It was my fourth attempt at visiting Istanbul, following three failed trips in the past. For those plans, I had trawled through the internet trying to find a suitable hotel among the city’s vast offering. On each occasion, I had booked different properties, but evidently none of them were meant to be. So, going for … More The Westin Istanbul Nisantasi: My review
When it came to luxury hotel brands, Mandarin Oriental had been one that had always eluded me. Despite often being seduced by their marketing – I particularly love their slogan of ‘I’m a fan’ –, I had somehow never had the occasion to actually stay at one. Until my most recent experience at the exquisite … More Mandarin Oriental Singapore: My comprehensive review
With Muscat being the beautiful, low-key city that it is, I wanted to find a property that matched that classy, chilled vibe. I knew I wanted to be by the coast, and was looking for somewhere reputable and upscale that didn’t completely shatter my budget (Oman has one of the strongest currencies in the world … More Crowne Plaza Muscat: My review
When looking to book my most recent trip to Doha for the F1 grand prix, I noticed a few new hotels had popped up in the city since my last visit. One of those was the Andaz Doha by Hyatt, which opened in early 2025. Boasting the vibrant, edgy décor the Andaz brand is known … More Andaz Doha: My comprehensive review
Phnom Penh has undergone massive transformation in recent years. I would wager that much of its skyline and cityscapes would be unrecognisable to someone who visited a decade or more ago. The Cambodian capital’s ageing airport has been replaced by the shiny new, Chinese-built Techo International Airport as of September 2025, while modern glass high-rise … More Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh: My review
Modern-day China is no stranger to luxury. Its urban centres are packed full of glittering high-rise, many of these housing 5-star hotels. And Chengdu, its fourth largest city, with a population of around 20 million people, is no different. It had been over 10 years since I had last visited China (read my top tips … More Ritz-Carlton Chengdu: My comprehensive review
After a 6-hour drive from its sister property in Siem Reap (which I found to be an excellent base for exploring Angkor Wat), I was really excited to experience the Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh. I knew it was going to be a very different style – the Siem Reap property being a low-rise resort … More Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh: My review
Southeast Asia is a dream holiday destination for many, and Cambodia’s Siem Reap — home to the 8th Wonder of the World in the form of Angkor Wat — would have to be right up there as a must-visit spot. It is a beautiful town abundantly rich in Khmer history, culture and art, and well … More Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort: My review
When looking online for a hotel to stay at in Taipei, the Shangri-La Far Eastern Taipei immediately caught my eye. I was struck by the fact that it had thousands of reviews online, with the overwhelming majority giving it a very high rating. Pretty impressive indeed. I had only stayed at one other Shangri-La property … More Shangri-La Far Eastern Taipei: My review
I had intended to review the Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka after my first stay there in May 2024, but, given I loved Osaka (and the property) so much and had booked another trip there for the October of that same year, I thought I would wait until after my second trip – to ensure the … More Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka: A comprehensive review
