Hotels

Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore Is Challenging the Convention of Serviced Apartments

July 22, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

Oakwood OUE Premier Singapore has been making great strides in redefining the limits of serviced accommodations. Recently, it launched the “Oops, I’ve Ginned!” staycation package which continues to blur the lines between apartment living and luxury hotel amenities. Aside from a room stay, the package includes an elaborate DIY cocktail kit and even a short excursion to Brass Lion Distillery. I very well remember my first “serviced residence” experience. Having just moved to Singapore more than a decade ago for work, I was put into this nice apartment just by the Singapore River. My unit was way larger than a typical hotel room but for most services, I had to DIY. Things have changed dramatically since then.

The inspiration for the staycation package was World Gin Day which was celebrated on the 8th of June 2019. For the case of the “Oops, I’ve Ginned!” staycation package however, it is valid every weekend until 1st December except for the weekend of the Singapore Grand Prix.

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The Fullerton Hotel Sydney to Open in Historic Post Office Building in October 2019

July 18, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts will mark its international expansion with the opening of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney on the 18th of October 2019. The property will open following a brand conversion from what used to be The Westin Sydney. The new property in Sydney will be located right in the heart of the Central Business District and will have heritage and luxury as its defining characteristics, in line with the other hotels under the Fullerton brand.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney (source: the hotel)

There is no shortage of similarities with The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is likewise converted from what used to be the General Post Office of Sydney, a historic landmark that was built in 1866 (even before the Singapore property!). The Martin Place location of the property in Sydney also puts it squarely in the heart of the business district and close to the city’s retail and arts precinct. Famous city landmarks such as The Sydney Opera House, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Contemporary Art and the historic Rocks district can all be reached in under 15 minutes on foot.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney interiors (source: the hotel)

As with the property in Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney will also be offering complimentary heritage tours of the historic building and of the surroundings.

Hotel Review: The Siam – Bangkok’s Finest Boutique Hotel

July 15, 2019 by Bino 1 Comment

It might seem improbable that for the past 14 years or so, a small 39-room boutique hotel has been lording it over Bangkok’s list of the best hotels. The Thai capital is not like other cities – competition in its hospitality industry is terribly cutthroat with presence from virtually all the luxury hotel chains. Yet, the respected The Siam Hotel in Bangkok’s quieter and older Dusit district seems to have captured the imagination of travelers in a way that none of the chain hotels could.

Stepping into the entrance of The Siam, it becomes apparent immediately that one is in for a treat. A soothing shade of white dominates the main building while public spaces are adorned with a treasure trove of antiques from the owner’s personal collection. The Siam is owned by the Sukosol family, one of Thailand’s most prominent. The owner’s love for antiques also extends out to the facilities such as in the unique music room as well as the individual guestrooms, each having a theme of its own.

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Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt Manila – Living It Up At The City’s Tallest

July 10, 2019 by Bino 1 Comment

Grand Hyatt Manila stands today as the tallest hotel in the Philippines, at a height of 318 meters and with sweeping views of the metropolis stretching as far east as Manila Bay. For a city that has seen a shortage of true luxury hotels for the longest time, the opening of Grand Hyatt Manila in early 2018 certainly marked a new chapter in the local hospitality scene. Aspects such as the gorgeous multi-tiered lobby, 60th floor rooftop bar as well as its multitude of F&B concepts have rendered the hotel as a new hotspot – even without considering what the property offers for accommodation. I have been curious about the property ever since I saw photos of its rooftop bar, The Peak, in social media sometime back. Finally, on a recent trip to Manila, I managed to check out the Grand Hyatt Manila through a hotel stay.

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Hotel Review: Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore (One Bedroom Apartment at La Residenza Wing)

May 16, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

One of Singapore’s most recognizable hotels, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore is known for its iconic location just next to the river and a stone’s throw away from what used to be the country’s hottest nightclub – Zouk. Many Singaporeans of a certain age would have memories checking in to the hotel on a hastily planned staycation after a late night or hailing a taxi from the hotel’s lobby. While that night club is no more, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore is as relevant as ever especially after it completed a renovation of its public spaces and selected rooms in 2016.

Most folks who have stayed at the property previously are probably familiar with the hotel proposition. Not many know that the hotel also has a serviced apartment concept called La Residenza which is at a floor to itself (5th level) along with the gym. Unlike traditional serviced lodging concepts however, guests are able to book the apartments here even for stays as short as a night. During a recent weekend, I managed to check out the La Residenza Wing of the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore.

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Hotel Review: InterContinental Ljubljana – The Most Luxurious in Town

May 12, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

InterContinental Ljubljana opened its doors in 2017 as the only IHG property in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. Housed in a 20-floor building (the 2nd tallest in Ljubljana) just steps away from the train station and bus terminal, the property has 165 rooms sporting the newer look of InterContinental hotels. Ljubljana has gained prominence in recent years as a tourist destination and until the entry of InterContinental, there weren’t many true luxury lodging options in town.

I arrived in Ljubljana on a gloomy afternoon from Sarajevo. Getting from airport to city was relatively easy. There were three airport shuttle booths from three different companies all offering the same price – EUR 10 to get to the city. The shuttle dropped me off directly at the entrance of the InterContinental Ljubljana where the bellman quickly opened the door to escort me in.

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Hotel Review: Banyan Tree Lang Co – The Ultimate Luxury in Central Vietnam

February 17, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

The spot that luxury resort Banyan Tree Lang Co calls home is akin to a dream. Situated right by the sea with villas spread across hillside cliffs on one side and snaking lagoons on the other, this Central Vietnam property of the Singapore-based hospitality brand has the hallmark of imperial nostalgia (a nod to the historic capital, Hue, which is nearby) with a bit of mythical elements thrown in.

banyan tree lang co lobby

Indeed, my stay at Banyan Tree Lang Co has been quite unlike my other resort stays simply because the overall vibe here is less beach-y but more elegant and at times, over the top. It’s something I would expect to find in a topnotch city hotel for instance, rather than in a rural tropical setting.

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Hotel Review: City Garden Grand Hotel – Fantastic Rooftop in Makati’s Poblacion

January 17, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

Makati’s Poblacion has been touted as a buzzing and must-visit portion of Metro Manila for a couple of years now, with international magazines even hailing the nightlife scene there as one of the most quirky in the country. It’s perhaps of no surprise then that when I checked in at City Garden Grand Hotel, the bulk of hotel guests were foreign travelers spending a couple of days in Manila prior to flying off to the islands.

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