After a day of running around and being immersed in all things design, it’s always nice to take a break and refresh, which is exactly what I did after a whirlwind tour of the fabulous Kips Bay Showhouse, popping down to the brand new Whitby Hotel for a late lunch.

I am going to let you in on the worst kept secret. It’s one of my absolute favorite neighborhood spots and it’s called the Grand Banks Oyster Bar.

Well, the list of things to do in Paris just keeps growing. Of course! My latest obsession is with newly renovated Molitor. Tucked away in the 16th Arrondissement, the hotel and massive Olympic-sized pool has reopened after years of restoration.

Tucked away on the second floor on a nondescript building in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, lies the wonderful L’Usine, a bar, cafe, restaurant, and shop that has everything from Bahn Mi, to handcrafted Vietnamese textiles. It’s been years since I’ve been in Vietnam, but one thing that I know is that this place is still a must see.

Sometimes I just feel like I need an escape. And if I could simply pick up and go anywhere in the world right now, I’d be whisked away to Australia’s Morningside Peninsula for a fantastical stay at the Jackalope Hotel.

As I’m gearing up for a trip back to the magical city of Florence, I just have to take a moment to share with you this amazing hotel just outside of the city. Set atop the hills in Fiesole, the Belmond Villa San Michele is a magical place with some of the most fantastic views of Florence and the surrounding Arno Valley.

I’ve been meaning to take a trip to our neighbors down in Philadelphia, and when I do, WM Mulherin’s Sons is definitely going to be on my must-do list! The stylish new restaurant and boutique hotel has brought a fresh take on classic Italian fare, along with ultra-cool style to one of Philly’s most exciting new neighborhoods for food and design: Fishtown.

I am definitely ready to hunker down at this bunker! This magical spot is called The Bunkers and it first captured my attention because of its stunning architecture. It then drew me in even further when I saw it contained my dream kitchen inside.

I love, love, love a good hotel. What I love even more is a great one. What makes a hotel good vs. great? I think the main thing for me is feeling like you have escaped into a totally different world the also happens to have fabulous history, atmosphere, total comfort, and amazing food.

My trip to Baden-Baden was all about spending time with our German-based family. However, I was pleasantly surprised that around every corner I found delightful surprises in Baden-Baden, making it a standout among my summer travels.