Paradise Found: US Virgin Islands

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I want to start off by saying that my itch to travel somewhere tropical has been SO real this year (as it must be for many of you too) and I couldn’t be happier to kick off summer with a trip to the US Virgins!! After such a taxing year on multiple fronts, being able to lounge and relax somewhere in warm humid better was truly blissful!

Traveling to USVI with COVID safety measures:

Apart from being vaccinated, with COVID there were several guidelines we had to follow o enter and travel around USVI.

1) You must show results of a PCR test within 5 days of departure. This has to be uploaded to the USVI government portal as well as onto the airline portal (varies by airline). I traveled on United - with the united app you can upload your test results for review & approval. The approval was instant for me.

For the USVI government portal, once you upload the full test results and fill out the questionnaire, you will receive a QR code via email that needs to be presented upon arrival in USVI. You should receive approval within 24-48 hours.

2) The island is VERY strict about masks so everywhere we went we made sure we were masked up. Even on the ferry.

3) You don’t need a second PCR test to go back to the US

4) FAQ - If you’re a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you don’t need a passport to get into USVI but if you want to travel to British Virgin Islands, you will need a passport. I think on the way back the security guy at customs told me I should’ve brought my passport (with global entry) because its faster to get through security that way. (THE LINE WAS SO LONG OTHERWISE)

Hotel & Lodging

1) We chose to stay at an Airbnb that was on the “residential” side of St Thomas but there are a few hotels on the island. Our Airbnb was next to the Lime Tree Resort by Club Wyndham - which worked out perfectly because we were able to enjoy their beach, restaurants and use that as a pick up + drop off point for taxis.

Our Air BnB - linked here!

2) There are a few other properties on the island such as the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove which was a beautiful property with an amazing view of the island and surrounding hilltops. If you are able to find a hotel at the Marriott, I highly recommend it. The only downside could be the limited beach space if you’re wanting that over the pool scene.

3) If you’re looking to stay somewhere different, I would suggest looking at lodging options on St John - especially if you’re traveling with a group. They had a lot of cool houses out there but I think there is only ONE Westin on the island of St. John.

Restaurants & Bars:

(I’d recommend making reservations for the places you want to check out before hand (some locations do not offer reservations & it is first come first serve. In that case, depending on the size of your group, ask if bar seating is available.)

I underestimated how much I would enjoy the food on the island. Sometimes when I go on vacation to tropical destinations, I expect like basic neo American and maybe some seafood flairs but to my surprise, USVI was filled with amazing restaurants!

The Easterly - we went here night one and it was an amazing choice! Innovative craft cocktails and wood-fired cuisine representative of the rustic Caribbean, there was a variety of tapas plates to choose from. We booked this place through the website itself. Decor gave off Hampton Social (Chicago) meets Tulum Vibes. I recommend getting the Lamb Shank, Fire Roasted Chicken and Farro Risotto! They were delicious and savory. What I wasn’t too keen on were the prawns, the tasted pretty standard. For dessert, we went with baked banana bread skillet and tiramisu. Hit the spot for sure.

Pesce Italian - the second night we were in mood for some italian and had heard a lot about this restaurant in the Red Hook neighborhood. It was pretty packed so we knew we had been guided in the right direction. From the appetizers to the main plates, everything was so so good and flavorful! I enjoyed the calamari, bruschetta, meatballs and Caprese (I got that as the main dish and it was a v large salad). We sat at the bar so we had first hand access to the bartender which was fun! He was super nice and made some delicious mixed shots for us throughout dinner! We wrapped up a 3 hour dinner with the chocolate cake and a plate of tiramisu and BOYYYYY that chocolate cake…man, I still dream about it.

Joe’s Rum Hut - ON ST JOHN - located right on the beach and down the street from the ferry dock, this was a great spot to wrap up a long day on the beach! We chilled outside, ordered various plates of finger food and enjoyed some tropical cocktails as the sun set!

High Tide - ON ST JOHN - this is also located in the shopping/ferry dock part of town (down the street from Joe’s Rum Hut & other restaurants). It was a decent brunch spot, good to grab something before starting off the day! I think the drink deals were pretty clutch and served as a solid pregame for the beach. We were able to put our name down and the wait was only 15 or so minutes! I think everyone liked their food. I wasn’t a fan of the huevos rancheros but I did enjoy the pancakes!

The Lanai - The Lanai was located in the Lime Tree Resort right by our Air BnB and ended up being so convenient! We went there for brunch, early dinner and dinner during the course of our stay! Food was good and I loved the patio set up. You got the best view of the property’s beach along with great food. I’d recommend the salmon lettuce wraps as well as the Peanut Butter Jelly French Toast! The Tacos were good too :) No reservation required.

Restaurants we didn’t get to check out but wish we had!

The Long Board - A sister property to the Easterly on St John, this place had the longest line to just put a name down!!! The theme was similar and I heard they had great seafood options. Def put your name down before dinner and walk around…or go for lunch?

Bistro XO - a casual wine bar with dining. This was another one that I believe required reservations!

Things to Do:

So I’d say there is a lot to do when visiting USVI but our group was looking to relax a bit more and just play catch up since we hadn’t properly seen each other in a while. Apart from the regular water activities - parasailing, jet skis, boat rentals. Here are a few suggestions of things people had told us about and a few we did:

1) Magen’s Bay Beach - Visited this spot on our last day and it was so chill! Granted we went on the Monday of Memorial Day but it was a really nice beach with a great beach bar and a lovely view! Definitely order the Banana Colada with Baileys! So yum!

2) Cinnamon Beach - This beach is a fun one to spend several hours at! IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL! Literally felt like we were in the Phi Phi Islands or Maldives! We visited on our first day on St John and realized we were not prepared - people had coolers and snacks and were propped up for a majority of the day! Just a friendly heads up - don’t bring glass to the beach or take it in the water.

3) Trunk Bay - SO IN LOVE WITH TRUNK BAY!!! Now this is a beach with resources and a beach you can easily spend a whole day at if you like to lounge like we do! We went there around 3pm after Cinnamon Beach (the taxi situation was quite easy as they are only a few minutes apart). What I liked about trunk is that they not only had bathrooms/changing rooms/showers but also a mini food stand for snacks (nachos, ice cream, sandwiches etc) or along with a full serving bar for all the tropical drinks you could possibly enjoy! We loved this beach so much we went back the next day (with cooler + Food). Bring your snorkeling gear - you can snorkel in the shallow waters and see some cool fish!

4) Hiking St John National Park - A majority of St John is a national park, which is super cool if you are into hiking and catching some great views during your visit! I’d recommend a morning hike as it does get fairly humid and hot by late morning!

5) Sunset Cruise - This is something we wanted to do but everything was booked. We were debating between a booze cruise at sunset or getting our own catamaran but given that it was memorial day weekend, things were already at max capacity! Definitely plan in advance for activities as such.

How to travel around:

We traveled by taxi for 100% of the trip which means we had to withdraw a lot of cash but thats the main mode of transportation for tourists. Unfortunately they do not have uber and we were not comfortable getting a rental car because people drive on the opposite side of the road, its super hilly and there aren’t proper street lights & stop signals….AKA let the local taxis drive you. Make sure you ask your rental property or hotel for taxi information. You can catch the safari taxi’s from Red Hook or St John to get around the island. We took the open safari taxi from red hook back to our Air BnB several times!

There are hourly ferry rides from St Thomas to St John which only takes like 20 minutes. You can buy the tickets online or in person and wearing a mask is required on the ferry. The last ferry leaves from St John around 10pm if I remember correctly!

Closing Thoughts on USVI

Would I go back? 100% ! I had always heard about the Virgin Islands but didn’t know how beautiful it would be ! The beaches were exquisite and so clean and I had a new found appreciation for the Saints! From the food to the water activities and overall just enjoying a relaxing time, I had a blast and would be so down to go to USVI again!

I hope you found this recap and travel guide helpful! If you have any questions please comment below or message me on Instagram :)

Winter Wonderland: Escape to Four Seasons Vail

A short weekend getaway outside of my apartment was just what I needed for a reset before the holiday season kicked off and I couldn’t be happier to escape to the Four Seasons Resort in Vail! It hasn’t even been a few days and I am dying to go back! For background, keeping in mind the current situation with the pandemic, I wanted to travel somewhere where we’d be able to be out in the open with less crowds and enjoy the indoors where we can maintain social distancing. (I’ll be covering the Pandemic Precautions later in this blog post)

So first things first, I had never been to Vail but it was always on my list of places to visit for US cities! I figured now would be the best time to check it out! Vail lived up to the hype and the there is something there for everyone. Even for non-skiers like me (although I am going back to learn how to ski properly on the bunny slopes!) We went right before Vail Mountain opened so although a few places had special hours or were closed due to off season/COVID, there was plenty for us to do and explore! 😊

We rented a SUV at the Denver Airport and our drive was straightforward. An easy 1.5 hour drive with a little pit stop at Starbucks (of course!). The drive was beautiful and scenic as one would expect and I wasn’t too intimidated to drive through the mountains!

The Four Seasons Vail is positioned right next to the city center with a stunning backdrop of the mountain! I mean, that view from the hotel, especially the pool & Remedy Bar is to DIE for!! We were just a few steps away from Vail Village which has a lot of the popular and renowned restaurants and cute boutiques!

We had a Resort View with a king bed and I am sure it was one of the best views I have ever had! The room was spacious, had a mini walk-in closet, a seating area, a FIREPLACE and the coziest balcony!! The bathroom had a his & hers sink, a nice bathtub for a hot shower and robes ready to go for a self-care night in or visit to the pool!

With the fresh snowfall outside, happy hour was the perfect time to head-over to the famous Remedy Bar and enjoy their amazing hot chocolate right by the fireplace or fire pit outdoors! The restaurant followed CDC guidelines and practiced social distancing as the tables were very much spread apart and everyone kept their masks on unless seated/eating. We frequented the Remedy bar a lot during our stay because the menu was so good and it was such a scenic dining experience! I highly recommend the strawberry French toast, blueberry pancakes and the breakfast burrito for breakfast! For lunch, I loved their flatbreads & especially the Fire Roasted Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese. PRO TIP: ask for more cheese please ;)

Okay now onto one of my favorite parts of any resort stay, the Pool & SPA!! If you know me, you know wellness and luxury go hand-in-hand when it comes to my self-care moments and I knew the Four Seasons spa would be one to check out! You’ve already gotten a peak at the outdoor pool set up with that view from the Remedy Bar but getting into the hot tub after a fresh snowfall is a whole different experience! I LOVED that the outdoor pool and hot tubs were heated, we could still enjoy the amenities even if it was snowing outside or bone chilling cold! Surprisingly, I didn’t even notice the cold temps once I got in the water. Its the little things that make a difference and having hot towels on standby next to the pool was a great plus :)

The spa area indoors was something I could not get enough of. You truly could spend all day there - they had the plunge pools, a co-ed lounge area to relax and a slumber room. My mom and I were able to enjoy the plunge pool/baths throughout our stay and we were mindful when others wanted to get some time in the water. Due to COVID, a shortlist of services are available to guests in the spa but it was still extensive. Lots of services to pick from! I signed up for a deep tissue massage for 60 mins which was therapeutic and relaxing. The room I was in had a fireplace too! Talk about a cozy way to relax, especially in the winter time 😊

For COVID pre-cautions, the hotel had a lot in place and made sure guests felt safe! They had controlled flow of traffic in & out of the hotel doors (separate entrance/exit), signage to wear a mask around every corner and hand sanitizer stands everywhere for guests to sanitize themselves. Like I mentioned earlier, dining tables were over 6 feet apart, everyone would wear masks until seated and all employees kept their masks on throughout the restaurant. Overall, I felt much more comfortable staying at the resort during these unprecedented times - everyone kept to themselves and the staff was more than helpful to address any needs or questions we had.

Exploring Vail Village

Vail Village is so cute!! Easy to walk through and the FS Vail was located right across the street! Since we went visited towards the end of off season/ in a pandemic, there were some restaurants that were closed so I have to go back to try more during ski season!

I loved El Segundo and Mahsuisa! El Segundo is a Mexican spot and Mahsuisa is a part of Chef Nobu’s family of restaurants! I’ve heard great things about Swiss Chalet but we didn’t get a chance to check it out!

Wellness Getaway in Sonoma!

Finally sharing a recap of my trip to Sonoma for a wellness getaway at Vintners Resort & Ferrari Carano! I’ve been to Napa many times but going to Sonoma was a first for me and boy am I OBSESSED!! 😊 I always found wine country to be extremely fun (and not just because of the wine) but Sonoma has its own special kind of beauty and I’m sharing all the details in this post!

How to Get There & Local Transportation!

Vintners Resort is located in Santa Rosa, CA and has a sister property a few mins away in Dy Creek Valley! Santa Rosa has a regional airport just about 10 minutes away from Vintners Resort and that’s where I flew into! You can also fly into SFO (or Oakland!) and drive/uber which would take around 1 hour depending on the traffic (don’t plan to drive around rush hour!) ! Luckily for me, I only had one layover and the flight went by quickly!

I would recommend a rental car if you’re coming from in from San Francisco and are planning to drive around. Otherwise, uber and Lyft are efficient to get around town!

To get to Ferrari Carano in Dry Creek Valley, we took a private bus via Pure Luxury Transportation which was SO fun! The bus was very spacious and had room for everyone (approx. 10 people)! We were able to hook up our playlist to add tunes for the ride and our driver was so sweet! They’re a great transportation company to consider for bachelorette parties, birthdays and wedding needs!

THE VINTNERS RESORT

Honestly, the best way to describe this place is that you feel transported to a more tranquile place! I’ve haven’t explored wine country in other parts of the world but I’d like to think that Vintners Resort pretty gives all the Italy vibes (wait till you see pics from Ferrari Carano too!)

The property is very intimate and the staff is SO welcoming, you instantly feel like you’ve known these folks for years! They make you feel right at home and make you feel like you’re family too! There are about 80 guest rooms and their new renovation, which was an extension of the resort overlooks the 92 acres of vineyard. The room itself is so cozy yet spacious. The bathroom was heavenly with the his & her sinks and for us gals, the perfect lighting 😉! LOL! I looked forward to getting ready everyday even though we were on vacation because the bathroom was so nice! The rooms also have fireplaces which is a beautiful feature to the rooms, making it extra cozy on those chilly Nor Cal nights! One thing that really made my stay so special there was the fact that I woke up every morning just to enjoy the view from my balcony and enjoy the morning fog, and the sunsets of course. It was blissful and something everyone needs to experience! Upon checking in, there was a complimentary bottle of wine in the room which has most definitely been consumed!!

SUSTAINABILITY AT VINTNER’S INN !

One of the coolest things about Vintners Resort was learning about how they automated their processes and tools that they use for harvesting grapes throughout the year. We learned how much work it takes to grow the grapes and to hear about how they use technology to make things more efficient. On top of that, Vintners Resort is committed to sustainability across the acres of vineyard land they have.  They focus on being environmentally friendly in terms of conserving water with their drip irrigation as well as participating in restoration projects to nurture and protect local ecosystems.

THE FOOD (AKA FARM TO TABLE HEAVEN)

Vintners Resorts has plenty of food options as they have 3 restaurants on property (John Ash & Co, The Front Room Bar & Lounge, and River Vine). The best part about Vintners is the “Farm to Table” concept they’ve brought to life at John Ash & Co! The menu is set to only prepare the dishes with seasonal ingredients produced by local farmers and artisans! I could eat there everyday and go to sleep happy (which is exactly what I did while I was there). The food was so fresh and savory and the staff had the perfect pairing suggestions for each course! I especially loved their breakfast/brunch menu, everything was so delicious yet so fresh! I was in heaven! 😊

We had the most lovely evening, a personal highlight for me - DINNER IN THE VINEYARD AT SUNSET. It was so magical and they had a violinist as well which was a perfect touch to such a perfect evening. We had a multiple course meal that took us from sunset to night and wrapped up with dessert and coffee. The decor and setup of the dinner amongst the vineyard was breathtaking - I’ll let the pictures speak for itself! ;)

THE SPA: Vi La Vita Spa

Y’all know how much I love a good spa session (and making a day out of it, let’s be real)! The Vi La Vita Spa at Vintners Resort is a new addition as of Fall of 2018, the spa has its massage and treatment rooms as well as a indoor & outdoor pool with a lounging area and spa sauna. I chose to receive a Deep Tissue Restorative massage which was long overdue! The massage session was so relaxing and effective, it put me right to sleep! I chose the deep tissue because I felt like my body needed something a bit more intense to relax the muscles but they have a long menu to choose from in terms of scrubs, polishes and massages! If spas aren’t your thing, there is a fitness room to get a quick workout whether you are a morning or evening person 😊 We also enjoyed a yoga class with a selection of aromas based on your chakras, it was nice to learn and recognize what my body and mind needed during the flow.

 FERRARI CARANO WINERY

Ok. Hands down. THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WINERY I HAVE EVER BEEN TO IN THE US! If I thought that the resort itself was an escape, Ferrari Carano Vinery is a whole different ballgame. As soon as you enter and go up the winding pathway, the outlook to the vineyard is BREATHTAKING! Just looking out over the vineyard was a sight to see. We then got a tour of the winery and learned how the wine is fermented and produced – which is always so informative because different wineries have different tricks on how they make wine. We enjoyed a private wine & food pairing, which was delicious! The pairing was perfect to learn about all the notes in the different flights and how they compliment certain dishes. It was such a great time and definitely something I want to do again when I go to Sonoma!

 OVERALL THOUGHTS!

I am 100% planning on going back to Dry Creek Valley and visiting Vintners Resort & Ferrari Carano! From the farm to table meals to the relaxing spa session to the beautiful dinner on the vineyard, everything we did and experienced was so relaxing and refreshing! I walked away from Sonoma feeling very zen which is exactly the vibe I was going for! Oh, what I would do to curl up next to the fireplace and enjoy a glass of wine right now! This would totally be a great idea for a girls trip or even a family trip! I know my parents would love a wine country getaway to Sonoma any day!

Island In The Sun - Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Style

Hello hello!! Back on the blog with another trip recap and I am so excited to share all the deets on this Caribbean hot spot! Baha Mar has been the destination for all ages in the past year and I have been looking forward to enjoying this piece of paradise for months!! I keep forgetting the Caribbean is such a short flight away from Texas - need to take more advantage of this!

Baha Mar is the perfect little paradise town in Nassau City, Bahamas. Located a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the market/city proper area but still close to the airport, Baha Mar pretty much has everything you need to enjoy a beach vacation without having to leave the neighborhood! I honestly did not believe my friends when they said that - I thought they were just lazy but I was wrong! They ain’t lying!

For an easy weekend trip, we had a very lax but productive scheduled. We got there Friday afternoon and immediately hit the beach and beach bar!! The weather was hot and humid, with some overcast which was probably a blessing for all (including my super pale friends - love you lots ladies!). Happy Hour took on a whole different meaning when you’re getting served on the beach.

Hotel Room: Clean and Chic are the two words I would use to describe the decor! The Ocean View rooms at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar were perfect for 3-4 friends or a single family (you know us ladies pack a lot!). I loved the modern room decor and that still echoed the tropical vibes of the destination and the resort. We had a resort view and a Juliet balcony to enjoy the evening golden hour before heading out to dinner everyday! UGH I miss the powerful shower too! Too good.

Resort Activities: From the Casino floor spanning the central lobby, that basically takes you to Vegas as soon as you walk in, to the many pools scattered across the connected properties, there is something for every hour and vibe whether you’re coming with friends, family or a loved one (OR a bun in the oven!) We definitely enjoyed the pool bar throughout the day as well as the man-made cliff jumping into the deep end of the pool. Did I mention there’s a built in cave with an aquarium at one of the pools? AWESOME.

Food & Beverage: Boy, did I eat. like I feasted. I honestly wish it was winter and I didn’t have to frolick in a bikini because I ate my heart out at Baha Mar. There was a Poke Bowl place, Ice Cream stand, Hot Dog food truck, multiple Air Streams right off the beach filled with your favorite street foods plus many fancy hotels with cuisines from all over the world. Katsuya and Cleo were recommended as well as Madeline Cafe and they definitely lived up to the hype. Cafe Madeline was so cute and the food was amazing. We got the crepes and the Benedict and those two items did not disappoint. I was eyeing the tart and croissant pastries as well but was filled to the brim with our orders! We also checked out the cafe by the pools for breakfast on Saturday since we wanted to hit the pool again asap. Get the Acai bowl if you go there - look at how yummy it is!

Water Activities: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar had several complimentary water activities for beach-goers! We had the opportunity to kayak and snorkel (very safe) out into the ocean with buoys set up as boundaries! We were still close to the shore but there was plenty of space to swim and explore!

City Sightseeing: Since we were there for a short time, we only managed to see a few things - The Straw Market, Queen’s Staircase and Paradise Island were the spots we were told to check out! The Straw Market has several hand made goods by locals and serve as accessories and souvenirs should you want to take any home! Queen’s Staircase is a historical landmark - 66 steps were carved out of solid limestone rock in the 1800s!

Overall, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is the easiest escape to make all year round! I am dying to go back because there is so much to do that we didn’t get around too!! I could go for another pool day and a few pink ladies right now about now :)

Desert Escape with Westin Mission Hills

FIRST TIME IN PALM SPRINGS and it was so so perfect! While doing some research of where to stay in Palm Springs, I was really keen on finding a resort that had a little bit of everything: Spa, Pool, Views, Location Convenience and big space!! I came across Westin Mission Hills and loved all that it had to offer! While I captured many videos of our stay and spa experience on my Palm Springs IG highlight reel, I have recapped our stay at the property below! :)

Here’s a little recap of our stay:

ROOM:

We felt right at home at Westin Mission hills resort - we stayed in a suite and the room was spacious and well thought out. You guys know I am big on bathrooms and this one was a hit for two gals! I loved the lighting, double sinks and shower + separate bath it had to offer. Not to mention, tons of closet space/storage for all of our big bags. I was thinking with Coachella, there would be a lot of commotion and chaos but we didn’t have that issue at all. The rooms were nice and quiet and we didn’t have any problems coming late at night or not being able to snag a seat at breakfast! Self parking was a big perk and we were able to find spots right by our room on such a large property! 

SPA:

This was one of my favorite parts since I am a huge spa snob (I confess, I am obsessed with spas). Started off with a deep tissue massage and it definitely did the job after a long flight and drive into the desert. The massage put me at ease and recharged me for a crazy weekend ahead. The spa was very serene and I enjoyed getting settled in before my appointment. The spa has a pool area as well thats a bit secluded, unfortunately I didn’t get time to enjoy it but wish I had! One of the coolest parts of the Spa was their “make your own body scrub” bar! GREAT IDEA! With the honey produced on the property, I was able to make a body exfoliator with pink himalayan salt, herbs, and essential oils! I still use it a scrub! They also had brown sugar to substitute as a body polish! I could’ve made scrubs all day! Check my Palm Springs IG highlight reel to see more details on that! 

POOL:

The main decision maker for me at a resort when I’m on vacation is the pool area! Since I love to spend time with friends and family by the pool, inside or outside of the water - a well designed and accessible pool is a must! I love the backdrop of the mountains and palm trees by the pool - it made for peaceful mornings as day got started! 

DINING:

While we only had time for breakfast at the resort most days (Coachella ran late into the night), it was great for a quick meal in the morning with the buffet option!  I would give the breakfast buffet a 10/10 with the spread the Westin had to offer! From custom omelettes to pancakes, fresh meats/cheese and fruits - we had everything we need to kick start the day!

Having stayed at various Westin properties, there is always a high standard that the property sets in terms of service and hospitality and with every stay, the service gets better and better. Westin Mission Hills made us feel right at home - whether it was with the smallest requests/questions or just chatting with the staff - they were so friendly and accommodating that it enhanced our experience even more! I would definitely stay at the Westin Mission Hills resort again, whether its with friends or family regardless of the occasion! There is something for everyone and guaranteed a great time !

Paradise at W Punta De Mita

After what was an amazing and relaxing few days in Mexico, it’s time to recap our stay at the luxurious W Punta De Mita in Nayarit, MX!

We flew into Puerto Vallarta and snagged a rental car through Avis which turned about to be quite the smooth process. I’m always scared/skeptical of renting cars internationally but the two times I’ve done it it’s been easy and safe! W Punta De Mita is about 25-45 mins away depending on traffic, but the drive was straightforward from the airport and boy, the route was pretty scenic 😊

The Property:

Encompassing all the jungle getaway vibes, the resort is definitely for those looking for a tropical escape. The main property is located 1 mile in from where it’s entrance in so you can expect a secluded and exclusive area and beach. We got to the hotel and was immediately welcomed with a golf cart to the lobby where we also enjoyed refreshing hibiscus tea! IT WAS SO GOOD, I’m going to try and make it at home! Beyond the lobby, you get access to the lobby bar, two restaurants, beach bars and the main pool! The left side of the property has small bonfire pits of cute chairs for late night chilling as well as the cutest tiki bar set up right on the beach! The right side is the main pool area, the pool was my favorite part! It was so chic and surrounded by a bunch of cabanas and swinging chairs. Beyond the pool, you have access to private cabanas which were equipped with TVs and there were several hammocks tied to the palm trees right on the beach! So naturally, you know what we tackled once we were settled into our room. We spent the rest of the day and a majority of Saturday at the resort because of all this! Saturday, for you party people, the W has a live DJ set up by the pool and a Veuve Cliquot champagne bar! Bottoms up baby!

Exploration & Daytime Activities:

Punta de Mita is located between Puerto Vallarta and SAyulita. SAyulita is a cute beach town located about 25 minutes away from Punta De Mita. We drove over Saturday morning to explore the town and have lunch. Sayulita has a lot of character. From the colorful walls and beautiful architecture to the cobblestone roads and golf cart rentals driving around, this town is the perfect daytime excursion to check out while visiting. Be prepared for the heat/humidity though. I love humidity (hello, why do you think I live in Houston and not the Midwest anymore?) but this was a bit aggressive so DRESS LIGHT! As light as possible! Find a parking lot because you’ll realize quickly its easier to be on foot and take cash. We grabbed a few coronas at a street side bar and it was the cutest thing! If I wasn’t drenched in sweat, I would’ve taken a few more pics 😊

The Room:

We were upgraded to a suite, which I highly recommend booking! It had a mini villa set up, with an ocean view, private porch and patio with a day bed. A perfect space for friends or couples or a family of 3 (including toddlers). The daybed was perfect for mornings or late afternoons if you wanted to nap outside in peace and quiet! The bathroom was one of the best parts – they have tubs that overlook the view of the resort and the ocean 😊 I was in heaven cause y’all know I love myself a nice bathtub/powerful shower! During our entire stay, the housekeeping ladies took great care of our room – we were pretty surprised to come back to our clothes laid out as well as our beauty essentials! It doesn’t happen that often!

Wave:

I knew if I was going to the west coast of Mexico, I HAD to surf! I signed up through the hotel itself for a session with a WAVE instructor for 1 hour (Ricardo and I were having so much fun catching waves our session lasted a bit longer! So awesome) Wave offers standup paddle boarding and surfing. I think it’s better to surf in the morning but up to you on when you plan to schedule your lesson. The afternoon before 3pm is a bit too hot and that salty ocean can really drain you of energy! I signed up for the 3pm slot and it was pleasant outside. Depending on how crazy the waves are, I recommend surfing at the beach because the beach was very clean and the water was crystal clear!  Anytime I crashed, I wasn’t worried about getting stuck in anything. For people who have surfed before, you know how annoying that can get when you’re not in a wet suit. Ricardo was a great teacher and was patient enough to teach me how to balance myself out in the water and I successfully learned a few tricks as well. If anyone knows of any Johnny Tsunami sequel auditions, holler at yo girl!

Away Spa:

OH MY GOSH. I HAVE SO MANY FEELS ABOUT THIS SPA! Okay so. For those of you who keep up with me on the gram, you knowwww I’m a spa junkie. Massage? Facial? Private pool? Sauna? Steam? Baby you name it and I’m game. When I found out the W had a spa, I immediately looked up their services and saw a large variety of options. There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a body detox, full body massage, facial, pedi/mani etc, the away spa is the perfect addition to your trip. Located towards the back of the property, the secluded area gives the spa quite the jungle escape vibe. Sayra and I signed up for a full body massage – I went for the deep tissue and she went for the local – both with agave butter. I literally fell asleep like 5 mins into this massage and woke up a whole different person. My female masseuse did WORK on my body, pulling every muscle like never before. Pretty sure she could tell I was long over due for a deep tissue massage. Once we were done with that, we went to the pool area and took a dip into the different pools they had for an hour or so. There’s one long one, 1 mini hot tub and a ice cold pool. I would suggest doing the cold shock pool post massage, it really wakes up your body/nerves. 2 seconds in the cold pool then hop back into the hot. Repeat this 2-3 times depending on how your body takes it! We then finished up with a quick steam before showering and heading back to our hotel room. Its been about 5 days and I’m still like “ugh take me back to the away spa”

Food:

Breakfast Buffet:

Um, can I just say…they had an array of juices. Tamales. Pastries. Pancakes. Bacon. French toast. Mexican breakfast food. And fresh fruit. That’s not even all of it. You’re not gonna go wrong with this all you can eat breakfast buffet. End of story :P

Spice Market:

On the first day, we wrapped up a long day of traveling and sun bathing by the pool with a nice dinner at the Spice Market, which is the W’s Asian fusion restaurant. They had a few Indian/Thai/Chinese dishes with a Mexican twist. Someone had previously recommended this to me so I had to see if it lived up to the hype and it had! We got a few different appetizers, the samosas were pretty legit and the spicy noodles were good but I was so stuffed by the end of this meal!

Overall, W Punta De Mita is a fabulous getaway for couples, friends and family! There's something for everyone looking to enjoy a nice beach vacation. From the food to the hospitality, from the pools to the views and from the surf to the spa, this property is a place for anyone ready to indulge in luxury and relaxation. Can't wait to visit again!

The Best Week of My Life in Croatia

So I am FINALLY sharing my adventure from Croatia. I know, this is long overdue but I've had so many questions about this country that it was time to sit my butt down and write this out. 

Croatia is by far one of my most favorite countries I have visited as well as my first Eastern European country I had traveled to. From Dubrovnik to Hvar and everywhere in between, each town had something different to bring to the table. I would go back every summer if I could! 

1. Dubrovnik - I traveled to Dubrovnik on my own, before meeting up with the girls for Yacht Week! It was a game time decision 1-2 days before my flight to plan this all out. I booked my hotel through Orbitz.com, Hotel Lapad was the name. This hotel was a cute boutique hotel right on the water and a bit of a walk from Old Town. It was beautiful to explore overall. I remember walking through the streets of Dubrovnik and just being in awe of the architecture as well as the cute little shops. In the mornings, I highly recommend running on the sidewalks along the water! You will not be disappointed. Old Town Dubrovnik can be easily tackled in the morning. If you're there during summer, try to beat the crowds because it does get very hot! It's easy to get tickets to walk above the fort. There are a few restaurant options that overlook the sea (Nautika/360) but my favorite was Restaurant Panorama. Be sure to make a reservation beforehand!! If you're a game of Thrones fan then this city is a treat for you! I honestly felt weird telling people I didn't watch game of thrones, they had so many tours around the city taking you to some of the locations where the show is shot! You can see "King's landing" in Dubrovnik per my understanding!

2. Split/ - Split was the second stop before Yacht Week took off! I took the bus to split which took about 3-4 hours if I remember correctly! Easy peasy! We got an air bnb to explore Split before heading over to our boat in Trogir. Both are small towns! Split, a town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, is known for its beaches and the fortress-like complex at its center, Diocletian's Palace, erected by the Roman emperor in the 4th century! I loved Diocletian's Palace! There are a few outdoor spots to check out for views and architecture - Marjan Park, Cathedral of Saint Domnius, and the port of split where you can see all the beautiful yachts and boats docked throughout the summer! We went out at night to club vanilla but I'll just tell you now...that's all I remember. 

3. Trogir - Trogir was a cool little town that's also on the water. With a large marina and a few dining spots, we were able to explore the city during the day. There is a city museum as well as a cathedral with very old architecture. A lot of the town is commercialized so you'll find great food options and shopping spots throughout town! (I'm seriously so obsessed with Croatian/Eastern European architecture) At night, we checked out a local bar along the water. This was the beginning of some very long nights! 

4. Vis - Vis was such a fun island! It was our first official stop on the Yacht Week schedule. We spent the day driving around on Moped's and exploring the town. Stopped along the way for lunch along the water and enjoyed some FABULOUS gelato! There are a few cute beaches on the island to check out: Stinivia, Bisevo, and Stoncica! At night, Yacht Week had planned a fun tropical party at Fort George which was so beautiful at sunset! Seriously IG inspo galore! The food was great and they handed out blankets when it got chilly! Such a fun time!

5. Hvar - OH MY GOSH HVARRRRRRRRR. Okay straight up, the top city on my list of places to check out when in Europe. It's definitely a bit more bougie and party oriented than the rest of croatia but I am not mad about it!  Ferries connect the town with the several Pakleni Islands just offshore, which is where we were docked if I remember correctly. These are home to secluded beaches, such as those around Ždrilca Bay, as well as rocky coves and pine forests. I spent the morning exploring Hvar. I walked through town, enjoyed some caprese, trekked up to the fort all the way at the top of the city! It's cool because you essentially walk up through the small elevated alleyways of the city to get to the Fort. I made a lot of stops along the way to check out boutiques and unique corners :) Hula Hula Beach in Hvar and Stipanska Beach on Marinkovac Island are known for their nightlife and lively bars as well as Carpe Diem! Carpe Diem has its own island that you can take a small ferry to and party on the whole night. IT WAS LIT. SO MUCH FUN! Just make sure you leave the bar before 4am...don't pull a nicole and try to leave at 4:30-4:45, you'll have to end up running in heels to the boat and along the marina of Hvar like a fool. 

Eat Pray & Love Bali

Where do I even begin with Bali?! It was adventurous and magical at the same time. From the temples, to the forests and waterfalls to the Indonesian traditions and winding single lane roads, this island was something I had never seen before. Being Hindu, going to another country that practiced the same religion as India was definitely interesting! It was cool to see how they’ve adopted the Hindu ways and culture and made them their own! I definitely recommend Bali to those who are looking to explore a different side of Southeast Asia, one that is full of green, zen and YUMMY MANGOES! Haha. 

Here are some hot spot and suggestions when planning out your trip!  

Where to stay:

We got a private villa (Villa Elleo) in Seminyak! It was the perfect accommodation for 5 girls as we got our own bathrooms and even had a private staff and pool! They were kind enough to make breakfast for us in the morning and the stay was WONDERFUL! So clean, serene and luxurious. Seminyak is a good neighborhood to stay in as all the big restaurants and shops are within walking or driving distance! It’s also central in terms of driving to the tourist spots! Ubud was near by which is where there is a lot of sightseeing to do!

Where to Eat: 

1. La Laguna- I would recommend going here before sunset!  

2. La Plancha- looking for some beach vibes and fruity drinks? This is your spot! 

3. Bistrot- this restaurant is perfect for a chic night if you’re looking for some good bites that are familiar to your tummy! There’s something for everyone on the menu and their dessert is bomb! (I got the filet mignon and it did not disappoint!)  

4. Batik - We went here for our Friendsgiving dinner and got to enjoy some bougie vibes, craft cocktails and solid Indonesian specialties! I would add this to your itinerary for sure!

5. Potato Head Beach Club - If you’re looking for a day to relax on the beach in a Miami-esque beach club...THIS IS YOUR JAM! I loved Potato Head, they have seating all over as well as a pool bar! Make sure you make an early reservation for day beds, it’s first come first serve! The restaurant was easy to get seated at! We all got pizza and wine ...haha talk about basic but they nailed it!

6. Rock Bar - near Uluwatu Temple, also great for sunset views! 

What to See:  

We hired a driver for USD 50 dollars/day to drive us around in an SUV! Expect 40-80 minute commute time depending on location and traffic! The best way to put this itinerary together is to group your desired locations by area! Your driver/hotel staff can help you out with this! We were out from 9am till 6-7pm and saw 2-4 locations a day depending on travel time and weather (we went during monsoon season!)

Uluwatu Temple

Tanah Lot Temple

Tirta Gangga Temple

Sekumpul Waterfall  

Tegalallang Rice Fields

Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation  

Tirta Empul Holywater Temple

Pura Saraswati Temple

Zen Hideaway - Private Canopy Swing! (Make reservations thru Air BNB 1 month in advance. Dependent on occupancy of home) 

Handara Resort: Cloud Gates pt 2! The mountains were closed off due to the erupting volcano so we stopped at this place on our way to Sekumpul for the gram!

Hope this travel guide helps! Comment below if you have any questions or DM me on IG/email! 

IG: @NicoleMehta

Email: theeperfectensemble@gmail.com

Cerveza Por Favor, Mexico!

Well, I must say - no matter how many times I've been to Cancun (3rd time thus far), it never gets old! Be it a family trip, spring beak or a mini girls weekend getaway, I fall more and more in love with what Cancun has to offer. From the white sand and very blue waters to the Mayan ruins and endless Guacamole, life is bueno down there. The people there are so hardworking and friendly, it makes the experience even more wonderful! Even though we were there for a short time, we managed to do a good amount of things to make the most of it! 

Chichen Itza Day Trip: We signed up through the hotel travel agents located onsite for our Chichen Itza tour. Depending on who you're going through, you can sign up for the basic tour or the deluxe. The deluxe tour includes an on-board breakfast,  a panoramic tour of traditional Yucatán town, Valladolid and a lunch buffet before arriving at Chichen Itza.  The tour guide walked us around the monument sharing very notable information along the way. You also get a chance to visit prominent features like El Castillo and the Temple of Warriors. After a long day of being in the heat we got to plung into the cool waters of a local Cenote (DOPE). It was 150 foot sinkhole!

Night Life: Cancun is a mini vegas in Mexico! They have so many fun clubs and restaurants, there is something there for everyone! Mandala, Senor Frogs, Palazzo are all great places to check out. My favorite is CoCo Bongo! I had to take my girlfriends to CoCo Bongo, which is one of the largest night clubs in Latin America and number 1 in Cancun. Cirque Du Soleil ish meets Vegas vibes night club (+ open bar) is probably the best way to put it. Beyond that, it was too lit for words. A definite must see if you're into dancing the night away like me!

Hotel Stay: I think the best way to go for a resort trip is all inclusive. Everything is taken care of and you get the most bang for your buck! We stayed at the RIU Palace Las Americas. It was adults only so booze was flowing left and right, as expected of course. They had several restaurants with different cuisines and the buffet was bomb. The Junior Suite had a beautiful view and was very spacious. Good for 2-4 people depending on your group. They had liquor on draft, so you know they're not playing around! RIU is definitely in my top 5 hotel franchises! 

Cannes You Even?

Cannes was nothing less of spectacular and gave off a very "Miami/South Beach" vibe. Promenade de la Croisette was lined up with a lot of designer boutiques,  cute restaurants, little stalls - it was so fun to walk down! I highly recommend Cannes for a nice getaway, I definitely want to come back. Here are a few places to check out:

We stayed at the JW Marriott and I loved their rooftop - you get a whole view of the strip and the ocean! They were very very accommodating and friendly. I highly recommend their grill for the breakfast/brunch option as you get a solid view of the water and an array of food options.  They also have a rooftop bar where their cheesecake is bomb.com :) 

Baoli Beach for day drinking and lounging - it's right across from the JW Marriott. I did some research before hand on a few different beach bars and this was by far the bougiest, in a good way. You can eat there and reserve a lounge chair but you have to do it well in advance.  There were some girls who got pissed when their reservation got messed up, it wasn't a good sight.

Rue du Commendant Andre had a number of bars and restaurants to eat at during the day and it got pretty lit at night. Rue Florian was blocked off with high tops and tables for partygoers. We had dinner at Pastis which was an italian place that had a variety of options for meat lovers and vegetarians combined!

Rue D'Antibes is a street filled with shops that suit my wardrobe more (Aka Zara, Mango etc) there was also a Laduree as well! NOM NOM MACARONS. Unfortunately for me, I stuck to window shopping and ate gelato every chance I could get. It's tough when you try to travel light and all these stores have sales. woof.

If you go down La Croissette, you'll eventually see the The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès which is a convention center in Cannes, France, the venue for the Cannes Film Festival. They also have a fort further down the street if you're looking to get some exercise and a higher view.

Amore Mio

VENEZIAAAAAAAAA lived up to the hype. I'm so glad we decided to go there!! My Grandmother and Mumma were big fans of the Gondola ride, so much so I was scared my Grandma was gonna start singing herself! We stayed at Hotel Rialto (adorable place)  which is right off the water and the famous bridge, Ponte Di Rialto. We were pretty happy with the location because it was walking distance to the San Marco Basilica and the Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs. Between our hotel and the tourist spots, we hit a lot of cute/mini boutiques and restaurants. We also walked along the water to pay a visit to the Santa Maria Della Salute Basilica which was fantastic! Exploring Venice requires a lot of walking around different streets so be prepared for that! 

A few highlights to check out besides the tourist go-to's:

Gritti Palace Patio/Deck: It's right on the water and you get to enjoy a lovely view of the Basilica across the canal. The menu has a selection of fruity drinks to choose from on a hot day!

Palace Gardens: This venue is kind of hidden but we discovered it when we passed by (My mom likes to explore/take pictures, now I know where I get that from) 

Porte di Rialto at SUNRISE: So whenever I'm excited to be somewhere, I tend to wake up every early which usually results in me either going to the pool, going for a run or checking out a new spot. I woke up early and decided to go to the bridge in the AM, lucky for me no one was there to get in the way so I got a few legit shots and enjoyed the sunrise. The city is so beautiful in the morning when it's quiet and calm. 

Mischief Managed!

Touch down London Town! We started and ended our trip in London and it was such a grand time! There was so much to see and so much history to relearn! Here are a few things we did: 

Big Bus City Tour: Definitely do this if you like to hop on and hop off and explore on your own. We were able to hit 10+ landmarks just in one day thanks to the bus tours! 

221B Baker Street: Sherlock. 

Sushi Samba has a great view (I'm all about those roof top bars)! 

The food was amazing too! Naturally, we had to check out the brown scene and treated myself to a few kingfishers ;)  I met up with a few cofriends in the city and ventured out to the Dalston Yard Street Fest which is this really cool street food venue and everything was on point. I was very impressed with the brisket and tacos :)

The Adventures of Monte Carlo

Kilts and Scotch, I'll take it

In Louvre With Paris

Yallah Habibi #MyDubai

Dubai has always been on my list of places to travel to and for 2015, I definitely wanted to do New Years Eve big so naturally I decided to pair the two! Dubai is such an incredible city, it's literally a city made from the sand. The city is known for its great architecture, luxurious living (and spending) and the neo-Arabian culture it has to offer. We surprisingly accomplished so much in the 5 days that we were there. Here are some highlights from our itinerary:

- Burj Al Arab: 7 star hotel (guess 5 wasn't enough?). we only checked it out from the outside because only guests are allowed past the gate as per my understanding. But it's still pretty cool, I love the design. If you want cool pics though, I would suggest going to the beach near by and taking pictures with the side profile of the building.

- Dubai Mall: LITERALLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MALL EVER. 

- Atlantis/Nasimi Beach: Good food, food vibes and we drank out of a watermelon. So fun. 

- Dune Bashing in the Desert: this was definitely a favorite. We had quite the bumpy ride going up and down the dunes. We also attempted sand boarding but it wasn't as rad as I thought it would be. Note to friends: stick to snowboarding..

- Cavalli Club: the dance floor is a runway and the bathroom looks like a BTS Makeup room. Enough said.

- Eden Beach Club for NYE: too hype for words. But also go to the day pool parties- they have those blown up Swans floating around! 

- Burj Khalifa: Do I need to elaborate? 

- Marina Walk/JBR: The more residential/yet bumpin town of Dubai filled with high rises, a beach boardwalk of sorts and lots of restaurants! 

Cabo Wabo Bruh

Drool Fest 2K15

Goose Island

#1 Doughnuts in Murica

No but really...