Take an exclusive look inside Park Hyatt St. Kitts, a luxury resort in the heart of the Caribbean. Continue reading →

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. 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 →

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 →

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.

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The best of the best luxury hotel destinations are coming in 2018 

It’s going to be an amazing year for new hotel openings in 2018. Some of the world’s most iconic properties are set to re-emerge after staying quiet throughout extensive renovations, while hot new properties will change the landscape at some of the most popular tourist destinations. Continue reading →

Anyone who lives in New York City will tell you—fall and spring are the best seasons to visit. Spring in particular has an energy unlike any other time of year (sans the holidays). As the air warms and the trees begin to bloom, the city’s energy and effervescence—dormant for much for the winter—begins to bubble up from underneath. Continue reading →

From rooftop terraces transformed into enchanting winter wonderlands to charming, artisan markets selling handcrafted novelties and gifts, hotels from Vancouver to London are pulling out all the stops to offer one-of-a-kind holiday pop-ups, festive events and even a few deals to guests and locals alike this winter. Here are some of the most festive (and luxurious) holiday experiences in the US, Canada and Europe.  Continue reading →

With its newly renovated Rotunda Room, reimagined Perrine restaurant, long history and international appeal, the iconic Pierre Hotel is the perfect place to stay if visiting New York City this fall 

The U.S. Open is an international event, with an international crowd, played in an international city. If you’re in New York over the next few weeks to watch some tennis or you live in New York and enjoy a little people watching and the patronage of this great tennis event – the Pierre Hotel is a must visit place. Continue reading →

Instead of the Usual Seaside Hotpots, Hit These Four Northeast Beach Towns For Tranquil Summer Days

Looking to avoid the summer beach crowds this summer and settle down for a more tranquil summer experience. Here are our top picks for fun yet serene coastal destinations, all in the Northeast. Continue reading →

San Miguel de Allende, a rather little known colonial-era city in Mexico’s central highlands mostly known for its baroque Spanish architecture, just recently received the prestigious accolade of #1 city in the world by Travel + Leisure. So what is so special about San Miguel de Allende? T+L cites the authenticity, cost effectiveness and great restaurants among the many draws, all while—according to one reader—“maintaining its Mexican heritage, culture and charm.”

Here’s a quick review of San Miguel de Allende; where to stay, what to do and, according to our own John Newton, why a certain cooking school might be the biggest attraction of all.

Casa de Sierra Nevada

The grand dame of San Miguel de Allende, Casa de Sierra Nevada is a cluster of historic buildings at the centre of the city. With cool, leafy gardens, stone arches and traditional wooden doors surrounding pretty courtyards lit by lanterns at night, this charming luxury hotel offers the ultimate Mexican experience. While the interior, like many San Miguel hotels, is all about carved headboards and bathrooms in traditional blue-and-white Talavera tiles, their are also more contemporary options that shake up this hill town.

Hotel Matilda

The 32-room Hotel Matilda celebrates the arts scene of San Miguel with a gallery like atmosphere that is focused on the works of three emerging Mexican artists: Aldo Chaparro, Nacho Rodriguez Bach, and Bosco Sodi. Photographs by Mexico City’s Eduardo Zaylan hang on the walls of the guest rooms. Don’t worry, however: the scene is chic and celebratory, not studious, from the hopping Bar Matilda to the 4,700-square-foot spa. In celebration of its opening, all rooms are $195 per night, including breakfast, through the end of the year.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

Meanwhile, newcomer, luxury boutique hotel Rosewood San Miguel de Allende reflects the artistic traditions of an enchanting historic town, while still providing the amenities you would expect from the Rosewood brand. Surrounded by natural beauty and history, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is ideally placed for experiencing this fascinating colonial town. Guests are invited to explore local vibrant fiestas or the town’s colorful streets lined with churches, gardens and galleries at their own pace. Guests can appreciate the art of craftsmanship at galleries such as Fábrica La Aurora to discover stonework, papier maché and hand-blown glass masterpieces.

Wine Cellar at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

Bathroom at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

If you have ever wanted to master a mole or be able to prepare pitchers of agua fresca for your next holiday party, the chefs at the Sazón Cooking School at Casa de Sierra Nevada can guide you through the process.

Students of the day-long Market Tour and Class program begin with a guided visit to the markets of San Miguel de Allende, a postcard perfect 500-year-old colonial town outside Mexico City. The hotel’s chef, the charismatic and engaging Paco Cardenas (who, thankfully, speaks flawless English) explains the differences between habaneros, poblanos, and other chiles of the Mexican kitchen as well as basic shopping Spanish with opportunities to sample cheeses and other ingredients.

Students then return to the Sazón school, located in an 18th-century home near the hotel, and don their aprons. Hands-on lessons in preparing traditional Mexican dishes follow, with the results consumed at the end of class. During our visit, the favorite dish of most students was a nopal salad, made from the cactus plant of the same name, but what is on each class’s menu is determined by the ingredients at their peak of ripeness and available at the market. Other classes (which cost 600 pesos) focus on the country’s regional cuisines and signature dishes.

While classes are open to visitors who aren’t guests at the hotel, a stay at Casa de Sierra Nevada is a highlight of any visit to San Miguel. The Orient-Express property has 15 rooms and 22 suites, decorated with Spanish colonial–inspired furnishings, and distributed among four different colonial mansions and the larger Casa del Parque, a few minutes walk from the hotel. If you pay a month in advance and stay at least two nights, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount on any stay at Casa de Sierra Nevada, including the Sazón Culinary Package, which includes one market tour and one cooking class.

Not to be outdone Rosewood San Miguel de Allende has launched it’s own cooking school. At Los Pirules, a new, immersive outdoor cooking venue overlooking the city of San Miguel de Allende, guests use local Manchego cheese, fresh salsa and herbs picked from the hotel’s garden to create a sizzling queso fundido prepared in a traditional, heated stone bowl or molcajete, a technique that can be traced back to the Aztecs.

While San Miguel de Allende might have something for every type of traveler we’re pretty sure foodies—especially traditional Mexican food aficionados—will enjoy themselves thoroughly in this quaint, authentic and now famous, Mexican city in Mexico’s rustic central highlands.

Five Easy Northeast Beach Towns For Last Minute Travel

While booking a summer rental—in advance—is usually the best way to get your beach fix on, last minute weekend trips to the beach are a reality for most and can provide exactly the kind of whimsical lift your soul needs—if you pick the right town. Continue reading →

I’m intrigued by the fashionable buzzwords in “experiential travel.” “Isn’t all travel based on experience?” I wondered before my recent trip to Bermuda. My purpose? To experience the island like a native by celebrating the Cup Match Cricket Festival, a two-day public holiday held every August. Continue reading →

Food and travel go hand in hand. After all, memories are made with all of our senses, and our senses of smell and taste often help cement a memory long after you’ve left a destination. Continue reading →

From May 26th through June 27th, Bermuda will host The America’s Cup—the world’s oldest and most prestigious sailing event, presented by Louis Vuitton. The competition will draw six teams comprised of the world’s best sailors to the crystal blue waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound for the first time in the event’s 166 years. Continue reading →

From May 26th through June 27th, Bermuda will host the America’s Cup presented by Louis Vuitton, the world’s oldest and most prestigious sailing event. The competition will draw six teams comprised of the world’s best sailors to the crystal blue waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound for the first time in the event’s 166 years. Continue reading →

Despite calls for La Nina, which could mean less snow for parts of the US, the 2016-2017 ski season has gotten off to a great start with many mountain resorts, particularly in the Rockies, picking up ample snow and opening on time or ahead of schedule. And more snow is on the way.

In deciding who made our list of Best Ski Towns in the U.S. it came down to two factors—town and ski mountain. Not every great ski mountain in the U.S. is in a town worth visiting outside of the alpine draw, while not every great mountain town has a great ski area nearby. In our case, both had to be in the upper echelon, with certain factors like authenticity and dining options (for the towns) and snowfall amount and skiable terrain (for their respective ski mountains). Here’s our list:

Truckee, CA

On the north side of Lake Tahioe, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, with an elevation of 9,050 feet at the top and 6,200 at it’s base, is high enough to see plenty of snow. In fact, In fact, in good years, the Lake Tahoe ski resorts routinely see more snow than any other resort in the lower 48 states. Squaw Valley is the number one choice of most skiers staying in Truckee.

How to get there: Squaw Valley is a 3 hour drive from San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) airports which offers nonstop service from most major airports. For a shorter drive, you can fly into Sacramento (1.5 hours) or Reno (1.5 hours) but there are fewer flights.

Mountain Stats:

Elevation: 9050 peak, 6200 base

Lifts: 29 (including 110 person aerial tram and 28 person gondola)

Trails: 170-plus,

Bowls: 16

Avg Annual Snow: 450 Inches

Total Acreage: 3600

Telluride

While Telluride draws comparisons to Aspen and Vail because of luxury lodging options and random celebrity sightings, don’t assume you’ve been priced out and that the slopes are packed. Locals believe the name is a play on the words “to hell you ride” in recognition of Butch Cassidy who robbed his first bank here in 1889. You’re in for a helluva ride at Telluride and Mountain Village, the resort area midway up the mountain. Both offer numerous runs and thousands of acres of terrain.

Technically two separate towns, Telluride and Mountain Village are commonly spoken of as one spot and part of the reason is the ease of travel between the two. Situated at the base of the canyon, Telluride is a historic eight-block town while Mountain Village is more European in flavor, with numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. The 13-minute gondola ride between the two is a scenic experience that locals and tourists complete multiple times a day and beyond the views, the best aspect is it’s free. Environmentalists delight that the gondola transports guests via wind power.

This ease of access offers guests plenty of options when it comes to lodging. In Mountain Village you can choose from a number of boutique hotels. Lumiere is a 28-room residence/hotel property that opened in 2008 and offers ski-in/ski-out access along with majestic views of the mountain ranges. The 95-room Capella Telluride has attracted plenty of attention since its opening in 2009. Just a short walk from one of the lifts and the gondola, the hotel has many amenities including personal assistants for each guest. In Telluride, stay at the 26-room New Sheridan Hotel. The establishment underwent an extensive, eight-month renovation in 2010 that resulted in a wide range of luxury upgrades while staying true to the property’s 117-year history. The hotel is a social hub and houses two of the top places for dinner and a drink in the form of the Chop House restaurant and the New Sheridan Bar.

While some ski resorts cater to either the beginner or advanced skier, Telluride offers something for all levels including those that want a little adventure but aren’t ready to jump off a vertical cliff. Last year saw the addition of Palmyra Peak and Revelation Bowl for thrill seekers, while beginners and cross-country enthusiasts can ski for days on more than 2,000 acres of backcountry powder-packed lanes.

How to get there: Telluride is served via Montrose Regional Airport which offers nonstop service from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Newark.

Mountain Stats:

Elevation: 12570 peak (lift served), 8725 base

Lifts: 18 (including 2 gondolas)

Trails: 127

Avg Annual Snow: 309 Inches

Total Acreage: 2000

Crested Butte

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten track ski experience with plenty of jaw-dropping, powder-packed, double black diamond runs, then Crested Butte may be for you. With more than 500 acres of lift-served, intense vertical routes, Butte is an extreme skiing mecca (it plays host to the Extreme Skiing Championships every February). But if jumping off a cliff with your K2s attached isn’t your idea of a fun weekend, Crested Butte has plenty of less death-defying slopes.

One of the newer ways to hit the slopes here is via snow cat, large vehicles typically used for snow grooming. CS Irwin, a local company, shuttles guests daily to nearby Irwin where groups travel up the mountain in a high-speed Prinoth Bison Cat with a custom cabin—heated, leather seats, etc.—built for skiers. Once on the mountain, skiers have the chance to carve out their own path on acres of open terrain.

While skiing is what people come for and takes up the better part of the day, at night there are plenty of local watering holes to share your wipeouts and glorious runs down the mountain. Locals flock to Eldo Bar, at which you can try out some craft brews from Eldo Brewery, and Kochevars, the oldest saloon in town, with dart boards and an old-fashioned coal stove. One thing you won’t see around town are chain restaurants and shops, as Crested Butte is listed as a National Historic District. Locals have kept a tight grip on expansion.

How to get there: Crested Butte is served via Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport, which offers non-stop service from Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver and Houston. Montrose Regional Airport is a one-and-a-half-hour drive and offers direct service from eight major cities.

Mountain Stats:

Elevation: 12162 peak (lift served), 9375 base

Lifts: 16

Trails: 127

Avg Annual Snow: 309 Inches

Total Acreage: 1547

Steamboat Springs

Photo: Larry Pierce/Steamboat Ski Resort

When your slogan is “Ski Town USA” you better have the slopes to back it up and for the most part, Steamboat Springs’ 3,000 acres of runs hold their own against any other Colorado ski resort. While it may not have the flashiest new resort or highest elevation, the one major attraction for skiers is the signature champagne powder© (yes, they have a copyright on the term). It’s the powder and the variety of runs that not only attract thousands of weekend skiers but also nearly 80 current and former Olympic athletes who call Steamboat home. Among the most famous is World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Billy Kidd, who, on most days, can be found carving a hillside with his signature white cowboy hat, offering impromptu lessons for beginners.

For you apres ski revelers, head to the Umbrella Bar at the Bear River Bar & Grill that is situated at the gondola-base area. The new bar joins more than 100 drinking and dining spots in the Steamboat area. Hazie and Ragnar’s restaurant attract the majority of attention, mostly due to their location. Accessible only via gondola, both restaurants offer unparalleled views of the Yampa Valley from the top of the mountain. While these are great options for romantic evenings, after a long day on the slopes a good beer is a perfect cure for sore muscles. Head to Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill, a local microbrewery, along Lincoln Avenue in the heart of town.

How to get there: Steamboat is served via Steamboat/Hayden Airport, which offers nonstop flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Newark.

Park City, UT

Jackson Hole, WY

Stowe, VT

It’s easy to indulge your love of exquisite accommodations in the Windy City. Celebrating arts, dining, shopping, entertainment and sports, Chicago is a diverse luxury destination that presents unlimited adventures. Continue reading →

Situated in the heart of wine country, sandwiched between Napa and Sonoma, the Carneros Resort is a quiet haven (and heaven) amidst the well-trodden wine country tourist trail.

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GLR Scours New York City for Untapped Treasures as Part of Our “Diamond in the Rough” Series

One of the major upsides of living in New York City is having options.  Drinks at the Pierre, dinner at Grammercy Tavern, award-winning Broadway shows, the world’s best shopping—the list goes on.  The downside is that hitting up the city’s hottest spots often means waiting in lines and dealing with hordes of out-of-towners.

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If you have ever wanted to master a mole or be able to prepare pitchers of agua fresca for your next holiday party, the chefs at the Sazón cooking school at Casa de Sierra Nevada can guide you through the process. Continue reading →

You don’t need sun or balmy weather to enjoy the Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine.  In fact, some guests reportedly prefer to stay during storms. That’s when they can view the turbulent ocean from the cozy confines of their balconies perched above the rocky cliffs that jut into the Atlantic. Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

Americans go horse mad during the first week of May every year. The Kentucky Derby turns casual race fans into serious race fans. Maybe it’s the pomp and circumstance surrounding the race at Churchill Downs or maybe it’s the chance to win big money. But it probably has more to do with the majesty of the thoroughbreds racing around the mile-long track. Continue reading →

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 →