Domaine des Hauts de Loire

Nestled quietly between the vineyards of the lush Loire Valley just two hours outside Paris is Domaine des Hauts de Loire. Once upon a time this historic Chateau functioned as a prestigious hunting lodge but has since been turned into a true tranquil escape made for a princess. From the swans to the sweeping forest surrounding the chateau it is the perfect place to be charmed by nature in the comfort of French luxury. The property has two restaurants on site, a formal gastronomic with one of the most spectacular meals I have had in France, and a modern day bistro serving updated twists on classic comfort food. Many of the vegetables come from the garden on the property or from local artisan purveyors. 

If you choose to venture outside the property you will find it is perfectly situated between some of the highlights of the Loire Valley such as the beautiful river crossing Chateau de Chenonceau and the world renowned modern art and sculpture collection of the The Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Perhaps though, the highlight for me was taking private French cooking lessons at the property with two Michelin star chef, Rémy Giraud, who runs both kitchens at the domaine. It was such a treat, such a special moment and I took away with me recipes I will create forever! You can see and learn the recipes I shared here

An easy escape from Paris by car or train for those seeking some nature and rest in France’s Garden of Eden. 

Hôtel du Marc

For nearly two centuries, Hôtel du Marc has been a private oasis for guests of the champagne house, Veuve Clicquot. Constructed in 1840, this historic building in the heart of Reims, France has survived two world wars, the first leaving visual pockmarks on the building’s façades. While having been in the family’s possession since 1840 the maison underwent a four year renovation project to update the home with both traditional grandeur and modern day connivence and story telling. A perfect example of this is the ombré carpet on the grand staircase which is made to symbolize the wine making process from the chalky soil of the Champagne region of France to the deep burgundy red color of the pinot noir grapes used to create the house’s signature yellow label brut champagne. 

I found myself here commissioned with Kevin Burg to create videos for the brand in celebration of La Grande Dame which pays homage to the “Grande Dame de la Champagne,” Madame Clicquot who took over her husband’s wine making business at the age of 27 when he left her widowed in 1804. She turned a humble wine making venture into one of the first brands to develop the champagne technique and the rest is history. 

Though it bears “hotel” in the name, sadly it is not in the traditional sense of the word. The property is used privately by Veuve Clicquot to host friends, events, press, and business partners of the label so you can imagine how special it was to step inside such an exclusive place at the heart of the brand. 

You can see the short videos we created and get a more intimate peek inside here

 

Camellas-Lloret

Taking a break from Provence’s summer heat, I wanted some time to explore the Languedoc region in the South of France alongside the Pyrenees Mountains. What I found was a perfect little five bedroom- 18th-century bed and breakfast located in Cathare village of Montréal called Camellas-Lloret. It was so wonderful one day I didn’t even leave at all, just lounging in the communal living room, having rosé in the walled garden, soaking in my clawfoot tub, napping under a linen canopy. It was beautiful, peaceful, spacious… so wonderful I even stayed an extra night.

This place is the perfect example of French unrefined elegance. White washed walls, a play on textures, linen sofas, uneven terra-cotta tiles, antique sculptures next to modern photography art, stone fountains overgrown with ivy, with every door and window open letting the outside in and inside out. This place is the vision of Annie and Colin Moore, an American and a South African who fell in love on an overnight train from Paris to Rome and years later still dream and play with one another. Annie is one of those women who seems to be good at everything. Interior design, making clothing, creating the linen canopy you’ll see in photos below, making photographs, social media, and cooking. My god cooking. She was almost always in the kitchen. The “breakfast” part of bed and breakfast turned into two more home cooked meals for dinner and some plum cake for the road. I couldn’t help myself. Colin sent us off each day with a hand drawn map of the day’s destinations, to the perfect brewery, farm stand, castles, and restaurants. I felt so taken care of, it was hard to leave….

Camellaw-Lloret was featured in the new Wabi-Sabi Welcome book on organic beauty and entertaining with ease.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

Needless to say, any time you stay at the Four Seasons it is a special experience. From the fireworks of floral displays to the historic chandeliers reflected in the perfectly polished marble, each property seems to be fit for royalty which is precisely who walks through the doors here. The Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva is the sparkling jewel of Geneva. Of the many times I have visited this wonderful city for work I have always made a point to either dine at one of their restaurants or have a cocktail at the bar just to visit the timeless glamour of their world. It was such a treat on my weekend getaway to spend a few nights in what I think is the best hotel in Geneva.

*Practical information- Just a 9 minute walk from the train station, the location is perfect for exploring the city. You can easily catch a water taxi, dinner cruise, city tram or walk to many of the hip neighborhoods of Geneva right outside the hotel entrance. One of my favorite places to eat in Geneva is at Izumi which is on the rooftop of the Four Seasons. The hotel has a beautiful indoor pool, fitness center and amazing spa. I had perhaps one of the best Thai massages of my life here! A speciality of the spa. 

See more about Geneva in my guide!  

Villa La Coste

When I think of Provence I typically think of gorgeous old Chateaus framed at the end of arching tree lined entrances so you can imagine how curious I was when I heard about Villa La Coste, a brand new 28 suite luxury hotel developed by Patrick McKillen. The new resort sits on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding 600-acre estate, Chateau La Coste, which is a pubic destination with an esteemed art and architecture park set amongst organic vineyards, olive orchards, wine production and amazing new restaurants. 

I honestly did not know what to expect driving up. This was not the Provence I had envisioned… and what a wonderful surprise it became to discover. Winding through the vineyards up to the top of the hill, the sleek resort set into the surrounding landscape with its minimal design made from the natural materials of the region reminded me more of an Aman than a Provencal hotel. The room, OMG the room, was one of the top hotel rooms I’ve ever experienced. First, it feels like you have your very own petite house. You enter through your private fount yard (where I shot this) with an olive tree and wall of roses catching the first glimpses inside through the wall of windows. The interior is bathed in airy white furniture and linens, so chic and effortless looking that I feel as if they are redefining a new French look for the modern world. It was so beautiful I never wanted to leave… though I’ve been saying that a lot though recently. However, the main piece of art in this luxury art destination is not something created by man but the incredible panoramic view off your private terrace of the Luberon Natural Park. Watching the sunrise from bed through the floor to ceiling windows of this view was one of my greatest pleasures to date living in the South of France. 

I awoke with the light, took a walk through the vineyard below, spent the day photographing, drinking rosé and toasting to the new vision for Provence that is Villa La Coste

Practical information- This is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or special occasion especially considering the nightly rate. They have a pool, built in USB chargers throughout the room, and is an easy walk to all the restaurants, art, and activities of Chateau La Coste which the staff is more than happy to drive you to and from as well. However, if you can not stay overnight at the Villa La Coste, you can still enjoy the day at Chateau La Coste. They have a wine making tour and tasting (their sparkling rosé has since become our favorite drink of the summer!), an  art and architecture tour, musical performances as well as multiple restaurants to dine in. Most recently the South American chef Francis Mallmann opened his restaurant on the property bringing his signature Asado style of cooking over an open flame to the South of France. It was incredible… everything at La Coste is incredible. 

In post wearing a white linen dress by Reformation, cream handkerchief dress by DÔEN, and black button up dress by Mara Hoffman.

Le Vieux Castillon

I feel as if I could spend years exploring just the South of France alone, each ancient hilltop town with their own special flavor and way of life. On the journey to experience Pont du Gard we stayed at the Le Vieux Castillon, a newly renovated hotel in a historic Renaissance setting in the heart of the medieval village Castillon-du-Gard. An interesting property, the very clean and modern rooms are divided out into a maze of connected buildings, former homes from the 15th century, leaving you to discover many quiet gardens and shaded seating areas under ancient olive trees. The most spectacular aspect to this boutique hotel is the pool. From the highest hilltop plateau you are surrounded by endless views of the countryside dotted by vineyards below. It’s incredible. A perfect place to watch the sunrise, to cool off in the heat of the day, or have an evening cocktail as the sky turns blue reflecting off the water. While a great pool is a major perk in Provence, what you don’t expect is the very friendly hotel birds there at the front desk to greet you upon arrival. I had such a good time letting them walk all over me even at the expense of having my hair chewed on. 

Additional Information – It’s a great place to stay if you are looking to explore Pont du Gard, Uzès, or Nîmes. Behind the cafe next to the church in town, you’ll know what I mean when you arrive, there is a great distant view of Pont du Gard. There is also a wonderful ancient stone walking path down the hill into the valley that spills out into beautiful, quiet, vineyards. Wonderful to explore, especially early in the morning. 

The hotel also has a chic Bistronomic restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating all tucked around Renaissance charm. 

Below, moments from my stay at Le Vieux Castillon in a white dress by Mes Demoiselle Paris, black swimsuit inspired by French linen undergarments by Lonely, black Bardot neck jumpsuit by Paloma Wool, and red silk scarf by Les Belles Heures

Le Mas de Peint

There is more to the South of France than vineyards and lavender fields, I have come to find out. Recently I experienced an entirely new landscape of the Camargue region which is a flat wetland between the Mediterranean and the Rhône river, not unlike the Everglades in Florida. It’s a totally different landscape known for it’s flamingos, rice fields, salts, bulls and most famously, white horses. This led me to doorstep of Le Mas de Peint, a family run hotel in a 17th-century farmhouse renovated into 13 guest rooms decorated in Provençal style in the heart of the Camargue.

It honestly does not get more authentic than this. Durning our first night there over dinner of a seasonal Provençal cuisine set in the old kitchen, this French cowboy comes up to our table to introduce himself. His name is Frederic Bon, the son of born cattleman Jacques Bon, who has taken over the expansive property he was born and raised on which includes managing rice fields and ranching. He is proud and humble, as I find people who work so closely with nature to be. After a long discussion over the history of the family and farmhouse we arranged for a morning ride to see his bulls herds he raises, the famous white horses and peaceful rice fields. Horseback riding is one of my favorite ways to explore a country’s terroir as I discovered in Argentina and Patagonia

Practical information- The hotel only has 13 rooms so it’s important to plan your visit. You can arrange excursions such as horse back riding or a 4 wheel drive tour. The property has a large pool, wifi, and an amazing restaurant with a menu that changes daily based on what is in season and from the garden. The most important thing to remember is bug spray though! 

Chateau des Alpilles

Chateau des Alpilles is a historic chateau in the heart of Provence in the south of France. A family run property by three generations of women fills your soul with warmth as you drive up the tree lined entrance. It’s insanely beautiful. It’s perfectly French. It’s the kind of spot where you sit with a glass of rosé and listen to the sound of the birds, touch your fingers into the soft stream of water gliding into the beautiful stone pond, and watch the light dance through the ancient trees. It feels as if time stopped here. As if nothing bad could ever happen or has happened. The world is still a magical place, the roses are in bloom… this is the Provence I dreamed of. 

Practical information: It’s a boutique hotel with only a handful of rooms which I love because it keeps the place intimate, however, best to book in advance. You can choose from the main Chateau or there are multiple other historic buildings around the property they have converted into rooms. You can stay in the old Chapel or the building once used to bake the bread and do the laundry.  Even if you are not staying at the hotel consider coming for a meal. You can dine in one of their formal dining rooms under chandeliers or my favorite, outside with the beautiful light and view of the Chateau. You must make a reservation as they only seat around 75 persons for service but I highly recommend it. The food is incredible, especially their signature shrimp salad! Below wearing a chambray dress by Sea New York.

Click any image to see it full size! 

Hotel Mont Blanc

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Originally built in 1849, Hotel Mont Blanc was one of the first of four hotels in the small french ski town of Chamonix nestled in the valley of the majestic Mont Blanc. Over 150 years later and after a recent extensive renovation, this boutique luxury hotel is the perfect balance of classical French design and modern flare. 

We arrived late in the night under a blanket of darkness. It was one of those moonless nights where you could only see what was illuminated by the car headlights. I’ve traveled to some winter wonderlands before but nothing prepared me for the breathtaking view that emerged in that blue tinted early morning light outside our suite’s window as the blanket of darkness drew back behind the mountains. A complete vertical wall of forested, snow covered, mountains wrapped around us jetting out of the ground with magnificent force. In the valley around us, a condensed ski village with plumes of white chimney smoke smudging away the differences between man and nature.

Setting out on an adventure we took the Aiguille du Midi cable cars with their 20 minute sheer vertical climb to the top of Aiguilles de Chamonix where you stand breathless with views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. It’s the highest point in the world that can be accessed by cable car. The air was thin and very very cold, and each step was dizzying and had an unnatural feeling to it as if, for a moment, you could experience what it must be like to be a bird looking down on all the world. Of course the skiing is amazing, and though we didn’t have time, the glacier views I hear are also not to be missed.

After setting out each day it was always a warm welcome coming back to the Hotel Mont Blanc. It’s really the kind of hotel I prefer: boutique in size, historic importance to the location, modern renovations for comfort and exceptional food. If you find yourself in Chamonix, even if you don’t stay here, you must eat at the Le Matafan. Wonderful.

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A night at the Le Bristol

A stay at the historic Le Bristol Hotel Paris.

I was so thrilled last week to attend the book launch of fashion illustrator Megan Hess at the Le Bristol Hotel in the heart of Paris. Her new book “New York through the Fashion Eye” was a wonderful walk down memory lane for me with all the sparkle and glamour that makes New York the fashion capital it is. Flipping through the book brought back a rush of memories and made me, for a moment, homesick for the city that had become my adopted hometown.  Even as I spend this extended time in France, I do still feel like a New Yorker and this book was a reminder of all the beauty she bestows.

The fashionable event was held at the historic Le Bristol Paris, a five star luxury hotel in operation since 1925 and is one of my absolute favorite Parisian hotels. The hotel is part of the Oetker Collection which has announced the Australian born illustrator as their ongoing artist in residence and will be traveling the world to all Oetker properties creating exclusive fashion and lifestyle illustrations for the luxury brand.

After the event I checked into my room on the 8th floor. Always breathtaking, the Le Bristol is classically French from the linens and drapes to the Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture and of course, the Eiffel Tower views her windows gaze out upon. What The Carlyle Hotel is to New York, the Le Bristol is to Paris…. that perfectly Parisian dream.

A stay at the historic Le Bristol Hotel Paris. A stay at the historic Le Bristol Hotel Paris. A stay at the historic Le Bristol Hotel Paris. Continue reading “A night at the Le Bristol”

The Four Seasons Hotel George V

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Up, up and away we go around the world. Here I am in Paris, a city of never-ending inspiration for me. The past month I have been to Bali, Maine, New York, GermanyReims, Provence and my favorite city on earth ‘bien sur’, Paris.

There is something about her perfect corridors and boulevards that simply takes my eyes down an endless journey of dreams. There are so many reasons why I love Paris, but mostly it is because she can leave you feeling enchanted, eyes wide open, like watching a beautiful ballerina floating weightless, as if being held up by the dancing musical notes projected from the orchestra below.

In my memories of Paris she remains this white coral shell, precious and valuable and under the full moonlight, absolutely glowing. I stood on the balcony of my Four Seasons Hotel George V suite, jetlagged from my marionetting around the world, and watched her there, quiet and asleep, and completely translucent from the night’s light. It is a gift of travel at times to deliver an altered view of life, be it warped time or foggy daydreams, that puts you in a place you might not have ever been mentally or physically and all the sudden, you see the world in a way that is neither familiar nor dishonest. You see the truth in the beauty of where your body rests at that moment, a clearer present, observing through a mirror that which will again disappear with time. When the lost hours of airplane travel caught up to me, I drifted to sleep wrapped in a French dream of crown modelings, baby blue brush strokes of color and ornately draped curtains whose edges giggled with a can-can line of tassels.

I can’t even remember arriving to Paris that day, having travelled for 24 hours. Did a driver pick me up or did I Uber? I don’t know. The first thing I do recall however, was walking into the lobby of the George V and being hit like a tidal wave of beauty with a wall of flowers exploding in crimson and purple, unforgiving and spellbinding. I gasped, my eyes awake for the first time in hours as I took off my sunglasses and did a full 360 degree turn absolutely breathless at the beauty of this hotel lobby. There are not a lot of hotels that are beautiful enough to distract you from the alluring fact that Paris herself is waiting. This is one of the exceptions. Like only a handful of other Parisian hotels, she is so ingrained in the history and culture of this city that being here feels just the same as being outside. As decadently rich as French culture.

Built in 1928, the Four Seasons Hotel George V is positioned in one of the most luxurious blocks of Paris. A stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées and the Effiel Tower, her location in the world is among the most prestigious. I felt like royalty swanning around her private balconies with the setting sun. Dining in her restaurants, the modern and feminine L’Orangerie, the elegant and traditional three Michelin starred Le Cinq with the most unforgettable “deconstructed French onion soup” paired with Madeira wine that imprinted my tastebuds so impactfully that I have literally dreamed about it since.

A moment ago I found myself in the glamorous world of the Four Seaons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat along the French Cote d’Azur. To sum up both experiences in one word: Loveliness. 

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Bulgari Resort Bali

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Standing elegantly off a cliff overlooking the endless Indian Ocean is the amazing Bulgari Resort Bali. It is a luxury resort balancing the natural elements and Balinese traditions with the sophistication of the Italian design house complete with an Italian restaurant so wonderful it was awarded ‘Best Hotel Restaurant in the World’ by International Food & Beverage Forum.

An amazing juxtaposition of private villas and sprawling mansions sound like a mega resort but that it is certainly not. It maintains a personal sense of privacy, and most importantly for me, peace all while making nature the greatest design element of all. The natural tones and traditional building elements sit the resort comfortably into the lush green and dramatic rocky cliff location.

I started each morning jetlagged at 5am, watching the colors of the sunrise fill the sky. Always first to breakfast, I would sit and have a traditional Balinese soup of chicken broth and noodles with mixed vegetables (and A LOT of spice) to the distant sound of the ocean crashing below. Lunches down by the beach consisted of fresh squeezed juices and light fish while the afternoons were perfectly filled with dips in our private pool before a 4pm walk around the property looking for the resident monkeys to see what trouble they were getting into.

This is my second time visiting Bali. What draws one here mostly, in my opinion, is the culture. The peacefulness of the people and the spirit of the ones who have moved here to be closer to it. Yoga, organic juices, and nature are the commodities of Bali, and are served up here at Bulgari in this beautiful setting. On my first visit to Bali I explored all over the island from hiking to the the top of a volcano to shooting on the black sand beaches and sleeping in a structure made of entirely bamboo. Though on this trip we did venture out to Ubud, mostly I just wanted to stay here at the resort. The beauty and calm is what my soul needed.

So here is to another amazing experience on this little island on the Indian Ocean… 

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Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmo Live

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One of the highlights of our Swedish trip was a stay at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live. This new and glittering glass tower is not typically the type of accommodation I go for but they really nailed it on the decor. Once you are inside, the wrap-around floor to ceiling views over the entire city of Malmö and her ports is breathtaking. We watched the sun set every evening into the ocean behind a magical dance of ever changing Swedish skies and mapped out the neighborhoods we wanted to discover on foot, just a short walk from the hotel.

One of the most fun features is the restaurant on the top floor created by New York City chef (who we shot for a Tiffany & Co. campaign!) Marcus Samuelsson who was born in Africa, raised in Sweden and now lives in Harlem. The food here at Kitchen & Table, like Marcus, is bright, eccentric and delicious.  Even if you are not staying at the hotel, I would highly recommend a dinner here just to take in the views while you dine.

Plush velvet couches, insane bed lines, and fresh flowers in all the rooms made this hotel stay feel more like luxury apartment living than wayward traveler passing through. This really was the jewel of Malmö.

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Above, wearing new pants by Swedish designer HOPE

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