From all of us at iTravel
iShop to all of our readers- happy holidays! Enjoy the festive
season- and we'll be back online next week (and ideally nibbling
on these candy cane cookies from Eleni's).
From all of us at iTravel
iShop to all of our readers- happy holidays! Enjoy the festive
season- and we'll be back online next week (and ideally nibbling
on these candy cane cookies from Eleni's).
It's the end of the year,
which means that every publication on earth is coming out with
their annual Top 10 lists. One restaurant that seems to
be on a lot of people's gold star list is newcomer Spruce in San
Francisco. Located in Presidio Heights, the restaurant is the
latest project from the Bacchus Group,
which also owns the Village Pub and Pizza Antica. It took more
than two years to renovate the space, a former auto garage, into
a chic restaurant with soaring ceilings, chocolate brown walls
and faux caramel-coloured ostrich leather chairs. Spruce also has
a library and take-away deli selling gourmet cheeses and
pastries. Most of the produce comes from SMIP Ranch in the
Santa Cruz mountains, which is owned by Bacchus. The dinner menu
is compact, and features red endive and pear salad served
with Roquefort and pistachio; salt cod chowder with
turmeric dates as well as spiced Moroccan chicken, with preserved
lemon and seasonal vegetables.
Spruce, 3640 Sacramento
St, San
Francisco, CA 94118,
Phone: (415) 931-5100 ]]>It's the end of the year,
which means that every publication on earth is coming out with
their annual Top 10 lists. One restaurant that seems to
be on a lot of people's gold star list is newcomer Spruce in San
Francisco. Located in Presidio Heights, the restaurant is the
latest project from the Bacchus Group,
which also owns the Village Pub and Pizza Antica. It took more
than two years to renovate the space, a former auto garage, into
a chic restaurant with soaring ceilings, chocolate brown walls
and faux caramel-coloured ostrich leather chairs. Spruce also has
a library and take-away deli selling gourmet cheeses and
pastries. Most of the produce comes from SMIP Ranch in the
Santa Cruz mountains, which is owned by Bacchus. The dinner menu
is compact, and features red endive and pear salad served
with Roquefort and pistachio; salt cod chowder with
turmeric dates as well as spiced Moroccan chicken, with preserved
lemon and seasonal vegetables.
Spruce, 3640 Sacramento
St, San
Francisco, CA 94118,
Phone: (415) 931-5100
]]>
Last year's It
eco bag was the woven “I'm Not a Plastic Bag” tote designed by
Anya Hindmarch. This year's eco bag of the moment, according to
Style.com, is this limited edition tote designed by Stefan
Sagmeister for Kate Spade. He debuted the design at the Art Basel
Miami party for his book, Things I Have
Learned in My Life So Far. The bag is inscribed with the
logo, "Material Luxuries Are Best Enjoyed in Small Doses." Some
of his other pithy quotes include: "Low Expectations Are a Good
Strategy." Only 50 of these bags are available at Kate Spade and the
Wolfsonian museum, and cost $145
each- a small dose of luxury indeed.
Last year's It
eco bag was the woven “I'm Not a Plastic Bag” tote designed by
Anya Hindmarch. This year's eco bag of the moment, according to
Style.com, is this limited edition tote designed by Stefan
Sagmeister for Kate Spade. He debuted the design at the Art Basel
Miami party for his book, Things I Have
Learned in My Life So Far. The bag is inscribed with the
logo, "Material Luxuries Are Best Enjoyed in Small Doses." Some
of his other pithy quotes include: "Low Expectations Are a Good
Strategy." Only 50 of these bags are available at Kate Spade and the
Wolfsonian museum, and cost $145
each- a small dose of luxury indeed.
If bigger is
better, than Bulgari gets top prize. The
luxury Italian jewellery has just opened its largest jewellery store in Tokyo's Ginza
district. The 10-storey building has a VIP
lounge, and floors showcasing jewels, watches and accessories, as
well as a restaurant, bar and bridal salon. Next year, the Ginza
tower will also showcase Bulgari's new skin care line and
in-store beauty treatments. The two store mark the 20th
anniversary of Bulgari's debut in the Japanese market. But
Bulgari isn't the only luxury brand moving into the area; earlier
this month, Giorgio Armani opened Armani Ginza Tower and Alfred
Dunhill will open its Ginza store later this month.
If bigger is
better, than Bulgari gets top prize. The
luxury Italian jewellery has just opened its largest jewellery store in Tokyo's Ginza
district. The 10-storey building has a VIP
lounge, and floors showcasing jewels, watches and accessories, as
well as a restaurant, bar and bridal salon. Next year, the Ginza
tower will also showcase Bulgari's new skin care line and
in-store beauty treatments. The two store mark the 20th
anniversary of Bulgari's debut in the Japanese market. But
Bulgari isn't the only luxury brand moving into the area; earlier
this month, Giorgio Armani opened Armani Ginza Tower and Alfred
Dunhill will open its Ginza store later this month.
We love it when we stumble
upon products which deliver on both form and function. The always
fabulous Springwise has highlighted Stick Me Designs,
which creates stylish bags to hold glucose testing devices for
those with diabetes. Think this is a niche market? Think again;
nearly 21 million people in the United States have the diseases.
Founder Rickina Velte was inspired to create the line when she
was diagnosed with the disease. Stick Me Designs' bags are funky
and stylish and come in florals, denims and bold colours, and are
priced at $34.99.We love it when we stumble
upon products which deliver on both form and function. The always
fabulous Springwise has highlighted Stick Me Designs,
which creates stylish bags to hold glucose testing devices for
those with diabetes. Think this is a niche market? Think again;
nearly 21 million people in the United States have the diseases.
Founder Rickina Velte was inspired to create the line when she
was diagnosed with the disease. Stick Me Designs' bags are funky
and stylish and come in florals, denims and bold colours, and are
priced at $34.99.
Peppermint is one of my favourite winter
tastes (and scents). Last year I decided to make Peppermint Bark
Cupcakes- which I think were a hit with the rellies- but
for a less calorific treat, check out Philosophy. If you're still
stuck in some stocking stuffer ideas, consider this peppermint
gift set.
It comes with a Candy Cane Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath,
small jar of Candy Cane Exfoliating Hot Tub and Shower Scrub, and
a Candy Cane Lip Shine in a striped hat box. At only $35 for all
this yumminess, why not buy one for yourself as well? Available
at Sephora.Peppermint is one of my favourite winter
tastes (and scents). Last year I decided to make Peppermint Bark
Cupcakes- which I think were a hit with the rellies- but
for a less calorific treat, check out Philosophy. If you're still
stuck in some stocking stuffer ideas, consider this peppermint
gift set.
It comes with a Candy Cane Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath,
small jar of Candy Cane Exfoliating Hot Tub and Shower Scrub, and
a Candy Cane Lip Shine in a striped hat box. At only $35 for all
this yumminess, why not buy one for yourself as well? Available
at Sephora.
When we pulled up to the imposing mansion, I
gave the cab driver a more lavish tip than
usual. Since he was dropping me off at the
Wentworth Mansion, one of Charleston's most
luxurious properties, I felt a little guilty he had to get back
to work while I was in for a generous amount of pampering. The
first thing I noticed upon climbing the steps and opening the
heavy door to the mansion were the beautiful stained glass
windows, glinting in even the partial sun. I
planned to gather my light bags and head up to my room myself,
but as one employee told me with a stunned look upon her face,
“This is the Wentworth. No one schleps
here.” ]]>When we pulled up to the imposing mansion, I
gave the cab driver a more lavish tip than
usual. Since he was dropping me off at the
Wentworth Mansion, one of Charleston's most
luxurious properties, I felt a little guilty he had to get back
to work while I was in for a generous amount of pampering. The
first thing I noticed upon climbing the steps and opening the
heavy door to the mansion were the beautiful stained glass
windows, glinting in even the partial sun. I
planned to gather my light bags and head up to my room myself,
but as one employee told me with a stunned look upon her face,
“This is the Wentworth. No one schleps
here.”
And she was
right. The Wentworth Mansion, a member of
Small Luxury Hotels
of the World, is a place you
go to be taken care of, an historic home recalling old-world
glamorous Charleston, where Scarlett O'Hara would have felt at
ease on holiday. Walking down the sweeping
staircase, you feel a little bad for wearing something as common
as jeans, and that it would almost be more appropriate swishing
down each step in a petticoat.
Rates start at $340
Charleston, South Carolina
Phone: (843) 853-1886
Alia Akkam is a New
York-based lifestyle writer who covers food, drink, travel and
design. Her work has appeared in Time Out, Paper and Fodor's
.
Who doesn't love
free stuff- especially when that free stuff is a motherload of
makeup from top brands like Elemis, Bumble & Bumble, Dr.
Sebagh , Dior, Aveda, Murad, and L'Occitane? The lovely ladies at
Cult
Beauty- one of our favourite blogs- have launched a
competition where three lucky winners will win a £1,000 goodie
bag flled to the brim with top makeup brands. Click here to enter- and spend some time browsing the site
too. We love their weekly beauty round up and they're always on
top of what's new and cool in the world of beauty.
Who doesn't love
free stuff- especially when that free stuff is a motherload of
makeup from top brands like Elemis, Bumble & Bumble, Dr.
Sebagh , Dior, Aveda, Murad, and L'Occitane? The lovely ladies at
Cult
Beauty- one of our favourite blogs- have launched a
competition where three lucky winners will win a £1,000 goodie
bag flled to the brim with top makeup brands. Click here to enter- and spend some time browsing the site
too. We love their weekly beauty round up and they're always on
top of what's new and cool in the world of beauty.
The newest hotel
in lovely Kyoto
is the Screen Hotel, a member of Design Hotels.
Opening on 13 December, the hotel has just 13 guest rooms and
each one was designed by a different artist or designer. The
looks run the gamut from dreamy to cutting edge. Screen Hotel
also has a spa, chapel, open-air sky lounge and a shop, which
stocks traditional Kyoto goods made by local craft artists as well as the Screen's
“soundtrack,” a hotel-inspired compilation album. The
ground-floor restaurant serves French-Japanese fusion food, and
is a mix of new French cooking and
traditional Kyoto cuisines, made with fresh, organic ingredients from local
growers. Once a week, guests can relax at “Candle Night” in the
lounge, part of Screen's energy-saving eco-luxe concept of
respecting the environment without forsaking comfort. Hotel
Screen Kyoto,
640-1 Shimogoryomaecho,
Nakagyo-ku Kyoto city,
604-0995 Japan ]]>The newest hotel
in lovely Kyoto
is the Screen Hotel, a member of Design Hotels.
Opening on 13 December, the hotel has just 13 guest rooms and
each one was designed by a different artist or designer. The
looks run the gamut from dreamy to cutting edge. Screen Hotel
also has a spa, chapel, open-air sky lounge and a shop, which
stocks traditional Kyoto goods made by local craft artists as well as the Screen's
“soundtrack,” a hotel-inspired compilation album. The
ground-floor restaurant serves French-Japanese fusion food, and
is a mix of new French cooking and
traditional Kyoto cuisines, made with fresh, organic ingredients from local
growers. Once a week, guests can relax at “Candle Night” in the
lounge, part of Screen's energy-saving eco-luxe concept of
respecting the environment without forsaking comfort. Hotel
Screen Kyoto,
640-1 Shimogoryomaecho,
Nakagyo-ku Kyoto city,
604-0995 Japan
]]>
Move Over,
Victoria's Secret- those angels have nothing on
Kiki de
Montparnasse. This high-end emporium of lingerie and personal
pleasure items has taken New York by
storm (celebs like Angelina Jolie and Madonna are
apparently fans) and a new location in LA just opened a few
days ago. The opening party attracted the likes of Selma Blair
and Ashley Olsen. The LA store looks like a sexy boudoir, and has
luxe dressing rooms with multiple light settings along with an aphrodisiac garden. And in case you didn't
know, the brand is named in honour of the Parisian cabaret singer
and bon vivant Alice Pirin, who was known as Kiki and lived in
the bohemian enclave of Montparnasse. Kiki de
Montparnasse, 8280 Melrose
Avenue, Los
Angeles,
CA, Phone: (323) 951-9545 ]]>Move Over,
Victoria's Secret- those angels have nothing on
Kiki de
Montparnasse. This high-end emporium of lingerie and personal
pleasure items has taken New York by
storm (celebs like Angelina Jolie and Madonna are
apparently fans) and a new location in LA just opened a few
days ago. The opening party attracted the likes of Selma Blair
and Ashley Olsen. The LA store looks like a sexy boudoir, and has
luxe dressing rooms with multiple light settings along with an aphrodisiac garden. And in case you didn't
know, the brand is named in honour of the Parisian cabaret singer
and bon vivant Alice Pirin, who was known as Kiki and lived in
the bohemian enclave of Montparnasse. Kiki de
Montparnasse, 8280 Melrose
Avenue, Los
Angeles,
CA, Phone: (323) 951-9545
]]>
One of the
hottest places to eat in Dallas right
now is Fearing's, located inside the new Ritz-Carlton. The restaurant is helmed by
celebrity chef Dean Fearing, who made his name at the swanky
Mansion at Turtle Creek. His new restaurant has already been
named “Best New Restaurant of the Year” by Esquire
magazine, and the décor is sleek and contemporary. There are five
dining rooms and two bars, plus the open-plan Dean's Kitchen. The
menu is Southern with a twist; expect dishes like
Chilled Sweet Corn Vichyssoise with Smoked Texas Tomatoes, and
summer Maine Lobster; and Maple Black Peppercorn Buffalo
Tenderloin on Jalapeno Course-Ground Grits with Crispy Butternut
Squash Taco. Other standouts include Dean's Barbecued Shrimp
Taco. More than 30 rare premium tequilas as well as Dean's
Margaritas can be found in the Rattlesnake Bar. Fearing's,
2121 McKinney Ave., Dallas,
Texas, Phone: (214)
922-4848. ]]>One of the
hottest places to eat in Dallas right
now is Fearing's, located inside the new Ritz-Carlton. The restaurant is helmed by
celebrity chef Dean Fearing, who made his name at the swanky
Mansion at Turtle Creek. His new restaurant has already been
named “Best New Restaurant of the Year” by Esquire
magazine, and the décor is sleek and contemporary. There are five
dining rooms and two bars, plus the open-plan Dean's Kitchen. The
menu is Southern with a twist; expect dishes like
Chilled Sweet Corn Vichyssoise with Smoked Texas Tomatoes, and
summer Maine Lobster; and Maple Black Peppercorn Buffalo
Tenderloin on Jalapeno Course-Ground Grits with Crispy Butternut
Squash Taco. Other standouts include Dean's Barbecued Shrimp
Taco. More than 30 rare premium tequilas as well as Dean's
Margaritas can be found in the Rattlesnake Bar. Fearing's,
2121 McKinney Ave., Dallas,
Texas, Phone: (214)
922-4848.
]]>
It's a fact of life that no
woman can own enough shoes- and if you're feeling blue or just
need to perk up an old outfit, there's nothing better than a new
pair of heels to do the trick. In Chicago, local
fashionistas are raving about the new boutique Perchance, which
opened last month in Lake View. Perchance has an elegant boudoir
look and stocks shoes by Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan and Donald J.
Pliner as well as up and coming designers like Anyi Lu. The shop
is the brainchild of recent Kellogg MBA grad Mary Liz Lehman,
whose inspiration for the store's name came from the Shakespeare's Hamlet (“To sleep, to
sleep, perchance to dream”). In addition to the sexy shoe
selection, Perchance also sells a collection of women's clothing
and accessories. Perchance, 3512 N
Southport Ave at
Cornelia Ave, Chicago, Phone:
(773) 244-1300.It's a fact of life that no
woman can own enough shoes- and if you're feeling blue or just
need to perk up an old outfit, there's nothing better than a new
pair of heels to do the trick. In Chicago, local
fashionistas are raving about the new boutique Perchance, which
opened last month in Lake View. Perchance has an elegant boudoir
look and stocks shoes by Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan and Donald J.
Pliner as well as up and coming designers like Anyi Lu. The shop
is the brainchild of recent Kellogg MBA grad Mary Liz Lehman,
whose inspiration for the store's name came from the Shakespeare's Hamlet (“To sleep, to
sleep, perchance to dream”). In addition to the sexy shoe
selection, Perchance also sells a collection of women's clothing
and accessories. Perchance, 3512 N
Southport Ave at
Cornelia Ave, Chicago, Phone:
(773) 244-1300.
When we were
in South
Beach in October, we noticed that Danny DeVito
was staying at our hotel, The Setai. (However, the DeVito sighting pales in
comparison to our all-time best celeb sighting- Giselle Bundchen at the Mandarin Oriental in New
York ..Well, it was my husband's favourite sighting). One reason
why DeVito is spending more time in Miami these days is the opening of his new restaurant,
Devito South Beach which has been described as "Italian chop house," and
serves steaks, sushi and pasta dishes. The signature dish is the
Global Steak Flight, which includes Japanese Kobe Beef,
Australian Wagyu Rollatini and American Kobe Flat Iron. This is
DeVito's second entrepreneurial gig; after a charmingly hungover
appearance on The View last year thanks to a night of
drinking too many limoncellos with George Clooney, he also
launched his own brand of limoncello liquer.
DeVito South Beach, 50 Ocean
Drive,
Miami Beach, FL 33139, Phone:
(305) 531-0911. ]]>When we were
in South
Beach in October, we noticed that Danny DeVito
was staying at our hotel, The Setai. (However, the DeVito sighting pales in
comparison to our all-time best celeb sighting- Giselle Bundchen at the Mandarin Oriental in New
York ..Well, it was my husband's favourite sighting). One reason
why DeVito is spending more time in Miami these days is the opening of his new restaurant,
Devito South Beach which has been described as "Italian chop house," and
serves steaks, sushi and pasta dishes. The signature dish is the
Global Steak Flight, which includes Japanese Kobe Beef,
Australian Wagyu Rollatini and American Kobe Flat Iron. This is
DeVito's second entrepreneurial gig; after a charmingly hungover
appearance on The View last year thanks to a night of
drinking too many limoncellos with George Clooney, he also
launched his own brand of limoncello liquer.
DeVito South Beach, 50 Ocean
Drive,
Miami Beach, FL 33139, Phone:
(305) 531-0911.
]]>
It's happened to
all of us. After spending a few days in your fancy hotel room,
you like the bed, lamp, photographs, toothbrush holder etc etc so
much that you'd love to buy it for yourself. Hotels like
Starwood, Kimpton, Kor and W all offer guest room items for sale
and if you're looking for some hotel-inspired Christmas gifts,
check out the new Kimptonstyle.com website. The site has recently
undergone a makeover and added plenty of new items-
many of which
donate all proceeds directly to its charitable partner, Dress for
Success, a nationwide organization dedicated to offering
disadvantaged women the tools they need to make an impact in the
workplace. We liked these funky aluminium water bottles ($22-24)
as well as the bamboo bath accessories and zebra lounge socks,
which are perfect for some Sunday morning lazy funkiness.
It's happened to
all of us. After spending a few days in your fancy hotel room,
you like the bed, lamp, photographs, toothbrush holder etc etc so
much that you'd love to buy it for yourself. Hotels like
Starwood, Kimpton, Kor and W all offer guest room items for sale
and if you're looking for some hotel-inspired Christmas gifts,
check out the new Kimptonstyle.com website. The site has recently
undergone a makeover and added plenty of new items-
many of which
donate all proceeds directly to its charitable partner, Dress for
Success, a nationwide organization dedicated to offering
disadvantaged women the tools they need to make an impact in the
workplace. We liked these funky aluminium water bottles ($22-24)
as well as the bamboo bath accessories and zebra lounge socks,
which are perfect for some Sunday morning lazy funkiness.
50 Best Travel Websites of 2007
20 November 2007
]]>
50 Best Travel Websites of 2007
20 November 2007
This list is "a recognition of sites that have shown real innovation during 2007 and which have launched or improved their offerings to become truly worthy of being added to a favourites list....iTravel iShop is an excellent shopping guide and hotel review site we use regularly."
]]>
I wouldn't say I have Howard
Hughes levels of germ paranoia, but like most people I hate
touching things like bathroom doors and the handrails on the
subway. And if you're the kind of person who wouldn't dare leave
the house without your Purell, here's a package for you. The
Hotel
Providence (yes that's in Rhode Island which all the cool New
Englanders say is the next hot spot) is offering The Germaphobe's
Dream Package to help keep the flu at bay. This package includes
an overnight stay in a king size room along with a Germ
Eliminating Wand by Hammacher Schlemmer, which usess UV-C light to
eliminate 99% of bacteria and viruses. The idea is that guests
can bring the wand to their homes and offices
to rid it of germs. VIP turndown service will include a bowl of
chicken noodle soup and the book The Germ Freak's Guide to
Outwitting Colds and Flu: Guerrilla Tactics to Keep Yourself
Healthy at Home, at Work and in the World. Guest rooms
will also be stocked with Airborne, Purell,
antibacterial soap and vitamin drinks. We also assume the
bathroom will have plenty of tissues for touching door knobs on
the way out.
I wouldn't say I have Howard
Hughes levels of germ paranoia, but like most people I hate
touching things like bathroom doors and the handrails on the
subway. And if you're the kind of person who wouldn't dare leave
the house without your Purell, here's a package for you. The
Hotel
Providence (yes that's in Rhode Island which all the cool New
Englanders say is the next hot spot) is offering The Germaphobe's
Dream Package to help keep the flu at bay. This package includes
an overnight stay in a king size room along with a Germ
Eliminating Wand by Hammacher Schlemmer, which usess UV-C light to
eliminate 99% of bacteria and viruses. The idea is that guests
can bring the wand to their homes and offices
to rid it of germs. VIP turndown service will include a bowl of
chicken noodle soup and the book The Germ Freak's Guide to
Outwitting Colds and Flu: Guerrilla Tactics to Keep Yourself
Healthy at Home, at Work and in the World. Guest rooms
will also be stocked with Airborne, Purell,
antibacterial soap and vitamin drinks. We also assume the
bathroom will have plenty of tissues for touching door knobs on
the way out.
We always get a kick out of spa
treatments which have gone native, whether that's using ground
papaya in Mexico or coconut milk in the Caribbean. But here's an original one-
The Hilton Molino
Stucky Venice, a former 19th-century flour mill-turned-hotel
with a fab spa (pictured) has just launched a spa treatment
starring (you guessed it) flour. The Molino Flour Body Scrub uses
flour as an exfoliatior. The treatment involves an application of
grano saraceno (loosely translated as Indian Corn), a flour
selected for its unique balance of softness and coarseness, and
honey, which is applied and scrubbed all over the body. We think
this is a great idea- and hey, its even wheat and gluten free for
all you health nuts.
We always get a kick out of spa
treatments which have gone native, whether that's using ground
papaya in Mexico or coconut milk in the Caribbean. But here's an original one-
The Hilton Molino
Stucky Venice, a former 19th-century flour mill-turned-hotel
with a fab spa (pictured) has just launched a spa treatment
starring (you guessed it) flour. The Molino Flour Body Scrub uses
flour as an exfoliatior. The treatment involves an application of
grano saraceno (loosely translated as Indian Corn), a flour
selected for its unique balance of softness and coarseness, and
honey, which is applied and scrubbed all over the body. We think
this is a great idea- and hey, its even wheat and gluten free for
all you health nuts.
We were just
browsing the bestseller list at the always fab Foyles and
couldn't help notice this book- the new Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge by Lindy
Woodhead. Her book is a bio of the late, great Gordon Selfridge,
the founder of the eponymous department store on Oxford Street. He's been described as the P.T. Barnum of the retail
world and was born in Wisconsin (that's news to me). Selfridge was a marketing genius- he
coined the phrase ”˜the customer is always right' and managed to
drum up a shopping frenzy each year by ticking down the number of
shopping days until Christmas. Selfridge had a love of theatre
(and pretty actresses to boot) as well as drama, all of which he
incorporated into his displays the store. Woodhead's book is
available at Foyles, Amazon and major bookstores. ]]>We were just
browsing the bestseller list at the always fab Foyles and
couldn't help notice this book- the new Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge by Lindy
Woodhead. Her book is a bio of the late, great Gordon Selfridge,
the founder of the eponymous department store on Oxford Street. He's been described as the P.T. Barnum of the retail
world and was born in Wisconsin (that's news to me). Selfridge was a marketing genius- he
coined the phrase ”˜the customer is always right' and managed to
drum up a shopping frenzy each year by ticking down the number of
shopping days until Christmas. Selfridge had a love of theatre
(and pretty actresses to boot) as well as drama, all of which he
incorporated into his displays the store. Woodhead's book is
available at Foyles, Amazon and major bookstores.
]]>
In many ways I found shopping in Chiang Mai
to be far more enjoyable than Bangkok. The city's small scale
and rich history of craftsmanship- minus the choking pollution
and crowds- all chalk up to one stellar shopping experience.
Chiang Mai may not have the glossy mega malls with aquariums and
Ferrari showrooms that you'll find in Bangkok, but what it does have
is plenty of independent boutiques where it feels as if you're
shopping in someone's home. We found ourselves buying
way more items here than in the capital. Some of the
best buys include ceramics, silks, lacquerware and silver.
Read on to find where to shop and what to buy in Chiang
Mai.In many ways I found shopping in Chiang Mai
to be far more enjoyable than Bangkok. The city's small scale
and rich history of craftsmanship- minus the choking pollution
and crowds- all chalk up to one stellar shopping experience.
Chiang Mai may not have the glossy mega malls with aquariums and
Ferrari showrooms that you'll find in Bangkok, but what it does have
is plenty of independent boutiques where it feels as if you're
shopping in someone's home. We found ourselves buying
way more items here than in the capital. Some of the
best buys include ceramics, silks, lacquerware and silver.
Read on to find where to shop and what to buy in Chiang
Mai.
Wit's Collection is located on
Nimmanhemin Street,
a great one-stop shopping location for good design (the street
also hosts an annual Arts & Design Promenade). Out of all the
stores on the street, Wit's is our favourite. The shop showcases
the work of Parisian artist Fabienne Jouvin, who has a whimsical
and modern approach to ceramics. This is one
of those stores where you want to buy absolutely everything in
site- if only your luggage can handle it.
1F
Chiang Mai
Phone: + 66 (53)
217544
Opened in 1995, Living Space is housed in a
two story teak house, so shopping here makes you feel as if
you're browsing through a stylish home. Anglo-French owner
Jennifer Dyson has stocked Living Space with a gorgeous selection
of lacquer products (the best we saw in Chiang Mai). Her lacquer
comes from Thailand and Vietnam and the colours are a vibrant orange, turquoise and lime.
Upstairs, Living Space also houses a small outpost of the trendy
Ginger boutique, which sells stylish women's
clothing.
276-278 Thaphae Road
Chiang Mai
Phone: + 66 (53) 874299
Vaniche
I'm a sucker for a good silk product (after
all I have purchased about 30 silk cushions in my travels even
though I only have one sofa). One of the loveliest silk stores we
came across in Chiang Mai is Vaniche. If you love the silk
cushions at stores like ABC Carpet in New York or Liberty in London, you'll love the stock
here. Designs are geometric and sleek with lots of stripes and
not a kitschy elephant design in site. In addition to the cushion
covers, Vaniche also sells silk accessories such as notebooks and
travel bags.
Nimman Promenade
Nimmanahaeminda
Rd., Soi 4
Chiang Mai
Phone: +66 53 213 910
Ginger
This stylish boutique would look equally at
home in Soho or tucked away on LA's Roberston Boulevard. Ginger
stocks well-cut tunics and jewellery in eye popping colours,
without a hint of craftsy cuteness- perfect for those who like a
boho chic look with the emphasis on chic. Danish owner
Hans Christensen owns another chic place in town- the
House Restaurant on 99 Moonmuang Road.
Ginger
6/21 Th Nimmanheimin
Chiang Mai
Phone:+66 (53)21 5635
If you are on the hunt for silk, head to Villa Cinci. This
boutique sells a gorgeous selection of contemporary silk
accessories, ranging from ties and cushions to bags. Upstairs
silk can be bought by the metre. There's also a Vila Cini in The
Mandarin Oriental Shopping Arcade. Top tip: just next door to
Vila Cini is Oriental Silk, which is definitely worth a look for
its cotton fabrics and teak furniture.
30 Charoenrat Road
Chiang Mai
Phone: +66 (53) 246246
Siam Celadon
Every third shop in Chiang Mai seems to sells
celadon pottery but one of our favourite stores is Siam Celadon.
The boutique sells a small but lovely selection of celadon
plates, tea sets and vases as well as gigantic floor cushions and
bedspreads. There's also an in-house café, perfect for a cooling
drink. Top tip: Baan Celadon on Chiang Mai-San Kampaeng Road near the Mandarin Oriental is also worth a look, and sells seconds at up to 80%
off.
Siam Celadon
38 Moo10
Chiangmai
Phone: +66 (53) 331526
Mandarin Oriental
Dhara Dhevi Shopping Arcade
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
51/4 Chiang Mai
Sankampaeng Road Moo 1 T. Tasala A. Muang,
Phone: +66 (53) 888 888
www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai/
This rambling, two-story space showcases contemporary art from
Thai, Malaysian, Vietnamese, and Burmese artists. Everything from
paintings to furniture and ceramics is on sale, and those on a
budget will find the art extremely well priced. Before you go,
browse through the website to help you narrow your choices. The
owner is also quite chatty and informative.
La Luna Gallery
190 Charoenrajd Rd., T. Watgate, A. Muang,
Chiang Mai
Phone: +66 (53) 306678
www.lalunagallery.com