When I travel to a hot location I want to experience more than just the good weather. I had the opportunity to spend two nights at the Parker Palm Springs and not only did I get the heat but I also had an unforgettable time!

Located in the desert like climate of Palm Springs CA, the Parker Palm Springs has a very private and exclusive feeling while also being close to the city centre.

Upon entering the resort I was greeted by the most welcoming staff whom also were all quite complimentary to the overall look and feel of the Parker. Rich with a very colorful history, “Formerly Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch and Merv Griffin’s Givenchy Resort and Spa, the Parker Palm Springs is situated on thirteen acres of landscaped gardens surrounded by the desert and mountains”. The Parker has a very fun energy to the entire hotel. The smile I had as soon as I arrived didn’t leave my face at any point during my stay.

My room was a private villa that lead out to a private poolside area. A wall to wall mirror in the bathroom filed the whole villa with light making the room feel very open and relaxing. It was extremely comfortable and clean with the most amazing decor. A very thoughtfully stacked mini fridge, unique wall art and artistically themed coffee table books were just some of the tiny details that made my room a delight to be in. I had everything I needed to carry out any type of travel, an iron and ironing board were present had I intended on attending a conference as well as enough ( might I add quiet beautiful ) furniture to entertain more than one guest were also tastefully picked out for the villa.

When I wasn’t poolside I checked out the Lemonade Stand, famous for its muddled lemonade, which was suggested to me upon arrival by the friendly people at the front desk. I relaxed at the lemonade stand for a long time as I soaked up the sun and the properties history that the staff informed me about.

I felt like I was in a dream where every staff member was there to provide me and only me with a hotel experience that is only provided to celebrities when they frequent the Parker.

Another wonderful feature of the Parker is the well-maintained grounds. I spent some time walking along its Palm tree trimmed paths taking in some of the beautiful set ups they had going on such as a life size chess set, outdoor fire pit lined with comfy chairs for unwinding in as well as the second pool located not too far from the first one that my room had access too.

I also took some time to take in the infamous menu at the Parker. The food was not only a feast for my stomach but my eyes as well. Everything I ordered was just as much about the presentation as it was about the taste.

The Parker Palm Springs left me with the best memories and the urge to return back as soon as possible! It truly is an amazing place that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for first class service and an unforgettable stay.

A visit to the spa is one of the best ways to relax, let go and feel completely rejuvenated. Kiwi Collection has hundreds of luxury spa hotels from all over the world, but for those of you who hear Europe calling, here are some of our favorite luxury spa getaways:

The Connaught:
Known as one of London’s most historic and legendary hotels, The Connaught has recently opened the Aman Spa. Focusing on treatments reflecting the renewing traditions of China, Thailand, India and the Americas, insures optimal relaxation and comfort, perfect for a long overdue escape. This international approach to wellness also means that the Aman Spa can offer treatments that will target individual needs with their internationally trained holistic therapists. And when you stay at The Connaught anytime from now until the end of 2010, book with their Revitalizing Retreat offer which includes a 60 minute holistic massage, daily English breakfast for two, a welcome bottle of Champagne and late check out until 2pm.

Domes of Elounda:
Escape to Elounda, Greece on the island of Crete and indulge yourself at the Milfey Spa at the Domes of Elounda. With floor to ceiling windows offering enchanting views of the Mediterranean Sea and landscape assists in restoring a sense of wellness and inspires and aura of vitality. And a special treat at the Milfey Spay is their black and gold glimmering hammam along with the secret methods of the ancient Greeks using the same Mediterranean wasters used throughout the ages.

Hotel Raito:
Set on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast in Italy, Hotel Raito’s Expure SPA has a refined atmosphere that will transport you into a world of ultimate relaxation. This spa uses only fresh ingredients along with soothing sounds that will restore your physical harmony either indoors or in their open air solarium overlooking the Gulf of Salerno. And when booking your stay, don’t forget about their Wellness & Beauty Package which offers: accommodation in a double room, delicious breakfast buffet, free entrance to their spa with swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath, a 40 min. Californian massage, a 30 min. craniosacral massage and a 10% reduction in any additional spa treatments.

Mandarin Oriental Prague:
Voted as the best spa in Europe by the prestigious Luxury Spa Finder magazine, this is the place to relax while soaking up a little history. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Prague is a two-floor oasis that is the only spa in the world located in a former Renaissance chapel which appropriately accompanies its philosophy that your body is a temple for your spirit. When you visit for a minimum of two nights, from now until June 30, 2010 the have a Spa Indulgence Package which offers a welcome detox Mocktail upon arrival in the hotel’s baroque colonnade Monastery Lounge, Daily breakfast at Essensia or in the privacy of your guestroom, a full-day Bohemian Ritual including a healthy lunch at the spa, a special spa keepsake and a complementary early check-in and late check-out.

The Westin Paris:
With views of the Tuileries Gardens and the Eiffel Tower, The Westin Paris is the ideal place to stay right in the heart of one of the most popular destinations in the world. Come here and embark on your spa journey which, at their Six Senses spa, tailors every treatment to suite your individual needs. This urban well-being sanctuary will invigorate you with the elements of the earth which is assisted by the stunning interior design by French architect Pierre David. And with their Touch of Spa package when you book your stay for two nights or more you will get a great accommodation rate, buffet breakfast for two each morning and a 30 minute Six Senses “Discovery” treatment.

Known for its romantic atmosphere, Sooke Harbour House is definitely the perfect spot for a wedding, or even a quick romantic escapade.

This 28-room boutique inn overlooks the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. All rooms have excellent views of the Ocean, and you’ll be able to enjoy this west coast paradise from your own balcony or terrace.

All rooms are unique with antiques, art and books ensuring a totally cozy and romantic atmosphere!

Due to the view and stunning location, it’s not unusual to find this great hotel in Victoria hosting weddings. Perfect for both ceremonies and receptions, Sooke Harbour House has been in the wedding business for a long time. So, brides to be – watch out for this one!

Sooke Harbour House specializes in food and wine, wedding cakes and bridal flowers – and has an excellent spa as well. The staff is used to planning and executing weddings, so this takes out a lot of the stress of planning a wedding here that’s for sure.

In addition, the hotel has quite a few areas that make for scenic and special spots for your ceremony. Think about getting married in the Upper Gardens, surrounded by flowers and herbs while facing the Pacific Ocean, or (for larger parties) the Lower Gardens that also feature gorgeous ocean views and flowers outside.

What could be more romantic then a Valentines getaway in Venice? This Italian city is gorgeous inside and out,  full of beautiful art, rich culture, and marvelous canals, make this year’s Valentine’s day one to always remember.

When visiting this amazing city, one of the best hotels in Venice has to be Hotel Danieli, a fabulous luxury hotel located on Riva degli Schiavoni, with easy access to Piazza San Marco, cultural attractions, La Biennale di Venezia, shopping, and outdoor cafès and restaurants. Comprised of three palaces, these 14th century structures will give you a glimpse into Venice’s past glory while surrounding yourself with all of the modern comforts of the 21st century.

Each of the 225 spacious rooms at Hotel Danieli is decked out in a Gothic/modern style and evoke a sense of magic and theater only found in Venice. With rooftop views or of the Venetian lagoon, every room is extraordinary and dramatic.

Hotel Danieli is committed to making every guests stay and exceptional one and dining out at their restaurant, Restaurant Terrazza Danieli, is no exception. This Valentine’s day lover’s are sure to enjoy the exquisite cuisine of their special 6-course Love and Passion Valentine’s Day candle lit dinner. Along with live music and rare water views of the city, the restaurant’s Executive Chef Gian Nicola Colucci has prepared a crescendo of flavor emotions, from oysters, caviar and passion fruit scampi, to lobster, wild boar and cigar cream brulé.

But if you can’t make it to Venice for Valentine’s day, Hotel Danieli also has a wonderfully romantic In-Room Spa Package available anytime from now until the end of 2010; which will make the perfect Valentine’s day gift! This package includes a luxurious, two night accommodation with a beautiful lagoon view, a welcome wellness basket upon arrival, daily breakfast at Restaurant Terrazza Danieli, late check out and one 50 minute Couple’s Swedish Massage. What could be better than that?

Come and indulge in the luxurious setting of Hotel Danieli and rekindle your romance any time of the year in the most beautiful city built by man.

Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa’s Infinity Sunset Sessions are now in full swing, bestowing guests with a fabulous blend of fine dining, tempting cocktails, coastal fashion and intoxicating sounds, against a backdrop of Phuket’s raved about sunsets.

Nestling the exotic sandy shores of Mai Kao beach, Anantara Phuket boasts the perfect setting for long, spectacular sunsets, while the fibre optic infinity pool, lounge and bar play host to leisurely magical evenings.

This alluring setting conjured an exquisite venue for the Infinity Sunsets launch event on 3rd December, at which this gorgeous resort in Phuket proudly partnered with Jim Thompson and DJ Jose Padilla for the very first, and much talked about, Infinity Sunset Session.

For the ongoing Infinity Sunset Sessions, which will run every night up until April 2010, the line up is simply astounding.

Throughout December and January world renowned DJ Tony Montana from London will be gracing the decks with his illustrious ambient beats, to be followed by a rapturous roster of guest chill-out DJ’s throughout March and April.

These unmissable sunset sessions kick off at twilight with flame lit torches and atmospheric lanterns illuminating the exotic beachside lounging area in fiery island flair.

Languish by the infinity pool as international mixology specialists craft exquisitely tailored cocktails, including the fabulous Grilled Peach Martini, or sidle up to the uniquely appealing bubble bar.

Friday nights culminate in a dining experience extraordinaire.
Step up for a ‘barefoot’ dinner served in the infinity pool from 7 p.m., comprising the signature Coastal BBQ accompanied by free flowing wines by the glass.

Reflecting the launch event in silky style on these frivolous Friday nights, Jim Thompson will display a weekly showcasing of elegant coastal fashion, available for guests to purchase.

Guests who time their visit on other nights are promised not to miss out on the much coveted silky wares, with specially designed apparel from Jim Thompson’s launch event range also available exclusively at the Anantara Boutique, while decorative fabrics from this revered designer are soon to grace the resort’s plush interiors.

Artists who are looking for a creative retreat this spring will really like Arajilla Artists’ Retreats – think warm weather, gorgeous scenery, and art lessons from some of Australia’s best talent all on beautiful Lord Howe Island.

Each retreat takes place from a Friday to a Monday (four days and three nights), making for a fun, creative long weekend.

While on the retreat at this gorgeous boutique hotel on Lord Howe Island, you’ll partake in drawing and painting with the artist in both studio and at spectacular Lord Howe outdoor locations, evening art lectures, discussions and films.

And it wouldn’t be a retreat without a small group size – there’s only a maximum of 10 participants allowed.

Garry Shead, along with fellow artist Adam Rish, will be the featured artists for the March 2010 session (March 19 to March 22, 2010).

Guy Maesti (this year’s Archibald prize winner) will be leading the June 2010 session (June 4 to June 7, 2010).

At only 12 suites, Arajilla Retreat is truly a luxurious, relaxing escape from the every day.

Guests will love the resort’s tranquil and soft design, and stunning location on one of Australia’s most beautiful islands.

There’s plenty to do outdoors here, so be prepared to spend some time snorkeling, hiking, fishing or mountain biking.

Check out some more photos of Lord Howe Island, this beautiful resort in Australia, and the artists at the retreat:

If you’re planning a romantic escape to the windy city, you may be interested to learn that Sofitel Chicago Water Tower was just voted “Chicago’s Sexiest Hotel” in a Victoria Secret poll.

It won for the hotel category of a poll that covered everything from restaurants to people to neighbourhoods – all things Chicago!

So what makes Sofitel Chicago Water Tower so hot?

“It’s likely due to the hotel’s structure with its eye-catching curves, sexy French accents spoken by many employees, stylish bar and international jet setters coming and going that add to the allure,” said Lisa Taylor, Public Relations and Marketing Manager for the hotel.

Check out some photos – it’s not hard to see why this Chicago hotel got the local vote.

You know you’re a diva when you refuse a complimentary stay in one of the best luxury hotels in London, as reported in the Mirror today.

We just learned that Alicia Keys refused a three-day stay at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel’s Luxury Suite (worth about £5,000) because she wanted a bigger room.

Wow.

Pretty shocking since this particular one is one of the nicest suites in the city!

The Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge has 220 rooms of pure luxury, three fabulous restaurants, an excellent health club and one of the best locations in London.

Guests here can take a quick jaunt through Hyde Park, or pop in to the Tate Gallery at a moment’s notice.

And, the luxury suite overlooks the gardens of Cadogan Place and comes adorned with a gorgeous crystal chandelier, a relaxing Jacuzzi spa bath tub and walk-in rain shower. It was designed by Kuan Chew and boasts some excellent art work by local British artists.

It has been the hang out of many a celeb, including everyone’s favourite pop star, Michael Jackson.

The Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel was voted as the ‘Best UK Business Hotel’ at the Conde Nast Reader’s Travel Awards last year.

The Hills Golf Course, New Zealand

If you’re thinking about visiting Queenstown, New Zealand, January 2010 is the time to be there. Why? There’s a million things to do in this gorgeous place during the summer, no matter what you’re in to.

Aside from amazing scenery, tasty wine and friendly people, artistic types will love the month long arts and culture festival, Summerdaze, which takes place between December 31 and January 31, 2010. It’s a major local event, so visitors to New Zealand’s lovely Queenstown will get to rub shoulders with many of the people who live and work in the area.

Golf lovers will definitely want to be at The Michael Hill New Zealand Open (the country’s premier golf tournament), which takes place from January 28 to January 31, 2010. The tournament takes place at the Hills Golf Course in Arrowtown, which is about half an hour away from Queenstown.

Horse enthusiasts get something too – Glenorchy Race Day on January 2, 2010. This event includes races like “walk trot gallop”, “trotting cup”, “relay race”, “double banking”, “ladies gallop” and more. Anyone with a horse can register – but this event attracts a serious crowd and competition is high.

Queenstown, New Zealand is home to some of the world’s best boutique hotels. Here are some of our favorites:

The Spire Hotel

The Spire Queenstown was just voted Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2009, and it’s easy to see why: Chic, charming and centrally located, this gorgeous New Zealand hotel was designed with the sophisticated, design-loving traveler in mind. Think spacious guest rooms, stone fireplaces, large balconies and excellent service and you’re brushing the surface of what this hotel has to offer.

Azur
Private and intimate experiences are Azur’s specialty. This Queenstown boutique hotel is composed of nine spacious villas overlooking the lake and mountains. This gorgeous resort is all about the views, so be sure to make use of your private deck and lounge area to make the most out of your stay here.

Blanket Bay
Situated right at the edge of a brilliantly blue lake, Blanket Bay is right in the middle of a green valley between snow-capped mountain peaks. Ideal for outdoorsy types, and people who really enjoy the natural beauty of New Zealand, Blanket Bay cleaned up in the awards category this year, earning the title of “New Zealand’s Best Regional Property” at the HM Awards 2009 and was voted the best leisure hotel in Australasia and the South Pacific in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards 2009. We wrote about Blanket Bay’s 2009 awards on the blog earlier this year.

Want to see the fireworks display to end all fireworks displays?

Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is showing the World’s largest pyrotechnics display (and will set a new Guinness World Record) on December 2, 2009, in celebration of the UAE’s 38th National Day.

The entire skyline of Abu Dhabi will be alight with displays up to 2,000 meters high providing a firework extravaganza to inspire spectators beyond belief. You’ll definitely enjoy the scintillating performance at key locations across Abu Dhabi!

The spectacular show starts at 8.30 pm.

Three barges will be located at the Emirates Palace Marina Bay, and five alongside the West Corniche Road with synchronized music.

The performance will last 45 minutes.

Guests at the Emirates Palace will enjoy traditional UAE cuisine buffet at Le Vendome Restaurant from December 1 to December 3, 2009, and handcrafted UAE National Day Chocolates in every guest room.

An exclusive exhibition runs is currently running in the Emirates Palace Dome, including a 38 tiered National Day Cake, a display of 38 types of dates exhibit, exclusive public showing of a painting by Van Merbeck of HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and an authentic traditional Bedouin Tent.

For one week from sunset to midnight starting on December 2, 2009, Emirates Palace will dramatically light up the night sky with a uniquely designed and orchestrated laser show including sky beam and flying elements.

It appears that Jennifer Aniston and Conde Nast Traveler readers have something in common…they’re both fans of the One & Only Palmilla Resort in Los Cabos.

Spotted enjoying a luxurious getaway at One & Only Palmilla Resort just this month, the lovely Jennifer Aniston retreated once again to one of her favorite spots in the Baja California Peninsula. Was the trip’s purpose to contemplate lingering feelings for Brad Pitt? Who cares! She’s in paradise. Let’s leave her alone for once.

But there is a reason Condé Nast Traveler readers selected this property as one of the best places to stay in the world, for the past five years. (And why Jen has returned to one of her and Brad’s favorite destinations from the past.) Having experienced a lavish $90 million rebuilding and expansion in 2004, this incredible property is the ultimate private retreat complete with intuitive butler service and other countless thoughtful details scattered throughout the resort.

Attracted by the privacy of this gorgeous resort in Mexico, and the deep-sea fishing location, some of the One & Only Palmilla’s earliest guests includes celebrities like John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball and United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Book a vacation here and who knows…maybe you could be lounging by the pool, enjoying a margarita ice pop with one of Hollywood’s most talented!

John Nielsen’s first encounter with the Madeira wine was not the most pleasant. He found it sweet and thin, and in general could not quite understand its fame. But that was all to change.

Mention the word “Madeira” and most people will think of Madeira wine that is produced on the beautiful island. Others will recall using the wine to enhance their cooking.

Venturing into the world of wines and gaining a taste for the alcoholic grape juice can often be a long process. A dear friend, Luiz began the educational process and my mind opened up to a world that I now adore and have worked with for 25 years. Luiz explained the complicated set up of the vineyards and then laid out six different bottles to taste.

The first few wines I had tasted were largely “non vintage” and were by his account “excellent for cooking with”…..the next bracket had an average age of 20 years and proved rich and elegant, but it was the 30 year olds that were simply stunning, I suddenly began to understand the depth and change.

The beautiful island, also known as the “island of Paradise” lies 465 miles off the African coast of Morocco and 622 miles from the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon. With stunning botanical gardens, miles of “lavada” trails for the keen walker, and a landscape that boast mountains, sea cliffs, historical sights and a fascinating history, it’s an ideal destination for all to explore.

The island of Madeira has an oceanic microclimate with the warm Gulf Stream passing through the islands and offers year round warm waters to swim in. The capital town of Funchal is picture perfectly set in the bay and is home to the majority of 300,000 population. You’ll also find a range of some of Madeira’s luxury hotels here including one of Europe grand hotels, Reid’s Palace and newly opened chic boutique hotel, The Vine.

The soil and climate of Madeira were found to be ideal for the production of wine. But many arduous years had to pass by, since the first plantings – circa 1470, before the land was cleared and enough vines planted to make an industry.

Most vineyards are on the south and north of the island, the smallest quantity on the eastern end. Usually the vines hang off trellises with lattice crosspieces for the vines to rest on at heights of six feet.

The roots of Madeira’s wine industry dates back to the Age of Exploration when Madeira was a regular port of call for ships traveling to the New World and East Indies.

The earliest examples of Madeira, like Port, were unfortified and had the habit of spoiling at sea.

Following the example of Port, a small amount of distilled alcohol made from cane sugar was added to stabilize the wine by boosting the alcohol content. The Dutch East India Company became a regular customer, picking up large (112 gal/423 l) casks of wine known as pipes for their voyages to India. The intense heat and constant movement of the ships had a transforming effect on the wine. It was found that the customer preferred the taste of this style of this Madeira Wine. Today three techniques are used to ensure the highest quality of Madeira’s are aged without the use of any artificial heat, being stored by the winery in warm rooms left to age by the heat of the sun. In cases like vintage Madeira, this heating process can last for from 20 years to 100 years.

Grape Varieties and Styles

There are four major types of Madeira, named according to the grape variety used. Ranging from the sweetest to the driest style they are: Malmsey, Bual, Verdelho, and Sercial. The four varieties will guide you in terms of taste, but real style and quality factor is the age. Often found in the export markets are the 5 year old “Reserve ” & the 10-year old Special Reserve.
When visiting Madeira make sure you taste the 15 to 20 year old Extra Reserve.

These wines are rich and a delight. Try them with a bit local goat cheese! To cap of the fine flavors seek out older Vintage Madeira, which must have a minimum age of 20 years and often can be over 50 years old, they can be quite sensational.

Winemaking

The initial winemaking steps of Madeira start out like most other wines with the grapes being harvested in October, crushed, pressed and then fermented in either stainless steel or oak cask. The annual harvest offers visitors a wonderful time to visit, when celebrations are high and the villages are decorated to mark the big event. Through out the island locals can be found helping produce the vintage or at least be part of the process!

The 1954 and 1905 Bual were sensational and dear to my heart. The 1905 was the birth year of my late grandmother and to celebrate her 75th birthday we opened this beautiful bottle. I can still taste the deep rich texture with raisin and honey flavors.

The 1954 proved brilliant and cemented my deep admiration for the growers and makers of this wine, as well as the island.

Madeira’s have been known to survive over 150 years in excellent condition. It is not uncommon to see Madeira’s pushing the century mark for sale at stores that specialize in rare wine.
As I walk down the cobbled streets of Funchal and pass by a wine shop or two, my eyes search to find a few more bottles with vintage Madeira from years that I will treasure.

Tyra Banks, former supermodel turned TV host (among other things), was recently vacationing with friends in Palm Springs, California. Of course, Tyra has impeccable taste and stayed at The Parker Palm Springs?

As Tyra was about to enjoy a delicious lunch on the patio at Norma’s restaurant her waiter, Juan, (nervous and stumbling over his words) introduced himself.

He should have just introduced himself as ‘America’s Next Top Male Model’ as he was just about to be discovered by one of the most popular supermodels of all time!

Way to go, Juan.

Who knows…maybe you’ll get discovered too during your next vacation in Palm Springs?

If you’re looking for a true Washingtonion experience, the W Washington, DC fits the bill perfectly.  Formerly the Hotel Washington, DC, this once historic hotel turned ultra –modern is literally right across from the White House and minutes away from Capitol Hill.

Designed to embody Washington DC’s most powerful suits, the hotel’s underlying theme, is pinstripes and black lace.  Showcased in every detail, the decor was skillfully executed by Interior Designer, Dianna Wong.

It was my last night in DC, and the W was the perfect spot to spend a Friday evening.  Their rooftop bar, POV faces directly across from the Whitehouse.  I heard if the timing is right, you could even catch a glimpse of Obama, getting out of his helicopter.

POV is THE place to see and be seen in DC. There are line-ups around the corner but luckily for hotel guests you just present your room key and off you go!  For the winter season, they are featuring enticing hot cocktails.  Peanut Buttered Rum, Hot Not Chocolate, Mulled Pear Cider, and American Cream & Coffee.  Yum!

Their restaurant J& G Steakhouse, by famed Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten features a selection of premium meats, fresh fish, and the highest quality raw items from the East and West coasts.

I had the Seared Halibut with a Scallion-Chili Sauce Basil and Celery, it was heaven on a plate.

The name of this hotel’s game?  Indulgence. And indulge I did.

Wind, waves, water, wilderness, wonderful food and West Coast warmth await you at the Wickaninnish Inn: if that doesn’t turn you on after your wedding, what will?

Our big day had been a huge success and even more spectacular than we thought possible. But apparently the best was yet to come… a room fit for a West Coast King and Queen welcomed my new husband and I to the earthly delights of the Wickaninnish Inn. When the door swung open, the lights were dimmed, candles were lit, the fireplace was on and romantic music was playing. Rose petals were scattered on the floor, over the bed, and in a bath that had been drawn for us in the double soaker tub overlooking the beach. Wow. And sitting on the table next to the fireplace was a bottle of champagne and a welcome card from Guest Services representatives, Emmanuel and Rheena.

Waves were crashing on the rocks below our balcony and the wind was howling. This was our idea of heaven.

Several hours earlier, on our drive here, we had accidentally drifted off course. “Nicole, I hate to say this, but shouldn’t we be in Ucluelet or Tofino by now? Or Port Alberni?” My new husband suddenly looked sheepish. Apparently he had unconsciously headed towards the site of his stag the week before instead of our honeymoon destination. I had been dozing since we docked in Nanaimo, but now, a few hours after we had driven off the ferry in Vancouver Island’s Departure Bay, I was wide awake. As we passed a sign saying Port Hardy – not Port Alberni – I decided to call The Wickaninnish Inn.

Cory at Guest Services was calm and gracious as we realized that we had been headed in the wrong direction for a few hours despite clearly marked signs. He kindly offered to change our dinner reservation at the Inn’s Pointe Restaurant to as late as possible. The staff at the Wickaninnish was clearly prepared to go above and beyond to “iron out any wrinkles” in the beginning of our marriage.

Upon our arrival, we were seated in the dining room while Emmanuel took our things to our room. We were brought two glasses of Blue Mountain Brut and ordered a dozen fresh oysters to share. I decided on the Ginger & Tamarind Glazed Sablefish and Paul asked for the Sloping Hills Pork.  We both had a piece of each type of delicious homemade bread brought to our table, and the amuse bouche was fantastic.  My sablefish and Paul’s pork dish were out of this world and we shared crème brûlée in several different flavors for dessert. A dish of decadent chocolate truffles arrived with our cappuccinos, accompanied by a piece of dark chocolate with the word “Congratulations” written on it in white chocolate.

Needless to say, this welcome put us in a wonderful mood and the rest of the week got better and better. There was a surf competition taking place – the O’Neill Coldwater Classic – down the beach; the restaurants in town – Shelter, Sobo, Schooner and others – were incredible; our couples massage at the Inn’s Ancient Cedars Spa was an out-of-body experience; the tasting menu at the Pointe Restaurant was gastronomically magnificent; and on days when the weather wasn’t exactly sunny, we had a perfect excuse to luxuriate in our romantic room.

We moved to the Chesterman Beach Loft Suite for our last night at the Inn.  That meant Paul could do the one thing he’d been determined to accomplish while we were there – cook crab! It was a lot of fun and a delicious treat – thanks to the suite’s well-equipped kitchen. We even collected seawater to cook our 3 huge live crabs in. Yum.

I met with Charles McDiarmid, the Managing Director of The Wickaninnish Inn, the next morning for a guided tour. It’s impossible to stay at the Wickaninnish without being impressed by the incredible attention to detail around every turn. From the furniture and art pieces made by local artists, to the use of recycled wood to the way that every part of the place reflects its unique combination of awe-inspiring, wild surroundings and unmatched, sumptuous interiors. Did I mention that you can see the view from every place in the bathroom… even the shower? Our king bed was turned down every night, there were books and dvds in the library to borrow, countless indoor and outdoor areas to explore, and always someone willing and able to offer us anything we needed. It quickly became evident that creating the Wickaninnish Inn was a labor of love for Charles, his father and their team.  As a result, the Wickaninnish is a truly magnificent Canadian destination.

Paul and I love to travel. We had spent time in Europe last summer, and I had just moved back to Vancouver from Toronto before we got married. But when the time came to plan our honeymoon, we both realized there was no place we’d rather go than Tofino… and definitely no hotel we’d rather stay at than the Wickaninnish Inn. The best part of it is that now I have the perfect excuse to suggest a stay there at least once a year… for our anniversary, of course.