13 SEA OF CORTEZ COASTAL COOL The eternal question for devotees of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is which coast is the more appealing to visit – the Pacific to the west or the Sea of Cortez to the east. It’s a matter of taste, of course, but the latter is certainly upping its game with a slew of new hotel openings adding to its allure. Chief among these is the much-delayed Chablé Sea of Cortez, a collection of 50 suites arranged as pods along the sea, each with its own terrace, garden and plunge pool, truly taking advantage of the stunning ocean location in La Paz. Joining Chablé in embracing this coastal wonder this year are Aman, who will soon debut Amanvari in Los Cabos, and the nearby Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol. PHOTO STOCKSY 36
14 NASHVILLE WELL TUNED PHOTO CODY LANNOM / UNSPLASH Tennessee’s Music City is used to attracting the big names, but more recently it isn’t just about the world of country music. More than 11,000 hotel rooms have been added to Nashville since 2018. Among the high-end brands, the 40-storey Four Seasons tops the bill, while outposts of the W and The Thompson are also proving popular. The gourmet scene has also received a boost, with Japanese cuisine enjoying its time in the spotlight (Locust, helmed by former Noma chef Trevor Moran, and Kisser leading the charge), while Husk founder Sean Brock has two fresh ventures: Audrey, a nod to his Appalachian roots, and Bar Continental at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where the chef also plays selections from his 5,000-strong vinyl record collection. Nashville is still a lot country but it’s a little bit more rock’n’roll these days, too. 37
