about the ethics of these elephant preserves, but once we learned that all the elephants are “rescues” from lives of hard labor and unable to be returned to the wild, and we saw how they are treated, we relaxed and enjoyed the interaction with these incredible creatures and learning more about them and the Preserve.

Wow, that was a lot of fun! Jim made it an educational and fun experience right from the start, with the visit to the market. He really focused on the ingredients and what each brought to the four dishes that we prepared. Once at the school, everything went like a well oiled machine as we prepared the various ingredients, then cooked and ate our delicious meal. We had attended another cooking class in north Thailand on another tour; this was more fun and we really liked that we got detailed recipes should we want to try and replicate at home.

One of the highlights of our 6 week trip to SE Asia. A slower, but much smoother ride out to the islands. The ride around James Bond island was probably sufficient; didn’t need to actually stop. Then the best part: the trips through the sea caves by inflatable kayaks piloted by a crew member to the various hidden lagoons! What an experience! Then to have an entire beach to just our boat (~25 people) was fun. Lastly the dinner and Loy Kratong prep and ceremony was special.

Our stay at the Jungle Camp was overall pleasant. The accommodation matched the natural setting of the National Park, and while we didn't expect luxury, it was comfortable. The only downside was that the local guides organized for us by the hotel didn't speak English, which was a bit of a barrier, especially when noticing that other groups had guides fluent in English. Still, it was a minor glitch in an otherwise good experience.

The Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk was perfect. We had a fantastic guide named Rodjana, who made the experience enjoyable. She was perhaps the best guide we had in Thailand, making the tour a highlight of our trip.

The Railway Market & Floating Market tour was good despite being crowded. The bustling markets are a must-see, and even though the crowds can be overwhelming, the experience is worth it.

The Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai Sightseeing & Art tour was good. The guide was knowledgeable, and the tales of history and stories about the Golden Triangle were fascinating. Even though there's nothing spectacular to physically see, the stories made it worthwhile.

Hotel is old and musty. Proximity to the airport is its strength.

Room had a lovely balcony and view over pool to beach. I would not stay in any room except this highest level as they faced the run down neighboring properties. Room was clean, cold and quiet. Breakfast was wonderful. Exterior and hallways of this hotel are in terrible condition. Pretty beach, but beach vendors and weed smokers were overwhelming. Location was good for walking to restaurants, but the many weed stores attracted an unsavory crowd. I would stay in an area of koh samui different from Cheweng beach.

Lovely hotel with rustic luxury bungalows. Please note that you arrive by boat and you must be able bodied enough to climb out of the speedboat, into the water and to walk through the water to the shore. The food is average, but there is a fun local village on the backside of the resort we enjoyed in the evenings. We scuba dived here at the resort and had a good experience. Pool is lovely.

Our beachfront bungalow was quiet, clean and well appointed. The breakfast was lovely, and the beach stunning. We could walk to beachfront restaurants, or take a tuktuk to more local spots.

This hotel is even prettier in person. The decor is fresh and modern. Lovely breakfast, nice location. Pool area is a sanctuary from busy Bangkok

We enjoyed this day. Some might find it objectionable that guests can feed, bathe and touch the elephants. Guide was very difficult to understand. Tie-dying and cooking activities were very fun.

Definitely do this! We saw parts of the city we wouldn’t have otherwise, and really experienced local food, restaurants and Bangkok culture. So fun to be with fellow travellers from other countries!

We really enjoyed getting out of Cheweng and seeing the countryside.

Beautiful beach free of beach vendors.

We only had a 1 hour canal tour, and returned on the train.

Beautiful hotel that makes you feel welcome/like part of the family. Daily massages, personal touches and a true caring touch.

A beautiful oasis in the southern part of Bangkok.

Stunning, peaceful getaway in Chiang Mai. Incredibly kind and attentive staff and beautiful, calming environment.

Absolutely beautiful, peaceful oasis. Fantastic amenities, private beach and pool - all gorgeous.

Pookie was an amazing guide - absolutely fantastic experience learning with her.

I did get sick from this experience - I would encourage the guides to carry hand sanitizer as hand hygiene is not always perfect at these markets.

Khao Soi was to die for!

Chili Paste tour guide was super fun and the food was excellent!

Nana was a fun, experienced guide - really made the investment of time worthwhile!

Absolutely wonderful experience - so much fun, and delicious!

Was a great park but tour felt a bit long + repetitive.

Basic but perfect for the location and our stay

We loved our stay especially your breakfast

Nice overnight ride to Chiang mai

Great and cozy to stay

Not much to explore

Great. The elephant ride was unforgettable

Not much time to explore

Great experience

Great location close to Karon beach. Beautiful swimming pool with just the right amount of shade throughout the day for relaxing in. We were upgraded to a poolside room and that really was such a special thing that really made the end of our honeymoon trip that much more special. Kind and helpful staff. Nice breakfast.

Incredibly warm, kind, and helpful staff. Fantastic spa inside. Two beautiful pools. The best breakfast of the hotels we stayed in on our trip.

Fine accommodations. They put us in a room with two single beds which wasn’t our favorite on our honeymoon. The room was a little small, but sufficient as our plan was never to spend a ton of time in our hotel room. Breakfast was ok. Nothing great.

Wonderful staff, top tier spa, comfortable rooms, nice pool, decent breakfast.

Definition of a tourist trap. Elephant abuse. Poor upkeep of ATVs. Staff doesn’t even seem to enjoy working there. No one really ever seemed to be having a good time except occasional moments on the very short lived 5k raft ride.

Worth it to wake up so early for the sunrise!!

We enjoyed the bridge and history, but it took up too much of our day. Swimming in the waterfalls was one of the main activities I was looking forward to on our trip and we didn’t end up having enough time to swim much and missed the last two levels of the waterfall because we didn’t know that they closed so early. This was a little disappointing. The waterfall was truly wonderful and I loved swimming I just wish I had had more time there. I could’ve spent all day just at the waterfall.

Definitely add these temples! Banteay Srei was my favorite temple we saw. The carvings are breathtaking!

The Boat Trip Along Mae Ping River was nice and relaxing, albeit not particularly special. A little hiccup with the plan occurred when we headed directly to the river from our arrival and had to dig into our luggage to get sun hats and suitable attire. It would've been helpful to know this change in advance. Still, the cruise was enjoyable.

1. Eastin Grand Sathorn- FANTASTIC! Great room, great location- fabulous staff, perfect room👏👏

2. ⁠U Inchantree This was ok- nothing special- but I think cheaper- do value for money good. We were busy here- so just a base- so it was ok. The grounds were really pretty- but no where near enough loungers to relax on outside/- only 8 at the pool- all taken- after a busy day- so we sat inside/ which is a waste of the lovely garden. But restaurant was a pretty location.

Very pretty- but staff not totally engaged- bed- not super comfy. Mini bar- tragic!!! Location - not the best.

3. Na Nirand Romantic in Chaing Mai/ Wow Wow and WOW! my favourite EVER hotel- what a fabulous choice. - they treated us to all sorts- as we were in our honeymoon. I never wanted to leave!!!

Beautiful location on the stunning beach. Not overcrowded, peaceful. The staff were all 5*. Fantastic activities. Comfy room.

Fab boat, great islands, food and staff

Eddie our guide was 10* The temples were awesome- Eddie really helped us with info.

We had fun- but it was a bit commercial for us! We loved the free time before on the water front.

Awesome/ great fun

Beautiful

The best fun

Enjoyed the Long neck tribe, but the Temple was a bit too commercial- as new, and just for tourists- sticky waterfall was too busy.

Wow! This place is a must-stay. The views at Beyond are breathtaking. The entertainment of watching people posing for social media on the skywalk is comical. We recommend going to the rooftop infinity pool for the best view. The staff is so nice and the food was excellent. The onsite restaurants have a nice mix of quality Western and Southern Thai food. We stayed in one of the Seaview tents and we highly recommend them. You feel like you're staying in one of those over-the-water huts. They were very spacious, the beds were comfortable, and the AC worked very well to keep us comfortable. The views in the morning are a great way to start your day in paradise. There is a nice shop at the base of the resort to grab some gifts, snacks, and drinks for your room.

This place was interesting and a unique experience. We arrived here after 3 nights at a very nice resort so this place was felt a little lower quality and of value than expected. I was aware the typical accommodations our agent selects were sold out. Nonetheless, it was memorable and enjoyable. It felt like a very authentic Thailand experience. We stayed in an Exotic Cliff View tent with a nice view. The tent was spacious and the bed comfortable was adequate. The AC worked great, however the water pressure in the shower and sink could use some improvement. The grounds are adequately maintained. The pool could use some work but it didn't stop us from getting in (definitely didn't put my head under water). The staff was nice and the onsite restaurant had good food. If you're looking for a middle of the road accommodation at a very affordable price, this is a good place. It is located < 10 minutes from the National Park. I'd love to come back and spend more time in this area but I know there are other places to stay if you book further in advance.

Holy cow, this place was great for a family friendly resort (we do not have children). We stayed in a Deluxe King poolside room and this could have been one of the best rooms we have every stayed in. We had a private pool (only shared with 5 other rooms adjacent to us) right outside our sliding door. They have similar rooms on the property but they connect to the family pool. The room was very spacious, clean, and the bed was super comfortable. We enjoyed the big tub and the rain-down shower was so relaxing and refreshing. The staff was the best of our entire trip - so friendly and welcoming. The property is amazing. The oceanside infinity pool has great views and nab a cabana for the day or sunset. The breakfast buffet is vast and bountiful. The food quality was outstanding. We did not eat dinner there as we walked down the beach a few hundred meters to the Blue Sky Restaurant & Bar for a more local experience. This place is located about 20 minutes north of the touristy area of Khoa Lak in a more remote location with pristine beaches. There nearest next resort is the Marriott about a 10-15 minute walk down the beach. We would come back here in a heartbeat.

Do not do this (at least with company we went with). 1) We were staying up in Phang Nga and it was 2 hours each way to the pier (Phuket traffic is AWFUL). If you're staying in Phuket, this is only 15-20 minutes away. 2) We thought we were going out for a few hours nearby in a long tail boat. This was an all day trip (6:30am-7pm). 3) We were on a bottom fishing boat with about 20 people, 2 of them who got sick 10 minutes into the trip. We hardly caught any fish too. I'm sure there are some good fishing experiences there but this wasn't one of them. The best parts of the trip were - lunch, swimming, getting back to the pier to go home.

Again, another must-do experience in Thailand. This is located in the main area of Khoa Lak so very convenient if staying anywhere nearby. The experience started with a visit to the local market where we were immersed in the culture and exchange for fresh food. Wandee's school was only a few minutes away and she delivered a memorable experience. It doesn't matter if you can cook or not, she and her staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We learned more history about the food culture and cooking techniques of Thailand. We always loved Thai food and this has elevated our love for the country and culture.

Another don't miss excursion. Uhm (sp?) was our guide and she was fantastic. Met local people from the village who were so friendly and welcoming. The paddle through the mangrove was memorable. The long tail boat ride out to a private. beach as well. We got to make our own Thai-dye with a local artist. We learned this history of tinning in the area and had a local teach us the art of panning for it. The local provided lunch was so authentic Thai and delicious. We really enjoyed this experience.

Tee was an amazing guide. He took us on a 6 hour, 7 mile hike through the jungle. We had an amazing lunch and fresh pineapple riverside before a nice swim at a waterfall. He told us about the flora and fauna along the way. We saw monkeys, snakes, spiders, small and large lizards, birds, and more. He hand carved small drinking cups out of forest bamboo. He admitted his English wasn't very good but we were able to communicate fine and really enjoy this experience. We would have loved to spend another couple of days in this national park.

The Avani truly impresses with its remarkable rooftop infinity pool, impressive modern rooms, and mutating daily breakfast.

A magical day spent learning and interacting very closely with these amazing animals.

Just when you think you’ve seen everything Thai temples have to offer, the White Temple and Blue Temple remind you that Thailand can always still surprise and delight.

A visit through the throngs of Thai street markets really drives home just how unique Thailand is from any other travel experience you may have had. Particularly surprising were the flower market and our daytime visit to the incredible Icon Siam mall whose entire ground floor is an astounding street market mimicking the streets of geographic regions across Thailand.

Nothing can prepare you for the grandeur of Bangkok’s Royal Palace and Temple. You hardly know where to look as the site becomes more impressive from each new angle.

Beautiful setting! Great food. Amazing breakfast buffet! Loved it!!

Great spot right on the beach! Nice beach and pool bar.

Great place close to Airport

Our guide Marty was great! We had already been to the Night Market earlier so Marty switched gears and we went to the Chinese New Years street festival and also the market. Great food and great fun. He also arranged for us to travel by Tuk Tuk! That was a fun experience!!!

Great cultural experience

Both were amazing interactive experiences! Just loved it!!!!

Plus: The river trip after dark was truly amazing! The views with the lights and the other boats passing was really beautiful. Minus: The dinner was buffet style, which was expected, however, the quality and presentation of the food and drinks was very average. The performers on the ship solicited tips at each table.

We enjoyed seeing the traditional way of life. The coffee shop with their own grown and processed coffee was a highlight!

So beautiful being up and close and interacting with these amazing animals. The lunch provided was amazing local foods well prepared, delicious and presented beautifully. Lots of great photo ops! Over the top!!!

I can't say enough good things about this tour! We had a wonderful time. The lagoons and caves were breathtaking. We loved everything about it. We couldn't believe how great the food was. We had lunch, mid day snacks and a beautiful buffet dinner. I had to go down to the galley to congratulate the ladies who prepared it. I was a caterer for many years and they did an amazing job. The flower arranging component was interesting and educational. We would highly recommend this activity!