Shayla Martin
Shayla Martin is a freelance writer specializing in travel, food, arts and culture.
PROJECTS
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...
Visit NC
7 Cooking Classes in North Carolina to Inspire Your Palate
North Carolina is home to some of the best restaurants in the country, ranging from Southern-inspired breakfast diners to lunch hotspots to trendy restaurants where dinner reservations fill up fast. And you have the opportunity for a more hands-on dining experience.
Discover expert-led cooking classes that cover a variety of chef techniques and international flavors – often paired with wine or craft beer – making for a fun afternoon with friends or a creative date night.
Marriott Traveler
StoryBooked: Felix Semper | Marriott Traveler
StoryBooked: Artist Felix Semper Reconnects with His Roots in Spain
durhammag.com
Duke Doctor Performs North Carolina’s First Hand Transplant
Dr. Linda Cendales made history by performing the state's first hand transplant
Dr. Linda Cendales’ journey to associate professor of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine and director of Duke’s hand transplant program hasn’t been easy, but it’s one she’s dreamed of since her days as a medical school student in Mexico City. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Cendales was awarded a scholarship in high school and completed her International Baccalaureate program in Swaziland, but it ...
furthermore.equinox.com
Canada’s Nordic Spas
Travel to Quebec or Montreal to experience the bath circuit’s healing powers.
Traditionally, Nordic spas are known for their bath circuit, which involves alternating between heat (in a dry sauna, whirlpool, or eucalyptus steam bath) and cold (taking an icy plunge in a river or pool, or a cold shower). And though they started in Scandinavia, at some point they migrated west to Canada.
According to a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish sauna, and similar experiences...
furthermore.equinox.com
48 Hours in Rome
Fit in a run, yoga class, famous monuments—and plenty of Italian food.
Rome is a walkable city, and thanks to its undulating topography, you can get in a light workout just by sightseeing. But if you want to take it up a notch, there are also bike paths through parks, running trails along the Tiber, and yoga classes. And of course, there are plenty of reasons to break from any kind of fitness to indulge in the local cuisine.
Where to Stay
If you’d rather not sleep among the sights and sounds ...
furthermore.equinox.com
48 Hours in Albuquerque
October is a celebrated month in Albuquerque, New Mexico thanks to the annual International Ballon Fiesta, when more than 500 beautifully designed hot air balloons fill the crisp autumn air. Although the nine-day festival alone is worth the trip, the rugged terrain just outside of downtown is a dream location for athletes. Here’s how to enjoy two days of heart-pumping activities and delicious southwestern cuisine.
Where to Stay
Sleep soundly among 25 acres of lavender fields at Los Poblanos H...