We love this brand new property from Langham Hotels International: Langham Place on Lamai Beach, Koh Samui. This cozy and intimate yet funky and modern hotel is a breath of fresh air in the region, with its “village” layout allowing each room to enjoy maximum privacy. A 200-meter private jetty allows for stargazing on beanbags, a secluded candlelight dinner, or daytime trips on the hotel’s catamaran.
The Hong Kong government has put up a “red alert” with regards to traveling to Bangkok due to the latest political crisis. However, we know this won’t deter those of you itching to head over to the Land of Smiles during Songkran to splash strangers with water. The country’s annual water festival, Songkran, is on this year from April 13-15. Our advice is to just avoid Bangkok and go elsewhere to celebrate the Thai New Year. Singapore Airlines Holidays has a bargain three-day package to Phuket from $2,299 per person.
What are your plans this weekend? Pick up the dry cleaning; do the supermarket run; and then get ready for a drinking binge at 5pm? Well, the weather’s nice, and we figure you are probably (still) recovering from all the craziness at the Sevens, so maybe a change of weekend itineraries would do you some good. We have different trips for everyone—we tried not to include any bar detours in here, but we can’t stop you if you want to bring your own flask, can we?
Sick of boozin’ and abusin’ yourself every weekend? Clean up your act and get out in the fresh air for once, with these day trips around Hong Kong.
We knew that the West Kowloon Cultural District had to be good for something.
The third Hong Kong-Shenzhen Biennale is coming to town. Steven Ho checks out the highlights of the festival about urban art and architecture.
Dear An Utterly Incensed Passenger at the Airport Who Missed Their Flight, I’m confused about the HSBC rights issue. Am I required to purchase a specific number of additional lots if I choose to participate, or can I purchase any number of lots I wish? And yes, before you ask, I already do own HSBC stocks. Thank you - Rights and Wrong and Upside Down
WAAAUUUUGHHH! The boarding gate is closed???? NO! NO!!! HOW CAN THIS BE??!!? I DEMAND YOU OPEN THIS GATE RIGHT NOW! RWAAAAAARRRRR!!! BLARRRRRRRGH!!!!
This week’s guest columnist: An Utterly Incensed Passenger at the Airport Who Missed Their Flight
HK Magazine: How did you become a pilot in the first place?
Carmen Chan: A coincidence, really. I used to have zero knowledge about aviation; I actually majored in finance and accounting and I worked in a bank. But after I joined this company as a management trainee, I became interested in flying. I took a course to learn how to fly small aircraft and I joined my company’s cadet program. After training, I qualified as a pilot.
She’s the only female helicopter pilot in a 30-man team, but that doesn’t faze Carmen Chan. She provides shuttle flights from Hong Kong to Macau and Shenzhen. She tells June Ng about life as a woman in a man’s world.
Free Rooms in Bangkok
We know Thailand’s political situation isn’t exactly stable, but nothing could stop us from visiting its capital for the great food and shopping. And now there’s one more reason to go—many luxury hotels in Bangkok are offering free-night deals.
There’s no reason to let go of your travel plans just because we’re in a recession. In fact, airfares and hotel rates are going lower than ever. We’ve searched out the best deals so you don’t have to.
Your paycheck has shriveled. Your portfolio has tanked. And all of a sudden, that daily Starbucks and monthly gym membership are looking like outrageous extravagances. But just because we’re living through a global economic crisis doesn’t mean we have to settle for less. In this issue of HK Magazine we source the best deals around town. Read on immediately for easy tips on living large for little cash.
Recession got you down? Follow our guide to luxury on a budget.
With credit crunches and airport sieges aplenty, where can you fly for a weekend break these days? Sure, there is boring old Taipei, but a new hour-long Dragonair flight to Kaohsiung, the southernmost city in Taiwan, makes a greener escape to the countryside more convenient than ever.
Visit the mountainous region of Southern Taiwan for an unexpected tranquil retreat.
As reckless as it might sound, there’s no reason to let go of luxury and comfort just because we are facing the biggest economic crisis of our lifetime. We just need to choose a bit more carefully these days, matching the right destination with the right price tag. Often ignored by leisure travelers, the Philippines is fast becoming an Asian hotspot thanks to some exceptional—yet reasonably priced—hotels and resorts. Here are our picks in three major areas.
The Philippines offers a host of indulgent retreats at reasonable prices, if you know where to look.
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