Arlo Hotel opens, complete with Arrels Restaurant and a Rooftop Bar

D.C.’s oldest surviving apartment building, the 1888 Harrison Apartments, has been transformed into a glamorous new 445-room hotel, Arlo Washington D.C. The hotel’s highlights include a gorgeous rooftop bar with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as the flagship restaurant named Arrels. Helmed by Chef Pepe Moncayo, Arrels means “roots” in Catalan to honor the Chef’s Spanish heritage. Standout dishes on the menu include the crispiest patatas bravas, served in a charming cone alongside a puddle of garlicky aioli, grilled gem lettuce crowned with a snowy mountain of Manchego cheese, chewy mushroom fideos, and, of course, flaky, sugar-coated churros served with a dense chocolate sauce.

Dupont Circle Hotel’s Pembroke Sunday Suppers

In the fall of 2024, The Pembroke, the gorgeous, glass-enclosed restaurant located on the first floor of D.C.’s Dupont Circle hotel, launched a new Sunday Supper series. Each month, a different member of The Pembroke’s talented culinary team will curate a prix-fixe, family-style meal, using fresh ingredients from the market, that honors their own personal culture. Guests can choose to dine just with their party, or,  in the dinner’s spirit of gathering, sit at the community table with whomever else is there that evening.

We were lucky enough to attend the inaugural supper, which had a Sicilian theme. (And as you know, we at the Dining Traveler love all things Sicilian!) The family-style meal included sfincione, a garlicky parmesan-dusted Sicilian pizza, panelle, crunchy chickpea flour crackers, stuffed cabbage, grilled romano beans, roasted cauliflower with almonds, mint, lemon, and chilies, and hearty braised beans. Dessert was a marvel; not-too-sweet ricotta cake arrived topped with warm roasted plums and peaches, and the creamiest chocolate chip gelato was too good not to finish. This is a D.C. hotel experience you don’t want to miss!    

Hotel Heron’s Debuts New Cocktail Bar, Francis Hall

Old Town Alexandria’s Hotel Heron, right outside of D.C. just opened Francis Hall, a craft cocktail bar offering a boozy D.C. hotel experience. The menu features about 30 drinks, including gems like Frank’s Punch, a strong combination of corn whiskey, mezcal, clementine, and suze, and a Negroni that is served as a frozen sorbet with mezcal, vermouth, citrus, and chocolate, and made table-side with liquid nitrogen for an extra special experience.

The Fire Garden at Park Hyatt’s Blue Duck Tavern

Lots of local outdoor patios have closed for the winter, but if you love to enjoy the fresh air even when temperatures are low, visit the new fire garden at Blue Duck Tavern for a super seasonal D.C. hotel experience. The newly created outdoor oasis features firepits and cozy blankets on the terrace and a fun menu of seasonal cocktails like a gingerbread martini, made with vanilla vodka, Irish cream, and ginger, and a chai white Russian, featuring chai-spiced cream, spiced rum, and cinnamon. There is also a series of drinks that incorporate at least one ingredient or garnish that was sourced directly from the hotel’s rooftop garden, like the sweet potato old fashioned with rum blend, sweet potato syrup, angostura bitters, and pecan bitters, garnished with dehydrated orange and two charred meringue cubes. Also part of the series are the golden pear with pear ginger vodka, lime juice, elderflower liqueur, ginger syrup, and angostura bitters, garnished with dried pear, and the Park DC cider with apple, cinnamon- and clove-infused bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, cranberry and ginger syrup, served in a cider mug and garnished with a cinnamon stick. 

Kimpton Hotel Monaco’s Winter Chalet

Dirty Habit has transformed its outdoor patio into a cozy winter chalet with fire pits, blankets, and a snow cannon, offering a lovely festive D.C. hotel experience. Seasonal beverages include warm concoctions like hot toddies, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. Don’t forget to order some of their famous truffle frites!

Visitation Hotel Frederick is the first new hotel to open in Frederick, MD in 50 years

Visitation Hotel Frederick, the first new hotel to open in Frederick, Maryland in the last 50 years, is housed in a space that was formerly a convent and Catholic school, which has been renovated into a 65-room boutique hotel. Celebrity chef siblings Bryan and Michael Voltaggio are opening their first joint restaurant in their hometown inside the Visitation, called Wye Oak Tavern, and the venue is a great spot from which you can explore historic downtown Frederick.

The post Six new hotel experiences in and around D.C. appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Where to Stay When Visiting Dubrovnik

The Pucic Palace: We chose this historic hotel for a number of reasons, and we were thrilled with our choice. First of all, it is one of the very few hotels that is located right in the middle of the heart of Dubrovnik’s old town, so we were able to step out the door of our hotel and start exploring the historical part of the city and all that it has to offer without using any transportation. Second, it only has a handful of rooms, so it felt personal and cozy, unlike some of the huge resort-type hotels around Dubrovnik outside of the old town, which count dozens or even hundreds of rooms.

The Pucic Hotel also offers a wide variety of amenities, such as two restaurants, outdoor seating right next to the city’s lively daily farmer’s market, and a concierge who will assist you with suggestions and bookings for local restaurants and activities. Finally, the history of the hotel really added to our overall experience. Constructed in the 17th century as a palace for the Pucic family, it changed owners many times and survived an earthquake and two world wars. Eventually, it was fully restored, converted into a hotel, and opened to guests as the Pucic Palace in 2002.

What to Do

Tour the Old City of Dubrovnik: Walk along and atop the famed walls, visit the famous Pile Gate at the entrance to the old town, take pictures of the gorgeous Rector’s Palace, and take pictures of the cathedral you may recognize from Game of Thrones. You can spend hours wandering the old city, and we recommend doing it the day you arrive, to appreciate this historic city.

Take the Cable Car to Srd Hill: The cable car is affordable and fun–the views from the top of the hill are spectacular. You will revel in the sight of the gorgeous Adriatic Sea, the islands around Dubrovnik, and the walled city and surroundings of Dubrovnik. It’s the perfect low-key activity to do when visiting Dubrovnik.

Embark on a sunset cruise: We booked a boat tour with Explore Dubrovnik to watch the sunset, and it was truly spectacular. It was a private ride past old and new bridges, seaside towns, and summer villas and included a bottle of sparkling wine, blankets, and dreamy sunset views.

Where to Eat

Bowa: True to its name, the best place we dined while visiting Dubrovnik was easily Bowa (which stands for ‘Best of what’s around’). It is actually more of an experience than just a lunch! Through their website, you book an entire afternoon excursion. This includes pick up by speedboat from a small harbor called Brsecine, which we took an Uber to. Our VIP transport ferried us to a stunning bay called Vrbova, where we were escorted to our private open-air cabana, complete with a large dining table, chairs for sunbathing and lounging, and glasses of champagne. Our lunch consisted of several courses of food: fresh oysters, cheese and fruit platters, salads, marinated vegetables, fried tofu, and wine. In between courses, we walked down to the shore and swam in the warm waters, and enjoyed sweet, refreshing frozen pina coladas that were made to order even though we did not even have to order them. It was, quite honestly, the most perfect day.

Arsenal Restaurant: This picturesque restaurant in the old town serves gorgeous Mediterranean fare, including burrata with homemade pesto and greens, marinated zucchini drizzled in balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with hunks of tangy feta cheese and decadent truffle pasta drenched in a cream sauce.

Pizza Mirakul: For a casual pizza dinner while visiting Dubrovnik, stop by this spot in the old town. They have cheesy pizzas, baked lasagnas, fresh salads, and loads of Croatan wine.

Stara Loza: The salon at Stara Loza, also in the old town, has a gorgeous interior with floor-to-ceiling windows, an exquisite chandelier as the dining room focal point, a terrace, and equally stunning food. The views of the old town from the terrace are magnificent. For the food, indulge in items like tempura fried vegetables with savory bell pepper cream, spinach and ricotta gnocchi, local cheese, and delicious desserts.

Posat: For a fine dining experience outside of the old town, visit Posat. The elegant venue has a charming atmosphere and the most delicious Mediterranean dishes, including mushrooms au gratin, ravioli in an herb sauce,

Gelateria Dubrovnik: The perfect evening ends with a scoop of heavenly gelato from this family-owned business. The Toblerone flavor is magical, as is the white chocolate with biscuit and fig with hazelnuts.

Where to Drink

D’Vino Wine Bar: Stop by for a glass (or two!) or Croatian wine at this old-town wine bar.

Buza Bar: This charming cliffside bar in Old Town was our favorite; we stopped by several times for a beer or cocktail and views of the Adriatic. It’s literally built into the rocks below the fortified walls, so skip the high heels and enjoy the views!

Cave Bar: If you want to check out some of the surrounding areas while visiting Dubrovnik, visit the Cave Bar in Lapad, an upscale neighborhood that is full of resorts and restaurants. The Cave bar is glamorous and fun, with good spaces for Instagram-worthy pictures.

Visiting Dubrovnik: The Verdict

Dubrovnik is the perfect place to visit if you want to explore the streets of a historical city: indulge in copious amounts of fresh Mediterranean fare and marvel at the shimmering Adriatic sea.

The post Visiting Dubrovnik: Food, History, and the Adriatic Sea appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Where To Stay:

Casa De Las Bugambilias: This utterly charming bed and breakfast are one of the most lovely places to stay for a group trip to Oaxaca. Decorated with local art and located just a few blocks from the main part of town, this ten-bedroom abode is your perfect lodging option when embarking on your Oaxacan travel adventure. In addition to cozy rooms, every morning you will enjoy a seated, two-course breakfast indoors or on the venue’s delightful patio. From fresh fruit to fragrant baked bread and local eggs, beans, and plantains, the breakfast alone is reason enough to stay Case de las Bugambilias!

Where To Eat and Drink: 

Part of your Oaxacan travel adventure entails indulging in delicious local Mexican food. We experienced both fine dining and affordable options and loved them all. Having the variety is perfect to keep everybody happy during a group trip to Oaxaca.

Origen Oaxaca: For an upscale dinner of local Oaxacan fare, Origen is your spot. We sampled a silky local pumpkin soup, huitlacoche (corn truffle) tostadas, fresh tortillas, mole negro, and even a decadent risotto made with Mexican rice. The service is dynamite, the presentation is gorgeous and I highly recommend the wine pairing.

Criollo: Opened by the famed Enrique Olvera of Pujol, Criollo is a beautiful Oaxacan dining option, with an enchanting outdoor seating area and a creative and delicious tasting menu.

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante: This was perhaps my favorite restaurant of my group trip to Oaxaca. We dined on the rooftop patio under strung lights, with plenty of delicious tequila and mezcal cocktails. Standout dishes included salsa with tostadas, squash blossoms stuffed with cheese, cactus lasagna, green mole, and rose ice cream.

Street snacks: Oaxaca has a huge street snack culture. As you wander around the city, be sure to stop and grab a tlayuda, a traditional Oaxacan dish made with a crunchy fried tortilla smothered with a spread of refried beans, lettuce, avocado, and Oaxaca cheese, and salsa. You will be addicted after the first one! Other street snack highlights include fresh mango with salt and lime, cucumber juice, and memelas are fried masa cakes made of masa topped with different fresh ingredients like avocado or cheese.

Sabina Sabe: We loved the mezcal cocktails at this adorable bar, which specializes in the use of mezcal. Try the mezcal, cucumber, ginger beer, and hoja de santa (a native Mexican herb) beverage – it was heavenly – or the mezcal bloody mary.

What To Do:

• Walk around the Zocalo: The Zocalo is the main city center, where there are plenty of monuments, food carts, and more importantly patio bars for day drinking. We admired the buildings, listened to local musicians, and sampled tacos, tlayudas, and juices of all different flavors.

• Visit the Museo Nacional de las Culturas: This famous Oaxacan museum is dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of world cultures, and has room after room of international artifacts. The museum is housed in a colonial-era building, and the cactus-filled botanical garden is the perfect backdrop for photos.

• Go Mezcal tasting in Santiago Matatlán: This is a must for your group trip to Oaxaca. We visited the Dainzu mezcal distillery, where we sampled mezcals that had been aged for various amounts of time. Hire a driver to take you – you don’t want to be driving after this adventure!

• Visit the Mercado Tlacolula de Matamoros: This massive Sunday market has all the goods you can imagine. Salsas, fresh juices, candles, plants, cheese, tacos, beer, and everything in between. Take your appetite!

• Explore Mitla the Mesoamerican archaeological site: Mitla was the main religious center of the Zapotec people, a Mesoamerican people of the classic period. The site consists of a series of stone buildings covered with geometric designs, murals, and mosaic fretwork. It is quite the sight to see, even if you aren’t a history buff.

The Verdict

Oaxaca is a foodie lovers’ dream. Visit with friends or a significant other, either way, you will have a memorable (and delicious!) Oaxacan travel adventure. Going on a group trip to Oaxaca with great friends was a great way to ring in a milestone birthday!

The post Escapes: Take a Group trip to Oaxaca appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

What is Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour

Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour is a four-day package featuring a walking tour in the south of Vermont, where guests stay at four different inns and spend the day hiking from one inn to the next!

What’s included

The Vermont Inn to Inn tour includes four nights in delightful southern Vermont bed and breakfasts, breakfast and dinner each day, snacks for each day’s walking tour, maps for each day’s hikes, and transportation of your luggage from each bed and breakfast to the next so you can hike without carrying all your luggage.

The Hotels

We loved each and every place we stayed in during our Vermont’s Inn to Inn tour. The Colonial House offers one of the best breakfasts in town, and the owners have the sweetest pets who will love to meet you! The Inn Victoria can only be described as elegant and relaxing, with a soaking tub in your room to relax in after hiking all day. The Golden Stage Inn includes fireplaces in each room for an extra layer of coziness and The Pettigrew Inn is classic and charming.

The Food

Our favorite meal of each day was the breakfasts, which included items like breakfast burritos, freshly basked muffins, pancakes and hot waffles served with the famous Vermont maple syrup. The meals are hearty and filling, enough to sustain you for each day’s lengthy walking tour! For dinner, we enjoyed home cooked meals with dishes like spaghetti in marinara sauce, enchiladas, and cauliflower steak with couscous.

The Hikes

The best part of this trip is the walking tour! The scenery in Vermont is simply spectacular. We went during fall when it was especially gorgeous. Each day’s hike is 10-15 miles. Along the way, stop at the General Store for a maple creamie, which is Vermont’s famous maple-flavored soft serve, or the Outer Limits Brewery for one of Vermont’s delicious craft beers. Fun fact: Vermont has the most number of breweries per capita of any state.

Recommendations

Practice walking in advance of our Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour! It sounds like a short distance but you WILL get sore. Wear good sneakers or hiking shoes, and stay hydrated. Soaking at the end of the day is helpful too. I also recommend stopping at a store to get a sandwich to go. Small snacks are provided by your bed and breakfasts, but I was happy to have a sandwich. I recommend bringing a small backpack to use while you hike for your camera, water, snacks, and extra layers in case you get cold. And finally, have fun!!! Cell phone service is limited which is the best part – you will truly get to enjoy the sensational nature that Vermont offers while on this walking tour.

The post An Outdoor Adventure: Vermont’s Inn to Inn Walking Tour appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

I have not done much travel in the Middle East, so a layover in Doha, Qatar seemed like a good opportunity to see a different part of the world. While I didn’t really know what to expect, Doha was lovely surprise – there was delicious food and plenty to do for a day. Here are my tips is you happen to have an overnight layover in Doha as well.

Where to Stay

Al Bidda Boutique Hotel: Downtown Doha is mostly concrete and skyscrapers, so I recommend staying in the Souq Waqif, which is the old part of town. Souq Waqif means “standing market” which is fitting because the area is consists of a huge market with shops selling clothes, handicrafts, ornaments, spices, jewelry, and more. The area also includes a series of Tivoli hotels called the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels.

The group of nine hotels are all walking distance from one another; all of them are opulent and Arabian-themed. We chose to stay in the Al Bidda boutique hotel, which featured a gorgeous lobby restaurant, massive rooms with a sitting area, walk in shower and stand alone tub. Service was impeccable, and all of the Souq Waqif hotels have any kind of amenity you could possibly want. It’s the perfect place to stay during a long layover in Doha, Qatar.

Where to Eat

 
There are plenty of places to eat during a long layover in Doha, Qatar. Most of the Souq Waqif hotels have a restaurant. Since you can walk in between the hotels you can choose to eat any of the restaurants. Considering how hot it is I do recommend that you take advantage of the free golf cart transport between hotels. Hotel staff will make a quick call and a chauffeured cart will appear in front of the hotel in a matter of minutes!

Al Terrace: We took a ride over to the Al Mirqub hotel from our hotel, where we had a decadent lunch at Al Terrace. The Lebanese restaurant serves delicious Middle Eastern fare; we stuffed our faces with hummus, pita, fresh salads, falafel, potatoes, fresh juices and more.

Spice Market: Because we wanted wine with our dinner, we jumped in an Uber to downtown. Qatar is largely a dry country, but Western-owned hotels are permitted to serve alcohol. We enjoyed spring rolls, dumplings, curries, fried rice and wok fried vegetables in an ornate, romantic setting.

What to Do During a Long Layover in Doha, Qatar

Experience the Souq Waqif

Take your time and wander through the souq at your leisure. Even if you don’t buy anything it is fun to wander through the market and see all of the interesting items for sale. Stop for an ice cream… or an iced coffee! I highly recommend a cold treat because Doha is brutally hot! Even in October it was 107 degrees! The market opens up at 4pm, due to the heat, so it’s a great pre-dinner activity.

Visit a Spa

One of the best things you can do during a long layover in Doha, is to get a massage! During the day, when it is too hot to be outside, I highly recommend treating to yourself to some spa treatments at one of the Souq Waqif hotels. I got a massage and it was delightful. There are steam rooms and gyms you can use, and the quality of the massage was surreal. I got to choose the scent of oils used, and the atmosphere was tranquil and relaxing.

The Verdict

The opulence of Doha alone is something to marvel at. From service to cleanliness to art and architecture, you will marvel when visiting this city. A long layover in Doha, Qatar is certainly not a waste and is undoubtedly an incredibly unique experience!

The post An Opulent Layover: Doha, Qatar appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

About Candelero Beach

Candelero Beach Resort is locally and family-owned by the Suárez family of Palmas Hills Partners. The hotel sustained substantial damage by hurricane Maria and Irma and was forced to shut its doors. The resort reopened in December of 2018 and has become a pillar of the local Palmas del Mar community.

Location

Located at the upscale development of Palmas del Mar in the town of Humacao, Candelero Beach Resort is around a 90-minute drive from San Juan. The hotel is a beachfront property with access to several pools and a sandy beach. If you are all about exploring beyond the hotel, you’re in luck! Here are several places that you can visit that are less than an hour’s drive: El Yunque Rainforest, scenic route 901 in Yabucoa, the kiosks of Luquillo, and the natural reserve of Humacao.

If spending a relaxing weekend at a hotel is your thing, there’s plenty to do at the property without having to leave Palmas del Mar. Given that it is one of the few all-inclusive properties in Puerto Rico, that means that you can indulge in the many restaurants on property. You can also play a round of golf, take a dip at one of the pools, or go for a walk at the Pterocaprus forest located just 10 minutes from the hotel.

Our Room

My friend and I shared a room with two comfortable queen beds, excellent in-room wi-fi access, and a mini-fridge. The colorful accent wall wallpaper in a tile pattern gave a pop of color to the neutral tones of the decor. The rooms are pretty spacious, which is perfect if you’re traveling with a small family or friends.

Food and Drink

There are eight food and beverage options to choose from at Candelero Beach Resort. From a wood-fired oven pizza to a wine-bar, the choices are many at this all-inclusive hotel. If all-inclusive hotels are not your thing, you can also choose a partial package as well.

We dined at the Puerto Rican restaurant, Oregano Cocina Criolla, for breakfast and dinner. We enjoyed the creative take on some Puerto Rican classics. I highly recommend you order the criollo omelet for breakfast. This decadent omelet, filled with savory chunks of lechon, sweet morsels of sweet plantains, and cheese is the ultimate Puerto Rican breakfast. Needless to say, a little stroll in the forest did me well after breakfast!

Make sure to have a drink at Mahi Ceviche and Tapas Bar, the lobby bar at the property. Our bartender, Pedro, was very creative when it came to the cocktails. We told him what we liked, and voilá, he created the perfect cocktail. We paired them with granitos, a local dish from Humacao. This fried rice cake, topped with a spicy crab, is the ideal snack.

Candelero Beach Resort: The Verdict

If you’re looking for a cozy hotel with all the amenities for a perfect vacation, Candelero Beach Resort is a great option. I truly appreciated that from the moment you walk in, the property truly embraces its Puerto Rican heritage and highlights local businesses. From a Gustos coffee at the lobby (local coffee chain) to the plena music setting the atmosphere at check-in, you know that you are in Puerto Rico. Looking forward to returning and bringing my family along.

Candelero Beach Resort, 170 Candelero Dr, Humacao, Puerto Rico. Website

Disclaimer: I was hosted by Candelero Beach Resort, but opinions are my own. 

The post Local Hospitality at Candelero Beach Resort appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Blue Duck Tavern at Park Hyatt DC

Year after year, Blue Duck Tavern continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in Washington, DC. Located at the Park Hyatt DC, the dining room is refined without being pretentious. Its hyper-seasonal modern American menu and top-notch service make it one of my go-to places for a special occasion meal. Bonus: you can go any time of the day for a meal (my personal favorite is breakfast), and have an elevated culinary experience. Order the pancakes, and you will thank me later! 

Blue Duck Tavern, Park Hyatt Washington, DC, 1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC, Website 

Bourbon Steak at Four Seasons Washington, DC

If you’re looking for a proper spot to entertain clients or a cozy restaurant for a date night, Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons is always a great bet. As the name implies, steak is the star of the menu; however, you can also indulge in other dishes such as the lobster pot pie. Start with a drink at its lively bar (and perhaps spot a celebrity). This DC hotel restaurant is located in Georgetown, perfect for a post-dinner stroll. 

Bourbon Steak, Four Seasons Washington, DC,  2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, Website 

Via Sophia at The Hamilton Hotel 

The Hamilton Hotel recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, which included the transformation of its former restaurant 14K into Via Sophia. Via Sophia is a modern and intimate restaurant that is a bit of an oasis from the bustling 14th Street and K St neighborhood. If you want a bit of the action, there’s also a patio. 

Their menu offers wood-fired oven pizzas, handmade pasta, and main courses. My favorite was the beautiful whole-roasted branzino which as deboned tableside by our server. Save room for a few scoops of refreshing gelato made in-house. 

Via Sophia, The Hamilton Hotel, 1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC, Website

Plume at The Jefferson Hotel 

In my humble opinion, Plume at The Jefferson Hotel is one of the most romantic DC hotel restaurants. Actually, it’s one of the most romantic restaurants in the city. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, Plume is the perfect restaurant for a proposal or anniversary. 

With its stunning crystal chandeliers, bronze accents, and dapper servers, it is a luxurious dining experience from beginning to end. The tasting menu is seasonal, with heavy use of local ingredients. The prix-fixe menu features classics such as a decadent lobster gratiné to a delicate duck breast. After your dinner, head to The Jefferson Hotel bar, Quill. Their creative cocktails and quaint atmosphere make it the perfect place for a nightcap.

Plume, The Jefferson Hotel, 1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC, Website

The Pembroke at The Dupont Circle Hotel 

The Pembroke at the Dupont Circle Hotel is one of the most beautifully designed DC hotel restaurants. The newly renovated restaurant gets tons of natural light thanks to its wraparound patio. Its coral leather booth makes for the perfect place to be seen while eating one of their colorful salads. Tip: make room for dessert. The key lime at The Pembroke pie to die for. 

The Pembroke, The Dupont Circle Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC, Website

Brothers and Sisters at The Line Hotel 

It’s fair to say that The Line Hotel in Adams Morgan has one of the liveliest lobbies in the city with its open plan and hip crowd. One of the restaurants at the hotel is Brothers and Sisters by renowned local chef Eric Brunner-Yang. From udon noodles to blue cheese wontons, the menu is as diverse as the city. I still think about the dry-aged beef burger, easily one of the best burgers I’ve had in the city. 

Brothers and Sisters, The Line Hotel, 1770 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC, Website 

Cherry at the W Washington, DC 

The W Hotel Washington, DC just underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, and it’s totally worth the trip to check out Cherry, their new restaurant. The restaurant Sunday brunch is a must-go: a buffet brunch with a cocktail for $40. In a party mood? You can also order bottomless mimosas and bellinis for an additional $25. There is also an a-la-carte menu. Get dressed up with your crew and enjoy brunch with a live D.J. After brunch take in the fantastic views from P.O.V., their famous rooftop bar. 

Cherry, W Hotel Washington, DC, 515 15th St NW, Washington, DC, Website

DC Hotel Restaurants: The Verdict

There are so many DC hotel restaurants to choose from. From swanky to hip, the variety is as diverse as the city.

The post Seven DC Hotel Restaurants to Book ASAP appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Location

Location! Location! Location! The hotel is located walking distance to most major attractions in downtown Chicago: Navy Pier, Millenium Park, Chicago Theater, among others. Catch one of the famous architectural boat tour from the Riverwalk across the street from Swissôtel Chicago. The best way to get to the city from Chicago O’Hare Airport is by train, especially during rush hour. That’s what we did. We took the Blue Line to Forest Park stop and walked less than 15 minutes to the hotel.

Wellness

The Swissôtel brand has launched a Vitality campaign to focus on wellness and how it ties into the guest experience. Their fitness center, located on the top floor of the building has impressive 360 views of the city along with top-notch fitness equipment to get your workout in before a busy day or work or sightseeing. If you love running outside as much as I do, head to the Riverwalk for a refreshing run along the river. Given that I am training for a marathon, I appreciated the high-quality fitness equipment and having a running trail so close to the hotel.

Vitality Rooms

Swissôtel has launched a series of “Vitality Rooms” across its properties to recharge the traveler. Swissôtel Chicago has a stunning vitality suite with workout equipment, turndown service, which includes tea and healthy snacks, and Pürovel bath amenities. What I enjoyed the most was having a tea in the evening and taking in the dazzling view of the skyscrapers that surround the area.

The Food

With our busy schedules, we did not have the opportunity to dine at Swissôtel Chicago. However, the property includes the well-regarded The Palm Steakhouse and a more casual Amuse restaurant.

The Service

From check-in to check-out, the hotel service was fantastic. The staff was hospitable at every level. Want to give a special shoutout to the bellmen which handled all my heavy suitcases filled with books and the front desk who texted me when my room was ready.

Swissôtel Chicago: The Verdict

If you are looking for a hotel with a great location, comfortable rooms, and friendly service, Swissôtel Chicago is the place for you. Also, this is the only Swissôtel property in North America which makes for a unique hotel experience in the United States.

Swissôtel Chicago, 323 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL; Website 

Disclaimer: I was graciously hosted by Swissôtel Chicago but all of my opinions are my own.

The post Luxury & Wellness at Swissôtel Chicago appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

The Location

The Biltmore Miami is tucked away in an upscale residential neighborhood in Coral Gables. It takes less than 20 minutes by car to get there from the airport and 15-30 minutes to other key locations in the city such as Brickell, Miami Beach, and Wynwood. Although there’s valet parking, there is also a free self-parking area which makes it easy to get around. For this trip, I had meetings all over Miami and needed a central place to stay. I also love that once you’re at the property, you’re removed from the noise of the city. It’s like having your own personal oasis.

The Vibes

The sprawling property has a golf course, full-service spa, fitness center, three restaurants, and several conference room spaces. The crowd is a combination of families, business travelers, and couples looking for a getaway. Although the hotel has a large capacity, I was amazed at how intimate it felt. I really enjoyed my morning breakfast at Fontana where I would grab a seat in their patio and take in the lush tropical décor with a few bright green parrots making guest appearances throughout the morning.

The Room

My room at The Biltmore Miami was beautifully decorated with classic furniture with some modern touches. Loved the little details, such as chocolates and cordials left during turndown service, the charging cables attached to the alarm clock, and the delicate amethyst chandelier. My only point of improvement was the bathroom. Wish there was a deeper tub. Then again, they make it up with the massive pool!

The Food

The Biltmore Miami has three restaurants: Cascade, the casual poolside restaurant, Fontana, an Italian restaurant, and Palm d’Or, a five-diamond French restaurant. I dined at both Cascade and Fontana. Highly recommend ordering passion fruit jalapeno rum cocktail poolside with fresh ceviche. I was a bit underwhelmed with dinner at Fontana. I ordered fried squash blossoms that had too much batter, taking away from the beauty of the dish and the lobster ravioli was drowning in sauce. The restaurant did redeem itself with the dessert: a tangy key lime pie. Perhaps it was an off night as the breakfast buffet offerings were superb throughout my stay.

The Amenities

Make sure to carve out some time to enjoy the pool. Although it is enormous, you never feel crowded as there is so much space. If you need a little privacy, reserve a cabana. The Spa is known to be one of the best in the area. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to experience it, but I’ve heard great things from my local friends. If you are a golfer you’re in luck: there’s a sprawling golf course with a clubhouse and pro-shop. Eating a bit too much? Try their full-service gym that includes an extensive array of classes such as spinning and yoga.

The Biltmore Miami: The Verdict

If you’re looking for relaxed luxury far away from the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach or Brickell, The Biltmore Miami is the place for you.

The Biltmore Miami, 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL, Website

Disclaimer: I was hosted by The Biltmore but opinions are my own. I have also stayed at the property previously without media affiliation.

The post Escapes: Relaxed Luxury at The Biltmore Miami appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

The Location

Coconut Grove is a picturesque neighborhood with access to the beach and lined with quaint shops and restaurants. You can get away spending a few days in the neighborhood without having to venture further. The vibe is very local: as I went to Panther Coffee in the mornings I ran into plenty of people walking their dogs and families taking their kids to school. I enjoy staying in places with a residential feel as they give me an idea of how locals live.

The Amenities

When looking for where to stay in Coconut Grove or the rest of Miami for that matter, a rooftop pool is a must. The pool at The Mayfair Coconut Grove has a bar, some cozy cabanas, and an enviable view to the sea. The property also has a Jurlique Spa with beautiful Art Nouveau glass windows. The outdoor courtyard is perfect to relax with a cocktail or a glass of wine after a long day. Needless to say, it would be easy to stay a weekend at The Mayfair without even leaving the property.

The Rooms

The rooms and large and comfortable. Bonus: most rooms also have an outdoor hot tub in the balcony. The higher level rooms also have hot tubs inside the rooms. Because, Miami. The décor is a bit dated but the General Manager confirmed that The Mayfair Coconut Grove is gearing up for a major room renovation in the near future so will definitely look forward to seeing what they do with it.

The Food

I only had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast at The Mayfair Coconut Grove. The Mayfair Kitchen has a diverse breakfast menu with wood-fired breakfast sandwiches to some lighter dishes. I’m trying to eat a bit lighter these days so I appreciated the variety of healthy options on the menu. I ordered a spinach frittata with feta cheese that was delicious along with a cortado because when in Miami one must have a strong Cuban coffee! I also hosted an event for my book launch at The Mayfair and they did an excellent job with the setup and service.

Where to Stay in Coconut Grove: The Mayfair

If you’re looking for where to stay in Coconut Grove, The Mayfair Coconut Grove is definitely a great choice. The rates are reasonable, especially now that low season is upon us, the atmosphere is intimate, and you will experience friendly service throughout. I highly recommend.

The Mayfair Coconut Grove, 3000 Florida Ave, Coconut Grove, FL, Website

The post The Mayfair: The Place to Stay in Coconut Grove appeared first on The Dining Traveler.