Our expectations were exceeded on this trip! ...
Thailand | Dec 3 - Dec 12, 2023

Heather
Heather S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2023

Our expectations were exceeded on this trip! I have never used KimKim before but was so impressed with the service. Elena, our agent put together a wonderful itinerary! Her selection of hotels was incredible, especially the hotel Na Niranda in Chiang Mai. We loved that place!

Our guide in Bangkok was Toto and he was a very attentive, fun, knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed having Toto as our guide and had a great time visiting the temples, train market and floating markets as well as a night out visiting street vendors by tuk tuk.

Chiang Mai was lovely and our guide Pookie took good care of us. The Elephant Nature Center was a great excursion. To see the elephants happy and taken such good care of after being abused was heartwarming for sure.

Phuket hotel was my least favorite. We stayed at the Avani + hotel and it felt more like a chain resort and didn't have the charm of previous hotel stays on the trip and it was heavily programmed for kids, which we don't have. Overall a nice hotel but would have preferred something with a little more charm and less family friendly. If you are a traveling family, then this is a great hotel for you!

The sunrise boat excursion was a blast! Enjoyed the whole day! Visited Phi Phi Island and had a great time seeing some beautiful scenery above and below water! ;)

I will definitely use KimKim again. I like how you can completely customize your trip. We usually wing our trips and head out on our own, but this trip spoiled us and we will look forward to having them help us with our next trip.

Thank you, Namaste, Mahalo, Khob khun ka!
Heather Stevens

Hotel Reviews
Ariyasom Villa
Bangkok

Charming hotel! Small, family owned hotel. You get very good service and the food was very good too! We enjoyed hanging by the pool and the outdoor courtyard. If you are looking to stay at a place that isn't a chain and feels more authentic and local, this is a great choice. Rooms were very spacious and had good amenities.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Na Nirand Resort
Chiang Mai

This hotel is gorgeous! Such an amazing place and the staff was terrific! We were upgraded upon our arrival to a suite and all's I can say is WOW! The Burmese Suite was gorgeous! The bathroom is so luxurious with a shower as big as a walk in closet. It was a decadent stay and we didn't want to leave. Staff was very welcoming and helpful. The breakfast buffet was so good, we loved it! The pool area is the centerpiece of the outdoor area and you can't wait to just sit in a lounger and soak it all up. The Lomi Lomi massage that I received was probably one of the best ever. I can't say enough about this place...I hope to come back again soon! Thank you for making this part of our trip very memorable. Heather Stevens

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites
Phuket

Pleasant, clean resort. No complaints. Staff was very helpful and friendly. It is a very family oriented hotel, so if you have kids traveling with you, this is a great spot. Lot of family activities. I was not traveling with family so would have preferred a more adults only type of place.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the beach and a shopping center across the street.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort

This hotel is gorgeous! Such an amazing place and the staff was terrific! We were upgraded upon our arrival to a suite and all's I can say is WOW! The Burmese Suite was gorgeous! The bathroom is so luxurious with a shower as big as a walk in closet. It was a decadent stay and we didn't want to leave. Staff was very welcoming and helpful. The breakfast buffet was so good, we loved it! The pool area is the centerpiece of the outdoor area and you can't wait to just sit in a lounger and soak it all up. The Lomi Lomi massage that I received was probably one of the best ever. I can't say enough about this place...I hope to come back again soon! Thank you for making this part of our trip very memorable. Heather Stevens

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Khantoke dinner at traditional Lanna family
Khantoke dinner at traditional Lanna family
Chiang Mai

Wasn't sure what to expect but enjoyed the experience. You visit a local house and learn the customs of the Lanna people and their traditions. You tour the property and gardens and then you feast! The food was delicious with ample appetizers and a big variety to try. The food is delivered Khantoke style (on the floor on a tray). The family leaves you to enjoy your dinner and then you get access to some of their recipes. I will definitely try to make the coconut/banana dessert drink that was served. Yum. Thank you for a wonderful, unique experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The second day at Elephant Nature Park - Elephant interaction (join-in activity)
The second day at Elephant Nature Park - Elephant interaction (join-in activity)
Chiang Mai

The second day we got to feed the elephants, which will be a highlight to remember forever! These animals are amazing! I'm so glad that they have this sanctuary to live in after the abuse they have suffered. Wonderful day! **Our guide Chi-Chi acted like a horny teenager and despite his lack of professionalism and the fact that he ignored any guest that wasn't in his age group (20's), we had a lovely time.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Except for Chi-Chi, staff was Wonderful!
Transport
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Toto was great!
Transport
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

I enjoyed the experience even though I wasn't very adventurous. Didn't try any scorpions or weird dishes, just a sample of some more tame, local dishes. Fun evening

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Railway Market & Floating Market
Railway Market & Floating Market
Bangkok

Such unique experiences! Both the Railway market and Floating markets should not be missed.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Toto was our guide and he was excellent!
Transport
Sunrise Phi Phi Island Joining Tour
Sunrise Phi Phi Island Joining Tour
Phuket

Wow! I had no idea how beautiful the islands are out here! Stunning! Great excursion to view sunrise from the boat and the beauty of Phi Phi Island. Fun day to be on a boat in the sun in Thailand! Highly recommend! Staff was great too! Very attentive to the guests.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Nguyen
Elena
Elena Nguyen
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Dec 21, 2023
Hi Heather,
Hope you are well!
So excited to know that you both had a great time in Thailand! Thank you for such nice feedback & valuable reviews! We are extremely delighted to receive your wonderful feedback :) There is nothing more precious to us than your experience being created with so many unforgettable memories and exceeding your expectations.
My team and I are so glad with all the compliments and valuable comments about the hotels. We know that it's also a reason for us to try harder...
Read more

Hi Heather,
Hope you are well!
So excited to know that you both had a great time in Thailand! Thank you for such nice feedback & valuable reviews! We are extremely delighted to receive your wonderful feedback :) There is nothing more precious to us than your experience being created with so many unforgettable memories and exceeding your expectations.
My team and I are so glad with all the compliments and valuable comments about the hotels. We know that it's also a reason for us to try harder to better our service. That's great to have your satisfaction and would like to say thank you again for placing your trust in us.
Hopefully, we will have another chance to welcome you back to Asia for a more exciting journey! Maybe Vietnam - my home country? Till then, we wish you health and safety :)
Be well,
Elena