Kimkim Trip Reviews for Thailand

4.8
Based on 247 ratings
Read 247 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Thailand on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Excellent service
Thailand | Feb 16 - Mar 1, 2025

M
Myra M.
Australia | Reviewed on Mar 24, 2025
Jeab was great to work with and developed a wonderful itinerary for us. It was so helpful to have someone local to confirm transfers and tour times, without us trying to phone each day to confirm activities over the next couple of days. We spent 13 nights across 4 cities/towns, each hotel was as advertised and met our expectations. We enjoyed all of our tours and our guides were all knowledgeable and friendly. We had an issue on the first day (I fell over, 100% my fault) but Jeab and... Read more

Jeab was great to work with and developed a wonderful itinerary for us. It was so helpful to have someone local to confirm transfers and tour times, without us trying to phone each day to confirm activities over the next couple of days. We spent 13 nights across 4 cities/towns, each hotel was as advertised and met our expectations. We enjoyed all of our tours and our guides were all knowledgeable and friendly.

We had an issue on the first day (I fell over, 100% my fault) but Jeab and Noemie (the KimKim support person we had available 24/7) were helpful and sympathetic. They checked whether tours could be adjusted to accommodate my newly acquired walking stick, and could make recommendations regarding treatment - we did come home with a few different herbal balms that helped the healing.

The Thai Family Experience Home Host Tour in Chiang Mai (cooking with the host family) was better than we expected, the food was delicious, we actually got in and helped with the cooking rather than being mostly spectators (of course we didn't do everything but it was quite hands on), and the large host family prepares several dishes as appetizers as well, all amazing.
Also near Chiang Mai the Patara Elephant Farm tour was good, you get to feed and wash the elephants, plus some cuddles and a few pictures of course. The handlers there were excellent and clearly care for the elephants.

From Phuket we took a full day boat tour Hong by Starlight. Highly recommend this tour to anyone. We were gone 11 hours from hotel pick up to drop off, tired from the fun of the day but not worn out because it is so well run (and pretty much everything is done for you). There is a guide for every couple, they take you from the main boat on inflatable canoes through caves/tunnels, show you the wildlife, and take photos of you with the perfect backdrops. The third and final canoe trip was after dinner, it was pitch black on the water just around the other side of a small island from the main boat. In the darkness we could see the bio-luminescent plankton clearly. It was a great day, they take care of you really well. Not expensive, and certainly worth every dollar for the experience we received.

We'd love to go again and would certainly trust Jeab to plan us a perfect holiday.

Local specialist: Jeab Kwanchanok
Jeab
Jeab Kwanchanok
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 27, 2025

Sawasdee ka!

Thank you so much for the awesome review, Myra and Tony! On behalf of myself and the whole Vio Travel team, we just want to say a huge thank you for traveling with us. We’re so happy to hear you both had an amazing time, even with the unexpected hiccup with Myra. It’s incredible how strong you were, Myra, and that you still got to enjoy the beauty of the trip!

I had so much fun planning your journey, and it was such a pleasure introducing you to the magic herbal balm – so happy you loved it! Fingers crossed for Myra’s speedy recovery!

For a personalized custom tour, try Kimkim
Thailand | Feb 14 - Mar 2, 2025

Charlotte
Charlotte H.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 23, 2025
I have always traveled with an established tour group, so this was my first venture into a personalized tour. The idea of this vague, on-line platform made me nervous. I was quite worried before the trip, but all my worries were for naught. It was an incredible tour from start to finish. First, our specialist Lacey was beyond phenomenal. Even though we're half a world apart, she was so responsive to our questions and always replied quickly. We made numerous adjustments throughout... Read more

I have always traveled with an established tour group, so this was my first venture into a personalized tour. The idea of this vague, on-line platform made me nervous. I was quite worried before the trip, but all my worries were for naught. It was an incredible tour from start to finish.

First, our specialist Lacey was beyond phenomenal. Even though we're half a world apart, she was so responsive to our questions and always replied quickly. We made numerous adjustments throughout the planning stages, but she was kind, courteous and upbeat from start to finish even though I'm sure we drove her crazy. She had excellent suggestions and followed through consistently on any of our questions or concerns. We also had the privilege of meeting her in Hanoi (her home base) during our visit (one of the highlights of the trip). I would like to add that she remained in touch with us throughout the tour and made sure everything went as planned. When the airlines switched our flight time, she made all the arrangements necessary to get us to the plane on time.

Were there a few glitches on this trip? Certainly. That's the nature of international travel. Would I have changed a few things in hind sight? Certainly. But overall, the trip was flawless. With the exception of 2 guides who were less than wonderful (one simply didn't feel good and probably should have requested a substitute and the other simply wasn't much of a guide -- more of an escort who got us to all the places we needed to be without any explanation).

But we also had two of the best guides I've ever had. Our Cambodian guide (Set) and driver (Buhan) were marvelous. They treated us like queens. I highly recommend them for anyone traveling to Cambodia. And the best of all was Ae in Bangkok. I don't think I have words to describe how incredibly wonderful she was. She wanted us to love her country as much as she did, and she succeeded. She had the most incredible smile always, was constantly handing us a new food or treat to try, and shared personal stories that allowed us to totally experience her culture. I've kept her photo because it makes me smile every time I see it.

So thank you Kimkim. To my great surprise, I would work with you again on another trip to somewhere else in this magnificent world we live in. Thank you for putting us in touch with a local travel specialist who would design a custom tour.

Local specialist: Lacey Ngo
Lacey
Lacey Ngo
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 24, 2025

Dear Charlotte,
Thank you so much for your sharing! Indeed, this is really helpful for us to improve our service in the future. It's my great pleasure to welcome you in person in Hanoi. I hope that Exotic Voyages will have the opportunity to accompany you in your future trip.
All my best,
Lacey and Exotic Voyages team

Great 21 days to Thailand
Thailand | Feb 20 - Mar 11, 2025

N
Natalie A.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2025
Great 21 days to Thailand - Kimkim team provided guidance throughout the trip They were available when there was last minute changes or issues. Favorite excursions were interactions with elephants - both in Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. Another favorite was a private charter of a catamaran in Koh Samui where they brought us to pig island. Only negatives were sometimes the group excursions were long - they could have been cut shorter (Kayak, road trip from Chiang rai to Chiang Mai) ... Read more

Great 21 days to Thailand - Kimkim team provided guidance throughout the trip They were available when there was last minute changes or issues. Favorite excursions were interactions with elephants - both in Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. Another favorite was a private charter of a catamaran in Koh Samui where they brought us to pig island. Only negatives were sometimes the group excursions were long - they could have been cut shorter (Kayak, road trip from Chiang rai to Chiang Mai) Overall a very memorable trip !

Hotel Reviews
Le Patta Hotel Chiang Rai

The hotel was close to the walking street but it’s on was located on a busy street.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The hotel is closed to the walking street and street food but it’s on a busy street
Staff
The staff was very nice and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel is clean but the room could use some refurbishing. Lots of mosquitoes in the area
Meliá Chiang Mai Hotels & Resort
Chiang Mai

Very beautiful modern hotel with great amenities such as a pool , bar and nice gym

Authenticity & Character
It’s very modern therefore not your typical Thai hotel with character.
Location
Across the street from the markets
Staff
The concierge was great
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed super comfy
Hotel (Booked on Your Own)
Koh Samui

Absolutely loved our stay at the Anavana resort. It felt like a true Thai resort with individual huts. It’s a very small resort so it’s not crowded and the restaurant view on the beach was fantastic

Authenticity & Character
Thai huts in a tropical setting
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eden Beach Khao Lak Resort & Spa
Phang Nga

Very busy resort but with a Thai feel. The lobby and restaurants are all in bamboo therefore you feel like you are in the tropics. Our room was nothing special but the other rooms closer to the beach seemed nicer.

Authenticity & Character
Bamboo lobby on stilts
Location
Resort is close to all the restaurants
Staff
The checkin staff was great but it was difficult to get service from the pool bar staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean
The St. Regis Bangkok
Bangkok

Over the top luxurious hotel with great amenities - rooftop pool and fantastic gym. It also had the best buffet breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Siam Mandarina Hotel
Samutprakarn

I’m not sure I would stay at this hotel again

Authenticity & Character
Location
It’s a sketchy area - close to the airport
Staff
Restaurant staff was extremely slow. We left our EarPods at checkout and they wouldn’t mail them to us
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crazy weird noises
Dusit Suites Hotel Ratchadamri, Bangkok
Bangkok
Authenticity & Character
Newly renovated modern hotel
Location
Great location - central location but quieter as among all the luxury hotels.
Staff
All staff in Thailand are excellent
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable
Avista Grande Phuket Karon Mgallery
Phuket

Very nice hotel with beautiful pool and very nice rooms. The buffet breakfast was excellent

Authenticity & Character
A very nice hotel especially at night with all the lights
Location
It’s in a bit of a weird location as it’s across the public beach but you can still walk to all the restaurants
Staff
Desk staff were excellent
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Samui Islands Yacht Charter – Sunset Trip
Samui Islands Yacht Charter – Sunset Trip
Koh Samui

Excellent catamaran excursion with great attentive staff, delicious snacks and great bbq. Would charter from blue voyage again.

Quality of Experience
Catamaran was clean and in good shape. The different unexpected snacks were great
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very attentive but still kept their distance so we could enjoy family time
Transport
Golden Triangle and Mekong River Boat (Private)
Golden Triangle and Mekong River Boat (Private)
Chiang Rai

The guide was excellent and informative. Enjoyed the Opium museum I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 as the golden triangle was interesting but not scenic as expected. . It was fun going to Laos but the vendors are a bit pushy.

Quality of Experience
Food
The local restaurant was delicious
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was excellent
Transport
Driver was great - boat ride to Laos was fun
Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai via Mae Kampong with Lunch
Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai via Mae Kampong with Lunch
Thailand

Loved visiting the blue temple early without the crowds. The white temple was magnificent. Our guide was excellent. The drive to Mae kampong was extremely scary as the drive was unsafe. We never got to see the village and walk around as the driver was scaring us and we missed the meeting point. Unfortunately that made our excursion a disappointment

Quality of Experience
H
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide excellent. Driver awful
Transport
Fatbike Countryside Explorer
Fatbike Countryside Explorer
Chiang Mai

We ended up being the only two on the excursion. The bikes were in amazing condition. The guide was great and patient ( very safe when we had to cross highways). The lunch provided after the bike ride was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Grandma’s Cooking Experience
Grandma’s Cooking Experience
Chiang Mai

We loved our cooking experience at grandma S kitchen. Extremely well organized. They would prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and we got to cook and eat - a soup, pad Thai and a curry and dessert. They would clean up our station in between courses. Very efficient excursion with a funny chef

Quality of Experience
Quality of ingredients
Food
Delicious meal
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Similan Island - Small Group Tour
Similan Island - Small Group Tour
Thailand

Loved the similar islands although this is definitely not a small group - we were about 40 people side by side in A speed boat. It’s still worth it as the water is beautiful. There are a lot of other tour boats - so it’s crowded. The food provided after by the company was ok - not great.

Quality of Experience
Food
The food at the island was good
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A larger boat with less people would have been better
Elephant Day Care at Patara Elephant Farm
Elephant Day Care at Patara Elephant Farm
Chiang Mai

We got to see several elephants rose freely including two 1 year old ( who were funny and kept escaping)We were 4 people to take care of 2 elephants - loved the one on one experience. The fruits at the end were sufficient for a snack

Quality of Experience
Love the one on one with the elephants
Food
The fruits were great as a snack but it wasn’t a meal. We had sticky rice too.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Not too much English but the staff was great
Transport
Local specialist: Jeab Kwanchanok
Jeab
Jeab Kwanchanok
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 20, 2025

Hi Natalie,

I’m so glad to hear you had a great time with us! It was a pleasure working with you on your trip plan. I truly appreciate all the feedback you shared, and I’ll be sure to pass it along to our suppliers to help them improve or let them know they did a great job.

Thank you again, and I hope to have the opportunity to help plan your future trips!

Best regards,
Jeab

The pick ups from the outside providers were ...
Thailand | Feb 14 - Mar 5, 2025

Paula
Paula G.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2025
The pick ups from the outside providers were great other than riding in the back of a truck one time. They were always on time and provided a nice vehicle for transport.
The first hotel chosen in Bangkok was horrible. They tried to put me in the worst room when I was in crabby, but fought for an upgrade. Also had to upgrade my room on my last day in Bangkok because I would’ve been kicked out at 10 AM if I used Hoa’s choice and my flight was until that night so by upgrading to club level,...
Read more

The pick ups from the outside providers were great other than riding in the back of a truck one time. They were always on time and provided a nice vehicle for transport.
The first hotel chosen in Bangkok was horrible. They tried to put me in the worst room when I was in crabby, but fought for an upgrade. Also had to upgrade my room on my last day in Bangkok because I would’ve been kicked out at 10 AM if I used Hoa’s choice and my flight was until that night so by upgrading to club level, which was not that much more money I really got the benefit. The company chosen for the bike ride in Bangkok was absolutely amazing. Hoa was always available to take my text or emails and I really appreciate that.

Hotel Reviews
Paradise Koh Yao Resort

Absolutely amazing! The room, the staff, the food and the location was incredible!

Authenticity & Character
Wild animals everywhere
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel De Bangkok
Bangkok

Horrible location, staff didn’t speak English and the room was horrible especially the bathroom.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed and bath tub was horrible
Our Jungle Camp - Eco Resort
Tambon Klongsok, Ampur Panom, Suratthani
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Namaka Resort Kamala
Phuket
Authenticity & Character
Location
Beach access
Staff
I got sick there and the staff were very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ao Nang Villa Resort
Krabi

They initially tried to put me in a horrible room in an awful building but they helped me upgrade. You couldn’t swim in the ocean in front of the hotel because it was next to all the boat taxis so there was so much gas in the water. Pools were nice and they had a yoga/meditation class, which was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Twin Lotus Resort
koh lanta
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
My bathroom had a smell and bathtub dirty
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (Ex: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi)
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package (Tree House/Bungalow) - Day 2
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package (Tree House/Bungalow) - Day 2
Khao Sok

I got very sick, but the staff were very nice and the room was fine.

Historic Bangkok Bike Tour (Joining Excursion)
Historic Bangkok Bike Tour (Joining Excursion)
Bangkok

It was an incredible experience to get to see Bangkok. Once in a lifetime bike ride!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package (Tree House/Bungalow) - Day 1
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package (Tree House/Bungalow) - Day 1
Khao Sok

Changed and went to see the elephant, which was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package (Raft House) - Day 3
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package (Raft House) - Day 3
Khao Sok

I didn’t get to go because I was sick and had to stay in the treehouse with air conditioning.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package - Day 4
Our Jungle Resort - 4D3N Package - Day 4
Khao Sok

I had to change from taking the boat to my next destination to getting a driver which Kim Kim took care of for me and the drive and vehicle were very nice.

Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Koh Rok & Koh Haa Discovery with Snorkeling by Speedboat
Koh Rok & Koh Haa Discovery with Snorkeling by Speedboat
Koh Lanta

Beautiful location that the company took us to, but the boat was way over packed and their staff were so rude. There wasn’t enough places to sit and eat, and they had limited communication skills.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
How to drive for 45 minutes in a back of a truck.
Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Mar 18, 2025
Dear Paula,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I am glad that our team’s availability and responsiveness made your trip more enjoyable—we always strive to be there for our guests whenever needed.
I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you faced with the first hotel in Bangkok. Regarding the airport hotel, I am confused if the hotel staff shared some incorrect information with you but it is not the fact that the room I chose is only valid until 10 AM. At Hyatt...
Read more

Dear Paula,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I am glad that our team’s availability and responsiveness made your trip more enjoyable—we always strive to be there for our guests whenever needed.
I’m sorry to hear about the challenges you faced with the first hotel in Bangkok. Regarding the airport hotel, I am confused if the hotel staff shared some incorrect information with you but it is not the fact that the room I chose is only valid until 10 AM. At Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, all rooms have flexible check-in time that allows you to stay for 24 hours from your arrival. Please rest assured that we take such feedback very seriously, and we will work closely with our partners to ensure that our guests receive the best possible accommodations moving forward.
Thank you again for choosing our services and we wish you all the best!
Hoa

Our trip to Thailand was amazing!! It was so ...
Thailand | Feb 28 - Mar 10, 2025

Nicole
Nicole S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2025

Our trip to Thailand was amazing!! It was so nice to have a trip customized to our wants & needs with everything taken care of! The itinerary, hotels, transfers, guides, tours, etc were better than expected! We highly recommend Tina & KimKim Travel !!

Local specialist: Tina Oo
Tina
Tina Oo
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 19, 2025

Hi Nicole!
I'm delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time in Thailand. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful feedback—I truly appreciate it!
Hope to see you again soon! 😊
Best,
Tina

The service provided by Kimkim was 100% worth...
Thailand | Feb 24 - Mar 6, 2025

E
Edwin C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025
The service provided by Kimkim was 100% worth every penny. My trip specialist, Mint, was super responsive, and did a great job planning our trip. She worked within our budget, coordinated everything perfectly and was available for any questions or concerns. To be perfectly honest, I barely needed to communicate with her during the trip, because she planned it so well! my only gripe would be that some of the activities, particularly in Bangkok, were so touristy that they just weren't... Read more

The service provided by Kimkim was 100% worth every penny. My trip specialist, Mint, was super responsive, and did a great job planning our trip. She worked within our budget, coordinated everything perfectly and was available for any questions or concerns. To be perfectly honest, I barely needed to communicate with her during the trip, because she planned it so well!

my only gripe would be that some of the activities, particularly in Bangkok, were so touristy that they just weren't fun. The canal boat tour was the most touristy tourist trap I've ever done and was just not enjoyable. this is not kimkims fault, just the reality of it.

The Jim Thompson House was also pretty lame. Again, not Kimkims fault. I was hoping for a more "real" experience but everything was cookie cutter tourist attractions. But we made the best of it, and our tour guides were very helpful.

However, it's hit or miss for some thing's. a couple of potential group activities were just my wife and I, which was great. The cooking class was very intimate and we got to get really personalized lessons. The motorbike night food tour was also very fun and our tour Guide, Yee, was cool AF.

All of the tour guides were professional, punctual, and spoke great English. All of the hotels and transportation were spot on. tacos were always there too pick is up and take us to our next destination.

Mint took a lot of the stress out of enjoying our trip. For our first trip to Asia (Thailand), Kimkim was great. They gave us the confidence to do it on our own the next time.

Hotel Reviews
De Chai The Deco Hotel
Chiang Mai

The accommodation at De Chai The Deco Hotel in Chiang Mai was absolutely fantastic. It was the only place that was part of the original plan, and we loved it. Everything met our expectations, and there were no issues at all.

The Quarter Hua Lamphong by UHG
Bangkok

The Quarter Hua Lamphong in Bangkok was nice overall. The main downside was that only one elevator was operational during our stay due to construction, which caused delays. Other than that, we were happy with the place.

Activity Reviews
A visit to Mae Klong Railway market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market!
A visit to Mae Klong Railway market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market!
Bangkok

Not worth the hype. I asked for our tour guide to take us down the side streets through the local markets behind the railway. That was more interesting than the main attraction.

Quality of Experience
the attraction is meh, nothing worth seeing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bangkok by local transfers and temples visit
Bangkok by local transfers and temples visit
Bangkok

don't miss this. very cultural and immersive. Or guide, Ms. Anita explained so much to us. she was incredible!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explained the culture and history to us. She knew everything!
Transport
Enjoy Chiang Mai Nightlife with a Bike!
Enjoy Chiang Mai Nightlife with a Bike!
Chiang Mai

Or guide, Yee, made this a fun and exciting experience. Riding on the scooters was fun (and felt very safe), the information provided, and food we tasted was great. Another good event.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Or guide were driving the scooters! never felt unsafe.
Transport
A Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park!
A Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park!
Chiang Mai

This was not bad. Beautiful national Park, but nothing too special. The temples built by the Airforce were grand but also very... contrived?

Quality of Experience
Food
good for those who don't like spice. They cater to all, not to the authentic flavors that you expect from Thai food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chiang Mai Cooking Class Experience-Small Group
Chiang Mai Cooking Class Experience-Small Group
Chiang Mai

THE BEST THING WE DID AND ATE IN Thailand! So, full disclosure, I'm a professional chef, and wife is pretty adept as well. The cooking instructor meet us and took us to the market. She had a plan, but I opened it by telling her what I wanted to learn. And she said "Game On!". Okay, she didn't say that, but she would have. She revised her cooking class for us to make the things I wanted to learn and she killed it! The food we made was So good, and because it was only my wife and I, we got super hands on personal lessons. I also had a couple of beers while we cooked and ate, and it just made for the best experience. Beginning to end, from the ride to the market, to shopping, to cooking, then eating, 11 out of 10 experience. THANK YOU!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai-Half Day
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai-Half Day
Chiang Mai

I applaud and support the effort of protecting the elephants. Everyone seemed to enjoy this activity, but wasn't my thing. But that's a "me" problem.

Quality of Experience
Food
worst meal we ate. But we understand they had to cook for the masses, most of which couldn't handle spice/flavor.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise Glory visit to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Bamboo Island
Sunrise Glory visit to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon & Bamboo Island
Ko Phi Phi

Another super touristy event. I would skip the majority of it, and just go snorkeling. We woke up super early (which was fine) to be the first on the tour before the beaches got over crowded... but they were overcrowded from the moment you arrived. also Sunrise happened before we even got on the boat so it was nothing spectacular. Visiting the beach where they filmed the movie "The Beach" is just a beach and not that exciting. go figure. Snorkeling was cool, otherwise the motorboating around was just a waste of time.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mint Pham
Mint
Mint Pham
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 11, 2025

Hi Edwin,
Thank you for your meaningful reviews! I hope you enjoy your trip to Thailand. I look forward to helping you plan another trip to Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia. :)
Have a good day!
Best,
Mint

Great trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
Thailand | Feb 17 - Mar 1, 2025

A
Anne C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025
Our trip was fantastic. Hoa and Ashley (Phuong) from KimKim provided amazing service and support with planning the trip and making adjustments as needed. They were professional, helpful, friendly, and endlessly patient. We were very happy with everyone who helped us at each of our destinations, particularly our guide Sun Bunthoeum in Siem Reap, Cambodia; our guide Bach in Hanoi; and Diep, our driver in Hanoi. Bach and Diep make a great team and filled our time in Vietnam with laughter. Read more

Our trip was fantastic. Hoa and Ashley (Phuong) from KimKim provided amazing service and support with planning the trip and making adjustments as needed. They were professional, helpful, friendly, and endlessly patient. We were very happy with everyone who helped us at each of our destinations, particularly our guide Sun Bunthoeum in Siem Reap, Cambodia; our guide Bach in Hanoi; and Diep, our driver in Hanoi. Bach and Diep make a great team and filled our time in Vietnam with laughter.

Hotel Reviews
Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
Bangkok

The hotel was clean and comfortable in a great location. The gym and pool were quite nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Anjali by Syphon

Very nice hotel with lush gardens that create an oasis in the middle of Siem Reap.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tirant Hotel
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Fantastic location in the Old Quarter and within easy walking distance of the water puppet theatre and Hoan Kiem Lake. Rooms were clean but rather plain and ordinary.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was very clean, but the rooms were too plain and basic.
Mon Cheri Cruises

The ship was pleasant with clean, comfortable rooms. The cruise itself was disappointing. We would have liked to spend much more time underway to see the stunning scenery go by. Instead we spent too much time at anchor, for kayaking and a land excursion to a cave. Those two stops were interesting but not worth the time that could have otherwise been spent underway. Most of the sailing time happened during the night, when it was too dark to see the scenery. The staff was great, especially Ducky, our waiter, and Jasmine, the cruise director.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Emeralda Tam Coc Resort

Fantastic location right on the river and within easy walking distance of town, vendors, street food, etc. We upgraded to premium deluxe rooms, which were great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok

Amazing places: very interesting and well worth doing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. However, his English was not the best, and he was often difficult to understand.
Transport
Hang Mua Viewpoint - Visit Tam Coc & Bich Dong Pagoda
Hang Mua Viewpoint - Visit Tam Coc & Bich Dong Pagoda
Ninh Binh

Bich Dong Pagoda, which is built into the mountainside was well worth the hike up to see it. The Hang Mua Viewpoint has good views but was too crowded with tourists. The boat ride along the river was incredible, with rice fields on either side and mountains rising straight up out of the fields. That experience was definitely one of the best parts of our trip and featured some of the most unique and beautiful scenery we've ever seen.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

Super fun with lots of great food.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Back to The Glorious Days of Ayutthaya Kingdom
Back to The Glorious Days of Ayutthaya Kingdom
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide's less-than-great English was a limiting factor.
Transport
Nature Walk in Cuc Phuong National Park
Nature Walk in Cuc Phuong National Park
Ninh Binh

We enjoyed our visit to the primate rescue center, and it was great to see the important work being done there. The turtle rescue center was less interesting. The hike through the jungle was a good way to get an up-close experience of the jungle but otherwise was unexceptional. This was a good outing, but I wouldn't do it again and don't necessarily recommend it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Apsara Dinner Show
Apsara Dinner Show
Siem Reap

Good cultural experience, but some dances were more interesting than others. It would have been helpful to have a detailed program to explain the origin and meaning of the various dances. The food was unexceptional.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boarding Cruise - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay - Tra Bau (Mon Chéri Cruises)
Boarding Cruise - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay - Tra Bau (Mon Chéri Cruises)
Ha Long Bay

The ship was clean and comfortable, and the staff was great. The best part of the cruise was when we were underway, so we could see the beautiful scenery going by. Unfortunately, we did not spend that much time underway, which was disappointing. Much of the daytime was spent at anchor, for kayaking or a land excursion to visit a cave. Sailing seemed to mostly happen overnight, when people were sleeping and it was too dark to see the scenery anyway. I would definitely recommend a different cruise that skips land excursions, spends more time underway, and takes in more of the amazing scenery of Ha Long Bay.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Angkor Complex Discovery
Angkor Complex Discovery
Siem Reap

Absolutely worth seeing. Despite knowing that we were visiting ruins of great temples, it was still a bit shocking and disappointing to see the state of disrepair that the ruins have fallen into. We hope that over time Cambodia will be able to invest more into preservation and restoration. Ta Prohm, with trees growing directly out of the ruins, was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island - Tuan Chau - Disembarking Cruise (Mon Chéri Cruises)
Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island - Tuan Chau - Disembarking Cruise (Mon Chéri Cruises)
Ha Long Bay

The cave was interesting but not particularly special. We would have preferred to skip the excursion altogether and spend more time underway to see the beautiful scenery and natural rock formations of Ha Long Bay.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kulen Mountain Adventure by Jeep
Kulen Mountain Adventure by Jeep
Siem Reap

Somewhat interesting and fun to go by Jeep, but probably not worth an extra day in Siem Reap.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide and drivers (August, Sovann, and another driver whose name I don't know) were friendly and knowledgeable and spoke great English.
Transport
The Jeeps were fun, but be prepared to be very dirty after a long drive on dirt roads.
Half-day Morning Duong Cooking Class (Joining Activity)
Half-day Morning Duong Cooking Class (Joining Activity)
Hanoi

A great experience. The chef who conducted our class was very personable; he made the class fun and interesting. It was more of a cooking demonstration than an actual class, but he did give us some tasks to do. The tour of the local market to buy produce and other supplies was great. The meal we (mostly the chef) prepared ended up being one of the most delicious meals of our trip. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Siem Reap - Visit the floating villages of Tonlé Sap - Kompong Phluk
Siem Reap - Visit the floating villages of Tonlé Sap - Kompong Phluk
Siem Reap

Interesting experience. We were amazed by the vastness of Tonle Sap. This excursion has limited impact in the dry season, which is when we visited, but may be better in the rainy season. The houses do not actually float; they are built on stilts. In the dry season, you see the stilts rise dozens of feet above the water, because the lake level is so low. In the rainy season, the houses probably appear to float.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi Half Day Exploration
Hanoi Half Day Exploration
Hanoi

Great visit to the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh complex: well worth doing. It was great to see these two sites, but I wish we had seen more of Hanoi. A full-day tour probably would have been better for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Bach and our driver Diep were terrific. They are a great team and made every outing lots of fun.
Transport
Water puppet show
Water puppet show
Hanoi

Amazing show. We were a bit skeptical about it ahead of time but were so glad we did it. Don't miss this fantastic show!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Unfold The Secret of Hanoi Street Food
Unfold The Secret of Hanoi Street Food
Hanoi

One of the highlights of the trip. Our guide Bach took us to some amazing spots and vendors and was willing to keep going for as long as we were able to keep eating!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Mar 12, 2025

Hi Anne,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you had a fantastic trip and enjoyed working with us. Sun, Bach, and Diep are amazing, and I’m so glad they made your journey special with laughter and great memories.
We’d love to welcome your family back anytime!
From Hanoi with love😘🥰,
Hoa, Phuong & Exotic Voyages Team

Our trip to Thailand exceeded expectation
Thailand | Feb 21 - Mar 1, 2025

E
Edward C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2025
This was our first time using kimkim to plan travel, and the entire process, from defining the details of our trip to Thailand, to the actual visit, exceeded expectations. The intake process that kimkim uses was fun, aimed at quickly deciphering what a traveler is looking for. Better yet, it immediately connected us to a local travel planner, in this case a terrific woman in Vietnam named Hoa Tran, who really knew what the heck we wanted. Hoa easily offered up countless options for our... Read more

This was our first time using kimkim to plan travel, and the entire process, from defining the details of our trip to Thailand, to the actual visit, exceeded expectations. The intake process that kimkim uses was fun, aimed at quickly deciphering what a traveler is looking for. Better yet, it immediately connected us to a local travel planner, in this case a terrific woman in Vietnam named Hoa Tran, who really knew what the heck we wanted. Hoa easily offered up countless options for our consideration and quickly iterated until we landed on the kind of trip we aspired to take. Each iteration was clear and thorough and included lots of details and pricing as well...made it easy to get to an itinerary we liked.

Thailand was amazing! And we literally felt cared for by somebody that kimkim arranged to greet, tour and escort us around the country every step of the way (we are good independent travelers so don't need hand holding but kimkim got the balance right). Hoa picked amazing hotels in the three cities we visited (Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket); they were over the top lovely and not the usual picks a web search might spit out. And while hotel restaurants can be a risk, the food in all three of these hotels was excellent and the service was extraordinary (BTW, Thai people in general are the most caring and gracious we have ever met...we learned a thing or two about being more gentle human beings from them). Our hotel in Phuket, the Amanpuri, was over the top; it was one of the nicest places we have ever visited. Despite the care of our local guides, Hoa checked in with us at every stop of the journey...a nice and thoughtful touch.

Our days were full (maybe too much so, but that was our fault for insisting that we do something exciting every day). Our guide in Bangkok (Kirana) was the best...and so knowledgeable and funny. The elephant sanctuary visit and jungle hike in Chaing Mai were also great, but our four days in Phuket just relaxing in a stunning setting next to the Andaman Sea was the absolute highlight. Finally, our all-in package that included hotel, tours / guides and domestic air travel felt like a good value. We paid a pretty penny for the visit, but for an experience that was easy, seamless and fun, we felt we got more than our money's worth.

We will definitely uses kimkim again; we think their secret sauce might be connecting a traveler to a local planner who really knows the place you plan to visit. From the outset, we were dealing with a local (Hoa Tran), who knows Southeast Asia like the back of her hand, not some random clerk in a Chicago HQ. Based on our experience, our friends are using kimkim to plan a trip to Iceland. And if we head back to Thailand or Southeast Asia (we are definitely going back to the Amanpuri in Phuket), Hoa will again be our requested planner...she was just great.

Hotel Reviews
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Authenticity & Character
Stunning setting, beautiful rooms! The historic building where restaurants an d key amenities are located is amazing
Location
Chiang Mai is a bit rough a round the edges, but 137 Pillars is a peaceful and welcome sanctuary
Staff
Everybody, from the General Manager Ann, who graciously greeted and engaged with every guest, was outstanding and focused on making the visit special
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amanpuri Phuket

We have stayed at many lovely resorts but this one is in a class by itself. The Amanpuri effortlessly and graciously exudes elegance. We were picked up at the Phuket airport and dropped off at the hotel's open-air lobby; the setting is breathtaking and set the promising vibe for our entire stay. The staff were so attentive and polite, seemingly with only one objective in mind...ensuring that our visit was amazing. And thanks to them it was. The physical setting is out of a storybook...stunning buildings, spectacular amenities (especially the restaurants...the food is so darned good), incredible rooms and beachfront location that can't be beat. For all of the resort's physical attributes, they pale in comparison to the men and women who made the place tick, from the General Manager (who personally greeted us when we arrived) to the restaurant wait staff to the team on the beach attendants who adjusted our towels and umbrellas and made sure that all of our needs were taken care of. And best of all, this service was discreet, seamless and elegant. We will definitely be back...even though our flight to Phuket took 25 hours in each direction!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Mar 10, 2025
Dear Edward & Sally,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review of your trip to Thailand! I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that your experience exceeded expectations and that you enjoyed every aspect of your journey—from the planning process to the actual trip<3.
Reading about your adventures in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket brought a big smile to my face—especially your time at the Amanpuri (it’s truly a magical place, isn’t it?). I’m also delighted...
Read more

Dear Edward & Sally,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review of your trip to Thailand! I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that your experience exceeded expectations and that you enjoyed every aspect of your journey—from the planning process to the actual trip<3.
Reading about your adventures in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket brought a big smile to my face—especially your time at the Amanpuri (it’s truly a magical place, isn’t it?). I’m also delighted that you enjoyed the hotels, guides, and the overall balance of independence and support throughout your trip.
Your kind words about my role in planning your trip mean so much to me. It’s always my goal to ensure that every traveler feels cared for and excited about their journey, and I’m so happy I could contribute to making your Thailand anniversary trip unforgettable.
I’m also thrilled to hear that your friends are now planning a trip to Iceland with kimkim—I hope they have an equally amazing experience! And of course, if you ever decide to return to Thailand or explore more of Southeast Asia, it would be my absolute pleasure to assist you again. The Amanpuri will be waiting for you!
Thank you once again for your trust and for sharing your wonderful feedback. Wishing you & Sally many more incredible travels ahead!
Warmest,
Hoa

Great service
Thailand | Feb 14 - Mar 2, 2025

Pam
Pam B.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2025
Lacey was incredibly patient working with us to craft the trip of our dreams at the price we wanted to pay. When our flight to Siem Reap was changed, she arranged to get us from Halong Bay to the airport in Hanoi. That was the only blip in the schedule, and it was seamlessly handled without us having to do anything. Overall, our guides and drivers were wonderful. A special call out of Ae, our guide in Bangkok, who we wanted to take with us. She made us fall in love not only with Bangkok,... Read more

Lacey was incredibly patient working with us to craft the trip of our dreams at the price we wanted to pay. When our flight to Siem Reap was changed, she arranged to get us from Halong Bay to the airport in Hanoi. That was the only blip in the schedule, and it was seamlessly handled without us having to do anything.

Overall, our guides and drivers were wonderful. A special call out of Ae, our guide in Bangkok, who we wanted to take with us. She made us fall in love not only with Bangkok, but her. She attended to our every need, and then some. She treated us to the foods of Thailand, and always was smiling. We also enjoyed Set and Buhaun in Cambodia. Set treated us as queens, and we loved the cool towels and water Buhaun had ready for us. We only spent half a day with Pookie in Chiang Mai, but we enjoyed the time with her. We were less impressed with Thom in Hanoi--he clearly was not feeling well--and Mr. Chaun in Chiang Rai was more of an escort than a guide. Instead of walking through our stops and sharing the history, he pointed us in the right direction and later met us to leave. He seemed impatient and eager to finish the job. We didn't get that sense from anyone else. They all were eager to share their knowledge with us. Because of his attitude, we wish we would have spent only one day (or none) with him. Other than that, we had a tremendous experience.

Highlights were dinners with families in Vietnam, Cambodia and Chiang Mai; Angkor Wat; Tonle Sap; everything with Ae (tuk tuk food tour, flower market, Grand Palace at night, railroad and floating markets, Ayutthaya), the White Temple, the elephant sanctuary and our two excursions in Phuket (Phi Phi Island sunrise speedboat tour and John Gray Sea Canoe trip).

The trip not only met, but exceeded, our expectations.

Hotel Reviews
Sena Cruise
Ha Long

Sena Cruise was an incredible experience. The cruise director did a great job, and they efficiently arranged for our early departure to catch a changed flight. The entire process was handled smoothly, and the staff ensured we were well taken care of, even putting us on a speedboat when needed. The level of organization and care they showed made the cruise a highlight of our trip.

La Niche d'Angkor Boutique
Siem Reap

La Niche d'Angkor Boutique was a fantastic hotel with wonderful staff who looked after all our needs. The facilities were great, and the entire stay was enjoyable. However, the beds were very hard, which made the first two nights uncomfortable as we struggled to sleep. By the third night, we were either too exhausted or had adjusted to it.

Local specialist: Lacey Ngo
Lacey
Lacey Ngo
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 10, 2025

Dear Pam,
Thank you so much for your detailed review, which helps us a lot to improve our service in the future. It's our great pleasure to welcome you to in Asia this time, and I hope to see you again in your next trip.
All my best,
Lacey and Exotic Voyages team

Lacey was amazing! So communicative and there...
Thailand | Feb 15 - Mar 1, 2025

I
Isabel M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 08, 2025

Lacey was amazing! So communicative and there when we had questions or had minor hiccups on our trip! We can’t thank her enough for all her help planning our dream honeymoon!

Local specialist: Lacey Ngo
Lacey
Lacey Ngo
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 10, 2025

Dear Isabel,
It is our pleasure to accompany you and Whitney on this lifetime journey. I do hope to have a chance to accompany you in the future trips.
From Exotic Voyages team with thanks!

Bangkok Trip with Hoa
Thailand | Feb 22 - Feb 28, 2025

ashley
ashley f.
Bloomfield, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 08, 2025
I recently had the pleasure of working with Hoa, our trip planner for our first journey to Thailand, and I cannot recommend her highly enough! From the very beginning, Hoa was incredibly flexible and accommodating, taking our preferences and interests into account while crafting an itinerary that truly felt personalized. She went above and beyond to ensure we had a unique experience, introducing us to local favorites that we would never have found on our own. Her attention to detail made... Read more

I recently had the pleasure of working with Hoa, our trip planner for our first journey to Thailand, and I cannot recommend her highly enough! From the very beginning, Hoa was incredibly flexible and accommodating, taking our preferences and interests into account while crafting an itinerary that truly felt personalized.

She went above and beyond to ensure we had a unique experience, introducing us to local favorites that we would never have found on our own. Her attention to detail made our trip seamless.

Thank you, Hoa, for making our trip unforgettable and for being such a fantastic guide throughout the planning process. We can’t wait for our next adventure, and returning Thailand.

Also Anne on our food tour was great. Aswell as the drivers.

Hotel Review
Veranda Resort Pattaya - MGallery
Authenticity & Character
Location
Outside the city with great sunset and beach views for a quick trip
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tingly Thai Cooking School - Morning joining class
Tingly Thai Cooking School - Morning joining class
Bangkok

This was much better than expected. Loved going to the market and learning about the food and culture. Our guide was amazing and kept it very fun

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

One of the best tour guides. Loved Anne jist knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Mar 10, 2025

Hi Ashley,
Wow, thank you so much for taking time to write us such a detailed review😍!
I’m so thrilled to hear you had an unforgettable & fantastic trip around Bangkok. I’ll definitely pass your sweet words along to Anne and the drivers—they’ll be so happy to hear they made your experience even better.
I can’t wait to help you plan your next adventure in Thailand! There’s still so much more to see and do, and I’d love to create another amazing trip for you.
Thanks again for your wonderful feedback—it means the world to me and our team!
Take care and keep in touch🥰,
Hoa

Phuket vacation from vacation
Thailand | Feb 27 - Mar 3, 2025

David
David W.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2025
Mint was always incredibly responsive; I wondered if she worked 24/7! She suggested a great itinerary to begin with and then quickly addressed/adjusted to our wants. Read more

Mint was always incredibly responsive; I wondered if she worked 24/7! She suggested a great itinerary to begin with and then quickly addressed/adjusted to our wants.

Hotel Review
Oceanfront Beach Resort
Phuket

We enjoyed everything about this hotel except the location. The room was wonderful as was the service, the pools, the breakfast. Regarding the location, it’s about 1.4 km to the bleach and the action of Patong, a nice walk except that the road is very busy and there are stretches with no sidewalk. Consequently we ended up eating at the hotel restaurant 2 nights. The food was good but we would have liked more options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
See comments above
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Phi Phi island, Bamboo Island, Pi Leh lagoon & Maya bay by speedboat
Phi Phi island, Bamboo Island, Pi Leh lagoon & Maya bay by speedboat
Phuket

The islands are beautiful. The downside is the long run by speedboat which was pretty bumpy and the number of people also visiting. The first stop (Maya Bay) in particular was just dense with people. We spent more time in line getting back to the boat than we did at the Bay.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A visit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket
A visit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket
Phuket

Really enjoyed this, more than we expected. Going in we were concerned about the ethics of these elephant preserves, but once we learned that all the elephants are “rescues” from lives of hard labor and unable to be returned to the wild, and we saw how they are treated, we relaxed and enjoyed the interaction with these incredible creatures and learning more about them and the Preserve.

Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour!
Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour!
Phuket

Wow, that was a lot of fun! Jim made it an educational and fun experience right from the start, with the visit to the market. He really focused on the ingredients and what each brought to the four dishes that we prepared. Once at the school, everything went like a well oiled machine as we prepared the various ingredients, then cooked and ate our delicious meal. We had attended another cooking class in north Thailand on another tour; this was more fun and we really liked that we got detailed recipes should we want to try and replicate at home.

John Gray's - Hong by Starlight
John Gray's - Hong by Starlight
Phuket

One of the highlights of our 6 week trip to SE Asia. A slower, but much smoother ride out to the islands. The ride around James Bond island was probably sufficient; didn’t need to actually stop. Then the best part: the trips through the sea caves by inflatable kayaks piloted by a crew member to the various hidden lagoons! What an experience! Then to have an entire beach to just our boat (~25 people) was fun. Lastly the dinner and Loy Kratong prep and ceremony was special.

Local specialist: Mint Pham
Mint
Mint Pham
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 10, 2025

Hi David,
Thank you for a lovely review... Hope to see you and Roberta again :)

From Thailand with love
Thailand | Feb 11 - Mar 3, 2025

Vladimír
Vladimír S.
Czechia | Reviewed on Mar 06, 2025
Hoa was caring and very helpful support all the time. Her planning was perfect.
Of all the guides we met Rodjana was outstanding. I believe she was hired by Exotic Voyages.
Read more

Hoa was caring and very helpful support all the time. Her planning was perfect.
Of all the guides we met Rodjana was outstanding. I believe she was hired by Exotic Voyages.

Hotel Review
Our Jungle Camp - Eco Resort
Tambon Klongsok, Ampur Panom, Suratthani

Our stay at the Jungle Camp was overall pleasant. The accommodation matched the natural setting of the National Park, and while we didn't expect luxury, it was comfortable. The only downside was that the local guides organized for us by the hotel didn't speak English, which was a bit of a barrier, especially when noticing that other groups had guides fluent in English. Still, it was a minor glitch in an otherwise good experience.

Activity Reviews
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk
Bangkok

The Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk was perfect. We had a fantastic guide named Rodjana, who made the experience enjoyable. She was perhaps the best guide we had in Thailand, making the tour a highlight of our trip.

Railway Market & Floating Market
Railway Market & Floating Market
Bangkok

The Railway Market & Floating Market tour was good despite being crowded. The bustling markets are a must-see, and even though the crowds can be overwhelming, the experience is worth it.

Golden Triangle - Chiang Rai Sightseeing & Art
Golden Triangle - Chiang Rai Sightseeing & Art
Chiang Rai

The Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai Sightseeing & Art tour was good. The guide was knowledgeable, and the tales of history and stories about the Golden Triangle were fascinating. Even though there's nothing spectacular to physically see, the stories made it worthwhile.

Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Mar 07, 2025

Hi Vladimír,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Your kind words mean a lot to me and the entire team. We’re honored to have been part of your journey and hope to welcome you & Hana on another SE Asia adventure in the future🥰
Take care and keep in touch!
Hoa

Best investment for planning Thailand vacation
Thailand | Feb 18 - Mar 4, 2025

Ann
Ann B.
Granbury, TX | Reviewed on Mar 06, 2025
I found exotic voyages through the kimkim platform and I’m so glad I did. Although I enjoy travel planning, Thailand is a tricky trip to plan as there are planes, cars, trains and ferries to get you around. It is complicated! Lacey at EV had all our transfers lined up and organized, taking all the stress out of our travel days. Her people were terrific, always there on time with a smile- no snafus! That helped me make the most of our time in this beautiful country. Communication was always... Read more

I found exotic voyages through the kimkim platform and I’m so glad I did. Although I enjoy travel planning, Thailand is a tricky trip to plan as there are planes, cars, trains and ferries to get you around. It is complicated! Lacey at EV had all our transfers lined up and organized, taking all the stress out of our travel days. Her people were terrific, always there on time with a smile- no snafus! That helped me make the most of our time in this beautiful country. Communication was always easy through Kimkim as Thailand is 13 hrs ahead! She also directed me to the best hotels for us, and arranged all our internal air. I couldn’t have done this trip without her!

Hotel Reviews
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (Ex: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi)

Hotel is old and musty. Proximity to the airport is its strength.

Authenticity & Character
Needs complete renovation
Location
Close to airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was clean and cold
LA VIDA Samui
Koh Samui

Room had a lovely balcony and view over pool to beach. I would not stay in any room except this highest level as they faced the run down neighboring properties. Room was clean, cold and quiet. Breakfast was wonderful. Exterior and hallways of this hotel are in terrible condition. Pretty beach, but beach vendors and weed smokers were overwhelming. Location was good for walking to restaurants, but the many weed stores attracted an unsavory crowd. I would stay in an area of koh samui different from Cheweng beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
SAii Phi Phi Island Village

Lovely hotel with rustic luxury bungalows. Please note that you arrive by boat and you must be able bodied enough to climb out of the speedboat, into the water and to walk through the water to the shore. The food is average, but there is a fun local village on the backside of the resort we enjoyed in the evenings. We scuba dived here at the resort and had a good experience. Pool is lovely.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Away from backpacking crowd
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Twin Lotus Resort
koh lanta

Our beachfront bungalow was quiet, clean and well appointed. The breakfast was lovely, and the beach stunning. We could walk to beachfront restaurants, or take a tuktuk to more local spots.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nysa Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
Bangkok

This hotel is even prettier in person. The decor is fresh and modern. Lovely breakfast, nice location. Pool area is a sanctuary from busy Bangkok

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui - Afternoon visit - Joining activity
Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui - Afternoon visit - Joining activity
Ko Samui

We enjoyed this day. Some might find it objectionable that guests can feed, bathe and touch the elephants. Guide was very difficult to understand. Tie-dying and cooking activities were very fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Long drive around island to pick up and drop off many guest. Private taxi would have been better.
Bangkok Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk (Joining excursion)
Bangkok Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk (Joining excursion)
Bangkok

Definitely do this! We saw parts of the city we wouldn’t have otherwise, and really experienced local food, restaurants and Bangkok culture. So fun to be with fellow travellers from other countries!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Healthy Samui Coco Life - Biking in Samui
Healthy Samui Coco Life - Biking in Samui
Ko Samui

We really enjoyed getting out of Cheweng and seeing the countryside.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Koh Lanta Beach Stay
Koh Lanta Beach Stay
Ko Lanta

Beautiful beach free of beach vendors.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half day Klong Tour
Half day Klong Tour
Bangkok

We only had a 1 hour canal tour, and returned on the train.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lacey Ngo
Lacey
Lacey Ngo
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 07, 2025

Dear Ann,
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback, which helps us improve our service a lot. Your fantastic experience in Thailand is a great encouragement for my team and me. I do hope to have a chance to accompany you in the future trips.
From Exotic Voyages team with thanks!

Wonderful Experience
Thailand | Feb 16 - Mar 2, 2025

C
Craig C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Mar 05, 2025
Overall the trip was fantastic. Our local guides were all wonderful and friendly and made us feel welcome. Each of the excursions was special and interesting and we felt very well taken care of. Jenny was a great resource and was there whenever we needed her. Would definitely use KimKim again to help us plan a trip in Asia! Read more

Overall the trip was fantastic. Our local guides were all wonderful and friendly and made us feel welcome. Each of the excursions was special and interesting and we felt very well taken care of. Jenny was a great resource and was there whenever we needed her. Would definitely use KimKim again to help us plan a trip in Asia!

Hotel Reviews
Jaya House River Park
Siem Reap

Beautiful hotel that makes you feel welcome/like part of the family. Daily massages, personal touches and a true caring touch.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Salil Hotel Riverside Bangkok

A beautiful oasis in the southern part of Bangkok.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai

Stunning, peaceful getaway in Chiang Mai. Incredibly kind and attentive staff and beautiful, calming environment.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Banyan Tree Samui

Absolutely beautiful, peaceful oasis. Fantastic amenities, private beach and pool - all gorgeous.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Leisure & Spa day in Koh Samui
Leisure & Spa day in Koh Samui
Thailand
Local Life Village Participation
Local Life Village Participation
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monk Blessing at Doi Suthep
Monk Blessing at Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai

Pookie was an amazing guide - absolutely fantastic experience learning with her.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Siem Reap by night on Vespa
Siem Reap by night on Vespa
Siem Reap

I did get sick from this experience - I would encourage the guides to carry hand sanitizer as hand hygiene is not always perfect at these markets.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Railway market in Bangkok
Railway market in Bangkok
Bangkok
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Finding The Lost Angkor Temples - Lunch at Srah Srang Village House
Finding The Lost Angkor Temples - Lunch at Srah Srang Village House
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Encounter oriental gastronomy in Chiang Mai
Encounter oriental gastronomy in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai

Khao Soi was to die for!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
When Gourmet Hits the Streets
When Gourmet Hits the Streets
Bangkok

Chili Paste tour guide was super fun and the food was excellent!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok Symbolic Temples
Bangkok

Nana was a fun, experienced guide - really made the investment of time worthwhile!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Love Chiang Mai cooking experience (Morning session)
Love Chiang Mai cooking experience (Morning session)
Chiang Mai

Absolutely wonderful experience - so much fun, and delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Elephant Nature Park Half Day Visit (Joining Excursion)
Elephant Nature Park Half Day Visit (Joining Excursion)
Chiang Mai

Was a great park but tour felt a bit long + repetitive.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jenny Phuong

Hoa arranged a wonderful taste of Rhailand tr...
Thailand | Feb 23 - Mar 2, 2025

S
Sarah L.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Mar 03, 2025
Hoa arranged a wonderful taste of Rhailand trip for us. From the VIP service at the Airport and through customs to all our activities and back to the airport we were in good hands. The guides were very knowledgeable and accommodated us for stops for Thai coffee or sticky mango coconut rice. The highlight of our stay was the overnight at the elephant nature park and meeting and walking with the parks founder Lek as she is called. The elephants are very special gentle giants. Overnight is a... Read more

Hoa arranged a wonderful taste of Rhailand trip for us. From the VIP service at the Airport and through customs to all our activities and back to the airport we were in good hands. The guides were very knowledgeable and accommodated us for stops for Thai coffee or sticky mango coconut rice. The highlight of our stay was the overnight at the elephant nature park and meeting and walking with the parks founder Lek as she is called. The elephants are very special gentle giants. Overnight is a must! Our 2nd favorite was the cooking with a local Lanna family and touring their herb garden. Our meal was delicious and fun to chop and mash the herbs in preparation. Our whole Thailand trip exceeded our expectations! Thank you to Hoa, Annie and Ying our guides for their insights and knowledge of the history of thailand

Hotel Review
Elephant Nature Park bungalow

Basic but perfect for the location and our stay

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Mar 04, 2025

My dear Sarah,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! I'm super happy that the trip went off without a hitch and exceeded your expectations.
It was an honor to be a part of your journey, and I hope to have the opportunity to assist you with your future trip to Southeast Asia.
Cheers,
Hoa

First of all thanks to our amazing tourist gu...
Thailand | Feb 22 - Feb 25, 2025

Chona
Chona D.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Mar 03, 2025
First of all thanks to our amazing tourist guides Jojo and Bon. And the drivers who picked up from the airport and’s dropped off . Different places that makes our travel safe and comfortable. We had an amazing trip that is unforgettable even for a 4 days visit to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Our hotel in Bangkok is nice and beautiful. Our 2 days stay is amazing and our breakfast is much more satisfying. The Grand Palace is the best Temple we saw and the elephant ride is a must. And the food was... Read more

First of all thanks to our amazing tourist guides Jojo and Bon. And the drivers who picked up from the airport and’s dropped off . Different places that makes our travel safe and comfortable. We had an amazing trip that is unforgettable even for a 4 days visit to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Our hotel in Bangkok is nice and beautiful. Our 2 days stay is amazing and our breakfast is much more satisfying. The Grand Palace is the best Temple we saw and the elephant ride is a must. And the food was delicious. Train ride to Chiang Mai was great. The hotel we stayed was cozy and nice. Best of all we enjoyed our travel and thanks to Ashley for all the help that makes our visit to Bangkok safe and memorable.❤️

Hotel Reviews
Centre Point Sukhumvit 10

We loved our stay especially your breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Great
Location
We love it
Staff
Great
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great
Night Train between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai

Nice overnight ride to Chiang mai

Authenticity & Character
Great
Location
Great
Staff
Great
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great
Banthai Village
Chiang Mai

Great and cozy to stay

Authenticity & Character
Great
Location
Great
Staff
Great
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great
Activity Reviews
Bangkok city tour - Chatuchak weekend market
Bangkok city tour - Chatuchak weekend market
Bangkok

Not much to explore

Quality of Experience
Food
It’s okay
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Po
Full Day of Exploring the Ancient Capital Ayutthaya (RA)
Full Day of Exploring the Ancient Capital Ayutthaya (RA)
Bangkok

Great. The elephant ride was unforgettable

Quality of Experience
It was amazing experienced
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great
Transport
Great 👍🏻
Half day Chiang Mai City Tour
Half day Chiang Mai City Tour
Chiang Mai

Not much time to explore

Quality of Experience
lol
Transport
Evening Khantoke Dinner "Traditional Dinner" and Thai Classical Dance
Evening Khantoke Dinner "Traditional Dinner" and Thai Classical Dance
Chiang Mai

Great experience

Quality of Experience
Food
Not satisfied
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ashley Nguyen
Ashley
Ashley Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 03, 2025
Dear Chona, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Jojo, Bon, and our dedicated drivers will be thrilled to know they made your journey safe and comfortable. It's wonderful that you enjoyed your hotel stays, the delicious food, and the incredible experiences—from exploring the Grand Palace to the elephant ride and the scenic train journey to Chiang Mai. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we... Read more

Dear Chona,

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Jojo, Bon, and our dedicated drivers will be thrilled to know they made your journey safe and comfortable.

It's wonderful that you enjoyed your hotel stays, the delicious food, and the incredible experiences—from exploring the Grand Palace to the elephant ride and the scenic train journey to Chiang Mai.

Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we truly appreciate you choosing us for your adventure. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable trip in the future! ❤️

From Realistic Asia with love,
Ashley

Fabulous trip to Thailand
Thailand | Feb 11 - Feb 19, 2025

Mary
Mary L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2025
We have recently returned from a wonderful trip to Thailand that was made possible in large measure by kimkim and Tina, in particular. We were a group of 8 adult family members and Tina helped us plan a fabulous itinerary for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Tina was very patient and accommodated our preferences and made changes or adjustments when needed. The guides in Bangkok (Lena) and Chiang Mai (Tana) were extremely knowledgeable and helpful and provided wonderful information about... Read more

We have recently returned from a wonderful trip to Thailand that was made possible in large measure by kimkim and Tina, in particular. We were a group of 8 adult family members and Tina helped us plan a fabulous itinerary for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Tina was very patient and accommodated our preferences and made changes or adjustments when needed. The guides in Bangkok (Lena) and Chiang Mai (Tana) were extremely knowledgeable and helpful and provided wonderful information about history, temples and the general area. The hotels were all excellent and other activities (Bike tour in Bangkok; Elephant Sanctuary & Tea Plantation in Chiang Mai; Sea Kayaking in Phuket) all exceeded our expectations. We were very pleased with our experience and would not hesitate to use kimkim again for future travel. Highly recommend.

Local specialist: Tina Oo
Tina
Tina Oo
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Mar 03, 2025

Dear Mary,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback. I truly appreciate the time you took to provide such a detailed review. I’m delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time in Thailand!

I hope we have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future.

Warm regards,
Tina

First class seamless great value. Not a worry...
Thailand | Feb 15 - Feb 26, 2025

R
robert w.
Nashville, TN | Reviewed on Feb 27, 2025

First class seamless great value. Not a worry the entire trip. If I go on a trip again I would call them first.

Local specialist: Lacey Ngo
Lacey
Lacey Ngo
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Feb 27, 2025

Dear Robert,
Thank you so much for your sharing. Your fantastic experience in Thailand is a great motivation for me and my team. I hope to have a chance to accompany you on future trips to Southeast Asia.
From Exotic Voyages team with thanks!

Thailand Trip for the books!
Thailand | Feb 13 - Feb 20, 2025

A
Amanda T.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 27, 2025

This was the first time I ever used a trip planning agency and I’ll 100% do it again to new destinations. Ha organized our first time trip to Thailand. She had very timely communication and listened to what we wanted (and delivered!). Even when we wanted to make some last minute changes, she made it happen. Our guides Kan and Victor were incredibly nice, punctual, informative, and walked us through every process including right up to the check in counters at the airport. Looking forward to doing another trip through KimKim!

Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Feb 28, 2025

Dear Amanda,

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so happy that your first experience with a trip-planning agency was successful. Your kind words made my day ❤️

It's also wonderful to hear that Kan and Victor provided excellent guidance and support throughout your journey. I will send it to them.

We can't wait to help you plan your next adventure—looking forward to many more incredible trips with you! 🌍

All the best,
Ha

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
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Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.