The Cabochon Hotel: "Romantic Colonial Hide-Away in the heart of Bangkok"
"Extremely jet-lagged my husband and I stepped out of our 20 hour flight from Los Angeles, and were met at the airport by the hotel's private driver. A 25 minute drive later, we were quickly checked into the lovely Cabochon. Immediately I felt better, surrounded by the cool marble, fragrant lush trees, and fascinating lobby decor of this renovated colonial mansion tucked down a small alley. We arrived rather early for check in, but they set us up with towels, exotic passion fruit cocktails and lounge chairs beside the roof-top pool and after a dip-- was immediately refreshed. Our room was simple, quiet, clean and romantic with high ceilings, and a columned balcony. Other than a few modern amenities (like powerful air conditioner, fast wifi, in room safe, and a TV we didn't use) it was like stepping into the past. The breakfast was delicious and we even had lunch there in between excursions. The proximity to the SkyTrain subway was very convenient and the fastest way to get around town, but the hotel is happy to call a taxi for you-- and give directions. As with everywhere in Thailand, the staff are extremely helpful, friendly and polite. You will be happy to tip for service. There are many extrodinary restaurants near by including ""Bo.Lam"" and ""Soul Food."" We throughly enjoyed our visit to Bangkok and it started with the Cabochon. Tip for all of South East Asia: Most people in the service industry speak english fairly well, but get a ""Directions Card"" from the hotel front desk and put it in your pocket for later-- it will have the hotel name/address written in Thai (not useless english) and is very valuable to get a taxi ride home at the end of your night out. Stayed February 2017, traveled as a couple"Villa Song Saigon: "Is Villa Song as good as before"
We visited Villa Song in May 2015. Our review was a bit gushing but accurate. We finally made it back for our second visit hoping it would be as good.......it is better. If you were to write a handbook as to how to run a 5 Star boutique hotel, start with Villa Song. Nothing is left to chance. The staff are professional, friendly, efficient and so happy. The rooms are stylish and very comfortable. The pool and public areas are excellent. The restaurant puts out superb, beautifully presented food created by Chef Kevin and his brigade - you won't get bored with his brilliant and evolving menu. A guest asked for a drink from the bar that the bar staff were not familiar with. My wife told them the ingredience but before they gave it to the guest, they mixed two and brought them to our room to see which was better before mixing it for their guest.....service? I could go on and on about the hotel. In my first review I said that they treat you like an honored guest. This time we felt like friends. Who knows - next time we may be treated like family and have to make our bed and wash our own dishes...we will still be back as soon as we can. 'Our Second Home'Sea Dance Resort: "5* In every aspect"
"My wife and I stayed at Sea Dance for 5 nights as part of our honeymoon and we really couldn’t fault it. The service was fantastic from Kent picking us up from the airport and showing us around the site, to Faith, Helen and John who were always there to help and were on first name terms within a few hours. Poy the resort manager was also extremely helpful and extremely welcoming. We stayed in one of the beach front pool villas which was fantastic, clean and comfy. We were lucky enough to arrive on a Saturday where the hotel host a bbq, the food was unreal as well as the Wednesday happy hour (free drinks). As some of the reviews do mention the resort is isolated but there are taxis just outside and you can walk to the first strip (around 10-15 mins). Top tips get up early for complimentary yoga and also do the island tour - excellent value. Thanks everyone for making our stay so good."Villa Mathis: "Chris and the Staff is the reason to stay here"
"We stayed over new years, my wife, our two young kids, and myself. The villa was very nice and clean. The pool and grounds were great. Food is nice. But the main reason this trip out of many to Bali was great, was because of Chris and his staff. They went so far and beyond what is normal. We had so much going on at the time, and we asked and leveraged Chris for so much more than we normally do. He was great, patient and very accommodating. We can't say enough nice things about him and his team. Thanks guys!!!"Satri House: "Absolute oasis of calm and tranquility"
After the hustle of Hanoi we flew into Luang Prabang and spent 3 nights at the Satri House Hotel, it was superb. In easy walking distance from the town centre, fantastic beautifully furnished room and lovely grounds with charming pool. The staff were also first class --- I can't think of a single criticism. We have travelled in Indochina before and use trip advisor regularly but this is the first time I have ben moved to write a review ---it was excellent.Tugu Lombok: "Beautiful hotel on a beautiful beach"
We stayed four nights in a Bhaghavat Gita suite which we would certainly recommend. The suite has its own garden with a large plunge pool and then you're straight onto the wonderful white sand Sire beach. The suite also has a private front garden which includes the semi-outdoor bathroom. Our daughters stayed in a kampong bungalow directly beind our villa which was perfectly adequate and a lot cheaper! You can eat on the beach or in various other places around the site - we chose the roof of the Temple-like spa. Best to book these in advance - there is no where else to eat unless you drive for about 30 mins into Sengigi - we didn't bother as the food was good and varied, with both local and international dishes (mainly Italian). The restaurant is open-sided and overlooks the pool, which was never crowded (don't think all the rooms were full when we were there). We took the dragon boat trip to snorkel at the Gili Isles which was good fun, and we saw a turtle.Locavore: "Mind blowing experience"
"As I am new to the fine dining scene I wasn't quite sure what to expect but once the first tasting dish came out it was like a flavor bomb went off in my mouth and woke up taste buds I didn't know I even had and the night got better from there from the 7 starter tasters which seem to never end (trust me I didn't want it too) to the main my partner and I got the 5 course one herbacore and the other locovore it was the best way to go so we got to sample each others food yes they were small in size but I couldn't of eaten and more once it was finish we had dessert to finish off but even that was a experience as I don't really have a sweet tooth I was in heaven with the predessert taster then the dessert then the final dessert sample board neither I or my partner could fault our night at all it was culinary delight with amazing produce which is as fresh as you could possibly ask for yes the staff could use a few lessons on how to talk abit slower and louder as we couldn't really understand what we were eating but that just added to the excitement seriously looking forward to returning next time I'll be doing the 7 course with drink pairing Highly recommended and yes its pricey but if you were to go to Melbourne new York London or anywhere else for the quality you'd probably put a extra 0 on the end of the bill Great concept from a fellow Aussie and dutch working together highly recommend"Cabochon Hotel & Residence: "Beautifully well preserved"
This hotel is really special. The building and the rooms are just breathtaking. The attention to detail and the original features really set it apart. I loved the light switches! The location is great, really close to everything yet completely quiet and tranquil as soon as you walk through the gates. The staff is really friendly as well and were always available for whatever we needed. Overall, great value and would definitely stay there again.Villa Song Saigon: "One of the best hotel experiences"
This was the most luxurious, tranquil hotel that I have probably ever stayed in!! We arrived here after 12 days cycling holiday and I just needed to be pampered for a few days and sleep and boy does this hotel provide that.. The hotel is small with very high standard setting for meals and the breakfast is all day!! Regardless of when u wake up you can have it, and it was well worth waking up for.. Loved this place and only a boat ride into town which was provided for brill brill brill....Tugu Bali: "Wonderful hotel"
"What a wonderful hotel, the rooms are very comfortable and well decorated and planned - the whole atmosphere of the place has a subtle sophistication. The staff are friendly and engaging, breakfast was delicious. Thank you!"
Travel Asia with Secret Retreats
Secret Retreats is a curated community of independent boutique hotel, villas, yachts and river boats keen to share their Asian Homes with travelers, sustainably and responsibly.
Conservation of the environment, culture and traditions of Asia is of paramount importance to all in Secret Retreats.
A community of like-minded hospitality professionals, we offer our guests authentic travel experiences that go beyond typical offerings to unveil the essence of Asia. Supporting the Asia based hoteliers and hospitality professionals and providing incredible holidays in Asia and tailor-made Asia travel itineraries direct to public ad travel agents.
Get inspired and make savings!
By booking direct with Secret Retreats and enjoy peace of mind from our full on the ground support. Contact our concierge and plan then book your Asia holiday now!
