Asia, Travel
Admiralty, Central, Hong Kong, Intercontinental, Kowloon, Ladies market, Mr. & Mrs. Fox, Night Market, Nobu, Sugar, Upper House
Captivating, chaotic & crowded – Hong Kong never sleeps! View the towering skylines from Kowloon, the nightly Symphony of Lights, or shop the mega malls. Hong Kong demands all your attention. Browse the Chinese “Lanes” of Li Yuen, bargain at the Bird, Ladies, Jade & Temple Markets (open until 1AM), ride a “junk”or see the worlds largest Buddha. Discover private nightclubs or marvel at tomorrow’s technology. Its easy to become addicted to Hong Kong!
Where2Stay – Kowloon or Hong Kong Island? Does it matter? The bargain rate of 32 cents (U.S.) makes taking the Star Ferry across the harbor (eight minutes) the best deal on the planet!
Hong Kong Island – The heartbeat & business center of Hong Kong with slick skyscrapers, sumptuous malls and party central!
Upper House – quiet, luxurious and intimate, voted one of the best hotels in Hong Kong. Located in Admiralty, attached to the Pacific Place Mall you might never see daylight! Imagine a zen inspired boutique hotel high atop a skyscraper! Floor to ceiling windows capture the dizzying view below. All rooms are suites, enormous bathrooms feature sunken tubs & huge walk in showers (easy to lose your roommate). Surprise snacks show up nightly. Top floor restaurant Cafe Grey is the perfect spot for cocktails, snacks & to show off that new sexy dress!
Kowloon – A dizzying array of electronics, jewelry shops & street markets mixes the old with new Hong Kong.
Intercontinental Hong Kong On the harbor, the Intercontinental Hotel shows off! Staggering views of Hong Kong Island, free smart phone devices, a rooftop infinity pool and their famous lobby bar (try their “Unbelievable Bubble Cocktails”) set the stage for the nightly light show across the harbor. Reserving a harbor view room is a must. Dine in Michelin star restaurants (Alain Ducasse Spoon & Yan Toh Heen) and the iconic Nobu. Stroll the Ave of the Stars outside the hotel’s front door.
Where2Dine – Over 11,000 restaurants from hole in the wall noodle shops to Michelin stared destinations, eating is a major attraction. Luckily taxis are inexpensive and the MTR is simple and fast (directions are in English)!
Twenty-Six by Liberty – Pay in advance, 26-seat counter where the kitchen comes to you. Michelin star chef, 10 courses, blowtorches & stylized modern cooking
Aqua Roma & Bar – 30 stories up, get front row seating for the nightly laser light show. Try their anxiety cocktail. Or two!
Mott 32 – Hidden is an understatement! Through one office building into another, down an escalator, descend a circular staircase w/iron chains into a dark sexy room. Modern Chinese – pre-order the roast goose, a must! Won best restaurant in Hong Kong!
The Chairman – small & elegant serving exquisite Cantonese. One of Asia’s 50 best restaurants. Do not miss the crab.
Mr. & Mrs. Fox – newly opened, hot, chic & lively on three levels (bar, restaurant & private den) Book early, stay late, order the scallops w/oyster ceviche.
Ho Lee Fook – Not a misprint, it means “good fortune for your mouth.” Funky, crowded & hip serving Asian fusion cuisine. Descend past the peacock feathers & waving Chinese gold statues. After a couple of drinks you’ll be waving back! Reserve early!
Dining Tip – Want the best dim sum? Take the MRT train to Central Station (don’t leave the station), get in line for Tim Ho Wan. Take a ticket, fill out the paper form and wait. It’s fun to make new friends!
What2Do – Day
Victoria Peak –Taking the tram is part of the experience. Views are breathtaking! Hope for a clear day!
Lantau Island – Climb the 268 steps to gaze at the Tian Tan Buddha, then visit the PoLin monastery for their vegetarian lunch!
Tai O – Quaint, picturesque fishing village w/houses on stilts & an old fashioned seafood market is a step back in time!
Stanley Market – along the coast, this picturesque market is a must for souvenirs, jewelry & tiny lanes!
Avenue of the Stars Stroll day or night for views of this amazing skyline, laser light show every night at 8 PM
Junk – Sail Victoria Harbor in this restored Duk Ling “the HK Junk” boat. Do not miss this!
The Markets – Ladies, Temple, Jade & Bird markets. Fun, addicting and crowded! Shop until you drop! Remember to bargain!
Where2Play – Night
Ozone – In the Ritz Carlton on the 118th floor – the highest bar in the world. Dramatic, glamorous & dazzling w/outside terrace. Dress to impress, don’t look down.
Dragon I – Jet setters, models and hip society crowd all gather in their Red Room. Open until 4 AM! Flirt to get in.
M Bar Mandarin Oriental – Elegant, seductive, great date spot. Bored with your date? View will keep you occupied!
Sugar – On the top of the EAST Hong Kong Hotel – don’t miss the outdoor wraparound terraces, music and killer views bathed in fuchsia lighting.
Asia, Travel
Asia, Bamboo Grove, Flight Courtier, Ginza, Hoshinoya Ryokan, Japan, Kyoto, Moss Garden, New York Bar and Grill, Roppongi, Shinjuku, shrines, Tokyo
A country of contradictions.
Tokyo Japan – From brights light big city, love hotels, outrageous fashion & state of the art electronics merging with temples, gardens and of course the freshest sushi in the world – the Japanese cover all bases! Think polite, punctual, hard working, respectful, super smart, beautiful and lets not forget they know how to party! Head to Tokyo because seeing is believing. No other city in the world resembles Tokyo.
Kyoto Japan – Exhausted? Need a city break? No visit to Japan is complete without seeing Kyoto. Take a step back in time. Buddhist temples, shrines, forests, geisha’s, tea ceremonies & traditional Ryokans – will bring out the Zen in you.
Introducing Flight Courtier – an internationally based travel company that offers First and Business class travel at reduced rates. Arrive in Tokyo refreshed, unwrinkled and ready for business. Tell them Wear2Where sent you!
Where2Stay – Tokyo
Park Hyatt Tokyo – This 5 star classic hotel (Lost in Translation) will fulfill all your fantasies. You might get lucky and share the elevator with Scarlet Johansson! Recharge on the 52nd floor at their NY Bar, listen to jazz, gaze out at the breathtaking view (one of the best in Tokyo). Dine at their NY Grill (grab that window seat). Leave time to explore Shinjuku, where Tokyo’s tallest buildings meets the wildest and largest red-light district. Does that entice you enough???
Exhausted? Make a “fast” break for it. At 360 mph the Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you away to another reality-Kyoto!
Where2Stay – Featured Hotel KYOTO
Hoshinoya Ryokan -who knew you would want to sleep on the floor? And pay for the privilege! Disclaimer – I did! Fuse modern luxury w/ tradition at this extraordinary award winning “waterfront” Japanese Inn. Accessible by private boat near Arashiyama, offering 25 river front suites, Japanese styled pajamas, Tabi slippers, a meditation outfit, private gardens and a tea and incense ceremony. Expect futons, not beds. It’s all part of the experience. Do not miss their multi course Japanese breakfast prepared and created in your room w/ complete cooking table (don’t even think of attempting this at home!)
Where2Eat- Featured Restaurant – Hoshinoya Kyoto
What is better than a private dining room? Behind closed doors anything can happen- don’t ask – don’t tell! Here you will experience the “essense” of Kyoto’s kaiseki culinary tradition. Nine courses, fused with French accents. Awarded one Michelin star! And worth it!
What2Do
Known as the “cultural heart” of Japan, Kyoto, once the capital, now one of the best preserved historical cities in Japan. Chose among 1600 temples (Gold & Silver a must) 400 Shrines, Imperial Palace, Moss Garden (advanced reservations from the U.S. required), Bamboo Grove and the stunning endless orange gates of the Fushimi Inari shrine.
Too much Zen? Go shopping in Shijo-Dori Daimaru and Takashimaya Department stores where you will find unique Japanese cutting edge designers unknown in the U.S. Don’t speak Japanese? English translators will help you shop! All purchases wrapped as gifts and they even refund your taxes! Need to re-energize? Hit the food emporiums in the basement. Puts Harrods to shame! And don’t miss Niashiki Fish Market. And the main reason to visit Japan right now… Cherry Blossom Season
Asia, Travel
Garden by the Bay, Happy Baby, Hawkers Center, KUDeTa, Light Show, Marina Bay, private jet, Raffles, romantic getaway, Scarlet Hotel, Sentiosa, Singapore, St Regis
Singapore -no longer just an endless mall with an airport attached. (but leave time to visit the #1 airport in the world complete with swimming pool & movie theater!) Fused with expensive casinos, football size infinity pools & ethnic food markets all wrapped into an ultra modern, obsessively clean city (warning, no gum, but warm toilets.) Don’t miss the Marina Bay area comprised of Vertical Gardens, promenade w/nighttime light shows, cutting edge designers, the Singapore Flyer (world’s largest ferris wheel) steamy jungles & night safaris. Whether traveling alone or on romantic vacation don’t forget to have that Singapore Sling at the world famous Raffles Hotel. Want to travel in style? Flight Courtier, an internationally based company will provide you with luxury travel services by saving you 30-50% off published fares. Is there a better way to travel? Tell them we sent you!
For more travel tips visit our W2W media page for our newly published article on Singapore appearing in Silicon Valley’s luxury lifestyle magazine Caviar Affair.
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S)) or quiet & elegant (perfect for married (M))? Sometimes you want to “marry” the two (MS).
Where2Stay – Sleek & Sultry Singapore “Stays” in style.
Fullerton Bay Hotel- Waterfront hotel with unsurpassed views. Optimal location lined w/ cafes & bars outside your door. State of the art technology – you’re never out of touch. Reserve a bay view room w/ infinity jacuzzi for your romantic getaway. Fireworks a bonus (M)
Do you want shopping literally outside your door? Look no further than the luxurious St Regis Hotel on Orchard Road. Elegant rooms, indoor tennis courts, private art collection (think Chagall, Picasso & sculptures by Taiwanese artist Li Chen). Don’t miss their famous Chili Padi Bloody Mary at the Astor Bar. Perfect business fit – private and quiet. Take a break and indulge in the spectacular spa and lounge in the warm marble chairs for a quick nap. For a unique slice of France, dine in their signature Restaurant Brasserie Les Saveurs. A perfect married/single destination. (MS)
The Scarlet- Singapore’s first luxury boutique hotel located in Chinatown near trendy Club Street. Mind blowing and uninhibited, the interiors of this 80-room hotel pulsate with eclectic tension. Imagine experiencing one of their 5 themed suites aptly named Splendor, Opulent, Passion, Lavish and Swank. The Scarlet is a perfect place for pleasure whether traveling alone or a secret weekend getaway! (MS)
Visit Sentosa Singapore’s lush resort island and stay at the astonishing W Singapore Sentosa Cove. With beaches, golf and rainforests you are minutes away from the mainland. Have dinner at Skirt, the aptly named steakhouse and cocktails at Woo. A perfect place to wear your new resort wear. You won’t be traveling single for long! (S)
Where2Dine – Singapore is a food gastronomic orgy
For lunch – Maxwell Hawker Center ( indulge in food stall heaven), Drink at Tippling Club, 45th best bar in the world. Dine at KuDeTa overlooking Singapore Harbor. Reserve early for Burnt Ends – an 18-seat foodie restaurant and if your budget knows no boundary head to either Restaurant Andre (#37 in the world) or Waku Ghin 50th in the world for the ultimate dining experience.
Where2go / What2Do
.
Visit Gardens by the Bay with its “supertrees” & Marc Quinn’s floating “baby sculpture.” Amazing Dale Chiluly glass sculptures and Frank Stella 3 ton installation at the Ritz Carlton. Stroll Chinatown, India St. & the Arab Quarter for atmospheric flavor of old Singapore. Don’t miss the nightly Marina light water show! Still awake? Walk the “steamy” side of Singapore in the Geylang Area – leggy street walkers mixed with the best local food on the island.
September 19-21- Formula I Grand Prix Night Race.
October – The Thimihi Festival fire walker ceremony. Certainly a “hot” ticket!
Wonderful Light and Water Show at Marina Bay.
Where2Play at night
Roof Top Bars
Kinki Restaurant and rooftop bar (Marina Bay Area) – decked out in street art and specializing in signature cocktails with Japanese ingredients. “Japanese with an Urban Attitude” Halo – in the Wangz Hotel, featuring a wrap-around terrace. Top-notch cocktails. Not an H for heli Pad but lighted seating! L Attitude – the highest multi experience in the world. Voted best restaurant to impress. If you strike out, play their outside simulated golf course!LeVeL33- Also a urban craft brewery, with stunning views of Marina Bay
Shop: Men’s Travel Gear
Mens GiveNGo Quick dry Brief– keep everything in place with these, comfy travel briefs. Grid-It Organizer– nothing will go missing again! Audio-Technica Headphones– Block out the rest of the world with noise canceling head phones. AcousticSheep SleepPhones Classic Sleep -Headphones– Relieve stress and fall asleep with the softest headphones you ever wear.
Co-Authored by: Fiona Tolley