Indonesia

If you are like me, one of the things I always look up before I go to a new country is the rules of tipping or tipping etiquette. Being American, I come from a country where we tip for everything. If someone raises a hand to help you in any way, you are supposed to ...

Every year Conde Nast Traveler publishes a list of the 100 best hotel and resorts in the world. This year there are 15 of the 100 from Asia, and 1 in the top 10 here in Shanghai. I have had the good fortune to be able to stay at a few of these and wholeheartedly ...

It’s always an adventure ordering food in Asia, even in 5-star hotels I am in Jakarta at the moment, staying at the posh Ritz Carlton hotel and I just couldn’t resist sharing with you an admittedly mundane but seriously amusing experience I had this morning when ordering room service. Room Service: Good morning, Ms. Hutchins, how may ...

A luxe weekend getaway just a couple of hours from Singapore (pictures from Banyan Tree Website) Singapore is a convenient hub – parts of Indonesia and Malaysia are next door neighbors and as such provide great options for short weekend trips vs. the slighty longer destinations of Thailand, Bali and Hong Kong (2 – 4 hour flights). ...

Be pampered within an inch of your life at the St Regis Bali Resort With its opening in early 2009, this all suite hotel on the secluded barrier island of Nusa Dua changed the face of luxury in Bali. Typically I prefer a more modern design hotel…something spare and minimalist. Some of my favorites being The ...