Paris: Where Luxury Was Invented
The Ritz, Le Bristol, and Hotel de Crillon sit within walking distance of each other on the Right Bank — three of the finest hotels on Earth in one arrondissement. Each has its own personality. The Ritz is theatrical. Le Bristol is quietly powerful. Crillon, post-renovation, is the most contemporary of the three. All three have Michelin-starred restaurants and bars worth visiting even if you're not staying. Book the smallest room you can afford — the bones of these buildings do the work.
Amalfi Coast: The View Is the Point
The Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello sits on a promontory above the entire coast. Breakfast on the terrace involves figs, ricotta, and a view that makes it impossible to discuss anything practical. Further south, Il San Pietro di Positano is carved into the cliff face and accessible by private elevator from the sea. Neither is cheap. Both are worth it.
Scotland: Castles That Actually Work
Gleneagles in Perthshire is the gold standard — a country house hotel with three golf courses, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and countryside that justifies every cliché about Scotland. For something more intimate, Inverlochy Castle near Fort William is 17 rooms in a Victorian fortress with Ben Nevis as the backdrop. Dinner is a formal affair. Pack accordingly.
Curated Selection
Objects of Distinction
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