An Encore worth bragging about

Posted by Staff in Luxury Monday, Nevada

Steve Wynn is a name that is synonymous with luxury and opulence. On December 22, 2008, Steve Wynn unveiled Encore, the newest resort in his collection, which yet again reinforced the stereotype that he is the king of grandeur.

Located next door to his flagship property, Wynn Las Vegas, Encore is a distinct destination with its own selection of accommodations, dining, casino, and leisure activities. Central to Encore’s fanciful and intimate environments are sunlit corridors with flowering atria and sprawling pools visible throughout the property. Natural light floods the resort to reveal gardens, vibrant butterflies and signature mosaics.

Every room at the Encore is a suite, with a separate living and sleeping area. The resort’s rooms are divided into two collections, the Resort Suites and the Tower Suites. The Tower Suites are separated by a separate entrance and private check-in area.  Although the common areas of the Resort Suites are gorgeous and the service exceptional, the Tower Suites are a step up. While checking into a Tower Suite you are met with a warm towel and fresh water…and within seconds you are whisked away to your room in a private elevator lined in silk and accented by hand painted butterflies. Even though the Tower Suites’ most basic room is the same as the ones in the Resort wing, the Tower Suites feature opulent 2,261 square foot multi room suites as well, that include lavish touches like a dedicated massage room.

The magnificence does not end at the rooms…if it did, then this would obviously not be a Wynn Resort…the restaurants of the Encore set a new level of fine dining in Las Vegas. The first night I dined at Sinatra, whose head chef is Theo Schoenegger, from the Patina Group. When Sinatra’s family decided to open a restaurant in Las Vegas, it made sense that they teamed up with his old friend Steve Wynn. The timing was perfect as the family was looking to start the new venture around the same time that Wynn was opening his new opus. At first I found a restaurant named after a celebrity a bit kitschy, but again Wynn used his powers to take an idea that could easily be cheesy and make it elegant.

When you arrive at the restaurant Sinatra’s actual Oscar, Emmy and Grammy greet you, in addition to other memorabilia from the family’s collection. His timeless music fills the elegant dining room and his Italian roots are an underlying theme in the menu. Schoenegger’s relationships with California farmers allow him to bring the area’s seasonal and greenmarket ingredients to his restaurant at Encore. A cozy outdoor patio allows guests to dine al fresco, creating the feel of an intimate dinner party in a Tuscan garden.

The second night I dined at Switch, the Encore’s answer to a steakhouse. Helmed by Marc Poivedin, the former Executive Chef at Le Cirque at Bellagio. Poivedin brings a refreshing French twist to this steakhouse, which makes it the perfect place to bring a group that may not all be steak lovers. I highly recommend splurging for the tasting menu, as this is where you get a full perspective of Poidevin’s talents.  Highlights that evening were the citrus smoked swordfish carpaccio and the Kobe beef strip steak.

But the restaurant was not called Switch because of the food; it is the décor that landed the restaurant its name. Every 20 minutes the restaurant completely redecorates itself…I know that does not make sense and when the waiter explained it to me…I did not get it either.  While dining, the music suddenly raised and the walls started to disappear, which gave way to another completely different décor. There are other surprises in store, but I will let you go and find out for yourself…www.encorelasvegas.com

The Mediterranean comes to Vermont

Posted by Staff in Luxury Monday, Vermont

Mediterranean on Main is the new culinary motif of The Pitcher Inn, Vermont’s only Relais & Châteaux-designated establishment.

This summer owner Maggie Smith worked with Chef Sue Schickler to reposition the restaurant of this iconic hostelry. In so doing the name was changed to 275 Main at The Pitcher Inn. The menu has assumed a distinctly Mediterranean flair with attention paid to Vermont-farm-originated organic produce and grass-fed beef so readily available in the Green Mountains.

Ari Sadri, general manager and sommelier, has created an extensive wine cellar and assists with perfect pairings at every meal, drawing from an exemplary Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. The menu includes cuisine prepared in an authentic manner with local, regional or global ingredients meticulously sourced and selected for freshness and variety. Schickler changes the menu daily, allowing her to showcase and celebrate local and seasonal fare.

Starters might be a mortadella or choice Italian salamis. Chef Schickler’s pastas intoxicate the palate: think “Pappardelle with Braised Rabbit, Olives, Pancetta and Tomato” or “Linguine Fine with Bacon, Chiles, Basil and Mascarpone.”

Guests at 275 Main enjoy a tavern ambiance on a river setting. Two fireplaces, brick and stone walls, hardwood floors, warm colors and soft lighting mingle with the Inn’s signature collection of local art, antiques and collectibles.

The Pitcher Inn on the scenic and legendary Rt. 100 is just 45 minutes from the Burlington Airport and can also be accessed from Vermont’s I-89. Nearby activities include fly-fishing, downhill and cross country skiing, golf, gliding and hiking, among others.

275 Main is open from Wednesday to Monday nightly. Reservations are suggested. For information please visit www.pitcherinn.com or call 802-496-6350.

The swanky side of Catalina Island

Posted by Staff in California, Luxury Monday, North America

The birth of Catalina as we know it came when William Wrigley Jr. purchased the island in 1919 and two years later made it the spring training camp of his baseball team, the Chicago Cubs.  With the teams arrival came development and with that came Hollywood’s glitterati, who thought it cool at the time to come relax on its beaches and watch the team practice.

Over the years, Catalina lost some of its glamour and became more of a weekend trip for families and romantic couples. Now on the island there is a resurgence of a trend to bring back some of the islands old glamour and luxe style. Fueled by a partnership of two couples, the Lambert’s and Gosselin’s, there are two new luxe Inns on the island, the Avalon and the Aurora.

The Avalon is a Craftsman style, 15-bedroom boutique inn.  The rooms are spacious, most have ocean views, and feature amenities like hand made spa products in the rooms and complimentary snacks.  Room prices range from $195-495.  Theavalonhotel.com

The sister hotel, the Aurora in contrast is very modern and hip. The rooms are smaller than the Avalon but feature Tempurpedic mattresses and a chic décor that makes great use of the petite size.  Rates are lower starting at $150.  Auroracatalina.com (pictured above)

To capture the history of Catalina Island you have to head over to the Country Club for lunch. Originally built as the clubhouse for the Chicago Cubs, it is now the place to find some of the best food on the island. Don’t let the name deter you as it is not a private club anymore, but a gorgeous public restaurant serving up classic California fare with a gourmet twist. Make sure to check out the photos lining the bar walls that depict Hollywood legends lounging at the club in their time off.

Sleep like a mermaid

Posted by Staff in Florida, Luxury Monday

If money is not an object then there are some amazing experiences to be had…ice hotels, safari tents, a trip to space…but I bet spending the night undersea never came to mind.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge is a two-room mini-hotel located at the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Key Largo, Florida. Originally built as an underwater research habitat, this pod under the sea is available to rent for the night.  

Although it was built for research, Jules’ has been retrofitted to make guests comfortable for the night…the Lodge has air-conditioning, hot showers, an entertainment center and a fully stocked kitchen.  Your stay here also includes a gourmet dinner and breakfast prepared by their “mere-chef.”

To get to the Undersea Lodge you must scuba dive, but they do offer a learn-to-dive package for the novice where you will earn either a PADI or NAUI certification.  If you are already certified, then your stay includes unlimited diving. 

A night at Jules’ costs $475 per person per night, and includes all meals and gear.  If romance is what you are looking for then their romance package is the way to go…for $1,295 per night, you and a loved one get the whole place to yourself…mood music and fresh flowers are also thrown in to get the party started.

For more info visit www.jul.com