Jacqui Luxury Travel

12/10/2024

Top 10 hotels in Asia and Africa that I am looking forward to:

1. Capella Kyoto - great brand and location in the heart of Kyoto.
2. Park Hyatt Johannesburg
3. Cheval Blanc Seychelles (just opened last week!)
4. Aman Bangkok - another new beautiful city for Aman.
5. Park Hyatt Phu Quoc
6. Fregate Private Island Seychelles
7. Mbamba Natural Selection Okavango Delta Botswana - another terrific option in the Delta.
8. The Oberoi Melouk and Malakai, Luxury Nile Dahabeyas - the most luxurious option yet to sail down the Nile.
9. Rosewood Miyakojima Japan - a beach front resort for Japan.
10. Park Hyatt Tokyo - a complete redo of the iconic hotel.

12/07/2024

We always need a good excuse for a quick trip to Europe… the top 10 European Hotel openings in 2025 that we are looking forward to…
1. The Rosewood Chancery on Grosvenor Square with 11 new restaurants and bars! 2. Hotel Danieli Venezia, a Four Seasons Hotel. A much needed redo and rebranding with a beautiful rooftop.
3. Mandarin Oriental Cristallo Cortina. Just in time for the Winter Olympics 2026 and ski season.
4. Four Seasons Mykonos - just another reason for a few days in Mykonos!
5. The Carlton Milan by the Rocco Forte Group
6. Collegio Alla Querce by Auberge Collection in Florence, Italy
7. Rosewood Amsterdam
8. Aman Rosa Alpina - a complete ground up redo of this Dolomites classic.
9. Six Senses Lisbon
10. Cambridge House London by Auberge Hotels

12/06/2024

I love end of year lists... especially lists of new hotels that are opening in 2025! 10 North American Hotels that are on my list for next year...

1. Four Seasons Belize
2. Rosewood Mandarina
3. Montage Exuma Cay
4. Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
5. One & Only Moonlight Basin Big Sky
6. Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol
7. Four Seasons Cartagena
8. The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach - Oetker Sister Property to Eden Roc
9. Waldorf Astoria and Ritz Carlton Reserve Costa Rica
10. Peter Island Resort

12/03/2024

I love end of year lists... especially lists of new hotels that are opening in 2025! 10 North American Hotels that are on my list for next year...

1. Four Seasons Belize
2. Rosewood Mandarina
3. Montage Exuma Cay
4. Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
5. One & Only Moonlight Basin Big Sky
6. Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol
7. Four Seasons Cartagena
8. The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach - Oetker Sister Property to Eden Roc
9. Waldorf Astoria and Ritz Carlton Reserve Costa Rica
10. Peter Island Resort

12/03/2024

I love end of year lists… especially lists of new hotels that are opening in 2025! 10 North American Hotels that are on my list for next year…

1. Four Seasons Belize
2. Rosewood Mandarina
3. Montage Exuma Cay
4. Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
5. One & Only Moonlight Basin Big Sky
6. Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol
7. Four Seasons Cartagena
8. The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach - Oetker Sister Property to Eden Roc
9. Waldorf Astoria and Ritz Carlton Reserve Costa Rica
10. Peter Island Resort

10/24/2024

I had the opportunity to stay for two nights after the Dolomites last week. This family owned hotel in the heart of Tuscany was the perfect spot to revel in the beauty of Autumn in the Tuscany hills. The working farm, Michelin restaurants, glorious spa with home made products and excellent accommodations, and service make this a terrific stop on any Italy journey. We biked, cooked, and had the opportunity to explore the farm to table workshops, beautiful setting, and local feel of the destination. 90 minutes south of Florence, this destination hotel was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the immersive Tuscan experience.

10/22/2024

I was honored to spend time last week .dolomites celebrating another year of , the entire management team of and the special relationship with and the passionate hoteliers they represent. Being in the Dolomites was magical - I can’t wait to return for both ski season and summertime. Hiking or snow sports, spa treatments and delicious food make this unique hotel and destination a current ‘must visit’ on anyone’s Italy hotel list. Thank you Teresa, Stefan, , , and the entire team. Spacial thanks to , , , and and the magic of Smartflyer for all you do throughout the year and to make this extraordinary trip happen! And thank you as always to my very special clients whose trust I value every day!

10/06/2024

This past week, we snuck away for a fun few days in Paris .This boutique gem, a few steps from the Seine on the Left Bank, opened in 2019 and has been getting rave reviews ever since. The service was perfect - knowing we were taking the day time flight (never done that before!) they anticipated our late night arrival and asked us to preorder a delicious late night supper from their in house . The rooms were very well appointed and our suites were beautiful, comfortable, chic and stylish. There is a small but efficient gym, pool and spa, and every nook in the lobby was well thought out, beautifully designed and accessorized with stylish furnishings, books and objects - inviting their guests to stop and linger. I will be back, but next time, I will stay for longer - explore the neighborhood and linger even longer in the beautiful spaces of this gem!

09/27/2024

I spent the last few days with Four Seasons senior management, General Managers, and Directors of Sales at the Four Seasons Preferred Partner Insider event. This was an invite only gathering for top agents to spend quality time with the hotel teams from all the top Four Seasons where our clients travel. We discovered the goal of Four Seasons marketing - “Lighthearted Luxury”. We learned about exciting upcoming openings - NYC 57th street later this year, Cartagena (2025) Danieli in Venice (2025) Naples Florida (2025) Puglia (2026) Rome and more on the horizon… And we reconnected with colleagues and fellow agents from Four Seasons, Smartflyer, and within the industry. And of course discovered the total beauty of Wyoming in the Fall. 🍂🍁🍂

09/22/2024

Imagine spending the day hiking in the mountains around Palm Springs and the night eating Nobu sushi. What could be better? Having just returned from , I was excited to see an email from about their new hiking retreat appear in my inbox!

Sensei Porcupine Ranch opened last year in conjunction with in Hawaii and in partnership with the team. They have now announced their first ever Hiking retreat- ‘where awe-inspiring terrain, restorative spa treatments, private wellbeing 1:1s, and like-minded adventure and wellness enthusiasts come together to create a five-day hiking retreat…’

The team at Sensei is starting off 2025 with an intimate hiking and wellness retreat with the Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree National Park as the backdrop. Geared towards intermediate and advanced hikers, guests will follow Sensei Guides as they explore the hiking trails in the mountains surround the retreat.

And of course with each day full of hiking and exploration, there is also ample time for rest and pampering. On Sensei’s private desert estate, guests can enjoy the various wellbeing services including two 60-minute spa treatments of choice, an expert wellbeing consultation, open-sky meditation, aquatic yoga, and guided vision boarding. Guests may also enjoy Sensei by Nobu, an exclusive dining experience combining the Sensei health philosophy with beloved Nobu dishes. And each day ends in your room of choice—an estate room, a casita, or standalone villa—ensuring that you feel as if you are in your own personal haven.

The Sensei Coachella Valley Hiking Retreat will perfectly set the tone for the new year. Mark your calendars for January 16 - January 20, 2025 and prepare to enter a wellbeing sanctuary and health oasis.

09/17/2024

Last week we celebrated a milestone Bday by going to , a bucket list experience that we really enjoyed. Not only did I go with an amazing friend, but we got lucky and found ourselves surrounded by 28 other like minded women looking for the same things we were - health, happiness and a few days of hiking, spa-ing and finding our new wellness selves after a happy summer of indulgence. I had heard scary stories about no coffee and 5 almonds, but was pleasantly surprised at how easy the entire experience seemed to be. The hikes were moderate and you could easily stop at two hours or continue for a more challenging four hours at whatever speed suited you. The food was very tasty and somewhat abundant, and yes, there was coffee as well as endless amounts of various teas. Less than an hour from Manhattan, this beautiful decorated Manor House was extremely comfortable and a treat to immerse yourself in. The lower level holds multiple treatment rooms for the daily, included massages and extra add on treatments like acupuncture, colonics and IV treatments. In addition to daily, included stretch classes, yoga and meditation. This unique wellness/hiking retreat is unique here on the East Coast and a huge welcome.

08/22/2024

There are so many amazing hotel options in Rome, but the one I am most intrigued and excited about is the new .talia , a new 5 ⭐️ boutique property in the heart of the city. The reviews have been glowing - “10/10” “perfect combination of luxury and heritage with just the best service from a fully engaged staff”. The spaces are stunning, artfully designed with every detail throughout. With a shiny new spa, gym and wellness area, this centuries old palazzo combines the best of the old world with modern amenities. There is an incredible bar, beautiful and dramatic staircase, original frescos, beautiful bathrooms with every possible amenity, and a design driven restaurant, Tramae that is supposed to be delicious. And, it’s relatively well priced! On my next visit to Rome I will be staying at Palazo Talia.

08/07/2024

For years I have been curious about or Epi1959 situated on Pampelonne Beach amidst many of our favorite beach clubs in St Tropez. Not only is Jon McEnroe the face of the property and its intense tennis program, but for a few years it was solely a private club with limited access. Those lucky enough to stay in one of their 9 cabanas over the years always came home with glowing reviews. Finally, our clients again have access to this super chic St. Tropez beach front gem!

07/30/2024

We just checked out from our delightful 5 day stay at the beautiful . This small but mighty seaside hotel, just steps from the heart of St Tropez is a beautiful base to explore the area. The benefit of being right on the sea, with their beach at your doorstep eliminates the ‘early’ morning rush to beach clubs and enables lazy days amidst the hustle and bustle of this busy region. Of course, the excellent concierge team arranged festive lunches and dinners. I loved this fun family time!

07/01/2024

This past Saturday’s Wall Street Jornal dubbed Nice the “sexiest, most fun-loving destination in France,”. They go on to detail all that is new in this sure easy destination. Of course the multiple nonstop flights from the tri-state area make a long weekend in Nice doable. If you’re still looking for travel plans this summer - add Nice to your shortlist.

My pick to stay is the brand new Hotel du Covet - a 17th century convent turned 88 room luxury hotel. Covet lies in the heart of old town Nice, and offers antique filled rooms with views of the Mediterranean sea, Roman baths with thermal treatments, a movement studio, lap pools, 4 restaurants, an on-site herbalist, and so much more. It just opened in June after a meticulous renovation and is also part of Marriot’s Luxury Collection. This chic new gem is a great spot to explore Nice and up and down the coast!

05/22/2024

I have stayed in every Beverly Hills hotel multiple times over the years…my last two stays were right in the heart of Beverly Hills, walkable to the shops and restaurants (and my moms house!) it’s old world charm, extremely attentive service, rooftop pool and spa, vibrant art filled breakfast dining room and cozy bar make this a perfect home away from home! Thank you for helping to make my brief visit luxurious and easy!

05/22/2024

05/15/2024

I can go back to Greece year after year…but, we have all been to Mykonos, Santorini and Athens - so what’s next??! I am excited about the opening of on the secluded island of Folengandros. They describe it as ‘Raw Luxury’ - set high on rugged soaring cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. When you need a little R & R post the party scene on other islands this is the place. With holistic wellness, delicious local food, lots of hiking and enjoying the natural beauty this is on my short list of new Greece hotels!