Vibrant yellow-and-white beach umbrellas set against an azure sky, with crystal-clear waves rolling across soft white sandy beaches: It’s a setting that immediately alleviates stress and brings peace to the soul. If you’re looking for a pampering getaway, look no further than Forbes Five-Star Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. With impeccable service and the ultimate luxury spa, this beach resort should be on your Florida-stay bucket list. 

Located in the small seaside town of Manalapan just south of Palm Beach, overlooking south Florida’s turquoise waters, the sprawling, Mediterranean-style waterfront escape offers two outdoor pools, tennis courts, and four exceptional restaurants, all set on seven acres of lush tropical grounds. 

Upon check-in, guests are greeted with a glass of bubbly before heading to their spacious and colorful accommodations designed by Jonathan Adler, featuring soaking tubs, luxurious bedding, and private balconies with hanging chairs to enjoy ocean views. 

But amazingly enough, the luxury accommodations and the ocean views are not the main attraction for many guests. The resort boasts a 42,000-square-foot spa—a playground for adults—where all the senses are pampered and indulged. Spend any amount of time in this soothing Shangri-La and you’ll want to book your next trip.

Start your visit by lounging in the co-ed Self Centered Garden, a courtyard at the heart of the spa. The garden has several soothing water features including fountains and waterfalls and is lined with bromeliads and palms. White canvas tents shade lounge chairs, plush couches, and daybeds. Rattan swing chairs float over a shallow reflecting pool—the perfect place to rock your cares away. 

Separate lounges for men and women are located inside the spa, and just as the garden offers a relaxing setting, the interiors don’t disappoint. The oversized whirlpool in the women’s side is surrounded by heated stone loungers. This wet spa also houses the sauna and steam room. Guests can create their own body scrub at the Polish Bar before hitting the steam.

Nineteen therapeutic treatment rooms offer the ultimate “me time” experience. Among the treatments on offer are the One Love Facial, which treats the skin with Alpha Beta peels, vitamin C mask, and collagen-stimulating LED light, and the Eau Naturale Facial, an organic anti-aging facial that turns back the clock with botanicals. The Garden of Eden massage for two, and the Turkish Rhassoul Mud Ritual to soften and exfoliate skin, while sipping Champagne prove there is something for just about everyone on the spa menu. 

After a morning at the spa, have an umbrella set up on the beach in front of the hotel, where you can rent SUPs, snorkel gear, and body boards for an afternoon frolicking in the sun and surf. 

For dining, the resort offers incredible gastronomic delights. Whether you are in the mood for classic American surf and turf, sushi featuring Florida’s freshest catch, or upscale Italian cuisine, the resort has something for everyone’s palate. Angle offers a farm-to-table experience focused on regionally grown produce and prime meats and fish paired with wine from its award-winning selection. Boken shows off the creativity of head sushi chef Chris Cantrel.

For the ultimate experience, dine at chef Cantrel’s table for an Omakase meal, a one-of-a-kind tour of authentic Japanese cuisine. Or take your taste buds to southern Italy at Polpo Palm Beach. Upscale fare inspired by regional dishes with an Italian-influenced wine list is presented by Eau Palm Beach’s executive chef Neall Bailey. Choose to dine inside or out—I chose to dine outside to hear the waves lapping at the shore and see the stars coming out in the evening. 

Truly a playground paradise, this stellar spa and resort experience is not to be missed.

A long, narrow site along Cancun’s Golden Mile drove the design of a new Waldorf Astoria on the beachfront there.

A typical response might have been to insert a simple horizontal bar of a hotel on that strip of sand between mangrove and sea.

But SB Architects principal Stefano Falbo is no typical hospitality architect. And EDSA principal Astrid Hoffmann is no ordinary landscape architect. The two firms work together regularly, often with pleasing results. “It’s always a mutual collaboration,” Falbo says. “Sometimes we call them in, and sometimes we get the same from them.”

The project started with a 2017 visit by the architects, who walked the site, talked to the client, and then wrapped their heads around the size, scope, and program for the hotel and spa.

Then came the edgy part, when the architects initiated a design charrette on site. Over a couple of days, they rolled out sketch paper and drew up a series of solutions for their clients. “You’re drawing by hand – and creating a vision right there,” he says. “It would have taken twice the time in the office.”

They followed an agreed-upon design footprint, with client decisions made on the spot. “It’s so valuable in a short period of time with all the stakeholders there,” Falbo says of the charrette process. “There it was – the combination of master plan and architecture.”

They’d sketched out a hotel with 173 ocean-facing rooms on that narrow strip of land, plus lobby, ballroom, meeting rooms and restaurants. “We wanted to break it up and articulate it, almost in a horseshoe shape,” he says. “We did not want a long, monotonous, and boring space.”

EDSA’s Hoffman was responsible for everything except the building itself. That meant the entrance sequence, the welcome center and guardhouse, the eight-minute drive through an otherwise untouched stretch of mangrove, the porte cochere, and the spa area.

“The site is a jagged line between the dunes and the mangrove,” she says. “It’s about the water, the flow, and the lines that cross the natural elements.”

The entire site is 865 acres of dense growth. The landscape architects didn’t touch the mangrove except for the road leading to the hotel. All around the structure, they used low-maintenance plantings, adaptive to the climate and natural to the place. Hoffmann’s material palette for the hardscape was a native stone, including the pools.

“It’s a very natural environment, immersed in the mangrove – you feel like you’re away from the world and in a wellness-oriented space,” she says.

Once an arriving guest has gone through a decompression phase from highway through mangrove to hotel entrance, an element of surprise awaits. “We wanted to create the ‘Wow!’ effect there,” Falbo says. “In a guest’s mind, the thought should be: ‘Yes – I arrived at the right place.’”

Hoffmann is a little more succinct. “I would say it’s a window to the sea,” she says.

And to the designers’ credit, it’s a sensitive triumph of nature over the built environment.

A 14-mile-long and half-mile-wide Atlantic coast barrier island, Palm Beach beckons those searching for the ultimate luxury in Florida getaways.

Pristine beaches, Worth Avenue’s tony boutiques, five-star restaurants, and oceanfront resorts make this a place to see and be seen. At this Gilded Age winter haven of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, grand historical estates hide behind iron gates and high hedgerows.  

The Colony Hotel

The Colony Hotel, known as the iconic “Pink Lady” (the hotel is painted a blush-rose hue), opened in in 1947 and embodies Old Floridian charm. Located on Hammon Avenue, the pretty-in-pink classic Colonial-style hotel is a breath of fresh air. The interior lobby is welcoming, with a nod to the tropics, thanks to Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors who has worked to give the original spaces (first designed by the iconic Dorothy Draper & Co.) a refresh. Palm frond–themed fabrics dress the club chairs, while shimmering green crystals drip from the chandelier. 

At check-in, guests are greeted with a glass of Champagne before heading to their suites. Each room is decorated in a unique color palette. Comfortable and ultra-luxe, the accommodations are impeccable (in my room, I’m surrounded by swaths of pink and green). After unpacking, head to the pool, where even the sunbathers are dressed to the nines in fashionable wide-brimmed straw hats, chic Audrey Hepburn sunglasses, and Lilly Pulitzer shifts, finished off with Jimmy Choo jute mule sandals. 

Couples enjoy brunch at the hotel’s restaurant, Swifty’s. The patio overlooks the pool, with many men in navy-blue jackets and shorts and women dressed in crisp white linen. The pool and the lush green lawn beyond are immaculate. Take a table on the terrace, order a salad and a sauvignon blanc, and watch the scene featuring the who’s who of Palm Beach’s elite unfold. The socialite scene is alive and well and lots of fun in this pretty pink paradise in Palm Beach. 

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Vibrant yellow-and-white beach umbrellas set against an azure sky, with crystal-clear waves rolling across soft white sandy beaches: It’s a setting that immediately alleviates stress and brings peace to the soul. If you’re looking for a pampering getaway, head to Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. With impeccable service and the ultimate luxury spa, this beach resort should be on your Florida-stay bucket list. Located in the small seaside town of Manalapan just south of Palm Beach, overlooking south Florida’s turquoise waters, the sprawling, Mediterranean-style waterfront escape offers two outdoor pools, tennis courts, and four exceptional restaurants, all set on seven acres of lush tropical grounds.

But amazingly enough, the luxury accommodations and the ocean views are not the main attraction for many guests. The resort boasts a 42,000-square-foot spa—a playground for adults—where all the senses are pampered and indulged. Spend any amount of time in this soothing Shangri-La and you’ll want to book your next trip right away.

Head to the co-ed Self Centered Garden, a courtyard at the heart of the spa. The garden has several soothing water features including fountains and waterfalls and is lined with bromeliads and palms. White canvas tents shade lounge chairs, plush couches, and daybeds. Rattan swing chairs float over a shallow reflecting pool—the perfect place to rock your cares away.

Separate lounges for men and women are located inside the spa, and just as the garden offers a relaxing setting, the interiors don’t disappoint. The oversized whirlpool in the women’s side is surrounded by heated stone loungers. This wet spa also houses the sauna and steam room. Guests can create their own body scrub at the Polish Bar before hitting the steam.

Nineteen therapeutic treatment rooms offer the ultimate “me time” experience. Truly a playground paradise, this stellar spa and resort experience is not to be missed.

White Elephant Palm Beach

Taking over an iconic hotel built in 1924 on one of Palm Beach’s most fashionable main streets, The White Elephant is a 32-room boutique property (with 13 rooms and 19 suites spread across four stories) that offers the glamour of the 1920s with all the modern amenities of a five-star luxury hotel.

The Addison Mizner–style facade was fully restored in creamy-white stucco, black trim, and terracotta roof tiles. Black-and-white striped awnings offer a polished, fabled look. Guests are welcomed by a seven-foot white elephant statue by Santa Fe–based artist Fredrick Prescott. 

Designed by Elkus Manfredi, the hotel has more of the feel of an upscale private residence, featuring a neutral color palette, vibrant splashes of color, and more than 120 pieces of artwork on display throughout the common areas and guest rooms. An original fireplace mantel welcomes guests in the lobby.

Upon entering your spacious guest room, you are greeted with an impeccable designscape, featuring custom-designed furniture, plush couches covered in soothing gray and cream-colored fabrics. The dreamy king-sized beds are outfitted with Pratesi linens and upholstered backboards accented in a colorful palm and floral print. Everything is automated including temperature, shades, and lighting, which can be set to any mood you wish. The guest rooms are so beautiful and comfortable, you may just forgo exploring the city.

When you are ready to get some Florida sunshine, an outdoor courtyard offers the perfect spot to relax or take a dip in the pool. The perfectly manicured grounds feature mature palm trees and lush, fragrant flora. White Elephant Palm Beach’s signature restaurant, Lola 41—a Nantucket staple—serves globally inspired dishes and local seafood specialties. If you’re able to get a spot on the patio, I highly recommend it.

The Breakers

Gilded Age decadence is alive and well at The Breakers. The iconic Palm Beach resort has been welcoming guests for more than 100 years, offering lavish accommodations on the shoreline. In the late 1800s, Henry Morrison Flagler reimagined South Florida into a winter getaway for the well-heeled and this tradition of a luxury holiday remains to this day. Now into its second century, the resort continues its success under the ownership of Flagler’s heirs.

The architecture, based on the Villa Medici, built in Rome in the 1400s, is of the Mediterranean-style and features an eight-story palace with Belvedere towers and graceful arches throughout. The palm-lined approach road leads to a Florentine Fountain based on one found in Florence’s Boboli Gardens, and the hotel’s breathtaking lobby is inspired by the Great Hall of the Palazzo Carrega in Genoa.

The 538 guest rooms, including 68 suites, offer views of the ocean or the manicured gardens and landscape. For an intimate and customized experience, the resort’s Fllagler Club is an exclusive, 25-room boutique hotel atop the resort. With a private entrance, the club offers well-appointed accommodations and personalized service throughout your stay, including chauffeured Tesla car service and a full-service team to cater to your every desire. 

With a full-service spa and hair salon; multiple pools; watersports on the half-mile private beach; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; and 10 dining options, including Sunday brunch in the Circle, a rotunda with 30-foot frescoed ceiling and eight oval murals depicting Renaissance landscapes; there is no shortage of indulging, pampering, or entertainment. In 2022, the resort completed a full-scale renovation of the Rees Jones golf course. The resort is a must-visit on any trip to Palm Beach.

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

Sophisticated and stylish, the Four Seasons offers the seasoned traveler unparalleled service, breathtaking ocean views, and a relaxed vibe that melts away the stress of life. Authentic experiences abound and are inspired by the barrier island’s heritage and charm, such as a private luxury yacht sunset cruise, snorkeling in the Atlantic, or taking in a polo match while sipping Champagne at the International Polo Club. There is no shortage of unique and elevated activities at this five-star beachfront masterpiece.

With picturesque pools, six acres of private beachfront, five-star spa, fitness center, tennis classes, a luxury-goods boutique, and Krigler Perfumery, a stay at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach offers a relaxing oasis of the world-class amenities and 207 guest rooms and suites. Experience dining at Florie’s by Mauro Colagreco, the flagship restaurant and bar in partnership with the chef behind three-Michelin starred Mirazur, which celebrates Florida’s seafood and local farm produce.

The common areas and guest rooms, designed by acclaimed interior architect and designer Martin Brudnizki, pay homage to an elegant yet laidback coastal lifestyle with a fresh, modern color palette. For an elevated getaway that brings together the best of resort vacations, the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach should be on your list of stays in this Florida paradise.

Rosewood Residences Lido Key, Florida

Rosewood Residences Lido Key, a development by The Ronto Group and Wheelock Street Capital with residential services by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, is a collection of 65 three- and four-bedroom beachfront residences priced from $6 million. Ranging from 3,350 to 4,942 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space, the residences have expansive terraces, summer kitchens, and outdoor dining areas. Each plan features a private elevator, gallery hallway leading to a grand salon, and open dining room. Amenities include an infinity-edge swimming pool with sun shelves, day cabanas, pool pavilion, fire pits, and paddleboard storage. Purchases of Rosewood Residences Lido Key are now being accepted. residenceslidokey.com

Waldorf Astoria Residences Guanacaste, Costa Rica 

Revolution Places and IMI Worldwide Properties have released a new luxury residential offering in Latin America, the Waldorf Astoria Residences Guanacaste. The development will feature 19 condominium residences and 22 estate homes. The property’s condominium residences range from two to three bedrooms across 1,509 to 2,209 square feet, the four- and five-bedroom estate home floor plans range from 3,996 to 4,996 square feet. The 19 furnished oceanfront condo residences will start at $1.944 million for two-bedrooms and $3.264 million for three-bedrooms. The 22 furnished oceanfront estate homes will start at $5.31 million for four-bedrooms and at $6.37 million for five-bedrooms. waldorfastoriaresidencesguanacaste.com

Gulfside Twelve, Fort Myers, Florida

Gulfside Twelve, one of the first new developments in the Fort Myers Beach/Estero Island area following Hurricane Ian last fall, has entered the final phase of its construction. Heralded by Dublin Real Estate Investment Group, LLC, the 12 units will each consist of 4,000 square feet of interior space and start at $4.1 million. Each unit in the pet-friendly community will boast four en suite bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, a large lanai, plus a flex room, all overlooking 180 feet of beachfront living. GulfsideTwelve.com

The Strand, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

The Strand offers a limited collection of 41 luxury beachfront villas and custom residences ranging from $2.49 to more than $12 million, all with direct ocean access. The developers introduced three-bedroom villas in 2022 in response to shifting buyer demand for rental opportunity and income. The villas are designed to operate as either a single villa or can lock off on each floor for rentals. The three-bedroom villas start at $3.3 million and offer 4,036 square feet of interior and exterior living space combined. Private residences, two- and three-bedroom villas, and custom homesites are currently available. thestrandtci.com

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Developed by Catalfumo Companies, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Palm Beach Gardens is a marina-front residential community featuring an exclusive collection of expansive three, four, and five-bedroom residences, within three, seven-story residential buildings. The development offers an array of amenities including an infinity-edge heated swimming pool with cabanas overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, waterfront clubhouse with entertainment spaces, spa with various treatment rooms, and a 29-slip private marina with a limited collection of boat slips accommodating vessels up to 75 feet. Pricing starts at $4 million. theresidencespalmbeachgardens.com

Interior designer Meghann Day knows how to conduct her due diligence.

For the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, she spent six years studying the local culture, materials, and environment – both natural and manmade. She put them all together for the resort’s interiors, including lobby, guestrooms, restaurants, meeting rooms, pools, and spa.

Everything has a natural touch, sourced regionally. “All the materials are local – all the stone and wood – and tie back to the area,” Day, a partner at HBA San Francisco, says. “The client loves art, so there’s local art with the Mayan architecture.”

The first big idea was an ocean greeting as soon as a door opens – whether to the lobby or a guestroom. It’s all about the indoor/outdoor experience – expansive in the lobby, intimate in the guestroom. Either way, a guest is immediately connected to wide open spaces.

From the lobby there’s a direct sight line out to the distant ocean, framed by rows of palm trees lining a low, still body of water. “To the left and right there are louvres where the wind blows through – they tie back to the history of the area too,” she says. “There are art installations at each end, reaching back into Mayan history, as you step down to the ocean experience.”

The lobby ceiling is high, though not so high as an airport, for a carefully crafted feeling of intimacy. Three huge rope lighting fixtures drop down five feet from the ceiling, delivering a human scale to the space. “They’re soft, not hard, and there’s movement to them,” she says. “And the entry doors may be large, but the wood is a medium finish that feels nice and airy.”

Wood in both lobby and guestrooms is a native Tzalam, with a warm, walnut tone. Stone in the guestroom floors and walls is black granite; in the lobby it’s limestone with touches of granite.

The entire complex is surrounded by undeveloped mangroves, with roadways designed to rise up and allow native wildlife to pass freely below. But the resort’s also close to the ocean, with each guestroom facing it. “Every single person has a view of the ocean, which is spectacular,” she says.

Better yet, shower doors open to palm fronds and sky, and a sunken tub drops below the deck of each room. “We wanted to make sure that each guest had that indoor outdoor experience on every floor,” she says.

The crowning achievement at this resort, though, lies not in the lobby or the guestrooms, but in a calming spa. “When you walk in, if it rains, the water comes down naturally,” she says. “It’s a cenote, and it’s what Tulum is known for – a cave with water below and a spherical opening to allows rainwater in.”

Guests meander through the spa on wooden planks, blue sky open above. Textures inside massage areas are clad in Tzalam, and floor-to-ceiling windows open to the landscape but still afford privacy.

Day reinvented the cenote experience in a modern way. An outdoor pool is Mayan-inspired – it’s a palapa for relaxing. Lighting fixtures are woven – an ode to baskets found in local markets. A 15-foot opening spreads out above a chaise-lined pool below that’s precisely the same size “It’s all so soothing and peaceful,” she says.

Add a post-massage cup of green tea – and a five-minute staring session with a curious iguana, as I did – and you’ve got the ultimate Tulum experience.

“I would call it a wellness refuge,” Day says. “It’s a refuge first because of the beautiful spa, and then because of the ocean.”

After six years of study, she got it right.

Los Cabos has long been known for its immaculate beaches, turquoise waters and world-class golf—and Querencia truly stands out among the best Baja has to offer. A gem nestled among the desert landscape, the masterplanned private golf and beach community is a dream destination for those who seek a truly authentic way of life.

The Course at Querencia

A welcome companion and an energizing opponent, the community’s Tom Fazio course is the jewel of the Baja peninsula. At over 300 acres, the scenic 18-hole course is designed to tantalize even the most seasoned golfers. Internationally renowned—and recently named #73 in the world by Golf Digest—the course is marked by flowing transitions, challenging topography and a true home-course ambiance. With consistent updates to holes and hazards and a variety of approaches to choose from, every round presents fresh challenges for Members to delight in. 

For those looking for respite from the course, brand-new comfort stations offer golfers chef-inspired cuisine, grab-and-go options and refreshing beverages.

Living in El Valle

El Valle is one of the latest neighborhoods within the Querencia community—a smaller, more intimate enclave set against the backdrop of the vibrant desert mountains. With easy access to the property’s over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails and pristine coastline, El Valle is a dream destination for those looking to get the absolute most out of life at Querencia. 

Querencia’s collection of stunning single-family homes, spacious condominiums and custom homesites are just a few of the things to love about the community. That’s because Querencia is not just a resort or a neighborhood — it’s a way of life. It’s a true community where family and friends gather to experience the best life has to offer.

The Beach Club

Just minutes from the award-winning Fazio golf course, Querencia’s new Beach Club is a seaside reprieve that offers sweeping views of the Sea of Cortez, a sprawling infinity pool and so much more.

From the Beach Club’s pools, Members look out over the water to see family and friends taking surfing lessons, exploring the Sea of Cortez on stand-up paddleboards or playing on the swimmable beach. Days are spent relaxing in a private cabana and listening to the rhythm of the waves. 

When Members wish to take to the waters, Querencia’s custom 55-ft Fountaine Pajot motorized catamaran is the perfect springboard for adventure at sea. Exclusively for Members, the catamaran is available to charter for everything from all-day family outings to sunset excursions.

The Lifestyle

Querencia’s Members-only amenities span both land and sea. From onsite dining options and expansive amenities to a swimmable and surfable beach, there’s something new and inspiring to discover every day.

Our Clubhouse is located at the heart of our community. Home to dedicated family recreational spaces and all-ages amenities, the Clubhouse is a true gathering space for every member of the family. For teens and tweens, The Qube offers programming, like arcade games, video gaming and movie nights. For our younger Members, the Kid’s Club offers all-age activities such as arts and crafts, yoga, summer camps and much more. And, for adventurous Members, the new Canyon Club will house exciting amenities like a climbing wall, duckpin bowling, pump track, pools and more!

Recently renovated, the Spa at Querencia is a peaceful space for indulging in self-care and rejuvenating the mind and body. And, while the spa provides traditional luxury treatments like massages, Querencia has expanded wellness offerings to include rejuvenating treatments for the spirit. Intuitive services like reiki energy healing, sound healing and more are available at the spa.

All of this barely scratches the surface of what awaits at Querencia. To learn more about curated, all-ages amenities to nourish the mind, body and spirit, visit their website.

Safety and Security

When it comes to family, nothing is more important than keeping them safe. Querencia’s onsite, dedicated physician supplies first-contact medical attention to Members and their guests at the medical office. 

In addition, Querencia provides 24/7 security to ensure Homeowners and their residences are safe and protected. Rest assured that, no matter what situations may arise, Querencia’s trained, bilingual staff is there to help.

Request Your Invitation

Querencia offers a unique vertical membership structure that grants full privileges to Members’ parents, children and grandchildren. Interested homebuyers are invited to visit the Querencia community through their exclusive Querencia Experience program and discover the joy of life along the waters’ edge. Play the Tom Fazio golf course, unwind at the Q Spa, take a surf lesson at Acapulquito Beach and enjoy locally inspired food and drinks at one of the onsite Members-only eateries.

Learn more and request your invitation to explore Querencia today.

The Grand Velas Los Cabos resort has been named a Five-Star Hotel on the 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating list, making it the first and only all-inclusive in Mexico to earn this rating.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Forbes Travel Guide,” says Juan Vela Ruíz, vice president of Velas Resorts, which owns and operates properties throughout Mexico. “This recognition signifies our ongoing commitment to elevating the guest experience and exceeding the highest standards of excellence.”

Recognition from Forbes Travel Guide and industry awards alike affirm Velas Resorts’ legacy of exceptional guest service and world-class amenities to meet the needs of today’s luxury traveler.

Located on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Grand Velas Los Cabos offers all-inclusive amenities and facilities with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort. All 307 ocean-view suites are over 1,180 square feet, with private terraces and some personal plunge pools; duplex wellness suites have designated wellness amenities and in-suite juice bars.

The resort also features five gourmet restaurants with an extensive beverage program and wine-based features inspired by the proximity to the region producing Mexico’s fine wines. The property also includes the award-winning SE Spa with 16 treatment rooms and hydrotherapy facility, as well as three pools and pool and beach concierges.

Rounding out the list of amenities and services are a Technogym Fitness Center with personal trainers, exercise programs, yoga, Pilates and meditation; recreational activities program; separate teens’ and kids’ club facilities and activities program; 24-hour personalized butler concierge service; and 24-hour in-suite
service.

The only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, Forbes Travel Guide’s annual list has been revered as a global authority on travel since its launch in 1958. The winning properties, restaurants and spas are showcased on Forbes Travel Guide. Highly trained anonymous inspectors visit every property to evaluate on up to 900 objective criteria for the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards. Both services and facilities are reviewed while there is an emphasis on service and experience.

Rates start at $826 per person per night in double occupancy at Grand Velas Los Cabos. Rates include luxury suite accommodations, gourmet meals, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, nightly entertainment, taxes, gratuity, and more.

Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos have earned 56 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award.

Being the middle child isn’t easy. Either way you look, there’s another presence stealing the thunder. Providence, Rhode Island, located between the intimidating glamour of New York City and the ever-enticing Boston, hasn’t always gotten the spotlight. And that’s a shame.

Providence, with a bustling airport and sleek train station, and positioned in the heart of New England, is taking a sparkling bow in the world of culture, food, and art. Add to this mix the crisp beauty of autumn, and you have a perfect getaway.

In one autumn weekend – for us, just 24 hours – Providence delivered the best aspects of city life and coastal New England, burnished in the season’s beautiful light.

Providence draws on its long history and rich architecture to present great food, art, and multi-cultural communities, all in an urban setting that is small enough to get around easily. Just 20 minutes outside the city is storybook-perfect farmland in its fall dressing: baskets of freshly picked apples, cider donuts, spectacular leaf-peeping, and the rolling terrain, with towering trees and flowers in rich colors.

Start your morning with a food tour. Rhode Island Red Food Tours presents a packet of intimate, unique culinary experiences, including a stop at the restaurant Double Zero, located in the Plant City Food Court, the world’s first plant-based vegan food court, housed in an 1860 brick building, formerly a mill.  

After other stops for delicious tastings, which ended with bubble tea at the delightful Charuma, we strolled through Providence, founded in 1636. Views from a pedestrian bridge, across the rushing Providence River, rendered sights of Narragansett Bay and a majestic downtown skyline.

Providence has a wide selection of dinner restaurants covering all price ranges. One particular upscale spot is Bellini, located in the downtown historic district, with a very cool vibe and a rooftop bar.  

Providence is also home to the much-acclaimed WaterFire, a nighttime fire sculpture installation downtown on Memorial Boulevard and the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers. For an extra thrill, contract with a boat company, such as the Providence River Boat Company, for a serene float around the lit braziers floating in the water.

When it’s time to sleep, the choices are abundant. One source is the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. Or consider spending the night on the Samuel Slater, a canal boat named for the father of the American Industrial Revolution, tied up in the Blackstone River in Central Falls. This one-of-a-kind US-moored boat, built in Cambridgeshire, England, is available for overnights, or book the boat for a cruise on the scenic Blackstone River.

After a night in Providence, rural farmland with beautiful fall foliage is a mere 20 minutes away. A breakfast of handmade cider donuts and hot coffee is a treat. Try Phantom Farms and munch on donuts as you take a brisk walk through the fields in the autumn air.

A short jaunt away is Chase Farm & Hearthside House, a natural beauty with beautiful fall colors, historic buildings, and a tranquil butterfly garden. It also was the filming location of the wildly popular movie Hocus Pocus 2.  A leisurely drive through the entire region is magic for the eyes and soul.

We topped off the getaway with a visit to The Guild Brewery in Pawtucket, deep in the Blackstone Valley. The Guild is a friendly social scene and known for its impressive beer list. Revitalized by a plate of nachos and a trio of sample brews, we headed for home.

South Florida’s iconic resort and private club, The Boca Raton, celebrates the opening of Tower, its fully reimagined fifth hotel. Following a $65 million transformation, the 27-story Tower, situated next to the newly constructed Harborside Pool Club, showcases expansive suites, breathtaking vistas, and distinct programming that deliver an unmatched experience for families and travelers of all ages. 

“The relaunch of Tower is a significant milestone in the evolution of The Boca Raton. It further defines our property as one of the world’s most distinguished resorts and private clubs, setting a new standard for luxury hospitality,” said Daniel A. Hostettler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton. “It was integral to our long-term strategy to create five distinct hotels, each offering a unique experience.”

Tower’s story began in 1969 when its unveiling marked a majestic enhancement to the Boca Raton skyline as the City’s tallest building. Paying homage to the pink hues of Boca Raton, the Tower’s exterior has been refreshed to a light Coastal Pink. Inside, 244 spacious rooms and suites are fully reimagined by architecture and design firm Rockwell Group. Contemporary and flexible configurations include connecting suites and entire floor takeovers, ideal for multi-generational families and groups of friends. Bright and airy with warm wood accents, each room features sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and coastline. As described by Shawn Sullivan, Partner at Rockwell Group, “We redesigned the rooms with a contemporary coastal feel imbued with a sense of casual luxury to flaunt the spectacular 360-degree views. This meant adding built-in window seating, bleached wood furniture, neutral linen fabrics, fluted feature walls and classic molding.” 

In addition to a reimagined interior, the experience has also been reinvented. Tower’s dedicated butlers provide a range of services from the practical to the magical. And for high-touch service blended with modern technology (and a touch of whimsy), young guests can opt for a snack delivery from one of two Tower robot butlers, Johnnie and Ethel, named after the monkey pets of The Boca Raton’s original owner and famed architect Addison Mizner. 

On the second floor, Tower Lounge is an exclusive hideaway for hotel guests to relax, connect, or simply disconnect throughout the day. Enjoy complimentary morning pastries and coffee, afternoon snacks, and as a special weekend treat, a Sundae Bar. Opportunities to unwind abound, from a listening lounge with beautifully crafted headphones by premium audio brand Master & Dynamic, to a classic games area, and an exclusive book-lending library curated in partnership with Assouline.

Other experiential collaborations were designed to provide engaging sensory opportunities, including an NFT art collection curated by Lynn University NFT Museum, on display in Tower’s lobby. Guests can view one-of-a-kind original artwork from notable and up-and-coming artists who are transforming the art world through breakthrough technology.

Tower is just steps from a myriad of extraordinary experiences across The Boca Raton’s 200-waterfront-acres. Activities cater to all interests, from an 18-hole golf course, and Racquet Club with 16 tennis courts and six pickleball courts, to the award-winning Spa Palmera, seven swimming pools, and a private golden beach. One of South Florida’s most exclusive culinary destinations, The Boca Raton has reimagined its drink and dine program with more than a dozen new restaurants and lounges, including four signature concepts in collaboration with Major Food Group – Japanese Bocce Club, Principessa Ristorante serving Italian classics, The Flamingo Grill chophouse, and celebrated brunch hotspot Sadelle’s. Still to come, lakeside all-day dining at Harbor House, which will open this winter next to a to-go eatery, Burger Bar. 

TheBocaRaton.com

ROAM Maui officially launches as the newest semi-private air carrier in the skies, offering direct weekly flights between Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and the three mainland cities of Los Angeles, San Jose, and Seattle.  ROAM Maui is creating the ultimate private club in the sky by operating exclusively as a membership-based air shuttle service.   

ROAM Maui is the first service of its kind to Maui and will introduce a new class of air travel, blending the exclusivity and ease of flying private with the economies of scale of commercial aircraft.  All flights will utilize private airport lounge departures and arrivals for hassle-free boarding, easy hop-on/hop-off booking policies and Air Concierge services from the time of booking to the onboard experience and beyond.

This reimagined travel experience was born to fulfill the needs of Maui homeowners who travel frequently between the mainland U.S. and their Valley Isle home. Qualified homeowners have the advantage of a vertical family membership model that allows a family and their guests (four-legged companions included) to travel with ROAM Maui on a yearly basis with each membership.  Additionally, membership plans are part of a limitless, all-you-can-fly program, meaning unlimited flights throughout the year with no blackout dates.  

For residents of Maui accustomed to flying private to and from the island, the annual ROAM Maui membership fee costs less than a single round trip on an executive private jet, allowing more passengers to travel with new senses of security, discretion and a commitment to a more balanced environment.  This semi-private model greatly reduces the carbon impact by taking executive jets out of the sky from members flying their own jets to the island, saving an estimated 60 million pounds of Co2 emissions per year.

The ROAM Maui Experience

ROAM Maui flights are flown on two specialized, VIP-configured Boeing 737-700s.  The all-first-class planes feature just 58 first-class seats, complete with a new interior refurbishment, state-of-the-art purification system, ultra-fast WiFi and the latest Stage^TM On Demand entertainment system.

Once in the air, the ROAM Maui experience reaches new heights through its in-flight culinary & beverage program, which features cuisine from a rotating list of celebrity chefs and wines from celebrated winemakers.  The culinary advisor is James Beard Foundation’s winner of Best Chef in America, Charlie Palmer, alongside the fine wine, including HALL Wines in Napa Valley, from Ambassador Kathryn Hall (a ROAM Maui Member). 

Additionally, this premium leisure travel experience includes access to PAWS Club, the unique ‘pets on jets’ program that makes traveling with furry companions a breeze.  Members have access to an innovative partnership with the Maui Humane Society’s Direct Release program, enabling pets to accompany owners from their mainland home to Maui with no island quarantine restriction. Additionally, 100 percent of profits for services will go toward Maui’s animals in need.

ROAM Maui is the brainchild of partners Chris Early, David Young and Darin Greer, and is an affiliate company to air mobility consultancy, ROAM Private Air. The Boeing 737-700s are staffed and operated by Hillwood Airways, a certified U.S. direct air carrier.  

The service will target home owners of from five exclusive residential communities and associations on Maui – Kapalua Resort Association, Kaanapali Golf Estates, Makena Golf & Beach Club, Kula Community Association, and Wailea Resort Association.

roam-maui.com