Here’s the problem. I needed a hotel room for my guest from 28 Nov 2008 – 2 Dec 2008. I managed to book in for my guest using my company’s corporate rates at RM200++ without breakfast at a local 4-star hotel in Bukit Bintang from 29 November 2008 – 2 December 2008. Unfortunately, normal Deluxe rooms for today’s fully booked! So, I panicked trying to book in a room for my guest (my sister’s wedding this weekend) for 28 November’s stay.
I stumbled upon a new website at www.comparehotel.com.my
After I click “Compare!” it brings me to the page where I could choose from a range of hotels. I could also narrow down my search from the left sidebar, based on my price range. I didn’t touch that bar because I wanted the same local Bt.Bintang hotel I got for my guest earlier. Plus, same room type preferred so my guest wouldn’t need to change room tomorrow to another room. Actually, changing room is still okay but not change hotel.
Compare Hotel is affiliated to other online travel booking sites like Agoda, Bookin Hotels, Booking, Reserve Travel and so on. Before I worked in the hotel sales line, I was sceptical as to whether online booking sites like these were legitimate and proper. After I worked in a 5-star hotel in the heart of city for almost a year, I got familiar with all these online reservation sites. If you really must know, most hotels cater more rooms for online booking and walk-in customers than corporate guests. Why? Because online booking and walk-in rates are higher by around RM50-RM100. The guests that get less priority would be those privilege card members.
Step 1: Log on to www.comparehotel.com.my
Step 2: Select Dates
Step 3: Select City
Step 4: Click “Compare”
Step 5: Select hotel / click on hotel features or reviews
Step 6: Click on the rates at the bottom of the hotel selected. It will bring you to another site where you’re required to fill your particulars and secure booking via credit card payment. Confirm it.
Step 7: You’ll receive an e-mail confirmation.
I got my confirmation already. I was given a booking number for my guest’s check-in later. After booking, my fingers got itchy and I decided to check out the rates at Tokyo for the hotel I stayed a few days ago.
Wow, RM1066 at ANA Intercontinental Hotel in Tokyo, the one I just stayed at? I’ve never stayed in such an expensive hotel before. Let me see, probably once at a boutique hotel in Spain around that rate. 5-start Westin KL is even half that rate.
I know what you’re thinking alright – this looks like another Air Asia / Tune Hotels site. No, it’s not affiliated to either of them. I saw their disclaimer at the bottom of their website.
Bloggers Wanted
It seems this website is also taking a role in its social responsibility by donating to the World Vision.
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to work with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Child Sponsorship Program helps provide necessities to the child, such as access to education, health care, immunisation, clean water and also support vital development work in the community of the child.
There is a review campaign which is open to blog with significant traffic.
For every sponsored review, Compare Hotel will donate MYR50 to WorldVision’s Child Sponsorship Program. Their budget for this campaign is RM5000, for 100 blogs. Donation receipt will be forwarded to your email. They will also forward a copy of children’s photos, details etc once we received from WorldVision.
The review should contain more than 200 words with hyperlinks and images (e.g screenshots, banner etc) of www.CompareHotel.com.my
Campaign period starts from 20-Oct-2008 until further notice.
I’ll show you the children’s photos once I get them later.
p/s: Notice I didn’t reveal the name of the hotel mentioned earlier in this post as room rates are quite confidential to a hotel in case any other competitor hotels find out. I know I’ll be getting messages from my readers asking me which hotel offers RM200++ room rate.
 Tweet This Post
Results for the Astro-4As Postgraduate Scholarship is out. It went to a Strategic Planner. Winner will be awarded RM150,000 at tomorrow’s Kancil Awards 2008. Aliya Ghows, if you’re reading this, congratulations and I wish you all the best in the U.S.
The process was fun, and somewhat refreshing. Initially, I was required to compile a portfolio of myself that consist: testimony from my bosses, education certificates, resume, cover letter and why I should be chosen for the scholarship. The first interview was a get-to-know me session by the panel of 4As judges, four gentlemen seated across me.
After that, I was required to go back the following weekend to present on the topic “Generation We”, hence the video (my recent blog entry), and the posting I requested from fellow blog readers, a week ago, about thoughts on Generation We in Malaysia. The presentation lasted for 20 minutes for a panel of about 6 judges from Astro, Association of Accredited Advertising Agents of Malaysia (4As), University of Malaya and Monash University. After the presentation was the “drilling session” where the three of us finalists were interviewed and probed further based on our case study or why we chose the university of our choice.
I was mentally prepared for this (the interview, presentation and results) and told myself that this is just the beginning. Notice how I always emphasize that everything’s like a beginning to me? I know it’s really weird how I always focus on optimism, but that’s how I really am, I hate to cry over spilled milk. Just look forward to the next one.
You see, I upgraded myself to a postgraduate scholarship award and next would be more mature challenges like business pitches, sports race or some sort. It was a really good feeling, a feeling to look forward to as I go through each phase in life.
I am totally fine and I am not upset about not getting the scholarship.
I thank the many people who have supported me throughout this scholarship. My father was my number one supporter. Fetched me to interview / presentation and waited for me throughout with my mother(yes I don’t own a car although I can drive). One call for me to pick up my presentation assignment, informed Superdad, he rushed over to the 4As office just to collect it, gave me good sound advice from his marketing viewpoint. Also thanks to KC, SRH, TNR, JMS, SSAP, TKE from my company who gave me good tips for the scholarship award. I learnt so much and never forgot a single thing mentioned. All those tips apply for my future. All my friends (especially Racheal, Alea, Amber, Tati) and family members played a supportive part in some way.
In fact, my plans to further my studies overseas will continue. If I don’t study, I’ll continue work in the advertising industry. I’m taking a short break to Melbourne, Australia to recce the country this coming Wednesday onwards. Going to Melbourne is not going towards “comfort zone” but rather moving out of my comfort zone in Malaysia. In Melbourne, forms a partnership of me together with Josiah for future challenges.
I know this post sounds like some kind of grammy award I had won. But, why must I thank only when I get the award, right? I am thankful I am surrounded by so many supportive, intelligent and smart people. People I learn from.
If you must wonder why I’m always joining competitions, it’s mainly because of motivation but imagine if I were a rich girl, I would find all these waste of time and effort. But, no. I seriously need all the financial help I can and if I can do anything on the side, be it as an earning blogger, writer, promoter or eventually a part-time waitress, as long as it’s ethical, I’d do it. If you see someone by the street flagging down a taxi, yes that was really me. Just a hungry girl always in search of something good.
Even Vivienne Tam had this to say, “People should go deep inside themselves and find what they really love to do. If you do things from your heart you can make things happen. You can change the world because you have the power and the power comes from within you. They say that if you work hard even a rusted rod can become a fine needle.” (Source: blog.zoozoom.com)
Tweet This Post
From the streets of Shibuya and Roponggi, I managed to politely ask (or quietly) to snap photos of my willing models, selected for their uniqueness in their outfits right down to the more common sort of outfit.
I’ll begin with my order of preference: <prefer more> - <prefer less>
Nothing beats the power of duos. Lovely-looking couple. I love how this dude plays around with different prints and neutralises his outfit but toning it down with simple-coloured top and bottoms. The lady knows how to elongate her body by wearing a silver hip-band.
Oh, she looks rather familiar. In her favourite comfy mary-janes, she keeps herself warm by putting on her new pair of stockings with bright silver strips. She needed three items to match on her body (barret, jacket and mary-janes) and she was set to go out. Barret (Sportsgirl), White Cardigan (Zara), Jacket (Forever 21), Belt (Topshop), Skirt (Topshop), Bag (Salvatore Ferragamo), Grey Leggings (sister’s), Stockings (from Japan), Mary-Jane Shoes (Clarks)
This cute little couple were accomodating and smiled for the camera, like true Kawaii-ness.
Hippy fella has good looking features and he knew it, so he pulled his hair back to accentuate his features and played around with corduroy and jeans texture. True hippy.
Cute jap girl giving out leaflets to a club she was promoting. Comfortable and warm in her tweed trenchcoat, she brings life to her outfit by pairing off her black leather boots with some pink leg warmers.
Mr. Cool guy was still stunned like 5 minutes (while waiting for the lights to go green), when I requested for his photo. I like how he matched his entire outfit – just black and white. Jeans hardly ever go wrong.
Louis Vuitton -just love how he carries his bag in style (except that he didn’t zip his bag).
Hippie with peacock feathers at his ear.
I love her bomber jacket and quilted boots.
This dude looks like a member of Taiwanese pop group, F4. Love his tassles. Heee hahhh!!!
Chinese motives stockings from London, brown dress from Eclipse, scarf from Beijing, umbrella NOT from Burberry’s.
How a typical working executive looks in Tokyo trenchcoat.
Something wrong about her outfit. I think it’s the wrong combination. The belt, boots and zebra stockings didn’t work too well.
Something rather wrong with her outfit. I thought the jacket was somewhat different. I realised her light pink skirt and her reaction towards the camera didn’t quite fit.
One of the stores as I walked past.
Since they were taking a group photo, I just jumped in and quickly snapped. If I were a guy, I think I’d be beaten up by them. But, they were being cheeky afterwards – I don’t know what they said though.
Monica’s pink jazz shoes. Love them too!
Tweet This Post
Do you know how excited I was when I heard that I was going to Tokyo to interview Vivienne Tam and attend her fashion show, in collaboration with Hewlett-Packard?
I was so excited that I practically slammed my hand against the KLIA Express window as I was talking to Josiah on the phone. The power, energy and enthusiasm I had within me was all let out towards that small little insect I assumed was a mosquito, or maybe it is, judging by its long legs.
Leaving our Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
On flight, passengers were given this (above), something I initially assumed was an eye-mask at first glance till I looked properly. Slippers for comfort.
As it was already past midnight, we were given some snacks for supper.
Till dawn came, the land of the rising sun.
Tokyo.
I looked at the right wing of the plane – “No Step”? *hehehe* Perhaps it was short form for Do Not Step.
The three of us ladies waited for our baggage.
Three ladies? Monica Mong from Nuyou, Marlina from Female and myself from kimong.com.
We had to wait for an hour (not forgetting to change our clock one hour ahead of Malaysian time), for our limousine bus that sent us right to the doorstep of our hotel, ANA Intercontinental Hotel, Tokyo.
As we alighted, passengers sorted out their bags and passed them to the porter who immediately delivered them to the check-in lobby reception.
Christmas is coming, so they have set up some decorations. Three of us ladies were rather early and the next check-in was at 1pm as occupancy was high that day, they could not accomodate for an earlier check-in. So, we walked around Roponggi first.
This is what the room looked like.
Really comfortable, neat and modern.
Bathroom door was quite narrow. I could not afford to put on anymore weight.
The bathroom, with the toilet seat heated as you sit on it. How relaxing.
The view from my outside window. You know it’s really funny that it’s hot in the morning at around 11am and by 3pm, it feels like 7pm (Malaysian time) as it’s winter and sky gets dark quickly.
Scary ya? When the mirror fogs up, the section in the middle appears automatically un-fogged. Must be some special products they used for that.
Merry Christmas, what a wonderful tree!
More on this space. Next, Tokyo Fashion.
Tweet This Post
At 13 degrees celcius, this rainy day seemed rather gloomy at winter. At 5pm, it was already stark black. I thought after a short nap, I slept till 8pm or something. I looked out the window from ANA Intercontinental Hotel on the 23rd floor and I instantly knew I just had to pile on more clothes.
I don’t know why but it’s colder here than it was snowing in London, early this April. Weird.
Kim Ong uncensored:
No further guesses for what’s underneath which is common. That’s all. I just love it when I’m allowed to pile on more when I’m cold and there is just no right or wrong in colour coordination. I like playing around with the look of different leggings and socks. I prepared to go meet Josiah’s fellow Japanese track cyclist’s wife who just delivered a baby and after that, roamed the streets of Shibuya alone. I’m not afraid of loneliness. When I travel, I just explore.
 Tweet This Post
|
|
|
Recent Comments