Schools and universities may be physically closed, but there’s still been a lot of learning going on during quarantine—for both kids and adults. From a boom in enrollment in programs like Masterclass and Babel to the seemingly unlimited social media content from chefs and mixologists (not to mention Stanley Tucci making a mean Negroni), there’s been a lot of useful stuff to scroll through. With experts on a wide array of topics already on their staffs, many hotel brands have also gotten in on the fun, launching “at-home” programs that showcase some of their talent and offer expert tips and insight. Here are some of the things we’ve learned courtesy of hotels from Maine to Mexico.
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Improve Your Golf Swing
Image Credit: Courtesy of Punta Mita Golf is high among the activities that draw regulars to the 1,500-acre Punta Mita luxury resort and residential community along Mexico’s west coast, thanks to its two stunning Jack Nicklaus-designed courses. Recently, the development has also upgraded its Punta Mita Golf Club driving range and state-of-the-art Punta Mita Golf Academy Complex, which is led by Tom Stickney. Until you can get on the greens again, improve your swing at home with virtual instruction from Stickney, via his series of videos on Punta Mita’s Instagram and Facebook LIVE.
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Bake with Ancient Beans
Image Credit: Courtesy CIVANA Set on 20 acres in the Sonoran Desert, just outside of Scottsdale, CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa may not be able to pamper guests in person at the moment, but it is still offering them ways to work on their health and wellness while at home. In addition to hosting virtual sessions with their Wellness Guides (featuring things like intention setting ceremonies, movement classes and gratitude circles), the CIVANA blog is packed with interesting content, including an in-depth look at the protein-rich beans harvested from mesquite trees, which are native to the area and have been used for centuries by the area’s Hohokam people. Along with info on mesquite beans’ nutritional and health benefits (and info on where you can find mesquite flour online) are recipes for Mesquite Pancakes and Mesquite Oatmeal Cookies, both gluten-free and created by the resort’s chefs.
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Work on Your Relationship Skills
Image Credit: Courtesy Six Senses Six Senses has some of the best at-home content being offered right now, with its site boasting everything from instructions for making your own natural beauty products to a 10-week Junior Marine Biologist program. For much of this info the brand is tapping its network of visiting experts from around the world, particularly those who focus on health and wellness. Among the more unique of these is the relationship expert Stan Tatkin, who as put together some videos and tips for how to become more tolerant of a partner (and their annoying habits), how to make-up after fight, and how to better stay connected when apart—all useful during these times when everyone is feeling a bit on edge.
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Hone Your Wine Tasting Skills
Image Credit: Courtesy Shutterstock In addition to overseeing the award-winning wine list at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue’s Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant, head sommelier Mariarosa Tartaglione is also currently curating the selection of wines that will be served by the hotel’s room service and banquet teams later this year. Enthusiasts can tap into Tartaglione expertise via her series of virtual wine tasting seminars, each of which focuses on a specific country (like Italy and France) or region (such as the southern hemisphere.) The sessions are available for Beginners (Level 1), Lovers (Level 2) and Obsessives (Level 3), and include the wines, which will be shipped to you in advance. Prices start at $170 per person, with a $50 add-on for a quarrantine partner.
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Try a Tincture
Image Credit: Courtesy Cliff House Maine Wellness and self-care are at the top of our minds right now, and the costal Cliff House Maine—which is scheduled to re-open on June 1st—is helping by offering themed care packages from its noted spa. In addition to boxes featuring comfy items (like robes) and products for a couple’s night in (like bath salts, massage oils and a heated blanket) is the Immunity Boosting Care Package, which features Naturopathica herbal tinctures packed with natural ingredients that help with stress relief, boosting immunity, and promoting vitality. An accompanying card talks more about tinctures (which are easily absorbed into the body, for maximum benefits) and well as how best to use them.
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Keep the Kids Entertained
Image Credit: Courtesy Baha Mar As part of its At Home with Baha Mar program, the luxury Baha Mar resort enclave in the Bahamas is offering a downloadable “digital care package” filled with ways for families with little ones can stay active, creative and entertained while at home—all inspired by the Bahamian islands. Find coloring pages, instructions for card games and craft projects (like creating toys out of household objects), printable thank you cards for teachers and helpers, and—for the adults—some tropical cocktails recipes, too.
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Make the Perfect Bed
Image Credit: Courtesy Four Seasons Four Seasons is famous for its beds, but while the public has been able to buy the brand’s mattresses and bedding for years, we could never quite re-create the same experience as sinking in to one of the fluffy sanctuaries found at the hotels. The Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC is now revealing some of the secrets behind creating that perfect bed, via its Instagram page (@fswashington.) Along with recipes from its chefs and bartenders and self-care tips from its spa therapists is a post from a head housekeeper on how to build the right bed, from how best to layer the bedding to ironing the sheets. There’s also a post on how to re-create turndown service, if you’re really missing the hotel life.
