Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi - Chiang Mai

© http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai

I call this my heaven on earth.

one stay here and it will be yours too...

6 Reasons Why I Love this place

1) Its Near!

2) Its 60 acres of being lost in this wonderland.

3) Service, Activity experience unbelievable.

4) Cheap. Compared to other havens.

5) The weather is wonderful.

6) The Ayurvedic team is Legendary, in this part of the world.

I especially love it in June / July, when you get their Seasonal Offers, ridiculously low rates, and occupancy is low as well.

You get a slight drizzle now and then, but otherwise wonderful.

We'll let the pictures speak for themselves ...

Exquisite Thai Food at this 200 yr old restaurant where the King of Thailand, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana have dined.

© http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai

A Deluxe Padi Field Room

© http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai

One of the Many pools in the resort.. this one plays underwater music and overlooks the padi fields.

© http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai

As you roll into the resort, be greeted by this...

© http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai

Best Time to Go!

Oct - Nov is the best time to go in terms of weather! 

- Also the most crowded and expensive

June - July is great if you like the place to yourself,

and Seasonal Offers! i.e. ridiculous pricing. Light drizzle and cool weather.

 Getting There

This is easy! Hop on to SilkAir to Chiang Mai, short 2.5 hour flight.

Get the hotel to pick you up for a small usd30 fee.

Yes, you could get it cheaper hopping into a cab. But, trust me, this is part of the experience!

You get a choice of cars from E200, Land Rover, to stretch Mercs.

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai/

$$ Budget

Airtickets range from $300 - $500 (depending on promotion).

Rooms start at USD 300 (for seasonal offers) and all the way up.

Even the most "basic" rooms are wonderful. Actually there is no such thing as a basic room in Dhara Dhevi!

Summary

Heaven on Earth. You have to try this at least once in your life! It is not the same as having been to "Chiang Mai". Dhara Dhevi is a destination in itself!

The Heritage Hotels, Kenya

© http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/

This post is about a chain of hotels in Kenya, called The Heritage Group. I love their website, because (in a bid to promote all their properties) they have an overview of all the beautiful places to go in Kenya!

Now, if I'm travelling SO far, I would like to visit all the extremes, from the flood plains to the mountain tops! Most safari/ african websites are property specific, this one tells you all the great things to do at each locality where they also have a fantastic resort!

Without further ado, I shall let the pictures speak for themselves!

Remember, it is not at the same resort, it is rather a menu of what you can experience in East Africa!

A quiet day by the river...

© http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com

The Rushing Waves!

© http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com

A wonderfully surreal place to wake up to.

© http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com

Plan your Kenya trip via their group website!

© http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com

Best Time to Go!

From what I read up, there is something at all times of the year!

Getting There

This part was slightly tricky. It will have to be done in 2 phases.

Phase 1: Fly to Kenya

SQ, EK, QR, MH, KQ, TG from SIN to NBO (Nairobi) (Approx 14 Hrs with 1 stop).

Phase 2: Kenya to Resorts

See "Getting There" link in each of the specific resorts

$$ Budget

Phase 1 Ticket ranges from: $2,100 to $5,900 - Economy

Rooms are approx sgd 200 to 400 p/night (full board + more) depending on the resort you choose.

Contact the sales at heritage group directly, because I think you would have difficulty finding a local tour agent.

Summary

Great site to start my trip planning all over Kenya! Used to think it was mainly safari plains.