Roam+Board :: Rockhouse

[trip style = sun + budget conscious]

{Editor's Note: In the fall, Trip Styler ran a Romantic Caribbean series breezing over this budget-conscious, seaside gem. I haven't stayed here personally, but I've sailed along its shoreline, and in that instant, decided I'd one day be a guest.}

What With thatched-roof bungalows connected by cliff-side bridges and boardwalks, the Rockhouse boutique hotel and spa is an eco escape that actually looks the part. Forget about shoes and ditch most items you thought you needed in your suitcase in favour of a bathing suit and casual cover-up.

Start your day in a downward dog and savasana pose beside the resort's sea-swept outcroppings, snorkel into the afternoon, and get to know your beach-read as the sun sets. Finish with a jerk chicken roll-up or banana leaf-steamed snapper and a Red Stripe {the local beer} at one of the hotel's restaurants {whose chef won Jamaica's chef of the year in 2010 and 2011}.

Blurring the line between raw and refined, and value and style this Design Hotels member has won enough prestigious international awards to fill its eight lush acres.

Where Negril, Jamaica, an hour and a half transfer from Montego Bay Airport {MBJ} and a six-hour flight from the West Coast.

When Jamaica is blessed with tropical temperatures throughout the year, and is most crowded and expensive in high season: mid-December to mid-April. May, October and November account for Jamaica's rainy season---the latter corresponding with the tail-end of hurricane season {June - November}. The worst storms tend to hit from late July to late September.

Who/Why Sand gets in your bathing suit and crowds get on your nerves. You prefer a less fussy escape characterized by sunsets and seclusion atop your Caribbean cliff.

Cost From $160/night in winter, and $125/night in summer. Includes wifi in the lobby and restaurant.

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More Roam+Board Hotel Bellevue - Near Seattle Rolling Huts – Methow Valley {WA} Golden Rock Inn – Nevis The Ace NYC – New York The Viceroy – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos via Rockhouse & other online sources]

Roam+Board :: Hotel Bellevue

[trip style = weekend getaway + luxury + active]

{Editor’s Note: Enter to win a travel set from Shaffali Skincare, inspired by Ayurvedic herbs aromatherapeutic essences including French lavender, Croatian sage, Italian orange blossom, and Egyptian geranium! Contest ends TODAY. Enter NOW!}

What The 67-room Hotel Bellevue is hidden, that's the point. Not a place to be seen or be dazzled, the sub/urban retreat has a secret weapon: Bellevue's most prestigious wellness address. Hotel guests get access to the 200,000-sf Bellevue Club with a state-of-the-art spa, health club, indoor jogging track, gym, three pools {one outdoor}, tennis, racquetball and squash.

Wrapped in a West Coast architecture with a refined contemporary interior, the sub/urban retreat leaves you with a sense of low-key luxury. Above a landscaped garden, one of the rock pillars fronting the property holds a small, gold sign -- Small Luxury Hotels of the World -- which sets the tone for your entire stay. With discreet service and amenities like a Mercedes towncar, this health hotel holds its own, without having to be in the centre of it all.

I recently stayed here and this property is Trip Styler approved. {See my detailed Trip Advisor review here.}

Where Bellevue, Washington. Two minutes outside of downtown Bellevue, 15 minutes from Seattle and 2.5 hours from Vancouver.

When Year-round. Stay and play in the health facilities, walk in nearby parks, or shop at Bellevue Collection or The Bravern. Don't miss our fave restau picks.

Who/Why You're seeking a calm and collected trip style = weekend getaway. Ideal for a girls shopping/wellness weekend, couples health retreat, personal escape or family getaway.

Cost From $135/night including access to sports facilities and fitness classes {incl. yoga and pilates}, wifi and Mercedes S63 AMG towncar service. Valet is $12/night. Dogs are $25/stay.

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More Roam+Board Rolling Huts - Methow Valley {WA} Golden Rock Inn - Nevis The Ace NYC – New York The Viceroy – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire From ice hotels to Anna Wintour's steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos via Hotel Bellevue]

Roam+Board :: Rolling Huts

[trip style = weekend getaway + camping & glamping]

{Editor's Note: As we mentioned on Monday, in addition to Travel Beauty, Roam+Board is now publishing every other Wednesday! Your mid-week just got a little more dreamy, we *hope.* Re: this property, I've never stayed here, but I hope to in the next year.}

What If quiet was a sound, you'd find it at Rolling Huts. Tucked into the Methow Valley between the North Cascades mountains, a herd of six warming huts stake a claim on the farmland below. Boxy bungalows with basic kitchenettes, wood-burning fireplaces and platform beds host your trip style = glamping + weekend getaway.

Replace your morning commute with a 6km cross-country ski to the nearest espresso bar and TV watching with stargazing. This is a place to mentally unplug and surround yourself with nature.

I first came across Rolling Huts in Sunset Magazine {<---Love} in an article about "The West's best romantic getaways", and though getting far, far away from it all at a property bathed in minimalism won't be everyone's version of a sultry weekend, you'd have no choice but to cozy-up in your cabin with hot cocoa!

Where Methow Valley, Washington; six hours from Vancouver, four hours from Seattle. During winter the WA-20 Washington Pass connector is closed, so you take a slight roundabout route to arrive. In the summer take 2.5 hours off the above-mentioned travel times.

When Year-round. Cross-country ski in winter, explore nearby towns in shoulder season, and hike and bike in summer.

Who/Why Modern, sparse architecture is your thing, or want to clear your head. You like to get away from it all, and don't mind a communal potty/shower barn that's a few steps from your pad.

Cost Cottages from $125. During holidays add a $10/night. Huts comfortably sleep two, and can be configured to sleep four. $25 pet fee per stay. Includes wifi.

More Roam+Board Golden Rock Inn - Nevis The Ace NYC – New York The Viceroy – Palm Springs The Parker – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire Kura Hulanda – Curacao Hotel Kakslauttanen – Finland The Met – Vancouver Custom Hotel – LAX Bitter End Yacht Club – BVI Sleep On The Water – London A Woodsy Hideaway – Big Sur, CA

[photos via Rolling Huts]

Roam+Board :: Nevis

[trip style = beach + sun]

{Editor's Note: This is our last Roam+Board of 2011 (next Friday is Fashion Friday), so we thought we'd go out with a bang with an exclusive hideaway sans the exclusive price tag. I've never stayed here, but it's on my hot list.}

What Sitting atop a lush hill in an old sugar mill, the Golden Rock Inn is the quiet, confident type who doesn't need to be the centre of activity. With six pastel cottages painting the grounds like the Inn's bouquet of tropical flowers, 11 rooms occupy this beautifully restored property.

The escape from escapes, and surprisingly more approachable than posh, the property is more of a hideaway than hotel. Case in point, Anna Wintour, her monsieur and their kids vacationed here over last Christmas and New Year's. You'd think she'd want to jetset to a Missoni or Armani property, but maybe she lets her guard down---or takes her sunglasses off on vacation---hence the gorgeous, yet modest location that's more TOMS than Tom Ford.

A mix of old, new, country and modern, the hotel is owned by artists and the photos communicate just that. Restored rock buildings, juxtaposed with mod pool loungers, splashes of colour and plantation-style furniture.

Where Golden Rock Estate, Gingerland, Nevis. Fly there via San Juan, Puerto Rico, St Maarten or Antigua.

When Nevis is in the Caribbean's hurricane belt, so unless you're the adventurous type who likes a great deal, stay away June - November. If you want to chance it a little, August - October are usually the worst culprits.

Who/Why You're artsy and value a tranquil, secluded, boutique escape paired with lush grounds. You like an ocean view, but don't need to be oceanside.

Cost Cottages from $175 in off-season {apr 15 - dec 22} and from $240 in high season {dec 23 - apr 14}.

More Roam+Board The Ace NYC - New York The Viceroy – Palm Springs The Parker – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire Kura Hulanda – Curacao Hotel Kakslauttanen – Finland The Met – Vancouver Custom Hotel – LAX Bitter End Yacht Club – BVI Sleep On The Water – London A Woodsy Hideaway – Big Sur, CA

[photos via golden rock inn]

Roam+Board :: The Ace NYC

[trip style = urban + weekend getaway]

{Editor’s Note: I just stayed at the Ace NYC and it's Trip Styler approved. Have you entered to win a $200 credit to zozi, an online hub for local experiences in 63 cities in Canada and the US? Perfect as a gift for the person who has everything!}

What With walls papered in old book pages, low lighting, communal tables and minimalist flower arrangements, the Ace delivers all the service and amenities you’d expect from a legacy hotel brand, with a different flavour. Let’s call it bourbon cilantro swirl. Vanilla has no place at the Ace NYC.

Make no mistake, the Ace isn’t just a restored building bathed in unexpected street-style art, recycled material and dressed-down staff. It’s a well thought out, purposeful place that’s as much a hangout as it is a hotel. Everything from the decor and the people to the transitional location ooze the Ace’s low-key-meets-approachable vibe in a way that leaves guests feeling like they’re staying at both a hot spot and home away from home. Thank the hotel's NY-based designers Roman and Williams for this; the design duo have done several famous hotels, as well as the homes of Kate Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Some rooms are petite, literally just a bed and a shared bath. The next category is almost as small with a double bed, highly efficient bathroom and old pipe with hangers in place of a closet. From here, rooms categories soar from queens to kings to party-worthy suites outfitted with Pendleton blankets and record players, among other amenities.

Where In Manhattan's NoMad district, on the corner of Broadway and 29th. Located one block from a subway station for uptown and downtown access, and a 5-10 minute walk from Penn Station if you're taking a shuttle or the LIRR train to/from JFK. Getting there from Vancouver is pleasant {think full meals with wine, helpful flight attendants and hand lotion in the lavatories}, direct and nightly with Cathay Pacific.

When Year-round, particularly fall and spring. Yes, Manhattan can get a little muggy in the summer and frosty in the winter, but it's still New York. Same city, different outfit.

Who/Why You have a Mac, read Dwell or Nylon, dress in high-waisted pants, fedoras and booties and consider the Olive Garden your culinary enemy. Wrapping yourself in the Ace's boxer-style, sweatpant-material robes, taking photos with your in-room Polaroid and bathing with a bevy of the best hotel toiletries around makes you clean, cozy and cool.

Cost Rates typically start at $99 during promotions. Includes wifi, a gym and the hippest lobby scene I've ever seen. Fido is welcome if you want to chill with your furry friend.

{Trip Styler Tip :: Start your morning with a coffee and apple cinnamon croissant or cheese and pecan scone at Stumptown Coffee---an uber-popular Portland transplant---connected to the hotel's lobby.}

More Roam+Board The Viceroy - Palm Springs The Parker – Palm Springs Sorobon Beach Resort – Bonaire Kura Hulanda – Curacao Hotel Kakslauttanen – Finland The Met – Vancouver Custom Hotel – LAX Bitter End Yacht Club – BVI Sleep On The Water – London A Woodsy Hideaway – Big Sur, CA

[photos by @tripstyler & @heatherlovesit, lobby & staircase photos sourced online]