Come Sleep
Supreme Stay in Seoul At the heart of Korea’s Silicon Valley sites DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, ready to serve all travellers both business and staycation. It targets “unpretentious comfort-seekers who appreciate being taken care of and value human connections”. Setting the Scene The first full-service upscale hotel in Seongnam, DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo sits a short 10-minute drive to Pangyo Techno Valley with its IT and medical industries, and a distance of 58 km from Incheon International Airport and 16 km from Gangnam Station in southern Seoul. Still, it is surrounded by nature with most rooms showcasing a mountain view, and the colour palette is neutral and muted, inspired by the lush foliage surrounding the property. I was welcomed warmly in high-ceilinged lobby where an efficient staff completed my check-in in no time at all. I was told that the hotel consists of a total of 432 hotel rooms and 162 residences, and offers and indoor swimming pool, sauna, outdoor tennis court, a screen golf range as well as the largest state-of-art banquet facility in the area – basically, everything one would really need for a happy stay, be it for business or leisure. Getting Comfortable I was happy seeing ceiling-to-floor windows in my Premium Corner Room (43 sqm), with a view of foliage on the grounds. The abundant natural light that came into the room was welcoming and set me at ease. The separate cloak room was located opposite the washroom which was behind a solid wooden sliding door. The in-room facilities were of premium quality. I enjoyed the scented Crabtree & Evelyn amenities, and soaking in the tub while overlooking the verdant view. DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo is truly a good “home away from home” in Pangyo, I assure you. Dining Options Demeter keeps all guests very satisfied with its buffets, though it offers an à la carte menu as well. You’ll find local and international options to keep your stomach happy all day long. Do watch out for complimentary bites of local “Comfort Food” as well, which aim to nourish the soul. Mine was a bowl of Doenjang Jjigae, a stew which was hearty and filling. On a higher note is Nyx, the sleek rooftop bar and bistro offering tasty fusion bites and a panorama of the city. Why I’d Return The Ambassadors of Feel Good Moments (assigned staff) did a marvellous job making me feel comfortable and welcome from check-in till check-out. In addition to the signature warm cookie welcome, I received a welcome message in my guestroom written in my own language. Additionally, the staff knew about my upcoming birthday. Such personal touches and warm hospitality elevated my stay and impression of the hotel. One or Two Quibbles… The automatic light in the cloakroom kept turning off while I was still unpacking; I must have been taking too long. I had to exit and then re-enter the cloakroom to turn it back on. DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo 26 Baekhyeon-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea 13553 T: +82 34 678 5500 F: +82 31 678 5600 W: DoubleTreebyHiltonSeoulPangyo.com IG:
Be Merry
Because it is the festive time of the year, no matter where you are, the celebration rings at the heart. From the sandy shores of Vietnam and Bali to the beachfronts of Thailand’s most popular getaways and Yangon, Meliá Hotels & Resorts is getting festive with a range of holiday offerings for all ages. Thailand Christmas Eve in Meliá Koh Samui is special as Santa will be dropping by The Breeza Beach Restaurant & Bar with gifts for the kids during the buffet dinner that runs from 7 pm to 10 pm and features various live stations. To ring in the new year, Meliá Koh Samui is hosting a Glitz & Glamour-themed gala dinner buffet beneath the stars on the garden lawn at Koko Kitchen. With live entertainment, laser shows, a fire dancing performance, and prizes on offer through a lucky draw, the evening will be one to remember. Heading North, Meliá Chiang Mai will be offering sky-high parties, a lively buffet, a four-course dinner, and a special ‘Festive Afternoon Tea’ with sweet and savory treats this holiday season. Santa Claus will visit Laan Na Kitchen during their ‘Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet,’ and the 22nd floor Mai the Sky Bar will host a ‘Christmas Eve R&B Night’ with live music. On Christmas Day, Mai Restaurant & Bar will serve a four-course Northern Thai set dinner, and upstairs at Mai the Sky Bar, there will be a ‘Christmas Day Pop-Rock Night’ with a performance by Ripeye from 8 pm to 11 pm. Vietnam At Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort, the festivities begin with a party to celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree. Throughout the month, there’s a host of activities for families, including Christmas ornament coloring and a Christmas biscuit workshop. Santa will make an appearance on Christmas Eve from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the Breeza Restaurant. On Christmas Day, Breeza will be the location for a barbecue night featuring lobster, prawns, and steaks. On New Year's Eve, they’ll offer a Mediterranean-themed à la carte menu, followed by a countdown party on the beach from 10:30 pm with a DJ, fire dance, and other performances. Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh is set to light its Christmas tree on December 10th with a party for guests. “Santa in Town” will be held at the Lobby Lounge from 6 pm to 7:30 pm and will include canapés and mulled wine along with live piano, carol singing, and cookies for the kids. All Meliá Vinpearl properties, spread throughout the country, have tree lighting events planned along with festive and indulgent feasts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year too. On Christmas Eve at Meliá Vinpearl Cam Ranh, there will be a pre-dinner cocktail party at Elyxr Garden from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm with Spanish sangria, signature cocktails, and canapés, along with live music and a magician for the children. The Christmas-themed buffet at Merkado will include international fare and free-flow beer, soft drinks, and juices. Several properties have special kids' classes throughout the month of December, including Meliá
Chasing Light
Festive times gather lights from around the world to paint the world with magical hues, and Macao is one of the destinations that shines out the light of joy beyond time. This year, the famous “Light up Macao 2023” organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in collaboration with six integrated resort enterprises, will showcase its wondrous amusement from now until 25th February 2024 under the theme “Dazzling Wonderland.” The lighting plans include a variety of romantic and colorful light installations, interactive installations, and mapping shows on Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. The enchanting light arts will illuminate the city, creating a unique wonderland at night that will not only be the talk of the town but also a world wonder. Expect the scene of Macao lighting up not just for the festive season, but the Dazzling lighting event will span major festivities such as the Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Renri, and the Chinese Lantern Festival in 34 locations across seven districts: Central District, Praia do Manduco District, Nam Van District, Zona Nova de Aterros do Porto Exterior (NAPE), Northern District, Taipa, and Coloane. There will be 36 light installations, 20 interactive installations, and 3 mapping show venues. The illuminations and interactive installations will light up different corners of communities at different stages. The highlights of the event include the Projection mapping shows at the front square of the Macao Science Center, Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa (the façade of Cozinha Pinocchio Taipa), and the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier in Coloane. The projection teams are from Macao and the two UNESCO Creative Cities of Design – Seoul, Korea, and Wuhan, China. Their participation manifests the glamour of creative cities’ collaboration across fields in Macao and contributes to the concerted development of “tourism + culture and creativity.” In addition to making memories last longer and expand wider, visitors are invited to take photos on-site to share with the hashtags #lightupmacao2023 or #illuminateinmacau2023 on social media or obtain postcards and collect stamps at the information stations in various districts. Each stamp is themed after the major installation of each corresponding district. Upon collecting all the stamps in seven districts, a mobile phone holder as a gift can be obtained, and you can enter the grand lucky draw. Gifts will be available while stocks last. For more information, please visit the website for Light up Macao 2023 👉 https://lum.macaotourism.gov.mo