Vaboir Lodge-Bangkok

We stayed in Vaboir Lodge Royal Suite while in Bangkok booked through booking.com at a cheap price of THB1800 for 3 nights without breakfast. If you wish to avail breakfast, its available at THB50, which you'll have to pay at the reception. The breakfast which we tried only on our last day consisted of two sunny side up egg, a piece of sausage, a slice of ham and a 1 slice of bread. You have to choose between coffee and orange juice, you cant have both! You'll obviously won't get full with this breakfast plate!
The room had a king size bed, a sofa, 21-inch cabled tv, a mini fridge and complimentary sachet of instant coffee, bottled water and toothbrust set. The room was clean though and the wardbrobe smells old when you open it, and with only two hangers inside. There is no safety deposit box. Unless if you requested for it, complimentary ameneties like coffee, shampoo and bottled water will not be replaced. Hot water is upon request but once you call reception it will be delivered in an instant.

-------------------------------------------Cute his and her bedroom slippers.

The hotel is located in a residential district surrounded with greeneries very far from the action. If you are in Bangkok for a short touristic trip, I do not recommend this unless if your willing to spend at least 100 baht to reach the nearest mrt station every time you go out. From the hotel we took a taxi going to the Grand Palace and paid about 250 baht, double that for the return trip. The traffic was terrible too! We were stuck in the street for more than an hour. We planned to check out early after our first night due to bad location but since we only had 3 days in Bangkok we decided to just stay anyway the staff were extremely helpful and always smiling. They always give a warm reception. On our last day, we asked the reception where is the nearest market to buy green Thai mango and they offered us complimentary tuktuk-like service which was great. If not for the very nice staff, I will regret having booked this hotel.

The Harbour Hotel and Residence-Dubai

I recently stayed at the Harbour Hotel and Residence in the Dubai Marina district. (July16, 2009). I was given an upgrade room, a two-bedroom suite marina view which was very helpful since I have friends coming over for my birthday. Upon check-in, I was given a welcome drink and a pack of Arabian sweets and cold towel. When I entered the room again there was a "plate" of complimentary sweets and a small box of chocolate. At about 7pm, the door bell rang and I was surprised to receive a complimentary mini cake for my birthday!

Suite 3106: It’s an apartment type suite with a spacious living room with 42-inch lcd t.v and a book shelf with interesting books! There was a well equipped kitchen too, with all the cutlery, utensils, a microwave oven, bread toaster, coffee maker, big ref, dish washer and cooker very good if you’re up for a long stay in Dubai. Washing machine and ironing set are also available. You’ll also not run out of comfort rooms as there are many. 1 toilet next to the kitchen, another one before the rooms, a full toilet and bath with bath tub in each bed room complete with l’occitane toiletries. One bedroom has a king size bed and 42 inches lcd cabled t.v, and the other a twin room (without tv). There was also a balcony with the beautiful marina view but it was just too humid outside so we were not really able to stay much in the balcony. The aircon was well controlled inside so you will not feel too cold nor hot. The next morning when we woke up, there was English newspaper for us (Gulf News). Another thing I liked at the Harbour, is that there is a mini store on the 2nd floor so if you are cooking and suddenly remember you don’t have onions, you can just go down and buy, another good thing is that the price is the same as when you buy it in the nearby spinneys without walking under the scorching hot sun outside. It is so convenient! There is also a swimming pool on the HC level, same floor as the timeless spa where massage is offered. At night, you can walk along the marina where a host of cafes and bars are lined along the street. You will also see yachts parked and dhow cruise activities are present. If you are a tourist, the hotel offers free shuttle bus service to wild wadi and emirates mall plus a voucher to access an upscale private beach resort, le royal meridian beach resort and spa on a first come first serve basis. On the down side, since marina area is still “young” and being further developed you will see constructions going on everywhere. The lift was a disappointment too as it comes so slow!
When taking a taxi to the hotel, be sure to stress that you are going to Harbour hotel as it sounds like the nearby hotel Habtoor. This hotel is very highly recommended for families or group that plans to stay in dubai for a week or more. Taxi’s are just readily available outside the hotel. Public bus is also accessible at 2 dhs you will reach al ghubaiba bus station in 40 minutes with x25 bus and then take another bus # 402 to the airport at another 2 dhs for 20minutes, otherwise a taxi costs about 75dhs and 30 minutes of travel time (note that taxi from airport starts at dhs25)

-----------------------------------------------------------Living Room


-------------------------------------------------------Twin Room

------------------------------------------------------L'Occitane soap

----------------------------------i love the L'Occitane Products in all the Bathrooms

----------------------------------Hall leading to Timeless Spa and Health Club

-----------------------------------------The Small Swimming Pool on the 5th Floor

-------------------------------------Great Dubai Marina View from the Bacony

Summer Room Rate: DHS 1,199 2 bedroom suite-marina view with breakfast and internet connection until september 18, 2009 www.emirateshotelsandresorts.com

Airline Of The Year 2009

Skytrax (established 1989) are specialist Research Advisors to the air transport industry. It is a privately owned UK company based in London .

Skytrax undertake Product, Service and Passenger research studies for airlines, airline alliances, airports and related air transport product / service suppliers across the globe - offering an unrivalled experience and knowledge of this specialist market. The market research department are responsible for commissioning and managing the 2 major, annual Passenger Surveys for the world airline and world airport industry.

These comprise the World Airline Survey™ and World Airport Survey™, both of which have become firmly established during the last 10 years as the most respected, independent, global surveys of airline and airport quality performance.

Competitive and front-Line Quality Performance evaluations comprises core services, with Skytrax having worked for over 210 airlines and 65 airports in recent years.

A global leader in air transport research, Skytrax staff are industry professionals - offering the most diverse and detailed knowledge of this specialist market.

"Professional air transport research by air transport professionals" is the ethos that enables the organisation to provide the highest standard and quality of research services.

Skytrax operate the unique, global online Airline & Airport guide, which is now one of the world's most popular, independent travel forum and air travel information web sites.
Skytrax is known worldwide as a trusted brand that has a unique relationship with its intelligent, discerning users. Quite simply, users trust SKYTRAX, they trust the information we provide and they trust our values. (excerpt from http://www.worldairlineawards.com)

TOP AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2009

1. Cathay Pacific Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Asiana Airlines
4. Qatar Airways
5. Emirates Airlines
6. Qantas
7. Etihad Airways
8. Air New Zealand
9. Malaysia Airlines
10. Thai Airways

These were the same names too, in last year's top airline award but with different rankings.

WORLDS BEST CABIN STAFF

1. Malaysia Airline
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Thai Airways
4. Singapore
5. Cathay

When in comes to service, in my opinion Asian carriers will always be on top. Warm hospitality is almost always natural to asian people. (hmmm, sounds biased!)

BEST ECONOMY CLASS CATERING

1. Asiana
2. Emirates
3. Qatar
4. Etihad
5. Austrian

Food served inside the plane is never really a dining experience, but in todays trend of mushrooming budget airlines that sell cup noodles on board, flying big named airlines include "free" meals. For a 6-hr flight lunch or dinner is usually served consisting of main dish, dessert, appetizer and drinks, as you please from softdrinks, juices and wine. For an 8hr-flight a starter is also given like chips and juice before serving the main course. For more than 10 hrs, its starter, breakfast and lunch.

BEST INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

1. Emirates Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Virgin Atlantic
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Qatar Airways

Emirates were named winner of Best Airline Inflight Entertainment - for the 6th time in ten years. Edward Plaisted (CEO of Skytrax) said: "in recent years the importance of inflight entertainment across the typical air travel experience has grown considerably and this repeat win demonstrates that Emirates remain at the forefront in delivering exceptional standards of entertainment options to their customers".
(http://www.worldairlineawards.com/)


Unlike the others who fall asleep as soon as they get to the plane, I don't. It's a big relief that Airlines are giving importance to Inflight entertainment. For me, who usually travels from Dubai to Manila for 8 hrs, the availability of movies and music on board are things I'm always looking forward to when flying.

How about you, what's your Favorite Airline? =) enjoy your flight!