Every day over Lake Union in Seattle, there’s an unmistakeable local spectacle best viewed from the grassy hills of Gasworks Park. A seaplane flies in from the north gliding lower and lower over the water, sail and motorboats be damned, and touches down in a tumble of foam as it taxis into harbour. Any local…
We received a first hand review from a couple that recently journeyed east for an upscale stay at the stately Post Hotel & Spa, which borders picturesque Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, offering a gorgeous ski lodge, pampering spa, award-winning Gourmet Magazine-heralded restaurant, and much more. Originally built in 1942, the Post resonates with the…
If you’re heading for London, why not stay at a fashionable, upscale boutique hotel instead of a megachain? The Parkes Hotel in Knightsbridge, only 100 meters from Harrod’s Department Store, is offering a special three-night rate for two through August 31, 2007, starting at $2,015 US, discounted from $2,687. This package includes: • Three nights…
The One&Only Palmilla is a posh and peaceful sanctuary on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Following a $110 million renovation and expansion in 2003, it has been a favorite retreat for Hollywood celebrities since its opening in 1956. Celebrity clientele includes Dustin Hoffman, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Oprah Winfrey and John Travolta (who…
Drum roll, please… We’re extremely proud to introduce Vagablond’s new design. We feel it’s a better representation of our upscale content, sophisticated collection of global contributors, and our unique position of offering daily articles about luxury travel, superior shopping, vintage wines and delicious foods. As you can see, it features more color, a cool new…
If you’ve always dreamed of escaping to tropical French Polynesia, the ultimate in elegant luxury can be yours at the magnificent St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora, one of the world’s most exclusive resorts. From the its Zen Pool to an adults-only Focal Pool, you can kick back and relax with private day-bed cabanas and a…
For over 80 years, the Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa has been consistently ranked as one of the most distinguished luxury hotels in my home town. It’s also one of the world’s most luxurious places to stay. Situated atop Nob Hill (called “Snob Hill” a century ago because it was the wealthiest San Francisco…
Here’s the latest in our monthly series of interviews with travel writers. This time, I questioned Tim Leffel, author of the contrarian traveler’s guide to getting more for less, “Make Your Travel Dollars Worth A Fortune,” published by Traveler’s Tales at $12.95, and “The World’s Cheapest Destinations”. I’m reading it now and relishing Tim’s winning…
The 2005 Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Photo by Sue Frause. Hey, big spender — here’s the holiday package for you. The Buckingham Hotel in midtown Manhattan is offering a posh package now through Jan. 8, 2007. One couple per night will see and experience the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in style. For $75,000, here’s the…
Innsbruck and Kitzbuhel are two of the better-known Tyrolian ski resorts in Austria. But a short 20-minute drive away, you’ll find the five-star Spa Hotel Jagdhof. First, it’s near majestic Stubai Glacier, so it offers world-class skiiing. Second, to ease your muscles after a long day on the slopes, you can unwind in the award-winning,…
I always find crossing things off my ‘things to do before I die’ list extremely satisfying. I’ve had this list, annually reviewed and updated, since I was in my teens. Little did I know that on a recent driving holiday through France I would have this chance. While planning our next move during our stint…
Parabolas may be the preferred shape of skis this season in European resorts, but square is definitely the shape of things to come for the resorts themselves, year-round. Cube is a three-chain upscale, über-cool resort chain for a lengthy list of winter and summer getaways, with a range of simple, yet spacious rooms to fit…