TRAVEL NEWS + DEALS
Seeing green in Bangkok and royal service in the air...
Accommodation stalwart Dusit Thani Bangkok makes an impressive return and Vistara shows off its award-winning style for cabin service.
Why it pays to stay in Bangkok
The much anticipated 27 September return of the reimagined Dusit Thani Bangkok (www.dusit.com/) in the all new mixed-use development of Dusit Central Park comes with a few perks for early bookers. From 1 May 2024 to 31 October 2024 travellers who book stays at the hotel (until 31 March 2025) get a US$75 credit for relaxing spa treatments and dining at one of the new F&B outlets at this hotel, long a haunt for royalty that once set the benchmark with its exceptional service and distinctive golden spire. The architectural outlines will still be familiar to old-timers who can also avail of luxury trimmings at this 257-key hotel with rooms starting at a generous 50sq m. All rooms have a floor-to-ceiling view, much of this encompassing the green Lumphini Park in the heart of the Thai capital. Hotel MD Adrian Rudin describes the relaunch as a "rebirth" and this is perhaps an understatement. The location may prove especially popular with meeting planners as Dusit offers a huge ballroom and numerous meeting spaces.
The 52-suite Aman Nai Lert Bangkok (above left, www.aman.com) opens third quarter of 2024 with its signature minimalist design, an armload of Japanese menus, Italian dining, and a wellness retreat. Also find 39 Aman Residences from floors 11 to 36. This will get you substantial open views though the towering Park Hyatt is right next door. As with Amanpuri, which started the residence-let-out trend in Phuket, flat owners offer unused residences to Aman to lease to guests. This site was the former British Ambassador's residence and the grounds are mature. One niggle is the Nai Lert location. It's tough for access when traffic builds up on this one-way road. Meanwhile in Vietnam's Cam Ranh, The Anam (www.theanam.com) has rolled out out two secluded honeymoon villas with 40sq m private pools for the shy and retiring newly-wed sorts. Also expect a Jacuzzi, steam room, romantic Indochine dercor, Sealy mattresses, and themed afternoon teas. The resort has a good spa on site.
From India, service with a smile
From Vistara (www.airvistara.com), India's premium carrier, some award-winning cabin service and smiles to match. Vistara staff posing proudly in an aircraft (above) show off their No.9 for Cabin Service Worldwide award on the Smart Travel Asia 2023 20th Anniversary Poll. The online poll was conducted among an affluent group of international frequent travellers, many of whom have been reading Smart Travel Asia since its launch in 2003 as the region's first dedicated web-based travel magazine. Vistara was cited for its professionalism, attentive service and the quality of all-round care. The airline - a joint venture between India's formidable TATA Group and Singapore Airlines - gets rolled into TATA's new acquisition, Air India, in 2025. Whether the revamped national airline is able to retain Air India's premier positioning (as during the 1970s) remains to be seen but Vistara's fine showing holds out considerable promise.
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On 1 September 2023 Bhutan (above left, bhutan.travel/) brought the daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) down to US$100. The levy is valid until September 2027. Young children get special concessions too. In early 2023 the government opted to drop all-inclusive tour fees (US$250) and began charging a flat US$200 per head for foreigners (with a special Rs1,200 rate for Indians). The freebie was over. Hotels and tour operators complained that this was killing tourism as foreigners now had to pay the $200 personal fee and fork out separately for hotels, transport, and meals. This resulted in the cut. Indians don't require a Bhutan visa. Maldivians and Bangladeshis are also exempt from visas. Meanwhile up in Nepal, an hour's drive from Kathmandu with grand panoramic mountain views, the Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel (above right, www.dusit.com/dusitthani-himalayannepal/) opened in July 2023 bringing a fusion of Thai-Nepalese decor and service with an arsenal of wellness options, yoga, and space for a cosy wedding or a small corporate meeting.
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