SC
Summer 2013
the magazine
siennacharles.com
FARM FRESH HOTELS
LUXURIOUS ATACAMA
SUMMER SOJOURNS
Our favorite hotels that tie in luxurious accommodations and the farm revolution.
An already popular destination has a resurgence of amazing properties and hotels.
Hamptons, Conneticut, Fisher Island and Tennessee are among our favorite summer retreats.
FROM THE EDITORS SIENNA CHARLES
EDITOR’S NOTE Travel is more than just visiting destinations, it’s a lifestyle.
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aving just launched our Palm Beach retail travel agency concept- a first of its kind, we wanted to continue sharing our love of all things travel related by bringing you the SC Magazine.
With endless information on the internet these days, why not look to those who are really out there scouring the world? We don’t travel to relax, we travel to learn. From the moment we set out to travel our work begins. Every hotel, destination, driver, tour operator and restaurant we recommend, we’ve experienced for ourselves. In our eyes the only way to discern through the endless clutter that the industry has become. is to see it for ourselves. And who are we you may ask?? We are a husband and wife team with over 30 combined years of hospitality industry experience. We’ve traveled to over 50 countries together, learning the ins and outs of each destination. Our true passion is making people happy, and helping them create memories through travel. We hope our magazine inspires you , and of course we are here to help you plan your next journey. PS -Yes, Jaclyn is wearing heels while riding a camel! Jaclyn Sienna India
Freddy Charles Reinert
JACLYN@SIENNACHARLES.COM
FREDDY@SIENNACHARLES.COM
323 Worth Avenue Palm Beach, Florida 33480 1-888-623-5543 WWW.SIENNACHARLES.COM
SIENNA CHARLES
DINNER TIME Calm before the storm at Edge Steak.
Park Hyatt Siem Reap We were in Cambodia in November to check out some new tour guides and Park Hyatt prepared a special dinner and rendering presentation for us in an art gallery for their upcoming hotel. The staff
prepared some of the signature dishes while showing us the amazing renderings of the new rooms, outdoor pools and onsite bakery. Park Hyatt wasn’t always our preferred hotel brand but with
the new properties and design style we are starting to become intrigued. The next Park Hyatts to watch are NYC, Ningbo, Chennai & Hyderabad. Park Hyatt Siem Reap opens later this fall.
LUX STEAKS Four Seasons scores a hit with Edge Steak
CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO Perhaps our favorite hotel in Tuscany, and by far one of the finest properties in the world, Castiglion del Bosco is the epitome of relaxed luxury. Set
amid the gorgeous Val’dOrcia and rolling hills of Brunelo di Montelcino the property allows its guests to unwind in the Tuscan air and rev-
el in all of the subtle touches the property boasts. Like the famous leather goods of the Ferragamo family, Castiglion del Bosco is a work of art.
Chef Aaron Brooks is leaving a mark in Miami for sure with Edge Steak. The restaurant is heating up Downtown Miami and giving the locals a long overdue food outpost that in our opinion is among Miami’s finest. Chef Brooks ‘ focus is high quality ingredients. Take one bite out of his tartar sampler plate and you will see exactly what we mean. Food however never tastes as good unless the
service follows suit. Miami is notorious for hit or miss service, but not here. Managers make sure every need is attended too. Our two favorite experiences at Edge are the amazing half priced happy hour, and finishing off dinner with smores at the fire pit. Don’t worry, they are guilt free!
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TRAVEL MUST HAVES
INSTITUT ESTHEDERM Bronzant provides the ultimate in sun protection and natural glow
Molami HeadphonesSwedish earbuds with amazing style and sound quality
TRAVEL SAVVY
MISMO GRIDSHOPPER Elegant and stylish tote from Denmark
The sharpest acessories for your next journey
AMALA Advanced firming complex leaves you hydrated on long flights
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SIENNA CHARLES
FRESH INSPIRATION
PALACIO ASTORECA In case you missed the New York Times article, and all the latest press about the UNESCO Heritage city of Valparaiso-we are officially making sure it’s on your radar. Our favorite hotel is the new Palacio Astoreca, a boutique hotel that pairs comfort and quality with design. The restaurant Alegre was the best food I had in all of Chile. Our favorite experience in this bohemian city was a graffiti tour while wandering through the hilly, narrow streets as the water peeked through the multi-colored buildings.
HYDRATE Ila Skincare provides excellent hydration while traveling. The travel set is the perfect companion for your next trip.
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BLACKBERRY FARM
SIENNA CHARLES
BLACKBERRY FARM
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SIENNA CHARLES
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ave you ever wondered where all of the culinary inspiration and creativity seen in restaurants on a daily basis stems from? Tennessee. If you have your doubts, then you need to visit Blackberry Farm, arguably one of the US’s most amazing hotels. Blackberry Farm endeavors to bring back what the country has seemingly lost, simplicity in life and food. While the accommodations are nothing short of ultra-luxurious, the property will put you back in touch with the simple things in life that truly matter. When was the last time you began your day with a farm fresh egg, or fresh blueberry jam right from the farm? Blackberry farm teaches us to no longer take life for granted. To remember how amazing the warmth of the morning sun feels as it breaks the horizon, and to never forget the beauty of mother nature. Our most recent stay at Blackberry Farm allowed us to
truly reconnect with how important sustainable food is for our health and the environment. You quickly realize at this property that our natural human diet has been dramatically compromised in today’s world. Spending time on a working farm like this one will put you in touch with a part of our heritage that has been lost. We commend Blackberry Farm
for being on the front lines of the natural food movement, and educating people about where their food should come from. Blackberry Farm also teaches us that luxury is more than just a fabulous hotel suite, it’s quality of life.
Endless views of rolling hills and pristine farmland.
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MAYFLOWER INN AND SPA
SIENNA CHARLES
CALM IN CONNETICUT
One of the biggest challenges about living in New York City is how to properly escape it occasionally. Over the years we’ve toured the circuit of upstate hotels. We’ve ventured all over New England and stayed at nearly every lodge, farmhouse and inn on the coast. There was one that we finally just experienced, The Mayflower Inn and Spa. The Mayflower is an iconic property. The staff is highly trained in proper hospitality and it shows in the service you receive. The room product is exceptionally cozy and depending whether you are in the main house or the smaller buildings, the views from the porch are incredibly relaxing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner won’t disappoint either, the Mayflower goes the extra mile with their food and beverage offerings. It wouldn’t be the Mayflower Inn and Spa without mentioning the
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ABOVE The bright and airy relaxation room at the Mayflower Inn and Spa
RIGHT It’s easy to lose yourself at the Mayflower Inn and Spa.
unreal spa. After visiting as many hotels as we have, it is so refreshing to enter a spa that is actually bright. The Mayflower Spa follows no spa trends but their own, creating a bright and dreamy ambiance that really impressed us. The treatments were well done and loung-
ing in the beautiful relaxation area illustrated above after the treatment makes it worthwhile. Reflecting on my previous thoughts about escaping New York , the Mayflower can’t be beat. At under 2 hours from Manhattan, the perfect escape is at your fin-
SIENNA CHARLES
Great properties are not the ones that wow you with exoticism, they are the ones that warm your soul.
RIGHT Classicaly adorned suites provide lush comfort and serenity..
ger tips. We were thrilled at how well everything went with our stay and couldn’t wait to tell everyone about what a great property the Mayflower is. For us the best part about our job is leaving a property and being able to reflect on how amazing it was. The Mayflower Inn and Spa is a perfectly suited sanctuary that will calm even the most stressed person, and leave you relaxed and fulfilled. Sometimes sitting on a rocker with a bottle of wine is all you need to heal the heart. Great properties are not the ones that wow you with exoticism, they are the ones that warm your soul. You don’t have to travel too far from home sometimes, you just need to find the right place.
DID YOU KNOW?
Owners of the Mayflower are behind New York City’s most anticipated hotel opening, The Quin at 10 W 57th st.
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LOS CABOS
SIENNA CHARLES
CAPELLA CABO Stunning lines and gorgeous views.
DESERT CHIC
SIENNA CHARLES
LOS CABOS
A recent trip to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose have shown us some unforgettable properties, food and things to come.
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ery few destinations come alive as well as Cabo San Lucas. It took us far too long to go there and see what the fuss was all about. Now we are hooked! A bit challenging for an East Coaster to get to without spending a whole day travelling, but quite worth it. Below are a few highlights of noteworthy properties that
are a sure thing while in Baja California. Combined with the lovely weather, food and people, Cabo San Lucas is a viable destination and will continue to impress for years to come. We also visited Esperanza and the One and Only, but the 4 properties below are our favorites. Stay tuned for the Ritz Carlton Reserve and Montage within the next year.
CAPELLA
VILLAS DEL MAR
A modern desert property that will captivate you from the moment you enter. Noteworthy is the restaurant El Farallon, where guests chose their fish fresh from the Pacific.
For those that traveling with are a fabulous of Los Cabos’
HOTEL EL GANZO
LAS VENTANAS
A newcomer on the block helping redefine Puertos Los Cabos as a world-class destination. This modern hotel has some special touches and even an underground recording studio.
A stunning property and one of Cabo’s best. Las Ventannas will be reopening this summer after an extensive renovation. Looks as if we will have to go back to see the progress
enjoy a bit more privacy or are large families, the Villas Del Mar option. Guests can enjoy some most pristine accommodations.
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NOTEWORTHY
SIENNA CHARLES
LEFT Entrance to the wonderful restaurant.
FLORA FARM Who says it can’t be grown in the desert?
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ome people think farm to table is a new concept. Flora Farm in Puertos Los Cabos has been doing it for 20 years. A dirt road leads you to Gloria’s Farm aka Flora Farm, a wonderland of fresh produce, real estate, smiling faces and a restaurant. As you continue to experience the property you can’t help but to hear the voice in your head remind you that you’re in a desert in Mexico. The farm is so lush and
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beautiful it’s stunning. A lunch tasting menu was presented to us consisting of the days best picks, as well as a farm elixir resembling a bloody mary. Fresh beets and handmade pastas were coursed in a delightful fashion, followed by farm raised chicken that was cooked to perfection. Our lunch was fabulous, and a testament to how packed the restaurant was with locals. Flora Farm also cures it’s own meats. A tour with the chef brought us into a world of
coppa, proscuitto and wild boar aging properly until perfection. While speaking to the chef, it was further realized the passion of the people here. It is so refreshing to engage with people who truly respect the earth and the food she gives us. Our visit concluded with a visit to the farm’s residences for sale. Perfectly appointed farmhouses with incredible finishes and appliances are for sale so you never have to leave.They are completely integrated with the farm and you can walk out the door and pick your vegetables. Flora Farm is a must see on your next trip to Puertos Los Cabos.
BELOW A glimpse of one of the custom residences for sale at Flora Farm.
SIENNA CHARLES
WEEKEND GETAWAYS
FISHER ISLAND Some thought it may have fallen... but Fisher Island is alive and well.
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uided by new management and a 60 million dollar renovation, Fisher Island is the perfect get away for the weekend. Whether heading down from Palm Beach or Downtown Miami, it is quite possible to stay on this island and be totally removed from everything. The cottages are the go-to room product to request here. Totally re-done and wonderfully appointed, you’ll find yourself feeling quite rejuvenated after spending 2 or 3 nights.
you look twice. Freshness is the key here and it seems they’ve gotten the formula down. They carry any artisan delight you can imagine. To top it all off, Fisher Island has updated the pool mansion. It will now be open for all guests and includes a cigar lounge, not to mention there are 5 restaurant choices on property. Our favorite part of Fisher Island-the fact that you can lay on the beach and technically be in the middle of Miami, but still have no idea where you are as you stare into blue waters and sky.
The Market A fully renovated market now exists on the island. Those that have stayed before will remember a less than stellar outpost to grab some groceries. Now, Fisher Island commands respect with a gorgeous upscale grocer that is sure to make
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THE BUZZ SIENNA CHARLES
LEFT Simplicity is the name of the game at the Topping Rose House
TOPPING ROSE HOUSE New neighborhood hotel stirs up the Hamptons. BELOW In true Tom Colicchio fashion, great food and ambiance.
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ome of our favorite hotels in the world are created by people who don’t have any prior experience in the hospitality industy at all. Just a burning love for it. However once you have a world famous chef, open a hotel that focuses on the best accommodations and the best freshest food- it’s an instant hit. The Topping Rose House is a breath of fresh air in the hotel void of the Hamptons. With only 22 rooms , and a high price tag the quality is definitely there. Tom Colicchio
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is a perfectionist in the kitchen and now this space allows him to grow all the ingredients and source the others from local farms and vineyards in the surrounding area. After a 3 year restoration, and a design over-hall by Alexandra Champalimaud the hotel is a local and national favorite. We predict to see more chef owned hotels in the near future pop up.
SIENNA CHARLES
MYANAMAR River Cruise
BABYLONSTOREN
As River cruising becomes increasingly popular around the world, Orient Express has introduced Orcaella Rivers of Myanamar. Clients can choose from luxurious accommodations and 7-11 day journeys through Myanamar’s rivers. A few of the highlights include Bagan, Chindwin River, Yangoon and Mandalay. The
ship itself offers 25 spacious cabins with floor to ceiling glass for optimal viewing. Each cabin is perfectly appointed providing calming comfort for your journey.
South African hospitality and personality.
Very few properties can pull off the modern farmhouse concept. Babylonstoren is one of them. Nestled in the rolling hills of South Africa’s lush wine region, this true farm captivates all of your senses. We arrived and were blown
away immediately by the service, then wowed again by the simple yet elegant farm cottage accommodation, and the food. From the fresh vegetables placed in your room, to the myriad of different vegetation to nibble on as
you walk through the property and Babel, the restaurant Babylonstoren delivers some of the finest food in the world. See for yourself the elegant yet welcoming wonder of Babylonstoren.
EAT THIS DRINK THAT GO A favorite Saturday radio show of ours where Jimmy Cefalo and Brenda Bassett talk food, wine and travel. Tune in as we are their official travel gurus. Eat This Drink That Go airs every Saturday from 9-10am on WIOD 610am Radio.
Neiman Marcus Palm Beach is the official personal shopper for all Sienna Charles clients looking to pair their trips with the latest fashion trends. Clients will have a private dressing area set up at Neiman Marcus with the trendiest items preselected for their destination as well as complimentary champagne.
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SEA ISLAND While we are sure you’ve heard of Sea Island, Broadfield may be another story.
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roadfrield is reinventing the luxury farmhouse vacation. It is a full service private hunting lodge that sleeps 12. Featured in Architectural Digest, Broadfield Hunting Club is Sea Island’s best kept secret. It boasts a staggering 1000 acre hunting reserve comprised of a mainhouse, poolhouse and a guesthouse. The property offers the best of both worlds as it is luxurious, yet perfectly suited for those who want to get their hands dirty. For 3k a night, guests can rent the property in its entirety including amazing farm fresh food. Most Palm Beachers have a strong connection to Sea Island, although many people do not know about this new addition.
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ON LOCATION
SIENNA CHARLES
CHILE
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his May I was invited by the Chilean Tourism Board and LAN Airlines to visit the highlights of Chile. One of my favorite parts of visiting destinations is to explore new hotels, tour guides, restaurants and most importantly routing. I love exploring the whole country and understanding which places my clients should go to, which they should miss, and what is the best routing to save them time and money. During my visit, I went to Santiago, the wine region of Casablanca, San Antonio as well as the Atacama Desert. Santiago wasn’t my favorite place. It’s a city lacking much of the culture, and vibe that we are used to in NYC, and even Miami. Most clients arrive or depart from Santiago, and if it’s a must we like the Ritz Carlton although the restaurant isn’t worth the money. The Chilean wine is underrated
and the best vintages and producers aren’t often exported to the US. Staying in the vineyards gives you a good opportunity to sample the best of the Cabernets, Carmeners and Merlots of South America. We love the beautiful La Postalle Residence, a Relais and Chateaux vineyard and hotel in the Colchagua Valley. In Chile the vistas of blues and whites in the Atacama Desert are the most dramatic I’ve ever seen. Our favorite hotel in Chile was the Tierra
Below The pool at the luxurious Tierra Atacama.
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Atacama by far. They’ve done an incredible job making the desert incredibly chic. This October we will go back to further explore the country and do a self guided Jeep tour in the Patagonia Region. We are staying at Refugia, and the Tierra Patagonia before venturing into the Argentine Patagonia. I think Chile has incredible value for a traveler. You get to see landscapes that are far beyond what we are used to, the dollar for dollar value is great and it’s on the same time zone. It reminds me of South Africa in a way that you can do a city, winery region, and natural excursion all within one country. You feel very fulfilled after feeling that it was worth ever minute.
SIENNA CHARLES BENTLEY SUITE
BENTLEY SUITE ST. REGIS NYC The Bentley suite at the St. Regis, NYC was the masculine response to last years Dior and Tiffany specialty suites the hotel added. Now under a semi-major renovation, individual floors are being refurnished and a new spa is being added. Alain Ducasse pulled out earlier this year and we are awaiting the new restaurant that will occupy the jewlbox of his old space. The St. Regis’ renovation was in response to the new ho-
tels coming nearby such as the Park Hyatt 57th street, the Quin, and the new Firmdale property on 57th as well. The Peninsula hotel is also undergoing a major renovation. Old or new, nothing can possibly compare to this suite. All of the furniture is hand made and the wood was brought in from England. Leather adorns the walls and rich fabrics provide a chic yet cozy seating area. Bentley and the St. Regis partnered with
Wimberley Interiors to create the design details. The end result is spectacular hotel suite with the hospitality and luxury of the St. Regis brand, and of course Bentley’s uber high-end appeal. Even if you reside in New York City, a night or two here will transcend you into a world of luxury and perfection.
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Bangkok, Thailand
WANT TO TAKE BETTER VACATION PHOTOS? TAKE BETTER VACATIONS. Contact Sienna Charles to book your voyage today. 323 Worth Ave, Palm Beach FL 33480 www.SiennaCharles.com 888.623.5543 Azamara Club Cruises® is a proud member of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. family of cruise lines. ©2013 Azamara Club Cruises. Ships’ registry: Malta. Photography by: Jenna Lyn Pimentel