TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT: WHERE TO STAY & EAT IN BIG SUR

August 5, 2021

Starting in San Francisco and working your way down the jaw-dropping Pacific Coast Highway, over the iconic Bixby Bridge, ( cue the soundtrack from Big Little Lies please ) one will find themselves speechless as they descend upon Big Sur and Carmel Valley, the crown jewels of Northern California. The destination has long been a glorious weekend escape for the discerning traveler, who has been drawn time and time again to the dramatic landscape, the unique lodge offerings and the charming town lined with farm to table restaurants, local art galleries, wine tasting rooms and boutique shops. Be prepared to see mother nature show off her wild side on the spectacular rugged beaches and the endless hiking trails, lined with magnificent redwoods encompassed by that famous morning glory fog. The romance game is other level here, perfect for a proposal, anniversary celebration or just because. Our take on Big Sur below—

STAY

Post Ranch Inn https://www.postranchinn.com/

MAPPS X Post Ranch Inn: Special nightly rates, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

EAT

Big Sur Bakery: https://www.bigsurbakery.com/

Nepenthe: https://www.nepenthe.com/

Sierra Mar: https://www.postranchinn.com/dining/

Big Sur Roadhouse: https://glenoaksbigsur.com/big-sur-roadhouse/

Let's Get Packing

EB REPORTS BACK ON HER TRIP TO ST. BARTH'S

March 3, 2021

St. Barth’s is an island notorious for drawing a discerning crowd, a destination with no shortage of glamour, white sandy beaches, luxury hotels, yachts, world-class dining and upscale boutiques. It is the reason that travelers return year after year. This past January, I flew to San Juan and boarded Tradewinds PC-12 plane and arrived back to my favorite island on the planet. The details of where I stayed, ate and cocktailed below—

STAY

For this holiday, I checked into the iconic Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, home to 61 beautifully appointed rooms, suites and villas, with beach or lush garden views. The property offers guests two restaurants with locally-inspired French cuisine. La Cabane Beach Club is the perfect spot for rose and a long lazy toes in sand lunches or La Case, a new culinary journey designed by Jean Imbert offering weekend brunch and daily evening dinner. At any time of the day, their White Bar serves the most refreshing rum cocktails and light bites around one of their two swimming pools, surrounded by gorgeous panoramic views of the coveted Flamands Bay. During the year, Cheval Blanc Maison hosts exclusive events organized with the most prestigious champagne houses such as Veuve Cliquot and highly curated art exhibitions. The Cheval Blanc Spa offers Guerlain rituals, in exclusivity in the Caribbean and has 4 treatment rooms, 1 hammam and 1 outdoor pavilion nestled in the vegetation. Their team, known for their high touch, personalized service and tailor-made experiences delivered on every level.

MAPPS X CHEVAL BLANC: Special nightly rates, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

EATS

LUNCH HOTSPOTS

GYPSEA: The all-new “Bohemian Beach Club” dropped anchor this past fall. The dress code is barefoot and salty hair. The restaurant, which is right on the beach, is adorned with shades of blue in homage to the Caribbean sea and Atlantic Ocean, with comfy benches and large mismatched cushions, untreated furniture and wood with a saltwater patina creating a chic, laid-back, end-of-the earth feel.

LE TOINY: Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, don’t miss the hidden paradise on Toiny Bay. The menu rotates regularly and offers dishes based on fish, grilled meat and refreshing salads. Enjoy a truly relaxing feet in the sand, lunch under the Paillottes.

NIKKI BEACH: On Sundays, the posh beach club turns into a table-dancing day party complete with bottle service, model-esque waiters, and oversize sushi boats. Stay through the weekend, you don’t want to miss this one.

SHELLONA: Watch the sunset with your feet in the sand at the revamp of beach bar Do Brazil, an island institution. The Shellona sunset is a little flashier than its former iteration, but that’s fine. Nature is the real star here.

THE SAND BAR: The Sand is the culinary heart and soul of Eden Rock Hotel. Signature Sand classics include… truffle pizza, crispy salmon and caramelized foie-gras, caviar and more.

DINNER HOTSPOTS

BONITO: Latin-French fare in the form of ceviche, tiraditos, and an abundance of truffle oil, plus an extensive menu of creative cocktails served alongside unbeatable views of Gustavia Harbor.

LA GUERITE: This local gem transports you to St Tropez. Make a reservation for Saturday night and be prepared to get up and dance.

L’ISOLA: Beloved by both locals and visitors, this Southern Italian favorite is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. You won’t be sitting by the sea, but you’ll also get some of the best dishes on the island.

OREGA: A newcomer on the gourmet scene in Saint Barth, this restaurant quickly developed a stellar reputation for their Franco-Japanese fusion concept.

TAMARIN: Island favorite set in a magical garden under the shade of a 200-year-old tamarind tree with a distinct French-Thai vibe.

AFTER HOURS HOTSPOTS

BAGATELLE: An offshoot of the original in New York, the cocktails flow and the crowd gets similarly rowdy, minus the costumes.

LE TI: The raucous, kitschy nightclub is a rite of passage for first-timers. Waiters whisk you into a secret back room, set you up with costumes like you’re going to Coachella, and send you off onto the dance floor.

* Editor’s note: Due to Covid-19, Le Ti will not reopen until 11/2021.

ON OUR RADAR: THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY

October 28, 2020

Situated on 3,500 acres of lush ranch land, only 25 minutes outside the ski slopes of Park City, lies The Lodge at Blue Sky, an adventure property for the modern day Annie Oakley. The property is comprised of 46 Scandinavian styled rooms and suites, a farm to table restaurant, a High West Distillery Bar, wine cellar and an expansive spa and pool. Everyday morning begins with a new outdoor pursuit and ends with you ready to pass out in front of the roaring fire. Added bonus… they have created a special Thanksgiving program which includes their annual Thanksgiving Classic Clay Shooting Tournament as well as an exclusive promotional offer.

The details below —

THANKSGIVING PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

5pm: Welcome Drinks - Kick off the holiday weekend with a specialty, seasonal cocktail as we gather in the Living Room for a celebratory toast.
6pm - 7:30pm: Turkey Bingo - Grab your drinks and head to the Wine Room for a game of Turkey Bingo. As with all games come prizes. The winner will receive an intimate meet with Gracie, our hero horse, as well as a 30-minute ride on one of our trained horses. $25++/person. 50% proceeds will go to the Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 | THANKSGIVING DAY

7am - 10am: Breakfast by reservation in YUTA.
7:30am - 9:15am: Gratitude Yoga Sequence in the Movement Room - The morning yoga class is a series of intentional poses that kindle gratitude. We will conclude class with a brief meditation. Complimentary for guests. $25++/locals.
10am - 6pm: Fall Spa Offerings - Enjoy one of our autumn-inspired treatments in Edge Spa. We'll be offering our signature Whiskey Rubdown Treatment, Autumn-Inspired Sun Soak Journey and Plant-to-Bottle Nourishing Gaia Facial. Price varies.
All Day: Family scavenger hunt. Complimentary.
11am - 1pm: 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Classic Clay Shooting Tournament - Take aim at the sporting life as you test your skills in our 5-stand pavilion and out in the field. $125++/person.
5pm - 8pm: Music in the Living Room with curated board games.
11am - 8pm: Thanksgiving Dinner by reservation in YUTA - Gather family and friends for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with Native American influences. $70++/person. $45++ for wine pairing. $40++ children 10 and under. For larger groups inquire about our private dining spaces.
9pm: Evening Fall S’mores - A classic campfire treat on the lower terrace of YUTA.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27

7am - 10am: Breakfast by reservation in YUTA.
9am - 10am: Autumn Forest Bathing - Take in the crisp autumn atmosphere with a guided walk through our forest, mindfully noticing the sounds, sights and smells of nature.
10am - 12pm: Pumpkin patch with fresh pressed apple cider (apples from our apple tree at The Outpost!) and homemade donuts down at Gracie’s Farm.
12pm - 3pm: Leftover Lunch - Chef’s creative reuse of Thanksgiving Dinner - to enjoy the next day for lunch! Special menu.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

3pm - Join us in the alpine yurt and learn the craft of cheese boards - all of the cheese vendors are local Utah purveyors. $75++/person with cash bar.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER

Stay for a minimum of 3 nights or more and receive a $200 per night resort credit to apply to an adventure, wellness or culinary experience. Booking & travel window, now thru December 17th, 2020. Flexible 48-hour cancellation terms.

MAPPS X LODGE AT BLUE SKY: complimentary upgrade, subject to availability, daily breakfast and a $100.00 resort credit. ( This can be coupled with the exclusive offer )

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

GETTING HERE: 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City, UT Airport and 25 minutes north of Park City by car or ten minute heli from the airport for those who want to make an epic arrival.

ACTIVITIES: With the slopes only 25 minutes away, winter conditions call for ski ( heli-ski offered as well ) while summer/fall days are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, ATV rides, fly fishing ( heli-fly offered as well ) clay shooting, horseback riding and an adventure/farm camp for kids.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: December-March for winter activities and June-November for summer/fall activities.

IDEAL GUEST: We love this for everyone as well as for an exclusive buyout for an epic destination celebration.

P.S. While the lodge is a destination in and of itself, for those who want to explore Park City, we recommend dining at Firewood, Yama Sushi or Harvest.

Ready for an adventure?

ON OUR RADAR: THE MARK SAILBOAT

June 17, 2020

Looking for the perfect spot for a summer celebration or a romantic evening on the water? Look no further then The Mark Hotel’s spectacular, luxurious Sailboat. The sleek, 70 foot Herreshoff sailboat, originally launched in 1921, has been completely restored with a solid mahogany hull and lustrous Indian teak decks. The sailboat’s interior was designed to be a floating extension of The Mark Hotel’s aesthetic conceived by legendary French designer Jacques Grange, whose signature black and white stripes, synonymous with the hotel’s lobby, adorn the elegant accommodations on deck.

The journey begins at Tribeca’s North Cove Marina (transportation to the dock is provided courtesy of the hotel should you add on a swanky Upper East Side stay) with a celebratory oyster toast which are shucked and served at the Marina. Once the passengers board, the ship sets sail and travels south through New York’s harbor, offering guests plenty of photo worthy moments with a backdrop of the city’s dramatic skyline. Guests get the rare opportunity to sail up close to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island while enjoying delicious canapés such as Caprese skewers, lobster with ginger sauce, tuna tartare, caviar ‘dumplings and crudite, created by the hotel's famous chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten while sipping Champagne, wine and ginger margaritas.

The boat can accommodate up to 25 guests… perfect for any celebration, but can also be reserved for as few as two people, making it an ideal choice for an intimate date night or proposal moment.

Ready to set sail? Email info@mappstravel.com xx Cheers!