Aug
06th		   Hotel of the Week: Something Edgy Post-Katrina
Leave a Comment Category: Cool Hotels, New Orleans, Travel Tags: , ,

Five years ago this month, Katrina struck New Orleans…destroying people’s homes, and local businesses. One of those businesses is Loft 523 Hotel, which has since reopened.

I stayed there about six years ago, and fell in love with the contemporary design.

There are 18 lofts and three penthouses, all decorated sparsely but with an edge. The architecture is supposed to reflect an organic nature, similar to Frank Lloyd Wright.

The spoon bath tubs are stunning…

And the location is in the business district, just three blocks from Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, where bars and restaurants abound.

The hotel is for a certain type of traveler, however… the bar downstairs can be very loud until the wee hours of the night, so if you stay on a weekend, pack earplugs, or stay somewhere else. If top notch luxury is what you want, a Four Seasons it is not. But if you like surroundings that inspire you, with unique details like open beam ceilings and exposed brick for that loft feeling – this is a fun place to stay.

If you’re looking for a place to visit in the U.S., support the city of New Orleans in all of its post-Katrina efforts to bounce back.

Have a great weekend!

www.loft523.com

 
Aug
05th		   #3 Top Place to Take the Kids in San Francisco
Leave a Comment Category: Travel

Ten years and millions of dollars later, the California Academy of Sciences reopened recently…it is my last pick for the top places for families in San Francisco.

It is described as the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. It’s a unique architectural achievement with hundreds of educational/fun exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals.

One of those live animals is an albino crocodile…it is near the entry, and gets a lot of attention.

albino crocodile

 
Jul
31st		   Hotel of the Week: Your Own Private Island in Belize
Leave a Comment Category: Belize, Luxury Travel, Travel Tags: ,

I admit it. Many of the places I have been with my job are NOT for the budget traveler. But that doesn’t mean we all can’t dream a little, right?

Cayo Espanto…a private island resort on Ambergris Caye in Belize,  is one of those dream-worthy places. This little island is home to seven small villas..one of them an over water bungalow…all secluded from each other.

My Bungalow at Cayo Espanto

You feel like you have the island to yourself – or you really can: rent the whole island for 18 of your BFFS  - for $18,000 a night.

When I was there I never saw another guest except once when I was kayaking around the island. It is a quiet, beautiful place located on the seriously clear blue waters of the world’s second largest barrier reef. Our villa had it’s own private outdoor dipping pool.

There is plenty to do there….fishing…

Snorkeling..and scuba diving. The rays come right up to you!

There is a nice spa at Cayo – the treatments come to you. I had a relaxing outdoor massage with a tropical mud that was supposed to cleanse my skin.

We also took a short boat ride to a completely desolate island, where the staff made us a picnic lunch…including the best ceviche with freshly caught fish.

That’s only if you want complete/guaranteed privacy…. You truly do feel like you are the only ones at Cayo Espanto – which actually was a little hard to get used to . The staff was very discrete and left you alone, and we didn’t eat in a big dining room with other guests – the chef actually prepared a meal on our dock.

Belize is located on the Yucatan Peninsula…and has Mayan ruins nearby – if you can drag yourself away from paradise. It is a relatively poor country, and you see that making your way to Cayo Espanto…which may make it harder to shell out the $1000 and more a night that this relaxing retreat charges guests. The price does include meals and drinks…..On your radar? Airfare from most major east and west coast cities is around $500 round trip. Keep the kids at home this trip…

www.aprivateisland.com

Have a great weekend!

 
Jul
26th		   Hotel “Rooms” That Mesmerize Me…Shelter Under the Stars
One Comment Category: Cool Hotels, Travel Tags: , , , ,

Just finished reading the August issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine… and the cover story is fantastic: “Sleeping with the Stars.”

The article profiles resorts that offer open air, star gazing sleeping arrangements (Can’t really call them rooms can I?). It touches primal instincts here, but with a touch of luxury.

I have to share some of the photos to inspire – and by the way, coincidentally  the lucky photographer who got to visit each destination is a friend of mine’s brother – the very talented Stephen Wilkes. I have been to one of his shows where he was exhibiting his photos of China….provocative and beautiful.

This shelter under the stars is at one of my top three favorite hotels EVER. ..Las Ventanas al Paraiso, in Los Cabos, Mexico …

On the terrace of the penthouse, one has a 180 degree view of the Sea of Cortes…and the sensual amenity of a nice ocean breeze.  An extra bonus: All suites have telescopes and guides to the constellations. www.lasventanas.com

Next up:

A treehouse at the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africe…definitely for a “gamer.” One will probably hear the roars of nearby lions as he or she drifts off to sleep… but then wake to the birds’ song.

Guests can have dinner and drinks Swiss family Robinson Style before dozing off…It is just you, a bed, hot water bottle, a wash basin, torches, lanterns, and a two way radio under the dark night sky. Talk about a unique honeymoon…www.lionsands.com

Next up:

The relatively new Amangiri Resort in Canyon Point, Utah..and it takes advantage of being one of the best places in the United States to stargaze by setting up camp in the middle of the 600 acre resort. Crazy, right to sleep out in the wild..waking to animals nearby? If you’ve ever been to an Aman resort, you know that anything is possible…

www.amanresorts.com

Next up:

L’Albereta, Erbusco, Lombardy, Italy…Located in a Relais and Chateaux hotel near the adorable town of Bergamo is the Cabriolet Suite. You can surprise your traveling partner after getting in bed by pressing a button that opens up the roof to the night sky. Heavenly – literally…

This suite is supposedly sought after – Legend has it that for every falling star, a wish will be granted. Easy to believe anything staying in THAT room….www.albereta.it/en

To dream about more far away places like this -check out August’s Conde Nast Traveler…or click http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler

Sweet Dreams.

 
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