We only have one resort on the North Shore: Turtle Bay. It’s set right on the beach and has a 36-hole golf course. Every Tuesday the resort’s bar hosts open mic night. —Hoku Haiku 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku, (808) 293-6000. Photo courtesy of José Mandojana. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue. Read more about Hoku Haiku’s North Shore neighborhood in Oahu.
I have yet to spend a night in one of the rooms in this five star hotel, nor have I had the luxury of a spa treatment, but as much as I dine in the restaurant there should be a plaque made in my honor. That is how much I love the Umstead in Cary, North Carolina. I’m not sure if it’s the pianist, the harpist, the breathtaking floral décor or the beautiful staff, but for some reason, I always want to return to delve into the luxurious moment this place has to offer. Not only are guests greeted at the entrance like kings and queens, but the gorgeous marble floor in the foyer and the elegant seating in the lounge instantly give the air of casual sovereignty. Whether meeting friends for a glass of wine or having a three course meal in the dining room, the Umstead is the best place to experience magnificence on an everyday basis. Treat yourself or a loved one to a meal here and it will be unforgettable.
Modern bi-level wooden lofts nestle between vineyards and oak trees at La Subida, a small country inn run by vinegar maker Joško Sirk and his family. A Michelin-star restaurant serves gnocchi with plums, cherry strudel, and the famed Gravner orange wines, which get their copper hue from leaving the skins on the white wine grapes. From $145. 39/0481-60-531. Photo courtesy of La Subida. This appeared in the May 2013 issue.
The anticipated Museum of Biodiversity, designed by Frank Gehry, opens this year, and the Panama Canal will soon double its capacity. To prepare, luxury hotels, such as the Trump Ocean Club and Le Méridien, are cropping up. And in the historic Casco Viejo neighborhood, Spanish colonial buildings are reopening as restaurants, boutiques, and trendy hotels such as Tántalo, home to the city’s first rooftop bar. Photo courtesy of Tántalo/Facebook. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
Book a suite at Mashpi Lodge and you can spot howler monkeys, sloths, butterflies, and hundreds of bird species from your Philippe Starck bathtub-with-a-view. Opened in April 2012 on the 3,000-acre Mashpi Biodiversity Reserve, the lodge has resident biologists and a library stocked with bird books. A new tram traverses more than a mile of dense forest canopy, providing guests with an overview of the reserve’s extraordinary plant and animal life. Photo courtesy of CereallyExplosive/Flickr. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
Chiang Mai province is about 700 km from Bangkok and is situated on the Mae Ping River basin and is 300 m above sea level. Surrounded by the high mountain ranges of the Thai highlands, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 km². The mountainous terrain of the Daen Lao Range in the northern end of the province, the Thanon Thong Chai Range stretching in a north-south direction, and the Khun Tan Range in the east of the province are covered by rain forest. River Ping, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Daen Lao mountains. The highest mountain of Thailand, the 2,565 meter high Doi Inthanon, is located in the province. Several national parks are in the district: Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Mae Ping, Sri Lanna, Huay Nam Dang, Mae Phang, Chiang Dao. Parts of the ranges are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills. Travel Blog by :http://www.easytoursofthailand.com
Frankly I am at a loss of words to properly describe my first Aman experience. But I tell you this: if you can EVER wing a stay here, or at any other Aman Resort... DO. IT. Right from the start the way I was welcomed at Amanbagh got under my skin, and found its way straight into my heart. Every single person I encountered at Amanbagh took time to speak with me, share their lives and in turn were quite curious about me. Beautifully, this open exchange continued outside the property's boundaries just the same. Approximately 200 people work at Amanbagh, and about 60% of them are from the local communities. This means that when you're going for an early morning walk with the lovely Sita Ram (Amanbagh's resident wildlife and bird expert), or visit the surrounding villages – you quickly become part of daily life in the valley, even if its just for a short while... In addition, there are a number of amazing excursions from this property, such as the haunted city of Bangarh (a protected National Heritage site), the Temple Town of Neelkanth, and quite a few others.
“Is this illegal?” I asked while puffing a large Cuban cigar in my posh wicker lounge chair. Cohiba Esplendido is what it was called. The waiter shook his head 'no' while pouring VSOP into my tumbler and said Cuban cigars were legal in the Cayman Islands. Then he disappeared in the shadows. Only at the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman do waiters disappear in the shadows, then reappear at the precise moment you need them. From the elegant array of flowers in the foyer to the fine dining prepared by a world renowned chef, and the relaxing lanai at the back of the hotel, the Ritz is the best way to splurge while dining on your vacation in Grand Cayman. There are many places to eat in the Cayman Islands, but to really feel like a billionaire, the Ritz Carlton is the place to go.
This nearly 1,000-year-old mansion has been furnished with pieces made by local craftspeople. Owner Ina Krug works with a team of experts to arrange everything from a camel safari to a customized shopping trip through the souks. Each room has its own fragrance, such as saffron or pomegranate. The rooftop terrace, with views of the Atlas Mountains and the Koutoubia Mosque, is ideal for watching sunsets. From $200. 212/(0) 613-225- 874. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue. Photo courtesy of The Great Getaway Medina.
Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, the duo behind New York’s acclaimed Eleven Madison Park restaurant, have made this hotel a destination for discerning diners. A custom bar cart comes to the table with a drawer of ice cubes, recipe cards, mixers, artisanal bitters, and the bottle of your choice, so you can mix your own concoction. French designer Jacques Garcia found inspiration in the Parisian flat of his youth for the look of the hotel. In the evenings, the two-tier mezzanine space just off the bar becomes a lounge where you’ll find more people drinking than reading. From $395. 1170 Broadway, (212) 796-1500. Photo by Benoit Linero/The NoMad. This appeared in the May 2013 issue.
Once home to Francis Ford Coppola, Jardin Escondido hotel in Buenos Aires’ hip Palermo Soho district is leafy, green and gorgeous; its seven bedrooms decorated with rich Argentine furnishings. Coppola lived here while writing the script for Tetro, but now the colour-drenched garden, luxurious living areas and seven bedrooms have opened as a small, stylish hotel. Jardin Escondido will definitely inspire you, whether you’re seeking your own Palme d’Or, or just peace, Palermo and a boutique base-camp.With three days' notice, the hotel can hire a parrilla master to assist in buying local meat and vegetables for a full Argentinian barbecue in the back garden. Palermo Soho is the heart of Buenos Aires’ shopping district. Browse the boutiques for unique clothes and shoes. Calma Chica (+54 11 4831 1818) is a haven for homewares, including cowhide rugs, tabletop trinkets and locally crafted leather bags. Don’t tell the Italians, but Argentina has mastered creamy, cool gelato. Taste for yourself at Persicco (+54 11 5480 0156), which scoops densely cocoa-packed dark chocolate and tart, icy lemon. With a cone in hand, stroll through the adjacent parks or over to the riverfront.
There's not too much to do on Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth in Western Australia, unless you want there to be! Since there aren't cars on the island, excepting the off maintenance vehicle and one bus, visitors use their two feet or a bike to get around. You can bring your own, or rent one. Since the island isn't large, you can't really get lost. Since there's very little infrastructure, there isn't much in the way of distraction from the pristine ocean water, white-sand beaches and incredible snorkeling that exists all over the islands surrounding reefs and limestone shelves. My recommendation: take the ferry from Perth or Fremantle and plan to stay one night at minimum. The first day, bike the entire circumference of the island just to get your bearings. Do so without stopping very much, as long as you gear up with extra water, then tucker yourself out and get a good night's sleep. (Campsites and small cottages are both available to rent.) The next day, walk or ride the bus to the spots which you note to have the best snorkeling or the least-crowded stretches of sand. Do nothing at those places except sunbathe, bathe in the water or snorkel. Simply, relax. It's incredible how so close to a major city it can feel like you are truly in the middle of nowhere and about as far from civilization as one can get without it being too far away to be useful in an emergency... One last tip: don't miss out on enjoying a scoop or two at Simmo's Ice Cream.
Twenty miles south of Freetown along the gorgeous Freetown Peninsula, John Obey beach is the spectacular site of Tribewanted, an eco-voluntourism venture that combines sustainable development with community empowerment and cross-cultural exchange. Guests are invited to have a genuine cultural exchange with the people of the adjacent John Obey fishing village (many of whom are employed by Tribewanted), and have the option of pitching in on community projects—helping to build a hut, repair fishing lines, teach local schoolkids, work in the kitchen—or not: It's perfectly OK to swim in the warm ocean and park yourself in a hammock all day long (you'll likely have the expansive beach to yourself). Or you might book a local excursion, like a guided hike or canoe paddle. Accommodation includes tents, comfortable wooden bungalows, and adobe-like mud huts made of local earth, built collectively by trained John Obey villagers and past TW guests (other sustainability initiatives include solar power, compost toilets, bucket showers, and an organic garden). As for the food? You'll eat very well here: The Sierra Leonean food on offer, from spicy pumpkin stew to local lobster and poyo, or palm wine, is some of the best you’ll find in the country.
"NO ELECTRICITY in the heat of Thailand? Are you crazy?" Yes, this super eco friendly hotel operates without the use of electricity. It's snugged deep inside the luscious green mountain on River Kwai in Kanchanaburi province . I was scared of the concept at first but as soon as I was being transported from the dock by a long tail boat , feeling the cool breeze from the river and admiring the scenery of jungle on both sides, my doubt started to subside. Once I saw this place which the entire hotel is made of bamboo huts connected together, floating quietly on the water, my worries completely went away. The hotel is next to the local village where you can go visit. You can hike or do the elephant trekking. The elephants also came by to the hotel for morning visit. But the most fun activity was jumping off the dock to the river, floating downstream to the end of the huts, getting out and repeat. The hotel's pride is on being sustainable to the environment. No electricity wasn't an issue anymore.The flowing river underneath keeps the room cool,the oil lamb at night keeps the place bright.I felt really getting in touch with the nature here. No TV, No computer. It's good to unplug from our busy life. Just a good book, a hammock, feel the tension melting away and watch the time lazily passing by .
The ultimate wilderness escape for those who like a bit of pampering, this conservation-conscious resort takes up just 2 percent of a 4,000-acre nature reserve in the Blue Mountains. Indoor-outdoor pools and fireplaces are standard in all 40 of the stand-alone suites, which include binoculars for viewing wildlife. Charles Darwin visited Wolgan Valley in 1836. On sunset tours, in-house guides help spot the wallaby and wombat species that fascinated the naturalist. Spa treatments use native ingredients such as wattle seed and eucalyptus. From $1,502, all-inclusive. 61/(0) 2-6350-1800. Photo courtesy of Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue. . wolganvalley.com
The state of Washington made a landmark decision in November 2012. Besides reelecting President Obama for a second term, the folks here in the NW corner legalized marijuana for public consumption for people 21 and older. This is potentially the first volley in a battle for pot tourism that could easily be a billion dollar industry. While things are still being sorted out in terms of how the new laws with regulate the buzz business, Seattle is poised to lead the charge as a doper destination in the not-to-distant future. Things are already in play here. You can't walk down the street without wafts of ganga drifting into the atmosphere. There are popular areas downtown that are attracting the attention of pot smokers even as the legality of public use is hotly debated down in Olympia. I can see "coffee shops" in the tradition of their Amsterdam counterparts, lining certain streets in pot-friendly districts, easily accessed by tourists. I'm giving Seattle a year to figure it out, and then go after the world wide pot tourism crowd with the same high tech tenacity Amazon (HQ here) applies to retail. I'm talking hotels, bars, restaurants; all catering to the mellow marijuana tourists from - everywhere. Wait and see! Denver will surely be bonging on Seattle's door for this trade. It is, after all, the mile high city... PS. The trees in the photo - REAL. No photoshop, all natural art in the Emerald City. Soon to be more green and maybe a little blue for all the obvious reasons.
Florida City is the gateway to the Florida Everglades, where many people fuel up and get their gear together before wandering into the forest. The Everglades International Hostel is one such place to recharge before days of activity. Tucked into a neighborhood, the hostel grounds surprise you with a waterfall and treehouse, as well as tents of guests who want to connect with nature. The hostel also has private rooms for families and those who are looking for a different kind of atmosphere. And best of all, the hostel leads tours of the surrounding parks for a great price, or you can rent bikes and canoes to explore on your own. There's 24 hour reception, access to a full kitchen, free WiFi and computer access and a free pancake breakfast daily. It doesn't get much better than this.
Art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson set out to revitalize their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, by turning five abandoned warehouses into a 90-room hotel with a 9,000-square-foot exhibition space and a restaurant (above). Their second 21C Museum Hotel opened in Cincinnati in 2012, and their next, near the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, opens this spring. Photo by Glint Studios/Courtesy of 21C Museum Hotels. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.
Classic, Florida-style timeshare/hotel offers guests the chance to relax right on the ocean.
Retro furniture, bright textiles, and in-room yoga mats characterize the Glen Oaks motel. Guests who book the Big Sur Cabin can stargaze from an outdoor clawfoot tub. From $225. (831) 667-2105. Photo courtesy of Erin Kunkel. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
Hôtel Crillon le Brave is a charming Vaucluse hotel set among the vineyards and peaceful villages east of Avignon. The stylish design of this boutique hotel's rooms creates an air of relaxation and tranquility. Crillon le Brave has an outdoor pool set among the terraces and offers wine tasting and cheese tasting.A small selection of massage and facial treatments is available in Crillon le Brave's stone-walled little spa, including hot-stone massage and a 90-minute body massage using natural Provençal products.Ask the sommelier to organise a wine-tasting tour to suit your palate: elegant (at a Châteauneuf-du- Pape winery, perhaps) or earthy (with a local garagiste). In October, you can attend a mini vendange at Château Pesquié in Mormoiron (www.chateauupesquie.com), hosted by Frédéric Chaudière, who will show you (hands-on) what grapes to harvest and when, and explain the fermentation and blending process, with an all-important tasting analysis.
At first glance, the frozen little Canadian town of Churchill doesn’t suggest much in the way of terrific vacation spot. Located in northern Manitoba, Churchill is a small town at the southwestern crook of the Hudson Bay. No road goes there, only a single rail line and a handful of flights per day during the “tourist” season. It’s bitterly cold during the winter months, while summertime finds it uncomfortably infested with mosquitos. Words like “desolate”, “flat” and “remote” could equally be applied to its existence. Shopping -- more accurately called "outfitting" -- is limited but fun. It's a standard issue, run of the mill, northern Canadian village which annually hunkers down against the cold But what makes Churchill unique, what makes the town a destination special to travelers, is its place in the world of nature. During the winter months the town is ground zero for the polar bear communities’ annual migration onto the frozen Hudson Bay in search of their favorite food source: seal. Our tour took us out, onto the tundra, to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. Frontiers North offers two different Tundra Buggy experiences: one is based, as ours was, out in the lodge. Though a bit more expensive than the town-based tours, staying on the lodge gives you a better sense of arctic isolation, and a head start on the bear watching as other groups come in from town. The lodge avoids that, since it’s based right next to one of the roads that the buggies traverse. Highly recommended.
Tom Lithgow invites guests to his 130-acre island on Lake Tanganyika. Thirteen thatched-roof bungalows guarantee privacy; scuba gear and helicopter trips to Kalambo Falls guarantee fun. From $2,200, all-inclusive. (800) 524-7979. Photo courtesy of Tanzania Firelight Safaris. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.
Saint James Paris has always had lofty ambitions: in previous lives it has been an intellectual boot-camp for budding French boffins, and site of the first ever hot-air balloon airfield. In its latest guise as colourful, cultured, country estate-style hotel, it’s still flying high.French beauty brand Gemology (www.gemology.fr) chose the hotel as the site of its first spa. There are two Moroccan-influenced treatment and steam rooms, and products feature ingredients derived from precious stones. This is likely to be the only time you will use a gym with chandeliers and a parquet floor.If you’re here to celebrate a special occasion, book one of the ground floor reception rooms, which seat up to 25 people, and have a private dinner party. Avenue Victor Hugo, a short walk away, is famous for its high-end boutiques. The Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower are also just a short stroll from the hotel. Visit L’Institut du Monde Arabe on Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard in the 5ème (www.imarabe.org). As well as the amazing Jean Nouvel façade and Islamic art exhibitions, it has a top-floor terrace with great views across the Seine to Notre Dame and Ile de la Cité.
Twelve distinctive rooms in a restored 1910 brick town-house mix sophisticated touches (marble bathtubs) with comforts such as sheep-skin throws and Scandinavian antiques. Guests have all-hours access to a kitchen with a fridge full of cheeses, meats, produce, and wine. A house chef is on call 24 hours to satisfy cravings. Guests can read a novel (in book form or on the complimentary iPads) in the sitting room or on a chaise longue in the walled garden. There is also a sauna downstairs. From $550. 46/(0) 8-20-0590. Photo courtesy of Ett Hem. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.
The Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary is just 12 square kilometers, but it's home to one of the world’s most concentrated and diverse primate populations (including wild chimpanzees), more than 135 species of bird, 700-plus species of plant, and the very rare, endemic pygmy hippopotamus. You're not guaranteed to see all of that, but you will spot some cool monkeys (on guided hikes around the island), eat well (courtesy of the island's lone, resourceful cook), and camp out (in comfy tents on elevated, covered, solar-powered platforms) in a one-of-a-kind, secluded, and stunning tropical setting.
Josef Kröll has reimagined his family’s 14th-century estate in the Hinterglemm valley and turned it into a modern, 24-suite hotel. Its outstanding restaurant serves updated versions of classic dishes using produce grown on-site. From $200. 43/(0) 6541- 6308. Photo courtesy of Wiesergut. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue. .
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