United States – Page 2

The USVI’s newest adults-only hotel is a pink Barbie dream house

July 28, 2023 No Comments

On July 21, one of the most anticipated movies of this year hit the big screen – Barbie!

And with the iconic doll making her film debut, travellers around the world are looking to experience the pink side of life at spots like Pink Palm Hotel in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a new adults-only boutique hotel where you can soak in all of the pink, dreamy, Barbie vibes.

This magnificent property opened in March 2023 in the heart of the islands’ capital city Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas, and features one of the most magical and beautiful views of the city’s waterfront harbor.

The 28-room adult boutique luxury hotel renovates the famed Smith’s Fancy, popular in the 1940s as a destination guesthouse for those in the fashion, art, music, and film worlds. This unique spot offers gorgeous water views that can be enjoyed from many of the rooms and the poolside common area.

Pink Palm offers guests a relaxing, private oasis while being steps from local restaurants, bars, art galleries and St. Thomas’s famous shops. This exotic place offers guests a full-service cocktail bar, highly skilled bartenders & cocktail servers.

Discover Utah’s dark skies and starry nights

May 17, 2023 No Comments

Utah — which prides itself on easily enabling tourists to enjoy star power in the truest sense — is now eagerly promoting a temporary disruption of celestial rays.

A state that is home to more internationally accredited dark sky parks and places than anywhere else on the planet — 24 at last count — will offer prime locations to view the Great American Solar Eclipse on Oct. 14. The eclipse will pass over several national parks and monuments in Utah, creating distinctive viewing locations, such as from the famed hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park and through an arch at National Bridges National Monument – the world’s first Dark Sky park.

“It’s a full total eclipse so it should be quite phenomenal,” Rachel Bremer of the Utah Office of Tourism said during a recent Toronto event. “For eclipse enthusiasts, this is a big deal. People from all over the world travel to see this kind of thing.”

Hotel lodging will now be hard to come by in prime viewing locales for the actual eclipse but other accommodation options will be available, with some homeowners in those areas turning their homes into temporary AirBNB dwellings.

A Dark Sky venue

Utah has been enthusiastically promoting itself as a great Dark Sky venue, with Bremer stating that a combination of altitude, dry air and a somewhat smallish population of around 3 million people — resulting in little light pollution — enables visitors to easily spot star-studded nighttime skies, views that are denied to many people in other parts of the world.

“To be able to walk out of your hotel and see stars is pretty unique for many,” she said during the Toronto visit, billed as a Utah Star Party and which coincided with International Dark Sky Week.

The Utah delegation then continued to Calgary and Vancouver.

Utah tourism authorities are determined to help others see the constellations, with the Canadian tour not going the common route of giving event attendees gift bags, instead donating money that would have been spent on the swag to The International Dark Sky Association and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Bremer acknowledges that promoting the eclipse is a “little bit of the opposite” from her office’s more traditional Dark Sky tourism. “It’s kind of cool.”

More stars in Moab

Melissa Stocks of Grand County Economic Development, which includes the city of Moab, noted her area is among destinations that can leave visitors somewhat star-struck, thanks to regional parks.

“The parks and monuments of southeastern Utah share some of the darkest skies remaining in the contiguous 48 United States,” tourism authorities state. “In recent years, three of Moab’s most popular parks — Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park — have been recognized as International Dark Sky Parks. Park staff routinely provide programs celebrating the night sky, from walks under the full moon to gazing through telescopes at objects millions of light-years away.”

For more information visit: discovermoab.com/moab-night-skies .

Visit Cedar Valley

Becki Lewis of Visit Cedar City — found 250 miles south of Salt Lake City — in turn said that culturally inclined sorts can do some star-gazing while in Cedar City, home to the annual Utah Shakespeare Festival, which dates back to 1962 and this year starts in June and continues into October.

Three theatres are used for it, including a “replica of a replica of the Globe” theatre in London in which Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. That roof-less Cedar City theatre provides sightings of starry skies to those taking in nighttime performances, Lewis said.

More information about the festival can be found at bard.org.

Lewis added that Utah has plenty of venues for people to enjoy nature.

“Most of the state parks would be national parks in other states,” she said. “They’re just beautiful.”

See Salt Lake City

Meanwhile, Ryan Mack of Visit Salt Lake said those visiting Salt Lake City can get up close and personal with some of the same terrain as athletes who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics did.

That includes both downhill and cross-country ski trails used for races.

“They (alpine trails that hosted races) won’t have the gates but they’ll be the same runs,” Mack said.

Skating and curling classes are available in the facility that hosted skating and curling competitions.

Mack said Salt Lake City’s successful staging of the Olympics boosted its tourism trade.

“In a lot of ways, it put Salt Lake on the international map as an outdoors destination,” he said.

Salt Lake City is expected to again host the Winter Olympics in 2030 or 2034, with strong community support, Mack added.

More information can be found at visitsaltlake.com.

Hard Rock opening massive casino in Deadwood, South Dakota

May 3, 2023 No Comments

Hard Rock International is bringing its unique brand of world-class entertainment to the historic city of Deadwood in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. The Rocksino by Hard Rock project will celebrate a grand opening on Aug. 8.

Hard Rock International executives, local community members and civic leaders will participate in the celebration of the newest economic driver in the region most famous for its gold rush history.

The Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood is a boutique hotel & casino experience, which includes most of what fans of the Hard Rock brand have come to know but on a smaller scale than its famous integrated resorts in gateway international cities.

Currently, the property is seeking several positions for its workforce including Administrative Assistant, Hospitality Manager, Executive Chef, all department supervisors including food and beverage, casino, and kitchen, public area attendants, housekeeping, bartenders, kitchen staff, and retail sales associates.

The property will feature a casino including 86 new slot machines, full-service restaurant and bar with amazing craft cocktails, and a delicious new menu that will include everyone’s most loved pizza in Deadwood which will be prepared in our brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen.

Diners can enjoy their meals on the Historic Patio, which will feature a wood fire grill, or inside at the bar or VIP mezzanine. Shop at the Rock Shop Retail Store for custom Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood apparel. Beautifully renovated luxury guest rooms are scheduled to open later this year.

1 Hotels opens flagship property in Hawaii

March 3, 2023 No Comments

1 Hotels recently announced the opening of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, its flagship nature-and-wellness-focused island oasis overlooking a storied stretch of Kauai’s North Shore.

Indigenous and endemic vines and plants weave through low-impact structures that blend softly and seamlessly into their surroundings, causing the hotel to virtually vanish into its cliffside site.

The lobby, reception, and open-air entranceway lead guests on a journey deep into Hawaiian history and mythology. Much of the original building was removed and replaced with streams and gardens. Reclaimed teak joists, puka lava stone walls and ceilings hand-woven from abacá, a natural leaf fiber harvested from a cousin of the banana tree, are locally sourced.

Rooms and suites

There are 252 airy and nature-inspired rooms, including 51 suites decorated with hand-woven floors fashioned from local black basalt, reclaimed teak and abaca furniture and traditional punai daybeds.

Three spacious signature suites – the two-story Puu Poa Ocean Loft Suite, Napali House Suite and Makana Penthouse — serve stunning ocean and majestic mountain views from private terraces.

Every interior detail lends texture framing panoramic vistas – visible through oversized openable windows – of the shimmering crescent-shaped Bay.

Other features

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is also home to:

an 18,000-square-foot Bamford Wellness Sp
a 10,000 square-foot Anatomy fitness centre with 24/7 cardio equipment and strength training, mind & movement group classes, a dedicated spin/all function room and personal athletic performance training and body sculpting
seven sustainable food venues that honour the rich local culture and centuries of Hawaiian tradition
a wide range of traditional athletic activities including an 18-hole Championship Mauka Disc Golf Course
three saline pools

For more information, visit 1hotels.com

Why South Dakota’s Badlands are a haven for wildlife

February 13, 2023 No Comments

South Dakota’s Badlands National Park is in fact good lands for wildlife enthusiasts.

The 244,000-acre park — described as a “maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires” — is home to bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, eagles and other creatures, while scientific work has determined that the area long ago served once as a home for the likes of three-toed horses, sabre-tooth tigers and dog-sized camels, says Katlyn Svendsen of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

Lodging is available in the park, and visitors also can camp in a region that Svendsen says appears somewhat outer-worldly.

“It’s like you landed on the moon,” she says of the unusual terrain.

Those visiting South Dakota will have other opportunities to see wildlife, with for instance, 71,000-ace Custer State Park home to 1,300 free-roaming bison and other wildlife, with its Wildlife Loop Scenic Byway among outdoor adventure opportunities. The Custer State Park Bison Center tells the story of the bison herd and educates people on the importance of the large mammals through “engaging and dynamic interactive displays.”

South Dakota has 6 U.S. National Park Service sites, while the South Dakota State Park system features 56 state parks and recreation areas that “showcase the state’s broad expanse of hiking trails, prairies, back-country mountains, pristine lakes, vast rivers and lush woods.”

Wide-open areas and a smallish population prompts Svendsen’s colleague Alexa Dorn to declare that visitors will find plenty of nature. “If you need room to roam you have room to roam.”

Svendsen also praises her state’s cultural and historic side, with South Dakota being home to 9 Native American tribes. Tourists can go on tours that will familiarize them with Native culture, including ones offered by Tatanka Tours, a Native-owned firm that takes visitors “on an odyssey into the realm of Lakota (Sioux) country. You will have a clearer and deeper understanding of rich Lakota culture and history.”

As well, the Crazy Horse Memorial — which depicts legendary Native leader Crazy Horse and is the largest in-progress mountain carving in the world — is also home to the Indian Museum of North America, a collection of artifacts reflecting “the diverse histories and cultures of over 300 Native nations.”

South Dakota’s prime attraction is Mount Rushmore National Monument, which features 60-foot faces of four famed American presidents carved from stone and offers a walking trail, museums, a gift shop and dining hall.

Another state highlight is the smallish town of Deadwood, which Dorn reports was a “rough and tough cowboy town” that dates back to the 1870s when gold was discovered in the region.

Deadwood today is the only municipality in South Dakota that allows gambling and has numerous casinos, prompting Svendsen to compare it to a “mini-Las Vegas.”

The money the casinos take in is reinvested in the community.

Such famed characters from Western U.S. history as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried in a Deadwood cemetery, which itself has become a tourist attraction.

Historical re-enactments await Deadwood visitors

Deadwood’s lively past is also reflected in a brothel museum, itself a one-time brothel and which tells the story of the brothels that once flourished in the community.

Meanwhile, Svendsen says South Dakota’s location should make it particularly attractive to Prairie residents, adding Winnipeg residents can reach the state in around six hours by car.

More information is available at travelsouthdakota.com.

—STORY BY IAN STALKER

Glamping in the Grand Canyon is now possible with this new resort

January 25, 2023 No Comments

Located minutes from the rim of Grand Canyon West and set amidst a spectacular Western landscape, the all-new Grand Canyon Glamping Resort offers an array of luxury camping accommodations, including covered wagons, tents and tipis.

In addition, the destination features on-site dining from a gourmet food truck as well as outdoor activities such as helicopter, horseback and ATV tours.

Situated approximately two hours from Las Vegas, the resort provides the only glamping experience and one of the only overnight accommodations options in the vicinity of Grand Canyon West. With its direct views of the Grand Canyon rim, the Glamping Resort combines the authenticity of an outdoor camping experience located next to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World with all of the comforts of a luxury resort.

Every tent, wagon and tipi comes outfitted with plush bedding, heating and air conditioning and WiFi. A full bathroom with a shower is also featured in the wagons; nearby restrooms are available with other lodging options.

Sleep up to six guests

Wagons are spaciously designed to accommodate up to six guests and feature enough room for a king-size bed plus a futon or two bunk beds. Tipis can accommodate up to six guests and also feature a king-size bed plus a futon or bunk bed for ultimate comfort. Lastly, each glamping tent can accommodate up to six guests and includes a futon bed that unstacks for two individuals or combines for couples.

To offer added convenience for guests, the resort provides delicious, hot meals prepared in its gourmet food truck. Staple items include breakfast burritos, salads, sandwiches, burgers, ribeye, filet and grilled chicken from the grill. Guests can also add a gourmet chef to their experience for an additional cost. During the evenings, guests can take in the breathtaking stargazing opportunities outside next to firepits.

All about adventure

From families with young children to outdoor enthusiasts, the resort features a growing list of world-class adventures departing directly from the lodging area. Each adventure can be added separately to a resort stay, or all three activities can be bundled together for the ultimate Grand Canyon experience. Select adventures include lunch. Current activities available at the resort include:

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter tours take passengers on a 20-minute flight directly over the Grand Canyon, flying 4,000 feet above the majestic Colorado River. As the helicopter descends 2,500 feet, guests will find themselves in between the walls of the canyon for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All guests ages 2 and under will sit on the lap of a parent/guardian; children over 2 will sit in their own seat. This experience can be added to a resort stay for an additional $175 per person.

Horseback Riding Tours

On horseback riding adventures, guests will take in the beautiful scenic mountains with views of the Grand Canyon West Rim. Visitors can enjoy the 1-hour horseback ride for $150 per person. The horseback ride includes a group tour into magnificent wildlife habitats and adventures through exciting ranch terrain. No experience is necessary, but all riders must be a minimum of 7 years old. In addition, private group horseback experiences, including optional overnight adventures, are available. Private rides may be customized to include rodeo events, horsemanship clinics, roping, team pinning events and other horse activities.

ATV Riding Tours

This is the perfect tour for visitors looking for an exciting outdoor adventure in a short amount of time. In this motorized scenic tour, guests will ride through the Joshua Tree Forest while exploring a variety of terrain and spectacular views of the edge of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate. Resort guests can select a 1-hour ATV ride for $150 per person.

In addition, the Grand Canyon Glamping Resort also offers complimentary shuttle service from most Las Vegas Strip hotels for guests booking an add-on tour. Visitors strictly staying at the resort may also purchase round-trip transportation starting at $175.

Lodging in units without showers and restrooms begin at $149 per night on select weeknights. Busier weeknights and weekends start at $350 per day. For more information or to book a stay at the Grand Canyon Glamping Resort, visit grandcanyonglampingresort.com.

A tantalizing food journey through San Juan, Puerto Rico

November 28, 2022 No Comments

With a blowtorch in one hand and a rocks glass in the other, Dennis Rivera meticulously lights a small pile of tobacco leaves sitting on a slab of wood from a Spanish white oak sherry barrel on fire and places the glass on top to infuse it with the smoke. Rivera, a brand specialist at Puerto Rican rum distillery Ron del Barrilito in Bayamón, is creating a cigar fashioned — a twist on an old fashioned — made with ingredients like chocolate and orange bitters, cocoa powder, and rum instead of rye.

“It smells amazing already,” he says. “This is a cigar simple syrup. We do it here ourselves; we create the tobacco syrup in house.” Ron del Barrilito is the oldest Puerto Rican rum, made in the same way since 1880, but the cocktails on offer in the visitor’s centre are fresh takes on classic cocktails. Here, rum bottles fetch as much as US $750 for a collector’s edition that’s been aged for 35 years.

After touring the premises and learning all about the history of the business and the distilling process, the tables have turned, and now I’m the one mixing drinks by taking part in a mixology class offered on site, concocting three rum-based drinks, including a pina colada.

Nicknaming the one-ounce shot glass “Monday” and the two-ounce glass “Friday,” we follow the instructions and skillfully create some top-notch cocktails. The reward is not only to drink the fruits of our labour — everyone in the class is also presented with an official certificate for successfully completing the course.

Now, who said drinking couldn’t be educational?

A gastronomic adventure

The next morning, as local chef Nivia Villanueva arrives at Plaza del Mercado de Río Piedras, a traditional market in San Juan, her eyes light up when she sees the abundance of fresh local produce on offer just a few short weeks after the destination was hit by Hurricane Fiona.

“Look at this!” she says with excitement, holding up a large avocado that’s quadruple the size of the typical ones found in grocery stores back in Canada. “We also need peppers, onions and garlic.”

Our mission today is to pick up the ingredients needed to prepare a typical Puerto Rican feast for lunch. We’ll soon be whipping up dishes like mofongo, a local favourite made from fried mashed plantains. Since moving back to Puerto Rico to be part of the solution and recovery efforts after the devastating impacts of hurricanes Maria and Irma back in 2017, Villanueva has been on a quest to share her love for cooking and the history of Puerto Rican cuisine with travellers. She strives to source local ingredients as much as possible as well as to support nearby farmers and small businesses.

“I share my passion for Puerto Rico’s culture and cuisine, emphasizing local products and my secret ingredient — a pinch of love,” she explains. Although the bounce back was much quicker this time around (there are barely any traces of impact left in the San Juan area), the Puerto Rican-born chef wants to get the message out that the island is open and ready for visitors. By night, we’re told the area surrounding the market transforms into a vibrant spot for nightlife with ample bars to choose from.

Food: a cultural connection

After gathering all the necessary ingredients for our gastronomic venture, we head to Villanueva’s condo apartment to get cooking. Our group is spread out across the kitchen chopping vegetables and mashing the plantain down in small wooden containers. Progress is made quickly and a short while later, we’re lining up to plate our concoctions. The end result is quite possibly the best tasting meal I’ve ever had a hand in cooking.

The next day, Elliot Cintron of The Spoon Experience guides me through the picturesque cobblestoned streets of Old San Juan to five culinary stops while also stopping by some interesting sights in the area like the smallest apartment building in San Juan — which fits between his outstretched arms — and La Puerta de la Bandera, a large colonial door with the image of the Puerto Rican flag alongside some street art. I’m on the Sunset Walk & Taste Tour, which is as much about food and drinks as it is about getting a historical overview of the 500- year-old city.

Our first stop is Chocobar Cortés where almost everything on the menu has a chocolate element from the avocado toast to the aptly named chocoburger. Even the cocktails incorporate the sweet ingredients with options like a chocolate old fashioned using chocolate bitters. We’re here to sample frozen chocolate — essentially the opposite of hot chocolate and more like a chocolate shake, which hits the spot. Another delicious stop is at Singular restaurant for cocktails and Arroz Congri, a dish made up of black beans and rice in this case topped with steak. The restaurant is located in the Hotel El Convento, a historic hotel in the historic walled city of Old San Juan set in a former Carmelite convent dating back to 1651.

Just when I think I can’t possibly squeeze in even more food, Cintron brings the group to Señor Paleta, an ice-cream and popsicle shop utilizing local products. The locations of the food tour stops vary slightly each day but one thing is for sure — no one leaves hungry.

—STORY BY ANN RUPPENSTEIN

Bourbon, breweries and beyond in Louisville, Kentucky

June 10, 2022 No Comments

Bourbon aficionados will clearly find Kentucky a spirit-ed place.

The state accounts for 95% of the production of the distinctively American spirit of bourbon, and is cheerfully promoting both the alcohol and bourbon-related tourism attractions to potential visitors.

“There’s so much culture around the bourbon heritage,” says Jessica Morgan of Louisville Tourism while citing her city’s Urban Bourbon Trail.

Bourbon distilleries fled Louisville for the countryside during the Prohibition era in the United States but have now returned in force, with 10 urban distilleries opening since 2013.

Louisville visitors can opt for Bourbon City Cruiser tours that use a tuk-tuk-style electric-powered vehicle operated by a tour guide who will take them to distilleries and cocktail bars.

North of Bourbon in turn enables people to dine in an oversized replica bourbon barrel, while bourbon-themed accommodations are available in the Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel Distil, B&B-style Chateau Bourbon, Louisville Marriott East and the Omni Hotel.

“The downtown area is thriving and vibrant and has really come back from Covid,” Morgan continues.

Morgan noted bourbon is used in many Kentucky food dishes. “We have a phrase — ‘Eat your bourbon.’”

Louisville also has a burgeoning craft beer scene, with the Brewgrass Trail — the name of which is a take on the state’s popular bluegrass music — linking 18 independent breweries.

Other downtown Louisville attractions include the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, home of the famous baseball bats, the Muhammad Ali Center, which tells of the boxing great, who was from Louisville, and a host of museums.

Tourism authorities also praise Louisville’s varied architectural styles, with Old Louisville being a registered historic district that has the largest collection of restored Victorian mansions in the United States. The district comprises more than 40 city blocks of Beaux Arts, Cateauesque, Italianate, Neclassical and Queen Anne-style homes.

Daytime Old Louisville walking tours are available, as are nightly ghost tours that describe why Old Louisville was once named “One of America’s Most Haunted” districts.

Gina Christ-Kohler of Meet Northern Kentucky notes Air Canada has restarted twice-daily Toronto-Cincinnati service, with the Cincinnati airport actually being found in Kentucky.

The Ohio-Kentucky border is defined in part by the production of alcohol, she says, adding area visitors will find “breweries on the Cincinnati side, distilleries on the Kentucky side.”

Kentucky marks the spot where the northern United States meets the southern United States, she continues.

Christ-Kohler, who hosted tourism industry staff at a Toronto Blue Jays game during a Toronto visit, adds that baseball fans will appreciate Cincinnati, home of the storied Cincinnati Reds.

Meanwhile, Anne Sabatino Hardy of Lexington visitors bureau visitLEX labels the Lexington area both the “horse capital of the world” and the “center of the thoroughbred culture” in the United States.

Visitors can go on guided tours of area horse farms while in a state that’s home to the famed Kentucky Derby.

Those visitors can also see retirement homes for race horses.

Officials also praised Kentucky’s natural side, noting it has 29 state parks and landscapes include caves, with Mammoth Cave National Park home to the longest known cave system in the world.

Some Kentucky caves can be explored by kayak or by paddle boards.

Angela Blank of the Kentucky Department of Tourism says tourists will enjoy Kentucky’s “incredible musical heritage.”

These are 5 of the best courses in the U.S. to play a round of golf

May 27, 2022 No Comments

At long last, Canadians are back on the green. For those looking for a change of scenery, the U.S. is home to some of the best award-winning courses. These top golf destinations offer an ideal mix of pure golf, relaxation, and memorable dining experiences. With so many golf resorts to choose from, we rounded up some the of best that offer luxurious amenities, quality courses, and a variety of destinations.

Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise. As Cape Cod’s only Nicklaus Design golf course, the 18-hole Troon Privé course is carved out of breathtaking natural surroundings, offering tree-lined fairways, rolling topography, and dramatic elevation changes for players of all levels. With a mix of harrowing approaches and dizzying doglegs, the course features 7,011 yards of golf with a par of 72. Golfers of any level are invited to enjoy the property’s Stay & Play golf package, which includes complimentary rentals, bag storage, and unlimited same-day play. Green rates and room rates vary by season.

It’s said the Pinehurst area is the “Home of American Golf.” This resort is spread over an entire quaint village, it was the very first golf resort in the U.S, and is now the largest in the Western hemisphere, with a stunning nine eighteen-hole courses – and a new short course. Often called “America’s St. Andrews,” there is simply no place on earth, public or private, other than Scotland’s St. Andrews, that can lay claim to so much golf history. Its signature Number Two course is the only one on earth that has hosted two different Men’s Majors and the Ryder Cup, as well as Women’s Majors, the U.S. Amateur, the Tour Championship and basically every important event that ever changes venues – the U.S. Open is returning yet again in 2024.

One hotel was completely rebuilt, new restaurants and even a brewery were added, along with many other improvements. But for years the best kept secret here has been the Carolina Villas, freestanding units perfectly designed for a foursome (foursomes with spouses/partners) with eight beds in four bedrooms, all with private bath and separate entrances, plus a large central living area, immediately next to the flagship Carolina hotel with immediate access to all services.

Settle into the comforts of home amid plush suites and amenities coupled with breathtaking mountain views of the Phoenix North Mountain Preserve. Enjoy a variety of dining options, The Falls Water Village with private cabanas and a waterslide, spa & salon services, Troon Golf and impressive event spaces. Conveniently located to all freeways, only 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix and 20 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport and many other enticing attractions, Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort is the perfect place to choose as your home-away-from-home.

Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozarks of Missouri (just outside Branson) is a spectacular outdoor sporting resort already had plenty of deluxe log cabins with large porches, luxury bathrooms and full kitchens, but in recent years has quietly grown to become one of the 20 largest golf resorts in North America by adding course after course by top designers including Coore & Crenshaw, Fazio, Nicklaus and most recently (this month), the only public course in the country designed by Tiger Woods.

The resort features a collection of lodges, cottages and cabins offering the perfect place to relax with family and friends after a day on the lake. Big Cedar is home to numerous world-class restaurants and attractions like a breathtaking spa, championship golf, an expansive shooting facility and a 50,000-square-foot activity center. Whether you are looking for an adventurous outing or a relaxing retreat, Big Cedar Lodge is your perfect getaway.

Calling all golf aficionados: if playing fantastic courses on an island paradise surrounded by stunning beaches and lush mountain views is on your bucket list, then your next round should be in Puerto Rico.

A cornucopia of unique and complementary courses beckon from throughout the Island. Options abound, from luxury properties on the north coast near historic San Juan to an array of courses out west, down south, or on the east coast.

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort is the idyllic retreat for any occasion, whether you yearn for a Caribbean golf getaway, crave an oceanfront escape, or you and the one you love need a little time under the sun and stars, there’s no place like Puerto Rico.

A new champagne-themed suite has arrived in New York’s swanky SoHo neighbourhood

March 28, 2022 No Comments

In the mood for some bubbly?

NoMo SoHo just launched a Champagne Suite Experience driven by Veuve Clicquot called “Ode to Bubbly”.

As part of this glamourous offer, guests will be showered with Veuve Clicquot-branded merchandise including walking into a room decorated with Veuve Clicquot pillows and receiving a bottle of Veuve Clicquot served in a Veuve Clicquot ice bucket with two Veuve Clicquot goblets.

In addition to the bubbles, the offer also comes with some cool clothing swag including two Veuve Clicquot beanies and two Veuve Clicquot T-shirts that guests can keep and take home. An amenity of mixed nuts, popcorn, and chocolate covered strawberries (all served in Veuve Clicquot vessels!) will await guests upon check-in.

For guests who want to upgrade their stay even further, there’s also the option to add on a mimosa bar for an additional cost.

The “Ode to Bubbly” offer is bookable through NoMo Soho’s website. Prices for the King suite with the Veuve experience start at $400.

About the hotel

NoMo SoHo is an independent luxury property located in the heart of New York’s SoHo neighborhood, which is known for having fashion, design, art and culture at its epicenter.

As an abbreviation for “nostalgic + modern,” the term NoMo sits at the intersection of vintage and cutting edge, both associated with the style of its location. The property and its namesake celebrate the original spirit of the area known for its artistic origins, cast iron architecture and cobblestone streets, while blending the culture and fashion of today’s digital age.

The 264-room hotel and 26-story building is one of the tallest in the area, offering striking 360-degree views of Manhattan. The hotel is also home to the wildly popular NoMo Kitchen that offers a rustic American menu with global influences, and the newly opened cocktail bar, Nina’s x Liquid Lab.