hilton

Hotel Review: Hilton Malta – Unbeatable Location in St. Julian’s

June 20, 2021 by Bino 2 Comments

A recent trip to Malta brought me to one of the most special hotels I’ve seen in a long while. The Hilton Malta sits prettily in a cove called Portomaso Marina in St. Julian’s, with fine views of yachts on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. The property was built in 2000 but was renovated only as recently as 2016. It now sports a cool and contemporary new look in keeping with the more recent Hilton properties around the world.

facade of the hilton malta

In terms of public transport, the Hilton Malta is only a few steps away from the Ross bus station which has several buses plying the route to the major tourist areas: Valletta, Mdina, Cirkkewa and even the airport (the X2 bus goes to the airport). Malta is a small country but because the roads are narrow and winding and the bus stops every few blocks, it can easily take more than an hour for the 11 km journey from the airport to the hotel. It may be more worthwhile to take a taxi instead. From Malta International Airport to Hilton Malta, the cab fare is approximately EUR 20.

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Hotel Staycation Review: Conrad Centennial Singapore – Newly Renovated Rooms & Two Types of Executive Lounges

November 24, 2020 by Bino Leave a Comment

Conrad Centennial Singapore underwent a progressive refurbishment in 2018 that encompassed the guest rooms, executive lounge plus a couple of new facilities by the swimming pool. I have personally stayed in this property quite a few times and always found the deliberately high beds one of the most comfortable among hotels in Singapore. Recently, I returned for a staycation – this time to experience what the newly renovated rooms and executive lounge have to offer.

Centennial Suite

centennial suite at conrad singapore

For this particular stay, I was billeted in one of the hotel’s popular Centennial Suites. Measuring 63 square meters, think of it as a luxury one-bedroom condominium unit. Unlike some of the suites in newer hotels, this particular one comes with genuine partitions between bedroom, living area and bath. Most of these suites are also situated as corner rooms at either ends of the building so chances are, your bedroom will directly face the Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City.

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Sunday Brunch at Oscar’s Conrad Centennial Singapore (2019)

May 19, 2019 by Bino Leave a Comment

Oscar’s at Conrad Centennial Singapore has recently revamped its Sunday brunch with new sections interspersed with old favorites for a special weekend experience. Certain sections have been expanded with others streamlined. There are also new stations to keep diners coming back. I was recently invited over to Oscar’s to check out the recharged brunch offerings.

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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: Hilton Kota Kinabalu – Luxurious Rooms With Smart Motion Sensors

April 2, 2017 by Bino Leave a Comment

The Hilton Kota Kinabalu is the newest addition to the burgeoning hospitality scene in this popular East Malaysian tourist hub. With 305 rooms, it is the first and only Hilton property in Sabah.

hotel lobby

During a recent trip to the East Malaysian state, I stayed at the Hilton Kota Kinabalu for a night. The first thing that strikes you immediately as you enter the hotel lobby is the stunning chandelier that twists and turns around the high ceiling – like water droplets when it rains. The hotel’s main reception area is certainly huge and belies Kota Kinabalu’s status as a mid-sized city.

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Hotel Review: Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok – Equally Suited for Business & Leisure

February 21, 2017 by Bino Leave a Comment

Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is a stylish luxury hotel located in Sukhumvit Soi 24, just within 5 minutes walk from the Phrom Pong BTS Station and situated close to some well-known upscale malls in Bangkok – namely Emporium and Emquartier. For Hilton Honors members, it is a category 4 property.

lobby of the hilton sukhumvit bangkok

I stayed at the Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok for a night after ending a business trip earlier that same week in the Thai capital. There is a Doubletree Hotel located just next door. Stepping into the property for the first time, I noted a distinct flair which was a bit of a departure from the very business-like and contemporary style which defines the other Hilton properties. The overall design of the Sukhumvit hotel is heavily influenced by the 1920’s prohibition era in the United States and this is told through two sculptures with a back story named Jay and Daisy.

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Iketeru at Hilton Kuala Lumpur – Sumptuous Japanese Cuisine

July 25, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

As with any major Asian capital, Japanese restaurants have somewhat become an ubiquity in Kuala Lumpur. Practically every mall has one with competition fierce for premium sushi and quality ramen. It is thus quite remarkable that Iketeru, which is housed inside Hilton Kuala Lumpur in KL Sentral remains jampacked with people even up to this day, around 11 years since it first opened its doors. I was there on a Wednesday night, traditionally quite slow as it’s midweek yet still found all tables occupied – practically unheard of for an upmarket Japanese restaurant housed inside a hotel.

A quick glance at its menu reveals just why Iketeru remains highly popular – the food offerings are subject to constant reinvention in line with the season and to diners’ preferences. The food items also read like a walkthrough to nature. For dinner, I chose to have Fubuki or “Snow Storm,” a special teppanyaki set menu. With dishes such as sushi, wagyu beef and foie gras within the set; it also served as a rundown of the house specialties all in one meal.

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Hilton Kuala Lumpur – Convenience Amidst Affordable Luxury

July 17, 2015 by Bino 1 Comment

Often cited for having the best value luxury hotels, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is a delight for frequent travelers and luxury vacationers. This is the city where a 5-star hotel room can go for just US$100 a night. If you’re racking up points to reach elite status in a loyalty program or simply wishing to bask in opulence and luxury without breaking the bank, Kuala Lumpur is a great city to do so.

During a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, I stayed at Hilton Kuala Lumpur – a fine example of these great value luxury hotels that I mentioned earlier. Located at KL Sentral, it is also very conveniently located especially if coming from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The city is well-known for its traffic jams, especially if you’re staying in one of the hotels around the city center. The hotel’s strategic location just next to the KL Sentral station, where fast trains from the airport stop, allows guests to avoid that hassle altogether. It’s only around 30 minutes from the airport. Many tourist attractions such as the old parliament building, lake gardens and colonial-era railway station are also close by.

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