Seek Sophie operates within Aperia Mall's dynamic retail environment, contributing to Singapore's diverse shopping landscape in the innovative mixed-use development located at the intersection of Lavender Street and Kallang Road. Aperia Mall serves as an iconic business and retail destination at the fringe of Singapore's Central Business District, housing 72 merchants across categories including sports, services, hobbies & leisure, beauty & wellness, electronics & technology, fashion, food & beverage, and specialty retail. The mall's strategic positioning between Lavender and Bendemeer MRT stations ensures excellent accessibility for shoppers throughout Singapore's central and eastern regions.
The store operates within Aperia Mall's carefully curated retail mix that emphasizes quality, variety, and customer service excellence. Aperia's three-story retail podium creates an intimate shopping environment that encourages discovery and personal attention, distinguishing it from larger, more impersonal shopping centers. The mall's "low-key vibes, high-key flavours" philosophy extends to all retail partners, ensuring customers receive authentic, high-quality experiences whether shopping, dining, or accessing services within the development's comprehensive offerings.
Aperia Mall's integration with office towers and residential components creates a vibrant community where Seek Sophie serves diverse customer needs ranging from daily convenience to special occasion shopping. The mall's proximity to Singapore's CBD and excellent transport connectivity via both Lavender and Bendemeer MRT stations makes it easily accessible for both local residents and working professionals seeking quality retail experiences in a more personalized, community-focused environment. The development's continued evolution as a key business and shopping destination ensures Seek Sophie benefits from steady foot traffic and Singapore's dynamic urban growth in this increasingly important district.
Avoid Using Seek Sophie
We strongly advise against booking with Seek Sophie, based on our deeply disappointing and frustrating experience with this company in Southeast Asia.
Our trip was poorly coordinated by three different individuals, leading to confusion and miscommunication. Key parts of our itinerary were never arranged, wasting both our time and money. We traveled specifically for this experience, and it unfortunately left us with a negative impression of the entire destination. Traveling all the way to Ende is not a small trip, and we expected more.
Prior to full payment, Seek Sophie was highly responsive and attentive. However, once the payment was made, communication completely broke down until just a day before our scheduled pickup. When we finally arrived, we were confronted by a local host who demanded cash payment on the spot and refused to leave our accommodation until it was paid, despite having already paid the company in full.
Attempts to reach the company during and after the trip were ignored. All WhatsApp messages were left on 'Read'.
This experience felt like a deliberate scam. We urge other travelers to avoid Seek Sophie at all costs to protect your time, money, and peace of mind. Our hard-earned money was wasted by this company.
Kayleen Goh
My husband and I are back on the road again, and yesterday we found ourselves reminiscing about our last big adventure. As we talked, one particular stop came up — Kelimutu Indonesia with Seek Sophie — and it hit us that we never actually got around to reviewing it.
Nearly 1.5 years have passed, and honestly, at the time we were so drained and disheartened by the experience that we just wanted to move on, especially since we’d had no response from them. I always knew the post needed time and space to be written properly, but life took over and it kept getting pushed aside. Now, with fresh perspective (and a bit of distance), it’s time — because if our experience can help someone else avoid going through the same thing, then it’s worth sharing. So here it is.
We booked our Kelimutu trip through Seek Sophie, hoping for a smooth, thoughtfully organized experience. What we got instead was one of the most frustrating and disappointing tours we’ve ever taken. My other half is still traumatized and considers it one of the worst 24 hours of travelling in a long time.
To start with the good: Kelimutu itself is absolutely worth visiting.
But everything else — from the booking process to the actual tour — was a mess.
Seek Sophie was super responsive and communicative until we paid. After that, radio silence. Even when things started going wrong and we reached out, our messages were ignored. It honestly felt like we were ghosted — they archived the chat and left everything unread. There was no support or accountability when we needed it most.
We were sold a private tour of Ende and Kelimutu, with a clear itinerary and the understanding that everything was taken care of. What actually happened was Seek Sophie clearly subcontracted to a local operator, who then passed us off to someone who had no clue what had been arranged.
When he picked us up, he literally asked, “Where are you going?” and then flat-out refused to go to the stops listed in the itinerary. Instead, he took us to two completely shut down villages that were striking against the government — places we never asked to go and had no context for.
Things only got worse from there.
* At check-in, the host tried to charge us again, claiming we hadn’t paid. We had to dig up confirmation emails and make a call to prove it was pre-paid. Extremely awkward.
* There was no running water in the morning, so no shower.
* No WiFi, no phone signal, and a blackout meant we had to get ready in total darkness.
* We had to wake up the host ourselves to get to the volcano, and he was grumpy and annoyed we’d done so.
* He slept in the car while we hiked Kelimutu (which, in a way, we appreciated as it gave us the freedom to do as we wanted).
* Also, we had to set off in the dark with no torches or anything — which made for a comical situation, but it was also unacceptable that this wasn't mentioned in the booking. We could have easily prepared ourselves otherwise.
We were completely dependent on this guy for the duration of the tour, which made the whole situation feel even worse — we were stuck, with no real way to leave or switch plans.
The only positive moment came when we got back: he made a nice breakfast with fresh fruit and coffee. But by then, the damage was done.
We paid a lot for this tour, assuming it was a necessary and well-organized way to visit Kelimutu. In hindsight, we feel totally ripped off and taken advantage of. We would have had a better experience renting a motorbike and doing it ourselves — the road is good, the hike is short, and it can easily be done in a day from a place that actually meets your needs.
This isn’t just about a bad guide — it’s about poor vetting, no follow-up, and a total lack of accountability from Seek Sophie. We expected better.
I realise we’re late doing this, but I just felt it was necessary for others to avoid a similar situation.
02JUN I’ll be reaching out to Seek Sophie with my booking confirmation (which I’ve just managed to dig up!) following their response here.
Catherine Thum
Overcrowded places to see; lots of time lost due to lack of organization. Really bad communication with the agency: we received so many messages from different numbers, and most didn't tell the same thing, or worse, told conflicting information. The Komodo site to see the dragons was ugly and smelly thanks to the pond of urine and feces behind the toilets. We stayed there for half an hour waiting for people taking pictures of themselves with a dragon. Finally, don't pay for the boat with 10 places; they will move you to the one with 25 visitors without any refund.
Positive Reviews
Lawrence Atherton
We did the Komodo 3D2N Boat Tour on the Carnaby. One of the best things we have ever done. The boat was great, the crew were excellent, and the food was amazing.
The number of stops/activities included in 3D2N was incredible. And the snorkelling/reef was probably the best we have seen (visibility was unreal for most of the stops).
Roberto (Guide) and Abi (photographer/spotter) were lovely. A particularly pleasing aspect was that we seemed to get to the stops either before most people, or with hardly anyone else there (I think we were the only boat at our Pink Beach stop, for example).
We had the Master Cabin, which I would say is well worth it (if available). Tremendous value for money wherever you sleep, I would think.
Communication through Seek Sophie was also great (Rina was really helpful and told us we would get pickup info, etc., the day before, and everything ran like clockwork, including transfers).
A very strong recommendation (and a must-do if you like snorkelling).
Tim Koh
Booking through their site and communicating via Whatsapp is very convenient and fast. Special mention to Kai En, who is very accommodating with my booking. Excellent service!
Eric Naidu
Excellent service, excellent staff!
We needed to make a booking the day before for Tanjung Puting Park, and Kai En was incredibly helpful and nice to us, making all his efforts to help us!
We appreciate it!
Thank you very much!
Gabby Geddes
My friend and I went on two trips with Seek Sophie and had an absolutely amazing time! We experienced the most scenic views in Bali on the Mt. Batur caldera hike, being the only ones on that mountaintop. We also went on a unique Munduk trek through the jungle and got to swim in beautiful waterfalls. The best part was we were always assisted by the nicest guides who were in constant contact with us. If you’re thinking about booking a high-quality and fun travel experience, definitely book with Seek Sophie :)
Vinson Owen
I booked a day hike up Mount Fansipan in Vietnam, online with Seek Sophie. The tour options, process, and payment were smooth and simple. Follow-up communication by Michelle was effective, and everything worked out well for an enjoyable hike up the highest peak in the region. Special appreciation to our local guide for walking with us in the pouring rain, but it was fun! Only 4 stars because the lunch stop facility was filthy — I know it's not directly part of this company, but perhaps they could influence improvements.
Fadz
Rina is a superstar! I had to move my tour due to work commitments, and she put up with all 20 emails to help me find a suitable date and accommodation. She was quick to respond. Thank you again for helping me.
Kristin
I experienced great customer service from Rina, who attended to my email regarding my booking with a swift response and immediate action. I am impressed by the fast response time, and it has greatly enhanced my impression of Seek Sophie. Will definitely continue using this website for future activities and exciting experiences.
Alexandra Rodrigues
I had the best trip to Sumba thanks to Seek Sophie and my guide Dany. The website was super easy to book, and when I had a small booking issue, Rina was so quick to help, and I'm so grateful for her assistance! I booked two tours, one of which was on the East side of the island. My guide Dany was epic; he took me to all the top spots (almost everywhere we went, there were no other tourists), and he knows so much about Sumba and Indonesia. The East side did require a lot of driving, but it was perfect because I was taking notes, as I didn't want to miss anything he was teaching me. We were able to customize my trip to see everything special to me. I also hired him to take me from East Sumba to West. We stopped at some local spots, including a village. Sumba is such a special place, and I would have missed so much of its magic without this company and my guide!
Kang Di Tan
Connecting with them through their WhatsApp customer service has been a truly hassle-free experience. I’d like to especially compliment their staff, Kai En, who was extremely helpful and patient in explaining all the details clearly. I really appreciated the extra mile taken to check in and see if I needed any further assistance.
With such excellent service, I’ll definitely engage them again for future activities!
Josh Du Bek
An outstanding experience, from the moment we were greeted to the moment we departed the boat. It was truly a sensational experience. What truly made this trip was the crew.
To start with, we chose Seek Sophie because of the itinerary and size of the boat. Reviews played a HUGE part in our decision, and I am glad we did our homework. We were greeted by Roy, a true gentleman. His English was amazing; he was extremely attentive to all guests' needs and a pleasure to be around. Once aboard the boat, Roy gave all of us a safety briefing and then assigned rooms according to the booking.
The process was very simple and direct. After all that was done, we were off. The ship was clean, well-staffed, and easy to navigate; it almost felt as if there was one crewmember to every two guests. The ship's layout was very comfortable, with two suites in the rear and, I believe, the rest up front. The suites were spacious for the size of the boat, with a sliding door that separated the bathroom from the sleeping quarters. The dining area was in the middle of the ship, right next to the kitchen. The food was customized and prepared with heart and care. Meals were substantial, and snacks were provided in between. The bow of the ship was clean and well-appointed with chairs, couches, and pillow-like seating. The crew was always available for anything needed, and most of the time, they were ahead of our needs.
Roy and Rey (the onboard photographer) were fun to interact with. Humor and a focus on safety were noticeable, but by the end of day one, we all started to feel like family. The excursions were nothing short of amazing, as promised. Snorkeling in the clearest waters, we saw fish and wildlife rarely seen in or around the US. The island of Komodo was breathtaking, with dragons sunning themselves on the beach and cooling off in the shade of the trees. This is NOT a gimmick; this is the real thing. Walking among Komodo dragons is a feeling that has no words. By the end of our second day, we found a spot where mantas were feeding. We all hopped in the water and watched manta rays; it was just a surreal interaction with nature.
This tour was worth every cent invested. The care and dedication from the crew was comforting and impressive. We, as a boat, had the opportunity to pass other tour boats. Seeing these boats crammed with people and how tight their quarters were made me even more comfortable with our decision to go with Seek Sophie.
Things to be aware of:
* The internet situation is poor. It's not the ship's fault; the actual internet around these islands is poor. The ship offered Wi-Fi, but if your phone doesn't have a connection, neither will the boat's Wi-Fi.
* Bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
* Bring money. You will need to pay the fees in cash before you embark the boat for the Komodo Island entrance fee.
* Bring more than one pair of footwear. You will be on a crazy-amazing hike for a sunrise, and flip-flops won't cut it.
* And enough to tip the crew when you depart. THEY WILL DEFINITELY EARN EVERY DOLLAR!
Maya Han
Rina from Seek Sophie gets my highest recommendation. We’ve been looking for a 3D2N boat trip at Komodo for a long time and found Seek Sophie. As we haven’t been here before, we had a lot of questions regarding the trip, transport, and all the practical things. Rina was able to answer all our questions with great expertise and helped us through the booking.
Later, we wanted to upgrade our room. Rina was quick to get back with answers and got our room upgraded without any problems.
Now we look forward to going on an amazing trip with Seek Sophie.
Sally Kumar
“Seek Sophie” provided me with no communication when I had questions after booking with them. I reached out by phone number given on the reservation confirmation, their website, and email weeks before the trip. The only response I got was two days before the trip when a message finally came through their website, which was not helpful when I was trying to get the address of the port and make shuttle arrangements in advance.
I admired the company's ethics in advocating for environmental mindfulness when researching companies to book with. Being mindful of plastic bottles is “what the consumer is supporting.” Yes, yes, yes! However, the company they used for the excursion gave us plastic water bottles? What????
“Cozy Vietnam” was the company that hosted the two-day cruise, made all arrangements, communicated details, met us at the port, and hosted us throughout the journey. They were amazing. The boat was older and a bit slow on the water but had clean bedding and towels, incredible food, and great excursions and activities. Overall, the experience was well worth it.
