W Amsterdam: Not the Finished Product yet, January 2016

Not the Finished Product yet

Published 7th April 2016
Visited Jan 2016

It is now a year since I experienced my inflight emergency, and in that unfortunate (with reference to the elderly gentleman) event, I got a upgrade voucher from Singapore Airlines as a gesture of goodwill.

Unfortunately (again), when I was considering my return to Paris, the infamous bombing occurred (#prayforparis).

Thus, I contacted Singapore Airlines for alternative arrangements.

After some discussion, I was allowed to use the voucher to any destination in Europe (Thank you, Singapore Airlines!) and I chose Amsterdam as one of the stops on my way to Iceland to catch the Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights.

No review of Pyramids hotel, missing luggage and a stay at W Bangkok

W Bangkok

Impressed by the breakfast! And the great Thai service quality

 Visited October 2015 

Bangkok is definitely a popular destination for many Singaporeans as well as foreigners around the world.

Having been to Bangkok many times, and stayed in many different hotels, I have not typed a review for some of them.

Remarkably, W Bangkok has left a deep enough impression for a share.

I arrived in Bangkok after visiting the Pyramids in Egypt. There is no review of the Le Meridien Pyramids hotel on my blog because I hardly explored the place to take pictures.

This may have been a good thing as it is really unsafe in Egypt at the moment.

In fact, that very hotel was bombed a week after my stay.

W for Wash the bowls? - W Paris April 2015

The Case of the Dirty Bowls

After the eventful flight in SQ suites, we passed immigration via the Fast-track which wasn't fast at all! There was only 1 counter open and maybe it was because it was Good Friday.

Our luggage was already waiting for us and we proceeded to buy the bus ticket to our first hotel which was W Paris.

W Paris is located across the road from the Opera House (Garnier) which is used as the setting for The Phantom of the Opera.

Although the hotel is under the management of Starwood Hotels, the feel is more boutique due to the small number of rooms.

From the airport, we took the Roissybus which only has 1 stop which is at Opera.

The convenience of the shuttle is the main reason that we chose this hotel. Finding the hotel was an easy walk from the stop.

W Taipei, Taiwan - December 2014

Taiwan is well known for its New Year Countdown with fireworks from Taipei 101.

This was my first trip to Taiwan and the main purpose was to watch the fore-mentioned fireworks.

W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak - 塞米亚克 W 水疗度假酒店 September 2013 - Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of my review on W Bali! This part will be on food restaurants!

Please do read Parts 1 and 2 as well!

There are 2 main restaurants (Starfish Bloo and Fire) and several places for drinks (W Lounge, Woo Bar, ICE).

There are also places for private dining (1 Below and Cellar).

W Lounge

 The lounge is located right at the lobby, and it glows in different colours at night.

One can also choose to sit facing the pool and beach either inside the lobby or just outside.

The Woo Bar

This is located in the pool with a sky deck.

We saw fireworks at night from the WooBar during our stay and it was magnificent!

Fire

We did not eat here but the centerpiece does look nice.

Breakfast for the guests in rooms is provided here.

Within Fire

Fire at night

Starfish Bloo and ICE

They are essentially the same place, but given different names as one is for food and the other for drinks.

We had dinner here once and the food is really good. The hot stone allows you to cook the fresh salmon (as tataki) and beef, but it cools rapidly so you have to ask for a change after a while.

Do have a look at the Kid's menu for alternatives. We ordered the fish and chips from it.

Prices are also reasonable by hotel standards.

Starfish Bloo from the pool

Entrance

Hot stone

Do have dinner or drinks here in the evening for the beautiful sunset!

Breakfast for the guests in villas and suites will be at Starfish Bloo.
The spread is really good, and includes sashimi too!

You may also order dishes off a menu which includes foie gras and steak.

With that, I would like to thank you again for reading and would like to show you my favourite photo of the resort.

In conclusion, W Bali is an excellent hotel to stay at, perhaps the downside is the relatively expensive rooms and that the beach is not suitable for swimming. As previously mentioned in part 1, the waves can be rather loud and may affect the light sleepers.

W Retreat & Spa Bali - you must absolutely experience it!

Hope you have enjoyed reading my review and may your visit be just as great or even better!

W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak - 塞米亚克 W 水疗度假酒店 September 2013 - Part 2

Thank you for reading Part 2 of W Bali.

As mention in the previous post, Part 2 will be on service, the beach and pool, gym and the Away Spa while Part 1 was about the main hotel and rooms and Part 3 on food and restaurants.

The Service 

On entering the hotel, we were greeted warmly by the staff and asked if we were checking in to the villa or the rooms.

This is necessary as the front desks are located a small distance apart.

At the check-in, we were offered a welcome drink and towels soaked in 1 of 3 scented solutions (right upper corner of the photograph).

 We were pleasantly surprised the Director of Rooms came to welcome us at the front desk

A very special Thank You to Mr Akhmad Fadholi!

As previously mentioned, we were asked to rest in a Spectacular Ocean Facing Retreat while our Marvelous Suite was under housekeeping.

Another staff at the front desk brought us up to the room and showed us around.
A welcome gift was already in the room consisting of 4 large slabs of honeycomb chocolate in a rather special decoration.

Welcome gift

 Meanwhile, the staff also asked us if we were interested in watching any movies which is supplied free of charge.

Throughout the stay, the staff at the hotel were very warm and often initiate verbal contact, offering help readily.

In fact, one of the staff attempted to speak to us in Mandarin although awkwardly.

Well, it also shows how persuasive the Chinese Market is to hotels, although we are not from China.

Getting transport out of the hotel was also very easy from the Wheels counter at the lobby.

The Beach And Pool

The pool is a terrace reminiscent of a padi field with trees and also houses the Woo Bar.

 There are also a great number of daybeds to enjoy the sun and the breeze.

The big W near the beach is a popular spot for photographs.

 The beach itself is rather clean, but the waves are really strong and one is advised against swimming there.

 The Gym (Sweat)

The gym is rather small and I feel is rather inadequate for a hotel of this size. One of the side doors links it to the Away Spa. Of course, few people actually use the gym at a resort...

SWEAT

Grab your towels in the honeycomb structure

The (Away) Spa

One of the highlights of W Hotels is the AWAY Spa and this one in Bali is very popular and well-known.

It is located off the lobby and is really quiet compared to the main hotel.

AWAY SPA at night

AWAY Spa in the morning

Waiting area

Product Display

Waiting area inside the spa

Resting area at treatment rooms

There is an oxygen room inside the spa, as well as the warm and cold plunge pools with a steam room.

AWAY SPA website

Be sure to check out the mirror in the changing room at night for the 'Star' feel!

Treatment at the SPA was indeed an experience, and highly recommended if one can spare the money!

---------------------------------------------

Please do read the next and last part which will be on the food and restaurants!

Disclaimer: My reviews are based on my personal experience and the stay is not sponsored or invited by the hotel.