This was my first visit here, and it was stop #3 on our Italy trip. June 1-3 of this year, two nights, with my little family and my in laws back with us for this leg.

I'm a travel advisor. I received one night free and paid full price for the rest of our stay, plus full price for my in laws' room.

Overall impressions

Relais Roncolo 1888 is really the only luxury family friendly property in Emilia-Romagna, which is a big part of why it's worth knowing about. This is a special part of Italy with some of the best food in the country, and the estate makes its own balsamic vinegar on property, which turned out to be a highlight of the whole trip. It's also meaningfully less spendy than Tuscany (for now), which is worth knowing if you're weighing the two and if you are wanting to get off the beaten path.

Fun fact: Catherine the Princess of Wales stayed here in mid-May during her visit to Reggio Emilia, just a couple of weeks before we did.

A bit about Emilia-Romagna, since it's less familiar

If you haven't spent time here, this is Italy's Food Valley. Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, traditional balsamic, and lambrusco all come from this area of the country. It's also Motor Valley, home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati, so there's a whole other kind of trip you could build around it.

The property itself sits in the Matildic hills between Parma and Reggio Emilia, at the foot of the Apennines. It's about 30 minutes from Reggio Emilia, an hour from Modena, and a little over an hour from Bologna's airport. Milan is roughly two hours if you're coming from that direction.

Roncolo is small, just 17 rooms and suites, and it sits on a working organic estate that produces lambrusco, olive oil, and balsamic aged in a 17th century acetaia. That last part is what makes it different from a hotel that simply happens to be in the countryside.

Getting there and getting around

We rented a car through Prime Rentals and they dropped it directly at the Four Seasons in Florence for us, which was seamless. We got a Mercedes AMG SL 63 and it was an amazing, fun rental. One heads-up: a sports convertible has almost no luggage space, so my in laws took our large bags in their car. Without that it wouldn't have worked.

A car isn't essential here, but it was really fun to be able to drive through the countryside and explore on our own.

The rooms

We were in a family suite, with my in laws in a superior room directly across the hall. We effectively had the whole floor to ourselves, so it was very private. The family suite has two bathrooms, which I loved and which makes a real difference traveling with a kid.

One thing to know: the family rooms are not in the main building. They're spacious and lovely, but they're newer and they lack the charm of the main building, so know that going in.

They gave us and my in laws a lovely welcome with sparkling wine, plus some really yummy treats and a stocked minibar. The family suite has 2 mini bars, which my daughter loved since that meant she had her own.

Service

Warm, welcoming, and low key. Not quite as polished as somewhere like Castiglion del Bosco, but this is also a much less trafficked part of Italy, and it felt special in its own way.

Food & beverage

We ate at Ristorante Limonaia, the estate's restaurant set in a historic greenhouse, and had the prix fixe, which was amazing. Beautiful views out the back. Breakfast was included and was fresh and delicious.

The standout was the balsamic. We did a private tasting and learned all about how it's made, and it was genuinely educational and so cool. I'm a self-admitted balsamic connoisseur and this was the best I have ever had, and we came home with a lot of vinegar, lol.

Amenities & activities

We kept it simple and mostly just enjoyed the grounds and the gardens, which are beautiful. There's a pool, which is lovely, though it ran a little chilly while we were there. My in laws really loved it here, the resort and the balsamic especially. At night there were fireflies everywhere which was magical, and my daughter loved it.

Final thoughts

If you're headed to Emilia-Romagna and want a luxury base that works for a family, this is the one.

Happy to answer any questions.

Has anyone had personal experience with the Citadines aparthotels in Paris? We are going to Paris for three weeks. Photos look very nice. But would like to know if anyone has personal experience with them? I see several VRBOs but I know they can run hot and cold.

My fiancée and I are planning our honeymoon for May 2027, and after a lot of research we've currently narrowed it down to Japan, Sicily, Greece, and Montenegro, but we're absolutely open to other suggestions if you think we're missing something.

We're looking for a honeymoon that's a mix of luxury, relaxation, great food, and exploring. Budget isn't really the limiting factor, we'd rather spend more if it means staying somewhere truly exceptional.

Some things we're looking for:

• 14 nights incl. travel
• Two hotels maximum
• Truly high-end luxury hotels (Aman, Rosewood, Six Senses, Auberge, One&Only, Belmond, Rocco Forte, etc.)
• Incredible food, from memorable local restaurants to destination-worthy hotel dining
• Wellness (great spa, sauna, cold plunge, etc.)
• Beautiful scenery and access to hiking / beaches
• Close to an authentic village or town that we can walk into or reach with a very short drive
• We love renting a scooter or ATV and spending the day exploring hidden beaches, scenic roads, small villages, wineries, and great local restaurants
• We'd prefer to avoid places that feel overcrowded or dominated by tourism

Current shortlist

Japan

• Aman Kyoto + Gora Kadan (currently our leading option)

Sicily

• Villa Igiea (Palermo) + Hotel Signum (Salina, Aeolian Islands)
• Also open to other luxury properties in Sicily if we're missing one.

Greece

• Blue Palace, Auberge Resorts Collection (Crete) + Gundari (Folegandros)
• Also considering whether Paros, Naxos, or Sifnos might be a better fit if there are comparable luxury hotels.

Montenegro

• Aman Sveti Stefan + One&Only Portonovi

A few questions for those who have been to these places:

1. Which destination felt the most special for a honeymoon?
2. Which had the best combination of luxury hotels, food, nature, and exploring?
3. Were there any hotels that completely exceeded (or disappointed) your expectations?
4. If you had one honeymoon in May with these priorities, where would you go?
5. Are there any destinations or hotels we're overlooking that fit this style?

I'd especially love to hear from people who have visited multiple of these destinations and can compare them directly.

Thanks!

Planning a 2 night stay in Paris before departing to different areas of France in mid April. I am considering: Four Seasons George V, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, or Le Bristol. If anyone has other recommendations or reviews of the hotels mentioned, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

I’m looking for a resort to stay at with a newborn, 2 year old and 4 year old ideally on a sandy shallow beach. So far I’ve looked at stuff in Greece and the south of Italy and looking for any recommendations, open to anywhere!

Details: Departing from Barcelona airport in August back to USA. This will be our first time traveling internationally (2 adults + 1 toddler)

This is a VIP Meet & Assist service through AENA

Meet and Assist: 10am
Departure: 12pm

This makes me feel really uneasy. I want the service but arriving 2 hours before departure feels insane.

I asked if an earlier time was available and they said:

Please rest assured that with our Premium Service, all airport procedures including check-in, fast-track security, and immigration, typically take only 20 to 25 minutes. Arriving at 10:00 AM will provide more than enough time for your flight.

I’ve never used a service like this, is that ok?

If you’ve stayed at Four Seasons Punta Mita or Montage Los Cabos, what animals did you encounter on the property? Cats, coatis, raccoons, coyotes, iguanas, chachalacas, or anything else? I know both resorts have open-air areas.

Also, is mid-August usually too rainy at Four Seasons Punta Mita, or would you still go?

My future husband and I are planning a 2-week honeymoon in the Greek Islands, starting in Crete and likely ending in Santorini. We’re after a relaxed trip… think long lunches, beach time, good wine, zero agenda after a hectic wedding planning season. No rental car, so ideally 2-3 stops connected by ferry, staying upscale hotels along the way. Would love recommendations for islands to add in between and any hotel or itinerary tips from those who’ve done something similar.

The selection of Greece began with the intention of a chill trip with minimal logistics to plan, and now we’re totally overwhelmed by all the options out there. Thanks in advance!

Stop recommending Promontory vineyard. It’s $350 per person which whatever, but the actual visit was comically pitiful. Our tour guide was awkward and showed us around the vineyard for maybe 10 minutes then we sat in a room alone with him while he proceeded to talk about himself and ended the visit short... Also, dare I say the wine isn’t even good?

I honestly can’t believe I’ve never posted about Hotel Esencia before because, after staying there twice, it’s still my favorite hotel anywhere.

I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at a lot of luxury resorts over the years, and there are very few places that completely live up to the almost mythical reputation they have on this sub.

Esencia somehow exceeded it.

As always, we booked through Sarah and her team, who handled everything flawlessly before arrival. The experience started days before we landed in Cancun, with different members of the hotel introducing themselves and asking if there was anything they could do for us.

We didn’t even have any special requests.

By the time we arrived, it genuinely felt less like checking into a hotel and more like arriving at someone’s private estate.

The second visit was what really impressed me.

Not only did several staff members remember us, but they welcomed us back as if we’d been visiting for years. Nothing felt forced or scripted. It simply felt genuine.

That sense of familiarity seems to be part of Esencia’s DNA.

One thing we noticed both times was how many guests were returning. We met several couples who were on their third, fourth, even fifth visit. By the end of our first stay, we completely understood why.

The arrival is unlike almost any luxury hotel I’ve experienced.

There’s no grand porte cochère or dramatic marble lobby. In fact, you could easily drive past the entrance without realizing it.

You check in at what feels more like a beautiful private home before taking a golf cart through dense jungle. Then the trees open, and suddenly you’re standing in front of this stunning white estate overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the Riviera Maya.

Everything slows down.

The property was originally built as the private residence of an Italian duchess, and even today it still feels like you’re a guest in an extraordinary home rather than a traditional resort.

The design is simply perfect.

Minimal white architecture, lush gardens, bold furniture, beautiful artwork, candlelight after sunset, and one of the most distinctive signature scents I’ve ever experienced. Every path, every corner, every tree feels intentional. It’s elegant without ever feeling showy.

It’s one of those rare places that photographs beautifully, but somehow still looks even better in person.

We stayed in a Jungle Suite with a private plunge pool on our first visit and absolutely loved it. Quiet, incredibly private, with one of my favorite outdoor showers anywhere and a terrace that quickly became our favorite place for slow mornings and late afternoons. During our second visit we had an ocean view suite and it was astounding.

The food deserves its own paragraph.

Mistura is one of my favorite beach restaurants in Mexico, Beefbar was every bit as good as I’d hoped, and Taiyo made for fantastic pool lunches.

The hidden speakeasy beneath the main house completely stole the show, though.

Dim lighting, jazz playing softly, leather chairs, perfectly made martinis. It feels like a secret you almost don’t want to tell anyone about.

Then there’s the service.

I’ve stayed at plenty of hotels where the service is technically flawless.

Esencia is different.

The people are what make the hotel.

They’re warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Conversations never feel transactional. By the end of each stay, it honestly felt like we were saying goodbye to friends rather than hotel staff.

My partner always jokes that I can find something wrong with any hotel and that I’m a Karen.

Usually he’s right.

Not here.

The only thing that didn’t add much was the assigned butler, but that’s honestly true at most luxury resorts. Everyone else more than made up for it.

People often compare Esencia to Rosewood Mayakoba, Maroma, Chablé, and the other luxury resorts in the Riviera Maya.

We’ve stayed at Maroma, Banyan Tree, etc. which we really enjoyed, but for us Esencia is simply on another level.

They’re not trying to create the biggest or flashiest resort.

They’re creating a feeling.

A feeling of calm.

Of intimacy.

Of understated luxury.

Of being somewhere genuinely special.

Has anyone stayed at both Amankila and Bvlgari Resort Bali?

We currently have Amankila booked, but I recently learned there will be construction during our stay, so we’re considering switching to Bvlgari. I was initially more drawn to Amankila because of the setting and overall Aman experience, but I’m wondering whether the construction will take away from the stay enough to justify changing hotels.

For context, the rest of our trip includes Mandapa, Amanjiwo, and the Mandarin Oriental Singapore, so we’ll already be getting a mix of Aman and other luxury properties.

Would you keep Amankila despite the construction, or switch to Bvlgari? Thanks!

What are your top destinations with teen boys? I have 2 boys, ages 12 and 15, and am trying to compile a list as we plan ahead for future travels. We like to keep our trips a mix of luxury and activity. Our favorites have been Rome/Tuscany/Florence, Japan, Costa Rica, Ranch at Rock Creek, Jackson Hole for skiing.

Looking for the best hotel that has beach access in Dhermi. This would be for a girls trip in August. I am looking, but don’t see a clear winner here.

Four Seasons Maui vs Andaz Maui vs Fairmont Kea Lani

Planning my honeymoon for November and not sure which to choose. Which one would you do?

My Amanjiwo trip is approaching so I’m trying to narrow down the experiences worth doing:

So far I have:

Borobudur Tour
Dinner at Pak Bilals
Menorah Hills trek

Is the dinner at Pak Bilals worth it?

Any other must-do experiences? I’ve considered the Prambanan tour but unsure if I’ll be templed out since I’m already doing Borobudur. Is a local village tour worthwhile?

Spending a night in Boston late October before heading to Twin Farms for our anniversary. I have been to Boston several times; husband has never been. If you had to pick 1-2 sightseeing recommendations, what would you choose? We love history but are not group/guided tour people. Would also like recommendations for a nice restaurant (ate at Contessa a few years ago and it was phenomenal) and hotel. We’ll be in town <24 hours so a hotel walkable to some activities/dining would be nice. No budget for hotel or dinner.

Just got back from Stanglwirt and wanted to share some impressions. I stayed there for a week with my husband and our baby.

Overall, I was rather disappointed. There were plenty of positives about our stay, but it wasn't as good as I expected for a 5* hotel that lots of people rave about.

The room

• Good: We stayed in a suite overlooking the sheep meadow. It was beautiful; spacious, modern, had a wood fire and a sauna in the room too.
• Bad: Turndown service was sporadic. Sometimes they just came in to leave chocolates, without doing the bed or replacing used towels on the floor. Also the guy who checked in took FOREVER (over 20 mins after we'd been travelling for 6 hours with a tired baby) and refused to put our passport info in after we'd got the key, so we had to sit there and wait for him to do it, mess up, redo it - and repeat. Also our keycards stopped working at the same time for two consecutive days; turned out he'd programmed the keys for 24 hour access only. So we had to trek back on several occasions to reception in dressing gowns to get new keys.

Food

• Good: Generally we really liked the food. There are three restaurants, and on two nights there were buffets with BBQ meat (not usually a buffet person but these were good!). Breakfast was great with fresh local produce and plenty of choice. The one open to non hotel guests was nice and had noticeably better service, but the schnitzel was sub par. There's a lovely option to eat or have a drink while watching the cows eat their dinner in the barn, which we loved. They're clearly very well taken care of. Also if you like wine, the cellar is superb and prices are very favourable - inc. Romanée-Conti. Someliers were great.
• Bad: The service! In the two guest-exclusive restaurants, service was very slow. E.g. we had to ask 3 people before getting a high chair, orders were forgotten, and several waitresses had a really bad attitude...rolling eyes etc. A taxi driver we were chatting to who lives in the village said that the staff comes in temporarily and are often just in it for the paycheck, and it shows.

Activities

• Good: Adult spa was decent; a couple of fairly intense aufgussen a day. Not so many sauna options for adults but I suppose that's to be expected for a kinderhotel. Nice outdoor pools. Kids' waterworld was great. Whirlpools, different pools, slides etc. Lots of different sport things to do onsite, including tennis, padel, bowling, table tennis, mountain biking etc. Guy we hired bikes from was helpful and recommended trails. Several nice shops in the hotel too. Gym was amazing - and there was a boxing ring!
• Bad: Not great hiking in the area. But I live in Switzerland, so standards are high!

Kids

• Good: I ordered nappies and wipes to the room for our arrival, which they delivered - as well as lots of other things like bottle warmers, cot, bath, pram, hiking backpack etc. The stuff for kids onsite is good - there's a kids' club, mini farm with lots of animals, activities etc. But mainly for older kids I'd say. They had baby cutlery, bibs, bowls etc. at mealtimes too.
• Bad: No baby buffet like some kinderhotels have. Wasn't a problem for us because ours eats from our plate, but might be for some people.

Concierge

• This was probably the worst. I had emailed before arrival to ask some questions and book some activities, and if I sent an email with several requests/questions, the reply only dealt with one. A small thing, but annoying to have to go back and forth and re-ask my questions. When we arrived, it was worse. There was one concierge guy with a really horrible attitude who seemed like he hated his job. I asked for a hiking map and he told us that he had one but 'wasn't allowed to give it to guests'. WTF? He made it seem like he was doing us a huge favour by answering our questions and booking hotel restaurants for the week. Also activities (riding school, tennis lessons, spa etc.) are not centrally bookable, so concierge couldn't help with that. We had to go to the respective places to book, and often the staff weren't there (in the case of tennis and boxing) so we couldn't book things for days.

Ambience

• A bit weird! Some staff were friendly, but as mentioned, many were not and even seemed deliberately unhelpful, which was strange for a 5* hotel.
• One day we were heading to our room after lunch, and an old lady waiting on the stairs asked us if we were staying in the hotel. Bemused, we said yes and carried on - but again she stopped us. She demanded our room number and said she was 'the owner'. We gave our room number and she gave a half-arsed apology... just another weird unwelcoming thing that happened during our stay and left a bad taste in our mouth.

So a bit of a mixed bag! On the one hand, the activities and hotel itself are top notch. Plenty to do, and the setting with the mountain backdrop was superb. But on the other hand, many elements - especially the service - definitely did not reflect the number of stars the hotel has.

Happy to answer any questions!

I’ve been meaning to post a few reviews from some recent FATT trips, but work has been absolutely consuming my life lately. Finally catching up, and I wanted to start with what ended up being one of my favorite city hotel stays anywhere.

As always, we booked through Sarah and her team, who were fantastic from beginning to end. They handled everything before arrival, made sure all of our preferences were communicated, and checked in throughout the stay. Sarah gets recommended here all the time, and after several bookings with her, I completely understand why.

This was our first trip to Milan, and deciding where to stay was probably the hardest part of planning. We seriously considered Four Seasons and Rocco Forte and made a point of visiting both while we were there. They’re beautiful hotels, but after spending a few days at Portrait, I honestly don’t think we could have made a better choice.

I know Milan is about to get even more interesting with openings like Six Senses, and I’ll be curious to see how it stacks up. But as things stand today, Portrait would be very hard to beat.

What makes Portrait special is that it doesn’t just feel like a luxury hotel. It feels unmistakably Milanese.

The hotel is owned by the Ferragamo family, and you can feel that influence everywhere. The design has incredible Italian restraint and elegance. Nothing feels flashy or overdesigned. Every space feels curated by people with genuine taste rather than a branding team trying to create an Instagram moment. It has a sense of style and place that’s difficult to replicate.

The courtyard became one of my favorite places in the city. Throughout the day it’s filled with impeccably dressed Milanese meeting for coffee, lunch, aperitivo, or dinner. Rather than feeling like a luxury hotel that happens to be in Milan, it feels like a place where Milan actually happens. That energy is what made us want to come back every afternoon, even if we had nowhere to be.

The service somehow manages to be even better.

Everyone we met was warm, polished, and genuinely caring, but never overly formal. It felt effortless rather than scripted.

The biggest reason for that was Flaminia, our Lifestyle Agent.

She was exceptional from beginning to end. She secured impossible restaurant reservations, coordinated our plans, checked in throughout our stay, and somehow always anticipated what we needed before we asked. She genuinely cared about making our trip memorable, and it showed.

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned enough is the breakfast.

It was, without question, the best hotel breakfast buffet I’ve ever had. Not because it was enormous, but because every single item felt like it had been chosen for quality rather than quantity. Beautiful pastries, exceptional fruit, outstanding Italian specialties, made-to-order dishes, fresh juices, and everything executed at an incredibly high level. It’s one of those breakfasts you actually look forward to waking up for.

The rooms are beautiful and incredibly comfortable, but for me the atmosphere is what makes Portrait memorable. It’s luxurious without feeling flashy, trendy without trying too hard, and sophisticated without ever becoming intimidating.

After walking through Four Seasons and Rocco Forte, they felt like excellent luxury hotels. Portrait felt like it could only exist in Milan. That’s what sets it apart.

It’s rare that I leave a hotel already knowing exactly where I’ll stay the next time I visit a city.

We did here.

Following my last post, just like CdB, I stayed at the FS in November with my best friend and loved it enough to come back at full price with my family. It was stop #2 on our Italy trip, and imho a pool is a must when it is this hot in the summer so between the walkability and the pool it sealed it for me.

Who went

This was my little family only, me, my husband, and our 8 year old daughter. My in laws didn't join for this leg, though they wished they had. This was a full-price stay. I'm a travel advisor, but I rebooked this one because I love the hotel and it had all the things we needed for this trip: luxury, family friendly, walkability and a pool.

When we went

May 29 to June 1 of this year

Overall impressions

What I love about this place is the history, and the fact that it sits just out of the hustle and bustle while still being an easy 8 minute walk into the city center. It's a Renaissance palace with a huge private garden in the middle of Florence, which is a rare thing. The standouts for me are the rooms, the grounds, the service, the breakfast, the secret snack pantry, and the pool.

One honest low light from this stay: the air conditioning in our room wasn't keeping up. They brought in a fan right away, which helped, but I run warm due to surgical menopause and strong AC is a must for me, so in the peak summer heat it's worth knowing. One other heads-up for families: the kids club is seasonal, and we missed it by a couple of weeks.

Location

The location is the best of both worlds. You're tucked away from the crowds behind the walls and the garden, but the city center is only about 8 minutes on foot, so you can walk everywhere and still come home to quiet.

The room

We were in a Renaissance Suite in the main palace building, with a view over the garden and grounds. High frescoed ceilings, an insanely big bathroom, and a great amount of space for a family of three. Our daughter had a rollaway and it never felt cramped. One afternoon they surprised us by bringing her a popcorn maker and soda, along with negronis and nuts for us. A really nice, thoughtful treat mid stay.

Service

Warm and personalized, and we were always greeted by name. One moment that stuck with me: my daughter accidentally broke a plate at the breakfast buffet and was absolutely beside herself about it and so nervous and embarrassed. The staff were so kind and completely put her at ease. It truly is a child friendly hotel, and this the kind of thing that makes such a difference.

Food & beverage

We only ate here for breakfast this time, mostly because there are just too many incredible food spots in Florence to stay in. But breakfast is great. There's a small self-serve kids buffet that my daughter loved, plus a great spread of fresh options. Also worth highlighting: the secret snack pantry over in the other building. It's a self-serve room full of treats you can raid whenever you want, even late at night!!

Amenities & activities

The pool is tucked into the garden, and it was a total lifesaver in the heat. The schedule that worked for us: tour in the morning before it gets too hot, come back to the hotel to rest and cool off by the pool, then head back out in the evening. I skipped the gym this time since I got more than enough steps walking Florence. But it is a great one in the city.

We did our own touring, but one off-property experience I have to highlight is a perfume-making session at Ephemera Firenze. It's kid friendly and honestly one of the best travel experiences I have ever done. If you're in Florence, go do it. Even easier if you are staying at the FS as it is right around the corner which was super convenient.

Final thoughts

This is a hotel I keep coming back to. The history, the garden, the walkability, and a real pool in the middle of Florence make it a special place to base a family, especially in the summer heat.

Happy to answer any questions.

Has anyone traveled to London with a dog recently and has recommendations for a luxe dog friendly hotel? We are looking to stay at FS London Park Lane in February and I heard that particular FS is extremely dog friendly but I needed some extra guidance. We also were looking at Claridge's and I also heard Rosewood London has a dog friendly package as well. Note: the dog is a service dog, just not recognized by ADI. I know you need the HARC form filled out and the DOT form, and I am planning on flying nonstop from the US on American or United. Thanks in advance! If anyone also has any recommendations for "in cabin" dog friendly private airlines for this trip, that works too!

On the APHA website it states: "Dogs which have been trained by a member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) (external link), Assistance Dogs International (ADI) (external link)or received accreditation from The Assistance Dog Assessment Association(external link) will be recognised as service dogs. Service dogs that have been trained to the same or a higher standard as those set out by the organisations mentioned may also be recognised, providing evidence of their service dog training is provided. An unrecognised service dog is one which has not been trained to these standards. Unrecognised service dogs are subject to a checking fee of £462 and can only be issued pre-approval when arriving direct from the USA." If anyone has any further clarification on this as well, I appreciate it!

I am in Japan for 4 days of work this week and need to quickly book my stay. I'm in Tokyo for the first night (will get a full day and a half in Tokyo) and last night of my trip (will get a half day in Tokyo). I am quite keen to stay at the FS Otemachi for my first night after all the rave reviews here. Where would you stay for one night in Tokyo?

I value a luxurious, but modern room design and a great concierge (preferably one that responds quickly). Since I'm going in July itself, I wonder if some of the slower concierges will be quicker to respond to guests staying during this season. I want to exclude the Aman, Bulgari and Janu from my consideration as I would rather stay at these properties for 2-3 nights minimum because I don't think its worth spending on those for 1 night only when I am the kind of person who likes to be out all the time.

Edit - I would love to hear thoughts on Palace Hotel (is it very traditional?), Peninsula (are rooms genuinely dated or are people nitpicking?) and Mandarin Oriental for my single night stay.

Thanks for sharing your perspectives!

I have 7nights leading up to Christmas and would like to book a resort with my 12 and 14yr olds somewhere in central or South America. We’re traveling from Southeast USA. We’re hoping for a Paws Up vibe where there’s lots of activities to keep the boredom at bay: we aren’t lay by the beach folk and I’m trying to avoid having no to come up with entertainment everyday in a city in our own. I loved Nekupe (dedicated ranger and all activities included) but the travel logistics to get there are tough. That price point (2,500ish/night inclusive) is where I’d like to stay.

What are the luxury options with lots of activities? What’s the Latin version of Paws Up or a UK country estate?

Thank you!!

My husband wants to take our 3.5 year old skiing this winter for the first time. We live in Santa Barbara and our daughter hasn’t seen snow yet. We’re looking for an awesome spot (ideally in North America) that’s great for kids. Any recommendations? Thinking 4-5 nights.

Thanks!

Hi! I am planning my honeymoon for next summer and am planning on doing South Africa (Winelands, Cape Town, Safari) and considering adding on a beach destination such as Mozambique. We were originally looking at Seychelles but decided against it due to travel time/layover night in JNB and mixed reviews on hotels. We appreciate luxury hotels and are willing to spend when the value is there. For SA part, we are mostly locked in on La Residence, The Silo, and then 2 Singita lodges for Safari. For beach, we are comparing between Kisawa and And Beyond. Kisawa is extremely expensive for what is hard to believe is the same experience value as Singita and a safari, which is why we are considering AndBeyond. We know AB will be a step back, but curious if anyone has gone there who has been to Singita or these other SA hotels and if they think the value is there for saving some money to stay at AB (as we really want to prioritize staying at Singita which is driving the overall cost a bit higher than we originally wanted), or if we are going to be disappointed... and if so is Kisawa worth it, or should we skip beach all together? Also considered going to a summer Europe destination on way back to the US but the direct flights from SA don't seem to get us anywhere that would be great. Appreciate all thoughts/advice!

Hi! Any recommendations for 1 person for with beach access on Waikki? I usually stay at The Ritz but its not on the beach. Four Seasons is too far from the shopping areas.

TIA!