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Cuisine, Luxury Journeys, Uncategorized

These Hotels Have The Best Room Service In The World

May 13, 2024 by Lucy Thackray No Comments
Room service hotel room bed

It’s the ultimate treat: neat trays of cloche-lidded dishes, tiny condiment jars and paper-topped glassware delivered to your room. A feast you can eat in a pristine white towelling bathrobe. A spread of potentially over-ordered, almost certainly mismatched items with no one around to judge. The only thing more luxurious than a late-night order at a hotel is an order at the world’s very best room service hotels.

Room service hotel room bed

Aman New York

New York City has perhaps the highest concentration of fabulous in-room dining experiences. Take the recently opened Aman Hotel’s in-room omakase service. Meaning “I leave it up to you”, this Japanese style of dining allows an expert sushi chef to slice and sizzle a curated selection of bite-sized dishes, creating a feast of surprises. Only guests in the Aman Suite, spread across floors 11 and 12 with corner views of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, can request this rarefied private audience with chef Takuma Yonemaru.

The Savoy, London

Adding a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne, or smoked salmon and caviar, to your room service breakfast is just one opulent room service option at London’s A-list hotel. Past midday there are dedicated oyster and caviar menus, Cornish lobster rolls, Wagyu beef tartare, comfort foods like mac and cheese with black truffle or lobster, and sought-after vintages of Dom Perignon and Krug. Make like past guests Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra and lounge in your monogrammed bathrobe to enjoy.

Intercontinental Bora Bora, French Polynesia

This honeymoon spot makes the list of best room service hotels for its photogenic ‘canoe breakfast’, where breakfast trays of lavish tropical fruits, fresh juices and hot foods arrive floating on a va’a, a traditional wooden outrigger canoe. Decorated with local flowers, the vessel will glide up to your overwater villa, where a waitress in a flower crown serves piles of fresh pastries, melon and pineapple, yoghurt bowls served in half-coconuts, hot omelettes, sausages and more.

We also think you’ll like: How Do Restaurants Get Awarded a Michelin Star?

An omakase chef will come to your suite at the Aman New York

An omakase chef will come to your suite at the Aman New York

Raffles, Doha

In the sculptural, horseshoe-shaped Katara Towers in the Qatari capital, this glossy new Raffles doesn’t do anything by halves. And that includes its in-room dining, where nine-course breakfast trollies are brought to majestic suites (involving Arabic touches such as signature shakshouka and labneh with honey). Meanwhile the all-day menu encompasses foie gras au torchon, wagyu rib-eye steaks, lobster casarecce, sole Meuniere and the signature Gold Cappucino. Want something even more niche? Every guest at this all-suite hotel has a butler on call, 24/7.

Park Lane Hotel, New York

Not every hotel can boast a “Caviar Hotline” ‒ but that’s the room service essential this Central Park-side hotel lays on for its guests. Dial 5 from your in-room telephone and you’ll select your caviar presentation of choice: from the tin, with blinis, creme fraiche, capers and red onion? Or sprinkled on nachos, topping deviled eggs, along with a glass or bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut champagne ‒ or a shooter of Stolichnaya vodka.

Four Seasons Chicago

Whether you’re over or under the age of 21 will dictate which room service treat will bring you back to the FS Chicago. Will it be the legendary in-house ice cream cart? Call down to summon it for a 30-minute spree in your room, choosing between new seasonal flavours dreamt up by the hotel’s chefs, plus toppings from fudge sauce to sprinkles and M&Ms. Or for a more grown-up palate, you might craving the services of the martini cart, which appears with the questions: gin or vodka? Olive or twist? Both options have been delighting guests for nearly 25 years.

We also think you’ll like: The Best Private Cooking Classes to Enjoy With Luxury Gold

The ice cream cart at Four Seasons Chicago hotel

The ice cream cart at Four Seasons Chicago hotel

The Peninsula, Bangkok

In a city known for its affordable, high-quality street food, staying in for tray service may seem especially decadent. But the Peninsula’s breakfast spreads alone are the stuff of legend: there’s a Chinese Breakfast involving dim sum and congee rice porridge, a Thai breakfast packed with fresh fruits and crabmeat omelettes, and a plant-based menu for vegans. Oysters by the half-dozen, and a whole range of Thai specialities from steamed sea bass to roasted duck red curry, give you options from comfort foods to luxury treats.

Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

Got a VIP – a Very Important Pet, that is – traveling with you? You’re going to want to check in at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, which has a luxe in-room dining menu for guests’ dogs, as well as their humans. Codfish and caviar is the standout dish, though there’s also organic scrambled eggs with kale and quinoa for the health-conscious hound, and beef patties made (naturally) with the finest Aberdeen Angus beef.

Four Seasons Ko Samui

Make your reservations now for this Ko Samui resort – it’ll be booked up for years after its starring role on the next season of The White Lotus. But TV tourism is just one reason to visit: the hotel is known for its in-villa barbecues, where guests are treated to a traditional Thai moo kra ta feast of tiger prawns, Angus beef, pork and chicken cooked in a hot pot over glowing coals. Meanwhile, gourmet picnic baskets can be loaded up for you to enjoy in your villa or around the resort, featuring prawn and pomelo salads, mango and sticky rice and chicken wraps.

Vegan, healthy and even dog options are often available

Vegan, healthy and even dog options are often available

Pendry Washington DC

With a Potomac river view, a rooftop sushi restaurant and glamorous pool terrace, the Pendry is one of DC’s hottest newcomers. And its in-room dining matches that energy: caviar-topped deviled eggs, Cobb salads sprinkled with lobster, and a New York strip steak with a decadent black truffle gratin. (Pair them with several top champagnes, Napa Valley reds or Provence rosés.) The Maine crab cakes are a real hit with regulars, while California rolls and artisanal cheese plates can be ordered if you get in after hours.

Milestone Hotel, London

Fancy a cocktail, but staying with someone you want to impress? At London’s Milestone Hotel, one of the creative room service options is an audience with one of the hotel’s expert mixologists. They’ll come up to your room to consult on your favourite notes and flavours, then stir you up the perfect aperitif. You could try the hotel’s own Smoky Old Fashioned, request a margarita or Manhattan as you like it, or ask your private bartender to shake up something entirely different. The Milestone is part of the Red Carnation group, the preferred hotels of Luxury Gold groups when staying in Britain.

We also think you’ll like: 11 of the Best Sustainable Fine Dining Restaurants in the World

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Cuisine

Inside Vancouver’s Only Indigenous Restaurant, Salmon n’ Bannock

January 20, 2024 by Leanne Williams No Comments
Small wooden patters encircle a central black dish, all full of colourful traditional food at Salmon n Bannock

Food is not just about great taste and nutrition. It can also tell a story of history and heritage in the most vibrant, flavorsome and captivating way. You’ll discover this and more when you dine at Salmon n’ Bannock, the only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant in Vancouver.

Coming together at the gathering place created by proud Nuxalk Nation’s member Inez Cook, you’ll savor traditional and authentic Indigenous foods and flavors, passed down by elders. As the founder and owner of Salmon n’ Bannock, and the author of children’s book ” The Sixties Scoop”, Inez Cook is an incredible educator and an advocate for Indigenous people in Canada. This is her story…

Dine at Salmon n’ Bannock, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, on: Majesty of the Rockies

The story of Inez Cook

Salmon n' Bannock owner Inez Cook leaning on a railing inside the restaurant

Inez Cook was born in Bella Coola B.C., a proud member of the Nuxalk Nation, one of the first Nations of Canada. When she was just one year old, she was forcibly taken from her mother by the Canadian Government and given to a white family to raise in Vancouver. 

Cook was one of an estimated 20,000 Indigenous children stolen under the Sixties Scoop, a government policy of cultural assimilation and systematic erasure beginning in the 1950s and lasting until the 1990s. There were also cases of child welfare services selling Indigenous children for tens of thousands of dollars to white adoptive parents across Canada. To this day, the true number of victims remains unknown as many forced adoption records were destroyed or disappeared. 

While Cook says she is one of the lucky ones who had a loving adoptive family, she said she always felt out of place and had no information about her biological family while growing up. She knew she was adopted but did not know she was born Nuxalk, or that she was stolen from her parents in Bella Coola. 

You may also be interested to read: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women

The inspiration behind Salmon n’ Bannock

 

Vancouver photographed from the air at sunset, with rain clouds sweeping across the skyline

As Cook grew into adulthood, she felt a strong yearning to learn about her Indigenous heritage. Food became the major catalyst for her reconnection with the Nuxalk Nation. As she worked in different food industry jobs over the years, she realised there were no Indigenous restaurants in the whole of Vancouver, and dreamed of opening her own restaurant. 

One day, Cook drove past the sign of Indigenous-owned Kekuli Cafe in Kelowna that read “Don’t panic…We have bannock!” (traditional Indigenous bread). That sign inspired her to make the decision then and there to open a restaurant that would pay homage to her Indigneous heritage. 

Cook wanted to create a space that represents Indigenous foods, traditions, and culture with pride. She wanted to build a gathering place where people could come together to share food and stories. In 2010, Cook achieved this dream, opening her restaurant, Salmon n’ Bannock. 

Bookmark for later: A guide to Vancouver – where to dine, sleep and explore

The Salmon n’ Bannock menu

Bison standing in an open prairie with rain clouds and a rainbow in the background

After months of research and learning about First Nation cooking techniques and native ingredients, Cook built a remarkable menu. She wanted the restaurant to showcase traditional methods like smoking and preserving food. She also wanted to use Indigenous foods and dishes that First Nations people traditionally hunted and harvested. Her menu includes foods like bannock, bison, wild sockeye salmon, game meats, maple syrup, wild boar, and Ojibway wild rice. Cook would use seasonal and foraged ingredients and even bought wild huckleberries from a First Nations elder who carried a gun in case he needed to scare off bears while foraging.

Cook says she learns more about Indigenous dishes and foods every day at Salmon n’ Bannock and that the restaurant does not represent any one First Nation. Instead, it’s a thoughtful and authentic menu of Indigenous food. It’s also a celebration of Cook’s heritage and identity – a proud Native woman. 

A must read for food lovers: Mind the culture gap: The chefs who make worlds collide through food

Indigenous dishes with modern influences

wild salmon swimming up a waterfall

Cook then took the traditional ingredients and dreamed up modern twists. Take pemmican, an important Indigenous food, traditionally made with dried meat and berries. Cook has revived this dish by making a delicious, rich Pemmican Mouse. It’s made with smoked and dried bison mixed with sage-blueberries and cream cheese, and paired with their perfectly toasted bannock.

She also transformed wild sockeye salmon into the Urban Salmon Burger, served with signature bannock, lemon aioli and house made pickles. Salmon is spiritually significant for many Indigenous people as it represents the Circle of Life in the way it is born in freshwater, lives in saltwater, then returns to freshwater to spawn and die. Cook marinades and smokes the fish using dry white sage, a sacred herb used in smudging practices in important ceremonies. Freshly baked bannock bread is then symbolically split in two to form the bun for the salmon. The breaking of the bannock shows that everyone is welcome at the table here. 

You may also enjoy reading: Why journeying through the Rocky Mountains will stay with you for a lifetime

The beauty of Bannock

Close up of hands kneading bread

Bannock, which plays a starring role in this aptly-named restaurant, is a traditional Indigenous food with a complex history entwined with colonialism. Scottish fur traders first introduced a version of bannock to Canada, however, Indigenous peoples adopted bannock and it’s made differently all over the country. Bannock plays an important role in Indigenous cultures and is an essential dish at potlatches, a traditional ceremony and feast for First Nations communities. 

In British Columbia, bannock is known as the “Aboriginal staff of life” and cultural knowledge and stories are often shared over a basket of bannock. It’s a cultural tradition and a staple comfort food made in many different ways. At its most simple, it’s a mix of flour, water, baking powder and salt, and it can be fried, baked, or cooked on an open fire. It can be pillowy soft and deliciously crumbly. 

Cook has her own fond memories of bannock. She used to make it at summer camp as a child, cooked over the fire and drizzled in corn syrup. Today, Cook’s signature bannock embraces the diversity of this dish. She serves it scone-like with butter and berry jam and as crackers with salmon mousse. She whips it into a bun for a wild samon burger, and as bread topped with mushrooms, melted brie, sage-blueberries and bison gravy. Cook says that Indigenous people all made some kind of bread, pre-colonialism, and today she makes bannock to reclaim this Indigenous dish. She wants her food to be seen as a proud declaration of Indigenous food and culture.  

Bookmark for later: In Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Natural Wellness and Luxury Go Hand in Hand

How the restaurant helped Inez Cook find her family

Stanley Park totem poles, photographed from a low angle looking up

First Nations totem poles stand tall in Vancouver’s Stanley Park

As more First Nations members began visiting the restaurant to try out the food for themselves, Cook was questioned by Nuxalk peoples on her authenticity. After sharing her biological mother’s name – Miriam – with a Nuxalk woman, Cook’s uncle soon showed up. He told Cook he’d been looking for her for a while and had promised her mother Miriam he would find her one day. 

Sadly, Cook’s mother had passed away before she could meet her, however, Cook’s uncle gave her restaurant a Nuxalk blessing and invited her to her community for an emotional three-day potlatch. There she reunited with her Nuxalk Nation and was able to meet hundreds of relatives. She also received her regalia and traditional Nuxalk name, Snitsmana, which means “protector of the sacred dance, and lively”. Through this experience, Cook was able to learn about the culture and traditions of the Nuxalk. She felt she could embrace her Indigenous roots, all while gaining a sense of belonging and new understanding about herself. 

You may also enjoy: How We’re Setting the Gold Standard for Sustainable Luxury Travel

Educating through food

The Inukshuk statue in Vancouver's English Bay

The Inukshuk statue in Vancouver’s English Bay. This symbol was used by the Inuit people to mark the location of essential resources, such as hunting grounds.

Over the last 12 years, Salmon n’ Bannock has remained Vancouver’s only Indigenous-owned and operated restaurant. It’s one of the best establishment’s on the city’s dining scene, and exclusively hires Indigenous and First Nations staff. Her team includes members of Nuxalk, Carrier Sekani, Cree, Haida, Long Plain, Muskoday, Ojibway, Pinaymootang, Squamish, Tsimshian, and  Quw’utsun Nations and Indigenous groups, along with a Maori employee from New Zealand.

Cook also uses the restaurant to educate and advocate through food. In 2018, she and Jason Eaglespeaker published “The Sixties Scoop”, a children’s book that shares the truth about Canada’s genocide. Cook says she never learned about this at school when she was growing up and believes the best way to educate future generations is by teaching children. 

If you like to relax on the rails: 7 of the world’s most luxurious train journeys

For travel inspiration: USA & Canada tours

Indigenous food sovereignty

Photograph of meat and fish on ice

Cook says we still have a long way to go in fighting misinformation and achieving food sovereignty for Indigenous communities. She says that some foods, like wild game, still have to go through several strict regulations before they can be served. With over 600 Indigenous nations across Canada, she says it’s absurd that Indigenous people are not allowed to serve their traditional food. Cook says there needs to be commercially approved kitchens in all Indigenous communities so health inspectors will approve them of serving these foods. 

Bookmark for later: Luxury travel experiences you need to book in 2024

Indigenous land acknowledgements

Cook also campaigns for airlines to include a proper land acknowledgement in their pre-touchdown announcements when arriving into Canada. She also wants the “Welcome to Vancouver” sign to include the recognition that the city is set on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They were the original inhabitants for 9,000 years before the Europeans landed here, and they never ceded or signed away their land. Cook says that land acknowledgement is a small but significant step towards showing respect for Indigenous people and righting past wrongs. 

Read more about Canada: The Most Beautiful National Parks in Western Canada

Breaking bannock – the spirit of Salmon n’ Bannock

Food is something that has always brought people from all cultures together. This is particularly true for Cook, for whom food has led her to reconnect with her family and culture. She dreams of the day that Indigenous restaurants are no longer a rarity in Canada and wants Indigenous food to become part of the common dialogue – as regular as going for burgers, sushi or tacos. She envisions her restaurant being a place where people can learn about Canada’s First Nations people, by sharing stories and traditions through food. 

So when people come to her restaurant to break bannock, they’re not only tucking into a beautiful meal – they’re helping to preserve and celebrate Indigenous cultures.

Would you like to experience Salmon n’ Bannock? You’ll visit this fantastic restaurant on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll break bannock over a delicious Celebration Lunch made with traditional ingredients and flavours.

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Uncategorized

High Notes: How Travel Concierge Ann Amplifies the Sounds of the South

August 18, 2023 by Leanne Williams No Comments
Three guitars are shown in a shop window with a red gumbo sign above them, reflecting the road in a red and orange style picture

The home of country music, jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll, the sounds of the south USA are instantly recognisable and conjure up fond memories. Combined with a rich historical narrative of riveting and poignant tales, this region makes for an unforgettable destination.

Here, Travel Concierge Ann shares with us her love and passion, both for the Southern states and her guests, along with her highlights of Southern Grace, a luxurious journey from Nashville to New Orleans.

“Southern hospitality and southern manners are real. Everyone is made to feel very welcome, and each location is incredibly unique and fascinating,” she tells us. “We stay in four different cities. Each has its own unique culture, identity, history, music, cuisine and vibe.”

The beauty of the southern states, elevated

Head shot of Luxury Gold Travel Concierge Ann, wearing a bright green blouse, with short blond hair and dark rimmed glasses and a big smile, with a green field and tree in the background

So much more than a tour guide, Ann is your personal destination expert, tailoring your journey every step of the way. With 22 years of experience, and a deep knowledge of the Southern states, she tells us why the role of a Travel Concierge so special.

“I’m available 24/7, ready to offer advice, solve any problem or answer any questions. And, no matter what piques a guest’s interest, I use my expertise and experience to personalize their tour.”

With more one-on-one time with each guest, due to our small group journeys, your Luxury Gold Travel Concierge is able to get to know you intimately. “Whatever you’re interested in, maybe a particular type of museum, cuisine or activity, I’ll find something for you, tailoring your free time to match your needs.”

Discover this on: Southern Grace

America’s musical identity, made personal

Stairs spiral down at the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame, with two people looking at gold and sliver discs that adorn the walls

“The states that we visit on Southern Grace all played a really big role in southern culture and the music that America listens to,” Ann explains of the sounds of the south. “What a treat to see the birthplaces of country music, rock ‘n roll, blues and jazz.

Exceptional and exclusive music of the south experiences feature throughout the tour, setting the rhythm and soundtrack of your journey.

“I’m very interested in music and its history,” she says. “Everywhere we go in the south, there’s certain genres that are popular and famous in that area. So, as we pass through, I will play that kind of music and talk about its relation to the history of the region.”

“I love setting contests for guests to guess music and lyrics. It’s very upbeat and provides a contrast to some of the darker history of this area, which we also examine in depth at points on this tour. I want guests to feel educated but entertained at the same time.”

For travel inspiration: USA destination guide

Your song recorded for all time at Nashville’s Studio B

“Our music experiences are top drawer, and a chance for our group to record a song at Studio B is a very exclusive experience,” says Ann. This famous studio is where Dolly Parton, Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Charlie Pride have all recorded, icons of the sounds of the south. “When you visit, you know you are standing where musical icons once stood. You’re standing on hallowed ground.

A CD is pressed for each guest as a treasured keepsake of their recording. “This is one of those special things that Luxury Gold does,” says Ann. “Hundreds of people that go through Studio B every day, but only exclusive groups are able to do their own recording. Realistically, we sound pretty bad,” she laughs, “but it is so much fun!”

Read more about icons of the sounds of the south: Brenda Lee: The pop icon who inspired some of the biggest names in music

Best seats in the house at the Grand Ole Opry

A huge brown and yellow guitar marks the entrance to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, USA, with trees and the opry house behind

“A slice of music history, the Grand Ole Opry has been going strong for 102 years,” Ann tells us. And when you are there, you realize why. A live radio programme and a variety show, the quality is unmatched, and it remains a flagship sounds of the south venue.

“With Luxury Gold we have amazing seats and guests are mesmerized from the beginning,” she says. “The cool thing about the Grand Ole Opry is that they have modern country, old country, bluegrass and gospel. They might have some rock or a comedian mixed in. It’s an amazing variety show, and for many, the highlight of the tour.”

Pay homage to ‘The King’ at Graceland

A purple car stands outside the Graceland car museum, home of Elvis preset, with a building to its side with blue neon window lights

“Going to Graceland is really a meaningful thing for people to do, almost a pilgrimage, even for those that were not fans of Elvis’ music,” Ann says. “It’s a very personal tour, going through his home, as it was in the 1970s. You get a glimpse into what life was like at home for such an iconic figure.

“We also visit the famous Sun studios in Memphis, known worldwide as ‘The Birthplace of Rock’n’roll’. It is the discovery location of musical legends and genres of the 50’s from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis; from Blues and Gospel to Country and Rock’n’roll.”

You might be interested to read: Why a Luxury Gold Tour is Perfect for Families with Grown-up Children

Gastronomic delights, tailored for you

A colourful plate of Crawfish gumbo, with bright red crawfish, yellow sweetcorn, yellow lemons in a big dish on a wooden talbel, with lemons and herbs around the sides

“The southern states are a foodies dream, and the cuisine varies a lot on this south USA tour,” Ann explains. “In Nashville, hot chicken is really famous, and you must try a real sweet confection called the Goo Goo Cluster. Once you get to Memphis, it’s all about BBQ – the sizzling sounds of the south. And then in New Orleans, it’s the famous jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish.”

A keen lover of gastronomy herself, Ann’s passion and knowledge enhances your dining experience every day. From carefully chosen restaurants and dining experiences, to expert suggestions in your free time, she’ll ensure your culinary journey is tailored, satisfying and explorative.

“In both Memphis and New Orleans, guests have free evenings. For these I have a hand-picked selection of great restaurants that they can easily walk to. Anything I recommend I have been to myself, so I know it is of the highest standards of food and service. I’ll have menus ready for you to sample and will make the reservations. I’m all about the details and will even walk you there if you want.”

Hear from another of our Travel Concierges: French connection: Travel Concierge Arsen on sophisticated Eastern Canada

VIP BBQ to fine dining

“One highlight culinary experience, in Memphis, is our backstage pass to one of the city’s oldest and most iconic BBQ establishments,” says Ann. “Central BBQ is so acclaimed, the line goes stretches out of the door. However, in true Luxury Gold style, we’re greeted and ushered straight into our own private dining room.”

“After a wonderful BBQ lunch, your grilling expert is waiting to meet you. You’ll leave understanding why BBQ is so important here and very different than it is in other parts of the United States.

“In contrast, when we dine at the sumptuous Monmouth plantation, we dress up to the nines. The stunning dining room makes you feel like you are stepping into the old South. There is such wonderful attention to detail in the preparation of food and how it is served.”

Chic cocktails to Personalize Your Day

A mint julep cocktail sits in a silver tumbler full of ice and bright green mint leaves, on a wooden table

“Cocktails are a big deal in the south, and Bourbon is of course a very southern alcohol,” Ann says. “Having an elegant drink before dinner, not just beer or wine, is very much part of the culture.”

To embrace this decadent slice of culture, while in Natchez you can learn from a master with a mixology class at Dunleith Historic Inn. Alternatively, you can choose to take a private tour of the grounds and interior of a stunning antebellum mansion. Just one example of the frequent opportunities on Southern Graceto personalize your day.

Here you have the choice between two experiences, both thoughtfully curated with the Luxury Gold guest in mind. “Each offers a different lens through which to explore your destination,” says Ann, “and offers a further opportunity to tailor your tour.”

You might enjoy: 9 essential cocktails to drink (and where to drink them) in New Orleans

An intimate look into history

Houmas House in Natchez USA is pictured behind a large blue lake, the houses white columns prominent showing its antebellum style. green trees are on either side.

Along with its musical history and exceptional cuisine, the American South has a deep and often dark history to tell. And on Southern Grace there are opportunities to explore these historical sounds of the south through intimate and moving experiences, guided both by Ann’s historical knowledge, and by Local Experts.

Prior to the American Civil War (11861 – 1865), the Southern states heavily relied on an agrarian economy built on large-scale plantation agriculture, primarily cotton. This reliance led to a massive demand for slave labor. Subsequently leading to the expansion of the transatlantic slave trade and the establishment of a brutal system of human bondage. As tensions escalated between the Southern slaveholding states and the Northern non-slaveholding states, the issue of slavery became a primary catalyst for the Civil War.

You might be interested to read: All Natural: Meet the Woman Safeguarding the Mississippi Delta

Frogmore plantation

“Covering 1800 acres Frogmore is a cotton plantation that dates back to the 19th Century. The family that now owns it are focused on educating people,” says Ann. “Not just how they raise cotton then compared to now, but also educating on what was life was like for slaves. The owner, Lynette Tanner, has edited a book all about slave life. Over 2000 former slaves were interviewed in the 1930s, and so she’s edited this book offering a personal and intimate insight into what life was actually like.”

“Frogmore is still a very successful cotton operation, and cotton is such an important crop. It kind of built the South and so learning more about it is very fitting when you are visiting the region.”

All bookended with magnificent stays

The front room of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, New Orleans is shown with its high windows and white and bright interior color scheme and lush furnishings, with sunlight streaming in

Exceptional days turn into decadent nights, with spectacular hotels providing an oasis of rest and elegance. From the national landmark Monmouth Inn in Natchez to the timeless sophistication of the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans, rest assured that your luxury experience continues 24/7. With our porterage your luggage will be in your room when you arrive, and your room keys ready and waiting.

“The Peabody Hotel in Memphis is outstanding,” says Ann. “Built in 1925, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. You know you are someplace special when you step inside, it’s jaw-dropping. And you are sure to enjoy the ‘March of the Peabody Ducks’. This daily, whimsical event really delights our guests.”

“Elegant in every way, the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans is a magnificent hotel. A live jazz trio plays every evening in the bar. With three nights here, some people never want to leave. They have such a great time right here at the hotel!

“Monmouth Historic Inn in Natchez is an exquisite example of an antebellum mansion. Each room unique with period furnishings, you feel like you’ve stepped back into the 1800s when you arrive. Quiet, peaceful, tasteful, elegant. It’s a kind of respite from the big cities of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.”

Learn more about this magnificent hotel: Why New Orleans’ Ritz Carlton Hotel is a cut above the rest

To experience the sounds of the south for yourself on our luxurious south USA tour, take a look at our Southern Grace small group journey.

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August 15, 2025

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We invite you to embark on a travel experience unlike any other. Join us as we explore exotic lands and distinctive destinations, in exquisite style and comfort. At Luxury Gold, it’s our pleasure to make your next journey extraordinary. Allow us to share our unparalleled wealth of expertise and insights, accumulated over nearly 100 years as leaders in luxury travel.
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