Just Back From: Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Our TWIL Client, Jesse Silvertown, recently returned from Kyoto where he stayed at The Hyatt Regency. Jesse was kind enough to share his feedback with TWIL.

Kyoto is a dream. For those of you that have been there before, that will come as no surprise. For those that haven't, picture a beautiful countryside city, frozen in time from a different era, tinged with modern, beautiful buildings. Many centuries ago, Kyoto - not Tokyo -was the capital of Japan. As the former center of the country - and still cultural hub - there are more temples to visit than any of you might know what to do with. The golden shrine is the most famous, but we enjoyed two others: Tofukuji Temple is a serene, less-popular space in southeastern Kyoto, complete with beautiful shrines and an incredible, life-size zen garden (paid area). Kiyomuzu-Dera, the other shrine area I'd recommend - is special because of the path it takes to get there; Matsubara Dori is a narrow, shop-lined street that helps make the slow climb to the temple a truly unique experience. It gets busy during the daytime, but even for someone (like me) who hates tourists, the density is worth it.

Our hotel - the Hyatt Regency - was situated right in the heart of Kyoto, close to the national museum, restaurants and shrines. It was another hotel that effectively blended western and japanese influences, though for the more adventurous, Kyoto has many highly regarded Ryokan. Ryokan are traditional japanese inns, complete with tatami mats, and most include absurd dinners with your stay. That said, Kyoto has more than enough excellent restaurants. Given my sushi addiction - and my dedication to this crazy hobby - I dragged my wife for our 945th sushi meal in a week. The place of choice was Sushi Tetsu, a restaurant next to a river that blew my mind. A small cover charge gets you in the door, and then - brace yourselves - every piece of nigiri (including ikura and toro) is virtually $1 US.

For non-sushi restaurants, I'd recommend Kurakura, a laid back izakaya with over 100 menu items. There's enough variety for all types of adventure. For the fancier folks, Kyoto has a diverse array of acclaimed restaurants making use of the outstanding local ingredients. Most are Japanese, but some - believe it or not - are French. Like the rest of Japan, it's very difficult to find a bad meal.

Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the food tour we did through the Shottengai (shopping streets) of Kyoto. Jason Davidson - an expat from the US - runs the tour through 10 local food stalls. At about $50USD, I couldn't recommend it more as a method for enjoying authentic cuisine that normally is difficult for english speakers to order. 

Just Back From: Amanemu, Ise Shima

Our TWIL Client, Jesse Silvertown, recently returned from Ise Shima where he stayed at Amanemu. Jesse was kind enough to share his feedback with TWIL.

We arrived in Ise Shima in time to see the beautiful sunset and views. As isolated as Amanemu is, there is little need to journey far outside the resort - the surroundings are matched only by the food.  

Amanemu is famous for the Onsen that run throughout the grounds. Onsen are natural Japanese hot springs, famous for their therapeutic and mineral properties. The general pool area at the spa is actually Onsen water, as is the water that fills each bathtub in the guest rooms. Make no mistake though: Amanemu is a place for relaxation, not high-velocity entertainment. It's basically a resort designed for 400 guests with the goal of having only 25 at one time. Because the grounds are so sprawling, golf carts - for which there is always a chauffeur available - are necessary. As a result, I wouldn't recommend a longer stay than 2 nights. 

But the serenity is welcome, especially in contrast to the culture in Tokyo and Osaka. The general pool area is sparsely populated, so no problems securing a day bed. The grounds are spectacularly beautiful, and apparently are even nicer when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. And the staff is hyper aware of each guest. One of our favourite experiences was dinner at the hut of a local Ama. Ama are female pearl divers, who work in deep water searching for pearls, shellfish and other delicacies. The area of Ise Shima is famous for Ama (there is actually a museum), and the Ama dinner is the chance to experience their culture while simultaneously having an incredibly fresh (and delicious!) meal. 

Just Back From: Andaz, Tokyo

Our TWIL Client, Jesse Silvertown, recently returned from Tokyo where he stayed at Andaz. Jesse was kind enough to share his feedback with TWIL.

Our hotel - the Andaz Tokyo - came highly recommended, and it immediately became clear why; Like many hotels in Tokyo, the Andaz is located within a large office tower, occupying various floors from 38-52 and offering stunning views from the rooms and the pool. The Andaz mixes Japanese and Western designs well, and despite being fairly minimalist, is much more modern than it's sister property, the Park Hyatt Tokyo. If you're a cinephile, you might remember the Park Hyatt from the movie "Lost in Translation", a movie that speaks to me more than ever before now that I've visited Tokyo. If you have been - or are planning to go -  to Tokyo as a tourist, do yourself a favour and watch that movie. 

Breakfast at Tsukiji is also a thing, for those wanting to actually eat some of the insane quantity of fish inside the market. The restaurants are located in the outer market - think rows of numbered buildings - and there are no shortage of options. You'll likely hear about some of the more famous ones - like Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi - but those will usually have lines of 1-2 hours or more. The truth is that you can't go wrong with any restaurant. We wandered around, looked at some menus (in Japanese with pictures), and ultimately settled on a Kaisen-don (sashimi over rice) spot called Nakaya.

One of our favourite activities throughout the trip was simply wandering aimlessly through local neighborhoods. Our goal was to learn about local culture, while still somehow avoiding getting completely lost. One area in Tokyo that we particularly enjoyed was Ueno, which is famous for a series of side streets that run underneath and adjacent to the train tracks. There's no shortage of outdoor market space for those of you who want to hunt for local goods. Food is also a significant part of Ueno's appeal, especially if you're looking for traditional Japanese fare like dumplings, yakitori and eel. We chose an Eel spot which - despite putting foreigners like us upstairs - was excellent.

Harajuku is another destination that I would highly recommend. Located near the Shibuya area of Tokyo, Harajuku is a hub of shopping, culture and vibrant activity that features large international chains as well as small, independent stores. Harajuku is right near the Meiji Shrine, a popular tourist destination that is worth a visit as well. Nearby the hustle of Harajuku is the residential area of Shibuya proper, which is worth a walk through if only to see a different side of the famously active Tokyo. We were lucky enough to have a local take us through before lunch at Okei Sushi (a loose translation). Okei deserves its own post, but on a high level, a sushiya in a residential neighborhood, recommended by locals, serving a lunch omakase for the equivalent of US $40? Sign me up.

It's been said before - by smarter people than me - that it's hard to have a bad meal in Tokyo. But when you're only there for two dinners, the pressure was on to make selections worthy of the moment. Sushisho Masa - a subterranean sushiya in Rappongi Hills - was at the top of my list, both because of the public reviews and private recommendations. Sushisho Masa deserves its own review also, but a few points are worth highlighting: the Omakase was - and this is no joke - at least 30 courses, featuring raw and cooked versions of delicious Buri (adult yellowtail), Sea Bream, Sawada (Spanish Mackerel) and many others. I'd recommend making a reservation a month in advance through your hotel (they'll ask for your credit card), going hungry, and being friendly - though the four sushi chefs behind the counter don't speak perfect english, they are conversational and will happily show you their "book of fish" to help you recognize what's on your plate.

We also ate at Tempura Kondo, a well-regarded Tempura focused restaurant in Ginza. At Kondo, they make everything right in front of you using batter, oil and some killer knife skills. Was it worth the $130 US per person for dinner? I'm not sure, but I do know that the tempura was far better than the popcorn shrimp style that the U.S is familiar for. Again though, it's hard to have a truly bad meal in Tokyo because the sheer quality of food offerings is immense

Just Back From: Nickelodeon Punta Cana

Property Type: Gourmet Inclusive Family Resort

Destination: Punta Cana (Uvero Alto beach), Dominican Republic

Getting There:  Fly directly into Punta Cana, most Canadian scheduled and charter flights operate multiple times per week from Toronto, non stop.

Who is it for? The Nickelodeon, which shares most facilities-with the Sensatori, is really geared towards families, especially those seeking plenty of activities for kids but also a luxurious escape for adults.  The main difference between Sensatori and Nickelodeon is the access to an amazing Nickelodeon themed water park and central hub (Nickelodeon Land) for character appearances and themed activities, such as private or mass group daily sliming!  The fact that you won't see Sponge Bob and his friends roaming outside Nick Land, really elevates a truly exceptional family property to one that still feels like a luxurious retreat that couples and singles alike can enjoy. Rooms are modern and well appointed with unique suite and villa options including swim up suites, private pool villas, and of course a Pineapple Villa, designed after Sponge Bob's very own "Pineapple Under the Sea!" 

Our Take:

Not interested in the water park facilities? Opt to stay instead at the sister hotel, Sensatori Punta Cana.  You really can't tell the difference between the resorts aside from a separate lobby and subtly different room and patio decor, namely the absence of the trademark orange Nick blimp.  

The central plaza houses most restaurants, evening entertainment and a "kiddie" corner where kids can be entertained by outdoor movies, a kids bar, cotton candy/popcorn machine and various activities like hula hoops...while parents can keep watchful eye but still enjoy a cocktail and some live music!

Brilliant set up that really speaks to all demographics from couples to multi-generational families.

Contact Mandy to learn about the exclusive added values and amenities we can offer at this fabulous family-friendly resort!  mdelve@twiltravel.com

Just Back From: The Whitby Hotel, New York

Property Type: Boutique Hotel

Destination: New York

Who is it for? Couples or Business Travelers. 

Our Take:

The Whitby Hotel is the brand new Firmdale property and the second New York location for this iconic british chain of beautifully designed, boutique luxury properties. Located in midtown, it is a small hotel by New York standards, with only 86 rooms. Each room is uniquely designed by Kit Kemp, who is known for her bold colour schemes and interesting use of patterns. Every space in the hotel is colourful and unique, yet so well connected throughout. Guest rooms have floor to ceiling windows, reminiscent of it's sister property in Soho, The Crosby Street Hotel. A few rooms even feature their own private terrace.  The rooms are very spacious for a hotel in midtown New York. The location is amazing, on 56th between 5th and 6th avenue. It is near central park, tons of restaurants, museums and department stores. The restaurant on property is great, having a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The service at the property was outstanding. The Whitby hotel has a very laid-back environment. Overall, would definitely recommend.