Well, Someone Has to do it.
Jeff’s Market Research from Around the World.
What do Ritz Carlton, Los Cabos, and Regent Seven Seas have to do with you? Actually, a lot. Over the past few months, I’ve been on the road, “test driving” travel experiences, and working with many of you to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
All of this market research has its benefits of course, not only to help fine tune our catalogue of extraordinary travel opportunities, but also so that I can now share them with you!
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Earlier this year, I packed my bags and headed to Los Cabos to experience Zadún, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico. This untouched sanctuary is where desert and ocean embrace—a luxurious haven that is close enough to home but worlds away from the ordinary. Just a 2-hour flight from San Diego, it’s easy to reach and boasts nonstop flights from around the country.
Opened in 2019, the property made a major comeback after the pandemic, with room rates capping around $2,000 per night. Accommodations, landscaping, and service are on point, with 24/7 butler service available via text. Trust me, my fingers got a workout with texting my butler, or Tosoanis, which means “dream watcher” in the Nahuatl language. Their job is to make guests' dreams come to life, and boy did they ever. My Tosoani even delivered ice cream to my suite at midnight.
With just 115 rooms, suites, and villas, Zadún is located in the 2,000-acre Puerto Los Cabos development east of San Jose del Cabo. Privacy is key, with individual modern units set on a hillside that slope to the ocean. Rooms are massive, starting at 750 square feet with outdoor lounge areas complete with plunge pools and day beds.
Stretching from the long infinity pool, only the desert landscape separates water from the sea, with cacti, succulents, and bougainvillea bringing the barrenness to life. The food alone is worth the trip, with Zadún's dining and drinking outlets ranging from beachy and casual to more formal, fine-dining experiences.
As expected, amenities were endless, including free fitness classes, an impressive gym, the Alkemia Spa, and three golf courses. Guests can join the in-house astronomer for dark-sky gatherings, or simply gaze into the telescope by day (as I did) to watch the whales breach offshore.
Five days and four nights is my recommendation, especially between August and October when rates are more attractive. My greatest takeaway was how elevated this region of Mexico has become, with resort options ranging from Rosewood and Waldorf to Esperanza and the Montage. After bringing my dreams to life, it’s safe to say Zadún can officially consider me a loyal guest.
Regent Seven Seas Grandeur.
So, I sailed to nowhere, so that you could go everywhere.
Yep, I test drove the ultra-luxurious Seven Seas Grandeur for three days, two nights off the shore of Los Angeles. The destination was nowhere, but the journey took me to heaven—during this exclusive ship christening experience reserved for top travel advisors and media.
The black-tie celebration marked a major milestone of Regent’s three decades of luxury cruising, as it welcomed its sixth ship to the fleet. As part of the gala, Regent unveiled the first Fabergé Egg to permanently reside at sea. This was just one of the masterpieces on display in the 1,600-piece art collection.
The guest-to-staff ratio is record breaking, with 746 guests catered by a 548-person crew. Needless to say, the service was outstanding, with staff greeting me by name, knowing my cocktail of choice, and treating me to ice cream at midnight.
Beyond my chocolate sundae, I had five specialty restaurants to choose from, managed by famed chefs and experienced sommeliers. But the Grandeur isn’t greedy with its signature dishes, and will even share them with guests who want to broaden their culinary skills during demonstrations in the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen.
Cabins were what you might expect at a 5-star hotel, with 15 categories to choose from, ranging from 307 to 4,443 square feet, each with a furnished private balcony. From the $11,000 a night Regent Suite, to the standard Veranda Suite, each cabin evokes an elevated, residential feel through layouts, décor, and design.
In those brief three days, I walked away knowing that Regent’s Grandeur has blown competition out of the water, by unveiling a red-carpet, 6-star cruising experience fit for royalty.