September 13th, 2022
Paradero Launches Paradero Sea of Cortez,
A Luxury Multi-Night Sailing, Adventure & Culinary Experience
Since launching in February 2021, Paradero is the first experience-inclusive brand in North America, offering experiences that deeply connect guests with nature, wellness, adventure, and local culture. Paradero’s inaugural property is in the magical land of Todos Santos – Pescadero –home to several landscapes, microclimates, and cultures. The hotel and landscaping project is inextricably tied to its surroundings, which span five different ecosystems, including the historic privileged farming community of La Mesa.
One of the most undiscovered coastlines in the world is now a lot more accessible with the launch of “Paradero Sea of Cortez,” two exclusive-use catamaran itineraries along the Gulf of California. Sea of Cortez is the very area where French oceanographer, marine conservationist, and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau dubbed it the “Aquarium of the World” after exploring it in the 1960s. Guests join the custom-built vessel at a marina that is just an hour’s drive from Paradero Todos Santos. From there they set sail to discover stunning virgin beaches, uninhabited islands, secret snorkeling spots, and vibrant off-the-beaten-path coastal locales.
A variety of destinations are within reach—from Isla Partida and Isla Ballena to La Paz. Of special note is Espiritu Santo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with red volcanic rock formations, vibrant reefs in tranquil waters, sea turtles, stingrays, blue whales, orcas, grey whales and 98 species of birds. Other highlights include a snorkel through sea caves at the Caleta Partida, a beach set-up on the velvety shores of the crescent-shaped Playa Bonanza, and a hike along the scenic Cascada Seca trek at Playa Candelero. Along the way, paddle-boarding and kayaking opportunities abound. And when guests stay overnight, they will experience incredible sunrises and sunsets, and once-in-a-lifetime stargazing with a full view of the Milky Way.
As part of Paradero’s DNA, culinary elements are equally important. Adventurers will sample the brand’s award-winning culinary offerings like fresh sashimi with right-out-of-the-water Chocolata clams, sea urchin and scallops.
The gleaming, all-white vessel was built in Vendée, France, by Lagoon Catamarans, the world’s leader in sailing catamaran cruisers. It was constructed over a 15-month period, during which Paradero advised on design and materials. In keeping with the brand’s emphasis on sustainability, 30 percent of the resin used in the hull is crafted from recycled fibers, and the interior wood is sourced from FSC-certified forests. All fabrics in the saloon and cockpit are also made from recycled materials.
The sailboat features four cabins (each with an en-suite bathroom and separate shower) and nearly 500-square-feet of living space, including plush outdoor seating and over-water net beds on which guests can relax as the boat carves through the sea. Fully serviced with a captain, crew, and private chef, bartender, and a senior experience guide, “Paradero Sea of Cortez” is the ultimate luxury sailing experience in one of the most underrated destinations on earth.
The Full-Day Sailing Experience (from $4,480) has capacity for up to 10 passengers and includes 7-8 hours of sailing, while the Paradero Baja Getaway (from $8,320) is a two-night, three-day journey with room for up to 8 guests. Both options include full-service, dining and an open bar, and round-trip transportation between Paradero Todos Santos and the marina. “Paradero Sea of Cortez” is only available for Paradero Todos Santos guests and it is not available for a standalone catamaran reservation at this time.
July 27th, 2022
There’s infinite wisdom to be gained from the world of travel. One area where travel can be particularly impactful is sustainability. By integrating travelers into communities, instilling a deep reverence toward natural landscapes, and opening minds through fun, educational programming, travel has the capacity to effect lasting change long after a trip has ended. Here are nine hotels, tour operators, and destinations that are combining impact and inspiration in game-changing ways.
andBeyond
When it comes to conservation tourism, andBeyond is in a league of its own. Since its founding in 1991, the brand has secured some of the tourism industry’s conservation firsts: the reintroduction of cheetah to andBeyond Phinda, the groundbreaking translocation of 19 guar at India’s Bandhavgarh National Park, and the Rhinos Without Borders initiative that saw the relocation of 100+ rhinos from the highest poaching zones in South Africa. By staying at andBeyond’s 33 lodges and camps and opting for its tailor made tours and small group journeys, travelers are not only supporting these crucial initiatives across three continents, but also making history. Participate in the pioneering Pangolin conservation experience in a region where the species has been locally extinct for decades. Listen to legendary conservation leaders like Les Carlisle tell you about his decades of experience rewilding destinations around the world. Inspire a younger generation of conservationists by enrolling young visitors in the WILDchild Eco-Guide Challenge, which might include learning bushman skills like catch-and-release fishing, animal tracking, and identifying species of plants and animals.
Le Commandant Charcot
PONANT’s latest addition to its fleet is the world’s first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship that’s powered by electric battery and liquified natural gas, a non-toxic source that has the best safety records of all fuel types. With eight departures for the summer 2022 and 2023 Arctic season, Le Commandant Charcot offers guests the chance to venture to the farthest reaches of the globe, where they can participate in citizen science experiments, learn about the conservation initiatives, and tour remote landscapes with a team of naturalist-guides. For example, on a 16-day itinerary to the Geographic North Pole, the most northern point of the Earth’s axis of rotation, one activity is setting up a research station on an ice floe and deploying an Argos transmitter (a satellite-based system that collects and disseminates environmental data). Meanwhile, in Antarctica, on the 30-day journey Unexplored Antarctica Between Two Continents—an all-new and unrivaled half-circumnavigation between the far south of the American continent to New Zealand—guests will deepen their knowledge of the world’s most remote locales through expert-led lectures and excursions guided by naturalists, like observing isolated colonies of emperor penguins on coastal areas along the Bellingshausen Sea. When in battery mode, Le Commandant Charcot can sail for up to eight hours at a time without producing any emissions and with very low noise levels, so as to not disrupt aquatic life.
Paradero
Hands-on sustainable farming tutorials. Cooking classes with ingredients grown in the garden. A hike through the UNESCO-protected biosphere reserves along the Baja California Peninsula. At Paradero Todos Santos, an 80 percent landscape project and hospitality concept developed by Mexican entrepreneurs Pablo Carmona and Josh Kremer, education has never been so fun—or scenic. The property is spread across five acres in the unspoiled La Mesa farming community, an agricultural area comprising 160 acres of family-owned farms, and located at the doorstop of five distinct ecosystems, including the Sierra de La Laguna Mountain range, and a 200-year-old cordon cacti forest. Every activity at Paradero is designed to immerse guests in these spectacular landscapes and promote a deeper, more authentic connection to the land and the local community. Ultimately, these skills will generate greater self-awareness—encouraging guests to embody the values of Paradero long after a trip has ended.
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
Situated at the base of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain and spread across nine acres of lush gardens, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel offers the rare experience of being amid nature in one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. The reverence toward the natural world is reflected in the property’s range of unique activities and experiences, like the Fynbos Sunset Walk, a hike that begins just steps from the hotel and winds through one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth with over 9,000 plant species, nearly 70 percent are native to the Western Cape. Belmond guests also enjoy private access to shark scientist Justin Blake for a private ocean boating and snorkeling expedition to explore the underwater world that surrounds Cape Town’s coast. During the half-day excursion, swim through the Cape kelp forests, recently listed as a new Seven Wonder of the World, and the octopus gardens of Oscar-award winning documentary “My Octopus Teacher,” offering to gain a greater understanding of the importance of sharks in maintaining the delicately balanced marine ecosystems. Back on boat, dine on a sustainable seafood-inspired picnic created by Mount Nelson’s Chef Rudi Liebenberg, featuring delicacies sourced from ABALOBI, a South African-based social enterprise supporting small-scale fishing communities globally.
UXUA Casa Hotel
Built by local artisans over a two-year period using traditional building methods and reclaimed materials (nothing is sourced beyond a five-mile radius of Trancoso), UXUA Casa Hotel and Spa is literally built on a sustainable foundation. The property’s influence goes beyond the hotel’s walls, though. At VIDA Lab, the on-site nutritional laboratory and medical kitchen, medical director Dr. Jullian Hamamoto transforms local plants and botanicals—from the on-site garden, the nearby Itaporoca beach, and the 50-acre UXUA ROÇA farm—into healing elixirs and beautifying therapies. Guests can go foraging with Dr. Jullian to learn about the significance of these ingredients, many of which are sacred to Brazil’s Indigeous Pataxó people. At the on-site atelier, guests can interact with local craftspeople and give input into products they’d like made, like kaftans and kimonos made by local weavers. Another notable activity is a capoeira lesson by a professor at the local Capoeira Sul Da Bahia school, which is dedicated to the preservation and study of the centuries-old martial art. One hundred percent of the proceeds for each lesson is donated to the school, and guests can also join in public class sessions with local youth.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is at the forefront of sustainability in wine—the region is home to 40 percent of all certified sustainable wineries in California. Established in 1976, the Land Trust of Napa County protects more than 55,000 acres, roughly 10 percent of Napa County, ensuring the preservation of the land. No other wine region in the world has something like it. Local vintners work with more than 20 industry and environmental stakeholder groups to promote responsible business development and environmental stewardship. What this means for visitors? Plenty of wide-open vistas and sustainably made wine, for one. There’s also an extensive range of activities that promote deeper engagement with Napa’s landscapes. The Napa Valley Bike Trail, for example, is a walking/cycling trail system that will connect the entire region, offering 47 continuous miles of level, paved, dog-friendly trail. Another way to see the sights: motoring around the region with Green Dream Tours, a carbon-neutral business that whisks visitors to sustainable wineries in the region, like Starmont Wines in St. Helena, where they’ll learn about their sustainable processes and techniques.
Nayara Resorts
The five properties that make up Naya Resorts’ portfolio are each located in a spectacular corner of Latin American—from the green valley in the Atacama Desert; Easter Island, one of the most remote places on earth; and the three Costa Rican properties, which are spread over a mountainside facing the majestic Arenal Volcano. With these sublime natural locations comes ample opportunity to learn about these precious ecosystems and the wildlife therein. In Costa Rica, for example, where Nayara planted over 1,000 Cecropia trees—the sloth’s made food source—guests can visit the sloth sanctuary to watch and learn about these creatures and various conservation efforts. While in Atacama, guests can discover the Salar of Atacama with a naturalist guide, navigating its rock formations and watching flamingos fly across the open sky.
Gili Lankanfushi
Located in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, one of the world’s most spectacular and fragile natural environments, Gili Lankanfushi takes great strides to protect its rich marine diversity and safeguard its surroundings for generations to come. Later this year, the resort will unveil a new Marine Biology Center, with a cutting-edge research space and the expansion of the coral nursery. The resort’s primary marine research facility, the lab is where guests can learn from Gili’s team of marine biologists, participating in coral reef cleaning and collecting vital information that benefits organizations like the Marina Research Center. Guests can even help rehabilitate damaged coral by nursing coral on ropes (lines) and transplanting them onto degraded reef areas—an initiative that Gili launched way before it was popular in the Maldives.
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St. Martin
While a beach vacation conjures up visions of sunbathing on velvety shores, guests of La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel can combine seaside bliss and sustainable education. The Escape to Tintamarre experience entails a boat ride to the uninhabited Tintamarre island, in the Saint Martin Nature Reserve, home to rare hawksbill turtles and stingrays. A local marine conservationist will educate guests about the rich marine fauna and local sustainability efforts. Or visitors can venture up the St. Martin’s tallest peaks with a local nature guide, pausing to soak up sweeping island views and admire colorful plants and animals.
January 10th, 2022
In celebration of its first anniversary in February 2022, Paradero Todos Santos in Baja, Mexico is offering guests a choice of amenities along with a special rate when booking a stay of two nights or more this winter. The offer’s value-added perks include either one 30-minute neck massage per person, per stay or one dinner for two, per stay (three-course chef´s menu, a welcome cocktail and non-alcoholic drinks included). A complimentary on-the-go Mexican breakfast per person, per day that includes a variety of burritos, fruit, coffee, tea, and orange juice, is also included.
Opened in February 2021, Paradero Todos Santos is a 35-suite experience-inclusive property with activities like hiking, mountain biking, learning to garden, and art tours offered as part of the weekly schedule. Less than 50 miles from San Jose del Cabo airport, the immediate landscape offers five distinct ecosystems: the desert with 200-year-old Cardon Cacti, the Sierra La Laguna Mountain range, miles of virgin beaches along the Pacific coast, an oasis with 5,000 palm trees, and farmland as far as the eye can see.
Other activities for guests include relaxing in a suspended ‘star net’ offering high-altitude views of the surrounding landscape or indulging in a traditional temazcal ceremony at the spa. The resort reflects its surroundings with details inspired by a sense of place, including an on-site 100,000-sq.ft. botanical garden with 60 endemic species and artisan-made furniture from Mexico. Chef Eduardo Rios, a Pujol alumni, is at the helm at the open-fire kitchen restaurant that utilizes a traditional Oaxacan clay oven.
The anniversary offer is valid for new bookings between January 8 – March 31, 2022. Rates start at $550 per night and a minimum two-night stay is required. All bookings are subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply. This offer cannot be combined with any other packages.
September 27th, 2021
Paradero Todos Santos will kick off its inaugural Taco Series on September 17, 2021 with esteemed chef Dani González of Culiacan’s Casa Bon. The Paradero restaurant is helmed by Chef Eduardo Rios. He was previously with Pujol, ranked one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2020 and is widely considered to be among the best in Mexico. At Paradero, Chef Rios creates simple, elevated dishes that are made up of a maximum of five ingredients, all grown in-house or sourced from family farms and other local purveyors in Todos Santos and Baja California.
The Taco Series events is a collaboration between Chef Eduardo Rios and four visiting chefs from acclaimed restaurants in Mexico City, Tulum, Veracruz, and Culiacan. The chefs will draw on their own culinary backgrounds to create tacos that reflect the authentic flavors of Todos Santos. The charming Pacific Coast town is home to a booming culinary scene, thanks to its Mediterranean climate, farm-to-table ethos, and vibrant community of ranchers and farmers. In addition to the restaurant at Paradero, other standouts include Tijuana born Javier Plascencia’s Jazamango, Barracuda Cantina, a beachside spot that featured in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, Tres Galline a northern Italian restaurant producing fresh pastas, Noah Sushi, a fresh seafood Baja style sushi restaurant and Hierbabauena, a plant-based eatery helmed by celebrity chef Javier Plascencia.
The Taco Series dinner—the anchoring event of a multi-day weekend program—will be bookended by a Cooking Master Class the following day, as well as a Tasting Menu dinner that night. Space for each event is limited and priority will be given to hotel guests.
During the Taco Series, a total of six inventive tacos will be served, half of which will be the creation of the visiting chef. Paradero’s Chef Rios will create the remaining three tacos, plus dessert. The visiting chefs will put their own distinctive spin on the tacos using fresh, seasonal produce from Paradero’s working organic garden. As Todos Santos is renowned for its seafood, guests can expect creative takes on classic Baja fish tacos, ceviche tostadas, and other regional specialties. Tacos are made from scratch and cooked in a traditional Oaxacan clay oven, while meat and fish are sizzled in a wood fired Josper oven and in a hibachi grill over binchotan charcoal. From $85 USD++ per person excluding beverages; 35 seats, preference for hotel guests.
Visiting chefs to include Dani Gonzàlez of Culiacan’s Casa Bon, Ezequiel Hernandez of Campo Baja, Juan Cruz of Tulum’s Sushi Batta, and finally, Erik Guerrero of Nemik in Veracruz. Below are the 2021 dates:
- September: 17-18 (Fri/Sat) Dani González
- October: October 15-16 (Fri/Sat) Ezequiel Hernandez
- November: 26-27 (Fri/Sat) Juan Cruz
- December: 9-10 (Thu/Fri) Erik Guerrero
The Tasting Menu dinner (from $135 USD++ per person, excluding beverages) will be overseen by Paradero’s Chef Eduardo Rios. The dinner will feature 6-7 courses as well as wine and cocktail pairings. Guests who book the Tasting Menu can also sign up for a Cooking Master Class ($50 USD+ per person) earlier that day. During the hands-on session, guests will learn the art of nixtamalization, a traditional maize preparation process, and create heirloom corn tortillas to take home.
The Taco Series is the latest event to cement Paradero’s reputation as one of Mexico’s top destination restaurants. Executive Chef Rios beat out at least 20 top chefs who interviewed for the job. Other events this fall and winter 2021 include special themed dinners celebrating the Dia de la Independencia (September 15), Dia de los Muertos (November 2), Thanksgiving (November 25), Christmas (December 24), and New Year’s Eve (December 31).
January 20th, 2021
A welcome respite from the winter weather, Mexico also offers an abundance of beaches, cultural offerings and culinary adventures. Whether for a weekend or an extended stay, we’ve rounded up three destinations for travelers looking for a private Mexico getaway.
For an outdoor adventure: Todos Santos
Pablo Carmona and Josh Kremer, Mexican entrepreneurs and financiers, are making their mark with Mexico’s first luxury soft adventure brand, Paradero Hotels, on February 1, 2021. One-hour away from San José del Cabo Airport, Paradero Todos Santos has a barefoot, bohemian vibe and is a haven for surfers and outdoor enthusiasts. Overseen by Mexico City-based POLEN, who was behind the landscape design of Google and Twitter offices in Mexico, Paradero Todos Santos is an 80 percent landscape, 20 percent construction project. 35 suites are situated within the Le Mesa farming community and an agricultural area comprising more than a dozen family-owned farms. Details with a sense of place include: on-site 100,000-sq.ft. botanical garden with 60 endemic species; artisan-made furniture from Mexico; suspended ‘star nets’ that offer high-altitude views of the surrounding farmlands, mountains and ocean; below-ground spa that is inspired by a secret watering hole in Todos Santos; and an open-fire kitchen with a traditional Oaxacan clay oven.
For a beach escape: Riviera Maya
With buildings handcrafted by Mayan masons, traditional Temazcal treatments on the menu, and one of the world’s longest barrier reefs just 10-minutes away, Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa is a true Mexican escape. Days are spent on white sand beaches while nights are best enjoyed over a private dinner in the observation tower. Highlights include the Kinan Spa which offers a variety of wellness programming pulling from its Mayan surroundings as well as honey-based spa treatments thanks to the on-site apiary, and the new ‘Noches de Cantina’ dining experience centered on the ritual of savoring tequila, inspired by Mexico City’s popularization of cantinas in the 1950s. With Belmond’s new ‘Exclusive Places’ offer, families and small groups can enjoy secluded accommodations among the 200 acres of lush jungle. Casa Leo and Casa Aries, each consisting of four suites, feature four plunge pools, private access to the beach and two private palapa spa areas for in-room treatments.
For a cultural celebration: San Miguel de Allende
2021 marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s autonomy from Spain with San Miguel de Allende the first town to receive independence. Housed across six historic casonas, or residences, Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada is a 37-room retreat in the heart of San Miguel de Allende. Each casona has been carefully restored with local, handcrafted items, ranging from the wooden headboards, exclusive artworks, or antique tapestries. The buildings include a former convent, a 17-century fort and the former residence of the Archbishop of San Miguel de Allende, connected by courtyards, cloisters and the city streets. Now, families and small groups can enjoy an entire 17th-century casona to themselves – complete with butler and dining service. Spend the day at the Sazón cooking school with private tours of local markets and mastering Mexican specialties including salmon crudo and. Celebrate the city’s rich artistic past at the Artist Corner perusing the mini-gallery or partaking in a workshop to craft your own masterpiece.
How to Get There: Land travel is not permitted through February 21, 2021, but air travel is open. Direct flights to Mexico City, Cabo and Cancun are available from major U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Miami. Belmond has rolled out a selection of value-add offers for private jet travelers. They are collaborating with myriad companies and the list includes but is not limited to Jet Linx, Nicholas Air, Silver Air, TradeWind, Private Jet Service, FlyExclusive, and PRVT. Upon arrival, travelers will need to complete health declaration forms and undergo health screenings, including temperature checks.