The Cottage Guest House Gigiri

The chef was the one bright spot for me: kind, and really good at his job. The rest of my month and a half there was frustrating. The rooms were cold, damp and full of mosquitoes, with old, dirty sheets and showers that sometimes didn't work. Management was poor and service could be rude. On arrival, I complained about blood on the sheets and was told they'd been washed, so they were clean and I shouldn't expect more. Breakfast wasn't always served, but staff said I'd missed it by 7:30 or 8. The reception had card payment options, though they supposedly weren't working when I was pressed to pay over $1,000 in cash. I had to leave early because my partner had a medical emergency, and our $900 monthly rate suddenly became $100 per day at checkout. At these prices, I'd pay a few dollars more for the nearby Trademark hotel. It's wildly overpriced, and you may already be looking elsewhere.

Laundry and security were the only good parts for me. The place is poorly maintained, and the rooms don't have safety boxes. Food quality was very poor considering how much they charge. It's far too expensive for what you get.

Food can be arranged in the house, depending on the package you choose, and the attendants give great service. The rooms are very clean and kept up well. The property is made up of two fairly large mansionettes beside each other, in a generally peaceful area.

The place is cosy and has all the facilities, though I did miss having a bar open during the day. The staff are fantastic and make you feel at home and well looked after. Staying for a longer stretch is a great idea. I'm coming back in four weeks for two months.