Fall is the New Summer on Nantucket

There’s no denying that Nantucket is the quintessential summer destination, but true insiders know that fall is when the island really shines. The crowds disperse and beachcombers can spread out across the island’s 82 miles of coastline to make the most of the last summer days. Food-lovers will rejoice at the arrival of autumnal treats such as fresh, local cranberries from the largest certified organic bog in the country; and Nantucket Bay scallops, only available during the cooler months. From new suites to private tours and holiday cheer, here’s everything you need to know to close out 2020 on island.

New Suites at Jared Coffin House
Jared Coffin House, a former whaling merchant’s home located in the heart of town, unveiled new accommodations on August 15, 2020. While retaining the historic architecture of the 19th-century building, portions of the ground floor were transformed from a former restaurant space into four suites and one guestroom. Each of the suites are named after historic female figures on Nantucket, including Anna Gardner, who was instrumental in organizing an anti-slavery meeting in 1841 during which Frederick Douglass gave his first speech as an abolitionist speaker.

Throw it B(ACK) to the Whaling Days
Nantucket has a centuries-old history as one of the world’s most important whaling ports. November 20, 2020 will mark the 200th anniversary of the sinking of the Essex, the Nantucket-based whale ship that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. Today, visitors can explore the island’s rich history on foot with a self-guided walking tour past the Jethro Coffin House, the sole surviving structure from the island’s original seventeenth-century English settlement; and to the Brant Point Lighthouse, which became a fixture for navigating whaleships safely back to port. The Whaling Museum, housed in a 19th-century candle factory, tells the story of the rise and fall of the industry, and is a must visit for all travelers. New for 2020, White Elephant Resort’s Pre-arrival Concierge can assist with arranging private tours each Sunday while the museum is closed to the public.

Ho Ho Holiday Celebrations
The 47th annual Christmas Stroll, November 28-December 6, 2020 feels like you’re stepping into a Charles Dickens backdrop with every corner of Nantucket’s historic downtown transformed into a winter wonderland. As an ode to its original roots, the theme of this year’s event will be centered around shopping local for the holidays. Stroll originally started over four decades ago as an effort to keep residents from leaving Nantucket to buy gifts on the mainland. Today, boutiques remain open through early December and will have elaborately designed storefronts outfitted with twinkling lights. Downtown’s cobblestone streets will also be lined with hundreds of seven-foot fit lit trees decorated by locals. Festive attire and ugly sweaters are encouraged.

Zoom from Here
Those looking for a last dose of sunshine before winter – and a change of scenery for your Zoom meetings – can make White Elephant Resorts their new home. Parents and children alike can set up their new remote station in either a King Room or one-bedroom residence at White Elephant overlooking Nantucket Harbor or in a room or suite at the historic Jared Coffin House. With the offer, families will enjoy a dining credit at Brant Point Grill or Nantucket Tap Room with all-day room service delivery, complimentary WIFI and a welcome kit stocked with a Swell bottle, notebooks, and snacks to keep you going – including beloved Aunt Leah’s Fudge – a staple on island for more than 40 years. Rates at White Elephant begin at $2,095 per week and $1,365 per week at Jared Coffin House.

Extra! Extra!
In addition to the miles of sand and sea, Nantucket is host to a variety of cultural offerings. Here are a few of our favorites to add to the autumn calendar.

• The Nantucket Historical Association debuted a new exhibition, “The Road from Abolition to Suffrage,” at the Whaling Museum this season. Detailing the civil rights leaders on Nantucket, the new exhibit tells the story of the island’s journey toward a more just and equitable distribution of political power. It begins with a will written in 1710 that endowed a formerly enslaved man with property and continues through Nantucket’s history with race and gender relations until the enactment of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granting voting rights to women.

• Witness the rare Blue Moon on October 31, 2020 from the Loines Observatory, home to the largest public telescope on the East Coast. Visitors will also learn about Nantucket native Maria Mitchell, the first female astronomer who discovered a comet in 1847 and the first women to ever be elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

• After a successful community fundraising effort for a drive-in movie theater, the NantucketDreamland opened to the public this summer. The whole family can enjoy the classics on the program for this fall including Dirty Dancing, The Graduate, When Harry Met Sally and Casablanca. Through White Elephant Resort’s partnership with BMW, complimentary vehicles are available to guests.

How to Get There
JetBlue offers direct flights from New York City through October 19 and from Boston through September 27. Seastreak Ferry’s seasonal service between Manhattan and Nantucket is available through October 8. Cape Air flights connecting from Boston are available to the island year-round, as is ferry service from Hyannis, MA.

P.S. The Elephant is Migrating This Winter…
As the Nantucket season closes for the winter, travelers will look south for warmer weather. Welcomed by the beloved elephant statue, White Elephant Palm Beach will open its doors for the first time on November 4, 2020. The brand new 32-room hotel is housed in the former Bradley Park Hotel – originally constructed in 1924 as one of the first resorts on Palm Beach’s Main Street. Given it’s listed with the Landmark Preservation Commission, the footprint of the structure and the facade remained, while the interiors have been stripped to the bones and rebuilt by Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects.

top hotel accommodations around the world

From an experiential work of art in London to the nearly 20,000-square-foot hotel-within-a-hotel in Marrakech, these top suites, villas and standalone accommodations offer the best in amenities, design and privacy around the world.

TOP SUITES

A one-bedroom sculpture, a baby grand piano, the former residence of the last High King of Ireland – there is no stone left unturned in these top suites.

ROOM at The Beaumont

The Beaumont in London is home to Turner Prize-winner Antony Gormley’s inhabitable sculpture called ROOM. Designed as an experiential work of art, the exterior takes the shape of a three-story crouching man made of stainless-steel – an answer to the City of Westminster’s requirement that new buildings contain public art. The one-bedroom suite is a dark space entirely clad in fumed-oak, featuring only a single, all-white bed and can be taken to pitch black darkness and silence at the flip of a switch. The heavily insulated walls create an extremely quiet inside, free from the sounds of the city, and there is a window high up where guests can see the night sky but no surrounding buildings as Gormley wanted views to be unencumbered. There is nothing in the room other than the bed – no TV, minibar, artwork or telephone – so there are no distractions.

Tokyo Suite at Park Hyatt Tokyo

50 floors above Tokyo’s restless streets, Park Hyatt Tokyo’s residence-like Tokyo Suite has floor-to-ceiling views of the city’s skyline from almost every room, with Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji, peaking up in the distance. Decorated with the aura of a private apartment, this 2,368-square-foot accommodation is adorned with a Miao headdress and washi lanterns by Isamu Noguchi, designer and creator of The Noguchi Museum in New York. From the baby grand piano in the living room to the library collection of 1,000 books on the arts, this suite is a quiet and comfortable escape from bustle below.

Eden Suite at La Réserve Eden au Lac

Located on the third floor of La Réserve Eden au Lac, the Eden Suite debuted earlier this year as part of two-year restoration project helmed by Philippe Starck. The Eden Suite features glass walls separating the living area from the bathroom with natural light pouring in from the large windows and four balconies with charming ironwork. As the only luxury hotel on Lac Zurich, the suite offers sweeping views to allow guests to admire the boats and the Alps in the distance. Taking inspiration from the location, Starck wanted to give guests the feeling of being on a yacht. He lent his signature contemporary touch with neutral tones and sleek metal accents, while honoring the building’s historical elements. Quirky nautical touches include wooden oars, paintings of sailboats and room numbers printed as if they were on a racing sail.

Brian Boru Suite at Dromoland Castle

Named for one of the last High Kings of Ireland and member of the O’Brien family who founded the Castle in the 16^th century, the Brian Boru Suite at Dromoland Castle has a bedroom and sitting room overlooking the property’s lake. The bedroom’s canopy bed, sparkling chandelier, and separate dressing room evoke the Castle’s royal heritage, activities like falconry and pony and trap rides celebrate its history and the 18-hole golf course with a flood-lit driving range embrace modern technology.

TOP STANDALONE ACCOMMODATIONS

For those looking for extra privacy and added space, these standalone accommodations – villas, casas and riads – offer private entrances, plenty of outdoor space and even their own dedicated staff.

Grand Riad at Royal Mansour

Of Royal Mansour’s 53 individual three-story accommodations, the four-bedroom Grand Riad is the undisputed crown jewel. Referred to as the “hotel within the hotel,” the nearly 20,000-square-foot residence features a private library, two swimming pools with built-in water current, a cinema, hammam, gym, multiple dining and living rooms, and a glass-enclosed split-level terrace with a retractable roof. With a private resort entrance, the Grand Riad feels more like a private home than a hotel. No detail is overlooked thanks in large part to a dedicated staff that includes a chef, watchman, housekeepers, and butlers.

Casa do Lago at UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa

UXUA just launched a new casa, Casa do Lago, where not a single tree was cut to create the new accommodation. The house reimagines an old fisherman home and its colonial Brazilian style with reclaimed materials, such as wood sourced from an abandoned plantation, and a modern eye. Wilbert Das, founder of UXUA and former creative director of Diesel, filled the casa with Brazilian art, antiques, and custom pieces from the UXUA DAS furniture collection. The defining feature of this casa is a lake surrounded by rainforest and preserved with modern technology to be sustainable and healthy. The mineral-rich water is home to rare fish species and is a perfect place to swim. The casa is just a short walk from the historic Quadrado of Trancoso but feels like its own tropical universe, celebrating indoor/outdoor living.

Stella Maris at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Out of the 121 villas, Stella Maris is a standout option at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – accessible only by traditional dhoni boat. The nearly 6,000-square-feet duplex accommodation features an infinity pool, overwater hammocks with direct access to the ocean, and a BBQ station that is available for private chef service. The ‘smart villa’ (with every light, aircon, and curtain controlled from one central iPad) is stocked with still and sparkling water produced at the property’s onsite bottling plant. Laid-back island style is juxtaposed with modern design elements – from a sleek spiral staircase to a bathroom decked out in black-and-white stripes from head to toe. With an ambiance inspired by the Maldivian night sky, the layout offers stargazing opportunities from various points around the villa, allowing guests to spot both northern and southern hemisphere constellations from a different spot every night.

Fleming Villa at GoldenEye

Channel Ian Fleming in celebration of the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die, in the aptly named, five-bedroom Fleming Villa at GoldenEye in Jamaica, where he penned all 14 James Bond novels. Today, his writing desk still remains. The main bedroom looks onto his sunken garden, where he entertained the likes of Kathryn Hepburn and Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden. Guests have access to his private beach and can snorkel in his beloved reef. The grounds also feature a private screening room in what was Fleming’s former garage.

andBeyond Ngala Treehouse at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge and andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp

Three miles away from the nearest lodge and 39 feet in the air is the new andBeyond Ngala Treehouse. The completely private, four-level accommodation – surrounded by nothing but the South African bush – opened in February 2020 as a new accommodation at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge and andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp. Fully solar-powered, the treehouse has a rooftop deck with an outdoor bed and lounge for al fresco sundowners and dinner for two, an indoor bedroom, and a full bathroom with an outdoor shower – all with uninterrupted views of the bush below. Couples pack up just what they need for the night and are escorted on a game drive to the treehouse for an unforgettable sleepover, complete with a stocked bar and jars of midnight snacks. Surrounded by a thorn boma fence and just a phone call away from the dedicated treehouse attendant, travelers can feel safe in this otherwise intimidating setting.

Palazzo Vendramin at Belmond Hotel Cipriani

Separated from the main hotel by an ancient courtyard and flowered walkway, Belmond Hotel Cipriani’s Palazzo Vendramin is housed in a 15th-century former palace with views overlooking Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. When booking the new Exclusive Places offer, the 16-room-and-suite palace offers complete seclusion for groups with a separate entrance and private dock along with 24-hour concierge service and daily a la carte breakfast. The top suite, the Dogressa Suite, offers views over both St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace via floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the sitting room. Build out a fulsome itinerary with private experiences including a sailing aboard Belmond’s Edipo Re, a meticulously restored, 16-meter vintage 1960s sailboat to explore the lagoon; or a mixology masterclass with beloved head barman Walter Bolzonella.

COMING SOON!

We’re looking ahead to exciting debuts in 2020 including the largest penthouse suite in Washington D.C. overseen by Clodagh as well as a new boutique hotel in Palm Beach with a private 1,200-square-foot rooftop terrace.

Penthouse Suite at The Dupont Circle

The pièce de resistance of the largescale, top-to-bottom renovation at The Dupont Circle hotel in Washington, DC is the Penthouse Suite, designed by Clodagh. Debuting this month, it can be booked two ways: as a one-bedroom or two-bedroom. When expanded into two-bedrooms, the suite is one of the largest in the city at 1,980 square feet. The heated outdoor terrace, which overlooks Dupont Circle and has views of the Washington Monument, also adds an additional 590 square feet. For the ultimate private experience: guests can also book the entire penthouse floor with its 12 suites and private elevator. Many also featured heated terraces, and all have been completely redesigned by Bernie Gallagher, the Chairman of the Doyle Collection who is very invested in the design of each property, imbuing them all with a unique sense of style and place.

Park Suite at White Elephant Palm Beach

White Elephant Palm Beach, sister hotel to the White Elephant on Nantucket, will open on November 4, 2020 with 32 rooms and suites. Ideal for friends and multi-generational families, the 3,000-square-foot penthouse Park Suite is a three-bedroom that can be expanded into four, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and spacious living room. With views of Bradley Park, the penthouse includes a 1,200-square-foot rooftop terrace for entertaining. Other decorative accents such as bronze elephant door knockers, bold patterned throw pillows, rattan ceiling light fixtures, and black and white striped side tables are sprinkled throughout.

Long Stay Offers from AMPR

White  Elephant Palm Beach to Open November 4, 2020

From one vacation destination to another, Nantucket’s White Elephant resort will welcome  a sister property in Palm Beach on November 4, 2020. The 32-room  White Elephant Palm Beach  is housed  in the former Bradley Park Hotel – originally constructed in 1924 as one of the first resorts on Palm Beach’s Main Street.  During its century-long history, it was initially owned by Colonel Edward R. Bradley, who ran a private and celebrated Beach Club casino on land that is today Bradley Park. For more than 20 years, the hotel served as a magnet for business tycoons and high rollers who frequented the salon. Over the decades that followed, the hotel remained a mainstay for seasonal visitors. In 1980, in part to its architectural significance, the hotel was listed with the Landmark Preservation Commission.

The footprint of the structure and the facade  remains, while  the interiors have been stripped to the bones and rebuilt by Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects.  The nationally recognized firm, known for their projects with The Peninsula Chicago and Four Seasons Residences, Boston, worked closely with the Town of Palm Beach to create a new hotel that showcases the history of the existing building while incorporating a contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean-revival architecture. White Elephant Palm Beach will maintain the welcoming feel of a private residence with 13 rooms and 19 suites spread across  four  stories.

The hotel stands one street north of Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach’s original Main Street, less than two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and one block from the Intracoastal Waterway.  White Elephant Palm Beach is adjacent to Bradley Park, which will serve as a grand lawn to the hotel, and is less than a half mile from the newly redeveloped Royal Poinciana Plaza shopping complex.

The layout of the property takes advantage of the South Florida sunshine and features a U-shaped outdoor courtyard that is the social heart of the hotel – a place to relax and recharge, whether lounging on the patio or around the pool. The landscaping features mature, local flora whose lush colors and tropical fragrances envelop guests.  Previews of what’s to come started earlier this year, when White Elephant Palm Beach’s signature restaurant Lola 41 – a Nantucket staple – began serving its globally-inspired dishes and local seafood specialties.

The design captures the spirit of a grand home while maintaining the ambiance of a landmarked boutique hotel. Breaking from the bright pinks and greens that dominate the Palm Beach aesthetic, the White Elephant Palm Beach features a neutral color palette with sleek metal accents and vibrant pops of color. The hardwood floors, Carrara marble, elegant tiles and woven rugs are all interpreted with contemporary style.  Outside, the Mizner-style facade  is  painted a light, creamy-white color with classic black-and-white striped awnings, terracotta roof tiles, and black trim to bring a fresh, sophisticated look to the classic structure. Guests will be welcomed onto the property by a seven-foot white elephant statue by Santa Fe-based artist Fredrick Prescott. (A “sister” elephant statue, Trunket, is on the grounds of White Elephant in Nantucket.)

The statue is just one of 120 original pieces of colorful modern and pop art personally curated by the owners and Elkus Manfredi. The museum-worthy collection will be on display throughout the rooms and common spaces. Featured artists include Robert Rauschenberg, whose early creations in the 1950s anticipated the pop art movement, and Jennifer Bartlett, known for her small, square steel plates that are combined in grid formations to create large-scale works. Several pieces by painter Kenzo Okada, the first Japanese-American artist to receive international acclaim using abstract expressionist style, will be on display, as will works by Donald Baechler, part of the East Village, New York 1980s art movement. A 54-inch round acrylic work by Orit Fuchs was specifically created for the hotel and is a focal point of the lobby; while six prints by Yinka Shonibare, who will unveil a new public sculpture installation in West Palm Beach in 2021, will be found on the second-floor corridor. Doodle Boy, a 10-year-old British artist, was also commissioned to create 30 exclusive pieces for the powder rooms. Using clean black lines hand drawn with a thick marker, he incorporated a hidden signature elephant in each of his drawings.

Guestrooms and suites range from 510- to 3,000-square feet featuring custom-designed furniture. King-size beds will be outfitted with Pratesi  linens with  upholstered  backboards accented in a colorful palm and flower print. The same fabric will be found on the back of the desk chairs and on the throw pillow piping. Other noteworthy pieces include console tables  by  Selamat Designs in collaboration with the heritage brand, Morris & Co, which are wrapped inside and out with authentic William Morris “Strawberry Thief” covering. The pattern was originally created in 1883.  Each of the suites will be furnished with plush grey and cream armchairs and couches. The custom-designed wooden arches that frame the entrance to some of the rooms are a defining architectural element of the hotel. Other decorative  accents such as bronze elephant door knockers, bold patterned throw pillows, rattan ceiling light fixtures, and black and white striped side tables are sprinkled throughout. The bathrooms feature marble tiles, double sinks crafted from stone, a dry vanity and glass-enclosed walk in showers with L’Occitane bath amenities.

The two penthouse suites are ideal for those who want to entertain, with large living rooms, fully equipped kitchens, and terraces ranging between  800- to 1,200-square-feet. With views of Bradley Park, the Park Suite is a three-bedroom that can be expanded into four, and the ocean-facing Palm Suite is a two-bedroom that can be expanded into three.

Among  other  amenities, guests will have complimentary use of BMW courtesy vehicles, Priority Bicycles and Radio Flyer Wagons as well as exclusive access to Barton & Gray yachts for excursions. A shuttle will be offered to transport guests between the beach and property, and complimentary sweet treats from the White Elephant ice cream cart will be available poolside daily.

“Our main mission is to combine our vision of hospitality with the ethos and style of casually elegant Palm Beach,” comments Douglass Karp, President of New England Development. He notes, “We are pleased to combine our promise of service excellence with the exciting tradition of hospitality in this legendary resort destination. We feel right at home in Palm Beach.”

Reservations are being taken now; rates start at $650 for a guest room and $995 for a suite.

Address: 280 Sunset Avenue, Palm Beach, FL

AMPR Villas & Buyouts

The theme of 2020: It’s all about personal space. People are eager to travel again. And when they do, private accommodations will be a popular option, as guests want assurance that they’ll be able to maintain personal safety and hygiene standards. Here’s a list of villa and property buyouts available both domestically and internationally:

U.S.

Can accommodate over 5 guests…

Bardessono Hotel & Spa, Napa Valley

# of bedrooms: 1 to 3

# of guests: 1 to 6

Price: TBC

The three new Maple Grove Villas at Bardessono Hotel & Spa are available to book individually or as one three-bedroom retreat for a total of 3,705 square-feet of space. Guests that book all three accommodations have exclusive access to the property’s hybrid Lexus during the stay. The villas have stocked wine fridges, fireplaces and outdoor “cocktail pools” with lounge seating. The villas are serviced by Bardessono docents, who can arrange activities like private yoga and meditation sessions, art tours or museum visits. Bardessono Hotel & Spa is one of only three Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified hotels in the county. Located in Yountville, cuisine reigns king here, with more Michelin stars per capita than any other place in America.

White Elephant Loft at 32 Main Street, Nantucket

# of bedrooms: 3

# of guests: 6

Price: Starts at $1,595/night

The historic, three-bedroom White Elephant Loft at 32 Main Street in Nantucket is the only bookable accommodation on Nantucket’s Main Street and walking distance to nearby beaches and Brant Point Lighthouse. This 2,500 square-foot pied-à-terre-style, free-standing loft is located on the 2^nd floor of a 19^th century brick building, featuring a gourmet kitchen. Guests who book the unit receive the keys to a BMW for the duration of their stay and access to Priority Bicycles for exploring the 30 miles of bike trails.

Anchorage House, Nantucket

# of bedrooms: 3

# of guests: 7

Price: Starts at $1,200/night

Situated on the northeast end of Nantucket, The Anchorage House by Serena & Lily is a three-bedroom cottage as part of The Wauwinet. Guests have access to all the amenities at The Wauwinet and exclusive access to 2020 BMW SUV vehicle is included in the stay.

The Setting Inn, Napa Valley

# of bedrooms: 4 rooms in 3 cottages

# of guests: 8

Starting price: TBC

This historic landmark farmhouse built in 1901 has been renovated and reborn as The Setting Inn and re-opened in Summer 2019. The transformation, which includes fresh interiors, has taken place under new ownership with The Setting Wines, which famously sold one of its bottles for $350,000 at a 2017 charity auction. (Complimentary tastings of these vintages are now offered to all guests.) Each of the oversized rooms is named after a wine growing region and features a soaking tub, fireplace and balcony or porch. Surrounded by vineyards, the property offers views of the Mayacamas Mountains, and lawn games like Connect Four and Ladder Ball. The centerpiece of the quiet courtyard is the red barn, which acts as the property’s living room. Tucked away in quiet Oak Knoll District, the property sits conveniently between downtown Napa and Yountville, which are easily accessible via one of the inn’s complimentary electric cruisers.

Can accommodate 10 guests…

The Francis House, Napa Valley

# of bedrooms: 5

# of guests: 10

Starting price: TBC

The Francis House in Calistoga opened in September 2018 in a landmark building steeped in history and prestige. Built in 1886, The Francis House was initially a family home for prominent local merchant, James H. Francis. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has being carefully restored, rehabilitated and redesigned as an exclusive five-room luxury inn. In addition to a private pool, guests have access to an infrared sauna and salt room. Located a couple blocks off Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga’s Main Street, the town’s walkable downtown area is home to tasting rooms and boutiques.

Can accommodate over 20 guests…

Shou Sugi Ban House, The Hamptons

# of bedrooms: 13

# of guests: 26

Price: TBC

This wellness retreat and destination spa opened in Water Mill in May 2019. Located adjacent to the Parrish Art Museum off Montauk Highway, the property’s three acres are contained behind a private gate with round-the-clock security. The 13 guest studios are all accessible via private entrances to the outside. Each studio has its own locally-made, kobe-style bed, fireplace and bathtub – half of which are Hinoki ofuro (Japanese soaking tubs). Keeping busy won’t be a problem with the following on-site: open-air movement pavilion with TRX suspension trainers, ballet bar, free weights, kettle bells and other functional props; multiple pools; thermal suite with infrared sauna, dry sauna and steam room; and a tennis court. Travelers looking to stretch their legs can head to nearby Southampton beaches or Montauk’s Shadmoor Cliffs. Resident practitioners can coordinate healing arts treatments, such as sound baths and tea ceremonies, and the culinary team led by consulting chef Mads Refslund is on standby to create a menu for whomever rents out the property.

Can accommodate over 60 guests…

The Wauwinet, Nantucket

# of bedrooms: 32

# of guests: 64

Price: TBC

Situated on the northeast end of Nantucket, bordering the peaceful Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, the 32-room Wauwinet offers the feel of a private home. Built in 1875, the Inn is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nantucket Bay. It’s the only property on Nantucket with access to two private beaches. During the fall, lobstering, surfcasting, cooking classes and scenic drives to neighboring ‘Sconset in the property’s 1948 Woody are included in the stay. The on-property restaurant, TOPPER’S is recognized for its 1,400-bottle wine list – the largest on island – and fresh oysters, plucked from the Bay 300 yards from the property.

INTERNATIONAL

Can accommodate over 5 guests…

Grand Riad at Royal Mansour, Marrakech

# of bedrooms: 4

# of guests: 8 people

Price: Starts at 400,000 MAD/night

Each of Royal Mansour’s 53 accommodations is an individual, three-story riad. The four-bedroom Grand Riad is the undisputed crown jewel. Referred to as the “hotel within the hotel,” the 19,375 square-foot residence features a private library, two swimming pools, a cinema, hammam, gym, multiple dining and living rooms, and a glass-enclosed split-level terrace with a retractable roof.  Guests of the Grand Riad also enjoy the services of a dedicated staff that includes a chef, watchman, housekeepers, and butlers.

Four-Bedroom Villa at The Christopher, St. Barth

# of bedrooms: 4

# of guests: 8

Price: Starts at 3,900 Euro/night

The brand-new four-bedroom villas at The Christopher, St. Barth, designed by Olivia Putman (daughter of Andrée Putman) blur the boundaries between inside and out and use a mix of natural materials including bamboo, sandstone and volcanic stone, accented with pops of the hotel’s signature orange. With large decks and private pools, they meld the privacy of a villa rental with the comforts of a hotel.

Can accommodate 10 or more guests…

Fleming Villa at GoldenEye, Jamaica

# of bedrooms: 5

#of guests: 10

Price: Starts at $6,365/night

Channel Ian Fleming in the aptly named, five-bedroom  Fleming Villa at GoldenEye in Jamaica (where he wrote all 14 James Bond novels). The grounds are home to a private beach, pool, and movie screening room (Fleming’s former garage). The Sunken Garden – where Fleming used to entertain the likes of Kathryn Hepburn and Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden – is the ideal location for a private dinner party.

For larger groups, guests can rent out the 23 Beach Huts at GoldenEye. The layout for the huts was conceived to blend the indoors and out; the sounds of the tropics with the feel of a hut on the beach. Separated from main property, those book the one and two-bedroom Huts have exclusive access to Snorkeler’s Cove, teeming with colorful coral and tropical fish, as well as Button Beach for sunning, swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. The starting nightly rate for the Beach Huts buyout is $12,730/night.

The Beaumont, London

# of bedrooms: 5

# of guests: 10

Price: Starts at 7,380 GBP /night

The Beaumont’s fifth floor presidential suite, The Roosevelt, can be adjoined with neighboring suites and rooms to create a private floor. The Roosevelt Suite has a spacious sitting room featuring a working fireplace and a library stocked with books from neighborhood bookstore Haywood Hill; a separate dining room seating eight; a pantry kitchen that is stocked to guests’ wishes; and a large terrace for outdoor dining. The fifth floor also comes with its own private elevator bank.

Belmond Afloat in France

# of bedrooms: Total of 7 river barges ranging from 2 to 6 bedrooms

# of guests: 4-12 guests

Price: Rates for the two newest barges, Lilas and Pivoine start at 50,920 Euro for a six-night itinerary, fully inclusive

Collectively known as Belmond Afloat in France, Belmond’s fleet of seven luxury barges are available for private charters with a nearly 1:1 crew to guest ratio. Accommodating anywhere from four to 12 passengers, guests can also book two or more barges to float in tandem for larger parties. More akin to floating villas, the barges feature a dining room, lounge, and sundeck as well as private floating pools. The week-long itineraries are all-inclusive and completely customizable to meet the individual desire of each guest. Families can take part in ATV rides and ziplining led by the onboard guide, while culinary buffs can enjoy book Belmond Napoleon for the newest six-night itinerary featuring a different Michelin-starred restaurant every day.

Private Pool Villa at Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla

# of bedrooms: 5

# of guests: 12

Price: Starts at $5,225/night

Belmond Cap Juluca in Anguilla reopened following a complete renovation in December 2018 with the addition of three new, private pool villas. The five-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa offers an escape for large groups and families – fully-equipped with a private swimming pool just steps away from the white sands of Maundays Bay, known to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. A dedicated beach butler is on hand to make sure guests’ private slice of beach is always prepared to their liking.

Can accommodate over 15 guests…

La Chartreuse de Cos d’Estournel, Bordeaux, France

# of bedrooms: 8

# of guests: 16

Price: Starts at $20,000/night

Located in the heart of a 200-acre vineyard in Bordeaux, La Chartreuse is the private residence of Michel Reybier, the owner of La Réserve hotels in Paris, Ramatuelle, Geneva and Zurich. The Jacques Garcia-designed house is decorated in a mix of European antiques and Asian tapestries has six bedrooms and two suites; a library; dining room; hammam; indoor and outdoor swimming pools; and a wine cellar, of course. Staying at La Chartreuse means an exclusive opportunity to experience life on the Cos d’Estournel estate from the inside. The vineyard is one of just 14 Chateaux ranked as Second Growth in 1855.

Can accommodate over 20 guests…

Ithaafushi Private Island at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Malé

# of bedrooms: 3-bedroom beach villa + 2-bedroom overwater villa + 4-bedroom residence

# of guests: 25

Price: Starts at $65,000/night (TBC)

When the doors opened on July 1, 2019, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi became the first luxury resort debut near the capital city of Malé in the last decade. Location is a unique selling point because Waldorf Astoria guests do not need to rely on a seaplane transfer from the international airport to their accommodations, which is not permitted after 6 p.m. due to daylight restrictions. Instead of a nonoptional overnight in Malé, a private fleet of seven yachts is available 24/7 for a 40-minute trip with drinks, snacks and onboard amenities provided by a ‘Yacht Concierge.’ In addition to this indulgent option, privacy-seeking guests can also opt for a standalone Stella Maris villa (2), one-bedroom duplex unit that is accessible by a traditional dhoni boat.

Can accommodate over 30 guests…

La Reserve Paris Apartments

# of bedrooms: total of 10 apartments ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms

# of guests: 1 to 40

Price: Starts at 1,700 Euro/night for the one-bedroom apartment; starts at 25,000 Euros/night for full buyout

Overlooking the Trocadero in the capital’s 16th arrondissement (meaning unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower) are the 10 La Réserve Paris Apartments. There are 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom flats, ranging from 1,500 to 3,000+ square-feet. The La Reserve Paris Apartment building has its own private street entrance and spans just four floors, accessible via a large staircase. The ground-floor units have expansive garden terraces while the higher units have large balconies with outdoor dining tables. Guests can feel like they have their own pied-a-terre by renting out one apartment or buy out all 10 apartments, accommodating up to 40 family and friends. Each unit has a large kitchen and the pantry and wine cellar come fully stocked. Furniture can even be rearranged to guests’ liking. For long-term stays, the apartment can be decorated with original works of art selected by guests and a home gym and cinema can be set up.

Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland

# of cabins: 22

# of guests: 40

Price: TBC

Departing from Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, Belmond Royal Scotsman travels on circular routes through the heart of the Highlands and is Scotland’s only luxury sleeper train. With only 40 passengers on board, the train replicates a ‘Country House on Wheels’ and has two, three- or four-night itineraries. Guests can also tailor itineraries with bespoke excursions depending on each traveler’s preferences, including stargazing in the Cairngorms, which boasts some of the darkest skies in Europe; hiking the gorges of Aviemore; canoeing on Loch Ness; clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate; or teeing off for golf at some of the country’s most famous links courses.

Can accommodate over 150 guests…

Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland

# of bedrooms: 97

# of guests: 190

Price: Starts at $33,000/night

Set on 450 acres with gardens based on the same designs as the Gardens at Versailles, Dromoland Castle can trace its heritage back to the 16th century when it was home of the O’Brien family. The lineage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland. Converted to a hotel in the 1960s and fresh off a $20 million renovation and restoration, Dromoland Castle exhibits the best of its regal Irish heritage. The property offers amenities and country home activities, including an 18-hole, par 72 parkland golf course that weaves around the grounds. Multigenerational families have the perfect venue at Dromoland, with tailored activities like tennis lessons, bespoke golf clinics, horse and buggy rides, archery, garden tours, falconry, bubble baths on demand, and even a genealogy expert to help trace Irish familial roots.

AMPR FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

AMPR JANUARY NEWSLETTER

AMPR NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

See it now: The view from the newly renovated Nayara Gardens in Costa Rica

What’s New

Costa Rica: Nayara Gardens, Nayara’s first property to open on the edge of Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, will unveil its renovation on November 15. The new al fresco restaurant, La Terraza del Arenal, will boast unobstructed views of the volcano. A new reception and courtyard will feature an indoor/outdoor design with a central fountain surrounded by chaise lounges and a local artist’s mural depicting the flora and fauna of the rainforest. The family-friendly resort is connected by footbridges to sister properties Nayara Springs and the soon-to-be opened Nayara Tented Camp – one of the first luxury camps in Central America.

St. Barth: Just keep swimming – in your own private pool! Enjoy uninterrupted laps when you book one of The Christopher St. Barth’s four-bedroom villas, two of which will open in December and a third will be available in 2020. With interiors by French designer Olivia Putman, the three new accommodations combine the comfort of private residences with the five-star service of the main hotel.

St. Martin: Belmond La Samanna in St. Martin has reopened for the season with a plethora of new experiences. Among the unique activities is a Caribbean impressionist painting class in a historic French Créole townhouse with Sir Roland Richardson, one of Saint Martin’s most celebrated painters. Guests can also hike up to Pic Paradis, retracing the steps of the indigenous Arawak people with resident archaeologist and archivist Christophe Henocq.

South Africa: This is not your neighborhood treehouse. Three miles away from the nearest lodge and 52 stairs in the air is andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge’s newest residence. Opening on December 5, the completely private, six-level, solar-powered treehouse will have a rooftop deck with an outdoor bed and lounge for al fresco sundowners and dinner for two – all with uninterrupted views of the bush below.

Washington, D.C.: The Dupont Circle has put the final touches on its extensive renovation with the completion of its Penthouse Suite by Clodagh. The space is available in two configurations with one bedroom or two bedrooms. When expanded into two-bedrooms, the suite is one of the largest in the city at 1,980 square feet, with a heated outdoor terrace adding an additional 590 square feet. Step outside to enjoy views of Dupont Circle below and Washington Monument in the distance.

Napa Valley: The new visitor center at Napa favorite Cakebread Cellars is now open, featuring a new courtyard and nine private tasting rooms. Guests can also enjoy vineyard and winery tours, wine and food pairings and walks through the on-site culinary garden, which provides ingredients for the kitchen.

Country Homes

Ireland’s Dromoland Castle has expansive grounds for falconry, fly fishing and archery

“Country roads, take me home. To the place where I…” can partake in falconry, fly fishing and other activities tailor-made for Ron Swanson. Luckily, you don’t need to invest in a second home to enjoy Mother Nature’s finery in November. Below, check out our picks for the best places to channel your inner outdoorsman, or woman:

Ireland: Experience the rugged luxury of Ireland at Dromoland Castle, located in County Clare – the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. Dromoland’s falconry program takes guests onto the expansive castle grounds to meet with falcons, hawks and owls, giving them a chance to hold these birds of prey and experience their relationship with their falconers. For guests who would prefer to take to the water, fly fishing is also available from the lakeshore; or from the middle of the lake in one of the estate boats. And, the true swashbuckler can enjoy an afternoon of archery.

Scotland: Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland’s only luxury sleeper train, allows guests to tailor their itineraries to explore a range of activities in the Scottish countryside. Among the offerings is a falconry demonstration at Dunrobin Castle, the largest great house in the Northern Highlands. Guests will learn about the different hunting methods of a variety of raptors including golden eagles, peregrine falcons and European eagle owls.

Napa Valley: A glass of wine with falconry on the side. That’s what Napa Valley does. During the Falconry Vineyard Tour at Bouchaine Vineyards, guests learn how to call the birds to land on their arm. The experience concludes with a wine-tasting and lunch in the garden.

Switzerland: A’foraging we will go! Guests at La Réserve Geneva can visit nearby Jura Mountains with a mycologist (fungus expert) to forage for different mushroom types including ceps, horns of plenty and chanterelles, all indigenous to Switzerland.

Chile: Set in the heart of Araucanía in Chile’s Lake District, a lesser-known tourist destination to neighboring Patagonia, andBeyond Vira Vira is surrounded by glacial lakes, frosted-tipped volcanoes and lush national parks. Fly fishing enthusiasts can stand knee deep in the Liucura River, which runs through the property, casting their line for rainbow trout, brown trout or chinook salmon. Alternatively, fishermen can venture into the warm waters of Villarrica Lake by boat.

Italy: It’s time for a truffle hunt! Belmond Castello di Casole’s vast Tuscan estate is home to a treasure trove of truffles. Guests are welcome to join expert hunter Mauro Nesi and his Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to sniff out the precious tubers, which can be found year-round. Once unearthed, the hotel kitchen uses the delicacy to infuse a tasting menu of taglierini, tosca fillet and black truffle tarts.

Winter Wanderlust

Embrace winter at Dromoland Castle in Ireland

Fall is still very much in the air, but the festive season will be here before we know it – and with it, the magic of winter wanderlust. Think: curling up by a fireplace, exceptional holiday décor and unique celebrations to ring in a new year. Below, we’ve rounded up places to indulge in the best that winter has to offer.

Cozy Spaces

Kenya: Set in the Masai Mara reserve – where the famous final scene of Out of Africa was filmed – andBeyond Bateleur Camp reflects the romantic ambiance of Kenyan safaris of the ’20s and ’30s. With copper free-standing bubble baths, leather buttoned sofas and candlelit decks, guests can spend chilly safari nights under the covers with hot water bottles hand-delivered to their tent.

Ireland: Situated near Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare, Ireland, the 16th century Dromoland Castle is the ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, whose lineage dates back to one of the last High Kings of Ireland. The intimate cocktail bar was once the O’Brien family’s library, and it now serves as a cozy spot to sip authentic Irish coffee next to the crackling fire after a day of exploring the 450-acre estate.

Barcelona: Almanac Barcelona’s star attraction is the rooftop terrace, Azimuth, which offers 360-degree views of the city. This winter, the terrace remains open with festive and cozy décor to provide a warm space for guests to sip on seasonal cocktails.

Paris: Guests at La Réserve Paris can make themselves at home in front of the marble fireplace in the Duc de Morny Library while reading from the selection of over 3,000 antique books from the 19th century. The library is open exclusively for guests during the day, before it turns into a lively bar at night.

London: Set in a former private residence, The Kensington features cozy nooks around every corner. From the intimate K Bar with its artful cocktails to the open fireplaces found in most ground floor rooms, the hotel offers a true home-away-from-home experience this winter. Travelers can celebrate Christmas Day lunch in the library-like drawing rooms of the Town House restaurant with a menu that features everything from Christmas pudding to Perrier-Jouët ‘Belle Epoque’ 2011.

Christmas Stroll, an iconic Nantucket tradition, sees the seaside town transform into a holiday wonderland.

Instagrammable Décor
Ireland: The River Club at The River Lee has unveiled its new seasonal installation on its al fresco terrace. The design is inspired by the hotel’s location on the very site of the Old Western Road station, which was used by the Muskerry Light Railway in the late 19th century on its trips from Cork to Blarney. Remnants of the train tracks are still visible. The terrace features a canopy of autumn foliage and vintage décor, including wooden train-style doors dividing each table and old-fashioned stacks of luggage. Come late-November, the Harvest Carriage will welcome interior touches like snow-dusted leaves and twinkling lights.

Charleston: All aboard! This season, a replica of the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train plays a starring role in the festive lobby display at Belmond Charleston Place. Situated underneath the hotel’s signature Georgian open-arm staircase, which will be wrapped in garland, the fully operational display features miniature European alpine homes, realistic stables and a blacksmith shop that guests can spy through little open doors. After taking in the sights and sounds of the Christmas village, guests can then enjoy The Conductor cocktail at The Thoroughbred Club, which is located just next to the decked-out lobby.

Nantucket: New England’s quintessential Christmas Experience is the Nantucket Christmas Stroll. One part enchanting holiday storybook scene and one part jolly block party, the annual event is filled with old-fashioned fun. Carolers wander through the cobblestone streets singing holiday tunes; the Whaling Museum hosts the annual Festival of Trees, which features 80 brilliantly decorated trees designed by local artists; and Santa arrives by boat via the Coast Guard. Stay in the heart of it all at the historic Jared Coffin House – a former whaling merchant’s home.

Ring in 2020 aboard the Belmond British Pullman, which also has a number of holiday excursions

New Year’s Eve
Anguilla: With nothing but clear skies and a gentle Caribbean breeze, there’s no better place to escape for the holidays than the beachy island of Anguilla. Belmond Cap Juluca, which underwent an extensive renovation last year, is welcoming 2020 with a seaside celebration on Maundays Bay – complete with Champagne sabering, midnight fireworks and live music and dancing from local Anguillan band, The Mussington Brothers.

Rio de Janiero: Belmond Copacabana Palace in Rio starts the year off with a bang with front row seats to the famous fireworks show on Copacabana Beach. Parties will be held throughout the hotel, with dining and an open bar at Pergula Restaurant and Ristorante Hotel Cipriani, as well as dancing in each of the hotel’s three ballrooms.

England: Step into 2020 by stepping back into 1920 aboard Belmond British Pullman’s vintage carriages on the New Year’s Eve Dinner journey. The train departs from London’s Victoria Station, gliding through the English countryside while guests enjoy champagne, fine wine and a five-course meal. Table magicians will be on hand to provide entertainment. The train will pull back into Victoria Station just after midnight for passengers to disembark into a new year.

New York City: Watch the ball drop in Times Square from the private terrace of The Chatwal’s Producer Suite. Master designer Thierry Despont created the suite with entertaining in mind, and the space has a cozy fireplace in the living room and a spiral staircase leading up to the large roof deck with a view of the Crossroads of the World.

Antarctica: Adventurers can toast the new year on an iceberg with PONANT’s 11-day “New Year’s Day and the magic of the White Continent” sailing, departing Ushuaia, Argentina on December 29. Ring in 2020 while crossing the Drake Passage, considered a badge of honor on an Antarctic voyage. Guests will see Gentoo and Adelie penguins up close during land expeditions, and they’ll explore the icy waters with a team of experienced naturalist guides.

Tokyo: Ring in the New Year half a day earlier than your friends in the States with a visit to Japan. Guests at Park Hyatt Tokyo can enjoy a customary bowl of Toshikoshi Soba on New Year’s Eve. The dish symbolizes good luck for the year ahead, and the staff invites all who want to partake to join them in slurping down a bowl of these auspicious noodles just before midnight. Guests can also dance the night away at the hotel’s New York Bar Countdown Lounge New Year’s Eve party, which will overlook the city skyline from 41 floors in the air.

AMPR OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

We’re falling for October in Nantucket.

What’s New

No Cold Shoulders Here: It’s a little-known fact: Shoulder season in beach towns is the best season, and Nantucket is no exception. Take advantage of the falling temperatures with falling rates – guests who stay two nights, Sunday through Thursday, at the White Elephant Residences & Inn will receive a $50 food credit for Brant Point Grill or TOPPER’s, as well as use of a Jeep for 24 hours.

To Infinity…: andBeyond! The andBeyond Soussusvlei Desert Lodge will open this month after an extensive rebuild. Located in the only Dark Sky reserve in Africa, the lodge will offer programs like stargazing with the resident astronomer and early morning scenic hot air balloon flights.

Throw the Book at It: The much-anticipated Museum of Literature Ireland, which explores the story of Ireland’s famous literary culture, is now open. Located on St. Stephen’s Green, the museum is just an 8-minute walk from The Westbury, where bibliophiles can indulge in a post-museum dinner at on-site Wilde, named after the famous poet and playwright.

Costa Rica – It’s “in tents:” When it opens on December 20, Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica will be one of the first luxury camps in Central America. Guests will be able to experience the natural beauty of the Arenal Volcano area, with its plethora of eco-adventures. As a part of the build, Nayara is leaving a protected area of the hill as a sloth refuge and planting 1,000 Guarumo trees – the sloth’s favorite habitat.

Say What?: Seychelles! Luxury cruise line PONANT has launched three new itineraries to the 115-island archipelago. The expeditions will allow guests to explore Aldabra – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and discover hundreds of giant tortoises. Guests will cruise aboard Le Bougainville, one of PONANT’s newest ships. Le Bougainville features the industry-leading Blue Eye Lounge, an underwater sanctuary where guests can enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean.

Garden of Eden: Located in a 100-year-old historic building, La Réserve Eden Au Lac in Zurich will debut in December after an extensive renovation headed by Philippe Starck. When it opens, it will be the only luxury property on the lake.

Palm Beachin’: Coming late 2019 – just in time to escape winter – is White Elephant Palm Beach. The space is a sister property to White Elephant on Nantucket. Previously the Bradley Parker hotel, the historic structure from the 1920s will remain, but the interiors have been completely gutted and will be re-imagined by architectural firm Elkus Manfredi in a color palette of soft neutrals.

12 Chefs A-Cooking: It’s never too early to think about the holidays! And where better to celebrate than in the Napa Valley. Join Chef Christopher Kostow and The Restaurant at Meadowood team this season for the annual charitable Twelve Days of Christmas celebration. The event invites influential chefs from around the world to cook in collaboration with Chef Kostow, using seasonal products from the Napa Valley. This year’s celebration will benefit Saint Helena Preschool for All, Inc.

It’s All Greek to Me: Coming soon to Mykonos is new hotel Aleomandra, a luxury boutique hotel with 360 degree views of the horizon so that guests can take in the island’s famous sunrises and sunsets. The ultra-private suite and villa property will open in June 2020.

Halloween

The moody Bloomsbury Club bar is the perfect setting for a Halloween cocktail.

Does any holiday invite such polarizing opinions as Halloween? Die-hard fans will spend months planning elaborate costumes for the freakishly festive celebrations – and as the weekend comes to a close, they’ll swap their Halloween mask for Guinot’s Age Logic Eye Mask to soothe puffiness and brighten dark circles! On the other hand, the demurer among us will say “boo” to the big parties and instead opt for a themed cocktail in a festive setting. No matter your vibe, these destinations around the world will ensure you have a scary good time.

Ireland

Travel to the Emerald Isle, the hometown of Halloween, to celebrate Púca, a festival commemorating Ireland’s history as the birthplace of the fall holiday. Stay at The Westbury in Dublin and travel to nearby Meath from October 31 to November 2 to commemorate the season with three spooky nights – in Athboy, festival goers will hear a spiritual and historical retelling of the original Halloween story; in Drogheda, the three day event will be commemorated with Halloween music, films and a light installation; and at Trim Castle guests can celebrate with three nights of concerts.

Further to the east in Co. Clare, family-friendly Halloween celebrations are alive and well at Dromoland Castle, where children can enjoy three days’ worth of programming. Held from October 30 through November 1, activities include a haunted high tea, a Halloween fancy dress disco and an All Hallows Eve Bonfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

London

The hometown of Jack the Ripper and the haunted London Tower make an excellent backdrop for Halloween celebrations. After spending the day exploring the ghostly sites of the city, head to The Bloomsbury Club for a mystical menu. Inspired by Tarot cards designed by the bohemian occultist Pamela ‘Pixie’ Colman Smith, the bar has debuted 14 cocktails corresponding with 14 mental states. Upon arrival, a Diviner will read guests’ emotions and will advise as to which of the new drinks to enjoy.

New York

As New Yorkers and tourists alike don costumes and masks, The Chatwal, New York readies its littlest guests for a night of trick-or-treating with its in-suite ‘Dressing Room’ trunk. Inspired by its history rooted in the glitz of Broadway and theater, children are transformed into character with the Wicked Witch of the West’s black hat, Elsa’s tiara or Harry Potter’s signature glasses and wand. Adults can enjoy a themed specialty cocktail, the Corpse Reviver #2 featuring gin, Cointreau and Lillet Blanc complemented with lemon and an absinthe rinse.

Charleston

Charleston – the seaside city is long on both southern charm and ghost stories. As one of the most haunted cities in America, Charleston has a number of eerie legends and alleged spiritual sightings. Get your fright on with spooky tour of the city, and then unwind at Belmond Charleston Place. Located in the heart of the historic district, the hotel is the perfect home base for all of the city’s adventures.

Napa Valley

Carrie Bradshaw once famously told Big, “if you’re tired, you take a nap-a, you don’t move to Napa!” For those who are tired of the traditional Halloween celebrations, check out Wine Country. Spend Halloween weekend among the rolling hills with a glass of wine in hand, before taking just a little bit of time to commemorate the holiday in a quintessentially spooky way – with a murder mystery tour aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. The three-hour journey includes a multi-course gourmet meal as you solve the crime.

Tokyo

According to Virtuoso, the global luxury network, Japan is the “it” country to travel to this fall – visitors are attracted to the country’s adventure tourism and culinary traditions. Combine both your bold spirit and taste for the local flavors at Tokyo’s Bake Neko (Supernatural Cat) Festival. The event takes place in the bustling neighborhood of Shinjuku on October 13, offering travelers a different kind of Halloween celebration. Locals and visitors alike take to the street of Kagurazaka for a parade, dance performance, and most importantly – to flaunt their creepiest cat costume. While that may not be adrenaline-inducing, it’s certainly something different. Park Hyatt Tokyo is situated in the heart of Shinjuku and offers a luxe home base for the feline festivities.

Hamptons

Trick or treat yo’ self to the antidote to Halloween candy at Shou Sugi Ban House. The Hamptons retreat will host a number of wellness focused weekend retreats this fall. Happening October 18-20, The Healing Power of Wild Plants culinary retreat will give guests the opportunity to learn and interact with local, wild and abundant ingredients, encouraging discovery and connection with the area’s natural bounty. The retreat will feature inventive meals prepared by Chef Mads Refslund, inspiring the sense of smell and taste by cooking with nature.

Festival Season

After enjoying the Jazz Festival of Barcelona, grab a drink at the Azimuth rooftop bar at Almanac.

Summer’s action-packed adventures have nothing on the beauty that is a fall festival. But New Englanders, take note: it’s not all flannel shirts, apple cider and hay rides. (Not that we’re complaining about those!) These international destinations take things up a notch. Below, check out the fall festivals worth traveling for – we’ll note that winter doesn’t begin until December 21 so YES, you can start celebrating the holidays during the autumn months.

Jamaica: Food and Drink Festival

The 5th Annual Jamaica Food and Drink Festival takes place in Kingston from October 26 through November 3. For ten days, Jamaica’s cultural capital celebrates its culinary offerings. Over 50 of the island’s food and beverage experts present at the festival’s seven events, with each celebrating a different facet of Jamaican culinary heritage – themes include Pork Palooza and Meet Street – Jamaican street food. The week concludes with a Sunday Brunch. Guests who book at partner hotel Strawberry Hill in the Blue Mountains during the festival receive 20% off the best rate.

Barcelona: Jazz Festival

One of Europe’s premier jazz events, Voll-Damm International Jazz Festival of Barcelona brings world-class performers to venues across the city to perform everything from jazz’s most recognizable jams to unique compositions. Held from October 29 to November 20, the lineup features free concerts, master classes, lectures and one-on-ones with the artists. Almanac Barcelona’s central location in the Exiample district provides a home base for music-lovers to return to after a day full of musical escapades.

St. Barth: Gourmet Festival
Food and wine and sunshine. As the U.S. cools, St. Barth heats up with the sixth annual Gourmet Festival, held November 6-10. Located above the rocky shoreline of the sought-after neighborhood of Pointe Milou, The Christopher has long been an island refuge for those in-the-know, as well as a site for many of the festival’s activities. The Christopher is hosting the festival’s patron chef, Arnaud Faye – Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) and two-star chef at Château de la Chèvre d’Or in Eze, France. Seven other top French chefs will take part in the festival, each working at a restaurant on the island to create special multi-course menus for both residents and guests. Flying to St. Barth is easier than ever now that Tradewind has expanded its service from San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Barth Commuter has added flights from Guadeloupe, St. Martin and Antigua.

Napa Valley: Cabernet Season
November is the start of Cabernet Season in the Napa Valley – the wines have been harvested and the pace of life slows down. November is one of the best times to visit Wine Country, as hotels rates drop and it’s easier to nab a restaurant reservation, to get behind-the-scenes access at wineries and to enjoy one-on-one time with winemakers. The foliage turns to reds and golds and the musty smell of grape crush is still in the air. In a place known for its cuisine, many of the valley’s best restaurants and wineries prepare a special feast, including the End of Harvest dinner at Baldacci Family Vineyards on November 23. Guests enjoy a family-style meal and Baldacci wines along with live music and dancing.

Nantucket: Christmas Stroll
Head to Nantucket December 6-8 for one-part enchanting holiday storybook scene and one part old-fashioned block party. Created 45 years ago to lure shoppers from the mainland before shuttering the shops for the season, Christmas Stroll is the quintessential New England experience. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a Charles Dickens novel as carolers wander through the cobblestone streets singing holiday tunes; the Whaling Museum hosts the annual Festival of Trees, which features 80 brilliantly decorated trees designed by local artists. Santa even arrives via the coast guard. Every block of Nantucket’s historic downtown is lined with extravagant shop windows and twinkling lights. Stay in the heart of it all at the Jared Coffin House. As an added bonus, direct flights from NYC are offered this weekend.

London: Christmas Festivals
From the Christmas markets to afternoon tea to ice skating at Somerset House, London offers festive activities for the whole family during December. After a day of hopping from one Christmas tree to the next, board the Belmond British Pullman for a festive day trip to the award-winning Bath Christmas Market. Guests will enjoy a three-course brunch before spending an afternoon browsing the more than 170 chalets brimming with artisanal gifts, local delicacies and piping hot cider. The return journey will venture back from the West Country with a four-course dinner accompanied by the sommelier’s choice wine. Belmond’s day train offers 14 holiday themed journeys through the British countryside, including trips to Canterbury to hear carolers at England’s first cathedral; and a visit to the Lincoln Christmas market.

Giving Thanks for Dinners Abroad

Enjoy a specially prepared feast in your own private home-away-from-home in Marrakech.

For those of us who are thankful for travel this Thanksgiving, you’re in luck! Whether you find yourself as an expat in need of a traditional turkey; or simply want to take the opportunity to vacation abroad, check out the below destinations to visit for Thanksgiving.

London
The Doyle Collection welcomes its American guests to give thanks at their London properties with special menus to celebrate the holiday. 108 Brasserie, set on the cobbles below The Marylebone, will serve free-range bronze turkey from Worcestershire accompanied by pumpkin pie with cinnamon cream. Traditional dishes – such as chestnut risotto, roast turkey with apricot stuffing and pecan tart – are included at the menu at Town House, The Kensington’s cozy restaurant with intimate porticos overlooking South Kensington’s tree-lined avenues.

Rome
There’s nothing like a home cooked mean in your home-away-from-home in The Eternal City. To make Thanksgiving extra special, let The Grand House do all the work. Cristina Bowerman, the only Italian female chef who’s received a Michelin Star since 2010, will arrive at your residence to cook a full-course Thanksgiving dinner in the privacy of your own kitchen. Marrying the flexibility of a home rental operation with the high-touch services of a five-star hotel, The Grand House is a collection of diverse properties spread throughout Rome. Each accommodation in The Grand House portfolio has a distinctive identity and layered history. Guests will have plenty of entertainment for the extra days they decide to spend in Rome: from a private oboe and violoncello concert and before-and-after hours tours of the most sought-after monuments and museums to a helicopter ride to the Bolgheri Vineyards in Tuscany for a private wine tasting with the owners of Bolgheri castle.

Marrakech
As the only all-riad property in Marrakech, Royal Mansour was created under the discerning eye of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Set your Thanksgiving dinner table at the Grand Riad – the most palatial of the accommodations. At nearly 20,000 sq. ft., the home can accommodate up to 14 people with food prepared by a personal chef. Among the amenities at the Grand Riad is a two-level roof terrace, two swimming pools – one in the garden and one on the roof – a home cinema and gym.

Jamaica
If your extended family is Jamaican you crazy, escape to Island Outpost in Jamaica for a turkey dinner, complete with side dishes like callaloo, string beans and sweet potato that are sourced from owner Chris Blackwell’s farm, Pantrepant. But a stay will satisfy more than your hunger cravings – it’ll also give you a reason to give back. Blackwell founded the Oracabessa Foundation in 1997 to improve the lives of the local community through a variety of initiatives. Guests of GoldenEye are able to get involved by planting a tree on the property and making a donation to the Foundation.

New York City

Located in the heart of the theater district, The Chatwal’s penthouse suites, the Producer Suite and Director Suite are designed with entertaining in mind, with a separate dining area and outdoor balcony access. The two suites can also be connected for larger families traveling together. For an intimate Thanksgiving dinner, guests of the penthouse suites can enjoy all of the holiday fixings without any of the hassle courtesy of the dedicated butler service and the renowned Lambs Club by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

Tanzania
The Great Migration takes place each year when over two million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 500,000 gazelles migrate from the Serengeti National park in Tanzania to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Thanksgiving time is often the best time to witness this wildlife spectacle in the Serengeti, and andBeyond’s Serengeti Under Canvas, a mobile campsite that tracks the migration within the Serengeti National Park, provides the ultimate viewpoint. If you are willing to forgo the traditional turkey and stuffing for a bush meal cooked on an open fire, Serengeti Under Canvas is the way to have a Thanksgiving your family will never forget.

AMPR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Belmond British Pullman will launch a new Downton Abbey journey in 2020.

September is a time of transition. Summer fades into fall. Late-season harvests give way to pumpkin-spiced everything. The days get shorter. The nights are longer. And it’s always a good time to get away.

What’s New

Uptown, Downton: They say that seeing is believing. We say that experiencing is even better. In honor of the upcoming release of Downton Abbey: The Movie, fans of the Crawley Family can enjoy exclusive access to Highclere Castle while aboard Belmond British Pullman on two dedicated journeys in 2020. Opening exclusively for Belmond guests on March 18 and September 23, 2020, Highclere Castle is the location of the much-loved TV series and the ancestral home of the Earl & Countess of Carnavon. On a day trip from London Victoria Station, guests will enjoy a three course brunch onboard the 1920s and 30s carriages, a guided tour of the house and gardens, and a champagne reception and three-course dinner with sommelier-selected wine on the way back to London.

Capital Improvements: This October, The Doyle Collection’s Dupont Circle Hotel will put the finishing touches on its relaunch with the completion of its penthouse suite by Clodagh. Earlier this year, the hotel opened a new bar and restaurant – Doyle and Pembroke – designed by Martin Brudnizki; and a new lobby, also designed by Clodagh. Clodagh and Martin’s styles both embrace chic midcentury touches, with Brudnizki focusing on bold colors and varying textures and Clodagh incorporating holistic touches like live-edge wood and a quiet fountain on the suite’s extra-large terrace.

Palm Beachin’: Coming late 2019 – just in time to escape winter – is White Elephant Palm Beach. The space is a sister property to White Elephant on Nantucket. Previously The Bradley Park Hotel, the historic structure from the 1920s will remain, but the interiors have been completely gutted and will be re-imagined by architectural firm Elkus Manfredi in a color palette of soft neutrals.

Chocolate-y Goodness: New from La Maison du Chocolat Chef Nicolas Cloiseau is Bars Unhinged, the culmination of 18 months of careful research and worldwide travel to trusted chocolate plantations. Chef Cloiseau selected the finest cocoa beans from Brazil, the Caribbean and South America, juxtaposing the chocolate’s delicate silkiness with hazelnuts from Italy, almonds from Spain and pecans from Mexico. The result is a line of “inside out” bars where a constellation of the decadent nuts are visible from the outside.

Embrace the Night: Sometimes the best way to deal with the waning daylight hours is to embrace it. Though located in the southern hemisphere – where the days are becoming longer – andBeyond Sossusvlei Lodge in Namibia is all about the night sky. Opening on October 16, the property is located in Africa’s only International Dark Sky Reserve. Guests will have the rare opportunity to observe the southern hemisphere stars from one of the darkest and most protected skies in the world. Each evening, guests are invited to join the lodge’s resident astronomer in the on-site observatory – complete with a Meade LX200R 12-inch telescope – to view the brightest constellations and planets across the inky black night sky.

Birch + ‘Wood: Take in the city and the country with a new package by Meadowood Napa Valley and The Battery in San Francisco. The four-night getaway includes a two-night stay at each property, a curated winery itinerary throughout the Napa Valley and a personalized styling appointment at Tory Burch Union Square.

Endless Summer

It’s always summer with views like this. Relax at The Christopher St. Barth this month.

In the northern hemisphere, summer officially turns to fall on Monday, September 23. (And if the Farmers Almanac is correct, winter will rear its head with a vengeance all-too-soon after that.) Apple pie and golden-hued leaves are nice, but if you’re not quite ready to let go of long sunny days and warm breezy nights, the below destinations will keep things Hot! Hot! Hot! And help to stave off any end-of-summer blues.

Jamaican Me Crazy: Jamaica. That Jamaica. James Bond author Ian Fleming spent much of his time on the Caribbean Island, and it’s easy to see why he kept coming back. When he wasn’t snorkeling in the azure waters or birding in the Blue Mountains, he wrote a new Bond novel each winter. Today, Fleming’s legacy remains. His bungalow – renamed the Fleming Villa – is part of the 52-acre GoldenEye resort, as are his writing desk, sunken garden and the nearby coral reef. This winter, GoldenEye will open three, three-bedroom cottages on the resort’s lagoon. And, looking ahead, the island will be the site of the 25th James Bond movie – Daniel Craig’s last! ­Titled No Time to Die, the film will be released April, 2020.

Mal-dive Right In: The recently opened Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a must-visit for any sunshine seeker. With 122 villas, 56 of which are perched over water, the resort will make guests feel as if they’re in their own private oasis. The Ithaafushi Private Island is perfect for extended families, featuring a two-bedroom overwater villa and a three-bedroom beach villa as well as two pools for adults and one for kids, an overwater spa and wellness center, an entertainment center with cinema, and a dedicated team of chefs. The resort also boasts 11 specialty-concept venues for the largest culinary selection in the Maldives. The highlight is Terra: seven private dining pods on individual treetops overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Eye on the Skies: With new restaurants, reconstructed roads, and the last of the major hotel renovations wrapping up this season, St. Barth is a must-visit. Soak in all that the notorious party island has to offer, then retire to The Christopher, which is located on the island’s quieter, more residential Pointe Milou. The hotel has westward-facing views toward St. Jean Bay, a perfect place to catch the sunset. Sip on fruity beverages at the newly opened restaurant Christo as you mull the cooler weather up north.

Two if By Sea: If you’re crusin’ for a good time in the Caribbean, look no further than PONANT and the recently launched Le Champlain and Le Dumont-d’Urville ships, which will offer a combined 29 sailings for the 2019-2020 season. Highlights of the trips include discovering Mayan treasures along the Yucatan; as well as “The Essential of the Caribbean” itinerary that features a dedicated diving instructor on board throughout the duration of the cruise. Both ships feature the state-of-the-art Blue Eye Lounge. Located eight feel below water, the unprecedented views from the lounge offer a peek into underwater life through the whale-eye shaped portholes.

Island Hopping: Truly extend summer with Belmond’s “Island to Island” package, which offers accommodations in both Anguilla and St. Martin – and a seamless connection via a 25-minute Caribbean boat ride. The recently renovated Belmond La Samanna sits on the French side of St. Martin and offers guests the chance to check out La Cave Wine Cellar – the largest private wine cellar in the Caribbean. After a few days of channeling your inner bourgeoisie exploring St. Martin’s chic shops and restaurants, head across the Caribbean Sea to Anguilla. Sister resort Belmond Cap Juluca reopened in December 2018, following a top-to-bottom redesign by Rottet Studio. The white sands of Maundays Bay, known to be one of the most crystal-clear beaches in the Caribbean, offer a private and quiet escape from the rest of the world.

Tumbleweed Tuesday

Nama-stay in the Hamptons a little longer with a fall retreat at Shou Sugi Ban House.

Tumbleweed Tuesday: A term that locals in beach towns use to refer to the day after Labor Day – a.k.a. a start to the offseason. Tourists head back to the big city as a collective sigh of relief can be felt in the air. And yet, adventures can still be had in September and beyond. Think: All of the fun, but fewer crowds and better rates. Check out our top picks below:

Nantucket, Massachusetts: The hydrangeas may no longer be in bloom, but some say that fall is the most beautiful time to enjoy Nantucket. Still easily accessible via a direct flight from JFK (through October) or Boston (year-round), Nantucket’s offseason is one of the Northeast’s best-kept secrets. Cooler temps are perfect for biking, and each of Nantucket Island Resorts’ properties have complimentary bikes for guests to enjoy the 30 miles of flat trails, nature preserves and local farms. Take a spin to island favorite Cisco Brewery, open year-round for local beers and live music. Or, head to Nantucket’s walkable downtown, with its cobblestone streets and a slew of museums should you need to escape from inclement weather. Summer visitors will be remiss not to stop by Island favorite Juice Bar long after the traditional ice cream season has ended – the shop churns out a homemade Pumpkin Spice flavor only available in the fall.

St. Tropez, France: Partygoers know that St. Tropez in July and August is a guaranteed good time. And yet, September offers all the pros of the summer months, minus the ruckus. The average high temperate is a pleasant 78 degrees and the water is still warm enough to swim. Nestled among the cliffs 15 minutes outside St. Tropez is La Réserve Ramatuelle – the perfect home base for the 20th anniversary of the Voiles de St. Tropez, a 300-boat yacht race that takes place September 28 through October 6. The race will begin on the beaches of Pampelonne where La Réserve’s new beach club, La Réserve à la Plage, opened last April. Guests of the beach club can watch the yachts sail by while sipping a glass of Provencal rosé – yes, the rosé still flows well into September.

The Hamptons, New York: September is fondly called Locals’ Summer in the Hamptons – the temperatures are still pleasant and the ocean is the warmest it gets all year. What better way to soak in the wealth of the offseason than with a health-focused vacation. New wellness retreat Shou Sugi Ban House, which opened in Water Mill in May, will host weekly retreats throughout the fall, with a culinary-focused program with Chef Mads Refslund (co-founder of Noma in Copenhagen) on September 26-29. Guests will get to taste Refslund’s seasonal, plant-rich and locally sourced meals and also learn from him during culinary demonstrations. Other highlights from the schedule include guided beach walks, yoga and spa treatments.

Barcelona, Spain: As the summer tourist crowds disappear and locals return from vacation, the Catalan capital regains its authentic charm. Every September, the city hosts Festes de la Merce, a weeklong festival honoring the patron saint of Barcelona. The city comes alive with 600 events including fireworks displays, free concerts, street theater performances  and activities for children. Travelers who visit in September can join 100,000 spectators to catch a FC Barcelona game at the famous Camp Nou stadium. Take in all the sights and sounds of the city from Almanac Barcelona’s Azimuth rooftop bar – the perfect place to catch the sunset with a sangria in hand. The hotel opened in 2018 in the heart of the Modernist neighborhood of Eixample Derecho. Best of all, the warm temperatures mean guests can still go for a dip in the hotel’s rooftop pool.

Sicily, Italy: For tourist-free views and a deeper dive into the Sicilian coast, those in-the-know head to Sicily in September. With its season extended to January 5, 2020, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo plays host to pop-up restaurant Otto Geleng (named after the influential German painter) on the Literary Terrace. Catering to just 16 guests per night, the restaurant offers breakthtaking views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. The tasting menu features otto (eight) dishes designed by the property’s chef Roberto Toro, all of which highlight local produce and traditional Sicilian culinary methods with a vibrant twist. During the day, oenophiles will enjoy a trip through the vineyards of Mount Etna during peak harvest times to learn more about the production process and to sample rare vintages.

Trancoso, Brazil: September is springtime in Brazil, offering warm weather and a calming atmosphere before the high season kicks into gear in December. Encompassing all that defines the country, Trancoso is surrounded by both the jungle and the sea. The district was put on the map by chic boutique hotel UXUA. The hotel features 11 one-to-three-bedroom casas that seamlessly blend into the surrounding neighborhood, all restored using local and sustainable materials. For a relaxing afternoon, stroll down to UXUA Praia, the beachfront lounge and bar based out of refurbished fishing boat, or stop in the property’s ice cream parlor for fresh, made-daily flavors like cacao and Bahian pepper.

Harvest Season

andBeyond Vira Vira is located on a working farm in Pucon, Chile.

For locavores, fall means one thing: Harvest season. To truly immerse themselves in their vacation destination, travelers look to indulge in the bounty of nearby farms. Take in the local flavors at some of our favorite destinations:

A (Cran)berry good time: The annual family-friendly Cranberry Festival returns to Nantucket on October 12, to celebrate island’s 162-year history of cranberry farming. In addition to live cranberry harvesting, festivalgoers can embark on guided bog tours, or dive into kid-friendly activities such as hayrides, sack races, tug-of-war and a petting zoo. Guests who book The Wauwinet’s three-bedroom Anchorage House will receive keys to a 2019 BMW 760L SUV to arrive to the festival in style:

Cheesing: Nestled on a 54-acre estate just outside of Pucon, Chile, andBeyond Vira Vira defines farm-to-table dining. The resort is located on a modern working farm and features an organic vegetable garden for its Chilean-inspired dishes. The farm also boasts an in-house cheese factory – a quesería ­­– that guests can tour before enjoying a pre-dinner charcuterie board back at the al fresco restaurant. A few favorite local delicacies of Chef Damián Fernández Dupuoy include homegrown artichokes from the garden, honey from the Curarrehue valley, and flakes of fresh parmesan from the quesería.

Sweet Treats: Nestled in the hills of Jamaica’s sleepy Trelawny Parish, 30 miles inland from Montego Bay, Pantrepant is the 800-acre working farm of famed hotelier and record producer Chris Blackwell. Pantrepant, the c. 1700 sugar plantation, is where Blackwell spends time with friends, including Bono, Grace Jones, and Bob Marley’s family. There’s no cell service; no alarm clocks; no set schedule. There’s a two-bedroom guest cottage that is exclusively available to the overnight guests of Island Outpost, Blackwell’s hospitality brand. At Pantrepant, enjoy farm fresh meals prepared by head chef Mama J, who was trained by Blackwell’s personal chef and has been cooking at Pantrepant for more than 20 years. She harvests callaloo from the garden, plucks eggs from the coop and sources milk from the cows. Visitors can spend the day swimming or kayaking in the aqua-marine Martha Brae River or touring the farm via horseback.

Red Alert: Saffron is one of the leading exports for Morocco, and harvest season is right around the corner. Lasting for three weeks in late October and early November, the saffron harvest is typically done by Berber women who gather early in the morning to hand-pick before the sunlight hits and the flowers begin to bloom. Royal Mansour sources all saffron from a local farm in the Ourika Valley, incorporating the spice into its restaurants as well as a new bespoke hammam treatment, The Gourmet Glow wrap. Saffron helps brighten, lift, firm, and hydrate skin. Tip to know it’s not fake? Crush the red stigma and it should turn a mustard yellow color.

Everyday I’m Trufflin’: Belmond Castello di Casole’s vast Tuscan estate is home to a treasure trove of truffles. Guests are welcome to join expert hunter Mauro Nesi and his Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to sniff out the precious tubers, which are particularly abundant in September in October. Once unearthed, the hotel kitchen uses the delicacy to infuse a tasting menu of Taglierini, Tosca fillet and Black truffle tarts.

Wine Not: The Napa Valley’s rich vineyards make it the perfect destination for farm-focused travel. September and October are “crush” season in Napa Valley – the time when vineyard workers pick the grapes and the scent of wine permeates the air. To celebrate, wineries across the region will offer interactive experiences, such as grape stomps at Peju Province and Bell Wine Cellars, and wine blending classes at B Cellars and Judd’s Hill. Stay at the Four Seasons Resort & Residences in Calistoga, which opens January 2020 and will feature an on-site vineyard and tasting space for guests to enjoy the hyper-local harvest. Nearby, learn more about harvest season at 1881, Napa Valley’s first wine history museum and tasting salon. The space features a collection of winemaking artifacts such as decanters, vineyard tools and labels from the 18th and 19th centuries. Afterward, enjoy a meal at Brix Restaurant and Gardens in Yountville – the only restaurant in the region with an on-site vineyard. It reopened in April a three-month, top-to-bottom renovation.