Fabulous Trip of Southeast Asia!!!
Thailand | Jan 29 - Feb 17, 2026

Dana
Dana F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 23, 2026

My husband & I just returned from an AMAZING 3 week trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Truly, the trip of a lifetime! Our local specialist , Tina, left the company literally weeks before our trip and I was concerned about the impact it would have on our experience. There was nothing to worry about! Bella, picked up the ball and was there to help us every step of the way. Drivers and guides met us as scheduled. We had 5 flights within our trip and 7 different hotels. There were lots of moving parts and KimKim did an incredible job! We felt safe and well taken care of. We saw beautiful temples, visited busy markets, ate delicious food, sea kayaked, and went on multiple boat trips including a mini cruise. It was a very comprehensive trip. The only challenge we encountered was a couple of times the room description/pictures did not match what we received. Also, I would say the floating village in Cambodia is not worth visiting. Our guide said that things have changed a lot there since COVID. If you have an opportunity to visit this part of the world, please do. You will not be disappointed!

Hotel Reviews
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
Bangkok

Beautiful hotel in a wonderful location! The overall tone of the Anantara Riverside is very peaceful. It is a large size property with buildings only about 6 stories high - So doesn't feel like an urban hotel but, you are in the city - and has a gorgeous pool. Their sister property is right behind the hotel and is 27 stories high with a wonderful rooftop bar/restaurant (SEEN) that is a great way to get an aerial view of the city. The hotel boat shuttles are so nice (and included) and are a great way to experience life on the river and they provide transportation to ICONSIAM and the boat ferry station. The customer service at the hotel is top notch. EVERYONE from the bellman, concierge, housekeeping, and people in the restaurants was warm and attentive. We did have a little challenge when we first arrived and the manager, Hana, was quick to help us resolve the issue and was so understanding. Her level of service was much appreciated. Also, they serve THE BEST breakfast in Thailand!! In addition, the evening show with dinner was delicious and entertaining. The rooms are incredibly comfortable and the bed is heavenly! Would definitely recommend this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Lobby is beautiful. Landscaping and view of the water.
Location
Right on the river!
Staff
EVERYONE was so warm and kind. Hana was incredibly helpful and attentive when we had to deal with an issue at the hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was so comfortable! The hotel was very clean!
Phra Singh Village
Chiang Mai

Really nice boutique style hotel located in the old city. The rooms are very comfortable and spacious. Great bed! The hotel offers free 10 minute massages everyday and a local activity - ie flower arranging - which is a nice experience. The breakfast offering was pleasant , just not exceptional. LOVE the spa which is located just around the corner. AMAZING place!!!

Authenticity & Character
Very pleasant and comfortable place. Pretty courtyard.
Location
Right in the old town so you can walk to restaurants. Also, there a great laundry spot (around the corner)where you can drop off your laundry (very affordable) and they will deliver it back to the hotel when it is done. Finally, GRAB cars are very easy to get and therefore you can go anywhere you need to in the city!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great bed!
The Shore at Katathani Resort, Adult Only

This is the nicest hotel room we have ever had!!! Truly exceptional. Big beautiful bed in an enormous bedroom with sliding glass doors to our private pool and patio. Gorgeous bathroom with claw foot free standing tub and enormous shower. Wonderful bath products and fabulous slippers. The common areas were very nice too. Beautiful outdoor pool that over looks the beach. But be aware that there are no beach chairs at this hotel. Beach chairs are available from a public offering. Gorgeous sun sets each day!! Delicious breakfast. And "buggy" rides available from your room to anywhere you need to go on the property. This hotel is set vertically up a major hillside. So not very walkable.

Authenticity & Character
While my room was WONDERFUL the information about the room (and what I thought I had booked) said expansive ocean view. That is NOT the room I got. There was NO sea view and I remember specifically asking to have the sea view. While it was a shock and a disappointment, the room itself remained top notch.
Location
Very quiet end of Phuket with beautiful sunsets!!! BUT it takes 2 hours to get there from the airport because of traffic.
Staff
Buggy drivers were so friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
GORGEOUS room and bathroom!! AMAZING bed.
Amatak Boutique Hotel

Comfortable little hotel outside crazy Siem Reap! Room was simple, very clean, with a comfortable bed. Customer service was top notch. Breakfast was basic.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Away from the craziness of the town but, easy to catch a tuk tuk into the city!
Staff
They went out of their way to welcome us. Had a personalized message - laid out in flowers - on our bed when we arrived!
Cleanliness & Comfort
GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi

Wonderful hotel in Hanoi! VERY welcoming staff, especially Quan Hong! He was like a ray of sunshine every time we saw him. So warm and friendly. Our first room (while clean and bright) was very small and he kindly found us a little larger room when we returned. The breakfast was very delicious and our waitress always had a big smile - I am sorry I don't remember her name - and was warm and welcoming. Great location. While walking in Hanoi is a challenge, this hotel is accessible to both the old quarter and the lake!

Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, great bed, sound proof!! Rooms are a bit small.
Athena Cruise
Ha Long Bay

Wonderful way to experience Ha Long Bay! Ha, the general manager, is doing a fabulous job running this cruise experience. He has a warm demeanor and is engaging with both the guests and the staff. Unfortunately, our first room we stayed in did not look like the pictures of the room we had booked. It was incredibly disappointing and uncomfortable. Ha was able to move us to a suite for our second night which changed our whole experience. If this had not happened, I would have been very disappointed. It was a game changer. The common spaces on the boat - the dining room and the top deck - were very nice and comfortable. LOVED the cooking class on how to make spring rolls. So fun! Food was plentiful and tasty. Breakfast leaned more towards serving an Asian palate than an American one. I just can't eat soup for breakfast! But, if you asked for something different they were quick to make whatever you requested. I am happy we did the 2 night experience - especially once we got a nice room! - but also, we had the opportunity for the day trip on the Sunshine boat to kayak and explore. The lunch on that boat was INCREDIBLE! The best meal we had on Ha Long Bay and the tour guide was terrific! I am really glad we had this opportunity to explore this beautiful part of Vietnam. The only sad piece was all of the plastic trash in the water. Truly shocking!

Authenticity & Character
The room I booked was NOT the room I was initially placed in. Had I not been moved the second night, this would not have been a good experience. The pictures I was sent and the information about the room I booked was incorrect!
Location
Staff
Ha was terrific
Cleanliness & Comfort
Be ware of the rooms on the bottom of the boat. The mattress is a killer!
The Park Nine Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok

Great hotel near the airport! Beautiful hotel lobby and pool. Delicious on site restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Clean, comfortable , good sized rooms. GREAT pool!
Location
Close to the airport!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Bella Saung
Bella
Bella Saung
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Feb 24, 2026
Dear Dana Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me. I still remember the time we keep in touch along your trip :-). I know the timing of Tina’s departure was unexpected, so I’m especially grateful for your trust in allowing me to step in and continue planning your journey. I’m so happy to hear that everything ran smoothly and that you felt well taken care of throughout your 3-week adventure. I also truly appreciate... Read more

Dear Dana

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me. I still remember the time we keep in touch along your trip :-).

I know the timing of Tina’s departure was unexpected, so I’m especially grateful for your trust in allowing me to step in and continue planning your journey. I’m so happy to hear that everything ran smoothly and that you felt well taken care of throughout your 3-week adventure. I also truly appreciate your honest feedback and that kind of insight is very helpful, and I will definitely share it with our teams.

Thank you again for your trust and for sharing your experience. It was really a pleasure to be part of your trip, and I would be so happy to plan another adventure for you anytime.

Warmly,
Bella