The craggy bluffs, dusty trails and sandy terrain of the desert aren’t usually associated with luxury hotels. But in Chile’s Atacama Desert — by some accounts the driest desert on earth — a remarkable thing has sprouted in the past few years: An oasis of upscale desert lodges that combine amenities and style with a…
Tag: spas
HOTEL REVIEW: Faena Hotel + Universe (part 1)
The dramatic entry gallery. It seems like there is a reason why Faena Hotel + Universe calls itself not just a hotel, but a “universe.” It is, at the very least, a different world. I checked in yesterday afternoon, as part of a group with Borello Travel & Tours, and from the start you can…
LF DEAL ALERT: Puerto Vallarta Luxury and Value
One of the places I’ve most enjoyed staying in Puerto Vallarta is Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa. Part of the pleasure is the size; with only 83 rooms, it’s not crowded like larger resorts, yet it’s big enough to offer plenty of services (including excellent spa treatments). Part of the appeal is the comfortable and…
Six Great New Boutique Hotels in Cartagena, Colombia
The Centro Histórico (Historic Center) in Cartagena, Colombia, has for years been a prime place for hoteliers to introduce ever-more-luxurious small hotels set in landmark-status, Colonial-era buildings. Larger properties like the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa and the Sofitel Santa Clara (set in a former convent and monastery, respectively) may be the grande dames of the…