Pick Your Travel Passion, Summer Camps to Secret Hideaways
Wanderlust with Us Issue XVI - July 10, 2020
Pick Your Passion! - Part One
This week, we are taking you on part one of the Wanderlust with Us - Pick Your Passion series. What type of traveler are you? Are you looking for your next domestic getaway when the clouds open up? We hope you find yourself fitting into into one or two of our six categories (three more next week!) and find inspiration for whenever you travel next.
Cheers! A Food & Wine Lover's Dream
For the foodies that desire extraordinary dining experiences with fresh ingredients and beautiful views.
Meadowood - Napa Valley, California
Meadowood has their own 3.5 acre Culinary Farm that allows for a fresh farm-to-table dining experience. Try it for yourself at The Restaurant, their own three Michelin starred dining outlet.
Try wine tasting via bicycle! Napa Valley wine tasting bike tours are very popular with our active clients. They also have eBikes for those more interested in sipping than sweating.
Napa itself boasts an incredible variety of restaurants that offer fresh ingredients from the local region. Ask us for our recommendations!
Nobu Ryokan - Malibu, California
Super chef Nobu Matsuhisa and superstar Robert De Niro re-imagined a historic 1950s motel on exclusive Carbon Beach (aka “Billionaire’s Beach”) into a California lifestyle-conscious retreat.
Enjoy an exclusive in room dining experience from the star-studded Nobu Malibu restaurant in the comfort of your luxurious beachfront deck.
Malibu itself also boasts iconic restaurant options from the organic Malibu Farm to the beach side hidden gem, The Sunset.
Summer Camp Cancelled? No Problem!
For those who are looking for an activity driven experience for their children while you can get your well-deserved R&R.
Terranea Resort - Rancho Palos Verdes, California
The family friendly resort pool with a 140 foot water slide is a hit with the children looking for a thrill! If you rather something a bit quieter, don't worry, there are 3 other unique pools to choose from including the adult only spa pool.
Looking for something a bit more unique? The resort offers falconry, archery, and horseback riding all while having plenty of seaside splendor for the whole family to enjoy.
The annual whale migration takes place right off the coast of Terranea. Guests can participate in the official whale count through the Interpretive Center Volunteer Program.
Acqualina - Miami, Florida
Acqualina's Acqua Experiences are fantastic for the whole family. Better than summer camp your children can enjoy the Brilliant Dolphin Buddies exploration program and the Feisty Fish art program.
The resort works with the Miami Dade County Sea Turtle Conservation Program to educate guests on the sea creatures. During hatching season you may even have the opportunity to meet turtle hatchlings!
A Breath of Fresh Air
For those looking to get out of the house and into the great outdoors. Adventure awaits in our National Parks and Adirondack resort reminiscent of Dirty Dancing.
Chateau du Sureau, A Relais & Chateaux Property – Oakhurst, CA (near entrance of Yosemite)
Has their own Nature Park for you to relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty – picnics, yoga, bocce ball, gazebos, and lush gardens
Explore the waterfalls and granite domes on your own private Yosemite Park Tour, gourmet lunch included.
Interested in a cooking class? Learn distinctive techniques at their Elderberry House Restaurant Cooking School.
The Point, A Relais & Chateaux Property – Saranac Lake, New York
Built by the Rockefellers as a woodland retreat, during the heyday of the Adirondack Great Camps. Today it is a marvelous union of rustic simplicity and extraordinary luxury.
Adults only and all inclusive for the ultimate getaway retreat experience.
Enjoy gourmet picnic excursions, journeys through the rippling waters in gleaming mahogany boats, and a staff that organizes each day according to the pleasure of the guests.
Partner Profile: Knut Wylde, The Berkeley London
General Manager
What have we been up to at The Berkeley during Lockdown…
Over the last 100 days our amazing team of volunteers have produced over 50,000 meals for our Emergency Services Drive Thru Service serving daily hot food as well as cooked meals for vulnerable and elderly in our neighbourhood in conjunction with Westminster City Council. It has been truly amazing to see how all of the different team members have worked together and demonstrated the incredible Berkeley Spirit. As we want to stay in touch with our new friends we have launch the Berkeley Blue Lights Club and will continue to offer all the wonderful emergency services worker who looked after all of us so well during the pandemic special treats and promotions. Personally I have of course stayed in touch with many of our guests and wonderful travel partners from our the world and became a ZOOM expert as most of us.
As we now move closer to some form of normality…
The “first sign of life” came with the launch of our “The Berkeley. Delivered” and our “Blue Bar Bikes” service for our neighbours in SW1X which have both been so well received and have generated some revenues. The Berkeley Delivered Service enables our local residents to order food and drinks which will be personally delivered by our team members. The Blue bar Bikes was an idea to try and make lockdown a little easier for our neighbours who have been missing our iconic Blue Bar. Seven days a week SW1X residents can call us with any classic cocktail of their choice and the team, complete with ingredients and bar kit, will whizz to neighbours doors via their new wheels to satisfy these cravings, and mix the drinks there and then. Whether it’s shaken or stirred, a Martini 🍸or a Margarita🍹the team will be bringing a little Blue Bar magic, safely, to local doorsteps.
The Re-Opening of The Berkeley…
Now , as we are opening our doors again on Saturday 4th July, we are so excited that we will be opening up again and welcome back our wonderful guests. However, as you would expect from The Berkeley, we will not “just” open. We will do it with a bit of a difference and in true Berkeley Style. Saturday will see the launch of our pop-up restaurant “The Garden at The Berkeley” located on the ballroom drive way. Draped in lights, dotted with lanterns and dancing to an ambient beat, it’s a leafy alfresco space that feels like a mini Mediterranean Island. The grill will be serving small plates and big flavours, while post-lockdown pick-me-ups come in the form of cool, colourful cocktails. The Garden will be open Monday to Friday from 6pm to 10pm and from 12noon till 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition The Collins Room will be open for breakfast, lunch and coffee & cakes daily. A limited In Room Dining offering will be available to our in house guests. The Gym, Spa and Pool will sadly not re-open at this stage as per government guidelines.
