Hotels & Resorts outside Capital Cities

[the glimpser]

This thread are for hotels and resorts outside capital cities - be it in your second cities, beach or mountain locations or any type of hotels (at least three star) outside capital cities.

[the glimpser]

Repost from Philippine thread:

Originally Posted by zubuwood

Shangri-la and Hilton Hotel in MACTAN, CEBU
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[the glimpser]

Misibis Bay - Albay, Philippines

Originally Posted by [dx]

Romantic Misibis Bay -- http://misibisbay.com
Cagraray Island, Albay Province










Source

Originally Posted by [dx]

Misibis Bay Restaurants -- http://misibisbay.com
Source

Spice Market
Asian Inspired Cuisine



Inspired by the flavors, spices and aromas of the markets and fishing villages of Southeast Asia, Spice Market offers cuisine with distinct flavors of Asian herbs, spices and marinades. It has a delicatessen and sundry shop featuring local specialties.

DeLaPlaya
Beach Grill & Tapas



A beach grill and tapas bar that is open nightly. It offers seasonal a la carte premium grill cuisine that specializes in seafood and steaks. With nightly entertainment of acoustic guitar and soft Brazilian music. The perfect venue for a cocktail sunset session.

Originally Posted by [dx]

Surrendering to Bliss
Life, Written by Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo



THE province of Albay in Bicol doesn’t exactly conjure images of luxury and pampering. To most people, it just means the ever-rumbling Mayon Volcano, rows of abaca plants, and a great deal of pili nut products. Oh, yes, and who can forget—the devastating typhoons that always seem to batter the area?

Surprisingly, as my friends and I arrived in Legaspi City after leaving Manila’s rain-drenched streets only an hour before, the sun was shining at its mightiest. We were later told that in this part of the country, the weather is actually the reverse of what it is in Metro Manila. So if you feel that vacation itch during the rainy season, the Bicol region is actually the best destination to escape to.

We were on our way to Misibis Bay Raintree, one of only three Philippine establishments that have made it into the Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) of the World group. SLH counts only 500 of the most exclusive establishments in the world which cater to a very discriminating clientele in terms of luxury and hospitality.

Upon our arrival at the airport, we were met by the friendly resort staff and whisked off in a van to its dock at the newly built commercial and entertainment complex, the Embarcadero at the Legaspi port. A fancy welcome of bubbling champagne and suman awaited us, while cool pleasantly scented white face towels did the trick in refreshing and energizing us for the next part of our journey.

We then boarded a fastcraft for the 30-minute ride to the lush and verdant Cagraray Island, located northeast of Legaspi. Everywhere we looked, the calm azure waters provide a delightful contrast to the sunny cloudless sky. The only visible puffs of white were from Mayon Volcano, no longer with the perfect cone, but still unparalleled in its grandeur.

Local folk dancers dressed in colorful costumes welcomed us as we made our way to the Spice Market, the resort’s main restaurant. It being the early morning, and already battling low blood-sugar levels, we eagerly wolfed down our breakfast of fried garlic rice, sunny-side up eggs, and New Look, a very meaty dried fish that we discovered on our visit last year. (It’s called New Look because the specie was only discovered in the waters of Bicol sometime in the 1960s, and has yet to be identified with any scientific name, or so a local fisheries graduate told us.) Super-addicting!

After a hearty breakfast, we were led to our beachfront villas, where a soothing foot scrub and massage awaited us. The villa I was assigned to had a commanding view of the sparkling Albay Gulf and the clear blue sky visible through floor-to-ceiling picture windows. It also had a sundeck with two lounging beds where guests could soak up the rays of the sun.

The main feature of each of the villas is, of course, the king-sized bed and fluffy goose-down pillows all wrapped in 350-thread count linen. It was so heavenly to sink into, it took much effort to get up from after a nap or a night’s rest. Imagine a stunning view of peaking waves and drifting clouds each morning, and lying in a huge comfy bed...now that’s what I call a vacation! Even when it drizzled, it was just so peaceful and serene to lie in bed, under the snug covers, neck cradled by gentle pillows, and look out those windows.

The villa also had a large heated bathroom where guests can bathe using either the generic bottled bathroom amenities or L’Occitane toiletries.

Each villa is assigned a female butler, who conscientiously tidies up the room whenever the guest is out, folds clothes strewn about, hangs wet bathing suits in the outdoor clothes line, and rearranges the hand towels into their original fan shapes. Okay, truthfully, by the second day, this was freaking me out because this was way too OC for me. Personally, I’m the type who needs a little disorder in my life, but I’m sure other guests will not mind the careful attention to detail the butler gives to their room. (The butler also had an annoying habit of waking me up while I was fast asleep, which I suppose can be ascribed to the resort being just in its soft-opening phase and the staff still needing to get used to the ways of guests.)

What I did appreciate was the warm sudsy bath the butler prepared on the dot, at 6 pm, each evening. Returning to the villa from a vigorous yoga workout and soaking in that bathtub even for just 30 minutes was so divinely comforting.

Adventurous guests have lot of activities to choose from, such as jetskiing, windsurfing, skipping on the water via the banana boat ride, snorkeling, lava trekking near Mount Mayon, and doing the zip line. My pal Marianne went scuba diving just off the Misibis dock and was pleasantly surprised to have seen a manta ray with a 6-foot wingspan swim near her and her dive master. She said it was so close, it could’ve been possible for her to just reach out and touch the creature’s belly. And this was just in 30 feet of water.

If you’re not the type who wants to push up your cardiac rates while on vacation, my pals and I, for instance, had a cooking class with the resort’s chief cook, Danny Gonzales, a Batangueño who has learned to whip up feisty Bicolano dishes. We also made pili nut panna cotta under the guiding hand of Pastry Chef Edgar Encinas. (Of course, we playfully berated Chef Edgar for not preparing sugar-free desserts for diabetics and health-conscious guests.)

In the evening, one can enjoy the nightly entertainment provided by the resident lounge singers, sing yourselves hoarse at the videoke room, or just chillax watching a movie in the den. And if you can’t really tear yourself away from your busy urban life, there is a business center where you can check your e-mails, or insanely update your Facebook status detailing all your activities at the resort.

What I love about Misibis Bay Raintree is that feeling of privacy and blissful isolation, where a real vacation of doing nothing is possible. For people like me who have had enough of the chaotic rush of vacationers, the garbage on the beach, as well as the nightly noise and parties of some island resorts, Misibis is really the perfect place to get away from it all.

http://misibisbay.com

[the glimpser]

From: http://www.weekendhaven.com/2010/04/...e-philippines/

My impartial guide to the Philippines Finest Luxury Resorts with top of the line amenities and highest standard of excellence.

The Philippines is blessed with unspoiled paradise, best beaches and high class resorts. Savor the warmth of turquoise water, the unequaled exclusivity and an infinity pool right at your own balcony.

Being one of the world’s most sought after tourist destination this summer, Philippines pride itself with refreshing island getaway and ultimate luxury living.

Below is my random list of the Top 10 Luxury Resorts in the Philippines. Enjoy the good life.

1. AMAN Resorts : AMANPULO

Amanpulo is situated in one of the world’s most idyllic island locations on the staggeringly beautiful Pamalican Island in the Philippines. It is a private island, gifted with nature’s paradisaical treats: powder white beaches, clear turquoise-azure-indigo seas, cirrus-streaked cerulean skies, and a polychromatic coral reef only 300m from the shore.


Guests indulge in Amanpulo’s native style of dwellings with 40 casitas fashioned after a Philippine bahay kubo. The five Hillside Casitas offer magical sea views, the four Treetop Casitas embrace the trees while the 29 Beach Casitas have private overgrown paths that lead down to the soft white beach.

Rate starts at USD 700 ++

2. Buri Spa and Resort

Nestled in Batangas Channel inside Puerto Galera Bay, which was recently name one of 32 Most Beautiful Bays in the world by the Paris-based Club des Plus Belles Baies du Monde, Buri Resort & Spa has undergone a dramatic transformation since it first opened in 2001 with five simple cottages.


Experience the luxury of Buri Resort & Spa villas in Puerto Galera and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Buri’s architecture is a modern, yet charming take on the traditional Filipino Bahay Kubo. All the villas showcase a marriage between beautiful interiors and the lush outdoors.

Rate starts at Php 5,500 ++

3. Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa

An exclusive and serene beach hideaway where spoiling and pampering is the norm, Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa nestles amid 16 hectares of lush tropical gardens on Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines. The resort is made up of 15 private villas and a superb spa, which is why it is the place for indulgent privacy and seclusion.


The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed with crisp, cool villas, breathtaking sea views and discrete but attentive staff. Feel the gentle sea breeze as you languish in your private whirlpool and plan where to have dinner; by the infinity pool, on the beach with a personal butler or in the privacy of your villa.

Rates start at USD 500++

4. Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa

Dramatically situated on a lush hillside within an eco-reserve, Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa is a spectacular Boracay resort offering sensational luxury and comfort to its discerning guests. Rich with sprawling grounds and secluded beaches this Boracay luxury resort also boasts an impressive variety of restaurants and leisure facilities, including a tranquil spa village.

Rate starts at Php 14,000 ++



5. Plantation Bay Resort & Spa

Discover a resort in a class of its own. Set in 11.4 hectares of secluded grounds yet only 30 minutes from Cebu City, Plantation Bay offers one of the largest privately-owned waterways in the world, with the clean elegance of colonial-plantation architecture. Decompress from life’s pressures in the healing tranquility of an environment that truly feels “away from it all”. If you have ever spent time at a tropical plantation, you know what we mean. If not, come and discover a refreshingly different Flavor of Life.


Feel like you’re at your own private estate. The rooms are a full 46 square meters, charmingly furnished with plantation-style furniture, oil paintings, and accessories; equipped with remote-control TV, mini-bar, electronic safe, and split-package air-conditioning.

Rate starts at USD 150++


6. Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa

Discerning travellers in search of their next unexplored destination need to look no further than the Philippine Islands. With its white Santorini-inspired architecture on rolling terrain contrasted with the azure blue of the sky above and the clear water below, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa offers a fantastic experience unlike any other place in the Philippines and across South-East Asia.

Bellarocca Island is situated off the south west coast of the Marinduque province. Characterized by seaside cliffs, valleys, hills and sparsely dotted plains across this heart-shaped region, therein lies even more impressively hot springs, waterfalls and underwater flora and fauna. In addition to these, there are caves that await exploration by adventurous travelers. Many are yet to be fully investigated or documented.

Rates start at USD 400++

7. Boracay Grand Vista Resort & Spa

Grand Vista Boracay Resort & Spa is the newest private luxurious resort and spa at the famous white beach. Established early 2006 and fully operated June this year 2007.

The only and first Resort and Spa that has a private swimming pool in all 41 Suites, not only having a swimming in all rooms Grand Vista Boracay Resort and Spa has the biggest swimming pool in the Island.
Rates start at USD 120 ++




8. Antulang Beach Resort

Nestled 40 kilometers south of Dumaguete City, Philippines, ANTULANG BEACH RESORT is proud to be the first Philippine resort to offer private pool villas to guests. Each of the flagship accommodations comes with its own swimming pool (no plunge pools here), heated Jacuzzi and luxurious, spacious rooms all decked out in Canadian pinewood.




Suspended on ten sprawling hectares of sheer cliffs peppered with a kaleidoscope of bougainvillea blooms, swimming pools and premium rooms are positioned right at the cliffs’ edge, ensuring guests a commanding view of an endless sea, while winding staircases lead directly to a kilometer’s stretch of isolated white sand beach strewn with large, natural rock formations. So on any given evening, let the gentle lapping of waves caressing boulders on the beach lull you to sweet, glorious slumber, and catch up on unhurried, leftover dreams of Antulang…

Rates start at USD 55++


9. Misibis Resort, Cagraray Island

Your Luxury Island Playground. Escape to Misibis Bay and surround yourself with the wonders of nature.

The resort is nestled in a lush tropical landscape, with mountainous jungles, perfectly shaped volcanoes, pristine beaches, and other awe-inspiring natural wonders on the Pacific Ocean. Come and experience the ultimate marriage of adventure and luxury.


Misibis Bay is located on Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay Province, Bicol. From Legazpi City it’s a 30-minute trip by luxury fast water craft or an hour’s drive along the scenic coastline.

Rates start at USD 500++

10. El Nido Resorts

El Nido is located at the northwestern tip of the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is considered as a showcase of Palawan’s geology and diverse wildlife. Its majestic limestone cliffs stand guard over clear waters, with hundreds of species of tropical fishes and corals, and three species of endangered sea turtles.


Lagen Island Resort is set in a cove, fringed by a thick primary forest. The sprawling grounds cover more than four hectares.


Miniloc Island Resort is also set in a cove with a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. Reminiscent of a coastal village, Miniloc’s quaint charm is enhanced by its crystal clear waters teeming with tropical fishes.

Rates at Lagen Island Resort start at Php 8,000++ while Miniloc Island Resort rates start at Php 4,500++

I know 10 won’t do justice to cover all the best getaway resorts in the Philippines. Maybe I’ll have another list before 2010 ends.

[Olivekeeper]

Sri Panwa Resort Phuket Island, Southern Thailand

[Olivekeeper]

Mandarin Oriental Dhevi Changmai, Northern Thailand





Penthouse Resident




Spa

[Olivekeeper]

Villa Maroc Pranburi, South Western Thailand

[Olivekeeper]

Palio Khoayai, Western Thailand

[ThaiSiamese]

nvm

[the glimpser]

Originally Posted by Olivekeeper

Mandarin Oriental Dhevi Changmai, Northern Thailand

Very inviting - love it!!

Originally Posted by Olivekeeper

Villa Maroc Pranburi, South Western Thailand

Stylish!

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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
From their website:
In a virtual time warp, authentic 19th century Principalia Mansions and original Bahay na Bato (Stone Houses), stand resplendent around a cobblestone plaza and streets paying tribute to the magnificent craftsmanship of our forefathers. These structures carefully and painstakingly taken down from different parts of the country and rebuilt, “brick by brick”, “plank by plank”, are replete with memories with colorful stories.

Walking along the cobblestone streets or riding one of the caruajes (horse- drawn carriages), one has to constantly remind one’s self that he is in the present somehow trapped in the past; not just peeking through a looking glass but walking, touching, living amongst history’s silent witnesses.

The structures, at least 100 years old, are restored to its former grandeur creating a museum of Filipino architecture. Located in Bagac, Bataan, significant in Philippine history for the World War II Death March, this "village" of heritage houses is designed to replicate Hispanic town settlements.

At Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the legacy of our forefathers and the beautiful Filipino traditions live on. It is a step back into a majestic past, reliving the age- old traditions and practices distinct to our culture, without leaving the luxury and comforts of the modern world.

A showcase of Filipino talent, ingenuity and craftsmanship, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes pride in the past... And keeps its faith in the future.

Excerpted from Philippine thread:

Originally Posted by [dx]

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar - http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/
Bagac, Bataan
Photos by pianoforte

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[castermaild55]

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=919964

[Erran]

Nirwana Resort, Bali, Indonesia
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[Olivekeeper]

Plernwarn Hua Hin, Thailand

[Olivekeeper]

Veranda Resort Chiangmai, Thailand

[Olivekeeper]

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiangrai, Thailand

[wino]

these Thai Hotels looks so LUXURIOUS!!

[Olivekeeper]

Found this from travelandleisure.com, 5 SEA hotels have been listed as one of 45 best new hotels of 2010.


1. Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa, Boracay, Philippines
A longtime backpacker haven 200 miles south of Manila, Boracay finally has a five-star property worthy of its white-sand coastline. Situated in a sheltered cove alongside two private beaches, the 219 rooms and villas are decorated with indigenous touches (woven abaca rugs; capiz shells). Four hillside restaurants and the cliff-top Solana bar have panoramic views of the azure Sulu Sea. But for an especially memorable stay, you’ll want to snag the vertiginous Tree Top Villa, which has a whirlpool and some of the resort’s best vistas. Doubles from $428.



2.Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s most seductive new hideaway has one foot in the air (an impossibly cantilevered pavilion seems to float skyward over a cliff) and the other firmly planted in the earth. Built in accordance with Green Globe principles—all materials were locally sourced—the Alila sits on the southern coast of the Bukit Peninsula, a quiet corner known for fabulous surfing and even more fabulous temples; the resort’s knowledgeable guides lead tours. In each of the 84 villas, the bedroom’s fourth wall opens onto a frangipani-shaded pool and pavilion, with the Indian Ocean glittering in the distance. The highlight: Warung, the Alila’s Indonesian restaurant, which serves authentic dishes such as grilled red snapper scented with lime, shallots, and lemongrass. Doubles from $750.



3.Capella Singapore, Sentosa Island
It’s no wonder that Capella chose the recently revitalized Sentosa for its Asian debut. The 30-acre island off Singapore’s southern coast already has six comfortable hotels, but none have this form of colonial grace (public spaces are set in sprawling 19th-century converted barracks) and modern accents (two Foster & Partners–designed wings made of glass and steel). Guest rooms feature teak-lined doors and windows and crisp white-on-white baths, with some surprising layouts: top-floor corner suites have semicircular bedrooms and balconies. The outdoor dining terraces look out over the bi-level infinity pools, which seem to slip into the South China Sea. Doubles from $644.



4.Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand
GREAT VALUE Aimed at travelers who prefer Wi-Fi with their R&R, the 77-room Langham Place Samui promises you can stay plugged-in even from your villa’s rustic-chic canopy bed or on the sugar-sand beach. But that’s not to say this sleek newcomer doesn’t inspire relaxation. Each night after sunset, the lights are dimmed, lounge music permeates the frangipani-scented air, and Thai paper lanterns are released into the night sky. Doubles from $231.



5.Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, Thailand
Expectations were stratospheric for the debut of Ritz-Carlton’s Reserve brand, and this resort in an unspoiled corner of southern Thailand more than delivers, thanks to savvy design, warm service, and splendid isolation. Lanna-style frescoes painted on mai yang wood decorate the 54 villas and suites, and enclosed gardens offer a welcome degree of privacy. Given the sweltering climate, we would have traded in our double-king-size bed for more efficient air-conditioning, but a late-night dip in our infinity pool overlooking the Andaman Sea cooled our jets. Doubles from $595.

[Olivekeeper]

World's top 50 hotels


#7
NEW Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (95.00)
Thailand
Luxury tents outfitted with hand-hammered copper bathtubs; activities include elephant trekking and rafting down the Mekong River.

Stats: 15 tents; 3 restaurants; 2 bars.

Insider tip: Book a private dinner in the wine cellar or the Elephant Camp.

Cost: Doubles from $2,110, all-inclusive.


#20
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok (93.34)
Thailand
Known as the hotel in Bangkok since 1876, hosting guests ranging from James Michener to Lauren Bacall and David Beckham.

Stats: 358 rooms; 35 suites; 4 restaurants; 1 bar.

Rooms to book: Deluxe rooms in the River Wing have balconies and partial river views.

Cost: Doubles from $460.


#21
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (93.333)
Thailand
Just outside Chiang Mai proper, with 12 newly opened poolside villas, plus pavilions that look onto rice paddies, the hotel’s resident water buffalo, and the Mae Rim Valley.

Stats: 64 pavilions; 17 residences; 12 pool villas; 4 restaurants; 3 bars.

Rooms to book: Upper Rice Terrace Pavilions have outdoor Thai salas from which you can see the resort’s working rice paddies.

Insider tip: Try your hand at the preparation of noodle soup with chicken or dry spiced curry with pork at the resort’s cooking school.

Cost: Doubles from $465.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...-hotels-2010/2

[the glimpser]

From Philippine thread

Originally Posted by shyaman

Never knew this exists...

Bellaroca Island Resort & Spa, Marinduque



I happen to know its existence upon browsing a 2009/10 travel catalogue/magazine of Asian resorts at a book shop earlier today.

It looks like a massive development they have there without so much exposure/promotion.

[the glimpser]

Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point -San Fernando, La Union, Philippines





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