Style mavens ready to check into exclusive world of Mr & Mrs Smith
No, they are not a couple and their names aren't Smith. But the boutique hotel experts behind the Mr & Mrs Smith guide were in town this week to launch its Asia-Pacific website with a lunch and cocktail party at Kee Club.
The guide's managing director, Simon Westcott, also revealed the panel of tastemakers chosen to critique and pick properties that are up to the Smith standard for a Southeast Asian guide to be released late next year.
Only two locals have been chosen, food and lifestyle writer Walter Kei Hiu-wah and couturier Barney Cheng Siu-lung (pictured). More may be added later.
The two appointed panelists will check in to properties with a significant other under their own names and 'make no link to Mr & Mrs Smith'. Then, they are supposed to stay at least two nights and test out all the establishment's offerings.
'I've always loved trying out new hotels and restaurants so this is nearly a perfect match for me,' Cheng said.
They will offer their own reviews, in addition to the Smith staff's write-up. Of course, it's supposed to be unbiased and anonymous.
So, that makes us wonder: why publicly name your tastemakers? And why recruit people whose familiar names will be immediately flagged for special attention by astute hotel staffers? Hmmm.
We checked out its website and so far only JIA Boutique Hotel in Causeway Bay has received the Smith stamp of approval.
