Where We Slept
We only recommend stays we've personally experienced — from overwater villas to mountain ryokans. Each pick is tested, loved, and worth every penny.
Our Honest Approach
We've been asked countless times — "where did you stay?" So we built this page. Every recommendation here is a place we've actually slept in, woken up at, and thought about long after checking out. No sponsored content, no affiliate pressure to say things are better than they are. Just our genuine experience, organised by destination, so you can decide.
Indian Ocean · 1 Stay Reviewed
Overwater Resort
North Malé Atoll, Maldives
A 40-minute speedboat from Malé, this adults-only all-inclusive resort sits on a tiny island surrounded by turquoise lagoon. We opted for an overwater bungalow — the direct access to the ocean and the glass floor panel above the reef made it genuinely magical. Breakfast on the deck with no one in sight remains one of our favourite travel memories.
Our Booking Tips
East Asia · 3 Stays Reviewed
Mountain Ryokan
Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture
Staying in a ryokan in Kamikochi — where no private vehicles are allowed — was one of the most atmospheric experiences of our Japan trip. Waking at dawn to mist over the Azusa River, bathing in the onsen, and eating an elaborate multi-course kaiseki dinner felt like a step into another era. Breakfast by the river window is something we'd return for alone.
Also Stayed In
📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo
Excellent budget-conscious chain with rooftop onsen. Perfect base for Tokyo. Modern, clean, great breakfast.
★★★★☆ 8.2/10 · Budget-friendly
📍 Hakone, Kanagawa
Western-style with onsen access, near Hakone Ropeway. Good value for the views on offer.
★★★★☆ 7.9/10 · Mid-range
Southeast Asia · 2 Stays Reviewed
Island Boutique Stay
Koh Kradan, Trang Province
Koh Kradan is one of Thailand's most undervisited islands, and this resort places you right on a perfect stretch of sand. Simple bungalows, but the setting more than compensates — the coral right off the beach is exceptional, and the sunsets are absurd.
Bangkok City Hotel
Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
A small, beautifully designed hotel facing Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River. The rooftop terrace view of the temple at night is worth booking just for that. Simple rooms, great location for exploring the old city by boat.
More Coming Soon
We have more Thailand stays to write up — Koh Lanta, Chiang Mai, Pai. Check back soon.
East Africa · 2 Stays Reviewed
Beachfront Resort
Diani Beach, Coast Province
Diani Beach surprised us — we didn't expect to find such a beautiful stretch of white sand in Kenya. The resort is large but well-managed, with the Indian Ocean practically at the poolside. The blend of African hospitality with proper resort comforts made this a highlight. Water sports, sundowners, and the cleanest beach we've seen in East Africa.
Also Stayed In
📍 Nairobi City Centre
A classic Nairobi hotel with beautiful gardens and an old-world feel. Well-positioned for the city and national park. Excellent breakfast spread.
★★★★☆ 8.4/10 · Mid-range
Kenya Booking Tips
East Asia · Reviews coming soon
Hot Spring Retreat
📍 Hualien County, Taiwan
We loved this stay — our full review with all the details is being written up. A beautifully positioned resort inside Taroko National Park with dramatic gorge views.
Boutique City Hotel
📍 Da'an District, Taipei
A design hotel with curated art throughout. Our favourite stay in Taipei — writing this up properly. Worth the slightly higher price point.
More Taiwan Stays
Jiufen, Tainan, Sun Moon Lake — all coming. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
How We Choose
We've stayed in thousands of rooms across a dozen countries. After a while, you realise it's rarely the thread count that stays with you — it's the view from the breakfast table, the way the light falls, and whether the place has any soul. These are our criteria, and why the list here will never be long.
Location & Setting
Is the location genuinely convenient or meaningful? A great view, proximity to what matters, or being in the right neighbourhood changes everything.
Character & Soul
Does the place have a personality? Generic chain hotels rarely make the list. We value design, intention, and local character over square footage.
Value Honesty
We note the budget bracket clearly. Some stays justify a high price; others don't. We tell you which is which — and always mention the better-value alternative.
Real Experience Only
We never review a place we haven't stayed in. No gifted stays are reviewed without disclosure. Everything here we paid for or were guests at — clearly noted.
