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Experience Life in Churchill's Bunker in London

Monday February 8, 2010

Winston Churchill is one of the most heroic figures of the World War II era, embodying the British ideal of the stiff upper lip and passionate resolve to never give up, no matter the odds. Visitors to London can learn more about the man and his struggles during the war at the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, a delightful museum near St. James Park filled with an eclectic collection of Churchill memorabilia and artifacts. Start off at the Lifeline exhibit, a 15-meter-long interactive table on which visitors can access information from every year of Churchill's life, down to specific weeks and days. Then, armed with historical perspective, venture into the Cabinet War Rooms, which were used as shelter for the heart of government and military command. Built in the basement of a Whitehall building in 1938, it housed Churchill and his advisers as they plotted their strategy amid sustained aerial bombardments. The Map Room, Cabinet Room, Transatlantic Telephone Room, and Churchill's Room have all been preserved in the condition they were left when the war ended in 1945, providing a vivid glimpse into his "finest hour." There's even a recreation of his wife Clementine's bedroom, part of a suite of nine rooms opened only in 2003 containing the original furnishings and items from the war years. It's one of London's most fascinating museums and a must-see for students of 20th century history. Starwood has hotels throughout London, including the Sheraton Park Tower, London.

[image via Churchill Museum]

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Savor

Incredible Sushi in Honolulu

Monday February 8, 2010

If ever there was a place destined to be a great town for sushi (outside of Japan, of course) it would be Hawaii. Smack dab in the middle of the ocean, with a large Japanese-American population and a major Japanese tourism base, sushi in Honolulu is world class. Stake out a spot at the bar at these spots when you stay at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.

At Sushi Sasabune, you can order off the menu only at a table: the bar is reserved for those willing to let chef-owner Seiji Kumagawa decide what to feed them. And those who do are rewarded handsomely. Possible dishes include squid stuffed with crab, baked oysters, blue shrimp and some of the finest toro available. Be prepared to spend $300 for two, however.

Mitch's Fish Market & Sushi Bar is mostly a fish market, run by South African expats. But don't discount it for its low-budget looks — just head to the sushi bar (stopping beforehand to pick up some drinks; it's BYOB) and put yourself in the chefs' capable hands for some of the best sashimi you'll ever taste. The specialty of the house is live lobster sashimi, expertly sliced and accompanied by a miso soup made with the rest of the lobster.

If you're looking for more style with your rolls, head to Doraku, which gives sushi a "hipster vibe" despite its shopping mall locale.

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Inside

Starwood Insider - Peter Foreman - Introducing the Westin Tianjin

Monday February 8, 2010

wes3159lo.83864.jpg Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and thelobby.com's expert on Asia.

Visitors to Tianjin now have a choice of Sheraton Tianjin Hotel or the brand new Westin Tianjin. The new Westin Tianjin is located in the Wue Da Dao area, an old British Concession area. The hotel forms part of a mixed use development on Nanjing Road in the center of the city with The Emperor Place retail shopping mall and corporate offices. The lobby features a 16 meter high ceiling while the 275 guest rooms and suites provide the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Rooms feature Westin's signature Heavenly Beds, Herman Miller furnishings, giant LCD TV's and iPod docking stations. Look towards the heavens through a glass roof over the indoor 25 meter heated swimming pool.

While it may not be a household name, the city of Tianjin is the sixth largest in the People's Republic of China and was the host of the football portion of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The 120 kilometer journey from Beijing takes just 29 minutes at speeds up to 350KM/HR on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at a cost of just RMB58 each way (approximately $9 US). The city is a key manufacturing hub for China and home to many multi-national companies and is one of the biggest sea ports in the world. Besides being an industrial city, Tianjin has many old concession areas.

My tip: be sure to visit the Tianjin Eye, a 120 meter high Ferris Wheel, uniquely built over the Chihai Bridge. It's a spectacular way to view this exciting Chinese destination.

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Offbeat

Fashion, Art, and Music Converge at Chicago's Gamma Player

Monday February 8, 2010

Chicago's Gamma Player (2035 West Division) is an exclusive boutique celebrating art in both visual and sonic forms, from men and women's clothing and accessories to books and music. A collaboration between world-renowned techno composer/symphony collaborator/DJ Jeff Mills (listen to the song that inspired the store in this video) and wife Yoko Uozumi (pictured), it's also a labor of love inspired by the couple's extensive international travels, which is heavy on exposure to the creative arts. The current autumn/winter fashion collection includes mixed pieces by UK-based designer Jean-Pierre Braganza, leather outerwear from Berlin's Firma, tops and cardigans from Obscur of Sweden, and tees and cashmere sweaters from Japan's 24/7. Soon, the new spring/summer collection will be ushered into Gamma Player. Music is similarly curated from a global perspective, and features special releases from Mills and his Axis Records, a label with a loyal, multicultural following.

Gamma Player would be a great stop along a Wicker Park shopping tour, an area that's great for those who love the intersection of music and style. Stay at W Chicago - Lakeshore and you'll be within an easy distance to enjoy this fun and funky neighborhood. What are your favorite shops that integrate the arts?

[Image by Stephen J. Serio/chicagobusiness.com]

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Celebrate

Mask and Merriment at The Venice Carnival

Monday February 8, 2010

Infused with romance and mystery, decadence and revelry, The Venice Carnival has been luring masked merrymakers to the canal-crossed city for centuries. This year's event takes place through February 16, and with a theme like "Sensation: 6 senses for 6 districts," it's sure to be a magnificent spectacle of food, drink, music, dancing, and fabulous costumes.

Begin your grand Carnival experience with hot chocolate and sweets in the Hotel Danieli's elegant lounge, then cap off the evening with dinner and minuet dancing beneath the Murano glass chandeliers of the hotel's lavish ballroom. "Le Rois Dansent" is an opulent party modeled after one of Louis XIV's own extravagant affairs, while "Casanova's Ball" promises an evening of glittering seduction in candlelit gardens and palace ballrooms. Concerts, cocktail parties, historic parades, festivals of period costume, gondola tours, and dozens of costume balls round out the Venice Carnival's rich program. You'll be swirling with delight from morning's Baroque brunches, through the day's dizzying array of activities, until you collapse upon your regal bed at the marvelous Hotel Danieli, a 14th century palazzo outfitted for a legendary noble like the Sun King himself. Just remember to pack a costume and mask to match the extravagance of it all, or contact the hotel for advice on where to rent them. Venice Carnival is one of the world's oldest and most beloved traditions. Ever been? Share your stories.