Tag: luxury travel

Paradise Found: Connoisseurs Connections Winter Conference 2023

Posted on | by Joe Mo | Leave a Comment on Paradise Found: Connoisseurs Connections Winter Conference 2023

Well, we sure had another Connoisseurs Connections Conferences for the history books!

This year we, along with our Advisory Board, our Destination Partners, and our invited Meeting and Event Planners, all met down in those alluring turquoise waters of the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic. With Eden Roc Cap Cana as our host property we found paradise just steps out our doors with the most perfect private white sand beach at the Beach Club and for those staying in the villas, a private pool just a few steps out their doors.

The welcome reception featured a “blue party” at the resort’s Blue Grille + Bar. Channeling all the Mykonos vibes and redefining the classic “white party” in to a new vibrant color when we asked our guests to wear something blue and greeted them with blue cocktails.

Day One came with a networking breakfast in the open air space at the resort’s La Palapa restaurant. With an inspiring talk from our special guest, Wine to Water founder, Doc Hendley, to start off the morning followed by our Luxury Destination Showcase.

Our Connoisseur guests met with our Destination Partners in one of the beautiful “office” spaces we have hosted in awhile, La Palapa Terrace. With a sea breeze and ocean views overlooking the private cove beach, our guests moved around from destination to destination like speed dating, hospitality style, making new connections and bringing new business and ideas to the table.

The afternoon took us out to sea. Greeted with champagne, our host DMC, Dominicana and Partners, treated us to an afternoon on a catamaran, allowing guests to jump into the turquoise waters and network, Caribbean-style, including a floating bar to keep drinks replenished.

With stunning Isle of Capri-themed king’s tables and décor, the evening brought us our annual gala and auction. Guests were treated to a multi-course Italian meal, followed by a live auction of donated travel packages to motivate our guest’s competitive sides. The auction brought in a mouth-dropping $55,000 to benefit Wine to Water, bringing our auction total for the year to $150,000 (we cannot say this enough: it feels good to give back!).

Before the night ended it was announced that the Connoisseurs Connection Summer Conference will be hosted at Etero, Auberge Resorts Collection in Riviera Maya, June 23-27, 2024!

On Day Two we commuted to the nearby Punta Espada Golf Club via golf carts and settled in to an interactive panel of industry experts speaking on a variety of hot topics. Following our morning panels we were treated to a Spanish-style lunch and instruction and practice on table etiquette from a protocol expert.

A Boho Beach Party, complete with light up dance floor with a dance and drum show, completed our stay at Eden Roc on our final night. Mother Nature had other plans, however, after perfect weather all week, she decided to open up the skies on us as the night was wrapping up and we were treated to a refreshing downpour.

Sadly, we bid Adios to the Dominican Republic and another Connoisseurs Connections Conference. But together we experienced paradise, camaraderie and elegance we won’t soon forget.

Retreats Resources Manhattan Showcase Bonus: walk away with a new headshot!

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We are pleased to be offering complimentary headshots at our Manhattan Showcase this Friday, February, 17th, at the Ritz-Carlton, New York, NoMad, thanks to photographer Kelli Price.

Here are a few tips to help you come prepared to exude fabulous:

Know the “why.”  Why do you need a headshot? Who is your audience? What do you want your photo to say?

Headshot or branding shots? Know the difference. Whereas the goal of a headshot session is one fabulous shot (maybe two), a branding session typically results in a collection of images in a variety of environments. For example, a chef might be shown for making magic in the kitchen, but also in jeans and T-shirt, strolling the farmers market seeking out his bounty. If you are a hotelier maybe that is a money shot within the hotel or resort you represent but also participating in an activity that is fitting of the lifestyle of your destination. If you are a meeting or event professional, maybe it’s an exciting venue or event set up with additional shots of the behind the scenes or day to day operations or how you spend your (limited) down time. If you’ve got your own business and/or website, a personal branding session may be the way to go.

Put your best face forward. Clothes, hair, makeup: They all matter. General rule of thumb? Wear what you feel and look great in. Avoid white, loud colors and busy patterns; you want the focus to be on your face. Ladies may want to bump up your makeup routine a bit, especially the eyes and lips, but a natural look is best.

Trust the process (and your photographer).  While no one is 100% relaxed during a photo shoot, trusting your photographer sure helps. Try to have a little fun (you will with Kelli!). For women, lean forward, lean on something, angle your head for a better jaw line. For the men, lean forward, hand in pocket. Your photographer will help you find the right angle for you. Then exhale….and smile.

Kelli’s Five Ways to make your Headshot Standout from the Crowd

  1. Color – the first thing that comes to mind is color! Color POPS!
  2. Style – Look professional but with a little extra va-voom. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality
  3. Confidence – You are leader, a Boss Babe, CEO, fresh college graduate….whatever you call yourself, make sure you show it with confidence
  4. Genuine smiles – Unless you are a rockstar, I promise you most people are a little uncomfortable in front of the camera. Pick a photographer that you are comfortable with and drink a glass of wine during the session if you need to. They make pretty props anyways!
  5. Sunglasses – See #2

If you are not registered already, what are you waiting for? To register (its free for event professionals!) go to our website at www.retreatsresources.com

 

Mid-Atlantic Roadshow Stop #3 – Pendry Washington, DC – The Wharf

Posted on | by Joe Mo | 2 Comments on Mid-Atlantic Roadshow Stop #3 – Pendry Washington, DC – The Wharf

Our final stop on our 2023 Mid-Atlantic Roadshow brings us to Pendry Washington, DC – The Wharf. Opening in October 2022, Pendry DC is Washington’s latest, greatest, hottest hotel along the trendy Wharf waterfront district. Pendry features 131 beautifully appointed guest rooms, including 38 suites with a warm residential-inspired feel to them in this sleek glass-wrapped exterior.

D.C. veteran Executive Chef Barry Koslow helms all three restaurants and bars at Pendry, with a wide range of culinary focus taking you on a nomadic adventure for your taste buds. The hotel’s classic lobby bar is the ultra-chic Bar Pendry. Rich velvet upholstery in dark blues, brushed bronze details, and vintage décor.

On the second floor is Flora Flora, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner inspired by the cuisines of Mexico and Peru. Featuring small plates prepared with local ingredients and served in a bright, light-filled dining room with plenty of greenery, it also offers stunning river vistas.

And lastly, Moonraker, Pendry’s sophisticated rooftop restaurant and bar is anchored by a spectacular circular bar with a striking light installation above it and jaw-dropping waterfront views. The Japanese-inspired menu features light bites, sushi rolls, and a curated selection of whisky and cocktails.

Come see for yourself and join us in Washington, DC on Thursday, February 23rd from 10 am – 2 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase and Luncheon, as well as corporate gifting from Maui Jim and Seiko. We look forward to welcoming you to Pendry Washington and the final stop on the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Roadshow!

Mid-Atlantic Roadshow Stop #2 – Steak 48, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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For our second stop we are heading back to Steak 48 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Roadshow. It was such a hit last year are ready to go back again!

An upscale steakhouse in the heart of downtown Philly Steak 48 is a sprawling space with warm, contemporary features with a comfortable but sleek, sexy, and stylish atmosphere; from intimate private dining experiences to a spacious mezzanine and vibrant bar. With a 12,000 square foot ground floor, they are able to seat up to 450 people at full capacity.

And while known for its in-house butcher shop and mid-western sourced steaks and Wagyu beef brought in from Mishima Reserve it is also known for its raw bar with Alaskan king crab, Maine lobster and freshly shucked oysters, as well as a 3,000 bottle wine vault, appealing to many tastes when it comes to fine dining.

Come see for yourself and join us in the City of Brotherly Love on Wednesday, February 22nd from 10 am – 2 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase and Luncheon, as well as corporate gifting from Maui Jim and Seiko. We look forward to welcoming you to Steak 48 and the second stop on the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Roadshow.

Mid-Atlantic Roadshow Stop #1 – River House at Odette’s, New Hope, Pennsylvania

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We are kicking off our 2023 Mid-Atlantic Roadshow in New Hope, Pennsylvania this year at River House at Odette’s.

New Hope is a scenic small town located along the Delaware River. With a quaint Main Street home to eclectic shopping, New Hope features riverside restaurants and cultural attractions a little over an hour’s drive from both New York City and Philadelphia!

River House at Odette’s is a boutique, luxury hotel that includes 36 guest rooms and 12 suites, featuring spa-inspired baths, curated furnishings and river and mountain views. The hotel also features a ballroom with a 200-person capacity overlooking the Delaware River, as well as additional meeting rooms.

Dining options include three establishments, including its main namesake restaurant, Odette’s Restaurant & Lounge, the Piano Lounge cocktail parlor, and members-only ROOF, inspired by the spirited 1970s.

Come see for yourself and join us in New Hope on Tuesday, February 21st from 10 am – 2 pm for our Luxury Destination Showcase and Luncheon, as well as corporate gifting from Maui Jim and Seiko. We look forward to welcoming you to River House and the first stop on the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Roadshow!

 

Calling all Global Nomads…to New York City!

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We are pleased to bring you our International Buyers Manhattan Showcase and Luncheon on February 17th at the brand new Ritz-Carlton, New York, NoMad. Our event will precede the SITE Global Conference in New York, February 17-20, so if you plan on attending SITE, start your week in an amazing way by kicking off your trip with us!

Always chosen with care and purpose, our venue, the Ritz-Carlton, NoMad, a 50-story, 250 room, newly built hotel is set in the electrifying neighborhood north of Madison Square Park. Opening in 2022, this is New York’s second Ritz-Carlton coming 20 years after its sister property, the Ritz-Carlton, New York, Central Park opened, making it the long awaited, but definitely not an oops!, younger sibling. No, this youngster was definitely a well-planned addition to the family.

And if you know us you know how we love our food! Not to be outdone by all the other neighboring culinary offerings, the Ritz-Carlton, NoMad will have not one but two restaurants by world famous Chef José Andrés, including two of his signature restaurants, Zaytinya and The Bazaar, raising the already high bar for eateries in the NoMad neighborhood.

On the 50th floor you will find Nubeluz, a rooftop cocktail bar with a 20s speakeasy feel by award-winning Chef José Andrés with a birds eye view of Time’s Square.

Other than the vintage feel of the rooftop bar, the hotel has modern décor and detailed touches bringing a new vibe to the Ritz-Carlton family for the loyalists looking for a fresh feel. From the modern furniture and plant life greeting you in the lobby area to the clean lines of the sleeping rooms, the Ritz-Carlton, NoMad awaits you, not to escape the sights and sounds of the city, but to keep your energy going in the hustle and bustle of the city, embracing what New York does best…buzz with excitement.

We hope you can join us on February 17th from 10 am – 2 pm, for what promises to be one of our signature showcases of destination partners for the International MICE Buyer, at the Ritz-Carlton, New York, NoMad!

Venue and Chef Spotlight: Stop #2 on the Northeast Roadshow – The Delamar, West Hartford, CT and Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern, Simsbury, CT

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Retreats Resources is taking the show on the road to the Northeast for the first time ever!! And while we usually take this space to help familiarize you with the venues we chose, in this particular upcoming series we also want to introduce you to the Chefs we have partnered with for each event! We call them “Chefs with Heart”, and we think you will see why. Let’s start with a little background on our second stop on the Northeast Roadshow: The Delamar, West Hartford and Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern, Simsbury.

Founder of the Greenwich Hospitality Group and owner of the DELAMAR West Hartford, Charles Mallory’s passion for historic preservation, art, and design has set the stage for a guest experience unlike any other. With the hotel’s impressive façade and striking interior spaces, it’s fair to say that DELAMAR West Hartford’s signature aesthetic raises hospitality to an art form. Surrounded by cozy comfort, but also surrounded by a mix of luxe fabrics and finishes, sculptural objects, fine art, and whimsical touches that will captivate not just your imagination but also your senses.

Moving on to our showcase and dinner location, Millwright’s Chef Tyler Anderson has become a well known name in the Connecticut restaurant scene, recognized for his outstanding restaurants and off-site catering, reputation for “giving back” to his community and one of a kind sense of humor!

His restaurants have garnered numerous statewide awards including best restaurant overall (six times), three best new restaurant awards and many more. Tyler has been nominated for the James Beard Best Chef Northeast award seven years in a row. He has also been named CT Chef of the Year. Tyler was a contestant on Season 15 of Top Chef, as well as on episodes of Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. Living by the simple credo, “Be Nice. Work Hard. Eat Well!”, Tyler spent his pandemic years developing a mobile kitchen program, allowing foodies to safely enjoy his cooking in small backyard gatherings. Tyler is dedicated to ending childhood hunger through his work with No Kid Hungry.

Come join us in Connecticut and see for yourself, from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm at Millwright’s for our luxury destination showcase followed by dinner from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm with a Chef’s Tasting at Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern featuring Chef Tyler Anderson.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Delamar and Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern in Connecticut on July 20th and the second stop on the inaugural Northeast Roadshow!

Northeast Roadshow: Venue and Chef Spotlight Stop #1 – The James NoMad and Eleven Madison Park, NYC

Posted on | by Joe Mo | 1 Comment on Northeast Roadshow: Venue and Chef Spotlight Stop #1 – The James NoMad and Eleven Madison Park, NYC

Retreats Resources is taking the show on the road to the Northeast for the first time ever!! And while we usually take this space to help familiarize you with the venues we chose, in this particular upcoming series we also want to introduce you to the Chefs we have partnered with for each event! We call them “Chefs with Heart”, and we think you will see why. Let’s start with a little background on our first stop on the Northeast Roadshow: The James NoMad and Eleven Madison Park, New York

Located on 29th St and Madison Ave, The James NoMad is a 337-room luxury hotel with the feel of an urban oasis. The hustle and bustle of the city melts away once you enter the richly decorated lobby, NoMad’s signature style, that turns into a wine bar at 5 pm. The hotel resides in the former Hotel Seville, a 12-story plus penthouse hotel that was built between 1901 and 1904, and comes with some colorful history as it was said to be where Harpo Marx worked as a bellhop. (His experiences there are said to have been incorporated in Marx Brothers skits.)

From The James we will move to Eleven Madison Park for our Chefs with Heart experience of the day.

 

Chef Daniel Humm, founder and proprietor of Eleven Madison Park, a three Michelin star restaurant, made the bold decision last year to transition his renowned restaurant to an entirely plant-based menu, citing climate change and sustainability as his rationale, and he says he has never been so inspired or creative!

He has been known to say he would risk everything for creative freedom. However, the change was welcomed by the restaurant’s patrons. In partnership with the philanthropy, Rethink Food, Chef Humm is dedicated to solving the problems of food waste in the restaurant industry, as well as tackling the needs of the food insecurity in NYC, via his innovative ” Eleven Madison Truck” food delivery service.

Come join us in New York City and see for yourself, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am in the Penthouse Suite of The James NoMad for our luxury destination showcase followed by cocktails and luncheon from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Eleven Madison Park, featuring Chef Daniel Humm.

We look forward to welcoming you to the James NoMad and Eleven Madison Park and New York on July 19th and the first stop on the inaugural Northeast Roadshow!

Pack Your Bags: Up for Auction at the Florida Roadshow, a stay at Hippo Lakes Safari Lodge

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Attending our Florida Roadshow will give you the opportunity to take part in our silent auction, benefiting the Wine to Water Ukraine Fund initiative. We are proud to support this endeavor in this time of need in Ukraine. So let’s take a look at what is up for grabs to help you decide what you want to bid on. Next up, a once in a lifetime experience at Hippo Lakes Safari Lodge.

If you have ever thought you would like to go glamping, then look no further than this luxurious lodge.

Located in the spectacular Waterberg region of South Africa, the lodge is nestled along the edge of a lake at the end of a rugged ravine. The lodge offers a unique safari wildlife encounter with an unusually large number of animals, birds and plant life. Hippo Lakes lies within the malaria free UNESCO World Nature site.

Daily game drives are lead by some of the most experienced game rangers with a passion for wildlife.

Up for grabs: A 5-night Safari package and stay in a luxury Kudu tent. All meals, a daily alcoholic drink (from a selection), and daily game drives are included.

So bring your credit card and a pen to check this off your bucket list to the Florida Roadshow for a chance to bid on this fabulous stay!

Pack Your Bags: Up for Auction at the Florida Roadshow, a stay at the Lodge at Blue Sky

Posted on | by Joe Mo | Leave a Comment on Pack Your Bags: Up for Auction at the Florida Roadshow, a stay at the Lodge at Blue Sky

Attending our Florida Roadshow will give you the opportunity to take part in our silent auction, benefiting the Wine to Water Ukraine Fund initiative. We are proud to support this endeavor in this time of need in Ukraine. So let’s take a look at what is up for grabs to help you decide what you want to bid on. Next up, the Lodge at Blue Sky.

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, is located just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City airport but a world away, the 3,500-acre private retreat in the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah is where you will leave the cares of the modern world behind and powerfully reconnect with nature, from wildlife-viewing hikes to kids camp at our sustainable farm, from mountaintop family yoga to heli-fly fishing in high Alpine lakes. You’ll feel right at home with the relaxed mountain lifestyle.

Fun fact: most of the animals at Blue Sky are rescue animals, specifically horses and cattle. The owner of the resort is passionately committed to animal rescue and has a foundation called Saving Gracies which aims to either rescue, rehabilitate or help older animals retire in a supportive, healthy, dignified way.

Up for grabs: A 2-night stay in an Earth Suite with daily breakfast for two, and one CBD massage at the Eden Spa.

So bring your credit card and wanderlust to the Florida Roadshow for a chance to bid on this fabulous stay!