Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I’ve fallen in love with Waikiki, since I’ve been traveling out there periodically during the construction of Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk. The beach, the climate, the people and the hotel — it really is a paradise.
Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A: I have grown up going to Mar-aLago in Palm Beach with my family. It is one of my favorite places in the world and a great weekend getaway. It is so relaxing and incredibly beautiful. While in Palm Beach, I enjoy visiting Trump International Golf Club to practice my golf game — the course is spectacular. During the spring and summer, I also enjoy going out to the Hamptons in Long Island with friends or spend a relaxing weekend at our golf club in Bedminster, N.J. Chicago is really so close and offers a whole world of top-notch shopping, restaurants and cultural outlets. I stay at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago and treat myself to a signature massage at the spa.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: New York City, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Prague and London.
Q: What are your favorite hotels and restaurants?
A: For restaurants, without a doubt, Jean Georges at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
trumpintl.com/Food_and_Wine/jean_georges.asp.
James Beard rated Jean Georges the best restaurant in the United States, and I have to agree. I’ve been working hard on Trump SoHo New York () for quite a while now, and I can’t wait for it to open on Feb. 1. The rooms are luxurious, the service and amenities top notch. I am also a huge fan of Supper () on the Lower East Side. They have an incredible mint pasta dish. It’s one of my favorites.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: Sunblock and my laptop.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: As much as I can, especially if I am traveling for work. I like to really understand the market that I am traveling to. All around, this base of knowledge enhances the experience.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to?
A: St. Petersburg, Russia. I have been to Moscow many times, but I have never visited St. Petersburg. Also, I’d like to visit the Grand Canyon.
Q: What is your worst vacation memory?
A: I travel so often and have had more than a few experiences with flights getting delayed or canceled. Interestingly, even the memories of travel trouble have turned out to provide me with some great opportunities to explore areas, which I may not have otherwise done.
Q: How do you try to fit in when you’re a tourist?
A: Hide my camera.
Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times best-selling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at . She welcomes your questions and comments.)
