Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 19,457 ratings
Read 19,457 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Honeymoon of our dreams!
Vietnam | Jan 4 - Jan 19, 2024

A
Allison M.
New Orleans, LA | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
We booked our honeymoon to Vietnam through Kim Kim with Alex. He worked with us for weeks to get our perfect itinerary. He was always quick to respond to my questions and to my request to change things (I changed my mind a few times, and he was kind and accommodating!). Throughout the trip he was our main contact and always responded quickly to remind us of our drivers, tours, and anything coming up for the day. He planned an amazing trip! Every part was perfect. Our hotels were exactly what... Read more

We booked our honeymoon to Vietnam through Kim Kim with Alex. He worked with us for weeks to get our perfect itinerary. He was always quick to respond to my questions and to my request to change things (I changed my mind a few times, and he was kind and accommodating!). Throughout the trip he was our main contact and always responded quickly to remind us of our drivers, tours, and anything coming up for the day. He planned an amazing trip! Every part was perfect. Our hotels were exactly what we wanted and in the best locations. Our tour guides were all incredibly nice, prompt, and knowledgeable. Our drivers were on time with clean SUVs that fit our luggage very easily. He made our honeymoon stress-free and an incredible trip we will never forget. We will use him again whenever we are able to travel back to Asia! Highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
Laluna Hoi An Riverside Hotel & Spa

Great location in old town- quiet, clean, excellent laundry service, delicious breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tirant Hotel
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Great service, clean rooms, comfortable bed, excellent location! On weekends, there is karaoke on the streets of the old quarter that can be loud - it finished by about 1030pm on Friday and Saturday night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very walkable to everything in the old quarter
Staff
Excellent service
Cleanliness & Comfort
Doris Cruise

Great 2 night/3 day cruise to halong bay. The rooms are spacious with amazing views. The activities are well planned and very fun. The food is as you would expect for cruise food - good but not great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – Ha Long Bay ( Doris cruise)
Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – Ha Long Bay ( Doris cruise)
Ha Long Bay
Saigon Vespa After Dark
Saigon Vespa After Dark
Ho Chi Minh City

We had a great time on the vespas trying different foods throughout saigon!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Romantic Dining on Bamboo Raft (N)
Romantic Dining on Bamboo Raft (N)
Hoi An

One of a kind experience if looking for a romantic dinner

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lan Ha Bay - Viet Hai Village - Kayaking
Lan Ha Bay - Viet Hai Village - Kayaking
Ha Long Bay
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Luxury Trip by Speed Boat - Join in tour
Luxury Trip by Speed Boat - Join in tour
Phu Quoc

The snorkeling was nice but slightly cloudy. The tour takes you snorkeling at 3 different spots which was nice. However, you end up on an island for about 3 hours just hanging out (where everything cost money - even sitting in a chair). We would have preferred to just be back at our resort instead of being stuck there.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit
Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit
Vietnam

We loved our tour through Hoi An! We had a relaxing bike ride through the rice fields, encountered a water buffalo, visited an organic farm, and rafted down the river to our lunch spot where we were taught how to make bon sao! We loved every part of this tour. We had an awesome guide and it was a great length.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi - Halong bay - Lan Ha Bay ( Doris cruise)
Hanoi - Halong bay - Lan Ha Bay ( Doris cruise)
Ha Long Bay

We loved the cruise - strongly recommend staying 2 nights instead of 1. The full day to explore halong bay/ cat ba island was our favorite part.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi city sightseeing full day (N)
Hanoi city sightseeing full day (N)
Hanoi

Good tour - casual and adaptable to our wants.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour
Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour
Hanoi

The tour took us to try pho, bon sao, train street, and dessert. It was fun to walk around and have a guide teach us how to cross the streets in Hanoi! We hit everything we hoped we would try.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Alex Nguyen
Alex
Alex Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Jan 26, 2024

Dear Allison,

I am really happy to read that you enjoyed your honeymoon trip in Vietnam and that I was able to be part of your memorable vacation!
Your feedback is highly appreciated, as it enables us to further develop our services and organize memorable trips for our future clients.
Thank you so much for trusting us with trip planning. It is awesome to know that you will be using KimKim again.

My very best from Vietnam,
Alex

Veronica did a great job tailoring the trip t...
Costa Rica | Jan 17 - Jan 24, 2024

Tyler
Tyler S.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
Veronica did a great job tailoring the trip to our needs. We loved all the tours and transportation she arranged. The hotels exceeded our expectations. It was so nice to relax and not worry about the details of scheduling everything because Veronica took care of all of it. Read more

Veronica did a great job tailoring the trip to our needs. We loved all the tours and transportation she arranged. The hotels exceeded our expectations. It was so nice to relax and not worry about the details of scheduling everything because Veronica took care of all of it.

Hotel Reviews
Senda Monteverde Hotel
Monteverde

This was our favorite hotel during our stay in Costa Rica. The bird watching at the hotel was better than any of the nature reserves. Love the bungalow style rooms with the veranda. The views of the Pacific Ocean were incredible. The hotel also did a great job with accommodating my Celiac food allergy. The free laundry service was a major perk. We could walk to restaurants close by. We used the yoga room and weights a few times to work out. The restaurant at the hotel served a great breakfast and the dinner was one of the best meals we had the whole trip.

Authenticity & Character
The vibe at this hotel is so nice. Hard to describe.
Location
Great views, walking distance to restaurants, market and nature preserve.
Staff
Everyone was super kind and helpful. Love the free laundry service.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The grounds are perfectly maintained. The rooms are quaint and clean.
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

The rooms are really large. The breakfast was very good. The hot springs blew our minds. The only down side of this hotel is it's a $40 round trip taxi ride to get into town if you want to eat somewhere besides the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Charming, clean, quaint.
Location
The proximity to the hot springs was so nice. Difficult to get into La Fortuna to dine elsewhere.
Staff
Everyone was very kind and our service was exceptional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds are very comfortable and larger than most king beds.
Activity Reviews
Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde

The guide was really hard to understand. The bridges were a bit of a let down. Nothing like advertised. The staff were all a bit rude and we felt rushed during the zip line. The forest and zip line was still fun but the rude staff put a damper on the whole experience. We also had to wait a full hour between activities and then almost another full hour after zip lining for our ride back to the hotel.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rude
Transport
Waiting way to long.
Night Walk
Night Walk
Monteverde

This was so fun to see the forest come alive at night. We loved our guide and saw lots of interesting wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
Monteverde

Our guide was great and found things we could have never seen. The forest was beautiful. He was very knowledgeable and his English was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike
Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

The weather was awful and the whole tour was cut short. We came back drenched and cold. Can't really see what would have been very interesting about the tour even if the weather had cooperated.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sloth Tour (Sloth Territory)
Sloth Tour (Sloth Territory)
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was our favorite tour of the trip. We saw 9 sloths and got amazing photos of them. Our guide was so helpful as we would have never been able to spot them without his expertise. The food afterwards was so yummy!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hiking Tour
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hiking Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide was good but we finished the tour 30 minutes before the included lunch place even opened and we didn't want to wait around. The waterfall and swimming were definitely worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Felt like we rushed through the experience a bit as we missed the lunch.
Transport
Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Nature Walk
Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Nature Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The bird were great. The guide didn't speak English very well and was difficult to understand. Didn't love the experience but didn't regret it either.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Driver took the time to show us a sloth on the way home.
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} - Visit La Paz Waterfall
{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} - Visit La Paz Waterfall
Costa Rica

The driver was great and had snacks and drinks for us. La Paz was a nice way to break of the long drive. We spent a couple of hours exploring the waterfalls and wildlife and proceeded to our hotel.

Quality of Experience
Food
Free snacks and drinks.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Veronica Medina

Costa Rica Adventure
Costa Rica | Dec 16 - Dec 22, 2023

J
Jenny H.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
This was our first time planning a trip thru Kim Kim. We had never booked a trip thru a planner before and were hesitant and skeptical, as such we got our feet wet and only booked the Private Transfers thru Kim Kim. Adam/Jessica were awesome to work with. We had last minute schedule changes and they were able to meet our needs. Timely and great communication, highly recommend them! Read more

This was our first time planning a trip thru Kim Kim. We had never booked a trip thru a planner before and were hesitant and skeptical, as such we got our feet wet and only booked the Private Transfers thru Kim Kim. Adam/Jessica were awesome to work with. We had last minute schedule changes and they were able to meet our needs. Timely and great communication, highly recommend them!

Activity Review
Self-Guided Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Self-Guided Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Jan 29, 2024

Hi Jenny,

It was a pleasure working with you! You are so kind and made it easy to work with you and give you the great service you deserve! I am glad you had a great time in Costa Rica and cheers to many more adventures with kimkim! :)

Best,
Adam

Our arrival and tour on day 1 (Marcela our gu...
Argentina | Jan 12 - Jan 20, 2024

D
Dennis M.
Atlantic Beach, FL | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
Our arrival and tour on day 1 (Marcela our guide was excellent) in Buenos Aires went fine. Day 2 started out well. Our excellent guide, Gabriel, met us at the ferry terminal in Colonia. He had a driver with a van. We were able to keep our luggage in the van. We would have liked to have known about the ability to keep our luggage in the van ahead of time. That would’ve changed how we packed for our two nights in Montevideo. On arriving in the Montevideo bus terminal, we could not find our... Read more

Our arrival and tour on day 1 (Marcela our guide was excellent) in Buenos Aires went fine. Day 2 started out well. Our excellent guide, Gabriel, met us at the ferry terminal in Colonia. He had a driver with a van. We were able to keep our luggage in the van. We would have liked to have known about the ability to keep our luggage in the van ahead of time. That would’ve changed how we packed for our two nights in Montevideo.

On arriving in the Montevideo bus terminal, we could not find our driver. We walked to the different areas in the bus terminal and could not find the driver in any of the areas. If there is more than one area to meet the driver, the exact location to meet should have been prearranged.

On day 3 of our tour we were originally scheduled to meet our guide at 9 AM. This had been changed to 10 AM and we did not notice that change. It would have been very helpful if that change had been highlighted to us to make sure that we were aware of the change. Then the guide did not show up until about 10:20 AM.

Day 4 we were picked up at 8:30 AM to go to the ferry terminal. It did not take long to get our tickets and through immigration and security. We had to wait over an hour and a half before the ferry departed. Even if we left the hotel at 9 AM, that would’ve given us plenty of time to make the ferry.

It also would have been a better trip with a different itinerary. We should have gone from Montevideo to Iguazu Falls. Then we would’ve returned from Iguazu Falls and stayed in Buenos Aires for our two additional nights. This would have eliminated our three hour ferry ride from Montevideo back to Buenos Aires. In addition, it would have eliminated our 10 hour layover in the Buenos Aires airport when we flew there from Iguazu Falls and have to wait for our international flight. Our international flights would not have changed. It would’ve changed the order in which went to Iguazu Falls and back to Buenos Aires. We think this itinerary should have been suggested by the travel agent.

Overall we enjoyed the trip. Iguazu Falls and our stay at the Gran Melia hotel were the high points.

Local specialist: Agustina Gross
Agustina
Agustina Gross
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Feb 01, 2024
Dear Dennis I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent trip. It brings me great joy to learn that you enjoyed your journey! I'd like to mention the absence of direct flights from Montevideo to Puerto Iguazu. Currently, there are no direct flights, and the route through Buenos Aires is the most practical option. We carefully considered the ferry when planning the itinerary to avoid the inconvenience... Read more

Dear Dennis

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent trip. It brings me great joy to learn that you enjoyed your journey!

I'd like to mention the absence of direct flights from Montevideo to Puerto Iguazu. Currently, there are no direct flights, and the route through Buenos Aires is the most practical option. We carefully considered the ferry when planning the itinerary to avoid the inconvenience of losing an entire day in transit. Opting for the ferry was a deliberate decision to streamline the travel process and enhance your overall experience.

Your valuable feedback is highly appreciated, and we will use it to continually improve our services. If there's anything else you'd like to share or suggest, please feel free to reach out.

Wishing you all the best, and I hope you have a fantastic day!

Warm regards,

Agustina

Great service!
Portugal | Dec 27 - Jan 4, 2024

Christian
Christian o.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
Pedro was fantastic to work with in planning a memorable trip for our family of six. We set up a couple phone calls to make sure we were on the same page for our itinerary. His tips were very appreciated. He gave us ideas for restaurant reservations, shopping, and activities well in advance of our departure. Everything from hotels, drivers, and at least one daily activity was thoughtfully planned. And it was so helpful to have him easily reachable via WhatsApp as we traveled, so we could make... Read more

Pedro was fantastic to work with in planning a memorable trip for our family of six. We set up a couple phone calls to make sure we were on the same page for our itinerary. His tips were very appreciated. He gave us ideas for restaurant reservations, shopping, and activities well in advance of our departure. Everything from hotels, drivers, and at least one daily activity was thoughtfully planned. And it was so helpful to have him easily reachable via WhatsApp as we traveled, so we could make plans and ask questions on the fly.
A superstar moment was helping us arrange a boat tour of the Douro river on New Year's Day, when most places were closed.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Cascais

We were only in this hotel for about 12 hours due to an early-morning international flight, so we didn't experience much. The rooms are spacious and the staff was friendly and courteous.

Infante Sagres
Porto

Recently remodeled but still full of historical charm. Good breakfast and great staff.

Authenticity & Character
historical charm
Location
lots of historic sights and attractions within walking distance
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa—A Leading Hotel of the World
Lisbon

By far, our favorite of the three hotels we stayed at while in Portugal. We arrived prior to our check-in time, but the front desk staff got us into two of the three rooms within 30 minutes. And they suggested a place for lunch within walking distance. The concierge was equally helpful with dinner reservations a couple days later. The breakfast buffet was outstanding: no need to seek out breakfast anywhere else. All service encounters were professional and courteous.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour & Tastings
Lisbon

Elsa was so fun! Kept us moving at a comfortable pace, making a loop from our hotel down the Avenida Liberdade to the riverside, up through the Chiado neighborhood, and back to the Avenida for a tasty lunch. So much history and culture to see, and she gave us pointers for visiting other places on our own, such as the best funicular routes, the easiest way to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, and using the Metro escalators to climb hills.

Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto's Historic Odyssey on a Private Walking Tour
Porto

Unfortunately we had a rainy morning for this tour, but rain jackets helped a lot. Sara was a trooper, and tried to get us out of the rain whenever possible, but she could tell we were tired of being soggy. We appreciated her knowledge of the city and specifics about various churches, government buildings, the train station and monuments. Her recommendation for lunch (francesinhas!) was spot-on.

Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Immerse Yourself in the Portuguese Culture by Experiencing a Fado Dinner
Lisbon

This was probably the overall favorite activity of our trip. The food was great (lots of fish and seafood, as expected) and very attentive service. Even if you don't speak Portuguese, the music is gorgeous. We had front row seats and enjoyed watching the guitarists. There were three singers, each performing about 20 minutes, with breaks in between. One of those breaks allowed for the dessert course to be served. Yum.

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service
Portugal

Nelson was the perfect driver for this experience: since he grew up in Sintra, his knowledge of the area was astounding. The line moving through the palace moves at a comfortable pace, allowing time for reading the signage along the way. The palace is so well-maintained and is a captivating snapshot of 19th century regal life. We loved the gardens and especially the Valley of Lakes area. We also made a quick visit to the Moorish Castle, walking a portion of the wall. Amazing to see Neolithic artifacts and tombs from a thousand years ago.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovering Belém's Charm on a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Discovering Belém's Charm on a Tuk-Tuk Ride
Lisbon

Driver was fun with lots of stories. He drove us to some nice viewpoints and sights.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tickets to Lello Bookshop
Tickets to Lello Bookshop
Porto

This cute bookshop has exploded in popularity thanks to Harry Potter, but we would like it regardless.

Local specialist: Pedro Luis
Pedro
Pedro Luis
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Jan 26, 2024

Dear Christian,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback on your recent trip to Portugal. I am delighted to hear such kinds words - they mean the world to me.

I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you, your friends or family back on another adventure in the future.

Your friend in Portugal - Pedro

Seamless Travel Experience
Vietnam | Jan 2 - Jan 5, 2024

B
Brenda M.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
Hien did a great job organizing a trip for our family of four. We were able to visit and explore all the places we were interested in, and within a reasonable time frame. Hien took into consideration the age of our kids and suggested a travel route that was enjoyable and not tiring. Hien was great at communicating and making changes when we needed it. The guides that Hien used were knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and accommodating. Overall, we were happy with the whole arrangement from... Read more

Hien did a great job organizing a trip for our family of four. We were able to visit and explore all the places we were interested in, and within a reasonable time frame. Hien took into consideration the age of our kids and suggested a travel route that was enjoyable and not tiring. Hien was great at communicating and making changes when we needed it. The guides that Hien used were knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and accommodating. Overall, we were happy with the whole arrangement from beginning to end.

Hotel Review
Phong Nha Lake House Resort
Phong Nha
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Jan 25, 2024

Dear Brenda,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We are so glad to know that you have enjoyed your trip to Vietnam with your family and that everything went smoothly. It was a big pleasure for us to organize your holiday. Thank you again for trusting our company, and we hope to see you again!

With my best regards,
Hien

2024 Try Not to Forget to Remember Vietnam Ad...
Vietnam | Jan 11 - Jan 22, 2024

Joe
Joe S.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024
2024 Try Not to Forget to Remember Vietnam Adventure Read more

2024 Try Not to Forget to Remember Vietnam Adventure

Hotel Reviews
Pu Luong Retreat
Thanh Hoa

This was our least favorite hotel of our trip. We were expecting a quiet rural setting i.e. "Retreat", but what we got was a frustrating and aggravating room (306) located at the perimeter of the resort next door to a loud noisy bar/restaurant playing thumping techno music all Saturday night and even Sunday morning! Also our balcony view included a new resort down the hill with bright Christmas lights shining in our room all night. Our room was furthest from the restaurant and bar and the wet, poorly lit sidewalk and bridges presented a challenge for this 70-year old couple. The rain made the up and down sidewalks quite slippery and we worried about falling. Our room was also close to the main road and we could hear trucks and traffic all day and night. The restaurant asked that you give them one hour notice for grilled fish or chicken which seemed unreasonable. We went to a next door restaurant the second night and had a delicious meal at half the price. Dac San Pu Luong. We could hear the frogs croaking and the insects singing minus the techno music. When we went on a hike with Peter we passed a very nice hotel (Homestay Anh Bong) off the main road with a nice pool and restaurant that looked far better.

Authenticity & Character
Nice pool and rooms with lush grounds but the noise was a deal breaker.
Location
Our room (306) was at the perimeter of the resort and there was a bar/restaurant playing loud thumping techno music all Saturday night and Sunday morning. We were also next to the road with out traffic noise. Bright Christmas lights from a resort down the hill shined into our room all night.
Staff
I complained about the noise but there was nothing they could do.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were otherwise comfortable. No mini-refrigerators.
The Myst Dong Khoi
Ho Chi Minh City

Also one of our favorite hotels of the trip. Beautiful wood furniture in the room with a balcony from which we could see the Saigon river. The rooftop pool and bar were very cool and we went swimming every afternoon. Good location for shopping and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Loved all the hand-carved wooden furniture and rooftop bar and pool.
Location
Within walking distance of major shopping areas and best restaurants.
Staff
Very helpful with service and drinks on the rooftop.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room and pool area.
Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort
Hoi An

One of our favorite hotels on the trip. Staff very welcoming and helpful. Our room was nice and quiet with a room overlooking the beautiful pool which we swam in every day. The bed was comfortable and the room had a minibar with sink and coffee maker. The breakfast buffet was great and the staff even brought out a small birthday cake for me accompanied by a Happy Birthday chorus one morning! the hotel had bikes to use and we rode to the beach one morning. Good location to the historic area also with just a few blocks to walk. We had one hour of free massage available per day but we only used it once.

Authenticity & Character
Quiet setting considering there was ongoing construction right next door.
Location
Short walk to the historic area and a short bike ride to the beach.
Staff
Pregnant young waitress in restaurant with 5-year old son was exceptionally nice.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loved the pool!
Stellar of the Seas
quảng ninh

We were looking forward to our trip to Ha Long bay but were disappointed in the number of ships in our area and the boat staff trying to squeeze us for more money. The cocktails were weak and overpriced and the wine likewise. I asked for a cafe latte for breakfast and was told that would be an additional cost. Tried going to the upper deck for the sunset and cocktails but their was blaring thumbing techno music that totally ruined the experience. I complained to the bartender/DJ but nothing was done. Left after 15 minutes. Our second floor room with balcony was nice and quiet respite from the rest of the boat. We went kayaking and swimming off the back of the boat. We would have done better with a smaller boat and more sedate, refined feel to it. We were fed like hogs but I didn't go to Ha Long bay to just eat all the time. Seeking a beautiful, quiet and reflecting natural experience not a techno music festival.

Authenticity & Character
A large, loud boat in what should be a quiet, peaceful and relaxing setting is not what we were expecting. We whould have specified a smaller more intimate boat even if it cost more money.
Location
The big boats like the Stellar have to stay in designated deep water areas surrounding by dozens of other similar boats. For us it was not a special experience in a national park.
Staff
Merlin our waiter was quite helpful and personal. Other staff was always trying to get a few more dongs out of us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room with balcony was nice.
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Hanoi

A luxury hotel right in the middle of the Old Quarter Hanoi. The food, service and amenities (pool, bar) were first rate. The rooms were quiet and dark with mini-fridge, two bathrooms, and comfortable bed.

Authenticity & Character
Modern hotel with all the bells and whistles.
Location
Perfect for assessing the Old Quarter and several major tourist sites.
Staff
Always friendlly and willing to help you. Good English skills.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Daily room service and comfortable furniture.
Activity Reviews
Cu Chi tunnels - HCMC highlights
Cu Chi tunnels - HCMC highlights
Ho Chi Minh City

Our guide Mr. Nam spoke very good English and provided good historical information as we toured the tunnels, Liberation Palace, and the War Remnants Museum. Seeing the elaborate tunnels and traps the Viet Cong had built during the American War showed how resilient and innovative the Vietnamese fighters were and brought home the stark harshness and cruelty of war. Touring the War Remnants Museum showing horrifying photos of massacred and mutilated VC soldiers , women and children, all reportedly at the hands of American soldiers and bombs, made me feel shameful as an American. Definitely a one sided view of the war but there was enough cruelty to go around for both sides. Visiting the Liberation Palace refreshed my memory of the end of the South Vietnam regime.

Quality of Experience
The Cu Chi tunnels, Liberation Palace, and War Remnants Museum is a must see for those who seek a deeper understanding of the Vietnam/American War. We skipped the big church and Post Office.
Food
Great lunch at a Ho Chi Minh restaurant.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr. Nam was great as was the driver.
Transport
Reliable with cold water available.
Bicycle Tour of Rural Villages - Cultural Tour of Hanoi
Bicycle Tour of Rural Villages - Cultural Tour of Hanoi
Hanoi

We first met Peter our guide and he was amazing. We visited a small village outside Hanoi and met Dr. Du a retired orthopedic surgeon at his home. We talked for quite a while using Peter as our interpreter. My wife and I are both physicians and found him interesting. He had been a physician in the North Vietnamese Army during the American War and had been shot in the head by an American soldier. It left him unable to perform as an orthopedic surgeon but he continued to work as a physician and teacher in Vietnam after the war. He had no animosity toward Americans and was happy we had come to visit Vietnam. We took a walking tour of his village (it was lightly raining and not good for bicycle riding. We enjoyed visiting the marketplace and temple but were less interesting in seeing some of the homes of famous leaders and soldiers. We helped prepare pork spring rolls with his wife and daughter and ate Bun cha for lunch. That was a fun and hands on experience. We also did a few shots of rice wine. :) In the afternoon we toured the Literature Temple and Tran Quoc pagoda with Peter. That was interesting and beautiful. We saw the John McCain memorial at a nearby lake. Peter stopped at a shop where disabled folks made and sold weavings and other products. We bought a few souvenirs and drank egg coffee for the first time. Saw a water puppet show at the end of the day that was entertaining. it was a great day that exhausted us with all the walking (we were still jet lagged ) but we could have skipped all the historical sights in the outlying village.

Quality of Experience
Peter.
Food
the lunch cooked at Dr. Du's house was delicious!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peter was great at explaining all the sights, providing real experiences, and a great photographer also!
Transport
Hip (? spelling) was quite good, timely, and provided daily water.
Ho Chi Minh city - Vespa tour after dark
Ho Chi Minh city - Vespa tour after dark
Ho Chi Minh City

Loved this activity! Our drivers and guides Vic and Kim (?) spoke English quite well and seemed to enjoy showing us all the different foods and places. Fun diving into all the motorcycle traffic on the back of a Vespa and flowing along.

Quality of Experience
Interacting with the cooks and guides at the different food stops.
Food
small food stalls
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very enthusiastic about their city, food, and people.
Transport
Zipping along in the sea of motorcycles.
Tra Que vegetable village - Hoian walking tour half day
Tra Que vegetable village - Hoian walking tour half day
Hoi An

We skipped the vegetable village and only did the Hoian walking tour. It was okay but our guide was not very inspiring and we had tired of looking at pagodas and old shrines. Probably more about us than her. She took us to a few of her favorite shops..a tailor, lantern maker, and clothing. No real deals to be made. We had a coffee together and she took a photo of us on the bridge. We had another big lunch which was excellent. Spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and went home for a late afternoon swim at the hotel.

Quality of Experience
helpful guide and tour.
Food
good but nothing special
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lan Ha - Tuan Chau Harbour (Stellar of the Seas Cruise) - Return to the airport
Lan Ha - Tuan Chau Harbour (Stellar of the Seas Cruise) - Return to the airport
Vietnam

Enjoyed the rowboat visit to the caves in the morning.

Quality of Experience
Food
wanted extra money for a cafe latte' for breakfast.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
picked us up on time and got us to the airport ahead of schedule.
Transport
Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (Stellar of the Seas)
Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (Stellar of the Seas)
Vietnam

We were really looking forward to our visit to Ha Long Bay but were disappointed in the number of large boats in our area, the overpriced, weak cocktails and drinks, and the loud techno music blaring on the rooftop bar when were hoping to have a peaceful sunset experience. The food was plentiful and tasty and the service first rate. Our room was quite nice with a balcony after we paid for an upgrade. We went kayaking but the crew staff made us take off our water shoes so we couldn't get out on barnacled shore to swim. We were able to swim from the boat in the bay and we made the crew staff nervous swimming too far from the boat. We did use the boat pool to relax in after our bay swim. I think we may have misled Minh when we mentioned swimming as a priority in our trip to Ha Long Bay. She probably thought we meant an onboard swimming pool when we meant open water swimming. A smaller cruise boat without a pool would have provided a more intimate experience and perhaps get us away from all the crowds of large boats. I was irritated when I asked for a cafe latte for breakfast and was told it would cost extra. The row boat trip to the caves were interesting.

Quality of Experience
We like the kayaking, open water and pool swimming, and the boat trip to the caves. We hated the expensive weak cocktails and the loud techno music on the rooftop.
Food
too much delicious food! Couldn't believe they asked me to pay extra for a cafe latte' for breakfast!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our personal waiter Merlin was quite pleasant and helpful.
Transport
On time, water in the car. We stopped at a pearl factory/tourist trap that was interesting. We bought a couple of earrings that my wife loves.
Pu Luong Natural Reserve - Hanoi
Pu Luong Natural Reserve - Hanoi
Pu Luong Nature Reserve

more scenic drive back to Hanoi than on the way to Pu Luong. Stopped at an elementary school and were swarmed by 5th graders eager to try out their English. Stopped and saw some water mills. Stopped for coffee and pho for lunch.

Quality of Experience
It may have been a prearranged setup but having the school children run out of the school and embrace us was a pretty cool experience.
Food
more pho but also tried a boiled duck egg.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peter finds and creates amazing experiences.
Transport
Hidden trails of Pu Luong (Don village)
Hidden trails of Pu Luong (Don village)
Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Mildly challenging hike on mostly developed roads seeing mountains, rural areas and villages. Some good overlooks. Saw a snake that was both venomous and poisonous. Visited with an elderly woman weaving and bought a couple of weavings. Ate big lunch at a villager's home. Peter was quite helpful and patient with us old folks.

Quality of Experience
Nice to get out and stretch our legs and see the countryside.
Food
Fresh, delicious, local food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peter was an excellent guide providing information, creating experiences, and taking photos.
Transport
Transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve & Hike
Transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve & Hike
Vietnam

Long drive to Pu Luong Reserve (>4 hours) but interesting stops along the way. Peter was very helpful showing us around the Pom Coong village. Big lunch there. Enjoyed watching the native weavers at work and bought a couple of weavings. Walked around the rice fields and saw the village folks going about their business.

Quality of Experience
Out of the busy city and into the countryside! Interesting people, food, textiles, and villages.
Food
Great food for lunch!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peter excellent showing us around, answering our questions and creating experiences.
Transport
Always had water in the car.
Local specialist: Minh Nguyen
Minh
Minh Nguyen
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Nov 12, 2024
Hi Joe, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your detailed feedback on the daily activities and all the hotels. It has provided me with a lot to consider in revising my list and creating a much more interesting itinerary for future travelers. Your comments about the Stellar of the Seas Cruise and Pu Luong Retreat are highly valued. It is essential for me and my team to incorporate them into the itinerary only where suitable and for those with corresponding interests. I want to share... Read more

Hi Joe,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your detailed feedback on the daily activities and all the hotels. It has provided me with a lot to consider in revising my list and creating a much more interesting itinerary for future travelers.

Your comments about the Stellar of the Seas Cruise and Pu Luong Retreat are highly valued. It is essential for me and my team to incorporate them into the itinerary only where suitable and for those with corresponding interests.

I want to share something with you that I should have mentioned earlier to avoid the unpleasant experiences. It concerns the cruise: I remember you mentioned that you wanted to swim in the Bay. Unfortunately, the only area where swimming is allowed is Lan Ha Bay, which is also the route of the Stellar of the Seas. There is another place called Titov Island, but it tends to be very crowded. Additionally, the crew members on Stellar of the Seas should have informed you about the area where you could swim instead of asking you to remove your water shoes. Most cruises on this Lan Ha Bay route are new and quite large, and some even offer a swimming pool on board, but that wasn't the reason I chose this one. I simply discovered that this vessel had received a lot of positive feedback from our previous travelers, and I thought it would be suitable for you as well. I apologize for not mentioning the specific area where you could swim, and I will definitely share your feedback with the cruise so that they can improve their service immediately.

Regarding Pu Luong Retreat, I will also consider using this place in the near future. Pu Luong is indeed a tranquil area, but with a new wave of travelers coming to this place, rapid developments could sometimes lead to unsustainability. We are working hard to educate the local people and looking for places far from the crowds to introduce people to the real aspects of Pu Luong, as it is truly worth visiting. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us in our efforts to do better things for the Pu Luong community and tourism. Thank you so much!

Thank you for choosing us for your Vietnam holiday. It was a pleasure to have you and June as our guests! I trust that we will provide you with even better experiences if you ever come back here!

Best wishes,
Minh

Sangita and her team provided us with excelle...
Nepal | Jan 10 - Jan 16, 2024

P
Peggy P.
Cooperstown, NY | Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024

Sangita and her team provided us with excellent service for our trip to Nepal.

Bhim and his son were absolute stars getting us up to Australian Camp. I felt safe the whole time.

Bipin shared his extensive knowledge of the holy sites in Kathmandu, and was a welcome companion at lunch and on a shopping expedition.

Sangita was very responsive, and organized everything with great efficiency.

Local specialist: Sangita Bajracharya
Sangita
Sangita Bajracharya
Local specialist in Kathmandu | Replied on Jan 25, 2024

Dear Peggy,

Thank you for the wonderful review. It is great to hear you had amazing travel experience with our team. We look forward to welcoming you back in our country Nepal.

Regards
Sangita & HNB Team

Good
Norway | Jan 5 - Jan 12, 2024

D
Diego P.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024

As always kimkim and its collaborators deliver great experiences. Thank you Christina.
I do have to say that during our planning phase, I got some wrong information on my itinerary and it led to some misunderstandings, outside of that: all good.

Local specialist: Christina Wang
Christina
Christina Wang
Local specialist in Kristiansand, Norway | Replied on Jan 26, 2024

Hi Diego,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
I am sorry to read that you experienced some wrong information in the itinerary, which made it more complicated for you.
However, I am glad to see that you had an all over-good trip to Norway!
Thank you for travelling with KimKim!:)
All the best, Christina

Mathias made excellent calls for us and we had a great time
Galapagos Islands | Dec 28 - Dec 31, 2023

Darryl
Darryl C.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024
Mathias was super honest about the Galapagos and told us in all honesty that we would see more by boat than any land trip and he was right.
He set up a trip for us in the Amazon Rain Forest area. The place was absolutely lovely and we had an excellent time. We loved the walks to the waterfalls and also the night walk, the day trip to the Amazon to meet the animals and the indigenous people all were amazing. The guide from the hotel Leonardo was truly excellent and was extremely kind...
Read more

Mathias was super honest about the Galapagos and told us in all honesty that we would see more by boat than any land trip and he was right.
He set up a trip for us in the Amazon Rain Forest area. The place was absolutely lovely and we had an excellent time. We loved the walks to the waterfalls and also the night walk, the day trip to the Amazon to meet the animals and the indigenous people all were amazing. The guide from the hotel Leonardo was truly excellent and was extremely kind and helpful. The pet monkey at the resort "Ramona" was the star of the show. We had a great time with her and she came on the walk to the rain forest hanging on one of us the whole time. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The chocolate making class was fascinating and the chocolate was excellent that we made. The resort also had a lot of locals from Quito and we had an amazing time interacting with them. So all in all, a great choice of resort and just the right amount of activity for us. On the way back we stopped at a bird sanctuary and also the famous hot springs. We had an excellent time swimming between the very cold pool and the very hot pools. All in all the choices that Mathias made were totally on the money and the whole thing was effortless and was enjoyed by all of us.

Hotel Review
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

The lodge is amazing, the staff are attentive and they go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. I can't believe Leonardo, our guide. He worked tireless hours and showed us around and helped the servers and was all around amazing. Ramona (their adopted pet woolly monkey) is the star of the resort. She's extremely sweet and cuddly and so much fun. The guests were also quite wonderful. Many were locals and we had a great time with them. The activities they had were fun and the place was completely relaxed and laid back. Totally recommend for a lovely time.

Authenticity & Character
Nice lodges and great authentic food
Location
Out of the way
Staff
Leonardo is amazing
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean, hot water is slow and not much but being in the middle of the jungle that is what can be expected
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Feb 27, 2024

Hi Darryl,

thanks again for choosing Kimkim and Authentic Ecuador for planning your trip to Ecuador!

I’m happy to hear that after evaluating the options together, you made the best decision and were able to spend a very special Christmas holiday in the Galapagos and the rainforest!

We are looking forward to welcoming you and your family again in Ecuador one day to explore the other amazing locations!

All the best,
Mathias

I can't say enough about the entire experienc...
Chile | Jan 6 - Jan 16, 2024

Andrew
Andrew T.
Canton, GA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
I can't say enough about the entire experience. All the transportation, accommodations and guides performed and exceeded our expectation. Weather was the only factor that affected our trip. All ground transport was waiting for us when we exited our flights or checking out in the lobby of our hotels. Hotel staff at the The Uman Lodge Patagonia was excellent. They communicated with the outfitters during our stay to make sure that our activities and pick up times coordinated. One... Read more

I can't say enough about the entire experience. All the transportation, accommodations and guides performed and exceeded our expectation. Weather was the only factor that affected our trip.

All ground transport was waiting for us when we exited our flights or checking out in the lobby of our hotels.

Hotel staff at the The Uman Lodge Patagonia was excellent. They communicated with the outfitters during our stay to make sure that our activities and pick up times coordinated. One negative comment about the hotel is the access road, a very rough and rocky road. but once you got to the top, it was majestic.

We also really appreciated our private transport from Puerto Arenas. He was an excellent guide as well.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Las Torres Patagonia
Torres del Paine
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Altiplanico Puerto Natales
Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Lago Grey
Torres del Paine
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Uman Lodge Patagonia
Futaleufu
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Wyndham Puerto Varas Pettra
Puerto Varas
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Azul River to Bridge White Water Rafting
Azul River to Bridge White Water Rafting
futaleufu
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Trip to Glacier Grey
Boat Trip to Glacier Grey
Chile
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
if rough weather is visible, maybe advise travelers that if you get sea sick, you may want to go on a different day so the rest of the passengers will not miss out on the experience as we did because they turn the boat around due to a few passengers getting sea sick. They should understand that seeing the glacier is one if not the biggest reason people come to the area.
Transport
Kayaking in Grey Lake & Grey River
Kayaking in Grey Lake & Grey River
Chile
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hotel Las Torres Tour Options
Hotel Las Torres Tour Options
Chile
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Torres del Paine National Park Private Tour
Torres del Paine National Park Private Tour
Puerto Natales
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day White Water Rafting
Full-Day White Water Rafting
futaleufu
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly Fishing Half-Day
Fly Fishing Half-Day
futaleufu
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bridge to Bridge White Water Rafting
Bridge to Bridge White Water Rafting
futaleufu
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Jan 23, 2024

Thanks, Andy! It was my pleasure to plan and coordinate such an exciting adventure for you and your brother. Not many travelers are brave enough to visit such remote locations in a faraway country. Kudos to your audacious spirit and very grateful for the detailed reviews of hotels and excursions!
Best regards,
Lorena

Our trip was in January 2024 and was an amazi...
Galapagos Islands | Jan 4 - Jan 16, 2024

Jan
Jan O.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
Our trip was in January 2024 and was an amazing trip. We stayed in Quito for a couple of days and had an excellent guide and driver, Marco. His English was good and he helped me with my Spanish :). We especially loved the trip to Cotopaxi and the horseback ride in the National Park. From there we went to the Galapagos and boarded the ship, Infinity. The ship and crew were fabulous. There were two very knowledgeable, engaged naturalists on board (Fernando and Mari) that made our trip... Read more

Our trip was in January 2024 and was an amazing trip. We stayed in Quito for a couple of days and had an excellent guide and driver, Marco. His English was good and he helped me with my Spanish :). We especially loved the trip to Cotopaxi and the horseback ride in the National Park. From there we went to the Galapagos and boarded the ship, Infinity. The ship and crew were fabulous. There were two very knowledgeable, engaged naturalists on board (Fernando and Mari) that made our trip memorable. The ship advertises that they have gourmet meals, which we would rate as just ok, but we were there for the wildlife and the experience so it wasn't that big of deal. There was no lack of food - seems like they were always feeding us. The wildlife was unlike any we have seen elsewhere. We were able to get up close and personal with all species - even the birds didn't fly away from us when we got close. I would recommend this trip to anyone! Alvaro was great in helping us personalize the itinerary. and answering all our questions. KimKim is a bit expensive but this is our third trip with them so I guess we think that it's worth it.

Activity Reviews
North Seymour Island  - Baltra Airport  (Infinity Luxury Yacht)
North Seymour Island - Baltra Airport (Infinity Luxury Yacht)
Cruise Ship
Santiago Island: Egas Port - Bartholomew Island
Santiago Island: Egas Port - Bartholomew Island
Cruise Ship
Isabela Island: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove
Isabela Island: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove
Cruise Ship
Isabela Island: Moreno Point - Elizabeth Bay
Isabela Island: Moreno Point - Elizabeth Bay
Cruise Ship
Explore Cotopaxi National Park on Horseback, Transfer to Quito
Explore Cotopaxi National Park on Horseback, Transfer to Quito
Cotopaxi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Alvaro Pereira
Alvaro
Alvaro Pereira
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 24, 2024
Dear Jan!
Thanks a million for sharing your experience! We appreciate very much your words. Marco is truly a gem, and it's awesome he made your time in Quito so special.
Cotopaxi and the horseback ride, the Galapagos on the Infinity – are such unique journeys! Fernando and Mari are also a dream team of naturalists. And getting up close with wildlife must have been so dreamy.
We appreciate your honesty about the food – this will be conveyed to the cruise Operational staff.
We are so happy to...
Read more

Dear Jan!
Thanks a million for sharing your experience! We appreciate very much your words. Marco is truly a gem, and it's awesome he made your time in Quito so special.
Cotopaxi and the horseback ride, the Galapagos on the Infinity – are such unique journeys! Fernando and Mari are also a dream team of naturalists. And getting up close with wildlife must have been so dreamy.
We appreciate your honesty about the food – this will be conveyed to the cruise Operational staff.
We are so happy to know that KimKim made your third trip just as memorable.
If you want to continue your journey in South America, reach out any time!
Best,
Alvaro

Argentine-Great Service and reliable.
Argentina | Dec 23 - Jan 22, 2024

E
Eric T.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
Ana is my trip planner. She gave me great experience and surprises for my Argentina trip. She is responsible and follow and manage the whole duration of the trip. We faced some problem of entry to the country, Ana and her travel agent made immediate arrangements for alternative tour without charging us extra. An extremely reliable tour agent and service especially we are new to the Country. Top grade Service & Highly recommended.
All her travel agents and guides are knowledgeable and...
Read more

Ana is my trip planner. She gave me great experience and surprises for my Argentina trip. She is responsible and follow and manage the whole duration of the trip. We faced some problem of entry to the country, Ana and her travel agent made immediate arrangements for alternative tour without charging us extra. An extremely reliable tour agent and service especially we are new to the Country. Top grade Service & Highly recommended.
All her travel agents and guides are knowledgeable and experienced.

Activity Reviews
Porteño Fileteado: An Artistic Journey
Porteño Fileteado: An Artistic Journey
Buenos Aires

Artist’s work is excellent

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class: touring four regions of Argentina
Cooking Class: touring four regions of Argentina
Buenos Aires

Wonderful experience with the Chef

Quality of Experience
Loop
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento
Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento
Buenos Aires

Great guide - excellent service, experience guide and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Estancia Gaucho Day
Estancia Gaucho Day
Buenos Aires

Excellent horse show

Quality of Experience
Pop
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Buenos Aires Barrios Tour
Buenos Aires Barrios Tour
Buenos Aires
Gala Tango Dinner & Show
Gala Tango Dinner & Show
Buenos Aires

Great show and nice wine and dinner !

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Gutierrez
Ana
Ana Gutierrez
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Jan 29, 2024

Dear Sin Sew! First off, thanks for taking the time to share your review and such a nice photo book of your Argentina Trip!
You are great travelers, so thoughtful and easy-going, and I have enjoyed a lot working with you to create this trip plan for such a wonderful crew! Thanks for your trust during the process.
Wish you an amazing year ahead, full of adventures and great experiences.✨
Let me know if you're coming to South America in the future. I'll be more than happy to help you design a fantastic itinerary to continue exploring this side of the world.

All the best,
Ana

COLUMBIA TRIP BY DAVID AND AIMEE
Colombia | Jan 4 - Jan 10, 2024

D
David D.
Holualoa, HI | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024

The most impressive thing about Michael is that his response time was extremely timely and good.

He was able to secure a great bird guide for my in Tyrona National park. The guide will make or break a birding trip.

I would highly recommend Michael to help organize a trip to Columbia.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Jan 23, 2024

Dear David and Aimee,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with the bird guide in Tayrona National Park. Your recommendation means a lot, and I'm delighted to have been a part of organizing your trip to Colombia. If you have any more adventures in mind or need assistance in the future, feel free to reach out. Safe travels!
Best regards,
Michael

Fantastic trip to Nicaragua with great guidance
Nicaragua | Jan 13 - Jan 22, 2024

R
Riley B.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024

Emily was an absolute pro at making me feel well looked after on this trip. She was wonderful about listening attentively to my needs and shifted her approach to the planning when some unexpected developments emerged shortly before and during the trip. The local guides and drivers were so hospitable and made me feel like a family member at every step of the way. I couldn’t have enjoyed this trip more!

Local specialist: Emily Solís
Emily
Emily Solís
Local specialist in Panama | Replied on Aug 05, 2024

Hola Riley

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip in Nicaragua. The whole team was delighted to be able to assist you and give you the best possible attention. We hope you will come back soon :)

Minh was great in helping us plan out trip! ...
Vietnam | Dec 27 - Jan 17, 2024

Susan & Bob
Susan & Bob M.
Roanoke, VA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
Minh was great in helping us plan out trip! All activities were superb and most lodgings. We love KimKim and highly recommend! Read more

Minh was great in helping us plan out trip!

All activities were superb and most lodgings. We love KimKim and highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
Mango Bay Phu Quoc

This hotel was not a good fit at all for us. We request king beds or 2 beds throughout our trip - this was neither. It was not central air, bathroom outside. I have breathing issues and we never assumed this would be an issues. Kimkim could not help us with a different property so we found our own property and transferred the next night. The toll away bed they brought in at a different villa was not suitable for my husbands back. This was a total disappointment. We loved where we transferred to and we’re able to solve our own issue .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Above noted
Can Tho Ecolodge
Can Tho

Issues with restaurant. Gluten free and menu issues with lack of understanding regarding our questions about the food. Language issue primarily.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Bad experience with massage, rough treatment and got the feeling she did not want to be there doing the massage. Above restaurant issues noted.
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
Hoi An

Over this hotel, wish all lodging were to this standards, most were.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Exceptional and really great with gluten free!!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
We had to switch rooms when we arrived but the staff & hotel were totally GREAT!
The L’Amour Junk

Great experience!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Staff, everyone was superb and exceeded our expectations!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tam Coc Garden Resort
Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Had issues with their understanding gluten free.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Avana Retreat
Hoa Binh
Authenticity & Character
Worth everything to enjoy this experience!
Location
Loved our villa!
Staff
Staff was totally exceptional!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Scuba Diving Day in Phu Quoc
Scuba Diving Day in Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc

This day I did the mud baths while Bob did scuba so both were great experiences!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phu Quoc Island Getaway
Phu Quoc Island Getaway
Phu Quoc
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Can Tho - visit floating market and explore around Can Tho
Can Tho - visit floating market and explore around Can Tho
Can Tho
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Tra Que Village & Hoi An City Tour
Visit Tra Que Village & Hoi An City Tour
Hoi An
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay - Bai Tu Long Bay - Cap La (with L'Amour Junk)
Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay - Bai Tu Long Bay - Cap La (with L'Amour Junk)
Vietnam

This was truly a one of a kind experience! They exceeded all of our expectations from the food to all activities. I am only filling out this one with pictures to be all inclusive of all activities❤️

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi - Hoa Binh: Avana Retreat
Hanoi - Hoa Binh: Avana Retreat
Vietnam
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A full day explore the rural life in Hanoi
A full day explore the rural life in Hanoi
Hanoi

This was amazing due to our guide which was different than planned, thank good ness we had a different guide. Only wished we had been able to switch to him for that day on. His name was: Hiep Nguyen +84 98 671 02 34

Quality of Experience
Food
Amazing experience at the lady’s home!!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Minh Nguyen
Minh
Minh Nguyen
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Feb 29, 2024

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much for all your valuable feedback and amazing photos. I love to see your Facebook everyday, indeed!

I also appreciate your feedback on the unsuitable hotels. I think we will learn a lot from this experience and be more careful in our selection in the future. Thank you for your constructive feedback, and we are glad that we were able to share a small part of the costs with you. I hope to welcome you and your family back to Vietnam soon!

Wonderful 'slow-travel' trip to Norway - Oslo, Bergen, Flam and Alesund
Norway | Jan 12 - Jan 19, 2024

J
Janeen P.
the United Arab Emirates | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
I was not the easiest customer and asked Mathia to put together a 'slow travel' itinerary for me and my father, who has mobility issues. I asked for a train trip, a boat trip and high views of the fjords. I was not expecting him to be able to achieve all of this in 7 days. Mathia organised an incredible itinerary with multiple opportunities to experience the points that I requested. I never could have navigated the websites (which were in Norwegian) or book all of the tickets in the speed he... Read more

I was not the easiest customer and asked Mathia to put together a 'slow travel' itinerary for me and my father, who has mobility issues. I asked for a train trip, a boat trip and high views of the fjords. I was not expecting him to be able to achieve all of this in 7 days. Mathia organised an incredible itinerary with multiple opportunities to experience the points that I requested. I never could have navigated the websites (which were in Norwegian) or book all of the tickets in the speed he managed to do so. The entire trip went according to plan, other than a slight change due to an avalanche which affected one part of our trip. He communicated clearly throughout and managed to convey alternative options with such prudence and cadence. The guided walks in Oslo and Bergen were brilliant and helped us to immerse ourselves in local culture quickly. I would absolutely recommend kimkim and, most importantly, Mathia, to anyone looking to book a trip of a lifetime to Norway. Thank you Mathia, for your speedy and personalised service, and for giving me a wonderful opportunity to make memories with my Dad.

Hotel Review
Hotel Bristol
Oslo

Incredible breakfast! Rooms were small but comfortable and fit for purpose.

Local specialist: Mathia Pacenti
Mathia
Mathia Pacenti
Local specialist in Vesterålen, Norway | Replied on Jan 23, 2024

Dear Janeen,
Thank you very much for your great review.
I am sure communication and understanding are essential for the success of a trip.
We achieved this together. You have been cooperative and helpful throughout the whole process.
I am so happy that this journey with your dad made unforgettable memories. I perfectly know how important it was for both of you.
I hope he managed to walk without much effort, and that the final massage session in Oslo was a relief for him.
I wish you, your dad, and your family all the best in life, business and love.
Kind Regards
Mathia

***Definitely recommend Veronika!***
Sweden | Dec 16 - Dec 21, 2023

J
Jen R.
Portugal | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
Veronika prepared a fun itinerary for a short trip to Sweden to the see the Northern Lights. Veronika was available throughout the trip and answered questions promptly. When a train was cancelled, she immediately re-booked us on an alternate route, and our trip continued smoothly. She herself needed to take a flight during our trip and took the initiative to find a replacement guide in case we had any questions while she was travelling in case we couldn’t get in contact with her. ... Read more

Veronika prepared a fun itinerary for a short trip to Sweden to the see the Northern Lights. Veronika was available throughout the trip and answered questions promptly. When a train was cancelled, she immediately re-booked us on an alternate route, and our trip continued smoothly. She herself needed to take a flight during our trip and took the initiative to find a replacement guide in case we had any questions while she was travelling in case we couldn’t get in contact with her. Veronika put together an intricate itinerary which involved a few different hotels and activities, all in a short 4 day visit. She gave restaurant suggestions and made reservations where appropriate. Working with her was a breeze. Veronika is friendly, accomodating, and a joy to work with!

Local specialist: Veronika Turskytė
Veronika
Veronika Turskytė
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Jan 23, 2024
Hi there! I can't tell you how much your fantastic review means to me! 😊 Learning that you had such a wonderful time planning your trip to Stockholm and Kiruna just made my day. Working together with you to create those special moments was an absolute joy. Your recommendation and the time you took to share your experience are deeply appreciated. Remember, if you're ever in need of more travel advice or planning, I'm just a message away and always eager to assist. Thank you once again for... Read more

Hi there!

I can't tell you how much your fantastic review means to me! 😊 Learning that you had such a wonderful time planning your trip to Stockholm and Kiruna just made my day. Working together with you to create those special moments was an absolute joy.

Your recommendation and the time you took to share your experience are deeply appreciated. Remember, if you're ever in need of more travel advice or planning, I'm just a message away and always eager to assist.

Thank you once again for your kind words. Here's to more thrilling and unforgettable journeys in your future!

With the warmest of regards,
Veronika

New Zealand Adventure
New Zealand | Jan 5 - Jan 17, 2024

Tiffany
Tiffany G.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
We are a family of 5, kids aged (9,15,17) 15 days in New Zealand starting in Auckland, driving down to Rotoroa, flying down to Christchurch, traveling by train to Greysmouth, car to Frans Jofef and car to Queenstown. It was a busy trip, but we loved every minute. The Maori traditional hungi and cultural night was enjoyed by of us, the mud baths at Hellsgate in Rotoroa - don't expect to get your clothes back, just take ones you can ditch! but it is a lovely experience. The night time... Read more

We are a family of 5, kids aged (9,15,17) 15 days in New Zealand starting in Auckland, driving down to Rotoroa, flying down to Christchurch, traveling by train to Greysmouth, car to Frans Jofef and car to Queenstown. It was a busy trip, but we loved every minute. The Maori traditional hungi and cultural night was enjoyed by of us, the mud baths at Hellsgate in Rotoroa - don't expect to get your clothes back, just take ones you can ditch! but it is a lovely experience. The night time glowworm kayak on the lake also a great experience - so peaceful. Down to the south island, the Christchurch botanical gardens are well worth an afternoon exploring - beautiful. The train ride to Greysmouth is very scenic. When driving from Frans Josef to Queenstown, remember the sick bags if anyone has travel sickness, the windy roads are next level, but the views are stunning. Queenstown is a beautiful part of the world, the lake offers so many options for tourists. The Bungee at the bridge, is worth just visiting to witness other peoples bravery! So much we didn't see, so we will be back.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel St. Moritz
Queenstown
Authenticity & Character
Location
Although it is on a really steep hill, that you need to walk up and down to get the town.
Staff
The breakfast barista made a beautiful coffee with a smile - thankyou
Cleanliness & Comfort
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier

Reception decor looks quite fancy, but the rooms don't match that, but we were comfortable and it was clean and tidy. You do have beautiful views of the snow topped mountains and the fog rolling in is quite surreal.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sudima Lake Rotorua
Rotorua

Great location, we had rooms next to each other as we have 3 kids. Walking distance to the town.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Oaks Auckland Hotel (Prev. Nesuto Stadium Auckland)
Auckland

We enjoyed our stay in these apartments. We just really need at least a fan in the bedrooms as it was too hot in January and the a/c was only in the living area. Great location and walking distance to the ferry and shops.

Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari
Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure & Funyak River Safari
Queenstown (NZ)

Due to bad weather we just did the jetboat part of this tour. Was a lot of fun, and the scenery was stunning.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
staff were all fantastic.
Transport
Franz Joseph 4 hour Kayak and Walk
Franz Joseph 4 hour Kayak and Walk
New Zealand

This is a lovely day on the lake, if you are lucky enoguh to get a still day, the reflections are just beautiful. The kayaks are very comfortable and easy to manouver, the walk up into the forrest is really peaceful and beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
she was sounding a bit rusty, nearly didn't start.
Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided
Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided
Rotorua

It's a lovely experience, maybe not for kids that don't like the dark or the water. As its hard to come back if they don't like it. For couples its a lovely time together, its really peaceful on the lake.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner
Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner
Rotorua

great family experience for all ages. we thoroughly enjoyed this tour.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
TranzAlpine Train:  Christchurch to Greymouth
TranzAlpine Train: Christchurch to Greymouth
Christchurch

Great experience, beautiful views, great time for reflection and relaxation. The scenic cart was an added bonus.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jan 23, 2024

Thank you Tiffany for taking the time to write a review so other future travelers can learn from your experiences. I am very glad you all enjoyed the trip so much. It was really a pleasure to work with you and I would do it any time again !! So please count on us for your next adventure.

The best for this year to your lovely family!
Liz

I was feeling overwhelmed in December trying ...
Costa Rica | Jan 5 - Jan 21, 2024

Kathy
Kathy D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024
I was feeling overwhelmed in December trying to pull a January trip off last second. That's when I found KimKim and though a motor hesitant went ahead and booked through them. Olman was great at understanding my requirements and interests and offering a few suggestions until we had the perfect itinerary for us. The trip was also perfectly executed from our airport pickup to dropoff. Tours, hotels, and especially transfers are all the mundane work about a vacation that's not fun. The... Read more

I was feeling overwhelmed in December trying to pull a January trip off last second. That's when I found KimKim and though a motor hesitant went ahead and booked through them.

Olman was great at understanding my requirements and interests and offering a few suggestions until we had the perfect itinerary for us.

The trip was also perfectly executed from our airport pickup to dropoff. Tours, hotels, and especially transfers are all the mundane work about a vacation that's not fun. The Kimkim team took that off our hands entirely which just left us to enjoy.

My favorite excursion was the white water rafting! And followed closely by the ecotermales hot springs in La Fortuna... But I love good hot springs. Our guide, Alan, in the Manuel Antonio park was also so nice and knowledgeable.

The restaurant recommendations were also top notch!

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 23, 2024

Hello Kathy,

Thanks for your review!
Nice pics!

I am so happy to know every tour, transfer, and the hotels were according to what you expected or even better.

We hope to have you in our country once again!

Pura Vida,
Olman

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