Thom Meintel 
Whoever decreed that less is more certainly has not stayed at the Sofitel Los Angeles during the Christmas holiday season. The dazzling lobby which already is a masterpiece of sheen and shine and typically looks like a Fred and Ginger stage set had been transformed with a generous blaze of … Read more
The Japanese Izakaya concept seems to have gained prominence far and wide in the last year and Auckland, New Zealand is no exception. Essentially Japanese bar food eaten with liberal amounts of alcoholic beverages, the movement has spawned variations and it’s possible that in another year it will have morphed … Read more
If you were one of the millions of viewers glued to your television screen last year during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade you’re certain of one thing. It just keeps getting better year after year. And let’s face it. That is definitely not true of most things today. With … Read more
History has a funny way of weaving its way in and out of our lives. Some of us are lured to it, others perplexed as to how to reconcile the past with our high tech lives we maintain. Even if you could care less about the Louisiana Purchase and the … Read more
If anyone is wondering what the Kimpton Hotel Group is up to in San Francisco, it looks like they may be taking a cue from the Ace Hotel properties. The darling of the hospitality scene these last few years, Ace made an impact on young urban travelers by turning rundown … Read more
In the 1985 film The Trip to Bountiful, an old woman longs to return to her childhood home, a small Texas town called Bountiful. Unbeknownst to her, her memory of the place would be all that is left when she gets there, the town having been devastated by the Great … Read more
It took a little white but Florentine designer Roberto Cavalli finally managed to make the fashion pack sit-up and take notice. With a global empire of stores in 33 countries around the world, it’s safe to say he is well on his way to becoming an icon in Italian fashion. … Read more
It’s 9AM on a Saturday and Baked on Main Street is buzzing. Things get going early here in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. With more than 10 varieties of home baked scones and over a dozen kinds of coffee, Baked is the town’s indie alternative to Starbuck’s up the … Read more
Las Vegas is a city of surprises. After all this is a town that sprung from nothing in the middle of the desert and boy, it never lets you forget it. So, when I pulled up to The Aria Hotel in a taxi I was ready for some eye popping … Read more
If you’ve ever yearned to check in to a swanky hotel and forget about checking out for awhile, I suggest you channel your inner “Eloise” at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona. The hotel’s Tower Suites are fully loaded with every amenity you’ll need for an extended stay in … Read more
If Sunset Boulevard’s Norma Desmond stepped out of the classic 1942 film and into the lobby of the Kensington Park Hotel in downtown San Francisco, she’d be right at home. The intricately detailed space makes quite a statement starting with the architectural details … soaring hand painted beamed ceilings and … Read more
Sitting squat on a forlorn block in the Union Square vicinity, San Francisco’s Hotel Nikko will not surprise you as a striking architectural gem, but no matter. As you step inside the towering concrete mass an instant feeling of Zen alters the senses, the sound of water gurgling, a perfect … Read more
If you can find the front door of the Hotel Union Square amid the motley storefronts on the lively block of Powell Street, you’re in for a surprise. Two stunning 10 foot mosaics grace either side of the entrance, a clear indication of the building’s 1913 landmark pedigree. Mind you, … Read more
When you think of the Everglades do you automatically see an airboat gliding through a swamp in the corner of your mind? I do. Those dime store novel vehicles conjure images of alligators and murky waters teaming with snakes and crocs. Well, you can get your fill of the real … Read more
A hush falls over The Idiot as you enter. It’s as if Dostoevsky himself was writing in the corner. That wouldn’t be much of a surprise as the warm, cozy atmosphere is perfect for tinkling with your latest poem or perhaps that song you’re writing. Soft music and a Zen … Read more