Throw open the curtains of your room to the sight of the sun rising over the Arabian Gulf, the waters of which bathe the 1.7km private beach belonging to the Hilton Kuwait resort.
With fantastic hospitality, great food and excellent leisure facilities, the Hilton Kuwait is in a class of its own in the city. It’s easy to understand why the resort is so popular with long term visitors (staying in the villas and studios) as well as many corporate and leisure guests. It may be the biggest resort in the country but with well trained staff taking a personal interest in my comfort I always felt welcome and at home.
Standard rooms are large and well appointment with twice-daily servicing and when I made specific requests these were remembered on subsequent days. For those who need more space there are also suites and multi-bedroomed villas available within the complex; ideal for families who value privacy but still want the the services of a five star hotel.
In addition to an excellent, well equipped gym, there are fitness classes, tennis courts and a water sports centre. You can massage your aches away in the large ‘hydromedic’ pool where various water jets will pummel you to perfection; or try out the steam room, dry hot room, jacuzzi, or ice room for the truly brave (spa facilities are free for hotel guests and are for ladies only in the mornings). If all of that sounds too energetic you can simply relax on the private beach or by the pool.
Sooner or later you will need to eat and you can dine well without venturing out of the resort. Choices include regular theme nights – such as a seafood night – at the resort’s international Teatro restaurant,or excellent Levantine fare at Naranj restaurant where I had a delicious feast fit for a sheikh.
Only a 20 minutes drive from the airport and close to many of the oil company offices, the Hilton Kuwait is ideal for business travellers who want convenience coupled with top class facilities. It’s also perfect for families looking for a quick getaway with plenty to keep everybody in the family entertained.
– From US300+ per night
– Free airport pick up in wifi-enabled BMW
– Top class massage treatments at the spa
– Spacious room with stunning sea view
– Music around the pool
Steve & Candice
Review Team
Samanea is a new 5 star resort opening in Kep in July 2014. I was lucky enough to be a ‘preview’ guest, watching the project manager putting the finishing touches on the resort and hearing about the plans for the future.
The 8 villas (10) rooms were built amongst extensive landscaped gardens on the coast of Kep in 2012 but was never opened due to family reasons. The owners have now engaged the services of Belgian antiques dealer, Alain Garnier, who is behind the charming Governor’s House in Phnom Penh, to create something special at Samanea.
I stayed in a spacious junior villa, decorated with antique ceramics and trunks from across Asia and tasteful furnishings. I loved being the first person to sleep in the comfortable four poster bed and to use the fluffy white towels.
Bathing is al fresco here – the large bathtub, rainwater shower and Khmer washing pot are outside in a private courtyard. The shower area is sheltered from the elements by the roof awning.
Although not operational during my stay, a glass house restaurant will serve meals overlooking the swimming pool and with views to the sea. Ex Song Saa chef will be joining the team. You can also choose to take meals at one of the private dining spots along the walkway through the mangroves.
The swimming pool is large, about twice as big as most hotel pools and is long enough to swim laps without getting dizzy, with room to spare for more sedate bathers.
One of the best features of Samanea is the 250 metre pier. It truly feels like you’re walking out into the middle of the ocean. It’s the perfect spot from which to watch the sunset behind the Bokor Mountain peninsular. Equally perfect for brides – the team hope to host many weddings here.
Future developments include a dedicated cooking school area, vegetable and herb garden, and onsite spa, as well as becoming a tropical wedding destination.
From US125+ per night
– As the hotel was not fully operational it’s difficult to comment. I cannot fault the excellent way in which I was looked after during my stay.
– I particularly loved the sunset views from the 250 metre pier. Magical and good exercise!
– As the hotel was not fully operational it’s difficult to comment. I cannot fault the excellent way in which I was looked after during my stay.
Simone
Review Team
There are not that many places left in the world to enjoy the wilderness. There are even fewer where you can enjoy it with luxuries like personalized service, exceptional food and your own two-bedroom chalet looking out over the ocean.
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is a fly- or boat-in resort in the Great Bear Rainforest, midway up Canada’s Pacific coast. You’re surrounded by rainforest, mountains, islands, bays and fjords … and the animals that call this home.
This is the remote wilderness, yet you’re also surrounded by some of the best staff I’ve ever come across.
The resort is owned by the Murray family, managed by son Fraser and his wife Becky, and staffed by a team that truly understands hospitality. Wonder aloud about something, pose a question, sometimes even just have a look on your face — the team jumps to accommodate your needs and surpass your expectations. You might not even realize all the behind-the-scenes work going on to do this, simply thinking “oh how nice that Brianna wanted to come with me for a paddle and hike just now!”
Activities at Nimmo Bay are all included, depending on the package that you choose:
– boat excursions to see sea lions and look for humpback whales, orca, dolphins, and bears
– guided hiking, kayaking and standup paddle boarding
– snorkeling (heard of jellyfish lake in Micronesia? Try Nimmo Bay in August!)
– heli-fishing for salmon and trout in rivers shared only with bears
– other helicopter activities like hiking, beachcombing, and glacier and waterfall viewing
Also included are incredible meals by Chef Sandi Irving and featuring the “best of BC” — local ingredients like spot prawns, scallops, salmon, oysters, farmed meats, fruits and veggies, and BC wine and beer. Nosh in the floating dining room, adeptly managed by Hayley Van Wieren.
Stay in one of nine two-bedroom chalets, three by the waterfall-fed stream and six which have the tide rising and falling beneath you. Some are rustically luxurious, and others are more Cape Cod modern.
$2500 US per couple, including transportation from Port Hardy, excursions, meals and beverages ($6000 with heli-adventures)
– With 18-foot tides, the view changes every few minutes
– Hot tub by the waterfall and a massage that (finally!) got rid of my I-spend-too-much-time-at-a-computer neck ache
– You can’t go wrong with a wilderness resort chosen by captains of industry, of the White House, and of the Starship Enterprise
– The orcas, dolphins and bears were all on vacation during my visit, though I was happy to greet the sea lions, humpbacks and a seal
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
Many things make 4 Rivers Floating Lodge special. The first is its unique location, only accessible by boat.
4 Rivers is made up of safari tents and floats on the Tatai River, opposite the small river island of Koh Andet. It’s named for the four rivers between Phnom Penh and Koh Kong province. With the Cardamom Mountains surrounding the lodge it’s definitely a hideaway in nature.
It’s still camping, or rather ‘glamping’, without the dirt, or crawling around to get into a ‘two-man’ tent. It’s a true retreat with no WiFi and very little mobile signal. The perfect place to get away from the busy world.
The 12 beige safari tents (which sleep two to three people) are erected on a platform that is moored to the bank of the river in the Cardamom National Park. There is an odd but not unpleasant sensation of buoyancy, especially during the wind and rain. The tents are large, 45 sq m, with a living and sleeping area and separate bathroom. The bathroom has an incredible wine barrel shower (unfortunately no wine). Three fans keep you cool, eliminating the hot, sweatiness that usually goes with camping, and I found that I didn’t miss air conditioning at all.
The environmental credentials also make the lodge special. It is incredibly low impact. If the tents and pontoon were dragged away, all traces of its existence would be erased in moments. Electricity comes from solar panels and a generator. Hot water is supplied through gas bottles but the Romanian and Filipina owners are working on installing more solar panels so that the lodge can be more self-sustaining.
4 Rivers will force you to relax and enjoy nature for a few days. There is no escape! The onboard restaurant provides all meals. You can fish or swim in the river, relax on your private sundeck or use one of the free kayaks.
From US170+ per night
– Kayaking from my sundeck into the sunset was incredible
– The wind and rain during my stay caused some problems with the hot water but this was fixed promptly
This 
hotel is a member of Secret Retreats, a collection of boutique residences, hotels and boats throughout Asia and a brand that provides experiences for the discerning traveller.
Simone
Review Team