Thom Meintel 
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
The winds of change have been blowing steadily through Miami’s Design District ever since it put itself on the map some five years ago. I can recall touring empty streets at one time or another in the short span of a few years; sometimes reminiscent of a stroll through … Read more
Fiercely proud of its starring role as the birthplace of the U.S., Philadelphia, long lauded for its historical significance, is practically a cultural goldmine. Forget that Rocky famously put it on the map years ago running through its gritty Italian market and up the Art Museum steps. Today, the Mummers … Read more
Put your sunglasses on before entering the Hotel Monaco. Or better yet, take them off. A rainbow of hues greets you in the lobby – powder pink and sky blue then orange, fuchsia, aqua, rose, deep yellow and magenta, all popping off white paneling, black furnishings, emerald green drapery and … Read more
It’s no secret that food culture is now practically synonymous with entertainment, as cooking channels with their celebrity chefs are becoming a part of pop culture. People love the drama and energy of a kitchen and the personalities working within them. Entertainment aside, though, working in the restaurant industry requires … Read more
The Setai brand is known for turning heads when it comes to hospitality and in that sense singlehandedly brought a sense of refinement when they arrived on Miami’s South Beach scene some 10 years ago. One of the last of a series of new construction projects along the famous white … Read more
We don’t know about you but here in New York City the cold weather has us dreaming about spring break and summer vacations. Let’s face it; we should all get outa’ town and head straight for Key West or catch a flight to some dreamy warm destination. How about Trinidad … Read more
Rain is pounding the parked cars while the wind rips through the tall palm trees lining scenic South Pointe Drive. Their ominous swaying in the gutsy breeze becomes a riveting scene for the few folks brave enough to be out on this awful day. A pick-up truck with protruding surfboards … Read more
It’s exciting to see what the big gun hotel groups do in a resort destination, especially one with a pedigree like Miami. Enter the InterContinental Hotel and Toro Toro, a daring new concept in hotel restaurants by Richard Sandoval. The hotel is visible before even setting foot inside, the monolithic … Read more
Crystal chandeliers, faux wrought iron flourishes, low lights over the bar and a beautiful view onto Berzcy Park with a fully illuminated fountain set the stage for Lucien, an offbeat nouveau bistro in downtown Toronto with aspirations of epicurean greatness. It won’t be hard for them to reach that with … Read more
It was 8:30 on the Saturday night of White Party weekend and my partner still had nothing white to wear to the crown jewel of White Party Week in Miami, the White Party itself. I’d waited 28 years to get to the biggest and the best gay party on … Read more
If you’re one of those folks who tunes in regularly to the Food Channel and gets excited at the thought of attending one of the many Food & Wine Festivals held regularly across the USA and Canada, take my advice and head for Calgary, Western Canada’s latest destination food city … Read more
Whether or not Niagara-on-the-Lake is the prettiest town in North America is up for debate, but if you ask Marian Markarian, trip advisor at Niagara Wine Tours International, you’ll get a resounding “Absolutely.” With its stately homes, pristine lawns and manicured gardens, a Main Street to rival any quaint New … Read more
A visit to Thasos Greek Taverna should be made in two parts. By day the restaurant’s blinding all-white color scheme is eye popping. By night the intricate exterior light show on the roof and façade of the simple white structure becomes a dazzling beacon for everyone smart enough to follow … Read more
It isn’t easy to match a single word with every hotel you’ve experienced in your travels but word association comes easy when it comes to the Windsor Arms in Toronto – discreet. You realize this at check-in when you’re introduced to your butler. Don’t think starched collar and white gloves, … Read more