Skip links

lesleymurphy

Travel Tag: Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

by 12 Comments

Of all the destinations in the world, Paris radiates elegance like no other. Effortlessly, too. The proof is in Four Seasons Hotel George V, the iconic hotel perfectly placed in the city’s 8th arrondissement.

The Experience

Greeted by smiles and pleasantries before even stepping out of the transport, each and every guest is swept away to a dream world of magic as check-in draws near. Bright and inviting lobbies make way to amenity-filled suites that transport the traveler to a luxurious home-away-from-home for a few days or, weeks if you’re lucky. As for me, I only stayed at the George V for a few days, but I’m going to go ahead and call myself beyond fortunate to have been welcomed as a guest into the establishment that redefined luxury for the City of Light.

The eight-story landmark was originally built in 1928 and after undergoing a massive renovation, reopened its doors in 1999 with 244 beautiful guest rooms. Wait. Scratch that. They aren’t simply beautiful, for this adjective could describe any 5 star hotel on the street. They are lavish and expansive and opulent and regal and deserve to be singled-out, as the hotel houses the largest guest rooms in all of Paris. With additional items ranging from hypoallergenic pillow menus to in-room bread toasting services (they know their pastries), choice is a beautiful thing here at Four Seasons Paris.

The Suite

Suite 631 would spoil even North West and Prince George’s love child. Would they take in the Eiffel Tower view from the bedroom, the bathtub, or the wrap-around terrace? I took it in from all three and thought this was one of the most unique room features I’ve ever come across. Who gets to wake up in a billion thread count sheets, pull back the curtains and see the world’s most iconic landmark? Lucky guests who are booking rooms at the George V, that’s who. Probably North West and Prince George…

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve most likely already seen my Four Seasons Paris twitter tour, so bear with me for a moment. Upon gracing this corner suite, you’ll walk into a living area complete with office space, lounge quarters, makeshift yoga studio, what have you. The space is generous, coming complete with a full bar and culinary delights on arrival.

Sliding doors materialize the continuation of the calming blue hues, a massive bed, and the focal point of the room: the Eiffel Tower view. If you’ve missed it, you’re the most unobservant person on the face of the planet. Lastly, yes, this bed is as comfortable as it looks, and it’s extremely hard to get out of in the morning.

Moving past the ample closet space is the marble-clad bathroom stocked full of Bvulgari products and, oh my…a second Eiffel Tower view worth soaking for. The longer one soaks, the more wrinkles one receives. After wrapping up in a plush terry-cloth robe and slippers, head on out to the spacious terrace and take in the Parisian skyline, the third Eiffel Tower view from suite 631.

Le Cinq

Think back for a moment on what’s been the best dinner of your life to date. Go on. Think. It’s a fun game to play, going down memory lane conjuring up the most memorable steak houses, homemade cooking, romantic dinners for two. Whatever you have in mind, I assure you Le Cinq will outshine the dishes any day of the week, any month of the year. The hotel’s critically acclaimed eatery even outshines most Michelin Star restaurants by having been awarded not one, but two. Only a couple of months after opening, the kitchen and best tables in town were awarded the first star. Within the first year, a prestigious second star came along. In my book, it deserves three.

The furnishings are grand, the linens fine, the silverware immaculate, the food spectacular and yet the atmosphere emits a very humble elegance made possible by the warm and welcoming staff that I was given the opportunity to know over the nine course dinner, excluding the carbohydrate basket that I absolutely devoured. First the food, then the service.

Bread: I couldn’t leave this out, not this pretty, elegant, diverse bunch of bread. Baguettes, grains, olives and raisins continue to pop up in my dreams, even after check-out.

Course 1: Champagne rosé with a ginger bubble ball accompanied by orange, Campari, and some open-mindedness.

Course 2: Smoked eel with beetroot. Have you ever seen a course so miniature yet confident? I appreciate the pop of color amid the contrast of the serving plate.

Course 3: Green asparagus with black truffle. Need I say more?

Course 4: Sea scallop with a pancake of buckwheat and celeriac water scented with truffle.

Course 5: Line-fished sea bass with caviar.

Course 6: Caramel ice cream with lemon jelly and sugar hair.

Course 7: Mini pastries on large blocks of chocolate.

Course 8: Strawberry ice cream with coriander and creme brûlée .

Course 9: Treat trolley with cakes, nougats, caramels, and much much much more.

There you have it. Gluttony at its finest and cuisine at its best. The time came to drink the last drop of Bordeaux and finish off the caramels, but not before we were gifted with a box of chocolates to-go, yellow roses and a framed picture taken earlier in the dinner.

Our wait staff went above and beyond to make sure everything on the table was top-notch, sending us up to our room with treats for days. I believe this same attention to detail is much admired in many luxury hotels around the world but not easily replicated. Franck et al, thank you from the bottom of my heart to the top of my full stomach. Blessed are those who can stumble upstairs to their bedroom, stuffed, tipsy and happy.

Le Spa

Undoubtedly the most luxurious spa in the city, George V’s will pamper you with its endless menu of treatments and indoor pool worthy of a few swims.

Tip: Go for the Marie Antoinette’s Spa Package if you have 2 1/2 hours to spare. The treatment includes a steamed orange-blossom body scrub, a relaxing massage with warm shea butter and a milky facial – all inspired by Marie Antoinette’s beauty secrets. The best part: Macarons at the end!

Extraordinary Experience

I was already having an extraordinary experience as one does while living the life at Four Seasons, but the luxury chain went a step further by unveiling a new exclusive collection of Extraordinary Experiences only available through the hotel. Four Seasons’ philosophy has a huge emphasis on constant creativity and innovation, and they delivered by offering bespoke luxury adventures, as unique and individual as the destinations where they take place around the world. Luxury adventures, eh? Sounds a lot like what The Road Les Traveled is all about. I knew we’d go together just right.

Ever wonder where Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris houses their inventory of over 50,000 bottles of wine? As a recent guest of the hotel, I know all the secrets! I’m fortunate enough to be part of those who’ve ventured 46 feet below ground to sample, sip and see the cellar’s extensive collection. Expertly curated by Eric Beaumard and a team of nine sommeliers, the cellar stocks around 3,000 wine labels ranging from German Rieslings to Burgundy Pinots for thirsty guests to imbibe. My favorite of the evening? A robust red chosen by our insanely knowledgeable sommelier, Victor, as well as a bottle of Terrantez from 1795 and a bottle of (drinkable!) Port the dates back to 1900! With a set up this romantic and picture perfect, it is easy to see why the George V wine cellar sees its fair share of proposals.

For more glamorous Four Seasons Experiences from around the world, read my Top 10 here.

Penthouse Preview

The higher you go, the better the view, and as if my deluxe suite wasn’t chic enough, I ascended two more flights to arrive at arguably the most elegant, and expensive, hotel penthouse in the world. With 360-degree views of the city, fresh flowers from Artistic Director and Florist Jeff Leatham’s team upon arrival and a bathtub so unbelievably beautiful, the George V penthouse is a triple threat to any and all of its celebrity and wealthy inhabitants.

The 1,630 square feet are in every way a Parisian apartment rather than part of a hotel. Giving the interior a run for its money, the main terrace is reminiscent of the prow of a ship where you can stand before some of the world’s most notable landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the Panthéon, and where you can make the factual statement of being the King of the World, at least until check-out.

The ample space and grand furnishings of the master bedroom transform it into a true sanctuary. Moving into the bathroom, guests are surrounded by beige marble. If you know me at all, you know my affinity for bathtubs, and I can say with 100% certainty that I’ve found one I’d like to take home with me. Scratch that. I think I’ll just move on in. Forget infinity pools. Here’s the one and only infinity tub I’ve ever laid eyes on, and it’s safe to say I’ve found my hotel equivalent of heaven.

Location

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements. The first one is in the center, while the following sectors spiral outward in a clock-wise direction. Set in the 8th arrondissement of the city, Four Seasons George V is perfectly placed for experiencing Paris’ finest cafes, boutiques, museums and landmarks. Guests can find themselves near attractions they’ve read about in storybooks, and get to many of them all within a day’s walk from the hotel.

Champs-Elysées: 2 blocks

Eiffel Tower: 10 minute walk

Arch de Triumph: 10 minute walk

River Seine: 4 blocks…just to name a few!

How to Arrive

All international airlines and Air France are served by Charles de Gaulle International Airport, 15 miles from the hotel. Many sites say travel time is around an hour, but I arrived to the hotel from CDG in about 40 minutes.

Domestic flights by Air France and some European airlines use Orly Airport, 9.3 miles from the hotel. Travel time from the airport to the hotel is around 30 minutes.

Taxis, rental cars and limo services are all available upon landing. If you want to arrive in style, Four Seasons George V can help. The final ride into town after an overseas flight can be daunting, but perhaps not so much in your Rolls-Royce Phantom. Designed by Artistic Director and Florist Jeff Leatham to complement the hotel, the Rolls can be booked for airport transfers, shopping sprees, sightseeing, or just a good ole fashioned joy ride.

Friendly Four Seasons Faces

I want to give a special thank you to the friendly faces that made me feel especially at home during my stay with the hotel. Thank you to Aya on site, Hélène in PR, Victor the Sommelier from the wine cellar, Eric Beaumard, Franck and Ghislain at Le Cinq for an unforgettable experience, Berengere from the front office and to all those working behind the scenes. I hope to see you again sometime soon at Four Seasons Paris!

Rates start at EUR 1,090/Night

Follow Four Seasons Paris on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

View more photos from my stay at FS Paris below!

How to Stay in Shape While Traveling

by 6 Comments

With spring around the corner in the northern hemisphere, it’s time to lose those extra pounds still lingering from the holidays. I hope the winter comfort food was worth it. Say hello to fruits, veggies, and juicing. Mmmm.

One of the most popular questions I receive is, “How do you stay in shape while traveling?” Because I can’t take the stair master in my suitcase, and because I think diet pills are for the devil, I’ll let you in on my routine, if there is such a thing while traveling.

Be Active

I don’t go on a trip to sit in a hotel room. Truth be told, I’m hardly in said hotel room. I prefer the adventure vacays over the city sightseeing tours, which usually means there’s a hike in my near future. If I do find myself in the middle of a bustling city, I try to walk ev.er.y.where. I was recently in London, Prague, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris on a Euro tour, and I saw all cities via my own two feet. Skip the double decker bus tour for the city’s free walking tour.

Find a Gym…or Don’t

If I know I’m coming up on a day where I simply won’t be getting good exercise outside, I’ll wake up a little earlier and head to the hotel gym. If your hotel doesn’t have a gym, try something new in a new city. I did a pole dancing class in London – harder than it looks! I also took yoga classes, polo lessons, rowing lessons, and did a run through the gardens while in the city. If you’re near a beach, jog it. Many online options also exist from YogaGlo and Fitness Blender to my favorite, 8 Minute Abs. On second thought, who needs a gym?

Carry Your Own Weight

I’ll admit, I don’t travel incredibly light. My suitcase always teeters on the 52 pound mark, which usually ends in me flashing a big smile to the check-in lady in hopes that she won’t make me take anything out of my luggage. I’m a big believer in that the little things add up. Do you know how hard it is to carry a 52 pound bag up and down flights of stairs, through crowds of people, to heave carry-ons into overhead bins, and so on? When I work up a sweat, I know I’m doing something right. Here’s a tip: before leaving, pack healthy snacks at home to munch on during travel day. Airport eating isn’t for the skinny of heart.

Munchies

Diet. What’s that? For me, part of traveling is experiencing a culture’s cuisine. It’s allowing your taste buds to go crazy but not at the expense of bigger thighs and a protruding gut. If I’m in Italy, you can be damn sure I’m having gelato…but perhaps only once. If I’m in Paris, I’m going to partake in devouring macarons, but only once. It’s all about having fun in moderation, and then venturing to that hotel gym to work it all off the next morning. Get over the carefree attitude of I won’t be back for a while. YOLO? Ehh. We’re all adults here. Your thighs will thank you later for quitting after the one ice cream cone.

Travel Tag: The Milestone Hotel London

by 2 Comments

The UK passport stamps have graced my little navy booklet previously, as I’ve traveled among its regal inhabitants before. Never have I ever, however, mirrored their lifestyle so closely. I assume the Royals wear the finest of clothes, sleep in the most luxurious of sheets, and eat the most delectable cuisine. Welcome to my past life at The Milestone Hotel London for a select few gloriously pampered days.

The Experience

What I love most about this particular hotel wasn’t its 24-hour room service as I ordered the tasty chicken noodle soup for a midnight snack. (Is 4th meal still a thing?) Nor was it the fresh flowers or the ample (free) bottled water frequently placed in the room – all small gestures that make a big impact in my book. It was the fact that The Milestone is quintessentially London. Located in the esteemed Royal borough of Kensington, the 5 star hotel is in every way an English country mansion. Walking into the lobby, guests can expect polished wood paneling with cameo collections and the kindest staff bursting with cheery British accents – you’ll find yourself almost mimicking their outpouring of happiness and eagerness to please.

Speaking of an eagerness to please, when I contacted the hotel a few days prior to my arrival about storing my luggage while I hopped over the Belgium and Amsterdam, they didn’t even hesitate. “Of course, madame. We’ll have it in your suite awaiting your return!” Ahhh. The Milestone makes life so easy.

Originally built in 1689, the property was restored in 1999, becoming part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection as well as a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

The Suite

As I opened the door to suite 201, it actually took a few seconds to find my bag the space was so generous. I walked through a foyer, past the brightly lit bathroom, and into the one of the most impeccably designed suites I’ve ever seen. Each of the 63 rooms have been individually decorated. As for me and my Mistinguette Suite, it was all in the details. Inspired by a Parisian dancer from the 1930s with vibrant red hues, captivating artwork and textures for days, my home-away-from-home was nothing short of feisty and unique, making it the perfect precedent to London Fashion Week.

Upon check-in, guests are encouraged to fill out a short form in order for the hotel staff to get a sense of your likes and dislikes. Upon my arrival was a yoga mat and DVD, along with the pillows and duvet cover I requested and my English Breakfast tea with pastries. I already had plenty of activities to dive into and I’d only just arrived!

More to the Milestone

English opulence can be found throughout the hotel grounds. The Stables Bar is the place to be if you’re a Polo fanatic, enjoy a tasty cocktail and the color green. Down the cooridor is the bright and shiny Observatory. I was sorry I never had the chance to enjoy anything in here. It looks like a black and white dream. Cheneston’s Restaurant is where I dove into some delicious breakfast, but as for the largest English tradition, I took afternoon tea in the Park Lounge amongst the company of eclairs, macarons and scones. I just don’t understand why the United States can’t adopt this one custom. That’s all I’m asking.

As for more activities, the hotel features a gym, a resistance pool and a spa. The Milestone has it all, which explains why it racked up in award season.

Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best 500 Hotels in 2014, 2015, 2012

TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards #2 Best Hotel in the UK 2015

TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards #1 Best Hotel in the UK 2014

TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards: Top 25 Hotels in the World, Top 25 Hotels in Europe, Top 25 Hotels in the UK, Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Europe, Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the UK, Tops 25 Hotels for Service in Europe, Tops 25 Hotels for Service in the UK – 2013; Among many, many more.

Location

If you’re a tourist, you’ll probably spend oodles of time in Kensington. If you’re a traveler, you’ll probably spend oodles of time in Kensington. Across the street from Kensington Palace and Gardens, the hotel not only enjoys a good view, but a good running route as well. Not into views or exercise? The Milestone is mere blocks from the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum. Hyde Park, Harrods and Harvey Nichols are close by as well. There you have it – various reasons to stay here for all walks of life.

How to Arrive

If you’re flying into Heathrow, buy an Oyster card and take the Underground to High Street Kensington. You’ll then walk 6-7 blocks to the hotel, but it’s the most economical way to arrive. If you’re flying into Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, then get on the Underground and take it to High Street Kensington.

I happen to love the black cabs in London. I find the drivers entertaining, knowledgeable and efficient. Did you know drivers have to study for three years before getting their license? That’s the same amount of time as getting a law degree and one year short of becoming a doctor. I’m perplexed and impressed, all at the same time. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more private, The Milestone can pick you up in their posh Bentley or Range Rover limo. Chiiiing.

The Milestone is perfect for honeymooners, vacationers, businessmen and women as well as families and people with pets!

Rates start at $480/night. 

Argentina Wine Country: What to Sip & See, & Where to Sleep

by 3 Comments

What To Sip

Life moves at a slower pace here, which I can appreciate. Lunches may take up to three hours at any given winery. Many bottles later, you’ll be well past tipsy and ready to be horizontal, but you must keep pushing on. With so many wineries to see and so little time, you’ll need to get strategic in your wine-to-food absorption ratios. Bread and meat are typically great choices for this, just make sure you have some personal trainer sessions lined up after the vacay. I’ve done the “hard” work for you and sipped many-a-bottle at various wineries in Mendoza. So go on. Sip, savor, and repeat as you make a splash into Argentina wine county.

What To See

Overshadowed by the wine-tasting activities throughout the region, many alternate outdoor activities exist in the city, unbeknownst to many visitors.

River raft in Potrerillos: Locals and visitors flock here during the summer to bask in the sun, sand dunes and river rafting. I, however, visited during winter and the scenery is just as beautiful.

Hang glide over the city: Not for the faint of heart, but definitely for great views and sheer exhilaration along the Andes Mountains.

Visit olive groves for olive oil tastings: The other pride of Mendoza is the city’s olive products. For those who enjoy wine tourism, a parallel but far less commercialized industry lies in the olive groves.

Fly-fish the streams: I took a two hour ride on horseback through the Andes to reach a stream for my first fly-fishing experience. I didn’t catch anything, but it was a good day’s worth of detoxing!

Explore the city: Mendoza City is full of activity. Stroll the many plazas by day and experience the bars by night.

Experience a traveling dinner on horseback at Casa de Uco: I was beyond excited to ride horses in Mendoza again ever since I fell in love with them just a year and a half prior in the same region. I picked Hidalgo who stood out in the bunch, and not just because he was a horse of a different color. He went fast. I’m talking galloped the entire way. Walking wasn’t in his agenda, and that was fine by me. The idea was to ride to four different stations throughout the vineyard to eat four different courses. You basically haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a traveling-horseback-dinner. Seriously.

Station #1:  A delectable ceviche made by resident Chef Pablo Torres, paired with a Mendoza Torrontes.

Station #2: A salad complete with pinot noir grapes and chicken cooked in a smoker while firewood and rosemary burned below, and paired with pinot noir, of course.

Station #3: Sweetbreads and potatoes paired with Malbec. I don’t usually dabble in sweetbreads, but these were too good to pass up.

Station #4: Sweets back at Casa de Uco paired with dessert wine!

Where to Sleep

The 16 rooms at Casa de Uco have a dreamy view of the Andes Mountains, perfect for an extended weekend getaway. Casa de Uco’s hotel division is in its fourth month of operations, but unlike its fine wine, the hotel doesn’t need age to improve a thing. Scenes of giant open living rooms, oversized chairs looking out to the vineyards and a pristine swimming pool + jacuzzi keep running through my mind from my recent visit here. Guess I’ll just have to book my 5th trip back to Mendoza soon.

How To Get There

LAN Airlines offers many flights per day to Mendoza from Buenos Aires. With an hour and a half flight time, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with the Malbecs of Mendoza while high in the sky. The Greater Mendoza region is expansive with many different regions to visit. My favorite is Uco Valley, an hour and a half drive south from the airport.

Travel Tag: Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Hotel

by 7 Comments

 

Different than Napa Valley in the U.S., Mendoza spans a much larger area. Wineries are more spread out, and you won’t be able to hop around to five or six vineyards in a day, unless you have the drinking tolerance of a Catholic priest and a designated driver who knows where he’s going. The Greater Mendoza region is the largest wine producing area in Latin America. As such, Mendoza is one of nine cities worldwide in the network of Great Capitals of Wine, coming in with over 1,000 wineries. Talk about some grapes. Thank goodness it’s socially acceptable to drink wine here before 10am, one of the many reasons the city near and dear to my heart. After being a frequent visitor of the area (as Mendoza is a short hour and a half flight from Buenos Aires), I decided to do something a little different this time around.

My favorite region is an hour and a half drive south from the Mendoza airport known as Uco Valley. Typically I break up the drive by visiting wineries along the way in Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu before hitting my final destination. (Don’t worry – a DD is always arranged!) There would be none of that this time around. I was heading straight south for four glorious days at Casa de Uco.

The Concept

Even though I was just stepping foot inside this “house” for the first time, the hotel has a way of making guests feel immediately at home. As we drove up the circle drive, Florencia came to greet me with a freshly squeezed peach welcome drink. I was glad for that, as a plethora of wine would come later. Casa de Uco’s hotel division is in its fourth month of operations, but unlike its fine wine, the hotel doesn’t need age to improve a thing. We were given a short tour before settling in our suite for the next four days. Scenes of giant open livings rooms, oversized chairs looking out to the vineyards and a pristine swimming pool + jacuzzi had me itching to step outside room no. 7, but I’d be back for the bathtub, obviously.

The Suite

The 16 rooms at Casa de Uco have a dreamy view of the Andes Mountains, perfect for a Valentine’s getaway. Amiright? I take my mountains snow-capped, but this was the only drawback that I could find while visiting during the summer month of February. All the snow from the peaks had melted, creating massive, refreshing streams nearby. All was not lost. If you follow my Instagram account, you already know I indulged in the tub, per usual. People have their hobbies. Some like cars. Some go for bird watching. Me, I take baths.

Coming equipped with chocolatey treats such as alfajores, Toblerones, and a Nespresso machine, the room doubled as the perfect office during the day. I had caffeine to consume before conference calls, sugar to keep me company during email reads, and all before hitting the fine wine once happy hour was upon us. What can I say, it was a healthy four days in Mendoza! Haven’t you heard of resveratrol? Very healthy, indeed.

Gastronomy

I have a bone to pick with the cuisine in Argentina. Yes, red quality meat is nothing short of everywhere, but quality salads are hard to find. There’s only so much beef I can eat before craving some crunchy greenery in my life. That mentality seems to slip away, never to be seen again, when I arrive in Mendoza. My carnivorous habits can’t escape wine country.

Casa de Uco puts an emphasis on their gastronomical experiences and wine pairings, which inevitably put an emphasis on my body weight. I’d like to thank Sommelier Juan Pablo Nieva for that as he did a phenomenal job curating the wine list. Oh well, when in Mendoza…

With local products and home-grown vegetables, it shouldn’t have been a surprise to see Chef Pablo Torres and Sous Chef Carlos running out to the garden every time I ordered a watermelon salad, but it was just so exciting each and every meal! The thought that zero preservatives would accompany my healthy salad made up for the fact that I still had another three courses coming afterwards, probably some with freshly cut herbs, probably some without (I’m talking to you, chocolate mousse).

Over the course of four days, there were three mind-blowing experiences that would’ve put a foodie in gastronomical heaven. There was a secluded picnic overlooking the vineyards. There was a Valentine’s lunch complete with seven courses. Then came the grand finale of a traveling dinner on horseback where we rode to four different stations throughout the vineyard to eat four different courses. You basically haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a traveling-horseback-dinner. Seriously.

Activities

Plenty of activities are on offer at Casa de Uco besides wine tasting and stuffing your face, although feel free to spend most of your time in the wine cellar as you’ll be around great company including Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet. If you have some pep in your step, try your hand on the tennis courts, bike the 790 acres of vineyards, hang out in the spa or gym, challenge your equestrian skills on horseback or partake in sunrise yoga on the roof. For the sun gods and goddesses, you can chill out, max and relax all cool by the infinity pool.

Staff

As I mentioned previously, Casa de Uco tends to transport guests to their perfect home-away-from-home, which doesn’t come from just a few smiles and a home garden. The friendly staff at Casa de Uco makes it their mission to awaken the unexplored senses of their guests. The smell of the rich wine hits your nose, staying with you even after you leave. The scent of the Fuegia products filling each guest room create a pleasant and sophisticated atmosphere. The exact taste of the cuisine is hard to replicate, living on only in a memory. The sounds of hoofs beating the dirt path below is overwhelmingly freeing, a sense one doesn’t often receive in a big city. The sprawling estate is bordered by the majestic Andes Mountains, extensive vineyards and a lake, completing the incomparable scenery of Casa de Uco.

To reserve a room, send an email to: reservas@casadeuco.com.

See more from my time at Casa de Uco below!

Get A Room: Top 8 Valentine’s Day Getaways

by 1 Comment

After my many years of globe-trotting, I know this to be true. Think about it. Not only are you spending massive amounts of time with that someone, but it’s a particularly revealing kind of time. This person is pushed out of their routine, out of their comfort zone, to new realities – whether they be good or bad. Trips have the potential to go horrendously wrong. How will your travel companion handle it? Make a scene and cuss out the flight attendant, or shrug it off and find the humor in the situation? I find it funny that the first thing couples do when they get married is board an airplane together, as if matrimony wasn’t daunting enough. You may learn that together you’re a good team, and perhaps return home closer than ever. This was exactly the case for my boyfriend and me.

I’ve been living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the past year and a half. I left the U.S. with two bags and my sub par Spanish skills to move in with my boyfriend. We’ve traveled all over the continent of South America together, and I can’t begin to tell you how often I think, “What did I do to deserve this life?” It’s the good life, that’s for certain, and with it, I aim to instill the very same passion of travel and the good it brings into everyone I can get my hands on.

Speaking of passion and hands on, Valentine’s Day is upon us. As much an admired holiday as a resented holiday, the truth is… you can’t escape it. Ready or not, the pink candy hearts and boxes of chocolates will drown out even the soft sobs of the single people who hate life on February 14th. What better way to celebrate an amorous holiday than to feature some of the most romantic hotels throughout South America?

Argentina
Faena Hotel
Where: Buenos Aires

Why We Love It: From the moment you walk in, you can see, taste, smell and feel the romance. This place exudes seduction. With white leather chairs, red velvet carpet and the city’s best tango show, anyone can fall in love here. Also: spa, spa, spa. Get a treatment here for two, of course!

Brazil
Ponta dos Ganchos
Where: Florianópolis

Why We Love It: First off, it’s adults-only. This place doesn’t even need to have a pool designated solely for loud and possibly screaming children, because it’s ADULT-ONLY. It’s also surrounded by a rain forest with optional private island for two. Sign me up.

Chile
Tierra Atacama
Where: Atacama Desert

Why We Love It: This place is in the middle of nowhere. You can’t get much more secluded from the world than here, in the driest place on earth. Don’t let that statistic scare you, though. This desert resort is beyond cozy with some of the most incredible views I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Chile
Explora Patagonia
Where: Patagonia

Why We Love It: So you know how I just said in the section above that it had some of the prettiest views I’ve ever laid eyes on? Well, this rivals the heck out of it. In fact, it may rival that romantic kiss you’ll share with your significant other: Both will take your breath away.

Colombia
Tcherassi Hotel + Spa
Where: Cartagena

Why We Love It: The seven oversized guest rooms at Tcherassi Hotel + Spa are dripping in luxury and oozing with romance. Enjoy the private label ‘his and hers’ bathrobes designed by fashion designer and hotel owner, Silvia Tcherassi.

Peru
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
Where: Machu Picchu

Why We Love It: Located in a cloud forest in the heart of the Machu Picchu historical sanctuary is a royal Inca retreat awaiting discovery. This place is the synonym for secret garden. Each turn manifests new sights such as waterfalls, lush plants, overgrown benches, private trails and pathways to the heavens. Check into the Relais & Châteaux suite and find a land of romance with private outdoor shower, hot tub and lounge area.

Ecuador
Casa Gangotena
Where: Quito

Why We Love It: Location, location, location. And for Casa Gangotena, it doesn’t get much better than being in the heart of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Walking into the newly restored historic mansion, guests are greeted with fine furnishings and abundant light from the pristine atrium. The 31 rooms are decked out in luxurious amenities, but the highlight here is the food. I ate here entirely too many times during my three day stint in Quito. You just can’t mess up a good thing.

Uruguay
Four Seasons Carmelo
Where: Carmelo

Why We Love It: A hop, skip and a jump from the bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires, Argentina, lives a resort so tucked away and tranquil on the banks of the Rio de la Plata. Perfect for couples itching for a city escape, this 1 part beach, 1 part forest, and 1 part winery resort will have guests coming back for more. The best part: Inside the massive bungalows are generously sized bathtubs, perfect after a day on horseback!

Instagram

lesleyannemurphy

Crop Image