I recently returned from my second annual golf trip to Kiawah Island, where we were fortunate to enjoy excellent weather. On arrival, our group met for lunch at The Ryder Cup Bar on The Ocean Course, one of the nation’s top-ranked layouts. Fortunately we weren’t scheduled to play that day, as strong winds and periodic rain made conditions difficult. A caddie told us gusts reached about 35 mph, rendering the course nearly unplayable. A few stubborn players still ventured out while the rest of us stayed dry inside, watching chairs topple outside and golfers battle the elements.
© Francis X. Gallagher
We learned from last year and upgraded our accommodations from cramped condos to private homes—two properties on Oyster Rake Drive between The Sanctuary hotel and Cougar Point Golf Course. The change made the trip more comfortable and convenient. Dining highlights included The Atlantic Room at The Ocean Course, which stood out as this year’s best meal. Executive chef John Ondo brought a refined, contemporary touch to the menu, and he personally visited our table to offer recommendations that elevated the experience.
Back in the city, I had the privilege of attending the grand reopening of the ballroom at The Pierre in New York. The restored space is both elegant and modern, featuring a discreet, state-of-the-art audiovisual system with a 500-square-foot control center concealed behind the stage. Francois-Olivier Luiggi, The Pierre’s general manager, introduced Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, who helped create a memorable evening of New York theater and hospitality.
Please save the date for June 27, when the 11th annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards will take place at The Union League of Philadelphia. Readers voted for their favorite cruise lines, hotels, destinations and airlines—recognizing the best choices for once-in-a-lifetime trips. The winners will be celebrated in the Meade Room, and the event promises to honor the top names in travel and hospitality.
I also want to voice a growing frustration shared by many industry colleagues about hotel “resort fees.” My most egregious example was at Margaritaville Resort Times Square in New York, where a $57 per day fee was presented only at check-in. I did not use the pool or other amenities and stayed for a single night, yet the charge was unavoidable. These undisclosed fees feel unfair to guests and deserve increased scrutiny and transparency.
Enjoy your summer travels, and please be patient with flights and the inevitable schedule changes that often come with peak-season travel.
Francis X. Gallagher
Publisher and CEO