Kimkim Trip Reviews

Trusting Monika with my trip was the best decision I could have made, she was so helpful throughout the planning process and during the trip. She picked excellent excursions that we throughly enjoyed and made all the arrangements necessary for the trip to go so smoothly. The was wise enough to pick hotels that were in walking distance to great restaurants and activities and was very helpful in accommodating my travel partner, who had a lot of allergies. I would absolutely recommend her for planning a trip to New Zealand.

Activity Reviews

Glowworm Tour Nocturnal Adventure

Rotorua

Stephen was incredible. His knowledge of the landscape and local flare and fauna was top notch. We had an absolutely incredible time and he takes beautiful pictures if you at a waterfall that he promptly emailed to us the next morning, do not miss this!!

Quality of Experience

you are in a small group and it does not feel touristy or commercial, its intimate and fun

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stephen is an incredible tour guide, he's is so knowledgable and respects the environment and his patrons

Transport

he took us to see the sunset, looking over the lake before we went to see the glowworms

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Do not skip the experience, it's so educational, entertaining and the food was the best we had the entire trip!! The love, care and welcoming attitude that the performers have for visitors is unparalleled. The knowledge they provide leaves you deeply interested in Maori culture and the performances and food were excellent. The staff is so talented!! I would absolutely go back and do this again.

Quality of Experience

Food

best meal we had the whole trip

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

It was raining but that didn’t detract from the experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Skydive Taupo Tandem 12000 feet

New Zealand

Staff was friendly and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Swim with dolphins

New Zealand

I didn’t end up swimming and they arranged for us to take a boat ride instead where we still got to see dolphins

Christchurch Tramway Restaurant

Christchurch

Excellent food and amazing service

Quality of Experience

The quality and food portions were excellent

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff was so friendly and professional

Coach and Cruise to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

Queenstown (NZ)

I wish I caught the name of our bus driver, he was so friendly and entertaining and took some great photos of me and my friend!

Quality of Experience

The views and the driver

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was so friendly, funny and informative

Transport

The bus had some problems on the way back but that’s not anyone’s fault

From arrival to departure this trip was divine! We were able to to relax and take in the history in Venice. Hands down, one of the most amazing guides I've ever experienced took us through St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. She left us with so many jewels of history we were in awe. It was a great start. Accomodations in Venice were exactly what we were looking for.
The food and wine tour in Florence was truly a highlight! We even went back the next day to purchase more bottles 🥴.
Our guide for the Uffizi & Accademia tour was nothing short of amazing as well.
The following day our day trip to Tuscany and San Gimignano took our breath away. The commute was filled with knowledge, history, and a light chat. Our driver couldn't have been more perfect. He was our absolute favorite!!!!!
Rome personally stole my heart, the Vatican in particular, and our guide was *chef's kiss*. I cried like a baby in the Sistine Chapel and the tears continued as we walked through the holy doors and experienced St. Peter's basilica during Jubilee!

Thank you Irene! This trip was EXACTLY what we were looking for.

Hotel Reviews

Argentina Residenza Style Hotel Rome

Rome

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

I appreciate them soooo much for helping with a last minute reservation

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Florence

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Great breakfast

Location

Easily accessible to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palazzo Morosini Degli Spezieri - Apartment hotel

Venice

This was the best accommodation of our entire trip! I would recommend this place to anyone traveling to Venice.

Authenticity & Character

Right on the canal

Location

Staff

Over and beyond with maintaining the surprise for my mom

Cleanliness & Comfort

No complaints

Activity Reviews

Private Tuscany Day Trip to Siena and San Gimignano

Italy

Highlight of out trip! Our guide was a delight. He quite literally made this long commute a beautiful excursion filled with charm, storytelling, and attention to detail. Give this man a raise!!!!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Uffizi & Accademia Galleries Tour

Florence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Florence Food & Wine Tour

Florence

Wonderful guide

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Gondola Ride

Venice

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Grand Canal boat tour in Venice

Venice

Great guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour

Venice

Ahhhhmazing guide! We were blown away by the history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our Thailand trip was absolutely amazing! We visited Bangkok, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, and Phuket, and every stop was unforgettable.

In Bangkok, our guide Annie (Wat Arun) was incredible. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience so special.

In Krabi, we also had Jo Pur as a guide and she was amazing. The Koh Klan cultural tour was a highlight — engaging, authentic, and so much fun.

In Phi Phi Island, we did the Sunrise Tour with Simba Sea Trips, and our guides Joseph, Ann, and Film were phenomenal. Their energy, hospitality, and attention to detail made the day perfect.

Thailand itself is breathtaking — beautiful places, amazing food, and some of the most polite and accommodating people we’ve ever met.

A special thank you to Sunny from Kim Kim, who curated our entire trip. Sunny checked in with us throughout our stay to make sure everything was going smoothly. Sunny did an excellent job!

Hotel Reviews

My Beach Resort

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Varana Krabi Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mode Sathorn Hotel Bangkok

Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sunrise Phi Phi Island Joining Tour

Phuket

Food

Everything was great. Had accommodated my allergies in the meals. Very thoughtful

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joseph, Film and Ann from Simba Sea Trips were amazing guides

Transport

Discover Local Island Life: Koh Klang Culture

Krabi

An unforgettable visit!! Our guide was so knowledgeable and fun!!! We were sad to say goodbye!

Thank you, Sangita, for an amazing one-month trip through Nepal. It was the first time we booked a journey through a travel agency, we normally organise everything ourselves, but choosing Sangita was the best decision we could have made. The preparation before the trip was perfect, every detail thought through, and all our questions answered immediately.

What truly surprised us, though, was the incredible support once we were in Nepal. When our plans changed, Sangita reorganised everything seamlessly and incredibly fast. Thanks to her, we could simply relax and enjoy our holiday without any stress. We also appreciated the personal touch: a warm welcome cooking class, meetings before and after our trek, and even a private tour through Patan. And because this was our honeymoon, she surprised us with a beautiful gift — a sound healing session that we will never forget.

She also organised our entire trek, including an amazing guide, Bhim, who made the experience even more special.

If you are looking for someone who is thoughtful, responsive, and genuinely cares about your experience, Sangita is the person to trust. We cannot recommend her highly enough.

My wife and I arranged a hiking trip to visit the rice terraces in Ifugao and Sagada. We worked with Cami at KimKim and she always answered our many pre-trip questions promptly and accurately.

Our trip followed the devastating 2025 typhoons that greatly impacted the roads and hiking trails in the region. Though people were still digging out and repairing the damage, our trip was still a success. We had to adapt to some minor changes in the itinerary, follow different hiking trails, and stay at a couple of guest houses that still did not have electricity and water. Still, things worked well. Our guide, Jody, and the rest of guides/drivers were very professional. We would highly recommend this trip to other adventure- minded travelers.

We had an overall wonderful trip to Ireland in Nov 2025. It was a short trip, built around attending a concert in Dublin on 11/12. First, I want to say that I have used KimKim for several prior trips to S and Central America and have nothing but amazing things to say about those experiences. Which was why it was a no brainer for us to use KimKim for this trip. We didn't have as great an experience this time. We initially met via zoom with Joe to discuss the trip, our interests, want to do's for the trip etc. The initial itinerary Joe gave us was pretty confusing and just had very general info, like from a pre-written template which did not take into account specifics that we had talked about. I wrote a long chat to Joe expressing my confusion and pointing out some of the discrepancies and/or flat out errors. We planned another call which did take place with Joe and he said that the issues with the itinerary would be corrected after we finalized our payments. But then we were informed Joe was no longer working there so we were handed off to Dean. It was a little frustrating trying to get the corrected itinerary that had revisions away from the "template" they use for this excursion or that activity. We also didn't have near the customer service and one:one attention that I was used to from my previous trips with KimKim. When we got the app and our itinerary, it was not user friendly (this was the first time with Kim kim that we used this app). Again, the itinerary was using very rote (not individualized) descriptions. I was told not to look at that part of the app but to look at the documents and "driver notes." those were more helpful for sure.
In terms of hotels, we stayed at the Ashling Hotel in Dublin and the Galmont in Galway. Both were nice places, however, when we first talked to Joe, he knew we were going to a concert in Dublin (at the 3 arena) and I had said I wanted a gym in the hotel. The Ashling was nice as I said, but there was no gym and it was about as far away from the concert venue as you could get. I had also told Joe none of us were drinkers so going to Guiness or Jameson were not on our list of things we wanted to do. The Ashling is super near to Guiness and Phoenix Park and the bus station and that's about it. So I did not like the location personally and it made me feel like the trip folks had some deal with the hotel so they just funnel as many people there as possible rather than listening to the specifics of what i wanted. the Galmont was good location and it had a gym, no so complaints with that. Both had great breakfasts so that was nice. Our one group excursion to Belfast was a highlight. we opted for a black cab tour (which Dean did help us get corrected as somehow, that was not the tour we were booked on even though that had been communicated to Joe from the start as well). The tour was by Wild Rover and the woman on the bus with us was fantastic as was our black cab driver. high praise for both of them and for the experience overall. We did have a walking tour of dublin as well which was also wonderful. our guide for that was great. we also did the Viking splash tour (duck boat tour) which was fun and touristy.
Everything else was on our own, planned on our own. We enjoyed Ireland very much and we agreed we would all love to go back for longer and to explore more of the country. However, this time around, I didn't feel I received the support, suggestions, individualization and individual attention I have received from previous Kim KIm trips. Thanks very much for letting me review.

Hotel Reviews

The Galmont Hotel & Spa

Galway

good location, great breakfast, good gym

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

great breakfast and restaurant, location was not good for us, no gym which was important to me

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Book of Kells and Trinity Campus Tour

Dublin

we didn't have a guide for this, we just did it on our own. fascinating, beautiful and interesting.

Quality of Experience

Dublin Guided walking tour tour

Dublin

Our guide, whose name i am forgetting, was GREAT. we learned a lot and he shared so much info, answered questions, made suggestions ...very helpful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

na

Belfast & Giants Causeway Day tour from Dublin

Dublin

loved the history of the black cab tour, made us all want to know more about The Troubles Giants Causeway was good too although the weather made it rough (windy and rainy), still was interesting to walk around

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Viking Splash tour

Dublin

It's fun and touristy. it may or may not be your thing. I like duck boats tour in general.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

As a Costa Rica expert on behalf of kimkim, this was a trip to reconnect with some of the regions I know and love. A complete circuit visiting highlights such as La Fortuna and Monteverde, as well as more off-the-beaten-path destinations like Rincon de La Vieja and Drake Bay. This way, I can stay up to date with locations travelers love, as well as guide them in navigating destinations that require deep knowledge.

It was also a great way to connect with guides, drivers, and hotels that help bring the kimkim experience together, and ensure that each step of the trip is working correctly in connecting the traveler to locals and creating the correct impacts in the communities they visit.

Ravi and Active India were excellent in putting together a perfect trip for us to India. He was super responsive in the planning stages and kept us fully informed. During the trip, the coordination between our various drivers and guides was seamless. A WhatsApp group let us stay in touch throughout the trip. Ravi made sure that our wedding anniversary was celebrated by the hotels during the trip.

We had an amazing time with Khalid as our guide around Morocco. Our guides in each city we visited made the trip a truly unforgettable experience. The three highlights for me were Fes, the camel excursion into the desert, and Marrakech. Enjoyed the variety of experiences but the medinas were amazingly memorable.

For our trip I think it would have been better to have 14 or more days to cover the vast areas we drove. We did spend a good deal of time driving.

Veronika planned the perfect trip for me and my partner. It was the perfect pace, the activities from the Blue Lagoon to Glacier tour were stunning experiences. The locations she found for us to stay were breathtaking. I honestly couldn't have done it without her help and expertise. My partner and I are dying to return and would use Veronika and KimKim again in a heartbeat.

Hotel Reviews

Signature by Vík Apartments

Vik

It was stunning. The bath, the views of the ocean, the dinner at the connected hotel. It was romantic and relaxing and so comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Muli

Reykjavik

The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. The location was a short trip to the city center and the stay was great for the smaller hotel stay of our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Katla Ice Cave

Iceland

This was such an amazing experience, the tour guide was fantastic and knowledgable. The trip out was a bit long but once you get there being able to walk on a glacier is breath taking. They were very careful about safety.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My trip to Finland was truly unforgettable. I am extremely satisfied with the entire experience, and I could not be happier with how everything turned out especially the extraordinary moment of witnessing the Northern Lights. Seeing the aurora dance across the sky was a breathtaking, almost surreal experience that exceeded every expectation I had. It was the absolute highlight of my journey.

The organization of the trip was also excellent from start to finish. Every detail from transportation to excursions was handled smoothly and professionally. The itinerary was well planned, efficient, and thoughtfully paced, allowing me to enjoy each moment without feeling rushed. I felt supported and well-guided throughout the entire experience.

Overall, this trip to Finland was exceptionally memorable, and I am grateful for the remarkable service and seamless coordination that made it so special. I highly recommend this destination and this level of organization to anyone looking for a truly magical travel experience.

Everything was perfect. Beautiful country and great accommodations. Private sailing on last day was beyond special.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Bosque del Mar

Playa Hermosa

Location Location Location. Steps from the beach. Restaurant was superb. Best fish sandwich !

Authenticity & Character

Location

Beach and islands.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Staff was helpful and attentitive.

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Best hotel springs and pools. Food was great and breakfast was the best.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful gardens and flora.

Location

Base of volcano

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero

Felt like we were deep in the rain forest.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Presidente

San José

Thank you Nicole for special service and Manu for great private tour of San Jose.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure

Costa Rica

Great way to spend last day in CR on a private sail boat, snorkeling and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Palo Verde National Park Boat Trip

Costa Rica

Saw alot of wildlife.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Maleku Indigenous Reserve

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Boat Excursion Through the Tortuguero Canals

Tortuguero

Guide was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tortuguero Village Visit

Tortuguero

Very remote and rainy. Best nights sleep listening to rain falling on our cabin.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private San José City Tour

San José

Our guide Manu was the best.

Quality of Experience

Very informative of history of San Jose.

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.

Where do I start to describe this phenomenal adventure Gummi planned for us?? It was so well organized and unbelievably planned with such care and accuracy that we completely wore ourselves out with great new experiences and adventures words will never be able to describe. The pictures will speak for themselves. We started at Blue Lagoon and ended at Sky Lagoon with a visit to Laugarás Lagoon in the middle and we NEEDED all 3!! Our favorite was Laugarás Lagoon!!
Our hotels were all amazing (CenterHotel Plaza(Reykjavík) / Dís Cottages (Snæfellsnes Peninsula) / Hotel Bifrost (Reykholt) / Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels (Golden Circle) / Black Beach Suites (Vík) / CenterHotel Klopp (Reykjavík) and ALL of the staff were a joy to meet and took very good care of us the entire trip. Our favorite was Hótel Grímsborgir!!
Our adventures included but was not limited to: 3 Lagoons / Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience / Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling Adventure / Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk and we cant pick just one favorite....recommend all of them, hands down!! The guides were impressive as well, we tipped them for their amazing service!!

Our itinerary:
1 - Reykjavík- Blue Lagoon: ate at the tapas at Tapas Barinn (AMAZING) around the corner from the hotel and had the seafood soup at Sæta Svínið Gastropub (OUT OF THIS WORLD). The town center was already filling up with beautiful Christmas decorations and it was just magical!
2 - Reykjavík to Snæfellsnes Peninsula: stopped at Hvalfjörður - Whale Fjord (didnt see one but we knew they were there! / stopped at Hraunfossar for the “Lava Falls” (breathtaking and COLD) / Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience (A MUST DO) / sun set too quickly for us to see Gerðuberg Basalt Cliffs (next time) / checked into Dis Cottages and made our wwn dinner and stayed up to watch the northern lights!
3 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula - missed Kirkjufellsfoss falls but saw the mountain / Lóndrangar basalt sea stacks / Explored Arnarstapi and had THE BEST Lamb Soup in Iceland at Samkomuhúsið Arnarstapa / pictures at Búðir Church / ended at Ytri Tunga Seal Beach (the seals put on a show for us too)
4 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykholt - Kolugljúfur Canyon (worth the drive) / missed Hvitserkur and got sidetracked on our way to Bifrost with the MOST DELICIOUS Lamb Chops at the local gas station!!
5 - Reykholt to Golden Circle - we had snow so driving was slower than normal - Þingvellir National Park (the p's sound like t's and had us soooo confused) but the drive was beautiful / ate at Efstidalur II Farm Bistro and the burgers were of course AMAZING / couldnt get to Brúarfoss with the weather and had an appointment at Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki (MUST MUST MUST EXPERIENCE) / checked into Hótel Grímsborgir and this place was our favorite!!
6 - Golden Circle - slept in due to the Northern lights last night / passed on Kerið Crater / walked the Geysir Geothermal Area - bitter cold (the welcome center was delightful) / Gullfoss Waterfall was spectacular / on to Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling Adventure / with a piece of glacier ice and a short JD, we headed back to Hótel Grímsborgir for dinner
7 - Golden Circle to Vík - Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls (too crowded, going back tomorrow / Skogafoss Waterfall (BEAUTIFUL) / Kvernufoss Waterfall (we passed ont his one to get to Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk (AN ABSOLUTE MUST MUST MUST DO!! OUR GUIDE SAM WAS INCREDIBLE) ON TO Black Beach Suites (Vík) (BOUGIE and VERY COMFORTABLE - 30ft wall of windows to boot)!
8 - Vík - tried to get to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon but the drive and snow was a bit too much. We turned around and decided to shake things up and explore on our own. We found the Black pizza place and it didnt dissappoint!
9 - Vík to Reykjavík - Reynisfjara Beach & Reynisdrangar Columns was just beautiful / Dyrhólaey Arch and Cliffs (DO NOT MISS THIS! THE VIEW IS SPECTATUCULAR. OUR FAVORITE OF THE ENTIRE TRIP. YOU CAN SEE THE GLACIER IN THE DISTANCE AND THE BLACK BEACHES BELOW....JUST SPECTACULAR ALL AROUND) /Urridafoss (SO HAPPY WE SQUEEZED THIS ONE IN!!) / Sky Lagoon Experience - Sér (another AMAZING experience (7steps ritual!!) / back to CenterHotel Klopp and had dinner at MAR (Fish pans) COMPLIMENTS WERE GIVEN TO THE CHEF ON OUR WAY OUT....DELICIOUS!!
10 - Explore Reykjavík - Hallgrímskirkja / Sun Voyager Sculpture / Laugavegur Street (I think) for the Famous hot dog / back to America but we are looking forward to returning and experiencing more of Iceland with Gummi's help! We sooooo lucked out when we managed to meet him...what an AMAZING job he did at packing so much into 10 days! We are exhausted but FOREVER GRATEFUL!

Hotel Reviews

CenterHotel Klopp

Reykjavík

HOSTESS WAS AWESOME / VERY CLEAN / PREFERED CENTER HOTEL PLAZA BUT THIS LOCATION WAS NOCE AS WELL

Authenticity & Character

VERY SMALL ROOMS

Location

A BIT BUSIER THAN THE OTHER LOCATION

Staff

i WISH i COULD REMEMBER HER NAME - SHE IS FROM CROATCIA

Cleanliness & Comfort

Black Beach Suites

Vik I Myrdal

Room 35 / 30ft wall of windows / HUGE room with kitchen / VERY NICE - HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

DIDNT REALLY SEE ANYONE

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels

Ásborgir

BOUGIE / GREAT HAPPY HOUR / FRIENDLY STAFF / DELICIOUS FOOD / LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION / POINTING NORTH FOR NORTHERN LIGHTS TOO!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Bifrost

Borgarnes

A bit sterile but very nice and accommodating

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dís Cottages

Grundarfjordur

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

CenterHotel Plaza

Reykjavík

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! BEAUTIFUL ACCOMMODATIONS!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling Adventure

Golden Circle

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

the bus ride was BEAUTIFUL

Laugarás Lagoon - Lerki

Golden Circle

Favorite of all we visited - hands down!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Víðgelmir Lava Cave Experience

Iceland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dominika (I think) was AWESOME!

Transport

all walking / no transport needed

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Activity Reviews

18-Hole Golf Course at Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Phuket

This is a very nice golf course and club. All of the staff were friendly, and we just had a great golf day. Our caddies were fun and competent and professional, and also did a great job figuring out which clubs to hit and how to approach the hole so as to reduce potential danger. The clubs we rented were new and in great condition. The course is very pretty and the greens really protect the course from low scores.

Quality of Experience

The caddies did such a nice ob of guiding us through the course and making sure we had fun...even when you miss a -foot putt!

John Gray's sea canoe - Hong by Starlight - Joining excursion

Phuket

This scenery and activities on this trip are wonderful, but the company staff and philosophy made it that much more special. The staff made sure to explain the agenda and what to expect, and the boat traveled at a very calm speed so that you are immediately immersed in relaxing atmosphere. The company emphasizes a quality experience (as opposed to quantity), and they also emphasize giving back and supporting the local people and culture. They made sure that there is plenty of wonderful food to eat the entire day, and workers and guides ensured a quality and safe experience. The guides ensured that we saw so many cool things that we otherwise would have missed, and each guide was so personable and went out of their way to ensure we had a great time. This trip was so relaxing and fun, but also educational.

Quality of Experience

The company philosophy and workers/staff make this trip. We were so relaxed and just enjoyed the entire day.

Food

We ate such delicious food! The kitchen staff worked hard all day preparing food for us - really an amazing company.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was so sweet and pointed out so many things that we would not have noticed. I love that the company hires guides from the local islands and supports the communities.

Transport

Such a relaxing boat trip, and the guides make sure that the kayaking is easy and pleasant.

Phi Phi Islands (Maya Bay & Monkey Beach) & Bamboo Island Discovery by Join-in Catamaran

Phuket

The staff on the boats worked very hard all day long to ensure we had a great time. They were very good at organizing people onto the boats and clearly explaining the agenda for the day. In addition, they made sure that everyone on the boat was safe, and I always felt their safety presence when we were swimming in the sea. The food on the boat was really tasty and we also had a wonderful lunch at or near Monkey Beach. The scenery on this trip was spectacular, and everywhere we turned was a photographic moment. The sea and islands are simply gorgeous.

Quality of Experience

There are a lot of tourists in Thailand, and you will probably see a lot on this trip. BUT, the staff did such a great job of ensuring that we had a nice experience despite this.

Food

Our lunch buffet was so good and had a ton of food to choose from.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff at the marina and on our boat worked very hard all day long. We made many stops along the way and they made sure that everyone was safe and that all of the activities were fun and enjoyable. They also ensured that we had plenty of great food to eat.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Morning session)

Chiang Mai

This was really a lovely experience for us, as the elephants are definitely the star of the show. The sanctuary really made sure that we interacted with the elephants, and we felt safe the entire time. It was so much fun to simply stand and touch the elephants but even better feeding them and bathing and giving them mud baths. We learned so much about the elephants, and they are truly regal beings. The sanctuary staff were all very friendly and competent. They made sure that our safety was a big concern, as well as the welfare of the elephants. The reality of our modern world means that these sanctuaries are ever more important, and we were impressed with how the elephants were treated and housed.

Quality of Experience

The way the elephant handlers and sanctuary staff treat the elephants ensures a great experience.

Food

We were fed a great meal at the sanctuary.

18-Hole Golf Course at Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai

Chiang Mai

This is a really nice golf course and golf club. Our caddies were very friendly and personable, and quickly learned how far we hit our rental clubs, which made for better golf. The staff at the club were all very friendly and welcoming.

Doi Inthanon National Park - A Nature Walk and Culture

Chiang Mai

This is a big park and absolutely beautiful! We did a short trek through the countryside with our guide Amy and a local Karen guide as well, who showed us many things that we would not have noticed, such as various insects (caterpillars and spiders), wildlife (Gibbons and snakes) and fruits/nuts (Passion fruit and various acorns) from the trees. The waterfalls in this park are absolutely beautiful and amazing. The countryside and jungle here are spectacular.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guides made this trip for us by showing us so many things that we would not have noticed! They also answered so many questions and just made it a better experience.

Chiang Mai from a Different Perspective by Bike

Chiang Mai

This was such a fun trip! We really got a feel for the flow of the city while riding through the town. The humidity felt sticky, but having the breeze from riding made it a pleasure. Our guide Amy was a real treat for us - she was able to gauge what we were interested in along the way and she made sure we spent more time at areas we really enjoyed. For instance, the local market is so vibrant with sights, sounds and smells that we really enjoyed sampling various fruits and foods. Amy is extremely knowledgeable and is a wealth of information, and she really took the time to make sure that we had a great experience.

Quality of Experience

Our guide Amy really made sure that we learned so much about each of the temples we stopped at, and she also walked us through the local markets and helped us sample all kinds of food. We learned so much about Chiang Mai from her.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amy is a wonderful guide who is willing to spend time at areas that were more interesting to us. She was really tuned into the things that we enjoyed, and it made for a great day.

Transport

The bikes we rode were in good shape and safe and easy to ride. We felt safe following Amy on our route, and she made sure to make our bike tour safe and interesting.

Erawan National Park

Kanchanaburi

The park is very beautiful and the waterfalls are spectacular. It is a moderate hike to get to the viewing area of the upper waterfalls, but all of the waterfalls below are eye-opening as well, so you cannot go wrong wherever you stop. The park was crowded, but the views and scenery of the waterfalls and jungle are so worth the effort.

Visit River Kwai's Bridge and Death Railway Museum

Kanchanaburi

The bridge itself may not appear to be so impressive, but it is the story behind the bridge and the conditions that the POWs and other forced laborers had to endure to complete it that is amazing. The museum visit is an eye-opening experience, and the displays give you an idea of the brutal conditions that existed during the war. The European theater tends to dominate WWII history, so this museum is so important for Westerners when learning about the southeast Asian theater. The cemetery is adjacent to the museum, and it is kept in beautiful condition.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Kirana was a wealth of information and answered so many of our questions. In addition, she put the history of the bridge into perspective from a strategic point of view.

Transport

We took the train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, and that was a nice interactive experience as we rode in the non-air conditioned cars - this helps you get a feel for the humidity and conditions that the POWs and other forced laborers had to endure. There is also a wonderful food market adjacent to the rail station in Bangkok.

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

This was a beautiful tour of the larger and popular temples in Bangkok. Our guide taught us a lot about the history of the temples and the importance to the Thai people.

We have to echo what all the other reviews are saying…our trip to Guatemala far exceeded our expectations. Truly, in every way imaginable. From the very beginning, Catherina at Columbus Guatemala Travel was incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and intentional with every detail. She asked all the right questions to make sure our itinerary was perfect for us, and she absolutely delivered. The entire planning process felt effortless.
 
On the ground, everything was seamless. Every driver and guide was phenomenal — on time, easy to find, friendly, and deeply knowledgeable.
 
We had a full seven-day itinerary — flying to the rainforest one day for Tikal, then exploring the volcanic beauty of Lake Atitlán the next, and finishing in the colonial magic of Antigua. It was full, rich, and truly unforgettable… yet never rushed. Everything flowed so smoothly that we could just relax and enjoy every moment.
 
Benedicto at Tikal was amazing! We spent most of our time with our guide, JJ, who instantly felt like an old friend from the moment we met him. He is knowledgeable, fun, attentive, and always one step ahead with great recommendations. It was clear he genuinely cared about our comfort and whether we were having a great time. He constantly checked in behind the scenes to make sure everything flowed smoothly. We could feel how much heart and intention went into every moment. And let me say, after experiencing Guatemala’s adventurous driving style, I have never been more grateful to have JJ behind the wheel! I felt safe the entire time and appreciated his calm confidence navigating every twist, turn, and surprise the roads offered.
 
The whole team is amazing. We were genuinely touched by the small surprises, thoughtful gifts, romantic dinner, and all the extra care we never expected. They made us feel celebrated and cared for.
 
One thing that truly stood out is how deeply this company lives its mission and values. Their promise to be “your local compañero - your trusted companion” isn’t just a slogan — it’s something you feel every single day. It’s obvious they created their mission with intention, and they live it with heart. Nothing about it feels like publicity or marketing; it feels real, authentic, and woven into every interaction. We appreciated that more than anything.
 
We absolutely love these people and cannot wait to return with our son. We recommend Columbus Guatemala Travel 1000%.
 
We originally connected through the KimKim platform, which was smooth and easy. For future trips to Guatemala, we will definitely book directly with Columbus Guatemala Travel, because they were outstanding, but we’ll absolutely use KimKim again for other countries (including our upcoming Vietnam trip) in hopes of finding another team as incredible as this one.
 
Hands down, one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had.

Activity Reviews

Romantic Dinner For Two

Antigua

Food was delicious. View was amazing. The surprise music, flowers, and photos blew our minds ❤️❤️❤️

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walk Antigua Like a Local

Antigua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pacaya Volcano Hike

Guatemala

Loved our local guide up the volcano!! He was so friendly! Appreciated that JJ was also there to help interpret when needed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking in Lake Atitlán

Guatemala

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Villages Around Lake Atitlán by Boat

Guatemala

JJ was fantastic!! He knew just where to take us to learn and experience the best of the villages.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tikal Mayan Civilization

Guatemala

Benedicto was amazing!! He was always checking in to make sure we were okay and had great suggestions for food. We appreciated not just his incredible knowledge of Maya history, but also his knowledge of the plants and animals in the region as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Denise provided excellent guidance in developing an itinerary. We enjoyed every day of the trip. Denise and Uma were readily available to assist when we had questions along the way. I would highly recommend Denise to anyone planning a trip to New Zealand.

Hotel Reviews

The Langlands Hotel

Invercargill

Excellent lounges and breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heritage Queenstown

We were upgraded to lake view and were blown away by the setting. Access to town was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Te Pā Tū Māori Feast & Performance

Rotorua

This was a fun evening and a feast

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My trip to New Zealand fantastic. The planning process with Denise went smoothly. Denise kept our group up to date about suggestions and changes to our itinerary during the planning peocess and also worked with us as we traveled. We had a wonderful time in New Zealand.

Hotel Reviews

Heritage Queenstown

Queenstown

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Distinction Te Anau Hotel And Villas

Te Anau

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Langlands Hotel

Invercargill

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Dunedin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Peppers Bluewater Resort

Lake Tekapo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Carnmore Hotel Christchurch

Christchurch

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Rotorua

Authenticity & Character

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Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rydges Auckland

Auckland

Authenticity & Character

Location

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Enjoy the panoramic view of Auckland from Sky Tower

Auckland

Trip was a blast! Was the perfect time of year to visit Tromsø and will be visiting Bergen again in the late spring/summertime! Planning could have been better. Almost missed an excursion due to the meeting point listed being in a completely different location than the actual meeting point. Luckily, the excursion company waited before departing and called me to gave me directions on where I was supposed to go. Another hiccup happened when my private transfer from the airport to my last hotel was booked 5 minutes after the planes arrival, which was not enough time to allow for delays. Sure enough, my flight was delayed and luggage pickup was also delayed, so the driver for the private transfer was mad and tried to charge me for him waiting an hour when it was outside my control, despite me messaging him he didn’t have to wait. as I said above, it was the perfect time of year to visit Tromsø, lots of snow but not too cold, and 3 days was enough time to do everything I wanted to do there. Bergen on the other hand, rained the entire time I was there and hiking was a struggle due to slushy snow, which is typical this time of year. There were lots of things to do around Bergen, but sadly only had a day and a half, which is why I plan to visit in the late spring/summer. Other than planning errors, all reservations were legit and I had fun!