Patty Hodapp 
Imagine this: You’re sleeping in a luxury treehouse, high above the ground. The woods around you whisper in the wind. You’re snuggled up, cozy and warm under an organic linen comforter. Rays of sunlight spill through curtainless windows, beckoning you to rise and greet the day. As you shake off … Read more
Nestled in South Carolina’s low country alongside Hilton Head Island in the May River basin, the Montage Palmetto Bluff is far from a standard “hotel”. At nearly 1.5 times the size of Manhattan, the resort encompasses a 10,000-acre nature preserve, 20 miles of hiking trails, two villages with diverse shopping … Read more
Forget Cali. Cancun is officially the new “golden coast” in my book. Today I explored the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa’s luxurious grounds and staked out an ocean-view, poolside lounge chair for most of the afternoon. In fact, the soft Caribbean breeze relaxed me so much that I fell asleep … Read more
This morning I woke up to a knock on the door from room service. My bed was so comfortable that I completely forgot I pre-ordered a bowl of oatmeal and berries the night before. I ate on my balcony that overlooks the ocean, watching the sunrise. A rosy pink glow … Read more
To swim in the cenote, the Mayans only demanded we rinse our bodies before we climbing down into the cave. After a quick outdoor shower, our ten-person tour group followed our guide down a wooden ladder and a curving flight of wooden steps to a platform. We took turns jumping … Read more
Today was a nice change of pace from adventure day. For starters, I enjoyed the hearty breakfast buffet in Sedona Grill at the JW Marriott. I’m really big on breakfast so I indulged in pancakes, French toast, chopped fruit, pastries, eggs, coffee, orange juice, dried fruit, cheese… you name it. … Read more
After my spa treatment I had a half hour of down time where I relaxed pool-side before my scuba lesson. Fernando, employed by the Marriott, introduced himself to me as a certified diving instructor who would teach me how to dive. He explained all of the gear functions, how … Read more
I was dying to do a little shopping at a Mexican market so I asked around and found out that Mercado 28 (Market 28) in downtown Cancunwas the best and the biggest. I took the R2 bus from the hotel strip through downtown (about 30 minutes) and got off near … Read more
My main wish this weekend was that I’d catch a glimpse of a giant sea turtle. I’ve been walking every morning and night on the beach for miles just in case I’d get the lucky chance to come across one. And, surprisingly, my wish came true. Late last … Read more
I don’t want to leave Cancun! It has been such a lovely weekend full of a blend of diverse activities: from zip-lining over the jungle to getting spoiled at the spa, and from diving in the pool to eating in the 5 star restaurants, my experience here has been awesome. … Read more
Cancun, Mexico is great for the sun and the beach, yes. But, being a shopaholic myself, I just had to sniff out the local markets, too. I asked around the JW Marriott for best places to shop for authentic Mexican goods, and Mercado Veintiocho (Market 28) was the most highly … Read more
Picture this: you’re stretched out on white sand beach in the Caribbean. The sun is shining, music’s playing and powder blue waves are lapping at the shoreline. Life is good. Real good. Your needing another piña colada and oh, yes, sunscreen. I’ve got good news, the hottest sunscreen … Read more
Get excited! Sweaty, summer days are almost over and a crisp fall breeze lingers just around the corner. And—drumroll please—guess what that means…? NO, not football season. … jackets and coats, naturally. Ok, so we know most guys aren’t turned on by coats. But, it’s a wardrobe rule of thumb … Read more
Packing for a tropical vacation sounds simple. But, it’s not. Hot weather may mean fewer clothes on your body, but it doesn’t mean fewer clothes in your bag. Especially when it comes to bathing cover-ups. Girls, dressing up a swimsuit with a hand me down cover-up isn’t going to … Read more
Island Fever Picture this: it’s summer and you’re leaning on the railing of a ferry charging through the sapphire blue Aegean and you can feel the mist on your cheeks from the chop as an island comes into view. Not just any island – the one where your handsome … Read more