Hotels

The first Raffles Hotel opened in Singapore in 1887, and since, the Raffles name has become synonymous with glamour, heritage, and legendary service. As the heart of every destination in which the brand features its luxury hotels and resorts, a Raffles property is associated with authenticity, and of course, pure luxury. In France, that heart is Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. The hotel is one of 12 in the City of Lights that hold “Palace” distinction, an establishment at which five star service is exceeded. This is reason enough to make it your Parisian hotel choice. But if you require…

(credit: Wickwood Inn)Transformed by the Chicago based design team of Soucie Horner Interiors, the Wickwood Inn is a historical hotel located in downtown Saugatuck, Michigan. Without compromising the flavor and charm of an Inn in a small town, Shea Soucie and Martin Horner combine the familiarity of tradition with modern design. The elegant design seamlessly extends throughout the boutique inn, embodying the rich history of this charming property nestled along Michigan’s vibrant "art coast," providing guests with an authentic coastal getaway.  With gracious Midwest hospitality, refined design, a delectable farm-to-table breakfast experience crafted by Executive Chef Rose Duong, daily social…

Columbia HillenWalking into Landmar Hotel Playa La Arena on Tenerife is like walking into a luxuriant botanical garden. A veritable jungle of exotic green ferns called helecho (ferns) hang from ledges and drape tall white pillars lining the lobby of this luxury 452-room hotel in the southern coast of the Spanish island. Columbia HillenThough this 8-floor hotel can accommodate over 1,000 people, such is the hotel’s immense layout with separation into different segments both indoor and outdoor, it doesn’t seem crowded. Landmar, a name reflecting the image of both land sea and under family ownership for more than twenty years, was…

May. 30th, 2024 Have you ever arrived at a hotel and feel like it is like visiting an affluent friend’s home? That’s the feeling I got from Hacienda del Sol; bright, cheery and welcoming with eclectic colors, artwork and spaces to greet guests at this Tucson, Arizona property. Beneath the bright desert sun warming the stucco walls and lush gardens, guests walk through a shaded gate and bubbling courtyard fountain to check into this Arizona experience. Initially started in 1929 as a “girl’s only” desert retreat inspired by Spanish Colonial and Moorish architecture, Hacienda del Sol was converted into a…

Dorothy Cascerceri SimoneSummer is one of the best times of year to take the ultimate Americana family vacation to the Grand Canyon. Yes, there are crowds just like any popular destination, but at the peak of the summer solstice, this national treasure enjoys 15 hours of daylight each day. Plus, the South Rim’s high desert elevation at 7,000 feet (the North Rim is even higher at 8,000 feet) keeps temperatures in the 80s most days, dropping down to the 40s at night.  But getting there is not exactly easy, especially when you’re traveling as a family with young children. Lodging…

La Fantaisie's secret garden is a Parisian dreamLa Fantaisie is utterly charming. The boutique hotel, located in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, in the Faubourg-Montmartre neighborhood, is a garden-themed fever dream, where color is queen, and whimsy reigns. Not yet a year old, La Fantaisie has captured the imaginations of Instagrammers who visit the City of Lights. (It also recently captured the imagination of “Swifties” who filled the restaurant, café, and bar during the chanteuse’s recent Parisian tour.) Step inside its front door, and it’s easy to see the reason for its popularity. Here are seven reasons to put this gem on your “must visit”…

May. 21st, 2024 Operating 12 hotels, resorts and palaces across India, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has wrapped the graciousness of Indian hospitality with a luxury bow. Since its founding in 1986, The Leela has provided unparalleled luxury in captivating settings offering art, culture and cuisine with thoughtful services, celebratory rituals and immersive experiences. An epitome of true Indian luxury hospitality The Leela has grown from its first hotel The Leela Mumbai, in 1986 to its most recent The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel in Kerala and presenting 12 properties across 10 locations in India.  Providing guests with unforgettable…

Kurt JacobsonThe Pendry hotel brand is rapidly gaining accolades with its properties across the U.S. and points south. When the Pendry Washington DC- The Wharf opened on October 26, 2022, luxury lodging expanded in the nation's capital. With a prime location on the banks of the Potomac River, this new luxury hotel offers convenience, views, and a spa. Upon arrival, a bellman will greet you and show you to the reception area where two front desk staff are waiting to get you situated. At the front desk, Nick is knowledgeable about many area highlights like the Titanic Memorial on the nearby Anacostia River Trail and dining options. We…

Columbia HillenPaying homage to the exotic island off the African coast on which it stands, the Savoy Palace in Madeira is awash in traditional eye-pleasing décor with sweeping views over the Atlantic and a host of diverse amenities. Columbia HillenA short walk from the heart of the charming Old Town of the island’s capital, Funchal, this five-star, 309-room hotel with a staff of over 500 features a decorative bridge designed in the style of traditional Madeira embroidery; a curved construction style symbolizing ocean waves; a replica lava cone and colorful groves of more than 260 different plants, flowers, herbs and palm…

Baie des Anges, Nice. Photo by Arno Smit via UnsplashThe South of France has long captured the imaginations of creatives drawn to the region’s ethereal light. Picasso, Monet, Chagall, and Matisse made the Côte d’Azur their home at one time or another, and their spirit can be felt along Nice's shores and within the narrow streets of its old town. Artists of our generation also appear to be inspired by Nice’s stimulating ambiance, as evidenced by my recent sighting of a few film idols. This capital of the French Riviera has it all: Michelin-starred cuisine, museums, galleries, high-end boutiques, and…