Join the celebration in London

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 BloomsburyThe 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

 

White Elephant Nantucket Will Unveil Complete Renovation for 2023 Season

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.

 

Coronation Celebrations in London, Ireland, and Scotland

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 BloomsburyThe 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.

 

We are now working with all of the Park Hyatt properties in Japan!

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

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.

 

Park Hyatt Kyoto

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.

Park Hyatt Niseko

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.

 

 

News from the Vines: Winter 2020

November 30th, 2020

What’s Happening in Napa Valley


While it’s no secret that Napa Valley has faced some challenges this year, the region is open to visitors and the spirit is stronger than ever. The Glass Fire that broke out in September is now 100 percent contained and most of Napa County’s 45,000 acres of vine were not impacted. For those wondering how to help, the best way to support the community and its members is to visit. And the timing couldn’t be better. As harvest closes out this month, travelers will be welcomed with the start of Cabernet Season – the best time to visit for those in the know. From November through April, summer heat is replaced with perfectly mild temperatures – think warm days, cool nights, and blue skies. The pace slows down and foliage is at eye level as the vines become dormant along Silverado Trail. (Leaf peeping is not just on the east coast!) Brilliant yellow wild mustard flowers are scattered through the vineyards and along country lanes. During this time of year, visitors can more easily nab reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants. Greater access to wineries is another bonus with more opportunities to meet winemakers and receive impromptu glimpses behind the scenes.

What’s New in Wine (and Spirit) Tastings
These tastings are shaking up the scene in Napa Valley, with freshly designed spaces and new experiences with an emphasis on privacy. Napa Valley Distillery, the first distillery to open its doors in the city of Napa since prohibition, opened a new speakeasy tasting salon dubbed the ”Hollywood Room” with cocktails crafted from spirits made just a few feet away. The art deco-designed space is punctuated with tiki bar-like decor.  Animal lovers will gravitate towards Oasis by Hoopes, where wines are accompanied by an animal sanctuary and regenerative farm. The outdoor space, which opened in October 2020, is dotted with airstreams, lounge areas made with recycled materials, a farm stand (with produce for purchase), as well as rescued chickens, pigs, and goats. Faust’s new tasting room, housed in a Victorian home originally built in 1878, opened in September 2020 following a four-year renovation. Known for their Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from organically farmed estates, the new space still features the original cellar from pre-prohibition era. And for travelers prioritizing privacy, Charles Krug, the oldest wine estate in Napa, opened five new private WIFI-enabled outdoor tasting cabanas on the winery’s picnic grounds and Trefethen is now offering a nightly after-hours experience permitting only one booking per evening – meaning guests have the whole estate to themselves. Space to watch: Yountville’s Baldacci Family Vineyards will open a new hospitality center in March 2021, featuring new private tasting rooms, a wine bar, and an outdoor patio overlooking wine country vistas.

Neighborhoods to Watch
Calistoga
Calistoga, the northern most town in Napa Valley – famed as a wine-meets-spa destination thanks to its geothermal waters – is in the limelight thanks to a crop of new hotels and multi-million-dollar resort renovations. Four Seasons Resort & Residences will open this winter with 85-rooms and an on-site vineyard and tasting room – a rarity in Napa Valley.  As a nod to Calistoga’s wellness roots, the property will offer an eight-room spa with steam pods in which hammocks will be suspended above geo-thermal pools for guests to absorb the heated vapor.  Coming soon, Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, originally built in 1952, will unveil a large-scale renovation. Considered one of the first resorts in Calistoga and known for its mud bath treatments, the property’s new look will include a Southwestern-inspired restaurant, House of Better. This December, Solage, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, will unveil a $30 million-dollar renovation overseen by architect Howard Backen – considered the creator of “Napa Valley Style” – and Los Angeles-based interior design agency Studio Collective. In addition to 11 new accommodations, Solbar - their signature restaurant – will double the size of the patio for outdoor dining and the new PicoBar, with light bites and cocktails, will sit next to an enlarged pool deck with contemporary loungers and cabanas.

Downtown Napa
Spanning three buzzy blocks in the heart of Downtown Napa, First Street Napa is an ever-growing hub for shopping, dining, and tasting. Known for its locally owned boutiques and independent restaurants and wineries, the district has recently welcomed a surge of new shops like C’est La Paire for chic boots and handbags; The Bennington Napa Valley for vintage finds; and Copperfield’s Books, a mainstay store returning to First Street. The first standalone tasting room dedicated solely to luxury California brandies, California Brandy House, will open on First Street on November 6, 2020 for outdoor tastings. The new concept will debut with two leading brandy portfolios, Germain-Robin and Argonaut. Visitors will be guided through tasting flights, including single-barrel samples that are only available at the tasting space. For those looking for something on the fizzier side, the first and only dedicated Champagne & sparkling wine lounge in Napa Valley, Be Bubbly, has just opened its doors. Over in Napa’s Oxbow Public Market (a 40,000-square-foot marketplace with an expansive outdoor deck along the Napa River), Bar Lucia opened this summer from owner behind Kara’s Cupcakes. Highlights of the bar include rosé and sparkling wines paired with seasonal bites. Founder Kara Haspel Lind named the bar after her great grandmother and her daughter, honoring the traditions passed down through five generations of women in her family. For those visitors who are overwhelmed with options across the region, a brand-new Napa Valley Welcome Center will open on November 12 as a resource for itinerary-planning. New technology will provide visitors insider tips in a no-touch manner, and a 16-foot video wall will offer a taste of Napa Valley travel inspiration to pedestrians along First Street through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Looking Ahead to 2021
Black History Month – February 2021
In honor of Black History Month in February, travelers to Napa Valley can explore the roots of BIPOC pioneers in the winemaking business and support local initiatives throughout the region. Leaders in the industry include Brown Estate Vineyards, which was the first Black-owned estate winery in Napa and is now best known as one of Napa Valley’s most well-regarded zinfandel producers. Neighboring Okapi Wines is a micro-boutique winery that produces just a few barrels of wine each year. Founder Dan Johnson limits its production to 300 cases per year to maintain sustainable farming practices. Carneros Resort and Spa is offering a Diversity in Wine Flight featuring four wines by vintners and winemakers of color. The tasting flight is available at two of their onsite restaurants with 10% of proceeds being donated to UNCF. To support diversity in the wine industry, Napa Valley Vintners, a nonprofit association representing more than 500 wineries in the region, has partnered with UNCF to create a new scholarship program for people of color to pursue college degrees in subjects including grape growing and winemaking, with $1 million already invested into the program.

Women Winemakers are changing the way we drink wine (and beer!)
The month of March is all about celebrating women with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021. As one of the top viticultural regions, Napa Valley is known for its sprawling vineyards, historic wineries and towns that dot the countryside. It is also home to many women who have made names for themselves throughout the area. To name a few, Elaine St. Clair is the only woman in the U.S. to hold the commercial title of both winemaker and brewer. Kathryn Walt Hall is the force behind HALL Wines and WALT Wines in St. Helena and has been in the Napa wine industry for almost five decades, having also worked as an attorney, community activist, and as the United States Ambassador to Austria. During her 40-year tenure in Napa Valley winemaking, Heidi Barrett, who known as “The First Lady of Wine” is behind California’s most notable cult wines, including Screaming Eagle, which has a starting price of $700 a bottle. Today she’s co-founder of her own label, Barrett & Barrett, where she continues to produce some of the top Cabernet Sauvignons.

 

 

yoga, rhinos, and dark skies: ampr now representing andbeyond

February 19th, 2013

We are proud to announce  andBeyond as our newest client.  andBeyond is a leader in luxury experiential travel and a conservation pioneer offering well-heeled travelers diversity, escape, and natural heritage.

New & Noteworthy

  • In the first private game reserve donation of rhinoceros to another country, andBeyond is translocating six white rhinoceros from andBeyond South Africa to Botswana.  South Africa lost 668 to illegal poaching last year;  Botswana offers excellent security systems to protect the endangered species.
  • andBeyond is currently offering honeymoon travelers a 50 percent discount on the bride’s travel across all &Beyond lodges.  Highlighted locations include:  andBeyond Mnemba Island where guests can swim with dolphins and watch green turtles hatch before they swim off to sea; and andBeyond Kichwa Tembo, located in one of the richest and most diverse wildlife areas in the world.
  • The Homestead at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal is now offering Yoga Safaris.  Other speciality safaris include  family, photography, birding, and wildlife tracking. (more…)

sibarth’s new managing director, ashley lacour

October 9th, 2012

When the Who’s Who on St. Barth wants the latest dish on where to go and what to see – Ashley Lacour is the man with the answers.  And, when first-time visitors need advice on how to navigate the island, Ashley is the man they trust.  He is part of the long tradition of in-the-know hospitality that is Sibarth, a luxury villa rental agency on St. Barth.

A St. Barth native and the son of founders Brook and Roger Lacour, Ashley has been named Managing Director of Sibarth.

In his new post, Ashley will oversee all Sibarth operations, including launching a new loyalty program for its clientele as well as creating a comprehensive island guide available to Sibarth guests that explores celebrated landmarks and uncovers every hidden gem.  These services are in addition to the already expansive customer-focused offerings, including: an experienced, resident concierge team; the only on-site, full-time airport kiosk and arrivals specialists; and 24-hour response team.

Ashley brings insider knowledge of St. Barth that can only come from those who call the island home, not a business venture.   “When our family business was established in 1975, my parents believed that villa rentals were the best way to preserve the charm and intimacy of the island, giving guests a genuine St. Barth experience and discouraging the development of large, impersonal hotels.  I am proud to be a part of something so influential and so special in preserving this culture,” says Lacour.

While imitators have attempted to capitalize on the Lacour legacy and success, Sibarth continues as the heirloom brand. With Ashley Lacour now at the helm and a team of more than two dozen employees who live on the island and know it as their home, Sibarth ensures exceptional service and a personal touch.

“The mission of Sibarth has always been to offer our guests experience the real, authentic St. Barth.  I am steadfast in my commitment to uphold our high standards of hospitality and continually exceed the expectations of our clientele,” says Ashley.

Local Favorites…

Favorite Sports:  As a young child, Ashley learned to windsurf on the turquoise waters of St. Barth and remains passionate about the sport.

Favorite Hiking Trail:  A very secluded trail to St. Barth’s natural pools accessibly lies at the west end of the beach at Grand Fond.

Favorite Job:  Ashley was once the St. Barth island postman.

Favorite Practice:  Having studied Holistic Healing, Ashley manages Sibarth from a place of balance and harmony.

Favorite Croissant:  Locals are loyal to Petite Colombe in Lorient; best to arrive in the early morning.

Ashley continues to live on St. Barth with his partner in life and business, Kristina Popova, Sibarth Marketing Director.

More on Sibarth…

The Sibarth brand stands behind the quality of more than 150 exquisite St. Barth villas – ranging from charming one-bedroom hideaways to luxurious eight-bedroom estates.  Villas are available island-wide, from the mountain tops of Lurin and Vitet to the streets above Gustavia to the beaches of St. Jean and Flamands.

 

win a trip to sunny santa fe

September 28th, 2012

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year, not only in Santa Fe but everywhere! The clear blue fall skies make the perfect backdrop and make every color seem more dramatic, from the burning gold of changing leaves to the flowering autumn perennials and the bright orange of falls favorite vegetable, the pumpkin. Every scene is breathtakingly beautiful, making it a photographer’s favorite season.

To celebrate its favorite season, the Inn on the Alameda is inviting photographers of all kinds to enter their autumn glories in its Facebook Photo Contest, where one evocative image will win its creator a two-night stay in a Deluxe King Room with a fireplace at the Inn! Simply post one colorful autumn picture on the Autumn Photo Contest tab, which will be activated and live on the Inn’s Facebook page beginning on Friday, October 5th. The contest runs for only 10 days, so be sure to get that photo up by end of day on October 14. The image with the most Facebook “likes” will win their own two-night stay at the cozy Inn in Santa Fe.

Now, put on your boots and fall jackets, grab your camera (whether it’s your iPhone or professional Nikon!), and start snapping some colorful autumn pictures!

what you need to know about st. barth

August 29th, 2012

Alice Marshall Public Relations is pleased to announce Sibarth as our newest client.  Sibarth offers luxury villa rentals in St. Barth, French West Indies.

Did you know that…

…tucked away on Rue du General De Gaulle is an artisanal rhumerie that will offer tastings to visitors?

…Fostokjian in St. Jean is the coiffeur of choice for parties and events?

…only on Sunday afternoons, La Gloriette on the beach serves fabulous Conch Fricassee?

Sibarth knows, because it is the St. Barth authority. Owned by island “natives,” it is the key for travelers looking for insider knowledge and access; insider knowledge that can only come from those who call the island home, not a business venture.

In 1975, Brook and Roger Lacour established Sibarth as the first villa rental company on the island, virtually the foundation of tourism in St. Barth. They saw villas as the best way to preserve the charm and intimacy of the island, giving guests a genuine St. Barth experience and discouraging the development of large, impersonal hotels.

While imitators have attempted to capitalize on the Lacour legacy and success, Sibarth continues as the heirloom brand. With Ashley Lacour now at the helm, with a team of more than two dozen employees who live on the island and know it as their home, Sibarth ensures exceptional service and a personal touch. From an experienced, resident concierge team, the only on-site, full-time airport kiosk and arrivals specialists to reservationists and 24-hour response team, Sibarth services are never outsourced. The Lacour’s have built a reputation for providing in-the-know hospitality.

The Sibarth brand stands behind the quality of more than 150 exquisite St. Barth villas – ranging from charming one-bedroom hideaways to luxurious eight-bedroom estates.  Villas are available island wide, from the mountain tops of Lurin and Vitet to the streets above Gustavia to the beaches of St. Jean and Flamands.

Have a look:  www.sibarth.com Are you planning anything related to the Caribbean, St. Barth, holiday travel?  Would love to tell you more.

avoid stress and prepare for ‘surprise’ hotel fees

July 30th, 2012

The end of your vacation should leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on the world.  Don’t let checking out the hotel on your way home negate all of that hard-earned relaxation, especially when you find those pesky “surprise fees” on your bill! We’ve put together a list of the top “surprise fees” to prepare you for your next vacation and help you to avoid checkout woes. Here are our top fees to look out for:

– Some hotels charge an extra fee for the use of a minifridge, even if you’re using it to store your own food. An alternative:  Make your own mini-fridge by stocking up on ice from your floor’s ice machine and keep your items in this makeshift cooler!

– When staying in a big city or remote resort location, parking is a common issue.  However, some hotels use a mandatory valet service.  Your car may be more secure in the hotel’s garage; but if you don’t want to pay – look for independent lots in the area.

– It is uncommon today for a hotel not to have wifi.  But some will charge you for access to log into their wifi connections.  Our advice? It’s vacation! Maybe you can leave your laptop off and use the lobby computers for any emergencies.

Want learn about more hotel fees that may be added to your bill?  Click here to read what SmarterTravel.com’s Caroline Morse has discovered!

 

Categories

Archives