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Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Discover The Hidden Gems Of Nairobi's Exclusive Giraffe Manor
We're wild about Giraffe Manor for a number or reasons. Giraffe Manor The thing about social media is that you don't really know what to believe. With apps and filters and AI software, you can make anything into a perfect post nowadays. Maybe that's what you've been thinking about the Safari Collection's Giraffe Manor, a beloved animal sanctuary and nearly-impossible-to-reserve resort in Nairobi, Kenya. Every Instagram post you've ever seen of the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star getaway looks like a page from a Rudyard Kipling novel that's come to life. Giraffes duck into windows at the precise moment a camera shutter goes off. Animals strut by the second a swimmer lifts her head out the infinity pool. Nothing about this seems real. The stretched-neck stars of the show. DeMarco Williams The instant you step onto the 12-acre property you realize that the hotel wasn't embellishing on its Instagram feed. The place is pure magic. Between the lush greenery streaming along the walls or the hand-carved furnishings filling the rooms, the resort has an authentic aura. And after just a few minutes walking around, you also will discover that there's so much more than giraffe feedings and effortless IG posts. In fact, here are three aspects of Giraffe Manor that will most pleasantly surprise you during your visit. Relax and unwind in one of the Retreat's day rooms. DeMarco Williams It's well-documented how challenging it is to get an overnight stay at the boutique hotel. With only 12 rooms spread across two buildings, the Historic Manor and the recently refreshed Garden Manor, it makes sense that the property's waiting list would be longer than a giraffe's neck. But those who are lucky enough to score a reservation (or find themselves with a Nairobi layover while visiting other Safari Collection outposts) receive access to The Retreat at Giraffe Manor. Just a stroll from the manors, the Retreat is like a day club with a full-service spa, gym and a restaurant (more delicious details on it in a bit) open to guests with a day pass. The tranquil space is great for catching glimpses of the tall, hoofed residents or simply unwinding. The Retreat's snazziest amenities are the day rooms, which are essentially lavish suites (a living area, full bath, plenty of fresh juices and water) meant for visitors exploring at least one other Safari Collection property to rent for a few hours of relaxing, napping and snacking. While you can't stay overnight in these rooms — the giraffes don't come this far for their window feedings, either — the plush beds are brilliant detours on a busy travel day. Daisy's Café is a delicious highlight of the visit. DeMarco Williams The Food In just about every social post you've seen of Giraffe Manor, the photo subject has been at a table, feeding pellets to a giraffe. But have you ever paid attention to the human food on the plate? No. And that's a shame, too, because the cuisine here is wildly delicious. All-day restaurant Daisy's Café mixes global flavors with Kenyan flair, and the results are tremendous. From breakfast to burgers to tapas bowls, every dish comes out beautifully plated — not that you'd expect anything less from one of the most photogenic properties in the world — and wonderfully seasoned. The pappardelle chicken piccata is one of the kitchen's standout items. This symphony of lemon, capers, tomatoes and juicy chicken harmonizes with the smooth Pumba's Pombe (bourbon, maple syrup, soda water and orange zest) from the bar — oh yes, Giraffe Manor has a full bar, too. Warthogs wonder about the property like their taller roommates. DeMarco Williams The Other Animals A herd of Nubian and Rothschild giraffes visits the grounds, mostly for its famous feedings early in the morning. If you miss these 6:30 a.m. calls, make the short walk next door to the neighboring Giraffe Centre, where you can feed the outstretched mammals some pellets from your hand while also learning about conservation efforts to protect them. Back at Giraffe Manor, you'll notice that the most prevalent animal isn't spotty and 16 feet tall but rather has tusks and stands just 30 inches off the ground. Playful warthogs freely roam the property, photobombing and generally keeping up mischief wherever they can find it. When you're having lunch on the Daisy's Café patio, there's a great chance that a few of the wild pigs will harmlessly graze around a landing beneath your table. The resulting photo won't be an image you're used to seeing at Giraffe Manor, but it'll still be an impressive nature shot that'll wow your Instagram followers. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 27 Hotels With Luxury Car Collaborations By Melinda Sheckells Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes From Anguilla To Australia, Forbes Travel Guide's 2025 Star Award Winners By Jennifer Kester
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Forbes
11 Best Hotel Bars In The U.S.
The St. Regis New York's King Cole Bar is one of the country's standouts. The St. Regis New York A hotel bar is often a reliable refuge for travelers, but the truly great ones are destinations in themselves. Crafting an excellent cocktail is merely the baseline. What elevates a great hotel bar is the ability to capture the essence of its location while providing a memorable experience. Forbes Travel Guide's incognito inspectors tasted their way through lounges spanning from the vineyards of Napa to the shores of Miami, and we found the 11 hotel bars in the U.S. that stand above the rest. These watering holes are part of Forbes Travel Guide's Star Bars, an inaugural list of the world's best hotel bars. To find the 58 honorees — the number pays tribute to FTG's 1958 founding as Mobil Travel Guide — expert inspectors visited each one multiple times and sipped cocktails. The winners were determined by data collected as part of FTG's 2024 and 2025 Star Ratings, based on several exacting standards. The top publicly accessible bars achieved the highest scores for their beverage program and presentation, as well as providing seamless service and an exceptional guest experience. New York proved to be the U.S. cocktail capital with three bars, more than any other city. Statewide, California and New York tied with three bars, Florida tallied two and North Carolina, Nevada and Philadelphia each had one. Here is the full list of America's best hotel bars for 2025: Head in the direction of 33 North for great drinks in Orange County. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club Orange County 33 North's name refers to the closest latitude line to its California base, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. X marks the spot for the newly renovated interiors, featuring soft sunset colors and coastal accents. The most-ordered drink is the Chile De Árbol, a spicy-sweet, black sea salt-rimmed concoction with agave, lime juice and Lalo Tequila infused with cinnamon and jalapeño, Fresno and habanero chilis. Add on bites like caviar and chips from famed chef Michael Mina's adjacent Bourbon Steak Orange County. The Bar Auberge du Soleil Napa Take in sweeping views of vineyards and olive trees from the sun-drenched terrace of The Bar, preferably with wine from the 15,000-bottle cellar (like the excellent local sparkler Domaine Carneros Le Rêve). If you prefer a libation, opt for the Olive Grove Martini, with olive oil fat-washed Jean-Marc XO vodka, Dolin dry vermouth and orange bitters. Charcuterie like Fatted Calf saucisson and California cheeses are natural pairings, but heartier offerings like the local halibut and Stemple Creek Ranch burger also hit the spot. The Bar Baccarat Hotel New York New York The Palace of Versailles' stables inspired the look of this stunning scarlet space, featuring a barrel-vaulted ceiling with three ornate chandeliers, a 60-foot bar and black-and-white checkerboard flooring. The art on the walls spans important movements since 1764, the year the Baccarat crystal company was founded. In honor of the hotel's 10th anniversary in 2025, The Bar debuted the Decade of Decadence menu, which riffs on past memorable cocktails, like the Baccarat Rouge, with Cincoro blanco tequila, passionfruit, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Cardamaro, lime, tea and a hibiscus ice cube. Of course, all drinks come in sparkling Baccarat crystal. The culinary-inspired Hibiscus uses ingredients from The Umstead's own farm. The Umstead Hotel and Spa The Bar & Lounge The Umstead Hotel and Spa Cary, North Carolina At this Five-Star hotel's bar, sit on the terrace overlooking the expansive lawn, woodlands and a fountain shooting water into the private lake. Among the culinary-inspired cocktails, sip the light and refreshing Hibiscus. The popular drink mixes Cathead vodka infused with a housemade hibiscus syrup, St-Germain, lime and sparkling wine. The Umstead utilizes produce from its One Oak Farm for the seasonal food menu, like the snapper crudo with radishes, sea beans, basil seeds, cilantro and yuzu dashi vinaigrette. CUT bar has a colorful roster of drinks. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown CUT bar Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown New York Next to Wolfgang Puck's first Manhattan restaurant, CUT bar conjures a sultry mood with crimson shading everything from the velvet chairs to the glowing neon thunderbolt-like lights flanking the bar. The drinks are just as alluring, like the Heart of Gold, a nuanced blend of herbaceous Botanist 22 gin, bright Contratto Bianco and bitter Suze and Italicus. Accompany it with bites like indulgent lobster roll sliders and pea hummus with warm pita bread or go for a juicy steak from the restaurant. King Cole Bar The St. Regis New York New York This icon demonstrates nightly why it's endured for nine decades, cementing its place in cocktail history by introducing the Red Snapper — better known as the bloody mary — in 1934. The beloved tomato and vodka drink remains the signature libation for the bar and all St. Regis hotel bars worldwide. Enjoy dishes like wild-caught shrimp cocktail and the New York lobster cobb salad while admiring the bar's other famous facet: artist Maxfield Parrish's iconic Old King Cole mural painted in 1906. Toast to the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco's Lobby Bar. The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco Lobby Bar The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco San Francisco Perhaps no cocktail is more emblematic of San Francisco than this bar's Karl the Fog, an homage to the perennial fog that drapes the Golden Gate Bridge. Bartender Matthew Duda came up with the idea after first visiting the city. 'I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and experienced the fog around it, which made quite an impression on me,' Duda said The Karl, a blend of Belvedere vodka, hibiscus grape syrup, St-Germain, lemon juice and aquafaba, is crowned with a mixed berry aroma 'fog' bubble. When you burst the bubble, it transforms to mist. In between sips, bask in the lush design of the Tampa EDITION's Lobby Bar. The Tampa EDITION Lobby Bar The Tampa EDITION Tampa The lush greenery enveloping the wood bar almost makes you forget you're in Tampa. So do the drinks — the Stonefruit Matador reimagines one of the earliest predecessors of the margarita, when tequila mingled with fruit. Crafted with Milagro Silver tequila, sun-ripened apricot and zesty citrus, the cocktail also adds a Mediterranean slant. In between sips, nosh on duck fat-roasted nuts dusted with Mediterranean herbs or olives soaking in oil, herbs, lemon and garlic and play a round on the canary-yellow billiards table. The views from SkyHigh are stunning. Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center SkyHigh Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center Philadelphia Soaring 60 stories above Philadelphia, this sky bar dazzles. A floral 'runway' entrance leads to breathtaking 360-degree skyline views through 40-foot glass walls. Among the list of bold flavored cocktails, the Ginger Margarita is a guest favorite, featuring Arette Artesanal Reposado tequila, fresh ginger, housemade ginger-lime syrup, Cointreau and a ginger salt rim. For the mouthwatering food, legendary chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten combines Philly favorites (like the wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls) with his own classics (the egg toast with caviar and herbs). Sip on champagne or a citrusy cocktail at the St. Regis Bar. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort The St. Regis Bar The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort Miami Gleaming black stone, antique mirrors and gold accents fill this Miami Beach stunner. Choose from cocktails like the Bloody Sunrise, a citrusy take on the bloody mary, or the Dynasty, with Suntory Toki whiskey, aromatic bitters, cinnamon, vanilla and honey syrup and a smoky finish. Or opt for champagne — the hotel bar performs an Art of Sabrage ritual at 6 nightly (a salute to Napoleon Bonaparte, who famously popped bubbly with his saber in both victory and defeat) and pours complimentary glasses for guests. Wynn Tower Suites' bar is its own Vegas attraction. Wynn Tower Suites Tower Suite Bar Wynn Tower Suites Las Vegas With so many bars in the Wynn complex, this cream-hued option feels like a hidden gem. The menu splits drinks into Classics, like the Old Fashioned, and Modern Muses, interpretations of the former, like The Mystic, with Casa Dragones Reposado tequila (aged in rare Japanese mizunara oak), Dos Hombres mezcal, Nightbloom No. 3 vodka infused with smoked dates, Nixta corn liqueur, Madagascar vanilla liqueur, a housemade spiced sangria tea syrup and Angostura bitters. More bar secrets: along with rare whiskeys, it serves espresso drinks all day long. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 6 Breathtaking New York City Rooftop Bars By Spencer Whaley Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes From Anguilla To Australia, Forbes Travel Guide's 2025 Star Award Winners By Jennifer Kester
Metropolis Japan
15-07-2025
- Metropolis Japan
Café Lounge Pandora at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
To the right of the garden at Café Lounge Pandora at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, a placard reads: Forbes Travel Guide—verified as one of the finest properties in the world. Walk past 21 hand-carved panels, golden fans painted with bijin (beautiful women) overhead, and a floral-patterned kimono hung in elegant display. Follow an indoor stream beneath the gold tie-adorned Daimon gate into a glass-ceiling atrium. Cross a discreet footbridge and watch marble-colored koi swirl below. The in-house eatery, Café Lounge Pandora, doesn't accept reservations by phone; arrive at 10 a.m. for a window seat by the waterfall. Sunlight filters through the atrium glass as birds nest in the trees beyond. Many linger over ornate afternoon tea sets, but I'm content with Assam tea and financier cake, savoring the view. For a taste of Japan, try the premium gyokuro or the anmitsu with kuromitsu syrup. Even the powder room vestibule, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, is worth a pause—another quiet moment, perfectly placed.
Cision Canada
14-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
MARY JEAN TULLY NAMED TO CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER'S LIST OF TOP TRAVEL SPECIALISTS FOR 26 CONSECUTIVE YEARS
Founder & CEO of Tully Luxury Travel Continues to Set the Standard in Global Luxury Travel TORONTO, July 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Mary Jean Tully, Founder & CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, has been recognized as a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist for the 26th consecutive year —a distinction that reflects her enduring influence in the luxury travel industry and her ability to craft extraordinary journeys for a global clientele. Under her leadership, Tully Luxury Travel has become one of the most respected names in bespoke travel, known for its high-touch service, deep destination knowledge, and exceptional access to the world's top cruise lines, safari lodges, and private experiences. "I truly believe I have the greatest job in the world," says Tully. "To be recognized again by Condé Nast Traveler is an incredible honor. I'm so grateful for the passionate team I work with and the clients who continue to trust us with their most valuable asset—their time." About Tully Luxury Travel Founded by Mary Jean Tully, Tully Luxury Travel is a globally recognized agency specializing in bespoke travel for discerning clients. From ultra-luxury cruises and African safaris to private yacht charters and curated land itineraries, every journey is customized with purpose, passion, and precision. Tully Luxury Travel has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler, Town & Country, and Forbes Travel Guide, and maintains a 4.9-star Google rating. Luxury Defined by You®.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Forbes
5 Things We Love About Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
This Big Island resort is the perfect summer destination. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Summer is here, and if you haven't planned your vacation, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai beckons. On the Western shore of the Big Island of Hawaii in Kailua-Kona, the resort offers something for everyone, from couples seeking a romantic retreat to families looking for outdoor adventures. Many of the rooms boast oceanfront views, the sandy beach is ideal for snorkeling and the massive yet walkable property is filled with lush plants, palm trees swaying in the wind and other local flora and fauna. There's much to love about this tropical escape, but here are the five things beyond the inviting contemporary Hawaiian accommodations that make a stay at the Four Seasons Hualalai so memorable. Tee it up on Jack Nicklaus-designed greens. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai There are two gorgeous layouts on the property: one is a Jack Nicklaus-designed signature course for hotel guests and another is for members of the local homeowners association. Both are dotted with stunning black lava rock formations and have excellent views of the Pacific glittering in the near distance. After a morning round, an afternoon at Hualalai Golf Hale is essential. The Hale is a clubhouse featuring an indoor Topgolf Swing Suite, complimentary snacks and drinks, an extensive outdoor driving range and a putting green. The hitting bay features Trackman monitors, allowing you to track the distance and speed of your ball. The friendly staff also gives lessons and hosts the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, a PGA Tour golf tournament that takes place every January. Everything about the course is state-of-the-art, including the golf carts, which are outfitted with personal sound systems and detailed digital maps of each hole. But be warned: the advanced carts will automatically stop if you attempt to drive in restricted areas. NOIO is the resort's new sushi lounge. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Four Seasons Resort Hualalai provides six unique culinary options, in addition to poolside offerings and room service. The Hualalai Trading Company is a coffee and snack shack with breakfast burritos and smoothies adjacent to the fitness center. The Resident's Beach House is an oceanside watering hole with exceptional seafood enchiladas, inventive salads (see: the grilled lobster wedge) and crispy fish tacos. Beach Tree is the property's coastal Italian restaurant and a see-and-be-seen spot during sunset. It's also a sensational lunch destination with stellar hummus and crudité, a housemade hot dog served Chicago-style and scrumptious ceviche. Miller & Lux Hualalai is celebrity chef Tyler Florence's upscale American steakhouse. With gorgeous decor, an impeccable setting overlooking the 18th hole and elevated classic dishes (truffle deviled eggs, Caesar salad prepared tableside and tomahawk steaks), it's an excellent place for a festive meal to kick-start a vacation. 'ULU, the Big Island resort's signature eatery, recently underwent a remodel and menu update. The fresh look pairs wonderfully with chef Richard Polhemus and chef de cuisine Chris Damskey's elevated Hawaiian and pan-Asian-inspired fare. Oysters, which are grown and harvested at an on-property farm, can be ordered with 'ULU's signature caviar. The menu also serves crispy gochujang-glazed chicken, miso butter-broiled king crab legs and a decadent ahi tuna Wellington with local mushrooms and foie gras kabayaki. There's also the new NOIO, a sushi lounge on 'ULU's second floor. Chef Nuri Piccio is behind the wildly fresh omakase experience, where diners embark on a journey that begins with delectable bites, including oysters with salmon roe and chawanmushi (a Japanese egg custard with uni and blue crab). A seemingly endless array of nigiri and sashimi made with locally caught, sustainable seafood follows. Rejuvenate at the Four-Star Hualalai Spa. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Sports Club and Wellness Center Fitness is not overlooked at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. In fact, it's an integral part of the hotel experience. The massive gym curates a packed roster of Pilates, yoga and cardio-barre fusion classes. There are rows of bikes and treadmills, weight training equipment, a lap pool, seven tennis courts and three pickleball courts. Saunas, steam rooms, hot whirlpools and cold plunges are also a part of the wellness journey. At the Four-Star Hualalai Spa, those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation can find it in treatments such as aloe-leaf cocoon, acupuncture, reiki, oxygen-infusion facials and hot stone massages. If water sports interest you more, try aquatic adventures like fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and private night snorkeling where you swim alongside manta rays. There's a pool scene for every type of traveler to dive into here. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Pools Choose from eight distinct pools at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. The glamorous Palm Grove Pool is an adults-only oasis in the heart of a picturesque palm grove. The King's Pond is a saltwater snorkeling area with tropical fish, allowing guests the chance to see the sea without actually going into the ocean. Sitting above the pond is the infinity-edge pool King's Pool. Carved out of lava rock and a natural breakwater, the Ocean Pool is the resort's ocean swim area. A treasure chest with toys and a white sandy bottom is found at the Keiki Children's Pool, while the Sea Shell Pool is a saltwater jewel designed for families. If you want to get in some exercise, an Olympic-style lap pool is at the sports club and spa. Beach Tree Pool is a quiet area where cell phone calls and loud voices are not allowed. All pools have hospitable staff members who surprise guests with thoughtful amenities like frosé, popsicles or sunglasses cleaner. Each pool also comes with its own culinary and cocktail offerings, so if you're in the mood for a margarita and guacamole, order away. Miller & Lux has imaginative drinks on its menu. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai The Mai Tais The mai tai is the unofficial cocktail of the Hawaiian Islands. Upon arrival, hotel guests receive a traditional ceramic glass filled with rum punch. The first sip sets the mood for an exciting trip to come. Traditionally made with rum, lime juice and orgeat (an almond-flavored syrup), mai tais are on every restaurant and pool's drinks menu at the luxury resort. Each dining destination has its variation, and the bartenders take pride in creating these original concoctions. For example, at 'ULU, the mai tai is mixed with Aperol and mint, while at NOIO, it features pistachio paste along with dry Curacao. Miller & Lux's version comes flaming with two types of rum and passion fruit puree. Pineapple juice, lemon, macadamia nuts and guava nectar are other ingredients added to the mai tais around the resort. Our favorite option is at the Palm Grove Pool. This superb take on the classic Trader Vic's mai tai recipe uses three types of rum, housemade orgeat and a dark rum float. Grab one before you head to the airport. It'll help ease the disappointment of having to check out of paradise. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 6 Breathtaking New York City Rooftop Bars By Spencer Whaley Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes 7 Remarkable Resorts With 9-Hole Golf Courses By Katie Sweeney
