The Art of Savoring
Plus, my fave romantic hotels ♡
It’s Valentine’s Day—but I’m not here to remind you of that. Rather, I’m here to remind you to find love in everything you do.
A couple weeks ago, I was listening to an episode of the Hidden Brain podcast about slowing down. Ironically, I started the episode back in September of last year—I was in between travels and couldn’t focus; I felt like I was physically and mentally moving a mile a minute. The episode got interrupted and I didn’t come back to it until two weeks ago.
I was pleasantly surprised at the angle of the episode as it focused on the art of savoring. All too often, we associate savoring with the act of eating. This episode, though, suggested we apply savoring to all areas of our lives—from experiencing a new place for the first time to relishing the feeling of achieving something you’ve been working toward, to enjoying every part of your relationships.
“It involves a mindful awareness of one’s own positive experiences. That is the essence of savoring: the capacity to notice and to attend and to appreciate a positive experience whether it’s coming from outside us or within us. — Fred B. Bryant on Hidden Brain You 2.0: Slow Down!
This was so powerful. As an extremely emotive person, I often experience melancholy after big trips and milestone celebrations. Though I’ve tried for years to train my mind to live in the moment and really take it all in as it’s happening, I could never fully avoid that “come down” feeling after-the-fact. Hearing that I can train my mind to master this technique was so inspiring to me.
The episode also addressed savoring’s role in combating the phenomenon of The Hedonic Treadmill, which is the act of getting used to something—what initially strikes us as pleasant, or unpleasant, eventually fades over time.
“[The Hedonic Treadmill] has adaptive value to handle unpleasant feelings–you can get used to pain if it gets chronic. Yet, it has its drawbacks in the fact that we grow used to and accustomed to positive things… the system seems to be less sensitive over time to the pleasurable stimuli that at first was explicit. Classic case: You go into a bakery and you’re bombarded with aromas—the smell of freshly baked bread, chocolate pastries, the smell is divine… within a few minutes we get used to it and might not even realize it. Someone else will come in a few minutes later and say, “Oh the aroma,” and you think, “What aroma?”... The trouble is we get used to anything when we’re surrounded by it. We only really know what we got when it’s gone.” — Bryant
So, how do we “slow down” the Hedonic Treadmill?
“It’s far better for us to slow down and stretch the time and experience out. That is the number one savoring strategy people adopt when instructed to try and enjoy an experience the most they possibly can… If you want to smell the roses, you have to slow down, if you’re gonna drive by and roll the windows down and try to smell the roses, that’s not going to work.” — Bryant
You’re probably wondering what all this has to do with travel? Well, I love how the act of savoring means so much more than enjoying every bite of a decadent truffle-topped pasta at a Michelin-star restaurant, or an indulgent chocolate cake on my birthday. It’s savoring the feeling of landing in a new country, checking into a hotel and appreciating all the details of what makes it so unique, meeting a new face, feeling that warmth of sunshine on your face—every little moment of my travels can be savored, and even every special moment closer to home. I hope this inspires you as much as it did for me.
Now, for 5 hotels that I think epitomize romance any time of year:
Blackberry Mountain
Walland, Tennessee
Scene: a rustic-luxury getaway in the Smoky mountains.
What classifies it as romantic: the modern treehouses wrap you and your lover in nature without ever having to leave bed. Turn down service includes firewood and s’mores for an intimate night in.
Don’t miss: climbing the fire tower during sunset for a sweeping view of western Tennessee then warming up with a slow dance over spinning vinyl at the library.
Rosewood Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Scene: individual suite-style villas overlooking the Mayakoba lagoon and surrounded by lush, tropical jungle.
What classifies it as romantic: plenty of private nooks, both in the suites and throughout the property, for private moments with your loved one.
Don’t miss: the Ceiba tree dinners are an opportunity to mingle with other guests while learning about traditional Mayan cuisine and practices; experiencing it all with your partner is a bonding opportunity over new cultures.
The Retreat Hotel at Blue Lagoon
Grindavík, Iceland
Scene: a soothing concrete sanctuary among Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon.
What classifies it as romantic: mostly adult-only spaces, including a private portion of the Blue Lagoon; the fluffiest robes to lounge in after a bath in the tub next to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the otherworldly, volcanic terrain.
Don’t miss: Champagne and an invigorating silica face mask while floating in the healing waters together. A visit to the subterranean wine cellar for an exclusive tasting.
I also asked my boyfriend for his input, this is what he had to say:
Hidden Pond
Kennebunkport, Maine
Scene: standalone cottages and bungalows spread over 60 acres of birch groves and balsam fir.
What classifies it as romantic: nestled in the woods in your own little cabin with stone fireplaces and an off-the-grid vibe adds to the intimacy.
Don’t miss: Earth is their onsite restaurant serving locavore cuisine from the surrounding gardens. The natural decor is perfect for date night and ending the evening with a nightcap by their outdoor fire pits is really special.
Borgo San Felice
Castelnuovo, Tuscany, Italy
Scene: a converted medieval hamlet, or “borgo” in Chianti Classico.
What classifies it as romantic: the setting of being on a vineyard in a remote village of Tuscany with luxury amenities on property so you don’t ever need to leave.
Don’t miss: the couples massage and wine therapies at The Botanic Spa, set in an ancient olive oil mill.
Recent work:
What Makes a Restaurant Romantic? 14 Restaurants Weigh In