Rennaisance Hotel, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Renaissance Hotel never fails me. Located in Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru, Renaissance is a newly built 5 star hotel with 345 rooms which can cater to large group of people like ours. I have stayed previously in Renaissance Hotel in some places but this is my first time to spend my 3 nights here in Renaissance Johor Bahru. 

As you enter you will greeted by the friendly doorman, behind is a beautiful facade that shouts Renaissance Hotel. I have noticed that most Renaissance Hotels have this common brown and cream sophisticated interior with comfortable sofas that welcomes the guest and a glimpse on what they can offer. The room which I got has an LCD TV and the normal room equipment and needs. The bathroom, is a common one as well with toilet and shower. What I like about Renaissance Hotel is their toiletries. They have the cutest and nicest smelling shampoo, soap and bath gel. They greatly impressed me with the packaging and the smell, most of the time I will not bring them home but since I love it very much I decided to brings some pieces home. 

Me and my colleagues ate both Breakfast and Lunch for 3 days (4 days for me) in the hotel. They have a wide variety of choices such as Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, American and Italian cuisine to name a few. I love desserts very much and they again did not fail me for they have a lot of desserts to choose from: Local desserts to Western cake and ice cream desserts. For me this is heaven! A bar near the entrance of the buffet could also be found and one could have a drink if they want but only in the bar.

Comfortable beds! 

Their packaging is the nicest in all the hotels I stayed in

As you enter the hotel this Fish Chandelier will welcome you 

Hotel's lobby

My favourite pancakes! I require you to try the pandan pancakes! 

Want freshly squeezed juice? They got it! You can choose from their fruit and vegetable stand with anything you wanted to add in your juice. Yes it's very very healthy! 

For the noodles!

What type of bread do you want? They also have a lot to choose from

After a long day of work people come here to drink and chill. Not for me I still need to work after the training. :-) 

Will I come back again? 
Yes! I will. Renaissance (Marriot Hotels) is one of the best hotels I stayed in (for now), though it's not the number 1 on my list. A very refined place- this is my description of it. They offer a lot of things and their pool is also nice. The place actually is near to some tourist spots in Johor Bahru such as Legoland and Hello Kitty town where most people or family go to.

Location and Contact Information: 
Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel
No.2, Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru
Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru,
81750 Malaysia
Tel num: 60 7 3813333
Fax num: 60 7 381 3500
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jhbbr-renaissance-johor-bahru-hotel/

Budget: 
- including breakfast and room rate is per night
- based on their website

Guest Room (1 King or 2 twin/single bed(s))                          MYR 360/$113 USD/P 4860
Club Level Guest Room (1 King or 2 twin/single bed(s))       MYR 490/$153 USD/P 6615
Pool Terrace room, Guest Room, 1 King, Pool View              MYR 520/$163 USD/P 7020
Club lounge access, Junior Suite, 1 King                                 MYR 640/$200 USD/P 8640
Club lounge access, 1 Bedroom Presidential Suite                  MYR 5000/$1,569 USD/P 67,500

Deevana Patong Beach Resort, Phuket, Thailand

We found Deevana Patong Beach Resort in Groupon but booked in their website. Why? because it's cheaper. One thing I learned about booking hotels or resorts is you should look at different sites if you are not in a hurry because the first site which you think cost less is not. Just because it has 30% or 50% off doesn't mean that it's the cheapest or best price you can get. There are a lot of website to search and a lot of offers, it's up to you if you think that the site is reliable or not. 

Before booking Deevana we read reviews about it from blogs and trip advisor to get some insights. They both have positive and negative depending on people's experiences. If you were to read it and you are uncertain then go with your gut. I am telling you your gut is always right. Ok so enough about the blah blah part. 

We were happy that we went with our gut because Deevana Beach Resort is so pretty! Eventhough they are not beach front it's just a 5 to 10 minutes walk to the beach. The front might not be so inviting but when you enter then you will be awed by the beauty and simplicity of the place. They have 216 guest rooms which is divided into two parts. The Garden Wing (where we stayed) and The Spa Wing which is near the main pool and the rest of the amenities. Upon our entry we were greeted by the friendly staff and we were informed that we have complimentary meal vouchers which could be used in their restaurant and a 1 hour complimentary massage. Who would say that resorts do not give a lot of freebies? 

The room which we got is the Garden View Room:Standard Room, a medium sized room which has all the normal things which could be found in a hotel. 

We spent one morning in the resort and swim around their 2 huge and clean pools. The pools by the way are warm and very clean and it does not taste like chlorine which most of the clean pools have. The only down side in this resort is the mosquitos. When we arrived from our island hopping we found a lot and I mean A LOT of mosquitos in our room. Good thing the management came quick when we ask them for mosquito spray and the plug type. After an hour all the mosquitos came out of our room and everything was ok. If you were to ask me everything is great in this resort and those mosquitos were not a problem since the management acted fast. 

Garden Wing 

Outside the Resort. On our way to our free 1 hour massage 

Just outside the Resort is a Spa where you can have your complimentary 1 hour massage 

A very very clean pool indeed

Entrance of the Resort 

A bar to serve the people swimming during the night 

Will I come back again? 
Yes! The beauty and ambiance of this place is really worth it. Though not a beach front it compensated on what they can offer to their guests a beautiful and serene place for your family. I will also recommend this place to my friends and family.

Location and Contact Information: 
Deevana Patong Beach Resort
43/2 Raj-U-Thid 200 Pee Road,
Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket
83150 Thailand
Tel num:  +66 (0)76 341414-5
                +66 (0)76 341170-5
Fax num: +66 (0)76 341706-5
Hotline:   +66 (0)83 106 7882   
Email: info@deevanapatong.com
Website: http://www.deevanapatong.com

Budget: 
- price is per night and includes breakfast
- these prices are available 1 month before. We booked 2 weeks before and we manage to get these prices. I learned that if you book 1 to 2 months before, it would be more expensive. The best time to book in an off peak season is 2 weeks before you arrive. Deevana offers a lot of choices which suits your budget, you can actually go to their website for more discounts and details.

Standard Garden Wing Room                               THB 1,139.05/ $36.42 USD/P1,500
Superior Garden Wing Room                                THB 1,425.00/ $45.56 USD/P2,000
Superior Spa Wing Room                                      THB 1,520.00/ $48.59 USD/P2,089
Deluxe Spa Wing Room                                         THB 2,550.00/$81.52 USD/P3,550
Junior Suite Spa Wing Room                                 THB 3,500.00/$111.90 USD/P4,800
   

Trader's Hotel, Penang, Malaysia

Penang, Malaysia is best known for their delicious and affordable food. I manage to stay 1 whole day previously in Penang because of work and now I stayed for 1 night again for work. It was my first time staying in Traders Hotel. The hotel is ok but not that fancy considering that it is owned and operated by Shangri-La Group. It is located in Georgetown which most people in Penang called the Island. 

I arrived around 8:00 am in Penang, went straight to work and check-in around 10pm after work. I did not have time to roam around and eat breakfast since I woke up pretty late and I need to check-out at 8:00 am for I need to fly back at night after work. Yes, I know it's tiring but that's work. Anyway since I didn't have the chance to roam around the hotel. I would just blog about the room. 

Traders hotel in Penang is quite old. They have a small elevator which does not need to use a card unlike those new ones in Kuala Lumpur. Like what I have mentioned from my previous blogs it's ok with me if I have small room but I need to have clean towels and sheets. They manage to give the things that I wanted so its fair. The room basically has a television (which I do not open) since I really don't like watching television, a sofa, bed, table, refrigerator and a small bathroom with everything you need. 

Big Bed for me 

I wish I could have swim in their pool 

Will I go back again? 
No. I think it's too expensive for me since I have been to other hotels which has bigger room and more freebies rather than breakfast. I think you only pay for the name that's why it's quite expensive even though it is paid by my company. If not for work I will look for cheaper hotels which delivers the same as Traders Hotel.

Location and Contact Information: 
Traders Hitel
Magazine Road, George Town, Penang
10300, Malaysia
Phone: (604) 262 2622
Email: thp@tradershotels.com
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/penang/traders/

Budget: 
- I got lower rates than the prices stated below for we have corporate rate
- all prices include Breakfast

Deluxe                                       P5,000/night
Traders Club Room                   P5,600/night
Executive Suite                         P8,300/night

Tapas, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tapas is a small Spanish savoury dish served with beer, that's why everything that you order in TAPAS  restaurant is free with beer. Normally the restaurants that I will be in will have free water but for most restaurants in Cambodia it will be BEER. That's why a lot of western people like going to Cambodia not only because of the Angkor Wat but because of the cheap beer! 

Relatively, Tapas have good Spanish x Khmer Food. Khmer by the way is the Khmer Empire or Angkor Empire which ruled most of the mainland South East Asia (Laos, Thailand and Vietnam). I ordered the Khmer food which consist of Beef and Pork with Carabao's cheese. It was definitely nice! It's really meaty and the cheese is fresh. A combination of these two is worth trying for. Fish Amok is what Renesh tried, called as the Cambodoa's national dish because of the presentation and the taste. It has coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves which makes it into a beautiful yellow coloured dish. It is usually served in a steamed banana-leaf cup which adds to the flavour of the food. 

Combination of different people dine in Tapas. I have managed to talk to some people here, like us some are travelling and some are here for business while we saw some locals who just wants to have a drink after a long day at work. One of the main reasons why I travel is not because of the sights that I see or the new foods that I try but it's about learning more on the History of one country and talking to people. I learned a lot not only on the country but on people's adventure while they are travelling and from their stories I'm more inspired to see the beauty of our world. 

Actual Expenses: in USD

-they accept USD or Riel (Cambodian Money) 

Tuk-tuk ride                                    $3.00 

Chocolate Crepe                             $1.50

Dinner                                             $8.25 (2 pax) 

Massage                                          $10.00 ($5/person)

Cambodia's version of Crepe. Again found this on the street side. I wish we have it in the Philippines 

Travelers, Businessmen and Locals having a good conversation after a long day 

Anchor is one of their local beers in Cambodia 

Fish Amok or Cambodia's National Dish 

Local people drinking after a long day at work 

Our bill in USD. I think it's pretty cheap! $8.25

Will I go back again? 
Yes!! I like to try more Cambodian Food! It's not spicy, it's normal like Philippine Food. They also use coconut as their main ingredient in most of their foods. In my opinion Tapas is one of the best places to eat when you are in Phnom Penh. They have good food and good service as well. Though the waiters find it hard to talk in English, still they are very nice and accommodating.

Location and Contact Information: 
-I did not have the chance to get their calling card. (will update once I find out the address and contact info)

Budget: 
$2.00 to $4.00 (per person: including beer)
P 80 to P180 (per person:including beer)

Dinner in Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, Thailand is one of the places to go to in South East Asia. If you are a beach bum like me then Phuket is definitely the place to be. Cheap, Relaxing, Fun- these are the 3 words which could describe my stay in Phuket for 4 days and 3 nights. After reaching our place we went out to find a place to eat. 

If you are looking for something Authentic just go out in the street and there are a lot of restaurants which sells fresh seafoods! Whenever we are in another country we always go to the street side restaurants. Why? because it is cheap and it's the real taste of a homemade local cuisine. 

Sweet and Sour Pork, Calamares and their famous Mango Sticky Rice are the dishes which we tried. Sweet and Sour Pork and Calamares is just ordinary for we can get it from other Asian countries as well but the only difference is that they serve their viands with edible flowers which is common in Thailand.  The Mango Sticky Rice can only be bought here (but I have seen some thai restaurants selling as well in Malaysia and Philippines) is to die for!!! Mango Sticky Rice basically is made of rice, mango and coconut milk which makes the rice stick together. It's sweet and the mango is so fresh and sweet as well. Same as that here in the Philippines. 

After having our dinner we decided to walk around and then spotted a crepe stall. Normally I can only see crepe in Restaurants or in the mall but here it's on the sidewalk! Ofcourse I bough one and lucky me they have my favourite Banana Chocolate Crepe. They also have other types of Crepe which you could choose at. One thing is it is delicious but cheap! To end the day a bottle of beer is a must! The beer here is cheap and the taste is good. If I remember correctly one bottle of beer cost around P40 or RM 3.00.

Sweet and Sour Pork with edible flowers on the side 

Calamares with edible flowers on the side as well 

Mango Sticky Rice!!!!

Watermelon shake and beer. 

A lot of foreigners eat on the street side as well because of the good food 

Big and delicious Banana Chocolate Crepe. Nice and cheap! I wish we have it here

Ending the night with beer 

Will I go back here again? 
Wrong question because I want to STAY here! I want to eat in Phuket everyday! :-)