Hotel Nacional de Cuba | HNHO - Aman Nai Lert Bangkok | have a travel question you've been yearning to know the answer to?

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Dear Traveler,

Last night we were strolling through the yards of The Hotel Nacional de Cuba overlooking the Malecon and Caribbean Sea. Sipping icy mojitos kept us cool from the heat. In the distance we could hear the surprisingly cat-like cawing of the peacocks wandering the grounds.

The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, opened in 1930, is an integral part of Cuban history. It was an iconic symbol of Havana’s glamour, hosting celebrities, world leaders and mobsters during its heyday, including Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill and Walt Disney.

Later the hotel was the gathering place for the American mafia. In 1946 they attended the infamous Havana Conference, where the mob bosses discussed the expansion of their operations in Cuba.

During the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the hotel served as a strategic military headquarters.

During our stroll, my brother, Greg, spied the trenches and tunnels he read about in Cuba: An American History. He asked our guide, Mabel, to elaborate on Cuba’s Cold War tensions represented by the still-intact underground bunkers used during the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The history of Cuba and its impact on the US and the world has been fascinating to comprehend up close. Beyond that we’ve experienced so much more. I look forward to sharing details about our immersive trip to Cuba in a couple of weeks.

But first, on Friday I head to my favorite conference of the year, Brownell Academy. This time in my home town of Chicago. Non-stop time with my well traveled colleagues and partners is like an expansive Thanksgiving buffet – so much to indulge in!

My offer to you….

I will be meeting with my favorite partners from all over the world, including African safari lodges, luxury bike and adventure touring, family experiences throughout Europe, private villas, private jets, private yachts, destination spas, skiing and golfing.

Skim through the list below. If you have any specific questions on one of these destinations, send me a note. If I don’t know the answer, I know I will be with the people who do.

I’ll be meeting with…

European partners in Greece, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Slovenia, Portugal, the UK, Switzerland, France, Germany, Turkey, France and Sicily.
Latin American partners in Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Chile.
African partners in Morocco, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Madagascar, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Zanzibar.
Far off partners in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, Hawaii and Tahiti.
Caribbean partners in St. Barths, Antigua, Anguilla, the Turks & Caicos and many other Caribbean islands.
The world’s best luxury accommodations – Aman, Relais & Chateaux, Rosewood, Auberge, Belmond, Dorchester, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Oetker, Rocco Forte and Mandarin Oriental.
Also Irish castles, exclusive glamping sites near US National Parks, out west ranches, expedition cruises to the Galapagos and Antarctica and luxury cruises to the Mediterranean.

It is going to be a packed four days! I look forward to learning about new exclusive experiences and fascinating people for you to meet on your next adventure.

Last week’s most popular article was Afar’s I’m a Concierge at a Top Hawai‘i Hotel—and These Are the Recs I Don’t Tell Just Anyone – including tours of Pearl Harbor on a historic U.S. Navy SNJ-5C Warbird plane, being a Navy SEAL for a day and touring with a local to family owned Hawaiian businesses.

This week’s inspirational articles include the joys of floating down a wild river (we often do this on a hot summer NH day and it’s heavenly!), visiting hardware stores in VT, holistic adventures and 10 luxury Sydney hotels.

Also articles on Brazil, Europe and Thailand.

The informational articles include the new American travel anxiety – will they hate us?, your rights at airports and border crossings when entering the US and the Heathrow shutdown from last week’s impact on travel.

Are you in an NCAA pool? I like picking underdogs so I’ve lucked out with some upsets that have catapulted me to first place. But I expect to fall next week as my max points are not as high as some others. Good luck in yours!

Warmly,

Below:

Hot New Hotel Opening – Aman Nai Lert Bangkok
Inspiration + Information

🌟 Aman Nei Liert Bangkok is opening next week.

Why visit Aman Nei Lert Bangkok?

This luxury all-suite hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Bangkok and within the 7-acre Nai Lert Park. Experience the energy of the city, then retreat to the peaceful sanctuary of Aman Nei Lert.
Indulge in a range of exceptional dining options, including:
- 1872 – A bar & lounge serving western classics, Thai cuisine and afternoon tea
- Hiori – A 14-seater Japanese Teppanyaki counter with skilled chefs and fiery displays of live culinary artistry.
- Sesui – Savor sushi with a daily chef curated menu.
- Arva – Enjoy authentic Italian dishes in a beautiful setting (after lots of Thai cuisine, Italian comfort food is a welcome reminder of home)
Aman is known for their tranquil spas. The two story wellness space includes a Banya Spa House, Hydro & Thermal facilities, Vichy Shower Relaxation Lounge and Beauty Room, Pilates Studio, Yoga Studio and private training studio. A clinic spa will offer IV drips, cryotherapy and medical aesthetics.

Of course it comes with the usual perks and VIP treatment when booking your stay through Truvay Travel.

When we took our kids to Thailand years ago, we stayed very close to Aman’s location, which is also nearby the American Embassy. I loved this area of Bangkok and we enjoyed beautiful walks through Lumphini Park spotting the resident monitor lizards.

Our time in Bangkok was just me solo with the kids, and my husband came later to meet us in Phuket for a week on a chartered catamaran hopping around the Andaman Sea. We all loved it! Even far off places are doable as a solo parent.