I love a hotel that provides a real sense of occasion. The Ritz Carlton San Francisco does that in spades. The minute you pull up to the front doors you’ll be thoroughly impressed by the architecture. The hotel occupies a brilliant, white, neo-classical building on Nob Hill that was built in 1909 as the Pacific Coast headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. It’s got character galore, including magnificent columns that march across the front of the building and tremendous detail in every corner and facade, not to mention nook and cranny. But that’s just the exterior. The lobby is Read more
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By Jim Byers Member, Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) NAPILI, MAUI, HAWAII – I was scrolling through Instagram the other day and found a post from my friends at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Maui. It was a photo of a little coastal path that runs along the point and stretches from Napili Beach to a group of hotel rooms on a rocky point of land that separates Napili Bay from Kapalua Bay. I hadn’t given it a ton of thought before, but as I gazed at the photo I started to think of how many times I’ve Read more
The phrase “game changer” gets thrown around a lot. For the Pearle Hotel and Spa in Burlington, it fits like a proverbial glove. This is a truly luxurious, design-forward property on the shores of Lake Ontario, with the feel of a posh lakehouse and a tremendous food and drinks scene. The design was done by Studio Munge, which has overseen several posh hotel designs in Canada, including the iconic Park Hyatt in Toronto’s Yorkville district. The 151 guest rooms, which are beautifully appointed and feature floor-to-ceiling windows, are meant to reflect the richness of the changing Canadian seasons. There’s also Read more
Okay. I didn’t get out as much as I normally would. Not even close. But I did manage several trips this year, including visits to Switzerland, California and several cool spots in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. Here’s a look at my annual Jimmy Awards for best travel experiences of the year. Today is focused on food and drinks; later I’ll write about hotels, experiences and attractions. Cheers, and here’s to a better 2022! Best U.S. Winery: Darcie Kent Vineyards in Livermore, California. Superb reds and great, friendly people. Best U.S. Salad: The Farmer’s Super Food Salad at Danville Harvest Read more
KINGSTON, ONTARIO – A well-known Kingston hotel has been given a wonderful remake. The Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront commands a wonderful spot at the foot of Princess Street, the main shopping street in this historic Ontario city. It also sits on a quay on the city’s beautiful waterfront, with many rooms facing directly onto Lake Ontario/The St. Lawrence River and the Kingston harbour. All rooms have walk-out space or roomy balconies to enjoy the views, and you’re literally a few short steps from the heart of the city. The hotel was recently given a major makeover and looks fabulous. Rooms Read more
