Escape to Paradise: Yesterday Hotel's Chiang Mai Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Yesterday Hotel's Chiang Mai Oasis Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sanitized hotel review. We're diving headfirst into the supposed "Chiang Mai Oasis" that is the Yesterday Hotel's "Escape to Paradise." Prepare for some real talk, because frankly, I'm still recovering from the… experience. Let's get messy.
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- Title: Yesterday Hotel Chiang Mai: Paradise Lost? (A No-B.S. Review)
- Keywords: Yesterday Hotel Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Hotels, Thailand Hotels, Accessible Hotels Chiang Mai, Spa Chiang Mai, Pool with a View, Wheelchair Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant Chiang Mai, Reviews, Travel, Thailand, Luxury Hotel.
Accessibility: The First Hurdle (and a Big One)
Okay, so the "Escape to Paradise" started before I even got there. I'd booked (supposedly) an accessible room because, you know, life. I'm in a wheelchair. The website promised ramps… well, they had ramps. Sort of. Think "steep incline with a slight curve of questionable engineering." It was a workout, and not the kind I signed up for. The front desk? Not exactly a smooth operation. The smile felt… rehearsed. The elevator? Thank god for the elevator.
Accessibility – The Real Deal:
- Wheelchair accessible: The rooms claimed to be accessible, but the reality of the bathroom was… tight. Like, claustrophobic tight. I managed, but it wasn’t ideal. The pool area? Getting there was another adventure in ramp-dodging.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: The hotel touted accessible dining options, but maneuvering a wheelchair between tables felt like an obstacle course. The staff tried, bless their hearts, but the layout was just… off.
Things to Do: From Scrubbing to… More Scrubbing?
Right, let's get this straight: I came for the spa. That's the main reason. "Escape to Paradise," remember? Apparently, paradise involves a LOT of exfoliation.
Ways to Relax (and Maybe Sweat a Little):
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Okay, the spa itself was… pretty. The steam room? Delightful. The massage? I'd give it a solid 7.5/10. The body wrap? Cozy and definitely relaxing. The body scrub? They scrubbed me. HARD. Felt like I was being sandblasted.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I ventured in… once. It was clean, I'll give them that. But the equipment looked… unused. And honestly, after the ramp ordeal to get there, my workout was already complete.
- Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool did have a view. A very pretty view. And the pool bar was… functional. Ordered a cocktail, which was a sugary, neon-colored concoction that tasted of… something.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitized Reality
Here's where things should have felt reassuring. This was post-pandemic travel after all.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, 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: All the boxes were ticked, I guess. Though I did occasionally wonder how thoroughly they were disinfecting that questionable incline leading to the spa.
Rooms sanitized between stays Good. And I had requested the option to opt-out of daily room cleaning given the sanitary protocols. Thankfully, the staff were very courteous in respecting my request.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Okay, the breakfast situation was… interesting. The "breakfast in room" was appealing, and I gave it a whirl one morning. The "international buffet" breakfast was a chaos of people, but the options were decent. They had… everything! From what felt like a thousand types of curry to what seemed like a never-ending supply of fried rice!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious (and Sometimes Questionable) Food
So, the food. Ah, the food. Another area where things were… varied.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The buffet? Overwhelming. The coffee? Lukewarm. The poolside bar? The cocktails tasted like they were made with… well, I'm not sure what they were made with. The Asian cuisine was… hit or miss. Some dishes were fantastic, others… not so much. Let’s just say I had a few meals that involved a lot of "mystery meat" and a lot of water.
Room service [24-hour]: The 24 hour room service was pretty good, actually. It was quick and easy. I had to order room service on a few occasions when I was not able to access a restaurant.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the "Meh"
This is where the hotel tried to shine, with varying degrees of success.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The concierge was helpful, though I suspect I saw them trying to smooth over a few accessibility issues for other guests (I wasn’t the only wheelchair user, it seems!). The Wi-Fi was… spotty. The air conditioning in the public areas was a godsend in the Chiang Mai heat. The convenience store? Well stocked with everything you needed, from toiletries to touristy knick-knacks.
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
I don't have kids, but I saw some around.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: The hotel appeared to be kid-friendly. There was a kids' pool, and I saw a babysitting service advertised on the walls.
Access: The Great and the Terrible
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: The security seemed to be on point. Always someone around. Check-in/check-out was, again, serviceable. The front desk was friendly, but there were some organizational issues.
Available in All Rooms: The Basics (and a Few Extras)
- Additional toilet, 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.: The room itself was… fine. It had all the basics. The bed was comfy. The blackout curtains were essential for sleeping in after the… adventures. The Wi-Fi? Yeah, still spotty. The water pressure in the shower was amazing.
My Single Biggest Experience:
Here's the thing that really cemented the whole experience for me: the elevator incident. One of the days, I was returning from lunch, the elevator stopped between floors. I banged on the door, called the front desk. The whole time, the music in the elevator kept playing, like a mocking soundtrack to my entrapment. It took what felt like an eternity for someone to rescue me. I felt trapped
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my potential disaster-in-the-making, Chiang Mai edition, all based out of the gloriously charming (or, you know, potentially gloriously… imperfect?) Yesterday Hotel. Let’s see if I can actually stick to it, shall we? Prepare for a bit of a rambling, a few tears (maybe happy, maybe from a mosquito bite), and a healthy dose of "oops, I did it again" moments.
Chiang Mai: Yesterday Hotel – My Attempt at Paradise (and Probable Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh God, I'm in Thailand!"
- Morning (Approximate, because let's be real, jet lag is a jerk): Arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport. Pray my flight wasn’t delayed (it probably was). Passport control? Wish me luck! I'm notoriously bad at filling out forms. The last time I tried to declare something, I accidentally confessed to a crime. (Okay, maybe not, but close!)
- Transportation: (Also, this is where I'm going to mess up) Taxi/Grab to Yesterday Hotel. Pray the traffic isn't as insane as I've heard. I'm already picturing myself getting carsick.
- Afternoon (Probably Late Afternoon): Check in to Yesterday Hotel. And WOW. The pictures online? They didn’t do it justice. It's even prettier than I imagined! The courtyard is like something out of a fairy tale! (If the fairy tale had a slightly dusty, lived-in charm, which, honestly, I love.) Settle in, take a million photos (for Instagram, obviously), and immediately nap on the bed. Because jet lag.
- Late Afternoon / Early Evening: (Again, timeline subject to massive change) Wander around the Old City. Find the nearest temple (Wat Chedi Luang is on the list), get lost in the narrow lanes, try not to get run over by scooters, get completely overwhelmed by the sights and smells. (Incense! Food! Sweat! Glorious, chaotic, wonderful smells!)
- Dinner: (Hopefully not too spicy!) Hunt down some street food. Pad Thai? Green Curry? Something… edible? I’m generally adventurous, but my stomach is also a delicate flower. (Seriously, the last time I ate something "spicy" I spent the rest of the evening curled up in a ball.)
- Evening: Find a rooftop bar (if I have the energy). If not, back to the hotel to collapse. Journaling or writing a few sentences to my journal, probably.
Day 2: Elephants, Markets, & My (Failed?) Cooking Class Dreams
- Morning: Ethical Elephant Encounter (fingers crossed this is actually ethical). Find a sanctuary that doesn't exploit the elephants. I’ve done my research (sort of… I read a few articles while half-asleep). I’m hoping for mud baths, maybe some feeding, and lots of elephant hugs (from a safe distance). I'll undoubtedly cry. I cry at everything.
- Afternoon: Return to the hotel (muddy and happy, hopefully). Shower. Then it's the Warorot Market, the food market. Prepare for sensory overload. Try to navigate the chaos, taste EVERYTHING (within reason), and buy a weird fruit I've never heard of. This always goes well. Always.
- Late Afternoon: SUPPOSEDLY, a Thai Cooking Class. I'm really excited about this! I mean, I love Thai food. But I'm also a terrible cook. The potential for disaster is… high. I'm picturing myself setting the kitchen on fire (metaphorically, hopefully) or accidentally poisoning someone. But, hey, at least I’ll have a story.
- Evening: Savor the fruits (literally) of my cooking class… or maybe just order takeout, depending on how it goes. Honestly? I'm already picturing the takeout. Find a massage place. The real reason I am actually here.
Day 3: Doi Suthep, Pottery, And The Eternal Search For Decent Coffee
- Morning: Hike or take a songthaew (red truck) up to Doi Suthep temple. Another temple! But people say the view is spectacular. Prepare for crowds. Pray for clear skies. I’ll climb the stairs, take a bunch of photos, and hopefully not trip and fall.
- Afternoon: Hands-on pottery course. I’ve always wanted to try pottery. I'm a big fan of messy art, and I fear I'll be terrible at this, but that's the fun of it, right? I have a feeling my creation will look more like a misshapen blob than a work of art. Bring an open mind (and maybe a garbage bag for my potential masterpiece.)
- Late Afternoon/ Early Evening: Wander the Nimmanhaemin Road? (the "hipster" area). Coffee! I survive on coffee and snacks, in that order. The eternal search for a decent cup of coffee is a never-ending quest. I'm hoping for a cute cafe with strong, non-bitter coffee.
- Evening: Explore the Night Bazaar (again, prepare for more sensory overload!). Negotiate prices (I'm terrible at this) and buy a ridiculous amount of souvenirs I don't need. Maybe get a foot massage. Definitely need a foot massage.
Day 4: (Maybe) Chiang Rai, Some Regrets, and Saying Goodbye (Probably)
- All Day (if I'm feeling ambitious, which is doubtful): A day trip to Chiang Rai (the White Temple, the Black House, etc.). This feels like a HUGE commitment. The thought of a long bus ride already makes me want to curl up in a ball. We'll see how I feel. I AM SO TIRED. Maybe it's a solo day of pampering, another foot massage, and just letting myself be. I may just spend the day at the pool at the hotel. THAT is my kind of adventure.
- Evening: Pack. Sigh. Have dinner. Reflect on what I’ve done, what I’ve seen, and mostly, what a glorious, messy, wonderful trip it's been, even if it's a slightly chaotic mess. Maybe write in my journal (if I feel like it). Feel the pangs of sadness that always hit me at the end of a trip.
- Final evening at Yesterday Hotel.
Day 5: Goodbye Chiang Mai (Until Next Time, Hopefully!)
- Morning: A final, lingering breakfast at Yesterday Hotel. One last look at that beautiful courtyard. Say goodbye to the friendly staff.
- Transportation: Taxi/Grab back to the airport. Cross fingers that I don’t miss my flight (again!).
- Departure: Head back to the real world, slightly sunburnt, a little more broke, and with a heart full of memories – and probably, a whole lot of laundry. Wondering when I can come back.
My (Highly Subjective) Notes and Predictions:
- Things I'll Probably Screw Up: Directions. Currency conversion. Remembering to use sunscreen. Remembering to wear a bra. (Probably, sorry.)
- Things I'll (Hopefully) Love: The food. The people. The temples. The overall magic of Chiang Mai. The fact that it’s cheap as chips!
- Emotional State: A rollercoaster. Exhilaration, anxiety, wonder, exhaustion, and a healthy dose of "oh god, what have I gotten myself into?"
- Overall Goal: To embrace the mess, the chaos, the unexpected detours, and the deliciousness. To return home with a story to tell.
- Yesterday Hotel: (The real reason I went) I'm obsessed. The photos promise a certain charm, so I have high hopes. I'm also a sucker for anything with "yesterday" in the name (thanks, Beatles). I expect it to be the perfect base for all my adventures (and/or disasters).
- Food: (The most important thing!) More street food. I'm already dreaming of Pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and all things delicious. Pray my stomach can handle it.
- Self-Reflection: I will start using my journal. I have to. It's a necessity. So much to say, I will feel full.
So there you have it. My potentially unhinged, highly-subjective, and delightfully imperfect itinerary for Chiang Mai. Wish me luck! I'll need it. And I'll definitely report back with tales of triumph, disaster, and everything in between. Pray for me, people! Pray for me!
P.S. I'll be bringing back at least 10 mosquito bites. Guarantee it.
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Escape to Paradise: Yesterday Hotel's Chiang Mai Oasis Awaits! (Or Does It?) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, spill the tea. Is this "Yesterday Hotel" actually paradise, or is it just another Instagram filter?
Alright, alright! Look, "paradise" is a STRONG word. Let's be real, my expectations were HIGH. I'd seen the pictures – lush greenery, impossibly turquoise pool, that dreamy-looking balcony. And the website? Forget about it! They'd practically *promised* serenity.
Here's the unvarnished truth: it's beautiful, no doubt. The pool *is* gorgeous, even if I did almost trip and faceplant when I first walked out there (grace, I have none). The balconies… well, now, let's get to that later. But paradise? Depends on your definition. If your definition includes a rogue gecko who *loved* my room (and I mean, LOVED it), then yes. Absolutely.
Basically: take the Instagram filter, add a healthy dose of reality (and maybe some bug spray), and you'll get a better picture.
Tell me about the rooms. Specifically, the balconies. The website *really* hyped them.
Okay, the balconies… ugh. So, the website shows these sprawling, romantic things, right? Picturesque views, perfect for sipping coffee and contemplating life. My balcony? Well, let's just say it was… compact. And the "view"? Mostly a lovely display of the hotel's air conditioning units. Not quite the sweeping vista I'd envisioned.
Now, I'm no princess. I'm happy with a good book and a cup of instant coffee (don't judge!). But I had this *vision* of myself, like, gazing into the sunset, pondering the meaning of existence. Instead, I spent most of my time swatting away mosquitos and trying not to drop my phone. First world problems, I know. But still! The balcony was a letdown, pure and simple. Though, in its defense, the gecko did seem to enjoy it.
The food! What was the food like? Was it all delicious pad thai and mango sticky rice dreams?
Okay, the food situation was… interesting. Breakfast was included, which is always a win in my book. And, listen, the fresh fruit? AMAZING. Mangoes so ripe and sweet, they almost made me weep. Pancakes? Perfectly fluffy. Coffee? Decent.
The hotel restaurant, though... that's where things got a little dicey. The pad thai was good, but not mind-blowing. The mango sticky rice? A bit… *too* sticky. One night, I ordered a green curry that was so spicy, my face resembled a ripe tomato. Blazing. But hey, at least they were generous with the rice! And the service? Friendly, but sometimes a little… leisurely. You know, "island time." Can't rush a good papaya salad, I guess. But I did have to flag someone down to get the bill one time for a solid 15 minutes, which felt like an hour in a post-mango sticky rice haze.
What about the pool everyone raves about? Did you actually get to... you know... swim?
Oh, the pool. Bless it. Honestly? The pool was the highlight. The water was clear, the temperature perfect (not too cold, not too warm - just RIGHT), and the pool itself was a beautiful, winding thing. I spent hours there, just floating around, feeling the sun on my face.
One particularly epic day, I decided to be *that person* and sunbathe for an hour and a half. I carefully applied sunscreen (I'm nothing if not prepared), and settled in with my book. It was heavenly! Pure bliss. Until… disaster struck. Remember how graceful I said I wasn't? Well, that extended to pool safety. I went to get out and my foot slipped. I'm pretty sure I made a noise a dying walrus would be proud of. Let's just say it was a very *memorable* exit. That was the only hiccup. The rest of the time? Glorious. Utterly glorious. Pool time? Solid A+. Especially if you don't fall into it. (Pro tip: Wear decent shoes.)
Did you do any other activities outside of the hotel? Chiang Mai in general has so much to offer.
Oh, absolutely! I mean, you can't just *stay* at the pool all day (even if you want to). I hired a tuk-tuk (that was an experience in itself, dodging traffic with a beaming smile plastered on my face) and zipped into the city a couple of times. Went to a temple (stunning!), explored a market (smells of spices everywhere!), and even took a cooking class (made the *best* green curry, even spicier than the hotel's!).
The whole experience of the city was mind-blowing. The scent of incense in the temples, the chaos of the markets (in the best way!), and the incredible food. I even got a traditional Thai massage, which was… intense. In a good way! Left feeling like a new person (or at least, a less stressed-out one). Seriously, Chiang Mai is incredible. The hotel was nice, but Chiang Mai itself? Absolutely worth the trip.
Okay, so… would you recommend it? Honestly?
Ugh, the million-dollar question! Okay, here's the deal. Would I recommend the Yesterday Hotel? Yes, with a few caveats.
If you're looking for total, unadulterated perfection, maybe look elsewhere. If you're expecting everything to be exactly as the website portrays it, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment (like me with the balcony!). But if you're looking for a beautiful base, a decent pool, and a generally relaxing vibe in a stunning location, then YES.
Just go in with realistic expectations, embrace the occasional mosquito, and for the love of all that is holy, watch where you're walking around the pool. And if you see a gecko in your room? Just say hello. They’re basically paying the rent.
Anything Else? Any final thoughts you haven’t rambled about?
Hmm. Yes. Bring earplugs. The birds start at dawn, and they are enthusiastic. Pack bug spray (for the balcony, obviously). Learn a few basic Thai phrases – the locals appreciate it, even if you butchering something simple.
And finally? Just be open to the experience. Things might not always go perfectly (my face will attest to that, thanks green curry), but that's part of the fun. Chiang Mai is beautiful, the hotel is nice, and you're there to explore and enjoy. So, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and try not to fall in the pool. Or at least, try to make it glamorous if you do. I can now say, I will never look at a swimming pool the same way ever again.
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