Thailand's Hidden Gem: The Nice Hotel Will Blow You Away!
Okay, Folks, Buckle Up! My Unfiltered Take on Thailand's "Hidden Gem" (and Why You Need to Go!)
Alright, so I just got back from… well, let’s call it Thailand’s Hidden Gem: The Nice Hotel Will Blow You Away! because that’s pretty much exactly what it does. And yeah, it actually is a hidden gem. Forget the overcrowded beaches and tourist traps (though, let's be honest, I love a good pad thai from a street vendor as much as the next person). This place? This place is different. It's the kind of hotel where, for a second, you think you’ve accidentally wandered into a meticulously crafted Instagram feed… only to realize it's REAL LIFE. And it's glorious.
Let's get messy, because let's be honest, travel never goes perfectly.
Accessibility: Actually Accessible! (Hallelujah!)
Okay, HUGE shoutout to the hotel for actually paying attention to accessibility. You know, like, for real? Not just a ramp slapped on at the last minute. Wheelchair accessible is a big win, and they’ve got facilities for disabled guests sprinkled throughout. The elevator is a lifesaver (especially after devouring a massive buffet). They even seemed to have thought about things like wider doorways. Seriously, other hotels, take notes! They also seemed to have the Front Desk [24-hour] and Doorman ready to assist.
Safety First (and Second, and Third!): Feeling Secure in Paradise
Right off the bat, I felt safe. Like, bone-deep safe. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property were reassuring, but it was the little things that really got me. Security [24-hour]? Check. Fire extinguisher in the hallway? Check. Smoke alarms? Double check. They’ve also got their shit together with Safety/security feature that included Security Safe Boxes in each room. The staff also seemed very attentive as the hotel maintains Hygiene certification.
And the cleanliness? Forget those dodgy hotels where you’re afraid to touch the sheets. This place is pristine. They use Anti-viral cleaning products, and there was Daily disinfection in common areas. Plus, they provide Hand sanitizer readily available. No worries for me with Rooms sanitized between stays because they offer Professional-grade sanitizing services. I'm told that they may have Room sanitization opt-out available, but I didn't even have the urge to consider it!
Rooms: Your Own Little Oasis (and That Bed…Sweet Jesus!)
Okay, so I’m pretty picky about hotel rooms. I need space to breathe. And this place delivers. Let's dive into the Available in all rooms details.
- Air conditioning: Essential. Worked perfectly.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yep, also perfect.
- Alarm clock: Yep, so I could keep track of my naps.
- Bathrobes: Slipping into one after a shower is pure bliss.
- Bathroom phone: …huh. Okay. Maybe for emergencies? I didn't use it.
- Bathtub: Yes! And HUGE. (Separate shower/bathtub, people!)
- Blackout curtains: Godsend. Slept like a baby. Which is NOT something I usually do.
- Carpeting: Nice, clean, and comfy.
- Closet: Plenty of space, even for all my questionable souvenir purchases.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, please. (Especially the coffee!)
- Complimentary tea: Excellent touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Seriously, spotless.
- Desk: Great for catching up on emails (or pretending to).
- Extra long bed: Heaven. I could sprawl out without fear of my feet hanging over the edge.
- Free bottled water: Always welcome. Hydration is key, especially when you're indulging in the… ahem… other beverages.
- Hair dryer: Powerful enough to actually dry my hair. Miracles do happen.
- High floor: Views for days!
- In-room safe box: Safe, secure, and I didn't lose anything! A miracle for me!
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Perfect for families or groups (note: I’m single. This was not relevant)
- Internet access – LAN: Meh. Not my jam.
- Internet access – wireless: See Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! below.
- Ironing facilities: Okay, I didn’t use this, but it's there! (I’m a “wrinkled linen” kind of traveler.)
- Laptop workspace: Comfortable and functional.
- Linens: Crisp, clean, and amazing.
- Mini bar: Temptation station!
- Mirror: Lots of mirrors. For self-appreciating your fabulous tan. And your fabulous self in general.
- Non-smoking: Yes! Thank goodness. Nothing worse than a smoky room.
- On-demand movies: Didn't watch any, but the option was there.
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Reading light: Good for those late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator: Kept my Singha beer perfectly chilled.
- Scale: (gulp) A little terrifying, but necessary.
- Seating area: Comfy and inviting.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Shower pressure was STRONG.
- Shower: See Separate shower/bathtub.
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Yep.
- Socket near the bed: Genius! Phone charging bliss.
- Sofa: Comfy, good for a post-massage nap.
- Soundproofing: Excellent (needed with the view of the pool).
- Telephone: Used it to order room service.
- Toiletries: Good quality. Smelled divine.
- Towels: Fluffy and plentiful.
- Umbrella: (Didn't need it. But hey, it's there!)
- Visual alarm: Great for the hearing impaired (and those of us who occasionally sleep through our alarms).
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
Speaking of…
Internet Access:
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES! And it actually works. Fast, reliable, and free. Seriously, this is a huge win. I could've lived in the hotel for just access alone.
- Internet: (Generally).
- Internet [LAN]: Fine, too, for the old-school people.
- Internet services: The hotel provides Internet and free Wi-Fi for everyone.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Also available. Perfect for checking social media while lounging by the pool.
- Internet access – wireless: Same as Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Prepare to Indulge!
Okay, let's talk about the important stuff. Food. Drink. More food. This place delivers.
- A la carte in restaurant: Amazing options, and you could eat with them.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They actually cared about dietary restrictions.
- Asian breakfast: The Pad Thai!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Delicious. Authentic. I ate ALL of it.
- Bar: Excellent cocktails. Happy hour? Don't mind if I do!
- Bottle of water: Supplied generously.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The BEST buffet I've ever seen. So much choice. So much incredible food.
- Breakfast service: Yep!
- Buffet in restaurant: A total win.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always available.
- Coffee shop: Good for a quick caffeine fix.
- Desserts in restaurant: The desserts were phenomenal.
- Happy hour: Priceless. Best bar in the country, honestly.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Something for everyone.
- Poolside bar: Because nothing says "vacation" like a cocktail by the pool.
- Restaurants: Several different options, but all good.
- Room service [24-hour]: Life-saver. Particularly after a long day of… relaxing.
- Salad in restaurant: (yes, there were healthy options! I swear I ate some).
- Snack bar: Perfect for quick bites.
- Soup in restaurant: Yum.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options for vegetarians.
- Western breakfast: Options for people who don't want Asian food.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Great options, too.
My absolute favorite experience? The breakfast buffet. Honestly, I spent like, two hours there every morning. Fresh fruit. Omelets made to order. The best damn pancakes I’ve ever
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Molindrio, Plava Laguna, Croatia
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously-planned itinerary. This is… my attempt at experiencing The Nice Hotel in Thailand. (And escaping with my sanity intact, hopefully.)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Because, Let's Be Real)
- Morning: Landed in Bangkok. Smog hit me like a warm, humid, slightly-scented-of-street-food hug. My carefully curated "travel outfit" (linen, naturally, I'm trying to be sophisticated) immediately wilted. First observation: Thailand humidity is a living, breathing entity. It watches you.
- Afternoon: Flight to Krabi, a bumpy ride. The air hostess gave a perfunctory smile, which I’ve come to realize is code for "I've seen it all, and you, dear traveler, are just another sweaty face." Arrived at the Nice Hotel, which, let's be honest, is not as "nice" as the brochure led me to believe. The lobby has this… thing going on with the air conditioning, which means one half is a meat locker and the other is a sauna. Found my room – it smells faintly of mildew and regret. But the view… alright, the view of the pool is actually pretty decent. The pool itself looks inviting. Maybe I should just… float… for the rest of the day.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food? Edible. The service? Erratic. I ordered Pad Thai, which arrived with more peanuts than noodles. I’m pretty sure there was a cashew conspiracy taking place on my plate. Finished eating and I’m still hungry. Went back to my room and decided to just order room service. I ordered a club sandwich and a beer. I am not proud of myself. Watched a documentary about… well, I don’t really remember. Food coma is the enemy.
Day 2: Beach Day Bliss (and Mild Panic)
- Morning: Dragged myself out of bed, convinced I was going to melt in the morning sun. Breakfast at the hotel again - the buffet is an absolute free-for-all. I grabbed some fruit, and it was actually pretty good, which I can't say it was for the coffee. The coffee tasted like old shoe. Decided to hit the beach.
- Afternoon: Railay Beach. Oh. My. God. The water is turquoise, the sand is powder-fine, the cliffs are dramatic… it's pure Instagram fodder. Spent the entire afternoon alternating between: a.) Genuinely awestruck at the natural beauty, b.) Mild panic at how many people were ALSO on the beach, and c.) Trying to avoid getting sand everywhere. Got a sunburn on my nose. Again. Seriously, I could write a thesis on my poor relationship with sunscreen. I'm pretty sure I’m going to peel like a snake and be even more red than the lobster I just ate.
- Evening: Sunset cocktails on the beach. The view was spectacular, seriously epic. The cocktails, however, were… overly sweet. And I'm pretty sure my bartender used a little too much of the 'local' stuff (you know, the one that's definitely illegal). Suddenly, I was incredibly philosophical, discussing the merits of banana pancakes with a stray dog. The dog, bless its heart, seemed to agree with me.
Day 3: Island Hopping and Lost Luggage (Almost)
- Morning: Woke up feeling… interesting. Head pounding, slight fuzziness in the brain. Maybe it was the sun, maybe it was the (ahem) cocktails. Anyway, we were supposed to go island hopping, but the group didn't meet on time. Spent the better part of the morning chasing staff around the lobby, then to the beach, then back to our rooms, while yelling at each other in different languages to the dismay of a friendly, but confused hotel staff. Eventually, we started our boat trip.
- Afternoon: Island hopping! The boat ride was choppy, and I may or may not have gotten seasick. But the islands? Majestic. Particularly Tup Island, with its sandbar. I tried to get the perfect picture, fell headfirst into the ocean, and swallowed a mouthful of saltwater. Still worth it! Our guide (a tiny Thai woman named Mae, who could probably wrestle a crocodile) kept yelling at me, "Be careful, farang!" (foreigner). I’m pretty sure she secretly enjoyed my clumsiness.
- Evening: HOLY CRAP, nearly lost my luggage! Left it in a transfer vehicle. Panicked, ran through the hotel screaming, and, in the end, got the hotel manager to help me look for it. Eventually, a very weary-looking staff member located my suitcase, which brought me the most unexpected joy ever. Dinner at a local restaurant. The food was incredible, authentic, and spicy as hell. Tears were involved, but happy tears! Went back to the hotel and just stared at my suitcase for a solid hour.
Day 4: Thai Massage and Self-Reflection (and More Pad Thai)
- Morning: Thai massage. This was… intense. I'm pretty sure the masseuse bent me into positions I didn't know were humanly possible. I heard my bones crack, but it felt… good? Felt reborn. Or at least, less stiff.
- Afternoon: More beach time. This time, I opted for a shady spot and aggressively applied sunscreen. Sat by the beach reading a book and just tried to be. It’s funny, isn't it? How even in paradise, your brain can wander and bring up all the things you're stressed about. I realized I'm trying to be perfect, and that is a completely impossible task.
- Evening: More Pad Thai. I know, I know. But it's just… so good. This time, I asked for extra peanuts and somehow, it was perfect. The night then ended with me just sitting at the bar in Hotel, and thinking about how much I love chaos, and how much I am chaos.
Day 5: Departure (and a Vow to Return)
- Morning: Last breakfast at the buffet. Said goodbye to those questionable coffee. A little sad to leave, but also, oddly… refreshed. Realized I was becoming a little attached to the whole Nice Hotel mess.
- Afternoon: Flight home. Watched the Thai landscape disappear from the window.
- Evening: Landed. Still a little sunburnt, a little sandy, and a little… changed. The Nice Hotel might not have been "nice" in the conventional sense, but it was… something. It was a lesson in embracing the chaos, accepting imperfection, and finding joy in the unexpected. And… I think I'll be back.
(P.S. If anyone sees a slightly sunburnt, perpetually confused, and Pad Thai-loving traveler wandering around Thailand. That's probably me.)
Versailles Escape: Chic Ibis Styles Hotel in Guyancourt, France!
Thailand's Hidden Gem: Oh. My. God. The Hotel That Blew. Me. Away! (FAQs... kinda)
Okay, Seriously, What's So Good About This Place? Like, REALLY good? I'm skeptical.
Alright, buckle up, because I was skeptical too. I mean, "hidden gem" and "blow you away"? Sounds like marketing BS, right? Usually is. But this... this wasn't. First off? The *vibe*. Picture this: you stumble out of a chaotic Bangkok taxi, feeling like a sweaty, jet-lagged zombie, and then BAM! You're in a freaking *oasis*. Lush gardens, that gentle Thai music… it's like your brain just sighs and goes, "Ahhhhh, okay. We're good now."
But it's more than just pretty. It's the details. The *staff*. They're not just polite, they're genuinely *happy* to see you. Like, they *remember* your weird coffee order after ONE MORNING. And the rooms… oh god, the rooms. I upgraded to a suite (splurge, I know, but WORTH IT!), and it had a freaking *private plunge pool*. I spent a solid afternoon just floating there, giggling like a maniac. Then I got a tiny, teeny insect bite, but hey, perfection doesn't exist, right?
What's the Actual Name of This Mystical Hotel? Spill the Beans!
Okay, okay, I'll tell you. It's called… (pauses for dramatic effect)… The [INSERT FICTITIOUS HOTEL NAME HERE - I'm not giving away the real name because, selfishly, I want to be able to book it again! But you get the idea]. It's somewhere near [INSERT FICTITIOUS LOCATION HERE - Again, strategically vague!]. Look, I found it by accident! Clicking through some travel blogs, and there it was! The pictures didn’t do it justice, trust me.
Is It REALLY Hidden? Like, Can I Actually Find It Without a Special Treasure Map?
That’s the fun, isn't it? It’s not *completely* off the grid, but it's definitely not swarming with your average tourist. You won't find it plastered across every travel site. It takes a *little* digging. Think of it as a small, rewarding adventure BEFORE the main adventure. I did get hopelessly lost trying to find the taxi rank, once, and had to flag down a tuk-tuk, but that's par for the course in Thailand, right? Part of the charm. Mostly the charm. Probably. Anyway, it's findable. Trust me on that.
Let’s Talk Money. How Much Are We Talking? Am I Going to Need to Sell a Kidney?
Okay, budget is always the killer, isn't it? Alright, I'll be honest: it's not *budget* budget. It's not going to be the cheapest hostel in Bangkok. But, and this is a HUGE but, the quality you get is… well, it's criminal. Think about what you normally spend on a mediocre hotel. Now imagine that, but a million times better. I got a room for about [INSERT FICTITIOUS PRICE HERE] (prices vary, obviously). And, considering everything, the spa treatments, the insane breakfasts, the near-personal attention, I'd say it was a *steal*. Seriously. My bank account is still recovering, but worth every single cent. Probably.
Now, I did splurge on the suite with the pool, which was… a big splurge. But the regular rooms looked fantastic, too! And look, I know what you're thinking: "I can get a room in Vegas for that price". And sure, you *could*. But you're not going to get THAT level of peace, of serenity, of general AMAZINGNESS. And trust me, you need the peace. You *deserve* the peace.
What’s the Food Like? Because I live to eat, and a bad meal can ruin everything.
Oh. My. God. The food. Forget everything you know about "hotel food." This is next level. The breakfast buffet alone… okay, I had to be physically *restrained* from trying EVERYTHING. Fresh fruit, pastries, the most amazing omelets, and this kind of coconut milk rice porridge that I literally dreamt about for weeks afterwards. I was so full I could barely move for the first few days... not complaining. Not at all.
And the main restaurant... ah, the main restaurant. I’m a bit of a picky eater (don’t tell anyone!), but even I was blown away. They had everything from traditional Thai dishes (pad thai that actually tasted like pad thai!) to international options, all cooked to perfection. The presentation was gorgeous, the service impeccable. I might have cried a little bit when I finished a particularly delicious mango sticky rice. Don't Judge Me!
Are there any downsides? This sounds… suspicious.
Okay, okay, I'm not a complete shill. Nothing is perfect. First, the location… it's not like you're right in the thick of the action. You might need to take a taxi/tuk-tuk. But for me, that was a GOOD thing. It felt like a retreat. A sanctuary from the chaos. Also…
The Wi-Fi was a little… spotty in my room. Fine in the common areas but in the room, needed some work. First world problem, I know. I *was* on vacation, so I didn’t really care.
And… and… okay, this is embarrassing. In my suite I accidentally spilled red wine on a white sofa. Horrified. I immediately tried to clean it up, then I panicked and called housekeeping, who of course were very nice and didn't make me feel like a complete idiot. Anyway, there's that. But honestly? Minor, tiny, insignificant blips. It was so good, it overcame those minor hiccups.
What were your absolute favorite things *at* the hotel? Like, if you had to pick just one thing?
Okay, if I *absolutely* had to pick one thing… hmm… It's a tie, honestly! (that's cheating, I know). Let me paint you a picture: Late afternoon, the sun starting to dip, casting this golden glow over everything. I was in that plunge pool, the one in my suite, sipping a fresh fruit smoothie (made to order, of course), listening to the birds, thinking absolutely nothing. Just... peace. Utter, blissful peace. That, or the breakfast buffet. Or, or the SPA! The massages were heavenly! Aaaargh! It's impossible. It was all just… a dream. A beautiful, delicious, slightly expensive dream.
Also that one time the staff really quickly helped me put my sunglasses back together because they broke. They made my day!
