U Chiang Mai Hotel

I’m back.  :) Been a while since my last travel post eh  Earlier, I went to Chiang Mai and as usual, I will do my own research of the hotels FIRST.  Secure a place to stay first right? So as far as boutique hotel is concern, I came across U Chiang Mai and immediately set my mind on it.  :) Luckily my travel partner, Sara, is ok with it too.

 

U Chiang Mai is a 4-star boutique hotel in Chiang Mai and let me tell you why the name U Chiang Mai.  U stands for YOU (short form you see).  So your stay at this hotel will be all about you. How? During the booking, the hotel will let you choose the type of Pillow that you prefer to sleep in (Down Feather, etc), type of Soap you prefer to use (Green Tea, Lemongrass, etc), Tea Selection (Green Tea, Earl Grey, etc) and type of music to be pre-loaded in your ipod (yes, there is one ipod in every room)

 

Although the U Chiang Mai Hotel is not your usual massive hotel, they still have proper facilities, which includes a library (yes, library where u can read more about CM history etc), gym, swimming pool, yoga classes and selection of DVDs.

 

Straight to pictures, shall we?

 

Sitting Area (Lobby)

The Room! Love the design Super comfy bed and the feather pillow as requested

Love the Lights

And the phone and the book which tells us more about Chiang Mai

The ipod with our music selection

Toilet

Small chair

Fresh Fruit (Change Daily!)

Room with Balcony and I damn love the day bed

Oh, and the functional antique-lookalike fan at the balcony

Another thing is, the hotel surrounding is so clean, I feel i can walk around without any shoes.. see..

The Library.  Yes, with proper place to chill and read books

The Pool

And their breakfast is pretty decent.  Another thing about this hotel, is that you can eat your breakfast ANYWHERE.  Yes, anywhere.  You just need to inform the reception earlier.  For example, you can have breakfast in your room, the restaurant, the lobby sitting area, by the pool side, etc.  Just order your breakfast and they will serve you ANYWHERE

Orange Juice

My coffee with different coffee art everyday

Cute Yoghurt!

Croissant

Breakfast 1

Breakfast 2

Breakfast 3 – Porridge with Condiments

Their Yau Cha Kwai is a shorter version but its nice and i like it

Nice right?  Oh and remember if you can’t climb stairs, remember to request the ground floor room as there is no lift/escalator.

That’s all from me and you can find the hotel details as follows:-

U Chiang Mai

70 Ratchadamnoen Road,

Sri-Poom, Muang District, Chiang Mai

Hotel Website: HERE

That’s all from me *love, blurdevil*

Quickie in Bangkok: Citadines Sukhumvit 11

 

For our quickie 3 Days 2 Nights Bangkok Escapade, we decided to put ourselves to a comfortable sleep at night in Citadines Apart’ Hotel.  There’s a few Citadines in Sukhumvit itself but we decided to go for the one in Sukhumvit Soi 11.

 

Service wise, there’s nothing much to brag about.  They aren’t really a hotel, so, you really can’t complain about the service.  And most of the time, they don’t really understand your English, although they are one of the better ones.  So I guess, not much of a complaint on that either.

 

Location wise, its pretty much how you want to look at it.  Its approximate 350m away from Nana BTS station and approximate 5-10 minutes walk, depending how fast you walk, really.  As it is situated in the Sukhumvit area, food is anything but limited.  Along Sukhumvit Soi 11 itself, there is a newly open Manchester United Bar, walk down the road, and you’ll find a Australian pub somewhere, 7-eleven is nearby too (to stock up on your Singha beer) and the infamous Bed Supperclub which is just right next to the Hotel.

 

Bed Supperclub

They have a 1-Bedroom and 2-bedroom for you to choose from and if you’re coming to Bangkok with your family, I guess the 2-bedroom will be the right choice for you.  :) Let’s check out my 1-Bedroom apart’ hotel.

The comfy Bed with fresh white linen

Iron, Ironing Board, Hanger, Safe Deposit Box right in the closet

Full Kitchen Facilities (with fridge, microwave, etc)

And i really mean the complete kitchen facilities with pots, utensils, cutlery, etc etc

Study Table and Flat LCD TV.  THe TV can be adjusted across the rail!

Hair Dryer and of course Phone  =)

The 2-seater Sofa

The Wash Area and Toilet.  I think they need to improve on their Hot Water.  It’s practically not working the whole time I’m there.  And as far as I know, I’m not the only one complaining!  :I

And check out the partition in the room (even though its small). Now you see it…

Now you don’t!  hahaha

This is where we have our breakfast every morning.  Selection was pretty bad, just like the somerset apartment we stay in Singapore.  Both are part of the Ascott Group.  Maybe its not their policy to give you a sumptuous breakfast, but a very very basic ones. So nothing to blog about the breakfast

You can choose to sun-tan at the roof top coupled with some air pollution.  Or the gym..

Or just jump into the lap pool.  Make sure you don’t clash with anyone (haha)

Or even better, grab a Hoegaarden at the bar downstairs

And check this out, I find the “symbol” of representing “powerful” from the air-cond remote in the room *farny*

Self-sufficient Photo by Citadines bed

Citadines Apart’Hotel Sukhumvit 11

Website: Click here

22/22 Sukhumvit 11,

Sukhumvit Road,

Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana,

Bangkok 10110

Sleep in Singapore: Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen

Remember when I always insist that getting a decent accommodation in Singapore is a bitch?  All because of the price la. Tee hee.  Its like if you find a decent hotel, then it will cost you like SGD150 and above.  Anyway, I took Jetstar to Singapore (Note: Its a super super idiot bitch flying with Jetstar… go check my previous Twitter status) mainly because of one promotion.  Pay for the Jetstar ticket, book any Accor hotels in Singapore, stay 2 night and pay for 1 night.  You know when I saw this deal, I was like so super duper happy and make all the neccesary arrangement!  So ended up we paid for SGD158.90 for 2 nights. kekkekek

Ibis Singapore is strategically situated in the heart of Bencoolen.  Within walking distance from the hotel, you can find Bugis Street (which is the street behind the hotel), Sim Lim Square (Opposite the hotel – from entrance facing the main road), Little India (walking distance of approx 20 minutes or so).  We even walk to Plaza Singapura (at the end of Orchard Road)!

No matter what time it is, the reception is always full.  I don’t like la, like pasar malam lor.

More chairs near the Reception

As we were walking towards our room, there were a lot of workers still doing renovation in some other rooms.  I don’t really like it cos the Paint smell is so strong it can make my shit smell nicer (haha…) and as usual being a girl, you won’t feel comfortable when there’s a lot of construction worker around you, no?  But I guess that’s because the hotel is pretty new, so ok lor.  :P

Walkway

Anyway the room is pretty clean (new…) and the room is really small but its ok for me la.  They have all the basic necessities, etc etc.  Let’s take a look at the pictures k?

Our room

Toilet (Bring your own shampoo, shower gel if possible)

If you intend to shower with your partner, I think you just gotta get disappointed for once (kaka)

Plasma TV

Safety Deposit Box, Mini Fridge, Coffee and Tea Making facilities

Free wi-fi in the room!

Oh, and if you are feeling hungry, there’s vending machine right outside the room (maybe a few steps away la)

Lays? Instant Noodle?

Or if you are really hungry, drop by the restaurant at Ground Floor known as Taste

Funky Lighting

But I can’t comment whether the food is nice or not, cos I only had one glass of Iced Latte.

As for the rest of the stuff, you have free internet moment at the lobby *standing*

Need to wash your clothes? No worries, cos they got Guest Laundry

Coin-operated washing machine

And if you got things to get from the nearest convenience store, 7-eleven is just next door, like literally next door.

Me taking pictures from 12th floor – looking towards Bugis area

So do you want to Ibis?

IBIS Singapore

170 Bencoolen Street, Singapore

Website: Click here

A Weekend Trip to Singapore

This is also another long overdue post.  LOL.  Told you I was busy!  =D

We went all the way down to Singapore to watch CATS performance.  So Singapore it is!

I tell you what I think is a bitch in Singapore.  Its the hotel choices.  OK la, maybe its because we are poorer? No, i am not so sure about which is which. LOL.  Seriously, you can’t really get a decent hotel for a decent price.  You just gotta compromise a bit here and there…. until….. I found out about Somerset’s 25th Annivesary package!  So this trip, its one of the best-est deal.  We got a 2 Bedroom Apartment in Somerset Orchard for a decent price!  :)  And when I say decent-price, its about the whole package!  The hotel has every amenities that I wanted and you know what is the plus point about Somerset Orchard?  Its the location, baby!  Its like soOoo so Orchard Road!

The Hotel Entrance (not grand but I have no problemo!)  =P

This is the main room with attached bathroom.  The other second room is smaller but oh well.  =)

Comes with kitchen and everything (by that i mean wine glass, pots, knife etc etc)

They even have children’s indoor playground.  Oh, the laundry room (coin operated) is just next to it.

The swimming pool on the roof top!

And the rooftop with view of all the buildings

Oh, the breakfast is in the breakfast lounge.  Nothing really fantastic (but I’m thankful) and its small.

Then me, Mei Sim, Sara  rush to The Esplanade to catch CATS the musical!  All in all, it was a great experience, the whole team was so interactive with the audience.  There was even one part where they jump up to our box seat (our box seat is one level higher!) and they really act like real cats.  Even the tiniest gesture from cats (i.e. licking their paws, furs etc) they are able to do it every now and then!  I don’t know how to describe but you just gotta experience it yourself!  =) Oh and I cried while the song Memories was being performed, I just can’t control myself! I felt so embarassed and then when I realise that Sara also cried. Haha. *evil*

So excited!!! The “cat” on the right hand side is my favourite.  He quite hamsap one! Haha

The Power-GIrls.  =P Btw, we didn’t plan to wear black together, k?

The stage settings

The “cats” mingling around with the crowd during break time

See the cat right in front of us!  I love their butt!  =)

This is the best shot I can get cos cameras are supposedly not allowed.  And they specifically mention no flash photography.

And we got scolded for taking these two pictures (even though the show has ended ok?) HAhhaha…

After the performance, I persuade everyone to go have coffee chocolate at Max Brenner.  And glad that everyone is happy with Max Brenner  Hehehe..

This Max is bald.  =)

Care for a hug anyone?  Its called the Hug Mug.  Its actually Hot Chocolate served in Hug Mug =D

And introducing to you the sounded-a-bit-wrong-drink known as SUCKAO!  I just thought that it sounded like Hokkien mix English where the a-Beng will tell you, SUCK KAO KAO LA! Haha. Btw, I’m serious, this drink is really called SUCKAO

SUCKAO is actually Espresso to Chocolate. Which is a small dense and concentrated quantity of chocolate.  You are supposed to pour the milk onto the “mug” and then when its boiling, then throw in the cocoa beans and suck through the metal tube.  This is something different.  I don’t mind trying it again.  =)

Some other drinks which includes coffee! I love the mugs there, its cute!

Then we ordered the Belgian Waffle served with milk chocolate sauce, cherries and vanilla ice cream.  This is good but you gotta pay the price @SGD10.

The next dessert is Chocolate Souffle and for the price of SGD15, I reckon this doesn’t taste as good as the Belgian Waffle.  Even our own KL Hilton Senses Souffle is sooooo much nicer but then again KL Hilton’s souffle is pretty expensive.  =P

Mei Sim and Sara

Drink Me???? Hehe

Then we took a Limo Taxi back and check out the name card.  Pretty creative, no?

And some other random pictures from Singapore.  =) Enjoy.

I’m really in Singapore ok, just to prove the point. Haha

Cookies Museum that happens to be a cafe.  =)

Me @ Takashimaya Fountain

Enjoy the last picture.  See if you get what I’m thinking. Haha

Till then everyone.  Anyone wants to know about my Perhentian trip? Haha….

Love, blurdevil.

Viroth’s Hotel – The hidden gem in Siem Reap

Please go away if you are looking for a hotel with a grand entrance or a hotel with a big big building or a hotel with a lot a lot of rooms or a hotel with a big big pool.  Cos Viroth is a small (but just nice) boutique hotel in Siem Reap that don’t fit all of the above criteria BUT its perfect (almost) in its own unique way!

 

I manage to book Viroth’s Hotel before my trip down.  =)  I got in touch with Saay and he’s so friendly I almost got a shock cos I’ve got so many questions and queries that he manage to answer me (Patience is a virtue! LOL). There is only 7 rooms (privacy assured!) in Viroth’s and we actually manage to book two!  =P

 

The moment we pass through all the Custom, etc from Siem Reap International Airport, there was a guy with my name waiting outside for the 4 of us.  We went into the car and arrive at Viroth’s Hotel 15 minutes later (Could have been faster but ppl in Siem Reap seems to drive at a maximum speed of 50km/h!!!! I’m not even joking)

Note:  Airport transfer is available upon request with a fee

 

Once arrive at the hotel, I sort of fell in love with the minimalist style of its reception.  It looks almost like a home not a hotel!  I’m not even exaggerating.  It looks so simple that I kinda got comfortable with it.

 

The Hotel Entrance that welcomes you without actually spelling it out!

 

 No-frills Reception Counter.  The guy in black shirt is Saay (Say hi to him!).  The guy next to him should be the owner as I saw him in Viroth’s Restaurant as well.  Viroth’s hotel provide complimentary wi-fi but if you do not have any computer or wi-fi enabled phone, you can borrow the laptop from Saay at the counter here.

 

I swear you can walk on these floor bare-footed!!! Its so clean.  I saw the houskeeping lady mop the floor a few times.

 

The swimming pool.  Its not big but its more than enough, really.  And best part, its salt water pool.  I went for a dip at 645 in the morning one day and I really love it.  Haha.  =D

 

The stairs leading to the room and the cosy sofa that “entertain” us when we were too early to check-in to our respective rooms.  =)

 

What I mean by “entertain” us?  Cos we were trying our best to find the best spot to take pictures.  Let me introduce you my travelling partners, the one who is holding the camera is Mei Sim, the cute lady with the red hat that matches the pillow on the sofa is Sara and last but not least the lady with the sweet smile is Hong Tzu.  I don’t need any introduction. Haha.  =D

 

blurdevil also have to take pictures!!! I love my hair colour under the sunlight *perasan*

 

We almost did the Bollywood style, wanted to hide behind the pillars but decided to play-safe.

 

We really try hard to take pictures.  We didn’t even spare the reception.  Evidence: Saay is looking at us wondering what is there to take at the receptionist *scratch head*

 

But the cutest award is crowned to none other than Sara *lol*

 

 

Then when it was time to check in, I even fell (more) in love with the hotel.  Cos its decorated with simple decos and everything looks so modern…  Much later only we realise that every room has something different to it (all other basic stuff is the same).  For example if you prefer a day bed in your room, you should choose Room No6 and if you don’t want a day bed but you need a balcony, you should choose Room No4 and if you would prefer a writing table and a swimming pool view you should choose Room No 7.  We didn’t really choose our room (cos we don’t really need to) and only realise the difference after we make some comparison.  =P

 

I love the nice simple little wooden decorations that greet us upon entering the room. =D

 

The comfy bed and the comfy pillow (we got 4 pillows in a room!), like seriously

 

The mini writing-table-cum-tv-stand.  Got cable tv!!!

 

I love the red!  Do you?  It brightens up the whole room!  That’s the shower place!

 

With the big-rain-shower-head!

 

Oh, and the big mirror that complete the vain-ess-in-me.

 

The balcony in Room No 4

 

The day bed in Room No 6

 

End of the day, what I hated was the part that I need to check-out.  But there are some suggestion that I think can make Viroth’s Hotel to be almost perfect.  =P

• You can’t receive external phone call to your room.  For example I received calls from Malaysia but I have to go all the way down to the receptionist to answer the call.  Room for improvement, no?  =D
• No coffee tea making facilities.  Maybe because I’m a drugcaffeine addict, coffee would have complete my night.  =)
• Would be great if Viroth’s can install a shower area near the swimming pool.  =)

 

Anyone who is thinking of going to Siem Reap, I would highly recommend Viroth’s hotel.  I would say that its the hotel with the perfect location (at Wat Bo Area).  Its not in Pub Street/Old Market area (hence, no noise pollution) and its not too far away either.  Its only less than 10minutes walk to Old Market Area.  If you’re lazy, get a tuk tuk to Old Market area for USD1 per tuk tuk (one way!).

 

Viroth’s Hotel

Website : Click Here

Email: viroth-hotel@online.com.kh

Contact Person: Saay

 

Hope this helps for any of you guys travelling to Siem Reap.

 

*blurdevil-in-love-with-Viroth’s*