For years I have always believed in not bringing politics into business – there lies only danger. But, the debate on Remaining or Leaving the EU is so much more than politics – it goes to the heart of who I am, where I come from and what I believe in. Whilst I there are…
In three years since we launched SmartOtels in June 2013, we have, like any business, had many ups and downs. One of the biggest wake-up calls, perhaps, was realising that the whole purpose of ourselves as sales and marketing representatives of resorts and hotels in South East Asia and South Asia is to make ourselves…
The ‘pearl drop’ island, Sri Lanka packs into this tropical island just about the size of Ireland, a huge variety of sun-soaked beaches, a hinterland showing off the country’s rich heritage, breathtaking rail trips and cooler, hillside tea plantations and an expertise and refinement in producing the world’s favourite beverage in surroundings that stem from…
In August, Joaquin and I were at Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, Palawan, experiencing the famous underground river close-by and the eco-resort’s many other attractions. On the last full day, we were picked up by a WWII jeep and driven a very bumpy 5 minutes along the beachside path to see for ourselves Palawan’s lush…
For some time, we have known that in following up with an established contact, an e-mail often does not get a reply, a message through LinkedIn more often does work and a message through Facebook almost always gets a reply. If this seems like an admission of the challenges for us of doing business, we take…
It is a measure of any hotel or resort how far you feel your jaw drop when you first walk into the room you have been given at Reception. That feeling (or its absence) sets the tone for the rest of your stay, no matter how short or long. The resorts and hotels which we…
“Welcome to Paradise” Bollie’s deep voice boomed out as we clambered genteelly out of the seaplane and onto the very solid jetty at Huma Island Resort and Spa luxury, private island. Wilhelm Bolton, the highly experienced General Manager of the resort is “Bollie” to all his guests and “Mr Bollie” to his team. In truth, our…
For a country about the size of Ireland, Sri Lanka offers a huge diversity in authentic travel experiences from simple sun, sea and sand on its pristine beaches to immersive safaris, whale watching off the East Coast, tea plantations in the centre and south, serene lakes and the country’s rich cultural centre as well as the…
Late in August we visited Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, Palawan, with good expectations of a beach resort and spa close to the Puerto Princesa underground river. What we found made the name “Beach Resort and Spa” seem very inadequate for a truly authentic Palawan experience neither of us will forget in a very long time. The first…
SmartOtels are on a mission to visit all of the client resorts and hotels, which we represent for sales and marketing in the UK. Yesterday, Joaquin and Matthew landed in Manila, the Philippines to continue that, following on from Joaquin’s extensive tour of Amaya Resorts and Spas and The Kingsbury Hotel in Sri Lanka in May.…
Every resort should have new sets of photos taken every so often and Huma Island Resort and Spa has done that with a great set of new photos that will largely speak for themselves, shortly after we had the chance to feature the new photos from Montigo Resorts Nongsa with the launch of their 3…
It is a part of the human condition that we attract tourism to somewhere people are drawn to largely by the difference of the culture, scenery and weather and then work to model that place to reflect the culture and experience of its visitors. The Costa Del Sol of Spain has become “Britain in the sun” and,…
Already visually stunning, the 88 two bedroom villas of Montigo Resorts Nongsa, just 30 minutes off Singapore, have already attracted a lot of interest from guests, agents and operators alike. From the photographs we have already shown, it is easy to see the high quality of accommodation and facilities provided. Now Montigo Resorts Nongsa have gone…
Cultural curiosity, unique multi-cultural mix, food capital of Malaysia and home to some of the world’s best street art – all of these, and more, describe George Town, capital of Penang province Malaysia and together go some way towards describing the unique appeal in tourism of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you…
Long known as “The Last Frontier” and voted “Best Island in the World” by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Palawan has been seen as a paradise on earth by those in the know for many years. It is a destination that is becoming much more widely available through European tour operators, as a part…
Luxury Resorts & Hotels 