Summer Hot Spots in 2023

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.

EUROPE

Mykonos

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!)

Athens

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.

Italy

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.

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. 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.

Barcelona

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.

USA

Nantucket

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.

Catskills

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.

MEXICO

Riviera Maya

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.

 

NEW Culinary Experience in Barcelona through Family-Owned Spanish Hospitality Brand

October 7th, 2022

NEW Culinary Experience in Barcelona through Family-Owned Spanish Hospitality Brand

In a city as beloved by travelers as Barcelona, it can be hard to pull back the curtain on the dining scene, discovering lesser-known haunts and gaining locals-only insight. Guests of Almanac Barcelona can fast-track their knowledge of the Catalan capital’s unique culinary tapestry by opting for the just-launched Barcelona Foodie Package, a one-of-a-kind offer that combines two nights’ accommodation, a chef-led tasting menu, a guided city food tour (with stops for wine, olive oil, and vegan charcuterie!), and an exclusive visit to one of Spain’s finest Cava producers— to name a few of the inclusions!

Located at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and the Gran Via boulevard, Almanac is a stylish boutique property that puts guests within the heart of the action. It also offers a more authentic glimpse into the city, being one of Barcelona’s few family-run, locally owned hospitality brands. Mix with locals at the panoramic rooftop bar, which looks out to La Sagrada Familia in the distance, or try chef Rodrigo de la Calle’s Michelin-starred “green haute cuisine” at the Virens restaurant, where the menu changes every two weeks and ingredients are sourced from local providers and surrounding farms just beyond the mountains.

Guests who sign up for the Barcelona Foodie Package will enjoy an exclusive tasting menu at Virens, with chef Rodrigo tableside to explain his vision, culinary techniques, and unique sourcing methods (his hunt for rare and underappreciated ingredients like carissa plums, white figs, and codium algae have taken him around the world). Your meal might begin with a glass of fresh-brewed hibiscus kombucha (there’s always a different flavor on tap), followed by beetroot tartare, grilled eggplant with curry and huacatay leaves, and finally, a Jerusalem artichoke tiramisu.

A guided, three-hour food tour will take guests to some of Barcelona’s top food haunts, like Orolíquido, in the Gothic Quarter, which boasts one of the largest collections of olive oil in Spain. After a tasting of different varieties (the shop stocks 20+ different brands), peruse the shop’s other natural products like cosmetics made from olive oil, artisanal salts, and balsamic vinegars aged 150 years. The tour will continue at Mercat Santa Caterina, a historic market built in 1848 and completely remodeled in 2005, with an undulating, mosaic-like roof (it’s the city’s first covered market). There, guests can discover a colorful array of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, plus two stalls dedicated to Jabugo ham, the trendy Cuines Santa-Catarina restaurant, and a vegan delicatessen specializing in plant-based charcuterie! The final stop will take guests to 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. Founded in 1932, the family-owned business participates in numerous winemaking projects with Spanish winemakers; be sure to ask all about these partnerships during your wine and cheese tasting in the private cellar!

As part of the package, guests will be transported 45 minutes 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. Surrounded by 135 hectares of vines, the winery has a history dating to 1951 and is renowned for its dry, long-aged Cava, made from traditional Catalan grapes like Xarel.lo.

Also included in the Barcelona Foodie Package include daily buffet breakfast for two and airport transfer to and from the hotel. From €2,040; services subject to availability and date confirmation.

About Almanac Barcelona

Located just off Passeig de Gràcia, Almanac Barcelona is a stylish home base for exploring all the Catalan capital has to offer, with just 61 rooms and 30 suites, all of which have either a Juliet balcony, private terrace, or floor-to-ceiling window “cubes” with built-in daybeds that jut out over bustling Gran Via. As one of the city’s few family-owned Spanish hospitality brands, the boutique property prides itself on offering an authentic glimpse into Barcelona. (Just peek the hotel’s art collection, which features work acquired from local galleries.) At the rooftop bar, Azimuth, mingle with locals while taking in views of La Sagrada Familia and Mount Tibidabo. Meanwhile, at the ground-level Virens, chef Rodrigo de la Calle (of Madrid’s El Invernadero fame) crafts plant-forward interpretations of Mediterranean cuisine, with a focus on fermented foods like kefir and probiotic drink pairings. (De La Calle was once chef Joël Robuchon’s ‘green cuisine’ consultant, so you know he’s a master at preparing inventive, delicious plant-forward dishes.) The creative dishes spotlight fresh seasonal bounty from local providers and farms surrounding the city—as well as rare and unknown ingredients like carissa plums and white figs.

Did You Know? Renowned perfumer Jimmy Boyd created the hotel’s custom scent.

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