At JG Black Book, we've been endlessly ranting about our excitement for this summer. With new hotel openings, outdoor festivals, and time to soak up the sun (and some non-virgin pina coladas), there's so much to look forward to. Add another way to spending this sultry season with your loved ones at...weddings! Slip on your dancing shoes and get ready to catch the bouquet at one of these romantic retreats:

Grande Provence (Franschhoek, South Africa)

The Nam Hai Hoi An (Hoi An, Vietnam)

The Legian (Bali, Indonesia)

Grace Bay Club (Providenciales, Turks + Caicos)

Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany, Italy)

Hotel Cala del Porto (Grosseto, Italy)

Song Saa Private Island (Sihanoukville, Cambodia)

Huka Lodge (Taupo, New Zealand)

 To all of the summer weddings around the world, felicitations!

-the JG Black Book team

It was only two weeks ago at JG Black Book that we were celebrating the opening of the summer's hottest destination: Bridgehampton's Topping Rose House. We've introduced you to Tom Colicchio's stellar cuisine,  the property's picture-perfect party spaces, and now we're introducing you to Pradeep Raman. Bolstered by his extensive experience with luxury hospitality brands such as The Ritz Carlton & Peninsula Hotels, Pradeep is the backbone of Topping Rose House's detail-oriented, elegantly personalized home-away-from home experience. In addition to announcing the opening of Topping Rose House's contemporary cottages, Pradeep shares his vision for the newest slice of heaven in the Hamptons:

Q: Pradeep, you’re relatively new to Topping Rose House. Could you give us some insight as to what your favorite parts of the physical property are?

A: The House, its architecture, especially the view from the entrance where I get to see the House complemented by the adjoining new buildings, our Studio and Cottages. It really speaks volumes of how lovely the property is. I like to call them, the Grand Dame and the Future. I really enjoy watching the farm and standing by the driveway and looking at the overall property.

Continue reading "Pradeep Raman's Inside Scoop on Topping Rose House" »

At JG Black Book, we get the intimidation factor of navigating a brand new city without the comforting voice of a local friend, a tour leader, or your loyal GPS. In the past couple of years, however, we've been turning to City Walks as our trusty travel guides and navigation saviors. With these brilliant deck of cards- each deck of 50 representing a city around the world- we've been led to the cutest cantinas, the most glorious gardens, and the chicest of shops. Each card outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with a detailed map on the front and information on the back filled with insider tips. And the best part: you go at your pace, whenever you'd like, however you'd like!

City Walks-Paris with Kids

Continue reading "Travel Necessities: City Walks" »

It's Friday, the JG Black Book crew is gearing up for happy hour, and our partners are hopping on board with some killer cocktail recipes! Fruity, chocolatey, or cinnamon spiked, we've got it all covered in today's Bartender Series. From South Africa to Brazil, let your taste buds transport you to a new part of the world with each sip of these dangerously divine drinks:

Continue reading "Photo Friday: Bartender Series: The World's Best Cocktails" »

As we approach warmer weather at JG Black Book, we have our eye on a few worldwide destinations that fully capture the sun-kissed, sand-covered, sea-splashed essence of summer that we seek. At the top of our list is a place where you can spend June, July, and August napping under palm tree breeze and diving into the magical Meditteranean waters. In the charming seaside village of Punta Ala, Baglioni's Hotel Cala del Porto perfectly embodies the effortless detox of summer under the Tuscan sun. No speak Italiano? No problem. Wow is the same word in Italian!

Continue reading "Baglioni Exclusive: Under the Tuscan Sun at Hotel Cala del Porto" »

While rich in its own regal history, London's hodge podge of ethnic cultures makes it one of the most colorful all-in-one European escapes. This couldn't be more true as the city approaches summer and explodes with exciting excuses to be outside. From phenominal fresh food markets, to outdoor theatre productions and flower shows, we've joined forces with JG Black Book partner, London's Eccleston Square Hotel, to round up the city's top summer attractions (aside from Princess Kate's baby bump, that is!): 

Ottolenghi.

Continue reading "Top 10 Sights & Sounds of Summer in London with Eccleston Square Hotel" »

California bred JG Black Book Director of Industry Relations, Eva Perry typically leans towards sun soaked getaways but a trip to Europe this February swayed her in the polar opposite direction. Graciously greeted into the folds of well thought out public spaces, accomodated in regal yet cozy rooms, and calmed by fireplaces and ambient candles that lined the hallways, Eva shares how her chilly February visit to London's Café Royal Hotel and Amsterdam's Conservatorium Hotel exposed her to the welcoming warmth of winter:

Continue reading "On The Road: Cafe Royal & Conservatorium Hotel" »

At JG Black Book, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer. Daffodils, outdoor patio seating, and Memorial Day plans in-the-making mean that warmer weather is finally here to stay!  We are especially looking forward to this summer as it brings the opening of Topping Rose House.

While the restaurant has been open since September, Topping Rose House welcomes its first hotel guests this week!  Although the beauty of Topping Rose House can’t be properly captured in text, we can tell you that like the restaurant, accommodations in the House, Studio and Cottages are elegant and luxurious, with impeccable attention to detail.  Just two hours from our home in NYC, we’ve spend enough time on the beaches of the East End to know that Topping Rose House is sure to become an instant Hamptons classic.

Continue reading "Topping Rose House is Open!" »

Although we're still a solid two months from the official first day of summer, we at JG Black Book like to get a head start on everything we do and creating our summer playlist is no exception. Whether sun bathing solo at your local park, beach hopping on a weekend getaway, or hosting a rooftop dinner with friends, be sure to add some of these warm weather jams to your summer playlist:

 Shake your groove thangs!

-the JG Black Book team

As of recent, JG Black Book has aquired a new excuse to travel to one of our absolute favorite cities: Buenos Aires, Argentina. The excuse, or excuses, happen to be sleek, stylish, and sexy. They're polished and pampered. And they'll make you never ever want to leave. No, they're not Argentine women. They're Palermo Place and Palermo Tower of P hotels, a collection of luxury boutique hotels, located in Buenos Aires' hippest neighborhood: Palermo Hollywood.

With kitchenette's in every room and easy access to the local lifestyle, both boutique hotels serve as the ultimate pied-à-terre for those seeking authentic immersion with a touch of luxury. We didn't think it was possible, but Buenos Aires just got so much better:

Palermo Place

Continue reading "Photo Friday: New Partner Showcase: Palermo Place and Palermo Tower" »