June Joys
Long days, last-minute escapes, and a city out of hibernation.
Happy June.
June is when summer truly settles in. The days stretch long, weekends pull everyone out to the country, and there is a real sense of everyone surfacing at once. This past stretch had less of the quiet site-visit rhythm and more of the full, social kind. I think I did more than five day trips into the city in a single month. It is that time of year, and we are leaning into all of it.
Zelena Travel Notes
We are booking a lot of last-minute Europe travel right now, even for September departures. Higher airfares have cooled demand a little, which means there is more last-minute availability than usual, and that works in your favor if you have any flexibility.
Closer to home, we are finding real value in off-season pricing. Places like Cabo, mainland Mexico, and the Caribbean (think Auberge and Four Seasons) become much easier to justify in summer than they would at peak winter rates. If a warm-weather escape has been on your mind, this is a smart window.
On a personal note, we are already booking our family’s winter getaway for next year. We are thinking all-inclusive and easy with our extended family, on a pay-later refundable option so we are not caught out at the last minute. If you are an over-planner with small kids like me, it might be worth thinking about now.
Where We’ve Been
Waldorf Astoria, New York.
I did not have time for a full site visit, but I had drinks in the lobby and the space is stunning. We are not historically Waldorf Astoria bookers, but the New York reopening changed my mind. The Park Avenue grande dame first opened in 1931 and has hosted presidents and royalty for nearly a century. It returned in 2025 after an eight-year, billion-dollar restoration that preserved the original Art Deco grandeur, from the Grand Ballroom to the lobby, while quietly modernizing everything behind it. The rooms are generously sized, and the real standout is the new Guerlain Wellness Spa, the largest Guerlain spa in the world at around 22,000 square feet, with a cryotherapy chamber, a Moroccan hammam, an arctic snow cave, and a 25-meter pool. Between the spa, the restored ballrooms, and the location, it has earned its shout out. If you find yourself staying in Midtown, or simply want to see the property, I recommend it. Reply if you would like to book and we will take care of you.
Upstate Lately
A full stretch close to home, with more on the way.
Inness. I feel lucky to live so close to this one. All three pools are now open and it is wonderful for summer. Here is the real difference between booking it with us and booking it yourself: through our personal relationships, we secure perks you will not get from a card like Amex Platinum, the kind that come from knowing the team rather than from a points program. I have a soft spot for this one, and I know a lot of the people there. You may or may not see me while you stay. Let me know if you would like to book and I will take care of you.
Out to Pasture by AvroKO, at Edition Farms. This was amazing. Set among beautiful horses, miniature donkeys, and a wonderful art gallery, with food that was a piece of art on its own. The AvroKO team knows how to bring people together.
A half marathon. After six months of training, I finally ran a half marathon on May 3rd, overlooking the Hudson Valley from that beautiful bridge in Poughkeepsie. It meant a great deal to me. I gave birth just under a year earlier, right nearby at Vassar. My respect to every runner out there. If you ever need to travel for a marathon, we would love to help. These events are close to my heart.
Community baby shower. This is run through the Junior League of Kingston, which I love so much that I am joining the board for the first time this coming year. We supported 26 expecting and new moms, and we hope to make it even bigger going forward. If giving back to this kind of cause speaks to you, please never hesitate to reach out. We love our charity work.
Melia Vineyards. My first time here, and it is genuinely beautiful, and closer to home than I expected. We did tastings of rosé, a brut prosecco, and red. A fun stop if you are upstate this summer.
Upstate Art Weekend is coming up in June, with open studios across the region for anyone art-inclined. Mark your calendars.
Field + Supply was amazing. So many talented craftsmen and makers, and so many good things to bring home. I shopped my favorite soap by Ash Hopper and stocked up on Laurel & Ash Farm pancake mix and syrups, another favorite. If you did not make this one, the fall edition is just as good, but book your accommodations well in advance. Fall upstate is like the Caribbean in winter, sold out and pricey at the last minute.
NYC Lately
May had a lot in motion in the city. A few of the highlights:
NYCxDesign Week. This was the real highlight, and my first time attending in a while. Design is at the heart of what we do, and this was an incredible few days of it. We caught three different talks, including a Lina Bo Bardi conversation hosted by Espasso, a session on design as a sensory language with Suchi Reddy, and an evening with the Female Design Council and Sarah Sherman Samuel at the Allied Maker showroom. In between, we worked our way through Tribeca and the West Village, from Twenty First Gallery and Demisch Danant, with a pair of monumental Sheila Hicks works, to The Future Perfect and the Haas Brothers exhibit. We ended at Fish Cheeks, which was incredible. A full, inspiring day on foot.
Coffee at Baccarat with a client, planning a honeymoon and room blocks for her wedding upstate.
The Met, just after the Gala, to see the new exhibits. We also made the rounds to Lévy Gorvy for beautiful art on exhibition, the Lalique townhouse for its glass works, Birdie’s Bakery for an incredible almond croissant, and Moss, the new membership club.
The FT at Moss. This was a wonderful event, held at the new Moss membership club with the Financial Times kicking off Frieze Art Week. I met so many writers, artists, and tastemakers, and I am looking forward to seeing them, and hopefully you, at the next FT Weekend on June 19th.
Peggy Gou. The night before Mother’s Day, we danced under the K Bridge with a few friends. She is an icon, and we danced the night away.
Bar Americano. We celebrated a friend’s birthday here and it was delicious.
The FT Weekend giveaway. Last entries need to be submitted today. We are giving away two tickets to the Financial Times Weekend Festival on June 19th. Follow Zelena Travel on Instagram and tag a friend you would want to bring. Entries close at 10pm tonight, and we announce the winner tomorrow morning. We hope to see you there.
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 well-timed offers we are loving right now:
InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort & Spa — Fifth Night On Us. Stay seven nights or more and the fifth is complimentary, plus a double upgrade, daily breakfast for two, a $100 resort credit per room, noon checkout, and late check-in. Book by May 31, travel through Aug 31.
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya — 20% Off the Riviera. Twenty percent off, plus round-trip ground transfers. Book by May 31, travel through Oct 31.
Regent Hong Kong — Suite Savings. Thirty percent off suites of five nights or more, on a daily rate that includes Regent Club access for two. Book and travel through Jun 30.
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München ✦ Exclusive to Fora — A Munich Welcome. A guaranteed upgrade at one of the city’s grandes dames. Book through Jun 30, travel through Dec 31.
Hotel Chapter Roma — An Italian Pairing. Book Chapter Roma and Chapter Chianti for the same guests for an added perk across both stays. Book through Sep 30, travel Jul 8 through Oct 31.
The Tampa EDITION — Room to Upgrade. A guaranteed upgrade to a Premier Room, when available. Book through Sep 30, travel Jun 1 through Sep 30.
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort — Third Night Free. A complimentary third night, daily breakfast, a $100 amenity, priority upgrade and early check-in, late checkout, a handwritten welcome, and turndown service. Book and travel through Sep 30.
The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai ✦ — The Full Kanai. A guaranteed upgrade to a Plunge Pool Room, twenty percent off food and beverage, hydrotherapy access, and a $200 resort credit. Book and travel through Oct 31.
The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya — Family Traditions. Book two nights or more for complimentary dining for up to two children, a guaranteed upgrade, and a $200 resort credit per stay. Book and travel through Oct 31.
Tortuga Bay Punta Cana Resort & Club — Stay More, Pay Less. Stay four pay three, or stay seven pay five. Book through Nov 16, travel through Mar 20, 2027.
Raffles Istanbul — Third Night Free. A complimentary third night for an extra night of pure ease. Book through Dec 20, travel through Dec 25.
Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C. — 25% Off the Capital. A Hilton Luxury exclusive at twenty-five percent off. Book and travel through Dec 31.
Parker Palm Springs — Space Out. A stargazing package with a private celestial picnic and Dom Pérignon. From $5,571 for three nights. Book and travel through Dec 31.
Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts — Desert Icon. Fifteen percent off best available rates, with a $250 resort credit on suite stays of two nights or more. Book and travel through Dec 31.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa — Third Night Free. A complimentary third night for more time to slow down. Book and travel through Dec 31.
One Aldwych, London — Fourth Night Free. Stay four, pay three, with an in-room minibar and access to the health club and spa. Book and travel through Dec 31.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman — Stay Longer, Save More. A special rate on stays of four nights or more. Book and travel through Mar 31, 2027.
Shangri-La Paris ✦ — Eiffel in View. A guaranteed upgrade to an Eiffel View category. Book and travel through Dec 31, 2027.
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 Simona Greenberg
This month we are featuring my sister, Simona Greenberg of Neighborhood Bagels in Miami. I could not be prouder of what she is building in a city we all know and love. I will finally get to try the bagels in person when I visit in June, so it feels only fitting to feature her now.
Monthly Guide ✦ A Mini Guide to U.S. Cities
This month’s guide is my mini guide to some of my favorite U.S. cities. For anyone trying to avoid the expensive flights to Europe this summer, these make wonderful alternatives. In the months ahead we will also be sharing guides from members of our team, so keep an eye out.
Recently Booked
Here’s where our clients are headed next:
The Boca Raton Beach Club, Florida The private oceanfront side of the storied Boca Raton, all Addison Mizner pink and palm-lined glamour, with a stretch of sand that feels worlds away from the rest of the state.
Jumeirah Capri Palace, Italy Mediterranean glamour at its most refined, set in the quiet hills above the crowds, with a celebrated spa, a contemporary art collection, and a beach club near the Blue Grotto. The Capri most people miss.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh A 1929 colonial landmark and the most storied address in the city, with frangipani-shaded pools, the legendary Elephant Bar, and a sense of old-world ceremony at every turn.
Faena Miami Beach Theatrical, golden, and entirely its own thing. Argentine soul meets Mid-Beach drama, complete with a gilded mammoth, the Faena Theater, and a sense of occasion from the moment you arrive.
Anantara Convento di Amalfi A former thirteenth-century monastery turned cliffside retreat on the Amalfi Coast, with cloistered gardens, dramatic sea views, and the kind of quiet that only a place with this much history can hold.
Rosewood Bermuda Pink-sand beaches, a private beach club, and a polished Rosewood stay on Tucker’s Point. Close enough for a long weekend, far enough to feel like a true escape.
Currently
Travel wishlist: Anything by Orient Express
Currently reading: Start with Yourself by Emma Grede
Listening to: Babylon - an oldie but goodie
Recently purchased / using:
Assortment hats for the summer
Ash Hopper Soap
Tickets to Rufus Du Sol at MSG
Trying out La Compagnie airline this summer, will report back
Night light from design week from the Future Perfect showroom for Mila’s room
Amazing pants and dresses from Female Form in Brooklyn
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