BLOG – Forbes Travel Guide Stories

Your 2021 Luxury Travel Holiday Gift Guide
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

November 24, 2021

Gift a tea lover with items from Adare Manor’s afternoon tea service. *Credit: Adare Manor*

This holiday season promises to be like no other. Travelers are returning en masse, and high vaccination rates means many families can return to their pre-COVID rituals. We’ve put together a gift guide to match the excitement of the season. From a VIP Houston Rockets experience to martini glasses from a famed London bar, these presents will impress the jet-setters in your life.

Strawberry and Champagne Jam, Lemon Curd and Tea from Adare Manor

If you can’t make it to this castle-like hotel in Ireland’s County Limerick for its elegant afternoon tea to warm up your holidays, help a loved one replicate the ritual at home with the decadent strawberry and champagne jam, Adare Manor’s own 1832 Signature Tea blend and tart lemon curd.

The Houston Rockets Experience at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

Win over sports fans with this VIP Houston Rockets experience from Texas’ only double Five-Star hotel. They will receive personalized Rockets jerseys and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Toyota Center before watching the basketball action from floor seats. During half-time, they can retreat to the exclusive Lexus Lounge for cocktails and food. To book, email experiences@thepostoak.com.

Instead of a terry-cloth robe, opt for a terry-cloth shorts-and-shirt set. *Credit: Jordan Braun Photography*

Cabana Set from Rosewood Little Dix Bay

This British Virgin Islands hideaway provides this plush terry-cloth loungewear to its guests staying in the two-bedroom suites and villas. But now the button-down-shirt-and-shorts set made with sustainable and trendy apparel brand Frolic + Detour is available without the trip. The unisex pieces, whose blue hue recalls the surrounding water, can be worn at the beach, pool, spa or while working with the Zoom camera discreetly turned off.

E-Cookbook from The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Gift a foodie this digital cookbook featuring 30 top starter, entrée, dessert and cocktail recipes from 22 restaurants in the Vegas resort, including Estiatorio Milos, Delmonico Steakhouse by Emeril Lagasse and Smith & Wollensky. It’s a steal at only $10, and even better, all proceeds support Three Square food bank.

A delicious gift for anyone doing holiday entertaining. *Credit: Torn Ranch*

Holiday Fruit & Nut Rose Gift from Torn Ranch

Send this balsa-wood tray filled with cashews, almonds, hickory-smoked almonds and pistachios crowned with a flower made from dried peaches, pears, plums and whole apricots to your favorite host or hostess. There’s good reason the fruit-and-nut arrangement has been a bestseller at snack purveyor Torn Ranch for more than 20 years.

Clink these martini glasses this season. *Credit: The Connaught*

Martini Glasses from The Connaught

One of the best things at the Five-Star London hotel’s celebrated Connaught Bar is its beloved martini trolley, which rolls up to guests with a mixologist tailoring the libation to their taste. Cocktail connoisseurs will appreciate this set of martini glasses, each hand-decorated to match the design of the cubist bar.

The liner is made of 15 recycled water bottles. *Credit: Paravel*

Aviator Luggage from Paravel

Whether getting the stylish Aviator carry-on or the larger Aviator Grand, you can feel good about gifting this to a globetrotter. The first all-sustainable travel accessories brand uses recycled materials for its polycarbonate shell, zipper and liner. Plus, Paravel is carbon-neutral, offsetting emissions from its sourcing, assembly, shipping and even the Aviator’s first trip to its recipient.

Fan Notecard Set from Mandarin Oriental

In the digital age, a handwritten note arrives as an unexpected and welcome touch. Present the writer in your life with a gift box of more than a dozen square, blank notecards, each showcasing a unique and colorful fan from a different Mandarin Oriental hotel. Two sets of cards cover the brand’s entire hotel collection.

Slip into these velvet slippers. *Credit: Four Seasons*

Velvet Slippers from Four Seasons

Offer a bit of hygge with these ultra-comfy embroidered slippers covered in velvet with stitched, non-slip soles and elastic backs that are hand-woven by artisans in Italy. They come in six colors all named after destinations with Four Seasons hotels, like Hampshire charcoal, Egyptian camel and Napa cabernet.

Pick up one of the handwoven handbags. *Credit: Grand Hotel Tremezzo*

The Carol Tremezzo Bag from Grand Hotel Tremezzo

These made-in-Puglia Le Ninè bags come in orange, fuchsia and olive, echoing the bright shades of the hotel’s famed Music Room. The versatile seagrass handbag features hand-embroidered crystals, double satin silk and tassels handmade by local artisans. It’s just the beachy accessory to bring to the Lake Como retreat or anywhere sunny.

The book looks at the beloved hotel’s illustrious history. *Credit:* *The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel*

The Carlyle Book from The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Hotel aficionados will want this new Assouline tome on their coffee table. The beautiful silk hardcover holds a heartfelt forward from Lenny Kravitz, photos of the 1930 institution’s celebrity guests like George Clooney and Princess Diana, and shots of the hotel’s newly renovated interiors. It also shares insights from fans like Broadway’s Elaine Stritch: “Like being in someone’s arms that you love. That’s what staying at The Carlyle is like.”

The fur throw is a staple in The West Hollywood EDITION. *Credit: EDITION Hotels*

Faux Fur Throw from EDITION Hotels

A faux fox fur throw artfully drapes the beds in sleek EDITION hotels in West Hollywood, New York and Barcelona. Make someone’s winter cozier and more luxurious by giving them the same machine-washable, animal-safe 60-by-70-inch spread for their own bedroom. They’ll want to wrap themselves in the soft beige fur lined with suede all season long.

Try an unconventional scent this holiday. *Credit: The Tennessean Hotel*

Smoke & Sugar Cookie Candle from The Tennessean Hotel

Guests were so intoxicated by the scent that came from the Knoxville hotel’s Smoking Old Fashioneds that The Tennessean decided to capture it in candle form. Made by local purveyor Silver Dollar Candle Company, the fragrance combines the smoky drink and sugar cookies for your new favorite holiday pairing. To purchase, call 865-232-1800.

Lounge in this Marc Jacobs sweatshirt. *Credit: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown*

Marc Jacobs Sweatshirt from Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

Loungewear became a hot trend during the pandemic, but this limited-edition black sweatshirt is timeless and will long outlast the pandemic fad. Designer Marc Jacobs and Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown originally created the Big Apple-emblazoned crewneck as an ode to NYC for New York Fashion Week. To purchase, contact the hotel.

Get this fragrant salt for soaking. *Credit: Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla*

Salt Soak from Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

Anguilla has a long history producing prized salts. But the ingredient isn’t solely sprinkled in food; the beachfront hotel uses the ingredient in its salt soak, which carries notes of lime and coconut. Add these salts to a bath or use them as a natural skin exfoliant. To purchase, email nasim.browne@belmond.com.

Guide, Restaurants

Your Dining Guide For Art Basel Miami Beach
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

November 18, 2021

Grab drinks at the atmospheric Matador Bar. *Credit: Edition Hotels*

Art Basel descends on Miami Beach December 2 to 4, providing an opportunity to see cutting-edge art from more than 250 galleries spanning the world and attend red-hot parties ranging from pop-up clubs to VIP soirees. But it also offers a chance to take in fare from across one of the U.S.’s most vibrant food cities.

We partnered with Andiago, an app that recommends trending restaurants based on real experiences — community members share their favorite places in guides that can be shared and discovered by others to inspire new foodie adventures worldwide — to curate a dining itinerary full of hidden gems and extraordinary culinary experiences throughout Miami.

While in town for Art Basel, here’s where you should dine and drink:

DAY 1: MIAMI BEACH

Breakfast: Pura Vida
Get a healthy start at this all-day-breakfast spot featuring local, organic ingredients. The South of Fifth café provides a cheerful patio overlooking South Pointe Park.
What to order: The loaded açai bowls and superfood smoothies like the Welcome to Miami with passion fruit, mango, banana and honey.

Lunch: Abbalé TLV Kitchen
Sit on the leafy terrace’s pastel-pillow-laden banquettes for a flavorful fusion of Israeli, Turkish, Greek and Colombian fare. Sundays usher in an all-day brunch menu.
What to order: Freshly made falafel pita or the fire-roasted Jerusalem bagel with labneh, preserved lemon tapenade, arugula, cucumber, radish and pickled onions.

Drinks: Matador Bar
Cozy up in the low-lit bar in The Miami Beach EDITION, whose black-walnut-paneled walls are covered with colorful matador photos from French photographer Lucien Clergue.
What to order: The French 305. The beloved French 75 gets a Miami makeover with St-Germain, Bombay Sapphire, sauvignon blanc, lemon, grapefruit soda and Key lime.

Enjoy authentic Italian fare. *Credit: Casa Isola Osteria*

Dinner: Casa Isola Osteria
Debuting in February 2021, this new restaurant from noted chef José Mendín and Brooklyn-born chef Santo Agnello celebrates Italian cuisine with family-style plates of comforting classics.
What to order: The Sunday sauce (made with short rib meatball, pork rib and Italian sausage, it simmers for eight hours) and the spicy rigatoni alla vodka.

DAY 2: DESIGN DISTRICT & WYNWOOD

Breakfast: OTL
This bright, minimalist café radiates cool vibes, making it a natural choice for hanging out with family and friends. Bonus: you don’t have to meet too early for breakfast, since it runs all day long.
What to order: The créme-anglaise-soaked brioche French toast and a matcha latte.

Lunch: Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Transport yourself to Greece at this restored 1940s bungalow bathed in white and blue. Relax in the popular garden-filled patio over grilled halloumi and Greek wine.
What to order: The hummus, house-cut fries with garlic Greek yogurt dipping sauce and traditional moussaka.

Get a taste of one of Miami’s newest breweries. *Credit: Cervecería La Tropical*

Drinks and dinner: Cervecería La Tropical
Cuba’s oldest brewery (it was built in 1888) found a home in Miami in February amid brilliant murals and a 10,000-square-foot botanical garden with shady 30-foot trees, beautiful orchids and exotic greenery.
What to order: La Original Ambar Lager, beer can bread served with whipped guava butter and Cuban sandwich empanadas.

Afterparty: Dante’s HiFi
Miami’s first record-listening bar takes notes from Japan’s vinyl listening rooms. Audiophiles should come to hear DJs spinning anything and everything on a top-notch sound system.
What to order: A highball featuring Japanese whiskey or the Strange Fruit (vodka, melon liqueur, watermelon rind, cardamom, Chartreuse, citrus and mint), which arrives in a glass boot.

Let chef Kevin Cory craft a Japanese tasting menu for you. *Credit: NAOE*

DAY 3: UPPER BUENA VISTA, ALLAPATTAH & BRICKELL

Breakfast: Buena Vista Deli
You can savor a croque monsieur or quiche Lorraine at this French bakery and bistro, but opt to start your morning with some sweet decadence and order among the tempting pastries.
What to order: Buttery croissants and napoleons.

Lunch: Leku
Peruse the Rubell Museum’s contemporary art and then refuel at its fine-dining Basque restaurant. Enjoy staple Basque dishes in the art-dotted dining room, covered terrace or verdant courtyard.
What to order: Pulpo a la Gallega (or Galician-style octopus) and the Iberian pork tartare with mustard and capers.

Caffeine: Panther Coffee
Perk up at this Florida chain that crafts specialty coffee drinks. Panther does small-batch roasting in Wynwood and Little Haiti.
What to order: The chai latte is one of the best in the area.

Dinner: NAOE
This Japanese treasure is the only Five-Star restaurant in Miami. And it’s exclusive — there are only eight seats in the restaurant. Sidle up to the hinoki bar and watch chef/owner Kevin Cory craft exquisite sushi and other memorable dishes.
What to order: The omakase menu is the only option because dining here is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Download Andiago from the App Store here.

Hotels, Renovations

Why You Need To Visit This Newly Renovated Architectural Oasis
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

November 12, 2021

Take a swim in the new Saguaro Pool. *Credit: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort*

When Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort opened its doors in 1929, the sprawling desert getaway at the base of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve soon gained a reputation as a favorite for Hollywood royalty like Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe and as a showcase for bold Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced architecture. Nearly a century later, the hotel has recently emerged from a 15-month renovation with a new look that carefully preserves its historic design while adding further touches of modern glamour.

Read on to learn about the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel’s one-of-a-kind architecture and design, its showstopping new bar and the accommodations that have been the temporary homes of U.S. presidents and Hollywood icons.

The Architecture and Design

Albert Chase McArthur, a Wright protégé, designed the hotel and recruited his mentor to be the lead consultant. The property was built entirely of “Biltmore blocks,” concrete bricks made from desert sand that were a riff on a textile block Wright previously used when constructing homes. The geometric patterns on the Biltmore blocks took inspiration from palm tree trunks. Six thousand blocks have been restored during the overhaul.

The luxury hotel enlisted Virserius Studio, PHX Architecture and Jim Smith of Serving the Nation, Inc. for the remodel and restoration. The team enhanced the original design in places like the lobby by softening the blocks with modern, plush seating in moss green and deep blue. It also echoed the block’s palm-tree pattern everywhere from the spa lounge to the cutout walls in the Saguaro Pool cabanas.

Discover more of Wright’s design talents while walking through the grounds. You will find sprite sculptures looking solemnly down with their arms crossed over their heart. Wright originally designed them in 1914 to guard Chicago’s Midway Gardens. After the gardens were demolished, the sprites disappeared. They were found years later buried on a Wisconsin farm. Wright’s widow had a mold of the so-called “Solemn Sprite” made and gave it to the Biltmore in 1985. Today, 19 of them keep watch over the Arizona Biltmore — see a flock in the Paradise Garden.

Near the lobby entrance, a colorful abstract stained-glass piece, Saguaro Forms and Cactus Flowers, pops among the gray blocks and wood floor. It originated from a colored pencil drawing that Wright made for the cover of Liberty Magazine in 1927, but the publication thought it was too avant-garde to print. Wright’s wife commissioned a Mesa, Arizona, artist to transform the drawing into stained glass and then donated it to the hotel.

While Wright’s aesthetic is the big draw, design aficionados come to check out other works throughout the property. Peek inside the Gold Room — the event space was the original dining room — to see the second-largest gold-leaf ceiling in the world (the Taj Mahal is No. 1). Its walls also hold murals from artist Maynard Dixon, famed for his depictions of the American West.

Check into one of the revamped historic cottages. *Credit: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort*

The Cottages

The cottages that dot the area immediately around the hotel’s Saguaro Pool date to the Biltmore’s opening. The Phoenix hotel was originally adults only, and children and their nannies were relegated to these accommodations. But the cottages eventually became one of the most-requested places to stay among the property’s 701 rooms. Ronald and Nancy Reagan even honeymooned in one of them.

The 15 cottages were updated during the renovation. While they are individually decorated, they all still bear traces of Wright’s influence, with a palette of earthy colors, materials like wood and stucco, black-and-white cactus photographs on the walls, cozy outdoor fire pits and white Biltmore bricks bordering the living room fireplace.

They also have upgraded amenities. Inside the spacious cottage suite, the attention to detail includes the often-overlooked tea set. Imported from France, the teacups and saucers are saturated in vivid contrasting colors, like orange set against seafoam and black against pink. There’s also a Smeg kettle. In the bathroom, the standalone oval tub begs for a soak.

The Wright Bar emanates art deco elegance. *Credit: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort*

The Bars

It’s difficult to imagine the Arizona Biltmore without the new Spire Bar, named for the nearby 30-foot-tall, cactus-like spire that pays homage to Wright’s use of nature as a guiding force in his designs. The bar itself demands your attention from behind the lobby. It sprouts up like a palm tree, with its large canopy shading the ample gray and blue chairs and inviting fire pits. The heart of the resort, it’s where people go to read over coffee to the soothing sound of the bubbling fountains or unwind at night, when the bar’s tree trunk glows from red to purple.

Head there in the evening to soak up the lights from the bar, the twisted spire and the surrounding illuminated palm trees. Our favorite on the menu is the lobster club, which is piled high with meaty morsels, sriracha mayonnaise, heirloom tomatoes, crispy applewood bacon and avocado. Also order the Pink Eldorado (El Silencio mezcal, Aperol, Cointreau, agave, lime and grapefruit juices and grapefruit bitters), which deliciously balances smokiness and sour grapefruit.

While the Spire Bar is the most popular spot at the hotel, don’t miss the reimagined Wright Bar. Tucked inside the lobby, it’s much smaller, with just six seats. But it’s a glamorous alcove covered in stunning black, teal and navy peacock-feather-like tiles and topped with sleek black stone. You’ll also find art deco touches like the bar-top lamps, metalwork and flooring.

Take a seat and order the Tequila Sunrise — the cocktail was invented here in the 1930s by bartender Gene Sulit. Forget the sugary versions you’ve tasted before; this Tequila Sunrise (renamed A Tribute to Gene) is light and refreshing with Clase Azul Plata, Vedrenne Supercassis, lime juice and Fever-Tree club soda. Pair it with Spanish tapas like jamón Ibérico croquetas (mashed potatoes, bechamel and Spanish ham encased in a crispy panko shell).

Enclosed air-conditioned cabanas line the Paradise Pool. *Credit: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort*

The Pool

Seven pools dot the hotel’s 39 acres. While the Catalina Pool was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite and the place where Irving Berlin wrote the song “White Christmas” (where did you expect?) you will want to visit the new Saguaro Pool, named after the 140-foot-tall cactus that stands just beyond its gates. The centrally located adults-only pool sits behind the Spire Bar and the event lawn. See nods to Wright in the Italian-mosaic-tiled pool (the architect was a fan of stained glass) and its bar, along with bright mosaic Bisazza pebble coffee tables from Dutch designer Marcel Wanders.

Loungers get snapped up quickly, so you may want to reserve one of the open-air cabanas, which come with a ceiling fan and mister, sofa, flat-screen TV, safe, refrigerator, bottled water and a fruit tray.

Families should opt for the renovated Paradise Pool, which recently debuted an impressive 65-foot triple water slide. And when the desert sun intensifies, parents can get a reprieve in 15 new air-conditioned cabanas with their own bathroom and shower or at the swim-up bar.

The Arizona Biltmore is made of Wright’s Biltmore blocks. *Credit: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort*

The Spa

Housed in a new building, Tierra Luna Spa feels like a desert sanctuary. While the outdoor area is not yet completed — it will feature a water circuit — you will want to linger in the sand-colored relaxation lounge amid the Southwestern-style pillows, wood tables and flickering fireplace. The 12 treatment rooms offer services that specialize in desert botanicals (the Orange Blossom Ylang Exfoliation will perk you up with fragrant citrus oils and an agave dry brushing, polishing sugars and honey leave your skin supple and silky for days) and a cosmic connection that’s unique to these parts (like astrology readings and a crystal bar).

The Restaurant

A new addition to the desert hotel, Latin-influenced Renata’s Hearth revolves around smoke, from the fire-roasted dishes to the menu of mezcals. Expect specialized service — guacamole is made tableside, a mezcal maven prepares your sips and a waitress dressed in a flight attendant uniform rolls her cart over to serve you a flight of tequila, mezcal, agaves or margaritas.

For dinner, make tacos with the tender smoked Wagyu brisket barbacoa and warm tortillas. It’s a large portion, since it’s for the table, so save room for the heavenly coconut tres leches cake with light-as-air Bavaria cream and coconut anglaise. Opt to sit outside in the charming courtyard in one of the curved banquets under the bright stars.

Holidays, Hotels

40 Places To Celebrate Thanksgiving
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

November 4, 2021

Let Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta prepare a to-go meal. *Credit: Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta*

After nearly two years of social distancing, Thanksgiving offers a much-needed opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and share our gratitude for what we still have. A good option for those stuck in their homes recently is to celebrate over a sumptuous spread at a hotel. There, top chefs take on the hard work in the kitchen and give you more of the quality time with friends and family you may have missed.

Properties from Atlanta to Anguilla are roasting plump turkeys and baking up delectable pumpkin pies to help you mark the holiday. Whether you choose a reunion trip to a faraway destination or stick closer to home, these hotels will craft a memorable meal.

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Come for brunch to sample everything from waffles and omelets to turkey and truffle mashed potatoes. At night, Bar Margot will have a three-course Southern repast with three-cheese macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole. Or bring the celebration home with dinner for six to go that includes a 14- to 16-pound turkey and the trimmings.

Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santa Fe

This Southwestern celebration includes a “three sisters” — the term Native Americans used for their staple foods: corn, beans and squash — lunch (Nov. 23), an indigenous artists pop-up shop (Nov. 24), a holiday meal that gives thanks to the land (Nov. 25) and a gratitude hike and wreath-making workshop (both Nov. 27).

Montage Los Cabos

The food-centric revelry will include a pumpkin-cookie-decorating class and Chocolate and Churros (an evening of sweets and music). Save room for Mezcal’s Mexican-influenced tasting menu or Marea’s family-style feast on Thanksgiving. Nov. 26 to 27, the talented Christopher Kostow (chef of Napa’s lauded Restaurant at Meadowood) will create special dinners of wood-fired fare paired with Grounded Wine Co. pours.

La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St Martin

The culinary fun doesn’t end with the garlic-hash-browns-stuffed turkey breast at this sun-splashed spot. Thanksgiving is an appetizer to La Cave Under the Stars, a Veuve Clicquot-themed weekend that includes a champagne kit; dinner paired with La Grande Dame; a Veuve picnic and brunch; and a tasting.

Pamper yourself this holiday. *Credit: Condado Vanderbilt Hotel*

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, Puerto Rico

Treat yourself to a Spicy & Sweet Pumpkin Body Treatment and Pumpkin Delight Facial (the vegetable is chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants). Then head to 1919 restaurant for Puerto Rican twists on Thanksgiving dinner. Throughout the weekend, the resort will host delicious pop-ups, including a candy apple station, beachside s’mores and poolside barbecues.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Georgia

The season will commence Nov. 24 with the opening of the Winter Forest, a 5,000-square-foot ice rink, and the annual Lighting at the Lake, when Santa illuminates hundreds of thousands of lights around the resort. The next day, give thanks over bourbon-glazed turkey.

Try Thanksgiving on a Bun and a pumpkin pie milkshake. *Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua*

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui

Choose a holiday meal at this Hawaiian haven: a breakfast buffet with a mimosa bar or a four-course dinner at the Ulana Terrace, four courses at Banyan Tree with entertainment or a Thanksgiving on a Bun burger with a pumpkin pie milkshake at Burger Shack.

Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection, Anguilla

While Thanksgiving in paradise will feature a four-course, family-style dinner, it also will include an inner gratitude morning meditation, a sunrise yoga session, concerts, a poolside holiday happy hour, a beach bonfire with s’mores, a moonlight paddleboard and more.

Celebrate Thanksgiving among the vines. *Credit: Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection*

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, Napa

Wine country makes a beautiful backdrop for Thanksgiving dinner (though you can order parkerhouse rolls, sausage stuffing and more to go). Afterward, work off the gravy with a self-guided turkey trot through the vineyards. The following evening, cozy up under blankets for an outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Start the festivities Nov. 24 with libations, fireworks and live entertainment. Then enjoy a tasting of agave-based spirits, like tequila, sotol and comiteco, before a holiday dinner Nov. 25. The next day, join a chef’s table experience pairing tacos with wine, mezcal and cocktails.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Start a new tradition with the inaugural Thanksgiving tea. You’ll sip pumpkin spiced tea while listening to a harpist. Or stick to a family-style dinner at Belvedere with free-flowing bubbly and live jazz. The luxury hotel also provides takeaway options.

Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans

Sit down to a four-course Thanksgiving lunch or dinner at The Grill Room and savor New Orleans-influenced plates like crispy quail, spicy molasses and cheddar grits; seafood gumbo with charred okra; and redfish with crawfish and orzo jambalaya.

Dine overlooking the lake. *Credit: Shore Lodge*

Shore Lodge, McCall, Idaho

Savor the Stilton and poached pear salad, herb-roasted prime rib and more while overlooking pristine Payette Lake. Whatever you choose from the à la carte menu, be sure to end with the pumpkin pie with salted caramel and maple Chantilly.

The Pearl Hotel, Rosemary Beach, Florida

The three-course main event at Havana Beach restaurant will tempt you with butter-roasted turkey, short rib, Gulf red snapper or a spaghetti squash medley. Dessert will be a harder choice: pumpkin or pecan pies, molten chocolate cake or sweet potato cheesecake.

Prepare for a buffet. *Credit: Ojai Valley Inn*

Ojai Valley Inn, California

Feast on a grand buffet including green and white asparagus salad with mimosa dressing; a caviar station; a display of shrimp, crab claws and oysters; shrimp and grits; and a sweets area with everything from chocolate chip pumpkin doughnuts to cranberry pear tarts.

Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island

While reservations for the grand inn’s Thanksgiving feast are quickly filling up, you can still enjoy turkey slathered with sage gravy; savory apple fennel and sausage stuffing; and fresh haricots vert with roasted garlic and rosemary with the to-go menu.

Stave off tryptophan with the turkey trot. *Credit: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort*

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina

Whether you select a lavish ballroom buffet, a Lowcountry-inspired buffet at Jasmine Porch or an epicurean meal at The Ocean Room, follow it up with the sand-sculpting competition, craft workshops and turkey trot. The feast continues Nov. 26 with the Lowcountry Oyster Roast and Barbecue at Mingo Point.

The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills

Go conventional (turkey, smoked prime rib) or unconventional (eggs Benedict, sushi) at Mercato’s Thanksgiving brunch. Then at dinner, nosh on comforting seasonal dishes like butternut squash bisque, citrus-brined turkey and cornbread stuffing.

Spend Thanksgiving in New York. *Credit: The Mark*

The Mark, New York

Visit The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges for a three-course meal starring turkey with foie gras and chestnut stuffing. Stay overnight with the Thanksgiving package and you’ll get that dinner for two plus breakfast, and The Mark will provide 20 meals to the community via Rethink Food.

The Jefferson, Washington, DC

This boutique hotel will turn out three epicurean courses: butternut squash velouté with seared scallop, turkey with potato gratin and mushroom stuffing, and the showstopper: red kuri pumpkin pie with gingerbread, maple caviar, orange reduction and cinnamon ice cream.

Pair your holiday with a wellness retreat. *Credit: Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve*

Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Los Cabos

Tuck into mesquite-roasted turkey, corn cake with blueberry compote cider and vanilla sauce, and more at this gem. Then offset your gluttony with Zadún’s Wellness & Gratitude Retreat (Nov. 25-27), an event that will enhance wellbeing, reduce stress and teach mindfulness.

The Little Nell, Aspen

Aspen and Snowmass ski areas open Nov. 25, so hit the slopes and then head to this hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain. Refuel with a three-course gourmet dinner at Element 47 or a turkey with accompaniments at Ajax Tavern.

Enjoy the butternut squash soup. *Credit: Hotel Bennett*

Hotel Bennett, Charleston

Gabrielle restaurant will serve holiday favorites alongside turkey alternatives like braised short rib, snapper and risotto. The three-course menu includes desserts like butternut squash crème brûlée. Or order an apple or pecan pie from the onsite bakery to go.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Visit the ballroom for an elaborate buffet, including turkey, rum-glazed ham and citrus-poached shrimp. Salt Restaurant will present four courses, including almond soup with lightly cured salmon and smoked trout roe, and capon breast with roulade and parsnip puree.

Huddle by the fire pit for s’mores after dinner. *Credit: Terranea Resort*

Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

At this scenic coastal escape, choose a champagne brunch in the ballroom, classic dishes at Mar’sel, buffets at Catalina Kitchen or casual fare at Nelson’s. Or opt for cider-brined turkey; brioche, pear and sausage stuffing; and other fixings to go.

The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head

Commemorate the occasion with a prix fixe meal of apple cider and sage turkey at Links or a buffet with she-crab soup, beef pot pie and more in the ballroom. Or take your slow-smoked turkey to go.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

Relish Thanksgiving standbys, like roasted turkey breast, cranberries dotted with candied orange and pumpkin pie at Harvest. They all get elevated by the farm-to-table restaurant, which plucks fresh herbs and produce from its own half-acre biodynamic garden.

Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

For an Anguillan spin on the holiday, fish with a local, who can point you to the island’s best spots. The hotel chefs will cook your catch for lunch. Later, pick a three-course or an à la carte dinner and cap off the evening with live entertainment.

Spend Thanksgiving in paradise. *Credit: Eden Roc Cap Cana*

Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Thanksgiving will stretch across five days with a treasure hunt, arts and crafts, cooking classes, a 5K turkey trot and thankful sunset yoga. Plus, there will be festive eats, including a turkey meal, a beach barbecue and an Italian family-style dinner.

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

Stay in and watch the Macy’s parade and enjoy breakfast in bed with pull-apart bread, hash casserole and chocolate chip pancakes. Otherwise, visit the hotel’s Fuego y Mar for a buffet with seafood and caviar, or take your turkey meal to go.

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Find authentic and unconventional meals here. TLC’s Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, will serve Thanksgiving favorites and a maple-glazed pumpkin bundt cake at Buddy V’s. Majordōmo Meat and Fish by David Chang will inject Asian flair into chateaubriand with grilled porcini-tamari, rose vinegar and foie gras bordelaise. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will top a turkey burger with trimmings and load a milkshake with a pumpkin pie slice and a turkey marzipan lollipop.

MGM Grand Detroit

If you want to spend Thanksgiving at home, let this resort handle the cooking. It will prepare a repast for eight that includes herb-roasted turkey, whipped potatoes, roasted acorn squash, candied sweet potatoes, chocolate truffle cake and double-crust apple pie.

Savor an Italian holiday dinner. *Credit: The Rittenhouse*

The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia

Celebrate the holiday Italian style in the City of Brotherly Love. The luxury hotel’s Scarpetta will serve a prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner that includes mouthwatering selections, such as tagliatelle Bolognese, pancetta-wrapped heritage turkey and pumpkin cheesecake.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Have a Thanksgiving Day fête in the French Quarter. The elegant getaway will trot out a four-course menu with a seafood starter, a dessert station and unlimited champagne. Of course, since it’s a New Orleans party there will be entertainment, too.

The Langham, Chicago

While Travelle will prepare a proper Green Circle turkey, it also will offer a fun take on the holiday protein: guajillo chile turkey carnitas. The Fallen Leaves dessert will taste like autumn with maple ganache, cinnamon tuile and salted caramel ice cream. Even the to-go package gets a twist: select the jerk-seasoned turkey.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Jean-Georges Beverly Hills will serve decadent holiday favorites, but you can opt for peppercorn-crusted Wagyu beef, roasted Maine lobster or Parmesan risotto for the main course. The Rooftop by JG will offer its usual menu along with a Thanksgiving plate that includes roasted turkey with truffle chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes.

Celebrate with a mountain escape. *Credit: Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection*

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, Meadows of Dan, Virginia

This rustic retreat will set its tables with an Appalachian holiday spread. Take in the foliage-filled surroundings with a painting class with the Blue Ridge Mountains as your subject or a turkey trot that winds through the woods and over the golf course.

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Indulge in special breakfasts, lunches and dinners; a bottomless bloody mary and Ketel One Botanical bar; and a champagne/Manhattan bar Nov 24. to 28. On Thanksgiving, La Coquille will pull out all the stops with an à la carte menu.

Enjoy a sunny holiday. *Credit: WaterColor Inn*

WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Visit LakeHouse’s brunch buffet for butternut squash ravioli and snapper or go à la carte at FOOW with sweet potato and turkey hash or “The No More Turkey” biscuit with ham. FOOW will serve a traditional dinner, and a takeout turkey is available.

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Los Cabos

This respite observes the holiday with a taco class (Nov. 22), an alfresco dinner (Nov. 23) and a fiesta with mariachi, fireworks and Mexican fare (Nov. 24). On Thanksgiving, hike three miles for a sea view and then unwind with a pumpkin spice body scrub. Finally, enjoy dinner on a promontory amid waves.

Hotels, Lists

14 Reasons To Visit Resorts World Las Vegas Right Now
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

October 29, 2021

Take a dip in the new Resorts World Las Vegas. *Credit: Megan Blair*

As the first new resort to be built on the Strip in a decade, Resorts World Las Vegas is the hottest spot in a city full of them. The $4.3 billion trailblazing resort from Malaysia-based Genting Group has 40 restaurants and bars, a 5.5-acre pool complex that includes the only infinity-edge pool on the Strip and 70,000 square feet of shopping.

There’s even more to come: Eight Lounge, which will carry more than 150 cigars, will debut Nov. 4; Carversteak steakhouse will arrive in the winter; star-studded residencies featuring Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan take to Vegas’ largest and tallest stage will start Dec. 1. For now, there’s still much to get you started on its 88 acres at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard.

Whether you want some of Vegas’ best Asian food, a cutting-edge spa or a secret bar, here are the top 14 reasons to visit Resorts World Las Vegas:

Retreat to Conrad Las Vegas. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

The Hotels

Tallying 3,500 guest rooms, Resorts World is Hilton’s largest property. Under its roof, you’ll find three of the company’s brands: Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas.

Once the world’s largest hotel, Las Vegas Hilton has a storied history, and this marks the 1,774-room property’s grand return. The 1,496-room Conrad Las Vegas is the biggest Conrad worldwide, and it is distinguished by its contemporary, art-filled interiors and luxury touches like bespoke Frette linens. Part of Hilton’s new LXR brand, the 236 Crockfords accommodations provide the most lavish option, with amenities such as 24-hour butler service.

Rejuvenate in the Fountain of Youth. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Awana Spa

While most spas adopt a “quiet, please” policy, socializing is encouraged at this 27,000-square-foot haven that integrates the latest technology. The Foot Spa Lounge is outfitted with TVs so you can catch numerous games while your Strip-worn feet get rubbed. The Fountain of Youth — a space with six vitality pools, a crystal laconium, toasty tepidarium chairs, steam rooms, cool mist showers and a rain walk — plays videos on a wraparound LED screen to transport you to the tops of snow-capped peaks or among waterfalls. It offers the U.S. debut of the art of Aufguss, a European tradition that includes a theatrical sauna performance by a professional dancer (called a sauna meister) who leads you through a 15-minute guided breath and meditation experience using music, lights and aromatherapy.

But don’t worry — when it’s time for the superb HydraFacial, you can retreat from Vegas’ bustle for peace and quiet in your dim treatment room.

Discover culinary gems at Famous Foods. Credit: *Megan Blair*

Famous Foods Street Eats

Vegas has its own version of Singapore’s hawker centers with this mostly Asian food hall featuring different stalls specializing in a specific cuisine. Some of the stalls actually come from Singapore, like Boon Tong Kee, which uses a Hainanese chicken rice recipe that dates to 1979; Springleaf Prata Place, which turns out flaky roti and frothy teh tarik; and Geylang Claypot Rice, which makes Southeast Asian rice dishes in a traditional claypot. Other stalls to sample include the truffle-rice-stuffed lechon (or “pig”) at Pepita’s Kitchen, the only Filipino restaurant on the Strip, and the Peking duck at FUHU Shack.

End your meal at Sweet Eats. Its array of desserts rotates, but a mainstay is the must-try shave ice, which comes with rose water, rose syrup, grenadine, peanuts, pandan jelly and more.

Slip into this secret bar. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den

There’s no sign at Resorts World for this hidden speakeasy. To find it, go to Famous Foods Street Eats and make your way to Ms. Meow’s Mamak Stall, a small shop hawking Asian snacks and adorned with lucky cats. Let out a meow and the person behind the register at Ms. Meow’s will push in a shelf-lined wall to reveal an entrance to the intimate bar that accommodates 34. The neon tiger art on exposed brick, concrete walls, tufted sofas and strings of lights set a relaxed tone. Open daily at 4 p.m., this is a place to drink tropical cocktails into the wee hours.

Don’t miss the charcuterie and cheese. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Wally’s

Plan to linger over the mouthwatering charcuterie boards at Wally’s (a Beverly Hills and Santa Monica institution) to savor the peppery wagyu beef salami and nutty L’Amuse Gouda. But save room for an indulgent baguette stuffed with brie, truffle honey, truffle butter and shaved truffles on top; delicious caviar; and juicy roasted heritage chicken with albufera sauce and even more shaved truffles. Add a selection of more than 100 wines by the glass and you won’t want to leave this comfort food treasure trove.

Get access to a secret drink menu. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Gatsby’s

With live music pumping at Zouk Nightclub and other venues, you might overlook this bar with its gauzy curtains drawn, laid-back crowd and ’90s-era hip-hop. Ask for a matchbook, which has a QR code to unlock a secret menu of whimsical cocktails, like the Champagne bubble bath, a small tub filled with muddled blood orange; aperol; gin; pineapple, monin strawberry and rose syrup; a heavy pour of cava for bubbles, a dusting of edible rose petals and two rubber ducks floating on top. Another option is the Green Light, a nod to The Great Gatsby. The verdant libation veers tropical with Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum, Chartreuse, Midori, coconut syrup, and different juices.

Party poolside at Ayu Dayclub. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Nightlife

Singapore party purveyor Zouk Group made its foray into the U.S. with this 36,000-square-foot Zouk Nightclub. The main room, Zouk, features top DJs like Calvin Harris, Zedd and Tiësto. The venue also houses Capital Bar, which has a mood-setting LED ceiling and a 360-degree bar, and Empire, which can convert into a separate space with its own music and dance floor.

To continue the revelry into the day — this is Vegas, after all — slip into a swimsuit and go to Ayu Dayclub, a Bali-inspired poolside party with white daybeds and chic wooden cabanas.

Enjoy classic Chinese fine dining. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Genting Palace

If you want authentic Chinese fine dining, seek out this elegant restaurant to savor the popular roasted Peking duck, which is carved tableside; bird’s nest soup; dim sum; and shrimp doused in XO sauce. If you can’t snag a reservation, head to the adjacent lounge. The décor skews bright (patterns and colors delightfully clash) and whimsical (a lamp features a gold monkey wearing a lampshade as a skirt), all better to enjoy dim sum (like lobster black truffle and scallop siu mai) alongside choice cocktails.

This artwork is made of dyed tea bags. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Art

The art sprinkled throughout the property is playful and unexpected. In the casino, you’ll find the looks-good-enough-to-eat ceramic doughnuts by Jaeyong Kim. Herb Williams’ Doberman crayon sculpture emblazoned with the Louis Vuitton monogram guards the High Limit Lounge. Over at Famous Foods, Red Hong Yi’s portrait resembles a mosaic, but the artist used 20,000 tea bags dyed with teh tarik, a popular Malaysian milk tea, instead of tiles. (Tip: bring your smartphone to scan the QR codes accompanying the pieces to learn more about them.)

The most eye-catching piece is the 50-foot-tall Globe that sits in The District shopping esplanade. Covered in LED panels, The Globe offers an immersive art experience containing lights and music. Catch a short show every hour on the hour from noon to 1 a.m.

Play in a cashless casino. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Technology

Resorts World raises the technological bar high. Hilton recently became the first major hospitality company to offer digital key sharing — a guest can assign a digital key to four people using the Hilton Honors app — which was beta tested here. Grubhub has taken over room service duties, making it seamless to order from the resort’s restaurants through the food app and have it delivered to your room or pool cabana.

And there’s more innovations: it’s the first casino in the country to accommodate cashless transactions. It’s also the first in Nevada to use Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Pop in a credit card before entering the resort’s Fred Segal Market; pick up snacks, drinks, sundries or souvenirs; then simply leave and your credit card will be charged accordingly.

See its biggest technology without stepping into the resort: its west tower façade holds one of the largest video screens in the world at 100,000 square feet.

Take in city views. *Credit: Resorts* *World Las Vegas*

Starlight on 66

Zip to the top Resorts World for a dimly lit, inviting haunt with herringbone wood floors and plush velvety sofas and armchairs. It’s an alluring setting to sip cocktails like The Crockford’s Set (Beefeater 24 gin, orange lychee jasmine tonic syrup and Fever-Tree club soda). But the main attraction at the 66th-floor lounge is the mesmerizing vista of the illuminated Strip from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Peek through the telescope for a closer look.

Savor pan-Asian bites. *Credit: Megan Blair*

FUHU

Sitting next to Zouk Nightclub, this pan-Asian restaurant is designed as a pit stop before a night of drinking and dancing. But FUHU is more than just a pregaming spot. It’s a destination for plates of an addictive raw tuna on a bed of crispy rice with sweet soy, crunchy garlic and spicy mayo; scoops of king crab and truffle fried rice; and rounds of Rice Rice Baby (sake and Ketel One Cucumber and Mint Botanical with a mini mochi garnish). And since it’s from Zouk Group, the company behind its namesake club, the vibe is dark, slick and stylish.

Visit this Japanese bistro. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

Kusa Nori

This Japanese bistro serves yakitori, teppanyaki and robata meats, but be sure to peruse the menu of sashimi and nigiri, including fresh hamachi, tender otoro and rich uni. Of course, it also features specialty rolls, like the Kusa Nora with domestic wagyu tataki, lobster tempura, asparagus, yuzu emulsion, caviar, crispy garlic and truffle ponzu.

Another dish to try is the seaweed-crusted misoyaki black cod topped with arare (tiny, crunchy cracker balls), edamame, carrots, pearl onions, hajikami (salted, pickled ginger) and mounds of yuzu sake foam. Just be sure to order the delicate and delicious Heavensake junmai daiginjo, too.

Enjoy a festive atmosphere. *Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas*

VIVA!

Chef Ray Garcia, who helms L.A. favorite Broken Spanish, brings his modern Mexican cuisine to Vegas. The colorful dining room with mixed-media murals feels festive, but so does the terrace under a leafy pergola. Pick a space and nosh on piña asada (fire-roasted pineapple, goat cheese, arugula and spiced pecans), flavorful lamb ribs with tamarind glaze, and glasses of the fruity reposado-tequila-spiked Hibiscus Cooler or satisfying Vivarita with lime salt foam.

Hotels, News

Jungle Getaway Offers Coveted Access To A Costa Rican Eco-Paradise
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

October 22, 2021

Peek at Drake Bay Getaway Resort’s new land. *Credit: Drake Bay Getaway Resort*

Costa Rica is one of the top eco-tourism destinations in the world. Although the country covers just 19,700 square miles (it’s smaller than West Virginia), it makes up 5 percent of the Earth’s biodiversity, according to the Costa Rica Tourism Board. And given the nation’s priorities, it’s likely to stay that way — Costa Rica reserves a quarter of its land for protected parks and conservation areas.

This ethos has been adopted by Drake Bay Getaway Resort, a luxurious nature retreat on the southern Pacific side of Costa Rica’s wild Osa Peninsula that resides in Drake Bay, a small bay and coastal town flush with lush forests and pristine beaches. Ensconced in the jungle, the boutique hotel offers just five stilted cabins as part of its dedication to the preservation of the landscape.

The Jungle Getaway boasts the area’s largest waterfall. *Credit: Drake Bay Getaway Resort*

Last year, owners Yens Steller and Patrick Ludwig acquired another 200 acres — the largest titled land in Drake Bay — two miles from the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel. Steller and Ludwig plan to protect the new land, dubbing it The Jungle Getaway. Approximately 85 percent of the new property is primary forest (that is, a forest that dates back to ancient times or that’s remained relatively undisturbed by humans) full of plants and animals that you could find at the nearby Corcovado National Park, the famous attraction that boasts the highest concentration of flora and fauna in the country. The Jungle Getaway is full of exotic plants like royal mahogany, cow trees, ceibas, birds of paradise, purple hearts and much more. The verdant surroundings are also home to animals like tapirs, pumas, jaguars and peccaries.

However, the biggest tourist draw for The Jungle Getaway may be its waterfall — at 100 feet, it’s the tallest in the area. Ludwig and Steller recently launched horseback riding and hiking tours to take hotel guests to the waterfall and for nature walks. If you venture out on the new tours, expect unspoiled scenery: the horseback ride to the waterfall winds through a pristine forest (with no road access) and along a river far away from tourists.

Go on a horseback tour through the jungle. *Credit: Drake Bay Getaway Resort*

“Since we built our hotel in 2014, we have always been interested in sustainable development and preserving the natural habitat in the famous Osa Peninsula,” Ludwig and Steller say. “Since Yens grew up in the area — Drake Bay — he has a deep appreciation for protecting the primary forest, wildlife and marine life in the peninsula.”

According to the owners, since most of the land in Drake Bay is not titled, it’s a challenge to own property in the area. “When a local bank called Yens during the middle of the pandemic in 2020 and offered him to buy the land, he did not hesitate,” they say. The pair snapped it up when the local bank sold it through a blind auction after years of holding onto the titled land.

Previously, Drake Bay Getaway Resort’s most popular private tours were its day hike to Corcovado National Park and a snorkeling trip at Caño Island, but The Jungle Getaway gives them the chance to do more on the property. Ludwig and Steller say that they plan to eventually build trails through the grounds for nature walks and wildlife spotting during the day and night.