Just Back From: Argentina

Kim just returned from Argentina and here is what she has to say: 

Getting There:  I flew through Atlanta to Buenos Aires which has the largest international airport in the country. 

Who is this destination for? The very honest answer is anyone!  The country is so diverse in its landscape that is has something for everyone, at every age, in any season.  Whether you are a serious wine connoisseur or you just like to drink it, an outdoor buff that loves adventure sports like white water rafting, climbing glaciers or horseback riding or an animal lover who wants to go whale watching, hang out with penguins and see all the incredible species found in the Argentine jungle, not to mention feast on some of the best food I have ever tasted, Argentina is a destination for you!

My Take:

Argentina has some of the warmest, most hospitable people I have encounter in all of my (extensive) travels.  They are a passionate culture that is deeply tied to their land and all that is has to offer.  They have an appreciation for all the amazing natural resources they have and they take full advantage of building the finest resorts, embedded in these resources for their visitors.  The Argentine people want you to leave with incredible memories and love of their country and this is so evident in all your interactions with them. 

Things I was surprised by:

1)     The incredible food.  Every meal was better than the last, filled with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that were mostly organic.  Farm to table dining can be found easily-something I consider to be a luxury. 

2)     The passion and pride found in everyone that works there is something to be admired.  Whoever I spoke with was so knowledgeable about their region, and specific field in which they worked. From the history of tango and dance to the fermentation process of wine you can be sure you will get an education just from speaking to the people who work in these industries.

3)     It is correct to refer to local people as both Argentine and Argentinean, but I found that they mostly refer to themselves as Argentine. 

4)     If you are a scenery junkie like me, you need to set aside a good amount of time to spend there because there are many, many perfect landscapes to feast your eyes on.

Quick Overview:

Buenos Aires: There are so many amazing hotels to consider, but I loved the Alvear Palace for its old world charm, and The Four Seasons for always coming through with elegant decor (inspired by polo) and amazing service and dining options.  If you want something eccentric over the top, definitely consider staying at the Faena Hotel. 

Mendoza is wine country surrounded by the Andes Mountains.  It is where you should go if you want to eat, drink and relax.  While you are there, be sure to consider both Casa Del Uco  for its small, family like feel and The Vines which is absolutely stunning and is a suite style hotel with incredible outdoor patios fit with outdoor tubs and showers. 

Iguazu Falls is a must if you love nature.  Keep in mind that finding a true 5 star hotel is very hard to find there, so you will have to curb your expectations.  This should not stop you from going as the falls are worth it. 

If you are considering traveling to Argentina, and want help planning an amazing itinerary, be sure to reach out to use at TWIL Travel as we are Argentine experts!

Just Back From: Bermuda

Lori and Rhonda just came back from Bermuda and this is what they had to say: 

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The Loren Bermuda

The Loren is the newest hotel in Bermuda. It opened in March 2017. It has a sleek, modern interior infused with the Bermudian charm. The hotel is situated on 8 acres, perched on a cliff. There are unbelievable ocean views from each room. The pool is heated year-round and they have yoga classes that guests can participate in. Overall, we would recommend this property!

The Grotto Bay Beach Resort

The Grotto Bay Beach Resort is a full-service resort with 201 rooms in 11 cottages. The rooms are furnished with custom designed traditional island furnishings and feature a marble bathroom with a traditional pedestal sink. In room amenities consist of a coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, refrigerator and a safe. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the resort. Superior rooms are the first-floor rooms, while the Deluxe rooms are 2nd or 3rd floor. All ’Ocean Front’ rooms are located along the water front; ’Ocean View’ rooms are on the top of a ridge that features fantastic views.

There is an all-inclusive option at this resort. Non-motorized water sports are included in the plan. However, food is not available at all times of the day. There is breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks.

Tucker's Point

Tuckers Point is a huge property in a beautiful location. The hotel will undergo a major renovation this winter and will be closed for two months. This hotel is pet friendly. There are golf carts you can rent on property, however if you are booked in a suite it will be included in your cost! You will need to take a golf cart or shuttle to the beach, which is approximately 10 minutes from the rooms. The beach club is absolutely beautiful. The property has a tennis court and spa on site.  

Fairmont Hamilton Princess

The Hamilton Princess had just undergone a 100-million-dollar renovation. The Hamilton princess is known for its fantastic art throughout the property. There are many family friendly connecting room types. There is an adult only pool and a family friendly infinity pool onsite. There is a fantastic beach club, a shuttle which runs every 30 minutes takes you to the other side of the island, to a stunning section of the beach which is complete with cots, full service butlers and a restaurant.

Just Back From: The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest

Our close friend and preferred partner, Jeff Paap,  who represents Marriott International Luxury Brands, recently returned from a visit to Budapest, where he had the pleasure of staying at the brand new Ritz Carlton in Budapest.

Jeff was kind enough to share his feedback with TWIL.

The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest completed its full renovation and was re-branded in March of 2016.  The 170 rooms and 30 Suites have been beautifully redone in Art Nouveau and Art Deco Styles featuring hues of Blue to remind us of the Danube.  With 60% of the accommodations facing Elizabeth Park featuring views towards St. Stephens Basilica. 

The building has a storied past stretching all the way from its 1914 beginnings as an Insurance Office to today with it’s perfect location on Elizabeth Square which is the new home of The Budapest Eye.  A stroll out the back of the hotel through the restaurant puts you directly onto Fashion Street, one of Budapest’s more desirable shopping addresses.  You could not be more perfectly located in the middle of the very best of Budapest. All of the following attractions are walkable from the hotel:

  • St Stephen’s Basilica
  • Parliament
  • Chain Bridge
  • Great Synagogue
  • Hungarian State Opera House
  • Castle Hill
  • Matthias Church
  • Buda Castle
  • Budapest Eye (great views and very convenient)
  • Central Market

Dining in Budapest starts with Strudel and ends with Goulash with Paprikash thrown in the middle.  For the truly adventurous try Palinka a Hungarian Brandy that packs a real punch.  There are so many great restaurants within walking distance of The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest that you can easily dine for a week and never run out.  Our Lobby Concierge masterfully guided us to exceptional dining nightly. In any case I would not skip Deak Street Kitchen, the restaurant in the hotel.  Exceptional Steaks and Goulash that will stand up to any comparison.  An after dinner drink in Kupola Bar with live entertainment is a perfect night cap.  My only other dining suggestion would be to take an evening Dinner Cruise on the Danube to see Budapest lit up at night.  It’s truly an amazing experience.

Go out!  Budapest offers a great night life and I must make one suggestion, try the Ruin Bars!  These are just what they sound like.  Bars located in “ruins” or not yet gentrified old buildings.  We walked to Szimpla Kert which the locals will say is almost too finished to still be called a ruin bar.  Seedy, gritty, eclectic and a must do with hidden rooms and staircases to several floors.  The DJ keeps the music pumping and there’s something new (or old) around every corner.

Other highlights of the hotel are of course the Club Lounge with its private concierge service, food and beverage offerings and as a convenient and private retreat.  For further relaxation the Ritz-Carlton Spa will massage away the soreness of a long day of walking this beautiful city.

My trip also included a day trip with a short boat ride and lunch on Lake Balaton just under 2 hours outside of Budapest.  The ride out and back was beautiful and there is a selection of wineries that are worth a visit as well.

Should you choose to stay at the Ritz Carlton Budapest – TWIL clients will benefit from the following added value and amenities at no additional cost!

  • Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Buffet Breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay
  • $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

For more information and to book your trip to Budapest – contact us today! hello@twiltravel.com

 

Just Back From: W South Beach, Miami Beach

Property Type: Luxury hotel that is great for every type of traveler

Destination: South Beach, Miami Florida

Getting There: The closest airport is Miami International Airport. It is 20 minutes away from the W South Beach. Alternatively, you can fly into Fort Lauderdale which is approximately a 1 hour drive. 

Who is it for? The W hotel has positioned itself so it can appeal to any type of traveller.  Whether you are going as a couple (at any age), a family with kids, or a group of friends, this hotel will appeal to you.

Our Take:

The hotel is beautifully done and has some amazing art pieces hanging on the walls in the lobby.  Check in will be a smooth process because at the W, they are very customer service focussed.  The rooms are nicely decorated, and start at a really good size.  They also include a fridge and microwave which is good when you are traveling with kids.  The pool is really great as well as it has steps that lead in slowly so if you are with younger kids they can get ease into the water.  The service by the pool is quick and you can order from their menu or the menu from the restaurant inside.  Security stands between the pool and the beach to ensure that only guests of the hotel are using the pool which helps to keep it from getting overcrowded and noisy.

The beach is easily accessible, just across the boardwalk and has chairs set up for the guests.  There are great beach toys as well for the kids to play with.

The hotel itself is really well located on the strip.   It is at the further end of the main hub of the strip which is nice as you can easily get to all the action, but don’t feel like you are staying right in the middle of it.  In walking distance to the hotel you can find amazing restaurants, shopping and some great workout classes.

If you are planning to head to Miami I would most definitely recommend considering the W hotel because it is not only beautiful and centrally located, but also because they strive to ensure all their guests are happy and having a wonderful holiday.

Just Back From: Hyatt Regency, Kyoto

Our TWIL Client, Jesse Silvertown, recently returned from Kyoto where he stayed at The Hyatt Regency. Jesse was kind enough to share his feedback with TWIL.

Kyoto is a dream. For those of you that have been there before, that will come as no surprise. For those that haven't, picture a beautiful countryside city, frozen in time from a different era, tinged with modern, beautiful buildings. Many centuries ago, Kyoto - not Tokyo -was the capital of Japan. As the former center of the country - and still cultural hub - there are more temples to visit than any of you might know what to do with. The golden shrine is the most famous, but we enjoyed two others: Tofukuji Temple is a serene, less-popular space in southeastern Kyoto, complete with beautiful shrines and an incredible, life-size zen garden (paid area). Kiyomuzu-Dera, the other shrine area I'd recommend - is special because of the path it takes to get there; Matsubara Dori is a narrow, shop-lined street that helps make the slow climb to the temple a truly unique experience. It gets busy during the daytime, but even for someone (like me) who hates tourists, the density is worth it.

Our hotel - the Hyatt Regency - was situated right in the heart of Kyoto, close to the national museum, restaurants and shrines. It was another hotel that effectively blended western and japanese influences, though for the more adventurous, Kyoto has many highly regarded Ryokan. Ryokan are traditional japanese inns, complete with tatami mats, and most include absurd dinners with your stay. That said, Kyoto has more than enough excellent restaurants. Given my sushi addiction - and my dedication to this crazy hobby - I dragged my wife for our 945th sushi meal in a week. The place of choice was Sushi Tetsu, a restaurant next to a river that blew my mind. A small cover charge gets you in the door, and then - brace yourselves - every piece of nigiri (including ikura and toro) is virtually $1 US.

For non-sushi restaurants, I'd recommend Kurakura, a laid back izakaya with over 100 menu items. There's enough variety for all types of adventure. For the fancier folks, Kyoto has a diverse array of acclaimed restaurants making use of the outstanding local ingredients. Most are Japanese, but some - believe it or not - are French. Like the rest of Japan, it's very difficult to find a bad meal.

Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the food tour we did through the Shottengai (shopping streets) of Kyoto. Jason Davidson - an expat from the US - runs the tour through 10 local food stalls. At about $50USD, I couldn't recommend it more as a method for enjoying authentic cuisine that normally is difficult for english speakers to order.