Archive for the Hotel Reviews Category

Vang Vieng, Laos

Posted in Hotel Reviews, Lucky in Laos on May 15, 2009 by andreaross

I haven’t visited Vang Vieng in a couple of years and when I was there it was a true backpackers haven with nary a decent hotel in site. Nicole Long, our Laos director recently took a trip to Vang Vieng, Laos to see what changes were happening and whether it could be a destination we include on tours. She also stayed at a few of the hotels in town and we are proud to present our newest partner hotel in Laos:

My feeling is that Vang Vieng could be a good choice if someone wanted to travel from Vientiane to Luang Prabang by road. It is only a 2 to 3 hour ride from Vientiane and it could be a stop on the way to Luang Prabang or just as a retreat from many of our guests who are traveling to “cities”.

Name of Hotel: Thanvansouk Resort and Hotel
Location : Vang Vieng, Laos
Thavansouk River front Bungalow

Review: The best overall option in Vang Vieng is the Thanvansouk Resort and Hotel. The hotel is divided up into two basic style rooms with either river or garden views. There are 36 bungalows and rooms that run parallel to the Song River offering stunning panoramic views of the Phadeng (Red Cliff), lush forest, and Lao river life. The rooms give an overall rustic mountain feel with tasteful simple décor and teakwood structure. All rooms have modern amenities including the highly sought after bathtub (rarely seen in Laos) and a private terrace. All the riverfront rooms have chase lounges perfect for getting some sun, reading a good book and taking in the sunset surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Along the riverfront are benches and porch swings so if you choose a garden view room you still get a great view of the sunset. If the amazing view isn’t enough to relax you a stroll through the flower and exotic plant filled property sure will. The hotel river front restaurant offers a range of South East Asian and Western cuisine with warm and friendly staff. The included breakfast is basic, but the misty morning mountain view with grazing goats and horses on the opposite bank makes breakfast all that much better. The Thanvansouk isn’t the newest in town, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Rating: Socks Off

Upside: The overall ambience is the beautiful rustic scenery. The entire feel of the property is peaceful nature.

Downside: You could have nature a little closer than wanted with a family of ants trekking through your room.

Insider Tip: During your stay you could meet a Laos celebrity! The daughter of the wonderfully friendly family who owns and runs Thanvansouk is a famous Laos Pop singer, Eluna Thanvansouk. Lao celebrities are not as jaded as our western ones so be sure to ask for an autograph.

Reviewed By: Nicole Long
Date: May 9, 2009

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Serviced Apartments aren’t all business

Posted in Andrea's Adventures, Hotel Reviews, Travel With Kids on March 3, 2009 by andreaross

I have had this blog in my head for years and it is just now, stuck on a bus from Bangkok to Cambodia, that I am putting fingers to keyboard to get the word out. Serviced apartments are fantastic. When I was pregnant with Couper I lived in Bangkok for three months and, wanting something safe for my then one-year-old (yes, my kids are only 15 months apart and yes, I am tired a lot) and myself we rented a serviced apartment. Our original apartment was a one-bedroom at Centre Point, Silom, it had views of the river and was a two minute walk to the skytrain station. Callie and I explored the city from this safe little base and it was where Couper lived for his first few days. Subsquently when I travel back with the kids we stay in various serviced apartments and they are perfect for us, allowing us living space, a kitchen to make snacks and usually two bathrooms.

Callie and Couper enjoy a movie in 'our' apartment

Callie and Couper enjoy a movie in 'our' apartment

Here are some myths about serviced apartments debunked:

Myth 1: They are only available for long stays.

Debunking: Wrong! Service apartments are often able to be booked just like hotels for as many, or as few, nights as you want.

Myth 2: Serviced apartments are more expensive than a hotel because they offer so much more.

Debunking: Wrong! That’s the beauty of them. Usually a one bedroom serviced apartment in Bangkok has a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom and a bathroom and costs less than the Sofitel, Marriott or other hotel offering similar standards.

Myth 3: You then have to clean your own room.

Debunking: Wrong, oh so wrong. Serviced is the key word here. The rooms are cleaned daily and the sheets changed every few days so you get a clean room, but it is better for the environment.

Myth 4: You don’t get the services you do at a hotel.

Debunking: Wrong again! Room service, maid service, IT service, everything the hotels have these apartments have and often the add-ons aren’t expensive. At Siri Sathorn, my new favorite apartments, wireless is free in all rooms and they will call and make appointments for you or call you a taxi if you need to get somewhere. The only service they don’t have is a tour desk, but then again, I can take care of that for you (www.journeys-within.com)! All the apartments we use have pools as well as gyms and because they have to keep them nice for their full-time guests the gyms are often better than those at the hotels.

Callie enjoying the pool at our serviced aparmtments

Callie enjoying the pool at our serviced aparmtments

Myth 5: We would have to go out for breakfast and there’s no room service.

Debunking: Wrong. At Siri Sathorn and at the Centre Points breakfast is included in the cost of the rooms and is often a very good buffet. They also have room service and it is delicious, some of the best Mango Sticky Rice I have ever had was at Siri Sathorn.

Dinner at Centre Point with Callie (all my friends wrote back when I sent this out and commented on the yummy looking room service. I could have cooked it in my kitchen...I didn't but I could have).

Dinner at Centre Point with Callie (all my friends wrote back when I sent this out and commented on the yummy looking room service. I could have cooked it in my kitchen...I didn't but I could have).

Myth 6: Serviced apartments are in the business district, not near where I want to stay.

Debunking: And finally, wrong! Siri Sathorn is on Sala Daeng road, walking distance to Silom Road and the skytrain. Centre Point, Silom, is next to the ferry dock and Saphan Thaksin skytrain station. Both are walking distance to shopping, restaurants, banks and malls.

The view from my Bangkok apartment

The view from my Bangkok apartment

At Journeys Within we use serviced apartments for families and often older couples as they are amazingly quiet and the staff just go above and beyond for their guests. The only thing a serviced apartment lacks is that Thai feel and can lack a bit of character. I don’t think in every city they’re the right option, but in Bangkok, when there is so much going on just out the door it is nice to have a little peace and quiet and your own space inside.

Couper's first home was two nights in our serviced apartment in Bangkok (and yes, he flew to Cambodia at four days old, but that's another story!)

Couper's first home was two nights in our serviced apartment in Bangkok (and yes, he flew to Cambodia at four days old, but that's another story!)

You can of course book an apartment through Journeys Within Tour Company or I have listed their websites below…

Siri Sathorn Serviced Apartments http://www.sirisathorn.com

Centre Point Serviced Apartments http://www.centrepoint.com

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Hotel Review: Pavillon d’Orient

Posted in Andrea's Adventures, Hotel Reviews with tags , , on February 20, 2009 by aprilcole

First I have to apologize, I am supposed to have my finger on the pulse, but this little gem of a hotel managed to allude me for over a year! However last Monday night Brandon and I had a nice little rendezvous as we checked it out. First things first, it is located in a pretty out of the way place which is why I think I had never noticed it in my wanderings. It is off road number six, but well past Psah Lure and on the back road to the temple. The bad news is that it is a longer drive to get into town. The good news is that the hotel knows this and to make it a little easier they offer complimentary tuk tuk’s from their hotel to town from 6 to 10pm. So really, how can you complain when you can get a free ride. The distance to town is really the only drawback to this hotel, otherwise it is just fantastic! With beautiful gardens that evoke the same oasis quality we are often getting recognized for, the Pavillon feels like a lovely escape as soon as you walk through the front gate. The lobby is open air, and while I do wonder how they handle the rainy season, this time of year it feels cool and serene. The staff were lovely and polite and seemed genuinely happy to be working there. When asked about her boss the front desk woman went on and on about how hard he works and what a good job he does, I think staff loyalty says a lot about a place and they were obviously fans of the manager. The rooms are big with a French feel. The bathrooms have showers and bathtubs and all the rooms have a balcony. The pool is nestled in the gardens and has a lovely waterfall you can hear from the balconies. When I first arrived there was a rather rowdy volleyball game happening across the wall and while I’m all for local ambience it proved to be a bit much for even me, but with the doors closed the noise was shut out and peace and quiet ranged. We had dinner in the restaurant that night and the food was very good, another plus when you’re a little ways from town…just stay in! I had the spaghetti and other had friend rice, curry and ginger chicken, all enjoyed. Breakfast the next morning was also good, though a touch French for meJ I did get some bacon though so I was happy! The final touch was when we checked out we got small necklaces with our Chinese symbol on it. All in all it was a great escape and I am looking forward to having our guests stay.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: The big airy rooms and the huge bathrooms as well as the personalized service.
Downside: On the other side of town and no restaurants or shopping nearby.
Insider Tip: Tuk tuk’s are free from 6 to 10pm so go in for a night on the town on them. Café Indochine is under the same owner so you get a 10% discount if you eat there!

Pool and Garden

Pool and Garden

Restaurant

Restaurant

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

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