May 2nd, 2023
The Human Zoo features 16 new, expertly created cocktails alongside quotes from some of the era’s most notable social commentators and the iconic works of 1920s illustrator Anne Harriet Fish – bringing guests back in time to celebrate one of the 20th century’s most glamorous periods.
The team at The Sidecar at The Westbury decided to celebrate this bygone era with a beautifully illustrated hardback menu of iconic cocktails with a twist. The menu features quotes from some of the wittiest commentators of the day alongside the works of iconic British cartoonist and illustrator Anne Harriet Fish. A vital chronicler of the Jazz Age whose work graced the pages of Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Tatler, Fish captured the spirit of the Roaring Twenties while holding an honest mirror to the establishment at play and the inherent pretensions of this most privileged of cohorts. One hundred years ago, members of high society on both sides of the Atlantic were renowned for their decadent style of living. This was a time of unmatched creativity, an age which saw a new appreciation for ‘The Good Times’ and what many saw as freedom from the austere constrictions of the Victorian age.
“We’re really proud to introduce our new cocktail menu, The Human Zoo,” says Oisín Kelly, Bar Manager of The Sidecar. “When we came to researching the collection, we were inspired by the 1920s illustrator Anne Harriet Fish and went in search of an original copy of her 1920 book, High Society, which she wrote with writer and satirist Dorothy Parker. As a team, we really immersed ourselves in the Roaring Twenties culture and style. Having taken the time to understand the classics of the era, we created our own original and modern twists on the archetypal serves. Just like Anne Harriet Fish put pen to paper, we put liquid to glass to bring our own creative expression to life. With this menu, every cocktail is built around a ‘pillar’ – with the flavors layered in total harmony. We’re also bringing those curious bottles, aromatic bitters, and herbaceous flavors down off the high shelf and into the mix.”
“The idea behind the selection of cocktails within The Human Zoo menu was to present guests with the flavors they already knew, but in exciting and different ways,” adds Oisín Kelly. “High Sobriety, for instance, uses grape, vodka, and elderflower mixed with Strega, a relatively unknown liqueur. The drinks on this menu are intended to give the guests the drinks they know in ways they don’t. Forgive & Forget – our Paloma Twist – uses salted cherries in lieu of a salted rim and mixes in blood orange but keeps the core of the original. In this way, just like Anne Harriet Fish, we hold a mirror to classic cocktails but reflect back our own image.”
Guests are invited to sit amid The Sidecar’s exquisite surroundings and explore new iterations of their favorite cocktails. There are a large variety of drink options, including High Sobriety (Cîroc vodka, Italicus, Strega, elderflower, grapes, lemon and orange bitter), Rockefeller Touch (Gunpowder gin, elderflower, basil leaf, basil citric and mint cordial, The Connoisseur (Teeling Blackpitts whiskey, Plantation 5 rum, Cherry Heering, Drambuie, honey, Angostura and absinthe rinse).
Guests can purchase The Human Zoo hardback menu for $32. The Human Zoo cocktails are priced from $21 up to $25.
The Westbury blends city living with an oasis of calm in the heart of Dublin. The hotel has unrivaled access to the pedestrian social hub of Grafton Street just steps from the lobby. From the moment guests ascend the hotel’s central staircase, there is a sense of welcome into a home. And what a home it is – Irish heritage abounds, from the exquisite flower arrangements to the inventive cuisine, along with one of the country’s foremost art collections, featuring original paintings by Sir John Lavery and Louis le Brocquy. But it is the warmth of welcome that is most vivid, a tangible service ethos that sets the seal. The Westbury was voted number 1 hotel in Ireland by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. For more details, visit https://www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel.
About The Doyle Collection
At the heart of our business is a warmth of service that stems from our family ownership, imbuing our properties with the familiarity and intimacy of a private home. Each of our eight hotels – landmark buildings in unrivaled city locations, has its own distinct personality that is rooted in, and authentic to, its neighborhood. Innovation and ongoing investment ensure a boutique, cosmopolitan yet local feel – as seen in our cool destination restaurants, bars and event spaces – while our heritage lends character to our vision of informal luxury, timeless style and the very best guest experience.
April 19th, 2023
Rooms available for the coronation of King Charles
The coronation of King Charles is fast approaching! (May 6, 2023!) The new monarchs are planning for a smaller scale celebration than the one for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The city is abuzz with festivities for the big day, and luckily for royal fans this side of the pond, there are still accommodations to be had!
The Bloomsbury, The Marylebone, and The Kensington – the three London hotels from the family-owned Doyle Collection – all have rooms available. To celebrate the coronation, all three have created a series of cocktails inspired by the two things about which King Charles is most passionate: Sustainability and the ‘Best of British’ produce. The Bloomsbury, The Marylebone, and The Kensington have each created one zero-waste cocktail using British spirits and sustainably sourced produce, channeling the English countryside. Think herbaceous Cornish gin, juicy British strawberries and fragrant local Elderflower…
What else is happening at these hotels?
The Great Garden Escape with The Newt and RHS Chelsea Flower Show – available May 26 or 27
- Guests booking this package can enjoy the gardens of the famous RHS Chelsea Flower along with access to The Newt’s invite-only hospitality suite, complete with live music and food, along with cider and wine tasting throughout the day.
- This two-day experience includes a day at The Newt’s Great Garden Escape and a day at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Starting with a First-Class train from London with a freshly baked breakfast onboard, followed by exploring picturesque gardens and ancient woodland, delicious food sourced on property and freshly pressed cider, followed by afternoon tea on the train back to London.
Offer Includes:
- Full English Breakfast
- 2 tickets to The Newt’s Great Garden Escape on 26th or 27th May
- 2 tickets to RHS Chelsea Flower Show and exclusive access to The Newt’s Hospitality suite on May 26th or 27th
A Night at The Donmar
- The Bloomsbury has teamed up with local theater, The Donmar Warehouse. The package starts with a three-course dinner with champagne and then two tickets to the latest show at The Donmar Warehouse in the heart of Seven Dials. Click here to view the latest shows.
This includes:
- Accommodation for 2 people in a suite
- A la carte breakfast each morning
- 3 course dinner and glass of Champagne
- Two tickets to the latest show at The Donmar Warehouse
The Gabrielle Chanel Fashion Manifesto Exhibition Experience
- This fall, the Victoria and Albert Museum is hosting the first UK exhibition dedicated to the work of French couturière, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, charting the establishment of the House of CHANEL and the evolution of her iconic design style which continues to influence the way women dress today.
Guests who book this package at The Kensington will get:
- Full English Breakfast
- 2 untimed tickets to the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition
- Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto Coffee Table book for suite bookings
April 13th, 2023
There are many ways to celebrate moms and caregivers in our lives. The reason why we are fans of the gift of travel is because it packs in culture, adventure, cuisine, and wellness all in one “box.” Here are seven options to consider:
A Great Night’s Sleep
The Beaumont in Mayfair, London is going through a renovation as well as an expansion by Thierry Despont. All the rooms in the existing building will be completely redecorated by early April (apart from The Terrace and The Roosevelt suites as they will be done a little later in the year). And 30 new rooms will be added to the adjacent building in late 2023. The most artful accommodation is Antony Gormley’s inhabitable sculpture, called ROOM. Designed as an experiential work of art, it is a bookable one-bedroom suite. The exterior takes on the shape of a three-story crouching man made of stainless-steel, while the interior is a dark space filled with the smell of fumed-oak, featuring only a single, all-white bed and can be taken to total darknessat the flip of a switch. While the bedroom is just 43 sq. feet, the walls tower at 33-feet high. The unique shape stems from Gormley’s belief that guests should feel cocooned in a space unencumbered by distractions.
Reaching New Heights
Adults-only private island luxury retreat, Nayara Bocas del Toro, in Panama offers two treehouses, designed by sustainability-focused, Bali-based Elora Hardy as her first project in Central America. The solar-powered treehouses are constructed from four varieties of locally-sourced bamboo and 19 varieties of reclaimed 500-year-old, partially petrified hardwoods extracted from the floor of the Panama Canal. The airy dwellings have 21-foot ceilings with a tropical yet pared-down aesthetic, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an open-air living room that look out over the canopy of the mangrove forest. Outdoor jungle showers and deep soaking tubs invite bathing en plein air, and a pulley system allows for unobtrusive room service. Water is generated from purified rainwater and power from the sun. The resort also features 16 custom overwater villas, a 70-foot freshwater pool, the 100-year-old Elephant House restaurant, and the world’s first elevated white sand beach built on stilts over the sea.
Epic Trip Gift
A 1920s Art Deco icon, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is nostalgic of the golden age of travel with its restored vintage carriages. Each of the 17 carriages have a unique history and all of which formed part of many of the famous, historic trains of the 1920s and 1930s, including Le Train Bleu and the Rome Express. There are journeys between some of Europe’s beautiful and historic cities including Paris, Venice, Florence, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Just once a year, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes a five-night journey between Paris and Istanbul. Named after the cities to which the train travels, there are Grand Suite options, one of which is aptly named Istanbul to celebrate the route. Amenities include a personal 24-hour cabin steward, free-flowing champagne, in-suite dining and private transfers to and from the train.
New Hotel, New You
The White Elephant, overlooking the harbor, has been an integral part of Nantucket’s history since the 1920s. Built as a series of rustic cottages, the landmark has evolved into the island’s most timeless resort, with a collection of chic accommodations showcasing the very best of the beloved destination. In May 2023, in time with the White Elephant’s 100th anniversary, the resort will debut yet another metamorphosis, with a multi-million top-to-bottom restoration and renovation of its 66-room and -suite Harborside Hotel and 11 Cottages.
Surf-Centric Getaway
The birth of modern surfing in the Maldives can be traced back to 1980, when an Australian surfer (who was shipwrecked in the North Malé atoll in 1973) opened the archipelago’s first surf operation. Since then, the country has become one of the world’s most pilgrimage-worthy surf destinations, known for its crisp barrels, consistent swells, and an endless variety of breaks (most of which are accessible by traditional dhoni boats). The best place to hit the waves: Gili Lankanfushi, a private island eco-sanctuary in the North Malé atoll, right around where modern surfing in the Maldives was born. The resort puts guests within striking distance of some of the country’s finest surf breaks, three of which are just a five-minute boat ride away (and many more within 20 minutes). Tropical water temperatures, consistent swells, and light crowds only add to the appeal—and in summer, the conditions are optimal. Gili also partners with the luxury surf company Tropicsurf, which offers lessons based on skill level from beginner to advanced.
French Riviera Calling
While St. Tropez has long been a glamours address for film, music and fashion icons, a 15-minute drive brings travelers to a peaceful retreat, overlooking the Cote d’Azur. La Réserve Ramatuelle is an intimate property, featuring 19 suites and 14 villas that are dotted amidst cypress and olive trees and orange groves. The 2023/2024 season will start with Jacque Garcia-redesigned accommodations. This is also an idyllic destination for wellness-minded nature lovers. The multi-day, medically-established Nescens programs are complemented with an emphasis on outdoor fitness. Think guided hikes along the coastline, swimming, and aqua cycling classes in the open-air pool. The hotel has a two Michelin-starred restaurant, La Voile, where dishes adhere to the Mediterranean diet and highlight local, seasonal seafood and fresh produce and herbs alongside healthy fats like avocado and olive oil. Chef Eric Canino doesn’t on sacrifice flavor, though – this is France, after all.
Sustainable Craftswomanship
A gloriously reimagined 19th-century hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, The Fife Arms takes the concept of an art hotel to an entirely new level. A passion project by gallery power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth (of Zurich’s acclaimed Hauser & Wirth), it is a destination hotel down to its landmarked roots, beautifully weaving together art, community, learning, people, place. One extra special activity for moms is through a local weaver. Helen Jackson forages sustainable willow from the property grounds and can teach guests how to make baskets and fans. Her exquisite products (and much more) are also available at the hotel’s extensive online shop.
April 10th, 2023
Geneva Calling for a Summer Family Vacation
From Jungle Themed Rooms and a Kid’s Menu at Its Michelin-Starred Restaurant to Summer Camp Programs, La Reserve Geneva is an Ideal Summer Vacation Destination
Just three miles from downtown Geneva, La Réserve Geneva feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city, thanks to its prime address within a 10-acre park on the lake’s right bank, with views to the Jura mountains. The hotel’s privileged, nest-like location is one of the many reasons that it’s a favorite of families traveling with children.
From the moment they arrive, La Réserve Geneva rolls out red carpet for younger guests. There are several interconnected family rooms, including one that’s decorated specifically for children, with lion mats, teepees, soft toy pillows, and other whimsical décor. Several rooms and suites also have patios with direct access to the grounds and the swimming pools — making it easy for children to access the myriad kid-friendly amenities, like the outdoor pool and the open-air playground that is La Petite Réserve, complete with obstacle courses, suspension bridges, and game tables.
While parents hit the sublime Spa Nescens—Geneva’s largest— kids ages 6 months to 12 years old can settle in for play time in the bright, colorful kids’ room, which offers complimentary childcare as well as toys, games, puzzles, books, a coloring station and more.
When it comes to outdoor fun, the options are limitless. During the summer holiday, kids can enroll in a range of lessons—from surfing and squash to swimming and diving—in partnership with the nearby Country Club Geneva. During the summer, parents can also opt to enroll their children in the Collège du Léman Summer Camps, which offers everything from French classes and science labs to pastry-making, horseback riding, and wakeboarding on Lake Geneva with a two-time World Wakesurf champion.
On property, there’s an outdoor pool where kids can splish and splash all day long, as well as indoor swimming pools that are specifically reserved for kids every day from 2-4 PM. More active children can practice their serve on the private indoor or outdoor courts (ask for lessons!), or opt for other à la carte activities like stand-up paddleboarding, tubing, sailboarding, and sailing. Other seasonal offerings include bead workshops, origami instruction, cooking lessons, karaoke, musical chairs, cartoon-making, and the list goes on!
La Réserve Genève features four kid-friendly restaurants with dedicated kids’ menus—including Tsé Fung, the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Switzerland—so even the pickiest of eaters will find something to suit their taste buds.
For a family adventure, go hiking in the nearby Jura mountains or glide across Lake Geneva aboard the elegant Motoscafo boat, passing by the famous Jet d’Eau fountain and the city’s pretty town center. Geneva offers plenty in the way of child-friendly attractions and experiences, including a chocolate tour and visit to a 200-year-old chocolate factory; a stroll around the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory, home to 500 plant species; a visit to the Natural History Museum, where there are moonstones, fossils, and reconstitutions of extinct dodo bird; and a deep-dive on the art of watchmaking at the Patek Philippe Museum.
March 20th, 2023
Popular summer destinations are popular for a reason – offering sun, sand, the great outdoors… Here are a few of our top picks for summer 2023.
Often known for its party scene, Mykonos has been a popular island destination for over 50 years. Kalesma Mykonos aims to show a different side of Mykonos. Sure, guests can still stay up until the wee hours of the morning (and even have babysitter to handle breakfast and some morning playtime if traveling with kids!), but they can also visit a local farm and try freshly made cheese, be pointed in the direction of hard-to-find and nearly empty beaches, or try a restaurant locals love that isn’t in the guidebooks. This summer, Kalesma Mykonos is opening a spa with products by Dr. Barbara Sturm, so in addition to the treatments guests could formerly receive in-room, there are two treatment rooms with Dr. Sturm products plus a hammam. (Also a great way to beat jetlag!)
Most Grecian getaways begin or end with a night or two in the country’s capital, and the ancient seat of democracy. xenodocheio Milos has partnered with neighboring local favorite, Naxos Apothecary, to offer a new experience exclusive for guests to create a signature scent. Hotel guests can choose to do this either in the chic, airy apothecary around the corner or in their own suite. An expert will conduct a “tasting” of scents to distill a perfect, custom perfume, often using local Greek herbs and flowers. Perfect to create a scent that instantly brings you back to Greece with a spritz.
Filtered through the lens of Belmond, visitors will experience a European summer like never before. Drift along the Italian Riviera in a traditional gozzo fishing boat at Splendido Mare, indulge in wine and olive oil made on-property at Castello di Casole in the Tuscan countryside, and enjoy exclusive tours of Pompeii when staying at Caruso. Access is everything, and guests of Belmond get front-row seats to these region’s most spectacular landscapes, experiences, and attractions. Celebrations will be in full swing with 150th anniversary of Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, Sicily and the debut of the first phase of Splendido’s meticulous, multi-year restoration by internationally-renowned Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Set to be unveiled in June 2023, the hotel will have a reimagined pool area and new villa dining experience at The Pool Grill restaurant, as well as the complete redesign of the penthouse Baronessa Suite.
At the sprawling Tenuta di Murlo estate in Umbria (the 18,000 acres estate has been in the Carabba Tettamanti family since the 16th century), the family has spent a decade restoring, renovating, and designing the medieval farmhouses dotting the estate. There are now eight villas with private pools and sprawling views of the countryside, and this April they are unveiling two new hotel rooms with sweeping views of the countryside, an indoor heated pool, and a hammam/steam bath. Activities for guests include truffle hunting, day trips to Assisi, Spoleto, Arezzo and Montepulciano (all less than an hour away), and exploring the 80 historic buildings on the property, including an 11th century castle, a beautifully frescoed church, and old mills scattered across the hills.
La Réserve Geneva feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city, thanks to its prime address within a 10-acre park. The hotel’s privileged, nest-like location is one of the many reasons that it is a favorite of families traveling with children. There are four kid-friendly restaurants with dedicated kids’ menus – including Tsé Fung, the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Switzerland – so even the pickiest of eaters will find something to suit their taste buds. During the summer, parents can opt to enroll their children in the Collège du Léman Summer Camps, which offers everything from French classes and science labs to pastry-making, horseback riding, and wakeboarding on Lake Geneva with a two-time World Wakesurf champion. Other seasonal offerings include bead workshops, origami instruction, cooking lessons, karaoke, musical chairs, cartoon-making, and the list goes on! Geneva offers plenty in the way of child-friendly attractions and experiences, including a chocolate tour and visit to a 200-year-old chocolate factory; a stroll around the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory, home to 500 plant species; a visit to the Natural History Museum, where there are moonstones, fossils, and reconstitutions of extinct dodo bird; and a deep-dive on the art of watchmaking at the Patek Philippe Museum.
Almanac Barcelona’s new multi-day Foodie tour gives guests the ability to pull back the curtain on the city’s dining scene, discovering lesser-known haunts and gaining locals-only insight. At the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and the Gran Via boulevard, Almanac is a stylish boutique property that puts guests in the heart of the action. The panoramic rooftop bar looks out to La Sagrada Familia in the distance, and chef Rodrigo de la Calle’s Michelin-starred “green haute cuisine” at the Virens restaurant has a new menu every two weeks and local ingredients from surrounding farms just beyond the mountains. Itinerary highlights include a guided, three-hour food tour to some of Barcelona’s favorites, like Orolíquido, in the Gothic Quarter, with one of the largest collections of olive oil in Spain; and Vila Viniteca – one of the most prestigious wine merchants in Europe – housing more than 4,500 bottles of Spanish wine like Sherry and Cava plus liquors and spirits, 400 of which are exclusive to the shop. The next day head south of Barcelona to the renowned Torelló Cellars for an exclusive tour by owner Toni De la Rosa Torelló, plus a farm-to-table brunch and a wine and Cava pairing.
The White Elephant, overlooking the harbor, has been an integral part of Nantucket’s history since the 1920s. In May 2023, in time for the White Elephant’s 100th anniversary, the resort will debut yet another metamorphosis, with a multi-million top-to-bottom restoration and renovation of its 66-room and -suite Harborside Hotel and 11 Cottages. Boston-based designer Elkus Manfredi has created a bright, airy, residential-inspired refresh, drawing on the essence of the island – its history, the quality of light, its natural landscapes, the colors, textures, and artistic legacy – to breathe new life into these historic accommodations. The patterns of the textiles will draw on the island’s rich history of basket weaving, with antique brass accents that evoke classic Nantucket and light blue ceilings that recall the skies on a summer’s day. Meanwhile, the 11 Cottages will be individually decorated and styled after plants indigenous to Nantucket like hydrangea and honeysuckle. New original art will be installed throughout, resulting from the brand’s all-new Artist in Residency Program, launched in August 2022. New York based art consultant and curator Emily Santangelo worked closely with White Elephant’s owners, the Karp family, to create a mini-residency made up for acclaimed artists from around the world.
The Catskill region has long been celebrated as the cradle of American fly-fishing as well as the playground for the ‘fathers’ of the sport – including 19th-century writers Theodore Gordon and George LaBranche. Nestled among the wooded shores of the 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir, the 11-accommodation property is an idyllic spot to follow in their footsteps. Guests are provided Simms waders, boots, rods, and flies, and the classes can be customized based on age and experience level. Lunch by the water can also be arranged, including freshly-caught trout prepared shore-side. Additional experiences at the property include kayaking, hiking, archery, stargazing, and birdhouse building.
On May 25, 2023, the Riviera Maya will celebrate the much-anticipated return of Maroma, A Belmond Hotel. Nestled between 200 acres of lush tropical jungle and the secluded white sands of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the legendary property will enter a new era with 72 accommodations, including 10 new waterfront suites, each aligned to the Sacred Geometry of Mayan masonry. The transformation will also feature the first Guerlain spa in Latin America in a newly renovated biophilic space as well as a new gastronomic vision under Mexican-born Executive Chef Daniel Camacho with 90% of the ingredients sourced from Mexico. The beloved Freddy’s Bar, ideal for pre-dinner cocktails or an escape from the afternoon sun, will also debut a fresh look with stunning sea views from every seat.
March 20th, 2023
Where else in the world can you watch black bears catch salmon in glacier-fed creeks, sail through ice-carved fjords, and learn about the local way of life in traditional fishermen settlements? Alaska is a state of wondrous beauty, with rich culture, spectacular wildlife, and astonishing natural landscapes. And now that PONANT is unveiling four itineraries and ten departures for 2024, travelers will get to discover the 49th state like never before.
With departures from Vancouver, Seward, and Sitka, the sailings will range from 7-11 nights, making it possible for guests to be acquainted with Alaska’s vast beauty and glimpses into Alaska’s history. All itineraries will feature a crew of naturalists specializing in geology, ornithology, glaciology, marine mammals, botany, and ethnology. For even more on-board discovery, travelers can opt for two co-branded expeditions in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys—the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex—providing a deep-dive on Alaska’s history, landscapes, and wildlife.
The seven- and eight-night sailings will explore the Inside Passage, with local boat landings and outings, humpback whale sightings, and tours of natural areas teaming with ancient conifer and resinous trees. With a focus on forests and fjords, travelers will enjoy close-up views of some of Alaska’s most extraordinary wildlife: black bears, orcas, bald eagles, sea lions, and more. As the ship navigates the narrow Endicott Arm fjord, views of the magnificent Dawes Glacier will unfold along with the 653,000-acre Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness nature preserve.
A 10-night sailing departing from Sitka — with its eclectic blend of Alaska, Russian and American history — to Vancouver will offer all the highlights of the shorter voyages, with more of an emphasis on community experiences, such as conversations with a local of Elfin Cove, who will speak to the local way of life in the quaint fisherman settlement. Off the west coast of British Columbia, guests will meet with the local Kwakwaka’wakw people—the original inhabitants of the Northern Vancouver Island area—to experience a traditional cultural dance in a log house. The 10-night sailing comes with more opportunity to discover British Columbia’s coastal landscapes, including the Johnstone Strait and the Pearse Islands.
Finally, the 11-night voyages (from Seward to Vancouver/Vancouver to Seward) offer a complete Alaska experience. Expect chatting with local fishermen in the “Little Norway of Alaska;” meeting the Tlingit peoples of Kake, home to one of the largest totem poles in Alaska; diving into the gold rush history in Skagway; glimpsing mighty peaks like Mount Saint Elias, the second-highest mountain in Canada and the United States; and cruising the Prince William Sound—the jewel in the crown of the Pacific Northwest—to spot orcas, grizzly bears and humpback whales and marvel at the Harvard and Bryn Mawr glaciers.
For more information, visit https://us.ponant.com/destinations/alaska
ABOUT PONANT
PONANT’s “Explore to Inspire” mission is centered around exploration to better understand, learn, share and protect. For 35 years, PONANT has been committed to more responsible tourism and voyages of exploration which have meaning. The French-flagged fleet comprises 13 small capacity ships equipped with state of the art environmentally friendly equipment. With PONANT, exploration is refined, authentic and a source of inspiration. The company sails to the Arctic and the Antarctic as well as in the Atlantic and North Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, Asia, Oceania and South Pacific, the Caribbean, North, Central and South America. For more information, visit https://us.ponant.com or call 1-844-747-2873 or contact your travel advisor.
March 20th, 2023
Travel to Greece has been booming since summer 2021 when the country was one of the first in Europe to reopen to American travelers, with over four million visitors in July 2022. According to Virtuoso, it is one of the hottest global summer destinations (along with domestic travel within United States, and Italy, France, and Canada).
What’s New?
- Kalesma Mykonos will reopen for the season in April unveiling a brand-new spa with products and treatments by Dr. Barbara Sturm. There will be two treatment rooms, a hammam, and a cryotherapy area. The spa sits beneath the main lobby and offers a respite from the warm, Mediterranean sun. (Kalesma will reopen for the season on April 14, 2023.) Kalesma is also launching new experiences this summer, including a visit to a local family homestead to take a look back in time to the original Mykonos. A private guide through the family farm to experience traditional, local life includes cooking a typical Mykonian recipe, including kneading and baking bread in a stone oven, followed by a lovely lunch.
- Guests can channel their inner Greek hero with Euphoria Retreat’s new Odysseus Journey. The new five-day retreat is inspired by Homer’s epic tale and mixes Euphoria’s Five Elements philosophy with group discussions and immersive experiences. (The five-element philosophy goes back to the ancient Greeks and Hippocrates and how the elements are linked to personalities. The Euphoria Methodos channels this along with Greek mythology to help explore self-awareness.) The Odysseus Journey retreat is one of self-reflection, helping participants discover their own “Ithaca”/their heart’s desire. Guests will have group sessions including Forest Meditation and Energy Movement, Dance Therapy, time in the Salt Room, a Byzantine Hammam Ritual, Balancing, and Labyrinth Meditation. The retreat is led by Euphoria’s founder Marina Efraimoglou and Euphoria’s spiritual mentor, Mary Vandorou, and can be booked April 4-9 or June 13-18. More dates to come.
- xenodocheio Milos in Athens has partnered with neighboring local favorite, Naxos Apothecary, to offer a new experience exclusive for guests to create a signature scent. Hotel guests can choose to do this either in the chic, airy apothecary around the corner or in their own suite. An expert will conduct a “tasting” of scents to distill a perfect, custom perfume, often using local Greek herbs and flowers. xendocheio Milos is not only Athen’s first designer boutique hotel but the capital’s only gastronomy hotel, with an estiatorio Milos restaurant from celebrated Greek chef Costas Spiliadis. Set within two heritage-listed neoclassical buildings in the heart of Athens, the hotel is a study in Cycladic minimalism, with sculptural accents and artwork by local artisans. Suites have sunny terraces with top views of the Old Parliament and beyond to Lycabettus Hill.
- This September, PONANT is launching a new eight-day, seven-night journey, Cruising the Mediterranean: Greece, Sicily, and Malta – with Smithsonian Journeys in partnership with the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution. The trip will explore nearly six millennia of history from the 5,500-year-old megaliths on Malta to the mid-20th-century playground of the rich and famous on Hydra. Other highlights include the Byzantine monastery on Patmos and an excursion to Olympia on Katakolon, home to the ancient Sanctuary of Zeus and the birthplace of the Panhellenic Games. Two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – archeologist David Price Williams and art historian Sara James – will complement the excursions sharing their expertise with dedicated lectures and conferences onboard (September 26-October 3; starting at $5,920 per person based on double occupancy).
How to get there from…
New York
- JFK: Direct flights on American Airlines (starting May 5) and Delta (started on March 9).
- Newark: Direct flights on Emirates (year-round) and United Airlines (starts April 6).
Philadelphia
- Direct flights on American Airlines (starting June 1).
Chicago
- Direct flights on American Airlines (starting June 1).
Atlanta
- Direct flights on Delta (starting March 25).
Boston
- Direct flight on Delta (starting May 8).
Washington, DC (Dulles)
- Direct flight on United Airlines (starting May 5).
March 20th, 2023
White Elephant has been an integral part of Nantucket’s history since the 1920s. Built as a series of rustic cottages, the harborfront landmark has evolved into the island’s most timeless resort, with a collection of chic accommodations showcasing the very best of the beloved destination. On May 5, 2023, in time with the White Elephant’s 100th anniversary, the resort will debut yet another metamorphosis, with a multi-million dollar restoration and renovation of its 54-room and -suite Harborside Hotel and 11 Cottages.
Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects, the design firm who brought us the multi-award-winning White Elephant Palm Beach, has conceived of a bright, airy, residential-inspired refresh, drawing on the essence of Nantucket—its history, the quality of light, its natural landscapes, the colors, textures, and artistic legacy—to breathe new life into these historic accommodations. All materials and finishes will be replaced, from the carpets to the fixtures and the furnishings, with an emphasis on design details that are authentic to place and exude effortless sophistication. The patterns of the textiles will draw on the island’s rich history of basket weaving; exterior shiplights evoke Nantucket’s deep seafaring traditions; and a color palette of Labrador blues and seafoam greens are inspired by the coastal surroundings. The brand’s deep heritage will be woven throughout, with brass elephant knockers on doors, elephant door and drawer pulls, and elephant needlepoint pillows in rooms.
Ranging from 375- to 450-square-feet of living space, guestrooms will be awash in a coastal color palette, with rattan textiles, white oak desks, scalloped lampshades and headboards, and grass cloth wall coverings that evoke the island’s dune grasses. Of the 66 accommodations, 25 of the rooms and 25 of the suites provide direct access to the harborside lawn and the coastal surroundings.
Like the distinct patterns that make up an exquisite quilt, the 11 cottages—which span 400 to 900 square feet—will all be individually decorated and styled after plants indigenous to Nantucket: Bayberry, Hydrangea, Daylily, Beachplum, Honeysuckle, Holly, Arrowwood, Marigold, Rosa Rugosa, and Snapdragon. Each cottage will take a plant as inspiration, with color palettes and artworks that evoke the flora—tones of buttery yellow for the Honeysuckle room, pale lavender for Beachplum, and pale pink for Rose. The two-bedroom cottages feature decks with coastal views, while the one- and three-bedroom cottages are set in a newly landscaped verdant garden area complete with pathways that crisscross the central lawn.
The White Elephant will also debut a redesigned lobby, drawing in local elements like a basket weave carpet design that nods to the surroundings. The lobby has been reimagined with an expanded retail space and more approachable concierge and reception areas. A centerpiece of the new lobby is a large-scale commissioned artwork by Israeli painter Orit Fuchs (who created an acrylic artwork for sister property White Elephant Palm Beach), depicting a harborside scene of a woman (dressed in Nantucket reds) in a rowboat, floating by the White Elephant.
New original art will be installed throughout the rooms and corridors, resulting from the brand’s all-new Artist in Residency Program, launched in August 2022. New York based art consultant and curator Emily Santangeloworked closely with White Elephant’s owners, the Karp family, to create a residency made up of acclaimed artists from around the world. The artists spent two weeks exploring the island to gather inspiration for their works, venturing to some parts of the island only accessible by boat.
Among the featured artists include painter Mary Chandler, who created watercolors of the indigenous Nantucket flora for which the cottages are named; installation photographer Thomas Jackson, who shot a series of colorful beachside photographs, the Maine-based landscape painter Greta van Campen, known for her contemporary hard-edged landscape scenes; Swedish artist Clara Hallencreutz and painter Renée Levin, who is best known for her depictions of coastal and natural objects.
Seasonal nightly rates start at $375 for a guestroom, $675 for a suite, $775 for a one-bedroom cottage, and $1,275 for two- and three-bedroom cottages.
For more information, visit https://www.whiteelephantresorts.com or call 1.800.475.2637.
About White Elephant Resorts
White Elephant Resorts is a collection of premier hotels and resorts on Nantucket, MA and in Palm Beach, FL that specialize in bringing their award-winning combination of service, design, and amenities to today’s discerning traveler. Properties include The Wauwinet, with access to both bay and ocean beaches and home to award-winning TOPPER’S restaurant; White Elephant, the iconic hotel located right on Nantucket Harbor with the Brant Point Grill; Jared Coffin House, a historic hotel in Nantucket Town and its restaurant, Tap Room; The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin, private waterfront cottages; and Nantucket Boat Basin, a 240-slip full-service award-winning marina. White Elephant Palm Beach debuted in November 2020 in Palm Beach, FL with Nantucket-favorite LoLa 41 restaurant. The Wauwinet was ranked in Travel + Leisure’s T+L 500 awards. In 2021, The Wauwinet was recognized by Travel + Leisure’s World Best Awards and both White Elephant and The Wauwinet were recipients of Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. TOPPER’s is AAA’s only “Five Diamond” restaurant on Nantucket and has been a recipient of Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award” for 25 consecutive years. Following its debut, White Elephant Palm Beach has also been recognized as the #1 Resort in Florida in Travel + Leisure’s 2022 World’s Best Awards.
March 20th, 2023
From commemorative teas and Royal Warrant shopping guides to zero-waste cocktails
and princess experiences, here are seven hotels getting in on the excitement.
The Beaumont in Mayfair, which will see an extension by Thierry Despont later this year, will offer an in-room “coronation pack” for guests overnighting on Friday, May 5. The contents will include a map of the big day’s events, Union Jack flags, a Union Jack hat, and a commemorative mug. In addition, the afternoon tea for the entire month of May will give a nod to the extraordinary precious and semi-precious stones found in the Crown Jewels with gemstone-hued pastries (think rich ruby red and grassy green of emeralds) that are flavored with the scents of English spring gardens (such as red currants, rose, and elderflower).
L’oscar is housed within a Baroque-style, Grade-II listed former church in Bloomsbury. Taking inspiration from Oscar Wilde, Jacques Garcia (a Michel Reybier favorite who designed La Réserve in Paris and Geneva and is currently working with the brand’s property in Ramatuelle) restored the interiors with sumptuous fabrics and jewel tones while retaining some of the original touches, including two fireplaces with royal Doulton terracotta panels. This is the place for those who would like to be near the theater and shop like a royal. The property under the Michel Reybier Hospitality group (hotels in Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Zermatt, Interlaken) will provide a map of Royal Warrant Holders nearby.
To celebrate the coronation of King Charles, The Doyle Collection’s London properties will create a series of cocktails inspired by the two things about which he is most passionate: Sustainability and the ‘Best of British’ produce. The Bloomsbury, The Marylebone, and The Kensington will each create one zero-waste cocktail using British spirits and sustainably sourced produce, channeling the English countryside. Think herbaceous Cornish gin, juicy British strawberries and fragrant local Elderflower…
In nearby Ireland, Dromoland Castle lets its youngest guests celebrate their owncoronation with their Princess Package. This entails a day of lessons in deportment, song, and traditional dance, a trip to the spa for hair and nails, and culminates with a coronation in the great Kincora Hall with a crown and certificate (and of course a royal afternoon tea!).
The Fife Arms in Braemar, in the heart of Royal Deeside, is the perfect location to mark the historic event. Royal Deeside has a rich and longstanding connection with the Royal family, stemming from the 1850s when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built Balmoral Castle as a family home, just nine miles from the property. Over the coronation weekend, guests will enjoy a special Afternoon Tea including classic Victoria sponge and coronation chicken, picnic at the Highland Games Centre, as well as a Royal whisky tasting in Bertie’s Whisky Bar, featuring a flight of King Charles’ favorite drams.
March 20th, 2023
After many years of working with Park Hyatt Tokyo, we are thrilled to now be working with Park Hyatt Niseko and Park Hyatt Kyoto! Japan has had a bit of a spotlight on it this year since reopening post-Covid. Cherry blossom season is nearly here! This year, visitors can celebrate the fragrant blooms by booking a flower-filled escape to Japan. As part of the festivities, the Park Hyatt hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Niseko are rolling out unique events and menus inspired by the season—from picnic baskets and art installations to zipline experiences!
Park Hyatt Tokyo was put on the map by Sofia Coppola’s Lost In Translation, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in September!
Dining updates for spring:
- To appreciate the Cherry Blossoms up close, guests can take a lunch box to go. The Sakura edition features pink-colored goodies like smoked salmon sushi and hazelnut financiers topped with Sakura green tea cream, while late spring treats include matcha-bread sandwiches and mini quiches prepared with green asparagus and smoked bacon.
- The Girandole restaurant is launching a menu by chef Thibault Chaumont in collaboration with chef Kojiro Tsutsumi. Dishes will marry French techniques and seasonal Japanese ingredients, including spring clam and a colorful array of fresh vegetables. From Friday, March 24 to Wednesday, April 26.
- KOZUE restaurant (known for its traditional Japanese fare) will also offer a special seasonal dinner, starring the prized Kano-gani crab, which is only available during winter and early spring. Tables are available for two weeks only, with limited servings per day; From Monday, March 6 to Sunday, March 19.
- The New York Grill’s “Spring Harvest” will focus on the award-winning Hakata Wagyu beef—the winner of the most recent Wagyu competition in Japan. From Tuesday, March 21 to Friday, June 9.
Located close to the Kodai-ji Temple and boasting panoramic views of the multi-tiered Yasaka Pagoda and the city’s tiled roof skyline, Park Hyatt Kyoto is a magical escape no matter the time of year. But spring and summer are especially popular times to visit. Hotel guests enjoy VIP tickets to the annual Aoi Matsuri festival (May 15), where hundreds of participants don traditional clothing from the Heian period as two processions make their way to the Kamo Shrines. Guests also have preferred seating at the Gion Matsuri—Kyoto’s biggest annual festival—which takes over multiple days in July and features traditional float parades and the “Yoi-yama” street party events.
On property, guests can enjoy Japanese tea pairing at the exquisitely renovated Kyoyamato, a traditional Japanese restaurant run by a seventh-generation Kyoto family, complete with a Soyotei teahouse from the Edo era. For wellness, guests may opt to go on a guided tour of the grounds led by a Shinto priest, or enjoy a seated Zazen meditation at nearby temples that are off-limits to the general public.
It may be a favorite wintertime destination (and is known for its excellent skiing), but come spring, the Park Hyatt Niseko entices guests with plenty of seasonal happenings. For the second year, the resort will activate the art installation “Mountain Lights” by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. A spectacle of 180,000 shimmering fiber-optic plumes of light, the installation blankets the foot of Niseko Annupuri Mountain — visible from all 100 guestrooms.
The Hanazono Zip World—East Asia’s longest zipline—will also reopen for the season. Stretching 1.6 miles from the base of the resort halfway to the peak of the Niseko United ski mountain, the zipline allows guests to soar over the forested mountains at speeds exceeding 110 kilometers per hour on the Black Diamond Superfly.
Back at the hotel, guests may consider retreating to the award-winning spa to relax in the 80-foot heated indoor pool and hot spring onsen baths.