DEL style Ikebukuro Higashiguchi by Daiwa Roynet Hotel
Showing posts with label hotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hotel. Show all posts
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Japan: Kawagoe Tobu Hotel
Kawagoe Tobu Hotel
Address: 8-1, Wakitahoncho, Kawagoe, Japan, 350-1123
https://www.tobuhotel.co.jp/kawagoe2020/
Travel Date: May 2025, 2 nights
Sunday, June 11, 2017
2017 June: Hong Kong: Kowloon: West Hotel
Address: No.39 Wai Ching Street, Jordan Road, Yaumatei, Jordan, Hong Kong
偉晴軒 九龍油麻地佐敦道偉晴街39號, 佐敦, 香港
Contact: westhotel[@]westhotel.com.hk
Book West Hotel, Hong Kong in Agoda
Dates Stayed: June 04-07, 2017 (3 nights)
Price: Average - Family Suite (No Breakfast) PHP 10,583.28 for 3 nights
Sunday, December 7, 2014
2014 Nov: Japan: Tokyo: Hotel Horidome Villa
Hotel Horidome Villa (Tokyo, Japan)
Address: 1-10-10 Horidome-Cho Nihonbashi,Chuo-Ku, Tokyo Station / Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan
Stayed: Nov 29-Dec 03, 2014 (4 nights)
Price - Affordable for a decent and a bit old hotel in the middle of expensive city of Tokyo. Small Double Bed - Non Smoking with Free Wi-Fi (PHP 9,494.23 (USD 217.69), 2014). I found this the cheapest in agoda.com, but willing to try airbnb.com for my next trip in Nagoya.
Also, the price fit my Agoda points, so I got a night free of charge. Thanks to Agoda.
Location - Accessible. Located in Chuo City (near Tokyo) and is in between 2 stations that are connected to different Lines which makes it very accessible.
- Ningyōchō Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line; Toei Asakusa Line)
- Kodemmachō Station (Hibiya Line)
From the Airport:
The cheapest option to take is Narita Access Line.
At Asakusa or Higashi-Nihombashi station, transfer to Hibiya Line to reach Ningyocho (Exit 6 is with elevator service) cross towards Exit 5 and continue walking along Ningyocho St.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Hotel Il Coure
Arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX)
It is my second time to arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Since I'll always be out for the earlier time of the day and can't wait for the opening of foreign exchange in Namba, I decided to exchange most of my USD on the counter outside the terminal near the ticket machines for Nankai.
It is my second time to arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Since I'll always be out for the earlier time of the day and can't wait for the opening of foreign exchange in Namba, I decided to exchange most of my USD on the counter outside the terminal near the ticket machines for Nankai.
Instead of using the ICOCA machine reload, I went to the ICOCA office for them to do the reload on my behalf. (Before hand, I already have the computation of my estimated train expenses. In total, I’ll spend 10000yen (5000php, 2014) for my 4days-3nights stay in Kansai.)
Going to the Accommodation
From the airport station, I took the Express Rapid Train (yen). Arrived at Namba Station and took escalators going to Swiss Hotel exit gates. It is just nearby Subway Exit 5 and main pedestrian crossing going to Hotel Il Coure Namba.
Price: Average - For walk-ins, it would cost 9000 yen. So try look for early bird discounts. I got my 3 nights stay for 20000 yen (8500 php, 2014)
Location: Superb - Very accessible from Namba Station. Take subway exit 5 or exit going to Swiss Hotel. Staying in Namba means you have direct access from and to the airport, you can take Midosuji Line and Sennichimae Line. You can also see Namba Parks and Takashimaya. There are a lot of convenient stores and restaurants around the area.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
2012 March: Toyoko Inn, Seomyeon Busan
Travel Date: March 28 - April 1, 2012
Been dreaming of seeing sakura, but just the plane ticket going to Japan is too expensive - that was in September 2011 when I booked this flight. It will be my birthday treat and also to fulfill that personal unlisted bucket list.
Let me start with our adventure. I got my Busan map from the Tourist Information Center in Seoul last November 2011. After studying this trip for almost 4 months, I'd say the resources found on the net are still limited for Busan.
We just landed at Gimhae International Airport and I immediately noticed that their international airport is a lot smaller than Seoul. After 9pm, the foreign exchange counter outside the arrival gates were already closed. I asked permission from the officer to allow us to go back inside the secured arrival hall as we need to exchange money, he asked for our passports and let us get in.
Unlike Seoul, you cannot purchase any transport or tourist card from 7-11 convenient store inside the airportr. 7-11 store also don’t even allow top-up value for t-money. The information says that we can deposit to the card via atm bank, too bad I was not able make it work.
From the airport train station, we drop-off at Sasang to transfer on Line 2 (green) with Seomyeon as our final station. Exit 8 is a long staircase (no escalator or elevator near this exit), on the ground level you’ll see Starbucks on your left side.
From the station, it took us around 10-15 minutes to reach Toyoko Inn. The front desk speaks clear English but they are familiar to basic words only. We asked about ‘is there a curfew on the hotel’, and she can’t understand us. So you have to rephrase your questions on basic language, ‘does the door close after 12mn?’ or the like. Aside from the payment for your room, you will also be asked for the key deposit (which of course is given back upon your check-out).
Hotel: Toyoko Inn Busan Seo-myeon
Address: 614-865 666-8, Jeonpo-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Book Toyoko Inn Busan Seomyeon, Busan in AgodaPhotos below is Room Type:Non-smoking Double A
Sunday, February 20, 2011
2011 February: Vietnam: Hanoi: Flight, Hotel and the Old Quarter
I got my tickets last year (April 2010) for this February 2011 travel to Vietnam via Cebu Pacific for about 3500php. Since both countries were members of ASEAN, us Filipinos don’t need visa anymore. I don’t know anything as to what happened to Vietnam wars, on how recent it is or on the effects on simple families living there – until I had a quick chat with my friend. I would consider this as one of my hard core Asian trips, still willing to go to Cambodia given a chance. But will not try the farther routes of Laos, Burma or India.
Travel Date: February 13, 2011
Destination: HCMC Airport and Hanoi Old Quarter
My flight from Manila left at 23pm, and arrived at HCMC Airport at 1am. There is a time difference on Manila and Vietnam, it is one hour earlier in Vietnam (GMT+7). I’m already expecting to be sleeping at the airport since my next flight going to Hanoi is at 6am. But I never thought that the airports in HCMC shuts down.
From International Terminal, you have to out of the gates, turn left and follow the signs going to Domestic Terminal. All the entrance gates going to the Terminal are closed. No lights, few people outside – so where am I going to sleep here? On the not so clean chairs outside an open area lobby with the mosquitoes biting me? No way! I went back to the International Terminal, hoping that this is open, I thought that the escalator is also not working, but you just have to step on it for it to work. No lights anymore as well, nor air-conditioners, but there are one or two helpers in some of the restaurants at the Business Lobby. Not until I reached the area, were I suppose to be an expensive restaurant, I saw one sleeping on the floor with pillows from the dining chairs, also a family starting to nap as well. Then I decided, that this is the best place to stay for at least 3 hours of light sleep. At 4am, after some refreshments, I headed to the Domestic Terminal again, still closed but more people are waiting outside. For 6am flight, they opened the check-in at 5am, people were like rushing on the lines – luckily I’m the 3rd one who was able to check-in. This is the first time I has experience that upon setting my feet at Tarmac, we have to take short bus trips going to the Airport building. Why? It was freezing cold – 10 degrees! Another thing I noticed, there is no Arrival Card to be filled-up for the Immigration.
At Hanoi Airport, there are lots of people – International and Domestic Terminals are on same building on a smaller area. 
There are also more than 3 Foreign Exchange counters to choose from.
After doing my errands, I tried to find my Hotel pick-up driver. It was a long 45 minute drive from the airport to the Old Quarter. “What took you so long?”, the concierge asked me, haha! I’m staying at Thaison Hotel II. The manager is kind to offer me free breakfast even if I just arrived at their hotel. The hotel is clean, offers free internet, also has guided tours desk, with service elevator and with rooms until 7th floor. The room is well lighted, cabinet is with 5 hangers, tea cups, water thermos, toiletries (tooth brush, soap, shampoo, sewing kit) are available, soft double bed with 4 pillows, and a massage shower – a very nice place to stay. What I don’t like are the towels, the ants on the floor and having no English news channel.
As I finally settled and had some rest, I’m now ready to roam around the Old Quarter. I started at Hoan Kiem Lake, paying 10,000vnd you’ll find their temple and different kinds of Buddha statue they worship. Nothing is special I found on this place, but paying 40php for the ticket is not a loss. I continue to walk further until I reached St. Joseph’s Church. It was an old church and also picturesque.
If I’ll do it again, I would now choose Ho Chi Minh Temple over Tolia. I was looking forward on seeing cheaper North Face jackets in Tolia – and all was just a disappointment. The sizes they have were too big, some were obviously fake (especially those that are in the streets). Walking at the Old Quarter, is so a good experience, you see: most of the people seated on the street side simply just watching people as they pass by, a lot of local products (bags, woven wall decorations, etc.), restaurants offering small stools and pho and of course a lot of motorcycles coming from all directions.
I was also able to watched the Water Puppet Show in Hanoi for 60000vnd.
Here is what Hanoi looks during the night. 
Travel Date: February 13, 2011
Destination: HCMC Airport and Hanoi Old Quarter
My flight from Manila left at 23pm, and arrived at HCMC Airport at 1am. There is a time difference on Manila and Vietnam, it is one hour earlier in Vietnam (GMT+7). I’m already expecting to be sleeping at the airport since my next flight going to Hanoi is at 6am. But I never thought that the airports in HCMC shuts down.
From International Terminal, you have to out of the gates, turn left and follow the signs going to Domestic Terminal. All the entrance gates going to the Terminal are closed. No lights, few people outside – so where am I going to sleep here? On the not so clean chairs outside an open area lobby with the mosquitoes biting me? No way! I went back to the International Terminal, hoping that this is open, I thought that the escalator is also not working, but you just have to step on it for it to work. No lights anymore as well, nor air-conditioners, but there are one or two helpers in some of the restaurants at the Business Lobby. Not until I reached the area, were I suppose to be an expensive restaurant, I saw one sleeping on the floor with pillows from the dining chairs, also a family starting to nap as well. Then I decided, that this is the best place to stay for at least 3 hours of light sleep. At 4am, after some refreshments, I headed to the Domestic Terminal again, still closed but more people are waiting outside. For 6am flight, they opened the check-in at 5am, people were like rushing on the lines – luckily I’m the 3rd one who was able to check-in. This is the first time I has experience that upon setting my feet at Tarmac, we have to take short bus trips going to the Airport building. Why? It was freezing cold – 10 degrees! Another thing I noticed, there is no Arrival Card to be filled-up for the Immigration.
There are also more than 3 Foreign Exchange counters to choose from.
After doing my errands, I tried to find my Hotel pick-up driver. It was a long 45 minute drive from the airport to the Old Quarter. “What took you so long?”, the concierge asked me, haha! I’m staying at Thaison Hotel II. The manager is kind to offer me free breakfast even if I just arrived at their hotel. The hotel is clean, offers free internet, also has guided tours desk, with service elevator and with rooms until 7th floor. The room is well lighted, cabinet is with 5 hangers, tea cups, water thermos, toiletries (tooth brush, soap, shampoo, sewing kit) are available, soft double bed with 4 pillows, and a massage shower – a very nice place to stay. What I don’t like are the towels, the ants on the floor and having no English news channel.
As I finally settled and had some rest, I’m now ready to roam around the Old Quarter. I started at Hoan Kiem Lake, paying 10,000vnd you’ll find their temple and different kinds of Buddha statue they worship. Nothing is special I found on this place, but paying 40php for the ticket is not a loss. I continue to walk further until I reached St. Joseph’s Church. It was an old church and also picturesque.
If I’ll do it again, I would now choose Ho Chi Minh Temple over Tolia. I was looking forward on seeing cheaper North Face jackets in Tolia – and all was just a disappointment. The sizes they have were too big, some were obviously fake (especially those that are in the streets). Walking at the Old Quarter, is so a good experience, you see: most of the people seated on the street side simply just watching people as they pass by, a lot of local products (bags, woven wall decorations, etc.), restaurants offering small stools and pho and of course a lot of motorcycles coming from all directions.
I was also able to watched the Water Puppet Show in Hanoi for 60000vnd.
Here is what Hanoi looks during the night. 
Sunday, November 14, 2010
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 1: Arrival and Siam Niramit Show
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 1: Arrival and Siam Niramit Show
Baggage Carousel numbers are not announced on plane nor posted on the end of the exit tube. You have to check them on the video screen before reaching the Immigration counter. After spending 30mins to 1 hour in the Immigration queue, we were now able to get our baggage. For those who avail tour packages with PAL, the name of the agency they are connected into is KBS Travel (http://www.kbsbookingonline.com/ or http://www.kbsthailand.com/). Always follow-up with PAL or KBS on your arrival instructions. For us, it is to Exit at Gate C located at the left most side of the Arrival Terminal (Level 2). This gate is located near Baggage Carousel Nos. 18-23. The KBS guide will be holding a KBS placard with clients' lead name.
Exchange rate in the airport is not good, but you may need to exchange some of your money to be used for the advance payment in the hotel.
You will wait for all other clients who avail the Swingaround promo before boarding a 10 passenger van.
Travel from the airport to Hotel is about 45 minutes.
Ibis Siam Hotel (has already been renamed to Seasons Siam Hotel, 2018) is located in 97 Rajaprarop Road Makkasan which is just a bus away from Pratunam area and mall district. The hotel is a different 3 star hotel among the others. The Ibis philosophy is to give “value for money” - they do not have room service and no bell boys. If you directly booked to the Hotel, the rate for a Standard Room is THB2000. We booked our hotel together with the Swingaround promo and it already includes a breakfast buffet.
Hotels in Bangkok also has a standard practice where guests should give an advance payment though you already paid the whole booking over the credit card. We paid THB2000 as an advance payment in case we make international calls and/or take sodas from the fridge.
Standard room is okay based on my preference. It has good lighting, sofa, soft beddings, closet and clean bathroom. It provides a tea making facility, an emergency flash light and bath towels.
Exchange rate in the hotel is also not good. Instead, we were advise to exchange our money on an authorized bank. The nearest money exchange from the hotel is located in Big C mall, which is a bus away. You can take bus 73, 204 and 514 going to Big C, Central World and Isetan malls. To reach MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Center and Siam Paragon malls take bus 73.
On our first day stay, we booked to watch the Siam Niramit show (http://www.siamniramit.com/index.php). It is a Thai cultural show that presents 3 acts (Journey Back to History, Beyond Imagination and Joyous Festivals). We were picked up from the hotel by 5:30 pm and reached the place in 30 minutes. We check out the place and made some photo op with the other characters from the show.
We took our dinner buffet and return to the waiting area. Take the opportunity that you can take photos with the participants because cameras are not allowed inside the auditorium.
The show is very amazing and spectacular. They were able to include real elephants, goats and roosters in the stage. They even had reproduced the floating market with small boats over the real water. We already know that there will be acrobatics and aerial movements, but what totally surprise me is when it rains on the stage, every time water flashes and when plain water turns to a fountain.
After the 80 minute show, there is another photo op with the participants, but we did not stay late. We go back to our driver to sent us back to the hotel.
We left Manila at around 10:30am and reached Suvarnabhumi International Airport at around 1:00pm Bangkok time. Note that Manila is 1 hour ahead of Bangkok. It is advised to change one of your watch to follow their local time and to not miss any of your appointments. You can also keep your Manila time on your mobile phone to have a reference as well.
Guardians in Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Baggage Carousel numbers are not announced on plane nor posted on the end of the exit tube. You have to check them on the video screen before reaching the Immigration counter. After spending 30mins to 1 hour in the Immigration queue, we were now able to get our baggage. For those who avail tour packages with PAL, the name of the agency they are connected into is KBS Travel (http://www.kbsbookingonline.com/ or http://www.kbsthailand.com/). Always follow-up with PAL or KBS on your arrival instructions. For us, it is to Exit at Gate C located at the left most side of the Arrival Terminal (Level 2). This gate is located near Baggage Carousel Nos. 18-23. The KBS guide will be holding a KBS placard with clients' lead name.
Exchange rate in the airport is not good, but you may need to exchange some of your money to be used for the advance payment in the hotel.
You will wait for all other clients who avail the Swingaround promo before boarding a 10 passenger van.
Travel from the airport to Hotel is about 45 minutes.
Ibis Siam Hotel (has already been renamed to Seasons Siam Hotel, 2018) is located in 97 Rajaprarop Road Makkasan which is just a bus away from Pratunam area and mall district. The hotel is a different 3 star hotel among the others. The Ibis philosophy is to give “value for money” - they do not have room service and no bell boys. If you directly booked to the Hotel, the rate for a Standard Room is THB2000. We booked our hotel together with the Swingaround promo and it already includes a breakfast buffet.
Lobby
Internet service of Hotel
Breakfast Buffet
Hotels in Bangkok also has a standard practice where guests should give an advance payment though you already paid the whole booking over the credit card. We paid THB2000 as an advance payment in case we make international calls and/or take sodas from the fridge.
Standard room is okay based on my preference. It has good lighting, sofa, soft beddings, closet and clean bathroom. It provides a tea making facility, an emergency flash light and bath towels.
Exchange rate in the hotel is also not good. Instead, we were advise to exchange our money on an authorized bank. The nearest money exchange from the hotel is located in Big C mall, which is a bus away. You can take bus 73, 204 and 514 going to Big C, Central World and Isetan malls. To reach MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Center and Siam Paragon malls take bus 73.
On our first day stay, we booked to watch the Siam Niramit show (http://www.siamniramit.com/index.php). It is a Thai cultural show that presents 3 acts (Journey Back to History, Beyond Imagination and Joyous Festivals). We were picked up from the hotel by 5:30 pm and reached the place in 30 minutes. We check out the place and made some photo op with the other characters from the show.
We took our dinner buffet and return to the waiting area. Take the opportunity that you can take photos with the participants because cameras are not allowed inside the auditorium.The show is very amazing and spectacular. They were able to include real elephants, goats and roosters in the stage. They even had reproduced the floating market with small boats over the real water. We already know that there will be acrobatics and aerial movements, but what totally surprise me is when it rains on the stage, every time water flashes and when plain water turns to a fountain.
After the 80 minute show, there is another photo op with the participants, but we did not stay late. We go back to our driver to sent us back to the hotel.
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