Asian News on Travel and Hotels

It’s perfectly natural to want the best of both worlds when you book hotels in Shanghai. A good spot on the Bund, for one, close to all the hot Huangpu action and handsome architectural monuments in the city. And, if you can arrange it, a glimpse of the sci-fi skyline of Pudong from the comfort of your suite.

Flip that. Pudong hotels in the middle of the hustle high finance bustle with ooh la la panoramas of Huangpu. With that, say ni hao to the best Bund view hotels in Shanghai.

Photo credit

Pudong Shangri-La Hotel Shanghai
33 Fu Cheng Road

Stay classy at the swish Pudong Shangri-La, where Bund views come at a premium. Still, all that glitz is pretty hard to resist. The pre-eminent property raises the luxury bar with tastefully-appointed rooms spread out over two buildings: the River Wing and Grand Tower. Join the Shangri-La Horizon Club and roll exec-style; late check-out, private club room cocktails, personal concierge, to name just a few benefits. Membership has other privileges too, most notably in the form of River Wing Bund View Deluxe Rooms. Primo, primo stuff. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia |

A lot of people have 24, and only 24, hours in Kuala Lumpur. Think about it. The foremost metropolis is a paragon alpha world city in Asia, let alone Malaysia, and, as such, a global financial pulse point. The result? Hordes of business travellers. Head honcho executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, all in town for a short stay, for a pitch, a confab, a conference, or layover.

Kuala Lumpur is a hub, point. Your travels may well take you to hotels in KL, either on business, leisure, pleasure or all of the above. If you happen to be so fortunate, this 24 hour guide will prove essential.

Menara Kuala Lumpur
2 Jalan Punchak

Photo credit

KL’s other tower is a made-for-tourism dynamo with all the requisite attractions, from observation deck to panoramic restaurant (yes, it revolves).

Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is one of Southeast Asia’s retail and entertainment district par excellence. Replete with busy pedestrian enclaves, stellar budget eats, spas, malls and nightlife spots, the area is KL’s irrepressible hive of activity.

Where to stay: Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, Malaysia |

Frenetic, dynamic, food-mad Taipei is a manic metropolis with much to see, much to do and much to eat. Read on as we break down the Taiwanese capital in ten stops.

Photo credit

Tapei 101

The former titan of world skyscrapers is the most dominant landmark in Taipei. Though Burj Khalifa now dwarfs Taipei 101 by a mile, what sets the Taiwan wonder apart is careful focus on aesthetic details: numerology, cultural symbolism, feng shui precepts, nods to Buddhism and traditional folklore all highlight the extraordinary typhoon and earthquake-proof tower. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, Attractions, Taiwan |

When it comes to prime urban digs, hotels in Shanghai evince a borderline silly, mad array of possible alternatives. If you want to hole up on or close to the Bund, however, look no further than these lucky thirteen gems.

View of Pudong from Metropole Hotel Shanghai – Photo credit

Metropole Hotel Shanghai
180 Jiang Xi Center Road

Shun Shanghai’s new steel and glass towers for a hotel with Concession-era charm. Built in 1930, the Metropole is a venerable landmark.

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai On The Bund Hotel
88 Sichuan Zhong Road

The Waldorf Astoria took another early 20^th architectural icon and gave it the refurb job of a lifetime. The result is a luxe, tasteful hotel with panache.

Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
555 Xi Zang Road

The sleek and shiny Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre will up the ante when it opens July 2011. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, China |

Seoul

Busy Seoul street – Photo credit

South Korea’s mad, feverish capital competes with Tokyo for the title of the most populous (and addictively chaotic) metropolis on the planet. Wildly frenetic Seoul is home to 25 million people – a few million more than all of Australia – and is a mega alpha city par excellence.

While here, visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Shop in Dongdaemun Market, Namdaemun Market, Insadong, COEX Mall and the Yongsan Electronics Market. Culture hop between the city’s over 100 museums and chill out in massive urban parks.

Discover the best, affordable Seoul hotels. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, Featured, Korea |

Perfect for business, pleasure, leisure or all of the above, our top 15 luxury hotels in Hong Kong evince the very best in the category and, indeed, match up with the very best in the world.

Hong Kong skyline – Photo credit

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
8 Finance Street, Central

With so much to swoon over, the one feature that stands out at the singular Four Seasons is the open-air, infinity pool terrace, with WiFi, butler service and expansive views of Victoria Harbour. Two three-star Michelin restaurants help too.

Grand Hyatt Hotel Hong Kong
1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai

Plush suites with top-to-bottom windows and contemporary décor make stays at the Grand Hyatt most enjoyable. The Plateau Spa is a Hong Kong oasis. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, Hong Kong |

Do not even ponder a trip to Thailand without so much as a cursory gander at our list of the top 20 beach hotels in the country. From Krabi to Phuket, Pattaya to Hua Hun, this line-up of hot resorts is must-see stuff.

Hat Ton Sai - Photo credit

Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Romance on the Gulf of Thailand comes in many forms but few as spectacular as the Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas Hua Hin. Colonial era architecture, impeccable service and plush privacy round out the premier property.

Yaiya Boutique Resort Hua Hin

A boutique beach resort par excellence, the Yaiya combines stylish décor and smart service to provide a sumptuous Hua Hin experience.

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Hua Hin

A star property in the ample Sheraton arsenal, this Hia Hin gem is a popular deluxe choice on the Gulf of Thailand. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Thailand |

There are hidden gems destinations and then there are hidden gem destinations in Japan, a country that still doesn’t court foreign visitors with reckless abandon. Feigned enthusiasm is more like it. As a result, stumbling around the four main islands of Nihon can be a slightly frustrating but, indeed, richly rewarding experience. The discovery of an off the beaten track jewel? Even more delicious.

Somewhere in Shikoku – Photo credit

With that in mind, may we introduce Shikoku. The most diminutive main island in Japan contains just over 4 million people – pretty much the same as your average Tokyo neighbourhood – and a cavalcade of terrific nooks to explore. Check out our top 20 must-sees and must-dos in Shikoku. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Japan |

You have tickets to the big race. Your Grand Prix party itinerary is all set. Now all you need is a list of stellar hotels in KL.

Look no further F1 fans. Discover the best Malaysia Grand Prix hotels to complete your race weekend, April 8-10, 2011.

Photo credit

Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Stay close to Sepang F1 International Circuit and three minutes away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Concorde Inn features boutique-like environs, a sumptuous Poolside Snack Bar and plush deluxe rooms. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, Events |

Bali’s best spa resorts, much like the peerless destination, offer a wondrous breadth of melt-your-care-away options. You can seldom go wrong on Indonesia’s dream island but if we have to whittle it down, these 15 spa resorts will do just fine.

Just another average Bali view – Photo credit

Aston Bali Beach Resort & Spa

A mere 20 minutes from Denpasar International Airport, the Aston offers affordable rates and solid package options for Tanjungbenoa visitors on a budget.

Ayana Resort & Spa

Golf, tennis, superb on-site restaurants and la pièce de résistance, the 22,000 m² Thermes Marins Thalasso spa complex.

FuramaXclusive Villas & Spa Ubud

Indulge in a host of spa treatments from the comfort of your private villa, with little more than the rustle of the wind through the padi fields to disturb you. The FuramaXclusive Villas & Spa is a divine choice in Ubud.

Gending Kedis Villas & Spa Estate

At the fab Gending Kedis resort in Jimbaran Bay, all you need to do is select which luxury villa and private pool you want. The rest is exquisitely easy.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia |