Sawadikap: Introduction

Sawadikap! Mak Mak! Khob Khun Krab! Can you now guess where Seeing The World In Steps is visiting next? After much deliberation and taking advantages of a sudden hotel promotion, I have finally decided on the next place to go. Wanderlust embeds in me! I am always on the look out to travel, only if my bank and leave balance can keep up with those travelling cells running in me right? As it turn out, I have actually much leave left, definitely can’t waste it and stay in Singapore right, thoes cells will definitely fight it ah! One of my cabin crew friend always say, she literally walk to all her destination, but for me, this is one place that I would really like to slow down the pace, taking it in slowly and have a relaxing time seeing Bangkok in steps. Food, message, sleep, yes this are all I am planning to do for this 5 days in Bangkok. Probably I would love to visit The Grand Palace also, since I hadn’t been there despite my numerous time in Bangkok! What a way to start sharing about this new place in STWIS. Erwan Shrine will also be a definitely visit for all my Bangkok trip. I will share the main highlights that I have plan for this trip and also some of the products that I will be reviewing.

For the past month, there is so many happenings in the travel industry. Both Starwood and Hilton have been offering great discount on their promotion campaign, especially Starwood on their Semi-Annual Sale, offering up to 50% for rooms worldwide. This is so tempting to me. I had even wanted to chance on a Oman Air promotion to fly business class from Kuala Lumpur to Germany for only 1.4k. The temptation was so high that I had almost wanted to click book, but managed to hold it off since a trip to Europe now doesn’t really work for me now! This trip was actually an impromptu one, literally just booked the hotels and ticket like 3 weeks ago. The main reason for going on this trip was due to this irresistible hotel promo, gotta say my thanks to Ben from Onemileatatime. I chance upon the Hilton promotions at Visa Signature Luxury Hotel collection. Available at more than 50 hotels worldwide on Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and Curio properties. These properties are part of the Hilton group, so if you are a fan of their program this promotion is the man for you!

Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection is something like the Amex Fine Hotel & Resort or the Mastercard World Elite Hotel Collection. Theses hotel programs provided you with vip status and also other benefits when you book thru them, of course you gotta pay with the respective card. You will also earn points and clock nights on the hotel loyalty program too! I personally don’t prefer to book with them as the rate tend to be higher than those found directly on websites like booking.com or direct from the hotel website. It is usually a flexible rate and gives benefit like:

• Best available rate guarantee
• Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, when available
• Complimentary continental breakfast daily
• $25 USD food or beverage credit
• VIP Guest status
• 3PM check-out upon request, when available

Sometimes they might provide a special amenity or perks like message or even more dining or spa credits also. Such hotels programs are an additional route for you to compare when finding hotel. The promo was deemed to be too good to be true as it offers a one free night when you book a min stay of 2 nights, the free night will be subtracted upon check out. That really means that when you book a 2 night stay, the last night will be free. The rule is that there will only be a max of one free night throughout your stay and back to back stay within 24hours won’t be counted. The cancellation policy was also extremely generous, with no charges when done 1 day in advance. In addition there is currently a double points promotion on HHonours and Visa is offering a 75USD gift card for rooms book before Nov 30. Although I suspect that I might not be able to get the gift card since it is for US card holders only. Given it being so good, at first they were offering the promotion till end of the year, but after 48 hours, they claim overwhelming response and the quotas for the promotion were fully booked. The gift card is still available though so act fast US readers.

Given that it is Conrad, the upscale brand of Hilton groups, I was so tempted! Surely can’t pass up this great opportunity to try it out and review it, furthermore I have never stayed at a Conrad before, I decided to head for Conrad Bangkok since it work my schedule and plane tickets were affordable too! Bangkok is also a great place for me to recharge and rest. The trick I used was to register and book the rooms under two different name, like this I could have a back to back stay and take full advantage of this promotion. I will probably request to have the same room and if not changing room in the same hotel is just a slight inconvenience that i would gladly do for this bargain. The rate was roughly 580 SGD including taxes, this will be for 4 nights. Given this price and the quality of the hotel it is a bargain, furthermore with points which I suspect will earn on the 2 paying nights and also the 50USD F&B credit, the net damage was 510SGD. That comes to around 130SGD per night. In addition, I my a Hilton Gold member so I hope I will be able to score a suite upgrade during my stay and get some nice reviews done. 500Bucks for a 5 day getaway with a 5 star hotel, that’s a pretty nice way for a nice getaway.

I decided to just fly budget, considering that it is only a 2 hours flight and also it is really affordable, although the booking fees were horrible. Singaporeans just hate booking fees. So always take into consideration of booking fees and luggage add on when comparing budget airlines and also full fledged airlines. Sometimes flying a full airline might be around the same price too! The tickets came around to 110SGD per person. Lounge wise I will be visiting the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 again and I hope this time I will be able to provide an alternative perspective since it will be in the morning this time around and in Bangkok I will be trying out the highly recommended Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge. I will not be reviewing the Jetstar flights since there are basically just a seat on the journey, a no fills airlines. The seats were also cramped, basically my commitment for budget airline would be limited to South East Asia. Destination wise, I will include night markets, restaurants, spa. It’s a little sad to visit right after the King has passed away, here, the monarch is well respected. Depending on the situation I might not be able to visit the night markets and definitely The Grand Palace is a no go. These are the posts that I intend to do, I may add more, depending on the places that visit.

• Sawadikap: Introduction
• Sawadikap: Plaza Premium Lounge Changi Airport Terminal 1
• Sawadikap: Conrad Bangkok
• Sawadikap: Kalpapruek Restaurant
• Sawadikap: After You Dessert & Cafe
• Sawadikap: Rod Fai Ratchada
• Sawadikap: Eating, Travelling and Shopping In Bangkok
• Sawadikap: Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Bangkok Travel Itinerary

With this, I probably would have sum up my travelling for 2016, although maybe, perhaps, I might even squeeze in a pop short trip at the end of the year! You never know yea! Bali? Hanoi? What do you guys think?