Thailand's Hidden Gem: The Nice Hotel Awaits!
Thailand's Hidden Gem: The Nice Hotel Awaits! – Messy, Honest, and Totally Worth It (Maybe)
Okay, so I just got back from Thailand, and let me tell you, after a week of dodging tuk-tuks and consuming questionable street food, I needed a SERIOUS chill-out session. Enter: The Nice Hotel Awaits! (Yeah, the name is a bit… optimistic, but hey, expectations are a killer, right?). This isn't your typical sterile hotel review. I'm gonna spill the tea (or, rather, the Singha beer I guzzled by the pool) and give you the REAL deal, warts and all.
First Impressions… And The Great Wheelchair Saga (Accessibility - Ugh, Where Do We Start?)
Alright, let's address the elephant in the room: Accessibility. The website promised the world! But you know how promises go… Okay, so, technically, they do have Facilities for disabled guests, and that's a plus. The elevator was a godsend (thank GOD, those exterior staircases in the Thai heat? No thank you!), and they’ve got facilities, or at least attempt some Accessibility I saw. But… it wasn't always smooth sailing. I noticed some ramps that looked a little… steep. And the path to the outdoor pool? A bit of a trek for anyone with mobility challenges. It's a good effort, but they definitely could (and should) improve.
The Rooms: Pretty Good (Minus the Slightly Suspicious Carpeting)
My room? Available in all rooms, it had Air conditioning (essential!), a ridiculously comfy Extra long bed (amazing after those long days of exploring), and a very functional Private bathroom. The Free Wi-Fi worked like a charm. Did I mention it was Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Because it was. And blessedly fast! They had Free bottled water – always appreciated. The Mirror was strategically placed so I could avoid seeing the effects of those delicious mango sticky rice binges. The Soundproofing? Pretty decent. I didn't hear much from the hallway, which was a relief considering my questionable midnight karaoke attempts.
Okay, the not-so-great stuff. The Carpeting (a definite Check!) felt a tad… worn. Let's just say I wouldn't have willingly eaten off it. And the Alarm clock went off randomly at 3 AM one morning. Apparently, someone really wanted to start their day early. Also, there was no sign of a Bathroom phone. I mean, what am I supposed to do if I run out of shampoo in the middle of the shower? Send a carrier pigeon?
Internet, Glorious Internet & Techy Tidbits (And My Digital Detox Fail)
Let's be honest, a hotel's worth is often judged on its internet. The Internet access – wireless? Flawless. Seriously, I could stream Netflix in glorious HD (and I totally did). They even had Internet access – LAN if you're a purist (or just really old school). As for other Internet services, everything flowed smoothly. I even managed to do a few work calls (don't judge, the world doesn't stop just because I'm on vacation). The Laptop workspace? Perfect for pretending I was being productive. The only downside was, well, I didn’t exactly manage my digital detox. Oops?
Food, Glorious Food (Mostly… And the Mystery of the Missing Salad)
Okay, the food. Where do I even begin? Dining, drinking, and snacking were a major focus of my trip, as you'd expect. The Nice Hotel Awaits! had a Restaurant (or several, actually!), and the Asian cuisine in restaurant was amazing. The Pad Thai? To die for. The green curry? Spicy enough to wake the dead. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it varied. The Asian breakfast selections were consistently great. The Western breakfast? Let's just say the scrambled eggs sometimes resembled yellow rubber, but hey, when in Rome… or, you know, Thailand.
The Poolside bar was a godsend, especially during Happy hour. Two-for-one cocktails and a stunning view? Yes, please!
Now, the quirks. One day, I ordered a simple Salad in restaurant. It never arrived. I asked about it. Crickets. Two other times, a waiter forgot my water. I’m not a diva, but water is kind of essential for life. Maybe they were being eco-friendly by trying to get me to drink less? Regardless, a bit frustrating. However, they did have a Vegetarian restaurant (bonus points!), and the Coffee/tea in restaurant was good.
Oh, and the Room service [24-hour]. Bless them. Especially after a long day of exploring and/or questionable choices. Just don't expect Michelin-star quality at 3 AM.
Relaxation Station: Spa, Pool (And the Perils of a "Body Scrub")
The Ways to relax were definitely present. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous, with a Pool with view overlooking… well, something scenic. I spent a good chunk of my time just floating around, working on my tan (and possibly my beer belly).
The Spa/sauna was a dream. I indulged in a Body scrub that left me feeling like a new person… until I promptly went out and sweated it all off in the Thai heat. The Massage was heavenly. Aaaaah, the tension just melted away.
And then there was the Fitness center – which I intended to use. Let’s just say the allure of the pool and the poolside bar was slightly stronger than the pull of the treadmill.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping it Real (But Mostly Good!)
The Cleanliness and safety measures were definitely in place and mostly comforting. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the general vibe was pretty clean. They also utilized Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas. They even offered Rooms sanitized between stays. That being said… This isn't the Ritz. I personally didn’t see them sanitizing my room after I had just been at the beach - but I never requested this service. However the Staff trained in safety protocol were lovely, friendly, and helpful. And there was Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The… Well, The Slightly Less Good
They had a Concierge, and he was incredibly helpful with recommendations and arranging transportation. The Doorman was always friendly and greeted you with a smile. Daily housekeeping kept the room tidy (even if the carpet was a bit… suspect). Laundry service? Yes, please!
Other things: The Car park [free of charge] was great. The Front desk [24-hour] staff were always available. Dry cleaning was available. And the prices were reasonable. They also provided Invoice provided.
The not-so-great: The Convenience store was a bit overpriced. And while they had a Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange, I found better rates elsewhere.
For the Kids (And the Inner Child in All of Us)
I didn’t bring any kids with me, but I saw families there. Family/child friendly definitely seems to be a theme. They had a Babysitting service advertised, and I noticed Kids facilities around the pool. I think it's a great place to bring kids.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Mostly… and the Taxi Temptation)
Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]. Awesome. The Airport transfer was seamless and efficient. They also have a Taxi service but I preferred the local taxis outside for being cheaper. However, I found the Taxi service to the markets was also fine. They had Valet parking but I didn't use it.
In-Room Perks: The Essentials (And the Slightly Confusing Extras)
Okay, the rooms had all the basics: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Desk, Hair dryer, In-room safe box. The Free Wi-Fi works perfectly! Air conditioning in public area too!
Some other things: There was a Bathtub in my room, but I didn't have time for a relaxing soak. Bathrobes and Slippers were provided, but it was so hot I didn't need them. The Shower was great. The Soundproofing was good. Non-smoking rooms were available. And then there were the Satellite/cable channels - perfect for my late night viewing of old reruns.
The Verdict: Would I Recommend The Nice Hotel Awaits! ?
Okay, so… The Nice Hotel Awaits! is not perfect. It's a bit quirky. It has some niggles. But it’s got a certain charm. It’s clean-ish. Most of the staff were lovely. The food, mostly, was
Croatia's Hidden Gem: Hotel Molindrio's Paradise Awaits!Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that was my trip to The Nice Hotel in Thailand. Forget perfectly curated Instagram feeds, this is the raw, unfiltered truth, seasoned with a healthy dose of "WTF was I thinking?" and a whole lotta love.
The Nice Hotel Thailand: A Slightly Unhinged Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (aka "Where's My Passport?!")
- 8:00 AM (Bangkok Airport): Landed. The humid air hit me like a warm, sweaty hug. Which, let's be honest, I'm still not sure I appreciated. Baggage carousel: the game of "will my suitcase appear" is always nail-biting. Seriously, the fear of losing your entire travel wardrobe (mostly questionable choices, let's be real) is a real thing.
- 8:30 AM: Passport check. Panic sets in. "Where. Is. My. Passport?!" Cue frantic patting of pockets, digging in my overstuffed backpack. Turns out, it was nestled innocently in the front pocket. I'd almost triggered a full-blown meltdown BEFORE even leaving the airport. Note to self: HYDRATE.
- 9:00 AM: Taxi ride to The Nice Hotel. Traffic in Bangkok? A whole different beast. I swear, motorcycles were weaving between cars like caffeinated bees. The driver looked utterly unfazed. I, on the other hand, gripped the seat with white knuckles, murmuring a silent prayer.
- 10:00 AM (The Nice Hotel): CHECK-IN! Finally. The hotel was…nice. A little more "budget-friendly cool" than I'd pictured, but hey, the air con was blasting, so I wasn't complaining. The lobby was a bit…busy. Like, a LOT busy. A gaggle of teenagers were taking selfies with a plastic palm tree. Charming.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Room Debrief: Okay, so I got a room on the 5th floor. The view? Pretty much the back of another building. But I quickly found a stash of free water bottles, so the small victory was mine. Unpacked, tried to organize my life (failed), and collapsed onto the bed. A nap was essential. Jet lag is no joke.
- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Lunch at hotel restaurant. Ordered Pad Thai. Or at least, attempted to order Pad Thai. My Thai vocabulary consisted of "hello," "thank you," and maybe, just maybe, "delicious." The waiter, God bless him, understood my garbled attempt at ordering and the noodles turned out beautifully. I ate WAY too much. Stuffed myself silly.
Day 2: Floating Markets and A Near Drowning Experience (I'm dramatic, OKAY?)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up feeling marginally less like a zombie. Decided to brave the floating markets.
- 8:00 AM: Toured the Damnoen Saduak floating market. The boat ride was fun for 20 minutes. Then, the sweltering heat, the constant jostling of boats (which were pretty charming), the smell of 1,000 different dishes being cooked…it started to feel like a sensory overload. I found this one lady selling the most bizarre fruit that I tried…I should've asked what it was! It was like eating a slightly rotten pineapple.
- 10:00 AM: The next market. I was getting a little "marketed out." The novelty had worn off. Also, the constant hawking of souvenirs was starting to wear me down. I bought a t-shirt that said "Bangkok Babe" on it. I'm not sure why. It's currently a permanent fixture at the back of my wardrobe.
- 11:00 AM: The market was ending, the market was done. I decided to go to the local place to check out…I took a wrong turn and ended up on a sketchy pier. I slipped, and before I knew it, I was sinking in green, murky, river-water. I could see the bottom. The humiliation was nearly as bad as the terror. Thankfully, some local guy (a total hero) hauled me out. My dignity was slightly bruised, but hey, I live to tell the tale.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back at the hotel, showered, felt slightly traumatized by my near death experience. Ordered room service (again, the water bottles were a lifeline). Processed the whole "almost drowned" thing with a hefty dose of denial and Netflix.
Day 3: Temple Visits and Failed Attempts at Cultural Assimilation
- 9:00 AM: Woke up feeling like a drowned rat. Decided to visit the Grand Palace and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Decided to dress as conservatively as I could. Tried to act as if I knew what I was doing. Failed miserably.
- 10:00 AM: Grand Palace: Jaw-dropping. Seriously. The gold, the intricate details, the sheer magnificence was stunning. Felt intensely aware of my own grubby tourist-ness. Got yelled at for accidentally stepping too close to a roped-off area. Oops.
- 12:00 PM: Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): Climbed to the top of the temple. The views were incredible. The steps were terrifyingly steep. Wished I'd brought smaller shoes. And less fear.
- 2:00 PM: Attempted to eat street food. Ordered something that looked vaguely like noodles. It was fiery hot. I swallowed a gallon of water and had to quickly give my food away.
- 4:00 PM: Went to a massage parlor. The massage was fantastic. Felt a little less tense. Felt like I was melting into a bliss-filled puddle.
- 7:00 PM: Felt the urge to go to a night market. Strolled aimlessly for hours. Got lost multiple times. Bought a pair of "designer" sunglasses that disintegrated within an hour. Learned to embrace the chaos.
Day 4: Goodbye, Thailand! (and My Remaining Sanity)
- 8:00 AM: Pack. Cram haphazardly.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. A final plate of Pad Thai. (I can't get enough).
- 10:00 AM: Check out. Said goodbye to the lovely staff at The Nice Hotel. They probably breathed a sigh of relief.
- 10:30 AM: Taxi to the airport. Traffic. Of course.
- 12:00 PM: Flight departs.
- 12:01 PM: Already planning my return. (With a better grasp of the language and a smaller suitcase, maybe).
Final Thoughts:
Thailand was an experience. A chaotic, beautiful, slightly terrifying, and utterly unforgettable experience. It wasn't perfect. I made mistakes. I got lost. I almost drowned. I ate questionable food. But I also saw incredible things, met amazing people, and learned a thing or two about embracing the glorious mess that is life. The Nice Hotel? Well, it was nice. And probably happy to see me leave, too. But I'm definitely recommending this hotel.
Now, where's my next plane ticket…?
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Mediterraneo, Spain Awaits!
Thailand's "Nice Hotel Awaits!" - FAQ...Or My Chaotic Brain's Take on It
Okay, So "Nice Hotel Awaits!"... Is it actually *nice*? Because my definition of "nice" and...well, some hotels...
Alright, let's get REAL. "Nice" is subjective, right? Like, my idea of a perfect breakfast is a mountain of pancakes and a side of judgmental looks from a hungry golden retriever (who, let's be honest, *deserves* pancakes). The "Nice Hotel Awaits!"...it's good. Really good. But "perfection"? Dude, I spent a week in a *5-star* hotel in Paris, and the shower curtain stubbornly refused to stay closed. So, yeah. It's nice. Think comfortable, clean (and I'm a germaphobe, so trust me on this!), with a staff that genuinely *cares*. Not the kind of "care" that's a pre-programmed smile. This is the "they actually seem happy to help you with your ridiculously complicated travel plans because you can't figure out the train system" kind of care. It's solid. It's reliable. It's… well, nice. But don’t expect gold-plated toilets. (Though, wouldn't that be something?)
Forget the hotel, what's the DEAL with Thailand?! You know, the *vibe*? Because I'm stressed.
Thailand... it's a punch to the senses in the best way possible. The air is thick with the scent of frangipani and street food, a symphony of honking tuk-tuks and chanting monks. It's chaos. Beautiful, delicious, slightly overwhelming chaos. I remember the first time I walked through a Bangkok market. My brain just... short-circuited. So many colours! So many smells! SO MUCH FOOD I WANTED TO EAT IMMEDIATELY. (And I did. Regret? Zero.) It's the kind of place where you can be completely lost and *still* feel strangely at peace. Just… embrace the chaos, okay? Learn a few basic phrases (hello, thank you, and "no, I don't want a massage," because let's face it, you *will* be asked), and just… go with it. Trust me, you'll be better for it. Take the plunge!
Is the food good? And am I going to get, you know… *sick*? Because I’m a delicate flower, apparently.
The food is… OH. MY. GOD. The food is incredible. I mean, I dream about Pad Thai. Literally. And the mango sticky rice? I’d wrestle a small elephant for a good portion of that. Here's the thing: you'll be tempted to eat *everything*. And that's mostly fine! But, a few tips from a seasoned traveller:
- Street Food: It's amazing! But stick to stalls that are busy (high turnover means fresh food). Observe. Do they have a queue? Are the locals eating there? Great signs.
- Ice: Drink bottled water! Ice in drinks is generally fine in restaurants, but use your judgement.
- The “Delicate Flower” Factor: Bring some anti-diarrheal meds. Just in case. (Don’t judge. We’ve all been there.) A little stomach upset is almost inevitable - it’s a new cuisine, after all!
Okay, let's talk specifics about the hotel. Rooms? Pool? Wifi? I need the gritty details.
Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of "Nice Hotel Awaits!" (Disclaimer: I'm basing this on *my* experience… things can change! And I'm not affiliated.)
- Rooms: Comfortable. Clean. Air-conditioned. That's the holy trinity, right? I had a balcony! And, oh, the bed? Did I mention I *hate* bad hotel beds? This was a glorious sleep. I actually slept. No tossing and turning!
- Pool: Yes! And it's so important! The Thai heat is real. Having a pool to plunge into after a day of exploring… pure bliss. They also had chairs. And towels. So, ya know, all the basics covered.
- Wifi: Solid. I could actually watch Netflix (shhh, don't tell anyone I did that on vacation).
- Breakfast: Delicious! The included breakfast buffet had more options than I could possibly try in a week.
What's the best thing about the hotel? And the worst? Be honest!
Okay, honest time. The *best* thing about "Nice Hotel Awaits!" was the staff. They were genuinely helpful, friendly, and went above and beyond. I remember one time, my attempts at speaking Thai were... well, let's just say “enthusiastic.” They didn't laugh (to my face, anyway), and patiently helped me with anything. I even accidentally locked myself out of my room at 3 AM (don't ask). They helped me. They were angels.
Now for the worst. The *absolute* worst thing was the lack of a coffee machine in the rooms. I need my morning coffee! I had to go to the breakfast buffet to get my caffeine fix. The horror! (First world problems, I know.)
Anything I should pack that's, like, essential for Thailand?
Pack light! Seriously. You can buy almost anything there. But here are a few must-haves:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing: It's hot. Very hot. Think linens and cotton. I wore basically the same outfit for like, four days. Don’t be a fashion snob. Be comfortable.
- Sunscreen: Seriously. You'll burn faster than you think. And I mean, like, *really* burn. Trust me.
- Insect repellent: Bugs are a thing. Especially at night.
- A reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated!
- A small backpack for day trips: You'll want somewhere for your essentials.
- Adaptor for plugs Thailand uses the US style plugs
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