As a girl raised in Southern California, if I had a choice, I’ve always been partial to the warm, sunny Caribbean beaches of Turks and Caicos or Mustique over the allure of glitzy ski resorts. However, this week I’m about to make the exception. I’m headed to Nira Alpina in the Switzerland ski resort of Surlej, where you can find the finest skiing in the St. Mortiz region. My brother-in-law, an avid skier known for going on extravagant boys’ ski weekends, recently asked me (an après skier) if I skied. I laughed and replied, ”In St. Mortiz I do!”
Stay tuned for my tweets and updates this week from Nira Alpina.
Snow Before Show
Filed under Luxury Travel
Thanksgiving Travel Tweet-up with Travel + Leisure
Travel Tweet-Up
To help you plan your travels this Thanksgiving, join me for a live Twitter chat on Thursday, 11/17, from 3p.m. until 4p.m. EST, along with Travel + Leisure International Editor Mark Orwoll. Here’s how to join
Filed under Luxury Travel
Uber Cool
What better night than a rainy night in New York City to test out “Uber“, a swank new town car service recommended to me by a tech-savvy friend. I was headed out to meet my sorority sisters many whom I hadn’t seen in 15 years at Stanton Social on the Lower East Side, and with the touch of an app I was on my way. Taxis suddenly became so yesterday.
Uber Taxi
Here’s how it works: You tap open the Uber app and set up an account with your credit card number. The iPhone’s GPS system locates where your phone is. I was told my driver Michael would arrive in 18 minutes. My first hiccup. I noticed the app now said my driver would arrive in 24 minutes. Then I realized for some reason my phone thought I was in Queens instead of Park Avenue South. I quickly cancelled the service and reordered.
This time, my phone accurately displayed where I was, and within 7 minutes, Michael was outside waiting for me in a sleek tinted out SUV, however he was down the street. The accuracy of the GPS system located the driver exactly below my hotel window 16 floors down instead of the front door, but since Michael had my phone number, we quickly coordinated our locations.
I must admit. I felt like a bit like a Rock Star when the black tinted out sedan pulled up to my hotel. My sorority sisters were certainly going to be impressed.
There is a $7 base charge as soon as you get into an Uber car, plus time and distance charges. The convenient part was the final tally included tip and was automatically billed to my credit card.
When I arrived at my destination, the total — $30 —appeared on my phone, and shortly after on Michael’s. Each of us can rate one another on a scale of one to five stars, so no time for any diva behavior.
While the service may be a bit more expensive than a taxi, the whole experience was certainly luxe. Uber operates in New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago and now Boston.
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Travel Photo of the Day: Snorkeling in Turks and Caicos
Mask. Check! Snorkel. Check! Conditions were absolutely perfect to snorkel yesterday off of Turks & Caicos Club hotel on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
Turks and Caicos Islands are located 575 miles southeast of Miami (90 minutes by air) and boast some of the finest coral reefs in the world stretching 65 miles across and 200 miles long creating the third largest coral reef system in the world. It’s a true snorkeler’s and scuba diver’s paradise and also the ideal place to enjoy 12 miles of white sand beach in addition to the crystal clear turquoise blue waters.
The perfect day for snorkeling
Filed under Luxury Travel
Parking by Chanel
I was off to my best friend’s first runway show for her new label mike&ton under The Tent at Mandarin Oriental Boston for Boston Fashion Week.
Parking in the garage at the nearby Saks was $35 for over 5 hours or $12 with a validated stamp with minimum $10 purchase.
“Why pay the garage when we can park and get something at Saks too?” I said convincingly to my husband. Hesitantly he agreed, and we marched up to Saks where I quickly moved from Estee Lauder over to Chanel with such familiarity as if it were my own living room; in a few short minutes I had purchased a “much needed” Chanel compact and got my parking ticket validated.
“So let me get this straight,” my husband said to me. “You just bought a $48 compact so we could get a $12 parking stamp to avoid $35 parking?”
“Exactly!” I replied proudly. He escorted me out of the department store rolling his eyes.
I later shared my savvy Chanel parking story on Facebook to which one friend replied, “You know, if scenarios like this had been used as math problems in school I might have actually enjoyed it.”
Me too!
Filed under Fashion
The Savvy Traveler :: Luxe Tiffany
Want to know my travel essentials, what’s hot on my radar as far as luxury travel destinations and what was one of my coolest travel experiences? Check out the feature on my on Trip Styler, The Savvy Traveler :: Luxe Tiffany
The Savvy Traveler : Luxe Tiffany
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Glamping on the Wild Side
I’m not the outdoorsy type. I do love active vacations, but when it comes to camping, I often say that if it doesn’t have a boutique or an electrical outlet, forget about it. Thus, I love the term “glamping” — glamorous camping, a term so fondly used these days even Travel Channel is doing a feature on wilderness resorts dedicated to the luxury traveler like me who “wants to rough it but not tough it”.
Clayoqout Wilderness is an oasis on the Bedwell River just off Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia where guests arrive by sea plane and are escorted to their luxury safari-style tent accommodations by horse drawn wagon. Each zip up luxury tent features antique style furniture, thermostat controlled propane wood burning stoves, opulent rugs and even new in-tent bathrooms in 12 of the 20 tents.
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
John Caton & his wife, Adele are gracious hosts and professional guides take you on daily adventures including hiking, river kayaking, horseback riding and wildside tours where you can see black bears feast on crabs, watch the gray whale migration and see bald eagles swoop down to catch fresh fish.
After a full day of exploring the wildside, take a yoga class, rejuvenate with a massage, then feast on five star cuisine such as Tofino Crab with Garlic Butter and delectable desserts that will energize you for another day on the wildside.
The resort is perfect for families, and you might even spot a famous musician singing songs around the campfire.
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Pins in Paradise
Just Breathe
I have this unnatural fear that Yuki has left a needle in my back, and there is a Pilates class at five. I have just finished my first ever session of Acupuncture & Shiatsu feeling totally relaxed yet paranoid at the same time.
My friends have been swearing by Acupuncture for months, and even my doctor has advised that Acupuncture will “balance my energies.”
Being one-quarter Chinese, it was hard for me to refute this ancient therapy, so I made an appointment with Yuki Nishikubo, at the renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat at Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos. She told me she had been working at Parrot Cay for several months, but alleviated my fear of inexperience by sharing that she had been an Acupuncturist and Moxibustionist for the past 19 years in London and Japan.
Yuki Nishikubo at Parrot Cay
We started with one hour of Shiatsu, a form a pressure point massage that left me feeling like a noodle. It was as if she knew that I was AAdvantage Platinum and spent countless hours on airplanes and in airports lounges.
My trance like being was awakened by the sound of Yuki unwrapping sterilized Acupunture needles, one by one. Poke, tap tap tap… poke, tap, tap tap. I reminded myself to just breathe. Just breathe. Let me share that I was “that kid” who took two nurses to hold me down for annual vaccinations.
She calmly brushed my hair down and tapped one needle into the top of my head. I giggled silently as I envisioned Pinhead from the movie “Hell Raiser.” I quickly refocused on pretty thoughts as I stared down at the fresh hibiscus beneath me.
COMO Shambhala Retreat
Yuki finished by draping a light towel over my body and told me to wait five minutes. She stayed in the room which had my mind racing if this was a precautionary measure in case I moved. Why did I have to feel an itch on my eye right at that moment? Stay still I reminded myself. Just breathe. Just breathe.
She removed each pin and I heard them clank, clank, clank into a bowl. I wished I had counted how many she put in so I could make sure all were taken out. Silliness, I know. She is an expert. When it was over, I told Yuki “arigato” (thank you in Japanese). I really do feel rejuvenated and restored, but truth be told, just a little scared to lean back in my chair as I write this.
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Green with Envy
This spring you’ll find me wearing a handbag I cherish as if it were the Spring/Summer 2011 collection of Chanel or Valentino – my newest acquisition, the “Mustique Green” limited edition tote bag by international London designer, Anya Hindmarch.
Mustique Green by Anya Hindmarch
The designer generously agreed to design a reusable shopping tote bag for Mustique which was inspired by Anya’s successful ‘I am not a plastic bag’ piece. Mustique plastic bags are still widely used on the island, however, Anya’s Mustique Green bag is the latest motivation for the island to reduce the number of plastic bags on the island.
The bag is available only on Mustique, a world class private island in the West Indies, where you might even see the future Queen of England toting one around!
Filed under Fashion, Luxury Travel
This Might Be Ludicrous
So there I was working out in the Trump SoHo gym alone at 9:00 PM to the song “Get Back” by rapper Ludacris, a song I have obsessively played since seeing the movie Tropic Thunder featuring Tom Cruise’s knockout performance as Les Grossman.
“Heads up! Heads up!
Here’s another one!
And a – and another one …” (Get Back)
All day the hotel was buzzing with celebrity clientele, and I had already seen Ghandi having a lunch meeting with Borat and a Will & Grace star hanging out in the lobby. I was staying in a gorgeous Penthouse Suite, and working out was my late night penance for the delicious chocolate dipped strawberries I had received earlier in the day by Management.
Trump SoHo
Within a few minutes, I was no longer alone. In walked a young black man who looked oddly familiar. My first thought? He looks a lot like Ludacris without the bling.
Could you imagine? I’m listening to his music and voila! Here he is!
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen a celeb in a luxury hotel gym. Benjamin Bratt almost dropped a weight on my foot a few years ago, and Glee’s Jane Lynch once told me I had a great body in Vancouver.
I quietly retreated into to a corner with my iPhone and Googled “Ludacris peace tattoo.” I had noticed the word on his arm, and figured there must be some sort of fan website obsessed with his ink. Google told me Ludacris did indeed have a peace tattoo, but I still wasn’t convinced so I Googled “Ludacris height.” Google said he was 5’7 and I’m 5’7 so I decided to walk over to the weights next to him and see if we stood side by side. We did.
He was playing with the TV asked me if I knew what channel the basketball game was on. I told I did not and started to do some sit-ups. My 50 sit-ups turned into 100 sit-ups until I finally worked up the courage to ask, “Do you live here?” He replied no and that he was here in New York filming a movie called “New Year’s Eve” with an all star cast including Hilary Swank.
Chris Bridges
I asked him his name, and he introduced himself as Chris Bridges. “Ludacris?” I asked. He nodded yes. I pointed to my iPod, “Would you believe I’m working out to your song right now? Get Back. It’s the best workout song ever.” He laughed and said thanks.
We spent 10 minutes chatting about all sorts of things including the where he lived, his family, acting, his trips to the Caribbean for various music fests and the spa. He even told me bad boy Chris Brown was staying in the hotel after his tumultuous visit to Good Morning America just that morning, thus the paparazzi swarming the hotel.
I asked him if he ever came to Boston and he said he did sometimes and loved it because that’s where all the Gangsters are. “Like Bobby Brown?” I asked. He again laughed in a very boyish non-rapper kind of way.
Tonight he was more of a Chris than a Ludacris.
I left the gym wondering if anyone would believe my encounter. It really is a ludicrous story, isn’t it!
Filed under Luxury Travel
Write at Home
I went looking for a pen today and found a trip around the world.
I was reminded of horseback riding amongst black bears at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, to walking a pristine pink sand beach in Barbuda.
I was taken back to zen moment relaxing at the Mandarin Oriental Spa, to dancing under a Tamarind tree in Antigua at Curtain Bluff.
I was reminded of the sweet taste of lemonade in the summer in Newport, Rhode Island at Castle Hill Inn to meeting an interesting orinologist in a fruit orchard on Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands.
I could practically feel the powder white sand between my toes at the intimate Turks & Caicos Club in the British West Indies and how peaceful I felt after my private yoga class at Canyon Ranch Miami…
Within minutes I had escaped…and didn’t even have to pack a bag.
Tiffany Travels
Filed under Luxury Travel
“Eau” My!
I am obsessed with water, the fancy bottled kind with the tiniest bubbles that bite your tongue as if it were the finest champagne.
I blame the luxurious Berkshires resort, Blantyre, Relais & Châteaux, for my decadent taste buds for this clear liquid. During a recent stay, Sommelier Luc Chevalier (formerly of Andre Soltner’s Lutece) indulged me with a “water tasting” to be enjoyed with a sumptuous five course French country dinner.
As a result, I have become a water snob. I find myself asking for the French sparkling water “Badoit” from Saint-Galmier, France when dining out. I get giddy with excitement if a restaurant offers the Missoni label limited edition San Pellegrino bottle, so much so I sneak the bottle home.
Now the Italian water company has created yet another limited edition bottle with Bulgari to mark the luxury jeweler’s 125th anniversary. I might need to start checking flights to Paris. I hear it is only available at Collette but will eventually be available at the finest restaurants worldwide.
Follow me on Twitter @LuxeTiffany
Filed under Luxury Travel
Caribbean Queens
The white sand beach and turquoise water in Turks and Caicos are breathtaking and the luxury hotels and spas are divine. However, one of the most fascinating cultural pearls on Providenciales is called Conch World (formerly the Conch Farm) boasting itself “The World’s Only Sea Farm that raises Caribbean Queens Fit for a King.”
Only one in 10,000 conch produce a conch pearl, and as part of her stunning jewelry collection, Hollywood legend, Elizabeth Taylor once wore an amazing Harry Winston diamond and conch pearl necklace bringing the pink mollusk’s popularity back into the limelight.
Perhaps you have savored Queen Conch Sashimi at the world-famous Nobu Restaurants? The delectable export is right here from Turks and Caicos.
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Filed under Luxury Travel
Hollywood Social
Seeking a Hollywood moment in New York, we drove from Boston to the Big Apple to celebrate the New York Film Festival’s Premiere of “The Social Network” based on the book “Accidental Billionaires“ by my good friend, author Ben Mezrich.
The Social Network Premiere
We settled into a fabulous suite at the Jumeirah Essex House overlooking Central Park, then dressed for the Friends & Family movie screening at the Lincoln Center courtesy of Sony Pictures. From there we were headed to the celeb-studded post party at the Harvard Club, followed by an ultra-private after-after party with the movie cast at the famed Minetta Tavern.
Jumeirah Essex House - Central Park
Following our screening and dinner, we made our way back to the Lincoln Center to wait to for the Mezrich’s who were at the Red Carpet World Premiere.
We found ourselves noticeably overdressed amongst fans who had gathered at a side exit carrying celebrity photos and Sharpies hopeful of an autograph by Kevin Spacey.
“Would you like to wait in my car?” a brawny chauffeur asked me as he pointed to his shiny black Cadillac Escalade. He could see my struggle to wait in the chilly night in my little black dress and stilettos. “You’ll just have to hop out when Justin comes out.”
“Timberlake?” I asked coyly having just seen his stellar performance in the film. The man nodded and explained he has been Justin’s NYC driver for the past 12 years.
Justin Timberlake's Entourage
I shimmied onto the plush leather seats feeling like a VIP. I’m in J.T.’s car… I muse. My obliging husband patiently waited outside. One of Justin’s crew waited quietly in the back. I sure he was just as surprised to see me in the car as I was.
Justin Timberlake
Commotion started. I saw people moving outside the black tinted windows. Kevin appeared. Then Justin. He was wearing dark-rimmed “take me seriously as an actor” eye glasses, smiled and waved to his adoring fans.
I excitedly leaped out of the car. I didn’t want Jessica (Biel) to see me, afterall. The driver told me she was in Toronto filming. Maybe there’s some truth to those pesky break-up rumors, I pondered.
Justin hopped into the front seat of an Audi SUV waiting behind the Escalade. The driver explained that that the musician turned actor is contractually obligated to drive in an Audi. The car I’m was waiting in will carry his entourage. What a let down, I thought.
The fun was only about to begin, so I thanked everyone for the warm seat, and the driver handed me his card.
“Call me next time you’re in the City. I’ll drive you around.”
How fabulous would that be, but first let me check on my contract with Mercedes…(wink) It was time to hit the Harvard Club!
The Social Network After Party at the Harvard Club
Filed under Luxury Travel
Fashionably Late at the Liberty Hotel
What could be more glamorous than haute couture? So combine my love of luxury hotels, fashion and good friends, and it’s the recipe for an amazing night! Next stop: Red Carpet L.A. All of the haute couture dresses designed by Maya Meirav shown during the evening are being sent directly to Los Angeles to be showcased in the 2011 Oscar Suites. So join me for what will no doubt be a “haute” night at the Liberty Hotel!
“Better Late” — Boston Globe Thank you friends for joining me for a fabulous evening!
Fashionably Late with Tiffany Dowd
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Filed under Luxury Travel
The World’s Most Expensive Mango
It was a warm summer in New York. I had just finished a lovely breakfast delivered to my suite at a very posh luxury hotel overlooking Central Park. A granola, yogurt and fruit parfait, toasted bagel, crispy bacon, coffee with milk, and the freshest squeezed orange juice had just set me back $80 with tip.
“Excuse me sir, was there a lobster, truffle and caviar omelet missing?”
NYC Luxury Hotel Room Service
After a full day of boutique shopping, I stopped into a neighborhood market to buy a “Ripe Mango: $.99 each” – The savvy plan: I’ll eat this for breakfast instead of ordering room service, and I’ll add the savings to my shoe shopping budget.
Back in my hotel room, I dropped off my purchases, grabbed a Diet Coke from the minibar and replaced the empty slot with The Mango, readjusting it several times to fit.
Jimmy Choo
The next morning, I pulled out The Mango but decided I couldn’t resist the temptation to have breakfast in bed again. After all, room service is one of life’s little luxury perks, isn’t it? Prada would have to wait a little bit longer.
I placed The Mango back into the slot and ordered the prix fixe special hotel breakfast. Note: Ordering breakfast a la carte in a New York City luxury hotel will always set you back an arm and a Jimmy Choo.
The Mango
That afternoon, The Mango would have been a perfectly suitable sweet fix, but the Godiva bar I also was saving was calling me. I carefully placed The Mango back into the Diet Coke slot, shut the door and savored a piece of the decadent chocolate.
Checking out of the hotel the next morning (finally having enjoyed the deliciously ripe tropical fruit), I reviewed my bill of all my charges. This was strange… Minibar: $35.00. How can this be? For days I had resisted all my impulsive urges for midnight gummy bears and the nutty rainforest crunch! I even put the Pringles back!
Then it hit me…
The Mango in the minibar! I had forgotten that it had a sensor which detects when items have been removed and then auto-charges to your room account. Fortunately, the hotel was kind enough to believe my apologetic and rambling juicy fruit of a story and reversed the extra charges.
But today, if you don’t mind, I would like to boast that I, Tiffany Dowd, have eaten the “World’s Most Expensive Mango,” and by the way, it goes great with the jumbo cashews!
Find the best flights to New York City on Fare Compare or call your favorite travel agent!
Follow me on Twitter @LuxeTiffany
Filed under Luxury Travel
Zen in the City
I’m having complete Zen moment eating a juicy plum in the relaxation room at a glamorous spa. I’m not on some exotic island, and I haven’t traveled far to get here.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Boston
I am taking a break this random weekday morning for a blissful girl’s day spa getaway with my friend, Tonya, at the new Forbes Five-Star Mandarin Oriental Spa in Boston.
Relaxation Room at the Spa at Mandarin Oriental - Boston
I complete my lifestyle consultation form trying not to stress if I truthfully answered the question “How do respond to stress?” No matter, I know I’m about to enjoy a peppermint scented Aromatherapy Massage, spend hours relaxing in the vitality pool, and testing out the high-tech “Experience Shower” with several different journeys to choose from including an Island Storm, Tropical Rain and Arctic Mist.
Vitality Pool
I marvel at the inviting ice fountain which I know will cool me off perfectly after zoning out in the Quartz crystal steam room.
Ice Fountain
The gracious Spa Director later informs me the ice chips are for massaging into your skin to cool and revitalize; not for eating. Oops, I’ll have to remember this for next time.
My Anniversary is near, and with our schedules barely clear to escape somewhere with our passports, the Luxurious Sanctuary Couples Suite experience may be exactly what we need.
For an oasis in the city, visit the The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Boston located at 776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199 Tel: 617-535-8820 Best of Boston 2010 winner “Best Day Spa”
Follow me on Twitter at @LuxeTiffany or friend me on Facebook.
Filed under Luxury Travel
Tiffany Takes the Train
I fly. I don’t take trains. With a little convincing of the pros and cons by my Twitter traveling friends, I have opted to take the Acela Express First Class from Boston to New York City in lieu of earning more frequent flyer miles on American.
Acela First Class
Please don’t laugh. I am scared of trains. It has been an unspoken fear since I was a kid. They’re fast. They don’t wait. They are precise. 13:29 is my departure time. Not 13:20, nor 13:40.
I’m a first time passenger. AAdvantage Platinum status has no place here. I feel like I have a sign on my back that says “NEW”. The ticket lady is extremely patient as I ask where to check my bags. “Bring them with you, she tells me. The attendant in First Class will assist you.” I like this. So here I am, on the train. Me, train-fearing Tiffany is on her way.
- Tiffany Takes the Train
First impression: It’s full, and there are barely two seats together. What do these people know that I do not? It’s like they’ve known this secret for years. They all seem relaxed quietly working on laptops on Acela’s complimentary wireless.
The seat configuration is much like Business Class on AA. Spacious, tray table, lots of leg room, and the warmed mixed nut dish is already on my tray. I’m nervous and anxious. The train has departed. I am on it. Here we go.
First Class Lunch on Acela
The affable Donn, the train attendant, quickly puts me at ease. Drinks are served, and he takes our lunch orders. (Today’s choices are a small plate of sushi/Oriental pasta, arctic cod, veal chop or vegetarian.)
Blackberry, laptop and iPad in hand, I’m ready to work and tweet. I accidentally ask my husband “what time we land.”
Acela Wi-Fi
The scenery from Boston to New York is grand with beautiful ocean and landscape views. The horn blows in the background. I feel like a kid. I’m finally relaxed. Before I know it, I hear the conductor: “Next stop, Penn Station, New York. If you’re not from here, don’t get mad!” he says with a laugh.
Donn, Acela Express
But wait! We just got started. Anxiety begins to set back in. Can I get off in time? It’s departing for Philadelphia precisely at 16:59!
Acela Express First Class Pros: No security lines. Food & drink included. Access to Club Acela. Cons: wireless internet access was slow. Train can be bumpy using laptop.
Trip cost: $363 RT peak times. http://www.acela.com
PS: I’d definitely take the train again.
Follow me on Twitter @LuxeTiffany
Filed under Luxury Travel
