Oct 20, 2016 |
I’m Going to Regret Reviewing the Escape Hua Hin Hotel…
Why? Because there’s a chance there will be more people looking to book this hotel and I won’t be able to get a room. That’s how much I like the Escape Hua Hin. But regardless, here I go.
Hua Hin is one of my favorite city by the beach in Thailand. It’s one of the places I make a pit stop to the scenic and majestic mountains of Khao Sam Roi Yod.
To rest for a night or two before driving further south my wife and I enjoy staying at the 3 star Escape Hua Hin on 25/2 Phetchkasem Road, right in Hua Hin’s city center.
I usually stay over a few nights in Hua Hin whenever we drive down to Khao Sam Roi Yod…
This popular yet relatively unknown hotel is overshadowed by the 5 star Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort looming beside it.
I’ve been staying at the Escape Hua Hin frequently for years. And it was renovated about 5 years ago after it was bought by Sansiri, a popular Thai property conglomerate.
Not Exactly on the Beach – But Close Enough
In general, the closer the hotels are to Hua Hin’s sandy beach, the more money the hotels and resorts will cost. The Escape Hotel is a short 200 meter stroll to the beach.
Which means Escape’s rates won’t be cheap. Though it’s not considered expensive either. But guests can expect a satisfactory 3 star hotel experience. I certainly did every time I stayed there.
Hua Hin’s beach is quite long. The Escape Hua Hin puts you right in the middle of the beach which is much quieter…
Nearby Attractions from Escape Hua Hin Hotel
Escape Hua Hin is situated right by the main road of Phetchkasem in central Hua Hin. So it is very easy to find.
Yet the buildings where guest rooms are situated are neatly tucked away from the noises of passing vehicles. If you want peace and quiet, you’re going to get it at the Escape Hotel.
Escape Hotel Hua Hin property is not so big but still beautiful…
Matter of fact that’s exactly what I like the most about the Escape Hua Hin. It’s private with an exclusive feel without the price tag that’s associated with privacy. This hotel is small and cozy to boot. There are only 46 rooms split among five buildings with two floors each.
The Escape Hua Hin’s Room Review
There are two types of rooms to pick from. Deluxe and deluxe poolside. Deluxe rooms are on the second level and poolside is of course on the ground level where guests have easier access to the hotel’s wonderful little pool.
Deluxe rooms are roughly 31 square meters while poolside rooms are just slightly larger at 35 square meters.
The bathrooms are very spacious and take up roughly 1/3 of the entire room space.
There are these special little speakers by the bed side that pipe soothing and relaxing music. I left that music on at night and had the best sleep of my life.
The deluxe room bathrooms are spacious…
Both room types are the same quality though each building has a different decor theme. And I have stayed in a few different rooms in different buildings and find that the rooms are very clean.
But what you’re going to like most, especially if you’re traveling with a group of friends is the large balcony seating space.
A lot of space to chill out and enjoy a wonderful night…
How Much Will it Cost?
When I first started staying at the Escape years ago it cost me about 2800THB a night including breakfast and taxes. Today, I see that the rates are about 4000THB per night including breakfast and taxes.
That kind of pricey considering you can get cheaper rooms elsewhere. However, you won’t get the same quality rooms.
My only gripe is the breakfast however. The offerings and variety are a bit weak. But to be fair to the hotel I typically stay during the low season. Which means less hotel guests.
You might think the Escape Hua Hin is pricey. But consider the location, cleanliness and convenience…
Which means maybe they don’t want to have too much food laying around with not enough guests to serve it to.
I also want to note that I usually stay on the second floor deluxe rooms. The first floor deluxe poolside rooms cost about 1000THB more. So if you pay 1000THB or so more you’ll get a room as same level as the pool.
To be quite honest staying on the second floor and saving that 1000THB and spending it instead on a nice seafood dinner is what I’d rather do.
Escape’s Complimentary Shuttle Service
My wife and I prefer to get around on our own with our car. But Hua Hin’s traffic is getting worst these days and good parking space could be hard to find.
The Escape Hua Hin provides a complimentary scheduled shuttle service to several nearby points of interest. Such as Hua Hin night market, Cicada night market and Market Village. I use their shuttle service to visit Hua Hin Night Market so I don’t have to find parking in that area.
Cicada Night Market in Hua Hin is a must to visit while you’re in the area. It is open Friday thru Sunday from 4pm to midnight…
Otherwise, if I used a normal tuk tuk in Hua Hin I’d get charged 150THB one way. So I save a little bit of cash using the hotel’s personal shuttle service.
And the shuttle will also pick up customers at a pre-determined time and location. The shuttle is actually a 6 seater tuk tuk. So best to reserve some seats ahead of time at the hotel’s reception lobby.
The Final Word
For me, the Escape Hua Hin is totally worth the 4000THB price point. Part of the increase went into effect when Sansiri acquired the property years ago. Another part of the price increase is most likely due to the brand new Blúport Shopping Center opposite the Escape Hua Hin.
The hotel has just went up the scale in desirability because of the newest mall edition in Hua Hin’s city center. So the Escape is now considered prime real estate.
A trendy spacious lobby at the Escape Hua Hin…
Which is a shame because that just means there could be more traffic near the Escape Hua Hin. But no matter. Even if the price is a little bit higher I still think it’s well worth it. Because the Escape is a very comfortable and clean hotel with an easy walk to a section of Hua Hin’s wonderful soft sandy beach.
The Hua Hin Escape Hotel is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in the city’s center. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Escape Hua Hin Hotel – 3 Stars
Address: 25/2 Petchkasem Road , Hua Hin City Center, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand
Click to Book This Hotel
Sep 26, 2016 |
I often travel to Singapore because it’s not far away from Thailand. But like what most people say, Singapore ain’t such a big place.
And as much as I hate to say, not much to do for a middle aged traveler like me. There’s Universal Studios Singapore. But even then most average S’poreans will tell you that their Universal Studios is not a place to really brag about.
Bugis Junction Shopping District
So what’s there to do if you’re in Singapore a few days? Go mall hopping and shopping. Whenever I’m in Singapore I stay at an area called Bugis Junction in downtown Singapore. Because it’s mainly a tourist district there are a lot of restaurants, shops and of course hotels.
I personally enjoy staying at the BIG Hotel and it’s really close to Bugis Junction, less than a five minute walk.
Bugis Junction is the heart of downtown Singapore…
For any first timers visiting Singapore I really recommend searching out a hotel near Bugis Junction. Not just for the hotels mind you. But also because it’s where you can find Bugis Hawker Center for some serious good eats.
Bugis Hawker Center can be found on New Bugis Street…
To the uninitiated Bugis Hawker Center looks like a run down community center where folks with nothing to do hang out and eat. Sure it doesn’t look fancy but it’s a food court with some of the finest good grub in Singapore so don’t let the ambiance fool you.
Plenty of local Singaporean snacks are also available if you don’t want a full on meal…
Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant
Of course I have a favorite restaurant to recommend in Bugis Junction. It’s called Fatty’s Restaurant. With the word “Fatty” in the restaurant’s name you know the food has got to be good. And it is. My wife and I eat there every year we visit Singapore together.
Singapore Chow Mei Fun 星洲炒米 in the front. I was so hungry I didn’t realize I took a photo with my finger near the lens…
Though we order a lot of food our one favorite is the Singapore Chow Mei Fun 星洲炒米. It’s my favorite dish growing up in New York and I would order it at Chinese restaurants in my neighborhood.
Singapore Chow Mei Fun is a popular rice noodle dish with a hodgepodge of seafood, poultry and vegetables plus a hint of curry. All the ingredients are cooked in high heat which imbues an essence that only a super hot wok could produce.
Even though there’s not a whole lot for me to do in Singapore besides eating, I still enjoy traveling there. Singapore has a lot of history which I enjoy so much. And without a doubt one of the most beautiful modern country I have ever visit in Southeast Asia.
A popular temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin near Bugis Junction…
Exploring Singapore is easy with it’s public transportation system. And traveling around on a metered taxi is so surprisingly affordable in a country known to be on the expensive side.
Sep 15, 2016 |
Twice a year I make a trip to Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, usually staying for a week. I don’t go there for business. And I don’t go there for leisure. I just go to KL to eat.
Kuala Lumpur is a easy 2 hours flight from Bangkok, Thailand. With another 30 minutes worth of travel time on the fast train from KLCC2 international airport. Tack on another 10 minutes on the KL Monorail and I’m in the heart of a culinary bliss just in time when my hunger pangs set in.
Chilli Pan Mee at Restaurant Kin Kin: Ground Floor, No. 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 51200
Kuala Lumpur is a haven for top Eurasian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Their roots harken back to the days when Malays, Indians and the Chinese began coexisting when the city began booming on the tin trade.
In KL there’s no such a thing as fusion food. There’s ethnic Chinese, Indian and then there’s Malay. And although one culture may have influence over the other the locals look to their cuisine as one and uniquely their own. As a result there’s nothing but pure magic.
Kl has an eclectic variety of food in each and every neighborhood of KL, especially in Bukit Bintang…
But if you’re looking for genuine authentic Maly, Indian and Chinese food you won’t be disappointed.
Roti paratha, chicken curry and hot ginger tea with milk. I ate this every morning and never got sick of it…
Kuala Lumpur is the original melting pot even before my hometown New York City even heard of the phrase melting pot.
Sadly, it’s not all good news on this most recent trip to KL. Two of my favorite cafés shuttered their doors. Coffea Coffee’s Pavilion Mall location and Espresso Labs Plaza Low Yat branch were out of business. Probably due to the huge rent and Starbucks.
Starbucks branches in KL are the worst and I’ve been to more than a few branches.
With a little bit of googling I found out this branch of Jamaica Blue Coffee at Low Yat Plaza…
Luckily I found Jamaica Blue also located in Plaza Low Yat. So I still have a place to drink some fine coffee and suck up Wi-Fi internet juice for hours.
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is conveniently right across from my lunch place! Can’t get any better than that…
Watching Bukit Bintang Change Before My Eyes
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City or the Piccadilly Circus of London. There are huge LED screens and billboards displaying advertisements. Though Bukit Bintang is not as huge or even as gaudy believe you me it’ll probably get there in a few years.
Aside from enjoying my daily meals like a gleeful school kid every year in KL I can’t help but notice that buildings are getting taller and taller as construction projects all over the city begin to take shape.
A future residential building with no doubt spaces for commercial spaces…
Same spot as the photo above, but taken the year before…
I usually stay at hotels around Bukit Bintang, which is the main tourists hub of KL. Like most tourists centers around major cities you’ll find lots of restaurants, shopping centers and of course hotels. Plus nearby train stations as well for convenience.
The recently renamed Air Asia Bukit Bintang station…
As of writing Bukit Bintang only has the KL Monorail station which starts at KL Sentral, winding its way through the edge of Little India, Chinatown and onwards to Chow Kit with a stop at Air Asia Bukit Bintang station.
Jalan Bukit Bintang Intersection..
Today there is major construction underway for a brand new MRT subway line complete with station stops in Bukit Bintang.
The completion of Bukit Bintang’s subway line could be years from now…
I’ve only used the city’s subway lines once or twice in all the years I’ve been visiting KL. When the subway trains are up and running it’ll be a great way for me to explore more of Malaysia and find more good eats.
Every year I travel around I begin to see remarkable similarities between my home town of New York and many other major cities around the world. If a city is not expanding, it’s rebuilding and renovating. It’s as if a city is actually alive, not only to thrive but to survive.
The heart of Bukit Bintang’s tourists district…
In a way Kuala Lumpur to me is trying to reinvent itself as many ASEAN members are doing the same. And the city has come a long way from the days when it was just a tin mining town with people from neighboring countries flooding in for the hope of a better life and opportunities.
Sep 8, 2016 |
With a Short Trip to One of My Most Favorite Spots in the World… Arashiyama!
King crabs are a popular delicacy in Osaka…
After staying a week in Kuala Lumpur and then back to Bangkok, a good buddy of mine I knew from my government contract days asked if I wanted to head over to Osaka for sushi. Why not?
Osaka has a special place in my heart. After living in Osaka for 3 months my fondness for the city by the bay grew with everyday I spent living there. I enjoyed mingling with the friendly and hospitable people the most. Working and staying in Japan for me was a real privilege. And a relief from my official duties back in the days.
But before the big sushi dinner I had to make a stop at one of the most magical places on this earth, Arashiyama!
How to Go to Arashiyama from Osaka
- At Osaka Station take the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line 新快速 towards Yasu to Kyoto Station
- At Kyoto Station take the JR San-In Line 各停 towards Sonobe and stop at Saga-Arashiyama Station
- At Saga-Arashiyama take the train to Arashiyama Station
Even in early September you can start to see the leaves getting ready to turn to its Autumn colors…
But there is another place I enjoy and you will too just an 1 hour and 40 minutes away called Arashiyama, which is a district of Kyoto City. The train fare from Osaka to Arashiyama cost ¥970.
The best way to get around Arashiyama is by bicycle. And there are a few places near the train station where you can rent a bicycle for ¥800 a day.
But there’s one area where you can’t really bike all the way up to. And that’s Mount Arashiyama! And you can only get up there the old fashioned way.
After walking up Mount Arashiyama I got hungry. It’s a pretty steep climb up a lot of man made steps. But when you get up there the view is so well worth it!
After spending an hour enjoying the splendid view of Kyoto, it was time to get back down and get on that train heading back to Osaka and chow down on some of the best sushi this side of Japan.
Osaka, Day or Night?
Osaka at night is magical. The day was warm but the evening got cooler. Which is why I decided on a day trip in Arashiyama before meeting my friends for that special sushi dinner.
We went to the same old sushi restaurant we’ve always been to when we had long days of intense planning and meetings. Can’t believe it’s still open after all these years!
I forget how many pieces of sushi I’ve downed and how many sake I’ve guzzled but it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.
Osaka, I’ll see you soon again!
Aug 30, 2016 |
What to Think About Before Moving to Bangkok?
There is no doubt Thailand is becoming a popular choice for foreigners to move to. Particularly to the capital city of Bangkok. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Certain neighborhoods around my area have a lot more foreigners moving in.
But before making that all important final decision on packing up and moving to Bangkok for short term or long terms you probably still have a lot of questions.
Is Bangkok still cheap and affordable? Is it safe to live in? And most importantly is Bangkok the ideal place for you to move into to make a living?
I’ll delve into all of that and hopefully I can give an answer that is to your satisfaction. So I’ve broken up all the important bits into sections for easy reading. And I’ll add a bit of info on my life in Thailand. You can skip all of the about me info of course and get right to the nitty gritty on living in Bangkok.
- Cost of Living in Bangkok
- Apartments and Condos
- Shopping for Groceries
- Eating Out in Bangkok
- Safety
But First a Little Background from Yours Truly
I wrote a post on what’s it like living in Bangkok 3 years ago here. There are small and big changes in certain aspects of life in Bangkok. Which is natural of course.
Now I am an avid blog reader of other digital nomads, transiting and based in Bangkok. And everyone has their own perspective. Some aren’t so happy living in Thailand. But much more love it.
Me, I’m a semi-retired New Yorker in my early 40’s. Hmm… What else has changed in my life? Oh, I got married back in 2014 to a wonderful Thai lady. And that’s the biggest change in my life on this side of the planet.
Do I enjoy living in Thailand? I’m somewhere in the middle but tending more towards I do like living here. There are certain aspects of living in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok that I like. And certain aspects about life here that makes me want to punch a hole in the wall.
I’m still Chinese-American though. So that hasn’t changed. Like I mentioned in my old post about what it’s like to live in Bangkok, there really isn’t much of a culture shock to me. Food and culture between the Thai and Chinese although unique, share many similar qualities. Like taking off shoes while visiting peoples’ homes which is the same in almost every Asian culture.
Finally, this post will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live in Bangkok from my perspective. My lifestyle and my income level. So it could be totally different from what you would expect.
Cost of Living in Bangkok
As of writing the exchange rate is $1USD to 34.60THB. Three years ago when I wrote a post of living in Bangkok a $1USD got you a 30.30THB exchange rate.
Earlier on in this year, a US dollar was slightly even more strong hovering above the 36THB barrier. Believe me I was rooting and cheering on for the dollar to break that barrier. But since then has gone back down.
One of the primary reasons why one would choose to travel around Thailand or plan on retiring here is the stronger exchange rate.
But believe me when I tell you that today, living in Bangkok could be just as expensive as NYC. That is unless you can go completely native and live like a local. Which many do.
One way to go native is to rent a basic apartment. Renting a condo could cost a bit more but not by much and depends on location. Both are very affordable and will certainly surprise many in terms of quality.
Apartments and Condos in Bangkok
Currently I live in a condo that we purchased right before I got married. That was a few years ago. Before that I was living at an apartment building for about 3 years. I still keep in touch with the owner of the apartment building because we’ve become good friends.
You’re going to be surprised that housing won’t be the most expensive factor in your budget. Rental prices for units, whether apartments or condos have not increased. Matter of fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard of rent increases ever.
When I used to live in my friend’s apartment building the rent was 8000THB per month based on a 6 month rental lease. The longer you sign the lease you can get slightly reduced monthly rental rate. With electricity and water my total rent bill came out to 95ooTHB. There’s basic television and internet Wi-Fi. Included is a room with very basic fitness equipment. There’s round the clock security and key card for residents only access. Not bad at all for a total of $275USD a month for a 30 square meter studio.
Guess what? You can find an apartment for rent for 3000THB. These apartments are older and may not be in the best shape or condition. Or it can be located further deep inside a neighborhood. And they might not have air condition or even hot water.
The hot water maybe you can do without. But I highly recommend you find an apartment that has an air conditioner.
Areas in Bangkok with Reasonable Rent
- Lad Prao
- Suttisan
- Huay Kwang
Those three areas in Bangkok have MRT subway stations nearby. And you won’t have any problem finding nice affordable apartments with a little bit of walking distance.
It’s a smart idea to find a place to live in Bangkok close to a supermarket. Whether in walking distance or a short motor taxi ride to get to one.
7 Elevens are apartment dwellers best friend. There’s always one close by…
Nearly every block in Bangkok though has a 7 Eleven convenience store or similar type shop selling cold drinks, packaged foods and house hold necessities.
Dairy products are still expensive compared to the USA…
Now that you’ve learned rentals in Bangkok are not expensive, you’re going to find out that shopping for groceries could make up the bulk of your expenses.
Now I’m basing this fact on myself. As I mentioned I have not gone totally native just yet. I still enjoy a ham sandwich with all the fixings which is not cheap in Thailand compared to the USA. Check out my post on making a sandwich in Thailand. Buying a small sandwich at a store in Thailand still ain’t cheap and making it home is cheaper but not by much.
Dairy products in Thailand is still expensive. Milk is affordable. However, butter and cheese prices are insane. 4 squares of good quality cheese slices can cost you $1USD a slice. Though organic eggs are reasonably price here in Thailand.
Despite the cost of groceries, if you really want to save a lot of cash you can really save a lot by eating Thai food sold on the streets of Bangkok.
Grilled chicken is a common staple sold on the streets of Bangkok…
Eating Out in Bangkok
Food is my favorite subject. Just recently there is a foreign food craze taking over the city. Many fine eateries are popping up all over. It’s not cheap. But it’s not exactly expensive either by my NYC restaurant standards.
Food trucks are also showing up though believe it or not most of the food trucks out in Bangkok serve gourmet styled international food.
You can save a lot of money by eating out on the street. Usually you’ll find a cart selling noodles or rice dishes cooked to order near apartments and condos. You’ll save the most money eating on the streets like most Thai do. Usually a bowl of noodles or a rice dish cost between 30THB to 45THB depending on the hawker stands location.
But there are also many bigger local restaurants popping up all central Bangkok serving top notch Western sized meals with reasonable prices. Jones the Grocer, Dean and DeLuca and Tim Ho Wan have their shoes in Bangkok now. Even celebrity Brit Chef Jaime Oliver is planning on opening up an Italian restaurant by end of this year.
But there are also local Thai restaurants keying in on Thais voracious appetite like this Thai owned BBQ and Seafood Buffet restaurant my wife and I enjoy so much. But the fact remains, very popular cheap hawker type eatery in Huai Kwang neighborhood will always be super popular with local Thai working class.
Safety Issues in Bangkok
Bangkok is a big city and relatively safe. But always keep your common sense with you…
Like any major city in most countries there’s always going to be crime. Of the 10 years I’ve been traveling back and forth and staying most of the year in Thailand I’ve never been robbed, beaten or stabbed.
But you will see and hear a lot of horrible stuff that happens all over the country, maybe on the local news or Facebook groups centered on Thai news.
To me, as a guy, it’s still safe to take a walk out and use taxis alone at night. For women, it’s better to be in a group rather than alone when doing the same. Violent Thai on foreigner crimes does occur around the Kingdom but not at an alarming rate so don’t be concerned.
Probably still a very good idea to not talk to strangers especially ones that approach you. And I’m not just talking about Thais. Many foreigners in Thailand that approach you should be eyed suspiciously as well.
Why Thailand?
Everyone has their own reasons. For me, it’s a different life. I’ve been living in New York for most of my life and all those years ago I decided to make my home somewhere in Southeast Asia. And I chose Thailand.
Thailand is a good place to live because it is truly affordable. There is stable internet and we all know how important that is. There are train systems that are expanding. Though taxis are still ridiculously cheap.
And, it’s a great jump off point for visiting other parts of Asia and Southeast Asia. Hell, I’m sitting in a café right now in Kuala Lumpur writing this post.
But you’ve got to have something to do. For me, my wife has a business. So that keeps me busy as well.
There’s certainly a lot to cover on the subject and making the decision to move to Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand. And I just touched on the tip of the iceberg.
So if you have any questions, please drop a comment or shoot me an email.
