Uncharted Earth

I have never booked through a website such as KimKim but we had such a positive experience that I will definitely be using them again. Cami was incredible. She was so patient and accommodating and we really couldn’t have asked for better help. The trip was one I’ll never forget! read more

I have never booked through a website such as KimKim but we had such a positive experience that I will definitely be using them again. Cami was incredible. She was so patient and accommodating and we really couldn’t have asked for better help. The trip was one I’ll never forget!

Cami’s (our local specialist) planning was fantastic. I had to change my trip dates several times and she remained incredibly patient with me and ensured everything went smoothly through the entire planning process. The trip itself was amazing. There was one slip up regarding a driver showing up very late to pick us up from our hotel, but it was not at all Cami’s fault or the hotel’s, and she was very quick to reach out to the company who dispatched the driver. I was very hesitant at first... read more

Cami’s (our local specialist) planning was fantastic. I had to change my trip dates several times and she remained incredibly patient with me and ensured everything went smoothly through the entire planning process. The trip itself was amazing. There was one slip up regarding a driver showing up very late to pick us up from our hotel, but it was not at all Cami’s fault or the hotel’s, and she was very quick to reach out to the company who dispatched the driver. I was very hesitant at first because I had never used this service. However, the overall experience was incredible and I would highly recommend both a visit to the Philippines, as well as Kim Kim’s services.

We found the whole kimkim experience very good - very easy to find expert help on our chosen location and Cami provided expert advice and prompt assistance with all our queries while helping us to organise the perfect itinerary.

On our first day, the snorkelling trip to Anilao, our drivers, John and Ana were the best - so organised for all eventualities, kind and helpful. From an anticipated two hour round trip, they gamely took on an overnight 10-hour drive after we changed our mind... read more

We found the whole kimkim experience very good - very easy to find expert help on our chosen location and Cami provided expert advice and prompt assistance with all our queries while helping us to organise the perfect itinerary.

On our first day, the snorkelling trip to Anilao, our drivers, John and Ana were the best - so organised for all eventualities, kind and helpful. From an anticipated two hour round trip, they gamely took on an overnight 10-hour drive after we changed our mind about taking an overnight bus. We felt safe and looked after throughout, even after experiencing some unexpected road diversions which prolonged our drive considerably. They were incredible throughout, so calm and very kind, returning my daughter's sunglasses to the hotel several days after the drive when they found she had left them in the car. Thank you so much John and Ana!

The Anilao trip was a great introduction to diving off a boat into the sea. We had an expert guide in Alan who helped me -with my nervousness of the open sea - to try snorkelling - which introduced a whole sea world to me.

Jodie, our expert guide on the Banaue leg was wonderfully knowledgeable about the area, the rice terraces and the local community, of which he is a member. He helped us up and down some tricky (for us oldies) paths through the rice terraces and got us back in one piece. He took us to some amazing sites. After a hiccup with the airline (last minute cancelled flight), he made sure we were driven back to Manila in good time to make the rearranged flight. Jodie was all-round amazing!

The next leg, at El Nido was wonderful for different reasons. we had a lovely hotel, great staff, very kind and helpful again when we experienced another cancelled flight. Joel (and the team) at the Funny Lion was particularly helpful, making sure we had a laptop to help us find alternative flights at short notice (less than 14 hours from the original scheduled flight).

The trips themselves at El Nido were brilliant, we went island hopping on local boats with a great team led by Capt Mike and his expert photographer, Dodoy! We loved every aspect - the swimming, cave exploring, swimming in the (not so) secret lagoon and kayaking. Each day, we experienced the most delicious lunch on board the ship. Really wonderful experience. Thanks so much to Capt Mike and his team, and great fishing skills!

Bohol was great too - very different with excursions to see the Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills and the lunch on board the Boat raft. Our guide, Gigi, was very knowledgeable and had brought a raft of interesting local items to illustrate and explain the island. The trip to see the dolphins the following day was wonderful - never to be forgotten sight of the dolphins and turtles and followed by another lavish lunch on board.

The Amorita resort was very relaxing - just what we wanted at the end of the trip with a wonderful spa which my daughter and I made the most of - perfect.

All in all, a trip of a lifetime - plus we managed to set aside the final day for a quick tour of Manila and Intramuros and the largest mall in Asia - MOA - one very happy daughter!

Thanks so mcuh Cami, we will be recommending kimkim and you to everyone!

Kind regards

Kiran Khosla and family

Hotel Reviews

Belmont Hotel Manila

Pasay City

Hotel was conveniently located close to the airport. Staff were very helpful with our left luggage.

Authenticity & Character

Not much as it is designed to be a functional hotel close to the airport.

Location

close to airport.

Staff

very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel

Banaue

A lot of history to the hotel, Functional and clean.

Authenticity & Character

It's a former youth hostel from the 50s/60's - and still has that vibe in its decor and service

Location

Amazing location looking over the rice terraces and valley. great views

Staff

Very kind and helpful, allowed us to go to our room to rest after a long drive and before the day's tour started.

Cleanliness & Comfort

all was clean and comfortable!. Hotel could benefit from some air conditioning and modernised plumbing but that was also part of its charm!

The Funny Lion El Nido

El Nido

Hotel was wonderful - great facilities, staff, pool and restaurant. wonderful cocktails!

Authenticity & Character

lovely clean modern design with local materials.

Location

Close to the main street in El Nido but slightly apart from it which made the hotel peaceful and quiet after a hard day's sailing and touring. Still close to the beach.

Staff

Joel and all the hotel team were kind, welcoming and helpful throughout, nothing was too much trouble.

Cleanliness & Comfort

all was perfect!

Amorita Resort

Great hotel and resort with all the amenities and facilities needed for a relaxing stay - great restaurant, bar and spa and pools as well as access to beach.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Next to the beach - direct access to beautiful beach from hotel. Stunning views of the sun setting over the beach!

Staff

everyone made great effort to make our stay wonderful. Loved the housekeeping staff and enjoyed the towel modelling (swans, elephants) each day.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean hotel, great bar and excellent service in all the public areas.

Activity Reviews

Anilao Snorkeling Day Tour

Manila

See review in introduction.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See earlier review in introduction

Transport

The car was very comfortable with lots of space to stretch on long overnight journey and the drivers were the best - John and Ana - see earlier review for details.

Banaue, Hapao and Bangaan Rice Terraces

Banaue

See earlier review. One suggestion - a part of this trip through he rice terraces involved walking a narrow path which was quite high and which for someone who is scared of heights, could be challenging. I would suggest that this is flagged to prospective visitors.

Quality of Experience

See earlier review in intro for Jodie's expertise and helpfulness.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See earlier review

Transport

Very quick, fast and safe driving

Island Hopping in El Nido - Tour B

El Nido

See earlier review for details (in introduction)

Quality of Experience

see earlier section

Food

see earlier review of meals on boat - amazing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

see introduction for full review

Transport

see earlier section for full review

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A

El Nido

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dolphin Spotting and Snorkeling in Balicasag Island

Philippines

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bohol Island Day Tour

Philippines

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My best friend, my dog, and I took an unforgettable road trip through California, all thanks to our incredible travel specialist Leo! From the planning stages to the actual trip, Leo's attention to detail, expertise, and personalized touch truly made this trip one of the most fun and special trips I've ever been on :)

We traveled from Santa Barbara to San Francisco up the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at the most beautiful beaches along the way! One of the highlights of the trip was our... read more

My best friend, my dog, and I took an unforgettable road trip through California, all thanks to our incredible travel specialist Leo! From the planning stages to the actual trip, Leo's attention to detail, expertise, and personalized touch truly made this trip one of the most fun and special trips I've ever been on :)

We traveled from Santa Barbara to San Francisco up the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at the most beautiful beaches along the way! One of the highlights of the trip was our whale-watching tour in Monterey Bay. Leo made sure to book us on the best cruise company, where we were fortunate enough to see WHALES!! along with dolphins and seals :) It was INCREDIBLE! The crew was fantastic, providing insightful information and answering all our many many many questions :)

Leo's excellent recommendations for hikes and lookout points allowed us to fully appreciate the beauty of California (this was my very time there), and even helped us find some less crowded and dog-friendly spots to enjoy! He was also incredibly responsive and supportive during the entire trip, checking in regularly to make sure everything was running smoothly and providing timely solutions to any unexpected changes or issues. Our kayaking tour was canceled due to wind, but Leo jumped in immediately and provided us with tonnssss of options!

I can't thank Leo enough for putting together this unforgettable trip. The memories we made on this trip will last a lifetime (the tattoos we got in Santa Barbara also will LOL)! Thanks a million, Leo! You're the best <3

Activity Review

Monterey Bay whale watching

Monterey

IT WAS INCREDIBLE! We saw whales and dolphins! The crew was so very friendly, kind and patient. We had tons of questions and bothered them for a tour of the captain's room and they gave us a little tour of the inside! They were so funny and we really enjoyed our time on the boat! They told us tons of facts about the whales we got to see! On our cruise, we saw an adult female whale, with two juvenile whales and a bigger, male whale! It was so cool!! I would highly recommend going whale watching :) It was the highlight of my entire trip!

Quality of Experience

Had a place to sit inside and outside and plenty of viewing area for whales

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone (staff) was hilarious and so kind. We quickly made friends with them and enjoyed chatting them and hearing all the knowledge they have about the whales, boats, ocean, etc.

Transport

10/10 great boat ride. Great driver-Captain gave us a tour and showed us how he steers the boat and then showed us the route we took!

After a lot of research, my family and I booked this trip to Donsol for an ethical experience with whale sharks and we are so grateful that we did. I highly recommend this trip as it does not have a negative impact on the natural behaviour and environment of the whale sharks.

Our overall experience from the booking process to the trip itself was positive and enjoyable. Cami, our local specialist was very professional and organised meaning that we could relax and have a great time.... read more

After a lot of research, my family and I booked this trip to Donsol for an ethical experience with whale sharks and we are so grateful that we did. I highly recommend this trip as it does not have a negative impact on the natural behaviour and environment of the whale sharks.

Our overall experience from the booking process to the trip itself was positive and enjoyable. Cami, our local specialist was very professional and organised meaning that we could relax and have a great time.

Our guide Arisa was absolutely fantastic. She was very kind, thoughtful, helpful and friendly. She made us all feel very welcome.

Our accommodation at Elysia Beach Resort was serene and peaceful and the staff were so lovely and accommodating. My family and I are vegan and they went above and beyond to make sure we had food that we could eat which was much appreciated.

I loved how flexible this trip was. As scuba divers, we wanted to incorporate some dives into the trip and Cami easily organised this for us. Our dive master Bobby was fantastic and made sure we had a great day of diving. We did three incredible dives. One at Bobby’s Wall at San Miguel Islands followed by two drift dives at Manta Bowl Ticao Pass where we were lucky enough to see three giant oceanic manta rays!

We were very excited to see whale sharks in a natural calm environment and we were not disappointed. Our guide Joseph and the rest of his team were very experienced and we were lucky enough to swim alongside a beautiful whale shark, an experience we will never forget!

Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible!

Hotel Review

Elysia Beach Resort

Donsol

Elysia Beach Resort is absolutely stunning! I felt very relaxed and peaceful during my stay. The staff were so lovely, friendly and accommodating. My family and I are vegan and they went above and beyond to ensure we had suitable food to eat during our stay. I actually didn’t want to leave! I highly recommend them if you travel to Donsol!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Diving & Snorkeling in Ticao Island

Philippines

Diving Bobby’s Wall at San Miguel Islands and Manta Bowl at Ticao Pass was incredible! Our dive master Bobby was professional and he ensured we had a fantastic day of diving. We saw a lot of beautiful corals and marine life including three giant oceanic manta rays! The non divers also had a great time and were able to snorkel, relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. Overall it was an awesome experience!

Quality of Experience

Beautiful weather, wonderful dive master and crew, amazing dive sites and an incredible encounter with giant oceanic manta rays!

Food

We really appreciated the effort to accommodate us as vegans. We had rice and some eggplant but we were still a little hungry as it was a big day out diving and the portions were a little small. We also needed more drinking water.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our dive master Bobby was fantastic. I felt safe diving with him and he ensured our dives were fun and positive. The rest of the crew were also great.

Transport

The boat ride was fun and we felt safe getting from one dive site to another.

Swim with Whale Sharks in Donsol

Donsol

Swimming alongside a whale shark has long been a dream of mine. But for me, the most important thing is to engage in positive experiences with wildlife to ensure we do not negatively impact their environment and natural behaviours. This experience fulfilled my lifelong dream and it was incredible. Our guide Joseph and his team were professional and very experienced. There were only me and my family on the boat and when we finally found a whale shark, it was just us in the water so the experience was calm and stress free. Seeing the whale shark swim on the surface alongside us for about a minute before descending into the deep is a memory that will always stay with me!

Quality of Experience

Although there were other boats also looking for whale sharks, there were not huge groups of people in the water and the number of boats were limited. What made this experience special was the fact that it was a natural encounter.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Joseph was very calm and relaxed. It was clear that he and his team were experienced.

Transport

Take a paddleboat down Firefly River

Donsol

This was a nice addition to our trip to Donsol. Seeing the fireflies was a magical experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Árisa our guide was the most beautiful person
She went out of her way to make sure everything was perfect for us.
Both our tour guides for our whale shark experience and firefly experience were
Lovely too and very knowledgeable.
Overall we had an amazing time read more

Árisa our guide was the most beautiful person
She went out of her way to make sure everything was perfect for us.
Both our tour guides for our whale shark experience and firefly experience were
Lovely too and very knowledgeable.
Overall we had an amazing time

Our experience with Kim Kim and our travel advisor, Cami was beyond our expectations. Cami customized our trip for us and provided guidance based on her experience all along the way. She was in touch from the first day of our trip planning almost daily and in the days after our trip wanting to make sure we were reminded of flights, government registration, transportation pickups, names of local guides, emergency contacts, and general information to make our tours and overall trip a great... read more

Our experience with Kim Kim and our travel advisor, Cami was beyond our expectations. Cami customized our trip for us and provided guidance based on her experience all along the way. She was in touch from the first day of our trip planning almost daily and in the days after our trip wanting to make sure we were reminded of flights, government registration, transportation pickups, names of local guides, emergency contacts, and general information to make our tours and overall trip a great experience.
Our arrival in Manila was uneventful and the Belmont Hotel was ok but not great. While the proximity to the airport was great, the customer service was lacking; it was crowded and they handled overflow by placing dining tables in the lobby. On Sunday, we had a major problem with our flight from Manila to Legazpi on Sunday on Cebu Pacific Airlines. Our flight was diverted mid-air to return to Manila due to a problem with the landing gear. We had to stay in the air to burn off fuel which was a little disconcerting. Flight announcements were not made so many onboard were nervous to say the least. Upon our safe landing in Manila (Sunday evening), none of the emergency contacts answered the phone numbers which was very frustrating. I finally was able to get through to Carmel with WhatsApp. We were directed to an area near the baggage claim where we were given vouchers from Cebu Pacific. After more than an hour and a half, they took us by bus to a cheap and disgusting hotel (Royal Bellagio Hotel). There were prostitutes on the street soliciting passengers (including our husbands) and men trying to sell Cialis. We had to wait in line for over an hour to get on the elevator (maximum capacity of 2-3) to register on the 3rd floor. We were all lined up on the outside steps and through a restaurant to board the elevator. At approximately 8:00 p.m., we finally checked in and were promised dinner that did not arrive until 11:00 pm and it was inedible. We had to be ready to leave at 4:00 a.m. to depart on bus for the airport where there was no one there to meet us and let us know our flight number – we were directed all over the airport before finally getting our boarding passes. I would highly recommend any other airline other than this one.
We let Carmel know our flight number on Monday morning and she arranged for our airport transport to Donsol. Cami was back in touch to help us rearrange our itinerary so that we didn't miss out on anything. After a really rough beginning, our visit to Donsol was wonderful. The Elysia Resort was good but clearly our most “rustic” stay. While this was on the beach, the beach left much to be desired. It was dirty and there were dogs everywhere. They barked all night long. It was difficult to adjust the room temperature, the towels were pretty bare, the beds were only okay, but the food was good in the restaurant.
In Donsol, we were taken care of by Carmel and Ariza with Bicol Beyond; both were very accommodating, but Ariza was beyond our expectations. She was personable and very hands on. We really appreciated the rearrangement of our day to Busay Falls and the ability to switch it out with a second whale shark outing – all at no additional cost. Our first rearranged outing was our dive trip to Ticao Island and the Manta Bowl. Junery Azupardo (Jun) was our divemaster and he was assisted by July. They were both very, very good and experienced divers and we felt confident we were in good hands. Our first dive was a wall off Ticao Island and it was magnificent with colorful coral. Jun took photos and videos for us and hand delivered them to us on a thumb drive at our hotel in Legazpi – that is what I call “over and beyond” service. Jun and Ariza are both very good representatives for Bicol Beyond.
Because we arrived late, Cami worked with Bicol Beyond and Ariza was on the job. She rearranged our schedule for a second whale shark outing that was staffed with a great crew (including her husband who is a Butanding Interaction Officer [BIO]) and a university student, Aldwyn Calaguing, who was researching whale sharks also was onboard. Aldwyn was able to provide us so much information about whale sharks. Both BIOs on the boat were in the water with us and pushing us along to get the best from our swim with two different whale sharks; one was approximately 6 meters long (nicknamed Notchie due to a notch in his tail) and the other nicknamed Biggie because he was between 9 and 10 meters long. It was awesome! Ariza then arranged a special lunch for us. Her husband had hand-selected two large fresh crabs and she paired them with vegetables and rice. WOW! Our tricycle drivers (Mark) were so much fun and we enjoyed them so much. This company and the entire staff was wonderful!
The firefly river was fun and relaxing and our guide, Laura was good. We were able to see a couple trees where they were swarming so that was neat to see.
Our transfer from Donsol to Legazpi was uneventful and The Marison Hotel was very nice and the staff was very welcoming. We enjoyed our trip to Camalig province and the cooking demonstration was great – I must learn how to make that dish! I think it was Pinangat? It was delicious.
Our flight to Cebu City was uneventful despite a delay on Cebu Pacific airlines. We enjoyed the Marco Polo Hotel – the breakfast buffet was great and there were dining options. Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls was great and it was strenuous. I would suggest you have your clients watch a video of the trekking. We were by far the oldest people there but we had a great time- take that, you young ones!!. Justin and Vincent were our guides. When one of our group struggled with asthma and some of the climbs, Vincent and Justin he stuck by her side, holding her hand, and floating her through some of the river areas while we went forward and jumped all the cliffs – It was great fun!!
We enjoyed our trip to Bohol. It was a nice and relaxing day scheduled after a few days of very active tours. Both our tour guides were very nice. Christine accompanied us to the seaport and was there after our day to get us back to our hotel. Marichu (she gave her name as Sarah) was wonderful giving us a lot of information about Bohol, the Targsier Sanctuary, the Chocolate Hills, and the town. It was a very nice day aided by great tour guides who were clearly very interested in our comfort and needs.
The flight from Cebu City to Puerto Princesa on Philippines Airways was uneventful and it was a better airline experience. The Hue Hotel was good-clean and comfortable, and the location close to the Robinson Mall was nice. When we got in, we decided to chill by the pool and were seated but the bar staff asked us to move while they prepared for a private party. We moved to where we were directed and after 5 minutes, they approached us again and asked us to move. They suggested a location in the sun and after finishing our drinks, we decided to leave. The way this was handled was very poor. Later, we visited the pool which is badly in need of repairs. Many tiles were missing and the edges of the plaster were sharp.
The underground river was a nice experience. Rich is a very good tour guide who clearly knows the area well. Like all our guides, he offered to take group pictures for us and we got a really good guide for the mangroves who sang to us. It was quite entertaining.
Our trip to El Nido was interesting. We had someone pick us up but were taken to a gas station where our driver and van were switched. The driver didn’t appear too engaged or interested.
El Nido was great and the Funny Lion is a great hotel. We were greeted by the hotel manager who welcomed us and offered his assistance with anything we needed. He checked on us daily. The rooms were clean and beds and pillows were great. The pool was wonderful. Our island hopping was good but we were shocked at the amount of coral that is dead or dying. I know some of this is due to Typhoon Odette but this was not the best for snorkeling. The boat crew was wonderful and attentive and they prepared two great lunches on the boat. It was great, great fun.
Overall, we really enjoyed our trip and all of the transfers, guides, and details were attended to very well by Cami who continually checked in on us.

On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best, we rated the hotels:
• Belmont Hotel – “3”
• Elysia Beach Resort – “2.5 to 3.0”
• Marison Hotel – “4”
• Marco Polo Hotel – “4.5”
• Funny Lion Hotel – “5” – this staff went way and beyond. The rooms were nice. The linens and towels were great. Food was good. Pool was wonderful and the outside showers, bathrooms and foot wash was really convenient and useful.

For publication (here is a condensed review but feel free to use specific information about the tour guides, tour companies and the individuals as you feel appropriate). Most of this is designed to be helpful to you in further trip planning.
We planned a trip to the Philippines with KimKim Travel and were very pleased with their services. Our agent, Cami, helped us to customize a trip specific to our wants and needs. She provided guidance based on her experience. After a couple of months in getting the itinerary finalized, flights confirmed, submittal of needed documents, and answering our many questions, she sent a comprehensive summary of our trip with emergency contacts, tour guide names, details about transfers, and suggestions for restaurants, shopping, and additional activities. She kept in touch with us almost daily and made recommendations throughout our vacation. She sent us reminders throughout our trip and provided troubleshooting when we had a canceled flight that disrupted our schedule. She and the tour companies and guides in the Philippines rearranged things for us so we were able to regroup and continue our trip with very little problem. We highly recommend KimKim and Cami Sarmiento.

Hotel Reviews

Belmont Hotel Manila

Pasay City

Belmont Hotel was ok but not great. While the proximity to the airport was great, the customer service was lacking; it was crowded and they handled overflow by placing dining tables in the lobby. A special request to use the pool in the afternoon on our last day was a major issue as check-out was at noon. After escalating our request to a manager, we were allowed to use the pool.

Authenticity & Character

The service was "so-so" and staff was not customer-centric. Rooms were clean, dining was okay, phones did not work, some electrical outlets did not work, and the air-conditioning could not be adjusted. Overall, I would choose a different hotel with some character and better service.

Location

Staff

Not interested in helping or accommodating anything out of the ordinary.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable but maintenance was needed for phones and electrical outlets.

Elysia Beach Resort

Donsol

The Elysia Resort was good but clearly our most “rustic” stay. While this was on the beach, the beach left much to be desired. It was dirty and there were dogs everywhere. They barked all night long. It was difficult to adjust the room temperature, the towels were pretty bare, the beds were only okay, but the food was good in the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

A little more luxury would be nice. It did appear that the management of the hotel was interested in cost controls more than guest comfort. A rating of 2.5 is more appropriate

Location

Proximity to our tours was great.

Staff

Staff was polite and helpful but not over the top on service.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were a little hard, towels were pretty thread-bare, linens were clean. A little 'up-grade' would go a long way.

The Marison Hotel

Legazpi

The Marison Hotel was very nice and the staff was very welcoming as we checked in. The rooms were comfortable and had everything we needed. The restaurant was good and all staff from bell staff, to desk clerks, to restaurant servers were all very, very good. Great view of the volcano - wish it hadn't been so cloudy!

Authenticity & Character

Very nice - standard character.

Location

Great view of the volcano.

Staff

Everyone was great.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were very clean and the beds were super comfy.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

Cebu City

We would rate this a "4.5". All staff was very welcoming and helpful. There were multiple dining options. The pool area was a nice place to have a late meal. Breakfast was really good and plentiful with food and selection.

Authenticity & Character

It's a large and more luxurious hotel. The dining areas were really nice.

Location

With the city being so large, it is hard to rate the location but it was close to a lot of shopping.

Staff

Service was fast and easy.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were comfortable.

Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa

The Hue Hotel was good-clean and comfortable, and the location close to the Robinson Mall was nice. When we got in, we decided to chill by the pool and were seated but the bar staff asked us to move while they prepared for a private party. We moved to where we were directed and after 5 minutes, they approached us again and asked us to move. They suggested a location in the sun and after finishing our drinks, we decided to leave. The way this was handled was very poor. We had ordered beer - San Miguel Light but got the wrong beer. We approached the bar and they provided the correct beer but we watched one of the servers putting caps back on the beers we returned - that was a little alarming! Later, we visited the pool which is badly in need of repairs. Many tiles were missing and the edges of the plaster were sharp.

Authenticity & Character

Facility needs maintenance.

Location

Great location to road and next door to a mall.

Staff

Pool bar staff needs training. All other staff was good.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maintenance was needed.

The Funny Lion El Nido

El Nido

The Funny Lion-El Nido is a great hotel. The rating we gave was primarily due to the over-the-top service we received. From the management staff to every single employee there, it was clear we were the number one priority. We were greeted by the hotel manager who welcomed us and offered his assistance with anything we needed. We were provided with welcome and departure gifts - they weren't much but the thought was lovely. The manager checked on us daily. The Food and Beverage Manager was very attentive and was present in the restaurant and breakfast area each day. Like his manager, he was very focused on our satisfaction. The rooms were clean and beds and pillows were great. The pool was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character

The design of this hotel is really great. The pool was the center of the hotel and was beautiful. All facilities were open to the pool and fans kept everything cool and comfortable. There is a large bathroom at the end of the restaurant with showers and toilets if you want to use them as you come in from the ocean.

Location

Close to town. New facility on road where transportation was readily available.

Staff

If we could rate them a "10", we would. Their attention to our every need was just wonderful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were clean, towels were fluffy. Bedding and beds were very comfortable. Drying areas for beach clothing were available out of the front door and on the balconies.

Activity Reviews

Diving in Ticao Island

Philippines

Junery Azupardo (Jun) was our divemaster and he was assisted by July. They were both very, very good and experienced divers and we felt confident we were in good hands. Our first dive was a wall off Ticao Island and it was magnificent with colorful coral. The manta bowl was a challenging dive with some strong down currents but Jun and July made sure we were safe and taken care of. When our first dive had to be cut short, we went to the other side of the bowl, and were able to see a large manta. Jun took photos and videos for us and hand delivered them to us on a thumb drive at our hotel in Legazpi – that is what I call “over and beyond” service. Jun, July and Ariza are both very good representatives for Bicol Beyond.

Quality of Experience

The wall was beautiful and our dive team was really attentive. They went above and beyond.

Food

Wow! We really didn't expect such a great meal.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jun and July - you have to have good dive masters - they were familiar with the locations and our safety and comfort was their priority.

Transport

Boat crew was very helpful.

Swim with Whale Sharks in Donsol

Donsol

Ariza arranged our schedule for a second whale shark outing that was staffed with a great crew (including her husband who is a Butanding Interaction Officer [BIO]) and a university student, Aldwyn Calaguing, who was researching whale sharks also was onboard. Aldwyn was able to provide us so much information about whale sharks. Both BIOs on the boat were in the water with us and pushing us along to get the best from our swim with two different whale sharks; one was approximately 6 meters long (nicknamed Notchie due to a notch in his tail) and the other nicknamed Biggie because he was between 9 and 10 meters long. It was awesome! Ariza then arranged a special lunch for us. Her husband had hand-selected two large fresh crabs and she paired them with vegetables and rice. WOW! Our tricycle drivers (Mark) were so much fun and we enjoyed them so much. This company and the entire staff was wonderful!

Quality of Experience

An experienced crew focused on giving us the best experience possible.

Food

Ariza arranged for a fresh crab lunch - it was delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staffed by licensed Butanding Interaction Officers [BIO]) and a university student, Aldwyn Calaguing, who was researching whale sharks. Arranged by Ariza with Bicol Beyond who was so hands on and arranged for a fantastic lunch for us.

Transport

Boat and crew were great!

Take a paddleboat down Firefly River

Donsol

Fun and relaxing. We found an area where the fireflies were swarming and it was interesting to see the synchronization.

Quality of Experience

Pretty and relaxing

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Laura was very nice.

Transport

Picked up on time; back to hotel afterward. Easy and close.

Busay Waterfalls Adventure

Philippines

Not applicable - we canceled this tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls

Philippines

Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls was great and it was strenuous. I would suggest you have your clients watch a video of the trekking. We were by far the oldest people there but we had a great time- take that, you young ones!!. Justin and Vincent were our guides. When one of our group struggled with asthma and some of the climbs, Vincent and Justin he stuck by her side, holding her hand, and floating her through some of the river areas while we went forward and jumped all the cliffs – It was great fun!!

Quality of Experience

Great scenery, good exercise, fun!

Food

Freshly prepared - healthy

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Justin and Vincent were great.

Transport

Bohol Island Day Tour from Cebu

Philippines

We enjoyed our trip to Bohol. It was a nice and relaxing day scheduled after a few days of very active tours. Both our tour guides were very nice. Christine accompanied us to the seaport and was there after our day to get us back to our hotel. Marichu (she gave her name as Sarah) was wonderful giving us a lot of information about Bohol, the Tarsier Sanctuary, the Chocolate Hills, and the town. It was a very nice day aided by great tour guides who were clearly very interested in our comfort and needs.

Quality of Experience

Relaxing day following a very physical prior several days.

Food

Very good food, nice restaurant!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All tour guides were knowledgeable and very customer oriented

Transport

Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour

Philippines

The underground river was a nice experience. Rich is a very good tour guide who clearly knows the area well. Like all our guides, he offered to take group pictures for us and we got a really good guide for the mangroves who sang to us. It was quite entertaining.

Quality of Experience

The caves were beautiful

Food

Variety

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rich was a great guide! Friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable.

Transport

Island Hopping in El Nido - Tour B

El Nido

Our island hopping was good but we were shocked at the amount of coral that is dead or dying. I know some of this is due to Typhoon Odette but this was not the best for snorkeling. The boat crew was wonderful and attentive and they prepared two great lunches on the boat. It was great, great fun.

Quality of Experience

Mike was really a great guide and he and the boat crew were very attentive.

Food

It was delicious and freshly prepared just for us. What a spread they put on.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

So very nice - all of them.

Transport

Boat crew was great

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A

El Nido

Our island hopping was good but we were shocked at the amount of coral that is dead or dying. I know some of this is due to Typhoon Odette but this was not the best for snorkeling. The boat crew was wonderful and attentive and they prepared two great lunches on the boat. It was great, great fun.

Quality of Experience

Food

Awesome lunch prepared fresh on the boat. We even had fruit carved beautifully.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mike and the boat crew were great!

Transport

Leo, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He provided excellent ideas, listened to our input and planned a great trip.

He even sent specific directions with suggestions on what to wear and weather updates.

We had a couple snags along the way (which is expected when you travel) but Leo was attentive and helped us determine the best possible outcome.

If planning a trip is to stressful, let Leo do it for you.

We highly recommend him and Kim Kim. read more

Leo, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He provided excellent ideas, listened to our input and planned a great trip.

He even sent specific directions with suggestions on what to wear and weather updates.

We had a couple snags along the way (which is expected when you travel) but Leo was attentive and helped us determine the best possible outcome.

If planning a trip is to stressful, let Leo do it for you.

We highly recommend him and Kim Kim.

Activity Reviews

Napa and Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Tour

Napa

Fantastic experience but I’m rating this a 4 out of 5 because our reservation was messed up and one of us almost didn’t get to go. Luckily someone didn’t show and it all worked out. The pilot and crew were excellent and I highly recommend this experience.

Quality of Experience

Our reservation was messed up we paid for 3 people and the morning of they said they only had 2. Be sure to triple check.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sonoma e-bike wine tour

Napa

Great experience. Enjoyed our guide Mike. We weren’t too keen on the second winery (Sebastian). I was very, very deliberate and out asking the fees for the tasting and what the purchase requirements were to get them waived. My whole family heard the same thing and when we went to check out it changed. Very frustrating. The reason this is important is because one family member may have opted out of this tasting because they really didn’t want anymore wine that day. Regardless, great time and experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Very nice lunch. They also asked our preference and we got to select from a small menu prior. Helpful.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monterey Bay whale watching

Monterey

Crew was great especially Isaiah. Saw lots of whales and sea lions. Dress warm would be my recommendation to future travelers. We stayed at the Stargazer Hotel in Monterey, but it was a really bad experience. However, Leo quickly rectified the situation and as a Marriott Platinum member, we found another accommodation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Napa wine tour with picnic lunch

Napa

We went on a winery tour in Napa, which was great, but it would have been helpful to know the various pricing structures and deals offered by each winery beforehand. This would have allowed us to strategize better and potentially save money on tastings and wine purchases.

Quality of Experience

Food

Just an ok ham sandwich.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wow! What a stunning honeymoon adventure! Thank you so much to Leo for organising a truly memorable adventure of a lifetime! El Nido and Coron were spectacular spots and our guides, Rich and Jhonas, were brilliant hosts too! We will definitely be back! read more

Wow! What a stunning honeymoon adventure! Thank you so much to Leo for organising a truly memorable adventure of a lifetime! El Nido and Coron were spectacular spots and our guides, Rich and Jhonas, were brilliant hosts too! We will definitely be back!

Hotel Reviews

Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Atremaru Boutique Resort & Spa

Puerto Princesa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We understand the need for an eco solution but some aspects of the accommodation weren't ideal. The bathroom was poor, it was a struggle for me without air-conditioning , the restaurant quality was poor, no shallow end in the pool was problem for my partner who is only 165cm tall etc...

Sea Cocoon Hotel

El Nido

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Coron Westown Resort

Coron

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ulugan Bay

Philippines

Snorkelling quality was okay but the location, boart crew and lunch were amazing!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour from Sabang

Sabang, Palawan

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Nido via ferrata

El Nido

Brilliant!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A

El Nido

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour C

El Nido

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coron Town Day Tour

Coron

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coron Lagoons & Lakes Day Tour

Coron

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Powder Day: Sand and Stellar Beaches

Coron

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thank you Kimkim and Cami for planning such a wonderful 15 days Honeymoon trip for us. Cami was always very helpful from the start of planning to the very end of our trip without missing out the tiniest details. We sincerely felt that she had planned the trip to the best of our interests. Even when I fell sick and couldn't make it for one of the tours, she made numerous activity proposals for me so I wouldn't waste a day.

Transfer arrangements was on time even when there's a last minute... read more

Thank you Kimkim and Cami for planning such a wonderful 15 days Honeymoon trip for us. Cami was always very helpful from the start of planning to the very end of our trip without missing out the tiniest details. We sincerely felt that she had planned the trip to the best of our interests. Even when I fell sick and couldn't make it for one of the tours, she made numerous activity proposals for me so I wouldn't waste a day.

Transfer arrangements was on time even when there's a last minute changes to our connecting flights. All accommodations were lovely. All the staffs we met were friendly and helpful.

All the tours and guides Cami arranged were amazing. Shout out to Ariza from Elysia Beach Resort, Planet Action from Cebu, Jhonas from Coron, Jen from The Funny Lion Coron, ElBacuit from El Nido for make our trip unforgettable and amazing.

We highly recommend planning your Philippines trip with Cami.
With Cami, you won't have a single thing to worry about.

We had such an incredible trip and I would not hesitate to recommend kimkim and Cami in particular. From the initial booking, Cami was really responsive and receptive to our requests and gave us really great advice. The trip itself was just perfect and exactly what we had hoped for. The Philippines is such a beautiful country and the trip was really good value compared to other holidays I’d seen. A special shout out to Jhonas in Coron, and also to Christian from The Funny Lion in El Nido who... read more

We had such an incredible trip and I would not hesitate to recommend kimkim and Cami in particular. From the initial booking, Cami was really responsive and receptive to our requests and gave us really great advice. The trip itself was just perfect and exactly what we had hoped for. The Philippines is such a beautiful country and the trip was really good value compared to other holidays I’d seen. A special shout out to Jhonas in Coron, and also to Christian from The Funny Lion in El Nido who led our complimentary beach tour to Papaya Beach (highly recommend staying in The Funny Lion in El Nido and leaving a day free so you can take the complimentary tour - the beach is so beautiful!). Thank you for everything!

Our trip planned by Cami was amazing. Everything was planned down to the T. Nothing went wrong. Our transfers were always on time and our guides were so accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. The communication from all parties was great.

Jody- Whilst trekking through the rice terraces over 3 days with Jody I felt I was with a friend rather than a guide which is what you want. He knew everything about the area and is very popular with all the local people. I loved staying in the... read more

Our trip planned by Cami was amazing. Everything was planned down to the T. Nothing went wrong. Our transfers were always on time and our guides were so accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. The communication from all parties was great.

Jody- Whilst trekking through the rice terraces over 3 days with Jody I felt I was with a friend rather than a guide which is what you want. He knew everything about the area and is very popular with all the local people. I loved staying in the hostels along the way. We’d often saw glimpses of Jody helping the local people which I admired. A great guide and an even better man. I said I’d be in touch again to climb the 3rd tallest mountain in the Philippines with Jody.

Guides:

Charles- Driving from Manila to Banaue and back is no small feat. Charles was very hospitable and a great driver. He’s your man if you want to get from a to b in good time.

Rich- Although we only spent a small amount of time with Rich our experience was great. He’s a Puerto Princesa local so knows his stuff. The meal prepared in Ulugan bay was a banquet. One thing I would say is the snorkelling here wasn’t great and Coron is definitely the spot to see amazing fish, lovely coral and wrecks.

Zean- It was a great to spend the last day with Zean seeing Pinatubo Volcano. We discovered we both were fascinated by anthropology. Zean put up with my 101 questions and I learn’t a lot. Definitely will be in touch to plan some more adventures. The jeep ride was really an experience and I loved every second.

Admittedly, the schedule was intense but that’s the only way you can see that amount of things in 2 weeks. If you want a relaxing holiday chilling ( which I didn’t) this is not the itinerary for you.

The highlight for me had to be the north. It was eye opening seeing the villages: how resourceful and clever the locals are. I’ve never seen anything like it. Was eye opening.
I enjoyed watching Jody show us how the rice is made with a local man. We could learn a lot about the way they live over here in the west. There’s a really community feel. If you love walking and amazing views then this trek is perfect. The world heritage site was breathtaking. Looking back I wish I’d included climbing Mount Pulag.

Accommodation:

The Manila hotel did the job. We were a bit gutted that on the last day before our flight they didn’t let us use a room for a shower despite staying with them the night before and checking out at 2am.

Banaue homestay, Cambul guesthouse and the Hillside Inn were amazing. Simple but effective. Food was good, people were lovely no complaints. I would say that the accommodation you suggested in Pula is very very simple hence why we went with Cambul which is a better option.

Atremaru was lovely, rooms were amazing and food was good. Great massage also! Although, we did have no electricity all night which meant no fans so we were very hot.

Sangat island was really a cool location, and so remote. Great for padel boarding. The food was a slight let down though.

The houseboats really were an experience and I suggest working with them as it’s not often you can sleep slap bang in the middle of the twin lagoon.

The only real limitation with the trip was it was only 2 weeks! I’ll certainly be back and I’m so keen to see the vast array of other areas the Philippines has to offer. An amazing country with great people.

Cami who planned our whole trip was amazing from the very start. Her communication was great and the hours of conversation planning are not forgotten. I highly recommend planning your trip to the Philippines with Cami. Thank you again Cami!

Our trip was amazing! Cami made everything easy and was very responsive and easy to reach even during times where we ran into hiccups she was there to help problem solve. Our excursions were fun had the best tour guides. Awesome hotel accommodations I will definitely use Kimkim in the future. Thanks Cami :)

Cami put together an amazing itinerary for our scuba-loving group. We went to Bohol and Coron, staying in quality resorts with all the amenities we needed. We had a couple older people with us who were catered for brilliantly as well, lots of snorkeling and moderate activities for them so they never felt left out. What's more, Cami continued to be there for us the whole time we were traveling. We had to make a few changes to our schedule and planned activities, and Cami was in constant... read more

Cami put together an amazing itinerary for our scuba-loving group. We went to Bohol and Coron, staying in quality resorts with all the amenities we needed. We had a couple older people with us who were catered for brilliantly as well, lots of snorkeling and moderate activities for them so they never felt left out. What's more, Cami continued to be there for us the whole time we were traveling. We had to make a few changes to our schedule and planned activities, and Cami was in constant contact with us and with the staff on the ground to make sure our changes went smoothly. We always felt secure knowing she was there to help. She is knowledgeable, hands on and proactive, highly recommend.

My time in El Nido was amazing, and it was all thanks to Leo and the staff at Uncharted Earth! Leo took care of everything and answered all my questions and concerns in such a timely fashion and patient way. I was super anxious about traveling to the Philippines alone for the first time, and because Leo organized everything for me, I was able to enjoy my time there without having to worry about all the little details. El Bacuit Tours was also amazing, and the tour guides who work for the... read more

My time in El Nido was amazing, and it was all thanks to Leo and the staff at Uncharted Earth! Leo took care of everything and answered all my questions and concerns in such a timely fashion and patient way. I was super anxious about traveling to the Philippines alone for the first time, and because Leo organized everything for me, I was able to enjoy my time there without having to worry about all the little details. El Bacuit Tours was also amazing, and the tour guides who work for the company are so friendly and welcoming. People like Jojo and Mike (and the others whose names escape me right now) were excellent, helpful, and just so nice! The islands and the beaches there were pristine, and the views were spectacular. Tour A and Tour C were definitely my favorites, and I had so much fun snorkeling and kayaking in beautiful clear waters! Also, the staff at the Sea Cocoon hotel was excellent. The hotel was clean, and they provide bottled water for every guest in the room. They went above and beyond to make the guests feel welcome. They even packed me a complimentary sandwich the day I left for the airport! All in all, I would highly recommend kimkim and Leo as the local specialist.

Activity Reviews

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour A - group tour

El Nido

The sights were spectacular here!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Island hopping in El Nido - Tour C - group tour

El Nido

As with Tour A, the sights were particularly spectacular. Great snorkeling locations.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had the most memorable first time in the Philippines thanks to Kim Kim and the wonderful staff from Unchartered Philippines. We get to Manila and Ana picked us up and toured Intermesos. She was nice, sweet, informative. The next days we spent in Palawan starting with Rich in Puerto Princessa for one day then 4 in El Nido. You can really tell the passion and knowledge Rich had about the country, Palawan. He was personable and friendly. The drivers were great and our tours with Mike and his... read more

We had the most memorable first time in the Philippines thanks to Kim Kim and the wonderful staff from Unchartered Philippines. We get to Manila and Ana picked us up and toured Intermesos. She was nice, sweet, informative. The next days we spent in Palawan starting with Rich in Puerto Princessa for one day then 4 in El Nido. You can really tell the passion and knowledge Rich had about the country, Palawan. He was personable and friendly. The drivers were great and our tours with Mike and his crew along with Rich was exceptional. The lunches were absolutely amazing. Rich was also kind and helpful to my mother who was limited in activities that can be done but equally enjoyed the part of the PI she’s never seen. When we got to Coron, Jonas was our guide and equally good. His passion for the environment and the ocean really showed through. He was great leading us through the tour especially with his diving experience. He went the extra mile to bring us places we couldn’t miss. Both boat tours were kind, professional, and that real Philippine spirit of hospitality. My children enjoyed everything and even tried new foods. Thank you for showing us part of the beautiful country. It will be a large part of our special time as a family together.

Leo was amazing in putting together a seamless and unforgettable national parks trip. He was super communicative and came up with a flexible plan that allowed us to get some remote work done during our time away as well, as he arranged unique weekend guided tours and self-guided hikes during the week. He understood our goals with hiking and came up with trail options that matched the technicality and difficulty level we were looking for. The guided tours were so much fun and we had really... read more

Leo was amazing in putting together a seamless and unforgettable national parks trip. He was super communicative and came up with a flexible plan that allowed us to get some remote work done during our time away as well, as he arranged unique weekend guided tours and self-guided hikes during the week. He understood our goals with hiking and came up with trail options that matched the technicality and difficulty level we were looking for. The guided tours were so much fun and we had really interesting guides that we enjoyed hearing stories from about their personal lives and adventures- the mountain bike and kayak guides were super cool. The ATV tour was quite a thrill ride! Altogether, the trip was amazing, and we crossed off a major bucket list item of seeing the big 5 utah parks plus more (Grand Canyon + Lake powell)! And all of the hotels were perfect - many served breakfast, and they all had good wifi so the two of us were able to get work done remotely. We owe it Leo for the awesome memories we shared and beautiful sights we saw!

Everything was great.
The tours were excellent. I was a little late to the ATV tours in Sedona because I did not have enough time to drive from the airport to Sedona.
The grand canyon was impressive.
The antelope tours were great but very busy.

One note: communication was very challenging when we were trying to finalize all the details because Leo was in a remote part of the world and had very bad service.

We had a fantastic trip through Napa Valley, Monterey and San Francisco. Leo helped us plan outings such as a day long ebike tour through the wineries, horseback riding on the beach and a hike through the redwood trees. He was so responsive to our questions and great to work with! Thank you, Leo! read more

We had a fantastic trip through Napa Valley, Monterey and San Francisco. Leo helped us plan outings such as a day long ebike tour through the wineries, horseback riding on the beach and a hike through the redwood trees. He was so responsive to our questions and great to work with! Thank you, Leo!

Activity Reviews

Sonoma e-bike wine tour

Napa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beach horseback riding in Monterey

Monterey

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Booking this trip through my guide, Cami, was the best decision ever. She took care of everything. I had the piece of mind knowing that all my activities were taken care of. She was always accessible and responded very quickly. I had zero issues during my 2 weeks by myself in the Phillipines. She was even kind enough to give me suggestions for my off days. I wouldn’t go with any other company. 10/10 would recommend to anybody. I’m already planning my next trip and can’t wait to book with Cami again!