It Takes a (Kona) Village: The Big Island’s Most Well-Loved Property Gets a New Life
Why is Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, so well-loved? Maybe it’s their prized location, a crescent bay where the Pacific Ocean stretches into the horizon without interruption. Or, the well-appointed 'hales' and locally-sourced cuisine. Maybe it’s the staff who welcome every guest with a natural smile. It’s all of that, and more. But what truly sets Kona Village apart is its connection to the past, where the traditions of this former fishing village are literally etched into the island’s volcanic landscape. We peel off the...
100 (Amazing) Places To Go
When my kids were little, the 100th day of school was a very big deal. In the days leading up to the 100th day, the excitement was exponential. There were 100th-day projects, 100th-day activities, and 100th-day surprises—all culminating in a 100th-day celebration with a guest appearance by Zero the Hero (a masked superhero played by their teacher’s fiancé). I never questioned why the 100th day of school was such a big deal. I was knee-deep in 100 Honey Nut Cheerios, 100 LifeSavers, and 100 cotton...
How To Find The Best Hotel For Your Next Adventure
Do you ever wonder how to find the best hotel for your next adventure? It isn’t rocket science, but I do have my approach to finding what I consider the 'best' hotels. Think you have nothing left to learn? Let’s compare notes. And enjoy photos from some of my favorite hotels, resorts, and villas along the way. “How did you find that adventure lodge in Iceland?” “Where was that surfing resort in Nicaragua you loved?” “What time of year is the best to go to...
Eagles Soar At Wildflower Farms. So Will You.
Wildflower Farms, an Auberge property in New York's Hudson Valley, is the antidote to city life. Discover why it's on everyone's hot list. Ryan puts our bags in the back of the motorized cart. Our bungalow is a short walk away, but it’s drizzling, so we welcome the ride. After a few social niceties, ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Is this a girls’ trip?’ ‘Are you sisters?’ Ryan slams the brakes. “I just saw a bald eagle—want to see his nest?” My jaw drops. Does my...
In 1950, A Party Started At Eden Rock St. Barths. It’s Still Going.
I walk through the airport’s cool, frosted glass doors. Salt-tinged air warms my face. Out here, the party’s in full swing. People gather with glasses in hand. Bottles of Chassagne-Montrachet chill in buckets of ice at their feet. Bursts of laughter radiate from the well-heeled crowd as a rainbow assortment of Minis and Mokes whizzes behind them. It feels like happy hour on a breezy NYC rooftop, not airport arrivals. I scan the crowd. Our villa manager is easy to spot. He’s wearing tell-tale Eden...
Is Amangani the Best Lodge in Jackson Hole?
We were well on our way to Amangani when I saw ‘WOAH’ on a red octagonal sign that would normally read ‘STOP.’ We’d been in Jackson Hole for a total of 30 minutes. Little did we know that ‘Woah!’ would become the buzzword of this trip among the Teton mountains. Amangani, here we come. Nerves of Steel, in Jackson Hole There have been precious few trips where wildlife has played a central role in our experience. Safari in Botswana was certainly one of them, and gorilla tracking in Uganda was another....
Hacienda AltaGracia in Costa Rica is the best choice for wellness
Hacienda AltaGracia is the Costa Rican wellness resort everyone is talking about. Never-ending choices of activities and treatments to nourish mind and body in a tropical, fairy-tale setting. THE WELL, Hacienda AltaGracia’s spa, is a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Good luck choosing between wellness experiences, off-property excursions, where to eat, what to eat, or where to lounge. There are more than enough choices at Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort. There just isn't enough time. Our twin-engine Cessna glides over the mountainous interior of Costa Rica....
Enchanted. Why Mii Amo is the best Sedona spa.
Mother/Daughter Adventures at the Best Sedona Spa Air is air. Of course, it can be humid, dry, or wet. It can be conditioned or heated, still or sticky—the adjectives are endless. When I visited the Mii Amo spa in Sedona, I looked for words to describe the air. How did it feel? Neither crisp, nor brisk, nor thin, nor heavy. Then, it dawned on me. I wasn’t feeling anything. The air was imperceptible. The beauty of not noticing the air is that my other senses...
Mukul is The Best Family Resort in Nicaragua—Hands Down
Mukul, An Auberge Resort, Nicaragua / Nicaragua may be Central America’s best-kept secret, or maybe the secret is already out. It’s a little hard to tell as Mukul has a way of being at full capacity while simultaneously making you feel like you have much of the place to yourself—just the right amount of buzz, activity, and beachy retreat: a difficult balance to strike. Mukul is a place for those searching for a luxury hideaway experience in an off-the-beaten-path locale. Then take your pick:...
Amangiri is the hideaway hidden in plain sight
Amangiri is one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Amangiri has won awards for its spectacular pool, its desert location, and over-the-top excursions. Read on for a sneak peek into Utah's decadent resort, Amangiri. Discover if a vacation in the Utah desert is right for you. What's Aman? Years ago, when we lived in Tokyo, I remember a dinner party where we met a woman named Fang. She’d been an ex-pat in Japan for years. We were fresh off the proverbial boat, trying...