Nemacolin Owner Maggie Hardy’s Philanthropic Heart

Good morning, and happy new year, folks. Hope 2024 is off to a good start. Today we’re considering the opportunities and challenges of themed rentals, and an important court decision in Hawaii. We’ll also take a peak into 2024 with a forecast.

More than 40 exhibiting companies with technological solutions for the transformation of tourist destinations.

When you walk into Baldwin & Co., a bookstore and coffee shop in New Orleans's lively Marigny neighborhood, you feel not only at ease but also inspired. Owner DJ Johnson was intentional in his curation of the hybrid space, which has hosted community gatherings since it opened in early 2021. “I wanted to provide nourishment for the soul of New Orleans,” says Johnson, who spent several years in Atlanta pursuing a career in information technology before returning to the city where he grew up. He's done just that by turning the lovingly renovated storefront, once a po'boy shop, into a hub for the city's Black and Brown writers, artists, and creatives. Johnson finds his own sustenance in the city's eclectic and ever-expanding art and music scenes, from dancing along to big, brassy jazz bands to visiting galleries that celebrate the city's enduring African American heritage. Here's how he spends 48 hours in the Big Easy.

Mongolia, renowned for its sprawling landscapes adorned with pristine yurts and the allure of nomadic culture, seldom conjures thoughts of polo. However, nestled within the depths of the Orkhon Valley lies an unexpected catalyst for change – the Genghis Khan Retreat.

It can’t often be said that the best hoteliers are the accidental kind but at Calabash, a petite hideaway on the Caribbean island of Grenada, it’s true. After being tempted to buy a rum distillery in 1985, Leo Garbutt ended up instead buying Calabash, a small boutique hotel, and has run it ever since with his wife, Lilian, with the resort now being under the management of their three daughters.

Abu Dhabi tends to play second fiddle to Dubai when it comes to luxury and lavish associations, but the emirate is quickly catching up to its neighbor thanks to hotels like the Shangri-La. Situated in the heart of the city of Abu Dhabi, the Shangri-La Hotel offers a blend of contemporary comfort and traditional Arabian charm, making it one of the best places to stay when visiting the city for the first time.

Singer, songwriter, philanthropist — it seems like there’s nothing Dolly Parton can’t do. The same can be said of her success with her theme park, Dollywood, and resort, DreamMore Resort and Spa. Now the singer has further expanded her hospitality empire with the opening of her latest hotel, Heartsong Lodge and Resort.

For many travelers, a Florida vacation means one of two things: white-sand beaches or Mickey Mouse. But if you drive north of many of Florida’s most famous coastal resorts, and continue on past Disney World, you’ll find Ocala, where streets are lined with majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and rolling farmlands are edged with gleaming white ranch rail fencing. Everywhere you look, there are reminders of the area’s biggest business: horses.

A survey of hotel owners found many of them raising concerns about Choice Hotels‘ proposed hostile takeover of its rival Wyndham. Issues include the effect on their revenue and a potential increase in fees they pay.

It's a new year! (Or will be soon, depending on when you're reading this.) Which means another edition of the Gold List, Traveler's annual compendium of our editors' favorite hotels and cruises, our 30th time doing it. It's wild to think back to where the world was when we put out the first one I was involved with: Pete Buttigieg was about to win the Iowa caucuses, Japan still thought it would be hosting the Olympics that summer, and COVID-19 was just an alarming headline about a seemingly distant new virus.

The Cabot Collection, developer and operator of luxury resort and residential golf destinations, announces the grand opening of Cabot Saint Lucia, situated along one-and-a-half miles of breathtaking coastline with striking views of the Caribbean Sea. Set across one of the most dramatic sites ever selected for golf, Cabot Saint Lucia offers an unparalleled Caribbean golf experience, magnificent real estate opportunities and unique amenities on a spectacular 375-acre peninsula at the northern tip of Saint Lucia.

Belize, a small yet mesmerizing country nestled on the eastern coast of Central America, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. While the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea and the ancient mysteries of Mayan ruins often steal the spotlight, the lush jungles of Belize remain an undiscovered gem waiting to be explored. For those seeking a unique and immersive experience, exploring Belize on horseback offers a thrilling journey into the heart of the jungle, providing an opportunity to connect with nature in a way that is both exhilarating and authentic.