Having lived in San Francisco for 8 years now, we take many short trips to Napa and Sonoma. We have stayed at many beautiful hotels in the respective counties but a clear favorite of ours is the Carneros Resort.

This beautiful property is located in the heart of Napa Valley and is easily accessible by car from San Francisco. It’s a short drive to downtown Napa and Yountville where you can find many restaurants and tasting rooms. To find out more about those venues, you can read the Napa guide here.

The serene and classy resort includes 17 cottage “neighborhoods” within a 28-acre plot of land. Those boroughs have charming names such as “Quince,” “Sage,” and “Poppy” to name a few representing the vegetation or flowers common to the area. The neighborhoods each have their own parking area, making it convenient to explore Napa.

  The Lobby and Checking-in:

Upon entering the resort, you will notice a beautiful entrance to the lobby reception. The large fireplace by the entrance of the lobby is so beautiful and inviting. The lobby itself is very welcoming and decorated so beautifully. The check-in process is quick and friendly; and it certainly does not hurt to receive a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir as a welcome drink.

Once you receive the room keys, you will have to drive your car to the parking area near your assigned cottage.

Near the lobby and the main entrance, you can find the town square, the nerve-center of the resort. Aside from the main restaurant, Farm, being situated here, you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine at the Pavilion, shop at the Market, or play a round of Bocce Ball.

Rooms:

Carneros offers beautiful private cottages distributed throughout the entire property. Each cottage has it’s own indoor and outdoor space, which makes it quite lovely particularly for the warmer months.

We stayed at the Harvest Cottage, which has a larger outdoor space compare to some of the other rooms. Regardless, each cottage comes equipped with an outdoor shower, a large bath tub, chaise lounges and a fire place outside.

There’s also seating available with a giant umbrella in the outdoor space so you choose to enjoy some wine or order in-room dining. If you plan to visit the resort during the cooler months, you can still enjoy the outdoor space as there are heated lamps outside.

The room itself is spacious and comes with a large fire place and a floor-to-ceiling glass door that fully opens to the outdoor area. It also has a sizable bathroom with an indoor shower that opens to an outdoor space. Also, one of the best features of the bathroom are the heated floors.

The cottages offer an in-room wine dispenser where you can enjoy local Napa Valley wine by Cuvaison at your convenience. I personally haven’t seen this feature at other Napa Valley hotels.

Pools:

There are two swimming pools (with separate jacuzzi’s) offered by the resort, one adult pool and a family pool. The Hilltop pool is nestled at the north-end of the property and offers an incredible view of the Napa countryside; a pool that is likely to be second-to-none in the county! You can reserve one of the cabanas or enjoy one of the plentiful beds alongside the pool.Hilltop Pool

Dining:

• Farm:

One of the best restaurants in Napa valley hands down! The freshest ingredients sourced from their very own garden brings a richness in flavor and seasonal element to all of their delicious menu items.  We have celebrated so many beautiful occasions at this wonderful restaurant and we cannot recommend it enough.

The resort also offers complimentary bicycles, which allows you to explore the vast property or the countryside.  As for the “other” activities such as visiting some of the incredible wineries nearby, riding a hot air balloon or horse back riding be sure to ask the hotel’s concierge. Have fun planning!

As a resident of SoCal for 11 plus years I’ve rarely had an opportunity to make Los Angeles a vacation destination. But since I moved up to San Francisco, making LA a holiday location seemed like a perfect idea.

In a recent trip, I had the fortune of staying at the iconic Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, located in Beverly Hills. It has a long (nearly 100 years) and distinguished history with Hollywood culture, and for good reason. This beautiful resort may be most famous for the movie “Pretty Woman” but it is far from its only such claim. The Sex & The City: The Movie and Valentine’s Day movies also featured the hotel. Further, many celebrities have called this hotel home throughout the years.

The Beverly Wilshire is located at the foot of the legendary Rodeo Drive, steps away from the best retail therapy in the world. (West) Hollywood, Santa Monica, Century City, Koreatown and beyond are “just around the corner”, making it the ideal home base for any LA vacation. It is also home to Wolfgang Puck’s first CUT restaurant, which continues to merit a Michelin star among many other accolades for its cuisine and dining experience. And other top restaurants are only a few blocks away along Canon and Beverly Drives.

PRO TIP: Since COVID, many boutiques on Rodeo Drive require an appointment to visit. Call your favorite stores directly or ask the Concierge to make all the arrangements for you. I personally had some trouble connecting with one of the stores so it was very helpful to be able to lean on the hotel staff.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still persistent, it’s also important to highlight that not all hotels have the same standard for safety.  True to what you’d expect from a Four Seasons hotel, the Beverly Wilshire took safety measures to the highest level. All entry (and reentry) into the hotel requires a quick temperature check along with screening questions. Hand sanitizer are installed strategically all around the hotel; and they even have self-cleansing elevator buttons! Upon entry into the room, you’ll notice a pre-packaged set of masks, hand-sanitizing gels and wipes to be used during the stay; and they are replaced daily.

Upon checking in, Sam, the evening manager, gave us a short tour of the hotel and then walked us to our room; and each time we interacted with the hotel staff thereafter (especially Sam) we were greeted by our names. This sort of personal touch and attention to the detail was a consistent theme throughout our stay. The room was stunning, as expected, with plenty of space along with an expansive balcony area to take in the L.A. skyline. Nothing but the best with this hotel.

THE ROOMS:

All rooms are large and spacious with some offering a large balcony and a lovely view. The Governor’s suite, located on the 14th floor, offers two large bedrooms and three bathrooms. Further, the balcony space offers a near panoramic view of Los Angeles, including direct line of sight of Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Hills and the Sign.

The humongous living room includes a large dining table with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the big terrace area.

THE POOL:

The elegant pool has a fountain situated near the top, which is flanked by daybeds reminiscent of a Moroccan-style hammam. Lounge chairs with umbrellas also surround the pool (nicely spaced for safety) so everyone can soak in the sun. Cabanas line the back-side of the pool area, equipped with TVs, tables and curtains for privacy. Menus for food or drink orders may be pulled up using QR codes and orders can be placed with the staff, the courtesy phone or the Four Seasons app.

We placed our order through the staff, and the service was exceptional.  My favorite item on the menu is the Peruvian steak sandwich, which was juicy and flavorful; and the Green Goddess juice is the nice complement to the warm California sun.

Please note that the Spa and gym were closed during our stay. With that said, select gym equipment including a Peloton bike was available for use outdoor by the pool area.

Our stay at the Beverly Wilshire was so phenomenal that we decided to extend our stay of 4 nights on a whim.  We ended up staying for 8 total nights with no regrets except the departure. This was our first time at the Beverly Wilshire but it certainly will not be the last!

Considered by many to be the best hotel along the Amalfi Coast, Le Sirenuse is perched along the cliffs of Positano, offering a breath-taking view of the hilly town as well as the beautiful coast. This luxury hotel was once the summer home of an affluent family that was converted to an amazing property rich in culture and elegance. The property overlooks the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the ocean beyond it; and the beauty of the view is perfectly complemented by the classic Italian designs and rich colors of the luxurious resort.

The beauty notwithstanding, what truly sets the hotel apart from its peers is its impeccable service. Whether providing ice cream bars to sun-bathing patrons or offering complimentary activities (more on this later) to maximize the day, Le Sirenuse has all the details covered. They’ll even refer to you by name, making you feel right at home. Get ready to be pampered and treated like royalty!

The rooms:

Le Sirenuse has a total of 59 rooms and suites; thus, the rooms gets booked very quickly. Be sure to check the hotel’s calendar and book your experience early. Almost all rooms have a sea view with a private patio or a balcony that overlooks the amazing coastline. The rooms are spacious and dripping of elegance. Breakfast buffet and resort activities are included in the cost of the room. This will be a fabulous way to take advantage of all the wonderful things Le Sirenuse and Positano has to offer!

The restaurant and bars:

• La Sponda Restaurant and Bar:

This chic one Michelin-starred restaurant is a must visit! With it’s gorgeous view from the coast and delicious food, La Sponda is a perfect place for a unique dinner experience. Their Mariachi-style band, who have been playing together for over 20 years, brings a special element to the evening. Feel free to request your favorite song so you can sing along and all while enjoying vino and freshly made pasta! All enough to fall in love a thousands times over again!

• Champagne bar and grill:

Located next to La Sponda, Champagne Bar and Grill is an out-door bar with a fun vibe, delicious food and a stunning view of Positano. It’s the perfect place to take in the sunset with a cocktail in hand; but keep in mind that it gets very busy around this time, naturally, so book your tables early and arrive early for the best seats. Nothing quite like peering out to the Amalfi hills and the coast while the sun sets over the waters; an essential shot for your Instagram collection!

• Pool Bar and Restaurant

Another tranquil spot surrounded by lush lemon trees overlooking the sea and next to the pool where you can relax, eat quality food enjoy the most unforgettable view. It is also where breakfast is served.

Activities:

Le Sirenuse offers a variety of daily activities that will fill up your itinerary, whether it be morning pilates, a visit of the limonchello factory or even luxurious boat trip along the coast. Make sure to look over the list of activities on their website and contact the hotel’s concierge to book them in advance.

During our stay, we were able to take multiple boat trips, once to Nerano bay to get lunch and the enjoy the town and another for a beautiful sunset cruise. You board an exclusive hotel boat along with fellow guests and cruise along the coast to neighboring towns only accessible by the sea. The wonderful staff provides fresh fruit and refreshments while you get to enjoy this dreamy view and chatting with your new friends. One can even jump into the warm Mediterranean Sea! Truly an immaculate experience that was out of this world and will forever be engraved in my memory.

If you book the lunch boat tour, you’ll need to pick a restaurant in Nerano Bay. The concierge can give you some wonderful recommendations. We opted for Ristorante Le Sirene and I can’t recommend it enough. Le Sirene is located within a small “run-down” hotel and it is well known for it’s homemade pasta and seafood. The view from the restaurant was also spectacular and you can find yourself gazing through it’s windows for hours!

Just like the lunch boat tour, the sunset cruise is another fabulous way to spend some quality time on the sea. Get ready for a beautiful experience on the boat with a nice spread of charcuterie, nuts and dried fruits. The lovely staff will pour champagne as you take in the romantic sunset in the ocean.

Bora Bora tops the list for many vacationers and honeymooners seeking an island getaway. It’s turquoise water, over water bungalows, pristine beaches and expansive lagoons are nothing short of paradise. For a detailed review about the island itself make sure to click here.

While Bora Bora has many wonderful hotels to chose from, there’s none better than the Four Seasons. The resort is located on the right side of the main island and is a short boat ride from the airport. Like most hotels, Four Seasons offers a boat service from and to the airport along with other destinations around the island. However, Four Seasons distinguish themselves from their peers upon arrival both by the luxury of their boat and the quality of their service. Costs will varies based on the destination as well as the degree of privacy (private versus shared).

Rooms:

This dreamy hotel offer the most remarkable rooms, food and service on the island. They offer a variety of rooms depending on your need and preferences. For families with kids or those in need of a larger space, the beach front villas are likely to be the best option. They have their own private pool with ample room to account for larger parties. But make sure to book them quickly because there are only 8 villas available on the property.

All of the other rooms are over-the-water bungalows with a variety of views. You can either book the mountain-view or beach-view; those closer to the shore or the ocean. The bungalows with the mountain-view have a dramatic backdrop and are often preferred by many guests but it’s not the only factor to consider. For instance, I would recommend a bungalow that faces the west not only for the view but the late afternoon sun explore on your porch #ProTip. Also, if the notion of jumping out into the ocean is exciting to you, you’ll want the Bungalows further away from shore – the rooms closer to the beach are too shallow for jumping / diving activities. It might sound a bit obvious but it’s the sort of detail that you’re not likely to consider until you’re already checked in.

The bungalows consist of a spacious living room with a large adjoining bedroom, which is nicely nestled into the unit to help you get a restful night of sleep. The rooms are equipped with a large bathroom space including a luxurious bathtub with views out to the patio and the ocean.

The outside patio offers beautiful views of paradise with direct access to the waters beneath you. It an excellent place to soak in the sun or to enjoy a delicious brunch, something we’ve availed ourselves of quite frequently.

Activities:

Four Seasons offers many different activities throughout the property. Some of our favorites were the stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. Paddle yourself throughout the property, getting lost within the lagoons or venture off into the ocean to enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the gorgeous resort and the paradise that is Bora Bora (all while burning calories)!

A large area of the resort is dedicated to Volleyball, Badminton and Tennis courts. You get to reserve the court and break a sweat under the sun!

The resort also provides snorkeling gear that can be used in the lagoon or beyond. You’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by schools of fish under the clear waters and perhaps more the further you venture off.

Some of the fun but non-complimentary activities are jet-skiing and riding or navigating a catamaran. You can also request use of their canoes, which are typically used for special occasions.

Restaurants and bars:

Food, drinks and service is top-notch across the resort and you will find yourself getting spoiled with the small details the staff add to make your stay is more enjoyable!

• Tere Nui

This cozy restaurant is only open for breakfast. They offer a wide variety of breads, cheese selections, cold cuts, fresh fruits and kid-friendly snacks. You can also order omelettes and other made-to-order items off their menu, available at each table. If you decide to buy a meal plan, it is honored at the Tere Nui. However, it important to note that pre-purchasing your breakfast might preclude you from enjoying the breakfast canoe, a beautiful and romantic ride around the property with breakfast on your porch.

• Arii Moana:

Open for dinner service only, Arii Moana is a beautiful restaurant with limited seating on the patio. While the decor is beautiful inside, there is nothing better than to enjoy the open air of the patio. The restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy a surf-n-turf meal with a menu that offers plenty of fresh seafood and succulent meats options. You’ll also find an excellent wine list to pair with your meal.

• Fare Hoa Beach Bar and Grill

Offering a casual ambiance right on the beach, Fare Hoa is a great spot if you want to grab food and/or drinks. This restaurant sits right on the sand so it gives you access to lounge chairs on the beach. Depending on the night, they offer music or live bands to listen to some music under the stars.

• Sunset Restaurant and Bar

Located right next to the lagoon, Sunset Restaurant offers some light snacks or a mix of island and South-East Asian cuisine. Some of favorite options were the Thai curries and salad. Grab a table at Sunset and watch the lagoon change color.

• Canoe breakfast:

Enjoying your breakfast on the beautiful patio overlooking the crystal water seems like a dream but how about a breakfast delivery in a canoe? We truly enjoyed our meal, the set-up and the lovely people who helped set the table. In the end, they offered to give us a tour around the lagoon which was a lovely treat!

Missing this beautiful island and the wonderful Four Seasons hotel. Can’t wait to be back!

Bali, this magical island, has so many wonderful hotels and resorts to chose from. In fact, it offers so many beautiful options that can be quite overwhelming! One of the best ways to narrow down where to stay is to find out the desirable location you like. Head over to my post about Bali and read about the different towns within the island. Once you have identified the suitable town, you can look for the hotel or resort that best suits your needs.

For us, it was Jimbaran because of its proximity to the airport and Seminyak, where restaurants, bars and clubs are plentiful; but most of all because it houses The Villas at the Ayana. The beautiful resort may very well be the largest on the island as it contains 3 affiliated hotels within the property, The Villas, Ayana and Rimba. You get the picture, right?

The massive property has a total of 19 restaurants and bars, 12 swimming pools and offers every amenity your heart desire to the point that you only need to leave the resort to explore the rich history on the island! We weren’t able to visit all the restaurants and swimming pools during our extended stay.

What is the difference between The Villas vs Ayana or Rimba?

All 3 properties are laid out beautifully and you get to enjoy most of the bars, restaurants and pools within the property. The major difference between The Villas and the other two hotels is the size and the layout of the rooms. The Villas offer their own private bungalow-like units along with butler and driver service. The other two have more a traditional hotel set-up with elevators and adjoining walls for neighboring rooms. This is the main reason for a higher price-tag.

While the size of the room or having a butler may not be interesting to you, having transportation in the resort is is a real peak in the large estate. The property is around 90 hectares (223 acres) near cliff-tops; thus, walking around can be exhausting and time-consuming. Also, The Villas will give you access to some of the most popular areas within the resort that do not accept reservations such as the ever popular Rock Bar.

Another feature of The Villas are the private in-unit pools with accompanying huts to get a break from the sun. More on this below. Guests also gain access to exclusive pools with elaborate designs and a quieter environment.

Restaurants and bars at Ayana resort:

• Rock Bar

One of the most sought-after bars in Bali is the Rock Bar. The bar is perched 14 meters above the Indian Ocean over natural rocks, a perfect place to take in the glorious Bali sunset. The DJ booth is set in the middle of the cliff and plays wonderful music throughout the night. Villas guests can access the bar without a wait leveraging the butler service; but be forewarned that guests of the other resorts are likely to encounter lengthy lines during peak hours due to the popularity.

• Dava Steak Bar and Grill

The dramatic backdrop of the mountains and ocean make for an amazing and romantic dining experience at the Dava. The menu has a focus on steak and seafood, so we ordered the Wagyu, naturally. We accompanied that with truffle potatoes and pork chop and ate to our heart’s content!

• Unique Rooftop Bar and Restaurant:

This beautiful pool-club by day and vibrant restaurant by night offers delightful Mexican food along with wonderful cocktails. It also has a beautiful view of the sunset with a 25 meter infinity pool and (most importantly?) floaties! Despite measured expectations since we were ordering Mexican cuisine in Indonesia, we were pleasantly surprised by he quality of the food and flavors. The food and experience was so wonderful it may be our most favorite restaurant within the property. (And we are accustomed to great Mexican food since we live in California!)

• Kisik bar and grill

This lovely restaurant also boast some of the most amazing views of the ocean. Kisik is located on cliffs near the Rock Bar. Thus, it’s another romantic location to take in the wonderful sunset. It is known for its wonderful selection of fresh fish, rock lobster, crab, squid and other local seafood. The fresh seafood will be lined up before your eyes and you’ll get to select and have it cooked your way.

We ordered the rock lobster and crab and never looked back!

• Padi

Padi happens to be where the breakfast buffet is hosted each morning, which offers separate food stations for Asian, American and European cuisine. However, by night it is an Asian themed restaurant with a chic Balinese setting. It’s a great place for a quick bite (well, quick on resort time) and late night drink to finish off the night!

• Floating champagne brunch :

How could I visit Bali and not order a floating breakfast? While this is not a “restaurant” per se, it is a food service option in The Villas which is fun and unique! We got to enjoy our brunch by the pool while taking in the view and the sun. If you are staying in The Villas, the floating breakfast will be a luxury you will never forget! Who needs a breakfast by the pool when you can have it in the pool?

I fancy myself a world traveler as I have visited well over 40 countries; and I have had the fortune of staying at some of the best 5-star resorts in the world. What I can tell you is that Rosewood Mayakoba, without a doubt, is second to none and by far our favorite resort.

 

The resort is designed so beautifully that it’ll leave you speechless. Further, the staff are all about the details, even acknowledging you by name throughout your stay, and they focus on going above and beyond to cater to all your needs. Expect to be treated like royalty at the Rosewood Mayakoba!

Rosewood Mayakoba had been on my radar for quite a while as it has been the #1 luxury resort on TripAdvisor for some time. It is also featured by Forbes travel guide, Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and many other websites so I couldn’t wait to check it out. I booked Rosewood for a total of 4 nights and to celebrate my husband’s birthday, which was sufficient time to thoroughly enjoy all of its amenities as well as a full day in Tulum, an absolute must-see. Read more about our trip here.

Rosewood is located in a small town called Mayakoba approximately an hour south of Cancun. Mayakoba is a small, gated community of wonderful hotels that include Banyan tree, Fairmont and Andaz along the aforementioned Rosewood. Security will you to check-in each time you enter and exit the area.

All hotels in the community share a beautiful lagoon and you can traverse to the neighboring resorts via small, communal ferry boats. With that said, the Rosewood will give you access to private boats, a clear advantage to the other hotels. You may also book a private dinner on the boats for a day excursion or a sunset cruise, which is exactly what we did for my husband’s birthday.

The rooms:

All rooms are suites and quite spacious with their own pool as well as an indoor and outdoor shower. We stayed at the deluxe over-water lagoon, a perfect suite for honeymooners or all couples for that matter.

Rooms are individual bungalows, which gives you a sense of seclusion, and the overall property is expansive; thus, you’ll want to requests pick-up and drop-off service on their golf carts to help you navigate resort. You may also requests bicycles to gallivant around the property.

Each suite comes with butler service with dedicated staff to address any requests and to make your stay all the more comfortable and relaxing. The butler may be contacted by a provisioned phone or through the Rosewood app. Thus, whether you’re in need of reservations, transportation, help with your suitcase, dry cleaning or even your floatie(!) they’re on your beck-and-call.

Pool and the beach :

There are 3 outdoor pools available in the resort. The rectangular pool near the lobby is favored by couples, at least by our observation, while families with children gravitated to the main pool by the beach. Either way the quality of service remain the same. Upon arrival, you’ll be immediately provided a bucket of ice with bottled waters, fresh towels and Evian mist sprays to keep you cool and hydrated.

Rosewood has it’s own private beach with immaculate sands and coastline views. The beach area includes many activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and rides on hobie cats. The resort can also arrange sail boats, jet skis among other activities.

The Restaurants at Rosewood Mayakoba:

• La Ceiba:

By far our most enjoyable experience was at La Ceiba. This popular restaurant is only available to hotel guests and operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The restaurant offers a set menu for its guests and reservations are an absolute must. The philosophy for the cuisine is all about cooking with an ‘open flame’ in accordance to Mayan traditions. The food, the ingredients are fresh and the flavors are rich. Our favorite dishes included their pork (carnitas) that was cooked under ground over night and their perfectly seasoned and freshly caught lobster. Both were an absolute delight.

The concept for the dining experience is about community. Two large tables are set under a Ceiba tree and the food is served family style to encourage dialog and interactions with your fellow hotel guests. The dining experience is fun and dynamic as your neighbors soon become your friends. Further, a live Yucatecan band which serenades the attendees throughout the night! Once we were done with dinner, we grabbed our drinks and started dancing and celebrated life with our new friends! Oh what a glorious night it was!

• Punta Bonita:

Located by the pool, Punta Bonita serves delicious Mexican food and operates most of the day. The restaurant offers light lunches and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating.

• Casa Del Lago:

A fine dining restaurant featuring Italian food with touches of Mexican flavors and it’s award winning wine list. Casa Del Lago is located right over the main lobby pool with a wonderful view and flavorful food. The daily breakfast also gets served here.

• Agave Azul Sushi & Tequila Bar:

A fun beautiful restaurant Asian-inspired entrees and also happens to be a top-line tequila bar. Agave Azul hosts weekly tequila tasting and serves fresh local fish and sushi. It’s particularly a great spot for pre-dinner drinks or late night snacks.

Activities at Rosewood Mayakoba:

Like so many other five-star hotels and resorts in the world, Rosewood Mayakoba offers free Hobie cat, kayaks and other water activities. But they also offer some of the most unique experiences for couples or small groups. You can book a romantic dinner by the beach or have a beautiful dinner set up on their private boat. If you’d like more adventure you can go horse back riding on the Playa.

As a birthday surprise for my husband, I opted for the private birthday dinner on the boat. The concierge emailed me two different sets of menus so that we could chose our meals in advance. The meals are prepared from Rosewood’s 3 different restaurants (Agave Azul, Punta Bonita and Casa Del Lago).

On the day of my husband’s birthday, the hotel surprised us with a beautiful bottle of champagne. We popped the bottle on our patio while I was anxiously awaited our boat to arrive. We were greeted by Martin (our Captain) who was so thoughtful and considerate and made our journey even more enjoyable. The boat was decorated with beautiful roses and flower petals all over the boat, which made the setting unforgettable.

Martin started driving the boat to the restaurants and explaining about flora and fauna of the region. At each stop, a staff of the restaurant would come to the boat to transfer our meals and drinks. I still get goose bumps thinking about the whole experience. The word “dreamy” isn’t good enough to capture how we feel about Rosewood. You have to go there and experience it yourself!