Guest Reviews

Nam Bo Boutique Hotel: "Really special hotel experience"

We loved the terrific location on the waterfront, the great 1930’s design and feel, it is a very well run hotel, the staff could not have been nicer, they even gave me a present for my birthday. And the rooftop, L’Escale, with its stunning views and river breezes, served the most magnificent breakfasts and dinners- we could not fault them.

The Village House: "Our Borneo Adventure"

Stayed here for 2 nights during our adventure. Excellent accommodation very clean, Air conditioned. Nice and peaceful (until call to pray which is quite loud). Lovely pool nice and cooling. Lovely place away from all the hustle and bustle. Staff very attentive and helpful. Food was good breakfast pancakes were fabulous !!

Rice & Zen Boutique Resort: "Ideal place to rest"

"I have thought long and hard about this place and in truth would have given a 4.5 rating, it deserves more than a 4 but not quite a 5 for me. It has been mentioned e resort is remote, this is a bonus and a hinderance depending on the length of your stay. Here more than a week and you may feel a bit trapped, a few days and an idyllic escape. There is a restaurant near the main entrance, face 7/11, turn left and walk about 120m and it is next to a Korean restaurant. Never got there ourselves but a chef on holiday went and highly recommended it. We took a taxi into Chongmon for an evening away. It must be said the food, accommodation, service and staff are very good and worth staying to eat, but it is more expensive. Just outside the hotel are a couple of taxi/travel shops. We used one for taxiing to Fishermans Village one evening and a mornings trip round the Island and found them good value. Another hotel resident had issues with them on car hire, so go carefully. We had a sea view room with pool, well worth the extra for us when you want some privacy. You also have the hotel pool and beach nearby if you want to be sociable. Beach is OK and shared with the Outrigger Hotel next door. Some rocks to snorkel round and can be a bit rough, but that's nature and varies. On Sunday afternoons a live band, quiet good, and Wednesdays an evening where guests get a few nibbles and drinks. Pay the owner is often around and a pleasant host. Faith is resident hotel liaison and good for sorting anything you need from local tips, hotel issues or advice where to visit Not far from ferry to Ko Tao and Koh Penang and also close to airport but flights do not disturb hotel. Well worth a visit and hope to return. Room Tip: All with pool were good"

Tugu Malang: "So luxurious"

"Our group of five arrived at Hotel Tugu by train late in the afternoon. We were greeted by very friendly and helpful staff who assisted us to check in. While our luggage was taken to our room we enjoyed the complimentary afternoon tea. The hotel is like staying in a museum. Tours are available but we were short of time. We enjoyed dinner by the pool before going to bed. We were woken at 12.30am and set out on our adventure to see the sunrise on Mount Bromo. This is a spectacular sight and well worth the journey. Warm clothing is definitely required. Don't forget your camera. We returned early morning to the hotel and had a few hours of sleep. That night we booked dinner in the King's room which is absolutely magnificent with so much to look at and so much history. We felt like Royalty seated at the table as we ate our meal. The staff went out of their way to make it a very memorable occasion for us. Next morning, after breakfast by the pool, our stay sadly came to an end we left for the airport. This hotel was one of the best that we have stayed in. We will definitely return again as our stay wasn't long enough to see everything that Malang has to offer. "

Slow Villas and Spa: "Everything is perfect here"

On a fairly rustic island, Slow Gili is a modern paradise. Julie the manager was incredibly helpful with talking us through the island and what to see. The rooms are modern, clean and plush. I just wish we had stayed here for longer. Their spa is also fantastic! Highly recommend!

Manukan Island Resort: "Paradise"

We booked for one night as a last minute treat during our stay in Borneo. We were overwhelmed by what we got. We originally booked the cheapest double room, but when we arrived and was shown to our room, even though we were before the check in time, we were flabbergasted that we were given a beach villa over looking the private beach and sea. The room was luxurious, the staff were attentive and our over night stay was romantic. The only problem we encountered was the restaurant staff, who forget to bring us our drinks and the food wasn't that great. Over all a fabulous place for that romantic get away.

Arumdalu: "Great honeymoon and vacation!"

This was our first -and surely not the last- visit to Arumdalu. Private beach was awesome with white sand and great view. Room was very comfortable for couples, no tv means we had the place for ourselves. Strongly recommended for couples who want to refresh themselves. And maybe a good place for a deep thinking too..

Tugu Malang: "An utterly awesome delight!"

"I spent 2 nights at the Hotel Tugu Malang in late May. I readily admit that I am not accustomed to luxury, and I won’t say whether any of you who are would find the Hotel Tugu Malang to be so, but I was delighted by my experience at this hotel, which I found utterly awesome! The bowl of fresh, peelable fruit – replenished each day and complete with a finger bowl holding water and a freshly cut blossom -- was just one sign that I was in a very, very nice hotel. ☺ My room was lovely and was delightfully furnished. Hot water was plentiful and the water pressure was excellent; my mini-fridge was nicely stocked, as was the tray with an electric kettle and French press; there were even washclothes among the many toiletries in the bathroom, which had lots of counter space, a bath with shower, and a window (with blind and drapes) into the bedroom. And if my balcony was tiny, it was still large enough to offer a small seating area and lovely view over the hotel’s pool area. It wasn’t just the room that wowwed me: The daily high tea held an impressive range of treats served in a delightful setting. The hotel’s spa offered a free 15-minute introductory massage. The breakfast (included in my rate) was generous and delicious. The restaurant offered dinners in several different cuisines and even had a decent selection of wines (if at prices reflecting the rareness of wine in Java). The hotel holds some remarkable artifacts, which can be seen on a tour of the property. And last, but certainly not least, the staff provided exceptional service – kudos one and all! My only very small niggle: The pool is not well separated from the restaurant, so I felt simultaneously “on display” and disruptive when I took a dip while diners were enjoying their meals. Just a small thing...."

David’s Kitchen: "The Highlight of our Chiang Mai Visit, Excelled Expectations"

We recently visited Thailand and Singapore for 18 days and this wonderful dinner definitely makes it into our top 3 best restaurant experiences. Firstly the venue is a delight and the elegant and contemporary decor was refined and impressed us greatly. Although the three course meal was exceptional as you would expect, it was the wonderful ambience and vibe of the place that so impressed us, as well as the attention to detail. There was a welcome card on our table (which we were permitted to keep) and from the first moment of greeting the wait staff were impressive and so welcoming, showing an interest in us and our travels. The pianist in the background was first class and really added an element of romance. Perhaps the highlight was meeting David Gordon himself. He was incredibly friendly and down to earth, and gave us the time of day which really resonated with us. He even consented to us taking a photograph together. At the conclusion of the meal I was presented with a beautiful red rose and we were sent out by David and his wife. A DK car was on hand to take us back to the hotel, which was also a welcome and special touch. If you're wondering about the food, the pumpkin soup was perhaps the best I've ever had Simply executed and divine flavour. We both enjoyed the signature beef cheeks, and we had to make room for dessert. I can say if you're after an experience where you feel special and valued, and want to be comfortable and pampered DK is the place to go. We have been to many hatted restaurants in Australia, and we think we are qualified to give David and his team 5 stars. If we're ever back again, this will be our first stop.

Slow Villas and Spa: "An absolute treatment"

"Staying at Slow Villas is such an experience ! I've been lucky enough to spend a few days there - and that was definitely too short. The villas are beautiful, solid construction, tastefully decorated, spacious, clean. The open air bathroom is beautiful, and the private swimming pool just in front of the bedroom is great, and even I didn't think it was really useful at Gili Air (the sea is less than 10 minutes away along a cute pathway), it's nice to cool off a bit that easily. Plus, breakfasts are awesome ! And the spa, God ! Clean, spacious rooms, a great choice of treatments to choose from, a professional service that considers your expectations and level of habit in massage, people are treating you with such a sweet care and a good professionalism at the same time, such a treatment ! The staff is so lovely as well, from Julie to her partners and all the team working on making you have such a great experience. No hesitation here : if you can afford it, even for 2 days, that will stay engraved in your memory for a loooong time ! Stayed April 2017, traveled as a couple"