Guest Reviews

Mathis Retreat: "THIS IS IT!"

"No doubt you will have looked at about 20-30 hotels in Ubud on TripAdvisor and be completely exasperated by the process. Fear not! Your searching HAS COME TO AN END! This is the one! Where to begin. Located just on the outskirts of Ubud, it overlooks pristine rice fields with no other hotels in sight. From the front reception where you are greeted with a welcome drink and refreshment to the high quality rooms and the blissful infinity pool, there is little more you could ask for. Family rooms exist, and the presence of a few children around this small hotel does not distract from the relaxation. The restaurant on site is relaxing and has a high quality food menu that does not break the bank! (Very reasonable actually) The best bits - free to and from shuttle into Ubud centre every hour, tours available via booking at reception (including airport transfers) The 'could be improved' bits - very little, although the internet was a little slow... if you are dependent on this I suggest you need to rethink the meaning of holiday! ;o)"

4 Rivers Floating Lodge: "Relaxation at its best!"

"In real estate it all about location location and location. My husband and I stayed for three days escaping the hustle of Shanghai. Once you arrive at the lodge you realize all the troubles of modern city life just doesn't matter. Each guest becomes a member of your extended family as you hold exciting conversations about their travels over a delicious dinner that changes everyday. Around 9pm everything just goes silent and you will get some of the best sleep you ever had in your life. If you can rise in the morning as the sun climbs over the mountain and enjoy the coolness of the start of the day. Breakfast have a stabled set but staff is willing to alternate for your taste. We decided to see a local school along the river and it makes you appreciate the efforts of the teachers and students to make their society a better place. There are other trips like to the waterfalls and fisherman village that we did on previous visits. A note to travelers, the Tatai waterfalls isnt as strong in Feb due to it not being raining season (we also visited 4Rivers in Sept of 2013 and you get a wonderful natural massage as the water cascades on your body). Visiting 4Rivers gives you an added perspective of life in Cambodia and is a must see on your life list! Stayed February 2017, traveled as a couple"

Neeleshwar Hermitage: "Paradise in Northern Kerala"

"My partner and I stayed at Neeleshwar Hermitage for 4 nights in January. It is a beautiful resort made up of 18 cottages in a remote part of Northern Kerala. The setting is tranquil with the cottages dotted around over 3 acres amongst lush greenery and by a beautiful secluded beach. The cottages were beautifully appointed and modelled on traditional fisherman’s huts. I particularly liked the partially open roofed bathroom. We were welcomed warmly by the wonderful staff who made us feel relaxed and pampered throughout our whole stay. The food was a particular highlight with one restaurant on the beach serving fresh catch of the day seafood dishes and the other serving authentic Keralan and other Indian dishes (the menu changing daily). All dishes were superb. Some of the best food I’ve eaten in India. There is an Ayurvedic doctor on site and she gave us a free consultation about our health and which foods we should be eating and which to avoid as well as advice on exercise. We had a lovely massage there too. Neeleshwar Hermitage was the perfect place for us to relax with a book for three days by the stunning infinity pool overlooking the beach."

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "Amazing experience – excellent service"

"Visited for one night on our honeymoon. Were greeted by the friendly Dhanu who drove us in the jeep to camp. Stayed in a couples tent. Tent was spacious, fans, proper flush toilet next to the tent, shower under the stars (they offer warm water shower). The lunch provided was the best Sri Lankan meal I have had in our holiday in this country. The flavours and variety was specialist. Trying all the different types of vegetables and spices. After lunch we went on our first game drive. We were so lucky to see Leopard resting on branch of tree. Saj was great at spotting the wildlife and very informative about the park, history, leopards etc etc. Lovely dinner under the stars and Noel was also there for the night which was great to meet him. We were up early for the dawn game drive. Again we were very fortunate to see he bears (one which charged the jeep) and 2 Leopards which we saw mating. Amazing experience and very lucky to have these encounters with the wildlife. Overall we had an amazing time and wish we stayed 2 nights. We were lucky to see that variety in wildlife in just 2 game drives. Highly recommend. Thank you to all staff, your service and hospitality was impeccable"

Locavore: "Wonderful Experience, but book ahead or be disappointed"

"Very popular, small, expensive but very very good. We went here for dinner. Thank goodness we had skipped lunch after reading the reviews. We ordered the 5 course Otak-Otak which eventually turned into about 12 dishes as there are delightful little pre/post dinner treats along the way. What a wonderful surprise. The staff are fabulous and explained each dish as each one has it's own quirkiness - a bit fusion east meets west . . . . very tasty. We enjoy the evening very much and after our three hour eating safari we were very full. Would highly recommend for a special dinner or lunch out in Ubud, but do book in advance. No shows and late late comers are fined accordingly."

MesaStila: "Heaven on Earth"

This place is really something special. Spotlessly clean throughout, delicious free breakfast and afternoon tea every day, an extensive dinner menu full of tasty local Javanese dishes, enormous villa with a daybed on the veranda to while away the hours being immersed in the spectacular mountain scenery, a heavenly on-site hammam and spa. I could go on and on! But by far the best aspect of our stay was the staff who went above and beyond the usual service of any resort staff we've ever met, even going so far as to provide a complimentary Tiramisu after one dinner because I'd mentioned it was my favourite the day before! Being so close to the natural and cultural environment of Java complete with omnipresent birdcall and intermittent calls to prayer from the surrounding mosques was nothing short of magical. As was our private trip to Borobudur at dusk (the one time we could drag ourselves out of the resort) which was organised promptly with no fuss. Whilst there are many free activities provided such as a tour of the coffee plantation, yoga etc., relaxation took hold so thoroughly that we didn't join any of them...maybe next time. And since the 7 nights we spent at Mesa Stila was a pleasure from start to finish, there will definitely be a next time.

Neeleshwar Hermitage: "Beautiful & Relaxing"

My new Wife and I visited Neeleshwar Hermitage on one of the last legs of our honeymoon (November 2014). After a hectic few weeks our stay here was much needed! On arrival we were greeted by such friendly staff who throughout our stay were always very helpful and saw to our every need. I honestly can't fault the service. The whole resort is very beautiful and tranquil and the accommodation was amazing. We absolutely loved the bathroom! :D The restaurant was wonderful and so was the food! We really loved our time there and would certainly stay there again. To top it off they send me a birthday card every year. I received the latest one in the post today! Thank you to all at Neeleshwar Hermitage for making our stay and our honeymoon perfect. Chris & Lori.

Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: "Wonderful hotel"

A very beautiful historic boutique hotel. Very cosy with the most helpful staff. Museumpart is very nice.

misool: "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

Jing’s Residence: "Pingyao’s Best Hotel"

The best location in old Pingyao. The hotel is a quiet oasis in the heart of Pingyao. It's rooms are well appointed and very clean and tidy. The hotel facilities are well laid out with a lovely restaurant, bar, spa and quiet reading areas. Its sensitive use of the ancient architecture is a pleasure to relax in, either inside or outside in one of the quiet courtyards. The staff are always there when you need help, but never intrusive or overly attentive. The style is friendly and welcoming. I will recommend this wonderful boutique hotel to all my friends.