I Took My Dream Babymoon . . . With My Baby

I never realized how peaceful it would be to see a sea turtle up close.

The ocean was calm that morning as I paddled off Wailea Beach on an outrigger canoe, stopping to inspect red pencil and collector urchins, which tickled the palm of my hand like a hedgehog. The guide said there'd be a chance of a sea-turtle spotting, but to keep expectations low. Yet, as we scanned the horizon, a turtle suddenly popped its head above the water, bobbing and coasting along the canoe for a moment before descending back down. It felt like a small miracle, like when a ladybug lands on you. It was exactly the kind of experience I knew my husband would love.

But my husband wasn't there. Instead, he was back in our hotel room, sitting in total darkness and getting blasted by artificial ocean waves emanating from a sound machine as our 9-month-old takes her morning nap.

We're finally taking our dream babymoon. The only issue is, our baby's here.

I should preface this by saying we were lucky to have no shortage of adventure while we were expecting. We visited my parents in Spain, did a pre-baby couples retreat in Arizona, I even took a "hatchelorette" trip with friends in Mexico. But somehow, we never got around to taking that quintessential babymoon we'd talked about - one where we could fully unplug, relax, and let the day be dictated by buffet hours and spa treatments.

That was quite alright. Again, we'd had plenty of travel, but a few months after welcoming our daughter, a thought crept into my mind one night as I washed and sterilized breast-pump parts for the millionth time. "Fuck. We should've gone to Hawaii." An idea was planted. While we'd never be able to turn back the clock and take that trip as our more carefree pre-parenthood selves, what if we tried?

Many months later, after careful planning and a good deal of panic shopping, that's exactly what we did. We made the nearly six-hour flight from LAX to Kahului Airport and arrived at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea ready for our babymoon, baby in tow.

As we pulled up to the open-air lobby, we were greeted with sweeping views of the Pacific, with Molokini Crater off in the distance. The lobby is pristine, swathed in soft lighting and neutral tones. Viewers of "The White Lotus" will recognize the hotel as the setting for the first season. But as we took in the sights, I realized we had a bit of a problem on her hands: my daughter had a blowout en route, and she needed to be tended to immediately . . . and her onesie also needed to be disposed of. (Off to a great start already, I'm sure you're thinking.)

We settled into our room, which had graciously been set up with all the necessary baby accoutrements: a crib, of course, but also a diaper pail, bath seat, baby toiletries - the works. The hotel has even left alphabet bath sponges shaped spelling out my daughter's name.

Dinner on our first night was at Komo, the on-site sushi restaurant. Sushi is a favorite cuisine for us, but we hadn't yet taken our daughter to a sushi restaurant for obvious reasons. (We've got quite a bit of time before she's able to go to town on some toro.)

Somehow, it still managed to be fun for the whole family. We enjoyed pieces of buttery nigiri, and for the little lady, the chef whipped up a rice bowl with avocado and snow crab.

After a long travel day, however, my daughter started to melt down, and so, I brought her up to the room and put her to bed while my husband finished his food. Then, we switched off: he stayed with the baby as she slept, while I enjoyed dessert and a nightcap in the lobby lounge. I texted my husband about some of the goings-on in the lobby. People-watching is a favorite pasttime of ours, and I wished he was there, but I also really enjoyed the moment to myself.

The next morning, we enjoyed the breakfast buffet before I headed out for my aforementioned outrigger canoe excursion. When I returned, I relaxed at the pool with my daughter, as my husband enjoyed an oceanside massage. When he was done, the four of us spent the rest of the day in the cabana, transporting our daughter back and forth between the family pool and the playpen they had set up for her, complete with beach toys.

At night, we sprung for a babysitter, which was arranged with help from the concierge, so we could have dinner to ourselves at Spago. After nine months of childrearing with minimal breaks, it felt surreal to step out into the resort just us, on a date like old times.

On the walk to Spago, we were struck by the sunset. A couple on their honeymoon stopped to take some photos with the hotel's fountain pool in the background. I had been saying that we needed more photos together throughout the trip, but in that moment, we just held hands and took it all in.

At dinner, we enjoyed a bread basket with various avant-garde butters alongside Hunan glazed eggplant and a New York steak. We reflected on how we've grown since becoming parents, but also the growing that still lies ahead. Occasionally, we just sat and enjoyed the silence we've come to appreciate that much more since having a baby. We only looked at the baby monitor app twice, which felt like a win.

The next day, our final full day, I shuffled over to the concierge to see if they could arrange for my husband to do the same outrigger canoe excursion I had loved so much. Thankfully, there was an open seat that morning. He didn't see a turtle, but when the canoe stopped for a paddling break, he did get out and swim.

Though we couldn't experience it silmultaneously, we were still, in a way, experiencing it together.

After a leisurely last day, and an oceanside massage for me, we ordered our dinner to go from Ferraro's, the on-site Italian restaurant, and enjoyed it from the comforts of our balcony. It was there that our daughter discovered her love of cacio e pepe, and for this foodie, that meant the world.

I won't bore you with all the details, but the flight home would likely be interpreted by most as a disaster. We hadn't packed enough snacks or toys or whatever else, and when the travel exhaustion started hitting our daughter, she fussed and cried for the last half of the journey, only to fall asleep conveniently as we were landing.

I might've normally cried myself - and I came close - but fresh off our Hawaiian reset consisting of days spent lounging, swimming, and dining on delicious meal after delicious meal, I simply looked at my husband and laughed.

Related:

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Kelsey Garcia (she/her) is the lifestyle director at PS, where she oversees coverage across Balance and Health & Fitness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, wellness trends, and evolving parenting styles. Before joining the PS team as an editorial assistant in 2015, she interned at Elle and Harper's Bazaar, among other publications.

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I Tested the Galaxy Z Fold8 Phone in Aniya Harvey's Viral Commercial

Image Source: Samsung and PS Photography / Jessica Andrews

By now, you've likely already seen the Samsung "Switchers" campaign taking over the internet featuring one of my favorite "Love Island USA" Season 8 couples, Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt, as well as "The Traitors" Season 3 alums Ciara Miller and Dylan Efron, and football stars Nick Foles and Clay Matthews. The premise of the clever ad campaign, which features the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 ($1,650, originally $1,900), is removing emotional barriers behind switching smartphones with renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Orna Guralnik offering a playful take on unpacking our hesistancy to try out new devices.

While I certainly can't relate, I have to admit I'm an easy sell when it comes to considering a new smartphone; my one and only question is: how good is the camera? As a senior style director and content creator, I need the performance equivalent of a professional camera that's the size of a handheld device I can keep on me at all times. I also need a full-blown miniature version of a laptop so I can keep up with all the editing, emailing, and Zoom meetings I take on the go. A lot to ask of a smartphone, right?

Keep reading to see how the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 held up to my admittedly high demands.

About the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

• It has a 7.6-inch main inner display with a passport-style 4:3 aspect ratio.
• It has a 50MP dual camera.
• It offers 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage.
• It's available in lavender, cream, and graphite, as well as pistachio exclusively on Samsung.com and in Samsung stores.

Image Source: PS Photography / Jessica Andrews

What I Like About the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

As I mentioned, the camera is a major priority for me, which essentially means the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 had me at hello. While Samsung devices are known for their powerful and clear cameras, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 takes it to a new level with an expansive screen that allows me to see every detail of my landscape photos if I'm capturing a fashion show finale or taking pics at a tennis tournament, for example.

But beyond the camera, I almost exclusively watch TV shows on my laptop (ahem, "Love Island" and Bravo's "Summer House" included) and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is the first time I've even considered watching on my smartphone. With an expanded shape, a super-steady video (using horizontal lock), and a bright display, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 offers a seamless content-consuming experience that I've never experienced before on a handheld device. And these features come in handy whether you're watching movies, reading books, gaming, or taking Zoom meetings. What's more, after I'm done, I can fold the phone again and slip it in my pocket or handbag, so it's truly the best of both worlds.

Speaking of, yes, I know the folding capability is the big draw and hype around the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and yes, it delivers. You can easily and effortlessly fold the smartphone, which feels nostalgic in the best way as someone who loved her flip phone in the early 2000s.

Image Source: PS Photography / Jessica Andrews

What's Worth Noting About the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

If smartphones with an expansive screen are not your thing, you can opt for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 ($1,200) for the same fun flip-phone experience (and stellar camera!) at a smaller size: a main inner display of 6.9 inches when unfolded and a cover screen of 4.1 inches when folded.

Also, Samsung regularly faces criticism around the "green bubble" and the inconvenience of data transfer between smartphones from other tech companies, something the brand addresses head-on in the aforementioned "Switchers" campaign. The Smart Switch feature promises to alleviate some of that stress by allowing you to transfer contacts, photos, videos, apps, and more from your old phone seamlessly, though it's worth noting it only enables transfer to a Samsung device, not externally to non-Samsung brands.

There's also RCS messaging, which allows you to share hi-res photos and videos between devices but doesn't completely eliminate green bubbles. And finally, the brand is promoting its Quick Share feature as a convenient way to send files; while it still was a bit of a challenge for me, I find that uploading files to Google Photos or Drive helps me share them easily with any device.

Who Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Best For?

Anyone who believes in the art of multitasking. With a larger inner display, you can use the Galazy Z Fold8 for watching TV shows and movies, reading, gaming, video conferences, and more. It even lets you run multiple apps side by side, a dream for someone like me who is always juggling several tasks at once. And it still delivers the powerful camera you'd expect from a Samsung, with even more potential for beautiful landscape photos and videos thanks to the expansive screen.

Where Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Available?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is available at Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy.

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Jessica C. Andrews (she/her) is an award-winning editor and writer who currently works as the senior style director of PS, overseeing beauty, fashion, shopping, and identity content. With more than 15 years of experience, her areas of expertise include fashion, shopping, and travel. Prior to joining PS, Jessica held senior roles at Teen Vogue, Refinery29, and Bustle and contributed to The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Essence. She's appeared on "Good Morning America," NBC, and Fox 5 New York and spoken on various panels about fashion, hair, and Black culture.

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Meet 3 Couples Who "Fake Dated" and Actually Fell in Love

In high school, Olivia Brent had an ex who wouldn't leave her alone. Her solution? Get a fake boyfriend to get him off her back. "It was a very quick, gut-panicked reaction," says Brent, who was 17 at the time. When her ex showed up at their school football game, she turned to Tyler, a guy in her social circle sitting next to her on the bleachers.

"I said, 'Oh my god, hold my hand. We have to pretend like we're dating,'" Brent, now 33, recalls.

"What?" he said.

"Roll with it. I'm freaking out."

For the next month or so, the two committed to the bit: talking more often on the phone, coordinating their stories, and figuring out how to make their sudden romance convincing to mutual friends and, most importantly, her ex. What started as a temporary arrangement eventually became a very real, 17-year relationship. And now, it's a marriage that's been going strong for 10 years.

Courtesy of Olivia Brent

If that sounds suspiciously like the plot of a rom-com, that's because fake dating - with a friend, enemy, or a complete stranger - is one of the genre's most reliable tropes.

In "Off Campus," a shy student and hockey stud feign a relationship to get the attention of her crush. In "Anyone But You," two flings-turned-enemies pose as a couple to get through a destination wedding. And now, "The Love Hypothesis" is the latest to join in on the cliché, with Lili Reinhart starring as a student who enters a pretend relationship with a young professor.

On screen, the appeal is obvious: pair two people who insist they're not into each other, give them an opportunity to act like they're in love, and wait for the inevitable tension to kick in. But what happens when the trope leaves fiction? We talked to couples who fake-dated their way into the real thing - how it played out, what they learned, and the unofficial rules for pulling it off.

How These Fake-Dating Couples Found Love in Real Life

Pretending to be a couple might sound simple enough - until you have to keep up the act, or, say, run into your fake boyfriend's very real ex. That's exactly what happened to Jade Parnell, who fake-dated her longtime friend (and now partner of seven years) in 2019 on a two-week vacation in Budapest, Hungary. At first, their arrangement was mostly for their own spontaneous amusement. Then, somewhere between boarding the plane and landing, they realized there was one complication they hadn't anticipated.

"His ex-girlfriend from a number of years ago was also in Budapest," Parnell recalls. "He was like, 'Well, the odds of us bumping into her in a random large city is pretty low.'"

As it turns out, the odds were not that low, and they ran into her at a bathhouse. Suddenly, their innocent game of make-believe had stakes.

"It felt to me more real," she says, "because this is someone who's going to hold you more accountable. It feels more legitimate."

The more they committed to the act, the more convinced Parnell became of their potential to be more than friends. "Calling ourselves boyfriend and girlfriend . . . it just felt so easy," she says. So easy, in fact, that afterward, she suggested they stop pretending. "I was like, "we should just continue to do this." (And they did.)

Courtesy of Jade Parnell

In the movies, fictional couples can seemingly kiss, hook up, and push the boundaries of their arrangement while insisting it's all for show. In real life, however, things can get a lot messier. This is why Maia Fraser was careful about avoiding mixed signals and one-sided heartbreak when enlisting her friend to be her pretend-boyfriend for one night in an attempt to ward off creepy men at a bar.

"I was very concerned about me potentially getting upset because I developed feelings and he wouldn't," she says. So, she established clear boundaries: he could put his arm around her waist, occasionally grab her hand, and generally look the part - but that's where the performance ended. "I didn't open any sexual doors at all," she explains. There was no kissing, no hooking up, and no sneaking off together in private.

With those boundaries in place, she didn't have to second-guess herself or let physical intimacy complicate her situation. However, after the night ended, when there was no longer a charade to maintain, her friend admitted he'd liked playing the role - and wanted it permanently. Two and a half years, they're still together. "I honestly think it's because I didn't allow for those emotions to get mixed up at the same time of the fake dating."

Courtesy of Maia Fraser

It's easy to assume that every pretend couple must have secretly liked each other all along. Otherwise, why even agree to play the part? That's certainly the movie version. But for Brent, the experience itself sparked something she hadn't seen coming: feelings for someone she'd never considered romantically.

While she and her now-spouse had grown up together, to her, their relationship was purely platonic. That is, until the fake intimacy began. The hand-holding, late-night calls, the small decisions they made to sell their romance created a version of their friendship she'd never experienced before - as well as a glimpse of what it might be like to be more than friends. To her surprise, she liked it.

"People are like, 'Oh, it's just movies. It's just fantasy," Brent says. "But it is a real love story. My 33-year-old self is still as madly in love, if not more than my 17-year-old self was."

Related:

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Jenna Ryu (she/her) is a writer who covers relationships, friendships, mental health, fitness, and beauty. Most recently, she was the lifestyle writer at SELF, where she reported on the latest wellness trends and launched the magazine's first friendship advice column, Asking for a Friend. Her work has also appeared in Outside Magazine and The Washington Post.

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This Affordable Hidden Gem Is My Go-To Hotel in New York

Ten years ago, I spent a summer in New York City, living out my dream of working at a magazine. I was in college, and my best friend and I managed to find two month-long sublets in Williamsburg - which, at that time, was the coolest place we could imagine. There were dark, moody restaurants and rooftop bars and a newly opened Whole Foods. I took the J train every morning to work and felt like adulthood was really starting.

It was a wonderful summer, which is why I still have a soft spot in my heart for Williamsburg. A short train (or ferry) ride into Manhattan, the area still boasts very cool restaurants and bars, and it offers a slower pace that, in my 30s, feels much more suited to my lifestyle than Manhattan proper.

As a frequent traveler to New York from the West Coast, I used to try to maximize my work trips by staying in Midtown. But I found that these hotels are often crowded, expensive, and not very nice, given they're overrun with tourists. So I set out to find a hotel that felt impossible by New York standards: affordable, spacious, and well-located. And I'm excited to report that I've discovered a hidden gem: The Penny Hotel in Williamsburg.

Without further ado, here are all the reasons you should stay there on your next trip to the Big Apple.

About The Penny Hotel Williamsburg

• Queen rooms come equipped with a queen-sized bed, a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, and pour-over coffee setup, and a sizable bathroom.
• The hotel also offers Queen Sleeper rooms, Supreme Queen rooms, and the Your Majesty suite.
• When I stayed at The Penny in August, rates started at about $230 for a Queen room, but prices vary depending on demand.
• ElNico, a rooftop bar and restaurant on the top floor, serves Mexican fare.
• The hotel partners with local nonprofit LAND Gallery to feature artwork by New Yorkers with developmental disabilities across its rooms and common spaces.

What I Liked About The Penny Hotel

I was immediately taken by the property when I showed up at 6 a.m. after a redeye, bleary-eyed and probably smelly, and the front desk managed to get me into a room despite my showing up several hours before check-in.

But it wasn't just that: the entire property allowed me to actually exhale, even though NYC usually makes me feeling on edge. Its common areas (including a patio and a rooftop) are tastefully decorated with local art, and I was so surprised at the size and capabilities of my room when I opened its doors: it boasted a whole kitchenette, lots of space to spread out, and a colorful robe that I immediately changed into.

One of my gripes with staying in cramped Manhattan hotels is that there's virtually no room to hang out, whether that's getting some work done or chowing down on takeout. That's not the case at The Penny, where I cooked myself breakfast every morning, making delicious cups of coffee they provided with the room's high quality Fellow kettle and pour-over set-up. The entire room is outfitted with these delightful touches; there was also a colorful yoga mat and roller that allowed me to stay active throughout my stay there.

My younger self would absolutely approve of the location, which is just a two-block walk from the L train, which takes you directly downtown. I actually don't find that staying in Williamsburg makes travel any less convenient, even if most of my work events are in Manhattan. You are 15 minutes from the heart of the city, and yet you get all the benefits from being located a bit outside the fray. What's more, this hotel is significantly cheaper than its Manhattan counterparts; you pay "budget" prices for somewhere that feels far more elevated than your typical Manhattan hotel.

And it should be said that Williamsburg is worthy of a trip in and of itself - one of my favorite restaurants in all of NYC, Lilia, is right around the corner from The Penny. I also spent an entire afternoon working out of the restaurant's rooftop restaurant, elNico, enjoying the panoramic views of Brooklyn and Manhattan. I'll say that the entire building feels quiet and chill; the staff is friendly but not overly intrusive, making it feel like more like an apartment building than a stuffy hotel.

I've now been back to The Penny twice, and every time, I feel like I'm coming home. You'll never catch me squeezing into a Midtown hotel again.

Who Is The Penny Hotel Best For?

The Penny Hotel is perfect for any traveler to New York who appreciates efficiency, more space in their hotel rooms, and a very well-designed space. I've recommended it to all my friends who are looking for an affordable option in New York.

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Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at PS, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.

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How I Reset My Nervous System on a Solo Trip in Los Cabos

Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

It dawned on me that I hadn't taken a deep breath in a while. I exhaled, lowered my shoulders to ease the tightness, and gazed out at the open ocean ahead of me, all while submerged in my private plunge pool at
Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – a beachfront resort located in San José del Cabo, Mexico.

Frankly speaking, the moment felt like a simulation, as I had never experienced something so simple, yet luxurious before. It was only after I returned from this trip that I realized how much my nervous system had needed a reset.

As I boarded my flight to Mexico last month, nervous with anticipation about my first solo international trip, I tried to remind myself just how incredible this stay would be. Sure enough, once the brilliant blue Sea of Cortez many miles down below me started to come into view through the airplane window, I immediately felt at ease as we touched down in the desert oasis.

The Los Cabos Tourism Board hosted me on this trip to Los Cabos, in which an intimate group stayed at two different properties, tried out a variety of food experiences and enjoyed several wellness-focused activities. This trip was my very first time visiting this region of Mexico, so I went into the stay with no expectations, and left feeling inspired, renewed, and well-rested.

About Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

• The property has 87 guestrooms, 27 suites, one villa, and exclusive residences.
• Standard category rooms have partial or full ocean views of the resort, as well as private plunge pools.
• The Sensei spa offers a large hydrotherapy pool, wellness consultations, spa treatments, and group classes.
• The property also has six culinary venues that celebrate both local and global flavors, including Humo, El Barrio, Equis, Candil Agave Bar, the intimate Sótano cellar, and the casual cafe, Azul.

What I Liked About Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Upon arrival at Zadún Los Cabos, I was greeted by the property staff at the resort entrance with an assembly line of welcome drinks, gifts, and a complimentary welcome mezcal margarita. I was soon whisked away via a golf cart driven by Miguel, my personal attendant, or "tosaoni," a word derived from the indigenous Nahuatl language that translates to "dream watcher."

Property Views

Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

Miguel talked through the amenities as we zipped along the winding pathways of the property, transporting me to a true state of zen. After a tour of the room, which includes breathtaking ocean views, a dreamy outdoor shower, and a personal plunge pool, I couldn't throw a bathing suit on fast enough as the feel-like temperature outside climbed to a steamy 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Private Plunge Pool

Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

This was my first time experiencing a private plunge pool right outside my hotel room, and let me tell you, my hotel expectations are now incredibly high! It was quite magical to take a dip at my leisure: in the morning after (literally) rolling right out of bed, midday when the sun was at its highest (and hottest) point, and to close out the evening after still buzzing from dinner and drinks. The evening may have been my favorite time to take a plunge, as the sound of ocean waves breaking onto the beach in the distance lulled me into a meditative state before bed.

Sensei Spa and Lunch at Equis

Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

Our itinerary at Zadún Los Cabos included an array of activities meant to focus on wellness including a sound journey, a hydrotherapy session and a daily warm up at Sensei, the incredibly tranquil spa at Zadún.

There were also multiple on-property meal experiences including breakfast at El Barrio, a stunning dinner at Humo, a cinematic dinner under the stars at El Mirador, and an informative lunch at Equis, during which we ate and spoke with executive chef Victor Garrido, who was responsible for curating the meal, overseeing the sourcing of ingredients, and working alongside the incredibly seasoned and dedicated team that showed nothing but care and hospitality toward us for the entirety of our stay. My lunch highlights were the fried tuna and tacos al pastor.

Dinner at Humo

Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

One of my favorite culinary experiences was at Humo, an on-property contemporary grill where the "elemental flavors of fire, sea, and soil come together to celebrate the essence of Baja." The moody interior combined with the smell of the local mesquite wood burning in the open kitchen made for a memorable evening and meal presentation, all thanks to Karla Najera, the restaurant's chef de partie.

Menu highlights included charred local watermelon with cashew cream, pickled seaweed salad, ancho chili oil, yuca charcoals (i.e. fried yuca, squid ink, salsa brava, and leek ash), and the A-maiz-ing Cocktail, which consisted of a corn-based Oaxaca spirit and passion fruit, making for a tropical twist on a traditional piña colada.

As the sun rose on our last day at Zadún, I was sad to be checking out, but also excited at what still lay ahead of us, as our trip was only halfway through. Before arriving at our final destination, we made a pitstop at The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt, a luxury boutique hotel nestled along the shores of Cabo San Lucas that features stunning views of El Arco, a famous rock formation, and a saltwater pool carved into the rocks adjacent to the property.

About The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt

• The property has 159 guestrooms, all with terraces featuring ocean or garden views.
• The hotel is located on Playa Monumentos, a "surf paradise" with views of El Arco.
• There is one outdoor infinity pool and one outdoor saltwater pool as well as a full service spa, salon, and fitness center.
• Dining venues include Sunken Bar, The Rooftop, Point Break, The Ledge, Beach, and Manta.

What I Liked About The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt

A Property Tour and Brunch at The Ledge

The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

It was here where I first spotted the aforementioned iconic Los Cabos arch accompanied by an expansive view of turquoise ocean swells and brazen surfers catching the next best wave. This property offered us brunch at The Ledge where I ordered a Café D'Orange (iced espresso chocolate, orange and oat milk) and The Cape Toast (roasted banana, caramelized almonds, vanilla whipped cream, mint, piloncillo glaze, and raspberry atop french toast) - both of which were memorable enough for me to attempt recreating them at home just to reminisce.

About Montage Los Cabos

• The property has 122 guestrooms, including suites and casas steps from Santa Maria Bay, as well as 52 resort-style Montage Residences.
• There is on-property access to the finest snorkeling and swimming beach in the region.
• Spa Montage is 40,000 sq ft. and features a fitness center, pool, and movement studio.
• Dining venues include: Mezcal, Marea, Talay, and Paletas.

Our last and final stop of the trip was Montage Los Cabos, a 39-acre resort located on the Santa Maria Bay waterfront, with various offerings including snorkeling and scuba experiences on-property, several restaurants, four pools, and Spa Montage. We were again greeted with an assembly line of welcomes and smiles upon arrival at check-in. My room boasted another incredible view of the ocean, as well as another (dreamy!) outdoor shower.

What I Liked About Montage Los Cabos

Ocean Views and Turn-Down Treats

Montage Los Cabos. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

We were very well taken care of at Montage and quite literally felt full throughout most of our time at the property with the many culinary delights and experiences they had to offer us, including lunch at Marea, an agave experience and dinner that followed at Mezcal, not to mention a sweet treat (abuelita's hot chocolate!) and a gift left in our room during turn-down service each evening.

Lunch at Marea

Montage Los Cabos. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

As mentioned, the first meal at Montage Los Cabos was lunch at Marea, which offers Mediterranean-inspired dishes led by chef de cuisine Eric Arellano. The food, albeit delicious and fresh, wasn't the only thing that transported me to the Mediterranean as I stared out at the views. My favorite dishes were the Angus Iowa hanger steak and ceviche puttanesca, which included local kampachi, castelvetrano olives, sun–dried tomatoes, and calabrian chili.

Pool Cabana and Spa Day

Montage Los Cabos. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

A pool day (at one of the property's four pools) on our last full day was the perfect way to wind down and reflect back on our time in Los Cabos. I ordered a Cabo Sunset (passion fruit-coconut sorbet, lime sorbet, fresh pineapple and vanilla bean whipped cream) from the pool cabana menu before heading off to Spa Montage for an hour-long massage, which left me feeling light on my feet and without a care in the world, even if for just a moment.

Our evening concluded with an agave experience, followed by dinner at Mezcal, all led by executive chef Xavier Salomon, head sommelier Fabián Martínez, and chef de cuisine Alejandro Euroza. During the agave experience, I discovered that I actually prefer the taste of raicilla (vs. mezcal) on the tequila spectrum, which left me wanting to try out more raicilla-forward cocktails once back home, even as a historically self-proclaimed fan of mezcal.

Dinner Off-Property

Cocina de Autor. PS Photography / Emily Zirimis

Our second to last dinner took us off property to Cocina de Autor, a Michelin-starred restaurant located at Grand Velas, featuring a sensorial dining experience of fine gastronomy led by two-Michelin-Star head chef Sidney Schutte.

The theme of the meal was "memories," wherein the chef based each dish off a specific memory he had experienced throughout his life. As the swirl of dry ice billowed off The Big Apple (matcha latte, green apple, kaffir lime, coconut, and amaranth) and the crispy crunch of the red snapper katsuobushi (hoja santa, grapefruit, avocado, dashi) lingered on my taste buds, I tried to take in this moment as much as I could, appreciating how nice it was to not have anywhere to be other than right where I was, with who I was with.

Final Thoughts

I left Los Cabos feeling full (literally) and restored - creatively, mentally, physically, my camera roll looking like a sea of bright blue and beige. But the complete effect of the trip didn't fully hit me until I returned home, and I realized just how good I actually felt. Well-rested, my skin glowing, my shoulders not feeling as tight. I thought back to how I felt before I had gone on the trip – tense, exhausted, foggy.

While it's not everyday that someone gets to have an experience as luxurious as this one, I tried to take away the aspects that left me feeling more relaxed that I could recreate on my own: slow mornings, swimming, eating wholesomely, being present. As a meme that I saw recently said, "Maybe all we really need is just a fresh tomato and a morning swim." (In this case, fresh avocado.)

Related:

What I Learned About Loneliness After Visiting a Blue Zone

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Emily Zirimis is the associate creative director at Popsugar. Before joining the PS team, she worked as Creative Design Director at Teen Vogue for nearly six years. She holds a BFA in Communications Design with a minor in Art History from Pratt Institute and has been working in the digital media space since 2014.

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What I Learned About Loneliness After Visiting a Blue Zone

Loneliness is so back. Between the rise of "loneliness influencers" and constant discourse about the male loneliness epidemic, loneliness has become something of a hot topic. But that doesn't make it any easier to live with.

In 2024, I moved out of my ex-partner's home and into a studio in Los Angeles. It was my first time living alone in four years and my first time being really, truly single as an adult. Almost three years later, I'm still living alone. Still really, truly single.

Unfortunately, loneliness isn't just fodder for internet discourse - it's legitimately bad for our health. A 2023 advisory from the US Surgeon General found loneliness and isolation to be "more widespread than many of the other major health issues of our day, including smoking, diabetes, and obesity, and with comparable levels of risk to health and premature death."

This point was driven home for me when I got the opportunity to visit the Nicoya Peninsula in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica - home to one of the world's five blue zones. These are areas of the world where people live significantly longer and healthier lives. The question is: why?

My trip started (alone) at the beautiful Westin Reserva Conchal by Marriott. After exploring the property, I met with a larger group for a boat safari in the Palo Verde National Park. There, our tour guide educated us on the local wildlife, the Guanacaste region, and the specific blue zone to which we were headed. This area is known as the Nicoya Peninsula, and it's currently home to 600 people over the age of 100.

Life is hard, but we don't have to go it (completely) alone.

According to our guide, this longevity can be attributed to a myriad of lifestyle factors, including eating habits and environmental resources. But every blue zone has its own secret ingredient - Nicoya's is its sense of community.

The Nicoya Peninsula is led by the "plan de vida" culture. Literally translated to mean "life plan," plan de vida tells us that we all have a unique sense of purpose. In Nicoya, plan de vida also serves the community, with relationships based on trust and care for your family, friends, and neighbors. This community-centered culture doesn't just mean greater shared resources - it's also created a calmer, less stressful way of life. People work hard, but they always know they aren't doing it alone. It takes a village, after all.

So many of us have been told to lower our stress levels at some point in our life (which . . . easier said than done). As Micaela Bayard, MD, previously explained to Popsugar, long-lasting stressors can contribute to inflammation, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, digestive problems, and other chronic health conditions. That said, some stress is unavoidable. The solution? Maybe the village has something to do with it.

The Surgeon General's report writes that "higher social connection provides increased opportunities for and access to support, thus reducing the likelihood of perceiving challenging situations as stressful." This has certainly proven to be the case in Nicoya. Life is hard, but we don't have to go it (completely) alone.

It's natural to feel lonely sometimes, especially as a single 30-something living by herself in a big city. But if I learned anything from Nicoya, it's that - even when loneliness does strike - we're never truly alone. It's our job to call upon those doorbell friends and show up for others the same way (if only to sit with them and do nothing on the couch).

My trip to Reserva Conchal made me realize that, in many ways, I've already built a village of my own, and it's made up of people who love, trust, and show up for each other. My heart and my calendar are both full, and that's actually a great thing for my stress levels and physical health. Who knows? If I keep it up, maybe I'll be celebrating my 100th birthday with them, too.

Related:

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Jordan Shalhoub (she/they) is the supervising producer for Vox Media's lifetyle group and has been creating content and digital media since 2012. They started their career as a documentary editor and continued to report and create around real stories that impact real people - at the heart of their experience is a love of storytelling. She also brings to her work a personal passion for wellness through a fitness trainer certification, mental health advocacy, and championing LGBTQ+ rights (and joy!). Currently, they oversee the short-form video program, from strategy through execution, across editorial and sponsored content.

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"Mastectomy Moons" Are Helping Patients Find Peace Before Surgery

With certain diagnoses, grief is inevitable. How you cope with it is up to you. In 2012, Michele Kraus Bennett tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, which indicates an increased risk for breast cancer. Nearly a decade later, after years of screenings, MRIs, mammograms, and blood tests, she finally scheduled her preventative prophylactic mastectomy for Dec. 1, 2021 . . . along with a road trip across the West Coast. "I was like, 'I'm going to go show my boobs a bunch of stuff,'" Kraus Bennett tells Popsugar. "'I'm going to go show my boobs Joshua Tree.'"

These kinds of "mastectomy moons" might seem a little unusual from the outside looking in. To some, the lead-up to a major surgery isn't the most opportune time for such an impromptu vacation. But for people like Kraus Bennett, there's peace in these moments of spontaneity - not to mention a unique opportunity to grieve, celebrate, and escape on one's own terms.

The trip was partially inspired by Kraus Bennett's actual honeymoon in 2020, which also involved a road trip. "We loved it so much, and at every moment in life, I always think: Is this an opportunity to do something really memorable and big?" After planning her mastectomy, Kraus Bennett had the same thought. "This is something I could just pass by, or I could really celebrate and mark this moment and do something exciting." Thus, her pre-surgery road trip was born.

Image Source: Courtesy of Michele Kraus Bennett

Kraus Bennett's trip started with a flight from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles. From there, she and her husband rented a sprinter van and started making their way across scenic camp sites along the West Coast. In various Instagram galleries documenting her journey, Kraus Bennett describes rugged rocks and blue skies, quiet mornings and peaceful hikes, soft sunrises and cold sand.

"As it turns out, I had cancer on the road trip, but I didn't know," she says. "We camped at this place called the Alabama Hills and we were all alone in the campground . . . it was like $8 a night. It was so pretty, and we would just go on walks in the evening." Throughout her trip, she also explored Death Valley, went horseback riding, visited Meow Wolf Omega Mart in Las Vegas, had breakfast in Palm Springs, saw the Hoover Dam, and spent time at Disneyland. "I took my bra off in the bathroom before Tower of Terror," she laughs. She looks back on the memories fondly.

Image Source: Courtesy of Michele Kraus Bennett

Kraus Bennett says the road trip allowed her to find some levity in a dark situation. But it also gave her space to come to terms with all the changes that were about to take place. "The other night, floating around in the pool, waving my arms around, I tried to feel the cold water on my chest, and feel how my breasts float, because that will change," she wrote in an Instagram post from Nov. 18. As a synchronized swimmer, the grief felt especially heavy. "I remember standing in the shower and being like, 'I'm not going to feel the water on my chest,'" she tells PS. "I have to soak this up."

"I went on this trip and really did something special."

When her operation finally came around, Kraus Bennett went in with a clear mind and a calm soul. "There's nothing else I can do to prepare. I feel really good about this decision," she thought to herself. She credits the mastectomy moon for helping her step into this mindset. "I made the choice and I went on this trip and really did something special," she says. "It was really nice to be celebrated and get to say goodbye."

Everyone is operating under different circumstances. But if you have the means to schedule a trip before a similar surgery or major life change, Kraus Bennett would definitely recommend it. "I think stuff like this is always a good idea," she says. Beyond all the fun memories, it also helped her approach a longer health journey in the best headspace possible.

"I felt like I was as majestic as the places we were visiting," she says. "It gave me so much more peace and happiness."

Related:

4 Loved Ones Share How Best to Support Someone With Metastatic Breast Cancer

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Chandler Plante (she/her) is a staff writer and PS Fit Producer. She has over six years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.

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Inside The Standard in the East Village, Where We Hosted Our 20th Birthday

There's a reason the East Village is one of New York City's most iconic neighborhoods. Walking around the area, you can feel the air buzzing with a certain young, creative energy: residents, students, and tourists alike spill out of boutique shops, bustling restaurants, and trendy bars.

Right in the heart of it all is The Standard, East Village, an equally iconic destination. Known for its sprawling views of Manhattan, the hotel has been the host of many high-profile events - including, most recently, Popsugar's 20th birthday party. We were very excited for the opportunity to partner with The Standard to bring our Y2K celebration to life at its beautiful Penthouse, an indoor-outdoor venue with panoramic views of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Several of our team members stayed overnight at The Standard as well, and we can attest to the fact that this is the perfect spot for your next marquee event or trip to Manhattan. To learn more about the hotel, keep reading.

About The Standard, East Village

• The 21-story building offers sprawling views of Manhattan, with rooms ranging from deluxe suites like the Corner King to more efficient Standard Queen rooms.
• Dining options include Cuna Restaurant and Cuna Bar & Lounge, which offer Mérida-inspired dinner and brunch fare; the all-day stalwart Café Standard; and The Garden, which offers bites and beverages and turns into Chasing the Sun, a partnership with Veuve Clicquot, from June 20 through Labor Day.
• The hotel offers several excellent event spaces, including The Penthouse, where we hosted our party; The Overlook, a meeting and banquet room; and The Garden, which is perfect for outdoor cocktail receptions.
• While there isn't a fitness center on-site, guests have free access to Crunch Fitness, which is across the street.

What We Like About The Standard, East Village

We have to start with The Penthouse, where we hosted our Y2K-inspired birthday party. When we say that this was the ultimate venue for a special occasion like our party, it's a total understatement. As the elevator doors opened to the space, our guests audibly gasped: the views were simply breathtaking. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow the city itself to be the backdrop of any event, with unbelievable photo opps across the entire venue.

Guests, including Monique Coleman and Taryn Delanie Smith, enjoy the outside area of The Penthouse. Image Source: Melissa Alper

Speaking of, The Penthouse offers more than 1,300 feet of indoor space, where we were able to have separate areas for different aspects of the party: the main room, where our DJ spun beats; an area that housed the bar and charcuterie display; and another lounge area with seating and a photobooth. It was the perfect layout for about 150 guests to mingle, pick up their VIP gift bags, snap nostalgic photos, and dance.

On a beautiful summer evening, the wraparound outside space was also a crowd favorite: celebrities like Monique Coleman, Taryn Delanie Smith, and Kaylor Martin loved taking photos with their friends as the Empire State Building framed the background. Another note about hosting at The Penthouse: the entire staff at The Standard made sure guests were enjoying the cocktails, bites, and views, and were a pleasure to work with.

Our team also had the opportunity to stay overnight at the hotel. The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, and the large windows - which look out over the city - make you feel like you have breathing space even amid all the hustle and bustle. We enjoyed working from and hanging out in The Garden, which was a tranquil reprieve from the concrete jungle.

Photos show the inside of The Standard's guest rooms. Image Source: The Standard

And anyone who lives in or has visited New York knows that location is everything. The Standard couldn't be better situated - while it's on a relatively quiet street, it's right in the heart of downtown, just steps from SoHo shops, Washington Square Park, and all the fun bars in the Lower East Side. It'd be the perfect landing spot for someone who had never visited Manhattan before, as well as a seasoned visitor who loves being in the center of it all.

Ultimately, The Standard offers a quintessentially New York experience, with well-designed details (like a funky mirror inside the elevators) and unbeatable views of the entire city. When we say it's dreamlike, we're not exaggerating - any stay or event will make you feel like you're among the clouds.

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Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at PS, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.

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17 Bucket-List Hotels to Visit, According to PS Editors and Reviews

Even with all the lodging options available to travelers these days, hotels are still at the top of my list. There's nothing quite like checking in, enjoying the luxurious amenities, and having the best service at your fingertips, from the concierge to in-room dining. When those same properties offer one-of-a-kind experiences - like cooking lessons with an executive chef or exclusive access to a national park - the case for staying at a hotel is even stronger.

The best hotels truly break the mold with the experiences they offer, whether it's a personal bath butler (yes, seriously) or a nightlife curator who hosts an evening out on the town for guests. To celebrate the best of the best, we rounded up some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. The criteria? The highest ratings on check-in, amenities, staff, and demand, as well as glowing reviews from travelers around the world.

This list of hotels caters to every type of travel experience: there's a wellness retreat complete with an onsite shaman for ceremonies; a floating hotel with preserved design details for history buffs; and a glamorous beachside property that appeared in HBO's "The White Lotus." Keep scrolling to see the best hotels of the year - you're bound to find one to add to your must-visit list.

Check Out the LA Hotel Where We Stayed For Our Aughts Effect Cover Shoot

This story is part of our Aughts Effect package, which celebrates 20 years of Popsugar - and enduring culture. Read all the stories here.

The Popsugar team is no stranger to travel. While we have a couple of folks in Los Angeles, most of our staff lives in New York. That means our cover shoots - which are often in LA - require quite a bit of back and forth. Such was the case when we photographed our four Aughts Effects cover stars - Daniella Monet, Monique Coleman, Sabrina Bryan, and Tahj Mowry - in a mall in Koreatown back in June.

Not only did team members fly in for the shoot; so did Coleman, who lives on the East Coast. When we met her at CitizenM, a hotel in downtown LA, she was bright-eyed and enthusiastic, even after a six-hour flight. Her vibrancy matched the decor of the lobby, which featured pops of primary color and funky accents.

We ended up using CitizenM as our home base throughout the shoot. We did a full-on fitting in one of the hotel's rooms, which proved to be spacious enough for several racks of clothing and all the heeled flip-flops your heart could desire.

Keep reading to learn more about the hotel and hear why our team thought it was the perfect landing spot for a quick trip to LA.

About CitizenM Los Angeles Downtown

• Located at South Spring and West 4th Streets, the hotel is situated centrally in downtown Los Angeles.
• The rooms are made for two adults, each featuring an XL king bed, rainfall shower, and a tablet to control everything from the temperature to the blackout blinds.
• The hotel features a fitness center and meeting rooms on site, making it perfect for work travel.
• CanteenM, the bar-restaurant on-site, is open 24 hours.

What We Liked About CitizenM

This was truly a great hotel for work travel. The location meant that we were a 15-minute drive from our shoot location in Koreatown, and not far from other popular areas of the city. Our stylist had to run all over Los Angeles tracking down the most iconic 2000s pieces, and she was able to make it back to CitizenM in time for our fitting with Coleman. The rooms, though cozy, still had ample space for several racks of clothing. We displayed all of the accessories on the roomy desk as well.

The rooms themselves proved to be highly efficient, perfect for a few nights on a work trip. The XL king-sized bed was roomy and very cozy - which actually made it difficult to get out of bed in time for our early wakeup calls.

Our creatively minded staff also loved the design touches throughout the hotel, from the paper lantern lights in the rooms to the plant walls in the lobby, which is affectionately named the "Living Room." We spent a whole afternoon spread out there, working from outlet-equipped tables and walking up to CanteenM, the bar-restaurant, for Diet Cokes and coffees. We also enjoyed a pre-dinner drink there, toasting to a successful cover shoot in the books.

Who Is CitizenM Best For?

CitizenM Los Angeles Downtown is best for solo travelers or couples looking for a hip, clean, and efficient stay in LA. We'd happily book it again the next time we're working on a shoot in the City of Angels.

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Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at PS, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.

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How I Found Tranquility in the Center of Chicago

When I first visited Chicago in the summer of 2021, I was perplexed that it had taken me more than 25 years to visit. It's a gem of a city, its architecture just as charming and impressive as it promises to be. And while it's world-class, it still has that Midwestern charm: its residents are kind and laid-back, and it's not as expensive as New York or Los Angeles.

Since that first trip with my partner - who was born in the Chicago suburbs and whose family still lives across the area - I've looked forward to every trip back (honestly, even those during the winter). When my good friend (also a Chicago native) invited us to her July wedding, we started planning a very packed itinerary to make time to see our friends and family, enjoy the wedding, and explore Chicago.

As a fan of Four Seasons properties, I reached out to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, and the staff generously offered to host us at their property. We spent two blissful nights in the hotel's Premier Suite, where we got the full Chicago summer experience with gorgeous views of the lake, tasty meals with friends, and peaceful mornings in our luxurious suite.

As if I needed another reason to love the city, I'd be excited to visit the Four Seasons Chicago literally anytime - even in the dead of winter. (Really!)

About the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

• The hotel has 345 rooms and suites equipped with marble bathrooms and premium bedding. I stayed in the Premier Suite, which has gorgeous views of the lake, a huge living room, a wet bar, and two bathrooms.
• Rates start at about $485 per night for a City View room and at more than $1,000 per night for the Premier Suite.
• There's an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center in the building, and the on-site spa has treatments like massages, facials, and body treatments.
• The hotel restaurant, Adorn, offers elevated American fare, and in-room dining is available 24/7.
• There are many family-friendly perks, including a kids' room and an in-room ice cream sundae cart.

What I Liked About the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

Whenever I visit a big city like Chicago, I so appreciate staying somewhere that feels like a reprieve - but still allows you to step outside and into all the action. The Four Seasons Chicago is the ultimate encapsulation of this: it's located in the heart of the city and just steps from Lake Michigan, but the entire hotel is unbelievably serene and quiet. The Gold Coast, the neighborhood where the hotel is located, is perfect for newcomers to the city, given its proximity to Lake Shore Drive and excellent shopping.

Stepping into our Premier Suite, the views of the vast lake and Lincoln Park were breathtaking. It felt like we were among the clouds, and we were definitely above the noise of the city; we couldn't hear anything from our suite the entire weekend, which was especially nice the morning after the wedding.

Ahead of the wedding, I got to experience a heavenly Queen Skin Ritual Facial at the spa. Using 111Skin products, my esthetician made the 50 minutes feel like an indulgence, as if I were a celebrity prepping for a red-carpet event. I wished I could've stayed there for much, much longer.

The suite itself was also an ideal place to get ready for the festivities, with two gorgeous bathrooms outfitted with Le Labo products (my favorite). One morning, we invited our friends and their baby to the suite for a decadent room-service breakfast. The French toast was to die for, and later that night, we dined at Adorn and enjoyed the melon and burrata salad and double wagyu cheeseburger.

As has been noted in our Four Seasons reviews before, the aspect of the stay that we raved about to all our friends - which is saying a lot, given our lovely time hanging out in the suite - was the service. The staff was incredibly kind and courteous, and even left earplugs, bookmarks for our novels, and cord organizers for our laptops during one turndown service. This, aside from all the luxury furnishings of the hotel, truly made staying at the property feel like a five-star experience.

Who Is the Four Seasons Chicago Best For?

While the hotel would be wonderful for any traveler who enjoys staying in well-designed, luxurious hotels when traveling, I'll note that this Four Seasons location seemed especially kid-friendly. We saw families all over the hotel: hitting the pool in the middle of the day and grabbing dinner all together at Adorn at night. I could imagine the very spacious suites are perfect for a family, too.

Is Four Seasons Chicago Worth the Splurge?

For a special trip to Chicago, I would absolutely recommend staying at the Four Seasons. It was the perfect landing pad for a wedding weekend, and being there helped me to relax and find quiet calm during a busy weekend of socializing and travel. While the Premier Suite might only make sense for a special occasion given its price tag, the Lake View rooms are not exorbitantly expensive (especially when compared to hotels in cities like New York or San Francisco), and I'd definitely opt to stay there in the future.

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Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at PS, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.

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What It's Like to Stay at the Vanderpump Hotel as a Bravo Die-Hard

I've spent more time with Lisa Vanderpump than I can begin to estimate. I've dined at her various Los Angeles establishments and watched all of her nine seasons of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and 12 seasons of the subsequent spinoff show "Vanderpump Rules" several times over. It can sometimes feel like I know her personally, her idiosyncrasies etched into my psyche. And now, I've spent the night at hers.

On June 11, the English restaurateur and reality star celebrated the grand opening of The Vanderpump Hotel, her Las Vegas boutique hotel in partnership with Caesars Entertainment. Smack dab in the middle of the Strip on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, the hotel - formerly The Cromwell - has Vanderpump's fingerprints all over it, from the glamorous accommodations to the sultry, velvet-draped lobby lounge.

Asked to describe the hotel in three words, Vanderpump replies: personable, decadent, and, of course, sexy.

It's important to note that Vanderpump has become somewhat of a Vegas fixture in recent years since the 2019 opening of the Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, located in Caesars Palace. She subsequently opened the restaurants Vanderpump à Paris and Pinky's at the Flamingo. The hotel, however, is a first.

I spent three days exploring the Vegas Vanderverse in celebration of the hotel's opening weekend. It was my first time in Las Vegas, actually, which felt fitting for a proud Bravo buff. Here's how it went.

About the Vanderpump Hotel

• The Vanderpump Hotel has 188 accommodations, including 21 suites.
• The average nightly rate ranges from $200 to $500, depending on availability and time of year.
• The ground-floor casino offers 21 table games and 440 slot machines.
• The on-site restaurant is Giada, the flagship restaurant from Giada De Laurentiis.
• The lobby lounge, Gigolo, features a full cocktail menu and bar snacks.
• The lobby also features a Starbucks.
• There is a rooftop pool, Soleia, featuring bungalows and cabanas.
• The hotel's nightclub, Drai's After Hours, is back in its original home beneath the hotel after previously being located on the roof.
• The 24-hour fitness center features Peloton bikes.

What I Like About the Vanderpump Hotel

The first thing I noticed upon arriving in Vegas was the air. It was barely noon and the desert heat nearing 100°F nearly took my breath away. But before I had too much time to think about it, I was whisked away in a purple Cadillac featuring the license plate "2VILLA."

On the 10-minute drive from the airport, Vanderpump was everywhere. Advertisements for her hotel and restaurants towered over the Strip.

I pulled up to the lobby, where I was greeted by a giant display of fuchsia orchids. After a pleasant check-in, I scanned the casino floor, clocking campy details like the red telephone box backdropped by a floor-to-ceiling photo of Vanderpump in London. Further down, a gallery wall displayed highlights from Vanderpump's life, including a photo of her with her daughter Pandora as a baby, but then also her official "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cast portrait.

The ground floor met all my aesthetic expectations: purple velvet furniture, fringe lampshades, gold hardware here, there, and everywhere. What I didn't expect was the lobby's real statement piece: a five-foot tall resin statue of Vanderpump's late pomeranian Giggy, watching over his namesake bar, Gigolo.

The statue is Vanderpump's favorite detail in the hotel. "The little guy that saved thousands of dogs," Vanderpump told Popsugar, reflecting on Giggy as the inspiration for the Vanderpump Dog Foundation. "He's an icon, he belongs there. I felt it was a little too much to ask people to bow down at his feet, but I thought his being there was a nod to all he did for all the dogs in the world."

Upstairs, the hotel is comparatively understated. When I opened the door to my double queen room, I was struck by the soft lavender and pistachio color scheme. Photos of Vanderpump are everywhere (because duh) and a quote about the "good life" and "glory" appears in both English and French in the shower. Honestly, my first impression was that this is the perfect hotel for a bachelorette trip.

For a boutique hotel, this one has many convenient features. Before the grand opening party, I ordered a margherita pizza and arugula salad from room service, and it was just what I needed before a long night of imbibing and yapping in the sweltering heat. (The lemon cookies at Giada also can't be missed.)

In the morning, I appreciated being able to slip down to Starbucks for an iced latte as the all-night partiers and early-bird gamblers crossed paths.

And though no one associates a trip to Vegas with restful sleep, I did manage to reset at the end of each (very indulgent) day thanks to the notably comfortable bed with its crisp sheets and nice variety of pillows.

Vanderpump's got good taste, not that I ever doubted her.

What to Consider Before Booking the Vanderpump Hotel

While my stay made this Bravo fan quite content, there are a few considerations for prospective travelers. For starters, it is a boutique hotel, so it won't have as many amenities and dining options as some of the larger properties, like Caesars Palace or The Venetian up the street.

That said, Caesars is easily accessible via a walkway, so I enjoyed hopping over to the hotel to eat at Peter Luger and Nobu. Also, after a grand tour of every Vanderpump dining establishment in Vegas, I can report that Pinky's at Flamingo Las Vegas was my hands-down favorite. It's a four-minute walk from the Vanderpump Hotel and worth it for the Art Deco decor alone.

One other consideration: parts of the hotel still feel very much in transition, at least during my stay. The pre-existing Soleia rooftop pool, for example, didn't seem to have the full Vanderpump treatment yet. In fact, "Love Island USA" fans might recognize it as the season two filming location. I, however, look forward to its aesthetic upgrade, which I was told will eventually happen.

Who the Vanderpump Hotel Is Best For

My first impression remains true: the Vanderpump Hotel is primed for bachelorette trips. (Even better if the group consists of Bravo fans.) It's also fitting for anyone attending BravoCon, which typically takes place at the Caesars Forum.

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Your Wellness Retreat Can - and Should - Include Wine

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Kelsey Garcia (she/her) is the lifestyle director at PS, where she oversees coverage across Balance and Health & Fitness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, wellness trends, and evolving parenting styles. Before joining the PS team as an editorial assistant in 2015, she interned at Elle and Harper's Bazaar, among other publications.

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