Dining & Nightlife

Equal parts fairy tale, opulent opium den, and downtown high-rise the new Mondrian SoHo brings an eclectic mix of fantasy and luxury to the edgier part of the neighborhood.  The 25 story, 270 room hotel is the third Morgans property to be branded under the Mondrian name- joining its LA and Miami counterparts, delivering a signature sleek, trendy and exclusive vibe.  I had the opportunity to tour the hotel during its soft opening. (more…)

Shanghai, I noticed, is a city that is somewhat obsessed with grandeur. Walk into any restaurant or hotel and chances are, you’ll almost feel as if you’ve walked into a banquet hall.  Red and gold are liberally used in architecture and decor throughout the city- and it’s impossible not to notice the range of bright colorful lights that constantly illuminate the urban skyline.  So in this city that can often be flashy, the understated and elegant PuLi Hotel is all the more a welcome respite for discerning travelers.  Branded as an “urban resort,” the PuLi strives to be a different type of experience for the Shanghai visitor: the soothing ambiance, round the clock butler service, Zen aura, and focus on wellness makes this as close as you can get to a retreat in the middle of the bustling city.  It’s one of the newest and most acclaimed luxury properties in Shanghai- so I made a point to check in- and check out the PuLi last month. (more…)

“This is Shangri-la,” said the concierge, nodding towards the thousands of sparkling chandelier crystals that illuminated silk tapestries and gilded artwork that decorated the hotel’s sky lobby.  Located in the top floors of a corporate park and perched above Tokyo Station, the Shangri-la Tokyo, certainly was  every bit the oasis worthy of it’s namesake, a gem among the city’s skyscrapers.  Last month I ventured to Japan for the first time, and took the opportunity to check in- and check out- the newest luxury hotel in Tokyo. (more…)

I didn’t do anything I was supposed to do on Chinese New Year Eve:  I didn’t wear red, I didn’t eat longevity noodles, and I didn’t wear new clothes ( I did call my mom though.)  But I did celebrate it in Asian style by attending the opening of the newest Asian barbeque Todd English (Fig and Olive, Olive’s)/Ian Chalermkittichai (Kittichai) venture, The Ember Room. (more…)

Amazing hospitality, I’ve discovered, truly starts from the very top- so it’s no surprise that the Windham Hill Inn, with sophisticated veteran Katja Matthews at the helm, is one of the most luxurious, pampering and elegant destinations in the Northeast. As the innkeeper, Matthews oversees everything from the day to day operations to the nightly dinner menus to the small romantic decorations that adorn the 21 guest rooms and suites.  Her thoughtfulness, attention to detail and natural warmth creates a personal and intimate experience for every guest.  Matthews is so memorable, in fact, that many visitors who review the property make a special point of calling out her graciousness in their comments.  It is certainly no surprise that under Matthew’s leadership, the Windham Hill Inn joined the ultra prestigious Relais  & Chateaux association in 2009.  As someone with the goal of visiting every Relais & Chateaux property in the world (they are certainly some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen), I made a point to check into the Windham Hill Inn for a night last December.

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Located at Kilometer 14.5 on Cancun’s posh “hotel zone,” the Ritz Carlton Cancun easily occupies the best real estate on the famed strip.  It is located within a stone’s throw from all the luxury shopping the city offers, is far from the traditional “party zone,” and boasts the best beach of all the hotels in Cancun. Combine that with a resort that is both family and couples friendly, large ocean view rooms, and award winning service-  it’s easy to see why the Ritz-Carlton Cancun was top of my list when I booked my Mexican vacation last month. (more…)

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Campy? Yes. Forced? At times. Entertaining? You bet.

Recently, I got a sneak peek of “Burlesque,” courtesy of Sebastian Professional, the official hair product used in the movie. (Plug: See the beautiful limited-edition box set below.) Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper is my favorite heavy-duty hairspray, so of course, I had to see what they did with the hair in the movie … asap.

I hate to have gone into the theater with low expectations, but frankly, the track record for these star-driven vehicles is not exactly well, stellar. (Remember “Crossroads” and “Butterfly”?) Surprisingly, with Christina Aguilera’s voice as the true star of the movie, I managed to ignore the film’s flaws — mostly rushed, unrealistic scenes or bits of dialogue, although there were some really witty lines and touching moments in there, too — as I anticipated her next song-and-dance number. I mean, imagine having a front-row seat and a zoom lens during a Christina Aguilera concert, complete with multiple wardrobe and hairstyle changes, and flawless makeup … priceless, right? (more…)

Perched right over the water on Newport’s Easton Beach, The Chanler at Cliff Walk, a warm and luxurious boutique hotel, gives travelers a reason to visit the city all year round.  In fact, for some, like myself, The Chanler is in itself the destination- a magnificent chateau that embodies all the history and graces of Newport, Rhode Island. Originally built in the 1860s as the summer mansion of New York Congressman John Winthrop Chanler and his wife Margaret Astor Ward (of the Astor fame), the home served as the socialite couple’s entertaining hub for almost 50 years, welcoming noteworthy guests such as poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and president Theodore Roosevelt. Since leaving the Chanler family, the mansion has served a multitude of purposes from being a girls school to housing Navel officers. In it’s latest reincarnation, the mansion underwent an extensive renovation and reopened in 2003 as the preeminent hotel property in Newport. And outstanding it is- The Chanler was ranked first this year in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards in the “United States Small Hotel Category” and and number 54 in “Top 100 Properties in the World.”

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