Quebec City’s award-winning Relais & Châteaux gem Auberge Saint-Antoine is warm, charming, comfortable, beautiful, storied. Partially built over the old rampart, Auberge Saint-Antoine has worked archaeological treasures discovered on the site into its décor. Unearthed crockery, glass, hardware and household items, some dating back to the 1600s, punctuate cozy nooks, room entrances and lobby walls. … Continue reading Quebec: Auberge Saint-Antoine →

posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Quebec: Auberge Saint-Antoine

The Aria Hotel Budapest is both a glam refuge and a social hotspot, featuring 49 big rooms, a glass-enclosed courtyard and a year-round rooftop garden with 360-degree views, all underscored by breezy, comfortable whimsy and a solid commitment to a music motif. Vibe: One of six properties in the Library Hotel Collection, which includes Hotel … Continue reading Budapest: The Aria →

posted on Monday, May 18th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Budapest: The Aria

This sumptuous sanctuary draws an unsurprisingly diverse mix of international guests, many from the UK and Europe, including business travellers, bleisure travellers, families and special-occasion celebrants—and Ritz-Carlton brand loyalists with high expectations. Vibe: A grand style pervades at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto, but never gets too showy. The hotel’s definitive global feel is evident via the … Continue reading Toronto: The Ritz-Carlton →

posted on Sunday, May 10th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Toronto: The Ritz-Carlton

Built in 2002 in what used to be a hat factory, this stylish boutique property run by the Quebec-based, family-run Le Germain chain of hotels is a cozy retreat catering to everyone from creative business travellers to weekend sporting-event staycationers. Vibe: Tucked away on quiet and unassuming Mercer Street, Le Germain is more hideaway than … Continue reading Toronto: Le Germain Mercer St. →

posted on Sunday, May 10th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Toronto: Le Germain Mercer St.

The flagship property of the Toronto-based Four Seasons brand is pure five-star heaven. Built in 2012, it maintains a glowing reputation for service and opulence on all fronts, an urban retreat for business and leisure luxury travellers, special-occasion celebrants and incognito celebrities. Vibe: The Four Seasons Toronto is timeless, modern and sophisticated, warm and welcoming. … Continue reading Toronto: The Four Seasons →

posted on Sunday, May 10th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Toronto: The Four Seasons

This serene retreat in the posh part of the northern province of Guanacaste delivers local culture with a side of smart style. Designed by noted Central American architect Ronald Zürcher, the stunning Andaz at Peninsula Papagayo is inspired by nature, buoyed by local art and crafts, and folded into its surroundings with a keen attention … Continue reading Costa Rica: The Andaz Papagayo →

posted on Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Costa Rica: The Andaz Papagayo

Spanning nine acres of waterfront land in a corner of Exhibition Place, home to Canada’s largest event venues, Hotel X Toronto is the main hub for all the nearby trade shows, conferences and fairs, with more than 400 stylish rooms delivering an incredible view. Vibe: The look is modern and intimate. A lobby bathed in … Continue reading Toronto: Hotel X Toronto →

posted on Monday, April 13th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Toronto: Hotel X Toronto

The St. Regis Toronto—formerly The Adelaide Hotel and before that the Trump International—is Canada’s first and only St. Regis hotel. It boasts the largest rooms in the city (from 550 square feet). There is a rather rarified air; those seeking top service, the best location in town and marble everything should be more than satisfied. … Continue reading Toronto: The St. Regis →

posted on Sunday, April 12th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Toronto: The St. Regis

With just 64 rooms, the independently owned Magnolia Hotel & Spa always ranks high on the annual top 10 lists. A service-forward approach and a close-to-everything downtown location minutes from Victoria’s inner harbour make it a hit with both tourists and the busy bleisure crowd. Vibe: The majority of Magnolia guests are week-day travellers from the … Continue reading Victoria: The Magnolia →

posted on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Victoria: The Magnolia

Dominating the skyline for decades after it was built in 1929, the Royal York is the Canadian grande dame of the Fairmont chain. Amping up the luxury factor has kept the hotel in step with the times, a storied icon with a modern outlook. Recent guests have included members of the British Royal Family, Prime … Continue reading Toronto: Fairmont Royal York →

posted on Monday, April 6th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Toronto: Fairmont Royal York

Radiating both modernity and tradition, this comfortable resort on one of Newfoundland’s most remote and beautiful islands delivers homespun luxury with community-oriented hospitality. The hospitality here is sublime. Guests get a feeling they’re at Grandma’s house and can do as they please. As a charitable, socially conscious business, the Inn reinvests profits in the Fogo … Continue reading Newfoundland: Fogo Island Inn →

posted on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Newfoundland: Fogo Island Inn

This five-star London heavyweight is still packing in the In Crowd. King George VI opened The May Fair in 1927 and now, this old girl doesn’t really look a day over 30. Vibe: Always a bit more rock and roll than some of its neighbours in London’s Luxury Quarter, the opulent 404-room May Fair has … Continue reading London: The May Fair →

posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on London: The May Fair

Nestled within the natural environs of Key Largo, Playa Largo Resort wins awards and hearts in the Florida Archipelago. Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, this upscale gated retreat along 15 acres of secluded shoreline in Key Largo is the first new-build resort in the Upper Keys in more than 20 years. Expect dense foliage, … Continue reading Florida Keys: Playa Largo →

posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Florida Keys: Playa Largo

Tradition lives on at the oldest continually operating hotel in the Caribbean. Opened in 1887, The Crane was once the haven of visiting plantation owners and rich sea merchants. The 18 historic rooms are still there, now surrounded by 234 other one- to three-bedroom suites and penthouses. Vibe: At The Crane, you will meet well-heeled … Continue reading Barbados: The Crane Resort →

posted on Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Barbados: The Crane Resort

Opened in November 2018 at one end of Grenada’s Grand Anse, this sublime 43-suite resort is proving a fast favourite with the “in” crowd, boasting the longest pool in the Caribbean at 100 metres. Vibe: Designed by French firm AW2 with the international jet-set circuit in mind, the minimalist 43-suite, nine-villa Silversands is a sea … Continue reading Grenada: Silversands →

posted on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 by Doug Wallace Posted in HOTELS Comments Off on Grenada: Silversands

Downtown Miami gets a new toy.

posted on Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 by Doug Wallace Posted in TRENDING Comments Off on East Miami

The Guanacaste province of Costa Rica has hit the all-terrain jackpot—with beaches, mountains, canyons, volcanos, waterfalls, wetlands, plains, parks and rain forests. This variety, coupled with great weather practically year-round leaves visitors to Guanacaste revelling in the spirit of Pura Vida. Literally “pure life,” this iconic and health-oriented philosophy encourages an appreciation of life, body … Continue reading Costa Rica: Guanacaste →

posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2015 by Doug Wallace Posted in DESTINATIONS Comments Off on Costa Rica: Guanacaste