Guest Reviews

Flower Island: "Could have stayed forever"

What a wonderful stay we had on Flower Island! It was a bit of a trek to get there as we tried a cheaper option (hiring a bangka instead of opting for their speedboat which was quite pricey) but was a little adventure in itself and worth the effort once we arrived! Staff turned up on the beach to welcome us and we found out we were the only people staying on the island with 32 staff! Just an incredible experience. Beautiful cottage with a comfortable bed under a mosquito net. Hammock on our veranda. A lovely dining and bar area. Beautiful beach and free use of snorkelling equipment - we went out for a snorkel just off of the beach and saw loads of coral, fish and even a turtle! It's so dark and quiet at night and the stars are amazing!! The food was delicious - we are both quite picky eaters and could find something we really liked at each meal. The trip to the pearl farm was brilliant and so interesting. The staff were so attentive and friendly, they couldn't do enough for us. Wifi wasn't working when we were there and it was actually quiet nice for us to get away from that side of life for a while but I know might bother some people. Only drawback was that drinks were expensive for the Philippines, including water which is a little frustrating considering you are on an island and there isn't any other option of getting anything to drink. But the island really is paradise and what you pay isn't half of what the other off island resorts and is worth every penny. We were really sad to leave! Such an amazing experience to have our own private island for a few days!

Golden Buddha Beach Resort: "OMG"

I cannot say enough good things about the Golden Buddha Beach Resort. I wanted a beach hotel that was secluded, just-the-right-amount-of-rustic, stylish, and on a deserted beach. We got it! The hotel’s website is intelligently discrete but its description is correct. Highlights: meeting the hotel manager (Massi), the hotel's French owner (so friendly!), the New Years Eve dinner buffet, and the massage. The only recommendation I would make: the main dishes at lunch and dinner could benefit from a vegetable side dish; vegetable side dishes should be offered on the menu; the pricing of food could be a tad more reasonable.

The River Resort: "Magical spot on the mighty Mekong"

This is a peaceful and tranquil spot, views of the river and surrounding mountains are stunning. Sunrise over the water was mesmerising. Chamapasak is a sweet little town and Wat Phou, an enchanting temple complex, is a short moped ride away. The staff were charming and attentive and helpful.

Muang La Lodge: "Hidden gem in Laos"

"This wonderful place is an absolute gem. The staff were all super-helpful, and the facilities are super-comfortable and very well set up to fit whatever level of energy that you have, including the thermal tubs and the lovely pool. As a temporary resident of Laos, I can vouch for the authentic nature of the setting. We went on the 5 hour trek with a very scenic route accompanied by an informative guide, which allows you to see the authentic side of the changing landscape in the northern highlands and some of the pressures for change that the local people face. All in all, one of the best places of its kind that we have ever stayed in. Stayed March 2017, traveled with family"

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "What an adventure!"

"We really enjoyed this experience and highly recommend it. The team is fantastic. No detail is overlooked. We asked them to arrange transportation for us from our hotel in Tangalle to their campsite. The driver was there right on time and took us to the rendezvous point where they were waiting for us. We went to the camp, had an orientation about the day, enjoyed an absolutely delicious lunch before we rested a bit and then headed out for our first game drive. The staff here are very professional, experienced and knowledgable. You can tell this is a passion for them. What I didn't expect was absolutely delicious food!!! The food was spectacular!! A real treat. Part of me wanted to stay another night just for the meals! The happy hour was also really fun. They are great at making you feel at home. The luxury tent was as beautiful as it looks in the photos. The bed was very comfortable and we slept very well. I also thought the bathroom was pretty cool and enjoyed the shower. The game drives were great fun. We didn't see any leopards (there was a closure of a section of the park with the highest concentration due to drought -- we were here offseason) but really it didn't matter because we saw so many other animals and birds. The elephants were my favorite. The staff thinks ahead about your needs. It was raining so they provided ponchos, there's water in the vehicle, binoculars, books about animals in case you want to reference something, etc. If you want a unique experience with a team who is as passionate about the environment as they are about the animals, I highly recommend Noel Rodrigo's Leopard Safaris. When we left, we planted a tree and that was really special for us. I appreciated the way they make you feel like the most valued guest they've ever had."

Tugu Malang: "Beautifull java architecture"

"I stayed in Hotel Tugu malang for 2 days in last February, I stayed in one deluxe room in 2nd floor not the cheapest room in the Hotel. The room is very spacious,we had a welcome message and welcome drink also welcome fruit when we are check in,Bath room is very wide Bed is very nice also,I think Hotel Tugu malang is the cheapest Tugu in Indonesia especially if you are compared with Hotel Tugu Lombok or Bali. We also have dinner last night in the Hotel they have so many choices of food,I ordered some duck and my friend ordered sop Buntut Also,Breakfast also nice they have traditionall Indonesian or java food,they provide buffee and alacarte also for the breakfast,for me the Hotel is the best Hotel in Malang. "

Glenburn Tea Estate: "Dreamlike"

"Enchanting - beyond excellent. Wonderful staff and food; special thanks to George Ranjan and Luna. Only slight disappointment was that the mountains were obscured by mist for most of the time, unusually for November."

Labyrinth: "One of the best meals I’ve had!"

Absolutely loved my dinner at Labyrinth - I'm a fan of fine dining and molecular gastronomy and would still class this as one of the best meals I've had. The service was excellent, food was very clever and delicious. Certainly deserves it's Michelin star - I would even say more than one!

David’s Kitchen: "Best dining experience in Chiang Mai"

This restaurant is a must if you are in Chiang Mai. The food, service and overall experience were exceptional. David greeted us upon arrival to the restaurant and continued to check in on us throughout the meal. He and his staff made us feel like royalty. The food was second to none. Highlights included the pumpkin soup and wagyu beef cheek. We walked away with full stomachs and fuller smiles. We can't wait to come back next time.

Maison Polanka: "Hidden Garden Gem with classic French Charm"

"Greeted at Siam Reap airport by Frances, a very pleasant young man from Masion Polanka private Villas, the chauffeur van waiting, was very comfortable and spacious. Being whisked away through the pleasant Cambodian countryside, arriving at Maison Polanka where a large security gate opened up the most tranquil garden tucked away within 5 minutes of Siam Reap town. We strolled through to reception, a cabana located by the large enticing pool, being greeted by local staff with refreshing hand towels and a long cool drink. Nothing was too much trouble for them, we were given Khmer House a stand-alone elevated original colonial home relocated some years ago to this site, that complemented the master house with its four self-contained luxury rooms. Our stay was magical, the food memorable, the decor was elegant and traditional, with a simple and personal touch from Nathalie (the owner) adding a splash of colour to each room is unique in its creation, Nathalie selects these from her collection of fabric designs out of her stores. We took cooking classes with Maison's Chef and relaxing massages on site, along with local tours to Ankor Wat and many other historic sites. Arriving back for afternoon tea by the pool every day at 3 Pm with freshly baked treats from the kitchen. Maison Polanka fulfilled every expectation of a luxurious holiday and more, we felt very special. Thank you so much for sharing your small space in paradise, we were so sad to have to move on continuing our holiday in Cambodia."