Guest Reviews

Golden Buddha Beach Resort: "Just… wow!"

"Speechless. Following a 3 hour drive north from the airport and then getting onto a small boat at a dock in the middle of nowhere, you get ferried away from the mainland for an hour and a half. Making your way past small islands and following a remote coast of golden sand you arrive on the beach where you wade through the warm shallow clear water to get to the jeep. Being whisked off to a remote hut, there is just your hut which is about 50 mtrs away from the next. Peace. Quiet. Nature. Sand. Sun. Remoteness. 100 mtrs from the beach, the views are endless. Waking up, going to sleep, just the noise of birds, bugs, a dog in the distance, monkeys and waves crashing. (...)Taking a canoe down at the other end, it's possible to paddle out to another small island off shore. Or walk around to one of the other very tiny resorts. If you want nightlife, shopping, clubs, bars, socialising, fine food, luxury accommodation, cleanliness and an abundance of modern comforts - this is not for you. If you want adventure, solitude, being with nature, charming and quaint cabins, beach and being undisturbed then book straight away. I would love to go back."

David’s Kitchen: "Unforgettable first anniversary meal."

I don’t really know where to start with this review as so much has been said before but you really must treat yourself to David’s Kitchen. Not one detail has been overlooked, staff are impeccable, quality ingredients abound, presentation is exquisite. This is truly a unique dining experience. David is such a humble host, sharing the success of his restaurant with his charming wife Prom and the wonderful Thai chef, along with his attentive staff. It’s clear to see he has a passion to create a wonderful dining room with superb food and excellent service, this he manages with ease and charm, his reward is to see people from all over the world enjoying themselves. Thanks for a fantastic evening it was truly a great pleasure for us both.

Mie Cafe: "One of our favorites in Siem Reap"

We had lunch three times at this wonderful restaurant. It was critiqued in an article by Lawrence Osborne at saver.com, and what a find it was. We loved the tuna tartare with mango, the stuffed ravioli, grilled eggplant with pork, the mango passionfruit sorbet, and a chocolate cake to die for. Also their iced lattes are delicious.

Tugu Lombok: "Certainly unique!"

I was a little apprehensive as we drove down a dirt road and stopped at an old building which was really dark inside. Everything was not old, but antique, and of the best taste. A real treasure trove! Our room was splendid, and we much enjoyed the huge copper bath with its rain shower. The common buildings are spectacular, too, and the decor in the bar is brilliant. The staff, though not ultra-efficient, could not have been more attentive, and the food was very good. Having said that, one has to accept that Lombok has limited resources and that supplies sometimes run out. Massages were excellent, and we took advantage of the outings on offer, which were very well organised. This is a wonderful place to relax.

Hotel Tugu Bali: "Perfect place to make your dreams come true"

"I walked into the Hotel upon seeing a sign for a cultural dance show. I inquired if the any of the dancers would teach private classes. Before I knew it Edward, the Director of Sales was designing a package of classes for me with Widia. She is one of their massage therapists, who has 40 years of Balinese dance experience and a degree in Balinese dancing. He even suggested that I could perform in their cultural performance as a guest with a beautiful Balinese dance costume and makeup. Edward was reading my mind! After creating my custom package I danced for a few weeks. The stage I took lessons on was in the very center of the lobby. I think I was quite a novelty to the staff. Who is this Western that had traveled to Bali to take extensive classes? They greeted me by name when I arrived every day. Edward informed me that was rare. Guests would visit and request the costumes and makeup, but never a package of dance classes. Various members of the staff, ranging from the hotel manager to restaurant staff would take the time to encourage me by telling me I was doing good. Widia was so patient and assured me I was not the worst student ever taught. The night of the performance the entire staff made me feel special. I'd performed many types of dance performances in the past, but it was entirely different. My dance was the first of the show. I was dancing with my teacher, Widia, and her friend, Tina. The dancer after me had won Best Dancer in Bali. Talk about creating a fantasy. Only in my dreams could I have imagined being the opening act for the country's best Balinese Dancer. Edward took lots of photos of me and Ari, one of the managers, acted as my videographer. The fact that so many of the upper-level employees of the hotel got involved in the granular details of my experience speaks volumes about their service. Even though I spent many, many hours in the hotel, I was not staying in one of the rooms. Most hotels would have treated me like chump change. In comparison to most hotel guests, I only paid a tiny fraction for my classes. No one ever treated me as I was any less than the person occupying the most luxurious suite. Afterwards, Ari gave my friend and me a tour of the honeymoon suite, which I had requested. What I thought would be a 5-minute glance turned into a very, very extensive history lesson. I learned more from Ari than any tour guide in Bali. My entire experience with the Hotel Tugu was beyond amazing. Their customer service is unparalleled. A testament to the importance they place on customer service is the fact they have a staff of over 120+ for just 22 rooms. You might not be as interested in taking dance classes, but if you have a unique request this is the best hotel in the world to create a fairytale experience. They would be perfect for creating that surprise proposal or anniversary celebration (their honeymoon suite has a private pool, a private gazebo that sits on a lily pond, and exquisite antiques). Can't say enough about this dream factory. They are the best!!!!"

The Island Lodge: "Perfect Place for relaxing holidays"

"We stayed 2 nights in this hotel and everything was perfect. The rooms are beautiful with a nice view on the Mekong river. The breakfast is just delicious. The pool is perfect if you want to relax with the view on the Mekong river. The staff is really friendly and the owners will make everything for you to just feel like being at home. We did some excursions with the hotel and it was also very nice. They have bicycles with child seat, which is perfect. We will definitely come back. Sylvia"

tugu malang: "Luxury and services are beyond expectation"

"I was there only for a day and wish to come back soon. The room was impecable, perfect with a touch of personal welcome in a card. Our room facing the front hotel but not noisy at all. The bedsheet was super clean and it was a standard five hotel services and facility. The amenities was not much but enough. Small pool but convenient enough for children. Good selection of breakfast with some a la carte menu. The hospitality is unbelievably super friendly. A typical warm small size five star hotel that you would never experience in a big busy hotel. This hotel was beautiful in a an outdated way, and you may find it quite spooky at the back part, but for some, it may be the point of attraction. "

Neeleshwar Hermitage: "Another relaxing and indulgent week spent at an idyllic beach resort"

"We have stayed here before so know what to expect and are never disappointed. From our comfortable bungalow with its semi-open bathroom to the amazing food in both restaurants, our stay was the perfect antidote to the pace and stress of everyday life at home. No request is ever too much trouble for any member of staff from housekeeping to the spa, waitors to the yoga intstructor. A week flew past, we could have happily stayed another."

Rachamankha: "Charming Hotel"

This excellent hotel is located in the heart of the old town of Chiang Mai. All major Sightseeing places are in easy walking distance. The restaurant is located in a Patio and the chef is preparing delicious dishes.

Glenburn Tea Estate: "A hidden gem not to be missed"

A stay at the Glenburn tea estate is a truly unforgettable experience and we loved every minute of it. Whichever way you look from the delightful gardens or from either of the beautiful bungalows there is a wonderful vista, even when the mountains are shrouded in mist. Unfortunately for us, the weather was not at its best when we stayed in late March/early April, but we were lucky enough to be there for 5 nights and so we at least had 2 fabulous mornings when we were treated to the breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range from the comfort of our room. Our room (Camelia) was fabulously spacious and beautifully decorated in English country house style with a lovely seating area, and French doors onto a small balcony with magnificent views. The bathroom was enormous with roll top bath and huge walk in shower. We did not see any of the other rooms but all other guests seemed just as impressed with theirs, and we gather the views are wonderful from each and every room. The food was delicious with an imaginative and varied menu and, despite initial reservations, we really rather enjoyed the communal dining in the evening. It was very interesting to meet such a variety of people from all over the world. I think perhaps my husband was a little bored on the last evening being the only man at a dining table full of rather verbose women! There was plenty to keep us amused during our 5 night stay with a visit to the tea factory, walks around the estate looking at the flowers, birds and butterflies, a lovely (though quite tiring) hike to the river camp with a tasty meal when we arrived, and a day trip into Darjeeling. We could have done a lot more but, after the hustle and bustle of Kolkata, and because the gardens were so idyllic, we relished in the opportunity to relax, reading, chatting, playing cards and drinking plenty of Glenburn First Flush tea! All of the staff were friendly, helpful and efficient, and hats off to the multi-talented Nilima and Luna for being such lovely and well-informed guides, but also for running the shop and helping with the organisation of the staff welfare programme, amongst a multitude of other skills. A very big thank you to Jemima, Holly and all the staff for a truly memorable and delightful stay........ We hope we will return one day.