The Last Resort

Travel Weekly

The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast hosted by Travel Weekly hotels editor Christina Jelski. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited. From Caribbean all-inclusives to mountainside lodges, we’ll be talking to advisors about their first-hand experiences at some of the most exciting and buzzed-about resorts around the world.

  1. The Last Resort: W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu

    10/14/2025

    The Last Resort: W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu

    On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Stephanie Rizzolo, co-founder of Sette Travel & Lifestyle, an affiliate of Embark Beyond, about her recent visit to Sardinia’s northern coast and her stays at the W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu, Aethos Sardinia and Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel.Rizzolo reveals why the new W Sardinia is surprisingly sophisticated, shares the stark differences in beach access across luxury and lifestyle properties (some require boats!) and explains why shoulder season is the secret to experiencing this emerging Italian destination. She also discusses how Sardinia offers a fresh alternative to over-touristed hotspots like the Amalfi Coast, with Delta’s recently launched direct flight to Olbia making the destination more easily accessible.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 11th episode of the third season will be posted on November 10.Further resources:  Stephanie Rizzolo Sette Travel & Lifestyle W Sardinia – Poltu Quatu Aethos Sardinia  Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel Sardinia hotels to join Belmond and Cheval Blanc portfolios (Travel Weekly) Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com Theme Song:Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeodLicense See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min
  2. The Last Resort: Peter Island Resort

    09/08/2025

    The Last Resort: Peter Island Resort

    On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Joe Casciola, founder of New Orleans-based Destinations Travel Advisors, about his recent visit to Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands.Casciola shares insights on the property’s dramatic comeback following Hurricane Irma’s devastation in 2017, revealing how the eight-year closure has resulted in a completely reimagined resort with renovated accommodations and revamped dining concepts. He discusses the resort’s beachfront positioning, which allows guests to literally step from their rooms onto pristine sand, and the 22,000-square-foot Falcons Nest villa that he calls “celebrity-worthy.” He also shares why he believes the property offers exceptional value for today’s luxury villa clients.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 tenth episode of the third season will be posted on October 13.Further resources:  Joe Casciola Destinations Travel Advisors Peter Island Resort  Peter Island Resort to reopen after six-year closure (Travel Weekly)  Peter Island Resort joins Preferred's Legend Collection (Travel Weekly)  Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com Theme Song:Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeodLicense See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min
  3. The Last Resort: Curtain Bluff

    07/16/2025

    The Last Resort: Curtain Bluff

    On this episode of The Last Resort, host Christina Jelski talks with Philippa (Pip) Clarke, head of Caribbean for U.K.-based Hummingbird Travel, about her recent visit to Curtain Bluff in Antigua. Clarke reveals why this Antiguan resort’s approach to all-inclusive luxury—complete with multiple sommeliers, rotating a la carte menus and pickleball—keeps families and couples returning year after year. She also discusses topics like dinnertime dress codes and how Curtain Bluff successfully maintains these types of traditional elements, while continuing to evolve with changing guest expectations. Additionally, Clarke shares her process for matching clients to the right Caribbean property, especially when working with those “vague inquiries” that simply ask for “all-inclusive in the Caribbean.”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 eighth episode of the third season will be posted on August 11. Further resources:  Philippa (Pip) Clarke Hummingbird Travel Curtain Bluff Renovations planned for Antigua's Curtain Bluff resort (Travel Weekly)  Want to share feedback on the last resort you visited?Email us: TheLastResort@travelweekly.com Theme Song:Beachfront Celebration by Kevin MacLeodLicensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  4. The Last Resort: Universal Helios Grand Hotel

    06/09/2025

    The Last Resort: Universal Helios Grand Hotel

    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 MacLeodLicensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Last Resort is a monthly hospitality-focused podcast hosted by Travel Weekly hotels editor Christina Jelski. In each episode, travel advisors share their first impressions of the last resort they visited. From Caribbean all-inclusives to mountainside lodges, we’ll be talking to advisors about their first-hand experiences at some of the most exciting and buzzed-about resorts around the world.