Smag31

USA Mondrian Soho, New York Mondrian Soho 9 Crosby Street, New York City Mondrian Soho opened in March 2011 on cobbled Crosby Street and is the tallest building in the ‘hood: a 28- floor glass block (literally, it backs onto Lafayette Street), fronted by a glasshouse restaurant and accessed through a glass tunnel covered in … Read more

Chile The Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories Chile The Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories Sleeping in a former abattoir is not to everyone’s taste, but this 57- room heritage hotel is in a former frigorific, a cold- storage plant built in 1915 near Chile’s pretty Puerto Natales. Governed by strict conservation rules, local architect Pedro Kovacic has … Read more

St Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami St Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami It may be technically in Miami, but the less- then- one- square- mile community known as Bal Harbour is a world apart from the high- volume bling of South Beach. Best known for its clutch of exclusive shops and restaurants, it now has … Read more

USA Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles USA Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles This classic 66- year- old Hollywood hideaway recently underwent a two- year, $100- million renovation. Although the pink- stucco, Spanish- mission- style architecture, resident swans and 12 acres of gardens remain much the same, just about everything else has had a top- to- bottom overhaul. … Read more

South Africa – Queen Victoria Hotel, Cape Town Queen Victoria Hotel: Queen Victoria Hotel is in a prime Cape Town The new, discreet sister property to Cape Town’s Dock House is tucked away being that hotel in a quiet mews away from the bustle of the harbour development. The Queen Victoria is a study in … Read more

Mauritius Long Beach Sugar Beach Resort – Mauritius Long Beach is not a typical Mauritian resort. Developed by Sun Resorts (Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Le Tousserok), the hotel opened in April 2011 on the 60-acre footprint of the former Coco Beach on the east coast. Its aim: to bring ‘a new vision’ of contemporary chic … Read more

Restaurants Battery Gardens This restaurant offers a New American menu with Asian accents, and panoramic views of the harbor. Battery Park, opposite 17 State St 212 809 5508 Gigino’s at Wagner Park Gigino’s delivers excellent Italian food from the Amalfi coast and dazzling views from the sophisticated dining room and the waterfront terrace. 20 Battery … Read more

A Day Exploring Lower Manhattan Morning Begin at Battery Park for a view of the waterfront, and look into Castle Clinton , an 1807 fort, to see dioramas of a changing New York. Then visit the Museum of the American Indian at the U.S. Custom House. Cross to Bowling Green, the city’s first park, then … Read more

Old and new New York meet at the tip of the island. The city was born here under Dutch rule and became the nation’s first capital after the Revolutionary War (1775–83). At the intersection of Broad and Wall streets are the Federal Hall National Memorial, marking the site where George Washington was sworn in as … Read more

Vietnam – Anatara Mui Ne Resort & Spa Vietnam – Anatara Mui Ne Resort & Spa The views from the entrance of Anantara are first Vietnam resort embody its Sanskrit name, which means ‘without end’. From the rased exception, guests can peer down at the airy L’Anmien restaurant, with it tables and chairs that spill … Read more

Vivanta By Taj – Bekal, Kerala Life is tough at this new, 71- room spa resort in undiscovered north Kerala. Should I order a Mojito or a Mai- Tai cocktail? Take a spa treatment go for a walk on the beach, or a have a gentle kayak on the serene backwaters? Set on 30 acres … Read more

India – Alila Bangalore Hotel and Residence Alila Bangalore Hotel and Residence South India is first urban resort is in the hi- tech hub of Whitefield, 20km from Bangalore’s city centre and home or world- class technology parks, impressive corporate campuses and exclusive residential enclaves to house the multinational workforce. With its South- East Asian … Read more

China – Banyan Tree Macau Cool off at the “beach resort deck” and pool at the Banyan Tree Macau There is an old primary- school teachers’ trick: if children get rowdy, do not raise your voice- lower it. The kids will instinctively quiet down to listen. The same goes for luxury. Its does not have … Read more

Wildman Wilderness Lodge – Mary River Wetlands Northern Territory the World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park A comfortable two- hour drive from Darwin, Wildman Wilderness Lodge is a gateway to the raw, compelling beauty of Australia’s tropical north at a reasonable, half- board price. Its mission is to give travelers an insight into the … Read more

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai Looking to the future rather than feeling nostalgic for the past. Shanghai is luxury hotels tend towards sky tower modernism, but Asia’s first Wladorf Astoria adroitly rewinds the stylistic clock. The setting is pure theatre: a colonnaded 1911 mansion on the … Read more

A Day in the Hutongs Morning Take the subway to Yonghe Gong for an early morning – and hopefully crowd-beating – visit to the Lama Temple. On leaving, cross over the main road and pass under the pailou (gate) at the entrance to Guozijian Jie for the Confucius Temple. Afterwards, take a break at the … Read more

By far the most rewarding area to explore on foot, north of the Forbidden City stretches an almost contiguous run of lakes, either set in parkland or surrounded by swathes of charming historic hutongs. It’s an area rich in temple architecture and dotted with grand old courtyard residences. Its appeal to visitors has resulted in … Read more

Places to Eat & Drink Nine This hip restaurant specializes in steaks and seafood. There’s also a champagne bar and the Ghost Bar for drinks and dancing. 440 W. Randolph St. 312 575 9900 Closed Sat lunch & all day Sun Everest The restaurant on the top floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange has dazzling … Read more

Shops Macy’s Once Marshall Field’s, Chicago’s oldest and best-known department store continues to be famous for its elaborate Christmas displays, dazzling Tiffany dome, and iconic clock. Established nearly 100 years ago, it offers top styles for home and body. 111 N. State St. DA Clock at Macy’s Filene’s Basement Here you’ll find some fantastic budget-friendly … Read more

Best of the Rest Loop Theater District A sidewalk plaque at Randolph and State Streets denotes Chicago’s Theater District, a cluster of old and new theaters. Civic Opera House This 1929 structure was inspired by Paris’s Opera Garnier. Inside, there are gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a grand staircase . Civic Opera Building Symphony … Read more