Five Frivolities: August 27

Relais & Chateau hotels, reflecting on my 31st year, trips I'm booking for fall and winter, my favorite recent reads, and a handful of game-changing life enhancers.

1. Relais & Chateau obsessions of the moment

Relais & Chateau hotels are some of my favorite hotels. Most definitely one of my favorite resources in searching for charming hotels in areas I don’t know super well. Here are this week’s favorites from their collection.

Museum Hotel, Cappadoccia, Turkey (Turkiye) - Everything about this hotel seems perfect. Dramatic, because of the place it’s in. I love when that’s the case.

Park Hotel Kenmare, Kerry, Ireland - Built in 1897 and on Kenmare Bay, at least from a Californian’s point of view, this is the grand Irish dream.

Le Saint-Delis, Honfleur, France - First of all, fantastic branding. A+ logo. In a picturesque seaside town in Normandy, this checks all the charm boxes, with the right edge of modernity.

Txai Resort Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil - Low key and less frills, but charming and on the seemingly most beautiful beach. The area is well known for great surfing!

Secret Bay, Dominica - I’ve been obsessed with this hotel for yeaaars. I want to go. I have to go.

Wickaninnish, Tofino, Canada - Tofino has a cult following, and this hotel does too. Dreamy mix of sea and hiking adventures.

Left: Park Hotel Kenmare; Middle: Museum Hotel; Right: Txai Resort, via IG

2. Year 31: A Recap

Context: my 32nd birthday is Friday, and I’m a big birthday girl.

This year, I think, I worked the hardest. Growing up, I wasn’t great with follow through, and this year reversed that habit. I’m super proud of that.

I’m immensely grateful for the new addition of travel this past 31st year. I now get to indulge my hobby/passion (hotels and travel), while maintaining my professional calling as a Brand Strategist and writer.

Probably in direct relation to the amount of hours worked, my health was not so great this year. But, less than 5 epipens which is about a 60% improvement from the year before. A win is a win.

I’ve struggled with my dad living in assisted living, which having an older dad, I dreaded my entire life. But, in a way, now I can stop wondering about it. He’s fine, he’s happy, he’s safe, he’s healthy - I’m happy.

This year’s Italy trips was one of the best. Pretty close to perfect, and I’m so grateful.

This year I finally (and only recently) became open and ready for romantic relationships, after being very centered on my career, health, and growing as an individual for the last few years. Another win.

This year was good. Hard, often. But good. A great report card, all in all.

Left: at Bar Sprezzatura in San Francisco; Middle: At the opening weekend of the Sea Ranch Lodge; Right: At the one and only Fontelina in Capri

3. Life Enhancers

Things that I definitely don’t need, but that definitely add to my life.

My Dyson hot and cold air purifier and fan. I’ve never turned on the heat once in my two and a half years of living in this apartment.

My Loftie lamp. I love the “night” setting and how it’s a warm tone, without being red light.

My Oura ring. It helps track my cycle, and really get in touch with my sleep. I looove sleep.

The Hermes lip x. It’s wildly expensive, but for me, at least, it lasts forever. And it’s mostly all I ever reach for. I hate having sticky lips, or having anything really obvious or unnatural on my lips, and this does neither of those things. Just a perfect sheer color, with a balm like finish.

An Insight Timer yearly membership. I listen to the same background music as I fall asleep every night. I do a few of their 10-14 day courses a year. I use it whenever I meditate, or need to change my mindspace.

4. Trips on my mind

I have the travel itch that simply cannot be scratched. This newsletter and the clock app doesn’t help, but there would most definitely be worse obsessions.

Late September - Marthas Vineyard, at The Charlotte Inn. I had to cancel my reservation last minute in July, so I have a credit.

Mid-October - The Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vermont for Fall Foliage.

November - A weekend in New Orleans then on to Jamaica for Thanksgiving

December - Mexico for New Years, either Amuleto, Verana, or Quixmala. Orrrr Hacienda de San Antonio.

Weekend close-to-SF getaways: Dawn Ranch in the Russian River Valley and Deetjen’s in Big Sur

5. Recent books I read and loved

I just finished book 64 of 2023, and there were three recent reads I really loved, and would definitely recommend.

A thriller classic that I never got to until recently, I loved Where Are The Children by Mary Higgins Clark.

Yes, I read Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. And I did love it. 4/5 though, because the middle got a little too bogged down with minutia. Highly recommend listening to it on audiobook, Meryl Streep narrates.

None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell was a rare 5/5 thriller rating. I was thoroughly riveted, and Lisa Jewell is hit and miss for me.

As always, please do share any thoughts, opinions, requests, et cetera! I want to hear from you! Always. Oh! And I should probably mention that you can search the archive any time - use my page as a resource anytime you’re planning a trip :)

x Your Pen Pal,

Marissa