Chaírete,

On a last-minute whim, I decided to head to Greece for a week as I began 2018. Knowing I would find fewer tourists and a different climate than I had on my past summer trips was part of the decision-making process. I had also decided to stay in Athens. I’d always passed through, taken a jaunt up the Acropolis, done a few things around the city, but had never actually come to visit Athens as my ultimate destination. This time things are different. I found a “historic” hotel for myself. When I say historic and place it in quotes, that’s sort of me rolling my eyes. In Greece, there is very little that one can call historic without it actually being ancient. This is the home of that well known landmark that dates to 5th-century B.C…. so, there’s that.

Let me rephrase. I selected a hotel that had been family run for three generations. Old enough. I was drawn to this hotel because of it remained true to its core values. The Margi was also welcoming, sophisticated, and charming. These were the qualities I sought out for this trip and it turned out to be a just the right fit. The history of the Hotel is strongly linked to that of the Athenian Riviera, which first emerged as a vision in the early ’60s. Doctor Yancos Stavridis, supported by his wife Katy, was the founder of The Margi Hotel and one of the men who shared the vision of creating an Athenian Riviera. A complex of 18 luxury apartments in 1964 began to be erected which now stands at 89 guestrooms. They were lovely. I wasn’t longing for the sea, having just returned from a cruise holiday, but I always like to know it is nearby. From my balcony, there was a perfect view out to the Mediterranean Sea. Although not longing to be on the water, my thirst to soak in water was and is always present. That was easily satiated by a dip in the pool; such a cozy oasis. Beyond the walls of the pool area, lay lush greenery that clung to the hillside.

The only thing I am clinging to re the memories of being still for a week. Me, the Margi, their spa, the pool, and access to all my culinary favorites, like authentic Greek cooking, were easily accessible at my five dining options. No climbing to see the Parthenon or running to find souvenirs around town, I was still and tranquil. Now, as I fly back across the pond, I am ready to embrace 2018.

Ta léme sýntoma, (see you soon)

Hannah

www.themargi.gr/welcome

Hello hello…

As the old marketing saying goes, “It’s better in the Bahamas” even when it’s raining. Ok, I added that last bit because I arrived amidst two storms, one was the flurry of a Victoria’s Secret photo shoot (pipe down, I can see you getting all excited) and the other was an actual weather occurrence. It seems needless to say, but I shall say it anyway: the gorgeous pink sand beaches being caressed by the ebb and flow of the sandy-blue waters became muted by the storm that appeared to sit just offshore for hours, but its winds thrust gallons of water on onto the island while its menacing wall of darkness played a game of Ring Around the Rosie with the shoreline. All of this may sound like a horrible start to a perfectly planned trip to stay at Coral Sands Hotel in the heart of Harbour Island, it is not.  My oceanfront cottage, Sea Breeze, gave me the perfect front row setting to watch this show. As the waves came roiling in, I could sit cozily on my verandah and sip champagne with an uninterrupted view. A slight shift of my gaze to my left and Beach Bar is playing host to the photo shoot crew because, well, what better time to meet over Bahamian cocktails like the Goombay Smash? Their Goombay Smash has an extra ingredient not found in others you may have imbibed. Not spilling that detail here, you’ll have to come visit and try one for yourself. With the three-mile long beach a little wetter than they might need for catalogue photos, they soldier on in anticipation of a break in the weather. Not many of the models are joining them as I think they must be up the hill in the newly renovated gym or poking around in the gift shop.

The “common areas” of this hotel are anything but common.  The red billiard table is a solid exclamation mark amidst all the stark white walls and dark wood floors. In about ten minutes I plan on sauntering up to the main building to see if I can strike up a game with one of the guests. I haven’t played in years, but with yet another bar right behind the table, I can either swallow my pride with a great wine from the extensive list; I am leaning towards Chateauneuf-du-Pape Saint Comes, ’11  or shoot down some liquid courage before the first break with a jolt from something a little stronger and to the point. I’ll let you know how that turns out, or…Ok, ok, I went the wine route. It seemed more civilized and that’s the vibe of this hotel. Coral Sands oozes hip sophistication. I think it has no other choice than to be this juxtaposed mashup. Being over 300 years old can do that to a place. The hotel is only 60, with a total redux making it ever-so current, but Dunmore Town, where it sits, was once the capital of the Bahamas and has been described as an odd collision of New England coziness and the colorful Caribbean.The mix is intoxicating, from its colors, its people, scents and sounds. There is something very distinct about this piece of the Bahamas.

Predictable would be a word used for some other hotels, but everything about the hotel is a little better than expected and the only thing that one can predict is that planning ahead is sometimes (oftentimes) not going to work. Take for example the idea of a fresh catch of the day done daily.  We are sat directly on the shores of some of the world’s best fishing. This is great in concept but when storms arise,such as the one today, there’s very little chance—if at all— that any local fisherman will go out to catch, and we all know how “predictable” the weather can be, and that’s just a smallexample and one reason the chef keeps the menu flowing.  He works with what he can get the best and freshest ingredients. Coral Sands is prepared to wow every guest who walks through its black and white oversized-tile entrance in classic island style. That’s style is with a welcoming smile, genuine warmth, and Bahamian hospitality. Come see for yourself.

See you soon,

Peta

Hello from two destinations that seamlessly blend into one,

Nestled in the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico Cabo San Lucas has long been known to attract A-listers hailing from its close neighbor, California. Often overlooked is San Jose del Cabo, where surprisingly all the farm-to-table, small luxury and cultural magic is happening. San Jose del Cabo is a mere 20 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) and what was once considered a small, charming Mexican village is experiencing a cultural and gastronomic revival. First stop, Flora Farms, the farm-to-table eatery that got plenty of buzz when Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo celebrated their nuptials there in 2014. Flora’s, for short, offers visitors a Pinterest-like world complete with 10 acres of organic herbs and vegetables, a modern-day farm house and a small grocery store. Travel for the views and stay for Flora’s Field Kitchen’s wood fire pizzas, homemade sausages and ice cream cart. Flora’s neighbor, Huerta Los Tamarindos is an understated 17-acre orchard putting flavor before fanfare. Think sweet, plump tomatoes and the aroma of basil and lemongrass filling the air with every bite. Sink your teeth on their perfectly cooked lamb and savor their shrimp jicama taco. For a full immersion, sign up for a four-hour cooking class. Then, there’s the cool kid on the block, Acre, a 25-acre farmland turned swanky oasis. Acre offers a restaurant, cocktail bar, event space, locally-sourced design, plenty of Instagrammable spaces and now, your very own Tree House. Come for the Beso de Katrina cocktail (mezcal, hibiscus, pineapple and oregano) and stay the night at one of the 12 tree houses in the making.

Although the countryside might be stealing the show, the town of San Jose is very much alive. Local bar, Mixology Fusion Bar offers creative libations al fresco. Catch Sebas, one of the best bartenders in town, if you can. He has been spotted at the bar but is a bit of a nomad who prepares whimsical concoctions and can even read your cocktail mood. For authentic, home-style fine dining stop by Casa San Jose 23400. The colonial-style house’s kitchen is led by Chef Ulises Gouze who is known for his cuisine without boundaries. On the menu, tuna avocado tartar, duck carnitas, chorizo and scallop taco, prawn aguachile, lamb with epazote and charbroiled octopus.

The older, more sophisticated brother, Cabo San Lucas is also having a transformation of its own, one complete with luxury real estate, private butlers and one-of-a-kind lavish experiences. Once known for its party scene, the town is now attracting a different crowd and dropping big hospitality names like Montage, Rosewood, The Ritz Carlton, Nobu, Four Seasons, Le Blanc and Greg Norman. The latter will be debuting his first real estate endeavor in the luxury community of Rancho San Lucas located in Cabo’s Pacific side late 2018. Other luxury developments in the area include Quivira, Diamante and the spectacular Chileno Bay. Cabo San Lucas has experienced an increase of 884 new hotel rooms in 2017 and expects a total of 4,353 new rooms in the next two years.

Next time you think Cabo, think twice.

Until next time,

Amy

Greetings from the Indian Ocean,

As I sit and sip Ceylonese tea here at Amari Galle, I am reminded of the lengthy and intimate history of this warming beverage. Sri Lanka’s tryst with tea began in 1867 when British-born James Taylor planted the first crop of Ceylon tea, which is now renowned worldwide. Still one of the world’s top tea-producing countries, Sri Lanka celebrates 150 years of Ceylon tea showcasing as many as 28 different grades from various elevations, from the highlands of the central province to the lower-lying southern province where I am located at Galle.

The Amari Galle recently opened and has me in a fantastic locale where I can celebrate the rich history of Ceylon tea by indulging in the signature Galle Ceylon Retreat Package at Breeze Spa. The treatment, designed exclusively for Amari Galle. The decadent treatment starts with a full body tea leaf scrub infused with aromatic cinnamon and vanilla, followed by a massage that combines Thai and Ayurvedic techniques. These are some of my favorites. In a state of total relaxation and in love with the fragrances that lingered on my body and wafted up to my nostrils, I strolled back to my suite. With direct sea-views from my suite, I settle in on my terrace with a cup of Ceylon tea and the sound of the waves, as I sink deeper into a state of total relaxation. 

Tomorrow is another day for me to explore tea plantations and ancient Buddhist ruins. Sri Lanka is one of my new favorite destinations. I will have to explore and share field notes with you after my trek. There is a slight chance that I may get caught up in ta and follow the trail that Amari has created. I’ll fill you in if I end up in China sipping a soothing cup of osmanthus tea at their Amari Yangshou or in Malaysia having some Teh Tarik, the local expression for ‘pulled-tea’, the country’s iconic drink, at Amari Johor Bahru. Whichever direction the wind takes me, I will keep you posted.

Pinkies up,

Gina Hines