Hotels
Four Points Sheraton (Bangkok, Thailand) – great location, a stone’s throw from the Asok Sky Train Station on Sukhumvit. Newly opened, clean, spacious, comfortable rooms. Great rooftop bar and pool.
Karavansara (Siem Reap, Cambodia) – fantastic boutique hotel in Siem Reap across the bridge from the heart of town. Quiet, stylish, two rooftop pools, fresh juices, good restaurant, happy hour, comfy rooms and service with a smile.
Ha An Hotel (Hoi An, Vietnam) – charming, French colonial boutique hotel off the main drag. Large courtyard with pool table and hammocks. Free bikes, okay food.
La Residence (Hue, Vietnam) – old French Governor’s mansion. Elegant, art deco interior, luxurious rooms, two pools, fantastic restaurant.
Conifer Hotel (Hanoi, Vietnam) – in the shadow of the Opera House on a quiet side street. Small, charming, extremely comfortable beds
Maison D'hanoi Hanova Hotel (Hanoi, Vietnam) – Conifer’s sister hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter. Slightly more expensive, slightly more stylish. Finally a down pillow! Great rooms, but ventilation was lacking. I’d still stay there again.
Sapa Rooms (Sapa, Vietnam) – My favorite place I didn’t stay. Hotel was booked, but I ate three meals in the restaurant, and chatted with the owner who was kind enough to store my suitcase when I went trekking. Hotel/restaurant employs street kids. Owner has set up several charities committed to educating and employing locals from the village tribes. The hotel oozes style, comfort, and indigenous flavor.
Restaurants
Bo.lan (Bangkok, Thailand) – one of the most memorable dining experiences in my life. Nine of us feasted on the tasting menu. Ohs and ahs all night. Food was inventive, inspiring, thoughtful. Worth every baht. Wish it wasn’t so far away. (first and fourth photos)
Le Malraux (Siem Reap, Cambodia) - French/Khmer fusion. So good we dined there two nights in a row. Loved the amok, gazpacho and mango/shrimp salad.
Romdeng (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) A Friends International restaurant where all employees are street kids. This gem, housed in a French colonial oasis with a wonderful outdoor courtyard, serves fresh Khmer dishes. Service was impeccable.
Friends International (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) – Romdeng’s sister restaurant. Food just as wonderful, atmosphere more casual.
Chinese House (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) – Art gallery/lounge recently transformed into a restaurant in an original historic house in the French quarter. Sophisticated dining experience, wonderful space, quality food.
Temple Club (Saigon, Vietnam) – Old Chinese temple converted into a traditional Vietnamese restaurant. Hip atmosphere, yummy food.
Mango Rooms (Hoi An, Vietnam) – Vietnamese with a California twist. Inventive menu, surprising combinations, delicious results. Bright, cheery restaurant on the waterfront.
Minh Vinh (Khoi Phuoc Trach – Phuong Cua Dai, Hoi An, Vietnam) – Fresh, fresh seafood served in this back alley, local restaurant. Not a tourist in site. I dined like a queen on clams, prawns, snapper and squid for $12. Fantastic!
Madame Hien (Hanoi, Vietnam) – I stumbled upon this restaurant simply seeking shelter from the rain and was immediately charmed. Designed by the same architect as the Hanoi Opera house and once the location of the Spanish Embassy the restaurant’s beauty was on par with the excellent food. Celebrated French chef Didier Corlou has won awards and accolades for this traditional Vietnamese restaurant, an homage to his wife's grandmother. I went back three times to sample more of the menu. Loved the local specialty grilled fish cha ca, banana flower salad, prawn soup, and heavenly fresh egg noodles. (second and third photos)
Sapa Rooms (Sapa, Vietnam) – the restaurant in the lobby of this boutique hotel serves local, whole, organic Vietnamese and fusion dishes. Employees are all street kids. Warm and cozy environment, delicious food (ate three meals here), fresh juices and mouth watering fresh baked breads, muffins and cakes
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