Advisor Story

By Kelly Chang, TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California The location alone would sell me on this one. Here is my honest, room-by-room look at the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, and how it compares to our other Kyoto stay. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto opened in 2014 on the banks of the Kamo River at Nijo-Ohashi in Nakagyo, a riverside spot favored by Japanese nobility since the 17th century, with views toward the Higashiyama Mountains. It has 134 rooms and suites, a desig

By Kelly Chang, TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California The Waldorf Astoria Osaka is the first Waldorf Astoria in Japan, and I got to tour the whole property. Here is my honest look at it. The Waldorf Astoria Osaka opened on April 3, 2025 as the brand's first hotel in Japan. It sits on levels 28 through 38 of the new Grand Green Osaka development in Umekita, steps from Osaka Station, with 252 rooms designed by the acclaimed architect Andre Fu. It has alrea

By Kelly Chang, TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California The Conrad Osaka was one of my favorite hotels of the entire trip, and I want to be honest about why. The design is stunning, but it was the people who made it unforgettable. The Conrad Osaka occupies the 33rd to 40th floors of Festival Tower West in the vibrant Nakanoshima area, one of Osaka's flashiest tower blocks. It opened in 2017, and word has it that Hilton's brief to architect Yukio Hashimoto

By Kelly Chang, TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California This is the hotel that taught me not to judge a stay by its exterior. Here is my honest, room-by-room look at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, and how it stacks up against its famous neighbor. Sofitel Ambassador Seoul opened on September 30, 2021 as the first Sofitel, and the first French luxury hotel, in South Korea. It has 403 rooms and suites plus 160 serviced residences, and it sits right on Seokchon Lak

By Kelly Chang, TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California I have stayed in a lot of hotels, but I have never woken up quite this high. Here is my honest, room-by-room look at SIGNIEL Seoul, and who I would book into it. This is a first hand review. SIGNIEL Seoul occupies floors 76 through 101 of the Lotte World Tower, a 555-meter, 123-story skyscraper that was the fifth-tallest building in the world when it opened and still ranks among the six tallest today,

By Kelly Chang, TripMatters, a VIRTUOSO travel agency in Tustin, California My husband and I traveled to Seoul for what started as a personal getaway, but I could not help approaching the trip with my advisor hat on. I wanted to understand the hotels, the neighborhoods, the way people actually get around, and most of all, who I would confidently send to Seoul and who I would gently steer somewhere else first. What I found was a city that rewards preparation and gives back exp

After more than four decades as a travel advisor, I'll admit I've grown a bit skeptical when cruise lines promise "personalized service." I've heard the pitch countless times. I've seen the marketing. What I really look for now are those genuine wow moments, the ones that linger long after you've unpacked your suitcase and returned to everyday life. So when I boarded my first Regent Seven Seas cruise to Alaska, I wasn't expecting to be surprised. I was wrong. It happened with

Waking up to howler monkeys and volcanic mist, I found a resort that proved nature and elegance can coexist perfectly. I've always believed that recommending a property without experiencing it firsthand is like describing a painting you've only seen in photographs. So when the opportunity arose to visit The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal in Costa Rica, I knew I had to go. I wanted to understand what makes this place special, to feel it for myself so I could share that feeli

From a private tango lesson in Buenos Aires to dancing alongside locals at a real milonga, I discovered why curated moments matter more than checking boxes. I've always believed that the best travel stories come from experiences you couldn't have planned yourself. That's what drew me to lead this curated group trip through Argentina, Chile, and Peru with three couples who trusted me to show them something deeper than the postcard version of South America. I needed to test the

After finally sailing from Copenhagen to Bergen on Silversea's Silver Dawn, I learned why timing and the right approach make all the difference in Scandinavia. Norway had been on my mind for years. The dramatic landscapes, the fjords cutting through ancient mountains, the promise of something both wild and wonderfully civilized. Last August, my husband and I finally made it happen. We boarded Silversea's Silver Dawn in Copenhagen and sailed our way to Bergen, and I went with

Maria Matthews Discovers Vietnam's Coastal Soul in Da Nang

When Kelly Chang returned to Taiwan to celebrate her wedding with family, she discovered hidden gems that reminded her why this island nation captivates every visitor. There's something magical about returning home with fresh eyes. When Kelly Chang flew back to Taiwan recently, it wasn't just another annual visit to see family—this time, she was celebrating her wedding the traditional way, sharing the joy with loved ones who couldn't make it to her ceremony in the States. "My