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7 very well-rated accommodations in Xiamen, China, to book a stay in H2 of 2025

It’s time for ‘Travel Thursday’ again, and this week we’re giving Xiamen a chance to impress us.

Have you never been to the port city on China’s southeast coast?

It’s time for a trip over then! 🇨🇳

Consider these very well-rated accommodations as you plan for your next holiday.

Lohkah Hotel & Spa

Agoda Rating: 9.7 (5.6K+ reviews)

Slightly over 5 km from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, this hotel & spa comes with an exceptional 9.7 rating from guests, offering roomy-sized suites starting at 100 square meters.

Families traveling with little ones will love the Kids Studio, complete with waterfront garden views.

Children 12 and under stay free when using existing bedding, making this a good choice for your next getaway.

Crowne Plaza Xiamen Jimei By IHG

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (6.1K+ reviews)

Crowne Plaza Xiamen opened in 2021 and is just 9 km from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

Wake up to ocean vistas in select sea-view rooms, or treat yourself to the hotel’s crowning glory – the roomy King Royal Suite with panoramic views.

Bringing the family? Kids/teens 17 and under stay free when using existing bedding.

Urba S Hotel Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (5.1K+ reviews)

Need a spot to rest before your flight from Xiamen to SG?

This 4-star hotel sits just 1.2 km from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, making those departures less rushed.

The Queen Rooms with View offer the most roomy 33 square meters of space, so go for that if you don’t like to squeeze.

InterContinental Xiamen By IHG

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (4.8K+ reviews)

The InterContinental Xiamen by IHG serves up 45-square-meter rooms that give you space to stretch and lounge around.

Just 9.2 km from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, this hotel puts you within 10 km of Xiamen Botanical Garden and Zhongshan Road Walking Street.

There are family suites and a sweet deal: kids/teens 17 and under stay free when using existing bedding.

Hisilk Artwork Center Fliport Coso Hotel

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (4.5K+ reviews)

Just 800 m from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, this hotel puts convenience front and center.

Families will love the roomy accommodations where kids 16 and under stay free using existing bedding.

Probably worth a mention, their Deluxe Lake-View Suite offers floor-to-ceiling windows – wonderful for soaking in the last moments of Xiamen.

Xiamen Lujiang Harbourview Hotel

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (3.5K+ reviews)

This newly renovated Xiamen Lujiang Harbourview Hotel puts you within 600 m of two food streets (美食街).

Spread out in their Grand One Bedroom King Suite with Balcony, if you value space and have the budget to do so.

Kids/teens 18 and under stay free when using existing bedding.

W Xiamen

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (3.4K+ reviews)

About 7 km from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and less than 10 km from Zhongshan Road Walking Street is W Xiamen to round up our list.

We like how there’s an indoor pool that’s ready for your splash session(s) any time of year.

Looking for more room?

The Marvelous Suites give you max space, while other rooms frame views of the city or glimpses of the ocean.

AirAsia Flight D7 506’s Wrong Airport Landing Stuns Passengers

What should have been a routine Wednesday night arrival in Seoul turned into a surreal detour for passengers on AirAsia Flight D7 506 from Kuala Lumpur. The plane was scheduled to touch down at Incheon International Airport at 7.50 p.m. local time (6.50 p.m. in Singapore) on August 13. Instead, it landed at Gimpo International Airport at 8.08 p.m., more than 30 kilometers away, after circling in the air.

Image Credits: flightaware.com

At first, there was no sign that anything was amiss. The captain announced their arrival at Incheon, prompting passengers to stand and reach for their bags. It was only when some glanced out of the windows or checked their phones that the realization set in. They were in Gimpo, not Incheon. “Everyone panicked,” one passenger told The Korea Herald. “It seemed the cabin crew didn’t know we had landed at Gimpo until passengers told them.”

AirAsia later explained that poor weather over Incheon had caused turbulence and air traffic congestion, forcing the diversion. The aircraft remained at Gimpo for nearly two hours before departing again at 10.17 p.m. and finally arriving at Incheon at 10.59 p.m.

Image Credits: flightaware.com

For many on board, the delay was not the issue. It was the silence. “During the two hours before we departed for Incheon again, there was no clear explanation of what caused the landing or any effort to reassure passengers,” said Ryu, 39, who was travelling that night.

In a statement issued the next day, AirAsia X said the captain had kept passengers informed in English, but admitted there had been a miscommunication in the cabin crew’s landing announcement. Chief executive Benyamin Ismail promised to review the airline’s onboard communication protocols to ensure greater clarity in the future, and offered travel vouchers as a goodwill gesture.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Diversions are part of the job in aviation. In the sky, as in business, turbulence is unavoidable. However, passengers want to be kept informed when flight plan changes occur. How you communicate in those moments can define your brand long after the landing gear touches down.

Source: 1

7 superbly rated accommodations in Darwin, Australia, to book a stay in H2 of 2025

We heard you’re planning a trip to Darwin?

That’s wonderful news!

To help you with your travel planning, we’ve curated a list of superbly rated accommodations in the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory so you can just enter your dates and book right away!

Thank us later 😉

Argus Apartments Darwin

Agoda Rating: 9.3 (1.2K+ reviews)

These apartments at Argus Apartments Darwin put you less than 600 m from Darwin Waterfront and just 7 km from Darwin International Airport.

Traveling as a duo/couple? The Premium/Executive One-Bedroom Apartments would make an ideal space for y’all.

Bringing the whole crew? Spread out in the Three-Bedroom Apartments or indulge in a penthouse stay.

Palms City Resort

Agoda Rating: 9.0 (3.5K+ reviews)

Your Darwin adventure begins just 7.5 km from the international airport if you book a stay at this resort, and Crocosaurus Cove is a 500-m stroll away.

Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate the standard/superior room options, while those yearning for space can go for the resort’s villas.

Select villas feature outdoor plunge spas.

Magnum Serviced Apartments Darwin

Agoda Rating: 9.0 (700+ reviews)

Make yourself at home at these serviced apartments along Woods Street.

Just 7 km from Darwin International Airport, this location puts you less than 900 m from Wave Lagoon.

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family/friends, you will find your space among their 1/2/3-bedroom apartments.

There’s also a rooftop pool on-site.

Hudson Apartment Hotels

Agoda Rating: 9.0 (400+ reviews)

Just 4.4 km from Darwin International Airport, Hudson Apartment Hotels sits along Parap Road.

If you’re flying solo, consider their 26 m² studio.

Or if you’re traveling with a group, go for their 1/2/3-bedroom apartments.

Families will love that kids 5 and under stay free when using existing bedding.

On-site swimming pool available.

Vitina Studio Motel

Agoda Rating: 8.8 (1K+ reviews)

Pretty recently refreshed in 2021, the Vitina Studio Motel puts you less than 7 km from Darwin International Airport and a 850-m stroll to Crocosaurus Cove.

Their Queen Studios and Deluxe King Studios give you better room to stretch out after a day of Northern Territory adventures.

Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel

Agoda Rating: 8.6 (4K+ reviews)

Sited along Woods Street and just 7 km from Darwin International Airport, this hotel has selected apartments with harbor views.

We like how the high-floor swimming pool serves up dips with a side of city views.

And because vacation doesn’t mean pressing pause on your fitness routine, there’s an on-site gym to keep you moving.

Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

Agoda Rating: 8.6 (1K+ reviews)

This welcoming Hilton Garden Inn is within 1.5 km of both Mindil Beach and Darwin Waterfront.

Take a swim in the hotel’s outdoor pool or retreat to your room, where select accommodations treat you to harbor views.

The spacious King Junior Suite gives you enough room to spread out, and kids/teens 17 and under stay free when using existing bedding.

JISOO Brings “Your Love” to Life in Rainforest Wild Asia

Singapore’s tourism scene has found a new pulse, driven by the synergy between pop culture and immersive destinations. In a strategic move to captivate a global audience, the Singapore Tourism Board has partnered with BLACKPINK’s JISOO, whose latest single “Your Love” premiered on August 12, 2025, accompanied by a visually captivating music video filmed entirely at Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s newest attraction, Rainforest Wild Asia.

Opened in March 2025, Rainforest Wild Asia has transformed the way visitors experience wildlife by blending biodiversity conservation with striking architectural design. This expansive habitat celebrates the lush ecosystems of Southeast Asia, featuring meandering streams, cascading waterfalls, and towering tropical canopies. It is home to elusive species such as the François’ langur and Sunda pangolin. Visitors can explore cavern chambers, relax beside tranquil lagoons, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal at the Cavern Restaurant.

In the music video, JISOO moves gracefully through this cinematic wilderness wearing a flowing pink gown. Her ethereal presence complements the rich greenery, creating visuals that are both romantic and timeless. From misty trails to the open sky at the Oculus, every scene captures the rainforest’s beauty. The opening moment, showing her placing a wooden disk into a vintage music player, sets a nostalgic tone before revealing the grandeur of the reserve.

The selection of Rainforest Wild Asia as the filming location is more than a creative choice. It acts as a cultural bridge, connecting K-pop’s worldwide influence with Singapore’s newest attraction. BLACKPINK’s JISOO, admired for her artistry and international appeal, becomes both muse and storyteller. Her influence reaches beyond music, shaping travel aspirations, fashion trends, and global perceptions of destinations. Since the video’s release, fans from around the world have shared images comparing JISOO’s scenes with their own plans to visit the reserve.

By blending the artistry of one of the world’s most recognizable performers with the sensory richness of Rainforest Wild Asia, this collaboration positions Singapore as a global destination. In JISOO’s newest video, the message resonates clearly: paradise is closer than you think, and it awaits beneath the rainforest canopy.

For local residents, the experience is even more enticing as WildPass holders can enjoy SG60 special rates from now until 31 August (T&Cs apply). See for yourself!

15 Visa-Free Destinations for Singaporeans to Enjoy

For Singaporeans, holding the world’s strongest passport is more than a status symbol. It is a key that opens the doors to adventure and culture with minimal paperwork and maximum spontaneity. The ability to enter so many countries without a visa, or with only a quick online authorization, makes last-minute getaways and long-planned journeys equally possible.

LOW-BUDGET TRAVEL

Southeast Asia remains an unbeatable playground for those seeking low-budget travel. Malaysia offers an easy 30-day stay where you can hop between bustling night markets, rainforests, and coastal islands without denting your wallet. Indonesia tempts with Bali’s sunsets and Java’s cultural heartlands, while Thailand continues to charm with its golden temples, street food, and island retreats. Vietnam adds a dash of history and scenery, from the streets of Hanoi to the marbles of Da Nang.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Even the Philippines boasts with crystal-clear waters, perfect for island-hopping and diving in Palawan, all made accessible through visa-free entry.

COMFORTABLE-BUDGET TRAVEL

In the comfortable-budget category, you can stretch your travel funds while still enjoying rich experiences. Japan remains a perpetual favorite with its bullet trains whisking you from neon-lit Tokyo to the peaceful temples of Kyoto. South Korea blends modern energy with deep tradition, where every corner can surprise you with a new flavor or melody. Do not get me started with their delicious (and cute) cafe offerings!

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Moreover, the United Kingdom offers the chance to stay for up to six months with an Electronic Travel Authorization, valid for two years. Germany opens its storybook towns and beer gardens without visa formalities, and France continues to lure with art, wine, and romance in both city and countryside.

LUXURY-BUDGET TRAVEL

For those ready to embrace luxury-budget travel, the world’s most indulgent destinations await. Switzerland delivers snow-dusted peaks, shimmering lakes, and watch boutiques that turn window-shopping into an art form. Norway’s dramatic fjords and sophisticated design make every day a postcard.

Furthermore, the United States welcomes visitors through the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA, offering up to 90 days to explore its vast cities and national parks. Canada grants six months of stay with an Electronic Travel Authorization for air arrivals, while land and sea entries require no eTA at all. Australia, with its own Electronic Travel Authority, offers 90 days to soak in Sydney’s harbor views, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, or taste the wines of the Barossa Valley.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The beauty of travelling on a Singapore passport is the freedom to decide on a whim, to be sipping coffee in Paris one month and wandering through Tokyo’s cherry blossoms the next. Chase new flavors, reconnect with nature, or simply indulge in the joy of discovering a new place with these visa-free destinations.

Sources: 1 & 2

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