The location for Ansara is quite good. It’s close to the river and within an easy stroll to the fountain area as well. Compared to Vientiane’s only other POSH option, Setha Palace, Ansara probably has a much better location.

I’m not sure when I’ll be back in Vientiane again, but I’ll definitely be checking this place out when I do.

The overall design of the Kempinski Bangkok is meant to form an oasis within the busy city. The two guest wings wrap around a large central courtyard, which is planted with some already lush foliage, and dotted with four salt water swimming pools. All of the corridors are single-loaded on the exterior of the buildings, so every room faces the courtyard. This design effectively shuts out the noise of the city and gives the courtyard a true resort feel.

The guest rooms exude a comfortable opulence, with huge bathrooms, large beds and state of the art flat screen televisions. A panel in the credenza next to the televisions gives you access to ports that will allow you to plug in just about any device you may travel with. The bathrooms feature a large free-standing bathtub and separate shower stall. As seems to be ‘standard’ in hotels these days, there’s a glass wall between the bathtub and the bedroom. The walls are covered in a padded Thai silk, with accent panels depicting scenes of village life. There are several different panels, so you may see different scenes if you visit different rooms. In fact, Thai art decorates the hotel throughout. Built on Crown Property, with investment from the Crown Property Bureau, the Siam Kempinski aims to display the best of Thai arts and culture, and plans to rotate the works on display on a regular basis.

All rooms include free Internet access and breakfast. The hotel’s Brasserie Europa main restaurant has an open kitchen and outdoor poolside seating. Just off the lobby is the hotel bar, with a large wall of wines and spirits as well as an outdoor area that serves as a cigar lounge. Down an amazing grand hallway is the "T Room" a plush place to relax in the afternoon for a high tea, although there’s also a bar. Nearby is the hotel’s Thai restaurant Sra Bua, which won’t be done in time for the opening this week. Overseen by a Michelin-starred Thai chef, Sra Bua will serve contemporary Thai cuisine in a setting that already looks spectacular. Other hotel facilities include a spa and fitness center, as well as the usual complement of ballrooms and meeting rooms. The residence wing also has its own restaurants, although residence guests will also be able to use the hotel’s facilities.

Rates for the Siam Kempinski seem to be competitive with the other top end Bangkok hotels. You can get some special rates and even free nights by booking through the Siam Kempinski Hotel web site before 1 August 2010, or you can check this page for additional booking sites.

The second deal offers a one-bedroom pool villa at the cliff-top Alila Villas Uluwatu, followed by a stay at the Alila Villas Soori on a still undeveloped section of Bali’s west coast. The five day / four night packages start at US$ 660. See the Twin Sensations page for more information.

Promotional rates are also available for the Alila Cha-Am in Thailand and the 3 Nagas in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The villas of Kima Bajo Resort

For my stay, I had one of the villa rooms overlooking the bay and village. The room was very comfortable, with a large four-post bed with mosquito netting (although the room was air conditioned). The outdoor balcony had a built-in ‘sofa’ as well as a small dinette table. The sleeping area and bathroom were separated by the closet, which had the unique ability to be accessed from either side – the bedroom or the sink area of the bathroom. It seemed to me to be quite a useful feature. I’m not sure why I haven’t seen it in a hotel before. The only minor complaint I had about the room was there was no place to plug in my laptop and work. The only usable outlet was near the bed.

Inside a Villa Room

Outside of the room, there is a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and spa, as well as the dive shop, operated by Eco Divers. The dive shop has a classroom, camera room, drying area, showers and rinse tanks. The resort has it’s own pier and operates two dive boats. As at most of the resorts in the area, the boats go out for two dives in the morning after breakfast, with an optional afternoon or night dive.

Beautiful sunny morning view of Bunaken and Manado Tua

Meals are served in the large restaurant down by the beach, where you can get views like the one above. Breakfast is generally included in all rates and is not a buffet, but an offering of about five set menus, which include options such as American, Continental, Asian, etc. For the other meals, guests staying on a full board rate get a set menu to select from, while for others there is a large menu of Indonesian and western options to choose from. A free afternoon "tea" is served in the small bar just below the restaurant. It’s really just tea or coffee and a sweet cake, or similar.

The Mayana Spa offers the full range of spa services, plus some salon services such as facials, manicures and pedicures. Expect to pay US$35 to $45 for a one hour massage.

Kima Bajo can also arrange tours to the land-side sights around Manado, such as the Tangkoko Nature Reserve. This can be a useful way of using your decompression time before a flight.

See the Kima Bajo Resort web site for more information, rates and to make your reservation.

The new resort is located on Siray Island, just off Phuket’s east coast, about a 10 minute drive from Phuket Town. Situated on its own little beach, the resort should feel like being on a island, yet you’re just minutes away from the sights and restaurants of Phuket’s old town area.

See the Westin Siray Bay web site for more details.

The Executive Travel package, for 6,250 per night, gives you access to the Executive Lounge with the following benefits:

• Daily Buffet breakfast
• In-room 24-hour Internet usage
• Upgrade to Deluxe View guest room
• Guaranteed early check-in or late check-out till 1800 hours
• Unlimited garment pressing
• 25% on a single spa treatment at MSpa
• Welcome tea upon arrival
• Coffee/tea service with wake-up call
• Canapés in the evening from 05:30 p.m. to 08:00 p.m.
• Snacks and beverages available 24 hours a day
• Complimentary use of Private meeting room for an hour per stay
• Unlimited local phone calls and no surcharge for credit card access calls
• 24-hour Business Centre
• Exclusive room registration in Executive Club
• Express check-out

Add 1,500 Baht to the above rate for a second person.

For just 4,000 Baht per night, the Ultimate Value package provides the following:

• In-room 24-hour Internet usage
• Guaranteed early check-in or late check-out till 1800 hours
• Mini Bar credit up to THB 500 per stay
• 25% discount on a single spa treatment at MSpa
• Welcome Jasmine tea & fresh fruits
• Coffee/Tea in room service during wake-up call
• Complimentary use of our Health Club including steam room and Jacuzzi with fresh fruits, tea, coffee, espresso, cappuccino and fruit juices. Health Club is accessible 24 hours as required.

These rates are subject to the usual tax and service charges, and are valid until 31 October 2010.

These rates do not currently appear on the hotel’s web site, so you may wish to contact your local reservations center or the hotel directly.

The Sukhothai’s offer is 4,900 Baht ++ for a superior room, 5,900++ for an Executive Deluxe Room and 6,900++ for a Deluxe Suite. All of these rates include breakfast, free Internet access, free mini-bar use and a free one-way airport transfer (for Executive Deluxe and Deluxe Suite only). These rates exclude tax and service charges.

These rates are good for stays until 31 August 2010, although the hotel reserves the right to withdraw the program or change the rates at any time, so you better book now! See the Sukhothai Hotel web site for details.

From July 1 – 3, 2010, the über POSH Amandari resort will host a viewing of heritage films of Bali in conjunction with the French Cinémathèque of Dance and the Swedish Dance Museum. The films focus on the theme of dance, with rarely-seen screenings of Rolf de Maré, a Swede who compiled outstanding footage of dance from Indonesia in the 1930s.

Films will be screened in Kedewatan’s village wantilan, or open-air meeting place, adjacent to Amandari. Each evening’s showcase will feature two films with an intermission in between.

Check with the resort for more information and screening details.

Keep an eye on the Banyan Tree web site for more information.

Bangkok Banyan Tree Introduces New Club Rooms

The Banyan Tree in Bangkok has just put the finishing touches on 46 new "club" rooms. To celebrate, they’re offering special perks on every stay from 17 March to 30 June 2010.

Starting at THB6,480++ (approximately US$195++) per night, with savings up to 50%, the exclusive Perks promotion includes accommodation in a Banyan Tree Club Room, daily breakfast for two, as well as a choice of one of the five following experiences:

• One-way limousine transfer to Bangkok International Airport, valued at THB2,700 (approximately US$82)
• A 90-minute massage session worth THB3,200 (approximately US$96) at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, including choice of Balinese, Asian Blend, Lomi Lomi, and more
• A THB2,300 (approximately US$70) Banyan Tree Gallery gift voucher for retail purchases, such as a Banyan Tree oil burner and essential oil, spa and toiletries gift sets, and handmade village crafts
• A glass of cognac and cigar, valued at THB1,760 (approximately US$53) to enjoy at the open-air, 61st storey Moon Bar lounge for a truly priceless experience as one takes in the panoramic bird’s eye view of the city
• One of four Movie Packages worth THB1,804 (approximately US$55) for in-room theater entertainment

Make your booking at the Banyan Tree web site. Book fast and you may also get a free night at Banyan Tree’s soon to open Samui property.

Phuket Banyan Tree Introduces New Deluxe Two-Bedroom Pool Villas

Award-winning Banyan Tree Phuket is poised to launch its new Deluxe Two Bedroom Pool Villas, a long-awaited category of its signature villas geared towards providing an escape for the family. Available from 1 March 2010, the cluster of 22 Deluxe Two Bedroom Pool Villas will provide an ideal setting for quality bonding and relaxation for grandparents, parents, and children. In tandem with the new villa categories, a new program dubbed Banyan Tree Rangers has been introduced for children aged five to ten, to immerse them in the five senses of the natural world.

Starting 1 March 2010, guests can book the Family Occasions summer package, where for every three consecutive nights’ of stay, the cost of menu lunches and dinners for guests’ children under 12 years old will be waived, while the adults enjoy a US$100 food credit per villa per night. Valid for stays from 15 April to 31 October 2010, accommodation will be in the new Deluxe Two-Bedroom Pool Villa, starting from THB 29,500+++ (approximately US$894+++) per night for up to six people, inclusive daily breakfast.

Mr. Francois Huet, General Manager of Banyan Tree Phuket as well as a Vice President with the Banyan Tree Group, welcomes the trend of soft family adventures. Mr. Huet explains, "Couples who have enjoyed various types of holidays prior to starting their families have more options than ever to continue their adventures as their children grow up. Shared experiences become more enriching as families choose discerning, activity-enriched destinations such as Banyan Tree Phuket. It’s a win-win situation as parents do not have to sacrifice their comfort and style for kid-friendly facilities, and children of all ages do not have to sacrifice their play time and exploration in an adult-friendly environment."

Make your booking at the Banyan Tree web site.