Loulou's views

We are back from our month long annual summer vacation in Greece, and this year, we had the pleasure of staying at the brand new W Costa Navarino resort.  I was invited to the W to review the new property and surrounding areas and it was a wonderful experience! My entire family loved every minute, especially the pools, rooms, and dining choices. We stayed in two gorgeous and spacious rooms, both with a large, infinity-style shared private pool right off our back balcony decks. The W Costa Navarino is a beautiful escape for those looking for a getaway unlike any other. From the Navarino waterfront, to the vivid and bright design and architecture, the hotel prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming to everyone, in luxurious surroundings that include rooms with private swim-up pools, airy and modern one and two bedroom suites, and stunning beachfront villas overlooking the Ionian Sea. If you're planning on visiting Greece this year or next, you should definitely visit the W Cost...

Summer 2021 went by in the blink of an eye. After months of no travel and lockdowns due to Covid, we finalized our travel plans to Greece once we were fully vaccinated, and couldn't wait to get on the plane. We spent one glorious month in Greece, and had an incredible time.  While we usually do a lot of exploring in Greece, this year we had a busier itinerary than previous years--we travelled across the country visiting many ancient sites, museums, and beaches, putting over 5,000 kilometres on our vehicle--and it was totally worth it.  A highlight of our trip was visiting the island of Lefkada on the Ionian Sea, near the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia. Lefkada is a popular island in Greece, thanks to it's world famous beaches, though thankfully not as packed as Santorini and Mykonos. It's rich with lush vegetation, natural landscapes, beautiful mountains, and breathtaking blue-flag beaches, including Kathisma and Porto Katsiki.  My husband and I had the great pleasure...

I love exploring luxurious hotels in every city I visit–it's one of my favourite thing to do. Some people aren't hotel people; I'm not one of those people. I even love staying in hotels in the city I live in. Staycations are fun, and a great way to re-discover things about your city all over again. Sometimes, a staycation is all you need to feel like you're on vacation. Chateau Laurier is Ottawa's most luxurious hotel located minutes from Parliament Hill, Rideau Centre, the Byward Market and Rideau Canal, and it's one place I love visiting. It holds a special place in my heart because it's where my husband and I stayed after our wedding, before we left for our honeymoon to Aruba, and it's where my sister got married. We also love spending summer evenings on the Wilfrid's patio, taking in the glorious sunset while drinking champagne. I had the pleasure of staying at the Chateau Laurier last month, to experience and review the property...

Canada's first St. Regis has finally arrived in Canada, making a grand entrance in downtown Toronto. With personalized butler service, a lobby bar, 124 spacious suites, a two-level spa, large swimming pool, and a stunning restaurant on the 31st floor, the hotel definitely caters to those who love fine dining, relaxation, and luxury. I was thrilled to find out Canada was getting their very own St. Regis, but even more excited when I was invited to review the new hotel a few weeks ago. I've had the pleasure of experiencing the St. Regis Bal Harbour twice, and I instantly knew that my experience at St. Regis Toronto would be equally as memorable–for myself, for my husband, and for our children. Fine Dining  The newest restaurant that's causing a lot of buzz in Toronto is LOUIX LOUIS, on the 31st. floor of St. Regis Toronto. It's the perfect place to indulge in your most desired cravings, from caviar to champagne, and everything in between. The menu features items ...

Ottawa has drastically improved in many ways over the years, making it a must-see city for world travellers, and a place to re-discover for local residents. The downtown core has two new hotels perfect for those looking for a modern, stylish place to stay: Le Germain and Alt Hotel . (These two hotels, in addition to Andaz, have helped make downtown come alive again). I had the chance to check-in to the Le Germain Hotel Ottawa with my husband for a mini staycation, and we loved the hotel–especially because of the location–only a short walk to CF Rideau Centre, and my favourite department store, Nordstrom. Nice hotels and shopping make me happy! I've stayed at Le Germain in Toronto, and I found that hotel has a more bustling, sexy vibe, but Ottawa's version was equally beautiful and elegant, with an artful design, spectacular views of the city, and great service. The rooms are clean and modern, each one its own work of art that stays true to Ottawa's unique vibe. A...

New York City is always a good idea, no matter the season. As much as we love visiting NYC in December, it's even more enjoyable in the spring. My family and I just spent the most gorgeous weekend in New York City, and we were fortunate to be given the chance to review the Four Seasons New York Downtown once again. (I am writing a travel article for LUXE Ottawa Magazine about this incredible hotel, but I wanted to share some highlights with you here). Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown   received the AAA Five Diamond Award for 2018, one of only 11 hotels with this recognition in New York City—and it's no surprise that Vogue Paris calls the FSNY the best hotel in downtown New York City. There are so many reasons to love this luxurious hotel—and here are just a few: Location: The Four Seasons New York Downtown in lower Manhattan is located in the city's hottest district. From the hotel, you can easily walk to the World Trade Centre, Oculus,...

We drove through five hours of pouring rain as the ice storm was starting on our drive to Toronto last weekend, to experience the renovated Club InterContinental . Although the weather was less than perfect, Club InterContinental definitely made up for that–especially with the very sweet welcome we received to our room upon arrival. We had the pleasure of staying in one of the newly renovated suites, and enjoyed the sophisticated decor in our spacious room. A large bedroom, a separate living room with a very comfortable pull-out couch, two bathrooms (with Aveda products) and beautiful views of downtown Toronto, including the CN Tower, made our stay here memorable and enjoyable. (We also enjoyed the in-room dining, and were so pleased with the options and quality of food). "The renovation of Club Intercontinental has been a very special project for the hotel,"  says General Manager, Alex Hakim.  "It was important to provide our business and leisure guests with...

When you check in to a Four Seasons Hotel, no matter where you are in the world, you know you'll be experiencing the most luxurious, memorable stay—and incredible service from the moment you check-in. I had the chance to review the beautiful  Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto , situated in the upscale Yorkville neighbourhood. This hotel is one of the tallest in the area, at 55 storeys—and it is breathtakingly beautiful as soon as you walk in the front doors. The flowers in the lobby area are so colourful and welcoming. The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto was designed by Yabu Pushelberg, so I instantly felt like I was back at the  Four Seasons New York . There were many similarities between the two properties, like the incredible service one can only expect to receive at hotels of this calibre. Yorkville is known for its fine shopping—from luxury boutiques to department stores like Holt Renfrew—to fine dining, and the Four Seasons Hotel is a perf...