Guest Reviews

Muang La Lodge: "A piece of heaven in the middle of nowhere"

"After a rough first week of travelling and very cold weather, we were thrilled to spend a couple of nights here. Gorgeous room, with HEATERS and hot water bottles, tastefully decorated, lovely bathrooms, with home grown bathsalts. The setting is delightful, on the river, and the infinity pool on its own island was a good place to unwind with a book when the sun comes out. All the little hidey holes have access to drinks and snacks and service is never far away. The spa itself, with the two huge hot spring-fed pools are elevated so you have a view of the surrounding countryside and are a panacea for weary limbs, and the massage sets you up for the next part of the journey! The five course dinner is light and carefully crafted, full of flavour, and the cocktails inventive and yummy. Little braziers kept us warm while we ate, and a large boma-type fireplace was comforting for an aperitif. We had a long walk on our free day round the local Khamu village, and enjoyed seeing village life at a slow pace, the pace it is lived. Excursions can be arranged to nearby hill tribes, but we didn't know about that. Even though the local staff dont speak much English it is good to see the management trying to give back other local community by providing jobs and an enhanced local spa for the village. I can't rate this place highly enough "

David’s Kitchen: "A delicious dinner"

My wife and I visited David's Kitchen last night for the first time since we moved to Chiang Mai a few months ago. Our only regret is that we didn't visit earlier! Everything about the evening was excellent - the quality of the food, the wines available by the glass, the friendliness and professionalism of the staff, and our chat with the proprietor David (who then followed up with an email of thanks this morning). We look forward to returning to experience the re-modelled dining room.

Inle Princess Resort: "Wonderfully relaxing"

We felt at home as soon as we arrived at this lovely resort. We had a lake view chalet close to the boat dock but there was no noise disturbance as boats are not allowed to use power engines when approaching the resort. The room was spacious and had everything that we needed. We loved sitting out on the verandah and taking in the lovely views. The resort handicraft centre is great if you want to try your hand at pottery, Shan paper making, weaving or a range of other handicrafts. The food is very good and the service excellent.

Sukoon Houseboat: "Beautiful Houseboat – Wonderful Staff"

"I booked a ""tailor-made"" Sukoon experience, including a ""3 days camp & hike"" in the Aru Valley, a local hiking tour outside of Srinagar, and a 3 nights stay on the houseboat. First of all - the planning and organisation of all these individual parts of my ""Sukoon experience"" was perfectly well done by the Sukoon people. The camp in Aru Valley was luxurious with a ""real bed"" in my spacious tent, carpets, a little table with a mirror and bed side tables. Just outside the sleeping tent there was a ""outhouse"" tent, with a comfy toilet in it, and a washing tent, with towels and hot & cold water in buckets. While Manzoor and Rashid guided me on my hikes and took me to many beautiful spots in the Aru and Lidder Valley, Amin, the cook, prepared the most delicous Indian meals I could imagine. What he created in his pretty basic kitchen tent was just amazing - and I enjoyed every bite of all his heavenly curries and dishes, especially after a day-long hike.... I felt pampered from A-Z. Then I returned to Srinagar where the rest of the Sukoon Crew welcomed me very warmly. The boat itself is a jewel in Dal Lake - with beautiful wooden walls, ceilings and floors, spacious rooms, indoor dining room as well as a deck with an outdoor dining area and sunbeds/umbrellas for relaxing hours. The houseboat is reachable by the Sukoon´s own engine-driven Shikara. Every time you need a ride, the Shikara is made ready for you within minutes. The soul of Sukoon, and what makes this beautiful houseboat so homely, is the Sukoon people, with Bashir, Ashiq, Passang, Bela, and of course the kitchen crew around chef Amin. They just do all they can (and even more) to make every stay on Sukoon a very memorable one. They all live the great Kashmiri hospitality - and guest satisfaction always comes first. Srinagar and Kashmir are so well worth a visit - and I (solo female traveller) felt 100 % safe, wherever I went, in town as well as in the mountains. So - go ahead - and enjoy and discover this unique place!!! THANK YOU dearest Sukoon-housboat-team for making my stay such a wonderful one. (One thing about Reservation/Administration that is done by the headoffice in Delhi - Please be careful when making international bank transfers as in my case the money never arrived. Even though the problem with the payment is not yet solved I am full of admiration how the manager of Sukoon in Srinagar, Mr. Muslim Naqash, is handling this case. THANK YOU!!!)"

arumdalu: "a hidden gem filled with surprises!"

We never expect to find such a refine place at the very southern tip of Belitung island. A very creative and delicate cuisine, sustainable practices to save energy or natural fogging, an attentive service, large villa with private pool, 800m of white sand beach and beautiful landscape. Only recommend to people who appreciate quiet beauty!!!

Sukoon Houseboat: "serene"

the staff is very courteous. the location of the houseboat is great as you get the best view with not many houseboats around. the food is excellent. the housekeeping is at its best. i could let me 10month old baby crawl around. the mattress in the suite was uncomfortable at the edges. one could easily fall down. the wood work and furniture is beautiful and well maintained. they dont serve bottles water and only serve RO water which to me was a problem.

Locavore: "Still the best – even better than last time"

I tha been two years since my last visit - luckily the quality is even better now. The dishes are beautiful to look at, each has its distnict taste and the drink pairing is clever. Steady quality through the whole meal - 2 1/2 hours went by too soon.

Villa Mathis: "La Villa Mathis de mes rèves"

"Tous simplement sublime. Nous avons passé un séjour en amoureux que nous n'oublierons jamais. Dès la prise en charge à l'hôtel nous avons été plongé dans une atmosphère de ""zenitude"" et de beauté. L'équipe francophone est au petit soin et n'a de souci que notre bien être. La cuisine (du chef made in France) est parfaite. Que dire de la propriété... allez y, vous serez charmé par l'originalité des lieux, c'est indescriptible tant il y a de sensations fortes. Je n'oublie pas les guides francophones aussi qui nous ont fait découvrir la magie de l'ile et de sa culture locale. Et tout cela sans se ruiner. Merci encore et joyeuses fête de fin d'année. Jean-François et Marjorie."

Flower Island: "Simply Amazing"

"If you are looking for a place to truly relax, that is off the beaten path, and want to be surrounded by friendly mellow guests and attentive, caring staff, then this is the place for you. Flower Island is not like the other crowded resorts in Palawan. This is truly a place where you will chill and relax. For those that can’t sit still there is snorkeling (great reef just steps from your room), kayaks, SUPs, pearl farm tour and trekking around the island to keep you occupied. Definitely worth the time and investment. I highly recommend this place!!"

4 Rivers Floating Lodge: "NOT SO EASY TO REACH – BUT HARDER TO LEAVE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET"

"One of my favourite hotels worldwide. Second time I've stayed here, and, 2 years on, the high standards are still maintained. Also it has become a more affordable option if you shop around on booking sites, making it better value. The service, the food, the uber-glamping ""tents,"" the friendliness of all staff and the unique and unbeatable location are superb - even more so when one considers the challenging logistics entailed in running a luxury boutique resort 30 minutes downriver from the nearest road. This is a place to go to relax. And if that is your intent, that is how you will leave...and then some! Special mention to Piphos on reservations for her rapid and efficient handling of my requests, and Paulo and Luz for their ever friendly and helpful service. My only minor criticism is that the onward taxi transfer prices are noticeably marked up from what you can arrange yourself. I don't readily award ""excellent"" in my reviews - I think the rating is seriously over-abused by TA reviewers. But this one is well deserved. Stayed February 2017, traveled solo"