Somerset, Salcedo Makati - Philippines / Makati

Hotel: Somerset Serviced Apartments - Salcedo, Makati
Star: ?
Feels like: 3*

The Somerset range of Serviced Apartments. www.somerset.com
Not exactly a hotel, but comes with the features and functions totally like one.

Ideally located in the heart of Makati, the apartment - locally they call it "Apartel" for Apartment Hotel is located in between soaring skyscrapers. It takes me 5 mins to walk to office and 1 min to walk to a Japanese Resturant, 30 seconds to cross the road to 7 - 11 and another 1min to have a drink at Starbucks.

Pros:
Prime location in the CBD area where everything and everywhere you wanted to go is within walking distance. A reasonable sized-room with a decent washroom that is further seperated into the shower and W.C area.

Everything you need to stay for a couple of days was there. You have the iron, if you need to press your shirts, a mini stove to cook some stuffs - it is however, a service apartment, so that explains the full set of cooking utensils. People stay here for extended periods.

Lighting were easily controlled by the bed side and i love the digital controlled air con unit.

Did i say it's cheap too? USD 120/night with breakfast.
Hotel rates are going USD 180 - 200/night in that area!

Cons:
Sound insulation was bad, i can hear people talking outside the walkway, the lift and all loud noises.

Internet was free by cable, but you needed to get a new password from the counter everyday. Why? I don't know.
The wareobe also did not have internal lighting. It's not a must, but felt dim when you open it up with no lights. No bathroom slippers which made me feel that the washroom was "sticky" - must be some detergent they use that's cheap and made it sticky. Could have avoided it, if they gave me bathroom slippers.

Bed was way too hard for my comfort. But this is personal. If you like hard beddings. You would love this rock that i slept on.

Overall, i rate this apartel 6 out of 10.
I would love to try the hotels around the area during off peak seasons when the price is more reasonable.

Evergreen Laurel Hotel - Malaysia / Penang

Hotel: Evergreen Laurel Hotel - Penang
Star: 4*
Feels like: 3*

Along the street where the hotel stands, you will find unlimited food options. From the beautiful beach facing resturants to the regular hawker food.

All the rooms in this hotel in sea view.

I wake up in the morning, look out the window and because of the close proximity to the beach, i see nothing by clear blue "sky". Actually it was the sea. The clear blue sea, reflecting off the skyline.

Pros:
This is really a basic feature hotel. All required amendities are there, but nothing else. My guess is that it's a beach hotel. There's really no point having fancy stuffs. Either that or maybe i am staying in the most basic room and it's no frills.

However, the bed was really comfortable. I did not have time to try the breakfast though.
Morning appointment was too early and i have a late night. So no comments on food. But it did not look too fancy. Should be a basic american breakfast.

The hotel also give voucher for massage at a cheaper rate.
Foot massage for 1 hr is at a discounted MYR 20.00. Cheap!

Internet was speedy too. Which is neat.


Cons:
The carpet on the floor is pretty old. Greenish in color - maybe due to coporate colors.
TV also did not have much channels, there is no cartoon network, which happens to be my favourite channel when i travel.

Checking in was a breeze, however, checking out was very slow. Only had 2 ladies at the counter trying to clear people off and they have to call and check with room service if i took any chocolates from the mini bar! Aiyoh, trust me mah. Anyway, that made everything very slow.

Overall, i rate the hotel 7 out of 10.
Would love to stay in other hotels down the stretch next trip like G Hotel which looks really cool.

Grande Centrepoint - Bangkok (The Pictures)

I guess a picture says a thousand words.
Planning for our end of the year Thailand/Bangkok trip,

I gladly offered to take some photos of the hotel which i want my family to put up in for my sisters to see.

Grande Centrepoint

Here's a little bit on the room, sleeping area.

Nice and spacious, if you need to work on your computer, there's a neat space.

I personally love this day bed


Opens up to a full height glass view of buzzling Bangkok


Of course, on the desk, you can have fax service and unlimited wifi internet.
Very Fast too.

A nice warerobe, good space, and a digital safe (Those normal type)

Here's a look at the washroom, i love the bright spacious feel

If you like the tub... or if your kids like the tub...

Or you just want to have a quick shower.... they have it all and it's not cramped!

You get the standard amenities, nicely packed, ensured that it's clean.
The shower foam and shampoo by the way is from a famous spa! World renowned.
I always take it back with me after i check out.. cheapo.

Tefal Non-Stick glide iron

A look at the whole bedroom, with Thai painting nicely displayed.
Menu pillow so you get a good night sleep for sure.

Paid attention to details on floorings as well. No dirty carpets means it's good for family with children. Timber floor is highly maintained and polished. Make you feel good.

A little dining / kitchen area - family oriented

and if you need glasses....

Do you really need to wash your own clothes in a hotel?
The flask is from the Japanese "Elephant" Brand
They have a induced stove as well. Fisher & Paker fridge
(I don't know how to spell)

Wonder why they have this, but it's fully equipped!

Never missing

heat up your tom yum?

Share your tom yum?

I did not take pictures of the rest of the hotel to keep it a nice surprise! I love this hotel and i bet the rest of you will too. Ok sis, start saving the money and let's get ready to eat Tom Yum for 5days!

The Gardens Hotel & Residence, Mid Valley - Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur - Part 2

This is a second review that i am doing on this hotel.

This time round, i stayed in the Executive Deluxe.
(See Previous Review on Executive Deluxe/Premier King Here)

Hotel: The Gardens Hotel & Residences
Star: 5*
Feels Like: 4*

Wanting to know the real difference of the RM100.
I booked myself the Executive Deluxe room this trip.

The room size, obviously is different. However, you get to check in on Level 29 as well.
There, you get away from the hassle and have a juice while they check you in.

Thumbs up.

I get the same treatment as per previous trip. The same benefits as well.
3 pieces of laundry per day - delivered back to your room on the same day if you send it in before 9am in the morning. Unlimited broadband access via a cable and wifi around the hotel.

You also get cocktail sessions, cookies and free flow of soft drinks in the executive lounge anytime of the day. Exactly the same as the Executive Deluxe King.

So what is the real difference?
For me, it's the room size and bed.

The Executive Deluxe made full use of the space.
Wash room too had rain shower, a bath tub, a separate WC area. However, they cramped the ware robe into the washroom as well.

An advantage actually, but having stayed in the Executive Deluxe King, where they had a walkway into a changing room, this layout pales in comparison.

The bed.
Pillow menu available. But you can't choose the bed right....
It's those hard sturdy type. I'm a side sleeper and i wake up every morning with a very bad back ache. Can't complaint i guess. If i am a back sleeper, i would love the bed.

Subjective.

But for RM100 less.

The Executive Deluxe is the most sensible choice.
The Executive Deluxe/Premier King, maybe if i am on a holiday just to R&R and spend lotsa time in the room lazing around. Else, i would spend the RM100 over at MidValley instead!

Overall i still rate the hotel 8 of 10.
The 2 missing points to the lousy breakfast they serve

The Gardens Hotel & Residence, Mid Valley - Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur

Hotel: The Gardens Hotel & Residences
Star: 5*
Feels Like: 4*

Mid Valley, you get many things here. Cinema, Food, Shopping.
It's like a Mega Tampines Mall, if i try to put it simply.
I guess the location is great. You can stay in shelter and move from the hotel to the shopping mall all together.

This round, i am lucky enough to stay in their Executive Deluxe King. The top grade room.

Pro:
The size of the room is not huge, however, nicely spaced and clean cut.
For executive rooms, you get to do your check in on Level 29, escaping the reception on ground floor.
As this is my first stay in the hotel, i actually wanted to check in at ground floor and was literally queueing up due to the crowd. However, the bell boy was very attentive and picked up my name from my luggage tag and directed me to the top floor. Plus to him!

The washroom, comes with rain shower, which i love! Bathtub, Shower and the Toilet are all separated by glass. Which makes the washroom very pleasant to be in!

Toiletries are nicely placed and the wash basin are perfectly spaced to prevent splashing.
The hotel also offer laundry service of 3 pieces daily. Cool!
You get to choose if you wish to have breakfast in the executive area, however, that only limits yourself to American Breakfast or go ahead to the buffet breakfast where you get a spread.

The hotel uses pretty advanced system of wave card, so you do not need to slot in any card to get into the room, just wave the card and the door auto open. Quite impressive.

Oh yes, another great point it that, internet in the room is via cable. I prefer cable over wifi.
Personal preference.

Cons:
The executive breakfast served is very very limited. I settled for bread, butter, a piece of cake and 2 glasses of orange juice. Quite a waste for hotel breakfast i must say.
I had difficulty also trying to locate the safe box. I called the reception and i had to wait.
They lady did not know where it was too. Omg.


Overall i rate the hotel 8 of 10.
I would love to stay here again on my next trip.

Grand Kemang Hotel - Jakarta

Hotel: Grand Kemang Hotel, Jakarta
Star: 3*
Feels like: 3+*

Situated right beside the CBD area, Grand Kemang is a newly re-structured hotel, standing 4 stories high. This is a non-smoking hotel. So all rooms are fresh and nice.

I was supposed to stay in a Grand Deluxe. But i checked in very late that night and all rooms are taken up! So i was upgraded to a Junior Suite. Wow great!

Pros:
The hotel is a very ideal location for business travellers. Right smack beside the prime area, offices are easy to access (At least for the office i need to go). Why is that important? Because traffic in Jakarta is worst then that of Bangkok. It's not too much to say 30times worst!

You can find food, eateries from the familar KFC, Burger King to Sushi, Noodles what ever you can think of.

The Junior Suite is well spaced and comes with a pillow menu. In the room you will find a whole setup for dinning area. Something like what you see in Billy Bombers, table of 6. Yup you have one of those in the room. Beside that, you have a 5 seater L shape sofa with a designer lamp hanging right above it (but the bulb fused already.. duhz), a nice working desk, a Queen Size bed, the regular TV and lots of space. I guess suites are all about space. The items in it. Sometimes i don't even have a chance to use it. Why would anyone want to sit in that table of 6 billy bomber style dinning area when you can get out of the hotel and have proper food?

They do very carefully refresh your fruit basket everyday, sometimes there is even chocolates! My favourite white chocolate. And you get 8 bottles of mineral water free. Haha, if that is even a advantage.

High speed wireless internet is free for all rooms above deluxe.

Cons:
Other then just food joints, there is nothing near the hotel.
You get a Polo shop and a pub in the hotel lobby. That's it. There is no spa, no minimart, no nothing.

There is also no shopping centre to pass the night, no cinema, only cars and motor cycles.

The wash room, which is huge, however does not come with a standing shower.
I hate standing and showering in the bathtub. With that size of washroom. They can put a standing shower anywhere! But there is none.

The bathroom slippers, made with pvc, looks pretty classy. However, one pair had a cut, which makes me think its' worn by the previous customer. Minus points.

Overall, it's a nice business hotel. For leisure travellers, i suggest Hotel Nikko anytime.
For Grand Kemang. I will stay there again simply for it's location and also strongly because it sounds like a local hotel. I will never stand in JW Marriot, or for that matter any "branded" hotels in Jakarta! But the hotel is nice and clean - nothing short of a good night sleep.

I rate it 7 out of 10

Mercure Grand Mirama Hotel - Surabaya

Hotel: Mercure Grand Mirama Hotel
Star: 4*
Feels like: 3*

Surabaya - A city further away Jakarta, the 2nd largest city in Indonesia.
Weather here is extremely hot.
The Mercure hotel, a newly build hotel sit along a busy city side. There are no tall building around and the hotel stands 10 storey high.

Non-smoking rooms are from Level 4 - 6.

Pros:

The standard Accor group of hotels. Not the best in the range, but once you step into one of their hotel, it gives you a similar feel. This round i am in staying in one of their suite.
Cost = USD$130.

The room is neat, nicely spaced, there's a living space, a bed room area, dining and relatively large.
Before you even step into the room, they have switch the aircon on, turn both tv (yups, one tv in the living area and one in the bedroom area) on and was playing some nice music. There are DVDS for free viewing and the safe is one that you can swipe your credit card with to lock for extra security.

The suite is all located at the corner of the building, which i personally don't like.

Accor group of hotels are tied up with many cards, Krisflyer is one of them and you can earn miles for staying in this hotel.


Cons:

While all other servies are good, some interior finishings and details can be improved.

The hotel's bath robe seems very worn out. The material is the typical towel material. Sub standard for a hotel of it's class.

The "Do Not Disturb" sign is the regular hang outside the room type. For such a new hotel, i would expect a switch light instead.

This morning when the room service came to clean up the room, they removed on of the towel i used, but did not replace it. So i'm left with one hand towel instead now. I wonder why they did that.

The in-room internet is done via cable. Which i do not mind as long as it's fast.
But the point, is just beside the door! ........... So, i have to sit on the dining table beside the entrance door to work instead of the nice table in front.......... stupid.




There is no other shopping centre of any form of life at night.
There's KFC if you walk 10mins down the road, but i choose room service (remember i said the hot weather?). I would not recommend the hotel if you are here on a vacation. But for business trip, it works fine.

I rate it 5 out of 10 even in this suite.

The Empire Hotel - Brunei

Hotel: The Empire Hotel
Star: 5*
Feels like: 6*

If you always thought that Bali is the place to be for beach relaxation.
Let me change you mind.

The Empire Hotel, parked right by seaside promises, peace and total relaxation.
A private beach. Enter a lobby with 4 side full glass allowing maximum natural lighting.

Huge lobby floor, allowing you view 2 floors up, 2 floors down. The sheer amount of space they envelope you with will put you into a mind softening mood. I stepped in and felt like reading a book and have a cup of long black coffee.

I'm not kidding. The dome shaped ceiling echos the grand piano that is playing, instead of the regular piped in music. Nothing here is regular.

The hotel is a nominee for World Luxury Hotel.
Step in and never worry about having a room, that is not having a sea view.
Because all rooms are facing the sea!

The Empire does not give you a second choice, enter and be pampered.

There is even a president suite, with a swimming pool in the room on the top of the hotel.
Full glass, panaromic view of the whole area.

This hotel is my 1st choice for beach relaxation.
W Hotel - Walkerhill in Seoul, remains the best Classy hotel. Although i am not a Seoul lover at all.

All these enjoyments for less then S$300 a night! (Off peak).
Did i pay S$600 or S$800 for MGM-Macau?!

I am really in love with this place.

View out of the window. And i hate myself for taking such lousy picture.
It looked really, really, i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e.

This is the place to be.

The Rizquin International Hotel / Brunei

Brunei is a huge country, however very lightly populated. Very rich in oil though.
The country is dry, sun seems more brighter compared to Singapore.

Flying into Brunei, i sat next to a local whom ask where i was staying put.
I told him The Rizquin and he told me that's a great place to stay.
A 5* hotel, the top hang out place for youngsters during the weekend.

I felt pumped up and ready to check in.


Hotel: The Rizquin International Hotel
Star: 5
Feels like: 5


Pros:

There are no high buildings in Brunei.
The road signs are green with white letters, very much similar to that of Singapore.
Honestly everything look so Singapore.

The hotel thus stands grand and tall in city centre. Details to the hotel were elabroate.
Colored glass, high celings, european style lamps and the use of expensive hard flooring overwhelms you at the reception.

Just when i thought that was plush, i went into my room.
Seriously i stood there and wondered why they have to go to such great details? It's not easy to put into words the decorations.

All i can say is, it's grand. Gold and red carpets are everywhere. TV is huge, toilet is spacious.
They have nothing but space.

Nearby, just across the street you will find rows after rows of fine resturants (reasonable price too, due to the local market there). So there is never a worry that you will not like the food there. There's everything you can think of!


Cons:

The hotel is tied to a shopping mall.
Sort of a Mid Valley (KL) type of concept.

But, the shopping centre sucks. There's nothing there.
Really. Nothing.

I rate it 8 out of 10.
It's great. But there have to be a better shopping mall.

Empire Hotel - Brunei

If you think Bali is a great escape place.
Then please allow me to change your mindset.

Welcome to the Empire Hotel in Brunei. (Please check the website)
I would personally rate it the top hotel in my list for a relaxing get away break.
(1st for class goes to W Hotel - Walkerhill in Seoul)

Nominee for World Luxury Hotel 2009.
Need i say more?

The enviroment the hotel indulge you in is i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e!
Asiarooms rate it 5*.
Personally, i rate it 6*. If there is a 7*, i'll gladly say it's 7.

Located by the seaside, the hotel lobby at Level 1 allows a panaromic view of the whole area.
Full glass on all sides of the hotel allow maximum natural light. You are able to see 2 floors down, 2 floors up from the lobby floor.

Architecture of the hotel is amazing.
The grand piano playing echos in the dome shaped ceiling, instead of the standard piped in music.

All rooms faces the sea. Why worry if you will get a room that is not not sea view when you are in a hotel nominated for World Luxury Hotel?

The hotel boast of a luxury president suite. On the top floor of the building. Full glass.
A swimming pool in the room. Unlimited view, peace, relaxation.

All for under $S300 per night.
Like did i pay S$600 or S$800 for MGM ?!

And for that small fee. Here's what Bali cannot bring you.

The view outside. I am angry with myself, beacuse it is really more beautiful then this.

Concorde Hotel - Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur

2mins away from the train station, Concorde Hotel stands 10mins away from the twin tower (walking distance).

The view at night was awesome. Although i could not see if from my hotel room, but a short walk to 7-11 provided me the panaromic view.

The towers really look impressive, i must say it looked better than in the day.

Hotel: Concorde Hotel
Star: 4
Feels like: 4

Pros:

USD$130 per night for Room, Internet, Breakfast + All surcharges & Taxes.
There are 2 sections to the hotel, a standard tower and a premier tower.
Lucky me am staying in the premier wing.

If you stay over for 3 nights, you get a free one way airport transfer, so you choose either to arrive at the hotel in the limousine or to get back to the airport from the hotel.

I came in via their free transfer. Extremely good co-ordination. The limousine stopped in front of the lobby and a lady came over to welcome me, saying my name and bringing me into the lounge to do my check in. I was like "wow".

I sat down, pass her my passport and credit card and was offered a drink by lady no.2.
I asked for coke and came my coke with some cookies. Wow wow. Am i a "Sua Ku" or am i missing out in life?!

The lounge was meant for premier wing users. A little room, not that big, with a huge TV and a large fridge with canned drinks more then you every imagine.
It's all free.
Oh yes, cookies too. It's like a mini party.

The room was well partitioned. Quite big i must say and it comes with partitioning of the changing area and toilet from the main bedroom.
3nights will also come with one massage session! Have you even heard of that?! 60mins Thai Massage. Free!

The price if you were to pay is RM90.00 per session.

As mentioned, the train station was a short walk away and you can grab the train over to Sungei Wang or Lot 10 for your shopping & dining pleasure.


Cons:

However i must say i hate the lighting structure.
It's difficult to go switch off lights when you intend to sleep, although there is a master switch right beside the bed to turn everything on.

But for me, i prefer to leave one light on. So i have to go around switch off lights before i sleep.

Breakfast is also not so nice. For me.

It's a premier breakfast area yes, but it's quite limited compared to the normal buffet downstairs. But the crowd is small. So you get peace while having breakfast and you could order any sort of coffee from long black to the british classic coffee where they serve you in those special cups, i don't even know whats that called.

I simply ordered Milo.

The breakfast i guess is the downside.

Aircon in the room is also either too cold, or too warm. Problem with the thermostat. I presume only in my room.

INTERNET WAS NON EXISTANCE! IT'S SO SLOW!
I cannot imagine this standard of internet. It's crawling!

I rate it 6.8 out of 10 simply for the slow internet which made me sleep later as i had problem downloading & sending emails!

But for fun and leisure, it sure is the place i want to be at.

Grande Centre Point Hotel - Thailand/Bangkok

Really a service aparment cum hotel, Centre Point is nicely tucked away in a corner off Ratchadamri Road.
5 mins walk away from the famous 4 face buddha temple. A good indication of it's great central location.

Hotel: Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri Hotel
Star: 4
Feels like: 4.5


Pros:

I paid USD$100 per night for Room, Internet, Breakfast + All surcharges & Taxes.
The hotel paid special attention to arriving guest, a welcome drink is nothing special, but coming in from the Airport where air is fresh and clean to the city of Bangkok where everything is in a "organised mess" with the air, not so welcoming. So yes, the citrus flavoured juice did wake me up a little and was pleasant.

As this is my first stay in the hotel, they asked me to fill up a form (reads: long detailied form of particulars), but i was spared the chore with a friendly conciege lady that only needed my namecard as she volunteered her service.

The room was a surprise! Full glass window unfolds as i push aside the wooden folding windows. The view i had was great. Overlooking a golf course and a swimming pool.
It came with a little kitchen too (being a service apartment), couple with washing machine, coffee maker and a regular family size fridge.

Internet came free (as a package) and it was uber fast. The login page auto saved my password and i have zero problem with the net nor VPN.

Every morning it comes with international papers and a fruit platter. How sweet for the fruit platter.

You get unlimited coffee, tea, water, juice at the reception and it's really "Free Flow".
If you have friends in Thailand, you can sit and relax in the lobby, have a cup of coffe or two and just chat.

Level 7 of the hotel comes with a huge play room. Rubber mat, full of toys, steralized and wiped clean everynight for your kids to play in while you relax in the library just opposite the playroom watching TV or reading a book yet, still in full view of your kids playing, minus the noise and scream cut off by the two doors.

Gym and swimming pool are nothing to shout about.


Cons:

Maybe because it is a service apartment? The lobby and main walkways are in hard finishes. Ceramic / Homogenous tiles.

No carpet finish, thus a hard feel. When you walk down the walkway, your footsteps echoes and it gets pretty unpleasant if you are sleeping in the room, although not that loud.

The convinent store also closes early and if you need anything, it's 5mins walk away to the main shopping area. Not that far, but it'll be great if the store close later.
That's about it.

Every other thing about this experience was positive!

Upon check out, they even checked my room and picked up my adapter for me, quite nice of them, but they are probably checking if i took anything from the minibar.

A really good place to stay, for work and for play.
Quite a self contained hotel.

I rate it 8 out of 10.
Sweet

Nikko Hotel - Jakarta

Travelling into Jakarta was a nightmare.
Traffic was slow and also the entrance of the hotel did not do justice to it's grand building. It was a really small rear entrance. But it's under construction. So it may be better after it's all done up.

There's a main building and a new wing. They are looking at renovating the main wing too, thus the renovation outside the driveway of the hotel.
This trip, i am glad i am staying in the new wing.

Hotel: Nikko Hotel, Jakarta
Star: 4
Feels like: 4


Pros:
Service level was high, maybe due to the fact that labour was cheap in Indonesia and there was someone, to do almost every single thing you can imagine.
So i carried nothing, push no doors, press no lift and asked for no directions.
Every, really everything was attended to. I gave a tip (standard amount) of 2,000 local currency, which breakdowns to S$0.28.

The people manning the concierge spoke good english, was polite and accommodating.
I paid USD 150 per night + internet + breakfast, yup, i was really pushing my budget to the limit there. I am only allowed USD 150 per night with the internet and breakfast and first out, i spend to the limit.

Well..

Rooms were a decent size, comes with a digital safe and full cable TV. Washroom had a shower room and a tub, which i had no time to use. Necessities was plentiful.
Papers were slotted into the room at 5am in the morning. So it's a nice hotel for a business trip.

For a leisure trip, the huge shopping centres around will put Singapore's Vivo to shame for it's sheer massive size and outrageous themes. Great World City's washroom is really nothing compared to what they have.



Cons:
Located right in the city town centre, it's near a fountain, which is really the one that we see on TV when there's a protest. So it can get "busy" there.

You also have to love Japanese Food as the restaurant, being in Nikko Hotel, only serve Japanese Dishes. I had it for 2 nights and was glad i was not staying any longer.

Ventilation in the room can be improved. My room was still ok. But my colleague's room had a ciggy smell.

I also have many problems withVPN. I get connected tonight and tomorrow morning i can't get in.


Overall it's really quite a nice place to be for work.
Simply for it's location which is utmost important due to the heavy traffic.
I spend 2hours travelling to a 30mins appointment. So, yes. Location is very very important.

I rate it 7.5 out of 10.
It's really nice. I will tag this hotel for my next trip there.

The MGM Grand - Macau

I felt like a King. I paid the price of course, but it was money well paid.

Hotel: The MGM Grand Hotel, Macau
Star: 5
Feels like: 6

Pros:
The hotel pays attention to ever minor details. So much so that you felt so pampered as if you were the Price of a Kingdom. Arriving at the Taipa Ferry Terminal, i walked towards 2 guys holding the MGM Grand signage. Without me speaking, one of them stepped forward and asked "Sir, you have a stay with MGM?" i nodded my head and he took over my luggage with such smooth actions, that felt so right.

We were lead to a bus which will lead us to the hotel. I did not see my luggage after i step off the bus as someone took it away. However i felt assured that it was in good hands. Another lady led me into the reception, i was in my berms and still they did not mind how i was dressed. Well i must say i do look nice still. Heehee.

The luggage arrive at our room 2 mins after we stepped in, the room itself was sooo soooooo grand that i could have just stayed there and not leave the hotel. Everything was class. The see thru wash room allows you to watch the TV while in the tub or just lie back in warm water and gaze out over the luxurious queen size bed, over to the night scene outside.

The casino in the hotel was also amazing. This hotel is one of the newest hotel in the area. Opposite it is the Wynn Hotel, which is 20% less impressive the the MGM Grand. The MGM is seperated into 3 sectors of floors, the Bronze (we are staying here), the silver and the gold. The higher the Level, the sweeter the rooms get.

I cannot imagine how the Gold Floor looks like as i was simply blown away by out Bronze floor.

And on our way back to the Airport, we opted to take the hotels' transport.
They staff told us that we should "Travel in style" back to the airport. Haha we did just that. Of course we paid i guess 3 times more then a regular taxi ride.

Cons:
The price.
However, you would expect this type of price for this type of service and facilties.

I rate this hotel a definte 9.2 out of 10.
A must go, must stay hotel. Stay in the hotel and simply enjoy the facilities it has to offer.
I assure you will feel relaxed and happy.

Royal Park Hotel - Hong Kong

In the heart of the shops and food, 1min walk from Mongkok East MTR Station and 6mins away from the Main Mongkok station.

If you wish to define hotel, this hotel would do the job.


Hotel: Royal Park Hotel
Star: 4
Feels like: 4


Pros:
We were upgraded to a executive room upon check in and they took in our request for a high floor, non-smoking, double bed room.

As mentioned, it's really near to the MTR stations with a shopping centre just beside the hotel.
The many streets, Ladies Streets, Goldfish Streets are all within walking distance

They even called to tell us that they did not managed to make up our room as we had the Do Not Disturb light lit when we left the room.


Cons:
I took 5mins to check in, 25mins to wait for my key while standing in queue, again.
The staff at the executive floor did not greet me. Did not even smile at me. How rude.
The service was bad. The room, i must say was spacious, however not nicely organised.

And worst of all, when Mrs Neo was waiting for me during check in, the staff kept asking her to move aside from where she's standing saying that she's blocking the way. How could they ask her to move aside!? We are the guest in the hotel, we paid our fare.

This service was uncalled for.

Unless extremely required, i do not think i will visit this hotel a second time.
I rate the hotel a 7 out of 10 for it's overall apperance. 3 out of 10 for service.
Total 5 out of 10.

Gallery Hotel, Singapore

A visit to Gallery Hotel Singapore, an escape into urban legend. Sheer experience that rewrites the defination of hotel stay

Hotel: Gallery Hotel, Singapore
Star: 3
Feels like: 3.5

Pros:
The plain simple (not sleek), and clean design, nothing over furnished. They seem to tint all their glass windows which throws you into a ultra slow paced, relaxed mood. Cement screeded lobby with a plain white reception table emphasize that you are in a boutique hotel. Service however is not
sub-standard. We called and they actually allowed a early check in at 9.30am, compared to the supposingly 2pm. Thumbs up!

Room number was burned onto the timber strip in front of the room rather then the traditional number on the door system.

Room was humble and cosy. Beds lined with 4 colorful pillows in different color brings the silky white linen to life.

Washroom is clean, neat with black contrasting floor tiles. Ample selections of shower foam was another plus point, labeled "Lust", "Relax", "Adore" and such, the variety they offered made us smile. A semi-translucent glass door was all that demarks the toilet and main bedroom.

Another attraction was the infinity swimming pool. A strech of pool that goes all the way into open air, at the end of the pool you will find no wall, no tiles, but plain see thru glass while you admire the beauty and serenity of Mdhm Sultan below.


Cons:
Rooms are small and not ideal for travellers whom are big spenders. Probably their shopping will flood the room.
No wired internet connection avaliable. But they provide internet and fax service in their business office.
No eateries or shops in the nearby vicinity. Many pubs though.


I rate this hotel 8 out of 10 for a local getaway and 6.5 out of 10 if i am a traveller.

Boulevard Hotel - Kuala Lumpur

I've decided that i will start a review on all the hotels i visit from today onwards.

Currently i am in Kuala Lumpur. Mid Valley.

Hotel: Boulevard Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Star: 4
Feels like: 4

Pros:
Big room, spacious layout with beds that knocks you out easily like 10shots of whiskey.
Toilet full of everything. It has this big sprinker head, easily 40cm in diameter. Round, powerful sprays of water. According to Mrs Neo it makes her wanna sing "I'm singing in the rain".
Full of surprise everytime you pull a drawer. Lots of "ehhh.. they have this too"

Cons:
Internet is not free. RM60 for 24hours. No late check out. Strict 12noon.

Overall. It's pretty sweet. Not the best that i stayed in.
I rate it 7 out of 10