The Edit: Volume 1
Michelle González from @laxtoluxury on hotels, hotels for Pool People, a cult-favorite hotel in Provence, a vacation rental on the Greek island of Tinos, a regal hotel in Rajasthan
In Residence with Michelle González
Even before I started posting on TikTok, I was following @laxtoluxury. In the time since, she has remained my gold standard of travel creators. If you aren’t already familiar, I couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce you to Michelle González. She has an uncanny knack for sharing the world of luxury in an approachable way. She radiates authenticity and positivity on a platform where that’s few and far between. She travels the world and genuinely brings her followers along for the ride. It’s not the low-hanging fruit of day in my life content, but rather a more journalistic approach that feels like you’re experiencing more of the world, from the comfort of your phone.
She was incredibly gracious and shared all the hotel questions I’ve had for her for years. The answers are amazing. Thoughtful, specific, honest (!!) and inspiring. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did. And please take a moment to join the 1.2 million people following her on TikTok and the 269k people following her on Instagram. By far, she’s one of my all-time favorite follows.
I'm constantly admiring your travels around the world. I love how you vary where you stay, depending on where you are in the world. I have to know, what is your favorite hotel that you've stayed at? It's ok to pick two!
The Brando in French Polynesia is my favorite property globally, hands down! I’ve been twice now and I’ll say right off the bat that the service wasn’t perfect during our most recent stay in 2022, and at that price point, I understand some people will expect perfection - but the atoll of Tetiaroa itself is so magical and beautiful that I’d return time and time again.
The best service I’ve ever had at a property was actually most recently at Adare Manor in Ireland. It was flawless, natural, and the attention to detail at that property was insane - I'm obsessed with details, and I was in awe noticing one after the other.
I'm definitely a resort girl and I generally don’t rank hotels that highly comparitively because I think it’s really hard to compete with what resorts can offer at similar luxury and ultra-luxury price points, but Hotel de Crillon in Paris would absolutely be my pick for favorite hotel; the hard product is just stunning, even the base room feels like a luxury and the location is great.
Are there any hotels that are on your bucket list that you've yet to experience first-hand?
I’m a sucker for a private island resort, and my bucket list reflects that! Laucala is probably my top must-stay, though I’m curious to see if the experience has changed under new COMO ownership as of last year.
Amanpulo is also on my list; I haven’t prioritized it yet as I think the hard product is outdated and in general, my experiences with Aman resorts lead me to believe the brand rests on its laurels when it comes to reinvesting in existing properties, but the island itself looks incredible which keeps it on my bucket list.
I was supposed to visit the Royal Portfolio properties in South Africa this August but had to fly back home after one day in South Africa for personal reasons, so that itinerary - especially the stay at Royal Malewane - is still high on my list.
Do you have a favorite hotel or hotels for solo travel? I love that you share content around solo travel, couple travel, allll the types of travel.
Maybe I’m just overly comfortable with solo travel haha, but as someone who is married and still prioritizes solo travel (my job is much more flexible than his, and that doesn't hold me back!), I think any property can easily be just as good for solo travelers as they are for those traveling with a partner!
If one is newer to solo travel, though, they might feel out of place at more couple-y resorts (like a Bora Bora or Maldives escape); a boutique property with resort amenities but a lot to do outside its doors, essentially straddling the line of hotel and resort - ex Can Ferrereta in Mallorca, where I stayed solo this summer - is the perfect middle ground. It didn't feel particulary couple-y, so you could laze around the pool, spa, or other areas of the property all day without feeling out of place, and for your more active days, the island of Mallorca has tons of activities to fill your time (or socialize, if you want to do that too!).
Is there a hotel that you hope to return to over and over again?
Two come to mind - first, Park Hotel Vitznau on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland is to die for. The focus on wellness makes it an easy escape to plan into any European itinerary, and it's great year-round - whether you're there in summer jumping off the vibrant grassy green lawn into the lake or in winter swimming in their heated outdoor pool with views of snow-capped mountains, it's such a treat.
Second, the Four Seasons Mexico City; CDMX itself is a city I could revisit a million times (there was one year I took three trips there!) and that property in particular is such a good deal, the bar and breakfast are both incredible, and I love the easy access to neighborhoods like Roma Norte and La Condesa.
I know your family is from Argentina, is there a hotel in particular that you think really epitomizes the beauty of the country?
Interestingly enough, since all my family lives in Argentina, that means I actually haven’t spent much time around the country since all of my 15-20 trips there at this point have been to see them! I’m hoping to change that in 2024 and venture out to see more, though.
Buenos Aires is known for its European architecture and I think the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt there both embody that aesthetic so they're on my must-stay list.
I’d also love to check out SB Winemaker's House and Spa Suites in Mendoza - it looks so dreamy and was opened by Argentina's first female winemaker!
Lastly, while it's technically in Brazil, there's a Belmond by Iguazu Falls that would pair amazingly with an Argentina trip; the location is insane as the only hotel in Brazil's Iguassu Park, so the access to the falls one gets by staying there is unparalleled.
You mentioned you're from the Finger Lakes but live in LA - do you have a favorite hotel in LA and one on your home turf of upstate New York?
I feel like a hater saying this, but I think the SoCal hotel and resort market leaves a lot to be desired - everything is way overpriced in relation to the quality of experience you get. I haven't been to San Ysidro Ranch yet, though, and it's on my list to check out.
For the Finger Lakes region, you're generally not going to find upper-tier luxury, but it's such a special place that it's worth a visit regardless - plus you can often find great deals on the properties that are relatively nice for the area! Inns of Aurora on my home lake of Cayuga, just a short drive north from where I grew up in Ithaca, looks lovely; the access to Ithaca and all it has to offer is an added bonus. The Lake House on Canandaigua also looks great!
Lastly, I'm obsessed with hotel beds - they're so crucial to a great hotel stay. Is there one hotel that you equate with "best bed ever?"
Certain chains declare their beds best-in-class, and while I've slept in some amazing beds, I've never had that audible "oh my god" moment when plopping down in one - until Adare Manor a few weeks ago. I'd give anything to replicate that bed setup at home - I’ve never had such incredible nights of sleep as I did during that stay!
Thank you so much, Michelle. I can’t wait to watch you cross off your bucket list, live vicariously through you on United Polaris, and book my own stay at Adare Manor as soon as possible. So grateful!
Hotels for Pool People
A few weeks ago, I shared a handful of hotels for Pool People. Yes, it’s a proper noun. A type of person. You know if you are one. And if you are, these hotels are for you.
Les Oliviers de Palombaggia is a cross-over between a hotel and a villa rental on the French island of Corsica. They have pool suites and villas, all with private pools in different forms. Choose your adventure, based on which pool calls your name.
Hotel Miramalfi in Amalfi is allllll about the pool. The rooms are nice but nothing wow-worthy, but the pool is downright cool. A plus: they have striped floaties that you can bring with you into the ocean.
For the ultimate private pool bucket list experience, the Presidential Suite at Principe di Savoia in Milan is the gold standard. It’s stunning. The epitome of Italian grandeur. It lives permanently rent free in my mind, and I figured you might enjoy it taking residence in your dreams as well.
A boutique hotel in Provence with a cult following
As someone overly obsessed with hotels, I’ve had a decade-long habit of searching for tastemakers I admire + favorite hotel on Google. I don’t always strike gold, but when I do I take permanent mental note. This was the impetus for the In Residence feature, in fact!
One hotel that has been named as their favorite by multiple people of note (not celebs, but tastemakers, creatives, etc) is Hotel Particulier Arles. It’s simple and chic. Everything is white. The spa seems exceedingly special. It’s a hideaway, you could say, and worth putting doubly on your radar. It was one of the 40 hotels on my master list of hotels in Provence, of course.
Also, Arles is great. Great art, great history, lots of charm. Big fan.
A Greek rental that I can’t get out of my head
Xinara House is the type of place that made me gasp audibly upon discovery. Yes, it’s very “me” but also a unique mix of traditional Greek and untraditionally eccentric that I find rarely in the Greek islands. It’s on the island of Tinos, a favorite of many. It sleeps two to sixteen people across two houses that can combine. It’s easiest reached via Mykonos, a short boat ride away.
A regally ornate hotel in Rajasthan, India
You know by now that I love when a hotel reflects the land it’s on. When the property would be absolutely out of place anywhere else in the world, but is perfectly at home exactly where it is. As a committed maximalist, I forever long to visit cultures that are naturally ornate. Where material history is intricate and perhaps even a bit over-the-top. Where craftsmanship comes with a level of detail that demands a commitment to more is more. India epitomizes the art of this, specifically Rajasthan.
Jaipur is at the top of my bucket list, and while I want to stay at many hotels there, one place outside the city particularly calls my name. Samode Palace represents the regality of Rajasthan in a way that I can’t shake. My full list of hotels in Rajasthan will be on this week’s paid edition, The Curation: Volume 2.
Thank you for being here! I hope you’ve had a great start to your year – I’m really looking forward to sharing 2024 with you.
xx Your Penpal,
Marissa