After complaining about bad hotel service at the Honua Kai Resort and Spa, management sent me a certificate for 2 nights in a 2-bedroom suite.  Brilliant. A voucher that I can't use.

Wine is still largely a status symbol in China and while many are learning about the fine qualities of wine appreciation, but it certainly isn't stopping the wealthiest from purchasing vineyards across southern France

Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong asked Twitter followers if they've had extraordinary culinary experiences pairing Chinese food with fine wines. We couldn't resist digging up this 1992 Zachys Gazette article about Sesin Jong, father of Craft House Founder and Director, Yvette Jong, from the archives.

How do you ensure your message isn't lost in communication? When writing the content for your marketing materials, know your audience, and find the right words and language to tell a story that's compelling, genuine, captivating and relevant.

Hotels, like any other real estate, are built to make money.  And when you're talking about dollars per square foot or heads in beds, budget hotels are the way to go.  

What do you do if prohibitive rent prices hold you back from opening a store?  You open a pop-up.  And what do you do when your landlords increase your rent by 250% to HK$7 million per month (US$900k per month) to let the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch in? You open a pop-up that makes a statement.

When will our industry realize that what this country really needs are well-designed, well-appointed, sweet, simple, and affordable brands? 

While Regus's Golden Circle is in fact created for their most valued guests, it's a program that anyone and everyone can join - for free - by clicking here. Either way, the tactic is smart. Regus offers free, but seemingly exclusive offers and Regus clients then join the free program and start staying at Shang hotels where they'll get member benefits. It's a win-win-win.

In an urban setting kindles and nooks may seem archaic (they certainly aren't as cool or trendy as iPads) but for travelers who want to read in the sun, these e-readers are the way to go. Get one and you'll be the envy of everyone on the beach.

Even in developed countries where the tap water is perfectly safe to drink like Hong Kong, we came across pre-packaged ice cubes made from spring water imported from New Zealand into local supermarkets. If the public isn’t foolish enough about avoiding tap water (we drink it when we can), this is definitely feeding into their paranoia.

For most of us, the idea of hiring a private jet is completely foreign.  But in a tight economy, Jetsuite, a private jet charter company, has started a host of promotions to make private jets more affordable to monetize otherwise empty seats

The Maldives are sinking, energy's a fortune and waste disposal is a major issue. At Climate Week NYC, the country's vice president announces a mandate that 60% of energy be produced by solar power in a bid to be carbon neutral by 2020. 

In 2008, Hainan had more than 20 million Chinese visitors, but less than 1 million foreign visitors. Why are we so concerned about it being an 'international destination' when it can flourish with the domestic market alone?

At the ArtisTree Gallery in Hong Kong a multi-media exhibition on Gehry’s prominent works includes models and sketches from his archives dating back to the 70's.  Quite strategically, the exhibit finishes off with a comprehensive display of the architect's design process for OPUS Hong Kong.

Yvette Jong, Founder and Director of Craft House, was interviewed by HOTELS, the magazine of the worldwide hotel industry, on the topic of sustainable practices in hotels across the world.

How clear is the business case for hotels to become socially and environmentally sustainable and what factors are encouraging or discouraging this trend? The nine case studies written by Yvette Jong identify business drivers encouraging sustainable practices and impediments.