Melinda Sheckells, Las Vegas lifestyle and entertainment expert, shares recommendations on local and regional travel deals, extraordinary experiences and even some amazingly “Wanderful” dream trips to far away destinations.
Wanderful Dream Trip to Viceroy Los Cabos
Cabo is one of the top fall/winter travel destinations for those seeking a safe, healthy, international getaway. The crown jewels of this south-of-the-border vacation haven is Viceroy Los Cabos. The 192-room resort, 20 minutes from the international airport and 5 minutes from downtown, is an architectural marvel concepted by Mexico-based architect Miguel Angel Aragonés and formally known as Mar Adentro, receiving numerous design accolades.
Vast wraparound bodies of water encase the artfully designed buildings resembling floating boxes. A stunning view to take in with a morning coffee at the water-level Casero restaurant.
The rooms and suites blend in with the landscape and many feature floor-to-ceiling windows that slide open to create a seamless transition from the interior to the exterior. Sunlight pours in, the ocean crashes and nature works its charm. These accommodations truly feel at one with the sea and are swathed in a color palette resembling the sand. Furniture and design accents harmonize with the architectural simplicity.
Expect a custom curated playlist for the room based on your favorite music and an amenity of chips, guacamole and margaritas kick off the stay in style.
High above the main building sits the Cielomar rooftop restaurant and bar, serving flame-grilled fare, wood-fired pizza and creative culinary cocktails crafted by Executive Chef Cesar Pita.
Pita’s menu is eclectic and flavorful, fusing Mexican, Asian and European techniques. From habanero-fermented hamachi and charred corn ravioli to tuna poke pizza topped with grilled jalapeño and bone-in rib-eye doused in an herb bone marrow, every dishes is as memorable as the next.
Cocktails include unique combinations of fresh ingredients such as the “Blonde Shakerato” incorporating beer and black truffle, or the “Skyline” fusing together rum, artichoke liquor and grilled pineapple.
If you are lucky, you might even get to watch your very own fireworks display from the dinner table.
By day, the resort pulses to the rhythm of the ocean with five pools that stretch out to the open sea, framing the reflecting water features. Cool off in one of the infinity edge beachfront pools, relax on the custom-made solid teak sun lounges around the main and soak up the sun at the serene adults-only rooftop escape.
On the health and wellness tip, the fitness center was designed by Los Angeles-based celebrity trainer, Harley Pasternak so expect the most state-of-the-art equipment and plenty of space to work up a sweat. To relieve tension, bop over to the spa and indulge in the 90-minute Herbal Dreamcatcher treatment, which will leave your whole body floating on air. Receive an energy cleanse with healing herbs and then a relaxing massage that aligns the body and releases stress and fatigue. The pleasure doesn’t end there, take the day and chill in the 11,000 square-foot enclave with multiple vitality pools and thermal rooms, an ice fountain, experience showers and sauna and steam.
Viceroy Los Cabos is offering fantastic deals for the holidays including a Thanksgiving package with accommodations, a pie baking class, a four-course Thanksgiving Dinner at Cielomar Rooftop with three-piece band, a Friday morning outdoor spin class, a Friday afternoon pumpkin painting class and a Saturday evening beach barbecue. Rooms start at $456 per night. Also the longer you stay, the more you save. Book direct to enjoy up to 25 percent off and daily continental breakfast for two.
An Extraordinary City Break in Minneapolis
With outrageously good airfare deals, now is the time to check out some new American cities as well. Minneapolis has a vibrant food and beverage scene and an interesting hotel located right in the middle of it. The Hewing Hotel from Aparium Hotel Group is in the city’s North Loop, one of its fastest-growing neighborhoods.
Home to entrepreneurs, artists and professionals, the loop is one of the best shopping districts in the Twin Cities and the hotel is big on historic architectural details and luxurious modern amenities.
The popular rooftop is open for Saturday and Sunday brunch as well as bites and cocktails throughout the week. Reservations for the hotel’s separate rooftop temperature-controlled plunge pool are only open to hotel guests. Take-out meals can be enjoyed throughout including the lobby or in-room.
Yoga mats can be requested to take part in the complimentary weekly outdoor rooftop workouts every Monday beginning at 5:30 am.
And if you bring your furry friend on this city vacation, the Hewing has dog amenities including BarkBox Memory Foam Dog Beds. Aparium has other properties including the Cyrus Hotel, Topeka, Kansas; the Crossroads Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri; MC Hotel, Montclair, NJ; Pontchartrain Hotel, New Orleans, LA; Detroit Foundation Hotel, Detroit, MI and Hu Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee. Prices start at $179.
A Local Deal Worth Checking Out at The Cosmopolitan
For locals and visitors alike, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas welcomes professionals to ditch their newly minted home offices and escape to the resort for a working vacation. Let The Cosmopolitan be your remote office with incentives for Identity members on multi-night stays.
In this remote work environment, crack open your laptop on an open-air terrace overlooking the Bellagio Fountains, have lunch at your favorite restaurant and take a plunge at the rooftop Boulevard Pool, all while remaining connected to super-fast Wi-Fi.
Two of the many deals worth checking out are the Bite the Urge deal, which includes a $150 dining and beverage credit with a three-night stay. The Plot Your Twists package offers 20 percent off when you book two nights or more with 60 days in advance notice.
To find out where in the world is Melinda Sheckells, follow @melindasheckells on Instagram.
