Guest Reviews

Rice & Zen Boutique Resort: "Southern Thailand Island Beauty"

"We arrived in a monsoon to Koh Samui - an island with a harmonious blend of lush tropical nature, pristine beaches and friendly people. We stayed for four nights at Sea Dance Resort - an intimate boutique resort featuring thatched roof bungalows with private pools and garden cottages located at Hanuman Bay, one of Koh Samui’s most tranquil locations. Our ocean front villa with private (!) plunge pool was an oasis of luxury and calm.The main pool was also lovely - we arrived just at the end of the rainy season so the resort only had a handful of people staying there so more often than not the we had the pool and loungers to ourselves. The food from the Sea Salt Restaurant was fresh, local and delicious. We loved putting our palates in the hands of the chef and having him cook his favorites - each meal was better than the last! Same goes for the bartender - cocktails were unique, refreshing and a perfect way to cap off days spent exploring the island. A swim up bar with a passion fruit mojito never disappoints! The physical beauty of the place was only surpassed by the friendliness, hospitality and service of Poy and the team of staff who ensured every moment we spent at Sea Dance Resort was bliss. And it was. Room Tip: Sea Shore Pool Villa is secluded and perfect"

Maisons D'Itac: "beautiful property and great staff"

The property is beautiful and the pictures don't really do it justice. It is extremely peaceful and a wonderful place to stay outside of Moalboal. The staff and the community are very welcoming. Overall, a terrific trip and we certainly look forward to our next visit.

Locavore: "One of the best meals we have ever had"

Exquisite 7 course (+ more!) meal, where our nosy eyes got to spy on all the kitchens goings-on. A must visit for anyone looking for a completely unique and flawless dining experience. I won’t divulge too much, just go.

The Cabochon Hotel: "Hotel with an atmosphere"

"Cabochon Hotel is a hidden gem! A hotel with great service and unique atmosphere!. We spent 4 nights with our 3 young boys and everything was delightful, from check-in to assistance in dealing with activities, to great food. We enjoyed a 2 interconnecting bedroom which was ideal for the family. Swimming pool on the roof is the cherry on the cake and works really well with kids! Thanks again to the whole staff for making our stay in Bangkok a fantastic experience! Stayed April 2017, traveled with family"

Summertime Villa: "A delightful stay"

You want a piece of heaven, people say head to Goa. You want a piece of heaven, a place to call your own for few days, head to Summertime in Goa. For me, it was love at first sight. It is tucked in one of the by lanes of Calangute, away from the noise, has a small sprawling drive up to the main house and a private swimming pool to boast. It is built like a Balinese villa, is open, spacious and is extremely welcoming. It has an in house kitchen and a few hours’ notice the help can whip up delicious and scrumptious food. We had biryani, eggs and cold coffee. Yum!! It is close hustle and the bustle and yet offers peace and serenity which is so essential. The hidden and the real gem are the books shelves. They even have books in the chairs. And don’t miss the delightful and fun conversation with the owners. You just wouldn’t wanna leave

Villa Mathis: "Le paradis"

"Un cadre exceptionnel, un accueil parfait, un calme olympien, un décor merveilleux...tout est parfait. Nous n'aurez plus envie de sortir de l'établissement. Le restaurant est génial. Idéal pour vous faire chouchouter en amoureux."

The Cabochon Hotel: "Unique interiors charming staff"

Our room was spacious and unique in interior design. The staff were charming and very helpful. Hotel is small and has the feel of a private club. Good location near major shopping centers and the train.

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."

Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: "とても美しい"

"風水に基づいた設計だけあって、どこにいてもリラックスできました。 スタッフの皆さんがとても親切でした。 朝食も美味しい、フレッシュジュースはとても美味しかった 門に近い部屋だったので、お隣のフードコートの喧騒は聞こえてきませんでした。 飲食店やおみやげ店が近くにあります。"

Mathis Retreat: "Holiday"

A really Fantastic Place for couples! Its quiet and very very Romantic. A Pool placed in the Ricefields and Bungalows with a countryside view. The Bungalows Are high Standard and the Stuff is Well trained. Ubud was the nicest Place on our Trip. Deffenetly coming back to this Great Boutique Hotel!