Shayla Martin
Shayla Martin is a freelance writer specializing in travel, food, arts and culture.
PROJECTS
Wine Enthusiast
Why Baltimore is a Top Wine Destination
Wedding Crashers told the world “crab cakes and football—that’s what Maryland does!,” but it’s not everything for which the state should be known. Previously overshadowed by New York’s Finger Lakes to the north and Virginia wine country to the south, Maryland is quietly making a name for itself, with the hub of all-vino activity centered squarely in Baltimore.
Wine Shops
Remington Wine Company
Run by a husband-and-wife team, Mitchell and Debbie Pressman, Remington Wine Company is a cozy neigh...
Architectural Digest
Inside Eaton Workshop—the New Hotel Brand Designed for Social Change
“I love talking about how design can relate to social change,” states Katherine “Kat” Lo, humanitarian and founder of Eaton Workshop, a new global brand merging hospitality and social activism. “Yes, Eaton is a mental and spiritual refuge, but it’s also a place for cultural and intellectual stimulation.” No stranger to the world of hospitality, Katherine is the daughter of real-estate billionaire and Langham Hotels founder Lo Ka Shui, but it’s her background in anthropology, activism, and fil...
furthermore.equinox.com
Cruises Are Healthy Now
Do laps in the ocean, dine on organic meals, and more.
Most people think of cruises as indulgent vacations, complete with all-you-can-eat buffets and poolside lounging. But today’s luxury lines are working to dispel that reputation, thanks to healthy cuisine, unique fitness and mindfulness offerings (think: onboard cycling studios and guided meditations), and multi-thousand-square-foot spas for regeneration.
“They’re no longer advertised as chill-on-the-deck-and-read type of vacations,” says ...
Wine Enthusiast
Kansas City Needs to Be Your Next Wine Destination
Although craft beer garners a ton of attention here these days, Kansas City has a rich grape growing and winemaking history that dates to the 19th century. In fact, by the 1870s, Missouri and Kansas together constituted the second-largest grape-growing and winemaking region in the U.S., just behind California.
Prohibition almost destroyed wine production in the Midwest. Thanks to a dedicated group of vintners, however, Kansas City has returned to her pre-Prohibition number of wineries, alongs...
kimptonhotels.com
5 Tasting Experiences to Create at Home
Wine and cheese are a reliable pair, but for your next get-together, spice up your food and drink pairings with unexpected libations and heartier snacks. We talked with Suzanne Halperin, VP, Catering & Banquet Brand Operations at Kimpton, to get her suggestions for the trendiest food and beverage pairings right now, and how to make them work. Here our five new favorites:
The pairing: Whiskey + BBQ
The party: Father’s Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, any summer party
How to pair it: Whiskey and ba...
journey.ritzcarlton.com
A Chef’s Guide to the City
From the best markets to little-known restaurants, follow in the footsteps of Ritz-Carlton chefs and discover travel-worthy dining destinations tucked away in these six iconic locales.
It’s no secret that sampling regional cuisine is one of the best ways to truly connect with a destination, and there may be no better way to explore a city than by tracing the tracks of a local chef. From Hong Kong to St. Louis, Ritz-Carlton chefs offer an insider’s look at exciting culinary scenes around the w...
Marriott Traveler
International Flavors … of the Midwest? Where to Chow on Global Cuisine in St. Louis
Budweiser is just the beginning. Between 2014 and 2015, census data from the American Community Survey showed that St. Louis was the fastest-growing U.S. metro area for immigrants, beating out larger metropolitan areas like Chicago and New York City.
This diversity is reflected in the city’s dining scene, where alongside familiar international cuisines like Mexican and Italian, you’re likely to find the bold flavors of Bosnia, Saudi Arabia and Nepal.
Here’s a selection of culturally-rich rest...
furthermore.equinox.com
48 Hours in Qatar
The tiny Middle Eastern nation of Qatar attracts buttoned-up businessmen and jet-setting entertainers and athletes alike. Maybe it's the sun-drenched peninsula's 350 miles of uninterrupted coastline along the Arabian Gulf. Or perhaps it's that among the glittering skyline of the capital city of Doha, you can still find nods to the country's intriguing past. Whatever it is, the whole world is talking, and all eyes will be on Qatar when it hosts the World Cup in 2022. Until then, you've got ple...
New York Magazine
Kansas City Is More than Barbecue and Jazz … But Those Parts Are Stellar
Plan your trip to Kansas City around the city’s barbecue, jazz, and baseball foundation, then explore revitalized art-focused districts, speakeasies, a diversifying food scene, and refreshed boutique hotels.
Where to Stay
Book one of the spacious rooms at the recently renovated boutique hotel the Fontaine, a chic oasis near the Country Club Plaza (from $139). Guestrooms are designed in calming shades of gray, cobalt blue, and white, and feature spalike white-marble bathrooms with rain showers...
Marriott Traveler
St. Louis for Kids … and the Kid in All of Us
St. Louis seems to have perfected the art of creating kid-friendly activities that are equally exciting for parents. In addition to having one of the most beautiful and largest urban parks in the country, St. Louis is home to museums and cultural centers that spark wonder and imagination in youngsters while reminding parents that seeing the world through the eyes of a child is simply way more fun.
Tap into Your Inner Child
Sure, on the surface, this museum may seem like it’s made for kids, bu...
Marriott Traveler
Passing Through the Gateway to the West? Head Straight to These St. Louis Must-Do’s
Much of St. Louis’s personality is grounded in its history as the Gateway to the West, thanks to a prime location along the Mississippi River. A strong manufacturing and industrial economy in the early 20th century drew visitors from around the world, leading to a birth of creativity that sparked some of the city’s biggest attractions: beer, blues and baseball.
Then, of course, there’s the iconic Gateway Arch, the tallest manmade monument in the United States and the quintessential symbol of ...
kimptonhotels.com
Neighborhood Spotlight: Baltimore’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is the kind of place that makes even the most small town dweller crave city living. The historic neighborhood has managed to maintain most of its gorgeous architecture and all of its charm, repurposing 19th century mansions into museums, galleries, shops and restaurants.
Not sure where to start on your next trip to this cultural hub? We’ve compiled some of our favorite places, from noteworthy institutions to restaurants, cafes and bars. Best of all, the entire neighborhood is a s...
kimptonhotels.com
Neighborhood Spotlight: DC’s Penn Quarter
Washington, DC’s Penn Quarter neighborhood, also known as Chinatown, is almost like a city within a city. Nearly everything you’d want to do is right there: sports and entertainment venues, diverse cuisine and internationally-celebrated museums. And just a five-minute walk from the heart of all the attractions, the hip and vibrant atmosphere at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC is the perfect home base.
Destination DC)
A Live Entertainment Powerhouse
Penn Quarter is home to Capital One Arena...
kimptonhotels.com
4 Ways to Get Fitness Resolutions Back on Track
As we head into spring, some of your New Year’s wellness resolutions may be veering a bit off course. But, fear not! It’s easy to recommit to a routine of smart eating and exercise. We talked to Graham King, head trainer at Urban Athletic Club within the Kimpton Glover Park Hotel, for his top 4 tips to restart your resolutions.
1. Start Small and Build the Habit
“Nothing kills momentum faster than feeling the pressure of getting in a full hour at the gym,” says King. “An hour-long workout sho...
CNN
10 lesser-known Black History Month sites across America
The trail spans 14 states and Washington, D.C., highlighting more than 100 crucial landmarks and moments that changed the course of history in the USA.
While the traditional sites of the Civil Rights Movement are an integral part of America's past and present, there are some lesser-known leaders and sites across the country that were equally important in the fight for freedom, both pre and post-Civil Rights Movement.
Known as the "Father of Black History," Carter G. Woodson was one of the fir...