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We’re just back from a few days at South Africa’s Sterrekopje Farm, a hotel whose beauty is impossible to fully express through words and images, but we will try. Set in the Franschhoek winelands, the 11-suite stay was inspired by the owners’ travels and is designed to deliver deep relaxation…which it does. The lush grounds and setting are certainly conducive to unwinding, with uniquely appointed rooms featuring four-poster beds, thatched roofs, antique furnishings, and rich textiles. The experience here is rooted in whole body wellness, which is achieved through plant-forward meals, hyper-personalized treatments (massages, yoga, manifestation meditations, & more), and classes like bread baking and pottery. All of this doesn’t come cheap, but all meals and daily spa treatments are included in the nightly rate, and we promise this spot falls into the category of “hotels worth splurging on.”
Another notable stay we recently had the privilege of experiencing was Pocketbook Hudson, the highly anticipated new opening in upstate New York—and we can confirm, the buzz is there for a reason. Just a few blocks off Warren Street in Hudson, the hotel is set in a former pocketbook factory that’s been thoughtfully restored into an art- and design-forward complex. In keeping with the building’s history, the 46 sleek rooms are spacious and loft-like, featuring exposed brick walls, wooden beams, stainless steel accents and bespoke furniture—a study in industrial-chic design. The property also includes multiple art-filled spaces, including a gallery-like lounge with burgundy leather modular seating and a backlit, polished metal bar and a delicious Argentinian-inspired restaurant Ambos, (must get the scallop crudo with sour corn, charred hot sauce, cilantro oil, and habanada)…and that’s just the beginning. There’s also an art gallery and exhibition space, a market with local vendors, a night club venue, a curated fashion boutique with designers such as Eckhaus Latta (who did the hotel robes), and a soon-to-open bathhouse with thermal pools—which we’ll definitely be back for when it is done next spring.
‘Tis the season of…holiday markets. And no, we’re not talking about those set in charming squares in Europe featuring roasted chestnuts and mulled wine (although we do love those, too). Right now, there are some really cool markets popping up around New York City, bringing together boutique brands, artisans, and independent designers for festive gatherings. These are the holiday markets to check out this season in NYC:
• Crevette, Dame, Lord’s Holiday Market - Dec 14
• Land to Sea Holiday Market - Dec 14
• Quarter’s Holiday Market, Ghia Dec 5-7 and Comme Si Dec 13-14
• 102 Holiday Market - Dec 7
• Gohar World - Open now
• Le Pop Up Curated by Merci C’est Vintage - Dec 5-7
• Part Two Luxury Marketplace - Dec 5-7
We’re always on the lookout for exciting openings all over, and these three are at the top of our wishlist:
• Stable Wines, London – This new shop and wine bar is the latest cool opening from the team behind local favorites Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery.
• Orson, Paris – The latest restaurant from jip chef Esu Lee serves a set menu inspired by Korean cuisine in a minimalist, intimate space in the heart of the Left Bank.
• Auren's Deli Cornerstore, Copenhagen – The beloved deli’s new spot, a corner store offering high-quality produce, pantry items, and groceries, as well as a cafe-deli serving coffee, pastries, breakfast, and sandwiches.
There’s no shortage of amazing follows on AmiGo, but this week we’re excited about three users in particular:
• Kasia Sznajder: Copenhagen-based Warsaw-born strategist, event producer, and co-founder of aarticles with recs in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Rio de Janeiro, & more. FOLLOW KASIA
• [Hayley Kuniansky](https://amigo.app/user/hayleykuni?userId=625bd225116e840e69d46a63 ): Los Angeles-based vintage store owner with recs in Tokyo, London, Rome, Florence & more. FOLLOW HAYLEY
• Sofia Victoria: Paris-based art director, stylist & content curator with recs in Paris, Marrakesh, Cartagena, Barcelona, London, & more. [FOLLOW SOFIA]( https://amigo.app/user/sofiite?userId=6743ad5b33c19ffa8b1cf2d7)
We’re kind of always thinking about food—where to eat, what to eat—and we get excited by food-related products, too. Some of our favorite recent finds tie together the travel and culinary worlds. First, we have a new cookbook from chef Frederik Bille Brahe, the man behind Berlin’s Sofi Bakery and Copenhagen’s Atelier September and Apollo. His latest tome—Apollo: State-of-the-art cooking and a party—is dedicated to his restaurant Apollo, with over 100+ dinner party–focused recipes that will surely come in handy for holiday entertaining. For making said holiday entertaining even easier, we’re loving easy-to-assemble crudite platters with Materia’s dips and spreads (the mushroom and red miso pâté is a favorite). The small-batch, Puglia-based company is dedicated to helping small farmers scale sustainably, and its Seoul- and Puglia-based founder has shared some of his best local tips on the app, so give him a follow! Lastly, and just for those based in London, are two holiday gift bags from grocery shop–cafe hybrid Corner Shop. Stuffed with treats ranging from mulled wine spices and mixed nuts to sparkling wine and homemade granola, the bags are ideal for both gifting or keeping to yourself.
**Xx,
The AmiGo Editors**
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