Tag Archives: beach

Koh Chang (Thailand)

Posted on June 24, 2012 | 3 Comments


Pic: The Pool at AMARI Emerald Cove, Koh Chang, Thailand (May 2012)

Pic: Palm Tree Swing at Lagoona Beach Resort, Koh Chang (May 2012)
On previous trips to Thailand I visited Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai (Songkran), Koh Tao, Hua Hin and Pattaya.  My latest trip to Thailand (May 2012) had Koh Chang (Elephant island) as main destination.  Getting to the island is convenient and cheap.  The Lonely Beach Express minibus service runs three times per day between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Koh Chang.  The journey takes between 5 and 6 hours and includes a ferry ride from Laem Ngop pier to Ko Chang.  A return ticket for the minibus only cost THB800 (€20) and includes the fee for the ferry.  No reservations are required for the Bangkok -> Ko Chang journey, just show up at door 8 Ground Floor (G) of the Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal.  Contrary to what the minibus service website states, you do get dropped of at the entrance of your hotel on the island. For the trip back to Bangkok, you’ll need to call the phone number on your ticket to confirm the shuttle pick-up time. 

Pic: Jacuzzi at Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway (May 2012)

Pic: Narak at The Spa Koh Chang Resort (May 2012)
When I visited Koh Chang in May, it was very quiet on the island.  I learned low season runs from May till early October as it rains a lot during those months.  If you don’t mind cloudy skies and like a deserted island, this is the time to visit, otherwise stick to the dry months!  As the island only has one international chain hotel (Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway) which doesn’t have a particular good loyalty program (Le Club Accorhotels) I went for an independent hotel.  I didn’t have much time to research on hotels and made my choice based on Tripadvisor reviews and room rate.  I chose Garden Resort near Kai Bea beach rated number 4 out of 68 hotels at Ko Chang.  The bungalows were quite spacious and clean, breakfast was inclusive and the owner Mause, a friendly (but quite frank) Dutchmen, was always willing to provide local advice.  At €38 per night it wasn’t expensive, but while exploring the island I learned I could have gotten better value at other places.  For budget travelers (with less than €20 to spend per night) there are many options available, including TK208, a small bed and breakfast at Kai Bae with rooms from THB700 (€17).  For cheap (less than €5/day) and reliable motorbike rentals near Kai Bae, check with Bobby Food Shop.

Pic: Nature Rocks at Lonely Beach Koh Chang (May 2012)
During my three day stay at the island, I visited a number of hotels and resorts.  The most spectacular ones were Amari Emerald Cove and The Dewa.  Together with a German guy which I met at Bangkok airport, we drove our scooters around the island from one beach to another.  Siam Bay Resort’s great view on uninhabited island, tasty banana shakes and chill atmosphere at Nature Rocks Lonely Beach,  Palm Tree Swing at Lagoona Beach Bar, funky looking huts at Independent Bo White Sands Beach, Rotee Pancakes at Bobby Food Shop.  Just to name a few of the highlights on the island.

Pic: Sunset at Lonely Beach Koh Chang (May 2012)

Pic: Filou Cocktail Bar at Kai Bae Koh Chang (May 2012)

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Premier Suite at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort

Posted on November 22, 2011 | 4 Comments


Pic: Hotel Sign InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Lobby InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)
Early February 2011, I stayed at InterContinental Hua Hin with a Chinese friend.  For transportation from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Hua Hin, we used the limo service of www.huahintaxiairport.com
We were charged 4200 baht (EUR 100) for the return trip BKK airport -> IC Hua Hin -> IC Bangkok in a brand new Toyota Camry.

Pic: Guest Lounge at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Lee La Bar at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)
My Chinese friend had a week off for Chinese New Year and so had 1 billion other Chinese citizen.  Rates had skyrocketed at IC Hua Hin, but I had no other choice than to stay that particular week.  I had booked a Deluxe Suite with breakfast for 8974 thb per night (EUR 213, VAT and Service Charge included) and got upgrade to a Premier Ocean View Suite (one level upgrade) as per Gold Ambassador benefits.  At that time I wasn’t a Royal Ambassador yet (two level upgrade).

Pic: Premier Suite Bedroom at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Bath at Premier Suite InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Daytime Bed Balcony Premier Suite InterContinental Hua Hin (Feb 2011)
When we checked-in at the Premier Suite, I noticed there was no jacuzzi on the balcony as stated in the suite descriptions on the official IC website.  Instead we found an empty balcony with two chairs and a second terrace with a daytime bed.  When I made an inquiry at the frontdesk, the supervisor stated they were unaware about the incorrect suite descriptions and informed us only some suites had a jacuzzi.  She showed us a Deluxe Suite with jacuzzi and offered to downgrade us.  As the deluxe suite was closer to the noisy road, didn’t have an ocean view and didn’t have a separate guest room, I refused the downgrade.  The supervisor promised they would ask IHG to update the suite descriptions and that actually happened a few days later.  If I would visit IC Hua Hin again, I would go for a Premier Suite with Pool Terrace as those have direct access to a (shared) pool.  See my video below for more details.

Pic: Pool Cabana at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Swimming Pool Shower at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Pool Cabana at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: In-Pool Jacuzzi at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: In-Pool Jacuzzi by night at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort (Feb 2011)

Pic: Main Swimming Pool by night at InterContinental Hua Hin (Feb 2011)

Pic: Guest Patio by night at InterContinental Hua Hin (Feb 2011)

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Malapascua Island in the Philippines

Posted on November 21, 2011 | 1 Comment


Pic: Bounty Beach, Malapascua Island, Philippines (Nov 2011)

Pic: Tapanee Beach Resort, Malapascua Island (Nov 2011)
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure to visit the Philippines.  As I had already visited the island of Boracay in 2008, I was looking for new exotic island to discover.  Originally I was thinking about Bohol, the number 1 tourist destination for visitors arriving in Cebu.  Eugene, a Russian CouchSurfer, came up with a different proposal: diving at Malapascua island.  We met at Cebu North Bus Terminal and joined the Filipinos on the bus to Maya.  The four hour ride along scenic routes cost us 160 Philippine Pesos, which is less than 3 euro.  In Maya, a banca (local ferry) sailed us to Malapascua island in less than half an hour for 80 pesos.

Pic: Bart enjoying one of Malapascua’s beautiful beaches (Nov 2011)

Pic: Bounty Beach at Malapascua Island in the Philippines (Nov 2011)
As Eugene had already booked at Moonlight Resort, I joined him.  Eugene had booked a deluxe room with fan and was quoted PHP 700 by the Austrian owner who runs the place from Austria and visits on regular bases.  I was quoted almost the double PHP 1300 for a deluxe room with aircon.  Turned out these rooms where exactly the same, only the aircon was disabled at Eugene’s room.  Moonlight is located a 10 minute walk from Bounty beach, which makes it much cheaper than some of the other properties along Bounty Beach.  The walk from the beach leads you through the local village which gives it extra charm.  The accommodation was clean and spacious, had friendly staff and served acceptable breakfast.  Unfortunately, my stay at Malapascua was limited to three days, but I used the opportunity to renew my PADI Advanced Open Water diving license with a Scuba Review at Thresher Shark Divers.  Excellent dive guidance by instructor Angus, great food and drinks at Oscar’s and everything at very affordable prices.
Video: Lovely Filipina introduces us to Malapascua Island

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Deluxe room at Pullman Pattaya Aisawan

Posted on August 23, 2011 | 1 Comment


Pic: View from Deluxe room at Pullman Pattaya Aisawan (Aug 2011)

Pic: My Deluxe room at Pullman Pattaya Aisawan (Aug 2011)
Originally I had booked a 4-night reward stay at Holiday Inn Pattaya.  Early August, Miles and More launched an Accor hotels promo which made me reconsider my booking.  I reduced my reward stay at Holiday Inn to two nights  and booked one night at Pullman Pattaya Aisawan and one night at Hilton Pattaya.  Looking back at my Pattaya trip, this hotel hopping strategy was the right thing to do.  Not for the sake of collecting miles or points, but to experience the same beach location from different angles.

My stay at Pullman was supposed to earn me 1000 Star Alliance Miles, until I played the Winning Wheel and won my stay for free!  All excited for my upcoming free stay, I agreed on the expensive Holiday Inn Pattaya hotel limo (400THB for 10 min. ride) to the Pullman Aisawan.  Surprisingly, our overpriced limo driver didn’t know where the hotel was located and had to ask locals for directions.  The arrival at Pullman was quite impressive.  We approached the hotel along an nice driveway before drawing up in front of the elegant lobby entrance.  As A-Club Gold member (a status which I obtained for free via a sign-up link last year) I was ushered to at a dedicated check-in desk and served a refreshing drink.  After the usual formalities, I was offered a nice Pullman travel bag as welcome gift and informed my deluxe room booking was upgrade to a ‘Suite’.  A free stay and still being upgrade to a suite, nice!  A staff member escorted me to my ‘Suite’ only to discover I was not upgraded to a Suite, but an Executive Aisawan Club Room.  What I had previously read online was confirmed, this room type offered a nice sea-view but the interior was run down pretty bad.  Being quite disappointed, as my exceptions were set on an Executive Aisawan Club Suite Room at check-in, I requested to see my original booked Deluxe Room.  As it had a more recent interior, I switched rooms.  Too bad the staff didn’t handle this too well.  They weren’t quite friendly at this point compared to the initial check-in phase and I had to collect my new room keys at the reception myself.  When I complained about this, the front desk manager just stared at me speechless.

After settling at the deluxe room, it was time to relax.  Contrary to Holiday Inn, Hilton and most other Pattaya hotels, Pullman Aisawan offers direct beach access.  The Pattaya beach is a relatively narrow strip of sand which is unfortunately littered with trash at many places.  I found a quite different situation at Pullman’s beach: it was private, well maintained and guarded.
The Pullman Aisawan Beach Club offered private Cabanas with a reasonable 1000THB minimum spend , two big pools and impressive Beach Bar.  We had a great afternoon with a nice view, good food and cocktails.  Check my iPhone 360 panorama of the Pullman Pattaya Beach Club.

Overall, not a bad stay,  but front-desk staff needs some more training and focus should be put on details (i.e. a lot of minor defects in rooms, elevators, corridors, etc…)

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Regency Suite at Hyatt Regency Cancun

Posted on June 5, 2011 | 3 Comments

Pic: View from my Regency Suite at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)Pic: Regency Suite Bedroom at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)
I’m currently enjoying a 10 9 night stay (arrived one day late thanks to Continental Airlines – United) at the Hyatt Regency Cancun.  The main reason for this trip is to secure my Gold Passport Diamond level for the next two years using the Gold Passport Status Match Challenge.  At arrival I was assigned a Regency Suite King with Ocean view (room 1115).  I used two Suite Upgrade Awards to exchange my King room for a Regency Suite at the time of booking.  Initially I was disappointed with the view.  The room was facing the ocean, but you couldn’t see the Cancun bay.  I went back to the front desk and requested a room facing the bay.  The front desk attendant told me no Regency Suites facing the bay were available, but I should come back the next day at 1pm to check if I could move to an other room.  I was fine with that, as I would stay 9 nights anyway.  Once back in my room, I got a call from John, the Chief Concierge at Hyatt Regency Cancun.  He wanted to check why I didn’t like the room and if he could offer a solution.  Ten minutes later I could pick-up new keys for a Regency Suite (room 1220) with view on the bay.  Now that’s customer service!

Pic: Arial Para Sailing view of Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Nighttime view from Regency Suite at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Lobby Area at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Lobby Area and O restaurant at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Main Pool Area at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Pool Area at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Pool Lounge Chairs at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Pool with beach view at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: The Beach House Spa Cabana at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Cabanas with beach view at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Cabana with beach view at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

Pic: Stunning beach at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)
Video: Regency Suite at Hyatt Regency Cancun (Jun 2011)

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