Category: All posts

Destination Shanghai Contributed by Jens Hoffmann After a happy landing I enjoyed the nice ride with the airport express train (455 km/h, wow!!!) to Pudong. 10 minutes later we arrived. Yes, I love it to be in Shanghai. My hotel, the Shangri-La Jing An is located on the Puxi side of the Huangpu River. It features a design inspired by Shanghai’s past, present, and future. The 508-room hotel is the centerpiece of the Jing An Kerry Centre. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted by…Continue Reading “Selected breaks in Shanghai @Shangri-La Hotel” →

Destination Marrakesh. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Hmm, yes a little bit boring, but we are still looking for the 1001 secrets of Marrakesh. Spice shops, snake charmers, and street food have made the city to one of world greatest spectacles. Acctually no need to introduce the La Mamounia, a true legend among the most famous hotels in the world. It is located in walking distance of the Djemaa el Fna, in the legendary city Marrakesh. We had a fantastic time and a amazing suite with…Continue Reading “Faces of the Medina – Marrakesh & La Mamounia” →

Michelin – new stars in 2018 Tokyo a) The latest edition of the Michelin guide for Tokyo presents 82 new restaurants, including five new two-star establishments and 23 entities garnering single stars. All of the 12 three-star restaurants in Tokyo have retained their prestigious status, including the world-famous sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, Azabu Yukimura (Kyoto cuisine) and Joel Robuchon (French fine dining). Among the new restaurants awarded two stars are Chinese restaurant Sazenka, Hommage (French cuisine), and Den. The Michelin Guide Tokyo 2018 lists…Continue Reading “Michelin new stars in Tokyo (Asia 2018)” →

Singapore – the new green marvel A booming and clean city. If you have a budget you can enjoy it quick & easy by helicopter, listen to the pilot and enjoy it with a panoramic view. Usually the tour includes; Marina Bay Sands, the Garden by the Bay, Marina Barrage and the business district, a bit of Sentosa with the Universal Studios and Sentosa Cove. Furthermore some of the Southern Islands like Kusu Island, St John’s Island & Sisters’ Islands and the world famous Singapore…Continue Reading “Booming green Singapore – the Asian marvel” →

Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann From New York to Cancún. Here where the Caribbean Sea converges with the Gulf of Mexico, ancestral voices keep whispering old tales with the winds that refresh Holbox. They tell the stories of the Spanish galleons that disappeared in these waters, they also tell the stories of the pirates who took their treasures, pirates like Francisco Molas. The ferry ride to Isla Holbox (a 20 mile-long sliver of mostly mangrove and beach in the vast Yum Balam biosphere reserve),…Continue Reading “Islands we love – Holbox in Mexico” →

Destination South-Africa. Contributed by Ben Russel. Happy landing on Airport Cape town – The fun starts. Located on the southern coast of Africa, nestling in an almost secret location. For me one of the most extraordinary properties in the world. The Pezula Private Castle with over four thousand entries it was awarded as the “Best Property in the World”. Wow, so probably one of the most stunning places to stay in South Africa a destination that’s poised to leave you speechless. The Noetzie Beach is…Continue Reading “Howzit – my South Africa” →

Destination Malta. Culture, Culture, Culture. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. The City of Valletta, set to be the European Capital of Culture in 2018 – prove Malta’s got much more to offer than losing in soccer and a few points they always award at the Eurovision contest. Great palaces, new architecture, and lovely places to eat – not to mention its UNESCO World Heritage The island has beaches and opportunities still feels quite undiscovered. Once you biking here you’ll see the landscape is stunning. To really…Continue Reading “Valletta – The European Capital of Culture in 2018” →

Cape Town. South Africa. A hotel with a view. Contributed by Martina Warter. The Silo is worth an incentive or lovely stay, an extraordinary new luxury hotel in Cape Town situated above Zeitz MOCAA. It sets a new standard for luxury accommodation in Cape Townn. Towering above the V&A Waterfront surrounded by the natural wonder of the city. The Silo has been built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex occupying six floors above Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa)….Continue Reading “Howzit – The Silo hotel – Cape Town” →

Destination Bali. Last time the Indonesian volcano Mount Agung caused some troubles during our stay. Today it is more easy, no problem at Taman Bali airport, my sweet paradise is spiritual easy. A tailor made refuge for a romantic stay in the “Garden of Eden”. The locals call the island “Taman Bali” (Garden of Eden). The german painter Spies got his inspiration from Balinese woman that he painted in his lush landscapes. It was in the roaring twenties and thirties, but ever since, foreigners have…Continue Reading “Destination Bali” →

Me gusta Barca. Destination Catalunya. By Jens Hoffmann My food trip to Barcelona and Girona. I am travelling since 20 years to Barcelona, I love the city and especially this wonderful Mandarin hotel. Lets say I am fan. It was designed by Patricia Urquiola and she realized a perfect fantastique location to explore the city. Patricia Urquiola’s designs have been distinguished with many awards: ADI Design Index, International Design Yearbook, IMM Cologne Award, Good Design Awards of the Chicago Athenaeum, Red Dot Award and the…Continue Reading “I am a fan of Mandarin Oriental” →

Thailand, smooth as silk Contributed by Ben Miller. Thailand is no destination, it is an adventure. Going on one means away from everything familiar and allowing your brain to idle into a kind of clenaing bliss. Bangkok can be as bewildering as it is bewitching. There are few things to do to make the most of Thailand’s exuberant capital, filling your days with luxury feelings, massages, street food, impressive temples and lively bars. Bangkok’s nick-name is “Venice of the east”, of course for a reason….Continue Reading “Going on one means away from everything familiar – Thailand” →

Destination Monaco – Overlooking the Mediterranean at Hôtel Hermitage Monte Carlo is located at the base of the Maritime Alps along the French Riviera. Near the western end of the quarter is the world-famous celeb Place du Casino, the gambling center which has made Monte Carlo “an international byword for the extravagant display and reckless dispersal of rich and snobby. The eastern part of the quarter includes Larvotto with Monaco’s only public beach. Our hotel Hermitage offers a intimate ambience, old-fashioned but with a touch…Continue Reading “Pillow talk – Monaco for runaways” →