http://www.hotelchatter.com/ Hotel Reviews, Hotel Ratings, Hotel Openings en-us Copyright 2008 - SFO Media 2009-11-25T20:45:48Z HotelChatter HotelChatter http://www.hotelchatter.com/images/hcwhite.jpg http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Thailand%20Hotels http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/11/9/44110/7354 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/Phulay_Bay_Ritz_Carlton_Reserve.jpg" class="top"><p> <p>Okay, so their opening date moved <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/1/14/72117/0252/hotels/Ritz_Carlton_Reserve_Will_Kick_Off_Exotic_Brand_in_Phulay_Bay">from April to June</a> and finally to December 22, but at least the rather special <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Ritz-Carlton+Reserve+Phulay+Bay/ian/273213"><b>Ritz-Carlton Reserve Phulay Bay</b></a> in Krabi, Thailand, is finally getting close to being ready for us. We've been waiting ever since Ritz-Carlton announced that their new Reserve brand was especially for stressed people wanting to get away to new cultures and adventures in exotic locations. That really sounds like us.<p>The resort will open just in time for Christmas, on December 22 this year. There are just 54 villas in it, and the views across the water from each villa are incredible. To make you feel relaxed, they've designed the resort with oversized beds, chairs, amandak 2009-11-12T08:50:35-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/10/1/142842/178 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6193/ChaophyaPark.jpg" class="top"> <p>Security issues aside for the moment, <b><a href="">Chaophya Park Hotel</a></b> in <b>Bangkok, Thailand</b> has what are possibly the best hotel room key cards ever: they also function as one-day subway passes. It's the first hotel in Bangkok to offer the amenity of <b>hotel-keys-as-subway-passes</b> since it lies along the MRT route of public transportation. But it won't be the last; the MRT is looking to partner up with further hotels in Bangkok and make this a regular perk. <p>Still, the Chaophya Park might look like your typical business hotel in the picture above, but judging from this new feature and the fact that they've got iPod docking stations in the rooms, have greening initiatives, and are the first JetSetCD 2009-10-01T16:21:55-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/8/24/14349/7165 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/Koh_Samui_1.jpg" class="top"><p> <p>We usually find plenty of good things to say about <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Langham%20Hotels"><b>Langham Hotels</b></a> and the <b>Langham Place Samui</b> looks like it will follow the good reputation when it opens later this year. With 77 villas and suites suitable for private getaways or arranged together for group vacations, the Langham gang are promising the same good service we expect along with a few interesting innovations.<p>One is their idea of "borderless dining" which means you can have a romantic meal in "specially-designed dining retreats scattered in the grounds". We also like the sound of the Portal Surf & Play area, which sounds like a combined WiFi zone and cocktail bar, plus they also have the Splash Bar poolside where amandak 2009-08-25T09:00:06-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/6/12/9219/34601 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/ritzcarltonpreserve.jpg" class="top"> <p>When we hear announcements that luxe hotels are launching ritzier, more upscale amenities or properties in this recession, we cringe a bit because we've been hearing nothing but doom-and-gloom predictions and sad news out of the luxury sector &#151; but, nevertheless, <b><A href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/ritz-carlton hotels">Ritz-Carlton Hotels</a></b> has announced the launch of "a new exclusive brand extension for the most discerning global travelers" called<b><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/ritz-carlton reserve"> Ritz-Carlton Reserve</a></b>, complete with a <a href="http://www.ritzcarltonreserve.com"> website</a> and everything. <p>Per a press release: <blockquote><P> These unique resorts have been designed for those who seek to escape the stresses of everyday life by retreating to experience new cultures and adventures. Each exquisite destination will feature signature, one-of-a-kind low density resorts situated in choice Jenna 2009-06-12T09:23:56-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/6/9/6457/38371 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/The_Venue_Pattaya_Pool.jpg" class="top"><p> <p>In our neverending quest for finding hotels around the world with sensible WiFi &#151; in other words, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/hotel wifi">WiFi</a> that not only works but is also free &#151; we were daydreaming this week about vacationing near the beach in Thailand and we came across someone with a similar wish looking for <a href="http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/hotels-with-wireless-internet-access-for-my-laptop-t17826.html">WiFi in Pattaya</a>.<p>Any beachside town will do, we figure, so <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/city/Pattaya"><b>Pattaya</b></a> is an interesting spot for us, and according to the locals there are quite a few hotels with good WiFi. But the one that grabbed our attention is <b>The Venue</b>, a stylish and very gay-friendly hotel near the beach. What grabs us most is this: <blockquote><p>The Venue [has] wireless throughout the hotel...very amandak 2009-06-09T09:12:08-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/