Guest Reviews

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "A really classy first-rate camping safari"

"We stayed in the only air conditioned tent and with it's ensuite bathroom and running water was the ultimate luxury. The things that made this safari were the staff (wonderfully expert and hospitable), the excellent Sri Lankan food and - oh yes - the wildlife spotting! Just be aware that unlike African safaris we have been on, this camp is in a lovely spot but outside the reserve as camps are not allowed inside."

Supanniga Eating Room: "Great Thai"

Recommended by a Thai friend. The food was excellent. Great service as well. The restaurant was full on a Tuesday night, you have to book. At least a dozen people came while we were eating and had to leave, because it was fully booked. My husband prefers his food not too spicy and they accommodate him. All the dishes we tried were excellent! Very good value and nice atmosphere.

Muang La Lodge: "What a wonderful oasis"

"Visited very briefly during an extended planned trip and had to be dragged away otherwise we would have quite happily stayed for a lot longer!! Staff couldn't have been more attentive or friendly and every little detail had been thought through thoroughly to make you feel special. Thoroughly recommended"

MesaStila: "Perfect!"

"The architecture, ambience, landscape, surrounding, view, amenities, facilities, service, all perfect! We stayed at the Ambar family Villa which has beautiful view to the mountains & lush greenery. I & hubby particularly enjoyed the in-house coffee plantation tour."

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris: "Luxury in the wild"

"Our 2 night stay with NRLS will be a treasured memory. The luxury tents were set amongst trees to ensure privacy and were well equipped with lots of little extras including a flush toilet and a hot shower, without taking away from the camping feel. The atmosphere was friendly and we quickly felt relaxed and at ease with the staff and other guests. The food and drinks were plentiful and served communally allowing for good round table conversations with other travellers and our guides. Most of the food was Sri Lankan which was tasty and beautifully presented which added to the cultural experience. One of the highlights of our stay was our guide Dhanu. From the moment we arrived we sensed the passion and drive he had for his job. He has great knowledge of Yala and the wildlife which he shared constantly during our 4 drives as well as giving great photography tips. We were lucky enough to have 2 leopard sightings one of which lasted for about 15 minutes with no other jeeps around. We also saw elephants, crocodiles and lots of birdlife. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at NRLS and would highly recommend this safari experience. Thank you all for a wonderful wildlife adventure."

4 Rivers Floating Lodge: "Fantastic spot on earth"

"The floating lodge is one of the most spectacular places I ever stayed. Just so wonderful to wake up to the view and sounds of the sorrundings of the river and the jungle and just to splash down in the fresh river directly from your own terrace in front of your tent. The atmosphere in the Lodge is very pleasant and you feel very welcome. The staff, guides and manager are all very helpf

Tugu Bali: "Luxury By The Beach In The Heart of Canggu"

"The history of Hotel Tugu is a great story! Some time ago a poor student took a trip with a professor to Canggu and at sunset met with a stranger who gave the professor a Cupu Manik, a 16th century stone bowl of three parts from which was used by a priest to sprinkle holy healing water over sick villagers. The Cupu Manik was of priceless cultural value and inspired the students deep and lasting love of Indonesian antiquities and history. Several years later, the poor student had become a professional antiquarian and continued to search for the Cupu Manik to own for himself. Eventually he found the precious artefact which is now housed at Hotel Tugu. The student is the founder of Tugu Hotels, Exotic Spas and Restaurants, and these hotels now house his large collection of Indonesian art and antiques. A trip to Hotel Tugu is truly a step back in time! THE ROOMS There are 22 rooms, 19 of which are suites, 2 one bedroom villas and 1 two bedroom villas. The suites are large, with a living area, bedroom, separate shower room and the best bit, the bathtub which has a huge room all for itself looking out to the gardens and the ocean! If you treating yourself or this is a special occasion you may want to opt for the luxurious Puri Le Mayeur villa, a spacious single story villa overlooking the stunning lotus pond. The villa celebrates the eternal love between the famous Belgian artist, Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès and Ni Polok, his muse and his wife. The second incredible villa option is the Walter Spies Pavilion, designed with the art deco era of Java in the early 20thcentury in mind. This room is dedicated to German poet and artist Walter Spies, an influential German musician and painter who made Indonesia his home. SPA TREATMENTS I was treated to a 'Purnama & Tilem Massage' Energy of the Bali Moon, during my stay at Tugu and I can honestly (yes, really) say this was the best massage I have ever had. Not just because of the massage itself, but at Tugu they take the care to the make the treatments a unique experience. My therapist, Widia, greeted me and explained that before the massage we would walk down to the beach where we would wash our feet and place an offering for the gods. At the end of the massage we would do place a second offering at the hotels temple. Its hard to explain why, but there was something extremely relaxing, just going through these spiritual rituals that you almost don't even need the treatment! But of course, I had it! The massage itself is essentially a traditional Balinese massage that lasts for over an hour and is in the outdoor spa area, so you can drift off whilst listening to the sounds of the ocean. FOOD & DRINK Breakfast and Afternoon Tea is included in your stay at the hotel. For Breakfast you can take this in your room, outside in the courtyards by the pool or in the open plan dining area. There are several delicious breakfast options to choose from, each coming with fresh fruit juices and fresh fruits. In the afternoon, between 4 and 6pm, you can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with an array of delicious cakes and treats. Make sure you get back from any surfing or sightseeing during the day in time to enjoy this! And for the evening you can dine at the hotels stunning restaurant, and enjoy cocktails upstairs at the bar overlooking the streets of Canggu. Tugu offers a range of traditional dining experiences that can be enjoyed in a variety of private nooks around the hotel. Becky van Dijk BeckyvanDijk.com Travel"

Jing’s Residence: "Old World Charm and Service"

Jing's Residence is a place where you can relax and recharge while travelling through China. You are staying in the centre of Pinyao and it is a busy place but once you are through the discreet entrance everything is all calm.

Glenburn Tea Estate: "Perfection!"

"I can't believe I left my visit to Glenburn (and Darjeeling) to the end of my time in India. I definitely would have returned if I'd been earlier in my tour. The overall experience is fabulous, though there are adjustments that could be made to the property to make it out of this world. The property may not be as fancy as some five star resorts but the experience is everything you could hope for, largely thanks to the wonderful efforts of caretakers Will and Faye (and Alex, who is helping for a few months). They went out of their way to make the it memorable, warm and welcoming. The views and the grounds of the estate are lovely. The tea fields are interesting for a few hours. A lot of guests loved the trek to the Ranjeet River. I preferred whiling away the hours on the front verandah, which really is the perfect antidote to the chaos and dirt of most Indian cities. The catering is superb - kudos to the kitchen staff. If you like kitsch, it's worth the visit to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - though much of its journey is through town centres, cheek by jowl with people and their homes. The Shimla toy train may be better. Was lucky to catch a glimpse of Kanchenjunga on my last day but many don't get that lucky. It's still beautiful with or without that experience. The rooms are gorgeously quaint and the attention to detail with the decor is lovely. I loved all the butterfly touches in the Butterfly Room. But the owners may want to consider upgrading the sealing of rooms and electricity given the rates are in the higher bracket for the region. Post monsoon, I found a lot of creepy crawlies were making their way inside through gaps in the windows and an external door that couldn't close/lock. Also plugging in and using the hairdryer could get a bit buzzy given the old electrics. An upgrade to smooth the road to the property also wouldn't go astray. There is bumpy and there is feeling like you're in a washing machine. It's manageable if you don't get car sick but would be horrible if you do - I think the driver also makes a big difference. I did the road with two fabulous drivers and a less careful one as I was leaving and I noticed the difference. Despite those quibbles, I'd go again in a heart beat. Really loved the place. I was lucky to get a late room over the Dusshera/Durga Pooja holiday but apparently it books up fast."

Tugu Malang: "A hotel or a museum ? Spectacular either way"

"The Tugu in Malang is without question one of the best hotels in Indonesia. It is large and sprawling, and the antiques and old photos make it seem like a very old building, although it was constructed in the 1990s. The owner has an impressive collection of art, Indonesian, Chinese, and international, and it is displayed throughout the property. The rooms are spacious, beautifully decorated, and the separate enclosure for the very large bathtub in our suite was reminiscent of an old railway car. The staff is professional and attentive and always ready to take that extra step to make the visit a success. I bought a large traditional puppet, and the concierge wrapped it for traveling. Another small but important touch - knowing that clothing suffers from travel, the hotel policy is to press three items at no charge. The location in the old colonial center is perfect for an afternoon stroll through the history of Malang."