Paradises

Archives: Destinations

Embassy Suites by Hilton® – Waikiki Beach Walk

/

Golden sands and turquoise seas are right at your fingertips with a stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton – Waikiki Beach Walk.

Experience newly re-styled suites renowned for spacious accommodations, convenient complimentary amenities and an ideal location, just steps away from Waikiki Beach and in the heart of Waikiki Beach Walk.

World class
Home to world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, Waikiki Beach Walk provides a taste of Hawaiian culture.

Once settled in, guests can kick off their shoes and make themselves at home with spacious and modern all-suite accommodations, beautifully decorated with island-style furnishings.

Choose from one- or two-bedroom suites, each complete with a spacious open living room with sleeper sofa, table and chairs, and kitchenette with compact refrigerator and microwave.

Relaxed environment
The resort offers a relaxed environment, whether you are travelling for business or leisure.

Start your day with a full, made-to-order breakfast on the Grand Lanai including a must-try omelette bar, while towards the end of the day, enjoy sunset cocktails at the nightly evening reception offering complimentary drinks and light snacks.

Entertainment is also provided on select evenings (entertainment schedule subject to change).

The Grand Lanai also features a heated pool, whirlpool spa, children’s pool and spacious sundeck with stylish cabanas and daybeds, covered-pavilion seating and outdoor Pakini pool bar.

Discover Zen
Health fanatics can break a sweat at the 24-hour fitness centre or find their Zen with free sunrise yoga classes on the Grand Lanai (select days).

Those who wish to vinyasa in the comfort of their suite can do so with the hotel’s yoga channel. Other amenities include Wi-Fi and more, all for a nominal daily resort charge.
Waikiki is famous for its vibrant neighbourhood and popular surf beach. Catch a wave or a few rays, as the beach is only steps away.

In the evening – just beyond the doorstep of Embassy Suites by Hilton – step out to enjoy Waikiki’s exciting nightlife.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

/

Where luxury and sophistication meet personalised services and style, experience a world-class beach resort in one of the most sought-after resort destinations in the world.

Steps from the sun and surf of Mokapu Beach, Andaz Maui is minutes from Wailea’s most acclaimed golf courses, restaurants and shops.

Awe-inspiring design
Guests are welcomed by an awe-inspiring entryway bridge of glowing Ambrato stone, framed in mahogany over an infinity-edge pool. Once inside, the airy Andaz Lounge features a pitched roof with natural sunlight, accented by a central sandpit where guests can sink their toes into the sand during a hassle-free check-in process with an Andaz host.

Indulge in splendour and upscale comfort with a choice of 320 thoughtfully appointed guestrooms and suites which include 30 luxurious villas with two to four bedrooms. Each room consists of custom designed furniture that connects guests to the beach
and ocean.

Bathrooms feature shuttered wooden screens in a white-washed oak finish that open to the bedroom. In all guestrooms, guests will enjoy complimentary internet access, local phone calls, non-alcoholic beverages, and locally sourced snacks that are replenished daily.

Tempt your palate with rich, fresh flavours of the Hawaiian islands. Serving breakfast and dinner, Ka’ana Kitchen’s unique, residential-style setting provides a culinary experience that reflects the rich heritage of Hawaii. Morimoto Maui, by acclaimed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, focuses on the seamless integration of Japanese, Western and Hawaiian traditions to create a memorable island dining experience. Two poolside cocktail lounges offer hand-crafted cocktails and a grab-and-go market is fully stocked with local snacks and beverages.

Unique spa experience
Featuring a unique apothecary experience, the ‘Awili Spa and Salon incorporates locally sourced products into customised treatments. The spa lounge features a large walnut table where you are able to blend your own oils to incorporate into your spa treatment. Complimentary spa facilities for resort guests include access to the spa pool, sauna, steam room and plunge pool.

For weddings and group events, the resort features more than 70,000 square feet of elegant indoor and outdoor event space, including five indoor Andaz Studios and three outdoor beachfront event lawns with unparalleled views of the ocean and Wailea’s pristine Mokapu Beach.

Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa

/

Discover a delightful mix of warm Fijian hospitality and relaxed luxury at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape or a fun-packed family break, at Hilton Fiji, you’ll experience the perfect holiday in a simply breathtaking setting.

Sheer indulgence
Immerse yourself in stunning beach surroundings. Accommodation incorporates stunning, spacious interiors with an elegant blend of luxury, modernity and natural harmony. Designed with comfort and convenience in mind, every room offers a private beachfront terrace or balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and modern amenities including high-speed internet access.

Studio rooms are the ideal couples’ retreat, or upgrade to the extra space and facilities of the one to three-bedroom villas with separate lounges, kitchenettes, and private barbecues. Also available are intimate beachfront residences and stunning high-rise penthouses.

Take a dip in one of nine pools or stroll along 2.5 kilometres of private beachfront while your little ones have a great time at the complimentary Kids’ Club, leaving you free to enjoy a well-deserved break. While the kids are having fun in their club, for those looking for an adults-only escape, Koro is Hilton Fiji’s exclusive adults-only dining and pool area. Inspired by the Fijian word for ‘village’, Koro is the perfect spot for an intimate couple’s getaway or some quiet time.

For those after adrenalin-filled activities, for a surcharge there’s jet skiing, parasailing, waterskiing, fishing and scuba diving. Tennis courts and a world-class golf course are just five minutes away.

Afterwards, rejuvenate the body, mind and soul at the award-winning Pevonia Spa which provides a range of treatments inspired by traditional Fijian customs.

Enjoy easy access to Port Denarau Marina’s shopping, dining and entertainment, day cruises to the outer island and tours to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and Sigatoka River Safari.

Innovative dining options
Beachfront restaurants offer a wide range of mouth-watering cuisines to choose from. Nuku, inspired by the flavours of Fiji offers local and international delicacies, while Maravu offers Asian specialties. Sample a gourmet pizza, home-made bread, pastries and cakes or barista coffees on the patio at the Deli.

If you prefer to stay in, most rooms come with their own kitchen and outdoor barbecue with meats and accompaniments available from the deli. However you decide to spend your time at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, you’ll always enjoy the famously warm Fijian service.

Sokala Villas

/

In a stunning absolute beachfront location, discover a romantic getaway on the northern shore of Rarotonga’s famous Muri Lagoon.

Tropical island getaway
Popular with honeymooners, couples and individuals seeking a tropical island getaway, Sokala consists of four beachfront and three lagoon view villas.

Each villa has a well-appointed kitchenette and four have their own swimming pool. Private spacious timber decks offer stunning views across the turquoise lagoon and the picturesque offshore islands. You will be just a few steps from the tranquil lagoon where you can snorkel by day and relax with a drink at sunset. Small paddle boats are available for guests, or take a short stroll along Muri Beach to sign up for a stand-up paddleboard lesson and hire. Spend an hour learning how to take command of a sailboat, or take a leisurely cruise along Muri Lagoon on a glass bottom boat to snorkel at a marine sanctuary and afterwards enjoy a barbecue on one of the motu.

There are plenty of fantastic eateries within easy walking distance and a small store with a good range of food items is just a few hundred metres away. Those wanting to travel into Avarua to stock up at the supermarket and shop at the larger stores can hop on the Cooks’ Island Bus that circles the island twice an hour along the main road.

Romantic beachside wedding
The villas are especially popular with honeymooners and Sokala’s location, with its lagoon backdrop, offers an idyllic setting for a romantic beachside wedding.

Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments

/

Discover the most idyllic tropical setting at Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments.

Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments are just a short and scenic drive from the airport, in the village of Vaimaanga. Overlooking a stretch of gorgeous soft white sands and lagoon of iridescent blue, the views will take your breath away.

The secluded location is also one of Rarotonga’s premier spots for snorkelling and swimming, offering a safe marine playground teeming with tropical fish. Grab the complimentary snorkel gear and explore beneath the surface, or jump in a kayak and head out to the reef. Your home-away-from-home, contemporary accommodation has all the necessary modern comforts, and offers mesmerising lagoon views from the privacy of your own balcony or patio. Choose between studio apartments, two bedroom beachfront villas and the two or three bedroom apartment which can accommodate a family or group of up to six. Each air-conditioned villa or apartment features a private balcony or patio, king or twin bedding, in-room safe, flat screen television, a fully-equipped kitchen including cook top (in two and three bedroom options), full size refrigerator/freezer, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities.

While you are here, spoil yourself with a relaxing massage at Moana Sands Hibiscus Spa. Located at nearby Moana Sands Lagoon Resort, the spa provides a range of body and beauty treatments by its internationally trained team, allowing you to relax and unwind.
Moana Sands Beachfront Villas & Apartments is conveniently located within walking distance of a supermarket, takeaways and restaurants, and just 25 minutes to the town centre, making it easy to access activities to complement your stay here in a little paradise.

Pacific Resort Hotel Group

/

The world’s best kept secret, the Cook Islands are the gem of the South Pacific, where the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean meets white sand beaches and lush tropical mountain peaks.

Calling this tropical paradise home is Pacific Resort Hotel Group, the Cook Islands’ leading independent collection of luxury and boutique beachfront resorts on stunning Rarotonga and breathtaking Aitutaki.

Award-winning Pacific Resort Hotel Group specialises in offering boutique four-and-a-half and five-star hotel and resort experiences, that highlight the Cook Islands’ local culture, warm hospitality and unique architecture.

Located on Rarotonga is Pacific Resort Rarotonga (4.5*), Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa (5*), Little Polynesian Resort (5*), and on Aitutaki, home to what is considered the most beautiful lagoon in the world, is the serene setting for the highly acclaimed Pacific Resort Aitutaki (5*). Pacific Resort Hotel Group is positioned as an ideal choice for relaxation, offering various options ranging from family vacations to romantic getaways, special celebrations, and independent travel.

The dedicated team and exceptional service are emphasised as key components of ensuring a memorable experience for guests seeking a perfect escape.

Pacific Resort Hotel Group accommodation offers some of the most luxurious options for visiting the Cook Islands accompanied by world- class guest services. The choice of beachfront island resorts feature sea views, infinity swimming pools and beautiful tropical gardens – making for a true island experience. Discover a little paradise and have fun in the sun.

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel

/

Situated right on the banks of the Bassac River crossing. Victoria Chau Doc Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the fascinating Chau Doc region that is steeped in culture and historical richness.

Deep in the Mekong Delta, Chau Doc is 280 kilometres southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. close to the Cambodian border. Linking Chau Doc and Phnom Penh, the Victoria Speedboats are the ideal means to cruise the Mekong River.

Chau Doc is a bustling hub for trade and river transport. This riverside town is a kaleidescope of cultures, home to ethnic Cham, Khmer, Vietnamese and Chinese communities. Highlights include the pilgrimage site of Sam Mountain, the spectacular Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, and boating trips along the many waterways, or escape modern life and discover the authentic Mekong Delta at its very best in the lush green paddy fields of Chau Doc. Cycle out along quiet dirt paths. through villages where life has changed little over the decades.

Built in a colonial style with low-rise colonial design, the four-star Victoria Chau Doc Hotel offers front seat views of the river habitat with its famous floating fish farming villages, floating markets and Cham villages.

Old World charm
The Victoria Chau Doc Hotel features 92 rooms, including four suites, most offering spectacular views of the river. Each room combines the elegance of
traditional Vietnamese handicraft and colonial Old World charm.

All rooms feature air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, IDD, satellite TV, minibar, bathrobes, and safety deposit box. The Deluxe Rooms and Suites offer breathtaking views over the Bassac River from their balconies. The sophisticated Bassac Restaurant sits right on the banks of the Bassac River, and serves delectable European and Vietnamese cuisine amidst magical views. The Tan Chau Salon Bar serves snacks and refreshments in a stylish setting featuring plush leather armchairs and a wall of French doors opening out to an outdoor terrace overlooking both the river and the swimming pool.

Located on the top floor of the hotel With magnificent river views, the Victoria Spa offers massages, wraps, scrubs, facials and beauty salon treatments delivered by professional therapists.

Internet speed in Palau

by Paradises /

 

INTERNET SPEED IN PALAU

Palau now has a fiber optic internet connection and internet speed is fast. On my recent visit to Palau on Nov 28th 2019. I tested two internet service providers and here’s what I found:

Free Wi-Fi at The Airport

Once you land and line up on the immigration line, you can start using free Wi-Fi. However there is no free Wi-Fi on the departure gate and you will either need to buy one of the options below.

 

PNCC (Palau National Communications Corporation)
https://www.pnccpalau.com/

When you exit from immigration, you will see a PNCC booth and you can buy a sim card for $25. Then simply dial *780# to get a list of plans you can purchase.  PNCC has 3 options, the first is a sim card plan. The second is a Wi-Fi modem that you can be used for more than one devices and the third is a prepaid internet card.

PNCC palau wifiPT Waves
https://ptwaves.com/

This is probably the cheapest option as they offer $3 prepaid cards for unlimited 3 days internet. However connections are only limited to Wi-Fi locations. Don’t worry there are plenty of Wi-Fi locations and almost every place I go to has a Wi-Fi connection to PT Waves including the airport’s departure gate.

ptwave wifi palau

Key Contacts In Palau

Palau Visitors Authority
Address: PO Box 256, Koror, PW 96940
Phone: +680-488-2793/1930
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pristineparadisepalau.com
Fax: +680-488-1453

 

InterContinental Koh Samui Resort

/

Beachfront bliss, a dramatic cliffside setting and awe inspiring views await at InterContinental Koh Samui Resort, a 22-acre haven of luxurious seclusion.

Located on the unspoiled west coast of Koh Samui, the resort soars majestically over the stunning turquoise waters and white sand beaches of Taling Ngam Bay. Escape to your very own tropical paradise while experiencing the best of Thai cuisine, culture and charm.

The resort is an exclusive enclave of Thai inspired guest rooms, suites and villas, each featuring a private balcony with spectacular sunset views over the Gulf of Thailand, the nearby Five Islands and Angthong National Marine Park.

For a honeymoon or romantic getaway, Beachfront Pool Villas come with a private swimming pool, wine bar and sundeck and the Two-Bedroom Villa offers a spacious cliffside retreat for friends or families. For the ultimate Koh Samui luxury experience, the two-story, three-bedroom Napa Reserve Villa covers six hundred square metres, complete with dedicated butler service, fifteen-metre private pool and personal chef.

InterContinental Koh Samui Resort

Thailand

From adventure to pure relaxation, options abound at InterContinental Koh Samui Resort. Enjoy one of seven swimming pools, including the island’s most spectacular infinity pool, or treat body and soul at the holistic Baan Thai Spa. Keep busy with activities from kayaking to Muay Thai lessons or simply take in the glorious colours of the sea and the sunset on the pristine private beach with a 150 metre licensed private pier. Head out to explore the buzzing nightlife and charming fishing villages or go island hopping for snorkelling, diving, dolphin watching and much more.

World class all-day dining at Amber restaurant offers contemporary Thai, Asian and international flavours, while signature venue Air Bar serves up creative cocktails with the best sunsets on the island. InterContinental Koh Samui is also the perfect setting for your dream wedding, with a variety of unforgettable venues for your big day.

InterContinental Koh Samui Resort has received numerous awards, including “World’s Leading Luxury Resort”, “World’s Leading Wedding Resort, “Asia’s Leading Spa Resort”, and “Asia’s Leading Honeymoon Resort” at World Travel Awards in 2013-2017. The legendary resort was also listed as one of the “10,000 Places to See Before You Die”, by the New York Times bestselling book with the same name.

Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa

/

Built in the style of a traditional Vietnamese country house, Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa offers a selection of thatched-roof bungalows set amongst beautifully landscaped gardens, blending harmoniously with their surroundings.

Choose from Garden View Bungalows, Beachfront Bungalows, Family Bungalows, Ocean View Bungalows, Private Pool Villas and Family Pool Villas ranging from 71-250 square metres. Ocean View Villas delightfully overlook Mui Ne beach and connecting rooms are available. Private Pool Villas offer a living room, a fully-equipped kitchen and an outdoor dining area, and the Family Pool Villas can accommodate up to eight persons with four bedrooms.

All accommodation offers a contemporary space with terracotta tiles and artistic photographs of Phan Thiet, a sofa and a writing desk, bathtub and outdoor shower, private terrace, minibar, and coffee and tea making facilities.

Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa boasts its own private stretch of white sand beach, perfect for a refreshing dip, or simply bask in the sun by the infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

For pampering, look no further than The Victoria Spa with an assortment of treatments and therapies based on traditional Thai medicine and massage techniques. Signature treatments include the 80-minute Victoria Massage, a traditional Thai massage and reflexology treatment which incorporates a stressrelieving back and head massage.

L’Oceane Restaurant serves international and local specialties including freshly caught seafood. The L’Oceane Bar overlooks the freeform swimming pool and the ocean. Comfortable rattan sofas, a pool table and lounge music set a cool, relaxed vibe. The bar serves up classic refreshments and cocktails as well as innovative drinks. The Beach Bar offers a relaxing outdoor area to enjoy a glass of wine right on the beach and is also the perfect spot for a romantic candlelit dinner.

Guests have the opportunity to learn to recreate favourite Vietnamese dishes with a cooking class by the beach, including a trip to the local market to learn about authentic Vietnamese ingredients, how to choose them and how to use them.

For those who like to keep active, activities abound at Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort & Spa. Take out a complimentary kayak to explore Phan Thiet’s coastline, grab a paddle board, or enjoy an invigorating game of tennis, beach volleyball, badminton, football and more.