Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok – A Review By Punam Mohandas It was a trip down nostalgia lane as I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Erawan recently; I used to stay at this hotel during my early visits to Bangkok many years ago and always favoured it on account of its rather grand atmosphere and staff…
Il Relais Verona – A Review By Punam Mohandas I am hard put to describe the Il Relais; to call it a ‘hotel’ would not do it justice as it puts one in mind of a sterile, formal atmosphere with no character and to call it a ‘B&B’ evokes the image of simplicity and homely…
Ibis Budget Lugano Paradiso – A Review By Punam Mohandas This is probably a unique property to Accor, in that three of its brands are located in a tight cluster within the city: the Novotel, Ibis and Ibis Budget. The hotel has a small, cheerful lobby, well lit by natural lighting due to the glass…
Maison Kammerzell – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Maison Kammerzell is situated in the scenic and historic town of Strasbourg which, in turn, is located in the stunning Alsace region of France, famed for its Alsatian white wines such as the Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Noir. It is nothing short of a privilege to…
Hotel de Gruyeres – A Review By Punam Mohandas Without a doubt, a stay at the Hotel de Gruyeres in the little village of Gruyeres in Switzerland has been among my most charming experiences and I totally recommend this property. One of a handful of hotels in the village, it looks like a Swiss country…
Ibis Firenze Prato EST – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Ibis Firenze Prato Est has 127-keys and offers free wifi throughout the hotel. The lobby is small, bright and airy, done up in the typical Ibis red and orange colours. There is a vending machine with beverages for guest convenience, as also two computers…
Tokyo Marriott Hotel – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Gotenyama Tower and the Tokyo Marriott, housed within the same complex, has an extremely interesting and colourful past; the building stands on a hilly incline that once housed a shogun’s villa (1604-1651) and a famed tea house (1579-1647.)The hotel building dates back to 1990 and…
Courtyard By Marriott Shin-Osaka – A Review By Punam Mohandas The Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka has an enviable location, being right next to (but not inter-connected) one of the busiest train stations (Shin-Osaka) in Osaka that is a humongous space with a number of shops and eateries and a mindboggling volume of passengers that pass…
Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre – A Review By Punam Mohandas As most Hyderabadis know, the Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre is the erstwhile Viceroy hotel, occupying a prime position overlooking Tank Bund and the only property strategically poised between the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Much of the old façade still…
JW Marriott Juhu, Mumbai – A Review By Punam Mohandas As the general manager, Pavithran Nambiar, readily agrees, the Marriott Juhu has long held sway over the city of Mumbai by virtue of its location and its A-list crowd. Bollywood’s crème de la crème move silently and purposefully through its environs, be it the gym…
The Westin Pune Koregaon Park – A Review By Punam Mohandas About the first thing that strikes you as you walk into the 277-keys Westin Pune, is the subtle, lingering fragrance. The mood enhancing scent of White Tea is prevalent throughout the hotel, putting guests into a conducive frame of mind almost immediately. The lobby…
Ao Prao Resort Koh Samet -A Review By Punam Mohandas Set on the quiet and placid beach of Ao Prao, the Ao Prao Resort on Koh Samet is perfect if you’re looking to get far from the madding crowd. With a manageable 59-keys, your privacy and seclusion is assured. The lobby is open-air and has…