Washed Ashore in Antigua: Lodging

If you find yourself shipwrecked in the middle of the Carribean swim towards Antigua. The island has a multitude of hotels, resorts and even a casino all should avoid. But for the more seasoned traveller there are two options: the long standing Curtain Bluff and its next door neighbor the new flashier Carlisle Bay.

At first glance one would think that Curtain Bluff is a throwback to an earlier era, not keeping up with the times but that is where one would be mistaken. The hotel has a retro james bond-esque charecter and is what a resort should be. The food however (lunch mainly), could be a bit better but thankfully the open bar mixes them strong as well as a continuous onshore breeze.

If you are looking for a London meets Miami and New York style hotel/resort Carlisle Bay is your place. The hotel is incredibly sleek and has a Zen feel to it, complete with koi ponds large open air public spaces. It is owned by the same people that run One Aldwych in London. The beach and Bay itself are also seductive. But be warned, there are bugs but I don't think that they bother the couples here on dirty long weekends.

Either way forget St. Bling, St. Borrowed, and St. Silicones and head south for Antigua.

NYC/LA: EAT in the East, Joans in the West

When in NYC, E.A.T. on the U.E.S. is the B.E.S.T. We are not sure what all the periods represent but it must mean something good. If you surround yourself with the self-indulged than E.A.T. is the place to get a diversion from them and sample Eli Zabar's simple incredible cuisine. Mirrored walls make sure you can look at yourself or other over your lunch partners back while they drone on about things that mean nothing in the long run. All the while you can devour the best bread basket this side north of the defunt Bouley Baker or Balthazar and this side East of the Seine. There is a reason its been going since 19XX-something. Be sure and try the Ham and Cheese Quiche. Follow it up with a visit to any of the Museums in the surrounding area and you’ve got yourself a good first date if need be.

On the West Side, Joan's on Third is a the LA equivalent. Generally younger and better looking crowd (actress here, producer there, wanna bes - not really there thank god). Great chicken sandwich with nuts.

+E.A.T. 1064 Madison Avenue, NYC +1 212 772 0022
+Joan's On Third, 8350 West Third Street, LA +1 323 655 2285

Best Credit Card (US) for Mileage Hounds

"Why love only one when you can love many", a billboard for polygym read outside of Salt Lake City on a recent trip I took. Good advice in some instances. The Starwood American Express is the best for mileage hounds. You can earn points in the Starwood preferred guest program which can be transfered on a 1:1 basis to most major US and International Airline programs so your not tied to any one airlines program. Perfect when planning your next trip to Utah.

London: Whats Happening

Gym:
KXGYMUK - Best gym in town. Located in South Kensington. Better than Equinox, LA Sports Club or anything stateside. More expensive than a giesha or a day paying J-Lo's shopping bills.
+KXGYMUK 151 Draycott Avenue London SW3 3AL Tel: 020 7584 5333

Sounds:
LCD Soundsystem.
The Bravery.
Cabin Crew remix of 'Waiting for a Star to Fall' and Kylie's 'Can't Stop Giving you Up' keep the eurobeat moving. Don't worry you won't be listening to these songs in two weeks.
Charlotte Ronson's Bomb Over Bagdad / Roses (Ronson Refit) set over Franz Ferdinandz Take Me Out is legendary.
Jem continues to remain great.
VHS or Beta's 'Melting Moon' has rifts of the Cure running through it.

Places: Zuma for overpriced sushi. Some nasty matches can be found at L'Equipe Anglais (flip them over and you'll see what I mean). Bouji is London's Marquee. Umbaba is club that looks like an African Hunting Lodge. East London's Shoreditch and Islington continue to pound to the drums of Brit-Indy Rock. The Hoxton Bar is London's Don Hill's 80s night.
+Zuma, 5 Raphael Street, London, SW7 1DL Tel: 0871 075 1716
+Umbaba 15-21- Ganton Street, London W1F
+L'Equipe Anglaise, 21-23 Duke Street, London

April 2006 Update: Cukoo Club is London's Marquee although fading fast. Bouji's remains decent on a Tuesday or Friday night but is obnoxious otherwise. For the latest W4 click here.

OnTheCheap: Vonage is the best way to call the states. All you need is a high speed internet connection and you can plug the box in worldwide.