July Jaunts
The longest days, the slowest mornings, and a summer worth savoring.
Happy July.
July is the heart of summer, the longest days of the year, and the season I look forward to all winter long. If you have not managed to get away yet, this is the moment to start planning for August and September, when the pace eases and the value gets a little better. We are still booking a lot right now, and we are leaning into every long, slow evening of it.
Zelena Travel Notes
We have already booked our fall foliage trip, an Auberge stay with the kids, because the best weeks book up early and I would rather have it on the calendar now. For July, I have Europe on the horizon for my birthday, and I cannot wait. Closer to home, these are the longest days of the year, and we are spending them the way they are meant to be spent, on the beach, in the sun, outside as much as possible.
If a warm-weather escape or a late-summer trip has been on your mind, there is good availability right now, and a little flexibility goes a long way. Just say the word and we will take care of the rest.
Where We’ve Been
Delano Miami. I’m writing to you from here today, and I’ll just say it: the reimagined Delano is 1000% the best hotel in South Beach right now. It has just reopened, and it is every bit as cool and design-forward as everyone hoped, from the iconic lobby to rooms and design to die for. The service is impeccable in a way that’s rare anywhere, let alone at a hotel that’s only been open two months. Usually you’d expect a few kinks this early. Not here. Not the Delano. The branding, the history, all of it feels perfect, right down to croissants and freshly baked cookies served in the lobby each morning.
Do yourself a favor and splurge on a poolside cabana. It’s worth it for the divine-smelling cold towels and after-sun lotion alone, and the pink pineapple and green melon were better than I’ve ever tasted. The food is insane too. After Gigi’s in St. Tropez two years ago, I had high hopes for the Miami outpost, and it did not disappoint. The beach service deserves its own shout-out, especially Ethan, who carried my daughter’s stroller through the hot sand twice and tracked down her left-behind clothes to return them to us by the pool. Everyone has been amazing.
If you’re headed to Miami this summer or winter season, this is the one to see right now. I am obsessed, I’ll be singing its praises for months, and I’m already planning to go back. Reply if you’d like to book and we’ll take care of you.
Virgin Hotels New York. Not our favorite in the city (that title goes to the Greenwich), but a genuinely useful one to know. When we need to be near Madison Square Garden, the Ritz NoMad is our first call, but the budget can’t always swing it, and that’s where the Virgin earns its spot. We were very pleasantly surprised: the same floor-to-ceiling windows, a modern adult-oriented vibe, a rooftop bar and pool worth lingering on, and accommodating staff who go out of their way. Expect less fluff and fewer amenities, a crowd that leans lively (and surprisingly British), but as a stylish, convenient backup steps from MSG, it absolutely gets the job done.
Four Seasons Mexico City. Kristina on our team just got back from Four Seasons Mexico City, and it’s a calm oasis hiding in plain sight. It sits on the busy Avenida de la Reforma, but step inside and a tree-filled interior courtyard changes everything. You’re on the edge of Bosque de Chapultepec and walking distance to two of our favorite neighborhoods, La Condesa and Roma Norte, both packed with charming restaurants, boutiques, and parks. The newly renovated rooms and bathrooms feel fresh and elevated, and the signature Four Seasons service makes the whole stay effortless for families and couples alike. Don’t miss the rooftop pool and spa (the wagyu tacos and burrata poolside were a highlight), and save room for Pan Dulce, where the carrot cake nearly stole the trip. Kristina’s restaurant hit list: Taquería Las Rejas (right around the corner, do not miss), Café Trucha, Panadería Rosetta, Marmotta, Contramar, and Pujol.
Rhode Island. There’s nothing like a classic East Coast summer. Windows down on the way to the local ice cream shop, naps on the beach, in and out of the pool all day. When it comes to where to stay, we love Castle Hill Inn, Weekapaug Inn, the Vanderbilt, and Ocean House, each one a perfect base for slow mornings and long, salty afternoons. The only thing better than the setting is the company, and we spent ours exactly the way summer is meant to be spent: with family and friends.
Upstate Lately
Sailing in Kingston. I will always rave about Black Swan Sailing. If you go, tell them you are a friend of Michelle.
Lasting Joy Brewery. Wonderful with little ones, and I love their chicken tenders and pickled veggies. An easy, happy afternoon.
Apres, for Kaitlyn’s wedding. Iconic from start to finish. Exactly the kind of upstate summer celebration we love.
Dememe ceramic workshop. Catch her classes at her studio or at Wildflower Farm. An amazing afternoon of ceramics, with some real philosophies on life woven in.
Acupuncture. Truly changed my life. Happy to share where I go if you are curious.
Golf at Wiltwyck. Let me know if you want to play, I am always up for a round.
Pool days at Inness. Glorious as always. All the pools are open and it is one of the best places to spend a summer afternoon. Through our personal relationships we secure perks you will not get on your own. Let me know if you would like to book and I will take care of you.
Junior League. I have started as a board member and communications chair, and I am excited to do more for our community through the Junior League this year. If giving back to this kind of cause speaks to you, please never hesitate to reach out. We love our charity work.
NYC Lately
June kept the city humming. A few of the highlights:
The Financial Times Weekend Festival. A huge success, full of tastemakers, cultural speakers, and a few familiar faces. Thank you to everyone who joined the giveaway. It meant so much to see so many of you there.
Moss New York. I officially joined as a member. If you are ever in the city, let me take you to lunch.
Altro Paradiso. A long, delicious lunch in Soho. Always a favorite.
The World Cup at Felix. We caught a match at Felix in Soho, and the energy this summer was electric.
Rufus Du Sol. We finally saw them live and danced the whole way through.
Looking Ahead
We plan retreats for all kinds of companies and offsites, but this one is close to my heart, because I attend it myself and love it a great deal. It is our weird specialty retreat for female founders, and we had a blast in Mexico City this past January. We just teased the next one on Instagram: Provence, next May. We are filling up quickly. It is a year out, but spots are limited on purpose, because we do not believe in group dinners that are too big. If you are a female founder, or simply looking to explore where your career might go next, this is time and money you will not regret spending. Read more here.
June Joys (Editor’s Picks)
A few cool, design-forward stays we are loving right now:
The Tampa EDITION. Room to Upgrade. A guaranteed upgrade from Deluxe to a Premier Room, subject to availability at booking. Book and travel through Sep 30, 2026.
One&Only Mandarina. Matchday Retreat. Celebrate international soccer from Mexico’s Pacific Coast with roundtrip airport transfers, stadium transportation or resort credit, an in-villa Fan Fest experience, and daily breakfast. Book and travel through Jul 31, 2026.
Amanwella, Sri Lanka. A Beach Experience. Escape to Amanwella’s golden crescent beach for an immersive coastal retreat with exclusive experiences and added value. Book and travel through Mar 31, 2027.
Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection. Fourth Night Free. A complimentary fourth night on stays through the season. Book through Dec 20, travel through Dec 24, 2026.
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. A $1,000 Spa Credit. A $1,000 spa credit per stay on three or more nights, for massages, facials, and body treatments. Book and travel through Dec 18, 2026.
Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan. Stay Seven, Save Twenty. Twenty percent off stays of seven nights or longer, subject to availability. Book and travel through Dec 31, 2026.
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel. Upper East Retreat. Up to fifteen percent off one and two night stays, with Virtuoso amenities. Book and travel through Apr 30, 2027.
The Cooper. The Grand Debut. An exclusive opening offer with a $300 experience credit and daily breakfast for two. Book and travel through Feb 28, 2027.
Montage Deer Valley. Fifteen Off the Mountain. Fifteen percent off select one and two-bedroom specialty suites on a two-night stay, plus a $300 daily resort credit, complimentary valet, and Virtuoso amenities. Book and travel through Dec 31, 2026.
Raffles Boston. Third Night Free. A complimentary third night for summer stays, subject to availability. Book and travel through Sep 30, 2026.
Reply to book. VIP perks, upgrades, and thoughtful planning are always included when you book through Zelena Travel.
Coming this month
Where They Travel & Why ✦ Featuring Kristin Mitchell
Meet Kristin Mitchell, the Founder and Creative Event Director behind Gathered in Style, the Brooklyn agency turning brand and lifestyle moments into experiences people actually remember. With 15+ years in high-end events (including leading large-scale experiences at Wasserman), she designs gatherings that don't just look beautiful, they feel deeply connected, and you'll want to see how she does it.
Monthly Guide ✦ Kristina’s Guide to St. Barths
Kristina on our team has booked trip after trip to St. Barths, so when it comes to the island, she knows exactly where to go. This month she's spilling our team's favorite stays and must-do spots, and this is the guide you'll want saved before your next escape.
Recently Booked
Here is where our clients are headed next:
Ostuni a Mare, Italy. A breezy Puglian beach escape on the Adriatic, all whitewashed calm and long days by the sea below the white city of Ostuni.
Hotel du Couvent, France. A beautifully restored seventeenth-century convent in the hills of old Nice, with terraced gardens, a Roman-inspired bathhouse, and a quiet sense of ceremony.
Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos. Right on one of the best beaches in the world, an intimate, low-rise stay with that impossible Turks blue at your doorstep.
Lido Palace, Italy. A Belle Epoque landmark on Lake Garda, with two pools, a celebrated spa, and dramatic mountain-and-water views from every angle.
The Proper, California. Cool, design-led, and unmistakably West Coast, the kind of stay that feels effortless from the moment you walk in.
JK Place Capri, Italy. A jewel-box on Capri, residential and chic, steps from the Marina Grande and with the island’s best sense of style.
Currently
Travel wishlist: Dominica - a nature island often overlooked in the Caribbean
Currently reading: Unreasonable Hospitality
Listening to: Trapped
Recently purchased / using:
On Polo for golf/tennis
incredible facial at Jolie Aesthetics
beautiful books from the shaker museum by Maira Kalman
Marton & Davis - if you’re in chatham amazing for home goods, candy, and niche magazines (my favorite)
You can always shop my travel favorites here and here.
For more inspiration and updates, head to ZelenaTravel.com or find us on Instagram @zelenatravel.
If you love travel (or know someone who does), I’d be so grateful if you’d share this newsletter.
With love,
Michelle