Travel and Leisure has come out with its annual list of top destinations, hotels and resorts around the world. It’s a list I always enjoy reading, so here are some highlights to help you make your next travel decision. Travel and Leisure is a pretty high-end publication, so keep in mind that you’re not finding many casual, mom and pop places on the hotel and resort lists. The cities are another story. Below you’ll find highlights for the world, the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as specific areas I love, including Hawaii and Australia. BEST WORLD CITIES San Miguel de Read more
Santa Monica
The Fourth of July weekend is officially here, and that means last-minute getaways. Here are some of the top hotels I’ve stayed at in various part of the United States. TEN GREAT PLACES TO STAY IN THE U.S. New York City: The Conrad by Hilton in downtown New York is a former Embassy Suites, so you can expect super-large rooms and luxurious touches worth of the Conrad designation. The on-site restaurant, Atrio Wine Bar, is terrific, and the rooftop Loopy Doopy Bar is a fun spot for a cocktail. Lower New York is filled with cool architecture and great shopping. Read more
The Caribbean’s best beach bars, Air Canada adds direct flights to the Canary Islands, new Hyatt Unbound Collection hotels near Niagara Falls and in Santa Monica, Seattle and the Dominican Republic, plus early packages for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Today’s blog post covers tons of ground. BEST BEACH BARS IN THE CARIBBEAN I’ve been a big fan of the Caribbean for many years. There’s an amazing variety of islands and things to see and do, as well as great beaches by the bucketful. (Here’s a story I posted in 2024 on top Caribbean beaches). As someone who Read more
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – Glamorous and casual hotels seconds from the beach. A farmer’s market where some of the country’s best chefs pick through selections of super fresh, lemons and Genovese basil to serve that night at local restaurants. Super cool neighborhoods, art galleries, and perhaps the most famous pier in North America. Santa Monica is a gem that embodies all the best things about the California lifestyle, an open-minded city that welcomes visitors of all types and embraces sustainability and inclusiveness. It was only three months ago that fires ripped through parts of southern California, destroying hundreds of homes. Read more
The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has just launched its new “We Love LA” campaign—a vibrant love letter to the city, showcasing the best of LA’s cultural, culinary, and entertainment offerings while reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most inclusive and dynamic destinations. “The beginning of the year was incredibly challenging for the Los Angeles community, and as we look ahead to recovery, we remain committed to the 543,000 Angelenos and more than 1,000 local businesses who depend on tourism for their livelihoods,” said Adam Burke, President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism. “The best way that individuals Read more
