Getaways

In the heart of Tucson’s vibrant entertainment district, Hotel Congress stands like a well-worn leather suitcase—scuffed, storied, and full of character. Nearly every inch of the century-old hotel on Congress Street evokes a different era, from the rotary dial phones in guest rooms to the original 1930s switchboard that still greets visitors in the lobby. Richard Oseran, a longtime criminal defense attorney who bought the hotel in 1985, calls it a “working museum.” What started as a preservation project has become one of the Southwest’s most iconic historic properties and a touchstone for Tucson’s cultural scene. “The structure was here,” said Oseran, recalling the hotel’s condition when he first walked through its doors in the mid-1980s. “There was a console...

On a sunny Sunday afternoon like today’s, our local mountains typically attract hikers, mountain bikers, and nature enthusiasts. But for now, quiet has settled over much of this wilderness. "TRAIL CLOSED" signs stand as sentinels at once-popular trailheads. Fences block...

Tucked between the shimmering Pacific and the manicured edges of UC San Diego, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is the kind of place that makes you forget what time it is, and what day it is, and so it...

It was a summer Saturday, 24 hours after I’d walked the final miles of my Camino de Santiago (The short route––Sarria to Santiago de Compostela) over six days and nights, and spent the last night in an actual monastery. (Nuns silently tended the garden as my taxi drove up, and an unmarried couple was turned away at the door. It was a monastery.) I boarded the Alta Velocidad train at Santiago, after replacing my lost earbuds in a lobby gift shop, and two hours later I was in the heart of Madrid, staring up at the UMusic Hotel like it was an oasis in a desert. For two days and nights I had nowhere to go that I didn’t want...

Nestled atop the Chaillot Hill in Paris' distinctive 16th arrondissement, the newly refurbished Hôtel L'Ormaie & Spa defines urban tranquility.  In a late summer/early fall week, we experienced firsthand the meticulous attention to detail of this charming 4-star boutique accommodation, following its extensive renovation. And, if I’m not mistaken, we were the very first guests of the hotel in its new state, as a number of staff members confirmed to us.  The hotel's façade exudes classic Parisian charm, seamlessly integrating with its upscale neighborhood between Place de l’Étoile and Place du Trocadéro. Inside, the ambiance is a happy blend of contemporary design and elegance.  The 44 rooms and junior suites are thoughtfully designed, featuring custom furnishings and soothing color palettes...

 Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is one of Southern California’s most popular year-round destinations, though winter brings an especially magical charm. From the crisp mountain air to a host of activities, a December visit to...