For the ultimate find-yourself-lose-yourself tropical hideaway—Riviera Maya’s Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita is the place to exhale. Tucked between a lush mangrove and the Caribbean Sea, the whole vibe of this 100 all-suite, all oceanfront boutique retreat oozes nature-loving tranquility. And while it’s all-inclusive—the experience defies…
Tag: luxury travel writer
ForbesLife: The Ultimate Weekend Escape In Scottsdale, Arizona
Ritzy resorts, posh vacation villas, lavish swimming pools and stylish eateries—Scottsdale is a hub of serious luxury. So why not treat yourself to the desert high-life? Follow this envy-inducing guide on how to take the ultimate Southwest weekend escape in…
ForbesLife: 3 Insanely Luxurious Mexican Caribbean All-Inclusives To Beat The Winter Blues
From Cancun to Playa del Carmen, Mexico’s Caribbean probably has more all-inclusives than grains of sand, appealing to every traveler’s unique taste. But when you’re craving high-end with an adult bent, where do you go? Whether you’re seeking serious tranquility,…
ForbesLife: Why This Chic Milan Hotel Is the Ultimate Design Lover’s Escape
A brilliant blend of modern Milanese design and Oriental luxe, Mandarin Oriental, Milan has nailed the sweet spot where swank meets serenity. Set within four glorious 18th century buildings (that will win architecture-adoring hearts), this former Manor house has been transformed into…
ForbesLife: 3 Must-Visit Luxury Venice Hotels For Your Italy Bucket List
Sublime canals, romantic bridges, mazing alleyways, ancient architecture—Venice is simply beyond compare. And these three luxurious retreats, from centuries old palaces brimming with Venetian history to private island escapes, are even more reason to visit this City of Water. …
ForbesLife: Adults-Only Oasis at Mexico’s Marquis Los Cabos
Secluded on a sandy stretch at the Sea of Cortes’s edge, the adults-only haven of Marquis Los Cabos takes leisure to the luxe with inescapable oceanfront views from all 235 private-balconied suites and pristine, palm-tree laden grounds. Check out my FORBES…
ForbesLife: 5 Reasons to Escape to Healdsburg, California this Summer
Like a fine blended wine, Healdsburg tantalizes with its heady mix of small town charm, eclectic boutiques, incredible eateries and historic homes. And the wine—don’t forget the wine! About an hour and a half drive from San Francisco brings you to…
ForbesLife: Portuguese Paradise Found
With swoon-worthy beaches and dramatic red cliffs, the Algarve rightfully tops the bucket lists. On the flipside, there’s a chunk of Portugal’s southern plain that fails the fantasy with drab hotels and apartment complexes skewing coastal vistas. But if you know…
ForbesLife: Lisbon’s Most Luxurious Retreats
Mosaic sidewalks, intricate tile designs, and pastel-hued buildings: Lisbon’s distinct and colorful personality shines from every cobbled hilltop and leafy square. And these six luxurious retreats—from centuries old palaces laden with Portuguese history to new boutiques brimming with local charm—are…
ForbesLife: Three Ultra-Romantic Provence Hideaways for Fall
There’s romance—and then there’s Provence in the fall where autumn hues and golden sunrays paint sprawling vineyards, rolling fields, and ancient stone villages in a beauty beyond compare. And for a très magnifique escape to explore it all, head to…
VOGUE: Why Bordeaux Is France’s Best-Kept Secret
What happens when you take Paris—with all its famous fashion, swoon-worthy architecture, and romance—shrink it down, nix the tourist flocks, and quiet the bustle? Say hello to beautiful Bordeaux, aka the stylish local’s answer to a mini Parisian paradise. And…
ForbesLife: Summer in Salzburg
While Salzburg may be famed for its picturesque Sound of Music hilltops and cityscapes come summertime—when the temps rise and the world-renowned music and arts festival kicks-in—this charming old-world city turns into The Sound of Tourists. So how do you make the most of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hometown…
ForbesLife: Budapest’s Best High-Design Hotels
Ah, beautiful Budapest: grand, elegant, and old worldly. It stuns with enchanting castles, ornate palaces, tree-lined boulevards, and that shimmering blue Danube. But venture to either end of its iconic Chain Bridge and you’ll find a spate of high-design hotels…
Travel+Leisure: World’s Best Cities for Romance
“Everything seems sexier in Paris—the grand buildings, the beautiful Parisians, the language, the food,” muses Alison Drew, a New York-based lawyer who lived in the City of Light and recently returned with her husband for an unforgettable romantic escape. “Just…
Travel + Leisure Magazine: America’s Most Romantic Winter Destinations
“When we venture out to the wide, open plains and drive up the mountains, it feels like we’re the only ones there,” says Dan Warner, reflecting on the appeal of Jackson, WY. The L.A.-based COO of Atlas Digital production company…
Dwell Magazine: A Seaside Art Hotel in Los Cabos
Besides white-sand beaches and warm weather, creative geeks have a new reason to head to Los Cabos. Hotel El Ganzo is a newly opened modern design escape set on a quiet marina in Puerto Los Cabos, the less-developed neighbor to…
CNN Travel Article: America’s Most Amazing Hotel Pools
When the humidity is off the charts and temps are sky-high, there’s nothing like taking a quick dip to cool off. But throw in jaw-dropping views, insane settings, and ingenious design – and the pool is more than just a…
CNN Travel Article: America’s 10 highest-tech hotels
Every vacation you swear off technology. You’re not going to check your email or look that evil, nasty thing you call a laptop. You bring your iPhone “for emergencies only,” lock it in the room safe, and pinky promise you’re…
Conde Nast Traveler Article: Jazzed Up
For Conde Nast Traveler, I write about the world’s first free-standing building dedicated entirely to jazz, San Francisco’s just-opened SFJAZZ Center. It was an honor and a thrill to interview architect Mark Cavagnero, artistic director Randall Kline, and tour the…
Travel + Leisure Article: America’s Best Hotels for Foodies
What’s more satisfying than a hotel with a luxurious four-poster bed, marble bath, wood-burning fireplace, and Blue Ridge Mountains views? How about a dinner courtesy of James Beard Award–winning chef Patrick O’Connell—and waiting right downstairs. Guests of Virginia’s Inn at Little…
7×7 SF: Red Rock Reboot in Sedona, AZ
You’ve splashed around all summer – but water, schmater. When you’re thirsting for drier digs, nothing beats a Fall getaway to Sedona, Arizona. Get ready for convertible-worthy temps, jaw-dropping scenery, and that inimitable new-agey vibe. Read my full article on 7×7.com.
Travel + Leisure Article: Room Service Gets Creative
In the June 2012 issue of Travel+Leisure, I muse on a few of the most creative room service offerings from bento boxes at New York’s Hotel Americano to giant cheese wheels at St. Bart’s Hotel Le Toiny. Read the print…
Travel + Leisure Article: Most Over-the-Top Room Service
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…
7×7 SF Article: 9 Coastal Hotels With Views To Die For
Going coastal? Forget a “room with a view” and get a view with a room. From Big Sur to Bodega Bay, we’ve scoured Northern California for the best waterside retreats where sea vistas rule. From patio to pillow, these nine…