Guest Reviews

Samanea Beach Resort: "Great place"

The pier is the star attraction, best place in Kep to experience sunset and because of the small amount of rooms available the resort is never crowded, there are always available beds around the pool. All in all affording a feeling of exclusivity rarely experienced at larger resorts.

Misool Eco Resort: "Simply splendid"

Torn as to whether to share info about this place, or keep it a secret. Stayed here in April-2014 with my partner, in water cottage number 5. The location is spectacular and the resort is just lovely. Decent food (excellent wines), high end facilities, and wonderful/friendly staff. It is truly impressive to see what the owners have accomplished here, up to and including the engagement of local stakeholders/residences to make this place part of the local community. Oh, and the diving is truly high-end... Diving is second-best ever, following Sipadan, but all in, this place was a notch above. This, and Auberge du Manoir in Chamonix France, are the only places I/we intend to revisit. Congratulations to the owners, on an impressive undertaking.

Reverie Siam: "Pure indulgence"

"My wife and I absolutely lover our stay here. I would go as far to stay it is the nicest hotel/resort we have ever stayed in. We chose the villa with your own private hot tub looking out over the gardens - highly recommended! The pool areas are gorgeous and peaceful. The food is all top class... Highlights for me were the coconut waffles for lunch and the meat tapas board for a late lunch. Also live music every night was a nice touch when enjoying dinner and wine. We hired a motorbike but the hotel have a free shuttle to take you in and out of Pai. Thanks to all the staff for welcoming us, we had a great time :) "

Nam Bo Boutique Hotel: "The sort of place where an author could hide away and write a best seller!"

"This is a simply appointed, French influenced, comfortable and very convivial Boutique Hotel with 9 spacious suites just across the road, pier and gardens from the Mekong. Actually, the establishment is more of a restaurant than an hotel because the lower two floors are given over to everyday dining and the rooftop is host to L'Escale, a discreet eatery offering more sophisticated fare. It's also serves Breakfast to guests. Watching early morning activity on the river, we agreed with fellow guests that both breakfast and view were stunning. The two lower restaurants were constantly busy however the sounds of diners having fun did not reach our rooms on the upper floors. You can't please everybody all the time of course and doubtless some will want plushier surroundings, however for us Nambo met key criteria for the Delta: Cool, Quiet, Tasty, Friendly and Reasonable! Internet trouble: no problems; no fuss - Receptionist showed up with a dedicated router - Service with a friendly smile!"

Tugu Malang: "The best hotel in the world + Unique Indonesian Vibe"

"I have been in countless hotels of all styles. Tugu made it to the top of my preferred stays list impressing me not for a day or two, but for 20 days of the perfect treatment and incredible structure. They have a touch of kindness and detail everyday! Little fresh flowers in your room. Complimentary local fruits. Impeccable cleanliness. Gorgeous traditional decoration. Little message every night. You have a spa, with different types of treatment available. A temple, business convention center, 24 h international and local restaurant/ bar with more than 150 wines, bakery, event center, swimming pool, boutique, antiques shop, all surrounded by a collection of the finest Dutch and Indonesian artifacts. 49 rooms served by 100 happy smiley team. You will feel like a king. And they all speak good English! Go if: you like to stay in a place that you can feel like home. With kind helpful people. And different options for relaxation and meals. In a very traditional unique atmosphere. Don't go if: you are a lean freak and prefer to stay in an international chain with no personal treatment. Attention: you can ask for a tour in the hotel. For free! Visiting (and maybe staying) in the presidential suit is pure entertainment. Congratulations to all staff, but special thanks to Rachel, Richard, Ratna, Daniel, John, Aris, Wahyu, Handy and all the girls from the front desk. Never change!"

Maison Polanka: "Maison Polanka: A Sanctuary in a Temple Town"

Maison Polanka is for those who prefer the serenity of a haven, something authentic and real, intimate and independent. The boutique hotel is just as elegant as the Intercontinental in Danang, as carefully and imaginatively conceived, but way, way smaller, just five rooms to the many villas and suites on Intercontinental’s water-front acreage on Monkey Mountain. Down to the smallest detail, the design and style of the hotel is a reflection of the owners’ life, that is to say, intricately linked to Asian and Cambodian crafts for over 20 years: a private collection of paintngs and photographs from Khmer, Asian, and European artists, the Art Deco and 1950s furniture and objects sourced since 1992, all found their natural home and function in the renovated “Maison” and “Khmer House.” The whole hotel is just two those Cambodian-style – read stilted – teak villas set inside spacious, lush, tropical, and best of all, secret gardens that sit behind a tall wall, which shuts out the hullabaloo that marks the start of high season.If what you are after are the temple adventures Siem Reap has to offer, Angkor Wat the crown jewel, then Maison Polanka is just a short drive from that UNESCO World Heritage Center.Upon your return home you will be tired (very, the wake-up call is generally 4 a.m. so your guide can get you there for sunrise) and sweaty (when it’s not pouring frogs, Cambodia is hot and humid), so a restorative dip in the hotel’s cool, crisp infinity pool will feel great. Or a massage.The spa is a temple within this temple. Is it possible to square serenity?The restaurant sala is next to the pool, its menu, owner Nathalie assured us, features authentic family recipes, largely her own. She also told me an aunt owns a restaurant in Boston and a cousin wrote a Cambodian recipe book. Meals at Maison Polanka are prepared by Pich, a woman who has been the family chef for 20 years.We found the menu choices all so good – a perfect caesar salad, fried spring rolls, steamed rice, stir-fried squid with peppercorns, a Khmer chicken curry, caramelized pork with an egg and rice, stir-fried eggs and veggies for breakfast, beef loc lac– we chose to eschew the many fine options Siem Reap has to offer foodies and instead, have all our meals, including several candlelit dinners, at Maison Polanka next to the pool, which at night is lit by votive candles.

Muang La Lodge: "A little peace of paradise in northern Laos"

It takes a bit of effort to get there, but its secludeness is also part of its charm. The staff of this beautiful resort with only ten rooms does everything to make your stay pleasant and memorable. There are no strict rules, except for enjoying yourself as much as possible. If you would like to stay in a tranquil, beautiful and comfortable resort and value quality over quantity, this is the place to be. Especially the five course dinner which combines the best of French and Asian cuisine is worth mentioning. If you prefer an easy getaway with all standard 5-star hotel facilities and an all-you-can-eat buffet, this is not the place for you.

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."

4 Rivers Floating Lodge: "The Hidden Gem on the River of Tatai Waterfall"

"I rarely reviewed any hotels unless it's an outstanding hotel, but my stay at 4 Rivers last week was unforgettable, such a beautiful resort set on the river Tatai along the Cardamom Mountain, the tents is just a beautiful set up while every is so attentive start from the moment we arrived the check in lounge on mainland, everyone make sure that we are really comfortable during the stay Let mentioned about the responsible of the staff, I went for dinner but when I arrived back at the tent, my bed was made up, they sprayed the mosquito spray also burnt the scent About the resort itself, it like living close to the nature, wake up next to the mountain but inside your own luxury tent I would pay a visit again one time soon to the resort, very highly recommend"

Misool Eco Resort: "Paradise"

After 8 flight connections and a 4 hour boat ride from the US, this place was just paradise! The passion that these 2 individuals have for this area of the world is evident in their respect and protection of the ecobalance of nature...from the use of only fallen logs for the buildings and furniture to the use of natural bacteria and plant life to filter the water services. The food was wonderful with a local influence and nice variety. The staff were from the surrounding and some far away villages and so very friendly. (...) Our dive guides on our boat, Marafel and Ferry, were so great to hang out with. So fun and friendly, and knowledgeable of the reefs and fishes! They even rescued our camera after we got excited with the mantas on our safety stop. Even though we don't know their names, all the behind the scenes staff were wonderful in making this vacation so relaxing and exciting at the same time! Even if you're not a diver, the house reef is wonderful for snorkeling and the view from the water cottages is breathtaking! We would go back in a heartbeat and I urge you to go and see this piece of paradise for yourself!! Terri F., St Jacob, IL