Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CNNGo.com

CNNGo.com

10 hotel rooms where history happened

Posted: 21 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

by Anthea Gerrie

The best hotel rooms don't just have history, they have stories.

At these you get a soft bed, an oversized tub and a chance to see through the eyes of some of history's cultural protagonists. 

Also on CNNGo: Best city hotel rooms with a view

1. Keith Richards' TV toss:
Andaz West Hollywood, United States


You'd never know from the sleek, modern lines that this was formerly the Continental Hyatt House -- a k a Riot House -- so nicknamed for the hair-raising antics of out-of-control rockers.

This is where Keith Richards threw a TV off his 11th floor balcony in 1975, Jim Morrison hung from a window by his fingertips and Axl Rose tossed steaks to crowds of adoring fans gathered outside on Sunset Strip.

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How to survive a Chinese drinking frenzy

Posted: 21 Feb 2012 01:57 PM PST

by Trista Baldwin

If you thought shotgunning a beer in under five seconds back in uni was the pinnacle of drinking prowess, you've probably never been properly ganbei'd.

China's version of "down the hatch" is a bit like the Power Hour, which involves repeated and prolonged shooting of small amounts of alcohol -- red wine if you're lucky, baijiu if you're not.

Though observed in all social circles, ganbei is particularly prominent in China's formal banquet culture, where business suits and government officials rub elbows, talk business and get completely sloshed.

Shanghai-based food and wine critic Lawrence Lo and a few seasoned ganbei-ers, shared the secrets of this thoroughly intoxicating custom. 

1. You're in, or you're out

While you're not obliged to chug the night away, it is tacitly expected at a business banquet.

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Tokyo’s classiest café brings back the butler

Posted: 21 Feb 2012 07:41 AM PST

by Brandi Goode

"Yes, my princess!"

These are the first words caressing my ears (more like assaulting, really -- these guys are super-genki) as I enter Butlers Café in Shibuya, a retreat for young females in search of a relaxing afternoon, an English lesson and most importantly, the chance to interact with friendly men. Friendly foreign men.

The surroundings call to mind a Victorian grandmother's sitting room, with classical music, ample accents of lace and more hearts and roses adorning the furniture than can possibly be counted.

Butlers Café is one of a growing band of similarly themed establishments in Tokyo, but it is the only one where English is the official language.

After interviewing 200 women on the streets of Shibuya nearly six years ago, owner Yuki Hirohata found that nearly all of them listed English conversation practice as a leading goal because they wanted to "communicate with foreigners."

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at 9:10 AM

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