Asia's Business Hotels
Asia's Business Hotels
by Peter Graham
by Peter Graham
When it comes to business hotels, Asia boasts some of the best in the world. These range from the old-world charm of the great colonial hotels like Raffles in Singapore and the Oriental in Bangkok to the new generation of ultra-modern hotels like the Grand Hyatt in Shanghai and the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur.
However, Asia is also home to less costly hotels that have laid on facilities to make the lives of business travellers easier. Hotels wishing to lure corporate trade today have to meet the technological needs of their clients. Internet connectivity is a must - and wireless connections in guestrooms is increasingly becoming the standard. Rooms are expected to provide a workspace with good lighting, IDD telephones and comfortable chairs.
Location is important as executives strive to make the greatest use of their time. Distance from business centres, the availability of transport and 24-hour room service are all factors that can determine the attractiveness of a hotel. For relaxation, a well-equipped gym is important.
With an increasing number of business people now booking their accommodation on the Internet, HotelTravel.com has boosted the number of hotels catering to their needs. Our guide pages provide interactive maps, showing exactly where the hotels are located. However, choosing a hotel from the huge range on offer can be difficult. To assist you, we have selected some of the top business hotels in five key Asian cities.
SHANGHAI
Budget: Laurel Hotel
Modern and new hotel geared towards business travellers, with an E business suite that offers advanced computer facilities. It is situated next to Shanghai People's Square, a popular business and shopping area and close to the Bund.
Modern and new hotel geared towards business travellers, with an E business suite that offers advanced computer facilities. It is situated next to Shanghai People's Square, a popular business and shopping area and close to the Bund.
Superior: Park Hotel
The pride of Shanghai for more than half a century, this grande old dame harks back to an earlier era. However, its location in the centre of the shopping area on Nanjing Road can't be beat. A handy business centre on the 15th floor and in-room computers with free internet access makes this a great business choice.
The pride of Shanghai for more than half a century, this grande old dame harks back to an earlier era. However, its location in the centre of the shopping area on Nanjing Road can't be beat. A handy business centre on the 15th floor and in-room computers with free internet access makes this a great business choice.
Luxury: Grand Hyatt Shanghai
Occupying floors 53-78 of the Jin Map Tower in the centre of Pudong, Shanghai's business district, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is recognised as the 'highest hotel in the world'. Rooms, with floor-to-ceiling views of the skyline, are equipped for business with enhanced work desk lighting, a data port, hi-speed Internet access and a speakerphone.
Occupying floors 53-78 of the Jin Map Tower in the centre of Pudong, Shanghai's business district, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is recognised as the 'highest hotel in the world'. Rooms, with floor-to-ceiling views of the skyline, are equipped for business with enhanced work desk lighting, a data port, hi-speed Internet access and a speakerphone.
HONG KONG
Budget: Ramada Hong Kong Hotel
It's not easy to find a decent, low-priced hotel in Hong Kong. The Ramada offers clean rooms and friendly staff at an excellent rate. Location is a little out of the way, but trams pass the front door and the hotel provides a shuttle bus. Wireless Internet available. Book early.
It's not easy to find a decent, low-priced hotel in Hong Kong. The Ramada offers clean rooms and friendly staff at an excellent rate. Location is a little out of the way, but trams pass the front door and the hotel provides a shuttle bus. Wireless Internet available. Book early.
Superior: Renaissance Kowloon Hotel
Four-star hotel in superb location on Kowloon side. Connected to a shopping centre and close to an MTR station and the Star Ferry harbour, making transport easy. There is broadband Internet access and a fax machine in all guest rooms, making this a great choice.
Four-star hotel in superb location on Kowloon side. Connected to a shopping centre and close to an MTR station and the Star Ferry harbour, making transport easy. There is broadband Internet access and a fax machine in all guest rooms, making this a great choice.
Luxury: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Hong Kong
Back on top after extensive renovations with more spacious bedrooms. Impeccable service with a distinctive Oriental flair in a superb location overlooking Victoria harbour. In-room technology includes wireless internet, wireless keyboard, surround sound, touch screen telephones, LCD screens, a single remote control and support from IT butlers. Superb restaurants will impress your business associates.
Back on top after extensive renovations with more spacious bedrooms. Impeccable service with a distinctive Oriental flair in a superb location overlooking Victoria harbour. In-room technology includes wireless internet, wireless keyboard, surround sound, touch screen telephones, LCD screens, a single remote control and support from IT butlers. Superb restaurants will impress your business associates.
BANGKOK
Budget: Ibis Siam Bangkok Hotel
Small, new hotel close to business and shopping areas. Clean rooms provide a welcome respite from busy Bangkok. The Skytrain is only a five minute walk away and wireless Internet is available. Special features include covered parking, a 24-hour snack service and breakfast from 4am.
Small, new hotel close to business and shopping areas. Clean rooms provide a welcome respite from busy Bangkok. The Skytrain is only a five minute walk away and wireless Internet is available. Special features include covered parking, a 24-hour snack service and breakfast from 4am.
Superior: Bel-Aire Princess Hotel
Renovated four-star luxury hotel in great location off busy Sukhumvit Road, a major shopping area and home to many of the city's hotels. The Bel-Aire Princess has a good business centre and Skytrain links to all major business areas of the city.
Renovated four-star luxury hotel in great location off busy Sukhumvit Road, a major shopping area and home to many of the city's hotels. The Bel-Aire Princess has a good business centre and Skytrain links to all major business areas of the city.
Luxury: Banyan Tree Hotel Bangkok
A difficult choice in a city of excellent luxury hotels. The Banyan Tree offers a suite at the price of a rooms at other five-star hotels. Located in the Sathorn business and embassy district, it has magnificent views from its 60-storey tower and the roof-top restaurant and bar, aptly named Vertigo, cannot fail to impress business associates.
A difficult choice in a city of excellent luxury hotels. The Banyan Tree offers a suite at the price of a rooms at other five-star hotels. Located in the Sathorn business and embassy district, it has magnificent views from its 60-storey tower and the roof-top restaurant and bar, aptly named Vertigo, cannot fail to impress business associates.
KUALA LUMPUR
Budget: Allson Genesis Hotel
Located just off the popular Bukit Bintang district, this clean, efficient hotel is perfect for business visitors who want affordable accommodation in a central location. Rooms have internet access and personal fax machines are available on request.
Located just off the popular Bukit Bintang district, this clean, efficient hotel is perfect for business visitors who want affordable accommodation in a central location. Rooms have internet access and personal fax machines are available on request.
Superior: Crown Princess Hotel
Located in the city's prestigious Embassy Row, the hotel offers business travellers spacious rooms with Internet access and workspace. Special 'cyber business' rooms on the 29th floor are fitted with in-room flat screen portable computers with free broadband internet access.
Located in the city's prestigious Embassy Row, the hotel offers business travellers spacious rooms with Internet access and workspace. Special 'cyber business' rooms on the 29th floor are fitted with in-room flat screen portable computers with free broadband internet access.
Luxury: Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Massive hotel in the city's Golden Triangle, but attentive staff give it a refreshing personal touch. Has all the business facilities expected of a five-star hotel, with wireless internet access and a fully-staffed business centre. For a break from work, try the Hard Rock Cafe across the road.
Massive hotel in the city's Golden Triangle, but attentive staff give it a refreshing personal touch. Has all the business facilities expected of a five-star hotel, with wireless internet access and a fully-staffed business centre. For a break from work, try the Hard Rock Cafe across the road.
SINGAPORE
Budget: The Oxford Hotel
Located close to Raffles Hotel and the E1 Bugis MRT, the. The hotel has a business centre with meeting rooms and in-room facilities that outdo much pricier hotels. These include a private voicemail on the IDD telephone, an in-room photocopy machine and fax, with your own fax number. Rooms also have Internet data port. Clean, comfortable rooms make this a great business choice!
Located close to Raffles Hotel and the E1 Bugis MRT, the. The hotel has a business centre with meeting rooms and in-room facilities that outdo much pricier hotels. These include a private voicemail on the IDD telephone, an in-room photocopy machine and fax, with your own fax number. Rooms also have Internet data port. Clean, comfortable rooms make this a great business choice!
Superior: Swissotel Merchant Court
This is ideally located near the banks of the Singapore River, next to the North-east Line (NEL) at the Clarke Quay Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. The hotel is within walking distance of Singapore's financial hub and offers complimentary daily shuttle service to Raffles Place, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Suntec City and Orchard Road. An added benefit is 24-hour room and valet service.
This is ideally located near the banks of the Singapore River, next to the North-east Line (NEL) at the Clarke Quay Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station. The hotel is within walking distance of Singapore's financial hub and offers complimentary daily shuttle service to Raffles Place, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Suntec City and Orchard Road. An added benefit is 24-hour room and valet service.
Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Millenia Hotel
The hotel's business centre operates 24 hours a day and all rooms have three dual-line phones with data ports, voice mail and external speakers. With huge rooms overlooking the marina and the sea, this luxurious hotel embodies the modern spirit of Singapore and never ceases to impress.
The hotel's business centre operates 24 hours a day and all rooms have three dual-line phones with data ports, voice mail and external speakers. With huge rooms overlooking the marina and the sea, this luxurious hotel embodies the modern spirit of Singapore and never ceases to impress.
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