Hotels

Review: Hotel Clover the Arts – Singapore’s First True Art Hotel

July 16, 2014 by Bino 1 Comment

Hotel Clover The Arts is a new concept boutique hotel just a stone’s throw away from the key areas of Clarke Quay, Chinatown and Singapore’s CBD. It is the newest addition to the rapidly expanding chain of Hotel Clover branded properties all around Singapore. In fact, I stayed at their sister hotel just next door, Hotel Clover 5 Hongkong Street, less than a year ago. This being said, Hotel Clover The Arts is their most exciting property yet! Probably the first “art hotel” in Singapore, the creative quotient is a major plus and is certain to at least draw some “oohs” and “aahs” even from those not inclined to the arts. No two rooms are the same in this 44-room hotel – perfect for those looking for individuality and vibrant surroundings in their stay.

The hotel has several room categories, ranging from single rooms without windows to corner rooms with king-sized beds. There’s a small plaque stuck on to each room’s door that give guests a preview of what the interiors look like. I stayed in their “Clover Executive” room, their second highest room category which measured a cozy 17 square meters. It was also a bright corner room, overlooking Raffles Place and Marina Bay Sands in the distance. When I entered, I was surprised to find a welcome basket filled with cookies and chips, not to mention a complimentary array of drinks in the fridge – a great first impression to my stay!

In summary, these are the room inclusions:

Free minibar (2 canned drinks inside plus bottled water)
Hair dryer
In-room safe
Toiletries
Nespresso Coffee Machine + 2 capsules of Nescafe Dolce Espresso
Free wifi

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A Peek at Shangri-la Singapore’s Presidential Suite

July 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Occupying a spacious 346 square meters, the luxurious Shangri-la Suite (also known as the Presidential Suite) in the Valley Wing of the Shangri-la Singapore Hotel is probably one of the largest hotel rooms one can find in the city state. For over two decades, this has been the preferred 5-star lodging for many heads of state and dignitaries when they visit Singapore and it’s easy to see why. Featuring two bedrooms, its own gym, a personal butler and even its own private entrance, the suite is almost like its own world, away from the conviviality of the three main towers that comprise the Shangri-la Singapore. If you have 10,900 Singapore Dollars (USD 8,720) to spare, this is certainly a luxurious way to spend it!

I had the opportunity to check out the Presidential Suite during my last stay in Shangri-la Singapore. Coming in from the private entrance, I was greeted by a most elegant, marble-floored hallway, the type I would often picture a butler leading me to if I ever get to enter one of those stately palaces of Europe. This made for a nice segue way to the entertainment area, fitted with beautiful walnut timber flooring from the United States and handmade rugs. This huge room contains the living, drawing and formal dining areas, the type I could easily imagine the presidents of the world sitting in while discussing foreign policy with their advisers. The living area is at once very much refined but at the same time fitted to easily suit the needs of business magnates and world leaders. The seating space here could easily fit more than two dozen people.

Also check out the Presidential Suite of St. Regis Singapore where Kim Jong Un is staying during his visit to Singapore

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Hotel Review – Greenleaf Hotel Gensan: Surprising Deluxe Hotel in General Santos City

June 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Greenleaf Hotel Gensan is a refreshing welcome to the accommodation scene in General Santos City. Never has this city seen a deluxe hotel of such impeccable standards until this six storey hotel opened its doors almost a year back. Located at the junction of San Miguel and J. Catolico Streets and just across a large mall in the form of SM Gensan, the hotel is well located slightly east of the traditional city center.

a post-modern concrete jungle – blown away by the interiors

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Hotel Q! Berlin – Avant Garde Boutique Hotel in Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm

May 17, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

One of the most unique hotels that I’ve had the pleasure of staying in is the Hotel Q! in Berlin. In a city that is known for being cool and edgy, boutique hotels have essentially proliferated across town. Hotel Q! which is located in the Charlottenburg neighborhood, is one of the best known, having been designed by architectural firm GRAFT and a darling among the celebrity set.

lobby of hotel q! berlin

hotel’s fox bar

The unconventionality was apparent from the moment I stepped in the property. From the outside, it’s an unassuming white building on a side street of high-end Kurfurstendamm but the interiors tell another story. The lobby was decked in blood red with bold curves while the furnishings seem to have been inspired by The Jetsons. In the true style of a boutique hotel, staff members were dressed snazzily in full black and an iMac was available for guest use. It also helps that the hotel is just minutes away from the S-bahn – Savignyplatz station to be precise.

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Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay – New No Frills Option by the Singapore River

April 10, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

The Intercontinental Hotels Group continues to expand in Singapore – opening its sixth Singapore hotel through the new Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay. This is the second “no frills” property of the group, after the successful Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road which opened around a year ago.

futuristic-looking lobby of holiday inn express singapore clarke quay

The hotel hosted me for a staycation less than two weeks after it opened its doors. Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is located around a block or two from the Singapore River, a stone’s throw away from the clubs and dining options at Clarke Quay. This makes the hotel a great location for those planning a late night out on the town.

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Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour Nusajaya – A Weekend Getaway

March 22, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

The spanking new Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour in Johor, Malaysia, which opened just less than a year ago, finally marks the rise of a Johor hotel of international quality. Those who venture out to the nearby theme parks – Legoland and Hello Kitty Town – no longer have to scurry back to Singapore for the night for a worthwhile place to stay.

Some weeks back, I had the opportunity to check out the property. From Singapore, a hotel van picked us up and whisked us through the border and directly to the property. The hotel itself is located in a suburb of Johor Bahru, in a new town development called Nusajaya which is currently being touted as the next mega-hub in Johor and where Legoland is located. It is also one of only a handful of decent chain hotels in the Johor Bahru area, the other one being the Doubletree by Hilton Johor Bahru.

The hotel’s layout is quite distinct. At only 4-storeys high, Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is actually spread across several adjoining towers, and shares space with commercial outlets and even a theme park! At the opposite end, the hotel is fronted by a picturesque harbour where yachts are docked, creating a mellow sea-side atmosphere that is enchanting especially at dawn and dusk. The property is practically surrounded by a small commercial village, with shops and dining options to satisfy the savvy traveler. Those who come with kids will be pleased to know that the Hello Kitty Town theme park is just a few steps away from the hotel.

lobby of traders hotel puteri harbour

The hotel’s interior cleverly mimics its seafront setting, with the lobby and other public areas painted in shades of warm, natural colors and protrusions in the ceiling that emulate the undulating waves of the sea.

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My Stay in Iudia on the River – A Unique Boutique Hotel in Ayutthaya, Thailand

February 15, 2014 by Bino 1 Comment

When I was planning my visit to the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Ayutthaya in Thailand, I decided I wanted to stay in this historical city despite being just an hour’s drive from Bangkok in order to beat the crowds and be able to explore early in the morning. It was most fortunate that I found Iudia on the River, one of Ayutthaya’s boutique options, for that one night stay. The town doesn’t have much in terms of chain hotels, and one’s best bet for a pleasurable stay would be with guesthouses or boutique properties that won’t break the bank.

Officially called Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the town sits in an island and used to be the fortified capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom (Siam). Today, it is a fine example of the old and new. It is a functioning city by every sense of the word, with random temple ruins standing side-by-side modern buildings. Iudia on the River is located at the southern part of the island and separated from the mainland by the Chao Phraya river.

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Hotel Review: South Palms Resort & the Longest Fine White Sand Beach in Panglao, Bohol

February 10, 2014 by Bino 4 Comments

When I finally got the chance to visit Bohol last week, I wanted to stay somewhere close to the best beaches of Panglao. After researching online, I came across South Palms Resort Panglao, which is a new property molded out of the former Bohol Beach Club. There were barely any pictures of the hotel available online but I decided to take the plunge anyway.

the pool at south palms resort panglao

South Palms Resort Panglao has inherited the top selling point of the Bohol Beach Club back then, which is the longest fine white sand beach in Panglao Island. Last year, a large chunk of the club was sold to a new owner and underwent several months of extensive refurbishment. The result of that is South Palms Resort, a new upscale accommodation option in Panglao Island.

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