Hotels built around their natural environment are nothing new. The Explora Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia is situated on the banks of a waterfall in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. The Tsala Treetop Lodge in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, allows guests to live out their childhood fantasy of sleeping in a tree house—albeit a luxurious one. And in the United States, you have the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, built on the craggy cliffs of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Continue reading →
Shandana A. Durrani is a Detroit native who lives in Berlin, Germany. She has written for a variety of national and international publications and sites including Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, MetroLondon, SiIverkris, and Travel Supermarket. She lives for travel and exploring local restaurants.
Before the advent of the automobile, most travelers traversed the countryside via rail. Whether Stateside or overseas, tourists and locals ate in opulent dining cars, reclined in wood-paneled lounges and slept in lavish staterooms with all the comforts of home—if your home was a palatial estate. While cars have made rail travel almost obsolete in the United States, trains are still a great way to get around overseas. Continue reading →
Shandana A. Durrani is a Detroit native who lives in Berlin, Germany. She has written for a variety of national and international publications and sites including Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, MetroLondon, SiIverkris, and Travel Supermarket. She lives for travel and exploring local restaurants.
The Story Behind the Annual Boat Race Between Hyannis and Nantucket
In 1972, a friendly conversation among friends at Baxter’s Boathouse in Hyannis, MA escalated to a challenge to see who could sail their boat to Nantucket the fastest over Memorial Day weekend. This was the inception of Figawi Race Weekend, a Nantucket and Cape Cod tradition that has grown considerably in popularity since it’s informal start in 1972 thanks to names like Kennedy and Koch joining the competition in the 80s and beyond.
The Wynn Las Vegas is my favorite hotel in Vegas. In fact, it’s one of my favorite hotels, period. But it also happens to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to that most dreaded of charges: the resort fee. Wynn, like most of the Strip, where many of the iconic hotels lie, including some highlighted in [Las Vegas Old and New](https://www.goodlifereport.com/travel/best-las-vegas-old-new/), introduced me to this nebulous, nefarious little surcharge years ago.
What is a Resort Fee?
Often called amenity, facility, or destination fees— resort fees are mandatory daily charges tacked onto your hotel bill, usually not included in the initially advertised price. While some hotels offer genuine amenities for these fees, many guests experience them as surprise junk fees, sometimes even exceeding the nightly room rate itself. Below are some of the worst offenders in the hotel industry, with specific egregious examples.
A Brief History
I still remember seeing that $50-per-night “resort fee” for the first time. At the time, I was confused but brushed it off as just another Vegas quirk. That was about 15 years ago. Today, it’s no longer a Vegas-only problem—it has become a nationwide epidemic. And ironically, it was supercharged by another epidemic: COVID-19.
Before the pandemic, resort fees were mostly contained to Las Vegas and a handful of destinations. They popped up primarily at upscale resorts—places with sprawling pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, and other actual amenities. I never agreed with the fees, but at least you could see the (flimsy) logic: you were paying for access to facilities you might actually use.
COVID’s role
Then came COVID. Hotels and resorts were shuttered for months, and when they reopened, they were desperate to make up lost revenue. Enter the “creative” revenue officers. Resort fees started spreading like wildfire—not just at luxury properties, but at everyday hotels, urban boutiques, and even places with zero resort amenities. No pools, no spas, no lazy rivers—just a fee for nothing.
What was once an egregious surcharge tied to actual facilities has now morphed into a vague, all-purpose money grab. A fee that offers nothing tangible in return, except a reminder that hotel transparency is increasingly hard to come by.
The New GLR Resort Fee “Justicator”
GLR has officially released a beta version of our new web-based calculator that tells you if your resort fee is justified. This tool is super easy to use and gives you realtime perspective on whether a hotel’s “resort fee” is justified. You simply fill in some quick “input” criteria (shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds – a minute) and the calculator spits out data on whether your resort fee is warranted, including a rating from 1-10. If the rating is very low, meaning the fee is completely unjustified (the hotel has no amenities like a pool or exercise room), then our tool will generate an ai-generated email response that you can send to the resort explaining exactly why your fee should be waved.
Who are the biggest offenders right now? Here are some notorious resort fee offenders:
Las Vegas is infamous for high resort fees, with almost every major Strip hotel charging $50–$60 per night on top of the room rate. Specific examples include:
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: $56.69/night resort fee.
Bellagio, Aria, Wynn/Encore: $56–$57 per night.
MGM Grand: $50 daily resort fee.
Circus Circus & Excalibur: Have advertised rooms for less than the resort fee itself, such as a $28 room paired with a $36.28 resort fee.
Miami Beach
Fisher Island Club and Resort: The most expensive resort fee in the U.S., at $160.60 per night, besides a $1,052 room rate. This fee stands out nationwide for its sheer scale.
“Hidden” Resort Fees Disguised as Taxes
Some hotels disguise resort fees as taxes or “mandatory government charges.”
The Life Hotel, New York City: Lists a “NYC Mandatory City Hotel Fee,” which is actually a hidden resort fee.
Budget and Non-Resort Hotels Charging Resort Fees
Super 8 (Las Vegas), Hotel Pennsylvania (NYC), Best Western (Orlando): While not typical resorts, these budget properties levy daily resort fees, often with minimal amenities justifying the charge.
Ritz-Carlton Tucson, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Moana Surfrider Waikiki: All levy resort fees despite premium nightly rates, sometimes exceeding $1,500 for the room itself.
Hotel Chains With the Highest Resort Fees (By Brand)
A 2025 analysis by NerdWallet shows:
Hilton: Resorts average a 4.6% upcharge via resort fees, with a typical fee of $40 per night. Properties like Hilton Phoenix Resort charge $35/night for water park access, among other amenities.
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group): Resort fees average 3% of room rate; most Intercontinental hotels charge a “facility fee” around $40 per night.
Wyndham: Lowest average among mainstream brands but still applies fees averaging 6.4% of the room rate at some properties.
Other major chains implicated in either high fees or controversial practices include Hyatt, Omni Hotels, Choice Hotels, and Four Seasons. And outside the U.S., these practices are rare—most European hotels include all fees in the listed price.
Special Mentions
Detroit (MGM Detroit): Detroit, not a resort city, features hotel properties charging “resort fees” for basic in-room amenities like a Keurig coffee maker.
TWA Hotel, JFK Airport (NYC): Uses fees to reduce the portion of total charges taxed at the higher hotel room tax rate, leading to lower tax revenue for the city.
Geographic Hotspots for Resort Fees
New York City: Often charges $30–$50/night labeled as “urban” or “facility” fees, even at non-resort properties.
Hawaii, Orlando, Caribbean: Popular tourist hot spots commonly add mandatory fees on top of the nightly rate.
While the intent behind some resort fees is to bundle amenities, many fees serve mainly as a profit center for hotels, frustrating guests with hidden and often unavoidable costs. Las Vegas and Miami are notorious, but the problem extends to budget hotels, non-resorts, and even luxury properties nationwide. Knowing which brands and locations have the worst offenders can help travelers plan and avoid unnecessary overcharges.
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
The secret that used to be Nantucket has long been out. Each summer, the island receives an increasing influx of tourists in the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day who come to experience this unique place. Outside that time period, though, Nantucket is a much different world. In fact, a long weekend in mid-May may be the perfect time to experience the real Nantucket.
Every city has two dining and entertainment scenes: the one the tourists see, and the one the locals favor. The GLR Localizer is your ticket to the second one.
Powered by AI and built on over a decade of GoodLife Report’s on-the-ground dining and travel coverage, the Localizer works differently than a generic recommendation engine — it draws on GLR’s own curated content first, then supplements with AI to fill in the gaps, so every suggestion reflects the same taste level and editorial standards you’ve come to expect from this site.
Just type in your destination and the Localizer surfaces the restaurants, bars, and neighborhood gems that real locals swear by — not the spots with the biggest marketing budgets or the most aggressive TripAdvisor campaigns. Think of it as having a well-traveled friend in every city who always knows exactly where to go.
Have you ever stayed at an impressive resort that, while teeming with the promise of pristine pools and soothing hot tubs, seems to be a bit lacking in any actual partakers? The offerings, sure, are plentiful, but the sauna and steam room in their world-class spa? Empty. This may sound problematic for their business, but in the efficiency-driven, “as-a-Service” economy we live in today, it also presents a smart opportunity for mutually beneficial partnership. Enter ResortPass, a service poised to connect locals and day trippers seeking relaxation with access to a partnering property’s all too available amenities.
Some might say the company has taken a page out of the Airbnb book by leveraging the under-utilized assets at resorts and selling them as an experience, for a fee. Well, the model is certainly working out for both parties. Launched in 2016—with Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and “The Point’s Guy,” Brian Kelly, as early investors—ResortPass is starting to hit their stride this year. Not only have they grown their network significantly, but they also closed a $26 million “B” round this past November. They now partner with over 900 hotels and resorts around the world, all allowing users to enjoy luxury experiences on a day pass basis.
The price, you might be musing, is surely where the catch lies. Not necessarily, as it is more so reflective of the level of service and amenities offered, as well as the brand. The Four Seasons, for example, will likely cost you more than a Hilton. The range might be from $25-100 per day for a standard pass—more for daybeds and cabanas. The cost for children is less, if not free, depending on age.
Carneros Resort—Napa Valley, CA
It’s early days yet and hard to forecast the level of overall demand there will be for ResortPass, but I do have one prediction. The “stickiness” of this service will ultimately reside more with travelers than locals. According to Michael Wolf, CEO of ResortPass, the early data disagrees. So far, the majority of ResortPass’s users are locals who want to experience the amenities of hotels in their own or nearby cities. A staycation, or even “day”cation, as they say.
“Our local users never had the opportunity to access the hospitality industry locally,” says Wolf. “They thought they had to get on a plane to enjoy those sorts of amenities.”
Miramar Resort—Santa Barabra, CA
Miraval Resort—Austin, TX (Photo: James Baigrie)
To be fair, ResortPass does acknowledge all types of users, from locals to cruise ship passengers alike, and I’m sure they are targeting all sorts of people in various situations where the service would be compelling. Whether the local demographic remains their top revenue source is anyone’s guess, but I would wager that the true value of this service lies with a certain type of traveler staying at a certain type of place.
For example, guests staying at a boutique hotel—one that offers a terrific experience but without resort-level amenities—would seem to be likely customers. Vacationers staying with friends are another plausible group to appeal to, as they might still want a bit of pampering and that vacation vibe while they’re out of town. And then there is their ultimate customer, the ones where the value of ResortPass truly becomes apparent—and for me, it’s full circle back to Airbnb and its guests.
I love Airbnb. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate the service. They created a whole new segment of lodging at price-points that are generally more attractive than hotels, especially if you require multiple bedrooms. What Airbnb sorely lacks, however, is amenities. Sure, you can get a great pad with a pool, large kitchen and epic view of the ocean or mountains, but you cannot get the kind of facilities and social intangibles that luxury hotels and resorts offer. There is no way to spell a bustling hotel lobby, or expansive pools surrounded by chaises and cabanas, with dining and cocktail service at your fingertips.
Williamsburg Hotel—Brooklyn, NY
Ritz Carlton Bal Harbor—Miami, FL
And therein lies the true value of ResortPass. The best products and services are the ones that fill a void. It’s fine to build a better mouse trap and plenty of companies have made a living doing this. Even the most innovative companies in the world owe a lot of their success to products and services that already existed which they simply improved upon. Apple didn’t invent the smart phone; they just made it better. A lot better. But filling a void is the ultimate goal for most entrepreneurs. See Uber, Venmo and yes, Airbnb.
I think Airbnb would be wise to partner with—or dare I say, even purchase—ResortPass. It may start out as just an incremental supplement to their service, as it’s only useful if there is a qualifying resort nearby. Nonetheless, it would be a natural fit that could yield larger, more impactful results in the future. The Batman and Robin of travel disruptors, if you will.
ResortPass gets the GLR stamp of approval as a rising star in the resort space. Mark my words, they’re going places—and not just for the day.
For all its private jets and velvet ropes, Aspen is still a small town at heart, and the people who actually live here have their own orbit of breakfast joints, bar stools, and patios they return to season after season. Located just a few kilometers from the Little Nell, this place… If you want to experience Aspenlike a local—not a one‑and‑done visitor—start with these spots.
Morning: Coffee, Bagels, And Ski-Bum Fuel
Locals are usually in ski gear, not stilettos, before noon, and that means coffee and something hearty they can eat on the move.
Jour de Fête – This tucked‑away French‑inspired café downtown does sandwiches, crepes, and coffee without any fuss, and it’s long been a go‑to for workers and ski bums who want quality at a reasonable price. Grab a croissant sandwich or a Nutella‑banana crepe and you’ll fit right in with the locals fueling up for the day.
Poppycock’s Cafe – A classic breakfast and brunch spot a short stroll from downtown, Poppycock’s is known among locals for big, comforting plates—fluffy pancakes, omelets, and a legitimately beloved eggs Benedict—that won’t wreck your budget. Lines can form on weekends, but that’s part of the small‑town charm.
Big Wrap – Just off the Silver Queen Gondola, Big Wrap is pure Aspen utility: fast, filling wraps, salads, and burritos you can eat on the way to the lift. Locals love it because the portions are huge, the prices are sane (by Aspen standards), and you can customize everything—from grilled chicken to tofu and falafel.
Cheap Eats Locals Actually Use
When locals talk about “cheap” in Aspen, they usually mean “relatively affordable and not a scene,” and a handful of casual spots come up again and again.
New York Pizza – This late‑night and post‑workhorse is where you go for a slice, not a selfie. With classic New York‑style pies, counter service, and a no‑frills room, it draws everyone from lifties to long‑time locals who just want something easy after a powder day.
Hickory House Ribs – A bit of a local institution, Hickory House is beloved for big plates of smoky baby back ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and wings. It’s not fancy, but that’s exactly why locals bring family here: casual, friendly, and priced well for Aspen.
Silverpeak Grill and Paradise Bakery – For fast, budget‑friendly bites, locals often steer friends to basics like Silverpeak Grill for sandwiches and burgers and Paradise Bakery for coffee and a pastry or quick snack on the way to the gondola. These aren’t splashy, but they’re woven into the daily rhythm of town.
Local-Favorite Restaurants For A Night Out
There are plenty of white‑tablecloth options in Aspen, but a handful manage to be both special‑occasion worthy and genuinely popular with locals.
White House Tavern – Consistently excellent burgers, salads, and sandwiches at fair (for Aspen) prices, plus a strong cocktail list. Often named on “must‑eat” lists, White House Tavern is also somewhere locals actually spend their own money. Snag a bar seat or porch table and you’ll hear as much local gossip as visitor chatter. The French Dip sandwich is all-time!
Bear Den Aspen – Housed in a historic cottage, Bear Den leans into seasonal, organic, and from‑scratch cooking, which resonates with locals who care about ingredients as much as atmosphere. It’s the kind of place people hit for brunch one weekend and come back to for date night the next.
Meat & Cheese – Part market, part restaurant, Meat & Cheese is a local default: meet a friend at the bar, share a board, and watch the town go by. As the sun drops, the patio becomes a magnet for people who live here year‑round as well as in‑the‑know visitors.
Après-Ski And Late-Night: Where The Locals Drink
If you want to drink like a local, skip the velvet rope and head for the town’s historic bars and laid‑back lounges.
J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome – The J‑Bar has been Aspen’s “favorite watering hole” for over a century, drawing ski bums, cowboys, and socialites to the same saloon‑style room. Locals come for draft beer, vintage cocktails, and the famous Aspen Crud (a boozy vanilla milkshake), plus a burger that’s often cited as one of the best in town.
The Red Onion – Dating back to 1892, The Red Onion is a true locals’ haunt, especially for cheap PBRs, well shots, and an energetic après or late‑night crowd. It’s not where you go for craft martinis; it’s where you squeeze in at the bar, listen to live music, and talk snow totals.
Limelight Lounge and Ajax Tavern – Ask locals where they actually end up after skiing, and you’ll hear Limelight Lounge mentioned for its cozy atmosphere, live music, and approachable prices, plus Ajax Tavern at the base of Aspen Mountain for patio people‑watching and burgers. Both attract plenty of visitors, but the regulars keep coming back.
Eric’s – A beloved local standby for strong drinks, pool, and shuffleboard, Eric’s is where bartenders and lifties end up on their own nights off. It’s social, a little rowdy, and a great place to get the inside scoop on where the snow skied best that day.
Think Like A Local
Knowing where to go is half the battle; the other half is timing and attitude.
Go early or late. Locals aim for early dinners or late‑night bites to dodge peak tourist hours and snag bar seats at places like White House Tavern, Zigzag, or Clark’s.
Favor bars and patios. In a town with limited space, the bar at a restaurant—Campo’s bar, Cache Cache, J‑Bar—is often where locals land, eat, and linger over conversation.
Embrace the “cheap for Aspen” mindset. Places like Big Wrap, Poppycock’s, New York Pizza, Hickory House, and the Red Onion are beloved not because they’re dirt cheap, but because they offer genuine value in a town famous for cocktails.
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
Billed as “the greatest show on grass” the WMPO is truly a unique tournament for both the players and spectators alike. Construction of the stands and other venues at TPC Scottsdale’s stadium course start nearly four months in advance. I can vouch for this timeline as I’ve played the course in late October and construction crews had more than begun work, with workers out on a Saturday, assembling the grandstand. It takes construction crews months of ‘round-the-clock’ work to build the “city” at TPC Scottsdale for this one-of-a-kind tournament.
“The People’s Open”—as it is affectionately known—was named the Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR in 2019, an honor it has received four times in the last six years (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) helping the tournament gain legendary status for being perhaps the most lively, if not rowdy event in golf. The most popular spot on the Stadium Course is the 16th hole, a par 3 that, during the tournament, is the only fully enclosed hole on the PGA tour. A 20,000-seat grandstand plays host to fans who typically respond to great—and bad—shots alike with raucous excitement.
Grandstand at TPC Scottsdale’s Waste Management Phoenix Open
While the WMPO is certainly a treat for golf enthusiasts, a weekend in Scottsdale itself is no consolation prize. There are numerous reasons to visit this part of Arizona in January, February or March—weather being the focal point of course. Nearly 314 days of sunshine per year and some of the warmest year-round temps in the U.S. make this a top desert destination for 8.9 million visitors per year. 51 area golf courses, diverse shopping hotspots, and engaging arts and culture attractions elevate Scottsdale to the top of the must-visit list for anyone in search of warmer weather.
The Jewel of the Sonoran
Known as the jewel of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is located on the eastern edge of Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by sun-drenched mountains and dotted with brightly colored cacti that radiates its natural beauty. The city’s warm climate will come as no surprise, but its desert location might mean you don’t expect to also find world-class food, art, architecture and golf courses that have earned Scottsdale its “Beverly Hills of the Southwest” reputation.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of where to “Stay, Play and Eat Gourmet” in Socttsdale, AZ.
Since 1988, Scottsdale’s The Phoenician Resort has been a vast oasis in the desert, a 250-acre luxury property offering guests some of the Southwest’s best in dining, spa, golf and more. In short, it has everything you could possibly want—great rooms, restaurants, a world-class spa, newly redesigned 18-hole golf course and 9 (yes 9!) pools—while unwinding in the desert.
If you’ve been to The Phoenician pre-2016 you might be surprised to know that it has undergone a multi-year renovation, because, quite frankly, it didn’t appear to need one. But great hotels are always evolving. In 2016, the 60 guestrooms in the Canyon Suites, a AAA Five Diamond, Forbes Five Star boutique hotel within the resort, were redesigned as was its pool area and lobby. Also that year, the Phoenician’s main building was renovated, 557 rooms total.
Most of the public areas got a face-lift in 2017, and 2018 brought a new three-story spa that features a rooftop pool as well as a fresh golf course and athletic club.
Mother of Pearls
Perhaps the most impressive asset on their 250-acre property is the pools—a three-tiered complex that features the iconic, hand-tiled Mother of Pearl pool on the lower level; and three separate, recreational-styled pools on the upper level. A newly designed center lounge area offers reserved, family-friendly seating on the north side; and adult-only accommodations with pool and cabanas on the south side. For kids, a variety of imaginative escapades awaits at the premiere treehouse and waterslide, along with the splash pad.
Phoenician Spa Exterior
Also impressive is the Phoenician Spa. Called the Centre for Well-Being, the 22,000-square-foot complex offers everything you could want to make your stay just a touch—or a whole lot—more relaxing. Featuring 24 treatment rooms—including a Tranquility Suite for couples—as well as a quiet relaxation room and locker rooms with a vitality pool, steam and sauna, this brand-new, three-story facility allows you to unwind from everyday stresses and feel completely rejuvenated. Enjoy aerial yoga, meditation and cardio classes in the Movement Studio, or work out in the Fitness Center. Or tap into your competitive side with some outdoor tennis, pickleball or half-court basketball action at their “athletic club.”
Athletic Club at Phoenician
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
Sanctuary Spa Courtyard
Built into the side of Camelback Mountain (the 900m-high rocky outcrop shaped like a camel’s head that dominates the local skyline) is the upmarket Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. While it may not have the pure scale of offerings as the Phoenician—smaller pool(s), fewer dining options and no golf course, it’s about quality over quantity at this relaxation-centric resort, especially if you like a world-class spa. Retreat to ultimate comfort within a spacious casitas, suites or Sanctuary’s exclusive villas, each offering the most spectacular views of the famed Paradise Valley.
When all the relaxation has you hungry they have you covered, compliments of Food Network star and Executive Chef Beau MacMillan and his award-winning cuisine. With unrivalled views of the area, an award-winning spa, an excellent restaurant and bar and famous mid-century modern design, it understandably attracts a high-end crowd. Rumor has it that Jay-Z and Beyoncé even honeymooned there.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
With 40 acres of awe inspiring desert scenery as a backdrop, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North sits in a prime location between downtown Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix. 210 well-proportioned rooms are spread out over the property in a series of one and two-story casita-style designs. The resort recently completed a $13 million renovation inspired by the natural grandeur of its Sonoran Desert setting.
Designed by Whitespace Interiors, all of the resort’s spacious casitas and suites got a makeover. Intended to enhance the luxury desert experience with natural elements set against a subtle earth tone palette the contemporary new furnishings, streamlined décor, and modern artwork capture the warm, peaceful essence of this rocky desert retreat.
Other solid choices: Fairmont Scottsdale, W Scottsdale, Andaz Scottsdale.
Where to Play:
This part is hard because golf courses are very personal in taste. Also, there are literally dozens of great golf courses in Scottsdale—54 to be exact. Here are a few I like. And these also happen to be—purely by coincidence—some of the most popular (if that matters to you).
Troon North
Troon North Golf Club
If Scottsdale is the “crown jewel” of the Sonoran Desert, many might consider Troon North to be the crown jewel of Scottsdale golf courses. Newer courses have taken some of the spotlight away from this desert classic, but Troon North’s two 18-hole courses remain a hallmark of Scottsdale golf. Immaculately groomed fairways, bentgrass greens and exceptional customer service create the renowned Troon Golf Experience. Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses consistently rank at the top of every golfer’s must-play list. Recent course renovations by original designer and British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf have created two new layouts that bring his original concept to life.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club “Saguaro” Course
Offering breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks and the Superstitions, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club—which opened in 2001—lies on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land that will never be commercially developed. With two award-winning golf courses, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club delivers one of the best golf experiences in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. Scott Miller designed the Cholla Course, while Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw teamed up to create Saguaro. The results have captivated the golf world ever since opening for public play to much acclaim by industry leading publications such as Golf Magazine, Golfweek and Golf Digest.
GreyHawk Golf Club
Grayhawk “Talon” Course
Established in 1994, Grayhawk Golf Club features two par-72 golf courses—Talon and Raptor—engineered with their own distinctive personalities. Talon offers a desert-style test of golf that skirts thick stands of Sonoran Desert and box canyons on the way to large multi-tiered greens. Raptor delivers more traditional challenges clearly laid out come-and-get-it style with generous fairways and deep greenside bunkers guarding crowned greens. Both of the highly acclaimed layouts at Grayhawk Golf Club are widely considered to be among the best golf courses in Scottsdale. are available to gear up before golf as well as clean up after.
If you are heading straight to the golf course from the airport Grey Hawk is a great place to start as the club house is fully loaded with amenities including full service men’s and women’s locker rooms and great food and beverages at Phil’s Grill when you are finished.
TPC Scottsdale (Stadium and Champions Courses)
TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course 13th Hole
Surrounded by the stunning McDowell Mountains, TPC Scottsdale boasts two championship courses for players to enjoy—the world famous Stadium Course and the stunning Champions Course. As Arizona’s only PGA Tour property, you’ll experience the standards of quality and service normally reserved for the tour professionals. Home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open,
The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale has hosted some of contemporary golf’s greatest moments since opening in 1986. The course was designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf specifically to serve as the stage for the tournament—what’s now become the largest spectator golf event in the world.
Rivaling its famous sister course in both beauty and playability, the Randy Heckenkemper-designed Champions Course offers an ideal desert golf experience. Built on the former site of TPC Scottsdale’s Desert Course, the layout was completely revamped in 2007 to flow seamlessly within the naturally rugged terrain, meandering between natural ravines and through picturesque foothills.
And Eat Gourmet:
Mastros City Hall Steak House
Mastros City Hall Steak House Exterior
If you only have one night to dine out in Scottsdale and you like red meat, there is only place to go—Mastros. Not necessarily because they have the best steak in town—Scottsdale has a lot of competition in that department—but because it’s simply a great scene (though the steak, sides, appetizers and wine list will not disappoint). The sleek, if not gaudy interior screams American opulence, but in a fun, lighthearted way that is exciting. If that’s not reason enough, the restaurant also just underwent a renovation that encompasses nearly every aesthetic from floor to ceiling of the 12,000-square foot space, along with new menu items.
One of the more visually noticeable changes is the wine bottle display that hangs over the bar. It has been adjusted to display on both sides for maximum admiring. A new wine wall displays an impressive collection of reds while temperature control makes it fully functional. As for new menu items? What new menu items could a cavernous steakhouse with a huge menu really add. How about Authentic Kobe beef: The restaurant recently acquired a license to sell the meat coveted for its pedigree, exclusivity and marbling. Diners can choose a 4-ounce portion served in one of two ways: Sliced and served on a hot stone accompanied by jalapeno ponzu, hot sesame mustard and chimichurri sauces; or, a hand-cut steak divvied up in 2-ounce pieces that’s seasoned with coarse salt and cracked black pepper.
Dominick’s Steakhouse
Dominick’s Steak House
While Mastros may reign supreme when it comes to history and word of mouth- driven cache, Dominick’s Steakhouse is hard to beat—in any category. From their 28 day wet-aged steaks, to the thoughtfully manicured wine list to their crowd-pleaser sides (corn brulle, shishito peppers) and appetizers (from fresh burrata to a loaded seafood tower) they have everything you want in a steakhouse. But the atmosphere is perhaps its greatest asset—a vibe of sophistication and elegance that even Mastros can’t challenge. With leather embossed walls lined with tasteful artwork and hand-crafted chandeliers hanging from the ceiling the main floor offers guests one of the most luxurious restaurant settings in Scottsdale while the second floor gives diners a modern feel as they enjoy steaks at one of the tables surrounding the rooftop pool.
Virtu Honest Craft
Celebrated as one of the top 20 “Best New Restaurants” in the U.S. by Esquire Magazine immediately upon opening in 2013, as well as nominated by the prestigious James Beard Foundation for “Best New Restaurant” in 2014, Virtù is Chef Gio Osso’s intimate, stylish gathering spot tucked inside Old Town Scottsdale’s charming Bespoke Inn bed and breakfast. Menus feature handmade pastas, premium seasonal produce sourced from some of Arizona’s most celebrated farmers, superb seafood imported from the most notable fish markets in North America and southern Europe, as well as a seasonal cocktail program crafted with fresh-pressed juices and unique spirits.
ShinBay
Sushi at ShinBay (Facebook)
Chef Shinji Kurita specializes in the traditional Japanese coursing menu with modern twist. In 2012, ShinBay in Scottsdale was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for “Best New Restaurant”. In 2013, Chef Shinji Kurita was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for “Best Chef Southwest”. Kurita’s two-hour omakase dinner (Japan’s freewheeling version of the tasting menu) is a fish-centric joyride with one of the city’s great talents, a perfectionist who sources rare, top-quality fish, uses age-old cooking methods and applies the Japanese principle of subtraction (akin to “less is more”) to every dish – painstakingly creating beautiful bite-size masterpieces that honor time and place. In Kurita’s capable hands, simplicity looks so easy.
FnB
Once called “the epicenter of creative Arizona cuisine” by Food & Wine Magazine, as well as named “Best New Restaurant” by nearly every major publication in the Phoenix area upon its debut in 2009, FnB has continued to receive acclaim both locally and beyond for its richly flavored, globally accented seasonal menus, continually showcasing the best of Arizona’s abundant farming and agricultural community. Tucked inside the charming and historic Craftsman Court, in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, FnB owes its praise and passion to its owners, Chef Charleen Badman and Front of House Manager and Beverage Director Pavle Milic. Notes the New York Times “Few restaurants have done as much as FnB in Old Town to illuminate the agricultural bounty of Arizona.”
Roaring Fork
The Roaring Fork’s Wood Fired Cooking captures the spirit of bold American cuisine, creating flavors that crackle with a rugged edge. In the Old West, the best food was prepared on a simple wood fire. This same spirit, freshness and flavor are at the heart of every dish we serve. Select from lamb, chicken, beef, pork and fresh fish entrees all perfectly prepared by wood fire rotisserie, open flame grill or wood oven roasting. Add to this our impeccable service and an atmosphere as inviting as our food, and you’ve got a dining experience you’ll come back for again and again. Roaring Fork’s ideal blend of energy and intimacy has made it a favorite for over a decade.
Mowry & Cotton
Mowry & Cotton Dining Room at Phoenician
Located at the Phoenician, Mowry & Cotton offers modern American cuisine prepared using cooking techniques of fire, coal and smoke. A large, hearth oven stands as the central focal point of the lively, approachable restaurant. Chef de Cuisine Tandy Peterson injects her own signature style and knowledge of international cooking techniques into the eatery’s regionally inspired American dishes. From flatbreads adorned with locally-sourced ingredients to fresh fish, hearty proteins and ample options for vegetarian diners, Mowry & Cotton’s straightforward menu features great fare from one of the area’s top emerging culinary talents.
Thirsty Camel
Thirsty Camel Lobby Bar at Phoenician
Also at the Phoenician, located right in the lobby, is The Thirsty Camel—one of most beautiful, relaxing and visually magnificent “lobby bars” you will ever come across. But don’t just take my word for it. They happened to be awarded the Forbes Travel Guide “World’s Best Hotel Bars” for 2019. Thirsty Camel features spectacular panoramic views of the resort and valley beyond, as well as a Sonoran inspired food and beverage menu with diverse and exceptional selections of bourbons, whiskies, premium spirits, and handcrafted cocktails for locals and resort guests alike. Their spicy margarita is spot on perfect.
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
While big cities like New York and Chicago remain the big hubs for business travel—and Las Vegas is still the king of conventions—smaller, trendier cities like Austin, Nashville and Scottsdale, Arizona are seeing more corporate travel events.
It should be no surprise then that Charleston, South Carolina—named best city in America for three years running by Travel+Leisure—has a new resort that is attracting corporate travel events. Across the harbor from Charleston in Mt. Pleasant, The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina opened its doors in 2016 and has received rave reviews from the travel press.
Pairing good ole hospitality and luxury amenities, The Beach Club is part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection and is located just over the bridge and minutes away from Charleston’s historic district. And thanks in part to its sheer size, The Beach Club is able to offer custom experiences that few hotels in the Charleston area can match. With this amount of wonderfully manicured space—especially in a city like Charleston where most of the hotels are smaller boutiques—it is no wonder that corporate America has taken notice.
Exterior Arch Overlooking Pool
When companies plan their business gatherings in Charleston, they expect to get a taste of the city’s rich history, charm and coastal ambiance. At “The Beach Club” however, they will also experience a level of service that caters to the culture of their organization with customized events and tailored itineraries. The hotel’s commitment to hosting only one corporate group at a time ensures attention to detail and to helping each business achieve their end goals. Innovative meeting venues and nautical infused interiors are a refreshing departure from the typical hotel conference room. In addition, outstanding views of downtown Charleston, combined with views of the harbor and marina, the Arthur Ravenel bridge and USS Yorktown provide a backdrop for creativity, inspiration and extraordinary experiences for groups of all sizes.
Yorktown from Bridge
The new luxury 92-room hotel opened its doors in late 2016 and has already been recognized as one of the Best New Hotels in the World by Fodor’s – only one of four hotels in the United States to be honored with this impressive distinction.
Beach Club King
The resort’s waterfront location and proximity to the largest marina in the Carolinas, lends itself to an array of teambuilding activities and unique meeting venues such as private yacht excursions, sailing lessons, fishing expeditions and even meetings set among vintage airplanes on the USS Yorktown, a WWII aircraft carrier. Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) are available at nearby Sullivan Island’s Beach as well as on-property waterfront yoga classes on the sandy beach or pier. Indoors, the views are just as thought provoking with a 30-seat private movie theater featuring surround sound and leather recliners—presentations and theater style meetings can be scheduled for a unique experience—and a stunning, specially-commissioned 20-seat table in the Palmetto Executive Boardroom. Larger groups can be accommodated in a variety of spaces including The Yacht Club, overlooking the Charleston Harbor Marina, the Atlantic Ballroom and the Commodore Room, all contributing to more than 40,100 square feet of total indoor and outdoor meeting space. The 30,000 square foot pool area at The Beach Club overlooks the harbor and is just as awe-inspiring as the luxe interiors. A welcome reception at the poolside Tiki-Bar or under the grand porch creates a bold beginning to several days of brainstorming and eleven private cabanas become a great reward for incentive trips and outstanding performance within an organization.
Yacht Club Meeting Room
Movie Theater
Outside of the boardroom, teambuilding activities embrace the local, southern charm of Charleston as team members take to the streets of downtown in the Charleston Chase Scavenger Hunt or participate in a game of Charleston Feud, where contestants answer questions about their host city.
Teambuilding activities, which vary by season, have included opportunities to embrace nature via the water on a sailing competition in the Charleston Harbor; the Veggie 500 where teams create a four-wheel racing vehicle—out of vegetables; and a bicycle building experience where the team builds a bike from scratch that is then donated to a local child or charity in need. For groups wanting to apply a little zen to their meetings, wellness opportunities include Beach Yoga and Meditation classes which help attendees maintain focus and shift their thinking for optimal output. Southern charmer, Suzanne Pollak, Dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits offers keynote and breakout sessions on topics ranging from Etiquette and Entertaining to Culture and Wellness. Her unique style of storytelling keeps attendees engaged and on the edge of their seats, and equipped with valuable tools that apply to life both in and out of the boardroom.
Pavilion at Night
“The charm of Charleston, South Carolina has drawn national acclaim as one of the country’s best cities by Southern Living, Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler, to name a few,” says Oliver Rooskens, Managing Director of The Beach Club. The Beach Club takes this allure a step further with corporate meetings and retreats—offering unique services for the business traveler—including events in our private in-house movie theater, parties on the grand porch, poolside, overlooking the Charleston Harbor or even taking your boardroom meeting to the water via a private charter at the Charleston Harbor Marina—the largest marina in the Carolinas. We can arrange keynote or breakout sessions with engaging wellness and business etiquette experts who can even teach you how to host a Southern Cocktail Party.”
Beach Club Pool
Of course, any good corporate outing should include some non-structured time—some good ole fashioned downtime. And The Beach Club has plenty of options. From the 30,000-square-foot Tropical Pool and Deck, to the Tranquility Pool with Whirlpool, to Private Poolside Cabanas, the pool scene is on par with even the grandest big city hotspots. Those not in the mood for lounging can indulge in a bit of seaside competition on the private bocce court or some lighthearted fun on a life-sized chessboard. Or, they can take a mental and physical break inside the resort’s Estuary Spa, where massages, body treatments and facials provide a healthy dose of relaxation. Once you’re ready to explore, be sure to take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary trolley service and bikes to see the city. Alternatively, the Water Taxi, while a small fee, is the best ride into downtown Charleston. At night, head back to the hotel to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at the Fish House, one of Charleston Living Magazine’s “Top 25 Restaurants in Charleston.”
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
Tucked away on 300 tropical acres between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Turnberry Isle Miami is a tropical oasis with a culture of authenticity and an itinerary of enriching experiences. Continue reading →
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
The newly renovated Four Seasons Orlando has 443 exceptionally designed guest rooms and suites plus a fitness center, golf course, outdoor pools and lazy river, luxurious spa and salon, six vibrant restaurants including Michelin-Star rated Capa Steakhouse. (Curated by renown luxury travel expert Christopher Parr.)
A family trip to Orlando Disney is one of the most memorable but chaotic experiences. Between arranging the meals, fast passes, and nap times for kids, it’s easy to forget that it’s parents’ vacation too. Visiting Florida’s Disney World could be more tranquil and orderly if you book your stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.
The 101 on the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
The newly renovated Four Seasons Resort Orlando is in a private 26-acre lakeside setting with gardens, pools, tennis, and golf courses. It’s the only AAA Five Diamond rated resort in Central Florida that offers the ultimate luxury accommodation with a splash of Disney experience.
The hotel’s unique location and amenities allow you to have a balanced experience of active and relaxing activities. Spend some days enjoying the rides and attractions at Disney World, sleep at a pool when you feel like resting, or dedicate a couple of hours to outdoor sports.
Known as the best luxury hotel at Disney World, the Four Seasons Orlando is situated right in the middle of the magic. Here, you could experience all the top-notch amenities and services a luxury traveler could possibly expect from the five-star hotel and even more.
At Four Seasons Orlando, guests could book VIP-guided tours that allow skipping the lines or plan an exclusive event with private Disney character dining.
Thanks to the Disney Concierge services at the Four Seasons Orlando, you can effortlessly plan all the fun activities in the parks. The prime location of the resort ensures that you don’t spend too much time traveling and concentrate on relaxing and enjoying precious moments with your family.
In the Four Seasons traditions, the resort features a state-of-the-art SPA, a private 5-acre water park, three tennis courts, a free-of-charge kids club, and a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course. Celebrate life with a champagne toast overlooking nightly Walt Disney World fireworks from a rooftop of a Michelin-Star-rated contemporary steakhouse, Capa.
What Seperates Four Seasons Orlando From the Crowd
At the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, there are plenty of top-notch amenities to create family memories and relax your body and soul in Florida’s finest hotels.
These are just some fantastic amenities to enjoy at the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.
For adults:
A pristine and picturesque 18-hole Tom Fazio signature golf coursewith abundant wildlife (it’s a Certified Audubon Sanctuary) and professional gold instructors for hire.
Three Har-Tru tennis courts where you could take a private lesson from an on-site tennis expert Alain Labrecque or play with your friends and family at your leisure.
The SPA and salon are where you could indulge in body and facial therapies or get a haircut and blowout for your special occasion.
Adults-only pool if you need some time for yourself and family pools you could enjoy with the kids.
The luxury shopping experience at one of the boutiques where you can find apparel and accessories from the world’s renowned brands for the entire family. While at the resort, you could hire a personal stylist to assist you with picking the most flattering pieces and styling your outfits.
A state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness center offers complimentary classes like aqua aerobics, group cycling, bodyweight boot camp, and personal training sessions (additional charges apply).
For kids:
A kids’ camp (ages 4-12) is complementary to the Four Seasons Orlando Disney guests.
Explorer Island family water activities include a pool, splash zone, water slide, and lazy river.
The Hideout game spot is where kids can enjoy their favorite video games.
Additional perks:
Late departure lounge where you could comfortably spend time while awaiting an airport pickup.
Personalized room decorations could be arranged for special occasions, including play tents for kids and glow-in-the-dark terrace amenities for the Disney nighttime spectaculars.
Free meals for kids are available for guests under 5 in all hotel restaurants.
Also, enjoy free entertainment, including live music, happy hours, and snacks.
Dining Options at the Four Seasons Orlando Disney
Whether it’s a casual get-together with a family, a quick midday snack, or a special celebration, the Four Seasons Orlando Disney dining experiences satisfy even the choosiest foodies. From in-room dining and Disney characters’ breakfasts for kids to a Michelin-star steakhouse and a gelato stand, get your taste buds ready to experience all four Seasons’ delicacies.
While visiting the Four Seasons Orlando Disney, check out the following dining options:
Capa Steakhouse is a Michelin-star rooftop restaurant that showcases Spanish-influenced cuisine. Pair fresh seafood and exquisite hors d’oeuvres with exclusive cocktails and an extensive wine selection. Book your dinner on Wednesday or Saturday night to catch a live Spanish guitarist performance.
Ravello Restaurant is the place to visit for a night of modern Italian cuisine with the “Four Seasons twist” by executive chef Fabrizio Schenardi. Everything at the restaurant is made out of imported Italian flour and other authentic ingredients. Every Thursday and Saturday, the restaurant hosts a breakfast with guest appearances by Goofy and his friends.
Plancha is a popular Sunday brunch spot that serves Caribbean-inspired dishes and elegant cocktails.
Lickety Split Coffee Shop is a perfect grab-and-go coffee spot where you can also find gourmet snacks and breakfast options.
Pool Bar & Grill serves delicious poolside snacks and meals, from tacos and burgers to oysters and various salads.
The Four Seasons Orlando guests could enjoy 24-hour room service with an extensive menu for adults and children.
The SPA at the Four Seasons Orlando Disney
Rejuvenate your body and soul at the Four Season’s world-renowned SPA. From facial treatments and massages to meditation sessions at a Somadome capsule, pick your favorite restorative ritual to look and feel your best.
Ayurvedic rituals are the SPA’s most unique beauty procedures that help to heal your body with the help of ancient Ayurvedic healing traditions.
Body treatments, from massage and body scrubs to detox wraps, will help smooth and tone your skin while relieving the stressing points.
Indulge in one of the Four Seasons’ facials that address your specific skin concerns. Whether it’s a quick hydrafacial or a remodeling treatment, you will nourish your skin, so it’s glowing from within.
Cryotherapy is a stylish and efficient way to rejuvenate skin with the help of extreme temperatures. Tone and slim your body using fat-destroying thermal procedures or age-defying facial treatments that nourish your skin so you can look and feel your best.
Rooms and Suites at the Four Seasons Orlando Disney
Stay at one of the newly renovated suites and guest rooms for an indulging and serene vacation experience at the Four Seasons Orlando Resort.
From 500 square feet, each of the 443 guest rooms offers panoramic views from a furnished terrace. Take a break from the sun and soak in a full-marble bathtub or enjoy your in-room breakfast overlooking the golf court.
Perfect for family vacations or romantic retreats, the Four Seasons Orlando suites offer a luxurious lodging experience with designer finishes and separate sleeping and living spaces. Each suite could also be configured as a two- or three-bedroom suite and includes two full-marble bathrooms.
The luxurious Royal Suite is the resort’s most significant floor-to-ceiling window accommodation with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a media room, and a wraparound terrace. The suite’s ability to expand to a 9-bedroom configuration makes it an ideal setting for family retreats and celebrations.
Final Take:
Staying at the Four Seasons Orlando in the Walt Disney World Resort is a magical visit to the lap of luxury with Disney spark and Four Seasons amenities. There are so many delightful things to do, from shopping to dining and playing, and the Pursuitist family always has an amazing time when we visit this modern and beautiful luxurious oasis sprinkled with pixie dust. It is a relaxing and fun getaway to Walt Disney World, accompanied by gorgeous surroundings and staffed by wonderful Four Seasons bartenders, housekeepers, servers and team members that will look after your every need. If you’re looking for the best luxury resort experience in Orlando, with is in the heart of Walt Disney World, Four Seasons Orlando is our top pick.
Founded by Chris Parr, Pursuitist.com is Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel publishing brands. The award-winning, ad-free, not for profit site engages affluent connoisseurs with engaging content that speaks to their high-end interests.
1,000 acres—3 Deluxe Hotels—2,300 rooms—100,000 square foot casino —8 Pools—30 Bars—42 Restaurants—$4 Billion in total cost.
These are just some of the staggering statistics that accompany the newly opened, much ballyhooed, longtime-in-the-making mega resort Baha Mar in the Bahamas—which was famous long before it ever opened due to multiple bankruptcies, a revolving door of owners, and the now well documented, stutter-step fashion in which it was conceived and ultimately built. Continue reading →
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
When gangster Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo in 1946, it was the first large-scale casino-hotel project on a quiet stretch of Nevada desert. Today, Las Vegas is anything but quiet, with massive casino-hotels stationed like giant soldiers on the world-famous Strip. Continue reading →
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
As a New Yorker, I think of Los Angeles as being very spread out. Then again, every city in America is spread out compared to Manhattan. For the most part, I actually like its spread, and even the driving sometimes, too—sans traffic. It’s no surprise, though, that I find myself craving the walkability of New York whenever I’m visiting its West Coast counterpart. Continue reading →
In today’s high tech world—where even email threads seem archaic in comparison to a Google hangout—the continued merits of business travel are up for debate. Ask the salespeople and the dealmakers, and they’ll laugh in the face of the modern digital landscape. In their world, nothing beats an in-person meeting when a deal is on the line and you’re looking to close. But does that triumph outweigh the mental and physical strain of balancing on-the-go with on-the-job? Continue reading →
Europe has always been a popular destination for American travelers in the summertime. While flights to France, Italy and the United Kingdom can be pricey this time of year, Spain tends to be a bit cheaper. But instead of heading to the overcrowded beaches of tony Marbella or touristy Barcelona, take a detour to the northwest Basque coast. Here are my top-three reasons to visit San Sebastian this summer.
You Gotta Have Art
Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa (Guggenheim.org)
San Sebastian is home to a thriving art and cultural scene, showcasing the region’s unique history—the Basques are an ancient culture and vehemently independent. Throughout the summer, the city hosts music and cultural festivals galore. The 54th Heinekin “Jazzaldia,” the city’s jazz festival, happens the last week of July and is the longest running festival of its kind in Europe. Classical music concerts are held throughout August at the Musika Hamabostaldia. Film lovers flock to the region in September for the world-renowned San Sebastian Film Festival. Basque culture is celebrated during Basque Week in early September. If you love art, head to one of the city’s many museums, but don’t forget to take a side trip to nearby Bilbao, home to the Guggenheim museum.
Dinner is Served
Arzak (Trip Advisor)
Most of us who have tried Spanish cuisine stateside have encountered regional fare from Sevilla and Madrid. Basque cuisine is entirely different. Fish and meat are grilled over large coals, and hearty stews and bean dishes are extremely popular. The area is home to a large proliferation of Michelin–starred restaurants—second only to Paris—including Arzak, Akelarre and Mugartiz. For less chichi dining, opt for a cider house, which can be found throughout the region.
The Great Outdoors
Surfers at Zurriola Beach (San Sebastian Tourism)
While most visitors to Spain don’t do anything more strenuous than climb a cobblestone street to visit a historic site, for more adventurous travelers, San Sebastian offers a wealth of great outdoor opportunities. You can hike to the top of Monte Urgull or one of the other peaks or bike the surrounding hills. Surfers head to Zurriola, Fuenterrabia and Hendaia beaches for their great waves and relative breathing room.
Shandana A. Durrani is a Detroit native who lives in Berlin, Germany. She has written for a variety of national and international publications and sites including Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, MetroLondon, SiIverkris, and Travel Supermarket. She lives for travel and exploring local restaurants.
I stared into the beak of a red-tailed hawk and wondered how I, a New York City girl, could be so fascinated by this bird of prey as she dug her claws into the padded gloves of naturalist/author Rusty Johnson. Continue reading →
Heading to London this summer? You may want to consider booking a few days at a countryside B & B or at one of the United Kingdom’s many luxury hotels located outside of London.
Fifi+Hop’s Corey Cook takes us to energetic Venice Beach which, despite it’s edginess, can be a great place to take kids. You just need to know where to go.
Some may look at the title of this post – Venice Beach with Kids – with speculation, but Venice was actually my girls’ self-proclaimed favorite part of our L.A. family vacation. They loved it. This post is all about things to do in Venice with kids, and why it should be on every family’s L.A. must-see list.
Venice, CA, bohemian in spirit, has always been the funkier side of town, filled with eclectic shops and people, restaurants, street entertainers, and, in general, an off-beat vibe all its own. It’s never really had a reputation as a family-oriented kind of hood. Yet it’s this colorfulness of Venice which is exactly why I wanted to take my kids – all the action and eye-candy, I knew, would entertain them for hours.
We decided to allot 1 day in Venice, out of our 5 days. How did we go about planning our 1 day in Venice itinerary? I knew just who I wanted to show us around – my blogging friend Hilary from the blog HilaryStyle. She is the eyes and ears of L.A. and would be the perfect person to show my kids everything that makes Venice, Venice.
Hilary and Me!
Hilary was on board for our visit, and then some. We covered it all, and by the end of the day my girls were reeling from all the fun they had. Here’s all the fun things to do in Venice Beach with kids. (Tip: we went first thing in the morning around 9:30, which was a perfect time to start our day, as there were hardly any crowds and it was very manageable with the kids).
WALK ALONG THE VENICE BOARDWALK (AKA OCEAN FRONT WALK)
The Localizer: GLR + AI-powered app curates a list of locally loved, GLR-approved spots.
The famous Venice Boardwalk spans about 1 ½ miles, with beautiful, white sand and the Pacific Ocean on one side, and funky storefronts and eateries on the other. Whatever bric-a-brac shops you can think of, the Ocean Front Walk has: souvenirs, sunglasses, surf and skate shops, t-shirts, tattoos, etc. My girls got their L.A. souvenirs here, in the form of sweatshirts, and have been wearing them ever since. Both say Venice Beach in different patterns, and they think they are the coolest girls in town when they wear them!
We walked for a while along the path, and Hilary pointed out all the other interesting things to see that make Venice the happening place it is. We saw people biking, rollerblading, playing paddle tennis, which are some of the activities you can do while you’re there (though we did not). And then there is of course Muscle Beach, an iconic part of the boardwalk where all the body builders work out. This is where Gold’s Gym got its start, begun by 70’s and 80’s superstar body builder, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Later in our walk the girls got henna tattoos, which was a big hit – there are tattoo shops, fortune tellers and other off-beat things like that scattered all over the boardwalk. As well as restaurants – we ate at Wee Chippy at the recommendation of Hilary as having the best fries anywhere, and I have to say, she was right! In general, the Venice Boardwalk has an energy that appeals to any age, and is just plain FUN.
WATCH THE SKATEBOARDERS AT VENICE SKATE PARK
Venice Skate Park is truly an amazing skate park, and definitely worth a visit. If you’re like us then you will love watching all the skate boarders do their tricks. The boarders span all ages, and you can see older men as much as younger kids skate about. It’s a lot of fun for the kids, and it can take up as much or little time as you want it to.
CHECK OUT ALL THE STREET ART AND WALL MURALS
Venice is known for its abundance of street art, and seeing as Hilary is the street art expert, she showed us mural after mural, art piece after art piece, all throughout Venice. I’ll get to some of these places below, but we saw street art in many of the side streets off of the boardwalk, on our way over to the canals, and along Abbot Kinney Boulevard. There are wall murals everywhere, some I would have probably walked right by had it not been for them being pointed out – so make sure to keep your eyes open and on the look-out. They are colorful and whimsical and great fun for the kids to pose in front of for vaca pics.
One of the highlights of our day in Venice was making some street art/ graffiti of our own! Hilary brought cans of paint with her, which the kids sprayed out on the beach. There is a designated area called the Venice Art Walls where the public can spray paint themselves, and the kids went to town – a great, unique activity that they will always remember!
WATCH THE STREET PERFORMERS
We’re from New York, and whenever there are street performers doing their thing (always) in the subway, on the streets, Union Square, Times Square, wherever, we like to check them out. The girls love watching their shows. Venice is no stranger to street performers so we of course had to see them too. They are a big part of the chemistry that makes up Venice, with a contagious energy that you can’t help but feel a part of. Until they want you to join the show! We watched one group do their break dance, gymnastic stunts, etc. until they started to head our way to get the kids to participate. We immediately high-tailed it, but up until then it was a lot of fun for the kids, with a huge crowd getting into it.
WALK ALONG THE VENICE CANALS
It is no coincidence that the “Venice of America” has the same name as its Italian counterpart. Venice was founded by millionaire developer Abbot Kinney and modeled after his favorite European city, Venice. In the early 1900’s the canals that we see today used to be wetlands, and the perfect spot to build canals. Today (especially after a major renovation project completed in the 90’s), they are one of L.A.’s most unique neighborhoods and so much fun to walk around. I really enjoy walking along the canals and over the bridges, and so did my kids.
With the renovation came many newly built, modern homes, and looking at the houses is just as much a part of the appeal. So many of the city’s beautiful homes are located in the Venice Canals. We particularly liked looking at all the different boats home owners had, from canoes to kayaks to unicorn rafts!
STROLL ABBOT KINNEY BOULEVARD
Perhaps the chicest part of L.A., Abbot Kinney Blvd. is filled with Boho fashion stores, home design shops, fabulous restaurants and an overall trendy vibe. You can’t go to Venice without hitting Abbot Kinney. What’s in it for the kids? Good question – it’s mostly for adults. But for the adults who are visiting with their kids and don’t want to miss out, there are some gems to take the kids. We went to Salt n Straw ice cream, which has amazing, unique flavors and which the kids loved. We found plenty of street art to take pics of them with, and we found fun stores to take them in too – one of them being Avatar Nation. The kids played ping pong in the back, it’s full of bright colors, and they loved it. It was a welcome respite for us adults too to take a break and let the kids play.
Corey is a Team Principal at Elli Travel in Westchester, NY. She has worked in the travel business for the majority of her career, including her current undertaking as the owner of Fifi + Hop, a travel blog dedicated to travel guides, tips and reviews. Corey also worked at the Museum of Modern Art where she planned global trips to art biennials and events for The Contemporary Arts Council, a high-level donor membership group.
The Parker (sister hotel to Le Parker Meridien in New York) mixes casual, old school “Cali” with a bright, modern, yet minimalist facade. In addition to their signature restaurant, Mister Parker’s, the hotel houses Minibar, a retro cocktail lounge with light snacks, and Norma’s, an all-day diner. The centerpiece of the 13-acre property is the legendary pool. Towel claims start at the crack of dawn, so be sure to mark your chair early. A second, smaller salt-water pool is quieter and has an accompanying whirlpool.
Adjacent to the pool is the Lemonade Stand where you can cool off and quench your thirst with a lemonade made from fresh SoCal lemons. And of course “adult beverage” lemonades are available as well. The parker also offers a 16,500-square-foot spa, lawn croquet, pétanque, golf and tennis.
If the afternoon libation leaves you wanting more in the relaxation department, head to the Palm Springs Yacht Club (PSYC). A yacht club in the middle of the desert you ask? While the spa — which is open to the public — offers some serious pampering, it’s the sort of luxury experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Dining out in downtown Palm Springs certainly has it’s place, but The Parker happens to be home to Mister Parker’s—a classic in it’s own right that can easily persuade guests into staying put. Beyond the velvet curtain entrance is a dining area that is more gentleman’s club than restaurant, with dark-wood paneling, a mirrored ceiling, and seductive artwork that begs for oysters and a Martini. The modern French/continental cuisine fits the décor and overall vibe with dressed up favorites like braised wagyu short rib, pistachio-crusted rack of lamb and duck confit with truffled potatoes. The dark, velvety, Palm Springs-of-old feel that Mister Parker’s exudes is exactly what the doctor ordered after a long day in the sun.
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (opened 2014) is one of the hotel brand’s most exciting properties. As a luxurious family-friendly destination in the heart of Disney World, the resort will offer world-class amenities, services and accommodations. Located within the Golden Oak community on Disney property, just minutes from the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, Four Seasons Resort Orlando was one of the most anticipated luxury hotel openings when it opened in 2014. Pursuitist had the opportunity to talk with Thomas Steinhauer, Regional Vice President/General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort:
Christopher Parr: In my recent interview with Isadore Sharp (Founder and Chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts), he called out Orlando as one of the most exciting new Four Seasons properties. How is this destination unique to Orlando and the Disney experience?
Thomas Steinhauer: Four Seasons is in a gated residential community called Golden Oak. While it’s on Disney property, it’s also situated in a unique location that, while close to it all, it’s far enough away to escape. We are surrounded by trees and lakes, and most of our guestroom floors offer amazing views. Our location offers the best of both worlds—convenience to all of the Disney parks, and also, the feeling that you are away from it all. We offer a Disney experience by having our Disney Planning Center on site in the lobby, and also, a character breakfast in our restaurant, Ravello. We have the luxury of giving guests as much or as little Disney experiences as they would like.
CP: On the size of scale, how big of a property is it — and how many rooms?
TS: We are on 23-acres (not including the golf course). Four Seasons Resort Orlando is a 17-story building, with 444 guestrooms (323 king beds/ 121 double beds/ 68 suites).
Concept: Four Seasons Orlando Walt Disney World Resort
CP: Let’s talk amenities. For guests staying at the resort, what does the resort offer onsite?
TS: Our guestrooms are the largest in Orlando. They all offer spacious furnished balconies, and every one of our King guestrooms has a queen-size sleeper sofa bed. Amenities in our rooms include flat-screen television, charging station, iPads in our suites, full coffee/tea setup, in-room safe, and bathrooms that include a double vanity, deep soaking tub, separate shower and in-mirror television with in-ceiling Bose surround sound.
TS: For recreational pursuits and activities, our offerings will be unparalleled. We have a new Tom Fazio designed golf course, a Certified Audubon Sanctuary, unique to our region for its rolling hills. We’ll have three Har-Tru tennis courts; a 24-hour lakeside fitness center; and a 5-acre Explorer Island waterpark, which includes a lazy river, climbing wall, waterslides, splash pad, and more. There’s volleyball, basketball, an outdoor gaming center, bocce ball—you name it. We have amazing offerings for recreation that truly sets us apart. Adults are going to appreciate our 21+ adult pool and our 18-room Spa, which offers men’s and women’s private outdoor lounges. For kids, and for parents, a highlight is our Kids For All Seasons program, which is always complimentary, and available for children ages 5-12 daily from approximately 9am to 5 pm. A complimentary children’s program is a unique offering in this market.
Explorer Island, a five-acre playground allows you to experience the warm sunshine at a 7,590-square-foot family pool with a lazy river.
CP: For guests enjoying the Disney Theme Parks, are there any VIP treatments or unique experiences?
TS: We will offer luxury transportation to the parks, in motor coaches with plush seating and TVs. The transportation will run every half hour to Magic Kingdom and every hour for the other Disney parks. For those who don’t want to wait, we’ll have Lincoln MKX cars available for rent on-site. Our concierge and Disney Planning Center team is happy to assist with VIP experiences, such as, the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom, which is a semi-private 3-hour guided safari.
CP: How does the Four Seasons property integrate with Disney’s offerings and technology? From early park entry, their MagicBands and FastPass, can guests of the Four Seasons Orlando enjoy these services and benefits?
TS: We are able to offer Disney perks such as special theme amenities in the guestroom, and access to the Disney Events Group, which is amazing for our group guests who are seeking to integrate their meeting or event with a Disney theme. The Disney Events Group can do it all, from custom theme décor to an on-site event in Epcot, complete with character appearances. Through our Disney Planning Center, guests will be able to make their dining reservations, purchase their tickets to the parks, and more, all in our lobby. We will have MagicBands available to our guests. We’re also excited to offer a character breakfast, twice weekly on Thursday and Saturday, in our restaurant Ravello.
CP: The Four Seasons Orlando certainly competes with the Grand Floridian, Disney’s flagship property. How will the experience at the Four Seasons Orlando be different than the Floridian?
TS: The Grand Floridian is a beautiful, established property. We are complementing the Grand Floridian, giving guests a new option to experience. Four Seasons offers a tranquil setting, with the option of Disney integration, but it is not as themed as the Grand Floridian. It’s a choice between a Disney property or a Four Seasons property, with a Disney advantage. Four Seasons is a smaller size property, enabling our team to deliver the personalized service our guests know and love.
CP: Who was the designer and what is the design philosophy at the property?
TS: The interior designer is Anderson Miller out of Michigan. The restaurant designer is Puccini Group out of San Francisco. The main design was to reflect the Spanish Revival architecture of Florida’s golden age. The property features terracotta tiled rooftops, square towers, arched windows and colonnades. Terraces with classical balustrades overlook the golf course and beautiful gardens. The interior design is very fresh and relevant to today’s modern traveler.
CP: Share with us information about the dining and bar destinations at the property. Will there be a taste of Orlando at the restaurants?
TS: We have several dining options. A highlight will be Capa, our rooftop restaurant option for dinner, which is a contemporary Spanish steakhouse. Capa offers indoor and outdoor dining, and views of the nightly fireworks. Ravello, on our first floor, offers modern Italian, including wood-grilled pizzas and a pasta bar. A character breakfast will be offered at Ravello every Thursday and Saturday. PB&G is our pool bar and grill, with a Southern smokehouse concept. Plancha is our golf clubhouse Cuban American restaurant. Lickety-Split offers grab-and-go snacks, lattes, smoothies and more. Stephen Wancha is our Director of Food & Beverage, and Fabrizio Schenardi is our Executive Chef. Both Stephen and Fabrizio join us from Four Seasons St. Louis.
Capa restaurant will be a contemporary Spanish steakhouse on the 17th floor.
Lickety-Split offers grab-and-go snacks, lattes, smoothies and more.
CP: The property has just started to accept reservations — what’s been the reaction and when will the resort open?
TS: We are accepting reservations for August 3, 2014 and beyond. Our initial response has been tremendous. We are so thrilled to welcome our first guests this summer!
CP: Luxury and Disney doesn’t normally go hand in hand. For the affluent traveler visiting Four Seasons Orlando, how will they be surprised by the destination?
TS: Definitely, the scope of offerings available on-site at our Resort is a differentiator. Our recreational offerings, from golf, tennis, the water park, and more, plus our location to all the parks, is truly amazing. We provide an oasis-like setting—close to everything, yet away from it all. I think guests will also be surprised that Orlando has much more to offer then theme parks. There are eco-safaris, water skiing, airboat rides, swamp tours, fishing, shopping, museums, nightlife, and much more. Our guests are going to love discovering all that Orlando has to offer.
The Royal Suite sits on the 16th floor and can be transformed into nine-bedrooms when the three separate living rooms are configured.
This article was originally published on Pursuitist and has been republished by GoodLife Report by permission of Pursuitist
Founded by Chris Parr, Pursuitist.com is Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel publishing brands. The award-winning, ad-free, not for profit site engages affluent connoisseurs with engaging content that speaks to their high-end interests.
I toured Eleven Experience’s flagship property, Scarp Ridge Lodge—in the heart of downtown Crested Butte, CO—this past summer and loved it! I can only imagine how comforting it must be to stay here after a long day of skiing in the winter. Perhaps even “snowcat skiing” via their partnership with Irwin Guides (more on that).
A former Croatian saloon, with its Western façade still in tac, this European ski chalet-meets-Rocky Mountain lodge makes for an ideal place to stay for private groups and families.
Eleven Experiences
You may be wondering, what is Eleven Experience? Eleven Experience is an exclusive accommodation and experiential travel brand which seeks out unique and authentic places and properties around the globe. They tend to be off the beaten track, and are mostly all-inclusive, full buy-out type properties. Think 5-star accommodations, but in the comfort of a private home. In addition to seeking out these special properties, Eleven Experience also provides customized experiences with private guides.
Eleven Experience has a few properties in Crested Butte, Scarp Ridge Lodge being its lead property. I visited the lodge this summer, when I was in Crested Butte, and had a wonderful tour. The property is fabulous.
Scarp Ridge Lodge—The Flagship
Scarp Ridge Lodge, with its 5 King bedrooms and bunk room with 7 beds (including a nanny’s room), functions as a retreat for private groups during the winter, and as an upscale B&B during the summer. During winter, Crested Butte is known for its excellent skiing, as well as a plethora of other outdoor winter sports. Think Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, fat biking (extra fat tires to allow you to bike on the snow), and cat skiing.
The lodge has its own, custom snowcat that comes each morning and takes guests to exclusive ski terrain in nearby Irwin. This is part of the “experience” Eleven Experience offers its guests here. Along with a private snowcat, private guides, amazing terrain, and two mountain cabins for eating and apres skiing, guests of the lodge can enjoy a completely unique and plush experience.
Relax and Unwind
After a long day on the mountain, Scarp Ridge Lodge itself is the perfect place to relax and unwind. With a rooftop hot tub, indoor hot tub, indoor salt water pool, sauna and steam room, gym, and media room, there’s not much the lodge doesn’t have. It even has its own oxygen-enriched air system for those who are having a hard time to adjusting to the high altitude. There is a bar for post-skiing drinks, and an open kitchen with fully stocked fridge accessible 24/7. And no worries about cooking – a private chef will do that all for you. Though I must say – the restaurants in Crested Butte are pretty great! You can dine out too.
Bedrooms
Each of the 5 bedrooms has its own en-suite bathroom and is uniquely decorated, with rustic touches in a contemporary setting. We were able to see a bunch of them, all cozy and inviting. The lodge really does feel like a home. The bunkroom, with its 7 beds, is awesome – it had my kids grinning from ear to ear. Based on the board game Chutes & Ladders, it’s adventurous and fun, and just plain cool. There is a loft you can climb up to, and if the kids are young and need some watching after, no worries – there is a nanny’s room right next to it. My kids have been begging to go back. I keep telling them, we will.
As I mentioned, we toured Scarp Ridge Lodge during the summer, when it is a B&B. Not only a ski town, Crested Butte is amazing to visit during the summer. Known for its mountain biking, hiking, flower festival, a happening downtown, and gorgeous scenery, Crested Butte is a special place to visit any time of the year. The lodge is conveniently located in downtown, making it a very easy and accessible home away from home.
Corey is a Team Principal at Elli Travel in Westchester, NY. She has worked in the travel business for the majority of her career, including her current undertaking as the owner of Fifi + Hop, a travel blog dedicated to travel guides, tips and reviews. Corey also worked at the Museum of Modern Art where she planned global trips to art biennials and events for The Contemporary Arts Council, a high-level donor membership group.
Queenstown is an adventure destination for everyone from hikers and snowboarders to bungee jumpers and skiers. Its stunning landscape wraps around Lake Wakatipu with the majestic The Remarkables mountain range as the backdrop. No other hotel in town can come close to the commanding views that The Rees Hotel can offer.
Out of the main action of town, this natural beauty provides a serene setting where guests can enjoy one of New Zealand’s famous glasses of wine while enjoying the view. Here are five top reasons why this is the place to stay when in this famous Kiwi destination.
The views
This is a key reason to stay here as the hotel is built along a hill with almost every room enjoying views of the lake and mountains. Many come with balconies to enjoy the fresh air. Pathways wind down the hill leading to the lake. Throughout the day, the scenery changes with the way the sunlight illuminates the mountains and lake. For those that want to relax in the lobby, there is a library of rare books and regional artwork and maps that help tell the story of the area’s history.
The location
Between the international airport and the city center, this hotel is a short drive in either direction making this a convenient place to stay away from the tourist crowds. A panoramic lakeside path provides the perfect way to get some exercise walking, jogging or biking along the water. The walk into town takes about 40 minutes, but the journey is beautiful. Alternatively, guests can hop the hotel’s complimentary shuttle or head down to the pier where water shuttles whisk you across the waves to town or on tours.
The rooms
Fresh from renovations and the recent installation of air conditioning, the accommodations are looking better than ever. Plush beds with soft quilts and power outlets on either side are perfectly positioned to see the lake, and in many rooms, the bathrooms enjoy natural light by the soaking tub. New Zealand-made toiletries are in eco-friendly pump bottles and have a lovely scent.
Perhaps one of the best features is the desk positioned in front of a lovely window. Coffeemakers, refrigerators, slippers and robes are all in place. Housekeeping is exceptional, and they come by each evening to offer turndown service and leave a sweet treat on the pillow.
In addition to traditional guest rooms, there are also larger residences with kitchen and laundry facilities. These are great for families and couples traveling together because they have a shared living area.
The food
The hotel has continually one accolades for its food and beverage offerings including Wine Spectator’s honor for seven consecutive years. In the restaurant, a breakfast buffet is available each morning with the most prized tables by the lakeview window going quickly. Later in the day, lunch and dinner menus offer local recipes prepared by a friendly culinary team in an exhibition kitchen.
The perks
In addition to the free shuttle, the hotel has free bikes guests can borrow. During the winter months, there is free ski storage. Guests are also able to use the laundry facilities for free. A modern fitness center is located on the third floor. The guest list spans the globe. Perhaps part of the views, but also because the staff here speaks more than 20 languages. Those arriving with cars can park underground for free. From this vantage point, all of Queenstown and its surrounding landscape are within easy reach.
This article was originally published on Pursuitist. Republished by permission.
Founded by Chris Parr, Pursuitist.com is Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel publishing brands. The award-winning, ad-free, not for profit site engages affluent connoisseurs with engaging content that speaks to their high-end interests.
In today’s fast-paced world, traveling has become more accessible and exciting than ever before. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or embarking on a round-the-world adventure, having the right travel tools can make your journey smoother, more enjoyable, and stress-free. From reliable travel blogs and advisors to convenient booking platforms and smart devices, here are 12 essential travel tools that every modern adventurer should consider. These tools range from providing valuable information and recommendations to simplifying travel logistics and ensuring peace of mind throughout your journey.
The Points Guy TPG
The Points Guy is a popular online resource that caters to savvy travelers looking to maximize their travel rewards. This website offers insightful tips, tricks, and strategies to help you earn and redeem points effectively, allowing you to enjoy upgrades, free flights, hotel stays, and more. With comprehensive guides on loyalty programs, credit cards, and travel hacking, The Points Guy is an invaluable tool for those seeking to make the most of their travel experiences.
Travel Blogs
Travel blogs provide a wealth of information and inspiration for travelers worldwide. These online platforms are written by experienced globetrotters, offering personal anecdotes, destination guides, itineraries, and insider tips. From adventure travel to luxury escapes, there is a travel blog for every type of explorer. By following these blogs, you can discover hidden gems, learn about local customs, find budget-friendly options, and gain insights into off-the-beaten-path destinations. Popular travel blogs include Nomadic Matt, Adventurous Kate, and The Blonde Abroad, among many others.
Travel Advisors
While travel blogs offer a plethora of information, sometimes it’s beneficial to have a human touch. Travel advisors, also known as travel agents or consultants, are professionals who specialize in curating personalized travel experiences. These experts have extensive knowledge and industry connections to help you plan your dream vacation with ease. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, family vacation, or adventure tour, travel advisors can provide valuable insights, handle complex bookings, and offer recommendations tailored to your preferences. Their expertise ensures a seamless and unforgettable travel experience.
Booking.com
Booking.com is a widely recognized online platform that simplifies the process of finding and booking accommodation. With an extensive database of hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and even alternative accommodations, such as treehouses and houseboats, Booking.com offers a vast selection to suit every traveler’s needs and budget. The platform provides user-friendly search filters, detailed descriptions, reviews, and competitive pricing, making it a go-to tool for travelers worldwide. Booking.com also offers flexible booking options and excellent customer service, ensuring a hassle-free experience from start to finish.
HotelsTonight
For spontaneous travelers or those seeking last-minute accommodation deals, HotelsTonight is a game-changer. This mobile app allows you to find discounted hotel rooms for the same day or up to a week in advance. HotelsTonight partners with various hotels to offer unsold inventory at reduced rates, allowing travelers to find affordable options on short notice. The app provides user-friendly filters, detailed hotel information, and real-time availability updates. HotelsTonight is perfect for those seeking to save money or find a comfortable place to stay when their plans change unexpectedly.
Airline Credit Card
An airline credit card can be a valuable tool for frequent travelers. These credit cards offer various benefits, such as airline miles or points, priority boarding, lounge access, and free checked bags. By using an airline credit card for your everyday purchases, you can accumulate rewards that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, or other travel-related expenses. Additionally, some airline credit cards offer travel insurance, purchase protection, and other travel perks. Research different airline credit cards to find the one that aligns with your travel habits and preferences, and start earning rewards towards your next adventure. Chase Sapphire Preferred, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and American Express Platinum are just a few of our favorites. See our full review of Best Airline Credit Cards for 2023.
Apple iWatch
The iWatch is a versatile travel tool that can simplify your journey. From displaying flight itineraries and hotel reservations to tracking your fitness and monitoring your health, the iWatch and other high-end smartwatches offer convenience and functionality on the go. With built-in features like GPS, heart rate monitoring, and connectivity to your smartphone, you can navigate unfamiliar cities, stay active, receive notifications, and even make contactless payments. The iWatch’s compact design and multiple functionalities make it a practical companion for any traveler.
Travel and Lifestyle Websites
Travel and lifestyle websites, such as TripAdvisor or Lonely Planet, provide comprehensive travel information and recommendations beyond just accommodation. These platforms offer insights on local restaurants, attractions, shopping, and nightlife, ensuring you make the most of your destination. With user-generated reviews and ratings, lifestyle websites allow you to gather authentic feedback from fellow travelers, helping you make informed decisions about where to eat, what to do, and what to see. By exploring these websites, you can discover hidden gems, avoid tourist traps, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Travel Magazines
Travel magazines, both in print and digital formats, offer a curated collection of inspiring travel stories, stunning photography, and expert recommendations. These magazines cover a wide range of destinations, cultures, and travel styles, providing a source of inspiration and wanderlust for travelers. Whether you’re flipping through the glossy pages on a long flight or exploring digital articles on your smartphone, travel magazines transport you to different corners of the globe and offer insights into unique experiences. Some popular travel magazines include National Geographic Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an essential tool for any traveler. It provides financial protection against unexpected events, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Travel insurance policies typically cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip interruption, and personal liability, among other benefits. Before embarking on your journey, it’s crucial to research and purchase travel insurance that suits your needs and covers your destination. This ensures that you have peace of mind during your travels, knowing that you’re protected in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Cheap Flight Alerts
Cheap flight alerts services, such as Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) or Airfarewatchdog, help you find the best flight deals and save money on airfare. These services send you email notifications or app alerts when there are significant price drops or mistake fares, allowing you to book discounted flights before prices rise again. By subscribing to these services and being flexible with your travel dates and destinations, you can take advantage of incredible flight deals, explore new places, and stretch your travel budget further.
TripIt
TripIt is a travel organization app that consolidates all your travel information in one place. By forwarding your flight, hotel, and car rental confirmations to TripIt, the app creates a master itinerary that can be accessed offline. It provides essential details like departure times, gate information, and confirmation numbers, ensuring you have everything you need at your fingertips. TripIt also offers features like real-time flight updates, alternate flight suggestions, and syncing with your calendar. This app keeps your travel plans organized, simplifying your journey and minimizing stress.
Whether you seek outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or relaxation in a breathtaking mountain setting, Aspen has something to offer for everyone.
Go Hiking and Biking
Aspen is renowned for its picturesque trails and stunning mountain scenery. Explore the Maroon Bells, a pair of iconic peaks, and hike or bike through the surrounding trails like the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail or the Crater Lake Trail. Aspen has equally great mountain biking as it does road biking.
Hit the White Water
Experience the thrill of white water rafting on the nearby Roaring Fork, Colorado, or Arkansas rivers. Guided tours are available for all skill levels, offering a memorable adventure amidst beautiful landscapes.
Aspen Whitewater Rafting and Blazing Adventures are both solid outfitters with happy customers.
Visit Independence Pass
Take a scenic drive on the Independence Pass, which connects Aspen to Twin Lakes. Admire breathtaking views, visit ghost towns, and stop by the Grottos, a natural ice cave formation.
Kayak Maroon Lake
Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle across the serene Maroon Lake, enjoying panoramic views of the Maroon Bells. It’s a tranquil way to soak in the natural beauty of the area.
The aformetioned Aspen Whitewater, Blazing Adventures are solid choices as is Elk Mountain Expeditions.
Visit the Aspen Art Museum
Explore the Aspen Art Museum, which features contemporary art exhibitions, installations, and educational programs. It’s a great place to appreciate artistic talent and engage with thought-provoking works.
Attend the Aspen Music Festival
If you’re a music enthusiast, don’t miss the world-renowned Aspen Music Festival. Enjoy classical concerts, recitals, and performances by talented musicians from around the globe.
Dine in Downtown
Indulge in exquisite sushi at Matsuhisa—Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous restaurant which offers a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.
Cache Cache, a long-standing favorite among locals and visitors alike, serves up French-American cuisine in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere.
If you really want to step it up, head to The Little Nell hotel’s “Element 47” which offers a refined dining experience with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Get a bird’s-eye view of the stunning Aspen landscape by taking a hot air balloon ride and experience the tranquility of floating above the mountains and valleys while enjoying panoramic vistas.
Above It All Balloon Company is a popular hot air balloon service in Aspen offering scenic balloon rides over the Roaring Fork Valley, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Aspen Hot Air Balloon Rides is another well-known provider with options that include sunrise and sunset flights, allowing you to experience the the scenery in dramtic light.
Go Horseback Riding
Enjoy a horseback ride through the scenic trails surrounding Aspen. Guided tours offer the chance to explore the area’s natural beauty while on horseback, providing a unique perspective.
Attend Aspen Ideas Festival
If timing permits, attend the Aspen Ideas Festival, a renowned gathering of influential thinkers, leaders, and innovators from various fields. Engage in discussions and presentations covering a wide range of topics.
A century ago, hotels were built to rival European estates, with hundreds of rooms, sweeping manicured lawns and spectacular vistas. Few of these grand estates remain. While tourists still flock to the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan; The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina; The Breakers in Florida and The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, it’s The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that is the queen of the grande dames, and with good reason. Continue reading →
Shandana A. Durrani is a Detroit native who lives in Berlin, Germany. She has written for a variety of national and international publications and sites including Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, MetroLondon, SiIverkris, and Travel Supermarket. She lives for travel and exploring local restaurants.
If it’s true that location, location, location are the indicators of top real estate, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa has it made in the palm tree shade. Twenty miles closer to world-class events like the BNP Paribas Open (tennis, anyone?), Coachella and Stagecoach than downtown Palm Springs — and just three miles to El Paseo’s designer shopping and gallery mecca — the stellar, four-star property is an Indian Wells landmark known for its gracious hospitality for visitors, groups, conferences, and tournaments. It borders the scenic Indian Wells Golf course and is legendary as the original home of the Newsweek Champions Cup, now the sixth largest tennis tournament in the world.
Agua Serena Spa
With nearly 350 days of sunshine per year, it’s no wonder Indian Wells is a desirable destination, especially in Springtime when the local wildflowers are in bloom, clear skies are blue, and warm temperatures are idyllic. To escape the winter-like weather elsewhere, there’s nothing like the resort’s sunny pools, green gardens, and views of the technicolor Santa Rosa Mountains to make you exhilarated to be able to pack swimwear instead of parkas.
A serene adults-only oasis
Sports
Pretty as a post card, the sprawling, lovingly landscaped resort has new dining options, the world-class Agua Serena Spa, tennis and pickleball courts (this is one trend we thoroughly stand by), seven pools, massive waterslides, a lazy river, and 530 rooms, including 35 suites and 43 villas.
The Fireside Garden
Al fresco dining
This newly refreshed desert oasis also has a long list of new bragging rights. The Fireside Garden is the desert’s newest event space for catered al fresco dining and chef’s dinner experiences. Located along the 17th hole of Indian Wells Golf Resort, the space offers a desert mountains panorama contrasted by the lush green grass and colorful garden. Built around a wood fire oven, the Fireside Garden is an ideal gathering space for villa guests or private parties up to 40.
For a perfect wedding spot, The Grove is a serene new outdoor area for a ceremonies and receptions. With Mount Eisenhower perfectly positioned as the scenic backdrop, The Grove has two connecting spaces that can be customized to host up to 300 guests. It’s conveniently ringed by private villas, allowing your group to stay close.
Hollywood Terrace Suite
Diverse accommodations
The resort has hotel suites and villas for every taste. Mid-century aficionados and party people can’t help but love the new 1,100 square-foot Hollywood Terrace Suite with all the mod cons. It’s designed for lively celebrations with its retro-themed décor, playful furnishings, stocked bar, and huge terrace for indoor-outdoor fun and colorful Instagramable moments. Separate living and sleeping make bachelor parties and girlfriend getaways a breeze with two queen beds, two sofa sleepers, and two full bathrooms. Private space for sunbathing? Check. Views of the resort’s lazy river, lagoon, and mountains? Check, check and triple check.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Villas
Sophisticates have the resort’s classic Penthouse Suite, Grand Suite, and 1,100 luxe square-feet Champions Suite to choose from. Notably, the property’s private villas to relax, play and indulge on your own terms. Arranged in clusters of four with an inner courtyard, the villas range from 1,100 square feet with one bedroom, to the 1,800 square foot Presidential Villa providing spacious residential living complete with fireplace, private patio, outdoor spa and barbeque. Guests are in VIP territory here, as Hyatt Regency Indian Wells has hosted such tennis greats as Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, and more, plus a who’s who list of Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals stars.
Presidential Villa Living Room
Huge Pool and Lazy River
The heart of the resort is where you’ll find the most important feature of any great Palm Springs area hotel: great swimming pools. Making a big splash, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells now has the largest water feature in Greater Palm Springs following the resort’s $21 million waterpark renovation. It includes something for everyone: a 450-foot Desert Twist Lazy River, a kids’ splash area, and the curvaceous HyTides Plunge — twin 30-foot waterslides. If that sounds like too much excitement, do as I do and retreat to one of the resort’s seven pools where you can bask in sunshine, chill with the cool soundtrack, and nap in a private cabana surrounded by palm trees. Yes indeed, this is the place.
The heart of a $21 million pool expansion
This article was originally published on Pursuitist. Republished by permission.
Founded by Chris Parr, Pursuitist.com is Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel publishing brands. The award-winning, ad-free, not for profit site engages affluent connoisseurs with engaging content that speaks to their high-end interests.
While a lot of the heavy lifting to help curb climate change and other environmental concerns requires governmental initiatives there are plenty of things individuals and the private sector can do to make a difference too. Continue reading →
Whit Cook is the Founder/Publisher of GoodLife Report (GLR), a lifestyle website geared towards men and women who like unique products and experiences. He previously worked for Wine Spectator and Cigar Aficionado magazines, several technology start-ups, and is a freelance marketing professional.
Whether you’re headed to a festival or simply craving the warm desert comforts of Palm Springs, consider these 3 spots
Thanks to new hotels, restaurants and festivals, Palm Springs is experiencing a cyclical renaissances of sorts. Similar to swings in the stock market, Palm Springs has a way of falling out of grace for years at a time only to roar back into vogue.
Rooms With a View
