A European Beach Club in Jersey

One of my favorite things about going to a beach in parts of Europe, is the beach club concept. My favorite one is in Puglia, at the Masseria Torre Coccaro, where you take an 8 minute shuttle from the hotel, to a super chic club on the sea, where they have changing rooms, showers, massage rooms, hammocks, shade, umbrellas, waiter service on the beach, and one of the best restaurants ever. I swear it was the best seafood pasta we have ever had. Recently I was interviewing Bob and Cortney Novogratz (they have that show on Bravo called 9 By Design), who told me about the Bungalow Hotel they did in Long Branch, New Jersey, and how this hotel is affiliated with a beach club, and how much it feels like a European beach club. No, I haven't been there yet, but judging from the pictures it looks good. I'm thinking this would be a perfect September getaway, after all the summer crowds, and if I get down there, I'll give you the full report.

Rentals Near NYC: Adirondacks Waterfront Cabin

I'm always a little weary of a listing that doesn't have an interior shot, but then again, how many listings have plenty of pictures, and they're awful. So it isn't necessarily a barometer. This cabin looks so sweet on the outside, I might just harass the listing agent for more pics, or get on the phone and dig deeper. Just imagine having morning coffee with that lake lapping right next to you. It's on Kiwassa Lake, sleeps up to 6, has a private dock, and is $1500 a week.

Rentals Near NYC: Catskills Retreat

I had so many people comment on the rental house in the Hudson Valley that I mentioned about a month ago. I mean, at least five families I know are booking it. And they've all said the same thing--it's so daunting to find a rental--because there are so many hideous rentals out there on the rental sites. So I thought I'd try my hand at doing the work for you, at least for this week. 

Here is a cute house in the woods, near Woodstock. It seems well appointed, and it's 1500 square feet, with 2 bedroom--suitable for up to 5 people. It's $325 per weekend night, or $1625 for a week.

(photos from home owner's website)

Sullivan County: Nest Store

One of my favorite stores in New York just happens to be in Sullivan County, in the perfectly sleepy town of Narrowburg, which is right on the Delaware River. Nest is owned by Anna Bern, a former art director who used to work at W and Vogue, and now lives full-time in Sullivan County. Lucky for us! She provides us with a fun place to drop into when we've been housebound for too long. Her taste is impeccable--from her housewares and kids clothes, to the jewelry and leather goods she brings back from Brazil. Nothing feels out of place and too international for the small town shop though--she has just the right edit. And across the street, go to the lookout point, and point the telescope into the trees. You'll probably see an eagle or two.

The Best Memorial Day Parade

We've had a place in Sullivan County for nine years now, and go up there as much as we can. But somehow, we never made it to the Memorial Day parade that is a five minute drive from our house, in the sleepy little hamlet of Fremont Center. I thought the Tractor Parade in the town of Callicoon was the best parade (200+ tractors in a 3 block town--it happens on Sunday June 13th I think), but this one, which has been going on for 125 years, takes the cake. It starts at 10am. If you are so inclined to make some last minute plans and come up to Sullivan County for the weekend, my favorite places to suggest are The Golden Guernsey and The Old North Branch Inn. The Old North Branch Inn is really great, but the owner doesn't allow families unless she has no other bookings, which makes it hard for me to recommend. It still is a place that is worth stopping at for lunch or a snack, (she doesn't always have consistent kitchen hours), and seeing her hand-pin bowling alley. If you're interesting in going there, read this piece from the NY Times, which was pretty spot-on in its description. I'll write more about the area tomorrow.

For the Rental Files: Amazing Hudson Valley Home

My husband just showed me this listing...check out how beautiful this Hudson Valley house is, how perfect those grassy hills are for rolling down, and how well styled the place is. And it's just $250 a night.

Lancaster PA

On our way to Bedford Springs, we broke for lunch in Lancaster.  It was a nice mid-point for us, and I had always wanted to go to the Lancaster Central Market there.  Apparently it's the oldest one in the country (although I feel like I've heard that claim from others), and it's in a nice town that has some great antiquing. The market was good, not great.  It had some fantastic pancake and johnny cake mixes for super cheap ($2.75 for a bag), and great jams, and delicious local yogurts.  But it didn't have alot of options for lunch, so we just cobbled together something from the different stands.  Across the way is the Heritage Center Museum, which has a very cool section for kids, with Amish wooden toys they can play with. Head to North Queen and Walnut Streets if you're into scoring some cool finds in junk shops and antique stores.

Below: Heritage Center Museum

Northeast Indoor Pool Series: Omni Bedford Springs Resort

I've been wanting to write about this place since I started this blog, because I like it so so much.  But I held off, because I think most people don't think about driving into the heart of Pennsylvania in the middle of winter.  Now that spring is almost here, I imagine that you might read this and actually take the trip.  Today I'll write about the resort (and its beautiful indoor pool, that uses their natural mineral spring water), but all this week, I'll write about the road trip to and from...because if you want to build a whole trip around the getting there and the coming back, there is great stuff to do both ways.

  Here's the story with the Omni Bedford Springs Resort:  It has been around for forever--since the early 1800s--as it was a destination because of its eight mineral springs.  In 2007, it re-opened, after a brilliant renovation, that cost a whopping $120 million, and brought the hotel back to its historic grandeur, with just the right amount of modern.  It's really the best renovation I think I've ever seen.  Everything there is really perfectly done.  It's the kind of place that would make these kinds of people happy: history buffs, antique/vintage shoppers (great antiquing in town), food/wine obsessed, design obsessed, spa goers (world-class spa with well trained therapists and great products). The rooms are so well appointed, the staff is great, and the food is so good.  It's about four hours from NYC, so you really would want to stay at least two nights, to make the drive worth it...but enough talking about it--look at the pictures.

(the antique flag behind reception)

(1796 Room, one of three restaurant options at the property--the decor is so insanely perfect)

(The Crystal Room, where breakfast and buffet meals are served)

(the outdoor pool, which was lovely, but it was too cold to use.  note the shallow ledge that is perfect for toddlers, and the cabanas perfect for naps)

(outdoor fire pit/smore happenings)

(the spa indoor whirlpool, with cold plunge in the back, and the original water bottles from the bedford springs)

(a staircase in the hotel--just to show you the level of perfect renovation that happened)

(reproduction wallpaper)

(hand forged local room numbers and signage)