Escape to Paradise: Hueandin Klinmai's Unforgettable Chiang Mai Getaway
Escape to Paradise: Hueandin Klinmai's Unforgettable Chiang Mai Getaway – A Review That's Actually Honest (And a Little Bit Chaotic)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your typical hotel review. I just got back from Hueandin Klinmai's "Escape to Paradise" in Chiang Mai, and let me tell you, it was a journey. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs; I'm here to give you the raw, the real, and the possibly-a-little-too-honest truth. This is exactly what you need to know (with WAY too much detail) before booking your own adventure.
First Impressions: Arrival and Accessibility (or Lack Thereof, Sometimes)
Arriving at Hueandin Klinmai was a visual feast. Lush greenery, stunning architecture, the whole shebang. But let's get real. The "Accessible" part… well, it's a work in progress. The website boasts "facilities for disabled guests," and while they tried, it wasn't exactly seamless. Getting to my room involved a bit of a trek and a few unexpected steps. (Maybe pack your own ramp, just in case?). This is an area where they really could improve. The elevator did work, thankfully! I think. I wasn't counting.
They DO have a "wheelchair check-in" and I am happy to report that yes, there are CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, so you are safe. And more importantly, they have a front desk [24-hour]. But still…Accessibility, I give it a solid "B minus."
Rooms: My Sanctuary… and My Tiny Soap Meltdown
Okay, the rooms themselves? Gorgeous. Seriously. I booked a non-smoking room (thank you, sanity!) and it was spacious, comfortable, and came with all the essentials. Air conditioning? Check. Coffee/Tea maker? Double check. Free bottled water? Bless their hearts. The bed? Extra long! Which is a huge win. The bathrobes were plush, and the slippers made me feel like a queen. They have complimentary tea! Oh, and the view from the window that opens was amazing. A perfect way to start the day.
But the bathroom… oh, sweet baby Jesus, the bathroom. The soap. That damn soap. It was… so tiny. And the tray it rested on? Sloped. Result? Soap, the size of a thimble, slowly slid off the tray and into oblivion multiple times. Is that a deal breaker? Nah. Is it slightly annoying? Absolutely. Did I consider stealing a larger bar from the maid's cart? Briefly. The private bathroom was great tho, with a separate shower/bathtub.
Connectivity Chaos: Or, "Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!" (Mostly)
Let's talk internet. They shout from the rooftops about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, and for the most part, it delivers. But sometimes, just sometimes, you’d be staring at that little rotating circle of doom. It was like the Wi-Fi had a mind of its own. It'd work perfectly for an hour, then decide to take a nap just when you needed to answer an email or show off your Insta-worthy breakfast (more on that later). They also offer Internet access – LAN, but I'm on vacation! Who the heck pulls out a LAN cable on vacation! Honestly.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Asian Delights, Western Bling, and Surprisingly Good Salad
Alright, FOOD. This is where Hueandin Klinmai really shines and, at times, slightly disappoints.
- Breakfast: Buffet in restaurant. The Western breakfast was solid. The Asian breakfast… well, let's just say I sampled everything. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was amazing. I have no complaints. And if the buffet isn't your thing, you can get Breakfast in room. And, I'm not going to lie, I found one of my best moments was having Breakfast takeaway service.
- Lunch/Dinner: The main restaurant offers a mix of International cuisine and Asian cuisine in restaurant. There's a Vegetarian restaurant. The food, generally, was excellent. They had a killer Salad in restaurant.
- Drinks: Poolside bar. Happy hour deals kept the good times rolling. I also tried the Poolside bar.
- Snacks: Coffee shop! Desserts in restaurant!
Ways to Relax: Spa, Pools, and the Surprisingly Intense Steamroom
Escape to Paradise is all about relaxation, right? They've got the goods:
- Swimming pool. One of the Swimming pool [outdoor] had a Pool with view. Amazing!
- Spa: The Spa was amazing. I got a Body scrub and a Massage. The Body wrap was next level.
- Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: The Sauna was relaxing. The Steamroom felt like I was cooking my insides. I think I actually might have sweat out a year's worth of toxins in those 10 minutes. Prepare to be steamed.
- Gym/fitness, Fitness center: I actually did get some working out in. I loved that.
Cleanliness and Safety: Anti-Viral Anxiety and Peace of Mind
During these crazy times, cleanliness is king (or queen, in my case!). Hueandin Klinmai takes it seriously. They offer Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. They have a doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, and Hand sanitizer everywhere. I felt safe. I even had a Breakfast in room served to me to be extra safe against the coronavirus.
For the Kids
I didn't bring any kids, but I saw lots of families, the Hotel is Family/child friendly. There are babysitting service offered and Kids meal.
Services and Conveniences: What's Good and What's Meh
- Great: Concierge. Daily housekeeping. Laundry service. Luggage storage.
- Meh: Cash withdrawal. Gift/souvenir shop.
- Not tested: Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Xerox/fax in business center.
Things to Do: Beyond Just R&R
They have a terrace and offer Seminars.
Now, for the Big Sell: Why You Should Book Hueandin Klinmai
Okay, so it's not perfect. But you know what? That's part of its charm. Hueandin Klinmai is a solid choice. It's a little raw, a little quirky, a little rough around the edges (that damn soap!). But it's also warm, inviting, and genuinely trying to be a place of peace.
Here's the deal: If you're looking for a cookie-cutter, sterile experience, this isn't it. But if you want an honest, beautiful, and unforgettable Chiang Mai getaway with a touch of imperfection, book this hotel.
Book now before they realize I spilled all the tea (and the soap) and close up shop!
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Serene Stay in Dalat, Vietnam
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is a diary of disaster, a symphony of sunshine and scrambled schedules, a testament to the fact that travel is ALWAYS messier than it looks on Instagram. Prepare yourselves for… Hueandin Klinmai, Chiang Mai, Thailand: My Utterly Chaotic Adventure (And Possibly Yours too).
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Avocado Bliss (Mostly)
10:00 AM (ish): Landed in Chiang Mai! Whew. Landed alive, which, frankly, after my pre-flight coffee-fueled pre-panic attack, is a victory. The airport was…hot. Like, equatorial-sun-in-your-eyeballs-and-sweat-beads-instantly-forming hot. Finding my pre-booked transfer was a comedy of errors involving frantic hand gestures, Google Translate, and somehow the word "banana."
11:30 AM (ish): Finally, finally, at Hueandin Klinmai. And it’s… beautiful. Seriously, the pictures don't do it justice. Tropical flowers everywhere, a tranquil pool (I'm already plotting my poolside nap), and a general vibe of "Zen Master meets Boho Chic." My room, a "Deluxe Something-or-Other," is a haven. Except…the AC seems…optimistic.
1:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered the avocado toast (duh). It was… divine. Pure, unadulterated avocado bliss. I could’ve cried. Also, a tiny, lizard-y thing darted across the floor, which, let’s be honest, almost caused a full-blown meltdown.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Unpacked. Took a cold shower (AC still proving insufficient). Contemplated the meaning of life while staring at the ceiling fan. Did not nap, because I was terrified of oversleeping and missing…well, anything. Rookie mistake.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Wandered around the old city. Found a temple (Wat Phra Singh). Got lost. Took way too many photos of the same Buddha statue. Bought a Singha beer from a street vendor who definitely thought I was a crazy person. Worth it.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner at a recommended restaurant (forgot the name, shocker). Ordered Pad Thai. It was good. Possibly too good. Ate so much I almost couldn't walk back to the hotel. This could be a problem.
8:00 PM onwards: Back at the hotel. AC still failing. Attempting to plan tomorrow. Feeling slightly overwhelmed. Deciding to embrace the chaos. Possibly ordering room service. Maybe a beer. Definitely a prayer to the AC gods.
Day 2: Elephants, Emotional Meltdowns, and Mosquito Mayhem
7:00 AM (ish): Woke up in a puddle of my own sweat. AC: 0. Me: 1 (for surviving).
8:00 AM: Breakfast. Ate way too many mangoes. Starting to suspect all the fruit here is secretly laced with something that makes you want to hug strangers and cry tears of joy.
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Elephant Sanctuary – the one thing on this trip I absolutely, positively had to do. And…it was magical. Seriously, I cried. Watching those gentle giants play in the mud, eating bananas right from my hand…it was the most incredible experience of my life.
- Anecdote Alert: I accidentally dropped my camera in the mud pit. Thankfully, a kind volunteer fished it out and saved my photos, which, frankly, are the only things keeping me sane right now.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch near the sanctuary. So many delicious things I can't remember all of them. I am not sure if I really like them, but I appreciate the experiences.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Travel back to the hotel. The AC unit has still not been fixed.
- Emotional Breakdown Alert: I spent a solid 30 minutes staring at the AC unit, muttering insults. Eventually, decided to embrace the heat like a true masochist.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Pool time! Finally, a break from the heat and the looming existential dread. Met a lovely couple from somewhere in Europe. They were ridiculously tanned and effortlessly cool. Secretly, I wanted to be them.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Attempted to take an outdoor shower, which turned into a mosquito feeding frenzy. Ended up covered in bites and swatting furiously. Decided to re-think my life choices.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Dinner at a local market. Street food heaven! Ate everything that looked remotely interesting. Currently experiencing a mild stomach ache. Worth it.
9:00 PM onwards: Back at the hotel. Swatting mosquitos. Planning to move the bed inside the fridge. Wondering if I can sue the AC company for emotional distress. Maybe order more Singha beer…
Day 3: Cooking Class, Cultural Clashes, and a Farewell Flood
8:00 AM: Woke up to the sound of birds…and the persistent buzzing of a particularly aggressive mosquito.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Thai Cooking Class. Actually, shockingly, pretty good. I made green curry! It tasted…okay. Not quite restaurant quality, but edible. And the chef was hilarious.
- Quirky Observation: Learned that I'm allergic to something in the chili peppers. Spent the next hour sweating and trying not to cry. Still worth it.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch (the fruits of my cooking labor!). My stomach is still recovering from yesterday but here we are again.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Temples and Culture Overload. Visited another temple (Wat Chedi Luang). Felt slightly templed-out, and very hot. People-watching was definitely a highlight. Watched a monk doing something, and, I am not sure what was happening but I think he was teaching people.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a quick refresh. I am a little too tired to do more things so I decided to just rest and let the memories of today's experiences sink in.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Farewell Thai Massage. Bliss! Almost fell asleep during the head massage.
8:00 PM onwards: Packing. The AC has finally started working. The irony is not lost on me. My flight is tomorrow. I want to stay longer. But I also need to be back in my bed.
Day Departure:
- All of it.
Emotional Conclusion:
Whew. Okay. That was…something. Chiang Mai was beautiful. Chaotic. Humbling. Infuriating. Delicious. And, at the end of the day, utterly unforgettable. I came expecting Instagram-worthy perfection. I got a sweaty, mosquito-bitten, emotionally unstable adventure. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Chiang Mai, you crazy, wonderful place. I'll be back. (Probably with a better AC plan next time).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a plane to catch… and a serious shopping list for bug spray.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Lakefront Getaway Awaits in Germany!
Escape to Paradise: Hueandin Klinmai's Unforgettable Chiang Mai Getaway - The FAQ (Honestly, It's Messy)
Okay, so "Unforgettable Chiang Mai Getaway"... Was it actually? Don't sugarcoat it.
Alright, alright, deep breaths. Unforgettable? Kinda. Okay, mostly. Look, I'm *terrible* at hyperbole, but the trip to Chiang Mai with Hueandin Klinmai? Yeah, it punched me in the face with beauty and then offered me a Chang beer. It wasn't *perfect*. It wasn't postcard-perfect. It was…real. And, yes, I'm still working out the camera angle on the "perfection" bit. Let's just say, the photos are a *vague* representation of my reality. Some things you just can't capture on a…well, a smartphone.
Tell me about the big accommodation! Where'd you stay? Was it Instagrammable?
Ah, the hotel. The *temple* where I was hoping to spend my time. We stayed at the… *checks notes frantically*… The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai. And yes, it was *Instagrammable*. Like, ridiculously so. I felt like I was staying in a gilded birdcage, which is not a complaint, just a statement. The staff were ridiculously polite (to the point where I worried I was accidentally wearing my inside-out pajamas). The food? Honestly, fantastic. My wallet wept a little, but my taste buds were having a party. My *room* though, the room was a whole other level of paradise. Seriously, it was like having your own mini-village. Just, you know, without actual villagers. Just me, a ridiculously large bed, and a mosquito net that I almost strangled myself with in the middle of the night. Still, the pool? Worth the hassle.
What was the *most* amazing thing you did? Spill the beans!
Okay, prepare yourself. This might sound silly, but... it was the elephant sanctuary. Specifically, the one where they're rescuing and rehabilitating the elephants. I know, I know, everyone does that. But seeing these gentle giants *in person*? Seeing the joy in their eyes (yes, I think I saw joy!), seeing them splashing in the mud, and actually touching their leathery skin... It was…well, it brought me to tears. Proper, ugly-cry tears. I felt like I connected with something ancient and beautiful. Then I had to quickly wipe my face because I didn't want to look like a complete fool. The whole experience was just...pure. One of them, I swear, winked at me. Maybe it was just a blink caused by a mosquito. But I liked to think it winked. (Okay, I teared up again just *thinking* about it. No, really... I'm fine!) This *one* thing alone, it made the entire trip. Everything else -- the temples, the food, the massages (more on those later) -- a supporting actor.
Temples! Did you do the temple thing? And, was it…spiritual?
Absolutely, the temples! We hit a bunch. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was breathtaking. And the climb up? Brutal. I’m pretty sure my thighs are still talking to me. Seriously. *Whine, whine, whine*. But the view from the top? Unbelievable. And the gold! So much gold! I’m pretty sure I saw my bank account slowly draining just from *looking* at it. The spiritual thing? Hmm. I'm not sure I became a Buddhist monk overnight, but there was a definite sense of peacefulness. Or maybe I was just exhausted from climbing. (Definitely exhaustion. And the gold. Shiny!) Either way, if you don't visit the temples, are you *really* in Chiang Mai? I also loved the quietness. You know? Just a bunch of people being reverent, walking around, minding their business. Something the world could use more of.
Talk about the food! Did you eat bugs? (Please say you ate bugs!)
The food! Oh, the food. Massaman curry? To die for. Pad Thai? Forget about it. I’m pretty sure I consumed my weight in mango sticky rice. And the street food! Heaven on a skewer. I did try…a few… interesting things. Crickets? Yep. Grubs? Also, yep. They were…crunchy. And not in a bad way. Okay, maybe in a *little* bit of a bad way at first. But you get used to it! It's all about the sauce, anyway. The flavors are just insane. I went up a size on my clothes; absolutely no regrets. (Totally regret the fact they don't sell it where I live :( ). And there were lots of cooking classes. Let's just say, I'm a *much* better cook than I was before. Which wasn't saying much. The food scene alone is worth the trip, honestly.
Massages! How many massages did you get? And how was the (insert dramatic pause) ...*massage experience*?
Massage count? A lot. More than I'm entirely proud of. We're talking daily. Maybe twice a day. Don't judge me! When in Rome... or, you know, Chiang Mai. The massages were... intense. Like, "Are you sure my body doesn't have any knots I didn't know existed?" intense. But in the *best* way. The Thai massage where they stretch you into positions you didn't know your body *could* do? Absolutely worth it. One lady spent what felt like an hour, working on my back. All the stress of modern life just… melted away. And I snored. Loudly. I woke myself up! Mortifying. But hey, it means I was relaxed, right? This is the life.
What was the most annoying thing about the trip? Be honest.
Okay, honesty time. The… *checks notes*… the mosquitos. They were vicious. Devouring. I’m pretty sure I contributed heavily to the local mosquito population, which is probably a crime. Bug spray? They laughed at it. But the heat too. Sticky, sticky, unbearable heat with the bugs. You see, everything isn't perfect. It was a constant battle. And, you know, the jet lag. That's no fun. And, you know, getting lost in a market. I also tripped on a cobble stone. I was a bit bruised, and I might have cried for a bit. But, hey, it wouldn't be an "unforgettable" experience without a few bumps and bruises, right?
Would you go back? And, any advice for those planning a trip?
Go back? In a heartbeat. I'm already dreaming of mango sticky rice andFind Hotel Now
