Summer Faves + Win a Trip to Italy
My faves from Malibu, San Diego, Bermuda...
It’s been a busy summer of travels with destination weddings and as much as these were complete leisure trips, as a travel journalist I’m always “on” – scoping out the best things to do/see/stay even in a short period of time. So, I wanted to share a few of my favorite highlights that may not comprise enough for a “48 hours in a destination” piece but are certainly worth checking out if you’re in the area. Here are a few of my favorite things from my short stints in Malibu, San Diego and Bermuda this summer:
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Malibu
At Four Seasons Westlake Village, my faith in facials was restored. The property recently completed a renovation and now houses the largest spa of any Four Seasons, in addition to a Center for Health and Wellbeing, which hosts three luxury retreats for destination wellness. There are retreat options or "Wellness stays" that focus on sustainable weight loss, optimum performance (athletic focused), and spa and beauty (because who doesn't love a weekend of getting pampered)? It took me years to trust a hotel spa (i.e. not a medspa) with my face, but this risk was worth the reward – I was glowing all weekend thanks to their extremely personalized treatments. I only regret not making time for a massage, because if the face treatments were that good, I can’t imagine a full body experience.
My best friend got married at Cielo Farms in Malibu – the setting is surreal, encompassed by the Santa Monica mountains, rows of vines at your feet and at sunset, the golden hue simply envelopes it all in a magic glow. You don’t need to get married, or even attend a wedding here, though, simply book a tasting and you’ll wonder why you never ventured up this high in Malibu.
San Diego
The boardwalk in Pacific Beach is a heck of a time. Skip the bars at beach level and head to Waterbar for a laidback afternoon of tropical drinks and views overlooking PB. Don’t be put off by its size; we were at first, opting for a smaller venue but sometimes the big, touristy spot offers a pleasant surprise.
La Valencia Hotel is a regal magnet in the heart of La Jolla. With sweeping vistas of the glistening Pacific Ocean, a palatial pool you can spend all day at (I did and their pina coladas are some of the best I’ve ever had) and a dining room inspired by Spanish architecture, this resort is fit for a queen for the night – or even for a day.
When you tire of poolside coladas, head to George’s At the Cove roof deck for alternate scenes of the coast, particularly stunning during sunset.
Bermuda
As many of you know (those who've been here from the beginning at least), Bermuda is where I grew up – there’s always recommendations to be had here but since I know longer live on island full time, I'm always discovering new ideas during my trips home.
Cambridge Beaches, one of my favorite spots to boat to in the summer and swim up to their beachfront restaurant for rum swizzles, underwent a stunning renovation. The resort, originally opened in 1923, is now reminiscent of a chic beach house in the Hamptons, thanks to Phil Hospod of Dovetail + Co, and interior designer Kellyann Hee (formerly of Soho House). The 86 cottages are spread across 23 acres, all offering sweeping views of Bermuda’s famed turquoise waters, some outfitted with infinity plunge pools for when you don’t want to get salty. I’ll surely be checking in for a staycation next time!
I’d visited Astwood Arms British pub many times before but I just discovered their balloon gin and tonics — served in a goblet like glass, Spanish style — and they have an entire gin menu! What have I been missing out on? Be sure to ask for the “off-menu” option; in my opinion, this should be more heavily advertised.
Since not living on the island consecutively for years now, I’d forgotten about one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall fish sandwich spots, Bermy Cuisine. The unassuming building, fringing the back of town and close to where I attended grade school, isn’t much to look at, but their piled high fish sandwich (Bermuda style with raisin bread, extra tartare and hot sauce) will bring you back to life after a night of Dark 'N Stormy cocktails.
Want to win a trip to Italy?
It's hard to believe that I'm on my 96th issue of Jilux. As we inch toward 100, I want to highlight some opportunities to get further involved with my work and contacts off the screen, as there will be some changes to this newsletter when I hit triple digits and I want to make sure you all still see the value in it. To kick things off, I want to share a chance to win a trip to Italy with Creative Edge Travel, cultural experience trips operated by Sierra Busch ().
As she celebrates her fifth year since founding Creative Edge Travel, she's running an epic giveaway to win a free trip to Italy. Entries close tomorrow at 11:59pm, so if you're intrigued, don't miss a beat and head on over to her official giveaway page linked here.
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Some recent articles:
Float Up to the Bartender at These Best 16 Pool Bars in the World
How to Enjoy the Ultimate 4-Day Weekend in Bermuda
9 Places to Get a Perfect Martini in Boston
Xo,
J