ME and MY ITCHY FEET: Hotel Review

Showing posts with label Hotel Review. Show all posts

3/12/10

Dubai Marriot Harbour Hotel and Suites

The Dubai Marriot Harbour Hotel and Suites is situated in Al Sufouh Rd Dubai Marina, Jumeirah.
Lined along the tall buildings in the marina area, standing with 52 floors, we arrived here at about midnight via an airport taxi that cost us 82.50 dirhams (including the airport surcharge of 20 dhs) after 30 minutes of travel from Emirates Terminal 3.

Check in at Dubai Marriot Harbour Hotel and Suites was fast but I was surprised when the security stopped me from shooting with my handycam in the lobby and at entrance of the hotel. The concierge, “Chico”, a Vietnamese guy, brought our luggage up and showed as around the huge 2 bedroom-apartment suite on the 27th floor. It was well equipped and fully furnished. Very spacious, great kitchen complete with all kitchen utensils. A washing machine and iron and ironing board, a balcony with a fantastic view of the palm! Another guest-room with a single bed is there (more like a maids- room, without a window). The master’s bedroom has a 42” LCD tv and a king-size bed, while the other room has two single beds with its own toilet and bath too. I loved the bedding! So soft and comfortable. In total, the apartment suite has 4 toilets (ensuite). There is a book shelf in the living area with lots of reading materials. Swimming pool was small and nothing to rave about but since not much guests come so you can have it t yourself most of the time. Gulf news is provided every day. A small store on the second floor is available otherwise Spinney’s grocery is about 5 minutes walk and lots of cafes lined in the marina area and yachts all over. The observatory bar and restaurant on the top floor was also worth a visit with a 360 degree view of the palm island. A signature spa is also available and few restaurants inside. The Hotel is very good for families specially for those who intend to self cater. We prepared our breakfast and sometimes lunch too, somehow it helped us with our budget. Besides, our otherwise plain breakfast is made special because of the beautiful and relaxing view of the sea. I highly recommend this hotel.
--------------------------------------Spacious Living and Dining area------------------------------

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

--------------------Master's Bedroom with huge windows overlooking the Palm-----------------

We often find ourselves just looking outside the window admiring the calm sea each morning. Mama said she feels sleepy looking at the sea outside and it just seemed like a picture coz nothing seemed moving. Lots of yachts parked, still empty private beaches (we could see Le Meridien Mina Seyahe from our balcony and Habtoor Grand). But as the day progresses, we enjoyed watching parachutes landing, sea plane taking off and then occasionally the yachts moving and some water sports in the nearby resorts.

---------------View of Atlantis, at the Plam from our balcony--------------

From the hotel, we paid 23 dhs to reach Atlantis via taxi which are immediately available right infront of the hotel.

---------------The Sea view from the 27th Floor------------------

The hotel is near hotels like Le Meridien Mina Seyahe and Habtoor Grand

------------------The Dubai Marina at Night-------------------

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/dxbhr-dubai-marriott-harbour-hotel-and-suites

10/21/09

Backpackers Mr. Sea- Seoul

I convinced my sister to experience staying in budget accommodation like I always do on my travels. The main requirement was that we want a private room with own private bathroom. I initially thought of Golden pond hostel as recommended by a friend but there was no triple room with private bath available. In the same area, I found Backpackers Mr. Sea.

Located in Myeongyun 2ga Jongrugu, Seoul, I followed the direction found on the website. From the airport, I looked for the airport limousine just outside the arrival hall, from exit 11 you will immediately find the bus ticket booth. I paid KRW 9000 and waited for bus number 6011. Airport Limousines are available from 6:15 am up to midnight. On the 7th bus stop was Syunkwunwan University. I got down and just across the bus stop I saw Charles Salon and Gak

uya Salon, between these is Backpackers Mr. Sea. From the road you will not find any sign to the guesthouse. Just head inside a small alley in between the Salons and there you will find a glass door. At first, I was hesitant to proceed inside since there was no sign at all. It just looked like a typical receiving area of a house but since I can't see anything else in between Gakuya and Charles Salon, even with a doubt I went on inside and asked. Mr. Sea was there and I handed over to him the remaining balance of krw 186,000 for the room which I booked online. From hostelworld.com, upon reservation, I paid a deposit of 20 USD. I booked a triple private room with private bath at KRW 23,000 per room per night.

The private room was actually an apartment on the 3rd floor. Inside you'll have a washing machine, a cooker with kitchen utensils and a pan. There is also a fridge. The bathroom is very small though. You'll have to access the apartment from outside and you will be given a password to enter the area. I find it very convenient since in other hostels, there is usually a curfew imposed. Here you didn't have to bother anyone even if you come late. The surrounding area is very busy. Since it is near a university, you will see a lot of young Koreans around and a lot of shops and restaurants too. From coffee shops like starbucks, dunkin donuts, to fastfood chains like mcdonalds, kfc, TGI Fridays and bars too! Of course not to outnumber are thev local restaurants serving Korean food. Street food karts, convenient stores are present everywhere within walking distance. The Hyewa station is also just 5 minutes away from the guesthouse. Dondaemon, where you will find a lot of cheap buys is only 1 station away. Changdeukgong Palace is a walking distance, about 10 minutes. Insadong and Gyungbukgong Palace are also very nearby. If you are looking for a hostel without the frills, I recommend Backpackers Mr. Sea.

Backpacker Mr Sea Amenities

Included In Price:

Linen
Parking
Internet Access
24 Hour Reception,
24 Hour SecurityWeb Acces
WiFi Access,
Internet AccessGeneralBreakfast,
Luggage Storage,
Parking, Iron/Ironing BoardFood / DrinkGuest Kitchen, BBQ Area
In RoomAir Conditioning,
Security Lockers,
Key Card,
fun things to do in Backpacker Mr sea: Common Room, BBQ Area

Around the area at night...

early morning around the hostel.....

7/22/09

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.

7/18/09

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 f

or 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)