michelle gross

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...

As demand in summer travel heats up, many are eager to finally check off bucket list destinations.
International travel is still in limbo, but there's no shortage of incredible places here in the US.
From a tree house in Hawaii to a condo overlooking Times Square, you'll never forget these Airbnbs.
As travel continues to tick up around the US thanks to millions of Americans being fully vaccinated, the ...

Straddling both the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica’s mist-covered cloud forests, beguiling beaches, exotic wildlife and majestic volcanoes have long been a beacon for traveler’s eager reconnect with nature.
With no shortage of accommodations, from a luxury eco-lodge in the heart of the rainforest to a five-star resort and residences and safari style tents overlooking Arenal Volcano, these 4 hotels are worth exploring on your next visit to the land of pura vida.

According to an Airbnb survey, over 50% of moms want to infuse nature in their next vacation. Actress and mom Mindy Kaling teamed up with Airbnb to curate a list of the best 'momcations.' There's no doubt that moms could use a little extra love this Mother's Day, and probably a good vacation.

One of north county San Diego’s most elegant resorts, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa ups the ante in all things luxury. Set the scene: Set on 200-acres in the sleepy surf town of Carlsbad, California, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa has been a perennial favorite of moneyed travelers, sports enthusiasts and the San Diego staycation set thanks to its world-renowned Aviara Golf Club and destination spa. You know you’ve arrived somewhere special from...

If you've done a flight search or price-matched a hotel or car rental anytime in the past two decades, you're probably familiar with Kayak.com. Founded by billionaire CEO Steve Hafner in 2004, there's no doubt that the travel aggregator and metasearch website with a database of over 400,000 hotels worldwide has revolutionized how we plan and price out travel in real time.

Boasting some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, eco-friendly lodges, and rainforest retreats, finding Pura Vida has never seemed more necessary.

There’s no place on Earth that encapsulates the spirit of Pura Vida (pure life) quite like Costa Rica. Believed to have been derived from a 1956 film of the same name, today that ethos is not only a reminder of living life to the fullest, but also a colloquialism that’s exchanged as frequently and casually as a simple hello or goodbye.

It’s just...