Hilton Beijing Wangfujing - 王府井希尔顿酒店

If you plan to visit Beijing, China for business or holiday, you may want to try a night at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing (5 Star), as it is close to shopping districts, and well known restaurants.

The room is very spacious and the interior design give me "homey feel" + peaceful! I like the little surprise that they put on the bathtub in every room, and you can bring that "little present" (check it our by yourself..wink~wink~)together with you. It is a complimentary gift from the hotel.

The facilities are pretty new, and the staffs are very friendly. If you work at the business center, the internet is chargeable (you need to pay for the wi-fi and internet) *of course, you can used the free public wifi (@ public area like pub, restaurants and hotel lobby), please remember to ask for the access once you have check in at the hotel. I personally not very keen on the in-house buffet breakfast as the choices are quite limited.

The services at Chinese restaurant in Hilton Hotel Wangfujing are superb, you may ask for Tom (the waiter there), as he is very senior and professional, he will recommend some "Chef Recommendation dishes" to you and in very detailed.

Hilton Wangfujing Website: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/china/hilton-beijing-wangfujing-BJSWFHI/index.html

The other restaurants that nearby Hilton Wangfujing that you may check-up:

1. Famous steamboat - 海底捞 （Haidilao),  inside the shopping mall which located behind the Hilton Wangfujing hotel. We spent around CNY 160 -200 for 3 persons, with 3-5 walking distance.

Website: http://www.haidilao.com/sg/index.html

2. Da Dong Peking Duck - 大董烤鸭

Website: http://www.dadongdadong.com/en/index.html?lang=0

walking disctance from the hotel 10-15 minutes. The meals end up around CNY 1000++ (if you order the Peking Duck *MUST TRY)

All major shopping malls are just located at the left side of Hilton hotel, with 3-5 minutes walking distance.

Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai China - 上海外滩英迪格酒店

I hstayed in Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund last month for business trip and it's located next to The Bund (the only hotel that connected to the bund, the rest are on the opposite of the road.)

As the hotel is connected to the "bridge", we walked along the bund to enjoy the spectacular Shanghai night view!

I would recommend to stay for 2 nights, so you have opportunity to try the lunch at the western restaurant (top floor), with their famous steak!

About the room, the unique design and the furniture, huge bed + comfy pillow; the designers of the building really make used of every corner /space. The bathroom is huge, but you need to choose the one facing the river views. So, when you lying on the bath tub you got to enjoy the night views.

The breakfast was amazing where they served the "main dishes" using different containers, for instance, if you order the japanese breakfast, they used the traditional bento box, and for chinese breakfast, they used the chinese traditional carry basket and etc. I personally love the ways they display and present the foods on the serving table & in the fridge. I bet you will find them very "COOL" & "CUTE"!

The only problems that I personally find, and probably can be improved is the internet connection as it is not very stable during my stayed. Also, their chairs in the business centre are not very comfortable if you need to stay in to work for a few hours.

* TIPS: Opposite the hotel, you can find a well known restaurant in Shanghai - Xiao Nan Guo 小南国.

Hotel Website: http://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/shanghai/shgnb/hoteldetail/photos-tours
Contact Number: +86 877 859 5095

Chocolate Truffles

Sweet Potato Glutinous Rice Balls

Egg Tarts

Thin Crust Pizza

Fruits Yogurts

Puppy Cookies

Eastern & Oriental Hotel Georgetown Penang, Malaysia - 东方大酒店槟城马来西亚

If you plan to travel to Penang, Malaysia, I would recommend you to try this heritage hotel _ Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang which located in Georgetown (facing the sea).

You can take a cab from Penang International Airport for about 30 minutes + Malaysia Ringgit MYR $ 60++ to reach the hotel. 

The hotel just extended the building (a new wing) called Victory Annexe. Please choose the room that facing the sea, so you can see the sunset in the evening.

The Victory Annexe Superior Suite - 1 bedroom suite with luxurious bathroom with double vanity counters, spacious balcony and sea view.All guest staying at the Victory Annexe will have access to the Planters lounge which serves complimentary breakfast, all day coffee/tea and evening cocktails from 5pm to 7pm. Complimentary soft drinks from the minibar, WiFi and daily newspaper

The daily rates for the standard room is around MYR550/night or around USD$181/night (as promotion rate)

Website: http://www.eohotels.com/gallery-inside.php#pic35
Reservation Enquiries:
Tel: + 604 222 2000
Email: luxury@eohotels.com

At night, you may want to visit a bar just located at the corner lot directly opposite the E&O Hotel - Beach Blanket Babylon is run by the same management of successful 32 at the Mansion and The Cellar (previously known as Bagan Bar). The al fresco cafe/lounge is by the beach and offers a good selection of wine and cigars in addition to beers and the usual cocktails. The outlet plays a selection of R&B, lounge and jazz music and is usually patronised by expats and local yuppies looking to unwind. Complementary parking is available however, if it gets crowded, opt to park at the nearby Penang Bowl car park. Happy hours at their bar is until 9pm with beer bucket of five bottles at RM45++ daily.

Yeastless Chocholate Gugelhopf

Schuss Gateaux

Banana Muffin

Tiramisu Cake

Banyan Tree Hangzhou China - 杭州西溪悦榕庄

I have travelled to Banyan Tree Hangzhou, China in April 2013. Awesome architecture and unique design by the Banyan Tree Group!

If you travel from Shanghai to Hangzhou, you can purchase a train ticket, and it's only take approximately 1 － 1.5 hour. Once your get out from the train, you can get a taxi (Another 30 minutes if no traffic jam) to Banyan Tree Hangzhou.

You can take a short break on weekend with a family or partner to escape from a busy work life! - if you stay in Shanghai =)

Website 网站：http://www.banyantree.com/en/hangzhou/
Tel 电话        :  +86 571 8586 0000
Email 邮箱    :  hangzhou@banyantree.com
Rate 房价      :  around US$420/night  (Chinese Yuen around 2600/ night) - sometime they do have promotion rate for early bird

For the train ticket（High Speed Rail), you can get it for around：
－ Chinese Yuan RMB 120/US$ 20 per ticket (1st class seat), or
－ Chinese Yuan RMB 80/US$ 13 per ticket (2nd class seat)

We got the 1st class seat - very new and comfortable train.

You can find the train ticket at the largest OTA in China - Ctrip: http://english.ctrip.com

Banyan Tree Hangzhou - 杭州西溪悦榕庄

Winter 冬天

 River Tour @ Banyan Tree

Spa Jetpool Villa - 泉浴按摩池别墅

Two Bedroom Jet Pool Villa - King －双卧室按摩池别墅 －大床房

Two Bedroom Jet Pool Villa -Twin - 双卧室按摩池别墅

Marble Cake

Pandan Chiffon Cake

Recipes::

Ingredients A:

- 7 egg yolks

- Concentrated fresh pandan extract

- 150g flour

- 4g baking powder

- 3g salt

- 83g vegetable oil

Ingredients B:

- 7 egg whites

- 100g sugar

Method::

1. Preheat oven to 160 celsius.

2. Combine egg yolks, and pandan extract in a mixing bowl. Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture and sugar into the bowl. Add vegetable oil and whisk everything to combine.

3. In a separate and clean bowl, beat egg white and sugar together till it forms soft peaks.

4. Slowly fold egg white into egg yolk mixture in 3-4 additions.

5. Pour cake mixture into ungreased tube pan.

6. Bake for 45 minutes.

7. Flip the pan upside down against a bottle on kitchen counter and let cool for 25-30 minutes. Loosen side of cake with a knife.

Pineapple Tarts - Home Baked

Home Bake Pineapple Tarts 

Pineapple Tarts Recipes::

Pineapple Jam:

**I used 2 fresh baby pineapple(s) / 1 fresh baby pineapple is enough

-250g granulated sugar (between 200g - 300g, adjust according to your preferred sweetness)

- 2 cinnamons stick (about 5cm)

- 4 cloves

-1/2 tablespoon lemon juice (I used fresh lemon juice)

Method:

1. Remove the skin of pineapples, cut aways the "eyes" and grate the pineapples.

2. Drain the grated pineapples, press out the juice and reserve the pineapple juice.

3. Place the grated pineapples, cinnamon stick, clove and half amount of the sugar in a pot. Bring to boil on medium heat. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent still on the pot (**hint - used stainless steel/unstick pot). When the mixture starts to dry up, add in a few tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice and lemon juice.

4. Add the remaining sugar gradually and keep adding the pineapple juice until the mixture dries up.

5. Keep stirring until the jam caramelised, become sticky and dry.

6. Leave to cool and place in air tight container and store in the fridge.

7. When ready, roll the pineapple into a small balls, store covered in fridge until ready to use.

Pastry:

- 227g (80oz) unsalted sugar, cut into chunks and soften at room temperature

-50 icing sugar

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

396g (14oz) plain flour

Method:

1. Place the butter in a mixing bowl. Sift over the icing sugar. Mix the butter + sugar on medium speed until the mixture turns pale. 

2. Add in the vanilla extract and whisk to combine,

3. Dribble the egg yolks and continue to whisk the mixture until fully incorporated.

4. Sift flour into the mixture. Mix the mixture with your hand and lightly knead for a couple of minutes until the flour is incorporated into the dough. (do not over work the dough)

5. Wrap the dough with cling wrap and chill in the fridge about 30 minutes.