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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
5 Reasons To Visit St. Barts Right Now
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa is a sleek seaside escape. Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa At only 11 miles long, the tiny island of St. Barts, in the French West Indies, makes big headlines for attracting celebrities and ultra-luxury jet setters (and their mega yachts). Beyond its outward persona, the island holds a bit back for privacy's sake. It is filled with many wonderful surprises discoverable to the 200,000-plus visitors who come during the busiest time (November to July) and escapade around its hilly terrain in the signature island vehicle, the mini Moke. Getting to St. Barts — also known as Saint Barthélemy (the official French name) and St. Barth (the French nickname) — by boat, private yacht, helicopter or plane is half the fun. With one of the shortest runways in the world that cascades down a hill and into the ocean, landing on the island is an adventure. International flights arrive in St. Martin, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe and connect via inter-island flights to St. Barts, skillfully making the landing more than 30 times a day. For the comfort of a fully pressurized cabin, opt for the Tradewinds Aviation flight from San Juan, which lasts around an hour. Once on the ground, you're reminded that the Caribbean island is a French territory. The euro is the standard currency, locals are citizens of France and there are many French fashion brands, boulangeries, patisseries, cafés and brasseries around town. Expect artful service and attention to detail. And if you know where to look around the luxurious escape, you're bound to find a few sublime surprises, too. St. Barts is a small island that makes a big impression. iStock-Sean Pavone Most of the luxury hotel rooms in St. Barts hide in the hillside, but Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa puts you on the crescent-shaped beach of Grand Cul-de-Sac. Some of the sea-inspired accommodations offer direct sand access, and others have pools and Jacuzzis overlooking the ocean. The sprawling resort pool also affords water vistas. Jump right into the calm waters with paddleboarding, kayaking, kitesurfing or snorkeling; explore with a private yacht; or cut through the waves in a jet ski — all of which are available through Le Barthélemy. Then dine alfresco while gazing at the water at Abyss, the hotel's French fine dining restaurant spotlighting local ingredients. Be sure to order the house cuvée, Leclerc Briant Champagne, which spends a year aging submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. For a more laid-back option, enjoy lunch on the beach at Amis St. Barth or come for its decadent brunch, which debuts this season featuring dishes like bacon-bechamel-stuffed croissants and made-to-order crepes. And don't miss a visit to La Spa, the only one in the Caribbean to use La Mer's lavish products that use the power of the sea for transformative facials. An oasis of calm is tucked in Cheval Blanc St-Barth's tropical garden. Cheval Blanc St-Barth The closest thing in St. Barts to being in France without actually being there is Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Cheval Blanc St-Barth in Baie des Flamands. The area became favored by the elite when the Rockefellers purchased land there in the 1960s. Cheval Blanc St-Barth ensures standards remain exceptionally high with its newly renovated Cheval Blanc Spa by Guerlain. Tucked into the resort's secluded tropical garden, the oasis was designed by Parisian modernist architect Isabelle Stanislas and features services specially created for this wellness treasure that engages all the senses. There are five treatment rooms, including Salon Orchidée, an indoor double suite that feels like a heavenly cocoon, with white walls and soothing woods that mimic the sands of St. Barts. The interior reflects the exterior, with nature inspiring all the choices, from the ergonomic lines of the furniture to lighting that mimics the sun. New aesthetic enhancements, including micropeels and Hydrafacial technology, amplify the benefits of these treatments. To appeal to your olfactory sense, Thierry Wasser, the nose of Guerlain, produced the fragrance Tropical Chic for the resort, which joins the collection of the beauty brand's destination-inspired scents. Have a meal on Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth's own stretch of sand. Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth St. Barts has roughly 15 beaches across the island, each with its own character. The Four-Star Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth offers the full toes-in-sand experience with two private, fully serviced beaches within its compound. The resort first opened in 1986 as Hotel Guanahani ('welcome' in the island's native Arawak language), but was reimagined and reopened as a Rosewood property in 2021. Unfolding over 18 acres on a private peninsula between Marechal Beach and Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon. While the 66 rooms are scattered around the hillside, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth beckons those who crave proximity to the water with complimentary kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling on its beaches. Beach House St. Barth, the resort's all-day culinary complex, serves a beachfront lunch of refreshing dishes like cucumber and mint gazpacho and sashimi for when the day's top priority is unwinding by the sand. Feel the waterfront elegance over multi-course candlelit dinners as well. The stars gravitate to St. Barts' laid-back landscape. iStock-Nancy Pauwels Every season in St. Barts is marked by new openings, which quickly become the hot tickets in town. One of the latest examples has been all the chatter surrounding Mamo, a transplant from the French Riviera that has attracted legions of A-list celebrities (including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Mick Jagger, Kendall Jenner and Leonardo DiCaprio) to its Soho outpost for decades. It now moves into the heart of St Barts' central district, Gustavia, with food that's authentically Italian and the vibe best described as Côte d'Azur chic. Chef Mamo Pepino, known as the 'Pope of Pasta and Smiles,' flawlessly re-creates Mediterranean magic in the heart of the Caribbean. In this tiny temple of Italian delicacies, white tablecloths, the golden glow of candlelight and the palpable energy of the crowd complement lemon-Parmesan artichoke salad, spaghetti with caviar and a vibrant menu of other favorites. St. Barts loves to show off its beauty. With its pearly beaches and sapphire-hued water jutting up against dramatic volcano-carved landscapes, it makes sense. But the star of the show is the sunset, and one of the best places to watch it is from the upper level of Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf. Only five minutes from the port in Gustavia, the west-facing location perched above the buildings' red rooftops is perfect for any photos. With 21 rooms and suites and a villa, the terraced property with a tropical garden is the only hotel on the island with views like this of Gustavia. Every suite features a private pool to watch those epic sunsets while the 3,230-square-foot Villa Diane also comes with a butler. The French-Caribbean design by Gilles & Boissier makes every environment appear as if it's swathed in the golden glow of a Clarendon filter, with natural shutters and fabrics, light wood and stone. The wellness programs at Spa Diane Barrière also include a memorable vista. Enjoy a yoga session on the beach or a massage on the terrace of your suite. Also, with a fantastic view right on Shell Beach, the hotel's Shellona attracts day partiers to its glamorous beach shack chic scene. The kitchen serves the island fare du jour (a hybrid between Caribbean and Mediterranean), mezze, shellfish, crudo and carpaccio, grilled whole fish and skewers of meat, all accompanied by lots of rosé.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Eamonn Holmes hits out at ‘horrible' celebrities on TV and admits ‘there are so many false' stars
EAMONN Holmes has hit out at 'horrible' celebrities and admitted 'there are so many false' stars. The GB News presenter, 65, hosts podcast Things We Like with Eamonn and Paul, alongside Paul Coyte. 3 3 While speaking to guest Ray Winstone, Eamonn opened up on inner-workings in the industry. He said: "If I don't like someone, they'll know I don't like them. "And there's so many horrible people that you end up... people say, "He's lovely, he's fantastic". "They'll say to me, 'What's that Ray Winstone like?' and I'll say, 'He is lovely, he is fantastic'. "People won't believe me because I wouldn't say if you weren't. "There are so many who are just false, false, false." Tensions boiled over in 2019 when Schofe cut off Ruth while she was in the middle of a live link, teasing what was coming up on Loose Women. The incident ultimately led to Ruth making a complaint over his behaviour to ITV. Emotional moment Eamonn Holmes fights back tears on his podcast Previously speaking about it, Eamonn said: "Phillip is renowned for snubbing people. "He's very passive-aggressive. It's up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I was feeling hurt for her. No one would have snubbed me like that. "I have a good Belfast street fighter in me… I would be direct. I don't go for presenters who think they have a special privilege or aura or influence." Earlier this year, Eamonn posed with Anthea Turner after ending their bitter 10-year feud. The Northern Irishman affectionately placed a hand over Anthea's shoulder. Eamonn captioned the snap: 'We're the same age @antheaturner and I and have had careers of similar length but my paper round must have been harder than hers! Top Girl.' This reunion came more than two decades after their infamous fallout. 3
Washington Post
a day ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Yes, more and more celebrities are entering the phone business. Here's why
NEW YORK — More and more celebrities are looking to attach their names to your phone. Or rather, wireless services that could power it . From cosmetics to snacks and signature spirits , brands launched or co-owned by high-profile figures are just about everywhere you look today. But several big names are also venturing into the market for mobile virtual network operators — or MVNOs, an industry term for businesses that provide cell coverage by leasing infrastructure from bigger, more established carriers.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Move Over Pickleball And Padel: Make Way For Mah Jongg At Posh Resorts
Mah Jongg tiles Given the most recent wave of interest in Mah Jongg, it's not surprising that the game has become a coveted amenity at luxury hotels and resorts. Mah Jongg has been featured on morning talk shows, with Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager (of the Today Show) professing their love for the game. Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Jessica Parker, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler and Meagan Markle have publicly talked about playing Mah Jongg. It even appears on Instagram and TikTok threads, and there has been an explosion of Mah Jongg games in app stores. Boutique Mah Jongg set at The Dunlin The Dunlin, an Auberge Resort, is a coastal property with southern charm on the Kiawah River on Johns Island, South Carolina. The luxury resort's immersive location lends itself to outdoor adventures, including canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, birding, fishing, picnicking, swimming, and more. But on alternating Thursday afternoons, many guests head to the Dunlin's Willet Room bar to learn how to play Mah Jongg or to join 'open play' games with other devotees. Locals often join them, creating a unique opportunity for guests to mingle with the resort's neighbors. The resort sets up tables with eye-popping pastel Mah Jongg sets with racks, custom mats, and tiles from Bam Bird Boutique. The $25 per participant fee to play includes a complimentary signature cocktail. Instructor-led introductory lessons are $135 per person. 'The Dunlin is meant to move and feel like an eternal summer home for our guests and visitors and the Willet Room is a natural gathering place for conversation and great cocktails,' says Michael DeCanio, the resort's general manager. 'Adding Mah Jongg felt like an extension of us and a new way to invite guests to connect, learn something new, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good company, as they would at a friend's home,' says DeCanio. Not only has the popularity of Mah Jongg grown in numbers, but it has also expanded widely across different ages and ethnicities. Annelise Heinz, an assistant professor of history at the University of Oregon, is the author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and The Making of Modern American Culture, an encyclopedic history of the game and its multicultural roots. In an interview with Heinz emphasized Mah Jongg's multigenerational appeal. New retirees turn to the game as a way to socialize, connect and build community. Baby boomers and millennials, often drawn by childhood memories and stories of mothers and grandmothers playing, appreciate its nostalgic appeal. Young mothers view the game as an opportunity to relax and socialize with other grown-ups. 'Mah Jongg isn't only a game, it's a way of life,' says Anna Rosen of Winter Park, Florida. Rosen has taught Mah Jongg for over 30 years to new players as young as ten to over 90. 'My students have included women, couples, businessmen, doctors and dentists of all backgrounds' Cover of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and The Making of Modern American Culture 'There is a rhythm to the game,' says Heinz. 'A game lasts about 15 minutes and it takes more time to rebuild the wall than it does to play.' This hiatus allows people to chat and check in with one another. Mah Jongg combines elements of luck and strategy. Several studies have cited its cognitive benefits, particularly among older adults. 'Learning the basics of the traditional game does not take long—like gin rummy, it can be learned in the span of an afternoon,' she writes in her book. 'Mastering the scoring and strategy, however, can take a lifetime.' Jill Fox, a travel advisor and co-founder of Crak Your Bags, a boutique woman-owned travel agency specializing in Mah Jongg, says the game spreads like wildfire through word of mouth. 'Every game has four players and each one tells a group of their friends about it,' says Fox. Mah Jongg at Bowie House, Fort Worth, Texas A recent study by Marriott Bonvoy found that nearly all U.S. travelers (96%) want to explore their personal hobbies while traveling. Mah Jongg programming at hotels and resorts is geared both to novices and devotees of the game. Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas Hill Country is an all-inclusive wellness resort. Set on the picturesque lake, guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor fitness classes, boating and lake activities, curated wellness programs, and personalized skin and body treatments. 'The resort's newest programming celebrates the rich tradition of Mah Jongg, complete with friendly competition, wellness vibes and a touch of playful luxury,' says JoAnn Lenhardt, the resort's general manager. 'Classes range from beginner, which introduces the strategy and joy behind the timeless tile game, to those for experienced players, with a Spa-jong twist, held inside the LakeHouse Spa.' Bowie House, also part of the Auberge Collection, is a Western-style, urban retreat with a keen sense of place in Fort Worth, Texas. The hotel is a social hub for the community, with communal dining spaces and on-site social activities that facilitate people gathering together. It also offers bespoke guest experiences in and around the city. Mah Jongg is offered at Bowie House's Billet Room every Monday evening. It features introductory lessons by a skilled instructor or the opportunity to play with other experienced players. It's become a popular draw for the community, creating a loyal following. The lessons ($78) and open play ($30) are ticketed events that contribute ancillary revenue while enhancing the overall guest experience. Rancho La Puerta, in Tecate (Baja California, Mexico), has been family-owned and operated since 1940. The wellness resort and spa is considered one of the pioneers of the contemporary fitness and spa industry. It offers guests who return year after year transformative experiences and a sense of community. The resort and spa have also become a Mah Jongg mecca. Toby Salk, who teaches Mah Jongg in the Bay Area, leads beginner retreats at Rancho La Puerta. Over the course of four 60-minute sessions Sunday through Wednesday, guests learn the basics of the game, focusing on tile recognition, rules, and strategy. A Mah Jongg table in aozy corner of the Willet Room, The Dunlin, Johns Island, SC Hotel and resort guests are rediscovering engaging pastimes like pickleball and Padel. Similarly, Mah Jongg, a game with roots in the U.S. that stretch back more than a century, is experiencing renewed popularity. Not only is the game relaxing and fun, but it connects people, fosters friendships, and creates memorable moments—making Mah Jongg an appealing addition to any vacation itinerary.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Music Quiz: What early '60s song did Lennon & McCartney wrote for the Stones?
Which South American country completes The Waterboys' song title: Transcendental [Blank] Blues? Brazil Venezuela Chile Peru Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho is better known as...? Arlo Parks SZA Raye Mahalia Which Oscar winner appears in the music video for country singer Zach Bryan's Nine Ball? Christian Bale Reese Witherspoon Nicole Kidman Matthew McConaughey Which influential sci-fi writer appeared on stage with psych/prog band Hawkwind on numerous occasions and whose work inspired some of their albums? Brian Aldiss Ursula K Le Guinn Michael Moorcock JG Ballard The title The Bride Stripped Bare, Bryan Ferry's 1978 solo album, was inspired by European artist...? Pablo Picasso Henri Matisse Marcel Duchamp Man Ray Complete the title of the 2010 memoir by Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil: Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most [Blank] Frontmen. Notorious Scandalous Infamous Legendary Which deity is David Byrne talking about on I Met [Blank] at a Downtown Party, a new track from his forthcoming album? God Holy Spirit Buddha Aphrodite In 2005, Cotswold Rail locomotive train #47828 was named after UK punk rocker...? John Lydon of Sex Pistols Viv Albertine of The Slits Joe Strummer of The Clash Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote which early '60s Rolling Stones song? Come On I Wanna Be Your Man Little Red Rooster Not Fade Away What is the J in Mary J Blige? Juliet Jane Jennifer June
