Luxury Travel Insider

Today we’re welcoming Serge Ditesheim, the General Manager of the new One & Only Mandarina in Nayarit, Mexico. The One & Only Mandarina is one of the most talked about openings in all of luxury travel, set to open in two weeks on November 1st. The property will be a collection of stylish treehouses and clifftop villas nestled into the rainforest and overlooking the Pacific ocean. You’ll be able to spend your days in your private plunge pool, out surfing, or indulging in arguably some of the finest food in Mexico. Serge and I discuss what makes this undiscovered bit of Mexico so special, and how One & Only delivers luxury in a casual yet sexy way. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/    See show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

If you love luxury with a heart, Sol y Luna is the spot for you. The hotel is a gorgeous set of little villas, decorated in rich colors and artwork, and cooks up some of the best food you’ll find in the Sacred Valley. Petit wasn’t always in the travel world - she had a corporate career first, which brought her to Peru. It was then that she and Franz realized something different was calling them - so they quit their jobs to seek it out and started a foundation in the Sacred Valley. The hotel came after, as a way to fund education for local children.  Petit and I discuss why the Sacred Valley is not to be missed on a trip to Peru, how to seek out truly off the beaten path experiences, and what it’s been like to raise a family and build one of the top hotels in Peru while staying true to her passion, the foundation. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/    See show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Jade McBride is the Managing Director of Ted Turner Reserves and GM of Vermejo Park Ranch. Vermejo is set on 550,000 acres in Northern New Mexico on a spectacularly beautiful and diverse reserve. Here you can head out on adventures around property to go hiking, fly fishing, or see wildlife like bison, elk, and black bears. Then after it all, you can come back to the lodge, enjoy a world class dinner with a fine wine, and tell stories of your day around the fireplace. This is truly where adventure meets luxury. Jade and I discuss the property of course, but also his interesting philosophies about the team and how he’s built a culture at Vermejo - and how that inevitably affects your experience. We also talk about Ted Turner’s love for conservation, some wow experiences, and other cool insider tips. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/    See show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Julien Surget is the General Manager of the famed Amangiri hotel in Southern Utah. Amangiri is a modern sanctuary situated among 600 acres of wilderness and isolation in the desert. Every detail of the hotel was thought through in order to honor the surroundings - from building the pool around a massive boulder, to using the desert light to play off the structures, to the 25,000 square foot spa that just exudes relaxation. Julien, of course runs one of the top hotels in the US, but is also a true forward thinker, and leader in the world of travel. After our recording, he told me that “hospitality is the noble art of hosting” and his passion for that really shines through in this episode. Julien and I discuss the ins and outs of being an Aman Junkie, why Amangiri is so special, and a few interesting tidbits on what to expect from the property next. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/    See show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Andrea Bonilla and Hans Fister are the co-owners of Cayuga Collection in Central America. Cayuga is a collection of 7 independently owned luxury boutiques in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. The company employs over 450 local staff and protects 1,500 acres of rainforest. Though each property has its own unique soul - what ties them all together is Hans and Andrea’s commitment to people, service, and sustainability. They’ve managed to create a unique culture where you can experience both luxury and authenticity, creature-comforts and sustainability. We discuss what makes up the heart and soul of these gorgeous properties, what it takes to become a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, and a few behind the scenes details too. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/    See show notes, photos, and listener perks  HERE.   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

Introducing Luxury Travel Insider, hosted by Sarah Groen. Each week we'll chat with Icons in luxury travel to bring you insider details on some of the best hotels in the world, most interesting destinations, and top tour guides/conservationists. Our goal is to inspire you to experience the world and understand, at a deeper level, the heart and soul that goes into creating bespoke travel experiences. In this short episode I'll discuss who the podcast is for, reveal some of our amazing future guests, and tell you more about myself too. Enjoy! Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/  Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn