Elona the Explorer

Author: Elona Karafin

5 Star Luxury in Mongolia: Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar

Nothing is quite as pleasant as picking up your key card at check-in and hearing those two magic words: “welcome home”. It may not sound like much, but after commuting for over 20 hours, those were exactly the words I needed to hear. Paired with the unmistakable scent of vanilla, sandalwood, bergamot and tea (all of which make up “The Essence of Shangri-La” perfume) … I felt right at home. The Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar is to Mongolia’s Capital city what Time Warner Center is to New York: it is sleek, modern, luxurious and a staple of shopping and accommodation alike. Located in the center of the Capital and largest city of Mongolia, The Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar attracts some of the most discerning travelers of the world: including politicians, businessmen, celebrities and tourists. Although it’s the coldest capital in the world, Ulaanbaatar offers pleasantly warm summers and very little rainfall. Mongolia as a whole has a beautiful population and hospitality is a fundamental fiber of it’s cultural nervous system. Mongolia’s complex history as the worlds largest land empire is carefully intertwined with the simplicity of daily life led by over 50% of the population: the Mongolian nomads. Therefore, you could expect nothing less than stellar hospitality, high attentiveness and personalized service at the only 5-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar. The rooms are spacious with floor to ceiling windows that show off eye catching views of the National Amusement Park and the Bogd Khan Mountain. If you are lucky like me and experience all four seasons in one day, then you’ll see the Bogd Khan Mountain under a thin layer of snow and it’s quite the sight to see! Although I stayed in a Deluxe category room, I was lucky enough to sneak a peak at the very special Shangri-La Suite. The largest indoor sports club in Ulaanbaatar is unsurprisingly at the Shangri-La Hotel, boasting dozens of pieces of equipment, a 25meter heated pool, a sauna, a steam-room, and a cold plunge pool. For an even more exclusive experience, I highly encourage you to try the benefits of the Horizon Club (a unique value prop of the Shangri-La Hotel Group), which offers everything from hotel transfers to a private check in process. At the Horizon Club lounge there are a number of perks such as breakfast, drinks and hors d oeuvres throughout the day. Its the perfect place to unwind in privacy and enjoy local treats and beverages! There are three restaurants at the hotel. My favorite is Naadam, which serves delicious Mongolian Khuushuur (fried dumping) with many Western touches like fries and wings. Naadam has a large outdoor terrace with sweeping views of Ulaanbaatar. Inside the restaurant there is love music, a bar and even a pool table. Many locals come there for its fun and entertaining aura! In the Area: The Shangri-La Hotel, Ulaanbaatar is centrally located in the heart of the city center. The hotel is part of a larger Shangri-La complex which includes a massive mall with shopping, dining and entertainment right next door to the hotel.  The hotel is also walking distance Government House, Great Chinggis Khaan Square and main offices and embassies. National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia The Zaisan Memorial Great Chinggis Khaan Square Gorkhi-Terelj National Park Room prices start at $220 per night Continue Reading: 5 Things You Should Know About Mongolia (And Why You Should Go!)

MONGOLIA: 5 Things You Need to Know, And Why You Should Go!

Mongolia is not for everyone … but if you let it, it will change you the same way it changed me. Jaw dropping scenic drives, a complex culture intertwined with a simple lifestyle … unbeaten paths, delicious home cooked meals and unparalleled with hospitality.

What Is Doom Tourism and Why Should You Care?

Have you ever heard of the term “doom tourism”? It’s not exactly a common phrase to use, but it essentially refers to visiting locations around the world that are in danger of either not existing in the future, or will become degraded over time.

Beginner Peaks For Newbie Adventurers

There are lots of people who would to climb up the world’s highest peaks, but they believe that you need to be a qualified mountaineer to do so. That isn’t always the case. In fact, even some of the biggest mountains out there are suited to beginner climbers, and there are plenty of tour groups you’ll be able to join.

Here are some of the world’s best mountains for first-time climbers.

Take Control of Your Spending On the Road

Whether you are on a short-term holiday or a long-term backpacking trip, it is important that you take control of your financial situation. Otherwise, you could find yourself with a nasty surprise when you check your bank account once you arrive back home again. Though it is easy to get caught up on your adventure, taking a few simple steps to better manage your finances doesn’t have to be all that challenging. Here are just a few simple pieces of advice which can provide you with a major helping hand. Create a Budget Unless you are in a very privileged position, you won’t be able to spend like there is no tomorrow while you are travelling. It is a good idea to set yourself a daily budget which you stick to while you are on the road. Obviously, this all depends on how expensive the country that you are visiting is. It is worth doing some research beforehand. It may also be worth setting yourself an emergency fund to dip into in case anything goes wrong along the way. Keep Track of Your Bank Balance and Other Investments It is so much easier to keep track of your bank balance than it once was thanks to internet banking. While you are on the road, make a point of checking in from time to time to ensure that there are no unexpected charges or other complications causing you problems. If you have any other investments that you need to account for such as fundrise fees, take the time to check up on these as well. The last thing that you need is for anything to go wrong while you are travelling and you don’t find out until your get back. Give Yourself Multiple Payment Options Many countries around the world still deal primarily in cash, so it is a good idea to have some available. You can also keep better track of your spending this way. But it is always useful to have a couple of credit or debit cards with you – especially ones which don’t charge you fees for foreign transactions. You could even look into the travellers’ card option. Don’t store everything in one place in case it gets lost or stolen and you need a backup plan. Understand the Exchange Rate and Hidden Fees A lot of travellers suffer as they don’t know the exchange rate of the country that they are in and end up getting ripped off at a bad currency exchange shop. Others get hit with hidden ATM or card machine fees. It is the people who are ignorant of these extra charges who will be the ones who get hit the hardest. Budgeting while you are on the road is one of the most important and useful tricks that you can learn for your travelling life. These are just a few of the ways that you can get a better handle on your money when you are out globetrotting.

Making That Special Vacation Extra Special

Perhaps you’re marking a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday. Perhaps you’re going with a group of friends to celebrate something momentous. Whatever the reason, there are some easy and (relatively) affordable ways to make any vacation extra special.

How to Work and Travel Without Your Trip Falling Apart

If your travels aren’t a pure vacation away from all the worries and commitments of your normal working life, here are some tips for you to stay on track with your work while also making the most of your time off!