Euro Travel & More

The girlfriends from Asia were invited for the soft opening in April and had shared these pictures with me.  As we all know – if it is a 5 star hotel in Singapore – it has be a  good hotel.   The Marina Bay Sand  owns by Las Vegas Sands is complete with a casino, conference/exhibition hall, business center  and shopping center in its 55 storey high hotel.  2650 room later – the hotel costing i heard $8 billion – excluding the cost of prime land.  Grander than the Westin Hotels when it opened in the 90s – if you are in Singapore – its a must see place.

The big business center/convention/exhibition hall.

Interior of the hotel

Entrance to the hotel – more about the stay at Marina Sand Bay Hotel in the next post.  Did i tell you they have a food court in this hotel too?

I kinda missed the Westin, Bali – well not only because of the rustic furniture in the outdoor restaurant – The Veranda but I love the indoor ones as well – don’t forget to check out the Teppanyaki while you are there.  Westin Bali is a great place to be with the family and those with kids – you should see the kids’ club they have to cater to family.

Love the outdoor cabanas in Bali and the ocean – the privacy is to die for – and of course the never ending flow of mai tais and whatever drinks you would like.   Don’t forget to get a massage while you are relaxing and have your kids watched over by their trained staff at the clubhouse.  The guys -  they can enjoy the golf club – if they are into golf.

The Sutera Harbour Resort is located in Sabah, Kota Kinabalu – it is a huge property with wireless internet surrounding the entire resort.  The resort is located about 15 mins away from the airport and it’s is so central – i like it that I can get out of the resort and go to the heart of the city within minutes.

The resort was very crowded but surprisingly – people leave you alone to do your own thing – like sitting in a cabana and enjoying a view.

Love all the island – surrounding the resort – look how peaceful it was.

Yay!! a sunset bar !! for those who needs a cocktail!

Love the surrounding ! so peaceful!

So summer is here and like everyone else, I’m sure you are looking to go on a vacation with your love ones or even your best girlfriends.  But are you like me .. ?? who is a stickler and will only stay in one particular hotel or are you like my spouse who loves to try out new hotels and what amenities they have?  or are you one who goes for the deals and promotions?

Tough eh?  all those promotional pamphlets and the pictures on the web – are they true ..??  How do you tell if the pictures you see and the things you read is what they say they have or will do for you?  afterall, you want a great vacation right?

Since every traveler has different needs when searching for a hotel, you’ll need to ask yourself what’s most important to you. Whether you’re looking for a great deal, a great location or a great B&B, I have a tip or two for you in my next entry.  What matters most to you ..??  you can tell me thru’ and email if you like.

When i first started traveling, I look forward to see which hotels have what kind of bathroom amenities and in fact, I sometimes bring them home for my next trip to the beach or even camping. But as the years go by and i became a more season traveler and staying even longer in different countries, I bring my own shampoo, moisturizer and soap – why?  because nothing beats the right stuff for your own skin type.  Do I find it a hassle?  Nah..!  i pretty much pride myself for being a season traveler, so it’s great to be different from your regular vacationer.

So who does take hotel amenties home?  or worst – some even take the bathrobes and iron home with them.  Yes! working in the hotel industry for this long, you’ve seen just about everything – I have someone who tried to bring the consoles supplied free for the guest home.  One even brought the fax machine home.  I don’t think the housekeeper mind that you bring home those bathroom amenities or the coffee or hot chocolate home but if during check out and they found a missing ..  TV .. then of course you will be charged on your credit card for the missing item – be it a bathrobe or even a towel.  Afterall, all these cost the hotel money eh.  So be careful when you next take something from the hotel – you may be caught stealing and you may get charged for it.

Planning to go see the Winter Games in Vancouver .. in 2010??   Well.. what can i say .. about Vancouver.. that you already do not know.  I love Vancouver..!!!!  in fact, i like Vancouver more than Toronto, they do have just about everything.. and the crime rate.. i hear is also pretty high.. rumor has it.

The Winter Game Packages are being offered here like hotcakes, so if you are planning to go with a buddy or the entire family .. here is your chance. Check out some awesome deals i found.

• Tickets to Two Level 1 Events (Seating Category as selected)
• Tickets to One Level 2 Event (Seating Category as selected)
• Accommodations in Vancouver (Hotel Category as selected)
• Breakfast Daily
• Professionally Guided Group Vancouver City Tour including Stanley Park, Gastown, and Granville Island
• Winter Games Commemorative Gift Package
• Daily Group Shuttle To Whistler Town Center (departs from Vancouver once daily in early morning, returns from Whistler Town Center once daily late afternoon)
• Vancouver Welcome Kit
• Roadtrips On-Site Host Team
• Access to the Roadtrips Vancouver Daily On-Site Hospitality Center including Complimentary Beverages, Snacks, and Event Viewing Lounge (open between 8am and 7pm daily)
• Access to the Roadtrips Whistler Daily Hospitality Center at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler with Beverages, Snacks, and Event Viewing Lounge (open between 9am and 5pm daily)
• Expert Travel & Concierge Services of the R

But donch forget to check out the B&Bs or condo renting during sold out time.. if you didn’t plan ahead.  No worries.. about accommodation.. if you are ok.. with the not so traditional kind.

In December, New York’s Plaza Hotel temporarily closed its underperforming Palm Court restaurant. In this recession, some luxury hotels are slashing room rates and reducing services in ways that could ultimately affect the quality of your “luxury stay.”

Travel is down all over and in prices categories, of course. But luxury travel has tumbled off the proverbial cliff, and that means airlines and hotels will make fundamental changes in how they price and how they operate.  According to IATA, the airline trade group, year-over-year premium-class traffic fell a modest 1.5 percent in August, then began to plummet: down 8 percent in September, 6.9 percent in October, and 11.5 percent in November. “The low point…has not been reached,” IATA economists warned.

When ppl hear the word hostel .. they kinda think that they are only for back-packers .. meaning.. not good quality accommodation. Just the basic is what is to be expected.. but little did i know.. that Hostel Inn In Puerto Iguazu would take my breath away. Lined along the swimming pool were tall palm trees .. and a very well maintained pool – it was a packed place alright.  But everyone that was at the pool looked so relaxed.. and had a drink with them.. lounging.. enjoying the sun.. and breeze.

This was taken at nite .. by the pool.

I knew we came to the right place.. after seeing the pool.. the interior of the hostel was quite nice too.  Marbled floors and air conditioned lobby with friendly front desk staff.  Check in was efficient.. and nothing like some of the hostel i stayed in .. when i was in Europe.  The front desk receptionist gave us some info about breakfast.. and some places of interest.. and how to get to the Falls the next day as well.. without us asking for that info.  Really nice.

The rooms were spacious.. and clean and if you are like me who needs to be on the internet .. at least a few times a day.. you will be glad to know that they have free wi-fi here.  I had good connection even from my room.. it was awesome..!

This was where we got our breakfast, a kind of dining area almost like a canteen.  One can get your ice creams, cold drinks, snacks and even wine by the bottle. Leather sofas for sitting and some pool tables and internet access here.  Next the Iguazu Falls.

Marina Mandarin Hotel is not as old as her parent hotel – the Mandarin Hotel at Orchard Road but it is neither new too, I think it had to be up and running for a good 20 yrs now.  But a 5 star hotel it is .. that’s for sure.. but the Marina Mandarin is definitely a modern version of the Mandarin Hotel.  Owned by bankers if i am not wrong.. I think Alfred Lien is still at the helm.  And if you know Mr Lien .. not the older one.. but the younger Lien, you would come to like him a lot too.

Of course, not all the rooms looked like that.. this is the bridal suite.. but the Marina Mandarin had gone thru’ several renovations.. and had kept this property up to date, even the bathrooms are equipped with  Hansgrohe shower faucets, if i am not wrong.

Although claimed to be in the heart of the city, I beg to differ .. because if you are not driving .. it can be quite a walk.. and if you are it is quite a roundabout turn to get to the hotel.  But there are buses and the train to get you to Marina Mandarin.. but if you were a tourist .. you kinda have to depend on taxis.. and taxis although compared to other countries.. Singapore taxi or cab services are pretty reasonable.. but one cannot say it is cheap either.

Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore is a 5 star luxury hotel and is the only member of The Leading Hotels of the World® in Singapore. It does have a breathtaking view of the Marina Bay and near to the financial district and if i am not wrong, they own the Marina Square shopping mall that one can access to directly from the hotel.  21 level with more than 500 rooms to house your whole company’s function or conference, I think they do tour groups as well.

Amazing architectural inside of the hotel which always leaves me in awe whenever i am visiting the lounge or staying for the weekend during business trips.  The atrium lounge always had someone playing the piano.. where one can sit and relax after a long day of business meeting and savor some wonderful pastries and mini sandwiches.   They also have a chinese restaurant called Peach Blossom that serves dim sum and cantonese fare.  I especially like the concierge service .. although i have to let you all know that locals are not served the same as the expats. Be prepared to pay as much as $200 for a standard size room.  Yes, they have business centers and the works.. and although i also enjoy the italian restaurant .. i have to say.. i’ve tasted better elsewhere and less expensive.

The Brown’s Hotel in London was one of the very first that I had stayed in many years ago. But at that time it was under another management . .another owner. It is a very charming and intimate hotel and as one can expect . .it is very English like in decor and everything else. The Brown’s Hotel shouts respect .. and distinguished.

Located in Mayfiar on Albermarle Street, The Brown’s Hotel is actually one of the most historic hotels as it was the first hotel to be opened in London in 1837. Within a short walk from Bond Street where you can get all your exclusive handbags and shoes and clothings.

They had 29 luxurious suites and more standard rooms in Brown’s and I was privileged to have stayed in one. Each suite i learned later .. that they were individually designed with a sophistication that has become the trademark of The Rocco Forte Collection. Of course, the service staff goes about their work quietly and never disturbing your peace. The people in the hotel were friendly.. but not over hospitable I have to say. They do keep a distance.. and talk when spoken to.

Even if you didn’t get a chance to stay at the Brown’s Hotel, one must try going to the famous English Tea Room. Relax to the sounds from the Baby Grand Piano and indulge in Brown’s award-winning Traditional Afternoon Tea which consists of a choice of 17 teas, including Brown’s own blend, along with succulent finger sandwiches, an assortment of delicate pastries, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, as well as a choice of freshly baked cakes from the trolley.