Hotels

Roughly 4 years after they demolished the old Pan Pacific Orchard, the same property undergoes a new lease of life with a striking new building taking its place. The new structure, which was designed by renowned architecture firm WOHA, features a vertical setup with lush, tropical elements throughout. From afar, the building looks like jenga blocks assembled on top of each other.

pan pacific orchard facade

Even though the current version of the Pan Pacific Orchard is spanking new, this is a property that I have fond memories of. I remember doing staycations in the previous incarnation of the property. I remember how great the service was and the nice room upgrades they gave to GHA Discovery members. I also remember going for dinners at the previous all-day dining restaurant called 10 on Claymore and rushing out to grab takeaways at the Thai eatery in nearby Orchard Towers for supper. Pan Pacific Orchard counts the likes of voco Orchard, Four Seasons Singapore, Yotel Singapore Orchard Road and Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza as its neighbors. 

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Kuching, otherwise known as the “Cat City,” is one of the main gateways to the island of Borneo. In recent years, the city of Kuching has also slowly emerged as a destination in its own right with its culinary offerings and unique colonial heritage placed in the spotlight. 

Those visiting Kuching will be pleased to note that lodging options remain affordable. The hotel scene in Kuching is a mix of local boutique hotels, large independent all-inclusive digs as well as a few international chains. I have been to Kuching a number of times and always stay in a different hotel each time just to keep things interesting. 

Here are some of the more popular as well as best hotels in Kuching to check out for your next trip there:

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I have been to Hoi An in Central Vietnam countless times and one thing that always impresses me is the relative degree of comfort and quality my money can get me here. US$40 per night can easily get you a nice, modern looking hotel with welcome drink/fruit basket and breakfast while US$100 will already get you close to 5-star level of luxury. This is why I love coming back and each time I am here, I try a different place to stay.

In Hoi An, there are 3 general areas to stay. The most popular area is just outside the ancient city where plenty of boutique hotels are situated. The second general area is at the outskirts of the town where plenty of quality accommodations can be had for a cheaper price than those nearer to the ancient city. The third area is the most exclusive one – generally near the coast facing the South China Sea. Many luxury resorts with their own beachfront are located here. Hotels in this area are mostly low-rise and come with plenty of space to roam around. 

In this guide, I show a mixture of hotels from these 3 areas – ranging from cheap to midrange to luxurious ones that you can book for your next Hoi An trip.

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Shangri-la Singapore recently reconfigured some of its guestrooms in the Tower Wing to launch a new room category – the Horizon Club Business Room. These rooms take on the same slightly diagonal + alcove layout that typically distinguish rooms in the Tower Wing but with added furniture suitable for remote work thrown in. This is in contrast to the Valley Wing’s opulent style or the Garden Wing’s resort aesthetics. 

I recently stayed at the Shangri-la Singapore as a guest of the hotel to check out this room category. As someone who occasionally works on the go, I was curious to see how easy it was to work remotely from the hotel.

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With dozens of high-end resorts to choose from, deciding where to spend one’s holiday in Maldives may be a daunting task for some. After all, the decision process isn’t quite like that in other places. Proximity to train stations, dining and nightlife options or commercial districts simply do not apply here. When it comes to a Maldives resort, most guests will most probably be looking for things such as overwater villas, turquoise waters with plenty of marine life, great food, well-appointed lodgings, privacy and other aspects that give the feeling of an “escape” – criteria which are hard to quantify as practically all resorts in Maldives offer these.

In fact, these were the exact same thoughts in my mind which was why up until this recent trip, I had never visited Maldives before. Despite having reviewed over 100+ hotels around the world, including other high-end resorts, the thought of having to choose one to stay in Maldives did not seem so straightforward. 

A couple of weeks ago, I finally had the opportunity to visit Maldives. For my first visit, I was invited by Amilla Maldives – a locally-owned resort in Baa Atoll (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), to experience just what they had to offer.

Perhaps my visit to Amilla Maldives was timely because the resort has been getting some attention lately. Other than being just a run-of-the-mill luxury resort, the property also has a strong focus on sustainability. They take it very seriously – as I would later find out during my stay. Other than this, the resort is also known for its focus on wellness. The property is a member of SLH or Small Luxury Hotels in the World – a list of carefully curated boutique properties from around the globe. 

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I have been to Da Nang in Central Vietnam countless times and one thing that always impresses me is the relative quality and value-for-money of accommodation options there. US$40 per night can easily get you a nice, modern looking hotel with welcome drink/fruit basket and breakfast while US$100 will already get you close to 5-star level of luxury. This is why I love coming back and each time I am here, I try a different place to stay.

In Da Nang, there are 3 general areas to stay. The cheapest ones can be had within the inner city itself west of the Han River. The second general area is Phuoc My / My An where countless beachside hotels abound. These hotels generally come with great views of the sea with the hotels themselves separated from the beach by a road (or two). The third area is the most exclusive one – generally south of My Khe Beach. Many luxury resorts with their own beachfront are located here. Hotels in this area are mostly low-rise and come with plenty of space to roam around. 

In this guide, I show a mixture of hotels from these 3 areas – ranging from cheap to luxurious ones that you can book for your next Da Nang trip.

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Situated right smack in the CBD of Bangkok, The Sukhothai Bangkok seems like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the frenetic city with its long, leafy entryway and low-rise setup. This resort-like setting immediately sets it apart from its competitors (in which there are many) and is probably one reason why the property is still going strong despite turning 31 years old this year. 

sukhothai bangkok lobby

The hotel is popular among foreigners and locals alike. Bangkok residents come here for their famed chocolate buffet near the lobby and the occasional staycation. The palpable namesake inspiration – that of the Sukhothai ruins – is evident throughout the property including the pillared lobby and even in the choice of decor in all guestrooms. As such, The Sukhothai Bangkok attracts locals looking to connect with their ancient culture as well as foreigners looking for an exotic touch to their hotel stay.

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