Exotissimo News Blog

Soft Opening of Villa Maly

Exotissimo — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:04:01 +0000

The newest addition to the hotel scene in Luang Prabang, Villa Maly, is having a soft opening for the month of September. Aptly located in the heart of the city, all the main attractions and historical sites are within walking distance from the hotel. Converted from the residence of former nobility, the villa’s central building still retains the original splendour of the 1920s. The traditional styles of Laotian architecture and its French colonial past are seamlessly infused into the 33 guest rooms. Villa Maly will be officially opened on 1 October 2008.

Cruising the Mekong in Style between Vietnam and Cambodia

Exotissimo — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:58:39 +0000

Luxury river cruises are a novel way to explore the mighty Mekong River. Sailing to untouched parts of the river, these deluxe boats allow passengers to observe the local ways of life while relaxing in the comfort of a floating boutique hotel. Here are some luxury boats that ply the waters in Mekong Delta.

The Mekong Pandaw and Tonle Pandaw are long-time favourites that sail the Mekong River between Saigon and Siem Reap. Built and designed as replicas of colonial river steamers, both boutique ships are serviced by crews of mixed Asian nationalities. The ships also feature spacious cabins, wide promenade decks for relaxation and excellent dining and drinking options onboard. Combining luxury and comfort, both Pandaws offer unique opportunities to explore the tapestry of life and fascinating sites along the Mekong. Daily shore excursions are conducted by expert local guides.

Meanwhile, the Bassac II will expand its cruise service to Phnom Penh along Mekong River this October. For upstream trips to Phnom Penh, passenger can board the boat at Cai Be (three nights) or along the way in Can Tho (two nights). Similarly, the downstream journey starts from Phnom Penh and reaches Can Tho (two nights) and Cai Be (three nights). The Bassac II is entirely made of go sao, a rare quality Vietnamese wood. It can accommodate up to 24 passengers within the 12 cabins fitted with air-con and en-suite bathrooms. The ship also features a restaurant, a bar and a wide upper deck that is suitable for dinners and parties. The Bassac II boasts of modern amenities and comes equipped with the necessary safety features.

Come end July 2009, the Jayavarman is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage on the Mekong. Operated by the Heritage Line Cruise Company, the Jayavarman is a 60-m deluxe river boat that is built to the elegant fusion of French colonial and Indochine designs. The spacious boat consists of 27 cabins and 800m² of social space. Calling on various ports along the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, the Jayavarman has various river itineraries ranging from one to seven nights.

Horse Riding in Khmer Countryside

Exotissimo — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:23:09 +0000

Siem Reap has more to offer besides its stunning temple monuments. The Happy Ranch is an attraction that will boost Siem Reap’s growing stature as a family destination. Located in a 10-acre estate in the city’s outskirts, this western style horse farm was established by Mr. Sary Pann. The ranch houses 29 horses and onsite facilities include restrooms, a round pen, a dressage arena and clean stables. Happy Ranch provides a range of horseback or horse cart tours that are suitable for both beginner and professional riders. Children will be shown how to handle and groom horses. All rides are fully equipped with western saddles and safety helmets. The professional staff will guide you through the amazing Khmer countryside.

Kamu Lodge to Reopen

Exotissimo — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:19:16 +0000

After a closure due to the heavy flooding in mid-August, Kamu Lodge reopened on 1 September 2008. As the lodge’s bar and restaurant are currently under reconstruction works for the next three months, all meals will be temporarily served at Sala Lodge. The Kamu Lodge management apologises for any inconvenience caused to guests in the meantime.

Thailand Launches New Tours for Upcoming Season

Exotissimo — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:14:39 +0000

November is one of the best times to visit Thailand’s northeastern provinces (collectively known as Isarn) because of the Phimai Festival and the Elephant Round-Up Festival. To give guests an insightful glimpse into this area, Exotissimo is featuring a special tour to Isaan that will coincide with these two festivals. The annual Phimai festival is centred on Prasat Hin Phimai in Korat and showcases traditional boat races, cultural exhibitions, local fairs and a light and sound presentation at the Khmer temple ruins. The Surin Elephant Round-Up is a beautiful display of the elephants’ talents and strengths through games such as football and tugs-of-war. Our tour weaves through the provinces of Korat, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani, offering superb learning opportunities about the distinct folk culture of Isaan.

If your guests are keen to discover the spiritual aspects of Thailand, Exotissimo’s new “On the Blessing Trails” excursion in Bangkok will be a perfect fit. The tour will lead you through some of the city’s most beautiful landmarks and Buddhist temples such as Wat Saket and Wat Ratchabophit. Our excursion also allows you to participate in merit-making practices such as giving alms and offering “Sangkatarn” (yellow buckets filled with food items and daily necessities) to monks. The tour will cap off at the Tiger God Shrine, one of the oldest Taoist temples in Bangkok and renowned for being the most popular worshipping place amongst the Chinese community in the country.

Bangkok presents another face when night falls. Our “Glittering Bangkok” excursion will unveil the gleaming facet of this vibrant metropolis. A relaxing evening beckons with a drive through Bangkok’s old quarters that delivers sights of an illuminated Grand Palace, the Royal Ground, temples and the lit-up Rachadamnoen Avenue. This is followed by a lavish Thai dinner and cocktails against the stunning backdrop of the Rattanakosin skyline at “The Deck” riverside restaurant. A stroll through the Flower Market reveals a bustling bazaar filled with street vendors and myriad varieties of exotic flowers. Participants then proceed to a nearby riverside market that offers plentiful opportunities for buying unique handicrafts or souvenirs.

In our “Dining in Style” excursion, an exquisite dinner by the Chao Phraya River makes a memorable experience for many visitors to Bangkok. At The Deck, one of the city’s best tables, your guests can dine against the stunning backdrop of an illuminated Wat Arun and Rattanakosin skyline. Alternatively, guests can also opt for an artistic dining experience at Studio 9, the country’s top dance theatre that features highbrow dining and entertainment amidst the majestic night scenery of Bangkok Grand Palace and Chao Phraya River.

Exotissimo Cambodia Welcomes New General Manager

Exotissimo — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:40:58 +0000

We are pleased to announce Olivier Marchesin as the General Manager of Exotissimo Cambodia, effective from 1 October 2008. We believe that Olivier’s wealth of work experience and depth of understanding of Asia will be an invaluable asset to our organisation.

Born in France, Olivier graduated with an MBA in Tourism and Hotel Management and Development from Nice University. He started a career in the travel industry in the Philippines, where he piloted Viero Travel from 2000 – 2004, establishing a unique range of tours for expatriates. He then moved to China as Managing Director of Lao Tai Shan, a destination management company (DMC) specialising in high end leisure and Incentive Travel and was based in Hong Kong and Beijing for four years prior to joining Exotissimo.

Olivier’s varied and practical experience and love for Asia and the Asian travel industry perfectly equip him to manage Exotissimo Cambodia. He will oversee all facets of operations, including product, reservations, sales and marketing. Olivier can be contacted at omarchesin@exotissimo.com.

Tet 2009

Exotissimo — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:30:01 +0000

Tet, or the Vietnamese New Year, is the most important and popular holiday in Vietnam. For 2009, Tet will fall on 26 January. It usually lasts for three days and is marked by huge celebrations throughout the country. Tet is traditionally a time for family reunions and pilgrims, so many Vietnamese will take the opportunity to return to their hometowns to celebrate the occasion with their families. Most shops and businesses close for at least a day during this festive period. From our past experiences, securing bookings is more difficult during this period and a premium applies. We would like to remind all agents to confirm bookings for this period as soon as possible.

New Office for Exotissimo Cambodia

Exotissimo — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:43:33 +0000

Since 11 August, Exotissimo has relocated our Phnom Penh office to a better and bigger premise. We are now conveniently located at Norodom Boulevard, just a stone’s throw away from the Royal Palace and National Museum. The new office is very much welcomed as everyone now has access to the amenities of a good standard office. We are pleased with the bigger working spaces, comfortable chairs and new computers in a bright and airy environment. Our new address is 6th Floor, SSN Center No. 66, Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Please come visit us at our new location.

New Operations Manager in Siem Reap

Exotissimo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:42:31 +0000

Exotissimo welcomes the addition of Mr Awen Delaval as the Operations Manager to our Siem Reap office. Born in the French province of Bretagne, Awen inherits his passion for travelling from his parents. He has left his footsteps in many countries before finally stopping in Siem Reap five years ago. Since then, Awen has been living and working in Cambodia. We believe that Awen’s vast experiences in the tourism industry will be a great asset to us. He can be reached at awen@exotissimo.com.

Almond Hotel Phnom Penh

Exotissimo — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:02:08 +0000

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.