On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Abbey Meyer, CEO of Missouri-based Sky High Travel, about her recent visit to the Hotel Xcaret Arte near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.Meyer describes how the adults-only Xcaret all-inclusive stands apart with its art-filled interiors, diverse cuisine and what she boldly claims is “the most incredible spa in all of Mexico.” While the resort commands premium pricing, she also explains how the included access to immersive cultural...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Jill Albino of Jill Albino Travel and Gabrielle Brechner of Watch Our Step Travel about their recent visit to the Botania Relais & Spa on the Italian island of Ischia. Albino and Brechner share details on the property's intimate atmosphere, unique villa-style accommodations and standout culinary experiences, including a “dessert pasta” that’s prepped tableside. They also highlight Ischia's potential as a less crowded...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Julie Shotmeyer, CEO of Jet Set Getaways, about her recent visit to The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Northeastern Florida. Shotmeyer shares her insights on the resort's beachfront location, expansive accommodations and Club Level—which she says is the best Ritz-Carlton Club Level she’s ever experienced. She also talks about the property's diverse appeal for various traveler types and why it’s a potential fit for clients...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Pamela Schein Murphy, a Fora-affiliated luxury travel advisor and founder of The Wandrist, about her recent visit to the Rosewood Schloss Fuschl near Salzburg, Austria.Schein Murphy dishes on the newly opened lakefront property, which she describes as having an “adult summer camp” feel. She also raves about Lake Fuschl’s Caribbean-like turquoise waters and the property’s Saint-Tropez-esque beach club, which serves up an...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Fora-affiliated advisors Nancy Deane, Kim Hannum, Pamela Schein Murphy, Claudia Riegelhaupt and Louisa Vann, who have joined forces to attend fam trips together as part of a “fam pod.” The quintet recently visited the U.K., combining a London trip with a stay at Estelle Manor, a 108-room country estate and private members’ club in Oxfordshire.The group shares a few insights on their London experiences, which included site...

The Last Resort: Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Brandon White, owner of Share the Magic Travel, to talk about his recent visit to the Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.White shares the inside scoop on the recently opened 301-room all-inclusive, set amid mountains, black sand beaches and lush rainforests. He also talks about the property’s many amenities—including its 11 dining venues and multiple pool...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Megan McCaffrey-Guerrera, owner of Bella Vita Travels, to talk about her recent visit to the Cali Mykonos in Greece.McCaffrey-Guerrera talks about why the 40-suite Cali Mykonos offers plenty of romantic, off-the-beaten path charm, and why she’s confident that once she gets clients in the door, “they're going to go back every year.” McCaffrey-Guerrera also shares an update on Greece travel demand this summer and makes mention...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Mark Gerling, owner of Gerling Travel, and Sarah Bogaczyk, owner of Connections Luxury Travel, to talk about their recent visit to The Shore Club Turks & Caicos.Gerling and Bogaczyk talk about why the Long Bay Beach property is a great fit for everyone from families to couples, as well as larger multigenerational groups. The pair also discuss why the resort’s villa product offers plenty of “wow factor,” as well as share a...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Courtnie Nichols, CEO and founder of TravelBash, about her recent visit to luxury Jamaican resort GoldenEye.Jelski and Nichols talk about why the property, a longtime celebrity favorite, is ideal for a buyout or big celebration, as well as for leisure travelers looking for a laid-back, but still luxe, getaway. Nichols also shares her thoughts on Jamaica’s appeal as a high-end destination and why recent U.S. advisories related...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Carolyn Consalvo, a senior travel advisor with Andrew Harper, about her recent visits to two country estates in the U.K.: The Newt and Heckfield Place.Jelski and Consalvo talk about why The Newt and Heckfield Place are best paired with a city trip to London, and why garden aficionados find themselves flocking to The Newt in particular. Consalvo also clarifies a few misconceptions that U.S. travelers might have about a U.K....

The Last Resort: Impression Isla Mujeres by SecretsOn this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Kristi Mackedanz, travel advisor and founder of KM Travel Designs, about her recent visit to the Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets near Cancun, Mexico. Jelski and Mackedanz talk about the property’s unique arrival experience, which Mackedanz describes as a true “wow” moment, as well as why a pairing a stay at the Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets with a visit to sister...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Leah Winck, owner of Journey On Travel, and Rebecca East, travel advisor at Life Styled Group, about their recent visits to the Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay and sister property the Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan. Winck and East talk about how both resorts excel at incorporating authentic cultural experiences and what it’s like to take a raft transfer from the Jimbaran Bay property to the Sayan resort. The pair...

The Last Resort: Kisawa SanctuaryOn this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Linda Sergeant, founder of Far and Away Luxury Destinations, an affiliate of In The Know Experiences, about her recent visit to the Kisawa Sanctuary on Mozambique’s Benguerra Island.Sergeant talks about the Kisawa Sanctuary’s expansive, residential-style accommodations, robust wellness offerings and why this under-the-radar property has potential to become “one of the world's best hotels.”...

Episode Title: The Last Resort: Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera MayaOn this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Syreeta Grose, owner of Grose Travel Services Meetings and Events, and Tim Flatz, owner and senior advisor for Discovery Travel, about their recent visits to the new Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya in Mexico.Grose and Flatz talk about the property’s status as the first adults-only Margaritaville Beach Resort in the Karisma Hotels & Resorts...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to SmartFlyer-affiliated travel advisor Sarah Lopez and Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin about their recent visits to the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.Lopez and Tobin talk about 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay’s prime position along Kauai’s famed North Shore and why the property offers an ideal wellness retreat-style experience, without being an “in your face” wellness destination. The pair chat about some...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Deb Swacker and Claire Herzog, who are both independent travel advisors affiliated with Fora Travel, about Sage Lodge, a Montana mountain resort located 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Swacker and Herzog talk about the property’s accommodations, including its family- and group-friendly Ranch Houses, which each have four bedrooms and sleep up to 16. They also discuss food and beverage highlights—including an Old...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Maurice Smith, founder of Eugene Toriko, and Courtnie Nichols, CEO and founder of TravelBash, about Namron Hospitality’s La Valise Tulum in Mexico.Smith and Nichols talk about the property’s Instagram-worthy “rolling beds” and key differences between the resort’s beachfront wing and more recently added jungle accommodations, as well as why the La Valise Tulum is a perfect launchpad for couples seeking peace and privacy, but...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Stacey Kaplan, a travel consultant with Tzell Travel Group, and Suzanne Ferrando, a travel advisor with Elli Travel Group, about the Salamander Hotels & Resorts-managed Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club on Anguilla’s Rendezvous Bay.Kaplan and Ferrando chat about key updates made at the recently revamped property, which was previously flagged as the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa. Additionally, they touch on their...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Tony Adler, president and CEO of Cruise and Resort Inc., and Kristy Adler, executive vice president and COO of Cruise and Resort Inc., about the Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen and Secrets Impression Moxche all-inclusives in Mexico.They talk about key differences between the two sister properties, their favorite culinary experiences across both resorts and what sets the ultra-luxe Secrets Impression concept apart from other...

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Holly Ward, a destination wedding and honeymoon specialist and Sandals & Beaches Resorts exclusive agent with Alpha World Travel, and Addison Jaynes, founder and CEO of the Sandals & Beaches Resorts-focused concierge service Reliant Destinations USA, about their visits to the recently opened Sandals Royal Curacao and recently refreshed Sandals Royal Bahamian. They discuss some culinary highlights across both resorts,...

On the first episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks to Heather Bull, vice president at Peacock Travel Group, and Dawn Koutsky, owner of Wish to Wander Travel, about their recent visit to the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. They discuss the ease of flying in and out of Cancun these days, a few of the property’s design and culinary highlights and several reasons the Playa Hotels & Resorts-managed Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya is a great option for...

We're introducing The Last Resort, a new monthly hospitality-focused podcast hosted by Travel Weekly hotels editor Christina Jelski. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited. From Caribbean all-inclusives to mountainside lodges, we’ll be talking to advisors about their first-hand experiences at some of the most exciting and buzzed-about resorts around the world. Stay tuned for The Last Resort's first episode, which will go live next week....