As Covid-19 wreaks havoc with our nation’s health and economy, and the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd raise our national consciousness about equal justice and opportunity, I think that now—with travel at an all-time low and many in the business wondering what the future will hold—would be a good time for an industry reset on two fronts:
1) to push for greater diversity by having more women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in top positions, and
2) to have a greater focus on environmental impact.
In this particular post, I’d like to concentrate on the first front—the push for greater diversity and inclusion in the luxury travel industry.
While luxury travel historically has been a primarily ‘exclusive’ industry by design, I believe we would be better served in the future if we strive to be more ‘inclusive’–i.e., as the clientele becomes more diverse, so should the businesses that we, as travel advisors, recommend to our clients. As a woman of color and an entrepreneur myself and because nearly 50% of my clients are Black, Asian or Latinx, I want to encourage broader participation by women and BIPOC in top leadership positions in the business because I believe that change happens from the top down; I would like the industry to more accurately reflect the clientele it serves. But what does this encouragement look like?
When I send feedback to the hotels in which I stay, I include in my comments my personal observations on where and how I feel the hotel could improve in terms of being both greener and more diverse. I will continue to encourage hotels and hotel companies to do better.
Another way I can help push change is to highlight women and/or BIPOC-owned or run luxury hotels, particularly here in (or near) the Bay Area. And because of the current international travel restrictions due to Covid-19, I feel that these hotels below are great local alternatives for those of you who want to feel you are getting away while still enjoying a luxurious experience–even if it’s just for a weekend to re-charge. Here are my favorites, but do let me know if I’ve left anyone out:
MENDOCINO
Inn at Newport Ranch – Fort Bragg/Mendocino
GM – Blair Foster
The Inn at Newport Ranch sits on 2000 acres of redwoods with 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of coastline. This charming property consists of four buildings, with nine accommodations: three guest rooms in the Main Inn, three stand-alone or connectable suites in the Redwood House, a two-bedroom Ranch House, and standalone guest room at Barb’s Place. Some of these accommodations have full kitchens if you’re looking to shelter in a new place. The owner’s Sea Drum House is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence that can sleep up to 10 people.
There’s also the option for a full property buyout. As part of their commitment to sustainability, they grow much of their own produce and source all of their meat, fish and wine from local producers. Enjoy hearty a la carte breakfasts and an afternoon appetizer and cocktail, as well as UTV tours, hot tubbing, spa services, hiking & biking, horseback riding, and whale watching.
NAPA
Calistoga Ranch – Calistoga
GM & Regional VP – Avi Haksar
This 157-acre retreat, located in the Upper Napa Valley and nestled among ancient oaks and a rock-hewn stream, has 50 free-standing guest lodges ranging from deluxe single room lodges to one- and two-bedroom lodges, as well as numerous hiking trails, their own private lake and an on-site vineyard. They offer a wide array of personalized experiences, including wine tasting and tours, horseback riding, macramé, meditation, and ziplining through the redwoods, to name just a few. There are also adventures for little ones (12 & under) to enjoy.
Hotel Villagio & Vintage House – Yountville
GM – Sileshi Mengiste
The Villagio offers 113 bespoke guest rooms and 22 suites designed for pampering in contemporary, stylish luxury. They also offer The Villa, a private 6600 sq ft five-bedroom home which sleeps 10 people, complete with its own pool & hot tub and countless amenities/experiences.
The Vintage House offers a quiet and secluded stay with 80 guestrooms, lofts and bungalows–all providing rustic elegance and modern sophistication in a more traditional setting.
These two sister properties are situated on the Estate at Yountville–a 22-acre village in Yountville, nine miles north of Napa. Both properties have easy access to the Spa at the Estate, the shops at the Marketplace, 24-hour concierge service, Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning tasting rooms, complimentary bicycles, pools, and the vineyard. They also offer curated experiences such as guided vineyard tours and tastings, balloon rides, bocce ball and helicopter tours.
SONOMA
Farmhouse Inn – Forestville
Co-Owner – Catherine Bartolomei
Located on six acres in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, this 25-room, family-owned and run property also boasts the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Restaurant, Lost & Found Winery, a luxury full-service spa, outdoor fire pits, swimming pool and beautiful gardens throughout. For food and wine lovers, some of their more noteworthy offerings include curated tasting itineraries, nightly wine tastings and sommelier-led tours and a personal sommelier program.
SAN FRANCISCO
Ritz Carlton San Francisco
GM – Yael Ron
This luxury property is located within walking distance to Union Square in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco. Situated within a 1909 landmark building, the Ritz Carlton San Francisco offers their signature personalized service and tranquil elegance in their 336 recently renovated rooms and suites. Notable amenities include Spa L’OCCITANE, a 24-hour fitness center, three dining venues including Parallel 37, wine tastings at JCB Tasting Lounge, live music and Afternoon Tea.
St. Regis San Francisco
GM – Jacqueline Volkart
Housed in the landmark Williams Building, along with MoAD (Museum of the African Diaspora), the St. Regis San Francisco sits in the SoMa district and is within walking distance to SFMOMA, the Moscone Center and Oracle Park. The hotel offers 260 newly re-designed rooms and suites with soaking tubs and rainforest showers and access to a 5,700 square-foot fitness center, Remède spa and indoor infinity pool, luxury car service, The Grill restaurant and Afternoon Tea in the lounge. For families traveling with young children, they also provide child-sized robes and slippers and access to the Astor Library cart for reading at bedtime.
Taj Campton Place – San Francisco
GM – Corinna Luebbe
The Taj Campton Place San Francisco, located in the heart of downtown San Francisco in Union Square, is a landmark boutique hotel offering 101 rooms and nine one-bedroom suites. This pet-friendly hotel also has a 24-hour open-air gym, the Michelin-starred California-Indian fine dining restaurant, the Campton Place Restaurant, Campton Place Bar and Bistro and a 1,500+ label, highly-acclaimed wine cellar.
LAKE TAHOE
Edgewood Tahoe Resort – Lake Tahoe
GM – Corinna Osborne
Located on the shores of Lake Tahoe, one mile from Heavenly Ski resort and Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver-Certified building offering 154 luxury rooms and suites. The boutique resort also includes three restaurants, a private sand beach, their Forbes Travel Guide 4-star rated spa and an 18-hole golf course.
BIG SUR
Post Ranch Inn – Big Sur
GM – Gary Obligacion
This beautiful, eco-friendly property, located less than three miles from Seal Beach Scenic Overlook, is an adults-only destination (no children or pets) nestled along the California coast. It offers 39 guest rooms and one private home with breathtaking views of Big Sur. There is no resort fee and their complimentary offerings include daily breakfast, yoga sessions, guided nature hikes and garden tours.
Featured amenities include the acclaimed Spa at Post Ranch, three pools (one lap pool and two cliff-top ‘hot basking pools’), the Post Gallery, their 15,000+ bottle wine cellar and the award- winning restaurant, Sierra Mar.
Be sure to check for updates on availability of activities and amenities at all properties during Covid-19. At the time of this writing, all San Francisco properties are currently closed and are scheduled to reopen by fall. Contact us for updates.
You can help make a difference by supporting local women- and BIPOC-owned or run businesses. Journeys Unparalleled (also a woman and BIPOC owned and run business!) can help you book your next holiday with complimentary Preferred Partner amenities where available.
Contact us to book a getaway: info@journeysunparalleled.com.