On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Erica Gragg, lead travel designer and founder of Escape Artists: Luxury Travel Advisors, about her recent visit to New York’s Hudson Valley and the Berkshires in Massachusetts, including her stay at the Prospect Berkshires.

Hudson-based Gragg shares insider perspective on the region and discusses how the Prospect Berkshires and other properties deliver nature-focused experiences without sacrificing comfort. She also highlights a few favorite Hudson-area restaurants, explains which travelers might find these accessible destinations worth the journey from New York City and Boston, and shares observations on how the arrival of major brands like One&Only and Six Senses will shape the Hudson Valley's future.

Currently in its fourth season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 2nd episode of the fourth season will be posted on February 23rd.

Further resources:

Erica Gragg

• Escape Artists: Luxury Travel Advisors

Prospect Berkshires

Glasco BLCK Creek

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Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Karen Urosevich, founder of Well Placed Travel, about her recent visit to Australia and New Zealand and her stays at the Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania and Flockhill Lodge in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Urosevich talks about how these two luxury lodges deliver personalized service that justifies their premium pricing, and shares details on the unique experiences—like shucking fresh oysters, herding sheep during lambing season and enjoying “food theater” at Flockhill’s award-winning restaurant—that made her trip especially memorable. She also offers tips on navigating these off-the-beaten-path destinations and talks about which travelers might find these remote, all-inclusive accommodations worth the journey.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 1st episode of the fourth season will be posted on January 12.

Further resources:

 Karen Urosevich

• Well Placed Travel

Saffire Freycinet

Flockhill Lodge

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with luxury travel advisors Limor Decter and Kim-Marie Galloway of Embark Beyond about their visits to the Canaves Collection properties on Santorini.

The pair shares why Canaves Epitome has become their go-to recommendation over the traditional Caldera properties, thanks to its horizontal layout for easier mobility and sunset views at the infinity pool. They also discuss Greece’s hospitality challenges over the past summer, the logistics of island-hopping that DIY travelers often underestimate and why the Canaves team excels at creating “surprise and delight” moments for clients.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 12th episode of the third season will be posted on December 8.

Further resources:

Limor Decter

Kim-Marie Galloway 

Canaves Collection

Tourism is starting to shake off Santorini quake scare (Travel Weekly) 

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Stephanie Rizzolo, co-founder of Sette Travel & Lifestyle, an affiliate of Embark Beyond, about her recent visit to Sardinia’s northern coast and her stays at the W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu, Aethos Sardinia and Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel.

Rizzolo reveals why the new W Sardinia is surprisingly sophisticated, shares the stark differences in beach access across luxury and lifestyle properties (some require boats!) and explains why shoulder season is the secret to experiencing this emerging Italian destination. She also discusses how Sardinia offers a fresh alternative to over-touristed hotspots like the Amalfi Coast, with Delta’s recently launched direct flight to Olbia making the destination more easily accessible.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The 11th episode of the third season will be posted on November 10.

Further resources:

 Stephanie Rizzolo

• Sette Travel & Lifestyle
  
  

W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu

Aethos Sardinia 

Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel

Sardinia hotels to join Belmond and Cheval Blanc portfolios (Travel Weekly)

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Joe Casciola, founder of New Orleans-based Destinations Travel Advisors, about his recent visit to Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands.

Casciola shares insights on the property’s dramatic comeback following Hurricane Irma’s devastation in 2017, revealing how the eight-year closure has resulted in a completely reimagined resort with renovated accommodations and revamped dining concepts. He discusses the resort’s beachfront positioning, which allows guests to literally step from their rooms onto pristine sand, and the 22,000-square-foot Falcons Nest villa that he calls “celebrity-worthy.” He also shares why he believes the property offers exceptional value for today’s luxury villa clients.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The tenth episode of the third season will be posted on October 13.

Further resources:

 Joe Casciola

• Destinations Travel Advisors

Peter Island Resort 

Peter Island Resort to reopen after six-year closure (Travel Weekly) 

Peter Island Resort joins Preferred's Legend Collection (Travel Weekly) 

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Marc Telio, owner of Vancouver-based Entree Destinations, about his recent visit to the Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. 

Telio talks about what makes this intimate nine-cabin property stand out among luxury wilderness lodges, from its signature helicopter salmon fishing experiences to its innovative floating docks with wood-burning saunas. He also discusses his process for managing soft adventure expectations, navigating the destination’s seasonality and crafting mountain-to-ocean itineraries that may start in Whistler and end with seaplane arrivals at Nimmo Bay. 

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The ninth episode of the third season will be posted on September 8.

Further resources:

 Marc Telio

• Entree Destinations
  
  

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort

Luxury fit for royalty on British Columbia trip (Travel Weekly) 

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Philippa (Pip) Clarke, head of Caribbean for U.K.-based Hummingbird Travel, about her recent visit to Curtain Bluff in Antigua. 

Clarke reveals why this Antiguan resort’s approach to all-inclusive luxury—complete with multiple sommeliers, rotating a la carte menus and pickleball—keeps families and couples returning year after year. She also discusses topics like dinnertime dress codes and how Curtain Bluff successfully maintains these types of traditional elements, while continuing to evolve with changing guest expectations. Additionally, Clarke shares her process for matching clients to the right Caribbean property, especially when working with those “vague inquiries” that simply ask for “all-inclusive in the Caribbean.”

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The eighth episode of the third season will be posted on August 11.

Further resources:

 Philippa (Pip) Clarke

• Hummingbird Travel

Curtain Bluff

Renovations planned for Antigua's Curtain Bluff resort (Travel Weekly) 

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Michelle McSorley, a concierge travel advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, and Jamie Biesiada, a Travel Weekly senior editor and host of the Trade Secrets podcast, about their recent visits to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel at Universal Studios Resort.

McSorley and Biesiada share why the luxury property’s direct access to Universal Epic Universe is a gamechanger, as well as offer details on the hotel’s park views, dining options and themed How To Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites. The pair also touch on how Universal Studios’ latest hotel and park expansions may change guest patterns, potentially extending Universal stays from quick add-ons to full-week experiences. 

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The seventh episode of the third season will be posted on July 14.

Further resources:

 Michelle McSorley

• Favorite Grampy Travels
• Facebook
• Nova Luxury Travels

Jamie Biesiada

• Travel Weekly
• Trade Secrets
  
  

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel at Universal Studios Resort

Epic Universe: A new era for Universal Orlando Resort  (Travel Weekly)

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Amy Nidds, a travel consultant with VWT by Chase Travel, about her recent visit to the Hotel Balzac in Paris.

Nidds reveals why this intimate 58-room hotel with Eiffel Tower views delivers an experience that feels like “your own apartment in Paris,” complete with a concierge team willing to go the extra mile to secure “impossible” restaurant reservations. She confirms that luxury European travel demand remains “crazy,” with clients not only booking Paris but often pairing the city with stays in Provence or Normandy. Nidds also shares her must-do recommendations, including the 30-seat Hemingway Bar and where to find the best chocolate mousse in Paris.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The sixth episode of the third season will be posted on June 9th.

Further resources:

Amy Nidds

• White Glove Getaways
• Instagram

Hotel Balzac Paris

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Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
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On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Limor Decter, a luxury travel/lifestyle advisor and writer with Embark Beyond, about her recent visit to the Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Decter dishes on private beach dinners, whale watching from ocean-facing balconies and personalized service that she said makes her feel like she’s “coming home.” Plus, get her perspective on Cabo’s evolution as a luxury destination, with insights on seasonal pricing, flight connectivity improvements and the market’s expanding appeal beyond just sea and sand.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The fifth episode of the third season will be posted on May 12.


Further resources:

Limor Decter

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

Esperanza unveils a feast of culinary experiences (Travel Weekly)

Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?
Email us: [email protected]

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.