ChiLuxe Travel – Travels, Tips & Reviews

Tequila and Mezcal Tasting at Banyan Tree Mayakoba: Premium Agave Spirits at the Copa Lounge

March 25, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

One of our favorite activities to do while traveling is doing a tasting of the local spirits. We have really enjoyed incredible learning and tasting experiences at Nayara Tented Camp and Cala de Mar in Ixtapa. This time, at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, we decided to check out their Agave tasting, which took place in their dramatic, open air Copa Lounge in the main resort lobby area. The set up for the tasting was prepared before we arrived, and there were…

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A Private Day-Trip From Mayakoba To Tulum, Yal-Ku Lagoon, and Cenotes: Spectacular Sites, Questionable Value

March 18, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

On our recent trip to Banyan Tree Mayakoba, we knew we wanted to get off property and explore some of the surrounding areas, since we had never been to Quintana Roo, Mexico before. This resort, and all other resorts in the Mayakoba area partner with a tour company called Mayakoba, for all of their airport transfers and tours, so you’ll get the same offerings and prices no matter where you stay in Mayakoba. The tour company also has a large…

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Monteverde Chicago Review: A Cozy Winter Dinner At One Of Chicago’s Hardest Reservations

March 11, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

Winter is giving out its last gasps here in Chicago, and before it’s over, I definitely wanted to publish my thoughts on our extraordinarily delicious and cozy dinner at Monteverde. This restaurant is one of the toughest reservations to get in Chicago, but when you’re willing to eat early on a Monday or Tuesday, your luck significantly increases. We ate here during Restaurant Week in 2026, but there were so many delicious looking menu items, that we opted for a…

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Banyan Tree Mayakoba’s Most Exclusive Experience: Ixchel Private Dining on the Romantic Lagoons

March 4, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

I’m excited to start my series of reviews and articles about our stay at Banyan Tree Mayakoba this February, 2026. First up, I wanted to write all about the Ixchel private dining experience, which is offered by the resort for breakfast or dinner. While pricey, this was easily one of the best experiences we had at the resort all week, and well worth the money. Ixchel is a Mayan goddess governing the moon and fertility as well as medicine and…

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Hawksmoor Chicago Review: A Steakhouse Struggling to Stand Out, Despite Its London Pedigree

February 25, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

I swore off going out for dinner on New Year’s Eve years ago. It’s a total mess, and even the best restaurants end up disappointing me in some way. Nevertheless, I continue to go to a new place every single year, hoping that the next place will prove me wrong. We ate at Hawksmoor, Chicago on New Year’s Eve, 2025, and while the experience was not bad overall, it still managed to disappoint. Hawksmoor is one of the newest steak…

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The Lambs Club Review: Old School Charm and Refined Pre-Theater Dining in Midtown, NYC

February 18, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

We enjoyed a pre-theater dinner at The Lambs Club in New York City on a recent trip in October, 2025. Being in Midtown, and directly across the street from the Hudson Theater where we were seeing a show that evening, I had relatively low expectations. Located in the Chatwal Hotel, we were pleasantly surprised by the attentive service, old-school atmosphere, and absolutely delicious food. The Lambs Club gives you all of the old-school steakhouse vibes. When we were seated in…

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How to Visit The Met: Essential Tips for Navigating New York’s Iconic Art Museum

February 11, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

Gosh, where do you even begin when you’re trying to write an article about tips for visiting the largest collection of art in the United States? The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is synonymous with grandeur, hosting one of the most fashionable charity galas every year, and is easily the most impressive building on the upper east side of New York. Can you digest this place all at once? Absolutely not. While it’s not quite as big…

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After Chicago Delivers Luxe Bar Dining and Some of the City’s Best Cocktails

February 4, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

Following last year’s somewhat disappointing foray into Chicago’s annual Restaurant Week, I was ready to eschew Restaurant Week forever. That sentiment was only strengthened after viewing the offerings for 2026, from over FIVE HUNDRED participating restaurants. Honestly, I’m not sure how pizza places have gotten in on this multi-course prix fixe deal, but I was overwhelmed and ready to just say, “not this year.” However, After really caught my eye – mainly because I have been absolutely loving eating at…

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Top Five Activities and Experiences for 2025

January 28, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

We traveled to a ton of diverse places this year, from a staycation here in our hometown of Chicago, to a luxury Caribbean retreat, to a long weekend in our favorite European Capital City just to see one painting! My Top Five Activity list is always a really tough one to curate each year, but it’s always fun to reflect on all of the things we did and memories made. Here are my five (actually six!) favorites! 5. Spa Time…

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Top Five Hotels and Resorts for 2025

January 21, 2026 Aukse Comments 0 Comment

We stayed at a really diverse range of resorts and hotels this year. From a tiny, boutique resort in Roatan, Honduras, to the epically luxe St. Regis in Chicago for a treat-yourself staycation. It was tough to not only narrow down the absolute best of the year, but ranking this year was also difficult, since the Top Five were all really spectacular. But the hard part is over, on to the list! 5. Bryant Park Hotel, New York City We…

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