Guest Reviews

Manda De Laos: "Excellent but pricey"

"We were unaware that reservations were necessary but they were very accommodating and set up an extra table for us. We tried one of the sets for two but there was so much excellent food we were unable to finish it all. We did squeeze in the wonderful dessert though! The service was top notch but if you opt to have some wine or beer be prepared to pay top dollar or in this case kip. The total cost was what one would pay in a western country but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will return the next time we are in the area. "

Manda De Laos: "Great evening"

A wonderful showcase of traditional Laos food using local ingredients, flair and passion to present Lao cuisine.

Bassac Cruises: "The perfect Mekong overnight cruise"

"We travelled on Bassac III from Can Be (2.5 hrs from Ho Chi Min) to Can Tho (4 hr return to Ho Chi Min). It's a lovely boat with very friendly staff and excellent food. We arrived in pouring rain so the staff made sure we were 'umbrella-ed' from shore to boat. The rooms are small, as they'd said, but so charming that we didn't notice. We did the right thing by leaving our main luggage in Ho Chi Min, so we only had a small case. The bathroom is a 'wet room', which looked like it'd soak everything but it didn't: it worked brilliantly! The cruise route was clearly explained and very interesting, including a guided walk around a very small Mekong hamlet to see their homes, fields and farming, school, rice wine distillery and even how they harvest methane! We were treated to a huge selection of local fruit in a local garden before re-boarding. In the morning, we toured a floating market in a 'bus boat' which was fascinating. The river is very smooth so the cruise was too, despite frequent downpours and a bit of gale at supper time. Excellent food - and lots of it - and a really friendly and interesting guide. Our cruise was full with 24 people on it (4 the day before and 2 the next day!) and we were beautifully looked after throughout. Definitely recommend this trip!"

tugu bali: "The Secret Retreat!"

"This is our 2nd stay at Tugu. We enjoyed it so much we couldn't resist another stay. Although it is a little more expensive the Tugu ""offer"" is unique. You can lie in your own private space overlooking the sea without being annoyed by hawkers and just watch the surfers, or lie by the pool in privacy. The perfect getaway. We were fortunate enough to experience the cultural evening which presented us with 3 dances - so amazing and professional - a totally memorable experience. We used the hotel driver to take us to Seminyak on a couple of occasions - he was polite, courteous and perfect in every way. Thank you Tugu - your staff our amazing...well done Jenny. Good luck with the Living Wall construction, we look forward to seeing it in the future."

Reverie Siam: "Quality hotel in Pai"

"Beautiful hotel just outside the village of Pai. It felt like a true oasis in Northern Thailand. Every morning we were served the most amazing a la carte breakfast, delicious. There are two beautiful swimming pools where we relaxed the first day after the long scooter ride from Chiang Mai. Very low prices for food and cocktails, you would expect to pay a lot more in a 5 star hotel ike this. Only a short scooter ride to the village with many restaurants and bars. Here we discovered Northern Thailands, in our opinion most delicious dish: Khao Soi Gai. It can found in the main street where the night market is: two people are cooking on the street and they have a 'restaurant' behind them. They only prepair Pad Thai & Khao Soi Gai. Only 50B! Amazing. Please note that in the hotel only Western style food is served, no Thai food. If you want to relax a little also this is the perfect hotel to stay at in Pai. "

Muang La Lodge: "A magical property in a hidden oasis"

"Muang La Lodge was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Everything was splendid - the onsite hot spring baths, magnificent views, swimming pool on a private island in the river, well-appointed, luxurous rooms and wonderful variety of food. The staff were impeccable - the two young French managers, Raphael and Matilde, were outstanding in their work as our hosts, and the local staff who supported them couldn't have been more friendly and delight to be around. Every morning I awoke to the sound of the river going by and loved watching the scenes of natures beauty right outside my door. The little pet monkey, Cookie, who was rescued by the owner as a baby, was a great source of fun and delight for me also. We did some incredible tours of the local area through the Lodge guides. An absolute MUST if you are there. It made for one of the most special travel experiences of my lifetime. Travelling to the high country tribal villages was a as educational as it was magnificent. If you are after a holiday with a difference, this is truly the place to visit. I would recommend this journey to everyone."

Locavore: "A “must” dining experience"

My husband and I went to Lacovore for lunch to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary and were very glad we did, it was one of the best dining experiences we have had anywhere. The booking process is very professional with follow up emails about what to expect, dress standards and how long the booking will be held for should guests be late. I have a food allergy and this was also followed up and discussed when we arrived. We chose the 7 course degustation menu, my husband the meat option and myself the vegetarian. However there were 4 appetisers before the first listed course and a pre and post dessert appetiser providing 13 courses in total. By the end we were full but the course sizes were such that we weren't unpleasantly so. Each dish was described when it arrived and all used ingredients local to the area, Bali and Indonesia. The cocktails also utilised local ingredients. Every dish had the perfect balance of flavours and textures and was beautifully presented. The waiting staff were attentive without being intrusive, friendly and professional. While it is not a cheap dining experience it is a highly recommended one. Book early however to ensure a booking, even for lunch. Dinner is often booked out weeks in advance.

JING’S RESIDENCE: "Great Property!"

The highlight of our trip to Pingyao was experiencing Jing's Residence. The accommodations, staff, food, and service were 5 star all the way. Mr. Hadianas, the General Manager, and his excellent staff made you feel like one of the family. It is the ONLY place to consider when staying in Pingyao. Experience authentic old world charm while luxuriating in modern conveniences and amenities. A truly wonderful property. I highly recommend it.

The Village House: "Wonderful boutique accommodation"

"Had a wonderful stay at the Village House. It has all the right ambience for a stay in Sarawak. Ideal for visitors who want to trek Mt Santubong, as they provide a shuttle going to and back from the start of the trail. The breakfast included in your room payment is fantastic and their lunch and dinner menu are just right if you want to try Malay and local cuisine. Room Tip: Rooms near the pool are ideal if you like the sound of flowing water"

The Cabochon Hotel: "Charming and Comforting"

"So relieved every time we got back to the hotel from the hot streets of Bangkok. A great experience in comfort and service. Simple breakfast but pretty nice and complete. The Design and atmosphere are de real winners at this place. Location its also a good feature, not down at the center of the City but not to far. A good center point of new and upcoming attractions and the resto of the neighborhoods. Very recomendable."