Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Him Doy Muang Pan Resort, Lampang
Unbelievable Luxury… Or Just Believable? My Messy Take on Him Doy Muang Pan Resort, Lampang
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind stay at Him Doy Muang Pan Resort in Lampang, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Forget clinical reviews, this is the real deal. We're talking honest-to-goodness, slightly-hungover-from-the-poolside-happy-hour thoughts. Let's dive in, shall we?
SEO & Metadata Shenanigans (Sorry, gotta do it!):
- Keywords: Him Doy Muang Pan Resort, Lampang, Luxury Resort, Thailand, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Review, Travel, Wellness, Relaxation, Family Friendly, Romantic Getaway, Unbelievable, Him Doy, Accessibility, Wheelchair Friendly, Family Friendly.
- Description: My unfiltered review of Him Doy Muang Pan Resort in Lampang, Thailand. Details on accessibility, dining, activities, room amenities, and my overall impression. Expect some quirky observations, messy honesty, and the truth about whether this "unbelievable luxury" is actually… livable!
Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's get real.
First Impressions: The Arrival & the Almost Disaster
The resort is…well, it's up there. Nestled in the Lampang hills, the views are supposed to be breathtaking. And they are, if you can find a way to see them. The drive up gave me serious "Deliverance" vibes, and I'm pretty sure I saw a rogue chicken or two plotting my demise. But hey, ambiance, right?
Accessibility (The First Hurdle):
Okay, this is important. I booked on behalf of my Aunt Susan, who uses a wheelchair. Accessibility is where the "unbelievable" part almost melted into "unbelievable frustration." While the resort says it's accessible, it's… patchy, at best.
- Wheelchair Accessible: The main areas, like the reception and some of the restaurants, are mostly accessible. There are ramps and elevators, which is a plus! However, the pathways connecting the villas were a bit of a nightmare. Steep inclines, uneven surfaces… imagine pushing a wheelchair up a mini-Everest in the Lampang heat. My poor cousin, David, was sweating bullets, and frankly, so was I.
- Elevator: Yes, there is an elevator. Thank goodness.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: The hotel does offer a couple of rooms designed for wheelchair users. But let's just say, the shower situation left a lot to be desired. The shower head barely worked and the water pressure was barely there, leaving Susan feeling frustrated.
- Recommendation: If travelling with someone with mobility issues, call ahead. Confirm everything. Demand specific measurements, photos, and a clear understanding of what "accessible" truly means to them, not just what the hotel thinks it means.
Room Revelations (and a Mini-Rant About the Bed):
We booked a "deluxe villa." The room was… large. Seriously large. But big doesn't always equal brilliant.
- Available in All Rooms: Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom Phone, Bathtub, Blackout Curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/Tea Maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. That list is pretty good!
- The Bed… Oh, the Bed: While the rooms boast "extra long beds" (and yes, they were long), they were also… hard. Like, sleep-on-a-board hard. For a resort touting luxury, the bed situation was a serious letdown. I tossed and turned all night! My back is still not happy with me. This is where I bring the "unbelievable" down a notch. Uncomfortable beds? Not luxurious!
- The View: The window did open! The view? Stunning, when the sun got out of hiding.
- Bonus Points: The coffee and tea makers were a lifesaver. And the free bottled water, essential. The complimentary tea was a nice touch.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Upswing!)
This is where things started to look up.
- Restaurants: Several options! We ate at the main restaurant, which offered a buffet and a la carte menu.
- Asian Cuisine: Good, but not mind-blowing.
- Western Cuisine: The burger did hit the spot after a long day.
- Poolside Bar: This was a lifesaver. Happy hour was glorious. The cocktails were strong, the sun was setting, and I finally started to feel like I was on vacation. This is where the "unbelievable" started to feel, well, believable.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, the buffet was impressive. Loads of choices, from Asian breakfast to Western breakfast. I may have overindulged in the pastries. No regrets.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Excellent!
- Room service [24-hour]: They do offer 24-hour room service, which is always a plus, especially after a few too many cocktails.
- Snack bar: Excellent for those poolside cravings.
Relaxation & Recreation (The Good Stuff):
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: The pool was beautiful, with a view that did live up to the hype. I spent a solid afternoon floating in the water, sipping a cocktail, and trying to forget about the bed situation.
- Spa & Spa/sauna: I'm not a huge spa person, but Susan loved the spa! She raved about her massage and the sauna. The spa was a real highlight, apparently.
- Gym/fitness: I didn't even step foot in it. Sorry, fitness.
- Things to do: There are a couple of waterfalls nearby as well.
- Body scrub and Wrap: Available!
Cleanliness and Safety (Pandemic Era Thoughts):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. They did take COVID precautions seriously, which was reassuring. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, the staff wore masks, and everything felt clean.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Extras):
- Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Taxi service, Valet parking: All good!
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Business Facilities: If you must work, their business facilities looked adequate.
- Contactless check-in/out: Efficient and painless.
The Verdict: Unbelievable? Maybe Not. But Still Worth It? Maybe.
Him Doy Muang Pan Resort is a mixed bag. The views are incredible, the pool is amazing, the spa is a hit, and the food is decent. However, the accessibility issues were a major downer, and that bed… I’m still having nightmares. The "unbelievable luxury" claim is a bit overblown, but it's still a beautiful place, and I had a great time (once I got over the bed).
Would I go back? Maybe. If they promise to replace the beds and fix the accessibility issues, then absolutely. Would I recommend it? With reservations. Do your homework, check accessibility, and be realistic about your expectations. Lampang itself is lovely, and the resort, with its quirks, is a decent stop on the journey. Just… pack a mattress topper. You'll thank me later. And maybe a therapist. Just kidding! (Kind of). Now, if you'll excuse me, I need another cocktail. Cheers!
Asheville's HOTTEST Hotel: Aloft Downtown - Unbelievable Views!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my chaotic, potentially disastrous, but hopefully hilarious, Lampang adventure at the Him Doy Muang Pan Resort. This isn't some perfectly curated Instagram feed, people. This is the real deal. Prepare for typos, tangents, and the occasional existential crisis.
Day 1: Arrival & The Bamboo Forest of Dreams (and Mosquitoes)
10:00 AM (ish): Land in Chiang Mai (sweaty palms, mandatory airport coffee, praying our luggage makes it to the right continent). The flight? A blur of legroom wars and questionable airplane food. My travel companion (we lovingly call him "The Grump") spent the whole time calculating our carbon footprint. Yay, vacation!
12:00 PM (ish): The arduous journey to Lampang. This involves haggling with a taxi driver (The Grump, begrudgingly, excels at this. I mostly just stare blankly… and try not to sweat). The drive is…long. Like, REALLY long. But the scenery? Gradually more and more rural, which is exactly what I wanted.
2:00 PM: Arrive at Him Doy Muang Pan Resort! Oh. My. God. Is… is this real life? It's gorgeous. Those bungalows nestled among the trees? Forget about it. I am officially in a Thai fairy tale. Everything is made of wood. Everything is quiet. I instantly want to never leave. The Grump, predictably, starts complaining about the lack of Wi-Fi (we’ll get to that later).
3:00 PM: Check-in. The staff is incredibly friendly, but I’m already overwhelmed. I’m convinced I've lost the room key before I even have it in hand.
4:00 PM: The Great Bamboo Forest Trek of 2024! I’d been picturing myself, effortlessly gliding through emerald stalks, channeling my inner nature goddess. The reality? An intense hike in the blazing sun. The bamboo is beautiful, sure, but the mosquitoes? They were ravenous. Seriously, they formed their own aerial squadron dedicated to sucking my blood. I swear, I’d never been bitten so many times. One decided to land on my nose, and I looked like a clown the rest of the day despite my constant swatting and frantic itching.
6:00 PM: Dinner at the resort restaurant. The food is incredible! Pad Thai so good I almost licked the plate (and might have actually done a little bit of a scrape). The Grump, shockingly, agrees. Maybe this trip won’t be a total bust after all.
7:30 PM: Discover no Wi-Fi in the room. Panic. Deep, internal screaming. Okay, maybe not screaming, but a definite internal monologue peppered with curse words. The Grump, predictably, is loving it, claiming he can finally relax. I, on the other hand, rely on internet for… well, for everything. How am I going to survive a week?
Day 2: Elephant Encounters & The Spa That Saved My Soul
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. I manage to snag some seriously tasty mango. Life is good.
- 9:00 AM: Elephant encounter! This was supposed to be magical. Touching majestic creatures, feeding them bananas, learning about conservation. It was… well, it was complicated. Honestly, the elephants were gorgeous, huge, and kind (as far as I could tell, I’m no elephant whisperer). But I was also very aware that it’s important to approach these kinds of encounters with sensitivity and education. It's a thin line between appreciating the animals and supporting anything detrimental to their wellbeing. So, I focused on watching respectfully and taking a lot of photos, trying to capture those beautiful eyes. The Grump, of course, wants to know if he can ride one. I tell him to get a grip.
- 11:00 AM: Back to the resort. Showering off the dirt and the lingering feeling of guilt for not being able to do more about elephant welfare.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. More delicious Thai food. I'm starting to develop a serious Pad Thai addiction. I'm not even ashamed.
- 2:00 PM: THE SPA. Oh. My. God. This is where the vacation truly began. After the forest and the elephant encounter, my body felt like it had been through a war. I mean, the mosquitoes alone… The masseuse, a tiny woman with hands of pure magic, kneaded my stress away like it was playdough. The silence, the essential oils, the whole experience… pure, unadulterated bliss. I think I actually fell asleep, drool and all. I don't even care. I emerged feeling like a new woman. I think I floated back to the room.
- 4:00 PM: Stumble back to the room in a Zen-like state. I find The Grump trying to find a signal with his phone. The lack of Wi-Fi still bothers me, so I’m trying to convince him that we should get a better plan.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. I’m too relaxed to care about anything but the food. Life is good.
Day 3: Waterfalls, Temples, and a Near-Disaster with a Roasted Bug (or Three)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up with the sun, which I’m sure is a good thing, but I'm still not a morning person, let's be real.
- 10:00 AM: Excursion to a nearby waterfall. It's stunning! Cool water, lush greenery, the roar of the water. I'm actually starting to relax. But, of course, this wouldn't be a true adventure without a mild disaster.
- 11:30 AM: A little hike in the area. More mosquitoes. More sweat. The Grump is starting to soften, though. Maybe the Thai hospitality is working its magic.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in a local village. We try… exotic food. I'm talking roasted bugs. Some tiny, some… not so tiny. I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to food, but the idea of a bug wriggling on my tongue… Well, let's just say I almost choked. I tried a tiny one. It crunched. It wasn't awful. But I did stick to the noodles afterwards.
- 3:00 PM: Visit a historic temple. Beautiful architecture, intricate carvings, the air thick with incense. I feel humbled. The Grump is actually genuinely interested, which is a shock. Maybe he's enjoying himself?
- 4:30 PM: Back to the Bungalow. The afternoon sun is casting long shadows. It is just perfect for a siesta.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner… (You guessed it!) Pad Thai! But also, I try something new. It’s actually quite good. The Grump has a beer. I think he’s smiling.
- 7:30 PM: Attempting to connect to the Wi-Fi, again. Still failing. But honestly? I'm starting to enjoy the disconnect. Maybe… just maybe… The Grump and I are starting to get used to it? I'm starting to give up on the internet and the need to check my social media. I start reading, as the sun sets and it is quiet.
Day 4, 5, 6, 7 … I'm not going to bore you with the minute details. These days are filled with more exploring, more eating, more spa days (thank you, Buddha!), and, yes, even more bamboo forests (thankfully, fewer mosquito attacks). Plus, the Grump starts to open up and smile a little more, and I start to realize that he’s kinda growing on me. We have our own little rituals. We find a delicious mango smoothie stand that we visit religiously. I start letting go of my need to control everything and just be. The Wi-Fi stays iffy, so I embrace it. I find myself looking at the world with a different set of eyes: slower, with a deeper appreciation for the world around me. It’s actually pretty great.
The Verdict:
Him Doy Muang Pan Resort in Lampang? Absolutely worth it. The beauty, the food, the spa, and the forced digital detox? A recipe for a truly unforgettable experience. The Grump? He's still a Grump, but even he agrees. Did I leave feeling like a perfectly zen goddess? Probably not. But did I leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to face the world? Absolutely. And considering the state I was in when I arrived, that's a win in my book. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to go book another massage…
Uncover Tropea's Hidden Gem: Anfitrite B&B's Irresistible Charm
Alright, so, Him Doy Muang Pan... Is it REALLY as ridiculously beautiful as the photos? Because, you know, internet lies.
Okay, deep breath. Here's the truth. Some photos? Yeah, they're a bit airbrushed. Like, the sun is *always* perfect, and the orchids are *always* in bloom. But the CORE of it...the raw, untamed beauty of the place? That's *real*. I mean, I sat on my balcony one morning, nursing a coffee (more on that later), and literally gasped. The mist was swirling through the mountains...it was like a freaking fantasy movie come to life. Seriously. I almost cried. (Don't tell anyone.) So yeah, mostly, the photos don't lie. Just maybe, ratchet up your expectations a *tiny* bit. They show *perfection* whereas the resort has *perfection with a smidge of humidity*. And a few stray ants. (Can't escape those anywhere in Thailand, let's be honest).
The villas... Are they truly worth the splurge? I’m on a budget, but... the pool! And the view! And the… everything!
Okay, here's a moment of weakness. Fine! The villas are a splurge. But... (and this is a big but, trust me, I'm no broke college student) if you can, DO IT. The pool villas? Holy moly. I swear, I spent half my time *in* the pool, just staring at the view and wondering if I'd died and gone to heaven. The other half I was in the villa (AC is a beautiful thing when it's 90 degrees and humid) marveling at the craftsmanship. These aren't just rooms; they're art installations. Yeah, it *hurt* my wallet, but the memories? Priceless! I'm still dreaming of the private pool, the outdoor shower, the feeling of like I was basically royalty. Do it! Do it! Just maybe eat noodles for a month afterward. I may or may not still be doing that.
What's the food situation like? Do they cater to picky eaters (like me)? I hate spicy!
The food...ah, the food. Okay, here's the deal. The main restaurant is… *decent*. Don't get me wrong, it's not *bad*, but it's not going to blow your mind. It's that "safe" middle ground, meant to appeal to a variety of tastes. They do adapt to your preferences. If you tell them "no spicy" you won't get spicy. (A note: I *like* spicy, so I may not be the best judge.) The breakfast buffet is pretty good! Eggs, fruits, pastries, the usual. But seriously, if you want true foodie heaven, you need to venture *outside* the resort. Lampang has some incredible little restaurants! Ask the staff for recommendations. They are fantastic, and even pointing you to a delicious street food option. Don't be shy! And good luck with the picky eating... Thailand is all about flavors, so just keep an open mind. (And maybe pack some plain crackers, just in case.)
Activities? What can you actually *do* there besides drool at the scenery?
Okay, "drooling at the scenery" is a legitimate activity, people! But yeah, there's more. They offer cooking classes (which sounded fun, but I'm not exactly a whiz in the kitchen), spa treatments (which I *highly* recommend), and hiking...lots of hiking! I attempted a hike one day. Big mistake. I'm not a hiker. Like, I was huffing and puffing after the first five minutes, begging for a golf cart ride back to my villa (which, thankfully, they provided). But there are other activities. You can visit local temples, explore Lampang town (which is charming!), or just laze by the pool. Honestly? The best activity is just *being*. Disconnecting from the world and letting the serenity wash over you. That, and maybe a massage after the hike. OUCH.
The staff... are they as amazing as everyone says? I get nervous about these things.
The staff? Oh. My. God. They are angels. Seriously. They greet you with a genuine smile, they remember your name, they anticipate your needs before you even *know* you have them. I had a slight mishap with some coffee the first morning. I spilled it. Everywhere. And instead of being mortified and embarrassed, the staff were so kind and understanding. They cleaned it up, got me a fresh coffee, and generally made me feel like a total idiot... but in a *nice* way! They are patient, helpful, and just genuinely seem to care about your experience. It’s a testament to the culture of service in thailand, but this resort takes it to another level. I wanted to hug them all. (I didn't, though, because… boundaries. But I wanted to.) Trust me, you’ll feel pampered and taken care of the whole time. And if you have a silly question (like "Is it safe to pat the stray dogs?") they'll answer it with a smile. They are just... lovely.
Is it kid-friendly? Should I bring my screaming toddlers?
Okay, listen. Him Doy Muang Pan is not a *kid-centric* resort. It’s more of a “romantic getaway/chill and recharge” kind of place. I saw a few families there, but honestly? I'd think *twice* about bringing small, high-energy children. The vibe is more "peace and quiet," which, as a parent, you may or may not want. Of course, it depends on *your* kids. If they are well-behaved and can appreciate the beauty and serenity of the place, go for it. But if you're picturing chaotic pool parties and ear-splitting shrieks, maybe... pick another resort. Trust me, you'll get more rest. (And so will everyone else.)
Any downsides? Because nothing's perfect. Spill the tea!
Okay, here's the honest truth. First off, let's get this out of the way: It's *expensive*. Be prepared to open your wallet. My recommendation is to plan to indulge yourself while you are there. Secondly, some rooms could *maybe* benefit from a fresh coat of paint. It's not like, falling apart or anything, but some of the details are a little… worn. Thirdly, the location is a bit remote. You'll need a taxi or driver to get anywhere outside the resort (but that's part of the charm, right?). And... the mosquitoes. They are relentless. Bring bug spray! (Seriously, pack the industrial strength stuff.) But honestly? Those are minor quibbles. The pros far outweigh the cons. If you're looking for a truly unforgettable experience, go. Just… save up first, bring bug spray, and maybe... don't try hiking.
Is Him Doy Muang Pan a "Do-Comfort Inn
