To start the year on a slower pace, my boyfriend and I have been indulging in a few staycations here in Lima to get a feel for different neighborhoods in our current city. We had the most incredible weekend at Atemporal, a charming boutique & 5 stars luxury hotel in Lima, Peru. The hotel is also under the same group as another beautiful hotel that we got to stay at when we visited Arequipa late last year, called Cirqa. With that previous expectation, we knew from the moment that we arrived, we were in for a treat. The hotel's unique character and attention to detail really stood out to us, from the stylish decor to the friendly and attentive staff. We were so impressed that this gem has been here the whole time, only a few minutes away from where we are currently living in Lima.

There are a few things about Atemporal that I really love. The first has to be the daily breakfast and the all-day open kitchen with snacks at the "honestly bar." Another thing that I also love about Atemporal is its location. It is conveniently located in the heart of the Miraflores district, which means that there are a few key museums and attractions within walking distance, specifically Huaca Pucllana. But the fun doesn't stop there. Atemporal is also close to some of the best dining and shopping in Lima. I spent one of the afternoons wandering the streets of Miraflores, popping into shops and boutiques, and sampling some of the local ceviche dishes. And when I returned to the hotel, I was greeted with a super cozy room. Did I mention that there was a bathtub in our super spacious bathroom? I definitely took the opportunity to soak up every night from all the walking and exploring during our stay there. And that brings me to the last highlight of my stay at Atemporal, the hotel itself. My room was cozy and beautifully decorated, with all the amenities I could ask for.

That said, whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just looking for a cozy home base for your Lima adventures, this boutique hotel has it all. We were lucky enough to stay in one of the biggest rooms out of the six rooms available at Atemporal, but I got a peek of the other rooms upstairs, and they were all equally cozy and spacious. Overall, the wonderful breakfast, museums and attractions close by, and personalized service made this an unforgettable staycation for us, and I couldn't recommend checking Atemporal out more!

Press/Media Stay. All opinions are my own. Experience the Best of Lima: A Weekend Staycation at Atemporal, A Boutique Hotel. Book your next stay with Expedia.
—
Camera Gear Used: Nikon D750 (body only) with 50mm F1/4 and 24-70mm F3.5 lens. Atemporal by Andean Experience

VIEW POST

An Andean Experience at CIRQA in Arequipa

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.
—
Camera Gear Used: Nikon D600 (body only) with 50mm F1/4 and 24-70mm F3.5 lens. CIRQA by Andean Experience - Relais & Châteaux

VIEW POST

A Day in Cadiz, Spain

Desperate to escape our cold little town in Valladolid, our friend decided that we would take a quick road trip (by quick, I actually mean 6 hours) to Cadiz. Cadiz is a coastal town in Spain, full of palm trees and beaches, and even though it wasn't that much warmer, it felt a whole 10 degrees hotter, hence my dress paired with a coat through the entire day.

I've had this linen Sleeper dress for a while now, and I always find it to be the easiest thing to throw on whenever I'm packing light for a weekend trip somewhere. Of all the dresses I have in my wardrobe, this one is probably one of the most versatile all year round. This puff sleeve linen white dress also works as a lounge piece, and that's exactly what it was when we would take our 'siesta' during that weekend. For going out, it dresses up my usual white sneakers and any oversized jacket. While it was nice to stroll around Cadiz with this outfit, I'm looking forward to taking it on more tropical places in the next few months.

Cocoon Beige Coat: 12Storeez via Farfetch
Dress: Sleeper via Toward
Shoes: Common Project (another white option)
Mini Bag: Bottega Veneta Mini Pouch
Accessories: Pearl Strand Earrings (similar pearl and gold)

Photo by Shun S.

VIEW POST

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.
—
Camera Gear Used: Nikon D600 (body only) with 50mm F1/4 and 24-70mm F3.5 lens. The Barcelona EDITION, Spain

VIEW POST