Showing posts with label luxury travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luxury travel. Show all posts
Around Town - A Small Birthday Bash At La Sandia
My girlfriends and I have a tradition of celebrating each other's birthdays by going out to dinner. Last night we had a great dinner party for my glamorous friend Lillian at La Sandia restaurant located upstairs at the new and improved Santa Monica Place.
You can't be a native southern Californian and not have an appreciation for fine Mexican food. It's nurture food for me because I've been noshing on it my entire life. But strangely, here in Mexico Norte, or rather Los Angeles, great Mexican cuisine is actually difficult to find. Mostly we have chain restaurants and taco stands. Fortunately, with Mexico City raised and Culinary Institute trained uber chef Richard Sandoval, we now have La Sandia.
Margarita's and freshly made guacamole were the first course....naturally. Followed by shrimp ceviche and quesadillas and then entrees of traditional dishes of chile relleno, carnitas, soft tacos, etc.,
and of course more margaritas.
La Sandia is now my local go to place for margaritas and quality Mexican food.
You can't be a native southern Californian and not have an appreciation for fine Mexican food. It's nurture food for me because I've been noshing on it my entire life. But strangely, here in Mexico Norte, or rather Los Angeles, great Mexican cuisine is actually difficult to find. Mostly we have chain restaurants and taco stands. Fortunately, with Mexico City raised and Culinary Institute trained uber chef Richard Sandoval, we now have La Sandia.
Margarita's and freshly made guacamole were the first course....naturally. Followed by shrimp ceviche and quesadillas and then entrees of traditional dishes of chile relleno, carnitas, soft tacos, etc.,
and of course more margaritas.
Dessert was a delicious trio of traditional Mexican sweets stepped up a notch with a sparkler.
Hopefully, the next Richard Sandoval restaurant that I try will be Ketsi at the Four Seasons Hotel in Punta Mita.
I can dream...
Roman Holiday or Summer Vacation Italian Style
Now that we've had the time change and the days are getting longer, I'm starting to think about planning a summer vacation.
I'm not sure where I will be going at this point but any trip that I take will probably include Italy
which just yesterday celebrated 150 years of unification... thank you Bluetramonta Style for letting us know about Italy's anniversary.
I'd like to spend some time in Rome, Sicily and on the Amalfi Coast. But since those places will be so busy and touristy I might instead opt for
The Tremeti Islands
and the Italian Alps.
I'm curious, if you were planning a summer trip to Italy, where would you go?
I'm not sure where I will be going at this point but any trip that I take will probably include Italy
which just yesterday celebrated 150 years of unification... thank you Bluetramonta Style for letting us know about Italy's anniversary.
I haven't been there in over a decade and conveniently, my younger brother will be moving this summer from Spain to Naples.
Apulia
I'm curious, if you were planning a summer trip to Italy, where would you go?
The Trip To Telluride - Part Two
As far as I'm concerned, the place to stay in Telluride was in Mountain Village, not in the actual town of Telluride which was situated in narrow claustrophobic valley.
Granted the Village was a bit removed and a car was required,
but unlike the town it was quiet and had expansive views
The house that we stayed in was part of the Lodges on Sundance
all built with classic Western style log construction.
Looking backwards from the living room was an open kitchen with carved wood cabinets and granite counters. Above it was the open loft-office.
and this carved wood armoire
Granted the Village was a bit removed and a car was required,
but unlike the town it was quiet and had expansive views
The house that we stayed in was part of the Lodges on Sundance
all built with classic Western style log construction.
It was adjacent to the Sundance run
so it had the all important ski in - ski out access
There were windows everywhere so there was plenty of interior light
not that you can tell from this photo
Here's the image from the rental website.
See how bright it was?
I loved the fact that the house was decorated in warm shades of earthy brown with comfy wing chairs, a distressed leather couch, a cozy fireplace and a flat screen tv.
Looking backwards from the living room was an open kitchen with carved wood cabinets and granite counters. Above it was the open loft-office.
In the corner next to the kitchen was the dinning area with comfortable high backed chairs and a large wooden table.
Since there were six of us staying in the house I appreciated the spaciousness of the interior.
I also loved all of the details in the decoration such as this antler chandelier
I also loved all of the details in the decoration such as this antler chandelier
and this carved wood armoire
I would definitely recommend the Lodges on Sundance
as long as you can handle the altitude.
Finally, on the topic of altitude, the highlight of my trip was taking the gondola up the mountain to meet up with some friends for drinks then dinner at Allred's Restaurant.
The food was great and the view of the valley was amazing.
If you go to Telluride, in summer or winter, do not miss Allred's.
The Trip To Telluride - Part One
I have decided that you're really not on vacation unless you leave your computer at home, which is what I decided to do on my weekend jaunt to Dallas and Telluride. All hell may have broken out abroad but I had absolutely no idea about it.
I was strictly on vacation.
It started early Saturday morning with meeting up with the group of my fellow travellers at the Van Nuys Airport. I rarely take vacations but having been offered the option of travelling by general aviation rather than commercial, I couldn't say no to this trip. It's an unbelievable luxury to be able to drive your car right onto the tarmac, unload your bags and then have your car valet parked for you....not to mention avoiding the crowds and the TSA.
So we were off on a quick 2 plus hour flight to Love Field in Dallas for an early afternoon wedding.
Here is the view of the airport with the skyline of Dallas in the distance.
The wedding ceremony was held at the pretty chapel at SMU and the reception was held at a nearby country club.
Out of respect for the bride and groom I didn't take photographs at the actual wedding but I wanted to show you this photo of the flowers at the reception.
The wedding party sat at a V shaped table set with towering glass vases overflowing with white flowers and spot lit for dramatic effect. It was stunning.
The reception went on as receptions do, dinner, speeches, dancing, drinking...
and after a few hours we got the universal signal that it was time to take our leave,
which of course was when the DJ put on "Play That Funky Music White Boy".
Is there some special DJ code that this particular song always has to be played at the most white bread of weddings?
The next morning, after a brunch at the home of the bride's parents, we were off to the airport for the 2 hour flight to Colorado.
Here is the little Cessna Citation that we flew in.
The flight was uneventful, except for the severe turbulence that we hit as we descended over the mountains on our approach to Montrose. For the record, severe turbulence is when you are lifted completely out of your seat and you hit your head on the top of the plane. Thank God it only lasted only couple of minutes. While I had complete confidence in the competence of the pilots, and while I was fortunate to have been holding a goldendoodle puppy in my lap which kept me calm, I'd rather not have that particular experience with severe turbulence again.
Once we landed, we piled into our huge SUV and drove up into the mountains.
It had just snowed the previous night and the storm had passed over
so everything was white and bright.
Here's a view of the mountains from the car. We had the most incredible weather, cold but clear.
Finally, after an hour or so we arrived at our 4 story townhouse in Telluride MountainVillage.
The house had an amazing view, but being situated at above 10,000 feet altitude was an issue.
I'll post photos of the house tomorrow.
I was strictly on vacation.
It started early Saturday morning with meeting up with the group of my fellow travellers at the Van Nuys Airport. I rarely take vacations but having been offered the option of travelling by general aviation rather than commercial, I couldn't say no to this trip. It's an unbelievable luxury to be able to drive your car right onto the tarmac, unload your bags and then have your car valet parked for you....not to mention avoiding the crowds and the TSA.
So we were off on a quick 2 plus hour flight to Love Field in Dallas for an early afternoon wedding.
The wedding ceremony was held at the pretty chapel at SMU and the reception was held at a nearby country club.
The reception went on as receptions do, dinner, speeches, dancing, drinking...
and after a few hours we got the universal signal that it was time to take our leave,
which of course was when the DJ put on "Play That Funky Music White Boy".
Is there some special DJ code that this particular song always has to be played at the most white bread of weddings?
The next morning, after a brunch at the home of the bride's parents, we were off to the airport for the 2 hour flight to Colorado.
Here is the little Cessna Citation that we flew in.
The flight was uneventful, except for the severe turbulence that we hit as we descended over the mountains on our approach to Montrose. For the record, severe turbulence is when you are lifted completely out of your seat and you hit your head on the top of the plane. Thank God it only lasted only couple of minutes. While I had complete confidence in the competence of the pilots, and while I was fortunate to have been holding a goldendoodle puppy in my lap which kept me calm, I'd rather not have that particular experience with severe turbulence again.
Once we landed, we piled into our huge SUV and drove up into the mountains.
It had just snowed the previous night and the storm had passed over
so everything was white and bright.
The house had an amazing view, but being situated at above 10,000 feet altitude was an issue.
I'll post photos of the house tomorrow.
Snow Photos
Until I have time latter this week to catch up with my blogging, I'll leave you with 2 photos that I took yesterday in Colorado.
This photo is of a herd of elk cows that crossed the highway just in front of our car then headed off through a snow covered field.
This is the view of the Rocky Mountains as seen from the car as we drove from Telluride to the airport Montrose.
A Week of Wardrobe Challenges and Beladora In Black And White
We've had so many great posts from blogs such as Passage de Perles, Make Do Style and A Femme d'un Certain Age challenging us to dress with style with a limited wardrobe and now ELLE has featured the Fabiola Beracasa 30 Day wardrobe challenge on ELLE.com
Have the babes at ELLE have been checking out the blogosphere?
I wonder.
Meanwhile I have a wardrobe challenge of my own coming up this weekend as I have a wedding to attend in Dallas on Saturday then Sunday and Monday will be spent in Telluride. So travel clothes, dress-up clothes and ski clothes will all be needed for a 3 day trip.
It would be easy to pack if I had closet full of clothes from Goresuch, which is one of my favorite online stores. But I don't, so I have no idea at this point what I'm going to wear.
Meanwhile, while perusing the site I found this ELLE TV video
Beladora looks good in black and white!
Have the babes at ELLE have been checking out the blogosphere?
I wonder.
Meanwhile I have a wardrobe challenge of my own coming up this weekend as I have a wedding to attend in Dallas on Saturday then Sunday and Monday will be spent in Telluride. So travel clothes, dress-up clothes and ski clothes will all be needed for a 3 day trip.
It would be easy to pack if I had closet full of clothes from Goresuch, which is one of my favorite online stores. But I don't, so I have no idea at this point what I'm going to wear.
Meanwhile, while perusing the site I found this ELLE TV video
Beladora looks good in black and white!
Billionaires Behaving Badly or Opulence Abounds Barry Diller Style
I've been enjoying Gawker today, so I thought I'd share with you the Monday mirth
While Barry Diller has denied raises and bonuses to his IAC staff for the third year in a row
he hasn't cut back on his own spending, at least not on decorating his office,
which apparently needed a new carpet...a $1,000,000 silk rug.
Well, we know that he's not shy about spending
Diller's luxe tastes are no secret, of course. He got dinged in the press earlier this year when it was revealed he spent $4,600 per day in IAC funds on personal travel during 2009. (It isn't cheap to hop from place to place aboard a $45 million Bombardier BD-700.) And he spent more than $200 million on the world's largest sailing vessel, the 300-foot-long Eos, which features a crew of nine as well as and two chefs. From 2000-2010, he was the second best-paid executive at a public company, right behind Oracle chief Larry Ellison.
Of course nothing can be too good for the CEO of a publicly owned company.
and the Diller Yacht
Obviously, these belong to the man not the corporation.
Still it's hard not to imagine what the IAC employees feel about all of this.
I suppose that the institutional shareholders of IAC stock think that of this is all OK.
And speaking of Billionaires Behaving Badly...don't even get me started on Berlusconi...
While Barry Diller has denied raises and bonuses to his IAC staff for the third year in a row
he hasn't cut back on his own spending, at least not on decorating his office,
which apparently needed a new carpet...a $1,000,000 silk rug.
Well, we know that he's not shy about spending
Diller's luxe tastes are no secret, of course. He got dinged in the press earlier this year when it was revealed he spent $4,600 per day in IAC funds on personal travel during 2009. (It isn't cheap to hop from place to place aboard a $45 million Bombardier BD-700.) And he spent more than $200 million on the world's largest sailing vessel, the 300-foot-long Eos, which features a crew of nine as well as and two chefs. From 2000-2010, he was the second best-paid executive at a public company, right behind Oracle chief Larry Ellison.
Of course nothing can be too good for the CEO of a publicly owned company.
Note: the Diller private jet
and the Diller Yacht
Obviously, these belong to the man not the corporation.
Still it's hard not to imagine what the IAC employees feel about all of this.
I suppose that the institutional shareholders of IAC stock think that of this is all OK.
And speaking of Billionaires Behaving Badly...don't even get me started on Berlusconi...
Kenya - From Happy Valley Hijinks to Laid Back Lamu
I was chatting with a European client this week about alternative locations to raise a family, away from the high costs and social nonsense that permeates Los Angeles. He suggested Kenya.
And I can understand why.
White sand beaches, laid back lifestyle, and it's got to be cheaper than the Hollywood Hills.
But as for social nonsense. Kenya has had it's share of it with the Happy Valley Set.
White sand beaches, laid back lifestyle, and it's got to be cheaper than the Hollywood Hills.
But as for social nonsense. Kenya has had it's share of it with the Happy Valley Set.
and
And I'm guessing that even laid back, low key, Lamu Island has a certain amount of celebrity silliness.
I probably wouldn't want to live an expat life there, but it would be nice for a holiday.
If you were going to escape from your current life, where would you go?
Getting Zighy With It
Aha I thought to myself. While the One and Only Palmilla was all lush, green and tropical,
was this the kind of desert meets the sea environment that I was really looking for in Mexico?
clear blue water, check
sparse rocky hills, check
empty beaches, check
Where in Baja California is this lovely hotel?
This magical place is the Six Senses Hideaway on Zighy Bay in the Sultanate of Oman and posted by Nouf from Saudi Arabia, a beautiful blogger with a sophisticated sense of style, on her Boho Mode blog.
I will add it to my long list of places to visit.
Now....if I can only find some clients in the Emirates to give me a reasonable excuse to go there....
Palmilla - The One and Only Way to Vacation in Cabo San Lucas
Have I ever mentioned to you that I love Cabo San Lucas?
With only a short 2 hour flight from noisy, cold and traffic bound Los Angeles you arrive in a quiet, warm and calm paradise at the tip of Baja California where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
It's magical, it really is.
I have vacationed along the Cabo Corridor several times before but this was the first time that I stayed at the magnificent Palmilla, part of the outstanding One and Only group of resorts where attention to detail, customer service and quality of experience reign.
The resort is situated on the edge of the Punta Palmilla on the coast where each room has a blue water view.
The overall design I would describe as Hacienda 'lite' with classic Mexican style elements such as dark wood furniture against white walls and Mexican tile and stone work. My room was a spacious 2nd floor suite with high ceilings, a step down sitting room and large terrace.
The grounds are lush with tropical landscaping, green lawns and palm trees are everywhere.
Except for the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks the resort has an overall sense of quietness. The staff is dressed in muted off white Mexican style outfits that evoke more of a spa-like ambiance than that of a busy international hotel.
The Palmilla welcomes families yet the resort doesn't feel overrun by unruly kids. By providing both a family pool and an adult pool you can choose your level of ambient activity.
But wherever you decide to place yourself, the pool, the beach, the spa, the gym, the restaurant, the library, your room, you will be amazed by the service of the staff. For example, whenever you sit by the pool or under a palapa on the beach, you will be brought an ice bucket with bottles of water. Sitting by the pool you will be offered homemade fruit popsicles and frozen yogurt. Your room will be restocked everyday with water bottles, fresh fruit, snacks...and a special tequila. You will be offered water, lemonade, coffee in the library. Your treadmill in the gym will be equipped with a fresh towel and water. There is wireless service throughout, and even the palapas have electrical outlets so that you can plug in your laptop...if you are insane enough to take your computer to the beach.
Did I mention that a butler that comes with your room. I had the fabulous Isaac Armentilla who was there to take care of whatever I needed. I offered to take him home with me but he preferred to stay at the Palmilla...who wouldn't.
The service just goes on and on and on.
The food...well it is everything that you would expect. Not that I would go all the way to Mexico to go to Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Market restaurant or Larbi Dahrouch's Mexican-Medeterranean restaurant, Agua, or to have incredible sashimi and ceviche at Nobuo Iwaseya's sushi bar, Suviche, but it is nice to have that choice of cuisine. My Mexico style is more margaritas and guacamole while looking at the view from the outdoor Aqua bar.
For me the decision to go to the Palmilla rather than to any of the other spa/resorts along the Cabo Corridor was the fact that it had a swimmable beach. So instead of lounging around the pretty pool, I was more than happy to stay on the beach and swim in the warm clean water of the Sea of Cortez.
While I enjoyed my vacation in Aix-en-Provence last summer because I spent time with friends who are dear to me, I have to admit that the One and Only Palmilla resort was so much better than the Aquabella hotel/spa in Aix and surprisingly priced about the same or even less. Not only was it off season in Cabo when rates are down there was a terrific 4 nights for the price of 3 package which you would never find in France.
I totally recommend the Palmilla and would happily stay there again...anytime.
And if I ever find myself on the other side of the world I will try the One and Only resorts in Dubai and the Maldives.
With only a short 2 hour flight from noisy, cold and traffic bound Los Angeles you arrive in a quiet, warm and calm paradise at the tip of Baja California where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
It's magical, it really is.
I have vacationed along the Cabo Corridor several times before but this was the first time that I stayed at the magnificent Palmilla, part of the outstanding One and Only group of resorts where attention to detail, customer service and quality of experience reign.
But wherever you decide to place yourself, the pool, the beach, the spa, the gym, the restaurant, the library, your room, you will be amazed by the service of the staff. For example, whenever you sit by the pool or under a palapa on the beach, you will be brought an ice bucket with bottles of water. Sitting by the pool you will be offered homemade fruit popsicles and frozen yogurt. Your room will be restocked everyday with water bottles, fresh fruit, snacks...and a special tequila. You will be offered water, lemonade, coffee in the library. Your treadmill in the gym will be equipped with a fresh towel and water. There is wireless service throughout, and even the palapas have electrical outlets so that you can plug in your laptop...if you are insane enough to take your computer to the beach.
Did I mention that a butler that comes with your room. I had the fabulous Isaac Armentilla who was there to take care of whatever I needed. I offered to take him home with me but he preferred to stay at the Palmilla...who wouldn't.
The service just goes on and on and on.
While I enjoyed my vacation in Aix-en-Provence last summer because I spent time with friends who are dear to me, I have to admit that the One and Only Palmilla resort was so much better than the Aquabella hotel/spa in Aix and surprisingly priced about the same or even less. Not only was it off season in Cabo when rates are down there was a terrific 4 nights for the price of 3 package which you would never find in France.
I totally recommend the Palmilla and would happily stay there again...anytime.
And if I ever find myself on the other side of the world I will try the One and Only resorts in Dubai and the Maldives.
Sunday In The Sun
As I get ready to fly off to this place for a few days
I feel blessed to be able to take a break from the decline of western civilization
a culture that brings us
the Jersey Shore
and
the People of Walmart (warning...these photos are not for the timid)
I will be taking my laptop with me so that I can hopefully catch up on my email...how does it get away from me in a few short months...and my reading.
a culture that brings us
the Jersey Shore
and
the People of Walmart (warning...these photos are not for the timid)
I will be taking my laptop with me so that I can hopefully catch up on my email...how does it get away from me in a few short months...and my reading.
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