michelle gross

Copenhagen has long been hailed as a model for modern urbanism and its feats in New Nordic and sustainable cuisine, and starting in January, travelers to the Danish capital will be treated to yet another incredible culinary experience when one of the world’s top-rated restaurants moves to a completely meatless menu.

Even in idyllic Southern California, where the average temperature rarely dips below a “brisk” 65 degrees, it’s nice to get a change of scenery every once in a while. Enter: Julian, a tiny town about an hour east of San Diego that, come autumn, will make you wonder if you've been accidentally transported to a fall foliage-ridden town in New England.
Nestled in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains, much of Julian’s rustic charm has to do with the fact that it’s preserved its roots as a West...

Haunted hotels, boneyard beaches, and—obviously—sweet tea.
Dating back to 1711, Beaufort is South Carolina’s second-oldest city. Situated roughly between Charleston and Savannah, its Lowcountry landscapes—think wide-open marshlands and swaying oak trees dripped in Spanish moss—hold stories that span generations. (They also appear as the backdrop for cultural touchstones like Forrest Gump and The Big Chill.)
To truly understand this seaside town, you have to delve into its history. Remnants of...

Here are 50 of the best honeymoon destinations in the United States and the world, from Europe to South America and beyond.
The best part of wedding planning isn't dress shopping, venue scouting, or cake tasting (though, that's up there). It's planning the honeymoon. And whether you're honeymooning two days, two weeks, or two years after your actual wedding, there is no better way to celebrate your marriage than with the trip of a lifetime. Deciding where to honeymoon is all about taking both...

Moskito Island, Richard Branson’s even-more-private home away from his other private island home in the British Virgin Islands, has enjoyed the luxury of remaining pretty much under the radar. This is thanks to the fact that, until now, the only way people could stay on the 125-acre island was if they were guests at one of the 10 private homes (the owners of which who were, for the most part, invited by Branson himself) or if they managed to book the Branson Estate on one of the rare occasion...

The bedrock of celebrity culture and the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood and neighboring West Hollywood are home to some of LA’s most notable attractions, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory. However, even Hollywood has its secrets. From subversive speakeasies to a hidden rooftop park, here are 12 spots you shouldn't miss on your next trip to Tinseltown.

Before Shou Sugi Ban House opened their sustainably sourced cedar doors in 2019, travelers eager to indulge in a wellness getaway on Long Island’s frenetic East End had surprisingly few options. But with its tailored retreats and curated menu of workshops and experiences (including a culinary partnership with noma co-founder Mads Refslund), the Japanese-style retreat and spa quickly became a favorite getaway for the city set—so much so, the 13-room place was often booked up.
Luckily, the Hous...

After living in New York City-sized apartments that average somewhere between 500-700 square feet for all of my adult life, when it came time to furnish my first house — a three-bedroom, three-bath in coastal South Carolina — I knew I had to get creative.

Now, perhaps more than ever, hotel restaurants have been attracting extraordinary talent and celebrity chefs eager to put their stamp on things. And while there’s no shortage of incredible hotel restaurants around the country, from dining by candlelight in the nave of a converted Gothic church turned destination hotel restaurant in New Orleans to an experiential tasting menu at Zero George in Charleston and an all-inclusive ranch in Wyoming, these 11 hotel restaurants are destinations well worth planning your culinary vacation around this year.

We could all use a break these days. And while we love our little ones more than anything, sometimes you need a guarantee that they'll be no whining or tantrums on vacation (from children, anyway). Whether you're looking to unwind sans kids or simply want to ensure a quiet, peaceful retreat, an adults-only hotel, or one that caters to those over a certain age, helps guarantee your stay will be nothing short of serene.

From stargazing in a rooftop pirate ship with champagne piña coladas to sushi kayaks and free roaming lemurs, anything feels possible at the world’s most exclusive resort.
In the first chapter of his autobiography, “Finding My Virginity,” billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson describes sitting in his bedroom on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, staring at a blank piece of paper.
It’s 1998, and he’s still more than two decades away from completing his first successful test flight...

In a city like New York, there's no shortage of neighborhood bars. And while everyone has their favorite, for me, Bemelman's Bar will always be emblematic of the quintessential New York City experience.

For anyone who’s ever dreamed a dream about spending the night at Château de Versailles, your fantasy has finally been realized this week with the opening of Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle.
The first hotel to ever open on these palatial grounds in Versailles’ 340 year history, Le Grand Contrôle is set on what is arguably the most famous residence in the world. In pre-Covid times, Versailles attracted more than 10-million visitors year-over-year, making it one of the most po...

There are few places on earth that capture the imagination quite like Iceland. Known as the land of fire and ice, the country's ethereal moon-like landscapes, extreme forces of nature, and abundance of design-forward, eco-friendly hotels have helped fuel its popularity.

Since long before the words “social distancing” and “self-isolating” entered our daily lexicon, there’s been something special about checking in to a remote hotel. Whether it’s the adventure of making the trek to a far-flung destination, the serenity attained by going off-the-grid, or the bragging rights that come with staying somewhere inherently exclusive, there are countless reasons why a hard-to-access getaway is worth the effort. These aren’t necessarily pla...