Photo Courtesy of www.ResortKonaKai.com
Whether for a stress-relieving holiday getaway or vacation in the New Year, or for experiential gift-giving targeted to those on your ?nice list,? travel is top of mind for many this time of year. With that in mind, I wanted to share a collection of my top travel picks of late in the American southwest that are all tried-and-true…by yours truly. I can personally attest that these are five locales you?re sure to love.
Kona Kai Resort & Spa (ResortKonaKai.com)

First, I hope you can make it over to San Diego, as America?s Finest City boasts some extraordinary properties. This most certainly includes the recently-expanded Kona Kai Resort and Spa, a Noble House resort that I recently experienced. Located on the tip of San Diego?s Shelter Island, it offers a range of amenities and experiences unique to its beautiful waterfront location and rich history. The property has 170 luxurious guest rooms, including 41 brand new suites that feature contemporary island-inspired decor, deep soaking tubs and oversized balconies. The new suite I stayed in had an elegant and dramatic glass fireplace with lighting that can be set to the color of your choice. I love Kona Kai because it?s intimate, especially with décor touches like this, yet all-encompassing. The resort boasts its very own private beach replete with multiple cozy gas fire pits where you can make s?mores each evening (with kits the hotel offers) as well as multiple swimming pools...