Hotel Spotlights
Where They’d Lap Up the Longest Day of the Year
Following her yearly curve, the sun once again reaches her most northern position and grants that hemisphere the longest, lightest touch of her rays. The longest day of the year, Summer Solstice, is here. To mark the changing of the seasons, we called upon a few of our favorite travel documentarians to share where they’d wish to while away all the daylight hours.
Kasbah Tamadot
Emilie Ristevski @helloemilie
“I’m daydreaming of returning to Morocco and escaping to Marrakech and Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains for the longest day of the year. Relaxing in peaceful courtyards, siping fresh mint tea in the gardens, reading by the fire-warmed lounge, hiking through the rich landscape and watching the sunset over the lush valleys with mountain peaks in every direction.”
A star in Sir Richard Branson’s small constellation of hotels, Kasbah Tamadot is 27 differently decorated rooms, including Berber-style tented suites tucked within the gardens. On offer are mule rides in the mountains, hot air balloon rides over Marrakech and, naturally, a traditional Hammam.
Borgo Santo Pietro
Madeline Lu @lumadeline
“I would wake up in the La Casa Dei Fioro Bianchi Destra suite at Borgo Santo Pietro and have a morning swim in the private pool. I’d walk their lush organic garden and farm and say hello to the chickens, lamas and sheep. In the afternoon, I’d head to the flower workshop to learn how to make a pretty bouquet from the resident florists, follow that with an appointment at the Borgo Spa—their natural Seed to Skin products smell and feel divine. I’d have breakfast and dinner at the Michelin-starred Meo Modo and lunch at Trattoria sull’Albero—the rabbit dish is exquisite. At the end of the day, I’d cuddle on the outdoor sofa by the fireplace and watch the stars twinkling above.”
A 13th century stone villa with just 16 rooms, Borgo Santo Pietro rests in the Tuscan hills outside Florence. In classic Italian form, they have Vespa scooters for rent and a cooking school for making fine work of the region’s flavorful ingredients.
Hotel San Cristóbal
Carley Rudd @carleyscamera
“After a margarita-filled night dancing with friends, you’ll find me lounging around in the sun and taking turns between swimming in the ocean and pool at Hotel San Cristóbal. I’ll have the chips and guac coming on repeat with fresh fish tacos too.”
Named for Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, Hotel San Cristóbal sits beachside in the artsy surf town of Todos Santos, Mexico. Made for laidback living, its 32 colorful rooms afford views of the Pacific, where migrating gray and humpback whales do their yearly pass by. The hotel’s restaurant Benno serves us a refreshing mix of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, along with small-batch mezcals and tequilas, naturally.
Cape Weligama
Jessica Wright @bontraveler
“For a day well spent at Cape Weligama, I would have at least one meal at the Ocean Terrace with breathtaking views of Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. The rest of the day would be spent lounging at one of their picturesque pools, followed by a sunset walk down to their beach.”
On a verdant headland facing the Indian Ocean, Cape Weligama’s 39 private retreats are the work of celebrated Thai architect Lek Bunnag. Close by are Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Dondra Lighthouse, perched at Sri Lanka’s southernmost point.
il Sereno Lago di Como
Gigi Hopkins @_itsbeautifulhere
“If I could teleport myself back to the heavenly Patricia Urquiola-designed il Sereno for the longest day of the year, I would wake up early to watch the sun rise over the lake and then enjoy a long, lazy breakfast on the terrace of my suite. From there, it would be paddle boarding on the lake, followed by some lounging by the pool, a spa treatment—a facial perhaps, maybe the Rituale Energia at the The SPA at Il Sereno. Then, aperitivo on the Sundeck while the sun goes down, before heading to dinner at Ristorante Berton Al Lago.”
On famed Lake Como, il Sereno’s 30 lakefront suites boast floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. The show stopping property has its own fleet of boats, Valmont Spa, beach and 60-foot-long freshwater infinity pool suspended over the lake.
Ojai Valley Inn
Michelle Halpern @livelikeitsthewknd
“Ojai Valley Inn is one of my favorite luxury escapes from Los Angeles and it’s the perfect place to spend the summer solstice because there’s so much to do there without ever leaving the property. I’d pack in a full day at the resort with meals at one of the many restaurants, a round of golf, poolside lounging, roasting marshmallows around a firepit and, my personal favorite, pampering at their newly renovated Spa Ojai.”
On California’s Gold Coast, Ojai Valley Inn befits the charming, Spanish-style town it sprung from. The resort is known for its par-70 championship golf course, a Senior PGA Tour spot. For winding down, there’s yoga, tai chi and body treatments, and for filling up, the restaurants draw from the region’s farms, vineyards and rich, Pacific waters.
