Hoa Tran

Hoa was amazing at putting things together and was very prompt with everything. We did not provide much time to plan and had a great trip. One thing I would change would be the Thailand party if the trip. It would've been good to spend more time in Bangkok and only a few hours exploring the temples in Ayutthaya before heading through to Khao Yi. This was more our personal preference but realised we didn't provide much when we signed up. But my cousin and I agreed how great Hoa did with everything and we were very happy

My wife and I had an amazing two weeks in Thailand! Huge thanks to Hoa for putting together a smooth, well-balanced itinerary that made everything effortless. Pom, our Bangkok guide, was fantastic — energetic, knowledgeable, and really helped us get the most out of the city. Bammie, our Chiang Mai guide, was also excellent — friendly, attentive, and made the experience feel special. We also had a great time in Ko Yao Noi and Phuket; the beaches were incredible. Overall this was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken, and we highly recommend this team for anyone planning a Thailand trip.

The whole trip was great! Hoa did a FANTASTIC job putting together great activities and lodgings!
We especially loved the local feel on our tour to Koh Klang.
Will definitley use & recommend Kimkim in the future!

From beginning to end our travel experience was incredible thanks to Hoa and our guides and drivers in Thailand. From our arrival in Chiang Mai to dropping off our son at Semester at Sea at the end of our trip in Bangkok every detail was accounted for and every accommodation made for our unique circumstance. We encountered delays at the beginning of our trip because of weather in San Francisco forcing us to miss our connection and delaying our arrival in Thailand one full day. Within hours of receiving our news, Hoa had rearranged our itinerary to ensure we missed not a single moment we had planned, including changing our in country flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I just cannot overstate the level of detail and consideration that was put into our travel plan by Hoa and the team. Ying, our guide in Chiang Mai, was knowledgeable and just such a joy to spend time with. It was fun getting to know her city, her cultural and even her personally. Each hotel in Chiang Mai, Krabi, Bangkok and Kanchanaburi captured the vibe of the place we were in and added to our overall experience. Hoa really heard us when we expressed our interests and values and aligned our itinerary perfectly. Our guide in Bangkok, Toto, was so much fun! He just has this infectious energy that added great vibes to our overall experience. When my daughter and I started to plan this trip we tried to do it on our own but became quickly overwhelmed. Finding KimKim and working with Hoa were the key to an incredible experience we will never forget!

Hotel Reviews

De Chai The Colonial Hotel & Spa

Chiang Mai

Great location and really nice rooms.

Authenticity & Character

Location and room decor

Location

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Varana Krabi Hotel

Great location and amenities. Very peaceful. Food is a little pricey on site (per Thailand standards) but a great experience overall.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nysa Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 11

Bangkok

Location was in an area that was maybe not as family friendly. We did like the atmosphere of the hotel itself and staff were excellent. Also in walking distance to shopping and public transit.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

River Kwai Resotel

Kanchanaburi

Very cool setting but staff was super helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Loved taking the water taxi to and from

Staff

Language proficiency and attitude -- people were not super friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Chiang Mai by tuk tuk

Chiang Mai

Ying was super knowledgeable about Buddhism and Thai customs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Araksa Tea Experience & Adventure at Sri Lanna National Park

Chiang Mai

Such a serene and peaceful place. Loved picking the tea and learning the process.

Quality of Experience

Food

Loved the homemade rice cakes

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

Toto went above and beyond to make sure we visited all the temples and got the best views and pictures!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Railway Market & Floating Market - Travel to Kanchanaburi

Thailand

Both markets are so unique and special. Toto gave us great hints on where to shop for the best deals.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My friends and I had an amazing trip to Southeast Asia. AE was our guide in Bangkok. She was so kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. With AE we visited beautiful temples, lively markets, and ate some delicious street food. In Chiang Mai, our guide Pong took us to a monk blessing ceremony and an elephant sanctuary. She was wonderful. Again we ate delicious food and visited museums and temples. Cambodia and Vietnam were equally fun, beautiful, and fascinating. Our guide in Siem Reap was Set. He did a great job of explaining the history of Angkor Wat and the surrounding Temples. The hotels we stayed at were all comfortable and gorgeous with excellent food options. Thanks to Hoa who arranged this trip for us. It truly was a trip of a life time.

We feel so fortunate to have had Hoa as our agent/specialist for our Thailand trip! First of all, Hoa contacted us several times before our trip to determine the activities we would be interested in and our overall preferences for accommodations and locations. She also tried to understand the levels of activity we would prefer to make sure the plans met our expectations. Because of her interest in getting it right for us, we went through several iterations of our planned trip and we also made some unusual requests that were not typical. The end result: we were blown away by the final trip that she put together for us. In addition, during our trip, we were very impressed with all of the local guides that were assigned to us in the four cities/areas that we visited. Each guide was so dedicated to making sure that we learned about Thai culture and the overall history of each area - they went out of their way to ensure we were happy and got the experience that we hoped for. They also were very patient and thorough in answering all of our questions about each area (and we had a lot of questions), and spent as much time as necessary depending on our interests. A guide has a difficult job as they have to deal with all kinds of people with varying interests, and all of our guides were so professional yet so personal and friendly. We also felt very safe with all of the drivers and tour boat operators that we had - they were all very polite and engaging. Hoa also booked us at hotels and resorts that were 1st class. We are not party people, so we were very happy to stay at quiet, yet very comfortable and classy locations. The workers and staff at each of these locations were so friendly and accommodating that we felt so comfortable and taken care of. The food served at each of these locations was fantastic and also went beyond our expectations. There were so many personalized details provided, such as making sure our meals accommodated our dietary needs (we are vegetarian), ensuring that our plane seats were near the front of the plane when available to get on and off easily, having our guides assist us through the airports (we had three in-country flights and they even helped us through check-in), having our guides walk us through the local markets and show us the lay of the land so that we felt comfortable buying food and gifts when we had free time, etc. Hoa also kept in contact with us during the trip to remind us of pickup and meeting times as well as to ensure that were were happy throughout.

We were so happy during our trip and we would not hesitate to recommend Kim Kim to anyone considering a trip to Thailand or southeast Asia.

Hotel Reviews

Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11

Bangkok

We got in very late on our first night in country after a long international flight, so we were tired and not very alert. However, the hotel staff made check in easy for us and made sure that we were comfortable right away. The breakfast buffet was a highlight of the stay - the food was outstanding and fresh and delicious, but the accommodations were also comfortable and quiet. After a long flight, it was nice to have access to a gym so as to stretch out and get a workout in to feel more normal. This is such nice hotel and all of the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

The breakfast buffet was so fresh and there was a variety of foods to try and to satisfy any diet.

Location

Bangkok is such a big city, but we were very close to the subway stations and elevated train lines, so getting around the city was convenient. Also, we had so many options for food and activities just outside the door.

Staff

All of the staff were very friendly and courteous.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was very quiet and comfortable and clean. The gym and locker room were also very clean and nice.

The Xcape River Kwai

Kanchanaburi

Our room was spectacular, but it seems that every room is also. The hotel is very modern yet charming and clean. The pool is beautiful and clean, and the views are simply amazing. We watched a distant thunderstorm over the mountains off our balcony one night, and it was lovely. We also kayaked on the river using the complimentary kayaks. Also, the restaurant is very nice with a fantastic menu and the food was delicious. All of the staff were very friendly and accommodating, and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

It is a very modern design, yet also functional and comfortable. And beautiful!

Location

It is located in a quiet and rural setting not too far from town but right on the river - the views are amazing.

Staff

All of the staff were so friendly and accommodating - so welcoming.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The pool is beautiful and pristine. Each room is modern and the views are amazing.

De Chai The Colonial

The hotel is a boutique hotel with a lovely atmosphere. Our room was very clean and quiet, but also large and comfortable. The location is perfect - it is on a quiet street but a very close walking distance to many restaurants and bars inside the old town. The breakfast buffet is very nice and we looked forward to eating at the restaurant every day. The hotel staff were so friendly and accommodating. During one of our activities in Chiang Mai, we got bitten by ants and other insects and had such itchy skin that there was no way we would be able to sleep. We asked the staff for directions to a pharmacy, but did not need to visit the pharmacy as the desk staff had extra ointment that they offered us to try. It worked, and it saved us time trying to find the pharmacy, etc., and we were able to sleep that night. Such nice people and so accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

It is a beautiful boutique hotel with a lot of character. We loved the Koi pond in front of the hotel, and it is very quiet and comfortable.

Location

The hotel is located inside the old town gates, but it is on a very quiet street. However, you are only a block away in most directions to busier areas with a variety of restaurants, shops, etc. And it is close to temples (one right down the street) and other tourist attractions.

Staff

The desk staff was so nice - they provided free of charge some ointment to soothe our itchy skin from bug bites. Also, the breakfast staff was so very nice and attentive - they were all such lovely people.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is very clean and has many staff working at all times. Our room was always clean and comfortable.

Dewa Phuket Resort & Villas

Phuket

The hotel is located close to the airport and is so convenient to traveling in and out of Phuket. In addition, it is located across the street from a most lovely beach, and it is essentially located inside the national park, so it is a very quiet and beautiful location. Despite it being located in a quiet area, there are plenty of restaurants and shops within easy walking distance, and it must be repeated that a most beautiful and quiet beach is just across the street! The breakfast buffet is absolutely wonderful and first class, but the restaurant also serves 1st class food that is so fresh and delicious. The hotel staff are so friendly and accommodating and make sure that you are taken are of. The hotel provides nice touches like flip flops, beach towels, a carry bag for the beach or shopping, and umbrellas to use. So nice! We found all of the staff to be so friendly, from the maintenance workers to cleaning staff as well as the restaurant and pool/bar workers. The hotel offers a complimentary yoga class several days of the week, and our instructor was so sweet and nice. And of course the desk staff (Vicky and Jib especially) and bell people were really, very nice and attentive, that they all really made our stay such a nice experience.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel is located in a very quiet part of the island, yet it is close to the airport which makes traveling in and out so easy. The hotel is quite nice, and our room was very quiet, yet spacious and comfortable. The hotel is located ((essentially) inside a national park and Nai Yang beach is right across the street. The beach is so lovely - beautiful sand beach with calm water and beautiful views. You can watch the planes coming in for landing in the distance - this just adds to the setting.

Location

It is located very close to the airport, but it is so quiet and relaxed (you can hear planes in the distance periodically, but they add to the atmosphere as you can observe them coming in over the water in the distance). The hotel is essentially located within the national park, and it is right across the street from Nai Yang beach, which is very quiet and has such lovely sand. Phuket can be so loud and chaotic with tourism, but this hotel is located in a beautiful and quit=et area of the island.

Staff

All of the staff, and we mean all of them, were so very kind and attentive. Even the maintenance workers were very friendly and would stop to say hello. The desk staff, especially Vicky and Jib were so so nice and friendly, yet professional and competent. We cannot say enough about the staff of the hotel -obviously they made a point to ensure that we and all the guests were comfortable and happy, and it worked!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our hotel room was always clean and comfortable. The pool area looked so nice (we did not use it because the beautiful beach was across the street, but if we were pool people we would be very happy). The hotel is beautiful and in an idyllic setting, that you don't want to leave the area. In addition, the breakfast buffet and restaurant offers food that is so delicious it is easy to want to eat there every day and night. This was the last stop on our trip to Thailand, and it just capped off our great experience.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Samut Prakan

After a long trip in Thailand, we flew from Phuket to Bangkok the night before leaving Thailand. Our international flight home was set for 7 am, and we were so tired from a great vacation, that we were a bit down on energy. However, upon walking into the hotel, our spirits picked up immediately! This hotel is absolutely gorgeous! It is modern, beautiful, clean and so comfortable. After staying in several locations throughout the country for a long time, we were not looking forward to checking in to one more hotel. However, our attitude changed right away, as the check in process was a breeze and very fast, and the accommodations are so very nice. The hotel is very large, but is it also very peaceful and comforting. The breakfast buffet starts at 3 am for travelers who have early flights out, so we were able to have an absolutely wonderful breakfast buffet before catching an early flight. In addition, after a long vacation, we were able to use the hotel gym to stretch out and recoup from a physically demanding vacation, not to mention to reset the body before getting on a very long international flight. The gym and locker room are so very nice and spacious, with fantastic gym equipment and amenities. Oh yeah, the hotel is essentially right across the street from the airport, but you wouldn't know it as it is so quiet and comfortable. Likewise, it is so convenient - it was so nice knowing we were so close to the airport that it took stress away from worrying about packing up and getting to the airport on time. The hotel shuttle immediately brought us to the hotel from the airport the night before with zero wait time, and in the morning, the hotel shuttle immediately brought us to the airport with zero wait time, and the shuttle ride is only about 5 minutes total - so convenient! This was a wonderful hotel and experience.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel is big and beautiful and modern and nice, but it is also so comfortable and quiet.

Location

The hotel is so close to the airport, but you wouldn't know it as it is so quiet and peaceful. Bangkok is so big and loud and busy, so having a beautiful and comfortable hotel so close to the airport just takes stress away from traveling in and out of the airport. The shuttle immediately took us to the hotel from the airport the night before our flight, and in the morning it immediately took us to the airport to catch our flight. There was no stress as you are only a 5 minute drive away.

Staff

The hotel desk staff are used to dealing with tired travelers, and they were so efficient and nice that checking in and out was a breeze. The shuttle drivers and baggage handlers were so friendly and nice and efficient, and we had zero wait time. They take all the stress of getting to and from an airport away.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel is very clean, modern and comfortable. The room was very nice and quiet. The gym and locker rooms were clean, spacious, and quiet. It is a great hotel so close to the airport, yet quiet and comfortable.

Activity Review

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

Hoa's planning of our trip was exceptional. Truly wonderful in every way - her patience, knowledge, kindness, recommendations and attention to detail were beyond five stars, for sure. The hotels chosen for us were all exceptional and the staff in them were amazing. The guides, too, were almost always wonderful -- kind, knowledgeable, flexible and easy to be with. We covered so much ground in our 2.5 weeks - three countries! -- and got to see so much thanks to the flawless planning not just ahead of our trip but as we were there. Our guides -- in particular, Ae, Mu and Pong (Thailand), Set and Rit (Cambodia), and Huang (Vietnam) -- deserves special shout-outs for their hard work, knowledge and humor! As do our drivers along the way, who safely navigated us through some crazy traffic! The staff on Orchid Cruises for our cruise on Ha Long Bay were also really wonderful. The trip of a lifetime with too many highlights to mention. Couldn't recommend this more. The only thing I would do differently is perhaps travel not so close to the end of the rainy season, as we did experience rain and very high humidity for much of the trip and build in a couple of days of downtime because we saw so much (which is what we asked for).

Hotel Reviews

Rachamankha Boutique Hotel

Chiang Mai

Truly beautiful and special in every way. Small, intimate, elegant. The perfect hotel, IMO. Wonderful staff, gorgeous restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Just a gorgeous design in the rooms and in the hotel and its grounds. Everything was so simply and beautifully elegant.

Location

Lots nearby that's walkable.

Staff

Kind, attentive, helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perfectly appointed.

Shintamani Angkor

One of my favorites! Just a gorgeous hotel with amazing staff (especially Kim at the front desk, but everyone was great). Great location near to Pub Street and the market, good food (both restaurant and breakfast). Room was gorgeous and so clean and beautifully appointed. I wanted to stay forever!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Orchid Classic Cruise

Hai Phong

Staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. Rooms were very clean and well-appointed and we had a deck! Small boat made it feel intimate and not crowded. No rocking, so no sea sickness. Food was very good as well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Really wonderful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean!

Hôtel des Arts Saigon - MGallery Collection

Ho Chi Minh City

Seems to be right in the heart of things. Beautiful design, friendly staff. Wonderful breakfast spread and they offer high tea.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Wonderful staff, beautiful rooms. Large resort-style hotel. Amazing breakfast spread and wonderful pool. We took the boat at the pier down the river, which is a wonderful amenity offered by the Anantara. Also nice to have the little mall connected to the hotel for other eating options and if you need to pick up something.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They were wonderful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Apricot Hotel

Hanoi

Very elegant and seems to be in a very central part of town - lots of things nearby if you want to shop or eat nearby, both street food and restaurants. Nice location right by the lake. Very helpful staff. Gorgeous rooms

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra

So elegant and beautiful. Staff were lovely, as were the rooms, pool, restaurants (amazing pizza!), and just a great experience staying here, though too brief!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market

Bangkok

Ae did a great job showing us Chatuchak, which is vast and easy to feel overwhelmed by.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ae was wonderful!

Transport

Night Street Food After Dark by Vespa

Ho Chi Minh City

This was a real highlight of our trip. Seeing Saigon at night by motor scooter was such a treat and we had some amazing food, listened to wonderful live music and had some great cocktails with stunning views of the city.

Quality of Experience

Food

Such good street food!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Evelyn was a great guide and our drivers were wonderful!

Transport

Planning a trip with KimKim was such a good decision. From our very first interaction, the process was incredibly personalized and geared to our interests and budget. Our planner Hoa was detailed and patient as she curated the perfect trip for us.

The trip itself was truly amazing, and several aspects stood out.
Pom—our local guide in Bangkok—was exceptional. He met us at the airport and accompanied us for much of our time in the city. His knowledge of Thailand’s culture and history added so much depth to every stop, and he somehow always knew the hidden spots we never would’ve found on our own.

The temple visits were unforgettable: stunning, peaceful, and a powerful way to immerse ourselves in Thai culture. The food tours in both Bangkok and Phuket were another highlight, giving us a chance to try local flavors we probably never would’ve discovered without guidance. Both guides ability to lead us to tiny eateries and help us order the best dishes made those tours truly special.

We also loved the floating market, the James Bond-style boat ride, and the train market—each one fun, colorful, and although some were very tourist oriented, uniquely Thai. And the Bangkok night market delivered all the energy, sights, and food we could’ve hoped for.

The only things we would change would be to allow ourselves a little more time. Even 1 extra day would have allowed us to have a less tiring pace, at least in Bangkok. We are also seasoned travelers so we felt that some parts could have been more on our own with just transportation provided. For a less experienced traveler, the personalized guides that are provided would probably be a godsend as they make sure every detail is taken care of so we didn't have to navigate language barriers or be worried about instructions, even at the airport.

Lastly, we want to give a big thank-you to Hoa for all the work she put into planning this trip. She helped us build an incredible itinerary, checked in with us daily, and was always ready to assist with anything we needed. Her attention and care made the trip the success it was, and we’re grateful for everything she did to make it unforgettable.

Overall, our experience was exceptional, and we would definitely use KimKim again.

Hotel Review

The Surin Phuket

Phuket

The Surin is incredible. The amazing staff anticipated our every need. They made our stay one of the most remarkable hotel stays ever!

Authenticity & Character

Location

A beautiful location, private beach and lovely individual cottages.

Staff

All the staff were amazing. they were always there to make everything perfect.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private dinner at The Treepods

Phuket

We would not recommend the Tripods experience. The food was good but not exceptional. The portions were huge (8 egg roles for 2 people as a part of a six part appetizer). We could have easily had half the food and still have been very well feed. We would recommend a very nice dinner at a high end hotel restaurant rather than Treepods.

Quality of Experience

The location is wonderful but see above for details.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver and guide were fine but the guide is probably not needed.

Transport

Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Railway Market & Floating Market

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Food Tasting & Old Town's Magical Lights

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Morning Visit (Joining Activity)

Phuket

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide is not needed. Simply having a driver is all that is needed.

Transport