It rained cats and dogs when we were about to start our do-it-yourself walking tour in Kuala Lumpur two years ago. Ed and I got stuck in Harrods Cafe (which is now permanently closed) in Suria KLCC. There's nothing a cup of teh tarik and a plate of scones can't fix, but I was plainly downhearted on that rainy afternoon.  Fast forward to our return trip to KL this year, I made sure to settle our unfinished business!  ..read more

I'm a huge fan of budget travel, but here's the catch - I'm not the one who's willing to compromise comfort and convenience. Being always after the value of money, I was thrilled when I heard about the launching of OYO Rooms in the UAE.   What is OYO?  OYO Rooms is actually not a newbie in the budget travel category. It originated in India in 2013 as a startup which aimed to standardize the services in budget hotels and guesthouses. It has become South Asia's largest hospitality group, and now it's being introduced to the world; one country at a time.   ..read more

Did you know that you can experience Swiss hospitality in the heart of Dubai? We were delighted to learn about Revier Hotel. The hotel brand curated in Switzerland recently opened its doors in Business Bay. We felt it would be a unique staycation venue in the UAE, especially now that the weather is getting warmer. So we booked a one-night stay ..read more

Living away from family and friends can be tough. I have missed a lot of birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. Sadly, I wasn't able to send meaningful gifts, especially for times when a simple message greeting is not enough. I've kept this dilemma for years until I came across Gift Basket Overseas!  ..read more

Located in the old district of a dazzling city is a gem of a hotel that offers comfort, convenience, and sweeping views of both old and new structures. With Union Metro Station around the corner and the Dubai Creek only a stone's throw, Swissotel Al Ghurair is considered one of Deira's best hotel accommodations for travelers.  From a Dubai resident's point of view, I see Swissotel Al Ghurair as an ideal spot for special dinners and events for several years. And just recently, I realized how suitable it is for staycations as well!  ..read more

It has been a while since I had a Friday off. Working on a weekend isn't that bad, but then I miss going to Friday Brunches! You know how brunches are here in the UAE; it's a pretty huge deal! So when I finally got my long-awaited weekend break, Ed and I went to O'Learys in Hilton Dubai Creek for the Home-Run Friday Brunch ..read more

While having a relaxing daycation in Mina Seyahi last week, Ed and I stumbled across a lovely restaurant by the sea. As far as I can remember, I've seen photos of it on Instagram last year, but I never really paid attention as we were too focused on traveling overseas. Little did I know, it is a gem that is definitely worth a visit!  I'm talking about Fish Beach Taverna ..read more

Now that the world is slowly coping up with the COVID-19 situation - safety protocols have been implemented here and there - Ed and I have also learned to embrace the new norm. Recently, we started to spend more time outdoors for a natural dose of Vitamin D which I believe we are deficient with by now. And being home buddies and couch potatoes for several months, we finally opted to break away from the mundane household routine with hotel staycations. Last week, we spent a night at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel. Freshly reopened and launched with an ALLSAFE label, we were confident tha ..read more

And just like that, I turned 38! :) I'm not a fan of throwing big birthday parties, hence turning a year older during the time of social distancing didn't bother me. But yes, I must admit, I was sad that I couldn't go home to see my parents or at least travel to a new place just like how I spent my birthdays before. Stuck in Dubai with a full 9-hour shift to render, I searched for a good place to have my birthday breakfast. My work starts at 11:30 AM, so my options are limited as most cafes only open at 10. Then, I saw that Atmosphere in Burj Khalifa has a breakfast voucher on The En ..read more

Long before COVID-19 shook the world, my parents flew over to Dubai for a quick visit. It became a sort of tradition to spend a night or two in a hotel every time they arrive. Ed and I are often caught up with work, hence staying in a hotel has been an excellent way to spend more quality time, catch up and bond with them in a relaxed atmosphere. Tested and proven for comfortable yet budget-friendly stays, we spent a night in the newly-opened Premier Inn Hotel in Dubai.    ..read more