Swanky RetreatsBeyond the Beach

Bom dia,

I am loving sitting on the shores of the Indian Ocean in the southern Africa. This week we are vacationing at Azura Quilalea Private Island in Mozambique and embarking on an ocean safari adventure. From the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago Marine Sanctuary at Azura Quilalea Private Island, to the extraordinary sea life found at Azura Benguerra Island, both National Parks invite us to explore the ocean and uninhabited beaches surrounding both islands, with a multitude of activities to make lifelong memories. We brought the entire family on this journey, knowing the uniqueness of this island vacation. Our favorite family activity has been the ocean safari. We took part in everything from excellent diving sites, fun water activities, and whale -watching, to fishing for local species, educational guided marine walks, where crowds of ghost crabs scuttle by, and had a chance to take in a few incredible turtle sightings. These two 5-star Mozambican destinations helped us create unforgettable and extraordinary family memories.

I also took a few moments away at the villa to enjoy some alone time and then took full advantage of access to the boats on the island and dove right off one into the Indian Ocean, just to soak in it. As the sun set, we chose the perfect finish to our day by opting to use the Water Sports centers sunset sail on a dhow cruise, a time-honored tradition in Africa. From here we were able to witness the almost indescribable views as twilight set along the horizon while we enjoyed refreshments watching the simplicity of Mozambican life unfold on the shores as we sail by.

This is paradise.

Gina

This is an incredible private island escape and knowing how much I love Portuguese, it was an easy pick since the native language is Portuguese. Knowing how much I love the language made the choice to come all this way a little easier. I brushed up on old words and learned some new ones, all in this private island paradise.

In the Graubünden Mountains of Switzerland, the scent of pine hangs thick and sweet in the air, as summer fades to autumn. The screech of tires on tar while old-fashioned automobiles propel up the mountain in the Arosa Classic Car, dulls to a distant memory. Carp anglers who summer in the Swiss Alps flick their final lines into the undisturbed calm, fly-fishing the crystal clear waters of Lake Schwesilee one last time, then disperse.

Horses stomp in their stables at Fuhrhalterei, sensing the change in the season. Gardens of vegetables, herbs and wildflowers give way to the cold creeping over the peaks. Above the pistes, unpolluted precipitation patiently awaits the perfect moment to gently lay blankets of white over 140 miles of adjoined slopes in Arosa and Lenzerheide, bringing forth yet another season of unparalleled downhill and cross country skiing. It’s here, in the sleepy village of Arosa, that luxury travelers can uncover multiple hidden gems.

New in 2018 is the Valsana, a sporting hotel for backpackers and skiers seeking value accommodations opening December 7. Its sister property is the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a whimsical five star property operated by the Tschuggen Hotel Group, showcasing Swiss hospitality at its finest. This season, two new suites will be launched, offering the absolute best views and a spacious home away from home.

Exploring its halls, whispers of the past echo through the corridors of this property that was once a renowned health sanatorium in the 1800’s. Today, the hotel honors this history, with the promise of wellness from cuisine to spa. 100% clean eating and local sourcing for guests extends to all 6 dining venues, including its Michelin starred La Vetta restaurant.

Offsite, Alpenblick is another must-visit; in the evenings, roasting rabbits, Swiss wines and cheeses are served in a rustic-chic setting. For early risers, their farmhouse breakfast is also an unbelievably savory and sumptuous affair, in walkabl distance from the hotel.

For die-hard sporting enthusiasts, the hotel’s private Tschuggen Express lift allows for limited waits to hit the slopes. Renovated in the summer of 2017, each trip to the top is now more efficient and luxurious. At day’s end, skiing in and dining at The Basement is a perfect high-end comfort food option, surrounded by minimalist décor, soft lighting and rich wood furnishings.

The final gem, sparkling against the snow at sundown, is the hotel’s own Tschuggen Bergoase Spa; its glass exterior appears as galactic sails of a space ship, emerging from the foot of the mountain into which it is built. Inside its walls, constructed of Duke White granite stone from the Alps, Arosa rock, and Canadian Maple, eyes lift to take in all four flours of this unique retreat. Visitors will appreciate its rock grotto, bio sauna, private spa suites, Kneipp trails, and more. There’s no better way to relax weary bones after days spent on the slopes than inside this unique wellness haven, which hearkens to the destinations origins. Wish you were here!

Tschuggen Grand Hotel’s winter season is from November 30, 2017 – April 8, 2018.

Hello from the capital,

There’s an awful lot of buzz around Washington, D.C. these days. Maybe you’ve been paying attention and caught some of this fascinating news. In case you’ve missed it, which we have no idea how you could, here’s the skinny. The newly opened hotel, The Darcy is a stylish and upscale addition to the nation’s capital, located walking distance from Dupont Circle and the White House in the heart of Washington, D.C. The design-forward hotel draws inspiration from the fast-moving, cosmopolitan community around it, welcoming travelers with distinctive details, creative programming and local partnerships. This is good news coming from this area and we love being privy to it and are excited to share it with you.We think you’ll love it here. The design combines European-style elements of rich wood tones with pops of distressed metals and bright colors to create a high-end-yet-edgy vibe throughout. Each of The Darcy’s 226 rooms, including 37 suites, is at once tailored, clean and quiet, yet inspiring and fun. Thoughtful details include a focus on artwork, with bright, silhouetted profiles over bed headboards (a nod to the local tradition of portraiture), a menswear-inspired color palette of forest green and medium greys, and subtle nods to D.C., like botanical art prints and decorative pillows portraying city symbols such as cherry blossoms and magnolia trees. What really sets the property apart is its dedication to local partnerships. For business travelers or guests with last-minute occasions to attend, local menswear designer Read Wall has created The Darcy’s Haberdashery, a vintage trunk filled with accessories like ties and cuff links available to rent or purchase. The hotel’s innovative kids programming ensures a fun stay for all family members visiting The Darcy, including an ice cream truck play-tent set up in-room for families who book a suite and The Darcy’s “Gear Shop” outfitted with high-end strollers, bikes, scooters and more for exploring the neighborhood. The property also offers signature ice cream sandwiches and a backpack program, which lends out thoughtfully designed themed Darcy bags of maps and activities, like the “Darcy Detective,” “Hip Historian” and the “Mini Monet.” At the end of the day, guests can relax at either the nightly pop-up cocktail tasting in the hotel lobby, or by requesting the hotel’s “secret” cocktail cart and mixologist to come to your room; both the tasting and the cocktail cart feature local favorites Green Hat Gin and Element Shrub drinking vinegars. The onsite dining options tap local culinary talent as well, including Siren, a seafood-driven restaurant by acclaimed Chef Robert Wiedmaier, as well as Lil B Coffee & Eatery from Chef David Guas, with a New Orleans-inspired menu and style.

You’re going to enjoy yourself here. More to come…

Stephanie

You guys…

Maeva (welcome) to paradise. For us this is really a welcome back since we came to The Brando last year. The private island is so lovely that we could not stay away. Flying in from Los Angeles is a lengthy trip, but much shorter than when we flew in from New York once. Regardless of where you’re coming from, when you arrive, via a quick private jet trip from Tahiti, all thoughts are focused on this atoll of tranquility and luxury and all the attention of the staff is on you, leaving you with nothing to do but relax and enjoy. We did that from the moment our Ukulele strumming singer welcomed us to her home. This is the place so tranquil, secure and private that it is said that President Obama chose this island resort as a vacation spot after leaving office. I think that must have been after he went kite surfing with Sir Richard Branson. Anyway, you get the idea. This is the place to see and not necessarily be seen, but who are we kidding? The crystal clear blue waters, powdery white sand beaches and the private villas positioned around the island to give ultimate privacy offer the most delicious social media backdrops and foregrounds. Check our feed to see exactly what we mean. Marlon Brando had the foresight to know that this tiny landmass in the middle of the South Pacific was pure paradise. As I sit and sit cocktails at Bob’s bar, because the Ruinart champagne in my villa is what I do at sunset from my pool, I ponder my dinner options and Les Mutinés by Guy Martin wins out every time. This Michelin-worthy restaurant and world-class wine cellar are the best for my evening meals. I hear next year there’s the addition of a Teppanyaki table over at Beachcomber’s. Sigh…now I have yet another reason to come back to my South Seas paradise. Join us next year and explore this brilliantly orchestrated mostly self-sufficient eco-friendly luxury escape.
Let’s not say nana (goodbye) but rather see you soon.

All the best,

Peta