Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel
Tucked into the heart of downtown Cincinnati's Fountain District, the newly opened Fidelity Hotel pulls off a delicate balancing act: honoring the history etched into its walls while delivering the modern luxury experience today's travelers expect. The result is a property that feels both rooted and refreshingly new, one that resonates far beyond its overnight guests.
“Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel (is) the first of its kind in the city, and we are incredibly honored to open our doors to both visitors and the local community this summer,” said Michael Dunbar, the General Manager of Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel. “From the beginning, our vision has been to create more than just a hotel, we want Fidelity to feel like a true gathering place. A place where travelers and locals alike feel welcomed, inspired, and connected.”
That balance is most visible in the building itself. Cincinnati's Fidelity Hotel occupies the Gwynne Building, a 1913 Beaux-Arts landmark designed by architect Ernest Flagg that once served as the headquarters of Procter & Gamble, which remains one of downtown Cincinnati's most iconic addresses. From the start, the team approached the property with a deep respect for that architectural heritage, working within the integrity of the original design to preserve its limestone façade, grand proportions, and historic detailing while reimagining the interior as a modern, high-end hospitality experience.
Rather than compete with the building's historic character, the design leans into it with its original details, scale, and craftsmanship informing every decision throughout the restoration. Modern comforts were then layered in with care: contemporary furnishings, rich textures, elevated technology, and spaces shaped around how people actually gather, work, dine, and relax today. Every layer of the project, from structural upgrades to branding, was guided by a desire to let the building's original craftsmanship shine while introducing a new sense of warmth and contemporary energy. The firm responsible for bringing that vision to life, Looney & Associates, focused not only on the design of the hotel but also on its storytelling.
“The result is a hotel that feels timeless,” Looney & Associates explains. “Guests can experience the grandeur and elegance of a historic Beaux-Arts property while still enjoying the warmth, comfort, and seamless hospitality expected from a contemporary lifestyle hotel. We wanted the experience to feel sophisticated but never pretentious - refined, welcoming, and deeply connected to Cincinnati’s identity.”
Step outside and the hotel's sense of place comes into focus. Fidelity Hotel sits in the heart of the Fountain District, one of the most exciting and culturally vibrant areas in downtown Cincinnati. Centered around the iconic Fountain Square and steps from the city's major sports venues, museums, and convention centers, the newly designated district blends historic architecture, celebrated culinary destinations, and arts and entertainment venues into an energetic, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere that captures Cincinnati's momentum right now. For a hotel designed with both travelers and the local community in mind, it's a fitting address, and one the team sees as more than just a convenient location.
“What makes the area especially compelling is its sense of authenticity,” Michael points out. “Cincinnati has a rich architectural and cultural history, and the Fountain District reflects that beautifully, honoring the past while embracing a fresh, modern energy. That same philosophy is very much reflected within Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel itself.”
Still, guests don't need to step outside to find an experience worth the trip. Fidelity Hotel offers 165 guest rooms – including 17 suites and two bunkrooms – alongside more than 7,700 square feet of meeting and event space, making it as suited to a weekend getaway as it is to a corporate offsite.
At the center of the hotel's culinary offerings is Gwynne, Fidelity Hotel's signature restaurant serving an elevated yet approachable menu rooted in thoughtful hospitality." A private dining room adds a more intimate setting for chef-driven dinners and celebrations. Just around the corner, Cora's Café pours a locally sourced coffee program alongside house-made pastries, with an adjoining market stocked with artisanal goods, gifts, and grab-and-go offerings. Designed for locals and overnight guests alike, Cora's is an invitation to discover Cincinnati's makers without ever leaving the property.
Taken together, it's a property that lives up to its billing as more than just a hotel. It’s a welcoming gathering place and an ideal home base for business and leisure stays alike.
“We want guests to remember how the hotel made them feel: cared for, inspired, comfortable, and immersed in the unique rhythm of downtown Cincinnati,” Michael says. “Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel was created to celebrate the character, creativity, and warmth of Cincinnati while delivering a hospitality experience that feels refined yet welcoming. From the intentional design details to the culinary experiences and personalized service, every element is meant to create moments that feel memorable rather than transactional.”
fidelityhotels.com/cincinnati
Ritz-Carlton Naples
Situated directly on the white sands of Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, overlooking the Gulf, the Ritz-Carlton Naples is a unique destination that beautifully balances refined luxury with a relaxed, coastal lifestyle, allowing guests immediate access to world-class ecotourism.
“The heart and soul of our brand has always been our Ladies and Gentlemen,” said Andrew Rogers, Market General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples. “Having spent over 30 years with The Ritz-Carlton globally, I am immensely proud of the team here in Naples. We have a beautiful blend of long-standing pillars, some who have been with us since our opening decades ago, working alongside passionate new talent. Their dedication to anticipating guest needs and personalizing service is what makes our hospitality an art form."
What truly sets the resort apart is the synergy between its physical transformation and its legendary service heritage. Following the recent "Evolution of an Icon" restoration, the property introduced the Vanderbilt Tower, featuring an exclusive "hotel within a hotel" experience anchored by the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge. There, guests enjoy private check-in and check-out, a dedicated personal concierge team, and completely revitalized, curated dining presentations throughout the day. But luxury here is about more than world-class amenities.
“Generations of families return to us year after year because our Ladies and Gentlemen create deeply personalized, unforgettable moments that make this resort feel like a true home away from home,” said Rogers.
These moments are made all the easier by the resort's exceptional culinary offerings and restorative wellness spaces.
The dining scene spans a range of experiences designed to suit every palate. Sofra serves vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, while Nolita channels the refined traditions of New York-style Italian cooking. At The Grill, timeless elegance meets award-winning steaks, and Dusk pairs signature sushi with expertly crafted cocktails. Tying it all together, the Lobby Bar serves as the resort's sophisticated social hub, anchored by a masterfully curated Champagne experience.
Wellness receives equal attention. The resort's 51,000-square-foot spa balances classic relaxation with a modern focus on longevity, inviting guests to move through a specialized Wellness Circuit of hot and cold plunges, an infrared sauna, and a eucalyptus steam room, a sequence designed to leave both body and mind fully rejuvenated.
Looking ahead, the resort will continue to champion active luxury and sustainability. Its sister property – The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón – is also undergoing a "Sanctuary Reimagined" transformation, debuting fresh accommodations and new culinary spaces that together promise a multi-dimensional resort experience across both destinations.
From sunrise on the beach to a nightcap at the Lobby Bar, the Ritz-Carlton Naples proves that everything you could want from a getaway lives within its own gates. Here, the world-class comes to you, and the only real decision is how and when you choose to indulge.
Biltmore Estate
Few places capture the American imagination quite like Biltmore Estate. Established in 1895 in the Blue Ridge foothills of Asheville, North Carolina, this 8,000-acre estate is known as America's Largest Home, surrounded by gardens, managed forests, farmland, a working vineyard, and more than 20 miles of nature trails. Yet for all its Gilded Age splendor, Biltmore has never been a museum frozen in time. Between Antler Hill Village's shops, an award-winning winery, four-star accommodations, and live entertainment, the estate hums with the energy of a place still very much alive. That forward motion is no accident, it's a principle handed down through generations of the family that has stewarded this National Historic Landmark for more than a century.
"One of the core philosophies passed down through the generations of my family is that we can't stand still,'" said Chase Pickering, VP Guest Experience. "To properly steward a national historic landmark, you have to keep moving ahead. Looking to the future, our focus remains on balancing historic preservation with continued innovation of the guest experience."
One of the most striking ways Biltmore reimagines that experience is by showing visitors the estate as they've never seen it. Enter Luminere, a first-of-its-kind evening transformation that casts the estate in a whole new light. Created with experiential art studio Klip Collective, this immersive, self-paced experience pairs seven projections mapped across the château's façade and gardens with an original score recorded alongside the Asheville Symphony. Each projection tells a distinct chapter of Biltmore's story, and six breathe new life into the gardens, turning Frederick Law Olmsted's daytime landscapes into something dreamlike after dark. The result is more than a light show, it's a reawakening of the magic that once filled these grounds.
"When the idea for Luminere began to take shape, our team looked back at archives and family stories, specifically focusing on descriptions of the glamorous 1920s-era garden parties hosted right here on the grounds," said Pickering. "The remembered long-ago gatherings and celebrations hosted throughout Biltmore's history became our creative guidance. We wanted to recreate that exact sense of wonder and magic, but translate it for the modern traveler."
The magic isn't reserved for after dark, either. Summer is when Olmsted's vision comes into its own, the grounds vibrant with color, a mountain breeze keeping things cool, and miles of trails wide open. Pair a daytime house tour with an evening at Luminere and you experience a bit of everything: a deep dive into Biltmore's history by day, and the innovation it continues to pioneer by night. It's a true reflection of the American spirit—honoring the past while constantly inventing the future.
"We are constantly finding new ways to tell the diverse stories of the people who lived and worked here, utilizing new research and technology to make those narratives more accessible. We are also deeply committed to expanding our environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts across our forests and agricultural lands," said Pickering. "Every visit, overnight stay, and ticket purchased funds this ongoing mission. We are ensuring that Biltmore remains a living, breathing, and relevant landmark in American history."
George Vanderbilt built this estate not just as a home, but as a sanctuary where the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains could coexist with new ideas in agriculture and forestry, a testament to American ingenuity and visionary preservation.
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
Amelia Island offers a side of Florida that many travelers don't expect. Set on the state's northeast coast, the barrier island stretches across 13 miles of white-sand beaches, maritime forests, and state parks, yet feels far more relaxed than the typical Florida beach destination. It's exactly why the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is one of the best places to soak up the sun this summer.
"What truly sets The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island apart is the real sense of escape guests feel here and the unique opportunity to truly connect with the landscape and local culture of Amelia Island," said Joseph Murphy, director of marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. "We've found that our guests today are looking for more meaningful travel experiences that ground them in their destinations."
On Amelia Island, there's no shortage of things to do, starting with the resort's recently launched Signature Experiences, each designed to reflect the island's natural beauty, heritage, and culture. They range from culinary offerings like The Art of Personalized Mixology to wellness sessions such as Mindful Mala Bracelet Making and Deep Relaxation Meditation, plus nature adventures including Driftwood Beach & Blackrock Trail Exploration, The Forts & Fossils Excursion, and Echoes of the Ocean: Dolphin Discovery, where guests help track and record dolphin behavior for an ongoing research study.
"The island's natural beauty is one of its strongest draws, popular for biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, golfing, dolphin watching, birding, and even horseback riding along the beach," Murphy said. "Beyond the shoreline, the destination has a rich history and strong sense of character."
Nicknamed the "Island of Eight Flags" for its history under a string of different nations and rulers, Amelia Island blends easygoing Southern charm with real historic depth. Much of that character lives in Fernandina Beach, the historic downtown, where Victorian-era architecture frames local boutiques, galleries, and waterfront restaurants.
That said, you don't need to leave the resort to feel like you've gotten away. The resort packs a full day's worth of options onto the property itself, with three pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and a fitness center, plus designer boutiques and children's programs. All 446 guest rooms have been renovated, and each comes with a private balcony framing the Atlantic.
Once guests arrive, much of what keeps them there comes down to two things: what's on the plate and how they unwind.
"Our culinary and wellness programs are both such central pieces of the guest experience here, and we've worked intentionally to create offerings that feel elevated while still deeply connected to Amelia Island," Murphy said.
On the food side, that means fresh seafood and refined coastal cooking across several venues, anchored by Salt, the resort's signature restaurant, led by Chef Okan Kizilbayir. Guests who want to get closer can book Chef's Theater, an intimate cooking demonstration, or Hook, Line & Supper, which sends them onto the water with a chef and then serves the catch back at the resort.
All of that builds toward the year's biggest culinary event, the return of the Amelia Island Cookout, Oct. 15-18.
"We're thrilled to bring top chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and culinary talent back to the island again this year, and we'll be introducing even more immersive culinary experiences throughout the weekend, from a fishing experience with the chefs, a sunset wine cruise, a cigar and port experience, a Southern-style oyster roast, and beyond," Murphy said.
Easygoing, scenic, and quietly luxurious, Amelia Island is Florida at its most unhurried, and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is the perfect place to take it all in.
ritzcarlton.com