Luxury Thailand Travel Review: Chiang Rai, Krabi, Phi Phi, Chiang Mai, Elephants, Boating, 11-Day Tour

The Chiang Rai resort experience and elephant sanctuary were unforgettable. It was the gold standard in hotels, in a legendary, dream location with gorgeous facilities and staff that treat you like royalty and family at the same time, with unsurpassed attention to detail and quality. The activities were amazing. We loved our time with the elephants, the motorcycle ride touring rice paddies, the massage, and the great cooking class.

Our Krabi experience included two amazing boat excursions. The more than half-day trip on one sailboat included multiple stops to swim, snorkel, and play on paddle boards, as well as dinner and sunset cruising. The crew of four was great, tending to everyone on board and eager to assist in every activity. They even added a special touch of having a drone take pictures and videos throughout the day, which they promptly sent to us. We have an amazing photographic memory of our adventure.

The second private boat trip to the Phi Phi islands was wonderful. The guide, the captain, and the assistant provided every service in a great, high-speed boat. With their help, we beat the crowds to see the picture-perfect spots, had a first-class snorkeling experience, lunch on the beach catered by the staff, and were able to absorb the beauty of these islands.

Chiang Mai and our brilliant multilingual guide were also highlights. Our hotel was strategically placed on a street with a huge night market – a shopper's dream! And I cannot wait to frame my painting from my batik class in a one-of-a-kind “treehouse" studio.