Guest Reviews

Sea Dance Resort: "Great staff, great food at a relaxing boutique resort."

"We searched very carefully for our Koh Samui stay. Coming off of 2 weeks of hard touring around Laos and Cambodia our goal was peace, quiet and relaxation, preferably in a villa on the beach rather than a hotel room. We found Sea Dance and, despite a few mixed reviews here, decided to give it a go. We ended up thrilled that we did. Things did get off to a rocky start: despite a confirmed airport greeting and pickup there was no one to meet us at the airport meeting point. After 15 minutes and a phone call we hopped in a taxi expecting the worst. Instead we were met by the Managing Director/owner Poy with a heartfelt apology. Everyone makes mistakes, and rather than shifting blame or making excuses Poy simply took the fault, apologized and promised to make it up to us. Which he and his staff did do. Perfect service recovery. As for the property itself, we stayed in Villa 1 and cannot recommend it more highly. It’s mostly a glass room but with blackout shades and AC that must be on steroids. During the day we lounged in the private pool or on the very private lounging platform staring at the ocean. At night we opened the glass doors and listened to the sea sipping one of the many wine selections from the restaurant’s wine room. The restaurant serves excellent eclectic food including Thai, other Asian and western food. My favorite was the duck Red curry. My wife loved the steak sandwich for lunch. The beach is ‘meh’. Pebbly and rocky. Gorgeous to look at though. But let’s be clear: what made this place special for us were the people. The staff are just awesome. They call guests by name here (nice Ritz touch!) Beyond Poy, Faith the ex-Pat American manager gave us pro tips on our plans to go digital nomad next year during the included breakfast. Ex-pat English Helen provided excellent service with a healthy dash of wit and a wry smile at dinner. And ex-pat Myanmar ‘John’ serves great drinks and fascinating stories of his life. And those are just the ones we got to know by name. All of the staff were excellent - although it would have helped a bit if the eggs station staff at breakfast spoke at least a little English since we like our omelette well done. We kept thinking that the place ought to go all over-13. The bungalows and social atmosphere at breakfast, happy hour and dinner are really conducive to grown-uping. And we met and made some new Facebook friends there. But, alas, it’s not all-adult so there were babies, toddlers and kids about. That’s where the private pool came in super-handy. This little resort isn’t a highly polished gem. It’s a boutique resort. That’s part of its charm, but too, it means there are minor service gaps and gaffes. Bring bring a relaxed attitude and good nature and you’ll have a great time, no worries and even make new friends. To us, it was just what we wanted just when we wanted it."

Nimmu House: "Charming and excellent"

"We stayed fro one night in a tent which was extremely comfortable. The food was also good and the entire property has great ambiance and style. The room was a little noisy in the morning because its in a village and you can't really sleep in late which is also fine in ladakh. The garden and the courtyards are great to sit and relax in. Would recommend this property for sure for a few nights at least. Wonderful experience overall."

Rahai’i Pangun: "3D/2N River cruise"

"My wife and I took a 3D/2N river cruise with Wow Borneo in February 2017. The boat was clean and comfortable. We had the superior cabin, which included a double bed and private bathroom. All the guest cabins were air conditioned. 3 meals a day were served on the main deck. The chef aboard was excellent! We certainly never went away hungry. The crew and guide were excellent. Our guide spoke excellent English, which was a major help since we speak very little Bahasa Indonesia. She was also very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and also the local culture. She had a really sharp eye for spotting animals on the shore as we passed. Of course the main attraction was the chance to see Orangutans. We were not disappointed. We say them every day of the cruise, and at one point saw 6 in one location. There were also numerous monkeys and birds. This was the best tour we have been on in our year in Indonesia. I highly recommend it."

Rachamankha: "Calm, cool haven. Love"

We loved Chiang Mai and loved our stay at the Rachamankha! The wonderful service began when we were picked up at the airport with ease and check in was a breeze. We were in room 10 which was nice and roomy. We were a little surprised that there wasn't more light in the room-- a bit of a medieval vibe-- but we slept well and after 3 days in Bangkok that's what we needed. The breakfasts were delicious and the grounds were nice and quiet. The pool was wonderful after exploring Chiang Mai and surroundings. It was our 10 year anniversary and the hotel treated us to champagne. Nice touch. We drank it lounging by the pool. The hotel is in walking distance to great temples and fun bars and restaurants. If you want to explore further, the hotel will arrange a Tuk Tuk or taxi to wherever you want to go. Be sure not to miss the night market and all the fun surrounding. I booked this hotel based on the Trip Advisor reviews and I was not disappointed. I pass my review on to the next traveler to Chiang Mai. Stay at the Rachamankha!

Locavore: "world class dining in Ubud, Bali"

This is an extraordinary French fusion cuisine restaurant. Everything is first class: food sourcing, preparation, presentation, taste.

Tugu Bali: "One of a kind hotel with exceptional service in a great location"

The beauty of this hotel is second to none in all of Bali. The owner of the hotel is the largest art collector in all of Indonesia and the hotel is literally a museum of his prized collections. You will not find a more authentic Balinese experience. There is an old temple that was reconstructed into a restaurant. The setting is beautiful, the atmosphere is serene and peaceful. Our room was one of the nicest rooms I have ever stayed in and included our own private pool and a bathroom with a koi pond. The staff is exceptional and in typical Bali form they all knew our names, made us feel special, and treated us like we were family. I would recommend this hotel to anyone from honeymooners to experienced travelers to backpackers. We couldnt say enough good things about our time at TUGU and will absolutely be back to visit again. Maybe next time to one of their other 3 hotels which I hear are just as nice.

Tugu Bali: "Comfort in Canggu"

My wife and I stayed at Hotel Tugu for our Balimoon in early June. This hotel is like a time capsule in Bali. The attention to detail in balancing old and new was perfectly crafted. The hotel manager greeted us at reception which was a great way of welcoming us as guests of the hotel. The hotel grounds are meticulously maintained. My wife and I opted for the Rejang Suite which has a sunken tub and a partial view to the beach. The timber interior of the suite with the sunken bathtub and daybed felt true to the charm of the Javanese house. The wood framed windows open to a clean ocean breeze. Because we arrived on Thursday, we were able to view the cultural dance performance with our dinner. Again, the attention to detail was not overlooked in this show. The costumes were amazing and actors were great. The hotel also includes a museum displaying objects of its past and Bali. This was a huge value add as you rarely see such items on your normal Bali itinerary. The hotel also includes a private beach deck which is great for having a few Bintangs while watching the sunset. The hotel staff is extremely courteous and friendly. Highly recommend Tugu to anyone in search for true Balinese hospitality and comfort.

4 Rivers Floating Lodge: "Tranquil Haven"

The most peaceful place with the most friendly staff. A boat trip to the waterfalls a must. Will definitely find an excuse yo go back. We went on family trip and children aged 17,15 and 12 loved every moment.

The River Resort: "Beautify spot"

"We enjoyed 4 wonderful nights here, good food, lovely staff and first class facilities. The views are amazing and the rooms well designed and spacious. Loved the choice of indoor or outdoor showers. Sitting in the garden enjoying an evening drink was magical."

Anopura: "Havre de paix"

"Un hôtel de charme et de bon goût loin du bruit et du monde de Jaipur parfait pour un repos de deux trois jours proche du village d'anopura qui est un village typique avec des gens adorables Une Vrai vision de la vie en inde Un MUST Stayed March 2017, traveled with friends"