The SAGAMORE PENDRY HOTEL

When I think of places that inspire me, several come to mind. Baltimore is always one of the top. The city and surrounding area are rich with history, culture and beauty. It is a city of innovators and creatives. It is a city of intellectuals. It is quirky with a freeing spirit, that conversely is steeped in tradition. So much of the American spirit comes from around Baltimore.

I can say from experience, the transformation of this city has been happening over the years. I went to college in the Baltimore area and every year, I get this deep palpable pang to spend time in the city. I have not been to my alma mater in years, but at least a weekend around Baltimore is always needed. Most people associate Baltimore with Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium and the unfortunately diminishing Painted Screens found on row homes with white marble steps. Baltimore is a city of over 200 distinct neighborhoods. Even within a small radius of the city you will find different characteristics. From Federal Hill with its historic brick row homes and boutique shops to Roland Park with beautiful old homes and parks surrounded by some of the top universities in the country, if not the world. The National Historic District, Mount Vernon with its elegant mansions and many of Baltimore’s museums and concert halls. At the center is a statue of George Washington as though to presides over the city.

Fells Point, with its cobblestone streets, first established in 1763 as a shipyard port is one of the oldest neighborhoods. Home to restaurants and bars, one of which has been in continues operation since 1775 (without counting the closures due to the pandemic). Even if you have never been to Baltimore before, you certainly know Fells Point from television and the movies. Part of the structure of the hotel in this journal will be familiar from both.

I have always been an admirer of architecture. What really gets my attention is when architecture has a history and then is repurposed and is given a new identity. One that certainly differs from the “life” it had before. Sagamore Pendry Hotel is in a building with a history not associated with luxury. According to the Fells Point Historic District National Register, the structure was built in 1914 as a commercial pier. It also had a ballroom for local youth to meet, hence the name Recreation Pier. The building also served as a landing point for thousands of new immigrants processed across the river at the Locust Point immigration station. After being left basically abandoned, the building received interest from Hollywood. It served as the police headquarters for NBC’s television series, Homicide: Life on the Street.

Given its past, its present is nothing short of extraordinary.

The Sagamore Pendry Baltimore is comprised of 128 rooms looking out to the harbor or courtyard. There are three eating venues, a beautiful ballroom paying homage to one of the original functions of the building, a fitness center and a gorgeous pool. Throughout the property the design elements are a mixture of what the Baltimore area is: industrial, classic, modern, creative all twisted together and it works. It is comfortable with details that beckon you to stay.

Photo Courtesy: The Sagamore Pendry Hotel

Photo Courtesy: The Sagamore Pendry Hotel

The guest rooms are warm and inviting with a wall of windows that look out to the harbor, harbor pool view or hotel courtyard. Each with rich warm woods and clean lines. The rooms textiles are subtle to make sure the view is center and you are comfortable in the environment. There are variations in categories from kings, double queens, one bedroom suites and expansive specialty Governor and Presidential suites. All which one might want to stay for a few nights or even longer.

Photo Courtesy: The Sagamore Pendry Hotel

The hotel offers a fitness center and collaborates with a local day spa for facial and massage treatments. The pool is stunning. It sits at the end of the recreation pier so fittingly. A seasonal poolside bar and grill is opened to enjoy a cocktail and a bit of food while lounging and taking in the activity on the harbor.

There is much to do and see beyond the city center of Baltimore. I could go on about the vast experiences one can have in the area. You need to spend time here. The Sagamore Pendry Hotel is the perfect mix of luxury, ingenuity, comfort, history, and modernism all rolled into one.

AMAN NEW YORK

As a born and bred New Yorker, the love affair with my home city is deep and complex, just like any true love. It goes in waves of blinding admiration and fits of frustration. The city excites with a vibrant pulse that is electrifying. It also posses a unique quietness that can not be found anywhere else. The beauty is also to be found in the grit. It is the grit and splendor that makes the city what it is, a place of doers and dreamers.

New York is a place for wellness. It might sound odd at first, but it is true. Wellness has certainly been on all of our minds of late. It is more than a trend and it is more than sitting on a mountain in lotus position. It is about what fills ones soul. For if we do not take care of what drives or sparks us, then we are not full.

Let’s start with movement. You can walk, run, swim, sail, play tennis and so many other activities.

The sense of smell can vary from a coffee cart to trees or fresh laundry walking over a vent of an apartment building, especially in the winter.

The sense of sound is varied and lovely. The orchestra of traffic, the rustling of leaves, the chatter of people and the buzz of a restaurant in motion. Then the sounds coming from the various concert halls with voices to fill us large. The admiration of talent and work.

The sight of beautiful architecture from museums, residential buildings, gorgeous landscapes and waterways can be grand, but can also be found in simplicity.

For those who make another location home, it is an aspirational destination. The landmarks are what draw people in and almost never disappoint their expectations.

New York is ever changing. When you have a building such as the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue and West 57th Street, that is intrinsically beautiful, the only thing to do is enhance its use. That is exactly what has happened. First a little history about the Crown Building. Originally named Heckscher Building, it was built in 1921 and designed by the architectural firm Warren and Wetmore, who were also responsible for the Helmsley Building and Grand Central Terminal.

The Crown Building which has always been mixed use, this spring will add luxury hotel and residences to its latest reincarnation as the Aman New York. The Aman New York will offer unparalleled service, world class dining and entertainment venues, a comprehensive Aman Spa, and exclusive branded residences – the very first urban Aman Residences worldwide. Providing guests and residents with holistic wellbeing through Aman Wellness. Aman New York will finally bring the peace promised by Aman’s Sanskrit-derived name to one of the globe’s greatest cities.

Aman New York will be comprised of 83 elegant guest rooms and suites, each have a functioning fireplace – something of a rarity in New York. In addition, Aman New York will house 22 private branded residences, many with spacious outdoor terraces. Guests and residents will have access to unrivaled facilities, including three principal dining venues, a jazz club, and the Aman Spa and will also be home to an Aman Club for members.

Bringing authentic omakase (chef-chosen) washoku cuisine to Manhattan, Aman’s signature fine-dining Japanese restaurant, Nama, will serve exquisite sushi and sashimi at its live-cooking counter and on its outdoor terrace. Arva, Aman’s signature Italian restaurant, will offer exceptional all-day dining on the wraparound garden terrace which claims views of Central Park.

The Wine Library, Aman New York’s wine cellar, will sit adjacent to Nama and will be available for private wine tastings and events. The Bar will serve cocktails created by award-winning mixologists, craft beers and gin from leading local breweries and distilleries, and a global selection of fine wines.

With the importance of focusing on personal wellbeing, Aman New York will bring to life the fullest expression of the Aman Urban Wellness concept. Extending over three-stories, the Aman Spa will encompass rooms dedicated to consultation, examination and therapy. The Wellness Centre will be home to seven spa treatment suites and two unique Banya and Hammam Spa Houses – ideal for half and full-day experiences. Each Spa House has its own private outdoor relaxation terrace with hot and cold plunge pools. Other spa facilities will include a 20-metre indoor swimming pool lined with double daybeds around cozy fire pits. The spacious 280-square-metre innovative Aman Fitness Centre will offer the latest Technogym training equipment, using new technologies for maximum effect, while the yoga studio will be complemented by a full experience hydrotherapy facility with saunas, steam rooms, ice fountains and sensory showers.

Bowery Hotel

New York is an ever changing city. Sometimes those changes are for the good and other times.. well, not so good. Given all the changes, finding the parts of “Old New York “ can be hard to find. There are certain parts of the city that have changed for the better and also kept the nostalgic charm. One of the areas is the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It has had huge amounts of re-gentrification, but also kept the grit of New York City.

One of the diamonds is the Bowery Hotel. Located on Bowery between East 2nd Street and East 3rd Street. It is unassuming in its exterior and mystic and warm on the interior. The lobby has warm dark woods with vintage upholstered sofas. It is like walking into an aristocratic family members drawing room or a private club. It is a luxury boutique hotel. The key to the guests rooms are big and heavy. The kind you want to hand back to the front desk when leaving the hotel. It looks like a real key but is actually electronic.

When I entered my Bowery King room facing east, it was quiet. It was comfortable and made me think this is going to be a great place to call home for the night. The room has floor to ceiling windows with black trimmed panes bringing in lots of natural light. A small table with two comfortable chairs are placed by the window.  The original craftsmanship of crown molding, arch ways with stained glass are within the room. There is lots to do and see in the area with wonderful shops, restaurants, and galleries. I found myself wanting to stay put looking at the city from the windows within these wonderful walls. The night sleep was restful in an incredibly comfortable bed. The type you feel no rush to get out of and start the day.

The service was attentive and friendly. The Bowery Hotel has a fitness center, Gemma Restaurant serving Italian cuisine. They also have a beautiful bar. There are 135 rooms comprising of Queen, King, Suite and One Bedroom. The fantastic smelling products are C.O. Bigelow.

I understand why this is a favorite hotel among young Hollywood and people working in the creative fields. This is not your big tour groups hotel.

The hotel is easy to access other parts of the city. Astor Place subway station is a five minutes away. Cabs are easily available. You will want to walk and see all the East Village, Greenwich Village, NOHO and SOHO have to offer.

The Bowery Hotel is a favorite for being understated luxurious and keeping a bit of Old New York alive.

Aulani- A Disney Resort and Spa

Aulani .... Aulani simply saying the name which in Hawaiian means “the place that speaks for the great ones” or “messenger of a chief”; it makes me want to go back.

Located on the island of O’ahu only twenty-five minutes from Honolulu International Airport. Situated in the beautiful Ko Olina area of the city Kapolei. The resort is oceanfront with a tranquil beach due to the lagoon setting.

When you enter the property it is lush with beautiful trees. The friendly Aloha spirit is felt the minute you step out of your car. Women and men are each given a beautiful Lei. Children have their own welcoming gift of a Menehune necklace ( Menehune are shy mischievous people of Hawaiian Islands that are gifted and magical). What really opens your eyes and makes you say “wow” is the lobby. Tall entry way with Polynesian style of architecture. Your eyes look at the pictures telling a story of the people and the land. This is an immediate way the history and customs of Hawaii are woven into the fabric of the resort. Then you are drawn to the ocean in the distance while looking at the Waikolohe Valley (the name of the recreation area) in the foreground.

The resort has 351 guest rooms including 16 suites and 481 multi-bedroom suites. My family and I stayed in an Island Garden View with two queen-size beds. We had a beautiful view of the garden, mountains and a partial view of the ocean.

The resort is large, but it is easy to navigate. Every evening the daily ‘IWA (schedule) is available for the next day. It lists activities for the ‘Ohana (family), Keiki (children) and ‘Opio ( youth 13-17 years old).

We started our morning with a 6:30am stretch class by the ocean. It was a perfect way to start the day. The classes change each day. We had breakfast at ‘Ama’Ama an oceanfront restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was fantastic. It is one of two restaurants on property that reservations are highly recommended. The other restaurant is called Makahiki (named after the annual Hawaiian festival celebrating the season of bounty). The service is buffet style and they are opened for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is a Disney character dining with Mickey Mouse and friends. The ‘Olelo Room a lounge open for bar fare in the evening. I thought the concept for the lounge was brilliant. Everything has a word on it. For example the word ‘Noho’ was written on the top of the chairs; since it is the Hawaiian word for ‘chair’. The whole lounge is meant to be interactive for the guests to speak with the cast (this is Disney after all) to learn about the Hawaiian language and culture. The resort also has many other locations for meals.

Truly the greatest kids club is the wonderful Aunty’s Beach House . Throughout the day they have activities for children. Some require sign up because space is limited. You can arrange to have your children eat lunch or dinner based on availability and for an additional fee. Aunty’s Beach House has something for every child's interest. Plenty of rooms with different crafts, a movie room that looks dark and stormy so you want to sit and watch the movie and a big jungle gym in the backyard to run around.

There is more to do in the Waikolohe Valley  it is unbelievable! There are two water slides, one of them is called Tubestone Curl. It empties out into the lazy river so you can relax and let the river move you. The resort also has three pools. One is an infinity pool that looks out to the stunning ocean. If you swim underwater you can hear whale sounds. There is a larger pool where they do activities as well as an adult only pool.

Another unique aspect of the resort is the Rainbow Reef . This is a live reef with incredible aquatic life. The cast makes sure it is kept pristine and have you follow special guidelines when entering.

The beach is wonderful, complimentary boogie boards and snorkels are available. Since it is a lagoon it is easy for young children to play in the water. Paddle boards are available for an additional fee. I have been wanting to paddle board for awhile and it was fantastic! Quite the workout. The lagoon is shared with the neighboring Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina .

Golf can be arranged at the top rated Ko Olina Golf Club located next door.

The Luau called KA WA’A is definitely a must experience. It is right on property and as of now performed twice a week. They offer pre-show activities and the buffet highlights Hawaiian cuisine.

The Laniwai Spa is stunning. It is the only spa on O’ahu to offer Kula Wai an outdoor hydrotherapy garden. This is another example of bringing Hawaiian rituals and beliefs into the setting. The signature treatment is the traditional Hawaiian Lomilomi . This massage technique is passed down from generation to generation. The Laniwai offers many different spa treatments.

My family and I were having such a wonderful time at the resort, we only left one night for dinner to a restaurant across the street at Ko’Olina Station.  

I could go on for pages about all the fantastic activities and feel of the resort. Our vacation was exactly what we wanted. Which was much needed relaxation, new experiences and fun. Next time we will also explore all the wonder O’ahu has to offer.