The post All The Action At The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix appeared first on DuJour.

Your best choice home-away-from for all three ski-vacation types—or a combination thereof—is the Pendry Park City, a modern ski-in/ski-out boutique hotel in the center of Canyons Village featuring California-inspired design, an excellent Japanese steakhouse, and, yes, Park City’s only rooftop pool. In fact, if Park City weren’t so charming, there would be no reason to leave. And yet. Standouts among a town center bursting with high end shops and well-curated cafes include Handle and Pine Cone Ridge, both driven by a commitment to local farms and meticulously paired wine lists, and sister boutiques Cake and C2 by Cake. Use the hotel’s ultra-efficient (and free) shuttle service to get there.

Après Pendry

This year, Epic Pass is making travel to Park City—and several of Vail Resorts’ other mountains—even easier, with the new gear membership plan My Epic Gear, which gives members access to more than 60 new season models of ski and snowboard gear, plus resort delivery and slopeside pickup and drop off. (Haven’t bought your Epic Pass, yet? There’s still time!)

DuJour spoke with Pendry Park City’s director of sales and marketing, Chris Lawing, to learn more about the hotel—and get stoked for the season ahead.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our Four-Bedroom Residence is the most sought-after room at Pendry Park City.

What makes it so special?

It’s perfect for multi-generational family stays. It allows for 8 to 12 guests to share a spectacular “home-away-from-home.” And it features some of the best views in the resort and includes a fun bunk bedroom for the younger guests—with a ski design on the wallpaper!

What’s the nightly rate for this room?

From $2,350 per night in the winter and $1,700 in summer.

The living room of a Peak King Residence

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The hotel is a modern twist on a mountain lodge. The building oozes with contemporary luxury and, most importantly, has no artwork of flora or fauna anywhere on property. Also, Pendry Park City has the only rooftop pool and restaurant in Park City. At The Pool House, the mountain views and drinks are top-notch.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Four-Bedroom Residence has it all. There is ample space for larger families to spend time together, including a large balcony outside of the living room with wonderful views. And while having a welcoming open layout, each room still offers plenty of privacy.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

KITA, our signature Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant, provides s’mores kits to the guests who dine with them—whether you are staying at Pendry Park City or not.

An outdoor firepit

What are your favorite things about the property? 

The property’s access to Park City Mountain is unbeatable and considered among the best slopeside accommodations in the United States. You can walk out of the building and jump on the Sunrise Lift to start your day, and then ski right into the hotel at the end of the day. For the 2025-26 ski season, the Sunrise Lift will be replaced with a brand new 10-person Sunrise Gondola with service to the main part of the mountain.

And your favorite things about Park City? 

The saying, “Come for the Winter and Stay for the Summer” seems overused, but it is so true. Skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities are fantastic and the most well-known, but the summer season here features outdoor concerts ranging from the Utah Symphony to modern rock, multiple festivals and events on Historic Main Street, and to top it off, in the middle of summer  we’ve got daylight until 9:30 pm!

The post Room Request! Pendry Park City appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the hotel’s general manager, Jose Angulo, to learn more about the hotel.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

308, a King Premium Grand Corner Terrace, located on the third floor.

A guest room

What makes it so special?

Located at the building’s point, this one-of-a-kind guest room features a private 800 square foot terrace with a large, comfy chaise and enough terrace furnishings to live your stay outside. It’s the perfect room to kick back, have a glass of wine and soak up the Sunset Harbour views. Inside, you’ll find a cozy 385-square-foot room with a plush king bed dressed in Frette linens, luxury bath goodies by Atelier Bloem and a 55″ Smart TV to catch up on your favorite shows. We want our guests to feel that while the vibrant energy of South Beach is just moments away, they’re cocooned from the chaos.

What’s the nightly rate for this room?

From $400

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Our private rooftop pool and two-tier 6,000 square-foot roof deck is truly an exceptional fresco hangout to take in the panoramic views of Miami’s skyline and waterways.

The hotel’s rooftop

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

Our King Premium Grand Corner Terrace. The wrap-around windows offer the most stunning views of Miami Beach and Sunset Harbour, with plenty of space to entertain friends or family members.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon? 

The hotel’s striking design is by legendary Miami architect and designer Kobi Karp, who wanted to create an iconic addition to the South Beach scene. Most might not know this, but the design takes its cue from Miami’s oceanic environment. Meant to resemble the hull of a private luxury yacht lifted on its side, our lobby incorporates art displays that resemble the ripples of the Atlantic Ocean. And While South Beach has a reputation for flashy glam, our Sunset Harbour location is an enchanting enclave that’s not your tourist’s typical Miami Beach. Situated at the junction of Miami’s Lincoln Road, our location is a gateway to Miami’s best-kept local scene, where trendy boutiques, unique waterfront dining and unforgettable sunsets are just steps away.

How about one more fun fact about the property? 

To support Miami’s incredibly strong art community, we recently launched an Artist in Residence program to highlight local artists and offer guests an exclusive glimpse into the city’s dynamic art scene. For our first artist, we partnered with Milda Aleknaite, a South Florida-based artist who takes inspiration from the vibrant energy of South Florida’s unique environment. Her work can be seen from the porte cochere, lobby, and second, third, and fourth floors. The best part? All art from our artists in residence program will be available for sale directly through each artist.

A guest room sitting area

The post Room Request! Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach appeared first on DuJour.

Bellagio Fountain Club: The Bellagio Fountain Club is back offering a race weekend experience that is only possible in Las Vegas. Offering unrivaled proximity to both the circuit and built on top of one of the world’s most famous landmarks, Bellagio Fountain Club encapsulates a best-of Las Vegas dining, nightlife, entertainment, attractions and luxurious hospitality in one unforgettable venue. Mario Carbone, David Chang, Alain Ducasse, Masaharu Morimoto and Jean-Georges Vongerichten are the first set of chefs confirmed for the culinary program, offering eventgoers new and limitless selections of fine-dining delights nightly. With prime access to the Las Vegas Strip and luxury accommodations, it’s the most luxurious way to experience the Grand Prix.

Wynn Grid Club: The ultra-exclusive Wynn Grid Club is a stunning hospitality suite within the Paddock Club that offers 360-degree views of the track, including breathtaking views of the start and finish line. Guests will enjoy an unprecedented F1 race experience with access to Wynn Grid Club’s private terraces overlooking the action on turns 1 and 2, elevated cuisine and cocktails and best-in-class service. The 3-day ticket features exclusive meet-and-greets with F1 legends, a pit lane walk, truck tour, photo safari, guided paddock tours and more.

Jean Georges Steakhouse: Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is teaming up with Macallan on Friday, Nov. 22 for an extraordinary 200th anniversary celebration at the chef’s eponymous steakhouse at ARIA, pairing award-winning cuisine with an exploration of vintages through the years.

LIV On the Grid: The Las Vegas Grand Prix Paddock Club Rooftop will transform into an open-air LIV Las Vegas nightclub during the race weekend. Created by David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality and operated by Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Liv delivers the ultimate trackside experience.

Patrón Tequila and Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White are teaming up to bring two G.O.A.T.’s together for the ultimate tequila experience on Friday, November 22 from 2-5pm. Joing the F1 racing-inspired “track” experience and meet one of the greatest athletes of all time to enjoy some G.O.A.T. Margaritas with him at the Player’s Lounge, Sports Book and Overlook at the Wynn.

Brunch with Wolfgang Puck at Spago: Spago at the Bellagio, the flagship restaurant of Wolfgang Puck’s dining empire, will host a special lakeside brunch November 22-23 as the celebrity chef engages with diners during a fun, mid-afternoon culinary experience.

Remy Martin 300th Anniversary Dinner at Bardot: Bardot Brasserie at ARIA is partnering with Remy Cointreau on November 21 to celebrate Remy Martin’s 300th anniversary showcasing Cointreau’s portfolio through expertly crafted cocktails, each paired with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina’s twist on French cuisine.

Cocktail Circuit at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: The most spirited lap in the city can be experienced November 22 and 23 at The Cosmopolitan for its “Cocktail Circuit,” taking place at Vesper Bar, Ghost Donkey, The Chandelier Bar and LPM. Guests will be guided to four destinations to explore a range of signature drinks from classics to new-age concepts created by the resort’s award-winning mixology team.

The post Your Guide To The Las Vegas Grand Prix appeared first on DuJour.

The hotel lobby

DuJour spoke with the property’s brand manager, Lucille Beziers, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

406, a Roomy Terrace room

What makes it so special?

It looks like your own little penthouse because you have to climb a private staircase to get to a very light-filled room with your private terrace and an amazing view of Paris rooftops. The perfect mix of modern and Parisian cliché.

A guest room

What is the nightly rate for this suite?

From  € 450

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The hidden speakeasy, Jacques’ Bar. Only cocktail aficionados know it and it’s a great location for delicious drinks or a secret date.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We have super cute mugs in rooms, with a little tagline that is different for each Hoxton. Paris ones are : “Tea? Oui!” and “Ho la latte.” We also do tailor-made surprises and delightful in-room amenities for special occasions: a birthday, wedding anniversary, Tiny Hox when tiny travelers are in tow, Hox Hounds when pups join the trip, etc. Our front desk team always finds the best gifts and the perfect welcome words for our clients.

Jacques’ Bar

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The 14, because of its high ceilings and huge bathtub.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Originally built by Nicolas d’Orbay in the Parisian high rococo style for Louis XV advisor Etienne Rivié, The Hoxton is a listed historical monument. Another fun fact: we share a common corridor with the famous cinema Le Grand Rex and we very often welcome international stars for their secret after parties via a back door.

Rivié restaurant

The post Room Request! The Hoxton Paris appeared first on DuJour.

Aviator Trunk, $1,650, SILVER OAK X PARAVEL, silveroak.com

The post Silver Oak And Paravel Debut A Luggage Collaboration appeared first on DuJour.

A suite living room

NoMI restuarant immerses guests In a reimagined culinary and beverage experience with three distinct concepts, all featuring sweeping views of Chicago’s historic Water Tower and Lake Michigan. At NoMI Kitchen, diners can enjoy modern twists on Midwestern classics; NoMI Lounge is the ideal place to gather, with its sprawling bar, new beverage program and six-seat sushi counter; and new open-air terrace space, NoMI Garden boasts panoramic views. NoMI Spa has also unveiled a new treatment room and a new service menu including HydraFacial treatments.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager, Corinna Wenks, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Wellbeing Suite

What makes it so special?

Amidst the energy of downtown Chicago, the Wellbeing Suite stands out as a serene retreat in the heart of the city. Guests love the 830-square-foot sanctuary for its curated amenities, including green juices, infused waters and healthy snacks upon arrival. The suite’s standout feature is the Tonal smart-gym, which allows for a personalized workout experience without ever leaving the comfort of your room. The suite is also equipped with an AI-powered Bryte Balance Mattress that can be adjusted for firmness, silent wake assist, and even meditation, all through a simple app on your phone. The suite’s tranquil atmosphere is complemented by a sound machine, bath salts, and essential oils, creating an ideal environment for relaxation. Its thoughtful layout includes a separate living area with a queen sleeper sofa—perfect for families or those in need of extra space. The bathroom, inspired by high-end spas, features Le Labo amenities, a dual vanity, a deep freestanding soaking tub, and a rain shower. Every detail of the Wellbeing Suite is crafted with tranquility and convenience in mind, from a minifridge stocked with refreshing cool towels to the option of expanding into a two-bedroom suite, making it a versatile option for wellness-focused travelers.

What is the nightly rate for this suite?

$1,000-$1,250

NoMI Kitchen

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Our guestroom bathrooms perfectly capture the hotel’s overall aesthetic—luxurious, elegant and timeless. The understated design exudes comfort and sophistication, complimented by Le Labo’s Bergamote amenities, deep freestanding tubs and state-of-the-art Toto technology. This thoughtful combination of elegance and warmth promises an inviting atmosphere that truly makes our guests feel at home.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Through our partnership with Le Labo, guests at our hotel have the special opportunity to visit their boutique on Oak Street, the premier luxury shopping destination in downtown Chicago. By presenting their room key, guests receive a complimentary 5-Piece Discovery Set allowing them to experience and sample Le Labo’s exquisite and elegantly crafted perfumes. It’s a little luxury that adds an extra touch of refinement to their stay.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

Rooms with clear views of Lake Michigan—we truly have the best views in the city. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a morning cup of coffee while sitting on the window bench, gazing out at the lake. The combination of the serene lake view with the bustling cityscape below creates a unique contrast that makes you feel both connected and perfectly secluded. It’s an experience that guests often tell me is the highlight of their stay, whether they’re here for business or just a relaxing getaway.

A Lake View room bedroom

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Founded by Jay Pritzker in 1980, the hotel was designed to blend the elegance of a luxury hotel with the warmth of a private residence—a vision that has shaped every Park Hyatt around the world since. Located in the iconic Park Tower on Michigan Avenue, our hotel is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a cultural destination, showcasing an impressive art collection featuring works by artists like Richard Prince and Mary Weatherford.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Our hotel and restaurant, NoMI, are situated alongside the iconic Water Tower, a symbol of Chicago’s rich history as the only building to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Guests can enjoy the stunning views of this landmark from many of our guestrooms and suites, or they can choose a window seat at NoMI, where the floor-to-ceiling windows frame it perfectly.

The post Room Request! Park Hyatt Chicago appeared first on DuJour.

A Panoramic guest room at The Maybourne Riviera

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager, Francisco Garcia, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Panoramic Sea View Suite featuring views of three countries.

What makes it so special?

Designed  by Rigby & Rigby, the studio’s expertise in yacht design played a pivotal role in shaping the identity of the Crystal Wing, ensuring that the region’s yachting heritage and location are seamlessly integrated into the hotel’s interior and exterior architecture. These suites offer spectacular views of three countries—France, Italy, and Monaco—and have been designed to evoke a sense of serenity and exhilaration. Overhanging elements, gentle curves and light-colored, tactile materials contribute to this atmosphere. Contrasting interior finishes, such as silk fabrics and Italian travertine stones, create a rich sensory experience without detracting from the breathtaking views and the suite’s lofty heights.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From €4,000

The Riviera restaurant at The Maybourne Riviera

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The artistic touches that pay tribute to Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier, whose Villa E-1027 and Le Cabanon are visible from the hotel on Cap-Martin. There is a mural in Riviera restaurant, stained glass in the Le 300 Bar and inside the elevators. Additionally, some of our chairs and tables are representations of Eileen Gray’s famous pieces.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We provide Maybourne Polaroid cameras in rooms for guests to capture their memories. Additionally, we offer customized amenities created by our pastry chef, Romain Ricciardi, who consistently crafts unique, bespoke creations as a special touch.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Grand Infinity Pool Duplex Suite is iconic, comfortable and spacious, featuring a private infinity pool—ideal for family stays or celebrations. Spanning 1,184-square-feet, it includes furnished terrace that offers spectacular panoramic views of the Riviera coastline.

The Panoramic suite terrace at The Maybourne Riviera

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Originally, The Maybourne Riviera was a small tearoom established in 1870 on the heights of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Perched more than three hundred meters above the sea, it reinvented itself during the golden age of the French Riviera. Personalities from the worlds of cinema and music, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Frank Sinatra, frequented the venue, captivated by its rare encounter with the horizon. This gathering place was favored by artistic figures due to its ever-present creative energy.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

The hotel’s striking architecture is supported by 300 pillars embedded in the rock. Guests can enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza prepared by Nunzio, our pizzaiolo chef, or take a ride in the stylish Maybourne Mini Moke—offering a classic Riviera experience to transport them to Maybourne La Plage or Monaco.

A terrace at The Maybourne Riviera

The post Room Request! The Maybourne Riviera appeared first on DuJour.

With up to 7 days of long-lasting fragrance, the detergent is formulated with a unique blend of four powerful enzymes that targets stains, dirt and oil. Dewrinkle and scent your bedding and sleepwear with the comforting aroma of the fabric spray. Mist over linens and use as a pillow spray to elevate your wind-down routine.

Beauty Sleep Fabric Spray, $19, THE LAUNDRESS, thelaundress.com

The post The Laundress Launches A Beauty Sleep Collection appeared first on DuJour.

The post Mauro Colagreco Is Leading The Charge Towards More Sustainable Cooking appeared first on DuJour.

Sage Robbins has a fraction of her husband’s Instagram followers—37,000 to Tony’s 7 million. But, lately, this Canadian-born speaker, philanthropist and businesswoman is moving into her own spotlight.

“I’m definitely an eternal introvert. And, of course, being an introvert, life would have it that I married Tony Robbins,” explains Sage. “I’m a private person, even though our life has had a public lens. Truthfully, I’ve been more comfortable as a support. But at this stage of my life, I feel spoken to. I feel called. I feel nudged to step forward, and it feels like guided timing.”

Sage, clearly a wise embodiment of her name, was raised in a small town on the coast of British Columbia with a brother, three sisters and foster siblings in need of temporary homes. She describes her parents as “salt of the earth.”

“I was really blessed,” says Sage of her mom and dad, who have been together for more than five decades. “They demonstrated what love looked like. They still hold hands. It’s lovely to watch them. My parents were so open-minded; we never talked about stepchildren or foster children. It was just our family.”

Sage met Tony at one of his events in Hawaii. She was working as a phlebotomist, and Tony came in to get his blood taken. There were “maybe a few hundred people in the room,” recalls Sage, “but we made eye contact. It was just one of those moments—more of a soul recognition. It just felt like the world stood still.”

“I’ve met millions of people over 47 years, and she stands out as the most unique, sincere and loving soul I’ve ever met,” says Tony. “She’s the executive producer of our entire life. I couldn’t do it without her.”

They married in 2001. They now live in Palm Beach with a 3-year-old-daughter, a late-in-life addition for both Sage, 50, and Tony, 64. (Tony has four kids and five grandchildren from previous relationships.) They had their child via surrogate after Sage suffered a series of miscarriages.

“I never imagined that we’d be where we are today,” says Sage of their marriage. “It just gets simpler and it gets more beautiful.”

For years, “I was so focused on wanting to be a mom,” she says. “I focused on it so much at one period that I missed living, and I missed being a mother to life. What really was healing for me over the years was dropping the obsession to be a mom and letting go and allowing life to surprise me.”

Adds Tony: “We wanted to wait to do this when we could be together at home. To have a 3-year-old at this stage of life is such a gift. She’s brought so much joy to our lives. It’s a beautiful season of life.”

That season began around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed everyone down, including Sage and Tony, who were on the road traveling to over 100 cities about 200 days a year in 2019. “I’m grateful to not be on the road like we were at the beginning of our relationship,” says Sage. She believes her lived experience gives her more wisdom as a mother. “We have more to offer” their daughter, she says. Tony, for one, has “softened down.”

As Sage explains it, their life as a family is relatively normal and, well, Floridian. They swim, read, enjoy the sunshine, go to Publix, share stories before bed. “We do less doing and we experience more being together. We just have an appreciation for those human, ordinary moments of life,” Sage says.

Every night around the dinner table, they talk about why they’re grateful. For their daughter, “it might be her teddy bear, it might be her Play-Doh, it might be the dog. Sometimes it’s mom or dad. It’s sweet. I’m a prayerful person, and my prayer just looks like ‘Thank you.’ We can innocently take so much for granted, so it’s a ‘Thank you for this moment.’”

Recently, Sage and Tony launched a podcast for “authentic family conversations,” as Tony describes it. Together, they discuss a range of topics, from marriage to identity to raising kids and communication.

“We wanted to have something that felt intimate and felt connected and felt more conversational, topics or conversations we might have around the dinner table,” explains Sage. “After 25 years, Tony and I have gone through everything together. We wanted to convey our intimate parts, our lives, the humanness, the spirit of it, all of it—even just the practice of how we navigate our own inner life and world on a day-to-day basis. Being a parent is obviously incredibly rearranging and humbling, and so we wanted to share that space, too.”

This summer also brought the second year of the She’s Unstoppable Summit, a free virtual women’s conference spearheaded by Sage and friends such as Serena Williams, Tyra Banks, Derek and Hayley Hough and Maria Menounos. “It’s just an opportunity to come together, to connect and to share.” The unifying factor is to “find a kinder way.” “This is a day to celebrate women, to come together and to share in the beauty, to experience other women that are rising above their obstacles,” Sage says. “It’s an invitation back to our nature, to listen to our journeys and find the good.”

The conference is yet another extension of the Robbinses’ long-running philanthropic efforts, which have included work on such issues as the environment, hunger relief, animal rescue and stopping human trafficking. Together, Sage estimates, they have planted over 71 million trees. In a decade-long campaign with Feeding America, they have provided nearly 1 billion meals to people in need. They have helped save over 42,000 children from trafficking. City of Dreams, a film the Robbinses have produced about child labor, is in theaters now.

Helping people, explains Sage, “doesn’t have to be writing a check. It doesn’t have to be money. It’s just love. I don’t know if it’s my age or my stage of life, but I appreciate the simple things.”

Hair (Sage): Mylo Carrion
Makeup (Sage): Gina Simone
Photographed on location at The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

The post Tony and Sage Robbins: A Dynamic Duo appeared first on DuJour.

A Pure Heaven Sea View suite pool

DuJour spoke with the property’s manager, Konstantinos Paraschakis, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Pure Heaven Private Hot Tub Suite 103.

What makes it so special?

This suite is highly coveted due to its prime front location, which offers guests unparalleled views of the Aegean Sea. The positioning of Suite 103 provides a breathtaking and immersive experience, allowing guests to fully appreciate the serene beauty of the sea and its natural surroundings. Situated at the forefront of the hotel, it offers uninterrupted panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the nearby islands of Delos and Rhenia. This suite also features a private hot tub, where guests can unwind and enjoy a luxurious soak. Imagine sipping a glass of chilled champagne as you gaze out over the endless shades of Aegean blue, allowing your thoughts to drift away in the tranquil beauty of the scene. It is the perfect setting for relaxation and indulgence.

Topos restaurant

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From €1,000

What’s your favorite design element on property?

My favorite design element of our property is its distinctive color palette. In stark contrast to the typical Cycladic white seen throughout the island, our hotel is designed around soothing tones of beige. This color scheme creates a relaxed, sandy vibe that evokes the natural beauty of the beach and the surrounding landscape. It provides a calming and serene atmosphere that sets our hotel apart from the traditional aesthetic, offering guests a unique and tranquil retreat.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We offer a special perk that remains a delightful surprise for our guests upon check-in. It is a unique touch that enhances the personal and exclusive nature of our hospitality. To discover this hidden gem, you will just have to visit us and see for yourself.

A Pure Heaven Sea View suite

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

Room 111. Although it is an entry-level sea view room, it holds a special charm for me. Instead of a traditional mirror above the bathroom sink, this room features a wide window that offers a captivating view of the sea. Imagine starting your day by brushing your teeth while watching the gentle ripples on the surface of the Aegean Sea. This unique design element adds a touch of magic to the everyday routine, making Room 111 truly memorable.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon? 

An interesting tidbit about our hotel that underscores its iconic status is its location in the Aghios Stefanos region, traditionally known as a villa district for the rich and famous. Unlike many other areas, there are few hotels here, giving our guests an exclusive and secluded experience. Despite being only a 10-minute drive from the bustling Mykonos town, the hotel offers unmatched views of both the town and the Aegean Sea. This unique blend of accessibility and seclusion, coupled with breathtaking vistas, cements our hotel’s reputation as a distinctive and luxurious destination.

The post Room Request! Domes Noruz Mykonos appeared first on DuJour.

The post Moët & Chandon Partners With The U.S. Open appeared first on DuJour.

The bedroom of a Royal suite at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager, Matthias Kindl, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Mandarin Bosphorus room

What makes it so special?

Offering space to dine, work and relax, this contemporary room, with breathtaking Bosphorus views, has been thoughtfully outfitted with luxurious oriental touches. Offering an abundance of space, this stunning Bosphorus-front suite enjoys breathtaking views of the strait. A separate living room and private outdoor balcony are perfectly placed to capture them. Featuring fully equipped spaces for dining, working, and relaxing, these accommodations include wood coverings, organic textures, and metal and leather accents, with stylish lighting fixtures and tulip-shaped panel patterns. Private balconies offer views of the hotel’s garden, grove, or waterfront. Ottoman-inspired Çintemani embroidery and bespoke tulip patterns adorn the bathrooms, enhancing the rooms’ sophisticated elegance. The One Bedroom Bosphorus Suite provides additional luxuries with a separate living room, private balcony, breathtaking Bosphorus views, plush L-shaped sofa, walk-in closet, and large marble ensuite, creating a truly unique and luxurious experience.

Novikov restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus

What is the nightly rate for this room?

Varies depending on the season

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Created by Tihany Design, especially for Istanbul, the tulip design pays homage to the most magnificent period of Ottoman history, the Tulip Era. This elegant design comes to life with different materials such as bronzes, marbles, mirrors and wrought irons on the outer and inner facades of the city resort, which is surrounded by a unique garden.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Royal Bosphorus suite. Its striking marble entry leads through intricately detailed wood doorways into the foyer and central hall, from where guests are drawn into the circular living room. It opens onto an expansive outdoor terrace and winter garden overlooking the water. Liquid bronze-painted wall panels provide intriguing backdrops to the screened dining area, which includes a marble-topped bar, kitchen, and several balconies. The suite’s study spotlights embossed leather wall coverings. The spacious master bathroom is a work of art, with lounge areas, make-up desk, full-scale dressing room, two-person steam shower, marble walls and flooring and eye-catching semi-precious stone accent wall panels.

The bathroom of a Royal suite at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Created by Tihany Design, especially for Istanbul, the tulip design pays homage to the most magnificent period of Ottoman history, the Tulip Era. This elegant design comes to life with different materials such as bronzes, marbles, mirrors and wrought irons on the outer and inner facades of the city resort, which is surrounded by a unique garden.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Our exclusive wedding package represents our special amenity for guests, featuring a delightful degustation menu, a luxurious wedding cake, a one-night stay in our opulent Naile Sultan Suite, dedicated assisting angels, an experienced wedding planner, special honeymoon offers, and other generous privileges, all crafted to ensure an unforgettable experience.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Our Italian Olea & The Bar Restaurant invites you to indulge in our “A Blast from the Past” nights every Tuesday and Thursday. Immerse yourself in the opulence of the golden era of disco, where sophisticated melodies transport you back in time, crafting evenings of unparalleled nostalgic elegance-ette. Delight in the glamour and charm of yesteryears, reimagined with a touch of modern luxury, making every night a truly unforgettable experience.

Hakkasan at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus

The post Room Request! Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus appeared first on DuJour.

The pool at the Savoy

DuJour spoke with the property’s managing director, Franck Arnold, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The 726 Claude Monet suite. It’s a one bedroom, river-view suite.

What makes it so special?

The location on the seventh floor and southeast location in the original Savoy building gives it the best location and the most amazing views of the Thames and London.

The Savoy suite at the Savoy

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From £ 2,500

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The shiny golden statue of Peter II, Count of Savoy, guarding the entrance and welcoming every Savoy guest to the hotel, who in the mid 13th century was granted land and built the Savoy Palace where the Savoy hotel now stands.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Savoy Suite, because I stayed there as I arrived during Covid, and was energized daily by something new happening on the bridges, the South Bank or the Thames sipping an espresso early in the morning. Although Suite 726 bears its name, I believe that the Savoy suite is likely to be the suite where Monet painted London at the turn of the 20th century, due to its large window bay on the Thames.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

The Savoy Court, where all cars arrive from the Strand to drop people off at the theatre and to the hotel, is the only street in Britain where you drive on the right-hand side of the road.

The American Bar at the Savoy

The post Room Request! The Savoy appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the property’s marketing coordinator, Melita Mouliota, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Penthouse Suite, which is particularly favored by Marriott Bonvoy members.

What makes it so special?

Imagine waking up to 360-degree panoramic views of the Acropolis and Athens cityscape. The Penthouse Suite bursts with vibrant colors and playful elements. Plus it features  an outdoor jacuzzi, offering a unique way to enjoy the city’s iconic sights.

The lobby at Moxy Athens City

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From € 800

What’s your favorite design element on property?

My favorite design element has to be the diverse art scattered throughout the hotel. From the bespoke pieces by artist B. in our rooms to the dynamic artworks by SimpleG in our meeting spaces, every corner is a visual treat. Moxy Athens City is where urban vibes and artistic flair meet. We host monthly exhibitions featuring both emerging and established artists in our arcade.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Every guest is greeted with Moxy pink sprinkled donuts in their room upon check-in. It’s our way of saying ‘welcome’ with a dash of sweetness.

A guest room at Moxy Athens City

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Family Corner Room. It’s the perfect mix of Moxy’s playful vibe with stunning views of central Athens. Plus, thanks to our soundproofing, you get to enjoy the city’s energy without the noise. It’s the best of both worlds!

How about one more fun fact about the property?

The check-in at Moxy Athens City is not your typical hotel experience. Our reception is at the bar, so your stay kicks off with a very Moxy & fun cocktail. It’s the perfect start to your Moxy adventure!

The post Room Request! Moxy Athens City appeared first on DuJour.

Dunes on the Waterfront, Ogunquit

Hotelier Tim Harrington renovated the longstanding family-friendly resort along a tranquil tidal river in one of Maine’s most quintessential summer towns to the tune of $10 million, and it shows. 24 updated cottages nestled among meticulously maintained lawns provide a secluded escape in walking distance to a pick-your-own lobster pound (with a well-worth-it rum punch) and the sprawling Ogunquit Beach. A short bike ride away, downtown Ogunquit exudes equal parts old school New England charm and modern inclusivity, with candy shops and toy stores alongside culture served up at the excellent Ogunquit Museum of American Art, award-winning Ogunquit Playhouse and karaoke scene emceed by local drag celebs.

The Nevada, York

A longtime landmark along York’s mile-plus-long Sands Beach, the 70-year-old Nevada motel—named for the U.S. Navy ship on which its first owner served in World War II—was completely overhauled for summer 2024. Owners Joe Lipton and Michelle Friar kept the building’s original motel-style aesthetic but with expanded rooms, all with private terraces and many with 180-degree ocean views; a lively in-house tiki bar and restaurant named for their daughter; and modern art and décor throughout.

Longfellow Hotel, Portland

A trip to Maine isn’t complete without at least a few nights’ stopover in its foodiest city. New for 2024, the Longfellow, located in the Italianate West End neighborhood and conveniently adjacent to the city’s most-Instagrammed coffee shop (it’s the VIP sticky buns), is the city’s first independently-owned new hotel in nearly two decades. Thoughtful design by Brooklyn-based Post Company takes equal inspiration from Maine’s city and country sides, with super-soundproofed rooms (fire station down the block? no problem!) and a most-modern commitment to avoiding single use plastics as much as possible. A casual breakfast and lunch café, literary-inspired lobby bar and second floor spa built around private infrared sauna rooms and featuring offerings like guided breathwork and meditation come together to form a true urban respite.

The Viewpoint, Cape Neddick

Perched on the Nubble Peninsula in Cape Neddick—an area so determinedly disconnected that you’d do well to expect more than a few dead zones; just go with it—the Viewpoint is intentionally removed from York’s beachfront bustle. In 2024, the hotel debuted seven new shoreside rooms built into the rocky coastline offering unobstructed views of the Atlantic, Cape Neddick Light and the occasional nesting bald eagle. While the views and the rooms’ sleek design make the hotel among the most romantic of the bunch—perhaps one reason Lady Gaga’s sister Natali chose it as her wedding venue—it’s also great for families, with an easy all-outdoor in-house restaurant, beautiful pool, lots of open lawn space and an excellent ice cream shop just across the street.

The Lincoln Hotel, Biddeford

Biddeford welcomed its first boutique hotel in 2022 and it’s a beauty, an auspicious sign for the up-and-coming former mill town often regarded as “Portland south” thanks to hyperactive creative and culinary scenes. (What many don’t know is that the city is also home to one of Maine’s most beautiful beaches, Biddeford Pool). The Lincoln’s 33 rooms—many of them extra-large—sit in a restored mill above a lively lobby bar (called “Lobby Bar”), Spinning Jenny’s Coffee bar, an outpost of the popular Maine-based mini-chain Batson River Brewing & Distilling and a rooftop pool. Start your evening with an old fashioned at Lobby Bar (there’s three on the bar menu) before heading to dinner downstairs at Batson River, where the Smash burger made with beef from Pineland Farms is the star.

The Norumbega, Camden

In 2023, partner-owners Brett Haynie and Will Tims, a trained architect, completed renovations on the former 19^thcentury castle originally built as a (very) elaborate summer home for inventor Joseph Barkers Stearns (it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Nine rooms and two suites include the Sandringham, featuring a seating area in the castle’s turret and a grand marble bath, and the Library Room, which occupies the castle’s original two-story library and features a mahogany mezzanine and historic books and keepsakes. The inn’s public spaces, meanwhile, heavy in oak millwork, serve as a de facto art gallery, with original pieces by renowned midcoast Maine artists. Walk to Camden Harbor for a schooner sail or snack, or claim a spot on the terrace overlooking the great lawn for an afternoon well spent with a book or a cocktail from the bar (ideally both).

The post The Best New Hotels In Maine appeared first on DuJour.

Fan-shaped marble mosaic tiles in the Market dining area pay tribute to famed New York brasseries. The penny-round ceiling over the food counter is a hat-tip to the original JFK terminal, designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen. Delta’s recently announced onboard partnership with Missoni is also reflected in the Lounge, with design touches like accent pillows, vases and coffee table books bearing the signature zigzag design of the Italian fashion house. The Lounge features a 140-seat Brasserie restaurant delivering a three-course meal service. Restaurant Associates and Union Square Events (a Danny Meyer concept) have collaborated to elevate the culinary experience in the Delta One Lounge, with dishes such as Hamachi crudo, steak tartare and lasagna bolognese. The wellness area is equipped with nine reservable relaxation pods with full-body massage chairs and nap chairs, treatments from Grown-Alchemist certified therapists and more.

The post New Delta One Lounge Opens At JFK Airport appeared first on DuJour.

The post Doona Partners With Vashtie Kola On A New Design appeared first on DuJour.

The lobby at Zafiro Palace Andratx

DuJour spoke with the property’s global marketing director, Cecilia Svane, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Owner suite, which is our largest and most exceptional suite offering over 2,000 square-feet of space plus an expansive private terrace.

What makes it so special?

This unique suite boasts its own pool and secluded terrace, complete with Balinese beds, sun loungers, and an outdoor dining area with sweeping views of the rugged Serra de Tramuntana mountains and white sand beaches. Guests enjoy two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, dressing rooms, a spacious living room and a hydromassage bath. Thoughtful details abound, including Jo Loves bathroom amenities, daily minibar refills, fresh snacks and more. The meticulously designed space is bathed in natural light during the day, making it the perfect place to enjoy the island’s natural beauty.

The Penthouse suite at Zafiro Palace Andratx

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $1,800 per night.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The resort is nestled into the contours of a towering mountain, and the walls of the main building are crafted from gorgeous stone that is original to the site, enhancing the natural, raw beauty of the space. Additionally, our suites are adorned with locally sourced art from the female-owned ABA Art Lab. These pieces showcase organic shapes on two distinct materials: paper painted with watercolors and natural canvases made from palm plants, a material traditionally used in weaving Mallorcan-style baskets.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

They all offer something great, but I love the Junior Penthouse suite with plunge pool. These are gorgeous two-story suites with panoramic views, a private outdoor plunge pool and terrace with lush plants, seating area and Balinese bed. Everything you need for a memorable vacation!

The Veranda Restaurant at Zafiro Palace Andratx

What’s a special perk or amenity that no one knows about?

As a memento of their stay, guests receive a vanity case designed by the family-run Teixits Vicens, one of the island’s only traditional artisanal fabric makers. The fabric, known as “Cloth of Tongues” (Llenguas Mallorquines in Spanish), originally arrived in Mallorca via the ancient Silk Route. The vibrant colors of the designs—yellow, green, and blue—serve as a reminder of the golden Mediterranean sunshine, lush hillsides and crystal-clear ocean.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

A megalithic structure made of stone called cromlech was discovered while building the hotel. Multiple stories high, this unique circular stone structure was studied and analyzed, and subsequently deemed part of the Mallorca Historical Patrimony due to its significant historical value. As a result, the hotel is built circularly, around the cromlech, and the monument is incorporated into unique design elements, such as an exposed stone wall in the lobby.

The post Room Request! Zafiro Palace Andratx appeared first on DuJour.

The post One Of North America’s 50 Best Bars Is in Grand Cayman appeared first on DuJour.

The courtyard at Alma Restaurante at Casa San Agustín

DuJour spoke with the property’s marketing coordinator, Jairo Cuesta, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Well the Penthouse of course! But more realistically I would say the Capital Suites.

What makes it so special?

The Yabu Pushelberg loft-inspired design of these seven suites gives a real sense of elegant open planned living and the separate living room space is a great advantage. But, I would say the biggest draw for these suites is the iconic London views. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the guests to gaze out over some of the most recognizable views in London. Located on the corners on the property, they have the most fantastic wrap-around windows, affording a view over the hustle and bustle whilst you are cosseted inside this glorious apartment-like space. The key feature for me (as I love to entertain) is the dining table, six guests can dine comfortably creating a real home feel.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

On average £2,995

What’s your favorite design element on property?

There are so many, but the vaulted ceiling above the pool in The Retreat is quite impressive, it gives the illusion of natural sunlight pouring into the space whilst simultaneously being around 20m or so underground. It’s phenomenal.

Suite Del Virrey at Casa San Agustín

What’s an interesting titbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

As a condition for the planning approval for The Londoner, we were required to contribute an artwork to the surrounding community and we chose to integrate the piece into the building itself, holding a competition that Ian Monroe, a local based artist won.  So the glorious glazed blue tiles, which adorn the exterior of The Londoner, are in fact art. Which leads us perfectly to the extensive art collection which resides throughout every area within the hotel.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Signature Suite. It is my dream apartment, high above the city, overlooking Trafalgar square and beyond.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

The Residence. It feels like a private club hidden above the ground floor. A mezzanine floor made up of three unique spaces only accessible to hotel guests, it is somewhere to relax, work or socialize and complimentary breakfast pastries, antipasti, soft drinks tea and coffee are served throughout the day. There is even a secret rare whisky room hidden past the powder rooms.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Yabu Pushelberg designed the hotel to be like a theater set to tie in with the nearby West End. My favorite story of local performance legend is that of Léotard, a French acrobatic performer, who made his music hall debut at the Alhambra Theatre in May 1861 with his flying trapeze act. He invented and made famous a skin-tight one-piece garment and wore it for his performances. This went on to be used by the ballet and in the circus and came to be known as “the leotard.”

Alma Restaurante at Casa San Agustín

The post Room Request! Casa San Agustín appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Eric Foley to discover what makes it so special

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Deluxe Corner King rooms 210, 310, 410 and 510.

A deluxe corner king suite at Smyth Tribeca

What makes it so special?

Floor to ceiling windows. Waking up or winding down with panoramic views of the city skyline is a unique experience that adds to the allure of staying in these rooms. Whether it’s watching the sunrise over the skyscrapers or seeing the city lights twinkle at night, the views from these rooms are sure to leave a lasting impression. New York hotel rooms are typically known to be very small. These rooms are designed to be generously spacious, providing guests with plenty of room to stretch out and relax. The extra space allows for more comfort and freedom of movement, making your stay more enjoyable.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $500

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Smyth is spelled with a Y because we are at the nexus of Hudson and West Broadway. The shape of the streets makes a y shape…which is why Smyth is spelled the way it is.

The terrace of a Tribeca suite at Smyth Tribeca

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Penthouse Suite. It’s 1,200 square feet with a 800-square-foot terrace with stunning views that look right uptown to the Empire State Building. There is surround-sound music and a large dining and living room space for intimate in-suite events

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about? 

Champagne at check in!

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The fireplace in Galerie Bar. Get cozy on the sinuous 1960s Cloverleaf sofa; it’s the perfect spot for a pre-dinner meet up or night cap.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Art lovers will love the rotating photography collection including iconic shots of Andy Warhol, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe with Humphrey Bogart and Clifton Webb with a handful more shots from film sets such as One-Eyed Jacks and The Seven Year Itch.

The living room of a Tribeca suite at Smyth Tribeca

The post Room Request! Smyth Tribeca appeared first on DuJour.

With bungalows, suites, and guestrooms, the Kimpton Seafire is ideal for romantic getaways, family trips and special occasion celebrations alike. The 266 rooms and suites range from ocean view guest rooms to 1-2 bedroom bungalows for groups–there is a room for every type of traveler.

A guest room at Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa

Chef Massimo De Francesca oversees the food offerings on property with various offerings. Coccoloba features Mexican street food and live music on the beach while Ave serves elevated Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails guided by the elements. In December 2022, the resort debuted a new literature-inspired cocktail lounge, Library By the Sea, featuring high-concept drinks. But it is so much more than just a bar for hotel guests–it is a world class cocktail destination. The mixology team have combined their passion for science, hospitality and innovation to create a thoughtful menu that wows. In their dedicated drink lab, they transform local seasonal ingredients that form the basis for the bar’s literature inspired cocktails. Since its opening, Library by the Sea has forged partnerships with 50 World’s Best Bars such as Allegory and Milady’s.  

Seafire’s 8,500-square-foot Forbes Five-Star award winning spa features seven treatment rooms in which to enjoy facials, body treatments and massages. There’s also a hammam and hair and nail services on offer. My custom 60-minute massage left me ready to fall asleep in the grand soaking tub, where I lounged after my treatment. A truly perfect way to start my day by the pool and beach. Above all else, it is the genuine engagement of the staff and their commitment to barefoot luxury service that makes Kimpton Seafire sparkle. The warm, thoughtful team makes it easy to lose track of time while enjoying everything the property and Grand Cayman have to offer.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Steven Andre to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our oceanfront one-bedroom suites and ocean view family suites

What makes it so special?

These two rooms are the highest in demand and provide guests with a number of unique features including bunkbeds in the living room, wrap around balconies and spectacular views of the world famous Seven Mile Beach.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

The nightly rate for the one-bedroom suite starts at $1,299 (in-season) and the ocean view family suite starts at $1,099 (in-season).

The presidential suite balcony at Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The infinity edge pool with three separate sections allowing guests to look directly out to the ocean with unobstructed views. We’re the only resort in Cayman delivering that experience.

What’s an interesting titbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

From day one, sustainability has been woven throughout the fabric of Seafire’s design. Open-air architecture, lush gardens, solar panels, eco-friendly materials and the creation of a dedicated sustainability program all work together to ensure the resort remains true to its mantra of being “Stewards of the Environment.”

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

My personal favorite rooms are the 1-2 bedroom bungalows.  These beachfront bungalows provide guests with their own personal enclave within the resort. Our three bungalows house six separate suites including a 2-bedroom bungalow with its own private pool.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Guests who book a spa treatment can do decompression meditation with Bose noise cancelling headphones in a self-guided decompression room. This is definitely an experience that delivers a wow factor to our guests.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Our amazing Camp Seafire program for kids provides babysitting services giving parents the opportunity to indulge without worry. And our Library by the Sea cocktail tasting experience in our lobby bar takes mixology to next level.

The presidential suite bathroom at Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa

The post Room Request! Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa appeared first on DuJour.

The Dew Tour is beloved for its unabashed accessibility. For 20 years, it’s given spectators a closeup look at some of snow sports’ best, including Shaun White, Chloe Kim and Ryan Sheckler. Admission is free—from the competition events to the musical performance nightcaps—and the perspective is unbeatable. Viewing areas along the whole of the halfpipe get fans so close that they can see the scratches along the bottom of an athlete’s board as it soars high (as high as a record-breaking 19 feet, 9 inches, in the case of Foster) above them. Insiders—who this year included a Marriott Bonvoy member who bid on and won a complete VIP Dew Tour experience as part of the brand’s Marriott Bonvoy Moments rewards platform—watched from a prime spot at the base of the pipe, where they rubbed shoulders with athlete-spectators like tour legend Danny Davis, who won the first-ever Dew Tour Superpipe contest back in 2008.

There was a lot to take in, from the thousands who turned up for electronic duo Snakehips’ Saturday night set (which culminated in a yeti dressed in a Mountain Dew jersey surfing the crowd) to the bluebird conditions on Sunday that served to remind even those itching for spring what they loved so much about mountain life. But maybe the most gratifying moment was catching a glimpse of the Marriott Bonvoy member and his two friends, completely novice riders, enjoying their won experience, which was about as novel as they come. The trio’s VIP ride down the mountain with Davis, already somewhat priceless, turned out to be more like small group instruction with a (very patient) Olympian. Unforgettable is, of course, the whole point of the Moments program, which also gives members access to experiences like watching from the pit at the Miami Grand Prix, tickets to catch the Eras Tour in Hamburg and the opportunity to announce a pick at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

The warm welcome was not entirely unexpected. Because while exclusivity may often be considered the arbiter of a great experience, the coolest part of the Dew Tour is and always has been how very community-oriented and laid back it is. And really, a bit of friendly competition aside, that’s what ski and riding culture is all about. A most excellent cap to the 2023-2024 season, indeed.

The post Free for All: Dispatch from the 2024 Dew Tour appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager, Patrick Katzenberg, to discover what makes it so special.

The Penthouse suite at the Londoner

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Well the Penthouse of course! But more realistically I would say the Capital Suites.

What makes it so special?

The Yabu Pushelberg loft-inspired design of these seven suites gives a real sense of elegant open planned living and the separate living room space is a great advantage. But, I would say the biggest draw for these suites is the iconic London views. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the guests to gaze out over some of the most recognizable views in London. Located on the corners on the property, they have the most fantastic wrap-around windows, affording a view over the hustle and bustle whilst you are cosseted inside this glorious apartment-like space. The key feature for me (as I love to entertain) is the dining table, six guests can dine comfortably creating a real home feel.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

On average £2,995

The Green Room at the Londoner

What’s your favorite design element on property?

There are so many, but the vaulted ceiling above the pool in The Retreat is quite impressive, it gives the illusion of natural sunlight pouring into the space whilst simultaneously being around 20m or so underground. It’s phenomenal.

What’s an interesting titbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

As a condition for the planning approval for The Londoner, we were required to contribute an artwork to the surrounding community and we chose to integrate the piece into the building itself, holding a competition that Ian Monroe, a local based artist won.  So the glorious glazed blue tiles, which adorn the exterior of The Londoner, are in fact art. Which leads us perfectly to the extensive art collection which resides throughout every area within the hotel.

A Corner suite at the Londoner

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Signature Suite. It is my dream apartment, high above the city, overlooking Trafalgar square and beyond.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

The Residence. It feels like a private club hidden above the ground floor. A mezzanine floor made up of three unique spaces only accessible to hotel guests, it is somewhere to relax, work or socialize and complimentary breakfast pastries, antipasti, soft drinks tea and coffee are served throughout the day. There is even a secret rare whisky room hidden past the powder rooms.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Yabu Pushelberg designed the hotel to be like a theater set to tie in with the nearby West End. My favorite story of local performance legend is that of Léotard, a French acrobatic performer, who made his music hall debut at the Alhambra Theatre in May 1861 with his flying trapeze act. He invented and made famous a skin-tight one-piece garment and wore it for his performances. This went on to be used by the ballet and in the circus and came to be known as “the leotard.”

The lobby at the Londoner

The post Room Request! The Londoner appeared first on DuJour.

In addition, the hotel recently unveiled the island’s most luxurious and spacious suite, Suite Dalt Vila, a custom project by Spanish interior designer Sandra Tarruella. It comes complete with customized pajamas, Bentley transfers, private butler service and more. The 1,600-square-foot loft offers unmatched views of the Mediterranean and features a large bedroom, spacious living room, dining area, cocktail bar and wine cellar, and a 1,900-square-foot terrace with a heated infinity pool, outdoor jacuzzi and solarium. The hotel also recently opened two new restaurants: Zuma and Novikov Ibiza and exclusive new nightclub, Club Chinois, the sister venue of the famed Park Chinois in London.

The post Where To Stay And Soak Up The Sun In Ibiza This Summer appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Mourad Essafi to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Honeymoon Ocean Front Suite

The Honeymoon Oceanfront Suite at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets

What makes it so special?

This luxurious suite boasts a spacious layout with a king-size bed, a generous living area and an expansive fully furnished terrace. The lavish bathroom features an oversized rain shower, double vanities, a full-length mirror and a spacious walk-in closet. The separate living area also offers ample seating and connects seamlessly to the beautifully furnished private terrace, complete with a hot tub overlooking the beachfront. Overall, the combination of luxurious amenities, stunning views, and ultimate comfort makes this suite a guest favorite.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

The average rate for this room is around $3,000 per night, including water transfers, culinary experiences at five à la carte restaurants, top-shelf spirits, activities, butler service, and more.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

One design element that is truly captivating is the resort’s Temple, a majestic oceanfront venue crafted from Mexican bamboo and organic materials by architect Javier Una. This architectural marvel designed to resemble a manta ray not only boasts stunning aesthetics for hosting activities and events, but also embodies sustainability and bio-architecture principles, reflecting the property’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

What’s an interesting titbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is deeply committed to sustainability, it’s a resort with purpose. Aligned with Hyatt’s World of Care platform, the resort prioritizes sustainable practices, including energy efficiency, waste reduction and water conservation, as well as marine ecosystem preservation and responsible tourism through an alliance with the non-profit Saving Our Sharks Foundation. Guests play a vital role in these efforts, as their stay directly supports initiatives that highlight responsible fishing and protection of the pristine marine ecosystems of Mexico. By pioneering these endeavors, the resort aims to establish new benchmarks for eco-conscious luxury, providing guests with an immersive experience that aligns with their values and fosters environmental stewardship.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

One of our favorite spaces is the Paramount Suite Ocean Front. Its ground-floor location grants breathtaking vistas of the Caribbean Sea, offering mesmerizing sunsets and pristine ocean views. Beyond its scenic charm, this one-bedroom suite stands out for its generous layout, featuring a spacious living room area and a luxurious king-size bed, providing both comfort and relaxation. Additionally, the presence of a distinct living area with a six-person bar and a separate bathroom adds to its allure, making it the perfect setting for intimate gatherings and creating lasting memories.

A Paramount suite at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

The resort is home to the island’s only Hammam, a traditional Turkish steam bath, a Floatarium and touchless therapies. The Hammam is renowned for its detoxifying properties, exfoliating benefits and ability to promote clear skin and deep relaxation. Meanwhile, the Floatarium provides guests with a serene oasis, combining Epsom salts, warm water and darkness to create an experience that aids in alleviating chronic pain, reducing tension, elevating dopamine levels, and enhancing sleep quality.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Our unique arrival experience reinforces a feeling of being worlds away. Guests embark on a scenic journey from mainland Cancun’s Marina Hacienda del Mar, sailing across the sparkling Caribbean Sea aboard our exclusive resort boat or catamaran transfer. This extraordinary journey serves as an unforgettable introduction to the paradise awaiting them on our tranquil island oasis. Despite our secluded ambiance, you’re also never far from the vibrant energy of Cancun. It’s the best of both worlds–the excitement of Cancun within reach, yet the serene seclusion of our barefoot luxury experience.

The Floatarium at Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets

The post Room Request! Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Spencer Yeo to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our Clubhouse Suites which we only have five of at the hotel (one on every floor).

The Clubhouse Suite at Treehouse Hotel London

What makes them so special?

They have a panoramic view of London and a beautiful brass bathtub to soak in and enjoy the views from. The views, the whimsical playful touches that remind you of your youth, the open spacious plan of the suite, and of course the comfiest king bed ever.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From £350

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Our famous window nooks which are in almost all of our rooms. They are the perfect spot to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and read a book and switch off from the world and technology, even if just for five minutes.

Views from the Treehouse Hotel London

What’s an interesting titbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The building was formerly the site of the Queen’s Hall concert hall which was bombed in 1941.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

Our Skyline King Rooms that end with ’11 on each floor as they are right in the middle of the corridor and, from our comfy window nook, you get perfect views of both Regents Street and the Marylebone neighborhood for great people watching.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We have a secret candy spot in the hotel where everyone can come and help themselves 24 hours a day.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

We have a Paddington Bear in every room!

The Clubhouse Suite at Treehouse Hotel London

The post Room Request! Treehouse Hotel London appeared first on DuJour.

The Collection prides itself in offering distinguished variety in terms of architecture, design and culture, and that variety even extends to LHW proprietors, all of them passionate about service and hotels. 80 percent of Leading Hotels are family-owned, some by third, fourth and fifth generations of family. The company’s mission is to link interesting hotels and hoteliers with each other along with seasoned travelers looking for the exact opposite of cookie-cutter.

“We’re seeking hotels that demonstrate remarkable quality and are led by remarkable individuals,” explained Lauren Alba, the vice president of marketing and communications for Leading Hotels of the World. “The goal is to craft those kinds of uncommon experiences luxury travelers demand.”

With the aim of crafting those kinds of uncommon experiences, last year and again this year, a fourth generation Italian hotelier from the Amalfi Coast ended up lending his chef for a few weeks to a hotel on Turks and Caicos. Or, more specifically, the Rock House, the newest oceanfront property of the Grace Bay Resorts portfolio on this island, one of the fastest expanding destinations for the Leading Hotels brand, tropical or otherwise.

The original concept of Rock House was to create a beachfront hotel on this archipelago south of the Bahamas that would remind guests of the Amalfi Coast, said Nikheel Advani, the COO and co-founder of Grace Bay Resorts. To build a property in Turks and Caicos that sits 95 feet above sea level was particularly bold at the time of development, Advani added, but the experiment was successful. In March, Rock House is set to open up a new phase of rooms and villas.

The winter months are top of the season for Turks, a destination more known for its beaches than its food. (To note: one restaurant favored by locals is called Pork Shack.) Italy, of course, is more of a summer destination, and known for its cuisine. In fact, the Hotel Santa Caterina, a Leading Hotel in Amalfi, Italy closes each year from mid-November to mid-March. So there came an idea: what if the Hotel Santa Caterina shared its chef with the Rock House to create a winter Italian extravaganza?

That’s how Michelin-starred Chef Guissepe Stanzione from Caterina’s ristorante Glicine ended up in a residency at Vita restaurant at the Rock House. (“Vita” is Italian for “life.”) Glicine, in fact, inspired many items on the original menu, but during Chef Stanzione’s two-week-residency he brought a much more extensive array of dishes, including a golden bufala pizza, with yellow tomato sauce and burrata; a yellowfin tuna Caprese; zucchini parmigiana with smoked mozzarella cream, and a bavette pasta with Caribbean lobster sauce.

Stanzione has already promised to return to Rock House for two weeks in high season 2025. Until then, the Zucchini Parmiagiana and the Bavette lobster pasta will remain on the Vita menu.

“I just like cooking everything,” said Stanzione at Rock House, after a recent Italian feast, Turks and Caicos style.

The post A Taste Of Italy In Turks And Caicos appeared first on DuJour.

The post These Travel Accessories Will Make Parents’ Lives Much Easier appeared first on DuJour.

The post Designer Billy Cotton Debuts A Collection With West Elm appeared first on DuJour.

While Danny will be competing for a prize, he also is a prize. A snowboard run with him at Copper during the Dew Tour weekend is one of the latest offerings available to members of Marriott Bonvoy Moments, Marriott Bonvoy’s rewards platform. Members can use points earned from travel and everyday activities to redeem for once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as chance to attend the Dew Tour and snowboard with Danny, reservations and a kitchen tour at the French Laundry or tickets to watch Manchester United battle West Ham in front row seats…. next to a former Manchester United player.

In advance of this year’s Dew Tour, Danny spoke with DuJour to share his ski travel secrets and other things that get him stoked.

What makes a good ski weekend? Actually, what makes a great ski weekend?

For me, it’s powder. Good terrain. Freestyle terrain. My mother-in-law just loves sunny, fun groomers. For her, it’s weather. I guess for me, too. I’m always checking the weather in places I’m thinking of going to see what it’s like. And of course a great place to stay. As dad to a 14-month-old, I’ve become a person who really likes a place that’s away from the crowds but also has lots of convenient amenities. Food, too. The food has to be good. So that’s what you can plan for. But for me what makes “good” “great” is the people. I’ve met so many cool people in mountain communities. Sometimes you can figure out the vibe of a place through Instagram and Pinterest and whatever. Sometimes you just have to go and give it a shot.

Is there anywhere in the world you haven’t snowboarded that you’d like to?

I’ve never been to Crested Butte or Telluride, so I’d love to check those out. I’d like to go to the Banff area. I haven’t snowboarded in Big Sky or anywhere in Idaho. I’ve only done backcountry there. I’m from Michigan and I’ve always dreamed of going to Mount Bohemia and doing some turns in my home state. Also Girdwood or Alyeska in Alaska.

What do you look for first when you go to a new ski town?

Food, if you’re me. A lot of time now, we want good food and we want it quick, so we’re looking for a place where can we call it in and get it to go.

Any favorite tips for enjoying Copper?

Particularly for the Dew Tour week, I’ll always suggest joining the festivities. Go watch the contests, listen to the music. There’s lots of time to ski and snowboard between watching the athletes, who are super cool to see. My favorite spots to eat at Copper are El Zacatecano Mexican and Nowhere Pizza. They make a sick meatball sub. I’ll also always make a stop at my favorite wax tune shop, which is Mono Cera in Dillon, about 15 minutes from Copper.

On the mountain, go to Peace Park to snowboard and ski. It’s geared towards fun and all abilities — not just jumps and rails. I go in with my dad and he has a blast. Also, Copper is not that big but it’s high enough to blow your mind. To get a really good look at Colorado, go ride as many chairs as you can. A lot of those lifts get you up so high — above 12,000 feet — which is so unique.

Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Dew Tour this year?

I’ll be watching for Scotty James and Ayumu Hirano this time around.

How will you plan to recover?

In the evening, I’ll watch some music and maybe take my daughter out on the mountain. She’s little, so I’m not pushing it. She’s got like 15 minutes in her before gloves need to come off.  Then maybe I’ll put her in my backpack. She is the cutest thing.

The post 10 Minutes With Snowboarder Danny Davis appeared first on DuJour.

The post Your New Favorite Colorful Luggage appeared first on DuJour.

The post Roll Rider Is The Travel Hack Your Family Needs appeared first on DuJour.

One of the beachfront pools at Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Yannick Sorro to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

A Calablanca Family Suite

What makes it so special?

These suites (of which there are five) are perfect for larger families or groups of friends traveling together, providing an ideal setting for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. They measure 118 to 138 square meters and guests can choose of two king beds or a combination of one king bed and two twin beds. These one-of-a-kind retreats offer distinct living and relaxation areas carefully curated for the enjoyment of guests including a thoughtfully designed seating area and a private terrace boasting a Jacuzzi for an indulgent soak while taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. Inspired by the rich biodiversity of the region, the design incorporates natural fibers, textures and locally crafted artisanal details. Accents of stone and exotic wood with a color palette that evokes the Colombian seaside and landscape creates a unique synergy between nature and architectural design.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $1,060

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Its expansive beach area, a unique offering not found in Cartagena or elsewhere in Barú. Distinguished as the first luxury beach property in Colombia under an international brand (Sofitel), the hotel also proudly hosts the island of Barú’s inaugural convention center.

Calablanca restaurant at Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Barú Suite where guests can take in breathtaking views of the Caribbean from their own private balcony.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Located at the main entrance is “Libertad,” a sculpture by Colombian artist Nardy Getiva that embodies women’s empowerment. This piece transcends traditional sculpture, portraying a woman as a symbol of strength and resilience. The title, meaning “freedom” in Spanish, signifies breaking free from societal constraints.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We craft each guest’s experience with a personal touch, attentively anticipating and fulfilling their desires. Surprise elements play a pivotal role in this. These aren’t just mere gestures; they are thoughtful, bespoke experiences crafted to delight and astonish. From an unexpected complimentary bottle of champagne waiting in your room, to a specially arranged turn-down service with a local touch, each surprise is carefully designed to create lasting memories. Our aim is to go beyond standard luxury—it’s about creating moments that are as unique as each of our guests, resonating with their individual preferences and stories.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Its LEED certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability in a biodiverse region. Exquisitely and sustainably designed to seamlessly blend in with its tropical landscape of white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Sofitel Barú is the first luxury hotel on the island and the first LEED certified property in the region. The resort’s design follows bioclimatic principles, optimizing natural light and reducing energy use, further enhancing guest comfort and minimizing environmental impact. This approach not only aligns with eco-conscious values but also offers a luxury experience that is both responsible and attuned to the natural beauty of Barú.

The lobby reception at Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort

The post Room Request! Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort appeared first on DuJour.

A guest room at The Weston

Whether you are searching for a ski season getaway, a summer escape or to take in the vibrant fall colors, this boutique inn offers incredible experiences for all seasons. With a full service spa and yoga room, bocce court and fire pit there is plenty to do on property, but the town is also home to beautiful hiking trails and the Weston Theater Company. The Weston will also be offering shuttle services to the local ski mountains for guests interested in heading to the slopes during their stay.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Malin Reina to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Suite Seven

What makes it so special?

The suite comprises an elegant private library with a spacious workspace, a thoughtfully designed bedroom offering ample space and privacy and a quaint living room, perfect for socializing and lounging. Suite Seven seamlessly blends innovation with classicism, with every design detail consciously curated to complement the other. The private library, complete with a fireplace and custom wet bar, provides a welcoming space with large windows providing guests with natural sunlight. Meanwhile, the grand master bedroom, featuring a second fireplace and a bathroom adorned with spacious marble vanities and a walk-in shower, embodies the elegant reflection of Edwardian sensibility. Seven is a suite that transports you through time to an oasis of tranquility and refined country living.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $1,800

The wine room at The Weston

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The property combines elegance, exemplary service and a truly spectacular dining experience with an exciting adventurous wine program. The wine list alone is reason enough to visit The Weston.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

Room Three. One is enveloped in a cocoon of federal warmth and peace. Room three underscores the old statement that good things come in small packages. To say that room three with its wonderful bathroom and river view is the definition of serenity is to say nothing at all.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The 1920s original framed Pan Am posters

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Le Spa, a state-of-the-art jewel box of serenity is dedicated to the holistic well-being and rejuvenation of all the senses. Its thoughtful contemporary menu is crafted to promote your overall wellness, from relieving tension and stress to restoring vitality and hydration. At Le Spa, you can renew both body and spirit. The word to describe Le Spa at the Weston is bijoux.

The post Room Request! The Weston appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Carlos Bueno, the hotel’s managing director, to learn more.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Mansion.

What makes it so special?

At nearly 2,000 square feet, the Mansion is The Newbury Boston’s largest suite, and it’s truly one of a kind. The dramatic space features a dining room for six, an expansive living room overlooking The Public Garden, a butler’s pantry, a five-fixture primary bathroom featuring a soaking tub and double sinks, a powder room, and ample closet space. But perhaps the most special feature is the wood-burning fireplace in the bedroom, which is perfect for fall and winter months and a cozy complement to the king bed with plush linens and comfortable seating area. The residential feel of the space is enhanced by a soothing and sophisticated color palate. And, the Mansion connects seamlessly to another one-bedroom suite, also with a wood-burning fireplace.

The Newbury

What’s the nightly rate?

Nightly rates in The Mansion start at $12,000.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The Newbury Boston opened in 1927 as one of the first Ritz Carlton hotels in the United States and since that time has been a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. The hotel has long been a favorite of celebrities, dignitaries, and business leaders. From gala events and fundraisers to unforgettable wedding celebrations, the hotel is one of the city’s most popular event venues. In addition to its physical prominence overlooking The Public Garden, the recent lobby-to-roof reimagining of the building has solidified its icon status in the community. Historic spaces like The Street Bar are complemented by new spaces like Contessa, the hotel’s dramatic rooftop restaurant and once of the most sought-after dining destinations in the city.

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

In the public space, my favorite room is The Library. From the contemporary art collection to the books curated by the Boston Public Library and Trident Booksellers, it’s the perfect location for guests to relax with a coffee or cocktail between exploring the city. It’s difficult to pick my favorite guestroom and while The Mansion is certainly among the top, one of my personal favorites is our second Presidential Suite, The Corner House. What sets the Corner House apart is its small library and office space, which is a wonderful place to work and relax. And, with its location on the 7th floor, you are that much closer to The Public Garden and almost feel as though you are staying in the trees.

What special perk do you offer that most guests don’t know about?

There are a couple special touches that we offer our guests, including private tours of The Public Garden hosted by the docents at The Friends of the Public Garden. Each tour fee benefits The Friends of the Public Garden and their mission to preserve, maintain, and beautify The Public Garden, Boston Common, and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. In the spring and summer seasons we also offer our guests complimentary Swan Boat tickets. And, finally for those interested in our art collection, we offer an art tour on our website, narrated by co-curator Mike Carroll.

The Corner House suite

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The designers who worked on the transformation of the property took great care to incorporate the historic elements of the hotel while adding a layer of modernity to the amazing bones of this building. The chandeliers are a good example of this. Our historic blue glass chandeliers have been restored and returned to their place in the Garden Room. They sit alongside a contemporary Scandinavian-designed chandelier hanging over the Grand Staircase and a dramatic, handmade porcelain and gold chandelier in the lobby that was designed to emulate the leaves of a Ginkgo tree, a species representing good fortune that is also found throughout The Public Garden. In addition, the art collection, which features photography, mixed media, sculpture, oil paintings, and more adds a contemporary and sophisticated touch to the property.

What are your favorite things about the property?

In summer, the hotel’s proximity to Boston’s wide variety of greenspace makes it really special. From strolls through Beacon Hill to runs along the Charles River, it’s great to get outside. And, there is something wonderful about dining in Contessa with all of the windows open to the fresh air and dramatic city views.

Winter is cozy season in Boston and there is nothing better than relaxing in one of our fireplace suites and having our fireplace butlers lay the perfect fire. We offer a selection of wood varietals from fragrant maple to long burning cherry to set the perfect ambience. And, the fireplace is complemented by an exclusive fireplace menu of bites and cocktails.

And your favorite things about Boston?

There is really so much to enjoy in every season in Boston. The enthusiasm around sports and Boston’s teams adds a wonderful energy to the city. In the summer, whether or not you are Red Sox fan, there is something special about a visit to Fenway Park. The same is true for a visit to The Garden in winter to see The Celtics or the Bruins play. Boston’s green spaces are also some of my favorite elements of the city in both summer and winter. From summertime Swan Boat rides in the Public Garden or Shakespeare on the Common to ice skating on the Frog Pond, Boston’s parks are accessible and activated year-round.

Contessa restaurant

The post Room Request! The Newbury Boston appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Carlson to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our Mountain-Side rooms and suites.

A guest suite living room at Four Seasons Jackson Hole

What makes it so special?

Our Mountain-Side rooms and suites are definitely in high demand showcasing dramatic views of Rendezvous Mountain. In summer, you see the sunsets over the mountain, and in winter, you have a prime view of the winter sports action. These gorgeous rooms give guests a prime view of the dramatic beauty of the destination—truly nature’s playground.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

Rates start at $1,400

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Our year-round heated pool, set at the base of the mountain, is designed to mirror the undulating waters of the adjacent Snake River. Guests can swim as snowflakes swirl overhead or after a long mountain hike. Three hot spring-style jetted hot tubs are the perfect remedy for year-round relaxation after a day of adventure. Passed poolside treats include complimentary s’mores and seasonal hot chocolate.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

Our three-bedroom, plus loft, Rendezvous Residence is newly renovated and offers a true ski-in/ski-out experience. Spectacular views, ultra-private location and an elevator separate from all other guestrooms add to the exclusivity. Guests will experience a gourmet kitchen, butler entrance, and so many luxury touches.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Our design mixes organic materials such as leather and stone with modern touches, clean lines and colors reflective of the earth. We also this year added an art collection, Wild by Four Seasons, recognizing more than 30 local and regional artists. All works are available for sale, and we work with the artists to create meaningful programming throughout the year.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Coming in 2024, and exclusively for hotel guests, will be a new speakeasy for guests to discover. Expect elevated cocktails for après and beyond, with the clubby feel of an exclusive mountain lounge.

What is another fun fact about the property?

The founder of Four Seasons, Isadore Sharp, was the original inspiration behind selecting the destination for our only Wyoming property and first mountain luxury property with the brand.

The restaurant at Four Seasons Jackson Hole

The post Room Request! Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole appeared first on DuJour.

The post The Best Edible Holiday Gifts appeared first on DuJour.

Once in Miami, Delta celebrated each artist on Saturday night with an exhibition at 1111 Lincoln Road, an open-air venue suspended above the city. “As we embark on this artistic journey celebrating six Miami-based artists, we will elevate creativity to new heights through our bespoke airborne gallery and on-the-ground exhibition that mirrors the fusion of imagination and innovation, reshaping the art experience,” says Lewis. “Delta’s dedication to uplifting local narratives resonates with Miami’s vibrant spirit, and I am honored to host this convergence, where art transcends boundaries and takes flight.” With more than 80 daily flights from from South Florida’s three major airports (MIA, FLL, PBI) to 15 domestic cities, Delta dominates travel in the area. From Miami, Delta offers more than 30 daily flights to 11 destinations in the U.S., and to an additional 13 cities throughout the globe through its partnerships with Aeromexico, Air France/KLM, LATAM Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

The post Delta Spotlighted Six Emerging Artists During Miami Art Week appeared first on DuJour.

The post The Best Christmas Advent Calendars appeared first on DuJour.

If you like Jackson Hole… try Park City

Park City Mountain in Utah celebrates its 60^th birthday this season with festivities across its nearly 7,500 acres of terrain, including a blowout bash in mid-January and the 5^th annual QueerSki week in February. Park City parent company Vail Resorts has also chosen the resort as one of the first to display The Gondola Gallery by Epic, an outdoor art display and online film series celebrating diverse skiers and snowboarders across the globe. At Park City, art by New York native and Park City transplant Lamont Joseph White wraps the QuickSilver Gondola.

Stay: Pendry Park City, a ski-in/ski-out boutique hotel that debuted last year with modern touches—California-inspired design, a Japanese steakhouse, a rooftop pool—among traditional homages to the ski town’s mining roots history.

If you like Aspen… try Snowmass

Technically, you needn’t choose between them—the two towns are close enough that you can easily explore both in one trip. But while Aspen tends to get all the attention, it also gets a lot of the crowds. At Snowmass, you’ve got the best of both worlds: a family-friendly and laidback vibe and something-for-everyone terrain over more than 3,300 acres—and just 9 miles from the more relative glam of Aspen. Non-skiers in the group have plenty of options for snowshoeing, alpine coastering, and hiking, including the Rim Trail South, where 360-degree views of Snowmass are bolstered by the new-this-year Ice Age Discovery viewfinders, which tell the story of the 2010 discovery of thousands of prehistoric fossils down below. Back in the village, guests of all ages can enjoy Snowmass S’mores—branded s’mores carts peppered around Snowmass Base Village and on the Snowmass Mall offering complimentary s’mores every afternoon.

Stay: The Limelight Snowmass, a 99-room, 11-residence, ski-in/ski-out property in the heart of Snowmass Village designed by Stonehill Taylor and featuring a 5-story climbing wall and on-site skating rink.

If you like Tahoe… try Alyeska

The ever-expanding Ikon Pass portfolio now includes the Alaskan mountain resort Alyeska, about half an hour from downtown Anchorage. The mountain is known for its abundant and sticky snowfall (an average of nearly 700 inches at the summit a year) and challenging terrain, including North America’s longest continuous double black run—some healthy competition for some of the better-known “steep and deep” resorts like Tahoe’s Palisades and Kirkwood.

Stay: Alyeska’s on-mountain, chateau-style resort is tough to beat for its ski-in/ ski-out access, views of both ocean and glaciers, and slopeside Nordic spa. The 60-person aerial tram lets even the non-skiers in your crew enjoy frosty views that include seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain range.

If you like Breckenridge… try Stowe

Or why not both? Breck’s hard to top for quality gnar and plenty of opportunity for après adventure, with five peaks, a summit elevation of nearly 13,000 feet, and a bustling Main Street easily accessible from the mountain with must-visits that include Aurum Food & Wine and Rootstalk. But, of course, Epic season passholders needn’t choose between east and west, with one pass that gives them access to Breckenridge in Colorado, Stowe in Vermont, and dozens of mountains in between.

Stay: While Gravity Haus may be Breckenridge’s most modern offering, with an eco-luxurious sensibility and ski day-soothing amenities like a Japanese-inspired Onsen and stiff drinks at Cabin Juice, One Ski Hill Place lives more like a condo and is ideally located at the base of Peak 8, home of the brand-new Five SuperChair. At Stowe, The Lodge at Spruce Peak remains the on-mountain gold standard, with ski-on and -off access and excellent dining options that include the WhistlePig Pavilion and the après raw bar Tipsy Trout. Down the hill, though, the Talta Lodge offers easy access to in-town action and frequent restaurant pop-ups on its lower level.

If you like Whistler… try Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis

Canada’s cool, but Europe is cooler. This season, Epic Pass expanded its European resort access with the addition of Switzerland’s Disentis, the neighboring mountain to Andermatt-Sedrun. When combined, the trifecta offers guests access to the largest ski area in the heart of Switzerland with over 112 miles of slopes.

Stay: The Chedi Andermatt, where on-staff ski butlers happily drive guests to the mountain bases and back, rent and fit guests with Head ski equipment and offer tips on the ski area, and whose in-house restaurant, The Japanese Restaurant, recently earned a second Michelin star.

The post Where To Ski This Winter appeared first on DuJour.

At 30, Shiffrin is still the world’s best ski racer. Her Killington World Cup slalom win was her career 55^th and her 90^thWorld Cup victory. She is alpine skiing’s all-time winningest, one reason wealth management firm Stifel chose her to star in a new series of ads alongside the company’s Chairman and CEO Ronald J. Kruszewski as part of its expanded partnership with the U.S. Ski Team. In the spots, the ski legend ponders the question: “How do you know when you’ve reached the top?” (The answer: There’s always further to go.)

At Killington, the 100 athletes representing 20 countries competed for a crowd of more than 34,000 across three days—the mountain resort’s biggest event of the year, and one it earns the honors of hosting thanks to a commitment to cutting edge snowmaking, which this year meant 130 snow guns fired up to make the course. The weekend kicked off with the athlete bib presentation and a fireworks show and ended with prize money that was 30% higher than previous years thanks to Stifel. The weekend also highlighted “HERoic,” a women’s initiative by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team designed to empower and create opportunities for women in the ski industry, including a sold-out panel discussion and movie premiere of the all-female film, Advice for Girls, and performances by Matisyahu, Young the Giant, and Mix Master Mike.

Indeed, it was a celebration of the power of women and of female athletes. “I have to say thank you so much to Stifel for setting a new precedent in the sport about the worth of the athletes and the work we do,” said Shiffrin. “It takes all our time and energy, and my big hope is that other nations and partners will follow suit. To see how much this brings to the sport and to see that the athletes are truly valued. To feel valued for what you do is really incredible.”

The post Women on Top: Dispatch from the Stifel Killington Cup appeared first on DuJour.

The post The Best Tequilas To Sip On Now appeared first on DuJour.

The Hermès Suite at The Milestone

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Andrew Pike to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Number 407, the Ruhlmann Suite, The suite offers stunning views of Kensington Palace and Gardens through original Victorian leaded windows and is a favorite for repeat guests. The original Art Deco design inspired by the Godfather of Art Deco Emile Jacques Ruhlman.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

£1,050

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

It’s become synonymous with celebrating special moments in people’s lives—from betrothals to honeymoon’s, birthdays and anniversaries—many guests return to us time and time again so we have become an emotional connection for many guests internationally.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Noel Coward Suite for its sense of style and space. The room feels like you are walking on board the deck of an ocean liner. It’s furnished with the most glorious original antiques and has one of the best bathrooms of any London hotel in my view.

The Venetian Suite at The Milestone

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The original Victorian features and heritage features of the public spaces and suites including the chapel room called The Oratory next to the restaurant and the Tudor Suite with its original “Minstrel’s Gallery” from when it was once the music room of the house.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Guests love the personalized business cards with the name of the suite they are staying in—many have collected most of the set of 13 over the years and every time we refurbish, they have another to collect!

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

A bespoke complimentary welcome bar in our larger suites. We just need to know our guest’s preferred choice/brand of beverage and we can stock the room thusly for their arrival.

The post Room Request! The Milestone appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Julian Payne, the property’s general manager, to learn more about this special property.

A King Corner Room at the Hotel Swexan

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Panoramic King Corner Room, #1801

What makes it so special?

As the corner room on one of the highest floors of the hotel, the space has more privacy and an extra window, providing even more natural light than the already bright accommodations. In addition to the two walls of floor to ceiling windows for extra light, the Panoramic King Corner Room has uninterrupted views, and 10’ ceilings. The bed features 400 thread count Frette sheets, and the 5-fixture bathroom includes a soaking tub with water that comes from the ceiling and a beautiful walk-in shower, outfitted with a lineup of hand-selected Le Labo products. This room is seamlessly stylish, and is truly a special space for guests.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $765

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

We have a secret door that leads to the hideaway bar and club, Babou’s, but ssh it’s a secret!

Babou’s at the Hotel Swexan

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We offer personal amenities that really speak to our guests on an individual basis. For example, we once had a stamp collector staying on property, so our team sent a cake with a Swexan stamp on top of it for him to enjoy. Our amenities and special perks are truly endless and very customizable.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

My personal favorite room is the Grand Swexan suite. While all of our suites are unique and special in their own way, this room encompasses the real blend of Swiss and Texan charm which really represents who we are. The Chamois mountain goat and the Longhorn cowhide are just two examples of hints to the Texas Swiss identity.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Every part of the hotel tells a different story, from the opulent events space with Corinthian pillars to the playroom of the hotel, Babou’s, with its catprint carpet.

What is another fun fact about the property?

There are exactly 26 public bathrooms on the property. Each bathroom is completely different and has its own identity. The designer, Melinda Clark, was encouraged to be creative, and create bathrooms that would grab the guests attention with loud and eccentric statements, such as tiled walls and floors, creative light fixtures and golden urinals.

The Grand Swexan suite at the Hotel Swexan

The post Room Request! Hôtel Swexan appeared first on DuJour.

Serena William’s Lincoln Navigator (Landon Nordeman)

The post Serena Williams Matches Her Car to Her Dress appeared first on DuJour.

Still, somehow, the actors Ian Somerhalder, 44, and Paul Wesley, 41, made it through eight seasons of bloodsucking on The Vampire Diaries and they still want to hang out every day. What’s more, they now work even longer hours every week together.

“We hooked up when we got fitted for our fangs,” says Somerhalder of a pre-production meeting in March 2009 for the CW series, which ended in 2017. “These were perfectly fitted acrylic fangs that didn’t come off easily.”

“You had to be careful in a scene,” says Wesley. “You were supposed to just pretend that you were biting people.”

“If you connected, it was gnarly,” adds Somerhalder (who’s married to another on-screen vampire, Nikki Reed).

Somerhalder knew the show was going to be a hit thanks to the Twilight craze sweeping the globe. The series lasted so long that the fangs eventually became visual effects, rather than physical props.

But in the beginning, at the fitting, Wesley wasn’t so sure.

“I knew Ian was the pretty guy from Lost, and I thought, It’ll be fun to work with this guy for a few months,” says Wesley. “Ian was convinced that it would be a huge success. He said, ‘Au contraire, mon frère,’ which means ‘On the contrary, my brother.’”

It turned out Somerhalder was right about the long-term appeal of the show. He was also correct, Wesley explains, to use the term “brother” to describe their relationship. They played vampire brothers on the show: Wesley was Stefan, mostly the nice one; Somerhalder played Damon, who started off as a psychopath before finding a more amiable way of vampiring.

Over time, their offscreen friendship blossomed into a brotherhood of its own, and, eventually, into the realization of a dream for both of them: a successful whiskey company. Based on their shared love of the beverage, they launched Brother’s Bond bourbon, in 2021. The brand currently has three expressions, which are available in 46 U.S. states.

“Not to sound like a D-bag, but I’m working harder now than when we were the stars of a show,” says Somerhalder. “We built a business and we’re running a fucking company.”

“In a way, it’s even more difficult. It’s not plug-and-play,” says Wesley. They had to be on set nearly every day of their series “and it felt like it was a lot of pressure, but it was also someone else’s pressure,” says Wesley, meaning directors, writers, producers, grips and everyone else on the set and in post-production also had responsibilities. “Now, the buck stops with us. Every single thing is in our control. And we’re trying to expand and grow.”

“Failure and success start with us,” says Somerhalder. “On a TV show, there are so many layers and levels above you. For Paul and me, if we fail at this, it’s on us.”

Anyone who’s read a magazine or stopped by a wine store lately knows that alcohol brands are a very popular business move for actors, sports figures and boldface names alike. The gold standard is Casamigos tequila, founded by George Clooney and two pals in 2013. Just four years later, Diageo purchased the brand for a reported $1 billion.

Sometimes the hard work really pays off. But it’s crowded on that liquor shelf.

To name just a few: Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation gin, Bruno Mars’ SelvaRey rum, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Teremana tequila. Channing Tatum has Born and Bred vodka. Kate Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Robert De Niro, Pitbull, Blake Shelton—they all have vodkas, too.

Did Somerhalder and Wesley call any of their celebrity pals for advice?

“I called The Rock, but he didn’t call me back,” jokes Somerhalder.

“I called Aaron Paul,” says Wesley. Paul founded Dos Hombres mezcal with his Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston, “and it’s doing quite well,” Wesley adds. “We all kind of bounce ideas off each other. We’re not competing; we’re all in it together. I literally was just texting them about paper and quality.”

When it came to words of wisdom, Paul told the guys that they should be involved from the ground up, even on a—excuse the pun—granular level.

“The ones that failed,” says Wesley, were the brands for which the celebrity “felt more like a spokesperson or an ambassador.”

“We built the whole thing: the name, the bottle. We love to be part of the conversation,” he adds. “We blended this in Ian’s kitchen. There’s nothing that’s not authentic. People can sense that.”

To that end, Somerhalder makes sure a percentage of the sales of Brother’s Bond is donated to regenerative agriculture. He recently produced Common Ground, a documentary on the subject.

But when it came to growing the company from the seed of an idea to full-fledged business, “I didn’t know what to expect,” he says, “but I expected it to be easier than this. Still, we built it for a reason, and I’m obsessed with it.” They have some new expressions planned. “We’ve been some busy bees. We’re constantly in the development phase.”

But back to their friendship, the brotherhood. How do they spend so much time together? Don’t they get on each other’s nerves?

“We’re yin and yang,” says Somerhalder.

“Ian’s more optimistic and I can be more pessimistic,” says Wesley. “I can get a little ornery.”

“It’s actually a really good blend,” says Somerhalder.

The post Bond of Brothers appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Christopher Perone, the property’s general manager, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our Royal Opera Suites are well known and requested. There are only four of them.

A Royal Opera suite at the Nomad London

What makes it so special?

Front facing views of the Royal Opera House as well as a small terrace tucked in to the side of the building. The reception overlooks bustling Bow Street while the sleeping quarters is tucked into a quiet nook.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From £3,195

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

It’s interesting that we have taken over a heritage, Grade II listed building which was in may ways designed to make people feel small. Devised to intimidate and impress, the history of Bow Street Magistrate’s Court is storied for having decided the fate of many. Today, those rebels such as Oscar Wilde, the Suffragettes and others who paved the way for social equality would find themselves celebrated within the halls which once condemned them. Now, the building is a beacon of welcoming energy as well as a veritable collection of original art.

Nomad London

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We create truly custom amenities for people but can only work with what we are given! It is so much fun when friends or family reach out on a guest’s behalf to give us texture about their stay. We love letting our imaginations run wild.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

229, A Magistrate’s Suite. It has a very residential layout. High ceilings, rich burgundy walls, and a signature roll top tub in the bedroom, add to the suite’s romantic quality. It gets incredible morning light through the double height windows and is one of our few with an interconnecting option as well.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The embossed leather walls in Side Hustle. Few people pick up on this detail but I find it absolutely stunning. The rich hunter green really pops in the light and serves as a great backdrop for the only space in the building which solely features photography.

What is another fun fact about the property?

We are the youngest hotel in London on the World’s 50 Best Hotels list. The other 3 ranging from 150-200 years old. NoMad London will celebrate its 3rd birthday in 2024.

The reception area at the Nomad London

The post Room Request! Nomad London appeared first on DuJour.

The post The Best Wines For The Fall Season appeared first on DuJour.

And that’s without all of the recreational activities on the scenic May River: stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing and dolphin tours. The unique Southern landscape at Montage Palmetto Bluff provides endless opportunities for getting in touch with nature. With over 200 species of birds on property and growing (the bird sanctuary is home to blue herons, egrets, wood storks and the occasional bald eagle), alligators and Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins that live in the waters year-round (and can often be seen while kayaking or paddle boarding in the May River), there is so much to see and hear.

The property’s new Duffy Boat EcoTour is led by resident naturalist, Cassie Beato, and allows guests to experience the beauty of the luxury resort’s surroundings and immerse themselves in its 20,000 sprawling acres of pristine land and 32 miles of majestic waterfront. Glide along the lagoon waterways and soak in the scenic views of the flora and fauna while learning about the local ecology and history of the region.

The resort’s Well Living program is a year-long celebration with each month dedicated to an array of experiences to inspire guests to focus on a life well lived. For Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, 25 percent of net revenue of every pink ribbon oyster ordered at Octagon restaurant will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A full menu of specialty and custom cocktails all month long at Hush, the property’s speakeasy-inspired lounge and intimate bar. All proceeds will go to benefit Pledge the Pink Foundation.

The post Living Well At Montage Palmetto Bluff appeared first on DuJour.

The Parisian Suite at Four Seasons Hotel George V

DuJour spoke with Jean Claude Wietzel, the property’s regional vice president and general manager, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Eiffel Tower Suite, located on the 7th floor of the hotel.

What makes it so special?

Ever since we renovated it in 2019 into a light-filled space, it has been in constant demand by our guests. Whether for a honeymoon or a family stay, all our guests want to stay there! The suite is designed like a Parisian apartment, featuring a spacious living room, a dining room, a beautiful bedroom, and a large bathroom. The ivory and cream tones that adorn the suite create a warm and relaxing ambiance. Spacious and bright, its décor is soft and contemporary, with some classic touches. The artwork and materials used, such as Carrara marble, blend beautifully with the antique mirrors and historical engravings of the hotel. But what makes it so special is its exceptional view of the Eiffel Tower, the Dome of Les Invalides, and the most beautiful monuments of Paris. It’s a unique perspective that never gets old. There’s also this beautiful sunbath rotunda that allows one to sit comfortably in their armchair, read in complete tranquility, all while enjoying this incredible view of Paris.

The courtyard at Four Seasons Hotel George V

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From €17, 000 

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Undoubtedly, flowers and gastronomy! Flowers are embracing the hotel and our public spaces, and we maintain them daily with a team of florists working under the direction of our world-renowned artistic director Jeff Leatham. Every month we change the theme of our flowers to continually surprise our guests. Interesting tidbit when it comes to surprising our guests: when the holiday season arrives, Jeff Leatham sets up our Christmas decorations in just one night to surprise our guests the next day. It’s a real challenge, but the surprise is guaranteed! Gastronomy is also fully part of our status as an icon, as we are the only Palace in Europe to host 3 Michelin-starred restaurants for a total of five starts, allowing guests to enjoy a unique culinary journey at the hotel!  

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

The possibility to enjoy a three-Michelin-starred dinner in the privacy of your suite, to pick up fruits and vegetables in a private kitchen garden with our chefs. We also have the ability to constantly organize surprises for our clients through our guest relations department. They are capable of fulfilling any requests!

The pool at Four Seasons Hotel George V

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

My favorite room is the Parisian suite (number 615). Overlooking the famous Marble Courtyard, the suite also has an intimate balcony. I love its elegance, the harmony of its tones, and its typical Parisian apartment charm. This residential spirit is enhanced by the office space and its large library, the dining room, the fireplace, and even the private kitchen. It is also adorned with stunning French marquetry, which gives me the feeling of being in a true soothing pied-à-terre.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The glass ceiling designed for our Michelin-starred restaurants Le George and L’Orangerie. They bring a real touch of modernity to the classic and Art Deco décor of the George V. Thanks to these structures, our guests can have lunch and dinner in spaces filled with light and a warm, intimate ambiance. The design of these glass structures, built in 2015 and 2016, is particularly well-executed and integrates perfectly with the rest of the building, which dates back to 1928. Almost 100 years separate the constructions, and yet they blend wonderfully!

What is another fun fact about the property?

In 1964, when Beatlemania gripped the world, the group was invited to perform a series of concerts at Olympia in Paris. Accompanied by their manager, they chose to sojourn at The George V. A piano was placed in one of their suites, where they could come together and compose music in privacy, away from their fans. One evening, John Lennon and Paul McCartney took to the piano and, in what seemed like only a few minutes, composed ‘I Feel Fine,’ which later became one of the band’s most legendary hits!

Penthouse dining at Four Seasons Hotel George V

The post Room Request! Four Seasons Hotel George V appeared first on DuJour.

The Hither Hills Studio Collection from Ralph Lauren spring 2007

The post Ralph Lauren’s Rules of Living Well appeared first on DuJour.

President Magill’s allowing of UPenn’s imprimatur to be associated with this conference, and her failure to condemn this hate-filled call for ethnic cleansing, normalized and legitimized violence that ranged from the targeting of Jewish students and spaces here at UPenn to the horrific attacks in Israel. Why is UPenn repeating tragic mistakes of the past? Words of hate and violence must be met with clear, reasoned condemnation, rooted in morality from those in positions of authority.

Words and ideas matter. They mattered in the motivation of Hamas terrorists senselessly slaughtering and kidnapping nearly 1,000 innocent civilians in Israel this week to eliminate the “European settlers,” just as words and ideas have mattered throughout history. In our viral, online world it is especially dangerous when once-fringe ideologies receive a stamp of legitimacy and a cultural justification that allows hate-filled ideas to spread as acceptable alternatives. The misguided embrace of these ideologies by elite academic institutions normalizes and mainstreams what would otherwise be considered morally reprehensible. “There is a fine line between free speech and hate speech. Free speech encourages debate whereas hate speech incites violence.”

Elite academic institutions hold a special place in our society with pedigreed histories, impressive faculties and extensive resources. The embrace of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination by these institutions legitimizes and reinforces hate, racism and, ultimately, violence. UPenn is not alone among academic institutions in its failure to condemn all forms of hatred, including antisemitic hatred. When we see more than 30 Harvard University organizations write that Israel is “entirely responsible” for the horrific atrocities Hamas committed against Israelis this weekend — akin to blaming Jews for being slaughtered in the Holocaust — we see sickening parallels between Harvard leadership’s inaction against Harvard’s antisemitism and the failure by UPenn’s leadership to take a stand against hate. I hope UPenn’s leadership, sponsoring academic departments, the Wolf Humanities Center, the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation and the Kelly Writers House pause for a moment of reflection to consider why they were unable to rise to a simple challenge and condemn hatred of Jews versus everything else the academic community has chosen to condemn.

UPenn was once a place of critical reasoning, objective proof, considered debate and moral leadership. This proud tradition, unfortunately, has given way to bias, politically constrained speech and unwillingness to accept or even allow the debate of uncomfortable facts or data. Hannah Gray, the intellectual giant, educational leader and past President of the University of Chicago, once said, “Education should not be intended to make people comfortable, it is meant to make them think.” UPenn faces a choice between excellence, pursuit of truth, open inquiry, expression, and learning to think and challenge ideas, on the one hand, and social engineering and advocating and imposing a particular political agenda on the other. We must not let fear of cancellation or censorship trump the need to speak truthfully.

This selective tolerance of hate has not gone unnoticed. More than 4,000 of UPenn’s alumni recently signed an open letter telling President Magill and UPenn that they were heading in the wrong direction. Recent interactions with faculty, administration and alumni leaders reveal a culture of self-censorship and even fear to present reasoned opinions at odds with favored speech or beliefs. UPenn ranks second to last in the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s (“FIRE”) freedom of expression index. Even science is not immune. Just last week, The Wall Street Journal reported on UPenn celebrating two university researchers who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine, but only after the University shunned them for years.

Two weeks and nearly 1,000 slaughtered and kidnapped Israelis later, UPenn has still not condemned the hate-filled Palestine Writes Festival. Rather, President Magill and Chairman Bok have been busy working to purge all Trustees with dissenting points of view by explicitly and aggressively demanding those who signed the open letter resign. Using free speech as a crutch to defend the refusal to condemn the Palestine Writes Festival while simultaneously stifling the right to stand up to hatred is yet another example of this double standard.

Ultimately, the direction of an institution like UPenn is the responsibility of its President and its Board of Trustees. UPenn’s motto is “Leges Sine Moribus Vanae” — laws without morals are useless. Learning without morals is also useless. Double standards that corrupt morality run deep at UPenn today. The embrace of double standards didn’t begin on President Magill’s and Chairman Bok’s watch, but they are protectors of today’s bias and are leading the purge of dissent. The truth is that fault also lies with many of our alumni leaders and Trustees, myself included, who sat silently by as the academic, moral and objective truth of our elite institution was traded for a poorly organized pursuit of social justice and politically correct speech. Sitting on the sidelines has upended lives, undermined students’ psychological safety and trust in UPenn, hindered the production of knowledge, and, most troubling of all, allowed for calls of violence and slaughter against a minority group to be sanctioned on UPenn’s campus. While the moral and human cost for what we have done to a generation of students cannot be calculated, the financial cost of these policies is large and increasing. In just this past year, more than $150 million was “lost” by UPenn, including a $100 million grant that went to the University of Chicago (Home of the “Chicago Principles”). Much of this loss is kept silent as acknowledging the loss endangers the status quo and would encourage questions on the direction of the University from Trustees, alumni and students. Based on the 4,000 signers of the open letter and the strongly worded correspondence directed at UPenn, I expect this cost to increase substantially.

UPenn has a unique place in academia given its premiere undergraduate and graduate professional and technical schools, alongside a world class school of arts and sciences and world class medical school and hospital network. We have a unique ability among peer institutions to lead. The UPenn community should not wait for the broken status quo to change. Our founding principles include a commitment to intellectual rigor, reason and practical knowledge. Most importantly, change is in our DNA. Two of our founders, Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Wharton, both non academics, essentially created institutions out of their dissatisfaction with the educational institutions of the day. Change, while necessary, is always resisted by entrenched interests. Change must also start at the top. 4,000 of us have already sent a strong message to President Magill and Chairman Bok about their moral failure to condemn Palestine Writes, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Ultimately, it is about changing a culture that allowed this to take place.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” At this watershed moment in UPenn’s history, I call on all UPenn alumni and supporters who believe we are heading in the wrong direction to “Close their Checkbooks” until President Magill and Chairman Bok resign. It is time for the Trustees to begin moving UPenn in a new direction. Join me and many others who love UPenn by sending UPenn $1 in place of your normal, discretionary contribution so that no one misses the point.

The post A Call to Action from Apollo CEO Marc Rowan appeared first on DuJour.

A guest room at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

DuJour spoke with Mafalda Albuquerque, the property’s general manager, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our Grand Chamber Queen suite (India building, 901)

What makes it so special?

The wonderful two-chamber design, high ceilings, historical features combined with that modern Virgin Hotels design. The suite boasts views of Victoria street (one of the Scotland’s prettiest and most photographed streets).

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From £500

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The 19th century Cowgatehead church was transformed into our fantastic events venue Greyfriars hall.

The Commons Club bar at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We offer small gift bag offering little Scottish delights such as salted caramel chocolates from local Chocolatier Quirky with wrap design featuring artwork by Scottish illustrator Joy Nevada, Luxurious bath salts from Scottish Arran Aromatics or cute postcard with hand painted hotel picture by Jennifer Court (Scottish artist & illustrator).

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Eve Suite. It’s so romantic and different to all the other rooms in the hotel. The Eve suite is nestled in the bell tower of our Greyfriars Church and as such has so much architectural history that is then complemented with the modern touches of all our other rooms.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The portrait gallery leading to our Commons Club restaurant features art celebrating women from Scotland’s past and present (portraits of Mary Garden, Doris Zinkeisen, Muriel Spark, Annie Lennox and more).

What is another fun fact about the property?

We have a secret unicorn room located in India building turret featuring a wall painting by Studio Giftig, who created our wall design for Eve restaurant.

The Commons Club restaurant at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

The post Room Request! Virgin Hotel Edinburgh appeared first on DuJour.

In 1929 Boma and Simone Estène purchased the property–then Villa Saint-Louis–from the Fitzgeralds, making the Belles Rives one of the few family-owned hotels in the region. In 2001, their granddaughter Marianne Estène-Chauvin took over and established the Belles Rives Group by purchasing nearby Hôtel Juana. Chauvin modernized the Belles Rives with some resort-driven amenities like Michelin star restaurant, La Passagere and a water ski butler that lends a certain summer camp feel to the property, but the true draw remains the 35,000 square feet of unspoiled waterfront.

La Passagère restaurant at the Hôtel Belles Rives

DuJour checked in with Estène-Chauvin’s son, Belle Rives chief executive officer Antoine Chauvin-Estène to discuss his favorite room, most reserved offerings and what only a few lucky guests would know about the property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Room 50, located on the first floor of the hotel.

What makes it so special?

This room is the original bedroom of F. Scott Fitzgerald while he stayed in the Villa Saint-Louis (the name before it was named Belles Rives). Furthermore, this is the only bedroom of the hotel with a large furnished terrace. With this view, you can understand where his inspiration came from.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From 390€ in low season to 1600€ in high season (from May to September)

Water sports at the Hôtel Belles Rives

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The hotel lobby is housed within a townhouse that had past lives as an 1800s tenement building and a 1960s hub for local artists. The building still features original design elements, like the stained glass windows above the entrance, and there is even a writer from the artist hub who still lives on one of the upper floors!

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

My favorite bedroom is room 95–a Panoramic Sea View Room. It is a personal point of view as the art framed in this bedroom reflects our family legacy.

Besides the new water ski butler, what special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Even if the travel trends are changing, we still have some very loyal guests who have been coming to the Belles Rives since I was a child. For these clients, all the beddings, towels have been hand-embroidered with their initials.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The sublime movement of the waves below the hotel, this became a recurring motif of the wrought iron and the frescoes, as well as the sheets and our letterhead.

What is another fun fact about the property?

Most people know F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote Tender is the Night at our hotel. But few may realize that Francoise Gilot, Paloma Picasso, Claude Picasso and his son Jasmin would stay at Belles Rives in the 80’s. I used to play on the beach with Jasmin–he was only a year younger than me. It was years later that I realized who they were.

Water sports at the Hôtel Belles Rives

The post Room Request! Hôtel Belles Rives appeared first on DuJour.

The post Emirates Unveils Its Premium Economy Class appeared first on DuJour.

Café Standard at The Standard, East Village

DuJour spoke with Neil Bierwagen, the property’s general manager, to learn more about this destination.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our One-Bedroom Suites on the 11th and 14th floors. Little known fact: they were designed after an acclaimed musician requested to combine two of our deluxe rooms while on tour.

What makes it so special?

The suite offers a separate living room and bedroom with sweeping views of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as two bathrooms with heated floors and the option of a soaking tub or a shower. Instead of traditional art, you’ll find skateboards on the wall custom-designed with abstract prints. They’re a fun nod to the art and skate scenes of the neighboring Lower East Side.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $800

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The hotel lobby is housed within a townhouse that had past lives as an 1800s tenement building and a 1960s hub for local artists. The building still features original design elements, like the stained glass windows above the entrance, and there is even a writer from the artist hub who still lives on one of the upper floors!

A guest room at The Standard, East Village

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

I’m partial to room 1710, one of our Standard Queens. My favorite way to spend a night there is by ordering room service and watching the sun set over the NYC skyline. This is also one of the select rooms in the hotel that has a secret red light setting—tap the button above your bed to activate.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We keep cruisers on hand for complimentary rentals. There’s no better way to tour downtown than on two wheels, and our topiary-filled Garden is the perfect place to relax after a long bike ride around the city.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Art is a mainstay both at the property and in the neighborhood as a whole. Our team regularly collaborates with local artists—we’re currently displaying “Beyond the Horizon of Time,” a stunning mural by Brooklyn-based creator Rahm Bowen. Our guests can also tap into the art scene at our monthly happenings, from candlelit creative sessions (from sketching to collaging) to Standard Talks, a series where we invite the most exciting minds across fashion, visual arts and more for conversational panels.

What is another fun fact about the property?

Our ground-floor all-day eatery, Café Standard, is home to the world’s only in-hotel mushroom farm. We partner with urban farming brand Smallhold to harvest the mushrooms from a temperature-controlled tank behind the bar, and our kitchen team prepares them across all of our menus. The mushroom terrine is a must-try!

The Garden at The Standard, East Village

The post Room Request! The Standard, East Village appeared first on DuJour.

Even the most jaded Tokyo hotel habitue will find copious moments of, as they like to say in the industry, “surprise and delight,” courtesy of a design—as with other Bulgari properties, by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel  of ACPV Architects—steeped in refined Italian and Japanese luxury (glass tiles by Venice’s Bisazza, chandeliers by Barovier & Toso, furniture by B&B and Ritzwell, textiles and silk headboards by Kyoto’s Hosoo) and painstaking thoughtfulness as to the guest experience. The 98 guest rooms (23 of which are suites, including the 4,000-plus-square foot Bulgari Suite) feel like jewel boxes, handsome and filled with pretty things, surrounded by richly textured gold matte ceilings, elm wood floors, and shimmering silk on the walls; at night, thanks to rigorously engineered blackout shades and winning touches like a drawer equipped with inner outlets (so you don’t see the ambient glow of your devices), you’ll feel cocooned in somniferous darkness.

The Bulgari suite at the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

A private elevator leads guests to a 10,000-square-foot plus spa featuring a 25-meter pool, its green and gold glass tiles sparkling in the late afternoon sun, flanked by an opulent “vitality pool,” or jacuzzi, where the green and gold motif is echoed in a signature fan-like pattern, taken from Rome’s ancient Caracalla baths (and used more recently in Bulgari’s “Divas’ line). Lounge in one of the white cabanas ringing the pool, or step outside to one of the hotel’s four outdoor terraces—a scarce offering in Tokyo. Repair to the sauna or hammam, book a treatment room for an Augustinus Bader facial, or head to the well-appointed fitness room—designed by Lee Mullins, of London’s touted Workship Gynasium), with stunning views and, again, a terrace.

Befitting its dual-nationality nature, Bulgari Tokyo features two top-drawer dining choices: Il Ristorante—Niko Romito, by the chef who earned three Michelin stars for Reale in Abruzzo; and Sushi Hōsesi, an eight-seat omakase restaurant helmed by Kenji Goyoten, awarded three Michelin stars for Sushi Gyoten. A chocolate shop, wedding salon and Bulgari boutique—naturally—round out the offerings.

Il Ristorante — Niko Romito at the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

DuJour spoke with Yuji Tanaka, the property’s general manager, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our deluxe suites located on the corner of the building, rooms 4411, 4311 and 4211.

What makes it so special?

They offer 105 square meters of space and have windows on two sides so you can enjoy the view to the south and to the west. When you look to the west side, you can see the Imperial Palace.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

On average $5,777

The pool at the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

There’s a theme of Italian design—we are surrounded by a lot of Italian products, there’s nothing like that in Japan. At the same time, there’s Japanese craftsmanship, and a sense of destination. For example, as you go into your room, you have a small chair where you can take of your shoes—we also put shoe horns there—because it is the tradition here that people take off their shoes at the entrance. We also put a small basket, with a single flower—it’s called Ichirin-zashi. It’s very simple, but presents Japanese beauty.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

For some people that have been with us for several nights, we will give them Bulgari Tokyo leather luggage tags as a going-away gift.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

In a vitrine in the lobby there is a broach, which has a design of Mt. Fuji, with a diamond, and also a pine tree. This was a special product ordered in Japan 50 years ago from Bugari. So it is that sort of connection between Japan and Bulgari. And so it’s our motif, which you will find on the envelope holding your key card, the cover of a memo pad in your room. Also, the lobby doors, which open automatically as you walk toward them. Some people think it’s just a wall, and they walk back and forth, “where’s the door out?” We have a word, kekai, which is sort of that line between reality and something else. In Japan, you see sometimes you want a dramatic effect when you open a door, to somewhere else. That’s how we do it with that door.

What is another fun fact about the property?

You can walk underground all the way from Tokyo Station to the Bulgari. If you call us in advance, we will meet you at your Shinkansen train and escort you to the hotel.

A suite living room at the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo

The post Room Request! Bulgari Hotel Tokyo appeared first on DuJour.

The view from the sundeck of room 113

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Eleni Karavokirakou to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Room 113, also known as the Panoramic Room with a private sundeck.

What makes it so special?

Located on the first floor, it is renowned for its luxury, design and the breathtaking views it provides from its private terrace. This room overlooks Mykonos Town, the Aegean Sea and the hotel making it the top choice for guests and boasts intricate details like marble finishes, plasterwork and hand-sculpted wood that mimic the undulating patterns of the sea, evoking a sense of harmony and tranquility. It is among the select few rooms in the hotel where guests can soak in a bath while still being captivated by the magnificent views outside. Whether it’s hosting intimate gatherings under the soft glow of Mykonian sunsets or simply seeking a serene escape, Room 113 perfectly encapsulates luxury, design and location.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From €1,100

The Belvedere Mykonos

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Originally built in 1850s when as the mansion Stoupa, it was renowned for its prime location and unique architecture. From the 1960s to 1990s, it served as a preferred vacation spot for distinguished guests, including French politicians and European artists. The property gained legendary status when Argentinian painter Pierro Amversa hosted extravagant parties there. After Pierro’s era, the Ioannidis family reclaimed the mansion, leading to the birth of the Belvedere Hotel.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Waterfront Villa. This historical property built in the late 60s boasts its own pool and is perfectly situated, offering tranquil views of the Aegean Sea while being just a 5-minute walk from Mykonos Town. The villa comprises three spacious suites with dedicated butler service and an infinity pool.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Our personalized welcome treat. It’s a secret surprise for our guests upon check-in, adding a special touch to their stay and making them feel warmly welcomed from the start.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The hand-sculpted wood. It’s not just an element of decor but an intricate piece of art that mirrors the surface of the sea. This unique design feature adds an authentic island charm to the property and stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines the hotel’s aesthetic.

The Belvedere Villa Next Door at Belvedere Mykonos

The post Room Request! Belvedere Hotel Mykonos appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager Andrew Debrito to discover what makes it so special.

The lobby at Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Panoramic Suite #3733

What makes it so special?

This corner suite has a panoramic view of Tokyo’s iconic cityscape featuring landmarks including Imperial Palace Gardens, Tokyo Tower and Mt. Fuji on a clear day. With a spacious living room, floor to ceiling windows, and softs neutral colors, the design and layout of this suite provides a sense of sky-high serenity above the bustling streets of Tokyo. Soak in Japan’s famed seasonality right from our signature Four Seasons bed.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $2,995

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The hotel has all its restaurants, bar and lounge on one floor making it seamless to go from one establishment to the next. Each outlet has its own well-developed concept. Est is the contemporary French Michelin-starred restaurant sourcing 95 percent of all its products from Japan. Virtù celebrates the two drinking cultures of Paris and Tokyo with its cocktails incorporating ingredients from Japan and France.  In addition Pigneto, our authentic Italian restaurant, features an outdoor terrace (a rarity in the city especially from the height of a 39^th floor) and The Lounge that offers arguably the best afternoon tea with an unparalleled view of Tokyo–just wait till you see it at golden hour.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

I love gardens and nature, so my favorite room is the Four Seasons Suite. Of all our guest rooms and suites, it has the most unobstructed views of the Imperial Palace gardens with floor to ceiling windows that run along the side of the room including the bathtub. The suite itself is an oversized-open floor plan of 818 square feet so it feels contemporary yet cozy and comfortable.

An Imperial Garden View suite at Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

It’s more overlooked, but our in-room teas are exclusively  from Japan. Most guests are familiar with green tea, but we also wanted to showcase roasted green and black teas as alternatives to an English Breakfast or a Darjeeling. For our herbal tea option, I hand selected–which involved many hours of tasting a tremendous amount of Japanese teas–the yuzu (a popular Japanese citrus) and kaki leaf (dried persimmon leaf) blend that offers a bright refreshing yet soothing bitter taste to the palate.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

We have an incredible array of contemporary Japanese artwork found throughout the Hotel. There are so many noteworthy ones, but I have to narrow it down to two of my favourites: Tsuyu No Ma (in between dew) and Seasons. Mounted right off the main guest-elevators, Tsuyu No Ma by Haruko Tsuji, captures the journey of a single dewdrop over a quartet of paintings as it tumbles, drips, soaks and finally flows away. The artworks reminds viewers to be present and appreciate previous moments – just like the fleeting beauty of a drop of dew. When our guests gaze up to the ceiling during their check-in, they’ll notice a striking amalgamation of East meets West. An oversized European lampshade gives way to a dome-shaped base featuring Japanese calligraphy on the inside. Free-form calligrapher Nobuko Kawahara writes “seasons” using the characters for spring, summer, autumn and winter as markings. The circular shape of the “chandelier” is inspired by the sun, as depicted on the Japanese national flag.

The post Room Request! Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi appeared first on DuJour.

Edge restaurant at the Four Seasons Denver

DuJour spoke with the hotel’s manager Tim Churchmack to discover what makes it so special

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our Premier One Bedroom Suites on the western corner of the building on the fourteenth and fifteenth floors

What makes it so special?

These spacious suites offer a large living and dining space with a gas fireplace, kitchenette and sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains. There are two full bathrooms with breathtaking views and a luxurious soaking tub. This suite is great for a family looking to spread out or a couple looking to relax and enjoy the many dynamic spaces within the suite.

A bathroom at Four Seasons Denver

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $4,000

What is your favorite room? Why?

I think that our Premier One Bedroom Suites are the perfect room. They offer great views and ample space with a living and dining space separated from the bedroom. The suite has two bathrooms for additional comfort and privacy of any guests that may be travelling with you. Everyone can enjoy the suite with extra space and luxurious touches. The comfortable furnishings and vast views make for an incredible experience.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

I think the way the designers were able to incorporate the rustic mountain textures and colors with the sleek modern feel of a Four Seasons city hotel has made for a beautiful combination to showcase our stunning mountain city.

A Presidential suite living room at the Four Seasons Denver

The post Room Request! Four Seasons Denver appeared first on DuJour.

The Amsterdam flight will take off for the first time in late August. Earlier this month, the inaugural Paris flight left JFK with a small celebration at the airport gate, in Queens, that featured plenty of French flags as well as frites, macarons and beignets.

At least when it comes to domestic flights, JetBlue is known for its calvary of snacks. Who knew that substituting pretzels and honey roasted peanuts with Terra Chips and PopCorners could make such a difference? Well, they did, and they continue to do so.

The airline has paid particular attention to the food for its flight to Paris. In Mint, which is JetBlue’s equivalent to Business Class flying with flat back pods, menus have been developed with the downtown New York City restaurant Charlie Bird. The concept is based around small plates. Fliers are given the choice of up to three out of four of them for a meal.

On this particular journey to Paris, selections included farro salad, chilled English pea soup, cavatelli with Sicilian tomato sauce, and a chicken with eggplant caponata. (Breakfast, upon landing, includes the choice of two out of three small plates.) Charlie Bird has also crafted a custom playlist to listen on flight, presumably while you’re eating the meal, but, let’s face it, there are too many good things to watch as part of Jet Blue’s entertainment package. (We caught up on Los Espookys on HBO.)

The food is surprisingly good, much better than typical airline fare. It tasted fresher and properly cooked. The small plates idea offers an element of variety and surprise, even if most meals we eat these days, even on airplanes, are likely comprised of small plates.

The only quibble we have is a minor one. The flight leaves JFK a bit too early (around 5:30pm) for truly getting to experience sleeping on that flat bed.

But even if you left NYC later, you probably wouldn’t want to miss a Jet Blue moment with some shut-eye.

The post JetBlue Debuts New Service To Transatlantic Routes appeared first on DuJour.

What destinations are most inspiring to you right now?

Peru is high up on there for the most inspiring places for me. My fellow co-founder James and our head of special projects Rob recently returned from an epic scouting trip going quite off the grid in Peru. There are so many places to see under-the-radar that offer spectacular opportunities for active adventure and ancient architecture that rivals that of even Machu Picchu. We have a really well-organized deluxe camping set-up that is infinitely more comfortable than roughing it, and we can employ this through the country in hard to reach places with special access and permits to camp out and dine next to magnificent archaeological feats. We were well looked after in a special tent at 15,700 feet with a chef and all staffed by wonderful locals who are so enthusiastic in sharing these lesser-known regions with them. I explored Chilean Patagonia last fall and fell in love with that vast, untamed and somewhat surreal landscape. I was lucky enough to then stargaze in the Atacama with a top Chilean astronomer and these experiences have me wanting to go back and explore the country even more.

What hotel are you eager to visit next?

Right in my back yard in London is a start as Six Senses, Raffles London at The OWO and the Peninsula London are opening soon, which is exciting and seeing how much work has gone into creating these special enclaves is gratifying.

What countries are next on your list?

Japan and Bhutan. A slow-paced adventure in both destinations and, in Bhutan, definitely exploring the Tiger’s Nest at sunrise, staying at a few of the Six Senses and Aman properties there, and the sense of peace and serenity that permeate that magical kingdom.

Okay, so the question everyone seems to be asking is where can I still go this summer if I haven’t booked anything? What are destinations that you would recommend?

This summer is kicking into high gear! But there are still options. There are parts of Spain, including the Basque region, Andalucía and Mallorca to consider. And Slovenia has availability both this month and through September. Often overlooked for its more popular neighbors, it’s absolutely worth considering and has an incredible food scene, fascinating architecture and some really beautiful boutique hotels including Hotel Milka which is a Relais & Chateaux. Southern Italy too is worth considering and there is availability in Puglia and Sicily. It’s a bit out of the way but given its proximity to North Africa, it stays warm well into the shoulder season and the value is quite good there. Portugal is easy to get to and there are definitely options there still available in summer, including Alentejo, Douro, Lisbon and beautiful Comporta. I spent a long weekend at Sublime Comporta and recommend it highly for anyone who wants barefoot luxury and chilled vibes. There is availability in Canada and Alaska–and what a great time to be there. And on a different scale also Nicaragua and Peru. For strong safari options with great weather, Zimbabwe, Zambia and India in the Ladakh region.

Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant

Travel certainly seems to be booming right now, which surely impacts availability. What are your tips for planning travel given how busy it is globally?

One of the biggest tips I would give is to keep an open mind. On average, when clients come to us with a destination in mind they are set on, after understanding more deeply what they are after, 7/10 they land on a different destination. Work with a travel expert who can find places that are similar to what environs and feel you are after, and by sharing passion points and interests, this can direct them to find excellent alternatives that mirror, reflect or point to these needs even if you can’t get into a particular place. We see this quite often in places like Italy, some in Spain as often better-known places are due to exposure, but by working with an expert they can give you an equally experience and hidden gem feel that can even rival that that of what you were after.

What are some of the most mind-blowing experiences you’ve pulled off for clients?

So many to choose from but here goes. A trip to the remotest Argentinian Patagonia, where the low light pollution and location’s G-eclipse point was the best place in the world to experience the December 2020 total solar eclipse. The adventure for a VIP family included helicopter transfers to the viewing site, luxury glamping in geodesic dome tents, white water rafting, and the guidance of an astronomer–a two-and-a-half-week trip built around an unforgettable, three-minute moment that no one else has ever experienced. Worth noting, we were one of the few operators who managed to get clients into Argentina at this time when it was effectively closed. Intrepid, spread out and perfect for social distancing, we employed many COVID-19 tests to keep everyone, clients and staff, safe and included a chef, sommelier who paired Argentine wines with Michelin-level food and a cauldron hot tub that was powered by firewood.

We organized an epic Polar Norway and Svalbard adventure for a client not so long ago and this is one of the world’s northernmost, most uninhabited areas. This had all the elements: challenging, isolated, but rewarding and authentic. This expedition to the Land of the Midnight Sun was truly bucket list and included dogsledding, ice-climbing, chasing ice-bergs, the works.

In Mongolia we delivered pretty big thrills in the Western part of the country timed to the Golden Eagle and Nadaam Festivals that celebrate horseback riding, wrestling and archery. The client rafted, mountain biked, went out on 4x4s and hiked their way through the Altai Mountains after extensive training.

In Guatemala, we organized an archaeological helicopter tour (with Tomb Raider vibes) into the remote Peten Jungle in the North and then they trekked through the jungle for 3 nights–staying in natural shelters. They checked out El Mirador via a 4×4 to ancient Mayan ruins deep underground that no other tourist has seen before.

What is your favorite hidden gem hotel in the world?

Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli in Puglia, Italy. A true sense of place, this beautiful, converted convent is brimming with character, an extraordinary collection of museum-worthy art and literature lines the walls of this most special, and discreet, family-owned respite. Tucked away without signage to denote the establishment, staying here is akin to a visit to an old friend, eclectic, characterful country house. When you post up here you feel welcomed as a part of their family and it’s an absolute joy to be embraced and shown first-hand their world, with incredible food being prepared for you and drinks flowing constantly. Attention to detail at Convento is out of this world–the warm and welcoming hosts even rotate where your stunning tablescapes are set up for each meal–it’s mind-blowing. The sunny setting of Puglia can get quite hot come summer, but the inner courtyard is lush and stays cool and I have fond memories of drinking Negronis walking through their gardens while the sun sets on this inspiring setting. While the art, interiors and literature-from Zulu pottery and Moroccan weaves to an enormous collection of rare 1st editions–is extraordinary, there isn’t a drip of pretention.

What is driving travel forward right now?

Demand for private group travel (think multi-generational families or groups of friends) done at a high level, is trending. Partially a response to being kept apart during the pandemic, we’ve seen our family travel category sky rocket in recent years but now acutely larger groups of friends and family who want a bespoke touch to travel and independence when it comes to the day to day. So, we’re working on developing a series of travel experiences best spent in the company of other people, specifically those you care the most about. Just now we have a large group of friends on a whirlwind adventure in Iceland–for me it’s all about pulling apart this kind of insight and create services that inspire what’s trending. There’s also a blending of business and leisure travel people used to approach business trips by tacking on a few days at the back-end but now it’s a reversal and instead driven by people planning leisure trips with time for work, tapping the ability to work more flexibly, from wherever. It allows for more decompression and reintegration into normal life and centers around taking more time in situ.

The post Where to Travel To Now appeared first on DuJour.

The St. Regis brand has its own storied histories, namely the Bloody Mary, created at New York’s King Cole Bar in 1934, and a daily champagne sabering at sunset. The Egypt property upholds these traditions reverently, with the added bonus of enjoying both in the hotel’s contemplative Winter Garden which offers a majestic view of the Nile.

Standing 36 stories tall and designed by Michael Graves, the St. Regis Cairo opened in early 2021. That makes it one of the newer sites in this city of ancient artifacts. (It might face some competition later this year with the oft-postponed opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, figured to be the largest museum in the world.) As Cairo becomes a more popular destination, the hotel is particularly well-suited for travelers with a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card.

With over 8,300 properties within 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories, Marriott Bonvoy offers a range of hotels for luxury travelers looking for grandeur experiences

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, which provides instant Platinum status, offers six times the points for purchases made at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, alongside a $100 property credit (in addition to the annual $300 dining credit), which here can be used at one of the hotel’s seven distinct restaurants. Among them: Tianma, for a Singaporean blend of Chinese, Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine; an outpost of Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s J&G Steakhouse and the Italian-influenced La Zisa, which offers a daily breakfast buffet that would have even impressed Tutankhamun.

The luxury Iridium Spa boasts eight fully-equipped treatment suites along with indoor and outdoor pools. All 362 rooms offer butler service and no-detail-spared décor. Some of them are even two and three-bedroom serviced apartments should you decide to bring many friends and family members or even extend your stay indefinitely. No one would blame you.

DuJour spoke with the property’s general manager, Magdy Anis, to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Astor room category, especially the ones located on the higher floors, because of the panoramic Nile River and Cairo skyline views. Our Astor rooms are located on the 7th to 18th floors and we have 84 of them.

An Astor suite at the St. Regis Cairo

What makes it so special?

The rooms directly overlook the Nile River and offer views of Cairo’s beautiful skyline. Some rooms also include step-out balconies. The Astor Room is one of the spacious rooms in the hotel that features a captivating Nile River view. The rooms are furnished with a signature St. Regis King-size bed, a comfortable seating area, and additional handcrafted pieces. The rooms also feature a walk-in closet, a marble bathroom with a rainforest shower and a bathtub, and state-of-the-art amenities such as a flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a Nespresso machine. The room also comes with the signature St. Regis Butler service, ensuring that all guest needs are anticipated and fulfilled.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

On average $500.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The unique design of the hotel, which was done by Michael Graves. The design features rich wood, mother of pearl inlay and the ancient Egyptian culture is reflected in every aspect in the hotel.

The primary bathroom of a Royal Suite at the St. Regis Cairo

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Royal Suite is the highest category of accommodation in the hotel offering unparalleled luxury and views of the Nile River and Old Cairo and we only have three. The suite has two bedrooms, a spacious living room, a dining area, a kitchen, an office and a walk-in closet. It also includes a private fitness room and sauna facility in the master bathroom. The fitness room is equipped with state-of-the-art machines and weights while the sauna room offers a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The Royal Suite also features gemstones as part of its arabesque design, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the accommodations. The gemstones are embedded in the walls, furniture and light fixtures, creating a stunning contrast to the rich wood and leather materials. Another important feature of The Royal Suite is the butler room adjacent to the suite, which guarantees the availability of our signature butler service 24/7.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The Library, The Astor Library is an intimate, sophisticated space with dark wood and rich, warm colors, filled with artifacts and books. The bookshelves that line the room are wrapped with supple red leather and stitched. Also, we have a captivating Swarovski chandelier that hangs from the ceiling of the crystal hall. It is one of the most striking features of the hotel, creating a dazzling impression. The crystal chandelier reflects the light and adds a touch of glamour and elegance to the hotel’s design.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Our Butler team always exceeds our guests’ expectations upon arrival by presenting a personalized amenities based on their profile. To enhance our guest’s luxury experience, we offer them a dedicated butler who will cater to their every need, such as packing and unpacking their luggage, beverage service, and complimentary garment pressing.

The Crystal Hall at the St. Regis Cairo

The post Room Request! St. Regis Cairo appeared first on DuJour.

Thanks to Auberge’s recent expansion in Europe, the curated itineraries make it especially easy for families with kids to travel to France and Greece. In the idyllic French countryside, Domaine des Etangs welcomes guests to experience the beauty of nature, art and a slower pace with a four-day itinerary in charming Massignac. Upon arrival, a family bike ride through the grounds provides a sense of place. The 13th century château and traditional farmhouse cottages, which range from two-to-five bedrooms, immerse all generations in history and an unrivaled collection of art. Family dinner can be served on the patio of your own private home overlooking the countryside or at the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, Dyades. Outdoors, all ages will delight in a picnic in a rowboat, playing tennis on the floating court, touring the on-site farm and picking fresh fruit off the orchard trees.

Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Resorts Collection

Santorini is as enchanting as it gets and an ideal destination for families spending time in the Greek Islands. Layered into the cliffside with views of the Aegean Sea, Grace Hotel has a four-day itinerary for the ultimate Santorini experience. Days begin with sunrise yoga and end with decadent meals at Varoulko, helmed by Michelin-awarded chef Lefteris Lazarou. Set off on a private yacht tour and jet ski safari, or kayak to magnificent caves and even scuba dive into the caldera of a volcano. On land, discover tucked-away wineries and horseback ride to the Black Beach of Vlychada.

Beyond Europe, the beaches of Mexico are always a good idea. In the Riviera Maya, Etéreo’s six-day itinerary jumps into adventure with a scenic flight to a hidden archaeological gem in the middle of the jungle. Set sail with the whole family to explore the surrounding turquoise waters and Great Mayan Reef before celebrating local heritage and culinary traditions with an Abuela Dinner. On the West Coast, spend seven days, packed full of seaside leisure and simple pleasures, in Los Cabos at Esperanza. Witness a magical sunset while glamping on the beach, followed by a three-course full-moon dinner in a private cabana. Families can all stay together in a multi-room villa and participate in pickleball clinics, a round of golf or mountain hikes.

Pickleball at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

For those who prefer to stay domestic, families can explore California’s countryside with an interactive landscape photography class courtesy of Stanly Ranch, partake in a Bavarian pretzel making class at the Austrian-inspired mountain retreat, Goldener Hirsch in Deer Valley, set sail from Newport Harbor on a former America’s Cup winning sailboat and try your hand at oyster shucking at The Vanderbilt in Rhode Island. Of course, dining together is always something to look forward to. To make meals more memorable, Auberge Resorts Collection is also offering complimentary dining for children, ages ten and under, for breakfast, lunch and dinner all summer.

The post Traveling With Family Made Easy This Summer appeared first on DuJour.

Ibiza Gran Hotel

The hotel is home to 187 contemporary, loft-style suites boasting exceptional views of the Bay of Ibiza, Dalt Vila and Formentera. The suites have a large bedroom, spacious living room, terrace, heated infinity pool and whirlpool. There are also Grand Suites which include a living room for entertaining, a full bar, walk in closet, two bathrooms, one with soaking tub as well as large balconies that overlook the town and picturesque main pools of the hotel (they also include private Bentley transfers from the airport). While you won’t be disappointed by the in-room dining offerings, breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant is worth waking up for. Bread, made in-house daily, freshly-carved jamon and an omelette station that will prepare any eggs you want. The hotel prides itself on creating new and exciting memories for their guests, even those who come annually. You’ll find the menu ever changing with Michelin-starred chefs flown in to create culinary adventures unlike anywhere else in Ibiza. The tasting experience of the hotel’s Michelin-starred La Gaia by Óscar Molina is transportive, with ingredients sourced locally to highlight the agricultural beauty of the island.

DuJour spoke with the property’s communications and creative director, Jenny Nerman, to discover what makes it so special

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Gran Suite Dalt Vila

Views from The Gran Suite Dalt Vila at Gran Ibiza

What makes it so special?

It’s one of our largest and most exceptional suites, and also considered one of the most decadent and sought-after suites across the entire island. It was recently renovated as a custom project by Spanish interior designer Sandra Tarruella. The luxurious 1,600-square-foot loft overlooks the bay and Formentera with unmatched views of the Mediterranean. It includes a large bedroom, spacious living room, dining area, cocktail bar and wine cellar and a 1,900 square-foot terrace with a heated infinity pool, outdoor jacuzzi and solarium with an olive tree.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $7,000.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Ibiza has long been renowned for its festivities, but we take pride in our efforts that have put the island on the map for its epicurean excellence. In the midst of the white island’s culinary evolution, our flagship restaurant, La Gaia by Óscar Molina, was recently awarded a Michelin star, making us the first hotel on the island to receive this accolade.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

I love the Superior Pool Suites because of their unbeatable views of Dalt Vila and private terraces with infinity pools. Two large windows bring the Mediterranean sunshine in all day long.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The more than 400 pieces of original artwork that adorns our walls, lobby, suites and Open Spa are truly all exceptional. My favorite is the wire sculpture jellyfish, a gorgeous, ethereal piece created specifically for La Gaia restaurant by the artist Katrin Kirk.

Zuma restaurant at Ibiza Gran Hotel

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Guests staying in our Gran Suites receive a bespoke pajama set in their room. There’s also the option to have your initials embroidered. It’s just one example of the many personalized touches we offer at the hotel.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

For over two years, under the direction of ABA Art Contemporani, 28 contemporary artists from across the world worked intensively on our art collection. In total, Ibiza Gran Hotel is home to a stunning collection of over 400 pieces made up of vibrant, colorful, and exhilarating work featuring a diversity of styles, techniques and media. The collection changes annually and revolves around five elements–earth, air, life, water and sky. Private champagne tours can be arranged.

The post Room Request! Ibiza Gran Hotel appeared first on DuJour.

Indeed, once you get to Tokyo, everything is a bit, well, out-of-this-world, so Japan Airlines (JAL) makes the in-flight journey to its home country a particularly special experience. Is there another airline that will lend you a cardigan—made in collaboration with the design firm Nendo—should you feel particularly chilly as you lay in your 180 degree fully flat-bed in your business-class Sky Suite? These days, you’re lucky if a U.S. airline offers you a pair of socks and a lip balm sample.

But, cardigan included, that’s all part of how JAL embraces the concept of “ichigo ichie,” literally “one time, one meeting.” It’s a Japanese philosophy of savoring and making the most of every moment.

To that end, JAL pays special attention to its in-flight menus, which have been developed in collaboration with several Michelin-star chefs. The company refers to its JAL BEDD Sky Auberge catering as “your exclusive restaurant in the sky.” The extra “d,” following that 180-degree fully flat bed, they say, stands for “dine, delicious and dreams.”

Menus are arranged with enormous care and specificity. There’s a special page for “Anytime You Wish” selections that give travelers an on-demand opportunity for, among other items, a salmon roe rice bowl; JAL’s special chicken soba noodle, or a blueberry bagel with smoked salmon and maple cream, basically anytime during a flight they want. (JAL regulars suggest you ask a flight attendant early in the flight to put aside what you’d like for later, should anything run out.)

Travelers are also given their choice of a Japanese Menu or a Western Menu. A recent dainomono, or main course, on the Japanese side, designed by chef Jun Mishina, included braised beef with garland chrysanthemum; Udon mountain vegetable and burdock; deep fried salmon with asparagus and a curry notable for being on the menu at Mishina’s restaurant in Ginza. Even the bread selection—recently a matcha green tea ekmek was on offer—comes courtesy of Maison Kayser.

If nothing else, the JAL food menu is a good primer for what’s to come as you make your way through Tokyo. As a tourist in Japan, every day involves learning lots of new words and concepts. Upon arrival back at home in New York, among the many things I Googled was “ekmek.” Even after my research, I still can’t figure out how it relates to bread, or why the matcha green tea ekmek, basically a green roll, was so good.

Food is particularly important to the JAL brand. The airline recently sponsored a sold-out pop-up of Noma, the globally-renowned Copenhagen restaurant, at the ACE Hotel in Kyoto. Once on the ground in Tokyo, you can visit the JAL Agriport, an agricultural center, close to Narita Airport. Though the main focus of the Agriport is to promote initiatives with various regions in the Chiba Prefecture, the real star attraction here is an excursion to pick several kinds of strawberries in a strawberry-themed greenhouse—or is it a redhouse, or a pinkhouse? The varietals are truly scrumptious, as good as any dessert you’ll find in Tokyo.

A hop, skip and a jump from the strawberry mecca is the Dining Port Goryokaku. A lunch of JAL favorites—soba noodles included—can be washed down with the airline’s specialty drink called Sky Time. Introduced in April 2021, it’s a non-alcoholic peach and grape mix. At the Dining Port, you can mix it with iced tea, ginger ale, or, really anything else, to prepare to quench your thirst in even more eclectic ways on your flight home.

For even further immersion in JAL, anyone is welcome at the airline’s Sky Museum, located inside the JAL maintenance center, adjacent to Tokyo’s Haneda airport. In addition to a flight into JAL’s history, which has included partnerships with such Japanese icons as Hello Kitty, you might be able to tour the airplane hangar. Don’t miss the gift shop for all your JAL souvenir needs, exclusive, of course, of fresh strawberries.

Though JAL’s influence is particularly apparent all through Tokyo, here are a few other things you might check out while you’re getting to know this amazing, retro-futuristic city.

TO SLEEP

In a city known for impeccable service, the Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi stands particularly tall. 39 stories tall, to be exact. This 190-room hotel, not yet two years old, occupies the top six floors of the Otemachi One Tower. Of particular note: Pigneto, a relaxed brasserie that shows off a contemporary Japanese take on Italian cuisine, and the Infuse Spa, where an hour-long Yakusugi massage evokes the peacefulness of forest bathing and cedar trees.

Trees and plants swarm through the lobby of the 206-room Tokyo Edition Toranomon hotel to create an indoor garden that is both a site-specific installation and an incomparable oasis that feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo that lies just outside and downstairs. The Edition chain is so popular here that a new construction in Ginza with a more intimate 86 guestrooms is scheduled to open later this year.

Now that I’m back to my ordinary life, I’ve been dreaming about moving back to Japan and into a ryokan. They’re usually not in big cities, because they’re more traditional Japanese inns, where you get to enjoy a hot spring bath and sleep on a tatami mat. You wouldn’t have to ask me twice if I’d like to move into the Hoshinoya, a luxury twist on the traditional ryokan in Otemachi. It provides an intimate, peaceful, and shoeless world away from any world you’ve ever been in. (You leave your shoes when you walk into the hotel, in a box, and only get them back when you go out again.) Of particular note: the Onsen, or bathing hot spring, that resides on the hotel’s highest floor.

TO EAT

It may be crazy to think that a city known for sushi and tempura would have its share of amazing pizza, but then you visit this refreshingly low-key, hard-to-find pizza place, Savoy Tomato and Cheese, in Roppongi Hills and your mind will change instantly. Go for a simple and perfect Margherita. The lunch special is an amazing deal, but like many foodie places in the city, they only take cash.

Yes, we make fun of 7-Eleven in the States, but in Japan, it’s like going into Erewhon, the incredible health food chain in Los Angeles. They’re everywhere, but also stock just so much crazy stuff. It certainly beats any fast-food restaurant for a late-night snack. People flip, with good reason, for the smooshy, pre-packaged egg-salad sandwich on white bread, and frankly, the ice cream and candy selections are incomparable, too. I found a kind of chewy, German, Skittles-like candy called Hitschies, and a milk-flavored Korean Moon Pie that just blew my mind

I’m not one for pork cutlets, but longtime chain, Maisen, is all about them, and eating here will make you think about pork cutlets, probably, forever. There’s usually a line to get into the unassuming restaurant, reminiscent of a kind of 50s Japanese Denny’s. (I went to the one in Omotesando, a short walk from a Chanel, a Celine, and all the other high-fashion labels.) But once you take a seat and bite into a cheap and cheerful Tonkatsu sandwich, also on white bread, there will be a time before you ate at Maisen, and a time after.

TO DO

It’s impossible to get into the Ghibli Museum, devoted to the films of Hayao Miyazaki. Like many things in Japan, you have to book months in advance. Though you won’t find Kiki, Princess Mononoke or a Totoro here, Time Lab is an immersive art experience through flora and fauna that has proved such a popular attraction that the international art collective plans to open another permanent exhibit in central Tokyo this year. (Kim Kardashian may have also added to the furor.) Forewarning: the experience is shoeless and involves stepping into lots of actual water. Some of the “rooms” may have made me a teensy bit nauseous and/or given me Athlete’s Foot, but it’s still incredibly cool and I recommend going if you can.

Deep in Tokyo Station you’ll find an entire shopping and eating floor devoted to some of Japan’s most beloved animated characters. Like much of Japan, it’s overwhelming, but here’s where icons like the aforementioned Totoro; Miffy, the Dutch bunny created by Dick Bruna in 1955, and all the Pokemon are actually willing to be caught. If you don’t want to eat at the café devoted to Kirby, the puffy pink Nintendo whoknowswhat, you can venture elsewhere in Tokyo Station for many, more traditional food options. The slurping is particularly justified in a corner called Ramen Street. We suggest Rokurinsha, though finding your way there from Character Street is a journey unto itself.

There are a lot of shopping areas in Tokyo—I can’t even count how many Gucci store fronts I saw—but I most enjoyed shopping in Ginza. Highlights include: the neighborhood’s especially impressive Dover Street Market; Itoya, a twelve-floor department store basically devoted to stationery and pens (my dream); Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, a department store devoted just to contemporary menswear; and the 500,000 square-foot, art-filled Ginza Six mall, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi (who also designed MoMA). Ginza Six features plenty of expensive Japanese domestic brands as well as international labels like Loewe and Dior. With all the fashion, however, don’t miss Tsutaya, a fantastic art bookstore with plenty of gift options on the Ginza Six top floor.

The post The Weekender: Tokyo appeared first on DuJour.

The dessert was developed by Meredith Hayden, a private chef for clients such as fashion designer Joseph Altuzzarra. Hayden, who previously worked at the restaurant Charlie Bird, in Manhattan, has grown an eager social media following as @wishbonekitchen on TikTok. She updates a website under the same name with recipes for relatively easy-to-make dishes, including Lobster Cobb Salad and avocado eggrolls like the ones they serve at Cheesecake Factory.

To devise the sorbet, which has undercurrents of strawberry, Hayden visited Chateau d’Esclans, the home of the Whispering Angel brand, for inspiration. She then met with Laurent Colin, the executive chef at Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monaco to concretize the recipe.

In anticipation of the second Saturday in June, otherwise known as National Rosé Day, Hayden introduced the sorbet at Le Scoop, the gelato bar at the newly-renovated Le Méridien Lav in Split, Croatia.

“Split is the ideal spot to soak up endless summer, so it just made sense we debut there,” says Hayden. “It’s a place that truly embodies a leisurely, European-style spirit of summer.”

The presentation of the sorbet is nearly as important as its flavor. Available as part of Le Méridien’s annual Au Soleil program, through the end of October, a portion arrives in a small dish usually used for caviar service. That small caviar dish rests above a large, stemless wine globe of Whispering Angel rosé.

The idea is that the sorbet and the wine can be consumed side-by-side or concurrently.

“It’s such a chic and playful way to dress up something as simple as sorbet,” explains Hayden. “People I spoke to loved the lightness of the pairing. They said they could order it again and again as a treat or to finish off a meal by the ocean.”

The sorbet is also available alcohol free or on its own sans additional rosé, but Hayden has another off-the-menu suggestion.

“My favorite trick is to ask for a scoop of vanilla gelato on top,” she says. “The combination of the bright and acidic rosé sorbet with the creamy gelato is just perfection.”

The post A New Way To Drink Rosé appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Uniworld’s president and CEO Ellen Bettridge to discover what makes it so special

What’s the most requested room on the cruise?

The highly coveted Grand Suite (of which there are two, rooms 415 and 416), located on the Murano deck near our specialty restaurant, Rialto’s.

What makes it so special?

The Grand Suites are new additions that were previously two separate staterooms, now combined into one spacious suite. Grand Suites are the epitome of luxury river cruising with Uniworld, featuring high end touches and design elements that reflect the destination and can’t be found anywhere else on the rivers. They’re true boutique hotel rooms with their own uniquely Venetian personality. Grand Suites feature a large bedroom with plush Savoir of England king-sized beds outfitted with fine linens and pillows, a separate living room with a hidden TV, mini bar and spacious closets and a spectacular marble bathroom with dual sinks, a bathtub and large walk-in shower. The suite is adorned with fabrics made by revered local textile house Fortuny and Venetian artwork for a regal and authentic feel. Plus, the suite has two French balconies to let in the breeze while sailing along the Venetian Lagoon.

Uniworld S.S. La Venezia

What is the nightly rate for this room?

For the 2023 season, the Grand Suite ranges from $9,799 to $10,299 per guest based on double occupancy on our 7-night Venice & The Jewels of Veneto itinerary. Like all Uniworld bookings, the experience is truly all-inclusive. Guests will receive three farm-to-table meals daily, unlimited premium wines, beers and spirits, airport transfers, excursions, entertainment, onboard WiFi and laundry service plus unique to the Grand Suite, in-suite butler service, a fully stocked mini bar, Nespresso coffee machine and fine teas, the option to enjoy breakfast in-room and daily fruit and cookie plates.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the boat that speaks to its status as an icon?

The S.S. La Venezia marks the first time that Mario Fortuny and the House of Fortuny, which debuted in 1907, has had its designs widely used on a cruise line, which is really special. The entire ship was designed to celebrate the magic that is Venice and evoke the essence of the city, beginning with the lobby that resembles Mario Fortuny’s 1930s showroom. As a tribute to the destination, guests will find pops of color in Murano-blown glass, intricate masquerade masks found at Venice’s annual carnival, outlines of famous Venetian bridges within the fabric patterns and so much more. You’ll notice little details and homages to the region at every turn.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

My personal favorite room is suite 411. It uses a burnt orange color palette that really pops and encapsulates Italian opulence. The suite and headboard are wrapped in orange and white Fortuny fabrics, complemented with an orange velvet couch at the foot of the bed and a matching velvet accent pillow and orange Venetian glass sconces on each bedside to bring it all together.

What’s your favorite design element on the boat?

The gorgeous Fortuny fabrics are really something special. All suites and hallways, and the lobby are adorned in them, and all patterns are unique. Fortuny’s textiles are handmade with impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their creation process is still a closely held company secret of over 100 years. In terms of common spaces, Hari’s Bar and Lounge is really beautiful, using blues and shimmering golds. You’ll find upholstered loveseats perfect for enjoying a cocktail while watching the evening entertainment, a large bar at the center of the room wrapped in gold, and glass tables with a variety of Italian-themed coffee table books. The lounge also has a separate panini bar at the front end, which is a quiet place to read or grab fresh paninis, pastries, or coffees and teas throughout the day.

The sundeck on the Uniworld S.S. La Venezia

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We have three exclusive culinary experiences onboard that go above and beyond guests’ everyday dining. There’s a lunchtime cooking class at Cielo’s, where guests get to make a few Italian dishes, a small and private dinner in La Cantinetta, with the chef cooking right in front of guests and a progressive dinner, where a small group of guests have parts of their dinner in different locations of the ship.

How about one more fun fact about the boat?

The S.S. La Venezia is currently the only cruise ship sailing in the Venetian Lagoon. The city of Venice banned large cruise ships from entering the lagoon in 2020 to better preserve the fragile floating city, so cruising with us is an experience like no other and gives a one-of-a-kind look at the Veneto region and special access to its top sites and hidden gems. For example, our guests have exclusive after-hours access to St. Mark’s Basilica through our ‘Nights Out’ program, allowing Uniworld passengers to explore the famed church sans crowds, led by an expert historian. The basilica’s staff turns the lights on just for us, lighting the church up slowly to unveil the spectacular ceilings, fully covered in gold mosaics depicting saints, prophets and biblical scenes.

The post Room Request! Uniworld S.S. La Venezia appeared first on DuJour.

Founded in 1820, French silversmith Puiforcat has retained its traditional high-craft techniques while embracing modernity through collaborations with noted names in the worlds of art, architecture and design to realize classic yet contemporary—and utilitarian—works of art. A partnership with the Judd Foundation was a natural move. “This Judd project is an encapsulation of Puiforcat’s genuine aspirations,” say Perelman and Fabry. “The technical challenges of fabricating the pieces, the question of exactitude and the precision of Judd’s designs all spoke to us. The artist originally had to abandon the idea of fabricating this service, as he was unable to find a workshop sufficiently skilled to do the job. This has been resolved by the expertise of our silversmiths, and the service is particularly striking for its balance between artistic expression and functionality, quite in keeping with Jean Puiforcat’s legacy. He believed in working with the greatest creators of the time and never abandoning the goal of functionality.”

For this service—comprised of dinner, bread, soup, salad and dessert plates, as well as a serving bowl and cups—silversmiths have shaped the metal into cylindrical vessels using spinning lathes and employed a brazing molten-filler technique so that no welding points are visible. Further polishing and buffing reveals the natural shine of the silver, and each unique piece is numbered and bears the artist’s mark.

Every part of the service is a sculptural work of art, from the small bread plate ($6,000) to a serene serving bowl ($22,000) to the spare, multipurpose goblet ($6,200), and each is designed to stand alone or in one statement collection. A celebration of form and material—both of which were fundamental to Judd’s practice—the Puiforcat dinner service is the first time his designs have been created in anything but ceramic or stainless steel.

“Solid silver emits a distinctive vibration that is particularly well-suited to the stripped-down character of Judd’s forms. This minimalist quality demands precision, exactitude and an unfailingly sure hand,” explain Perelman and Fabry. With the help of Puiforcat, the Judd Foundation has seen the artist’s exquisitely simple designs come to life.

The post Puiforcat’s New Silver Designed By Donald Judd appeared first on DuJour.

No matter the season, by far the best choice for lodging is The Cloudveil, the town’s only hotel on the historic Town Square, which during winter hosts an ice rink and a direct path to the equally historic honky-tonk Million Dollar Cowboy Bar—where you will literally saddle up to the bar on stools made of old saddles—as well as to several of the town’s best restaurants. The hotel is a modern take on Western-chic, with custom leather furnishings, granite-filled baths, works by local artists (many of whom take up temporary residence in the lobby), and plenty of reclaimed wood. 100 rooms include 11 suites. During ski season, the hotel partners with concierge rental company Black Tie Skis to deliver top of the line, demo-quality rental equipment to the hotel; Black Tie will also take care of getting you to and from the mountain, where you’ve got exclusive access to a de facto lodge and techs on hand all day long who’ll work hard to find you your perfect fit.

The Cloudveil Suite

DuJour spoke with the The Cloudveil’s general manager Pablo Migoya to discover what makes it so special.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Cloudveil Suite

What makes it so special?

It’s the most spacious room on property at 875 square feet, including a king bedroom, living room with a fireplace, dining area, soaking tub and an oversized balcony with views of Jackson’s Town Square. It’s a well-appointed space and reflective of the iconic surrounding mountains.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $1,000 (with seasonal variations)

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The Cloudveil is, and will always be, the only hotel on Jackson’s historic town square. The lobby is designed to welcome locals and guests alike, providing the perfect downtown location to relax by the fire and enjoy a drink from in-house restaurant The Bistro. It’s the ultimate convivial space for guests and locals to mingle and bond over the day’s adventures.

The lobby at the The Cloudveil

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

My personal favorite room is our One Bedroom Suite with a balcony. This suite provides plenty of room to spread out and boasts beautiful views of the town of Jackson and Snow King Mountain.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

It’s a tie for me between the mantels over the fireplaces in our guest rooms made from timbers salvaged from a Laramie dairy barn circa 1880 and our feature Stone Wall grand staircase, made with locally-sourced Windsor Gray Sandstone, creating a 3-story “mountain” of stone that takes inspiration from the Tetons and their commanding and breathtaking presence.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Throughout the year, our guests have complimentary access to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, a gorgeous local museum with a stellar curated collection and wildlife art exhibits. During the ski season, our premium partnership with Black Tie Skis is a special offering that some guests don’t realize we have, and makes for a truly elevated ski rental experience. Place your order for skis, poles, snowboards, boots, and helmets prior to your arrival and your personal ski concierge will meet you at The Cloudveil with everything you need to make the ski experience much more luxurious and seamless.

What makes the property so special in the summer?

Our rooftop is open in the summer providing locals and guests a spot to enjoy the outdoors. The rooftop overlooks Jackson’s historic town square and The Bistro offers a rooftop menu and full bar. In the wintertime, the wood burning fireplace in our lobby is the perfect location to enjoy a hot toddy, share some time with your fellow guests reminiscing about your adventures, play a board game, and listen to live music.

The Cloudveil Suite

The post Room Request! The Cloudveil appeared first on DuJour.

The post Peter Arnell’s Famous Campaigns Throughout the Years appeared first on DuJour.

The post Discover New Hotels and Restaurants Across The Globe appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with the resort manager, Ronny Fernandez, to discover what makes it so special

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Grand Tent Ceiba number 11.

Inside a tent at Naviva

What makes it so special?

Ceiba is a spacious private sanctuary hidden in the jungle perched atop a cliff overlooking the ocean. Guests like to relax on the expansive two-tier outdoor patio listening to the soothing sound of crashing ocean waves below. This accommodation has a private plunge pool and large firepit perfect for trading tales under a full moon. Truly unforgettable, the Grand Tent invites guests to immerse themselves in nature, encouraging them to disconnect from their world and get lost in this perfect ecosystem.  What makes this tent so special is the expansive, two-tier deck, with fire pit and lounge area perched on a cliff so guests feel like they are on top of the world. Ceiba is framed by rocks, trees, flora and fauna which provides an ambience completely enveloped in nature. With unbeatable  views of the Pacific, Grand Tents at Naviva blur the border between the natural and manmade worlds.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

$4,950 per night including all meals and drinks including specialty meals prepared to enjoy throughout the property, one 60-minute spa treatment per guest, daily practices and rituals and Unscripted Naviva experiences.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Naviva was conceptualized with Luxury Frontiers, an award-winning design firm and pioneer in the alternative lodging sector. The resort is designed through the lens of biophilic design and biomimicry where the natural beauty of Mexico was the key source of inspiration. 

Views from a tent at Naviva

What’s your personal favorite space on property?

Copal Kitchen is the heart of Naviva–where guests are welcomed as if they were being hosted at a close friend’s home by an open-air kitchen and living room where they may join Chef Sofia Mojica in the kitchen to make ceviche with the fresh catch of the day, meet a local coffee roaster or pop open a bottle of Mexican wine. With an open layout and incredible sunset views, Copal delivers coastal cuisine in a casual and inviting ambience.

What’s an amenity you offer that no one knows about?

Our secret beach. It’s the second beach on property, and it’s rocky in contrast to La Solana’s pristine white sand. Guests will uncover tidepools full of sea life and great perches for whale watching.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Capullo Landing, the copper-and-bamboo bridge entryway is iconic. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls in a forest ravine, the canopied bridge is meant to evoke a cocoon, marking guests’ transformation as they enter Naviva.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Naviva offers a traditional Mexican temazcal, a sweat-lodge that offers guests newfound spiritual strength. Guests can venture on a personalized temazcal ceremony guided by a dedicated curandado to produce a mind-body healing and awakening. Who doesn’t need that?

A tent at Naviva

The post Room Request! Naviva appeared first on DuJour.

“Instead of massive corporations firing their employees, there had to be creative ways to save or recover money for Fortune 100 companies,” recalls Fox.

Now, he is the founder and CEO of Bottom Line Concepts. Their first client was Rolex. The pitch: Getting back 50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing. Over the last 15 years, Bottom Line has worked with thousands of businesses and recovered over $5 billion in savings for them.

During the pandemic, Walmart and Amazon exploded while small businesses suffered. In turn, Bottom Line opened a second division, shifting to small businesses and serving as one of the first American companies to file for Employee Retention Credits, says Fox. “So now we’ve helped thousands of small businesses hurt by COVID-19 get this money back.”

“For sure, it’s more gratifying,” explains Fox. “If you get a huge company that does billions a check for $5 million, it’s a pebble in the ocean. But if you cover $1 million for someone who has three pizza restaurants, you’re making a massive impact.” Current clients include Blackstone, Rolex, Citibank, HSBC, the Miami Heat, Audemars Piguet and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Bottom Line’s charitable division, Line Up For Charity, is designed to enhance donations to nonprofit organizations through an entirely new source of funding. By introducing Bottom Line’s services to passionate donors and board members, nonprofits secure a portion of the resulting savings in the form of a donation. On the personal philanthropic front, Fox launched the Brady Hunter Foundation in February, a 501(c)(3) organization which supports animal rights (and is named after his dogs Brady and Hunter).

“I had very high aspirations and goals for the company, and I knew that I wasn’t going to let anything stand in my way of achieving my goals. I want to grow this thing to be the biggest in the country,” he adds.

During the pandemic, Fox also made a geographical change. He had already moved from New York to Los Angeles, but the crisis pushed him to move back to the East Coast, this time to Miami.

“People just seem to be very happy down here,” Fox says. “You have the ocean. You have great weather. We have a lot of visitors down here. Every weekend, someone’s in town.”

One thing Fox misses about New York is that “everyone loves to get dressed up—suits and pocket squares and ties.” In Miami, the lifestyle is very casual. “It’s acceptable to go to work in a T-shirt and sneakers.” Fox finds a place in the middle: loafers, a nice pair of pants and a polo shirt.

To get a glimpse of that old New York style, Fox enjoys going to Queen Miami Beach, an extravagant Japanese restaurant that opened in the Paris Theater earlier this year. Fox likes it because “you feel like you’re in New York in the Roaring ’20s, and they have a dress code.”

He likes to bring big groups there. “We’ll take one of everything. It’s all about variety: a little sushi, a little steak.”

Fox says he also frequents Bourbon Steak in Aventura and Eddie V’s in Fort Lauderdale.

Though he’s full-time in Miami these days, he won’t abandon New York completely. “I’ll definitely come back to the Hamptons this summer,” he says.

The post Josh Fox’s Bottom Line appeared first on DuJour.

The lobby at Hotel Californian

Where To Stay:

Much of Santa Barbara’s renaissance can be credited to the emergence of the Funk Zone, an artsy micro-neighborhood with a slight industrial vibe. At its heart is the Hotel Californian, a 121-room hotel with views of the Pacific, a Moroccan spa, a palm tree-shaded back patio, and a staff so eager to please they’ll charge your Tesla without asking. The just-opened Steward sits on five acres of lush land once owned by late 1800s horticulturist Joseph Sexton. 87 Southern European farmhouse-style suites are inspired by nature and invoke a Secret Garden feel; modern details mingle with an emphasis on sustainability. A night or two at the iconic San Ysidro Ranch, 22 minutes southeast of the city in the foothills of Montecito and nestled between the mountains and ocean. Thirty-eight bungalow-style cottages with private pools and sprawling lawns offer easy access to 17 miles of magnificent hiking trails through lavender, jasmine, orange blossoms and eucalyptus; when you’re back, enjoy a bottle of something special from one of the most extensive wine cellar collections in the United States.

A guest cottage at San Ysidro Ranch

Where To Eat:

Start the day with the Farmer’s Market Bowl and an oat milk latte on the shady patio of the Helena Avenue Bakery, an artisan bakery drawing from ingredients found along the Central Coast. Or pick up a packed lunch to-go for a hike or day at the beach. The Lark, in the former home of the Santa Barbara Fish Market, is named for the overnight train that once passed through town, and takes its design inspiration from there, too, with vintage train booths and lighting to match. The food is spectacular, and meant for sharing: locally-sourced takes on comfort food staples like roast chicken, cornbread and hand-cut pasta. Pull up a bar stool and ask for a glass of natural rosé at Broad Street Oyster, the Santa Barbara outpost of the Malibu favorite. Order a dozen on the half shell and make conversation with your neighbor—likely a friendly local eager to tell you his favorite secret beach spot.

The Lark

Where To Drink:

Santa Barbara’s geography has made it one of the most interesting places along the west coast to produce wine: varied terrain and complex terroirs combine with coastal valleys delivering chilly ocean air. Across the street from the Hotel Californian, the Margerum Wine Company offers tastings of its renowned Rhone varietals, made from grapes grown both on its own nearby estate vineyard and sourced from other vineyards in and around Santa Barbara County. Part of the Hotel Californian, The Society: State & Mason pulls together bottles from area producers and pairs mini-lessons with sharable snacks. Tequila fanatics favor La Paloma Café, with specialty variations on the classic margarita (hibiscus, guava) and the namesake cocktail available by the pitcher.

The Society: State & Mason at Hotel Californian

Where To Shop:

Right in Santa Barbara, The Blue Door features three levels of vintage, midcentury, and modern furniture, décor, art, and lighting, both locally and international made and sourced by a variety of in-house curators. Finds might include a Spanish Colonial wrought iron chandelier, 1920s hand varve Italian Art Deco bookends, and modern bamboo dining chairs. On the way to Montecito, stop by Mate Gallery, tucked inside the Montecito Country Mart, a charming, wood-paneled den of New England style selling rare books, nautical artifacts, beach photos, and vintage OP shorts, among other maritime-inspired treasures.

Lotusland

What To Do:

The closet best beach option is Hendry’s Beach, one of Santa Barbara’s most picturesque, at the base of a bluff and just a 10-minute drive from town. For a more secluded spot, locals love Butterfly Beach in Montecito. Just be sure to BYO lunch and anything else you need for the day. For a more active outing, hikes abound: A great all-levels option is Inspiration Point, which offers stellar views of the city and the sea, and is kid- and dog-friendly besides. Save a morning, or more, for a visit to Lotusland, a nonprofit botanical garden founded in the 1940s by Polish opera singer Ganna Walksa containing 37 acres of collections of exotic plants from all over the world (be sure to book a docent-led tour in advance).

The post The Weekender: Santa Barbara appeared first on DuJour.

The post 2022 Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Edible Presents appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Cecilia Bustos González, Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta’s general manager, to learn more about this don’t-miss property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Ultra Suites

What makes them so special?

The Ultra Suites are on the upper floors, so that guests can truly feel like a VIP with stellar views and your own private butler. Mousai’s Ultra Suite guests are also presented with a customizable pillow and aromatherapy menu, extra special amenities and the best panoramic views of the jungle and ocean environments below.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $570

Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

The Master Suite due to the serene energy it exudes. It affords guests with spectacular views in every direction of both the mountain and jungle from the floor-to-ceiling windows that wraparound the entire suite. The design of the Master Suite allows for fluidity and movement. It features an expansive open concept, one bedroom with a king-size bed from where guests can admire stunning views of Banderas Bay. It also includes a living room with a personal bar, spacious bathrooms with steam showers, along with the most stunning views from a private terrace equipped with a jetted plunge pool and hammock.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

I enjoy the way the elegant color palette is integrated throughout the design and seamlessly blends with the furniture, provoking emotion. I also love the way the hotel’s architecture mirrors the mystical, natural curves found in the surrounding jungle environment. We have a trolley transportation experience which helps guests get from one place to the next since the hotel is connected to Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, the Tierra Luna Village and a tennis court hidden in the jungle.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

We have a trolley transportation experience which helps guests get from one place to the next since the hotel is connected to Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, the Tierra Luna Gardens and a tennis court hidden in the jungle.

The post Room Request! Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta appeared first on DuJour.

The pool and grounds of the Çirağan Palace Kempinski

How To Get There

Getting to Istanbul has never been easier or more luxurious. Turkish Airlines, which flies to more countries than any other airline in the world, currently operates from 17 gateway cities in North America, including its first-ever Pacific Northwest route, from Seattle, Wash., which launched earlier this year. Business class perks include seasonal gourmet dishes (served by candlelight, upon request), new designer amenity kits from Coccinelle and Hackett and access to state-of-the-art business class lounges. Beyond the world-class food and hospitality, one of the best parts of flying Turkish Airlines is traveling on the airline’s 787-Dreamliner aircraft, which flies to and from the United States.

The luxurious business class cabin on Turkish Airlines from the U.S. to Istanbul

Where To Stay

On the banks of the Bosphorus, the Çirağan Palace Kempinski boasts stunning views of Asia and the ancient city, featuring palatial suites, Turkish gardens and many dining options (Tuğra Restaurant, Bellini Pasta & More, the waterfront Gazebo Lounge and Bosphorus Grill). The property is the only Ottoman Imperial Palace and hotel on the Bosphorus where Sultans once lived, so the views from the rooms and suites are legendary. A dip in the heated, waterfront infinity pool is also a must, as you can gaze at unobstructed views of passing boats and the colorful lights and buildings on the Asiatic bank. Simply put, no matter where you turn, you’re in for a luxe experience in a gorgeous setting. Don’t miss their authentic Turkish hammam experience at Sanitas Spa.

In-room snacks at the Çirağan Palace Kempinski

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, in the Old City, is the perfect basecamp from which to explore Istanbul’s deep heritage, with breathtaking views of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Marmara Sea. While in close proximity to Istanbul’s historic sites, the property has a fascinating history itself, as it was once a former prison featuring a landscaped courtyard surrounded by stone walls, a working masjid (mosque) and guard towers. Following its initial transformation into a five-star hotel in 1996, the hotel has undergone a recent renovation by design studio Goddard Littlefair. The new design pays homage to the beauty and history of the site and Old Istanbul while adding the luxurious, modern amenities synonymous with the Four Seasons brand. While visiting, don’t miss the chance to experience the hotel’s rooftop dining terrace with views of the Hagia Sofia and Grand Mosque, or its spa for an incredible Turkish hammam experience that is unpretentious yet utterly luxurious.

The historic exterior of the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

Surrounded by the tranquil Sea of Marmara, the new 204-room JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea hotel offers guests a relaxing and luxurious stay in the Atakoy district. The guest rooms are spread out across 17 floors and are as spacious as they are sumptuous—marble bathrooms with large soaking tubs and rain shower heads, smart lighting and modern amenities. Ceres restaurant serves Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian fusion cuisine, with a focus on seafood and this summer. Michelin-starred chef Akira Back will debut a new restaurant offering innovative Japanese cuisine.

The presidential suite at the JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea

Open May-October, Bodrum Loft is a hidden escape in the lush heart of Demirbükü Bay on the Aegean-facing north coast of the Bodrum peninsula. The 36-room property, developed by Akfen Holding, offers high-end suites and villas that will be your home-away-from-home this summer. With a swimming pool, beautifully landscaped gardens, fitness center, spa, private beach and restaurants (Paper Moon and Nobu–the first in Bodrum–and the casual Patisserie Loft), you never need to leave the resort. Also on site is a boutique by high-end Turkish brand, Vakko.

A villa at Bodrum Loft

How To Tour

With only three days is Istanbul, we relied on Eda Sokmen, whose bespoke tour and travel agency Istanbulite is the go-to for tours of key sights including the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace. From helping book luxurious hotels to coordinating historical, shopping, art and photography tours, cooking classes and paper marbling workshops, the team can help you experience the city like a local. You can even book Istanbulite private tours and experiences beyond the ancient city including Cappadocia, Izmir, Ephesus, Bodrum and other off-the-beaten path locations like Aphrodisias and Kaş.

The post How to Explore The Best of Turkey appeared first on DuJour.

Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota

DuJour spoke with Paula Gamboa, the hotel’s director of marking, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

All our rooms are unique. We have different types of rooms depending on the purpose of your visit. If traveling with family, we have rooms that are interconnected to have a large space for several people and feel at home. For executives or couples, one of our suites with fireplace and balcony is ideal.

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

Our landmark 1946 building, designed by Colombian artist-architect Santiago Medina Mejia, boasts some of the most quietly elegant rooms in the city–complete with beamed ceilings, hand-carved wooden furnishings and fireplaces to cozy up to. Steps from the buzzing financial district and the gourmet paradise of the Zona G, Casa Medina is an urban retreat for travelers with taste. The hotel’s stone columns, beamed ceilings and hand-carved details exude charm, inspiring Colombia’s Ministry of Culture to declare it a monument of cultural interest. From the Spanish restaurant and tapas bar to a spa experience with Colombian flair, you can enjoy this stately and urbane jewel of composure and calm, long recognized for its legacy of luxury hospitality, now with the touch of Four Seasons.

Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

The Colonial One Bedroom suite. Because this largest, uniquely different one-bedroom suite features a spa-style whirlpool bath and a wood-burning fireplace. This spacious accommodation epitomizes perfectly the architectural and historic elements of Casa Medina.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We have a welcome amenity for our clients inspired by Fernando Botero, one of the most renowned painters and artists in Colombia, which consists of a piece of chocolate in the shape of an easel with a replica of one of his works accompanied by macaroons and fresh fruits such as uchuvas and raspberries.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Medina Mejia designed the house combining Spanish and French architectural trends and imposing some of his personals whims, like his love for birds, so he hired a craftsman to carve birds and geometric shapes into iron and wood elements.

Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota

The post Room Request: Four Seasons Hotel Bogota Casa Medina appeared first on DuJour.

A suite terrace at the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

DuJour spoke with Leandro Livschitz, Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires’ general manager, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Our One King Balcony Palace room #401

What makes it so special?

Located at the Palace building, this room is the only room of its type, with elegant cornice plaster ceilings and wood paneling. On top of a delightfully charming balcony, it features a king size bed, a spacious working desk bathed in natural light and an elegant marble bathroom with crystal chandeliers.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $800 per night

The indoor pool at The Ahin Wellness & Spa

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The hotel is a two-building complex combining the luxury of an aristocratic palace with upscale contemporary design. The handsomely restored Palacio Duhau itself, built in 1934 by French architect León Dourge, is one of the few remaining palaces representing the city’s traditional and exclusive porteña aristocracy.

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

The Boudoir Suite. This charming 103-square-meter suite provides respite from the day-to-day bustle. Once they pass through its doors, guests have the feeling of arriving to the coziness of a hidden retreat. Its indulgent appointments include silk curtains, custom artwork and French doors that open to its own lush, private courtyard.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires has a special blend of house wine, created in collaboration with Mendoza, Argentina winery Catena Zapata.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

It is not a design element but a painting created by the late Argentine artist, Guillermo Roux. “La Ronda” is an exquisite masterpiece showcased in the Palace lobby.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

We were one of the first Hyatt properties in the world to have a plant-based restaurant Gioia Cocina Botánica.

The gardens at the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

The post Room Request! Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Guillaume Marly, the managing director of Hotel Café Royal, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Grand Regent Suite overlooking Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street. Particularly room 222 with its full-length windows and balcony. Incredible views to Parliament, Big Ben and beyond!

What makes it so special?

The Grand Regent suite is a magical space overlooking the heart of London and the beautiful façade of Regent Street. The suite is expansive, full of natural daylight and features a vast bathroom with a freestanding Carrara marble bathtub. The suite offers the flexibility of being turned into a two bedroom by connecting with the adjoining Westminster Suite.

What’s the nightly rate for this room?

The Grand Regent suites starts at £3,500

The Dome Penthouse terrace at Hotel Café Royal

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

We continue to attract the most fascinating, famous and interesting guests. We have seen the likes of Oscar Wilde, Virginia Wolf, Mohammed Ali, Princess Diana over the years.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

The Dome Penthouse, mainly because waking up to a nearly empty Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus and enjoying your breakfast and coffee on that outdoor terrace is simply unmatched. This is also perfect for families as you can extend it to three bedrooms giving everyone their own spaces while still having the option in the main suite to watch a film or have dinner.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

For our regular guests, our fantastic and detailed oriented guest relations team builds strong relationships to make their stay as personal as possible. Regular guests are given personalized key card wallets with their initial embossed in gold and we will even stitch initials in the pillow cases which we always use whenever they stay.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

How we pay homage by restoring the historic elements of this iconic London institution while juxtaposing the design with contemporary elements. You find this all throughout the hotel, modern corridors converge at historic lift lobbies, while certain suites feature delicately restored living spaces that lead onto modern bedrooms and our expansive marble bathrooms.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

Hotel Café Royal is the heaviest hotel in London. When the hotel was undergoing refurbishment, the hotel used so much marble in every room that the quarry in Carrara had to be closed in order to supply the entire hotel. Meanwhile the structural engineers had the task to reinforce the foundations of these historic buildings to ensure that they can sustain the weight. According to calculations, the weight of the marble is equivalent to 250 adult elephants.

A Regent suite living room at Hotel Café Royal

The post Room Request! Hotel Café Royal appeared first on DuJour.

Robbins is once again partnering with Feeding America on the 1 Billion Meals Challenge, the multi-year goal of helping to provide 1 billion meals to people who are experiencing food insecurity. Eight years into the 10-year campaign, Robbins and Feeding America say they “are well ahead of schedule,” having already helped provide 914 million meals to people who are facing hunger across the country. “This year the 1 Billion Meals Challenge surpassed an incredible milestone: 900 million meals for neighbors living with hunger,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “We are so grateful to Tony and all who joined in to achieve this level of contribution. In Tony, what could be—and should be—comes to life. His vision and leadership in the cause of hunger relief do more than inspire; they plant seeds in others who take up the challenge to perform life-changing and life-sustaining acts of kindness.”

In the United States alone, nearly 34 million people, including more than 9 million children, are food insecure. “I know that those are more than startling statistics—those numbers are human beings suffering—and I came from one of those families. Tragically, the number of severely food insecure people remains unacceptable, having only grown since before the pandemic despite more than enough food existing to feed everyone on the planet. Human beings should not needlessly go hungry. Collectively we must get food to people who need it and do not have the means to secure it for themselves or their families.”

The post Tony Robbins’ Challenge to Provide 1 Billion Meals Nears its Goal appeared first on DuJour.

The post Our Favorite New Tech Gadgets and Devices Right Now appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Guilherme Costa, the hotel’s general manager, to learn more about this special property.

The post Room Request! Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon appeared first on DuJour.

DuJour spoke with Henning Rahm, regional general manager of Limelight Hotel Aspen and Limelight Hotel Snowmass (now the general manager of The Little Nell, to learn more about this special property).

What’s the most requested room at the property?

Terrace Rooms 404 and 441

What makes them so special?

They face Aspen Mountain and are located on the top floor of the hotel. The outdoor terrace combined with the living space and its top floor location are reason enough for all our guests to truly enjoy it.

What’s the nightly rate for this room?

Around $750

A guest room at The Limelight Hotel Aspen

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The original structure on the Limelight property was called the Ski and Spur Bar, which served both outlaws and skiers in the spirit of the Wild West. It eventually became a hotel in the 1960s and Aspen Skiing Company took ownership in 2012. The hotel most recently underwent a full renovation and much of the design references Aspen and its history. The Hotel has become and remains a sort of community living room for guests and locals alike and continues to be an icon of Aspen.

What’s your personal favorite room? Why?

404 because of its large terrace. The terrace and its magnificent views are the place to be at our hotel. You can easily host a small reception on this terrace or just enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a glass of wine. Since this is a corner room, privacy is much greater.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

In the winter, the hotel offers guests a chance at First Tracks on Aspen Mountain. Guests have the chance to ski/ride freshly groomed corduroy or powder before the mountain opens to the public. Additionally, the hotel offers its guests an Inside Tracks program twice weekly. This unique opportunity provides participating guests a complimentary ski/ride day with a top rated ski school pro for exploring Aspen Mountain’s sensational and varied terrain. In the summer, we offer a complimentary stand-up paddle boarding activity. The three-hour adventure consists of a guided lesson and tour.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

Our high end finishes and artwork. The hotel also has a robust art collection with an emphasis on female artists.

The pool at The Limelight Hotel Aspen

The post Room Request! The Limelight Aspen appeared first on DuJour.

Getting to Abu Dhabi from the United States is easier than ever, with direct flights from New York, Chicago, Washington D.C. and more with Etihad, the go-to airline for travel to and from the capital city. Book a lie-flat Business or First class seat—getting a good night’s sleep on this long-haul journey is crucial to maximizing your time in the Emirates, especially when visiting more than one locale. With scores of five-star hotels in the area, choosing your Abu Dhabi accommodations is easy, but the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas on Saadiyat Island is one of the best.

The pool at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas

It goes without saying that no visit to Abu Dhabi is complete without a visit to the Louvre, a striking oasis of beautifully-designed buildings surrounded by the sea. Here, you can enjoy the stunning structure, designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, by booking a sunrise or sunset kayaking session. To see more of Abu Dhabi’s richly diverse topography, visit the Jubail Mangrove Park during high tide, where you’ll wander through the sanctuary alongside the gazelles, herons and turtles.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

As a whole, Abu Dhabi’s vast biodiversity is seemingly impossible to capture in one place, but the National Aquarium—the largest in the Middle East—does an impressive job. Located in Al Qana, a buzzing cultural center that debuted just last year, the aquarium is made up of 10 distinctly different spaces, each a world of its own, offering kids and adults of all ages an immersive expedition through the Arabian Gulf. With more than 46,000 animals and a variety of unique, personalized experiences like glass bottom boat tours and diving with sharks, you’ll be surprised at how much there is to explore.

Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi

The drive from Abu Dhabi city to Ras Al Khaimah is an adventure in itself, and depending on how much time you want to spend on the road, there are several different—and equally breathtaking—routes to take. Driving directly up the coast will take you through Dubai, where you could spend as little or as long as you’d like before continuing north. Alternatively, heading inland to Al Ain will take you slightly out of the way, but it’s absolutely worth the trek, even if just for a brief stop at Telal Resort’s Zaman Lawal Heritage Village. Here, traditional Emirati culture is shared through food, drink, history and more—sipping Arabic coffee in a classic welcoming salon, wandering the local souk and riding camels—with a luxe modern resort nearby. Booking a few nights at Telal is the perfect retreat, complete with desert safaris, great dining and picturesque dunes.

The Manar Mall Promenade in Ras Al Khaimah

From Al Ain, the last leg of this road trip through the Emirates clocks in at just under three hours, and another oasis awaits in the form of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. This seaside palace is home to 346 impeccably appointed guest rooms and some of the best restaurants in the area, not to mention the panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and nearby Hajar Mountains. You’ll likely not want to leave the property, but Jebel Jais—the tallest peak in the UAE—is not to be missed. From serene morning hikes and multi-day survival workshops with Adventurati Outdoor to zip-lining in various forms between the mountains, your Emirates adventure is bound to end on a high note.

The Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

The post Beyond the Burj: An Adrenaline-Fueled Journey Through the Emirates appeared first on DuJour.

The post Go Inside The Best Suites at The U.S. Open Tennis Championships appeared first on DuJour.

The post The Wonders of Washington appeared first on DuJour.

A room at Best Bower in Portland, Maine

DuJour spoke with Kratovil to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

What makes them so special?

Each loft has a private entrance that can be accessed from the shared courtyard between the guesthouse and the Observatory. The lofts are unique in that they are more spacious than a typical hotel room. They can accommodate 2-4 guests and feature a king size bed, twin XL bed and a pull-out sleeper sofa bed in the main space. The lofts are very versatile in that they can accommodate a variety of travelers (a family with small children, a group of friends visiting for a weekend getaway or business travelers).

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $250

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

A bathroom at Best Bower in Portland, Maine

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

It is a tie between the Library and the Crow’s Nest. Both completely different.  The crows nest has a large skylight that offers an unparalleled view of the Observatory while the Library with it custom woodwork and navy blue-tiled bathroom creates a cozy elegance.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The courtyard. I love the way it ties in with the historic Observatory and the guest house creating a wonderful spot for morning coffee or afternoon cocktails.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

The Observatory and its out buildings stood alone in the mid 1800s at the top of Munjoy Hill surrounded by pastoral farmland.

A room at Best Bower in Portland, Maine

The post Room Request! Best Bower appeared first on DuJour.

A guest room at the W Algarve

DuJour spoke with Cajetan Araujo, W Algarve’s general manager, to learn more about this special property.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The E-WOW penthouse, room number 4806, a duplex apartment located on the fourth floor at the southern end of the hotel.

What makes it so special?

It is a 2-bedroom duplex apartment that can be made into 3 bedrooms with a connecting room and it has a fully equipped kitchen discretely designed to blend in the design of the whole room. It features a large balcony covering the western and southern sides of the apartment and a sensational 160-square-meter rooftop terrace with a plunge pool. You can really retreat into your private space with your own terrace and pool.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $1,900 per night

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

The design, the aesthetic of the hotel. It is different from anything else in the country, so elegant, so detailed! Every single guest that is going through our doors talks to us about the attention to details and the incredible design of the hotel. With its brilliant mix of modern design and local inspiration, it is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in the region.

The pool at the W Algarve

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

Room 4025. It’s another WOW suite with a plunge pool. It is on the fourth floor of the hotel, pretty much right in the middle of the hotel. It’s a duplex suite with high ceilings and beautiful light, with a rooftop terrace and its own plunge pool. You have an incredible view of the ocean and the coast, up to Sagres on clear days, and some spectacular sunset views.

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

We have our custom short boards and Malibu boards, surf boards that have been especially designed for us, with the emblematic fish scales of the hotel. They are available for our guests to go out and surf. The Algarve is one of the best surf spots in the world and, from the moment we began to work on the project two years ago, we knew we wanted to get our own surf boards and we wanted them to be special, so we got them hand-shaped by one of the most sought-after surfboard makers in the Algarve: Ferox Surfboards.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

The fish scale design on all the balconies and terraces of the hotel. The walls are covered in iridescent fish scale-like tiles designed and handmade in Portugal, a reference to the centuries of fishing tradition and villages in the region. The reflection of the iridescent tiles changes by the hour, reflecting the changing landscape of the Algarve through the seasons.

How about one more fun fact about the property?

The wall with all the ceramic plates welcoming you in the hotel has 613 plates, and each of them has been handmade especially for this project. I personally worked for a few months with Vista Alegre, the iconic Portuguese ceramic artisans, to pick the designs, organize the plates, and build this wall as a work of Art. I love the result and what we achieved with them there: it’s unique, surprising and already Iconic.

The Market Kitchen restaurant at the W Algarve

The post Room Request! W Algarve appeared first on DuJour.

Julia LeClair and her son Charlie

Beaches

Squibnocket beach is absolutely beautiful, and I am completely spoiled that it is in my backyard. I love Lucy Vincent Beach as well if you want some people around you. It is also fun to drive your car out on Norton Point; we usually do a sunset BBQ there with friends at least once a summer.

Activities

If you have kids, you have to take them to the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs: it’s the nation’s oldest carousel. Grey Barn and Mermaid Farm are both my favorite farm stands on the island. Nothing beats the cheese from Grey Barn and a lassi from Mermaid Farm. During the week, my daughter attends Art Camp at the Featherstone Center for the Arts and at The Farm Institute—both places are so great for kids and have amazing programs. On Wednesday and Saturdays, it’s fun to visit the Farmer’s Market.

Restaurants

Chilmark Tavern, State Road, Atria and The Covington. For kids, nothing beats Nomans. The food and drinks are great for adults and the kids are entertained for hours.

The post Discover Martha’s Vineyard With Julia LeClair appeared first on DuJour.

Nolinski restaurant at the Nolinski hotel

As the company’s first, the Nolinski is certainly its most classic, right in the center of it all, between Rue Saint-Honoré and the Opéra Garnier.

Philippe Starck helped transform a former 1970s mail sorting center in the 16th arrondissement into the Brach, which has both a contemporary and mid-century modern feel, along with an amazing neighborhood fitness center and a fabulous rooftop view of the Eiffel Tower.

The George suite at Brach

For a slightly sexier stay, there’s the aptly named Sinner in the Marais, which playfully merges religious iconography (stained glass windows and the like) with lots of velvet mystery and opulence in what had been a former monastery and convent. Feel free to sin with regularity at the hotel’s main restaurant, which becomes an exciting fog-filled club after hours.

An executive guest room at Sinner

And for a completely different experience just around the corner, there’s the stunning Cour des Vosges, an intimate, 12-room, four-story time-warp with all the conveniences of modern luxury. Historical touches have been preserved along with the addition of amazing archaeological artifacts and design pieces from the 70s.

A guest room at Cour des Vosges

(For an ideal ride from New York to Paris, we suggest booking a ticket on the all-business class boutique airline La Compagnie.)

Evok is starting to expand outside of France, with a Nolinski Venice set to open in March 2023, followed by properties in Madrid and Rome.

We talked to Evok Hotels Collection co-founder and managing director Emmanuel Sauvage to learn more about how the brand started and where it’s going.

Evok Hotel Group co-founder Emmanuel Sauvage

How did Evok start?

Evok is the brainchild of Pierre Bastid, Romain Yzerman and myself. Pierre, the owner, wanted to create a group of hotels that were not in the same niche as others in the area and that had a strong heritage value. Evok was truly the product of harmoniously blending all three of our thoughts, creative energy and style. It was very important to us that every building purchased for this project was true to the DNA of the brand.

How has the brand evolved since the beginning?

We wanted to avoid giving the impression of a hotel chain. It also takes away the uniqueness of each of the locations and the individual brands [of Brach, Sinner and Nolinski.] It was impossible to have a single Evok-branded hotel because each place is unique with strong and different DNA. We decided to create a specific brand for each establishment in Paris and then develop those brands internationally. These individual identities are very important because they allow us to choose which brand we want to develop depending on the specific location. This is a much more sophisticated approach than if we had chosen to develop all our hotels under the name Evok.

Did the changing travel landscape encourage that decision?

The luxury clientele has changed a lot in recent years. It has become younger, more diverse, and now comes from different countries, including emerging countries. We have to constantly adapt to it. That’s why we have created different brands that are distinguished by their unique DNA.

A deluxe room at Brach

How do you describe those identities?

Nolinski is a haven of tranquility located in the heart of bustling city centers. Brach brings a sophisticated, welcoming lifestyle to chic, neighborhood districts. At Sinner, the atmosphere draws on the vibrant energy of a historical neighborhood but adds an uncompromisingly edgy interpretation of culture and sophistication.

 What do you think people want from hotels in Paris in 2022?

Customers are looking for a unique experience. They’re willing to spend money to have a good time because they’ve been pushed around a bit in the last couple of years. They want to be surprised. They want a human touch.

What are your thoughts about bringing Evok to the United States?

The hotels there are larger, but Evok would totally fit in Miami, New York, or Los Angeles. If we move there, we would have to ensure we maintain the DNA.

What is your favorite hotel in the world?

I don’t have a favorite hotel, but rather a collection of favorite hotels. I really like the Belmond Collection [a group of global hotels, including the Cadogan in London and Cap Juluca in Anguilla.] They have an extraordinary charm with extraordinary buildings and locations. That’s really what I like about hotels: quality and a focus on the art of living.

What is your favorite memory of staying in a hotel as a child?

I must have been 7 or 8 years old. My parents always took the Michelin Guide to go on vacation. Once, we arrived in a completely rotten hotel in Italy, one of the worst hotel experiences of my life. Eventually, my parents decided to leave the place, and we ended up in a beautiful hotel in Sanremo, a historic home with exceptional service. It was really everything I loved. It felt so good to be in that house. I still remember things perfectly: the breakfast service, the pool. Everything was there: the quality of welcome, the quality of service, the room. The whole experience was exceptional. And today, that’s exactly what the hotel industry of the 21st century needs.

The post Meet the New Name in Parisian Hospitality appeared first on DuJour.

The Bosun’s Locker house at Faraway Nantucket

These experiences include opportunities to showcase island purveyors, like at Sister Ship, which features produce from Fog Town Farm and locally-sourced oysters and scallops. The Nantucket Bake Shop supplies the Portuguese bread served at the hotel’s morning coffee bar. New this summer is the Federal Suite, a three-bedroom house that will allow guests the privacy of a home but the convenience and service of staying at the Faraway hotel. “The Federal Suite is a wonderful addition to the Faraway collection of rooms and suites,” says Guidi. “You simply can’t get a better location for a three-bedroom home with incredible outdoor space if you want to be in the heart of the historic district.”

The post Visit the Faraway Hotel in Nantucket This Summer appeared first on DuJour.

But what’s perhaps most appealing about Gravity Haus is its promise of living like a local. The hotel began as a community and connection space, and still offers membership options for Breck residents who want to be able to take a call between runs—ski or otherwise. The gym hosts well-attended classes, the hot tubs and second floor Japanese Onsen remain a neighborhood favorite, and the counter of the lobby café, Unravel, sees plenty of workers, laptops open, throughout the day.

And summer is an ideal time to visit. This year, Breck continues its 60th anniversary celebrations with summer fun that includes scenic lift rides, the Gold Runner Coaster, alpine slides, climbing wall, rope challenge courses, 4×4 tours, bungee trampolines, and more. Epic Pass holders also get extra savings on lodging and on-mountain food and drinks (and if you haven’t bought your 2022/23 pass yet, now’s a great time).

A guest room at Gravity Haus

DuJour spoke with Connor Pankow, the hotel’s general manager, to learn more.

What’s the most requested room at the property?

The Trailblazer room.

What makes it so special?

It’s the unique versatility it offers to house a family of four in a hotel room environment. The secondary twin rooms allow privacy for the parents and the children, while still having the comfort and price of one hotel room.

What is the nightly rate for this room?

From $300

What’s an interesting tidbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?

It was the first lodging operation for our rapidly growing company Gravity Haus, which now has fully-owned hotels in Breck, Vail, Winter Park, and Truckee. Additionally, we have partner hotels in Denver, Moab and Costa Rica, among other locations.

What’s your personal favorite room and why?

My personal favorite room is the Crashpad. This room is perfect for group get together of up to eight people! It offers 2 queen bunk sets in a secluded part of the hotel room, while additionally offering a sleeper sofa in the main area. This accommodation is perfect for a guys’ weekend, a bachelorette get-together, or a large family!

What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?

Our super trampoline! It’s located on our  third floor rooftop. Guests and members of Gravity Haus are able to reserve the trampoline for 30 minutes sessions during our summer season. It is an absolute blast and no guest or member is able to jump without a smile on their face.

What’s your favorite design element on property?

I love the overall industrial design of the property, combined with a modern mountain taste. It is a very unique aesthetic that really fits our brand in Gravity Haus and our location in Breckenridge.

What’s your favorite thing about the property in the summer?

The post Room Request! Gravity Haus appeared first on DuJour.

The post The Best New Getaways in Mexico appeared first on DuJour.

The post The New, Clear Spirits You Need To Try Now appeared first on DuJour.

The day turned out even better than we expected: Guide Dylan Griffin took Bob and I through a section of the Long Trail we’d never even seen on a map, and along the way pointed out flora and fauna we hadn’t noticed before. The hotel had set up a picnic lunch at the top, where we enjoyed giant sandwiches and local craft beer along with our views—a far more luxurious trail lunch than our usual squished Larabars and water. It was exactly the kind of mini-adventure we’d been after.

There’s plenty of warm weather adventure to be had in Stowe.

Unreliable winter conditions and an uptick in domestic travel over the last few years have resulted in an off-season boom for ski resorts across the country. In Breckenridge, Colorado, off-season visits have gotten so popular that Gravity Haus, the town’s popular hotel and social club, expanded the formerly members-only upscale gear rental club Haus Quiver to accommodate visiting guests coming to explore some of the Rockies’ most glorious months, where the winterscapes shift to include (thawed) alpine lakes and fields of wildflowers. In addition to hiking, biking and paddle boarding—guided or on your own—there’s fly fishing, gemstone panning (keep what you find!) and—my unexpected favorite, on a recent visit—summer dog sledding, a two-mile circuit through the scenic Swan River Valley that helps keep the dogs in shape for the winter season. Last summer, the resort launched Epic Discovery, a blitz of all-level activities for families, plus on-mountain dining. In my experience at least, that bottle of wine you order at lunch will be a far safer bet when you’re riding the lift, not your skis, back down.

In the past, many people with experience in outdoor adventure may have been inclined to forgo a guide in favor of DIY exploration. But there’s no doubt that the right guide can enhance your experience in myriad ways, arranging a 15-minute jaunt or a full-day adventure and tailoring it on the fly in response to how you’re doing or what you are capable of. Breckenridge is also home to some of the country’s best whitewater rafting down the Blue River and, just slightly farther afield, the Arkansas River, which passes through the iconic Browns Canyon National Monument. On my first-ever rafting trip, our guide gave me the encouragement and confidence I needed to push myself just a bit outside of my comfort zone—paddling along instead of simply sitting and holding on for dear life, as I was inclined to do. I suspect I had a much better time because of it.

“When you hire a guide, you are getting more than a robot that can take you up pitches and mountains,” says Cody Bradford, a rock climbing guide who leads trips in Las Vegas, Joshua Tree National Park, Moab and western North Carolina, among others, largely through the travel app 57hours. “You are hiring someone who has thought through the ‘whys’ of techniques and mountain movement, someone who uses their years’ worth of technical abilities to give you an intimate learning experience. Hiring a guide is also a way to enter an unknown area and only have to think about the climbing or hiking at hand. This completely frees you up to focus on whatever skill you have come to develop or experience you have come to have.”

In Stowe, The Lodge has increased guided services over the last few seasons in response to high guest demand. On-mountain, there’s now full- and half-day spring, summer, and fall offerings for hiking, mountain biking and climbing at a variety of experience levels, as well as kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding. You can hike, bike or float in pursuit of food—maple creemees, local craft cider—or wildlife, like otters, deer and the occasional moose. This season, until the last snow melts (which can be as late as June), The Lodge is introducing the Sugar on Snow tour, a moderate hike along the pretty Mill Trail that ends with the local tradition of “sugar on snow,” drizzling hot maple syrup over packed snow to create a taffy-like candy.

Recently, Bob and I put our good guide luck to the test in Snowmass, part of the Aspen/Snowmass complex, nine miles from Aspen proper. While Aspen may still be best considered for its snow-season debauchery, it is, in fact, one of the most well-rounded all-season destinations for both diehard outdoor enthusiasts and those who adventure mainly for the celebratory cocktail or three after. From our home base at Limelight Snowmass, we explored just a small part of the area’s 2.8 million acres of wilderness, including an epic climb over the Elk Mountains (also available to see by hot air balloon—next time, we decided), and a three-hour guided mountain bike ride in and out of aspen groves. Later, we found the après scene as festive as it always is during ski season, and just as satisfying. We might not have spent the day braving the elements in quite the same way we had on previous winter visits, but we’d had more than a day’s worth of adventure all the same.

The post Moving Mountains This Season appeared first on DuJour.