KLCC Parkview Kuala Lumpur review

Located just a 5 minute walk from KLCC and just between KLCC LRT & Monorail Station, the KLCC Parkview offers easy accessibility to the City Centre, the Petronas Twin Towers, the Suria KLCC shopping mall, The Pavillion, Bukit Bintang and the KL Golden Triangle areas. On offer are fully furnished studios (like the one in the video below) that are approximately 40 sqms in area – more space than most hotel rooms. In addition, the building has a 34th floor swimming pool facing the KLCC Twin Tower along with a Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and laundry service. In other words, everything you need for either a short-term or a long-term stay.

 

Citadines Singapore Mount Sophia review

If you are looking for accommodations in Singapore where you can both live and work, the Citadines Singapore Mount Sophia might just be your answer. The Citadines’ apartments are designed with enough space to both live in and work in comfortably by combining living space with a SOHO (Small Office Home Office).

Guests who have stayed at the Citadines have pointed out that it is located in a great location in a quiet area near Orchard Road, Little India and Bugis Street. Moreover, the Citadines is ideal if you have children who are studying at the Singapore Management University (SMU) or La Salle University. In addition, guests have commented that the Citadines room’s are great if you like big but you don’t need luxury.

Hence, if you are looking for a great no frills and no fuss accommodation that could double as a workplace for a few days or the long term that is in a central location, the Citadines Singapore Mount Sophia might just be what you are looking for.

 

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Four Seasons Place Hong Kong review

Located in a prominent location just behind the International Finance Centre (IFC) in Hong Kong’s Central, the world class Four Seasons Place Hong Kong is managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Given its location, the Four Seasons Place offers convenient access to a variety of shopping, fine dining and entertainment attractions in the Central district. Hence, most reviews of the Four Seasons Place are positive with most guests enjoying the serviced apartment’s amenities, such as the spectacular view from the pool, in particular.

And in case you are wondering what the rooms at the Four Seasons Place are like, a short one and a half minute video of one has been posted on Youtube which will give you a sneak peak of where you will be staying.

 

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Nonsi Residence Bangkok review

Located outside the main business areas of Sathorn and Silom Roads in Bangkok just off Rama IV road with immediate access to both the Sala Deang BTS Station and Khong Toei MRT Station, the Nonsi Residence are almost brand new and offer studio, one, two and three bedrooms units.

Past guests have indicated that while the Nonsi may not be in the best location with regards to restaurants (although units have kitchens or hotplates), the rooms and swimming pool are in excellent condition, the staff is very helpful and there were no problems getting back the deposit at the end of their stay. In addition and if you have a laptop, there is free wireless internet in the lobby area. 

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Five-fingered discounts

The Luxique travel blog has recently noted that that the Australian Hotel Association (AHA) is loosing millions of dollars every year due to theft in what is apparently known in the business as “five-fingered discounts.” And its not just little items likes pens or wash cloths. In fact, items that have disappeared from Aussie hotel rooms include everything from toilet flushing mechanisms to a TV set with base and a giant metal statue of a kangaroo. Moreover, men and women are equally guilty as women are more likely to take designer toiletries and towels while men are tempted by bottle openers, shoe shine kits, glasses and mini bar items.

Meanwhile, the same blog has also noted that the former US Ambassador in London, Raymond Seitz, likes to pilfer “Do Not Disturb” signs and has now amassed a collection of 500 according to Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Apparently though, he is now alone as there is even a website dedicated to “Do Not Disturb” sign collectors that was set up by someone who has collected 6,000 of them!

 

Hong Kong’s Admiralty district: Almost central in Central

Located on the eastern side of Central and bordered by Wanchai to the east and Victoria Harbour to the North, Admiralty owes its name to the former Admiralty Dock in the area which once housed a British naval dockyard. In fact, much of the area was once used by the British military who also built the Murray Barracks, the Wellington Barracks and the Victoria Barracks. However and starting in the 1970s, the British slowly started turning the area over to the Hong Kong government who demolished the docks and some of the other military installations and reclaimed additional land to turn the area into a commercial district with parks (High Court and Hong Kong Parks). They also built the Admiralty Station of MTR to allow easy access to the new commercial district.

Today, Admiralty contains a number of important office and shopping complexes worth noting. These include the Admiralty Centre, British Consulate General Hong Kong, CITIC Tower, Far East Financial Centre, Lippo Centre Towers, Pacific Place shopping mall, Queensway Plaza shopping complex located just above the MRT station and United Centre. Many of these office and shopping complexes are connected to the MRT station via underground walkways allowing easy access to the area.

For business travelers or expatriates seeking either short or long-term accommodations, the Central district itself offers a number of service apartment options. These include the Four Seasons Place Hong Kong, Pacific Place Apartments, The Putman, Shama Central and Shama Hollywood. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates who will be needing serviced offices, the Admiralty and its immediate vicinity offer a couple of choices that includes the One International Finance Centre, the Regus Lee Gardens Centre and the Shui On Centre.

So if you will be needing accommodations or office space that is relatively central in Hong Kong’s Central, look no further than the Admiralty area.

Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district: Something for everyone

Pathum Wan or Pathumwan is roughly located in the center of Bangkok and is surrounded by several other well known districts that include Ratchathewi, Watthana, Khlong Toei, Sathon, Bang Rak, Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Dusit. However, the area is probably best known for its numerous shopping centers and malls which include Siam Center, Siam Discovery Center, Siam Paragon, MBK Center, Bonanza Mall, CentralWorld, BigC Ratchadamri, Narayana Phan, Gaysorn and Central Chit Lom. Here, both tourists and residents alike will find just about everything they might need (or not need for that matter!).

In addition to shopping, the area is also home to a number of notable institutions or attractions worth mentioning. Some of these institutions or attractions include Chulalongkorn University (the oldest university in Thailand), Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross (home to a snake farm known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute where venom is extracted to produce serum to treat snakebites), Jim Thompson House (home to the American who helped to develop the Thai silk industry), the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (a horse racing track), the National Stadium, Lumphini Boxing Stadium (home to traditional Thai boxing matches), Lumphini Park (the oldest park in Bangkok) and several shrines.

Moreover, Pathum Wan is well served by public transportation with trains to destinations throughout Thailand departing from Hua Lamphong, four subway stations (Hua Lamphong, Sam Yan, Si Lom and Lumphini), the main interchange station (Siam) for the Skytrain, four other Skytrain stations (Chit Lom and Phloen Chit on the Sukhumvit Line and National Stadium and Ratchadamri on the Si Lom Line) and express boats that run along the Khlong Saen Saeb (a canal on the district’s northern border). 

For business travelers or expatriates who need either short or long-term accommodations, the Pathum Wan area is served by a number of serviced apartments that include Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan, Bliston Suwan Park View, Centre Point Wireless Road Serviced Apartments, Centre Point Wireless Road Serviced Apartments, Centre Point Langsuan Serviced Apartments and Chateau de Bangkok. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates who need office space, the Amarin Tower and The Offices at Central World offer fully equipped serviced and virtual offices.

So if you want to live and work in a district of Bangkok that is not only centrally located but also has something for everyone, look no further than Pathum Wan.

Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang: Hip shopping, entertainment and health related attractions

Located within several main roads including Jalan Bukit Bintang, centrally located Bukit Bintang is one of Kuala Lumpur’s trendiest shopping and entertainment districts. As one of the city’s major shopping districts, shopping outlets such as the Berjaya Times Square, Bukit Bintang Plaza (or BB Plaza), Imbi Plaza, Kuala Lumpur Plaza, Lot 10, Low Yat Plaza, Pavilion KL, Starhill Gallery and Sungei Wang Plaza offer a full range of merchandise to suit all budgets and tastes. For foodies, the Jalan Alor runs just next to the Bukit Bintang road and is extremely popular both day and night with locals and tourists alike for the stalls that line it serving a wide variety of Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai and Malay cuisine. Moreover, the area is well known for its foot and body massages with many shops along the Bukit Bintang road offering a variety of exotic foot treatments until late into the night.

For business travelers and expatriates seeking short or long term accommodations, the Sri Jati Apartments is located just five minutes from the Bukit Bintang Monorail Station and offers simple and affordable accommodations. Moreover, guests at the Sri Jati Apartments are allowed to use some of the facilities at the Dorsett Regency Hotel at no additional charge and these facilities include its outdoor swimming pool and gymnasium, limousine counter, laundry and pressing service, business centre, meeting and function rooms.

Hence, if you plan on visiting Kuala Lumpur or are coming there to live, be sure to check out what the Bukit Bintang area has to offer.

Hong Kong’s North Point: “Little Shanghai” + “Little Fujian”

Just as its name suggest, North Point is the most northerly point of Hong Kong Island and is just next to Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay. However, what makes North point interesting, at least from a historical perspective, is that this area was where members of Shanghai’s business community moved to during and after the Chinese civil war. Hence, the area became known as “Little Shanghai” in the 1950s when it became filled with restaurants serving Shanghai cuisine along with Shanghai-style beauty parlors and barbershops. Later, these Shanghai refugees were joined by Oversea Chinese displaced by political turmoil in Southeast Asia and soon earned the additional nickname of  "Little Fujian.”

Today, North Point is undergoing urban renewal with a mix of new luxury apartment blocks and offices sprouting up amid older buildings as the area is served by both the Island Line and the Tseung Kwan O Line of the MTR railway system and is also well serviced by bus routes and ferries. In addition, the area is home to the Island Children's Montessori School which offers an authentic Montessori curriculum that is recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).

For business travelers or expatriates needing a minimum three months accommodation, the Pacific Palisades is a luxury condominium complex close to the landscaped gardens of Choi Sai Woo Park and offers such amenities as an outdoor swimming pool, squash and tennis courts. In addition, the Harbour Plaza North Point (minimum of a one month stay) is just opposite of the MTR Quarry Bay Station and next to the highway. Harbour Plaza offers superior rooms (no kitchenette), studio suites and junior suites (with kitchenette), one-bedroom suites (with full kitchen) and two-bedroom suites (with full kitchen) along with a 25-meter outdoor swimming pool and business centre services.

So if you are looking for neighborhood that is fairly accessible with some unique historical charm, look no further than Hong Kong’s North Point.

Seoul’s Jung-Gu district: Literally the “central district”

Located in the heart of Seoul on the north side of the Han River, Jung-gu literally means “central district” in Korean. In fact, it is the historical center of the city and contains a number of historical and cultural sites such as the Myeongdong Cathedral, the National Theater of Korea, the Seoul Museum of Art and the Bank of Korea Museum along with well known Seoul landmarks such as the N Seoul Tower and a number of department stores, shopping centers and entertainment venues. In addition, several member companies of the Hanjin conglomerate have their offices in the area along with international airlines such as Air China, Hainan Airlines and Air France.

For business travelers and expatriates looking for either short (minimum of one night) or long-term accommodations, the Han Suites Serviced Residences is located at the foot of Mt. Nam San with spectacular views of the city and offers 120 fully furnished and equipped studio, one and two bedroom suites. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates who will be needing office space, the Executive Centre Seoul Finance centre offers 60 offices and 215 workstations along with fully equipped conference facilities that can cater to meetings and seminars for up to 60 people. Moreover, the location offers easy access to all parts of the city via the City Hall Station just a two-minute walk away.

Hence, for business travelers and expatriates coming to Seoul who literally want to live and work in a “central district,” look no further than Jung-Gu.

Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward: In the heart of the City

In densely populated Tokyo, Chiyoda (千代田区) is unique among the city’s 23 special wards as it is the least populated one and yet, it is at the center of Toyko and contains a significant amount of open space. The reason for this is the fact that the Imperial Palace complex occupies the central area of the ward along with many government institutions such as the Prime Minister’s residence, the Diet, the Supreme Court and fifteen embassies. Other important landmarks in the area include the Yasukuni Shrine, the Nippon Budokan (a popular rock concert venue) and Tokyo Station – one of the busiest train stations in Japan and the starting point or terminus of many of Japan’s high speed bullet trains. In addition, the area also contains Hibiya Park – a popular venue for open-air concerts that is also known for its tennis courts.

Chiyoda also contains a number of residential neighborhoods (a number of which are considered to be upper class) and commercial districts. Among these neighborhoods and commercial districts is Marunouchi, which also happens to be located next to the Tokyo Station just opposite of the Ginza district and was recently profiled in a New York Tines article as an up and coming district worth exploring. Other areas worth mentioning include Uchisaiwaichō which is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel and a number of bank headquarters and Ōtemachi, also home to a number of Japanese financial institutions.

For business travelers and expatriates seeking long term accommodations in the area, Bureau Kioicho offers studio apartment type accommodations and is only a few minutes walk from several subway station. It also happens to be near the Imperial Palace grounds – a great location for early morning or evening jogs.

So if you need a centrally located neighborhood to call home that also has the added benefit of open space, a rare commodity in densely populated Tokyo, look no further than Chiyoda.

Central Kuala Lumpur: A true golden triangle

Central Kuala Lumpur includes the old City Centre area where the former colonial administrative center center was based along with Chinatown and an area to the Northeast of this known as the Golden Triangle where many of the city’s shopping malls, office complexes, and entertainment spots are located. Here you will find the major shopping district of Bukit Bintang which contains half a dozen malls along with the shopping streets of Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Sultan Ismail. In addition, the Suria KLCC located just below the Petronas Towers offers upscale shopping and plenty of restaurant options while the Asian Heritage Row offers both restaurant and nightlife options. The entire Golden Triangle and City Centre area is easily accessible via monorail, LRT and the North-South Expressway to the rest of KL and to the airport.

For business travelers and expatriates coming to KL who need accommodations, the Golden Triangle area offers a wide selection of serviced apartment offerings including the Maytower Hotel & Serviced Residences, Ascott Kuala Lumpur, The Nomad Sucasa All Suite Hotel, Citrus Hotel, Lanson Place Ambassador Row and The Maple Suite. In addition, business travelers and expatriates will find the serviced office offerings in the Golden Triangle area to include offerings in many of KL’s most prestigious office addresses including the Menara IMC, Menara Citibank Building, Megan Avenue 1, Central Plaza, Petronas Towers, Menara Rohas Perkasa and Menara Standard Chartered.

Thus, if you want to live and work in the golden heart of KL, look no further the Golden Triangle area in the middle of the city.

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward: Where a foreigner will feel at home

For a neighborhood that is not only a major commercial center but also a place where a foreigner will more likely feel at home, Tokyo’s Shinjuku (新宿区) ward is well worth considering as it has the highest number of registered foreigners of any neighborhood in the city. Furthermore, it also the home for the metropolitan government of Tokyo and the Nishi-shinjuku skyscraper business district which contains several of the city’s tallest skyscrapers. For these reasons, its Shinjuku Station is considered to be the busiest train station in the world while in its immediate vicinity are numerous department stores and specialist electronic and camera shops that Tokyo is known for along with plenty of entertainment venues (such as cinemas, bars and restaurants). In addition, located nearby is the Koenji neighborhood which was recently profiled by the New York Times as the area is considered to be the birthplace of Japanese punk rock and a laboratory for local musicians.

For long term business travelers and expatriates who wish to stay in the area, the Oakwood Apartments Shinjuku is conveniently located near the Shinjuku Station and the the office towers of Nishi-Shinjuku. The 140 unit Oakwood offers a high-tech Business Center, a spectacular Sky Lounge with expansive views of the city and stylish apartments equipped with 37" LCD TVs and Bose stereos complete with iPod docking stations. And for business travelers seeking serviced offices, the Shinjuku Nomura is located in the heart of Shinjuku and includes restaurants on the 49th and 50th floors offering spectacular views of the city and even Mount Fuji. In addition, the Regus centre located in the Shinjuku Park Tower is also well situated as the building is situated next to the Shuto Expressway Number 4 and there is a complimentary shuttle bus service to Shinjuku station.

So if you are looking for a neighborhood in Tokyo where you can live, work and feel at home while being at the center of action, look no further than Shinjuku.

Singapore’s Orchard Road: Asia’s Rodeo Drive

Once lined with nutmeg orchards, including one owned by someone with the last name of Orchard, Singapore’s Orchard Road is now the retail and entertainment heart of the city-state. In fact, no trip to Singapore would be complete without spending at least one evening in the area – especially around the Christmas holidays when reindeers and snow topped gingerbread houses are set among the street’s palm trees and flower beds.

Orchard Road’s primary attraction and activity is shopping. Just some of the malls lining the road worth noting include Ngee Ann City (the largest mall on the road which contains numerous upscale boutiques, Japanese department store Takashimaya and Books Kinokuniya - Southeast Asia’s largest bookstore), Wheelock Place (home to Borders bookstore and a Marks & Spencer), Paragon (also home to a Marks & Spencer, a Metro and a Toys 'R' Us), the Hilton Shopping Gallery (branded boutiques) and The Centrepoint (home to a Robinsons and another Marks & Spencer). Furthermore, access to the area is easy via the MRT as there are major stations (Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut) in the Orchard Road vicinity while a number of bus lines along with plentiful cabs operate in the area.

For business travelers and expatriates who want to stay on or just near Orchard Road, the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites is conveniently located right next to the Somerset MRT station and offers amenities such as fully-equipped kitchens, world class entertainment systems, a fully equipped gym and hydro-therapeutic spa with a mineral water pool. And for those who will be needing office space in the vicinity, the Ann City Tower B is located above Ngee Ann City on the heart of Orchard Road and offers serviced offices, customized virtual office packages and meeting room space.

Hence, whether you need to shop or are looking for a place to both work and stay, look no further than what Orchard Road has to offer.

Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct: Live & play

Located on the western edge of Sydney’s CBD and once part of city’s bustling commercial port and rail yards, Darling Harbour and its immediate vicinity were redeveloped into a recreational and residential district and even served as a venue for the 2000 Summer Olympics. In fact, the area in around Darling Harbour includes a number of notable attractions including the Sydney Entertainment Centre (a major concert venue), the Star City Hotel and Casino (the second largest casino in Australia) and the LG IMAX theater (the home of the world’s largest screen). Moreover, Darling Harbour contains numerous shopping, restaurant and pub venues that will keep visitors and nearby office workers and residents alike both well fed and entertained. Furthermore, the area is easily accessible from the CBD by the Sydney Monorail and a ferry wharf provides access via the Inner Harbour ferry services to the Circular Quay and the city suburbs.

For short or long-term business travelers and expatriates, there are currently 50 sqm and 65 sqm one bedroom apartments available for rent. Furthermore, there are a number of serviced and virtual office options available just a short walk or monorail ride away in the CBD.

So for business travelers and expatriates looking for an area to live and/or play that is also convenient to where they work, look no further than what Darling Harbour.

Melbourne’s Southbank neighborhood: Sparkling and convenient

Located just one kilometer south of Melbourne’s CBD and the Yarra River, Southbank was once a gritty industrial area that has been transformed into a sparkling and thoroughly modern high-rise residential and office district. In fact, the area is fast becoming an increasingly popular alternative office district with well known corporate names such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fujitsu, and Foster's Group having relocated to the area. In addition, the area now boosts an arts precinct, the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre which is located in the newer South Wharf area on the western edge of the district. Furthermore, the area is easily accessible via Melbourne’s famous tram network.

For short or long-term business travelers and expatriates looking for accommodations, the Southbank vicinity offers a number of options that include studio apartments, 1-bedroom apartments and 2-bedroom apartments. In addition, for business travelers and expatriates coming to Melbourne to set up an office, Regus located on the 28th floor at the 303 Collins St. complex offers fully furnished and equipped offices with spectacular views of the city and convenient access to all of the banks, restaurants, and shopping centres that are located in the area.

So if you are looking for a centrally located and thoroughly modern Melbourne neighborhood to work, play or call home, then look no further than Southbank.

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.

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.

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.