Guest Reviews

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "Amazing nature, food and hospitality"

"We arrived by a perfect flight into Yala on the day as a large group for a friends birthday celebration holiday. Noel was the perfect host, the staff and team were hospitable, knowledgeable and friendly. We did 4 safari's, over 2 large lots in the national park, spotted 8 leopards (one for a good half hour posed around a waterhole for perfect photos) and discovered many other birds and wildlife. The food was magical, different every meal, great vegetarian mixed with a touch of meat, no-one was left hungry, a great introduction to Sri Lankan food, it was hard to match after we left. Beds are comfortable, flushing toilets and outdoor showers added to the Safari. The honeymoon tent is aircon and glam so jump into that one, otherwise stay cool in the hammock provided outside your tent. I can honestly say, as an animal and bird lover, this was the highlight of my and my husbands trip, I not have the safari bug and want to do so many more! The best Safari in the region."

The Cabochon Hotel: "Simply Amazing"

Stayed at this property for a vacation in Thailand on the reference of a local. It is tucked away off of a busy street and has the look and feel of a 1950s mansion. Such a cool property with amazing service and the feel of being at home. The rooftop pool was awesome and a treat to start each day. Would definitely stay here again!

David’s Kitchen: "A perfect Treat"

"My wife and I were looking for a nice date spot while in Chiang Mai. While we were having a blast eating street food all over Bangkok and Chiang Mai, it was time for a nice change of pace. Somehow we got into David's last minute and had one of the best dinners of our lives. From the moment you enter the driveway to the restaurant the staff was attentive, professional and engaging. Make a Reservation in advance! The food was fantastic and we got to meet David himself. We eat out a lot and have eaten at some of the best restaurants around the globe and David's Kitchen truly stacks up against the best. The 180 day aged beef tenderloin is one of the top 3 steaks we have eaten but everything we had was fantastic! After dinner there is a great little piano bar as part of the restaurant before the main dining room where we had some delicious cocktails and listened to music. David, his wife and their team have created an amazing little place and I would recommend it to anyone! Make a Reservation, I imagine most do not get as lucky as we did with getting in last minute!"

Les Maisons d’Itac: "Like home..only better"

"It has been a month since my friends and I had the pleasure to spend the most relaxing time at les Maisons. What can I say, it is a piece of paradise. We were really happy and so relaxed. The staff is more than staff, I really want to describe them as friends and family. Brian, Raiden, Marvin, Rose, Leah and of course Stacy, and our protector and compansion Itac. We miss all of them so much, we get nostalgic and homesick when we look at the pictures and videos we took. Once you have been there, you do not want to leave. If you have to, like us..one will be gripped by this constant wanderlust! Thank you so much for one of the best times! We will be back! FYI, the food is also really good!! =)"

Rachamankha: "Secret Escape"

"I stayed at the Rachmankha last year and was very impressed. At the end of my stay we decided to enquire about booking the hotel to celebrate my partners birthday for November this year. Since then we have had a lot of email exchange with Wanida. She is always very accommodating and helpful and very quick in responding - we knew we were in good hands. Let me start with the cons of the hotel. It is not a brand new property and some hardware (especially bedroom and bathroom in superior rooms) could benefit from a renovation; the service by the pool could also be a problem sometimes due to language barrier. However those are the only improvement I could think of. The hotel is tucked away on the West side of the old town. It's so peaceful and quiet but you can also walk to any part of the old town easily. Being a small property it has a very intimate and cozy feel to it, and the public area is just stunning - beautiful pool, stunning public lounge and garden and great flower arrangement in the restaurant. Breakfast is a highlight. They had some simple buffet spread of juices, cold cut, bread, yoghurt and fruit, and you can order two items from the a la carte menu. It was a very relaxing experience to have breakfast in the sunny courtyard to start the day. We also had dinners at the hotel. Again the courtyard provides a great set up for a romantic evening thanks to the local Thai music (live instrument) and the decoration of the place. We host a celebration dinner at the courtyard. The team has put in a lot of efforts to make it a memorable evening. The pool area is always nice to spend your day, or just for a dip after a hot day in Chinag Mai or Elephant Nature Park. The hotel does not accept children so the place is quiet. Few of my friends had massages by the pool and they were all happy with the treatment. We were very happy we came back to this lovely hotel and in fact few of us are already planning for our next trip. I have stayed at so many hotels globally, but Rachmankha is just a special place."

The Island Lodge: "The Reason to Visit the Mekong Delta"

This is a beautiful property with amazing staff and service! The room was very clean, modern and spacious. The service was impeccable, the food was outstanding, the spa was great, and the property pristine. The owner, Michel, reached out to us directly after we made our reservation and offered transfers from Ho Chi Minh City and back at a reasonable price, which made logistics easy. Michel and his wife, Francoise, also greeted us upon arrival, adding a nice personal touch to our stay. We highly recommend taking advantage of some of the activities offered by the Island Lodge - we did the Seven Bridges Bicycle Tour and it was one of the highlights of our visit to Vietnam. But stay away from My Tho proper, the city really has nothing to offer; just enjoy the lodge, the island, and the river instead. If you are traveling to the Mekong delta, I cannot imagine a better place to stay than the Island Lodge - simply amazing.

Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: "Steeped in History"

"We stayed at the mansion because we were very interested in its history. Built as home to a notable tycoon named Cheong Fatt Tze, the mansion fell into disrepair until it was restored beautifully by a local architect who also become the proprietor of the hotel. The atmosphere inside was very calming and peaceful. Our room, called the Shantung, was spacious, comfortable and well-appointed with all modern comforts. It was located in one of the side courtyard of the mansion, which they call the dry courtyard - there is a wet courtyard with ponds at the opposite side of the mansion. As hotel residents we were entitled to free guided tour, which was really informative and well-presented. It made us appreciate the history of the place and the massive efforts undertaken to preserve it even more. Local snacks was placed in our bedroom at the evening. A la carte breakfast was served in the dining room just off the central courtyard. The food was excellent. We wanted to dine at the Indigo Restaurant at the 2nd floor but unfortunately it was closed off for private function during our stay. There is a swimming pool at the side courtyard, which we didn't get to use but would be a welcome respite from Penang's heat. There's a shop too selling merchandise of the mansion."

THE SAMAR: "Very nice retreat"

"We stayed in double bedroom apartment (4 people) and had a wonderful stay. Building and decoration of exquisite taste, remarkable artifacts you would not find in standard hotels, rooms in pre-existing local houses, refurbished with attention. Location is half way between crowded city center and Ankor Wat - tuktuk is definitely needed but arranged by the staff. Food is really good, and staff really helpful - they were kind enough to arrange for us a barbecue after an event outside. Very nice! The pool is very comfortable and enjoyable. We definitely recommend "

Manda De Laos: "Amazing"

It blew my mind! On top of a picturesque setting, food was beyond compare. I would pick it over and over again.

Jing’s Residence: "Oasis in the hustle & bustle"

"We can strongly recommend Jing's Residence and the walled City of Pingyao. Pingyao is a full-on, in your face experience - the sights, aromas and sounds of an ancient city engaged in modern commerce - a special experience.. That special experience can be enhanced by staying in the centre of the walled City at Jing's. Jing's is in the thick of the action, but offers a tranquil, high quality refuge to recharge your batteries. Jing's is located in a 400 year old courtyard, tastefully renovated to offer international class accommodation with 1st class service, highly attentive staff and excellent dining. If you go to Pingyao, a stay at Jing's Residence is a must."