Hotels

Bryant Park. Photo via UnsplashIt is easy to miss New York City’s Park Terrace Hotel if you’re not looking for it: glass exterior, modest signage, and a somewhat businesslike look. Inside, the tone shifts to clean design andlight-filled spaces. There’s a quiet confidence here—modern, but not sterile; stylish, but not scene-y. Think Scandinavian minimalism meets Fifth Avenue polish. The hotel’s decisive selling point is that it’s located directly across from Bryant Park, one of New York City’s prime oases. To wake to this green expanse is pure Big Apple magic.You’ll want to grab your cup of Nespresso coffee (offered in-room)…

All Images Credit Another PlaceI have to admit that I was a bit afraid of jumping into a freezing cold lake, especially at night, all but paralyzed by the thought of what might be lurking beneath the surface.  My mind races, half-jokingly imagining the Loch Ness Monster’s distant cousin lurking somewhere in the depths. But still, off we go into the dark, frigid waters, the chill biting at our skin. Thankfully, our wetsuits serve as armor against the cold, a reassuring shield as we step deeper into the unknown. Colin, our guide and a seasoned open-water swimmer, reassures us calmly:…

Desert chic style at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho MirageThe Greater Palm Springs area offers no shortage of options when it comes to rest and relaxation but The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage stand outs thanks to its striking blufftop setting that rewards with views over Coachella Valley and a serene sense of seclusion – despite being just a short drive from great restaurants, shopping and golf courses. Dark skies ideal for stargazing and a Veuve Clicquot partnership that ramps up the poolside glamour, among other guest experiences and perks, add to the appeal. With the completion of a two-year, multi-million-dollar remastering across guest rooms, poolscapes…

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & SpaOne of the most luxury desert resorts in Greater Palm Springs is the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. It is also one of the most romantic properties in Palm Desert.  Set on 450-acres, the distinctive property offers picturesque boat rides on waterways, a relaxing wellness spa, multiple romantic dining venues, exciting wildlife viewing opportunities and spacious guest rooms providing panoramic golf course, majestic mountain and cooling water views. Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & SpaNear the renowned golf course designed by architect Ted Robinson is a romantic proposal site.…

Columbia HillenHospitality heaven doesn’t get much closer than an elegant suite in central Paris with panoramic views over the City of Light with the Eiffel Tower a shining beacon in the night. That’s the delightful situation I found myself in at Hotel Balzac, a member of the Relais & Châteaux group, nestled at the corner of Rue Lord Byron and Rue Balzac beside Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Columbia HillenA tiled balcony with clear views over the city skyline ran the entire length of my suite, 601, with enough room for a table and four cushioned chairs at one end and a…

The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa lobbySet along a wide, quiet bend in the Sacramento River, The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa offers a surprisingly elegant escape just minutes from the heart of California’s capital. With views that stretch across the water, this riverside hotel makes a compelling case for a getaway that’s both close to nature and comfortably upscale. Recently refreshed with a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Westin blends crisp, modern design with spacious interiors. Light and airy common areas invite instant relaxation, and spacious guest rooms are thoughtfully outfitted with Westin’s signature Heavenly Beds, large flat-screens, coffee service, and…

Fringed by the golden sweep of Ka'anapali Beach and set against the backdrop of the Pacific’s hypnotic rhythms, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa enters 2025 with quiet grandeur, celebrating 45 years of pioneering hospitality. With cascading pools, meandering wildlife habitats, immersive tropical gardens and Maui’s only oceanfront spa, the 810-room hotel is a sanctuary of inspired design and aloha spirit. To mark this milestone, the resort is unveiling an anniversary package that blends value with indulgence. Guests are invited to enjoy 15% off standard room rates, a tranquil daily breakfast at the open-air Swan Court and a $45…

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria ResortWhen the Grand Wailea opened in 1991, it set a new standard for luxury hospitality in Hawaii. A bold realization of a dream by Japanese developer Takeshi Sekiguchi to create a resort that honored art, nature and the spirit of Maui. Set on 40 acres of landscaped but still wild-feeling botanical gardens, the resort quickly became a landmark—not just for its scale, but for its soul. More than 30 years later, the Grand Wailea just emerged from a $350 million renovation that feels more like a careful evolution than a dramatic overhaul. Sekiguchi’s personal $40 million…

Courtesy of Anantara Palais Hansen ViennaAnantara Palais Hansen Vienna has emerged from a glamorous refresh, marking a new era of urban hospitality in the Austrian capital and the official debut of the brand in the country. Designed by the celebrated architect Baron Theophil Edvard von Hansen for the 1873 World’s Fair, the heritage palace now stands as the city’s first urban luxury resort, where history and modernity are in constant dialogue. Originally built as a hotel, the storied landmark later served as a residential complex and a public administration building, before returning to its hospitality roots in 2011. With over…

Columbia HillenIt’s the sheer dimensions of the formidable JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel that capture one’s imagination - a vast double-tiered open lobby and first floor embraced by broad sweeping polished marble staircases that seem straight out of a romantic movie with two huge cupolas above cascading natural light everywhere.  Columbia HillenThe 5-star hotel’s conference facilities are also unmatched in Romania’s hospitality sector with a multitude of rooms of various sizes, ballroom and smaller, many named after Romanian cities such as Brasov, Braila, Ploiesti and Oradea. A series of colorful wedding cakes behind glass cabinets attests to the popularity of the hotel…