Guest Reviews

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "Bucket list experience – a must do."

"We recently spend 2 nights at Noel Rodrigo's Leopard Safari on the absolute edge of Yala. (The park is across the road) This experience was fantastic from start to finish in every way. Prior to arrival staff were in contact with our driver in Sri Lanka to ensure our meeting point and timing was coordinated with safari staff. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and immediately given a guided tour of the camp. Lunch was served not long after our arrival and it heralded a standard that continued for the 2 days we were there. We had been to 4 different resorts/hotels prior to Leopard safaris and the food here was up there with the best. Fresh, locally produced, plentiful and absolutely delicious. The accommodation was amazing. Definitely glamping. Service was at all times en pointe. The safaris themselves were amazing. Having waited most of my life for an experience like this I was not disappointed. Our guides Sam and Praneeth were enthusiastic, passionate, experienced and very knowledgeable. We were able to see (with luck, patience and their guiding) leopards, sloth bears, incredible bird life, elephants, crocs, mongoose and much more. This was definitely a highlight of our three weeks in Sri Lanka. Many thanks to all staff who made this trip so memorable."

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!"

Cuca: "Great restaurant"

This is the third time we have eaten at Cuca. Doesn't disappoint! The meal sizes are small and quite rich. We have enjoyed the experience each time we have been. Its not the type of restaurant you would eat in night after night but definitely worth a visit. Only negative - $15au for corkage! A bit steep when the bottle is only worth $25.

The Village House: "Borneo Adventure"

After 2 weeks of exploring Borneo this hotel provided the ideal rest and relaxation before flying home. We really enjoyed chilling out in the big recliners and the hammocks. Don't be put off by the initial setting, inside it truly is a gem and the food was the best of our whole holiday. The staff were friendly and the accommodation clean and tidy. Also don't miss the sunsets over the South China Sea.

Tugu Malang: "More than excellent!"

"My husband and I had the pleasure of staying 3 nights at the amazing Tugu hotel in Malang. What a wonderful time we had! The goodness started immediately at check-in: we were upgraded to a suite and received a welcome massage. Such a wonderful room with a very comfortable (and a bit squeaky) bed. Large bathroom with bath and great amenities, 2 sitting areas and coffee, tea, water and fresh fruit in the room. Lovely pool, with comfortable lounge chairs. Lots of arts and antiques throughout the entire hotel, including our room. Wonderful spa with great massage. Everyday tea time with delicious snacks, we will miss this at home! We did not take the breakfast but went to to the hotel's bakery instead, where they sell delicious sandwiches. We booked a Bromo tour at the hotel and this was a great experience as well. Experienced driver, nice guide and a packed breakfast. Nothing but good things about this hotel, I would recommend it to everyone! Above all I think it's the lovely staff who creates exactly the right atmosphere: it's a luxury hotel but with a very personal and relaxed touch. If we ever go back to Malang we will definitely stay here again."

Cuisine Wat Damnak: "Excellent reasonably priced fine dining"

You must visit this place if you can afford to and can get a table; delicious food that is a cut above the rest, successfully fusing traditional Khmer cuisine with all sorts of other influences. Atmosphere can be a bit stuffy, mainly due to the type of customer it attracts, but come for the food and enjoy yourselves. Is actually good value given the quality of cooking when you compare with typical costs of other tourist oriented restaurants in town. We visited with young children and they were very accommodating doing the full menu with smaller portions for our 9 year old and some chicken fried rice for our 5 year old; both kids declared the food delicious and ate everything in sight. Some very good wines as well. We managed to get an outside table at quite short notice despite them saying they were fully booked for months; if you don't ask you don't get!

MesaStila: "Amazing stay"

I just returned from Asia and spend a wonderful night in this hotel. I arrived in Semarang airport which is about 90 minutes away. Transfer was perfect and car comfortable. Driver very nice. Amazing driveway to hotel. Once we arrived I checked in overlooking this lovely property. Room was very large and comfortable . Bed was huge and so was the bathtub. I had lunch in their open air restaurant . There is a lot to do in and around the hotel. The spa is great and I had a fabulous 2 hour treatment . Dinner was also very good with a good selection of wine . Next morning I did the coffee plantation tour with one of their lovely staff. All was perfect ! Room, food and service. I would come back for sure .

The Cabochon Hotel: "Wonderful experience"

A great hideaway just off Sukhumvit with a beautifully curated experience full of curiosities, each room filled for a quiet browse. The things you discover. A step back into a indochin residence, sit back, with a cocktail or two, turn off the phone and relax before you venture out. Great warm and welcoming service, thank you. Very easy to recommend.

Heritage Suites: "Amazing Boutique Hotel"

"I stayed at the Heritage Suite Hotel for a friends wedding and it was literally the most beautiful experience. The staff are beyond helpful and lovely. The rooms are amazing. The pool is so serene! The food is amazing and I had the best time there. Highly recommended!"

The Island Lodge: "Vietnam"

"Excellent hôtel/ lodge. Emplacement magnifique au bord du Mékong. Calme absolu de la campagne. C’est paisible et envoûtant. Les promenades à vélo proposées dans les alentours sont extraordinaires. Il faut absolument se lever tôt (6h maxi) pour profiter de la vie des vietnamiens ( les marchés pas exemple) et ... de la fraîcheur. Au zénith, l’ombre au bord de la superbe piscine à débordement est très appréciable. Sunset sur le Mekong au bout du ponton privé .... Cuisine au top. La cuisine vietnamienne est peut être un tout petit peu trop occidentalisée. Petit déjeuner remarquable. L’ensemble est excellent et très haut de gamme pour l’endroit. Le personnel est adorable, souriant et efficace. Les hôtes sont charmants. Merci Michel pour les informations anecdotes et connaissances sur le delta. Si vous enchaînez depuis le lodge, privilégiez l’aéroport de CAN ToH qui est aussi loin que celui de Saigon, mais tout petit et ultra rapide pour l’embarquement. "