Asian Awards and Resort News
From Uncle Ted

Dateline: Bangkok, July 12, 2007
A 4-minute read.

Here’s a handful of this month’s News and Awards from my neighbourhood.

Bangkok named third in Best City in the World survey.

According to Travel + Leisure Magazine's readers' survey for the year 2007, Bangkok is ranked third as World’s Best City.

It follows #2—Florence, Italy which has held the No.1 position for two consecutive years, and Buenos Aires in Argentina which this year enjoys the highest ranking ever.

Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2007 also went to Oberoi Udaivilas as the World's Best Hotel-the first time a hotel in India has won the top prize, as well as SeaDream Yacht Club as top small-ship cruise line. Ranked No. 2 among international airlines, MaxJet makes its debut on the World's Best Awards list.

Among the winners, Singapore Airlines was voted the world's best international airline, The Peninsula Bangkok as the world's best hotel for $250 or less, and...

Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai as the world's best hotel spa in Asia Pacific.

Here is the report on my personal visit to the Four Seasons Resort & Spa, Chiang Mai a few months ago.

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Conrad Bangkok is 'Asia's best business hotel.'

The Conrad Bangkok received the 2007 TravelWeekly Asia Industry Award for Best Business Hotel in Asia at a recent ceremony in Hong Kong.

"We are delighted to have won this prestigious award and to be recognised as the best business hotel in Asia," says Gregory Meadows, the hotel's general manager. "We are always trying to raise the bar in meeting the business and leisure needs of our guests."

TravelWeekly magazine's annual awards recognise the best companies in the tourism industry and acknowledge their contributions in Asia. The prestigious awards are based on expert nominations and the votes of readers.

Mr. Gregory Meadows

Here are reports on my personal visits recently:
An Uplifting Evening
A Rant and a Rave

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Marriott Hotel chef picked as "Singapore Chef of the Year"
Singapore, July 2007

A newly-created dish that represents multiracial Singapore has brought success to 26-year-old Chef Kelvin Kek of the Singapore Marriott Hotel. He has been crowned "Singapore Chef of the Year."

Judges picked his "King Prawns with Potato Cake Served with Cod & Dry Scallop Wanton" as one that truly represents Singapore.

"This dish is for the 4 races in Singapore - the Eurasians, Chinese, Indian, and Malay. The sauce is hot and sweet, and the potato cake is very soft and crispy. Because Asians like sweet, hot and sour stuff, and Europeans like potato very much. You can taste the 4 tastes - bitter, sweet, sour, and hot," said Chef Kek.

And that was why Kevin also walked away with the title of the "Best Taste Award," beating 14 other top chefs from various hotels and restaurants in Singapore.

Here is the report on my personal visit a few months ago.

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Koh Samui, Thailand – Following the huge success of its romantic beachfront dinners for two, Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa recently launched a range of sumptuous BBQ menus for couples, staying in the stunning Pool Villas.

Highlight includes succulent seafood, including giant squid, blue crab, tiger prawns, sea bass; Australian Angus tenderloin, lamb racks, pork loin steak, and chicken breast accompanied by sauces and dips including pepper corn sauce, cream of mushroom, béarnaise, lemon butter, spicy Thai seafood sauce, tomato salsa, and guacamole port wine gravy. All menus are served with mixed green salad, grilled marinated fresh vegetables, choice of baked or boiled buttered potatoes, and stir fried rice.

Prices start from Baht 3,500 (plus service charge and government taxes), the new menus include Seafood BBQ set, Meat Lover BBQ set, and Combination BBQ set.

The luxurious 32 villas offer the ultimate seclusion and privacy. Each villa is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation and a sun-drenched terracotta wall. The villas have a living area of 60 – 64 square meters (646 – 689 square feet) in size and 96 – 102 square meters (1,033 – 1,098 square feet) outside private terrace and plunge pool with sun beds and a dining area accessible from the spacious living room through traditional Thai doors. Each villa features a separate bedroom with a King size four-poster bed and separate living area, each bedroom comes with a private bathroom featuring double vanity and sunken bath/shower. The villas are furnished in the finest Asian décor with hardwood teak floors and boasts views of the Gulf of Siam or the beautiful gardens.

Here is the report on my personal visit a few months ago.

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All the best,

Uncle Ted

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