hotel

BURI RASA VILLAGE SAMUI, KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

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I recently stayed at Buri Rasa Village Samui and was delighted by how beautifully it blends boutique charm with warm, attentive service. The hotel feels intimate and thoughtfully designed, making it a perfect escape for anyone seeking a relaxing retreat.

From the moment you arrive, there’s a welcoming ambiance that makes you feel at home. The team here are genuinely friendly and accommodating, going above and beyond to ensure your stay is pleasant.

The location offers pristine, sun-soaked shores ideal for long walks swimming or simply soaking up the scenery at the beautiful white beach.

The spacious garden bungalows accommodations are roomy and well-appointed, with plenty of space to unwind, plus a sense of tranquility that enhances the overall experience.

Overall a very good experience that left me relaxed, refreshed, and already planning my next visit.

My Tips for future guests:
Take some time to explore the garden paths; the greenery provides a peaceful backdrop for morning coffee or an evening stroll. (Massage also available)
Speak with the staff about local dining options and activities; their recommendations are reliable and add a personal touch to your stay.
If you’re looking for quiet, book a bungalow closer to the beach for an even more serene environment.

In short, the Buri Rasa Village Samui offers a small-scale, charming boutique experience with standout warmth from the staff, a gorgeous beach, and spacious, comfortable bungalow accommodations. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a relaxing, intimate getaway.

https://www.burirasa.com/samui/chaweng/

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT, VANCOUVER, CANADA

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During my recent stay at the Marriott Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown, I was pleasantly surprised by the charm and comfort of this older building. The hotel, while older, was well-maintained and had a cozy atmosphere. It is worth noting that there are only two elevators in use in the building, which could sometimes lead to longer waiting times depending on the hotel’s occupancy.

I stayed in a studio corner room, which was surprisingly spacious and well-appointed. The room had a fully equipped kitchen, making it convenient for guests who prefer to prepare their meals during their stay. The bed was comfortable, and the overall decor of the room was inviting.

One of the highlights of my stay was the breakfast offered at the hotel. The breakfast had a good variety of options and was a great way to start the day. The staff members were friendly and attentive, adding to the pleasant experience.

In conclusion, the Marriott Residence Inn Vancouver offers a comfortable stay in an older building with character. The fully equipped kitchen in the room and the breakfast provided are definite advantages for guests looking for a convenient and enjoyable stay.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrdr-residence-inn-vancouver-downtown/overview/

TORONTO MARRIOTT CITY CENTRE HOTEL, TORONTO, CANADA

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Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel offers a refreshingly new perspective for guests and sports fans alike. Situated inside Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, host a one-of-a-kind experience with event spaces and guest rooms that overlook the stadium. The hotels location in downtown Toronto ensures guests to be surrounded by the best that Toronto has to offer.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in Toronto. The hotel is situated uniquely within the Toronto Blue Jays Stadium and provided an exceptional experience, with rooms offering a direct view into the stadium. The restaurant and bar also offer excellent views of the stadium, adding to the excitement.

The rooms are spacious and comfortable, providing a relaxing environment. The bathrooms are sizeable and adequately equipped. Checking in and out with the Marriott Bonvoy app was a breeze, making the process quick, efficient, and hassle-free. My stay at the Marriott Downtown Hotel was truly memorable, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Toronto.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yyzcc-toronto-marriott-city-centre-hotel/overview/

ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, HONG KONG, CHINA

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I have stayed at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kowloon/Hong Kong a couple of times have always been impressed by its efficient service. 

The property is well located with easy access to shopping centres, restaurants, and the ocean front. The hotel’s atrium is beautiful and the glass elevators offers a splendid view. There is a wide choice of restaurants from an oversized Café to Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Vietnamese food. 

The rooms are spacious and well-maintained with comfortable beds. The property has a beautiful terrace pool offering great views of Hong Kong Harbour. The staff are friendly and helpful, always ensuring a comfortable stay. 

I like this hotel, particularly for the value for money and the convenient location. I had a good stay and would always consider this as one of my favourite options to stay in Hong Kong’s famous Kowloon area, known locally as Tsim Sha Tsui.

 

 

https://www.rghk.com.hk/en

THE PORTMAN RITZ-CARLTON, SHANGHAI, CHINA

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As a loyal Ritz-Carlton guest staying at the Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, China, I must say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked in and was greeted by the doorman, to the seamless check-in process in the club lounge, every detail was attended to with utmost care.

I had booked a club room and was delighted to find myself in a spacious and beautifully decorated room with a comfortable bed and a nice, well-appointed bathroom. The classic design of the room added a touch of elegance to my stay.

The hotel boasts a large international restaurant, a beautiful main lobby bar, a Chinese specialty restaurant, and a gym and small pool. While the gym was relatively simple, it served its purpose well. One of the highlights of my stay was the Ritz-Carlton club lounge. The lounge offered a variety of food offerings throughout the day, from breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea, happy hour, dinner buffet, and dessert. The attentive and friendly staff made sure that my experience at the lounge was nothing short of perfect. The staff members were not only attentive but also engaging with guests.

Overall, my stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai was truly delightful. The excellent services, beautiful rooms, and the unforgettable experience at the club lounge made my stay memorable. I am a big fan of the Ritz-Carlton and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and comfortable stay in Shanghai.

https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/sharz-the-portman-ritz-carlton-shanghai/overview/

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL, NEW DELHI AEROCITY, INDIA

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Delhi Aerocity is a business and commercial hub, featuring several high-end hotels, convention areas, offices, shops and much more. It is located near Indira Gandhi International Airport and is not far from India’s second largest information technology hub and the third largest banking and financial city in India.

JW Marriott Hotel:

The JW Marriott Hotel is a luxurious and stylish hotel which offers everything the modern traveller needs. The rooms are large with oversized showers and bathrooms. The rooms are modern and up to date with all new technology, power outlets and light switches conveniently located right next to the bed (both sides).

The hotel offers a swimming pool and a gym which is open 24 hours as in most Marriott properties. There is an outdoor courtyard to get some fresh air or have a quick drink or  a relaxing break.

The hotel’s restaurants are Adrift Maya, a Michelin Star Japanese restaurant, the JW lobby Lounge, the Delhi Baking Company Patisserie and the 24/7 famous K 3 Food Theatre. I had breakfast at the very busy morning buffet which was fantastic. There was a wide choice of Indian and Asian Dishes, as well as a wide choice of fresh egg dishes, cereals, bakery items, pastries and cakes. A big selection of fruits and fruit juices as well as other drinks were also available. The staff were helpful to provide an unlimited flow of Espresso coffee which I highly appreciated.

The staff were charming and friendly and always willing to help. I had a pleasant stay at this hotel and would not hesitate to come back any time. I loved this fine hotel.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/delap-jw-marriott-hotel-new-delhi-aerocity/overview/

PULLMAN AEROCITY HOTEL, DELHI-AIRPORT, INDIA

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Delhi Aerocity is a business and commercial hub, featuring several high-end hotels, convention areas, offices, shops and much more. It is located near Indira Gandhi International Airport and is not far from India’s second largest information technology hub and the third largest banking and financial city in India. 

The Pullman Aerocity Hotel is located inside the Aerocity complex and is located in the same building as its low budget sister hotel, Ibis New Delhi Aerocity. 

The hotel has a large lobby with a small bakery and coffee area and a small seating area. The front desk seems to be always very busy and ran out of cash on my arrival day which I found awkward as there are banks near the building and within walking distance. No ATM was available, so it was not possible to obtain cash for tips or other small expenses. I checked back a few hours later and it was still the same situation.

The room was spacious and modernly equipped. There was a shower and bathtub. The room offered all standard amenities plus a nice view overlooking the airport and the runway. I booked a room with Club Lounge access which was very convenient. A small breakfast was offered. However, I did not use it as they offered a large breakfast downstairs for a small charge which offered a wide choice of food and fresh juices and beverages such as green smoothies and more. The choice of bakery items was excellent.

The Club Lounge also offered coffee/tee and soft drinks all day long as well as a happy hour in the evening which featured a small snack/dinner buffet including desserts. The staff at the Lounge were most charming and helpful and always ready for a little chat or giving out information about Delhi and India in general. I requested the hotel staff to prepare my bill and check-out for the morning as I was leaving early.

Check-out in the morning was a somewhat lengthy procedure and took a very long time as there was no express check-out option available. I did not appreciate this. Accor also did not offer an in-App checkout option which surprised me as this should be a standard feature nowadays. My requested UBER arrived within minutes and transport to the airport took only a few minutes.

The Hotel

JW MARRIOTT MUMBAI SAHAR HOTEL, MUMBAI AIRPORT, INDIA

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The JW Marriott Hotel Sahar is located strategically at the ramp of the departure level at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, a 3 minute drive to/from the airport.

I checked in with the Marriott Bonvoy App choosing the keyless door option and got my check-in confirmation including room number right after I landed in India.

I quickly passed by the Bonvoy check-in area to make sure my bags would be delivered to the room after security screening. This was done very quickly and I proceeded to my room and the “keyless” door opening system worked fine.

The room was luxurious and spacious in a modern decor with all the necessary amenities a five star hotel can offer. There was an open bathroom with a separate standalone bathtub and an oversized shower with a rain shower providing a strong water pressure which is seldomly found in hotels nowadays. I was pleasantly surprised by that.

Housekeeping (including daily shoe shine service) provided an excellent service, always having staff to check back if any more drinking water, ice, or anything else would be needed.

The JW Marriott provides a swimming pool, a large gym and the hotel’s spa which is nearly open for 24 hours..  I tried it and was spoiled every time.

The hotel is posh and luxury property featuring a JW Café, Romano’s Italian Restaurant and a lobby bar including a chocolate shop. I had breakfast at the cafe several times and there were plenty of food choices available.  There were manned food stations offering eggs to order, paratha (Indian flatbread) rice pancakes and many other English and continental breakfast items. The bakery section also included the JW Marriott signature waffles (including ice cream).

Romano’s, the Italian speciality restaurant was one of the highlights of my stay. All food was delicious, in a chic ambiance and plenty of lovely desserts were available. I had a panna cotta with raspberry sauce and sorbet.

The service provided at this premises was excellent throughout and I felt well taken care of during my stay.

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bomsa-jw-marriott-mumbai-sahar/overview/

SRIWILAI RESORT AND SPA, SUKOTHAI, THAILAND

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The Sriwilai Sukhothai is located just 2 km from Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the city’s main attraction, and rather than taking a cab, you can also visit by bike, weather permitting. The hotel also offers free bicycle rental. A hotel-owned Tuk-Tuk shuttle is also available for free. 

Many other activities are available in the surrounding area and are posted near reception;. These activities include ceramic workshops, craft activities, and more.

We were well received at Sriwilai, with fresh towels and a welcome drink on our arrival. We were informed that we could take advantage of a 20-30% discount on spa treatments. There were also coupons for discounted drinks and meals at the hotel restaurants.

We booked a room with a balcony and a splendid view into the beautiful green, rural countryside. The room was spacious, decorated in a traditional Sukhothai style, inspired by the lifestyle of Thai farmers. The high ceiling and wooden furniture contributed to the room’s rustic, welcoming feel.

The room was well-equipped, with a flat-screen TV, mini-refrigerator, desk or dressing table, bathrobe, mosquito repellent and a flashlight – a thoughtful addition.

The generously sized bathroom had two sinks and a walk-in shower. 

A large infinity edge pool allows you to cool off on hot days and offered a beautiful view of the rice paddies. A gym or fitness room was not available. 

Umbrellas, sun loungers and towels were provided at the swimming pool and I took advantage of the opportunity to relax there after a long day of sightseeing. Since it’s adjacent to the restaurant, drinks and small food items could be ordered from there. 

I tried the spa twice and the massages were wonderful and affordable. 

Breakfast was fairly good with an egg-station, a small western section, as well as many Asian breakfast dishes. The resort charges extra for Espresso drinks which was fine by me. 

The hotel is built in perfect harmony with its surroundings, emphasizing nature, well-being and relaxation. You can feel the respect for nature and the intention to offer customers an authentic experience. I highly recommend it for a luxurious experience in nature at an affordable price.

Hotel Home

AXEL BEACH (HADDON HALL) HOTEL, MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA

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The Haddon Hall Hotel in South Beach was built in 1939 and achieved some notoriety over the years being part of several movies or TV series which were filmed there.

The hotel It has been recently taken over by AXEL Beach Hotels which operate a few hotels in Spain (see my review of Axel Hotel Madrid), Berlin and Cuba and mainly target a gay (hetero-friendly) clientele. The hotel has a prime location on Collins Avenue just a block away from the beach in the heart of South Beach (Art Deco district). Main attractions such as restaurants, shops, and night life are just a few steps away.

This 3 star hotel offers a hip decoration and spirit whilst maintaining its former bohemian spirit. There is a gym, a pool and a restaurant available (a decent free breakfast is served as well and a wide choice of extra items are available to order at separate cost)

The bar is very popular in the evening and attracts quite a party crowd. There is an also a small swim suit shop located in the lobby (open weekends).

I booked a room with a pool view but did not use the balcony much. The room offers a fridge, but has no coffee or hot water maker. The bathroom was generously sized and the water pressure was fine (usually the water pressure is very weak in most US hotels, so this was a pleasant surprise)

Front desk staff were friendly but not the most efficient. However, the staff at the restaurant were charming, helpful and always ready for a little chat.

I found this hotel to be a budget friendly option (considering the price of hotels in Miami and the US these days). Everybody was in a vacation and party mood and this made this hotel a happy place to be.

https://www.axelhotels.com/en/axelbeach-miami/hotel.html?origen=ppc&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIitGaprfuhgMVpxyDAx0aRQHcEAAYAiAAEgKoA_D_BwE