It’s a new year and the world is your oyster. Literally! Where are you headed this year? Hopefully, last week’s article provided some inspiration from our CIRE team’s vacation destinations. And this week, we have some family vacation inspiration for you courtesy of our quarterly feature, Now/Soon/Later. We’ve asked our dear friend and partner, Suzanne Goldberg, founder of The Art of Hospitality, for three ideas for this year’s family vacation.
NOW: The Viceroy Santa Monica
Cool salty breezes, warm rays of sunshine and endless blue skies. This is what you’ll find at the iconic Viceroy Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Get-away from the cold this Spring Break in Southern California and experience an urban oasis that embraces “The Beach Life” by bringing that shore vibe inside the hotel. When entering the spacious lobby, guests are immediately greeted by a 2000-pound bench made of driftwood that sits below a wood-planked ceiling mimicking a walk beneath the Santa Monica Pier. The open-air setting beckons you to come in, stroll around, stay a while. The Viceroy Santa Monica collaborated with local artists to create breathtaking original pieces of art, that are displayed throughout the entire property, starting with the eight-story high mural on the exterior of the building. The sumptuous guestrooms and suites are designed in soothing sun-washed colors, with Mid-Century furnishings, bold pieces of art, and all with Juliet balconies.
Suzanne says, go NOW: “And bring your family! Santa Monica always guarantees beautiful weather, and Viceroy’s Guest Experience Team can arrange everything under the sun, from surf lessons, bike riding, and skateboarding to shopping, dining, and culture-seeking adventures. And for those of you who want to stay in and savor the complete hotel experience, settle into the Viceroy’s Backyard where, by day you can eat-nap-sunbathe in a private cabana alongside two pools, while your children join Chef Jason for a Pizza Making Class. By night, start off with one of Sugar Palm’s signature cocktails that’s made with homemade nectar juices, and dine under the stars in the restaurant’s outdoor patio. Be sure to have a couple desserts by the firepit. Chef Jason’s creations are not only tasty, but stunning plates of art.”
Executive Chef Jason Francisco, a leading advocate for sustainable cooking, prides himself on selecting the freshest ingredients locally, and believes in zero waste. Chef says “Sustainability is important to me, as is taste and presentation. I combine science and art, to turn raw ingredients into ‘emotions on a plate’. At Sugar Palm, sustainability doesn’t just stop at food for us. It extends all the way to our bar program, too. We use compost material, like the rind of a lemon, and blend it into lemon water, that’s used in our signature cocktails.”
SOON: 11 Cadogan Gardens
The exclusive Chelsea neighborhood of London is home to a unique collection of Victorian brownstones that make up 11 Cadogan Gardens Hotel, The Apartments, and Chelsea Townhouse. All sit on a quiet leafy tree street looking out onto the tranquil green Cadogan Garden, and just steps from Sloane Square and Knightsbridge. And all are great options for traveling with your family. 11 Cadogan Garden Hotel’s oversized guestrooms and suites are individually decorated ranging from contemporary to classic British style. Walk across the gated garden to The Apartments and open the door to an array of six 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences, elegantly decorated, each on their own private floor, with fully equipped kitchens. And if this is not enough choice to excite you, the newly opened Chelsea Townhouse’s guestrooms and suites have patchwork tiled floors and antique style artwork, blending timeless charm with the conveniences of modern luxury. All these incredible offerings have exclusive access to the hotel’s facilities and access to private Cadogan Garden.
Suzanne recommends reserving SOON: “Summertime means vacation time! Make one of 11 Cadogan Garden’s variety of living accommodations your family’s home-base, giving you loads of space to unpack and settle into your posh Chelsea residence, with easy access to all of London’s exciting attractions. After a long day of exploring the city, retreat to one of the hotel’s many cozy nooks from library and drawing rooms, to a secret garden… it’s the perfect setting for kids to have some downtime and update their travel journals, and for Mom and Dad to relax with a chilled cocktail or cup of freshly brewed tea. The hotel’s Chelsea Bar is something of a neighborhood best-kept-secret, as is Han’s Bar & Grill, which has al-fresco dining that flows out onto famed Pavilion Road. This hidden and most vibrant pedestrian mews is lined with artisan food shops, restaurants, barber shops and more.”
General Manager Ian Richardson adds: “It’s fantastic to be a property that is able to offer such a wide variety of luxury accommodations to both our existing guests and future ones. They now can experience the best of both worlds when traveling, especially with family. Guests can opt for complete privacy or take advantage of our full hotel services.”
LATER: The Whitney Hotel Boston
Tucked away in Boston’s charming and historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, The Whitney Hotel comes alive over the holiday season, complete with an Après Ski Lounge, outdoor firepit, hot chocolate in the lobby, and festive ‘Whit Pantries’ on every floor filled with complimentary sweet treats for guests. The hotel opened in 2019 after a complete remodeling and expansion of the John Jeffries House built in 1908. This was once the site owned by Henry Melville Whitney, a prominent Boston industrialist from where the hotel takes its name. Designed with a posh townhouse in mind, The Whitney’s brick façade invokes the feeling of an elegant home, with an interior that cleverly blends modern and classic design, as with vintage-inspired trunks as end tables. The hotel gives subtle nods to Mr. Whitney, like the monocles that outline the peepholes on every guestroom door.
General Manager Agnes Hayes says “Beacon Hill IS the heart of Boston and we at the Whitney are proud of our deep relationships throughout this neighborhood with both businesses and residents. The hotel sits at the beginning of Charles Street that’s lined with charming brownstones, historic gaslights, independently owned boutiques and restaurants, many of which we partner with for our NEIGHBORHOOD PASSKEY program. Our guests flash their room key which unlocks an array of discounts and VIP treatment at some of Beacon Hill’s local experiences, The Whitney Way! And your children will love being Taste-Testers at all the chocolate shops that line Charles Street.”
Suzanne adds: “Welcome to my hometown! Boston is known as the ‘Walking City’ so don’t forget to include your four-legged family member too. Bundle-up and explore the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, ice skating on Frog Pond and a stroll through the Boston Public Garden. Don’t miss a photo with the famed ‘Make Way For Ducklings’ statues, a favorite of my children and golden retriever, Olive. The hotel’s Whitney Wags pet team spoils their furry guests with plush bedding and toys, special treats from a local pet bakery, double feeder and pet friendly dining menu. The Whitney’s Premium King Suite with plush pull-out sofa is the perfect layout for your entire family.”
Ready to plan your family vacation for now, soon or later? Our expert team at CIRE is ready for you!
Check out our prior editions of Now/Soon/Later here:
- Ultra-luxury destination hotels for honeymooners and vacationers
- Fabulous beach vacation destinations
- New openings and hidden gems
- Time to Disconnect: Go off-the-grid
- Destination Dubai
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.
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