LuxTravel by Melissa

LuxTravel by Melissa Luxury Travel Specialist

What I loved most about working with the Powell family was that they knew how they traveled best. They knew what had wor...
09/04/2026

What I loved most about working with the Powell family was that they knew how they traveled best. They knew what had worked for their family in the past, what hadn’t, and what they wanted this trip to feel like.

After our initial consultation and discovery call, they trusted me to take it from there. They went with my recommendations—hotels, transfers, activities, all of it—and trusted that each piece had been chosen specifically for their family.

And that kind of trust makes such a difference.

The best trips really are a partnership. When I understand how you like to travel and you trust me to handle the details, that’s when we can create something pretty magical. ✨

Thank you, Powell family, for trusting me with your time together. This is exactly why I love what I do. ❤️

Adare Manor has been on my list for a while, but 2027 is going to be a pretty special year to visit. 🏌️‍♀️The legendary ...
08/28/2026

Adare Manor has been on my list for a while, but 2027 is going to be a pretty special year to visit. 🏌️‍♀️

The legendary Irish estate will host the 100th Ryder Cup — and if you’re a golfer, this is your chance to play the same course where the best players in the world will compete.

Even if golf isn’t your thing, Adare Manor is one of those hotels that’s worth planning a trip around. But for golfers? This one is pretty hard to beat.

Scroll through for more details. ⛳️


08/24/2026

With the U.S. Open this week, it feels like a good time to talk tennis. 🎾

Like many 40-something women, I decided to take up tennis a few years ago…and now I’m obsessed. When I’m not planning travel, I’m usually on a tennis court. And when I am traveling, I’m always happy when there’s an opportunity to play.

I’ve been lucky enough to play in some pretty incredible places, but a few favorites so far:

🎾 Rancho Valencia, California
🎾 Sea Island Resort, Georgia
🎾 Punta Mita, Mexico
🎾 JW Marriott Desert Springs, Palm Desert
🎾 And here in St. Barths

It turns out a great tennis court with a beautiful resort attached is pretty much my ideal combination. 😂

Fellow tennis people: where’s your favorite place to play when you travel? I’m always looking for another one to add to my list.

08/22/2026

For over 35 years, Aman has defined what a sanctuary feels like. In May 2027, that philosophy sets sail.

Amangati — Sanskrit for “peaceful motion” — is unlike anything at sea:
🌊 94 guests. 47 suites. Two-to-one crew ratio.
🌊 The largest spa in luxury yachting
🌊 The Mediterranean, Adriatic & Greek Isles — depth over distance

Reserve now for the inaugural 2027 season and enjoy $500 onboard credit per suite.

The water’s been waiting. ✨🌊✨

Notes from the Road: Part 2 ✈️Some of my favorite travel advice comes straight from my clients after they return home. W...
08/20/2026

Notes from the Road: Part 2 ✈️

Some of my favorite travel advice comes straight from my clients after they return home. What did they love? What surprised them? What place are they already Googling ways to get back to?

A few notes from the road this summer:

✨ Gleneagles was sublime — and inspired an immediate search for “resorts like Gleneagles.”

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland is a true fairy tale.

🌴 Sugar Beach was the perfect balance of what the kids wanted and what the parents wanted.

🇮🇹 Sirmione felt like a hidden gem — and was one of the most charming towns of the trip.

🇮🇪 For my outdoorsy clients, Ireland’s West Coast was the clear favorite.

And sometimes it really does come down to the hotel: dreamy settings, spacious suites, private pools and the kind of five-star service that makes you feel genuinely special.

These are the details I love hearing about when my clients come home — and the ones I tuck away for the next traveler.

Where have you stayed that had you Googling your return trip before you even got home?

When you’re heading somewhere new, what’s one of the first things you do?You ask your friends who have been there.Where ...
08/12/2026

When you’re heading somewhere new, what’s one of the first things you do?

You ask your friends who have been there.

Where did you stay? What did you love? What would you skip? And what do you wish someone had told you before you went?

That’s why client feedback is such an important part of how I plan travel.

When my clients return, I want to know what worked, what surprised them and what they’d do differently. It helps me continue to refine and perfect their future trips based on what I’ve learned about them—and gives my other clients access to firsthand insight from well-traveled people with similarly high standards.

It’s the kind of context you just can’t get from a Google review.

So, I’m sharing some of my favorite takeaways from my clients’ summer travels.

This is Part One. There was way too much good stuff for one post, so stay tuned for Part Two.

Where can I send you?

You don’t need a plan, just a place you’ve been dreaming about. Let’s start there.

BespokeTravel TravelBetter TravelTips TravelInspiration VacationPlanning

Midsummer is its own kind of magic. ☀️ And I’ve got all the insight and recommendations to make the most of it. My next ...
07/24/2026

Midsummer is its own kind of magic. ☀️ And I’ve got all the insight and recommendations to make the most of it.

My next newsletter is packed with VIP partners worth knowing, offers worth acting on, and a few things worth dreaming about.

Link in bio to read, subscribe, explore, and reach out.

Summertime, and we make planning easy. ✨

Aman at Sea Lefay Resorts & Residences Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort One&Only Portonovi Park Hyatt Aviara Viking

Seven hotels. One island.On my recent trip to St. Barths, I stayed at three hotels and toured four more so I know exactl...
07/20/2026

Seven hotels. One island.

On my recent trip to St. Barths, I stayed at three hotels and toured four more so I know exactly which hotel fits each type of traveler—not just what’s popular.

🌿 Le Toiny – My recommendation for honeymooners or anyone seeking complete privacy. Every suite has a large private pool (not just a plunge pool), making it feel incredibly exclusive and romantic.

🤍 Cheval Blanc – Ultra-luxury at its finest. Perfect for those who appreciate beautiful design, a spectacular resort pool, one of the island’s best sandy beaches, and a quieter, more refined atmosphere.

✨ Eden Rock – For travelers who want the absolute best of the best. If you love being in the heart of the action with an incredible beach, vibrant atmosphere, and impeccable service, this is it.

🎾 Rosewood Le Guanahani – Ideal for guests looking for a true resort experience. It’s the only hotel on the island with its own tennis court, has a beautiful tropical setting, and its calm lagoon is perfect for families with young children.

🌊 Le Barthélemy – The hotel that surprised me the most. The service was exceptional, and I loved its beautiful beachfront location. If Eden Rock or Cheval Blanc are beyond your budget but you still want a luxurious beachfront resort with outstanding service, this is where I’d point you first.

🏙️ Fouquet’s – A great choice for travelers who have been to St. Barths before and/or insist on staying in Gustavia. You’ll be within walking distance of fabulous shopping, restaurants, and the harbor. Just know the hotel sits on a hill, so it requires good mobility and a willingness to get your heart rate up if you plan to walk to and from town.

🌴 Tropical – A fun boutique option for younger honeymooners or those seeking a more approachable price point. Not ultra-luxury, but a great fit for the right traveler.

The best hotel in St. Barths is simply the one that fits you best. That’s where firsthand experience makes all the difference.

Which one would you choose?

ChevalBlanc EdenRockStBarths LeToiny LeBarthelemy Fouquets LuxTravelByMelissa

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