CHECKING IN / 003

From Paris recommendations to a review of Les Roches Rouges in Côte d'Azur, Chef Rene Redzepi's Noma to a new photobooth in NYC, a wellness farm in South Africa, what's currently on my list + more.

Welcome to “CHECKING IN” - a series where I’ll cover what I’m working on, where I’m traveling, recent hôtel critiques, what’s on my radar, and more. I hope to share inspiration and details on unique destinations, honest reviews, mini-location guides, a little bit of fashion, and a little bit of everything in between.

---

Planning | What I’m currently researching and booking for some of my clients:

• A week in London, staying at The Nomad for a few days, followed by a weekend retreat at Soho Farmhouse in the English countryside. My client’s wishlist items:

  • See Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre,

  • finding the best martini,

  • and having traditional high tea.

    

    

• An anniversary trip to France starting in Paris with museum tours, a trip to Versailles, and dining + drinking in local spots, next- truffle hunting and wine tasting in Burgundy, and ending in the South of France, with trips to Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

• A hotel-only stay in Mallorca, Spain at Nobis Hotel Palma with personalized recommendations.

• A birthday trip to Kauai staying at 1 Hotel in Hanalei Bay.

• Two weeks in Indonesia- considering Bali, with stays in Ubud, Canggu, and Uluwatu, with a boat day to Nusa Lembongan.

• Putting together my Paris recommendations for my friends going in September and staying at The Ritz Paris.

  

  

---

Hôtel Critique | Les Rouches Rouges

If F. Scott Fitzgerald envisioned the modern Riviera, Les Roches Rouges would be a central feature. This coastal retreat in Saint-Raphaël, part of the Beaumier collection, seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with the natural beauty of the French Riviera. It's a unique gem in the area, perfect for those seeking a stay in a newly renovated hotel. While Saint-Raphaël itself offers limited activities, the hotel provides a tranquil escape from the bustling parts of the South of France, ideal for relaxation.

Perched on the Mediterranean coast, Les Roches Rouges offers breathtaking views of azure waters and a dramatic coastline, creating a tranquil and sophisticated atmosphere. The minimalist design and elegant decor cultivate a relaxed, chic ambiance, with rooms designed for simplicity and comfort. Opt for the sea view classic rooms, featuring unobstructed water views and 50 square feet of private balcony space, perfect for enjoying morning coffee.

Dining at Les Roches Rouges celebrates local flavors with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Provençal cuisine is offered in three styles: gastronomic and contemporary at Récif, simple and timeless at La Plage, and festive and welcoming at the bars. Don't miss dining at La Terrasse and ordering lou mourre de gat (stuffed artichokes) and ouprihoun e tóuteno (octopus, squid, seaweed). Grab an aperitif before you head to dinner—Dean Shury's tipples aren't to be missed.

The hotel boasts two swimming pools, including one filled with seawater, blending seamlessly with the Mediterranean. Outdoor activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and pétanque enhance the coastal experience. The spa is small but offers excellent treatments.

Overall, this hotel exudes unadulterated sophistication through its spare Riviera-style design, simple yet elegant locally sourced cuisine, and the opportunity to leisurely enjoy glamorous surroundings all day. Ideal for pairing with visits to Saint Tropez or Monaco, this serene and sophisticated haven offers relaxation and a genuine connection with the region's natural beauty. However, it may not suit those seeking a highly active or ultra-luxurious stay.

---

Traveling |

As a travel designer accustomed to planning trips in advance for clients, my husband and I have a contrasting approach—we tend to be last-minute planners for our trips. Typically, we wait until we know when and where my husband's next job will be before making any long-term travel arrangements.

Currently, we're soaking up summer in Manhattan Beach, with several local trips lined up: a weekend getaway up the coast, celebrating my best friend's bachelorette in Ojai, a weekend in Santa Barbara for a wedding, and a scouting trip to Panama.

Ideally, we will take a trip for our anniversary in October and have talked about an Egyptian Nile Cruise, revisiting Italy, or a few stops in the South of France.

---

On My Radar |

Eat: I have always wanted to experience Chef Rene Redzepi's gastronomic masterpiece at Noma in Copenhagen, where each experience offers world-class dishes presented in 20-course meals. The interiors of Noma feature Scandinavian minimalism and natural elegance, with clean lines, muted colors, and understated decor that enhance the dining experience.

Noma will return to Kyoto from October 8th to December 18th for a 10-week pop-up, led by renowned Chef Rene Redzepi. This pop-up restaurant, located at the Ace Hotel, promises an immersive dining experience showcasing a fusion of Nordic and Japanese culinary traditions.

Sip: Septime La Cave

Known for having one of the widest selections of orange wine in Paris, Septime La Cave is a favorite among locals. Located around the corner from Septime, renowned as one of Paris's and perhaps France's best contemporary French restaurants, La Cave serves 10 rotating choices of wine by the glass daily.

“Come for a dignified glass of wine before a long, late-night stroll through the Marais. The interesting food and drink, as well as the intimate environment, make this a great option for date night—should you find yourself in Paris and somehow in need of somewhere especially romantic.”

Stay: Sterrekopje in South Africa.

• Vibe: Serene and secluded, Sterrekopje offers a retreat into nature's embrace, where tranquility and relaxation harmonize with the surrounding landscapes. The atmosphere is both intimate and rejuvenating, perfect for guests seeking peace and connection with the natural world.

• Location: Nestled in the picturesque Franschhoek mountains of South Africa, this nurturing retreat offers an idyllic slice of farm life, promoting self-healing through restorative sleep, spa rituals, and immersion in nature.

• Rooms: 11 uniquely designed suites, or sanctuaries, blend whimsical elements like Indian canvas tented roofs and hand-painted murals with cozy comforts such as fireplaces and plush sofas.

• Restaurant: The farm-to-table dining experience emphasizes "soil to soul" nourishment, featuring dishes like heirloom salads, farm-fresh egg shakshuka, and indulgent treats including tequila-spiked green juice cocktails and decadent chocolate puddings.

• Amenities: Guests enjoy a variety of wellness-focused amenities, including natural swimming holes, yoga classes, daily garden walks, intuitive massages, and The Bathhouse—a serene retreat with vaulted ceilings and a marble hammam.

Do: Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train

A luxurious train journey through Peru, offering breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains and the Peruvian landscape with an immersive experience of Peruvian culture and hospitality.

• South America’s first luxury sleeper service

• Locations: Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa

• A choice of one- or two-night journeys

• 35 cabins

New Opening: I loveeeee a photobooth and one just opened up in New York City, called Old Friend Photobooth, and I can’t wait to visit it next time I’m there.

---

Packing | I’m heading to Napa Valley for a little weekend getaway, and I’m currently packing:

• Lace trim semi-sheer skirt paired with a white button down, Tony Bianco mules, and The Row black 90’s bag.

• For jewelry, the silver Jordan Teardrop Earrings from Their and a silver beaded necklace.

• The FORM layered bra and core shorts in black, with the CSB ballet wrap top and adidas for early morning coffee and a walk.

• A black vest paired with my zara jeans (linking a similar pair from DISSH) and mules.

• If it gets cool at night, I’m packing this summer cashmere wrap from Vince.

• The POSSE gingham Aurelia short and strapless top for an easy outfit.
  

---

Listening | Both of these playlists feel like the beginning of summer, drinking a chilled red at a dinner party with friends

---

Reading |

• Sex & Rage: Our newest book club read. It's about Jacaranda, a dreamy young woman moving between the worlds of Los Angeles and New York City. She’s a beach bum and part-time painter of surfboards, sun-kissed and beautiful. Jacaranda has an on-again, off-again relationship with a married man and mingles with the city’s elite, blithely drinking White Ladies with tycoons, unattached and unworried in the pleasurable mania of California. Yet, she lacks a purpose. At twenty-eight, jobless, she moves to New York to start a new life and career, eager to make it big in the city.

• I'm also reading A Court of Thorns and Roses and am almost halfway through it. It's interesting, but I'm eager to get to the second book, where I've heard the story really starts to pick up.

• Current Substack obsessions:

  • no one asked by Jordan Santos

  • The Wardrobe Edit by Anna Newton

  • File for Later by Olive Cooke

  • In The Details With Molly by Molly Blutstein

  • objects of desire by Noora Raj Brown

  • The Relisher by Gabrielle

  • Visions by CLB by Caitlin Burnham

  • Window Seat by Tori Simokov

  • The Found Journal by Angie

---

Watching |

I'm not currently watching anything new, but I've started learning to play chess, so I might revisit "The Queen’s Gambit." I didn't think I would like chess as much as I do, and now I'm hooked on getting better and playing more strategically.

I'm looking for a new series to dive into and would love recommendations! I'm a big fan of mystery and suspenseful shows. One of my favorites is "Sherlock," featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, a modern adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories.

---

Wishlist | This section serves as a fun outlet for me to compile what I'm eyeing in beauty, fashion, interiors, and more.

• I am loving drop waist pieces recently and I think this We Wore What dress is the perfect summer dress.

• This natural bag from Mango is such a fun addition for summer nights + traveling.

• These glasses have been on my list for awhile now, and I love how the light lenses make them so versatile.

• This Dorsey necklace is the perfect every day statement piece. I would love to wear it with a crisp white t-shirt, my favorite jeans, kitten heels, and a cute bag.

• Anything and everything from Anastasio Home catches my eye, but the color + size of this marble tray with scalloped edges stood out to me. We are slowly adding pieces to our home in Manhattan Beach, and this would serve as a gorgeous catch-all tray, contrasting beautifully with our light wooden entry table.

• Flowers are a constant in our home, so having different vessels is fun. I love this smaller rustic vase.

• My main skincare products are all from Typology, and I love them—the texture, smell, and quality are top-notch. I really want to try this firming night mask with prickly pear oil.

• These gorgeous Celine heels. I think shoes are the perfect accessory and might need to chat with

  The Millennial Decorator
  to find some more goodies.

• You can never have too many claw clips, and I love the dark Espresso color of this Undo Claw Clip—though it's currently sold out, they have so many colors. I love the Pale Blue color as well.

• I first got into the luxury travel space as a photographer shooting for hotels so I am always collecting cameras and technology. This Fujifilm has been on the top of my list for so long. Carssun on TikTok has some gorgeous videos using his.

• Finally, there's the "Room Service" book by Michael McGregor. He transforms hotel stationery into art, capturing and preserving small moments while traveling. This book features over 100 of his drawings.

---

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing this. Xx

I will be continuing a free series but will be adding a subscription-based section on my Substack for longer articles and in-depth recommendations. I can’t wait to share with you & thank you for your support!