Five Frivolities: October 29
Un-obvious & far-flung honeymoon hotels, a preview of my South Africa hotel list, the Rome-based Shedir Collection, great hotels you can book with Bonvoy, and a grand hotel in the Austrian Alps.
1. Luxurious, remote, far-flung island honeymoon destinations
According to the numbers, people on the clock app seem to be increasingly interested in far-flung, beach honeymoon destinations that aren’t overly expected (Maldives, Bali, Bora Bora). You ask, I deliver! This is a highly curated list, as always. I’ll do a follow up soon, with other less-obvious beach destinations throughout Asia – Malaysia, non-Bali Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, etc…
Today we’re going to Fiji, the Seychelles, and Mozambique. Also, to be cautiously clear, you do not need to be on a honeymoon to go and enjoy these hotels!
Fiji: Kokomo Island, COMO Laucala Island, Wakaya Island Resort, Likuliku Lagoon
Seychelles: North Island
Mozambique: Kisawa Sanctuary, &Beyond Benguerra Island, Nkwichi Lodge, Sussurro
2. A preview of my South Africa hotel list
On Wednesday, in the paid edition, I’ll be sharing my full South Africa hotel list - including safari stays. About 60 hotels in total, across price ranges, aesthetics, and terrain. Today, however, is a sneak peek of seven. Happy hoteling, you good people with good taste! Also, let me know what country/location you want me to share my full hotel list for in next week’s edition?
Cape Town: *Belmond Mount Nelson, *The Cellars-Hohenort
Franschhoek & nearby: La Residence, Sterrekopje Farm
Hermanus, Western Cape: *Birkenhead House
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape: Emily Moon River Lodge
Durban & nearby: *The Oyster Box Hotel
*Hotels with an asterisk are preferred partners of my agency, Fora, and properties where I’m able to get my clients complimentary amenities
3. Hotels I legitimately like that you can book with points
At least once a week, this question arrives in the comment section. I’ve hesitated to touch on this. Bonvoy is the most requested, and I find it to be a very flawed membership program. But! We continue to happy hotel. And, there are a handful of great hotels you can book with Bonvoy points, and it’s time to share my favorites:
Le Pigalle - Paris, France
11 Howard - Manhattan, NYC
Santo Mauro - Madrid, Spain
The St Regis - Florence, Italy
La Bandita Townhouse - Pienza, Tuscany, Italy
Dr Wilkinson’s - Calistoga, Sonoma Valley, California
Hotel The Mitsui - Kyoto, Japan
Cala di Volpe - Sardinia, Italy
Gritti Palace - Venice, Italy
4. A spotlight on the Italian hotel group the Shedir Collection
The Shedir Collection is one of my favorite hotel groups in Italy at the moment. Primarily, Rome is where they reign. With four hotels currently open, and one opening in December - they’re cementing themselves as a large and lovely presence in the city.
Palazzo Vilòn is my #1 – it’s in the top 10 of my worldwide hotel bucket list. It just opened at the end of May, and it’s impeccable. It’s housed in a private section of the historic Palazzo Borghese, overlooking the Borghese gardens. It is like sleeping in a museum. Actually, it is sleeping in a museum - built in 1678 for the noble Borghese family that ruled the city. You can rent the whole hotel, too, if you have an event to celebrate.
Hotel Vilòn is the sister property, right next door. More modern, but still with an artistic and aristocratic aura. It’s been a favorite of well-traveled luxury guests in recent years.
Maalot is also historic, housed in the formed home of the famous opera composer, Gaetano Donizetti yet has a more fun, youthful energy designed to be a gathering place as well as a hotel. It’s located right by the Trevi Fountain, which is highly central (although not my favorite location of their collection).
Umiltà 36 is just two blocks away from Maalot, and is an art-heavy luxury hotel with a modern flair.
On December 1st, they’ll open their fifth Roman hotel, Palazzo Roma, on the highly central Via del Corso. It’s housed in a historic building that has been painstakingly restored to keep all original frescoes and moldings in tact. Each room will have a unique marble pattern, which is a lovely touch. I’m very excited for this opening!
And lastly, they have a great hotel in Capri, Tiberio Palace. The hotel with the coolest design sensibility on the island, the only drawbacks being a small pool and being farther away from the water. Great for aperitivo, local-approved.
5. A grand hotel in the Austrian Alps that’s actually affordable
Going skiing in the Alps is on many people’s travel wishlists. But, unless you’re a regular, it’s often either hard to get a room, or it’s out-of-reach expensive. Less “iconic” per se, but the Austrian Alps have the most lovely hotels at lovely price points. One in particular, today: Hotel Schloss Mittersill. With this as your base, you can ski, cross-country ski, snowshoe, go on carriage rides and…go on the world’s longest illuminated toboggan ride. I’m in it for the latter, I gave up skiing in 8th grade. And for the hotel itself and the spa, of course.
As always, thank you for your support and time.
xx Your Penpal,
Marissa