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Inside the most opulent suite I’ve ever seen!
On my recent trip to the Southeast Asian Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, I had the opportunity to stay at the country’s premier resort, the Empire Hotel & Country Club. The hotel is huge and...
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25 Hours Bikini Hotel Berlin – cool, funky, quirky
The ground floor entrance to the 25Hours Bikini Hotel Berlin. “So where are the bikinis?” That was my first thought when I entered the hotel… and I’m sure I’m not the only one with that thought! As I...
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Chilling on the Perhentian Islands
It was supposed to be my little offline holiday – a few days of chill time at the Bubu Villas on Pulau Perhentian Kecil (‘Pulau’ means island in the Malay language) on the east coast of Malaysia. It...
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Experiencing the Mashpi Cloud Forest
The mist-shrouded cloud forest. The Mashpi Cloud Forest Reserve is located about a four-hour drive north of Quito, Ecuador. The drive from Quito is gorgeous, with stunning vistas of the snow-capped...
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What makes an accommodation epic?
Would this accommodation qualify as epic? “What are you doing?”, my partner asked. “I’m working on a project with Booking.com and I’m looking for an ‘epic’ accommodation”, I replied without looking up...
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A hotel fit for a king
In my previous post, I talked about what makes an accommodation ‘epic’ and my assignment from Booking.com to find an accommodation that reflects my definition of ‘epic’. I thought hard about what I...
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Ten dreamy luxury hotels in Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located east of Madagascar (map). Everyone has visions of what paradise is like, most of which involve tropical islands with white sandy beaches,...
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The magic of Phinda
Entrance to Phinda Private Game Reserve. We’d just passed the main gates of the &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve when we spotted something moving stealthily through the tall grasses. Someone in...
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A weekend in Malacca
The 16th century Portuguese A Famosa fort in Malacca. Malacca (or ‘Melaka’ in Malay) is a state with a capital city of the same name situated about a two-hour drive south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia....
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A Shangri-La in downtown Vancouver
The impressive façade of the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver. The Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver is something of an anomaly in this vibrant Canadian city, at least, that’s what I soon discovered. Located in an...
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Cool glitz and a phenomenal view
The Fairmon Pacific Rim Hotel Vancouver. The doormen opened the doors with a smile and a “Good Afternoon” as I entered the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver. As the doors opened, I found myself...
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The wonders of Majeka House
Wonder welcoming us with a cup of tea. “Good afternoon! Welcome to Majeka House! My name is Wonder. Can I help you with your bags?” I stopped in my tracks. “Sorry, did you say your name is Wonder?”, I...
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Experiencing the Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita
The first time I saw the Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita was from a helicopter tour during my first trip to Mauritius. Widely recognised as one of the most luxurious resorts in Mauritius, the Four...
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A home by the sea in Langkawi
Casa del Mar Langkawi Langkawi is an archipelago consisting of 99 islands situated in northern Malaysia near the border with Thailand. Also known as the islands of legends, Malaysian children are all...
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A luxury weekend in Amsterdam
A typical scene in Amsterdam. If you’ve been reading my blog or following me on social media, you probably know that I live in Amsterdam and that I absolutely LOVE my city! One of the best things...
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Safari at the Gondwana Game Reserve
The light was fading quickly but we were determined to find them. Our guide expertly manoeuvered the jeep around a tight bend and stopped. Silence reigned as the dust settled. I surveyed the...
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Finding bliss at Jordan Wine Estate
Mountain views from Jordan Wine estate. I stepped out onto the terrace of my suite at the Jordan Wine Estate. The birds chirped excitedly as the sun slowly disappeared behind the hills, blanketing the...
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My stay at Hotel Pacai in Vilnius
The front façade of Hotel Pacai. Hotel Pacai is a five-star hotel in Vilnius (map), the capital of Lithuania. Opened in 2018 after five years of restoration work, this hotel is located in a 17th...
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Malaysian chic at The Ruma Hotel
The Ruma Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur. The Ruma Hotel and Residences is a new addition to the five-star hotel scene in Kuala Lumpur. Located in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) district, a...
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My birthday weekend in Amsterdam
It’s a bit of a tradition for me to celebrate my birthday by going on a leisurely cruise along the canals of Amsterdam. I would normally hire a boat, invite some friends and pack some food and wine for...
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The art of wellness in Birštonas
A strange tickling sensation on my back woke me up. The second I jolted back to life, I sensed an ethereal feeling of lightness, like I was floating in the air. I opened my eyes and chuckled. I was in...
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A weekend of indulgence at Lanzerac Wine Estate
Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The Stellenbosch winelands near Cape Town are one of my favourite places in the world. I’ll never tire of the magnificent mountain scenery, gorgeous vineyards,...
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A piece of paradise at Constance Prince Maurice
Kamal welcoming me at Mauritius Airport. “Welcome to Constance Prince Maurice!”, exclaimed the driver as we turned off the main road. I had just arrived in Mauritius and was met by Kamal. He led me to...
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A Grand experience in Kuala Lumpur
The Grand Hyatt KL from the pool. We stepped into a grand space – a gleaming marble floor, an epic staircase that swooped up in a gracious curve and soaring columns. “It’s a pity they don’t build hotel...
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True bliss in Mauritius
Bliss is defined as perfect happiness or great joy. On my trip to Mauritius, that’s exactly what I experienced: a dream we all dream of having… every night This Vine was filmed while I sat on the soft...
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Finding paradise in Grootbos
Walker Bay Grootbos is a private nature reserve near the southernmost tip of the African continent. Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, Grootbos is a two-hour drive southeast of Cape Town and...
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Experiencing the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
“Good evening Mr. Jenkins!”. I stepped out of the taxi and smiled at the cheery bellboy. Whichever Four Seasons property I stay at, there’s always one constant: impeccable, personalised service; and...
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An Amsterdam hotel for all reasons
The nhow Amsterdam RAI Hotel is a striking building along the Zuidas (southern axis) of the Amsterdam Ring (A10) highway. With its three triangular blocks stacked atop one another, each at a different...
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A castle getaway in Belgium
My partner’s birthday was coming up and to celebrate the occasion, I thought of going away for a few days. We’ve covered much of the Netherlands so this time, I turned my attention to Belgium. I wasn’t...
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A relaxing beach holiday in Phuket
Phuket, one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, is famous for its beaches and vibrant nightlife. Most visitors head for the southern end of the island, to places such as Patong and Karon....
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