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On November 5Katie Goldstein answered the question:
Retaining its beauty for being a historically charming city, Montreal has seen plenty of luxury hotel openings and restaurants that will have your mouth watering upon first glance. Our Forbes Travel Guide editors had the chance to discover what's going on in this unique Canadian city. Here's what's new in Montreal:
Where to Stay
We finally had a chance to check out The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal, which celebrated its upcoming 100th anniversary with a four-year, $200 million renovation that began in 2008. The hotel reopened its doors this summer with an overhaul designed to integrate the old with the new and bring all the splendor of its past into the modern age. The makeover preserved and restored the building's façade, lobby, Palm Court and Oval Room — all while embodying the Belle Époque period. Historical elements like the front entrance, original crystal chandeliers and marble, as well as a winding staircase, maintain the hotel's heritage, while guest rooms marry the classic luxury of the Ritz with contemporary elegance.
But we couldn't help but revel in the cutting-edge technology in our room. The water closet really makes a splash (we loved the Toto toilet's heated seats and automatic lids). You can even customize your experience via a touchpad on the wall, which adjusts the toilet's cleansing, water temperature and drying options. In addition to these impressive $1,000 toilets, the bathrooms also employ air-purification systems, extra-deep tubs with flat-screen televisions, towel warmers, heated floors and counters, de-fogging mirrors, and of course a rain shower filled with high-end toiletries.
The rest of the room features similar state-of-the-art technology: window shades that adjust with the touch of a button, thermostats that remember your climate preferences and light sensors that know when you enter the room. These amenities are sure to impress the most seasoned travelers — and the most eco-conscious. The renovations emphasized eco-friendly and energy saving measures. You'll love it so much you just might want to move in — and you can. Luxury condos and condo-suites on the property are available for purchase through Sotheby's International Realty.
Where to Shop
"La Grande Dame" of Montreal, as The Ritz is affectionately known locally, has impressed socialites and celebrities like Presidents Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush, and the Rolling Stones for nearly a century. The original Hollywood power couple, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor even tied the knot back in 1964 in the Royal Suite. If you can't afford the same lush accommodations (it runs between $7,000 and $10,000 per night), you can still impress your sweetie with some Liz-like baubles at the newly opened Tiffany & Co. located right on The Ritz-Carlton's property. The 2,000-square-foot store is reminiscent of the iconic Fifth Avenue location in New York and is sure to make you feel like a star the moment you arrive. Whether you're in the market for some classic Tiffany silver, some of its new, acclaimed Rubedo metal or even an engagement ring, there is something for every occasion and every budget.
If you are looking for other high-end shopping, head to Montreal's premier department store, Holt Renfrew. The store is packed with premium brands like Chanel, Hermès, Gucci, and all your other favorite international designers. However, if you are looking to shop like a real Montreal local, visit the Plateau. Shopping and strolling along Saint Denis and Saint Laurent Boulevard will give you an authentic Montreal feel. Be sure to stop at Zone on Saint Denis, which offers unique home goods, but also jewelry, watches, books and bags.
Where to Eat
Star chef Daniel Boulud recently opened his first venture in Montreal, Maison Boulud. The restaurant serves locally sourced French cuisine from an open-concept kitchen. The menu is creative and adds a modern twist to classic French cuisine. The space is located in The Ritz-Carlton and also blends the hotel's ideals of modernism with a warm and classic feel. Tokyo's inventive design team, Super Potato, mixed its minimalist Asian design concept with classic touches to achieve the perfect trendy hot spot. Boulud actually played a large part in the design as well, adding personal touches like fabric he handpicked for the walls, as well as a "crystal" chandelier composed of wine goblets. A very special part of Maison Boulud that was retained from the original space is the hotel’s famed terrace and pond, complete with baby ducklings.
In a town ripe with foodies, there are so many great restaurants just waiting to delight. What many tourists don't know is that many of Montreal's most well respected restaurants offer late-evening menus (cleverly coined "Dine After Nine") for gourmands looking to indulge their appetites without breaking their bank accounts. This way you can eat at the chicest restaurants for a fraction of the price. We highly recommend Leméac's late night menu. Also, a must for any manly appetite is Au Pied du Cochon, which is famous for its massive plates of charcuterie and its signature duck in a can.
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On September 18Katie Goldstein answered the question:
What is the best day trip from Chiang Mai?
Guided day trips that commonly include lunch, visits to a butterfly farm and elephant camp and a ride down the peaceful Ping River on a bamboo raft are popular with travelers based in Chiang Mai who only have a few days to spare in northern Thailand. However, if you have more time to explore this lush part of the country, Forbes Travel Guide’s editors think a visit to the Golden Triangle in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province is the best excursion from Chiang Mai.
The Golden Triangle, where you can straddle the Thailand, Laos and Burma borders at the meeting of the Ruak and Mekong rivers, is only about a 2-3 hour drive from Chiang Mai. Once infamous for its connection to the opium trade, today the Golden Triangle captivates visitors with postcard-perfect scenery and a breathtaking ambience found aboard boat rides along the Mae Khong River. Yes, it’s all gotten to be a bit touristy, but we still think it’s a worthwhile stop on any tour of Thailand.
Be sure to visit the Hall of Opium while you’re there to get a history of the old opium trade and to learn about the plant’s cultivation process, and on your journey to the Golden Triangle consider stopping to soak your feet in the Mae Kajan Hot Springs. -
On September 18Katie Goldstein answered the question:
What is the best thing to bring home from Chiang Mai?
Whether it’s a scarf, shawl, pillow case or tie, Forbes Travel Guide’s editors feel you can’t leave Chiang Mai – or Thailand, for that matter – without purchasing something made from the country’s famous silk, which is woven by hand and in its finished state has an unmistakably Thai style. You’ll have no trouble finding silk items for sale in Chiang Mai – the Night Bazaar is a good place to browse and bargain – and if you wish to simply purchase the silk itself, stop in one of the many fabric and tailor shops to buy a couple yards of it at prices far more affordable than what you’ll find back home. -
On September 18Katie Goldstein answered the question:
What are the five best Chiang Mai food experiences?
While Bangkok may be the unofficial food capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai is the best city in the northern part of the country to get a tasty tour of the region’s distinct, often super-spicy cuisine. Don’t leave without indulging Forbes Travel Guide’s editors’ picks for five of the best food experiences in Chiang Mai:
1. Sai Krok. These plump, juicy little sausages made from either pork or beef and mixed with fresh herbs are widely available from street vendors throughout the city. Bursting with flavor and usually served with a small bag of fresh veggies, sai krok is one of Chiang Mai’s must-try specialties.
2. Jackfruit. Native to Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia, jackfruit is a massive tropical fruit that tastes somewhat like a tart banana. You can buy it in the street in its fleshy, freshly chopped-up state, or get it canned or dried in a supermarket. Our favorite way to enjoy jackfruit, however, is in a spicy salad that’s served at just about every Thai restaurant in the city.
3. Khao Niaow Ma Muang. This rich, refreshing dish made with fresh mangos, coconut sticky rice and coconut milk is commonly enjoyed either for breakfast or dessert, but once you’ve tried this classic Thai treat we can pretty much guarantee you’ll strongly consider having it for every meal of the day.
4. Street Food. This is a somewhat broad recommendation, but eating like the locals and grabbing a plastic bag of freshly squeezed fruit juice, a just-mixed som tam (green papaya salad) with sticky rice or any number of grilled meats on a stick is a quintessential Chiang Mai food experience – and one of the cheapest ones, too.
5. Khantoke Dinner. Bring your appetite for a traditional khantoke meal, which consists of several plates of northern Thai cuisine including various curries, noodles, meats and sauces. Many of these meals also include cultural performances, depending on where you go. -
On September 18Katie Goldstein answered the question:
Where is the best nightlife in Chiang Mai?
The nightlife scene in laid-back Chiang Mai is considerably tamer than that of, say, Bangkok, but if you still have some energy to burn after a long day of sightseeing you’ll have no trouble finding a mellow bar serving cold, cheap bottles of Chang and Leo beer, nightclubs with dance floors packed until the early morning hours or a karaoke bar to belt out a song or three in the company of locals and tourists alike. For the highest concentration of all of the above, our Forbes Travel Guide editors recommend heading to the popular tourist areas on Moon Muang Road, near the Old City, and around the Night Bazaar on Loi Kroh Road, where you dance the night away at megaclubs like Mandalay or sip beers at any one of the many English-style pubs.
Correspondent
New York City, New York, USA
Katie Goldstein is a Forbes Travel Guide correspondent who lives in New York City and covers Koh Samui, Thailand, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, for Startle. Goldstein works as a lawyer by day and a writer by night. She has written for numerous media outlets including WE TV, Fodor’s Travel and Fox News. She is also the founder of Smartypanties.com, a site that helps women on a budget live extravagant lifestyles by exploring when to save money and when to splurge. In her free time, Katie enjoys traveling the world and capturing her journeys through writing and photography.
