ROOM KEY

FACTOR WOW Wellness Warrior

ANCIENT HEALING SACRAMENTS MEET NEW-WORLD SOPHISTICATION AT CONRAD PUNTA DE MITA. BY AMY ROBERTS .

Opposite: A birds-eye view of Conrad Punta de Mita. From top: Árbol restaurant; the spa celebrates Huichol traditions.

NESTLED ALONG A PRISTINE TWO-MILE STRETCH OF THE RIVIERA NAYARIT, Conrad Punta de Mita is the first Conrad resort from Hilton to open in Mexico. Still less than two years old, this serene sanctuary was designed by the internationally renowned firm SB Architects, with thoughtful integration of the area’s natural beauty and cultural history evident throughout the 324room property.

Paying homage to the indigenous Huichol people and their customs, Conrad Punta de Mita reflects the Huichol’s foundational belief that holistic wellness and spiritual growth are dependent on one’s connection to the natural world. As such, you’ll find nature-centric design elements like a butterfly roof, framed pergolas, and floor-toceiling windows that usher in views of the dramatic Pacific coastline and majestic Sierra Madre Mountains.

But perhaps the resort’s commitment to the area’s ancestry is best displayed at the Conrad Spa, a 10,000-square foot retreat that promises to transport guests to another dimension of inner peace and soulful rejuvenation. The spa boasts seven al fresco cocoon treatment cabanas connected by a tunnel of plants and flowers, serene outdoor showers encased in lush tropical vegetation, and a traditional clay Temazcal—or “house of heat.” This 1,000-year-old immersive ritual is a form of cleansing for body, mind, and spirit. The clay dome structure is heated with lava stones and healing herbs while a shaman leads those inside through a purification ceremony that includes chanting and meditation. Spa guests can also enjoy a refreshing swim in the private pool, stretch on the expansive outdoor lawn, or continue their quest for calm with a myriad of indulgent treatments, including the 90-minute Hitïarica massage, which uses ancient techniques along with medicinal plants and smoke to clear energy blocks and release tension.

While the spa’s collection of rituals and therapies inspired by ageless traditions, native flora, and essential oils are all part of the healing journey, nourishment is equally as important as nature. As such, spa guests enjoy curated drinks infused with flowers and local ingredients believed to have medicinal healing powers.

Take Me to

Mexico. Enter

OFFER H12194 on the website on the back cover to escape in sophistication.

Of course, nourishment isn’t limited to spa appointments. The Conrad Punta de Mita also offers seven unique restaurants and bars, each with innovative menus and spaces designed to provide culinary moments of discovery while honoring the techniques and flavors of the local culture. The resort’s restaurant, Codex, uses generational recipes etched in faded family books while the menu combines local and seasonal ingredients with elevated gourmet standards. For the perfect complement to any meal, try the mezcal-spiked El Nopal sipper.

Conrad Punta de Mita is ideally located just 45 minutes from the Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta. The property is situated within a gated community in Punta de Mita, allowing guests access to the nearby 18-hole, award-winning Higuera Golf Club designed by Greg Norman, among a host of other onsite amenities.

CHECKING IN

DISCOVER CALIFORNIA’S TERRANEA RESORT. BY AMY ROBERTS

PERCHED UPON DRAMATIC SEASIDE CLIFFS OVERLOOKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND OFFERING EXPANSIVE VIEWS OF CATALINA ISLAND, it’s easy to understand why Terranea Resort is celebrated for its natural beauty. But this luxurious Southern California gem offers more than sublime amenities and postcard-worthy vistas. The resort also boasts unforgettable, inspired-bynature experiences across its 102 lush, coastal acres. BY LAND: Explore the surrounding coastline on a guided nature hike; the resort’s naturalist will educate and enlighten along the way. Hikers will learn about local flora and fauna, look for the indigenous El Segundo Blue Butterfly and Allen’s Hummingbird, and understand the significance of the Point Vicente lighthouse and the Terranea Sea Salt Conservatory. Later, memorialize the day’s picturesque views as you create a masterpiece in a plein air painting class, taught by the resort’s art instructor. BY AIR: Recently added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity, the ancient art of falconry is practiced at Terranea Resort. The resort’s master falconer works in tandem with birds of prey as part of a natural bird abatement program. The experience includes meeting the birds and watching them in action. Guests can also hone their own aerodynamics when they sign up for archery lessons with a skilled instructor.

BY SEA: Paddleboard through a kelp forest along the Palos Verdes coast, or kayak through endless underwater ecosystems, home to hundreds of fish, bottlenose dolphins, and sea lions. For closer inspection of wildlife and natural formations, add a tide pooling trip to Sacred Cove to your paddling adventure. November through May, spot grey whales as they migrate from the Bering Sea to the breeding waters of the Baja California Peninsula.

BY COURSE: Guests who wish to pursue more traditional experiences can enjoy a day at The Links, one of the country’s top-rated par 3 golf courses as well as the celebrated Spa at Terranea, a spectacular 50,000 square foot wellness center offering oceanfront pampering. More than 200 outdoor fire pits and fireplaces beckon across the property, and the resort’s signature restaurant—mar’sel— sources ingredients for its fivecourse tasting menu straight from its onsite organic garden.

Resort Ready. Visit the

website found on the back cover and enter OFFER H1137 to further explore.

READY TO ROME

CHECKING INTO THE BAGLIONI HOTEL REGINA. BY AMIEE WHITE BEAZLEY

FOR DECADES THE BELOVED BAGLIONI HOTEL REGINA HAS OCCUPIED A PRIME LOCATION ALONG ROME’S VIA VENETO, one of the Eternal City’s most elegant streets, and just minutes away from such landmarks as the Villa Borghese, Piazza di Spagna, and Via Condotti shopping district. Fans of Federico Fellini’s 1960 film “La Dolce Vita” will most certainly recognize the Via Veneto, as the Italian classic was filmed almost entirely in this neighborhood. The Baglioni Hotel Regina building was finished in 1892 and is considered a triumph of Italian art deco design, with an abundance of marble, brass, bronze, and velvet throughout. This is without question one of Rome’s most prized locations and properties.

GALLERIA BORGHESE EXPERIENCE

Once considered a “country” residence, Villa Borghese was built as a home to Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of 17th century Pope Paul V. This palatial villa is a work of art in itself, and what is found on its walls is even more inspiring. With your ticket to the Galleria Borghese, explore 20 rooms across two floors, where masterpieces by Bernini include “The Rape of Proserpina,” “David” and “Apollo and Daphne,” as well as Canova’s statue of Paolina Borghese, Titian’s oil painting “Sacred and Profane Love,” Caravaggio’s “David with the Head of Goliath,” and Peter Paul Rubens’ “The Deposition.” After taking in the works at Galleria Borghese, return to the Baglioni Hotel Regina for an exquisite three-course dinner at the Brunello Bar and Restaurant.

ROMAN HOLIDAY TOUR ON A VESPA

Strap on a helmet and relive the romance of “Vacanze Romane” (“Roman Holiday”), the 1953 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Perfect for two, this self-guided Vespa tour allows guests to retrace many of the locations seen in the Hollywood classic. Admire the magnificence of the Colosseum, then walk along Via della Conciliazione, lingering in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. Reach Piazza di Spagna and then visit the Trevi Fountain where you can throw a coin in with a wish, while enjoying a scoop (or two) of Italian gelato to cap the afternoon.