Stayed at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa for a couple of nights on our way back from Borneo. Heard it was overrun with Chinese and Korean’s but I looked at other places on Gaya Island and you have to worry about ferry schedules and just decided to stay somewhere close to the airport since we’d done a lot of …
Continue reading
Bilit Rainforest Lodge
The Bilit Rainforest Lodge is a major step down after staying after staying at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley. It’s halfway between Lahad Datu and Sandakan and had I known this before coming I’d have never have taken the drive from Lahad Datu to Sandakan as you’re driving almost 3 hours then have to back track. This is about …
Continue reading
Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan
Stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan for one night during our Borneo Tour. You can read more about why not to come here but a lot of tours start or end here so if you’re doing a tour in Borneo, it’s quite likely you’re going to have to pick a hotel in Sandakan, and this one is okay. …
Continue reading
Danum Valley Rainforest Lodge
The Danum Valley Rainforest Lodge would have to be one of the best hotels we’ve stayed in and considering it’s in the middle of the jungle in Borneo, it’s that much more impressive. I’ll try and stick to the actual accommodation, food, service and staying experience for this review but you can find out more about the actual Danum Valley …
Continue reading
Grace Hotel Lahad Datu
Stayed at the Grace Hotel Lahad Datu for a night on our way into Danum Valley in Borneo. This is a cheap hotel and really just a place to lie your head. Booked online on booking.com for HKD$270 so you’re not going to be living it up in style and taking selfies of yourself jumping in the air at the …
Continue reading
Malaysian Airlines Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu
You’ll need to fly Malaysian Airlines Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu Flight Flight MH3018 if you’re going to Borneo. Once you get a flight from Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu, which will almost certainly be Air Asia’s AK236, the flight from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu is about 2 hours after you land, so you don’t have a whole lot …
Continue reading
Air Asia Hong Kong To Kota Kinabalu
Air Asia Hong Kong To Kota Kinabalu Flight AK236 leaves at 0955 from Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport. This is the second time I’ve flown Air Asia in the last few months and it’s totally fine even if you don’t consider it a budget Airline. As with the Air Asia flight from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai, we …
Continue reading
Chiang Mai to Hong Kong Cathay Dragon
Got a Chiang Mai to Hong Kong Cathay Dragon ticket one way so thought I’d do a bit of a review as many of you seem to be interested in my flight reports. For the trip from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai, I used Air Asia, and you can read about that one here. Anyway, the Cathay Dragon flight from …
Continue reading
Art Mai Gallery Hotel Chiang Mai
Just stayed at the Art Mai Gallery Hotel Chiang Mai for a few nights while on business in Chiang Mai. This is a trendy little Artsy hotel located in Nimman area, which is full of hip little cafes, art shops, cafes and restaurants, about 5 minutes from Maya Lifestyle Mall and 15-20 minutes from the Chiang Mai Airport. Check in …
Continue reading
Air Asia Hong Kong to Chiang Mai
Picked up an Air Asia Hong Kong to Chiang Mai ticket for around HKD$1,000 midweek off peak, one way. Not crazy cheap but not expensive. Previously flown HK Express from HK to Chiang Mai which was fine but needed to arrive at a different time so had to fly Air Asia. Haven’t flown Air Asia for probably 10 years or …
Continue reading
Komodo Resort With Kids
Here’s all you need to know if you’re thinking about staying at Komodo Resort with kids. We stayed three nights at Komodo Resort and this would be one of my favourite places to go, due mainly to the fact there was very people there and it’s basically in the middle of nowhere. To get there, you need to take a …
Continue reading
How To Get To Komodo
How to get to Komodo? If you’re going to go to Komodo you need to be prepare yourself for flying domestic in Indonesia, which, based on our trip to Komodo National Park, was a bit of a pain in the ass. No biggie and you just have to deal with things like this when you’re going to far away places …
Continue reading
Cathay Dragon Hong Kong to Bali Economy Class
Got a Cathay Dragon Hong Kong to Bali Economy Class tickets using Asian Miles, which is a miracle as Cathay makes it increasingly difficult to redeem tickets. I can understand why. Hong Kong has one of the most transient affuent populations in the world and the amount of people racking up hundreds of thousands and even millions of miles is …
Continue reading
Novotel Bali Airport Hotel
Stayed a night at the Novotel Bali Airport Hotel (official name is Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport) on ou way to Komodo. This cost us only around HKD$750 for the night and is walking distance from Denpasar International Airport. We arrived around 530p.m and left early morning but I imagine you’re not going to be staying here for days on …
Continue reading
Van Gogh Alive Hong Kong
Decided to go to Van Gogh Alive Hong Kong on a shitty Sunday morning. Booked online but got a few error messages on my PC but for some reason tried on my phone and all ok. Anyway cost was about $460 for 1 adult a 1 child, which for what you get, I thought was a bit expensive. Grobbler’s not …
Continue reading
Grand Hyatt Fukuoka
Stayed a night at the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka as we had to cut our Ishigaki stay short due to a typhoon hitting. This is the third or fourth time we’ve been to Fukuoka but one of the few time we’ve stayed in the city. We usually stay in the Luigans Spa & Resort. The Grand Hyatt Fukuoka is right next …
Continue reading
Lamma Island With Kids
Thought I’d revisit Lamma Island with kids as it’s been a few years since Grobbler and I went there and didn’t think much of it then. As usual we went from Aberdeen Pier, which has way less people than Central and if you live anywhere on Southside, is the better Pier to go from. Aberdeen to Lamma Island ferry schedule …
Continue reading
ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki
Note: We originally had planned to stay 5 nights at the ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort but a rather large Typhoon was scheduled to hit during the last 2 days so we had to cut this leg of trip short. The hotel said they would refund us for the remaining two nights due to the Typhoon, and a lot of people …
Continue reading
HK Express Hong Kong to Ishigaki
HK Express Hong Kong to Ishigaki – took this flight leaving at 740a.m on a Monday morning. Purchased these tickets a while back and they’re quite cheap but that was probably because we didn’t go during a major public holiday. You can upgrade yourself to U-Priority for $35 during online check-in but because it’s not a holiday, didn’t bother. U-Priority …
Continue reading
Luigans Spa Resort Review
This is the second time we’ve stayed at Luigans Spa Resort and for a short (2-4 nights) stay this is fine. If you’re after the absolute finest 5-star resort in Fukuoka and don’t settle for anything less than the very best, this is not the hotel for you. However, if you just want something nice out of the city and …
Continue reading
Grand Hyatt Shenzhen
Just stayed a night at the Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, located nearer the Luohu side of Shenzhen and about 20 minutes in moderate traffic from the Huanggang border. We arrived at the Grand Hyatt Shenzhen about 12p.m, they had a room ready for us but it, like many smoking rooms in China, absolutely reeked of smoke. So much so we went …
Continue reading
Lanna Rice Barn Chiang Mai
The Lanna Rice Barn Chiang Mai is one of the best holiday experiences we’ve had. It’s on AirBnB but is also on Booking.com and other hotel booking websites, but rather hard to find unless you’re searching specifically search for it. Stayed here with my Mum and Dad and Grobbler for 4 nights in early April of 2019 and if you …
Continue reading
Cebu to Bohol Ferry
The Cebu to Bohol Ferry is one way to get to Bohol from Cebu and takes about 2 hours. If you take the afternoon flight from Hong Kong you’ll have to stay the night at a hotel in Cebu (I stayed at the Waterfront Airport Hotel), which is not ideal. The last ferry is around 6p.m and you can take …
Continue reading
Amorita Resort Bohol
Arrived at the Amorita Resort Bohol around 12p.m and the room wasn’t ready which was fine, few hours before official check-in. Has some lunch which was shit, crappy chicken BLT with bread the thickness of a male pornstars genitals, old hard bacon and some rock hard chicken. Grobbler ordered a kids burger and that was a bit rank too. Still, …
Continue reading
Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan
Negatives first on the Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan – I emailed the hotel and asked if it’s walkable from the airport and they said yes from Terminal 2, so since we were arriving at Terminal 1 I said we’d get there free airport shuttle now knowing exactly how far it was from the airport exactly. Our flight was …
Continue reading
Hidden Planet Hong Kong
The Hidden Planet Hong Kong is a temporary attraction setup in the basement of The Pulse in Repulse Bay. It’s been open since 3 July and will continue until 3 September 2018. It was Grobblers idea to go to the Hidden Planet Hong Kong and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Not sure how to describe this …
Continue reading
Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts
I nor Grobbler are particularly cultured but the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts is actually rather good and definitely worth a visit if you’re either visiting or living in Hong Kong and looking for things to do. We’ve been to Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts a couple of times now and whilst not being an absolute …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Maritime Museum
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum has never been on our radar of things to do in Hong Kong with kids but with school holidays ending thought we’d go along and give it a go since it’s at the Star Ferry and easily accessible. The Hong Kong Maritime Museum displays 3,000 years of maritime history and culture about Hong Kong and …
Continue reading
Lost Escape Room Hong Kong
Finally decided to visit Lost Escape Room Hong Kong few weeks back. Lost Hong Kong is one of a few escape rooms in Hong Kong that have opened up in the last few years and they seem to be quite popular all over the world with generally positive reviews. For Lost Escape Room Hong Kong, you can book online, at …
Continue reading
Core Hong Kong Water Park Tai Po
Just spent a few hours at Core Hong Kong, a water park with slides, obstacles and other floating things located in Tai Po near Tai Po Kau. With no traffic, on a Sunday morning it takes about 35 minutes from Pokfulam so about 20 minutes from Central. July 8th, 2018 was the official opening day and after a totally confusing …
Continue reading
Bangkok to Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Economy Class
Got a Bangkok to Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Economy Class ticket on Asia Miles, but had to use 35,000 miles which is way over the 20,000 miles usually required. That pretty sums up the Marco Polo Club program and the uselessness of Asia Miles – it’s pretty much impossible to use Asia Miles to redeem flight these days. Anyway, Bangkok …
Continue reading
Victoria Peak Hong Kong – This Not The Peak!
First up, most people think Victoria Peak Hong Kong is the Peak, which is not true. The Peak, which is where the touristy stuff is and where the tram goes, is lower. To get to Victoria Peak Hong Kong you actually need to walk up Mount Austin Road for about 20-30 minutes. This is actually just a small lookout and …
Continue reading
Lamma Island Hike
Despite the Lamma Island Hike not being much of a hike, it was actually one of the more enjoyable hikes I’ve done in a while. Like many “hikes” in Hong Kong, it’s not really a hike but more of a walk around some concert paths and up some stairs. Nevertheless, do this during summer when it’s 30 degrees and the …
Continue reading
Temple Street Night Market
Until yesterday, I’d never actually been to the Temple Street Night Market at night, only during the day, when it’s all closes down and basically not much happening. Finally I decided to head over and check it out to see if it was any good. The reviews aren’t great and rightly so. It’s probably one of the most uninspiring, disappointing …
Continue reading
Tai To Yan to Kai Kung Leng Hike
The Tai To Yan to Kai Kung Leng Hike starts right beside a mates house in Tai Po, near Kadoorie Farm and also not far from one of the entrances to Tai Mo Shan. I’d day this is an medium difficulty hike, but as with every hike in Hong Kong, becomes much (MUCH) more difficult when the sun is out. …
Continue reading
Nam Sang Wai – Read This Before You Go
Ended up at Nam Sang Wai after trying (and failing) to try to visit Mai Po Nature Reserve. Mai Po Nature Reserve is a marshland area apparently with loads of mudskippers and crabs and the like, things that Grobbler likes, but apparently you can’t just go along and show up and have to book a tour, which is 1/ not …
Continue reading
Cycling in Hong Kong – Shatin to Tai Mei Tuk
If you’re even mildly interested in cycling in Hong Kong, you’ll most probably have heard of the Shatin to Tai Mei Tuk bike track. You can do it either way or back and forth but for most non-serious cyclists or those looking for a pleasant 2 hour cycling in Hong Kong experience, start at Shatin and end at Tai Mei …
Continue reading
Cirque Du Soleil Hong Kong – Review
It’s pretty hard not to know Cirque Du Soleil Hong Kong (Kooza) is now on as the big blue and yellow big top dominates the central harbour front beside the Hong Kong Observation Wheel (which is crap by the way). There’s only a few more weeks to go and see it as it closes on June 3, 2018 and while …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Space Museum – Planet Before You Go
It seems like the Hong Kong Space Museum has been under renovation since the time of the Dinosaurs. We’ve been wanting to go for years and years and thought since the main exhibition is now finally open, it might be rather good and futuristic. As with most Government owned and run things in Hong Kong, it’s better not to get …
Continue reading
PMQ Hong Kong – Didn’t Even Know it Existed!
PMQ Hong Kong, formerly known as the Police Married Quarters, is now an interesting little shopping, arts and creative space for Hong Kong’s local brands. PMQ dates back to 1889 when Queens College was built here after the war, was turned into housing for married junior policemen, hence the name. In 2010 it was listed as a Grade III historic …
Continue reading
Po Fook Hill Hong Kong
Ended up at Po Fook Hill by mistake trying to head up Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery. If it wasn’t for the, ironically, 10,000 people here, this would actually be ok. It’s a massive cemetery, apparently the biggest one in Hong Kong (not sure if that is fact or not), and quite interesting to see. Earlier in the day we went …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
I’ve lived in Hong Kong for almost 8 years and didn’t even know the Hong Kong Heritage Museum existed up until last week. We’ve been to the Hong Kong Science Museum, Space Museum (Under renovation for about the last 65 million years) and Hong Kong Museum of History, and they were ok, particularly the HK Science Museum. The Hong Kong …
Continue reading
Shimokitazawa Tokyo
With a kid it’s not that often I head out to places like Shimokitazawa, which is one of Tokyo’s lesser known places but well worth the visit if you’ve covered a lot of Tokyo and/or been and done that with the more popular parts like Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya or Harajuku. To get to Shimokitazawa from Shinjuku, get on the Odakyu …
Continue reading
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
Just visited Hakkeijima Sea Paradise for the second time on a recent visit to Tokyo and apart from spending the day freezing my ass off, was pretty good. If you’ve read any other destination guide on this site you’ll know Grobbler has been to what seems like a record number of aquariums in Asia so this wasn’t anything too special …
Continue reading
Best Airbnb in Shinjuku
If you’re looking for the best AirBnB in Shinjuku, this probably isn’t it, but the location is fantastic in a quiet neighbourhood and 5-10 minute walk to the best shopping in Shinjuku and Shinjuku Station. Read on for the dull review or just have a look at it now – link here. First up, the rates are between HKD$500 and …
Continue reading
Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort
To get to the Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort from New Chitose International Airport, you can get buses or trains and/or buses and taxis and combinations but because we were arriving a bit late, and the fact I had saved about $15,000 on flights, I just booked a taxi, which was about HKD$1,500. Not cheap, but because our flight was delayed, …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Airlines HX690 Hong Kong To Sapporo Economy Class
Flew Hong Kong Airlines HX690 Hong Kong To Sapporo on Friday 30 March 2018 heading into the Easter break. I’m always reluctant to fly Hong Kong Airlines for one particular reason. That reason is the absolutely ridiculously long queues and subsequent wait times at check-in. Hong Kong Airlines, like most budget airlines, skimp on staff to save costs so it’s …
Continue reading
Kowloon Walled City Park Kids Bike Track Hong Kong
The Kowloon Walled City Park Kids Bike Track Hong Kong is one of quite a few good bike tracks in Hong Kong for kids, which include Inspiration Lake amongst others. Unless you live around the area, you’re probably not going to go there just for the bike track (although we did), and if you make the effort get here, then …
Continue reading
Strokes Mini Golf Hong Kong
Strokes Mini Golf Hong Kong is a newly opened mini golf centre in Causeway Bay. We’d been trying to get in here on a weekend morning for a couple of weeks but it’s always been booked out so presumed it was going to be quite awesome. The photos on the website make it look rather good so we had rather …
Continue reading
SuperPark Hong Kong
Newly opened in December 2017, SuperPark Hong Kong is one of the better indoor playgrounds in Hong Kong and is nearly a must-visit if you’re looking for something to do with Kids in Hong Kong. SuperPark Hong Kong is located in SilverSea, a residential development near Olympian City 1. To get to Superpark Hong Kong, take the MTR to Olympian …
Continue reading
Disney Hong Kong Take 2
After my first visit to Disney Hong Kong I wasn’t particularly keen on going back a second time and encountering the same experience ( horrible food, long lines, people yelling and pushing the like). I guess I have to be somewhat glad to say it wasn’t so bad but Disney Hong Kong, like any Disneyland anywhere in the world, is …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Zoo
I’m just gonna call it the Hong Kong Zoo, but it’s proper name is the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Regardless, apparently it’s one of the worlds’ largest zoological and botanical centers in the world. But this is different to being the largest zoo in the world. It’s the largest park in Hong Kong and covers about five and …
Continue reading
Kowloon Walled City Park
Kowloon Walled City Park is situated on where the original Kowloon Walled City used to be. It’s worth reading up about the history of Kowloon Walled City as it’s quite interesting and used to be where the Triads hung out and was basically a massive walled city of crime and debauchery. Today, it’s basically just a typical Hong Kong “Park”, …
Continue reading
Lamma Island
I was excited to go to Lamma Island but that was short lived once I actually got there. To be fair, the couple of times I’ve been there I went from Aberdeen, which is near where I live, and that takes you to a different part of the Island than most people visit. However, all my mates tell me that …
Continue reading
Ngong Ping 360 and Big Buddha
For the life of me I can’t work out why Ngong Ping 360 and Big Buddha are so popular. Yes, if you get it on a clear day, being up the top and going on the Ngong Ping Cable Car can be a nice view (but there are nicer in Hong Kong) but those days are few and between and your chances …
Continue reading
Noah’s Ark Hong Kong
First up, if you’re a tourist thinking about going to Noah’s Ark Hong Kong, don’t be in too much of a hurry to get out here. It’s alright for a half day trip for something to do, or perhaps if you’re in staying in Hong Kong for a few weeks and really struggling for things to do in Hong Kong with …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Park
Located right in Central/Admiralty, Hong Kong Park is quite nicely done as far as Hong Kong parks goes. It’s not worth making a special trip to just to see it, but if you’re around the area and want to have a bit of a break from the concrete jungle, it’s a somewhat nice little oasis in the middle of the …
Continue reading
Kadoorie Farm
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden is a bit of weird mix of some animals, gardens and walking trails in a rural part of Tai Po. Officially, they call it a conservation and education center but I’m not really sure what I’d call it. I went here a few months back with Grobbler and had an ok time but wouldn’t go …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Wetland Park
For tourists, Hong Kong Wetland Park is too far away to make it a worthwhile visit. Even if it was closer, I’d think twice before heading out here. It’s supposed to be ecotourism spot where the Hong Kong Tourism Board states ” is home to an impressive cast of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Ands this …
Continue reading
Ocean Park
That’s not to say Ocean Park is not worth going. In fact, if you’re in Hong Kong with kids, Ocean Park should be somewhere near the top of your list. We’ve had a membership there for a few years and must have gone there more than 10 times and when you go that often anywhere, it can get a tedious …
Continue reading
Nan Lian Garden
If you haven’t been to Asia much then Nan Lian Garden is definitely worth a visit. It took me about 5 years before I decided to visit here and it was actually alright but going back a second time during the weekend it’s crowded and not so nice. The first time I went to Nan Lian Garden was on a …
Continue reading
Peng Chau
Peng Chau is usually the Island mentioned last after Cheng Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau on most things to do in Hong Kong lists. Thank god for that because the crowds tend to stay away, especially if you early on Saturday mornings. To get the best Peng Chau experience, take one of the early Peng Chau ferries at 8:00 or …
Continue reading
Repulse Bay
To be fair, if you can catch Repulse Bay beach on a clear day with no crowds, particularly the bus loads from mainland China, and when the water is clear, it’s lovely. I must have to been to Repulse Bay I don’t know how many times, maybe 50, and the last several visits have out me off going there. The …
Continue reading
Ma On Shan Country Park Hike
This hike through parts of Ma On Shan Country Park starts at Shui Long Wo and ends up in Sai Kung, but you can go down the other side to Shatin or keep going right through to Lion Rock, although that’d be for the very fittest. Today we parked beside the Sai Sha Road Barbeque Area (which can be found on …
Continue reading
Sapporo Grand Hotel
We stayed at the Sapporo Grand Hotel in the middle of winter for a couple of nights after a weeks skiing in Rusutsu. Apart from the ordeal getting to the hotel, it’s fine, no bells and whistles here but satisfactory for a couple of nights. Biggest complaint was getting to the damn hotel, it’s right in the city center and we …
Continue reading
Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel
The Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel is a bit like Nagoya City itself, a bit unforgettable. Hasn’t been that long since we stayed here but it didn’t leave any lasting impressions, good or bad. If you rent a car, the car park is a bit hard to find, even with GPS on, and Google Maps gets confused. The entrance is …
Continue reading
Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen
The Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen is, if I don’t consider the comedic and crude attempt to copy the real thing, actually okay. There’s some hiking, boating (don’t know where or how you do that) and a couple of golf courses you can play. There’s also spa treatments but I don’t think you’ll coming out of them feeling refreshed and alive. Here’s …
Continue reading
Ritz Carlton Singapore
The Ritz Carlton Singapore (proper name The Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore) is located in Marina Bay on Raffles Avenue. I don’t think I’d call this the best location to be in, but it’s an easy walk or at most a short taxi ride to a lot of Singapore’s major attractions, financial district and shopping. First impressions weren’t that great, took about 15 …
Continue reading
Le Meridien Angkor – Hotel in Siem Reap
The Le Meridien Angkor is located on Charles De Gaulle road a few minutes from Angkor Wat and the main city of Siem Reap, as well as a few minutes from the Angkor Wat ticket office. So basically a good location in between everything. It’s about 20 minutes from Siem Reap International Airport so no need to leave too early for …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Science Museum
The Hong Kong Science Museum is one of Grobblers favourite things to do in Hong Kong and is a good way to spend a morning or afternoon if the weather’s not that great. The Hong Kong Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon and is walkable from most hotels in TST or accessible by bus …
Continue reading
Ryze Hong Kong Trampoline Park
Ryze Hong Kong is one of a couple of indoor trampoline parks in Hong Kong that most kids will enjoy regardless of age. If it’s pissing down with rain, Ryze Hong Kong is usually first on our list of things to do. It’s not in the greatest location, at least at first glance. When you mentioned Quarry Bay to most expats …
Continue reading
Inspiration Lake Hong Kong
Inspiration Lake Hong Kong is near Disneyland Hong Kong on Lantau Island. You can get there by taxi, car, train or bus, if you’re driving it’s about 35 minutes from Central if you go through the less busy Western Tunnel. This is a popular place for locals to take their kids bike riding, scootering and have a picnic. It’s not …
Continue reading
Big Wave Bay Beach
Big Wave Bay BeachBig Wave Bay Beach is a fair way to go, about 45 minutes from Central but it’s well worth the extra time and better than more popular beaches like Repulse Bay Beach. For kids, it’s excellent, nice sand, shallow, especially when the tides out and you can wade out about 50-100m and still be chest deep. Don’t …
Continue reading
Shangrila Cebu
We cover the Shangrila Cebu in detail in our Cebu Travel Guide but here’s a broad overview of the resort in one page for those of you who find clicking tiring (you poor thing, having to click more than once). The Shangrila Cebu, officially, the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa Cebu, is probably one of the best family resorts or hotels we’ve …
Continue reading
Intercontinental Hotel Osaka
The Intercontinental Hotel Osaka is one of the better hotels we’ve stayed at in Japan. Rooms are a decent size, bed is comfortable, shower is good so nothing to complain about there. Staff are friendly and the only negative I have is about the breakfast. Ordered French toast one morning and after 25-30 minutes still hadn’t come so ordered a …
Continue reading
Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland
Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland was a pleasant surprise and not like any other hotel in Japan we’ve stayed in. It’s got a European influence but has been done tastefully and the service is absolutely superb, maybe some of the best staff and service of any hotel in Japan. Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland is the first hotel in Japan …
Continue reading
Aman Summer Palace, Beijing
Aman Summer Palace or Aman at Summer Palace is actually a beautiful, traditional chinese style hotel at the back of summer Palace, you actually have your own private entrance to the Summer Palace (which you can read more about in the Things To Do in Beijing section. If this were in any other city, I’d probably be raving about it …
Continue reading
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
It’s been a few years since we stayed at the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas but this was one of the most memorable holidays I’ve still ever had. If you look at pretty much any half decent resort in the Maldives, all of them get high reviews so it’s pretty easy to pick a resort to stay in the Maldives and know …
Continue reading
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo was the first hotel I stayed at on my first visit to Tokyo about 6 years ago. It’s perfectly fine but for some reason reminded me of a shitty Hilton. The rooms were a bit old but clean enough and perfectly acceptable unless you plan on spending most of your time in the room. Keio Plaza …
Continue reading
The Peninsula Tokyo
The Peninsula Tokyo is located in possibly the best place in Ginza, a few minutes from the shopping, restaurants and opposite Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace. For sure, it’s a nice hotel and everything you’d expect from a Peninsula but like a lot of Peninsula and Oriental Mandarin properties, it’s a little bit stuffy and toffee nose for my liking. …
Continue reading
InterContinental Danang
The first time we stayed at the InterContinental Danang it was for 1 night. We were booked for a 3 night stay but a situation happened on the first night, that at first, the hotel didn’t deal with very well. The InterContinental Danang since rectified the situation and compensated us in a way that we were mildly satisfied with. There’s nothing to …
Continue reading
Sheraton Hanoi
Well that’s a bit harsh, but the Sheraton Hanoi is definitely one of the shabbier Sheraton’s I’ve stayed in. Nothing disgraceful but it’s definitely looking a bit worse for wear and could do with an upgrade. The Sheraton Hanoi is at Westlake, which is a rather long 17km in circumference. It’s an Asian lake, so if you’re thinking crystal clear blue water, …
Continue reading
The Danna Langkawi
We stayed in something poxy called the Duchess Suite at The Danna Langkawi. Cost was USD$4,950 for 5 nights booked through an agent, which was a bit outrageous and completely overpriced considering the location. The hotel is not that big and the building is a bit box looking from the front but up close it’s more of a colonial style …
Continue reading
Hilton Bali Resort
We stayed at the Hilton Bali Resort in August 2014 when it was called Grand Nikko Bali Hotel and under a different management/ownership. We had booked an Ocean View Suite and when we got there, the Villa was fine, big enough, but the view was basically of a massive crane that was used to construct a neighbouring hotel (according to …
Continue reading
Hotel Universal Port Osaka
The Hotel Universal Port Osaka is the official hotel of Universal Studios in Osaka. It’s located about 5 minutes walk to the entrance of Universal Studios so if you or your kids are in love with Minions and/or theme parks, then this is probably the place to stay. Hotel Universal Port Osaka gets really high ratings on Google, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Hotels.com …
Continue reading
Zhiwa Ling Hotel Bhutan
The Zhiwa Ling Hotel is probably one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in anywhere in the world and if you’re looking for a hotel in Paro to stay, don’t look any further than here. I stayed 3 nights at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel and this is really something different from your usual 5 star resort, and in a good way. …
Continue reading
Malé Airport Hotel
To clarify, there’s no hotel actually called Male Airport Hotel, for this review, the Male Airport Hotel is essentially the Airport Alba Inn, which is about a 5-10 minute drive from Male Airport. There’s no hotels inside Male Airport and all of the ones that call themselves Male Airport Hotel are about the same distance. First think you should know, and I’ve …
Continue reading
Banyan Tree Bintan Island
The Banyan Tree Bintan Island is one of the better all-round experiences we’ve encountered. The reviews on TripAdvisor are mostly favourable but a lot of people complained about the price of the food and that the resort is in need of an upgrade. I found neither to be true. For this trip it was just me, Toucan and Grobbler. First …
Continue reading
Shangri La Lhasa
Firstly, the rooms at Shangri La Lhasa are ok, average size, clean, nothing special. I had a view of the courtyard (which you can not get into without tracking down one of the cleaning staff and getting them to unlock it, then you will have to wait until she comes back to get back into the hotel!). Location is fine, about …
Continue reading
Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort Miyazaki
Stayed 3 nights at the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort Miyazaki in June 2016 and despite this hotel not being that great, had one of the better times. Mainly thanks to the electric bike hire which we particularly enjoyed. You can rent the bikes at the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort Miyazaki on the 1st floor activities center, go down and just get them …
Continue reading
Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai
Doesn’t get a whole lot better than the Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai, pretty much everything you could ask for in a hotel. As usual, and what you come to expect at every stay at any Mandarin Oriental around the world – superb service, impeccable rooms and one of the best steaks at the grill restaurant inside the hotel. The service …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland has been last on my list of things to do in Hong Hong with kids and my visit proved exactly why this was. I’m not big on Disneyland and think Mickey Mouse has a bit of annoying voice but I’m definitely not against it. I went to Disney in Orlando and that was alright, all things considered. …
Continue reading
Chengdu Airport Hotel
Checked in at the Chengdu Airport Hotel about midnight for a bit of a sleep before a 6a.m flight the next day. As with many other reviews, the Chengdu Airport Hotel didn’t appear they had my reservation despite showing them my confirmation. Nevertheless it didn’t take them long to either find it or just check me in regardless. Thank God for that …
Continue reading
InterContinental Shenzhen
The InterContinental Shenzhen has a rather (unintended) comedic Spanish theme. The poor staff have to walk around in these ridiculous Spanish outfits and it just doesn’t look or feel right and I pity the poor sods who have to wear these, you can see their awkwardness! The InterContinental Shenzhen is getting old and in need of a renovation, its on a …
Continue reading
Westin Rusutsu Resort
Stayed at the Westin Rusutsu Resort for 5 nights during Christmas in 2016. Bit of a mixture overall but if you want to get away from the crowds at Niseko and stay with the locals, the Westin Rusutsu is a good choice. Firstly, the rooms at Westin Rusutsu Resort. We stayed in a traditional King Room, downstairs it’s a good …
Continue reading
The Shilla Seoul
Mixture of good and not so good at the Shilla Seoul. Firstly, I was a bit disappointed to see that the Shilla Seoul was a not very nice looking brick eye-sore. From the photos, I had envisioned a low rise with traditional architecture. Perhaps this was my bad for not looking at the photos properly. Anyway, rooms are average size, …
Continue reading
Kenilworth Hotel Kolkata
Checked in at the Kenilworth Hotel Kolkata for a night as I had to spend a day in Kolkata flying back from Bhutan to Hong Kong. Rooms are fine, clean, average size. View of a wall isn’t that great but I don’t think any hotel in Kolkata would have sweeping views of the city as that’s not what the city …
Continue reading
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu is a big property and probably, like all places in Hokkaido, more suited to winter, so consider that when reading this review, which is based on our recent summer visit. The rooms are huge at Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu, we stayed in a two bedroom, and whilst the interiors were ok, the whole resort is definitely …
Continue reading
The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
The Ritz Carlton Tokyo Rooms are big for Japan standards, nice view overlooking Tokyo Tower, and apparently they also have rooms that have views of Mt Fuji or the Imperial Palace. Honestly I don’t remember much about the Ritz Carlton Tokyo which is probably not a great sign, I remember more about the area, which whilst good, isn’t my favourite area …
Continue reading
Kamala Andara Resort and Villas Phuket
The Kamala Andara Resort and Villas Phuket is one of the best suites we’ve stayed in anywhere in Asia, granted, it was a 2 bedroom suite and was rather pricey, but like pretty much everything in travel and life, you get what you pay for. It was well worth the extra money and when you have a suite like that, …
Continue reading
Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
The Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel located is right at Tennoji station, the shopping malls in this area are ok, but nothing great for my taste. Tennoji park is across the street, that was disappointing and one of the main reasons I chose to stay here. Breakfast wasn’t included in our room rate from booking.com and that might have been a blessing …
Continue reading
The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
Stayed in a Bay Deluxe Room at the The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa which has nice views of the bay and overlooking the golf course. Little bit small for a family (2 adults and 1 Child) than what we usually stay in but perfectly adequate and has a nice little balcony outside. Unfortunately didn’t get to play golf but looks nice. Hotel …
Continue reading
Niyama Maldives
We stayed at Niyama Maldives on our second trip to the Maldives. As with our first visit, the Maldives is absolutely spectacular and if you want a beach holiday, the Maldives is the best place to go in my opinion. The over water villa at Niyama Maldives was big but not as big as the one we stayed at during our …
Continue reading
Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
The Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort was probably the most disappointing resort I’ve stayed in either in Thailand or anywhere in Asia. I’ve lived in Thailand for 10 years previously and have stayed in many Thai hotels and both my myself and my parents have stayed at over 10 different hotels in Koh Samui over the last 10 years and …
Continue reading
The Luigans Hotel Fukuoka
The Luigans Hotel Fukuoka is right next to a huge park ideal for families. The room we stayed in, standard room, was a bit small but fine for a few days. Swimming pool was under renovation so didn’t try that. It’s located by the sea and has a huge lawn where kids can run around. Staff are friendly and you’ll …
Continue reading
Ethnotel Kolkata
Stayed at the Ethnotel Kolkata during a stopover for 5 hrs at 1am in the morning. It’s close to the airport (about a 10 minute drive), rooms are reasonably clean but I didn’t get much (any) sleep due to the fact there was a sound reminiscent of a helicopter going the whole night. I presume this was the venting/fan system. I …
Continue reading
Tigers Head Discovery Bay Hike
The Tigers Head Discovery Bay Hike is another hike I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time and glad to say I’ve finally done it. Part of the problems is getting there, for those who follow my posts you know I like to drive out and back, especially in the middle of summer when, by the time you’ve finished, …
Continue reading
High Island Reservoir East Dam
High Island Reservoir East Dam is a place I’ve been wanting to go for quite some time but its quite a journey out to Sai Kung and then another journey out to High Island Reservoir East Dam itself. From Sai Kung you can take a Bus from Sai Kung Town part way to High Island Reservoir East Dam, getting of …
Continue reading
Yuk Kwai Shan Hike (Mount Johnston Hike)
The Yuk Kwai Shan Hike (Or Mount Johnston Hike) is a short hike over Ap Lei Chau leading down to Ap Lei Pai. I took my 4 1/2 year thinking it’d be a piece of piss but turned out the Yuk Kwai Shan Hike is not really suitable for 4 1/2 year olds. He’s been up Dragons Back and we …
Continue reading
Ria Golf Lodge
The Ria Golf Lodge is basically on top of the Ria Bintan Golf Club clubhouse and is fine if you all want to do is play golf but for anything else you might want to look elsewhere. I stayed here with a friend a few years ago and we were a bit uncomfortable with the size of the room and …
Continue reading
Tai O
Tai O is one of the best day trips in Hong Kong if you have young kids, or actually even if you don’t have any kids. I’ve been visiting quite a few Islands lately and this is one of the best times we’ve had. Not really a hike, but there’s some hiking trails to/from and around Tai O so we’ll …
Continue reading
Peng Chau Island Hike
Having just done Cheung Chau Island last week, I took my 4 yr old boy to Peng Chau Island this past weekend and had a great time. We took the 840a.m ferry on Sunday morning, not too many people on that but more than you’d expect for that time and day. The fast ferry (ferry schedule here) only takes about …
Continue reading
Cheung Chau Island Hike
The Cheung Chau Island Hike is not really much of a hike so much as a walk but thought we’d include it here as one you can take your kids on. A lot of websites state Cheung Chau Island is a place to go to get away from the crowds and the city but if you go weekends, this place …
Continue reading
Lion Rock Hike
Been wanting to do Lion Rock Hike for quite some time now but was determined to do it on a fine day, which are few and far between in Hong Kong. Drove out to Temple Plaza, car parking underneath the South Mall, this is near Kowloon Walled City Park, worth a visit if you have the time. Anyway from there, …
Continue reading
Bones of Miss Willy
Something a bit different today, The Bones of Miss Willy, not so much a hike, but a nice short walk/run with some good photo opportunities. This starts on Cape D-Aguilar Road, just down the road from the entrance of Dragons Back, there’s no official parking, but there’s a roundabout type thing at the entrance of Cape D’Aguilar Road where the …
Continue reading
Violet Hill Twins Hike – In Autumn
It’s been a while since we did the Violet Hill Twins Hike in Hong Kong, probably more than a year and thought we’d do another post and post some pics on a fine day, of which there’s been bugger all this year in Hong Kong. No parking available at the little car park opposite Parkview apartments, but down the road, …
Continue reading
Plover Cove Hike
The Plover Cove hike is probably one of the harder hikes we’ve done, but solely for the fact it is quite long (almost 20km), and there is pretty much no shade and we did it in the middle of summer, on a hot sunny day – brutal. Plus we hadn’t done much of anything for a few months prior so …
Continue reading
Hunchbacks Hong Kong
The Hunchbacks Hong Kong is the most difficult Hong Kong hike we’ve encountered. It’s not the highest, but we were in for a bit of a rude awakening and had to cut this hike short because we were so buggered and ran out of water much sooner than expected. Taking off from Wu Kai Sha MTR Station, the hike quickly …
Continue reading
Mount High West Hong Kong Hike
The Mount High West Hong Kong Hike is more like a walk up a concrete path, at least to get the start of Mount High West Hong Kong, then a brief 10 minutes up to Mount High West. Mount High West is not really that well known but if you catch on an increasingly rare sunny day in Hong Kong, …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Trail Section 4
Finally we hiked Hong Kong Trail Section 4, it’s been, as it has been for basically the last 6 months, shit weather in Hong Kong so this has taken us a bit longer after saying we’d do it a few days after our Hong Kong Trail Section 3 hike. Actually, today we started our from Cyberport as usual, did Hong …
Continue reading
Hong Kong Trail Section 3
Today we’re previewing Hong Kong Trail Section 3, which begins at Peel Rise and winds it’s way around to Wan Chai Gap above Aberdeen Reservoir and meets up with Hong Kong Trail Section 4. We’re calling this a preview as we’ve had some niggling injuries over the last few weeks and haven’t been out, we had to turn around half …
Continue reading
Tai Mo Shan Hike
The Tai Mo Shan Hike is probably one of the tougher hikes in Hong Kong. Tai Mo Shan is the highest peak in Hong Kong and at 957m is also the tallest coastal peak in Southern China. We did the Tai Mo Shan hike early on when we first starting hiking in Hong Kong and we weren’t that fit, so …
Continue reading
Sharp Peak Hike
Sharp Peak hike is a bit of a mission to get to if you live on the island but it’s worth it if you can catch it on a clear day. There’s a few ways to the top of Sharp Peak, and despite it looking a bit formidable looking from sea level, only the last few hundred meters pose any …
Continue reading
Sunset Peak Hike
Sunset Peak Hike is one of the more popular hikes on Lantau, famous for, you guessed it Einstein, views of the Sunset. A lot of the hiking in Hong Kong sites say this is one difficult hike but again, for the most part, it’s not really a hike but more a trek up some stairs. As usual, there’s a few …
Continue reading
Lantau Peak hike
The Lantau Peak hike is one of the more popular hikes in Hong Kong, surprisingly not as difficult as some of the hiking in Hong Kong websites makes out, and it can be done in 45-60 minutes at a brisk pace. You can either walk from Tung Chung to Pak Kung Au, (probably an hour), but most people take the …
Continue reading
Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak Hike
The Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak Hike is one of the more buggering hikes in Hong Kong, not overly challenging but the amount of stairs you need to climb up and down makes it one of the most tiring. You can start from Tung Chung, Ngong Ping 360 or where we did – Nam Shan, and start with Sunset Peak. …
Continue reading
The Peak Hong Kong Hike
The Peak Hong Kong hike is perhaps one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong. There’s numerous ways to get hike to the Peak in Hong Kong, because we live in Pokfulam/Cyberport, we tend to hike only one or two routes to the Peak. The Peak Hike is an easy one, good for beginners, and if you’re an exercise …
Continue reading
Jardines Lookout Mt Butler Violet Hill Hike
The Jardines Lookout Mt Butler Violet Hill Hike is a loop we used to like to do before we began a disdain for running down stairs. It begins at Park View here. There’s parking available, or buses and taxis. Go up Hong Kong Trail Section 5 (note, don’t go up Tai Tam Country Trail which is nearby), this is nice easy …
Continue reading
Twins Hong Kong Hike
The Twins Hong Kong hike is perhaps one of the more famous hikes in Hong Kong and seems to be popular among the weekend hiker as well as those looking for a good workout. We first attempted, by mistake, without knowing, doing the first “twin” when we first starting hiking and were struggling for breath closing the car door. It …
Continue reading
Dragons Back Hike
The first time I did the Dragons Back hike I thought I was in for something at least a little bit difficult but it’s really doable by all the most unfit, obese heifers in the world. Most of the Hong Kong hiking websites give you directions starting from North Point so naturally we started the Dragons Back hike at the …
Continue reading
Somerset Hotel Male
The Somerset Hotel Male is quite nice and a good choice if you have a late night arrival flight or early morning departure flight from Male Airport and need to stay a night in Male city. Male city itself is nothing special, not much to see or do here with the exception of some crap, over prices souvenir shops and a …
Continue reading