Author: Susan Edel

I am a native Californian with a passion for luxury travel and photography. After living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the majority of my life, I have recently relocated to the beautiful Central California Wine Region of Paso Robles. I am enjoying exploring the central coast and all the benefits that living in this beautiful region offers. As a Luxury Lifestyle Travel Agent and owner of Saratoga Travel, it is my pleasure to explore all that is out there and to continue seeking the next best luxury resort. As the Founder and Editor of No Ordinary Resort, my digital magazine reviewing the finest resorts in the U.S. and beyond, it's my intention to share my experiences at these distinctive resorts with you through my posted reviews and photography. I hope you enjoy it. Follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/NoOrdinaryResort, Twitter www.twitter.com/NoOrinaryResor(no T), and Instagram www.instagram.com/No.Ordinary.Resort

Luxe News

How A Spontaneous Leap Of Faith Led To The Opening Of A Luxury Hotel In Spain

June 12, 2022June 13, 2022by Susan Edel3 Comments

Sometimes you hear a story that lifts your heart and spirit. A feel-good story that lights a little spark of hope and motivates you to believe you can aim a bit higher in your own life. This recently happened to me when I connected through LinkedIn with Christine Cunanan, Publisher/Editor of Travelife Magazine and Owner of La Esperanza Granada.

I do not personally know Christine, but I am always happy to connect with colleagues within my industry as you never know where it might lead…and little did I know that by connecting with Christine, I would discover this inspiring story of how her spontaneous leap of faith led her to purchase a private hacienda in Spain that she would transform into a small luxury hotel naming it La Esperanza Granada. And during these times, what a prophetic name it is as the meaning of La Esperanza is Hope.

While the majority of us amid the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic were in our sweat pants streaming Netflix, Christine Cunanan was on a flight when she had an out-of-the-blue idea to purchase a property in Spain. Arriving home from her flight and before even unpacking her bags, she went online and googled “properties for sale in Spain”. Upon finding a private hacienda online and purchasing it sight unseen, Christine renovated the property and had it operating as a small luxury hotel within a year. One short year after opening, the hotel has received glowing reviews, has recently been named one of the six best new hotel openings in Spain, and is currently a member of the prestigious L.V.X. Preferred Hotels and Resorts. Is anyone else besides me feeling a little lazy right about now?!

I am posting this story because I find it hopeful and inspiring. No matter how small or large our dreams are, shouldn’t we sometimes choose to take that leap of faith? Maybe one of us has a story like this in ourselves as well. I cannot begin to tell Christine’s story as well as she can, so if you want to read the full story of her journey, click the link (here). I hope you find it as uplifting and inspiring as I do. Happy Dreams my friends…and if you do have a similar story, please share it!

Luxe News

1 Hotel Opens in San Francisco

June 3, 2022June 3, 2022by Susan EdelLeave a Comment

1 Hotel San Francisco, managed by SH Hotels & Resorts, has announced the opening of its hotel at 8 Mission Street, San Francisco. Prestigiously located on the Embarcadero and directly across the street from the iconic San Francisco Bay, the hotel is within walking distance of the historic Ferry Building, celebrated museums, Oracle Park, Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, and SoMa.

Formerly the site of Hotel Vitale, 1 Hotel completed a 25 million dollar renovation integrating the best of sustainable design and architecture with extraordinary comfort. The property’s 186 guest rooms, 14 suites, and wellness spa capture views of the Bay Area’s inspiring landscape, and stunning natural beauty. This hotel will surely add a luxurious touch to the Embarcadero waterfront and be an urban sanctuary retreat for its guests and patrons alike.

Experiences

Ride The Vines In Style | Paso Robles, CA

May 26, 2022June 13, 2022by Susan EdelLeave a Comment

Did someone say “Let’s go wine tasting?”. Yes, please!

Wine tasting has become a popular pastime throughout California, as well as many other states with growing wine regions. With hundreds of wineries in any given region, businesses have become savvy in finding ways to attract visitors with such enticements as serene vacation rentals set among their rolling vineyards, delicious edibles, and of course, award-winning wines.

To elevate the experience, many people choose to hire a limousine service to shuttle them between the different wineries. A fantastic idea, but what if your experience could be taken to the next level? What if you could enjoy a chauffeured ride that is a more immersive and intimate experience? An experience that awakens your senses, kicks your adrenaline into gear, and provides the most unique way to see the scenic landscape?

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Luxe News

Several New Luxury Hotel Openings Spark A Buzz In The Napa-Sonoma Wine Region

May 15, 2022May 15, 2022by Susan EdelLeave a Comment

The Napa-Sonoma Wine Region…just hearing those words conjure up visions of rolling countryside vineyards, Michelin Star restaurants, and beautiful luxury retreats. And just when I thought this region might be settling in and beginning to rest on its laurels, *wham* here enter several exciting, high-end luxury resorts to shake things up.

Some of the more notable openings are the Montage Healdsburg, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, and the Stanly Ranch Auberge. The openings of these luxury brands have created excitement and a renewed exhilaration for those seeking the pampered lifestyle in wine country.

See the article below published in Sunset for more details on these and other new wine country hotels.

13 New Hotels in Wine Country

RESORTS

The Oasis At Death Valley | Death Valley, CA

May 30, 2021April 29, 2022by Susan Edel1 Comment

oOa·sis/ōˈāsis: a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found;
something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

Death Valley, the name alone sounds foreboding. And yet, for thousands of years, this land has beckoned inhabitants from Indian tribes, to those seeking riches of silver and gold, to the discovery of borax and the successful community built by the Pacific Coast Borax Company…all the way to current day travel enthusiasts seeking to endure, at times, the most severe conditions in North America to experience this unique destination.

Death Valley is often called the land of extremes. It is the largest national park in the contiguous U.S. and is situated in a basin 282 feet below sea level and rises over 11,000 feet at Telescope Peak. As well as being the lowest point in North America, it is also the hottest and driest place on earth. The calendar year of 1913 recorded both the highest {134 F} and lowest {15 F} temperatures, along with the highest amount of rainfall in Death Valley’s history. These extreme conditions contribute to the striking contrast and extraordinary landscape with ever-changing sand dunes, multi-colored hills, skidding rocks, and jagged mountain peaks that make this area so intriguing.

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RESORTS

Four Seasons Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV

May 19, 2021April 29, 2022by Susan EdelLeave a Comment

Planning a trip to Las Vegas always promises to be a fun endeavor prompting so many decisions…what shows can I see? who has the hottest restaurant? where’s my sequined dress? and where will I stay?

When I go to Las Vegas, I know I’m in for some high-energy fun and excitement, crowds of people, and all the intensity the strip has to offer. However, after an evening out in Sin City, I want to retreat to a peaceful and serene environment where I can relax and regain my sanity. For one of many reasons, this is why I chose to stay at a “non-gaming” hotel {hotels that do not have casinos} while in Las Vegas.

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