Image courtesy of Río Perdido
One of the best parts about Fora Reserve, Fora's in-house preferred partner program, is its variety. The latest inductees are no exception. I'm thrilled to welcome a slate of new hotels into the Reserve family: a Costa Rican jungle escape near a thermal river, a sleek Chicago getaway, a beachfront resort in Crete…There really is something for everyone.
Read on for the latest. Then, reach out to plan and book your VIP vacation at one of Fora's partners.
Grecotel: Mykonos Blu, Corfu Imperial, ROC Club & Mykonos Lolita
Image courtesy of Mykonos Blu
Grecotel epitomizes Greek hospitality. The brand has nearly five decades under its belt, and with a portfolio of 40 hotels and resorts, all of which are in Greece, it knows a thing or two about delivering the quintessential Greek experience. I'm proud to welcome six of their hotels into Fora Reserve (two of these, Amirandes and Cape Sounio, were inducted last month). Expect breezy accommodations awash in whites and blues, amazing locations with prime beachfront real estate, gourmet food and a deep connection with the local community.
Fora Perks (perks vary by property):
Hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
O2 Beach Club & Spa
Image courtesy of O2 Beach Club & Spa
If Barbados isn’t on your radar, it should be — as should O2 Beach Club & Spa, where you’ll want to stay. This all-inclusive island getaway includes everything from fine dining and drinks to daily activities. The resort has a “How To” series, where you can learn various skills like how to blow a conch shell, or how to play local card games. O2’s Acqua Spa, perched on the eighth floor, uses clean OSEA products in its ocean-inspired treatments. Spend the rest of your day lounging on the sun terrace, imbibing at the swim-up bar or floating in the adults-only river pool.
Fora Perks:
Complimentary 15-minute hammam treatment, a welcome amenity, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Río Perdido
Image courtesy of Río Perdido
Thirty sustainably built bungalows comprise this bucket-list Guanacaste escape, which sits on a 1,500-acre nature reserve near a thermal river. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame jungle views. Polished concrete floors, stainless steel and natural wood lend the rooms a cozy, rustic-chic air — at once modern and serene. Río Perdido as a whole is deeply immersed in its natural surroundings; the boundary between indoors and outdoors is intentionally blurred.
You’ll love the seasonal, organic, locally sourced food, best enjoyed in the hotel’s open-air restaurant, or on a private floating platform overlooking the river. (Río Perdido even makes their own earth, and plant “pesticides” are made from peppers they grow themselves.) Eco-adventures include ziplining, guided hikes, mountain biking, white-water tubing and more. Reserve time to slow down though, especially in the on-site thermal pools. At the hot river pool, slather on a mineral-rich volcanic clay mask, close your eyes and let it sink in.
Fora Perks:
Exclusive spa and adventure rates, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Image courtesy of Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Elounda Beach is a study in breezy minimalism. The Cretan hotel was built in the early 1970s, and was one of Greece’s first five-star properties. In fact, Elounda played a prominent role in dispersing tourism dollars beyond Athens. Its legacy and signature hospitality remain, and the hotel has the sleek, Mediterranean aesthetic you’d expect from a luxury seaside resort.
Dine on local produce amid ancient olive trees at the hotel’s restaurants. Luxuriate at the oceanfront spa, with treatments that incorporate both modern medicine and ancient healing techniques. Tour archaeological sites, explore the island by sailboat, embark on a wine-making road trip and take a traditional cooking lesson. But make sure to reserve time for lounging on the beach.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, one complimentary mezze lunch, one complimentary mud and aromatherapy session for two, an upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
Savoy Signature: Savoy Palace, The Reserve, Saccharum & Royal Savoy
Image courtesy of The Reserve
Every Savoy Signature hotel has a story. And although they’re all located in Madeira, Portugal, each property is distinct. Savoy Palace is regal and luxe, with extensive grounds, multiple pools and an array of on-site activities from sushi making to garden tours. The Reserve has more of a discreet, boutique vibe. It’s romantic and intimate, especially ideal for couples. The sustainably minded Saccharum is contemporary and sleek. The sophisticated design incorporates modern technology, and the spa draws from ancient Ayurvedic wisdom. Finally, the more traditional Royal Savoy has a British disposition and an elegant atmosphere, filled with artifacts collected from worldly travels.
Fora Perks (perks vary by property):
€100 food / beverage credit, welcome amenities, complimentary spa access, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Paséa Hotel & Spa
Image courtesy of Paséa Hotel & Spa
Paséa embodies the chill, beachy vibes of its Huntington Beach home. Beach bikes (or, in the summer, a beach butler) will whisk you down to the shore, where you can lounge the day away under a branded umbrella, getting up only to enjoy the picnic you had packed that morning. If you prefer fresh water, the Ninth Island Pool is the type of place you won’t want to leave. Cabanas, cocktails and snacks make it easy to stay. For more targeted relaxation, head to the Bali-inspired Aarna Spa. Finish your day with a locally sourced Californian meal at the on-site Lōrea. Then head up to the rooftop Treehouse on PCH for a nightcap and sweeping ocean views.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, $50 food / beverage credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Nobu Hotel Chicago
Image courtesy of Nobu Hotel Chicago
Nobu always manages to maintain its signature sleek, Japanese aesthetic while nonetheless imbuing each property with a strong sense of place. Enter Nobu Hotel Chicago. The property is a study in tasteful restraint, with clean lines, symmetry, natural materials (stone, wood) and moody lighting. Its Fulton Market location reflects its urban disposition, and it’s no surprise that Nobu is a mainstay on Chicago’s Restaurant Row. Nobu Chicago serves Chef Matsuhisa’s signature dishes, like black cod miso or the unexpectedly excellent spinach salad showered in dry miso. For a more laid-back vibe, head to Rooftop for cocktails, snacks and additional Japanese fare.
Fora Perks:
A welcome amenity, $60 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Terranea Resort
Image courtesy of Terranea Resort
Terranea is a destination in and of itself. It sits on over 100 acres on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where you’ll find an impressive array of rocks and plant species; the peninsula used to be part of what we now know as California’s Channel Islands before fusing with the mainland. Today, the property has a breezy, coastal Mediterranean vibe, which is reflected in its architecture and décor: earthy tones, tiled roofs, a sunny café courtyard where you can savor homemade gelato. The food is locally sourced, and many ingredients come from the organic on-site garden. Paddleboard, take a guided hike, lounge by the saltwater pools, take a painting class, snorkel, golf or spend the day at the spa. Everything you could want is here.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, $30 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The College Green Hotel Dublin
Image courtesy of The College Green Hotel Dublin
This centrally located Irish stay comprises three historic banks, and overlooks Trinity College’s eponymous plaza, hence the hotel’s name. Rooms are spacious and serene, with custom carpets and cozy Irish linen. You’ll love the afternoon tea served in the glass-ceilinged Atrium Lounge, as well as the craft cocktails and mocktails at Mint Bar, located in a former bank vault.
Ireland is not famous for its food, but the hotel’s Morelands Grill will likely dispel any misconceptions you had of the national cuisine. Savor locally, sustainably sourced food (grilled meats sourced from family farms, gourmet vegan and vegetarian fare) in hip, Art Deco surroundings. It’s the perfect way to end a day exploring Dublin by foot (and considering the hotel’s prime location, just about everything is within walking distance).
Fora Perks:
$100 afternoon tea credit for two, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.