Word of Mouth: Hong Kong

Eight places to eat, drink and shop in the bustling metropolis

Designer mega-brands have established Hong Kong as a luxury shopping destination for some time now, but recently, a surge of smaller, independently minded businesses have been infusing the city’s neighborhoods with a bit of bohemia. Craft coffee culture joins the city’s world-famous tea houses, while a vibrant food scene anchored by dim sum now welcomes speakeasies for the cocktail-crazed and a growing number of ex-pat …

Tantalo Hotel

Panama City's recently opened boutique hotel combines locally inspired art and sustainably modern design

Panama City’s recently opened Tantalo Hotel offers hospitality with an artsy edge in the city’s historic Casco Viejo neighborhood. Located in what is generally considered Panama’s arts district, the micro-boutique hotel houses just 13 rooms; each featuring artwork from one of 13 local artists with an architectural facade that reflects the influence of the city’s periodic occupation by Spain, France and the US While we …

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy

Test-driving the airline's new Premium Economy hybrid flight experience

Aiming to bridge the gap between the sophistication of business class and the cramped quarters of coach, Cathay Pacific recently launched Premium Economy class in its 747 and 777 aircraft, available on flights between New York and Hong Kong from April 2012. I had the opportunity to test drive the new seats and amenities on a delivery flight out of Seattle last month, and at …