Counted among the most cosmopolitan destinations in South America, Buenos Aires is a city that blends the vibrancy of modernity with timeless sophistication, art, history and old-world glamour. Walk down many of the city’s streets and you’ll find that the eateries and boutiques that line them are alive with these qualities. But stay in one of the city’s leading hotels and you will find these qualities not only alive but personified.

The following are five hotels that embody the breadth and diversity of options for accommodations in contemporary Buenos Aires. Each has a unique personality of its own and each is, perhaps, in its own way, suited to a particular type of luxury travel. However, they all share in common a five-star appeal certain to leave no guest wanting.

The Leading Lady
Palacia Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Hyatt has worked hard over the years to ensure that its Park Hyatt brand is synonymous with the height of elegance and luxury. However, at the Palacio Duhau, in particular, their efforts reach an apotheosis. In this one exceptional property, the old and the new blend with staggering symmetry resulting in that rare instance where a hotel becomes a world, or rather a destination, unto itself.

On the one hand, there is the property’s grand original palace. Built in 1934 as the private residence of the Duhau family, the neoclassical building recalls the splendor of another era. Dramatic chandeliers and lighting fixtures along with scores of marble welcome guests in regal fashion to the heart and soul of the property. In this noble, more social wing of the hotel, you’ll find the stunning Los Salones del Piano Nobile, a series of soigné salons where the walls are lined with restored original boiserie and the tables are filled throughout the day with a smart set of well-heeled locals and guests, many of whom are drawn to the very popular five o’clock afternoon tea service.

Also located in the Palacio building is the clubby Oak Bar, so named for its walls which are lined with specially carved 17^th century oak paneling taken from a castle in Normandy. Richly furnished and blessed with an inviting 28-seat bar, the Oak Bar provides the perfect meeting place for an intimate cocktail – be it for business or pleasure. And, like the Salones del Piano Nobile, the Oak Bar also features a terrace overlooking the exquisitely landscaped Palace gardens which are akin to a private oasis in the middle of the city.

Across the gardens, on the opposite side of the Palace, is the property’s more contemporary addition which was completed in 2006. While the Palace houses some of the hotel’s most prized suites, the bulk of the accommodations are located in the more contemporary adjunct which is connected to the Palace via an underground art gallery known as the Paseo de las Artes Duhau. In addition to being a novel way to solve the problem of shuttling guests from one building to the other, there is also something intoxicatingly enchanting in the way the passage seamlessly transports guests from the best of one era to the best of another.

Sleek and modern, the contemporary building is equally an oasis but with a more minimalist charm. Rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated and perfectly appointed with an array of amenities that are especially ideally suited for the business traveler. Combined with butler service, state-of-the-art technology and views of both the Palace and garden, even the standard rooms are a cut above.

Finally, with the attractions, restaurants and shops of the Recoleta just steps away from this jewel of a hotel, you will find in it a perfect jumping off spot from which to explore the city or do business or whatever your visit may occasion.

Palacia Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Avenida Alvear 1661
Buenos Aires, Argentina
C1014AAD
Tel: +54 11 5171 1234

The Ingenue
Faena

Breathtaking is the first word that comes to mind upon stepping inside the main entrance of the Faena Buenos Aires located in trendy Puerto Madera neighborhood. Clearly the sort of space that was designed to beguile, it miraculously still manages to exceed its remit. Towering swaths of red velvet paired with theatrical proportions and whimsical interiors designed by Phillipe Starck, welcome guests to the jaw-dropping Buenos Aires outpost of Faena Hotels.

In a city largely defined by history, modernity is the tune to which the Faena plays. Sure, it may be built in what was once a grain warehouse but that is right about where the history lesson ends. In fact, it might even be said the Faena represents a new breed of elegance in a rapidly evolving Buenos Aires.

From its award-winning restaurants like Bistro Sur to its hipster lined “see and be seen” pool to its sumptuous rooms kitted out with custom-designed white leather furnishings, lapacho-wood floors and clawfoot bathtubs in majestic marble bathrooms, the Faena is like something out of a Baz Lurhmann-inspired dream.

As an added bonus, the hotel also offers its own in-house entertainment in the form of its Library Bar and 1920’s inspired tango club El Cabaret. Rojo Tango, as the nightly dinner and show at El Cabaret is known, is a particularly a nice treat especially given that, for all its novelty, the Puerto Madero neighborhood feels a touch sterile in addition to being a bit far away from the livelier Recoleta and Hollywood Palermo neighborhoods. Thankfully taxis are cheap and plentiful and Uber is also an easily accessible option.

Faena Hotel Buenos Aires
Martha Salotti 445
Buenos Aires, Argentina
C1107CMB
Tel: +54 11 4010 9000

The Glamour Girl
Algodon Mansion

A number of swank boutique hotels have sprung up around Buenos Aires in recent years, but the all-suite Algodon Mansion has earned a spotlight all its own. Located in a restored building of French Classical design in the Recoleta, the Algodon is a real gem of a property that will hold particular appeal for luxury lovers taking an extended stay in Buenos Aires as well as those who, like myself, enjoy living like a local.

Of particular appeal is the Algodon’s discreet location on a quiet, upscale residential street.  Just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of busy nearby thoroughfares to allow one to experience a different side of the city, it remains proximate to many popular hotspots and off the beaten path boutiques, cafés, and art galleries that might otherwise go undiscovered. In truth, hours of charm and amusement await in simply roaming the streets surrounding the Algodon Mansion. But, location aside, I would be remiss if I were not to acknowledged that it is in the interior of the hotel – in the accommodations –  where the mansion truly shines.

Beyond the subtly elegant lobby and wine bar on the main floor, each of the hotel’s individually designed suites is impressively turned out with sleek contemporary furnishings, hardwood floors, massive French limestone or Italian marble bathrooms, and an array of technological amenities guaranteed to make guests feel right at home. Moreover, every suite, boasts a separate living area, with some featuring working fireplaces and original artwork while others offers expansive terraces as well.

In terms of entertainment, the Algodon packs a lot of punch for a boutique hotel. In addition to the aforementioned lobby bar where guests can mingle with locals and sample local entertainment as well as wines and fare produced from the product of the Algodon’s estates in Mendoza, there is a rooftop pool adjoined by a popular open-air bar and tented cigar lounge showcasing a menu of drinks from around the world. Finally, for the ultimate in relaxation, the rooftop also houses a full-service spa offering steam, sauna, and massage rooms along with a range of treatment options.

Bottom line: If Algodon Mansion proves one maxim, it is that big, wonderful things can indeed come in boutique sized packages.

Algodon Mansion
Montevideo 1647
Buenos Aires, Argentina
C1021AAA
Tel: +54 11 3530 7777

The Heroine
Hotel Club Frances

Step into the lobby of the Hotel Club Frances and you will feel the tug of history. Famously known as the original meeting space of the eminent members and guests of the former Club Francés (French Club), a community of prominent French-born residents of Buenos Aires, the refined space now known as Hotel Club Francés has, over the course of the last 150 years, notably hosted everyone from French Prime Ministers M. Georges Clemenceau and Dominique de Villepin to Nobel Prize Laureate Anatole France and HRH the Duke of Windsor.

Today, as a private hotel, the original property combined with its newly constructed tower, maintains the standards and attention to detail that have made it a favorite among visiting VIPs for the last century and a half – albeit in buffed up environs that have returned a good deal of the original luster to Neoclassical structure. The grand lobby opens into a beautifully restored, yet still quite clubbish Mahogany paneled bar of the variety in which one might imagine the great minds of yesteryear plotting the future of modern society. Meanwhile a marble staircase leads to the hotel’s historic salons and meeting spaces, many of which are decorated with glittering chandeliers and restored works of art.

As for the hotel’s 28 rooms, they are spacious and comfortably furnished in a manner that shows deference to the history of the property (think antique headboards and Belle Epoque-inspired furniture) but also nods and winks to the contemporary with mod cons including flat screen televisions and rainfall showers. Two Executive Deluxe Suites even offer a private sauna and jacuzzi while one of the Luxury Suites boasts a more than 1,000 square foot terrace in addition to a private sauna and jacuzzi.

That this marvelous combo of luxe and history is located dab smack in the midst of the Recoleta is only an added bonus.

Hotel Club Frances
Rodriguez Peña 1832.
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tel: +54 11 4812 5235

The Grande Dame
Alvear Palace

Every major city has a Grande Dame hotel and in Buenos Aires it is very clear that title squarely belongs to the Alvear Palace. Majestically (and appropriately) perched alongside some of the city’s most exclusive shops on Avenida Alvear, one of the most sought-after locations in the Recoleta, the Alvear Palace represents the penultimate in luxury in Buenos Aires.

An abundance of gold leaf, sparkling crystal chandeliers, Louis XV and Louis XVI style furniture and meticulously uniformed staff welcome the arrival of guests which on any given day might include a president (France’s Jacques Chirac or South Africa’s Nelson Mandela) or a movie star (Tom Cruise or Al Pacino). But such arrivals are de rigueur for a grande dame hotels like the Alvear which is despite its grandiosity welcoming without pretense. Tis interesting to note that it is usually the yet to be proven pretender class of hotels that are the snootiest, while the true grandees are nothing but gracious to all. I’m sure there is some metaphor for life there but, as usual, I digress.

In terms of accommodations, every room at the Alvear offers shades of something special but the Lounge Suites and better are the real sweet spot. Clocking in at no less than approximately 500 square feet, Lounge Suites are strikingly appointed with contemporary furnishings that blend rather than detract from the architecture of the hotel. Meanwhile these especially exceptional accommodations also count among their prime amenities, butler service, complimentary ironing and bathrooms that are like sanctuaries in Carrara and Marquina black marble accessorized with separate tubs and showers and Hermés toiletries. Perhaps best of all, the Lounge Suites also offer access to the exclusive 1930’s inspired Alvear Lounge, an exquisitely outfitted corner of the hotel where guests can enjoy a complimentary petit buffet breakfast, a light buffet lunch, a glass of wine or a coffee, in a space more intimate than the hotel’s generally busier public spaces.

Speaking of public spaces, there are a few at the Alvear that are not to be missed. Chief among these is L’Orangerie, a staple among the Recoleta’s chic set, notable for its afternoon tea service, and La Bourgogne, the hotel’s haute French restaurant lorded over by Chef Jean Paul Bondoux. C’est magnifique.

Alvear Palace
Avda. Alvear 1891
Buenos Aires, Argentina
C1129AAA
Tel: + 54 11 4808 2100

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One of the most popular misconceptions about a globetrotting life is that it is always glamorous. Not only is such an assumption misguided, it is naïve at best. But every once in a while on a globetrotter’s journey, one comes across an experience or place that stands so far apart from the norm that it deserves to be known as “best in class”. These are the places and experiences to which I apply the moniker “LivingWells Recommends” and the Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant in Forestville, CA is the latest addition to the list.

Blink and you’ll miss the entrance to this slice of paradise, set off Sonoma County’s meandering River Road, a serpentine byway that winds its way through pastoral vineyards and farms all the way to the Guerneville, the Russian River and beyond. A formerly run down farmhouse (hence the name), the Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant is today a rambling, rustically elegant property that is, in a word, idyllic.

Co-owned by the brother and sister duo of Joe and Catherine Bartolomei, the Farmhouse Inn memorializes the enduring spirit of wine country and the more than five generations their family has spent in the region over the last century. The siblings have said of their venture that they wanted to create “a haven from everyday life” that recalled the joy and camaraderie of their youth spent on their grandparents’ ranch located just three miles from the Inn and, to my eye, they have succeeded on every score.

The second guests enter the property, wheels crunching over the loose gravel leaving no choice other than to slow down as a matter of course, the escape begins. Then upon surveying the property, one can’t help but to be taken over by the feeling that rather than checking into a hotel, one has arrived at a favorite camp from one’s youth…one that is filled with fond memories of lazy days and happy times. This is so, whether one has ever experienced such a thing or not because the Farmhouse Inn represents the picture of such experiences that films, books and television have painted of the same. Walls of trees surround authentic farmhouse structures, a pool forms the nucleus of the property and the scale of everything in sight feels livable and relaxed. Even the smell of the lobby, gloriously scented as it is by the hotel’s signature Sonoma Bath Bar chock full of fragrant seasonal scrubs, salts, milk bath and handmade olive oil bar soaps, is seductive.

Introductions aside, the accommodations at the Farmhouse Inn take the seduction of the place to a whole new level. Rooms, all of which have been painstakingly updated and meticulously appointed, are spacious modern affairs with high-ceilings, feather beds, large jetted tubs and saunas or steam showers. Fresh seasonal flowers fill the tables in the living areas, while Sonoma-made, organic Sumbody bath and beauty products line the bathroom counters. Some rooms even have fireplaces and patio decks, while others boast different perks like private courtyards but rest assured that all 25 rooms are imbued with the kind of upscale wine country décor and state-of-the-art amenities that make ‘simple’ living look so chic.

Rounding out the experience of the Farmhouse Inn, is its restaurant, which is one of the finest in Sonoma County. The complementary three-course breakfast offered to guests is a delight unparalleled in the region, or I dare say, most places in the world. While many B & B’s offer complimentary breakfast, few offer anything that is worth loosing sleeping over. The Farmhouse Inn breakfast is, however, memorable enough to merit doing just that. Likewise, the locally sourced dinner menu crafted by Executive Chef Steve Litke and his team is an absolute standout in a place filled with standouts and just one more reason to book a stay at the Farmhouse Inn.

A final reason (as if one was needed) to reserve a stay at the Farmhouse Inn is the spa. Operated as a partnership between Farmhouse and Francis & Alexander, the Spa at Farmhouse is located in the property’s former Carriage House and showcases a farm-to-table menu of services that was conceived as a natural extension to the Sonoma farm-inspired experience that defines the Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant. Think lavender-orange hair and scalp treatments, ginger honey massages and body pillows filled with muscle healing herbs, alfalfa, lavender and chamomile. I am a particular fan of the “A Man’s Turn” treatment which combines a 90-minute massage with hot towel compresses and a steamy hot towel facial massage and comes complete with a personalized DIY shave (including kit) in your room.

Because it proves that you don’t always have to go as far away as you might think to escape and it does so with such panache and finesse, LivingWells Recommends the Farmhouse Inn.

To book a reservation or find out more about Farmhouse Inn, click here.

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In the big city it is the little pleasures that can, at times, be the most alluring. After all, even those of us who thrill at the thought of urban life with its spectacle of sights, sounds, smells and swarms of people, simultaneously long for a respite from it, if only for a few rejuvenating hours each day.

After the last call, the last dance or the last hour of a long day of doing business, there is something to be said for escaping the bright lights and hustle and bustle of the city by taking solace in a peaceful, homey place, rather than a massive impersonal maze of cookie cutter accommodations. By and large, a good swath of boutique hotels amply satisfy this criteria at a reasonable price point and the city that famously never sleeps has more than its fair share of impressive options for doing precisely that.

With that in mind, here are five boutique hotels around NYC that rise to the top of the list:

Iroquois New York

Hotels that stand the test of time and remain among the city’s best offerings have generally earned bragging rights and the historic Iroquois Hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is no exception. Completed at the turn of the twentieth century, the Iroquois is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, in addition to counting itself among the properties in the boutique Triumph Hotels collection, which is comprised of seven hotels in various corners of Manhattan.

Famous for having been the home of James Dean and its prime location amidst the city’s most exclusive private clubs, the Iroquois also counts proximity to Times Square and Grand Central Station among its assets. Glittering history and location aside, the Iroquois’ 117  rooms are thoroughly contemporary and luxuriously modern right down to the complimentary hotel wide wi-fi, Frette bathrobes and Molton Brown bath products that line the bathroom walls. Count as added bonuses a fully outfitted, 24-hour fitness center complete with a Finnish sauna, private training, yoga or Pilates sessions upon request and complimentary overnight shoeshines for guests.

Rounding out the perks of stay at the Iroquois is the fact that it is home to both the inspired Lantern’s Keep and the critically well-regarded Triomphe eatery. While the former is an intimate, moody space helmed by cocktail experts and mixologists bearing a flair for turning out old school cocktails with an air of authenticity, the latter is the hotel’s upscale French restaurant with a seasonal menu that has earned a reputation as one the New York Theatre District’s most popular haunts. (And yes the hotel is within walking distance of the Theatre District, which is yet another of the hotel’s attributes about which to sing.)

The Iroquois New York |49 West 44th Street | New York, New York 10036

P: 800.332.7220 | www.iroquoisny.com

NYLO

NYLO hotels are quickly making their mark across America by offering arty, urban loft-style living combined with contemporary furnishings and a decidedly social vibe into which its hipster guests can easily relax.  Located on NYC’s fashionable Upper West Side near local attractions including Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History and Beacon Theater, the NYLO New York City lives up to the brand’s promise from the open façade of the neighbhorhood-y LOCL Bar on the ground floor that welcomes guests to the industrial but inviting space.

Completely unpretentious and captivatingly cool, the NYC edition of the NYLO is all about modern luxury. In sleekly designed rooms dominated by palettes of neutrals, hanging lamps dangle rather than clutter metal door-clad nightstands while original artwork from local artists adorns the walls. Meanwhile all rooms also offer complimentary Wolfgang Puck coffee and the brand’s signature NYLO NYTE beds, which are award-winning in their own right.

However, given that little says New York better than a great view, the real treat at the NYLO, is without question the spacious lofts and suites on floors 14 – 16. Ranging in size from 300 -500 square feet, these spacious accommodations dazzle with private outdoor balconies overlooking Central Park, the Hudson River, and the Upper West Side.

Adding additional shine to the NYLO’s patina of coolness is the hotel’s recently launched Live @ LOCL Music Series featuring jazz and blues sessions set on the hotel’s 16th floor terrace against breathtaking views of the Natural History Museum. Not only does the series offer a great opportunity to enjoy the Roaring 20s’ themed LOCL Bar along with a healthy serving of live entertainment, it’s a fantastic chance to mingle with Upper West Side locals who have apparently grown quite keen on the place. Is there any better endorsement?

NYLO New York City |2178 Broadway |New York, NY 10024

P: 212.362.1100 | www.nylohotels.com

Hotel Belleclaire

If the NYLO is the fashionable new kid on the block that is the Upper West Side, then the stately Belleclaire perched proudly across the street is the neighborhood’s grand dame. Once characterized as one of the flashiest buildings in NYC, the Beaux Arts style Hotel Belleclaire has welcomed a parade of celebrated guests ranging from Mark Twain to Babe Ruth since opening the doors to its regal lobby more than a century ago in 1903.

Like the Iroquois Hotel, the Hotel Belleclaire has similarly stood the test of time and is also part of the Triumph Hotel Collection. Perhaps the most remarkable quality of the Hotel Belleclaire is that, even after multiple renovations and sophisticated upgrades to add to the modernity of the property, the hotel still maintains the feeling of great old apartment hotel. From the Mad Men –era worthy lobby, albeit one currently blessed with its own Mille Feuille Bakery, to the charming staircases and mazelike hallways on every floor, there are constant echoes of the hotel’s chic past residents at every turn.

More notable however is the most au courant attribute of the Belleclaire which is its ability to envelop guests in the vibe of neighborhood living right in the heart of the city. In other words, a stay at the Belleclaire is more akin to the life of a NYC resident than it is that of a tourist. Rooms like the Babe Ruth Suite are well appointed yet comfortable and relaxed affairs with homey flourishes like a fireplace and bay window seating overlooking Broadway. Likewise other suites offer comforting amenities like DVD and Blu Ray players with complimentary movies, while City View rooms deliver impressive views of Broadway or the Hudson River and all rooms offer flat screen HDTVs, complimentary wireless Internet access, C.O. Bigelow amenities, and Frette linens.

When it comes to old school cool wrapped in new school luxe, the Hotel Belleclaire is trumps on the West Side.

Hotel Belleclaire|250 West 77th Street |New York, NY 10024

P: 877.468.3522 | www.hotelbelleclaire.com

The Duane Street Hotel

The Duane Street Hotel simultaneously proves that size does matter and that smaller can indeed be better.

Utterly downtown and undeniably, eclectically chic, the Duane Street Hotel is one of Tribeca’s understated gems.  As part of the Independent Collection, which is known for delivering the high level of service cloaked in the kind of fashionable boutique environment that travel connoisseurs crave, the Duane Street Hotel promise to be a place where ‘Old New York meets European sensibility’. And it delivers.

Guests of the 43-rooom property, located steps away from SoHo, the West Village, Chinatown, and Little Italy, are likely to feel as though they are living just as one of their well-heeled neighbors might when they step into the hotel’s loft-like rooms where 11-foot ceilings, a selection of classic books, hardwood floors and oversized windows are standard issue. Dressed as they are in stark black and white with hints of gold and silver, each room from the more modest Accessible King to the sumptuous Corner Suite exudes the quintessentially cosmopolitan style of New York. This is even so despite the fact that amenities such as the luxury bed linens by Bellino, the bath products by L’Occitane, and the plush terry bathrobes by Scandia are distinctly European.

On the subject of amenities, when it comes to perks the Duane Street Hotel rivals those of its more grandiose competitors. Wi-Fi access is of course free, as is use of a cache of iPads which are available for loan to hotel guests. But the perk that many guests love most is the hotel’s offer of complimentary passes to the swish Equinox Gym in Tribeca, a popular destination for the neighborhood’s celebrated A-list residents. Ditto for the in spa or massage services the hotel is happy to arrange to pamper guests upon request.

Duane Street Hotel | 130 Duane Street | New York, New York 10013

P: 212.964.4600 | www.duanestreethotel.com

The Evelyn Hotel

NoMad, that trendy little neighborhood in New York City bordered by Gramercy Park and the Flatiron District and located within walking distance of Madison Square Park and the Empire State Building, has several rising stars and The Evelyn Hotel is certainly among them.

Formerly known as The Gershwin, the recently renovated hotel has both a new look and a new name. And yet some things remain the same at the more than one hundred year-old property which still pays tribute to the long list of Broadway and Vaudeville performers, musicians, songwriters, and publishers including George Gershwin (obviously) who called the streets of NoMad home by incorporating music into the design of the hotel. While, live music frequently floods the hotel’s cavernous lobby reminding guests that they are staying in what was once known as “Tin Pan Alley”, some rooms are equipped with the most ingenious of phonographs that actually act as pseudo docking stations capable of playing music from mobile devices (no adapters required).

As yet another member of the Triumph Hotels collection, rooms at the Art Nouveau style Evelyn Hotel offer a selection of prime amenities to ensure that guests feel right at home. They include Frette linens and bathrobes, Lefroy Brooks bathroom fixtures, walk-in rain showers, table top multimedia hubs on desks and USB ports access on headboards. Complimentary access to an off-site 24 Hr. Fitness is also on offer.

Bolstered by a fresh new look defined by stylish furnishings and clean lines, along with a supremely friendly and competent staff, The Eveyln Hotel is primed to once again be an epicenter of a different variety for a new generation.

Special bonus: The Museum of Sex, always good for a quick diversion, is located right night door.

The Evelyn Hotel New York | 7 East 27th Street | New York, NY 10016 |

P: 212.545.8000 | www.gershwinhotel.com

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Paradise Beach Nevis | Charlestown, Nevis
Average January High Temperature: 83°F / 28°C

Snowbirds with a hankering for a healthy dose of Caribbean sun sans the flash and crush of St. Bart’s this winter, may find a tamer, yet equally luxurious alternative in the new Paradise Beach villa resort which will open its doors on the island of Nevis in January 2015. A collection of seven three and four bedroom beachfront villas comprised of two king bedrooms, one or two queen bedrooms, a full entertainment kitchen, open living space and outdoor showers, Paradise Beach promises the intimacy of a private home with all the perks of a five-star resort (butler and concierge included, of course).

Complementing each villa’s hand-woven thatched roof, 20-foot vaulted ceilings, privacy walls, outdoor dining pavilion and waterfall pool overlooking either the Caribbean or landscaped gardens is the resort’s stretch of white-sand beach and private beach bar. That all of these amenities are available as an addendum to access to just about every outdoor activity that winter prohibits elsewhere in the world is a given.

Plus, as an added bonus, St. Kitts is just a short ferry ride away should a surplus of natural beauty be required. – http://paradisebeachnevis.com

Gansevoort Playa Imbert | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Average January High Temperature: 82°F / 28°C

January may generally be the coolest month of the year in the Dominican Republic, but an average high temperature of 82°F and an average low of 67°F, certify the Caribbean island’s reputation as a more than palatable option for escaping the doldrums of winter. The December 15th opening of the 48-suite Gansevoort Playa Imbert only further burnishes the isle’s credibility in that regard.

In sync with the level of luxe that is synonymous with the brand, the Gansevoort’s new Dominican Republic outpost promises one and two-bedroom lofts; three-bedroom apartments with private plunge pools and spacious terraces; and a collection of four-bedroom penthouses equipped with private rooftop Jacuzzis among other indulgent amenities. To round out the experience, the resort has already opened, Baia Lounge, a gourmet eatery showcasing Mediterranean specialties and Asian-inspired fare from Executive Chef Giancarlo Fiori, formerly of the Michelin 3-star El Bulli restaurant in San Sebastian Spain. Meanwhile plans are underway for a fitness center, a world-class day spa featuring a Hammam-style sauna, and a meditation and yoga garden. Bottom line: Paradise may well have found a new home. –www.gansevoortdominicanrepublic.com

Beach House Villas | Nassau, Bahamas
Average January High Temperature: 78°F / 26°C

Speaking of paradise…If you happen to be in the market to purchase a warm weather getaway this winter, Beach House Villas, a unique collection of state of the art private beachfront properties on Paradise Island offers a turnkey option unlike any other on the island of Nassau. Proximate to the sprawling mini-metropolis that is the Atlantis Resort, the five premium luxury villas that make up the Beach House Villas community are fully and elegantly furnished with staggering views of either the beach or the harbor. Completing the package that gives the island its name, each villa is equipped with the professional/private services of a chef, concierge, housekeeping, boat (with captain) plus dock, waterfront pool and gym and countless other perks. Price tag: $5.5 to $8M+. – http://www.beachhousevillasparadiseisland.com/

For a less permanent Nassau option, stay tuned for the opening of The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, a new $3.5 billion gaming resort slated to open in spring 2015 that will include a 1,000-room hotel and 100,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino, a 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room SLS LUX, and a 200-room Rosewood Hotel property. – https://www.bahamar.com/

Amilla Fushi Resort | Maldives
Average January High Temperature: 81°F / 27°C

Can’t seem to warm up? Why not literally head to the equator?

Jolly old Saint Nick won’t be the only one spreading holiday cheer this month as the highly anticipated December 2014 arrival of the Amilla Fushii Resort invites glad tidings of its own. Located in the heart of the Maldives Islands on Baa Atoll, one of 26 natural atolls forming an archipelago at the equator in the Indian Ocean, the new 71-room luxury resort promises, not just another hotel experience, but an “island home” amid pristine crystal clear waters, white beaches and rich, lush vegetation.

Because “home” is a very individual concept, within its modest allotment of rooms, the Amilla offers an astonishing range of accommodations that includes five 2-bedroom Tree Houses, ten 2,000-plus square foot Lagoon Houses (the smallest offering) and four 30,000 square foot beach residences. Completing the scene at the fantastical new resort are two restaurants from acclaimed Australian chef and restaurateur, Luke Mangan, one of the largest pools in the Maldives, a spa retreat offering a menu of curated organic treatments from luxury spa provider Ila, and signature retail outlets. There’s even a ‘Kid’s Jungle’ for the little tykes. —http://www.amilla.mv/.

The Club at Kukui`ula | Poipu Beach, Kauai
Average January High Temperature: 78°F / 26°C

The Club at Kukui`ula is a private membership club set against a surreal postcard-perfect backdrop where luxury is delivered wrapped up in the laidback spirit of aloha. Fortunately, however, there is no need to sign a new mortgage in order access the privileges of The Club. The benefits of membership at Kukui`ula can instead be readily accessed via a stay at one of the property’s sumptuous two or three bedroom club cottages which can be arranged through the Parrish Collection, a local purveyor of vacation rentals across Kauai and the exclusive guest manager for Kukui`ula.

Each of the club cottages at Kukui`ula is a breathtaking new construction boasting a minimum of 2,000 square feet and bursting with all the luxuries of home, right down to wine coolers, state of the art gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and well-stocked fridges for those so inclined to request them in advance. A minimum of two master suites with king beds, walk-in-closets, outdoor lava rock garden showers and pedestal tubs, private backyards with gas lava rock fire pits, flat screen televisions throughout and spacious, open living and dining room plans, seal the proverbial deal.

Some of the cottages even have separate guest cottages with their own private lanais, while others have private pools and all are brimming with exquisite new furnishings, island antiques and objets d’art. If you can think of better way to say ‘aloha’ to winter, then you are a much better wordsmith than I. – http://kukuiula.com/the-club/

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That London’s Egerton House Hotel should be the first hotel named a LivingWells Icon will not at all come as a surprise to anyone who has had the distinct pleasure of a stay at this regal and historic property secreted away in the bosom of eternally fashionable Knightsbridge. Located just steps away from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and a gaggle of London’s smartest eateries, the Egerton House is, as I have often described to friends and acquaintances, elegance personified.

It has always been my contention that the very best boutique hotels are so identified because they excel the contrivances of a traditional hotel stay, however pleasurable, to create an exceptionally personal experience to which guests develop a unique attachment. It is primarily by this measure that the Egerton House Hotel earns its stripes as an icon in my humble estimation.

Since my first stay at the Egerton some eight years ago, I have considered the hotel which, through the end of the 19^th Century, served as the former private residence of everyone from consorts of the royal family to a breadth of London’s wealthiest residents, my personal home away from home in London.  In fact, rarely have I visited London in recent years and not spent at least a single night in one of the hotel’s exquisitely appointed, individually decorated rooms where antiques mix with original works of arts with a grace and harmony that many contemporary five star properties have unfortunately eschewed in favor of a more minimalist, less timeless look. It is for this reason that I never request a particular room or suite at the Egerton House, as hunkering down in a different room on each successive visit offers something new to marvel about and thereby keeps the experience fresh.

While many memories are made at hotels, few hotels are, in and of themselves, responsible for making indelible memories in the way that the Egerton House does. For instance, London is simply not London to me without a Martini prepared by the Egerton’s Head Barman, Antonio Pizzuto, a legend in his own right with whom I have found myself bantering into the wee hours of the morning about the London he has witnessed over the course of his 40-year career behind the bar at not only the Egerton House, but also those of some of the city’s most esteemed and highly-regarded establishments. It is these kinds of special connections with characters like Antonio and so many other members of the staff that are germane to making a stay at the Egerton such a singular experience.

It is the fact that I often crave the house Caesar Salad that I inevitably order upon arrival at the hotel, the way in which I compare the breakfast service at every other hotel I visit to that of the Egerton House, and the recognition that of all the hotels I visit around the world, few possess the ongoing compelling allure of a home in the genuine way that is the hallmark of the Egerton House, that underlines my frequent praise and recommendation of the hotel.

My endorsement of the Egerton House could fill a volume, but suffice it to say, that because of its quintessential Britishness, its unparalleled service and attention to detail, the 28-room Egerton House Hotel is a titan among London hotels and for that reason a LivingWells Icon.

The Egerton House Hotel is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. For more information or to make a reservation visit: www.redcarnationhotels.com.

Egerton House Exterior View

Egerton House Garden

Egerton House Drawing Room

Egerton House Lobby

Head Barman Antonio in his element

Egerton Classic Double Room

Egerton House Studio Suite

Another Egerton House Studio Suite

Victoria and Albert Suite, Bedroom

Victoria and Albert Suite, Sitting Room

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With the holidays fast approaching, there isn’t a more romantic time to visit New York City. The Jade Hotel located in Greenwich Village cuts through the chaos of honking cabs and the electrifying, if unceasing, buzz of the city. Both subtle and sleek, the Jade Hotel fits right in with its trendy neighborhood home where it resides alongside numerous jazz bars, coffee houses, theaters, and elegant brownstones. Staying at The Jade, guests will find themselves surrounded by plenty of good times and good vibes while at the same time feeling totally secluded from the usual hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

Inspired by the 1920’s Parisian art-deco era, a gorgeous glowing grand staircase invites guests into its warm lobby area to kick back and rest from all the walking that is incumbent upon a visit to NYC while strains of Billie Holiday or Dean Martin fill the room transporting them back the golden age of New York City. The Jade offers 113 romantic rooms with beautiful views of the city that make the perfect getaway for you and that special person. From cozy queen size rooms all the way up to penthouse suites, The Jade has luxury to spare.

Guests looking to spend a cozy night in after a long day of adventuring and shopping, can stop in at the hotel’s trendy yet chic Grape & Vine which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and has fast become considered one of NYC’s hottest hotel restaurants.  Otherwise there’s always the late night “lounge menu” or a nightcap at the bar before bedtime.

As fast and hectic as New York City can be, a bit of solace can still be found in Greenwich Village. A picturesque, brick building oasis, steeped in bohemian culture, The Jade has managed to soak up the cool and unique vibes of The Village while making an indelible mark on one of NYC’s most legendary communities.

Find out more or book a reservation at www.thejadenyc.com

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Never let it be said that leaving a town like Carmel-by-the-Sea is easy, but road trips do, by definition, require movement.  So, on Day 21 of my great California adventure, I took one last glimpse at the seaside village of Carmel as it faded from view and rolled onward to the final stop of what had already been an epic tour of the Golden State’s finest assets.

Pulling into the San Francisco’s bustling TenderNob neighborhood, a wave of nostalgia, threaded with vivid memories of all the people and places that I had encountered in the run-up to that very moment, played like a slideshow in my mind. To be fair, the slideshow had actually begun queueing at the start of the two-plus hour trek from Carmel, which included a brief detour through lovely Santa Cruz, and continued on during the surprisingly brisk, unobstructed afternoon drive along Highway 1.  However it was only once I found myself in the gritty heart of San Francisco that the collective clamoring of all these memories became too prominent to ignore. That said, I will save the trip down remembrance road for my closing post, and focus instead on the first 24 of the last 48 hours in my LivingWells California journey.

The jumping off point for my stay in San Francisco was the boutique Hotel Adagio, the third and final property from the Autograph Collection on my California itinerary. In a previous post about San Diego’s Pier South Hotel, I joked that I was starting to think that the signature of the Autograph brand might very well be the superior views that appeared to be the stock-in-trade of every hotel in the collection I had yet to experience. It was a notion that was only further affirmed when I stepped off the elevator onto the Hotel Adagio’s 16^th floor and walked into the spacious Samuel Suite in which I would be laying my head for the evening.  I was already suitably impressed by the suite’s formal dining room, living room and fireplace, when I stumbled out onto the enormous terrace and saw San Francisco spread out before me in almost naked glory.

If you’ve been following this trip, my predilection for boutique hotels is by now certain to be abundantly clear and the landmark 171-room Hotel Adagio, which was originally built in the late 1920s, celebrates just about every reason for my preference. Recently renovated, the Adagio’s public spaces are contemporary and chic, the rooms are well appointed, and despite its modest size, the hotel boasts a well-equipped and modern gym, mini-business center and a stylish bar called The Mortimer that specializes in craft cocktails that have earned the boite a place among San Francisco’s hottest new bars. Perhaps, best of all, the hotel is situated in the thick of San Francisco life just steps away from Union Square, Moscone Center, Market Street, North Beach, Chinatown and three of San Francisco’s most historic theaters. In other words, much of the city happens right outside the doors of the hotel.

Because it was such a gloriously beautiful day when I arrived [Note to self: Who knew San Francisco had such marvelously temperate fall weather?] I decided to spend a few hours taking advantage of my suite’s terrace and view before heading down to the Castro for dinner at Chef Nick Ronan’s Beso restaurant.

Beso is an intimate and casual space, hidden away in a corner just off Castro Street, where Chef Ronan and his culinary team prepare a seasonal menu of Catalan tapas using organic, baby specialty produce and herbs grown exclusively for Beso and the Bisou Group family of restaurants at their very own farm called Napa Kitchen Gardens. They call it “seed-to-table” dining and it’s so much more than a novelty. It’s something of a revolution, which is exactly what Chef Ronan hopes to create with his own special brand of bistronomy that is catching on like wildfire across San Francisco.

An imposing, yet approachable figure, Chef Ronan careens around Beso like the host of a mildly raucous nightly dinner party, greeting guests by name and occasionally sitting down for a chat with them. Seemingly unencumbered by the ego and desperate shyness that dogs so many of the current crop of ‘rock star chefs’ Chef Ronan is the maestro of not only his kitchens but also his dining rooms and everything plays along in time with his lead.

I began my meal with an excellent Rosé recommended by the house, which paired brilliantly with the first round of tapas to arrive at the table which included the bruschetta-esque pan con tomate, simply toasted bread topped with farm fresh tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil, roasted Brussel sprouts tossed with chorizo and a bright heirloom tomato salad that perhaps commended the Bisou Group’s exclusive gardens most highly. Next came crispy Hampshire pork belly served atop olive oil crushed potatoes, pickled onion, king oyster mushrooms, and smoked paprika vinaigrette that was at once comforting and innovative. Every flavor was perfectly refined and there was freshness in every bite. Prior to dining at Beso, I was familiar with bistronomy but I had neither heard of nor experienced ‘seed-to-table’ dining. After dinner, I was an avowed fan of both.

Tomorrow it’s on to not only my last day in San Francisco, but also the last day of this tour, but before we go there, here’s a quick look back at the day in pictures:

Hotel Adagio Entrance

Lobby, Hotel Adagio

Living Room, Samuel Suite, Hotel Adagio

Terrace view, Samuel Suite, Hotel Adagio

Another terrace view, Samuel Suite, Hotel Adagio

Terrace view at night, Samuel Suite, Hotel Adagio

Dining Room, Beso, SF

Hampshire Pork Belly, Beso, SF

Pan Con Tomate, Beso, SF

With Chef Nick Ronan, Beso, SF

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In keeping with my plan to explore the previously unexplored, the Southern California leg of the LivingWells California road trip ended with two relatively lazy days in two oceanfront properties that had heretofore been mere points on a map to me. I, of course, already knew the chic seaside community that is La Jolla, an always favored destination of mine when in San Diego. Ditto for the Gaslamp District which has increasingly become one of the most exciting areas for me to delve into when my travels take me to San Diego.  Imperial Beach and Pacific Beach were, however, a completely different story.

I actually arrived at the Pier South Resort on the shores of Imperial Beach under cover of night on Day 11, but it was not until I woke up in the Studio Suite overlooking the Pacific Ocean that the majesty of the hotel properly struck me. As the second property from the Autograph Collection in which I’ve stayed on this tour, I’m starting to get the sense that the real autograph of the Autograph Collection has a great deal to with spectacular views in spectacular locations . In that sense (and in so many others) the Pier South exceeds expectation.

The road that leads to Pier South is lined with a residential community dotted with with strip malls, beachy corner stores and more than a few Mexican restaurants worthy of a quick, casual bite courtesy of their authenticity, given that Imperial Beach is just about five miles from the Mexican border. A quick turn at the end of that road and the Pier South Resort appears towering over a relatively unpopulated stretch of the southernmost beach city in San Diego.  Sleek, ultra-modern and eco-friendly, the LEED Silver-certified the 78-room Pier South Resort is an idyllic escape for its location alone. You could go horseback riding on the beach, hiking or biking along nearby trails or even surfing, which seemed to be quite the thing during my stay. In fact, the hotel staff is happy to arrange any of the aforementioned and indeed offered to do the same for me. However, after nearly two weeks on the road, I opted to simply relax and enjoy the view from a few of hotel’s best vantage points — the terrace of my refreshingly stylish studio suite, the pool overlooking the Pacific and the hotel rooftop.  Which brings me to the third rule to come out of this road trip experience.

Rule #3:  Though the temptation will be great to schedule every minute of your trip, never forget to schedule time to simply relax, particularly when an amazing view is in the offing.  Sure, you can sleep when you die, but believe me there’s nothing wrong with sleeping while you’re on vacation especially when you have the sounds of the Pacific lapping up on the shores to lull you into a restful slumber.

I concluded my final night at the Pier South with dinner at the hotel’s Sea180 Tavern indulging in the innovative coastal cuisine of Executive Chef Ken Irvine. I ordered the chowder and the fish and chips while my friend enjoyed a gorgeously presented and equally flavorful plate of rare mignons, but not before we sampled a smattering of delights from the kitchen that married crispy wontons with poke, pineapple and avocado in various combinations and included a delightful seaweed salad. Paired with surprisingly unique Mexican wine and beer options, the meal represented a fitting end to a seamless stay at this new highly favored getaway of mine.

En route to my next stop I popped into the RGang Eatery in Hillcrest for brunch. I had stopped by former Top Chef contestant Rich Sweeney‘s restaurant for dinner on my last stop in San Diego and he told me that if I loved dinner I would love the brunch at RGang and he couldn’t have been more directly on point. Loud, fun and super casual, brunch at RGang is like stopping by a friend’s place for a bite and the menu is just as homey and comfort driven as you might expect of the Sweeney. I ordered the decadently wonderful Jalapeno Cheddar Cornmeal Waffle and Fried Chicken while my friend had the massive Breakfast Sandy piled high with bacon, eggs, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato on grilled brioche. The service was as friendly and warm as ever and we both left sated, which explains why RGang has assured its place as another of new regular fave stops in San Diego.

My final stop in San Diego was at Tower23 on Pacific Beach. Busy, lively and lined with beach bums of every variation, Pacific Beach is the opposite of Imperial Beach in the sense that is anything but removed from the action. In the thick of it all, Tower23 sits on corner of the busy Pacific Beach scene, with an Urban Outfitters on one side and the ocean on the other. A boutique little luxury jewel box of a hotel, Tower23 specializes in cool.

Rooms have names like Serenity Pad, Sweet Suite, Sky Pad and Spirit Pad and all have a clean, modern aesthetic and an array of state of the art amenities.  I stayed in the Sanctuary Suite, which boasted all of the aforementioned attributes along with a private patio steps away from the beach and some truly amazing views. Pacific Beach isn’t upscale La Jolla by far (though La Jolla is only a short drive away) but it is a fun, beach community with local bars lacking in pretense or anything of the like where you can let your hair down and enjoy some wings and beer and unwind which is exactly what I did with my final 18 hours in San Diego at Tower 23, which is the epicenter of hip in that corner of San Diego.

Next stop Wine Country and a whole different side of California.

Pier South Reort, Autograph Collection

A view to die for, Pier South Resort

Arriving at Studio Suite, Pier South

Studio Suite, Pier South Resort

Imperial Beach

Sampling the cuisine at Seaside 180, Pier South

View of Imperial Beach from Studio Suite at Pier South

Pier South Hotel

Pier at Imperial Beach

Pier at Pacific Beach

Tower23 Exterior, Pacific Beach

Tower23 Sanctuary Suite

Interior Courtyard Tower23, Pacific Beach

Towe23 Bedroom

Sun Deck Tower23, Pacific Beach

(Additional photography by Rob Musick}

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