Branching Out
If you have a hankering to trade the desert for the jungle this summer, Acre Resort in the Ánimas Bajas hills of San José del Cabo, Mexico, should be on your shortlist. Based on the founder’s vision of an adults-only getaway modeled after a childhood treehouse, the resort’s arboreal guest suites offer a space to unwind and disconnect, sitting atop a 25-acre sylvan wilderness. “Great for couples or solo travelers, [the treehouses] feature a private terrace with an outdoor shower and an ensuite bathroom,” says Acre accommodations director Emilio Gonzalez. In addition to the picturesque sleeping arrangement, Acre boasts a Michelin-recognized restaurant and cocktail bar. “Summer also brings peak mango season and to celebrate, we’ve created a special mango-inspired menu utilizing fresh fruit from the onsite mango trees,” Gonzalez says. A similarly tree-borne spa space will open this summer, ready to rejuvenate travelers with four treatment cabins and a wetroom. The resort is located within a half-hour drive from Los Cabos International Airport, itself a two-hour flight from Phoenix. Treehouses starting at $277/night. acreresort.com
– Sommer Bailey
Just Back From… Paris with Rochelle Daniel
In 2021, James Beard-recognized chef Rochelle Daniel opened her Flagstaff fine-dining restaurant Atria to considerable fanfare. This summer, she’ll debut three new concepts next door: French bistro Pompette, Parisian-influenced Pompette Bakery and a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge called Little Rich Girl. In January, Daniel and her culinary team decided to visit Paris for some delicious R&D. They stayed in an Airbnb in the lively 10th arrondissement and spent a week eating and drinking their way through The City of Light. “The pastries are made with the best butter wherever you go,” she says. “And their fruits and vegetables taste like they were picked fresh that day.” She shares les petits plaisirs of her French adventure.
Pierre Gagnaire
“We ate so much butter,” Daniel says of her stop at the three-Michelin-star flagship restaurant of modern French haute cuisine star Pierre Gagnaire. “They bring out this huge bucket of butter and just scoop it tableside for you.” Daniel also dined on transparent cannelloni, beluga caviar, crab with Champagne granita, abalone slices, scallops and sea urchin, followed by a tour of the kitchen by Gagnaire himself. “It was beautiful.” pierregagnaire-lerestaurant.com
Marché des Enfants Rouges
Paris’s oldest indoor market features fresh produce stalls, street-food vendors and fishmongers, though Daniel was especially taken with its giant crêpe-like galettes. “They roll it up into a cone and stuff it with meats and cheeses,” she says. “It was a bustling place,” Daniel says. “The energy was super high, everyone was there drinking and eating, and you could just tell it was a fun place to go.” parisjetaime.com
La Renommée
Daniel lauds this “classic bistro done very well” for its large portions, well-executed beef dishes and subterranean cocktail lounge. “We ordered almost everything on the menu,” she says. “If you’re doing steak frites, a hamburger or bone marrow, you can’t go wrong at this place – they kind of have it all.” larenommeeparis.com
Comptoir des Mers
This “standing-room-only” wine and tapas bar is a must for its fresh seafood, robust wine selection and magnetic vibe. “People were dancing, and you have to, like, push them out of your way to get in the door,” Daniel says. “They’re singing along to music, drinking… and just loving life.” Daniel and her crew sipped on Champagne and snacked on mussels, oysters, langoustine and ceviche. “We went back twice,” she says. livraison-fruitsdemer.com
– Madison Rutherford
New Around Town: Albuquerque, New Mexico
In Albuquerque, local culture booms as many new businesses have revitalized historical buildings along Route 66. From caviar to cortados, The Duke City has some new summer offerings for travelers.
Wolf ’n’ Swallow
This globe-trotting spot from husband-and-wife duo Ryan Houlihan and Jennifer Jane specializes in “chaos cuisine.” Translation: over-the-top and eclectic, from caviar with shallots and shredded egg to steak frites with rotating toppings. Wolf ’n’ Swallow opened in late August 2025 in a prime location on Central Avenue. wolfnswallow.com
Hotel Parq Central
Built in 1926, the Hotel Parq Central was originally a hospital for the workers building the Santa Fe Railway. Now, it’s
a pet-friendly, charmingly historical hotel. New this summer: To celebrate its 100th anniversary this July, Hotel Parq Central is offering a room with a king-size bed for $100/night. The hotel is minutes away from Wolf ’n’ Swallow (above) and Daily Rituals (below).
hotelparqcentral.com
Daily Rituals
This Nob Hill coffee shop opened just one day after Christmas in 2025. It’s conveniently situated right along Route 66, making it perfect for road-trippers during the Mother Road’s Centennial this year. Daily Rituals offers sustainably sourced coffee, from cappuccinos to cortados, and locally crafted goods. This café also frequently hosts collaborations with other local businesses. dailyritualscafe.com
– Bella Mazzilli
