Guest Reviews

tugu bali: "The Secret Retreat!"

"This is our 2nd stay at Tugu. We enjoyed it so much we couldn't resist another stay. Although it is a little more expensive the Tugu ""offer"" is unique. You can lie in your own private space overlooking the sea without being annoyed by hawkers and just watch the surfers, or lie by the pool in privacy. The perfect getaway. We were fortunate enough to experience the cultural evening which presented us with 3 dances - so amazing and professional - a totally memorable experience. We used the hotel driver to take us to Seminyak on a couple of occasions - he was polite, courteous and perfect in every way. Thank you Tugu - your staff our amazing...well done Jenny. Good luck with the Living Wall construction, we look forward to seeing it in the future."

Sukoon Houseboat: "Can wait to go back again!"

"I stayed in this beautiful houseboat for 3 nights with my mother. We had the most wonderful time here. + The staffs are very good. They all made sure we have a comfortable stay. Thank you Bashir, Ashiq, Rasheed, Passang & Bela. + The view from the sun deck and the front area is breath taking + The food is yummy. Not spicy and not with too much masala + The rooms are clean and bathroom is big + We had an opportunity to meet the owner of Sukoon. He is such a fine gentleman. It was a pleasure meeting him - The bed is a bit too soft. I realized it only on my last day when I woke up with a stiff back but I guess if you inform them they will take care of it. - wifi is a bit slow but then who needs a wifi if the view is mind blowing We shall be back again very soon with our entire family."

SEEDS Restaurant & Lounge: "Outstanding"

Food truly outstanding! Beautiful setting , very friendly efficient staff , just everything perfect - go at sunset if you can . 5 stars

Sanak Retreat Bali: "simple luxuries"

It may be unpretensious, ethical, and eco-friendly - but don't presume for a moment that Sanak Retreat isn't as beautifully designed and sumptuous as a high end hotel. Forged by the friendship between a local Balinese and a French businessman, the beauty of Sanak Retreat is the loving thought that has gone into every detail. It's the simple things after all that mean so much - the sweet sounds of the rice fields as dusk falls, the sensuous vivid green that surrounds you when the sun rises, the joyful bubbling of the river that runs through the property, the cool mountain air (and no mossies). The beautifully crafted timber villas are decorated with Indonesian textiles and wooden furnishings assembled by an astute collector, giving each room a sense of personal intimacy, and wifi and digital facilities are cutting edge. Local coffee and teas are generously provided. Every standing point has a view over the undulating highly oxygenated valley clear of both modern buildings and any hint of traffic noise. The retreat is deeply immersed in the local community, running a successful plastic recycling project with village children. And the restaurant offers a world class menu, including an extraordinary lemongrass creme brulee and a fine wine list. They will even bake you gluten free bread and pizza with a little warning, but local seafood is also fresh and delicious. There is a gentle, connected sense of calm and beauty here that you will be hard pressed to experience anywhere else in Bali. The spa facilities and private dining gazebo were created by die-hard romantics. And yet nothing is tizzy or florid. Good taste after all, is worth its weight in gold - or rice. And with several pools and lots of local treks, this is also a great place to holiday with children.

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "“Leopard Safar”"

"While this is an experience that cannot be put into words, I can only recommend this experience as a must see from the bottom of my heart for anyone who is lucky enough to be touring Sri Lanka. While it cannot be guaranteed at any time you will be lucky enough to see leopard as they are wild creatures in the wild... the passion that all the rangers have for their job is above and beyond. The accommodation will surely make you feel at home as will the outdoor showers that have to be seen to be believed. At the end of a long hot safari the jungle bar is waiting with any refreshment you may require... as are the nice cold towels that are from heaven The meals are to die for... with every whim required to... and if you leave the table hungry you have no one to blame but yourself Any doubts you may have through the night are quelled with a mobile phone within reach of your bed for instant access for assistance at any hour...peace of mind that will leave you sleeping like a baby Many many congrats to Noel Rodrigos Leopard Safaris and all the special memories that will stay with you for many years to come Simply a must for anyone who wants to experience the best that Sri Lanka can offer Tracey Evans"

Mume: "The perfect place for dinner"

"I read about Mume just days before a quick trip to Taipei and to my luck the restaurant had availability! I loved the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere, open kitchen and how the design of the restaurant makes good use of the space. The size of the tables are very comfortable and you are seated at a nice distance from other guests. Cocktails were of course delicious and the food was fantastic. Everything we ordered was perfectly balanced in flavour, texture and appearance. Each dish showed creativity, brought excitement and every bite was wonderful. The waiters and waitresses were very sweet. Thank you to everybody, front of house and kitchen, for the incredible meal!"

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "A Quality Experience in all Respects"

"Experience on safari in other parts of the world has taught us that you generally get what you pay for, and so we booked at the top end for two nights in Yala, with Noel Rodrigo’s highly respected operation. Noel, Cecile and the rest of the team were welcoming, gracious and knowledgeable hosts, and highly professional in every aspect of the business. Meals were a treat both for the food (the Sri Lankan dinner being better than the western barbecue one, and lunches stunning) and conversation with our hosts and fellow guests. Pre-dinner drinks were likewise great, and the staff were so good at getting everyone engaged in the conversations, whether they were young kids, reticent teenagers, or adults. Our tents were carefully set-up and very comfortable, and the public lounge area was a fine place to sit and read. Our safari vehicles were also well-set-up. But let’s face it, one visits Yala to see animals and birds. Spotted deer and birds aside, wildlife in Yala is not plentiful in the sense that it is on the plains of the big African game parks; but having to work a little harder to spot game makes the experience more rewarding in many ways. The first of our four game drives provided us with two excellent leopard sightings. The next morning we were lucky enough to see sloth bear (mother and cub). Add in the elephant, crocodiles, water buffalo, barking deer, sambar deer, mongoose – plus other animal species and all manner of birds – seen over the four game drives, and we left Yala well-satisfied. We would recommend a minimum two night stay, both to provide a good chance of seeing a wide range of birds and animals and to settle into the rhythm of camp life."

Rachamankha: "Tranquil and elegant oasis"

This is an aesthetically pleasing, extremely quiet and comfortable hotel with luxurious accommodations and a welcoming friendly staff. Our family of four (two grown children) stayed in a two bedroom suite connected by a spacious living room with a kitchen stocked with place settings to allow an evening in with delicious take out food from the neighboring chicken (Thai) place. The beds are wonderfully comfortable and the pool and included breakfast were lovely. Very special and highly recommended!

Manukan Island Resort: "Wedding anniversary"

Stayed here for four nights in July for our wedding anniversary. Oh my life, it was superb. Getting off the boat is slightly daunting as 100s of day trippers use the island. We went left and we taken to the office given a cool drink and a warm welcome. Our accommodation was breath taking. Up in the hill side,villa 16. Views from the balcony , breathtaking. Inside, large living room, bedroom and very large bathroom with usual array of toiletries. The small kitchen area and fridge, where free water and Coke are provided daily. Beach towels are changed daily. Wifi is good. The food in the restaurant in the evening is ok, although not much choice to be honest. Beer is expensive, we took our own. Breakfast provides lots of choice. We had booked the cabana for our anniversary evening, but due to a double booking we were unable to have it. This was no great loss as the cabana was on a bit of scrub land with no access to the sea. Certainly not worth the money it would have cost. We had an enjoyable evening in the main restaurant being entertained by three amazing musicians who seemed to know every song in lots of languages, they were brilliant. Special mention to chef faridy who makes amazing pasta, waiting staff Chelsea, Jacqueline, Sabray and roger the boss. We would definitely recommend here, its paradise.

Cheong Fatt Tze – Blue Mansion: "Contemporary luxury in a historic mansion"

"Checked into The (lovingly restored) Blue Mansion for a two-night stay in December 2016, my first visit despite having been past the building on previous trips to Penang. From the warm hospitality, comfortable beds, clean big rooms (lovely bathroom a big plus with me), antique furniture, breakfast in the courtyard to coming back to a dim sum basket of local 'kuih' (cakes / sweets) with a handwritten note every evening was a lovely touch - the whole experience was memorable and in my opinion, worth returning for. Pro tip: the hotel is conveniently located next to a food court serving local delights, and across Georgetown Wines for that cheeky vino or late night tapas - thank me later! The Mansion is also home to Indigo, a fine dining restaurant which I tried, enjoyed and highly recommend. For those wanting to learn about the mansion's history, guided tours by some very passionate locals run daily at 11.00am, 2.00pm and 3.30pm - definitely something to fit into your travel itinerary. All in all, a strong contender for a unique experience. Stayed December 2016, traveled with friends"