You may not have noticed the island across the water from Miami’s South Beach strip (there’s enough to keep your eyes occupied on the happening drag) but just across the way, a 7-minute ferry ride to be exact, sits Fisher Island, a private residential community home to some 216 acres, a slew of luxury condos, and the Fisher Island Hotel & Resort. Onetime home to the Vanderbilt family (William Vanderbilt acquired the island from Carl Fisher in a trade in 1925 – Vanderbilt’s 220-foot yacht for the island!), the hotel is centered around the Vanderbilt’s original 1926 mansion which now houses restaurants Garwood and Café Tangier. Recently renovated rooms and villas (villa room tour above) feature traditional furnishings like poster beds and slick bathrooms with a large tub and separate shower with wide rain-shower head. Villas also come with their own private patios with loungers and an outdoor Jacuzzi. All hotel guests get their own golf cart to drive around the island during their stay. 

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The beloved bohemian hotel, Café Cultura—known for whimsical frescoes, blazing hearths, and a cozy, lived-in feel—has traded its postcolonial villa for a princely mansion in the same New Town district of Quito, Ecuador. Built in 1937, the mansion’s former incarnation was as the elite Club Pichincha where the crème de la crème of society would gather. A striking mixture of Art Deco details and Republican–style architecture, the structure won Quito’s most prestigious architectural award in 1937. Read the rest of this post »

I recently visited Midtown Manhattan’s The Surrey to check out the hotel’s $60 million renovation. Interior designer Lauren Rottet essentially remade the hotel from top to bottom, bringing The Surrey into the 21st century while sticking with the traditional elegance of the original property. Read the rest of this post »

After 10 years in business, Boston’s acclaimed boutique hotel XV Beacon hasn’t stopped turning heads. I recently enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at the property’s upscale steakhouse Mooo…. and was blown away by the three-course prix fixe menu for $20.09, now a permanent fixture thanks to its success during restaurant week. The discount price definitely does not translate to smaller portions. To get the most of the bargain, I recommend the steamed mussels and chorizo appetizer, 12-ounce New York sirloin with truffle fries, and the lemon pound cake (just enough dessert after two filling courses).

During my visit, I also had a chance to check out some of the upgrades XV Beacon rolled out for its 10th anniversary. Each of the 60 rooms now features 42” flatscreen TVs and new furniture and linens. There are also two new Lexus courtesy cars to chauffeur guests anywhere they want to go. And the anniversary celebration doesn’t stop there – the hotel is offering a few deals to keep the spirit going through 2010. Read the rest of this post »

Few places in the world compare to Bora Bora – a quintessential tropical isle in French Polynesia showcasing white-sand beaches, flower-scented breezes, and idyllic coves. Since getting to paradise can be a lengthy affair (it’s eight hours by plane from Los Angeles to Tahiti, plus another hour to connect), why not treat yourself to an once-in-a-lifetime experience once you land? The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa just unveiled brand-new over-the-water presidential villas that necessitate a splurge, if you’ve got the pocket change to spare. Read the rest of this post »

Despite tough economic times, a wave of upmarket hotels pull out all the stops to perk up their properties. Here’s a rundown of notable updates to look out for in the Caribbean, Europe, as well as on the homefront.

Jamaica: GoldenEye has just begun its expansion with a ground-breaking ceremony on August 14. The legendary “Bond” house, former home to Ian Fleming who penned the James Bond novels here in the 50s, was turned into a luxury resort by music mogul Chris Blackwell in 1977. The next chapter of its story will include 11 new beachfront cottages, said to feature traditional Caribbean architecture with cutting-edge comforts, due out late 2010.

Antigua: Jumby Bay debuts its new looks on November 1. The 28-million transformation includes a new Sense spa, enhanced accommodations, new verandah restaurant and bistro, suites, and two estate homes for super-high rollers. Read the rest of this post »

Sometimes, too much hype can lead to a major letdown. A letdown is what I expected when I finally visited the much lauded Cap Juluca after years of reading glowing reviews and seeing it top award lists the world over. But, while on the boat ride over to Anguilla from St. Maarten (on Cap Juluca’s private speed boat), sipping champagne and chatting with another couple who gushed about their decade-long love affair with the place, I started to get the feeling that my skepticism may be proved wrong – and, wrong I was. The Cap Juluca didn’t disappoint. The 21-year-old resort is currently in the midst of 80-million-dollar renovations which have already transformed the main house and lobby, and, by year’s end, will overhaul all 18 villas (which, currently, aren’t shabby but lack the sophisticated Moroccan elegance seen in the renovated main house). All enhancements, including a new oceanfront infinity pool and spa, will stay true to the timeless architecture – white-washed Moorish domes, turrets, and all – that has made the resort so famous; original architect, Oscar Farmer has even come out of retirement to help with the project. Read the rest of this post »