South Africa is celebrated for safaris and Stellenbosch wines, not spirits, but Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky beautifully channels Scotland’s national drink. Warm amber hue, toasted nut and tropical fruit aromas, satin-smooth and spicy on the palate: You’d swear you were in the Scottish Highlands not the Capelands. $29.99
Birch Coffee, which opened two more NYC branches in March – bringing the total to eight, sports major eco-centric wood. Tree pits are turned into seating at the new Hunts Point outpost, for example, and counters recycled from local stores. But it’s really bred in the bean, with the finest estates sourced world-wide then roasted in New York. www.birchcoffee.com
Don’t miss Hong Kong’s new hot spot for hot pot Kowloon-side: The Drunken Pot. Creative broths and quality ingredients combined with the requisite sake bombs give this chic and fresh new restaurant specializing in a time-old culinary tradition its cheeky name. www.thedrunkenpot.com
ExoLens transforms your mobile device into a compact professional-grade camera, complete with interchangeable lenses and tripod mount. We Leica for almost any Canon-shot. iPhone 6s ExoLens Kit: $129.95; iPhone 6s Plus ExoLens Kit: $149.95; Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge ExoLens Kit: $129.95. www.exolens.com
Drink in the panoramic views of the Chao Pharaya River and Bangkok skyline from Flûte: A Perrier-Jouët Bar, perched atop the 64thfloor of The Dome at lebua. Thai one on in style with Fleur and Petrossian caviar in the world’s highest alfresco Champagne bar. And that’s not just blowing bubbles out your…glass. www.lebua.com/the-dome
Your new favorite swim-shorts: Brazilian-inspired, London-based beachwear by Frescobol. The tonsorial detail in their design give any guy a polished look. Rock these all around the resort… and anywhere you want to turn heads! $214.21 www.frescobolcarioca.com/shop/swimwear/tailoredshorts.html
At a whopping 110 proof – something only the most talented bartenders (and drinkers) – can appreciate, Herradura’s latest tequila retains more agave flavor, causing a stir… in every sense. Sip neat or prepare the perfect margarita: Herradura Colección de la Casa Reserva 2015 – Directo de Alambique, limited time availability. $89.99.
Immidia’s international platform smartphone app/website (available in English, French, Spanish, and more) offers “yachting at your fingertips,” providing immediate personalized luxury lifestyle interaction on the ground, in the air and at sea… with real live people. Telephone or type exotic destinations like Dubai and Mykonos for your travel preferences. www.immidia.com
Banish the days of tangled cords in your luggage: The seamless Bluetooth capabilities of the sleek JBL Everest ELITE 700 noise-cancelling headphones change the energy of any environment so you can travel in tranquil style. $299.95. www.jbl.com
Overlooking the fishing village of Port Soller and surrounded by the Tramuntana mountain range, the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spahas unbeatable sunset views from various nooks, crannies and cushy lounges. Toast the end of a fabulous day with a soothing gin and tonic. Go early and stay late. www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/mallorca/jumeirah-port-soller-hotel-and-spa
Mix it up at Le Soleil D’Or on Cayman Brac which now offers villas, rooms in its great house boutique hotel, two locavore restaurants and a kitchen for cooking classes. Known for its organic farm, the intimate yet luxe resort includes accommodations on a powdery beach paradise with excellent snorkeling. From $320.www.goldensuncayman.com
- We’re mooning over Luna, a relaxing rooftop venue offering cocktails with cojones and a tapestry of tapas on tap, alongside equally tasty views of San Miguel de Allende’s ever-changing colors and iconic skyline of the La Parroquia, spires and bell towers. www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/san-miguel-de-allende/dining/luna-rooftop-tapas-bar
Foodie alert! The new Mussels ‘N’ Sausages in Astoria, Queens serves up the titular ingredients in unique international flavors and assortments, presented in Staub casseroles from owner Francis Staub’s former company. Creative craft cocktails and killer made-to-order apple tart help make this a spot even the most jaded Manhattanites will appreciate. 718-606-6532.
Further energizing Sydney’s cutting-edge, inner-city suburb Chippendale, the Old Clare Hotel boasts a troika of top toques with its latest unveiling, Michelin-starred Brit chef Jason Atherton’s Kensington Street Social. The hotel’s unconventional luxurious yet raw design cleverly adapts and combines two iconic heritage-listed structures; expect anything from pop-up markets to neo-pop art exhibits within. www.theoldclarehotel.com.au/
The glam, glittery 3,000 square-foot Prohibition bar in downtown Vancouver transports imbibers to the deliciously decadent Roaring Twenties, adding 21st-century glitz and – thankfully – substituting updated retro cocktails for bathroom gin (try the namesake Hotel Georgia). www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-georgia-vancouver/dining/prohibition
Tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Clara mountains near world-class vineyards, Rosewood CordeValle offers a lifestyle experience well above-par, whether you prefer challenging golf with stunning views, poolside lounging, sensuous spa treatments, or farm-to-table dining. From $389. www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/cordevalle-northern-california
Luxury travel that frees body and mind – Be Here, Be Now – is more than great advice. Puerto Rico’s St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort offers a new meditation experience set amidst their tranquil and stunning natural environment. World-renowned Michael Miller’s expert Vedic Meditation tips and techniques will easily transfer back home. From $800. www.stregisbahiabeach.com
Wine lovers, if you take a taste of your travels home, consider this unique modular storage design for your bottles. STACT is a functional wall rack that installs on any drywall surface. The perfect pairing of your wines and design. From $129 – $149. www.getstact.com
Who says modesty can’t have pizzazz? Tatjana Anika’s slinky cover-up shows off just the right amount of skin. Don’t worry that your suntan is being upstaged by your kaftan as you indulge in an afternoon by the pool… simply bask in the glow. $299. www.tatjana-anika.com
Your chance to dance – well, sleep – with wolves, while admiring the Northern Lights, has arrived. The new, rustic, classically Scandinavian Wolf Lodge in Narvik, Norway comfortably sits inside a wolf enclosure at Polar Park. Four-day, three-night “Night with the Wolves” Narvik itinerary from £2,299 per person (approximately $3,150 USD) based on four travelers. www.ILoveNorthernLights.com
Get your white-sand therapy at Anguilla’s new Zemi Beach House, where each suite boasts an oceanfront balcony. Relax in the spa set in a centuries-old imported Thai house on stilts and recharge island-style with locally caught and grown ingredients. From $699. www.zemibeach.com
Our Top 21, A-to-Z (Spring 2016)
AKA Times Square
What makes a hotel swellegant? It can be an amazing value for the price or OMG OTT luxury. Mostly it’s the indefinable sense of style that makes us swoon: swanky, swell and elegant.
pied-à-terre
ˌpjeɪdɑːˈtɛː,French pjetatɛʀ/
noun
noun: pied-à-terre; plural noun: pieds-à-terre
a small flat, house, or room kept for occasional use.
Once exclusively used by men who traveled often on business… or needed some out-of-the-way spot for other liaisons. But with the advent of multiple-choice options for where to stay when needing more space, or for periods longer than one night. Here’s a chic answer: It’s tagged as the Pied-a-terre on demand.
“AKA balances the style and hospitality of an intimate hotel with the space and comfort of a fully appointed luxury condominium. Designed for weekly and monthly stays, AKA stands for unparalleled metropolitan locations; signature design; and exceptional business, entertainment and lifestyle services.” They offer several, scattered in the most convenient urban environments around the U.S… and one across the Pond.
It’s not like home… unless home is sleek, well-appointed and within walking distance of all the action for the well-heeled traveler. The Times Square, Manhattan outpost screams “location, location, location.” It’s a great respite from the buzz of the theater district: an upscale choice with space to breathe, work out, collaborate and even enjoy a little elevated outdoor viewing from the 4th floor deck. A place to do and be exactly what you want, with the space to do it in.
If you’re planning a trip longer than a week, put this brand on the top of your list. Next stop…AKA Beverly Hills or London. Yes, they’re even there. www.stayaka.com
Sherry
I grew up with those famous Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry commercials in the ‘70s.
You remember them: A stylish, clearly executive woman with lush raven hair invites a
man back to her apartment for, gasp, a Harvey’s on the rocks. The brilliantly suggestive
marketing ploy established sherry as an adult, even naughty drink, a far cry from the
civilized swill usually associated with clerics and maiden aunts.
And in truth, sherry is hardly a light-bodied lightweight, but rather a fortified wine to be
savored and respected. After all, it originated in Andalucía, the lusty land that gave us
such passionate pursuits as flamenco and bullfighting. True sherry can only be made
within the golden triangle described by three sun-drenched towns: Jerez de la Frontera, El
Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. There sherry is treated like the wine
that it is, drunk throughout the meal as a fitting complement to the briniest creatures
coaxed from the deep, particularly shellfish and crustaceans, like the plump pink prawns
called langostinos.
The word sherry is an English corruption of Jerez, but in Spain, the golden elixir is
ordered by type: fino, manzanilla, amontillado, oloroso and palo cortado. Read more
Of Monaco, Massage and Miracle Therapies
My first sight of Monaco is via helicopter transfer on Monacair, one of several companies operating out of Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. The “bird” is dark navy, sleek, high-tech… almost military, like something out of a sequel to Black Hawk Down. We swoop down for a fairytale look at the fabled Principality, which – no surprise – resembles a movie set in waiting. And this, I learn, applies equally to Monaco’s glam glittering spa culture: at once Old World and newfangled, understated and state-of-the-art.
SBM (Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer) operates many of the lavish Belle Époque and Art Deco hotels, independent clubs and restaurants like Buddha Bar, and, of course, the famed Monte-Carlo Casino. The company’s own history is nearly as legendary as that of Monaco itself (indeed, Ari Onassis once owned the controlling interest).
SBM’s Hôtel de Paris and its three-star Michelin restaurant Louis XV, adjacent to the casino and delectably opulent Opéra de Monte Carlo, is perhaps the iconic address. But arguably even more exclusive is the Hôtel Hermitage, whose most celebrated element is Gustave Eiffel’s stained glass Winter Garden cupola: You can see the bones of his renowned tower in the graceful yet masculine vaulting.
Gleneagles, Scotland
Gleneagles, Scotland
For as long as I can remember I’ve been enamored of all things British, from Downing Street to
Downton Abbey. Nibbling a scone or sipping a single malt conjures images of spaniels and
shooting parties, of liveried footmen and libraries redolent of leather: an all-but-vanished era of
grandeur and privilege.
Happily for my romantic side, the fab, fabled Gleneagles Hotel, set amid 850 acres of glorious
Perthshire country, provides the kind of experience one nowadays expects only to find in
fiction. How prestigious and exclusive is the address? Gleneagles boasts its own train station,
which, as I decamp in the January mist, resembles something out of the Hitchcock classic, The
39 Steps. It’s a throwback to its origins as a palatial hotel built by the Caledonian Railway
Company in 1924, partly to service the existing golf courses, which opened five years earlier.
After an arduous journey, fraught with delays on the London-Glasgow train line, I’m grateful to
see Willie, the Gleneagles chauffeur, awaiting me at the station with a warm grin (but alas, no
warming flask). We pull up to Gleneagles in mere minutes. The main entrance is gratifyingly
imposing, but the welcome within utterly gracious. The hotel is sprawling, “only” 232
bedrooms including 26 suites, but it’s spread out over two wings. I’m staying in the more
modern annex that also houses the ESPA spa and Mediterranean restaurant Deseo, linked to the
main house by a luxurious retail arcade.
Gastronomic Gallivants
My first afternoon in Monaco I head for that bastion of the Belle Époque, the Hôtel de Paris, arguably the Principality’s most prestigious address, as eternally chic as Chanel’s little black dress. I order the signature cocktail – Le Borromeo – in the famed Bar Américain, whose mahogany moldings, marble tables, gold-tasseled damask curtains and black-and-white photos of celebrities still evoke the Gilded Age… no matter how many iPads and cell phones click and beep in the background.
Here the violently beautiful and merely wealthy – rock stars and Rockefellers, real and reel royalty – play at anonymity, violate personal trainers’ and nutritionists’ advice, and indulge in the occasional vice away from the paparazzi’s popping bulbs. As I leave, a sleek Bentley Mulsanne disgorges its cargo outside the grand Casino de Monte-Carlo: Two nouveau riche Russian emigrés, hiding behind Bvlgari sunglasses and bulldog bodyguards, wear willowy models like Rolexes on their arms. An elegant blonde of a certain age – nails freshly lacquered, hair perfectly coiffed à la Deneuve – walks a tiny white bichon frise, yapping madly, its collar of diamonds (larger than most engagement rings) glinting in the fading sun. They’re all on parade, even in winter. Monaco among many other things, is sublime people-watching. It’s pure living theater, at times of the absurd, but always invigorating – and don’t we love dining as entertainment?
Somerset Maugham famously dubbed the Cote d’Azur “A sunny place for shady people,” but in Monaco, at least, there is no chiaroscuro of the soul, merely the play of light and shadow across the mega-yachts in Port Hercule. Something I savor the next day on the terrace of L’Hirondelle, the lovely little gem tucked away in the Thermes Marins spa.
Goyard, the Ultimate in Sacks Appeal
When top toque Alain Ducasse needed a “chef’s trunk” to spirit his specialty kitchen equipment between far-flung culinary outposts, he approached France’s oldest malletier, Goyard, which began producing quality luggage and leather goods in 1853 (a year earlier than Louis Vuitton!). This exclusive retail equivalent of a three-star Michelin restaurant has long served an elite clientele – maharajahs to movie icons, Rockefellers to rock stars – that values impeccable craftsmanship and bespoke detail-work over flashy fashion-Fascist fads.
Goyard goods seem born to board the Queen Mary II and Orient Express; one imagines their trunks being unpacked for socialites in a James or Fitzgerald novel. Yet the brand originated with a humble Burgundian family specializing in floating wood. At the Industrial Revolution’s zenith, Edmé Goyard and his son, François, moved to Paris and joined Morel, a leading layetier emballeur (case manufacturer). Ardor and ability quickly earned François an associate position. Buying out his partner in 1853, he relocated to 233 rue Saint Honoré, opening Maison Goyard.
Visionary son Edmond gave Goyard its unique look and identity in 1892, stylizing the plain coated cotton-linen-and-hemp canvas that wrapped the trunks with a hand-painted interlacing chevron motif. Cognoscenti coveted this couture covering. Sarah Bernhardt, Sacha Guitry, the Maharajah of Kapurthala, César Ritz and John D. Rockefeller all traveled in Goyard style. Subsequent devotees included Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck and Pablo Picasso.
Swank Team
A
ndrew Innerarity
I PREFER TO LET THE IMAGES DO THE TALKING.
Ava Rosales
So, what’s the best part of traveling? Meeting new people and immersing myself in the culture!
Danielle Krause
Exploring the fascinating variety of this exquisitely beautiful blue planet nourishes and fulfills my spirit. Being able to delight and inspire you, by sharing some of these travel gems, is an even greater gift. Enjoy!
Dylan Benoit
I’m a chef with Champagne tast
George Andrews
On a constant mission to show my family the world moves on without them by constantly exposing them new cultures. We have seen New York, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Washington, Trinidad and Samoa. Can’t wait to add to the list.
Jeffrey Sobel
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller. With so much to see in this world there is no time for fear, so pack your bags and take a leap with me.
Jordan Simon
The professionally gruff waiters serving martinis amid the murals at Bemelman’s. Staying in Oscar Wilde’s suite at L’Hotel in Paris. These were my intro to swank: I still seek out those experiences, from a hidden locavore Aix bistro to a luxe tented camp on the Zambezi. Swanky is a lifestyle…and a state of mind.
Luis Jaime
“The journey is part of the experience – an expression of the seriousness of one’s intent. One doesn’t take the A train to Mecca.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Massimo Campana
Pack two hours before leaving for a trip…
Unpack three months after coming home…
Stephanie Malloch
In the last ten years I have lived in New York, Madrid and the Bay Area but my husband and I have finally settled down in Medellin, Colombia. The travel bug keeps biting and since I became a mother, my appreciation for all things luxurious, delicious and generally Swanky has reached new highs!
Peta Phipps
Swanky Retreats was born out of our passion for travel. We adore everything that encompasses the travel experience! Personally, I love the adventure, the unknown and the eventuality of discovering something new and exciting. #ConstantlyInMotion #LovesBalloons
Letter from Africa
My wife and I return to Marrakech every year as we love its timelessly exotic yet cosmopolitan appeal. And though the city has undergone transformations since my first visit, when it comes to its mystique, plus ça change, plus la même chose.
Over the years we have stayed at many resorts and riads in Marrakech. Our favorite experiences remain the Four Seasons, where the service is always amazing, and La Maison Arabe for its location in the Medina, local cuisine and warm wonderful people. Both properties represent excellent value relative to their exceptional quality.
The spectacular Royal Mansour, owned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, is well worth visiting. Lunch on the Terrasse and dinner at Michelin darling Yannick Alleno’s restaurants here are pricey but amazing. The spa is also quite impressive. The suites are all very luxurious riads (but take the steep stairs into consideration if you stay at one!).
We’re not big fans of buffets, but love the impressive breakfast spread by the pool at La Mamounia. Take a walk in the gardens (l’Orangeraie) while visiting this exquisite property. Comptoir Darna for a romantic dinner with local cuisine and dancers is another favorite: a clubby atmosphere and authentic Moroccan experience, very popular without being too touristy.
Every visitor to Marrakech must experience the marvelous Medina, but beware of the pricing here, even if you hire a guide. Away from all the tourist-trap Medina shops, be sure to visit Atika, the best shoe store we have ever visited, where the locals shop for high-end footwear. Selections are unique – you may find the same pair of great-looking shoes in ten different colors, which I have not found anywhere else during my travels. Don’t practice the fine art of haggling here! You don’t negotiate prices (contrary to other stores in Marrakech), but the prices are reasonable: another great quality-value relationship!
If you enjoy cigars as I do, bring your own as they are only sold at a few five-star hotels (La Mamounia and Royal Mansour) but extremely expensive
For sunset and dinner in the desert, La Pause is the destination: Camel ride in the dunes followed by dinner outside by the fire. There’s no electricity: Hundreds of candles light this oasis in a remote location. They only accept cash; be sure keep cash for the driver on the way back.
An hour south of Marrakech, Kasbah Tamadot – Sir Richard Branson’s estate in the Atlas Mountains – remains one of our favorites. We got married here in 2014, so it always holds a special place for us. Book one of the Berber tents. The Hamman at the spa was a great experience as a couple, as is a candlelit dinner on the roof of the resort accompanied by local musicians.
The best hotels will drive you back to the airport and assist with check-in and immigration. But at that point you may already be planning your next return.
The Tribal Hotel
Once plagued by tragic violence and civil war, Nicaragua has emerged as the Cinderella of Central America. Beautiful coast lines, lush forests and great surfing have expats, entrepreneurs and tourists flocking here in search of a more authentic Latin American experience.
Founded in 1524, the colonial city of Granada is Nicaragua’s crown jewel. Boasting stunning architecture, great food, friendly people and an old-world vibe all set to the back drop of the beautiful Lake Nicaragua, this UNESCO protected city is not to be missed. And for lovers of impeccable design and an appreciation of local artistry, nothing matches Tribal Hotel.
With rooms under $200 a night and just two blocks from the main square, Tribal Hotel is an affordable urban oasis that does not compromise on taste. Founded by NYC hotspot veterans and childhood friends Jean-Marc Houmard (of fashion-crowd favorite Indochine fame) and Yvan Cussigh, Tribal Hotel is the stuff of your design dreams. Mixing custom pieces handcrafted by local artisans, textiles collected from around the globe and mementos from the owners’ NYC stomping ground, Tribal Hotel offers a reinvigorating retreat from the ubiquitous colonial architecture and a perfect base for your Nicaraguan adventure. tribal-hotel.com.