It’s no secret that Miami and many of South Florida’s beautiful beach communities are on a roll with new real estate developments. And the same holds true for hotels. The winter season is heating up with four new and notable properties: The Hall, ME by Melia, Nobu at the Eden … Read more
Sometimes small can be a good thing … like in smart phones, petits fours and hotels, of course. Nestled on a charming cobblestone street in historic Old City, Philadelphia, within seconds of Penn’s Landing on the riverfront and with a view of the baby blue Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the … Read more
If someone came up with the wild idea to start rating hotels by their gyms, Hotel Avila would be at the top. How many times have we suffered through vacations with only a stationary bicycle in a hot room with no air conditioning? Too many, I’m afraid. Guess what? Get … Read more
If Lisbon is one of those places lower on your list of “must see in Europe,” re-think your rankings. Portugal’s capital city is a lively urban center chock full of attractions from medieval to modern. Whether you’re a history buff, a gastronome, a power shopper, or all three, you’ll … Read more
From the lobby’s marble floor to the top floor’s panoramic views, The Peninsula Tokyo is, in its entirety, refined through and through. As Tokyo’s landmark hotel, this location of The Peninsula Group doesn’t lack for opulence. The fusion of traditional Japanese culture, the latest technology, sublime service and a prime … Read more
*With contributions by Lucille Sitra This is a big hotel with an intimate soul. A stay at the Westin Diplomat involves a number of decisions – the first, between a room overlooking the Atlantic surf or its bright green expanse of golf course, then, which of its eight outstanding restaurants … Read more
Matetic Vineyards, Chile Driving down a long dirt road surrounded by 27,000 acres of vineyards and beautifully landscaped gardens, I think that I may have discovered one of Chile’s best-kept secrets. La Casona Guesthouse at the famous Matetic Vineyards is the ultimate wine aficionado’s dream. Located in the Casablanca Valley, … Read more
The first thing you notice as you walk into the Standard Spa on Miami Beach is the incredible view of Biscayne Bay. Ideally located off the main drag of Miami Beach’s Collins Avenue on a quiet patch of land that fronts the Venetian Causeway, the spa is the Standard Hotel’s … Read more
Mary Cassatt once commented on how she touched some people with a sense of art, saying, “They felt the love and the life. Can you offer me anything to compare to that joy for an artist?” Well Mary, I think we found it. Between the old world atmosphere and the … Read more
Sitting having afternoon tea at The Fairmount Peace Hotel in Shanghai with its art deco cake holders and lamps I feel as if i have been time-warped back to the time when Shanghai was the most exciting city in “The Orient” and the Europeans and Americans who went there were … Read more
It was almost summer in Finland and our plan was to spend the longest day of the year in Helsinki. The line from Great Gatsby flashed in my mind when Daisy plaintively asks Jordan and Nick, “What shall we do on the longest day of the year?” Take my word … Read more
Commonly after check-in, many hotel guests choose to sidestep the bar and restaurant on site for other establishments in the vicinity. The reasons vary. Perhaps some are seeking a local experience or others think they’ll be shelling out overinflated room service prices by eating at the property. Recently, at the … Read more
Talk about trying to stand out! The new Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is one of the few hotels on the Strip without a casino. The 47 story, 392 room property (opened in December 2009) doesn’t have even a single slot machine. There isn’t an all you can eat buffet or … Read more
It’s hard not to be intrigued by a Sin City hotel with the tagline “just the right amount of wrong.” Perhaps you’ve seen the hotel’s TV commercial, featuring pant-less bellhops, bustier-clad women, bedroom photo shoots, and animals crashing a suite party. Unusual, yes – but The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, … Read more
There are those hotels that meet the needs of the typical traveler. They’re conveniently located, reasonably priced, and offer comfy rooms with cushy mattresses, flat screens and Wi-Fi. Then there are those that do that, of course, and something more. They provide a sense of elegance, of romance, of … Read more