Escape to Paradise: Uncover the Secret of Chiang Mai's Twenty Lodge
Escape to Paradise: Chiang Mai’s Twenty Lodge – My Honest (& Slightly Chaotic) Take
Okay, buckle up buttercups because I'm diving headfirst into my experience at Chiang Mai's Twenty Lodge, and let me tell you, it was a trip. Think less pristine brochure and more “real talk” from a travel-weary soul. I'm talking accessibility, those life-saving WiFi codes, the food (oh, the food!), and all the little things that make or break a stay. Let's just say, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but that's what makes it memorable, right?
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First Impressions & Getting In (Accessibility & Access, Getting Around, Services)
Landing in Chiang Mai is always a sensory overload - the smells, the sounds, the sheer energy of the place. And the Twenty Lodge? Well, it's tucked away, and getting there was smooth enough. Airport transfer was a definite perk (thank God, because after a long flight, negotiating a taxi is the LAST thing you want). Car park [free of charge] – yes! Always a win. I didn’t need to worry about it, bonus points. They even had a car power charging station, so if you're an EV driver, score!
Now, about accessibility: I didn’t personally require it, but I always look for how a place attempts to cater to all. The lodge mentions facilities for disabled guests and an elevator – that's good. I can't speak to the specifics, but it's a crucial thing to consider. They also had a doorman, always makes you feel welcome.
(The WiFi Saga - Internet, Internet Access, Wi-Fi, Services and Conveniences)
Okay, let's talk about the internet. Because, let's be real, in the 21st century, WiFi is practically oxygen. And Twenty Lodge? They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And Internet Access – wireless! And (thank the gods) Internet access – LAN! I have to admit, I did have a small hiccup with logging in at first – maybe a password glitch or user error on my part (more likely the latter, let's be honest). I needed to get some work done, and the fact I couldn’t access the internet right away had me muttering under my breath. Thank goodness for the concierge and the daily housekeeping staff who were super helpful and sorted it out quickly. Crisis averted…eventually.
Room Rundown (Available in All Rooms)
Listen, the room was pretty nice… if a little bit… standard. It had all the usual suspects: Air conditioning (essential! Chiang Mai heat is no joke), a desk, a mini-bar (always tempting), a safe, fluffy robes, a coffee/tea maker (morning survival kit!), a hairdryer (bless!). Extra long bed, which was awesome (I’m tall, and tiny beds are my nemesis!). The bathroom phone? I'm not sure I've used one of those since '98 but hey, it was there. I had a private bathroom with separate shower/bathtub which was nice. The window that opens? Loved that. It let in the perfect amount of fresh air while I was working, I needed to get some natural light. The blackout curtains were a saving grace when I needed to recover from the jet lag - I recommend those to anyone, especially when traveling. Satellite/cable channels, non-smoking rooms, all the staples. They even had a scale – which, okay, maybe a little too much reality check after all the delicious food I was eating…
Food, Glorious Food (Dining, Drinking, and Snacking)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff: the food. Twenty Lodge has options. Restaurants, including a vegetarian restaurant and a Western cuisine in restaurant. They have room service [24-hour] - perfect for midnight dumpling cravings. A la carte in restaurant , Buffet in restaurant for breakfast. Coffee/tea in restaurant (essential!). There was a Poolside bar because vacation. I was obsessed with the Asian cuisine in restaurant… I think I had Pad Thai every second day!
My one semi-disappointment was they only offer Breakfast [buffet]. It was fine, you know, the usual suspects: a mix of Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, fruit, pastries (which, I’m a sucker for). But I love a good breakfast, and I would have preferred more variety! The bottle of water was a nice touch.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Things to do, ways to relax, Spa)
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous. Seriously, perched overlooking the valley, it was Instagrammable heaven. The Pool with a view was a real highlight and the best place to relax.
The Spa was… well, let’s just say I spent a lot of time there. The Massage was divine. I indulged in a Body scrub and Body wrap. I walked out feeling like a brand-new person. They have a Sauna and a Steamroom too, but honestly, after the blissful massages, I was too relaxed to even bother. The Fitness center was there, but I went to the spa instead - priorities!
Cleanliness, Safety & All That Jazz (Cleanliness and safety)
In the post-pandemic world, cleanliness is HUGE. Twenty Lodge seems to take it seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Hand sanitizer, Staff trained in safety protocol, Professional-grade sanitizing services. Stuff like this is important. Cashless payment service – good. Hot water linen and laundry washing. Individually-wrapped food options. Safe dining setup – all things they did to keep things safe and clean. I felt safe and that was all I needed.
The Quirks & the Charm (Services and Conveniences, For the Kids, etc.)
They had a Gift/souvenir shop, which is dangerous if you're anything like me (I left with more than I planned!). They had a Babysitting service and Family/child friendly which I didn’t utilize, but nice to see. A Concierge. They also had some really nice rooms for Couple's room, if you're traveling as a couple.
The Final Verdict (My Emotional Reaction)
Look, Twenty Lodge isn't perfect, but it's a solid choice in Chiang Mai. It's comfortable, clean, and the spa is to die for. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly, and the pool is a total showstopper. It might not be the most authentic experience, but if you're looking for a relaxing, worry-free getaway with a touch of luxury in Chiang Mai, you could do a lot worse. Just be prepared for the occasional little hiccup – that's what makes travel interesting, right? And bring your appetite. Seriously, bring your appetite.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars (with a potential 5 out of 5 if they upgraded the breakfast buffet!)
Escape to Paradise: Palm Valley Svasti Resort Udaipur Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed. We're going to Chiang Mai, baby! And not the sterilized, filtered version, either. We're going raw, real, and probably slightly disoriented. Here's my (tentative) battle plan, a messy, glorious roadmap to potential chaos, centered around The Twenty Lodge.
Chiang Mai Chaos: A Sort-Of-Itinerary (with a healthy dose of "winging it")
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious Glitch
- Morning (ish): Arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). Pray to the travel gods my luggage made it. Last time, it took three days to catch up with me in Lisbon. Lisbon, the most fabulous place in the world. Okay, back to Thailand. Grab a taxi (negotiate the price – they will try to rip you off, even with that charming Thai smile) to The Twenty Lodge.
- First Impressions: Oh my god, the lodge! Reviews raved, but will it actually be as gorgeous as the pictures? Nervous. I’m imagining a breezy balcony, strong wifi, and… please, please… a working air conditioner. I had a nightmare in Koh Lanta once with a faulty AC unit and the humidity… well let's just say it was a sticky situation.
- Afternoon: Check in (hopefully early!) and dump my baggage. Deep breath. Unpack, maybe. Okay, probably not immediately. First, scouting mission! Explore the lodge. Find that balcony I'm dreaming about. Maybe a pool? A cocktail? Definitely a cocktail. Then, find some street food. This is where I make my plans.
- Evening: Dinner downtown. Explore the night market.
- Late Night: My favorite activity: explore the night market. Get a massage or two!
Day 2: Temples, Turbans, and a Terrifying Tuk-Tuk Ride
- Morning: Okay, time to get my culture on. Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Apparently, the views are breathtaking. Me, I'm more of a "breathtaking view of a good bakery" kinda gal, but I'll try. I hope the climb isn't too intense - I'm not exactly known for my athleticism.
- Mid-morning: Getting to Doi Suthep. Tuk-tuk time! This could be a disaster. I've had tuk-tuk rides that felt like being strapped to a rocket. Please, dear lord, let the driver have a good sense of balance and a working horn. If I arrive in one piece, I'm buying him a beer.
- Afternoon: Back to the Lodge for relaxation.
- Evening: Cooking class, or a nice restaurant with some local dishes
Day 3: Elephants and Existential Dread (Maybe)
- Morning: Ethical elephant sanctuary visit in the works. I'm a total sucker for those gentle giants. Hopefully, it's a legit sanctuary prioritizing the elephants' well-being, not a tourist trap flogging them for selfies. Research is crucial. I've cried actual tears at certain places I've visited in the past.
- Afternoon: The elephant experience. I'm prepared for the inevitable emotional onslaught. I'm also preparing for a lot of elephant poo. I hope my boots are waterproof. The only thing that could top it off would be a relaxing afternoon.
- Evening: My favorite activity: explore the night market. Get a massage or two!
Day 4: The Art of Doing Nothing (or at Least, Trying To)
- Morning: Sleep in! Seriously. No alarms. No schedules. Just… the luxury of doing absolutely nothing. Read a book on the balcony (if it's as breezy as I'm hoping), sip coffee, and just… be. This is the "recharge" day, because I learned the hard way that sightseeing burnout is a real thing.
- Afternoon: The pool. If there is one. Honestly, I need this. I'm picturing myself floating in the water, the sun warm on my skin. If it rains, I'll embrace the cozy and find a good book, maybe with a cozy blanket.
- Evening: Restaurant and some sort of evening events
Day 5: Rambling Time!
- Morning/Afternoon/Evening: This is the day for whatever feels right. Maybe a hike to a waterfall? Maybe a visit to a local artisan village? Maybe I'll just spend the entire day eating mango sticky rice and people-watching. The beauty of this itinerary is its flexibility.
- The Rambling Point: Okay, let's talk about the real reason I travel. It's not just the sights, the food, the "experiences." It's the feeling. The shedding of skin. The chance to be utterly, completely, glorifying me without the baggage of everyday life. It's the freedom to be spontaneous, to make stupid decisions, to laugh until my stomach hurts, to cry when I need to. It's about the mess. The imperfections. The absolute, beautiful chaos of being alive.
The End… (for now)
This is just the skeleton, of course. Things will change. People will disappoint me. The air conditioning will break (I'm calling it now). I'll get lost. I'll probably eat way too much street food and end up with a stomach ache. But that's the point, isn't it? To embrace the mess, the unexpected, the glorious, messy reality of traveling. And to come home with a suitcase full of memories, a camera roll overflowing with pictures, and a story to tell. And that, my friends, is priceless.
And hey, if you’re reading this and you're also going to Chiang Mai, let me know! Maybe we can share some mango sticky rice and complain about the humidity together. Just don’t expect me to be punctual. I have a very loose relationship with time.
Presidency Kochi: Luxury Redefined in India's Jewel
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise: Chiang Mai's Twenty Lodge"... Sounds cliché, right? Is it *actually* paradise?
Alright, honest moment. Cliché? Yeah, a little. The *name* practically screams "Instagram filter over reality." But here's the thing: actual paradise? Depends on your definition, and honestly, my mood that day. I mean, does paradise involve getting hopelessly lost trying to find the pool, tripping over a stray gecko, or battling a rogue mosquito that clearly had me on its "most delicious" list? Because if so, then YES. If you're expecting pristine perfection? Maybe adjust your expectations. It's paradise-adjacent, with a healthy dose of reality thrown in. Which, for me, is way more interesting.
The lodges. Are they actually…lodges? Or just fancy hotel rooms trying to be “rustic chic”?
Okay, this is a BIG one. Lodges? Well, they're definitely not what I picture when I hear "rustic." Think more… updated Thai bungalow with a touch of modern luxe. The wood is gorgeous, honestly. There's probably a mosquito net (thank GOD). And the bathroom… oh, the bathroom. Rain shower, big fluffy towels. I remember the relief of that shower after that awful taxi ride in the heat where the AC had died - a moment worth more than its weight in gold. But…rustic chic? Yeah. And honestly? I was totally fine with that. I'm not exactly a survivalist. Give me a comfortable bed and decent Wi-Fi, and I'm happy. Emphasis on *decent*. (See below)
Internet! What's the Wi-Fi situation like? Because... priorities.
Alright, deep breaths. Let's be real. We all need Wi-Fi. It's 2024. The Wi-Fi was…. patchy. Like a teenage boy's beard. Sometimes there, sometimes not. Sometimes strong enough to stream a movie, sometimes so weak I was considering sacrificing my first-born to the router gods. (Kidding! Mostly.) It's definitely *not* the place to be if you're dependent on constant connectivity. My Zoom calls were dicey. My Instagram updates were… delayed. (The horror!) But honestly, in the end, it forced me to *disconnect*. Which, maybe that's the point, right? *Maybe*. Or, probably, I just spent way too long refreshing the damn page. Let's be real.
The food! What's the eating situation like? Any recommendations? Please tell me there’s pad thai.
Oh. My. God. The food! Okay, deep breath. YES, there's pad thai. Glorious, life-affirming pad thai. But beyond that, the restaurant at the lodge… it was a revelation. Honestly, I'm still dreaming about the green curry. Spice level? They ask you, and they *mean* it. I learned the hard way. I’m pretty sure I saw colors I’d never seen before. My mouth felt like it was on fire, but I couldn’t stop eating it. Pure masochistic bliss. The breakfasts were incredible too – fresh fruit, pancakes, everything you could want. And the coffee? Excellent, which is a HUGE win for me. Seriously. The food alone is worth the trip. Just… be careful with the chili. Seriously.
Activities? Is it just a place to sit around and chill, or is there stuff to *do*?
Both! And that's kind of the beauty of it. You *could* just sit around all day by the pool, sipping Singha beer and pretending to be a travel blogger (guilty). There's a spa, which I highly recommend – the massages were heavenly. But there are also tons of things to do. The lodge can arrange excursions to elephant sanctuaries (choose wisely, do your research!), cooking classes, temple visits… the list goes on. I took a day trip to a local village and learned how to make sticky rice. I still can't replicate it, but I did have a blast. Oh. And the staff? Seriously helpful. They can arrange everything. Just…be prepared to get lost. Like, properly lost. I got turned around on the way back from breakfast and ended up wandering through the staff quarters. Awkward. But honestly, a funny story now.
The staff - are they all smiles and overly friendly, or genuinely helpful?
Okay, this is where the experience tipped from "pleasant vacation" to "feeling like you're part of a community." The staff? Not fake smiles. Genuinely helpful, incredibly kind people. They remembered your name. They went above and beyond. Seriously, one woman in the kitchen saw me struggling with a stubborn papaya and immediately ran over with a knife and a grin. Saved me from looking totally inept. They offer recommendations, assist with arrangements, and even provide a few gentle words of advice. They added to the experience, making it feel less like a hotel and more like a warm welcome.
Would you go back? Be honest.
Ugh. That's a complicated question. Do I *want* to go back? Absolutely. Even with the Wi-Fi woes, the rogue mosquitos, and the occasional run-in with my own clumsiness. The food, the staff, the (mostly) relaxing atmosphere… it was a genuinely lovely experience. Would I recommend it? Yes, with caveats. If you're expecting absolute perfection, you might be disappointed. If you're looking for genuine relaxation, delicious food, and a little bit of adventure (and don't mind a few imperfections along the way), then yes. Go. Just pack bug spray. And maybe a portable router. (Just kidding… maybe.)
What about the location? Is it actually 'in' Chiang Mai or a trek away?
Okay, "Chiang Mai" is a bit… broad. "Escape to Paradise" isn't *in* the bustling city center. It's a little bit outside, a short drive away, which I loved. Gives you that sense of actual escape, and removes you from the constant street noise and the pushy Tuk-Tuk drivers. The taxi ride *in* was an experience (detailed above, *shudders)*. But it was far enough removed from the tourist chaos, but close enough to get a taxi relatively easily (I was so lost one time!) It's a good balance.
