Five stars isn't enough!
Thailand | Oct 31 - Nov 16, 2025

Lorie
Lorie P.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2025

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
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
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
Local specialist: Hoa Tran