Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 15,537 ratings
Read 15,537 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.

Our bucket list trip to the Galapagos was unforgettable
Galapagos Islands | Mar 17 - Mar 26, 2025

J
Joanne F.
Bridgewater, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2025
Karla was very responsive to our questions and needs. The excursions and especially snorkeling was amazing. All guides were wonderful and Isabella and specifically Julio were wonderful. Very educational and provided the info we needed to be on time for every thing and on what to wear. I loved Los tunélles snorkeling the best as we liked seeing the penguins. Read more

Karla was very responsive to our questions and needs. The excursions and especially snorkeling was amazing. All guides were wonderful and Isabella and specifically Julio were wonderful. Very educational and provided the info we needed to be on time for every thing and on what to wear. I loved Los tunélles snorkeling the best as we liked seeing the penguins.

Hotel Review
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Loved having a view of the beach where we could watch the sea lions investigating the beach

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Galapagos Islands

My favorite with such a variety of wildlife…including penguins!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Karla Guerrero
Karla
Karla Guerrero
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Apr 07, 2025

Hi Joanne,

I'm so happy to hear that you and the group made such wonderful memories in Ecuador and the enchanting Galapagos Islands! It truly means a lot. Thank you so much for trusting us to create this special journey for you.

Warm regards,
Karla

We had an amazing time!
Colombia | Mar 29 - Apr 6, 2025

J
Jesse B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2025

We had an amazing time! The trip was for my mom’s 65th birthday and everything was perfectly planned. I have been to over 50 countries and by far this was one of the most amazing places I have visited with the nicest people. I loved that I did not need to plan anything and Michael planned everything. My mom and children had a great time.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 07, 2025

Hi Jesse,

Thank you so much for your message – it really means a lot! It’s always great to hear when a trip creates such special moments, especially when traveling with family.

Wishing you all many lasting memories from your time in Colombia – and who knows, maybe you’ll find your way back here one day.

All the best,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Amazing family trip to Greece
Greece | Mar 30 - Apr 6, 2025

J
Jonathan J.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2025
We had an amazing trip to Greece arranged by Siena. We have two kids who are both very interested in Greek Mythology, and the kimkim team set us up with a terrific itinerary, seeing the most interesting sites in Athens, Delphi, Olympia and Nafplio. Every day was amazing, but highlights of our favorite activities include the Mythical Pan cave hike near Delphi/Arachova with Hellas Trekking, the guided tour of Olympia with former archaeologist Zoe, the fun Percy Jackson themed adventure around... Read more

We had an amazing trip to Greece arranged by Siena. We have two kids who are both very interested in Greek Mythology, and the kimkim team set us up with a terrific itinerary, seeing the most interesting sites in Athens, Delphi, Olympia and Nafplio. Every day was amazing, but highlights of our favorite activities include the Mythical Pan cave hike near Delphi/Arachova with Hellas Trekking, the guided tour of Olympia with former archaeologist Zoe, the fun Percy Jackson themed adventure around Athens (the views from the Hill of the Nymphs were awesome), and the amazing team of drivers helping with all transfers. We had one thing come up in the middle of the trip, where we realized that the annual Tour of Hellas (bike race) was going to be right in the path. We linked up with our specialist and driver, and the day ended up being slightly different than planned, but an absolute blast (we had to leave the highway for an hour while the race went by, but it allowed us to tour the delightful town of Galaxidi, buy some local products, and even watch the race go by and cheer them on). The drivers were flexible and attentive to our needs throughout. We were so grateful to have the same driver for the last 3 days of our trip. He was so helpful, and he got to know us and our kids and pointed out things he thought we would find interesting as we drove. It was very helpful to be able to leave our bags in his van while we toured museums and sites each day as we moved from one hotel to another. The kimkim team helped arrange specific activities that fit with our children's interests and picked family friendly tours and guides, and that really made all the difference for our whole family. Lastly, our daughter had a birthday while on the trip, and the kimkim team arranged for a cake and balloons to be in one of our hotel rooms - so sweet and it gave her a huge smile. Grateful for a wonderful trip.

Hotel Reviews
MET34 Athens
Athina

Great location. Noisy, busy part of town, windows didn't block the outside sound well. Breakfast brought to room by staff. Clean, plenty of space for us, nice kitchenette.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kastalia Boutique Hotel Delphi
Delphi

Very nice hotel, great location, great restaurant. We had a room on the village side/main street which was quite loud especially at night (gelato place and many restaurants across the street). Other side of hotel had view of beautiful valley, likely would have been quieter and prettier (but more expensive), but would try to stay on that side if ever there again. attentive and kind staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ionion Beach Apartment Hotel Olympia
Pineios

Great location on beach, wish we had more time there. Nice playground for kids, great food at restaurant. Nice apartment style rooms with nice kitchen.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nafsimedon Hotel Nafplio
Nafplio

Nice hotel with nice staff. Loft-style rooms with two single beds in loft and the other on main level. Quiet which was nice. Located only two blocks from the steps up to Palamidi which was awesome.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sofitel Athens Airport
Athens

Hotel of necessity by airport. :-) Rooms were clean and quiet, beds were comfortable. WIndows had great blackout options. Even though we had to leave earlier than breakfast was served, the staff made us breakfast boxes which were amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Percy Jackson-Inspired Hero’s Adventure in Athens
Private Percy Jackson-Inspired Hero’s Adventure in Athens
Athens

Great tour, the guide made it fun and exciting for our kids. Great walk around town, loved the sites we visited.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Percy Jackson-Inspired Acropolis & Museum Experience
Percy Jackson-Inspired Acropolis & Museum Experience
Athens

Great tour of acropolis and museum. It wasn't very Percy Jackson-inspired, but nonetheless was informative and a nice guide. We learned so much more with a guide on the Acropolis than we otherwise would have. Was very nice that she already had our tickets for us, as the lines and process to get into the Acropolis was a mess.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Sounio & Temple of Poseidon Day Trip
Private Sounio & Temple of Poseidon Day Trip
Athens

Great tour that covered a lot - Temple of Zeus, Olympic stadium, the Athens Riviera, down to Sounio and back. Temple of Poseidon was beautiful and the coastline drive was great. Great lunch at a taverna on the way back. Very kind driver.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hike to Mythical Pan Cave
Guided Hike to Mythical Pan Cave
Delphi

One of best experiences of the trip. Great hike, great guide. Loved the cave. Highly, highly recommend to families.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Visit to Ancient Olympia
Private Guided Visit to Ancient Olympia
Greece

Another great tour! Zoe was an incredible guide. She made the whole site light up for us. You could tell she knew a ton about the site and Greek history. She really knew how to tell a story through the tour and helped us learn a lot in the process. She also took us through the museum and we learned so much more from that museum than we would have on our own. AMAZING day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Family-Friendly Trip to Epidaurus
Family-Friendly Trip to Epidaurus
Nafplio

Great tour, the drama games were a lot of fun and taught us about the development of Greek theater and performance. Wish we had a little more time in the theater itself/archaeological site, as it ended up being a bit rushed in the end. Otherwise great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Siena Mueller

Our 9-day family vacation in Morocco exceeded expectations
Morocco | Mar 28 - Apr 6, 2025

M
Melissa M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2025
Our 9-day family vacation in Morocco exceeded our expectations. Our main guide and driver, Tarik, was exceptionally accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. Our experience was tailored to exactly what we needed- 3 days of moderate hiking in the Atlas mountains, with highlights in Marrakesh, Fes and Chefchaouen. Local guides in Imlil, Fes, Marrakesh and Volubilis brought so much to maximize our experience. Our accommodations were charming and comfortable, and the provided meals were... Read more

Our 9-day family vacation in Morocco exceeded our expectations. Our main guide and driver, Tarik, was exceptionally accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. Our experience was tailored to exactly what we needed- 3 days of moderate hiking in the Atlas mountains, with highlights in Marrakesh, Fes and Chefchaouen. Local guides in Imlil, Fes, Marrakesh and Volubilis brought so much to maximize our experience. Our accommodations were charming and comfortable, and the provided meals were great. There's nothing we would change, but to be able to spend more time in Morocco.

Activity Review
Imlil Valley Walk - Toubkal NP
Imlil Valley Walk - Toubkal NP
Imlil

Our local guide, Aziz, was friendly and helpful and made our experience just wonderful. This walk between Berber villages was a highlight of our trip!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely

Good experiences but also significant frustrations
Philippines | Mar 16 - Mar 27, 2025

K
Karishma D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2025
We felt great in the planning process and leading up to our arrival. 1) However, our experience was different. We did not feel like you appreciated or respected our time. Specifically: you had us cross Cebu island TWICE. Moalboal should have happened first and then Oslob for whale sharks should have happened on the FIRST leg and would have put us close to ferry point to go to Siquijor. Instead we spent multiple days sitting in a car going from one place to the next. We trust YOU to guide us... Read more

We felt great in the planning process and leading up to our arrival.

1) However, our experience was different. We did not feel like you appreciated or respected our time. Specifically: you had us cross Cebu island TWICE. Moalboal should have happened first and then Oslob for whale sharks should have happened on the FIRST leg and would have put us close to ferry point to go to Siquijor. Instead we spent multiple days sitting in a car going from one place to the next. We trust YOU to guide us on the logistics. Do you think sitting in a car is a fun way to enjoy your vacation? Another example: returning to Dumaguete from Siquijor instead of staying on Siquijor island - especially since our hotel was not close to anything.

2) We wish you had given us all the available options for transportation. For example, we would have paid what it cost for business class on OceanJet business in order to be able to go outside. Additionally, we spent 3 hours on a ferry on one leg to Siquijor when our return was 40 mins - so there was a faster option versus sitting on a slow moving boat.

3) Ethical business partners: for the scuba diving trip, the guide that took Nick repeatedly touched and damaged coral reef.

4) Guides: our guides were very friendly and very nice and professional. However, they had very limited ability to communicate and very limited ability to share local knowledge and culture. We were dropped off at places with little information. Additionally, we didn't have much, if any opportunity to learn on the long car rides.

5) We appreciated responsiveness from travel agent on the ground, but the change in start times on multiple dates was frustrating.

While hotel locations were not great, the hotels themselves were clean and good value.

Hotel Reviews
Harold’s Evotel
Cebu

Clean rooms, friendly staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lighthouse Point Hotel
Dumaguete
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Henann Tawala Resort
Tawala
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Moalboal Tropics
Moalboal
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Whale Sharks and Kawasan Falls
Whale Sharks and Kawasan Falls
Philippines

Loved the canyoneering experience. However, we didn't get to Oslob (because of the driving route being so long) to see whale sharks which is reason for overall review.

Quality of Experience
This is only for the canyoneering experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent and very helpful staff on canyoneering experience
Transport
Siquijor Island Tour & Cambugahay Falls from Dumaguete City
Siquijor Island Tour & Cambugahay Falls from Dumaguete City
Dumaguete
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bohol Country Side Tour
Bohol Country Side Tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nice friendly staff, but wasn't able to share any information about places we visited or about the area and culture.
Transport
Bohol / Panglao: Island Hopping and Dolphin Watching Tour
Bohol / Panglao: Island Hopping and Dolphin Watching Tour
Philippines
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nice friendly staff, but didn't stop at one of the islands on the agenda and then was not helpful with snorkeling - kind of just gave us the gear and told us to go while they waited.
Transport
Moalboal Snorkeling Activities
Moalboal Snorkeling Activities
Moalboal

Fabulous instruction, very good equipment. One of our 3 guides repeatedly touched coral, thereby damaging it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sarah Lindsay

50th Anniversary Trip to Japan
Japan | Mar 23 - Apr 4, 2025

Thomas
Thomas A.
Vero Beach, FL | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
My wife and I are celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year, and we wanted to take a two week trip to Japan at Cherry Blossom time. Our adult daughter was going to join us. We worked with Angel to arrange the perfect trip. Angel was amazing. Everything was seamless. The hotels were excellent as were all of the local guides that she arranged. Transportation on bullet trains in Japan was totally arranged by Angel and everything was flawless. During the trip, we made a last minute change... Read more

My wife and I are celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year, and we wanted to take a two week trip to Japan at Cherry Blossom time. Our adult daughter was going to join us. We worked with Angel to arrange the perfect trip. Angel was amazing. Everything was seamless. The hotels were excellent as were all of the local guides that she arranged. Transportation on bullet trains in Japan was totally arranged by Angel and everything was flawless. During the trip, we made a last minute change of plans, and Angel was extremely helpful during the process. During the trip Angel checked in on us every day. While we made many of dinner reservations; some were difficult to obtain. Angel made those reservations for us. Our two week trip to Japan was amazing as we saw exactly what we wanted to see-temples, shrines, gardens, cherry blossoms. The personal tea ceremony that Angel arranged was fascinating. If you are planning a trip to Japan, Angel is the person that you want to help you plan it. We could not have been happier. This is the 5th time that we have used Kim Kim for international travel, and we will continue to use them. But Angel was the best. Thank you Angel.

Hotel Reviews
Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier
Tokyo

This hotel was situated in the Roppongi area of Tokyo and was first rate. We stayed there three nights; the breakfasts were fantastic.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The hotel was located within walking distance of three dinner reservations that we had made.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa

This hotel was located a few meters away from the train station. It was convenient for travel. Hotel was very nice; and breakfasts were excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

we stayed four nights at this hotel. Cherry blossoms were just around the corner from the hotel. We could walk to the central part of Kyoto.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Just an awesome hotel.
The Westin Osaka
Osaka

We only stayed here one night, but it was perfect. The Westin is a Marriott property, and we are lifetime platinum Marriott members. We enjoy staying at Westins, and this property met our expectations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone

Our plans changed, and we did not stay at this hotel.

Activity Reviews
Tokyo City Tour: Imperial Palace East Gardens, Senso-ji Tour & Meiji Shrine
Tokyo City Tour: Imperial Palace East Gardens, Senso-ji Tour & Meiji Shrine
Tokyo

The site seeeing was excellent in Tokyo

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lake Ashinoko Tour with Mt. Fuji Views
Lake Ashinoko Tour with Mt. Fuji Views
Japan

We knew that it might be difficult to view Mt Fuji. it was a rainy day, and we could not see Mt Fuji, and it was fun taking the Hakone Ropeway and the boat ride on the Lake,

Tokyo: Sumo Show Experience with Chicken Hot Pot and a Photo
Tokyo: Sumo Show Experience with Chicken Hot Pot and a Photo
Tokyo

This was an unsual experience and one that we recommend to anyone visiting Japan for the first time.

Kanazawa Full Day Walking Tour
Kanazawa Full Day Walking Tour
Kanazawa

We know that many Western tourists do not travel to Kanazawa, but we wanted to go there, and it did not disappoint.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto

Kyoto is an unbelievable city and should not be missed. The temples and shrines were wonderful, and our guide who was with us for two days was everything that we could have hoped for.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance
Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance
Kyoto

This was a 50 minute show and was extremely entertaining

Quality of Experience
Full Day Tour to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Full Day Tour to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto

This was the second day with our Kyoto guide. Again, just a marvelous experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Afternoon Tea Ceremony
Traditional Afternoon Tea Ceremony
Kyoto

This experience was just for us and our adult daughter. It lasted almost two hours and was fascinating. We are still talking about this experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Osaka Castle and Shinsaibashi Tour
Half Day Osaka Castle and Shinsaibashi Tour
Osaka

We always wanted to see Osaka Castle and it did not disappoint. The foodie walking tour was a fun diversion from some of the more formal dinners that we had in Japan.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka

This was fun after having had so many formal dinners.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang

Amazing Chile
Chile | Mar 13 - Mar 23, 2025

S
Sheetal G.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025

Had a wonderful time in Chile from Santiago to the Atacama desert to Patagonia. Camila was very attentive and extremely patient. She was also very responsive and created a well organized and fun filled trip. In addition, she constantly checked in on us making sure everything was running smoothly and that we were having a great time along the way. I am grateful to Camila and all the lovely people she connected us with in beautiful Chile. It was one of my most memorable trips!

Local specialist: Camila Fierro
Camila
Camila Fierro
Local specialist in Santiago | Replied on Apr 07, 2025

Hi Sheetal,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly makes me so happy to hear that you had such a memorable time in Chile. It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan this adventure, and I’m so glad everything went smoothly and brought you joy every step of the way. I’ll be here with a big smile, ready to help with your next adventure whenever you're ready. Until then, keep those beautiful Chilean memories close to your heart!
Warmest hugs,
Camila

Great Experience with KimKim
England | Mar 22 - Mar 31, 2025

Tina
Tina T.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
This was our first experience with KimKim. We worked with Marianna for months planning our trip to Europe. We ended up going only to Italy. Marianna was very responsive every time we had questions or wanted to make changes. She helped us secure private and semi private tours that were absolutely perfect. The guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Allessandro was our guide for the Vatican tour and he was outstanding. Raphaella was also wonderful for our tour through Tuscany. Brenda was... Read more

This was our first experience with KimKim. We worked with Marianna for months planning our trip to Europe. We ended up going only to Italy. Marianna was very responsive every time we had questions or wanted to make changes. She helped us secure private and semi private tours that were absolutely perfect. The guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Allessandro was our guide for the Vatican tour and he was outstanding. Raphaella was also wonderful for our tour through Tuscany. Brenda was our tour guide for the Uffizi, while Ishmael took us on a walking tour of Florence. Both were so knowledgeable and kind. Our evening golf cart tour was great and really hit the highlights of Rome.

In addition to the tours, all our train tickets were perfect and ground transportation companies were on time and most pleasant.

Activity Reviews
Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Skip-the-Line Tour
Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Skip-the-Line Tour
Rome

Alessandro was our tour guide for this activity. It was the most important thing to us on our trip to Italy. We could not have asked for a more informative, enjoyable, organized tour guide. He created this tour so that we felt like we almost had the Vatican to ourselves. He had visual guides with his iPad that really explained what we were seeing and the history behind all. His English was perfect - he was just amazing!

Quality of Experience
Alessandro!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Alessandro!
Transport
Florence Walking Tour City Highlights with David & Duomo | Semi-Private
Florence Walking Tour City Highlights with David & Duomo | Semi-Private
Florence

This was a great tour and tour guide. Our only comment was that it was about 3-4 hours long without any breaks. For example, when walking through the market area, it would have been great to have some time to explore there instead of stopping at so many sites that were somewhat forgettable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Siena & San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine
Siena & San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine
Florence

We didn't realize we would have a driver and tour guide. This was so helpful because parking was difficult and it really helped our guide, Raphaella, to be able to concentrate on the tour itself.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Masterpieces of the Renaissance: Uffizi Gallery Tour | Semi-Private
Masterpieces of the Renaissance: Uffizi Gallery Tour | Semi-Private
Florence

Brenda was wonderful, informative and kind.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Rome
Welcome to Rome
Rome

Our guide was not waiting for us in the airport but I guess waiting until we were actually done and instead trying to connect via the What's App. It was right as we came into Rome and created a bit of stress thinking he/she forgot us. If he would have at least been waiting in the airport with a sign with our name, it would have been appreciated, but instead he was waiting in his car and we worried that we had been forgotten. In addition, our understanding was that the driver would give us a bit of history and overview of Rome. Unfortunately, he did not speak really any English. This was the only part of the trip that was disappointing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
He/She really should have at least been waiting for us in the airport with a sign with our name. It took at least 10 minutes or longer until we finally made a connection with him via What's App., and he spoke very little English. It was hard to communicate with him, but he was kind.
Rome with Golf Cart at Night with Pizza & Ice Cream
Rome with Golf Cart at Night with Pizza & Ice Cream
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private transfer in Rome
Private transfer in Rome
Rome
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private transfer
Private transfer
England
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marianna Leccese
Marianna
Marianna Leccese
Local specialist in Nice | Replied on Apr 07, 2025

Hi Tina,

I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Italy! I’m thrilled that you had the chance to fully experience the Vatican—as it truly was one of the highlights. I’m also happy to hear that all the guides were knowledgeable. Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! We’ll definitely take your comments into consideration as they help us continually improve and offer the best service to our clients.

I look forward to working with you again, whether in Italy or another destination! 😊

Amazing Tropical Vacation with Serendipity Adventures
Costa Rica | Mar 8 - Mar 14, 2025

Abraham Sebastian
Abraham Sebastian K.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
Fantastic trip to Costa Rica covering Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and San Jose with my family of 4. The trip was planned and organized by Bryan, Nancy and Wilman of Serendipity Adventures and did an amazing job of planning everything from rental car, accommodations and booking trips and adventures. They were readily available to respond any questions we had during the travel itself. I especially loved how they would give recommendations for local restaurants to consider for lunch and dinner... Read more

Fantastic trip to Costa Rica covering Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and San Jose with my family of 4. The trip was planned and organized by Bryan, Nancy and Wilman of Serendipity Adventures and did an amazing job of planning everything from rental car, accommodations and booking trips and adventures. They were readily available to respond any questions we had during the travel itself. I especially loved how they would give recommendations for local restaurants to consider for lunch and dinner (breakfast was always included with the stay).

Hotel Reviews
Chira Glamping Monteverde
Puntarenas

Fantastic stay with amazing views. Large area to yourself, hot tub, and views

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Mariposa Hotel
Manuel Antonio

Great stay

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Buena Vista Chic Hotel
Alajuela
Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing spot but a bit away from San Jose
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Cloud Forest Night Walk
Private Cloud Forest Night Walk
Monteverde
Day at Selvatura including Hanging Bridges and Fauna Exhibitions
Day at Selvatura including Hanging Bridges and Fauna Exhibitions
Costa Rica
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica

Fantastic experience

Private Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio
Private Surf Lessons in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica
Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue
Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue
Manuel Antonio
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 07, 2025
Hola Abraham! Thank you so much for your lovely message! 😊 It was truly a pleasure to help plan your family’s adventure through Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and San José. I'm so happy to hear you had a fantastic time and that the recommendations, accommodations, and adventures all came together beautifully. We always aim to make your travel experience smooth, fun, and full of those special local touches—like delicious restaurant finds! On behalf of Nancy, Wilman, and the entire Serendipity... Read more

Hola Abraham!

Thank you so much for your lovely message! 😊

It was truly a pleasure to help plan your family’s adventure through Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and San José. I'm so happy to hear you had a fantastic time and that the recommendations, accommodations, and adventures all came together beautifully. We always aim to make your travel experience smooth, fun, and full of those special local touches—like delicious restaurant finds!

On behalf of Nancy, Wilman, and the entire Serendipity team—thank you for trusting us with your Costa Rica journey. We’d be thrilled to welcome you back anytime for more pura vida moments!

Gracias!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures, Costa Rica 🌿🌋🌊

Wonderful trip with great guides, perfect arr...
Costa Rica | Mar 25 - Apr 5, 2025

D
Debra O.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
Wonderful trip with great guides, perfect arrangement of pickups and drop offs. Itinerary was fantastic Read more

Wonderful trip with great guides, perfect arrangement of pickups and drop offs. Itinerary was fantastic

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna

Beautiful location and accommodations

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right at the foot of the volcano with great views and walkable to town
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Koora Hotel
Monteverde

Fantastic!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Views
Staff
Front desk
Cleanliness & Comfort
Aninga Lodge
Limón, Tortuguero
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shana By the Beach Resort
Manuel Antonio
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Yuliana Valverde

Martina and Gabriele and their entire team we...
Italy | Mar 18 - Apr 5, 2025

Barbara
Barbara K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
Martina and Gabriele and their entire team were thoughtful, attentive to our requests. Gave wonderful suggestions and really showed care and consideration for every aspect. The experiences we planned together with them were spot on and totally a good value. In addition, they made sure that our group of three senior gal pals( ages 73 to 86) were safely and happily cared for in every way. Getting us to our out of the way accommodations in Venice and back after our trip to airport was the... Read more

Martina and Gabriele and their entire team were thoughtful, attentive to our requests. Gave wonderful suggestions and really showed care and consideration for every aspect. The experiences we planned together with them were spot on and totally a good value. In addition, they made sure that our group of three senior gal pals( ages 73 to 86) were safely and happily cared for in every way. Getting us to our out of the way accommodations in Venice and back after our trip to airport was the super EXTRA CARE provided perfectly that made any expense so worth it. I never did travel plans like this on line, and now am a believer and will use this company again.
BRAVO to all who helped us and made our trip great.

Activity Reviews
Private golf cart tour along the Appian Way and small group tour of the Catacombs
Private golf cart tour along the Appian Way and small group tour of the Catacombs
Rome

Guide Santos was wonderful. He was a truly knowledgeable guide. Delightful way to see all and perfect amount of walking for everyone. Golf cart made everyone so happy!

Quality of Experience
Our guide was through and made the experience easy and special
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rooftop bar Opera show
Rooftop bar Opera show
Rome

This experience was as described. Again staff and location and performers were excellent. If you want to experience a bit of the magic of opera and how wonderful the human voice can sound in one of the best locations on our planet for sophisticated pleasure DO THIS EXPERIENCE.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We found our own way there but had plenty of info to do so from Martina and gabriele
Local specialist: Martina Venturi

Amsterdam: hôtel excellent, tour to Kokunhof ...
The Netherlands | Mar 23 - Apr 5, 2025

M
Marcel D.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
Amsterdam: hôtel excellent, tour to Kokunhof was disappointing because we were too early, tulips were not in bloom. Tour to Edam with Tickets and Travel was very interesting and our guide Pieter was very informative.
The Hague: super hotel interesting city. Trip to Rotterdam was OK with Spido
Antwerp: excellent hotel. Tour to Brussels with Florence very informative.
Ghent: nice and cosy hôtel. Tour of Bruges with Roland was excellent
All tickets for transportation for the whole trip was...
Read more

Amsterdam: hôtel excellent, tour to Kokunhof was disappointing because we were too early, tulips were not in bloom. Tour to Edam with Tickets and Travel was very interesting and our guide Pieter was very informative.
The Hague: super hotel interesting city. Trip to Rotterdam was OK with Spido
Antwerp: excellent hotel. Tour to Brussels with Florence very informative.
Ghent: nice and cosy hôtel. Tour of Bruges with Roland was excellent
All tickets for transportation for the whole trip was well planed.
Overhaul it was a well planed trip with very good accommodations and good sight seeing.
Thank you Bas
Amy and Marcel

Local specialist: Bas Naus

We had a wonderful trip. Johanna was professi...
Peru | Mar 29 - Apr 5, 2025

E
Ellen P.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
We had a wonderful trip. Johanna was professional and responsive. Every detail of our trip was well planned out. Our guide, Jose, was knowledgeable, friendly, and made our trip truly memorable. We would highly recommend him as a guide! Read more

We had a wonderful trip. Johanna was professional and responsive. Every detail of our trip was well planned out. Our guide, Jose, was knowledgeable, friendly, and made our trip truly memorable. We would highly recommend him as a guide!

Hotel Reviews
Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Abittare Hotels
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Apr 07, 2025

So glad to hear you had a great time in Peru Ellen!

We look forward to helping you plan out your future trips,
Johanna

Amazing anniversary adventure in Japan
Japan | Mar 15 - Mar 25, 2025

Tabitha
Tabitha L.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2025
Our 11-day Japan experience in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka was positive from start to finish, through a combination of fully-arranged activities [like the Asakusa Sumo Club] and self-guided tours/free time in alignment with itinerary suggestions from the KimKim site. Having reservations at great hotels [our favorite was Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji] , a planned agenda, and emergency contacts in place was reassuring, but truly the reason for our rating is Shona... Read more

Our 11-day Japan experience in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka was positive from start to finish, through a combination of fully-arranged activities [like the Asakusa Sumo Club] and self-guided tours/free time in alignment with itinerary suggestions from the KimKim site. Having reservations at great hotels [our favorite was Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji] , a planned agenda, and emergency contacts in place was reassuring, but truly the reason for our rating is Shona Zhang.

Shona was knowledgeable, amazing to work with, and always quick to respond. She made suggestions and adjustments as we planned our trip and always answered questions promptly. (As a quick note for those reaching out from another country, please remember to reasonably factor in the time difference for responses.) She handled all arrangements for our skilled drivers and our wonderful Tokyo guide, Yumiko Toyoshima, and Shona checked in with details close to time. She also clarified questions, made hotel/breakfast arrangements, and even checked in on us while in-country.

Thanks for helping us have a wonderful adventure in Japan!

Hotel Reviews
Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo

Comfortable bed, great view and breakfast, and extremely convenient to Shimbashi Station [an entrance downstairs] and local sites.

Authenticity & Character
Old-style European style, with a range of food
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Onyado Nono Kanazawa Natural Hot Spring
Kanazawa

They held onto our luggage while we explored Kanazawa, the staff was professional and polite, freebies were provided, and the hotel was conveniently located to the sites we were seeking.

Authenticity & Character
Modern hotel going for the style of a ryokan
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Candeo Hotels Osaka Namba
Osaka

Staff was professional, we had a nice room and breakfast opportunity, and the relaxation room on the top floor had a great view of Osaka. This hotel is very convenient to the Donburi nightlife, and the metro is a short walk.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji
Kyoto

This was our favorite stay in Japan. The room was comfortable, the staff was friendly, the grounds were peaceful and beautiful, and the hotel had a nice onsen with extensive hours. There was nearby shopping and food as well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour - East & West
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour - East & West
Tokyo

Yumiko Toyoshima (Yumi-San) was a wonderful and friendly tour guide! She was knowledgeable about the sites, the history, and navigating and living in Japan in general (she is from Tokyo). She shared about shrine and temple etiquette, helped us have a great local tempura lunch, and also explained traveling and helped us learn to navigate the metro system.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sumo Morning Practice in Ryogoku with Sumo Wrestler Lunch
Tokyo

The lunch show was fun, seeing a geisha performance and learning about sumo wrestling through demonstrations and a Q&A. The wrestlers were great with the crowd - especially kids - and the ability to leave with a photo was a nice momento.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Tokyo

We enjoyed getting to see Mt. Fuji (breathtaking) and the surrounding area through a convenient day trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 06, 2025

Hi Tabitha,
Thank you for your trust and recognition of KK and our work. We will continue to strive to provide quality service.All the best wishes to you and your family. Hope to see you on your next trip.
Best wishes
Shona

Sienna made sure every detail of our trip was...
Australia | Mar 22 - Apr 3, 2025

K
kathy h.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
Sienna made sure every detail of our trip was planned impeccably. We had an absolute blast doing the Sydney Bridge Climb and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and our private Great Ocean Road trip was the highlight of our trip. It all went so smoothly. The App worked out really well. All of our drivers were excellent and on time. Everyone kept in touch the entire trip. Sienna and Greg worked so well together to make this one of our easiest vacations yet. Read more

Sienna made sure every detail of our trip was planned impeccably. We had an absolute blast doing the Sydney Bridge Climb and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and our private Great Ocean Road trip was the highlight of our trip. It all went so smoothly. The App worked out really well. All of our drivers were excellent and on time. Everyone kept in touch the entire trip. Sienna and Greg worked so well together to make this one of our easiest vacations yet.

Hotel Review
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Cairns

The location of this hotel is perfect. There are shops and restaurants all around the hotel. There is a wonderful promenade to walk and see a lot of the shoreline. Our room had a beautiful view of the marina and it made it easy to get to our excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. The hotel had an amazing breakfast buffet included that we enjoyed every day.

Authenticity & Character
It is beautiful and quiet
Location
Everything is nearby this hotel
Staff
Always polite and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel was kept very clean
Local specialist: Siena Mueller

Bullard review
Australia | Mar 14 - Mar 28, 2025

L
Lisa B.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
The bike excursion in Sydney was excellent. The Harbour Rock Hotel was great and very good service.
The Blue Mountain excursion was also top notch. a
The Peninsula Hotel was good. It was pouring down rain so we couldn't really effectively appreciate it. I did like that it was on the beach. The 10 hour snorkel excursion was excellent. It helped that weather and sea conditions were very good. The Mayfair Hotel was excellent, as was the Gourmet Food and Wine tour. Loved biking... Read more

The bike excursion in Sydney was excellent. The Harbour Rock Hotel was great and very good service.
The Blue Mountain excursion was also top notch. a

The Peninsula Hotel was good. It was pouring down rain so we couldn't really effectively appreciate it. I did like that it was on the beach. The 10 hour snorkel excursion was excellent. It helped that weather and sea conditions were very good.

The Mayfair Hotel was excellent, as was the Gourmet Food and Wine tour. Loved biking through that beautiful area!

Kangaroo Island, suggested by Liz, was well worth it. Beautiful place, lovely and plentiful kangaroos, plus the vies! The service was very good as was the food. My recommendation for them is they need to add a salad course , as you just get your main fairly quickly and there aren't a lot of vegetables on that. The full day tour to see all the wildlife was essential to our trip to Australia.

The Savoy on Little Collins in Melbourne was fantastic, especially that upgrade to the Master Suite that we received on check in! The help that we received from Leslie Wong in changing our Penguin Island trip so that it was not on the night before we caught an early flight was MUCH appreciated. That excursion was also excellent.

All pickups and transfers were on time and all drivers friendly and polite.

Thanks so much for organizing a great trip!

Lisa and Daniel Bullard

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Apr 05, 2025

Hello Lisa!
Thank you for the beautiful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed Australia!
It was wonderful to work with you and I would love to do it again, so reach out anytime we can help!

Liz

Ayoub was the best!
Morocco | Mar 27 - Apr 6, 2025

M
Marsha M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
Our driver and now friend Ayoub made our entire experience easy peasy lemon squeezey. He intentionally included my 16 year-old in the entire journey. From Marrakech to Rabat, we laughed and joked and listened to great music. We are now big fans of the Gnawa music. My son loved the Sahara from the camels to ATVs. I enjoyed the High Atlas Mountains from the hiking through the canyons near the Monkey Fingers to the bird watching. The guides along the way were exceptional / especially... Read more

Our driver and now friend Ayoub made our entire experience easy peasy lemon squeezey. He intentionally included my 16 year-old in the entire journey. From Marrakech to Rabat, we laughed and joked and listened to great music. We are now big fans of the Gnawa music.

My son loved the Sahara from the camels to ATVs. I enjoyed the High Atlas Mountains from the hiking through the canyons near the Monkey Fingers to the bird watching.

The guides along the way were exceptional / especially our food guide in Marrakesh, Said in the High Atlas with his adorable daughter Sarah, and Sherif in Fes.

I appreciated Ayoub arranging a special shoe shopping mission with our Fes dinner host. Speaking of, after our dinner in Fes our gracious hosts (the father, wife, her sister, the grandmother and two teenage girls) pulled us into a neighbors’ engagement party where we were totally embraced in laughter and dance like I have never experienced before.

I hope all visitors experience the joy we did.

Hotel Review
Orient Desert Camp
Merzouga
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Marrakesh Evening Food Tour
Marrakesh Evening Food Tour
Marrakesh

Our food guide was very knowledgeable about the history, customs and circumstances behind all we tasted and explored.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike through Berber Villages
Hike through Berber Villages
Morocco

Said and his family were delightful. I was not feeling my best but Said made the hike very enjoyable and we took frequent breaks.

Quality of Experience
Food
I loved eating with Said’s family and meeting his baby daughter Sarah. It was a lively experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Abdellah El Asely
Abdellah
Abdellah El Asely
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Apr 06, 2025
Hi Marsha, Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your trip to Morocco. We are so happy to hear that Ayoub, your driver, made your experience smooth and enjoyable. It’s great to know your son loved the Sahara and that you had an amazing time hiking in the High Atlas Mountains. We’re glad that the guides, especially Said and Sherif, made your journey special. It’s also wonderful to hear you enjoyed the shoe shopping experience in Fes and the warm welcome at the engagement party. These... Read more

Hi Marsha,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your trip to Morocco. We are so happy to hear that Ayoub, your driver, made your experience smooth and enjoyable. It’s great to know your son loved the Sahara and that you had an amazing time hiking in the High Atlas Mountains.

We’re glad that the guides, especially Said and Sherif, made your journey special. It’s also wonderful to hear you enjoyed the shoe shopping experience in Fes and the warm welcome at the engagement party. These unique experiences really show the beauty of Moroccan culture.

Thank you for your kind words about the Orient Desert Camp, the Marrakesh Evening Food Tour, and the hike through the Berber villages. We’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to the team.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We look forward to helping you with future trips and ensuring that other visitors can enjoy the same amazing experiences.

Best regards,
Abdel

Amazing trip to Tokyo, Japan
Japan | Mar 25 - Apr 2, 2025

Esther
Esther H.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025

We had a great time! Many thanks to Katzu who was so accommodating and patient with us, he coordinated everything for our trip to Tokyo. Thank you to Eriko, and Kazu the polite, friendly and knowledgeable guides in Tokyo. The hotels we stayed at were fantastic, we enjoyed delicious japanese food in each one. We were pampered at Hanoke's Fufu hotel with a private hot bath! we trully enjoyed all about Japanese culture and are looking forward to another trip there in the future.

Local specialist: Katsu Okada
Katsu
Katsu Okada
Local specialist in Vancouver | Replied on Apr 07, 2025
Dear Esther-san and Daniel-san,
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful message. I am truly happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Japan! It was an absolute pleasure to help coordinate your trip, and I’m glad everything went smoothly.
I’ll be sure to pass along your gratitude to Eriko and Kazu — they will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with them.
As someone who was born and raised in Japan, it brings me immense happiness that you chose to visit Japan...
Read more

Dear Esther-san and Daniel-san,
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful message. I am truly happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Japan! It was an absolute pleasure to help coordinate your trip, and I’m glad everything went smoothly.
I’ll be sure to pass along your gratitude to Eriko and Kazu — they will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with them.
As someone who was born and raised in Japan, it brings me immense happiness that you chose to visit Japan and show interest in our culture. Your visit means a great deal to me, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to assist in making your trip memorable.
Thank you again for your kind words and trust. It was a pleasure working with you!
Sincerely,
Katsu

Our first experience using KimKim was great. ...
Costa Rica | Mar 22 - Mar 29, 2025

A
Anica M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
Our first experience using KimKim was great. I am usually the family trip planner and I was thrilled that KimKim and local travel agents at Serendipity in Costa Rica handled all the details. We still got to weigh in on our preferences (e.g., we prefer calm, tranquil hotels) and let them know if we wanted fancier or more basic accomodations. But, overall it was much less work for me! And in the end, every detail of the trip went smoothly. All of the transfer drivers were on time and courteous.... Read more

Our first experience using KimKim was great. I am usually the family trip planner and I was thrilled that KimKim and local travel agents at Serendipity in Costa Rica handled all the details. We still got to weigh in on our preferences (e.g., we prefer calm, tranquil hotels) and let them know if we wanted fancier or more basic accomodations. But, overall it was much less work for me! And in the end, every detail of the trip went smoothly. All of the transfer drivers were on time and courteous. All the tours were great. And the folks from KimKim/Serendipity were always available via WhatsApp to answer our questions (e.g., Where do you recommend that we go to dinner tonight outside our resort? Whats the best way to get there?). I will definitely use KimKim for our next big trip! Thank you all. Well done!

Hotel Review
Koora Hotel
Monteverde

There is a reason this hotel consistently gets 5 stars! We loved the restaurant, the tranquil vibes, and the remodeled modern rooms. We saw coatis, agutis, mott-mott birds and tucans right from the resort. We also enjoyed the hiking trails right next door (where we saw an armadillo and lots of hummingbirds), the soaking tubs, and the fire pits. The food at Koora was definitely the best of our three resorts. And the staff connected via WhatsApp, so any questions we had could be texted to them (e.g., Which nearby restaurants would you recommend and can you call us a taxi to the restaurant?). We also enjoyed the coffee and snack they left in the room. Our only recommendation would be to add more hooks for hanging towels and wet swimsuits. Koora was fantastic!

Authenticity & Character
Location
You are basically in the cloud forest. Beautiful, surrounded by nature. Quiet.
Staff
They learned our names at the restaurant. Above and beyond.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great beds, clean rooms, nice black out curtains, quiet.
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 05, 2025

Hola Anica! Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so happy to hear that your experience with Kimkim and Serendipity made your trip smooth and enjoyable. It was a pleasure assisting you, and we’d love to help with your next adventure anytime. Pura Vida! Bryan 🌿

Great combination of guided tours and free time to explore
Spain | Mar 23 - Apr 3, 2025

Dan
Dan C.
Culver City, CA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025
We had a great time visiting Barcelona and the Canary Islands. We had a long list of points of interest in each location and our coordinator Helena did a great job helping us consolidate and organize everything into a few guided tours while still including enough free time for us to rest and explore on our own. Our itinerary included multiple walking tours and a cooking class in Barcelona, walking, trike, and ATV tours in Tenerife, and two full days of private tours in Lanzarote. It was a big... Read more

We had a great time visiting Barcelona and the Canary Islands. We had a long list of points of interest in each location and our coordinator Helena did a great job helping us consolidate and organize everything into a few guided tours while still including enough free time for us to rest and explore on our own. Our itinerary included multiple walking tours and a cooking class in Barcelona, walking, trike, and ATV tours in Tenerife, and two full days of private tours in Lanzarote. It was a big help to have all of our hotels coordinated ahead of time and when there was any questions during the trip the local team with Espiritu Travel was quick to respond by text. This is our second trip booked through Kimkim, but the first time we've used the Trip Planner app which was a nice addition to centralize our itinerary and communication with the team.

One thing that could have been improved was communication around transportation. There were a couple of transfers that were not scheduled ahead of time and we had to figure out for ourselves which wasn't made clear in our itinerary (one pickup from the airport and pickup/drop-off for the ATV tour which was available through the company but hadn't been booked). A couple of times we had to ask for clarification or details for the next day's activities even though the itinerary said these details would be updated ~24hrs before the event. We understand the details are sometimes in flux until the last minute, but this was a source of stress a few times throughout the trip.

Two out of three of our hotels were very nice, but we found one of them (in Tenerife) to be poor quality and not to our liking. We went with the initial recommendations, but we now know for next time to be more specific in what we're looking for in a hotel booking.

As with all travel, there were a few hiccups such as transportation and changes in schedule due to cancellations, but we really appreciate the work Kimkim puts into planning on our behalf. We have and will continue to recommend Kimkim to anyone planning an international trip.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Bonay
Barcelona

Great location, very close to public transit and easy to get around. Our room was comfortable and the included breakfast in the hotel lounge was excellent. Bottled water was provided in the room and service was prompt when we requested anything. Our only issue was that we had difficulty setting the water temperature in the shower. Some days it was difficult to get the water hot enough or the hot water seemed to run out after one shower, but other days it was ok.

Authenticity & Character
The vibe of the room, lounge, and attached restaurant all felt authentic to the area and it was nice to open the curtains to people watch along the street.
Location
Less than 5 min walk to metro and bus stops. Super easy to access.
Staff
Staff was courteous and responsive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was comfortable and clean and nice robes were provided. Our only issue was adequate hot water in the shower.
H10 Costa Adeje Palace
Adeje

We did not like this hotel at all. The average age of the other guests skewed much older than us, so we were perhaps not the intended demographic for what this hotel offers. The rooms were sparsely decorated and didn't feel welcoming. The pillows in the room were lumpy and uncomfortable. The thermostat was so old and worn that the markings on it were not visible and we had to set the temperature by trial and error. The Wi-Fi service was so slow that we just turned it off and used data on our phones. The hot tub was barely heated and access to it was closed at 6pm, severely limiting its usefulness when we were out exploring during the day. With the exception of one very friendly and helpful woman at the concierge desk, the staff didn't seem particularly welcoming. We had booked the breakfast-only option and we got the impression that we were not treated as well as the all-inclusive or higher tier guests. The hotel seemed to upcharge for everything including pool towels, use of the in-room safe, and they offered to sell us water when we inquired about filling our water bottles. There was no drinking water provided anywhere in the hotel except for a small machine in the gym which had a sign specifically prohibiting the filling of water bottles! The breakfast buffet featured an overwhelming amount of choices for food - and everything we tried was mediocre at best. Many were outright poor. There were some restaurants nearby but to find any local cuisine or food not exclusively geared towards tourists required a cab ride or a long walk. The one thing we did enjoy at this hotel was the entertainment. In the evenings they had shows in the bar area where we saw 2 very good acro / circus / dance performances and one mediocre magic act. Those were definitely the highlight of our stay. If you don't care about location, comfort, or food any your goal is only to lay in the sun until you are burned to a crisp, this hotel may be for you. Otherwise, we would not recommend it.

Authenticity & Character
Decor was sparse and uninviting, lacking in any particular character.
Location
There was not much within walking distance from the hotel and we were further from the city and other attractions than we would have liked. All the food in the immediate vicinity was too touristy and not to our liking.
Staff
Staff was not particularly helpful with the exception of one woman at the concierge desk who helped us book tickets for Siam Park. We ate at one of the restaurants one night and felt like we were inconveniencing the staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pillows were lumpy and uncomfortable. Wi-Fi was so slow it was unusable. Hot tub wasn't hot! Not great for relaxing.
Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort
Yaiza

We enjoyed our stay here, but it wasn't outstanding. The room was nicely decorated and featured a private balcony with a nice view, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Only downside was that we would have preferred a king size bed instead of 2 twins pushed together, and the pillows were lumpy and uncomfortable. A light fixture in our room had loose wiring but maintenance was quick to repair it when we asked. The food at the breakfast buffet was ok and we found some great local cuisine within walking distance of the hotel. The hotel does offer a bus to and from the nearby Marina area but the times were not convenient so we took taxis to and from which was easy enough to manage. The hot tub was barely heated so we weren't able to use it and we didn't spend any time in the pool, but we did make use of the rooftop mini-golf course which was fun. We tried to use the provided air hockey tables in the game area but they were both broken and ate our coins.

Authenticity & Character
Rooms had good lighting and decor and the private balcony was nice.
Location
Really nice views and some small shops and restaurants in walking distance, but we would have like to be a little closer to the marina area.
Staff
Staff was generally friendly and helpful including when we had maintenance requests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Would have preferred a king bed instead of twins and the pillows were uncomfortable. Hot tub wasn't hot!
Local specialist: Helena Fernández

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.