Phnom Penh’s hotel scene has been brightened with the addition of Almond Hotel. This hotel opened its doors in mid July and aims to accommodate the specific needs of its corporate clients while leisure tourists will also find themselves in a pleasant and secure environment. Rooms are bright, well designed and appointed. Room service, massage and spa facilities and free WiFi throughout the hotel are available to complement your stay. The Almond Hotel is located in central Phnom Penh with the Royal Palace and Independence Monument lying in close proximity. The roof terrace provides a nice view of the Tonle Sap River and surrounding town as you enjoy the sunset with a cocktail in hand. The hotel is currently offering attractive opening rates.

After a low season closure, Mandalay Marionettes Theatre has resumed its regular performances. Marionette shows are staged daily and special programmes are available upon request. Puppetry is an entertaining art form and will provide tourists with a better insight of Myanmar’s traditional culture.

A stone’s thow away from The Beach Boutique Resort in Krabi is the Nantra de Deluxe. It is one of the two “Nantra Hotels and Resorts” properties currently managed by the Chic and Stylish Hotel Collection, with the other being Nantra de Boutique in Pattaya. A key attribute that makes Nantra properties stand out is its emphasis on healthy living, relaxation, nature and greenery. With its unique health spa, traditional Thai massages and a team of experienced and qualified health practitioners, Nantra de Deluxe is a natural choice for guests seeking rejuvenation in a tranquil and sophisticated Bali-esque style setting.

Recently opened for operations, the new boutique hotel Lavender Hotel is a gem of a place. Located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Lavender is highly recommended for travellers who want a comfortable stay without missing out on the sightseeing, shopping and bustling life of the city. Offering 71 rooms stylishly decorated in hues of purple, there is also a Saigon View Restaurant & Bar that serves Western and Asian cuisine amidst an elegant ambience. The Lavender is also an ideal spot to explore the historical Ben Thanh market just a stone’s throw away.

The latest edition to Hanoi’s growing boutique hotel scene, the 42-room Serenade Hotel is set to enchant. Centrally located in Hang Dao Street, the most established and bustling business center in the Old Quarter area, the Serenade is comprised of 42 rooms luxuriously designed and fitted with modern amenities. You can look forward to savoring the different gastronomic styles of Vietnam in the Romance Restaurant or enjoy an overview of the city from Panorama Cafe. Its convenient location also makes it a perfect base to explore the neighboring Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Thang Long Puppet Theatre, a distinctive Vietnamese art form.

Tucked away amidst the lush vegetation with stunning views, the Rainbow Lodge in Koh Kong is the first ecolodge in Cambodia to open its doors. Although basic, the lodge’s seven Khmer style bungalows and facilities offer adequate comfort in a natural setting.

The lodge seeks to encompass the tenets of sustainable and responsible ecotourism by tapping the sun for its electricity and harvesting rainwater and river water. The lodge offers a wealth of ecotourism and adventure possibilities such as kayaking, canoeing and boat trips to the islands, beaches, waterfalls surrounding the Cardamom Mountains. Jungle trekking is also available for the more intrepid among us.

The lodge is nestled on the tranquil banks of the Ta Tai River, which flows through the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated about 20km and a ten minute boat ride out of Koh Kong town, the Rainbow Lodge is a perfect base to either start your adventure through Cambodia.

Life Heritage Resort Hoi An has finally re-opened. Earlier this year from February to June, the resort was closed for renovation to repair the damages incurred during the heavy floods last October. It also took the opportunity to improve on its existing charming facilities during the closure. We are delighted that this property, one of our favourite places from which to explore the heritage town of Hoi An, is now available again.

The inaugural boutique resort, The Beach Boutique Resort, has finally opened its doors at Had Yao (Long Beach) in Krabi. The owner, inspired by the famous movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo di Caprio, decided to name the resort after the movie. Residing on a long and pristine stretch of beach along Had Yao, each of the 17 villas combines contemporary designs with modern comforts, so you can be sure to relax in the tranquility and seclusion offered by this romantic beachfront resort.

Cooking classes are a great way to enjoy and taste the local culture. Frizz Restaurant in Phnom Penh offers two full day courses in which students learn how to make spring rolls, banana flower salad, pumpkin desserts, amok and many other Khmer dishes. Each cooking class starts with a trip to the local market where students will buy their own ingredients and learn more about the spices, herbs and vegetables used in Khmer dishes. Local cooks will guide and demonstrate how to create delicious Cambodian dishes in a couple of hours and serve them in style. The maximum capacity for each class is 20. These cooking classes will make enjoyable learning experiences for small incentives and groups.

The Shangri-La Hotel by the riverside in Bangkok is currently renovating the restaurants and swimming pool in the Shangri-La Wing from July to November 2008. The hotel and its deluxe Krungthep Wing will continue to operate as usual. Exotissimo recommends you to book your guests at Millennium Hilton or Marriot Riverside (two of our preferred hotels) during this period or ask your tour operator to give other personalised suggestions for your guests.

Pyay is a popular destination for tourists because of the historical sites such as the ancient Pyu capital of Sri Ksetra and the variety of attractions around its vicinity.

To fill up the needs in the accommodation sector, Pyay Hotel is now open for both local and international guests. The hotel features 30 bungalow-style rooms, including 24 twin rooms and six double rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, mini bar, 24 channel satellite TV and hot-and-cold running shower.