The Art of Living in Toronto
The Art of Living in Toronto
With its diverse communities, culture and cuisines, a weekend in Toronto is like a quick trip around the world.
Toronto is a city of neighborhoods. And what ties all these communities together is the love of culture. There are amazing galleries, theaters and concert halls celebrating art all over the city. Surrounded by buildings by internationally renowned architects and restaurants run by top chefs, Torontonians have elevated everyday life to an art form. Even jogging past the city’s exceptional outdoor murals and sculptures is an art experience.
Here’s an insider’s guide to nearby neighborhoods that you need to explore in The Six.
THE CROSSROADS OF CULTURE
The Shangri-La Hotel is the place to begin any explorations of Toronto because it bridges three dynamic neighborhoods: the Financial District with its towering skyscrapers and five star dining experiences; the Entertainment District, and Queen Street West, a unique shopping and dining strip.
In fact, your first engagement with Toronto’s globally celebrated cultural community begins just outside of the Shangri-La. The exterior of the hotel is home to the iconic sculpture, “Rising”, by Chinese artist, Zang Huan. Bringing the best the world has to offer together is, in fact, the city’s true talent.
After checking into the hotel, you’ll want to check out of your work week with a relaxing afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge. The lobby is a hub where visitors and locals come together to take in daily live music performances played on the custom-made Fazioli Piano. It’s always buzzing, but after a busy work week, it also provides a zen-like sense of home, thanks to paintings by famed Shanghainese artist Wang Xu Yuan.
The Lounge is also home to a rotating exhibition of vintage couture fashions featuring designers such as, Alexander McQueen, YSL, Chanel, Versace and many others.
Performance Art
At night, you want to make the Entertainment district your destination. Take in an early dinner at Kojin from David Chang and Chef Paula Navarrete. Located above Momofuku, this vibrant restaurant serves a Columbian influenced lunch and dinner menu.
Then cross the road to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. It is home to the National Ballet Company and the Canadian Opera Company. The opera in particular is known for classic performances done in collaboration with visual and other artists such as performance artist Robert Lepage, director Atom Egoyan, and musician Rufus Wainwright. Just a short walk west down King Street, you can hear the symphony at Roy Thompson Hall. Or stroll over to see some live theatre in the nearby Entertainment District (Elgin and Wintergarden on Yonge Street, or the Royal Alexandra, Princess of Wales, on King).
In warm weather, you can talk about performances while taking in a nightcap on the rooftop bar at Lavelle for a masterpiece of a gin and tonic. Or return to the lobby for a delicious cocktail or two.
Good Morning
Toronto’s many outdoor art installations let you enjoy some inclusive culture while you wake up with a walk, bike, or run. Set your course to take you past the Bentway, the Stackt shipping container market or jog over to the Distillery District for many interactive and experiential installations. The concierge service at the Shangri-La is ultra-connected and can help you make a map of outdoor art (or coffee shops for a post jog pick-me-up.)
After your morning workout, relax with a pre-lunch treatment at the Miraj Hammam Spa on the fifth floor of the Shangri-La.
The Times Square EDITION
The Times Square EDITION
Area: New York, New York
Vibe: Cool and sexy
Style: City
Fun Fact: All of the suites have their own balconies
Don’t Miss: Paradise Club, a dinner theater/nightclub in the hotel
Ready to take on New York City? Start in Times Square—and, while you’re there, stay at The Times Square EDITION. At the hotel, you’ll find everything from great rooms to amazing dining, and of course, perfect views of the city from almost every angle.
Location: Want to be in the center of the action? This property totally delivers with its Times Square location on West 47th Street and 7th Avenue. It’s easily accessible from all three New York airports—about 35 minutes from LaGuardia Airport, 40 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and an hour from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Once you’re there, it’s close to multiple subway stops, as well as walking distance to many iconic attractions like Rockefeller Center to Radio City Music Hall to the shopping on 5th Avenue.
Vibe: Stylish and sleek, there’s a lush wall of greenery behind the reception desk—a theme that’s carried throughout the hotel, from the lobby to the guest rooms to The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens. There are 452 rooms and suites, which are outfitted in a neutral palette, with lots of white and natural wood tones. In the guest rooms, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows, while the suites all feature their own balconies. At 1,300-square feet, the Penthouse Suite is the largest of all, and along with the balcony, includes a full kitchen, soaking tub and dining area—not to mention the jaw-dropping vistas.
Why we love it: If you’ve previously shied away from staying in Times Square, this hotel will definitely have you changing your mind. The central location aside, there is lots to rave about—starting with the dining. The signature restaurant, 701West, is helmed by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser and offers a variety of cuisines, with inspiration from “classical French, Asian, and Latin fare.” The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with vibrant velvet blues and greens. Another option: The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens, which are surrounded by greenery, has outdoor seating, and where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. And for something totally different, be sure to check out Paradise Club, “a modern-day Cabaret” that starts off with dinner theater before transforming to a dance club, open till 4AM. Plus, there are lots of other amenities you’d come to expect from a great hotel, including a 24-hour fitness center (with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound outdoor terrace overlooking Times Square) as well as space for events.
Why Go F1rst: Book through F1S to receive a daily complimentary full breakfast for two at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens, a $100 F&B credit to be applied in all outlets (excluding Paradise Club), a special chef amenity, as well as a room upgrade and early-check in/late check-out (if available).
F1S Tips: For a great way to unwind, have a drink on the terrace of the Lobby Bar—the nighttime view alone is worth it (but the cocktail choices don’t hurt, either.)
Madrid, a New Old City
Madrid, a New Old City
City on the verge
An empty street glazed with drizzle at 2am. You stare at the shuttered storefront thinking this can’t be right. They said Bar Cock is “a must”, and you skipped the childish joke about the name. Now, facing heavy metal blinds, you wonder what got lost in translation. But the door is ajar, warm light within and, you figure, what’s the worst that could happen?
Invisible city
Push past that off-putting intro into an Almodóvar film: a baronial hall glowing like amber, nocturnal creatures whisper in pairs in deep club chairs and dark wood that has surrounded Salvador Dalí, Ava Gardner, Hemingway (of course), and George Clooney, to name a few. Founded in 1921, and it feels it when the bow-tied waiter serves your martini.
That dissonance between what you’ve heard and what you see happens again and again in Madrid. Questioning the brutalist block that hides plush Hotel Villa Magna. Hunting conceptual art down an alley behind Atocha station, or a minimalist boutique in opulent Salamanca. Finding five-star Gran Hotel Inglés on a street clamoring with youth hostels. You’ll start to doubt Google Maps.
Outwardly austere, Madrid is easy to miss. On the avenues, temples cap monumental banks, imposing apartments and grand hotels. Behind them, shops huddle in ashy side streets beneath prim Juliette balconies and conservatory windows. If Barcelona feels flirty, feisty, Madrid is her stoic sister. Which doesn’t mean she’s dull—she just makes you earn it.
“It’s very Castillian,” says Javier Bone-Carbone, art curator and Taschen editor, referring to the culture of the Spanish heartland surrounding Madrid. Moorish modesty overlaid with Hapsburg grandeur lend the city a severe formality. But break that surface tension and you’ll discover its interior riches. “Madrid isn’t like Paris, with a checklist of landmarks to see,” explains Bone-Carbone, “it is about interaction.”
Haute hostelries
Two of Madrid’s best-kept-secret hotels exemplify its inward-facing character.
Since the 1970’s, Villa Magna is the choice for heads of state, movie stars and others wishing to fly below the radar. Built by a family on the site of their 19th-Century mansion, its modernist architecture is a departure, but one that casts the traditional style and warm hospitality within in an even brighter light. Later Turkish, Portuguese, and now Mexican owners added their own touches—a marble-lined hammam in the spa, new gardens—and expanded the art collection. Just 150 Empire-style rooms, villa-worthy bathrooms, and two penthouse apartments with vast terraces and views to the mountains feel like a well-staffed home. Shopaholics will appreciate the private passageway to a designer-curated outpost of El Corte Inglés. And don’t miss We Collect, a gallery and art club nestled in a Zen garden around the outside.
Surrounding Salamanca is Madrid’s “uptown”. Luxury-brand flagships line Calle Serrano and independent designers sprinkle the leafy backstreets. Taste traditional flavors at intimate, age-old La Parra—divans and Moroccan tile under candle-light and the hushed voices of old-Hollywood types. Or discover new ones at Amazonico—starlets and soccer stars picking at piquant hamachi and rare beef rodizios under cascades of jazz and tropical foliage.
A few blocks south, Gran Hotel Inglés opened in the 19th Century as Madrid’s first luxury hotel. Its return to five-star status signals the revival of artsy Las Letras, Madrid’s medieval heart. An extensive lobby library, including rare volumes of Don Quixote, pays homage to the area’s roots. Cast-iron columns mix with Chesterfields and Oriental rugs for a SoHo vibe. The rooms span old and new. Smartphones guide you around town, while deep, clawfoot tubs soak sightseeing-weary bones before heading out for an infamously late Spanish night.
High society
A wave of restaurants, luxury stores and hotels welcome you to a “new” Madrid rising in the old city-center: glitzy and extroverted, not ashamed to shine. “The middle and upper classes used to be very pijo, a bit stuffy” says Kiko Buxo, fashion designer and founder of minimalist brand Shon Mott. “But the younger generation are more experimental.” Europe’s third-largest city is quickly catching up to its peers. Think laid-back London, or brash Berlin.
Trend spotters long know that Madrid’s creative edge cuts through Chueca. Once a down-and-out barrio, it is back with a by-now-familiar urban mix of goths, gays and gallerists sipping craft beers and coffees on the sunny plazas. Here you’ll find Isolee, Madrid’s first concept store, and Lab Lamarca, its most recent. Specialist shops offer handmade papers, Japanese ceramics and retro-pop foods. Or feast your eyes at established white-cube galleries like London’s Marlborough, and local groundbreakers like Travesía Cuatro.
Now that vibe is moving further south. Construction cranes over Gran Via announce the arrival of brand name luxury condos above a multi-story shopping arcade sure to bring some of Salamanca’s style downtown. Students and backpackers still flock to Puerta del Sol for selfies on the well-trod tourist trail between the royal palace and Prado—Goya, check. El Greco, check. Velazquez, check. But above their heads a real estate boom is transforming the old tenements around Madrid’s old theater district.
So while Spain’s capital is hardly off the beaten path, it rewards the curious who push past first impressions. Plenty of folk will stroll Paseo del Prado, spin through the museums, taste tapas and sangria on Plaza Mayor—and not have seen a thing. No wonder Almodóvar chose Madrid for his seething tales of love and madness. But it’s all about to erupt. Expect a star performance.
F1S-Approved Summer Getaways from NYC
There’s nothing better than getting out there and exploring the world. But the world, at least for the moment, has changed—and your travel plans might have changed along with it. But just because your summer trip to Europe or your plans to climb Machu Picchu have been postponed, doesn’t mean you still can’t get out there and explore—now just a bit closer to home.
Domestic travel is at an all-time high. There is a huge demand for villas and private property rentals—both of which F1S advisors are happy to arrange for you—and, as hotels and resorts begin to reopen, a desire to visit local properties for a much-needed change of scenery.
And we couldn’t be more excited for that. Our newest Weekend Away series inspires safe summer travel plans. It will will focus on great properties within driving distance of major U.S. cities, like New York, L.A., and Miami. We launch the series with road trip escapes from the Big Apple Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more inspiration getaways from the City of Angels and the Beach – Miami Beach that is.
Each place on our list is following extensive safety guidelines, including measures like increased cleaning and sanitizing, social distancing—particularly during activities and with dining—and offering additional hand sanitizers in common areas. Plus, every property has their own specific measures, from new check-in and check-out procedures to protocols like temperature checks and mask requirements. Check the property’s website for a full breakdown, or speak with your advisor.
Mayflower Inn & Spa
Washington, CT
2 hours from NYC
Combine relaxation with outdoor adventure at the iconic Mayflower Inn & Spa in Litchfield County, CT. By day, you’ll be able to explore the hotel’s 58 acres and try your hand at a range of activities—from those that immerse you in nature, like forest bathing or a guided hike, to those that will get you moving, like tennis or kayaking, to those that will help center you, like a private yoga class or meditation. And by night, you can relax in one of the property’s 30 rooms, which include guest rooms with soaking tubs and suites with their own balconies and gas fireplaces. And of course, there’s the spa: At 20,000 square feet, there’s plenty of space to indulge in a massage—like The Mayflower Blend, that features both Swedish and deep tissue techniques—or you can make an appointment to hang by the spa’s pool. Plus, the Inn now has even more options for private dining.
What our advisors say: “I would stay here just to have a treatment at their spa—hands down one of the best in the New England area.” — XX
Gurney’s Montauk
Montauk, NY
2 hours from NYC
With spectacular ocean views, a private beach, and outdoor lobster bakes twice a week throughout the summer, this Montauk hotel makes for an ideal vacation spot. There are lots of different room options, from rooms and suites up through beachfront cottages and a two-bedroom residence with a kitchen and terrace. But they all have one thing in common: A view of the Atlantic. Along with spending time on the beach—check out the made-for-relaxing daybeds at The Beach House (and, of course, the restaurant’s cocktails)—there are activities like tennis and multiple on-site dining options with outdoor seating, including at the resort’s signature Scarpetta Beach restaurant. Also great? The resort has upped its in-room options to feature more food choices, games and activities for kids, and even streaming workouts that you can do before heading out for some time in the sun.
What our advisors say: “Gurney’s is an icon in the Hamptons for a reason. Make sure to grab a drink or a bite to eat at The Beach Club—legendary beachfront dining you can’t find anywhere else in the area.” — XX
Primland
Meadows of Dan, VA
8 hours from NYC
Though it’s a bit further afield, consider making this resort—which is situated on 12,000 acres in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains—your ultimate destination. The outdoor activities alone make the drive worthwhile: Try everything from hiking, biking, and horseback riding to fly fishing, archery, and tomahawk tossing (!), as well as golf and wingshooting. (There’s a max of 9 people per activity.) You can even sleep surrounded by nature in one of the resort’s three secluded treehouses. There are other room options, too, including the Mountain Houses, which can sleep anywhere from 2 to 22 people and come complete with their own kitchens. Be sure to try the Blue Ridge BBQ on weekend evenings, along with multiple other dining choices. Families will appreciate the “Family Fun” program for kids under 12—a chance for parents to visit the on-site spa!—as well as the stargazing observatory.
What our advisors say: “I had a client there for a dad-daughter trip and they raved about the service and said the grounds were amazing. Plus, they were able to spend lots of time in the outdoors.” —Mayla Melo
Shou Sugi Ban House
Water Mill, NY
2.5 hours from NYC
Want to focus on your wellness? This soothing Long Island hotel—which is “inspired by the Japanese principals of wabi-sabi”—offers guest retreats, including the Vitality Immersion and the Signature Reset, both of which are running this summer. In the two-night Vitality Immersion retreat, for instance, specific activities—such as a micronutrients and immunity workshop, tea tasting, and yoga nidra class—are included and, thanks to current protocols, are completely private. You can also choose a Custom Stay and tailor the experience to exactly what you’re looking for. Whichever you choose, you’ll stay in one of the Guest Studios, all of which have patios, gas fireplaces, soaking tubs and the ability to get to the outdoor saltwater pool—plus a table outside each studio for private dining. Not to miss: the outdoor dining options around the property (like in the gardens) and the chef Mads Refslund-made private beach bonfire dinner.
What our advisors say: “This wellness retreat is what we all need in our lives right now. Also an ideal place to do a property buyout just for you and your closest friends.” —XX
Twin Farms
Barnard, VT
5 hours from NYC
*Please note that Vermont requires visitors from certain NY areas to quarantine upon arrival. Click here for the most updated information.
Nestled on 300 acres close to Killington, VT, this hotel was originally the home of author Sinclair Lewis and journalist Dorothy Thompson in the late 1920s—and today features a whole range of unique rooms and activities. Along with the rooms in the Main House, you can book the 2,215-square-foot Studio cottage, which has a hot tub, the 3,350-square-foot, 2-bedroom lodge, which boasts a private patio, or one (or all!) of the four Farmhouse suites, among others. Outdoor activities range from kayaking, paddle boarding, and tennis to biking and hiking 9 miles of trails. Plus, guests can try their hand at bocce and croquet on the lawn—and there are other activities, like picnics, bonfires and garden tours that can be arranged. Don’t miss the daily Cottage Champagne & Canapé service, as well as the additional private dining options. Plus, dogs can stay in select rooms and amenities like treats and blankets are offered.
What our advisors say: “This is the place people retreat to when they just want to escape from it all. I would highly recommend renting the farmhouse—it’s like having the whole place to yourself.” — XX
Duvine Hudson Valley Bike Tour
Amenia, NY
2 hours from NYC
Here’s a totally different idea: Go on a bike tour. Duvine offers bike tours all around the world—including in New York’s Hudson Valley. The four-day and three-night tour starts out at the Troutbeck hotel in Amenia, which will be your home base for the duration of the trip. From there, each day features cycling throughout the area, including Connecticut, with rides ranging from 19 to 48 miles. Stops include local farms, farm stands, and a whiskey and bourbon distillery, among others. All meals are included, as well as specific gear and activities.
What our advisors say: “What a perfect way to explore the Hudson Valley’s beautiful scenery, along with fantastic guides and amazing food. It’s also a perfect way to burn the dreaded quarantine 15!” —XX
Want more ideas?
We love these properties, too:
· Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA; 3 hours from NYC (Opening on July 23, 2020)
· Castile Hill Inn in Newport, RI; 3 hours from NYC
· Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s, MD; 3.5 hours from NYC
· Inn at Little Washington in Washington, VA; 5 hours from NYC
Maison Montespan Paris
Maison Montespan Paris
Area: Paris, France
Vibe: Sophisticated comfort
Style: City
Fun Fact: Geared for families, there’s lots for kids to enjoy
Don’t Miss: Relaxing on the well-appointed rooftop
This residence in the 16th arrondissement in Paris offers the best of both worlds: A private home with all the comforts of a hotel—and we are here for it. With five bedrooms, great amenities (heated pool, gorgeous rooftop) and the opportunity to experience all the city has to offer, the family-friendly maison gives a whole new meaning to the idea of a “home away from home.”
Location: The home is situated in a residential neighborhood in the sophisticated 16th arrondissement. It’ll take you less than 40 minutes to get to the area from the airport, but unless you’re planning to rent a car, let the maison take care of it: They can arrange for a private car and driver to meet you at the airport and take you directly to the home. Once there, you’re close to a variety of landmarks: it’s a 10-minute drive to the Eiffel Tower and 20 minutes to the Louvre, and in the 16th arrondissement itself, you’ll find cool spots like Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Jardin d’Acclimatation and the food options along the Rue de la Pompe.
Vibe: If you walk in and it feels like home, that’s the point. With an open floor plan and contemporary décor, the home is stylish and lux, but still comfortable and welcoming. There are 5 rooms and suites, each with their own bathroom—and the whole space sleeps 10 total. There are three bedrooms, all which are sophisticated, with fun pops of color and gold accents throughout. On the top floor, you’ll find two suites. Offering similar décor to the rooms below, the suites also include their own wrap-around balconies.
Why we love it: We love that this home brings the lux—from the service to your surroundings—without feeling stuffy. Throughout your stay, you’ll have a butler on hand, housekeeping services, daily breakfast and afternoon tea service, with fresh pastries made by a French chef. Along with the bedrooms, the open-concept home has a kitchen, living room with a Steinway piano, dining room and elevator, as well as a heated indoor swimming pool and fitness center, complete with stationary bike, boxing bag, and treadmill. And with all that space, the home is very family-friendly. In fact, they say, “Ideally conceived to accommodate your family, Maison Montespan is designed for all ages. The safety, comfort and entertainment of your children are at the heart of our concerns.” And they really mean in: For the youngest family members, there are cribs, high chairs and other necessities available, and for older kids, there are all sorts of activities that can be arranged—from yoga classes to magic shows. Plus, if you prefer, they can switch the pool to a playroom or screening room. (And did we mention they can also arrange babysitting? Win-win.) The activities aren’t limited to kids, either. There are a whole slew of “experiences” that can arranged, whether you’re interested in food and wine, music, or taking tours of the city. Also of note: The great outdoor space. There’s a rooftop with a summer kitchen, as well as a dining area, lounge chairs and sofas and a bioclimatic pergola—perfect for enjoying the space any time of day. Looking for something different? The house can be used as an event space as well.
Why Go F1rst: If you book with First in Service, you’ll receive early check-in and late check-out, depending upon availability.
F1S Tips: Art lovers will be impressed by all the pieces throughout the home, all created by French artists such as Laureline Galliot, Léo Caillard and Aude Herlédan. Bonus: If you fall in love with a particular piece, you can purchase it and bring it back to your own home.
Cultural Heights in Botero’s Colombia
Cultural Heights in Botero’s Colombia
A Feast for the Eyes and Lips
If you’re traveling to Colombia on business or looking for a unique side trip adventure from Miami, you might opt for Bogota, a place of dichotomy, where passionate culture meets passionate food. In the central city streets, you’ll find women dressed like supermodels on a runway and men in tailored jackets but also easy trekkers in the greener areas and locals attending church services on Sunday. Because Bogota is filled with colonial style buildings and hidden spots, and the geography is vast (with areas varying in safety) start your planning through your hotel.
Our top choice for accommodation is the Four Seasons. Choose the Four Seasons Bogota for impeccable service or the Four Seasons Casa Medina with its romantic gardens, patios, and hanging flora. Perhaps take a night in each location, to experience difference sides of the city.
CHARTING THE COURSE
Once you’ve landed, you can chart your course. You can have the concierge book a taxi straight away to the old center to the Botero Museum — located on a full art block that includes the Centro Cultural Gabriel Garcia Marquez — and will feed you a feast for the eyes that will pepper your senses.
An absolute ‘Must See,’ the Museo Botero features over a hundred works of the artist — considered perhaps the most important Latin American artist of all time and “the most Colombian” — as well as some paintings from Dali, Chagall and French impressionists (208 pieces in all.) Botero — known for figurative “oversized” personas in paintings and sculpture, he has often been considered a political artist, showing the state of the common man in his surroundings. However, in press interviews he has countered this, stating he works intuitively, without preconceived symbolism. To see such quantity of Botero’s paintings in one space connects the viewer to him on a personal level, for a larger than life experience, seeing Colombia through the eyes of Botero’s personages. Presented with narrators of the place you’re standing in, the art comes to life from the walls.
The magic will stay with you as you descend back onto the streets at dusk, where you can opt for some local ceviche at Central Cevicheria (camarones y calamares) if you’ve got energy to burn or head back for more classic fare — a steak or pasta — at the Four Seasons Restaurant.
Immersing in the richness of the city
Wake up early the next morning, to take the funicular tram (10,341 feet) up Mount Monserrate, the hill — or rather mini mountain — by 9 am or so. It’s a ten minute mount. You might catch the mass at a church there or walk with the locals through the gardens. The view of the city below is breathtaking. (Pro Tip: Stay hydrated, since water evaporates at such high altitudes.)
You’ll be hungry when you get back down the hill to La Candelaria again, to join the line at a deceptive but delicious famed hole in the wall called La Puerta Falsa, where you can indulge in hot rolls, chicken tamales, and hot chocolate before shopping treasures in the numerous side shops.
Local vendors here sell beautiful jewelry and other crafts. There are “ruanas” — thick often striped ponchos — often created by communities of families over generations and “sombreros veultaios” official Colombian style hats with geometric patterns. They are created by the Zenu tribes in the North but are worn throughout the country. You might also snag yourself a colorful “mochila wayuu” or sack like handbag made of wild cotton, maguey, alpis and other natural fibers twisted into “S” and “Z” patterns, in bright tangerine, lemon, cherry and turquoise. Each one takes roughly three weeks to create. There are leak proof “werregue” bowls made from palm trees (and exclusively by women) as well as “guacumayas” baskets, assembled from colorful woven rolls. Purchases aid residents who rely on such traditional crafts to survive. So you can dress yourself into a rainbow and help people at the same time.
Eating like a Bogotano
Now that you look like a native, it’s time to eat like one, starting with appetizers —a wonderful creamy burrata at Delucca Restaurante — and crisp white wine. Or perhaps drinks inside what looks like the inside of a slot machine at Andres Carne de Rez (Chia) with some tacos at Cantina y Punto, a laid back Mexican joint. Or follow up with a meal at Club Columbia, where you can taste an array of delectable ceviches, rice dishes, chorizo, steaks, and salads. You might want to try the organic fare of childhood friends Tomas Rueda and Juan Pablo Tomás Rueda (from lamb chops, sausages, asparagus, to artichokes and cheese sauces) at Donostia, with its chic black and white decor. Bistro El Bandido features French fare (grilled prawns, croque monsieur, and coq au vin) as well as live music. At Salvaje, you’ll feel as though you’ve gotten lost in a jungle — with wall hanging flora — as you feast on plates of salmon and mushroom fried rice, avocado and cheese enhanced dishes, and roasted meats. At the end of your trip, you’ll end up boarding the plane stuffed but happy, just like one of Botero’s muses.
NoMad Las Vegas
NoMad Las Vegas
Area: Las Vegas, Nevada
Vibe: Chic and sexy
Style: City
Fun Fact: There are 25,000 books in the NoMad Restaurant
Don’t Miss: The JEMAA pool party
If you’re ready for something new on your next trip to Vegas, here’s a great option: NoMad Las Vegas. Located inside Park MGM—it calls the top floors home—the hotel has all the makings to truly elevate your Sin City experience: gorgeous rooms, great dining led by a world-renowned chef, a weekend pool party and, of course, a casino.
Location: A quick 10-minute drive from McCarran International Airport, the hotel is located right on the famed Strip, close to all the action. But in terms of location, this one is unique: The NoMad sits on the upper four floors of the Park MGM hotel, though it has its own private entrance, as well as its own pool, restaurant, bars and casino. Its central location means it’s easy to check out what the rest of the city has to offer, while never having to stray too far from your home base.
Vibe: Chic and sexy, the hotel has that cool, old-world Las Vegas feel—think lots of wood, antique finishes and velvet textures in jewel-toned colors—while still feeling totally modern. There are close to 300 rooms and suites, from rooms with queen- or king-sized beds to larger suites, like the 1,200-square foot NoMad Suite and the 1,600-square-foot Suite Royale, which sleeps up to four and has its own pool table and dining room. When you’re ready to bring your stay to the next level, check out the Suite Royale Premiere, a two-bedroom, 2,000-square foot suite with a pool table, its own bar, six-person dining room and views of The Strip.
Why We Love It: Along with the great vintage Vegas vibe and the energy of the city itself, there’s so much to love about this hotel—not least of which is the dining experience, which has Chef Daniel Humm and Restaurateur Will Guidara at the helm. The duo are also behind NoMad’s culinary offerings in New York and L.A., plus the World’s Best restaurant winner, Eleven Madison Park in NYC. In Las Vegas, the hotel is home to both NoMad Bar and NoMad Restaurant. The \restaurant is dark and sexy, with lots of club seating and velvet accents, all surrounded by some 25,000 (!) books. “The robust menu celebrates grand, clubby mid-century dining with a dash of theater—Grande Plateaus of Fruits de Mer, seasonal pastas, our signature black truffle-laced Roast Chicken, and Baked Alaska flambéed tableside,” they say. Also not to miss: The NoMad Casino, which offers “high limit” gaming like blackjack and roulette, as well as its own bar. The NoMad Pool is primed for relaxation on the weekdays—and for partying from Friday to Sunday. That’s when you’ll find the JEMAA pool party, complete with DJs, music, bottle service, and more. Along with these features, there are amenities like a spa and 24-hour fitness center, both of which are accessed through Park MGM, as well as lots of space for meetings and events.
Why Go F1rst: If you book your stay through First in Service, you’ll receive a slew of extra amenities, including a $100 food and beverage credit, early-check and late check-out and a room upgrade, if available.
F1S Tips: Want to relax with a spa service? You can head to the spa at the Park MGM—or have the service done right in your room. Also fun: Jazz fans should reserve Sundays for the Jazz Brunch at the NoMad Bar.
