New York, I Love You: An Instagram Tour of the City

When Peyton Carr isn't running the wealth management firm Keystone Global Partners, this St. Louis native spends his time taking breathtaking photographs of the city.  In fact, one of his photographs was recently featured on NY Instagram.  Last week, I caught up with Peyton to discuss life, photography, and of course, New York.

What do you do in New York?

I work with affluent individuals and do three things: investing, tax minimization, and asset protection. Think of me as a personal CFO for wealthy families and individuals.  I love my job because we are always solving problems and thinking of creative ways to improve our clients’ lives.  Last week I was working on a project to sell an art collection tax-efficiently and this week I’m helping a family pre-plan for the sale of their business. 

Describe your perfect day in the city.

Saturday workout; brunch with friends; see some art; shoot some pictures; watch the sunset; have some cocktails!

Where’s the best place to catch the sunset?

Williamsburg, Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, Battery Park, West side of Manhattan.

What restaurant are you dying to try but haven't yet?

I have not been to Santina, that Italian spot in meatpacking created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. It’s a big glass box right under the Highline, and the food is supposed to be very good! I think they just opened for brunch too, so I plan to check that out soon.

Where do you take a date to impress her?

Driving on the beach in the Hamptons during the sunset followed by beach grilling. Works every time!

What’s the best season to visit New York?

Late Spring or December. Spring is beautiful, not too hot, the park is open and everything is green. December is fun because the social season is in high gear and the city is completely lit up with holiday lights. It’s magical during the holiday season. During the summer, a lot of locals leave the city during the weekends, so beware of that if you’re coming to visit your friends in NYC.

What are your favorite weekend trips from the city?

The Hamptons. It’s easy to get there, has great outdoor activities, beautiful beaches, and phenomenal sunsets.  East Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk are my favorite spots. Outside the Hamptons, Newport and Nantucket are great, but they take longer to get to.

What weekend trip are you dying to try?

I really would like to spend more time in the Hudson River Valley. It has a majestic beauty, with quaint towns, great outdoors activities and wonderful hiking. 

Taxi, subway or Uber?

All of them! I also Citi-Bike which is a great way to explore the city. 

Any crazy taxicab stories?

My second year in the city, I was riding in a taxi up 6th Avenue somewhere in the 50’s and we stopped in the middle of the street. A guy walked up to ask the taxi driver for directions. The driver rolled down his window, then the guy stuck his hand in, grabbed some cash, and ran off. The driver leaped out and ran after the guy. Meanwhile, I’m sitting in the back of the taxi in the intersection all by myself and the light turns green. I got into the driver’s seat and moved the taxi to the side of the road. I called the police and waited there. The driver came back about twenty minutes later while I was speaking with the police and had somehow gotten his money back. Don’t mess with taxi drivers!

If you could tell one thing to the tourists of New York, what would that be?

Make reservations and plan well in advance. Be specific about your preferences and get ideas about what to do from friends who live here. There are so many amazing restaurants in the city.  Don’t buy those cheap $5 umbrellas that hawkers sell on the street, they fall apart after two minutes.

FAST FAVES

Neighborhood: Nolita.

Restaurant: Cosme, but make reservations well in advance. Get the uni-tostadas, the octopus and the duck. I love tequila and they some great anejos if you are into that. The husk meringue for desert is also top notch.

Brunch: The Lion in the West Village.

Museum: Dia-beacon. This is a day trip—it’s in Beacon, New York, right on the Hudson River in an old Nabisco Box factory. They have an amazing collection of art from the 1960s to present - huge installations that couldn’t fit anywhere else. In the city, my favorite museum is the Moma.

Date spot: Bell Book and Candle; The Daily.

Party: Yorkville Ball at the Union Club

Hotel: Standard in Meatpacking because the views are so great. There are newer and “hipper” hotels, but nothing beats a cocktail at the top of the Standard while listening to jazz, then checking out the view of the city from the rooftop.

Casa Kimball: Oceanfront Seclusion in the Dominican Republic

The Private Estate:

Casa Kimball is an exceptional Caribbean destination that provides an idyllic way to spend time with close family and friends in an unforgettable way.  This private villa, located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, is situated on three acres of oceanfront property overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by coco palms, almond trees, and other flowering vines and fauna native to the Dominican Republic.  The estate incorporates modern architecture with the indigenous flora and spectacular ocean views, highlighting the relationship between nature, space and modern luxury.

The Experience: 

I had the chance to stay at this secluded and special place with twenty-some other guests for a close friend’s birthday celebration.  I was blown away by the brilliantly-designed elements that sanction the Caribbean sunlight and warm ocean breezes through the ocean spaces.

Upon arriving to the villa, our group was welcomed by the warm and professional staff, modern amenities, and 180-degree ocean views.  The direct villa entry to the dramatic infinity pool and jacuzzi that extended to the sea cliff was simply breathtaking.  

We gathered for morning yoga steps from the villa while overlooking the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.  A delightful and charismatic personal chef prepared gourmet meals everyday, which were caught and grown within three hours of the nearby village.  The attentive bartender and staff made certain we had a delicious tropical cocktail in hand and were carefully attended to wherever needed.  

The villa is full of entertainment activities, from croquet, badminton, volleyball, billiards, surround-sound music player, and a Karaoke machine for late night, one-too-many Mai Tai’s, group singing. Each evening, we gathered for an elegantly-served dinner in the dining space. The dining room’s grand pivoting window doors lent 270-degree views of the ocean and illuminated pool during our dining experience.  We spent the night enjoying one another's company while listening to the ocean waves crash below.  Later, we took advantage of the fully-equipped sound system for a late-night dance party on the terrance. 

The highlight of the trip was when, one starry-night, we grabbed flashlights and walked along the pathway next to the cliff front between the ocean and the villa grounds.  We passed by a hidden-away terrace with a vintage fire bowl tucked between the cliffs and continued to a little beach concealed at the base of the cliff.  The staff built us a bonfire, where we drank, sang and laughed throughout the night.  The magical evening and unique surroundings evoked a sense of pure joy that would be impossible to replicate at any place other than Casa Kimball.  

The beautiful private pool at the guest house next to the villa. 

View from the master bedroom suite 

Fresh Pina Coladas upon arrival. 

Morning Yoga at Casa Kimball

Morning Yoga with private instructor while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 

Stairway that led to the top of the villa, allowing you to gaze either at the endless ocean or into the jungle hillside mountains. 

Afternoon mango and shrimp civiche freshly prepared each day.

The stone is one of the most remarkable elements of the complex.  The sand-beige colored, cleft-cut, textured, travertine catches the Caribbean sunlight, giving a divine quality to the home.

A visual representation of the brilliantly crafted design that harmonizes modern elements with space and nature. 

Beautiful St. Barts

The sophisticated and dramatic French island of St. Barthelemy (aka St. Bart's) packs so much into such a small island that it can be overwhelming to decide where to go and what to do. The restaurants are some of the best in the Caribbean, consistently showcasing gastronomic art and innovative dishes.  From the Parisian chic boutiques in the capital, Gustavia, to the private red-roofed villas that dot the hillsides, St. Bart's is full of charm, allure and beautiful people.  Spend the morning on one of the 22 picturesque beaches, try on the latest French fashions in the afternoon, and watch the sunset over the megawatts in the handsome harbor while sipping rose.  There are dozens of excellent restaurants to choose from for an elegant evening, and restaurant owners go to great lengths to see that guests are having as much fun as they are. These perks make St. Bart's the region's most unique and romanticized islands. 

Hotels: Hotel St. Barthelemy - Isle de France; Eden Rock, Hotel Guanahani & Spa 

Villas & Private Home Rentals: Luxury Villa and AirBnB

Restaurants:  L'esprit, Bonito, L'Isola, Le Case a L'Isle, Le Gaiac, Le Ti, St. Barths Caribbean Tavern   

Beaches: For long stretches of talcum-soft pale sand choose La Saline, Gouverneur, or Flamands. For seclusion in nature, pick Corossol. Arguably, the most remarkable beach on the island is Shell Beach, but note, its hardly has sand at all - instead pink shells! 

Sunset Cocktail: The Strand, Gustavi; Nikki Beach

Nightlife: Nikki Beach, Le Yacht Club, Le 88

Shopping: Calypso; Mia Zia; Lolita Jaca; Mandarine Bijoux 

Spa:  Ligne St. Barth, The Guanahani Spa by Clarins  

Activities: Charter a wooden sailboat for a morning or afternoon excursion. Book HERE. 

Hotel St. Barthelemy

This 128 boutique hotel is probably one of the most exclusive (and wonderful) places you can stay in the Caribbean. With exquisite views, service, and cuisine, even stopping here for breakfast or a drink is worthwhile. 

St. Barths Airport 

Hotel St Barts - Isle de France

Gouverneur Beach 

On The Rocks at Eden Rock Hotel

Eden Rock Hotel 

Nikki's Beach 

Aruba, On A Day's Notice

Last week, I was forced to cancel a much-anticipated trip to Belize with my boyfriend when he realized (the day before we were meant to leave) that he would not get cellular service in the jungle, and that would be a problem with work.  After a few hours of searching Kayak for last minute deals, we decided on Aruba, one of the few Caribbean islands not yet afflicted by Chikangua, a nasty looking disease carried by Mosquitoes, that Lindsay Lohan recently contracted in St. Barts.

I was a bit skeptical of Aruba at first, but as soon as I got there I realized that Aruba is more than than it's party-girl exterior.  Almost every person we came into contact with was delightful, and each meal surprisingly delicious (even those at the hotel).   We stayed at the Ritz Carlton, and while I usually prefer to stay at more unique, off-brand hotels, the Ritz had availability last minute and did a great job at being what it was: a full-service family beach resort.  In fact, Conde Nast recently named the Ritz one of the Best New Family Friendly Hotels of 2014.  

For those of you who, like me, are ADD travelers incapable of just relaxing, the mornings in Aruba are cool and the ideal time for some off-beach adventuring.  On Saturday, we went horseback riding through the cactus-covered interior and over to the rugged east coast, where we tied up our horses on the beach and explored the historic Gold Mine ruins.  Sunday morning, we played golf at Tierra del Sol, a beautiful (but windy!) course along the water on the northern part of the island, which views of the California Lighthouse.

We spent both afternoons at the beach in front of our hotel, sipping pina coladas and cooling off in the shallow, waveless water.  A fleet of staff on Segways distributes complimentary sunscreen, cold towels, popsicles and fruit.   

Not having time to do much research, we ate at two restaurants recommended by our taxi driver on the ride from the airport and were impressed with both.  Driftwood has a casual beachy vibe and serves coconut shrimp and fresh local catch of the day, prepared the "Aruban" way.   Papiamento is a romantic, family-run restaurant set in the garden of a 126-year-old Aruban home.   We heard a lot of good things about Flying Fishbone, and had we had another night, we would have eaten there as well.  

While Aruba might not be my first pick for a young couple looking for something truly secluded and romantic, it's is a family-friendly destination that's easy on the wallet and perfect for a last minute beach vacation.  

Eastern coast of Aruba

Eastern coast of Aruba

The Ritz

The Ritz

The Ritz

The Ritz

The Ritz

View from our balcony at the Ritz

Historic Gold Mine Ruins

Historic Gold Mine Ruins

Tierra del Sol Golf Course

Tierra del Sol Golf Club Pool

Stay: Ritz Carlton, Bucuti.

Eat: Driftwood, Papiamento, Flying Fishbone, Passions. 

Do:  Palm Beach (Where the Ritz Carlton is), Eagle Beach, Baby Beach (where the locals go), horseback riding, golf, snorkeling, kite surfing, parasailing, paddleboarding. 

Viceroy Hotel: Caribbean Cool in Anguilla

The Viceroy Anguilla is one of the most visually unique and captivating resorts you'll find in the Caribbean. Perfectly blending modern elegance with architectural sophistication, the interior designer and wife of Viceroy owner, Kelly Wearstler, sets the bar high with her exquisite touches and perfectly crafted, cutting- edge designs.  The hotel is built on a rocky peninsula with breathtaking views of white, sandy-beaches from both sides of the resort and numerous fitness and leisure activities to choose from.

Keep in mind, the crowd draws LA celebrities, "societal" New Yorkers, understated investment bankers and cigar smoking, rose-drinking Europeans at all times of year. The probability of a celebrity spotting is extremely likely.  So grab a Barnes Bay Rum Punch at the Sunset Lounge and find yourself and that celebrity simultaneously mesmerized by the spectacular sunset view. The drinks will continue to flow throughout the night and you'll meet new friends from all around the globe. 

Before heading to the beach and the hotel amenities for the day, enjoy breakfast at the Coba restaurant.  The food is decent, but the unparalleled views of the ocean will make you overlook it. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for Roman Abramovich's massive "Eclipse" yacht. The Russian billionaire has a tendency to park it directly outside the cliff-side Coba restaurant for his own 'weekend jaunt' from St. Barts.

Trust us when we say, everything about this hotel feels state-of-the art luxurious and Caribbean 'cool.' ...If you can afford it, this award-winning hotel is an absolute must!