lesleymurphy

Sunday Funday in Buenos Aires

October 9, 2014 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

After living in Buenos Aires for over a year, I’ve come to know the day of rest in this country quite well. It’s a day of recreation, relaxation and whatever you damn well please. It’s living the brunch life and ODing on bottomless mimosas, even though the locals have no idea what the term ‘bottomless mimosas’ means, but you sure do. It’s sleeping the day away, saying whats up to Jesus, eating yourself into oblivion, what have you. Sunday Funday is nothing more than the ideology that Sunday should not be spent dreading the impending work week, but living it up instead. By trial and error, I’ve compiled mere suggestions that will put you in the right state of mind to bid adieu to the last week and cheers to the following.

| Brunch Life |

I was living the dream at Four Seasons Buenos Aires in the well-to-do neighborhood of Recoleta last week and knew I had to get in on their Sunday brunch at Nuestro Secreto (translation: “Our Secret” in Español). The best part about the whole experience was the actual venue. Or maybe it was the chorizo. Or maybe it was Max, my friendly waiter. Hmm. Come to think of it, the best part about it was everything. Todo. Whatever the case, I’m about to let the world in on Four Seasons’ little secret.

Nuestro Secreto is the only venue in the city where the roof and walls are entirely made of glass. Can you imagine a giant thunderstorm in here? It’s like, sorry, rain. You almost got me. Better luck next time. On days when it’s not vigorously raining, the glass can retract, creating a lovely al fresco dining experience. The idea comes to life with casual, eclectic outdoor furniture to create a backyard aesthetic. The design aims to transport the guest to a “secret garden,” and you literally walk through a beautiful courtyard to arrive at this peaceful retreat in the center of busting Buenos Aires. One of the five best parts? The flame-grilled asado menu is printed newspaper-style to emulate the tradition of reading the Sunday paper. What didn’t these people think of?!

Max, my waiter, arrived at my party for 1 with a huge smile on his face and said, “Ingles o Español?” to which I responded “Español.” If there’s anything I excel at in the Spanish language, it’s food. I researched the menu. Should I order the chorizo or empanadas to start? Would those pair well with the braised pork ravioli? Do I really want braised pork ravioli for brunch? Okay, what about a build-your-own-salad? That would probably look better on my thighs. Yeah, lettuce it is. I would accompany my mound of greens with carnivorous pleasures and Torrontes wine from the northern Argentina region of Salta and, just like everywhere else in the city, there was always the tempting carbohydrate basket in front of me. I ate my Argentine feast like a champ and was ready for the next activity on my Sunday Funday schedule.

| Spa Life |

What’s the perfect component to eating and drinking yourself into oblivion? A Sunday snooze, or, glorified nap at Four Seasons, which translates to a massage. I entered the enchanting Cielo Spa surrounded by calming blue and cream hues and was met by Spa Manager Lisa Dietzel, who told me she adored the name of my blog while leading me into the dream-like changing room. Cool. At least I’m doing something right. Upon seeing the facilities, I cursed myself for not arriving earlier to sweat my face off in the sauna or snack on the dried fruits in the beautiful lounge, as if I needed more calories after my gluttonous brunch. I was scheduled for a deep tissue with Augustina, and raisins weren’t going to take those precious minutes away from me.

Augustina was a saint in so many different ways. She allowed me to practice my sub par Spanish while choosing between various scents of lotions and potions to use throughout the massage. I de-robed, laid facedown on the cloud-like massage table, and then, the strangest most awesome thing happened. Augustina began to massage my back in such a rhythmic melody as if she’d choreographed it to music. Starting with light pitter patters and moving to sweeping motions and pressured movements with the background music had me inside the pit of a symphony orchestra. It was part yoga session, part chiropractor appointment and part orchestra practice for a whole 50 minutes. Just as I thought the massage was ending, Augustina wrapped my feet in hot towelettes. Oh. I didn’t even know my feet were cold. Yeah, yeah I guess they were. How did she know?!

Because the hotel prides itself on being incredibly creative and innovative, I have to give a nod to a few of their signature treatments and exclusive collections. The Discovering Argentina massage takes you on a tour through Argentine geography, starting with the lower body and incorporating the cold of the Patagonian plateau and moving to the hot stones of the north country as the massage ventures to the upper body. A new exclusive collection of Extraordinary Experiences only available through the hotel offers bespoke luxury adventures, as unique and individual as the destinations where they take place around the world. Create your own scent at Four Seasons Buenos Aires with legendary Argentine perfumer Julian Bedel, co-founder of Fueguia 1833.

After thanking Augustina for the massage turned acrobatic class, it was time to tell Four Seasons Buenos Aires “hasta luego” and set out for a new neighborhood.

| Fair Life |

Neighborhoods in Buenos Aires are as different and bizarre and quirky and beautiful and eccentric as they come. The old world barrio of San Telmo is no different with cobble-stone streets, decaying architecture and impromptu tango lessons. This little slice of Buenos Aires is magnificently weird while putting on a weekly feria, or fair, each Sunday with varying antiques, leathers, knickknacks, old books, jewelry, art and crafts, just to name a few options. I’ve been relic hunting many Sundays here and have never come home empty handed. It’s gotten so bad that my boyfriend gives me the 20 questions game every time now. “Where are you going to put that?” “Are you sure you really need it?” Ok, no. I don’t need the 800 peso copper bowl, but I really want the 800 peso copper bowl. I raised my voice with urgency. “THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME PURCHASE!” So, I bought the copper bowl. The main street, Calle Defensa, is closed to traffic, making treasure searching in over hundreds of booths easier. If you don’t fee like buying anything (antique aficionados be warned), people watching won’t disappoint.

There you have it – a perfect day that’s pleasing to all the senses. As subjective as the term is, this is my definition and Argentine take on the most glorious Sunday Funday in Buenos Aires.

Travel Tag: Four Seasons Buenos Aires

October 6, 2014 by lesleymurphy 3 Comments

The leading brand in luxury travel was born in 1960 in Toronto, Canada, and is on schedule to reach 100 hotels total by next year. One of my favorite properties in the collection that completely stole my heart is Four Seasons Buenos Aires, housed in the well-to-do leafy neighborhood of Recoleta. I’ve never exactly had the excuse to book a room here on the chance that I’d be vacationing in the city. Why? Because I live here. For the past year I’ve lusted after the tower and the luxuries that live inside it. After my one year anniversary, I decided it was time. A staycation was in order.

| The Concept |

Lucky for me (and every guest who stayed after November of 2013), Four Seasons Buenos Aires recently completed a $49 million renovation. With the generous sum, they transformed every inch of the hotel into a modern attraction that continues to pay homage to its distinguished past and spirit of the porteños, or local Argentines, including both the 1920’s La Mansión along with the 1992 modern tower.

Few things stir up so much passion in Argentina as the tango, which is why it served as inspiration for the renovation. Fluid movement and energy can be seen in the carpets of the salons, plush furniture and interior lighting. Polo gets the Argentines going as well, so it’s no surprise to see the sport come alive in various ways, both discreetly and boldly, throughout the hotel. The eclectic two-story lobby invites locals and travelers to feast their eyes on hundreds of pieces of blown crystal suspended from the ceiling, oversized furnishings, and the blue hued South American stone that lights up the reception desk is not something to be missed.

The furnishings are grand, the linens fine, the marble immaculate, 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 past few days. Incredible emphasis is put on making the guest’s stay personal, as if the smiling faces you recently met have been your next door neighbors for years. The people of Four Seasons aim to transport you to the perfect home-away-from-home, calling you by name and creating personal touches I’ve never seen done before in my many years of travel. I was told by many staff members that they loved the name of my blog. I had never mentioned The Road Les Traveled, but it’s these little details that truly make you stand in awe at the highest caliber of work these incredible people exude. Upon checking into our suite, my boyfriend and I were greeted by a framed photo of us climbing Perito Moreno glacier, an activity we did a few months ago in Patagonia. Left speechless for a few seconds due to A) the obvious amount of research put into our stay and B) a framed photo of me looking like a geeked out tourist in one of the nicest hotels in the world, I realized this was just the spirit of Four Seasons, and that they were a notch above all the rest.

| The Suite |

Room 405 lent itself as a modern yet timeless, elegant and spacious second home, as my first was just right down the street, and I never wanted to return. The living area came equipped with a plush couch and chairs where I devoured my club sandwich from room service, a work desk where I took scheduled calls for the day, a coffee table where I drank heaps of caffeine, and refreshments for days where I discovered a love that I now fear can never go undone (or unordered from Amazon), the beloved Nespresso. I’ve never seen coffee brewed in so little time. HOW could I have missed this magical machine?! I’d like to thank Four Seasons for opening my eyes to a brand new caffeinated world.

Moving into the generous sized bedroom, the sophistication continued with a bed that hardly allowed an exit as the sun came up and a view that could leave a guest wondering if they woke up in Paris. Don’t even get me started on what was behind the leather-clad sliding doors leading into the bathroom. The soaking tub and the LCD TV behind the mirror along with the calming tones of the polished walnut and blue hued glass mosaics presented a heavenly oasis. Why would I ever need to leave? Well, I hardly did all weekend. Robe life consumed me, and I was taking no prisoners.

| Cuisine & Cocktails |

As much as I wanted to live in a plush robe all weekend, to travel is to learn and experience, even if that means wandering downstairs into a hotel lobby. After de-robing and dressing in appropriate casual chic wear to stand among my well-heeled friends of Four Seasons Buenos Aires, I began to notice something extraordinary about each individual subculture within the hotel. They were destinations within a destination, providing their own incredibly unique atmosphere, attraction and menu.

Next to the eclectic lobby was Pony Line, a bar where urban sophistication meets carefree, rugged chic in an attempt to bring the sport of kings known as polo, to life. Makeshift horse stalls and riding motifs and leather details oh my! I’m confused. Did I just apparate to Dallas, Texas? It was as if my brain couldn’t separate the cowboy from the polo player. With a common denominator of horses and leather, I don’t fault myself for the connection. If you follow the staircase leading mysteriously upwards, you’ll find the Pony Spirit laboratory, a club-like atmosphere made for those who appreciate custom-made cocktails and rich cognac leather. It opens onto a sprawling terrace above the hotel’s lobby, presenting itself as the crème del la crème late-night party scene. How posh. Tip: Follow my lead and order the Backhander, a take on Argentine tea known as mate, mixed with Bombay Sapphire gin, lemonade, lemongrass and cucumber. I’ll most definitely be back to bask in the winner’s circle come polo season in November.

An entirely different concept can be found down the hall in a double-height space bathed in natural light and modeled after a courtyard. Elena, named after the bride of La Mansión, the historic building that houses Four Seasons’ most opulent suites and social events, features the best of Argentina as Executive Chef Juan Gaffuri creates magic in his kitchen with dry aged beef, rotisserie, charcuterie and local wines. Rich furnishings include a dramatic spiral staircase, a glass enclosed dry ageing case, marble butcher’s table, and like Pony Line, the space incorporates black and white carrera marble floor in a herringbone pattern taken from the San Telmo neighborhood in the city.

Finally, the hotel decided to let the public in on the best kept secret in Buenos Aires, its Nuestro Secreto restaurant. A welcome escape from the busy city just outside, this indoor-outdoor venue was one of my favorite features of Four Seasons Buenos Aires. Based on the tradition of the Argentine asado and the gathering of friends and family around the fire, the restaurant uses various types of quality meat as the stars of each meal. When in the land of beef… The best part? The menu is printed newspaper style, emulating the tradition of reading the Sunday newspaper before using it to light the fire. Every day is Sunday in Nuestro Secreto Restaurant. When can I move in permanently?

| Amenities |

A luxury hotel cannot be complete without outstanding and outrageous amenities. Let’s start with the pool, shall we? Because Buenos Aires can’t seem to make up its mind about continuing with winter or springing forward, I was sadly under the impression that the use of the outdoor pool was out of the question. Throughout my years of travel, I learned it’s always good to pack a swimsuit, just in case. Four Seasons Buenos Aires has the only outdoor heated pool in the vicinity, so you know that swimsuit came in handy, as did the heated pool in 58 degree weather. The surprises didn’t stop there. As my frigid exit into the elements came near, I noticed a plush towel, robe and slippers placed oh so delicately on a lounge chair for me. With that service and this view, I can’t. I just can’t. I literally just can’t even.

After experiencing the suite, the restaurants, the pool, and friendly staff, I thought to myself, “There’s no place like home.” HA. I wish. I asked myself how a hotel could possibly get any better. I was then presented with an invitation from the hotel to relax with one of their signature massages in Cielo Spa. Much like Beyonce when she comes on the radio, you don’t turn that down. Like every aspect of Four Seasons, the spa transported me into a unique environment that pleased all the senses. My masseuse, Augustina, was quite possibly the most talented professional I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I hope she reads this, and I hope she continues her magic for years to come. Guests would only be so lucky. More perks include a gym I figured I’d only see in my dreams, with personal trainer Santiago poised to help at a moment’s notice with snacks, iced towelettes and a choice between spa water or bottled water. Spa water every time. At this point, I was under the impression that Four Seasons could do anything. I thought about asking Santiago if he could subtract 5 pounds from my person. But, nah.

| Extraordinary Experiences |

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. Feel like ascending Mount Fuji with private guide, chef and butler during your stay with Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi? Do it. Have a tequila obsession and staying with Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México? See the family-run Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Mexico via helicopter.

Good news for the Four Seasons Buenos Aires guests. You no longer have to be a pop star to craft your own personal fragrance. Move aside, Britney. Guests are able to create a distinct scent with legendary Argentine perfumer Julian Bedel, co-founder of Fueguia 1833. After visiting the micro-laboratory, Bedel works his magic blending an original scent that embodies the aromatic identity. The final product is then bottled in three sizes and packaged in wooden boxes crafted from fallen trees in Patagonia. One Extraordinary Experience not enough for you? No problem. Just hop on the company jet to travel in style to your next Four Seasons destination.

| Friendly Four Seasons Faces |

I want to give a special thank you to the friendly faces that made me feel especially at home over the weekend. Thank you to Rodrigo on site, Antonela at the front desk, Max at Nuestro Secreto, Santiago at the gym, Lisa and Agostina at Cielo Spa for an unforgettable experience, and to all those working behind the scenes. I hope to see you again sometime soon at the Four Seasons Buenos Aires!

Rates start at $525/night.

Follow the Four Seasons Buenos Aires on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

View more photos from my stay at FSBuenos Aires below!

Sharing is Caring with Peer-to-Peer Dining

October 1, 2014 by lesleymurphy Leave a Comment

The difference between throwback dinner parties and today’s festive gatherings not only lies in, say, keeping your clothes on throughout the numerous courses, but in the birth of technology. With the digital age came inventive opportunities to get rich quick. Okay, maybe the term ‘rich’ is generous, but with an online presence and some skills in the kitchen, strangers may be calling you Betty freaking Crocker in no time…or perhaps Sara Lee since she’s a real person.

Say hello to the new kid on the block, peer-to-peer dining, a concept brought to life by a series of online start-ups and the enthusiastic foodies from all over the world. Online platforms essentially connect chefs looking to host dinner in their own homes with strangers who want a home-cooked meal. Don’t feel like wading through the crowded Whole Foods circa 6pm tonight? Try Feastly, a popular marketplace that allows cooks to advertise their meals, luring eager “feasters” inside their homes via mouth-watering images and competitive prices. These delectable dishes can be found in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, D.C. and other large cities, possibly coming to a residential corner near you.

Similarly, Cookapp has a special place in my heart as the start-up eatery began in Buenos Aires, moving headquarters to NYC only a few months ago. The Argentines most likely generated the idea from the oh so popular closed-door restaurant scene in the city. How stealthy. Cookapp pre-approves private chefs, making them go through a process to show off three main aspects: if they can cook, how their hosting skills may be, and safety and cleanliness habits. Hmm…I can only imagine the interesting situations and, ahem, lawsuits, one could find themselves in after inviting heaps of strangers into their homes to eat their food. General liability insurance has been put in place to cover the hosts. Like Cookapp, EatWith is yet another option in multiple cities throughout the world where chefs must be “EatWith Verified” to pass the cooking test, or else they’ll be chopped.

Yep, you guessed it. Peer-to-peer dining is just like Uber or Airbnb but for home-cooked meals, and the concept is flying off the shelves. Cookening based in Paris, France, is all about forming connections while you eat, making the world smaller one meal at a time. MealSharing can have you booking a seat for short-ribs at a stranger’s home in over 425 countries. Yes, please. MealSharing’s Rachelle B. from San Francisco sheds some light on how she brings back cooking techniques from other countries to share in her kitchen.

“Wherever I may roam, I always try and take cooking courses, because I believe by experiencing the food of the country you are visiting, you are truly getting a sense of who the people are.”

Looks like Rachelle may have visited Buenos Aires recently as empanadas are her next dish. A woman after my own heart. These are a few of my favorite things…

These global supper club platforms showcase meal listings, user profiles, bookings, payments, and even dress code and parking so you know what you’re getting into. The basic model for each service is the same, but some marketplaces experience more growing pains than others. On HomeDine, a similar concept born in Tel Aviv but moved to, unsurprisingly, San Francisco, my interest was met with their closing statement: “Well…That was fun! After hundreds of meals all over the world we decided to change course.”

Some call it sharing economy, others collaborative consumption. Strip away the buzz terms and I call it racks on racks on racks. It’s all about the Benjamins, amiright? You no longer need to be Daddy Warbucks to open a restaurant when you can run a micro-business from your home. Simply create something worthwhile that’ll have people coming back for more, filling their stomachs and your pockets. And with a good meal comes a good reputation. The sites encourage reviews because what’s better than the reputation-based quality control system?

Basically, I’m just happy to have more options besides eating at the same places in Buenos Aires and…well, cooking. After living in my apartment for over a year, I turned my oven on for the first time last week (which is nothing to write home about). Sorry, mom! I was craving boxed brownies and immediately became utterly confused after seeing a knob with foreign looking pictures with lines and fans and wavey looking images. So many options! What’s a woman to do? Please. Just call me Paula Deen because she’s the best damn cook Food Network ever saw. Yeah, I said it. The brownies turned out ooey and gooey yet flaky and freaking perfect. If anyone would like to join my dinner party I’m hosting this Friday, just reserve a seat at… JOKE. There’s not enough money in the world. I wouldn’t put the locals or the travelers through that catastrophe. I’ll just stick with eating other people’s food.

The Best Entry-Level DSLR Camera + Photography Tips

September 25, 2014 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

If you’re new to photography, fear not. I’ve always enjoyed snapping away at pretty landscapes, funny strangers in the streets, the 1,284,932 pigeons that live in Buenos Aires, and hell – I’m even guilty of the foodie pics and hot dog legs that say I’M ON VACATION BY A BODY OF WATER ARE YOU JEALOUS? However, I try to avoid them like Ebola if I can help it. I’ve hardly had professional training, albeit I’ve taken a few classes in my short 27.1 years on this planet…but I’m no pro. I’ve recently had many questions come in regarding what camera I use and what tips I can offer to shoot better photos. You ask, I deliver.

Find A Photo Op

Take your camera everywhere. I’ve visited restaurants, been on day trips, seen sporting events and thought, “I don’t need to lug the camera around.” Oh how regretful I have been. The more you bring it along as an accessory, the more photos you’ll take, and the better you’ll be at photography. It’s not rocket science.

Compose Your Shot Thoughtfully

Use the rule of thirds, where the primary points of interest in your scene sit along “third” lines. Find a leading line that will draw in the viewer’s eyes and take them through the photograph. Move positions to avoid trees looking like they are growing out of heads. Change angles to avoid window glares from across the street. Remove all the unnecessary clutter from the frame to make for a much more aesthetically pleasing picture.

Break The Rules

Taken in Bosques de Palermo of Buenos Aires with my DJI Phantom drone

I’m such a daredevil. The above “rules” work a lot of the time, but it’s not imperative to impose them upon every photograph. Perfect symmetry can be dramatic and amazing, so screw the rule of thirds. Clutter can add texture and color, so leave the unnecessary items in the frame. Am I confusing you yet?

Get Up Close and Personal

Sometimes I tend to focus on the bigger picture and forget about the little details. Don’t be afraid to get close to what you’re photographing. It’s nice to have detailed imagery so fill the frame with your subject from time to time.

Experiment With Different Angles

I was taking pictures in the Recoleta Cemetery last week in Buenos Aires (major tourist attraction, promise I don’t thoroughly enjoy hanging out with the dead), and it was a good opportunity to get creative. I shot the same subject with different angles, towered over them or crouched and peered up. I’m sure the other tourists and cemetery caretakers probably thought I was super weird, but they weren’t getting the good shots!

Pop Of Color

Vivid photos are extremely eye-catching, but I probably don’t need to tell you that. Even if only a pop of color is visible, the stark contrast will make for a great turn-out.

Play With The Light

Light is the biggest determinant in how your photos will transpire. Have you ever asked a stranger walking by if they’d take a picture of you, to only get it back and realize you are one with the very dark background? Well let’s all do humanity a favor and learn how to successfully light a photo. Don’t have the sun behind you (unless your doing artsy silhouettes). Wear sunglasses to avoid squinting if it’s in front of you. Or, be more like my boyfriend and ask complete strangers who look like they’re struggling hard to take a selfie if they might want him to take the photo instead. Such a hero, that one!

Now…what to buy in order to make pretty pictures? See below for the best entry level DSLR camera to snap the picture perfect landscapes and adventures you can find in my galleries!

An Adventurer’s Manifesto

September 22, 2014 by lesleymurphy 7 Comments

Leave home. Say goodbye. Chau. Ciao. Adios. Au revoir. Auf Wiedersehen. さようなら. Allow connection in disconnection. Don’t let the grass grow under your feet.

Pack light. Too much baggage slows us down (I tell myself this every time I try and pack my entire closet.) Don’t attempt to protect yourself from every possible risk. What we lose in comfort, we gain in freedom.

Smile often. : ) People are drawn to happiness. You never know when you can turn somebody else’s day around with a simple smile. I like to think happiness is contagious.

Go the distance. Extraordinary things happen when you go far. A limit means the end of one thing, but the beginning of another. Exceed those limits every time.

Take the road Les traveled (see what I did there?) Planning is important, but valuable experiences are often found by deviating from the route.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Get lost. The fastest way to find yourself is to lose yourself (in the music, the moment,
you own it. You better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.) Sorry, had to. Nobody inspires quite like Eminem.

Ask questions. Find out as much as you possibly can about your surroundings and the people in them. Curiosity keeps us alert and spurs change within us. Use locals and guides as your resource to ask important questions, even if it’s “Can I have more whiskey, please?”

Take pictures. You’ll have many journeys in life. It’s important to remember each one not only through great memories, but great pictures as well. Even if you look really touristy while doing it. At least the background is pretty.

Can’t stop won’t stop don’t stop. Why is it that most of these bullet points remind me of a song? Cue Miley Cyrus. Movement keeps us going and allows new experiences, whether that’s dancing with Molly or doing whatever we want. We can’t stop. And we won’t stop.

Stop. That’s right. I just contradicted myself. Stopping is just as important as moving. Stop and smell the roses. Take a nap in a field. Read a book in the sand. There’s a reason Savasana is my favorite yoga pose.

Talk to people. Get to know the locals. Listen to their stories. Share ideas and beliefs. You never know what could come out of the relationship.

Walk. Take one step at a time. Look closer at the things around you.

Eat local and eat well. Try new flavors. They just might surprise you. And if you don’t like a good empanada, I don’t trust you.

Say ‘yes’ more. A night out with new friends? Why not. A dip in a freezing cold lake? Sure.

Enjoy the journey. Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it’s not where you want to be. Every season has a purpose.

Forget What You Know About All-Inclusive Resorts

September 19, 2014 by lesleymurphy 3 Comments

I had my doubts when I signed up for my first “all-inclusive” southern soirée. I was heading down to Chilean Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park and booked the trip from seeing mind-blowing Instagram picture after mind-blowing Instagram picture. Whoever said social media doesn’t drive bookings is a liar. I had my doubts about the overall experience. Surely the service would be lacking due to the fact that I paid upfront, that everything was included. Why would the staff go the extra mile to impress? I’m embarrassed to say how wrong I was.

Certain destinations throughout South America seek disconnection from every day routine. For this to happen, it’s necessary to leave the bills and price lists behind. Okay, I liked where they were going with this. Of course, that meant a large, lump sum paid in full before the trip even began (travel insurance, anyone?), but I knew I must trust the system. Here, all-inclusive covered accommodations, transportation, meals and bar, excursions and exploration, national park entrance fees, wi-fi and the spa. No check after dinner was consumed, no wallet to grab for said check, no payment for after-dinner drinks at the bar, not even a final bill to pay at check-out. Read: Vacation bliss. Fretting over who pays what? Save the Venmo app for another day. The only thing I needed to worry about was trying to stay alive while climbing this:

Okay, okay. I didn’t exactly climb that, but I hiked around it which was a feat in itself. The excursions were tailor-made and the guides were so enthusiastic that I wondered if I could have some of what they were having. We were ready to go before the sun and these leaders couldn’t be more excited to do a hike that they’d probably hiked a few times earlier that week. I suppose that goes to show the high caliber of employees these places hire. And can we talk about the food? We were in the middle of nowhere, but the chefs managed to create a magical display of healthy perfection at every meal. Lest you forget…if you wanted a second helping of the popular lamb that’s often served in Patagonia, it’s yours. Explora is the name, unlimited luxury is their game. Fresh ingredients and local cuisine lured in each guest with refined palates, giving name to gourmet-inclusive.

South American service-oriented hoteliers have definitely raised the bar on the all-inclusive resort model, making it damn near impossible to think about stepping foot on Majesty of the Seas ever again. The perks, convenience, service, and wealth of activities make these vacays a no-brainer. They also promote local pride, encouraging guests to get out and get a taste of the culture you can’t experience from inside the gates. In the words of Mark Twain:

Explore. Dream. Discover.

Top 3 all-inclusive unlimited luxury hotels in South America:

| Tierra Hotels |

Destinations: Atacama, Chile/Patagonia/Chiloé, Chile

| Explora Lodges |

Destinations: Patagonia/Atacama, Chile/Easter Island

| The Singular Hotels |

Destinations: Patagonia/Santiago, Chile

*I’ll be visiting October 2014. Stay tuned!*

It’s important to remember to tip the staff, even at all-inclusive resorts. They are there to serve, so serve them back!

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