Local Foreigner

Do you hear that? It's the sound of spring break *being over.* If you took the kids to Disney, or ziplined with them through Costa Rica, or were assistant engineer on an infinite number of sandcastles on Bahamian beaches, congratulations! You survived. And now you deserve a vacation. May we recommend the impeccable (and very grown-up) @er_stbarths ? If you put your ear close enough to this picture, you can actually hear the masseuse asking your preferred pressure.

What's in a name? If you're The Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid, then apparently, a whole lot of confusion. Is it a Ritz Carlton? Is it a Mandarin Oriental? Allow us to clear up the confusion. Just like the Hotel Ritz Paris, the Ritz Madrid is a storied property built in the early 20th century under the watchful supervision of legendary Swiss Hotelier, Cesar Ritz (who yes, eventually was the linchpin for the development of the Ritz Carlton brand in the United States, but that’s another story entirely). The hotel changed hands throughout the years, but was bought by Mandarin Oriental in 2015, thus giving it the name Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. Mandarin has overseen its ⁠top-to-bottom multi-million dollar renovation, which brings 153 Gilles & Bossier designed rooms, five dining venues reimagined by Quique Dacosta, and a centuries-old, utterly enviable location next to the Prado Museum.

@mo_ritzmadrid

Cheekily described by Sicilians as the “tollbooth of the Mediterranean,” Sicily exhibits influence from its European and North African neighbors, imbuing its architecture, cuisine, and culture with distinct Sicilian flavors -- the two most important of which are almond and lemon. On this island, how you take your granita is a defining personality trait. ⁠
⁠@belmondgrandhoteltimeo

Eschewing the one-size-fits-all, margaritas and mariachi pigeonhole, @oomandarina is redefining the Mexican vacation on the northern stretches of the Riviera Nayarit. Here, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico like you've never known it is unveiled between budding eucalyptus and waves of palo santo. Here, a long way from the bright colors and bold patterns we've come to ordain as Mexican, One & Only reveals a muted palette of natural woods and polished concretes -- bold accents playing second string to focal points inspired by Nayarit's indigenous communities, like Nayeri textiles and Huichol fabrics. Days are spent hiking with local botanists or whale watching along the Marieta Islands and nights are celebrated with local torch rituals. Come happy hour, you can still get your tacos and mezcal, but they’re Enrique Olvera-ified, with elevated ingredients like Veracruz softshell crab, huitlacoche, and fried lemongrass.

There are five Aman resorts in Indonesia, which may leave a lot of people scratching their heads...like really? Five? Is that necessary? So allow us to put this in a context New Yorkers can understand: pizza. There's the pizza place you order pizza from. There's the pizza place you order takeout from, but not pizza. There's the pizza place where you go to eat pizza. And the pizza place where you go to eat chicken parm, but not pizza. Then there's the slice place. And the specialty slice place. And the place you go when you're in Brooklyn. And the place you go when you're in Jersey. So yeah...five Amans. ⁠
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@amankila
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In the great big book of Florida, Boca Grande, a tiny island 45 miles south of Sarasota, falls somewhere between the chapters of old money Palm Beach and castaway Key West. Anchored by the sunshiny @gasparillainn, the island falls into the ranks of genteel southern resorts that generations of pastel polo-wearing families have been coming for decades. The "inn," which bears the unmistakable atmosphere of a southern country club, is dotted with gingerbread cottages connected by palm fringed bike paths and flowering birds of paradise. Activities befitting such a place -- tennis, croquet, fishing -- keep guests occupied while not lounging on sugar-white sands, and half a dozen restaurants ensure there are enough venues to show off a whole closet full of whale-emblazoned chinos. Rooms feel a bit more 90s retirement condominium than luxury resort, so spring for a beach cottage, the villa category with refreshed Celerie Kemble interiors. 

We’re hiring! See link in bio for more information on all open positions.
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Meet Camilla, a member of our growing team of independent contractors. Camilla found the travel industry by way of gemstones. We are helping her give her business a little polish.

Read more about Camilla on the blog: https://www.localforeigner.com/blog-posts/meet-camilla-catlin-independent-travel-consultant

Meet Elizabeth, a member of our growing⁠
team of independent contractors. Elizabeth⁠
came to Local Foreigner with a strong foundation⁠ in the travel industry. Now, we are helping⁠ her build something great.⁠ Read more about Elizabeth on the blog!

https://www.localforeigner.com/blog-posts/meet-elizabeth-walsh-independent-travel-consultant

Meet Cally, a member of our growing team⁠
of independent contractors. Cally has worked⁠
with some of the top luxury travel agencies.⁠
Now she’s continuing her travel journey with⁠
us.⁠
⁠
Read more about Cally on the blog: https://www.localforeigner.com/blog-posts/meet-cally-pirrung-independent-travel-contractor

Meet Nancy, a member of our growing team of independent contractors. Nancy spent 21 years writing about travel. We are helping her with the next chapter.⁠
⁠
Check out the link in our bio to read more about Nancy’s travel journey and our Independent Consultant program.

https://www.localforeigner.com/blog-posts/meet-nancy-novogrod-independent-contractor

Working with the best makes you better. Join our Hosting Program as an Independent Contractor and you’ll benefit from the challenge of being on a team that is always striving to be the best.

https://www.localforeigner.com/hosting

Check out our blog, where TLF partner Alex Erdman Ely discusses everything IC — what she loves about our Independent Contractor Program, what we look for in an IC, and why now might just be the best time to join our team.

https://www.localforeigner.com/blog-posts/why-i-love-our-hosting-program

Join us as an Independent Contractor. You’ll learn from our experience, perfect your business model, expand your network, streamline your processes and love your job.

https://www.localforeigner.com/hosting

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Local Foreigner updated their address.

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Local Foreigner updated their business hours.

Paris, Chicago and Beyond: How to Have a Luxury Trip for Much Less Than You Think

If the The New York Times comes to Local Foreigner for travel advice, then you should too.

Paris, Chicago and Beyond: How to Have a Luxury Trip for Much Less Than You Think A high-end vacation doesn’t have to mean spending big dollars. Here are 10 cities where you can have upscale experiences without paying premium prices.

Five Tips for a Luxury Paris Getaway on a Budget

Check out our very own Barkley Hickox sharing some Parisian secrets with The New York Times !!

Five Tips for a Luxury Paris Getaway on a Budget The City of Lights is known as a pricey place to vacation, but with these tips you can stretch your dollars and still enjoy the finer things Paris has to offer.

An evening of Italian wine with the Local Foreigner team & some of our industry favorites. Thank you for joining us!🍷❤️

9 hotel secrets that will get you room upgrades and other perks

We had a chat with mic.com about how to score perks... (a topic we make sure Local Foreigner clients have a lot of experience with).

9 hotel secrets that will get you room upgrades and other perks Travel experts explain how to get the most bang for your buck.

We are excited and honored to be finalists for TWO Virtuoso Travel Innovation awards for Best Client Experience and Best Agency Office!

David Kolner Matthew Upchurch David Hanson Barkley HickoxAlex ErdmanAlexandra YoudeemBrooke Pearson Lavery

Back at the office in NYC, but still dreaming of our lovely breakfast at Ritz Paris with the ever-charming GM Christian A. Boyens & sweet Davidna Goeta!

Local Foreigner is hiring! We are seeking a smart, worldly, intuitive communicator for our full-time position of Travel Coordinator. Details at the following:

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/323135545/

This afternoon we had a visit from the lovely Francesca Tozzi, GM of the Capri Tiberio Palace...and she put us in the mood for a little Bellevue Suite plunge. Thank you Carlos Quereda!