Indonesia hotel guide : Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya
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Category Archives: Hotels
Thailand hotel guide : Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Sukhothai, Chiang Saen
I only review a small selection of hotels I recently stayed at. Keep looking for updates. I will update this list several times per year. Last update : July 2011
Bangkok :
1. ST. REGIS HOTEL, 159 Rajadamri Road
Feel like Batman in Bangkok inside this glasshouse designed hotel with top-notch butler service and panoramic views over the royal sports club.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Z8r21odc8
2. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, 155 Rajadamri Road
Excellent inner city location, great service and staff, beautiful designed rooms and charming, modern traditional Thai atmosphere. The vibrant lobby is the most exciting in town.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0exFevcj18c
3. PENINSULA, 333 Charoennakorn Road, Riverside
Best luxury hotel at the riverside. Their staff is super-friendly and nerdy. The hotel is very peaceful, the spa is outstanding, the restaurant Thiptara is excellent and the pool is stylish too. Places like this one are truely special.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhVIYBcdibg
4. to follow
5. SUKHOTHAI, 13/3 South Sathorn Road
Very beautiful designed resort in the embassy area, South Sathorn road. Place is famous for its Sunday brunch and their spa is a superb one too. They have a very fine society of guests. The location could be problem though because it is very isolated but safe on the other hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8jlPNDc9iI
6. to follow
7. to follow
8. GRAND HYATT, 494 Ratchadamri road
Excellent hotel at the Ratchaprasong intersection next to the Erawan shrine. Rooms, pool, spa, service are among the best in the city. The hotel is best known for its bar Spasso in the basement. Their restaurant Tables is great as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDhGl0gdn8A
9. DUSIT THANI, 946 Rama IV Road
Thailand’s very own heaven on earth. They offer some fine traditional Lanna Thai style rooms for a competitive price, the service is good and their Devarana spa and French restuarant D’sens are famous for good reason. The location is ok just opposite to the Lumpini park main entrance and near Silom station.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjs4vxAIPnI
10. SHANGRI-LA, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, Riverside
Best price/value hotel at the riverside. The whole complex became really huge, the new Krung Thep wing is spectacular and offers beautiful rooms with amazing views. Staff is friendly, spa and swimming pool are excellent too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA1ldXQGb2w
11. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, 48 Oriental Avenue, Riverside
Probably the most famous hotel of Bangkok. I tried to figure out what makes this place so special : It’s the prestige, not the service, rooms, restaurants or other facilities. Everyone I met from the hotel was friendly and the room was good too. The type of people I met at the swimming pool were not my cup of tea. I just don’t feel well there, it is a shame how a place with such history went downwards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPG90NBfAsU
12. to follow
13. SOMERSET, 115 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor)
Good serviced apartment on Thonglor. Pan Pecific is a good place too next to it. It is nothing decadent but they have everything what most more economic orientated travellers look for. It especially looks good for mid-term staying guests, longer than a month but shorter than a year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Ge2mjI2yE
14. HANSAR HOTEL, Soi Mahadlek Luang 2, off from Rajadamri road
Good boutique hotel in the posh Rajadamri area. Their studios have a good price/value relation but they are dealing with a few issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4gKvcMYU94
15. SASCHA HOTEL UNO, Sukhumvit Soi 19
In my eyes currently the best budget boutique hotel you can possibly find in the Sukhumvit area. Bed and shower are great for the prize category. Rooms are modern and clean, staff is friendly and the location is really good too. A 7-eleven is right next to it. Rooms start from THB 1800.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPc2Vudyr0
16. ASCOTT, 187 South Sathorn Road
Those serviced apartments are ideal for people who are more focused on the Sathorn area. The interior of the apartment is nice, the rooms are huge, the bathroom is excellent. However the location is simply a problem if you plan to be more active outside the Sathorn area.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuX4LU56d1w
17. JW MARRIOTT, Sukhumvit Soi 2
This hotel is next to Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP). If your room is on the “right†side of the hotel, you can look down on Nana plaza and the infamous Nana parking lot / Nana hotel. The hotel has no special appeal to me, but they got two fine japanese restaurants in the basement which often let me return.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7l0jYnAhxw
18. GRAND MAJESTIC HOTEL, Sukhumvit Soi 2
This hotel is extremely popular among sex tourists. It is located very close to Nana Plaza, Soi 4. The price/value is excellent, staff is friendly and the rooms are fine. My overall experience was very good.
19. PRESIDENT SOLITAIRE, Sukhumvit Soi 11
The location Sukhumvit Soi 11 is good, pretty close to all kinds of action on Sukhumvit. Bed Supperclub and St. Moritz are close too. The Ananda Spa next to it is part of the hotel. A lot of European tourists stay in general in hotels on Sukhumvit Soi 11.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDtykdmSzqI
20. DREAM HOTEL, Sukhumvit Soi 15
A stylish hotel. I liked the hotel in earlier days more, now the rooms appear too dark for my taste and the interior looks a bit like Ikea items. It’s a great hotel for younger people and when getting drunk, the blue light bulbs can create an interesting mood. The price/value relation is fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4nNkTEjs00
21. MAC BOUTIQUE SUITES, Sukhumvit Soi 7
Very good price/value deal. If you want to save money, live comfortable and want to be located in the centre of naughty BKK life, this hotel is a good option.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCNOlAgYXGw
22. MADUZI HOTEL, Asoke station
One of the most secluded and safest inner city boutique hotels in Bangkok. Gates are always closed, guests by invitation only. Interior is spectacular, very lovely items which look expensive. Therapeutic bed/matrace, Bose sound system, interesting paintings. Expensive hotel and taxi drivers always have difficulties finding and entering it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guQ3xaZx9Vo
23. ROYAL PRESIDENT APARTMENTS, Sukhumvit Soi 15
This serviced apartment place is behind the Dream hotel. The rooms have a large kitchen and living room. There is a little shop next to it where you can buy the things for the refrigerator. Disadvantage is that it looks older and the interior is a bit worn out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REHLXQXUxOU
24. CITI CHIC BOUTIQUE SUITES, Sukhumvit Soi 13
Good price/value hotel. They are dealing with a few problems like noises and water temperature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5vMbTH7NMs
Pattaya :
1. to follow
2. to follow
3. DUSIT THANI, 240/2 Pattaya Beach road
Hotel is located at the nothern end of Pattaya beach. It is not looking fresh anymore but they have very good price/value rooms and 2 cool pools. Service is good too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uax518e-SWU
4. DUSIT D2, Second Road
The design, materials, swimming pool, restaurant, spa and whole standard, especially the D’ king suite, completely knock out Bangkok’s Dream Hotel suite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV1ciGhr3Gk
5. PATTAYA BAY RESORT, Second Road, Soi 15, behind shopping mall The Avenue
Excellent price/value relation, friendly staff, nice equipped rooms. They offer a free shuttle service to Walking Street. You can get rooms at THB 1000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ItSRmpUMk
6. MARRIOTT, 218 M. 10 Beach Road
The best thing about the Marriott is its ideal location next to Walking Street and shopping malls. The rooms are rather small and older looking. It is quite expensive when you compare that with other places which don’t look worse. Staff was a bit unfriendly, maybe I simply didn’t had luck there.
7. GALAXY SUITES, Soi Diamond
The low price is mainly the only good thing about it. Rooms are small, the doors and walls very thin and the safe very tiny. It is on Soi Diamond, over Heaven above agogo. At least the gogo is a good one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkrZdtU9NA
Koh Samui :
1. FOUR SEASONS, 219 Moo 5, Angthong
Good place to stay on Koh Samui but secluded and far away from all sorts of other activities on Koh Samui.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqVY-zhL_gE
2. CHAWENG REGENT, Chaweng beach
Well located hotel at Chaweng where most of the action is happening. The hotel is ok and staff is friendly too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtcRYGtEK-s
3. CENTRAL SAMUI VILLAGE, Butterfly Gardens
The location is very isolated. I made a big mistake staying there. Their partner hotel at Chaweng beach is good, but the one at the Butterfly garden is simply too far away if you plan to go to the busier beach areas like Chaweng and Lamai beach. The little villas at Samui village were still fine though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeAhfWWJoHo
Chiang Mai :
1. DHARA DEVI (MANDARIN ORIENTAL), 5km outside the city
Ever wanted to feel like a real king ? At this Lanna fortress you get your chances. The Dhara Devi got Chiang Mai’s most spectacular swimming pool overlooking a rice paddy. All types of villas are beautiful. It is the world’s best place to relax in my eyes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuFeomyiU5s
2. FOUR SEASONS, Mae Rim, 30min outside the city
The “natural” resort a bit further outside the city close to Maesa elephant camp. The staff is incredible friendly and the villas are excellent. They have the best hotel spa of Chiang Mai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giv0x35IWd8
3. CHEDI HOTEL, 123 Charoen Prathet Road
This hotel belongs to the GHM group who are known for their extravagant designs. The Chedi lies at the river Ping at an ideal location to go out to the city centre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOtZtFDrMdM
4. SHANGRI-LA, 89/8 Chang Klan road
5. VIANGBUA MANSION, 3/1 Viangbua Rd., Chang Puek
If you like a good price/value apartment, this is a recommendable place. However the location is not so close to the city centre. You can get rooms for THB 1000.
Phuket :
1. to follow
2. CLUB BAMBOO, 247 Nanai Road, Patong Beach
This small boutique resort lies on the hill close to Patong beach. It is nothing special but offers a good price/value deal. It was the first place I ever stayed at in Thailand.
Hua Hin :
1. AKA RESORT, Moo 7, Baan Nhang Hiang, Hin Lek Fai
The villas are really nice, quiet and perfect for a few relaxing days. The outdoor spa is a good one too. More than 50% of the guests are German. Hua Hin is full of Germans in general, but for me the place is worth at best a 3-day-long weekend visit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYiFTxM6OiE
Koh Chang :
1. BARALI RESORT, Klong Prao Beach
For me personally, Barali and the Deva are the most lovely located resorts on this island. Klong Prao and White Sand beach are sweet. Koh Chang is more quiet than Samui in general. The island has no airport, you have to fly over Trat and then take the ferry which makes it more stressful than hitting Samui. The villas at the resort are fine but not that new anymore, staff is friendly and price level reasonable. The design of the whole complex is beautiful. The DEWA is excellent too and their only real competitor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBlj_bT_494
Sukhothai :
1. SUKHOTHAI HERITAGE RESORT, directly next to the airport
Simple, natural colored designed hotel directly next to the airport. The resort like the hotel too is owned by the Bangkok Airways owner. You can take a bicycle to explore the nice garden areas around. Very peaceful place but there really is not anything to do except seeing the 2 heritage parks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ErI9KQmk7k
Chiang Saen :
1. FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMPS, GOLDEN TRIANGLE
to follow
Philippines hotel guide : Manila, Angeles City, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol
Here I shortly review a few of the hotels I recently stayed at.
These are mostly high-end, luxury hotels. You will be able to stay in that area for a tiny fraction of those price levels if you like to.
Manila :
1. PENINSULA HOTEL, corner of Ayala and Makati avenue
Best hotel of the Philippines together with the Shangri-la Boracay. Compared with the Peninsula in Bangkok they are still world’s away. Nevertheless the staff is friendly and helpful. The location is perfect and the S-class Mercedes is in-house and not outsourced like at Shangri-la.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRyROciZ-ug
2. MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Ayala Avenue Corner Makati Avenue, Makati City
Optimal location, easy access to Glorietta mall and Greenbelt. Makati is the business district and the wealthiest area of the Philippines. The price level here is high compared to the other parts of Manila. Interior of the room and the service is good. The place and the their bar Conways is very popular among expats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiwGPUKb8
3. MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, Makati Avenue
I could not find a special character within the hotel. As I didn’t stay there, I am cautious with a final judgement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp0KVQ7xC1Q
4. EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Ortigas Center
Also a good Shangri-la, a lot cheaper in price. I prefer to stay in Makati City I have to admit. The interior also looks a bit older here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW12xyI4F8A
Angeles City :
I highly recommend this hotel, excellent price/value deal. The design is simple and pure, the staff is mostly helpful and professional. The pool is a good one as well. They created the whole place very green with palm trees and the whole dirt/waste around in AC is not visible from the hotel. Their new hotel ,”The Penthouse”, shall open in the 2nd quarter of 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LxuzEotMv0
2. ANGELES BEACH CLUB (ABC) HOTEL
Quite luxurious and an expensive hotel for AC. I was very satisfied with my stay there. They are the first hotel in the Philippines to offer helicopter transports and trips. Owner Gerard is known for his innovative events. He also recently opened the new “Fields Plaza Suites” at the one end of Fields Avenue, next to McDonald’s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-064ayMtZoU
3. WILD ORCHID
The Wild Orchid is a pretty happening hotel because of its moderate price levels and their largest pool area of AC. Everything there is pretty much ok and their location is very close to Fields Avenue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsiep65crAo
Excellent price/value hotel with an ideal location close to the middle of Fields Avenue. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Water pressure and cleanliness of the water is a general problem in AC. I consider this hotel to be the best price/value choice of whole AC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zktu67tyQ
Boracay :
1. SHANGRI-LA, north-west end
THE most beautiful beach resort I ever saw in my entire life. This resort is like a dream come true. I was wondering how it is possible to charge almost double the price for a hotel than the second most exclusive place on Boracay but when I checked out the entire complex, I realized what degree of luxury they have created there. It is the most beautiful beach resort that currently exists on this planet in my eyes, the problem is that I am actually not a beach person. You can stay at more expensive places on the Maledives or on Hawaii but you won’t be getting THAT class. It probably even beats the Amanpulo close to Palawan Islands because it is brand-new. Staff is fantastic. The CHI spa is very remarkable as well. Lots of guests from China are there. The only Filipino people who can afford it are somehow connected with the government (hello corruption…).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_rC4rMUjy4
Very central located hotel, it also has the broadest beachfront of all hotels. Rooms are ok for this standard. Location is important on Boracay as walking along the whole beach can take you a long time and especially in the evening this is not fun. It really depends on what you look for. If you want it more isolated and luxurious, stay at the new Shangri-la in the north.
There are of course dozens of other good places to stay and a lot are only 1/3 of the Regency price. Boracay is a pretty established place already and price levels on this island are much higher than on other islands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B2jYjLh66w
Cebu :
1. SHANGRI-LA MACTAN RESORT, Mactan Island
Best place to stay in Cebu. It takes you about 30min to get into the city centre. Place is full with Korean family tourists. They have a small beach there too but it isn’t great. I wonder if I would stay there again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-X0BzDcvIo
Bohol :
1. ESKAYA BEACH RESORT, Panglao
Maybe the most expensive place to stay on Bohol. The design is lovely and the staff will try their best to make you happy although they need training. The beach next to it is not a good one, no comparison with Alona beach. The pool villas are really good and offer you a great view. I would say that it is overprized for what gets offered.