SERVICED APARTMENT

A serviced apartment is different from your average hotel room. It’s usually fully furnished accommodation,complete with home-like facilities and a number of services that you would find in the best hotels. In a serviced apartment you have access to the complete package including a bedroom (or multiple bedrooms depending on the apartment’s size), fully equipped kitchen, living area, bathroom, parking, WiFi and internet access, TV, washing machine, linen and towels also come as a standard. Housekeeping, room service and a restaurant are usually available too. Access to a gym, swimming pool and meeting rooms are also available at selected locations.

I stayed at the Ascott Jakarta on this trip. Ascott Limited is a Singaporean based lodging company with a strong footprint in Asia. Ascott has more than 700 properties in over 200 cities spanning more than 40 countries around the world.

The Ascott Jakarta Kuningan serviced apartments are connected to the Lotte Shopping Avenue which makes it easy for a quick trip to the supermarket, restaurants, barber shop etc. Everything is kept clean and housekeeping service was efficient and reliable. There is a 24-hour reception desk and guests can easily stay in touch with guest services through a WhatsApp line which enables easy contact regardless of whether the guest is in-house, or at an outside location.

The restaurant offered and indoor and outdoor section and breakfast was offered daily. The price of US $ 10 for breakfast was very moderate and even included an egg station.  (Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner)

I also enjoyed the pool and the gym.

My stay at the Ascott Jakarta was an uncomplicated and easy one. Everybody seemed to be relaxed and a little less stiff than at some hotels. I enjoyed  my stay very much.

https://www.discoverasr.com/en/ascott-the-residence/indonesia/ascott-kuningan-jakarta

The name ‘Kirimaya’ means ‘illusion of mountain’ which suitably describes the refreshing character of the property. To stay at Kirimaya is to embark on a memorable journey into the local culture for a total destination experience. Whatever your personal interests are, Kirimaya gives you the lifestyle experiences you naturally prefer. Watch wildlife up close, traverse nature trails, or relish the challenge of the golf course, Khao Yai and Khao Yai National Park or discover a vineyard tour among many options. Enhance wellness at the Maya Spa, or simply lay out by the pool. 

Check-in was done quickly and the room was ready and offered everything that can be expected from a modern resort. Focus is set on sustainability which is clearly a plus point for this resort and desperately need to be practiced more often in Thailand.

I would also like to highlight the quality of food. Every meal from breakfast to lunch, dinner, or room service was tasty and of good quality. 

Breakfast was served at the newer sister hotel Atta Lake Side resort and offered plenty of choices and a perfect view.

The team members of the resort I met were all friendly and helpful and the response to a little glitch was solved promptly and professionally. 

Kirimaya is designed to give peace of mind lost within busy lives, perfect place to relax and indulgence.

A beautiful place to stay in Khao Yai and I am happy to recommend this resort, or its Muthi Maya sister resort which offers private pool villas for more privacy and exclusivity. 

Kirimaya

Directly opposite check-in 1 is the Capsule Hotel Alpine Garden with 144 capsules in 8 bedrooms, separate bathrooms, a small spa area with 2 hot tubs and a café area for breakfast, drinks and snacks or just to relax.

This airport hotel is ideal for late arriving tourists and business people, holiday travellers who have no connection to the airport in the morning, stand-by crews, delayed transfer passengers and so on. For these guests there are currently only very expensive overnight accommodation close to the airport. An urban budget solution with a cool vibe is completely missing. 
Concept: The Capsule Hotel at Zurich Airport is built around the influencer and nature photographer Fabio Zingg. He has a billiant eye when it comes to showing the “hidden treasures” of the Alps. This creates an experience in an Alpine Garden Industrial Design Style. Integrated into this hotel, gastronomy, co-working and meeting rooms meet each other where guests can inspire themselves, exchange ideas together and relax.

The new Capsule Hotel is built in a space of 1000m2 in a very central location and comprises 144 sleeping capsules. The Swiss Capsule™, meet the highest standards. Individually air-conditioned, they ensure that the air is not mixed. The sleeping capsules are individually lockable and soundproofed, so that guests can enjoy the greatest possible privacy in the smallest of spaces.

Integrated into the hotel, a meeting zone is created for hotel guests and other guests. Fine delicacies, good coffee and local beers invite you to linger at a spacious bar. The concept is rounded off by individually designed workstations, creative and affordable meeting rooms and a souvenir shop with special products.

The Hyatt Regency Resort in Hua Hin is divided into the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the Regency Club and The Barai Suites and Spa. It is located a short distance south of Hua Hin city centre, along the beach. Following a recent renovation, the rooms are smart, simple, and feature everything a modern hotel room needs. Large balconies with laguna views, garden views, and sea views are available. 

I checked into the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin on a busy day when the hotel ran a full occupancy. Nevertheless, I was greeted cordially and the check-in process was smooth and efficient. By the time the check-in agent escorted me to my room my bags had already been delivered and a fresh fruit platter was ready. The hotel has a strong sustainability commitment such as putting glass bottles for drinking water in the rooms, serving food from local food sources, and participation in a cleaner beach program.

The large interconnecting free-form pool divides in a laguna river style area with a waterfall, (Garden rooms with direct pool access are located in that area) a hot tub, and a twenty two-metre-long and a seven-metre-high water slide which is fun for kids and adults alike.

The hotel offers various food outlets including You and Mee pool restaurant, Figs Restaurant, McFarland House at the Barai, and The Regency Club lounge where breakfast, snacks and drinks as well as a happy-hour including a pre-dinner buffet is offered daily. I must say that every single meal tasted delicious and the quality of the items was very high. I was told by an attentive team member that there is even a hygiene manager on duty.

The Barai Spa is beautiful and equally impressive. It is designed like a Moroccan Kasbah and I enjoyed a blissful and very relaxing oil massage there. A large choice of treatments and a steam-room are available.

The beautiful lush garden together with the luxury rooms and the fantastic staff members who are eager and happy to help, have a little chat, and always care about their guests well-being makes the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin a wonderful place to stay for a weekend break from Bangkok; or a full holiday destination to relax, enjoy and be spoiled.

I had a fantastic stay and can only praise all the team members and the hotel management who make this resort a wonderful place to visit.

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The Regency Club:

The Barai Spa:

Beach and Recreation:

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thailand/hyatt-regency-hua-hin/huahi

I visited the Dor-Shada Resort by the Sea in April, during Thailand’s hot-season, and discovered its natural beauty being located next to Jomtien’s beautiful white sand beach. This resort offers the perfect place to find tranquillity and relaxation yet it is just a short distance from the heart of vibrant Pattaya. 

The stylish resort has been designed to reflect the very finest contemporary Thai architecture and benefits from the stunning sea views. Dor-Shada Resort by the Sea has 172 rooms and 16 villas. Facilities include 2 swimming pools, pool bars, jacuzzi, fitness centre and a spa. The chic design of the rooms skilfully draws on traditional elements of Thailand’s arts, presenting guests with a striking reinterpretation that meets the demands of today’s lifestyle. 

The airy rooms provide a generous amount of living space for guests to relax and feel at home. The suites and villas dark wood furnishing and intriguing Asian design accents compliment the superbly appointed bathrooms and  luxury bed linens. The resort is set at the heart of a lush tropical garden. The expansive grounds, security, outstanding facilities, caring staff and close proximity to clean and safe private beach make this the ideal family resort. 

A major feature of the resort is a fabulous swimming pool overlooking the magnificent Jomtien Beach and the turquoise ocean. Guests can have a refreshing swim, lounge by the pool, or simply enjoy an exotic drink at the pool or beach bar while children have fun at the Kid’s Playground. Other options for rest and relaxation include the luxurious oriental-style Spa with its extensive menu of treatments and massages. The resort has its own 6 hole golf course and can be used by the guests and is absolutely free.

During my visit the hotel had low occupancy and the prices were very competitive. The website looks a bit old fashioned but the staff were helpful and friendly. 

https://www.dor-shadaresort.com

Offering a pristine and private beachfront area along Na Jomtien Beach, Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien Pattaya hotel features a large lagoon swimming pool and panoramic sea views from all rooms. Various facilities are available at this 5-star property, as well as free WiFi access in public areas.

A short walk from Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien Pattaya hotel is a 15 km drive from Pattaya, where guests can find lively nightlife, shopping and a wide variety of restaurants. The Siam Country Club is a 15 minute drive away. Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport can be reached within a 2 hour drive.

Spacious rooms and suites at this hotel are equipped with air-conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV and a mini-bar. All rooms have sea views overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, an indoor seating area and a furnished balcony. Private bathrooms have a shower, bathtub and free toiletries.

Guests looking to relax can enjoy a pampering treatment at the spa. (A COVID ATK test is necessary before treatments). The 24-hour front desk can assist with guests’ needs and the concierge can help arrange transportation. Free parking is available.

Both Thai and international dishes are available at the on-site dining options. Drinks can be ordered at the lobby lounge or by the pool. The hotel also offers a daily free “chocolate-hour” in the lobby and its own steak-house which is excellent. The breakfast buffet choices are plentiful and despite a full restaurant it was a pleasant experience. Food was fresh and delicious. Check-in was a breeze and all the staff that I met were friendly and efficient. Hotel was nearly full but everything was well organised. 

I recommend this hotel very much for people who are seeking a nice beach trip not too far away from Bangkok and who appreciate good food.