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After a long, cold and wet journey we arrived at the Sinouk Coffee Resort. I was badly in need of the smell and taste of freshly ground coffee. In the restaurant I savored the first cup, and then a second, while admiring the immaculate lawns all around.

Luckily, we were the only guests that afternoon and were given the option of choosing our accommodation. I chose the chalet in the corner. It was very private and the views, with the stream running on both sides, were stunning. It was difficult to believe that the scenery in front of us was man-made.

Our room was cozy and very tastefully furnished, reflecting the owner’s long years in France. Outside the roar of the torrent and the cold pelting rain made us appreciate the warmth of the furnishings. We explored the dining and lounging areas and admired their chic elegance.

The weather eased and I sat out on the verandah marveling at the scenery and wished I didn’t have a job to go back to.

That night we chose to have dinner in the private dining area instead of going to the restaurant. We chose well and the food was delicious and plentiful.

The only minus point was that the bathroom was cramped, but that could have been because I prefer large toilets.

This is definitely a retreat for romance, relaxation and freshly ground coffee.

There can’t be many hotels in the world that have such picturesque and serene surroundings as the Kumudara. The hotel is set in green fields dotted with temples. I didn’t have to travel miles to see these ancient buildings that make Bagan a must-visit feature on any travel itinerary to Myanmar. As I sat on the porch outside my room each morning sipping my coffee and looking at the stupas I couldn’t help feeling that time didn’t exist.

The hotel itself is a collection of spacious bungalows well set out around pleasant lawns. The rooms are large, and though the furniture and fittings have seen their best days, there’s a certain charm to its rundown condition. This is amply made up for by its cleanliness and the stunning views outside the windows.

Even a swim in the pool under the setting sun is an experience when surrounded by the temples.

The restaurant is a revelation. Don’t just try the Burmese dishes; savour other cuisines with a Kumudara twist. Dinner in such a setting is an experience that must not be missed.

If star ratings are awarded for staff for politeness, friendliness, helpfulness, etc. then surely the Kumudara is a ten-star hotel.

I will revisit Bagan just for the Kumudara experience.

The Salana Boutique Hotel, one of Vientiane’s newer hotels, is centrally located.

Building hotels in this city is now a booming industry but unlike most of them the Salana is neither kitschy nor garish. The rooms are comfortable, though a bit over-furnished, adding to the feeling of claustrophobia, so apparent in the stairwell and lift. The toilets, with their ikebana-like arrangements near the windows, are very nice.

If you get a room overlooking Wat Impeng, it’s a bonus, especially at sunrise.

If the hotel is full, the restaurant can be over-crowded at breakfast. So it’s best to get in there early. You can then observe still quaint street life, especially in front of Wat Ong Tu, before rush hour starts. Vientiane, with its total lack of traffic management, is an urban disaster that will happen sooner rather than later. So enjoy these early hours while you still can.

The cocktails make the bar a good place to hang out.

The staff are polite and the some of the people manning the reception are very friendly and super-efficient.

The central location of the hotel means that it is close to a number of excellent restaurants serving a truly cosmopolitan mix of cuisines.

All in all, the Salana Boutique Hotel is a pleasant experience.

It’s difficult to decide what is the best thing about Le Bel Air; the scenic setting, the lovely wooden rooms, or the friendly and helpful staff. What’s definite though is that all these, and more, combine to make this hotel a great place to stay while in Luang Prabang.

The hotel is situated on the banks of the Khan River and is surrounded by so much green. The wooden bungalows are spread out amongst the trees ensuring privacy, while the restaurant makes a great place to catch up with other residents to shoot the breeze. Literally. The public areas, especially the restaurant, are public, and yet so private.

The rooms are large, well-furnished and very comfortable. Despite the massive amount of wood that must have gone towards building the hotel, the furniture, fittings and all the amenities give a feeling that being environmentally conscious was, and is, paramount in this place.

Sitting on the balcony, very early in the morning or late in the night, is a something that must be experienced. The stillness cannot be described.

The staff are discreet, yet friendly and helpful.

The internet connection is a bit dodgy but then who would want to keep in touch with the big, bad world outside Le Bel Air.

The Ivory Suvarnabhumi is ideal for somebody needing easy access to Bangkok International Airport. Though the airport is just about 2 km away aircraft noise is non-existent.

What added to our time getting to the hotel from the airport was the thirty-minute wait for the free airport pick-up service. The driver was very apologetic though.

The hotel is compact, but with rooms that are surprisingly spacious, comfortable and spotless. What I liked best was the bright and cheerful colour chosen. Ivory naturally.

Staff at the hotel were at a minimum and I wondered if these were serviced apartments.  However, the front office person did try hard tracking down a telephone number for us.

There is a restaurant in front of the building but I didn’t think it was part of the hotel and anyway, the fare offered was extremely limited in choice. We checked in at about 9.30 pm and then went in search of something to eat but there was nothing to be found. For Bangkok, the streets were surprisingly deserted. I got the impression that it was an industrial area with a lot of warehouses that were locked for the night.

This hotel has to be accessed by taxi.

The Bravo Hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin is much better than Lonely Planet makes it out to be.

It’s easy to miss it because in a very central part of town that is crowded with shops and signboards. And the boutique in the front obscures the entrance.

Inside, the hotel was much better than it looked from the outside. The owner tried a bit of hard sell but since we were tired after a long day in, and from, Mandalay, he had already half convinced us. We checked out the rooms and were pleasantly surprised. And at $15 a night, including breakfast, it was a steal.

Pyin Oo Lwin was cold and wet and we were grateful for the clean, large room. The beds and blankets were inviting, comfortable and warm. The toilet too, was clean with plenty of hot running water.

The corridors and landing were decorated with various bric-a-brac, some tasteful, others kitschy. Breakfast was supposed to be at 7.30 am but was about 15 minutes late.

The owner and other staff were extremely helpful, offering tips on how to get the most of our stay in the town, advising us on prices etc., sometimes getting us better prices than our Burmese friend had negotiated for us. We were even lent some guide books.

The Bravo Hotel is great value for money.