Decked out in our chef jackets bearing the embroidered words Fearrington House, our group of seven arrives in the kitchen at five-star Fearrington House Restaurant ready to cook seafood. (It's pronounced FAIR-ring-ton.)
It was raining and I couldn't have been happier. Arriving at the Merrion Hotel, I had visions of crackling fireplaces and trays of scones with jam and lemon curd delivered to my door.
For the devotee, the golf get-away is a hallowed tradition. But how it is approached can evolve -- which is how I found myself at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay just in time for sunset over the Pacific.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay has unveiled a new driving experience which takes advantage of the resort's stunning coastal location and its access to some of northern California's most breathtaking scenery.
The glory of America's Gilded age can still be experienced at one of the world's quintessential resort destinations: The Breakers in Palm Beach. Early 20th century tycoons including Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan came to revive and hobnob with Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Astors. We decide to follow in their footsteps, if only for a weekend getaway!
The pristine white tub was calling me: I couldn't resist an end of the day soak. Tossing aside a fluffy robe, I sank into steaming water, a whimsical rubber ducky already lost in a deep sea of suds. Instead of the flat-screen TV, I watched flames from the gas fireplace dance and reflect on marble.
The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel, captures the grace of the Regency period. Ideally located in elegant Knightsbridge, the residence is minutes away from the exclusive shopping of Harrods and Sloane Street.
The pitch-black room floods with light when I flip open the shutters. Stepping onto the balcony, I spot surfers catching waves in the Pacific. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts up from the terrace below. It's my first morning at L'Auberge Del Mar, a getaway north of San Diego on the California coast.
The scene was one that could only be California: two pale New Yorkers fresh off the plane and a convertible with the top down. As I placed the car into gear, it was official: not only had we arrived in sunny San Diego, but we were about to check into the one hotel that has brought sophistication and sex appeal to the Gaslamp Quarter.
Looking for a beach getaway with the WOW factor? High rise and high style, ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa in the exclusive enclave of Bal Harbour, Florida delivers the ultimate "room with a view".
China is open for business. The days of Mao suits and government-controlled tours are all but forgotten.
Opening the door to a boutique hotel in the Hamptons, I was met by a burst of color. In 2008, this historic 18th century inn was transformed into a showcase of Scandinavian cool.
Considering Los Angeles for a weekend escape? Downtown L.A. is the latest hotspot for the arts, entertainment, sports, dining, shopping and, of course, nightlife. With the opening of the dazzling new Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, your accommodation will be another of the many pleasures that await.
With the strike of a match, the wood-burning fireplace in our suite leapt to life. A knock on the door delivered decadent hot chocolate to accompany the crackling fire. This was the perfect way to end a day of country pleasures at Blantyre, a turn-of-the-century summer home turned Relais & Châteaux hotel in the Berkshires.
My first day in our nation's capital began the same way as many of our political leaders: a knock at the door. Instead of paperwork, appointments, and phone calls, I opened the door to an elegant trolley delivering breakfast.
