InspirAsian: Laos travel blog

“Thank you Selective Asia!”

24 April, 2022

We hired Selective Asia to help organise a trip to Sri Lanka for our family of 3 (one 10 year old child). This was our first experience of Selective Asia  We sincerely hope it won't be the last. Prior to travel the communication with Andrew frequently went above and beyond.  He very carefully took the time to get to know us and understand our trip requirements. The result was a perfectly judged,  perfectly paced itinerary which included stays in some truly exquisite locations. Once on the ground in Sri Lanka the excellent service continued.  Safely escorted by Miral our very knowledgeable guide & driver, we were able to enjoy a completely stress free experience. Selective Asia's planning and organisation ran like clockwork from the first moment to the last. For that, huge credit goes to both the UK and Sri Lankan based SA teams. Thank you Selective Asia for a great holiday!

“Great quality”

31 March, 2022

Great experience, covered so much in our time in Sri Lanka

“Simply the best!”

29 March, 2022

We first used Selective to book a dream Vietnam trip just as the pandemic was starting. At the time they gave us huge flexibility as to proceed or not and with the information available we decided to travel. The on-ground team in country were brilliant as were the first few days and we were very excited about the itinerary and adventure ahead. Unfortunately then we were quarantined as there was a CVOID outbreak on the boat. This is where Selective shined - Nick was on the phone personally all hours of the day and night and his crew locally stayed near the hotel so they could bring us food/drinks and even a chess board;) These people ensured a horrible situation was as bearable as possible and I will be forever be grateful. Everybody went well above and beyond! Then when we returned home whilst other travelers fought to get refunds or insurance Nick refunded immediately. Combine their expert country knowledge, fantastic tours, value for money, the best in country teams with an owner who truly cares and you have the perfect travel partner. That's why we have booked our next trips already and recommend so strongly!

“Wonderful tailored made holidays”

14 March, 2022

I have used Selective Asia already twice for my holidays and both experiences were excellent. I have reccomended to family and friends and willbe happy to use their service again in the future.

“Another fabulous trip”

28 June, 2020

This was our third trip with Selective Asia and it was just amazing. They don’t just provide an excellent trip but take the trouble to really get to know their clients and can make recommendations and suggestions that will enhance an already great experience. It’s the tiny details that can make the difference between a good holiday and an amazing experience. Karl knew our time limitations and managed to create a great itinerary that allowed us to make the most of our time in India but also allow downtime to relax. The hotels he suggested were perfect and he was always honest about what would be the best place for us to be. Our guides and drivers were perfect and a great part of the SA team. I would never travel to Asia with any other company.

“Faultless customer service”

4 June, 2020

Firstly how strange it is to review a holiday company for a holiday you never got to go on! That said I have to say this wasn't our first trip with Selective Asia, our honeymoon in 2011 was also booked through them and was amazing, from booking to completion everything was seamless. Fast forward 9 years and 2 children later we wanted to book the "trip of a lifetime" and Selective Asia was foremost for our booking. I actually went to multiple bespoke agents and Selective were the only ones who stuck to budget, considered who I was travelling with (2 young children) and actually listened to what we wanted out of our trip. Their advise and suggestions were well considered - whilst we may be "experts" on our children - we've never travelled long distance with them and the recommendations from Andrew, our consultant were exciting for us as parents, giving us the potential to feel like we were having the adventure we craved - but keeping the kids engaged and part of it. We came up with a fabulous itinerary with beautiful, individual places to stay and interesting places to visit. Everything was set. Roll on to March and with 3 weeks to go - everything changes in the world and Coronavirus changes the game. This is where things could have gone wrong - but I can't fault Andrew at Selective. He has kept us informed every step of the way and his insightful advise has just reassured me that their are companies out there (unlike my insurer!) that will act responsibly and fairly. Anyone with an internet connection can sell you a flashy holiday but the true measure of any company is how they treat you when things go wrong - and Selective Asia have been faultless in a situation that was entirely blameless. When the world opens up again, Selective Asia won't just be my first port of call, they will be my only and I would urge anyone to support this superb, small and ethical company,

“Fantastic trip to Indochina”

1 June, 2020

From the time I first contacted Selective Asia, when I had a very useful conversation with Aaron about the type of trip we had in mind, to the very end of our holiday and return home, they provided excellent service. Aaron worked hard to create an itinerary that would suit us, we were very happy with the hotels and tours they booked for us, and on the whole were more than satisfied with the local guides.

“Fantastic company, great holiday and amazing service when it all went wrong”

18 May, 2020

We booked a holiday of a lifetime to Borneo, which was extremely well planned, accommodation was great and very much enjoyed it until the Malaysian government closed the country due to Covid and we had 24 hours to leave the country. SelectiveAsia were responsible for all travel while in Malaysia but I’d booked the flights to and from the country through BA. While Nick and his team were working at 1am in the morning to get us out the country, BA wouldn’t answer the phone and refused to get us home. The SelectiveAsia team managed to get us from the middle of the borneo rainforest to KL and home within 24 hours, were constantly in communication throughout. While we were already very happy with the holiday, it is times like this when you realise why local travel agents are so important! Nick and his team were doing everything they could for us and while we were happy with the holiday before this event. We will now ensure every trip we make to Asia is with this company.

“Forceibility Quarantined in Vietnam - would I use again!”

5 May, 2020

Hell yeah! Booking: a pleasure working with Maryisa to exactly specify the trip that meet our exact wishes and needs. Once this was all confirmed we had access to a great app that had all the information required to make a stress free trip. Always willing to answer any little question. Quarantine Support: There was nothing that Nick or the team could have done about this it was simply the Vietnese overnment being ultra cautious. HOWEVER whist most tour operators abandoned their quests Selective ensured we had a rep onsite at the facility who would bring us food and drink and even a pack of cards. Nick was always available day and night to answers questions and update us on what they were doing to support our early release. Post Quarantine Support: Once back in the UK unlike many of the big tour operators Selective managed to refund a significant portion of our trip which meant insurance paid out on the rest quickly. Other tour companies could learn a lot from Selective! Horrible experience as we lost our dream holiday to Vietnam but this wasn't Selective fault and they did they best to help us.

“A wonderful holiday incorporating the richness and diversity of India!”

4 May, 2020

This is the second holiday we have enjoyed with Selective Asia. Right from the initial contact the company is very helpful, the team listen to what each customer wants in terms of an overall experience and tailor their suggestions to the customer’s requirements, creating the best experience they can. The team have an excellent knowledge of each destination and do include unusual and interesting details to the itinerary which allows for a rich experience of the culture and daily life of the country in question. The team also pay attention to each customer’s budget and tailor make the holiday accordingly. They are also very mindful of the effects tourism can have on the environment and aim to lesson its impact as much as possible.

“Excellent customer service. Nothing was too much trouble.”

30 April, 2020

Everything about Selective Asia is how customer service should be. Other travel companies could learn from them.

“Vietnam trip 2020”

18 March, 2020

Great organisational skills and extremely responsive and supportive when airline cancelled one of our flights 24 hrs before we departed

“An exceptional business from start to finish.”

18 March, 2020

We have travelled with Selective Asia a number of times and we keep coming back and will continue to! They are excellent from the booking service through to their absolutely exceptional guides and staff in country! Cant recommend then enough.

“A comprehensive, informative, personalised, enjoyable tour of North India”

18 March, 2020

A carefully planned trip through North India personalised using quality accommodation transportation and guides. Thoroughly recommend this company.

“The perfect way to explore Asia”

13 March, 2020

Selective Asia is the perfect way to see Asia. They carefully listen to your requirements and needs, add a considerable amount of value with their experience and knowledge of the location, then craft you the perfect holiday. From there on your mind needs to just absorb the culture, surroundings and above all have fun. They take care of the bookings, the logistics, their attention to detail is second to none. Absolutely no hesitation in recommending them to anyone who wants to explore Asia.

“A holiday which we will remember forever. Attention to detail was excellent”

12 March, 2020

Excellent from start to finish. Frequent communication, listened to what we wanted offered advice when asked for. It really was tailor made for our needs as a " getting on in years" group. If not in the office when we sent a message always got back to us straight away. Would , and have already , recommended Selective Asia to others.

“Fantastic Cambodian holiday”

12 March, 2020

Excellent from enquiry stage to arriving home. The itinerary was perfect with plenty of time for thorough exploration of Angkor Wat and other very interesting temples, great excursions to discover village and town life with local interaction in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Lunch with a local village family following a ride on an oxen cart was particularly memorable. Guides were great. Finishing at a fantastic beach resort. Hotels were expertly chosen and perfect for us.

Sri Lanka

10 March, 2020

Excellent service

Vietnam

7 March, 2020

We received an excellent service throughout our holiday in Vietnam. The guides were knowledgeable and pleasant, the drivers courteous and careful, and the suggested itinerary suited us well.

“Choose Selective Asia for a perfect special holiday.”

11 February, 2020

The preplanning of the holiday was interactive, so S.A. was able to offer exactly what we wanted. The coordination leading up to the holiday was detailed and left us free of concerns. The holiday itself went like clockwork, guides and drivers were good and on-time. Boats were waiting for us and all the accommodation arrangements went well. Things can go wrong and when something did, S.A. dealt with it very professionally.