• TRUCO Travel Utility – Bring a part of your home without having to worry about if the bag fits the overhead compartment.
• Train Reaction – Piggyback all your kids’ luggage onto yours
• Grid-It – To keep all your toiletries from being mangled by airport security
• Safe Skies TSA Luggage Strap – Keep your luggage safe from unwanted pilfering
• P&M EZGrill – Never worry about bad hotel food again when you have this DIY BBQ set!
• Sleeptracker ElitePro – The perfect sleeping partner for changing time zones
• Booq Taipan Lift – Lets you store your laptop at a ready position for security inspection
• SeV Women’s Trench – For the ladies who have always wanted to be an Inspector Gadget

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Sofitel So Bangkok

All 238 rooms at this new hotel, which recently opened on February 28, are equipped with free wifi, iPads and Apple Mac minis! They can be connected to the 40-inch LCD TV, a wireless keyboard and a trackpad, all provided at the hotel, enabling guests to turn the room into their personal workspace. A full-range of Office software has been installed on all the Mac minis so guests simply need to plug in their USB sticks to get to work. Furthermore, the Mac minis are designed to wipe clean of all foreign data every time they shut down, which means there isn’t the risk of confidential documents leaking out.

For entertainment, the Mac mini can be used to order room service, view the updated bill and access digital TV and radio channels, as well as connected to personal iPods, iPhones or iPads.

Mandarin Orchard, Singapore

The Mandarin Orchard hotel has launched an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system that has been integrated with the hotel’s iPads to offer greater flexibility and streamlined services. Guests can also synchronise their own iPads with the system.

The system offers guests express check-out as well as flight status updates and the option to watch TV directly through the iPad anywhere in the property. For now, the only channels integrated with the iPad are Bloomberg and BBC but eventually more will follow.

In the next phase of development, the hotel will also allow guests to order room service and control the room lighting through the tablet.

Park Hyatt, Tokyo

All guests at this hotel can rejoice as this new technological offering will help them save a bundle. The “e-mobile” is a small portable router that can be rented out from the hotel and carried around the city to get wifi internet access. It helps you avoid roaming charges as well as save the hassle of having to find wifi hotspots or get a local sim card in Tokyo.

The device costs JPY2,500 (US$30) for 24 hours, offering a bandwidth of 7.2Mbps and unlimited usage. It is compatible with all wifi-enabled gadgets including iPhones, iPads, BlackBerrys and Android handsets.

Above article appears in Business Traveler Asia

Live the good life while in Asia! Here are the Top 10 luxury hotels in Asia as chosen by readers of Trip Advisor.

Shangri-la, Tokyo | Read visitors’ comments about this hotel

1. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
2. The Ritz Carlton, Osaka
3. St. Regis, Bali
4. Ritz Carlton, Tokyo
5. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
6. Park Hyatt, Tokyo
7. Four Seasons Hotel at Chinzan-so, Tokyo
8. Andara Resort and Villas, Kamala
9. St. Regis, Singapore
10. The Peninsula, Tokyo

View the complete list

For the fourth time running, the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing hotel is triumphant again as the ‘World’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’ at the recent prestigious World Travel Awards held in Dubai.

Set in the heart of Beijing’s shopping district, it offers some of the largest hotel rooms in Beijing. Indulge in some retail therapy or visit nearby Beijing attractions. The iconic Tiananmen Square is just a ten minute walk from this Beijing hotel. After a busy day sightseeing, treat yourself to a holistic massage in the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing hotel’s Spa, swim laps of the rooftop pool or work out in the fitness center.

World Travel Award Winners

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The Miele Guide was created in 2008 in order to recognise and celebrate Asia’s best chefs and restaurants. The 2011/2012 edition features 500 restaurants over 17 countries in Asia and here are the Top 20:

1. Iggy’s – Singapore

This photo of Iggy’s is courtesy of TripAdvisor | Read visitors’ comments

Having moved to a larger space in September 2010 (it was really the kitchen that expanded, since the dining room still seats 40), Ignatius Chan’s acclaimed restaurant continues to draw a faithful clientele, who come to experience the refined and thoughtful interpretations of modern European fare in a classy, minimalist space. The lunch and eight-course dinner degustation menus change periodically, but always feature artful flavour combinations, executed with finesse and restraint.

2. Restaurant Andre – Singapore

Set in a three-storey shophouse in Chinatown, Restaurant Andre is one of the jewels of Singapore’s dining scene. After a high-profile stint at Jaan, chef Andre Chiang struck out with his own eatery in 2010. Having spent a considerable part of his culinary career working with French culinary heavyweights, such as Pierre Gagnaire, Joel Robuchon and the Pourcel brothers, it comes as no surprise that Chiang’s culinary style has been described as Nouvelle French. He uses the freshest local ingredients in inventive ways in his Octaphilosophy tasting menus. They comprise eight light, imaginative and exquisite courses, each corresponding to abstract characteristics such as ‘Pure’ and ‘Artisan.’

3. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – Hong Kong, China

The L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon operation is a sleek, well-oiled machine worldwide, and here in Hong Kong, it’s no different. The by-now-familiar red and black interiors are still sexy although nothing compares to the impressive dishes turned out by the Robuchon chefs season after season. This is ‘fast food’ haute cuisine at its oxymoronic best. For the full L’Atelier experience, make sure you ask for a counter seat and indulge in the Menu Decouverte, a sumptuous showcase\ that will not leave you wanting. Don’t leave without several licks of the amazingly buttery and smooth mashed potatoes.

4. Robuchon a Galera – Macau, China

This is Old World fine dining at its best, and, without a doubt, Robuchon a Galera deserves all the accolades it’s received. After more than 10 years, it remains one of the top restaurants in this part of the world, which is no mean feat. Executive chef Francky Semblat helms this Macau outpost of the Robuchon empire, serving up exquisite French classics with panache. For full-blown indulgence, only the degustation menu will do. Otherwise, begin with the very good-value set lunch menu. Oenophiles will have fun with the 300-plus-page tome of a wine list or the niftier iPad version.

5. Caprice – Hong Kong, China

For sheer glamour and all-round dazzle, Caprice is hard to beat. Large crystal chandeliers hang overhead in the gold-hued dining hall and even the open kitchen boasts crystal-clad cooker hoods. Throw in the stunning harbour views and the stage is set for glitz. Foodwise, Chef Vincent Thierry’s cuisine more than lives up to expectations with his creative interpretations of French classics, complemented by pastry chef Marike van Beurden’s stellar desserts. Caprice offers some of the best artisan cheeses in the city and boasts a first-rate wine list. Reservations are essential.

6. Cilantro Restaurant & Wine Bar – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. Mr & Mrs Bund (Modern Eatery by Paul Pairet) – Shanghai, China
8. Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul – Seoul, Korea
9. Bo Innovation – Hong Kong, China
10. Tippling Club – Singapore
11. Antonio’s – Cavite, Philippines
12. Mozaic – Bali, Indonesia
13. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana – Hong Kong, China
14. Gunther’s Modern French Cuisine – Singapore
15. Dum Pukht – Mumbai, India
16. Dakshin – Chennai, India
17. Yung Kee – Hong Kong, China
18. Sarong – Bali, Indonesia
19. Les Amis – Singapore
20. Bukhara – New Delhi, India

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Hotel Mume Kyoto | Read the reviews | Make a reservation

See the complete list | Book hotels in Japan

1. Crowne Plaza Singapore Changi Airport

The best hotel at one of the best airports in the world, the Crowne Plaza Changi greets weary guests with thoughtful, plush exterior and interior décor. Rooms come standard with rainfall showers, luxe pillows and linens and the massage therapists at the hotel spa specialise in the telltale aches of business travel syndrome. Best of all, a link bridge connects the hotel with Terminal 3. Changi Business Park is 10 minutes by taxi, with Singapore Central a mere 25 minute ride.

Crowne Plaza, Changi Airport

2. Pan Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(World Travel Award Winner for Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel 2011)

Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur International Airport

3. Langham Place Beijing Capital International Airport
4. Hyatt Regency Hotel, Incheon International Airport
5. Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport

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1. Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, 99.2
2. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, 97.9
3. The Peninsula, Tokyo, 97.7
4. Kyoto Hotel Okura, 97.2
5. Sofitel Forebase Chongqing, 97.1
6. Oberoi Udaivilas, Rajasthan, 96.
7. Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai, 96.5
8. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 96.1
8. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, 96.1
8. The Peninsula, Hong Kong, 96.1
11. Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street, 95.9
12. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, 95.7
13. Park Hyatt Seoul, 95.2
14. Raffles Beijing, 94.9
15. Vivanta by Taj—Hari Mahal Jodhpur, 94.7
16. Amandari, Bali, 94.5
17. The Peninsula, Bangkok, 94.2
18. Opposite House, Beijing, 94.1
19. Taj Lake Palace, Rajasthan, 94.0
20. Amansara, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 93.1

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1. Shangri-La Hotel
2. Mandarin Oriental
3. Traders Hotel
4. Sheraton Imperial
5. Hilton Kuala Lumpur
6. Fraser Place
7. Parkroyal Serviced Suites
8. The Royale Chulan
9. Prince Hotel
10. Ritz Carlton

Shangri-la Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur (World Travel Awards Winner for Leading Hotel in Malaysia 2011)

Read travelers’ reviews of the top KL hotels here | Book hotels in Kuala Lumpur

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali has been announced Asia’s Best Resort in the 2011 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by over 28,000 travelers.

With an overall score of 95.7, AYANA topped the list of the 20 Best Resorts in Asia and ranked 42 of the 100 Best Resorts in the World, in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Survey. The survey collated 8 million votes from discerning travelers across all categories to make it the travel industry’s most extensive and prestigious compendium of the world’s best destinations and places to stay. Armed with the slogan ‘Truth in Travel’, Conde Nast Traveler is the world’s leading travel publication, with some 800,000 paid subscribers and audited circulation of 3.5 million.

The Top 20 Resorts in Asia

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