Travel to Thailand: Hello Kitty-Themed Resort is a Big Pink Surprise

Windmill and Penny-farthing at the Kitty Resort in the Loei Province of Thailand, March 2015
Well, Hello Kitty. At the Kitty Resort in Thailand.
Well, Hello Kitty. At the Kitty Resort in Thailand.

The most surprising thing I saw or did in Thailand? One of those things I did was visit the Kitty Resort, themed after Hello Kitty, in the Phu Ruea district of Loei. Growing up, I wasn’t the girlie-girl. When my Grandma Huber gave me Barbie dolls, I immediately tossed them aside because they weren’t as exciting as my Wonder Woman or Bionic Woman action figures. I hated pink. I mean, I really hated pink.

Windmill and Penny-farthing at the Kitty Resort in the Loei Province of Thailand, March 2015
Windmill and Penny-farthing at the Kitty Resort in the Loei Province of Thailand, March 2015

I preferred playing football, hockey and romping in the woods with the boys over playing homemaker (which is now obvious by the size of the dust bunnies taking over my home), dressing up or learning the skills of properly applying eyeshadow (still can’t do it).

Perhaps I’m a late bloomer –  or maybe leaving the national park lifestyle made me realize there are colors beyond green and brown – because over the last decade or so, I now love the stereotypical girlie things. I still love playing outdoors but also love frill and lace and am instantly drawn to pink. If it’s bejeweled with glittery things, bonus!

Bright Pink Cottages at the Kitty Resort in Loei Province of Thailand, March 2015.
Bright Pink Cottages at the Kitty Resort in Loei Province of Thailand, March 2015.

Located near Phu Ruea National Park, which happens to be the coldest spot in Thailand, is an unexpected burst of pink and it’s not just the lovely pink poppies and daisies. It’s the Hello Kitty-themed resort with its happy and vibrant cozy pink cottages adorned with crisp white trim perfectly lined up with a lush mountain as the backdrop.

Yes.

As in, that cat-like looking character (in which Sanrio’s PR people said isn’t a cat) that embraces and celebrates everything girlie with a pink pop. Now, it’s my understanding the resort’s official name is the Kitty Resort because the owner doesn’t have the rights from Sanrio to use Hello Kitty. Plus, Sanrio touts having the world’s only Hello Kitty Cottages in Taiwan.

#TBEX Blogger Preview Trip, Loei Region of Thailand, March 23 - 25, 2015

I didn’t stay but made a quick stop when thick fog cut my visit to Phu Ruea National Park short. Admission to visit and walk the garden (and of course, to snap selfies) is 20 Baht. In addition to pink and white flowers, garden decor includes a couple of white bicycles, a pink windmill, gift shop and during my visit, two pink, fancy sports cars.

#TBEX Blogger Preview Trip, Loei Region of Thailand, March 23 - 25, 2015

There’s also a vibrant pink bathroom with Hello Kitty-shaped mirrors. I poppd my head into one of the bathroom stalls and noticed a Hello Kitty sticker on the toilet seat! (What is it about my fascinations with bathrooms???)

#TBEX Blogger Preview Trip, Loei Region of Thailand, March 23 - 25, 2015

Of course, there are plastic Hello Kitty figurines sprinkled throughout the perimeter of the garden. Take a close look at them. Doesn’t it look like the one at the top of the page is flipping the bird?

Travel blogger Richard Barrow has additional information about the Kitty Resort on his blog, My Thailand Photos.

Tell me, are you a fan of pink? And what do you think about Hello Kitty not being a cat?

Disclosure: I was a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and this post has not been reviewed by the host. Opinions are my own and reflect my honest experience.

Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

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