The Kunlun Jing An – A Review By Punam Mohandas To begin this review, one would have to begin with the genesis of the property. For the past thirty years since its inception, this hotel had been the erstwhile Hilton Jing An. However, the state-owned parent company now wanted a more intrinsic Chinese presence hitherto…
Amari Hua Hin – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Amari Hua Hin does not have a very prepossessing façade, however, the interiors are cool and refreshing. The lobby is an oblong-shaped room, done up in white and deep blue that somehow gives out a very welcoming vibe. An overhanging decoration in red, supposed to…
So Sofitel Bangkok – A Review By Punam Mohandas Six years into its opening, the So Sofitel Bangkok can still be considered a relatively new property. The hotel prides itself on its bold approach to design and indeed, offers a funky, contemporary look effortlessly that is quite a delight to behold. There are actually two…
Banyan Tree Bangkok – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Banyan Tree Bangkok has long maintained its stand as one of the city’s leading luxury hotels. With 327-keys and 61 floors, one might be forgiven for thinking this would be just another impersonal city hotel but instead, the Banyan Tree Bangkok brings to its patrons…
Vivanta by Taj Bentota – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Vivanta by Taj Bentota is a stately colonial style building set over nine acres, with manicured lawns and quiet woods that are flanked by the sea. There is a railway line running close to the hotel and the whistle of the engine against the…
Vivanta by Taj – Coral Reef – A Review By Punam Mohandas Vivanta by Taj – Coral Reef is located on the small, private island of Hembadhu in the North Male atoll and is a one hour ride by speedboat from the airport. One alights at the hotel’s jetty and spirits are instantly revived by the…
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives – A Review By Punam Mohandas Don’t be fooled by the rustic surroundings amid placid waters of the clearest aquamarine. In spite of the Enid Blyton-ish Enchanted Woods feeling, the Taj Exotica Maldives is one of the most upscale properties of the Taj Group, with premium room fitments and every…
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – A Review By Punam Mohandas Often referred to as the Grande Dame of Bangkok, the Mandarin Oriental is now an impressive (for a city hotel) 142-years old! The absolutely spectacular original façade, dating back to 1876, has been carefully preserved by successive general managers. Colonial in style, it is white with pale…
Vivanta By Taj – President, Mumbai – A Review By Punam Mohandas One somehow feels an almost indescribable sense of welcome and homecoming on alighting at a Taj property and so it is with the Vivanta by Taj – President. One of the oldest hotels in Mumbai, the President was started in 1972, following which…
Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok – A Review By Punam Mohandas It never ceases to surprise me as to the differing perceptions regarding the Hilton brand in Asia and Europe. I have stayed at both the Hilton Amsterdam (Apollolaan) and the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower; somewhat unprepossessing facades and rooms that had the bare essentials, along the…
Anantara Hua Hin Resort – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Anantara Hua Hin is a cluster of low-roofed, Thai style pavilions, set amid acres of lush greenery and lotus ponds. It is quite a large, spread-out property, with little wooden bridges connecting to the rooms and plenty of trees, bushes, wild orchid plants and…
Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees – A Comfortable Stay Option In Hong Kong Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees is located in Tokwawan district of Kowloon, Hong Kong, and it takes about 45 minutes (depending on the traffic) to reach there by road. From the outside, the Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees looks like just any other building on…