Winter Travel Destinations

Peaceful afternoons in front of a roaring fire as fluffy snow flurries whirl outside are a superlative pastime of winter. While one can enjoy this divergently beautiful scene anywhere that the seasons change, there are few reigning cold-weather destinations as prevailing as Aspen, Park City and Alaska.

Although these three destinations are headlined by winter sports, return visitors will verify that it’s not all about carving up the mountains; there’s plenty to do off the slopes, too. From sleigh rides drawn by horses or huskies to integrative wellness spas and ice fishing, read on to discover how to spend your days from AM to après.

Aspen

This Colorado ski town is notorious for its four mountains—Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass—that provide 5,700-plus acres of skiable terrain, all within a few miles radius. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Aspen appeals for its lift-accessed backcountry skiing, European-style hut tours (skiing from hut to hut), ski mountaineering and snowcat-assisted day excursions. The variety of mountain activities doesn’t end at skiing and snowboarding, however, as Aspen hosts season-long Champagne-soaked après ski parties across the four mountains—from base restaurants to peak pop-ups. Another leisurely way to enjoy the mountain is dog sledding with Krabloonik, a local operator that hosts morning, afternoon and twilight dog sled tours that wind through Snowmass backcountry. The sleds are pulled by eight to 10 Alaskan husky sleigh dogs, guided by an experienced musher, that can carry two adults and a small child.

Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection

A staple of any luxury ski town is a lavish spa to match, and that’s exactly what RAKxa Wellness Spa offers inside The St. Regis Aspen Resort. This outpost of the integrated wellness company is outfitted with its signature cold plunge, steam room, hot tub and confluence waterfalls with exclusive treatments that range from destressing and detoxing to physical recovery and immunity support.

The Little Nell

The Little Nell is heralded as the Grand Dame of Aspen for its ski-in, ski-out access to Aspen Mountain, award-winning food and beverage program and sprawling rooms with balconies overlooking the slopes. Perks of checking into The Little Nell during winter include access to a ski concierge, a “first tracks” opportunity to carve on freshly groomed corduroy top-to-bottom runs on Aspen Mountain before it opens to the public, luxury ski rentals in collaboration with ASPENX, and unparalleled access to their Veuve Clicquot in the Snow après-ski parties. Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, is another beloved Aspen accommodation. Aside from their spacious suites with alpine views, the resort offers unique winter tours like an off-road journey through the Rocky Mountains in their Lexus Alpine Adventure Vehicle. Closer to town, guests can forge their own high carbon steel blade knife with a master artisan, try their hand at curling or a snowmobile to Maroon Bells.

Alaska

Sheldon Chalet

In the frozen tundra of The Last Frontier, it’s impossible to nail down just one must-visit locale. Therefore, the best way to immerse yourself in all Alaska has to offer is through a guided journey, like a day trip with Alaska Luxury Tours which offers yacht and helicopter charters for glacial viewing. For a more complete itinerary, go with Abercrombie & Kent, the luxury tour operator that runs small group journeys and tailor-made multi-day trips through the state. Adventure skiers will want to take advantage of Alaska’s unparalleled terrain (with 1,000-plus inches of snow per year) by booking a heliskiing experience with Black Ops or Majestic. Both operators can arrange lodging for a complete trip or one-offs for beginners to learn how to drop in.

Sheldon Chalet

For a more leisurely way to appreciate the scenery, seek out a journey on the Aurora Winter Train, which whisks passengers along glaciated landscapes from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, Hurricane and Healy along the way.

Aurora Winter Train – Kerry Tasker 1

Settle in and stay awhile in one destination and still experience the variety of Alaskan pursuits. Fairbanks’ Aurora Villa and Yukon’s Northern Lights Resort offer a natural habitat for viewing the dancing pastels of the Aurora Borealis. In Girdwood, Alyeska Resort is poised on 1,610 skiable acres, with terrain ranging from alpine bowls to tree skiing. For something unique, Alyeska offers ice-fishing for Alaskan Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden on their frozen lake. In the secluded Denali National Park, Sheldon Chalet presents a powdery playground for serious skiers. And for those who solely want to soak it all in, Chena Hot Springs is your locale for a rest and retreat in the geothermal, mineral spring waters.

Deer Valley & Park City

Montage Deer Valley

As if hitting the slopes in Utah’s mountain towns isn’t epic enough, visitors can actually upgrade that experience by skiing with an Olympic champion. As part of its Ski with a Champion programming, Deer Valley offers half- and full-day adventures for individuals, families or small groups that are accompanied by one of six Olympic snowsport athletes. Aside from a once-in-a-lifetime session on the mountain, the program includes access to the ski school lane at all chairlifts to reap the most time on the slopes as possible. Another extreme offering: Powderbird’s heliski excursions through the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. They are the only outfitter in Utah permitted to ski on United States Forest Service land, which grants access to a skiable area larger than all of the state’s ski resorts combined. On the note of exclusivity, The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge is Utah’s only Forbes five-star spa. The European-inspired spa uses the likes of heated quartz, whisky scrub and hot river stones to customize their specialty treatments.

The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge

Culinary and wine connoisseurs will appreciate the variety of elevated dining experiences throughout Park City. Two standouts include The Mariposa for six- to eight-course tasting menus and an impressive wine cellar as well as The Snowed Inn Sleigh Company sleigh ride dinner, which starts with a horse-drawn sleigh ride to the Park City Mountain Resort lodge where a fine dining experience awaits, accompanied by live music.

In the heart of Deer Valley and only a 10-minute drive to Park City, Montage Deer Valley boasts a most convenient location. The luxury lodging is equipped with the Montage’s signature spa, as well as a variety of social nooks for après, from slopeside outdoor fire pits to a ski-in, ski-out tented lounge. The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, is another opulent accommodation within the Park City radius. Standout amenities include 3,500 acres of private skiing and an exclusive mountaintop yurt in partnership with The Macallan for the 2024-2025 season. The fire-warmed Speyside Yurt will feature a hifi listening experience alongside The Macallan single malt whisky flights and bespoke cocktails using ingredients straight from the resort’s on-property sustainable farm.

For more destinations like these, check out our travel section here.

The post Snowy Spotlight appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Basking under the Mediterranean sun on ruby- or white-sand beaches, Greece’s Cycladic Islands possess the power to transport travelers’ minds a world away. Yet, its most popular archipelagos of Santorini and Mykonos are no more than a 40-minute flight from the mainland. It’s this simultaneous exclusivity and accessibility that has long resulted in both islands becoming popular destinations for celebrities and savvy socialites.

The allure dates back to the late 1960s when luxury hotels began popping up on Mykonos. This was enough to attract the elite of Hollywood glamor, including Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly, which solidified the Cyclades as the new hotspot of the Mediterranean. Though tourism certainly proliferated throughout the islands over the past 50 years, there’s a reason why both Santorini and Mykonos, despite measures to try and persuade travelers to experience less-visited islands, continue to welcome swells of travelers and new hotel brands, alike. As resort towns in their truest form, meaning that the hotels, restaurants and key businesses are only open for the busy summer season, the Greek Islands promise a sense of singularity in time and place, which is appealing for the traveler ever-chasing one-of-a-kind experiences.

Santorini

A trip to Santorini would be incomplete without a day excursion to admire the island from the water. Inky blue waves lap at the unearthly volcanic cliff face jutting out from the depths of Santorini’s caldera. Red and black beaches line secluded inlets, sulfurous waters are warmed by the nearby active volcano, and the zig-zagging switchbacks of the isolated island of Thirasia—where the average lifespan of its 200 inhabitants is 90 years—might all be overlooked without this insider access.

While there is a slew of options from small motorboats to grander sailing vessels available to rent at the local marinas, the true luxury of a day charter around the islands comes in the form of a hotel-branded yacht as it waits to sweep guests away at a moment’s notice for excursions that range from half-day cruises to sunset sails. Katikies Santorini is one of the few resorts to offer this for guests in the form of a 63-foot Riva Vertigo motor yacht. A half-day itinerary around the Greek island is one of the popular itineraries that hotel guests can book to better appreciate the awe-inspiring terrain or to simply enjoy copious glasses of chilled Assyrtiko, Santorini’s native white wine, or diving in the Aegean Sea.

The yacht is also bookable to whisk guests away for a day on nearby Naxos or Folegandros, as well as on Paros and Antiparos. They also run private transfers from each of these locations, as well as from Mykonos, otherwise called the Island of the Winds (though there’s veracity to its breezy moniker, it may be more accurately labeled as the party island).

Mykonos

On Mykonos, Katikies features three categories of luxury villas that are the epitome of luxury. Their white-washed facades are in the island’s quintessential style, cascading over multiple levels down the arid hillside. They range from one- to three-bedroom villas that sprawl over multiple levels with spacious living rooms and private outdoor terraces outfitted with infinity pools and dark wooden furnishings and lightened by gauzy curtains and exposed white beams.

Regardless of the villa, the best part about this type of booking is the privacy it ensures. As a resort island, there’s no way around avoiding the buzz of Mykonos’ seasonal crowds. So having an exclusive space to retreat to where you can unwind at your leisure is a true luxury—that and the ensuing access. Villa guests receive priority access to all Katikies Mykonos’ restaurants, including the fine dining Botrini’s, an outpost of the Michelin-starred flagship in Athens.

When you’re feeling more social, the on-call concierge service will arrange any adventure you want throughout the island, from the popular beach clubs to Mykonos’ lesser explored farmland. Rizes Folklore Farmstead is an example of the latter. Literally stripping Mykonos back to its roots (the direct translation of Rizes), this family-owned farmstead features an authentic farm-to-table restaurant, sourcing produce like tomatoes, cucumbers and onions for the traditional Horiatiki (village) salad, served family-style alongside homemade pies, daily baked bread and underground baked meats. A reservation grants you access to the five acres that you can wander at your leisure, exploring the flourishing fruit trees and young vines, as well as the owners’ quaint quarters—popping into them under the summer sun confirms the practical use of limestone as a natural cooling agent.

Of course, for a more stereotypical scene, head to the beach club that started it all—Scorpios. Positioned on Mykonos’ southern peninsula, the club with its reverberating beats is the place to see and be seen, hosting internationally-acclaimed DJs who spin vinyl late into the evening, best complemented by a Scorpios spritz.

Katikies.com

For more destinations like these, check out our other features here!

The post Captivating Cyclades appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Pendry West Hollywood combines the best of locale and voguish luxury.

Spanning an entire city block along Los Angeles’ celebrated Sunset Strip, there’s plenty of room to play at the Pendry West Hollywood. In a city of crowds, the Pendry offers physical space — 149 guest rooms inclusive of 37 suites and 40 private residences spread over 456,000 square feet and 11 stories — but also numerous nooks that boast the focal offerings of the property, including a multi-purpose live entertainment venue, bowling alley, garden terrace, rooftop pool, and the brand’s signature Bar Pendry, a swoon-worthy hotel saloon wrapped in velour and marble.

With so many places to unwind, meticulous details may be overlooked, but as key contributors to the property’s flawless execution of all-encompassing hospitality, here are the must-knows about this design-forward, lifestyle hotel.

Location

Pendry West Hollywood’s prime real estate is at the heart of Sunset Boulevard, and It’s no secret that modern travelers seek access. Famed for its swanky dining, designer storefronts, and rocking nightlife, it’s become synonymous with socialites. Pendry West Hollywood embraces the reputation of its neighborhood with a vivid color palette that feels timeless — like Old Hollywood glamour — and partners with creatives from the community to truly infuse the culture of West Hollywood throughout the property. It all feels “very L.A.” from the ground level’s entrance that greets guests with a stainless steel tree of 35,000 mother-of-pearl leaves adorned with Swarovski crystal designed by Cao Perrot to the sweeping views from the upper suites’ oversized windows, and from the rooftop pool.

Design

The Pendry brand is renowned for its fusion of contemporary style with local art — at the Pendry West Hollywood, the motif evokes L.A. at dusk and ocean waves. The result is the feel of an elevated beach house with a relaxed California vibe curated by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. The decor is bolstered by nearly 100 artworks from L.A. artists, including painterly space pieces by Pamela Jordan and a 70-foot, large-scale geometric globe by Anthony James. And in true West Coast fashion, there’s a fluidity to indoor and outdoor living, designed by architecture firm Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects and executed by Cuningham Group Architects — Bar Pendry flows out to the garden terrace, Merois restaurant features a sublime patio, and the resident terraces offer sweeping views of the City of Angels.

Dining

Chef Wolfgang Puck heads Pendry West Hollywood’s signature Merois restaurant. The rooftop venue is flooded with light during daytime hours, while the evening highlights the magic of L.A. after dark with the twinkling downtown lights casting shadows to illuminate the silhouettes of the city’s palm trees.

The menu is a melting pot of Puck’s cuisine, highlighting Japanese, Southeast Asian, and French-California cuisine; newcomers may want to order a signature dish like the crispy scale whole black sea bass, Japanese A5 New York strip, or vegan sushi and squid noodles, made from thinly sliced calamari with Thai basil in a ginger-garlic clam broth.

Tucked off the main dining floor is Bar Merois, with a relaxed lounge centered around a commanding fireplace. Here, guests seeking a more casual experience will enjoy a selection of Chef Puck’s classics alongside craft cocktails. For a more intimate bar experience, Bar Pendry serves small bites and seasonal cocktails that spin off the timeless classics in a sumptuously, moody lobby-level nook. Popular cocktails include the Naked and Famous with mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, and lime, as well as the Vieux Carre with Hennessy Cognac, rye whiskey, vermouth di torino, and aromatics.

Wellness

The 5,000-square-foot Spa Pendry offers a menu bundled with both relaxing and restorative treatments, from Hydrafacials and perk eye treatments to tailored body treatments and full-day itineraries, all designed in partnership with Babor Cleanformance and Priori. Many treatments also use California coastal ingredients, like rose oil, sea salt, and lavender, to subtly connect travelers to the destination, even during their ohms.

Activities

The entertainment at Pendry West Hollywood matches the consistency of its neighborhood: there’s never a dull moment. The Sun Rose, a 150-capacity listening room anchored by a Yamaha C7 Grand Piano, is one of the standout amenities at Pendry West Hollywood. In addition to hosting live music from top-tier talent, including Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, and Jack Harlow, their calendar is stacked with private parties, open mic nights, and surprise performances. To offer seamless transport for nearby activities, guests can call on the Pendry West Hollywood’s house car, a Cadillac nonetheless, for complimentary transportation to sites within the hotel’s immediate locale.

It’s all in the details at Pendry West Hollywood and, while the legendary location offers an unparalleled, modern stay, it surely doesn’t sacrifice traditional hospitality.

Looking for more destinations like this? Check out our other articles here.

The post Savvy on Sunset appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

Most people don’t know that their next favorite wine is served on cruises.

It’s no secret that expectations surrounding luxury travel have been redefined throughout the past decade. No longer is luxury only about the most expensive experience with meticulous attention to detail to match, but now, rare and exclusive offerings are expected to qualify as an ultra-premium travel experience.

Think bespoke itineraries that provide insider access to the most famous sites in the world like a picnic at Petra, solo tours to the Colosseum, or hot air ballooning over the Serengeti. Travelers seek luxury in adventures that lead them where no other tourist is to gain perpetual bragging rights of “I went there.” Increasingly, rare and exclusive experiences have extended to food and beverage, to add to the notion of “I went there,” with “and I indulged in that.” The latter is particularly relevant to elusive labels of wine and spirits.

Perhaps this is why there’s been an uptick in expensive, rare labels, not just at five-star hotels across the globe but for floating vacations, from yachts to cruise ships. Rune Thomas, SVP of communications at SeaDream Yacht Club shares an example from a recent charter guest. “He requested a rare five-liter Chateau Petrus Magnum bottle,” said Thomas. “We were able to find one single bottle in Monaco and it was brought to the yacht in an armored car with guards closely following the bottle from the wine cellar in Monaco to the yacht.” Though Thomas was unable to comment on the price due to non-disclosures, a similar bottle is listed online for $49,999.

In case guests want to go big but not five-liter big, SeaDream Yacht Club’s wine cellar is always stocked with exquisite bottles such as Chateau Petrus Grand VII for $5,143 per bottle and Echezeaux Domaine De la Romane Conti 2011 for $3,945.

Though yacht charters have long been associated with an expectation of exquisite attention to detail and personalization, in recent years, several cruise lines have joined the ranks of elite offerings when it comes to wine and spirits, showcasing that they’ve adapted to the contemporary luxury traveler who expects access and exclusivity as part of their experience. After all, what could be more exclusive than sipping on a vintage that matches your birth year?

On board Viking Ocean Cruises, Torshavn Lounge and Bar is stocked with the largest vintage selection across any cruise ship with their Armagnac collection spanning 1935 to 1965, inspired by Chairman of Viking Torstein Hagen who pictured 30 years of vintage spirits as an offering for guests to celebrate their birth year. The hotel operations team landed on Armagnac as they say it’s “more special, with more fruit content that ages differently than cognac,” for an unexpected tipple. Prices vary by year, but the most costly is a 4cl pour (about 1.3 oz) of 1948 Armagnac for $332.

On Silversea, the Connoisseur Corner waits to delight guests with premium spirits, including cognac, scotch, tequila, bourbon and grappa. The most expensive selection currently available is Reserve Hennessy Richard Cognac—$350 per glass or $9,000 for the bottle—a unique presentation of 250 years of Maison Hennessy that offers a special blend of rare eaux-de-vie for a delicate nose and spicy palate.

In the American whiskey category, Silversea features Pappy Van Winkle 20-year-old, considered as a cult bourbon among enthusiasts and celebrated for its heritage and rarity (not to mention, when it was first released in 1994, it became the world’s first 20-year-aged bourbon). It’s extremely challenging to get your hands on, let alone a sip of, but on Silversea, guests can enjoy a glass for $240 or a bottle for $6,000.

It’s not all about spirits. In recent years, Princess Cruises has prioritized enhancing its wine program. They’ve worked with prominent figures in the wine world, including a past partnership under the guidance of Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Doug Frost to expand their selections and a current collaboration with Caymus Vineyards and owner Chuck Wagner for a wine-pairing dinner at their Crown Grill. Among the selection of unique vintages listed on their wine list is the indulgent $5,288 bottle of Chateau Petrus Pomerol.

Cunard has also amped up its wine offerings with a variety of hand-picked wine packages curated by their partner sommeliers and stored in their onboard cellar. The most expensive of the packages is The Commodore’s Collection, which is $445 for six bottles or $750 for 12 bottles with access to selections from premier wine regions from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Napa.

When it comes to river cruising, Riverside Luxury Cruises sets an exceptional standard across the pond with their European sailings. Their house Champagne is Tattinger Brut Reserve, though there’s no outrageous price associated with this pour, as guests aren’t charged for the house wine. The new company is leading by example—included alcohol can equate to quality.

For guests seeking a bit more, Riverside Luxury Cruises presents their coveted private dining space, the Vintage Room, where reservations can be made for a premium wine and food pairing for 295 euros. That price is inclusive of the grand selection of wine labels available, from bubbles like Dom Pérignon, to great estate white wines like Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles La Chablisienne, and red wines such as Opus One, Mondavi & Baron Phillippe Rothschild.

If you have your eye on a prized bottle that you haven’t gained access to yet, on your next sailing, it might be worth asking about your chosen vessel’s top-shelf labels—you may have a better chance of securing a sip on the water than you do on dry land.

The post Spirited Sailing: The Most Expensive Libations on Yachts and Cruises appeared first on JetsetMag.com.