Travel Posh

Considered by many as the lesser known cousin of Tokyo, Seoul has been making big strides towards establishing itself on the global travellers list. An ancient city which boasts of an exotic blend of history and the modern world, Seoul has a lot to offer to the curious traveller. Seoul is already an international travel hub and is also known for its culture, art & design, food, shopping and friendly people. The ‘City by City’ tour begins with a stay at the 16th century Bongeunsa Temple (www.bongeun.org) which was once the leading temple of the city but is now open to visitors to stay. Here you can experience the life of a Buddhist monk thanks to the tranquil environment which lends itself brilliantly to prayer and meditation for revitalizing your ‘chi’. The stay here will help you experience inner peace and calm.

For the more luxury oriented, there is the ultra modern Hotel W (www.wseoul.com), currently the hippest hotel in town. A contemporary luxury hotel The W features avant garde interiors mostly done up in white with occasional splashes of wood, metal and colour. The interiors are furnished with futuristic Swedish style furniture and numerous designer decorative pieces like the wooden mirror which has cubes which depress and tilt to reflect. The hotel has a choice of designer restaurants and Wooba which is a 24 metre bar, the longest in the city and is a must visit.

If you like motion art and cinematography, then head to the Nam June Paik Art Centre in the suburbs. This new art centre features work of the revolutionary South Korean video artist and also features other artists.

The foodie in you will love the Naos Nova (www.naosnova.com), a unique restaurant designed by former clothing designer Kyle Lee. The restaurant is made essentially of cement and glass with stark diagonal lines, deep black and red furniture upholstery. The designer call it a Disneyland for dining. The Naos Nova runs across three floors, which are based on three themes, Heaven, Earth and Hell.

If you aren’t tired by the end of your day in Seoul, try out the The Circle Club (www.thecircle.co.kr), the most happening bar in town. The city has a fast changing night club scene and as of now, the Circular Bar is one of the hottest places thanks to its uber cool interiors, good music, well stocked circular bar and young crowd.

Travelposh brings to you exclusive video’s from On Networks ‘City by City’ series. The series is an insightful tour into some of the world’s most fascinating cities which are prominently placed on most globe trotters lists. The series begins with this episode on Tokyo, the fishing village of old which has transformed into a megacity symbolic of Japan’s phenomenal economic growth and technological prowess. The cultural capital of Japan, Tokyo is a dizzying mix of the old and the contemporary and no matter how many times you visit, it’s hard to absorb everything the city has to offer.

The episode gives us an authentic glimpse of a chic retro hotel, a design boutique, a hideaway subterranean restaurant, a stylish café and bar, and the largest fish market in the world. The Tsukiji wholesale fish market is where Tokyo gets its supply of the freshest fish and seafood which also translates into some of the best Sushi anywhere in the world. The busy market does about 200 metric tonnes of business each day and one choose from a mind boggling array of 400 types of sea creatures.

We also take a sneak peek into Claska, one of Tokyo’s old economy hotels which has been completely refurbished and is now a boutique hotel featuring minimalistic design, beautiful artefacts and funky decorations which inspire fun. It also boasts of a beauty salon for man’s four legged friend. Down the road from Claska, we visit Meister design boutique which houses a wide selection of contemporary & vintage furniture from around the world besides adorable ceramic pieces and sculptures designed by artists from all over Japan. These make for excellent gifts to take back from your trip to Tokyo and are small enough to pack into your luggage.

Tokyo’s nightlife is world famous and offers something for everyone. If one is looking for authentic Japanese cuisine, then the Maru Mayfont is a great pick with refined Kyoto infused cuisine served in a cosy private dining room or in the main restaurant. For a more vibrant experience the Montoak with its three floors offers an indoor and outdoor bar, a casual yet sophisticated restaurant and is an ideal place for an intimate evening in Tokyo.

The picturesque El San Juan Hotel & Casino has become a member of The Waldorf Astoria Collection and is now the second resort in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to hold the distinction. With this addition Hilton is looking at increasing it's presence in the region and offer luxury visitors more of a choice. To become a member of the famed Waldorf Astoria Collection, the El San Juan Hotel & Casino has gone through a $52 million renovation in 2007 and now boasts of 382 elegantly designed guest rooms, an alluring pool and beachside experience courtesy the Encanto Beach Club, a shopping arcade, rooftop fitness centre and ofcourse the 16,500 square foot casino. The resort is situated on one of Puerto Rico's most picturesque beaches in the fashionable Isla Verde district, just five minutes from the international airport.

So if you are heading to Puerto Rico and need a newly renovated luxury hotel to soothe your nerves, the El San Juan Hotel & Casino could be the right bet.

In addition to The El San Juan Hotel & Casino, the Waldorf Astoria Collection includes twelve other properties - seven in the United States, the 46-suite Qasr Al Sharq or "Palace of the Orient" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; the Rome Cavalieri; the Trianon Palace in Versailles, and The Bentley in London.

Stein Eriksen Lodge, one of the most popular mountain resort destinations in the world has fetched the prestigious Mobil Five Star Award for the second time. The second Mobil five star award puts Stein Eriksen on the elite list of 44 other hotels, resorts and inns who have the coveted honor to their credit.

Other than being a two time winner of the prestigious Mobil five star award, Stein Eriksen Lodge also has a AAA five diamond rating to boast of. The dual achievements makes Stein Eriksen one of the only 32 properties in North America to hold both Mobil Travel Guide’s and AAA’s highest accolades. While the hotel received a full five star rating, it’s Glitretind Restaurant and The Spa both received Four-Star ratings. While The Spa is the only spa in Utah to have such an award, the Gliterind shares the designation with only one more restaurant in Utah.

With 180 rooms including 68 suites, the ski-in/ski-out property features amenities such as full-service concierge, ski valets, twice daily maid service (pampering at its best), rental shop and boutiques. The hotel stands in the mid mountain at the Deer Valley resort and offers everything that a luxury traveler could ask for. From fine dining to the most comfortable accommodation to some lavish recreation facilities, the lodge offers it all. So if you are not heading to this lodge of divine luxury, you would certainly be missing out on something.

For additional information contact Sarah Myers at smyers@steinlodge.com.