By Dian Hasan | July 11, 2010

As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia is naturally home to plenty of sea-faring indigenous tribes. The stories of their bravado and skills in navigating treacherous seas are legendary. Such as the Bugis people of South Sulawesi (Celebes) whose magnificent Phinisi wooden schooners have plied the seas for centuries and ventured as far away as Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. When not at sea, these proud “sea people” still live on the sea, literally above the ocean, in houses on stilts.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to live in a traditional floating house, there’s a hotel just like, the Nirvana Roemah Air floating hotel in Lombok Island, Bali’s neighbor to the east.

Akin to staying in a house boat, except that Nirvana Roemah Air doesn’t move around, and stays “moored” on site, the name translates to Nirvana Water House in Indonesia.

Nirvana Roemah Air is located in the village of Medang – Sekotong Tengah, Lombok Barat – NTB. It is a real boutique resort, extremely unique. It is a combination of ‘Crystal Turquoise and Silky Green’ environment: the Medang Bay with its Mangrove forest.

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By Dian Hasan | Mary 21, 2010

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado, USA
Total Passenger: 7,477,348 (Jan – Feb 2010), 50,167,485 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

By Dian Hasan | Mary 21, 2010

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas, USA
Total Passenger: 8,122,059 (Jan – Feb 2010), 56,030,457 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

By Dian Hasan | Mary 21, 2010

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California, USA
Total Passenger: 8,570,217 (Jan – Feb 2010), 56,518,605 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

By Dian Hasan | Mary 21, 2010

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Total Passenger: 9,061,143 (Jan – Feb 2010), 64,397,891 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

By Dian Hasan | Mary 21, 2010

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Total Passenger: 12,414,584 (Jan – Feb 2010), 88,032,086 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

By Dian Hasan | Mary 19, 2010

Julia Roberts’ upcoming 2010 summer movie, “Eat, Pray, Love”, based on the hugely successful novel by Elizabeth Gilbert, will no doubt help promote the travel destinations depicted in the novel.

Regardless of whether the movie will be a commercial success, Tuscany, India, and the undeniable star attraction – BALI – are already gaining traction. Initial interest in the book, and now the movie, has already seen an increase in tourist arrivals in Bali. Led by female travelers, for whom the book is intended for, the novel’s theme of self-discovery and actualization, in search of life’s balance and – most importantly – the balance of body, mind and soul – strikes a chord with Bali’s offering.

Therefore, boutique resorts & hotels, gourmet cuisine, yoga, meditation, spa, herbal remedy, traditional markets, organic spa treatments, ecotourism practices, Bali’s Green School… are all key word searches that are popping up in the Googledom search universe.

For North American female travelers, their search for what Bali has to offer might just have ended, with a travel package designed specifically with this novel in mind.

Women’s Retreat from Wake Up in Bali, is a travel-program laden with activities that attempt to remain faithful to the novel. Designed as a wholesome approach to journey of self-discovery, Women’s Retreat is positioned as a transformational experience that is unique and life-enhancing. Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | May 18, 2010

Going against the grain of boutique hotels seems to be the basic premise of Seattle-based Ace Hotels, which has gone eastward and planted their first brand of new cool in the Big Apple. This is after a series of successfully acing hotels by the same name in Seattle (obviously), Portland and Palm Springs.

After all, what boutique hotel could claim having bunk beds, turntables and SMEG fridges in the guest rooms, an industrial-style elevator, and mix and match vintage furniture so unique, it feels as if New York’s famous ABC Carpet & Home furnishing has decided to start allowing stay over night in the store.

Ace New York City, a reincarnation of the 1904 edifice that housed the former Breslin Hotel, and what a sumptuous reincarnation at that! Ace defies classification, it’s as if you’ve entered an old aunt’s living room in Prague, Berlin or Paris.

From the 18-foot-high ceiling that adorns the lobby, to the original mosaic tile floor and carved plaster ceiling in the public areas, to the vintage faucets and blackboards for scribbling your thoughts in the guest rooms, Ace is uniquely different.

Ace , positions itself impeccably against Gotham City’s plethora of hotels with personality. For this one’s shines through.

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By Dian Hasan | May 17, 2010

Bali is synonymous with world-class resorts, luxurious villas and even quaint traditional losmen guesthouses.

Regardless of choice of accommodation, you can be assured that it comes with the personal level of service from the warm-hearted Balinese people with their intoxicating culture and distinctive style. The grace in which they extend their hospitality is of course legendary across the world.

The last decade has seen a mushrooming of luxury villa offerings across the island. Each villa with its look and feel, but share in common the Bali Design Style that has evolved into a recognizable style that is emulated around the world.

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By Dian Hasan | May 16, 2010

What happens when Bali meets a Scandinavian city in Northern Europe? If that place is Copenhagen, home to Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, and a city renowned for its clean design flair, the result is a pleasant exercise in mix and match.

That special hotel is Axel Hotel Guldsmeden, and the location befits a hotel that defies categorization, in Vesterbro, Copenhagen hippest neighborhood.

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