Wine’s transporting experience is one of the reasons that travelers continually come back for more. Like sound and smell, taste is a sense that can vividly recall a moment, whether it’s sipping Cabernet in a lush Rutherford vineyard, swirling a glass of Malbec next to a roaring Argentinean asado, or just a great armchair voyage with a glass of Portuguese Vinho Verde. Tasting wine is a trip unto itself, but visiting the places in which wine is made truly adds to the magic.
In honor of National Wine Day which takes place May 25th, we’ve rounded up some of the best hotels around the world to enjoy some vino. From Tuscany’s sweeping views to the Dutch Caribbean’s Curaçao, the phrase “in vino veritas” is sure to ring true at these properties.
Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa | Barga, Italy
Nestled on the hill of an expansive two- mile estate in the heart of Italy’s most beloved region, Tuscany, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa not only overlooks the mountainous Serchio Valley, one of the most unexplored areas of Italy, but also offers several opportunities to drink vino. Wine enthusiasts can take advantage of wine tasting at the nearby local biodynamic wineries, and if you’re lucky, they might even let you try the must. Not to mention, on Fridays guests can enjoy a complimentary wine tasting with local vintner, Gabriele Da Prato, from the Podere Concori Winery. To delve even more into the wine theme, the property also offers an exclusive wine therapy treatment with grapes from the local area. Insider tip: Book the property’s penthouse suite and enjoy a private dinner with wines from the region on your terrace. To book, visit www.renaissancetuscany.com.
W Minneapolis The Foshay | Minnesota
In the heart of downtown Minneapolis’ hustle and bustle, W Minneapolis The Foshay occupies the original Foshay Tower, Minnesota’s first skyscraper, and offers a 1920’s-inspired escape where wine lovers get to indulge. The celeb-studded Manny’s Steakhouse features an incredible array of more than 400 international labels including biodynamic wines, local Minnesota wines, and deliciously ostentatious options like a six-liter Robert Mondavi Opus One ($3,805). Manny’s pays homage to its all-American roots with a strong focus on California cabernets there are more than 70 on the list! Inspired by the hotel’s Gatsby-esque ambience, guests can enjoy an impressive selection of wines by the glass at the speakeasy-style Prohibition bar, which was originally designed to be the private pieda terre of the building’s infamous developer, Wilbur Foshay. To book, visit www.wminneapolishotel.com.
Villa Bonita | Panama City, Panama
VIP guests of The Westin Playa Bonita, located just minutes from downtown Panama City, can rent the resort’s ultra-exclusive Villa Bonita. The mammoth mega villa features twenty guest rooms each decorated with international artifacts to represent a different country, an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a private helipad. The villa also features a cava wine cellar with 15th century architectural styles and a ceiling made of individually laid clay bricks imported from Spain. An antique priest’s confessional made of pinotea wood from Guadalajara is the focal point of the cava, evoking the ambiance of an ancient monastery. The cava features more than 300 international wines from the Old World and New World, including very special labels like a Cháteau de Bern, from Sainte Croix du Mont region of France. Fun fact: Barack Obama stayed there last year. For more information, visit Starwood.
Baoase Luxury Resort | Curaçao
When you think of wine, you don’t typically think of the Caribbean, do you? Think again! Located in the Southern Caribbean, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is home to more than 35 secluded cove-like beaches, stunning European architecture, diverse cuisine, year-round sunshine, and now wine. Located near Hato International Airport, Curaçao recently opened the island’s first-ever winery and vineyard. Run by the Visscher family, the vineyard has over 2,000 plants on two acres of land, which will eventually be expanded to 25 acres. Travelers can raise their glasses at the recently renovated private beachfront oasis, Baoase Luxury Resort, which features five-star accommodation and service. Visit Baoase for more details.
W Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Celebrate National Wine Day at the ultra-chic W Fort Lauderdale where visitors can enjoy a glass of wine at Stephen Starr’s award-winning Steak 954. Sweeping ocean views by day and luminous starlit nights provide the perfect background for a one-of-a-kind Fort Lauderdale restaurant experience. This lifestyle hotel offers a unique social scene complemented by a locally-inspired food and beverage culture. Guests and visitors can sip from a buzz-worthy selection of wines and relish in delicious cuisine with a seat next to the restaurant’s centerpiece — a 15-foot long reef aquarium home to mesmerizing jellyfish — a rare and spectacular sight. To book, visit W Fort Lauderdale.
