Make Up Beauty Tips

Set along dramatic volcanic beaches, the luxe but authentic Namale Resort is on the island of Savusavu, Fiji’s best-kept secret. From your traditional thatch-roofed villa you’ll have direct beach access to the lapping waves of the Koro Sea. This package includes round-trip airfare from L.A., meals and beverages, along with island activities such as a daily tank dive. Spend your days snorkeling the reef or picnicking on a private beach at this brilliant South Pacific escape.

• Travelscene makes the long-haul logistics a cinch, with round-trip airfare from LAX to Nadi (Fiji’s capital) and a domestic flight to Savusavu included in the package.
• Rate includes seven nights accommodations and all meals and beverages, including beer, wine, liquor and champagne.
• One tank dive per person, per day, is included.
• Fiji has one of the highest return tourist rates — its people are just that nice.
• The resort’s decadent spa (Fiji’s best) hangs over the cliffs.
• Borrow the resort’s walkie-talkies so you can be dropped off somewhere remote (a private beach or waterfall, perhaps) and radio back when you’re ready for pickup.

• This trip is for seven nights at the resort; the two additional nights include travel time.
• Savusavu is a volcanic island where rugged black sand beaches are the norm.
• Fiji is 20 hours ahead of Los Angeles, so you lose a day in transit.
• If you’re traveling from the east coast, it’s a long journey. Consider spending a night in LA to break it up.
• Flights to Fiji are with Air Pacific, and no refunds or date changes are allowed.
• The domestic flight from Nadi to Savusavu is about an hour long.
• Tips are not included in package price. Tipping in Fiji is not customary.

 

JETSETTER REVIEW:
by Terry Ward

If you think all tropical vacations are created equal, you’ve never been to Fiji.
This remote South Pacific country, served by nonstop flights from Los Angeles, is home to some of the world’s friendliest people. You'll feel the warmth upon arriving at Namale Resort, where the staff and villagers greet you with a traditional welcome song. Despite the fact that nearly everything is included in this package, there’s nothing contrived or stereotypically all-inclusive about this experience.

Namale Resort is on the island of Vanua Levu (Fiji’s second-largest) in the country’s rugged north. This volcanic setting is a place where tourism clings passionately to authenticity. During your stay you’ll receive a daily activity list, detailing excursions around the island that might include a visit to a pearl farm or the chance to drink kava (the national beverage) with a village chief. Don’t be surprised if locals invite you to experience a local market with them, or try to bring you along to a Sunday church service.

Each bure has Koro Sea views — and outdoor space to enjoy them — but maintains total privacy.Your home for the week is an “garden tropical bure,” a traditional thatch-roofed villa modeled on Fijian chiefly dwellings. The villas retain an authentic feel but maximize comfort with spacious showers, spa baths for two and private decks surrounded by the jungle.

The bures are built overlooking a beach that stretches for several miles along the Koro Sea, with volcanic outcroppings punctuating the landscape and a backdrop of swaying coconut palms. After all, the property is an erstwhile copra plantation. At high tide, plumes of water erupt from Namale’s famous blowhole, right in front of the resort.
The premise here is that you can be as active or inactive as you wish. A Technicolor underwater world gives snorkelers a sensory-overload swim just a few steps off the beach. And hiking through the resort’s 525 tropical acres, set on a private peninsula rich with bird life and lush vegetation, is an experience in itself. But you can also opt to relax poolside or indulge in a spa treatment overlooking the dramatic cliffs in the wellness area, which has been named Fiji’s best spa.

The resort’s adults-only policy enhances the romance factor. At Namale, you’re far from your everyday, but most all, you’re greatly distanced from the ordinary.

 Trips start in September and are available from $675 (single) - $920 (double) a night including round trip airfare, 7-night 8-day stay. 

Summer in New York!

When a girl finds a deal, she's gotta tell your friends about it. Those planning a trip to New York City, this one's for you.  With three phenomenal New York properties that run the gamut for every type of urban traveler - boho, uptown or dowtown chic, there's something for everyone. Your hotel options are: the Ace New York, the Surrey and the Gramercy Park Hotel. Dates are available into September, so whether you're itching to take a break from the beach for some nightlife or needing to check in on a beloved client (and take in a show while you're there), the Big Apple is ready to be taken in style.


 
Jetsetter Review: Two blocks east of Penn Station, the 12-story Ace Hotel has the formula for cool figured out. Two hipster guys decked out in tats, vests and Buddy Holly specs are there at the front door to greet. Wildflowers are for sale in the entryway. The Ace Hotel proves that staying in an ultrahip hotel in NYC doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice class or comfort.

This hip hotel serves up a chill style with serious flea market finds (Hubble telescope chandelier) and curious collectibles (stuffed badgers). Housing the Stumptown coffee shop, the Breslin restaurant and the new No. 7 sandwich shop, this eclectic hotel is constantly filled with locals and foreigners, with an NYC atmosphere that is unexpectedly unique.

• Bearded baristas at Stumptown Coffee
• The ultimate gastropub, the Breslin Bar, and the delicious new sandwich shop No. 7
• Musical amenities like vinyl record players; turntables can be requested from the front desk
• The fun travel shop, No. 8
• An in-house gym and four computer labs
• Funky design style

What to know:

• Bunk beds aren't for everyone. (There are other beds and room types available)
• The Breslin is open late-night; it gets packed and can be tough to get a table or seat. Reservations are not accepted.
• Not a typical tourist area; you'll have to walk a few blocks to get to the sights.
• More of a hip college campus vibe than a traditional hotel scene.

   
 


 
Jetsetter Review: Perched on a posh, tree-lined block just east of Central Park between Madison and Fifth Avenue, The Surrey’s high credibility and low visibility make it a desirable location for those who like to stay under the radar. Guests can rub elbows with power players at the famed Café Boulud, the Parisian Bar Pleiades or at the new 17th floor roof garden. Taking inspiration from the quintessential Manhattan townhouse, The Surrey invites guests to experience New York as an Upper Eastsider.
 
The Surrey's salon rooms have an apartment-style feel. The furniture is residential, with clever design references like a 1920’s Art Deco walnut inlay bar or the 1930’s European lamp. Best of all, there’s an in-room bar with full size bottles and garnishes — no $15 minis here.

 
A perk of being at The Surrey is the award-winning food by executive chef Daniel Boulud (available in-room 24/7); the downstairs Café Boulud is known for some of the best French food in New York. The vest-and-tie-clad waiters serve with precision. The Café’s elegance, fine cuisine and high level of service are to be expected — and yet despite the Michelin star, it still feels like a neighborhood treasure that's meant for locals.

Leaving the hotel, one passes Upper East Side moms pushing strollers in 4-inch heels. Indulge at Michael Kors and Christian Louboutin boutiques on the block or opt for some window-shopping of the artful kind instead and peek inside the Gagosian Gallery.
 
What to love:

• Hot new rooftop garden
• Steps from Museum Mile
• Bouloud Bar, Restaurant and room service
• The Surrey Spa's “jet-lag renewal” treatment
• Classic Upper East Side location, just one block from Central Park

• The somewhat more formal atmosphere may not appeal to everyone
• Some rooms have interior-facing views
• WiFi is $14.95 per day

 
Jetsetter Review:  The Gramercy Park Hotel was brought to life by the king of boutique hotels, legendary Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager. With the help of filmmaker and artist Julian Schnabel, Schrager turned the Gramercy into a highly styled mix of Pop Art, Baroque and organic elements, for a stunning bohemian effect. And it’s the only hotel in Manhattan with a key to Gramercy Park. The Gramercy may be grown up, but it’s a vibrant, spirited playground.
 
At the Gramercy Park Hotel, it’s all in the carefully selected details: velvet throws on the beds, comfy wing chairs, Mario Badescu moisturizer in the bathroom and cut crystal glasses that accompany the minibar. Clearly Schrager knows how to handle the little things that mean a lot to his clientele.

Guests play backgammon among original Warhols in the Ava Room; in the Sophia Room next door, there’s more art and a ceiling installation covered entirely with light bulbs. There’s more than $40 million worth of art on display throughout the hotel, including in the guestrooms, which boast classic Magnum prints.

The on-site restaurant Maialino serves Roman trattoria-style cuisine. It’s a Danny Meyer eatery, which pretty much guarantees an incredible dining experience.
 
What we love:

• The scene at the Roof Club, complete with the occasional celebrity guest
• Danny Meyer's trattoria-style Maialino restaurant
• Art, art everywhere, from Warhols to more modern experimental pieces
• An on-site gym that's actually worth using
• Celebrity-spotting at The Rose Bar
• One-of-a-kind surprise performances from artists like Rufus Wainwright and even Guns N' Roses

What to know:

• Though the hotel is historic, the design is forward-thinking; traditionalists may prefer a different hotel
• Since this is an older building, standard rooms are a bit smaller than newer hotels
• The bars can be difficult to get into; reservations are required after 9 pm, though you may be bumped for a celebrity at any time

Yet another travel destination to add to the wishlist, my angels. 

Here's what Jetsetter correspondent Amy Westervelt has to say about this exquisite destination location - Bardessono in Napa Valley, Yountville, California.

Just a short walk from some of Napa Valley’s best restaurants and wineries, Bardessono aims to be the greenest resort in the area. Built on six acres of the Bardessono family's land, this Italian-inspired hotel is low-key and down to earth. Every element, from the rusting steel to the recycled cyprus wood, has been carefully chosen by skilled artisans. Every room is a spa suite, which means a therapist comes to you, and when your massage is over you can relax in the giant soaking tub or in your private courtyard. With a rooftop pool for lounging and carbon fiber bicycles for exploring, Bardessono is a luxuriously moody escape in the heart of Yountville.

WHAT WE LOVE

• Every room is a spa suite
• Rooftop pool never closes
• The greenest and only LEED Platinum hotel in California
• Contemporary design with reclaimed wood and earth tones
• On-site gardens and local farmers supply restaurant

WHAT TO KNOW

• Quiet and adult-focused; not great for kids
• Bulk dispensers for shampoo and soap (so, beauty addicts, you can bring your faves)
• Need to drive/ride to wine-tasting vineyards
• Poolside dining is now available

WHY TO GO

• Eco-friendly, Food and Wine, Off the Beaten Path

 
 
 
THE JETSETTER REVIEW
Sipping champagne by Bardessono’s rooftop pool and looking out at the Stags Leap palisades and Mayacama Mountains, I would never have guessed that this place gets most of its energy from solar panels or that the hot tub is heated by a geothermal system. But that’s the whole point. Bardessono lives up to its eco-luxury claims discreetly. Once home to the Bardessono family, who emigrated here from Italy in part because of the Tuscan-style scenery, Bardessono is now a modern escape fit for any city dweller, yet it's truly at one with nature.

Situated in downtown Yountville, north of most of Napa’s vineyards, the 540-square-foot California modern guestrooms are surrounded by a series of four courtyards, giving the property an intimate feel. Bardessono’s skillful design makes use of local and recycled items like wood reclaimed from a walnut orchard and rusty steel beams. These details, so carefully chosen, give the hotel a soulful quality. I half expect a family member to greet me at the door.

After spending the better part of a day lounging by the pool, sipping award-winning vino and taking in the view of the resort’s vineyards, I head back to my room for a massage. Generally, I like the whole ritual of going to a spa — checking in, changing into a robe, hanging out in the relaxation room — but given that all of the 62 rooms at Bardessono are spa suites, I decide to give the in-room massage a try. (You do have the option of getting your service done in the spa.) Truth be told, it’s pretty awesome when my therapist opens the hidden massage table tucked away in my bathroom. Each of the earth-toned suites has a private landscaped courtyard and indoor and outdoor showers.

Bardessono is directly across the street from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery and within walking distance of Ad Hoc, Keller’s rustic family-style restaurant. After my lazy afternoon, I walk over for a late reservation and feast on black mission fig marmalade on palladin toast and pork chops. It is without doubt one of the best meals of my life. In my food-bliss, I feel like a night swim; Bardessono's rooftop pool never closes, so it works out perfectly.

The Steam Spa-Suite has large glass panes, a gas fireplace and a private furnished courtyard. I warm up in the indoor shower/steam room and crawl into bed, full and completely relaxed. I don’t notice the organic sheets or bamboo flooring, just how comfy the bed is.

WHAT TO DO

• Dine. When you don’t have hundreds of dollars and several months to wait for a reservation at French Laundry, Ad Hoc is there with everything that makes Thomas Keller great at a fraction of the price (Prix fixe menu $49).
• Bite. The magic of Bouchon Bakery: perfect buttery croissants, macaroons that melt in your mouth, baguettes that taste better than you ever thought they could.
• Taste. Within walking distance from Bardessono, Jessup Cellars offers free tastings, a rarity in wine country these days.
• Eat. Food Network chef Michael Chiarello earns his celeb status every night with handmade pasta and house-cured meats at Bottega Ristorante, one of the best Italian restaurants in Napa.
• Sip. Operating out of an actual caboose from an abandoned train (attached to the Napa Railway Inn), the Coffee Caboose serves coffee good enough to keep up with the town’s four-star restaurants, compliments of independent San Francisco roaster Ritual.

• Elevated Spa-Suite from $360/night (reg $672) 550 sq ft, gas fireplace, private furnished balcony, views
• Steam Spa-Suite from $380/night (reg $697) Private courtyard, 550 sq ft, shower-steam room, outdoor shower

The Bardessono Napa Valley SALE ends later tonight, so be sure to check them out for all the information, to hold your room or to visit other lovely travel destination opportunities.  Jetsetter is free to register, so please Be My Guest! xo

So allow me the indulgence as I can't help myself on this one. True, I'm posting this as much as a reminder and "file" shall we say for me in hopes of a future trip to Tuscany (come on, baby, let's go ... pleeeeeease) as much as I am sharing the glory of this place and deal with you. xo


Two of the more romantic words in travel are “Tuscan villa” – and the lovely, 16th-century Villa le Maschere is exactly that. The beautifully restored villa features carved stone masks on its façade, gold-leaf tiles, Venetian-style flooring, historical frescoes, and suites with lacquered-wood beds. The villa rises elegantly over fragrant Italian gardens – with Florence and Tuscany lying just beyond.



JETSETTER REVIEW

Villa le Maschere’s exquisite architecture is matched by its guest list: Kings, queens, popes, artists and Italian noblemen have all warmed the beds here. It’s easy to see why: Villa le Maschere captures the best of Tuscan culture – and history.

As you stroll up the breezy front walkway, the lovely façade may stop you in your tracks. Carved masks, made with local pietra serena stone, grace the front, offering an intriguing taste of what awaits within. The spacious, airy villa reveals historical surprises around every corner: frescoes by painter Francesco Furini, detailed floral reliefs, Majolica ceramics dating to the Renaissance, and Venetian tiling.

The suites are fit for a king – literally. Each of the 65 suites is individually decorated, with a distinct color scheme, from periwinkle to lemon yellow. Suite 915 features two 17th-century statues of young girls, while suite 901 showcases fully restored 18th-century frescoes.

The villa’s history is impressive, but, happily, modern conveniences haven’t been sacrificed. Rooms come with high-end TVs, complimentary Internet, designer toiletries and fluffy robes. The white marble bathrooms – spacious, with classic arches and moldings – could double as Parisian pieds-à-terre.

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when Villa le Maschere was in such disrepair that it had almost fallen out of commission. But after five years of “painstaking restoration” the villa emerged as a five-star, luxe property. In many ways, then, staying here not only offers the chance to bed down in a historical monument, it also helps ensure its survival.

Most travelers come to Italy to indulge in a very important activity: eating. The villa excels at this; you can dine on traditional Tuscan dishes, including pasta slathered with meaty swordfish and black olives, at Piopponero; come evening, you can sip vino amid the restored brick vaults of the cellar bar, Divinvino.

As for day trips, the villa offers easy access to Florence and the rest of Tuscany. Visit the famous Uffizi Gallery in Florence and peruse the works of masters from Leonardo da Vinci to Michelangelo. Explore the medieval walled villages of Mugello, and wine-taste your way across the fragrant, leafy region of Chianti.

WHAT TO DO THERE

Art, Art, and More Art. Florence lies less than an hour away. Pay a visit to the splendid Uffizi, which features one of the finest art collections in the world, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Caravaggio and Rembrandt.

Chianti Classico. Sip your way across the leafy vineyards of the nearby region of Chianti, known for its rich, weighty red wines. The concierge can arrange a trip, or go with one of the many tour companies, including Italy and Wine.

Manhattan of the Middle Ages. Explore the delightful historical town of San Gimignano, which lies about an hour away. During the 13th and 14th centuries the town was built up with an impressive 16 imposing towers.

Jump in a Lake. The villa lies near the breezy lake of Bilancino, which you can explore by canoe or even on a windsurfboard. The concierge can arrange trips.

Medieval Mugello. The nearby region of Mugello features lovely medieval walled villages and ancient churches, including Borgo San Lorenzo, Firenzuola and the Medicean Bosco ai Frati convent. The villa can arrange tours, or try Discover Tuscany.



HOW TO GET THERE

Flights are available from major U.S. cities to Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) on a variety of carriers with connections through Rome International Airport (FCO). Transfers to/from FLR are $96 per car, each way, and can be arranged through the property. If you are flying into Galileo Galilei (PSA) airport, transfers are available for $240 per car, each way. A car can accommodate 2 people.
 

• Elegant Room from $195/night 194 - 301 sq ft (Reg. $320/night)
• Superior Room from $255/night 215 - 355 sq ft  (Reg. $395/night)
• Junior Suite from $350/night 226 - 430 sq ft  (Reg $530/night)

For more information on this trip or many others, I highly encourage you to check out Jetsetter now!