Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 14,359 ratings
Read 14,359 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.

Very nice
Nepal | Apr 5 - Apr 12, 2024

M
Mehrbano R.
France | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2024
Nepal was really lovely Pros:
1. they took care of everything!
2. the guide was really great.
3. The first hotel called Hana lo was excellent.
Cons:
1. It was smoggy and visibility was minimal in the places we trekked.
2. The reason we used kimkim for the first time is because we are terribly busy with work this year and dont have time to research and book ourselves. In response to several queries like, where to get SIMs etc, we would get a web link guides. Which is exactly what we...
Read more

Nepal was really lovely

Pros:
1. they took care of everything!
2. the guide was really great.
3. The first hotel called Hana lo was excellent.

Cons:
1. It was smoggy and visibility was minimal in the places we trekked.
2. The reason we used kimkim for the first time is because we are terribly busy with work this year and dont have time to research and book ourselves. In response to several queries like, where to get SIMs etc, we would get a web link guides. Which is exactly what we were trying to avoid by using Kimkim. So would suggest in the future answers like "at the airport after exiting immigration" than a website blog.

Hotel Reviews
Temple Tree Resort & Spa
Pokhara
The Pavilions Himalayas The Farm
Pokhara
Hana No Ie
Pokhara
Snowland Lodge - Ghandruk
Dhampus Lodge
Dhampus
Authenticity & Character
Landruk Lodge by Mountain lodge of Nepal
Local specialist: Amanda Delecca

Just back from a 9 day trip to Costa Rica (Ar...
Costa Rica | Mar 12 - Mar 20, 2024

Martin
Martin L.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Just back from a 9 day trip to Costa Rica (Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio). Loved the guidance that Serendipity Adventures provided us both before our travels (thanks Holden and Nancy )a we trip planned, and appreciated the support locally from Wilman while we were there. The entire experience was both spectacular and seamless, from the rental car agent meeting us at our hotel, to the various guides that met us as planned on the different parts and locations of our... Read more

Just back from a 9 day trip to Costa Rica (Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio). Loved the guidance that Serendipity Adventures provided us both before our travels (thanks Holden and Nancy )a we trip planned, and appreciated the support locally from Wilman while we were there. The entire experience was both spectacular and seamless, from the rental car agent meeting us at our hotel, to the various guides that met us as planned on the different parts and locations of our amazing adventures (wildlife, ziplines, thermal baths, coffee plantations, and Pacific beach time to name a few). We appreciated having the peace of mind of a local contact for the trip as questions arose, as well as an after hours emergency contact number as well (which thankfully we did not have to use). The trip itinerary was detailed, and very easy to follow, and allowed us flexibility as we self drove from various parts of the country. Pure Vida ! Thank you!

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 18, 2024

Thank you very much, Martin! I'm so glad that the effort and planning paid off and you and your family had a great time making memories here in Costa Rica. I am happy to hear that you feel everything ran so smoothly and that you had some amazing experiences.
Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Great Trip to Iceland!
Iceland | Apr 6 - Apr 14, 2024

J
jordan v.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Eric was great helping us plan our trip to Iceland. He worked with us to curate the sorts of things we wanted to see and do very well. We had some issues with weather while we were in the country and the on the ground team there was very helpful in making sure we were able to stick to our travel plans as well. Read more

Eric was great helping us plan our trip to Iceland. He worked with us to curate the sorts of things we wanted to see and do very well. We had some issues with weather while we were in the country and the on the ground team there was very helpful in making sure we were able to stick to our travel plans as well.

Activity Reviews
The Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Lava Tunnel Tour
Lava Tunnel Tour
Iceland
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Iceland
Rye Bread tour (Geothermal bakery)
Iceland
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Iceland
Crystal Blue Ice Cave
Crystal Blue Ice Cave
Iceland
Local specialist: Èric D
Èric
Èric D
Local specialist in France / Iceland | Replied on Apr 25, 2024

Jordan, thank you so much for your kind words and review. It was a pleasure working with you on planning your honeymoon and I'm happy to hear that we were able to help you when unexpected weather issues came up during the trip. Wishing you the very best!
Èric

Anniversary Trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Apr 2 - Apr 11, 2024

Ashley
Ashley S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
We took a trip to Costa Rica for our 10 year wedding anniversary. Olman did a fantastic job helping us plan the trip of a life time. We didn't have to worry about a single thing. All the confirmations and reservations were available at the tip of our fingers. Everything was arranged and paid for prior to arriving. Our favorite experience was our two day white water rafting trip down the Pacuare River. Our rafting guides, Edwardo and Luis, were hilarious, a fantastic chefs. Very... Read more

We took a trip to Costa Rica for our 10 year wedding anniversary. Olman did a fantastic job helping us plan the trip of a life time. We didn't have to worry about a single thing. All the confirmations and reservations were available at the tip of our fingers. Everything was arranged and paid for prior to arriving. Our favorite experience was our two day white water rafting trip down the Pacuare River. Our rafting guides, Edwardo and Luis, were hilarious, a fantastic chefs. Very knowledgeable and made us feel safe the entire trip. I will definitely be booking our next big trip out of the country with Kim Kim.

Hotel Reviews
Autentico Hotel
San Jose
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pacuare River Lodge
Bajo Tigre

What an amazing experience to enjoy the sounds of nature as you fall asleep at night. The beds were not comfortable, but the experience made up for the lack of comfort from the mattresses.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were not comfortable at all. The water from the shower was ice cold.
Hotel Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Inn San Jose by Radisson
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 San Jose - Tortuguero
San Jose - Tortuguero
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day 2 Pacuare River Lodge - Rafting Adventure - Transfer Arenal
Day 2 Pacuare River Lodge - Rafting Adventure - Transfer Arenal
Costa Rica

Edwardo and Luis were amazing rafting guides, chefs, and company. I felt so safe as we rafting down the rivers enjoying beautiful sceneries, lots of wildlife and a cool hike to a swimming hole. The guides were very knowledgable and competent in their abilities to lead our group. They made us delicious meals as we arrived at the lodge for the evening.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall
Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

The pineapple treat prepared for us after we completed the long hike to the waterfall and back was a nice treat!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Selvatura Park Self-Guided Hanging Bridges & Zip Lining
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 17, 2024

Hi Ashley,

Thanks for your review.
It is great to know you had a terrific time in Costa Rica to celebrate your anniversary.

I see you enjoyed every activity and hotel you visited, which makes me so happy.

Let's hope you can visit my country once again to explore more destinations.

Best,
Olman

Manaslu circuit trek April 2024
Nepal | Apr 1 - Apr 14, 2024

N
Nick H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Our experience with KimKim was pretty much perfect from the initial contact right through the entirety of our Manaslu circuit trek.
Amanda was friendly and her responses were always prompt and helpful. We really appreciated the opportunity to meet with both Amanda, and our guide, Suman, in Kathmandu, the day before our trek.
Suman was professional and courteous through and through. He was sensible, measured, endlessly knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with. His English was...
Read more

Our experience with KimKim was pretty much perfect from the initial contact right through the entirety of our Manaslu circuit trek.
Amanda was friendly and her responses were always prompt and helpful. We really appreciated the opportunity to meet with both Amanda, and our guide, Suman, in Kathmandu, the day before our trek.
Suman was professional and courteous through and through. He was sensible, measured, endlessly knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with. His English was impeccable and we always felt safe with him.
Our porter, Laxman, was very friendly and hard-working, and we felt lucky to have him on our ‘team’ too.
The Manaslu circuit trek was absolutely epic - The jaw-dropping scenery was rivalled only by the unique cultural experience we had.

Local specialist: Amanda Delecca

Fabulous Bhutan
Bhutan | Mar 22 - Apr 5, 2024

J
Jill M.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

We had a fabulous trip to Bhutan - their traditional life practices are being carefully preserved as they work to modernize the country. Our guide, Tashi, was so knowledgeable about the culture, as well as the geography - taking us on some great off-road adventures (on bike and by foot)! Our drivers were adept at maneuvering the mountain switchbacks, and providing support as we pedaled our way across the passes. When the clouds lifted and we took in the spectacular mountain vistas, it was clear why the Bhutanese are so happy.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Apr 17, 2024

Hi Jill,

Thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure organizing this active and adventurous trip for you. Glad the bikes were large enough:)
On behalf of Wind Horse family, thank you for choosing Bhutan as your destination.
Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Excellent tour itinerary! Highly recommend tour guide Ahmed!
Egypt | Mar 22 - Mar 28, 2024

Rhiannon
Rhiannon E.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Our tour was the perfect itinerary and number of days for what we were wanting out of our trip to Egypt. We appreciated the help from the Egypt Promotion representative who helped us navigate the Cairo airport quickly. Samara was good about checking in with us through WhatsApp throughout our trip. Our drivers were good in all locations, which was very appreciated in the crazy traffic. Mohammed was our guide in Cairo and Alexandria and was extremely knowledgeable in the sites we visited,... Read more

Our tour was the perfect itinerary and number of days for what we were wanting out of our trip to Egypt. We appreciated the help from the Egypt Promotion representative who helped us navigate the Cairo airport quickly. Samara was good about checking in with us through WhatsApp throughout our trip. Our drivers were good in all locations, which was very appreciated in the crazy traffic.

Mohammed was our guide in Cairo and Alexandria and was extremely knowledgeable in the sites we visited, and everything in between, and we learned a lot from him.

Ahmed was our guide during the Nile Cruise and tour stops, and we cannot say enough good things about him! Not only was he extremely knowledgeable, but he was so much fun to tour with, and he made sure our schedule was set up to beat the crowds. He made sure we stayed engaged with everything we learned from temple to temple and offered a lot of fun photo ops to capture our experience. We'd highly recommend him to anyone doing an Egypt tour!

Regarding Egypt Promotion as a tour company, overall our experience was very positive and things were very organized. However, it seemed like many different people were involved at various phases of the tour which didn't really always seem necessary (three different reps from the company who served in a supervisory role as we transitioned to different segments of the tour, separate bag carriers, separate airport helper, separate drivers, etc.) and it just gave us a feeling that we were tipping way more than we expected due to more people being involved. Our preference would be to work with one driver, one tour guide, and one company representative for the duration of the tour.

Hotel Reviews
Crowne Plaza West Cairo Arkan
cairo

Beautiful hotel. Excellent breakfast buffet. Conveniently located to nearby restaurants and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Fayan I Nile Cruise

This was a nice cruise ship for the Nile Cruise. It kindof leaves the impression of something that was high end 20 years ago, with some features seeming a little dated, but it was clean and nice enough. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and meal service was excellent. I would recommend having more staff on the sun deck during sailing times or downtime, as it seemed like they were pretty scarce during times when people could be ordering drinks, etc.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Lareine El Dakhly
Lareine
Lareine El Dakhly
Local specialist in Cairo | Replied on Jun 25, 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words Lisa and for sharing your experience with us. I had fun putting your plan together and I'm glad you enjoyed your trip!

Never enough time to experience it all
Japan | Apr 5 - Apr 15, 2024

Paige
Paige L.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Thanks to Kate for assisting in the coordination of the trip. Overall you were very responsive during the planning and reached out several times during the trip to check in. My only wish is that the daily itineraries were really evaluated and questioned from a time and location perspective, especially in Kyoto, as there was no way to actually achieve the intended itinerary in the time allocated. Tokyo with Allan-san was fantastic!, our favorite of the trip -- he really set a high bar which... Read more

Thanks to Kate for assisting in the coordination of the trip. Overall you were very responsive during the planning and reached out several times during the trip to check in. My only wish is that the daily itineraries were really evaluated and questioned from a time and location perspective, especially in Kyoto, as there was no way to actually achieve the intended itinerary in the time allocated.

Tokyo with Allan-san was fantastic!, our favorite of the trip -- he really set a high bar which was unfortunate for our future guides. He took us on a walking/subway city tour of the city one day and then again for a van-trip to Hakone. Both days were seamless. He was super knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and helpful. We modified the day based on what made the most sense rather than the pre-determined itinerary. We started in Asakusa, then took my teenage son to some gaming centers, and ended with Meiji Jingu. Then the next day we headed to Hakone with our driver Ho and enjoyed Hokone Jinja, the pirate ship (fun, but shorter than I would have liked), the tram and black eggs (they taste like totally normal hard boils) from the sulfer springs, Oshino for lunch and back to Tokyo. It was a long day, but gorgeous with all the sakura blooming (only caught one quick glimpse of Fuji). Before we left Tokyo, Allan went to great length to organize all the rest of our shinkasen tickets and explain how to properly navigate with multiple tickets. We can't thank him enough for that as when we got to the first station and made a small mistake, his explanations made sense and we were grateful as can be. Also loved our hotel in Tokyo.

Our time in Takayama wasn't as successful. First, ALL 7 of the restaurants in the hotel were fully booked before we even arrived, so we were required to venture out for dinner after arrival. Takayama is a bit sleepy and finding something open was a bit of a challenge. We walked to multiple places before finding someplace open on both nights there. Our guide was a sweet young lady, but came all the way from Osaka and had only been to Takayama once before and her English was weak. She had to use her phone to find her way around (we could have done the same on our own), and didn't really have anything to offer in the way of history, insights, or recommendations for our day in Takayama and Shirakawago. This was disappointing as I think Takayama was a really interesting and quaint town that we didn't really get a good feeling for. The highlight of Takayama was definitely the onsen at our hotel, my husband and I really enjoyed going each day. We also stayed in a Japanese-style room and although grateful for the experience, we would all probably not choose to do it again as we missed having comfy beds or chairs to lounge on before heading to dinner.

On to Kyoto, which is my favorite city in Japan and I was looking forward to the most. Unfortunately, there was some kind of confusion regarding our guide. We were told our guide would be a gentleman, but then changed to a woman the night before -- and then, the morning of the meeting, we discovered that the guide was at the wrong hotel about 30 minutes away from where we were. I think perhaps the two guides were exchanged by accident (maybe another group had the same happen?). It took about 45 min for us to adjust and meet somewhere in between. Our guide, was a lovely young lady full of energy and smiles, but again from Osaka. She knew Kyoto alright, but still not the level of expectation for a private guide fee and we often would listen in to tour group guides to get more details during our day. Additionally, there was no way that we could have gone to all the places on the initial itinerary as they are too far apart. (I wish this had been pointed out during the planning). Getting to the Kinkakuji Temple, Nishiki Market and then Fushimi Inari Shrine would have spent several hours in transit as they're quite far from one another. So unfortunately we only got to the Market and also Kiyomizu-dera Temple with the time we had. Guess I'll have to come back to Kyoto another time. (poor me - lol)

Our van-trip from Kyoto to Osaka included Slash as our guide -- and he was great! We had a lot of fun talking about music and guitars on our drive and then had lots of interacgtios with the deer and the amazing Todaiji Temple (just WOW) and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Kudos to Slash for hanging with us as our family was starting to get on each other's nerves a bit after 9 days. He handled it with class and realized when to let us have a bit of space for our bickering. Luckily ice cream solves lots of problems. Slash renewed our faith in guides again and we're grateful for his energy and rocknroll spirit. The hotel was very comfortable, also with an onsen and an incredible massage chair (best 300 Yen spent on the trip). However, there was no restaurant for dinner (only breakfast) I think in the future I'd stay closer to Gion/Pontocho so we'd be a bit more central to the night life and key destinations.

Our last days were on our own in Osaka. This was the least favorite hotel of our trip -- small rooms, and lots of late night noise from the Dotonbori. We definitely had fun exploring the Dotonbori at night, but would be willing to travel a bit for a quieter space.

Overall, we appreciated all the coordination of the hotels, planning, guides, and drivers that KimKim provided. Except for the one confusion in Kyoto -- all guides/drivers communicated well about timing, meeting places, and were on time each day.

This trip cost over $1000/day BEFORE our lunch & dinner meals & non-KimKim activities -- which is high, even for Japan. We didn't stay at luxury hotels -- I can see that our hotel rooms could be booked online directly for between $250 to $550/night, and I can also see the shinkansen fees on the internet, and most of the entry fees to places were fairly minimal, seems like the majority of this cost was towards our guides/drivers, so I would expect those to be top notch/excellent in every regard. Allan definitely met the bar and Slash was close, but the other two, although nice and genuine people, just didn't meet the bill. This is the area where I felt most let down as we rely on guides to provide more than we can do ourselves as seasoned travelers. That means providing history, insights, and secrets hidden among the tourists, restaurant suggestions, recommendations for other experiences for our "own" time, well-thought-out plans for the day, etc. We'll probably give KimKim another chance in the future, but my expectations will be stricter in the planning phase regarding guides and what we want to achieve each day.

Hotel Reviews
Hida Takayama Onsen Takayama Green Hotel
Takayama

The onsen was wonderful, but part of our stay. The Japanese style room is difficult to judge as this is our only experience. The futon beds were comfortable and the bed setting service was done well. The breakfast was excellent! Unfortunately we were unable to dine at any of the restaurants for dinner as they were all fully booked before we arrived.

Authenticity & Character
Not charming, just normal in all ways. Nice gift shop that had a ton of great Japanese crafts and food.
Location
A bit far from the more traditional parts of town. Made for walking a lot for dinner each night or getting a short cab ride.
Staff
Helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Onsen and breakfast were the best part of this stay. I would come again just for the onsen.
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA
Kyoto

Comfortable room. Good breakfast buffet. No other restaurant on site.

Authenticity & Character
Appreciated the onsite onsen as that brings Japanese culture easily to life
Location
Appreciate being right by the main train station, but realized that many of the key attractions are too far to walk, so constantly on subway or bus.
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cross Hotel Osaka
Osaka

Too noisy at night from partiers at Dotonburi. Rooms small.

Authenticity & Character
A bit dark inside. Color scheme of red/black isn't appealing to me.
Location
Too noisy due to construction and Dotonburi closeness.
Staff
The staff was fantastic. One of the front desk staff helped me with a massage reservation. The Concierge found us a wonderful omakase sushi restaurant just a few hours before service. And then she searched for a specific store for my husband to buy lucky cats....then waited for us to come down to the lobby for dinner to deliver the name/directions. That's great service. Thank you. By the way, he bought some cats!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kate Long
Kate
Kate Long
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 23, 2024
Dear Paige,
Thank you for taking the time to write and share in-depth how your visit to Japan went with us!!:)
We appreciate you making a special commendation for Allan-san who was your favorite guide and set the benchmark high for the other guides to follow in pursuit. We are always encouraged to receive such high praises and that he was attentive to your needs. We were also pleased that you enjoyed the company of Slash where you were able to talk about music and guitars, as well as being... Read more

Dear Paige,
Thank you for taking the time to write and share in-depth how your visit to Japan went with us!!:)

We appreciate you making a special commendation for Allan-san who was your favorite guide and set the benchmark high for the other guides to follow in pursuit. We are always encouraged to receive such high praises and that he was attentive to your needs. We were also pleased that you enjoyed the company of Slash where you were able to talk about music and guitars, as well as being sensitive to your family’s needs.

We are, however, very sorry that the other guides did not meet the same caliber, had misinformation of arrangements, did not provide you insights into places as well their English level was not to standard. We recognize that our guides are the key to all tours, and we will follow up on the guides to ensure that further training will be provided for them.

When traveling it’s always a good opportunity to experience some local culture and glad that you did stay in a Japanese-style Room, but as you said, it may not be for everyone. We do appreciate your comments on the hotels and are sorry to learn that on the last day of your trip, the least favorite of your hotel was in Osaka where the rooms were small of noisy at night.

We value your feedback and we will re-evaluate the issues you have raised with regards to the itinerary arrangements as well as providing more training and support for our staff. As mentioned above, we acknowledge that our guides are the face of the company and that they are key in fulfilling and meeting our customer's needs to ensure that they have the experience they deserve when traveling – to capture the heart and essence of the places they visit. Once again we sincerely apologize that some aspects of your trip did not materialize in this manner. We also appreciate that you are willing to give us another chance in the future, and when you do come again, we do hope that you will get the full experience and enjoyment.

Thank you again for sharing and highlighting your trip with us.
Katie :)

Unforgettable Family Trip to Spain
Spain | Apr 7 - Apr 13, 2024

George
George L.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
A huge shoutout to our specialists Adam, Jessica, and Yuri for putting together this incredible trip for us. Spain has been absolutely amazing, and thanks to kimkim, it's been incredibly easy even with our two little ones. I honestly don't know how we would've managed without kimkim arranging everything from airport/train transport to family-friendly accommodations and private tours for the busy attractions, letting us skip lines and explore at our own speed. I appreciate all the... Read more

A huge shoutout to our specialists Adam, Jessica, and Yuri for putting together this incredible trip for us. Spain has been absolutely amazing, and thanks to kimkim, it's been incredibly easy even with our two little ones. I honestly don't know how we would've managed without kimkim arranging everything from airport/train transport to family-friendly accommodations and private tours for the busy attractions, letting us skip lines and explore at our own speed.

I appreciate all the recommendations and the insight of the local experts to pair us up with tour guides who are sensitive to the whims and needs of smaller children.

Hotel Reviews
Slow Suites Bellas Artes
Madrid

The front door is hard to locate because of construction and a lot of parked vans (deliveries and trailers for the theater people), but it is there. Check in was a breeze. You get emailed a code to get in the door the day before. The location is awesome. Close to Metro. You are equidistant to Plaza del Sol or Retiro Park, both just a 12 minute walk away. The area is very walkable also with lots to eat and places to get supplies.' We had a two bedroom and two bath apartment, with two twin beds in each room. There was a dining room, living room and balcony. A fully equipped kitchen (fridge, microwave, coffee, stove, oven, dishwasher, kitchen tools, utensils and plates). A washing machine (I think it was a washer/dryer combo, but there was a big rack to dry clothes). There was detergent provided. There is an elevator. Place has a lot of charm. My family of four can stay here easily for a long time.

Authenticity & Character
Looking out the balcony every morning with a cup of coffee is such a treat.
Location
12 minutes walk from Plaza Del Sol and Retiro. Literally the heart of Madrid. Neighborhood is very cute. Very close to Metro.
Staff
No interaction as scheduled housekeeping is once every three days and we left the third day. I did text the help line asking for where the washing detergent was and response was prompt. English was no problem.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The place was clean. They had everything we needed. Enough towels and supplies.
Hotel Regina
Barcelona

We had a family room, so there were four twin beds in the room. With all the beds set up, it was not very big, but still very functional. The room is tasteful, modern, and comfortable. There is no empty fridge as it has a lot of drinks in it already. Coffee and snacks cost money. Restaurant and Bar in the hotel, La Esquina, was actually quite nice for a meal or a nightcap. You get 15% off as a hotel guest. Yes, there was construction when we were there, but it didn't really affect us negatively. Extra noise and dust were not noticeable. There is housekeeping everyday to clean the room and replenish towels. Staff is very friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Wonderful balcony with views of all the other old buildings. You are turned in from La Rambla and Plaza de Catalunya so you get none of the throngs of people or noise, but all the convenience.
Location
Right next to Plaza de Catalunya. Minutes walking to Passeig de Gracia, El Raval, Sant Antoni, and La Rambla. Close to Metro. Across the street from a 24hours market.
Staff
Everyone was super friendly. English was fine.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything is clean and modern. Housekeeping comes everyday.
Activity Reviews
Private Tour of Madrid by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Private Tour of Madrid by Electric Tuk-Tuk
Madrid

Tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and had interesting historical facts. Tuk-Tuk was actually quite comfortable. They provide blankets. The major theme of the tour is a route centered on the old city gates and the old city walls. It doesn't actually go into the Plazas (Mayor and Sol). You see a lot of Madrid on it but you do lose a sense of where you are as you go up and down side streets. There is a see through roof on the tuk-tuk which sort of separates you from the outside, forcing you to tilt your head to see the things above you. You also can't really take photos through the roof. Tuk-Tuk tour has a few stops for you to explore on foot. It stops at the Temple of Debod (old Egyptian temple), and at the old wall and new walls of Madrid.

Quality of Experience
It was fun and it does whet your appetite to see the city.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver was knowledgeable and safe. He is easy to listen and talk to. English is fine.
Transport
Tuk Tuk themselves are actually quite comfortable. They provide blankets if you get cold.
Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit
Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit
Madrid

Skipping the line was amazing, but because the king was actually going the day before and the day of, there were a lot of people (making up for early closure the previous day). It has very beautiful rooms and neat things to see. But it is so crowded you wouldn't get a chance to take your time in each room. You also get no sense of the life of the palace. It is just really a collection of a few rooms for you to see and a few items. Given this, the pace was perfect at about 2 hours. The guide gave a real effort to interact with the kids which I appreciate, but my kids were too small to pay attention. That is fine. The tour guide told decent stories and made good enough explanations and answered questions from the adults. He was a good tour guide. What made this family friendly was no line, the pace was quicker, and the tour guide acknowledged the kid. That was it.

Quality of Experience
It was definitely worth seeing once
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was friendly and knowledgeable
Transport
Madrid isn't all that big. This palace is very convenient to get to. The guide meets you by the statue. He had no trouble finding us.
Day Trip to Montserrat & Lunch at a Farmhouse
Day Trip to Montserrat & Lunch at a Farmhouse
Barcelona

The site is beautiful. Riding a cable car is always fun for kids (though there are cable cars within the city of Barcelona which are closer). There was no time to actually explore the mountain peak as we spent the majority of the "free time" waiting to get into the basilica. Likewise, there is no time for the museums either. After the basilica, you hang out and take a few pictures and time is up. The basilica itself was super beautiful on the inside. We did not get to see the boys choir as our time slot to get into the basilica just missed out on that. It would had been nice. We probably missed it because the bus was late. Lunch was actually very very good. There was tapas and roast meat and wine. Very hearty. You work an appetite walking around.

Quality of Experience
The basilica was very nice. So was the lunch. Kids enjoy the cable care ride. But this is a detour.
Food
This was the unsung hero of the activity. The food is rustic and very good. The restaurant had amazing views.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide told good stories and was very knowledgeable.
Transport
Coach was comfortable. You have to walk a bit to get to the actual place where you ride the coach. They could had told us to just meet there. There is no bathroom to go to before you get on the bus. As this was not a private tour, you end up waiting for people to go to the bathroom. This leads to the bus being late.
Private Gaudí Architecture Walk with La Sagrada Família
Private Gaudí Architecture Walk with La Sagrada Família
Barcelona

Casa Batllo is amazing for kids. They get an tablet to interact with the house and the guide does a good job incorporating the tablet so the kids feel very involved. This allows the guide to focus on the adults and actually give them a tour. Casa Batllo is such a fun house. You really get to see how the family lived. The installed artwork like the Mind of Gaudi immersion room and the Chain Links though not original did add a lot of visual value. You don't mind seeing them. Even the paid photography is of you on the actual balcony which is really cool. It isn't just a some green screen. Sagrada Familia is amazing. It really is not to be missed. The tour guide did a great job giving the children a scavenger hunt to keep them engaged. Skipping the line with the tour guide for both sites was worth it. The tour guide was very well prepared. She had workbooks, photos, and other reference material to show the kids. She also did a bonus stop at Casa Mila on the way to the Metro station to give us some more context about Gaudi's work. Our tour guide took us to lunch only to find out that we didn't book the tour with lunch. I rather she just owned up to it and said she a mistake about it so I didn't have to eat at the restaurant she chose.

Quality of Experience
You cannot miss Sagrada Familia if you are in Barcelona. It is really worth it. I cannot stress that enough. Casa Batllo was a lot of fund for the kids and for the adults. I believe because of the line skipping and the self paced tour that this was the best way to have experienced both these sites.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She really prepared and was ready to engage with my children. She had lots of print outs and materials and stories and activities for the children. She was very knowledgeable. She just sort of made a snafu regarding lunch. I would give her five stars if she didn't take us to lunch.
Transport
We just took metro ourselves between sites. It was easy.
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on May 02, 2024

George!!! Thank you for the kind review! We do have the best team, and it's so nice to hear you had a great experience with them! 😃

Yes, that's right, kimkim handles all transportation, accommodations, and activities, and I am glad you had a smooth experience! Plus, it's so nice to hear everything worked out great with your two children.

I would love to see you using kimkim for a future trip! 🙌

Thank you for your detailed review, this gives insight to future travelers!

Be well,
Adam

All our guides were great!
Japan | Apr 6 - Apr 14, 2024

C
carolyn w.
Lancaster, CA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
All our guides were great! Read more

All our guides were great!

Hotel Reviews
Genji Kyoto
Kyoto
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Aoyama Grand Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Claudia Martinez Sierra
Claudia
Claudia Martinez Sierra
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on May 01, 2024

Planning Carolyn's dream trip to Japan was a nice experience, we are delighted to hear you had a great time in each location as well as enjoyed the private tours, accommodations and restaurant selection planning. Hope we see you again in Japan anytime soon!

What an adventure
Brazil | Apr 8 - Apr 13, 2024

C
Chantell W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
The adventures were fantastic. All guide and drivers were amazing. I would like to specifically thank Lucas. He was a fantastic guide. We really enjoyed all the things he showed us and taught us. Especially the local phrases and we got to use to communicate. Fun was had by all. Thank you so much. Read more

The adventures were fantastic. All guide and drivers were amazing. I would like to specifically thank Lucas. He was a fantastic guide. We really enjoyed all the things he showed us and taught us. Especially the local phrases and we got to use to communicate. Fun was had by all. Thank you so much.

Hotel Reviews
Pousada Naturalia
Angra dos Reis
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Windsor Califórnia Copacabana Hotel
Rio de Janeiro
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Tour of Sugarloaf Mountain (walking trail) and Christ the Redeemer Statue
Day Tour of Sugarloaf Mountain (walking trail) and Christ the Redeemer Statue
Rio de Janeiro

This was an awsome experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Tour Halfway Around Ilha Grande (Group Tour)
Boat Tour Halfway Around Ilha Grande (Group Tour)
Ilha Grande
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach
Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach
Ilha Grande
Quality of Experience
Food
The restaurant on the water was excellent
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Renata Guglielmetti
Renata
Renata Guglielmetti
Local specialist in Brazil | Replied on Apr 17, 2024

Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad to hear that you had a fantastic time and enjoyed the guides and drivers. I'll make sure to pass on your special thanks to Lucas. It's wonderful to hear that you appreciated his guidance and enjoyed learning local phrases with him. We're thrilled that everyone had fun. Thank you very much!

Spain Trip with two 7 year olds
Spain | Mar 30 - Apr 9, 2024

Christian
Christian S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
We had an overall great experience with the activities on this tour. I was upfront in requesting that our trip would focus on enjoyment of our kids and for the most part KimKim came through for us. What I most enjoyed from using this service was assistance in setting up transportation via the high-speed trains between cities in Spain. Our guide in Madrid for Royal Palace, Javier was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip because he really focused on engaging our children. Our... Read more

We had an overall great experience with the activities on this tour. I was upfront in requesting that our trip would focus on enjoyment of our kids and for the most part KimKim came through for us. What I most enjoyed from using this service was assistance in setting up transportation via the high-speed trains between cities in Spain. Our guide in Madrid for Royal Palace, Javier was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip because he really focused on engaging our children. Our expedition in Valencia led by Sonia was a lot of fun and really got our kids excited to explore around the Mercado Central. The Park Guell and Sagrada Familia led by Beto was incredible due to the extensive knowledge he had and was very accommodating to everyone in the small group. The last expedition in Barcelona for Born/Gothic Quarter was unfortunately the least enjoyable mostly because the guide, Mateo made it clear he did not know there would be children in our private group and said he would have set the experience up differently if he knew ahead of time.

Hotel Reviews
60 Balconies Recoletos
Madrid

Heart of Madrid, like being at home. Lots of grocery stores nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel & Spa Plaza Mercado
Valencia

The "pool" is within the spa and children not allowed in the spa area. Incredible location right next to Mercado Central.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Astoria
Barcelona

Awesome rooftop Pool, very good breakfast at hotel. Great Location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit
Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit
Madrid

Tour Guide Javier made it very memorable because he catered towards our kids and his experience as a school teacher really made it very enjoyable occasion.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Park Güell & La Sagrada Família
Park Güell & La Sagrada Família
Barcelona

Tour Guide Beto really brought this experience to life with his knowledge

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private El Born Walk with Tapas & Flamenco
Private El Born Walk with Tapas & Flamenco
Barcelona

As an adult this experience was 5 stars, however we had children with us and the experience could have been tailored a bit more for them to earn that last star.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on Apr 18, 2024

Hi Christian,

I loved reading your review! So glad you and your 7 year olds had a great adventure! It's nice to see you had fun with the children, and it shows it's possible to travel and have fun with them! 🙌

We have some of the best guides and loved hearing your responses on each guide!

Jessica and I had a great time organizing and booking all your transfers between locations, and we are glad to hear it was a smooth process between cities! :)

I hope to see you again on a future trip with kimkim!

Be well,
Adam

New Zealand 16-day Auckland to Queenstown
New Zealand | Mar 2 - Mar 17, 2024

Thomas
Thomas T.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
Our Travel Pro, Monika, was very patient with us while we worked through the itinerary for our New Zealand trip. In fact it took us (not Monika) 3 months to finally settle on the detailed schedule. We just kept asking questions and Monika developed options for us to consider. In the end her original itinerary was close to what we chose; well we added a few excisions and some of the hotels and B&B's changed. I will say all the options Monika provided were excellent. Monika was very... Read more

Our Travel Pro, Monika, was very patient with us while we worked through the itinerary for our New Zealand trip. In fact it took us (not Monika) 3 months to finally settle on the detailed schedule. We just kept asking questions and Monika developed options for us to consider. In the end her original itinerary was close to what we chose; well we added a few excisions and some of the hotels and B&B's changed.

I will say all the options Monika provided were excellent. Monika was very responsive to reschedules (due to weather) and in fact moved an excursion up a day, to keep us on schedule and allow us to do a challenging hike the next day that got cancelled because of weather.

If I had one recommendation to the reader, 16-days is not enough; if you are driving. We saw many highlights and are already thinking of our next visit to New Zealand. Monika was very cognizant of the travel times and provided us guidance to minimize our hours on the road and provide useful, fun, entertaining, & amazing stops along the way.

Monika will be our go-to for our next New Zealand adventure. It was so helpful having a local (she is based in Queenstown) expert.

Thanks,
Tom T

Hotel Reviews
Naumi Hotel Wellington
6141

Quirky mid-town hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Quirky, what more is there to say! In a really good way.
Location
Well except the parking, but we were RIGHT DOWN TOWN
Staff
Pointed us to a few interesting things to see.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great bed and linens
Kamana Lakehouse
Queenstown

Excellent location, great view of the lake. Great Staff

Authenticity & Character
It is called Lakehouse and it didn't disappoint with the Lake Views
Location
Staff
Came to get us when one of our excursion drivers showed up early!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The staff was responsive to a messy towel day
M Social
Auckland

Modern Hotel in the middle of everything! The first 2 days we just walked everywhere we needed to go.

Authenticity & Character
Modern and Modern
Location
Right on the waterfront
Staff
Helped with some tech issues and made recommendations
Cleanliness & Comfort
just great
Beaufort House Akaroa
Akaroa

The hostess and host were excellent and this is an incredible B&B

Authenticity & Character
French town with this chateau feel
Location
Small town and this was a walk to the waterfront.
Staff
Excellent Omlete
Cleanliness & Comfort
These linens I really want to know where they get them, was unbelievable comfortable!
Activity Reviews
Redwoods treewalk by night
Redwoods treewalk by night
Rotorua

Just fun and interesting in the evening!

Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves
Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves
Rotorua

Really glowworms only exist in 3 locations in the world, our guide was excellent and we really enjoyed the adventure.

Zealandia - Night Tour
Zealandia - Night Tour
Wellington

Everyone should do this excursion because it tells you about how New Zealand is reintroducing native birds.

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight
Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight
Queenstown (NZ)

Everyone has pictures of Milford, but you need to experience it yourself!

Local specialist: Monika Vinsova
Monika
Monika Vinsova
Local specialist in Queenstown, New Zealand | Replied on Apr 16, 2024

Hi Tom and Terry,

I truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback! It was such a pleasure assisting you with your New Zealand journey, and I'm delighted to hear that you had a memorable experience.

I'm thrilled that you're already considering another visit to New Zealand! There's so much more to explore, and I'd be honored to help you plan your next adventure whenever you're ready.

Thank you again for choosing me as your travel consultant, and here's to many more incredible adventures ahead!

Warm regards from Queenstown,

Monika

The guide in Ecuador was great, we had busy d...
Ecuador | Apr 4 - Apr 8, 2024

Guillaume
Guillaume D.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
The guide in Ecuador was great, we had busy days and visited a lot of different sites! Everything was well organized and we had no issues at all we were able to enjoy our trip to the maximum Read more

The guide in Ecuador was great, we had busy days and visited a lot of different sites!

Everything was well organized and we had no issues at all we were able to enjoy our trip to the maximum

Hotel Reviews
Sisakuna Lodge
Mindo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kitu Hotel
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Apr 17, 2024

Dear Guillaume,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback and positive comments, I'm extremely glad that you had an amazing experience with us here in Ecuador.
Looking forward to planning future adventures for you here in Kimkim.
Best,
Tamer

Great trip to Vietnam and Cambodia!
Vietnam | Mar 29 - Apr 14, 2024

Ximena
Ximena H.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
Our Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia through kim kim was very smooth, Ashley was on top of the every day planning and she was being sure we were satisfied throughout our trip. She was very fast putting together this trip for us that was decided at the last minute.
The guides were very friendly, flexible and knowledgeable.
Our private transportation was very comfortable and convenient.
Thank you Kim Kim, Ashley and your team for making this memorable trip for us.
Read more

Our Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia through kim kim was very smooth, Ashley was on top of the every day planning and she was being sure we were satisfied throughout our trip. She was very fast putting together this trip for us that was decided at the last minute.
The guides were very friendly, flexible and knowledgeable.
Our private transportation was very comfortable and convenient.
Thank you Kim Kim, Ashley and your team for making this memorable trip for us.

Hotel Review
Chen Sea Resort & Spa
Phu quoc

Amazing location on the beach, very friendly staff, delicious food.

Authenticity & Character
The rooms are beautiful, the architecture of the hotel very unique
Location
Great location on a beautiful beach
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms and public areas in very well condition
Activity Review
Halong - Lan Ha Bay - Frog Lagoon Area (Capella)
Halong - Lan Ha Bay - Frog Lagoon Area (Capella)
Ha Long Bay

Great sigh seen place, nice family time, food in the boat was amazing, very friendly staff, rooms very comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ashley Nguyen
Ashley
Ashley Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Apr 19, 2024

Dear Ximena,
Wow! This review truly made my day! I'm so thrilled to hear your family trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was smooth and memorable. Making sure you were satisfied throughout the adventure was my absolute pleasure!
Thank you for choosing us & kimkim and for taking the time to leave such a kind review. It means the world to our entire team! If you're ever planning another trip to Southeast Asia, don't hesitate to reach out - I'd be delighted to help craft another unforgettable adventure for your family🥰
My very best from Hanoi <3
Ashley

Well Planned and a Very High Level of Service
Portugal | Apr 8 - Apr 14, 2024

J
Jon C.
Mansfield, MA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
We love the approach KimKim takes of surveying interests and travel styles and creating a custom trip that fits. The local guides were top-notch, and the activities aligned well with our interests. Especially the cooking class we took and the dinner we had in someone’s home. It was a nice change from a restaurant to be able to have a relaxing meal in a
“homey” environment and get to know some new people.
The other positive of Helena (our trip lanner) was the regular communication... Read more

We love the approach KimKim takes of surveying interests and travel styles and creating a custom trip that fits. The local guides were top-notch, and the activities aligned well with our interests. Especially the cooking class we took and the dinner we had in someone’s home. It was a nice change from a restaurant to be able to have a relaxing meal in a
“homey” environment and get to know some new people.

The other positive of Helena (our trip lanner) was the regular communication about trip details both before and while we were away, as well as that from the tour guides. There was very little to fret over while we were on vacation – and we got updates throughout our tour.

The only bit of advice I have is that you should take time to research your destination fully. This was the 1st time I did not plan every aspect of our trip (book hotels, Viator tours, etc.), and I should have better researched Lisbon (and Porto) to fully appreciate what we did and what we missed. I felt a little disconnected following a plan that was built for me rather than one I built. This is nothing against KimKim – I 100% recommend them; just advice as you begin to plan your next destination.

We will definitely use KimKim when we plan our next trip!

Local specialist: Helena Fernández
Helena
Helena Fernández
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Apr 21, 2024
Hi Jon, Thank you so much for sharing your comments.
It was a pleasure to design an itinerary that suited your preferences and to know that the local guides provided exceptional experiences, especially with the cooking class and dinner at a local home.
Your advice about researching destinations in depth is valuable. While our goal is to provide a seamless experience, we understand the importance of feeling connected to the plan.
I am grateful for your recommendation and happy to hear that...
Read more

Hi Jon,

Thank you so much for sharing your comments.
It was a pleasure to design an itinerary that suited your preferences and to know that the local guides provided exceptional experiences, especially with the cooking class and dinner at a local home.
Your advice about researching destinations in depth is valuable. While our goal is to provide a seamless experience, we understand the importance of feeling connected to the plan.
I am grateful for your recommendation and happy to hear that you will keep KimKim in mind for your future adventures. When you're ready to plan your next trip, I'll be here to help you create another unforgettable trip tailored to you if not again to Portugal, to Spain, Italy or Morocco.

Warmest regards,
Helena, from Espíritu Travel and Kimkim

11 day tour of Ecuador
Ecuador | Mar 29 - Apr 9, 2024

Tim
Tim M.
the United Arab Emirates | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
From the moment we were contacted by Tamer the customer service was exceptional. The communication was swift and helpful and the tour was arranged using some of our ideas and the undoubted expertise of Tamer and his team. The trip could not have been better. Our guide Sebastian went above and beyond any reasonable expectations to make it a special tour and was such great company for every moment of the 11 days. We saw and experienced everything from the Amazon to zip lining, cable cars,... Read more

From the moment we were contacted by Tamer the customer service was exceptional. The communication was swift and helpful and the tour was arranged using some of our ideas and the undoubted expertise of Tamer and his team. The trip could not have been better. Our guide Sebastian went above and beyond any reasonable expectations to make it a special tour and was such great company for every moment of the 11 days. We saw and experienced everything from the Amazon to zip lining, cable cars, sand boarding and seeing a mix of spectacular city centre buildings to rural mountain life. The mix of food and our cooking lessons were perfect. We will definitely recommend Tamer and Sebastian to our friends and family

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Apr 17, 2024

Dear Tim,
I can't tell you how happy I am to know you and Viv have had an exceptional trip with us here in Ecuador, how I wish Karen and Dave were able to experience the same. It was such an honor to work with you on this journey and to be part of making some wonderful memories for both you and Viv.
Your positive comments are so much appreciated, and they will surely help us (myself and Sebastian, as well as our Kimkim team), keep mastering what we do and offer the best to our beloved travelers.
I thank you again and I hope we cross paths in the near future.
Yours,
Tam

What an amazing experience we had in Morocco....
Morocco | Apr 6 - Apr 15, 2024

C
C V.
Knoxville, TN | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
What an amazing experience we had in Morocco. Original Travels made the process easy and enjoyable. Said organized the trip according to our needs and was available even after hours. Oussama our driver complemented very well our wonderful visit to Morocco. Beautiful country, beautiful people. Hope to be back Read more

What an amazing experience we had in Morocco. Original Travels made the process easy and enjoyable. Said organized the trip according to our needs and was available even after hours. Oussama our driver complemented very well our wonderful visit to Morocco. Beautiful country, beautiful people. Hope to be back

Hotel Reviews
La Maison Arabe Hotel
Marrakech
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioner had trouble cooling room
Kasbah Bab Ourika
Imlil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga

The team goes beyond expectations to make your experience amazing..thank you guys

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Salam Fes
Fes
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful decoration throughout the Riad
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca
Casablanca
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Dar Mounir
Chefchaouen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Barcelo Tanger
Tangier
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ksar El Kabbaba
Skoura
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mohamed El Asely
Mohamed
Mohamed El Asely
Local specialist in Atlas Mountains | Replied on Apr 21, 2024

Hi CV,

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your journey through Morocco with Original Travels was nothing short of amazing. It warms our hearts to know that Said's dedication and personalized touch made your trip smooth and enjoyable. We can't wait to welcome you back for another adventure in this captivating country!

Best Wishes,
Mohamed

Well organised but over-priced
Colombia | Apr 5 - Apr 9, 2024

J
Jenny M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
Well organised and everyone very helpful and friendly, but over-priced Read more

Well organised and everyone very helpful and friendly, but over-priced

Hotel Review
Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos

Thoroughly recommend. Great location, wonderful food, fantastic staff. Perfect place to relax

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park

Very touristy. No need for a guide - clear paths to follow

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excellent careful driver with good quality comfortable vehicle
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 18, 2024
Dear Jenny, Thank you immensely for sharing your valuable and honest feedback regarding your time in and around Tayrona National Park. I'm truly thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the hotel and were pleased with our organization. It's regrettable to hear that you found Colombia to be too expensive. We take pride in delivering quality travel experiences by partnering with expert bilingual guides and drivers, while also ensuring fair wages to them. We always aim for the local community to... Read more

Dear Jenny,

Thank you immensely for sharing your valuable and honest feedback regarding your time in and around Tayrona National Park. I'm truly thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the hotel and were pleased with our organization. It's regrettable to hear that you found Colombia to be too expensive. We take pride in delivering quality travel experiences by partnering with expert bilingual guides and drivers, while also ensuring fair wages to them. We always aim for the local community to benefit from tourism in their country and simultaneously operate in an environmentally sustainable manner, which is why we also hold a sustainable certification. This aspect is typically well-received, with our guests consistently finding the trip price justified. Next time, please feel free to express your concerns during the trip planning phase; we always strive to accommodate the diverse needs and wishes of our travelers. Nonetheless, I'm happy that you had a lovely time in the area and were satisfied with both the accommodation and drivers.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming you back to our stunning country in the future.

Warm regards,
Michael & the Chaska Tours Team

Trip to Japan
Japan | Apr 4 - Apr 14, 2024

K
Karlo Z.
Japan | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
We had wonderful time in Japan. This was our first trip to Japan, so we wanted to see main attractions with some focus on 'hidden' Japanese treasures. Fei really did great job in organizing everything to tinny detail. Fei was also supportive during our trip, responding to some of the questions or small additional requests quickly. Communication via KimKim platform and response from local agency was good.
We had few days organized with local guide &driver while for few days we joined smaller...
Read more

We had wonderful time in Japan. This was our first trip to Japan, so we wanted to see main attractions with some focus on 'hidden' Japanese treasures. Fei really did great job in organizing everything to tinny detail. Fei was also supportive during our trip, responding to some of the questions or small additional requests quickly. Communication via KimKim platform and response from local agency was good.
We had few days organized with local guide &driver while for few days we joined smaller group. We had also enough time to do some things by ourselves.
Highlights:
- Katana Sword Making in Kyoto
- Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove & Arashiyama Walking Tour (Join-in)
- Osaka Highlights Bike Tour
- Full Day Mt.Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour - it is a bit longer drive from Tokyo. We were unlucky that road to 5th station on Mt. Fuji was closed and traffic to the place was challenging so we spend a lot of time in car that day.

Few things that could be improved:
- few of our guides were actually more help to go around the place, rather than being really guide explaining things around the place we were visiting. We felt they didn't have much of the local knowledge, which was something we were expecting. They were mostly students living in Japan for several years. The guide that we had in Tokyo was really knowledgeable and was able to share more details.

Altogether, if you want trip without too much of worry, highly recommended. Make sure you stress out importance of having local guides.

Hotel Reviews
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Nice place, close to center. you can walk around and see many places without hassle of taking taxi or public transport.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji
Osaka

good location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Fei He
Fei
Fei He
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 19, 2024

Dear Karlo,
Thank you for your objective and insightful evaluation, as well as your affirmation of my work. I will certainly work even harder and look forward to seeing you again on our next trip.
All the Best wishes
Fei