Thailand

"Thailand was an amazing trip, once in a lifetime experience that we will always treasure.

All the hotels were first class. They were all so different. The Chedi Chiang Mai was beautiful and sleek and probably one of the best values for what we got. The Raffles was perfect colonial for Christmas and the Zeavola was rustic and primitive but lovely. The Shangri-La was also well located and good value. Not only was there a FULL breakfast but high English tea AND early evening appetizers and cocktails each day. The least good value was the Phuket Chedi. I get that this was the tippy top high season and we were renting a two-bedroom cottage but it was over $1000 per night! But the beach was spectacular.

The best meals outside of the inclusive breakfasts were the ones outside of the hotels at the local places. The guide in Bangkok was invaluable in taking us to local, nice places for not very much money. We ate almost exclusively Thai and Cambodian the entire trip except for breakfast and some lunches and the kids were fine with that. The tours were fine. We skipped the temple tour and craft village tour in Chiang Mai because we knew we were going to Angkor Wat the next day. Oh, going to the umbrella factory was cool, where the kids got custom painted umbrellas. We loved Elephant Farm, it was the highlight of the trip. Tell any and all of your clients going to Thailand. It was life transforming.

Guides were all good. Ying in Bangkok was great. She was so knowledgeable and helpful. Phone in Chiang Mai we barely used but he was great too. Kong in Siem Reap was fantastic and has been leading groups there for 22 years. Drew and I LOVED Angkor Wat. Kids less so but it was amazing and I’m glad we went.

In addition, we did snorkeling in Phi Phi and rock climbing there too. These were great excursions and we wish we could have done more rock climbing. We also chartered a fishing boat in Phuket and the kids really enjoyed it. They caught lots of fish and they prepared a really nice lunch for us of fresh steamed fish, fish we caught, grilled squid and shrimp and fresh fruit. Kids ate it all! If I were to do this trip again, I would skip Phuket and go to Krabi and do rock climbing and more snorkeling.

I am happy to speak to any clients you have who are considering this trip and would tell them our opinions. Thanks again for all your help and guidance."

Katrina and Family- December 2009