Liam Brazier is a freelance illustrator with an impressive roster of clients (think Samsung, the Museum of London, Virgin TV). Love his geometrical digital renderings of comic heroes and sci-fi legends.

40 years ago in 1971, the Shangri-La opened its very first hotel in Singapore, eventually spreading out into 72 hotels and resorts around the globe cultivating an effortless lavishness. It is a glamorous place that doesn’t need try too hard, but still exudes extravagance in every way.

Luxury Meter

The first thing one notices upon arriving at the Shangri-La is the service. It isn’t ingratiating. It isn’t over the top. It’s efficient and attentive, with genuinely helpful staff who all seem to be fluent in multiple languages. With exclusive services like complimentary buffet breakfasts and grand meeting facilities, the Shangri-La also charmed us with fine details like in-room extras and happy hour drinks at the top-floor lounge.

Wow Factor

Take the L’Occitane bath products for instance, or the regular appearance of a basket in the early evening containing tea for two and a teapot ensconced in fabric to keep it toasty. It was a delightful treat to come back to after a busy day of sightseeing, making us feel pampered in an unfussy way.

Another unusual detail? Every night while the guests slumber, the Shangri-La staff are busy at work switching out all the carpets on the floors of the elevators to signify the appropriate upcoming day of the week.

Culinary Prowess

The four restaurants at the Shangri-La offer different cuisines and moods. BLU is an award-winning restaurant serving modern European cuisine and headed by renowned chef Kevin Cherkas, while Nadaman specializes in Japanese kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, that is honed by the skills of chef Koichi Ota.

The Line Buffet is made up of 16 distinct culinary stations and boasts a wealth of savory and sweet treasures to satisfy a diverse range of taste buds. (Vegas has nothing on this buffet!)

A go-to location for banquets and events, the Shang Palace specializes in Cantonese cuisine in a more upscale, opulent setting. Traditional foods are served with a twist like Wok Fried Mixed Vegetables with Truffles and Pumpkin, Japan Wagyu Beef with Shimeiji Mushrooms and Crispy Suckling Pig with Fragrant Shrimp Paste.

Tea Time

Designed with Chinese divination sticks in mind, those wishing to try a new tea simply shake a tube and select the stick that comes out. The names and details of various teas are written on each stick. We pulled the Red Tea. It was slightly sweetened and delicious.

A Relaxing Oasis

It’s very easy for hotels to become outdated and cast aside for the newest trendy place. The Shangri-La is very aware of that and is constantly improving and updating. Above all, I think this is what sets the Shangri-La apart from the rest. They spare no expense when it comes to service, facilities and talent. It’s more than how beautiful a hotel is; it’s how you are treated while you’re there. I left without feeling like a spoiled tourist. Although not usually one to spend time luxuriating at a hotel, another visit to Singapore may have me simply lounging at the Shangri-La all day!

Details

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road, 258350
Singapore
Tel: (65) 6737 3644

Meeeeooow! Looking for the perfect place for your kitty to rest her head? Then check out Studio Mango. A design group based in the Netherlands, they are sure to wow you.

google.com/landing/takeaction

Plastic surgeon Dr. Hajnal Kiprov is a doc with flashy business cards, complete with two rubber inserts in the card.

Love the stained glass look? Then check out this stained plexiglass house created by Tom Fruin. An installation artist born in Los Angeles and currently based in Booklyn, Tom created “Kolonihavehus”. Made of steel, found plexiglass, and paint, this colorful house was installed in the plaza of the Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen. So cool!

Looking for the hottest spots to check out in Seattle? Here are some places you won’t want to miss:

Sleep

A trendy haven for design aficionados and the aesthetically attune, Hotel Andra (2000 Fourth Avenue; 877/448-8600; doubles from $229) in Seattle’s Belltown district brims with sleek Scandinavian design. Don’t miss the hotel’s inventive restaurant, Lola, which serves up creative combinations of Greek and North African cuisine.

Alternatively, enjoy a complimentary wine hour each evening at Hotel Monaco (1101 Fourth Avenue; 800/715-6513; doubles from $179), plus your very own pet fish for the duration of your stay! Plush guest rooms are outfitted in colorful combinations, and the hotel is centrally located in the heart of downtown.

Eat

In a town known for fresh seafood, a visit to Elliott’s Oyster House (1201 Alaskan Way, Pier 56; 206/623-4340; dinner entrees $15-$40) is a must. Located on Pier 56 along Seattle’s charming waterfront, Elliott’s offers 30 varieties of oysters which can be enjoyed along with views of the bay.

For culinary artistry inspired by Southern French cuisine, hop over to Campagne Restaurant (86 Pine Street; 206/728-2800; dinner entrees $25-$50) nestled alongside Pike Place Market, with dishes prepared using the freshest of ingredients. For a less expensive alternative, try Cafe Campagne, (1600 Post Alley at Pine; 206/728-2233; dinner entrees $15-$23, prix-fixe 3-course menu $32/per person) the restaurant’s equally delicious cafe counterpart.

In search of great Asian fusion fare? At Wild Ginger (1401 Third Avenue; 206/623-4450; Satay Skewers $3.50-$6.50, dinner entrees $9-$19.50) you’ll discover a menu filled with Eastern Pacific Rim specialities like grilled satay skewers and coconut-based classics from Malaysia, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.

See

If it’s your first time to Seattle, you simply must swing by the Space Needle (Seattle Center, 400 Broad Street; 206/623-4340) and ride the elevator up 605 feet to the top for a 360 degree view of the city.

For return visitors, a less touristy alternative is Olympic Sculpture Park (2901 Western Avenue; 206/654-3100; free). Here you can stroll among works of art with a backdrop of the Space Needle and Elliott Bay stretching out in front of you.

At Kubota Garden, (9817 55th Avenue S.; 206/684-4584; free) the most impressive of Seattle’s Japanese gardens, you can stroll 20 stunning acres of hills and valleys featuring waterfalls, serene ponds, red moon bridges, and rock footpaths. This stunning showcase of Japanese aesthetics was designed by self-taught garden designer Fujitaro Kubota.

Arguably the country’s most architecturally stunning public library, the Seattle Central Library (1000 Fourth Avenue; 206/386-4636; free) is a haven of glass and natural light. Resembling precariously stacked glass boxes from outside, inside it’s filled with unique gems: cutting-edge art installations, an entire floor painted completely red, and spongy chairs.

Finally be sure not to miss the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) (1300 First Avenue; 206/654-3100). With a rich sprinkling of modern art, glass art, African art and Asian art, SAM also showcases an impressive collection of Oceanic and Australian Aboriginal art, as well as a substantial treasure trove of Pacific Northwest art.

Shop

For individually crafted jewelry, unusual toys, art books, designer housewares, and museum-inspired gifts, be sure to stop by SAM Shop (1300 First Avenue; 206/654-3120).

Only in Seattle would food be an attraction. Pike Place Market (corner of First Avenue and Pike Street) is a foodie’s paradise, brimming with local vendors selling goodies like cherry truffles, honeycombs, cheese, and other gourmet snacks, in addition to flowers, handmade soap, jewelry, and more.

With its plentiful art collections, stylish shops, and upscale establishments, Seattle will leave you feeling culturally satisfied.

Looking for a handy little travel aid kit? When packing up all those pesky provisions of medicine and travel-sized toiletries for a recent trip, I came across a compact travel aid kit filled with all the necessary travel bits. I’m talking bandages, antiseptic, earplugs, a pill tube, a miniature sewing kit, buttons, tweezers, tiny scissors, a compass-thermometer and a bunch of other useful items all in one place (and weighing only 3.5 ounces)!

Travel Aid Kit
Rick Steves’ Travel Store
$19.95 (currently on sale for $15.95)

Painting with explosive use of color, Francoise Nielly lives and works in Paris, although she grew up in the south of France.

1. Crystal Cave Rock Ring: Glitzy to the max, this one of a kind glittering ring makes a rockin’ gift!
FredFlare.com, $20.

2. Silver Orbital Drop Earrings: These versatile earrings are funky and flashy at the same time.
Jones New York, $28.

3. Fish Hotel: How cool is this fish tank?
Crate & Barrel, $29.95.

4. Festive Christmas Tree Hat: The perfect hat for a tree trimming party, right? So adorable!
FredFlare.com, $34.

5. Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase: This flowery vase has an organic underwater spirit to it.
Anthropologie, $28.

6. Peas USB Hub: How cute! A four-hub USB 2.0 plug for all your devices.
MoMA Store, $32.

7. GingerDead Men Cookie Cutter: Now you can bake your very own undead gingerbread men.
FredFlare.com, $9.

8. Sushi Memo Set: Scribble all your raw thoughts on this paper assortment of sushi. Toro, maguro, tamago, and salmon sushi, respectively.
MoMA Store, $18.95.