Guest Reviews

Glenburn Tea Estate: "A piece of paradise"

"The Glenburn tea estate is in the most beautiful place on earth. On the first day we arrived to a warm welcome and I sat in our room looking over the tea gardens with the Himalayas rising majestically up in to the sky beyond I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Will and Faye were the perfect hosts and Parveez is the most enthusiastic person I have ever heard talk about tea. We learnt a great deal from him and can't wait to stock their delicious Darjeeling tea. We were looked after magnificently by all the staff, (especially Mandeep) and our guides were friendly and helpful and being local were a font of knowledge on all the wildlife and fauna and the ways of life for the people on the estate. We even joined in a game of 'Housey Housey'(Bingo) in the streets with the locals! Every evening we had supper around the large dinning table with the other guests and it was like a special dinner party. We met a wide variety of people from all corners of the globe and it was a lovely way to make new friends. It did not feel like a hotel but more like a home where you were always welcome and nothing was too much trouble. This is a hotel that everyone should have on their bucket list and I just hope we can return again one day."

The Cabochon Hotel: "Calm at the end of a quiet Soi"

With restaurants and bars in the same Soi you can easily not travel far from base if you want! Styled on an old English colonial theme but built in last 10 years, it combines interest, comfort, a great Thai restaurant and a 22m rooftop pool. We stayed in a corner suite that had its own sitting room which was lovely for relaxing. There are many services apartment hotels in the area but this allows you to treat yourself a little with space and a balcony/garden.

Amata Lanna: "an oasis in the rush of Changmai"

If you believe that small is beautiful then you will love this niche hotel. Just twelve large rooms based on the old Northern Lana style - that is teak buildings and platforms around a central pool. The staff are charming and attentive. A place to chill and relax after a busy day

Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: "A Truly Unique And Special Place To Stay"

"The Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion is an incredibly unique hotel. Built in the late 1800’s, the mansion was the family home of Chinese businessman and politician Cheong Fatt Tze. The mansion symbolized his wealth and prosperity, with extraordinary detail given to the original building and restoration. In modern terms, it’s one of the most “Instagrammable” buildings I’ve ever seen! Keep reading to find out why I highly recommend staying at the famous Blue Mansion. THE HISTORY The original version of the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion was built with 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, and 7 staircases, and is one of the largest buildings of its kind outside of China. Feng Shui played an important role in the design of the mansion, and each part of the layout had a specific a purpose. For example, the number of open air courtyards is because water is seen as wealth, so the more rain you have naturally coming into the house the better. Once that water was inside, there are winding drainage pipes to keep the water underneath the house as long as possible before flowing outside. There is so much history behind the building that the Mansion runs daily tours several times a dat so you can learn about the Mansion even if you are not staying there. However, I would still highly recommend booking a room because the tours only cover the common areas and not the guest rooms to maintain guests’ privacy. While the tour is still worth it if that’s your only option, staying in the hotel itself allows you to have the full experience and get better pictures! THE ROOMS The Blue Mansion has 18 rooms, each with its own name and backstory. I was in the Escoy room, named after an old smelting company in Penang. Located on the ground floor, the room had beautiful tall ceilings, detailed gold carvings, and plenty of space to spread out. In addition, there are little heirlooms and authentic 19th century furniture scattered throughout to give it even more personality. The rooms all have amenities that would have made Cheong Fatt Tze himself jealous, including a large HDTV, speedy wi-fi and a heavenly rainfall shower. It was truly a unique experience to stay in a place with such history, while still having full access to luxury amenities! THE FOOD Breakfast is served each day in the central courtyard, which is where the “Feng Shui” is strongest. The staff does a great job transforming the beautiful open air courtyard into a wonderful breakfast spread. There is a self-served area for pastries, toast and fruit, as well as made to order hot dishes from the waiter. You can also choose local flavors to be ready for your day! There is also a wonderful on-site restaurant called Indigo which was also great. Located upstairs above the central courtyard, Indigo fuses Eastern and Western culture in both the food and the ambiance. The in-house chef creates wonderful dishes each night, with each dish looking like a piece of artwork itself. The lamb and fish were especially good, so be sure to make a reservation during your stay! THE LOCATION Once you are well fed, you’ll see the Blue Mansion is perfectly located to many walkable sites. Given that Penang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are countless beautiful buildings and little areas to visit. These include the Clan Jetties, Little India, and Red Garden, a great night food market which is literally next door! One of my favorite parts of the location was is the short walk to many of the famous works of street art dotting the alleyways of Penang. Be sure to grab a map and ask the concierge for the locations of the art because some of them can be tricky to find but worth the effort! CONCLUSION Staying at the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion was one of the highlights of my entire trip to Malaysia. The history behind the building itself is extremely interesting and the hotel itself was beautiful. Be sure to bring a spare memory card when you visit because you will take countless pictures of both the Mansion itself and all the amazing sites nearby. The Blue Mansion is a very special experience and I highly recommend staying with them next time you are in Penang! Stayed January 2017, traveled as a couple"

David’s Kitchen: "Wonderful night for our 21st anniversary"

"After our initial plans to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary fell through, we were immensely grateful that David's Kitchen could not only accommodate us last minute, but make the night so special with those little extra touches..table decorations, anniversary card and flowers. The food was wonderful! Atmosphere perfect, from the moment we drove into the parking lot. The menu was extensive, with so many wonderful things to choose from. We will definitely have to go back again and try all the other menu items! Thankyou to David and your staff for a wonderful evening."

villa song: "Elegant, relaxed old world villa"

"Sit on a table with a cooling fan watching the working boats ceaselessly chugging back and forth on the River Song, sipping a cocktail or enjoying a wonderful breakfast - Villa Song is a truly delightful, charming old villa, Modernised to perfection and providing a calm oasis close SE to the deranged mayhem of down town HCMC. The bedroom we stayed in was huge, with a fabulous bathroom, and a separate room with a huge bay window overlooking the river. The bed was huge and incredibly comfortable. We loved the fee motorboat service into the city centre - atmospheric trip past the rapidly changing city skyline. Can't recommend this hotel highly enough!"

Pindaya Farm House: "Just Wonderful!"

"We completely endorse all previous comments. Having driven thro a patchwork of colourful fields in rolling hills, we were warmly welcomed. You can hear the silence here. Very comfortable beds, excellent bedding (warm too luckily, it hit freezing at night!) and high class shower and bathroom fittings. Midday saw us sitting on our balcony in the sunshine drinking in the view. The owners can arrange all sorts of trips and treks, but don't miss the weaver in the village up the road. Our only small criticism, which didn't bother us too much, or detract from our enjoyment, is that the sound insulation between us and our neighbour was not very good. It certainly helped us get to know, and make friends with them quickly! We hope it improved trans Atlantic relations"

Manda De Laos: "Romantic dinner by the pond"

We stayed at Maison Dalabua (same property) and were lucky to get reservations the first night of our stay. Great food (Laotian with a French touch). Good cocktails and all at very moderate prices - maybe not for local standads (one can eat cheaper in town) but considering the quality of food very reasonably priced.

Talabgaon Castle: "A countryside oasis"

The resort is about an hour out of Jaipur in truly rustic rural surroundings. The castle has been very tastefully restored and the entire property is very well maintained. Being a small resort, it is idea as a very peaceful getaway. The food is very good.

satrin house: "Beautiful quiet hotel"

"Our plane arrival was two hours late and Satri House was there to pick us up on arrival. The service was kind,friendly, and gracious throughout our stay. Navi, the guest services manager was present to offer dining suggestions and answer any questions we might have. All of the staff were excellent. The hotel is arranged in beautiful gardens and pools around a Lao prince's residence. The furnishings and interiors are antiques and one of a kind art pieces. It is almost like staying in an art museum. The impressions are fantastic. The food in the dining room was excellent. We had dinner twice and breakfast every morning. It is good value for money. We used the hotel bicycles to go sight seeing which was fun. It was overall a wonderful experience.We stayed in room 622 which was large, artfully arranged,and quiet, with both air conditioning and a ceiling fan which we loved. "