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.

You will love the Best Western at Bangkok’s airport

The Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport is a welcome sight after a long flight but it also a great place to stay before a long flight.  The slick design along with beautiful landscaping and bright lobby lighten the mood of the weary traveler. Connecting from Suvarnabhumi Airport is quick and easy. Go to the Level 2 across from Gate 5 where it says “Hotel Representatives” and look for the agent in the bright pink jacket. The shuttle runs every half hour. 

The guest rooms are large and include complimentary Wi-Fi

access, cable TV, daily newspapers and other fine amenities including bathrobes. Suites, rooms with kitchenettes, and adjoining rooms are available.  Savvy travelers will include the breakfast with its vast assortment of choices. Business travelers will enjoy their Executive Club Floor. There is all-day dining which is perfect for the traveler whose body is on a different time zone. Be on the lookout for hotel food and beverage promotions.  

Relax, head to their Maspa for one of their body-renewing treatments that range for foot reflexology to their four-hour rejuvenation package.  Then spend some time around their lovely pool with a snack bar. Looking for something more energetic then check out their gym.  

The Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is a full service hotel so guest will find a business center, childcare services, and a currency exchange. For more information check www.bestwestern.com.

Tohsang Khongjiam Resort is the place to stay in Ubon Ratachathani

Tohsang Khongjiam Resort is located on a tranquil spot along the Mekong River about one hour from Ubon Ratchathani. The hotel is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Thailand that is virtually unknown to tourists. There are many interesting sites in the area plus it is a gateway to Lao and Cambodia. Bikes are available for exploring the nearby area plus the staff will help to arrange any sightseeing tours. 

There is a lovely pool, a spa and a variety of accommodations in a jungle-like setting.  Guests have a variety of option for accommodations from basic rooms to luxurious villas with private pools at their adjacent Sedhapura five-star

accommodations. The hotel is popular with tourist groups who are out and about during the day leaving the hotel for those who want to enjoy the pool and serene environs. Breakfast and internet are complimentary.

Guests will enjoy dining at the Café De Khong terrace bar and restaurant with the cool evening breezes and lights of the Lao village across the river.  The menu offers a variety of local and international dishes made from natural ingredients and fresh fish from Mekong River. Guests with untimely flight should consider staying at their Ubon Ratchathani City Hotel near the airport. There is free transportation from the city hotel to the airport. For more information check www.tohsang.com.

Enjoy an 8-day cruise on the Mekong Explorer

The best way to see the sights of Lao and Thailand along the Mekong River from Vientiane to Ubon Ratchathani is on the Mekong Explorer cruise. The custom-built teak and mahogany three-deck ship has well-appointed cabin each with a private bathroom with walk-in shower. Each day of the eight-day cruise includes sailing and a shore trip.  Many of the short trips go to places seldom visited by foreigners.

Day trips include Phu Prabaht Historical Park, soon to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Buddhist Sculpture Park, a boat ride on a lotus lake, the one-time home of Ho Chi Minh, the rock monastery of Phu Tok, and several other Buddhist temples. One daytrip includes a

long-tail boat ride up the Khading River to the Lao village of Ban BagBang.  Upon return to the Mekong Explorer guests are invited to a Lao cooking demonstration presented by the ship’s chefs.  Many evenings there are informational programs so guests can have a better understanding of the area.  

The service is excellent and so are the meals. One evening the Mekong Explorer ties up to a sandbar in the middle of the Mekong River and the staff prepares an excellent beach BBQ after which they entertain by singing Lao songs. The cruise is designed for those who love pampering without the glitz and want to explore areas off the usual tourist path. For more information check www.cruisemekong.com. 

In Nong Khai stay at Budsabong Resort

Budsabong Fine Resort is located on the edge of Nong Khai,

dubbed one of the world’s most livable towns, nestled in a large wooded estate. Nong Khai is across the bridge from the Lao capital of Vientiane. It is also one of the places to board the Mekong Explorer for an 8-day sail on the Mekong. 

The boutique hotel is lovely but one of the best features is the swimming pool and one should book a poolside room. Get up in the morning and step into the pool. During the day relax on your private porch. Each room has bathtub and standalone shower with some rooms featuring Jacuzzi-style hot tubs. Guests will find a personal safe, hair dryer, telephone, television, A/C and free internet.  Breakfast is included with a mix of western and eastern dishes along with an egg station.

In the evening many people leave the hotel to dine at one of the many eateries in Nong Khai but those who chose to dine at the hotel will enjoy a relaxing meal made with the finest ingredients.  In fact, the hotel has its own little garden to raise organic vegetables for their kitchen to go along their own coconuts and bananas.

The owner lives close by and along with the staff is ready to help guests arrange anything they may need or desire.  There are also bikes available for guest usage. For more information check Budsabongfineresort.com.

The InterContinental Hotel in Hua Hin, Thailand

The five-star InterContinental hotel is located three-hours south of Bangkok on a beautiful beach close to many activities.The resort has 119 rooms, three beachfront villas with private plunge pools, and a range of suites. Beside the excellent service and elegant accommodations with all the upscale amenities one comes to expect at an InterContinental property guests can relax at their innovative pool with many levels, in-water lounges, and complimentary afternoon refreshments.

There are three on-property restaurants including Pirom which features authentic Thai cuisine made from locally-sourced ingredients. Trattoria-style dining and wood-fired pizza are available at Felicita and the Azure Beach Grill offers all-day dining and fantastic rooftop views. The alfresco, sunken dining areas create a private feel to any dining experience. The Lee La Bar serves up single malts, cigars and live jazz while the Pool Bar offers cocktails and light snacks poolside. Enjoy soulful saxophone sounds and signature cocktails overlooking Hua Hin Beach from The Fireside. The Roof Bar offers sweeping views of the beach making it a a great place to end the day. Guests should schedule time to relax at their spa where they combine authentic Thai techniques with the therapeutic benefits of oils and herbal compresses and organic ingredients.

One of the many wonderful things about InterContinental Hotels is there Insider Program that

affords guests an opportunity to learn about the local culture. At dawn offer Buddhist monks “alms” of food in the traditional Thai manner, then enjoy a calming session of healthy sunrise yoga on the lawn lined with frangipani trees, and plan to sign up for their Thai cooking class that includes a visit to the morning wet market. For more information contact www.ichotels.com.

Amari Don Muang Airport, Bangkok Thailand is a great stopover hotel

Friends and frequent fliers of Air Asia now have a new great stopover hotel. Amari Don Muang Hotel is connected to Don Muang International Airport by an overhead passageway. The hotel offers first-rate accommodations, fine dining, and excellent service.  The hotel is also close to the train station offering easy access to the city’s central business district and shopping areas. And, should you need to get to Bangkok’s other airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, there is a free shuttle bus between the two airports. The hotel is especially ideal as a stopover accommodation for those departing Bangkok early in the morning or arriving late at night.

Accommodations offer everything a traveler needs with the fifth floor accommodations offering Grand Deluxe Rooms with a sitting area, terrace, fully equipped writing desk and facilities for PC and fax. Guests can enjoy their lovely outdoor swimming pool and workout facilities.

There are several dining options including the Zeppelin Restaurant which offers international and Asian specialties, including lunch buffet on weekdays. The Oasis Poolside is a great place to spend time after a long international flight and enjoy some light refreshments, cocktails and snacks. For a quick bit the Cockpit Lounge and Library offers light snacks and coffee. Henry J. Bean’s Bar & Grill features American Tex-Mex food, Thai snacks, beer and cocktails with live music on the weekends. Whenever your travels take you via Don Muang Airport make Amari Airport Hotel your home for a day or two.

Make Baan Namping your home in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand. It is a busy place perfect for shopping but it can be hot and hectic. The best place to stay while visiting Chiang Mai is just outside the city at Baan Nam Ping Riverside Village. It is less than 20 minutes from the airport and city in a tranquil rural setting.

The small, intimate resort on the Ping River has spacious accommodations most of which have a large porch perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee while the morning mist rises off the river or for relaxing while watching the sunset reflect on the river. The grounds are beautiful and the birds plentiful making for a wonderful escape from the noisy city.

The staff will arrange all tours including those to elephant camps and ethnic villages. Return to the hotel after a busy day of sightseeing; enjoy a dip in the pool, and relaxing meal in their restaurant. Guests can borrow a bicycle for a jaunt into the nearby village or rent a motor bike to explore more of the countryside.

Baan Nam Ping Riverside Resort is managed by a German gentleman with staff fluent in German, English and Thai. Check for specials that can include airport transfers and discounts for long stays. Staying at Baan Nam Ping is so relaxing and enjoyable that guests forget they are just minutes for a city. It is better to visit the city for shopping and return to Baan Nam Ping for a relaxing evening is a tropical setting. For more informationa check http://baannamping.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.

Bangkok, Thailand: The Novotel at Suvarnabhumi Airport

There is a lot to like about the Novotel.  Guests can arrive anytime and check-out 24 hours later. The choice of five restaurants and bars off the lobby make dining a pleasure.  The hotel has one of the nicest roof top swimming pools I have had the pleasure to enjoy. It breaks the mold of airport swimming pool with its Thai design and

plenty of trees.  Adjacent to the pool is a workout room.  The spa is also wonderful with special massages designed to relieve jet lag. When I arrive after a long flight I like to spend a day getting adjusted to the time change, going to the pool, and getting a spa treatment.  The hotel also has an open-air “garden room” where it is possible to relax surrounded by greenery; a wonderful place to chill out with a book. I usually book a night or two at the same Novotel when it is time to return to the States so that I feel ready to endure the long flights.  

I am a fan of the Novotel’s Le Club Level and find it value-laden. Checking in at Le Club is a sit-down experience and swift.  The accommodations are large and Le Club includes complimentary internet, breakfast in Le Club or at The Square’s massive buffet. We prefer breakfast in the serenity of the Le Club at “our” table by the window.  Le Club bookings also include discounts at the spa and other benefits. We like the friendliness of Le Club and have come to know some of the staff and they often remember us. A nice touch.  We transit via Bangkok several times a year and always look forward to our stay. For more information check www.accorhotels.com/.

Bangkok, Thailand: The Luxurious Peninsula Hotel

• Due to the unique waved-shape design all rooms have views of the Chao Phraya River
• Unrivaled for service, amenities, dining experiences, and state-of-the-art technology
• Offers special cooking and cultural programs through its Peninsula Academy

For the Bangkok Peninsula and their other outstanding properties check peninsula.com.