Checking In

Checking In | Hotel Nia, Autograph Collection, Menlo Park

Vanessa Gordon

I checked in to Hotel Nia, a modern Menlo Park hotel that feels polished, relaxed, and genuinely easy to enjoy.

Hotel Nia is the kind of property that works right away. It is sleek, stylish, family-friendly without overplaying that angle, and comfortable in a way that makes it feel right for just about anyone. A member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel sits in Menlo Park with easy access to both San Francisco and San Jose, making it a smart base for Silicon Valley, quick Bay Area getaways, and business travel alike.

The Stay

I stayed in Room 901, and the room itself was one of the biggest highlights of the stay.

It was very spacious, which immediately made it feel more comfortable and more elevated. There were thoughtful details throughout that made the room feel well considered and easy to settle into. On arrival, there was a plate of fresh fruit waiting in the room. There is also a basket of apples right as you enter the lobby.

One detail I really loved was the do not disturb feature, which felt especially innovative and intuitive. It is exactly the kind of touch that makes a stay feel smoother without being flashy. That was true of the room overall. It felt calm, functional, and polished in a way that made everything easy.

The service also stood out. Everyone I encountered was extremely friendly and kind, and that warmth carried throughout the stay. Valet parking is available onsite, which makes arriving and leaving simple, especially if you are planning to move around the area.

My Favorite 90 Seconds

My favorite ninety seconds at Hotel Nia happened at the pool and jacuzzi with an Aperol Spritz. I had the pleasure experiencing plenty of sunshine throughout my time at Hotel Nia.

It was one of those simple hotel moments that just lands. The pool area has cabanas, the setting feels relaxed and clean, and the whole space has an easy California energy to it. It felt like a true pause in the day, and it was probably the moment I felt most checked in.

The Moments That Make It

Breakfast was especially relaxing here, and that slower start to the day really stayed with me.

The Lemon Ricotta pancakes were a standout. So was the Avocado Toast. And the chai latte was excellent. Breakfast did not feel rushed, which I appreciated, and it added to the overall sense that Hotel Nia knows how to create a comfortable stay without forcing anything.

Dinner at Porta Blu was another highlight. I had the Caesar salad, the Wild Pacific King Salmon, and the gluten-free chocolate cake for dessert, and all three were strong.

The gluten-free chocolate cake was also a great ending to the meal.

A few other menu items worth noting: the filet mignon skewers came recommended, as did the honey-lavender chicken. The menu overall has a nice range to it, from lighter starters and salads to more substantial plates, and it feels aligned with the hotel itself: approachable, stylish, and easy to enjoy.

The bar is also worth mentioning. It is expansive, with TVs at the bar and a strong list of both alchemy and non-alchemy cocktails. I liked that the zero-proof options felt intentional rather than like an afterthought.

Across the property, there is a nice balance between leisure and practicality. The pool, cabanas, and public spaces feel inviting, while the rooms remain the real anchor of the stay.

Who This Hotel Is Actually For

Hotel Nia really is for everyone.

It is very family-friendly, but not in a way that makes it feel like it only serves families. It also works well for couples, solo travelers, and business travelers. If you want a hotel that feels modern, comfortable, and easy, this is a strong option.

The hotel is also a good fit for anyone who wants to be close to Silicon Valley while still having access to both San Francisco and San Jose. The location makes it easy to cover a lot of ground without feeling stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Practical Stay Notes

Visited: mid March

Length of stay: 2 nights

Room: King, Corner Terrace

View: private terrace the scenery

Purpose: Conferences including NVIDIA GTC and Bay Area Travel Show

Nearby Points of Interest

Hotel Nia Menlo Park checking in lobby exterior — Credit: Hotel Nia

Google Headquarters / Google Visitor Experience: One of the most notable nearby stops, especially for anyone interested in Silicon Valley’s innovation culture. Google now has a dedicated Google Visitor Experience in Mountain View, designed for both visitors and locals.

Apple Park Visitor Center: A great addition to the list. While Apple Park itself is not fully open to the public, the Apple Park Visitor Center gives visitors a look into the brand’s design world, with a rooftop viewing area, café, store, and interactive elements.

Stanford University: An easy nearby point of interest if you want to spend time in Palo Alto. The campus adds a classic Northern California feel to the area and is one of the most recognizable destinations close to the hotel. Hotel Nia also highlights Stanford among the area’s key nearby attractions.

Stanford Shopping Center: For shopping and a polished afternoon out, Stanford Shopping Center is a strong nearby option. It is an open-air destination in Palo Alto with a mix of luxury retailers, major department stores, and restaurants.

Filoli Historic House & Garden: This is a beautiful addition if you want something softer and more scenic in contrast to the tech-focused landmarks nearby. Located in Woodside, Filoli is a historic estate and garden known for its seasonal blooms, house tours, and expansive grounds.

Palo Alto and Redwood City: Both are easy from Hotel Nia and worth mentioning for dining, shopping, and a broader taste of the Peninsula. Hotel Nia positions itself as a strong base for exploring both.

San Francisco and San Jose: One of Hotel Nia’s strengths is that it gives you access to both cities without needing to stay directly in either one, which makes it a practical base if your trip includes more than one stop. Hotel Nia specifically frames Menlo Park as a gateway to both the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

Checking In | Silverback Lodge, Uganda

Vanessa Gordon

I checked in to Silverback Lodge in southwestern Uganda, a design-led safari lodge perched high above the rainforest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

There are some hotels that impress you with design, and then there are others that stay with you because of how they make you feel. Silverback Lodge is very much the latter. Set on a forested ridge in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the lodge overlooks one of the oldest rainforests on earth and feels deeply rooted in its surroundings from the moment you arrive.

What makes this stay so special is the setting. Bwindi is home to around half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and Silverback places you within easy reach of one of the most meaningful wildlife experiences on the planet. The lodge is just minutes from the Buhoma trailhead, making it an ideal base for gorilla trekking while still feeling private, calm, and removed from everything else.

The Stay

Silverback has just 12 guest rooms, which I think is part of what gives the lodge its quiet charm.

Each room has its own personalized butler service, sunken tub, fireplace turndown service, and a private terrace overlooking the rainforest canopy, among many other amenities. That view is what becomes such a big part of the experience. This is the kind of place where you wake up and immediately look outside. The forest is always there, shifting with the light and the mist, and the design wisely lets it remain the focal point.

I also love that the property understands exactly what guests need after a day of trekking. The atmosphere feels restorative. There are calm communal spaces, relaxed dining, and a nature-led spa called Wellnest that focuses on post-trek recovery and restoration. After an experience as physical and emotional as gorilla trekking, returning to a lodge like this feels especially well considered.

Silverback Lodge is reached via a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi Airstrip, followed by a scenic 1 to 1.5 hour road transfer to the lodge. Guests can also travel by road from Entebbe, which takes approximately 8 to 9 hours through western Uganda. Domestic flight connections are also available between Entebbe and other national parks, including Murchison Falls National Park via Pakuba Airstrip and Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasese Airstrip.

My Favorite 90 Seconds

My favorite 90 seconds would have to be first thing in the morning, coffee in hand, watching the mist slowly lift over the rainforest.

It is easy to imagine how quiet and grounding that moment must feel. Silverback specifically mentions expertly brewed Ugandan coffee and a generous breakfast as the day begins, and I love the simplicity of that. Before the trek, before the conversations, before the day fully starts, there is just that stillness and the forest in front of you. In a place as emotionally powerful as Bwindi, I think those quieter moments probably stay with you just as much as the bigger ones.

The Moments That Make It

What makes Silverback memorable is that it never loses sight of where you are.

Of course, the biggest draw is gorilla trekking, and the lodge’s location near the Buhoma trailhead makes that experience feel seamless. Silverback also assists with practical details like porter arrangements, walking sticks, packed lunches, and pre-trek briefings, which allows guests to focus more on the experience itself and less on logistics.

The lodge's culinary menu is built around fresh local produce, meats, fish, vibrant vegetarian dishes, soups, salads, and desserts. Breakfast is centered around freshly brewed Ugandan coffee and a generous morning meal as the mist lifts through the trees. Meals are served either on the Forest-View Deck or inside Engagi Restaurant.

Another standout is the property’s conservation ethos. Tourism here directly supports the protection of mountain gorillas and the surrounding ecosystem, which gives the experience a deeper sense of purpose.

Who This Hotel Is Actually For

Silverback Lodge is for travelers who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience but still want comfort, privacy, and thoughtful hospitality at the end of the day.

It is ideal for wildlife lovers, adventurous luxury travelers, and anyone drawn to places that feel truly connected to their environment. This is not a stay for someone looking for flashy excess. It is for someone who values access, stillness, and the kind of luxury that comes from being somewhere extraordinary and feeling it fully.

I also think it is especially well suited to travelers who care about responsible tourism. The smaller scale of the lodge, the conservation-led approach, and the strong sense of place all make it feel far more meaningful than a standard luxury stay.

Practical Stay Notes

Visited: early December

Length of stay: 2 nights

Room: one of 12 forest-facing guest rooms

View: private terrace overlooking the rainforest canopy

Purpose: gorilla trekking, birdwatching, wildlife, and a deeper connection to one of East Africa’s most important conservation landscapes

Nearby Points of Interest

Buhoma trailhead: The main starting point for gorilla trekking in this sector of Bwindi, located just minutes from the lodge.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: One of the oldest rainforests on earth and home to around half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making it one of the most important wildlife destinations in Africa.

Ride 4 a Woman: A Buhoma-based nonprofit supporting local women through skills training, craft-making, and community empowerment programs. It is a meaningful stop if you want to better understand the human side of the region beyond trekking alone.

Batwa Cultural Encounter: An opportunity to learn more about the forest’s original inhabitants and their traditions, adding important cultural context to a stay in Bwindi.

Community village trails: A more grounded way to better understand the surrounding region and daily life beyond the national park.

Birdwatching in Bwindi: A major draw for nature lovers, with the forest known for its extraordinary birdlife and rich biodiversity.

Checking In | Vista Verona

Vanessa Gordon

I checked in to Vista Palazzo Verona, a five-star boutique property from the Lario Hotels portfolio that brings a more intimate level of luxury to the City of Romance.

Set in the heart of Verona, the hotel feels especially well placed for exploring one of northern Italy’s most charming and walkable cities — one that is, of course, forever tied to Romeo and Juliet.

Verona sits just under two hours east Milan, less than one hour east of Brescia, and a little over an hour west of Venice. Smaller in scale, deeply romantic, and easy to navigate on foot, it is the kind of city that invites you to slow down.

The Stay

Vista Palazzo Verona has just 16 individually appointed rooms and suites, which immediately gives it a quieter, more private feel than a larger luxury hotel. The room categories include Prestige Suite, Suite, Junior Suite, and Deluxe Double Room, and even the entry-level details feel thoughtfully elevated.

Inside, the rooms combine comfort with a clean, understated elegance. Amenities include a Nespresso machine, Simmons mattress, marble bathroom, bathtub, fully stocked minibar, and flatscreen television, while the suites also feature a separate living room that makes the stay feel more residential.

What stayed with me most were the nighttime touches. Turndown service included bedside chocolate truffles and a light spritz of the hotel’s signature lavender pillow spray, which felt like a genuinely lovely way to end the day after hours spent walking through Verona.

Just opposite the intimate lobby, there is also a refined but cozy library, which works well for reading, having tea or coffee, writing postcards, or settling in for a quieter moment before dinner.

My Favorite 90 Seconds

My favorite moment during the stay happened at turndown.

Returning to my room in the evening to find chocolate truffles or macarons by the bed and the scent of lavender lingering on the pillows was one of those small but memorable (and perhaps romantic) hotel touches. After a full day of walking through Verona’s historic streets, it made the room feel even more like a retreat.

The Moments That Make It

Vista Palazzo Verona packs a surprising amount into a relatively intimate footprint, and that is part of what makes the stay feel so special.

Below the lobby is the hotel’s spa and wellness area, which includes what is said to be the only swimming pool in a Veronese hotel.

The indoor pool sits above the ancient Well of Romeo, which adds a distinct sense of place to the experience. Adjacent to the pool are the gym, sauna, steam room, and treatment spaces.

For guests wanting something more private, the Spa Suite can be reserved for a minimum of three hours or up to a full day. The 45-square-meter space includes a private sauna, whirlpool with built-in loungers, and massage table for individual or couples’ treatments, making it ideal for travelers who want to build real downtime into the trip.

Dining also plays a strong role in the experience here.

On the penthouse level, Sottovoce is open for breakfast, all-day dining, aperitivo, dinner, and late-night bites. Breakfast includes cereals, breads, pastries, cheeses, meats, and salads alongside juices, tea, and coffee.

Dinner is more destination-worthy, with tasting menus and an à la carte selection by Chef Fabio Aceti. Signature dishes include Il Carnaroli in Vigna, a risotto with nettles, local snails, and Bordolese sauce; In Fondo Al Mar, hake with parsley, Garganega sauce, and chanterelles; and Bottone in Gabbia, wild boar-filled pasta with juniper ricotta, cep mushrooms, and Lessinia black truffle.

Just beside the restaurant is the hotel’s wine cave, and upstairs, the rooftop infinity bar offers sweeping views over Verona’s red rooftops. It is an especially beautiful place for a cocktail in the evening.

Who This Hotel Is Actually For

Vista Palazzo Verona is especially well suited for travelers who want a luxury boutique hotel with intimacy, strong service, and a real sense of place.

It feels ideal for couples, particularly given Verona’s romantic reputation, but it would also appeal to design-minded travelers or anyone who prefers smaller hotels over larger, more anonymous luxury properties. If you like the idea of being able to walk almost everywhere, return to a quieter hotel, and end the night with rooftop views or a proper dinner upstairs, this hotel does that very well.

It is also a strong fit for travelers using Verona as a base to explore more of northern Italy while still wanting somewhere that feels polished and restorative at the end of the day.

Practical Stay Notes

Visited: early autumn

Length of stay: 2 nights

Room: Suite

View: Verona’s historic center and red rooftops

Purpose: leisure stay exploring Verona before heading west to Lake Como

Nearby Points of Interest

Chiesa di San Fermo Maggiore: One of Verona’s most striking churches, known for its layered architecture and peaceful interior.

Ponte delle Navi: A scenic bridge crossing the Adige River and a useful point of orientation when exploring the city on foot.

Verona Arena: The city’s Roman amphitheater and one of Verona’s most iconic landmarks, still used for performances and opera.

Piazza delle Erbe: A lively historic square lined with cafés, market stalls, and elegant buildings, perfect for people-watching.

Porta Borsari: An ancient Roman gate that remains one of Verona’s most recognizable remnants of the city’s classical past.

Juliet’s House: Perhaps Verona’s most famous attraction, tied to the enduring legend of Romeo and Juliet.

Complesso del Duomo: Verona’s cathedral complex, rich in history and art and well worth a visit.

Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano: A museum and Roman theater complex with beautiful views and a deeper look at Verona’s ancient history.

Castel San Pietro: One of the best panoramic viewpoints in the city, especially at sunset.