Looking for somewhere to stay for your visit to Angkor Wat? Most people stay in Siem Reap, the closest town to the temple complex. For that reason, the sheer quantity of lodging options can be pretty overwhelming. If you're looking for something budget friendly with some of the best service we've ever received at a hotel (not to mention an incredibly delicious included breakfast), look no further than Cambana d'Angkor Suites. Think hand carved beds poolside, mouthwatering pastries and freshly squeezed fruit juice each morning, a bathtub that makes you feel like your room is a spa, and the thing that surprised and delighted us most - free laundry service!
Read moreLast fall we had the pleasure of visiting Indonesia with my sister and decided to spend the last part of our trip in Lombok and the Gili Islands. Tragically, Indonesia was struck by a serious of earthquakes and subsequent tsunami just prior to our arrival, leading us to cancel our reservation in the Gili’s due to damage to our hotel and travel advisories. However, we kept our reservation at Jeeva Klui on Lombok, and looking back are so grateful we did as we had an amazing stay at what is surely one of the loveliest hotels in Lombok. Apparently other people agree because Jeeva Klui has been awarded as one of the top 25 hotels in Indonesia almost every year since 2012.
Read moreLooking for the perfect blend of luxury, budget, and charm in Uluwatu? Look no further than Sal Secret Spot! Nestled just an 8 minute walk from Bingin Beach, Sal Secret Spot is also wonderfully convenient for exploring Uluwatu by foot as we did. Aside from location, our favorite things about Sal's were the stylish white washed bungalows surrounding an intimate garden-like walled interior complete with a beautiful pool, yoga area, free books, and included breakfast in an open air eating area.
Read moreAnyone else out there who thinks that finding unique hotels in amazing locations is one of the best aspects of trip planning? We just got back from a trip to Indonesia and our hotel in Uluwatu, The Temple Lodge, really took the cake. In fact, I think it’s my favorite place I’ve ever stayed. Yes, I’ve stayed at places with access to nicer beaches (or right on the beach), a great variety of amenities, and more attentive staff, but the combination of amazing views + incredibly unique rooms won me over.
Read moreI don't usually mind long layovers if I have someone to hang out with, but knowing I'd be alone in Seoul/Incheon (ICN) for 12 hours on my way back from Thailand was making me dread my time there. That is, until I did some research and discovered that I'd hit the jackpot having my longest layover be at ICN. It's an amazing airport, and if you have to have a long layover somewhere in Asia, ICN would be an excellent pick.
Read moreThis summer my sister Bri and I decided to meet in Thailand for our annual visit (she lives in Australia) and since I'd never been to the northern part of the country, we decided to visit Chiang Mai. As we learned more about the area and the city, we stumbled across a museum called Art in Paradise in which visitors can immerse themselves in illusion art by taking photos with large 3D murals. Having never been to anything similar, we were immediately sold and hiked to the museum from our hotel a couple days after our arrival.
Read moreWhen Bri and I planned our trip to Thailand, we decided to spend the first part of the trip in hostels and budget hotels and end with something splurgy. Well, two somethings splurgy as it turned out (see Glamping in Thailand post). However, since every fiber of my body rebels against paying exorbitant prices for lodging, we scoured the internet for something that would give us a taste of luxury without the usual painful price tag. Fortunately, most of Asia is a great place to do just that, and when we stumbled upon the Renaissance and saw that it was a great price split two ways, we decided to give it a go and ended up having an incredible experience.
Read moreMy sister and I arrived in Chiang Mai without any concrete plans, so when a staff member at our hotel suggested attending a cooking class, we didn't need much convincing. Who wouldn't want to learn to cook Thai food in Thailand? The next day we were on a bus headed out of the city to Smile Organic Farm Cooking School for a half day class that quickly became one of the highlights of our trip. If you're headed to Chiang Mai and haven't considered taking a cooking class, give me a chance to convince you...
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