We are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a roof over our heads while overseas, from Airbnb and couchsurfing to holiday rentals and hotels. So what are your considerations in choosing where to stay when planning a trip abroad? For me, it should be within my travel companions' and my budget, and conveniently located so that most places on our itinerary are either within walking distances or just a few train stations away. This means we try to stay near a train station on a line that requires the least number of transfers, unless on a road trip where our accommodations should be enroute with parking options. And I avoid those that look dilapidated or dirty in photos, or whose bad reviews are also my areas of concern. These are my recommendations if you are going…
Hong Kong
Cordis, Hong Kong at Langham Place (formerly Langham Place, Hong Kong) is part of Langham Hospitality Group whose 30 properties span 4 continents. Located above a cooked food centre, it is linked to Mongkok MTR station via Langham Place Shopping Mall that was in the news earlier this year for an escalator accident. Stay indoors and near to your hotel on a typhoon warning signal 3 day – eat dim sum at Jasmine Garden, buy baked goods at Kee Wah Bakery or Maxim's Cakes and shop 'til you drop. Walk back once the signal 8 is hoisted as there will no public transport. There is a herbal tea shop beside the hotel, cha chan teng chain Tsui Wah Restaurant across the road and Hui Lau Shan Healthy Desserts round the corner. Chose this as it has rooms that can accommodate up to 4 adults and will choose it again for its clean rooms, pleasant and helpful staff. I loved its location, bathroom amenities and bedroom slippers too.
Cordis, Hong Kong at Langham Place (formerly Langham Place, Hong Kong) is part of Langham Hospitality Group whose 30 properties span 4 continents. Located above a cooked food centre, it is linked to Mongkok MTR station via Langham Place Shopping Mall that was in the news earlier this year for an escalator accident. Stay indoors and near to your hotel on a typhoon warning signal 3 day – eat dim sum at Jasmine Garden, buy baked goods at Kee Wah Bakery or Maxim's Cakes and shop 'til you drop. Walk back once the signal 8 is hoisted as there will no public transport. There is a herbal tea shop beside the hotel, cha chan teng chain Tsui Wah Restaurant across the road and Hui Lau Shan Healthy Desserts round the corner. Chose this as it has rooms that can accommodate up to 4 adults and will choose it again for its clean rooms, pleasant and helpful staff. I loved its location, bathroom amenities and bedroom slippers too.
Osaka, Japan
Namba Dotonbori Hotel is, as its name suggests, near Dotonbori and its nearest station is Namba on the Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line. While it was established in 1970, the "4 statues" in front of the hotel were built in 1991 and represent its goal of striving to offer the best hospitality services to people from around the world – Asians, Africans, Arabs and Westerners. Again, I chose this because it has rooms that can accommodate up to 3 adults. My travel companions and I enjoyed the complimentary sushi-making experience, part of its monthly-updated events for guests to experience Japanese culture such as wearing Kimono and pounding rice to make mochi. Other complimentary services provided by the hotel include drinks and international calls (up to 5 minutes) at its lobby, bicycle and stroller rental. There is also no lack of food and retail options within walking distance.
Seoul, South Korea
Lotte City Hotel Seoul Mapo is a business hotel near Gongdeok station on Seoul Subway Line 5, Line 6, AREX and the Gyeongui-Jungang line. This means you can take the Airport Railroad Express from Incheon Airport, or the airport limousine bus which stops nearer to the hotel than the AREX. Within the hotel building is a Paris Baguette and Lotte Super for guests to conveniently buy Korean instant noodles, seaweed and citron tea. Nearby, join the locals to eat jokbal or pork trotters, jeon and twigim reminiscent of our ngoh hiang prawn cracker. Buy roasted chestnut, corn and sweet potatoes from a street vendor at night or try Korean fried chicken, kimbap and samyetang (ginseng chicken soup). There is also a shuttle service to Ewha Woman's University, Gyeongbokgung, Insadong, Myeongdong and Nandaemun. The rooms were clean, staff attentive and helpful. Oh, and I can buy yummy Preferé ice-cream to eat everyday.
Lotte City Hotel Seoul Mapo is a business hotel near Gongdeok station on Seoul Subway Line 5, Line 6, AREX and the Gyeongui-Jungang line. This means you can take the Airport Railroad Express from Incheon Airport, or the airport limousine bus which stops nearer to the hotel than the AREX. Within the hotel building is a Paris Baguette and Lotte Super for guests to conveniently buy Korean instant noodles, seaweed and citron tea. Nearby, join the locals to eat jokbal or pork trotters, jeon and twigim reminiscent of our ngoh hiang prawn cracker. Buy roasted chestnut, corn and sweet potatoes from a street vendor at night or try Korean fried chicken, kimbap and samyetang (ginseng chicken soup). There is also a shuttle service to Ewha Woman's University, Gyeongbokgung, Insadong, Myeongdong and Nandaemun. The rooms were clean, staff attentive and helpful. Oh, and I can buy yummy Preferé ice-cream to eat everyday.
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