Joelle Mentis, Author at Galavante (Travel & Lifestyle Website)

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Articles by Joelle Mentis

Best Of The Best

Where to Relax + Unplug

You ate a lot of pie this summer in the Hamptons. A lot. But it sure was nice spending the past month in revelry and merriment. Now, it’s time to get back to business. Clear your head. Detox and reset. Maybe figure out what you want to accomplish this last quarter. Or even ponder the meaning of life. Whatever the objective, we have a place for that. These are places with no club, no spraying champagne, no parties to go…

Beauty & Wellness

The Well NYC

First there was members-only night life, at spots like Casa Cipriani and Zero Bond. Now, the trend has moved onto members-only wellness. These new hubs popping up across the city offer bespoke treatment plans that conform to busy lifestyles. The wellness club reflects a commitment to housing the totality of self care under one roof. But of course, not every club is created equal, and some like THE WELL stand out. East Meets West Treatment THE WELL NYC has a…

Beauty & Wellness

Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy (or low-level red light therapy) uses low-level wavelengths of near-infrared light on targeted parts of the body to reduce inflammation. During the treatment, photons in the light get absorbed by photosensitive molecules in skin cells, which leads to tissue repair. While many of the hot skincare and recovery treatments at top spas may have little other than placebo effect, red light therapy has validating studies to back the claims. Randomized controlled trials in athletes have shown significant…

Printemps to Arrive in NYC

Just when retailers are shrinking their storefront footprints, Printemps of Paris, says, “Non, merci.” The iconic Parisian department store is arriving in NYC, and it’s not a small affair. At Printemps, you’ll be able to dine, shop, drink and repeat. A Parisian Icon Printemps is a landmark in Paris, like the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triumph and the Champs-Élysées. Printemps first opened in 1865 by Jules and Augustine Jaluzot. Part of the iconic reputation of Printemps owes itself to the…

printemps stairs

Beauty & Wellness

Majesty’s Pleasure- A New Social Beauty Club

There’s a surprising new private club opening in NYC that actually is a surprise. This one is the first of its kind to land in NYC because it’s a wellness club. So, instead of having a dozen places to get your services done, they want to be your one-stop shop. The Inspiration Behind Majesty’s Pleasure Power Couple Sara Kardan and Jeff Armstrong co-founded Majesty’s Pleasure in 2012 as a revolutionary take on the salon experience. Sara’s background in hospitality and…

majesty pleasure NYC wellness club

Celebrity Travel

Taylor Swift in London

It’s a tragedy that we didn’t see Taylor Swift in Vienna, as a terror plot canceled her concerts in the Imperial City. However, thankfully, everyone was safe, and Swifties in Vienna even gathered to sing songs and exchange friendship bracelets. The next and last stop on her European tour though is back in London. Taylor Swift has five sold-out shows at Wembley. The Taylor Swift concert dates in London are August 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20. It’s likely you…

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

The Celebrity Chef: Martha Stewart The Restaurant: The Bedford by Martha Stewart On TV: The Martha Stewart Show, Martha Bakes, Martha Cooks, Martha Gardens, Martha Stewart Fashion The Apprentice Martha Stewart, Martha Knows Best, Martha Stewart’s Cooking School, Martha Get’s Down and Dirty etc. Martha Stewart’s Claim to Fame After 80 years and about a thousand different lives, Martha’s The Bedford is one of her last frontiers. One might argue no one is better equipped to have a restaurant than…

Celebrity Travel

Celebs Who Live in London

When we learned that so few A-list celebs live in Paris, we wondered if that was the case with London. For those of you who were also spending nights pondering that question, we can report that turns out London is quite the desirable place to live. These are just a few of the celebs who live in London, and their favorite neighborhood haunts. The Celeb: Kate Moss The Haunts: Jin Kichi, Cecconi’s, China Tang Kate will always be a London…

Kate Moss The weekly

Celebrity Travel

Justin and Hailey Bieber’s Babymoon

Welcoming a baby to the world will never be easy — even for the Biebers. We suggest the couple resets, doing their Japan babymoon over at a nearer, more relaxing destination. Because there will be time for cool trips when baby Biebs gets older. Here’s to a little R+R to Justin and Hailey Bieber’s babymoon. The Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico The Hotel: Etereo The Biebers are famously Mexico junkies, but we don’t think they should travel they way they are…

Celebrity Travel

Jay Z and Beyonce’s Malibu House

The Location: Malibu, California The Price: 200 Million Leave it to Bey and J to purchase the most expensive home in California. Jay Z and Beyonce’s Malibu house was priced initially at $295 mil. However they got it for a pretty good discount from art collector Bill Bell, if you have an extra $200 million laying around. But at even a third under asking price, the sale solidified a real estate deal worth the second most ever in the country.…

Celebs Who Live in Paris

You may be surprised to know this, but there are few A-List Celebrities who call Paris home. However, when those few include two Oscar winners and a multi-hyphenate talent, it’s clearly the quality and not the quantity. The Celeb: Salma Hayek The Hangout: Chez L’Ami Louis Married to the son of one of the richest men in the world, who has become very rich himself, Salma Hayek is no stranger to luxury living. Of course, the billionaires own properties across…

Salma Hayek Pinault

The Best Martini Glasses: Dukes Bar

What You Need in Your Home Bar: Martini Glass from Dukes Bar in London The James Bond Connection Dukes Bar is an institution in London, and is credited for making the martini famous. We would say they have at least inspired the most famous martini of all. Ian Fleming, the author of James Bond was a regular at Dukes. It’s said that his famous line about James Bond’s “shaken, not stirred” martini, comes from Dukes. Whatever the case, the London…

Beauty & Wellness

The Ancient Art of Gua Sha

Gua Sha recently gained mainstream popularity, with everyone from Kaia Gerber to fitness influencer Melissa Wood getting on board. However Gua Sha is not new at all. In fact, Gua Sha might just be one of the oldest wellness techniques in medical history. The practice dates back to the Paleolithic Era, and likely with roots in the Ming Dynasty. The word in Chinese literally means “scraping”, but we would say that it’s more of a massage as you’re not breaking…

Celebrity Travel

John Travolta, Elon Musk and Justin Bieber

John Travolta and Justin Bieber are hanging out at a castle and in walks Elon Musk… in Hungary? Ok, maybe they weren’t at the Castle of Tura together, but in the short time this spot has been open, they’ve all had a stay. Tura, a castle in Hungary located in the countryside outside of Budapest, may just be the place for your last-minute summer holiday. A Castle in Hungary The Castle of Tura is nestled in a forested town near…

John Travolta

Celebrity Travel

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s House

Welcome to Galavante’s Celebrity Real Estate, because almost as much as their travel, we love seeing inside a celebrity’s home. We are ironically kicking this off with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s Beverly Hills house. It’s ironic because we wrote about their house when they bought it last year, and this celeb real estate was just a nascent idea. As many things do come full circle, this week’s Celebrity Real Estate spotlight is on the sale of Ben Affleck and…

The New Monti at the Miramonti

The Hotel: Monti at Miramonti Boutique Hotel You may not know its name, but its infinity pool speaks a thousand words. An architectural feat set in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains, Miramonti was just about perfection. But now they’ve added onto their family with the annex addition of The Monti. From the looks of it, they officially have the full Monti with their new sister hotel. Location: Avelengo, South Tyrol Italy Miramonti Boutique Hotel was already making waves across Instagram with its…

Monti Boutique hotel homes

I Told Ya T Shirts

The movie Challengers, if you haven’t seen it yet, is so good that it will inspire you to pick up a tennis racket. Or at least turn on the U.S. Open though we can say that Challengers has the better love triangle. Regardless, Challengers will have you smitten, whether it be with tennis, superstar Zendaya, or that kitschy T-shirt. You may not realize it yet, but yes you’ve seen people wearing a T-shirt that says it all: I Told Ya.…

Celebrity Travel

Celebs Who Live in Austin

Another day, another celeb moves to Austin. So, there must be something to it, where Austin nowadays seems to be where people are carving their own piece of the American Dream. Or, at least listening to a lot of good music and taking in the culinary scene. These are the spots where the local celebs in residence experience it all. The Celeb: Matthew McConaughey The Spots: Opie’s Boteco Taco Truck The least surprising celeb to live in Austin is probably…

Connaught Martini Coupes

‘Tis the season of weddings, house guests, and summer entertaining. And heck, maybe you’ll even get invited onto Bezos’ boat. Of course, Mom raised you with proper manners and you wouldn’t show up empty-handed. So, what do you get someone who has literally everything? Martini coupes from the Connaught, naturally. They are so thoughtful, that you may just get invited back. The Connaught Martini Coupes There are many of you who like to collect items from around the world and…

Connaught Bar Martini Coups

Celebrity Travel

Jeff Bezos + Lauren Sanchez’s Honeymoon

When you own a half-billion-dollar boat, it’s hard for any hotel or travel experience to measure up. Then you add the occasion of a honeymoon, and it’s like, no pressure. But even one of the richest men in the world hasn’t been anywhere. These are three places that could still blow anyone’s mind. Because after their summer wedding, we know that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s honeymoon destinations will be on everyone’s mind. The Honeymoon Spot: Bhutan When a place…

Jeff Bezos Lauren Sanchez

Celebrity Travel

Where Jennifer Lopez Should Vacation

We love us some JLo, and we are rooting for her and Ben. Or honestly, wherever her happiness lies because that girl has JLo glow. There’s nothing like some real time away though, which now she’s postponed her concert dates, she may have on her hands. These are the places Jennifer Lopez should vacation with family this summer. And no, they’re not the usual “Look at me” in St. Tropez spots. But rather, these are places where she can get…

Celebrity Travel

Celebrity Restaurants in Nashville

If you think it seems like New Yorkers are moving to Nashville, it’s because since the pandemic, they have. Nashville is the place to be, but celebs figured that out long ago. They live, work and some of them even own a restaurant or two in town. These are the celeb restaurants in Nashville to put on the list. The Celeb: Justin Timberlake The Restaurant: Twelve Thirty Club Justin has had better days, but we’re sure the whole Hamptons fiasco…

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Sporty + Rich

Sometimes the name of a brand like Sporty + Rich says it all. Then you combine it with the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, and you have yourself a must-have retro cool wardrobe for the summer. Think terry cloth tennis gear, baseball caps to throw on to go incognito from the paparazzi, and a sweatshirt you need in your life. Inspired by Goop Today’s outlets don’t just brand a look, but instead, a whole lifestyle. Take Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s universe…

sporty and rich hotel du cap gran allee

Hotel El Fuerte Marbella

We called it, didn’t we? Marbella is the place to be this summer. Someone obviously noticed as well and expanded the luxury hotel openings with the launch of El Fuerte. From the looks of it, El Fuerte isn’t playing it safe either. This is the first look at El Fuerte, a new luxury hotel in Marbella. The Overview For those who are craving the best of both worlds in Marbella, Hotel El Fuerte Marbella is the one. With beach views…

El fuerte Marbella

Best Of The Best

Top Hotels in Vienna

If there ever was an underrated summer destination, or destination, period, it’s the city of Vienna. They’ve got Beethoven and they’ve got Mozart. Heck, they have Sigmund Freud. And don’t get us started on the food, which is the unsung hero of cuisine. So, these are the top places to rest your head and are reasons in themselves to visit. Park Hyatt If you’re the kind of person who travels for shopping, brunching, and lounging, Park Hyatt is for you.…

Rosewood Vienna Room View

Celebrity Travel

Jennifer Garner at the Baccarat Hotel Bar

When a hotel opens up with $1 million worth of glassware, it may be an indication that it’s a pretty nice place. So, naturally, a good-looking crowd will follow, and maybe a celeb or three. Or, in the case of the Baccarat, Serena and Venus Williams running into Jennifer Garner, all at once. Of course, fodder will ensue. A Surprising But Not so Surprising Celeb Hangout You never know when you’ll see a celebrity or three out in New York…

The Invention of Lying Los Angeles Premiere

FlyKitt

We ask this as a question because we want to know too whether someone has finally cracked the formula for jet leg? There’s a former military guy who thinks he has the answer, because we know that you want to hit it when you arrive at your destination. Here’s a look at what he’s got on tap. What do the US Soccer team, business executives and the military have in common? They all use FlyKitt, an AI driven solution to…

Dore Rose Sleep Mask Jetlag

The One&Only Aesthesis in Greece

There’s another new hotel in Greece, which is making yet another case for skipping the islands this summer. And it’s also part of the One&Only group, so we’re guessing there won’t be much arm-twisting involved to go there. This is a first look at the One&Only Aesthesis, a new hotel on the Athenian Riviera. Overview After you’ve been to Greece year in, year out, Athens became your brief stopover city, instead of a destination for your summer vacay. Yes, Athens…

One Only Aesthesis Loungers

Celebrity Travel

Where to Take Your Platonic Friend on Vacation

We know you have that friend whom you never dated in college. That’s because he, she, they, are like your family, and you just wouldn’t go there. They know you the longest, which means they also have the best dirt. You don’t want to lose your platonic partner in crime just because you get married either. So, in honor of Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne, of the hilarious show, Platonic, here are three best friend vacations that are appropriate to…

Celebrity Travel

Emily in Paris

This is a case where the student becomes the master. The fashion has outdone even Sex and the City at this point. In fact, the wardrobe alone is a reason to tune in, but add in the talented actors and the settings, and you have yourself a Netflix binge weekend. These are a few of the Emily in Paris destinations that Emily and Co have graced this season. Bistro Terra Nera Yes, the restaurant where Gabriel works is in fact…

Emily in Paris

Best Places for Breakfast

We are still the city that never sleeps and for you go-getters, the city that doesn’t sleep in. For everyone else, breakfast may just be the reason to roll out of bed just a little earlier. Whether you’re in the fashion industry, the finance industry, you are a titan of industry, or you just like pancakes, here are the spots where you’ll want to be for the best breakfast in NYC. Balthazar It can be hard to depend on restaurants…

abcv Power Breakfast

Celebrity Travel

Movies Filmed in Italy

*Photo courtesy of Deposit Photos When you have a backdrop like Italy, you’re almost guaranteed success. On the big screen, no matter what the story is about, at least you know it’s going to be beautiful. These are three movies where Italy was like a supporting, and even lead character. The Movie: The Tourist Angelina does her thing as mysterious seductress in The Tourist, a 2010 romantic thriller movie filmed in Italy. Venice acts a destination for the messy unfurling…

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