The Bloomsbury Hotel is a gem in the heart of London. Tucked away on a quiet street in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. From the outside, the hotel looks like an old Victorian building. But once you step inside, you'll be amazed by the modern and stylish interior design.
Why You Need to Book a Trip to Sandals South Coast
Few years ago when I did my first stay with Sandals Royal Barbados, a few people asked me “Is it really luxury?” I am here to tell you, 100% yes.
I was in Jamaica for 10 days and whenever I asked a local or a driver what is the best luxury resort on the island, everyone said “Sandals”. Sandals started in Jamaica and they have continued to reinvent what it means to be “all-inclusive” and every few years they refurbish older properties to add exciting new elements and that’s what I got to experience at Sandals South Coast.
Check-in Process
I was at the new Swim-Up Rondovals (which they completed in 2020, such a smart move to use the down time during the pandemic to reinvent the property), the Swim-up Ronovals fall under the Love Nest Luxury Suites category, which comes with butler service, private transfer from the airport, and many other elements that are well worth the price tag. The check-in process was super easy and at this level, you’re able to do the check in process at the comfort of your suite with your butler.
The Suite
Each suite features zero-entry swim up access, a private plunge pool, an outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tub for two. The suites are situated on the longest swim-up pool in the western hemisphere at 17,040 sq. ft. The suite comes with your dedicated butlers that caters to all your needs throughout your entire stay from setting up your dinner reservations to setting up your beach lounge chairs in the morning. If you’re booking Sandals for the first time, I highly suggest booking a suite that comes with butler service, it really makes the experience.
Dining
Sandals is one of the few resorts I know that really cares about the quality of their food. I considered myself a foodie when I travel and I’ve never been disappointed by the food options at any Sandals Resorts. There are 9 restaurants on property. My favorite is always the sushi restaurant and I was able to try multiple restaurants at once at the comfort of my own suite with the butler service. When you have butler service, you’re not tied down to just the in-room dining menu, your butler can source food from all the restaurants on property.
Entertainment and activities
There are multiple pools and water activities for guests. I tend to like to lay out and enjoy the beach and Sandals South Coast’s beach stretches about 2 miles long so it never feels crowded. The best part of the beach is the part past the over-the-water bungalows. The water there is super clear and it’s very private and quiet on that part of the beach. There’s an over-the-water bar with hammocks, which is a great spot to watch the sun go down.
Now, why should you book Sandals South Coast? Here are just some reasons-
Considered the most luxurious resort in Jamaica, even by locals
2 miles of white sand beach so it’s never crowded
It has the world’s first swim-up Rondoval suites
Butler Service
The food is actually good
Seamless airport transfer for arrival and departure
Very Friendly staff
Gay-friendly
Book your reservation here- sandals.com/south-coast/
Unforgettable holiday trip to Chicago with Choose Chicago
Who knew Chicago would be such a festive place to be around the holidays? I recently did a media trip to Chicago to experience what the city has to offer during the holiday season, and it surpassed all my wildest expectations. From indulging on deep dish pizza to visiting the largest Starbucks in the world to seeing the city in a glass box from 1,353 feet above, Chicago has everything to offer and then some.
I’ve never been a fan of domestic travel as I am always looking outside of the US for new experiences, but Chicago has shown me some incredible experiences that really changed the way I see what the US has to offer.
If you are ever planning a trip around the holidays, definitely put Chicago on your list. The city is decked out for the holidays with all kinds of activations and festivities. Here you will find a list of city’s musts along with some highlights from my trip.
The Skydeck
You’ve seen it all over social media, but it is a whole different experience to be here in person. This is a definitely must on your Chicago list. We were treated to a special breakfast at Skydeck where the whole place was shut down for just our group to enjoy and take photos. This is the place to visit to get that photo moment from Chicago for all your social media outlets!
https://theskydeck.com/
Chicago Helicopter Experience
This was hands down one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve had on a trip. Words cannot describe the astonishing view from above. For those of you that are looking to get the perfect shot with the helicopter, they’ve got you covered. They have staff there to take photos of you before you get on the helicopter so don’t worry about taking your own photos. This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience that I recommend for anyone looking to see the city in a special way.
https://www.chicagohelicopterexperience.com/
Tilt at 360 Chicago
If you are looking for a thrill, look no further than the Tilt at 360 Chicago. The Tilt is an enclosed, glass and steel moveable platform that holds up to eight visitors per cycle. The platform tilts outward generating a downward-facing view of Chicago – from one thousand feet above The Magnificent Mile.
https://360chicago.com/tilt/
106th Annual Christmas Tree lighting Ceremony
If you are visiting Chicago around November, try to plan it around the tree lighting. The entire city comes together with performances and fireworks. If you’re looking for a clean shot with the tree, the best time to take a photo with the tree is right before the park closes on a weeknight.
Festival of Lights Christmas Parade
I had the honor of riding in Choose Chicago’s float this year going down The Magnificent Mile. It was one of the major highlights of the trip being part of a parade and seeing the whole city come together to celebrate the holidays.
Holiday train
Now this is something I’ve never seen before. Chicago Transit Authority decorates one of its trains, inside and out, with twinkling lights and festive decorations. There is Santa waving to boarding passengers from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar with elves serenading riders between stops. You would think you’ve walked into a scene from the movie Elf, but in real life. If you’re in Chicago around the holidays, look up the train schedule to make sure you don’t miss this experience!
https://www.transitchicago.com/holidayfleet/
Sofitel Chicago
I stayed at the Sofitel Chicago during my trip and it was conveniently located in downtown within walking distance to Michigan Avenue. If you are staying here, make sure you make a reservation at their restaurant CDA, it was one of the best meals I had in Chicago. Make sure you order the paella!
https://www.sofitel-chicago.com/
Cloud Gate aka the “bean”
Lastly, your visit to Chicago is not complete without a visit to the “bean”. Many people know the sculpture as the “bean”, but its official title is ‘Cloud Gate’ since 80% of its surface reflects the sky and bends the reflection down into a gate shape. It is actually designed by London-based artist, Anish Kapoor and was poorly received by the city initially during construction, but it now serves as a symbol of Chicago.
If you are into history and architecture, I highly recommend going on Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise. This relaxing 90-minute tour features both indoor and outdoor seating, a full-service bar and snack bar, and is consistently named by locals and visitors alike as the best way to see Chicago. You can book your ticket here- https://www.cruisechicago.com/tours/architecture-tour
Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Choose Chicago
Stay like a local at Hotel Parister in Paris
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. Often called the city of light or La Ville–Lumière due to the city being the center of education and progressive ideas during the Age of Enlightenment. It was also one of the first cities to install lighting in the street. Most of us might think of Paris as city of love from what we’ve read in literature and seen on film and television.
When I was planning my trip to Paris, I asked a friend of mine in Paris to send a list of hotels that are “on brand” for me and Hotel Parister was on the top of his list and he actually told me this is a hotel he would actually pay to stay as a local, and that is all I needed to hear!
The Hotel
The hotel’s mission is to provide guests with the experience of staying like a local. It is designed for active people, who enjoy daydreaming and having fun... basically everyone who enjoys life's true pleasures of body and soul. From an actual key to the open-air restaurant patio to your very own private terrace overlooking Parisian rooftops, it is everything you would want for a true partisan getaway.
The Neighborhood
The Parister hotel sits on this calm and quiet street hidden in the middle of the city.
Between Montmartre and the small shops in the Pigalle neighborhood in the North, the Galeries Lafayette and the Drouot auction rooms in the West; and the Vivienne and Palais Royal neighborhoods.
I find the location extremely convenient for everything I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to take photos at the Palais Royal and the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette, so this couldn’t have been a better location.
The Room
I stayed in the Deluxe Room with Terrace. The moment you step into the room it feels as if you’ve walked onto the set of Mad Men with its sleek Art Deco design. The bathroom is impeccably dressed with light teal tiles. It’s really a photographer’s dream. The private terrace is larger than I expected. If you have a chance to book a suite with a terrace, do it! They also have other rooms that feels like an actual home or a loft. Head over to their website to explore more.
Amenities
A stunning 24-hour indoor swimming poor. This is definitely a huge selling point for the hotel. The gym is on the smaller side, but they host classes here for guests.
Restaurant/bar
Open air patio get very crowded around dinner time till it closes. Very local crowd.
Beautiful design throughout the restaurant/bar area
Final thoughts
If you want to stay like a local with the amenities and the service of a 5 star hotel, this is your spot. The staff was personable, attentive, and professional. There are many hotels in Paris and often times you get great service from luxury hotels but they come off insincerely, but not here. I really had a great time talking to the staff here. it’s very small team, but everyone absolutely loves the property and what they do here. I highly recommend checking this place out if you’re looking to experience Paris like a local, not a like a tourist. I can’t wait to come back here in the future!
Address: 19 Rue Saulnier, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 80 50 91 91
www.paristerhotel.com/
Lagos, Portugal
When most people plan a trip to Portugal, the first place that comes to mind is normally Lisbon. Lisbon is full of beautiful ancient ruins and historic landmarks enamored with Gothic grit and glamour (Hello Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira!). What most people don’t know is that Portugal also has one of the most beautiful coastal regions in the world, the Algarve. The Algarve is the southernmost region of continental Portugal. With its alluring coast, the Algarve provides the perfect alternative for those seeking relaxation under the sun on some of the most stunning beaches in Europe.
I chose Lagos as my destination in the Algarve because of its charming historic centre and numerous stunning beaches.
Here are some highlights of my trip in Lagos.
Getting here
You will need to fly into Faro Airport. This is the closest airport to getting to Lagos. Lagos is situated on the Western Algarve coastline. If you are coming from Lisbon, you can take a 3 hour train ride to Lagos.
Getting around
Everywhere is pretty much in walking distance. I would say if you’re planning to spend most of your time on the beach, stay at a hotel that is centrally located from all the beaches.
Activities
There are many activities on land and sea that you can explore depending on your interest. This is one of the reasons I chose Lagos over Lisbon, I wanted to be on the ocean most of the time and Lagos was perfect. You can do a kayak tour, grottos tour, catamaran sail, or even explore the countryside between Lagos and Alvor on a quad. I did a kayak tour through http://daysofadventure.com/ and I highly recommend them. I strongly suggest booking a water activity when you’re visiting.
Must sees
The Ponta da Piedade
The Most iconic rock formulation in Lagos. There’s a lot of walking trails and every trail provides a complete difference sensory experience. I found it the most calming during sunset, but if you’re looking to capture some great photos, go during the day where the sun shines through the water from above, you’ll capture some of the best photos during the day.
The Praia do Camilo
My favorite beach in Lagos. There are 225 stairs to get through to get through the beach, but it’s totally worth it. Just see it as leg day. There is also a restaurant at the top of the beach called O Camilo, I strongly encourage you to make a reservation now if you’re planning to go there in the next 30 days or so. It gets booked up really early so try calling them instead of booking online. It will say they are booked online, but if you call, you’ll most likely get a table. Plan it around sunset, it’s breathtaking.
Praia Dona Ana
The Praia don Ana beach is one of the most visually stunning beaches of the Algarve coastline. You can get some beautiful photos on top of the cliff and once you’re on the beach, the arches of the rocks create some very instagrammable moments.
Meia Praia Beach
This is very close by central Lagos. You can walk across the bridge from town center to get here. It is one of the largest beaches in Lagos. It gets very crowded during the summer, but it is so large, you should be able find some quiet areas to get some sun.
Historic Centre of Lagos
Fascinating buildings include the beautiful Santo Antonio church, the Mercado dos Escravos (Europe’s first slave market) and the charming 17th century Bandeira Fort. There are plenty of restaurants and shops you can explore. The best thing about staying in Lagos is that everything is pretty much in walking distance.
One tip to remember, if you’re traveling into Faro Airport, book your airport transportation through Yellowfish at https://www.yellowfishtransfers.com/, otherwise you will be ripped off from a lot of other services.
If you have any other questions or thoughts, definitely send me a message on insta!
W London
There are 660 glitter balls throughout the entrance and the reception area. One of my favorite things here. Definitely a photo moment
London has a special place in my heart for many reasons. The culture, the history, the people, and even the weather are all part of what makes this city unique.
W London Hotel is situated at the geographical and cultural intersection of London’s most vibrant districts: Soho, Leicester Square and Chinatown...the epicenter of the entertainment and nightlife scene. The hotel, like the city itself, is a bold contrast of themes, colors, textures and characters. Taking inspiration from its surroundings, the duality of British culture forms the basis for W London’s design concept - Savile Row meets Soho. Within the hotel, an attitude of formal day turns quickly into informal night aided by classic design with a contemporary twist and nightlife accents.
The building is veiled in translucent glass that will change color according to the time of day, the ambience of the area or happenings within the hotel and city.
With easy access to Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, China Town and the West End theatre district, you will have everything the city has to offer all within walking distance.
The location
I stayed at 4 different hotels and 2 Airbnbs during this trip in London and I have to tell you, W London is by bar the most convenient location of all. Whether you’re a tourist or a frequent visitor of the city, the location of the hotel is close to everything you’ll need. I was having meetings throughout the city during the day and at night, I was able to catch up with friends at all the bars in Soho.
You have the best shopping/dining on Regent St/Oxford Circus, Carnaby St, and Piccadilly Circus all within 5-10 mins of walking. At night, you have the best nightlife in Soho right outside the hotel, not to mention the incredible lounge/bar the hotel has.
Most people in London consider Leicester Square a nightmare they never want to be near because of the overwhelming amount of tourists and tacky street performers, but during my stay at the W, I didn’t walk through Leicester Square once. I found myself walking through China Town and Soho most of the time, so I was never bothered by the crowd in Leicester Square.
The Service
When I arrived for check in, I was greeted by W Insider, Jamie Rowsell right away. Jamie introduced himself and showed me to my suite. Upon entering the suite, Jamie had left a tray of personalized treats, a welcome gift, and a handwritten card on the bathroom counter for me. I’ve stayed at this W multiple times and every time I come back, the GM and the team had always arranged for something with a personal touch in my room. Personal touches like this are what makes a stay memorable and special.
The Room
I stayed at the Screening Suite during my stay this time. There are three Screening Suites at the hotel and what makes this particular suite stand out is that this suite is half secret cinema and half spa. You can relax in an enormous bathroom featuring a bathtub and a private steam room and then make your way to the bedroom, which offers the ultimate movie experience with a 3-metre wide cinema screen with ambient ceiling lighting, Dolby surround sound and in-bed movement system.
The mood lighting in the room can be manually changed into different colors and you can also have the colors change according to the audio layers of the film you're watching.
If you followed my insta story during my stay here, you would’ve seen W Insider Jamie giving the full rundown of the suite, including the Cinematic Experience. With a tab of a button, the blackout blinds come down, curtains wrap around the entire room, a 3-metre wide screen descends from the ceiling, and the ambient ceiling light transforms the entire room into a cinematic experience.
The iPad allows you to control the lighting, tv, curtains, blinds, and mood lighting in the room.
There is a bathrub, a standing shower, and a steam room in the "spa" section of the room.
I took advantage of having a steam room in the suite. Everytime I fly, I tend to get so extremely puffy from retaining water. Being able to take a bath and then jump into the steam room was the perfect solution to my puffiness. There’s also a standing shower outside of the steam room to rinse off after you steam. The bathroom is adorned with Bliss products as usual.
The view of the suite is overlooking the gym, which was a bit strange at first, but it didn’t really bother me since I had the blinds down most of the time.
In-Room Dining
They have an extensive Breakfast Menu, All Day Menu, All Night Menu and Kids Menu to ensure that everything you need is available to you 24/7. One night, my friend and I ordered off of the All Night Menu: the chicken caesar salad with a side of fries and the W Club Sandwich with a side of broccoli. We thoroughly enjoyed it. I especially liked the W Club Sandwich. Everything tasted fresh and clean.
On a separate occasion, I ordered off of the Breakfast Menu: pancakes with caramelized banana, mixed berries and tonka cream (it comes with a scoop of ice cream or sorbet of your choosing). It was the perfect portion for me. I wish I had tried some of the other items on the breakfast menu, because they have a pretty extensive breakfast menu with so many choices.
Mega Bar Experience
The Mega Bar offers a luxurious in-room bar service complete with an entertaining and knowledgeable personal mixologist, powerful sound system and fun disco ball.
Custom designed for W London, the Mega Bar’s exterior takes inspiration from a music freight case, which opens out to reveal an opulent bar, featuring luxurious design details including an onyx worktop, deluxe leather paneling and a handcrafted gold-hammered sink.
The Mega Bar experience comes with your personal mixologist. Here is Giulio making magic happen. Follow him on insta at @giuliovaldiserri
Every Cloud- Bourbon, Cointreau, orange juice and ginger beer served in a martini glass with a dash of honey, raspberries and candyfloss.
The disco ball spins and there's also a sound system built into the case that allows you to pick the playlist.
Here Comes The Sun- Ciroc Pineapple Vodka, Kings giner liqueur, topped with pineapple juice, egg white, and homemade pineapple , ginger and chili syrup. All served in a fresh pineapple cup alongside W Sunglasses.
Amenities
In the state-of-the-art fitness facility outfitted with Technogym equipment, the gym is open 24/7 adjacent to the Away Spa. There are treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes mounted with LCD TVs, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, balance balls, jump ropes and punching bags, and even personal trainers on call.
The gym was busy in the morning, but pretty slow throughout the afternoon and empty in the evenings most of the time. If you are an early riser, you will definitely see a lot of other guests in the gym with you.
They also have a spa, but i didn't use it, because I had a steam room in my suite.
There is a small business center. I've used the computers here to print out my boarding passes in the past. Free for all hotel guests. Access is granted by your room keycard.
Final Thoughts
W London is by far my favorite hotel in London. I've stayed here the past few years and each time is better than the last. Jamie, the W Insider, was such an amazing source of information that I went to him everyday during my stay to get recommendations on where I should go eat, drink , and see. All his recommendations were outstanding. If you are staying here, please make it a point to connect with Jamie!
The Mega Bar Experience was one not to forget. I still have people asking me about that whole experience. It is an exciting way to celebrate any special occasion or a fun way to kick off the night with a special someone or friends.
Last year, I had lost my passport in Mykonos, and went through a series of unfortunate events. When I returned to London, I was SO happy I stayed at the W London. After a stressful time in Greece, they upgraded me and made sure I had everything I needed. I always call this hotel my home away from home, because the staff here always took care of me as if I was part of the family, and that is what hospitality should be about.
I can't wait to be back!
book your book at - http://www.wlondon.co.uk/
Follow them on insta at : https://www.instagram.com/wlondonhotel/
Follow W Insider Jamie Rowsell @jamie_rowsell on insta for everything you need to know about London. https://www.instagram.com/jamie_rowsell/
Find out more about the hotel here - www.wlondon.co.uk/
Follow W London on Instagram here- www.instagram.com/wlondonhotel/
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, Thailand
There are many hotels and resorts to choose from depending on the kind of experience you’re looking for. I knew I wanted to be somewhere as remote as possible after being in Bangkok, so I chose to stay at Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, which is located on the north side of the island.
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is one of the two premium luxury resorts you’ll find on the island. I picked this one over the other one, because the reviews on TripAdvisor were overall more positive than the other choice and the photos looked much better, especially the bathrooms.
The Resort:
The Bungalows are clean and well kept. There are golf carts that will come pick you up at your bungalow to take you to wherever you want to go at the resort. The main restaurant serves an amazing buffet for both breakfast and dinner. There’s a little village right behind the hotel where you can find local restaurants, bars, and even book tours. If you are planning to stay at Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, you might want to check the restaurants here first before putting down the money for the resort buffet.
There are two infinity swimming pools here. They are located on the opposite ends of the resort. The smaller one is located right on the beach, but it gets crowded very quickly. The larger pool was never crowded whenever I visited, but the downside of the larger pool is that you don’t really get to lay out on the beach. The sunbeds are on the grass area overlooking the beach.
There is a tennis court as well for you tennis players.
The Wana Spa is a beautiful spa with various treatments and massages for both men, women, and couples. I did a Yogurt Honey Body Scrub treatment at the spa and my skin was baby soft after. It was the perfect treatment after being in the sun for a few days.
The Location:
The location of the resort was challenging at times. It is only accessible by boat and if you want to go to Tonsai Bay, which is the main town, you have to take a boat there. It is only a 15 minute ride, however, the resort only shuttles to the main town about 3 times a day and the last returning shuttle is around 3pm, so if you don’t get on the 3pm shuttle back, you have to find your own boat back to the resort. It is very easy to find a long tail boat on Tonsai Bay, but the problem I encountered was that no boats would go to the resort between 5pm-9pm because it is simply not safe due to the tides. One night I was able to find a boat back at 9pm, but I had to walk through at least half a mile in the water to get back to the resort because the boat was not able to get close enough to the resort due to low tide. I'm sure it would be different depending on the month you're going. I was there in Feb.
The most off-putting thing that happened was the day we arrived at the resort. The tides were so low that our speedboat had to anchor so far away from land that we literally had to jump into the ocean with our bags over our heads and walk/swim to get to the resort. People tripped over rocks, luggage got drenched, our clothes got wet, and many were bleeding from cuts from walking through corals. It was so poorly handled. If you plan on staying here, please bring water shoes and wear something comfortable on the day you arrive and depart. We had to walk through water on the day we left as well, but it wasn’t as bad as the day we arrived.
Overall
I had an amazing stay despite the nightmare on the first day. I would definitely return again. I will have to say it is more suited for couples and people that want to relax. There is no nightlife around Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, all the actions were at Tonsai Bay, which I will follow up with another post about my experience of Phi Phi Island in general.
If you have any other questions about Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
Their website is- http://www.phiphiislandvillage.com
W Bangkok
If you are looking for an exciting hotel with a lively dining and night scene in the heart of the city, W Bangkok might just be what you’re looking for. W Bangkok is composed of two buildings on North Sathorn Road – a new modern tower and a heritage building. The heritage building is the House on Sathorn, which has a fascinating history and at one point used to be a Russian Embassy. When the W Hotel took over, they went through a three-year restoration process in consultation with the Thai government’s Department of Fine Arts to ensure a faithful restoration of the building.
The overarching narrative design of the hotel is ‘Bejeweled Mystique’. The concept was to create a contemporary, modern counterpoint or juxtaposition to the traditional, historic and ornamental heritage building… The heritage building represents the ‘bejeweled’; while the tower is the ‘mysterious’.
The location
Some reviewers on TripAdvisor complained about the location of the hotel, but I found it extremely convenient to everything I wanted to do. It is in the Business District.
The service
I was greeted by Alex, the Director of Rooms, upon check-in and if you ever get to meet him, do make a point to ask him about his experience working in Bangkok and other properties. He offered a lot of great insights to the neighborhood around the hotel. Alex also remembered my name for the duration of my stay and greeted me by my first name whenever I ran into him.
I highly suggest you using their concierge team if you are visiting the country for the first time. They are experienced and efficient at assisting all your needs, including direction for your taxi or uber. I've stayed at many W Hotels, the service here is a notch above a lot of their other propertities.
The room
The room is very well designed and laid out. It feels open, clean, and updated.
My room had a free-standing bathtub with the city view behind it. The bathroom is adorned with full size Bliss products, not just the travel size you normally get at other W Hotels. Everything was extremely clean and spotless. It felt like a brand new hotel.
You can manage the room's AC, lighting, and do not disturb sign from a Lenovo mobile device by the bedside. Water bottles were left all over the room, free of charge daily. Bathroom and the lighting in the room has been specially thought out brilliantly.
Being a SPG member, the wifi was also free, and surprisingly stable. There’s a sound system where you can sync your phone to play your own music as well. All the outlets are internationally equipped, you will not need to bring converters if you plan on staying here.
My room had a great view of the city with ample lighting that floods the entire room. I loved opening the curtains all the way to see the view outside every morning.
The design
I know often times W Hotels can be a sensory overload, but it works here. Everything is meticulous designed and I fell in love with the spiral staircase in the lobby and the light installation by the lift area. The installation contains 800 tuk-tuk lights. It is stunning in person. The carpets in the entrance and in the elevators are changed three times a day, from “good morning” to “good afternoon” to “good evening”.
Amenities
The highlight is definitely the WET Pool, which is the outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs, couches and covered day beds. The best of all? It is open 24/7! The pool is attached to the gym, which it also open 24/7.
I wish I had taken some photos of the gym, because it is a fully functional gym, not your typical hotel gym where there are only 4 machines and one rack of free weights. The gym is equipped with TechnoGym® fitness equipment such as treadmills, elliptical trainer, exercise bikes with LCD displays (2 x 46" TV's), free Weights, yoga mats, medicine ball, boxing bag and speed Ball. Towels are provided along with water cooler, refreshments. It is by bar one of the best hotel gyms I’ve been to.
Restaurant and Bar
There are plenty of eateries at W Bangkok. The Kitchen Table brings the essence of a Modern Bistro; dishes here are inspired from all over the world. The restaurant serves a wide selection of cuisine types with strong focus on honest flavors combining the best of global cookery with Thai culinary traditions.
The Kitchen Pantry is your casual spot. It houses a large designer vertical chiller cabinets that present an array of soft beverages, waters, fresh juices, wines and champagne pop bottles. It was my go to spot for my morning latte!
The House on Santhron is their main culinary house. Head to The Courtyard for high tea out in the beautiful outdoor space, satiate your palate with the delicacies at the luxury restaurant, The Dining Room, then start your evening at The Bar before partying the night away at The Woodbar.
Unfortunately, I did not get to eat here because of time constraint, but I did take some photos of the amazing breakfast they were serving in the morning. It has EVERYTHING you can imagine all nicely presented.
I had drinks at Wood bar, which was packed on a Saturday night. Great signature cocktails that are Instagram worthy!
Final Thoughts
W Bangkok exceeded my expectation. Though i’m usually a W fan, it can be a hit and miss at times….hint hint New York Times Square. I would stay here again and would definitely recommend it to friends. The service was impeccable and the hotel feels new. There’s a lot of traffic during the day and at night, but you never feel overwhelmed by the crowd. The lobby bar is definitely a scene at night on the weekends, but if you want something quieter, you can always head next door to the House on Sathorn.
It is one of the most exciting hotels to be at. I did spend time at few other hotels in Bangkok, but W Bangkok blew them out of the water. It’s stylish, sexy, and very well rounded in all aspects.
Ibiza
The trip to Ibiza came much unexpected. I had my itinerary all planned out for London and then last minute my friend asked me to go to Ibiza with him so without a plan, I just went! Normally when I do a trip, I do an extensive research on where to go, where to eat, and where to take photos, but since this was a last minute trip and I was staying with my friend, I didn’t plan out a whole itinerary.
Ibiza was surprisingly expensive, but the beach and the people were extremely friendly. It is a party island, so if you’re looking for nonstop partying, this is the place for you. I went to mostly beaches during my stay and had the most relaxing time. I wish I had remembered all the beaches I went, but the few I remembered were Cala Moli, Cala Vadella, Cala Tarida, Cala Salada, and Cala d’Hort. I really enjoyed Cala Vedella and Cala Moli. Cala Vedella had a lot of action going on and the beach was crowded. Cala Molí is a secluded beach between the resorts Cala Vadella and Cala Tarida that has the advantage of a beach club with its own pool. Set at the end of a 'torrent' (a cleft in the hillside) this pebbly beach has been declared a 'natural' beach by the San José Town Hall and means its beauty isn't spoiled with rows of sun loungers and parasols. It also means fewer tourists.
This is an excellent beach for snorkeling as the sea bed is quite rocky. The water is beautifully clear; perfect for spotting marine life, and the caves add an extra dimension.
I spent a night out in town where all the parties are and it was a lot of fun. It was definitely a different vibe from all the beaches and more of a party vibe with a lot of young people. One of the highlights of my trip here was catching the sunset by Es Vedra at Cala d’Hort. Es Vedra is said to be the third most magnetic spot on the planet and the home of the sirens and sea-nymphs who tried to lure Ulysses from his ship in Homer's Odyssey. It was a sight to remember.
I would definitely go back another time! Until then, here are some of the photos from the trip!
If you are planning a trip there, I highly recommend going through this beach guide. It provides a pretty great description of all the beaches- http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com/beaches_i.htm
My Top 10 Practical Gifts for a Traveler
1. Jord Watch
Why: When I travel, I plan my trip out on an excel spreadsheet with specific times for everything, so it’s crucial for me to have something to keep me on track for all my activities. Checking the time on your phone drains the battery, so I try to avoid that whenever I can, especially when you’re exploring in nature with no electrical outlets. Jord watches are understated and stylish. The watches are made of natural woods sourced from all over the world (which they list on their website). You don’t want to be wearing something flashy or more than a house payment when you’re traveling, so this is the perfect medium. They also offer customize engraving, which makes it a perfect gift for someone special. Hint hint: Valentine’s Day is coming up.
I like the company’s message overall. They focus on sustainability and creating timepieces that are modeled after modern lifestyle. They look and feel modern… Definitely a must for stylish travel.
I’ve partnered up with them to do a giveaway. If you’re interested in the watch, you can click on this link. https://www.woodwatches.com/g/thecameronlee
The contest will close January 15th at 11:59pm.
The one I’m wearing is Dove Series in Zebrawood and Dark Sandalwood- https://www.woodwatches.com/series/dover/zebrawood-and-dark-sandalwood/#thecameronlee
2. Camera
Why: Because your trip did not happen unless you have photos to show! I shoot on my Fuji X-PRO 2, which shoots clean cinematic photos that you see on my Instagram and website.
3. Tom Ford Lip Balm
Why: Dry chapped lips are never attractive. I have dry lips to begin with and they get severely dry after a long flight that it literally take days for them to get back to looking normal. I used to love Burts Bees, but they just don’t do it for me during winter. Tom Ford’s lip balm is moisturizing and provides a hydrating layer on your lips that protects it from the cold. This saved me many times in New York during winter!
4. Anker Portable Charger
Why: It’s small, portable, and a MUST if you’re traveling. The website says it gives you 6 full charges or something like that, but realistically, it’s like 2.5 full charges.
5. Givenchy Cardholder
Why: When you’re traveling, you don’t always need to carry your entire wallet. When I go out to the bars/clubs at night, I use my card holder to bring my ID, one credit card, and some cash. It’s slim and perfect for a night out. When traveling internationally, it is very important not to have your wallet bulging on the back of your pocket so you don't get pickpocketed. The one I have is from Givenchy. This was my favorite print they've ever done. I also have the matching wallet!
6. Personalized Passport Book from Mark and Graham
Why: For whatever reason, you will be less likely to misplace or lose your passport when it’s in a passport holder. I lost mine in Greece once, so I learned it the hard way. Mine is monogrammed with my initials from Mark and Graham. My friend got it for me for Christmas, I’m in love with it.
7. Luggage Tag from Mark and Graham
Why: To save you time to spot your luggage on the carousel. Add a personal touch with your initials.
8. Tom Ford Sunglasses
Why: You will always need a pair of sunglasses regardless where you travel to. I prefer a darker shade for the winter and fun colorful ones for tropical destinations. The one in the photo is a pair of Tom Ford aviators. I have two aviators from Tom Ford, they are timeless and classic.
9. Amore Pacific Facial Spray
Why: Your face will thank you for having this. During the winter, the cold air dries out your skin, it is very helpful to have a facial mist handy. It is also a must when you’re going on a long flight. I usually have the La Mer facial mist, I am currently using the Amore Pacific mist, but I think I will go back to La Mer once this bottle is done. These are definitely a must when you're going to be in the sun for an extended period of time.
10. RXBARS
Why: Because you don’t want to starve to death when you’re on the road. I like these RXBARS, because they are made of simple clean ingredients. I have a sensitive stomach, and these have never bothered my stomach. I bring a few of these whenever I’m out doing a shoot as well.
This post was sponsored by JORD Wood Watches
Paris, France
If you've been following me on instagram, you probably have seen most of my photos from my trip in Paris. I have been to Paris a few times, my trip this time was purely photography driven. I stayed at the 123 Sebastopol Hotel. It was centrally located and close to many metro stops. Each floor of the hotel is designed after a figure in contemporary cinema, mine is designed after Daniele Thompson, a screenwriter and producer. It is a 4 star hotel that was nominated for the World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2014. It also has great reviews on Tripadvisor. I believe I have enough photos from the hotel to do a post about it in the future. I highly recommend it if you are traveling to Paris and wanting something unique and comfortable.
I did a lot of walking on this trip, maybe too much, because my legs were dying on the second day here. I walked through Montmartre, went by the Moulin Rouge, which I was too embarrassed to ask my friend to take me there the last time I was in Paris. I have such an obsession with the movie that I was so happy to finally cross this off my bucket list. I went to the top of the Sacre Coer with no wait! If you plan on going to the top of the Sacre Coer, go on a week day around noon. There was no crowd at all, I literally just walked in and walked up. You get a beautiful panoramic view of the city once you're up there.
I wanted to go to Versailles, but due to time constraint, I opted not to. It would've taken a whole day out of my trip. I did, however, got to tour inside the Palais Garnier Opera House, which was a feast for the eyes. The foyer inside the opera house with the chandeliers rivals the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
The most memorable part of this trip was shooting with the amazing Katie Mitchell. If you are ever in Paris, you must schedule a shoot with her. Her website is katiemitchellphotography.com. We shot during sunrise to avoid the crowd at the Louvre and Trocadero. We had so much fun shooting and at one point, the garbage man tried to steal one of my suits and Katie chased after the dumpster truck as they drove away! I would want to fly her out to wherever i'm going next to do another shoot! She is THAT amazing.
Where I Stayed
123 Sebastopol Hotel
Where I Visited
Palais Garnier
Galeries Lafayette
Sacre Coer
Montmartre
Moulin Rouge
The Louvre
Jardin Du Tulleries
Les Deux Plateaux
Trocadero
Eiffel Tower
