Monday, 27 April 2009

Hotel Be Angkor (The One Hotel collection)

Hotel Be Angkor
After The One Hotel Angkor, i have to write about Hotel Be Angkor, which is located on The Passage in the vibrant Old Market Area of Siem Reap, adjacent to The One Hotel Angkor and just across Linga Bar. The most up and coming corner of Siem Reap, The Passage maintains a serene and intimate vibe – an artsy lane where you can relax with a glass of wine, imbibe an evening cocktail, browse a gallery or relax in the privacy of Angkor’s most unique accommodation.
Above, the facade of the 3-storey height Hotel Be (pronounce like a 'P'), meaning 2 or for the owner it's his, Martin Dishman second hotel after ONE. Once u arrived, u will be greeted by a welcoming reception area.

BE became the perfect solution to the limitations of One.

It gave us the opportunity to accommodate families, three adults in one room, two or three couples traveling together etc. And, with a different price structure, it enabled us to appeal to more customers. -Martin Dishman. With no room numbers the hotel gets personal with just three beautifully created design experiences, Saffron, Bamboo & Sephia Rooms.

The Lounge 1The Lounge 2The Lounge with modern designer sofas where u can refresh with a chilled drink or browse the shelves of contemporary Cambodian art and chic gifts.

AHA Restaurant 1AHA Restaurant 2Wine barOn the ground floor, AHA (pronounced “ah-hah”) restaurant and wine bar, a dining concept by Hotel de la Paix. Created by a Khmer-French design team Asma, AHA is a free-flowing space with a 30-metre wooden wave wall, ‘floating’ show kitchen and designer wine display.
Executive Chef Cassandra Zukauskas has shaped an array of ‘small plates’ – many essentially Khmer in inspiration, but also moving further afield. The adventurous will likely desire to try some of the exotic fare, such as Green Mango and Dried Snake Salad, while more restrained gourmands will take pleasure in the Grilled Prawn and Radicchio with Duck Confit. For dessert, highlights include Honeycomb Icecream, Jasmine Rice with Coconut Sorbet, and Sambucca Jelly. The wine selection is similarly exceptional, and guests of Hotel Be Angkor are also welcome to enjoy room service throughout their stay.

Saffron Room 1Saffron Room 2Saffron Room 3
The Saffron Room, with natural woods and steel and glass fittings.
Entrance via a steel bridge that spans the second floor of a three-story light filled atrium. Against the backdrop of the sleek modern interiors are the vibrant artwork of Siem Reap-based Filipino artist Loven Ramos with rich and golden saffron hues, from the human mandala in the bedroom to whimsical canvasses scattered throughout the walls of the sitting area. On your balcony overlook the charming walking street of “The Passage”.


Bamboo Room 1Bamboo Room 2Bamboo Room 3
The Bamboo Room with natural fibers and materials integrate beautifully with the bold art of Cambodian artist Sopheap Pich, his famed sculptures coax rattan and bamboo into exotic forms that have earned him acclaim as a national art treasure.
Framed drawings of the artist work grace the walls, along with woven textured features throughout the bedroom. A specially designed partition of a 2-dimensional lattice work from swirling tree branches separates the bedroom from sitting area.Cantilevered, the first level of the Bamboo Room (located on BE's third floor) offers a Catalan patio style sitting room and bedroom looking out onto the garden atrium. Above, u have your own private roof terrace with a daybed + beautiful views over town, including the Old Market, trees along the riverbank and stunning sunrises.


Sephia Room 1Sephia Room 2Sephia Room 3The roof terrace 1The roof terrace 2
The Sephia Room fill with photographs of Angkorian monuments.
U can enjoy images by John McDermott, hailed as the Ansel Adams of Angkor by the New York Times, in the two-story atrium living area and the intimate bedroom. Stairs lead to your private roof terrace with daybed and sunset views.


a+. hotel be angkor

Sunday, 26 April 2009

The One Hotel Angkor

The One Hotel Angkor facade 1The One Hotel Angkor facade 2
I came upon this hotel after i went for my Cambodia-Siem Reap trip 2 years ago. Frustated from not being able to check on this fabulous place (though i know i can't afford it.'>), i have to be content with just adding it into my MUST VISIT LIST...

The One Hotel, like its name has only ONE room.

Its minimalism approach may be the "dumbest business plan"(-quoted business owner Martin Dishman) for hospitality but people love the concept of enjoying the best for service, luxury and oriental sensuality, i.e. watching CNN from a 32" flat screen tv on your king-size bed + a mobile phone, a laptop & a loaded ipod while owning the roof of the French colonial building all by yourself. U can either indulge yourself in the jacuzzi or enjoy a bamboo-shaded outdoor shower or relax on the Queen-size daybed on this lovely secluded terrace.
Martin Dishman came to Siem Reap in 2oo4 to run Shinta Mani, a small, upscale hotel that also serves as a vocational school. At the end of 2oo4, he open Linga, Cambodia's first gay-friendly bar followed by ONE in April 2oo6 (& Hotel BE later). "ONE just gives Siem Reap another cool dimension,"says Nicholas Downing, Hotel de la Paix's general manager.-Forbes Asia, June 2oo8.


The One Hotel Angkor interior 1The bedroom with king-size bed, a 32" plasma on the wall.

The One Hotel Angkor interior 2There is an open wash-basin just directly behind your bed-head panel.


The One Hotel Angkor terrace 1The One Hotel Angkor terrace 2
A lovely, breath-taking secluded terrace with a queen-size day bed, open-air jacuzzi & a small table for u to relax & enjoy the street view from this private balcony.And don't forget the open-air rain shower too!


The One Hotel Angkor
The Passage, Old Market Area
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia


Tel/Fax: +855 (0) 12 755 311
Tel: +855-63-965-321
E-mail: youaretheone@theonehotelangkor.com

a+. the one hotel angkor

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Hotel AzĂșcar, Veracruz

Open-air libraryOpen-air library ...*reading + day dreaming*...

Along Mexico´s Costa Esmeralda, near the small community of Monte Gordo, Veracruz, lies Azucar, an intimate white-walled minimalist retreat that blends perfectly with its natural lush tropical surroundings. Deemed “Tropical-Ranchero style” by the team of noted Mexican architects that designed its spaces, Azucar tips its hat to the local sugar industry but also pays tribute to the people of Veracruz — colorful, cheerful “Jarochos,” devoutly traditional and passionate about their music, culture and history.


BedroomThe white bedrooms...


Outdoor shower cubiclesThe outdoor shower cubicles.


The poolCheerful color of “Jarochos” beside the pool or beach palapas .


Bungalows
Path leading to 20 spacious, casual & sensual bungalows with private terrace, lounging area & hammock is designed for complete intimacy. They are named after the numerous sugar mills in this area a private terrace with lounging area and hammock and is designed for complete intimacy.


The meditation areaThe meditation area.



a+. Hotel AzĂșcar via