May 12th, 2012 §
On a secluded African island, you’re finishing dinner in your private cottage when there’s a knock at the door. Villagers from the local church choir have arrived ready to perform a song and dance ritual just for you. That’s the kind of above-and-beyond room service to expect at Tanzania’s Lupita Island retreat.
These days, attracting travelers takes more than just good service—it takes oodles of creativity. Hotels are one-upping each other with the most unexpected of amenities, large and small, serious and silly. From in-room art lessons to personal Book Butlers to homemade ice cream for your pooch, we’ve uncovered the world’s over-the-top room service offerings, whatever your idea of pampering or price range.
Read my full TRAVEL + LEISURE ARTICLE.
Courtesy Enchantment Resort
April 6th, 2012 Comments Off
For the latest issue of SPA MAGAZINE, I uncover what makes Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Chicago the ultimate urban unplug.
Check out my article below:
Image Courtesy Spa Magazine
February 4th, 2012 Comments Off
Imagine you and your better half cuddling fireside as the sun dips behind the distant mountains. The only sounds are from the wild; the only sights are canyons and the stark desert. No, you’re not in the Sahara. You’re at Utah’s ultra-romantic Amangiri resort.
With Valentine’s Day looming and no end to winter in sight, who doesn’t dream of stealing away on vacation? But you don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth (or beloved spots like Paris or the Caribbean) to find that spark-kindling setting. From seaside New England to Washington State’s wine country, we’ve uncovered dreamy properties certain to get you in the mood—whatever your idea of romance and your price range.
Read my full TRAVEL + LEISURE ARTICLE.
Image Courtesy Amanresorts
December 18th, 2011 Comments Off
Rest stops with the starchitect treatment? Only in design-minded Scandinavia. Norway is halfway through an 18-year plan to spruce up its motorways with roadside overlooks, art installations and architectural walkways that put American rest stops to shame.
Read on in my CONDE NAST TRAVELER article below (click image to enlarge) or read it online:
October 23rd, 2011 Comments Off
With its signature pink exterior and uber-secluded Hollywood Hills locale, the famed Hotel Bel-Air has attracted privacy-seeking celebs for over 65 years. But in looks-obsessed Hollywood, facelifts are inevitable even for icons of the brick-and-mortar kind.
Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts are just a few of the noteables to frequent the L.A. hideaway Hotel Bel-Air. This month it is re-opening after a two-year, multimillion dollar overhaul to reveal its golden-era Hollywood glam-meets-21st century redesign.
Read my full article for Luxury Travel Magazine Australia below (click image to enlarge):
October 14th, 2011 §
With temps averaging a beachy-perfect 70 degrees, Santa Barbara’s Indian summer is in full-on awesomeness right now. Which means – road trip! Get thee to the palm-tree dotted coastal town ASAP for some serious beach bumming, poolside lazing, water sporting, shopping, eating, and insane vista ogling.
Read my full article on 7×7.com.
image courtesy Hyatt Santa Barbara
September 26th, 2011 Comments Off
Traveling with kids in tow can be a blast – but sometimes you want a table just for two. When you’re craving l‘amour, adults-only all-inclusives can be a sure flight to an ultra-romantic escape.
Read my full article for TRAVEL + LEISURE on “World’s Most Romantic All-Inclusives.”
Image Courtesy Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa
