February ‘21
A. Just this past week, the new Six Senses Botanique opened up in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains in Brazil. The sustainably-built property contains only 7 suites and 11 villas, making it a perfect oasis to enjoy some quietude amidst the region’s expansive river valleys. At Botanique you can spend the morning with a biologist exploring the songs and colors of 350 native bird species, and pass your afternoon with the restaurant’s chef foraging through the forest for your dinner ingredients. Other activities include olive oil agriculture lessons, paragliding, horseback riding, and our favorite, a lesson on how to produce organic ice cream - from growing the cow’s food, to collecting milk and churning the cream.
B. Another noteworthy nature escape opened last month on the western side of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve. The 12-suite Xigera Safari Lodge, developed by Red Carnation Hotel’s Tollman family, offers a spectacular locale for game viewing along the floodplains of the Okavango Delta. The lodge offers a flexible schedule for game viewing by day or night, plus the opportunity to explore the Delta’s waterways by traditional canoe, glass-bottom mokoro and motorboat – complete with ‘feet-in-the-water’ sundowners. Those seeking an even closer encounter with nature can experience a ‘sleep-out under the stars’ in a three-story steel baobab tree located 1km from the camp. And lets not forget about the Tata Harper spa…
C. Opening today (yet already sold out for the entire summer!) Wander is a new lakefront resort located in the heart of Canada’s Prince Edward County. The Nordic-designed property has only 10 cabins which feature outdoor showers, heated floors, and both indoor and outdoor fireplaces, making it a cozy stay in any season. On-property activities include yoga, campfires, lawn games, wine tastings, picnics and movies screenings, while guests can also choose from local adventures including kite surfing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, exploring local vineyards, or sunbathing on nearby white-sand dune beaches.
D. If you love Italy and Stanley Tucci as much as we do, tune in with us February 14th for this.
E. One of our most beloved Mexican beachside retreats, Cuixmala, is hosting a meditation retreat March 15-20, led by Joe Dispenza, the renowned author of ‘Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself.’ Attendees will spend their days transforming their self-limiting thoughts, unconscious habits, and memorized emotions, with the backdrop of Jalisco’s biodiverse wildlife and pristine beaches.
F. Belmond’s Splendido Mare just got a facelift. Festen Architecture redesigned ‘The Mare’ (the first hotel to be renovated under LVMH ownership) with a nod to 1950’s Portofino, incorporating pieces by Gio Ponti, Loro Piano and Murano Glass. The hotel is set to reopen in April.
G. For organic, fair-trade and sustainable Mexican eats (from a Michelin-starred chef, might we add!) check out this newcomer New Yorkers can’t get enough of.
H. And for those of you who can’t make it to New York this year, you can still get a taste of your favorite NY eateries at home with the Serving New York cookbook. Momofuku, King, The Smile, Charlie Bird and The Nomad are all participating and best of all, 100% of the proceeds from the digital book go to the ROAR x Robin Hood restaurant relief fund.
I. Deals. Deals. Deals We Love. Interested in a long weekend in the Santa Barbara area? We've got you with a 3rd night free at Rosewood Miramar Beach (through March 19) or at Ritz Carlton Bacara (through Mar 31). If Cabo is more your speed, enjoy a 4th night free at Montage Los Cabos (through May 31) or at Las Ventanas Al Paraiso (for any suite and villa, through March 31). For East Coast adventures, enjoy a 4th night free at Faena Miami Beach (through June 30th) or 25% off your stay of 4 nights or more at Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah (through 2021). Also until April 30th, receive your 3rd night free at Commodore Perry Estate in Austin. And for some beachside adventures, receive a 4th night free at Mauna Lani (through June 30) or receive up to 30% off your stay at St Lucia’s Sugar Beach (through December 17).