Jasmine Holidays

After the Woods and the Water

2012-02-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Amongst many other things, Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor was Britains greatest travel writer. Paddy passed away last year and in tribute, Nick Hunt is retracing the route of Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor's famous walk to 'Constantinople'. We wish Nick the best on his journey and you can follow his progress via his blog. A book is to follow.

Halong Bay Bhaya Cruises on BBC News Safety Report

2012-02-18T23:36:00.001-08:00

Interesting feature from the BBC about Halong Bay cruises

The Amala

2010-06-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a short movie we made for The Amala, a really nice new boutique all-villa resort in Seminyak, Bali. The Amala is the sister hotel of The Bale, another favourite of ours in Nusa Dua. It consists of Spa Villas and Pool Villas and has a small restaurant and spa. The emphasis is on healthy dining (breakfast is great) and spa treatments. It's a really small, simple, almost zen-like resort. It's proving to be very popular and we loved our recent stay. You'll find more info and pictures on our website including some great free night offers.

Bo Phut Resort Koh Samui

2010-06-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

We went to visit the Bo Phut Resort in Koh Samui in May 2010. Here's some video and pictures we took of this popular boutique resort on Bo Phut beach. The restaurant has been upgraded since we last visited and the resort is looking in very good shape. We love the location, just a short walk from some great places to eat at Fisherman's Village.

The beach at the Bo Phut (for Kelly)

2010-06-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yai Ya Resort Hua Hin Thailand

2010-06-09T00:34:00.000-07:00

The Yai Ya is a great little boutique resort we just stayed at in Hua Hin Thailand. The resort is right next to the Sheraton, just 5 minutes drive north of Hua Hin town. It has really lovely duplex pool villas. It's owned locally (a labour of love) and the designer is the same as Six Senses (you can tell the similarities). The highlight for us was the rooftop private pool with carefully planted frangipanee by the side. The dining was casual, high quality and very good value. We'd definitely go back - if only to loll around in the private pool smelling the frangipanee flowers all day :-) It's not on our website yet but we're working on it....

Hotel De La Paix - Deluxe Spa Suite

2008-06-21T02:01:00.001-07:00

Here's a quick tour around the Deluxe Spa Suite at the hotel De La Paix in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We love the De La Paix because it supports the local community by running the hospitality school where local disadvantaged young people are helped into jobs in the hospitality industry. You can see the other room types on our website. The sister hotel to Hotel de la Paix is the Shinta Mani which also supports the Hospitality School.

The Eugenia

2008-06-20T14:34:00.001-07:00

This is one of our favourite boutique hotels in Bangkok. It is an old colonial style mansion just a short distance from busy Sukhumvit Road. The Eugenia is a great place to stay for those looking for a chic and personal hotel in the centre of Bangkok.

The Elysian Bali Two Bedroom Villa

2008-06-16T16:12:00.001-07:00

The Elysian is a great villa resort in Seminyak, ideal for those looking for privacy and modern designer living. We stayed here in February 2008 and loved it. It's ideally located for the trendy restaurants and bars of Seminyak. This clip is a good tour around a two bedroom villa. The one bedroom villas are very similar in style. We have some great info on the site about the Elysian and we deal directly with the hotel - it's great value for money.

Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai

2008-06-15T15:34:00.001-07:00

Here's the elephant park near Chiang Mai.

Anantara Golden Triangle

2008-06-15T15:30:00.001-07:00

This is a really nicely done video of the Anantara Golden Triangle. Our website has all the info you will need and we highly recommend the Anantara for anyone going up to the Golden Triangle. We have some stay 3 pay 2 night offers. It's been a couple of years since we were though so it's about time to head back. The elephant camp is very very popular. We'll try and find a video of that for the blog.

Twin Palms Phuket Deluxe Palm Room

2008-06-15T15:23:00.001-07:00

An American guest gives us a nice tour of a Deluxe Room at Twin Palms Phuket on Surin Beach. Twin Palms is a great upper mid-range resort in a top location by Surin Beach. There is a good choice of rooms - the Deluxe Rooms are the lead-in room type. We went to have a look last in November 2007 just as they were opening the new Pool Villa wing. We work directly with the hotel and have excellent rates.

Sri Panwa Phuket Hotel

2008-06-15T15:16:00.001-07:00

Sri Panwa Phuket is one of the finest villa resorts in Thailand. Private, secluded, very modern, very stylish. We went to have a look at the end of 2007. We work directly with the hotel and you can find some great info on our website www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Sala Resort Pool Villa at Phuket

2008-06-15T15:01:00.001-07:00

Honestly we love these villas at Sala Phuket. We stayed here February 2008. We loved the privacy, the pool, the huge bath, the outdoor shower etc. Just be careful coming out of the room because there's not much space between the room and the pool! We have great rates from the hotel and lots of info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk
There are some nice free night offers in low season. The manager at the Sala - Gary - is an excellent GM and is ensuring the hotel is meeting the same high standards as Sala Samui. We were really impressed with the quality of the food and service at the restaurant also - it really was top notch. We think the reviews on Trip Advisor are already bearing this out.

Mom Tri's Villa Royale - Phuket

2008-06-15T14:52:00.001-07:00

A quality look at the charming Mom Tri's Villa overlooking Kata Noi Beach Phuket. Mom Tri's has heaps of character and it's one of the best Thai style hotels in Phuket. We were there last in February 2008 and we deal directly with the hotel and have great rates. See www.jasmineholidays.co.uk for lots more info.

Banyan Tree Phuket Double Pool Villa

2008-06-15T14:49:00.001-07:00

These new villas at Banyan Tree Phuket are pretty special. Leave the music on for this clip! For lots more info on the Banyan Tree Phuket visit www.jasmineholidays.co.uk
We saw the Double Pool Villas in February 2008.

Pimalai- Pool Cam- Pimalai Pool Villa

2008-06-15T14:37:00.001-07:00

We love this one! The pool villas at Pimalai. Great location up on the hill, very private, very peaceful and sooo inviting! We have great deals and lots of information on our website. We stayed here November 2007 - stunning! Call us for first hand advice.

Tubkaak, Krabi, Thailand

2008-06-15T14:22:00.001-07:00

Some nice views of the Tubkaak Krabi (our favourite hotel in Thailand!). It's not us doing the commentary by the way :-)
For the very best deals and expert advice, call Jasmine Holidays www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Sala Samui Deluxe Balcony Room

2008-06-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

A tour through the Deluxe Balcony Rooms at Sala Samui. 'Quite a nice little room' she says. Yes, we think they are.
Sala Samui is wonderful. We work directly with them and we have some great stay pay offers. Loads more info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Away Resorts Koh Kood Thailand

2008-06-15T13:59:00.001-07:00

We like the look of the Away Resort Koh Kood. We've met the management team who seem very professional. You'll see from the video there's not really a beach right in front of the hotel but you can kayak 5 minutes to a nearby one. They have a range of accommodation ranging from budget to mid range. Away Resort Koh Kood is a real Thai escape. We have great info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk and we work directly with the hotel so we have the best rates available.

Hin Tok River Camp in the morning

2008-06-15T13:53:00.001-07:00

What a peaceful atmosphere in the morning! Jasmine Holidays has great information on this luxury tented camp in Kanchanaburi on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk
1 or night overnight packages from Bangkok are great value.

Putahracsa Hua Hin

2008-06-15T13:43:00.001-07:00

Stick with this one - and turn the volume down if you don't speak Thai! Putahracsa is a trendy boutique hotel in Hua Hin. They're looking at a Grand Pool Villa and then the spa. We have the best rates for Putahracsa and great info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort

2008-06-15T13:36:00.001-07:00

Rarinjinda is a great little boutique hotel in Chiang Mai with excellent spa facilities including a great hydrotherapy pool. It's 5 - 10 minutes walk from the night market, just across the river. We stayed here in February 2008. We have great rates and lots of info (as always) on our website. www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai

2008-06-15T13:27:00.001-07:00

The Tamarind Village is a boutique hotel on one of Chiang Mai's central streets close to lots of temples. The Tamarind Village has a very peaceful chilled out atmosphere and is the sister hotel to the luxurious Rayavadee in Krabi. The hotel has a great little swimming pool overlooked by a small restaurant. Like most things in life, the simple things turn out to be the best. The lady in the video is the hotel manager who is totally charming. We last visited the Tamarind Village in June 2008. It's one of our favourite Chiang Mai hotels.

Puripunn Baby Grand Boutique Hotel

2008-06-15T13:12:00.001-07:00

We love the Puripunn. This clip has some great clips of the rooms and the hotel and you get to meet the owner whose name is Att. We really enjoy supporting the Puripunn because it's a great place to stay in a quiet location in Chiang Mai, and Att and his wife are really passionate about their hotel which they've devoted a lot of time and love into developing.
We deal directly with the hotel and have the best rates available. See www.jasmineholidays.co.uk for pictures and details on all the room types. We last visited Puripunn at the start of 2008.

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

2008-06-15T13:04:00.001-07:00

The Mandarin Oriental is a large resort just 10 minutes from the centre of Chiang Mai. We love the rooms in the Colonial Wing, but the villas offer a lovely setting overlooking rice paddies or the lakes. We stayed at the hotel in February 2008. Great info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

D2 Chiang Mai

2008-06-15T12:57:00.001-07:00

The staff do a dance! The D2 is a funky urban hotel close to the nightmarket in Chiang Mai.
We have lots more info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk
We last saw the hotel in November 2007

Sunset at Aleenta Phang Nga

2008-06-15T12:51:00.001-07:00

Aleenta is a great boutique resort just north of Phuket, about 30 minutes from the airport. The sunsets are wonderful!
www.jasmineholidays.co.uk for great info and best prices. We last saw the Aleenta in November 2007.

Bangkok State Tower - The Dome - Sirocco Bar

2008-06-15T12:11:00.001-07:00

Wonderful view from the top of the Le Bua Hotel Bangkok. Le Bua is a very classy hotel and the views rival those from the top of the Banyan Tree. We last saw the hotel in February 2008. Great info and best deals on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Banyan Tree Vertigo Sky Restaurant Bangkok

2008-06-15T12:08:00.001-07:00

This is why we love the Banyan Tree Bangkok!
We last visited the hotel in June 2008.
Great offers on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Banyan Tree Phuket

2008-06-15T12:02:00.001-07:00

Visit www.jasmineholidays.co.uk for more info and great offers on the Banyan Tree Phuket. We last visited the hotel in February 2008.

Trisara, Phuket

2008-06-15T11:52:00.001-07:00

Trisara is wonderful! 33 villas, each with a private infinity pool. All villa types and comprehensive info on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Trisara is ideal for couples and for small families as they have fantastic children's facilities. We went to see it last in November 2007.

Old Bangkok Inn

2008-06-15T11:38:00.001-07:00

Here's a video on the Old Bangkok Inn. Makes it look a bit darker than it actually is, but gives an idea what it's like. See our previous post for a bit more info or just visit www.jasmineholidays.co.uk
There was a nice little article in the Sunday Times this weekend on the hotel too.

Karma Samui

2008-06-15T11:31:00.001-07:00

Here's a video of Karma Samui. We went to have a look at the end of 2007. The villas are quite close together but are very private nevertheless. The outlook from the restaurant is great and the small beach is very peaceful. The Karma is ideal for families or groups of friends looking for luxurious self contained villa accommodation on Koh Samui. Jasmine Holidays has great rates and info on Karma Samui. www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Dream Hotel Bangkok

2008-06-15T06:42:00.001-07:00

Here's a nice wee video on the Dream Hotel Bangkok which you'll find on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk We have great rates at this funky hotel just off Sukhumvit Road.

La Veranda Boutique Resort Phu Quoc Island

2008-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

November to February sees most of Vietnam affected by the north east monsoon, not the most ideal time to head to the beach resorts. Whilst rain affects Hoi An, Nha Trang and Mui Ne, a much better option weather-wise is Phu Quoc Island, just 45 minutes by air from Saigon.

We highly recommend La Veranda Phu Quoc as the most luxurious boutique resort on the island. Rooms are either in the main building or in single storey buildings set in the gardens.

http://www.jasmineholidays.co.uk/Hotel.asp?DPID=12&RID=64&HID=100115&M=

Jasmine has great rates at La Veranda Phu Quoc and combine with any itinerary around Vietnam. Get to Phu Quoc soon before the large chain hotels arrive.

Baan Namping Riverside Village Hotel Chiang Mai

2008-06-13T10:54:00.001-07:00

I was talking to the owner of a hotel in Chiang Mai the other day who told me the manager of this hotel wrote some of their own reviews on Trip Advisor. I checked it out and it seemed pretty likely. At least with Trip Advisor you can check the authors profile and see what other reviews they've written, when they joined, where they've been, where they're located etc. I think that all helps to show up the fraudsters.

At Jasmine Holidays we swear by Trip Advisor. How can you not? We just urge our clients to use it with caution. Be cautious of reviewers who only have one review, or reviewers who claim to be from London, but write like a fourth grade Thai English student.

Oh, and avoid the Baan Namping Riverside Village - it's very very average.

The Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin

2008-06-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

We've had a couple of bookings for the Rest Detail Hotel in Hua Hin, and I'm really glad. It's a great new hotel in Hua Hin with heaps of character. I hated the name when I first heard about the hotel. It sounded to me like one of those badly named Chinese restaurants - Lucky Dragon or Golden Happy Joy House or something. I told the DOS it was a silly name and then immediately felt bad - specially when they gave me a t-shirt!

They explained the name came about because the hotel is all about having a nice 'rest' and because they have great attention to 'detail'! Let's hope western clients don't make the immediate assumption that I did, that the Rest Detail is the equivalent of the the Lucky Dragon takeaway restaurant. It's more like a trendy French bistro.

The Old Bangkok Inn

2008-06-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in the lobby amongst the leafy greenery and antique prints as the two American girls were checking out. It's always a good sign when you can't get rid of your guests very easily. So they stood there singing the hotels praises and so on for at least five minutes, until the owner carried their bags to the waiting taxi.

Notice that - the owner carried their bags to the taxi! When did that last happen at the Sheraton?

Well what a wonderful find the Old Bangkok Inn is and we're delighted to be working with them. I say 'them', but I mean Nantiya, the lady who owns the hotel. The building (a rather unpreposessing yellow one) has been in her family for many years but she only converted it into a boutique guesthouse a couple of years ago.

The rooms are totally charming with floral prints, outdoor bathrooms (downstairs), great attention to detail and lots of character. I loved the honeymoon room downstairs and the Lemngrass Suite next door. Rooms are relatively small, but Lemongrass has a nice little outdoor bathroom. The Chinoise basins are a nice touch and the flat screen tv's add a bit of the modern to the antique decor.

Only slightly negative thing are in the Loft Suites upstairs, which have steep stairs and very low balconies overlooking the living area. Definitely not suitable for children or after a big night out. That aside, for anyone looking for a charming boutique hotel in Bangkok, the Old Bangkok Inn is hard to beat. Good old fashioned hospitality is alive and well in Bangkok.

We have lots of info on the hotel and many other boutique hotels in Bangkok on our site. www.jasmineholidays.co.uk

Come visit - it's free!

Bangkok - small is beautiful

2008-06-11T06:34:00.001-07:00

Just got back from Bangkok. I went to see the Seven Hotel in Bangkok. What a cute little place just off Sukhumvit. The owner Jane is in the paint business and it certainly shows in the hotel, which makes ostentatious use of colour. I went thinking that the hotel must have seven rooms, but actually it's only got six!

The name 'Seven' comes from the days of the week - in Thailand each day is represented by a particular colour, yellow for Monday, blue for Tuesday and so on. It's why you see so many Thai's wearing yellow shirts on a Monday! So each room at Seven is painted in a different colour to reflect this concept (and presumably because the paint was cheap). Oh - the lobby makes up the seventh colour.

Jane had no experience of hotels when she bought the building and designed the rooms, but the result is really nice. The location couldn't be much better for access to Sukhumvit, and the location tucked away down a side street means it's pretty quiet. Conde Naste has even voted the hotel into the top 160 new hotels in the world. Not bad for a first time foray into hotels.

You'll be able to see the Seven Hotel Bangkok very soon on www.jasmineholidays.co.uk where we have all the best Bangkok boutique hotels. More reports from Bangkok soon.