Asia’s outback – Laos – South East Asia – World – Travel -…
The News Review:
- Asia’s outback – Laos – South East Asia – World – Travel -…
- Editorial – The Economic Times Reader’s
- Nakheel Hotels acquires 50% stake in Mexican resort
- A sticky situation
Asia’s outback – Laos – South East Asia – World – Travel -…
The Age – Feb 23, 2008
Ubon Ratchathani is not listed in the book 1000 Places To SeeBefore You Die. But it is the usual stop-off on the overland routebetween the Thai capital of Bangkok and Pakse the Lao town fromwhich travellers plunge into the southern Mekong Riverwilderness. Ubon is pretty wild itself but in a less green way. Thosetraversing its hot dusty streets with eyes glazed by 10 hours ofrail or bus travel from Bangkok may miss its curious charms. Aprovincial capital where the locals speak with a twang famouslyeat insects and fish intestines and have to surrender their mostable-bodied as work fodder to build the richer south Ubon is asort of Thai outback town offering variety to those prepared tomake a little effort. It is used as a springboard to a Cambodiantemple complex built 100 years before Angkor Wat the marvellouswaterworld of southern Laos and even Thailand’s eastern-mostnational park rich in ancient rock art which will resonate withthose who have experienced it in Australia… It is used as a springboard to a Cambodiantemple complex built 100 years before Angkor Wat the marvellouswaterworld of southern Laos and even Thailand’s eastern-mostnational park rich in ancient rock art which will resonate withthose who have experienced it in Australia. I travelled theBangkok-Ubon-Laos trail with my sprightly mother and my daughterwho as a resident had sniffed out the north-eastern town’sattractions for a stream of Australian visitors. ur ultimatedestination was a floating hotel on a Mekong island in Laos’s deepsouth. It was an itinerary that kept three generations happy. From ourbudget accommodation in Bangkok to the wobbly longtail boat thatwas our chariot on the Mekong we found ourselves on a kind ofkooky adventure. Even the official Lao guidebook had surrealadvice. Listing what to do about snake dog scorpion and mosquitobites it added: “Tiger bites? Very bad especially in the rainyseason.
Editorial – The Economic Times Reader’s
Economic Times – Feb 23, 2008
Standards are not corresponding to the price they are charging. unbelievable!!![17 Feb 2008 0325hrs IST]Arvind.
Nakheel Hotels acquires 50% stake in Mexican resort
ameinfo.com – Feb 23, 2008
The enterprise value of investments to date is in excess of $3bn. Nakheel Hotels will continue to pursue its strategy of acquiring luxury hotels in key gateway cities and resorts across North America Europe and Asia along with investing in the budget hotels sector in key growth markets. Projects currently include The Trump International Hotel & Tower which is under development on The Palm Jumeirah while the group has already acquired several luxury hotels in the US including Mandarin riental W Union Square and Hotel Washington as well as significant equity investments in Kerzner and International Hotel Investments plc and development projects for W hotels in Thailand. QE2 Enterprises which has acquired the QE2 is also part of Nakheel Hotels. The QE2 is to form the centerpiece of a luxury hotel residential retail and entertainment destination to be developed on The Palm Jumeirah.
A sticky situation
The Australian – Feb 23, 2008
* * *CNTINUING on an accommodation theme following a mention in Lounge (February 9-10) that there will be a Travel&Indulgence Bali special on March 29-30 a flurry of readers have written in with details of their favourite hotels. Marilyn and Peter Fuller of Melbourne say they have been travelling to Bali for the past 12 years and have made ARMA Resort (Agung Rai Museum of Art) in Ubud their second home. "This beautiful small hotel and villa resort is set in tropical gardens on either side of a small river" the Fullers write. "Each of the 10 villas has its own pool and garden and the ARMA complex also consists of two large galleries that house the private art collection of Agung Rai. He sponsors many of the local children in learning traditional dance and gamelan music. The lessons take place at ARMA every afternoon after school finishes and on Sunday mornings. Guests are always welcome to watch the children at their classes and we are particularly impressed that a considerable proportion of the tariff guests pay is allocated to maintaining Balinese culture… * * *THE prestigious Leading Hotels of the World group has released its 80th birthday directory in celebratory gold binding. In 1928 there were just 38 members including the Ritz Madrid which offered guests the unthinkable luxury of a telephone in every room; a single room at the Hotel Negresco in Nice cost a princely $US4. Today’s rollcall is just shy of 450 and in tune with 21st-century demands there are supplementary categories of Leading Spas and Leading Small Hotels. The group prides itself on not soliciting members; like all the best clubs one must wait to be invited. New to the mix are Karma Samui and Bo Phut Resort & Spa on Thailand’s Koh Samui island.
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