All posts filed under: boutique hotels

things that need a double take

Have you ever passed by something which caught your interest and then took another look, but this time in utter admiration or appreciation or longing? Where here’s what will do for it for  

boutique hotel pick – casa angelia – amalfi coast, italy

Now that vacation planning is in full swing and perhaps even late in getting some great deals, I decided it’s time to talk boutique hotel picks. Every year, I imagine a romantic getaway and although I stick to Paris as my safe haven, I can’t help but think of exotic coastal retreats to spend a romantic week. One place, which I’ve frequented quite often in my lifetime is the Amalfi Coast and with it, I have fallen in love with many properties to spend six nights/seven days. For that thought and of course a romantic destination recommend, I suggest Casa Angelia.

multitasking inside my head

I don’t need to remind anyone, that women multi-task on a second to second basis. While sitting at their desks at work, shuffling paper, their multitasking inside their heads. From what to make for dinner, to coordinating how the week would unfold. Children, homework, housework, husbands, get togethers, doctor’s appointments, grocery list, project deadlines, laundry, meetings, telephone calls and even vacation planning. So, for this week, these are the thoughts going through my head:       

boutique hotel pick – baccara resort and spa – santa barbara california

I woke up this morning with a sudden need to travel somewhere, even if only for the weekend. I guess it’s that time of the year again, when I get the travel bug and no matter what I shift my focus on, I remain distracted until I finally organize a holiday getaway of some sort. Baccara Resort and Spa is a place I’ve been to, twice. Once for a wedding and the other, just to run away. I had forgotten about the destination until I scanned my memory for quick get-away places from San Francisco and lucky for me, I remembered. The hotel is sprawled on the sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean, in the middle of California, very close to the town of Santa Barbara and offers some of the most prestiges   resort and spa amenities one would need to get their bearings back.   

san francisco gem: the ferry building

I love it when friends show up in town unannounced and beg to spend a day with you.  I really mean it, I do love it, even though it throws me pleasantly off schedule (If that makes sense). Anyway, I got the word my friends were in town at ten in the morning and asked them to meet me at the end of Market Street at noon for lunch.  When I asked, what they wanted to eat, they mentioned Sandwich shops and fast food and I basically rolled my eyes. I pointed to the Ferry Building and asked if they had been there and they both shook their heads NO and so we ventured into one of our proudest conversion of a historic building into an amazing waterfront hangout.

boutique hotel pick – montana art deco hotel – lucerne, switzerland

With freezing cold temperatures in San Francisco, I cannot help but want to be tucked in under the covers in a room of a beautiful hotel perfectly located near snow capped mountains. One place I have always loved and haven’t been to for a while is Lucerne Switzerland and this year, while I plan my annual trip to Europe, I am going to consider a day or two here – except I would prefer the destination during the winter months.

boutique hotel pick – la bellechasse – paris, france

During the rainy and gray Fall days, all I can think of is colors in decor and focus mainly on escaping somewhere warm and cozy, even if only for a weekend. Although Paris is approximately 12hours away from where I reside currently, I cannot help but search for colorful and extraordinary boutique hotels which fit my mood.  La Bellechasse fits that very exact feeling.  Check out the bedrooms below:  

day 13 – travel journal – paris france

There is no way on earth I would pass up Paris, no matter what other destinations I have included in my annual trip to Europe. This year, while the TGV pulled into Gare de Lyon from Cannes at a little after 9p.m. I noticed it had been raining in the city of romance. I didn’t care, the rain is always refreshing in Paris and I have actually been in the city every month out of the year and every single time it had rained. It usually bothered me, but I’ve come to accept it and now even embrace it. Paris isn’t Paris without rain. We hopped on the RER (urban rail network train) from Gare de Lyon to our Hotel in Charles de Gaulle Etoile (between VIIIe and XVIIe arrondissements) and within a five minute walk, landed in front of our quaint hotel with minimal frills and turned in for the night. I usually sleep with the windows open, normally for fresh air, but in the case of Paris, just so I could hear the …

day 8 to 12 – travel journal – french riviera et all

The most amazing thing about Europe is the fact, everything is connected by train, so there is no need to stress about driving nor flying. One can simply book a point to point ticket or by a Railpass (Outside of Europe Residance only) and arrange to get from any number of destinations within Europe. The beauty of having a Railpass is that the passholder can travel on the TER train – which connects all the beach town along the French Riviera by an intrecit timetable and train schedule.  So, basically in the morning you could be in Cannes and within half an hour to an hour you could be in Antinbes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Menton (depending on the stops the train makes). So, of course we did just that, hopped on the TER everyday and ended up in different parts of the French Riviera. Our stops, on this trip were to St. Tropez, Antibes, Monte Carlo (for the hubby man), VillaFranche Sur Mer and Nice.  Now, although every town is almost the same in that …