smile’s ‘08 hotel awards
and the winners are…
CITY BOLTHOLE
A WINNER!
HYATT HOTEL AND CASINO MANILA
1588 Pedro Gil Corner MH Del Pilar, Malate, Manila, Philippines 1004, tel (2) 245 1234, www.manila.casino.hyatt.com
“A haven in the city. From the magnificent views across the Manila Bay, to the luxuriously appointed new rooms, the range of restaurants and the great service, it makes you feel ready for anything.” Madeleine Ensor.
KEMANG ICON BY ALILA
Jl Kemang Raya 1, Jakarta 12730, Indonesia, tel +62 21 719 7989, www.alilahotels.com/kemangicon
“Stylish and modern, Kemang Icon is a wonderful retreat from the buzz of Jakarta.” Scott Woodward
CHINA HOTEL BY MARIOTT
No 122 Liu Hua Lu, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510015 China, tel +86 20 8666 6888, www.marriott.com
“Perfect for getting around, a great casual Chinese restaurant, plus a good shopping arcade.” Rebecca Lo
LUXURY
A WINNER!
CROWN TOWERS
Avenide de Kwong Tung, Taipa, Macau, tel (853) 2886 8888,
www.crown-macau.com
“Offers great design, modern and earthy tones, fabulous pool with underwater music, great views towards downtown Macau and great restaurants and spa!” Bradley Cocks
HE FOUR SEASONS HONG KONG
8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, China, tel (852) 3196 8888, www.fourseasons.com/hongkong
“Generous guestrooms, penthouse suites with their own lap pool, a gorgeous outdoor pool with a view of the harbour, an international collection of fabulous dining, access to luxury shopping makes this hotel a winner for the well heeled.” Rebecca Lo
AMANPULO
Pamalican Islands, Palawan, Philippines, tel +63 2 759 4040, www.amanresorts.com
“It epitomises the ultimate holiday as we can imagine it – more than the overflowing luxury or the postcard-perfect views, it is the sense that you have truly escaped.” Irwin Cruz
FAMILIES
WINNER!
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD HOTEL
Hong Kong Disneyland, Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, China, tel+852 3510 5000, www.hongkongdisneyland.com
“Bold colours, abstract Mickey Mouse motifs, a fun arts and crafts room and a dedicated kids’ room near the check-in counter to keep the little ones entertained makes this hotel a favorite for Hong Kong Disneyland visitors, or simply a getaway that will please all members of the family.” Rebecca Lo
SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA MANILA CCP
Complex Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1300 Manila, Philippines, tel (2) 551 5555, www.sofitel.com
“Families can enjoy the buffet in Spiral together! The kids could also go swimming in their beautiful pool, while adults jog and look at the sunset.” Sam Oh
CLUB MED RIA BINTAN
Site A11 Lagoi, Bintan Island, Indonesia, tel
(62) 770 692 801, www.clubmed.com
“A huge array of programs, nightly shows, water sports, a kids’ centre and buffet meals means little ones will find this hotel paradise. A trapeze allows children to pretend they have run away and joined a circus, if only for an hour or so.” Rebecca Lo
CITY ESCAPE
WINNER!
THE SENTOSA SINGAPORE, SPA & RESORT
2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, Singapore 099891, tel (65) 6275 0331, www.thesentosa.com
“The hotel in Singapore where it feels like you have gone on holiday, but not had to fly anywhere.” Julian Peterson
CARCOSA SERI NEGARA
Taman Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tel +603 2295 8888, www.ghmhotels.com
“For colonial grandeur right near the heart of a city they don’t get much more peaceful than Carcosa Seri Negara. The relative quiet is thanks to the fact that there are only 13 rooms. Look carefully and you can make out the city skyline through the trees, and the centre of town is only 15 minutes drive away.” Tony Watts
THE DHARMAWANGSA HOTEL
Jl Brawijaya Raya No 26, Kebayoran Baru Jakarta 12160 Indonesia, tel 62 21 7258181, www.the-dharmawangsa.com
“The jasmine-scented halls of this intimate, tropical-colonial style boutique hotel never fail to impress, with subtle, luxurious touches like personalized guest stationery and a swimming pool overhung with gnarled frangipani trees. The best chocolate martini in the city. Try a chocolate body treatment to match at the upstairs spa.” Harumi Supit
SECLUDED BEACH
WINNER!
BAY’S INN
Aurora, Luzon, tel (042) 209 4312.
Also contact the Aurora Tourism Office, tel (042) 209 4373 for more information
“No amount of rough road discourages you from visiting Baler in Aurora, one of the Luzon provinces forming part of the Pacific coastline of the Philippines. The beaches are definitely worth visiting. Bay’s Inn in Sabang Beach provides great accommodation for those who want to tour Aurora’s many secluded beaches.” Ivan Henares
DRIFTWOOD VILLAGE
Sugar Beach, Barangay Nauhang, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, tel 920 252 9474, www.driftwood-village.com
“With a convivial staff, good Thai food, bar sports, and a gaggle of cosy nipa huts catering to all budgets, Driftwood has everything you need.” Greg Blooom
THE ANANYANA
Doljo Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, tel 38 502 8101, www.ananyana.com
“A designer retreat that will appeal to the chic.” Irwin Cruz.
DRAMATIC VIEWS
WINNER!
INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG
18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China tel +852 2721 1211, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com
“Stroll to the spa deck and enjoy the beautiful greenery, three infinity pools and a view of Victoria Harbour that will take your breath away (particularly at night).” Scott Woodward
LEBUA AT STATE TOWER
1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, tel +66 2624 9999, www.lebua.com
“Lebua Bangkok has wonderful public areas perched at the top of the hotel for guests to enjoy. Both dining and drinking options are world class.” Bradley Cocks
BANAUE HOTEL
Banaue Ifugao, Luzon, tel (074) 386 4087
“Imagine waking up to the cool Banaue morning with view of the rice terraces and tree-covered mountains. That becomes a reality in the Banuae Hotel with rooms, function rooms and a restaurant that provides panoramic views of the rice terraces.” Ivan Heng
ROMANCE
WINNER!
DISCOVERY SHORES
Station 1, Balabag, Boracay Island, Philippines, tel +63 36 288 4500, www.discoveryshoresboracay.com
”This hotel just made my jaw drop. Impeccable service! And the bed is SO humongous! It’s beautifully designed and has everything you need, even an iPod dock.” Sam Oh
THE ORIENTAL BANGKOK
48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok, Thailand, tel +66 (2) 659 9000, www.mandarinoriental.com
“A colonial icon and a must-visit for a romantic getaway with your sweetheart. Enjoy high tea in the Author’s Lounge in the afternoon and jazz, cocktails and cigars in the Bamboo Bar in the evening.” Scott Woodward
POUSADA DE SAO TIAGO
Avenida da Republica, Fortaleza de Sao Tiago da Barra, Macau, China, tel: 853 28378111, www.saotiago.com.mo
“What could be more romantic than a stay in an old fort where battles defending Macau from invaders used to be waged?” Rebecca Lo
SPA
WINNER!
THE FARM AT SAN BENITO
119 Barangay Tipakan, Lipa City,
Batangas, Philippines tel (2) 884 8074,
www.thefarm.com.ph
“Incredible.” Greg Bloom
SHANGRI-LA EDSA
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Centre,
Mandaluyong City, Manila, tel (2) 633 8888,
www.shangri-la.com
“Recent renovations turned a section of the
hotel into a CHI spa, and treatments include
the brands’ signature massages as well as
ones inspired by Filipino rituals. There is
also a yoga studio, spa guestrooms, a salon
for hair and nails, and a separate entry for
daytrippers.” Rebecca Lo
LANDMARK MANDARIN ORIENTAL
HONG KONG
15 Queen’s Road Central, The Landmark,
Central, Hong Kong, China, tel +852 2132
0188, www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark
“An idyllic haven deep in the heart of
thrumming Hong Kong.” Madeleine Ensor
RESTAURANT AND BAR
WINNER!
VERTIGO GRILL & MOON BAR,
BANYAN TREE BANGKOK
21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon, Bangkok
10120, Thailand, tel +66 2 6791200, www.banyantree.com
“The seafood is delicious and creatively
cooked and presented, but the view will do
its best to distract you, even if you’re just
marveling at how easy it would be to fall off.”
Julian Peterson
SABATINI, THE ROYAL GARDEN
The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha
Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China,
tel +852 2733 2000, www.rgh.com.hk
“Sabatini’s is where the local Italians go to
dine.” Rebecca Lo
TIVOLI, MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL
Makati Avenue, Makati City 1226, Metro
Manila, Philippines, tel (2) 750 8888,
ww.mandarinoriental.com/manila
“Lush environment and richly decadent
food.” Madeleine Ensor
NIGHTLIFE
WINNER!
HOTEL LKF
33 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, China tel +852 3518 9688, www.hotel-lkf.com.hk
“Perched right above the hopping bar area of Lan Kwai Fong and within walking distance of the Soho restaurant district, Hotel LKF is slick, stylish and sumptuous. It also features its own al fresco restaurant lounge, Azure, and seafood establishment, La Mer.” Rebecca Lo
HOTEL MAYA, 138
138 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, tel +60 3 2711 8866, www.hotelmaya.com.hk
“Only a few minutes walk from
the Petronas Twin Towers, the
spectacular views are best from
the Sky Lounge on the 13th level.
The bar is exclusively for the use
of house guests, but never fear;
the midnight closing time is about
when Zouk club directly across the
road starts firing up.” Tony Watts
THE VENETIAN MACAU
Estrada de baia DN Sen Hora da
Esperanca, S/N, The Cotai Strip,
Taipa, Macau, China,
tel +853 2882 8888, www.venetianmacau.com
“The Venetian is a city within a
city; the one million people who
visited in the first few weeks were
onto something. Enjoy bars,
restaurants, dancing, the casino or
even catch a concert, Black Eyed
Peas and Beyonce, were recent
performers.” Michael Keating.
BEDS
WINNER!
THE WESTIN KUALA LUMPUR
199 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, 55100 Malaysia, tel +60 3 2731 8333, www.starwoodhotels.com/westin
“Heavenly Bed is actually a Starwood registered trademark, but it is more than just marketing – these beds are so comfortable that you’d rather lie-in than do just about anything. Fortunately, the Westin is right on Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang shopping strip, so there is plenty of motivation to get out of bed, at least in time for some shopping and a meal.” Tony Watts
HILTON KUALA LUMPUR
3 Jalan Stesen Sentral,, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tel +60 3 2264 2264, www.hilton.com
“Two words. Pillow. Menu.” Scott Woodward
PANEL OF EXPERTS:
Greg Bloom
American Bloom has lived
in Manila since 2004. He
writes for Lonely Planet,
Sydney Morning Herald
and South China Morning
Post among others.
Bradley Cocks
Senior vice president of
Kiwi Collection, the luxury
hotel guides, Cocks is
originally from Canada,
but now manages the
Asia Pacific portfolio
for Kiwi Collection from
Sydney.
Irwin Cruz
Formerly associate editor
of Colors Magazine,
Cruz also worked as an
editor in Bangkok and
contributed to Thailand:
A Traveller’s Companion.
His work has appeared in
High Life, Lecool Madrid
and Neo2 España. After
spending time in Italy
and Spain, he now lives in
Baguio and Manila.
Andrew Dembina
A freelance travel, food and
feature writer and editor,
Dembina contributes to
international magazines,
newspapers and guide
books. Based in Hong
Kong.
Madeleine Ensor
Has the best job in the
world – Editor of Smile.
Ivan Henares
Traveler, backpacker and
explorer of the Philippines,
he records his adventures
on popular blogsite www.ivanhenares.com
MIchael Keating
Group Editorial Director
for Ink Publishing, Keating
travels extensively to Ink
offices around the world,
and checks out plenty of
hotels along the way.
Anne Loh
Deputy Editor of Jetstar
magazine and avid
traveler across South East
Asia and Australia.
Rebecca Lo
A former editor and
now freelance writer
specializing in design,
lifestyle and travel,
Hong Kong-based Lo
was the founding editor
of Hospitality Design
Asia Pacific & Middle
East and contributes to
many magazines and
newspapers.
Sam Oh
Filipino radio and TV show
host and travel lover.
Julian Peterson
Marketing Manager for
Time Out Singapore, bar
and nightclub owner and
jetsetter.
Harumi Supit
A frequent contributor
to travel and lifestyle
magazines. Presently
living in Jakarta, she is
a hotel connoisseur and
enjoys using up air miles.
Tony Watts
Freelance Australian
writer and photographer
Watts has been based in
Singapore for 10 years. He
has written i love it here– thailand and i love it
here – south-east asia.
Scott Woodward
Canadian born
photographer Woodward,
has lived in Asia for 10
years. Travel is one of his
passions and he works for
numerous magazines and
newspapers.