Chill
Pink Sands Resort – Harbour Island
March 29, 2010
The just-back-from-spring-break crowd was all tan and relaxed yesterday at the egg hunt we attended at the Schlegel family ranch. Word has obviously spread about how great Harbour Island is, because it seemed like everyone had spent their week off at this little gem in the Bahamas. (I overheard one person say it’s “almost been Aspenized”…oh you Dallas people give the most entertaining sound bites.) While house rentals were a popular way to stay, so was the Pink Sands Resort, which consists of 25 charming little cottages ideally set on one of the best parts of the beach. www.pinksandsresort.com
Location: Bahamas, Harbour Island
Esencia – Mayan Riviera, Mexico
March 14, 2010
As promised, here’s the secret little luxurious hideaway where my perpetually hemisphere-hopping friend Lucy Wrubel was spinning her magic this weekend. If it looks like a private residence, that’s because it once was one to an Italian duchess. The hotel is on fifty acres of beachfront property and has about 30 rooms. I just ran into Forty Five Ten owner Brian Bolke in customs…he was also part of the chic group of guests who descended on Escenia for a wedding this weekend. He said it was a great place to totally chill out and that the spa was particularly divine. Put this place on your list for when you want to lose yourself for a few days. It’s 20 minutes south of Mayakoba and Playa del Carmen. www.hotelescencia.com
Location: Cancun, Mayakoba, Mayan Riviera, Mexico, Playa del Carmen
Rosewood Mayakoba – Mexico
March 11, 2010
I’ll be blogging from this gorgeous resort in Mayakoba, Mexico for the next few days (creating my own spring break!) It is a little like Venice in Mexico…a boat took us from the reception area along a canal to our room, where we were met by our own butler! The room is perfection. The most luxurious bathtub I’ve seen in awhile, an indoor and an outdoor shower, a rooftop deck for sunning, and our own heated plunge pool. Off to check out the oceanfront and then on to tequila tasting! I’ll post more photos soon. In the meantime, create a little spring break wherever you are! www.rosewoodmayakoba.com
Update: The rooms here are all little villas, with a great layout and just the right amenities. We could totally live in a space this size. The service is incredible. The spa beautiful and first class. The food excellent. I am already looking forward to repeating the same perfect little lunch I had yesterday…a great gazpacho soup with a chicken avocado sandwich on the most amazing ciabatta bread. The beach is pretty with mesmerizing turquoise water. While you won’t find miles and miles of sand, there is just enough beachfront, plus two different pool areas. It’s kid friendly, with a calm surf and roped off swimming area, as well as a kids’ club and plenty of staff to help out with the littlest guests.
I was in mid sentence last night and enjoying a cocktail when I looked up and saw a dear friend (and awesome DJ) Lucy Wrubel, arriving in her party eye shadow and long Mexican dress to spin at an event by the ocean. She promised to tell me about some boho hideaway where she is staying nearby. So stay tuned.
all villas have rooftop decks
beachfront
transportation to your room
Location: Cancun, Mayakoba, Mayan Riviera, Mexico, Playa del Carmen
Isle De France – St. Barth’s
January 27, 2010
I’ve been researching St. Barth’s like mad…April is a great time to go when the rates go down. However, it’s sometimes a bit difficult to get rooms–too much demand! Another great hotel to consider (besides the previously mentioned Eden Rock) is Isle De France. Many of my friends give this hotel wonderful reviews, although some say that the location is not quite as good as the Eden Rock in St. Jean which is apparently the holy grail of St. Barth’s. The consensus is that it Isle De France is still quite heavenly (just look at the photos), and it’s another perfect destination for a luxurious vacation. www.isle-de-france.com
Location: St. Barth's
Eden Rock – St. Barth’s
December 29, 2009
It’s that time of year when the weekly magazines start running photos of all of Hollywood on vacation in St. Barth’s. From my sources who travel there every year, Eden Rock is the hotel on the island. Renting some of the island’s villas may be more affordable (you can stay a week for the same price you can stay a weekend at Eden Rock), but sometimes you just want the luxury and convenience of a five star hotel. And if you are looking for the best of the best, this is apparently it. www.edenrock.com
Location: St. Barth's
Surfing In Sayulita, Mexico
November 21, 2009
Sayulita, Mexico is a small village about 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Known for its consistent river surf break, roving surfers “discovered” Sayulita in the late ’60s after the construction of Mexican Highway 200. It looks like a surfer-bohemian haven, and in my short time there I met people from all over the world, including an inordinate amount of French residents. The village has 4,000 residents, many surf schools, charming stores, and beachside restaurants. It is apparently a good destination for both beginner and advanced surfers as there is a right (longboard) break in front of Papa’s Palapas in the main village area and a left (faster) break just north of the river mouth in front of the campground. I watched the beginners taking surf lessons in the main village area and it looked very calm and not intimidating. I would have tried to fulfill my own surf fantasy had I had more time there. If surfing is not your thing, you can just hang out on the beach with a cocktail, or stroll around and shop. Most people rent homes to vacation here–check out sayulitalife.com and sayulita.com. Since it is a super casual, hippie-esque town, the prices are very reasonable. Or stay nearby in Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita and visit for the day.
Location: Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, Sayulita
Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico
November 17, 2009
Thanks to my friend Amy, I’m writing this from the Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, Mexico, which is a beautiful place for some R & R by the ocean. We happen to be staying in one of the private residences, nestled in a hilltop with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean…an ideal spot for family or group getaways because it is a private home but only a golf cart ride away from the resort and its restaurants, spa, pools and beachfront.
In typical Four Seasons style, the resort is totally kid friendly, and I’ve seen a lot of babies enjoying the family pool (stocked with floaties) with their parents, who also appear to be enjoying themselves. The Four Seasons seems to make family vacations as stress-free as possible! There is also an adult pool for those who want a kid-free zone, but the family pool is serene and relaxing even for those who left the kiddos at home. The beach is beautiful with lots of lounging and dining options in the sand. You can also arrange a private dinner on a bluff overlooking the surf. There is not a big town here, but we did dine at a cute beachfront restaurant in town, which will be a topic coming soon. And dinner at the Four Season’s own restaurant was delicious. So far it’s a peaceful place for some sun, sand, and much-needed sleep.
For the health-conscious, the gym is big, with plenty of cardio machines and strength equipment. There are also lots of acres to walk or jog, and a nature trail for those who don’t mind a little wildlife on their path! We saw iguanas, pigs, and foxes. (I wouldn’t walk it at night!)
And for you golfers, the Nicklaus-designed course by the sea provides incredible views of the white-sand beaches and the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains. One hole is the world’s only natural island green.
We visited the nearby hippie surf town of Sayulita, which is definitely worth a day trip. More about that soon.
Location: Mexico, Punta Mita
The One & Only Palmilla – Los Cabos, Mexico
October 28, 2009
I was just discussing favorite hotels with a very well-traveled, constantly jet-setting friend. Since she has been to every glamorous location around the globe, I expected her favorite hotel to be in Bora Bora, the Maldives, or at least Monaco. Turns out she loves the One & Only Palmilla in Cabo, Mexico. She says it’s simply the best service anywhere.
I haven’t been to the Palmilla since it changed ownership and was renovated. It was really pretty before, but now it looks spectacular. Here are the photos that have me ready to make a reservation. (And I now want a room in my house with tons of lanterns!!!) www.oneandonlyresorts.com
Les Bains De Marrakech – An Exotic Day Spa In Marrakesh
October 21, 2009
I guess I don’t need to call this day spa “exotic” because really everything about Marrakesh is exotic. We loved our spa day at Les Bains De Marrakech. It is a great place to go with friends because there is a lovely community area to hang out and relax together in between treatments. We indulged in “the formules” packages, which include a Hammam and black soap body scrub and body mask with a combination of massages or a massage and a facial. The special black soap is famous to this part of the world, and believe me you will want a body scrub after trekking around the fascinating and very third world Medina, which is full of all sorts of animals from donkeys to cobras. If you are visiting Marrakech, Les Bains De Marrakech is definitely worth a visit.
Les Bains de Marrakech, 2 Derb Sedra, Bab Agnaou, Kasbah, Marrakech, Maroc. +212 (0) 44 38 14 28, contact@lesbainsdemarrakech.com, www.lesbainsdemarrakech.com Images from website.
Villa Feltrinelli – Lake Garda, Italy
October 17, 2009
My friend Gamze (hotel goddess!) just returned from her honeymoon and showed me this amazing hotel that she and her husband stayed at on Lake Garda. These two are my favorite source for the best of the best worldwide and they both agree it was the nicest hotel they’ve been to anywhere. In fact, they said it made them feel like royalty. Read any review of this place online and that seems to be the consensus.
Villa Feltrinelli consists of 21 rooms, 13 of which are in the main villa. There are also more private buildings on the grounds, one that is right on the water and has its own dock. The whole property is completely renovated without losing the authenticity of a centuries old Italian villa. Gamze said they felt like they were staying at someone’s luxurious private home rather than a hotel. Every detail is perfection. The large staff caters to your every need. They’ll even unpack and pack for you. After you check in, you never sign for anything until you check out. The food is divine–the restaurant has a Michelin star. The mini bar is complimentary and includes wine. Your laundry is done for you, also complimentary. Help yourself to a night cap in the game room bar. Super high-end bath products and rose petals adorn your bathroom. The villa has expansive beautiful grounds with lemon and olive tree groves. And there’s the heavenly pool area above. They said they felt secluded from the world. Paradise found.
Grand Hotel A VIlla Feltrinelli, www.villafeltrinelli.com Rooms from 900 euros a night.
Location: Italy, Lake Garda
