Customer reviews and what they say

The most important thing we can do to improve our service is listen to what our customers have to say, which is why you can now read their comments unedited on our website.

Upon returning from Southeast Asia all our clients are sent a review form and here you can see what they are saying about their experience of travel to the region and of the service we offered both during the trip planning process and in the build-up to the trip.

Search the reviews, check the image gallery and see for yourself how our clients rate the InsideAsia experience.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 382

Wooden door entrance to traditional Korean Hanok house
Valentina P
Travelled to
2 weeks ago
★★★★

Overall the trip was very well planned. Some of the information in the cities guides was not complete and there...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★

Overall the trip was very well planned. Some of the information in the cities guides was not complete and there was a mix up with a reservation (which was quickly handed), but overall we were happy with many of the suggestions and activities planned. Compared to many travel agencies they always make you feel a valued customer and are very good at giving the experience a personal touch.

Travel consultant
★★★★
Rhian Osborne

Rhian was kind and prompt in assisting us and tailor the trip to our request. There was unfortunately a mix up with a reservation but it was quickly handed.

Accommodation
★★★

The first accommodation (Gracery Hotel Seoul) was excellent and set the standard very high. The traditional stay in Gyeongju was a bit more uncomfortable than what we expected (very noisy, touristic environment, not great bathroom facilities) but it might be because we expected something different and more similar to a Japanese ryokan, which was unfair on our part. The biggest disappointment was the Felix hotel in Busan: staff was rude and unwilling to provide information, the room was dirty (we found an old slipper surrounded by several dust bunnies under the bed, sign that it wasn't cleaned in months at least) and one night the alarm woke us up at 4am, which was very scary, and the only explanation was of "a malfunction". The 9brick hotel back in Seoul was ok and in a nice location, but breakfast was very poor: there were only two choices of food (both with meat) and they didn't have tea, only coffee and hot water (and what's the point of having hot water if you don't have tea bags??), which was weird and quite annoying in a 3 stars hotel.

Value for money
★★★★
Information pack
★★★★
Mekong River scenery - Heritage Line
Sue B
Travelled to
1 month ago
★★★★★

I would highly recommend Inside Japan and Inside Asia. This is our third trip with them. Their support and advice...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

I would highly recommend Inside Japan and Inside Asia. This is our third trip with them. Their support and advice at the planning stage are excellent. They made suggestions for places to visit that even my Japanese sister in law was impressed with in terms of unusual and unique places to visit. We had a last minute change of arrival airport and they rearranged our pickup with a few hours notice.All arrangements went smoothly, a great company to travel with.

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Samantha Barrow

Sam has been fantastic. She made some great suggestions especially for Japan. She is responsive and helpful at all times.

Accommodation
★★★★

Most hotels were excellent but one really fell below the standard we expect and was very disappointing. This has already been fed back to Sam.

Value for money
★★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Kerry G
Travelled to
3 weeks 4 days ago
★★★★★

This is the second trip we have arranged through InsideAsia. They listen to your interests and requirements and personalise the...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

This is the second trip we have arranged through InsideAsia. They listen to your interests and requirements and personalise the trip. It is reassuring to know that there is always someone available if needed whilst travelling. The knowledge and experience the consultants have enhances the trip and the customer experience.

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Rhian Osborne

Rhian had invaluable knowledge and experience of South Korea, which assisted in making this an amazing trip.

Accommodation
★★★★★

They were all in excellent locations and met our expectations and good quality.

Value for money
★★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Cherry blossom along riverside in Tokyo
Lary S
Travelled to
1 month 1 week ago
★★★★★

Flexible planning with great attention to detail.

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

Flexible planning with great attention to detail.

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Grant Ekelund

Thanks Grant. Very good trip,

Accommodation
★★★★★
Value for money
★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Ornate Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul
Wendy J
Travelled to
4 weeks ago
★★★★

The trip was meticulously organised by the Travel Consultant (Rhian) and most everything about the trip was enjoyable, and took...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★

The trip was meticulously organised by the Travel Consultant (Rhian) and most everything about the trip was enjoyable, and took into account that I was a solo female traveller. The arranged tours were interesting and the guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, the entire trip was well worth it!

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Rhian Osborne

Rhian was very attentive to details/requirements of the trip as a solo female traveller and kept in regular contact with me even until my arrival in South Korea. She is very knowledgeable about the country and this helped my enormously with my choices of destinations when planning the trip.

Accommodation
★★★★★

All the hotels and the hanok guesthouse met my expectations and were well situated for each element of my trip.

Value for money
★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
BTS Bus Stop in beach with white sand in Gangneung South Korea
Julie H
Travelled to
1 month ago
★★★★★

This is our second self directed tour with IAT. The organisation was great and the day tour guides were fantastic

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

This is our second self directed tour with IAT. The organisation was great and the day tour guides were fantastic

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Lachlan Woodland

Lachlan was very approachable and replied to our requests quickly

Accommodation
★★★★

The accommodation in Andong was below expectations. The CK hotel wasn’t very good. The room had a shower over the bath with no rails- difficult for older people, the power points weren’t easily accessible / being under a bench, room lighting not accessible from the bed- it was across the room. The mattress was as hard as a rock- very difficult to sleep- it was an ensemble - we wondered if the mattress was upside down with the base on top? The breakfast was ok but the room wasn’t clean- tables not wiped down and it was just not clean in spots where the food was displayed ,particularly the coffee machine and the water machine. I am aware there was only one hotel in the new town of Andong but our guide told us a second has just opened- it might be worth IAT checking it out
The Busan Asti hotel was very convenient to the railway station and a good hotel but eating there was a bit difficult as it is such a busy spot.

Value for money
★★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Thatched homes in Shirakawago
Wendy M
Travelled to
1 month 2 weeks ago
★★★★★

We used Inside Japan Tours to coordinate our independent travel in September 2024 to Japan and South Korea as we...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

We used Inside Japan Tours to coordinate our independent travel in September 2024 to Japan and South Korea as we prefer not to do group tours. We were provided with excellent advice and detailed information for our entire itinerary. The hotels booked were all great, clean and comfortable and the private tour guides for our city tours were excellent. They also provided us with mobile WIFI devices to use during our travel, delivered to our first hotel then returned at the airport when we departed. They booked all our train tickets between cities and also provided us with pre-loaded travel cards for tap on/tap off on subways and buses. For anyone thinking about traveling to Japan or South Korea, I highly recommend Inside Japan Tours and in particular our agent Sora Jang.

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Sora Jang

From the moment I contacted Sora about our plans to visit Japan and South Korea she took the time to understand our preferences and delivered an itinerary that balanced cultural experiences with must-see landmarks. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged from accommodation, transportation and tours, giving us the confidence to travel independently around the two countries. She was very responsive to queries and I highly recommend her service.

Accommodation
★★★★

All accommodation booked met our expectations.

Value for money
★★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Colourful buildings alongside fishing port in Busan
Richard M
Travelled to
2 months ago
★★★★

NA

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★

NA

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Juliana Schnell

Thanks to Grant Ekelund who substantially contributed.

Accommodation
★★★★
Value for money
★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Jeep ride in Bolaven Plateau
Robert L
1 month 2 weeks ago
★★★★★

A perfect holiday, which matched all my requirements. All ground transportation and transfers were well documented, and met. Likewise all...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

A perfect holiday, which matched all my requirements. All ground transportation and transfers were well documented, and met. Likewise all the excursions, experiences and guides were exactly as promised.
I had guides in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, who all went out of there way to ensure I had the best service, and listened to any limitations my health dictated. In Vietnam the guide new EVERYTHING, and had a trainee with him, which expanded my experience. In Laos my guide was very patient with me on our trek, his care was evident when he explained the orphan school he and his friend set up. And finally Nina my guide in Thailand was a joy to be with, couldn't do enough to ensure I had the best of what was on offer, and spoilt me with treats, and photos I had no idea she had taken.
A mention also of the contact from Jon when the Vietnam typhoon was approaching, it shows the care Inside Asia have for their customers away on the other side of the world.
Even with a train derailment, sand bags around the hotel in Vientiene car in the ditch in Thailand, one of the best holidays I've had.

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Jon Fisher

Jon listened to my holiday requirements, predominately rail based, and fulfilled then to the letter.
Checked with me whilst away on my safety regarding an approaching typhoon.

Accommodation
★★★★★

Particularly La Siesta Classic Ma May.

But all them seemed to give a rather more personal service than usually encountered in hotels.

Value for money
★★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★
Wooden door entrance to traditional Korean Hanok house
Robert A
Travelled to
1 month 2 weeks ago
★★★★★

From the beginning steps, to in-between, to completion, the whole experience was enjoyable. I was able to express my desires...

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Ratings

Overall
★★★★★

From the beginning steps, to in-between, to completion, the whole experience was enjoyable. I was able to express my desires for the trip and Juliana was flexible in working with me and providing great options. She was always available for my many questions and during the travel itself. I will definitely go back and look into other destinations.

Travel consultant
★★★★★
Juliana Schnell

Juliana was extremely attentive to my goals for the trip and also provided outstanding alternatives. She answered all of my questions, which there were many. She was also readily available whenever needed. I appreciate that and her patience.

Accommodation
★★★★★

All hotels were perfect!

Value for money
★★★★★
Information pack
★★★★★