Guest Reviews

David’s Kitchen: "Almost wheel-barrowed out!"

My wife and I were celebrating a year after getting married in Chiang Mai. There were whispers around town that David's kitchen was an excellent restaurant and we decided to chance our luck and book a day in advance. Luckily enough we managed to get a table and our dining experience surpassed anything we imagined! Everything was lovely. The ambience, the company, the setting, the staff, David himself came to chat to us (interesting man!) and the whole restaurant was thoroughly enjoying itself immensely. Most importantly, the food was incredible. We tried the escargot, the pumpkin soup, the signature beef cheek as well as the bourguignon. After that, we couldn't help but try their desserts in the sticky toffee pudding and the chocolate souffle. By the end of it, we were so relaxed, happy and content that indefinitely felt like we needed to be wheel-barrowed out of the restaurant. I offer my highest recommendation to anyone visiting Chiang Mai. Food lovers would leave David's Kitchen saying Chiang Mai definitely has a top restaurant in town.

Blackitch Artisan Kitchen: "Amazing, friendly, creative"

If you really like great food cooked by passionate and friendly people, this is the restaurant you’re looking for. The food is first and foremost delicious. But it’s everything else that really makes this place shine. They focus on local ingredients, used with a modern sensibility in dishes that are still recognizably Thai. (Even having eaten around Thailand there was plenty we were unfamiliar with.) Each fantastic course comes with a chat with the chef - as brief or extensive as you want. These are people who want to share their love for their food with you. Honestly, as foodies, this is the meal we’d been looking for since we arrived.

Blackitch Artisan Kitchen: "Amazing Chef’s Table experience"

"Had no idea what to expect when we booked this restaurant, and not knowing even made it better. We almost left because we didn't know where the restaurant was, we entered the bar adjacent and they said it was next door but next door was a gelato place which was closed. Blackitch was above this gelato place but we felt weird entering a closed shop. Luckily as we were about to leave, a lady came out and let us in, led us up into this quaint and small space. It was the restaurant and it would only fit about 12 people (2 tables and a bar area) making it super intimate. The food consisted of a 9-course set menu which is meticulously prepared by the Chef who comes out to explain each course. It changes all the time and his philosophy is very farm-to-table, local, nose-to-mouth cooking. His cooking ideals are admirable and we would definitely go back to try the other dishes he comes up with as the dishes were delicious (lots of Thai flavors fused with other cuisines). A meal for 4 of us cost around 7000 baht with drink and corkage as be bought a bottle of wine along."

Tugu Bali: "Best ever!!!"

"A true oasis in Bali!!! This hotel is amazing!!! Staff was fabulous!!!! They could not have been more accommodating Grounds are beautiful! We stayed here at the end of a long trip. It was truly an amazing end to our trip before the long trek home. "

Tugu Lombok: "One of the best resorts I have stayed in"

"If there is nothing negative to say about a place it must have been a great stay. Absolutely everything was perfect! The way we were welcomed, the amazing room, the privacy, the open air bathroom, the postcard white sand beach, the fantastic staff, the good food, the organized waterfall tour, our private driver, the Spa treatment and all the other hotel facilities. Our room number was 107 and it was the first room next to the main swimming pool. Only a green lawn separates the beach from the back garden where we had our own private swimming pool. The room was so big it feels like staying in an old castle and had one of the biggest beds I have ever slept in. The 6m high ceiling, some great pieces of art, a sofa, a huge desk, a seating area and a majestic 3m high mirror where some other interior highlights. The bathroom is integrated in the garden where there was a big fishpond. Shower and bathtub our outside surrounded by nature. The Wi-Fi throughout the resort is surprisingly really good. Signal and speed were but fantastic and one of the best I have experienced in Indonesia. The hotel complex is huge and it is lovely to wander around. Everywhere you will find pieces of art and other things of interest. Every time you go around you will discover another lovely spot. There is another massive pool, unfortunately I only had time to take a look at it the morning we left. Seriously this is one of the best resorts I have ever stayed in! The hotel organised a perfect private tour for us to the best waterfalls in Lombok. Our driver was lovely and let the us free in wherever we wanted to go. It was completely tailored to our wishes. We scheduled a massage at the resort, but because we loved the tour so much we were 3h late. That was no issue and as soon as we arrived the staff organized the massage for us. The spa treatment was absolutely lovely and definitely I would definitely recommend it. All perfectly planned! For sunset we walked around in low tide and search for tiny marine life. There is so much you can find in the 20cm deep water: nudiebranch, starfish, spanish dancer, crabs, little shrimps, etc. The staff brought us water shoes and helped us finding funny marine life. There is a raft out in the sea, it seems far, but is pretty close and snorkelling around is fun. The hotel also offers a canoe and a SUP board free of charge. Absolutely great experiences, thank you all! I wish I remembered the names of the staff to thank them personally. Our boat from Bali arrived at a pier only 9km from the resort and a normal meter taxi was only $2. The hotel did not have a complimentary pick up/drop off. For such a low-fare it would have been a nice service if this would be complimentary. Would have saved a lot of hassle. The only thing I can come up with is that the prices of food and beverages in the resort are somehow a bit outrageous compared to the standard prices in Indonesia, but luxury has its price so somehow it’s understandable. It seems that there is not much around the resort but I did not really do an effort finding something else as we were treated like royals by the fabulous staff."

Amata Lanna: "Paradise"

"Beautiful small hotel in Chiang Mai - only 12 georgeous rooms. Very warm welcome & and wonderful surprise when we were shown to our rooms - even better than the photos that we had seen prior to booking. Rooms are spacious, v tastefully decorated in traditional dark wood & the bathroom hosts both a jacuzzi bath & a shower. Outside areas are compact but leafy & relaxing, & the pool is very small offers welcome respite from the hot temperatures. Would very happily come back & recommend !"

SUMMERTIME VILLA: "A delightful stay"

You want a piece of heaven, people say head to Goa. You want a piece of heaven, a place to call your own for few days, head to Summertime in Goa. For me, it was love at first sight. It is tucked in one of the by lanes of Calangute, away from the noise, has a small sprawling drive up to the main house and a private swimming pool to boast. It is built like a Balinese villa, is open, spacious and is extremely welcoming. It has an in house kitchen and a few hours’ notice the help can whip up delicious and scrumptious food. We had biryani, eggs and cold coffee. Yum!! It is close hustle and the bustle and yet offers peace and serenity which is so essential. The hidden and the real gem are the books shelves. They even have books in the chairs. And don’t miss the delightful and fun conversation with the owners. You just wouldn’t wanna leave

Mume: "Spectacular food and ambience"

Definitely a must try in Taipei -- great food and ambience. Loved all the dishes we ordered and the drinks! It's all true -- one of the best restaurants in Taipei and Asia!

Cuca: "Oasis in Jimbaran"

Dinner at Cuca after reading review in a Dining Magazine. 3 adults and 3 children aged 14, 8 & 4 (Bit nervous!!!) Unfounded! Greeted and welcomed like family! Shown to our table and children immediately given colouring books, pencils and "kids" table setting including crockery and cutlery! Choose the degustation menu (I am Pescatarian) and was fully catered for without an issue. Each meal was out of this world! The taste, quality of produce was simply amazing! The mushrooms and scallops my favourite, the corn being my sisters favourite! All in all a beautiful meal and experience from start to finish. All staff attentive and made the night extra special! Would go back for lunch and dinner in a heartbeat! Would be amazing in the day sitting outside in the gardens! We will be back!

Sukoon Houseboat: "Perfect choice for Dal Lake"

We planned to spend 4 nights on a houseboat on Lake Dal and spent much time reading TA reviews and reviews from other sites. We selected the Sukoon based on these reviews and the new construction as we feared older boats may have a musty and damp smell. After looking at so many other boats during our 5 days on Lake Dal we are sure we made the correct decision. The service was professional, the rooms as described -- new. clean and well appointed. The food was good and the meal service superb. Customer service was a high point. A real plus for the Sukoon was the location at the far end of the lake away from almost all houseboats. This is important as most boats are located in a chock-a-block fashion with little if any privacy. They arranged our tours and other needs. We would definitely choose the Sukoon when we return and return we will as Srinagar is a fabulous destination that deserves more the 5 days. Our only regret was not having arranged airport pick up ahead of time. The airport arrival area is chaotic to say the least due to security procedures and most taxi drivers had no idea where the Sukoon was located --- there are well over 500 houseboats on the lake so this would be expected.