Hotels

Days Hotel at Zhongshan Park Singapore: A Review

February 17, 2013 by Bino Leave a Comment

Singapore has been breaking records as of late in the tourism sector. Month after month, there’s been record numbers of tourists and record number of arrivals in Changi Airport. It’s no wonder that a respectable room in an international chain hotel these days costs at least SGD 200. Even 3-star hotels here are known to almost touch the SGD 200 mark. As such, it really is a breath of fresh hair that new entrant, Days Hotel at Zhongshan Park, of the Days brand which is well-known for great value lodgings in the US and in selected international markets, has given the local hotel scene a bit of pricing disruption with its competitive SGD 128++ rates. Currently, Days Hotel at Zhongshan Park has the CHEAPEST room rates among international chain hotels in town.

the unmistakable logo

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to try out the “product” through a weekend stay in the said property. The hotel itself has not been opened long — it’s been operational for hardly 2 months. It sits along the well-known Balestier Road, on a piece of land that has been redeveloped with a park as well as a neighboring 4-star hotel that’s due to open later this year.

…

Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore Staycation – A Review

January 17, 2013 by Bino 7 Comments

There are certain brands that are so powerful that the mere mention of its name requires no further explanation. I suppose that when it comes to the Ritz Carlton brand, most people come in with a certain impression, a certain expectation of what this brand represents. For many, the Ritz Carlton is considered to be at the apex of hotel chain brands, one that is timeless, synonymous to luxury, and providing impeccable service. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be invited by Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore for a weekend staycation dubbed as “Time to Getaway.” I was of course very delighted to be able to stay in this hotel, and like many, I also had my own impressions about the brand which did not deviate from the perception of the general public.

Given that this brand is so easily recognizable, I decided to do something different during my stay. I decided to start from a clean slate, without any preconception of utter plushness or the thought of having hotel staff at my beck and call. I wanted to base my overall experience from scratch.

…

Review of Bangkok’s Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri

November 26, 2012 by Bino 7 Comments

Towering skyscrapers, maze-like weekend markets, temples with shimmering spires and infamous traffic jams. Add to that the friendly locals and you’ve got the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia – Bangkok. The city has a little bit of everything. One can witness extremes here, from grit and chaos to luxury and refinement without moving too far in this megacity. I always look forward to visiting this city.

This being said, Bangkok offers great value for tourists – something which it has always been known for. This is where aircon hotel rooms can be had for as little as US$20, and if you move up the chain, a well-appointed suite in a 4-star hotel with kitchen, dining area and sweeping views of Bangkok could be yours for as low as US$150; there’s definitely great value no matter what one’s budget is. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of being invited in Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri, a property which is at the higher end of the chain, for a night’s stay in one of their rooms. A rundown of how it went after the jump.

…

Around the World in Bangkok’s Terminal 21 and Grande Centre Point T21

November 11, 2012 by Bino 2 Comments

There now stands a new retail development in Bangkok that not only attests but further solidifies its reputation as a travel hub in Asia. Situated in the expat Sukhumvit area, Terminal 21 is a concept retail center that has an interesting proposition to differentiate itself against the many shopping malls that already dot the cityscape. Terminal 21 is not just another shopping mall – inside, one can find zones dedicated to various far-off destinations that include the likes of the Caribbean, San Francisco, Tokyo, London and Istanbul.

another floor, another city!

Many of the stores are actually quite similar to other malls in the city but there is a section dedicated to local Thai manufacturers. Interiors-wise it is hard to beat. Each floor has its own theme. For instance, the San Francisco zone includes a replica of a lighthouse and Fisherman’s Wharf. And of course, it won’t be San Francisco without Swensen’s, which has an outlet in the mall. The Tokyo floor has 2 large statues of sumo wrestlers while the upper floors play host to a gigantic Oscar award.

…

Review of Capri by Fraser Changi City, First Hotel-Residence Concept in Singapore

September 23, 2012 by Bino 19 Comments

Not many Singapore brands have made it big in the world stage. But in the hospitality space, there are quite a few successes. Frasers Hospitality is one example, being one of the most successful hospitality chains coming from Singapore. They are recognized as a world leader when it comes to serviced residences with properties across three continents. I still remember my stay in Fraser Place in Seoul over three years ago. Although we were there for a holiday, we opted to stay in a serviced apartment – a temporary residence usually reserved for expats or long-term stayers. It was a delightful experience, the room space was noticeable bigger than a standard hotel room and it came with a kitchen as well as all the amenities that one would expect from a functioning apartment, all for the price of a hotel room.

the hotel’s facade

Now, Frasers Hospitality has taken this concept to another level with a new property in Singapore called Capri by Fraser. Styled as a “hotel residence,” it aims to address certain gaps of conventional hotels by offering elements which are usually found only in serviced residences. Over one weekend, I was fortunate to be invited over to Capri for a sponsored stay in order to personally witness this innovative proposition.

…

Page 26 of 26

« Previous 1 … 24 25 26