Guest Reviews

Villa Mathis: "Truly Memorable!"

We stayed a total of 4 nights and proved to be the most romantic and relaxing getaway. The GM Chris and his staff was very warm and attentive to our every needs. We especially enjoyed our romantic dinner under the stars, complete with a Balinese massage and a flower bath. The resort is beautifully laid out and decorated, like a magical oasis. The location from Semanyak was perfect so that you could visit the bustling shopping area and restaurants in less than 30 minutes from the quiet surroundings of the resort. I would highly recommend Villa Mathis to any couple (and even families) for an ideal getaway to beautiful Bali.

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "You haven’t lived until you’ve seen this! Absolutely Magical"

"I've traveled on 6 continents, from the South to the North Pole, from luxury cruises to great hotels and guess what: Noel Rodrigo's Leopard Safaris is by far among the very best experiences you can have. The stuff is National Geographic-quality, the food is 100X better than you get in any hotel, and everything is made with love and hard work. You stay in the heart of the jungle, the stars in the sky and torches in the ground guide you through the forest at night, you wake up to the music of tropical birds. This is the place to find your inner peace, your wild heart and remember what life is really about. I will be back soon! See you there!"

Le Du Wine Bar & Restaurant: "Highlight Of Cuisine In Bangkok"

This is an excellent restaurant, with beautifully executed Thai haute cuisine. And they are getting the press for their creativity and perfection, having just earned a rating as one of the Top 50 restaurants in Asia. We travel extensively, and seek spectacular food experiences. We were impressed with each dish in our evening, and further impressed with the very well done wine pairings. I’ve seen a few reviews on Trip Advisor criticizing the location and whatnot, but we found the experience and site to be beyond reproach. Highlights were many, but included the pandan cake dessert, the ant larvae course, the green chicken curry version that delighted with its inventiveness, and 2 starter courses, both of which set the tone for an international class dinner experience. We recommend this restaurant heartily, though note that this an international standard restaurant with international standard prices. All in, our dinner for 2 with wine pairings was about $200 (US). Excellent value, but well outside standard Bangkok pricing.

Satri House: "A Royal Stay"

"Everything about this place was enjoyable. The former royal residence was elegant, charming and personable. You feel like staying at someone's home or should I say palace. When you arrive its like entering into a different era. The decor, rooms and grounds are all beautiful. Lots of nooks to find and settle in. The staff was very friendly and accommodating - even helped us with learning a view Laotian phrases. Hang out at the poolside bar before heading out. Very impressed with the hotel restaurant. Great breakfast with fresh bread etc. With so many restaurant choices in LP, we actually chose to eat our last dinner at the hotel and its was best decision. There is also a very good place right across the side street called Manda de Laos - expensive for LP but very reasonable and good. The one thing that concerned us when we book was the distance to the main area in LP. In reality, being a little secluded was preferable as the hotel was quiet and tranquil. We typically walked into town which takes 5-7 minutes. And if you don't want to walk its quite easy to get a cheap tuk tuk or take one of the hotel's bikes. We considered 3 Nagas but we made right choice. For recommendations in LP, check out Naga Creations. Its owned by a french expat that creates local artisan jewelry. I normally don't shop on vacation but this was an exception. We look forward to returning. To Giovanni and his staff - Kop chai lai lai!"

Manda De Laos: "Superb setting and attentive staff"

My wife and I ate there last night and were thoroughly impressed by the attentive staff and the quality of the food. Presentation was beyond anything you see in Canada and American. Prices are a little high by Laos standards but a bargain compared to equal caliber restaurants in the West. If you are in this quaint town.....it’s a must visit.

Maison Polanka: "Charming and eclectic with a wonderful staff"

Wonderful, charming tiny little hotel in a perfect location between the ruins and the main town. We could not have imagined a more perfect place to stay during our visit to Cambodia. The rooms are more like staying in someone's (very nicely decorated) house than being in a commercial hotel, and the food and service were excellent. On the last night of our stay our room had a minor problem with the air conditioning, and the hotel moved us to a nicer room without us even asking so that the problem would be cleanly resolved when we returned from dinner. There are bikes available to ride, you can walk from the hotel to an e-bike rental place, and they also provided free transport to nearby restaurants when possible or you could pay $2 for a Tuk tuk. Highly recommended.

Manda De Laos: "Spectacular oasis in Luang Prabang"

We went for lunch on a very hot day....the setting is beautiful with lily ponds and orchids everywhere. The waiters are very attentive. I had the lunch special 'burger' so many interesting and delicious things on a soft bun. Pork floss (!!), the best caramelised onions, the fresh herbs, sausage and sauces. So good. Didn't need the buffalo rissole. Homemade icecream afterwards was lovely too. Photographers' dream.

Amata Lanna: "Hidden paradise"

"2 minutes walk from a charming river temple, this wonderful traditional thai-sytle hotel on two storeys is highly recommendable, to say the least. Set around a beautiful inner courtyard dominated by a large frangipani tree with star-shaped white flowers which fall from time to time into an oval swimming pool, you can sit and relax after a long day's sightseeing, contemplate the early morning over a delicious partially outdoor breakfast among huge ferns and thai garden ornaments, or sit and sip beer or free lemon-grass tea in the evening by the swimming pool with the trees lit up around you. The rooms, set around the courtyard, are spacious with 4-poster beds and thai furniture. If you want more light, go for the upper floor, but you are destined probably from all rooms to see the greenery from the windows. I thought the staff could have become my personal friends the way they were so personable. They had two bicycles that were for lending without charge and transport free to the airport in at least one direction. One night I got back very late and didn't want to go out on the dark streets alone, so I suggested getting a couple of mangoes to the night staff from the mango bowl in the reception area. Since they never charged me for this, the least I can do is write a review! To make one request for improvement I would ask for mosquito nets on at least one window in the hotel rooms so that you can enjoy the evening air in your own room in the cooler months without the risk of insects coming in. However, this is not probably a feature in many thai hotels, including all top hotels, as most people these days just want the air conditioning, which of course this hotel has."

Mathis Retreat: "Fabulous"

Just a little out of the hustle and bustle of Ubud this hotel was fantastic. Tucked back off the street the entry isn't that inviting.But once inside, you see the beautiful infinity pool overlooking the rice fields and the thatched roof open air restaurant. We stayed in a bungalow with a private little yard (#7) Just behind the beautiful pool, an across from the restaurant. The room was very large, high ceilings, roomy bathroom. We loved it!! It has a shuttle into town and back. It was always great to get back to this beautiful place for a good meal, peace and quiet. It felt like we were coming home. Book this place. No worries.

Tugu Bali: "Amazing hotel, local feel in a very touristy zone"

Loved this hotel. The location is great, across the lawn you've got the beach, the pool is lovely, set in a magical garden. The hotel food is fantastic, highly recommend you take a cooking class, I loved it and learnt a lot. Our room was so romantic, the "open air" bathroom was an unique experience, even during monsoon season. The hotel history and decor are stunning and the whole experience, great staff, was really worthwhile.