Shangri-la Hotel, Jakarta
“Solid, reliable brand” I have always been fond of the Shangri-la group. I remember when I was a little boy, my parents took me to Shangri-la Singapore for dinner. They had the most beautiful tea cup I have seen –…
Shang Palace, Shangri-la, Jakarta
Shang Palace is the Chinese restaurant of the Shangri-la Hotel, Jakarta. Though traditional in appearance, its approach or “software” is decidedly more modern and fusion. Chilled fresh tiger prawns with homemade orange sauce Refreshing. Would have been more satisfying if…
Hotel Nine, Phnom Penh
Brutally frank: Though a sister establishment to Monument Hotel, Phnom Penh, it had none of the latter’s friendliness. The staff has a sneering superciliousness. When I called the reception at night, no one bothered to pick up. The hotel looks…
Monument Hotel, Phnom Penh
This little gem of a hotel is located right in the middle of Phnom Penh city. It is 5 mins on foot away from Independence Monument and it’s along the same street as the Pricewaterhouse Cooper Phnom Penh office. Because…
Nopparat Thara Beach, Krabi
Much quieter, longer than Ao Nang beach. Perhaps prettier too. There are hotels and restaurants and hotels here too, though in a less tourist-centric atmosphere than Ao Nang Beach. There are a couple of bars on the beach. Come night,…
Red Ginger Chic Hotel, Krabi
This is a pretty hotel located on a quiet but self-sufficient street (Moo 3 Aonang Soi 8). This street has everything which makes staying at Red Ginger really convenient. Besides Red Ginger, there are also other chic-looking hotels along the…
Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Phnom Penh
Venerated mainstay along Sisowath Quay. Consists of a bar/ restaurant and a hotel. Brutally frank: Venerated? More like overated. The décor is not particularly pretty nor does it exude old-world charm, despite being a historic address. The staff can’t really…
Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh
Beside the Library, diagonally opposite from the American Embassy, 5 mins from Wat Phnom, this is a really pretty hotel. Stay here if you have the money. If not, come have a drink at Elephant Bar.
Strawberry Park Resort, Cameron Highlands
The old stalwart of Cameron Highlands still stands on a beautiful ground full of pretty flowers. The rooms have gone through renovation and are suitable modern and spacious. I stayed in a Studio room and the bathroom was also very…
Joo Chiat Road, Singapore
This street stretches from Geylang Serai (the Muslim enclave in Singapore) to Katong (one of the yuppie/ good food enclaves in Singapore). In Katong, you can find delicious local food, for example, at 328 Katong Laksa. Predictably, there are more…
