Category Archives: The Travel Bug in Me

My trips to local and foreign shores – includes tips and reviews on hotels and restaurants.

Terminal 21: Bangkok’s newest and coolest shopping mall

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During my recent trip to Bangkok, I made sure of reserving a day just for Terminal 21 – the City of Smiles’ latest addition to its ever-growing number of shopping malls. I simply love the concept of the place. Designed like an airport terminal, each floor has a country theme that evokes specialty shops. Level M1 is Caribbean (Popular Thai and International brands), Level M is Paris (Mixed), Level 1 is Tokyo (Women’s/Teens Wear), Level 2 is London (Men’s Wear), Level 3 is Istanbul (Jewelries, Accessories), Level 4 is San Francisco (Dining) and Level 5 is an extension of San Francisco which includes the Multiplex. What makes this mall different from the others? Well, it looks and feels like a high-end place, but the independent shops dotting the Paris, London and Istanbul levels make Terminal 21 such an attractive venue to splurge your money (or credit limit) in. In fact, if you’re good at reasonable bargaining, you can get some excellent buys. And the most creative of local clothing manufacturers have joined hands to give shoppers the most unique options. In short, the expensive looks from the outside are just for show because there are really no high-end stores/boutiques inside. It is practically an homage of a mall for the more price-conscious but ambiance-particular among Thais and tourists alike.

Here are some interior shots I took of the place:

It can be dizzying looking down from where I took this photo. The long escalator is actually a short cut from M level to all the dining places in San Francisco level.

It was pure joy checking out the independent shops in the Paris and London levels.

Here's a view of Terminal 21's entrance coming from the BTS Asoke Skytrain station.

By the way, don’t worry if you just want to plain window shop. The food level offers a wide variety of mouth-watering choices and all priced competitively. A good number of my favorite eateries (e.g. Hachiban 8 and Oishi) have branches here. And if you have a thing about rest rooms, you will be pleased to know that all the toilet bowls are heated (imported from Japan) and the wash room designs adjusting to the theme of each level.

Terminal 21 has an excellent location. It is right at the corner where BTS Asoke (skytrain) and MTR Sukhumvit (subway) meet. If you’re a lazy bone and want to be super close, book a room at Grand Centrepoint Hotel & Residence – Sukhumvit Terminal 21 which has its own access to the mall. Otherwise, some of the walking distance hotel options here are The Key Bangkok, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Westin Sukhumvit, Radisson Sukhumvit, Kingston Suites, City Lodge Soi 19 and Sacha’s Hotel Uno which you can book HERE.

Happy Shopping! :-D

Off to Bangkok!

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image

image I’m off to Bangkok this morning for a much-needed break. I will be there till Easter Sunday. If laziness hits me all over, my daily blogs will most likely be every other day. But depending on what inspires me to write about while sipping a tall drink by the pool, I still won’t let a day pass without a new feature.

I’ve already prepared a couple of advanced posts scattered for posting within the week so that you won’t miss my tireless thoughts too much. ;-)

If any of you, dear readers, are Bangkok-bound as well, just holler via Twitter (@normant) or reply to this thread. I practically know the city like the palm of my hand (well, not 100%) so we can meet up for drinks or lunch (in my fave dining places). I shall be staying around the MBK/National Stadium area for this trip.

Laa gon krap (Goodbye) for now! :-)

Novotel Bangkok Platinum: Offering the best of both worlds in a brand new way

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Novotel Bangkok Platinum: The new kid on Bangkok's hotel block

Are you the regular Bangkok traveler who makes the mandatory beeline for Platinum Mall and come out with loads of shopping bags in both hands and still want to re-enter and shop more but is prevented by the cumbersome fact that you have nowhere to dump your purchases in? Well, how does the sound of having your hotel room attached to the shopping annex itself? Good? Nah. I’d say excellent!.

Novotel Bangkok Platinum is one brand-new reason to schedule another trip to the Land of Smiles. The fully non-smoking property is the answer to the shoppers’ dilemma – looking to stay beside Platinum Mall and be allowed constant shopping with frequent room pit stops in between. Sure, there are so many other options around the Pratunam area to consider, but nothing beats staying within the mall’s immediate vicinity. Besides, this is a mid-scale hotel so the prices are almost always priced in the USD100 range, even more reasonable if you get it via Sawadee or Agoda.

Novotel Bangkok Platinum offers 283 rooms intelligently spread out in a 33-storey skyscraper where the higher floors can afford guests a fantastic view of the city at night. The rooms are well-designed with all the amenities you need to make a brief or longish stay more relaxing. In short, you can get the best of both worlds here – shopping to your heart’s delight and sleeping in crisp, new rooms to relax your tired body. And if I haven’t convicnced you so far, do keep in mind that it is walking distance to Central World, Big C, Pratunam Market, Gaysorn Plaza and more importantly, the Skytrain station at Chitlom (at least a 10-minute trek but still manageable).

So what are you waiting for? Book that next trip to Bangkok now! ;-)

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam: Another brand-new hotel option in the Land of Smiles

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Bangkok never runs of brand-new hotels opening left and right. Come hot and humid day or wet and flooded nights, the Land of Smiles continues to rake in millions of tourists….an excellent reason for new properties to keep on cropping up.

This time, Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam is set to unveil its first brand come February 1, 2012. This will make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia and the first in Asia Pacific outside Greater China and Japan to welcome the entry of the successful Holiday Inn Express brand.

So some of you might ask, what’s so special about this one? I’ll give you three good reasons:

1) Free Breakfast – this is a staple of all Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world. For the Siam Bangkok pit stop, a limited buffet breakfast will be served on the 7th floor restaurant, with a separate counter where you can “grab & go” for your meals.

2) Free Wi-Fi – No questions asked. As long as you are a hotel guest, you can access the internet anywhere – be it the common areas, 7th floor resto or the comforts of your own room.

3) Excellent Location – Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam will particularly interest shoppers who want to stay within arms’ reach of MBK and Siam Square. On top of that, you are only 90 steps away from the nearest skytrain station (@National Stadium). Very convenient indeed!

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam's location map (green arrow). Notice how close it is to the skytrain at National Stadium plus MBK Shopping Centre right beside the station.

So if you plan to return to (or make a first-time visit to) Bangkok on or after February 1, 2012, consider staying at Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam. You will definitely be able to take advantage of one of their 300 brand-new and tastefully-designed rooms sized at a minimum of 23 sq.m..

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam is at 889 Rama 1 Road, Wang Mai Pathumwan, Bangkok, TH. Hotel Front Desk can be reached at: 66-02-6560318. Hotel Fax No: 66-02-6560378

My #1 Choice for Bangkok (and Thailand) Online Hotel Booking Site

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I don’t normally make outright endorsements – just recommendations – of online booking sites for hotels in Bangkok and Thailand in general. I think that I can state this with confidence after more than a decade of gaining specialized exposure to the Land of Smiles from an outsider’s point of view. And this time, I’m making a well-thought-of pitch to encourage blog readers and visitors to give my top pick for a country-specific reservationist. I’ve tried them several times and have never been disappointed. Everything is in perfect order. What’s more, their rates can rival all the other competitors. One of the main reasons here is the fact that they are based in Bangkok itself and have earned the trust of affiliated properties in the same.

Let me re-introduce you to Sawadee.com / R24.org

Sawadee.com for all Thailand bookings



And what makes my push more reliable? Well, personal experience for one. But more importantly, I visit Bangkok almost purely as a tourist (or leisurely traveler if you will) so I analyze everything with a good mix of subjectivity and open-mindedness. And modesty-aside, I’ve built a reputable name as hotel reviewer in tripadvisor and other travel forum sites.

So the next time you are planning a short or extended vacation in Bangkok (or in other parts of Thailand), try Sawadee.com / R24.org

 Of course, I would appreciate it a lot if you can click the links to their pages from my blog. :-)

You won’t be disappointed, I promise! ;-)

Abloom Serviced Apartments: a Bangkok home away from home without a doubt

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If you’re a frequent visitor to Bangkok like myself, chances are that you’ve ran the whole gamut of staying in and out of downtown hotels just to be close to where the action is. During the past year, however, I have decided to concentrate on serviced apartments outside the city center because of three very important factors: space, low rates and a more homey atmosphere that takes you away from the maddening crowds into the arms of locals in residential areas where the environs are truly more calming and welcoming.

Such is my experience with Abloom Serviced Apartments on Phahonyothin Soi 3 which, thankfully, is less than 2 minutes away by foot from the nearest skytrain station (Sanam Pao BTS). Well, it should be more of a 7-10 minute walk if you go around the nearest corner, but since guests can use a unique shortcut from the back of the building passing through an already closed establshment (Bar La HM) and then exiting right smack at the foot of the skytrain stairs, everything came fast and easy. What’s more, the vicinity is less intimidating. That could be boring for some – reason why I suggest that this place be considered by repeat tourists to the Land of Smiles.

The spacious bedroom in one of their suites

Abloom has four (4) categories: studio room, 1-bedroom suite, 2-bedroom suite and 3-bedroom suite. The suites have a kitchenette, full-sized fridge, a cozy living room with flat TV (and several cable channels to choose from), lots of cabinets, in-room safe and a toilet/bath with shower facilities. Personally, what made my stay more enjoyable is the free strong wi-fi in all units. I was able to use my laptop, tablet and smartphone without any internet hitch.

The relaxing living room in each suite

Moreover, breakfast is served free everyday. Well, it’s not the kind of spread that will wow your palate or make you burp a lot, but the offerings are good enough to jumpstart your day. There is a set American breakfast plate, plus a buffet of some Thai vegetable dishes, steamed or fried rice, bread, fruits, yogurt, cereals, juices and the like. Housekeeping promptly cleans all units on a daily basis, while security is present round-the-clock without being obtrusive. Also, the swimming pool is of a good size so families with kids will definitely find it quite inviting.

The Abloom Cafe (where breakfast is served) on the 2nd Floor offers a good (and tasty) variety of local and international dishes, although room service is accepted only up to 21:30 every night.

All in all, I believe that Abloom Serviced Apartments is one of my new picks to stay in Bangkok, especially if the length of vacation is at least 5 days or more (I spent the long holiday break). It truly feels like home away from home. Check out the special rates being offered by Sawadee (either a Stay 4, Pay 3 deal or Early Bird discounts). I got mine at just around USD50 a night. Not a bad deal after throwing in the roomy 65 sq.m. space, free wi-fi and breakfast.

The view from my suite. Notice the roof of the skytrain at a close range.

The useful kitchenette in each unit (no stove top, just a microwave oven)

Abloom's location map (Click on the image to go straight to Sawadee and check out their current rates)

When in Bangkok, eat at Taling Pling Thai Gastrocafe…..yummy food!

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Yummy Thai food awaits you at Taling Pling Gastrocafe.

My Thai-Pinoy friend Joey brings me to new food haunts everytime I visit Bangkok. During our last food trip, he told me that we won’t be going too far since his recommendation is just on the 3rd Floor of Central World, Atrium Zone (near Zen Department Store and beside Bread Talk).

The casual restaurant is called “Taling Pling” – very sing-song if you ask me. It’s supposed to be a Thai Gastrocafe (probably coined from ‘Gastronomic Cafe’) but it all boils down to serving simple but really tasty Thai food in a very relaxed atmosphere. One of their house specialties are the variations of Thai fried rice which you can order with different toppings as you desire. I ordered the one with small dried beef strips on top and it’s almost to “die” for in taste that I asked a second serving of the same. It’s a meal in itself!

Tasty Tod Man Pla (or Thai Fish Cakes for you)

As appetizers, we wanted to try their version of Thai fish cakes – also delicious and tender without being soggy.

Taling Pling's Spicy Stir-Fried Gourd Leaves is a winner.

We also got the spicy stir-fried gourd leaves and the preparation was just perfect – with the right amount of garlic and spices to make it even more delectable.

Their Thai red curry with chicken is hot but delish!

You don’t eat in a Thai resto without ordering curry, I actually prefer the green one, but this time around, we went for red.

I was actually so full after downing all the dishes we ordered that we did not ask for dessert anymore (well, actually, I bought a large cone of Hokkaido soft ice-cream as we were strolling inside the mall). Burp!

So if you’ll be in Bangkok for a vacation, head off to Taling Pling for a nice meal. It won’t be the cheapest bill you’ll pay for, but the food will be more than worth it. ;-)

Lub D Bangkok Siam Square: a new Bangkok accomodation worth your Thai baht

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Lub D Bangkok Siam Square (Price Range: USD11.60-33.75 per person per night)

You go to Bangkok on a shoestring budget, together with friends who are just as limited on funds. Is there something decent, if not brand new, where you can stay without breaking the bank? Sure thing! Lub D Bangkok Siam Square (they also have another branch on Silom Road) is there for the booking. Although the place caters more to backpackers or hostel searchers, a small family (no kids please) or a young couple will appreciate this new accomodation right in the heart of the shopping area. The location is literally a stone’s throw from MBK and the National Stadium skytrain station. From there, you can visit almost every nook and cranny of the Land of Smiles with ease or shop till you drop and not worry about spending too much for your hotel’s nightly rate. The place doesn’t offer free breakfast, but just step outside and you can find an assortment of options for such. Otherwise, you can buy a coffee and pastry at the in-house Right Bar. By the way, internet is free so you can surf all you want with your laptop or steal some time at their common area where a few laptops can be used from time to time. If you’re too private an individual, reserve their double deluxe with private toilet & bath. But if you’re part of a group, you can book one of their small dorms or an all-ladies dorm (with shared bathroom) that can house a minimum of four (4) individuals.

A deluxe dorm at Lub D Bangkok Siam Square

A double deluxe room at Lub D Bangkok Siam Square

(Free) Internet Corner at Lub D Bangkok Siam Square

Lub D Bangkok's laid-back lobby

Also, the place is NON-SMOKING so a big thumbs-up from those who want to breathe clean air for a change. There is a designated area where you can puff your sticks, and only in that small spot. They also have a 2nd Floor “Theatre” where you can watch DVDs during your idle time.

If you plan to stay with them, book early because the place fills in so fast, especially during peak dates (like between now and first quarter of 2011). Head over to their website and see if you can avail of their winter promotions! If you plan to stay longer (than a week or so) or make early-bird reservations (as in 3 months ahead), then you will surely get a special rate. ;-)

Lub D Bangkok Siam Square is located at 925/9 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand (right in front of the BTS Skytrain National Stadium station)
Tel: + 66 (0) 2612 4999 | Fax: +66 (0) 2612 4449 Email: contact.siam@lubd.com

Evergreen Place Bangkok: a Serviced Residence worth recommending

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Swimming pool area of Evergreen Place Bangkok

Whenever in Bangkok, I always make it a point to book a Serviced Residence unit (or a newly-opened property so I can review it right away). I simply love the spacious suites that allow movement and relaxation inside. What’s more, there’s always a kitchenette where I can cook or re-heat food in a jiffy. During my last visit to the Land of Smiles, I picked Evergreen Place Bangkok. Aside from the hard-to-resist room rate (only THB1,575.00 nett per night inclusive of breakfast), it helps that the location is just a quick stroll to the skytrain station at Ratchathewi (which also means that guests are only one stop away from the Siam Square area).

The 1-bedroom Deluxe Suite, with a comfy Queen-size bed, is attached to a walk-in closet that leads to the toilet and bath. I was pleasantly surprised at that configuration. But since the place used to be exclusive to long-term residents, I realized that it is indeed a convenient layout that insures privacy if ever you’re receiving guest/s in the small living room. I also liked the fact that each unit has a balcony that affords a nice view of Bangkok, especially at night. This is also an advantage for smokers who need not mess up the air inside the room.

The living room inside the suite. You can also see the balcony.

Evergreen Place Bangkok is no longer new. It reminded me of condominium units built in the late 90s. But don’t let that turn you off. They have managed to preserve the whole building in a good state. It is always kept clean and well-maintained. The people at front desk are very easy to deal with and in-house security personnel are discrete. There is a good swimming pool on the 8th floor, which also houses the fitness center and coffee shop/breakfast area.

The location map of Evergreen Place Bangkok

All in all, I was very happy with my stay here. I just wished I extended for a day or two because the promotion rate I got was a real steal! I heartily recommend it to all future visitors to Bangkok – be it for a brief visit or long-term stay.

Evergreen Place Bangkok is located at 318 Phayathai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Tel. No. +66 (0) 2219-1111. Email: info@evergreenplacebangkok.com

Blogging from Taipei, Part 2

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No visit to Taipei is complete without dropping by its modern landmark, the Taipei 101 (alternatively known as the Taipei Financial Center) which used to be the World’s Tallest Building until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai claimed that title just this year. The whole structure, which has 101 floors above the ground and another 5 floors below, is truly a sight to behold. I can even gaze at it from the rooftop garden of QStay and the giant beckons. So yesterday morning, I hopped on the subway and alighted at the station closest to the same. I’m a big sissy with heights so I did not ride the high-speed elevator all the way to the Observatory Deck on the 89th Floor. It would have taken me less than a minute to get there, but I get dizzy fast and the spell could linger for hours. No regrets. (Update: I was dragged by my Taiwanese friend to finally go up to the 89th floor. Well what do you know….it was cool!)

One thing I checked out, though, was the souvenir shop because I needed to buy a couple of keepsakes from the place. I actually spent close to an hour just milling around the area before deciding to hop into the subway again and give in to my electronic desires. Guang Hua Digital Plaza is only a few stops away. Going here is already part of my itinerary because I want to check out HTC Phones (I know, they’re available in the Philippines but hey, they originated from Taiwan so I still want to go through the ritual) and see if I can get a good deal on either a Wildfire or a Legend. Turns out that their prices are not too far from the SRP back in Manila so I thought it best to control the urge and not part away with my NT$.

Guanghua Digital Plaza - an electronic paradise

I was close to buying the HTC Wildfire but changed my mind after converting the price to Philippine pesos. No big savings. I'll probably just get one from my favorite electronics retailer in Manila.

But if you’re looking at buying a new camera or an Acer laptop, you will most likely find a good bargain. The whole place – all six floors of them – has everything that you can electronically tinker with so I must admit spending more time here than anywhere else. Tip: Go here on weekdays so you don’t have to wade through big crowds. The moment I stepped out of the building, there are still lots of shops in the area that definitely made me stop in frequent intervals.

Truth be told, I’m finding it very difficult not to buy anything from here so I will make a quick pitstop again tomorrow. ;-)