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…
Luxury Travel Writing
ForbesLife: Three Wow-Worthy Winter Retreats In The West
From the gorgeous beach retreats of Cabo to Arizona’s luxe desert havens and L.A.’s toniest hideaways, we scoured the West Coast for the most wow-worthy resorts to escape the winter chill. Here are three must-visit destinations to crank up the…
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: 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. …
Afar Magazine: Why Thailand is a Design Lover’s Dream
From stunning temples and crazy markets to artsy hangouts and innovative food preparations, Bangkok is a design lover’s dream city. Since launching her Washington D.C.–based creative agency, Design Army, more than a decade ago, Pum Lefebure has become a trendsetter in the…
ForbesLife: How to Take the Most Luxurious California Road Trip
Wine country villas, romantic country cottages, Mediterranean-inspired estates, Hollywood bungalows—California has some of the most stunning hotels in the world. And with so many charming cities and dazzling sights from vineyard to coast, it’s an epic adventure that calls for…
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…
Departures Magazine: Top Design Destinations
For Departures Magazine, I wrote about the world’s must-visit design destinations and where to get creative inspiration from art to fashion, and more. **READ MY FULL ARTICLE ON DEPARTURES!
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: The Italian Riviera’s Garden Paradise: Villa della Pergola
Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre—fuggedaboutit. For an Italian hideaway that puts your seaside dreams to shame head to the under-the-radar Riviera town of Alassio, where cypress and palm tree-laden hillsides, dancing blue seas, and some of the best sandy…
ForbesLife: Inside Milan’s Most Luxurious Hotel Suites
Indoor swimming pools, personal gyms, mind-blowing vistas—Milan’s got some stunning hotel suites that take this fashion-land to fantastical fairytale. For over-the-top extravagance: Presidential Suite, Principe di Savoia Woody Allen, Lady Gaga, and Madonna are just a few of the choice…
ForbesLife: Finding Zen Luxury in Weggis, Switzerland
Mark Twain sought solace and inspiration in the hills of Weggis, Switzerland. And it’s not hard to see why—blame it on the seemingly endless serene waters of Lake Lucerne; the surrounding Swiss Alps with unfathomable peaks and forested crevices; or…
ForbesLife: Vacation Like the Rich in St. Moritz
Nix the jetsetter crowds and crispy winters, and book yourself a final summer sojourn in St. Moritz complete with lake sailing, spa pampering, mountaintop dining, and seaplane gliding over the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps. With low-season rates, sunbathing temps, and sublime…
ForbesLife: 4 Dreamy Escapes to Live Out Your Lake Zurich Fairytales
Stroll along Lake Zurich’s tree-lined promenade, past sun-drenched cafes, idyllic harbors, and Caribbean-hued swimming spots, and you can’t help but fall in love with this City of Water. Better yet, check into one of these dreamy Zurich escapes for the…
ForbesLife: Get the Royal Treatment at These 6 Vienna Hotels
Mix a glamorous high-society past with a design-driven present and you’ve got oh-my-god-I-never-want-to-leave-you Vienna. Where swanky cafes (with decadent tortes) and creatively-minded local boutiques (like newly-opened Veralie) mingle with grand gilded buildings, marble fountains, historic concert halls, and an unfathomable museum…
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: Escape to the Most Luxurious Retreat in Lienz, Austria
If any of my friends had told me this place existed I wouldn’t have believed it. “Yeah right,” I’d think flipping through their insane vacation pics straight out of The Sound of Music, “there’s no way it looks like that in person.” Then…
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…
ForbesLife: 4 Prague Hotels That Need To Be On Your Bucket List Now
Stunning vistas, delicious local eats, and anything but cookie-cutter design: consider Czech-ing into one of these standout Prague retreats to take your stay from ordinary to extraordinary in the city of a hundred spires. 1. Le Palais Art Hotel (Preferred Hotels…
ForbesLife: 5 Florence Hotels With To-Die-For Views
From the bridges of the Arno to the iconic Duomo, the red-tiled roofs to the quaint cobbled alleyways, Florence is undeniably one of the world’s most beautiful cities. So nix the tourist crowds and check into one of these stellar…
Travel+Leisure: 11 Italian Fairytale Retreats to Visit This Summer
Certainly, the allure of sand and salt water can be tempting when the summer temperatures start to rise. But when you’re craving an escape beyond the ordinary, indulge your fantasies: from medieval castles set on misty Tuscan hilltops to lakeside…
ForbesLife: 6 Romantic Escapes to Live Out Your Italian Dreams
Rolling hills of Tuscan vineyards; ancient arcades of Bologna; and picturesque cliff-side villages of Lake Como. No matter the setting, Northern Italy poses an idyllic scene. And these intimate escapes bring you even closer into the region’s spectacular beauty. 1. Relais…
ForbesLife: Inside Milan’s Futuristic Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The fashion capital of the world has a haute new looker. After a multimillion-dollar revamp, Milan’s circa 1932 Excelsior Hotel Gallia just reopened–and the design is unapologetically dripping in space age luxe. Taking inspiration from the city’s modernist new skyline and the…
ForbesLife: The Ultimate Romantic New England Road Trip
Quaint historic towns, dreamy seaside villages, sublime harbor views – there’s no denying New England’s romantic draw. But with so many irresistible spots, which one do you choose? Before the summertime crowds flock the coast, hit the highway and enjoy…
CNN Travel: Most Romantic Cities
Be it a gorgeous cityscape, an overflow of culture, or pastries that make your heart sing, the world’s most romantic cities offer plenty to love, whether you’ve found a match or are merely looking to let some sparks fly. Read…
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…
Coastal Living Magazine: Dream Town, Bodega Bay
One of my absolute favorite NorCal escapes is the quaint, coastal town of Bodega Bay. So I was beyond excited to write about this pristine spot for Coastal Living Magazine. CHECK OUT MY ARTICLE BELOW! (click to enlarge)
San Francisco Magazine: A Bonfire Fest
There are a gazillion reasons why I love Northern California. Topping the charts? Fall weather that feels like summer and the utterly romantic coastal town of Carmel-By-the-Sea. Combine the two and it’s the perfect recipe for a bonfire-on-the-beach weekend getaway. CHECK…
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…
Dwell Magazine: A Modern Desert Retreat In New Mexico
On the edge of the Sangre de Cristo foothills, Rancho Encantado is a modernist hideaway tucked within New Mexico’s Tesuque Valley. Once a decades-old dude ranch, newly reinvented as a Four Seasons, the retreat was designed to preserve and embrace its…
Travel + Leisure Article: World’s Best Islands
You know you’ve escaped civilization when you’re swimming through a coral garden, with only green sea turtles and tropical fish for company. That’s the enticing promise of a trip to Palawan, a chain of white-sand islands in the Philippines. Palawan…
CNN Travel Article: America’s Most Over-The-Top Hotel Suites
Indoor basketball courts, private bowling alleys, bathrooms that belong in museums, more square footage than your entire house – America’s got some crazy indulgent hotel suites with price tags to match. With every whim catered to, you’d almost feel guilty…
CNN Travel Article: Best Places to Escape the Wired World
There’s nothing like stealing away to that tropical island hideaway only to have email bleeps, blaring tablets, and annoyingly loud cell-phone talkers drowning out the serene sounds of the ocean. In my latest article for CNN, I uncover the 10…
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…
Spa Magazine Article – At Your Room Service: Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Chicago
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:
California Home+Design: Design Meets Dinosaur Land
Who says you need a museum, art gallery–or even civilization–to experience an out-of-this-world design getaway? Just a hop, skip, and two short flights from SF, arriving at the remote Southern Utah digs of Amangiri Resort feels like you’ve landed on planet Mars…
Travel + Leisure Article: America’s Most Romantic Hotels
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…
Conde Nast Traveler Article: Norwegian Cruising
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…
Luxury Travel Magazine Australia Article: Hollywood Facelift
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…
7×7 SF Article: Why You Need to be in Santa Barbara Right Now
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,…
Travel + Leisure Article: World’s Most Romantic All-Inclusive Resorts
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…
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…
DailyCandy SF Article: Three-Day Northern California Getaway
For DailyCandy SF, I recently wrote about road tripin’ it Northern California style. From Sausalito to Big Sur, I cover the best places to fuel up, shift gears, and park it along the way. Read my full article on DAILYCANDY. And…
7×7 SF Article: Take a Staycation at the Revamped Casa Madrona in Sausalito
Wrangling a sea-worthy vessel of your own may be a pipe dream, but anchoring yourself in one of Casa Madrona’s hilltop, oceanfront bungalows for the weekend is sure to keep those dry-dock feelings at bay. Nestled in the heart of Sausalito,…
7×7 SF Article: Ziplining Adventures in Northern California
Bay Area urbanites are escaping to the forest to dangle from cable-thin ropes as they take death-defying, high-speed leaps into nothingness. And the scenery is pretty rockin’ too. From Wine Country to Gold Country, Tahoe to Santa Cruz, we’ve got…
Photography feature in Travel+Leisure!
While I’ve been travel writing for years, I couldn’t be more stoked to add “travel photographer” to my bag o’ tricks! The latest issue of Travel+Leisure features this dreamy pic from my recent Capri trip. (How insanely beautiful is that water!)Out of the mag’s…
