Roam+Board :: Makena Resort

[trip style = beach + sun + budget conscious]

{Editor's Note: This is the final post (for now---there's always time for Maui), in our four-part Maui Waui miniseries exploring the tropics by way of boutique hotels, budget stays and big-name resorts.}

What
Makena translates to “a land of abundance and plenty” in Hawaiian, and this 1800-acre version of Hawaii is on full display at Makena Resort, a quiet, lush and sprawling ode to super natural Maui. Within minutes of arriving at the removed resort, I hit the beach {priorities, right?} and true to the translation, spot a turtle as I'm snorkeling just offshore.

Reinventing the face of the 80s-built Maui Prince, the hotel’s new owners graced the 310-room space---in the multi-millions---with retro-nouveau injections like reimagined circular pools accented by citrus-hued umbrellas and seven free-to-use cabanas, and restored mid-century furniture throughout.

One feature that makes the hotel really special is its shape and uber use of indoor-outdoor space. Every room has a lanai and from every lanai there's an ocean view. At night I take advantage of my seafront setting and fall asleep with my balcony door open to the sound of the wind rustling the palms and the crashing ocean waves. Ahhh.

Where
Makena, Maui, five minutes South of Wailea and a 30-minute drive from Maui’s main airport {OGG}.

When
Maui’s 25-degree C average temperature attracts visitors year-round. High season tends to revolve around major holidays/breaks like American Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break and summer. Visit in fall, Jan/Feb and late-spring for fewer crowds and cheaper rates.

Who/Why
Budget-conscious travelers who don't want to sacrifice setting or style, and score on amenities like a sugary-sand beach with super snorkeling, an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course, tennis club, multiple restaurants and open-air beachfront spa to name a few.

Cost
Rates start at $209 and include self-parking, WiFi, pool cabanas, and a complimentary shuttle service that takes you to and from nearby Wailea. NO RESORT FEE! Oh, and every room has a fridge.

More Maui
Maui Waui :: What's New In Wailea
Roam+Board :: Napili Kai
Maui Waui :: Paia
Another Side of Hawaii
Finding the Modern in Waikiki

[photos taken by @tripstyler---except arial shot courtesy makena resort---while exploring Maui as a guest of the hotel]

Roam+Board :: Nita Lake Lodge

[trip style = weekend getaway]

{Editor’s Note: We’re running a contest in partnership with Expedia right now! Tweet a photo and the hashtags #freedom & #expediafindyours for a chance to win a trip to Aruba or a $250 Expedia travel voucher. // PS - I recently stayed at the Nita Lake Lodge and it is Trip Styler Approved.}

What In a sea of mega mountain resorts, Nita Lake Lodge is a quiet, lakeside retreat with boutique appeal. Think cool, alpine comfort, chiseled by color and a touch of library-chic.

Case in point: two-tone wood tables flirt with faux-fur pillow-topped traditional black velvet and brown leather seating. All huddling around a giant stone fireplace, this environs is exactly where you want to sip a cedar-infused rye sour {seriously, highly recommended} après one of Whistler's zillion summer or winter pursuits.

And speaking of fireplaces, every one of the 77 oversized rooms---a minimum of 550sf in size---share this cozy commonality. Rarely do I want to crack open a book in my hotel room, but the dancing flames and lake views demand it.

In the eve, refuel at Nita's Aura Restaurant. Written up by food critics from Vancouver to New York, chef Mike Guy creates modern Pacific, farm-to-table meals, each with a story of the field where the Pemberton potatoes were sourced or the straight where the fresh halibut was caught.

Off the beaten path from Whistler's condo clusters, the Nita Lake Lodge is close enough to the action, yet as far away as you want it to be.

Where Shoreside at Nita Lake in Whistler {near Creekside gondola}, about a one-and-a-half-hour drive or a three-hour luxury train ride {summer season only} from Vancouver, BC.

When Picturesque year round. Summer and winter buzz, while spring and fall are quieter lending themselves to a rejuvenating trip style = weekend retreat.

Who/Why Library-chic matches your horn-rimmed spectacles.

Cost Summer rates start at $149/night and include wifi, breakfast {if you book through the hotel direct}, use of hotel bicycles, a resort shuttle operating seven days a week from 7am - 11pm, access to the fitness center and the spa's sauna and steam room. Fido can stay for $25 extra per night.

{Trip Styler Tip :: If you'd like to surprise a special someone with a trip style = luxe + active escape, check out the Summer Rail Package {$659/person} combining a two-night stay with a return rail journey from North Vancouver aboard the Rocky Mountaineer's glass-domed coach, a stand-up paddle board lesson by REO Rafting on Nita Lake and a $180 Aura Restaurant dining credit.}

More Roam+Board Hester Creek Winery – Oliver, BC Fairmont Banff Springs – Banff Thompson – Beverly Hills The Sorrento Hotel – Seattle The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand Hotel De La Paix – Thailand From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos taken by @tripstyler when a guest of Nita Lake Lodge]

Roam+Board :: A BC Wine Country Escape at Hester Creek

[trip style = weekend getaway + wine tasting]

{Editor’s Note :: Two months ago I flew up to the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, BC with a bunch of sommeliers to surround myself in all things wine country at Hester Creek Winery. I'm a big fan of the place---the people, the location, the Villas and the 2007 merlot. The 2007-built Hester Creek Villas are Trip Styler Approved!}

What
Hester Creek Winery had me at their cascading slopes of syrah and chardonnay. When I found out there was six Mediterranean villas, I was sold. Twist my rubber arm to stay and sip not just IN wine country, but AT a winery.

Resting high on the hillside above the hustle and bustle of the winery, one glance out the window and my soul begins to settle. Hester's villas are each positioned so you never forget you're surrounded by grapes. Arched entrances, Italian porcelain tile and a colour scheme of pinot blanc and cabernet merlot punctuate the nouveau-Tuscan design.

My steaming coffee in-hand, I open the double doors to my patio's black iron bistro table and pillow-topped loungers, and decide happy hour isn't just about a glass of cab franc in the afternoon, in wine country, it's every moment. Cheers.

PS. If you need any convincing to visit BC's wine country, in this short video, Kim Cattrall asks you to stop by.

Where
In Oliver {South Okanagan}, BC, Canada's westernmost wine country and the self-proclaimed wine capital of Canada. By car: 5 hours from Vancouver. By plane/car: fly into Penticton or Kelowna and rent a car from there for the 1-2-hour journey.

When
Late spring, summer and early fall are the ideal seasons to visit. The desert landscape, cooled by "air drainage" {wine speak for cool air rushing along a downward slope}, makes the temperatures hot-to-trot but bearable.

Who/Why
You're looking for a lifestyle escape among the vines. Something with character, bunched in with grapes. A place you can dine al fresco under a vine-tangled terrace, listen to a summer concert in the vineyard or take an executive chef-led cooking class.

Cost
Rates start at $225/night in mid-winter and top out at $295/night in the summer high season {closed November 1st-Feb 9th}. Prices include a welcome bottle of Hester Creek wine {naturally}, breakfast in your room or on your patio, wifi and parking. No pool or hot tub, but cool down or heat up in the soaker tub. Fido will have come on your next vacay, pinot isn't good for pups. Over weekends there's a two-night minimum stay.

More Roam+Board
Fairmont Banff Springs - Banff
Thompson - Beverly Hills
The Sorrento Hotel - Seattle
The LIT! Bangkok - ThailandH
otel De La Paix - Thailand

[photos taken by @tripstyler when a guest of Hester Creek, bottom right photo via Hester Creek]

Roam+Board :: Fairmont Banff Springs

[trip style = active/adventure + luxury + spa]

{Editor’s Note :: I was just a guest of the Fairmont Banff Springs and the iconic property is Trip Styler approved.}

What First things first. The Fairmont Banff Springs isn't just a hotel, it's a fairy tale scene right out of a just-shaken snow globe.

I don't think I've ever referred to a hotel as magical, but the 768-room castle {literally} carries a Harry Potter-level mystique with chandelier-covered ballrooms, arched grand entrances and a stone-clad exterior. Within seconds of pushing my way though the rotating wood and brass doors, it quickly becomes my favorite Canadian heritage hotel, and yes, the four-lane bowling alley helps sway my decision.

Whether or not you have any interest in history, you can't help but be taken by the 1888-built property. You'd be in good company, Marilyn Monroe liked it too, and if she were here today, I have a feeling she'd escape under the trio of cascading waterfalls in the spa's spring fed pool. This alone is worth writing home about. Fold in the stop-in-your-tracks views, and you've got a post card-perfect Canadian scene stealer.

Where In Banff, the heart of the Canadian Rockies, a one hour drive from the Calgary International Airport.

When Summers are warm like hot chocolate, winters are frosty like snow cones, and shoulder season could go either way. When I was there in mid-May, it went from a balmy +25 C one day, to a snowy -2 C the next. Dress in layers---from flip flops to snow boots.

Who/Why You're 30% adventurous 70% chic, and like an intrepid boy scout/girl guide you'll just as quickly march into the wilderness as you'll waltz into the wine bar for après. Lucky for you, both are much better enjoyed with views of the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cost Rates start at $299 per night Jan-May and Oct-Dec. During summer high season, rooms start at $449. Valet parking is $35+ tax/night and self-park is $25+ tax/night. Bark woof, Fido can come too for $25/night. Expect complimentary wifi and a $49 spa rate *if* you sign up for Fairmont's free {and fabulous} loyalty program.

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More Roam+Board Thompson - Beverly Hills The Sorrento Hotel – Seattle The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand Hotel De La Paix – Thailand X2 Kui Buri – Thailand Ecopod Boutique Retreat – Scotland From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos by @tripstyler]

Roam+Board :: Thompson Beverly Hills

[trip style = luxury + sun + urban]

{Editor’s Note :: I just stayed at the Thompson Beverly Hills---a hotel I'd been eyeing and booked via Hotel Tonight. PS - it's Trip Styler Approved.}

What Transplant a hip NYC hotel dressed in dark leathers, tinted shades and modern accessories into LA and you've got the Thompson. Think edgy with a set of pearls. Sure, there's a scene, but in a clash of East-meets-West, it's varied enough for bohemians and high society to mingle sans entourages.

Boutique-y rooms carry the hotel's smokey hues right down to the black marble-clad bathroom, ebony herringbone hardwood flooring and leather headboard sporting a few mirrored strips for effect. Balancing rooms' ying with some yang, a bed with stark white sheets, and sheer grey curtains soften the palette.

Once at the rooftop, LA comes out to play. Strategically placed palms and bougainvillea add some lush to the urban landscape, and the pool---fairly big for a tightly sculpted 107-room hotel---brings out the bathing suit in all of us. Think of it as your chic beach in the city.

Where In Beverly Hills dah-ling.

When The warm California sun shines down on LA year-round---329 days per year to be exact---with minimal rain that tends to fall in the winter. Summer temps hover around 24 degrees C and winter temps hover around around 15 degrees C.

Who/Why You're a trip style = urbanite who likes to match your structured wardrobe to your hotel's design. Lounging poolside is as close as you'll get to sun and sand.

Cost Rates start at $150 per night and include complimentary wifi in the lobby and at the rooftop pool. In-room wifi is $14.95 per day. Valet parking is $35+ tax/night. Fido is not allowed.

{Trip Styler Tip :: If you're a light sleeper, BYO earplugs and ask for a room at the end of the hall, away from the elevator.}

—————————————————– New here or faithful TS reader? Get daily trip style tips delivered right to your inbox or RSS reader, AND interact with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! ——————————————————

More Roam+Board The Sorrento Hotel - Seattle The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand Hotel De La Paix – Thailand X2 Kui Buri – Thailand Ecopod Boutique Retreat – Scotland The Saguaro AZ – Scottsdale From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos by @tripstyler]