Kimkim Trip Reviews for United Kingdom

Kate did an amazing job!
She was knowledgeable and helpful, making suggestions as we refined our itinerary.
She was very responsive as we planned the trip and for minor questions that popped up while we were in England.
We really appreciated how the itinerary grouped nearby attractions together, and lodgings were unique and in great locations- we would not have been able to find them ourselves without stress and effort.

Our trip to London was absolutely wonderful, and I couldn’t be happier with our experience using Kimkim!

From the initial planning stages through our arrival and departure, everything was thoughtfully coordinated and well organized. Jane was a pleasure to work with, responsive to our questions, and accommodating whenever we needed to make adjustments.

I especially appreciated the assistance we received when selecting our hotel. Jane was incredibly helpful in working through the different options to find accommodations that suited our preferences and budget. We ultimately chose The Queen’s Gate Hotel, and it was amazing! We were absolutely delighted with our choice, and it was the perfect home base for our London adventure.

Our itinerary offered a wonderful combination of British history, sightseeing, and memorable experiences, while still allowing us time to explore on our own.

Some of our favorite highlights included visiting Buckingham Palace and the Queen Elizabeth II exhibition, exploring Westminster Abbey and the Churchill War Rooms, and enjoying a beautiful afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. The entire experience exceeded our expectations, and we came home with wonderful memories!

My only constructive feedback concerns our Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford excursion. We had originally booked a tour that included just Windsor and Stonehenge, but unfortunately, the tour operator canceled approximately five days before our departure. Jane and the Kimkim team were quick to accommodate us with an alternative that included Oxford, which we genuinely appreciated.

However, the replacement tour was on a full-size coach bus with a large group, and the day felt very rushed. With three destinations to cover, we had limited time at each location, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. In hindsight, I would have preferred a smaller-group or more private tour, even at an additional cost, allowing us more time to explore without feeling hurried.

That said, I recognize that the original cancellation was outside Kimkim’s control, and I appreciate the effort made to ensure we didn’t miss out on these destinations.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend Kimkim to anyone planning a trip to London. The communication, organization, attention to detail, and personal assistance made the entire process easy and enjoyable. I would happily use their services again for a future adventure!

Hotel Review

The Queens Gate Hotel

London

We absolutely loved our stay at The Queen’s Gate Hotel during our recent trip to London! The hotel was a wonderful choice for our visit. Its location in South Kensington was fantastic, with easy access to so many of the attractions we wanted to explore, while still being situated in a lovely neighborhood. We were especially pleased with how well the hotel suited our needs as two friends traveling together. It provided a comfortable and welcoming home base after our very full days of sightseeing, shopping, and exploring London. We couldn’t have been happier with our choice of accommodations. The Queen’s Gate Hotel was a wonderful part of our London experience, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone planning a visit. We would happily stay here again!

Authenticity & Character

Neighborhood was great

Location

Great location in Knightsbridge!

Staff

Friendly and helpfull

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were pristine!

Activity Review

Soho Evening Food Tour

London

We enjoyed our London food tour and appreciated the opportunity to explore different places and sample a variety of foods. However, I felt the experience was better suited for an afternoon outing rather than an evening food tour. As our guide explained, the tour was originally designed for the afternoon, and that became apparent in the types of establishments we visited. We began with a cinnamon bun and continued to several casual, quick-service locations, including a very small Chinese takeaway. While it was interesting to experience these different spots, the overall selection felt more like a casual daytime food crawl than the evening culinary experience we had anticipated. I would have preferred a little more variety in the atmosphere and dining experiences, particularly given the evening timing. Overall, it was a pleasant experience, but I would recommend positioning this particular tour as an afternoon activity or adjusting the stops to better complement an evening outing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rachel and her team did an amazing job planning a trip for us. Rachel was patient and attentive to our needs. We had wonderful experiences, including a personal driver who took us through the wonderful Isle of Skye, a private sheep dog demonstration, and many memorable adventures. We would work with Rachel again in a heartbeat!

We really had a great time. A few hiccups to be sure, but the tours executed were excellent.

I could not --and, likely, would not--have made this trip without Rachel and KimKim.

I started out with a vague idea of three things/places I would like to experience. Rachel did a magnificent job of helping me figure out what else I might enjoy. And she was right on all counts. I ended up with memorable experiences in all three areas plus a couple more: seeing beautiful landscape by train, art, horses/animals, theatre, history. And Harry Potter.

The KimKim app was indispensable, especially for an almost 3-week trip. It kept everything in one place, was well-organized, and had a clean, easy-to-read design (I have design experience--I know it's not a given). In addition to a day-by-day list of where I was going and what I was doing, it also listed how I would get there and included invaluable links to tickets, maps, and everything else useful and interesting.

They purchased tickets for me for everything from a front-row, center ticket to Phantom of the Opera, to museum tickets, to multiple train tickets. The train tickets were not insignificant, especially because my hope was to experience the landscape of England and Scotland by train. I started out in London and made stops at York, Barnsley, Edinburgh, Inverness, Portree, Oban, and Glasgow. Rachel arranged for me to join several small group tours and for several drivers for longer distances (I didn't trust myself to drive on the left-hand side!).

Each tour was an exceptional experience. The guides were a huge part of that--they made these tours interesting, informative, and fun. I'd like especially to mention:

--Private Walking Tour of York: My guide was Rob, from Walking Tours in the UK. Rob has a doctoral degree in history. To say he was knowledgable is an understatement. He was also passionate about the history of York, his native town. I very much appreciated his consideration for my slight limitations in walking--neither of us made a fuss about it; he simply and quietly stopped at places where I could sit down for a bit while we talked. My York history walk with Rob was a clear highlight of my trip. He has my deep appreciation.

--Whitby and the North York Moors, complete with a ride on a steam train (Mountain Goat Tours). I never understood the mystique of the moors in literature and film until this drive. I do now. Our guide's passion for the moors was contagious. He also had some recommendations for our time in Whitby, which were right on the mark. Another knowledgable, remarkable guide. (And I feel bad I don't remember his name!)

--Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour (Edinburgh) with Caroline, from the PotterTrail. This could easily have been a cutesy, "here's this" and "here's that" tour, but what Caroline did was give thoughtful insight into parts of Edinburgh that inspired JK Rowling. It became as much about where inspiration comes from as about landmarks and Harry Potter--not an easy thing to do, in my opinion. There were several children on the experience and she treated them with respect and fun. It really was quietly inspirational in itself.

--Skye in a Day. This was a dream come true. (I'd been singing the Skye Boat Song for decades before Outlander!) Once again, the guides were a key part of the day. (We had one guide, Donny, in the morning. When he started having van trouble, he called in a colleague, Kevin. There was no disruption; the switch was seamless.) They were both excellent guides. The camaraderie, with a touch of humor, they created with our group made this particularly memorable day. They made it a point to learn everyone's name and where we were from. And the island itself? Stunningly beautiful.

The arrangements that had to be made to make this trip possible were mind-boggling. In addition to the items mentioned above, KimKim arranged drivers for me from Heathrow to my hotel, from Skye to Oban, and from Glasgow to the Edinburgh airport. The drivers were, to a person, professional, knowledgable, and good conversationalists.

One of my tours was cancelled due to a mechanical issue with a ferry we were to take to several of the islands. I received a timely notification from KimKim the day prior.

The hotel selection, especially given the number of cities I was visiting, was also a not-insignificant part of KimKim's services. We talked about what I was thinking of and she chose the right hotels for me. Also, they were conveniently located to the places I would be visiting.

Rachel and I were in touch almost every day. She even reminded me to make restaurant reservations in Portree, where there is a limited number of restaurants.

Those arrangements, from hotels, to theatre, tour, and train tickets, absolutely (pardon the expression) blow my mind. And that everything went smoothly is a testament to their skills and expertise. I can't thank Rachel and the KimKim Team enough for the experience of a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews

The Tower Hotel

London

Authenticity & Character

the location

Location

it's right on the Thames and right across the road from the Tower of London

Staff

professional and responsive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Leonardo City Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Only a short walk to the Royal Mile.

Staff

Was just a little too relaxed.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

It felt both impressive and comfortable. The breakfast buffet was outstanding. The bar was impressive in a formal, yet comfortable and relaxed way and had good food--it was a very good place to eat at the end of a big day of walking. Best of all, it was a very short walk to the city center.

Authenticity & Character

I've never stayed in a hotel with a doorman dressed in a red livery uniform before. And, along with the rest of the staff, was very helpful.

Location

It was only a block or so from one of the city gate entrances into York, so very easy to walk to wherever I needed to go.

Staff

The staff was very helpful. They went above and beyond when I forgot about one of my prescription medicines and left it in the refrigerator. They overnighted it to my next hotel.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maldron Hotel Glasgow City

Glasgow

It's a little difficult to compare because, like the Tower Hotel, it is a typical modern hotel. But it was nice and having a little less character the last night of my stay (when I was pretty tired) was kind of nice.

Location

It was a short cab ride from the train station. I was only there one night (on my way home), but I spent a little time exploring and found a nice food/shopping street to explore.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Redcliffe Hotel

Inverness

My room was in a building separate, but just across the street from the main hotel. This was a very recently remodeled space and was lovely. The best thing was a patio running the length of the building with a phenomenal view of Inverness.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Marmalade Hotel

Portree

Location

Short and pleasant walk to the city.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Perle Oban Hotel & Spa

Oban

One of my two favorite hotels, the other being the York Grand.

Authenticity & Character

Rather elegant, with a lovely staircase and hallways. (My room required several turns down very short hallways and had a gigantic and elegant mirror.) The first thing I saw was huge ferry right outside my large window. pulling up into the harbor (this was before I knew this was a big ferry terminal.

Location

Perfect. Right in the middle of everything.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

An Evening at the West-End! Tickets to a Show of Your Choice

London

I will never forget seeing Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre. The theatre, the sound quality, the sets, and, especially, the talented cast were absolutely memorable. The opening notes of the male chorus are still sounding in my head.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tetiana was only a phone call away and was able to direct and assist us with ANY and ALL aspects of our journey. I was very hesitant to go with Kim Kim after I received an initial rejection from your team because your team was not ready to work within my budget. All this changed when Tetiana reached out to me and worked patiently and diligently to come up with a travel itinerary that suited our family’s needs. She was there with us every step of the way. We are truely grateful to her for enabling us to complete our last family vacation with our elderly parents and my brother who is recently in remission from esophageal cancer. God Bless Tetiana!!!

Hotel Reviews

Hilton London Heathrow Airport

It was ok - it was picked for its convenience to the airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel Dress Code

Paris

Tiny rooms and dated.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central

Staff

Understaffed at night so the African gentleman stated that he could not help us as he was by himself.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sink was blocked and the staff was not really helpful because he stated that he was by himself.

Melia White House Hotel

London

Very clean and excellent customer service.

Authenticity & Character

Like any other 4 star hotel. Nothing unique.

Location

Centrally located

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean rooms but the carpets in the common areas were stained and worn.

Activity Reviews

Private Louvre Museum Visit

Paris

Sebastian our guide was beyond excellent!!

Quality of Experience

Guide was very well versed with historical events.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very patient with my elderly parents

Transport

Vijay is an excellent driver and very helpful to my elderly parents.

Paris Icons in Four Hours: Private Drive & Stroll

Paris

Once again, Sebastian and Vijay made a great team!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Very comfortable and convenient.

Transfer to Desired Location

London

Quality of Experience

I

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover London in a Private Black Cab

London

Chris was great!! He was very informative. Initially we had a hard time following his accent but then we got the hang of it and he used the Mike on the second day so that my parents could hear him better in the back.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ancient Monuments & Historic Salisbury Tour

United Kingdom

Always awesome to see Stonehenge. Plan to return during the solstice when one is allowed to be up close and personal and partake celebrating the solstices with the Druids.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer to the International Train Station

United Kingdom

The driver dropped us off about 1/2 a block away from the station and we had to lug our luggage and walk the rest of the way which was tedious for my parents.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Had a fantastic time experiencing beautiful Snowdonia National Park and coastal Wales, which we could not have done without the expertise of our specialist Rachel. Many fond memories and great photos to share with friends and family. Thank you for a great trip!

Diane and Alfred Padden

We just returned from an incredible 11-day journey throughout the United Kingdom, planned by our KimKim agent Rachel. Everything was laid out for us to the tee, from wonderful accommodations, timed tickets, rental cars, most transportation, and guidance along the way. Rachel was accessible, answered questions, and took our travel needs to heart. Knowing all was taken care of gave our family such peace of mind for the whole trip. Working with KimKim was an excellent experience, and we will certainly use their services again.

Jane planned a trip that was just what we wanted. Every detail was covered and we had no mishaps with our transportation or lodging or tours. I have recommended Kimkim to all my friends that are planning trips.

Hotel Reviews

The Merchant's House

Salisbury

Delightful historic hotel with a chef who prepares authentic Indian dishes and more conventional dishes as well. Only slight negative was that we had to carry our bags downstairs ourselves.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Centrally located close to the market center and the cathedral.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eight

Bath

Such a cute place and comfortable too and right in the middle of everything. Next door to Sally Lund’s Buns. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The breakfast was excellent. Only slight negative was the metal spiral staircase which make carrying our bags down interesting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

Very luxurious hotel and large comfortable rooms. Bigger than the other hotels we stayed in and newer too but we still really enjoyed it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Leonardo Royal London St Paul's

London

A large hotel in the city so a bit more impersonal than some of the other hotels but still very comfortable and convenient.

Authenticity & Character

My

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Dark Tales of York Private ghost tour

York

We had a one on one tour with the most fabulous entertainer and host. I don’t remember his name but I loved watching his face while he told us stories.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pauline was wonderful! She was very detailed and organized with our plans. She was very attentive to my needs as a disabled traveler. There were some hiccups on the trip but none of them had anything to do with Pauline or Kimkim and anything we approached her with pertaining to those problems she went above and beyond to help rectify. When we travel abroad again we will be using Kimkim!!

We Loved Our Trip!

Kateryna clearly took the time to create an unforgettable trip to London and Paris for my husband and I.

We began in London with activities planned to help us see the most important sights and landmarks. After a slight hiccup with a two hour delay leaving New York, and then another hiccup in the Heathrow Airport, in which the customs computer system went down, we missed our time slot to see Westminster Abbey. Kate replied to us while we were still standing on line at customs to change our call time to the following day. She also ensured that our transportation from the airport would wait for us! We got the chance to have a private tour of London in a black cab with our guide, John. John was fun, informative, and certainly a highlight of our trip! In addition to Westminster Abbey we were also scheduled to tour The Tower of London and go to The British Museum. On our final day in London we went on a bus that Brough us to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. Our tour guide Apple made sure that we stayed on time and had fun throughout the day. We had a great time in London, we stayed in The Phoenix Hotel, which was easily accessible and in a cute neighborhood that had everything we needed within walking distance.

The middle part of our trip took us to Oxford. Unfortunately, we were scheduled to be there during many of Oxford's graduations. We were booked to stay in a pub that was not in Oxford and we believe this is because many of the hotels were booked for the graduations. While Headington is not far from London, the 20 minute bus rides definitely put the brakes on exploring. In hindsight we wish that we had not been scheduled to go to Oxford. It was impossible to get tickets for Christ Church, Oxford's buildings were closed to non-graduates, and the streets were packed with people. We had a very hard time finding a place to have dinner in the city of Oxford and ended up having dinner at our pub, The Black Boy, both nights. While The Black Boy was a nice place to stay and we had plenty of room in our accommodations we couldn't help but feel that the overall experience was a little... off. While the owner was welcoming she also seemed annoyed that she had guests. The service in the restaurant was extremely slow and the staff seemed untrained. While we made the most of our time there- it probably would have been more fun for us to have spent those two nights in London. That being said, we did enjoy our tour of The Cotswolds, which could have been scheduled even if we hadn't left London.

Finally, our trip brought us to Paris! We loved it there. We got to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower our first night and the experience will stick with us forever. We were also scheduled to visit the Catacombs, which was both thrilling and chilling, and The Louvre! Our last scheduled event in Paris was seeing Versailles which was well organized and well timed within the scope of our day. Our schedule was open enough that we were also able to see Notre Dame and spend plenty of time in the Luxembourg Gardens. We were staying the WS Casanova. We had our own apartment which was cozy. We were on the top floor and were initially concerned about the fact that it had limited air flow, no direct access to the elevator, and no air conditioning (not uncommon in Paris!). The apartment worked out well for us as Paris experienced mild weather during our nights there. The only flaw is that the apartment was not a traditional hotel room and so there were no amenities such as room cleaning or fresh sheets and towels. There were also small signs of wear and tear on the room that, while not taking away from the usability of the space, did diminish its quality.

Overall we are really pleased with our experience. We would recommend Kateryna and KimKim to our friends in the future! Thank you for a great 10 days!

Our trip to England, Scotland, and Wales could not have been better! The itinerary, lodging, and activities that Tetiana planned were perfect for us as a group including a mom and dad, 2 children 7 and 12, and a grandmother.
We enjoyed all the tours Tetiana booked for us, but especially the private tours in Oxford with Samuel, in Cardiff with Dylan, in Edinburgh with Zander, and the world of sheepdogs demonstration outside Edinburgh with Julie Hill.
The group tour in Liverpool about Beatles history was also outstanding.
Our lodgings were all wonderful,, but I think our overall favorite was the Bear and Ragged Staff near Oxford.
Tetiana was also available for us the entire time we were there. She helped with navigating the tube lines in London to get to Starlight Express and to reschedule a lake cruise in Windermere when a flat tire forced us to miss the originally scheduled one. Thanks, Tetiana!!
Marsha Ramey

Hotel Review

Bear and Ragged Staff

Oxford

The Bear and Ragged Staff was my absolute favorite accommodation during our trip. It was such a unique experience staying above a pub in the countryside. All the accommodations on our trip were outstanding, but this one stood out because it was so different and felt like a more immersive experience.

Activity Reviews

Starlight Express

London

Starlight Express was a fantastic highlight of our trip! Starting in London and seeing this show was amazing. It's one of those experiences that really stands out because it was just so much fun.

Beatles and History Guided Walking Tour

Liverpool

The Beatles and History Guided Walking Tour in Liverpool was outstanding. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared amazing insights into the Beatles' history. It was really interesting and made me appreciate the Beatles even more. A definite highlight of our trip!

Brecon Beacons National Park

Wales

Our visit to Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales was great! It was something that Tatiana helped us add to our itinerary, and I'm so glad we did it. The scenery was beautiful and it was such a wonderful experience.

World of Sheepdogs

Edinburgh

The World of Sheepdogs experience near Edinburgh was incredible. Having the place to ourselves and seeing those amazing dogs was a perfect way to wind up our trip. It was absolutely outstanding.

We recently used Aleksandra to plan our trip to London and Paris, and she was absolutely amazing. She handled every detail—hotels, activities, and travel between cities—with such care and expertise. Everything was seamless, and her recommendations were spot on.

She made the entire process so easy for us. Aleksandra was responsive, organized, and really listened to what we wanted. Thanks to her, we were able to relax and fully enjoy our trip without any stress. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a smooth, well-planned travel experience!

We had a great experience using kimkim and Tetiana for our UK vacation. Tetiana worked with us to suggest and finalize a good balance of scheduled tours and self exploration. We had a couple days in each London, Oxford, and Bath for our week of vacation. Highlights included a private walking tour with a retired royal guard. The history of London he shared with his experiences as a royal guard were educational and entertaining. In Oxford, we had a small group tour of the Cotswolds that was a great half day of seeing a number of villages. In Bath, we decided to explore on our own with suggestions of things to see. In all three locations, we had amazing stays at the inns Tetiana selected for us - all were charming with access to pubs, transportation and more local flare. It was so nice to have all the hotels, train tickets, and tour tickets prepaid and we greatly appreciated kimkim's web site where we quickly had access to all our electronic tickets, descriptions of our inns, our itinerary and chat with Tetiana if we needed anything. We absolutely will use kimkim again and tell all our friends!!

Aleksandra started with good questions to fully understand our needs and plans for our London trip. From those questions Aleksandra built a good trip plan with our interests and it truly was exactly what we wanted vs selling us ideas we didn’t want. I appreciated her responsiveness and making sure all of the details were covered. All of the transfers went as planned. Aleksandra assisted us with obtaining great Hamilton and Phantom theater tickets. We liked our day in the Cotswold through English Bus and the attention to providing an in depth experience. I would highly recommend Aleksandra with Good Vibes through KimKim.

Hotel Review

The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton

London

Great location, great staff. Breakfast offerings were good and slightly above average.

Authenticity & Character

The helpful concierge staff

Location

Walkable to Westminster, Parliament and longer walk to Piccadilly.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room and bed were all kept very clean

Activity Reviews

Shakespeare's Stratford and Cotswolds

England

Liked the bus driver/tour guide and his ability to offer insights while driving. He was very knowledgeable and easy to listen to.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hampton Court Palace & Windsor Castle Private Tour

London

We liked having a dedicated black cab driver and car to tour the locations. Driver was very friendly and pleasant to have for the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Royal London Tour: Changing of the Guard and More

London

We enjoyed our walking tour guide and her efforts to tailor the morning walk to our needs

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bustronome

London

Great way to see many sights of London and have a relaxed dinner as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

London Secret Food Tour

London

The experience was good just a very busy area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

This mother-daughter trip was organized by the awesome Aleksandra, who helped us in every step of the way with hotels, activities, tours, and everything we needed to have a great trip. We visited London, Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Dublin.
I will write as much as possible for each city.
- London: The hotel in London was comfortable, although the beds were very small, everything else was good, especially the room cleaning service. The breakfast was excellent. Our private Royal tour with Diana in Spanish was very good, the walking pace was calm and she explained in a detailed way the places we visited. The Shakespeare's Stratford and Cotswolds tour was nice, however, the time in each place was short and the group was very large which made it difficult for us to follow the guide. The Afternoon tea at Fortum & Mason was amazing, we had a great time and the manager explained every single detail about this tradition to us.
- Edinburgh: The hotel in Edinburgh was nice, the room was comfortable, large, and clean. The breakfast was good but limited in the dishes that they offered. We asked for a decaf coffee and they reluctantly gave us a press full of coffee, it wasn't until we spoke to the manager that they brought a cup and apologized. The hotel's location is excellent, you only need to take a bus to get to the center and the hotel's area is calm. Please, warn others NOT to take the tram, it is too far from the hotel. The Old Town private tour was rushed, full of relevant information and interesting historical facts. Gains, our guide, is an amazing guide, and patient, he allowed me to translate to my mom the information he was sharing with us. Possibly not fully appreciated because we visited the old town at night. The St Andrews & Kingdom of Fife tour was very nice, our guide shared great information, and he gave us the correct amount of time for each stop without rushing. Many places, especially the cathedrals like St Giles and St Andrews were closed during the whole time we were there.
- Inverness: The Ness Walk Hotel is the best hotel we've ever visited. It is a gem of Scotland. Inverness is a really small town but the hotel has a great location. Everything about the hotel was amazing, from the customer service to the hotel room, simply wonderful. The Ultimate Isle of Skye Tour was great, Emma showed us relevant sites during the tour. The bus was full and it was kind of uncomfortable but everything we visited was amazing.
- Glasgow: The Adress Hotel has very basic and small rooms. The bathroom is too small, especially the shower. Service upon arrival was slow and the hotel keys were disabled when we wanted to go up to the room. Absolutely NO ONE helped us with our bags, we were just told “There is an elevator”. I recommend this hotel for a few days for its good location but everything else is bad, to be honest. We booked a free tour online in Spanish with "Somos Escocia", highly recommended.
- Dublin: We honestly didn't have enough time in Dublin. This city is amazing, the people are warm and nice, and the city is lively and fun. The Cliffs of Moher was a great tour, the weather was amazing that day but the description said "small group" and it was a big group! like 40 people in a big bus. The tour was not bad at all but it wasn't a small group tour.

Got back a week or so ago from a 'UK Highlights Trip.' Trip itself was 14 days, including 2 days for air travel. We were able to hit Ireland, Scotland, and England....overall, I would say every interaction I had with locals was pleasant, everyone was very friendly, and didnt feel unsafe....

Planning for the trip through KimKim took a lot of the guesswork out of the plannig the logistics for going city-to-city, offering suggestions on the top things to see and do in each city, based on our preferences, and they were able to set a lot of it up and manage for us (domestic flight, trains, tours, etc). Would like to thank Emily, Romane, Salome, and Stephen, who were all very helpful.

With taveling 14 days, we did understand and anticiapte the potential of a fewtravel hiccups, here and there (train delays / cancellations, for example). Any issues we did have, KimKim was very responsive in getting back to us and making sure the they were resolved in a reasonable time, and we were satisifed.

these are some highlights from each spot we hit:

-Dublin - really cool city. if you're going, definitely plan at least 2 days... would recommend getting a drink at the Brazen Head, one of Irelands oldest pubs (going back to 1100s). We also checked out the Viking Museum, Church of Christ Cathedral, and Guiness Factory... we closed one of the days out at the Church Bar and Restaurant

Day 2 was St Patricks Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Dublin Masonic Lodge, Trinity College Library / Book of Kells Experience, and the popular Temple Bar!

Day 3 - Galway Ireland - take a train from Dublin, to this cool, underrated city...some of the medieval fortifications are still standing, and one of the guides did mention that Christopher Columbus had visited it at one point.

Day 4 - we took a bus trip, which featured a short stop to Dunguaire Castle, and Cliffs of Mohr

Day 5 - we took a flight from Galway to Edinburgh, Scotland....would recommend taking a walk to Calton Hill, one of the highest view points of the city. we had dinner at The Dome, which featured wonderful ambiance, and if you're a fan of Harry Potter, would check out The Department of Magic, where you can make magic 'potions'

Day 6 - Edinburgh walking tour, and Edinburgh Castle - you can easily spend a whole day here...right next to it is St Giles Cathedral. Very underrated pizza place btw, check out Dough Pizza

Day 7 - Inverness, Scotland...we took a 3-4 hour train ride to Inverness, Scotland, where we took a tour of Clava Cairns, which were an important place for ritual activity, and thought to be older than Stonehenge, going back 5000 years...as well as Culloden Battlefield - now more well known, due to 'outlander,' it was the site of the last battle of the Jacobite uprising. Food and Drink, check out Aye Eat, and Scotch and Rye

Day 8 - Isle of Skye Bus tour - highly recommend booking this 2 day tour

Short hike to Rogie Falls, followed up by a trip to Dunvegan Castle, which dates back 800 years to clan MacLeod;
additionally saw other famous landmarks of Skye, including Kilt Rock, Lealt Falls, and the Old Man of Storr;
we wrapped it up with a Highland Cow encounter, and short walk around the small town of Portree

-Day 9 - York - -We visited York for a quick overnight stay - would have liked to check that city out further had we have had time, as i found it interesting some of the city's original medieval wall was still standing

Day 10 / 11 - London - Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Churchhill War Rooms

Hotel Reviews

Harbour Hotel

Galway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tigerlily

Edinburgh

Service, rooms, and breakfast service were all superb - i did however have to do laundry here, and it may have been cheaper just to buy new clothes from one of the gift shops than pay them to do it, so just something to keep in mind when traveling with light luggage

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals

Inverness

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No.1 York

York

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Park Plaza London Riverbank

London

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit of Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin

Galway Private Walking tour

Galway

Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Galway (small group)

Galway

Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile - walking tour with castle tickets

Edinburgh

Tower of London Timed Entry Tickets

London

Two-day tour of Skye from Inverness

Scotland

Churchill War Rooms Small-Group Walking (plus discovery of the area around Westminster) Tour

London

Tickets for St Patrick Cathedral, Dublin

Dublin

Trinity College Library : The Book of Kells Experience

Dublin

Culloden Battlefield private tour

Inverness

Tickets to Westminster Abbey

London

Fanny, Sarah and Pauline all helped us plan our perfect trip to London and Paris! Kimkim helped make the process of traveling to another country super easy and helped walk us through using their public transportation systems. We were very happy with everyone we worked with, and especially the response times of updating or rescheduling things that came up during our time over there. It made making changes on the fly super quick and easy. Thank you Kimkim. We will definitely use this service on our next European vacation!

Hotel Reviews

Hôtel Fior d'Aliza

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Holiday Inn Express Southwark

London

Super nice continental breakfast every morning and lots of great pubs and coffee shops nearby. Pretty standard chain hotel accommodations. A little far some of the main attractions on the other side of the river, but very affordable to take an uber, and/or nice easy walk along the river to get back.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Somewhat far from the main attractions in London, but very easy to get an uber to get where you need to go. The walk along the river is also very beautiful and easy to get to with beautiful views.

Staff

They got us into a room way earlier than our check in time which was great since we had an early flight and were very jet-lagged!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean and decent sized rooms, the beds were on the smaller size though and not super comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Harry Potter Studio Tour from London (with transport)

London

This was one of my favorite activities from our whole trip! Great for any Harry Potter fans! They did have three pickup spots along the transportation route which made the trips their and back take a little longer. Getting off and on at the last pickup spot might be more ideal so you're not waiting as long to get there. The props and tour was absolutely incredible to see and the food and overall experience though was a 10/10!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tickets to Westminster Abbey

London

We loved getting to see such a historical and beautiful church! There is so much more to see even after we were done with the audio tour. The audio guide was super easy to follow and worked well with the size of the church. You could move and see things throughout the tour at your own pace. The line to get in also moved pretty quickly as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tower of London Timed Entry Tickets

London

The Tower and all the buildings were really cool to see, as well as the crowned jewels! The only thing I would have changed is using an in person guide instead of the audio guide. I didn't feel like it really gave that interesting of information and it was kind of hard to follow based on where you were since the area around the tower is so vast. We found ourselves more following the maps and physical information they put up around the castle grounds and not really listening to the audio guide. I just think having someone lead a tour might have been a little easier and more informational.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Timed tickets to Le Louvre

Paris

It is definitely a must see in Paris, the architecture alone is very iconic. It was amazing to see some of the most famous paintings and sculptures in the world. I don't think the audio guide was worth it at all though. It was incredibly hard to follow and with the museum being so large we found ourselves following the physical signs around the museum to get to where we wanted to go and barely used the audio guide. I would have preferred to have an actual tour guide show us the most important pieces and talk about them more in detail. The information on the audio guide wasn't that useful or interesting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The audio guided tour was not worth it.

Transport

Night Cruise on the Seine with Music & aperitif (With drinks included - 1 glass of Wine)

Paris

We loved the boat cruise! The only bummer was they had to skip half of the stops due to the rain I believe, but the view was incredible from the water. It was kind of hard for us to find the loading point, so I would be a little more detailed in where the boat is actually picking them up, because just giving the port wasn't super helpful as it is a big area and hard to find what boat you are getting on at night.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jane and Sarah worked with us to create an amazing three week trip to the UK. Their planning was seamless--and they even helped us make a couple changes as we traveled. They arranged transportation, hotels, and tours complete with incredible guides for my wife's 55th birthday/bucket list trip, visiting castles and cathedrals, museums and highland hikes. They even had dining recommendations that we found to be on the money! I would absolutely recommend working with them and KimKim; their experience and knowledge combined to send us on the trip of a lifetime!
Thank you so much ladies!

Hotel Reviews

Park Plaza London Riverbank

London

Our visit to the Park Plaza was disappointing--we visited several hotels on our visit to the UK, all four and five star properties--and the Park Plaza was the only one without any water or snacks in the room, and the only one that charged us for early check in. The beds were comfortable, the rooms were clean, but the bathrooms were in need up updating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Novotel London Tower Bridge

London

Our stay at Novotel London Tower Bridge was wonderful. The hotel is in a great location near the Tower of London and provided a comfortable beginning to our trip. We found it to be a perfect start to our journey.

Nevis Bank Inn

Fort William

Staying at Nevis Bank Inn in Fort William was a cozy experience. We appreciated the studio apartment setup which allowed us to make meals. The hospitality was top-notch.

No.32 Hotel

Edinburgh

The experience at No.32 Hotel in Edinburgh was mixed. The location was great, but my wife found it not very comfortable.

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

The Grand in York exceeded our expectations. It was a true five-star experience, and we were delighted by the thoughtful touch of chocolate-dipped strawberries and a happy birthday note for my wife. The staff was welcoming, and the accommodations were luxurious.

Hotel Indigo

Chester

Hotel Indigo in Chester was accommodating and comfortable. We appreciated the early check-in as we arrived earlier than expected.

Hotel Indigo Cardiff, an IHG Hotel

Cardiff

Hotel Indigo Cardiff was pleasant, but the lack of windows in our room was a downside. Also, the limited menu at the hotel restaurant was a bit disappointing, but we understood there were staffing constraints.

Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments

Inverness

We really enjoyed the Glen Mhor hotel--the location was fabulous, the staff was wonderful, the room was comfortable and clean. The restaurant was great; the tour of the brewery/distillery was a blast! If we make it back to Inverness, we'll definitely book here again!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Overnight Caledonian Sleeper Train between Scotland & London

London

We did not enjoy the Sleeper--there was no where to sit in the sleeper room, the food was uninspired. The bed wasn't very comfortable; sleep was hard to come by with the train noise and movement.

Quality of Experience

Afternoon Tea

Fort William

Delightful! yummy, quiet, wonderful. We were unaccustomed to Afternoon Tea--what a great surprise to find a delicious assortment of sandwiches, scones, and treats!

Private Guided Hike of Ben Nevis

Scotland

Peter was great! Knowledgeable, experienced, and accommodating--the day's weather was not suitable for a hike up the mountain, so he took us on a great alternative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh with a Top Local Guide

Edinburgh

Gareth was a fantastic, knowledgeable and personable guide. Two thumbs up!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hampton Court Palace, Afternoon Tea & Return Transport

London

Garaint was fantastic, as was Tea! Definitely recommended!

We were knocked out by the variety, depth and professionalism we experienced during our travel adventures. This was one of the best travel experiences we've ever had. We could never have dreamed up the countless escapades we got to be a part of and were so appreciative of the accessibility and ease of it all!

We explored museums, castle ruins, and ancient villages and dined in cozy pubs in the middle of vibrant world-class cities. We had some of the finest guided tours I've ever been on (the Edinburgh literary tour and Cotswold Tour in Bath were standouts). But we were most impresssed by our KimKim travel specialists, Pauline and Sarah (and earlier on Neil), who not only put together this unforgettable travel experience for us but who were available to us at every turn.

In fact, they managed to transform a potential disappointment (due to an unexpected train incident) into one of the most exciting days of our long vacation by rescheduling a much-anticipated river cruise for us. We were able to sneak in a spontaneous visit to the Greenwich Museum and see a show at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre because of the way they thoughtfully configured our day. (We even had a chance to visit with some of the actors at the Swann afterward)! Pauline was as warm and attentive as she was thoughtfully professional as she worked to troubleshoot the inevitable unexpecteds that travel brings.

Our accommodations, while varied, were universally safe, clean and served delicious breakfasts. We were especially fond of our accommodations at the Grosvenor Arms in Bath, where we found the company of our host Richard genial and engaging. The Crown Inn at Penrith was our coziest night of sleep and the hardworking staff was personable, warm and gracious. We loved our travel itinerary in the Lakes District and the fascinating visit to beautiful ruins of Lowther Castle.

There is an endless array of memories to meditate on over the coming winter. One thing is certain: we will be trusting our next travel adventure with Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews

Grosvenor Villa

Bath

Grosvenor Villa was really lovely. It had a charming atmosphere with the host being very personable. The setup was cozy with a piano and fireplace, making it a great communal space. My husband, being a musician, enjoyed playing the piano there. It was a delightful stay, and the breakfast was excellent, featuring delicious food. The hospitality stood out, and the ambiance added to the relaxing experience.

Crown Inn Pooley Bridge

Penrith

Crown Inn Pooley Bridge was incredibly quiet and cozy, giving us our best night's sleep during the trip. It's a dog-friendly location, which is wonderful for pet lovers, but perhaps not ideal for those with allergies. I appreciated the peaceful setting and the overall comfort of our stay.

Angel's Share Hotel

New Town, Edinburgh

Angel's Share Hotel in Edinburgh had a cosmopolitan and edgy feel, which was a fresh change of pace. The aesthetic was distinctly modern, and while it wasn't as warm as some other places, the service was accommodating, with our room ready upon arrival. The overall ambiance was enjoyable although it felt a bit less intimate.

ibis Styles London Gloucester Road

London

Our stay at the hotel was a bit of a mixed bag. While it was an understandable price point for a central location like Kensington, the hotel felt a bit too commercial for my liking. They had a quirky subway theme, which included 'mind the gap' decor, but it was a bit much after a day of train travels. Our room was small, and we barely had space to move around. One of the lifts was broken, and although there was another working one, it was a bit of a hassle. Having to deal with many stairs wasn't ideal either, especially when mobility could be a potential issue for some.

Activity Reviews

Lowther Castle

England

One of our favorite experiences was visiting Lowther Castle. The ruins are off the beaten path, and it was a great recommendation from our guides that truly added a unique touch to our trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the Castle's ambience and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable historical site.

Johnnie Walker Tasting Experience - Whisky Explorers

Edinburgh

The Johnnie Walker Tasting Experience was a pleasant surprise for us as casual drinkers. We had an excellent guide, and despite it being her first launch, she did a commendable job. I'd recommend this to whisky lovers and those who are curious alike.

The Bath Gin Company Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience

Bath

The Bath Gin Company Distillery Tour & Tasting Experience was nothing short of amazing. Our guide was remarkable, and it was fascinating to go behind the scenes and witness the inner workings. The quality of their product speaks for itself, and I'm hopeful for their great success. A must-visit for gin enthusiasts!

Literary tour of Bath

Bath

The Literary tour of Bath was fantastic, particularly the Jane Austen experience. It was well-written, comprehensive, and beautifully presented. The guides were top-notch, enhancing the entire visit with their depth of knowledge.

Edinburgh Castle Tickets

Edinburgh

Our visit to Edinburgh Castle was a bit disappointing as we missed our guided tour slot due to unforeseen circumstances. Although we managed to do the audio tour, it felt like a lost opportunity. The site was extremely busy, probably due to a bank holiday, which added to the regret.