Travel + Design, Author at Travel + Design

Travel Tips

5 things to do during your next trip to Scottsdale, Arizona

This Southwest city is rich with culture, design and some of the best restaurants as vacation-goers and sun-seekers flock to Scottsdale for an escape. For those looking for a cultural escape, the Scottsdale Arts District has several galleries, studios, and museums. While architectural attractions like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West brings visitors to the city from near and afar. Surrounded by natural beauty, set on the northern stretches of the Sonoran Desert and the McDowell Mountain Range allowing a range of outdoor activities offered in Scottsdale to suit every traveller. Here are five things to do during your next visit to Scottsdale, Arizona. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West You can’t visit Scottsdale without going on a walking tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. Built in 1937, this desert architectural wonder was Wright’s winter home surrounded by striking arid landscapes. Explore each intricately designed room by listening to the audio…

Hotels + Resorts

Escape to this mid-century modern resort in Scottsdale

When Hotel Valley Ho first opened in 1956, it was a popular spot for the stars to escape during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Over six decades later, this Scottsdale hotel has meticulously preserved this mid-century architectural gem bringing it into the 21st century by modernizing the amenities without losing the retro charm. Located a short distance from some of the best restaurants, kitschy shops and streets lined with art galleries in Old Town Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho offers a resort escape with plenty to explore just steps away from the lobby. The resort has a selection of modern mid-century guest rooms with colourful furniture and private outdoor balconies. Find your home away from home at this hip hotel in either a poolside room or a suite in the Tower. Since every room has a pillow-top bed, 49″+ flat-screen HD TV, Terrazzo-tile bathroom and more, every room has beautiful retro…

Hotels + Resorts

Have a pet-friendly stay at the Kimpton Saint George

Located at 280 Bloor Street West, Kimpton Saint George is the Kimpton brand’s first Canadian location. Kimpton Hotels have been pet-friendly since its founding in 1981. Kimpton Saint George offers pet-friendly accommodations with no weight or size limitations or additional fees — as long as they fit through the elevator your pet is welcome! Separate pet-free floors ensure guests with pet allergies are also cared for. Pet guests have access to a variety of amenities, including plush pet-beds, treats, water bowls, courtesy bags and the option to join the hotel’s signature nightly social hour. Kimpton Saint George pet guests looking for a private ensuite will have the option of the Doggy Bathroom original (dogs weighing up to 20 pounds) or Mini size (mini pups and toy breeds under 10 pounds) at no charge during their stay. Pet guests can request the Doggy Bathroom for their stay at the time of booking or check-in…

Design

Learn all about the solid home surface, Durasein

Travel is back in a big way this year. After a period of time largely spent at home, there is a great desire to travel and immerse ourselves into new places. Travel exposes us to exciting new sensory experiences that open the heart and inspire the intellect. As creatives and adventurers, we can translate our memories into future home designs through incorporating surfaces, materials and artwork from our favorite journeys. Durasein is a global leader in solid surfacing. They strive to be the creative partner that understands what designers desire and need. The use of solid surfaces in the home are on the rise as they are inherently non-porous, durable and easy to clean. Solid surfaces are well-positioned for kitchens, bathrooms, sinks and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Durasein (@duraseinsolidsurface) The aesthetic selections available are boundless. Durasein offers over 50 unique color blends…

Food & Drink

Jon Bon Jovi launches Hampton Water Rose in Ontario

Jon Bon Jovi’s acclaimed Hampton Water is now available at LCBO locations across Ontario. This premium rose was created as a partnership between Jon Bon Jovi, Jesse Bongiovi and Gérard Bertrand to create a rosé, pale, fresh, aromatic and well-balanced to embody the spirit of the Hamptons. Travelling all the way to the Languedoc region in France to create this wine, Hampton Water uses only the finest grapes to create an elegant rose. First launched in 2018, Hampton Water has been rated 5 years in a row above 90 points by Wine Spectator magazine. What attracts wine enthusiasts first is the jewel-inspired bottle and graphic label, but after popping open a chilled bottle it is love at first sip. This wine is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre that’s aged in oak barrels, it’s smooth and silky with juicy acidity and sunny aromas and flavours. This wine develops notes…

British Columbia

Stay at the Versante Hotel during your stopover in Vancouver

Conveniently located five minutes from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond, the Versante Hotel brings luxury and relaxation to your stopover in Vancouver. For guests looking for a mid-flight break before embarking on a long-haul flight to Australia or Asia, the Versante Hotel is designed to help you recharge and refuel. For guests on the go, check in through the Versante App and connect with guest services throughout your stay. This 100-room property is both steps away from the Richmond Night Market and a short walk to the SkyTrain’s Bridgeport Station if you’re looking for a quick way to head to downtown Vancouver. However, with several on-site restaurants and a rooftop pool, after you check into this hotel you won’t want to leave. In the warmer months, the rooftop outdoor saltwater swimming pool and hot tub at the Versante Hotel are the perfect space for guests to lounge while plane spotting with…

Food & Drink

Check out the Giovane Caffè inside the Shangri-la Toronto

A fresh new entry to Toronto’s bustling café culture has arrive, with the opening of the Italian-inspired Giovane Caffè Toronto. Located on the lobby level of Shangri-la Hotel Toronto (188 University Ave), Giovane Caffè is inspired by the modern Italian coffee bar, offering a combination of classic Italian coffee drinks along with modern iterations likely to tempt even the strictest of espresso purists. At the dedicated coffee counter, espresso aficionados will have a new destination to pick up ‘caffè speciali’ and a thoughtfully curated selection of caffeinated beverages that includes delights such as mandorlatte and marocchino, among others. The caffè counter will also offer grab-and-go options such as yogurt with amarena cherries and granola; panini like the mortadella with provolone, pistachio pesto, arugula, pickled onion; a daily selection of pastries; and espresso-based beverages courtesy of a state-of-the-art Victoria Arduino Eagle One espresso machine. Giovane Caffè Toronto is the latest addition to the growing family of award-winning Canadian restaurant group Kitchen Table. “This is a very exciting…

Design

How to improve your sleep hygiene and get a rest better at night

TikTok has seen an insatiable uptick in both volumes of cleaning posts and interactions over the past 18 months. A New York Times writer even described the pleasure of indulging in organizational #cleantok content as “narcotic”. But how many of you have ever thought of cleaning up your sleep hygiene? If any of the following traits sound familiar: low energy levels, perpetually hungry, feeling cranky, waning motivation, trouble sleeping or concentrating, indecisiveness and headaches, it could be time to put your proverbial marigolds on and scrub up on your sleep hygiene. What is Sleep Hygiene? Sleep Hygiene is everything you should and shouldn’t do to make sure you get the quality slumber you need, and it starts way before you go to bed. Think about it like a high performance formula 1 car or athelete – everything that makes them so successful is fine tuned to a tee. Nothing is…

Design

How to protect and care for your skin in the summer

Every season has its own set of benefits and challenges when it comes to your skincare. However, one of the best things that you can do for your skin is to customize your skincare regime by the season. To help you glow all summer long, we spoke with the Director of Education at Dermalogica Canada, Lindsay Barras, to learn her tips on how to protect and care for your skin in the summer. What SPF should you use during the day? The best sunscreen that anyone can wear is one that they will use every day! Skincare companies have been able to create sophisticated sunscreen formulas with all different textures to suit all different skin types. Dermalogica’s Invisible Physical Defence is a pure physical filter sunscreen that deflects harmful UVA and UVB rays and can easily be blended into light and dark skin tones. Physical sunscreen filters sit on top…

Design

These front door colors will increase the value of your home

A statement-making front door can boost a home’s curb appeal and its value. Research from Zillow® finds that homes with slate blue or black front doors appeal to more recent and prospective buyers and could sell for a higher price. Conversely, pale pink and cement gray front doors could negatively impact a home’s value. This front door paint color analysis is based on a Zillow study of recent and prospective home buyers who were randomly assigned images of front doors painted one of 11 colors. The home’s interior was the same for all study participants. Each color received a score based on buyers’ perception of the home, likelihood of buying the home and the price they would be willing to pay for the home. National price premiums were calculated using the typical U.S. home value of $334,141. Homes with a front door painted slate blue — a chalky light blue-gray color — received the…