Why leave your beloved pet at home when you can take Fido or Fluffy (or both) with you? Jetsetters with pets now have Double Tree by Hilton Sukhumvit Hotel as a second home thanks to an all-too-rare policy that allows small dogs or cats to stay with their owners in the guestrooms.

Opened in 2013, Double Tree by Hilton Sukhumvit Hotel took the structure of an old hotel and revamped the simple property with chic and vintage flair. This small city hotel is all about simplicity, functionality and convenience. All 177 guestrooms are compact, but fully equipped for easy-going travellers who want nothing more than a plush bed and lots of pillows, big screen TV with local and satellite channels and a spacious and sparkling clean bathroom. There are also five suites that offer more space and extra amenities. There’s free wireless Internet both in the rooms and throughout the public areas and the signal is good, a rarity in hotels where the slow connection forces many to pay extra for a higher speed.

Centrally located, Double Tree by Hilton Sukhumvit is a great starting point wherever you want to go in the city with Phrom Phong BTS station an easy stroll. And there are plenty of eateries, spas and nightspots in the area to suit every pocket as well as in the two nearby shopping malls.

But the biggest attraction for many is that the hotel is pet friendly. If you travel with a cat or a dog weighing less than five kilograms, you can have him stay with you at Bt1,500 extra charge per pet per stay. And up to two pets are allowed in one guestroom. You and your pet can stay in any room type you like, but the hotel tends to put you in a room at the end of the hall or in the corner unless you specify otherwise. We checked in with Panda, our two-year old cat who had never spent a night away from home. Large and fluffy but under the five kg limit, we quite expected him to be weighed at the front desk. That didn’t happen and we were not asked for vaccination records either.

You would think a pet-friendly hotel would have a pet toilet or perhaps a designated corner in the bathroom for the animal to use, but you still need to bring your own litter box and cat grit, although the room did have a small food bowl. We unpacked and let the cat out of his hamper to explore, hoping he wouldn’t start scratching the fabric armchair or the leather ergonomic chair – guests pay for any damage. Fortunately he seemed content to enjoy the view of bustling Sukhumvit at dusk through the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

The next morning we came down to breakfast at Dee Lite, one of the two F&B outlets of the hotel, leaving Panda in the room. No matter how well-behaved your pets are, they need to be in a carrier when going through the public areas and they are strictly not allowed in restaurants.

You also need to be careful when the maid comes in to make up the room. Make sure you are present to tend to your furry friend. The maid will not clean your pet’s toilet, though. That duty is still yours, even on holiday! And be careful when opening the door – some pets will see that as an opportunity to escape and could hurt themselves or other guests.

Once you check out, that room will be sealed for two days before accepting the next guest. Housekeeping will “deep clean” it thoroughly and call in a pest control service to spray the room. So if you’re checking in to a room, which has previously had a canine or feline guest, rest assured: it will be completely cleaned and safe to stay in.

AT A GLANCE

High point: Convenient location with BTS, malls, shops and restaurants within walking distance. The rooms are simple and clean. The hotel is pet-friendly.

Low point: Not much choice for entertainment or pampering within the hotel.

Pay for it: Visit the hotel’s website for the best deal.

Find it: 18/1 Sukhumvit Soi 26 Khlong Ton, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand

Call it: (02) 649 6666

Browse it: http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/thailand/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-sukhumvit-bangkok-BKKSSDI/index.html

Inspired by Taoism philosophy, Phurua Sanctuary Resort and Spa focuses on the idea of living in harmony with the natural flow to restore and rejuvenate life energy.

Located one hour away from Loei Airport, the resort offers an endless panorama of mountains, rice fields and a lush garden planted with herbs and organic produce.

“Loei province has rich soil. I might be biased that I think the produce grown here tastes better than elsewhere. All the food we serve at the resort comes right from our farms. We have our own organic vegetables, rice paddies and orchards from which we supply Phu Luang Restaurant, our sole eatery. We are also planting coffee and macadamia nuts for future use,” says the resort’s owner, Pornsin Tamsirichai.

In operation for less than a year, the hotel and its staff are new to the hospitality industry but meet any hiccups guests may experience with a friendly smile and a helping hand.

The lobby is small and not equipped to deal with mass check ins, as was the case for our group of 30 journalists. The staff got round the problem by setting up a special check-in table at the meeting room next to the main building and we are happy enough to take photos of the lush roses or relax around the swimming pool while waiting our turns.

Getting the key card for room number 1305, I realise I will have to wait a while for the only elevator to whisk me up to the third floor.

“There’s no need to rush once you are here. Take your time and get connected with nature,” Pornsin had told us earlier and so I take his advice and retreat to the garden to take more photos of the roses until the elevator is clear.

My room is spacious and clean with two queen-sized beds, a long writing table, flat screen TV and a balcony. Decorated in contemporary style in earth tones, it’s peaceful and cosy.

Having caught an early flight and with a busy day ahead, I take a quick shower to freshen up before the resort’s next activity. The bathroom has a bathtub on the left and a separate shower stall on the right. As I adjust the water temperature, the shower handle for the hot water falls off. Thanks to my dad, who taught me how to handle problematic household appliances from an early age, I shrug my shoulders, put the handle back on and continue my shower like nothing has happened.

Back in the lobby, the hotel staff offers to lead us to the organic farm to hand pick our dinner. Armed with baskets, we collect the vegetables under a hot sun though no one seems particularly bothered by the heat.

“Wow! I love string beans, and look at those papayas. We just need some chilli peppers and then we could have som tam,” says my friend.

It isn’t long before our baskets are brimming with red chilli peppers, string beans, lettuce, coriander and mushrooms. Assured that the baskets will be delivered to the hotel’s kitchen, we follow the staff to the rice paddies. Along the walkway, a row of Jamaican Cherry trees provide refuge from the sun. They also provide a snack, and we pick and munch the small red fruits until we reach the rice paddies.

A small airy shelter in the middle of the rice fields is like an oasis in the desert. We rest and let the wind dry the sweat. Some of us choose to get our hands dirty by transplanting rice seedlings while the rest remain in the shelter sipping cool water.

Later that day we sit down for dinner at Phu Luang restaurant where chef Bee turns our harvest into authentic north-eastern dishes like papaya salad, steamed banana blossom and stir-fried catfish with spicy herbs.

Even the most entertaining feast has to end. I walk back to my room planning to jump into bed. I fall asleep thinking of the shower handle and praying it won’t fall on me again.

AT A GLANCE

High point: Close to other natural attractions like Phu Ruea National Park and Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. Helpful and friendly staff.

Low point: Some facilities need to be fixed.

Pay for it: Visit the hotel’s website for the best deals.

Find it: 216 Moo8 Tambon Nong Bua, Amphur Phu Ruea, Loei 42160 Thailand

Call it: (042) 810 890-2, |(042) 810 885

Browse it: http://www.PhuruaSanctuary.com or Facebook.com/phuruasanctuary.