Sicily – A Travelogue By Punam Mohandas Sicily is often called the “boot” of Italy, because it’s so far down south, the very edge of the country. It is one of the most naturally beautiful terrains in the world. Apart from this, it has a rich Roman, Greek Byzantine as well as Moorish influence in…
Millennium Hilton Bangkok – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Millennium Hilton team like to describe the hotel as a “riverside sanctuary” and it truly lives up to that claim. Although the façade isn’t very prepossessing, the panoramic views of the mighty Chao Phraya river as well as the glittering Bangkok city skyline more than…
Avatara Resort – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Avatara, so named because of the movie, ‘Avataar’ and also because the owner wanted to base the hotel’s design concept on that of a jungle resort, came up four years ago right across gorgeous Sai Kaew beach on Koh Samed island. This beach is the most…
Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus is a most pleasing property and quite unlike any other Novotel I’ve stayed at. For starters, as you enter the hotel through revolving doors into a square foyer, you will see the lobby opens up into a remarkably spacious and tastefully done…
Kale Konak Cappadocia, Turkey – A Review By Punam Mohandas Cappadocia is famous for its hot air balloon rides and is the reason for most tourists to visit this tiny place up in the mountains of Turkey. However, not many visitors head there in the winter as the balloon rides are cancelled due to inclement…
Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami Istanbul – A Spa Review By Punam Mohandas The Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami is one of the most exclusive and luxurious hamamis in Istanbul, usually spoken of in reverential tones! Curious to see what the experience would be like, I booked myself an appointment for the Ab-i-Hayat, the most premium package…
Mercure Istanbul The Plaza Bosphorus – A Review By Punam Mohandas On a freezing afternoon with winter rain falling softly and steadily, the warm light spilling out from the Mercure’s interiors is like a welcoming beacon to the tired traveller. Entering the small, well-lit lobby, the check-in procedure is mercifully quick and efficient and one…
Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami, Istanbul – A Spa Review By Punam Mohandas The Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami is one of the oldest hamamis in Istanbul and takes its name from Kilic Ali Pasa, one of the greatest admirals of the Ottoman empire. The edifice itself dates back to the 16th century (it was constructed between…
dusitD2 Khao Yai – A Review By Punam Mohandas If you’re looking to get away from the madding crowd for a little bit of R&R amid verdant nature, then I really cannot recommend the dusitD2 Khao Yai strongly enough. Khao Yai (Big Mountain) is the only place in Thailand that produces wine and the hotel,…
Hotel Staats Haarlem – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Hotel Staats in Haarlem is a little over a year old now and has a singularly contemporary and original design concept. With 21-keys, the accommodation is categorised as follows: Comfort (25sqm); Deluxe (27-30sqm); Junior Suite (32-35sqm); Business Suite (37sqm); Royal Suite (45sqm) and the Presidential…
Altstadt Vienna – A Review By Punam Mohandas Staying at the Altstadt is akin to living in a modern art museum as the owner, Mr Otto Wiesenthal, is an avid art lover and collector and a patron of new artists. There are over 300 works of striking art strategically profiled within the Altstadt! I don’t…
The Nicholas Hotel Residence Prague – A Review By Punam Mohandas Quite apart from the fact that the building The Nicholas is housed in dates back to 1786 – which alone raises it a respectful notch in my opinion – the other thing going for it is location, bang in the heart of Prague’s Mala…