Guest Reviews

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "Enchantingly Memorable"

"We (family of 4 with kids 8 and 11) spent 2 nights at Noel's camp. This included 4 Safaris. Both Noel and Cecile were our hosts, a lucky thing as they are not always present at the camp. Tent - we are not campers and had just come from several days in Amanwella, so ""glamping"" was the intention. We got the aircon tent, a semi-permanent structure that runs on solar power. Very comfortable, and the AC was a key feature during the stifling dry heat of the day, and also made it a lot easier to fall asleep at night. There were a few quirks here and there but when glamping, you factor that into the mix. Overall the tent delivered beyond expectations. The one observation I will make is on security - nothing happened and there is a safe in the room, but the tents are zipper operated (no locks). The camp site is not that far from village areas. I would advise to bring 2 padlocks to lock the zipper clasps together at the 2 entrances (front flap and back flap leading to the bathroom). Your valuables will be secure enough in the safe but I didn't like the idea that someone could unzip and enter while we are asleep at night. To be clear, none of the camp staff are an issue, but it's outsiders who know the price of staying at this camp who could get ideas. Food - spectacular. They source organic and fresh from the farmers in the area, and their talented chef put together very flavorful breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It was all local cuisine, and there was always spicy plus non spicy varieties to ensure the kids would be fine. Your taste buds will be in for a real treat. Camp ambience - charming. The volunteers (especially Christina from Spain) entertained the kids with games. They also organized the building of an insect hotel which the kids loved, and also had them participate in tree planting to show the importance of giving back to nature when you leave a carbon footprint. Both entertaining and educational. Meals were communal style and made for enjoyable conversation. Breakfast and lunch under a thatched roof, dinner under the stars. Yes you will now and then see a small lizard or mantis or other creature on your armrest or the table... to be expected in a wildlife park. Safaris - prime time to see stuff is at dusk and dawn, so the AM departure is before 6AM and the PM outing is from 3pm to 6:30pm. On our first two outings, we saw numerous spotted and barking deer; eagles, kingfishers, peacocks, many other birds; mongoose; crocs; elephants. Watching 2 alpha deer bucks clash was neat but we still had not seen what we came for - leopards. The third outing was the charm, and we watched a large leopard lounging in the grass. I don't quite know how to describe the feeling of watching a beautiful and free animal in its natural habitat. All I can say is: a zoo ain't the same. My iphone camera shots won't do it justice. Fortunately, Noel was our guide and when you combine a passion for wildlife with an 8kg-supersonic-Nat Geo-caliber camera lens, the results are amazing. Attached are 2 of his pics of our leopard. As a bonus, we also spotted a young sloth bear. Noel is very knowledgeable and gave us valuable insight and commentary during the rides. His Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles were properly decked out, and I noticed in the park many other outfits carrying tourists in rickety vehicles (one was even lopsided due to different sized tires). Also must credit Noel for truly trying hard on safari #3 to spot a leopard. He badly wanted for us to spot one before we depart, and made it his mission. There are no guarantees but it helps when your guide badly wants you to leave happy. We did the 2 night package and I highly recommend it. Had we done 1 night, we would have missed out on safari #3 which was the highlight. After safari #4, we had our fill and were ready to head off so the format was just right. I guess you could get lucky on a 1 night stay but your chances go up much more on the 2 nighter. There are some who do a day excursion from their beach resort, and this would be a mistake as you would arrive past dawn and leave before dusk, i.e. be on safari while the animals are asleep in a hidden shade. This is an eco-minded camp run by owners who are passionate about wildlife and conservation, and keen to impassion others by delivering on client experience. If you visit a big city like London or Manhattan, the hotel you choose plays a part but the city itself largely makes the experience. At a wildlife park, the hosts who run your camp and guide your safaris largely make for good vs bad experience. Is this value for money? I will answer same as when someone asks me that about my Porsche: I won't describe it as value for money but will just say, it's worth every penny."

Maison Polanka: "Outstanding hotel for those who do not want to be part of the backpacker party scene"

"I stay in a lot of high-end hotels, but this one is right up there among the very best. The location is slightly - but not inconveniently - off the beaten track (literally, the approach road is dust). This turns out to be a blessing when you consider that some of Siem Reap is decidedly too brash. The neighbourhood seems authentic and not at all threatening. The first thing that strikes you when you enter the hotel is the superb garden, which is like a tropical paradise. It is a delightful place to come back after a hot day at the temples. The puppy and two rabbits add a very charming and slightly comic touch. There is a very nice, but small, pool. The rooms are exquisite. Incredibly tasteful, stylish, comfortable, and the staff are willing to customise to individual needs (e.g. twin versus double bed). The restaurant is outside, with very nice food, beautifully presented. We requested local fruits they don't normally serve, and they went out of their way to buy them from the local market. The management is attentive, full of good advice, can arrange local tours however you want to do it, and is very friendly without being at all intrusive. All in all, if you like boutique hotels which are relaxing and authentic, you will absolutely love this place."

Glenburn Tea Estate: "One of the most amazing places we have ever stayed"

"We stayed at Glenburn for a long weekend. It was an unbelievable experience. Set in a truly unique location the estate is immaculately kept. Very nice rooms with magnificent views. The dining room is one very large table where all quests eat together. The food is excellent. The estate arranged various trips for us. They are very accommodating. We took a long walk down hill, several hours through absolutely gorgeous tea plantations. At the bottom Glenburn estate has a little cottage where lunch (with cold beers!) was served. We could have walked back up, but chose to drive back up. Very convenient. its the perfect place to unwind and relax and get a feel for this unique part of India."

Manukan Island Resort: "Staff are there main asset"

"We visited here for a 4 night short holiday at the end of our main holiday in Malaysia. We were very impressed with all the staff at the resort. They excel in customer service and really do go out of there way to make your stay enjoyable. We made some comments about the breakfast ( not covered / few flies buzzing around) - it was addressed straightway, professionally. The chalet we had was very nice and enjoyed having our little beach to come and go as we please. Everywhere is very clean. The island it self doesn't have a huge choice of things to do, other than snorkel, and is definitely bring a book place. The island is busy during the day with day trippers but it's great at night when you get it you self - you get to wander about, sat on the jetty watching the fish. There a few good food choices - the main restaurant is good - slightly more expressive than mainland but then food is imported. You might get tired of the menu after a few days - a refresh or daily specials would be good. It's doesn't offer a huge number of options for families but if you just want somewhere to relax and watch the world go by with excellent services I would recommend."

Neeleshwar Hermitage: "This is the hotel I am always looking for"

I had a very warm welcome in the resort my room is beautiful I would better say this is a villa in a lovely magnificent garden near the huge wonderful pool overlooking the ocean dot The room is very spacious with a huge bed sitting area working table and lovely attached bathroom outside with a great bathtub and shower with all the great amenities you can imagine. The room Setup is magnificent with the beautiful flower decoration. I really love this please just highly can recommend it.

Reverie Siam: "Paradise in a small town"

"RS was an amazing hotel in a very busy small town. It was truly wonderful to escape back to after a tiring day in the heat and humidity of Pai. The staff here are so welcoming and very accommodating. They greet you so warmly all the time. The shuttle tuk tuk was also very handy as it is almost impossible to find taxis when walking the streets of Pai. The breakfast menu was very impressive. Everything cooked to order. Try the Pai scramble. We took the family room which had the largest bathroom I have seen for such a size hotel. Beds were very comfortable and all the locals amenities provided in the bathroom are very nice touches. The soaps were great - lemongrass and coconut, all locally sourced and natural"

Talabgaon Castle: "A countryside oasis"

The resort is about an hour out of Jaipur in truly rustic rural surroundings. The castle has been very tastefully restored and the entire property is very well maintained. Being a small resort, it is idea as a very peaceful getaway. The food is very good.

Rachamankha: "Inner city oasis"

"Rachamankha is more than a boutique hotel – it is an architectural master piece and a very comfortable oasis right in the middle of Chiang Mai`s hustle and bustle. The rooms are nicely decorated in a very tasteful mix of antiques from different parts and time periods of the world. Everything has been done in a very comfortable way. Attention to detail is visible all around the grounds. During our 7 night´s stay at the Rachamankha we enjoyed the view to the pool from our room and considering that it is located in the middle of the city it is very quiet during the night. The breakfast at the elegant restaurant consisted of a delicious variety of cooked dishes from the menu and a small buffet. The dinner menu offered a wide range of international and Thai dishes which tasted well but not outstanding. To avoid misunderstandings it would be perfect if the waiters would speak a little bit more English."

Discover Muang La | Visit Laos | Luxury & Boutique Hotel: "A great resort in Northern Laos"

We had no idea what to expect but the resort proved to be beautiful. It is at the confluence of two rivers and has its own hot water spring. The staff are delightful, the gardens lovely and the rooms outstanding. But in fact the best feature of all is the food. The breakfast is fine but it is the set five course dinner which stars - a fascinating fusion of Lao and Western tastes. Lovely herbs and spices but not too much chilli! It is difficult to get to but well worth the effort. Highly recommended for those who want to get away from it all in great comfort amid stunning scenery.

Rahai’i Pangun: "3D/2N River cruise"

"My wife and I took a 3D/2N river cruise with Wow Borneo in February 2017. The boat was clean and comfortable. We had the superior cabin, which included a double bed and private bathroom. All the guest cabins were air conditioned. 3 meals a day were served on the main deck. The chef aboard was excellent! We certainly never went away hungry. The crew and guide were excellent. Our guide spoke excellent English, which was a major help since we speak very little Bahasa Indonesia. She was also very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and also the local culture. She had a really sharp eye for spotting animals on the shore as we passed. Of course the main attraction was the chance to see Orangutans. We were not disappointed. We say them every day of the cruise, and at one point saw 6 in one location. There were also numerous monkeys and birds. This was the best tour we have been on in our year in Indonesia. I highly recommend it."