Escape to - Cebu, Philippines

Sick from the morning commute, office blues, and the hustle-bustle of modern living? Here’s your prescription for the week: a ticket to Cebu, Philippines, where you can white out the noise on white sands beaches. Here’s what to do.

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SLEEP Plantation Bay Resort & Spa
Head straight from the plane to your “water-edge” room at Plantation Bay where king-sized beds are placed within rolling distance (you not the bed) from the lagoon. Order a breezy drink and put your feet up: Plantation Bay is a no-tipping resort so you don’t have to deal with the stress of being too stingy or too loose with the dosh.

EAT Abaca Restaurant
With its understated ambiance and gorgeous sea view, Abaca offers a variety of California-Mediterranean dishes. Order the fresh seafood blended with vegetables as an appetizer being sure to leave room for their famous enormous roasted prawns. Suitable for sun, seafood, and romantic sunsets.

SEE Santo Nino Basilica
Take a trip to the oldest church in the Philippines, Santo Nino Basilica, built in 1565. The architecture and history is just fascinating and the interior belays that sense of wonder from its construction oh so many years ago.

SHOP Carbon Market Cebu
Still going strong, Carbon Market has been the largest public market in Cebu since the 18th century. Stalls with food, fish, handicrafts, souvenirs, and wares of all types are focused here. Ironically, the only thing you can’t buy is carbon.

TRY Bugoybikers
Get active with Bugoy Bikers Bicycle Tours for excursions all across Cebu. Channel your inner Armstrong (no comments re: doping) to bike to the mountains, rivers, jungles, and any terrain you can roll yourself up. Itineraries can be package deals or tailor-made to suit your needs.

Contact Details

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island Cebu Philippines 6015 
+ 63-32-505 9800 
From US $220 up

Abaca Restaurant
Punta engano road, Mactan island, lapu lapu city 6015 Phillipines
+6332-495-3461 

Santo Nino Basilica
Osmeña Blvd Downtown

Carbon Market 
MC Briones Street, Dakbayan sa Sugbu 6000 Philippines 
+ 66 53 302788 

Bugoybikers
Cebu City
+63 (032) 231 6348 

Escape To — Phnom Pehn

Forgo the high-rises, shopping malls and taxis, for villas, markets and Tuk-tuks. Phnom Penh is a trip into the exotic where the old world and a smidgen of modern luxury reside. Your water-based itinerary: cruise on Mekong, sink into a Jacuzzi and sip tea at the colonial-style wet market.

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STAY Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
Indulge yourself in this colonial style hotel with Mekong river views and impeccable service. For pampering plus try the spa after paying a visit to the swimming pool and tennis courts in the sports compound.

STAY Phocea-Mekong Cruises
Tourist it up on a Phocea-Mekong Cruises starting from the Tonle Sap river heading down the Mekong. Chill on the deck, watch the sunset, and finish off with a fusion BBQ dinner (tip: pack some snack bars just in case). Oh, and have a drink. You’re on vacation for goodness sake.

EAT Topaz
Contemporary French and Thai are served in Topaz, complemented by the refined atmosphere of Asian-inspired decor. There’s also the succulent U.S. Prime marbled rib for you carnivores in Southeast Asia. Live music from the piano bar will whet your appetite appropriately.

SPA The Villa Paradiso
A visit to Cambodia without a spa trip is like the beach with no sand. Visit Villa Paradiso for a traditional Khmer massage in a wooden spa cabin to relieve your worries. Immerse yourself into the pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. Tech geeks, don’t worry - their complimentary wifi means you can still play with your gadgets.

SHOP Central Market
A must-go for shopping junkies. Central Market is housed in an Art Deco colonial style building. Everything under the sun is sold there. Local snacks like coconut crepes, Khmer scarves and a lot other souvenirs are worth - trying and buying - for your friends and colleagues. Haggling is needed and mind the pickpockets please.

Contact Details

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
26 Old August Site, Sothearos Boulevard, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, 12301.
+ 855 (0) 23 999 200
From US$140 a night

Le Phocea Mekong
Boarding at Sisowath Quay (boat moored 100m north of Wat Phnom, next to the Water Pumping Station, in front of the hotel La Voile Rouge, St. 90)
+ 855 (0) 12 221 348

Topaz
N0. 182, Norodom Blvd.
+ 855 (0) 23 221 622
From US$30 per person

The Villa Paradiso
House 27 - St. 222
+ 855 (0) 23 213 720

Central Market
Between streets 126 and 136

Escape To — Bangkok

Bangkok’s not just a weekend jaunt anymore with food, culture, and enough lavishness to keep you busy for weeks. Buy a one-way ticket and go with the flow. Remember: what happens in Bangkok stays on your facebook wall.

STAY The Marriott Executive Apartments - Bangkok
Want to get away… for a while? The Marriott Executive Apartments specialize in long stays with plushed out serviced apartments. Comfy beds, full equipped kitchens, and a 24-hour health club adds to the mystique. Veg out on the 25th floor lounge and chillax.

GO Floating market
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, you’ve heard about it before. But there’s nothing like a fruit laden boat passing by as you furiously try to SLR that perfect shop. Go to shop or just people watch.

DRINK Long Table
Skip the dinner serving and head here for a cocktail with beautiful people and a more beautiful panorma of the city. Yes there’s the Banyan Tree and Sky Bar with excellent views but value for money Long Table is where it’s at.

RELAX Dude Cigar Bar
They say men are their target patron but we think that’s a lie: Dude Cigar Bar has all the elegant trappings of an posh niche bar. Rotated brick, dark wood, and intimate spaces make for a pleasant evening for girl and guys alike.

Contact Details

Mayfair, Bangkok - Marriott Executive Apartments
60 Soi Langsuan, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok, 10330 Thailand
66 2 6721234
From US $116 up

Colomnade Brunch
13/3 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Thailand (Inside the Sukhothai Bangkok)
+66 (0) 2344 8888

Damnoern Saduak (Floating Market)
After Pinklao Bridge, on Khlong Chak Phra ,also known as Klong Bangkhunsri 

Long Table
25^th floor, 48 Column Bldg. Sukhumvit Soi 16 
+66 2 302 2557-9 

Dude Cigar Bar
Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, Thailand

Escape to - Vietiane

Spend a few days in the capital of Laos for an unusually relaxing urban experience. A mix of historical temples and quaint city charm await the more adventurous of you South East Asia Travelers (you’ve been to Bangkok already? Big whoop). It’s food, culture, and yes, the flea market.

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STAY Green Park Boutique Hotel
A boutique blend of contemporary and classical Lao style architecture. Think antique furniture, rich art collections, and exotic elegance. Try one of their signature traditional Lao massages and aroma therapy treatments to rejuvenate your dejuvenated self.

SHOP Morning Market
Shop Morning Market Morning Market is definite a must-visit for souvenir hunters out there. Do look for Lao antiques, textiles, handicrafts, but mind the iPhone 5 and other counterfeit electronics. Don’t forget to bargain!

EAT L’Adresse de Tinay
A trip to Vientiane deserves a touch of traditional French cuisine. L’Adresse de Tinay serves up classical French dishes in an unfussed environment. Dining Tip: A mouthful of their parmentier and their mouth-watering crepes makes it all worthwhile.

EAT Lao Experiences cooking class
Lao experiences professes to teach you of the Lao people through a “fresh market and tasting experience.” Well, who knows if that’s true, but you will learn to cook Lao dishes! Prepare Mok Pa, Mekong River fish in a banana leaf, in a garden by Mekong River. And then – learn the secrets of mango sticky rice!

SEE Wat Si Saket
Pay a visit to Wat Si Saket, the only ancient Siamese style temple in the center of Vientiane, to experience the charm of a city permeated with an unhurried and mellow atmosphere. Get your camera and tripod ready for its thousands of Buddhas.

Contact Details

Green Park Boutique Hotel
12 Khou Vieng Road
+ 856 21 264097
From US$185 a night

Morning Market
Thalat Sao
Opening hours: 9am to 4pm

L’Adresse de Tinay
Wat Ongteu (behind the temple), Parallel to Setthathirath Road
+ 856 20 56913434
From US$20 a person

Lao Experiences
Meet at 10am at Moon Cafe, Rue Francois Ngin, Riverfront Precinct
+ 856 20 95553097
From US$35 a person 

Wat Si Saket (Si Saket Temple)
Intersection of Lan Xang Road and Setthathirat Road

Escape to - Guangzhou

Guangzhou is one of the earliest ports open for foreign trade in China, so it is somewhere you can expect to see western influences dating back centuries ago. Revisit modern day Guangzhou and discover its history. Words by Gillian Chu

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STAY Grand Hyatt Guangzhou Hotel
A new-ish hotel with spectacular decor and view, the Grand Hyatt is located in the heart of the new town, within walking distance to many tourist spots and the city’s metro network. Usually the hotels in China are rather simplistic, but this one lives up to its name as part of Grand Hyatt, equipped with the increasingly popular open bathroom designs, which utilises every inch of the marble floor and creates a spacious effect.

REVIVE Spell and Spa
The ultimate spa retreat in town with everything you can imagine from foot massage to Chinese massage. The service also comes with a 24/7 buffet, private resting areas, and state-of-the-art Jacuzzi facilities.

PRAY Sacred Heart Cathedral

TOUR Guangdong Museum
An art/history museum combo that is comprehensive, enjoyable, and free. Though you don’t need to pay to enter, they do limit the number of visitors per day to ensure the experience is interactive and didactic. Don’t miss their slabink stone gallery, a Chinese version of inkwells, which were used in ancient times to grind ink, so that scholars can practice their calligraphy or really just jot down some notes. They have an area for you to touch different stones, which has different effects on the ink, as well as showcasing a series of artwork created on the slabs inspired by its natural texture and pattern.

FEAST Yan Jiangnan
Flavours from all over the country available in one classy restaurant, it offers mainly the Shanghainese style cooking, with a dash of taste from other Chinese cuisines as well. They carry the best dishes from all reaches of China, plus their portions are rather dainty, so you can order quite a few different ones and sample a variety of delicacies in one go.

Contact Details

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou Hotel
12 Zhujiang West Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District.
+ 86 20 8396 1234

Spell and Spa
78 Zhongshan 2 Road Caiyuan East Road, Yuexiu District.
+ 86 020 3762 0988 / + 86 020 3762 0288

Sacred Heart Cathedral
56 Yide Road, Yuexiu District.
+ 856 20 56913434

Guangdong Museum
2 Zhujiang West Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District.
+ 86 020 3804 6886

Yan Jiangnan
Room 610, Guangzhou Tee Mall Plaza, 208 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District.
+86 20 8559 0116

Escape to - Hokkaido, Japan

Located on the north end of Japan, Hokkaido offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Nature discovery, aesthetic journeys, gastronomical visits and more — just name your desire. No, not that kind of desire. Jeez…

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STAY Akan yuku no sato TSURUGA
Come to Tsuruga, sited perfectly lakeside, for views of Hokkaido’s primeval forests and panoramic views, especially in the winter when frost canopies the trees. Reflect on the shimmering Akan lake while you relax in your private hot spring bath. Breathe in.

EAT Nijo fish ichba market
The Nijo fish ichba market simply showcases what ‘ichiban Sashimi‘ mean: fresh, mouth watering bites of tuna, salmon and sea urchins lined up (with you chasing after them). This traditional Japanese delicacy doesn’t come cheap but for the quality the money’s well-spent.

EXPLORE The Asahiyama Zoo
Penguins bathing over your head, seals gliding through tubes, and Polar bears evading your camera… Watch Out! The most popular zoo in Japan is miles away from any other zoo around :) . Do come during winter to toddle in the parade — with penguins!

SEE Lake Toyako
Trek out on your excursion with a promenade near the billowing crater, explore the impressive landscapes of Toyako Onsen and immerse yourself in the outdoor sculpture park. Lake Toya-ko is where best for you to spend a day with the mother nature.

SHOP Otaru
Otaru Unga is your must-go stop for adorers of arts and crafts. Spectacular studio glass and music boxes for friends are only some of the treasures found here. Stay for the spectacular night view shown in glittering Victorian-style streetlights.

Contact Details

Akan yuku no sato TSURUGA
1-6-1, Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
+ 0154-67-2311
From US$210 a night

Nijo fish ichba market
北海道札幌市中央区南3条東2-6-1プレサント南3東2　B1F

+050-5816-6756

The Asahiyama Zoo
Higashi Asahikawacho Kuranuma, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8205, Japan.
+ 81-166-36-1104

Lake Toyako
Toyako Onsen Tourist Association
+ 0142-74-2446

Otaru Orgel Doh
1-2-3 Irifune Otaru City Hokkaido 047-0021
+0142-22-1108
 

Escape To - Seoul, Korea

A Spicy Foodie Adventure

Make the most of Seoul with what the city does best: hot, delicious, spicy, wonderful, food.

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STAY The Westin Chosun
There’s simply too much to take in in Seoul. So you need a staging ground that’s centrally located.  And it doesn’t get much more convenient than the Westin Chosun, smack-dab in the thick of it all.

EAT Kogii Kogii
With its spacious dining area, Kogii Kogii is sure to impress you roving gourmands, particularly with their samgyeopsal (fatty strips of pork belly),  which is available in a variety of unique herbal sauces.

EAT Deulkkemaeul Tofu House, Sinchon
This 24-hour diner-style joint slings sundubu better than anyone else in town (that’s all that’s on the menu, too). Come for a steaming, spicy pot of real sundubu—a tofu stew mixed with seafood, veggies and a raw egg.

DRINK Wolhyang, Hongdae
Makgeolli—the sweet, milky alcoholic beverage made from rice—is experiencing a bit of a hipster resurgence among the kids these days. Swing by the nightlife area Hongdae to hit up Wolhyang café to sample regional varieties of makgeolli.

EAT Blind Art Restaurant
Dining in the dark has become a thing around the world. Some say having a meal in total darkness enhances the flavor, others say its a glimpse into life without sight, but for most its just another culinary adventure. For a real sense of adventure, dine in the dark in Seoul, since you don’t generally know exactly what you’re eating most of the time anyway.
 

Contact Details

The Westin Chosun
87 Sogong-Dong Jung-gu
+82 2 771 0500
From US$250 a night

Kogii Kogii
Oriental Building, 643-10 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
+82 2 543 4244
From US$30 per person

Deulkkemaeul Tofu House
Sinchon 3 Yonsei-ro 5 ga-gil, Seodaemun-gu
+82 2 333 1722
From US$30 per person

Wolhyang, Hongdae
335-5 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
+82 2 332 9202
From US$25 per person

Blind Art Restaurant
B1/F 2-49 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu
+82 2 497 5248
From US$40 per person

Escape to - Phuket, Thailand

The stalwart of Asian luxury remains a hot holiday go-to spot for jetsetters, tourists, and those who just need a little more beauty and sun in their lives. Pop down (or up) to Phuket for a week or just weekend. Your body will thank you. And so will we. Thank you!


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STAY Renaissance Phuket
Hop off the plane and into the water at the Renaissance Phuket — only 10 miles from the airport. You’ll soak in your own private exquisite spa pool inside the incredible beach-view villas. People always say you vocation to leave the world behind — we think you go here to experience it.

STAY ONE MORE NIGHT Pavilions Phuket
Find tranquility at the Pavilions Phuket lounging on silk coaches,gazing at the Laylan beach, and napping in the afternoons. It’s about luxury and privacy with bespoke service here. And no kids under 16 means that it’s truly peaceful.

EAT Lim’s Restaurant
Lim’s is an exercise in combining urban decor by modern Thai cuisine for an enjoyable sensory overload. Started with the appetizers of fresh,seasonal veggies and fruits, moving on to the meats, but keep most of the stomach space for their famous shrimp. A recent excellence addition is Lim’s mango daiquiris, the sunset beverage.

PARTY Baba’s Nest
360 panoramic glee! Nested on the rooftop at Sri Panwa, Baba’s Nest enjoys the extravagant and splendid view of Phang Nga Bay. Embrace the panorama of the And aman Sea and Phuket’s Southeastern peninsula, with no blocks ahead and signature cocktails lining up.

PARTY Surin Beach
Need some beats? Surin beach provides a number of clubs right on the white sand. Ranging from front seaside tables to lavish buffets to spinning super-DJs, it’s your Phuket nightlife fix.

Contact Details

Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa
555, Moo 3, Mai Khao, Thalang Phuket, 83110 Thailand
+66 76 363 999
From US $255 a night

Pavilions Phuket
31/1 Moo 6, Cherngtalay Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand
+66 76 317 600
From US $300 a night

Lim’s Restaurant Phuket
Phuket Island/Thailand Kalim Beach, Soi 7 (500 metros from the beach road)
+66 76 344 834

Baba’s Nest
88 Moo 8 Sakdidei Road, TambonVichit Muang, Phuket, 83000
+66 76 371 004
 
Surin Beach

StereoLab
Surin Beach South, Front Beach Walk, Phuket, Thailand
+66 089 218 0162

Catch Beach Club
Surin Beach Road, Cherng Talay, Phuket 83110, Thailand
+66 (0) 76 316567 

Attribution :
Photo by Thich 8, Flikr

Escape to - Manila, The Philippines

Spend a few more days in Manila instead of just a stop-over for and get ready to party. This teeming metropolis set amid colonial architecture has worked hard on safety recently and is back as a destination spot. Immerse yourself in the dining, gaming, and late night clubbing. We just hope you’ve packed some aspirin.

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STAY Resorts World Manila
The Resorts World Manila is splendid for an all-inclusive resort for shows, shopping, dining and gaming. Explore the compound, hit up the casino, then head to bed at their 5-star Marriott. You’ll dream of choosing red or black (hint: it’s the opposite one!). 

STAY ONE MORE NIGHT Shangri-La Makati
Downtown luxury at the center of financial and commercial district of Manila. The spa, pool, gym, and spacious rooms provide the urban oasis implied by Shangri-La’s namesake. There’s live music in the evening and a really, really good buffet.

EAT Resorts Manila World Restaurants
Come to Impressions and the RMW for (and I know this is weird) the steaks and the desserts. But that’s how it goes. The Angus Prime Rib and T-Bone Steak are melt-in-your-mouthable, and the separate dessert station makes award winning pastries that actually melt in your mouth. Eat up!

PARTY Opus
Pre-game! Opus is the super lounge in the RMW where Manila’s top glitterati head to for cocktails and a hot DJ set. The inside looks like a souped up art gallery. Sip a signature cocktail as you slip into the evening. 

PARTY Prive Luxury Club
Bottoms up! The newest arrival on the nightlife scene, Prive Luxury Club redefines the party with a little bit of an edge that makes it stand out from generic counterparts. Have a drink or ten and bob your head to the music. Look at the beautiful people. There. You’re finally feeling sexy.

Contact Details
Marriott Hotel Manila
No. 10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City 
+ 63 2 9889999
From US$200 a night

Makati Shangri-La Manila
Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City 1200
+ 63 2 8138888
From US$220 a night

Impressions
3/F Maxims Tower, Resorts World Manila
+ 63 2 9088888

Opus
2/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, 1309 Pasay City
+63 917 809 4093

Prive Luxury Club
Unit C, The Fort Strip, 1634 Fort Bonifacio
+63 28560914

Escape to - Okinawa, Japan

The sister city to Hawaii, Okinawa is the southernmost island in Japan known for Hawaiian shirts, clear water, and just chillin’. If you’re looking for a tranquil beach experience (or, um, to meet a US serviceman) pop over for a jaunt.

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SLEEP Tokyo Dai-Chi Hotel Okinawa Grand Mer Resort (東京第一ホテルオキナワグランメールリゾート)
Dai-Chi brings impeccable Japanese-style in the heart of the City, accessible for both historical sites and more modern nightlife. The staff speaks English, the beds are large, and the pricing won’t cost you an arm and a leg, which is good because it’s hard to navigate with only one arm-leg.

EAT Meguro Torimaki
If you go to Okinawa without eating Yakitori, you’ve slighted your taste buds, and you need those almost as much as arms and legs. Forgo the larger chains for Meguro Torimaki, a cozy joint with real atmosphere. The chef can speak some English and can provide recommendations based on your preferences and diet style. Sounds like a win.

DRINK Kin Shuzo (観音茶屋)
Time for your 24 hour party persona to take a break. At Kin Shuro, you drink peacefully. Sake is poured slowly following precise rituals similar to the way (dao) of tea. Sip slowly and diversely: they have a spectacular selection of ye olde rice wine.

SEE Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)
The Aquarium houses gigantic tanks filled with all manner of fishies including whale sharks and manta rays. They also have two dolphin shows and a bunch of manatees that were a gift from the Mexican government. Close your eyes and imagine a manatee saying “Ola Senor!”

DIVE Taketomi (竹富島)
Take a trip to this -jima (island in Japanese) known for its adherence to traditional Japanes style. Ryukyuan houses, stone walls, and a village with population 361 add to its mystique. Rent a bike and pretend you’ve gone back in time 100 years.

Contact Details
Tokyo Dai-Chi Hotel Okinawa Grand Mer Resort
700 Jian She Avenue, Hankou, Wuhan 430015
904-2174 沖縄県沖縄市与儀2丁目8番1号
+81 98 931 1500
US$250 per night 

Meguro Torimaki
4-34-1 Ryogoku, Sumida, Tokyo Prefecture 130-0026
US$25 per person

Kin Shuzo (観音茶屋)
969-4406 福島県耶麻郡西会津町野沢字西平高原
US$15 per person ‎

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館)
905-0206424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun
905-0206沖縄県国頭郡本部町字石川424番地