Le Coral Hideaway

Lobby

Hotel Accommodation

Le Coral Hideaway Beyond Phuket aims to provide guests with maximum comforts and relaxing stay. The 58 elegant guest rooms with 7 modern suite types will complement visitors’ satisfaction. Depending on your preference, you can choose a room which has a direct access to the main pool or a private pool. Also, you will enjoy the beach view fronting every room, outdoor balconies, 24-hour personalized butler service and state of the art entertainment.

Horizon Suite

Horizon Suite – Pool Access

Luxury Suite

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Every room comes with the following facilities:

• Air-conditioning
• Wi-Fi connection
• Hypoallergenic pillows
• Hair dryer
• Complimentary daily newspaper
• Molton Brown amenities
• Flat screen 40” internet television
• Cable and satellite
• Slippers, bathrobes, towers
• 600 thread count sheet
• Customized furnishings
• Free mini bar
• Non-smoking room
• Individual safe deposit box
• Work desk

Prestige Pool Suite

Prestige Duplex Suite

Fun and Leisure Activities

The resort will keep you occupied with a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages. Spa and fitness centers are within the hotel to ensure maximum relaxation. A much relaxing stay is more complimentary with an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants and one bar. If you want a more solemn and intimate meal, the hotel also offers private dining. On resort activities likewise include library gallery shop where guests can have an access on the different collections of paraphernalia and souvenirs.

Spa

Restaurant

Le Coral Hideaway Beyond Phuket is conveniently located to neighboring leisure activities. Strolling around the resort will offer you fun-filled activities to make your visit ultimately amazing. For guests who love to reconnect with nature to revitalize, a day trip program is perfect for you. You will get to visit spectacular nature views while canoeing. Also, you can rent bicycle and have a wonderful ride. Beach chair and umbrella is also available and you will totally energize with the sea view. Golf course and extreme adventure could also be experienced especially for group or family bonding.

Swimming Pool

Hotel Services

Le Coral Hideaway Beyond Phuket commits to offer an enjoyable stay at the place not only of comfortable beds and soothing scenery within the surroundings but also outstanding services. For utmost conveniences, services at the hotel are guaranteed to deliver promptly and with professionalism. Included in the list of outstanding services are:

• Limousine
• Make up call service
• Currency exchange
• Medical service
• Laundry service
• Car park
• Transportation service/shuttle bus
• Room service

A Quiet, Clean and a Relaxing Ambiance

Comfort and Unique

Le Coral Hideaway Beyond Phuket offers the most convenient and comfortable stay through a clean, quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Reservations and bookings are well attended with a friendly customer service and are also available online.

The hotel is ready or accommodation anytime your travel dates are secured. Discount rates are also offered. You just need to browse their official website to know more about their fast and reliable service long with comprehensive details on pricing, rates and special offers.

Book now and have the most relaxing visit at Thailand.

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Kata Palm Resort

Reaching Kata Palm Resort is extremely manageable as it is very near to Phuket Town and 45 km from Phuket International Airport providing you 25-minute drive. This resort is a stone’s throw away from various shopping destinations like Tailor Pro Phuket Custom Tailor and Simon’s Boutique as well as leisure possibilities to include surfing at the Surf House or diving lessons at Phuket Scuba Club and Oceanic Divecenter , all at Kata Beach.

Angkor Restaurant

Palm Leaf Restaurant, Angkor Restaurant and the Palm Restaurant are only some of the renowned restaurants in the resort that offers sumptuous and delicious cuisines. This offers greater chances of exploring the best side of Thailand. From the white and silky sands of Kata Beach coupled with vibrant attractions nearby, your visit will be completely remarkable. In addition, the place has currently undergone significant improvement and upgrading to ensure fulfillment among its increasing clients.

Enjoy a warm and hospitable visit……

Lobby

As you step into the entryways of Kata Palm Resort, you will be welcomed with a very welcoming environment. The atmosphere is filled with energetic staff members who are expedient in providing efficient and friendly customer service. They work with professionalism and are dedicated to offering quality service. From reservations, bookings to accommodations and inquiries, the resort staff will cater to your needs without leaving anyone frustrated. Proficient and skilled personnel also render prompt and honest service to guarantee customers satisfaction. This is only one of the excellent reasons why customers keep coming back for another visit.

Improved and State of the Art Facilities

Swimming Pool

The resort has presently undergone improvements and renovations to ensure state of the art services to its wider group of customers. You can guarantee a different experience while spending a relaxing time in the 2 luxurious pools and 2 wading pools for children. Also, the Deluxe Pool Access are rooms which have access to fresh water swimming pools on their private balcony exclusive for couples or double occupancy.

Deluxe Pool Access Room

Pool Access Room

Deluxe Pool View

Superior Pool View

The hotel provides a five star hotel accommodation which provides elegant and comfortable experience. All people from different ages can savor the enthrallment that this hotel offers. A wide range of options in facilities are available to meet the particular needs of customers. The hotel provides 184 guest rooms and suites which are ensured to the comforts and convenience to its occupants. Also, conference rooms are well suited for corporate events or large/small family gatherings or special functions such as weddings, birthdays or reunions.

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Room facilities and services include the following:

1. Television with cable network
2. Hair dryer
3. Refrigerator
4. Coffee/tea facilities
5. Mini bar
6. IDD telephone
7. Slipper/shoes/umbrella
8. Air conditioning
9. Safety box
10. Laundry and dry cleaning service

Luxurious amenities also include:

Fitness club

Kids Club

• Fitness club
• Kid’s club
• Swimming pools
• Warinton spa with jacuzzi and steam or sauna rooms

Exciting Free packages:

• Fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection
• Shuttle bus to Kata Beach
• Welcome drink
• Parking area
• Thai Cooking class
• Fruit carving class

Additional packages Galore:

• Family Holiday package for 6 days and 5 nights
• Honeymoon package for 3 days and 2 nights

Everything that is required for a wonderful hotel experience can be found at Kata Palm Resort!

Exciting Price Range

Excellent services at a reasonable cost can be experienced at Kata Palm Resort. A truly refreshing stay with all the wonders of the verdant tropical paradise view can be unveiled when you book at the resort. The cost of every service you need is worth the price you paid for. The quality of the hotel service and facilities can be availed in fair price while painting smiles on your faces. Kata Palm Resort offers quality service at a very reasonable price.

Neighboring Leisure

Bars, malls and restaurants are just around the corner. Take a few steps from the hotel and you will enjoy the neighboring leisure. Visit shopping malls and select signature brands at their best. Also, if you love foods, Thai dishes are abundant in various renowned restaurants in the area. Spas are also present to pamper your visit. If you love having a night out, meet new friends and enjoy the night in several bars.

Kata Palm Resort on High Season

The only disadvantage of Kata Palm Resort is the expensive cost during high season. You also need to book for early reservations to avoid inconvenience due to the massive influx of tourists during peak season. Overall, facilities and services are satisfying that could outweigh its downfall.

Book Now

Thailand is one of the best places in SE Asia to spend a vacation. This offers bountiful sceneries and rich culture to discover and enjoy. To avoid hassle and greatly enjoy your visit, book early at Kata Palm Resort. The friendly customer service is ready to cater to all of your needs and get exact and prompt answers to all your inquiries.

Conclusion

Explore Thailand – an extravagant tropical haven in Asia that is perfect for ultimate family getaways or group escapade. Kata Palm Resort is an ideal destination when you think to visit Southern Thailand. This place is an absolute gateway to the wonders of Phuket Island and Kata Beach. Revitalize with the facilities of the hotel and feel the comforts of your home with a very welcoming atmosphere and accommodation.

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Fortunately, there are still a few places in Siquijor that tick all those boxes. Thanks to a tip from a blog, I was able to snag a room for myself for US$3 a day.

But there’s a caveat: The lodge only accepts walk-in guests and may altogether refuse at certain times of the week and month. They also prefer solo travelers than groups to maintain peace and quiet for their other guests who have to wake up really early in the morning to make business rounds. And they are right by the side of the road.

Best Value Place for Transients

No bells-and-whistles room for one

Buhisan Lodge in the municipality of Siquijor is known to all locals as the place where traveling salesmen stay for a few nights while they complete delivery of consumer goods in the province. As such, you might find you will be discouraged from checking in at Buhisan Lodge when you inquire about it from locals you run into. You can skip them and go straight to the lodge and inquire for yourself. The savings to be had is significant, especially if you travel alone and paying for that extra space in standard hotels could be spent on something more worthwhile.

Traveling salesmen stay for a few days starting Monday until Friday, and they get busy around the middle and the end of the month. Still, if you are not very particular with amenities and privacy, it’s worth checking at the time of your arrival if there are rooms available before moving on to other options.

Buhisan Lodge is right by the side of the road that leads to the municipality of San Juan. It’s a short walking distance to their open air market and town hall, and just a stone’s throw from the Siquijor port. The 50-year-old structure is within the “poblacion” (populated area) of Siquijor, so it can get quite busy during daylight hours. But as public transport is rather infrequent in this town (as in the rest of the province), “busy” is overstated.

The room rate is P125 a day. Rooms are good for one guest and toilet and bath are shared. You can request for laundry services, or you can wash your own clothes and pay P25 for use of water. The owners of the lodge also operate a small grocery store, so everyday items you may have forgotten to bring with you can be purchased right there.

A Short Hike From Everything

Siquijor port viewed from the boulevard a short walk from the lodge

Access to food and Internet connection is not a problem. The lodge is a mere 2 minutes away on foot from their open-air market where street food and local produce abound. The market is also where the public transport converge to pick up passengers, so getting to anywhere in the island from here would not be a problem. The municipality of San Juan which is the beach central of the island is only P15 away via tricycle.

The lodge is also 5 minutes on foot from the ferry port and from St. Francis of Assisi Church should you be inclined to check ferry schedules in person or attend a Catholic service.

Ideal Accommodation For Backpackers

Despite Buhisan Lodge’s intended market to be traveling salesmen and not backpackers, it is an ideal place to crash in for a few nights while you complete your island tour a day at a time. I did not have any problem with personal safety (I was the only female lodger at the time) and security of my valuables, nor did I have any problem getting sufficient sleep despite an odd motorcycle or two in wee hours.

I also managed to use the otherwise common toilet and bath whenever the need arose, and I had privacy and quality alone time even though the rest of the world just seemed to be outside my window.

Click here for next article (Siquijor series) – How to Get to Siquijor>>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

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Cheapest Accommodation in El Nido

Magos Cottage was first established in 1994 before El Nido became famous for its majestic limestone karst formations rising out of cerulean waters. The cottage is owned and operated by Victor Magos and is right within his home property. The structure is rather aged and could use some facelift, but it was sufficient for my need.

Upon hearing that the room rate is only P200 (US$5) a day, I did not think twice and paid for my entire stay right away (if you hear of anything cheaper, please let us know in the comments!). The no-fan but well-ventilated room was actually big enough to accommodate two people in bed and another two on the (bamboo) floor. Had I shared the room with one other person, I would have only paid P100 a night! Not bad in a place where basic accommodation for two runs at P500 during peak season (P300 during off-peak).

At this (really cheap) rate, I was willing to embrace all the “discomforts” that came with it. And there were a few (which I was quite used to). What was important to me at the time was that the cottage looked safe enough for a few nights’ stay.

Magos Cottage veranda

The view from the veranda

Magos Cottage room

Power outages are scheduled in El Nido

• First, you will have to walk-in for reservation. The owner did not have his cellphone number at the time of my inquiry nor does he maintain a website. He is rather well-known in the area so just ask for the direction of Magos Cottages upon arrival at the bus terminal located in the vicinity of the ‘Pamilihang Bayan ng El Nido” (El Nido Public Market). Or, you can walk back from the bus terminal past an air-conditioned accommodation (you don’t have to cross the street), turn right at the first small junction you see from the terminal and walk to the direction of the bay until you reach the last structure on the right. The signage has faded but if you see a cottage covered in foliage, you have arrived.
• There was no electricity on the first night of my stay. Electricity in El Nido runs from 2PM until 6AM (unlike the Underground River area which did not have electricity altogether, just generator power). Because of the unexpected surge in tourist traffic since the Underground River gained worldwide fame and the consequent growth of businesses that catered to vacationers, power supply on this side of the province has since been “rationed”: one part of the town would have to be outaged so another could have electricity for the day. Thankfully, there was power on the second and final day of my stay in Corong-Corong (although the weather was less cooperative than I would have wanted).
• The town in El Nido has slow Internet connection though fast enough for e-mail and simple uploads. In Corong-Corong (a baranggay or smallest political unit just outside of El Nido Town), there was Internet connection with speed sufficient for e-mails.
• The toilet and bath was shared by four rooms and there was no running water. But the owner was diligent in refilling the water containers so there was no need to draw water from the ground well after someone else has used it up. The flush-type T&B was considerably clean but could use some upgrades.
• The cottage foundation is raised from the ground so the entire structure shakes if someone heavy moves. A big-framed Middle Eastern guest occupied another room, and he quite made his presence felt every time he came and went.
• The cottage is also near the bay where a fishing community lives, so a cacophony of sounds may be heard well into the night and at dawn. The owner of the cottage is also open to his neighbors, so expect to share the ground well with people from the fishing village. The cramped space near the veranda is also used as a sort of garage for motorcycles, so people come and go to leave and retrieve their vehicles. Children also come in unbidden, so you might find yourself in their company when you least expect it.

Magos Cottage A Fair Bargain During Peak Season

The karst massif that spans El Nido Town and Corong Corong Beach

Despite these less-than-ideal circumstances, Magos Cottage is right on Corong-Corong Beach which is away from the tourist crowds that throng El Nido Town. The two rooms on one side face the imposing karst monolith that spans El Nido Town and Corong-Corong and offer a glimpse of Bacuit Bay. Even the veranda faces the bay if not for the foliage that block the view.

Click here for next article (Palawan series) – Puerto Princesa for One Dollar or Less >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

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Knowing that accommodations typically eat a huge chunk of travel budgets, I was determined to stretch my less than US$250 over a 15-day period, or I would have resigned to only one out of my three planned destinations, or pack up home after only five days. But I wasn’t willing to forgo El Nido for the Underground River, nor would I not want to stay long in Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital.

So armed with nothing but online references and information on the ground (and unlimited airtime on cellphone calls), I snagged what I thought to be the cheapest accommodations in a destination fast becoming expensive for its newly-found international celebrity status.

Research, Research, Research

Like any conscientious traveler, I was diligent on research when it came to accommodation. I left my itinerary to luck, but finding a place to stay was something I hunkered down to before the trip.

Weeks before my planned arrival in Palawan, I have been calling and emailing around for room rates. I didn’t care whether the room did not come with cable TV (who needs TV when she would be outdoors most of the time?) or air-conditioning or even ensuite bath. All I looked for in a room was a place to hang my hammock if need be. If it came with a bed and a fan, then I considered it a bonus.

My effort paid off with what I believe to be the cheapest accommodations in Palawan – indoors. (If it were not for the fact that solo women backpackers are prey to wandering “evil spirits”, then I would have strung my hammock wherever there was thick foliage and sturdy branches.) If you find anything cheaper, please let us know in the comments.

Cheapest Accommodation in Puerto Princesa City

Like any rising urban hub that is the center of tourist activity, Puerto Princesa is fast becoming expensive itself if you are not patient enough to scratch deeper. Rooms come at a standard rate of P500 (US$12.50) per night for two persons. But since I was traveling solo, I was hesitant to pay for that extra space. I could spend it instead on activities, and yes, food! So I snooped around some more until I found the figure I had in mind and was willing to spend.

When I validated some of my earlier leads for even cheaper room rates (P180), they turned out to be more expensive (I was quoted P500 for their cheapest) and out of the way, which would have made me spend more on transportation.

At P250 (US$6) a day for single accommodation, I thought I snagged a great deal.

I was lucky to have stumbled upon Duchess Pension (a tip from a travel blog), one of Puerto Princesa’s pioneer in accommodations industry.

I consider my find value for money: I had no fancy expectations of hot showers or utter privacy. All I was hoping for my P250 a day (they have P350 for double occupancy) was some level of security (so I could stash my belongings by day and sleep safely at night), a modicum of cleanliness and some peace and quiet so I could get decent sleep.

Duchess Pension Facade

Duchess Pension is situated along Valencia Street, a road perpendicular to Rizal Avenue which is the city’s main thoroughfare. It was about 10 minutes away from the airport by tricycle (P20 or US$0.50) and about three to five minutes from other conveniences (stores, eateries and service centers). I was also pleasantly surprised when I discovered by accident (I’m simply lost with maps and my spatial intelligence is below average at best) that Palawan Museum, the main city artery and the local market are just a few blocks away. One of the town’s best eats – chao long or Vietnamese noodles – is a short tricycle ride (P8) from the pension (in the Philippines, pension in accommodation means ‘small scale’).

Some Inconveniences, But You Get What You Pay And Then Some

Because Duchess Pension is located right by the roadside, it can get busy during rush hour which can be heard indoors if you choose a room fronting the street. I had the fortune to have been assigned a room away from the street, but got one right beside a residence. So what I lacked in traffic noise was made up for by household commotion like crying babies, surprise birthday song and dance and the occasional midnight bout of coughing.

Dining Area

Garden Area

Single Occupancy Fan Room

I had to share the toilet and bath with others on the same row, but I always found the amenities vacant whenever the need arises, a real bonus considering my no-frills accommodation. The toilet and bath were sufficiently clean and exceeded my (modest) expectations.

I was also delighted to find that the garden downstairs was quite airy and well-lit and rarely filled with guests. It was a pleasant (and quiet!) setting for a simple breakfast of coffee, rice and dried fish and an oasis from the hustle and bustle in the reception area.

Accommodation for Groups and Room Rates

Room Rates

For bigger groups, double occupancy for air-conditioned room is P850 (plus P100 for extra person and another P100 for cable TV); triple sharing is P950 and quad-sharing is P1,300 (P250 for extra person). Air-conditioned accommodation for 6 persons is P1,900. As room rates can change without prior notice, always check with the front desk for the most up-to-date prices.

Duchess Pension also offer tours to Honda Bay, Underground River, El Nido and Puerto Princesa City so you may opt to book directly with them especially if you are doing a group tour and would want to skip the hassle of travel planning.

Cheap in Price But Not in Quality

All in all, I found my experience at Duchess Pension a real delight. I was able to sleep soundly despite the aforementioned residential distractions; I always emerged clean and fresh after a day’s “toil” under the sun; and I managed to enjoy some alone time in a public area to get me ready for the day ahead.

Duchess Pension gets filled fast, so it helps to book way ahead of time especially during peak season which started in December and ends in May. (Room attendants I talked to report that even during the off-peak season, rooms get filled quickly.) Reservations can be done online at http://duchesspensionpalawan.com/. Or, call or text them at 63-48-4332873 or 63-917-553-0605 (for international calls) for further inquiry.

Click here for next article (Palawan series) – Photo Essay: El Nido, Palawan >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

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Thankfully, technology has made it easier for travelers especially if you have a smartphone with a GPS and Internet access. Applications such as Google Maps make it a breeze to search for places, and more developers are making specialized apps that work not just as a map but as an all-in-one guide.

Singapore Map, developed by StreetDirectory Pte Ltd., is exactly that. It’s a free app for both Android and iOS, and will soon be available for Windows 8. Note that my comments will be based on the Android version, but I feel that the operation on iOS would be similar.

Detailed Map

Singapore Map offers a detailed map of Singapore. Zoom in to see names of streets, buildings, landmarks and more. More details can be seen the closer you zoom in. You will also see the train stations nearby, which is really handy especially for those who are visiting Singapore for the first time.

Maps can be downloaded from the app’s official website, so even if you are offline you can still make use them.

Search Function

The search function allows you to look for a specific item, and the results are pretty accurate. I search for “Takashimaya” and the first item on the results is just what I was looking for. The map appears with a pop-up box showing the name of the establishment. I click on that and more details appear including the address, a list of establishments and buttons for directions, map and tips.

Directions

This feature needs your phone’s GPS enabled and a 3G/Internet connection for it to work properly. It can also be reached by tapping on the menu button on the map screen. Your current location is the green “S” for start, and the red “E” is the place you want to go to, which would be Takashimaya (note that you can change the destination to another location). The current time and date are also listed, but you can change that according to your schedule.

It pulls up four options: Drive, Taxi, Bus and Bus/MRT, all of which will show you the length of time it will take to get to your destination. “Drive” also shows how many kilometers, while the others will show how much is the fare. You also have the option to send or save this information, both of which will require you to log in.

Tips

This feature is pretty much self-explanatory. Fellow Singapore Streetmap users can leave information about the place or establishment. It’s great for travelers who want to maximize their experience and save time. You can also leave your own tip and photo, again which may require you to log in.

Searching Within

The search function goes deeper as it allows you to search within the establishment. If I wanted to know if Takashimaya has a bookstore, I’ll click on “Search Businesses” then type the name I want and it brings up a list.

Categories

Categories list the establishments according to type like Food & Beverage, Beauty Care, Businesses and so on. These lists may be incomplete because Singapore Map is user and community dependent so if a business has not signed up for an account it may not be on the list. Sign-up is free, and businesses do get a free page.

These pages can be viewed by users and have not just the business address but also photos, tips, map locations and so on.

Versatility

Singapore Map is handy not when you’re in Singapore, but also in other places like Malaysia, Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines. Singapore Map gives you the option to change locations and will pull information from those locations using 3G or Wi-Fi connection. But when in Singapore, of course we pick just that.

We’ve barely scratched the surface of what Singapore Map has to offer, but I do hope it’s given you an idea of what to expect. I personally found it very useful, and look forward to contributing my own tips and photos. It’s a great all-in-one app, and will definitely come in handy the next time I’m in Singapore.

Official Site: Singapore Maps Android
App download: Google Play

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