July 4th weekend is just about here, and whether you’re flying private or commercial to Hawaii, driving or taking a helicopter to the Hamptons, or jetting home from a week long business trip to meet your family and friends in time for a BBQ, the recently launched DUFL app makes … 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
Fortunately my legs got a break after six hours of straight downhill skiing (and a few wipeouts), when I found my sanctuary at Cordillera Lodge & Spa. I was thrilled to recline, give my thighs a break and refuel on a bowl of chili washed down with a warm cup … 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
Sleepy. Quiet. Low-key. That’s how the beach town of Zihuatanejo is often described. Perfect! After exploring several of Mexico’s colonial towns, we were looking forward to some R&R. Our bus first took us along a tree-lined highway into the neighboring coastal town of Ixtapa. With bright clean buildings and a … Read more
Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Despite its 25 floors and 532 rooms, San Francisco’s Hotel Nikko is of imposing proportions but elects to behave like a graceful boutique property. Its location is prime, with proximity to Union Square, high-end shopping and the performing arts while reliable public transportation in the … Read more
Michael Mina 74 has a subterranean feel, a cool cellar away from the south Florida heat. Tucked away from the madness of the Hotel Fontainebleau’s lobby, this is your go to for quick bites and yummy pick me ups when you’re spending some down time in Miami. Mr. Mina’s signature … Read more
Nicknamed “the golden city of one hundred spires,” Prague looks like something out of a fairy tale and is absolutely one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Given Prague’s unique history and memorable architecture, it’s no wonder that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, drawing over four million visitors each year. … Read more
Nestled on a tiny piazza amid the blessed chaos that is Naples, Italy is a rare find … the Palazzo Decumani. The 4 star albergo takes its name from its heritage – a former palatial residence almost hidden within the narrow streets and alleys of the Decumani neighborhood, a beehive … Read more
St. Petersburg is a city that’s full of surprises. Add Hotel Astoria to the list. Remember when hotels treated you like you were practically a visiting dignitary? This hotel still knows how to do it. And we all know that’s saying something. A comprehensive check-in experience with a concierge at … Read more
The Peninsula was one of the first luxury hotels to open in Beijing China and is still the epitome of class in a city that’s constantly changing. It was 1989, a year that ushered back the Western style hotel to China’s capital. This modern hotel tower rises out of a … Read more
When I was a child, my yearly trips to Miami with my family were always filled with stories of the glamorous Miami of the past, a place where my grandparents used to take my mother and tío when they were little children. In the tales of my beloved Grandfather I could … Read more
You’re fooled as you step into a suite at André Fu-designed The Upper House in the heart of Hong Kong. The large, elegantly furnished accommodations at this boutique hotel were once serviced apartments that have been completely redesigned and refurbished. Transformed seamlessly to a chic city hotel exuding a modern … Read more
The Plaza Hotel in New York City is the pinnacle of elegance in a city of seemingly endless options for grandeur. The imposing 282 room edifice houses 100 years of history, glamour, and romance. A cultural icon, the name alone summons an image of New York society, Fifth Avenue, Central … Read more