Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Pierre
We get it: December and July have obvious qualities that most folks simply can’t resist. But with all of the Christmas joy and fireworks found on those parts of the calendar, there doesn’t seem to be much excitement for months such as May — even though brilliant weather, barbecues and baseball fill most of its 31 days. If you happen to fall in the category that saves all its celebrations for June or November, here are five reasons why May should be reconsidered in future plans.
It’s been said that Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza is the United States’ first shopping center built with the automobile in mind. It’s a great thing it was, too, because every parking spot will be needed for this year’s Plaza Live! Courtyard Concerts, a popular series of performances from local and regional pop, country and rock acts every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 1 through September 28 in various spots around the shops. When you finally tire from all the music, make your way to The Raphael Hotel, a 126-room Four-Star beauty sitting mere footsteps from all the revelry.
Though the planet’s finest Cantonese cuisine is found around Hong Kong and Macau, man cannot live on dim sum and pork knuckles alone. Luckily, when the palate calls for something new this month, Le French GourMay festival will have a few things cooked up for a change of pace. Taking place May 2-31 at more than 250 restaurants, hotels and events around Hong Kong and Macau, this French food and wine extravaganza will overwhelm the Far East with Western flavors. While nearly impossible to nibble at all the fest’s tastings and workshops, we highly suggest booking your seating for Pierre Gagnaire’s special four- or seven-course menu at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong’s Five-Star Pierre throughout the month. (The famed chef will be in residence himself from May 16-22.) In addition, the Five-Star hotel’s Café Causette will create a bouchon-style pop-up bistro to further set a Lyon-inspired mood along the Pacific.
Southernmost On The Beach
Spectacular sunsets, chianti on the sand and world-class hotels are usually all that tourists need to hear about to head down to Key West for a vacation, but with the 19th annual Key West Songwriters Festival tuning up, a visit sounds even sweeter this month. From May 7-11, some of the finest country singers (Kacey Musgraves, Robert Earl Keen, Sara Evans) will light up beaches, bars and historic theaters all around the city. Special room rates at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Southernmost on the Beach and Four-Star La Mer Hotel and Dewey House ensure that the good times keep rolling long after the last chord has been struck on stage.
With 48 floors of world-class gaming, dining and accommodations, Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Revel doesn’t have to do much else to capture your attention. The dazzling Atlantic City property is merely showing off with its impressive lineup of live entertainment slated for the month. International music superstar Julio Iglesias leads things off on May 3 at the Ovation Hall. A menagerie of other famed acts, ranging from hip-hop producing giant Just Blaze (May 3) to Alice in Chains (May 9) and Rusted Root & The Wailers (May 24), fills other dates. Bill Cosby will take the stage on May 17, offering his trademark blend of political humor and social commentary that will have everyone in stitches.
If you’ve never seen what $240 million looks like, make your way to Safeco Field for a Seattle Mariners game, where you’ll find the fairly well-off Robinson Cano patrolling second base for the M’s. Though Seattle has gotten off to a tepid start, May series versus Tampa Bay (May 12-14), the L.A. Angels (May 26-29) and Detroit (May 30-June 1) will undoubtedly thrill. In the event all of the drama on the diamond leaves you exhausted, catch a great night’s rest at Four-Star Hotel 1000, a relaxed boutique property exuding Pacific Northwest ambience just a mile from the ballpark.
Photos Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Southernmost Resorts
