Jiro,

Thank you for organizing a fabulous trip for us in Thailand and Cambodia! It’s a gamble to make arrangements with a company, un-known to me prior to our first communication and   halfway across the world.  But from the beginning, I have been happy with your professionalism, the interesting private itinerary that you prepared, your willingness to accommodate my specific requests, and frankly your reasonable price.

The trip had a lot of variety. We learned history, we saw; antiquities { the main purpose of  our trip and they were  breath- taking!!!!}, villiage  life,  agro- industry, bamboo forests,  contemporary Bangkok, and  a world class exhibition “ the Royal Floral”!  We ate beautiful food and we were well cared for by your guides and drivers!  We loved every moment and we are now in the throws of organizing our photos to share our trip with friends and family! If you need some photos to fatten up your web site just ask!

Your guides were attentive, knowledgeable, always on time and waiting for us, even when our planes were late.  They were also enthusiastic about their job, even though I’m sure that they have been to each site a thousand times.  And it was refreshing that for the most part we were not pressured to shop, as is so often the case. { In fact, I  personally, but not my travel partners could have done more shopping!} 

We were particularly impressed with Chaiya in Bangkok and Hod, our trekking guide. From Chaiya we learned of many of the nuances of life in Thailand.  Chaiya was open to answer any of our questions, including about his family life and his life as a monk. Hod, [really this man is superman] attended our every need, especially with our safety in mind.  He identified plants in the forest, prepared beautiful meals, made sure that our raft was sea – worthy, acted as translator with the hill tribe peoples and just about carried me down the mountain.  All with a remarkable patience as he sang all along the trek!

I’m so glad that we arranged to stay at some of the boutique hotels. I have to compliment the managers of the  Baan Thai [ Bangkok] and Manathai [Chiang Mai] , The ambiance of these hotels was very intimate. I appreciated the carefully chosen works of traditional art placed throughout  the facility as well as the traditional architecture.   The service could not have been better!  Compliments to the  Chefs,  and the fruit carvers!  Our only complaint was that we did not take advantage of the spa services, or to just relax in such sumptuous facilities.  I recommend that your future guests schedule some free time to enjoy these hotels!

 We  were also delighted with Ankor Village in Cambodia.   The architect brilliantly broke-up what could have been an overbearing hotel of many rooms into a charming village of separate buildings, overlooking a serpentine pool. And as in the other mentioned hotels, we saw antique sculptures and beautiful landscaping through out, impeccable service, and a talented chef! We were also impressed with the dance performance.  The dancers and musicians were skilled professionals,  a cut above many of the “cultural performances for the tourist trade’ that I have seen elsewhere.

Given all my praise for the above, I was not thrilled with either the  Pavilion Rimkai, or Novotel Bangna.   My chief complaint was that facilities were not clean enough.   A little cleanser, some bleach and scrub brush would have solved the problem.   Instead, even when I asked for housekeeping to improve the situation, the service professionals just used a little surface spray, and they were finished.  Mattresses and blankets in these facilities need replacement.  However each of these hotels was just a one night stay.  My complaints are only to suggest that you might consider some of the other lovely options that Thailand has to offer your clients.   Clearly we were happy in the villages, with minimal sanitation.  I just have different standards of expectation from hotels. 

Please feel free to use any parts of my letter on your web site and you may share my contact information with any of your future clients as I will sing your praises!

Thank you again

Marjorie Masel !

Dear Jiro

You organized the Tour from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and the boattour on the Mekong.

After landing in Chaing Rai we have to travel to the Busstation in the City (with a Taxi from the Airport). Then we took the bus to Chiang Khong. The Hotel in Chiang Khong was very good. We was picked up from SP Travel the other day for the Tour on the Mekong.

The Boat was a little bit mor than full, but it works (the boat leaved at 12.00). Then in Pakbeng the room was ok (but expensive when we compare it whit the room in Chiang Khong). From Pakbeng to Luang Prabang they used two boats.

In Luang Prabang we overnight in a Guesthouse. Now we are in Phonsavan and go back to Vientien tomorrow.

Thank you for your support.
Friendly greetings from Marcel and Sibylle Schaub