Author Archive for Kay McMahon
Special feature: Crowne Plaza, Changi Airport, Singapore
By Kay McMahon on Dec 03, 2010 in Accommodation, Air Travel, Asia, Hotels, Regions, Singapore, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany
Why would anyone want to stay at an airport hotel? Prior to having the pleasure of staying at the Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport, the only answer to that question which I could have come up with would have been “convenience”. Sometimes you’ll stay at an airport hotel just to be handy for moving on 
Special feature: Wangz Hotel, Singapore
By Kay McMahon on Dec 01, 2010 in Asia, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Singapore, Special Features, Travel Miscellany
The Wangz Hotel, 231 Outram Road, Singapore is an amazing new boutique hotel and quite different from anywhere I’ve ever stayed before. I highly recommend it! Let me tell you why. This barrel-shaped building is noticeable from a distance in its urban oasis in the heritage area of Tiong Bahru. There are 41 guest rooms, 
Interview with Simon Rindlisbacher, Hotel Manager of The Rembrandt, Bangkok
By Kay McMahon on Nov 12, 2010 in Accommodation, Asia, Europe, Hotels, Interviews, Regions, Singapore, South America, Switzerland, Thailand, Travel Miscellany, Venezuela, Western Europe
The Rembrandt Hotel and Towers, one of the most renowned hotels in Bangkok, has undergone a new makeover this year. This also resulted in the promotion of Simon P. Rindlisbacher to the position of Hotel Manager – one of the youngest hotel managers in town. Simon’s rise in the ranks has been quite meteoric. From his Enjoy a luxury Christmas break in London
By Kay McMahon on Oct 19, 2010 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Enjoy Christmas in style in London’s most iconic luxury hotels. Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley are celebrating the festive season with two-night packages featuring the finest traditional festive fare from 24th-26th December 2010 and romantic horse-drawn carriage rides through the British capital on Christmas morning – complete with hot chocolate and marshmallows! There’s lots on Two Thai taste temptations
The Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine and Harvey Norman, the cooking appliance specialist, are hosting a special event on 17th November 2010 at the Gourmet Institute. Chef Martin Boetz, one of the world’s leading practitioners of modern Thai cuisine, will be cooking up traditional street-style favourites such as mee grob, crisp rice noodles with prawns, andMelbourne Food & Wine Festival
By Kay McMahon on Oct 13, 2010 in Australia, Events, Food and Drink, Oceania, Regions, Travel Miscellany
Tickets are now on sale for events at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which will be held from 4th to 14th March 2011. They have a seriously good line-up of chefs and winemakers, and the festival is set to be a gastronomic joyride. As well as masterclasses, demonstrations, dinners and other events, the festival Ladies Golf Classic at Magenta Shores in New South Wales
By Kay McMahon on Sep 11, 2010 in Accommodation, Australia, Leisure Travel, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel
You are invited to the inaugural Ladies Golf Classic at Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, Magenta, New South Wales. The ladies-only event will be held on Friday 15th October 2010 and tickets cost $129 per person. To book: call Chantelle Veness (02) 4332 4411 or email [email protected]. Book early as there is a limit of Guy Grossi Pasta Evening in Sydney
By Kay McMahon on Sep 10, 2010 in Australia, Events, Food and Drink, Oceania, Regions, Travel Miscellany
The Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine and Harvey Norman, the cooking appliance specialist, invite you to a Harvey Norman Gourmet Institute special pasta event at Domayne’s Alexandria store in Sydney on 13th October 2010. Top chef Guy Grossi will cook duck and wild mushroom filled tortellini with caramelised pear and fettuccine with calamari ragù. Tickets cost $55 
Sydney Seafood School: October 2010 classes
By Kay McMahon on Sep 02, 2010 in Australia, Events, Food and Drink, Oceania, Regions, Travel Miscellany
You have to be fairly quick off the mark if you want to book a place at the renowned Sydney Seafood School (SSS) at the Sydney Fish Market. Most of the September classes are already fully booked. So get your skates on and book your plaice soon (sorry!) if you want to book for an 
Caithness Smokehouse - a journey to the end of the isle
By Kay McMahon on Aug 06, 2010 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
I will go to the ends of the earth to uncover gems and gourmet delights for ALTB readers. This time I went to the very north of Scotland to the Caithness Smokehouse in Barrock. Barrock is only about five miles from Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain, and about three hours of Bangkok Update - July 2010
After the recent political upheaval in Bangkok and civil disruptions, which resulted in many deaths and a large amount of destruction to property, I was a bit wary of what we might find in the Ratchaprasong district. This is the business and shopping area where the red shirt protesters created a no-go area with barricadesPattaya for the luxury traveller
By Kay McMahon on Jun 29, 2010 in Accommodation, Asia, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Thailand
I was inspired to write this article by a comment made by Nick P on another of my articles on ALTB. Pattaya is much maligned, even by expats who live in Thailand. Those of us who live, or have lived, in Patters are the butt of many jokes. You’ll have heard the one about the 
Going Down Under: Christmas in July!
If you’re in Australia and fancy a proper winter Yuletide celebration rather than the usual Christmas summer barbie, then why not enjoy Christmas in July? Visit Peppers Manor House, Southern Highlands (south of Sydney) on 3rd July 2010 for a spectacular Christmas feast. Accommodation is available, in addition to the five-course gourmet dinner at $95
Hilton Brisbane's Masterclass Weekend
By Kay McMahon on Jun 25, 2010 in Accommodation, Australia, Events, Food and Drink, Hotels, Oceania, Regions, Travel Miscellany
The Hilton Brisbane has been running its foodie Masterclasses since 1995, and this year is no exception. This year’s event will be held on the 24th and 25th of July 2010. Tickets cost $350 for one day or $595 for two days. The Hilton is also offering special hotel packages for the Masterclass Weekend. There 
