Here’s a little something to get you through to the weekend. It’s hard to imagine a location more remote but more luxurious than this. I may not ever make it to the Maldives, but while I muddle through the late-Winter cold I’ve been saddle with I’ll be picturing my toes dangling in these warm waters.
People may have varying opinions about recent and current American presidents but it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t agree that Thomas Jefferson was an extraordinary president and person. You can visit his home and gardens, which he designed of course, and learn not only about the author of the Declaration of Independence but also the complex times in which he lived. Fortunately for future tourists he picked a beautiful section of the country to live in. Located just outside of Charlottesville proper, it makes an easy morning trip from town. The area is also home to wineries which are fun to visit and give you a reason to drive through the stunning countryside. There’s nothing I can say about Mr. Jefferson that hasn’t been said better by someone more knowledgable than myself. Let’s just get to the good stuff. Happy President’s Day!
Monticello Home and Gardens
Above Images from the Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Photo: David Jennings
Where to Stay:
Inn at Willow Grove, Orange
Dinsmore House Inn, Charlottesville
The Clifton Inn, Charlottesville
Photo: Southern Living
Bellair Pool House Vacation Home, Charlottesville
Wineries and Food
Barboursville Vineyard
Keswick Vineyards
photo charislogia via flickr
Jefferson Vineyards
Michie Tavern, Charlottesville
Built ca. 1784
The Local, Charlottesville
Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyard
The concept of a pop-up store is old hat these days and there’s even been a few pop-up restaurants over the last couple of years, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the idea would translate into hotels at some point. A Room for London is the first of such that I’ve seen and it’s pretty fantastic. This one room installation is perched on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall along the Thames river. It is only there through 2012 and serves as a way for visitors (only allowed a one night rental) and invited artists to take refuge from the busy city and find inspiration from the unique and panoramic view of London. Designed by David Kohn Architects, it was inspired by the boat that Joseph Conrad navigated up the Congo river before writing Heart of Darkness. While this unusual lodging concept has sold out, I can’t help wonder if it will spark imitators in other cities. I’d love to see the inspiration that could result from new and temporary views of places like New York, Vancouver or Rome.
Everyone has a different idea of what’s romantic. But while I’m sitting at my desk on this Valentine’s Day watching it hail outside my window I’m thinking that we can probably all agree that the Mystique Resort on Santorini in Greece would make for a pretty sexy getaway. Unlike a lot of “romantic” hotels, there’s no frilliness here, just a modern and relaxing design. And draw-dropping views of the Aegean Sea.
All photos courtesy of Mystique
photo by Justin Larson
Ask most Portlanders when the best time to go to the Oregon coast is and they will almost always say something like “February”. You will be confused and stare at them blankly until they explain that it’s too crowded in the Summer, there are great deals to be had in the year’s shortest (and often dreariest) month and there’s storm watching. Storms are something most people do not look forward to in Winter, but in Oregon sitting around in a beach house or hotel room with a view of the oncoming gale while sipping on some hot tea or wine and playing cards is a highly anticipated activity. While there’s often rain in the cities of Oregon, it’s not usually very dramatic. It gets wet and that’s about it. So to see water-churning, rain-spitting and windy stuff you have to go to the coast. Plus, the best beach-combing happens after storms, especially if you really like kelp. Here’s some great places to stay while watching the action, although I should mention that it’s best to stay indoors. Those waves are fun to watch but they don’t care that you’re on vacation and will suck you out into the ocean anyway.
The Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach
Heceta Head Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, Yachats
Salishan Spa and Golf Resort, Lincoln City
Gearhart Ocean Inn, Gearhart
Vacation Home Rental, Seaside
Coast Cabins, Manzanita
Cannery Pier Hotel, Astoria
NYC Entrance
The first Yotel opened in 2007 at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Inspired by the first class cabins on British Airways international flights and austere Japanese designs, these hotels are made for frequent flyers. The airport hotels are currently in terminals at Gatwick, Heathrow and Amsterdam’s Schiphol. There is a four hour minimum rental for those with a layover and in need of a nap and shower, but full night rentals are available too. The newly opened New York City hotel, just two blocks from Times Square, is for those actually on vacation. The airport Yotel is a no frills operation with automatic check in kiosks and a “Galley” on every floor offering basics like coffee and fridge space. The New York hotel is a bit more traditional with a bar and restaurant, but without the usual room frills like coffee makers, you can actually stay in Manhattan with a private terrace and hot tub for a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere.
Airport Premium Cabin Corridor
Airport Premium Cabin
Airport Premium Cabin
NYC Premium Cabin
NYC Corner Cabin
NYC VIP Suite
NYC Bar
NYC Terrace
I took a trip to Scotland almost two years ago and can’t wait to go back. We visited during the Summer and were very lucky with warm and sunny weather the whole time, but something tells me that to truly experience Scotland one needs to see it in Winter in what I can only assume is its more natural state, meteorologically speaking. If I were to go now, I’d retreat to one of these locations with a deck of cards and some local whisky.
Galbegno Castle, Fettercairn
A six bedroom self-catering lodge located 45 minutes south of Aberdeen.
photos courtesy of Balbegno Castle
The Torridon, Highlands
A 19 bedroom luxury hotel located on 58 acres next to a loch. Not only do they offer guided Winter hikes into the nearby hills (and list a flask as part of your required equipment), but they have a Whisky bar offering tastings and over 350 whiskies to choose from. They run an inn close by if you’re looking for slightly more modest accommodations.
photos courtesy of the Torridon
Cameron House, Loch Lomond
The perfect family getaway. Not only are there amazing views, multiple restaurants, stylish bars, a spa and pools but three different “clubs” for kids divided by ages. Your littles ones can also go on guided hikes and bird watching excursions with their own Countryside Ranger. Oh, and there’s bunk beds in the family rooms. Everyone is now happy.
Dalhousie Castle, Near Edinburgh
This is the place to go if you have an interest in falconry and/or medieval fortresses, which this castle once was. You can take short falconry classes or sign up for the 5 day intensive course and there’s even classes for kids with owls. Of course there’s a spa, but there’s also a restaurant in the former dungeons.
photos courtesy of Dalhousie Castle
Beach Bay Cottage, Isle of Lewis
A romantic and private self-catering cottage in the outer Hebrides that was inspired by traditional black houses of the islands. While secluded enough for a cozy getaway, it’s also only 3 miles from the village and a few hundred yards from a restaurant.
photos courtesy of Beach Bay Cottage
While it’s been a relatively moderate Winter so far, that doesn’t mean that most people aren’t craving a little bit of warm sunshine about right now. Unless you’ve been planning a mid-Winter vacation for awhile, a trip to Hawaii or a Caribbean island is probably not in order. But maybe a trip to Scottsdale? Not usually on my top ten list but the newly opened Saguaro hotel may just change my mind. Inspired by the Sonoran desert and contemporary Mexican architecture, it’s like a splash of cold water in the face of all of us living under the gray skies of Winter. There is also a full service spa, two pools complete with cabanas, The Old Town Whiskey Bar, and the hotel’s signature restaurant Distrito.
Whether you believe in Santa or are just planning a vacation with someone who does, this is the place you need to go. I can think of no other resort that can lay claim so realistically to being Santa’s true home than the Winter Wonderland that exists at this spot in Lapland. This part of Finland, above the Artic Circle is home to the indigenous Sami people who have herded reindeer for centuries, and whose native dress could inspire the fashion of many an elf in Santa’s service. They have recently opened glass igloos in addition to the snow igloos and log cabins that have been available at Santa’s resort. These are open from December through April and offer an unparalleled view of the Northern Lights. Activities include an elf-guided tour of Santa’s home, reindeer herd and gold creek where his Gold Elves pan for gold, which explains the mystery of Santa’s income. There are more traditional Winter activities like sleigh rides, snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing, snowboarding and dog sledding. For the brave souls there’s also ice swimming which, yes, means swimming under the ice. In a regular swimsuit. Thankfully, there are traditional smoke saunas, restaurants and lots of blankets too. Hard to think of a more appropriate Christmas vacation.
I am not, nor have I ever been a skier, snowboarder or snowshoer. I hear they are all very lovely ways to spend one’s free time and I imagine that that’s true. However, when I’m faced with the prospect of many hours spent on a snow-covered mountain the only thing that sounds fun to me is a roaring fire and a warm cocktail. Perhaps a deck of cards. Maybe you are like me and are often vacationing with snow-lovers who only come off the mountain to sleep. If you’re thinking of going to the Alps with that lot, don’t worry, there are plenty of hotels to make all of you happy and stylishly so.
L’Alpaga, Megeve, France
The Cambrian, Adelboden, Switzerland
Lagacio Mountain Residence, San Cassiano, Italy
Carlton Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Avenue Lodge, Val d’Isere, France
Arlberg Hospiz, St. Christoph, Austria
Les Granges D’en Haut, Chamonix, France
Virtual Vacationist 