Luxury Archives - Poplar Travels

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Dec 28 2016

A Weekend in Downtown DC at the Marriott Marquis

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

It’s always a treat to explore a town you know well or once lived in as a tourist. I had a great time staying at the Marriott Marquis Washington DC for a weekend and exploring an area that has gone through an amazing transformation since I first moved there five years ago. My very first apartment in DC was near the convention center, but not much else. What an amazing place to live that would be now, with some incredibly hip restaurants around the corner, art galleries, boutiques and more....

9 Comments

Jul 08 2016

Millikin Creek Napa

Reviews

by Evanne

Our next stop on our trip through Napa was to the quaint Milliken Creek Inn. Appropriately named since it sits on the Napa River which runs along the back side of the property. We enjoyed the boutique feel that the property offered. It was tucked just off the road with several entrances to access the guest rooms which were laid out much like apartments. Along the creek, there were areas for lounging, a wooden deck to observe the property and some trails through the trees. Across the water, the view...

31 Comments

Mar 19 2016

The Inn on Randolph: Napa Valley

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

After wine, Napa might immediately bring to mind a quaint bed and breakfast with great service and delicious cuisine. That’s exactly what we found at The Inn on Randolph, one of Napa’s top rated boutique accommodations. When we pulled into Napa, we were pleased to see how beautiful the town is. Victorian homes with manicured lawns line the streets. The Inn on Randolph fits seamlessly into the neighborhood and its charming curb appeal made us feel like we were right at home. The Rooms The main house, which includes the dining...

2 Comments

Mar 04 2016

Snowboarding At The Omni Homestead

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

The Homestead, its two golf courses, pool complex, natural springs, 400 plus rooms and plentiful meeting spaces and banquet halls acts as a massive time machine, transporting us back to an era when guests summered in mountain cottages, hit the gym in floor length skirts and dressed to the nines for afternoon tea. Even the newer wing, added in the ‘70s, has been redone to match the style of the older portion of the resort. The hallways are lined with black and white photographs of the grounds and interior as...

3 Comments

Jan 27 2016

The Fairmont San Francisco

Reviews

by Evanne

The Fairmont greets guests with an impressive lobby that almost forces you to stop and look around - and up - to take in all the detail. Grand couches are arranged into intimate seating areas in the middle under surrounding a massive vase. To the left, signs guide guests to a hair salon and gift shop; to the right, check in behind a stately counter. The impressive building with 592 guest rooms has several dining options, lounges and stunning event spaces. The History The Fairmont is centrally located atop San Francisco’s Nob...

9 Comments

Jan 13 2016

A Day of Wine Tasting In Downtown Napa

Food & Drink

by Evanne

Eric and I spent an amazing week in California where we spent 4 nights in the Napa Valley. While we usually travel with just the two of us, we were excited to be joined by our friends Allie and Andrew, especially since we are all wine lovers. We spent our first full day in downtown Napa, setting off from The Inn on Randolph with way too many free tasting cards. We began the day at Vermeil tasting room where we sat in a room with a panoramic photo of the vineyard and...

28 Comments

Jan 10 2016

The best luxury hotels of 2015

Inspiration, Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

Narrowing down the best hotels of 2015 was even more difficult than last year. During this past year, we stayed in more than 70 different hotels in 7 different countries. Two of our favorite things about traveling in Southeast Asia are the amazing customer service at the resorts and hotels and the unique design concepts at some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. The region is home to some impressive global brands as well as hidden gems. A few of these properties stand out most in our mind. It was...

5 Comments

Dec 08 2015

Best Spas in Chiang Mai

Travel Tips

by Evanne

When travelers visit Thailand, a traditional Thai massage is often at the top of their list of must-do activities. Anyone who has spent an extended period of time in Southeast Asia has felt the pain of realizing they can no longer afford multiple massages or spa visits each week. Nothing will spoil a traveler like the availability of $5 foot massages on every corner. We encourage anyone taking a trip to Thailand to go one step further and treat themselves to a proper spa experience. Getting a Thai massage on a thin...

1 Comment

Nov 06 2015

Sofitel Washington DC: Luxury Hotel In Lafayette Square

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

Washington, D.C., has no shortage of accommodation and with several neighborhoods to choose from, tourists can wonder where to start. Our last trip to the Capital was for the Landmark Music Festival, so we knew we wanted to be close to the Mall. We settled on one of our favorite hotel brands, Sofitel, and decided to see what the Washington property has to offer. The Location Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, as it turns out, is convenient to way more than just The National Mall. We walked everywhere all weekend, yet felt...

0 Comments

Aug 26 2015

Tugu Hotel Lombok

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

We had a feeling that squeezing in two nights on Lombok would be well worth it when we heard about Tugu Hotels. We were staying on Bali in some beautiful properties and didn't necessarily want to spend more time on a plane or in a car, but when we arrived at Tugu, we knew we made the right decision. Lombok is quieter than it's tourist-ridden neighbor and the locals are ecstatic to welcome any visitors. We arrived during burning season and drove through clouds of smoke coming from the fields on...

8 Comments

Aug 01 2015

The W Hotel Washington D.C.

Reviews, Travel

by Evanne

Everyone who lives in Washington, D.C., has been to the P.O.V. lounge on the roof level of The W. The stunning view of the Washington Monument, the Mall and even the White House at certain angles, make this a spectacular place to see the District at night. The stylish bar hosts all kind of events from book signings to fashion shows and always draws a big crowd. While Eric and I lived in D.C. we attended a few of these events and brought our visiting friends for a drink on...

0 Comments

Jul 23 2015

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites, Kuala Lumpur

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

Frequent travelers know that staying in a hotel can get old. Especially when making a foreign city your temporary home, even a luxurious hotel room can just feel cold and cramped. Serviced apartments are one of our favorite ways to get comfortable in a new city and they are a perfect springboard for getting to know the place. PARKROYAL Serviced Suites offers a modern home away from home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4724,4720,4719"] *Photos courtesy of PARKROYAL because this happened. The Rooms These incredibly well-designed serviced suites make creative use of space...

0 Comments

Jul 17 2015

The Sarann, Koh Samui

Reviews

by Evanne

The Sarann occupies a stretch of land along the ocean with a beautiful view of one of the beaches for which Koh Samui is so well known. The main town is about 20 minutes away and a complimentary shuttle is available at certain times to take you there. We immediately noticed the uniform of the staff – their striped tshirts, khaki board shorts and white tennis shoes were reminiscent of yacht attire and were much more laid back than the traditional outfits worn at other five star accommodations in Thailand....

1 Comment

Jun 05 2015

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

The Sofitel name is one to which we are always drawn due to their beautiful properties, desirable locations and incredibly well-trained staff. Our experience at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort met our expectations despite a rocky start that involved long lines at immigration, an impatient greeter and a very disorganized check-in after a frustrating flight. Classic travel woes. When we finally made it to our room our anxiety melted away and we soaked up the view of the ocean from our balcony. *Photos courtesy of Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua. (Still...

2 Comments

May 22 2015

PARKROYAL Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Reviews

by Evanne

Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant city drawing business and leisure travelers to the busiest location in Malaysia. While Penang, and especially Georgetown, has become a boutique hotel fanatic’s paradise, the capital city maintains a metropolitan feel with the famous Petronas Towers, massive underground shopping centers and bustling nightlife. When selecting a hotel here, visitors will be faced with plenty of options at different price points and in different locations. We chose to stay close to the downtown area at the PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4542,4547,4541,4545,4543"] The Rooms We were exhausted and appreciated the...

2 Comments

Apr 13 2015

Cameron Highlands Resort Review

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

If you are making a trip to Malaysia and are on the fence about whether to stop in the Cameron Highlands, allow us to help you make up your mind: you need to go. The Cameron Highlands Resort was a highlight of our trip to Malaysia. We left feeling inspired, relaxed and very very full. We were greeted cheerfully by staff and took a seat in the Jim Thompson tea room to get settled. The room is a look back in time to the days Jim Thompson would arrive there...

1 Comment

Apr 12 2015

Hotel Penaga Review, Penang

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

Penang has become a popular spot for hotels with loads of character and the number of small boutique accommodations is one the rise. With trendy nightlife, street art lining the roads and a nearby beach, this small city is a popular destination in Malaysia. The quaint island of Georgetown, with its colonial charm, is especially popular for boutique hotels. Among the best is Hotel Penaga, designed and owned by a power couple consisting of a well-known architect and an environmentalist. The resulting structure is stylish, welcoming and green. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4337,4349,4334"] The Rooms Our...

1 Comment

Apr 11 2015

Borei Angkor Resort And Spa Review

Reviews

by Evanne

As soon as we walked into the lobby of the Borei Angkor Resort and Spa, we felt close to the culture and the enormous scale of historic Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Huge blocks the size of boulders make up the walls reaching up to a soaring ceiling, and the staff wear traditional Khmer attire. Despite the colossal aesthetic, we were greeted warmly and invited to take a seat on a comfortable sofa. The staff were all insistent on asking our names and telling us their own, always pointing at their...

0 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...

0 Comments

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...

0 Comments

Mar 31 2015

Heritage Suites Hotel Siem Reap

Reviews, Top Hotels

by Evanne

Heritage Suites, a small boutique hotel tucked away in a quiet residential section of Siem Reap, Cambodia, is an ideal escape from the dusty city after a day of exploring the famous Angkor temples. The boutique hotel is laid out on lush tropical grounds with a grand dining hall, large swimming pool, spa, and adventure tour operator. The hotel is only 6 kilometers from the historic Angkor temples and just a few minutes by tuk tuk to the pub street and local markets. Convenient, yet secluded, Heritage Suites provides luxurious boutique...

1 Comment

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...

0 Comments

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 20 2015

Glory Legend Cruise Review: Halong Bay

Reviews

by Eric

On our trip to Vietnam we knew we could not miss the famous UNESCO Heritage site of Halong Bay. There are only a few options to explore this historic site and the most popular is an overnight cruise. We tested the new Glory Legend Cruise experience for a three day and two night cruise in luxury and comfort. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="4005,4004"] The Room The room was small and simple but well decorated and had a night stand, lamp and racks to hang our clothes on. The bathroom was pretty nice and had a...

0 Comments