Luxury Travel Insider

Our guest is Rocco Bova, the General Manager of Chable Yucatan - a revived hacienda in the heart of the Yucatan jungle. Each casita and villa is nestled into the Mayan jungle, and built in contemporary design using rich local woods and stone. Relax in your private plunge pool, indulge in your outdoor shower, or experience a revival at one of the best spas in Mexico. When you're fully immersed into this beautiful locale, you can experience one of the most impressive collections of craft tequilas in the country, sample fine Mexican chocolate, meet with and learn from local artisans, or participate in a traditional temazcal ceremony. Rocco and I discuss how Merida is the "new" San Miguel de Allende, why visiting Chable is like coming home, and life changing moments in the heart of the jungle. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today's guest is Karen Emanuel, owner of Jicaro Lodge in Nicaragua. Jicaro is a stunning collection of 9 villas set on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua near Granada. To get to the island you've got to take a speedboat and until you're right at the threshold, you can't even tell it's inhabited. When you step onto this isle of tranquility you'll see the pool set amongst boulders shining in sapphire and emerald, the tropical gardens, and smell the fabulous food coming out of the open air kitchen and restaurant. Karen herself is the consummate entrepreneur - she is also the CEO of a successful vinyl pressing company in the UK and she tells the story about how she came to buy an island, in the middle of a lake, and commence on her journey to create something sustainably beautiful. Karen and I also discuss thrilling activities in the area, Jicaro's community projects, and why Nicaragua is a destination you NEED to visit. Jicaro Lodge is currently fundraising for Nicaraguan families displaced by the two recent Category 4 hurricanes that hit the country. Check out their page to contribute HERE. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we're chatting about one of my favorite countries for active travelers, Iceland! While luxury in other countries may mean five star hotels and spas, true luxury in this corner of the world looks more like private guides inviting you into their homes, having parts of the other-worldly landscape all to yourself, horseback riding to a private picnic near a waterfall, or helicoptering up to hike on a glacier. Our guest today is Erling Aspelund, Owner of Iceland Encounter. After many years working in the corporate world in the US, Airling and his family traveled home to pursue their passion for travel and design a better Icelandic travel experience. Today Iceland Encounter is probably the top luxury travel company in Iceland. Erling and I discuss secret hikes, the fabulous landscapes and wow moments he's created for travelers. We also touch on how the Icelandic culture lends itself to working together, and how that will help the country recover quickly post-Covid. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we're speaking with Arnaud Zannier, Owner of Zannier Hotels - a collection of 6 properties from the intimate Le Chalet in France, to the famed Phum Baitang in Cambodia Zannier is the epitome of luxury for the traveler who wants to feel immersed in a culture. While other luxury hotels may box out the local culture to create a sense of home within their walls - Zannier turns that on it's head - inviting the local culture in. Arnaud comes from a famous French fashion family and owned and ran his own footwear brand. Eventually he decided to go another way and with Zannier Hotels, he created something brand new in the world of travel. Arnaud and I discuss his style and hunting for antiques. We also talk through creating emotion for guests, cover a certain celebrity guest of his, and hear what to expect next from the brand. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today's guest is Stefano Barbini, owner of San Lorenzo lodges in Italy - White Deer in the Dolomites, Holy Deer in Rome, and Blue Deer which is actually a custom built, luxury catamaran that Stefano likes to call his "sea lodge." If you like authentic travel, San Lorenzo lodges are the stuff of your dreams. White Deer is a 16th century hunting lodge, previously owned by a Bishop, that the Barbini family reclaimed. Holy Deer is an expansive apartment in Piazza Novona - which was once inhabited by a Pope and his mistress. Stefano himself had a 25 year career in fashion, and was the CEO of Escada in Italy and France. His wife, and co-owner Georgia comes from a well known fashion family in Italy as well. Leaving fashion to start anew in hospitality - they knew they wanted to do something differently. Stefano and I discuss how he and Georgia found these incredible jewels, how they play host to their guests personally, and the secrets to discovering the heart of Italy. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest today is Calvin Cottar, the owner and director of Cottars 1920s Camp. The Cottar family is iconic in the world of safari, as they were one of the first families to pioneer the safari experience we all now enjoy. Cottar's Camp itself sits on the edge of the Maasai Mara in Kenya and conserves over 7,600 acres of land. While the camp is gorgeous, full of modern luxuries, and amazing service - you can tell Calvin's passion lies in the experience and conservation of land. Calvin and I discuss why a visit to Africa is so emotional and the role these luxury safari lodges play in preserving wildlife for future generations. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Our guest on this episode is Markos Chaidemenos, co-owner and Managing Director of Canaves Oia luxury properties in Santorini, Greece. Canaves is a collection of 6 of the top luxury properties in Santorini, all set in the whitewashed town of Oia, overlooking the sapphire Aegean Sea. After a day of wine tasting, bike riding around the island, or visiting centuries old ruins you can relax in your private plunge pool with a glass of champagne overlooking one of the most iconic views in the world. At Canaves you can also be sure that you'll have privacy and excellent service - something that's not a given at other properties on the island. Markos and I discuss how his family played a major role in creating Santorini as a destination, secret spots on the island that he loves, and what to watch out for when booking in Santorini. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Today we're welcoming Serge Ditesheim, the General Manager of the new One & Only Mandarina in Nayarit, Mexico. The One & Only Mandarina is one of the most talked about openings in all of luxury travel, set to open in two weeks on November 1st. The property will be a collection of stylish treehouses and clifftop villas nestled into the rainforest and overlooking the Pacific ocean. You'll be able to spend your days in your private plunge pool, out surfing, or indulging in arguably some of the finest food in Mexico. Serge and I discuss what makes this undiscovered bit of Mexico so special, and how One & Only delivers luxury in a casual yet sexy way. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

If you love luxury with a heart, Sol y Luna is the spot for you. The hotel is a gorgeous set of little villas, decorated in rich colors and artwork, and cooks up some of the best food you'll find in the Sacred Valley. Petit wasn't always in the travel world - she had a corporate career first, which brought her to Peru. It was then that she and Franz realized something different was calling them - so they quit their jobs to seek it out and started a foundation in the Sacred Valley. The hotel came after, as a way to fund education for local children. Petit and I discuss why the Sacred Valley is not to be missed on a trip to Peru, how to seek out truly off the beaten path experiences, and what it's been like to raise a family and build one of the top hotels in Peru while staying true to her passion, the foundation. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Jade McBride is the Managing Director of Ted Turner Reserves and GM of Vermejo Park Ranch. Vermejo is set on 550,000 acres in Northern New Mexico on a spectacularly beautiful and diverse reserve. Here you can head out on adventures around property to go hiking, fly fishing, or see wildlife like bison, elk, and black bears. Then after it all, you can come back to the lodge, enjoy a world class dinner with a fine wine, and tell stories of your day around the fireplace. This is truly where adventure meets luxury. Jade and I discuss the property of course, but also his interesting philosophies about the team and how he's built a culture at Vermejo - and how that inevitably affects your experience. We also talk about Ted Turner's love for conservation, some wow experiences, and other cool insider tips. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ See show notes, photos, and listener perks HERE. Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn