As the saying goes, Bienvenido a Miami! And welcomed you will feel, from the moment that you step foot into this beautiful and vibrant city.
There are so many incredible places to stay within Miami but I recommend making Faena Hotel Miami Beach your home when visiting.
The property is a visual delight that combines bright red velvet hues, gilded columns, colorful murals, tiger prints, beautiful chandeliers, contemporary art and many other bold design details.
Art is literally everywhere and one of my favorite pieces was the nine-foot, gilded skeleton of a wooly mammoth, encased in glass. You can’t miss it!
The property features 169 spacious and beautifully decorated rooms and suites that start at 400 square-feet.
Each room has custom designed rugs, paintings, and luxurious bathrooms.
Every room has it’s own private balcony and some have incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.
There is a relaxing spa on-site called the Tierra Santa Healing House and it is a 22,000 square-foot sanctuary with shaman-developed healing rituals for the body as well as facial treatments. There is also a gym on property that offers specialized yoga classes.
There are three restaurants at the hotel – Los Fuegos, Pao & Veranda and they all serve inventive cuisines from award-winning chefs.
At the edge of the property is an amazing pool that is just a few short steps away from the Atlantic Ocean.
The beaches in front of Faena are absolutely beautiful and stretch as far as the eye can see with crystal blue water that is perfectly warm year-round. The hotel offers full beach service with lounge chairs, towels and food & drinks. The staff are extremely attentive and will take great care of you while you bask in the sun.
Faena is the place where the beautiful people come to play so be sure to spend one night soaking up everything that the property has to offer! Start with dinner at Pao and savor the delicious modern Asian cuisine crafted by award-winning chef Paul Qui.
From there, head over to the Faena Theatre.
Here you’ll enjoy C’est Rouge, an amazing cabaret-style show that beautifully blends tango, burlesque and acrobatic dance moves.
After the performance, stop by the Living Room lounge and enjoy a glass of wine and live music.
And finally, end your night at the Saxony Bar. This intimate space has a Great Gatsby vibe and serves time-honored cocktails. The line to enter can be long but because you’re a hotel guest you can bypass the wait. From start to finish, you’ll have had the perfect Miami night and without ever having left Faena!
Miami Beach is one of the few travel destinations within the United States that has such a rich and unique culture, it almost feels as if you’ve left the country. It’s definitely not to be missed. When you’re ready to book your stay at Faena Hotel Miami Beach please email me. We will make sure you that you are well taken care of!
Earlier this fall, I traveled to South East Asia and explored a handful of places including the beautiful country of Cambodia! While it’s slightly off the beaten path, and somewhat less visited than it’s neighboring country Thailand, it is a destination not to be missed!
History enthusiasts will no doubt fall in love with Cambodia because it is home to the Angkor complex, an archaeological site filled with temples dating back to the 9th century. You can spend hours and even days exploring the different sites and really tapping into your inner Tomb Raider!
Within the complex you will find more than 1,000 temples all of which are in various conditions. Some have been immaculately preserved and restored.
While others are crumbling or completely overgrown by trees.
Angkor Wat is the main temple within the complex and is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. It is truly stunning in both its grand scale and incredible detail. Wat, Bayon and Banteay Srei are two of the other very popular temples within the complex. Make sure to carve out enough time to visit all three!
When visiting Cambodia I would highly recommend making Amansara your home. Amansara is located in a tranquil suburb of the bustling city of Siem Reap.
It is set amongst beautiful gardens and was previously the guesthouse of King Sihanouk but in recent years it was completely restored and updated. Amansara’s location is ideal for visiting the Angkor complex as it located near the archaeological park.
Amansara offers unrivaled luxury, with twenty-four suites that have an open-plan living with finishes in terrazzo and timber.
All of the rooms have a very calming decor with light colors, private courtyards and state-of-the-art amenities.
Twelve of the suites also come with their own private pool.
When staying at Amansara you have private guides to take you to the temples. They know the best times to visit each place and how to best experience every location to have the least amount of crowds. We were the very first ones to the top of Angkor Wat which was such a highlight!
The resort has two swimming pools; an eighty-two foot lap pool and a twenty-five foot curved swimming pool with a sundeck. There is also a delightful roof garden and terrace, which is the ideal spot to unwind after a long day of exploring the temples.
Amansara has one of the most luxurious spas in all of Cambodia so make sure to carve out a day for relaxation and pampering.
Running parallel to a reflection pool, the spa is a tranquil sanctuary, where therapies make use of traditional Cambodian techniques and natural products. The spa offers many holistic therapies ranging from Reiki to energy rebalancing. Treatments also include a yoga session at sunrise, which makes for a complete and perfect day or relaxation.
There is an on-site restaurant serving Cambodian-centered cuisine and their menu changes daily with a focus on simple flavors, using organic produce directly from the local markets. For a unique experience, private dining is available at the resort’s rustic Khmer house at Angkor, where meals are prepared over charcoal to the sounds and sights of village life. Picnic breakfasts and lunches are also available at locations throughout the countryside as well as on the water. And finally, private dinners can be arranged inside one of the temples, accompanied by live musicians and dance performances.
Cambodia is a destination not to be missed and one that I am looking forward to returning to! If you’d like to start planning your honeymoon or vacation to Amansara please email me. We will make sure you that you are well taken care of!
The Greek Islands are one of those quintessential island destinations that continue to allure the most seasoned of travelers. My most recent visit took me to the the chic island of Mykonos. Located in the Aegean Sea the island is known for having a cosmopolitan atmosphere with its exciting nightlife, picturesque Cycladic architecture and magnificent beaches.
Mykonos can be a quiet and romantic destination for a couple looking to relax under the Aegean sun. There is no shortage of amazing beaches; some of my favorites included: Ornos, Paraga and Psarou.
Mykonos is also home to some of the best beach clubs that you’ll find anywhere in the world. Partygoers seeking world renowned DJ’s will delight in the amazing music scene. The beach parties usually start in the afternoon and can go all day long – some even lasting until sundown. There are quite a few beach clubs to choose from but my favorite three are: Nammos , Scorpios, and Sol y Mar.
Mykonos has amazing hotel options but I recommend making the Bill & Coo Coast your home when visiting the island. Bill & Coo Coast is a boutique, 5-star hotel on ten beautiful, beachfront acres.
The hotel is in a quiet and secluded beachfront location that feels removed but is only a short ten minute drive from the town. They also have a sister property located in town, Bill & Coo Suites & Lounge and a complimentary shuttle runs throughout the day that can take you back and forth.
The property has very modern and chic décor but it still feels Greek. Each suite is decorated in an elegant style, with neutral tones and complemented by thoughtful amenities like enormous beds, crisp white fabrics and ultra-modern furnishings.
There are fifteen expansive and well-appointed suites overlooking the sea, five of which have their own private pool.
The hotel has a beautiful pool as well as a private beach area with a lounge bar that serves Mediterranean inspired cuisine and signature cocktails. The property also has some very unique service amenities such as providing each guest with a cell phone so that they are able to contact the hotel staff at anytime if there is something that they need or want.
For dining, you have the option of enjoying a candlelight dinner under the moon or in the privacy of your suite from the set menu at Taverna. Finally, if you are seeking a fine-dining experience, you can enjoy the delicious food served at the signature gourmet restaurant at their sister property Bill & Coo Suites & Lounge. Both restaurants are run by award-winning chef Athinagoras Kostakos.
Mykonos is a destination not to be missed! If you’d like to start planning your vacation at Bill & Coo Coast please email me. We will make sure you that you are well taken care of!
I recently explored Utah where the state motto is “Life Elevated.” No two words better describe this beautiful untouched stretch of the American Southwest because everything from the landscapes, to the sunsets, to the amazing outdoor adventures, is taken to the next level! For those who like to keep busy, Utah is the dream destination with no shortage of activities from hiking to fishing to river rafting to mountain biking. Utah is also home to a handful of beautiful National Parks, offering some of the most unique landscapes and rock formations anywhere in the world.
Choosing where to stay will be the easiest decision that you make because everything will pale in comparison to Amangiri! Meaning “peaceful mountain,” Amangiri is part of the exclusive Aman Resorts hotel collection. Their destinations are renowned for their space and privacy and are meticulously designed to frame their natural settings. There are only two properties within the United States, one of which is the breathtaking Amangiri!
Amangiri is located in a secluded and private valley in Canyon Point and overall has a very unique look because it was built directly into the landscape.
The resort has 34 suites as well a four-bedroom accommodation, all of which have been designed to embrace the area’s raw aesthetic with clean lines, natural materials and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Each suite has a private outdoor lounge and fireplace providing incredible views of the desert’s unique rock formations.
A few suites also come with a private pool and a roof terrace offering full panoramic views.
The property has wonderful amenities to ensure that you relax and unwind while vacationing in the desert. There is a beautiful outdoor lounge with expansive views of the desert as well as a large pool that has been built directly into the rock formations.
The property also serves delicious food that is inspired by the American Southwest and made primarily from locally sourced ingredients.
And no trip to Amangiri would complete without a visit to the spa! The Amangiri spa has a relaxing ambience with candlelit hallways and spacious treatment rooms that overlook the desert and they offer unique treatments that reflect on the healing traditions of the local Navajos.
There are also fun activities for guests every night including campfire s’mores and stargazing! Be sure to spend an evening unwinding on the outdoor beds. They are a unique feature at Amangiri and the perfect way to stargaze in the desert.
Finally, make sure to take advantage of the amazing hikes and canyon tours that are in close proximity. Don’t miss their exclusive Via Ferrata hike with ladder rungs, fixed cables, and a 232 foot suspension bridge with the most stunning views!
Horseshoe Bend is also a must see but try and go early to avoid the crowds.
And finally don’t miss the 3-canyon tour visiting the famous slot canyons that takes you to Rattlesnake Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon and Owl Canyon.. They are amazing and truly a sight like no other!
Amangiri is the perfect destination for both a relaxing getaway or an adrenaline-fulled adventure. Please email me if you’d like to start planning your vacation at Amangiri. We will make sure you that you are well taken care of!
Photo credit: Scott Clark Photo
With harvest season just around the corner (late August to October), I decided to explore Sonoma County. Sonoma is a unique wine region with a slightly different feel than Napa. Tasting rooms in this region can range from simple and rustic to elaborate wine castles and with more than 425 wineries, miles of beautiful coastline, towering redwood forests, farm-to-table dining, and amazing boutique hotels and resorts, Sonoma makes for the perfect romantic getaway.
There are many options when visiting Sonoma from large resorts to boutique hotels but I recommend making the Farmhouse Inn your home when visiting wine country. It’s one of Sonoma’s most unique and luxurious properties and is located at the center of the Russian River Valley, surrounded by vineyards, redwoods and just minutes from the coast. The Farmhouse Inn is a 5th generation family-owned and run business with siblings Catherine and Joe Bartolomei currently managing the property. You’ll often find them on-site, handling the day-to-day operations.
The Farmhouse Inn offers 25 luxurious rooms & suites that come with private outdoor spaces, gas or wood burning fireplaces, steam showers, jetted bathtubs and unique décor that is both rustic and chic.
Guests of the Farmhouse Inn are given VIP access to 12 of the best wineries in Sonoma and after a long day of wine tasting you can come back and relax and unwind at the beautiful pool or enjoy the various fire pits and outdoor seating options.
There is a beautiful Spa that features bold architectural accents, richly textured hand-woven fabrics, and simple elegant furnishings. There is a full menu of services many of which utilize products and produce that are grown and harvested at The Farmhouse Inn. Local honey, herbs and heirloom cider apples are used in many of the treatments offered at the spa.
You won’t have to travel far to eat amazing food. There is a Michelin-starred restaurant on the property that features an ever-changing, farm-to-table menu, using ingredients from the Farmhouse Inn’s ranch as well as other local artisan farmers. Wine pairing options are also available and there is a special wine program that allows diners to taste local wines chosen to perfectly complement their meals.
The Farmhouse Inn combines the hospitality of a family-owned bed and breakfast, with the service and amenities of 5-start luxury hotel and is the perfect spot for a romantic and relaxing escape. Please email me if you’d like to plan a getaway to Sonoma. Harvest season sells out quickly so I recommend booking at least 4 months in advance.
