Celebrated Secrets
July 2025
How important is great food when you travel? So much of the great feedback that we get when clients return from a trip is based around hands-on food experiences, the most memorable dining experiences, private whiskey tasting, wine pairings, foraging on grand estates, and food walking tours through vibrant city streets and local markets.
We are here to share a few of our favorite Secrets about culinary travel experiences in Ireland, Italy, and France. As always, these Secrets are for sharing, so feel free to use this in your own marketing or social media! Now, who’s hungry?
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Historically, Ireland was never considered a culinary destination. In recent years, this has drastically changed. Celebrated Hotels in Ireland are now home to some of our most impressive and memorable dining experiences. Located in the heart of County Cork and set on 220 acres of serene countryside, Castlemartyr Resort is a standout five-star property offering a refined blend of historic charm, modern luxury and great dining! Now under the experienced management of the team behind Sheen Falls Lodge, the resort has recently benefited from significant investment and thoughtful updates.
Housed in an 18th-century manor on the site of a 13th-century castle, Castlemartyr offers guests a deeply rooted Irish experience, where centuries-old ruins meet contemporary comforts. With 108 rooms, our Travel Design Teams love picking the perfect match for your client, with our favorite rooms and suites in the characterful Manor House, the oldest part of the hotel.
The exceptional culinary offering here is considered among the best in Ireland (still a relative Secret to impress your clients with). At its center is Terre, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant led by an exceptional culinary team. The dining experience is precise, inventive, and deeply expressive of place. For a casual yet refined meal, Canopy offers indoor and outdoor dining with garden views, ideal for brunch. The Knight’s Bar, set in the original manor house, provides a traditional afternoon tea experience in a stately, fireside setting. We love this experience even more in the fall and winter, or as our friends in Ireland say, cozy season!!
Another Secret to share, for families looking for relaxed dining, the resort also owns The Hunted Hog, a classic Irish pub located just a short walk through the nearby village with a warm, local atmosphere.
The colorful coastal riches of County Cork should be on every traveler’s Ireland wish-list, and Castlemartyr is a great base to explore. Nearby highlights include, Cork City, Ireland’s renowned culinary capital, home to the historic English Market which first opened in 1788 and is one of the oldest markets in the world buzzing with cheerful vendors and vibrant stalls. Nearby Midleton Distillery is one of Ireland’s most famous whiskey distilleries, offering an engaging experience!
Our Travel Design Teams love recommending their top tips for experiencing Ireland through food, whether it is private tastings, fun food walking tours, or Michelin-star dining to remember.
Rates at Castlemartyr Resort start at around $600/night including VAT.
Celebrated Perks: Room Upgrade; Complimentary cocktail per guest during stay; Breakfast included
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Italy continues to rank among the world’s top destinations for exceptional food and wine, arguably the very best. Perfectly positioned on Rome’s prestigious Via Veneto, Baglioni Hotel Regina offers an incredible base for discovering the city through its iconic Italian flavors.
This landmark property was once a home to Italy’s Queen (Regina) Margherita. Today the historic grandeur has been elevated with modern interiors characterized by Italian craftsmanship. Featuring 117 rooms and suites in a blend of art deco and traditional style, there are many options for family clients, including interconnecting options, two-bedroom family rooms, and three-bedroom family suites. We love the expansive suites at this hotel, especially the jaw-dropping Roman Penthouse with 360° views of the city and a huge terrace to take it all in! A most welcome Secret for your clients is the in-suite spa treatments, offering complete relaxation after a day exploring Rome
Brunello Bar and Restaurant, is central to Baglioni Hotel Regina, and a recognized destination for fine dining for locals too. Under the direction of Chef Luciano Sartori, the restaurant presents elevated interpretations of Roman cuisine, home-made pasta, and curated wine pairings.
We are so proud of how we have elevated our guided experiences in Rome, with clients raving about unique tours and exclusive access options to the Vatican. Even seasoned visitors to Rome can find a new way to see the city with a hand-picked local Celebrated Guide. Thanks to major restoration efforts for the Jubilee year, Rome is looking more incredible than ever, and the hotel’s location provides immediate access to key Roman landmarks. Guests at Baglioni Hotel Regina can easily walk to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and Villa Borghese.
We love to take care of every tiny detail on a Celebrated trip, so your clients are only left with decisions like which flavor of gelato to order first!
Rates at Baglioni Hotel Regina start at around $1050/night including VAT.
Celebrated Perk: Welcome Cocktail Aperitivo.
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You know we love keeping you ahead of the curve and we had to share Secrets from a newly refurbished Celebrated Hotel in France. Fresh from a full restoration this spring, Hotel Barrière L’Hermitage, is better than ever. This five-star landmark is set in the seaside town of La Baule, just three hours by train from Paris.
As part of the recent investment, Hotel Barrière L’Hermitage has seen a refresh of the reception area, lounges, restaurants and spa. The interiors mix soft sea blues and sandy whites, with breezy fabrics and coastal-inspired furniture that give a nod to classic Breton style. There is a wealth of interconnecting room options here to accommodate families of five seamlessly.
Food is a major highlight here. The newly opened Ciro’s La Baule won’t stay a Secret for long, with delicious seafood towers, chilled rosé, and casual-luxe service right on the sand. Inside the hotel, Le Pavillon is a standout, set beneath a glass-roofed winter garden, it offers refined French cuisine in a sun-drenched or candlelit setting. For drinks, Les Évens Bar delivers expertly crafted cocktails with sweeping views of the Atlantic (best enjoyed at sunset!).
The property’s new Spa, features advanced skincare treatments, indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and therapies from Augustinus Bader and KOS Paris. More active clients will appreciate the nearby Golf International Barrière La Baule, with 45 holes across rolling countryside, and the Barrière Tennis Country Club, now in partnership with Lacoste. Families love the kids’ clubs designed for every age. Little ones play, nap, and explore at Babiwi, while older kids get creative with art, baking, and outdoor fun, after a busy day of play children can also unwind in the spa with Bonpoint children’s treatments. Teens enjoy their own space filled with sports, games, and team challenges.
Hotel Barrière L’Hermitage also makes an excellent base for exploring the Côte d’Amour’s coastal villages, cycling paths, and day trips into the Loire Valley and Brittany (with some of the best crêperies in France!)
Rates at Hotel Barrière L’Hermitage start at around $800/night including VAT.
Celebrated Perks: Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking; Breakfast Included.