Orlando is finally opening its first new theme park for the first time in 25 years

January 8, 2025 No Comments

Orlando is set to welcome more than 25 experiences for 2025, including its first new theme park in over 25 years. 

“For the first time in 25 years, Orlando is on the brink of welcoming an entirely new theme park — a milestone that underscores our position as a top destination this year for travelers worldwide,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “If it’s your first time or you haven’t visited in over a year, consider this your invitation to plan an unforgettable Orlando vacation, creating memories with our world-class theme parks, award-winning dining and new experiences slated to open in 2025.”

New theme parks and attractions

Universal Orlando Resort

  • Universal Orlando Resort‘s Universal Epic Universe will open May 22, featuring over 50 attractions across five immersive worlds
  • Celestial Park immerses guests in living gardens and architecture inspired by astronomy and mythology.
  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Fantastic Beasts with the British Ministry of Magic.
  • SUPER NINTENDO WORLD features the iconic green pipes alongside beloved characters Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.
  • How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk offers a vibrant Viking realm inspired by the hit film franchise.
  • Dark Universe reveals Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments and a shadowy realm where monsters roam amid myth and mystery.

Walt Disney World Resort

  • This summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can enjoy two brand-new stage shows: “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” inspired by the classic film, and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,” with appearances by infamous evildoers.
  • Debuting at EPCOT, Test Track presented by Chevrolet will feature new scenes that highlight technological advances.
  • Two new Walt Disney World lounges will make their debut:
  • A Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge at Magic Kingdom Park.
  • A Spaceship Earth-inspired lounge at EPCOT overlooking the World Showcase.
  • Magic Kingdom Park will debut the “Disney Starlight” nighttime parade this summer.

Other attractions

  • SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND Florida Resort offers guests an oceanic adventure with diverse marine life and interactive exhibits.
  • Fun Spot Orlando introduces new rides this year at both its locations. On I-Drive, kids can whirl around on Tea Cups or experience high-flying twists on MACH FUN, while Kissimmee visitors can enjoy Swing Around in the Kids Spot area and the Up and Overboard inverted pendulum ride.
  • Gatorland debuted Sweet Tooth’s Candy Shop, a specialty candy store with over 60 varieties of handcrafted chocolates, confections and ice cream.
  • Blue Man Group returns April 3 with a new home at ICON Park featuring the show’s signature mix of art, live music, comedy and audience participation.

Go beyond the theme parks

New dining experiences 

  • East End Market welcomes a two-in-one concept: Rion’s Ocean Room, which opened in fall 2024, and Gyukatsu Rose, set to open in early 2025.
  • The Cake Bake Shop Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers opened in October at Disney’s BoardWalk and features savory and sweet options, along with afternoon tea service.
  • Epilogue, a new adults-only speakeasy, opened at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort in October. The intimate lounge features library-inspired decor and a variety of themed cocktails.
  • Moso Nori, a Japanese hand-roll bar concept by James Beard Award finalist and Michelin-recognized chef Henry Moso, opened in November in Winter Park.
  • Alien Treats, an alien-themed dessert shop in downtown Orlando, specializes in out-of-this-world space-themed and freeze-dried candies, milkshakes, and ice cream.
  • The Lake Nona Wave Hotel introduced Garni Café – an all-day French bistro – and The Nectar Room – a cocktail lounge – to the hotel’s award-winning dining scene.
  • Oza Izakaya is now open near SeaWorld Orlando, highlighting a blend of the Japanese izakaya setting and omakase style of dining.
  • Lorelai Wine Bar opens in February in downtown Orlando, offering European wines and shareable plates.
  • The Glass Knife opens its second location on Park Avenue in Winter Park this spring, serving elegant pastries and desserts, plus breakfast, lunch and brunch.

New and reimagined places to stay

  • Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, a Disney Vacation Club addition, opened in December offering villas with kitchens and patios, plus two-bedroom penthouses featuring lagoon and Magic Kingdom views.
  • Universal Stella Nova Resort, opening Jan. 21, and Universal Terra Luna Resort, opening Feb. 25, will add 1,500 guest rooms to Universal Orlando, featuring 750 double-queen rooms, diverse dining, resort-style pools, game rooms and more.
  • Universal Helios Grand Hotel by Loews, opening in May, will have a dedicated entrance into the new Universal Epic Universe. The 500-room, 35-suite property features in-room tablets for digital controls, plus a rooftop bar, three-meal restaurant, pool bar and grab-and-go station.
  • Upon completion in early 2025, Villatel Orlando Resort will have 526 units with apartment-style suites and single-family homes, plus an adventure waterpark with multi-story slides and lazy river, fitness center, full-service restaurant and playgrounds.
  • Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground at Walt Disney World Resort unveils 365 newly renovated cabins this spring.
  • The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin completes its remodel of Swan guest rooms and debuts refreshed meeting spaces boasting a modern design and upgraded event technology.

Four Seasons is opening a flagship property in Puerto Rico

December 23, 2024 No Comments

Four Seasons and Paulson Puerto Rico have announced plans for the leading hospitality and branded residential company to assume management of a resort and residences in Bahia Beach, Rio Grande.

The opening will mark the entry of Four Seasons to Puerto Rico and the continued expansion of the renowned luxury brand in the Caribbean.

Located on 483 acres along Bahia Beach, the property is seamlessly integrated with its natural surroundings, allowing guests and residents to immerse themselves in the beauty of Puerto Rico. The local surroundings will continue to be preserved, with interiors undergoing renovations before unveiling as Four Seasons Resort Puerto Rico in late 2025.

Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Puerto Rico will offer 139 reimagined rooms and suites and 85 Private Residences, with additional existing units that will join the residential portfolio upon the property’s reopening as a Four Seasons experience.

The property is ideally located a short 30-minute drive from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

Inside the Park Hyatt New York suite that costs $50,000 a night

December 18, 2024 No Comments

Park Hyatt New York unveils its latest masterpiece, the Manhattan Suite, located on the hotel’s 25th floor and now available for stays starting at $50,000 per night with a two-night minimum.

Representing a $10 million investment, this exclusive suite, complemented by two additional connecting suites, forms an expansive 3,500-square-foot retreat with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two powder rooms, and two balconies, accommodating up to 10 guests. With sophisticated furnishings and distinctive design elements, the Manhattan Suite offers an unparalleled residential experience, exuding refined elegance and showcasing breathtaking 180-degree views of Manhattan’s iconic skyline.

Debuting during the hotel’s 10th anniversary this year, the suite marks a significant milestone in Park Hyatt New York’s multi-million-dollar renovation, celebrating a decade of luxury and innovation.

About the suite

The Manhattan Suite features a bespoke art collection and over 50 New York and art-inspired coffee table books, meticulously arranged to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Curated by Tatar Art Projects, this ensemble includes works by renowned artists, authors, sculptors, designers, and artisans whose creations have graced prestigious venues such as the Guggenheim Museum.

Sawyer & Company, the New York-based boutique design studio, crafted the interiors to reflect the city’s creative spirit while paying tribute to the hotel’s rich artistic heritage. Nearly 18-foot floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the striking skyline and Central Park allow natural light to fill the space during the day and the city lights to dazzle at night. The spacious living area is elegantly designed to host social gatherings or facilitate meetings, featuring a dining table for eight and a Bernardaud dinnerware collection. The kitchen is equipped with premium Miele appliances—including a built-in microwave and wall oven, induction cooktop, 24-inch fully integrated dishwasher, and a Master Cool fridge-freezer—bringing a sense of refined residential comfort to this luxurious setting. The primary bedroom in the Manhattan Suite also includes a private bar, complete with a renowned wine selection.

Guests can indulge in restful sleep with soft Sferra linens on Bryte Balance king-size beds, equipped with AI-powered, multi-sensory technology that helps combat jet lag, promote quicker sleep, and ensure deeper rest. The lavish bathrooms further enhance the stay, featuring Le Labo amenities and the latest hair dryer from renowned stylist Rossano Ferretti. The opulent master bathroom offers a dual vanity, a walk-in rain shower functioning also as a steam room, an oversized marble soaking tub, heated marble floors, a Toto electric toilet, and bidets.

Additional amenities

The Manhattan Suite experience is elevated with exclusive amenities such as a dedicated concierge, a personalized welcome gift, a refrigerator and mini bar stocked to guests’ preferences, and the option for custom embroidered robes or pillowcases. Guests can also enjoy complimentary daily breakfast, indulgent spa treatments at the award-winning Spa Nalai, and seamless airport transfers to and from local NYC airports.

Additional enhancements available upon request for a fee include private jet transfers to New York City provided by Advent Jets, a personal in-suite chef tasting dinner, and a private hour in the indoor saltwater swimming pool, complete with a curated underwater playlist. Guests also have the option to have a Peloton bike delivered to the suite for an invigorating workout. They can further immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of New York City, thanks to the hotel’s prime location near iconic landmarks such as Central Park, Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and Lincoln Center, offering an array of enriching cultural experiences to explore.

The introduction of the Manhattan Suite complements the recent debut of the Hairspa by Hair Maestro Rossano Ferretti in June, setting the stage for forthcoming renovations that will feature a redesigned Spa Nalai and reimagined specialty suites, all equipped with Bryte Balance beds for enhanced comfort. These new developments are part of Park Hyatt New York’s celebration of its 10th anniversary, reflecting the hotel’s commitment to continual luxury and innovation.

For more information on Park Hyatt New York, visit www.parkhyattnewyork.com.

Santa Monica: California’s cool

November 27, 2024 No Comments

Just after the sun comes up, surfers dash down the long, sandy stretch of beach and launch their boards into the water, as wave after wave of runners with tanned shoulders and coordinated outfits prance down the boardwalk behind.

Some push strollers, some hold dog leashes, and others throw up a peace sign and offer a smile to passersby. 

Located west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a coastal city known for its famed Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park, which features multiple oceanfront dining venues, midway games and riveting rides, including the first-ever solar-powered ferris wheel and a rollercoaster.

Home to 95,000 residents, the city is also a hub for health and wellness enthusiasts. Just south of the pier, you’ll find the Original Muscle Beach—an outdoor gym that opened in the 1930s that’s decked out with aerial ropes, parallel bars, travelling rings and swings.

Originally intended for use by acrobats, gymnasts and wrestlers, now, at any hour of the day, it’s not uncommon to see people young and old, doing everything from tight-rope walking to acro yoga, aerial rope tricks and meditation. In 1952, Muscle Beach Venice, a 20-minute walk from the Santa Monica Muscle Beach, was opened, and became the training grounds for some of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.

 “In Santa Monica, you can do whatever you want to do, and be whoever you want to be.”

Pedalling on my e-bike alongside my guide Erik Hines, from Bikes and Hikes LA, I watch as he effortlessly interacts with everyone we pass—the vendor selling artwork spread out on a picnic blanket; the man blasting Biggie from a stereo; the couple sitting on the grass as the sun sets over Santa Monica Beach.

“The thing I love most about Santa Monica is that you can wander down to the beach any time of day and leave with a handful of new friends,” he says, noting that he’s lived in several other places, but always finds his way back.

“In Santa Monica, you can do whatever you want to do, and be whoever you want to be,” he adds, right as a man on rollerblades wearing a cowboy hat saunters by singing opera and a woman with bright purple lipstick and a faux fur coat pushes two Pomeranian pups in a stroller.

Off the beach and the boardwalk, Santa Monica is also well-known for its restaurant and bar scene, as well as its shopping. Largely influenced by coastal Mediterranean and Mexican diets, Santa Monica is home to two Michelin-star and 14 Michelin-recommended restaurants and countless other options ranging from mom n’ pop shops to food trucks, cafes and contemporary eateries that often specialize in seafood and seasonal farm-to-table dishes. Most establishments do happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., and bars shut down by 2 a.m.

For those looking to spend, Santa Monica has three main shopping districts. The Downtown District is where you’ll find Third Street Promenade, an outdoor pedestrian-only area stretching three blocks that carries a mix of retail stores and dining.

At the southern end of the Promenade you’ll find Santa Monica Place, which is another outdoor shopping district, but home to higher end brands, as well as department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. In the city’s north end, Montana Ave. promises upscale shopping from luxury boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops.

This article first appeared in the winter 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. To read the full story, click here. To subscribe to the print magazine, click here.

Two new Hyatt hotels are opening in New Orleans

July 12, 2024 No Comments

Hyatt is expanding its brand presence in New Orleans with Maison Métier (formerly Maison de la Luz) and The Barnett (formerly Ace Hotel New Orleans), which have joined the Hyatt portfolio as affiliated hotels.

The hotels are expected to join Hyatt’s Independent Collection of brands and participate in the World of Hyatt loyalty program this year. The two properties are owned by The Domain Companies and managed by HRI Hospitality.

Situated on Carondelet Street, just one block from New Orleans’ famed Lafayette Square, these two  properties will soon bring unique guest experiences, stylish accommodations and bold food and beverage programming to Hyatt’s Independent Collection of brands, which offers enriching and authentic stays for today’s traveller.

About the two hotels

Maison Métier (expected to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand as an independently branded hotel in 2024) 
Located in a 1908 building, Maison Métier is a Parisian luxury guesthouse that has been thoughtfully preserved in its architectural integrity and embodies the story of a bygone era married with contemporary finishes and furnishings.

The hotel offers 67 lavish guestrooms and suites with well-appointed interiors and immersive design touches. The salon-style bar located within the hotel, formerly known as Bar Marilou, maintains its partnership with Paris-based Quixotic Projects and continue to hold its place as the swanky bar New Orleanians know and love, offering culinary delights and creative cocktails.

The Barnett (expected to join JdV by Hyatt brand as an independently branded hotel in 2024)
The Barnett will pay homage to the building’s rich history which includes its longstanding tenure as Barnett’s Furniture Store, a local mom-and-pop fixture of the neighborhood of a past era.

The hotel brings Art Deco and French Modernism influences to the vibrant Warehouse District in a way that celebrates the city’s past, and offers guests an authentic New Orleans experience, with musicality at its core featuring a live music venue. In addition to thoughtful property-wide updates, the hotel’s culinary venues will showcase new identities, including former mainstay Italian restaurant Josephine Estelle; rooftop and pool bar Alto; and music venue Three Keys. Seaworthy restaurant will remain under the same brand and culinary leadership. Guests can expect updates for The Barnett’s bars and restaurants to be unveiled this Fall.

Once the hotels join their respective brands, World of Hyatt members will have the opportunity to experience NOLA in style and earn points on stays to use toward free nights, dining, wellbeing experiences and more.

A new massive cruise terminal is opening in Florida

May 6, 2024 No Comments

Port Canaveral is building a new cruise terminal to meet the growing demands of the cruise industry.

The strategic decision to build a new multi-user cruise terminal at the Port’s existing North 8 berth provides significant cost savings, operational flexibility, and an expedited construction timeline of approximately two years to accommodate the largest ships in the world across a spectrum of brands.

Port Canaveral’s existing North 8 berth shares its basin with the Port’s Cruise Terminal 5 on the northside of Port Canaveral. Designed and built in 2018 for multi-purpose flexibility, North 8 berth will require minimal modifications to extend the current 1,020 linear feet bulkhead to 1,344 feet to accommodate large cruise vessels. Additionally, waterside improvements to the northside of the shared basin will also extend and improve the berthing capacity of Cruise Terminal 5.

Timeline for design, engineering, and construction are in development with target completion for the new facility by summer 2026. The new terminal campus will include a multi-story parking facility to accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles and roadway improvements in and out of the new facility, including turning lanes and a “flyover” ramp directly connecting the site with State Road 401.

Meet the fifth generation Hawaiian family who are changing chocolate

April 1, 2024 No Comments

“I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. He’s very intelligent, he’s highly evolved, he’s handsome and delicious and very shy,” tour guide Alexandria Webster said mischievously.

“Friends, this is Theo.”

Partially expecting an eligible bachelor to come sauntering around the foliage of the 46-acre Lydgate Farms in Kapaa, Kaua’i, we quickly learn that Theo is short for Theobroma cacao. Alas, not a heartthrob, but a tropical evergreen tree known for its seeds that are used to produce cocoa powder and chocolate, whose scientific name means ‘food of the gods’ in Greek.

“This mood-elevating food was discovered by the ancient Aztecs and Mayans and back then they weren’t nibbling on Hershey,” she says. “They were consuming chocolate as a ceremonial health chocolate tonic beverage and it was fermented cocoa beans with some spices like cinnamon, cardamon, vanilla bean and some hot chilli peppers. If you were drinking it you were likely a monarch or a priest because you were consuming money. This is what they would trade as their currency.”

A superfood with super qualities

On a mission to change the way people think about chocolate, Webster says many visitors who come to the farm don’t know that chocolate is a fruit.

“It’s not just a fruit, it’s a superfood. Cacao is loaded with vitamins, trace minerals, hundreds of them, it’s one of the highest whole food sources of antioxidants that you can consume. It contains over forty mood-elevating properties,” she said. 

Over the centuries, this beverage was used to treat anemia, mental fatigue, tuberculosis, fever, gout, kidney stones, and even poor sexual appetite. While most of the chocolate of today no longer has health benefits, top-of-the line fine chocolates do.

“It only takes one ounce of quality chocolate a day to reap the benefits of heart health, brain health,” she says. “It’s great for your blood circulation, it’s going to open up your vessels, it’s going to improve your mood, your alertness because of the theobromine in chocolate. So, if you eat chocolate every day, you will not only be happier, you’re going to die a little less. It’s shown to lower all-cause mortality.”

Regenerative, generational farming

Lydgate Farms is run by Will Lydgate, whose family legacy on Kaua’i can be traced back across five generations. “My great-grandfather William arrived in 1865 with a dream to help build the future of the Hawaiian Kingdom,” he says. “[I’ve] dedicated myself to building a team that grows the best cacao the world has ever tasted.”

Embodying the principle of Mālama ‘Āina, a Hawaiian word that means to care for and honour the land for future generations, sustainability is at the forefront of his efforts. In addition to producing single-estate chocolate and treats like chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, Lydgate Farms also offers vanilla beans and small-batched palm blossom honey. 

“This beautiful tropical diverse farm is cultivated in a regenerative fashion, meaning we’re reinvesting in the soil for generations to come,” says Webster, adding that honey tasting is now part of the tour. “Cacao is an equatorial fruit — it only grows about 20° of the equator. That actually makes Hawai’i the only place in the continental US that can commercially grow chocolate.”

The farm has been recognized multiple times for producing some of the best chocolate in the world at international competitions. “Our farm represents the United States of America at the Cocoa of Excellence Awards in Paris. This is a world-wide chocolate competition every two years. Our humble farm is like the Jamaican bobsled team of the chocolate world, the underdogs,” she says, referencing the cult-favourite movie Cool Runnings. “Forty-six acres is a drop in the bucket compared to Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, they have thousands of acres and they’ve been doing it way longer than us. Small but mighty, we are now three consecutive runnings of the 50 best tasting chocolates in the whole world.”

From bean to bar

Based solely on the terroir of the farm, chocolate bars can elicit different flavour profiles from fruits to earthy tones. While there are only 14 original families of cacao, they cross pollinate to create thousands of varietals and result in the various coloured pods that range from yellow to vibrant red.

“Chocolate that’s fermented, that has distinctive flavour, that is packed with health benefits, and is not confectionery — meaning it’s heavily diluted with milk and sugar — didn’t even exist until 1997,” she says. “Isn’t that wild? It hasn’t been that long. People are just starting to learn about the art and the science that goes into making fine chocolate. Because Hawai’i is the only state where it can be commercially grown, we’re trying to transform Kaua’i into the Napa Valley of the chocolate world.”

At US$18 a pop, a chocolate bar from Lydgate Farms comes with a heftier price tag than your typical store-bought Cadbury bar. But when you consider the process involved, it should be a lot steeper. “If I crack this seed open and plant a seed today, it takes the tree at least four to five years to start bearing mature fruit. At that age, cocoa blossoms will start to bloom. They are so small that they are not pollinated by bees. They’re pollinated by the midge, which is a type of gnat,” she says. “Then it takes six to eight months for them to mature. A cacao tree can live 50 to 100 years.”

When it’s all said and done, she said the journey from bean to bar takes six to seven years. “Chocolate has more intricacies, more terroir, more flavour markers than wine,” she says. 

This story first appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. To read the full story, click here. 

 

A glamping retreat with a country store just opened in Texas

March 27, 2024 No Comments

Outdoorsy Hill Country is a new luxury glamping retreat set in Hill Country, Texas.

Surrounded by rolling hills, the retreat, set on 32 acres, offers guests access to 22 all-season canvas glamping tents, a cafe and bar, a country store, an events lodge and a network of trails through nearby Fredericksburg. 

A large spring-fed watering hole is a centerpiece of the property, and offers a perfect spot for summer paddleboarding and wildlife spotting. Across the property, live oaks provide shade for live music performances and an outdoor bar.

Outdoorsy Hill Country combines state-of-the-art safari tents with locally sourced materials such as Texas limestone, creating a natural connection between the structures and the land. Outdoor amenities for each tent include wrap-around panoramic decks, and fire pits providing opportunities for guests to gather and relax for evening drinks and outdoor dining.

 

Spacious glamping tents

Spacious glamping tents, sleeping two or four, are sighted on the property to maximize seclusion, and blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. The tents feature a king-size bed, twin and trundle beds with linens, plush robes, and modern furnishings.

The retreat’s tents are also climate-controlled to ensure a comfortable stay year-round. Private ensuite bathrooms feature rain showers and premium bath products from San Saba Soap Company. A fully equipped kitchenette and stocked mini-bar give guests the chance to grill outdoors or mix a cocktail featuring local Garrison Brothers bourbon.

 

The Cafe will offer guests a seasonal menu of light eats featuring local produce served on its deck with panoramic views of the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park. Guests can start the day at the cafe by enjoying fresh Merit coffee, juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go breakfast options. The day winds down with craft cocktails and a curated selection of local wines from Crown Hill Winery and Pedernales Cellars and cold beers from Real Ale Brewing.

A country store will ensure guests have all the provisions guests need for their stay as well as hosting pop-up retail experiences from local brands.

Outdoorsy Hill Country is now accepting reservations. 

For more information, visit outdoorsy.com/hillcountry. 

On a trip to Coastal Mississippi, explore 100KM of the best seafood

November 15, 2023 No Comments

Indulge your senses and embark on a delectable journey along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where culinary creativity meets coastal, southern charm.

From sizzling grills featuring unique seafood combinations to the elegant ambiance of fine dining establishments, Coastal Mississippi has become an epicenter of delight. Across the three vibrant counties along the coast of Mississippi, culinary masters blend local flavors with international flair – creating a symphony of tastes that reflect the region’s distinctive style.

“Across our 62-miles of shorelines, there are many culinary gems including flavors from around the world,” said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. “From fresh-caught seafood to international cuisine and southern favourites, visitors have an array of options to choose from.”

World class seafood

Nestled on the serene banks of the Jourdan River, Jourdan River Steamer offers an enchanting dining experience, combining vintage elegance with contemporary culinary artistry.

With its panoramic views of the river, guests can indulge in a menu featuring fresh Gulf Coast seafood and other culinary delights, such as Royal Red Shrimp, Snow Crab and more.

Hook Gulf Coast Cuisine portrays culinary excellence on the Gulf Coast, offering a remarkable dining experience that seamlessly blends coastal charm with gourmet innovation. Located in Pass Christian, this restaurant boasts a menu brimming with locally sourced seafood, featuring fresh catch escabeche, pecan crusted mangrove snapper, seared Tuna, and more – all capturing the region’s rich culinary heritage.

Southern favourites

Inside a beautiful replica of an 1820s style historic home featuring salvaged bricks and a grand central chimney, The Chimney’s Restaurant in Gulfport is known for its fresh seafood & steak dinners.

Travellers can gaze upon the lush greenery, majestic oaks, and Gulfport waterfront – all while enjoying an extensive menu of southern comfort favorites and chef specialties.

In Bay St. Louis, travellers can visit The Sycamore House, a pair of 19th-century Acadian cottages on the National Register of Historic Places, for delectable dinner, brunch, and dessert options. Chef’s Stella LeGardeur and Michael Eastham have curated a menu to tempt every guest with dishes like their savory crab meat and mushroom cheesecake.

To plan your perfect Coastal Mississippi culinary escape,
visit coastalmississippi.com to learn more.

This week-long trip in a Rolls Royce through Napa Valley is a must for foodies

September 20, 2023 No Comments

Luxury car aficionados and culinary enthusiasts are invited this fall to experience one of North America’s food and wine capitals during a week-long driving journey through Napa Valley.

Announced earlier this year, the complete Four Seasons Drive Experience through Napa Valley itinerary from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, 2023 is now available to book. Celebrating the romance of road travel, guests will explore Napa Valley via customized routes in one of several luxury and sports cars available for rent, including a Rolls Royce Cullinan, McLaren GT, Lamborghini Aventador S, Ferrari F8 Spider, Bentley Continental, Aston Martin DBX, and a Porsche Taycan to name a few. 

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley welcomes guests to a one-of-a-kind wine country resort set within a world-class working vineyard.

Home to Elusa Winery, the property features panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards, a distinctive indoor-outdoor environment, and the best of grape-to-glass lifestyle when not on the road.

Day 1

Guests will arrive at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley and will be treated to a wine tasting at Elusa Winery prior to a welcome dinner at the Resort’s vineyard Barn while being serenaded by the sounds of live acoustic music. Other surprise touches await to take the evening from the magical to the sublime.

Day 2

A scenic drive with ocean views along the California coastline takes guests to Hog Island Oyster Co., where they will indulge in a tasting session while mastering the art of oyster shucking. 

The coastal landscape is contrasted by drives through ancient redwoods followed by a dining experience at Promontory Winery, located in an unmarked territory beyond the southwestern borderlands of Oakville with majestic views of Napa Valley.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

Day 3

Guests will start their day with breakfast at Auro, Calistoga’s only Michelin-starred dining destination, with the sprawling Palisades Mountains as its backdrop. This is followed by a half-day drive to Chappellet Winery for a private picnic lunch overlooking views of Lake Hennessey.

Chappellet is renowned for producing some of the highest-standard Cabernet Sauvignons and mountain-grown wines and is recognized as one of the great Napa Valley wineries.  Thereafter, guests embark on a lakeside drive towards Cervantes Family Vineyard Ranch, a remote and rugged 1,100-acre (445 hectare) ranch in the far eastern reaches of Napa Valley.

Upon arrival, guests can engage in activities including skeet shooting, horse-riding, and a grape picking experience, followed by an eventful evening of dining, dancing and entertainment and a shuttle service on standby for seamless transfer back to the resort.

Day 4

Guests will first stop for a tour at SingleThread Farm, a 24-acre (10 hectare) working farm located in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country.  The tour includes simple delights such as a flower posy-making experience, followed by an indulgent six-course Michelin-starred lunch at Single Thread Restaurant, exclusive to Drive attendees. 

While at the resort between activities, guests can spend their leisure time indulging in a signature spa treatment at Spa Talisa, exploring the surrounding hiking trails, playing tennis, or lounging by the scenic pool. The journey continues with a wine-tasting tour at Opus One Winery, known for cultivating five traditional Bordeaux grape varieties.

The day winds to a close with a scenic dinner featuring wine pairings and picturesque views.

Auro, Michelin-starred Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley

Day 5

The day begins with a breathtaking morning drive to San Francisco Bay, where guests will indulge in local Californian cuisine alongside panoramic vistas of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. An atmospheric journey through the Napa Valley during harvest season follows and concludes with an intimate dining experience at Michelin-starred Auro.

There, guests will be treated to a seasonally inspired, five-course tasting menu by acclaimed Chef Rogelio Garcia and his team.  

Day 6

Around sunrise, guests take to the skies for an early morning hot-air balloon ride for panoramic views of the vineyards and undulating mountains. The final visit among the impressive list of wineries is ADAMVS, renowned for mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignons and boasting an innovative tasting room and wine library.

Additional tailored experiences include a visit to NBC Pottery for a craft experience, artisanal olive oil tasting at Grove 45, and a gala dinner on a private estate with live music for entertainment.