Guest Reviews

Glenburn Tea Estate: "“Awesome trekking in perfect surrounding – in and around glenburn tea estate”"

"Just got back from a 3 night solo stay at the glenburn tea estate. I can't believe how they are ranked #4. They should be #1 hands down. Pick up at the airport was prompt with a safe driver and clean car. The driver stopped at a picturesque spot for a quick picnic lunch - paneer Kathi rolls, brownies and of course tea! Enough had been written about the last descent to glenburn, so I won't write anymore. But it's all true! Once you reach the estate, you are blown away by the setting. I was lucky as the weather was clear and I could see the Kanchenjunga peak in all its beauty. Luxurious accommodations with all the conveniences you need. I had some issues with the hot water in my bathroom but they moved me to another room immediately. And even offered complimentary massages for my inconvenience. I did use the massage as I did 3 treks on the next day - 1. Hike to Ramitay Dara, 2. Hike to the campsite and 3. Hike to manjitar suspension bridge. Great views from ramitay Dara and it's an easy 1.5 HR uphill trek. The campsite is a completely different setting from the mountains. And they do a fabulous barbecue lunch. Just relax by the river and enjoy the food. The 3rd trek to manjitar was ok and can be skipped. I wasn't impressed. The dinners are along with all the other guests and it's like you are having dinner in someone's house. Met people from Germany, London, San Francisco, Denver and Singapore. Wow! Great conversations over great food. Food is a little bland for Indian taste but Faye made me a spicy butter chicken thx next day. Breakfasts are outside the water lily bungalow. Awesome setting. Fabulous service and good choices - eggs, one special every day, and the usual stuff. The 2nd day I hiked to Badamtam tea estate and the Buddha of Badamtam. It's on the hill right opposite the glenburn tea estste - so you go down to 1000 feet and then trek uphill back to 3300 feet. And then they sent a car there to take me to Darjeeling - it's about 40 mins from Badamtam tea factory. Nothing great in Darjeeling. Except to have coffee/tea at Glenarys. Faye ( the estate manager) is very good with the guests and is always available to answer any questions and offer suggestions. Along with Will and Camilla, they make a great team. And not to forget all the staff - my trekking guides - Mandeep and Dinesh. The staff - Sajit, Binod, everyone. A great place in the eastern Himalayas -'not to be missed!"

Le Passe-Temps: "A peaceful and relaxing place."

Away from the crowds and the (too) busy Ao Nang, small hotel where you feel like home. The owners, staff .. everyone is adorable. A perfect place to rest and explore the choice of Phang Nga Bay, paradise islands, Railay, etc. Do not miss the evening cocktail in the Lobby!

THE ISLAND LODGE: "a very gracious , relaxing & peaceful… Francois had the loveliest of smiles"

"A very gracious, relaxing & peaceful place in My Tho Mekong. Francios had the loveliest of smile that radiated pure happiness. the staff had very good manners and were genteel.cheers Luci you could see the Mekong, setting sun and did not have to walk 1km to rooms. warmth and hospitality radiated through out the place. "

Les Maisons Wat Ko: "Best of cambodia"

We travelled from Phnom Penh to Siem reap and stayed 2 nights at this beautiful place. We arrived in the evening, then the staff organised a fantastic day trip for us. One more evening and we had to check out. Breakfast was wonderful. Service amazing. Room authentic and lovely. This was my favourite place to stay in the whole of Cambodia. There is a reason Angelina Jolie stayed here when she made her latest film. It's the best. My only regret...I wish we had stayed 4 nights. Battambang deserves more time than a quick stop over.

The Hue House: "Great place for authentic Hue cuisine"

Very nice rooftop view with the great astmophere, can make you feel like you're in Hue. The food was so awsome and exotic with stranger names like Cao Lau, com Am Phu... The owner is very funny and friendly.

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.

Rachamankha: "Beautiful place"

I really love this hotel so beautiful and quiet and great food and bar. Staff is friendly and If you looking for something special for holiday. This hotel is great one. I would love to back again. Thanks

Neeleshwar Hermitage: "Excellent. quiet stay"

This is a wonderful place with superb accommodation, a deserted beach and fabulous infinity pool. The food is outstanding and the staff excellent and and couldn't do more for you. The attention to detail sets it above the rest. Highly recommended.

Slow Villas and Spa: "Little piece of paradise"

"The moment we entered the villa, it felt like home. The villa is nicely decorated, offering you all the space and luxury you desire. A private pool, nice garden, lovely staff, fabulous breakfast and all the privacy you need makes your dream come true. My partner got good advice on where to dive and experienced three nice dives. And we really enjoyed the massages at the Slow Spa which has a nice atmosphere. Slow villas offers a concept we really enjoyed. Leaving this place really hurts a little as it is really a little piece of paradise. With love, Fabienne & Roel"

Villa Song Saigon: "Great stay– lived up to the hype"

"We were happy to leave our original hotel in district one and book a last minute two nights at Villa Song. The area has a few great spots for eating and shopping (Dolphy for coffee and Banh Mi 362). It's about a 20 minute walk into the heart of things but we really enjoyed the scenery and slower place of things. It was a really nice contrast from district one and the tourist zone. The hotel is beautiful, on a river, and the boat ride is a great alternative to viewing the rapidly expanding city of Saigon. The cab ride back home later at night was $7-8. Easy! We'd head in on the 11:30 AM boat, do touristy stuff, take a later boat back to the hotel, and then go back out later on the 6 pm boat and cab back to the hotel later. It was not too inconvenient and it was very worth it to not feel the stress of getting run over by a motorbike for a solid few hours. Also, the pool! So much more serene, private and clean than the rooftop pools in HCMC. Also, there are only 23 rooms in the hotel, so you're not fighting for pool space. The service was fantastic, as was the food. Vietnamese breakfast options were the bomb. We loved the braised beef and egg noodle soup and the chicken congee. Great fresh squeezed OJ. Stay here!"