Supreme Stay in Seoul At the heart of Korea’s Silicon Valley sites DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, ready to serve all travellers both business and staycation. It targets “unpretentious comfort-seekers who appreciate being taken care of and value human connections”.   Setting the Scene The first full-service upscale hotel in Seongnam, DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo sits a short 10-minute drive to Pangyo Techno Valley with its IT and medical industries, and a distance of 58 km from Incheon International Airport and 16 km from Gangnam Station in southern Seoul. Still, it is surrounded by nature with most rooms showcasing a mountain view, and the colour palette is neutral and muted, inspired by the lush foliage surrounding the property.   I was welcomed warmly in high-ceilinged lobby where an efficient staff completed my check-in in no time at all. I was told that the hotel consists of a total of 432 hotel rooms and 162 residences, and offers and indoor swimming pool, sauna, outdoor tennis court, a screen golf range as well as the largest state-of-art banquet facility in the area – basically, everything one would really need for a happy stay, be it for business or leisure.   Getting Comfortable I was happy seeing ceiling-to-floor windows in my Premium Corner Room (43 sqm), with a view of foliage on the grounds. The abundant natural light that came into the room was welcoming and set me at ease. The separate cloak room was located opposite the washroom which was behind a solid wooden sliding door. The in-room facilities were of premium quality. I enjoyed the scented Crabtree & Evelyn amenities, and soaking in the tub while overlooking the verdant view. DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo is truly a good “home away from home” in Pangyo, I assure you.   Dining Options Demeter keeps all guests very satisfied with its buffets, though it offers an à la carte menu as well. You’ll find local and international options to keep your stomach happy all day long. Do watch out for complimentary bites of local “Comfort Food” as well, which aim to nourish the soul. Mine was a bowl of Doenjang Jjigae, a stew which was hearty and filling. On a higher note is Nyx, the sleek rooftop bar and bistro offering tasty fusion bites and a panorama of the city.   Why I’d Return The Ambassadors of Feel Good Moments (assigned staff) did a marvellous job making me feel comfortable and welcome from check-in till check-out. In addition to the signature warm cookie welcome, I received a welcome message in my guestroom written in my own language. Additionally, the staff knew about my upcoming birthday. Such personal touches and warm hospitality elevated my stay and impression of the hotel.   One or Two Quibbles… The automatic light in the cloakroom kept turning off while I was still unpacking; I must have been taking too long. I had to exit and then re-enter the cloakroom to turn it back on.   DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo 26 Baekhyeon-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea 13553 T: +82 34 678 5500 F: +82 31 678 5600 W: DoubleTreebyHiltonSeoulPangyo.com IG:

Festive times gather lights from around the world to paint the world with magical hues, and Macao is one of the destinations that shines out the light of joy beyond time. This year, the famous “Light up Macao 2023” organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in collaboration with six integrated resort enterprises, will showcase its wondrous amusement from now until 25th February 2024 under the theme “Dazzling Wonderland.” The lighting plans include a variety of romantic and colorful light installations, interactive installations, and mapping shows on Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. The enchanting light arts will illuminate the city, creating a unique wonderland at night that will not only be the talk of the town but also a world wonder. Expect the scene of Macao lighting up not just for the festive season, but the Dazzling lighting event will span major festivities such as the Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Renri, and the Chinese Lantern Festival in 34 locations across seven districts: Central District, Praia do Manduco District, Nam Van District, Zona Nova de Aterros do Porto Exterior (NAPE), Northern District, Taipa, and Coloane. There will be 36 light installations, 20 interactive installations, and 3 mapping show venues. The illuminations and interactive installations will light up different corners of communities at different stages. The highlights of the event include the Projection mapping shows at the front square of the Macao Science Center, Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa (the façade of Cozinha Pinocchio Taipa), and the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier in Coloane. The projection teams are from Macao and the two UNESCO Creative Cities of Design – Seoul, Korea, and Wuhan, China. Their participation manifests the glamour of creative cities’ collaboration across fields in Macao and contributes to the concerted development of “tourism + culture and creativity.” In addition to making memories last longer and expand wider, visitors are invited to take photos on-site to share with the hashtags #lightupmacao2023 or #illuminateinmacau2023 on social media or obtain postcards and collect stamps at the information stations in various districts. Each stamp is themed after the major installation of each corresponding district. Upon collecting all the stamps in seven districts, a mobile phone holder as a gift can be obtained, and you can enter the grand lucky draw. Gifts will be available while stocks last. For more information, please visit the website for Light up Macao 2023 👉 https://lum.macaotourism.gov.mo

Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) introduces a top-end luxury masterpiece to cater to the high-end clientele, presenting the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e in a locally produced version for the first time. Thailand stands as the first country to produce the two-tone variant, embodying the essence of the longstanding Maybach brand’s philosophy, “the very best of the very best” This luxurious vehicle comes equipped with a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain capable of achieving over 100 kilometers according to the WLTP standard, excelling in all aspects of performance, exterior and interior design, along with the cutting-edge technology and convenience features. It offers an unparalleled experience to the driver and the passengers, complemented by the Mercedes-Maybach Lifestyle Concierge Service, provided by “Quintessentially” a global lifestyle assistant, to Mercedes-Maybach owners for three years from the handover day. “The introduction of the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e in the Thai market is a testament to our commitment to delivering the pinnacle of luxury under the Maybach brand, aligning with the philosophy inspired by Wilhelm Maybach, the founder of Maybach. We have strived to craft the highest level of automotive engineering artistry under Mercedes-Benz, earning celebration from numerous global celebrities who own the Mercedes-Maybach brand. One of the standout features of the Mercedes-Maybach is the rear passenger compartment, designed meticulously to provide a first-class experience, ensuring the utmost comfort in every detail. In addition to the luxury that all customers will experience as Mercedes-Maybach owners, another exceptional aspect is the elevated experience of the Mercedes-Maybach Lifestyle Concierge Service, in collaboration with Quintessentially, a full-service lifestyle concierge. This service aims to solve urgent and complex personal challenges, including travel planning, reservations at world-class restaurants, and organizing special events, allowing members to enjoy their valuable time with a peace of mind, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that Mercedes-Maybach represents.” Mr. Martin Schwenk, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👇🏻━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The locally produced Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e in the two-tone paint (Obsidian Black / High-tech Silver) is available at 11,200,000 baht. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━👆🏻━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ For further details and exclusive privileges of the Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e, please contact Authorized Mercedes-Maybach Dealers or visit the website https://www.mercedes-benz.co.th, along with all Mercedes-Benz’s social media platforms.

Immerse yourself in the realm of Japanese epicurean delight while embracing the gentle breeze of the Gulf of Thailand at Namu Restaurant in W Koh Samui. This stunning scene of Koh Samui is now further enriched by the exquisite art of Japanese cuisine, enhancing the island experience with locally sourced products. Namu Restaurant at W Koh Samui introduces a captivating course of the Japanese culinary journey in the 'Kaiseki' style, curated by Chef Takayasu Ono. As the Head Chef of Namu Restaurant, Chef Ono expertly blends the principles of this esteemed culinary art with a touch of local Thai influence, resulting in a fusion that delights the senses and celebrates the beauty of two distinct cultures harmonizing. "Namu Restaurant at W Koh Samui has introduced a true gastronomic marvel. Our Kaiseki menu pays homage to both Japanese traditions and Thai flavors, creating a culinary experience like no other," says Chef Takayasu Ono. "We artfully bring together the cultural heritage of Kamakura and the allure of its four seasons, using the freshest and most flavorful ingredients from Japan and Thailand's Andaman Sea. Our Neo Japanese concept elevates Kaiseki to an unforgettable symphony of taste and aesthetics." Beyond serving as a bridge between the two cultures, the innovative Kaiseki experience at Namu Restaurant aims to celebrate the artistry of nature, technique, innovation, and craftsmanship, creating harmonious melodies of joy with every delicate bite. Namu's Kaiseki set is priced at THB 4900++. The set includes a welcome drink, an 8-course menu, and a bottle of sake, all curated to elevate the culinary experience by the Gulf of Thailand to new heights. Namu Restaurant at W Koh Samui Tel: +66 77 915 999 Email: bf.wkohsamui@whotels.com or call 99

Roku Gin introduces a range of seasonal springtime cocktails at Bangkok’s top bars More than any other craft gin, Roku Gin is a true celebration of springtime. It’s an exquisitely balanced blend of six unique Japanese botanicals - sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea (green tea), Gyokuro tea (premium green tea grown in shade) and sanshō pepper. Each of these botanicals are harvested, infused and distilled only at the height of the season to ensure that their flavour and freshness are at their peak - a concept called shun in Japanese. The result is an exceptional gin, meticulously crafted to offer the best of every season. Distilling the Best of Spring in Three Cocktails, So with springtime upon us, Roku Gin is celebrating the season at some of Bangkok’s top bars. each bar will present three different Roku Spring cocktails that bring springtime flavours to life in unexpected and refreshing ways. Each cocktail has also been crafted to impart the blessings of the season to guests, helping them discover their own shun or best version of themselves. The House on Sathorn: The Honeyed Richness of Mango Fragrant, strikingly sweet and with a rich, buttery texture, Thai mangoes are beloved throughout the world. To maximise their flavour, Thai mangoes are picked during the hottest months of the year - their shun - and are available from March to May, the very same time that Japan celebrates spring. For K Pakorn Jatinai, Head Mixologist at The House of Sathorn, mangoes and Roku Gin are a match made in cocktail heaven: “Mangoes are definitely one of the most beloved fruits in Thailand - it’s everywhere in Thai cuisine, art and festivities. Its tropical, fruity flavours with hints of floral and citrus notes make for a beautiful pairing with Roku Gin’s delicate notes and aromas, creating a unique and very balanced cocktail experience.” Lennon’s: The Tropical Hit of Pineapple Filippo Sanchi, Bar Director at Rosewood Hotel, chose sweet, tangy and unforgettably tropical pineapple as the star of his trio of cocktails: “I picked pineapple because its big and powerful flavour is the perfect way to showcase the freshness of spring. Not only that, the fruit’s floral notes also complement Roku Gin’s own botanicals marvellously. Through my cocktail creations, I want to stimulate the curiosity of our guests with all the complex, vibrant flavours of spring.” Waldorf Astoria Bangkok: The Sweetness of Peach “With its big, juicy fruitiness and intense sweetness, peach is my favourite fruit,” says Michele Montauti, Beverage Manager at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. “Peach has been close to me since the beginning of my career in Italy. That’s why I’ve created three beautiful ways to showcase peach: in a sweet and sour drink, a refreshing highball style and a martini to express the power of peach’s flavour while keeping the taste as clean as possible.” Mahaniyom: The Lusciousness of Strawberry No other fruit embodies springtime in Japan more than the strawberry. Harvested at its peak in spring, strawberries give a luscious and heady aroma to any cocktail, as

Dwelling in the whimsical ideal atmosphere when visiting the Shangri-La Bangkok and being part of the "Find Your Shangri-La" global campaign for an unforgettable experience. "At Shangri-La, we understand that each guest has a unique version of what it means to "Find Your Shangri-La. We have a rich legacy of more than 50 years of delighting customers and wanted to take this opportunity to highlight something that has always been part of us" says Shangri-La Chairman Hui Kuok. For Bangkok diners, the "Find Your Shangri-La" promotion takes the shape of a delectable limited-time set dish developed by Executive Chinese Chef Tan Kwang Aik at the Shang Palace. The menu features a culinary adventure with Cantonese dishes as well as cooking techniques at tableside. The Whimsical Set Menu (THB 4,288++ per set) at the Shang Palace includes the Magic Octopus, an aromatic braised octopus spiced peanut crumble and charred Jalapeno peppers; Scallops and Caviar; Sichuan Braised Wagyu Short Rib; and Koi bird's nest soya milk pudding. At the Lobby Lounge, a specially prepared 'Daydreamer' beverage complements the one-of-a-kind set meal. This inventive concoction combines London dry gin, Maraschino, fresh lime juice, and butterfly pea flower for a delectable and vibrant purple-blue tint that creates a moment worth dreaming about. Shangri-La Bangkok Tel: 02 236 7777 Email: bangkok@shangri-la.com Website: www.shangri-la.com/bangkok

At @stregisbangkok, the spectacular VIU restaurant has a specially curated 5-course set menu for Valentine’s Day that you can spoil yourself and a loved one with and tick every taste box imaginable. Opening with the Amuse Bouche of Pan-Seared Sea Scallops before floating along to the fresh taste of the Yellow King Fish Ceviche and Caviar with a Beetroot Lemon Dressing that brings a wonderful zest to the freshness of the fish, and this, closely followed by the pre-main soup of Poached Langoustine with Lobster Cream with Truffle Foam that has the most warming aroma. For the main course, you will choose between a beautifully soft Beef Wellington, the ever-delicious Australian Wagyu cased in a puff pastry that is cooked with a touch of excellence and just melts in your mouth perfectly, or the freshly Baked Snow Fish with a creamy brandy lemon sauce that brings a delicate citrus flavour to the tenderness of the Snow Fish. Dessert brings this 5-course feast to an elegant and loving close with the heart-shaped Rose Bavarois, which is executed to creamy and fruitful perfection. The Champagne Jelly Sable Breton is the finishing touch that this exquisite dessert truly deserves. This Valentine's Day, VIU is serving one of the finest menus in the city, and with stunning views and a calming atmosphere, it is the ideal setting for romance.

Hilton, one of the world's leading hospitality companies, has recently unveil the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, being the first Hilton Garden Inn in Japan. The hotel is situated in a premium location in central Kyoto, offering 250 stylishly-appointed guest rooms and appealing facilities. Throughout the hotel, you can revel in the sleek interior design that combines traditional Japanese elements with contemporary beauty, with 9 types of guest rooms, ranging from functional standard rooms to luxurious family rooms that can accommodate up to 6 people comfortably. To take care of your appetite, all-day-dining Together & Co. pampers your tastebuds with Western and Japanese cuisines created using Kyoto's seasonal ingredients, served in a cosy and lively setting. "Japan is one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations and we are delighted to celebrate the timely debut of Hilton Garden Inn following the reopening of Japan’s borders to international travelers. Opening in Kyoto, Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma will cater to the pent-up travel demand that we anticipate will sweep over the country. This debut is especially significant as it also represents the 600th hotel to join the Hilton portfolio in Asia Pacific, cementing Hilton’s position as the fastest growing hotel company in the region and a great milestone in our drive to have 1,000 trading hotels in Asia Pacific by 2025," said Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton. For more information and reservations, please call +81 75-320-5111 or visit hgikyotoshijokarasuma.jp

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa has officially unveiled the new face of the resort, with 127 additional rooms and villas, and new dining, recreational, and event facilities to become a stunning 'destination within a destination'. Situated by the long stretch of soft sands of Khuk Khak Beach in Khao Lak, Phang Nga province, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa now features a total of 420 spacious rooms, suites, and villas, including new Lagoon Pool View Rooms, Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access Rooms, Family Pool Access Studios, One-Bedroom Villas and a Two-Bedroom Villa, plus the debut of JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, an exclusive collection of 52 stylish two-bedroom suites. More additions encompass the Aqua Play Zone with a wave pool, fountain trampoline, a big a waterslide and outdoor playground setting along the 2.4 km lagoon pool waterway, which is the longest in Southeast Asia; beachfront Drift Beach Bar & Grill serving heavenly Mediterranean cuisine and seafood grills; a brand-new beautiful ballroom that can accommodate up to 810 people, being the largest in southern Thailand; JW Garden, where organic fruits and vegetables are cultivated, welcoming guests to enjoy a family picnic amidst fragrant herbs and flowers; and more to come! "We are delighted to be unveiling the reimagined JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa today. There is high demand for fully-integrated, beachfront resort experiences in Thailand from around the world and we are positioned to deliver this across multiple segments and market sectors. I believe Khao Lak is ready and I believe the destination will become one of Thailand’s leading leisure tourism and MICE hubs in the years to come," said Abhimanyu Singh, General Manager, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa.  To find out more about experiences at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, please visit www.jwmarriottkhaolak.com