Guest Reviews

Maison Polanka: "An oasis of calm in Siem Reap’s Disneyland"

"We stayed at Maison Polanka for the final four nights of a three-week tour to Vietnam and Cambodia. From the moment we arrived, the staff were charming and welcoming, and they could not have done anything more to make us at home during our all-too-brief stay. Any time we ventured out, there was invariably a warm smile and a cool, refreshing serviette awaiting our return. It felt not as though we were going back to the hotel, but rather, as though we were going back home. We were allocated the lovely Yellow Room, which was equipped with all we needed and very comfortable. Siem Reap has over 1,000 hotels, many of them seemingly large and impersonal, all lined up alongside each other and vying for business. Maison Polanka, situated in a quiet back street not far from the centre of town, has just five guest rooms, a beautiful open-air dining terrace, a beautiful swimming pool, and several bicycles, should one feel the urge to go out and explore. . We felt incredibly blessed to have landed up at this jewel. Staff addressed us by our first names, and absolutely nothing was too much trouble, including an impromptu staff choir and cake to celebrate my birthday! The food on the terrace was beautifully prepared, breakfast was a real treat, and when we went out early, a packed breakfast was beautifully prepared. We had enjoyed several lovely hotels in Vietnam, but this was an entirely different experience, and ended up being the icing on the cake! It was a personal service par excellence, where one always felt among friends. To really enjoy your stay in Cambodia, you can do no better than to head for Maison Polanka."

MesaStila: "Heavenly Abode"

Firstly, you are surrounded by 7 mountains. The scenery at MesaStila is breathtaking. This is the Java you have been searching for. You are also on the grounds of a working, organic coffee plantation, whose history dates back to the Dutch times in Java. Afternoons are my favourite here (yes, I am a long term fan of this place and have been visiting since 2001) and you can wallow around the original colonial plantation house, which is drenched in the afternoon sun and as the light softly fads and disappears behind the towering mountains you are served a "high tea" - a complimentary coffee and tea service just to make you really feel at home. It is a real experience staying here. I would recommend flying into Semerang, as its only 45 mins on the toll road. The service is impeccable and the villas which grace the grounds are spacious and all antique, lovingly presented with the finest of antiques. You simply have to go.

Tugu Lombok: "SIMPLY AMAZING!"

"Hotel Tugu Lombok has to be seen to be believed! The grounds, buildings and rooms are delightful, as is the natural setting - everything seemed like an adventure with something new to discover at every turn. While the hotel is not new or slick it is authentic and conveys a sense of being in Indonesia perfectly (rather than just feeling you are staying in a generic international resort). But this hotel's merits are really in the care, attention and genuine sense of hospitality displayed by the amazing staff. Everyone knows your name and likes/dislikes on day one, are super friendly but also know how to be unobtrusive if you seek privacy. There are also lots of activities that can be arranged should you wish to explore the area but it is actually very hard to tear yourself away from your new perfect ""home"", not the mention the shock of going back into the real world when it is time to sadly leave! This is our 2nd stay at a Tugu hotel (Tugu Bali is equally gorgeous) and as each seemed to very much have their own character we are planning a Tugu tour of Indonesia in the future to experience the country's culture, art and cuisine in the best possible way! Room Tip: Apenam Bungalows are in a quiet area facing a lovely grassy lawn and close to a huge, very unique..."

Rachamankha: "Breathtaking Buildings and Grounds"

"The Rachamankha Hotel is the most beautifully designed hotel at which we have ever stayed - an architecture and design lover’s dream. People are literally taken aback when they drive through the gates and see the front entranceway with a huge fabric panel flapping in the wind. We stayed in a ground floor room with incredibly high ceilings, a huge bathroom, and big, stylish dark wooden furniture and doors. Rachamanhka has all your modern amenities but each detail is tied beautifully together by its historic Chinese and Thai aesthetic. In the courtyard just outside our room, the welcoming seating area as well as the plants, paths and pieces of art, worked together to make us feel calm and relaxed. This is the only time we’ve ever stayed in and ordered drinks just to hang out in a hotel’s courtyard! The pool was beautiful and perfect for cooling off after a long day in the sun. Or you can just lay in the poolside chairs and have a drink with a book in hand. It’s easy to walk to many things, or just grab a tuk-tuk for a quick ride. Highly recommend staying here if you want a relaxing, luxurious time in Chiang Mai. Stayed March 2017, traveled as a couple"

Tugu Malang: "Life in the old time"

"When I arrived here, it felt like through back the time. The lobby feels like dutch with chinese interior in several point. All the employees wearing traditional uniform, looks so elegant, charming, and humble. This hotel build with fussion of Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, and Dutch. There are several statues, painting, and several old stuffs so it feels like life in the museum. Stayed February 2017, traveled with friends"

Sanak Retreat Bali: "simple luxuries"

It may be unpretensious, ethical, and eco-friendly - but don't presume for a moment that Sanak Retreat isn't as beautifully designed and sumptuous as a high end hotel. Forged by the friendship between a local Balinese and a French businessman, the beauty of Sanak Retreat is the loving thought that has gone into every detail. It's the simple things after all that mean so much - the sweet sounds of the rice fields as dusk falls, the sensuous vivid green that surrounds you when the sun rises, the joyful bubbling of the river that runs through the property, the cool mountain air (and no mossies). The beautifully crafted timber villas are decorated with Indonesian textiles and wooden furnishings assembled by an astute collector, giving each room a sense of personal intimacy, and wifi and digital facilities are cutting edge. Local coffee and teas are generously provided. Every standing point has a view over the undulating highly oxygenated valley clear of both modern buildings and any hint of traffic noise. The retreat is deeply immersed in the local community, running a successful plastic recycling project with village children. And the restaurant offers a world class menu, including an extraordinary lemongrass creme brulee and a fine wine list. They will even bake you gluten free bread and pizza with a little warning, but local seafood is also fresh and delicious. There is a gentle, connected sense of calm and beauty here that you will be hard pressed to experience anywhere else in Bali. The spa facilities and private dining gazebo were created by die-hard romantics. And yet nothing is tizzy or florid. Good taste after all, is worth its weight in gold - or rice. And with several pools and lots of local treks, this is also a great place to holiday with children.

Hotel Tugu Malang: "Amazing hotel amazing staff"

"Our stay at Tugu owned hotel in Blitar was our first introduction to the chain. Knowing little about the area prior to our arrival in Indonesia we thought we might as well stick with the same chain for our subsequent Malang visit and we are happy we did. We were utterly impressed by the quality which we think deserves some publicity for others to experience themselves, especially for travellers who seek out low key (read: reasonably priced) and independently owned boutique accommodation. From the moment we arrived until the time we departed friendly staff were around to ensure our comfort. Tugu hotels contain local history. But what stood out for us is how they made us feel comfortable. An early morning incident exemplified why our praise of the chain. Unbeknownst to the staff the team of a visiting official had a very loud sound system test at 3 in the morning across from the hotel. Upon inquiry staff was immediately on hand to relocate us to another room for a few hours of quiet rest. This was followed by numerous apologies by different staff we encountered next day in each corner of the premise. The ultimate apology was when we were upgraded to an incredible suite for our second night despite our assurance that we were alright in our original room. We travel extensively and stay at many different hotel/Airbnb accommodations. Such a response stands out and is cherished. And one more thing. On top of the great service they offer afternoon tea offering local tea and coffee and assortments of local sweets and treats. To us that’s what sweet memories are made of."

Rachamankha: "Surrounded by tasteful chinese art"

Its hard to imagine that this secret retreat is in the heart of Chaing Mai - The hotel is absolutely gorgeous - exquisite - so charming - the furniture is to die for - so tasteful - my husband and I adored our stay there - and because it was so central - we were able to visit the market by foot just 5 mins away. What a gem this place is - and I loved the symmetry - wow just awesome. Food was fab - and every afternoon my hubby and I would just sit and drink tea and soak it all in. Loved the place

The Apsara Rive Droite: "Charming boutique hotel"

Located just across its sister hotel, The Apsara, the Rive Droithe is located in a quiet part, less touristy area of Luang Prabang. The hotel manager, Hann, is delightful and friendly. Good breakfast, friendly service, charming French colonial style buildings, nice pool, and good dinner selection if you do not feel like venturing into town at night, although please note that the selection is less compared to the Apsara across the river. Also please note, although the wifi is pretty good, not all rooms can receive wifi reception. Overall, a very good boutique hotel in Luang Prabang

Supanniga Luxury Bangkok River Cruises: "Amazing cruise with fabulous food"

We had an amazing dinner with very romantic atmosphere and a perfect service. We enjoyed the food and champagne a lot!