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Salvador da Bahia: Pelourinho's Pestana Convento Do Carmo

onebrowngirl — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:03:00 GMT

I stopped by Pestana Convento Do Carmo today. I couldn't help myself. I'm here in Bahia nearing the end of a three week stay in Brazil and I wanted to see this former fort turned convent turned luxury hotel in person, so I did what any curious traveler would do, and I went to The Pelourinho in Salvador da Bahia to find it.

The Pelourinho (also know as The "Pel�") used to be Salvador's city center during the Portuguese Colonial Period and is where slaves received punishment (Pelourinho means Pillory, which is a whipping post). It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is a beautiful, colorful and gritty neighborhood with a tragic history. If those building walls could talk.

The taxi dropped me off at Pestana and I was greeted by a handsome gentleman who asked me my business. (You can't just walk in.) In super broken Portuguese (but mostly English) and with a smile, I asked for the concierge so I might have a look at the property. Josival was a delight. He asked the bellman Erivan to take us around with strict instructions not to photograph the guests. "Of course not," I told him. "Discretion is everything."

Josival (left) and Erivan (right)

Right before Erivan took us on our tour, Josival was kind enough to recommend and make reservations at a restaurant for my husband and I in town at Maria Mata Mouro Restaurante for lunch. You can read about that delightful experience here.

Moqueca De Peixe Com Camar�o from Maria Mata Mouro Restaurante
See also, Foodspotting.

Pestana Convento do Carmo is an award-winning property with 60 apartments and 19 suites, including one Master Suite. This former Convent was "initially built in 1586 by the First Order of Carmelite Friars, [and] has been throughout the centuries the stage of many significant events of Brazilian history, and is nowadays, after careful restoration works, the first luxury historic hotel in Brazil." Museu do Carmo is right next door, but it was being worked on and not open.

While I wasn't able to see any of the rooms, the decor and grounds are quite lovely. Come. Let me show you.

It was a fort before it was a convent.

This former convent turned luxury hotel has held on to one of its old confessionals.

There is another partial outdoor dining area as well.

The spa is called Damani.

The door to the conference area.

Well, thanks for coming on my journey with me. My husband and I have both decided that this quiet luxury property in the center of Pelourinho has just made our list of places we absolutely must stay. What do you think? Nice, isn't it?

Photo Credit: @OneBrownGirl

Elite Island Resorts: The Club, Barbados

onebrowngirl — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:08:29 GMT

Photo of a partial view of The Club, Barbados from a lovely sailboat ride in the Caribbean sea

If you have never been to an Elite Islands Resort property, then you are missing out. Elite runs "an impressive collection of all-inclusive beachfront resorts" in the Caribbean. My goal, of course, is to hit up every. single. one. And, no. I'm not kidding.

If you have been to an Elite property, then you know exactly what I mean. You know the service is impeccable, the environment is sublime, and the rooms are beyond comfortable. Simply put, Elite rocks.

My first experience with Elite was in Antigua where I was a guest at all three of its all-inclusive properties: St. James's Club Resort & Villas .. Verandah Resort & Spa .. and my favorite Galley Bay Resort & Spa. (On a second trip to Galley Bay - I just had to go back - I met Giorgio Armani.) You can read about Galley Bay in my Luxury Link post here.

Best helicopter ride ever.
Galley Bay (center) is right on the sea, covered by fauna.
You can see the lagoon and the bridge that runs across.

My second experience with Elite was on a short two-night stay in Tortola, British Virgin Islands at Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas. (See Just Him and Me and the Deep Blue Sea.) It was a short yet pleasant private-balcony-hillside-sea-view stay. #AahTheMemories

Balcony view, Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas

On August 3, 2012, a press release hit my e-mail inbox announcing Elite's newest property acquisition: The Club, Barbados. Not one to save releases, I tucked this one aside knowing that I would just have to go. After all, Elite + Barbados could only mean one thing: All-inclusive luxury in the home of my maternal ancestors. And on St. James' Gold Coast too? Oh, heck yeah.

I arrived at The Club, Barbados six months after Elite's announcement. In fact, I arrived one day early (who does that?) close to 10pm. The Night Manager was a gem and put my husband and I in a temporary room for the night. Modest in its appearance, I was surprised to find the bathroom light switches outside of the bathroom and the bathroom towels behind the door in the WC. Okay, I thought, tired from the long trip. Let's just see what tomorrow brings.

After a tasty seaside lunch at the on-premises Sunset Restaurant the next day (the Executive Chef clearly knows his way around a kitchen) and after a few hours wait for our new room, we walked up three flights of stairs (there are no elevators) to a one-bedroom suite (with balcony) facing the garden and pool. It was nice, but hey, I recommend beachfront.

On a base level, there was nothing wrong with my room (I didn't take photos), but I admit that a few items had to be replaced. Wow, I thought. This isn't what I expected. Galley Bay, it is not. Preliminary judgments aside, I chatted up Kevin, the Guest Relations Manager and got The Real Deal from senior management Joerg Roterberg. I was ultimately able to see The Club, Barbados through new eyes.

The Club, Barbados is a work in progress. It was horribly run down when Elite took over and they have been working diligently day and night while remaining open to keep previously registered guests (from my view, mostly mature couples from the UK) happy during high season, as well as keeping most of its previous staff employed. Awnings have gone up, the pool area has been upgraded, the kitchen re-done, and the work continues.

The plan, according to Joerg, is to continue upgrading The Club up to Elite standards in this sought-after Gold Coast location without closing it down. "It will never be a 5-star property," he said. "But it will definitely be Elite." Whew, I thought, looking around seeing the potential and wishing I could've seen what the property looked like before. That's good to know. It's like a caterpillar on its way to butterfly status, right? And now I just can't wait to see the results.

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." ~Unknown

In spite of my initial reaction and my elite expectations, I feel connected to The Club in many ways. Here are 5 reasons you should consider The Club, Barbados.

1. The food. The Club is an all-inclusive resort (the only adult all-inclusive on the island, BTW) offering three meals a day at Sunset Restaurant and all of the drinks you can consume as a part of your package. But don't get it twisted; the drinks aren't watered down and the menu is above average. There are other restaurants nearby that you should check out on Barbados' Gold Coast, but I ate at least 50% of my meals at Sunset Restaurant (and once at Enid's, the reservations-only Bajan-style restaurant also on the premises).

2. The spa. One of the first things I did was book a spa appointment. This time, I needed a mani/pedi (really bad), so that was first. I also booked an appointment for a massage with the expectation that I would go back and take photos, but I ended up getting a sunburn on a day sail on the Tiami, so I was operating from No Touchy The Skin-y and didn't get a chance. (And yes, I was bummed.) At least my husband got to swim with the sea turtles. =)

3. The Gold Coast view. The beach at The Club, Barbados is rocky on one side with a small area of white sand on the other side, so all of the beach chairs are right at the sea (on a sea wall), but not directly on the beach. The view is spectacular. After all, it's the Gold Coast, one of the finest areas in Barbados. A five minute ocean front walk in either direction places you on white sand beaches as far as the eye can sea. But if the beach isn't your thing (it's mine), then the pool area does indeed offer a relaxing and beautiful environment.

The rocky side of the beach is beautiful, just not a great place for swimming.

Where everyone relaxes beachfront.

Sailboat view of the restaurant and beachfront dining at The Club, Barbados' Sunset Restaurant

4. The location. The Club is within proximity to everything fabulous. Just ask my husband's wallet. Both Holetown and the ultra-highend Limegrove Lifestyle Centre (once an actual lime grove) are within walking distance.

Chattel Village at Holetown

5. The staff.

Jemina

Jemina: How are you this afternoon?
Me: Lazy.
Jemina: That's okay. It takes a special skill to be good at lazy.
*Laughter*

Look. Barbados is a beautiful place, but a hotel property - whether it is still in or outside of its cocoon - is only as good as its staff and management team. After all, it is the people who make up the soul of an island, and not just the property where you rest your head. The warm personal service I received every day at every meal made the stay memorable.

When I'm back in Barbados for my annual stay next year, I plan to stop by The Club, Barbados. Not just to see how they've re-done the rooms and upgraded the property (although, who doesn't love a metamorphosis?!), but to see the staff again. I need to show Jemina how much more skilled I have become at being a lazy lima bean in Bim.

***

Travel Tip: Don't let The Club Barbados' temporary transitory status keep you away. In fact, now is a great opportunity to take advantage of some of the savings being offered as the property continues to blossom. I'm an Elite junkie, so I ought to know.

Disclosure: I received a discounted stay at The Club, Barbados. All opinions are my own because that's the way I roll.

All photos attributed to: @OneBrownGirl

Parrot Cay: A Private Luxury Island Retreat in the Turks and Caicos Islands

onebrowngirl — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:17:52 GMT

What destination would like to visit for a second time?

On Facebook some time ago, that same question was posed and there were 149 comments: Barcelona, Kenya, Bali, Thailand, Maine, Prague, Iceland, Burma, Marrakech, Portugal, The Cook Islands, New York, Paris and many more. The comments seemed endless. And then of course, I started thinking about all of the places I�ve never been (worthy of more than 149 comments, that�s for sure) and the places I go back to because I love them so much (Paris is one, Galley Bay another). But when I started thinking about where I have been just once and would love to revisit, I didn�t have to think about it for very long at all. I would go back to Parrot Cay.

For years I had heard about Parrot Cay, that exclusive private island in the Turks & Caicos Islands where celebrities like Bruce Willis, Donna Karan, and Keith Richards all boast vacation homes, and on which you can�t step foot unless you�re an employee or you have a reservation. As a North Caicos land owner that has made frequent trips to hang out and check on my little investment, I could see Parrot Cay in the very near distance (ends up it�s only a 10 minute boat ride - if that) and vowed to get there one day. And then guess what? One day came.

My Mr. Wonderful and I flew into Providenciales, the main hub in the T&C Islands, where we were met by a Parrot Cay van driver who whisked us away to a private boat dock behind a locked and guarded fence. A warm greeting and cold drinks awaited us as we hung out in a lovely air-conditioned waiting area, until we were ready to board for our short and scenic 35-minute water taxi ride to Parrot Cay, a true oasis with 1,000 acres of unspoiled nature.

"Ms. Friley?" I heard as we disembarked from the boat on the back side of the island. �Yes," I smiled back to the woman smiling at me, �That�s me.� �I�m Ary," she said. "And I�d like to welcome you to Parrot Cay. I am your butler during your stay.� Okay, wait. Did she just say my Butler?!?!?!

Our Beach Villa. Mr. Wonderful and I followed Ary - a native of Bali, Indonesia - to our assigned golf cart and headed towards our digs on a 2-mile path as she drove and pointed, explaining the lay of the land. Parrot Cay Estates, which is 5 minutes away from the resort area, boasts privately-owned homes that are available for rent if you�ve got deep pockets, but like the rest of Parrot Cay, appear low-key from the outside in a rather spectacular way. So when Ary pulled the golf cart up in front of a villa smack dab on a breathtaking, white sand beach, I thought we would be getting a more personal tour of what Parrot Cay had to offer its guests before we headed off to one of the resort�s fantastic Balinese-inspired guest rooms. But alas, no. �This is your villa,� Ary announced. Whoa. Holy upgrade, Batman!

Our one-bedroom beach villa was heavenly to say the least. Four-poster bed, private deck with heated plunge pool, indoor and outdoor garden shower, high ceilings, kitchenette, two bathrooms, screened porch. And Ary, our 24/7 butler. OMG. Four days was simply not enough.

(Pictured above) An outdoor shower that was put to use daily.

The Food. On our first night, we ate in. Ary brought our food to the villa and set up a lovely table where we dined on a few room service selections (see also here and here). The Lotus Restaurant, which is next to an infinity pool to die for, was where we ate our remaining meals. To describe the food as good (or even "great" for that matter) does the food and the chef an injustice. In addition to the traditional (yet, not really) selections, the Shambala menu and its unique and healthy ingredients made me swoon. And because we spent so much time behaving like lazy lima beans, we never made it to The Terrace Restaurant to dine, although Ary did pick us up and take us to the main building, where we were able to roam around and take in the luxuriously beautiful surroundings. Sigh. I want to go back so bad.

(Pictured above) The Lotus Restaurant

(Pictured above) The view of the infinity pool from The Lotus Restaurant

(Pictured above) A smashing view of the infinity pool.

The Spa. There was no way I was going to spend time on Parrot Cay and not get a spa treatment at the COMO Shambhala retreat, an award-winning, knock-out spa retreat dedicated to the wellbeing of its guests. Besides the sheer beauty of the peaceful surroundings that overlook the wetlands and the outstanding massage and service, their signature ginger tea had me attempting to duplicate that sublime taste as soon as I got home (and no, it didn�t happen. Grrrrr...).

(Pictured above) A sitting area at COMO Shambhala spa that faces the wetlands.

Look. Parrot Cay is fabulous. Wonderful. Spectacular, even. But in a quiet, luxurious way that suits me just fine. If you are looking for a special place to unwind, de-stress, eat well and to be pampered, a trip down to Parrot Cay in the Turks & Caicos Islands (only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Miami!) will not disappoint. I promise.

And if Ary is your butler, lucky you. My life hasn�t been the same since she spoiled me rotten. *Cheers* to Parrot Cay, a private island I hope to visit for at least a second time.

***
Travel Note: After spending four days on Parrot Cay, Mr. Wonderful and I spent the next week on Providenciales (aka "Provo"), the most developed island in the Turks & Caicos Islands chain. In fact, we dined at Gansevoort one evening, a property that can be booked via Luxury Link.

Miami: Casa Moderna Miami Hotel & Spa

onebrowngirl — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:58:27 GMT

Casa Moderna Miami Hotel & Spa really is a luxury boutique hotel after my own heart.

Not only did this funky fabulous property have the heart to host 10 girls from The Miami Passport Party en route to their very first passports, but they treated me and a few of my travel writer friends to a private menu tasting at Casa Moderna's very own Amuse Restaurant & Lounge.

Executive Chef Kenneth Williams, a London born chef with Jamaican roots, socked it to us with food samplings of Pan Seared Scallops (pictured) -*- Roasted Beet Salad with Oranges -*- Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach & Mushrooms -*- Branzino Over Fennel & Butternut Squash Risotto -*- Filet Mignon with Blueberry Demiglace & Purple Baby Brussel Sprouts (pictured) -*- and -*- Chocolate Mousse (pictured). There oughta be a law.

Chef Williams' food is a delectable masterpiece - it's true - but Casa Moderna Miami is a jewel of a boutique hotel (with spa!) as well. The property shares an entrance and its amenities with a luxury condo and is situated in downtown (Biscayne Bay) Miami, a hop, skip and a nice shoreline stroll to Bayside Marketplace and just across the street from American Airlines Arena.

(Pictured above) The view from my room.

(Pictured above) The ground floor entrance & sitting area.

The decor is hip and modern and you can find both the registration desk and the entrance to Amuse on the 3rd floor. The 14th floor rooftop pool area is equally as hip, with cabanas and lounge chairs surrounding a beautiful pool. And because Miami can be so warm and tropical at night, right after I put down my camera, I went for a nice swim.

The icing on the cake, however, was in my modern and swank deluxe room: In addition to a rain shower that discretely overlooks the view, there was a nice hi-def tv that disappeared right into the bathroom mirrors directly over the his and hers sinks. I do believe, fellow travelers, that we have finally caught up with the The Jetsons.

(Pictured above) The white tent you see outside of the window was for a limited engagement of Cavalia, one of the most entertaining displays of the relationship between horse and man that I have ever seen.

***

Travel Note: You can book your stay at Casa Moderna Miami Hotel & Spa via Luxury Link.

Photo Credits: @OneBrownGirl #nightphotography

Antigua: Galley Bay Resort & Spa

onebrowngirl — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:44:12 GMT

I have stayed at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and imagined myself living there. I spent a week at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel for my birthday one year and was �ber impressed by the hospitality of the staff. I have had drinks and appetizers in the poolside cabanas at the Viceroy and Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs and in early 2011 rented a lovely two-story condo on lovely Dover Beach in Barbados, steps away from the famous St. Lawrence Gap.

Many moons ago, I watched the shimmering lights of Las Vegas from a luxury suite at Caesars Palace and not so many moons ago watched those same lights from my suite at the Aria. But truth be told, Galley Bay Resort & Spa on the Caribbean island of Antigua has stolen my heart. There is no other way to say it – I’m in love. Almost two years after my first trip and just over one year since my last, and I can't stop thinking about Galley Bay. I've got it bad.

(Pictured above) Helicopter view of Galley Bay Resort & Spa

(Pictured above) Premium beachfront

MY DIGS
After checking out Elite Island Resorts’ two dynamic properties on Antigua - the St. James’ Club & Villas and the eco-friendly Verandah Resort & Spa on a press trip - I arrived at Galley Bay Resort & Spa – a 98-room adults only property - late at night. After the 45-minute drive from one property to the next, I was quite content yet a bit tired after a tasty and filling dinner at The Verandah’s Nicole’s Restaurant, so when the golf cart at Galley Bay scooted me off to my accommodations, I barely took notice of my surroundings…until I opened the front door to my upstairs room suite. Man oh man. In the words of Julie Andrews, I must’ve done something good.

There are four different types of accommodations to choose from at Galley Bay and I was placed in one of the 32 Premium Beachfront suites that boast just over 560 square feet. The bathroom (first door to my left) was tastefully decorated and enormous. Jacuzzi tub for two, two sinks, bidet, a fabulous shower with two showerheads: One that is about shoulder height (in the event you don’t want to get your hair wet) and a traditional shower head for those long luxuriating showers. (I love whoever thought of that.) I know it’s just a bathroom; but it wasn’t just a bathroom.

The king-sized bed was as beautifully made as it was comfortably luxurious and I slept like a princess -- but not before I took in the sunken living room, wet-bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows. But it was the view through those floor-to-ceiling windows just beyond my second floor balcony window that took my breath away when I awoke the next morning. You see, what was a pitch black view when I closed my eyes to go to sleep turned out to be a view of the most magnificent three-quarter mile white sand beach just several feet away and just beyond my very own palm trees. Somebody pinch me, I thought. And that is how my love affair with Galley Bay began.

THE ENVIRONMENT
There is a quiet luxury and elegance at Galley Bay that is much easier to experience than it is to describe. It is relaxing and unpretentious, yet it is clearly a superior property in remarkably serene, lush and intimate surroundings. From the white-sand beach (shared by Giorgio Armani - yes, that Giorgio Armani - when he is at his vacation home right down the way and who I met on my second trip) to the lovely swimming pool (avec waterfall) to the tennis court to the pastel-colored Adirondack chairs that face the sea, Galley Bay is the kind of place you go to relax - whether alone, with friends or with your lover.

(Pictured above) The lagoon

(Pictured above) Giorgio Armani's compound at Galley Bay

(Pictured above) The pool

Galley Bay is also a haven for nature lovers and is in the midst of 40 acres of tropical flora and fauna as well as a breathtaking lagoon. It is a natural bird sanctuary that isn’t just home to the frigates, pelicans, and herons that take flight but it is also home to some pretty snazzy tortoises and lots of little florescent green geckos. And since I am a lover of animals and staunch supporter of saving endangered sea turtles, I was ecstatic to learn that Hawksbill and Leatherback sea turtles can sometimes be found nesting between July and October on the shores of Galley Bay. In fact, if you request it, a Galley Bay staff member will call you when any sea turtles are hatched so you can run down to the beach to experience nature at work. I don’t like to talk about it (*pout*), but I actually missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this miracle of nature on my first night at Galley Bay. But, hey (*shrug*), I guess I’ll just have to go back again.

LA CUISINE
Like St. James Club and The Verandah, Galley Bay is an all-inclusive resort which means that meals and drinks are included during your stay. But don’t get it twisted for a moment. All-inclusive in no way means sub-standard cafeteria style food. In fact, the. food. is. spectacular. Award winning Executive Chef Andrew "Stan" Baxter changed my entire point of view about the dining experience at all-inclusive resorts and after dining with Chef, General Manager Paolo Rovoletto and Property Manager Cedric Henry, my expectations about food and luxury have most certainly risen.

(Pictured above) Property Manager Cedric Henry

There are three al fresco restaurants to choose from at Galley Bay – Sea Grape Restaurant, Gauguin Restaurant, and Ismay’s Restaurant (which was named after a long-term employee and is the only restaurant that has a slight surcharge), but my favorite place to sit down to dine on a curried corn covered hamburger and mind-blowing crab cakes is in the palm cabanas on the beach at Gauguin. *Kissing the tips of my fingers* I’m telling you: They don’t call them Elite Island Resorts for nothing. You can read more about my food experience here.

(Pictured L to R) Restaurant namesake Ismay & General Manager Paolo Rovoletto

(Pictured above) My favorite table at Gauguin Restaurant

THE SPA
The spa, the spa, the spa. Let me just start off by saying that I have NEVER seen a lovelier spa than the one at Galley Bay. Never ever. In addition to a nice pedicure, I was provided with a complimentary spa treatment (a 30-minute massage) and – are you ready? – my treatment room was up in the trees. (Close your mouth.) Yep, up in the trees…where it is tranquil and quiet and lovely and where the sheer curtains blow softly in the breeze. And while you certainly have a choice of treatment rooms (single or double, up in the trees or not), I’ll take a tree-house massage at Indulge Spa (perfect name, don’t you think?) any day of the week.

THE EXTRAS
For me, one of the things that makes a property luxurious isn’t just the beauty of its surroundings, but the attention to detail; what I like to call The Extras. The service at Galley Bay is impeccable. The staff polite, friendly and appropriate yet not over the top formal. Within 48 hours of your arrival, a manager calls your room to be sure that everything is to your satisfaction and within 48 hours of your departure, the same. The front desk is extremely helpful when it comes to helping decide whether to rent snorkel equipment at the Activities area on the beach, take a helicopter ride in town, or simply ride a complimentary bicycle both on and off the property’s lovely grounds. One of The Extras that I enjoyed the most were the Bed Notes, nicely presented information cards that show up tucked in the fold of the sheets on my bed. “Fig Tree Drive is the most popular drive in Antigua,” one of my notes read. “It is lined with tropical fruit trees, including bananas, which actually used to be called figs in Antigua.” A lovely touch, don’t you think?

(Pictured above) A comfy seating area

I’m quite certain that I have left something out, but Galley Bay is more about the experience than it is about me giving you a list of its amenities. I so want to experience it again…and again.

(Pictured above) Right off of the lagoon, this is one of Galley Bay's Gauguin Cottages, one of the most uniquely designed Tahitian-themed private accommodations I have seen (including your very own breezeway, plunge pool, and completely separate shower room). Just perfect.

But here’s the thing: I want you to go to Galley Bay Resort & Spa for the experience too. Really. You won’t be sorry in the least. And you can trust me on that. After all, I'm in love I tell you. I'm in love with Galley Bay.

***
Special Note: You can book Galley Bay Resort & Spa, an Elite Islands Resort luxury property, via Luxury Link.

Sedona: An Enchanting Weekend at Enchantment Resort

onebrowngirl — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 20:40:46 GMT

I married The Right Guy. When I ask the question "Do you want to go with me to [insert destination here]?", he typically has one of three answers: "I have already been there, but yes, we can go," "I have not been there, so yes, we can go," or "Yes, we can go." It doesn't get any better than that.

So when I asked him if he wanted to hang out at Enchantment Resort in Sedona for 4 nights over a long weekend, he said "I have not been there, so yes, we can go." *Grin* And so we went.

The first time I went to Sedona was with my mom. It was so long ago that I don't remember where we stayed or what we ate (I guess I could ask her to refresh my memory), but I clearly remember the three-ish hour scenic drive from Phoenix to Sedona and being in awe of the majestic and magical red rock. (The only other red rock I've seen that left me feeling the same way was on the island of Kaua'i at Waimea Canyon.) I left that first Sedona trip with my mom knowing that I would go back�and that I did.

Waimea Canyon, Kaua'i HI

My Fella and I took that same three-ish hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona, and just like before, I was in awe of the red rock and the desert landscape. Sade sings that it's never as good as the first time and there is some truth to that, but you know what? It was really close.

Enchantment Resort gets its name honestly. It is absolutely enchanting. The structure of the buildings blends into the red rock and they appear to be as one. When I walked into my space, I felt like I was walking into the earth. That is my truth.

Another truth is that I just wanted to relax over a long weekend with The Hubs, so I didn't formally tour the property (it sits on 70 acres), look at all of the rooms, or even make a spa appointment at the world famous Mii amo Spa (*gasp*), although I did go to the spa gift boutique to purchase the Jojoba Flower Body lotion that was in my room.

But guess what? I scoped out the lovely pool area, my King bed studio casita was off the chain (fireplace, over-sized bathtub, cushy bed, etc.), and Tii Gavo's light menu (there are three additional dining choices) was�well�enchanting. So I rested, ate, slept, rested, drove around Sedona and gawked at its landscapes, made nice with a decked out Native American guy in a parking garage on touristy Main Street, bought beads at a trading post, took in a few of Sedona's art galleries at Tlaquepaque, came back, ordered room service, and then rested some more�.in my smokin hot casita at Enchantment Resort. And that was enchanting enough for me. =)

(Pictured above) Lobby, Enchantment Resort

(Pictured above) View from the front door of my casita

(Pictured above) Just a nice little lounge area near the restaurants

(Pictured above) Enchantment Resort outdoor fire pit

(Pictured above) Chapel of the Holy Cross

***
Travel Note for The Foodies: For me, one of the best things about travel (besides the people) is trying local cuisine. In fact, I like to share my food finds on Foodspotting from time to time, even though I admit that I'm a pretty picky eater. Simply put: I like what I like and I don't like what I don't like. (I should get points for trying corn ice cream, don't you think?!) Since My Fella and I were in Sedona, we searched high and low for Native American cuisine and were disappointed that our search yielded a Big Fat Zero. On our way back to Phoenix at the end of the trip, however, we found out about The Fry Bread House, so we stopped in and I had an Indian Taco. I didn't really like it that much and would have preferred the fry bread with a dessert. But hey *shrug* that's just me.

Luxury Link in Sedona: Luxury Link has two properties in Sedona (Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa and Lodge at Sedona) that look absolutely breathtaking. Even if you decide not to stay at Enchantment Resort, it's definitely worth a day trip to indulge at the spa.

Photo Credits: @OneBrownGirl

Luxury in Marrakech: Angsana Riads Collection Morocco

onebrowngirl — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:22:48 GMT

The Angsana Riads Collection Morocco is a collection of six luxury riads - all with their own distinct personalities - and all situated in North Africa's exotic, pink-hued, culturally fulfilling Marrakech, Morocco.

For the sake of clarity, a riad is "a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The word riad comes from the Arabian term for garden, ryad. [Historically,] an important design concern was Islamic notions of privacy for women inside residential gardens [similar to what is pictured below]." [Wiki] The current trend is that riads are being refurbished by Europeans back to their original splendor and then used as hotels, spas and/or restaurants.

I was lucky enough to stay in Angsana's Riad Si Said in the Royal Suite Africaine, a dreamy two-bedroom suite with authentic Moroccan architecture and d�cor right in the heart of Marrakech's Old Medina and a 60 second walk (if that) to the aptly named Museum Dar Si Said, one of many small museums in the area. If you are anything like me and love well-done mind-blowing historical Moroccan d�cor, you will be hard pressed to leave the luxury of your suite every day. Trust me. #swoon See the next several photos below for proof.

Told you. So when you do manage to tear yourself away from your suite, be sure to take a short walk over to Angsana's Riad Bab Firdaus (which means - appropriately - Gateway to Heaven) and treat yourself to a deliciously revitalizing and calming private hammam and Ayurvedic spa treatment. Nothing beats a full body scrub in a steamy room and then a splash of cold water (yikes) to get your blood churning. It was my first hammam, but definitely not my last. #woosah

And if you get lost in the Medina on your way back (it can happen), not to worry; Angsana's Riad Si Said provides its guests with a complimentary cell phone that connects directly to an Angsana staff member. Don't you just love that?

You'll be hard pressed to find the quality of service the Angsana staff and management provide. In my view, what makes a property luxurious is just as much about things like the decor and the level of comfort as it is about the people who are doing their best to make us all happy. Between fulfilling my constant requests for those delightful Moroccan sweets (nom, nom) and the lemony/minty Welcome Drink that I became addicted to, the fine dining, and the glorious attention to architectural detail at all six riads - one of which > Angsana Riad Lydines < is in the Kasbah (I love saying that!) - I am chomping at the bit to get back.

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Travel Tip: I only spent 5 days in Morocco during my annual stay in Paris and My Fella and I conveniently hopped a relatively short flight on easyJet from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) direct to Marrakech (RAK). And while I admit 5 days just isn't enough, if you're in Paris and are looking for an exotic side trip outside of Europe, why not give Morocco a try? (I shipped my Marrakech purchases back to the US so as to avoid carrying anything extra.)

Special Note: Angsana Hotels and Resorts is managed by Banyan Tree Group and operates over 40 spas, 40 retail galleries and close to 10 resorts and hotels in places like Mauritius, Thailand, Maldives (2), India, Laos, Indonesia, Australia, China (3), Vietnam, and, of course, Morocco (6).

There are nine Banyan Tree luxury vacation experiences available on Luxury Link.

Photo Credits: @OneBrownGirl

Unit 422 at The Crane

onebrowngirl — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:58:28 GMT

"Do you want to go check out The Crane?" my husband asked on our third day in Barbados. "I dunno," I shrugged. "What's The Crane?"

The Crane, my lovelies - now that I'm hip - is a spec-tac-u-lar luxury residential resort located on a famous pink sand beach in St. Philip's Parish, Barbados, BWI. In fact, it is the oldest Caribbean hotel on the island, having first opened in 1887. It also doesn't hurt that Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous named Crane Beach (pictured below) one of the Top Ten Beaches in the World and that Travel Channel named it one of the Top 25 Sexiest Beaches in the World. I totally get it too. There's even a glass elevator that takes you down to a stretch of pink sand beach that's to-die-for. Nice.

As you might have guessed, I took my husband up on his offer to visit The Crane and now we are both officially turned out. You can even call us Crane-iacs if you want to�and yes...I just made that up.

In addition to being entertained by a playful 3-year old in a pink polka-dotted shirt waiting for her dad to check-in, we got the lay of the land from UK-born Jackie Ince (pictured below), a 13-year luxury sales veteran at the property (and my new BFF), on an hour-long tour that took us from a 1200 square foot one bedroom ocean view luxury unit with dark hardwood floors, a hand-carved four poster bed, 2 full-showered bathrooms and an old world Caribbean charm that blew our flip flops off, to a 1400 square foot two bedroom garden view luxury unit with a private swimming pool, dark wood shuttered pocket doors and fauna for days. (All of the units we toured had decent sized fully equipped galley kitchens, BTW.)

And the grounds? There's a 55,000 square foot cobblestone village (yes, I said a village) that boasts a cinema (coming soon), four restaurants, an ice cream parlor, a work out facility, duty free shopping, 6 outdoor swimming pools (one is pictured below), and four restaurants, one of which was Zagat rated #1 for food in Barbados in both 2009 and 2010. There's more to share, but, My Word.

We left The Crane that day with a folder full of signed contracts and a few less dollars in our pocket; but I am now even more permanently attached to Bim, the home of my maternal ancestors, as a fractional luxury share owner of Unit 422 at the oldest hotel in Barbados. And if you believe in Swiss psychologist Carl Gustav Jung's notion of synchronicity, you will not be shocked to hear that when we returned to our hotel (more about that later) back on St. James' Gold Coast more than 30 minutes away by car, the security guard - after greeting us at the front gate - asked us if we were staying in Room 422. Whoa, I thought with my eyes getting as big as saucers. Did he just say Room 422? "Yes," I responded quietly, just loud enough for my husband to hear as he told the security guard our actual room number. "But only at The Crane."

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Travel Tip: You don't have to be an owner to be a guest at The Crane. Book your stay through Luxury Link or simply spend the day at any of The Crane's restaurants, the Village, or the pink sands of Crane Beach (all beaches in Barbados are public).

Photo Credits: @OneBrownGirl

Pack for a Purpose: Barbados

onebrowngirl — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:45:08 GMT

Little Arches Hotel, an adults-only 10 room boutique hotel and spa located "on a south coast hideaway bay...adjacent to the flawless white sands of Enterprise Beach" on the Caribbean isle of Barbados in Christ Church, has stolen a piece of my heart. It's a good thing I have a lot to give.

Not just because there's a rockin' wrought-iron chandelier hanging over the pool, and not just because the rooms are luxurious, cozy & sublimely decorated, and not because the bartender at their busy Zagat-ranked restaurant Caf� Luna makes a mean rum punch; but mostly because Little Arches is currently the only property in Barbados that is a lodging partner with Pack for a Purpose, a grassroots organization that encourages travelers to donate supplies (in just five easy steps!) for those in need. Small space. Little effort. Big impact.

The very friendly Assistant Hotel Manager Emma Andrews (pictured below) accepted my donation with enthusiasm informing me that the school supplies will be given to The Variety Club who will in turn disseminate to the schools where needed. And just today, I received a delightful thank you email from General Manager Sandra Edwards (no relation to Emma). *Blushing*

It's true that there is no shortage of properties in Barbados for your holiday needs, but when it comes down to it, nothing beats a property with a little extra heart.

Pack for a Purpose: Antigua

onebrowngirl — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:12:04 GMT

Later this year, I'm going to be hosting a workshop called Travel Philanthropy at BlogHer '12, the biggest blogging conference for women on the planet. Not because I love to hear myself speak, of course, but because I love the idea of marrying the luxury of travel to the joy of giving.

In early March, after finalizing the details of an upcoming return trip to my beloved Galley Bay on the island of Antigua, I badgered my husband about making donations to the communities we travel to and vowed to not take another trip until we figured out how. Clearly The Universe was listening because on March 27, a mere 3 weeks later, I was online at just the right moment and saw the following tweet from @LuxuryLink..

LuxuryLink: #TravelTuesday: Make A Big Impact While You Travel with @Packforapurpose & @LuxuryLink. Find out how: Pack For A Purpose
12:00pm, Mar 27 from Postling

After following the @Packforapurpose Twitter link to the Pack for a Purpose Web site, it was love at first site. Pack for a Purpose founder Rebecca Rothney and I became fast online friends and after promises of home-made cookies and an e-troduction to the Public Relations Manager in Antigua that would accept my donation, I fully committed to packing for a purpose as often as possible and sharing her site with as many travelers and hotel properties as I could. If you haven't checked out the site, you should. Like now.
One to keep my word, I am delighted to report that I am leaving for the Turks and Caicos tomorrow and will - of course - be packing for a purpose. Likewise, and as the photo above shows, I was able to donate supplies to a few local schools via The Sandals Foundation during that trip to Antigua this past April and simply put, it makes me feel good. My reward? Meeting Giorgio Armani on the beach at Galley Bay. #supercool

The biggest reward? Knowing that I made an impact.