Beyond Beijing

It’s all about Asia – certainly when it comes to sating the travel desires of your well-seasoned luxury clients. These days, many affluent travelers are interested in moving beyond such iconic destinations as Beijing to explore some of Asia’s more off-the-beatenpath cities. Over the holidays, I spent several weeks visiting two such cities: Chengdu, China and Seoul, Korea.

My journey began in Chengdu, on my first visit to the Sichuan region. Although Chengdu is China’s fourth largest city – nonstop flights are available from New York-JFK, Los Angeles and San Francisco – many travelers are not familiar with it.

As in any destination, strong relationships with your supplier partners can enhance your experience here. Kurt Macher, the general manager of The Temple House in Chengdu, met me at the airport and drove me to the property, where I stayed in the 3,000-squarefoot duplex Penthouse Suite with sweeping views of the city. Consider recommending this luxury property to your clients who are looking for accommodations that reflect the flavor of their surroundings. Named after the nearby Daci Temple, The Temple House pays homage to Chengdu’s historic buildings with Bitieshi, a restored Qing dynasty courtyard.

Thanks to Kurt, I was able to experience Hot Pot cuisine, a Sichuan region specialty, at one of his favorite restaurants. The next morning we set out to visit the fascinating Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. We finished our day at the Daci Temple near The Temple House.

Of course, there’s something to be said for incorporating more traditional Asian destinations into a trip. From Chengdu, I made my way to Hong Kong to visit SmartFlyer’s favorite hotel, The Upper House. The general manager, Marcel Thoma, met me for breakfast at the property’s sky-high restaurant with his two-year-old twins, Kate and James, who have grown a lot since last I saw them!

In Seoul, I stayed at the Andre Fu-designed Four Seasons. The city is a gem, which you would be well served to recommend to your clients as part of their Asia itineraries. A visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone is a must, where they’ll see North and South Korean soldiers staring one another down.

My visit concluded with a dinner at the go-to Korean barbeque spot of Lubosh Barta, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, followed by a nightcap at the hotel’s famous Charles H. speakeasy.

Remember – relationships matter. For 2018, make it a goal to get to know the people who make the magic happen at hotels – and they will be more inclined to make magic happen for your clients.

“These days, many affluent travelers are interested in moving beyond such iconic destinations as Beijing to explore some of Asia’s more off-thebeaten-path cities.”