The InterContinental Residence Asiana Saigon

Be impressed - very impressed. Stay at the InterContinental Residence in Saigon. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it is still called by many, is a 31-storey InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residence. It is adjacent to the InterContinental

Hotel and part of an integrated complex that includes restaurants and a variety of shops. Make yourself at home in this luxurious two-room apartment with a balcony that stretches the length of the two rooms. The combination living room/dining room is large with surround sound TV and a comfy couch and chair. The kitchen area has a large refrigerator, stove and everything needed for preparing a meal. There is a grocery story on

the first level. A dining table seats six. Just off the kitchen is a room with a washer/dryer combination plus a drying rack. The bedroom is large with many closets and drawers plus a desk with free WiFi.  The bathroom has a rainwater shower plus a tub with the commode in its own private room. There is everything one needs for a luxurious stay including daily housekeeping.

Enjoy breakfast or dining any time of the day at Basilico Italian Tratoria. For more dining options it is only a few steps to the restaurants of the InterContinental Hotel.

Guests at the Residence can make use of the InterContinental’s business center, the third-floor fitness center, or the spa.  There is an outdoor pool for guests to use.  The Residence is the perfect place to stay when in Saigon for few day or a fee weeks. For more information check www.ihg.com and for more benefits join their customer loyalty program.

Enjoyed the Holiday Inn in Pattaya

The Executive Tower of the Holiday Inn creates an oasis of calm in what can be chaotic Pattaya Beach.  The crisp, trendy design is a welcome sign in the somewhat tired look of the other hotels in

the area.  There are two towers and the Executive Tower is highly recommended with a shuttle golf cart connecting to the Bay Tower and the beach.  The modern rooms in a minimalistic design sport a large windows and a balcony with a bay and city view, or a bit of both. Ask for a room with a view of the sun set. There is a desk, lounge, and chair along with free Wi-Fi if you are an IHG member.  There is, of course, a TV with international channels and all the other amenities one comes to expect from a Holiday Inn property.

Skip the beach as the infinity pool with a bay view is wonderful with shady spots and lounge-side

service.  The perfect place to spend the day – and don’t forget Happy Hour when libations are two for one. The breakfast, typical of Asian breakfast buffets, and not found in American hotels, meets the culinary desires of all nationalities. 

Most impressive is the floor dedicated to meetings and events with an auditorium, breakout area including a canteen-style eating area.  Everything one would need for a meeting is available.  It has the most comprehensive meeting and event rooms in the area. For more information check www.holidayinn-pattaya.com.

The Holiday Inn in Aruba is a great choice

There a many hotels and condos to choose from when visiting Aruba but you can’t go wrong when booking a stay at the Holiday Inn Aruba. Perfect for couples and families. The hotel has been completely remodeled with a lobby that offers a view to the sea and rooms that have a bright, fresh look.  The beach is wonderful with

plenty of palapas on one of the longest beaches in Aruba. They can be reserved after 4 pm for the following day.  There are three pools one of which is designated for children. Take note of the lounge island in the middle of one of the pools. 

The newly redecorated, air conditioned rooms offer a choice of bed configurations and sport a balcony. Guests can expect all the usual amenities such as cable TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, iron and, the best of all, complimentary Wi-Fi.  There are no complimentary bottles of water because the water in Aruba is safe to drink.  

There are several dining options which have all be upgraded with

new offerings.  Choose between a casual lunch at the Oceanside Bar and Grill or dinner and the ocean side Sea Breeze Restaurant. Of course, fresh fish is the order of the day. In the evening listen to the haunting sounds of the solo saxophone, trumpet or clarinet player while dining.  Several times a week there is a special beachside dinner featuring a Mardi Gras or Circus theme. 

There are a variety of beach/water activities from yoga to volleyball to bingo. Nearby there is a sports rental company for those who want to take a sunset cruise or rent some fun-in-the-sun equipment.  Families will appreciate the children’s activity center with various supervised free activities throughout the day. Babysitting is available. There is an onsite casino for those who are feeling lucky.

IGH hotels take good care of those who are members of their

loyalty program. Elite members can expect a free room upgrade, morning paper and first choice on a palapa while gaining more points for future stays. Nice touch. All this plus the Holiday Inn is one of the more reasonable ocean front accommodations. For more information check www.holidayarubaresort.com or www.ihg.com. 

Consider Executive Level at the Holiday Inn in Shanghai, China

The Holiday Inn Downtown is conveniently located in the Puxi district next to the Shanghai Rail Station and the massive Shanghai subway system. The twin-tower hotel has recently upgraded their rooms creating a fresh contemporary look. Accommodations provide a home-away-from-home with bathrobes, slippers and complimentary movies. There is ample workspace with internet connection, a mini bar and complimentary tea and coffee creating a perfect environment for relaxation after a day of work or sightseeing.

Three restaurants and three bars are waiting to serve guests. The 2^nd floor Yue Garden offers authentic Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine at all three meals while Angle’s Café serves fresh Seafood and BBQ Buffet, and Western and Asian a la carte menu. Xi’s Garden offers Shanghai Cuisine. The Lobby Lounge, Moor Bar, Sports Bar with big screen TV and snooker are excellent venues for relaxing in the evening.

Consider Executive Club Level which offers great value. Besides all the amenities normally available all the Executive rooms in the Great Wall Wing are tailored for working guests with welcome drinks and a laundry allowance. Enjoy the perks of their 20th-floor, staffed Executive Lounge, like complimentary breakfast and happy hour drinks. Separate sit-down check-in, morning paper, complimentary soda from the mini bar, turndown service and valet service are all premium perks that make a stay at the Executive level wonderful. For more information check www.ichotelsgroup.com.

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Naha, Okinawa is good choice

Harborview Crowne Plaza is an excellent option when in Naha, Japan. The property is close to shopping in Kokusai-dori Street plus the bus and monorail stations are just a short walk away. While at the hotel dine at one of their excellent restaurants. Enjoy Okinawan kaiseki cuisine in the Izumi restaurant. View the small but well-landscaped garden through floor-to-ceiling windows in the stylish Printemps restaurant or savour crispy Peking duck in Tosui.

After a day of shopping or sightseeing renew your body and spirit with a visit to the Spa Uminaibi. Enjoy their special combination of Okinawan herbal and aromatherapy. Or enjoy their beautiful outdoor pool. The hotel has several stores selling a wide variety of items including local favorites. Staff at information desk in the Business Center are always ready to help plan excursion. For more information log on to www.ichotels.com.

Regent Beach in Cha'am, Thailand

The Regent Cha’am Resort is located three hours south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand. The full service resort offers several dining options, two pools, and a spa.  Regent Cha’am wants guest to feel that it is there “home away from home” and many do.  Many of the guests have been coming for years and stay many months truly making it their “home away from home.”

Accommodations range from rooms in the main wing with a private balcony offering either a pool or garden view. There are also cabanas in a landscaped garden setting just steps away from the pool and beach. 

The Fitness Center is exclusively available only for hotel guests. There are two spa locations offering a variety of treatments including a sala with a water view. The hotel offers daily activities that range from a cooking class to bike tours. Organized tours are available to nearby attractions including the night market, floating market, an outlet mall, paint ball park, national park, royal summer place, a sheep farm, and much more. There is plenty to do or do nothing but walk the beach and relax around the pool. Just steps away from the property there are convenience stores, restaurants and tailor shops.

The Regent is no longer a Holiday Inn property.  For long stay rates contact the hotel directly. For more information check www.regentchaambeach.com.

Singapore: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

• Breaks the mold of an airport hotel creating a resort-like ambiance
• Excellent restaurants especially the Azur Restaurant with international action stations
• Beautiful pool with abundant greenery and secluded areas

For more information on the Crowne Plaza and other great hotels in this large family of hotels check http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/.