Being it for business or pleasure, Japan is and remains the
darling of international travellers. Being it for business or pleasure, the
choice of the hotel one is staying in has a huge impact.
Wanting to stay away from a more common experience, or
needing a bit more space, MIMARU is a brand that should catch the attention of
seasoned travellers that value a more personal touch while enjoying the comfort
of a sophisticated space. MIMARU is an apartment-hotel brand with two
series—MIMARU and MIMARU SUITES. While the SUITES series offers exclusively
suite-type layouts, both series provide spacious apartment-style accommodations
across Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with 27 properties on their roster.
The Experience
When booking a hotel room, one would not just pick four walls, but a heart and
soul that embodies the brand. Aimed at two distinct groups of travellers, MIMARU
offers a variety of apartment layouts—from studio-type units to one-, two-, and
three-bedroom apartments—comfortably accommodating groups of four or more.
Thus, the first group are travellers that require a base for a prolonged period
of time. Once settled in, MIMARU anchors guests nicely, as will be explained in
a moment. The other type of travellers are families or groups of friends that
would prefer to have an apartment-style hotel, accommodating up to 10 persons,
rather than splitting up into separate rooms.
With staff from all over the world, speaking some 40
languages, there is surely an immediate connection one can make upon check-in.
Many hotels claim to be a home away from home. However, very seldom does the
level of familiarity reach the state where one will claim to be going home when
referring to the hotel. MIMARU is different.
MIMARU is truly different in many ways as travellers will experience when making use of the facilities. While the property described here is their Tokyo Nihimbashi property, one is to expect the same when opting for any of their other apartments.
The
Lobby that Ain’t
No matter where, checking into a hotel almost always means that the
lobby is the first intense point of contact with the hotel of choice. In the
MIMARU the lobby is not just a lobby. It is a gathering space, a social area
and a second living space. Minimalist, functional and thoughtful decorated, the
space around the check-in counter serves as a nook where one can retreat to
read a book. It is also a café. With the idea of it being a social place in
mind, MIMARU has rented out the space to an independent F&B operator.
It is here where the guests come together in activities that
the hotel staff are curating. A nightly Sake-tasting not only educates but also
bonds with others that may have the same passion for the Japanese rice wine.
Kids are being entertained with activities that are both educational and fun:
mask painting and crafting Halloween decoration were the theme during this
stay.
The absolute stand-out during this visit was the tableware, crockery and tools on “display”. As this display is not just a display, it could well be the most though-through aspect of staying in any apartment hotel! Not only are these items samples from another nearby shop, but they are available for guests to be used in their apartments. When cooking in the kitchenette, these items become Instagrammers delights as well as allowing the chef to spruce up the dishes with varying plates, cups and accessories. Combining it, one can take the Sake from the sampling to the room, complete with a set of sake cups.
Room to Unwind
The MIMARU properties are designed to allow guests to unwind, to have a home
away from home. Thus, there is no workstation in the apartment. Guests are
meant to leave the work behind in the office. One will immediately appreciate
the minimalist, functional style of the rooms though. A living room with
kitchenette are part of all the MIMARU apartments. Serving as a hub, from there
the other rooms can be accessed.
Plenty of storage space, closets and shelving supports the
idea of either serving for long-term stays or groups of people settling in.
With a full set of kitchen utensils (that can be supplemented from the
aforementioned displays in the lobby), the comfort is immediate.
Stemming from the Onsen culture, bathtubs can be found in many hotels in Japan. MIMARU does not make an exception and dipping into the hot water after a long day on the road will be welcome before heading to the sofa or bed. Bedrooms may either feature en suite bathrooms in addition to common, shared ones. MIMARU has taken the art of minimalism to a different level, a reflection of Japanese culture in many ways: there is nothing unnecessary in the rooms, yet everything one needs is on hands. The zen this achieves extends into the bedrooms, which are havens of calm and unclutteredness.
With the focus on families travelling, MIMARU has also in
place an ingenious service that may be unique to them (at least the author has
never heard of it being offered anywhere): parents may enjoy time to themselves
with the kids being looked after in an in-house play pen, supervised by
babysitters. Enjoying an evening out, watching a show or meeting friends in
another city without having to look after filia or filius has never been made
easier.
Fully Immersed
The neighborhoods in which MIMARU properties are located in are carefully
chosen to support the very idea of the hotels being a home. Within walking
distance, there will be all of what is needed for extended stays. From local
(and very yummy) ramen shops to supermarkets, Daiso and banks. On the weekend,
it is not uncommon for roads to be closed for local activities, which MIMARU
guests are naturally also invite to partake in.
It is a hallmark of the brand to find interesting buildings,
such as office towers that MIMARU refurbishes to suit their needs. Connectivity
is playing an important role in the selection of the locale with train stations
always in easy reach of any MIMARU property. The MIMARU Tokyo Nihimbashi can be reached within a few
moments walking from the Ningyocho station. Ningyocho station is one station
along the Toei Asakusa Line, which allows direct access to both, Narita
and Haneda, airports.
Dolls,
Kabuki and Merchandise
The MIMARU mentioned here is located in an area that is known as Ningyocho,
meaning "Doll Town," originated in the early Edo period as a major
entertainment district in Tokyo, home to numerous kabuki theatres and puppet
shows. It developed around these theatres and the artisans who made and
repaired puppets, which is how it got its name. Despite later fires and the
relocation of its theatres, the district preserved its traditional atmosphere
through events like the move of Suitengu Shrine and the survival of WWII
bombings, retaining elements of old Tokyo's charm.
On display
in the MIMARU are several dolls that are on loan from a nearby shop that has
been making and selling artisanal dolls for decades. Acting as a display case,
the MIMARU features a number of them as talking points or suggestions for
souvenirs. In particular the samurai helmet turned pen holder on the check in
counter caught our attention.
Khao Yai,
which is located a good 2.5 hours north-east of Bangkok by Harley. The National
Park covers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in
central Thailand. More than 50 km of hiking and biking trails wind through the
long-standing nature preserve, and its many waterfalls include 150m-tall Haew
Narok and 20m-tall Haew Suwat, immortalized in the Danny Boyle film 'The
Beach.' The park also shelters diverse wildlife such as bears, gibbons,
elephants and hornbills.
The
festival is the fourth instalment of the annual event. Roving, it was hosted in
Midwinter, Khao Yai this year. Bikers from 20 countries joined the festival
with many taking the opportunity to tour Thailand for a few days before parking
at the event to celebrate a shared interest. Patches from all over the world
could be seen. Proud groups of biker clubs were invited onto the stage to
receive numerous awards. Somehow, it seemed that Malaysian clubs won a lot of
awards.
The motto
”United we Ride” was brought to live in the many activities that the organisers
put together. Reflecting this motto, sponsors also contributed to good causes:
Helmet Heros is a organisation that raises funds to sponsor helmets for
children. Poorer families may already struggle with the cost of school uniforms
and may not have the funds for even the cheapest helmets while a powered
two-wheeler may be the only way for the parents to get their kids to school and
back home.
Now settled into "The House", the unit will be re-taken by the landlord, who has been phantastic in dealing with him. Never any issues, nothing was ever a problem. I might be missing the view onto the park landscape a bit though.
Now converting our new home into a resort-style living situation.
Later on I would fly remote controlled gliders and little Cessnas with 1.87cm3 two-stroke engines. We used to go to "the hill" to fly them. Sometimes I would cycle to our airstrip.
On a recent trip to Bangkok I grabbed a tank model. It was one of those for kids aged 8 - 10. Still a lot of fun as this did not require any glue or paint. All clipped together and stickers for the paint job. A very satisfying 90 minutes assembling this while having a glass of wine.
Would have liked to have a bit of a guided tour of the city as it was my first time here. Found some awesome sandwich, had some nice beer and VERY good Italian food. Surely, I would have missed out. Given the short stay, I was not able to really explore the place, get some research going on what to do and see. After all, this was a business trip with a clear mission.
Me, I would like to buy a "L".
Others... I don't know how dirty your mind is. Sorry, no competition here. You MAY leave your thoughts in the comments, but there won't be any Toy Yoda.
Interesting to hear about the difficulties running a small business in East Malaysia. The legal framework is rather different in East Malaysia and there are different pitfalls.
Following our #SuperNiceTour2022, it took almost three years to get a follow-up tour going. Planned meticulously, we toured Sarawak, one of the states in East Malaysia. A week on the road and many memories created, we returned with the ambition to head to Sabah next.
Read all about our adventures on www.asianbuses-roadtour.com
Later back to the Sarawak Cultural Village, which in my books is the best attraction in Malaysia.
Hyatt Centric’s unique proposition is that each property will be a reflection and exploration of culture. In the Kuala Lumpur edition, the brand is making its presence felt with a smorgasbord of visual stimuli. Entering through the spacious lobby, riding the elevator up is akin to a walk on the apian way: it is the most important passage in the hotel as it leads to what could easily be the visual and culinary highlight of the hotel. Emphasising the visual experience, many of the walls throughout the property are adorned with murals, painted by local Malaysian graffiti artist, Jefr. His art mixes modern graffiti with traditional Malaysian influences, reflecting Kuala Lumpur’s tagline and atmosphere of being a "City of Contrast and Diversity".
As all
roads lead to Rome, one cannot skip past Il Forno, at the top of the hotel. The
space on the 19th floor opens up into several sections, one of which
is the Italian Restaurant, Il Forno. Passing the hotel’s custom crockery on
display, the care for the food is almost palpable. The centre piece is indeed
the oven, which is a nod to the name Il Forno, The Oven. Said oven is imported
from the birthplace of pizza, Naples, Italy, where it was hand-crafted from
volcanic stones. With a stunning backdrop of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline, both the
al fresco and inside dining spaces are gorgeous settings for date nights,
family gatherings or just a celebration of a reinterpretation of Italian food.
Akin to a
visit to Europe, where one is best advised to linger in one place to fully
explore it rather than rushing though as many destinations as possible, the
menu is a best of. The carefully chosen dishes featured include pizza, but true
to Italian family tradition, the other dishes which would normally preclude the
pizza on the way towards the main may well be the highlights. A lot of the food
fare has undergone special treatments by the Chef, Vincenzo. Pizza dough rises
for 36 hours. The baking process happens at 430 degrees for only 90 seconds. Meanwhile,
the flour used in the pasta is a very specific one, imported directly from
Italy. Just as no river is ever the same, a visit to Il Forno promises to be a
unique experience every time as the menu is being revised regularly.
The
culinary journey diners experience is best modelled after a traditional Italian
dinner. Typically consisting of several courses: an antipasto (appetizer),
a primo (pasta or risotto), a secondo (main course of meat or fish), a contorno
(side dish of vegetables), and a dolce (dessert). Additionally, there may
be a fruitta (fresh fruit) as a light dessert. One should not be shy to
ask the Chef to explain the dishes or to throw him a challenge by asking for
further refinement of his creations to meet one’s palate. With the open kitchen
concept, one might even find oneself in an interactive mini lecture about the
food, right next to the oven. One is best advised to bring ample time as Il
Forno is a happening that is best not to be rushed.
Hailing
from the vibrant and picturesque city of Naples, Chef Vincenzo brings with him
over three decades of culinary experience, taking him across the globe—from his
home in Italy to South Korea, China, and New Zealand. Having worked in renowned
establishments, he now infuses the authentic essence of “Made in Italy” into
every dish at Il Forno. Accessibility is a theme that weaves through the
premises, beckoning to engage with the Chef and his team to get educated on
traditional Italian foods. It is the motto-come-to live, Ede, bibe, gaude"
which translates to "eat, drink, and rejoice", that transcends the
room.
Taking in
the sights of the skyline, with the food as the main means of transportation
for the experience, there ought to be liquid libations too. Il Forno's tiramisu
stands out for its classic preparation: layers of creamy mascarpone,
espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa powder, offering a perfect
balance of sweetness and bitterness. It's a classic Italian dessert done
right, with rich flavours melding beautifully. The tiramisu is served by
the dollop from a copper pan, a unique presentation Supplementing the dishes is
a comprehensive selection of wines. A refreshing red may be the main character
in this Circus Maximus, however a Grappa is the drink to have before heading
home. Alternatively, one may linger a little longer in the adjacent roof top
bar, @21.
The Southern Albatross offers a different experience Image Tall
Ship Adventures Pte Ltd
Majestically gliding through the waters of the Singapore Straights, the Royal Albatross welcomes you aboard to fall in love with an exhilarating experience.
Sentosa in Singapore is also harbouring experiences extraordinaire. The Royal Albatross is said to be Singapore’s No 1 Dinner Cruise and Asia’s Most Romantic Dining Experience. As a unique offering it has also cruised straight to the top one percent of Global Attractions as rated by Trip Advisor. As tourists typically stay for only three days in the city state, this makes the Royal Albatross something that should not be missed.
Small,
fast and Fun: Southern Albatross
Additionally, the operator of the majestic tallship have also launched a new
Southern Albatross attraction experience. This is a 1-hour speedboat
adventure around Sentosa Coastline and Southern Islands. The experience
has an educational commentary, and you can get some great instagrammable photos
as you discover notable landmarks and places of interest. This option
would be labelled exciting, exhilarating and fun. The experience has been so
successful that the Albatross Speedboat Adventure Fleet will be expanded to three
Albatross Speedboats from 1 March. Sails will be 11 am to 6 pm with eight
sails a day, 7 days a week.
Cruising on the Royal Albatross
Romantics, adventurers and explorers may opt for a 2.5 hour dinner cruise to
get a different perspective of Singapore while getting a taste of what it would
have been like to sail the seven seas. The Royal Albatross lends its name from
the bird, although it looks majestic just being moored. Albatrosses travel long
distances with two techniques used by many long-winged seabirds - dynamic
soaring and slope soaring. A tall ship is a modern term for a traditionally-rigged sailing vessel, which is using
a powerful engine for a smooth journey.
The Royal Albatross is berthed in
Sentosa, easily accessible and already looking gorgeous even when at anchor
Image Stefan Pertz
An Exhilarating Conversion
Apparently, the Royal Albatross, which was originally a cargo ship, would make
too much speed under full sail. Although some would certainly want to see that,
the dinner cruise is best experienced while gracefully gliding through the
Singapore Straight. An experienced crew making the journey a memorable one is
supported by the latest technology to navigate and manoeuvre.
The dinner cruise must the be most romantic, yet exhilarating
experience in Singapore – Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd
It is
oftentimes easier said than done to provide what makes a unique experience.
However, with only 100 tall ships sailing worldwide this claim already becomes
harder to fulfil. Of these, only a mere five are privately owned, with the
Royal Albatross being the only in Asia. It has been completely rebuilt for
entertainment and luxury cruises. Its owner is a former entrepreneur who has always
had a passion for water. When the ship came up for sale in Chicago, he grabbed
it, sailed it to Singapore for re-fitting. What was planned to be a two-year
project, took six.
The renovation was prolonged in order to achieve the highest specifications,
providing the ultimate safety rating obtainable in Singapore. Riggings and
masts were designed by the same people that handled the ships in the movie
franchise Pirates of the Caribbean and one can already feel a little bit like
Jack Sparrow when the Royal Albatross departs for the City Lights Dinner
Cruise.
Putting to
Sea
Leaving the berth in Sentosa, the Royal Albatross heads into the sunset. The
City Lights Dinner Cruise provides a three-hour escape. Overall, patrons are 54
percent female, 65 percent come from Singapore itself which an average of 40.9
years. One will be seated on the upper deck, under the 22 sails and imposing
masts. The City Lights option takes guests from sunshine to sunset, twilight to
moonlight. During the cruise the buffet is open and two premium bars serve up
delectable dishes. Food is prepared by nine chefs on board, and it takes on an
artisanal approach to match the romance. As the sun ditches into the sea, the
Singapore skyline lights up to provide the perfect backdrop for the cruise on
the Royal Albatross.
The Royal Albatross sailing the waters
around Singapore Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd
Lounging on the
comfy seats one can take in the spectacular view, enjoying a different view of
the bustling city. A deep draft of four meters and the wide beam of this tall
ship provide for ample space between tables and a surprisingly smooth ride.
Even when the Royal Albatross is bursting through the wash of other vessels,
there is barely any rolling or pitching. Those that may be concerned about
getting seasick may venture to try this experience as the set-up of the ship
would counter the unwelcome movements. The City Lights cruise comes with free
flow of beer, wine and soft drinks. Those more confident in their sea legs may
opt for a beverage package that offers spirits. Thanks to the spacious layout
of the deck, there is plenty of room for guests to tour the Royal Albatross,
snapping memories and having their hair tussled a little by the breeze.
Outstanding Service at Sea
The highly attentive staff ensures that guests are well looked after. It is an
art that the crew manages well to be present when needed and to melt into the
background when guests may need their privacy. It is not surprising that one
will find pictures of celebrities who have been on board in the grand salon.
Princesses, F1 drivers and movie stars can be found featured in the hall of
fame below decks. Meanwhile, the Royal Albatross itself is a celebrity, being
part of Batman the Dark Knight. Many of the crew members have been with the
Royal Albatross of 15 years and some can surely spin some yarn! As a
combination between a once-in-a-lifetime experience and dinner, the ticket is
certainly more than worth it.
Delightful
Food
The buffet line under decks offers a tasty selection of mains and desserts. As
there are several add-ons and options available for dinner, one should spend
some time considering what would be best. The buffet offered is a wholesome
culinary journey that allows for guests to dine at their own pace. Sampling the
food, enjoying it while being at sea whiles away time, which flies as one has
fun. Throughout the ship, carvings done by local craftsman enrich the
experience visually. Having completed their work on the wooden decorations,
artisans decided to stay on as sailors.
As a versatile
venue for corporate or private functions and excursions, the Royal Albatross
offers a lot of options. One can pick out seating on the bow, pre-order drinks
packages, take the helm, or being adventurous climb the mast. Couples may opt
for the Royal Albatross not only to propose during the romantic City Lights
cruise, but they could charter the ship to be their wedding venue. Doing so
will unlock the owner’s cabin, the pinnacle of luxury on board as the bridal
suite.
Educational Pirates
The “Pirates Ahoi!” is an educational programme for kids, offering a more
educational approach to a day out on the Royal Albatross. Back
by popular demand for the school holidays in March and June for kids and
families to have some exciting adventures on the high seas.
Event Space for Unique Adventures
As novelty events, the crew has also organsied the world’s first cat cruise on
world cat day.
Owners and cats would be hosted to enjoy a day like no other with special
“recliners” for the cats offered to allow the furries to enjoy window seats
while two-legged guests had the opportunity to mix and mingle. In 2024, the
Royal Albatross team also organised the Gastronomic Sunset Sail dinner
experiences.
Themed or corporate events aboard the
Royal Albatross new and creative ideas are constantly added as cruise options
Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd
Besides the romantic, there is an educational element to the dinner
cruise, making you feel like one of the explorers sailing the seas to discover
new lands
Patrons would embark on the second season of Gastronomic Sunset Sail featuring two of Singapore’s top prestigious chefs. Each chef showcased their unique fine dining creations, promising an extraordinary sail dining experience on two voyages only. In the dynamic realm of Asian cuisine, two exceptional local chefs are making waves with their unique skills and approaches. Each one, an expert in their field, injects remarkable creativity into their dishes, pushing the boundaries of taste.
Stylish
Seafarers
One would want to ensure to be appropriately kitted out for a cruise.
Timekeeping has always been crucial for seafarers. The Tudor Black Bay in Bronze
is an ideal watch for a ship cruise because of its nautical heritage,
durability, and unique aging characteristics. The Black Bay Bronze draws
inspiration from Tudor’s history of supplying watches to naval forces,
including the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Its vintage, tool-watch aesthetic
and warm patina evoke the look of traditional marine instruments.
Bronze is a material favoured in Naval applications Image Stefan Pertz
In
particular, Bronze and ships share a deeps connection: Bronze is one of the
best materials for maritime environments due to its exceptional resistance to
corrosion, seawater, and humidity. Used in ship propellers, diving equipment,
boat fittings and portholes, and submarine components it is a unique material
that develops a patina which actually protects the metal by way of corrosion of
the surface. This self-repairing
Water
resistance (200m) makes it suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and deck
activities. The Highly legible dial and luminescence help in low-light or
underwater conditions. In essence, the Tudor Black Bay Bronze isn’t just a
watch—it’s a nautical tool with style and history, making it the perfect
companion for a ship cruise.
Dockside Dining
In July 2024, owners of the Royal Albatross launched their Dockside Bar &
Restaurant aboard Royal Albatross at anchor, a unique lunchtime dining venue. Patrons
can now marvel at the beauty of Royal Albatross dockside at
her home berth at Resorts World Sentosa. Experience the ship and our
exclusively curated dockside dining menu during the day – an experience not to
be missed aboard the Royal Albatross.
Being
adventurous, one should experience the Royal Albatross flying its sails,
splashing through slightly rougher seas. In the absence of this, the promise of
being a unique experience is certainly fulfilled. Memories created, one gets
back to shore slightly changed as the this might not have been on one’s bucket
list and one can only wonder why it wasn’t.
