Coutanceau, the seaside spirit
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 18/01/2021

Coutanceau,
the seaside spirit

In the coastal city of La Rochelle, located in the Southwest of France, Coutanceau is a household name. This chef, born and raised in this beautiful city, has regarded the seaside as a playground since childhood. He recently opened an 11-room hotel, La Villa Grand Voile.

In Essaouira, the Heure Bleue Palais| brings back bohemian chic
Travel Staycation Joann Pai Publié le 13/01/2021

In Essaouira, the Heure Bleue Palais
brings back bohemian chic

Essaouira, a seaside resort popular with Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Cat Stevens in the Sixties, unblushingly revives its boho-chic past at the Heure Bleue Palais. Experience eclectic hippie elegance at this luxury hotel in the medina.

Gôra Kadan: |Eternal Japan
Travel Joann Pai Publié le 24/02/2020

Gôra Kadan:
Eternal Japan

Just a short ride away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Hakone is a popular destination to recharge and completely immerse oneself in the surrounding nature. I booked a trip to Gôra Kadan, known for its hot springs (onsen) and gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, for a weekend escape.

An Oasis in the Thar Desert
Travel Joann Pai Publié le 16/01/2020

An Oasis in the
Thar Desert

To reach the last destination of our trip through beautiful Rajasthan, India, we headed south of Jodhpur, into the Thar Desert. Rising like a mirage in the sand, we arrived at Mihir Garh, the Fort of the Sun.

Le Jules Verne: |Tour de Force
Cuisine Be my guest Stéphane Méjanès Joann Pai Publié le 16/12/2019

Le Jules Verne:
Tour de Force

Le Jules Verne, the Eiffel Tower’s gourmet restaurant 410 feet above the sea, reopened on July 20, 2019, after the operational concession changed hands. Frédéric Anton takes over from Alain Ducasse, coming in with mighty ambitions, but without haste.

Chantilly: A Princely Hideaway | just outside Paris
Travel Travel journal Joann Pai Lindsey Tramuta Publié le 31/10/2019

Chantilly: A Princely Hideaway
just outside Paris

Just 25 minutes by train from Paris, the Domaine de Chantilly and L’Auberge du Jeu de Paume provide a delicious and historic cultural experience just a stone’s throw from the French capital.

The dazzling colors of Jaipur
Travel Joann Pai Publié le 05/06/2019

The dazzling colors of Jaipur

Sometimes you just have to be honest with yourself: You deserve the best. The Rajmahal Palace, drenched in rich, flamboyant colors and patterns and boasting monumental architecture and a supremely attentive staff, offers a maharajah’s life every moment you are within its walls.

The majesty of Rajasthan
Travel Joann Pai Publié le 09/04/2019

The majesty of Rajasthan

Joann Pai leads us to discover the riches of India. Its first stopover is the Sujan Sher Bagh, nestled in the heart of the Ranthambhore Nature Reserve in Rajasthan. It is the ideal place to meet tigers and experience the luxury camping of the 1920s.

What if we taste |Annecy lake’s flavors?
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 22/01/2019

What if we taste
Annecy lake’s flavors?

On top of a hill overlooking the beautiful Lake Annecy lies Clos des Sens, a charming property run by the Petit family. Their newly rewarded 3 Michelin-stars restaurant attracts not only locals but also visitors around the world.

Precious Lalique crystal
Travel L'art du voyage Joann Pai Publié le 20/12/2018

Precious Lalique crystal

Wingen-sur-Moder is a small town in France’s Vosges department, but it is also one of the crystal capitals of the world. For it is home to the glassworks, museum, and hotel-restaurant of the Lalique family, now celebrating 130 years of savoir-faire and creative excellence as French master glassmaker

The pinnacle of beauty | in the Rockies
Travel Joann Pai Publié le 10/12/2018

The pinnacle of beauty
in the Rockies

After the short flight from Vancouver to Calgary, our travelling photographer Joann Pai and her friend Tina hit the road to Banff National Park and the Post Hotel managed by the Schwartz family in Lake Louise. She tells us all about her stay at the heart of pristine beauty in Western Canada.

A Royal renovation in Champagne
Travel Joann Pai Publié le 14/11/2018

A Royal renovation in Champagne

Our travelling photographer Joann Pai brings us to Royal Champagne, an elegant, newly renovated hotel by a renowned architect, with world class cuisine and a lavish spa.

The picturesque charm | of Italian autumn| at Palazzo Seneca
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 13/10/2018

The picturesque charm
of Italian autumn
at Palazzo Seneca

"If you love black truffles, prosciutto, and wine as much as I do, then Norcia is the place for you. I arrived in a chilly evening, and was immediately welcomed by the smell of firewood. It felt as if I was going to spend an evening at a friend's home. Well, a friend with a 16th century palace."

Peaceful idleness | in the English countryside
Travel Joann Pai Lindsey Tramuta Publié le 20/09/2018

Peaceful idleness
in the English countryside

Intense winds shook the maple tree mere feet from the dock of the tarn and buffeted the side of Gilpin Lake House during my escape from Paris. No matter what, I was prepared to make thorough use of the getaway and reveled in the property’s perfect conditions for peaceful idleness.

Summer postcard |by Joann Pai
Concierge Postcard Joann Pai Publié le 08/08/2018

Summer postcard
by Joann Pai

Dine with Jean-Georges Klein|at Villa René Lalique
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 16/05/2018

Dine with Jean-Georges Klein
at Villa René Lalique

Less than an hour outside of Strasbourg in the town of Wingen-sur-Moder, the original home of legendary glass designer René Lalique was transformed into a 5 star hotel and restaurant in 2015.

Exquisite cuisine into the woods
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 04/04/2018

Exquisite cuisine into the woods

Nested inside a national park that borders Belgium and the Netherlands, this newly designed heavenly spa resort houses a 2 Michelin star restaurant, where I had one of the best meals of my life.

Terra, the magic place
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 28/02/2018

Terra, the magic place

Soon after receiving their second Michelin star in 2017, Gisela and Heinrich decided to rechristen the family hotel as "Terra - The Magic Place". I visited them to experience the magic. It's an enchantment that directly reflects its innate character: organic, cosmopolitan and creative.

Reenergize in Japanese mountains
Travel Travel journal Joann Pai Publié le 09/10/2017

Reenergize in Japanese mountains

Nishimuraya Honkan is a haven of peace, 150 km from Osaka. Guests come here to enjoy the benefits of its onsen — the thermal bath of volcanic spring water — for its Japanese garden and for its gourmet cuisine of subtle finesse.

A cozy chalet with|a world-class restaurant
Cuisine Be my guest Joann Pai Publié le 27/02/2017

A cozy chalet with
a world-class restaurant

Flocons de sel is a 5-star upscale resort with a Michelin 3-star restaurant, yet owners Kristine and Emmanuel Renaut make you feel right at home.