An Evening to Remember: Villa Chandara
Postcards from Siem Reap
Two weeks ago, I turned 31. It wasn't a milestone birthday, but since I had spent my 30th birthday in quarantine after returning from London at the beginning of the pandemic, I wasn't going to object to doing something special this year. As COVID-19 restrictions have eased in Hong Kong, as well as case numbers continuing to decrease (0 new cases were recorded during our visit), I was looking forward to a more "normal" birthday. So when the Four Seasons Hong Kong invited me for a rejuvenating staycation over my birthday weekend, which happens to coincide with the Four Seasons brand's birthday, I packed my bags several days beforehand and couldn't wait to finally visit one of the most renowned luxury hotels in the city.
Read the Story
A Rejuvenating Birthday at Four Seasons Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a very vertical city, with skyscrapers and buildings towering over the winding streets below. It's difficult to have a bad view of Hong Kong from pretty much any point, however being up in the sky provides you an opportunity to oversee everything in the city. Towering over the neighborhood of Admiralty on Hong Kong Island is the JW Marriott, and on the top few floors of that houses one of the most luxurious hotels in the city - The Upper House.
Read the Story
Up in the Sky at The Upper House
Hội An is an extremely popular destination for Tết for Vietnamese nationals and international tourists due to it’s proximity to the sea but also due to its pride in local culture. I had always wanted to visit Vietnam, and was originally supposed to visit in September 2019 but postponed until January 2020 to be able to celebrate Lunar New Year in Vietnam. I had my heart set on the beautiful, lantern filled, canal city of Hội An as the perfect place to ring in the new year and to introduce myself to Vietnam.
Read the Story
Celebrating Tết in Hội An
Located on a private stretch of the beautiful Ha My Beach, the all villa The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a stunning home away from home while taking in the beauties and wonders of Hội An. Lunar New Year, or Tết as it is known in Vietnam, coincides with Lunar New Year celebrations in Hong Kong, China, Korea, Laos, Singapore, and Thailand, making it an exciting time to visit. There was one place that was more than perfect for not just my first visit to Hội An and Vietnam, but also for my first Tết – The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai. Read through to learn more about the Lunar New Year celebrations at this amazing resort.
Read the Story
Lunar New Year at Four Seasons The Nam Hai
Let's face it, Argos will accept any excuse to be brought along on a fun staycation. Not many hotels are pet-friendly in Hong Kong, but a few of my favorites are and we can now add The Landmark Mandarin Oriental to that list of favorites. I had been wanting to stay at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental for over a year now, and with most of us staying close to home these days, I jumped at the opportunity to experience an ultimate staycation at this gorgeous luxury hotel for 2 nights in October 2020.
Read the Story
Sweet Staycation at Landmark Mandarin Oriental (with Argos!)
Historical Staycation in Hong Kong
There was one experience I knew I had to see and enjoy for myself during our one week visit to Japan, and that was to stay in a ryokan. Ryokans are more intimate than hotels, and they provide a much more authentic Japanese experience.
Read the Story
Why You Should Stay In A Ryokan
Dressing in a vintage Japanese kimono did not feel like a costume, nor should it feel that way. It felt like I was wearing a piece of art. It felt like I was wearing a piece of Japan's history. Up until the 19th century, the kimono was the traditional form of clothing worn by everyone in the country. In fact, the word "kimono" is Japanese for "clothing." Kimonos represent Japan's heritage and culture, and they are one of the most universally recognized types of clothing.
Read the Story