Wales is blessed with so many natural and cultural treasures. And one way to get acquainted with what this country has to offer is by booking a stay at one of several unique accommodations that vary from the serene to the quirky. You can read about six of these in my latest article for ForbesLife.
Lisbon’s 5-star Valverde Hotel is a sanctuary of peace and serenity, though it’s smack in the middle of buzzing Avenida da Liberdade. Their outdoor heated pool looks down on a verdant courtyard garden, a perfect place to curl up with a book and a glass of wine.
Exploring the art-bedecked and meticulously adorned public spaces, you can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of elegance.
If you told anyone you were headed to St. Eustatius, you might be met with quizzical looks. After all, this small Caribbean island that’s a short flight from St. Maarten, isn’t all that well known . Well, in fact, the only group that seems to be tuned into this island and its treasures are divers who delight in the pristine protected waters, the uncrowded dive sites and the underwater thrills to be discovered. Now, visitors can treat themselves to the recently opened luxury Golden Rock Resort that’s perfect for the whole family. The property is blanketed with colorful blooms, a pair of pools and a lagoon are perfect for cooling off, and the accommodations are varied enough to fit all needs. Check out my latest article for ForbesLife on this resort.
The Valverde Hotel in Lisbon is a gem for oh-so many reasons, including the lush courtyard garden that’s a placid sanctuary smack in the middle of the buzzing city. It’s centrally locally on the Avenida da Liberdade.
Everything is classy, even the hallways.
The hotel is often described as an oasis, which it is. The hotel feels like a townhouse that’s peaceful and serene with numerous public rooms replete with art.
As you know, I have a fondness for under-the-radar locales. And though St. Croix is hardly undiscovered, the eastern end of the island has a more remote vibe that I found quite attractive. Unlike the rest of the island that has lush foliage, the east side is quite arid. But the vistas are expansive and the vibe is low-key. And that’s why I chose the Grapetree Bay Hotel and Villas that’s located on the island’s eastern end as my favorite accommodation. I recently wrote about this hotel for Forbes Life.
At Quinta do Quetzal in Portugal’s Alentejo region, vineyards climb the slopes where a cluster of pines crowns the summit. What I most love about this estate is that it combines so many of my interests. Here you’ll find fine wines, a creative restaurant (with this view), and a contemporary gallery featuring work by Portuguese artists.
At Herdade do Sobroso, a family-owned property, guests head for the hills of this expansive property, and enjoy a sumptuous picnic spread under the shade of oak trees.
A stay at the Montimerso Skyscape Country House is a joy to behold. I found myself especially infatuated with its ultra minimalist aesthetic, vast landscape threaded with walking trails, locally-sourced menu items, and its eco sensibility, including protecting the night sky from light pollution.
The luxe, sustainable Herdade da Malhadinha Nova property in Portugal’s Alentejo region is stellar for oh, so many reasons. And that includes their varied experiences and activities available to guests. I took a painting class with Suzana Henriqueta, a delightful and versatile artist who radiates creativity. She couldn’t have been more flexible, fun and encouraging. Here you see my acrylic reflecting the peaceful landscape on this expansive estate that’s blanketed with vineyards, holm (acorn) oaks and olive trees.
A lone lemon tree stands sentinel in the courtyard of the Casa do Ancoradouro (Home of Terracotta), one of several luxe accommodations at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. The terracotta colors carry through to the casa’s design palette, and the ubiquitous terracotta tiles were locally made.
On the French side of St. Martin, the Karibuni Boutique Hotel with its half dozen stylish rooms offers this to-die-for view of Cul-de-Sac Bay.
Also on St. Martin’s French side, the Palm Court Residence in Orient Bay is a colorful, boutique property with lush gardens and numerous stylish objects from Morocco.
At the Montpelier Plantation and Beach in Nevis, history seamlessly melds with nature in a landscape that resembles a botanical garden. Here, an old sugar boiling copper was repurposed as a planter for umbrella palms.
I could certainly get used to this spectacular sunset view from the Great Room. This is also the view that diners have from the terrace of Restaurant 750 that’s part of the main house where the Great Room is located.
While eating a picnic lunch in a gazebo set on the private scenic beach of Montpelier Plantation and Beach in Nevis, I was wrapped in a sense of peace and solitude.
A stay at this property is like being in a botanical garden. My views were filled with tropical plants no matter where I gazed. This is the poolside Indigo restaurant and bar from the back end.
This is by far the most iconic image of the Montpelier Plantation and Beach in Nevis. A grand weeping fig tree (just 56 years old) towers over the centuries-old building housing the Great Room, a former Boiling House for sugarcane transformed into an atmospheric venue for cocktails and canapes at night.
As soon as I stepped through the grand gates of the Montpelier Plantation and Beach in Nevis, I knew I was in a magical place.
I gravitate to resorts that give me a sense of well-being and optimism, that are replete with contemporary art and design, that provide an abundance of learning opportunities, and that are populated by staff members that express a genuine concern for their guests. I found all of this at the new O2 Beach Club and Spa on the southern coast of Barbados. This is my article on this resort for ForbesLife.
It’s certainly difficult to tire of this view of Dover Beach at the O2 Beach Club and Spa in Barbados.
Contemporary art and design details suffuse this five-star, all-inclusive property.
I became infatuated with the abundant creative art and design found at the O2 Beach Club and Spa in Barbados, including in their just-opened spa, Acqua where an ocean theme is ever present.
From morning to night, I found plenty of spots to relax at the O2 Beach Club and Spa in Barbados. This luxe all-inclusive sits along Dover Beach on the south coast where it’s a pleasant walk to the myriad restaurants, bars, clubs and informal shopping opportunities along St. Lawrence Gap.
At the resort, a contemporary design aesthetic is ever present. The Sun Terrace is one of several perfect venues to take in the views and soak up the chill vibe.
Stellar views predominate at this property, whether from one of the rooftop venues or along the beach and pool areas.
It’s easy to fall in love with Montclair, New Jersey, especially if you delight in parks, gardens and other green spaces. But this cosmopolitan town is also noted for its vibrant culinary and art offerings. Now, the recently opened luxe MC Hotel taps into this scene by sourcing numerous foods and beverages from local makers as well as paintings and other works created by artists who live nearby. This is my recent article for ForbesLife on the MC Hotel.
The Victorian-era architecture in Cape May’s historic district couldn’t be more enchanting.
There are plenty of surprising architectural and design details at the Lokal Hotel Cape May.
For the last many months, I’ve been renting a car and visiting scenic (and peaceful) locales within two hours of my home in New York City. That mostly meant small towns and villages in Connecticut and New York’s Hudson Valley. Here are some of the strategies I used in the time of COVID to deal with the car rental and the accommodations.
Here’s the COVID kit I pack for the trip:
— Clorox wipes
— DIY bleach disinfectant: two tablespoons of bleach to one quart of water in a spray bottle
— paper towels
— two-ply face masks and three-ply surgical masks
— polypropylene face mask filters
— goggles
— alcohol swabs
— alcohol-based hand sanitizer
— a bottle of 70% alcohol
— latex-free gloves
— detergent to wash face masks and washable polypropylene filters
Strategies with the Car Rental:
— Rent at a small location, not an airport.
— I rent mid-week, hoping it’s less busy than a weekend
— All transactions are done outdoors
— Even though the car has been cleaned/disinfected, I disinfect all contact surfaces myself with bleach
— I keep the windows open for the first hour of the journey to allow for fresh airflow
— I choose a destination that’s short — more than 2-3 hours or from home — so there are no need for bathroom breaks
Strategies with the Accommodation:
— I choose only small hotels/inns where I can speak with the person in charge — preferably the owner — and directly assess their COVID consciousness
— I assess their COVID strategies for disinfecting and cleaning, as well as whether the staff (and guests) must wear masks over their nose and mouth 100% of the time in public places
— I ask them when was my room last occupied by a guest. I prefer a room that was unoccupied for a minimum of 24 hours.
— I request that they leave at least one window open for fresh air
— I choose a room that doesn’t require navigating through the building to get to my door, preferably a room in the rear of the accommodation with a separate entrance.
— I ask if I can eat in the room or, if it’s good weather, if there is a place outdoors to eat where I will not have to interact with other guests. After all, I’ll be getting take-out meals only. (I don’t eat indoors nor do I eat meals at outdoor venues near other patrons.)
— Check-in is best done contactless
— I request that no one enter my room during my stay, in other words, no room service
— if they serve breakfast, I ask if it can be delivered outside my door
— Once I’m in my room, I disinfect all contact surfaces with bleach
Buy the Travel Authority Book
