American World Traveler Winter 2021-22 Issue

48
Luxury Hotels...Grand Resorts...Charming B&B...Opulent Villas...Quaint C
Sweet Dreams Around the World
Stay & Play Section
Revenge is Sweet at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto
by Jennifer Merrick
“Revenge travel is a phenomenon we’ve been seeing more of recently,”
said Mimi AuYeung, spokesperson for the Ritz-Carlton.
Defined as the urge to compensate for lost travel time, preferably with
bucket list trips and luxury experiences, it’s easy to understand why revenge travellers
would choose this hotel.
Located in the heart of downtown, the modern 53-story building has
263 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the CN Tower, Lake
Ontario and the glitzy cityscape. The décor of the newly renovated guestrooms
was inspired by these surroundings, reflecting both the bygone era of luxury railway
travel and the theatrical Hollywood entertainment. Both worlds have roots in
the neighbourhood and design elements like window chaise lounges, photographs
of Toronto International Film Festivals and a wet bar designed as a 19thcentury
travel trunk pay homage to them.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the Ritz if it didn’t have the ultimate in modcons
and comforts like a dreamy bed with 400 thread count linen and a secondto-none
bathroom, which featured sleek Portuguese marble, a deep soaker tub
and a touchless Japanese-styled toilet.
Though there was no need to step foot out of this oasis of a room, I
decided that I too wanted to make up for missed travels and take reprisals by travelling
the world in luxury without leaving the Ritz.
First, I escaped to Hawaii with a Lomi Lomi massage at the Spa My Blend
by Clarins, a 23,000 square-foot sanctuary with 16 treatment rooms, pool, steam
room, sauna and relaxation lounges.
“The movements mimic the ocean,” explained practitioner Raphael.
“The gentle waves, the breeze and the sensation of walking barefoot.”
With a soundtrack of the ocean playing in the background, the nutty
scent of the oil and the relaxing rhythm of this Polynesian technique, I was transported
to a palm-treed, white-sand Maui beach.
Admittedly, Hawaii was hard to leave but made easier by the next countries
on the itinerary –England and Italy at the Ritz-Carlton restaurants. Menu
offerings at the newly opened EPOCH Bar and Terrace are inspired by the British
gastro-bar scene.
For the finale of my retaliation mission, I traversed the continent to Italy
at the award-winning TOCA Restaurant. Savouring the 32-hour slow-roasted
porchetta with a glass of vino, the aromas of rosemary, fennel and parmesan fill
the air, and suddenly I was in the midst of the Italian countryside.
Revenge has never been so sweet.
Steve Herud
The Arlo Hotel Nomad
Embraces Manhattan's Chaos
by Olivia Liveng
The Arlo Hotel Nomad not only welcomes
guests to an extraordinarily located space
amid midtown Manhattan’s chaos, but it
embraces the energy of the city.
Located North of Madison Square Park and
just a short walk from the Empire State
Building, this property is consistently rated
the number 1 best hotel for value out of the
900 plus accommodations in New York
City.
This may be attributed to its unique design,
with several rooms boasting wrap-around
floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the buzz of
the city below. Though not overly large, the
250 rooms of the hotel are thoughtfully
designed and efficient with accommodating
space. Plus, the iconic location is ideal
for exploring the copious restaurants,
Broadway shows, bars, and enjoyable
chaos so unique to midtown Manhattan.
www.arlohotels.com
www.ritzcarlton.com
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