Stay in Traditional Khmer Bungalows Near Angkor Wat; This is Siem Reap’s Most Authentic Hotel
I genuinely believe that accommodation should be an experience. A culturally immersive and authentic affair, that transcends the idea of being just a place to rest your head.
In Mongolia, that means staying in yurts (portable, round tents covered in skins and felt, still used by Mongolian nomads); in Tunisia, an ancient cave house. From reed houses in South America, to igloos in Scandinavia, and turf houses in Iceland, traditional living has never been cookie cutter.
So why should our hotels?
Hotels in Siem Reap are ridiculously cheap. But I wasn’t looking for something forgettable this time around. I had traveled more than 5,000 miles to immerse myself in ancient temples of the Khmer Empire, and I didn’t want to shatter the experience by returning each night to a bland, generic hotel.
But where do you search for authentic accommodation? Through Glamping Hub we found an eco lodge with Unique Bungalows near Angkor Wat Temple, Cambodia, luxuriously refurbished inside, with perfectly preserved architectural heritage on the out.
We would stay in a traditional Khmer stilt house.
read moreTravelling to Atlantic City? These are the Best Casino Hotels
Finding suitable accommodation is a huge part of travel, and choosing a hotel can be one of the more time consuming parts of our planning. And sometimes we don’t get it right.
But have you ever considered staying in a casino hotel?
Casino hotels have started popping up all over the world, though it’s quite easy to argue that Atlantic City has some of the best. With luxury rooms, cheap rates, and some of the tightest security, booking a luxury hotel attached to a casino is pretty sure bet!
Set on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast, AC is famous for its spectacular beaches, iconic boardwalk and many stunning casinos. As such, these Atlantic City best casino hotels have well and truly become a trend!
read moreOaks Santai Resort Casuarina: A Lavish Balinese Retreat in Northern NSW
Tucked halfway between the energetic Gold Coast, and the zen town of Byron Bay you’ll find a hidden paradise; a collection of small beachside towns that offer respite from the usual hordes of tourists.
Three of my favourite sleepy beach towns along the Queensland-NSW border are conveniently lined up just south of Tweed Heads. Kingscliff starts off the trio, and a bit further south you’ll encounter Casuarina and Cabarita Beach.
Setting yourself up in this part of northern NSW allows you to enjoy three delightful beach towns for the price of one, though only one of these towns is home to a lavish Balinese-style retreat (hint: it’s Casuarina).
Smack bang in the middle of these three often overlooked beachside getaways, Casuarina is quite the hidden secret … and we got the distinct impression that locals prefer it stays that way!
This is where Gold Coast locals come to escape the tourism that floods into their city; and as soon as you step through the colossal automatic bamboo doors at Oaks Santai Resort Casuarina, you’re instantly transported to Bali.
read moreElements of Byron: How to Experience the Luxury of Byron Bay
Chris Hemsworth. Matt Damon. Natalie Imbruglia. Pat Rafter.
The golden beaches, turquoise waters, and zen mentality are just some of the reasons celebrities from all around the world are drawn to the Australian town of Byron Bay.
Byron Bay overflows with both energy and beauty, while at the same somehow offering a place where a chilled out vibe takes centre stage. Though there are two very distinct and opposite experiences here: one backpacker, one luxury.
After the latter?
Situated far away from the backpacker chaos, yet just a 10-minute drive from the colorful boutique shop windows and trendy cafes, Byron Bay’s award-winning beachfront resort Elements of Byron provides the type of experience that draws the world’s biggest celebrities.
read moreGlamping in Spring Beach, Tasmania: Your Base For Discovering Maria Island
One thing I love about Tasmanian beaches is that you can often have one all to yourself. Unlike the crowds that pack Bondi, or the long line of skyscrapers that cast afternoon shadows across the Gold Coast, Tasmania’s beaches feel more natural, and you can easily walk for miles without seeing another soul.
Tasmania has many iconic beaches; Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay, and Hazards Beach. But equally as stunning are its lesser known stretches of sand that seem to pop up out of nowhere in the many small towns that dot the coastline.
One such gem is Spring Beach.
Conveniently tucked away just over an hour’s drive from Hobart, and only 15 minutes from the ferry that connects the wildlife rich Maria Island, Spring Beach is one of Tasmania’s biggest hidden gems.
Accommodation on Maria Island itself is rustic. You can book a bunk-bed in an 1800’s convict penitentiary, or opt for primitive camping. We were as such quite thrilled to find a much more comfortable alternative.
When there’s a 3 bedroom, beachside Picturesque Cottage Rental just around the corner from the ferry terminal, who needs camping when there’s an option for luxury glamping!
read moreTips for Living a Luxurious Life
We all strive for luxury in our life, and especially in today’s age of social media, where we’re so prone to comparing our lives to other people’s, it can be quite disheartening when we think we fall short.
But the problem with social media is that it’s so easy to create a fake reality, and only show glimpses of someone’s actual life. It can really quickly become destructive, and trick us into thinking that luxury is about champagne, private jets, and vacationing in the Maldives.
Luxury is actually about quality, and living your best possible life. It is often more a mindset than something you can drink, something you can touch, or having the shiniest bling; luxurious living is a feeling.
So, with that in mind, the following are four tips for living a more luxurious life.
read moreThe Best Countries Around the World for Casino Tourism
With the advent of the Internet, the business of betting has experienced tremendous growth, the latest being casino tourism. Though just because online casinos have taken off, doesn’t mean that the land based industry isn’t still thriving.
A staggering number of tourists visit land based casinos, and some destinations like Vegas and Macau are actually known as casino tourism hotspots, where the elite rub shoulders with average men and women who dream of becoming millionaires overnight.
Perhaps the reason that online gambling hasn’t wiped land based casinos off the board is due to the industry’s ability to adapt. Land based casinos these days are much more than a dark, seedy place to gamble, now luxurious resorts and dazzling entertainment complexes.
The following are the best countries around the world for casino tourism. If you are planning on visiting a casino overseas, always make sure you gamble responsibly (and remember those currency conversions!).
read moreThe Five Best Destinations for a Luxury Vacation
While there’s plenty to be said for hard travel and seeing the world on a budget, sometimes it’s nice just to lay back, relax, and be pampered.
Luxury vacations are an incredibly restorative way to unwind and get away from the challenges of daily life. But with so many options available, it can be hard to choose the best place to go for the ultimate dream vacation.
If you don’t want the stress of having to find the perfect destination, here are the five places around the world that do luxury best.
read moreWhy 2019 Should Be The Year You Visit Antarctica
Although Antarctica may seem like a cold, sparse and unwelcoming continent to the uninitiated, it is actually one of the most diverse, interesting and strikingly beautiful places on planet Earth.
From its thriving wildlife and breath-taking scenery, through to its status as an adventure playground for those fond of snowmobiles and sledges, the most southern continent offers a different kind of experience for each type of traveller.
And with more opportunities to get to there than ever before, here are just a few reasons why 2019 should be the year you visit Antarctica.
read moreWhere to Find the Fanciest Food in Macau
When it comes to Macau, this little administrative region from China is famous around the world for its casinos and widely spread gambling culture. Known as the gambling capital of Asia, Macau rivals Vegas for for the title of gambling capital of the world.
But while the streets of Macau are filled with huge, eye-catching casinos, the city is about much more than that. The word that defines Macau the best is luxury, and that can be noticed throughout the whole city, including an extensive selection of restaurants and bars offering gourmet food.
Thanks to Macau’s Portuguese and Chinese heritage, the city now has a beautifully mixed culture and a smorgasbord of amazing traditional foods. And, with an obsession for both luxury and amazing cuisine, Macau has become home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the world.
While there are many, many bars and restaurants in Macau worthy of being on a ‘best’ list, the following are four you shouldn’t miss.
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