#roomvideo

[j-in-the-north]

Because I'm real. Also because the hottest beard on Instagram challenged people to say hi. @fmlindquist_beard #hatevideosofself #lovebeards #marilynmonroe #roomvideo #hi #imarealperson #hair #eye #blondandbrunette #lovetattoos #tattoedlady #wantatattoedlover #hearingaid #howmanytagscanimakebeforeiactuallyhavetopost #obsessed

[tumblevee]

Villa Belle is the fantastic combination of luxury with a home-like feel. 

After a month of looking at various private villas in Koh Samui we zeroed in on Villa Belle for our family vacation. The advantage was that they had 3 bedrooms with 3 attached bathrooms and all the rooms had a double bed. This villa is ideal for 3 couples.

I was a little skeptical about not being by the beach, but trust me, the view from top of a cliff is breath taking! 

We got off to a bumpy start due to some confusion regarding our airport pick up. Starting the trip with arguments and displeasure was a very very uneasy situation for me. But Noom, the villa manager, was apologetic and did not charge us for our first meal at the villa. That truly helped tempers calm down.

The villa is located on top of a hill and is not close to the noisier parts of Koh Samui. It is not easy to hail a cab here so you will have to depend on Noom or a taxi service to take you around. During the day I would recommend Noom.

The chef at the villa is Noom's wife and she is superb. She cooked our lunch on the first day and the dinner on our last evening. If only we had a longer stay at Villa Belle we would have eaten a lot more at home. And the best part - the chef services are shockingly reasonable!

You also have a live-in maid, Gift. Gift moves around the house like a ninja cleaning your room, making your bed and clearing up your breakfast. It was a delight to see her leaf and flower art she used to decorate our beds in the evenings.

I can go on about the cleanliness, the Apple TV, good internet speeds and all the amenities that Villa Belle provides...but this is not what sets it apart from other places I have stayed at. It is the people who run and manage Villa Belle. They make you feel special and also very very bad that your stay is so short.

It was the perfect location for my dad's slightly delayed 60th birthday celebration and we all do hope we get a chance to go back and stay longer at Villa Belle.

[tumblevee]

Thanks to a sales conference, I stayed at the Ayana Resort & Spa in Bali for 4 nights. The conference kept me super busy and I just got one free day to explore the resort and the spa (yes, I never miss my chance).

Ayana scores high all thanks to its spectacular location on the edge of the cliff. The sunset at the famous Rock Bar is definitely worth a visit. Be sure to make your reservation well in advance.

The video shows you the room I stayed at. I wish I had more time to enjoy my room, but trust me on my last day at the resort I made up for lost time. The spa at Ayana is also worth the hype. I got the most expensive foot massage here which was really elaborate and relaxing. After all the walking in heels at the conference that is all my body demanded!

If your intention is to explore Bali, then do not stay at Ayana as it is rather far from Kuta and Seminyak. Staying at Ayana means that you are in Bali to laze, relax, soak in the sun and not move around much. Ayana has 2 beaches, many pools and restaurants that will keep you occupied. The villas at the resort are large and have private pools. Great for bigger groups.

I recommend Ayana Resorts & Spa for anyone who is visiting Bali for their honeymoon or a romantic holiday. It is the best getaway!

[tumblevee]

Golden Sun Villa Hotel is about 6 months (as claimed on their website) and is just a 5 minute walk to the Hoan Kiem Lake. I was in touch with Kevin who helped me with the room reservation and was also kind enough to suggest various day trips we could do during our stay. Even the staff at the hotel are lovely and their warmth makes you feel so special!

We booked the Junior Suite at US$ 55 a night. This room has a balcony and the side we were on (room on the left as you come up the stairs) also has the view of the St. Joseph's Cathedral. The room though a little gaudy was clean and new.

Our stay for 4 nights included complimentary breakfast which was really tasty and healthy! From local food options to the continental selection, the range was a lot more than what we expected from a small hotel. They do not have a buffet. Instead they give you a menu and you can select from there. Even when you have to leave early for a day trip they try their best to feed you!

Golden Sun Villa also helped us arrange our visa letter at a cost of US$ 5 per person. Visa on arrival was a cheaper option (US$ 45 per person for 1 month single entry visa) than applying for it from Hong Kong (US$ 96 per person for 1 month single entry visa).

I would recommend Golden Sun Villa to anyone visiting Hanoi and is looking for a budget stay. It is only 6 months old now so rush before it gets musty!