Hotel Belle Blog

Embracing the Curls

2013-05-21T09:00:08Z

My hair has always felt like a problem to me, especially when traveling. I've always had hair jealousy of girls that can just shower and go or even just blow dry and go. At home, I have my flat iron that heats up to 450 degrees and makes it straight and smooth. But my European flat iron that I take around the world doesn't get as hot, and it just takes forever to straighten, when I'd rather be zipping around whatever city I'm in. Plus, I live in New York City where the summers are pretty much the ultimate hell in humidty so any straightening I do doesn't last long.

But lately, I have figured out something that sort of works. If I smather on much more than a "quarter-sized" amount of conditioner at night and sleep with it piled on my head, I wake up and there are non-frizzy curls and waves. I want to embrace what I've been given but also feel good about the hair. Here, the curls in all their glory at Ponta dos Ganchos resort on the Emerald Coast of Brazil (low light=fuzzy photo). I didn't care one bit about my hair in that beachy paradise and it felt great. Does anyone else have curly hair like mine? Would love to hear any tips!

The King David Hotel, Jerusalem

2013-05-20T09:00:49Z

Can I show you photos of my room at The King David Hotel in Jerusalem? I told you all about their massive, incredible breakfast in this video, but let's sit down at the kitchen table with a cup of tea to see the room. There's nothing worse than looking at someone else's vacation photos for hours, so I'll be quick. The panoramic view over Jerusalem and the hotel's iconic pool below was what made the room so incredibly special. The space itself was beautiful, comfortable, and complete with fluffy hotel bathrobe that I wanted to steal. But the view was what made me never want to leave. And indeed, I did leave kicking and whining all the way to the valet stand. I would be so bold as to say this should be in the top 25 hotels to see in your lifetime for its place in the history of Jerusalem and how you feel like royalty or the President when staying here.

My favorite photo of the view at dusk

The Best Homemade Caramel Popcorn

2013-05-17T14:32:00Z

I am completely obsessed with the Essential New York Times Cookbook. Edited by the talented and funny Amanda Hesser, the book has over 1,000 recipes that Hesser found, tested, and updated from 150 years of Times archives. It's tempting to want to cook my way through it (a daunting task) but every single thing I've tried has been delicious. Usually I try to include a lot of vegetables with dinner but on a recent night when my boyfriend was really sick, I decided smoothies and homemade caramel popcorn was in order. So I made vegan chocolate cake batter smoothies (healthier than it sounds-includes oats, cashew butter, almond milk, carob powder & chocolate chips), and "To Sugar or Crystallize Pop-Corn" (otherwise known as caramel corn) from the Times cookbook. The recipe was originally printed in 1878 (!!) and is an addicting mix of sweet and salty. You can't tell in the photo that the caramel is on the popcorn but it is - the perfect light, sweet coating.

I will never make microwave popcorn again. It is way too easy to use a little bit of corn oil, popcorn kernels and a large pot on the stove.

"To Sugar or Crystallize Pop-Corn" from the Essential New York Times Cookbook

Corn Oil
1/2 cup popcorn
1T unsalted butter
3T water
3/4 cup sugar
Salt (optional - I think you definitely need it)

1. Cover the bottom of a large heavy pot with corn oil. Add the popcorn, stir to coat, cover, and place over medium-high heat. Cook, shaking frequently, until all the popcorn has popped. Remove from the heat and keep covered.

2. Combine the butter, water, and sugar in another large pot, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissoves and the mixture begins to caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour in the popcorn, and stir quickly to coat the kernels with the caramel--some will stick to the pot. Season with salt if desired, and scrape into a serving bowl.

Makes 4 quarts

Flowers in Bloom in Central Park

2013-05-15T09:18:00Z

I hope these photos put a smile on your face like they do for me! When Central Park is awash in spring beauty and color, I try to spend as much time as possible there. It's like the ultimate Garden of Eden. Every time, I feel like I've walked down a new path or climbed a new rock. I see the carousel and can't wait to take my own kids there. Writing and researching my Behind the Scenes in Central Park story for National Geographic this year made me fall more in love with these 843 acres.

The Silversmith You Must Visit in Argentina

2013-05-10T09:03:00Z

My new ringThe name to know is DRAGHI. And bring American dollars! Located about 1.5 hours outside the city center of Buenos Aires in a charming town called San Antonio de Areco, Draghi preserves the traditions of Argentine silverwork. The town itself reminded me of a smaller, South American Santa Fe for its town square and all the art galleries & shops. The building is part museum where you're able to browse a priceless collection of items from the 19th century including knives, belts, and jewelry. You can also watch the artisans at work. The shop was my favorite part and a group of us browsed rugs, blankets, necklaces, and rings.

I spotted the ring I wanted and discovered it would be $120 on my credit card, but $50 if I paid American cash. Why? American dollars have a high black market value and are highly coveted by Argentines so BRING more dollars than you think you'll need. This article explains it well - apparently President Cristina (whom every single person I talked to HATED) has put some insane limits on foreign exchange, and the peso is the world's worst performing currency. I don't completely understand, but know I got my ring for a great deal!

After visiting the silversmith, continue on to La Bamba de Areco, one of my new favorite places in the world, an impeccably designed and beautiful estancia, or ranch. It's where I met this sweet dog!

This dog wandered around the shopBeautiful Courtyard at Draghi

A Sweet Argentine Dog

2013-05-08T21:54:28Z

We had one day free during Virtuoso (read the travel trends I discovered during the conference on my National Geographic blog here) in Buenos Aires and got to choose a daytime activity ranging from a city tour, to cooking classes, or sports tour. But I immediately knew which one I wanted to do - visit an estancia, or a large ranch-style estate, outside the city. The place we went, La Bamba de Areco, was truly a South American dream retreat. While others did horseback riding or a carriage ride, I chose to take one of their bikes and go for a ride. The roads were bumpy but I started following the path that made me feel happiest. With the autumn sun shining down and a slight breeze, this beautiful, sweet dog seemed to appear from nowhere. I could see nothing else except for horses and cows. He just wanted a lot of loving and I was happy to give it to him! After about 30 minutes, he had enough and ran away to play. It was a little bit of home so many thousands of miles away from my own dog.

Landmarks of Buenos Aires

2013-04-30T03:43:46Z

A full week in one of the world's greatest cities, Buenos Aires, allowed me to visit all the landmark neighborhoods and monuments, as well as off-the-beaten-path gems. Yet even at the more famous places, like Sunday's bustling San Telmo Market, I felt like one of few visitors. It was bittersweet to leave this free-spirited, beautiful city.

National Geographic: Jerusalem From All Sides

2013-04-24T09:00:40Z

My latest piece on my Urban Insider column is a little more personal - visiting Jerusalem was a core-shaker, with the weight of three world religions' histories and a guide that challenged my status quo. And staying at the King David was one of my favorite hotel experiences.

Check it out here, if you want!

Buenos Aires - Virtuoso Symposium 2013

2013-04-24T00:12:03Z

I'm down in Buenos Aires for the annual Virtuoso Symposium, the gathering of the top luxury travel advisors, tour operators, and hotels in the world, and they are putting on quite a show. Last night's dinner was hosted beneath the famous pink Presidential Palace, which is normally only used for heads of state and royal visits. Our first night was a tango, horse show, and barbecue. But the best part is meeting so many truly amazing people in travel. I am obsessed with this industry. My wonderful friend Kelly is flying down for the weekend, and we'll have extra nights to explore the city before flying to Brazil to relax on the beach.

Spring...And I Love My Kitchen

2013-04-17T18:55:59Z

I love living near Washington Square Park - a five-minute walk and I'm in the center of one of New York's greatest meeting spots. Snapped the above pic on the way to the dog park. We talk about spring starting in February and it has finally arrived.

I'm only home for a few days before my trip to Argentina and Brazil. I am grateful my kitchen is back in order after our apartment was painted and the painters left a disaster zone covered with a thick layer of dust and crap piled everywhere. Tonight, I made Brown Rice Elbow Pasta with TONS of roasted vegetables using this recipe (just changed out the angel hair for brown rice pasta) - one of my favorite simple, healthy, comfort food dinners. I'm also making lots of smoothies, breakfast cookies, eggs, shredded chicken...everything easy that I wish I could make on the road.