Formally, the word 'Cirqa' comes from ‘circa’ which refers to its meaning with a certain moment or period in time. It is written with a 'Q' as in the city's name, Arequipa. We had the pleasure of lodging for one full day and one night at this wonderful property in the heart of this city. Staying at CIRQA a Relais & Châteaux hotel was such a treat as it is not just a chic place to rest but it is also a site with great historical significance. The hotel's architecture combines sillar stones that are unique to the formation of this city as it is also nicknamed, Arequipa - La Blanca Ciudad (The White City).

For the majority of our stay, we loved hanging in the common area as it is always well-ambiance with relaxing music and the staff is always ready to offer up something calming to drink. Our room was cozy and we had a wonderful night of rest. We also took advantage of the spa and had one of the best massages that we both have had in a long time. The property also comes with a super hip rooftop where we enjoyed drinks on our first evening after our massages. All of the amenities along with the thoughtful staff that remains really connected with you during your stay make you feel incredibly welcomed. After being in many luxurious accommodations, I've come to realize that what sets some apart from others is replicating that feeling of being cozy at home, and anything you may ask for doesn't come off as an inconvenience.

Wearing: The Frankie Shop blazer, Urban Outfitter bodysuit, Reformation skirt, Common Project sneakers and Yuzefi pretzel bag.

Press/Media Stay. All opinions are my own. Book your next stay with Expedia. CIRQA by Andean Experience - Relais & Châteaux
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Camera Gear Used: Nikon D600 (body only) with 50mm F1/4 and 24-70mm F3.5 lens.

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Staycation at The Barcelona EDITION

We found ourselves in Barcelona again six years later and feeling more at home than we could ever imagine thanks to the warmest stay at The EDITION Barcelona. If you're unfamiliar with the EDITION hotels, I highly suggest you check out my previous stay at their location in Tokyo; and then you'll completely understand why, when I found out that there was one in Barcelona, I had to experience what it's like to stay here as well. Asides from the luxurious but minimal decor and unique vibes, something that I've felt at the EDITION properties time and time again is just how comfortable the atmosphere is, the minute that I step inside. It could easily be credited to the amazing Le Labo signature scent that they have throughout the space, but for me, it's mostly the gratuitous greetings and thoughtful service from everyone that encapsulate perfectly that feeling of "my own home away from home".

While there are certain aspects of the EDITION hotels around the world that are uniformly upheld, each property in their respective city aims to capture the essence of their location and the culture, ranging from the design of the rooms down to even the food and beverage offerings.

My boyfriend and I checked in to the EDITION on a Sunday night, the weekend of the New Year's celebration in Spain. We were so excited for our stay here to enjoy a little R&R time so that we can reset and restart the year on a good note. When we arrived at our room, we found something we've been missing from our previous EDITION stay, and that's the robes and faux fur throw that seems to always invite us to cozy up in a nook that's hard to miss in every EDITION hotels' room. As we filled the beautiful bath in our suite, we watched the birds fly peacefully left and right in the coolest window view we've seen in Barcelona so far. The window view featured the colorful roof of the Santa Caterina Market next door and when the sun is setting or rising, the view was pretty much kaleidoscopic with all of the colors dancing in the light.

That night, we did something we haven't done at a hotel in a while, and that's to just order room service dinner and enjoy ourselves to the fullest in our room. For me, the best sign of a comfortable hotel is when I seriously don't want to leave my room for even a second. We were tempted to hop down to the Punch Room, which is the property's very own speakeasy lounge, but we thought, we would save it for another night when we could hang out there for a few hours and try all of the cocktails (which we actually did, the following Wednesday). After a restful night, we were spoiled with a delicious breakfast in our room that featured a delicious mix of typical Spanish dishes and continental ones. For the best of both worlds, we ordered the 'PATATAS CON JAMÓN' and a stack of 'PANCAKES' with mascarpone topped with fresh berries. That sets us up quite nicely to enjoy the rest of the day exploring the different iconic neighborhoods that The EDITION Barcelona is conveniently located around.

Wearing: Aritzia tank, and ASOS pearl beaded skirt.

Wearing: Sezane boyfriend shirt, The Frankie Shop grey trousers, Common Projects sneakers and Chanel WOC.

We were able to see Santa Caterina Market as it was opening its doors from our room's windows and by 11 am when we stopped in, it was bustling but not as hectic and as crowded as the other known market in Barcelona, Boqueria. It was a much more local experience and truly adds to the charm of the hotel being so close by.

That afternoon we walked through El Born and grabbed a mascarpone croissant at Hofmann, and then Bar Cañete for some tapas. The EDITION Barcelona is also relatively close to the main shopping center, so I was able to browse and pick up a couple of souvenirs as well. Because it was a Monday night, which tends to be a slower night in Spain; if you've been here before, you'll definitely know what I'm talking about- so we retreated to our room so that I can squeeze another glorious bath in before checking out the next day.

We switched it up a little for breakfast the next morning, and I got a 'WAFFLE' with banana, caramel whipped cream, and granola and my boyfriend got a hearty 'SHAKSHUKA'. Of course, the morning routine could have not been complete if there wasn't another bath for the record. After slowly starting our morning and getting ready to head out, we had a chance to visit the The ROOF and enjoyed some quick bites and a couple of drinks. I was pleasantly surprised with the Asian take of the menu there and if I wasn't staying at the hotel, The EDITION Barcelona's rooftop would be a spot that you'll find me frequent with friends. Beyond the food, it is one of the only places in Barcelona where you can get a 360 view of the city.

Checking out of a property like this is always such a dreading process for me, and honestly, I couldn't stay away from this place for too long as I mentioned that during our trip to Barcelona, we returned on a separate night to spend almost four hours trying all of the special punches and have a couple of game of pool in the Punch Room. My favorite was the EDITION's punch, but the fun bartenders there can surely fix up some solid classics like an espresso martini or an old fashion too.

Our trip to Barcelona wouldn't have been as special if we didn't get a chance to experience this hotel. I highly recommend you check this hotel out the next time you're in Barcelona, whether you're staying there, or just stopping in for a drink on the rooftop or their Punch Room.

Press/Media Stay. All opinions are my own.
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Camera Gear Used: Nikon D600 (body only) with 50mm F1/4 and 24-70mm F3.5 lens. The Barcelona EDITION, Spain

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Staycation in Hudson Valley at The Maker Hotel

A few months overdue but, I finally sorted through all of the beautiful images that I captured at The Maker Hotel when Christina and I took an impromptu staycation there earlier this year. Before coming back to New York, I had already had this gem of a hotel bookmarked on my list-- and of all my friends, I couldn't think of anyone else who would be just as excited as I am to escape there for a couple of nights. Located in the Hudson Valley upstate New York, The Maker Hotel was easily accessible by the Amtrak at Penn Station for the both of us.

When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the front desk and got invited right away to the bar for a welcome drink on the house. This eased us into the property and immediately made us feel right at home. It was dark by the time we came into our room, and even in a lowlight and quiet setting, we were blown away by the decor and every little attention to detail.

We were lucky enough to book the 'Artist Studio' which, true to its name, would be every art appreciators' dream room to retreat in. Asides from having one of the fluffiest and most comfortable hotel beds that I've ever slept on, the bathroom of this studio was second to none. The 'Artist Studio's' bathroom is light-filled, decorated with antique limestone and Moorish tiles. Along with the rainfall shower adorn with gold-hardware details, it also comes with an elegant clawfoot tub. The best part of all, heated floors! If the rest of the property was not as equally enjoyable and beautiful, I personally could have spent a good week in this bathroom alone.

The Maker Hotel was high on my list to visit for several reasons. One of it though was how thoughtfully it was created. If you get the chance to visit the actual space, you'll know exactly what I mean when I say that this place feels more of a passion project than an actual for-profit accommodation property. From little things, such as a perfume room on the second floor, which features a small cabinet housing some of the owner's favorite scents for guests to explore and try throughout their stay, to the different wallpaper patterns, some of which are hand-painted and one of a kind, you can bet that every piece of furniture comes with their own story.

Intended to be a space where one can comfortably spend their time relaxing in one place, The Maker Hotel has a cafe and bakery, a bar tucked away in the back that feels like you're going into a speakeasy and plenty of dining tables for the restaurant that flows from the library area all the way to the floor to ceiling glass conservatory. Christina and I visited the property around February so we didn't get to enjoy the outdoor area, but if you are here in the summer months, the pool and patio area look so inviting!

Between snoozing in our comfy robes with breakfast in bed and spending our afternoons making bubble baths for both photos and pleasure, our time quickly flew by. I'll surely miss the pistachio croissant in the morning and the infamous "choco taco" as a nightcap at this wonderful hotel.

Camera Gear Used: Nikon D750 (with kit) with 50mm F1/4 and 24-70mm F3.5 lens.

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