February 5, 2012

Zipping through Zurich

zurich river

It was a two-and-a-half day whirlwind business trip to Zurich. No, I wasn't among the elite heading for Davos but rather attending the Horasis annual meeting of CEOs and other executives concerned with sustainable growth. It was full of stimulating conversation with only a fraction of the stress of the gathering up the mountain. The Horasis … [Read more...]

The Latest from San Francisco

GG Bridge small

I made a quick business trip to San Francisco the week before last. It was great to spend a couple of days on the left coast just as it was getting cool back east. I was sorry to see that one of my old favorite restaurants, 1550 Hyde, had closed. It was a great neighborhood spot serving local, organic food. It has been replaced by Seven Hills which … [Read more...]

The English Muffin Club

cary grant

Following on the hotel breakfast post I thought I'd share this tidbit from the IMDB file on Cary Grant: Cary Grant once phoned hotel mogul Conrad Hilton in Istanbul, Turkey, to find out why his breakfast order at the Plaza Hotel, which called for muffins, came with only one and a half English muffins instead of two. When Grant insisted that the … [Read more...]

NY Nights: One City, Three Hotels

Grand Central Clock

I've made three trips to New York City in the past few weeks and that has given me the opportunity to sample three new hotels: Kimpton's Ink 48, Thompson's 6 Columbus, and Choice Hotel's Gem. Yes, I am a promiscuous business traveler and this gallivanting was driven by curiosity, budget, and location. Manhattan hotel prices swing wildly week … [Read more...]

London, New York Reviews Coming Soon

Picadilly Circus tiles

It has been a busy few weeks but fear not, my latest travel intelligence is on the way soon including my stays at Brown's and The Gore in London and Ink48 and Columbus 6 in New York, my experience on BA, and several fabulous meals. Watch for the updates in the next few days. … [Read more...]

New Postings in London, New York, and San Francisco

Buckingham Palace sm

The Nomads have been busy. Check out the new restaurant listings in three great cities: London, New York, and San Francisco. Have you been to Benu? Dovetail? Graham Elliot's? Coming soon, our report on Florence, Italy. What new restaurants, shops, and hotels have you discovered recently? Please share. … [Read more...]

Saturday Night Stayover — The Cotswolds

Bway 3

If you are facing a weekend in London, there is plenty to do in town. However, why not consider a bit of time in the country? The Cotswolds offer quintessentially charming rolling, sheep-filled meadows, rambling gardens, and honey-toned stone cottages. Best of all, they're just about 90 minutes from central London. The Cots are served regularly … [Read more...]

Waiters Without Wine Knowledge Shouldn’t Serve It

Couple glasses

Perhaps it is the unrelenting heat and humidity here in the northeast but it is pet peeve time here at Executive Nomad: it's time for bar waiters to learn their wine lists. Last week, I met colleagues at Woodward, the bar at the new Ames Hotel in Boston. The setting was lovely. We sat in the quiet second floor bar in comfortable club chairs … [Read more...]

Checking out the Main Event(i)

hoteleventiroom

There's a new Kimpton in town (NYC, that is), the Eventi. I stopped there for a night recently to check it out. Its location is ideal if you are traveling by train as it is close by Penn Station though the immediate neighborhood still doesn't offer a lot of diversions beyond that.  Just south, however, is the heart of Chelsea and the Flatiron … [Read more...]