Reviews

HALEKULANI

Reviewed by Francis X. Gallagher

Arrival/Check-In: After a great non-stop flight from Newark to Honolulu on United Airlines first class, we swiftly said hello to a friend at baggage claim who was on the same flight and then took a taxi to the Halekulani. At the entrance, its team was ready, willing and able to help take our bags and swiftly set us up for registration, escorting us to our room, No. 1657. I last stayed at the Halekulani years earlier, and I have a lot of fond memories, including the marriage reception for Jim and Aileen Ferguson, and my son Nate who was about 4 years old participating in the Easter egg hunt and winning every event — we had to take four Easter baskets on our flight to Kauai the next day, but they all fit in the overhead.

The Halekulani is a mainstay on the edge of Waikiki, and I have always considered it a haven from all the bustle. You can walk almost anywhere and return for the serenity here.

Guest Quarters: We crossed the grassy lawn to our wing of the property, where the elevator stood next to the famed restaurant Orchids.

Our room had a nice view of Diamond Head and a comfortable lanai to sit and take in the view. As we entered the room, a king-sized bed sat to the right, just past the bathroom. A small desk area to the right of the sliding glass doors came in handy as my command center. A flat-screen TV on a credenza along the left wall, along with a chair, made good use of space. I would have preferred a larger TV, but we really spent little time in the room.

The bathroom seemed a little small by today’s standards but in good shape and complete with a separate shower and tub and a separate room for the commode. Halekulani-branded bath products completed the amenities in the bathroom.

Services/Amenities: You cannot beat the service at the Halekulani, and the staff at the House Without a Key restau rant are dedicated to their guests. Breakfast is served daily in this beautiful and comforting place to start your day. We also enjoyed superb cocktails and appetizers: a cold Sauvignon Blanc and boneless short rib, coconut shrimp and seared fish tacos. It was a treat to spend time listening to traditional Hawai’ian singing and watching graceful hula dancing — the Halekulani has the best! We also frequented Lewers Lounge after spending the night out in Honolulu. The clubby atmosphere and crafted cocktails are often accompanied by entertainment. One night we enjoyed a great jazz trio at the end of our evening.

During the day we spent time at the pool and the small beach at the edge of the property. The water at Waikiki is warm and the sand soft, some of the best in the world, and this little beach has few swimmers. In the evening we alternately went to the Japanese Restaurant Suntory for sushi (reservation made by the Halekulani concierge) and Tim Ho Wan for dim sum. Both were spectacular. Walking Kalakaua Avenue, we stopped at Na Hoku jewelry store, where we made some new friends and picked up some presents.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Halekulani offers a haven in the center of all the action.

◆ Always the best hula!

HALEKULANI 2199 Kalia Road Honolulu, HI 96815 tel 808 923 2311 halekulani.com

SHELBORNE SOUTH BEACH

Reviewed by Stephanie Makowski

Arrival/Check-In: Arriving after a quick drive from meetings, bustling Collins Avenue beckoned me to get in the Miami mood. Driving down the famed avenue on approach to the retro driveway entrance of the Shelborne South Beach, I found that mood. The crisp, white exterior with a geometrically pleasing façade was just the ticket for those who admire a vintage touch with a modern twist. Upon entry to the lobby, it is clear this is a chic and tasteful atmosphere. In the roomy but inviting lobby, I found the front desk staff accommodating. Upon check-in, I made my way through the building toward the back, passing the on-site restaurant, café and trendy bar. Elevators were readily available to take me to my home away from home for a few days.

Guest Quarters: Entering my room, I was im mediately struck by the fun black-and-white beach photographs on the walls. The tones of sandy beige and white linen encouraged a feeling of beach vibes right away. The room layout proved accommodat ing for both leisure and business travel, featuring a large desk for evening office work; a great dresser equipped with minibar, fridge and snack bar; a large lounge chair for reading; and — since I was in a corner room — a balcony overlooking the beach. The balcony offered city gazing to the far left and vast ocean views to the immediate right.

The linens and bed were quite supportive, needed after a busy day of meetings.

The bathroom met all the tradi tional needs one has when traveling. I’m a fan of a tub but find the shower option is better for the environment, so that was certainly a win. The vanity and lighting fixtures were modern yet elegant.

Services/Amenities: The hotel’s location is something to note. Being right on Collins Avenue, it provides the Miami restaurant and shopping amenities outside the front door. Also situated on beachfront property, the hotel hosts a perfect scenario for the aquatic aficionado; ocean or poolside, you are sure to find your spot in the Florida sun! The hotel staff are all kind and courteous. The lobby café makes an excellent spot for a

morning pick-me-up, and for the after-5 crowd, the Drawing Room provides a chic and hip spot for a cocktail mixed to perfection or an entrée to savor. Planning a meeting or social event? The Shelborne boasts a multitude of event space options with seating up to 360. The property combines style with prac ticality, making it a great hotel for creating a Miami memory.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Should you be too tired to venture out on the town or even down to the restaurant, the hotel boasts a great room service menu.

◆ The Shelborne offers townhomestyle suites for those traveling with families or small groups, providing a spacious, flexible alternative to booking multiple rooms.

◆ The GUYandGIRL bathroom amenities smell divine, and I highly recommend trying them. Leave your traditional bath products at home!

SHELBORNE SOUTH BEACH 1801 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139 tel 305 531 1271 shelborne.com

VICEROY LOS CABOS

Reviewed by Mariana Zenizo

Arrival/Check-In: Arriving at the airport around 1 p.m., as soon as I walked out of the gate, I found my driver waiting to take me to the hotel. I enjoyed a pleasant 40-minute ride in a spacious van with air-conditioning, WiFi, fresh water and music of my choice.

At the hotel, staff took care of my luggage and offered a refresher called the “Discovery Cocktail.” It tasted like the perfect mix of sweet and salty — refreshing. I enjoyed the beverage as I quickly checked in.

Guest Quarters: My Partial Ocean View King room looked like a dream come true, with an amazing view. The room featured a king-sized bed, WiFi, an LED smart TV, Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee, automated sheers and blackout curtains. A real plus: Alexa powered the whole room.

As I unpacked, I noticed a perfectly clean room, not a bit of dust, not even in the forgotten corners. The architecture and the design existed in total harmony with the hotel, almost everything done in a beautiful pearl white with wood details and creating an all Zen environment, perfect for resting. The balcony, furnished with a bathtub and outside bed, offered a place to chill after a day at the beach.

Services/Amenities: After dropping off my luggage and changing clothes, I went for something to eat at Casero Restaurant, the main restaurant with a homestyle Mexican kitchen — the guacamole is a must! After a delicious lunch I explored the hotel.

I discovered in order to get to the beach you have to walk by the water mirrors and the famous Nido restaurant, and then go down through small roads where you’ll find the fitness center, the spa and the playroom (where the whole family can rest out of the sun and play pool, board games or video games). The beach club sits a few steps from the playroom, offering two warm pools, a beach bar called Nidito (with the same bird’s nest structure as the restaurant) and beach beds to enjoy the sun and water.

The beach couldn’t be more ideal: cared for and clean, the sand an astonishing white that contrasts nicely with the turquoise sea. It’s a bit of a distance from the beach club to actually touching the sea.

I had the chance to try several restaurants in addition to Casero. I sampled the menu at Cielomar Rooftop, based on fresh seafood, flame-grilled fare and wood-fired pizza. I sampled the tasty Argentine-style empanadas, as fat as empanadas can be. The property’s most-famous restaurant, Nido, focuses on Japanese cuisine. To be honest, raw food is not my favorite, but I still enjoyed the delicious tuna sashimi and, of course, some dumplings. And I relaxed at Nidito, the beach bar, and Otro, the main bar.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Guests receive complimentary bicycle rental (the bikes are in perfect condition), so you can take a spin around the area.

◆ The hotel offers a relaxing bath with salts and luxurious amenities. I requested one at night; it was delicious.

◆ The fitness center is well-equipped, with a professional fitness attendant on hand.

VICEROY LOS CABOS Paseo Malecón San José Lote 8, Zona Hotelera 23400 San José del Cabo Baja California Sur, México tel 52 624 104 9999 viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/los-cabos

CASA HABITA

Reviewed by Angelique Platas

Arrival/Check-In: After driving through downtown Guadalajara, through busy streets, markets and a main road seemingly dedicated to selling only bathroom porcelain and fixtures, the silence, greenery and openness surrounding Casa Habita was almost jarring. The hotel sits neatly tucked away behind lush foliage and a short staircase designed more like the entrance to an inviting home than a hotel.

I walked into the floor-to-ceiling glass-clad entrance and through a waiting room that seemed more like a cigar bar and swanky lounge than anything else (a theme here) toward guest services to check in. The concierge graciously cut short my choppy Spanish as she took my information and handed me my key within minutes. My room was ready (huge plus), so I didn’t have time to pour myself a welcome shot of tequila from the three varieties — añejo, reposado and blanco — available at the desk. Shoot.

Guest Quarters: I grabbed my old-school key (think Secret Garden) and headed to my Junior Suite. It took a minute or two to find it, as the dark-toned hallways were dimly lit, but I finally entered my corner room boasting city views from three of the four walls, two of which featured floor-to-ceiling windows.

The open layout of the space offered a king-sized bed facing one glass wall, sectioning the room with a retro-green vinyl headboard acting as a room divider, a real Mad Men-meetsMexico aesthetic. I put my bag on the floor and made use of the side table and velvety rolling chairs for my clothes — I’m not one to use hotel drawers and dressers, but I do always use the closet, which this room lacked.

The room felt larger than its documented 538 square feet, with the open concept extending to the bathroom, which had no doors, only privacy windows with a slight frosted tint. Finding a rain showerhead is always a fun surprise, but just remember to close the floor-to-ceiling curtains before you get too excited and hop in. The room’s 1930s–1950s vibe was not wasted on me — I loved the simplistic style, pop of color and swanky furniture.

Services/Amenities: Between the guestroom’s city views and rain shower, you could forget to go out and explore the hotel’s small pool, spa, secluded outdoor space and equally charming 1930s style throughout.

This hotel has its own vibe. One side boasts a light and airy tropical look, with light-filled windows, palm patterns and upscale wicker furniture, while the other offers a dark, cigarrolling, rich, fabric-covered side — the two together offer an Old Havana feel in the heart of a bohemian, artsy Mexican neighborhood. The hotel could be a set in a Wes Anderson film, a style which perfectly encapsulates the hip neighborhood surrounding its walls.

The service was efficient and helpful, from check-in to check-out. I called down and housekeeping came within minutes; the staff remembered my name and made friendly conversation throughout my stay but wasn’t at all overbearing — a win/win for me.

TOP TAKEAWAYS: ◆ The hotel’s complimentary WiFi was great; I had service throughout my stay on multiple devices.

◆ I made use of the Bluetooth speaker in my room almost the entire time I was there — it was a nice touch.

◆ The hotel hosts exclusive, secret events for locals and guests, like a speakeasy-style party in a penthouse room, only made known to a select group of guests.

◆ Take advantage of the complimentary continental breakfast!

CASA HABITA Calle Miguel Lerdo de Tejada 2308 Col Americana, Lafayette 44160 Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico tel 52 33 3679 2000 casahabita.com

LONDONHOUSE CHICAGO, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

Reviewed by Richard T. Evans

Arrival/Check-In: We arrived at the hotel on a chilly afternoon to a warm greeting from the doorman and were directed to the lobby on the second floor, where we received another warm greeting and a speedy check-in.

Guest Quarters: I was in a suite on a high floor with a 180-degree view of the Chicago River.

The suite included an entrance hall which opened into a small sitting room with a sofa, an oval coffee table and two round ottoman stools; and a side table held the coffeemaker. The sitting room flat-screen TV hung on the wall opposite the sofa.

The bedroom had a king-sized bed and two bedside tables, an easy chair and a dresser, plus another flat-screen TV. The closet held an iron and ironing board and a safe. The spacious bathroom included a spacious, glasswalled shower and a large single sink. I liked the amenities by (MALIN+GOETZ) because they are almost scent-free, and I am not a great fan of overly scented soap, shampoo or conditioner.

Services/Amenities: The hotel was once the iconic London Guarantee & Accident headquarters, built in 1923 and renowned as one of the “Big Four” skyscrapers around the former Michigan Avenue Bridge. It sits within walking distance of Millennium Park and Magnificent Mile shopping. LondonHouse features several dining and drinking

options. Land & Lake, at street level, is ideal for breakfast and casual dining, and Bridges Lobby Bar on the second floor offers a great place to meet friends for a drink and snacks. As for fine dining, Ocean Prime within the hotel has great views of the river.

The hotel has Chicago’s only three-level rooftop bar; the LH on 21 is an indoor bar, and LH on 22 is an outdoor terrace bar with phenomenal views of the city, while the exclusive Cupola bar is on the 23rd floor.

The LondonHouse proves an ideal location for meetings, with 13 meeting rooms running the gamut from the Juliette Grand ballroom to small meetings spaces.

The fitness center provides all of the equipment one needs for a good workout.

TOP TAKEAWAYS: ◆ I have experienced many friendly hotel staff, but the LondonHouse’s dedicated staff, from the doormen to the people at reception and to the bartenders and wait staff, take the prize as the best in the business.

◆ The development that transformed this former traditional office tower into a timeless take on luxury did a great job in creating a contemporary yet warm environment, which really appealed to me.

◆ I look forward to visiting Chicago in warmer weather and enjoying LH on 22, the terrace bar, and taking in the fabulous views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile.

LONDONHOUSE CHICAGO, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON 85 E. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60601 tel 312 357 1200 hilton.com

21C MUSEUM HOTEL NASHVILLE

Reviewed by Angelique Platas

Arrival/Check-In: Walking into the stark-white lobby of the 21c Museum Hotel Nashville, I was immediately reminded of the hotel’s namesake — yes, it looked like a museum; no, I was not quite ready for the bright lights at the hour of my late check-in. As the young staff member at the front desk kindly chatted while checking me in, I noticed a few interesting statues behind him, one of a woman seemingly floating while holding the leash of an animal-skin rug. Again, an odd sight at the hour of my late check-in, but I made a mental note to tour the hotel in the morning and get a second look.

Within a few minutes I was headed to the elevator to venture up to my luxury king room. A few scans of the key in the elevator, one replacement keycard later when I realized it simply didn’t work, and up I went — along for the ride was a video on the elevator wall that looked like a kaleidoscope of snakes twisting in a terrarium. The darkness of the elevator made the snakes pop and illuminate the small space. Art really is subjective.

Guest Quarters: Wandering through the dark hallways of the sixth floor to my room, narrowly avoiding three penguin statues positioned together as if in conversation in the hallway, I was that person using my phone as a flashlight to find my room. Once inside, the bright-white bathroom drew my at tention, featuring (MALIN+GOETZ) soaps and enough sink surface to double as a vanity, with neatly stacked towels topped with a rubber ducky. Walking further into the room, I was drawn to the king-sized bed like a moth to a flame but distracted by the mid-century furniture and wide-open windows — two design themes I’m a sucker for. The fold-top desk held a generously sized television; inside the desk were a minibar, Nespresso maker, water bottles and some stylish glassware. I placed my bag on the seat by the window, pulled the black-out curtains closed and slept like a rock.

In the morning I pulled back the floor-to-ceiling curtains to a sunshine-filled view of the Cumberland River. The wide window ledge could serve as that reading corner we’ve all always wanted, but the call of downtown Nashville was too strong.

Services/Amenities: The hotel had more amenities than I had time for, including a spa, 24-hour fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, 24-hour business center and full museum of contemporary art. In the morning, several visitors were touring the exhibits in the lobby and making their way to the restaurant and museum on their own accord.

The museum in Gray & Dudley (the on-site restaurant and quirky stunner on its own) is free to the public, open daily and boasts more than 10,500 square feet of exhibit space. Between the art displayed around the museum and on guestroom floors, the hotel offers one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the country. I took a self-guided tour, but 21c actually offers expert guides twice a week, with fun events mixed in, including specialty themed tours.

TOP TAKEAWAYS: ◆ I found a hardcover copy of Art Is the Highest Form of Hope & Other Quotes by Artists on the bedside table — I picked it up in the morning and couldn’t put it down.

◆ The hotel’s exhibits rotate, so if you’re in a 21c Museum Hotel city, check out what’s showing online and pop in for free.

◆ Only guests can see the art collection spread across guestroom floors, as you need a room key to ride the elevator.

◆ See something you like? Take it home! Like all self-respecting museums, there’s an online gift shop.

21C MUSEUM HOTEL NASHVILLE 221 Second Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37201 tel 615 610 6400 21cmuseumhotels.com