Located right in the heart of the city and set along the Nam Song River surrounded by limestone mountains, Amari Vang Vieng aims to be the perfect base from which to explore the luscious countryside.

Designed to meet the needs of the modern traveller, the room and hotel interior spaces are inspired by the “elements” with “water” represented by the meandering Nam Song River, “earth” by the mountains, “wood” from the lush green forests enveloping the town and “energy”, reflective of the unique sense of tranquillity in the small town.

Guests can choose from 160 rooms ranging from superior and deluxe categories to various suite configurations, offering a choice of city or mountain views. International dishes as well as local and regional cuisine inspired by street food are served at all-day dining restaurant, Essence while dessert and coffee are under the spotlight at Cascade, which has scrumptious baked goods and light snacks.

Breeze Spa features the brand’s signature mood-based massages while other facilities include an outdoor free-form swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness centre and a Kids’ Club to keep the little ones occupied.

To celebrate its official opening Amari Vang Vieng is offering a special rate starting at US$60-plus (Bt1,900) in a Superior City View room. The offer is valid for bookings made by June 30.

Keep updated at http://www.Amari.com/vang-vieng/.

Situated next to Tanjung Pendam Beach, the hotel offers remarkable sunset views, local culinary delights, and the warm hospitality. Nature lovers can tear themselves away from the white sand for a day to visit the Beraye Waterfalls and Batu Mentas Nature Reserve that is home to the endangered Tarsius monkey.

Also well worth exploring are the 19th-century colonial houses in Manggar area, the Vihara Kwan Im Buddhist temple, the Giri Jati Balinese village and the Maritime Museum.

“Fairfield by Marriott is growing in this region and we now have 47 properties in the pipeline in Asia Pacific alone and more than 400 properties worldwide,” says Mike Fulkerson, vice president for brand and marketing Asia Pacific.

“The brand offers a calming, reliable experience at a great value, and with the added warmth of Indonesian hospitality, Fairfield by Marriott Belitung promises to be a great retreat.”

With architecture inspired by traditional Rumah Panggung stilted houses, the 136 guestrooms, including 11 suites, are flooded with natural daylight and face the tranquil swimming pool and ocean.

Each spacious guestroom and suite features LED TV, free Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, as well as a generous bathroom.

The contemporary Lobby Bar is a convenient space for a casual meeting while The Market retail store presents a convenient and tempting selection of grab-and-go refreshments to both hotel guests and visitors.

A breakfast buffet is laid out at Kava Restaurant and features Indonesian favourites as well as traditional eats.

Guests can also unwind under the sun on one of the loungers at Simpur Bar. Other facilities include a swimming pool with kids’ pool and a well-fitted gym that’s open around the clock.

Find out more details at http://www.fairfieldinn.com.

Rates start at Bt6,000 for Deluxe Riverview Room including buffet breakfast for two, room upgrade to next available room type, late-check-out until 4pm and one-time credit of Bt1,000 per stay on food and beverage in the hotel and neighbourhood map. A shuttle boat service runs from Saphan Taksin BTS Station to the Hotel every half-hour.

Find out more at (02) 665 3165 or email res172.royalorchid@sheraton.com.

Sweetness with a Smile 

Thai Smile and Mitr Phol celebrate the hot season with special summer drinks for Smile Plus-class passengers from this month to July.

Customers will be welcomed on board with a Mittz Lemongrass and Royal Lotus, that combine refreshing lemongrass with refreshing Mitr Phol syrup.

Book your flight at http://www.ThaiSmileAir.com.

Downtown deluxe

Also marking the arrival of the summer is the SureStay Plus Hotel’s Best Western Sukhumvit 2, which is offering travellers a Super Hot Deal from now to October 31.

Starting at Bt2,199 for a Superior Room and Bt2,399 for a Deluxe Room, guests can enjoy breakfast for two, free Wi-Fi and in-room minibar. Or save even more by opting for the Sabai promotion with room rates starting at Bt1,999 for a Superior Room or Bt2,199 for a Deluxe Room. Both include breakfast for two and free Wi-Fi.

Find out more at http://www.SureStayPlusSuhumvit2.com.

Island in the sun

The Ko Tao Festival returns to Sairee Beach on Saturday and Sunday to promote environmental conservation and showcase the beauty of island.

Now in its 15th edition, the festival features several environment-friendly activities including children’s art contest under the theme of coral reef conservation, a design contest for new recycling rubbish bins to be installed across the island and a local food market. Visitors can also enjoy the Opening Parade & Eco Display and Mr & Ms Save Koh Tao and live music performances.

Find out more at http://www.Facebook.com/KohTaoFestival/.

Pachyderms on the pitch

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is hosting the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament from tomorrow to Sunday.

Visitors can enjoy an impressive opening parade, children’s educational day, a Ladies Day known as the Bangkok Ascot, great foot, hot bands and spins from top DJs. This year, a group of 20 unemployed ex-street elephants will take part in the event, which they will receive full veterinary checks from the Zoological Parks Organisation of Thailand, under the patronage of His Majesty the King of Thailand and the Department of Livestock Development. In addition, all elephants are given essential vitamins, food and care, which are not available to them during their normal daily lives.

Find out more at http://www.AnantaraElephantPolo.com.

The promotion includes breakfast and vacationers making a booking directly at http://www.137pillarschiangmai.com will receive extra privileges of complimentary one way airport transfer by private limousine, 15-per-cent discount on spa treatment, complimentary room upgrade and late check-out until 4pm.

Saving cash with Central

Central Hotels and Resorts offers guests up to 35-per-cent off when booking a room through http://www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com from now until March 31.

Under the Fab Feb Last Minute Deals campaign, travellers can enjoy their holidays at Centara’s 38 five-star properties in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Trat, Koh Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Khao Lak, Hat Yai Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, Udon Thani, Maldives, Vietnam, Oman and Sri Lanka.

Book online to save

Bangkok Midtown Hotel on Rama VI Road introduces a special Hot Deal promotion for travellers booking accommodation through the hotel’s website, http://www.bangkokmidtownhotel.com.

The room rates start at Bt1,800 for a Standard Room and guests can enjoy daily breakfast, free Wi-Fi, early check-in or late check-out. Early birds booking a room seven days in advance will be rewarded with a 15-per-cent discount.

Tulips in Amsterdam

The five-star Conservatorium hotel in Amsterdam is gearing up for the annual Tulip Festival with the Tulips in Bloom package that will be available from March 29 to April 28.

The room rates start at 1,695 Euros (Bt65,800) for a minimum of two-night stay and bookings must be made at least14 days in advance. The package include breakfast, a helicopter flight with a private pilot for a trip over the vast multi-coloured tulip fields, flower parks and Dutch coast.

Guests will also get entrance tickets to celebrated flower garden Keukenhof, which will be open from March 22 to May 13. Again, bookings must be made at least 14 days in advance.

Sign in at http://www.ConservatoriumHotel.com.

Jeju lights the fire

The annual Jeju Fire Festival held on South Korea’s Jeju Island sees locals praying for a good harvest and good health but there’s plenty for the visitor to enjoy too.

Running from tomorrow to Sunday, the event features torch marching, fun folk games, cultural dancing and music performances, kite flying, the Oreum Laser & Graffiti show, a fantasy firework show, stone lifting contests and a traditional Korean dice competition.

Fresh agricultural products, local delicacies and handicrafts are available at the local shopping street.

Check it out at English.VisitKorea.or.kr or Buriburi.go.kr.

TWENTY YEARS ago visitors to Buriram had a problem finding accommodation. These days, supporters of Buriram United’s followers as well as those of its rival teams and motor sport fans have a choice of modern hotels, many of them complete with a sports bar.

One such venue is The Cresco, a modern hotel that leans towards industrial loft design with exposed brick walls and meshed panels. The name “Cresco” comes from the Latin word, says the hotel website, meaning “Growing and Rising”, an apt description as just like the Chang Arena and Chang International Circuit, the Cresco is a milestone on Buriram’s path to modernisation. The northeastern province is transforming itself from a rugged backwater drought-stricken land into the centre of sports tourism, with English – and now Latin too –taking the lead over the local Khmer dialect.

The Cresco Hotel is 800 metres away from Buriram’s Chang International Circuit, Buriram United’s home ground – Thunder Castle Stadium – and Buriram Castle Shopping Mall though it’s closer to the sport venues than the town market, meaning there are no food stalls or bars outside the door.

Fully equipped with a fitness centre, swimming pool and kid’s zone, the Cresco Hotel features 40 rooms spread over the Deluxe, Suite and Family Suite categories. The lobby hints at the international circuit with two Triumph motorbikes taking pride of place. Guest can pass time looking at them or watching a sports channel while waiting their turn for check-in or check-out. The flat-screen television airs sports programmes around the clock, providing a soundtrack of cheering and yelling for lobby visitors.

I stayed in a Novem – a standard type room – on the second floor for two nights. It was spacious, modern and attractive in an industrial loft sort of way. The room might be a little dark for people who are in Buriram on a business trip though the two packs of condoms thoughtfully placed next to two bottles of water suggest the guest might be concentrating on other kinds of business. On one side of the spacious room is a long working table, while the other side boasts a leather coach with big neon “C” on the wall. I explored my small balcony and found that my view was of a run-down sawmill.

The bathroom is spacious, although the design is bland and boring. There’s no tub or luxury bath amenities. Bath gel, shampoo and body lotion come in large, squeezy bottles in true sports club fashion.

The Cresco is proud of its gym and has reason to be as it is fitted with up-to-date equipment though I would argue with the “sizeable” description of the pool – it’s small. Thai and European food and drinks are served at its all-day-dining restaurant. The food quality is fine, but the quantity could be more generous.

On the bottom line, the Cresco Hotel is a modern hotel with fine services. It’s not suitable for older people or the disabled as while it’s only two storeys high, there is no lift. The price for a standard room is about Bt2,000 per night when booking through specialist websites. Walk in customers can expect to pay more.

AT A GLANCE

High point: A guestroom is attractive in a modern design.

Low point: There’s no lift, so the hotel is not suitable for older people and the disabled.

Pay for it: : The room rates start at Bt2,000

Find it: 333 Moo 4, Buriram-Prakornchai Road, Muang, Buriram.

Call it: (044) 634 901-2

Browse it: http://www.CrescoBuriram.com

With a prime location at the intersection of Passeig de gracia and Avinguda Diagonal, all apartments will be designed in a contemporary style and provide panoramic views of the city’s landmarks.

Owners will have access to a private lobby, a club lounge, a variety of meeting and entertaining spaces, fitness facilities and a luxury spa suite. A connecting footbridge will lead to an outdoor recreation deck and swimming pool. There will be also high-end dining options and private parking on offer.

“We are delighted to be introducing the first standalone Residences by Mandarin Oriental in Europe. We look forward to bringing the brand’s legendary hospitality to the owners of these prestigious private homes,” said James Riley, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

The Residences will provide owners with easy access to the city’s leisure, business and cultural attractions. Passeig de Gracia is considered the city’s most exclusive retail street and is also home to some of Barcelona’s most celebrated architecture, including two of Gaudi’s works: Casa Mila and Casa Batllo.

The project is a redevelopment of an existing office building. Barcelona-based OAB, which is the studio of eminent Catalan architect, Carlos Ferrater, has been appointed as lead architect and the interior design is being created by the London -based Muza Lab.

Find out more at http://www.MandarinOriental.com.

Located just 30 minutes from Caticlan Airport, the resort offers a 3,300-square-metre multi-level swimming pool and choice of watersports available right off the beach as well as snorkelling and diving at nearby coral reefs.

Guests travelling with babies and toddlers can borrow childcare equipment such as baby cots, baby baths and night-lights, and the unique Movenpick Power Bites menu features fun, healthy meals for kids.

“Family holidays are no longer about simply providing a few things-to-do for youngsters. They are about creating stays where families can really bond by sharing activities. Our mission is to make sure that every member of the family is well catered for and feels special,” says general manager Albert Ocasio.

The kid activity programme focuses on edutainment allowing children to pick up new skills while enjoying themselves. Indoor activities include everything from alphabet and counting games, shell bracelet making and body tracing for two to four year olds, to hair braiding and cupcake baking for five to eight year olds, or kite making and storytelling for kids up to 12.

Young guests can also choose from a full schedule of outdoor activities designed to take full advantage of the beachfront location. These include sand castle making, scavenger hunts, nature walks and swimming activities, as well as traditional local kid’s games such as ‘Tumbang Preso’, also known as ‘knock down the can’ to give young guests a taste of local life.

“It’s also important for the adults to enjoy themselves, which is why we offer a whole range of complimentary activities like beach football and volleyball, group paddleboard lessons, morning boot camp and dynamic stretching. Guests can then relax and refresh at our island inspired Sagay Spa,” adds Ocasio.

Families planning to stay longer can take advantage of the Stay & Save offer with up to 30 per cent off, including breakfast, and a $20 food and beverage voucher when booking online at http://www.Movenpick.com/boracay.