Chiang Rai 2016: Uncovering California's Hidden Thai Gem
Chiang Rai 2016: Beyond the Postcard, a Messy, Wonderful Thai Adventure (with hopefully helpful SEO)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t your typical, polished hotel review. This is me, after the glorious, slightly chaotic, and utterly unforgettable experience that was Chiang Rai 2016. And let me tell you, uncovering California's hidden Thai gem feels a bit dramatic…it was more like stumbling into a beautifully overgrown secret garden. But let's dive in, shall we? And for all you Google bots, here's the SEO-friendly stuff upfront:
Keywords: Chiang Rai, Thailand, hotel review, accessibility, spa, swimming pool, restaurants, WiFi, family-friendly, luxury travel, budget travel, Chiang Rai accommodation, North Thailand, travel tips, hotel facilities, best hotel Chiang Rai.
Metadata (snippets):
- Title: Chiang Rai 2016: A Messy, Wonderful Review – Spa, Pools & Thai Charm!
- Description: My unfiltered experience at a Chiang Rai hotel. Accessibility, amazing food, incredible spa, and more! Find out if it's worth the trip…or not.
- Keywords (again): Chiang Rai, Thailand, hotel review, accessibility, spa, swimming pool, restaurants, WiFi, family-friendly, luxury travel, budget travel, Chiang Rai accommodation, North Thailand, travel tips, hotel facilities, best hotel Chiang Rai.
Right, with that out of the way, LET'S GO!
The Arrival and Getting Around – A Bit of a Mess, But In a Delightful Way
Accessibility: Okay, let's be real. Thailand, in general, isn't the most accessible place for folks with mobility issues. This hotel…well, it’s trying. There were Facilities for disabled guests, which I peeped, but how well-implemented they were, I can't personally attest to. I saw Elevator, which is a HUGE plus. But, remember, I'm a able-bodied gal, so take my observations with a grain of salt.
Getting Around: Airport transfer was a lifesaver! After a long flight, the thought of haggling for a taxi…shudder. They were waiting, and smooth as silk. The area itself? Car park [free of charge] was a definite bonus, especially if you're planning on exploring. Taxi service was readily available, but I can't really comment on the street-side haggling prices, as the hotel itself was so lush I mostly stuck around the grounds.
Overall Impression: 3.5/5 - Room for improvement for those with accessibility needs, but the airport transfer set a fantastic tone from the start. And a FREE car park? Score!
Rooms – My Personal Oasis…and That Bathroom!
Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: (essential, trust me!)
- Alarm clock: (thank heavens, I sleep through everything)
- Bathrobes: (ah, luxury!)
- Bathtub: (needed after a day of hiking)
- Blackout curtains: (Godsend for sleeping in!)
- Closet: (big enough for my overpacking)
- Coffee/tea maker: (vital for morning zen)
- Complimentary tea: (loved the selection!)
- Daily housekeeping: (my room was always spotless)
- Desk: (for catching up on emails…briefly)
- Extra long bed: (yay for tall people like me!)
- Free bottled water: (always appreciated)
- Hair dryer: (thank god, those humidity curls are brutal)
- High floor: (gorgeous views!)
- In-room safe box: (peace of mind)
- Interconnecting room(s) available: (great for families)
- Internet access – LAN: (for the tech nerds)
- Internet access – wireless: (Wi-Fi!)
- Ironing facilities: (if you're into that sort of thing)
- Laptop workspace: (aka the desk)
- Linens: (fresh and comfy)
- Mini bar: (a bit pricey, but hey, convenience)
- Mirror: (sanity checker)
- Non-smoking: (bless)
- On-demand movies: (guilty pleasure)
- Private bathroom: (duh)
- Reading light: (for late night novel reading)
- Refrigerator: (for midnight snacks)
- Safety/security feature: (feeling safe!)
- Satellite/cable channels: (I didn't watch TV, but they were there)
- Scale: (yes, I reluctantly used it)
- Seating area: (nice for chilling)
- Separate shower/bathtub: (fancy!)
- Shower: (good water pressure)
- Slippers: (a nice touch)
- Smoke detector: (safety first!)
- Socket near the bed: (essential for charging all the things)
- Sofa: (comfy)
- Soundproofing: (thank you!)
- Telephone: (I never use these)
- Toiletries: (decent quality)
- Towels: (fluffy)
- Umbrella: (came in handy during the monsoon!)
- Visual alarm: (didn't notice, hopefully, it works)
- Wake-up service: (didn't use, but knew it was there)
- Wi-Fi [free]: (essential!)
- Window that opens: (for fresh air)
- Additional toilet: (fancy!)
Honestly? The room was a sanctuary. Light, airy, and that BED! I could have easily spent the entire vacation in it. BUT, the shining star? The bathroom. The Separate shower/bathtub was glorious, the Toiletries smelled divine, and the whole space just oozed relaxation. I’m getting chills just thinking about it.
- Room decorations: Simple elegance. Not over the top, just…nice.
- Smoke alarms: Always important.
- Soundproof rooms: YES! No noisy neighbors woke me up, a godsend for a light sleeper.
Overall Impression: 4.5/5 - The room was fantastic! The bathroom alone earns it extra points. Could live there. Maybe. With a never-ending supply of Thai Iced Tea.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – A Delicious Minefield (and My Belly’s Best Friend)
Restaurants: Okay, this is where things get interesting. There were Restaurants, plural! A Buffet in restaurant that was a glorious spread of international and Asian goodies. I'm a sucker for a good Western breakfast, and they delivered. Alongside a decent Asian breakfast option. A la carte in restaurant was available for lunch and dinner. The Coffee/tea in restaurant were pretty good! They had the usual suspects, and some interesting local flavours.
Food and Drink - Quick rundown:
- Alternative meal arrangement: (I could tell, but didn't need to)
- Bar: (very nice!)
- Bottle of water: (essential)
- Breakfast [buffet]: (see above, heaven.)
- Breakfast service: (fantastic)
- Coffee shop: (always a good option to check out!)
- Desserts in restaurant: (delicious and deadly!)
- Happy hour: (yessss!)
- International cuisine in restaurant: (check)
- Poolside bar: (cocktails in the sun, yes please!)
- Room service [24-hour]: (convenient, though I rarely used it)
- Salad in restaurant: (surprisingly good)
- Snack bar: (convenient for a quick bite)
- Soup in restaurant: (comfort food at its finest)
- Vegetarian restaurant: (I do believe they had some options)
- Western cuisine in restaurant: (did I mention the breakfast?)
My rambling about the food will probably go on forever. The food! OMG, the food. Beyond the usual expectations, the Buffet breakfast was a highlight. I’m not even a buffet person, but the sheer variety, from perfectly cooked eggs to the crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and an assortment of Thai dishes, was mind-blowing. I definitely overate most mornings. No regrets. None.
The Poolside Bar was dangerous. They made a killer Mojito, and the setting, with the sun shimmering on the water… pure bliss. I spent an afternoon, or two, or three… lounging there, reading, and sipping those delicious cocktails. Let's just say I got very relaxed.
And the restaurant? I tried almost everything. The Pad Thai? Amazing. The Green Curry? Spicy, fragrant, and the best I've ever had. (Yes, I'm going there. Fight me.)
**Overall Impression: 5/5 - The food was a highlight. Seriously, I
Ceylonz KL: Luxury Dual-Key Unit You WON'T Believe!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my California 2016, Chiang Rai 2016, train-wreck, and I'm taking you along for the ride. Buckle up because it's going to get bumpy.
California, Fall 2016: The Calm Before the Chaos
- October - December: Okay, so the "plan" (and that's being generous) started in California. Basically, I'd saved up some cash, been working a soul-crushing office job, and my brain was screaming for an escape. Chiang Rai? I'd seen a picture of the White Temple, felt a primal urge, and that was it. No real research, just… want. I'm pretty sure my pre-travel anxiety was off the charts during this stage, but I was just sort of ignoring it because I'm an expert at procrastination.
- The "Packing Crisis": Let's be honest, this was a disaster. I packed a bag full of t-shirts I never even wore, three pairs of shoes I was convinced I'd need, and a whole lot of "maybe-I-should-bring-this?" items. My friend, bless her heart, took one look at my luggage and just sighed. "You're going to die, aren't you?" she asked… and she was probably right.
- The "Goodbye Parties": Said goodbye to friends and family. Got ridiculously emotional at the airport, even with the "I'm going on an adventure" bravado. The goodbyes were bittersweet; excitement and fear were battling in my stomach.
Chiang Rai, Thailand: The Adventure Begins (and the Reality Bites)
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Bliss (followed by a slight panic)
- Morning: Landed in Chiang Rai and…WHOA. The humidity hit me like a wall of warm, fragrant air. Everything smelled of jasmine and exhaust fumes (a delightful combination, I swear!). Found my tiny guesthouse (Baan Jaru, if you must know – it was… a place.)
- Afternoon: Walked around the city. The chaos was overwhelming, but in the best way. Motorbikes zipped past, dogs napped in the sun, street food sizzled… it was a sensory explosion. I ate some Pad Thai from a street vendor that was so good, I almost cried. (Okay, maybe I did. The jet lag didn’t help.)
- Evening: The panic started to hit as the sun went down. Everything felt strange and unknown, I was exhausted and alone. I'm pretty sure I ate a bag of chips in my room and then went to bed.
Day 2: White Temple Wonders and WTF Moments
- Morning: The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). Forget everything. It was even more surreal and breathtaking than the pictures. The intricate detail, the otherworldly aura… I spent ages taking photos, completely losing track of time. Just a pro-tip: Wear sunglasses. The sun reflects off that thing, and your eyeballs will be begging for mercy.
- Afternoon: Got completely lost. Like, properly lost. Wander around and explore some random, quiet, rice paddies. Got stung by something I’m pretty sure was a hornet. Realized I didn’t know any Thai. Had a minor existential crisis fueled by insect bites.
- Evening: Found a night market. Ate some more Pad Thai (obsession, much?). Tried to haggle for a souvenir and epically failed. The vendor totally saw through me and gave me a look that said, "tourist, next."
Day 3: The Black House and Golden Triangle Trauma (and a boat ride that almost ended in tears)
- Morning: The Black House (Baan Dam Museum). This place was… weird. Dark, gothic, and full of slightly unsettling art. Kind of loved it, even though I'm pretty sure I'm still processing some of the imagery.
- Afternoon: Golden Triangle. You go in with a certain idea, and… Ugh. Honestly? It was a bit of a tourist trap. Yes, there were beautiful river views, but the whole thing felt… staged. Lots of touts, lots of overpriced stuff, and a general sense of, "Welcome to a place where the sins of the world happened."
- Evening: Took a boat ride. It was supposed to be romantic. It was not. The boat was rickety. The water was murky. The engine sputtered and died twice. I thought I was going to have to swim for shore in the dark, surrounded by who-knows-what. Cried a little, mostly from fear, but also from the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
Day 4: Elephant Sanctuary (and the guilt that followed)
- Morning: Went to a supposed elephant sanctuary. (And that’s the key word, "supposed"). I’m not going into details, but I did some research after and felt absolutely sick with guilt about it.
- Afternoon: Spent a lot of time reflecting on the ethics of tourism and animal welfare.
- Evening: Treated myself to a massage.
Day 5: Departure and The Unresolved Feelings:
- Morning: Woke up with a mix of relief and sadness. Thailand had been an emotional roller coaster. Packed my bag again, the packing list was still a mess.
- Afternoon: Took a bus to the airport.
- Evening: Said goodbye. It wasn't all good, but even the bad parts were good. It was a mess, but it was my mess and I'd survived.
My Reflections:
- The Food: Oh. My. God. The food. I'm still dreaming about the Pad Thai. And the mango sticky rice. And the… well, everything.
- The Culture Shock: It's not always pretty, but it’s raw and real. Be open to being uncomfortable. You learn a hell of a lot when you're a fish out of water.
- The Imperfections: This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, I cried, I made (some pretty bad) decisions. But those imperfections are what made it mine. They’re part of the story.
- The Takeaway: Travel is messy. Travel is humbling. Travel is magical. And sometimes, it's just a giant, glorious, chaotic mess. This is my truth."
Chiang Rai 2016: A Californian’s Rambling Guide to (Probably) Overhyped Northern Thailand That I Still Kinda Loved
Okay, spill it. Why Chiang Rai? Did you, like, *find yourself* there?
The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) – Worth the Hype or Massive Tourist Trap?
The Black House (Baan Dam Museum) – Scarier than the White Temple?
What about the food? Did you eat anything besides pad thai?
Did you go trekking? Did you ride an elephant? (Be honest!)
What's the nightlife like? Did you find romance? (Get to the juicy stuff!)
Anything about the temples, besides the White Temple?
Transportation – Get me around!
Would you go back? (And why?)
