Hotels

Hotel Review: Fairmont Makati – Convenently Located Next to Glorietta and Greenbelt

January 13, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

The building that now houses the Fairmont Makati and Raffles Makati was announced with much fanfair back in 2007. The entry of a new luxury hotel chain in Manila at the time marked the start of a flourishing decade for luxury hospitality in the Philippine capital after years of stagnation. The condominium units that accompanied the hotel were also marketed as being the most expensive in the entire country, a title that may still hold true to this day.

lobby of fairmont makati

For the casual traveler or staycation-er, the location of Fairmont Makati couldn’t be more ideal. Located just next to Glorietta and across the street from Greenbelt, moving to some of the most compelling lifestyle and dining destinations in Makati require no more than a short stroll – a godsend given Manila’s notorious traffic jams.

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Hotel Review: Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun – Centrally Located Within Steps From Insadong & Gyeongbokgung Palace

November 20, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

When it comes to hotels in Seoul, most visitors are probably familiar with The Shilla Hotel as the epitome of Korean hospitality and luxury. In recent years, the group has diversified specifically with the launch of the Shilla Stay concept in 2013. Shilla Stay aims to be a more accessible and no-nonsense brand, with spaces that evoke the design and sensibilities of The Shilla but at a more affordable price. With its first hotel in Hwaseong, the offshoot brand now has eleven properties scattered all over the country. In Seoul specifically, the chain has a number of properties and depending on what you are after, each location has an edge. For instance, the hotel in Yeoksam suits those who prefer to be in the upscale Gangnam area while the one in Seonam is easily accessible from Seoul Station. During my recent visit to South Korea, I stayed in Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun which is ideal for those looking to do a mix of both sightseeing and shopping while in Seoul.

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Hotel Review: Hilton Busan – Urban Seaside Resort With Unique Design

November 8, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

Hilton Busan opened in 2017 as a beachfront hotel in a mixed-use resort complex called Ananti Cove in the eastern suburbs of South Korea’s preeminent southern port city. Designed as an urban resort, the property fits those seeking to get away from the city hustle and bustle but still want to retain the urban creature comforts. The property is about 15 minutes walk from one of Busan’s tourist spots – the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – and is about 20 minutes drive to Haeundae Beach and the commercial areas of Centum City.

It is rare for a hotel to actually inspire me to travel somewhere but seeing the compelling aesthetic of the Hilton Busan in social media actually led me to make my way to Busan for my first visit to the city. From Busan Station to Hilton Busan, I took a taxi which cost approximately 24,000 Won. To save a bit of money, you can also travel to Centum City subway station and take a taxi from there. Your cab fare to the hotel can go down to almost half of the fare compared to originating a ride from Busan Station.

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Hotel Review: The Bale Phnom Penh – Unique Modernist Resort By the River

October 11, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

The Bale Phnom Penh opened in 2018 as the first property of the boutique resort chain Lifestyle Retreats outside of Bali, Indonesia. The 18-suite stunner is located some 15 kilometers from Phnom Penh’s city center, an easy 20 minute drive but feels like a world away with its placid and zen-like ambiance. I have been to Phnom Penh 4 times and have witnessed how this city has grown over the years. To date, there’s probably no other property like it not just in Phnom Penh but in all of Cambodia.

To get to The Bale Phnom Penh from the airport requires nearly an hour’s drive as the airport is located in the opposite side of the city. It’s a scenic journey along the outskirts where one can appreciate a bit of rural life juxtaposed with the burgeoning skyline of Phnom Penh in the distance.

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Hotel Review: Amari Johor Bahru – Best Hotel in JB’s Buzzing CBD

October 1, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

The relatively new Amari Johor Bahru occupies one of the best locations for those crossing the causeway to the Malaysian city for the weekend. Within walking distance to JB Sentral train station as well as the checkpoint, inhouse guests can literally monitor the flow of traffic coming in and out of Singapore from the air conditioned comfort of the hotel.

As I have not been to Johor Bahru for a long while (my last visit was more than 4 years ago where I stayed at what is now the Hotel Jen Nusajaya Puteri Harbour), I decided to make this short getaway to the city across the border.

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Hotel Review: Dusit Thani Manila – A Slice of Bangkok in the Philippines

September 29, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

The building where the current Dusit Thani Manila now stands has had a notable history where hotels in Manila are concerned. Originally opened in 1976 as the Manila Garden Hotel from the building spree that occurred for the IMF Convention then, the property later became Hotel Nikko Manila Garden and was acquired by the Dusit Thani Group in 1995. As it stands, the Dusit Thani Manila is one of the first (if not the first) Dusit Thani hotel outside Thailand and as such, the property has an undeniable Thai flair.

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The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort Opening October 2018

August 29, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort will soon open in October 2018 on a coral island in Baa Atoll. Nestled in a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the property will have 70 villas and suites, 41 on the island and 29 overwater. It will also be the first Westin-branded property in Maldives.

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Hotel Review: Swissotel the Stamford – Unparalleled Views & Highly Convenient City Hall Location

June 20, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

The iconic Swissotel the Stamford near Raffles City and City Hall MRT Station is in the midst of another renovation in its 32 year history in Singapore. One of the tallest hotels in the city, the property has traditionally been known for its sumptuous views – affording guests panoramic vistas of both Marina Bay Sands and the skyscrapers in Raffles Place. While the refurbishment is still well on its way as of this writing, one of the first room categories to showcase the new design is the popular Premier Harbour View Room which frequently gets booked out during Formula1 and National Day.

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