Stay at the Shanker Hotel in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a busy place with lots of traffic and often hot and dusty.  Exiting off the main thoroughfare down what looks like a private road is the Shanker Hotel is an oasis of calm and serenity. The Shanker is a heritage hotel that was formerly a 1894 royal residence that was converted to a luxury hotel in 1964 but the façade remains as it was. Much of the unique interior décor was preserved making the restaurant, lobby, and accommodations unique.

It suffered some damage in the earthquake of 2015 but that gave the owners the opportunity to repair and improve.  The hotel continued to run mainly by changing the entrance and the lobby received the most damage. The cozy Kailash Restaurant has

retains much of the original carvings as does the lobby bar with carved windows over 200 years old.  Service as always remained excellent. 

The grounds are expansive and beautifully landscape with secluded area to really get away.  The pool is the perfect place for a dip and many enjoy lunch from the poolside cafe around the pool.  The 94 rooms are unique and roomy with some sporting arched windows but all have complimentary

internet, TV, A/C, comfy chair, desk and all the amenities one comes to expect from a high-end hotels. There is a spa and tour desk both of which offer excellent service.  For more information check www.shankerhotel.com.np.

Penang’s Holiday Inn Resort

We picked because Penang has been mentioned in many travel magazines as one of the must-visits places and is considered to be

of great value.  The Holiday Inn Resort on Panang’s Batu Ferringhi beach makes a vacation reasonable and fun for couples and families.  The hotel is divided into two distinct parts: the seven-floor Beach Wing and 23-storey Ferringhi Tower that are connected by a sky-bridge. I preferred the Ferringhi Tower because I like a room with a balcony. However,

the rooftop rooms in the Beach Wing have a large balcony with sunbathing area but there are only a few such rooms. The Ferringhi Tower has a mini market and the beach wing has a healthy fruit juice bar. Accommodations have an iPod dock, desk, mini fridge, digital alarm clock, LCD TV and wireless Internet. Children under 12 years of age stay and eat

for free when sharing a room or dining with their parents. There are dedicated family rooms and a large children’s play center with table tennis and billiards nearby. We enjoy the music in the lobby each evening.

There is a beach to walk, a pool cool off in, and a separate kiddie pool. The Terrace Café offers food to suit all ethnic groups and palates. The chef put on a once-a-week cooking demonstration. A juice/fruit bar is just off the lobby. In the evening enjoy your favorite libation in the lobby lounge while

listening to all your favorite songs. In the Tower there is a handy mini-mart. In the evening, just steps from the lobby, there is a mile-long night street market and the hop-on bus stop in front of the hotel. http://penang.holidayinnresorts.com or www.ihg.com. Remember is pays to be a hotel's loyalty member. 

See Northern Vietnam on Pandaw's River Cruise

Pandaw offers a value-laden 10-day cruise of Vietnam’s Red River and Halong Bay.  Pandaw’s RV Angkor is a pioneer when it comes to passenger travel on Vietnam’s Red River and still the only such vessel.

The cruise includes the sights of Hanoi, Halong Bay, and many places along the Red River that most tourists don’t get to see.  Besides the shore trips there are ethnic shows, on-board cooking demonstration, and informative presentations. The staff takes care of everything from arrival to departure and includes personalized service such as cleaning shoes after a shore trip; they will try to accommodating all reasonable requests. 

White tablecloth-dining is on the main deck with great views of the

river and country side. Guests can choose from several items on a menu plus there is a salad and dessert buffet table. The menu is varied featuring Asian and Western cuisine. Special dietary need will be accommodated. Local beverages including beer are gratis but not imported wines, beers, and liquors. Passengers can expect gourmet meals expertly served. There is open seating. Weather permitting staff will prepare a BBQ on a sandbar in the river.

All 32 air-conditioned cabins are roomy with bathroom/shower larger than on many other vessels and include hair dryer, all amenities and L’Occitane toiletries. All are outside cabins with great views. Each room has ample storage space, two nightstands, a safe, and desk/chair, plenty of lighting and life jackets. 

Pandaw cruises are understated luxury that focuses on the history and culture of the area.  Do not expect to find a TV or any of the activities found on large sea-going cruises such as a swimming pool, disco, or sports.  Most of the Pandaw’s guests have been on one or more of their cruises – some as many as five.  That says it all. For more information log on to www.pandaw.com. 

Paris Beach Hotel in Phu Quoc

Paris Beach is a no-nonsense hotel on the island of Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand just off the shore of Cambodia; however, it is Vietnamese. The bungalows are nestled in a garden setting.  The hotel is located on Long Beach, great for swimming and walking on the beach.  There are VIP rooms in the main building, some of which have wonderful views of the water.  

Breakfast is included. The restaurant has an amazing selection with Vietnamese fresh spring rolls and pizza being exceptionally good. People of adjacent hotels are drawn by the extensive menu especially the BBQ. While there is a large restaurant area most guests prefer to eat on the strip of tables and chairs that look out onto the Gulf. 

For those who do not want to lounge on the beach there is a very nice pool Staff is helpful. There is construction going on all around the hotel. Phu Quoc is growing by leaps and bound.  The construction noise in not much of a distraction and the workers are not using loud noise-making equipment.   For more information check http://phuquocparisbeach.com/en.

ParkRoyal’s Orchid Club

Is Executive Club Level worth it? It depends. The first thing to do if you are considering it is to join the hotel’s customer loyalty

program.  There are certain benefits such as free internet, preferred check-in, late check-out and often “member-only” rates.  One of the very best Executive Club Levels I have had the pleasure to enjoyed have been at the Pan Pacific’s Pacific Club and Park Royal’s Orchid Club. Their Executive Club level is well worth it extra cost to upgrade.

One of my favorite hotels is the The ParkRoyal in Saigon. It is a great place to stay – actually it is a wonderful place to stay. It is close to the airport with a free airport transportation and free shuttle to city center and E-Town. The atrium-style hotel is warm and welcoming. The staff will happily meet any

reasonable demand. The Garden Brasserie restaurant has an extensive array of choices and Lotus Bar is a great place to meet friends and enjoy a libation.  The breakfast buffet at the Garden Brasserie is unsurpassable with selections to please any palate. There is a lovely pool and excellent spa making for an even more relaxing stay. 

Savvy travelers will want to upgrade to the ParkRoyal’s Orchid Club Level. It is well worth it. But first, make sure one should become a member of Discovery Global Hotel Alliance loyalty program for even greater savings when booking a room at ParkRoyal’s Orchid Club.  The benefits are outstanding and extensive.

Included in the Orchid Club package is complimentary airport transfer, welcome fruit, daily newspaper, and Internet. Guests may choose to have breakfast in the Orchid Club Lounge where one can pick from a menu or the Garden Brasserie where the buffet choices are amazing. Need a

midday break? Tea time is from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. In the evening there are cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A great place to unwind.  The Orchid Club package offers benefits seldom found at hotels: significant discounts at the Garden

Brasserie, Business Center, and St. Gregory Spa.  And, four pieces of laundry per day! Amazing.  As one might expect with club level there are upgraded amenities, priority check-in, and late checkout. Without a doubt an amazing value.

Hotel Amazing Mandalay is in the center of it all

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and the hub of Upper Myanmar. Entering the hotel guests are greeted with a cool, refreshing towel, and a welcome drink. There are only 16 rooms on two floors but there is a large spa ready to provide relaxing treatments.  

Hotel Amazing Mandalay is a lovely small hotel in the heart of historic Mandalay within walking distance of the Mandalay Palace and the railroad station.  Accommodations are a blend of traditional and modern Myanmar style providing all the comforts one expects from an Amazing Hotel property: complimentary water, coffee/tea service, writing desk, comfy chair, and free internet. The lovely

alfresco restaurant offers a wide variety of Myanmar and international selections. During dinner enjoy the wonderful traditional puppet and dance show. An expansive buffet breakfast with an egg station is served in the upstairs restaurant.

Mandalay has much to offer visitors including Mandalay Palace,

the historic teakwood Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung monastery, Mahamuni Pagoda, The Mustache Brothers, and visiting a gold leaf workshop. The helpful staff at Hotel Amazing Mandalay will make any necessary arrangements needed. And, yes, the name of the hotel is “Amazing.” It is just one of the wonderful hotels in the Amazing Hotels chain, www.amazing-hotels.com.

Ananda Resort in Mue Ni

For a perfect stay in Mue Ni book a sea view room at Ananda Resort. The hotel is located on a great beach… yes, a beach that is there all the time not just a low tide. There are 22 individual

bungalows most of which are in a lovely garden setting. The accommodations are a blend of Balinese and Vietnamese architectural features including a high, peaked interior ceiling with a roof of water coconut palms. Large windows and sliding glass door look out to the sea or the attractive gardens. 

Guests will find coffee/tea making available in their room along with free Wi-Fi throughout the property and cable TV with international channels. The extensive international breakfast is included. Besides the lovely infinity pool with a kiddy area, the hotel is home to a water sport center for kite boarding, jet skiing, SUP, and more.

 There are plenty of lounges and umbrellas on the beach for guest usage. Yoga and cooking classes are available on request. There is a selection of books and DVDs available in the Front Desk for guests to enjoy. Golfers will want to check out the Sea Links course which is only a five-minute drive from the hotel. 

Guest may dine at the hotel or explore the many restaurants just

steps from Ananda Hotel.  Staff will arrange tours to the Sand Dunes, the Fairy Stream, fishing village, plus there are bikes and motor bikes to rent so guests can explore on their own. For more information check www.ananda.vn. Book early as the hotel is often full during peak season, especially during Tet. 

The ParkRoyal, my home in Saigon

The ParkRoyal Hotel in Saigon it the perfect hotel for those who plan to stay in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) and also for those transferring to another destination. The property is a mere five to ten minutes from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport – depending on the traffic. And, the best part is, the airport transfer is gratis. From the ParkRoyal there is easy access to all the tourist spots in the area plus the Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Center. Staff will help plan excursions. The property is within walking distance of a lovely park and a Military Museum. 

The ParkRoyal is offers tranquil luxury and excellent service for the business or leisure traveler.  All accommodations from Superior Rooms to the Executive Suites offer all the amenities travelers have come to expect from the ParkRoyal from pillow-top beds to modern amenities like a media hub and complimentary internet access.  There is a choice of bed size and guests can enjoy the executive work desk among other niceties. 

Looking for a quick bite or cocktails then head to the Lotus Bar where they have live music every night. The Lotus Bar serves a large range of libations, tapas, and light bites. The ParkRoyal’s Garden Brasserie overlooking the garden pool offers a wide international selection of culinary treats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with ala carte items.

Discerning guest will want to upgrade to the Orchid Club rooms where they will receive personalized checking, daily breakfast, and evening cocktails in the club lounge on the top floor plus complimentary laundry service. 

During leisure time guests can avail themselves with a workout in the gym or relaxing in and by the garden pool.  No visit is complete without a rejuvenating massage at St. Gregory’s Spa where there is a full menu of treatments. For more information check www.parkroyalhotels.com. Life is good at the ParkRoyal.

The Amazing Plantation Bay Resort in Cebu, Philippines

Imagine, a resort with over five acres of swimming area plus the sea! The beautiful, high-end Plantation Bay Resort in the Philippines is designed to resemble a colonial plantation village with plantation–style buildings situated around the four saltwater lagoon pools and four fresh water pools.

Guests are picked up at the airport and there is free trolley service connecting the different parts of the hotel plus on some days a horse and carriage is also used. Guess what?  There is absolutely NO tipping. 


There are several great restaurants including Kilmanjaro Kafe which is open 24 hours and Fiji located on the water serving Pacific-rim specialties. They have special themed buffets serving roast pig. You will never run out of things to do.  Beside the pools there is snorkeling, diving, kayaking and other water fun activities.  Guests can play tennis, miniature golf, take a cooking class, fire a variety of weapons, and try wall climbing. The list goes on and on.  Events and activities are advertised on TVs located at the entrance to all buildings, on the internet, and TV. 

The zen-like spa is a great place for a massage and to spend the whole day.  They have several hot-water spas and more. In the evening a violinist/saxophonist plays in various areas of the property. The property is very walk able with cleverly worded storyboards explaining the names of the accommodation units and trees. For more information check www.plantationbay.com.

Enjoy the five-star ParkRoyal Hotel in Yangon

Looking for a 5-star hotel in Yangon, Myanmar, then look no further than the ParkRoyal Hotel. Enter the elegant lobby that exudes old-world charm with the staff attired in traditional garb and a man plays the pattala, the Burmese xylophone. The centrally located hotel is close to the famed Shwedagon Pagoda and steps away from Scott’s Market, now called Bogyoke. 

Guests will appreciate the large bay windows, king-sized bed, executive desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, and turn-down service.

 Choice a Deluxe Room or one of the suites. For that extra special touch upgrade to an Orchid Club Room which includes lounge access, meeting room usage, sit-down check-in, daily breakfast, all-day snacks, evening cocktails, and other exclusive benefits. 

All guests may use the business center, pool, workout room, and enjoy a treatment at the full-service spa. Enjoy local culinary favorites at the Spice Brasserie where an expansive breakfast is served that will meet the culinary tastes of all ethnic groups. Dine indoors or al fresco.  For a special dinner dine at the Sichuan Dou

Hua Restaurant where tea is served with panache; or, enjoy Japanese cuisine with a modern touch at the Shiki-Tei. For a quiet libation and a quick snack the Lobby Bar is the place to be seen. In the evening Club 5, with a dedicated outside entrance, is the happening place complete with live music and a dance floor. 

The Park Royal Yangon is a great choice for business and tourists.  For more information check www.parkroyalhotels.com