Editor's Picks: June News

June News

Just when you thought Brazil couldn’t get much sexier, a brand-new boutique hotel has opened in Búzios, raising the bar yet again. During the summer, Búzios, the fishing village-turned hip beach resort, is overrun by cariocas (Rio locals), making hideaway Insólito, a welcome addition to the town’s hotel scene. The property, which is surrounded by gorgeous gardens, has twelve uniquely appointed rooms, all with sea views, that exude a quintessential Brazilian beach-chic vibe.

With so many top resorts already sold out for the holidays, we’ve had a lot of members asking us to help find openings. In the process, we’ve discovered some unexpected gems. For skiers, we’ve unearthed prime spots in Jackson, Deer Valley, Vail, Courchevel and Val d’Isère among others. Need some sun? There are rooms left on Peter Island (read a review of Peter Island from an editor just back), Nevis, the Turks and Caicos and at the brand-new Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya. Want a villa in St. Barth’s without a two-week minimum? We’ve got one. Interested in chartering a yacht for a cruise around the Leeward Islands? We have several fabulous options, including a 156-foot yacht that sleeps ten. And if you’re in the mood for something exotic, there are still a few villas at the Banyan Tree, in Phuket, and the Four Seasons Mauritius and Koh Samui. We’ve also sourced great itineraries for Brazil, Argentina, Vietnam and Cambodia. For more, call us at 212-988-2611.

With new hotels, a buzzing restaurant scene and cool design enclaves, laid-back Lisbon has come beautifully into its own as a European center that blends old-world elegance with cutting-edge style. But the best news is that the capital’s revamped image is rubbing off on the country’s other regions, including northeastern Porto and the southern Algarve. Travelers wishing to experience the best of town and country (and beach, for that matter) can discover secluded—and exclusive—hideaways in areas where, until recently, options didn’t stretch much beyond rustic manors.