Bambu Hotel is a peaceful, thoughtfully designed, 16 room boutique hotel in quiet Battambang, about a 15 minute walk from the centre of town or an even shorter tuk tuk ride.
Bambu’s British owner, Pat, strives to make your stay enjoyable. He provides a wealth of information and recommendations on things to do in and around the town.
Most of the rooms are in traditionally inspired wooden villas at the rear of the property. Exposed roof beams, rustic art deco tiling and wooden shutters complete the look. I loved the king or queen sized beds which are high enough to climb into and the showerheads which are bigger than me (with excellent water pressure). All rooms have a balcony or terrace to chill out and relax. Careful landscaping ensures the ground floor terraces are private. The environmentalist in me appreciated the solar panels used to provide most of the power for the hotel.
There is a restaurant (dinner was enjoyable) and bar onsite with a popular pre-dinner happy hour. I can recommend the passion fruit mojito! Especially while lazing around the salt water swimming pool. Straw hats are provided on the sun loungers for those who forgot to pack their own (environmentally friendly and sun smart).
Bambu connects with the community by supporting an English programme at a local village school, which guests can choose to visit.
From US70+ per night inclusive breakfast
– In the absence of a true tourist information office, we appreciated the information pack about Battambang. We’re inspired to return!
– The wifi was also very good, with much better than average connection speeds.
– The buffet breakfast had a good selection of cereals, fruit and cooked options but was prepared early and therefore not fresh at 9am. On our second morning, an a la cart menu was provided which was better.
Review by Simone
With Villa Kresna you have your choice of two properties. Just 150 meters from cocoa-coloured Seminyak beach, the original location features five deluxe rooms and eight suites surrounding a long free-form pool. Their second location, about 350 meters away, is all separate villas with kitchenettes and many with private pools.
Both locations are quiet, the villa particularly so as it is on a private lane with gated access. The Straw Hut restaurant is also here, and features live music Fridays and Wednesdays.
If you’re staying at the beach location, you’re welcome to come to the Straw Hut, and you also have a small pool-side restaurant just a few steps from your room. The pool here is a long curve (4 by 15 meters) with water benches along one side and the depth ranges from 50 to 210 centimeters.
All rooms, even the value deluxe rooms are very spacious and well-designed.
Several new villas will open later in 2014.
From US133+ per night inclusive breakfast
– Lots of room choices depending on your needs and budget
– Big outdoor couch beds for lounging near the balconies
– Deluxe rooms: shower isn’t small, but the door and temperature control design make it feel crowded.
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
I feel overwhelmed with kindness, hospitality and beauty. My stay at Sungai is simply exquisite. Everything is perfectly designed, planned and executed. There are not enough superlatives to describe staying at Sungai.
Sungai means river, and this exceptional resort is set on the bank of a small one in the tiny village of Cepaka. You’re in the real Bali here.
The resort is divided in two, and you can book the entire resort (sleeps 12 to 17) or just part. Regardless, bespoke service and exclusivity are paramount.
My stay is on the Sungai Gold side. It is just like staying in a private home, if your home is an incredible two-bedroom villa with an outdoor living room and dining room. And a pool overlooking a lazy jungle river. In Bali. With a dozen staff, half of whom are exceptional chefs.
These chefs will prepare incredible meals for you, you simply let them know what you’d like in enough time to do the daily shopping (or leave it to them to surprise you). Only the cost of ingredients is charged.
The decor is simple and elegant, bright whites and beachy taupes. Bathrooms are open to the air on one side (be aware if you’re super squeamish of insects, you’ll see a few). Tuberose and frangipani blossoms are everywhere perfuming the air.
While the setting, facilities and the (many) luxury inclusions are wonderful, it is the staff that make Sungai truly outstanding. The team is led by Made (pronounced Mah-day), who also acts as your personal concierge alleviating you of planning and logistics. The team has unaffected personal and professional service down to an art, and provide the perfect balance of friendliness, care, charm and grace.
Everyone should be so lucky as to enjoy a stay at Sungai.
Sungai Gold: 1 suite $585++, both suites $720++
Sungai:up to 6 guests in all 3 suites $995++ Inclusive of transfers, breakfast, and many many other luxury inclusions.
– Everything. But especially the team which looks after you.
– Airport butler service to magically whisk you through the queues.
– Lots of love and special attention given to babies and kids.
– You can’t stay here forever.
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
If you are a plane enthusiast, this is the hotel for you. If you like incredibly good food, cool design and a fine cocktail list you won’t have much to complain about either.
You could be forgiven for missing that the ‘Aviator’ is a hotel as from the outside; it gives a rather good impression of a commercial building. Or in fact an airline hangar. Any misgivings will be dispelled as you step into perhaps the most ascetically pleasing foyers I’ve ever encountered with superb staircase which, from the top, presents a flawless optical illusion.
A Sky Suite is roomy and comfortable, with the additional extra of a lounge with large TV separate from the main bedroom area (there’s a smaller TV here too in case you just can’t do without your bedtime viewing). We chose to spend a couple of hours pre-dinner watching an appropriately themed aviation movie, but there were plenty of new releases to choose from, for free, (and not all plane related!)
Drinks in the Sky Bar included an eclectic cocktail list and sultry lighting. I can recommend the (award winning) Silver Jet, the large red chilli giving the tequila a further deliciously warm tingle. My first cocktail of the day was an easy drinking vanilla and elderflower daiquiri at check in. I like their style. From the Sky Bar, on a lighter evening, you’d have views over the adjoining Farnborough airport. If you listen closely you’ll get further clues on your location in the busy restaurant, with many a whispered conversation relating to private jets and flying conditions. Very elite.
Many chefs can produce a fabulous looking plate of food. Far less manage to pull off a triumph of not only flavour, but texture, temperature, colour…everything really. Tiny melt-in-the-mouth beetroot and raspberry meringues and shards of deliciously flavoured ice were memorable accompaniments to my crisp skinned mackerel starter. The wine list was delightful too; I’ve not come across a bottle of Pinot Gris since our last visit to New Zealand. Oh, and any dietary requirements? No problem. The professional and informed staff smooth any concerns or questions away. The service could have been a little quicker, but hey, there were diners with planes to catch the next day; all we had to do was relax and enjoy, which the Aviator made effortlessly easy.
From US250+ per night
– Michelin star quality food
– Professional and friendly staff
– Well equipped and spacious rooms
– Limited options locally to explore
Chris & Hannah
Directors