Favorites

As my family and I travel the world, we are always keeping track of all our favorites hotels, restaurants, museums, and more. Our selections are based on the extent to which we like the overall experience, set up, service, location, atmosphere and more.

This is not a sponsored list but rather a list based on our assessments and experiences.

We are modifying our favorites as we uncover new gems. Here are our up-to-date lists. Keeps checking back as we continuously update the lists.

Favorite Hotels
Favorite Restaurants
Favorite Museums
Favorite Travel Essentials

Favorite Hotels

Amangiri, Canyon Point USA — Amangiri, USA

Of all the hotels we have stayed at, our favorite chain is undoubtedly the Park Hyatt – the luxury division of Hyatt hotels. It’s no wonder that a few of our top hotels on the list come from that chain.

Our Top 5 Favorite Hotels

Amangiri Canyon Point, USA – wow, this is the only word that adequately describes this hotel. Secluded, architecturally stunning, amazing. Everything was outstanding – the rooms, the service, the food, the spa. Very expensive but so worth it!
Park Hyatt Milan, Italy – a luxury hotel right in the center of Milan. Beautifully decorated rooms, quiet location yet right in the center of town, within walking distance of many city attractions, one of the best bars with super cocktails and service, Michelin star restaurant which has exceeded our expectations every time we have visited. Just renovated in 2022.
Park Hyatt Vendome Paris, France – a luxury hotel in the heart of Paris’s 1st arrondissement. Beautiful rooms, Michelin star restaurant, within walking distance of the Louvre, river Seine, metro and more.
Park Hyatt New York, USA – a luxury hotel near Central Park, centrally located yet feels quiet and secluded. Additionally, it is just steps away from the metro and within walking distance of many attractions.
Rosewood Washington DC, USA – recently renovated luxury hotel in the heart of Georgetown in Washington, DC. Beautiful setting, excellent rooms, favorite bar, and a great restaurant.

Other Hotels We Love

Rosewood Mayakoba Cancun, Mexico – a luxury hotel in the quiet Playa del Carmen south of Cancun. Beautiful grounds, beautiful rooms and villas, walkable beach, excellent service.
Bardessono Hotel, Yountville, Nappa Valley, USA – location, art, wine making and food meet at this special property in the heart of Napa Valley. Quiet and beautiful hotel with excellent service.
Great Scotland Yard London, UK – excellent location on a quiet street in central London. Historic building, can walk to many local attractions. Hip bar with super creative cocktail menu. Well-appointed rooms and suites.
Rosewood London, UK – luxury hotel, serving one of the best tea services in London. Beautiful rooms, excellent location.
Four Seasons Washington, DC – Georgetown location, excellent rooms, restaurant, bar, and spa.
Mandarin Oriental Miami, FL USA – located on a small island off of Brickell Miami. Fantastic views of downtown and bay. Walk to Brickell city, take the free metro mover downtown, enjoy the beautiful spa and excellent restaurants.

Favorite Restaurants

Alinea Restaurant, Chicago Illinois, USA — Alinea, Chicago

Minibar by Jose Andres — Alinea, Chicago

The following is a list of our favorite special occasion restaurants. If you are a food lover and enjoy experiencing the creativity of top chefs like we do, the restaurants below are worth exploring.

Our Top 5 Favorite Restaurants

The list of our favorite restaurants is so long. It was truly hard to pick our top five but we had to 😊 and here is what we came up with:

Alinea, Chicago – one of the most creative restaurants that we have visited. Every time we return, chef Achatz and his team manage to surprise us. The experience is like being in an art museum (for food), at a magic show, and in a restaurant all at once. A highlight – we were once invited in the kitchen to see how the magic happens! Reservations well ahead of time are required as the restaurant is extremely popular.
Minibar by Jose Andres, Washington DC – simply outstanding restaurant. The magic of making super creative and fine food unfolds right in front of you as all seats are at the chef’s bar. Reservations are required well ahead of time.
Contraste, Milan Italy – Undoubtedly one of our favorite restaurants that we keep coming back to every time we are in Milan. The food, the service, the atmosphere are just amazing. Reserve ahead of time as space is limited.
Elizabeth’s Gone Raw, Washington DC – a favorite vegan restaurant in DC which features an outstanding tasting menu. The atmosphere, food and attention to detail are top notch and worth repeat visits. Reservations are required.
Aramburu, Buenos Aires Argentina – Amazing restaurant, worthy of a Michelin star. An intimate restaurant with outstanding food and excellent service. A truly hidden gem. Reservations required.

Other Restaurants We Love

Europe

Seta, Milan Italy – A hidden gem inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel, Seta is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or to delight in the food art presented by its chef. Simply fantastic. Reservations are required.
Joia, Milan Italy – An outstanding vegan restaurant. The attention to detail and the creativity of chef Pietro Lieemann make this restaurant a must for anyone who enjoys good food and is intrigued by the exploration of vegan food. Reservations are required.
Pur’ – Jean-François Rouquette, Paris France – A top Paris restaurant that is always great and reliable. The food is delicious. Reservations are required. A side note regarding Paris: there are so many great restaurants that it is hard to narrow our selection down (but Pur’ is always a great choice).
Bistrot Vivienne, Paris France – This is a more casual option; however, it really is one of our favorite restaurants in Paris. No reservation required but there may be a wait.
Silvio Nickol Gourmet Restaurant, Vienna Austria – An exquisite restaurant in a sophisticated city. We absolutely loved the food, the atmosphere, and the service. Chef Nicol even invited us to visit the kitchen following our meal – such a treat!
Dill, Reykjavik Iceland – A small and intimate restaurant in downtown Reykjavik. Outstanding and very creative food, rooted in the Icelandic traditions. Reservations are required.

Oriole Restaurant, Chicago Illinois, USA — Oriole, Chicago

USA

Oriole, Chicago – an out of the way hidden gem. Great setting and superb food. Reservations are required.
Lur, Miami Beach – a must visit restaurant, tucked in the Timeout Food Market in Miami Beach. Basque chef Aitor Garate Berasaluze presents a very unique Friday dinner and showcases outstanding techniques and creativity. We keep coming back again and again and are yet to taste the same dish twice. Reservations are required for Friday night dinners.
The Den, Miami Beach – if you like sushi, this restaurant hits the spot. The quality and food presentation are excellent, and you might even get a chance to talk to the chefs as they prepare the freshest seafood we have tasted. Reservations are required.
Per Se, New York – a long time favorite restaurant. One of a pair of 3 Michelin star restaurants of chef Thomas Keller. Excellent food, service, location, and views of Central Park. And, on a special occasion, you get to take home a signed menu by the Chef de Cuisine.
Pineapples and Pearls, Washington DC – a super creative and intimate restaurant in DC. Every time we have visited, we keep being surprised by the new seasonal creations and excellent atmosphere. And we keep coming back! Reservations are required.

Maito Restaurant, Panama City Panama — Maito, Panama City

Tegui Restaurant, Buenos Aires Argentina — Maito, Panama City

Latin America

Maito, Panama City Panama – a great restaurant in the heart of Panama City. Locally inspired food and drink interpretations, excellent service, fantastic outdoor patio. Reservations are recommended.

Favorite Museums

Centre Pompidou Paris France — The Centre Pompidou, Paris

MOMA, New York USA — The Centre Pompidou, Paris

This is another very hard list to compile. Attraction to particular museums largely depend on one’s personal preferences. We like all art but lean towards modern and contemporary art – if this is also you the lists below will be of interest.