Guest Reviews

The Island Lodge: "Paradise on the banks of the mighty Mekong"

We had 24 hours at Island Lodge in April and from the moment we were collected at the main road in the Lodge's golf buggy and whisked down the narrow lane to the hotel, we knew we had found something very special. Michel and Francoise have gone to enormous trouble to make sure that every detail is perfect. The staff are charming courteous and discreet. The rooms are large, cool and ours had a terrific balcony overlooking the infinity pool and the Mekong River beyond. We had a very pleasant afternoon boat tour round Unicorn Island before settling down on the terrasse with an ice cold beer to watch the evening light on the river and the boats of every size and shape. Swimming early in the morning in the large 24 m pool with the Mekong just a few metres away was surreal.

Reverie Siam: "Truly memorable stay"

Amazing place, very quiet and peaceful. The garden and hotel grounds are gorgeous. Room is huge and clean. Food is really delicious, great option for breakfast and dinner. Staff is super warm welcome and will sincerely do everything to make your stay truly memorable. They know very well how to provide the best service. Especially thanks to Khun Dee from restaurant. We'll definitely be back.

David’s Kitchen: "Delicious!"

I joined friends to celebrate a birthday. We enjoyed impeccable service and delicious courses from start to finish. From the lovely dining room to the finishing touches on how each dish was presented made for a perfect evening. Favorites included the gazpacho, Tasmanian salmon, Wagu beef cheeks, and duck. We finished with Sticky Toffee Pudding. Yummy!

Labyrinth: "Substantial improvement and deserving of a star"

This is our second visit and our 125th starred fine dining restaurant. The innovation of the food, presentation and quantity has improved(you now get an umbrella with the crab!) and it is truly deserving of it's star

Le Calao: "New restaurant with river view"

A lovely new restaurant with the view of the river. Friendly service and great food. It was recommended by our hotel staff and did not disappoint.

Rachamankha: "Beautiful haven"

"Perfect location within the old city walls so everything within walking distance. Everything about this hotel was perfection, beautiful building, grounds and rooms, lovely artwork and library, wonderful pool and delicious food in restaurant. Everything is peace and tranquility and the staff are very friendly and take great pride in their work. It's a true oasis with all the hustle and bustle of the city close by if you want it. Would thoroughly recommend it and will be going back next year. Stayed March 2017, traveled as a couple"

Tugu Lombok: "Magical, Quirky and Friendly"

"I stayed at Hotel Tugu Lombok with my two sons in one of the Ampenen Villas. I had dined here in the past which had 'wetted' my appetite to stay and explore the resort more as it had looked so interesting and unique. I certainly wasn't disappointed. From arrival in the reconstructed Rumah Ampenan (19th century Chinese traders house), to the Bale Kokok Pletok (open air dining area), Lara Djonggrang Bar and temple inspired Spa, the whole place is full of interesting stories, mystique and quirkiness which give it a vibe like no other place I've stayed before and definitely set it apart from other larger resorts and ""chain"" hotels. Our villa was spacious even with three beds in it, refreshingly cool and spotlessly clean. We had so many welcome flowers and a personal note, which just endeared the place to us even more. Every day we were surprised with a new pet (of the towling variety, thanks to Jaelani one of the super friendly staff). While I appreciate it was low season, there were not many guests and so we felt like we were getting extra special attention - all the staff knew our names, which made you feel instantly safe and comfortable. We were also given a personal guided tour of the complex by Ellie, which as specified, was filled with stories and tales of Ancient Lombok, Temples, Princesses, Gods and immortal beings - facinating to understand the inspiration for the environment which we were enjoying. As there are not many dining options close to Hotel Tugu (a couple of very basic local warungs about 1km away), we ended up dining at the hotel for all meals, which did add up a bit (especially with the ++), but the quality of the food was superb with a wide choice of local and western foods, all of which tasted delicious. Even with taxes, the food was still good value compared to what we would normally pay in Australia for the same quality. We were at the hotel for three nights and dined in three different locations - the Bale Kokok Pletok, the Gedong Gandrung (hall of love - with my two sons!!) and the beach - all fantastic experiences. I would recommend doing a bike ride around the local area on the hotel's bikes (we did ours late afternoon to avoid the heat). Jaelani offered to escort us which was helpful and informative. Another worthwhile thing to do is get up early and stroll along the beach to enjoy the sunrise over Rinjani, the myriad of sea life exposed at low tide and the fishermen heading off for the day. We also used the hotel's kayaks to paddle around and over the bay (looking at amazing sea life below, including turtles) and stand up paddle boards - perfect for use on the clear blue, calm waters of the Sire peninsula. I dont think there's any doubt that I will come back to this magical place again - there is nothing I could fault and much to recommend. Room Tip: We were given a tour of several villas - they all looked wonderful."

Cuisine Wat Damnak: "A little overrated"

The chef was lovely. The menu is limited--there are only two pre-fix menus and you must choose either or leave, I guess. Haha, It was good but maybe a little too pricey for the small portions.

Rachamankha: "Oasis in the midst of Old City"

Your stay in Chiang Mai will be very special when you stay at Rachamankha. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, gorgeous antiques abound throughout, and the guest rooms are spacious and well designed. There is a huge pool with beautiful blue tile, a library offering books as well as brandy, and a restaurant that offers wonderful Asian and Western dishes. The property provides a very peaceful and tranquil environment and children are not allowed as guests to maintain the ambiance for adults. There is a large DVD library available for free viewing. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Please note, it may be hard for taxi drivers to find as it is on a small lane/alleyway - my first driver had to call the hotel 4 times before finally finding it! But it was well worth the effort.

Arumdalu: "An Amazing Place"

Love the beach, love the service. Food gets a little expensive compared to outside. However they plant everything, from pepper to vegetables. Love the hydroponic system. Do go for the island hopping tour. it's a blast!