Ivy's Travel: Summer in Japan Diary {Part IV}

Previous posts on Summer in Japan Diary Part I, Part II, Part III can be read here. (click on link).

DAY 5 - FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE - SHINKANSEN KYOTO TO TOKYO - JR KYUSHU BLOSSOM SHINJUKU HOTEL - MAISEN TONKATSU - MAGNOLIA BAKERY - SHIBUYA

Since we don't have much time in Kyoto, we have to choose between either Arashiyama Bamboo Forest or Fushimi Inari. We ended going to Fushimi Inari with reasons that it is closer so we can spend more time exploring the place rather than rushing back and forth Arashiyama.

Ivy's Travel: Bangkok Travel Diary {Part I}

Writing on travel post is never an easy one. The amount of time for choosing from hundreds of pictures, then editing them and the long writes. One of the reasons why I'm forcing myself to always do this after travel is because I enjoy rereading them and memorizing back those travel days. Also, I hope it can somehow be helpful for people who plan to travel to the same city, since I gained a lot of knowledge from blog walking on others' travel posts as well.

Hotel Reviews: JW Marriot Kuala Lumpur

JW Marriot hotel chains always impress me in so many ways, but mostly for its classiness. If there's  one thing you wouldn't have to worry when you stay at Marriot, is the overall classiness & the absolute comfortableness.

Hotel Reviews: The Westin Kuala Lumpur

I have to admit I am not an easy person when it comes on choosing the place to stay during holiday. I am someone who really needs a good sleep, like really! Also I have very strict rules when it comes to where I sleep. I'm not OCD, but I couldn't sleep in a hotel bed with bedsheets other than white. It has to be those white clean sheets. Otherwise, I will have trouble sleeping as I couldn't keep on thinking if the sheet is dirty. The second thing, it need to have a clean bathroom. I will not be able to make numbers in a dirty bathroom, not mentioning taking a bath.

Hotel Reviews: Aston Primera Pasteur Hotel Bandung

I haven't been to many cities in Indonesia. To date, I have only been to Medan, Yogyakarta, Bali and Bandung. I would really want to go to Surabaya for the food and Raja Ampat for the insanely beautiful beach though. One day, soon. Anyway, having to distance only 3 hours drive from Jakarta, Bandung is a place I visit quite often for a short trip. 

Hotel Reviews: Grand Swiss Belhotel Medan

Grand Swiss Belhotel is one of the chosen hotel for tourist. The international 5 stars business hotel is adjacent to Cambridge Shopping Mall, making their guests conveniently easy to do some shopping or looking for places to eat. Aside from that, the hotel itself located in a walking distance to Sun Plaza, one of Medan's largest shopping mall and only five minutes drive to the famous Bolu Meranti. 

Hotel Reviews: Sheraton Kuta Bali Resort

Sheraton Kuta undeniably ranked as one of my most enjoyable stay so far. I travel, and during those travels, I love trying out different kind of hotels. To be honest, I used to not, and more often will choose the kind of hotel I've known and stayed before, until I decided to be not so boring. LOL

Hotel Reviews: Novotel Nusa Dua Bali

Novotel Nusa Dua is a good choice for relaxation. Located on the quite side of the island, the hotel features 175 rooms of deluxe and suite with view of garden, pool, and golf course. Aside from the pool lagoon, they also offer private beach club with only five minutes away from the hotel.

Hotel Reviews: Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore

Last July, hubs and I went for an impromptu trip to Spore. Both of us were in need of a break that time and with only 1 hour 20 minutes flight, Spore always seems to be the right choice. It was actually a surprise trip from him. Hubs also the one who booked the hotel without my knowledge. If it was me, I doubt that I will book our stay at MBS. Why? Coz no matter how touristy that place is, my heart always stays in Orchard. For the convenient, the food, the shops, everything about it. But boy was I about to change my stubbornness.

Hotel Reviews: York Hotel Singapore

If you are looking for a hotel along Orchard, a nice one with not too shocking room rates, York Hotel might be the one. The location might not beat Mandarin, but the price surely did. The room is a bit old, but very clean and not smelly. I stayed at Mandarin before, and the room is also kinda old.

Where to stay in Hong Kong & Macau

Here are list of places I ever stayed in Hong Kong and Macau. I will also list down some places which I heard also good via friends' recommendation. I will mark which one is personal experience and which one is not.

The Excelsior by Mandarin Oriental (5*)

Address: 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay

Comment: Very nice! My personal favorite hotel. Location is superb, near all shopping and food places, MTR station is only 3 minutes walk, across with WTC shopping mall, just steps away from SOGO. Room is not big but very comfy, clean and smells nice. I truly enjoy my stay here. Very recommended.
Oh yes, do go to the cafe espresso in the lobby, they have the famous Macau Lord Stow's egg tart.

**personal experience**

Hotel Reviews: Swissotel The Stamford Singapore

Welcoming February! 

Last week, I went for a short break to Singapore with my small family. I was very happy and excited during the trip as it was the first time that all of us could go on a trip together, due to everyone busy schedule, normally if it was not only me & my family minus my husband, then it will be only me & my husband minus the family.

I was being very careful on choosing the right place to stay as my Dad can be a little bit fussy when it comes to choosing a place to sleep. Normally if I go by my self, I stayed at York Orchard due to it's strategic location and the affordable price, but York is quite old so I know Dad won't like it. After much consideration, I chose Swissotel Stamford. The hotel was very nice, classy and the location was very convenient. It was linked to Raffles City shopping mall and the City Hall MRT was located just below the hotel. 

We had a wonderful stay there and I would definitely stay here again next time I visit Spore.

Totally recommended! 

Swissotel The Stamford

2 Stamford Road

Singapore

Ph. +65 63388585

http://www.swissotel.com/