Savings in Samui

Doing research for our Thailand issue several weeks back, I came across a set of lovely hotels there operated by Boutique Hotel Management Asia. One of their properties, The Sea Koh Samui, has an early-bird promotion. If you book online at least 21 days in advance for stays from now till October 31, a one-bedroom suite with a sea view starts at only THB 2,970 ($745) per night. The caveat is that it’s non-refundable and full prepayment is required. I’ve only been to Samui once, but based on my explorations The Sea’s location along the island’s northern shore is ideal—removed enough to be a getaway, but also a short drive from the restaurants and boutiques in Bophut and the madness of tacky, touristy Chaweng if you’re tired of all the peace and quiet.
Book via (+66) 7796-0567 or www.theseasamui.com.

Woohoo, Another Mega-Casino!

Last month Macau’s glitterati feted the opening of a brand-new casino-resort-entertainment goliath on the Cotai Strip. (Like there weren’t enough of those already.) Directly across from the Venetian, Sands Cotai Central includes: the world’s largest Conrad (OMG!); the world’s largest Holiday Inn (a chain that apparently isn’t as lowbrow in Asia); and a Sheraton (which must feel super left out ‘cuz it’s not a superlative). All told, that adds 6,000 new rooms and suites to the glut already available. One might wonder if there are enough inveterate gamblers around to fill ‘em to capacity—but judging from photos of the line outside on opening day, maybe the Sands bigwigs don’t have to worry.
Visit www.sandscotaicentral.com for promotions from the newly opened hotels.

The World’s Best Airports

There are awards for everything under the sun, it seems, and just last week “the world’s best airports” were announced. Surveys filled out by 12 million airline customers about everything from immigration queuing times to the quality of the toilet facilities resulted in the shocking defeat of our own stellar Hong Kong International Airport, which fell two spots from top dog in 2011 to third place in the new ranking. To add insult to injury, we were unceremoniously unseated by not one but TWO other Asian airports—Seoul’s Incheon and Singapore’s Changi. We demand a recount!
Check www.worldairportawards.com for the complete list.

Email me at halberts@asia-city.com.hk or follow me on Twitter: @HanaRAlberts.