Paros is one of the Greek Cyclades and is easy to ferry to from another island such as Naxos, Mykonos or Santorini. I ferried to Paros from Mykonos, only a 45 minute ferry ride on the fast ferry.

Everyone has heard of Mykonos and Santorini, but Paros has been generating buzz for the last couple of years.

Why? Because it’s a smaller, less crowded, less expensive version of Mykonos! It has the beautiful unspoilt beaches, cute shops, cafes, tavernas and clubs; cool designer hotels, and that gorgeous blue-green water to swim, fish, boat on.

I stayed at Parilio, voted one of the best new hotels by Travel & Leisure magazine (along with it’s sister property Cosme). Parilio is all white and beige and has a very understated, minimalistic clean-line design aesthetic. It’s “Mr. E ” restaurant has been voted best hotel restaurant in Greece and I can say that I had some fantastic food there. I imagine the pool is a scene when in high season and full swing.

Don’t miss the charming fishing village of Naoussa on the northern part of the island…it’s a delight to stroll the whitewashed alleys and have a meal along the marina, and take in some nightlife.

I can absolutely recommend a meal at Sigi Ikthios right on the marina. Their shrimp orzotto was insane!

And the sunset here (other side of the marina)-

A boat ride on the water is a must, just look at this water-

Other activities on the island include hiking, bike tours and cooking classes. And do not miss a day trip to Antiparos, an island off Paros. I didn’t make it this trip, but the next time!

So go to Paros to get a taste of the local’s Greece before it becomes as busy as Mykonos!

Any questions about Paros or island hopping in Greece? Feel free to contact me!

The post Why You Should Go To PAROS-Now appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Athens is a lively city filled with historical wonders, great food and shopping, along with fab luxury hotels.

I stayed at the Hotel Grand Bretagne, which is the grand dame of hotels in Athens due to its history of hosting celebrities and world leaders for over 100 years. It was even the headquarters of the British Expeditionary Forces during WWII and was the site of many conferences attended by Winston Churchill. That’s why there’s the famous Churchill Bar (below) and private dining room at the hotel, where you can also do a masterclass in Greek wine with a sommelier. Definitely recommend!

The Grand Bretagne was also the site of a famous Lady Gaga nude photoshoot right here in the blue and white marble master bathroom in the Grand Suite. Google it!

The Grand Bretagne is right across the street from Syntagma Square and Greek Parliament, where you should not miss the Changing of the Presidential Guard, which takes place every hour on the hour.

The Acropolis and The Parthenon are known world-wide as symbols of Athens and even Greece. It’s unthinkable to visit Athens and not visit the Acropolis!

And you can easily walk to the Acropolis from most any downtown location as it’s literally right in the middle of the city.

The Acropolis is an ancient citadel comprised of many structures including the Parthenon, the Theatre of Dionysios, statues, altars, temples including the Erectheion with its famous “Porch of Maidens” (see below) which was dedicated to Athena and Poseidon.

Biggest Tip: Visit the Acropolis very early, or very late! It was already pretty hot and steamy in May, I can’t imagine being up there in July and August. AND tour with a private guide so you understand what you are looking at!

You should check when you are in town because they actually hold concerts and operas in the Theatre of Dionysios, the oldest theater on the planet!!!!!

From the Acropolis, you can walk down into the neighborhood known as Plaka, with its narrow maze of cafes, shops and galleries A do-not-miss!

Besides the Grand Bretagne, other fine hotels are the King David which is right next to the Grand Bretagne, Hotel Milos is just around the corner, and M Gallery is adjacent to the Parliament building. This area is such a great central location that allows you to walk everywhere and see Athen’s major sights.

My first night in Athens I enjoyed a superb dinner on the rooftop restaurant at Athens Gate Hotel, with a spectacular view of the Acropolis. Authentic Greek salad (no lettuce and caper leaves!) with a dollop of fresh feta cheese and a super fresh shrimp saute. I had dinner in Tudor Hall at King David with a very sophisticated menu with this killer dessert and the next night I sat outside at a local fave tiny shop ‘Hoocut’ that supposedly has the best souvlaki in town. I say yes!

The food in Greece will get its own blog post!

On my last evening, friends took me for drinks to an in-the-know rooftop bar, Ermou 18, having perfect views of the city. A great way to end my time in Athens!

Clients of ours who stay in the Hotel Grand Bretagne Hotel in Athens receive special perks:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• Complimentary lunch for up to two persons on a 3 course set menu in Winter Garden or GB Pool Bar & Grill, excluding alcohol and gratuities, once during stay
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

The post My Athens Travel Tips appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

When people talk about a Caribbean getaway, the little island of Curacao is usually not top of mind. But it should be, especially if you have already “been there, done that” on the more well-known islands.

Curacao is one of the “ABC” islands along with other Netherlands Lesser Antilles islands of Aruba and Bonaire. It sits conveniently outside of the hurricane belt, just 50 miles east of busy Aruba. The island may be best known for its capital Willemstad, a mini-Amsterdam which delivers its own brand of Euro-Caribbean charm with its pastel-colored Dutch colonial architecture lining a gorgeous bay.

Yes, it’s a bit off the beaten path but well worth seeking out for its vibrant culture, art scene, great food, warm hospitality and that gorgeous turquoise water!

I just had clients return from a special birthday getaway to Curacao at the under-the-radar lux Baoase Resort.

A peaceful, romantic retreat set on Curaçao’s south end, this resort is designed to magically wash away your every care. Tucked away in tropical foliage are 23 suites and villas. A hidden haven of relaxation, barefoot elegance, and impeccable service, the rich woods, Balinese-inspired surroundings, and Asian stonework add to the Zen vibe. Find restoration in the mineral-rich infinity-edge pool or an in-room massage, and explore the streets of colonial Willemstad or the idyllic private beach.

Here are some pictures that my client Tiffany took while staying at Baoase in a Beachfront Villa with Private Pool. Her food pics are to die for!

They did a snorkeling safari around the island, scuba dived, had massages, drove ATV’s, spent alot of time in their private pool and generally had a blast. My contacts at the hotel made sure even their room was decorated for her special birthday, and delivered a passion fruit mousse birthday cake and champagne on birthday morning. The evening was topped off with a spectacular multi-course dinner in a private gazebo on the beach!

Our clients receive these special perks at Baoase Resort:

• Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, in restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Welcome drink and welcome platter as well as daily tropical whole fruit in the room
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Early check-in/Late check-out, subject to availability

Contact Denise for more details!

denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

The post CURACAO appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

-by Denise Burcksen

I just returned from my own bucket-list trip to Egypt, and it felt terrific to enjoy international hospitality once again!  Although the jet lag from flying back really kicked my a*#, so I guess I’m rusty:)

Here’s a recap of my trip in terms of what you can expect when traveling internationally these days.

The most important take-away?

NO CROWDS!

As you can see in the picture above, there I am at the Giza pyramids WITH NO PEOPLE in the background.  This is a site that normally gets tens of thousands of international visitors every single day.  

My traveling companions and I were fully vaccinated, and I recommend traveling internationally only if you are too.

Read on for specifics from my trip-

PRE-FLIGHT

• Travel Insurance is an absolute MUST these days!   I made sure I had a policy that covered Covid and even quarantine costs, as a precaution. 
• I flew Turkish Airlines, and they require a negative PCR Covid test taken a max of 72 hours before flight departure.    
• So everyone that you are flying with also has to test and provide a negative Covid PCR test to get on the flight. 
• Egypt entry requirement is the same criteria, so one PCR test could take care of both requirements.  Just depends on your timing, but most countries are allowing 72 to 96 hours for a test result to be valid so it’s not difficult to satisfy this requirement.
• I took a drive-through, never-get-out-of-my car rapid result PCR test at Same Day Testing the day before my flight–a nurse swabbed me through my car window- and got the email results within 16 hours.  I printed out 2 copies and was all set to go.
• Dulles airport was literally empty, no lines anywhere and stores were open.  
• Turkish Air checked my hardcopy Covid test result at check-in and also two more times before boarding.  
• It’s 10 hours nonstop from DC to Istanbul and you have to wear a mask for the entire flight, except when eating or drinking.  Flight crew was very vigilant about mask wearing, reminding passengers to put their their masks up above their nose.   Yes, it’s a pain -in theory.  You get used to it.
• Business Class busier than Economy, as I’ve experienced before on international flights.  Flight was probably 30-40 % full so lots of space but I expect this will change drastically as countries open up and restrictions lift.

I’ve said this before and will say it again–airports and planes have never been cleaner!

In summary, you need a negative PCR test, hardcopy of your test, masks and patience.  That’s it.

ARRIVAL

• I had to connect through Istanbul to continue on to Cairo, and the new Istanbul airport is fantastic.  Everything was open and it was bustling.  
• Upon arrival, your temperature is checked via infra-red technology and you don’t even know it has happened. 
• Arrival in Egypt was incredible smooth, they asked to see my Covid test result at passport control, and that was it. Our handler did our visas upon arrival and was super convenient.
• We had a private car (van) and driver, and the van was spotlessly clean, with hand sanitizers, tissues and bottled water.  There was a plastic barrier between the driver and the back rows.  Our driver was properly masked.  It was the same car and driver we would have for the next 4 days so you stay in a travel bubble.
• We did not have to wear masks in our own vehicle  if we didn’t  want to-and since I was traveling with another advisor and a mutual friend and we were all fully vaccinated, we chose to not wear masks while traveling together in our little travel bubble.

TOURING / SIGHTSEEING

So what is it like to sightsee and tour these days? 

• We had a private guide in Cairo for just our group of 3, she was a fantastic Egyptologist named Azza, pictured here on the right.   Azza was PCR-tested by Abercrombie & Kent, the tour operator I used for this custom trip, before she met us for the first time.  All guides are PCR-tested before meeting clients!
• Our guide Azza ALWAYS wore a mask, inside and outside. 
• Our driver was PCR-tested by A&K before he met us at the airport for the first time, and he remained with us for the entire time.
• Masks are not required to be worn outside, but we chose to wear them through the Khan el Khalili Bazaar pictured here. 
• NO CROWDS!    This is the largest bazaar in the Middle East, and the usual throngs of people are missing.  It was the same all over Egypt.  This is the biggest benefit to traveling this year.  I have picture after picture of myself at some of the most iconic sites on this planet, like the Great Pyramid at Giza, and there are NO people in the background.  This is simply unheard of.  
• Locals may or may not wear masks, as well as the other tourists we encountered (Russians and South Americans). Another reason why I recommend being fully vaccinated before you take on this type of travel.
• The highlights of the King Tut collection (the sold gold coffin, the solid gold death mask, throne, etc) are still in the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo, but will be moving to the new, billion dollar Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) when it opens, now most likely in 2022.  It was a real treat to see Tut’s collection without people bumping into me. 
• There was hardly anyone out in The Valley of the Kings down in Luxor, where all the pharoah tombs are.  You feel like Indiana Jones here.  I was literally the only person in the tomb of King Tut!  Well, me and the security guard who wanted to take pictures of me with Tut’s mummy.  
• NO LINES ANYWHERE.  I was inside the Great Pyramid at Giza with no one.   
• Security guards out at the tombs will take you to areas that usually are off-limits, and they will show you more and explain more becuase they  have the time and there are not a gazillion people jostling for positions. 

BOTTOM LINE:

You can have a very unique and maybe never-to-be-repeated travel experience this year IF you are willing to deal with a couple of small (at least to me) compromises such as testing and some mask wearing. 

Onsite Hotel & Ship Experience

We were met by friendly smiles and hospitality everywhere we stayed.  People are so happy to see and welcome tourists again, it’s very noticeable.  It was great to experience!

• Four Seasons First Residence was our home for the first 4 nights.  High security including bomb-sweeping every car and entering through a metal detector every day.  Staff always properly masked.  Sanitary kits including masks, gloves and sanitizer provided in your room.  Rooms spotlessly clean.   Housekeeping twice daily.  The cigar bar was closed due to Covid, but all restaurants open.  Outdoor pool open.  There was a large open air restaurant  around the pool, and that’s where we ate and drank all the time.  Here, we were introduced to an Egyptian white wine, Jardin du Nile, that became our go-to drink the entire trip.  Not just because of the crisp taste, but also because of the 400% tax that Egypt puts on imported alcohol, whoa!!
• We sailed 4 nights on the Nile on A&K’s own ship, the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV.  40 state rooms but operating at max 50% capacity.  So only 40 passengers allowed onboard and we had 34 people on our sailing.  ALL CREW PCR TESTED before a sailing.  ALL GUIDES PCR-TESTED before being allowed onboard.   Hand sanitizer everywhere and required when you come back onboard after sightseeing.  Personal hygiene kits (masks, gloves, personal sanitizer) provided in every room.  Buffets at breakfast and lunch but food spread is behind very high plexiglass shields.  The gloved staff puts the food on your plate and brings to your table.  A la carte dinners.  Masks required while walking round inside onboard but not on outside decks.  The small tiled pool on the top deck was open (and fab!).  A doctor travels onboard in a stateroom that has been turned into a medical suite.  The doctor’s services- should you need them- are free of charge, as is any medication he prescribes (and that is carried on board). 
• Sanctuary ship crew was terrific and could not do enough for you.  So happy to see tourists again!   Food and drink were excellent, but alcohol prices were ridiculously high. 
• We ended our stay in Egypt at the famous Mena House Hotel, overlooking the pyramids at Giza (picture above).  This hotel has seen better days and is trading on its killer location and reputation.   I will say, it’s green grounds and gardens are beautiful  and the large sparkling pool was a real treat after seeing all that beige of the desert!

TESTING

• I had to test to get on my first flight on Turkish Air, and that test also sufficed for my entry to Egypt requirement.  MUST BE A PCR TEST!
• The US government is currently requiring all travelers above the age of 2, regardless of  vaccination status, to provide proof of a negative PCR or rapid result antigen test  (the cheaper test)  to return to the US.  You can show proof with either a hardcopy lab result OR electronic on your phone. 
• I arranged for a doctor to come to the Mena House Hotel  and he nasal-swabbed the three of us right in the lobby in between our spa appointments!  Took 5 minutes, we paid on the spot.  I received our scanned results via Whats App and they dropped off hardcopies of our test results at the hotel front desk 24 hours before our flight home.  Easy and convenient and no-stress.  

For any traveling clients, I can arrange to have your Covid test done onsite wherever you are.  

 FYI- the airlines check your test result before you board your flight to the US, but once I landed at Dulles, NO ONE asked to see a test result.

If this inspires you to start planning something for later this year or 2022, we are here for you.  

Questions?  Feel free to contact me anytime, I love to talk travel!

There’s nothing like the anticipation of a trip to look forward to:)

-DENISE

The post EGYPT TRIP REPORT appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Now that the vaccine is here, you MAY be thinking about traveling this summer or in the second half of this year.

And you may be thinking, how safe is it to stay in a hotel?

Let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor, and everyone has a different comfort level.

But honestly speaking, I firmly believe that one of the silver linings of this pandemic has been how CLEAN hotels (and planes) are! 

I’ve stayed in 12 hotels over the last several months, from well-known chain properties to boutique properties, the 3-star Thunderbird Inn to 4 star Hotel Hershey to  5-star Rosewood Las Ventanas, and the one thing they all have in common? 

They were all noticeably *spotlessly* clean.

So what measure are hotels taking to sanitize and clean during the pandemic to ensure a positive and safe guest experience?

From budget Choice Hotels to Hilton to Marriott to Hyatt to Four Seasons, hotel groups have established Covid Advisory Boards stacked with medical personnel from  heavy hitters such as Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and have rolled out a slew of cleaning and safety programs including:

• Many hotels are using electrostatic sprayers that completely sanitize surfaces within a matter of minutes and are leaving a seal on the room so it remains untouched until guests’ arrival.
• Four Seasons mandates that rooms be disinfected daily with EPA approved products and have blacklight inspections.
• Public areas cleaned hourly with extra attention to frequented areas including front desk counters and public restrooms.
• Marriott’s Global Cleanliness Council requires the use of “hospital-grade” disinfectants and HEPA filters in public spaces and guest rooms. Among the proposals for Hilton’s program, a partnership with the Mayo Clinic and Lysol maker Reckitt Benckiser that launched last June,  are requirements that public spaces and 10 specific “high-touch” (elevator buttons, door knobs) areas be cleaned even more frequently.
• The Red Carnation Hotel Collection has implemented the CleanCoat A/S self-disinfection solution. A proprietary coating renders hotel surfaces self-disinfecting, helping to break down microbes like bacteria and viruses as well as pollutants such as volatile organic compounds.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols to disinfect every space, ongoing and especially during peak usage.   Consistently and frequently disinfecting all high-touch items like elevator buttons and escalator handrails.   Hand sanitation stations added throughout hotels, especially in high-traffic area.
• Utilizing mobile technology for contactless communication: Mobile Key, Mobile Dining, Mobile checkout and QR codes instead of paper menus.
• Social and physical distancing practices: reducing allowable capacities in spaces, increasing distance between furniture, and managing queueing areas.
• Hygiene kits placed in each guest room providing masks, hand sanitizer and sanitization wipes, with additional masks supplied on demand.
• Social distancing measures embedded in all services for guest protection, including appropriately spaced fitness equipment, modified spa menu and services, contactless check-in and housekeeping services.
• Restaurants and bars may operate with reduced capacity to ensure adequate space and socially distant set-up.
• Deep cleaning each guest room between stays.  Some hotels are even mandating 24 hours between guest room stays.  Removing nonessential high-touch items that can’t be disinfected (magazine, books, pens and stationery, for instance) and providing disinfecting wipes in every guest room. Limit in-stay housekeeping frequency to reduce contact during each stay.

I have seen all of this in action at the hotels I have personally stayed in.

I usually test before I travel, and on the 5^th day when I return, and all tests have been negative.  That being said, I also wear a surgical mask at all times and have eaten all my meals outside or have done carry-out and taken it back to my room.

Everyone has their own threshold for traveling right now, and all I can say is that I have had excellent experiences with managed expectations. Yes, a bar may have reduced hours, you may have to reserve your spot at the gym, and the breakfast buffet may have been replaced by a la carte, but for me, the positives of traveling and the change of scenery more than outweigh any negatives.

Any questions? Email me at denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

The post How are Hotels Dealing with Covid? appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Las Ventanas may be one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve every stayed in, and certainly one of the most romantic, with its twinkling lights, hand-lit candles and lanterns everywhere and trees hung with glass hearts.

Las Ventanas has been on my bucket list for a long time, so I am happy to say that after a two night stay in mid-November, it lived up to my expectations, and then some. There’s a reason it’s on every “Best Hotels in the World” list year after year, voted by critics and travelers alike, and now I have first hand experience at las Ventanas and can assuredly recommend to clients.

The real star at Las Ventanas is the service, which I consider to be industry gold standard.  Always there but unobtrusive.  Genuinely warm and friendly.  Not really service but hospitality.   That’s one of the highest compliments a hotel can earn.

NOTE: I did not receive any compensation from the hotel and I paid for my stay. The opinions expressed here are my own, as with all hotel reviews I post.

• So exclusive there’s no sign at guarded entry but a very warm welcome from a mariachi band
• Modern Mexican hacienda style with much attention paid to details, down to the sand being raked into designs every morning
• The overall design is romantic and stunning, with hanging glass hearts in trees and candles and lanterns everywhere.  Even more beautiful at night!
• Desert meets Ocean with indigenous plants like cactus all around the property

• All rooms have great covered outdoor space with couches, chairs, candles and some junior suites have an outdoor Jacuzzi and a rooftop terrace.
• All rooms have a telescope for star or whale gazing, as well as an adobe fireplace
• All rooms receive a bottle of Tequila amenity, along with several accompanying things such as spiced almonds, limes, herbs, chocolates and 3 types of salt so you can do your own tequila tasting

• Multi-bedroom private villas are extremely private and all have their own enclosed courtyard, personal concierge, full kitchen, huge pool, firepits and includes chef coming very morning to prepare breakfast. Peloton bike set up in villa available.

• Private residences can be reserved too
• The gym has 3 Peloton bikes, each in its own area
• 8 pools including a lazy river (which is temporarily closed) with a swim up bar-designed for kids but obviously for adults!  Some pools are adult-only, such as the oceanfront “twin” pools. Very easy to socially distance. Pool butlers cannot be more attentive, and come around with comp frozen fruit, popsicles and sorbet.

• Mini Golf course and petanque turf
• Golf course adjacent to property
• Live entertainment nightly (performing outdoors on a platform over the pool that is temporarily closed). When I was here, it was a Cuban singer who was fabulous.
• Spa feels like a secret garden

• A Prohibition-inspired speakeasy bar La Botica (was just re-opening the day I was leaving)
• Flagship restaurant Arbol offers an Indian twist to Baja flavors and is one of the most magical dinner settings you can find anywhere, lit with twinkling lights and candles and lanterns that seem to float in the air and on the water.  The food is excellent.
• Breakfast at El Restaurante features a regular breakfast menu or “The Mexican Experience” breakfast, with authentic corn and flour cakes and meats made on the spot in a special oven by a local woman.
• Sea Grill provides beach dining, there’s also a Tequila & Ceviche Bar and a private dining wine cellar (the wine cellar dining has been closed due to Covid)

• There are many special experiences to be had on property, including private dinner on the beach with a fireworks display, horseback riding right from the beach, cooking lessons in the herb garden’s open air kitchen, tequila tastings that determine your own personal Tequila Sign, and more. They can arrange pretty much anything-for a price of course.

• Every room gets a butler (butler for the building) who stays in touch via text. Private villas get their own dedicated host and alot of other special amenities.
• Every night there was a little special something at turndown—a different little handmade Mexican doll each night along with house made chocolate bars, or truffles, or cookies.
• Thoughtful little touches abound—the night before I was leaving, they left travel sized Ziploc bags on both bathroom vanities for our toiletries.  Housekeeping saw all my sunglasses laying around, they left me special glass cleaner wipes.  The attention to detail is amazing.
• Departure gift was a wrapped glass heart ornament, like the ones that hang from the trees all over the property.
• Wifi was strong everywhere but happened to be weak in my room, and I casually mentioned to our butler while walking to the pool.  Unbeknownst to me, she had IT come and set up a private network for my room and texted me the passcode for my new network while I was at the pool.  That’s service at Las Ventanas (and Rosewood properties in general).

WHO STAYS HERE?

Couples!  Perfection for honeymooners. One night there were 3 different beach private dinners going on, all lit by candles. They were spaced far enough apart for privacy. 

But it’s also a great place to celebrate a special anniversary or birthday with your significant other.

There was one young family here with 2 very small children, but to me it’s not a place for young kids.  And there were models, doing a beach photoshoot and then staying in a poolside suite.   This is where you see haute bathing suit parades, metallic thongs, etc.and not just on models.  It’s got a chic beach/pool vibe going on.

Things that could be a negative for some:

• The outdoor Jacuzzi is tiny
• The rooftop terraces on the upper-floor junior suites (as I had) would benefit from either a firepit or the jacuzzi placed there
• There is a distinctly different area of higher rise 6-story buildings that house the residences and signature residences.  They are further away from the beach and near the golf course, and I feel they do not blend in with the low-rise building design and overall aesthetic. 
• In-room toiletries are Bulgari —not in line with the exclusive Baja vibe.
• No in-room desk—there was one outside on my terrace!  But maybe not the place to be working…
• Has a non-swimmable beach.

Through our affiliation with Virtuoso, our clients receive these exclusive perks:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, available in El Restaurante, Sea Grill, or through in-suite dining
• $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full, not valid on products)
• Oasis Margarita & Taco Sampler Experience from Taqueria (one per accommodation booked, for up to two guests to enjoy once during stay)
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Contact us to reserve!

Luxury Travel Adventures

240.744.4749

The post HOTEL REVIEW: Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort in Cabo, Mexico appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

This was my first time staying at a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, and the most important thing I can tell you about it is that it has nothing to do with Ritz Carltons, it’s on a completely different level.

There are currently only 4 Ritz Carlton Reserve properties in the world–in Krabi, Thailand; Bali Indonesia; Los Cabos, Mexico; Dorado, Puerto Rico. A fifth is scheduled to open next week in Japan. I would describe the Reserve concept as ultra lux resorts that capture a sense of place and showcase local art and culture, all while providing every luxury amenity and service a 5-star resort is expected to.

Ritz Carlton describes them this way (from their website): “A rare place set aside for those who appreciate an exotic sanctuary tucked away in the most exquisite corners of the world. Where extraordinary moments unfold. For the most discerning travelers seeking a personalized meaningful escape, these resorts feature chic, relaxed intimate settings that weave indigenous flavors with highly responsive, individualized service”.

The setting at Zadun is desert-meets-ocean with a desert landscape strewn with cactus and desert blooms. As it’s only a year old, the landscaping will take some time to grow into the setting.

The service here is the real standout–genuinely warm, personalized hospitality with many special touches and above and beyonds. Example: I was taking pictures as sunset was approaching, and Marjorie the Restaurant Director saw me and brought me to her favorite secret place on property which she thinks is the best vantage point. Later that night when I returned to my suite, there was a hand written note from Marjorie with little take home bottles of spa essence water. That’s high-touch, and as a guest makes you want to return.

NOTE: I did not receive any compensation from the hotel and I paid for my own stay. The opinions expressed here are my own.

• Zadun is located outside the charming town of San Jose del Cabo in a gated reserve.
• Modern, clean contemporary Mexican design in neutral colors in a desert setting featuring art, textiles and decorative art from artists and craftspeople from all over Mexico.  Noticeably beautiful tile and stone work throughout.
• All-suites, villas and private residences and even entry level suites have a very generously sized (heated) plunge pool, and large outdoor space including dining table and chairs for 4 and loungers and a daybed.

• Every suite has a personal butler or what they call here a “tosoani” who stays in touch via text or WhatsApp
• Every suite has an indoor and outdoor shower, Spa Alkemia (their own) botanical products, cotton robes and even a cashmere robe, o la la.
• 2 brimmed sun hats and a really nice straw /leather beach bag you can use while here and also keep
• 3 golf courses in the Reserve
• Adult-only pool and L-shaped elevated pool.  No charge for pool cabanas, first come first serve.

• Jean-Michel Cousteau “Ambassadors of the Environment” program for kids and adults
• Alkemia Spa is gorgeous with very lushly landscaped spa pool and has a standalone spa-within-a-spa building called Casida Privada that can be used for a small group or couple for complete privacy.  Has its own plunge pool, massage room and steam room.

• Spa is only spa to have a unique sound treatment room for sound therapy!
• Some spa features such as steam room and jacuzzi and cold plunge were not open due to Covid

• The pool area has a taqueria and the casual restaurant El Barrio, and is designed to look/feel like a Mexico City street food scene.

• All restaurants were open.  No menus, all paperless, everything by QR code.
• Candile bar/lounge has indoor and outdoor space with firepits and is the prime spot to watch the sunset enjoying artisan cocktails made by the very talented mixologist Hector.

• Friday night is Peruvian Fish Market night, eaten on the beach or near the adult pool.  Set 3 course menu featuring only fresh catches of the day with a Peruvian twist on Mex/Baja style.  Recommend!

• Upon checking-out, my toisani walked me to my waiting car and gifted me with a small decorated ceramic cactus and a painted notecard explaining the myth of the sentry cactus protecting the reserve.

Things that could be a negative for some:

• Desert setting can be a negative for some as it doesn’t have the feel of a beach resort
• Some rooms’ outdoor spaces may not have privacy due to how the rooms are situated on different levels of terrain.
• LOTS of steps and uneven stonework…..but you can call for a golf cart to take you anywhere around the resort.  You are able to walk the resort.
• Beach is not swimmable
• At dinner at the Peruvian Fish Market, it’s the first time I have ever gotten a service charge on a  restaurant bill for NOT ordering alcohol!   I believe only $10 but just surprising.
• Though pricey, the food and drink here was excellent.

Through our Virtuoso affiliation, our clients receive these exclusive perks at ZADUN:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (suites and villas excluded)
• Daily full breakfast for two guests, per bedroom
• One time $150 USD equivalent Resort credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Complimentary one-way private airport transfers
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Complimentary parking
• For family rooms, family suites, one bedroom suites and villas: Complimentary round-trip airport transfers

Contact us to reserve!

The post HOTEL REVIEW: ZADUN, a Ritz Carlton Reserve in Cabo, Mexico appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

The location of this resort is spectacular–between mountain and ocean, and at the tip of Cabo San Lucas, on the Pacific side. Waldorf Astoria took over this property in 2019, and has only made it better. Here’s my hotel highlights review from my three night stay at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal-

I stayed in the Estrella Suite for 3 nights in Nov 2020, and I think it’s one of the best suites in all of Cabo. You get a view of both the mountains and the ocean, and you can hear the waves from any place. It has two outdoor terraces, one perfect for sunrise and the other for sunset. Maybe the best feature is the firepit IN your plunge pool.

NOTE: I did not receive any compensation from the hotel, and I paid for my stay. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Dramatic entrance through the mountain tunnel (which has wrought-iron chandeliers!) to arrive at resort which is right on the ocean.

• Mexican hacienda-style aesthetic with a touch of modern, with rooms, suites and beachfront options.

• Completely enclosed private dining room with demonstration kitchen done in old Hacienda style, used for private events, private dining with chef cooking, but also for onsite cooking lessons and tequila tastings (those were closed for Covid).

• Rooms are spacious! Even entry level rooms are almost 900 sq feet and have a very generously sized plunge pool and a gas fireplace, and come with a complimentary bottle of reposada tequila and comp non-alcoholic drinks in minibar.  Binoculars in rooms for spotting whales, a nice touch.

• There are beachfront suite options, cannot get closer to ocean. Literally opens to the sand.
• The Estrella Suite is a 1-bedroom suite with king bedroom, double vanity bathroom, two closets, full living room with fireplace and desk and dining space, with two outdoor terraces, one terrace has a firepit within the heated plunge pool.  Fabulous views of both sunrise and sunset, can see and hear the waves from anywhere in the suite.  Can see both mountain and ocean from this suite.  Was my favorite suite of all places I stayed!

• Large infinity pool with swim up bar, an infinity “family” pool and a very large nicely landscaped kids pool.  Comp poolside treats such as mini-margaritas and ice cream and popsicles were great.  Service at pools was always good.  Lots of comfy places to sit around the main pool.

• WA Spa with an outdoor spa pool with fountains, and treatments that are influenced by Mexican culture.  The best-priced spa treatments of any of the hotels I stayed at.  My Baja Flavors body exfoliation and massage was excellent.  Osea products.

• From 4-6pm every day, they deliver fresh guac, chips and salsa and a bucket of Coronas to your room, great perk!

• Personal concierge for each room, ours was terrific and always stayed in contact via text.
• Departure gift of nicely wrapped cookies in shape of a turtle.
• Best spot for whale watching!  Saw whales multiple times, even though very early in the season.
• You can easily walk to the marina or into the town of Cabo San Lucas from the resort.
• Dinner at the stunning cliffside El Farollon is a must….if you were any closer to the ocean you would be literally sitting in it.  But beware the tides-it’s very possible you will get wet from crashing waves!  Champagne Bar was closed due to Covid.

• Possible nitpick: The shower in the rooms and suites has no door/divider or anything, its completely open, which some people may find off-putting.
• Nice stretch of beach, just not swimmable due to strong currents and undertow.

Through our Virtuoso affiliation, our clients receive these exclusive perks at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal:

For 2020 & 2021:

-Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

-Breakfast buffet daily in Don Manuel’s for two guests per bedroom

-$150 USD equivalent Hotel or Resort credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

-Complimentary VIP airport Lounge Tickets with all Beach Front Suite Bookings

-Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

-Complimentary Wi-Fi

*SPECIAL VALUE OFFER: ESCAPE LONGER TO PARADISE*

Valid for Travel Now Through 17 Dec 2021. Book By 17 Dec 2021

Stay 7 days or longer and get 30% off your rate

Inclusions:

• Complimentary Champagne and Salt tasting experience at The Champagne Terrace at El Farallon.
• Roundtrip luxury airport transfers for San Jose de Cabo Airport (SJD)
• Complimentary Private Chef One Night Per Week (excludes alcohol)
• 20% off treatments and purchases at Waldorf Astoria Spa
• 20% off Food & Beverage
• Complimentary daily access to the kids’ club for 2 children
• Complimentary Butler Service
• Free Clothing pressing
• Reliable high-speed wi-fi
• Technical computer support for remote working/learning
• Designated learning room

Terms and Conditions; subject to availability, some blackout date apply (including holiday time periods), applicable on multi-bedroom suites, villas and homes.

Contact us today to reserve your stay!

The post HOTEL REVIEW: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

I have always wanted to go to the famed  Inn at Little Washington, and I finally made this past February.  I’ve always admired chef-owner Patrick O’Connell, he was sourcing locally and doing farm-to-table literally decades before it was even a thing.  But with The Inn about to enter its 40th year, I have to say I was a bit apprehensive if the Inn was still deserving of all the kudos, or resting on its laurels.

I am happy to report that the Inn is still  *KICKING IT*  in its 40th year and deserving of all the attention it has received, and continues to.   It was spectacular from the moment I stepped inside to the moment I left.    It’s a wonderful thing when something more than meets your long-held high expectations.  This is precisely why The Inn at Little Washington is still delighting people.  It totally understands itself and gets that it’s more than dinner, more than a hotel stay…..it’s an experience for everyone who travels to the wilds of Virginia.

The country simplicity of the outside of The Inn belies the sumptuousness of the inside!   Looking at the picture slideshow below, yes it’s a bit over the top and somewhat ornate, but the design work of London set designer Joyce Evans somehow makes it all work. I felt like I was in a jewel box, cossetted and very cared for.  The welcome was warm and friendly, and we had a bit of afternoon tea and savories in the lounge, to hold us over until dinner.  We were staying in the duplex Thomas Keller Suite (all the rooms are named for famous groundbreaking chefs) which has a large living room, outdoor private terrace, a mirrored bathroom like something from Versailles and a loft bedroom.

After a perfectly-made Blond Negroni in the Monkey Bar, we were ready to be escorted to our table in the kitchen for the real reason we came here:  the multi-course tasting menu.    There are only two tables in the kitchen, and it feels and looks like a (fancy) farmhouse in Provence.  If you are a cook, the immense made-to-order Vulcan range will leave you in awe.   We were free to walk around the kitchen and watch the various cooks at work in a kitchen that was cleaner than mine at home.

Once seated, the parade of special amuse bouches prepared especially for the kitchen table guests starting arriving, and one was better than the next.  The truffled popcorn, omg.  CHECK OUT THE PICTURE SLIDESHOW BELOW if you want the food pics!   If you appreciate detail, this place will make you swoon.  Multiple types of butter, bread and parmesan crisps hot from the ovens in the front of us, everything precise and perfectly timed.   Great wine recommendations to go with our dishes.  The service is always friendly, never stilted or weirdly formal as you might expect.  And if you are a serious wine lover, this cellar will knock you out.

A colleague of mine had told me that whatever was on the dessert menu, I must order the ice cream sandwich…..but it was not on the menu the night of my dinner.  I mentioned it to our server, and the pastry chef whipped one up for me,  in addition to my already-ordered pear dessert.  It’s that kind of place.  And while the ice cream sandwich was fabulous, the “Apparently a Pear” dessert was maybe the best dessert I have eaten, EVER.  I had to go over to the pastry chef and ask him how he put this together, and tell him how much I enjoyed it.  He told me it took him about two months of trial and error to get it to the place where it could debut on the menu.  I LOVE this kind of passion and pursuit of perfection!   And to me, that defines The Inn at Little Washington.  They are still, after all these years, constantly challenging themselves to raise the bar and provide an even more sumptuous and memorable experience for their guests.  I am happy that I finally made the trip out to Washington, VA because it was an experience I will always remember.   I can only wish that anyone reading this gets to experience it too.

The post THE INN at LITTLE WASHINGTON–Still Going Strong! appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

I can’t wait to see The Silo, which is opening next month, when I am in Cape Town in July!  Will post a  full review then.  The Silo is a converted grain silo that will house a contemporary art museum and a super lux boutique hotel.  Looks fab!

The post NEW LUX HOTEL COMING to CAPE TOWN! appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.