Having clothes tailor-made in Asia

One of the benefits of being an expatriate in or having a business trip to Asia is the availability and cost effectiveness of having clothes custom tailored rather than buying off the rack. This is especially true if your trip takes you to Bangkok, Hong Kong and increasingly mainland China. However, with so many tailors to choose from, finding a reputable tailor who will tailor you a new set of clothes that won’t fall apart after the first dry cleaning or wash is always easier said than done.

Hence, here are some of the pitfalls to avoid and some tips to follow when choosing a tailor on your next business trip to Asia:

• First of all, do not just walk into the first tailor shop (especially in tourist districts) you see as their owners and sales people are adept at spotting and seducing foreign tourists.
• Furthermore, NEVER use a tailor recommended by a taxi cab or tuk tuk driver or even a tour guide or hotel staff as they no doubt are receiving a commission on the referral.
• Instead, do research, research, and more research before you arrive. A good source of information for reputable tailors are up-to-date upscale travel magazines that recommend specific shops to visit.
• Furthermore, reputable blogs and travel sites on the internet with customer reviews posted are another helpful source of information. However, many of these sites or customer reviews may be no better than asking that tuk tuk or taxi driver for advice.
• Hence, your best source of accurate and up-to-date information would be to ask where other expats (who are long term residents in your destination) or local business acquaintances as to where they have their clothes tailored (and be sure to drop their names when you go visit the shop so the tailor knows you are not just another visiting tourist).
• Also, completely avoid the shops that are offering deals that just seem to good to be true. Most likely, they are using fabrics that are poor in quality and the quality of the overall tailoring will be low.
• And once you have selected a tailor, be sure that you have enough time on your trip to have alterations made if you are not completely satisfied with the results. A reputable tailor who wants you business (and referrals) in the future will be more than happy to make the necessary alterations to your satisfaction.

And remember: If you are female, choosing the right tailor in Asia can be more daunting as many tailors (in Bangkok for example) are more accustomed to tailoring business attire for men rather than for women. A reputable tailor will turn away your business while a not so reputable one will be more than happy to tailor you that new blouse or outfit but you may not be completely satisfied with the style or fit. Hence, it would be a good idea to ask local female expats where they go to have their blouses and business attire tailored.

Keeping the above tips and pitfalls in mind will greatly aid you when selecting a tailor on your next business trip to Asia.

Cathay Business Class deals to the USA

For those of you not looking forward to a long trans-Pacific flight seated in anything other than business class, Cathay Pacific is currently offering savings of up to 30% off on Business Class fares from San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK) to a variety of destinations in Asia – including Hong Kong and Singapore. Sample fares include San Francisco (SFO) to Hong Kong for $4,622, San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore for $4,959, Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong for $5,622 and New York (JFK) to Hong Kong for $7,638 (Fares include all airline fees and government taxes).

Departure period for San Francisco and Los Angeles flights are from now until September 30 and flights must be purchased by September 30. For New York flights, the departure period is from now until December 31 (excluding Manila which is from now until June 30) and flights must be purchased by December 31 (June 30 for Manila). All purchases must be made via Cathay Pacific’s website.

With promotions like these for business class travelers based in the USA, 2009 is proving to be a very good time to make the long trans-Pacific journey to Asia.

Singapore Airlines business class video

For anyone thinking of flying Singapore Airlines to Singapore and who still needs a reason (or just an excuse!) to justify flying business class, check out the Singapore Airlines business class promotional video that is posted on Youtube.com. Highlights include the “most spacious business class seat in the world” that supports a variety reclining positions and has the capability of being turned into a “productive office” with “built in business software” and the “biggest fully flat bed in business class” supporting a wide range of sleeping positions. So go ahead – book that business class seat!

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport video

Business travelers who will soon be visiting Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport may want to check out a promotional video posted on Youtube.com that was made in 2005 around the time the airport opened. Although not so useful in aiding travelers to find their way around the airport, the video does give first time travelers to Thailand an idea of what to expect at the airport and in the country in general.

Hong Kong’s Wanchai: At the center of it all

Located on the North Shore of Hong Kong Island, Wanchai was one of the first areas of Hong Kong to be developed and hence, it is one of the most densely populated and busiest commercial districts in the city. The area contains a number of historical spots, shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and skyscrapers as well as the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

For business travelers and expatriates needing serviced office space, DIFC Global Hong Kong and the Plaza Business Centre are both located in the 78-story Central Plaza, Hong Kong’s second tallest skyscraper. Both serviced office providers offer fully serviced offices in a building that contains a full range of amenities expected of a building that is one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious and visible office addresses.

For business travelers and expatriates needing long-term (minimum of 1 month) accommodations, Wanchai offers a number of options to choose from. These options include the pet friendly Shama Wanchai which is located in a quiet area just off busy Queen's Road East, the 24-story luxury Eaton House Wanchai Gap which is located in a historical area, the resort style Hong Kong Parkview Serviced Apartments which is located on a hill above 3,000 acres of parklands, the Fraser Suites Hong Kong which is the first international Gold-Standard Serviced Residence in Hong Kong and the V Wanchai which was the winner of the 2007 Asia Pacific Interior Design Award and Best Hospitality Interior of Perspective Awards. All of these serviced apartment offerings are conveniently located near public transportation and major shopping and restaurant venues.

So for business travelers and expatriates who need the convenience of being at the center of it all, Wanchai offers a place to live, work, and play.

Relaxed Italian dining at Suvarnabhumi

For business travelers and expatriates waiting in the International Departures Lounge of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Volare offers fast food convenience in a relaxed restaurant setting. Furthermore, long time travelers to Thailand will recognize the quality of Volare’s food as it is part of the Zanotti Group of Italian style restaurants which also includes Zanotti Ristorante, La Pizzeria Limoncello, Limoncello Phuket, Vino di Zanotti and Caffe Turin.

On offer is a range of delicious and hardy Italian favorites including pizza that is baked fresh on the premises, classic pasta dishes and fresh panini served hot or cold. For those seeking a lighter lunch, a range of freshly prepared salads from a simple mixed green salad served with Balsamic or Caesar dressing to the more exotic Caprese salad served with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes are available. In addition, a full-service bar offers a wide range of wines by the glass, coffees and fresh fruit juices to choose from while a wide range of ice creams and sorbets are available for those craving desert.

So for business travelers and expatriates passing through Suvarnabhumi who crave a hearty Italian meal or perhaps just a light salad or desert, Volare is well worth a visit.

Volare is located on the 4th floor of the International Departures Lounge near Concourse D and is open 24 hours a day.

Caviar and seafood at the Hong Kong International Airport

For business travelers and expatriates passing through the Hong Kong International airport seeking an elegant setting for an informal business lunch or dinner, the Caviar House and Prunier Seafood Bar out of France offers a selection of some of the finest caviar, salmon and seafood in the world. In fact, the Caviar House is the world’s only seafood bar that produces its own fresh caviar and smoked salmon and everything on the menu is then freshly prepared in front of customers. In addition, a small yet excellent selection of red and white wines, champagnes, vodkas and beers are on offer.

So for business travelers and expatriates who want to savor some of the world’s finest caviar and seafood while waiting for that long flight home to depart, the Caviar House is well worth a visit.

The Caviar House has two locations on the sixth floor of Terminal 1, the Food Junction in the Departures West Hall which is open from 7:00 to 23:30 (Tel: 2261 0508) and Departures East Hall which is open from 7:00 to midnight (Tel: 3171 1969).

Obtaining a work permit in Hong Kong

For business travelers and expatriates coming to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for professional employment purposes, getting a visa is a relatively simple and pain free process. For administrative purposes, Hong Kong classifies would be professional employees into three basic categories:

- Applicants who have obtained a degree in Hong Kong in a full time and locally accredited degree program may apply to stay and or return (within 6 months of graduation) to Hong Kong to work under the "Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates" or "IANG" scheme.

- For applicants who did not attend school in Hong Kong but have special skills or expertise that is not readily available in Hong Kong may apply under the “General Employment Policy” or "GEP" scheme.

- And finally, for Chinese Mainland residents who are not local graduates but have special skills or expertise may apply under the “Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals” or “ASMTP" scheme.

A person applying under the IANG scheme should apply for an extension to work within 4 weeks of the limit of their stay while a non-local graduate must secure an offer of employment at a level commonly taken up by local degree holders and at a salary package that is set at market levels. For those who are setting up a business venture in Hong Kong, proof of this business is required.

In general, applicants will be permitted to remain for a 2 or 2 to 3 year period without other conditions and an applicant is free to change employers without seeking permission from the Immigration Department.

For the latest general information, forms and fee schedules for visa and entry permit requirements for Hong Kong, visitors should refer to the website of Hong Kong’s Immigration Department as well as the Hong Kong government’s information portal. For specific information regarding visas for professional employment, the information portal has a dedicated page while the Immigration Department has a Guidebook for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong posted on its website.

Balaclava: Where Suntec City goes after work

Located inside the Suntec City Convention Centre, Balaclava is a favorite upscale after work gathering place for the office workers of Suntec City. In fact, expect Balaclava to be packed on a Friday night with bankers, corporate high rollers and convention goers relaxing on its cushy armchairs or high stools.

For business travelers and expatriates conducting business in Suntec City or using serviced offices in Suntec Tower One, Suntec City Tower Two or Suntec Tower Three, Balaclava is a particularly convenient after work watering hole. The bar usually opens mid afternoon and stays open late (1 to 2 am) and due to its popularity, reservations are required (sometimes days in advance) in order to reserve a seating area on popular nights.

So if you want to socialize with Singapore’s business high flyers or just have a drink with your coworkers and new business acquaintances, Balaclava is the place to be.

Singapore’s Riverside area: The center of it all

For business travelers and expatriates who want to be in the center of it all, the Riverside area of Singapore has everything one could possibly want – entertainment and cultural attractions combined with ease of access to the main commercial and office districts of the central business district and Orchard Road. At Riverside’s heart lies the Singapore River where, on the north bank, Raffles landed and officially founded the colony.

Today, the river is lined with entertainment and nightspots, especially along riverside streets such as Robertson Quay, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. In addition, most of Singapore’s historical (the famous Merlion statue, the Peranakan Museum and the Asian Civilizations Museum) and cultural (the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall and the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay) attractions are found in this area.

For the short (minimum of a week) or long-term business traveler and expatriate, the Fraser Place Robertson Walk offers 161 fully furnished apartments with separate living, dining, kitchen and bedroom areas. Amenities include a complimentary shuttle service, baby-sitting, pool, fitness, steam and sauna facilities.

In addition, short (minimum of a week) or long-term business travelers and expatriates also have the option of staying at the Somerset Liang Court which is conveniently located above the Liang Court Shopping Centre. On offer are fully furnished and self-contained apartments with living, dining and fully-equipped kitchen areas plus communal amenities such as a fitness center, pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.

So whether your stay is only for a week or for several months, the Riverside area offers everything a business traveler and expatriate could possibly want.

Stargazing at Bangkok’s Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar

Located on the 61st floor roof of the Banyan Tree Hotel, the Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar is not for the acrophobic. As the highest al fresco bar in the Asia Pacific region, Vertigo offers stunning views of the entire city and the night’s sky (in fact, a telescope is provided for star-gazing and city viewing).

On offer is a wide selection of cocktails, champagne, wine by the glass and non alcoholic drinks. Menu items include a range of barbecued meats and seafood such as Grilled Scallops in a Shell with Toasted Hazelnut and Coriander Butter, Red Mullet en Papillote with Thyme and Grilled Oysters with Parmesan Cheese. In addition, a jazz band plays on most nights.

Reservations are usually required for the restaurant due to its popularity and the hours of operation for the bar are from 5pm to 1am (weather permitting). In addition, a smart/casual dress code is strictly adhered to (no torn jeans, shorts, sleeveless tops, or flip-flops). Moreover, and given its status as a novelty concept offering a unique experience, expect to pay prices that match its “out of this world” location.

Nevertheless, the Vertigo is the perfect place for expatriates to welcome out of town friends and business acquaintances to Bangkok with a few drinks or a meal. And for business travelers staying in the Bandara Suites (Silom) serviced apartments, Vertigo is particularly convenient to reach as its just a few minutes walk and an elevator wide away.

Bangkok’s Bang Na District: Ease of access

For business travelers and expatriates who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Central Bangkok, the Bang Na (บางนา) district provides an attractive alternative as a base. Moreover, Bang Na provides easy access to the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estates, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and to popular destinations like Pattaya and Chonburi in the eastern part of Thailand.

In addition, the Bang Na district is home to the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) which plays host to major annual events such as Bangkok International Motor Show and the Bangkok Furniture Show and to Seacon Square - one of the biggest shopping malls in Asia with 15 anchor tenants and 400 specialty stores spread across 7 levels.

The district’s only drawback is the current lack of an existing BTS Skytrain station. However, three new stations (on Sukhumvit Line) to serve the area (with one to be located 500 meters from the BITEC) are expected to be completed by 2010 – making the area much more accessible via public transportation to the rest of the city. Until then, On Nut station (the eastern terminus of the Sukhumvit Line) is approximately 20 minutes via car from the area.

For the short or long-term business traveler and expatriate who needs easy access to the airport (just 20 minutes by car) or to be just adjacent to the BITEC, the Thomson Residence offers studios to 4 bedroom units ranging from 30 to 220 sqms in size. Amenities include a shuttle service, fully equipped gym and kitchens plus close proximity to the new Bangkok Patana School (walking distance), a golf course, restaurants and shopping centers.

Thus, for business travelers attending an event at the BITEC or for longer staying expatriate executives who need easy access to the airport or nearby industrial estates, the Bang Na district provides an excellent base to call home.

Wine and tapas at Singapore’s Changi Airport

Located on the 3rd level of the Departure/Transit Mall in Terminal 3 of Singapore’s Changi Airport, the iL Lido Wine and Tapas Lounge offers the unhurried business traveler or expatriate a place for a leisurely business meal or drink while watching the planes take-off.

In fact, iL Lido offers more than 50 high quality wines by the glass to choose from and a complete hot and cold tapas menu that includes specialty hams and cold cuts, cheese boards, and seafood tapas. And for business travelers seeking a full meal, iL Lido offers such delicacies as smoked salmon with cream cheese and red onion, Mediterranean vegetable stew, resaola with parmigiano shavings, manchego with Alpacarrones capers, and grilled artichoke hearts.

Hours of operation are from 6 am to 1 am daily and expect prices in the S$25 to S$35 per person range.

Hong Kong’s Isobar: The perfect place to unwind

Located on Level 4 on top of Hong Kong’s International Financial Center mall in Central and directly above the ISOLA bar + grill, the Isobar is the perfect place for less than formal business meetings or to unwind after a long day of business. This chic bar and lounge offers panoramic views of Victoria Harbor and Central from its floor to ceiling glass walls and outdoor terrace and was even voted the Best Bar of 2005 in Hong Kong's Tatler magazine.

Signature drinks include a range of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages such as Dragon Ball and Bailey's Bliss, various Martini type cocktails such as Saketini & Berritini and long cocktails such as Illusion and Isobar Ice Tea. With the Isola Italian restaurant just below, bar snacks have a uniquely Italian twist and the stone-grilled pizzas are usually a favorite for the bar’s upscale clientele.

The Isobar opens at 3 pm and stays open until very late. So for business travelers or expatriates staying at serviced apartments located in Central such as the Four Seasons Place, Shama Central or The Putman, the Isobar’s location is the perfect place to spend the evening or a late night out with out the worries or hassles of a long trip home.

Hong Kong’s Fortress Hill neighborhood: Ideal convenience

Located on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, the Fortress Hill (炮台山) neighborhood is ideally situated on a hill between the western portion of the busy office district of North Point and the eastern portion of spectacular Causeway Bay. This location, along with the MRT Fortress Hill Station on the Island Line, make the area easily accessible for business travelers who can reach Central within 10 minutes.

Moreover, the area (although largely residential) contains plenty of trendy restaurants, coffee shops and conveniences for the business traveler or expatriate such as groceries and laundry mats.

For the short or long-term business traveler and expatriate, the Shama Fortress Hill is conveniently situated across the street from the MRT station and offers 95 fully equipped apartments along with a business center, gym and complementary wifi. In addition, the area is in the vicinity of the Prosperity Millennia Plaza, a Grade A building located a few minutes walk from the Quarry Bay MTR station that offers (courtesy of Office Links) serviced offices, virtual offices and meeting room facilities.

Hence, Hong Kong’s Fortress Hill neighborhood is the perfect place for the busy executive to both work and call home.