Category Archives: BEACH

S’MORES / RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE

  Ritzy casual. Rather remote. Rewarding for both adults and kids. Really expensive. We’re talking about the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, on Lake Oconee, near Greensboro, Georgia. Located about 85 miles from Atlanta, this unique resort mixes nature with quiet laid-back charm and abundant luxuries. Here’s the draw: THE LAKE The sparkling water of Lake Oconee, a […]

8 Perfect Places to Drink Coffee

The 8 most exciting, thrilling, totally awesome places to drink coffee.

EDOBOX MODERN JAPANESE RESTAURANT, SANTA MONICA, CA

Disclaimer: Scott Manlin is my nephew. As far as I can remember, he has always appreciated fine food and good restaurants. When he was barely an adult and living in Chicago, and I was a James Beard Foundation restaurant judge and couldn’t get to all of the nominated Chicago restaurants, I asked Scott for advice. […]

GRAND RESIDENCES RIVIERA CANCUN AND COCKTAILS

Lately I’ve been dreaming of Grand Residences Riviera Cancun. It’s the 5-star resort where I would love to be confined. Beautiful suites. Lovely beach. Great pool. And best of all, unmatchable food and drink. As to cocktails, here are two recipes: the resort’s Habanero Margarita and the Almond Passion. Mmmmmm!

TEQUILA: 10 TIPS FOR BUYING AND DRINKING

I was lost, but now I’m found. Lost in a murky, all-is-acceptable-when-it-comes-to-drinking-tequila-sort-of-a-way. But now my cup runneth over with knowledge. I credit Javier Moreno, the charming sommelier at the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun resort (located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula). Javier conducted a tequila tasting seminar for a few guests of the resort and, like the resort itself, the seminar couldn’t be better.

GEAR TO GO

Of all the travel products and paraphernalia that Sweet Leisure sampled and scrutinized lately, two rise to the surface like cream. Take one to the beach, the other on the road. But before I tell you about these useful products, I have to add a disclaimer. These are not ads. I am not paid (Damn!). […]

THE SPIRITS OF GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA

Beer? Okay.  Wine? Fine.  Cocktails? Now you’re talking.  Although beer and wine may float your boat, cocktails best capture the free-wheeling beach spirit of Gulf Coast Alabama. The coastal cup runneth over with bars and restaurants serving a staggering array of house-speciality cocktails, and although many raise the bar of pleasure, I’ll tell you about […]

TEN REASONS KIDS LOVE ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND

Cross my heart, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas is the tip-top, absolute best resort in the Caribbean for kids of all ages. Why? Many reasons. Here are ten: 1. Atlantis sports what is probably the greatest waterpark on earth. Covering 141 acres, the wet and wonderful playground includes 18 different thrilling, chilling water slides, two splashy […]

SUNSET AT THE PALMS, NEGRIL, JAMAICA AND CHICKEN RUNDOWN

I know where Santa Claus vacations. And I know why he chooses Sunset at the Palms in Negril, Jamaica. The resort is the polar opposite of the North Pole. Here wooden treehouse-style guest rooms sit on stilts surrounded by tropical splendor.   A profusion of palms and ferns and bamboos fill the property, covering the […]

LAKE CHARLES, SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SHRIMP CHOWDER

Laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll) is more than a Cajun French catchphrase; the motto captures the spirit of Lake Charles in Southwest Louisiana especially at Mardi Gras, when the city costumes in fluff and finery and parades and parties like no other. (And by like no other, we mean no […]