Hotels

An Unexpected Midrange Find in Tokyo: The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic

December 7, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

Built in 2012, The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon by HULIC is a boutique-style accommodation situated in the atmospheric Asakusa district of Tokyo. In a city where value for money lodging is notoriously difficult to find, this hotel offers the rare combination of convenience, proximity to tourist sights as well as a value proposition that caters to the needs of health conscious individuals. I stayed here during my third visit to Tokyo, having before tried capsule hotels and chain hotels. This was my first stay in a stylish boutique property in Tokyo.

the sensoji temple – a short walk from the hotel

As previously mentioned, The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon is located in Asakusa, an area that is typically overshadowed by Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi and Marunouchi where travelers’ location preferences are concerned. The nature of this preference escapes me, as one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions, the Sensoji Temple is located here and the relatively new Tokyo Skytree is just a short ride away. The hotel itself is located just a short walk from Asakusa station which has direct connections to many important points in the city as well as to Narita airport.

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W Bangkok – An Extraordinarily Hip Hotel in the Thai Capital

November 16, 2014 by Bino 3 Comments

Stepping into the lobby of W Bangkok in Sathorn after an evening flight from Thailand’s rural heartland, the contrast between countryside charm and youthful decadence could not have been any more apparent. Still decked in rugged shorts and sandals, I entered via the hotel’s automatic sliding doors that revealed lounge chairs, a DJ booth and purple lighting. With a large W greeting me as I entered, I knew I was in for a unique experience.

lobby of W Bangkok

W Bangkok has the distinction of being well-situated for both business and pleasure. Visitors are often spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay in Bangkok but the location of this hotel is hard to beat. The gleaming office towers of Sathorn Road is just a short walk away and so is the infamous night market and nightlife district of Silom. For folks who come to Bangkok for shopping, the trendy and upscale malls of Siam are just a short ride away from Chong Nonsi BTS station.

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Hotel Review: The River Resort Champasak – The Most Stunning Hotel in Southern Laos

November 11, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Crossing the border into the rural but scenic countryside of Southern Laos from Thailand, one would normally not expect to find anything more than paddy fields, farm animals and the odd village. Compared to the northern part of this landlocked country, fewer tourists venture all the way here despite the presence of several attractions, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I was pleasantly surprised to hear about a resort in these parts that many have raved about – I first knew about it through a fellow traveler who stayed there some years back. During my short visit to Laos, I finally got to witness what all the buzz was about.

The River Resort is a serene sanctuary located between Pakse, the largest town in the south and Vat Phou, the prime attraction this side of Laos. This makes the resort an excellent base for exploring the Vat Phou temple and for excursions to the Bolaven Plateau and Si Phan Don. I got here by hiring a songthaew from the bus station in Pakse where I was dropped off from my bus ride from Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand.

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Hotel Review: My Fantastic Stay at The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok

October 27, 2014 by Bino 3 Comments

Often regarded as one of the Thai capital’s quintessential hotels, The Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok has been charming guests for over two decades with its unique intepretation of Thai design that is at once contemporary and at the same time reminiscent of ancient Siamese capitals such as its namesake, the ancient ruins of Sukhothai in Northern Thailand.

I had the chance to experience the impeccable offerings of The Sukhothai Hotel during a short jaunt in Bangkok. Anyone who has been to this tourist mecca knows that the city has a very competitive hotel scene, with several excellent and impressive hotels at every price point. For a hotel to continually be recognized as one of the best in the city for over two decades, it practically needs to go the extra mile and during my stay there, I did come up with a few points that perhaps explains the hotel’s accolades.

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An Unbelievable Staycation at Pan Pacific Singapore

October 13, 2014 by Bino 6 Comments

For over 27 years, the Pan Pacific Singapore has managed to achieve a somewhat rare feat for a hotel in this ever-changing country – it’s kept itself constantly relevant and popular. One would be hard-pressed to find another hotel in the city state that has been around for this long and continues to receive award after award and be equally popular among guests. Thanks to an $80 million renovation in 2012, the hotel has managed to stay fresh and most importantly, interesting throughout all these years.

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Weekend Staycation at EDSA Shangri-la Manila – All You Need to Know

September 21, 2014 by Bino 10 Comments

For over twenty years, the EDSA Shangri-la Manila has been a formidable force among Manila’s luxury hotels. Since it opened its doors in 1992 as the first Shangri-la hotel in the Philippines, this property has become an institution, and has often been cited by respected travel publications as one of Manila’s best hotels. In fact, Edsa Shangri-la traces its origins to the rise of Ortigas Center as an alternative to the Makati CBD. SM Megamall and Shangri-la Plaza had both opened for just about a year when the Ortigas Center’s first luxury hotel was completed. Personally, this hotel was my introduction to the Shangri-la brand. It was the first Shangri-la property that I stepped foot in when I was a kid attending wedding parties!

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How to Score Free Hotel Room Upgrades With Class

August 23, 2014 by Bino 7 Comments

Wouldn’t it be nice to get more than just a standard, box-like hotel room sometimes? More often than not, the overall experience from a stay depends not on the hotel brand but on the type of room one gets to stay in. With increasing competition in the hospitality industry, many hotels are now happy to throw in a better room than the one stated in your hotel reservation so it’s actually not a top secret thing to get an upgraded room or suite. If you want to increase your chances, here are some top tips on scoring a free hotel room upgrade on your next stay.

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Hotel Review: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport – Why It’s Simply One of the World’s Best Airport Hotels

August 16, 2014 by Bino 4 Comments

As an all too familiar sight whenever I visit the airport, the immense facade of the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore has always piqued my curiosity, like a monument that greets me as I anticipate the start of a trip or savor the familiar smell of home. Despite sitting right next to Changi Airport Terminal 3, this premium hotel by the IHG Group certainly feels much more than your average transit hotel that caters to passengers with flight delays or cancellations. It has constantly ranked within the top airport hotels of the world, and for one weekend, I went to check out what all the attention was about.

Update 2016: I went back to have another staycation at this property after they opened their new wing. You can check out my review of the Business King room at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport here.

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