Innholdsfortegnelse for July - August 2018 i Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition

Kuala Lumpur City Centre is buzzing with activity – the Golden Triangle packs a blur of corporate HQs and office towers, high-end retail and entertainment opportunities, and of course the iconic Petronas Towers. Now, a new 65-storey architectural masterpiece has claimed its space in the heart of the Malaysian capital. Housed in this soaring glass tower – the second tallest in the country – is the soon-to-open Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur, a luxurious, modern oasis for travellers to the city. The location is unbeatable: right in the heart of the CBD with easy access to important corporate addresses such as the nearby KLCC park and convention centre. Boasting 209 guest rooms, 27 serviced apartments and 242 private residences – this is the company’s largest-ever residential offering. The stunning façade foreshadows…

Gwalior is a patchwork of venerable monuments from different eras Delhi. It’s another long weekend. You yearn to escape the urban jungle but have already done the Taj Mahal and “Pink City” of Jaipur. Some kind of tranquil alternative beckons, but where? Orchha (meaning “hidden place”) stands beside the Betwa River in Madhya Pradesh state around 420km south of Delhi. Its little-known confection of now-empty palaces and muscular crenellated walls enclosing half-forgotten temples is among north India’s most romantic destinations. While it’s a lengthy journey to undertake in one go, there are several worthy distractions en route. Which is why I’m standing on the edge of a squat watchtower peering down between battlements. Far below stretch the little lanes and flat roofs of the city of Gwalior, from which children…

1 Tiananmen Square It would be unthinkable to visit the Chinese capital without setting foot in this gargantuan square – the world’s largest, which is flanked by major historical landmarks including Chairman Mao Zedong’s mausoleum. First-timers should take a gander at the entranceway to the Forbidden City, heading underneath the giant portrait of Mao and into the cobbled ante-courtyards. For time-pressed visitors it gives a feel for the size and scale of the world’s largest palace, which has almost a thousand different rooms. The square itself is generally thronged with overawed provincial tourists; the keener ones arrive in time to see the dawn flag-raising ceremony, or linger to witness the five-star Chinese flag make its way down the pole at dusk. The buildings on the fringes are magnificent examples of…

Most people have heard of Bitcoin by now – the mysterious electronic currency created by “Satoshi Nakamoto”, a nom de plume identifying the inventor, or inventors, of Bitcoin. Dramatic surges and wild fluctuations on the stock market have brought the cryptocurrency into mainstream consciousness, with a frenzy of investors pouring money into “mining” operations like a modern-day gold rush. Mining in the 21st century, however, is slightly different. In very simple terms, it works like this: every ten minutes, a puzzle is formed that specially programmed mining computers race to solve. The winner receives a block of Bitcoin (currently one Bitcoin is valued at US$7,681) and the puzzle resets. Alternatively, Bitcoin can be purchased with fiat currency (legal tender that is backed by its government). By creating Bitcoin, “Nakamoto” also…

Rooms are designed by Kerry Hill to create a sense of serenity and a home away from home BACKGROUND In the centre of Perth (Western Australia), at the point from which all distances in Perth are measured, the Como Hotel is part of a multimillion-dollar refurbishment of the 19th-century State Buildings by Perth property developer Adrian Fini of FJM Property. The buildings formerly served as a post office, land titles office and treasury. After lying empty for 20 years, the restoration has created the hotel behind the grand Victorian-era façade as well as several restaurants, bars and high-end shops set around an arcade. Como Hotels is a small group of luxury five-star properties, including The Metropolitan hotels in London, Miami and Bangkok. WHERE IS IT? On the corner of St…

This is the first restaurant from furniture designer Timothy Oulton and, naturally, all the décor has been designed and created by the man himself. The spectacular frontage of Gough’s on Gough alerts you to the fact that a meal here is going to be a special experience. Where else are you greeted by a dummy of a deep sea diver in full diving suit and bell helmet, submerged in a massive tank of water and surrounded by live fish? A gleaming golden spiral staircase takes you up to the main dining and lounge area where you can either enjoy cocktails at the bar or sip an aperitif on a plush, vintage leather sofa before being shown to your table. The décor, lighting and atmosphere all lend themselves to a high-class…

Situated in the heart of Shanghai’s financial district Lujiazui, the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai offers a premium base for discerning business travellers. Clues to the level of luxury can be found everywhere: take the entry-level rooms, for example, start at a minimum of 43 sqm, which is more than most competitors. What’s more, over half of the hotel’s 686 guest rooms and suites boast stunning views of the iconic Bund, while the others look out over the city’s glittering skyline. And of course, all rooms boast elegant interiors with modern facilities to ensure guests have a restful stay with access to everything they need. Business travellers in particular will also enjoy access to the largest executive lounge in Shanghai, with a a full buffet breakfast and 270-degree views over Lujiazui…

A major benefit for event planners is Jeju’s favourable visa conditions, which include visa-free entry and 30-day stays for citizens of more than 187 countries The naturally rugged UNESCO World Heritage site of Jeju Island lies just off South Korea’s southern coastline. Home to Hallasan Mountain – a volcano still classified as active despite not having erupted in over 5,000 years – Jeju’s dramatic landscape has proven a major draw for Asia’s tourists. The island is also increasingly a significant player in the region’s MICE industry, offering world-class facilities and services. Here’s a rundown of what Jeju has to offer – for meetings, conferences, team-building… or simply a relaxing getaway. PREPARED FOR ANY EVENT Offering information and planning assistance to event organisers, Jeju Convention Bureau showcases the island’s major advantages…

think it’s fair to assume we’ve all come I across the phrase “home away from home” during our travels, with serviced apartments being particularly guilty of overuse… But while this marketing slogan may not have changed in two decades or more, the concept itself, at least, is getting a total overhaul. Typically, a “home environment” has come in the form of a smart, residential-style apartment with DIY facilities, often bolstered with hotel-style services (house cleaning, 24-hour reception, etc). The idea is that guests can relax in a cosy living room, rustle up some dinner in the kitchen or put on a load of laundry, just as they would at home. However, with all trends pointing towards greater personalisation, serviced apartments are starting to move beyond the perfect “show home” and…

Gone are the days when hotel bars were a dark, depressing afterthought populated by a smattering of solitary businessmen; these days they’re often an attraction in their own right. From the best new openings to those with extraordinary offerings, we round up a selection of great hotel bars to whet your appetite. NEW ARRIVALS Asia-Pacific is no stranger to new hotel openings so whittling down our selection was tough. The first bar to make the grade can be found at the new Rosewood Phnom Penh, which opened in February this year. The stunning Sora (which translates as “sky” in Japanese) is the highest bar in Phnom Penh and is quickly becoming the hottest spot in town. Set on a cantilevered terrace on level 37, the rooftop deck offers unobstructed views…

Located at the Conrad Tokyo, Kazahana focuses on contemporary Japanese cuisine. The restaurant offers a range of dining options, including a multi-course kaiseki, teppanyaki and sushi lunch and dinner menus. It is decorated with traditional sumi-e (black ink wash) paintings and overlooks sweeping vistas of Tokyo Bay. I tried the kaiseki menu that began with a tofu appetiser with edible burdock root and wasabi. A succulent combination, that prepared my palate for the upcoming courses. Next was a clear soup featuring scallops and Japanese spring vegetables – a heartwarming concoction of Japanese goodness. This was followed by a sashimi platter of marinated tuna with smoked radish, squid with salt and citrus, and sea bream with salty kelp sauce. The fish was fresh – sourced from Tokyo’s famous Tsujiki market –…

Opened in July last year, Haku is the result of two great talents: Hideaki Matsuo – of the three Michelin-starred Kashiwaya – and Agustin Balbi, a 30-year-old Argentinian who was voted ‘Best New Chef of 2016’ by Hong Kong Tatler. Entering Haku is effectively a walkway between two worlds, with a stark contrast between the bustling, noisy crowds in Ocean Terminal and the peace and tranquility of Haku. Sometimes food is so meticulously, delicately and lovingly prepared that to actually consume it feels like eating art. But hunger will always prevail, and so it’s fortunate that Balbi’s food tastes as good as it looks. The taster menu takes you on a culinary tour of Japan; king crab from the north west of the island, working right down to tomatoes grown…

ROOFTOP RUNWAY HOPPING in to a flying car à la 1960s cartoon The Jetsons could be a reality in a decade, according to property developer Dan Kodsi, who designed the new 60-storey Paramount Miami Worldcenter with a 5,000sq ft (465 sqm) Skyport for flying automobiles. “The future of transportation will be here within the next 10 to 15 years, and urban aviation is closer to reality than you might expect,” says Kodsi. The design features a glass elevator to the luxury tower’s private rooftop, where residents could be picked up and dropped off by airborne vehicles. paramountmiami.com DRESSED TO IMPRESS HAINAN AIRLINES has finally rolled out its new hautecouture cabin crew uniform. Created by Lawrence Xu, the uniforms debuted at Paris Couture Week Fall/Winter 2017 and wowed crowds with the…

REWARDS programme Asia Miles underwent a major overhaul last month, with rates for earning and redeeming miles changing significantly. Redeeming tickets for premium long-haul routes is set to get more expensive. For example, a return business class reward ticket to New York JFK used to require 145,000 Asia Miles to redeem, but now it costs 170,000. However, accrual will also become easier - with the number of miles members earn increasing on roughly 80 per cent of the flights operated by Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon. For full table, head to asiamiles.com…

I was eight years old the first time I set foot on an aeroplane. I recall eagerly removing the foil of my breakfast meal, only to be greeted by a sad, grey sausage, a thin strip of bacon and a squishy yellow cube masquerading as an omelette. The whole experience was so disheartening that today I still find it hard to choose Western meal options… Fast-forward more than two decades, and in-flight meals have undoubtedly improved in every way. It’s not just taste that has been tackled, but conception, appearance, presentation and service. “Whilst there are many factors that individual customers consider when selecting their flights – including schedule, price and convenience – there’s no doubt that the ground and air experience are becoming more important differentiators,” says Chris Birt,…

Upon entering the spacious lobby at NUO Hotel Beijing, guests are greeted by two iconic works of art from one of China’s most important contemporary painters: Zeng Fanzhi, who is also NUO's honorary art consultant. These include the 6.3-metre by 2.6-metre oil painting Landscape 2014, and a giant sculptural masterpiece Le Shan based on the works of Confucius. This stunning first impression embodies the brand’s key principles: Chinese; Luxury; Contemporary. As one of China’s first home-grown, five-star hotel brands, NUO Hotels is committed to serving as a custodian of Chinese culture throughout the ages. The design aesthetic of the hotel can be described as “Modern Ming”, with inspiration from the Chinese dynasty being infused throughout the property in a contemporary fashion: a colour scheme of steel grey and sky blue;…

Lanson Place, a subsidiary of Wing Tai Properties (HKSE 369), manages eleven properties in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Started in 1995, we've made our brand with a pioneering approach to personal service: at Lanson Place, residents are seen as family members – not just guests. “With most of our residents being expatriates, we hope to make them feel comfortable in a new environment by first making them feel at home,” says Paul Hugentobler, Group Director of Operations. Our staff enjoy going above and beyond to make your stay memorable - from throwing birthday parties to adapting to your daily schedule, with many long-lasting friendships emerging between residents and staff members all over the world. At Lanson Place we’re also taking care of your environment and social…

SIA is retiring the oldest A380s and welcoming five new ones, each with a revamped layout, cabins and new seat products BACKGROUND Singapore Airlines is in the process of introducing new seats on its A380s in all four classes: economy, premium economy, business and first. These will be fitted to its entire Airbus A380 fleet, including retrofit work on 14 aircraft that are already in service, starting in late 2018 and targeted for completion in 2020, as well as the five new aircraft entering service. The new aircraft configuration carries six first class suites. The A380s currently serve Auckland, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney and Zurich. THE LOUNGE There are two Silverkris lounges in Terminal 2B at Heathrow, and you will…