Hotels

Oceana's Sunset Terrace is the heart of this California coastal hotelFrom my guest suite at Oceana Santa Monica, I can see the Pacific stretching wide, the palms along Palisades Park swaying in a breeze that smells faintly of salt and eucalyptus. Cars hum quietly along Ocean Avenue below, and with my curtains drawn open, I can survey the entire scene: the winding bike path, the afternoon light dancing on the water. It feels both cinematic and personal. There are only a handful of hotels in Los Angeles that offer this level of ocean proximity. Oceana doesn’t just overlook the beach; it…

The Sovereign has long drawn the eye with its white stucco walls, red-tile roof, and wrought-iron balconies, sunlight flickering across its façade as palm fronds sway in the breeze. It evokes an era when Santa Monica was discovering its signature seaside style. Built in 1928, the building began life as a residential retreat, offering tenants both proximity to the ocean and the comforts of home. For years, the Spanish Colonial Revival landmark was admired from the street, its doors reserved for residents. Now, with the introduction of short-term stays, The Sovereign is newly revealed as a refined hotel alternative to Santa Monica’s…

Cynthia DialImagine a stay in London’s quiet, exclusive City of Westminster and waking to a walk of mere blocks to Buckingham Palace. Imagine afternoon tea beneath a portrait of Queen Elizabeth and evening cocktails in a bar with WWII spy connections. In short, imagine St. Ermin’s Hotel www.sterminshotel.co.uk. Cynthia DialA bit of backstory. Years before today’s perfectly renovated showplace was transformed from yesteryear’s hotel of intrigue, I was a guest. So, for me, this stayover was like revisiting an old memory. Much of St. Ermin’s had changed, including in-room cast iron radiators, which had doubled as clothing heaters during my long-ago…

Populus Seattle entryMany hotel brands tend toward uniformity. But Populus stands apart. The carbon-positive collection from developer Urban Villages is neither defined by a single design style nor tethered to a formulaic guest experience. Instead, each Populus hotel is built as a reflection of its city, rooted in local culture, inspired by its natural surroundings, and grounded in a radical commitment to environmental stewardship. The result: properties as different as Seattle’s forest-infused landmark in Pioneer Square and Denver’s aspen-inspired, new-build downtown. One leans into adaptive reuse, layering greenery and art into a century-old structure. The other is an architectural statement…

The Rooftop at Hotel Mousai Cancun. Photo Jill WeineinSitting up on the rooftop of Hotel Mousai Cancun with an icy margarita is a wonderful way to start a Mexico vacation. The one-year new boutique resort overlooks Isla Mujeres and six different shades of blue Caribbean Sea. It's an adult-only property that appeals to honeymoon couples, babymooners and those seeking a romantic getaway.  This luxury resort offers 88 spacious oceanfront suites, international dining venues, quiet swimming pools, and an array of fitness and wellness programs. Suite View Terrace. Photo Jill WeinleinGuests can choose from a range of nine elegant suite categories that…

The Eliza JaneSet in a transformed 19th-century printing house, The Eliza Jane channels industrial romance through exposed beams, vintage details, and courtyard charm. Centrally located just steps from the French Quarter, The Eliza Jane offers travelers a tranquil place to rest their head after an action packed day in New Orleans! A Storied History The Eliza Jane weaves history into its design. The hotel was built into a series of historic warehouses, once home to The Daily Picayune newspaper, and is named for Eliza Jane Nicholson, the first female publisher of a major metro newspaper. Ms. Nicholson inherited The Daily…

Image Courtesy of Château de FonscolombeIf Provence had a way of showing off, it would look a lot like Château de Fonscolombe. Nestled between Sainte-Victoire and Mont Ventoux, just a short drive from Aix-en-Provence, this 5-star Relais & Châteaux gem balances sophistication with ease. Sun-dappled courtyards, hidden salons, and terraces made for lingering afternoons invite you to pause, sip something crisp, and pretend this has always been your corner of Provence. Glamorous yet intimate, timeless yet approachable—it’s the kind of place that makes you fall, effortlessly, a little in love. Image Courtesy of Château de FonscolombeIf any season deserves a…

In the bustling city of Makkah, where the ancient reverence of the Holy City meets contemporary elegance, Makkah Hotel and Towers stands as a testament to unrivaled luxury and sophistication. Recently acclaimed as the Best Luxury City Hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, this distinguished establishment has set a new benchmark for lavish comfort in the region. From its sumptuous accommodations to its world-class amenities, Makkah Hotel and Towers offers an extraordinary experience that caters to discerning travelers seeking convenience with a high-end experience. A Jewel of Makkah Makkah Hotel and Towers is a sanctuary where luxury…

The MET HotelSometimes, a place just needs to be “put on the map.” Once a place is so called discovered, a tornado of tourist fanfare can happen. Iceland had such a discovered moment a decade and a half ago, as did Cuba once the US allowed Americans to easily travel to the once closed off island. Perhaps Bolivia is about to be put on the map, too.  “We got on TIME Magazine’s 100 places to visit, and that was our moment,” said Fernando Rodriguez, founder of Panorama Hospitality Group and owner of the MET Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia. “Then right after, Mr.…

Columbia HillenSo discreetly located is Dublin boutique hotel, Number 31, I was momentarily lost disembarking from my taxi wondering if I was in the right place. Tucked away up a narrow mews off busy Leeson Street with a cloak of Virginia creeper draping the hotel’s outside wall, only a solitary sturdy wooden door with a big bright brass knocker indicated what lay beyond.  Such discretion emanated all the hallmarks of a classic urban retreat.  Columbia HillenOccupying a renovated Georgian townhouse on Fitzwilliam Place on Dublin’s Georgian Mile, believed to be the longest Georgian street in the world, Number 31 comprises…