All posts by Stefanie

Corinthia Hotel. London, UK

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I tend to be set in my ways when it comes to hotels in cities like London. I have my favorite hotels which are typically the gorgeous landmarks and rarely give other properties the opportunity, because why bother right? Well, I was missing out.

Last year I stayed at the Corinthia London for the first time, and I can only say it will not be my last.

Perfectly located only steps from Trafalgar Square, Westminster, the River Thames and Covent Garden, the Corinthia combines grandeur and heritage (which I love) with exquisite, smart design. It features 225 rooms, 51 suites, seven penthouses. However, it feels like you are checking in into your own private London flat. It feels secluded and exclusive from the moment you step in.

The hotel also has two world-class restaurants which I enjoyed for the two nights I was there. It was so good I canceled my reservation at the chic Annabel’s just to have the decadent duck at Kerridge’s.

Since I was in London for work, I didn’t have time to get a treatment at their unrivaled spa, but when I toured it I made a mental note that it was going to be my first stop on my next visit.

Crystal Endeavor, Crystal Cruises

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Since my first experience aboard the magnificent Crystal Symphony in the 2003, I have been a Crystal fanatic. Not only is Crystal has most luxurious fleet in the world, now they tapped into the luxury super-yacht market, and winning in that department as well.

If sharing a large cruise with 5,000 of your best friends isn’t your thing, but you still love the idea of being in the middle of the ocean, then Crystal Endeavor is your answer. It is the world’s most luxurious and most spacious polar class ship exploring undiscovered corners of the world due to its small size.

A few months back, aboard the Crystal Symphony, Crystal’s president and CEO, Tom Wolber, shared the first glimpse of the luxury accommodations on the yacht.

“Crystal Endeavor will be the largest, most spacious purpose-built polar class expedition yacht in the world, accommodating just 200 guests and boasting all the luxurious amenities and special touches for which Crystal is known,” the company said. “The yacht will feature generous public spaces, a full-service spa and salon, six restaurants including Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma, expedition rooms and elegant suites that contrast beautifully with the rugged adventures beyond the vessel.”

“Crystal Endeavor’s suites are an important part of the overall experience that is rooted in luxury and comfort, even while in the midst of extreme adventure,” Wolber mentioned. “These suites will be private havens of relaxation and personal service welcoming travelers as they embark on journeys to the far corners of the world.” This is like music to my ears.

Crystal is promising the most spacious suites in expedition cruising, featuring private verandah’s and butler service for every suite. Luxury touches include king-sized beds; walk-in closets; heated storage for drying parkas after your adventures; spa-like bathrooms with adjustable heated floors, dual vanities, anti-fog mirrors and rain showerheads.

The grand dame is set to begin her inaugural season in 2020 exploring remote destinations where standard cruise ships can’t access. Itineraries are out to the public and reservations can be made. The rates begin at $15,000 per person and they are typically anywhere from 15-22 days long.

This ship is the perfect option for the adventurous traveler looking to explore the most remote parts of the world, while still enjoying Crystal’s legendary service.

City Guide: 72 Hours in the Hamptons

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Although the Hamptons started as a group of villages and hamlets dedicated to fishing and agriculture, what was once a simple and rustic community has shifted its industry to accommodate worldwide jetsetters during the summer, offering lavish restaurants, hotels and experiences.

Every town you visit in this charming part of the world is more adorable than the one before, and since it can be overwhelming to plan a trip with so many adorable towns, here is a quick guide of what not to miss.

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Thursday 

3:00pm- Check into the cutest hotel in the area, The Topping Rose House. Most luxury boutique hotels in the area are adorable. However, once you see the rooms you will want to move hotels pretty quickly. The Topping Rose House offers fresh adorable rooms with great amenities.

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TOPPING ROUSE HOUSE

5:00pm- Afternoon drink at the hotels restaurant, Jean-Georges. Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House is a casually elegant restaurant that celebrates the seasons, presenting farm-to-table cuisine using ingredients grown on the property’s one acre farm and sourced from the area’s reputable fishermen and farmers.

Mushroom pizza

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Grilled lamb chops

Warm Valrhona chocolate cake

7:00pm- Dinner at Lulu’s Kitchen and Bar. The leather chairs, exposed brick, and large wood burning oven make this a cozy spot to grab lunch or dinner. The menu focuses on local ingredients woven into new and classic European dishes like wood fired pizza, grilled fish, and organic roast chicken, all showcasing Chef Philippe Corbet’s love for wood-burning cuisine.

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Friday:

9:00am- Breakfast at the Maidstone Restaurant. You will love the delicious whole grain avocado toast, lobster salad, egg in a hole, and a selection of smoothies. The smoked salmon dish with Greek yogurt, and an orange blossom pain perdue that’s stewed in blackberries is decadent.

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11:00am- Drive to Montauk for lunch and stop to see the unique phenomenon, Walking Dunes. The mounds of sand (which reach heights of 80 feet) are in constant movement and slowly “walking” in a southeasterly direction, devouring vegetation as they go. The result is a beautiful landscape of flora and fauna, and stunning views. A little meditation or picnic spot to relax from the hustle and bustle of the week.

 

1:00pm- Drinks and lunch at the famous Surf Lodge. The lodge has a coastal theme running through the property. The Surf Lodge Restaurant was inspired by the beauty and culture of Montauk. All ingredients are sustainable and local.

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7:00pm- Dinner at EMP. Chef Daniel Humm is opening a pop-up at East Hampton this summer. Expect fresh, local American fare that speaks to the season, including a traditional lobster boil, fried chicken feast, and a la carte options. Housed in a massive farmhouse, the space has a large indoor dining room, along with tented area, picnic tables, and games across the backyard. No doubt with all the early buzz this winter, this reservation will be a tricky one to snag this summer.

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Saturday:

10:00am- Grab a quick bite to eat at the delicious Hamptons Aristocrat food truck. Hamptons Aristocrat’s  whitewashed trailer is a site to be seen with vases overflowing with flowers. The services that business partners Lexi and Louisa provide catering to food delivery: You can call them a few days ahead for an easy Friday night meal (a godsend after the long drive from the city), or months in advance for an elaborate a morning spread made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients for you and your friends.

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1:00pm- Lunch at Wölffer Kitchen. With the family that brought Wölffer Vineyard, this restaurant is the safest most delicious bet in town. The Sag Harbor location features a mix of American cuisine and Mediterranean influences with an obvious extensive wine list.

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8:00pm- Dinner at Le Bilboquet. The popular French bistro brings its delicious classics to Sag Wharf. Go for the cajun chicken which is their most popular dish.

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Sunday:

1:00pm- Lunch at Page on 63 Main. Devoted to local and organic, this Sag Harbor hotspot now has a market and café in the back, perfect for a quick breakfast or to stock up for beach picnic.

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If you are looking for something more relaxing before you hit the road, try la Fondita. This is a great snack stop for casual Mexican meal. The best part is that the tortillas are freshly made.

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Amanera. Playa Grande, Dominican Republic

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Have you ever heard of the term Aman Junky? Well… if you haven’t, now you have. I am also the newest member of that elite clan and here is why:

Every Aman property is meticulously designed to blend in with the natural setting as well as offer an extreme sense of privacy and peace, hence the name “Aman”, which means peace in Sanskrit.

A few days ago I returned from staying at  the new Amanera in the Dominican Republic, and oh what a stay. The hotel executed the perfect balance between a luxurious and relaxed ambiance. Think Swiss Family Robinson meets modernist Aman luxury, and add to that a 4:1 staff to guest ratio.

The moment you walk in, the staff welcome you as if you are an old friend with the backdrop view of Playa Grande, a cold lavender towel and a mouth watering pomegranate and mint drink. After pinching yourself a few times, and taking in the chic, but understated decor, you are swift away to your very own private casita in confortable golf carts.

Amanera has only 25 casitas, which makes the experience even more private. Most villas have a private pool, but not just any pool, a private 30 meter (350sqf) pool, decked out with a gigantic terrace with a sunbed area, outdoor dining, outdoor siting and an outdoor shower. The inside of the villa is as impressive as the outside. The casita is around 90 sqm (850sqf) with a gigantic walk-in closet, separate bedroom, gorgeous living room and a bathroom that makes you feel like you are in the middle of the Caribbean jungle, with floor to ceiling windows showcasing lush vegetation.

Your meals can severed anywhere at anytime, so you can forget about waking up early and rushing to breakfast.  Amanera’s main goal is to have you relax and have whatever you want, whenever you want. How is that for a rule?

They have two restaurants, one in the main lobby and a second one in the beach. Both can serve any dish you desire in addition to their standard delicious menu. My favorite dishes were the ceviche, cod and beef Wellington. However, you cannot go wrong with any item on the menu.

Amanera is perfect for anyone looking for a romantic getaway, golfers or family with small or big kids.

Amanera is the only Aman resort which offers a private golf course for guests only. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, and renovated by his son Reese Jones, it is expected to be one of the most scenic golf courses in the Caribbean.

The hotel also has plenty of activities for children to be entertained like pottery class, cupcake decorating, pizza making class, zip line, surfing and more.

All in all, this vacation was one of the most memorable stays in my recent years, and we cannot wait to go back this next winter.

Serengeti House. Serengeti, Tanzania

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Serengeti House as it’s name states it, is a spectacular 4-bedroom house a few miles away from Sasakwa Lodge, available for rent on a private basis for travelers looking for a home-away-from-home in deep East Africa.

The chic contemporary retreat is ideal for a large family or a group of friends offering a home-like atmosphere. The local materials, natural fibers and light tones ooze an understated glamour. The bedrooms are bright and peaceful, ideal to blend in with the peaceful environment of the Serengeti.

The massive outdoor lounging area offers uninterrupted views of the plains and wildlife while relaxing in your own private infinity pool and indulging in one of Tazania’s best cuisine.

Although the safari drives are quintessential in the Serengeti, the morning and afternoon drives can be substituted by a swim, tennis, archery, cooking class, spa treatments and mountain biking among other fun activities.

A great perk of Serengeti House is the proximity to Sasakwa Lodge, which is open to guests staying at Serengeti House, assuring you numerous things to do during your stay.

 

 

Singita Explore. Serengeti, Tanzania

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A 45-minute game drive from Sasakwa Lodge and we had arrived to what I consider to be the most authentic “glamping” experience Serengeti has to offer. Explore Singita is a private camp on the plains of Serengeti that moves around according to where the migration is happening.

The camp can take anything from two people to twelve people depending on how big your group is. Since the camp is private, it gives you the freedom to choose anything you want at whatever time you desire, with the authenticity of a safari and a great attention to detail.

Although the camp is the most rustic option of the 5 Singita lodges in the Serengeti, it does not compromise luxury nor service. It is appealing to the travelers looking to connect with the wildlife in a way they have never done before.

With a private guide, chef, camp host and camp staff, activities can be arranged on a whim, game drives may be as long or as short as you choose. This is particularly important for wildlife lovers and photographers.

All the food is cooked in an open fire and it is widely known among Singita regulars that the food has a decadent flavor and it is usually the favorite cuisine between all the camps.

The Grumeti reserve where the camp is located was created by the Tanzanian government in 1994 in order to protect the path of the annual wildebeest migration. In 2002, the Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund, a not-for-profit organization owned by Paul Truder Jones, was granted the right to manage and conserve 350,000 acres, for the benefit of Tanzania, Africa and the world. Four years later, Luke Bailes from Singita, took over the management of the property, at the request of the concessionaire.

Luke Bailes took on the challenging task of generating (via low impact tourism) the funds necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the reserve through conservation and community partnerships.

Not only is the camp fantastic, but the passion behind the preservation of this beautiful corner of the world is as infectious as the people’s smile.

 

Ritz. Paris, France

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The most iconic hotel in the world recently opened its doors after a 4-year renovation speared by Egipcian owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed (also known as Lady Di’s future father-in-law), after pouring 500 million Euro for a major facelift to an already spectacular hotel.

The Ritz first opened in 1898, which makes one of the oldest luxury hotels in the world. The new hotel was constructed behind the façade of an 18th-century town house, overlooking one of the most exclusive Paris central squares, Place Vendome.

The hotel was reportedly the first in Europe to provide a bathroom en-suite, partly due to the ambition of Mr. Cesar Ritz of building the most luxurious hotel in the world. This attracted the most famous names of the XX century like Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marcel Proust and Coco Chanel, who lived there for 34 years.

During the 1940’s it became the residence of Hermann Goering, the second most powerful Nazi after Hitler, as well as the headquarters for the German airforce. His quarters took up an entire floor and consisted of three bedrooms, maids’ rooms, several opulent salons.

Al-Fayed purchased the property from the Ritz family in 1979, he closed its doors for an overdue renovation to bring it back to its former years of glory. The wear and tear was starting to become obvious, and the hotel needed to catch up with the modern technology to stay competitive.

Thorough the two major renovations the essence of the 18-century palace still stands, which I think personally it is exceptionally hard to do. Grand hotels around the world like Waldorf Astoria in New York City and St. Francis in San Francisco have tried to mimic the same undertaking, only to find that the elegance and beauty of the old world has been vanished due to their desire to become part of big hotel chains, as well as their need to bring cost down and occupancy high at any cost.

The hotel closed its doors once again in 2013 for a four-year renovation which turned to be longer due to an unforeseen fire three months prior to their opening in 2016, the opening got delayed by a few months. Almost one third of the hotel is still being renovated to this day (not that you would ever notice).

From the moment you walk into the Ritz, the astonishing architecture, the elegant décor and friendly faces will make you feel like you are walking home. Well, I take that back, it makes you feel like you are walking into the home you have always dream about.

The attention to detail is superb. For instance: Every gold detail in the hotel (which by the way there are a lot) is all gold plated with the most exquisite details. Everything from door handles to furniture was sent to the best antique restoration company to ensure the history wasn’t erased out of any piece.

The number of rooms was reduced from 150 to 98 after the renovation, to ensure that every guestroom was more spacious and grand. There are 650 full-time staff which is more than any luxury hotel in Paris, all to make sure that the ration of staff to guest is at its highest to ensure perfect service.

 

Overall the Ritz was, is, and will be the Grand Dame of Paris.

Singita Sasakwa. Serengeti, Tanzania

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When you pull up to the Singita Sasakwa Lodge entrance, not only do you realize this is the pièce de résistance of Tanzania, but the best view in Africa acts as a backdrop to the foyer.

As I am walking in, I look down to the plains from the spectacular vantage point  where Sasakwa sits, and quickly realize that this is the most magnificent place to watch the migration in the Serengeti, as millions of wildebeests stampede their way from the dry plains to the wet plains following the rain, which is widely known as the greatest natural spectacle on earth. It still gives me the chills as I write this.

Singita is the belle of the ball of the African lodges, and Sasakwa is the queen of the Singita lodges, so lets just say this is the most incredible lodge in the entire continent of Africa, let alone of Tanzania.

The 10-cottage lodge is the perfect blend between a manor house with East African influences, giving you the typical opulent African experience, without sacrificing the level of comfort, luxury and old-world elegance. The cottages range between 1-bedroom to 4-bedrooms with a private heated infinity pool, making it ideal for anything from a romantic getaway to a family vacation.

Every corner of the lodge is more spectacular than the one before. The infinity pool overlooking the plains, the uber chic tennis house, the old-school billiard room, the tasteful library, the old-world spa and the English dining room. Every room will blow you away.

The best room if you are looking for privacy is the furthest cottage from the lodge. However, if you want to minimize the time you spend walking from your cottage to the main lodge, then cottage next to the main lodge is ideal.

Since every meal is served in a different location, you will feel like you are the only guest at Sasakwa. Make sure you request lunch in the front lawn when you get there!

*Although lodges in Africa do not typically cater to children younger than 10 years old due to the proximity to predators, Sasakwa caters to all ages.

 

 

 

Singita Sabora. Serengeti, Tanzania

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Three thousand zebras, that is the amount of zebras Herman (general manager at Singita Sabora) estimated were right in front of the camp a day before we arrived.

When my husband and I decided to visit Sabora, we didn’t know that besides visiting the quintessential African camp, we were going to be sharing our personal space with lions, zebras and buffalo’s. An experience I cannot put into words.

The camp is located in the Serengeti Plains, with no wall to separate your tent from the wild Serengeti, the lions roar and hyenas laugh right outside your tent. The thrill of knowing there isn’t much separating the comfort inside from the wildlife outside is a constant adrenaline rush.

Sabora’s style is reminiscent to a 1920’s British explorers camp. The opulence of the decor mixed with the canvas tents are utterly dreamy. Everything from sterling silver serving ware and Persian rugs, to crystal drink ware, the camp sets the bar high for any other camp across the African continent.

Sabora is conveniently located only 45 minutes away by car from Sasakwa private Airport, Faru Faru Lodge and Sasakwa Lodge. It has 9 identical tents (two of them connected for families) that are decorated with antique memorabilia from the first British settlers in the Serengeti.

Sabora is perfect for the adventure travelers. The location and style of the camp make it uniquely dangerous compared to other African camps (my favorite trait about it), so children under the age of 10 are encouraged not to go. No one is allowed to walk alone around the camp, a security ranger will escort you with a rifle everywhere you go, which made my African adventure even more wild.

 

 

 

Singita Faru Faru. Serengeti, Tanzania

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My heart is pounding, my eyes are peeled and the lens of my camera is shaking as the guide looks back at me with a smile, while the lioness pants to cool off after a kill.
Apparently I am lucky to witness this, but am I really? I am pancaked to the back of my seat and just happy I am not that baby warthog.

We had just landed at Singita’s private landing strip 10 minutes before. We were greeted by Adas (our guide for what will be the most exotic week of my life), got in our private Land Rover Puma and started driving to our first stop, Faru Faru Lodge.

Not even 5 minutes into the drive we saw a wildebeest, elephants, zebras, lions, cheetahs and giraffes. It was quite the introduction to the African wildlife I should say.

Grumeti, the private conservation of Singita in the Serengeti, spans some 450,000 acres of untouched wilderness. It is world famous for its annual wildebeest migration, and the best part? Only Singita vehicles have access to it, so say goodbye to crowded safaris and say hello to your own personal spectacle.
Faru Faru Lodge is tucked away on the banks of the Grumeti River. It is barefoot luxury at its best, with the style and ambiance of Zanzibar island with patches of sand, umbrellas, sunbeds and swimming pools.

The lodge is conveniently located on a hill with a waterhole in front where elephants, zebras, lions, water bucks, zebras and giraffes drink and play out of. Needless to say, the view is spectacular.
The lodge has 6 identical tents scattered around the hill. The rooms have a whimsical mix of contemporary organic style with the traditional feel of an African camp. The room has a glass wall overlooking the waterhole that opens up with the press of a button, and allows you to become part of the wildlife.

The amenities are creative and chic. My favorite one was a sketch book with watercolors and colored pencils located on a desk overlooking the Serengeti. I am not creative, but I have to say I had the best time sketching zebras and elephants standing right outside my glass wall.

My daily routine was biscuits and coffee, early game drive, a hearty breakfast, pool time, a glass of rose, lunch in the tree house, nap, afternoon drive, long bath, outdoor shower, wine by the fire, a feast for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

No, I never want to leave.