The NoMad Hotel

Here is the second hotel I wanted to share with you all, The NoMad. It too is located in New York. Located in a turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building in the NoMad district at 28th Street and Broadway, the hotel has been fully restored to its original grandeur with interiors by French designer Jacques Garcia. The hotel is intended as a fresh take on the classic grand hotels of Europe with a distinct New York sensibility. The design of the hotel was inspired by the Parisian flat of Garcia’s youth. The 168 rooms are residential in feel and decorated in his classic, timeless style. Each room is appointed with hand-selected, richly textured custom-designed furnishings and original artwork. The soaring ceilings throughout the public spaces provide a fine gathering place to enjoy dining, drinking and socializing. It has a similar vibe to the previous hotel but I think the other is more Parisian-industrial whereas this is more Parisian-Gentleman's club (and far more dramatic). I'd love to stay at both - how would one choose?! (P.S. The photography is perfection!)

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Wythe Hotel

This is the first of 2 hotels I am really excited to feature today. The first is the Wythe Hotel. Here are some details: Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Wythe Hotel is an 8-story hotel on the Williamsburg waterfront. Built in 1901, this former textile factory has been meticulously converted into a 72-room hotel offering service and amenities yet to be seen in the borough, while the building’s industrial character – like its concave corner entrance, original pine beams, masonry, arched windows and cast-iron columns – has been beautifully preserved. Throughout the hotel, guest rooms feature 13’ high original timber ceilings, oversized windows, radiant heat concrete floors, seasonally sourced mini-bar offerings, custom amenities and works by local artists. Many rooms, including band rooms, bunk rooms and suites, boast floor-to-ceiling views of the Manhattan skyline and East River. In a nutshell this is my dream home in hotel form. From it's location, to the funky industrial/vintage light fixtures, exposed brick walls, vintage bathroom to die for, Papa Bear and Thonet chairs, massive walls of barrister bookcases....

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Ka'ana

In the jungle of Belize there is a boutique hotel owned by a group of New Yorkers. It is a dream-come-true vacation spot and I am so grateful one of the owners, Avelin, emailed us about it, if only to get to experience it via photos and a video from their website.
Ka'ana was created for those who appreciate the elegant luxuries of a world class resort, yet yearn to experience new frontiers. Perfectly located in the midst of everything a Central American vacation could possibly offer, Ka'ana is a haven of understated luxury with a considered design style, distinguished culinary experiences and an extensive wine cellar, adjacent to pristine jungle. Experience a true luxury vacation, just steps from the many ancient Mayan ruins of Belize's jungle. One day.....one day.....

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A renovated mill in Italy

A big thanks to Deb for giving us a tip about this gorgeous Italian mill, photographed by Stefano Scatà. Dating back to 1570 and located in San Bartolomeo di Breda di Piave, Treviso Italy, the mill is now an inn called Locanda Rosa Rosae and is owned by Elisabetta and Silvio Stefani. It's a gorgeous, jaw-dropping mix of old and new that is my absolute dream - to take something really old and modernize it while maintaining as much of the old charm as possible. *sigh* How rewarding that must feel when accomplished. 

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Chesa Wazzau

The slow movement. I have always been attracted to slow food but now I'm falling for the idea of slow design and slow holidays (if I can call it that). I love the restoration of significant buildings to their former glory and instead of hiding them away in private hands, throwing open the doors as a hotel/holiday rental to experience all the cultural richness of the area. You have seen my obsession lately with Italian idea of albergo diffuso now I have fallen in love with this Swiss 17th century Engadine farmhouse, Chesa Wazzau in the village of Bever just a short drive from St. Moritz. A typical Engadine house had everything under one roof, house, barn, family, cows and now paying guests. A house party is in order don't you think? The long table is already set.

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