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On My Mind: The Shifting Travel Landscape

The past few months have drastically altered the travel environment and members contact us daily with questions about what it means. Some of the most frequently asked: Are all of the hotels on sale? Has everyone canceled for Christmas? Should I wait for prices to drop to book? How do I get a better deal? Read about the major trends in Commentary.

Giving Back: Africa

At Indagare, we believe that travel is not just where you go but how your journeys shape you. By gaining a deeper understanding of the destinations we visit, we learn to see the world’s diversity and become involved—consciously or inadvertently—in the lives of others. The crisis in Zimbabwe is the focus of Peter Godwin, best-selling author of When A Crocodile Eats the Sun, who will be in New York for a special book signing and fundraiser tonight, November 12. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Godwin has said of his ties to Africa: “It is a love of the landscape and a knowledge of the place—the fact that I am immersed in it.” Indagare members are invited to a private home for what promises to be a memorable event, designed to raise funds for hundreds of Zimbabwean families. To rsvp, contact Indagare at 212-988-2611.

Also, read about unique philanthropic destinations in Africa, including Singita’s new Pamushana Lodge.

Just Back from: London London, like New York, has been rocked by the financial quake, but on a recent visit, I noticed a different mood. There is not panic or paralysis but rather an embrace of British values. You can see this phenomenon in recent debuts like York & Albany, a former coaching inn turned cozy ten-room hotel (plus comfort food eatery) by star chef Gordon Ramsay, J. Sheekey’s new Oyster Bar and the extreme English redos of the restaurant at Brown’s and the River Café. Many of the city’s legendary hotels have been gutted and rebuilt with an emphasis on their traditions, like the Connaught, whose discreet ambience feels in tune with the times. Best of all, no one can accuse London of having lost its sense of humor and whimsy: some of the most exciting newcomers are fleeting, like GSK Contemporary, a cutting-edge art series up for only three months, or Flash, a cheeky pop-up restaurant and this season’s must-visit dining spot, and Hyde Park’s winter wonderland, which returns with an even bigger skating rink and ferris wheel than last year. And despite the economic turmoil, the city still champions exclusive indulgences, like exquisitely crafted fish skin pumps by an up-and-coming designer and new or revamped private member clubs in fantasy venues, including a former residence of the Duke of Westminster. Plus, Indagare members get access to the venerable Home House, another private club that recently saw the opening of a stunning Zaha Hadid-designed bar. M.B.B.

Family Weekend: Boston

In uncertain times, travel takes on a new significance as families want to bond and celebrate life’s simple pleasures. Not surprisingly, we’ve seen a renewed interest in kid-friendly destinations, especially those in our own backyard, like Boston. The New England city offers parents and children a chance to explore our nation’s history at a moment when patriotism is at a new high. Whether wandering amongst the majestic brownstones of Beacon Hill, ice skating in the Common or snacking at Mr. Bartley’s, home to Harvard Square’s best burgers, families can find numerous ways to enjoy the crisp fall weather. Plus, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the city’s recent debuts, including award-winning restaurants (don’t miss O Ya), hip shops (the striking Achilles Project) and new hotels, like the family-friendly Inn at St. Botolph, the sister property to XV Beacon.

This Month’s Dream: Palmilla

There are two types of resorts: those that rest on their laurels once accolades are won and those that constantly reinvent and reenergize. The One & Only Palmilla, located in Mexico’s Cabo peninsula, is of the latter persuasion. This season, the gorgeous resort, with its adobe Mission-style buildings and twenty-five lushly planted acres, opens fourteen fabulous casitas, all with private plunge pools and breezy open floor plans, as well as Villa Cortez, a four-bedroom and the property’s first free-standing accommodation. But the most exciting debut is the arrival of acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who oversees the menus at seriously groovy Market restaurant, sure to be the table to book this season. Expect the menu to make the most of the bounty fresh from the Sea of Cortez, where tuna, like the 200-pounder that the chef secured for Market’s sushi bar, still abound.

New on Indagare: Member postcards on a special honeymoon in Africa and a family-friendly safari lodge in South Africa; a Q&A with an art consultant responsible for curating some of the world’s best hotel collections; and a dispatch from a philanthropic trip to Jamaica. Plus, if you didn’t make it to our style event at Atelier, you can read about it on the Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com).