Eric and Evanne, Author at Poplar Travels

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Dec 14 2015

Christmas Gifts for Travelers

Travel Tips

by Eric and Evanne

If you have a frequent traveler or someone with an upcoming trip on your Christmas list this year, you may be tempted to get them something that will be useful for them on the go. Has your sister been talking your ear off about how excited she is to take pictures on her trip to Germany over Christmas? Or maybe your best friend mentioned they want to upgrade their headphones before they have to fly across the country? Traveling is always exciting and there are tons of gadgets to help make...

3 Comments

Apr 20 2015

Countryside Motorbike Tour In Siem Reap, Cambodia

Adventure

by Eric and Evanne

Cambodia is a country rich with culture and historic terrain begging for explorers to leave the tourist centers and venture out into the countryside. Aside from visiting the famous Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, we knew we wanted to go off the beaten path to see what life is like for most Cambodians in the countryside. With Tinggly, a company that facilitates giving the gift of travel, we took a motorbike tour through remote neighborhoods down dirt roads and got to meet the locals. If you’ve ever been stuck with a...

5 Comments

Apr 10 2015

Big News: Our Next Home Base

Inspiration

by Eric and Evanne

It has been a busy few months here at Poplar Travels and now we finally get to share our plans for our next adventure! Last year, we started this journey by leaving Washington, D.C., with one-way tickets to Thailand. Our plan didn’t extend beyond our 6-month lease, and when it was up we started on a tour of Southeast Asia starting with two weeks in Vietnam followed by Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. The past five weeks have absolutely flown by and we have so many stories to share. We stayed in...

2 Comments

Apr 10 2015

La Rose Suites Phnom Penh Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

La Rose Suites in Phnom Penh echoes the spa-like design of its sister property La Rose Boutique Hotel, but with five-star facilities. The hotel is hidden behind a high wall that shelters the pool and lounge area from the road. We entered through a tunnel of vines and twinkling lights and walked into the dimly lit lobby. Staff met us at the entrance to take our bags and urged us to take a seat. The hotel is in a convenient location to explore popular spots like the Royal Palace and Wat...

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Apr 03 2015

Lotus Blanc Resort Siem Reap Review

Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

The Lotus Blanc Resort in Siem Reap is set back from the busy road that runs in front of it, accented by calming lotus ponds and tropical plants. This boutique hotel is a peaceful stylish accommodation conveniently located near Angkor Historic Park. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and led to a comfortable seating area while our reservation was confirmed and our room was readied. The front desk staff were very friendly and gave us a quick tour of the grounds before leading us up to our suite. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4278,4275"] The...

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Mar 28 2015

La Rose Boutique Hotel Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

La Rose Boutique Hotel and Spa in Phnom Penh is a true boutique hotel with only 10 rooms. The hotel is on a quiet stretch of the main road leading away from Independence Monument. We were greeted with smiles and treated to a tasty welcome drink as we confirmed our itinerary and spa reservations at check in. Throughout our stay, the staff made it clear they were available for our every request and made sure to make us feel at home in Cambodia. The Hotel is in a great location, a...

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Mar 23 2015

Victoria Can Tho Resort Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

Victoria Can Tho Resort is the only luxury resort on the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, and it is part of the exclusive Victoria hotels and resorts group. The property is tucked back away from the road and sits on a quiet stretch of riverfront property. A complimentary boat shuttles guests back and forth to the main stretch of town, a quick ride away. After our warm welcome we were treated to a neck and shoulder massage before we were shown up to our spacious suite by the friendly bellboy. [gallery type="rectangular"...

1 Comment

Mar 20 2015

The Nam Hai Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

The Nam Hai in Vietnam is expertly designed and laid out to create a peaceful atmosphere along a pristine stretch of white sandy beach. The resort sits on a sprawling 35 hectares of lush land with 100 villas from one to five bedrooms. The Nam Hai is located only eleven kilometers north of Hoi An on a private beach with three large elevated infinity pools each with views of the ocean and nearby Cham Islands. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4053,4051,4039"] The Grounds The resort has a unique design that allows the majority of the villas...

3 Comments

Mar 19 2015

Flying With AirAsia Thailand

Reviews, Travel Tips

by Eric and Evanne

While living in Chiang Mai, we got to explore a lot of Thailand including several trips to Bangkok and a two week trip to the Southern part of the country. To get the most out of our trips, we wanted to spend as little time and money on transportation as possible. We have flown with AirAsia Thailand a dozen times and we are always pleased with our service. Recently, we flew with AirAsia Thailand to Bangkok and then on to Hanoi. It was our first international flight with the airline and...

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Mar 14 2015

Palm Garden Resort Hoi An Review

Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

The Palm Garden Resort in Hoi An, Vietnam, is in a great location for those in search of a beautiful beach with easy access to the Ancient City. A free shuttle runs a few times a day to take guests to the heart of town and a taxi is less than $5. There are plenty of little shops and convenience stores in the area where you can pick up any toiletries that you might need. We were greeted in the open air lobby with cold watermelon juice and after a...

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Mar 13 2015

What Is Luxury Travel?

Inspiration

by Eric and Evanne

During our work as travel bloggers, we have the opportunity to visit some of the top hotels, spas and restaurants in the world. These five-star destinations sometimes include beach front villas, in-suite pools and jacuzzis, private aircraft, live-in butlers and world-class dining, but that is not necessarily what earns their status among the greats of luxury travel. Best at Travel challenged us to define what luxury travel means to us, so we reflected on some of our favorite experiences. To us, luxury travel is the ability to travel without stress with every...

2 Comments

Carry-on Essentials: What To Pack To Stay Comfortable on Long Flights

Travel Tips

by Eric and Evanne

Long flights may signify the beginning of a well-deserved vacation, a short business trip or a big move. No matter where your plane is taking you, the flight itself is seldom a highlight of your trip. However, just because you are stuck on an airplane for hours doesn’t mean you have to be miserable. We have flown around the world from Los Angeles to Bangkok and back to D.C., and a little preparation helps make our flights not only tolerable, but smooth and comfy! With a few carry-on essentials packed in your bag you will...

2 Comments

Mar 09 2015

La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

After a long and bumpy overnight train ride from Hanoi, we arrived in the vibrant city of Hue, Vietnam. Hue is a great town to explore on foot or by bicycle, and has many bustling markets. The entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site and La Residence Hue is a part of that history and charm. Of the many hotels in Hue, this one is recognized around the world for its service and luxurious amenities. La Residence Hue Hotel and Spa sits on 2 hectares of land partially surrounded by...

1 Comment

Mar 09 2015

Grasshopper Adventures Bangkok: Canal Boat and Bike Trip Review

Adventure

by Eric and Evanne

Riding a bicycle through the insanity that runs the streets of Bangkok might not sound like such a great idea, but if you’re in search of an urban adventure with a cultural twist, it might be just what you’re looking for. Grasshopper Adventures Bangkok offers bike tours and many excursions in different styles. We experienced the half day Canal Boat and Bike trip through Bangkok that brings riders through the old city via a scenic boat ride, past temples, homes and markets. There was a good mix of stopping to...

4 Comments

Mar 05 2015

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

The Sofitel Metropole Hanoi is a perfect mix of luxury and culture. Located in a building built as a hotel in 1901, and situated near the city's largest lake in the Old Quarter, the Metropole Hanoi is a popular spot for wedding photography, coffee dates and even live jazz. The beautiful historic and modern wings offer different amenities and room styles, but all guests have access to the extensive activities on site. So many famous and talented people have passed through that lobby, we couldn't help but feel a little...

2 Comments

Feb 26 2015

Where We’re Headed: Travel Plans For March 2015

Inspiration, Travel

by Eric and Evanne

In our disorganized frenzy to pack up our lives again, we realized we neglected to share our travel plans for March with our readers. You may have picked up from our social media accounts that we have a big trip coming up! So, to give you an idea of what we are up against and why it was so hard to pack, here is where we are headed in March. Two duffel bags, one backpack and a camera bag for five weeks on the road through four countries. We are over-packers...

2 Comments

Feb 25 2015

Ann Heritage Lodge Inle Lake Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

As you may know, we actively seek out unique accommodations around the world that offer one of a kind experiences and create lasting memories that we can share for years to come. Ann Heritage Lodge is one of these accommodations that offers an experience you will not find anywhere else. The lodge consists of cabins built on stilts over the water of the northwestern side if Inle Lake, Myanmar. The lodge is only accessible by small boat and is a great central location for exploring the rest of the lake. The...

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Feb 24 2015

Oasis Baan Saen Doi Spa Resort Review

Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

Oasis Baan Saen Doi Spa Resort is located a few kilometers south of the old city of Chiang Mai in a quiet resort community at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain. The small boutique resort is spread throughout multiple lanna style structures and includes a full service luxury spa and spacious rooms and suites. After our tiresome travels through Myanmar, we decided to stay at Oasis Baan Saen Doi for a few days to rest and revive ourselves. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="3679,3677,3662"] The Grounds Wooden walkways surrounded by tranquil water features welcome you as...

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Jan 16 2015

Kiyora Spa: Chiang Mai’s Urban Oasis

Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

Kiyora Spa is located a few blocks away from the old city of Chiang Mai on a quiet neighborhood street. The Spa is small, but offers an extensive treatment menu with everything from the traditional thai massage to 4.5 hour “spa-cation” packages. We got to try the 2.5 hour “scrub, rub and compress” package which includes a body scrub, an oil massage and a hot herbal compress massage. We were warmly greeted upon arrival and offered a tea welcome drink. The staff was quick to help us with our bags and...

4 Comments

Jan 15 2015

Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai: A Kingdom of Luxury

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai has been named the best hotel in Thailand and year after year it sits comfortably within the rankings of the top 50 hotels in the world. It is modeled after a traditional Lanna kingdom complete with streams and ponds winding through the 123 palatial villas and suites. The property sits on a sprawling 60 acres and is so large that staff get around on bikes and guests can call a golf cart shuttle to their room to take them to breakfast or anywhere else on...

7 Comments

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Travelers

Style, Travel Tips

by Eric and Evanne

For the travelers on your list this holiday season, we broke our guide into categories: stylish, frequent, tech, and adventurous. Whether you're looking for something for a friend who constantly travels for business or your cousin off on her first backpacking trip, this is the ultimate holiday gift guide for travelers. The Stylish Traveler Style doesn't stop when you leave for a trip. Stylish travelers are always on the lookout for travel accessories and clothing that don't look like travel items. Utility, organization and multiple-use products will be at the top of...

10 Comments

Dec 09 2014

Mandarin Oriental’s Cherry Garden Restaurant

Food & Drink, Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

Singapore is known for its large variety of cuisines and top notch restaurants. During our visit, we tried to squeeze in meals at a wide variety of fine dining and off the beaten path locations so we could try a lots of different dishes. Part of our culinary explorations led us to Cantonese cuisine at the Cherry Garden restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental hotel. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="2522,2517,2516,2518"] Cherry Garden offers an a la carte dim sum during the week, but we attended the dim sum buffet which is only offered on the...

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Dec 05 2014

Lunch at Table by Rang Mahal: Naumi Hotel Singapore

Food & Drink, Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

On the last day of our exciting visit, we were invited to lunch at Table by Rang Mahal at Naumi Hotel Singapore for an authentic Indian gastronomy experience with a modern flair. Our lunch was one of the best meals we had in Singapore and will not be soon forgotten. Table is a contemporary styled restaurant located on the first floor of Naumi Luxury Boutique Hotel. Naumi offers unique luxury rooms with clever designs, including Coco Chanel and Andy Warhol themed suites. The entire Naumi experience is designed to be personal...

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Dec 03 2014

BIG Hotel Singapore

Reviews

by Eric and Evanne

BIG Hotel Singapore was not exactly big, and neither were the rooms. This little boutique hotel was built only a year ago and has a fun subterranean lobby that you access by glass elevator from street level. The ironically named design hotel is in a great location near Little India and Orchard Road. The lobby has a cozy set-up with couches and a television for guests to enjoy in the company of others. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="2445,2446,2448"] The Rooms You would expect a self-proclaimed design hotel to put a little thought into paint color,...

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Dec 03 2014

Ascott Raffles Place Singapore

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Eric and Evanne

There are hundreds of hotels in Singapore and dozens that offer refined boutique luxury experiences, but only a few that offer cultural luxury enveloped in the rich history of Singapore. Ascott Raffles Place Singapore is one of these distinguished heritage hotels. Ascott Raffles Place is located in what used to be the Asia Insurance Building. The building was designed by one of Singapore’s pioneer architects and was finished in 1954. At 20 stories, it claimed the title of the then tallest building in Asia. Its Art Deco design and construction quality was...

3 Comments