Escape to Paradise: The 99 Inn's Khao Yai Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: The 99 Inn's Khao Yai Oasis Awaits! - A Rambling Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and hopefully some of the complimentary coffee) on my recent stay at the 99 Inn in Khao Yai. Forget the sleek, corporate jargon – this is the real deal, unfiltered and messy, just like my suitcase after I'm done unpacking it. Let's dive headfirst into this "oasis," shall we?
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Okay, let's get this out of the way first. I'm not using a wheelchair, so I can't speak directly to the experience for those who are. But, and this is a big but, I did take a good look around. The elevator? Check! That's a win already. Facilities for disabled guests? Mentioned, but I'd want more specifics on exactly what they have. The building itself seemed relatively modern, so that should mean decent ramp access, but always call ahead and ask for precise details. Just to be safe, ya know? Especially since…
Wheelchair accessible: (I don't know for sure, but I would still call them) Exterior corridor: (I think)
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: (Ask them)
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized to the Max (Maybe a Little Too Much?)
Listen, the world is a germ-infested playground right now, and the 99 Inn is definitely taking things seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Absolutely! Daily disinfection in common areas? You betcha! I swear, the lobby gleamed. I almost needed sunglasses. They had hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. I mean, I was basically marinating in it.
Rooms sanitized between stays? You betcha! Room sanitization opt-out available? Thank you for letting me breath! Though, I'm also a sucker for a clean space so I am not going to touch that opt-out button.
I'm not sure what was more impressive, the gleaming surfaces, or the fact that the staff were all sporting masks. I almost felt guilty breathing! Staff trained in safety protocol? Obviously. They're professionals at this. But, and there's always a "but," are we trading a little bit of warmth and human connection for absolute sterile perfection? I sometimes think so…
Hygiene certification? Yep. Professional-grade sanitizing services? You got it. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Affirmative. Safe dining setup? Yes. Individually-wrapped food options? Okay, I'm starting to feel like I'm eating in a biohazard suit.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Journey (Well, Sort Of)
The Asian breakfast (and buffet in restaurant) was a delightful, if slightly chaotic, affair. I piled my plate high with all sorts of deliciousness: spring rolls, noodle-y things, fruit, and some pastries that I definitely didn’t need but scarfed down anyway. The coffee, surprisingly, wasn't half bad (a solid coffee/tea in restaurant rating!).
Restaurants: (Yep!) were scattered around the property, I’m pretty sure.
A la carte in restaurant: (yes) Alternative meal arrangement: (probably)
I did end up getting some room service [24-hour] one night because I was exhausted. The food arrived promptly, which was a small miracle.
Lunch at the Poolside Bar - A Moment of Pure Bliss (and a Slightly Overpriced Caesar Salad)
This is where things got good. The poolside bar was calling my name. Picture this: the sun beating down, a cool breeze, a beautiful pool with an amazing pool with view, and a perfectly mixed cocktail in my hand. Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I ordered a Caesar salad. Looked pretty, tasted good (though the dressing had a bit too much pepper), and cost more than my first apartment deposit. But, hey, you can't put a price on happiness, right? Well, maybe you can…
Services and Conveniences: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
The front desk [24-hour] was super helpful, arranging a taxi service and airport transfer for me. The concierge was also great, full of recommendations.
Daily housekeeping worked like magic. Coming back to a nice clean room at the end of the day is one of the best feelings in the world. The luggage storage came in super handy before and after check-in.
Business facilities seemed up-to-date, but I didn't use them. I saw meeting/banquet facilities and meetings but no idea what the cost, and whether the wi-fi reached that spot.
For the kids: Babysitting Service (might be an option)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day! (Minus the Foot Bath – Alas!)
Pool with view: (Yes, and it was amazing!) Spa/sauna: (Also, yes!) Massage: (YES! Do it. Splurge.)
Okay, so I went full-blown spa indulgence. I was in serious need of some pampering. I kicked off with a glorious massage. My masseuse was a small woman with hands of steel. Seriously, I was walking on air afterward. Then it was steam room time! Sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, and even though I didn't get a foot bath. Still, great stuff!
Available in All Rooms (What you would Expect)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: (Yes! Score!)
Air conditioning, bathrobes, coffee/tea maker: (Yes! Obviously.)
Additional toilet: (I am not sure, but call them) Blackout curtains, closet: (Yes! Big +)
Quirks, Imperfections, and Honest Observations:
Breakfast takeaway service: (The best way to start my day!)
Hot water linen and laundry washing: (Thank you!)
Smoking area: (I saw a few)
Pets allowed unavailable: (sad face)
Internet access and Wi-Fi in public areas: (Yep!)
Daily disinfection in common areas: (I almost needed sunglasses) I am okay with this and not. It is a complicated thing.
Couple's room: (I saw them, but cannot personally say if they were romantic)
Final Verdict: Worth a Stay?
Absolutely, if you like a clean, well-run hotel with plenty of options. Just be prepared for a slightly sterile vibe, and maybe order a second cocktail to loosen up! The spa is worth the price of admission alone. I'd go back in a heartbeat, even if I had to eat Caesar salads for a whole week to afford it!
Metadata & SEO Keywords:
- Title: Escape to Paradise: The 99 Inn's Khao Yai Oasis Awaits! - A Rambling Review
- Keywords: Khao Yai, 99 Inn, hotel review, Thailand, spa, pool, accessibility, cleanliness, safety, dining, travel, vacation, accommodation, resort, family-friendly, couple's getaway, Wi-Fi, accessibility,
- Meta Description: A brutally honest (and slightly messy) review of the 99 Inn in Khao Yai. Find out if this "oasis" is worth visiting, from its spotless cleanliness to its luxurious spa. Includes details on accessibility, dining, and more!
- Focus Keyword: 99 Inn Khao Yai Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is the REAL deal: a Khao Yai adventure from the perspective of someone who's probably going to spill coffee on their passport at some point. Welcome to The 99 Inn Hotel, where hopefully, the only thing that gets a little…wild…is the itinerary.
The Messy, Muddled, Mostly Wonderful Khao Yai Chaos: A 99 Inn Hotel Odyssey
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Hotel Room Contemplation (plus Mango Sticky Rice)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Landed in Bangkok. Oof, that humidity hit me like a brick of Thai chili paste. Suvarnabhumi Airport is a beautiful, massive beast. Spent a solid 20 minutes trying to find the restroom. Found it. Used it. Victory.
- 2:30 PM (ish): Taxi to the bus station. Traffic in Bangkok? Don't even get me started. It's a symphony of horns and near-misses. I swear, I could write a thesis on the art of Thai scooter weaving.
- 4:00 PM: Bus to Khao Yai. Found my seat… which turned out to be a tiny, slightly smelly space. The guy next to me spent the entire ride watching a particularly violent fighting rooster match on his phone. (Cultural immersion, I guess?). Started feeling a tad queasy, or maybe it was just the sheer volume of exhaust fumes.
- 6:00 PM (ish): Arrived at The 99 Inn Hotel! It's… cozy. Rustic. Let's just say "character-filled". Check-in was a chaotic dance of lost paperwork and smiling confusion. The staff, bless their hearts, were genuinely trying to help, even though I suspect very few of them understood half of what I was saying.
- 6:30 - 7:30 PM: Unpack (sort of). Realized I forgot my toothbrush. Again. Mentally cursed my forgetfulness. The room? Okay. Clean enough. The AC is working. It's a win.
- 7:30 PM: Wandered down the street. Found a tiny restaurant. Ordered Mango Sticky Rice. OMG. The best mango sticky rice I've EVER had. Seriously. I could eat it all day, every day. The sheer bliss of that perfect combination of sweet and creamy… It almost made me forget how tired I was. Almost.
- 8:30 PM: Sat on the balcony, wrestling with mosquitoes and jet lag. Stared at the stars. Tried to remember why I booked this trip in the first place. Answer: Mango Sticky Rice. And possibly a profound need to escape my regular life. Success on both counts.
- 9:30 PM: Attempted to read a book. Failed. Passed out from exhaustion.
Day 2: Elephant Encounters and Unforeseen Detours (with a side of mild panic)
- 7:00 AM (ish): Woke up to the sound of…everything! Roosters crowing, dogs barking, some kind of construction happening I didn't understand… Apparently, the jungle wakes up early. Coffee, black, strong, and desperately needed.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Basic, but the fried eggs were perfectly cooked. My stomach gave me a little dance. That's progress.
- 9:00 AM: Planned a trip. That's right. Planned. I can practically hear the itinerary gods laughing.
- 9:30 AM: The Elephant Encounter. Booked a morning tour to an ethical elephant sanctuary--not the kind where you ride them. You feed them, watch them play, and learn about them.
- 10:30 AM: Head to the sanctuary. Getting there was a challenge due to a mislabeled address. Google Maps made our already precarious situation even worse. My blood pressure shot up, but the sight of the elephants…utterly melted that stress away. One particularly cheeky elephant stole a banana from a fellow visitor. I laughed. My first actual, full-belly laugh in days.
- 12:30 PM: Spent hours with the elephants. Feeding them was a blast, but the real joy came in just watching them. They're massive, gentle, intelligent creatures. I could have stayed there all day. (Actually, I kinda wanted to).
- 2:00 PM: Attempted to get lunch. Found a lovely little place with a sign proclaiming "Best Pad Thai in Khao Yai." Lies. All lies. (But the iced coffee was good, so it's a tie).
- 3:00 PM: Accidental Adventure. Decided to make our way to the National Park, went the wrong way. The roads were dusty, the scenery varied, but the real adventure began when our tuk-tuk coughed and died. Stranded for a bit. We flagged down a truck that had a helpful mechanic, and we were off again.
- 4:00 PM: Arrive at the national park. Had a snack. Felt a tinge of panic at the vastness of the jungle and the prospect of getting lost. Decided to stick to the well-trodden paths for now.
- 5:00 PM: Discovered a waterfall. The whole experience was magical, especially as I had the whole area to myself. The sounds of the forest were intoxicating, the air refreshing. Took a few selfies (as one does).
- 6:30 PM: Head back to the hotel. The sunset over the mountains was breathtaking.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. Food was delicious--a proper local eatery, bustling with people, and a menu I could barely read. Managed to point at a few things and hope for the best. Surprisingly, everything was amazing.
- 8:30 PM: Collapsed in the hotel room. Attempted to write a journal. (More scribbles than actual words).
- 9:30 PM: More stars, more existential pondering, and praying that I can find that stupid toothbrush tomorrow.
Day 3: Wine Tasting, Wildlife Wows, and a Sudden (and Welcome) Shower
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling surprisingly rested. Maybe it was the magic of Thailand, or more likely, the fact that I went to bed early. Coffee time! This time, with my own coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Wine tasting tour. Sounds sophisticated, right? Turns out, it was a lot of fun. The wines were surprisingly good (though I'm no expert). The vineyard was beautiful. Definitely Instagram-worthy. Took a lot of photos.
- 11:00 AM: Wildlife spotting. Went to a wildlife park. Saw some deer. Saw some birds. (Okay, I'm not the best birder.) But the air was fresh, and the park was calm.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the vineyard. Delicious food. More wine. Maybe a little too much wine.
- 2:30 PM: Attempted to do some souvenir shopping. Found a market. Got overwhelmed. Ended up buying a brightly colored scarf and a ceramic elephant that I’m pretty sure will break the second I put it in my luggage
- 3:30 PM: The sky opened up, and it poured. I mean, monsoon-level rain. I took shelter in a tiny roadside shop, and it was glorious. Sat there, watching the rain, feeling utterly content.
- 4:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Enjoyed the sudden, unexpected rain. Finally, a nice, proper shower. Bliss.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner again. Found a new spot. Had more delicious food.
- 7:00 PM: Packed (or, rather, attempted to pack). Realized I'd accumulated far more clothes (and souvenirs) than I started with.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Attempted to arrange transport back to Bangkok. Found out public transport is unreliable, and tuk-tuk's are expensive from the hotel. Made some calls, with the help of hotel staff, and managed to get an almost-affordable taxi.
Day 4: Departure and Lingering Dreams of Mango Sticky Rice
- 7:00 AM: Quick breakfast. Feeling sad to be leaving. But also, smelling slightly of mothballs thanks to the wardrobe.
- 8:00 AM: Taxi arrives. Said goodbye to the friendly hotel staff. Feeling a pang of genuine sadness as I leave.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Journey back to Bangkok.
- 1:00 PM: Land at Bangkok.
- 2:00 PM: Airport shopping and a final farewell mango sticky rice. This is the beginning of a beautiful, wonderful, but imperfect, life.
- 3:00 PM: Flight back home.
- (And for the next few weeks): Dreams of waterfalls, elephants, and the perfect mango sticky rice. And planning my return to Khao Yai. Because, despite the chaos, it was magnificent.
So, seriously, is this "paradise" thing real? Like, the Khao Yai version?
Look, I'm a sucker for a good marketing slogan. "Paradise" gets thrown around like confetti at a… well, a really enthusiastic confetti party. And yeah, the pictures? Stunning. Lush greenery! Infinity pools! You're thinking, "Sign me up!" And I get it. I *was* there. But the *reality*? Well, it's… complex. Let's just say my expectations and the actual experience did a bit of a cha-cha. One minute it was pure bliss, the next I was wrestling a rogue mosquito the size of a small bird. Khao Yai itself? Gorgeous. The 99 Inn? *That's* where things get interesting.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they actually as dreamy as the website suggests? And are they clean? (because that’s kinda important)
Okay, deep breaths. The rooms… (takes a long, dramatic pause). The website photos, bless their retouchers' hearts, are *masterpieces* of selective truth. The "dreamy" part? Absolutely, during the golden hour. The natural light pouring in, the pristine white linens… for about, oh, 20 minutes. The rest of the time? Well, let’s just say the reality is less "magazine spread" and more "lived-in, with character and a potential mosquito breeding ground, depending on your luck." Cleanliness? Mostly. I'm not a germaphobe, but I did find a friendly (and surprisingly large) spider chilling in the corner. *It was probably judging me, to be honest.* So, bring some Clorox wipes, just in case. Better safe than sorry, especially if you're prone to, like me, spending way too much time inspecting the shower grout.
The pool! Tell me about the pool! Is it Instagrammable? Because priorities, people.
The pool. The Instagram-worthy, infinity-edge, "look at me living my best life" pool. YES, it *is* photo-worthy. For the first five minutes. Then the sun hits you directly in the face, you realize you forgot sunscreen, and the *constant*, *dreaded* battle of "is my phone going to fall into the water" begins. The water itself? Lovely, refreshing, until a rogue leaf decides to get cozy with your nose. I found myself constantly dodging things floating on the surface. On the plus side, they do have pretty umbrellas! I swear those photos I took look like they were *effortlessly* perfect. Don't be fooled. There's a whole saga behind those perfectly posed shots.
Food, glorious food! Is the on-site dining worth it? And what about the breakfast?
Okay, the food. This is where things got… *interesting*. The on-site restaurant? A mixed bag. Some dishes were genuinely delicious. Pad Thai? Spot on. Other dishes? Let's just say they left me pondering the mysteries of culinary science. Breakfast? Included. Think a buffet, but "buffet" with a slightly... limited selection. The fresh fruit was good, the coffee was… passable. The croissants? Avoid those. Just… trust me. Sticking to the (generally) safe options is my advice. I remember one morning, I was so hangry that I *almost* ate the decorative fruit. Seriously, my stomach and I were not seeing eye to eye on that one.
Khao Yai itself! Is there stuff to *do*? Or am I just sitting around judging the grout?
Khao Yai? SO MUCH to do! The park is incredible. (Go early, before the heat melts you.) Wineries! Farms! Night markets! I spent an entire afternoon getting utterly lost in a maze and laughing at myself for not bringing bug spray. Then, I indulged in way too much ice cream. You know... the important things. The 99 Inn itself offers tours, but honestly, I preferred exploring on my own. Because let’s be real, sometimes the best adventures come from getting lost and making questionable decisions! Plus, the local people are super friendly and really helpful. Just embrace the chaos, and bring a comfortable pair of shoes.
What about the service? Are the staff helpful? (because a grumpy staff can ruin everything)
The staff? Generally lovely. They're trying really hard. There's a certain… *relaxed* pace to things, which, if you're used to the breakneck speed of a big city, might take some adjusting to. Things take a little longer. You might have to ask for something *twice*. But they're genuinely friendly, always smiling, and willing to help. One time I had a problem with my air conditioner, (which turned into an extreme heat wave in my room), and they were over within minutes to fix it. This is a plus! I was very greatful. Just be patient, and don't be afraid to ask for what you need. And learn a few basic Thai phrases. Trust me, it goes a long way. I remember once I needed an extra towel, and the effort was certainly worth it. Now, it's not a five-star luxury experience, but the staff truly make up for a lot, even if my room felt like a sauna.
Would you go back? Be brutally honest!
Honestly? Yes. Now, before you think I'm completely lost my mind, hear me out. The 99 Inn has its quirks, its imperfections, and its occasional rogue mosquito threat. But the overall experience? Despite the heat, the occasional culinary mishap, and the questionable grout, it was *charming*. It’s not perfect, but that’s what makes it memorable. It was a trip that demanded I slow down, embrace the imperfections, and laugh at myself a lot. And Khao Yai itself? Absolutely stunning. So, yeah, I'd go back. But this time? I’m bringing extra bug spray, a book about Thai cooking, and a whole lot of patience. And maybe some Clorox wipes. Just in case.
