On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Michelle McSorley, a concierge travel advisor with Favorite Grampy Travels, and Jamie Biesiada, a Travel Weekly senior editor and host of the Trade Secrets podcast, about their recent visits to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel at Universal Studios Resort.

McSorley and Biesiada share why the luxury property’s direct access to Universal Epic Universe is a gamechanger, as well as offer details on the hotel’s park views, dining options and themed How To Train Your Dragon Kids’ Suites. The pair also touch on how Universal Studios’ latest hotel and park expansions may change guest patterns, potentially extending Universal stays from quick add-ons to full-week experiences.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The seventh episode of the third season will be posted on July 14.

Further resources:

Michelle McSorley

• Favorite Grampy Travels
• Facebook
• Nova Luxury Travels

Jamie Biesiada

• Travel Weekly
• Trade Secrets
  
  

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel at Universal Studios Resort

Epic Universe: A new era for Universal Orlando Resort (Travel Weekly)

Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?
Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Amy Nidds, a travel consultant with VWT by Chase Travel, about her recent visit to the Hotel Balzac in Paris.

Nidds reveals why this intimate 58-room hotel with Eiffel Tower views delivers an experience that feels like “your own apartment in Paris,” complete with a concierge team willing to go the extra mile to secure “impossible” restaurant reservations. She confirms that luxury European travel demand remains “crazy,” with clients not only booking Paris but often pairing the city with stays in Provence or Normandy. Nidds also shares her must-do recommendations, including the 30-seat Hemingway Bar and where to find the best chocolate mousse in Paris.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The sixth episode of the third season will be posted on June 9th.

Further resources:

Amy Nidds

• White Glove Getaways
• Instagram

Hotel Balzac Paris

Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?
Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Limor Decter, a luxury travel/lifestyle advisor and writer with Embark Beyond, about her recent visit to the Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Decter dishes on private beach dinners, whale watching from ocean-facing balconies and personalized service that she said makes her feel like she’s “coming home.” Plus, get her perspective on Cabo’s evolution as a luxury destination, with insights on seasonal pricing, flight connectivity improvements and the market’s expanding appeal beyond just sea and sand.

Currently in its third season, The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast brought to you by Travel Weekly. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited.

The fifth episode of the third season will be posted on May 12.


Further resources:

Limor Decter

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

Esperanza unveils a feast of culinary experiences (Travel Weekly)

Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?
Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com

Theme Song:
Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeod
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.