To some travelers, the hotel is critical to the experience. We report on the newest, most noteworthy hotels; old classics we still love; or someplace fun and funky that reflects a special mood. Anything goes: prices range from modest to lavish.
The chief would be proud. The Wickaninnish Inn, named after the First Nations chief of the local Clayoquot people at the time of European contact in the 1770’s, is a world class Relais & Chateaux property that manages to offer a completely luxe experience in a wilderness setting. Owned and … Read more
Usually, Halloween is about dressing up in costume, candy corn, jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin spiced lattes. But to some, Halloween is the spookiest time of year. And what better way to scare yourself silly then to stay in a haunted hotel? Thrill seekers will delight in visiting places where paranormal activity … 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
Cities, restaurants, temples, shops, markets? Cultural experiences? Museums? Bars, late night jazz clubs? Dancing? Drinking? Who needs any of it? Japan offers, instead, a unique and magical one of a kind opportunity to explore the depths of your soul, and live to tell the tale. Ryokans, a type of … Read more
The Broadmoor, set against the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, is the Grand Dame of Colorado hotels. The luxury property has held the Forbes (formerly Mobil) Five Star and AAA Five Diamond designation longer than any other hotel in the country (Stars since 1960 and Diamonds since 1976). This Colorado … Read more
The home of some of the world’s most majestic creatures and a country that is vibrant and culturally unique, South Africa has always been a place that invited the dreamer in me to roam and delight in its wilderness. I couldn’t miss out when the chance came along to discover … Read more
When one thinks of the quintessential African travel experience, they may not know it, but they’re thinking of Chitwa Chitwa. I recently had the pleasure of living in the African bush at this luxurious lodge, right in the middle of Kruger National Park. We arrived in the Sabi Sands (a … Read more
The shoreline of Lake Como, Italy, like the lake itself, is nothing short of overwhelming—the green of the untouched mountains, the centuries old villas, the hidden, almost magical grottos—it’s almost too much to handle. Taking in all of the beauty and majesty, you can’t help but wonder why anyone would … Read more
London has always had lavish hotels but never before in its long and revered history has the Big Smoke been blessed with so many luxury offerings in such a short a span of time, all racing to pass the winners’ tape before The Olympics had even begun. Many of them … Read more
In the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, 168 miles from Cape Town, lies one of the most celebrated resorts in the world. As an experienced traveler who’s spent time in some very posh hotels, I can say that my three days at Bushmans Kloof were some of the most relaxing, … Read more
Elounda, Crete Every now and then a hotel comes along that defies predictability and shakes a fist at standards. Nestled in a cove on a steep hill plunging down to the Bay of Mirabello in Elounda, Crete, The Porto Elounda Deluxe Resort is one of them. A big stylized “E” … Read more
The Radisson Blu brand has arrived in the U.S. and landed in downtown Chicago in the Aqua Tower, an 18 story building designed by environmentally conscious architect, Jeanne Gang, of Studio Gang Architects. The building was designed with a lot of open space that is immediately noticeable in the public … 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
*With contributions by Sarah Meyer The town of Oia on the Greek island of Santorini is the new kid on the block. A beautifully scenic 20 minute drive north from Fira, the capital of the island and the major draw, it’s the Malibu to Fira’s Beverly Hills. Smaller and more … Read more
“Secluded, but not removed, private, but not regimented” was how the Silverpoint manager described the hotel’s charms to me as I stood on the balcony staring at the azure Caribbean Sea. A few blissful days later I realized that his description perfectly captured the essence of this intimate property. If … Read more