Just Back From: South Carolina

Are you looking for the ultimate southern escape? Our TWIL Travel Advisor, Stephanie Goldstein, recently returned from a stay at the Montage Palmetto Bluff and had a fabulous time with her family! This property is found on a 20,000-acre community located along the picturesque May River in South Carolina’s Low country and offers many activities for couples and families.

First Impressions

Upon entering the resort, it resembles a southern fairy tale. The drive up to the hotel is very scenic with southern oak trees lining the road.

A fun activity for kids is the Montage Merit Program which is a scavenger hunt, kids receive a lanyard when they arrive and if they complete an item on the list they go to the concierge and get a badge and if they complete the entire program they will go home with a special prize.

Photo: Montage Palmetto Bluff

Rooms

This resort offers a variety of accommodations for every type of guest. The inn rooms and guest house rooms are best for couples and small families. Most offer a king bed or two queen beds with a marble bathroom and a furnished balcony with lagoon or forest views. As well, they offer montage residences, cottages and village homes that are great for large families since most are equipped with large bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces.

Photo: Montage Palmetto Bluff

Food

Octagon Porch

Offers a breakfast buffet as well as a full menu. They also serve local fare for dinner and have upscale bar food.

Buffalo’s

A great breakfast menu offering market fresh salads, Italian sandwiches and pastas, pastries and fresh churned ice cream and a weekend biscuit bar. Dinner was casual with pasta and pizza options.

Cole’s

Offers regional style comfort food in a casual environment. Menu highlights include spicy fried dill pickles, a patty melt that’s not to be missed, Cole’s signature fried chicken or get a taste of ‘what’s smokin’ with the Smokehouse BBQ Platter.

Canoe Club

Features upscale coastal cuisine with ingredients and inspiration drawn directly from the May River including shrimp, oysters and local seafood, and partners with farms in the area to source fresh vegetables, beef and poultry to create dishes that honor the low country.

FORE & AFT

Enjoy a delicious and casual lunch serving Mexican fare alongside the lagoons edge by a chef from Mexico.

Canteen – Grab N’ Go

Great stop for a cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich in the morning and offers lots of quick options for lunch and snacks.

Things we enjoyed

• There are several pools on the grounds and specific areas for kids and adults only. The cabanas are free of charge and they provide food and beverage service at all pools

• Several activities were included in the daily resort fee, for example: kayak, paddle boarding, fishing, spa quiet area, sauna and steam room, nightly s’mores

• You can rent bikes for $15 per person/ per day for all family members and they provide training wheels for kids

• Trams were always available to take you around the property and drop you at any restaurant, activity or your room

• Staff was extremely friendly and accommodating help to make plans, restaurant reservations and provide insight for off-sight adventures

• Partnership with Cadillac, guests can enjoy a complimentary driving experience in one of Cadillac’s award-winning vehicles to explore the property or visit nearby Bluffton, Hilton Head or Savannah.

The Montage Palmetto Bluff is a great resort for families and large groups to be able to explore the nature around them through a variety of fun activities!

To learn more about how we can create the perfect vacation offering VIP treatment at the worlds finest properties and provide you with preferred partner amenities, please contact a TWIL Travel Advisor for all the details.

Just Back From: Botswana

Botswana Itinerary 

Are you looking for one of the most incredible safari destinations in Africa? Our Travel Advisor, Minnow Hamilton loved Botswana and can’t recommend it enough! Most of the Safari lodges within Botswana will be situated in either the Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, or Chobe National Park. which has the largest population of elephants on the continent! Minnow was very fortunate to join Wilderness Safari’s on a trip to experience a number of their Lodges in Botswana and Mozambique - read all about it here!

Arriving into Johannesberg, I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel for the 1st night which was very convenient – it’s a 2 minute walk across the street from the airport. The gym and spa were small but did the job. You can book a massage ahead of time for when you arrive – it might help with a good night sleep. We typically will suggest clients stay here if they have an international flight that gets in later in the evening, as it’s very convenient, especially if heading out into the bush the next morning!

Flight from Johannesburg to Maun was the next morning and be aware that it’s an international flight so it is recommended to get to the airport 2 hours ahead of time.

Note: excellent shopping in the Johannesburg airport in case guests forgot safari gear and the prices aren’t even that bad!

Upon arrival in Maun, i was met by Yandisa, our Wilderness Safari host. We then took a small bush plane to get to our first stop, Qorokwe camp.

Qorokwe Camp

One of the newest camps in the Wilderness collection so the rooms and the entire lodge is up to date, clean and fresh. The staff is super keen and excited to be a part of it and you can feel that. Amazing game viewing here with direct views of hippos in the water right out in front of your dinner table. They have a very warm and friendly staff.

Good to know

The family suite is particularly spacious and features a plunge pool with two separate bedrooms and a large living space in the middle – better for two couples travelling together then two separate rooms. There is also a larger, shared pool for the whole camp which is quite nice.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

Vembura Plains

This is one of the top ranked camps in Botswana for a reason. The staff here is AMAZING, they will go above and beyond for their guests. We got a wonderful surprise from the staff; they arranged a helicopter ride and private bush bar in the middle of the Kalahari. Beautifully executed with the same level of excitement and pride in delivering the surprise as we had in receiving it!

We stayed at North camp which is the original. Rooms were spacious and very private – they felt very African in their décor and aesthetic, I thought they were perfectly ‘authentic’.

Good to know

It’s a classic camp, but groovy. Loved the aesthetic and small cozy, island feel to it. They are booking 1-2 years out. I would love to go back to this camp and would HIGHLY recommend both.

At camp they provide you with 2 Olympus cameras for guests to use and then they give you the memory card to take home with you.

Activities here are more varied because of its location in the Delta, it is surrounded by water so guest experiences include – game drives, boat rides, fishing (catch and release) and the small boat rides.

Note: They will also arrange for a village visit upon request. Most of the staff live in a village an hour away from camp. Might be best combined with a helicopter ride.

Mombo

The most unbelievable high-end luxury accommodations with the best game viewing we saw all week.

Great food, excellent guide but a very different culture.

The accommodations are the best we stayed in terms of luxury and the game drive was unparalleled. They have a high population of rhinos and a dense enough wildlife that allows for the extreme kind of viewing- such as a live kills.  

Abu Camp

This camp is a very special place run by an amazing team of mostly women.

The aesthetic and vibe are very boho chic and feels cottagey. Rooms are beautiful but it still has a bit of a Hampton-y feel to it.

The wildlife viewing was good…but the elephant sanctuary was something very special.

Good to know

This camp at first glance feels very homey and cute, but it is not for the faint of heart. They invite guests to walk with elephants, feed them and get up close and personal for photo ops. It’s amazing that they have been able to train them, but they are still wild animals and there is a degree of danger there.

I would end a trip here instead of start because it helps to be more conditioned to being around animals before you are up close and personal with the giants! It also has a more relaxed feel that you can enjoy at the end of the journey.

A great place to send any single travelers or groups of women travelling together.

The Saxon

After 2 nights in Abu we flew back to Johannesburg via Maun and spent the night at the Saxon, a beatiful, boutique property in a very vibing area of town. I woul definitely recommend this property for anyone spending more than a few hours in the city - it’s a great base from which to tour the city.

Azura, Benguerra Island

This resort is very ‘boho chic’ and in one of the most beautiful locations you can find.  The honeymooners we met on the trip all seemed to be very happy there. Some rooms are better than others, so definitely be sure to have your Advisor select the one that’s right for you.

We had an unforgettable trip in Botswana, the experiences were above and beyond our expectations and we can’t wait to return!

To learn more about how we can create the perfect vacation offering VIP treatment at the worlds finest properties and provide you with preferred partner amenities, please contact a TWIL Travel Advisor for all the details.

Just Back From: Colombia

One of our Twil Agents, Rhonda Lewis visited Colombia in June and here is what she has to say:

Rhonda had the pleasure of staying two nights at the Four Seasons in Bogota. There are two Four Seasons in Bogota and they are strikingly different! Casa Medina is boutique, charming, and feels like an old traditional house with beautiful hand-carved wooden doors and fireplaces. On the other hand, the Four Seasons Bogota is more corporate and modern with very little public space because it is located right in the heart of the city surrounded by 5 restaurants on the same block. The hotel has superb service and an outstanding breakfast!

If you are a biker, many city streets are closed on Sundays, which presents the perfect opportunity to explore the city by bike in a safe, leisurely way. There are many incredible things to see such as markets, museums, the history, art and more!

From here Rhonda spent three nights at the beautiful Casa San Augustin, located in the heart of the old city. The building itself is rich in history from the 17th century and was previously three homes that were restored and converted into a hotel. Casa San Augustin is walking distance to amazing restaurants and shops.

 Beyond the fantastic cities of Bogota and Cartagena, Colombia offers a variety of experiences such as art viewings; cooking lessons; helicopter tours; rum and/or coffee tastings; historical tours; archeological tours; and outstanding cuisine options. If you like to swim, snorkel, fish or scuba dive, just off the coast of Colombia, you can find the Islas del Rosario. Rosario Islands are one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia and has one of the most important coral reefs of the Colombian Caribbean Coast.

The weather in Bogota averages between 12-15 degrees year-round, while Cartagena is around 30 degrees.  

Columbia is a fantastic travel destination and we highly recommend you checking it out! If you have any questions or inquiries, please contact your TWIL Travel Advisor at TWIL Travel today.

Just Back From: Mexico

Our TWIL Travel Advisor, Julie Law, had the opportunity to visit both the Chable Spa and Resorts in Mexico - the orignal location in Marida, and their newest beachside property in Maroma. Julie loved both properties that pride themselves on redefining wellness and renewing your soul.

Chable Yucatan

The Chable resort in Yucatan, Mexico is a wonderful jungle retreat that focuses on redefining wellness. The property is set on 300 hectares, therefore there is a great deal of land to discover. At the heart of the resort is a cenote that is at the center of their spa and offers many unique treatments that are sure to leave you relaxed before you return home.

Location

Situated inland, Chable Yucatan is a 45 min transfer from Merida airport.  It is located on a 750 acre fenced in resort re-purposed from its original 19th century hacienda. 

Facts and First Impressions

• The beautiful long driveway delivers you to a stylish and remote setting featuring low rise architecturally stunning reception. 

• Friendly staff welcome you to an easy check in and very informative and quick tour of the hotel, it’s surroundings and your room.

Spa and Activities

Their world class spa is surrounded by the Mayan forest and at the center is a natural cenote. It offers multiple spa treatment rooms which are all housed in beautiful wooden cabins. They have a male and female section in the spa for hydrotherapy and hot tub/cold plunge pools. They interlink spa treatments with traditional ritual elements to achieve the pleasure of healthy living. They offer a variety of activities so that guests can personalize their experience, such as yoga negra, sound acoustic meditation, fitness facilities, temazcal and much more.

Rooms

The spacious casitas are set in the Mayan jungle and allow guests to be connected to nature while still keeping the comforts, The design is modern but warm using local sourcing of materials and artwork. The layout is beautiful and each casita offers a private plunge pool and lush patio furniture. Each room has either a king bed or 2 queen beds surrounded by curtains. The bathroom is lavish with an indoor and outdoor shower, separate toilet, double sinks and a large walk in closet.

Food and Drink 

 1. Ixi’im

The sophisticated menu created by Jorge Vallejo showcases an innovative blend of Mexican and local influences, integrating fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables harvested and gathered from the resort’s traditional Maya Garden. The restaurant also features the largest Tequila Collection in the World, innovative cocktails and a tailored wine list.

2. Ki’ol Restaurant

Within its oasis-like and vibrant ambiance, Ki’ol offers delicious meals crafted with fresh produce grown in our Maya Garden.  Healthy and hearty breakfasts, ceviche’s, Mexican tostadas and light snacks garnished with nourishing ingredients, are among some of the dishes can be enjoyed while sunbathing. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner; guests can expect an array of dishes that go from local and traditional to international and exuberant. In terms of cocktails, we have them all, from the classic pool-side drink to the daring spirit mixes.

3. Wellness Restaurant

According to our wellness philosophy, the Spa restaurant offers well balanced meals combined with delectable menus, where the local dishes excel. We use local products, according to the season. Our culinary farm to table experience it’s based on leaves and vegetables, that are grown in our Ka’anche’s (Mayan garden).

4. Maya Garden

At the heart of Chablé is a traditional organic Maya Garden, recreating harvesting techniques that have not been used in over a century. Chablé’s culinary experience farm-to-table is based on the fruits, vegetables & herbs that are mostly sourced from this organic Garden. Upon request, guests will have the opportunity to partake in the gardening process during their stay.

Chable Maroma

The Chable Maroma is a beautiful property set in the Riviera Maya Jungle. The resort is designed with Mayan colors and regional materials to make each guest feel like they are immersed in the culture and Mayan landscape.  

Location

Situated on the coast, this property is a 30-minute drive to Cancun airport and a 4-hour drive from its sister property, Chable, Yucatan, located in Merida. 

Facts and First Impressions

This property has more of a resort feel to it than it’s Yucatan counterpart- it’s livelier, boasts a nice beach, with white and minimalist decor. 

Rooms

• 2 presidential suites with 3 bedrooms are beautiful and spacious, however, they do not have beach views and lack privacy.  . 

• This property would be quite noisy at night as its situated beside the beach bar and pool

• 8 standalone villas with a king bed and no roll away available. These villas are more private.

• There are 5 rooms on property that can be connected with  a king bed in one room and 2 queen beds in the other.

Food

Kaban

Offers traditional Mexican breakfasts and international specialties. For lunch and dinner their focus is on fresh seafood.

Bu’ul

Contemporary Restaurant featuring seasonal dishes. Their focus is to source their ingredients from locals and use organic products.

Raw Bar by Bu’ul

By far, my favorite of the 3 options!  They offer sharing platters of different types of local seafood. Beautiful lounge seats and a bar that offers wines, cocktails and mixology pairs.

I had a relaxing and invigorating stay at both properties, they are the embodiment of a true wellness retreat. As a guest you will receive an authentic experience through their culinary delights, traditional spa practices and classic casita’s.

To learn more about how we can create the perfect vacation offering VIP treatment at the worlds finest properties and provide you with preferred partner amenities, please contact a TWIL Travel Advisor for all the details.

Just Back From: The St. Regis Deer Valley

Our close friend and preferred partner, Jeremy McClellan,who represents Marriott International Luxury Brands, recently returned from a visit to The St. Regis Deer Valley. 

Hotel Recommendations:

• Catering to families and multi-generational travel, The St. Regis Deer Valley offers a huge selection of guest rooms and suites.  A differentiator for the resort is the large choice of multi-bedroom suites ranging from one to four bedroom suites….in addition…they also have residential suites ranging from two to four bedrooms.  As a huge bonus, all suites and residential suites have a full designer kitchen….again, really the perfect home for families. 

• Location, location, location!

• Park City is only 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport.  There is no easier ski destination to travel to with such great access to a major gateway offering flights around the world.  This is really ideal for families searching for ski destinations with direct flight accessibility.

• The St. Regis Deer Valley is right next to the children’s ski school…so again, a perfect venue for families of all ages

• After hitting the slopes…unwind in the Remede Spa where nothing helps those tired muscles recuperate like a great customized massage.  The last time I had been skiing was about three years ago and so my legs definitely felt the burn after day one…and the massage at the spa was EVERYTHING I needed and so much more!

• J&G Grill – This is where customers enjoy breakfast, luncheon or dinner and the décor concept is all about the picture windows providing views of the mountains.  The bar seats lining the exhibition kitchen are always popular and no mountain restaurant would be complete without a two-sided wood-burning stone fireplace to ensure the ultimate coziness overload.

• Brand Highlight – The Bloody Mary is a signature cocktail for St Regis brand and each property offers their own unique recipe.  Introducing The St. Regis Deer Valley 7452 (named after the altitude of the resort).

Destination Guide:

Tried and True:

• Winter - Hit the Slopes!  Deer Valley is world famous for its incredible skiing.  With over 2,026 acres of terrain, skiers of all abilities will enjoy well-manicured slopes ranging from bunny hills to moguls.  A little interesting note for Deer Valley – no snowboarders are allowed.  As a skier, I actually appreciated this fast rule and enjoyed the ski only runs.  The total Deer Valley resort has 103 runs broken down between 27 beginner, 41 intermediate, 27 advanced and 5 expert lifts.  This ration really makes Deer Valley perfect for families and really for skiers of any skill level.

• Summer – Mountain Biking!  Although a very niche market, Deer Valley is a haven for mountain bikers with over 70 miles of bike trails including three new flow trails designed by Gravity Logic.  These trails are accessed by three chairlifts and spread over six different mountains.  Silver Lake Express chairlift at the base of the resort, Sterling Express at mid-mountain and Ruby Express at Empire Canyon provide lift-served mountain biking at The St. Regis Deer Valley

Something New:

• A Solstice Celebration – Picture historic main street of downtown Park City closed to traffic and a gorgeous communal dining table constructed and decorated by various local restaurants.  Organized by Park City Area Restaurant Association, Savor the Summit is a gorgeous event held each year on the June Saturday closest to the Summer Solstice.  Tickets may be purchased from the association directly and do sell out quickly.  (Photo Attached)

• Alpine Distilling – Helmed by Rob Sargent, Alpine Distilling is an award winning producer of spirits including gin, vodka and bourbon.  While visiting The St. Regis Deer Valley I participated in the Gin Tasting Experience.  Full disclosure….I don’t really like Gin….that said however, I loved this experience which was the perfect mix of chemistry and storytelling while tasting and smelling various components of Gin.