NOEL RODRIGO’S LEOPARD SAFARIS: "Amazing stay in Yala"
"My girlfriend and I stayed for 2 nights in February as part of a bigger trip around this amazing Island. The stay was excellent, the boys really looked after us and ensured we had the best safari experience. We were extremely lucky enough to see leopards on 3 out of our 4 drives! We didn't spot one on our last drive but we saw a bear instead which made up for it! On top of all the wildlife the food was incredible, definately one of the big plus points! Huge thanks to Danu, Saj and Praneeth for all the knowledge and experience they contributed - it made the trip even more special. "VILLA SONG SAIGON: "Elegant hotel on the Saigon River"
"We started our vacation in Vietnam in this elegant hotel. It looks and feels like British colonial times. We ate our breakfasts on the banks of the Saigon river and had delicious food there. Our room was on the third floor and there are no elevators. We never carried our suitcases - the service was wonderful. We were looking for a place to eat and the staff told us where locally they went to eat and we had a delicious lunch there. We took their water taxi into the city and it was a treat to ride on the river in that way. The pool there is lovely and staff are around to take care of your every need. We couldn't have had a better start to a fabulous two weeks in Vietnam. "4 Rivers Floating Lodge: "Uniquely laid back"
It takes a while to reach this one-off location, but it's worth the 5 hour drive from Phnom Penh. Each tent is extremely well equipped and Anna, our host, is great company. Dont come here if you demand constant wifi or excellent service: the staff are willing and friendly, but are being trained up from scratch, so a spirit of tolerance is essential. Activities are limited and the wildlife largely non existent, but there can be few better places in the world to float on a river pontoon in luxury, whilst enjoying an escape from reality, good food and friendly attention. You can swim in the river, which is surprisingly warm. We each had a 90 minute (expert) massage at an absurdly low price, kayaked through the mangroves, and were led on a three hour tour of the surrounding forests. Happy memories!Rachamankha: "Beautiful hotel"
Aesthetically pleasing hotel with beautiful furniture and good location. Clean and old Thai style rooms, with a deco touch. My only complaint would be the staff attitude was a bit off occasionally. Also the bar the first night said they could serve us but we couldn't drink there, so we sat by the pool with the mozzies. The second night we came back for a night cap a little earlier than the first night and the bar was again closed at 10. I saw a few couples on both occasions wandering around obviously looking to have a drink and chill before bed.Maisons Wat Kor: "A Small Piece of Paradise"
"Due to a relative which had stayed here last year, we decided to stay at Maisons Wat Kor during our 3 day visit to Battambang. What an excellent choice. It is located on the outskirts of Battambang in a quite neighborhood. If you need/want to go to down town it is only a 5 min. tuk tuk ride, but that said, there is no comparison to the experience at this gem of a place versus the hotels in the busier part of town. The hotel is a couple of years old and comprises only 12 rooms. The property is replete with beautiful plants and shrubs. The garden is incredible. We enjoyed nightly swims in their clean, comfortable pool. The rooms were well furnished. The bed was very firm, but comfortable. The staff was very attentive and helpful. They quickly attended to our every need. They arranged for bike rentals (great idea to see the local neighborhoods) and transportation to Phnom Penh Meals were served in the main house with the dining area being open to the garden area. The food was fresh and good and very nicely presented. This small hotel is intimate and charming, and a perfect place to stay."Neeleshwar Hermitage: "Dreams don’t come better than this!"
"In the quiet most northern part of Kerala directly overlooking the Arabian Sea exists this hidden jewel. If it's night life and hustle and bustle you're after, this is not the place for you, but if you’re seeking a place without music playing, with miles of empty beaches and total relaxation in quiet luxurious surroundings, then you've hit the jack pot. We stayed for 2 weeks over Christmas and New year and observed the managers, both of the hotel and restaurant,running this establishment with discreet panache. They pay impeccable attention to detail so that from the moment of arrival every possible requirement is taken care of. The staff are incredible - gracious and hardworking but without being obsequious. It seemed as if nothing was too much trouble for them, and indeed on one occasion, I asked the pool waiter for a coconut drink and without my knowing it, he went and picked a coconut for me from one of the nearby coconut palm trees. It was my husband's birthday whilst we were there, and again they managed to make it a very special day for him. The food is simply delicious- wonderful breakfasts, fresh crayfish eaten under the stars, delicious exotic smooothies brought to you by the pool, pots of tea with freshly baked biscuits brought to your veranda. We also took advantage of the excellent serious Ayurvedeic treatments available as well as having having some clothes made by their in-house tailor. We had the good fortune to go on their own houseboat for a couple of nights. This is the stuff of dreams, the kind of experience that memories are made of. The only small gripe was that certain residents began to put their towels on the best sun beds before breakfast and this set off a sun bed war for a period time. However, this is human nature and not the fault of the management. This is a low key 'Claridges -by- the- Arabian -Sea' with a dash of bohemianism; a place where one can walk barefoot, literally and mentally,in a state of deep cosseted relaxation. All that made it bearable to leave was knowing that we will be back. If anyone reading this is hesitant about going, don't be. Book it now! Stayed December 2016, traveled as a couple"Le Du Wine Bar & Restaurant: "impressive, upcoming"
Food is earnest with subtle fancies. Tight limited menu but impressive offerings with fusion cuisine at best. This establishment wins over many established restaurants.Locavore: "Simply amazing"
Off to Locavore with a friend who. Had been twice before ,no clues given but just told it would be stunning ......Well how fantastic is this restaurant....OMG ...have eaten at Sepia in Sydney and Vue de Monde in Melbourne....Need I say any more ,but I will ......From the moment you arrive till you leave its a fantastic theatre.of food ,presented in the most artistic way .every dish seems to arrive with great flourish and a chef to explain what your about to taste ........I Don't know if the food is created for each plate ,jug,bowl,etc or they are created for the food ,But such a amazing collection I'd like to take each piece home with me ....Won't talk about the food or the wines as I feel you have to experience it for yourself.....To finish ,Great attentive team members,fantastic food ,casual relaxed decor..So next time your in Ubud it's a must ...So good going back on Saturday !!!!!! Does that tell you all .Muang La Lodge: "Da non perdere"
If you go in northern Laos you should definitely stop at the lodge. Rooms comfortable and spotless hospitality and impeccable service. Lovely pool ... turkish bath massage and two beautiful pools of thermal water from which to admire the view while sipping a delicious cocktail. Breakfast and dinner excellent. Delicious also picnic during a hike.Heritage Suites Hotel: "Perfect Place to Spend the Rest of My Life… If only I could."
My sister and I shared a bungalow suite and felt very much like queens. She's used to 5-star service, but I'm still a little awe-struck. The room was large with a sitting room, private outside area, and a large king sized bed, with a sturdy mattress and high quality bedding. The service was wonderful. While all of the staff were friendly and helpful, stand-outs for our stay were Sim and Sippa. They were both very attentive to our needs, and suggested things when we asked questions, and Sippa was able to find several options when we told her we wanted to see an Apsara dance. Breakfast is included and is delicious. The coffee was wonderful, the fruit ripe and tasty and the mini croissants and pain-au-chocolats crafted the French way. We ate at the restaurant for dinner once, and we all loved the food. I'm a vegetarian and the chef made sure I could eat eggs and added one to my rice and veggie dish. Tip- get the passion fruit sorbet. To Die For. The pool was lovely and we had drinks two afternoons in a row sitting by the pool. We also got massages while there- they are excellent for relaxing massages but if you're going in for some kind of sports, technical, injury related massage, my advice is to wait for your regular masseuse and enjoy their relaxing massages, which are very good. We had a wonderful time and hope to return one day. The return flight about killed me, but this place is worth another visit.Travel Asia with Secret Retreats
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