Kimkim Trip Reviews

I was very disappointed in our Vietnam Trip. The first hotel was horrible (at least, I hated it). It was run down, messy and had no lobby. The following trips, Cambodia and Thailand, were fabulous. The other hotels were fine, some beautiful. The boutique cruise was terrific.

We had great time in Patagonia, enjoying the beautiful landscapes and nationsl parks and the good logistic of the trip thanks to Marcela . Absolutely stunning and the highlight in the trip was the Mini trekking in Perito Moreno. Brilliant recommendation for a hotel was Arakur in Ushuaia, Rest of the hotels / Xelena in El Calafate and Hotel Lago Grey in Torres del Paine/ were middle range hotels although I can not hide the magnificent view to Grey Glacier from the restaurant of the hotel, but not from the rooms. Our first trip with Kim Kim was to Colombia where we experienced exclusive service and guides from Aracanto agency there. We expected similar with the budget we spent here but maybe there are different standards between the countries. Anyway I would recommend Patagonia to everyone who enjoys outdoor and sceneries that you could see on very few places on the Earth.

All local guides were great, our trip went smoothly, and we saw many interesting and beautiful places.
We really enjoyed both cultural shows one in La Pas and other in Rapa Nui.

Hotel Reviews

Hote Hotu Matua

Hanga Roa

There was no AC, only one portable fan...there is available only one electrical outlet to accommodate either the fan or the TV. The bathroom and room furniture need some update.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful entrance area

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

ICON Hotel

Santiago

Authenticity & Character

Location

Located in quiet neighborhood, great park and mall is in walking distance. We used subway to get to other parts of Santiago

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Presidente

La Paz

Excellent location, clean and quiet.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Good Bye Easter Island - Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Santiago.

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kari Kari Cultural Show and Dinner

Easter Island

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ahu Akivi & Tahai - Visit a Ceremonial Site

Easter Island

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rano Raraku Volcano & Anakena White Sand Beach

Easter Island

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to the Airport for your Flight to Easter Island

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Valparaiso, Viña del Mar and San Alfonso del Mar- Private Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wine Tasting at Viña Cousiño Macul & Visit the Bahai Temple

Santiago

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santiago City Tour

Santiago

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Copacabana, Titicaca Lake and Sun Island

Bolivia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

La Paz - City Tour & Moon Valley

La Paz

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our tour in Sri Lanka was an absolute delight from start to finish! The lush landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality left us in awe. Each day was an adventure, from exploring ancient temples to wandering through vibrant markets and beautiful seaside beaches.

One of the highlights of the trip was the scenic drive through the hill country, where we were treated to breathtaking views of tea plantations and cascading waterfalls. Our guide Shamaka was knowledgeable and passionate, making each site visit engaging and informative.

Sri Lanka's cuisine was a feast for the senses, with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients. Every meal was a culinary journey in itself. The local people were incredibly friendly and made us feel at home wherever we went.

The tour was well-organized, under the permanent care of Danushka, the local organizer, with smooth transitions between activities and first-class accommodations. We were able to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the experience, knowing everything was taken care of.

However, the Yalla Park Safari could have been better organized. Very crowded and not guided as expected. Despite this hiccup, the overall experience remained overwhelmingly positive and did not detract from our enjoyment of the trip.

Our Sri Lanka tour was a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural enrichment. We can't recommend it enough and look forward to our next visit with KimKim Team!

over all we are happy with service from KIMKIM team and had nice time and received timely help from team. All the drivers were nice and humble and tours arranged were fine and time saving.

Impossible to point out anyone as all were helpful and pleasant

Hotel Review

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla lodge

Authenticity & Character

Location

O

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Gorilla Habituation Experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our first time to Australia. We only read in books and as divers, we could not wait until we experienced the Great Barrier Reef. It was great working with our local specialist Paula who helped us sort out a lot of family-fun activities as we were traveling with our 3 kids ages 11, 9 and 7.

Planning a kid-friendly trip (especially in another country) can be incredibly time consuming and risky as you can trust a brochure only so much. Not to mention, there are a lot of the logistics like car travel that are often overlooked and you end up late or over paying. Working with KimKim and Paula helped alleviate all of these concerns and we even received a nice welcome packet on our arrival.

As a family, we really enjoyed Sydney, although we warned on traveling near New Years as that seems like a particularly high tourist season, so lines everywhere. Uluru, is magical and gorgeous but be ready to be hot and plan your water accordingly. Cairns and Great Barrier Reef was my personal favorite but I think as a family, Sydney was the best.

I would recommend any working family living outside Australia, took book through a local expert. You do end up saving a lot of time, money and anxiety.

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and our tour guide was excellent. She spent over 6 hours showing us all the sites. She was a wealth of information.
We loved the cooking class-delicious food and fun making empanadas.

Activity Reviews

Full-day Nibepo Aike Ranch

El Calafate

The full-day visit to Nibepo Aike Ranch was incredible. The scenic drive through the National Park, with views of glaciers, was just beautiful. At the ranch, we witnessed sheep shearing and enjoyed a nature walk learning about local flora. The highlight was a delicious grilled lamb lunch, which was a true taste of the region's cuisine.

Half-Day Iguazú Falls Brazilian side (Shared tour)

Puerto Iguazú

It was fantastic to see the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls too. The hike was manageable, and our guide was very helpful in getting us through customs. It rounded off our exploration of the falls excellently.

Full-Day Iguazú Falls Argentine side (Shared tour)

Puerto Iguazú

Iguazú Falls were breathtaking, and we loved visiting both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. Each side offered unique views and experiences. Despite the slightly uphill hike on the Brazilian side, it was still easy and enjoyable. The guide made the customs process smooth despite the long lines.

Half-Day Dinner & Tango Show

Buenos Aires

The Tango show was wonderful! The dancing was amazing, and the food served at the restaurant was very good. It captured the essence of Argentine culture for us and was a memorable evening.

Half-Day Buenos Aires City Tour

Buenos Aires

Wonderful tour-over 6 hours! We went everywhere and the guide was a history book of fun facts.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

They always helped with bags and arrived on time.

Half-Day cooking class at Criolla "Foundations of Argentine Cooking"

Buenos Aires

The food was amazing and the chef made it all so fun. The beef was delicious. It was great making the empanadas! Good wine too!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Always on time! Very nice and good help with our bags!

Lize planned an amazing trip for us! We saw all the animals we hoped to on the safari and had fun and memorable experiences in Cape Town and Franschhoek as well. Our kids said that it was the best trip we’ve ever taken!

Hotel Reviews

Kapama River Lodge

Hoedspruit

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

L'Ermitage Franschhoek Château & Villas

Franschhoek, Western Cape

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Table Bay Hotel

Waterfront

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Final Morning Game Drive

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kapama Game Reserve Game Drive

Kapama Game Reserve

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Day at Kapama Game Reserve

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

VineBikes

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Cheese, Wine and Chocolate Tour (including lunch)

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Hermanus tour including Whale Cruise

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City, Table Mountain & Robben Island Tour

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Dublin and Northern Ireland
was a trip of a lifetime. This was our first time using a travel agency and we loved it. The trip was more than we could have planned for ourselves. Castle Eske has beautiful accommodations, amazing staff, calming location in the countryside, and delicious food. We just wish we made more time for their relaxing spa. The historic Bushmills Inn had a perfect location on the coast. The food and service were top notch. Our guides Barry and Paula showed us the Causeway Coast and Belfast. They were personable, flexible, and very knowledgeable. We would recommend them to anyone planning a trip to the North of Ireland.
In Dublin, Diane was our guide for a walking tour of the city. She was so knowledgeable! Her historic anecdote were entertaining and informative. The Irish people, food and culture were so warm and inviting, Even our teenage children can’t wait to revisit.

The trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a celebration of Beth and my 50th wedding anniversary and has been on our bucket list for sometime. We were not disappointed! It was exceptionally well designed by Nickolas at Kimkim and we were pleased with all aspects (except for our contact not picking us up upon our arrival, noting that Nickolas remedy the situation in the early hours of the morning). Our accommodations at the Patio Andaluz in Quito were very good and exceptionally situated for touring the old part of the city. We have to give a shout out the staff at the hotel for their exceptional level of service, support and friendliness.
Our guide for city, Sebastian Carrera, was outstanding, providing us with great recommendations for dinning, visiting and strolling. His knowledge of Quito and Ecuador was deeply appreciated, as well as his friendly demeanor. Beth and I thought that the highlight of the day was the cooking class we experienced with Sebastian at the La Casona de la Ronda. The chef, Carlos, guided us through the preparation of several Ecuadorian dishes, which turned out to be one of the best meals that we experienced. We highly recommend this opportunity to visitor, getting to know the people, food and culture! It was additionally special to visit the Middle of the World exhibit and straddle the equator!
Our tour of the Mindo, with Diego, was exceptional in all aspects. His knowledge of the ecosystems, wildlife and birds of the Mind Cloud forest was informative and fascinating. He took us to the resort Bella Visit, where we saw so many tropical birds, and he provided his time to help Beth with the use of her professional camera for which she was deeply grateful. The photos and memories from this part of the trip will be cherished.
The center piece and absolute highlight of our trip was visiting several islands in the Galapagos on the Archipel 1 and with our guide, Christian. We want to thank Nicholas of Kimkim for arranging our trip on the ship, Archipel 1. This vessel is owned and operated by the people of the Galápagos Islands, which had profound meaning to Beth and I, knowing were supporting the local economy. The ship, its amenities, and especially the crew were top flight in all aspects (excluding running out of hot water on a few occasions). The 10-person crew members did everything they could to provide you with the best experiences on the ship and make your life comfortable. They deserve a 5-star rating. Our guide, Christian, is also from the Galápagos Islands. His exceptional knowledge of the people, culture, natural history, and ecosystems of the islands provided us with incredible insights and opportunities. The agenda and information that Christian provided us everyday on the trip encompassed all we could have imagined, blending field excursions and evening briefings with opportunities to snorkel and swim with the sea life. Christian is a star and anyone who gets the opportunity to be with him should be very pleased.
Overall, the trip that Kimkim provided for us was truly five star and we would recommend them to anyone and everyone.

Hotel Reviews

Wyndham Quito Airport

Quito

The Wyndham Quito Airport was a great place to stay for relaxing and decompression before the flight back home. It was a good place to decompress after the trip to the Galapagos before flying home, and was conveniently located for airport access.

Archipel I

Guayaquil - Ecuador

The crew on the Archipel I were phenomenal, extremely supportive, and friendly. The food was outstanding, and the catamaran itself was ideal for relaxation. However, the hot water availability was limited, which was a minor inconvenience. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, especially with the guidance of Sebastian on board.

Activity Review

Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument

Quito

The cooking class was fantastic! We made a traditional potato soup that turned out to be phenomenal and also prepared a fish dish with sautéed vegetables, followed by a fruit dessert. It was an enriching experience, and we're even planning to recreate the soup for friends at home.

Great time down under. Vicky, our travel agent was very knowledgeable and accommodating to our requests and situations. She is prompt with returning our messages. She provided excellent tour packages, hotels and airport services. The airport transportation was top notch, both the vehicles and drivers. They were all punctual and can be easily reached. we couldn’t ask for a better hotel location and caliber. Our rooms were very comfortable and from where we were, we could walk wherever we wanted to go.

Hotel Reviews

The Sebel Quay West Suites

The Rocks

Authenticity & Character

Location

walkable to the sights and restaurants in the city

Staff

everyone was nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rydges Melbourne Hotel

Melbourne

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the sights and restaurants

Staff

everyone was nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Blue Mountains Wildlife Full-Day Sights and Hiking from Sydney

Sydney

The weather was topsy turvy during out trip but our guide Andy made sure that we hit the sights while avoiding the bad weather. The champagne after the hike was a nice touch

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sydney Opera House Tour

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Sydney Bridge Climb Summit

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

staff were friendly and accommodating. They were ready for all weather to keep is comfortable during the climb.

Panoramic Sydney Sights - Half Day Tour

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

friendly and knowledgeable

Transport

Great Ocean Road Small Group Eco tour

Melbourne

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We decided to go to Costa Rica for a week's vacation, and struggled with all of the options: Where to stay? What to do? How do we navigate international travel? Then we found Kimkim. We worked with Holden, a Costa Rican resident. He asked us many questions, and was so patient with ours! He helped us plan the trip of a lifetime (working with our budget) and took care of all of the reservations--car, hotels, and excursions--with knowledge of all the nuances. As we got closer to our departure date, we were connected with Wilman, who helped us while we were in-country with responsive (sometimes immediate) communication. Wilman added an excursion for us, gave us dining recommendations and navigated a hotel issue. We literally worried about nothing. I cannot recommend Kimkim, Holden, Wilman and their team enough. Whether you are a first time traveler or experienced and looking for other ideas, Kimkim is an incredible resource!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Bosque del Mar

Playa Hermosa

A boutique hotel that redeemed itself after our first impression. As we exited the car the first time to check in, there was a stench of garbage(sewage), and the pool/spa was in need of cleaning. We were concerned. The next morning (and for the rest of our stay), no smell, and the pool/spa area was cleaned daily. Because of reviews we had read, we requested a room on the second level for more privacy. We arrived right around sunset, and were given the last room on the grounds--main floor, on the main walkway with no privacy unless the blinds were drawn. We decided that we would talk to someone about it in the morning. The broken toilet seat was fixed immediately. Dinner in the ocean front restaurant was very good, with the menu having a varied selection of entrees. The next morning, Maite', the general manager, greeted us personally and moved us to a second floor room, as we had requested. She was fantastic, and checked in throughout our stay to make sure everything was OK. The wait staff in the restaurant were very personable, willing to chat and laugh with us. There is service from the restaurant on the beach, which was very nice. We used paddleboards and a jet ski that were available for rent at the front desk, and our Kuna Vela sailing excursion (highly recommend) picked us up on the beach in front of the hotel. Not a touristy area, which was a positive for us. Family friendly, nice beachfront for swimming and playing. Grounds were quiet at night. Parking was lit and secure. Many dining options in the vicinity.

Authenticity & Character

A boutique hotel with buildings surrounding the pool area. Lots of vegetation and birds. Make your preferences known when reserving your room.

Location

Not a heavy tourist location. Located on the beach. Located about 30 minutes from the airport in Liberia. We rented a car and drove ourselves. The road was well maintained. No worries driving.

Staff

Maite' was amazing. Carlos and Alexis, waiters in the restaurant, were fun to interact with. Everyone was helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were clean. It would be nice to have a towel station right on the beach. If the website says 2 double beds in the room, our experience was that they were queen beds (like in the US).

Nayara Springs - Adults Only

Fortuna

Where does one even start when reviewing this gem? Their reputation is well earned as one of the leading resorts/hotels in the world. First, the staff. Every person we met had one goal--to make our stay unforgettable. The Welcome Center staff, assistants, golf cart drivers, staff at the bars and restaurants, and housekeeping were all positive and approachable. Next, the grounds. Nayara is nestled in the heart of the rainforest, with lush vegetation and wildlife. It is beautifully kept, with stone paths, bridges and muted lighting that is breathtaking. Finally, the accommodations. We stayed in both a villa and a tent, and each space was beyond all expectation. Each had defined areas: A luxurious bath, with indoor and outdoor dual showers. A well appointed sleeping/living area with canopy netting over the bed. Each villa/tent had its own private hot springs plunge pool with jets for extra relaxation. The complimentary well-appointed mini-bar. In addition to all of this, there are numerous restaurants, hot springs, infinity pools with swim up bars, spas, exercise options, and gift shops. Our stay was a dream and we are so happy we made the investment to stay there. We were sad to leave, and will be back.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Everyone was so positive and made us feel like we were valued.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Daily housekeeping and turndown service in the evening. A shout out to Erika for her towel origami.

Activity Reviews

Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure

Costa Rica

A personalized ocean experience. Small group, drinks, and snacks. They were open to the group's wants (whale watching vs. snorkeling). We were able to go ashore on a beach to explore caves during our sail as well.

Quality of Experience

Very positive. Such a great feeling to be on the ocean in a sailboat.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Skipper and first mate were personable, attentive and knowledgeable.

Transport

Very nice 47 ft. sailboat. Full galley and head (bathroom) on board.

Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

A wonderful place to view the nature of Costa Rica. As advertised.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mariano was super friendly and engaging. He shared his knowledge with us and took photos of us on the bridges and by the volcano.

Transport

Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline

Arenal/La Fortuna

A very beautiful and well managed experience. As someone who had never ziplined before, the staff were so professional and helpful that I didn't worry for a moment.

Quality of Experience

Very safe, well maintained and managed.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides were excellent. Very professional, empathic, and patient.

Transport

Organic Coffee Farm Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

We were so lucky to be the only 2 people with Grady, our guide. He was knowledgeable about everything on the farm, and made it a very personal experience. So much more than a coffee farm. There was cacao, fruits, flowers and many medicinal plants as well. Grady told us about them all. We crushed sugar cane, and sampled the juice (and fermented juice as well--yum). The brewed coffee and treats were the perfect way to end the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Grady was a wonderful guide. On the way to the farm, the driver stopped so we could look at the volcano, which had cleared for a few moments. We were so grateful, as it was the only time we saw the top of the volcano during our stay.

Transport

Traveling with KimKim has always been seamless! This was our second trip and everything was amazing! We had a great trip and it was so nice to have the guidance from Johanna!

Hotel Reviews

Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport

Lima

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

El Mapi by Inkaterra

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Abittare Hotels

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

StarDome Lodge

Ollantaytambo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Souma Hotel, Vignette Collection by IHG

Lima

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Short Inca Trail Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Return to Cusco

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Valerio and Alex were great!

Transport

Sacred Valley Tour: Chinchero - Maras - Moray - Lunch at MV

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Cusco Tour

Peru

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lima Food Tour

Peru

We had a great time learning about the food culture of Peru!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Their knowledge of Lima!

Transport

This was the best trip ever!

I found KimKim through a search engine. Reviews were good and so I sent a message asking for information. From the beginning Adam was amazing. He put together a trip and then changed it multiple times as we added and subtracted. Although we never spoke, his good nature was visible throughout the entire process and much appreciated. Even during the trip itself, Adam and others answered emails quickly and humored our endless need to make adjustments.

The first day was rough but we pushed through and we were glad that we did. We saw the Northern Lights our first night in Budir and the trip got better from there. Other high points? Snowmobiling, eating at the Tomato Farm, hiking a glacier (thank you Sara!), soaking in the sky lagoon, dinner at Dill and so many frozen waterfalls. It was cold and dark but we had a magical trip. What made the trip a success besides the fabulous country? The trip was seamless. KimKim provided a travel plan that was perfect. Each day the driving route was provided with stops posted along the way with descriptions that added to the magic. We never felt lost because travel plan was perfect! Okay, one day a road was closed because of snow but it was Iceland in winter and to be expected. Every hotel and activity was set and went off without a hitch.

Cannot wait to use them again!

Our entire trip was incredible! Katie designed a trip that included a variety of activities, as well as free time for us to explore. She has been so easy to work with, very responsive to every question, full of exactly the information we needed. I have so many great memories from this trip. I would like to return to Norway some day and hope Katie is still doing this work at that time.

The guides were great, the cities visited were beautiful and fun. The weather was a little chilly but not so much as to hinder my family's good time.

Let me start with the food provided by hotels Matilda and Laluna Hoi An: awesome breakfast especially Laluna! We enjoyed it very much. The food on the cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay were amazing too.

I feel the 2nd day of cruise at Bai Tu Long Bay should have more content. There was 2 hours of downtime on the smaller boat where there was no activity.

The Lantern boat ride on Hoai River was disappointing. It was really a 30 minutes activity but we had to meet up with the tour guide way too early. We then put paper lantern with a candle onto the river—it pollutes the environment. I would not recommend this activity.

For Mekong Delta, we only went to 2 islands. There was really not much to see in either island so I don’t recommend this activity either.

Overall, a great trip and thanks to Tina for her planning and prompt responses.

Hotel Reviews

M Village Hotel Ton That Dam

Ho Chi Minh

Centrally located with free washer and dryer

Authenticity & Character

Newer hotel

Location

Close to everything in District 1

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The extra bed is uncomfortable. We had to ask for an extra padding. We don’t like the see-through bathroom glass—you can see everything when someone is showering.

Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa

Hoi An

Great location and awesome breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Centrally located to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The extra bed is not comfortable though

Signature Cruise

Hanoi

Great food provided by the cruise. The extra bed is not very comfortable. The activity on the 2nd day is a bit boring—could plan something for exciting like speed boating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful and courteous

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom has a smell that lingers

Hanoi Matilda Hotel

Hanoi

Good breakfast and great location. There must be karaoke bar close by so it is loud at night until 10:30pm.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the middle of old quarter-close to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Not super and we don’t like the glass wall and door so you can see the people in the bathroom

Activity Reviews

Ho Chi Minh Departure Transfer

Vietnam

Driver was on time for 4am transfer to the airport

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vietnamese Cooking Class in Saigon!

Ho Chi Minh City

Chef was very knowledgeable. The food we cooked tasted very good

Quality of Experience

Food

All 3 dishes were very tasty

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring the Mekong Delta!

Ho Chi Minh City

Very far away and not educational at all. 1 part was to eat fruit and listen to some people singing. 2nd island we went had nothing to see. This one is not worth our time. The whole thing took 10 hours…

Quality of Experience

Could be more educational such as focusing more on agriculture

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The tour took us 10 hours——very bad traffic

Cu Chi Tunnel visit

Ho Chi Minh City

Very educational

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was very knowledgeable

Transport

Driver seems to brake quite much but I understand it might be necessary

Bana Hill Tour

Vietnam

Too foggy to see much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lantern boat ride on Hoai River

Hoi An

The whole thing should be only 30 min but the guide asked us to meet up too early. I don’t recommend this activity because putting a paper lantern with a candle in the water is pollution the environment.

Quality of Experience

Only needs 30 min and boat ride is not worth it

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cruising at Bai Tu Long Bay - Day 3

Bai Tu Long Bay

Again, amazing food

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cruising at Bai Tu Long Bay - Day 2

Bai Tu Long Bay

The trip on the smaller boat is lacking content. There were 2 hours of downtime after lunch and all of the senior family members were very bored and fell asleep on the chair. Wish there were more exciting activities such as speed boating

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cruising at Bai Tu Long Bay - Day 1

Bai Tu Long Bay

Awesome food! The extra bed is not very comfortable

Quality of Experience

Food

Food were abundant and tasty!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi City Tour with Food Tasting!

Vietnam

Guide was flexible and asked what types of food we would like to try.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

To start out, I had 10 people for our travel group! Who really wants to book for everyone single-handed????? NOT I. I’ve never traveled with a “tour” Itinerary and Was Hesitant to book it initially. Our coordinator Tina (a Thailand based travel agent) with Kim Kim went above and beyond my requests.
I had an idea of what I wanted to do with the group and Tina helped me arrange everything and then some.
We started in Bangkok, Thailand and ended in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. For the amount of US dollars we spent for the entire trip (a little under $2100 US dollars per person) it included 14 nights lodging, 15 breakfasts, three in-country local flights, airport transfers, and 9 excursions with pick-up+drop off from the hotel!!! Crazy affordable for American standards!
The service staff in all places went above and beyond! Not only were they so prideful about their jobs, but they were happy to provide the services that the job required of them. From the airport greeters to the hotel concierge to the tour guide guides etc, everyone had big grins on their faces when in contact with us. Those were greatly appreciated after a long day of traveling. Whenever I had questions about/before/during the trip, I was put at ease with Tina’s answers and solutions. I 98% trust Kim Kim for my future group travels (there’s always a little window for margin of errors LOL) and will use them again. Again, THANKS TINA!!!

I would only recommend spending a little more money for lodging in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City when going to Vietnam. Their 4-star ratings do not compare to our American 4-star ratings. The Veranda Lodge in Hua Hin, Thailand, The LaLuna Hotel/Spa in Hoi Anh, Vietnam and The Signature Cruise Line for Bai Tu Long Bay, Vietnam were cute, spacious, and located centrally for easy access to eateries and shopping. Those three lodgings had the most amazing breakfast buffets! All very convenient when having 10 people in your group! For hotels, I Google map searched the location and viewed most recent reviews. That definitely helped with deciding on which hotel to stay with if I hadn’t agreed to whatever Tina had chose for us.

Hotel Reviews

Veranda Lodge Hua Hin

Hua Hin

The Veranda Lodge in Hua Hin was really nice, cute, and quaint, almost like a mom-and-pop hotel. It wasn't corporate-owned, and the service was top-notch.

M Village Hotel Ton That Dam

Ho Chi Minh

This hotel has a great location, but because it is in the heart of HCMC, it is very loud. WE ONLY GOT 2 TO 3 HOURS OF MILD CITY NOISE FOR SLEEP and that is with my earplugs in. The buffet is more of a “deluxe continental breakfast” for American Standards. The hotel staff were excellent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lots of space in the room, but could definitely use more storage amenities.

Signature Cruise

Hanoi

We did the 2-Day. It was nice to have an extra day of relaxing, but pretty much the same landscape everywhere. The one day excursion was definitely a great experience. The first night’s dinner was amazing! The second night’s dinner was horrible, not edible whatsoever- A lot of not fresh squid and overcooked barbecue ribs (weird combo for sure).

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hanoi Matilda Hotel

Hanoi

Very small rooms. The breakfast buffet was below mediocre with little seating room. Awesome location, and five star to service staff.!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Vietnamese Cooking Class in Saigon!

Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnamese cooking class was wonderful. Our chef was phenomenal, and everyone provided excellent service. There were no complaints at all, and it was a delightful experience.

Hanoi City Tour with Food Tasting!

Thailand

The Hanoi city tour with food tasting was a great experience. Although we weren't expecting a historical walking tour, it was informative and our guide was wonderful. The food tour part was also impressive.

Cruising at Bai Tu Long Bay - Day 3

Bai Tu Long Bay

The three-day cruise could have been better done in two days. The first two days offered kayaking and hiking, but the third day was mostly repetitive with little to do. The second night's dinner was disappointing and not edible, despite a fantastic dinner the first night.

Exploring the Mekong Delta!

Ho Chi Minh City

The Mekong Delta tour felt more like a marketing scheme than an authentic experience. We expected to visit countryside farms but were met with a series of sales pitches. The fruit also wasn't freshly harvested like we expected.

Lantern boat ride on Hoai River

Hoi An

The lantern boat ride in Hoi An was disappointing. The river was already nasty so adding more pollution with paper candle lanterns seemed pointless as they just sink and pollute further. Although people were sweet and kind, this wasn't an activity we would repeat.

Timing of events was not ideal even though we gave our information ahead of time. We had to pay for additional items that were supposed to be included. Tour guides were great and reliable.