Latest news with #KimWesterman
Forbes
26-07-2025
- Forbes
Marble Canyon Is The Center Of Everything In The Middle Of Nowhere
Marble Canyon is is not only a geographic marvel — a ribbon of red rock carved by time and water — it's also a timeless space where silent communion with sky and stone make more sense than catching up on the news. The Colorado River begins its descent into the Grand Canyon here, and the air hums with ancient stories, most of which we'll never know. This is a destination for seekers — of adventure, of great food in the middle of nowhere (including, miraculously, coffee), of new ways of seeing, dreaming and being, all bookended by and infused with the peace and quiet you knew you needed but haven't been able to find. The dramatic backyard of the ranch cottages at Marble Canyon Lodge with the aptly named Vermilion Cliffs at sunset. Kim Westerman Lucky for us, there's now a hotel here, in the vast high desert of Arizona, that's also in the process of reinvention: Marble Canyon Lodge. I must admit, I was skeptical. I lived in Tucson for 16 years, and I thought I'd seen every corner of Arizona. I've been well past the red rocks of Sedona, and I've seen the Grand Canyon from more than just the tourist angles. This experience was categorically different. Think Amangiri without all the extra zeroes at the end of the bill. (Eugene Levy, eat your heart out.) The view from Navajo Bridge adjacent to Marble Canyon Lodge. Kim Westerman While most visitors fly into the Page airport, we drove up from Phoenix and pulled into The Lonely Jackrabbit restaurant for dinner after dark. In other words, I couldn't really see where I was quite yet. I was ready to settle for a too-cold iceberg lettuce salad or an overcooked burger, so when I found a perfectly grilled medium-rare steak with hand-cut fries, I perked up. A side of Chef Landon Neff's homemade red chile salsa on completes the plate. Perfectly prepared steak frites at The Lonely Jackrabbit in Marble Canyon, Arizona. Kim Westerman Because you walk through the gift shop and morning cafe on the way into the dining room, I knew there was fresh whole-bean coffee roasted for the property, so I already couldn't wait for breakfast. But now, I needed to find out where in the heck I was, so I checked in to my ranch cottage just past the Chevron station and across a side street — one of four freestanding duplexes, each with a front-row seat to the 24/7 drama that is the Vermilion Cliffs. At 1,500 square-feet and with full kitchens, this is the choice for couples who want more space and families of more than two (pets welcome). The motor lodge back over near the restaurant has motel-style rooms that have been completely brought into the 21st century and are a great bargain. A ranch cottage bedroom at Marble Canyon Lodge. Kim Westerman Ranch cottages at Marble Canyon Lodge have full kitchens and dining tables for six. Kim Westerman No matter what time of day you wake up (I'm biased; earlier is better), you'll be greeted by those cliffs bathed in light. Stroll over to Lucky Foot Coffee and grab a cappuccino made with Portland's Good Coffee Roasters' beans. Sink into an Adirondack chair back at the cottage, and plan your day. Actually, it will have paid off to have planned your day(s) before you arrive, as the reason for being here is to see the parts of this corner of Arizona that most people don't even know exist. But first, lay down a based of eggs begay: fry bread, beans, eggs and salsa. Morning at Marble Canyon Lodge: Coffee and a view. Kim Westerman Eggs begay for breakfast at The Lonely Jackrabbit in Marble Canyon, Arizona. Kim Westerman The team at Marble Canyon Lodge has partnered with local companies owned and run by members of the Navajo Nation, who are the stewards of this land and welcome respectful visitors who want to learn about the place and support the community. Take a half-day private tour of the East Rim of the Grand Canyon and walk through Secret Antelope Canyon with a guide whose family has lived here for generations. And while it's easy to injure yourself riding the rapids of the Grand Canyon with the throngs, a more meditative approach is to kayak 10 slow miles around Horseshoe Bend, where you'll almost certainly see wild horses. Wild horses along the banks of the Colorado River at Horsehoe Canyon. Kim Westerman Back at the ranch, have a cold local microbrew and join the Salamader Fire Circle. A fire guide summons the Great Salamander as you enjoy s'mores, and everyone who wants to can read (or tell) a story. While you won't need more reasons to return again and again, there are still new delights on the horizon to anticipate. Already underway across the street is Terra Vi Grand Canyon Nature Lodge, scheduled to open in late 2026. I'll be back to check out a premium stargazer cabin with — ready for this? — glass ceilings for ecstatically relaxed viewing of the unimpeded night sky. There will also be an art walk of some kind with outdoor installations TBD. And Chef Landon is planning private campfire dinners you can order for your crew, like bo ssam, cooked over your own fire and served under a canopy of stars. Forget glamping: Marble Canyon Lodge is Terra Vi's first of five planned nature lodges centered around experiential wellness, adventure and educational immersions. While many places tap into the cultural zeitgeist, Terra Vi is anticipating the future zeitgeist we need right to tap into now. Go, see, do and be.
Forbes
23-07-2025
- Forbes
Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows: The Beating Heart Of Kāʻanapali Beach
After sweeping upgrades, Maui's renovated Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows is stepping confidently into a new era, in which classic Hawaiian hospitality meets modern-casual luxury. Originally built in 1962 along gorgeous Kā'anapali Beach, the recently revitalized property is aligned with traditional Hawaiian cultural values — a destination that honors its rich historical narrative while looking ahead with innovative, sustainable, and immersive guest experiences. The Branches is the Royal Lahaina's new gathering place for music and community events. Kim Westerman The community of Kā'anapali Beach has pulled together with its Lahaina neighbors to rebuild, literally and metaphorically, after the catastrophic fires of 2023. While The Royal didn't suffer physical damage from the fire, all properties closed to visitors during the early months of recovery. It re-opened in November 2024 with an amplified commitment to the people, the land, and its many visitors. I visited the Royal Lahaina in May, just after the property-wide renovations were completed and The Branches, the resort's new outdoor gathering place for locals and visitors, with local musicians and casual snacks and drinks, opened to all. As someone who has considered Maui a spiritual home since I first visited in 2000, I was moved to tears by the experience of duende (in the poet Lorca's sense of that feeling). It was a grounding, healing, joyful evening, and it was evident that even first-time visitors gathered among old-timers under the century-old ficus tree, could access the power of the place. My bungalow looked out on the lawn and the ocean just beyond. With the sliding glass door open, I could hear the drama of the Pacific whenever my heart desired. Rainbow over The Royal Lahaina Resort. Kim Westerman The other room experience at The Royal Lahaina is in the 12-story Lahaina Kai tower up above the sway of palm trees with unimpeded views of Molokaʻi and Lāna'i in the near distance. Service, Service, Service Service is noteworthy for its authenticity and sincere helpfulness. Many employees have worked at The Royal for decades and are happy to 'talk story' if guests are interested. Food and beverage manager Ford Ushijima is an Oʻahu native who's been with The Royal for nearly 20 years and is a property anchor and one form its historical memory takes. Chef Vanessa Castillo's shrimp and "taro grits." Kim Westerman Lahaina Noon, the property's main restaurant (poolside) (named after the solar phenomenon in which the sun passes directly overhead at solar noon, causing vertical objects to cast no visible shadow) serves traditional American food alongside excellent renditions of Hawaiian classics by chef de cuisine Vanessa Castillo, whose garlic shrimp and 'taro grits' is a veritable breakfast revelation (and I recipe I continue to attempt recreating at home). Pineapple Moon is the adjacent open-air bar. Alana Spa, Myths of Maui Lūʻau & Hawaiian Cultural Center Alana Spa was still undergoing renovation when I was there, but I had a nonetheless brilliant deep tissue massage by Cambria Russell, who restored me to my pre-jet lag somatic state of bliss. Opening a coconut at the Myths of Maui Lūʻau. Kim Westerman Don't miss the Myths of Maui Lūʻau, the island's longest-running show, with a solid buffet of traditional foods and performances that carry the audience through the history of Polynesia (with fire dancers!) with high audience engagement. Makalapua "Maka" Kanuha, director of culture at the Royal Lahaina Resort. Kim Westerman And at some point in your stay, you must stop into the Hawaiian Cultural Center to talk with Makalapua "Maka" Kanuha, director of culture at the resort. How to Help Maui's Recovery When you visit Maui, the westside in particular, it's important to understand the island's recent trauma and to do something to actively contribute to its healing. Royal Lahaina works with Treecovery, a non-profit that allows guests to help plant trees that will be transplanted on the sites of homes being rebuilt after the fires. Planting trees for Maui's newly rebuilt homes after the 2023 Lahaina fires. Kim Westerman Guests can participate in seedling cultivation and learn how this work contributes to long-term reforestation. A New Chapter for an Iconic Maui Hotel The Royal Lahaina has long been a beloved Kā'anapali destination. With its property-wide renovations and the opening of The Branches, it's a great time to revisit — or get to know — this pristine beach and groove into The Royal way of inhabiting the island.
