Hotel & Restaurant Reviews in Thailand - Bangkok, Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai

Bangkok

Airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

A massive, well-organized airport with plenty of dining and shopping options. Immigration lines can be long, so it's best to allow extra time. The airport offers good lounge options and efficient transportation into the city.

It's a really nice airport, and it's pretty big. We were initially unsure where to go to get a Grab taxi, but once outside, we saw the big signs, and it was easy to find. Be aware that you might have to wait about 10 minutes before your ride arrives. The waiting area isn't great—people smoke, some block the way when taxis arrive, and there's trash on the floor. However, the Grab staff is helpful and assists with loading luggage into the car.

Airport: Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

We departed from this airport for a domestic flight to Koh Samui. It’s smaller, older, but still nice and clean. It’s a great airport for finding cheap flights within Thailand.

Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Bangkok

The location is great, though unfortunately, the hotel next door is expanding, blocking the park view for certain rooms and the pool area. Traffic and construction noise can be a bit loud as it bounces off the buildings. The hotel itself is beautiful, with spacious rooms and a well-designed bathroom. A highlight was the fresh coconut in the fridge.

Breakfast was delicious, with a variety of options that left us feeling extra full, eliminating the need for lunch. The chef even prepared small gluten-free and dairy-free blueberry cupcakes for us, which was a thoughtful touch.

The gym is of decent size, with good machines for running and stepping. The weight area is a bit small if crowded, but there are still enough options. Complimentary apples, cold water, and refreshing towels were provided, making post-workout recovery much more enjoyable.

We had hoped to try the dry sauna, which looked wonderful, but our schedule didn’t allow for it. If it had been co-ed, we might have been more inclined to use it.

Restaurant: El Gaucho (Bangkok)

Conveniently located near the hotel, we enjoyed it so much that we ate here three nights in a row. The steak and burgers were well-cooked to our preference. Unfortunately, they didn’t have gluten-free bread, so we had to opt for a lettuce-wrapped burger. However, the portions were generous, and the fries were tasty.

Koh Tao

We had little choice on our stay. Only advice, book in advance to make sure you have a decent place for the night.

Pimp My Dive (Dive shop for PADI OW certification)

This is a fantastic dive shop! We specifically chose it because it's smaller, offers French and English-speaking instructors, and keeps boat groups to no more than 20 people. The vibe was great, and Roberto, our instructor, was incredible.

Both my husband and I have anxiety and aren't naturally comfortable in the water, but Roberto guided us through every exercise with patience and encouragement. He pushed us just enough, congratulated us at every step, and ultimately helped us earn our Open Water Certification. A huge thank you to Roberto—we made it!

Restaurant: Hongtae Spoon-Time

One of our two favorite restaurants in Koh Tao! We tried three other places nearby, but this one stood out. Prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious. They provide a cup with ice and free water, and the service is quick. Meals come with a small bowl of soup, which is just the right portion.

Highly recommend the mango smoothie, mango sticky rice, and all the other dishes we tried. A wonderful experience!

Koh Samui

Airport: Samui International Airport (USM)

Easy arrival at this small airport. You get into a trolley that brings you near the baggage claim area. When you have your luggage, you are almost at the exit, where you can grab a taxi or, like us, go to the counter for the ferry.

At our departure, it was a bit more confusing. There was a long line-up, and I was getting anxious because we didn't leave enough time, but fortunately, our check-in was a little further and we were okay. The confusing part is after checking in—you bring your luggage to the drop-off area, and then you need to wait three minutes to see if your luggage gets flagged after x-ray. If after three minutes your baggage is not on the TV screen, you can proceed. There is a long walk to the departure area, with some shops along the way. We were super lucky to get some rain—be mindful you are mostly covered. Then, you have some seating in an outdoor area.

Hotel: Marasca SLH

A beautifully designed hotel with a unique concept. It’s not too far from the airport, which is convenient, but you do hear loud airplane departures occasionally. The staff was incredibly kind and welcoming. We participated in some of the hotel’s activities, which were fantastic. The beach area is lovely, but be aware that the beanbags aren’t always on the sand due to high tide or bad weather conditions.

Breakfast was excellent, with plenty of gluten-free and dairy-free options. Lunch and dinner could be enjoyed in an open-air setting or indoors with air conditioning, and all the food was delicious. Rainy days were made better by borrowing a PS5 for our room—such a nice touch!

Details like eye masks, ginger night drinks, and a welcoming coconut grind added to the experience. The hotel is still new, so we’re curious to see how it evolves, especially on weekends when the DJ plays great music. It’s in the heart of Chaweng, so guests might prefer exploring at night.

Restaurant: Tabula Rasa

A fantastic spot with a cool vibe! We visited on a Sunday night, and the DJ was playing great music. The place was packed, but the service was excellent. We found gluten-free and dairy-free options, which was a huge plus.

The thin gluten-free pizza with mozzarella di bufala was large and delicious. The falafel was crispy and flavorful. On our second visit, we tried the Mango Malabi Brûlée, which was fantastic. The restaurant manager, Angelo, personally assured us it was gluten- and dairy-free, and his recommendation did not disappoint! Now we want to recreate it at home.

Note: Credit card payments come with a 3% surcharge.

Restaurant: Zeze

We had lunch here twice, and both times were great. They offer gluten-free bread, which paired well with their hummus. Other dishes we tried included chicken breast, Pad Thai, shawarma, and chicken cashew. Everything was well-prepared and tasty.

Note: Credit card payments come with a 3% surcharge.

Chiang Mai

Airport: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)

Bathrooms are near the luggage claim area. When arriving on domestic flights, after recovering your luggage from the belt, the exit door is close by. We had a free pickup from Booking.com, and it was pretty easy to meet up with the person.

To get an international flight to Vietnam was more challenging for some. We needed a visa to get into Vietnam, and I had done it a month in advance. On the app, it wasn't scanning the QR code of the visa, and so we needed to do the line. The line grew rapidly after we got there. I had planned a good 2 hours knowing they had to check visas. Even though we had them, there's always a sliver of hope it all goes well. And it did!! We showed our visas with our passport, and we were good to drop off our luggage.

Akyra Manor Chiang Mai

Akyra Manor is well-located in Chiang Mai’s trendy Nimman area, but unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to the price or the hype. While the staff is kind and helpful, the hotel’s design choices, lack of privacy, and aging interiors make it feel far from the standard of other Small Luxury Hotels we’ve experienced. Cleanliness issues, uncomfortable pool seating, and strange room layouts (including a glass-walled bathroom with an awkward curtain system) detract from the experience. For the price, there are much better options in Chiang Mai.

• Top left: Curtain for bathroom privacy, but closing both the curtain and door is challenging.

• Top right: Outdoor bathtub with electric blinds on three sides, no blackout option, and lots of mosquitoes due to sliding doors.

• Bottom left: Happy hour offers a nice view, though the setup feels a bit awkward.

• Bottom right: Small gym area with old equipment and mosquitoes, making it not enjoyable

Shishitei

We had a great experience at Shishitei.  We wanted to try Wagyu in Thailand but didn’t know what to expect. We ordered the Kagoshima Sukiyaki with A5 loin and extra premium lean meat. Since they didn’t have gluten-free soy sauce, we used salt and pepper, which likely altered the traditional flavor. The meat was tender and tasty, and the vegetables were fresh, but overall, it might be pricey for what it is compared to a real steak or Wagyu burger.

The restaurant had a promotion where you could write a review for a matcha parfait or a 500THB voucher (not clearly translated). Since we weren’t planning to return and likely couldn’t eat the parfait, they gave us 300THB on the spot, though it wasn’t advertised.

We were the only ones in the restaurant until another guest arrived and ate three huge shrimp tempura while we were still dining. Overall, great experience trying Wagyu in Thailand, though it might be pricey for what it is.

Roast Chicken Wichienbury

If you’re looking for delicious, affordable, and local Thai-style roast chicken, Roast Chicken Wichienbury is a great find. It’s a simple, no-frills spot, but the food makes it well worth the visit.

The restaurant was quite hot inside, but that didn’t stop the steady flow of local families and uniformed school kids from enjoying their meals—always a sign of a good local favorite. We ordered a whole roasted chicken and a cucumber salad for just 230 THB, and it was a quick, filling, and satisfying meal.

One thing to note: they offer free water—just grab a plastic cup, add some ice, and help yourself.

Next time, we’ll definitely try the chicken wings with rice or sticky rice. It's an easy short walk from our hotel, and we’ll absolutely be back!

Manifreshto Cafe & Restaurant

Sometimes, the best finds are the ones you stumble upon by chance, and Manifreshto Cafe & Restaurant was exactly that. As soon as I spotted "VEGAN ice cream", I knew we had to try it.

We ordered a small mango ice cream in a cup, and it was deliciously refreshing. Funny enough, we didn’t even know the flavor until it was handed to us and we asked—but it turned out to be a perfect choice!

We’ll definitely be coming back for more in the next few days. If you’re looking for a cool treat, this place is worth a stop!

Chai n Thai @ Nimman

Right next to our hotel, Chai n Thai @ Nimman turned out to be a fantastic spot for Indian food, and we loved it so much that we went back a second time—and we might even go for a third!

The service was incredible—the staff went out of their way to help us choose a meal that was both gluten-free and dairy-free, which we really appreciated.

The first time, we had a huge, crispy masala dosa, a flavorful chicken curry with jeera rice, and their homemade lemon soda, which can be made salty, sweet, or a mix of both—a refreshing twist!

On our second visit, we switched things up while keeping everything gluten-free and dairy-free, and it was just as delicious. We started with Onion Bhaji, a crispy appetizer that reminded us of onion rings—but even better. Our second appetizer, Aloo Tikki, is a crispy potato patty from Delhi street food, and it was packed with flavor. For mains, we had Chicken Biryani, a fragrant rice dish mixed with Indian spices and veggies—perfectly balanced. And, of course, we couldn’t resist getting a dosa again, but this time, we had it stuffed with chicken—sooo good!

With its delicious food, great service, and convenient location, this has quickly become one of our favorite spots. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it!

Coffee in Chiang Mai

One thing that truly surprised us in Chiang Mai was the coffee—it’s really, really good! The city is known for its coffee culture, and if you venture to Doi Suthep or Doi Inthanon, you’ll pass by small coffee farms. There are even dedicated coffee farm tours if you’re a coffee lover! Coffee culture here is thriving.

Get a Massage

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t skip in Thailand, it’s a massage! Whether it’s a quick foot massage, an hour-long relaxation session, or an intense two-hour Thai massage, it’s an experience. Even though we squirmed through ours, the time flew by, and we felt great afterward!

Ethical or not...Elephants

Many people visit Thailand with dreams of seeing elephants up close, but it’s important to be cautious. Even if a place calls itself an 'ethical sanctuary,' not all of them prioritize the elephants’ well-being. While some have moved away from chains and riding, the elephants are still under human control, and training methods can be questionable. Some visitors have even raised concerns about unnatural behavior. After doing our research, we personally chose not to visit one.

Thai Farm Cooking Class

A must-do! We had so much fun learning, smelling, chopping, and putting our arm muscles to work while grinding curry. It’s a truly hands-on experience, and you get to eat so much delicious food. Who doesn’t love learning this way?!

Handicraft Village

Definitely a tourist trap, but we still enjoyed the ride! Escaping Old Town Chiang Mai in the middle of a scorching afternoon in a tuk-tuk was a nice change. This was an interesting stop, offering a chance to see local artisans at work. Wouldn't necessarily recommend.