Guest Reviews

Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: "A special experience"

This was I think my favourite hotel ever. It is beautiful, it is well run, it is well-located, its existence is crucial to the history and culture of Penang. The restoration is superb. It was a joy and privilege to stay here.

Muang La Resort: "An amazing experience"

A charming hotel, beautiful setting and very attentive service. The rooms are spacious and beautifully furnished. The hotel staff offered us not just terrific hospitality but also a glimpse into the local life. We spent three unforgettable nights in the hotel and will certainly return , one day, not just for the warmth of the staff but also for the excellent dishes prepared by the chef Mme Phat and her assistants.

Sanak Retreat Bali: "No shopping, no need to go out to eat, just stay here and relax"

"We were so happy with our time here - five nights in such a remote location might not appeal to all, but we loved it. After a long drive from the airport (unfortunately on a holiday Sunday which extended the time), we were charmed by our greeting. Although we'd booked a one bedroom villa, we were delighted to be given a two bedroom with a choice of a king size bed both upstairs and downstairs - or we could pick and choose! We also had a choice of three balconies to sit on - to watch the sunrise or sunset if we wished. The rooms are very comfortable - deliberately not with every 5 star inclusion - but we found out that if we lacked something we could request it and it was willingly provided. All rooms are furnished with Balinese art and objects and most are available for purchase (good if you miss the shops!). The spa also has a great range of desirable objects for purchase. Talking of the spa, I managed to fit in 4 treatments and was lucky enough to find Wayan for my first and then book In with him again. He is a wonderful intuitive masseur and had a good insight into the treatment that was best for me and also gave me some practical advice. In fact, I enjoyed my treatments in Sanak so much (this included a facial on my last day), that I cancelled the massage I'd booked in Ubud and don't feel the need for any more at the moment. Maybe I'll change when we move to Seminyak later this week! We took two of the tours offered by Sanak - one was a trek with a local guide - around the nearby village and then down to the waterfall for a swim. If I'd realized this involved hundreds of steps down a steep path (my husband tells me I'm exaggerating), I probably wouldn't have done it! However, our guide, Arca, constantly helped me down stony steps and across streams patiently holding my hand tightly. It is a beautiful waterfall and refreshing, unfortunately there had been a lot of rain the previous night, so the climb was a bit slippery too, and also the rocks around the waterfall were still wet so there was nowhere to sit and difficult to change in and out of our costumes on such rocky ground. Arca carried towels and water for us, which was great. We also took a tour with Giusti - very knowledgeable and personable - we chose to visit the hot springs ((public baths), the Buddhist temple and then Lovina beach. We bought delicious fish & chips from the Buda Bakery at Lovina and sat with Giusti on the black sand to watch the sunset and the full moon come out. The food at Sanak was excellent and well priced, and we didn't mind at all that we couldn't visit a different restaurant every night. There are a few dishes you need to order 24 hours in advance and we can particularly recommend them - the Balinese duck and another chicken dish - they were both excellent. Breakfast is generous although the service could be a little more leisurely in such a tranquil setting. Sebastian, ably helped by Neni, heads up a great team and all the staff are charming and extremely helpful including purchasing some local goods on our behalf. Our farewell was as warm as our welcome and we do hope to return there one day."

The River Resort: "Quite possibly the most beautiful place we’ve stayed"

"This resort is spectacular. I simply cannot fault it. The welcome was very warm and friendly. We were upgraded to a River front room which was glorious! The room is amazing - modern, light, spotlessly clean, indoor outdoor shower, most comfortable bed I've been in! The restaurant food is beautiful. Big serves and quality produce. Their homemade yogurt at breakfast is beautiful. I didn't want to leave. You must stay here! We also got picked up from Pakse, a free massage each, and dropped over to the other side of the river to catch a bus to 4000 islands."

The Village House: "Best homestay in Kuching, Sarawak"

"Approximately 40 mins from Kuching International airport to The Village House (taxi ride is about MYR60/ car). This place is a total gem, very well hidden (no kidding as there's nothing much to explore around this homestay except for a quiet beach). If you're going for a short weekend to relax & chill with friends or couple, then this would probably be the best choice but if you're thinking to have a party there, maybe not unless you've pre-booked all their rooms! Food and drinks (Tiger/ Heineken beer per bottle is about MYR15 each) are available from morning till 10:30pm at night only (so pre-ordered your food/ drinks before they closed). Staff will clocked off after 10:30pm (Bar/ Cafe will be closed) but 1 of the staff who's staying next to this place is easily located incase of any emergency. I must say their sandwiches & Nasi Goreng Kampung is amazing but Potato wedges (do not try this if you're a big fan of wedges!) & Sarawak Curry Laksa definitely needs some improvement. Prices are affordable. (You can have your food billed to your room & make payment only when you check-out. Visa/ Master card accepted but with 3% surcharge incurred. AMEX not acceptable unfortunately). Rooms & bathroom (attached) are very clean and the air-condition can get pretty strong if you've it switched on the whole day (warning!). The only problem is they've very thin walls if you do not want to be heard by next door or anyone downstairs! They've extremely helpful and attentive staff here named Ms.Aliffah and Flora as they've helped us get our missing mobile phones (left it near the pool area at night), call and arrange our transportation. If you're not a local like me, you can even get some travel tips from them! The nearest sightseeing place is Sarawak Culture Village which is about 10 mins drive away (Daytime transportation is about MYR5/ way by car). If you want to explore downtown city centre, it'll be about 30 mins car ride (that'll cost you MYR60/ car per way). Do ensure you make prior transportation arrangement with the staff as there's seriously no transportation available there. I'm already missing this place and just can't wait to be back!"

Rahai’i Pangun: "The most AMAZING travel experience I’ve ever had"

"My friend and I booked a 3 day/2 night cruise through Tanjung Puting National Park to visit the orangutan feeding stations. We left from Kumai and spent 3 of the most amazing days of our trip on the river, in the jungle and seeing the monkeys, orangutans and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Our crew were a sensational group of people and made the trip so much fun. Our tour guide Ari was so knowledgable about the area and knew the orangutans by name. We had one of the best cooks who consistently produced meal after meal of the most amazing fresh food. Sitting on the boat and cruising down the river made us feel like royalty. We were well looked after by the crew and they took great interest in pointing out wildlife along the way and involving us in different aspects of the trip. I cannot recommend this experience more highly to anyone thinking about a similar trip or experience. A number of reviewers have commented on the congestion of tour boats on the river detracting from their experience. We found the complete opposite. We loved the feeling of community during our trip and interacting with other tourists and crews, and sharing this rich experience with them. WOW Borneo were a pleasure to deal with from start to finish. They were easy to get in touch with and always responded to our questions within hours. If you're looking for a tour provider, WOW Borneo is a great option."

Supanniga Eating Room: "Excellent"

We were brought here by local Bangkok contacts. We tried a variety of items off the menu, and everything was on point!! Very clean and cute restaurant. Staff was friendly and attentive.

Manda De Laos: "Most treasured dinner in Luang Prabang"

"This is a highlight of any visit to Luang Prabang! We had to cancel our Romantic Menu dinner reservation at the table in the middle of the UNESCO classified Lilly Pond due to unforeseen circumstances, but Manda de Laos was kind enough to move our reservation to the following night, albeit with losing our spot on the island. No problem! They seated us on the open terrace directly adjacent to the pond - an exquisite setting! While the Amuse Bouche was a nice touch, the hors d'oeuvre raised the experience even further: Laab Moo Ping (BBQ pork balls with lemongrass and coriander), Neam Jeun (crispy spring rolls), Ping Kai (BBQ chicken) and Koi Pa (fish salad). While it would have been more of a fine dining experience to received these appetizers individually, it was still delicious. The main course consisted of Or Lam (a Laotian chicken stew with the fascinating ingredient Sakhane, which when bitten into leaves a distinct tingling sensation on the tongue!), Mok Pa (deliciously aromatic fish steamed in banana leaves), Ping Sin (buffalo steak), Ping Dook Moo (spare ribs), Pak (stir-fried vegetables, delicious!) and Khao Khati (crunchy coconut rice). For desert, we had Choux Kuay (a banana cream pie), followed by a delicious coffee. We paired with the house Chardonnay and a Syrah. Manda de Laos also included two cocktails with the menu. It was a thoroughly spectacular evening!"

NEELESHWAR: "Heavenly peace!"

"Everything about the Hermitage was wonderful - the room, the bed, the pillows, the care taken to make sure everything was perfect, the food, the off site activities offered ( alt bought these were expensive) Forewarned, we had pre- ordered full board to avoid a large bill at the end so that worked out well. Highlight was a trip to the jungle to see a Theyam ceremony. Unforgettable! The sea was like a warm bath, the food and company and the pool were all excellent. One recommendation though - mosquito burners in the spa reception area. Can't wait to return - think about it every day! "

Satri House: "Exquisite"

This is a warm and welcoming place that feels like a secret hideaway with attention to detail in all areas. The spotless grounds and beautiful gardens create a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The staff was always ready to make our stay the best possible experience by helping with any and all details from transportation to making sure we had bedside water and fruit in our room every night. This is the place to stay in Luang Prabang if you get the opportunity to visit.