New Yorkers like a challenge. How about three? When it comes to travel, it is not enough to find the right destination. It has to be the perfect place, hotel, and dinner—with a little fun too! Here are some of the best-of-the-moment travel destinations where you’ll find all three–and more!
MIAMI
The Place: Hotel Croydon This whimsical hotel is located in Miami’s mid-beach off Collins Avenue. Comfortable accommodations include seamless service, Tempurpedic beds, C.O. Bigelow bath products, in-house restaurant (The Tavern), complimentary cocktails nightly from 7 to 8 pm, a pool, yoga classes, and a rooftop deck with panoramic views of the ocean and city. Info: hotelcroydonmiamibeach.com.
The Dinner: Prime 112 Founded by restaurateur Myles Chefetz and located in the historic Browns Hotel, Prime 112 is a chef-driven boutique steakhouse that offers an innovative menu in a high-energy environment. From the excellent quality dry-aged beef to elevated sides or appetizers, including the Truffled Lobster Mac and Cheese and Kobe Beef Sliders, Prime 112 only offers premium product selections. The atmosphere is lively with the hustle and bustle of the room, creating a collective dining atmosphere that is second to none. Info: mylesrestaurantgroup.com.
The Event: Art Basel Miami Beach See over 200 of the world’s leading international Modern and Contemporary art galleries display artworks—paintings, sculptures, photography, film, and digital art—by more than 4,000 artists. Visitors can find works ranging from editioned pieces by young artists to museum-caliber masterpieces. There is an equally daunting array of special events and viewing parties to jostle for invitations throughout the show. Info: artbasel.com.
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PARIS
The Place: Le Meurice Located on the doorstep of the Tuileries Gardens, Le Meurice has been welcoming distinguished guests for almost 200 years. Today, its Versailles-style grandeur still attracts dignified travelers—especially to its newly refurbished suites and rooftop penthouse with 360-degree views of the iconic skyline. Info: dorchestercollection.com.
The Lunch: Le Cinq Chef Christian le Squer leads a team that has held a prestigious three Michelin stars for three consecutive years. Nestled in the Four Seasons Hotel Paris George V, try one of the signature dishes of Dublin Bay Prawns with Warm Mayonnaise and Crunchy Buckwheat Pancakes, or Grilled Lamb with Chili Pepper Sauce. Info: fourseasons.com/paris.
The Event: King Lear Enjoy an operatic interpretation of the Shakespeare classic King Lear at the Paris Opera from November 21st through December 7th. In Calixto Bieito’s cathartic production, each of the characters is stripped bare: collective hysteria gives way to an older man’s solitude. Destroyed, like a new-born babe, he weeps to find “that we come to this great stage of fools.” Info: operadeparis.fr.
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LAS VEGAS
The Place: The Palazzo Las Vegas In a city that thinks big, The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort offers guests the largest standard size suite on The Strip. The one-stop resort hotel in the center of town also features relaxing days at Canyon Ranch Spa + Fitness, dining options, including Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, as well as high-end shopping—and, of course, the casino. Info: venetian.com.
The Dinner: Beauty & Essex Venture to the Cosmopolitan Hotel (cosmopolitanlasvegas.com), for a dining experience that blends a Lower East Side vibe with the glamour of Vegas. The speakeasy-style venue won’t disappoint with such dinner choices range from Alaskan King Crab Legs to Korean Fried Chicken. Info: beautyandessex.com.
The Event: Lady Gaga Enigma Take in a concert this New Year’s Eve with songwriter and performer extraordinaire Lady Gaga at the Park Theatre inside the MGM Grand. Now through May 16, 2020. Info: vegas.ladygaga.com.
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LONDON
The Place: Corinthia Situated in the heart of London, and minutes from the West End and River Thames, the Corinthia is within walking distance of most London attractions. The hotel recently partnered with celebrity aesthetician Barbara Sturm whose facials and products are available at the award-winning ESPA Life. Corinthia London is also a dining destination courtesy of Kerridge’s Bar & Grill. The Crystal Moon Lounge offers an idyllic atmosphere for afternoon tea. Info: corinthia.com/en/hotels/london.
The Dinner: Kerridge’s Bar & Grill For his first London restaurant, renowned Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, along with head Chef Nick Beardshaw, has created a menu of classic dishes. Expect a culinary experience in a stunning space reworked by The Studio, to rival Tom’s Michelin-starred establishments and enjoy dishes such as the treacle roasted fillet of beef with chips and bearnaise sauce or the St Austell Bay mussels mariniere with warm stout. Info: kerridgesbarandgrill.co.uk.
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Place: Casa De Campo A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Casa de Campo attracts affluent travelers with the offering of spacious hotel rooms, suites, and luxury villas. Expect gourmet cuisine and fine wines and spirits throughout the destination’s restaurants and bars, a 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, La Terraza Tennis Center, and a 245-acre Shooting Club. For more than 40 years, this discreet enclave has been a favored escape for the world’s financial moguls, politicos, and Hollywood’s elite. Info: casadecampo.com.do.
The Dinner: Minitas Beach Club & Restaurant Designed by locally recognized architects, Minitas is immersed in a tropical landscape offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Discover the expansive pool deck with its infinity pool, enjoy specialty house cocktails at the ocean view bar, or delight yourself with a memorable meal at the restaurant. Try the Grilled seafood platter with market fish, lobster, shrimp, octopus and calamari or Salmon fillet with yogurt artichokes and tapenade. Both are finished in the ‘josper’ – a specialized closed charcoal barbeque combining grill and oven.
For the avid golfer, Casa de Campo’s is home to three luxurious golf courses, including the top-rated, “Teeth of the Dog” oceanside course. Info: casadecampo.com.do.