The ingredients of the golf trips that get rave reviews from travelers go well past an immaculate course. There is the early-morning coffee before a tee time, the anticipation of a course you have heard about for years, the friendly scorekeeping, the post-round drinks, and the stories that become better every time they are retold in all the years after your visit. Building that kind of trip takes deeper intention than simply booking tee times. And that’s where your SmartFlyer travel advisor comes in.

We turned to Randy Raimondi, PGA National Resort’s head golfing professional, for his perspective…

At the recently transformed PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the infrastructure for a memorable golf escape awaits with its five championship courses, 79 holes, a 40,000-square-foot spa, a sixteen-court Sports & Racquet Club, abundant dining options, and a golf operation designed to accommodate everyone from first-time players to seasoned competitors. The question isn’t whether there’s enough to do. It is how to put it all together. So, we turned to Randy Raimondi, PGA National Resort’s head golfing professional, for his perspective on navigating the property, choosing the right golf experiences, making the most of instruction, and approaching your stay with the mindset of a seasoned golf traveler.

Why Golf Vacations Are Having a Moment

The rise of golf travel isn’t just anecdotal. According to the National Golf Foundation, more than twelve million Americans traveled to play golf from 2022 through 2025. That’s forty-nine percent higher than comparable pre-Covid levels and roughly ten percent above the comparable period in the mid-2000s.

Golf travel has become a significant economic force in hospitality. It’s now the second-largest segment of the U.S. golf economy, behind facility operations, generating more than $30 billion annually in tourism-related expenditures away from the course. What’s particularly interesting is how broadly the definition of a golf trip has expanded. Nearly half of golfers say they expect to play golf while traveling in the coming year, even when golf is not the primary reason for the trip. One version could be a dedicated week with friends. Or, a couples’ getaway with a round or two built into the itinerary. Alternatively, it’s a family vacation with one afternoon reserved for golf, or a long weekend built around finally playing a course that’s been on your wish list for years. Fortunately, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can bring any of these trips to life at PGA National.

Opened in 1981, the property has decades of experience and possesses a commitment to continuously evolving its offerings, as shown by its 2022 renovation.

The resort landscape has evolved alongside the golf traveler’s changing needs. Over the past five years, almost one-third of new golf course openings have had a resort tie, compared with just over ten percent of the roughly 16,000 existing golf courses in the United States. The implication is clear: golfers increasingly want a destination to visit around their game, not simply a course. PGA National is well positioned to meet this demand: opened in 1981, the property has decades of experience and possesses a commitment to continuously evolving its offerings, as shown by its 2022 renovation.

PGA National Resort: A Legendary Golf Destination, Reimagined

Some resorts offer golf; others make it part of their identity. PGA National Resort belongs firmly in the latter category. The resort, which has 339 guestrooms and twenty-one cottages, has long been associated with high-level golf, most notably through The Champion course and its role as host of the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic each spring. After a $100 million transformation that was completed in 2022, however, the property has been thoughtfully reimagined around a much broader resort experience.

Across five championship courses, there’s ample variety to fill a multi-day itinerary.

Across five championship courses, there’s ample variety to fill a multi-day itinerary. For the serious golfer, The Champion is the obvious headline. Originally designed by the famed uncle-and-nephew team Tom and George Fazio for major tournament play, legendary golfer and designer Jack Nicklaus redesigned the course in 2014. At 7,045 yards, it’s a demanding South Florida test, where wind and water can require you to alter your strategy from one hole to the next.

Then there’s the Bear Trap. The three-hole stretch on The Champion has become one of the most recognizable sequences in professional golf and is widely considered one of the toughest three-hole stretches in the game. It’s also the kind of experience that makes a golf trip worth traveling for: a course with a story attached, and a stretch of holes everyone in the group will remember, regardless of what ends up on the scorecard.

…designed for more than the golfer who wants to spend every waking hour on the course.

Even with all of these opportunities to add to your scorecard, the putting green is just one of the ways to spend your time at PGA National, which is designed for more than the golfer who wants to spend every waking hour on the course. The 40,000-square-foot spa introduces a substantial wellness component, including the Waters of the World outdoor mineral pools—a selection of pools that recreate the experiences of the Dead Sea, the ancient thermal waters of Salies-de-Béarn, plus a soothing heated pool. The Sports & Racquet Club features sixteen tennis courts and twelve pickleball courts, giving non-golfing travelers in your party—and golfers looking to vary their routine—another reason to get outside and get active. The courts are lit, meaning that you can fit in night play for the ultimate adaptable schedule.

After working up an appetite, the dining options are another arena where PGA National boasts an extensive lineup that ranges from relaxed daytime stops to destination-worthy dinners. At Honeybelle, Top Chef alum Lindsay Autry brings a distinctly South Florida sensibility to seasonal American cooking, with local seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and the restaurant’s signature fried chicken. For an evening worth dressing up for, The Butcher’s Club, from Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, offers a sophisticated modern steakhouse experience, while Sushi by Boū delivers an intimate, twelve-seat omakase experience in a 1920s-inspired speakeasy setting. For something more casual, Birdie’s Diner overlooks the 10th hole and putting green, making it an ideal spot for breakfast or a post-round bite.

Meet Randy Raimondi: Your Insider’s Guide to PGA National

Every golf destination has signature holes and insider insight that can help you play your best. That is where Randy Raimondi comes in. As PGA National Resort’s head golfing professional, Raimondi sees the property from the perspective of the people who know it best. With more than two decades of golf instruction under his belt, including more than eight years with PGA National, he knows these courses—and the game—better than most. We spoke with Raimondi to learn how to get the most out of your stay at PGA National and improve any future golf-cation. (Because if it’s not already a thing, we’re making “golf-cation” one!) Raimondi’s advice covers which courses you need to make time for and advice on the best way to spend your first day, which, to our great surprise, has nothing to do with golfing.

SmartFlyer (SF): For someone going on their first golf trip, what is your top piece of advice?

Randy Raimondi (RR): You have to play the Champion Course to experience the famed Bear Trap, widely considered one of the toughest three-hole stretches in professional golf and a defining feature of PGA National. If you’re traveling with a group of eight to twelve players, I’d also recommend spending some time on the Wee Bear Course (formally known as the Staple Course). It’s a fun and competitive way to settle any friendly wagers from the rounds you’ve played throughout the trip.

SF: Are there any tips you have for avid golfers who travel frequently?

RR: Some guests can be surprised by the size of the resort and everything it has to offer. I always recommend taking some time to explore the property on your arrival day. Stop by the golf shop, meet the staff, and familiarize yourself with the check-in process, practice facilities, and each course’s location. A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth, enjoyable experience.

SF: At PGA National Resort, what makes golf instruction special, both for newer golfers and more experienced players?

RR: One of our greatest strengths is the breadth of instruction available to golfers of every skill level. Our team includes PGA Professionals, LPGA Professionals, and Leadbetter Certified Instructors, so we can provide personalized coaching and development programs tailored to each golfer’s goals, whether they’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune an advanced game.

SF: Can you walk us through some of the most popular clinic offerings? What are the skills you find more practiced golfers come seeking to improve?

RR: One of our most popular programs is the “Practice & Play” experience. The day begins with two hours of instruction, including video swing analysis, followed by a lunch break. Guests then return for a two-hour on-course playing lesson on one of our four championship courses. It’s a unique opportunity to immediately apply the skills and concepts learned during the morning session in a real playing environment, helping golfers bridge the gap between practice and performance.

SF: Are there any exceptional moments you’ve witnessed at PGA National Resort where a guest was able to really come into their own or find a meaningful connection while at the resort or through instruction?

RR: A few years ago, I worked with a guest who attended one of our two-day mini schools, which included six hours of instruction. They were incredibly receptive to the swing adjustments we were working on and fully embraced the learning process. On their final day at the resort, they played on the Champion Course and made a hole-in-one! It was such a memorable moment and a wonderful example of what can happen when preparation, confidence, and opportunity come together.

SF: What would a perfect day at PGA National Resort look like for you?

RR: The most rewarding part of my role is helping members and guests enjoy an exceptional experience from start to finish. A perfect day begins with a seamless check-in at the golf shop, followed by a productive warm-up on the practice range, and an enjoyable round of golf played at a comfortable pace. Ultimately, my goal is for every guest to leave with lasting memories and a desire to return. And if someone makes an incredible hole-in-one? That’s even better.

Getting to PGA National Resort

The Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT), formerly known as the Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), offers the closest and most convenient airport access for most travelers, just over a twenty-minute drive away. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport are also within reach, one hour and two hours away by private driver, respectively, making the resort an easy addition to a broader South Florida itinerary.

Nestled between nearly a thousand acres of Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea, the landscape here is defined by mangroves, verdant vegetation, and cenotes filled with azul waters. It’s a quieter side of this quintessential Mexico beach destination, which makes a stay at Palmaïa ideally positioned for a true retreat.

The landscape here is defined by mangroves, verdant vegetation, and cenotes filled with azul waters.

Meaningful wellness experiences are in increasing demand—a 2025 McKinsey study reported that eighty-four percent of Americans say that wellness is a top priority. Millennials and Gen Z Americans are even more wellness-minded—representing just a third of American adults, they account for more than forty percent of annual wellness spending. As these wellness seekers get older, their desires are maturing too—and we’re seeing it in how they travel. The previously packed itinerary has become a girls’ trip defined by more space to connect with both each other and the destination. The party weekend has become a couple’s escape that fosters real intimacy. And week-long solo city escapes have become meditation retreats, babymoons, or honeymoons where milestones can be celebrated and cherished.

Palmaïa answers the needs of travelers across so many of these life stages. Through the resort’s location, thoughtful programming, and commitment to service excellence, the property has earned distinctive accolades, including Two Michelin Keys, and has been named the world’s number one destination spa in the Condé Nast Traveler 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. In turn, it feels like a highly considered alternative to the conventional Mexico all-inclusive.

This resonance comes from Palmaïa’s consciously-created philosophy. Instead of separating indulgence from wellbeing, it weaves food, movement, nature, restoration, and human connection into one flexible experience under the umbrella of AïA\Wellness. This signature framework weaves together four distinct pathways: nourishment, practice, sound, and restoration. Throughout your stay, AïA\Wellness comes to life through plant-forward dining, weekly wellness experiences led by a global collective of practitioners, immersive Rituals of Sound gatherings, and the jungle-ensconced Atlantis Spa. Each element is designed to work in concert, creating a seamless relationship between how you eat, move, rest, connect, and spend your time in the Riviera Maya. This is where your mind, body, and soul can truly be restored.

A Resort That Pairs Consciousness with Exceptional Experience

The design of Palmaïa establishes it as an exceptional stay with a layout that feels distinctly private. The property has 234 oceanfront suites, including swim-out suites with direct pool access or direct ocean views—but as you move between spaces, the lush jungle landscaping and spacious layout give you a far more intimate impression.

Each suite at Palmaïa features one of its most distinguishing traits: its commitment to plant-based wellness.

Each suite at Palmaïa features one of its most distinguishing traits: its commitment to plant-based wellness. All accommodations are free of animal-derived materials, and the cruelty-free materials and products in each room reflect its broader philosophy of conscious living. But none of these standards means you’ll sacrifice comfort; your Nomadic Guide—Palmaïa’s version of a personal concierge—is available around the clock. The guide can coordinate every aspect of your stay, from wellness bookings to restaurant reservations, arrange your standard personal requests, and perfectly time turndown. Instead of navigating scheduling, you can focus on how you want the day to feel.

Palmaïa’s Gifting Lifestyle means your movement throughout the day isn’t hindered by transactional logistics. This refined all-inclusive model incorporates its extensive, plant-based food and beverage options (including health drinks, mocktails, and alcoholic beverages), as well as your participation in the resort’s weekly holistic programming. This structure gives you permission to explore different practices, foods, and daily rhythms without ever having to calculate the cost of any given choice. Spa treatments, private dinners, and one-on-one sessions sit outside the inclusive pricing, but you can arrange them with the help of your Nomadic Guide.

As you move from your suite to your wellness appointments, you’ll be surrounded by water.

As you move from your suite to your wellness appointments, you’ll be surrounded by water. Quiet beach coves dot more than half a mile of shoreline, offering intimate nooks where you can connect with nature. In addition to the Caribbean Sea, Palmaïa has four infinity pools, two jacuzzi-style pools, a hot plunge, and a cold plunge to use at your leisure. Around the pools, you will find Balinese beds where you can order food and drinks while still enjoying a design ethos that connects to the natural environment, rather than buffering you from it.

That same approach applies to the open-air jungle gym, accessible twenty-four hours a day. The natural setting keeps movement connected to the property’s broader environment, while still offering the state-of-the-art equipment you need to maintain fitness routines. Floor-to-ceiling windows complement Technogym machines, cardio equipment, and free weights—giving you the option to pair holistic programming with your usual routine.

For minimum ages, Palmaïa welcomes families with children ages ten and up. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can help you explore dedicated family suite accommodations, keeping in mind that the experience suits families with older children and teenagers who can engage with the resort’s wellness programming and quieter pace. The resort doesn’t offer highly structured children’s activities or constant youth entertainment. Those traveling without children can also choose adults-only accommodations and facilities, helping preserve the sense of calm that defines the property.

The Nourishing Biome: The Dining Pillar

One of Palmaïa’s standout offerings—both as a wellness destination and a Mexico all-inclusive—is its culinary program. Each menu emphasizes plant-forward dishes, minimally processed ingredients, fermented foods, natural sweeteners, and the elimination of refined sugars. The property also prioritizes regenerative agricultural sourcing, a philosophy that shapes everything from the ingredients on your plate to the way meals fit into the broader wellness experience.

For travelers interested in nourishment, digestive health, or simply feeling their best while away, dining becomes an extension of AïA\Wellness rather than a departure from it. Dining is vegan by default, though meat and seafood can be incorporated upon request. The goal is not restriction but flexibility, allowing you to enjoy food that feels both indulgent and intentional. Across six distinct venues and more than 300 dishes, the culinary program spans multiple traditions and dining styles.

For a healthy start to your day, Plantissa, the resort’s health-focused café, serves smoothies, fresh juices, coffee drinks, grain bowls, baked goods, sandwiches, and lighter fare in a bright, open setting that pairs naturally with a morning wellness session. Charly’s Vegan Tacos is an even more casual option, bringing a playful approach to Mexican street food, transforming ingredients such as jackfruit and mushrooms into inventive tacos served just off the beach.

At LEK, Mexican cuisine is rooted in regional ingredients and ancestral influences, with herbs, spices, and produce sourced locally, including ingredients harvested from the resort’s own garden. Dishes showcase the flavors of the Yucatán through a contemporary lens. Mediterranean flavors take center stage at Mar de Olivo, where handmade pastas, fresh vegetables, olive oils, and coastal influences draw inspiration from destinations stretching from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Bosphorus. For Asian cuisine, UME offers a Thai-fusion menu featuring ramen, sushi, aromatic broths, and bold, layered flavors.

Then, just steps from the beach, Su Casa provides a more relaxed oceanfront dining experience, serving comfort-driven dishes that can be tailored to vegan, vegetarian, seafood, or meat preferences. This health-forward culinary approach extends to bars throughout the property, which offer fresh juices, functional wellness drinks, creative mocktails, wine, cocktails, and premium spirits. Twenty-four-hour in-room dining allows you to enjoy the same culinary scope from the privacy of your suite, whether that’s an early breakfast before a sunrise meditation or a late-night meal after an evening Rituals of Sound gathering.

Wellness That Anchors Your Stay

Palmaïa’s setting and offerings act together to support your wellbeing, but the real depth comes from the AïA\Wellness program, a collective of approximately 35 practitioners known as the Architects of Life. Drawn from Mexico and beyond, these practitioners lead more than fifty weekly experiences, from movement and mindfulness to ceremonial traditions, creative exploration, and personalized guidance. Current Resident Architects include Iva, a painter from Croatia; René, a musician; and Angél, a body movement specialist, both from Mexico. Throughout the year, visiting practitioners like Dr. Siva Mohan, a functional medicine practitioner, expand the programming with specialized workshops, retreats, and immersive experiences.

Rather than focusing on a single approach to wellbeing, the Architects of Life represent a wide range of disciplines. On any given day, you might begin with breathwork overlooking the Caribbean Sea, join a meditation designed to cultivate focus and awareness, or attend a yoga class ranging from gentle restorative movement to more physically demanding practices. Other sessions explore somatic techniques that encourage greater awareness of the body’s responses to stress, while intuitive movement classes, like Boho Vibes, use music and guided exercises to support self-expression and creativity. This range allows your stay to evolve—a session chosen early in the trip may shape what you explore later.

Creative and reflective practices are an equally important part of your schedule. Workshops may incorporate wildlife painting classes, journaling sessions, gratitude exercises, or guided conversations intended to encourage exploration and perspective. Elsewhere, sound-based experiences like Cozy Sound Healing combine instruments, frequency, and music in sessions that range from deeply restorative sound journeys to the property’s Rituals of Sound gatherings, where wellness and music intersect in a more social setting.

Many of these experiences draw inspiration from traditions that have shaped the region for generations…

For travelers interested in spiritual exploration, programming extends to ancestral ceremonies, energy-focused practices, astrology sessions, and individual consultations with practitioners. Many of these experiences draw inspiration from traditions that have shaped the region for generations, like Temazcal ceremonies and Maya-influenced healing traditions, while others incorporate approaches rooted in contemporary wellness disciplines.

Many of the sessions with these Architects of Life take place in open-air spaces surrounded by jungle vegetation or overlooking the ocean, creating an environment that encourages attention and presence. The program is intentionally flexible. You can build a schedule around multiple classes each day or participate in only one or two experiences during your stay—it’s really a take what you need approach.

The Spa That Ties it All Together

With these multifaceted practitioners at your disposal and a Nomadic Guide to handle your daily schedule and the logistics of your stay, your primary focus is what you want for your Palmaïa reset. When it comes to dining, the healthy options are built in—but you can leave with more knowledge on how to continue this conscious style of cooking, with options to attend tutorials like the fermenting class.

After you consider the wellness programming, the next thing to consider is how you’ll take part in treatments at the award-winning Atlantis Spa. As you walk shaded pathways toward the spa, the design encourages you to slow down. This setting is the ideal precursor to the Atlantis’s signature treatment menu, which reflects the broader wellness philosophy found throughout Palmaïa. One of the spa’s signature experiences, AïA Essence, uses personalized massage techniques alongside heated granite stones, Reiki, and quartz crystals. Guests can select lavender, basil, or hemp aromas, each incorporated into a treatment designed to release physical tension while creating a deeper sense of relaxation and balance.

The Mexican Massage, inspired by the practices of curandero healers, incorporates indigenous healing elements including herbs, tinctures, mud, gourds, and rebozo-style shawls.

Several treatments draw directly from Mexican healing traditions. The Mexican Massage, inspired by the practices of curandero healers, incorporates indigenous healing elements including herbs, tinctures, mud, gourds, and rebozo-style shawls. The two-hour ritual includes abdominal massage techniques traditionally used to support digestive function and restore balance during periods of transition, recovery, or fatigue. The Preh-Hispanic Ritual begins with a ceremonial blessing using copal and medicinal herbs, then moves into an exfoliation with organic luffa and a massage incorporating handcrafted herbal compresses. Botanical aromas, sound, and touch are layered throughout the experience, creating a treatment that engages multiple senses rather than focusing solely on muscular relief.

Beyond Mexico, Atlantis Spa also incorporates global wellness traditions. The Samunprai Herbal Ritual draws from Thai healing practices, using heated herbal compresses infused with medicinal plants to soothe muscle tension, while treatments such as the Aroma Naab Ritual utilize aromatherapy and essential oils in a neurosedative massage designed to promote deep relaxation. What ties these experiences together is the setting in which they unfold. Whether you’re participating in a ceremonial ritual, receiving a therapeutic massage, or beginning your stay with the Release Healing Remedy—a restorative welcome treatment that uses herbal and essential oils to prepare body and mind for the days ahead—the surrounding jungle remains a constant presence. Water, vegetation, natural materials, and quiet spaces create a sense of separation from the main resort, making Atlantis Spa feel less like a standalone facility and more like a secluded sanctuary woven into the landscape itself.

Designing Your Reset

One of Palmaïa’s greatest strengths is that the experience can take shape in a customized program, depending on what brings you to the resort. Whether you’re exploring wellness for the first time, looking to deepen an existing practice, or planning a restorative getaway with someone else, the resort’s flexible structure allows you to design a stay that reflects your interests rather than follow a prescribed itinerary.

For the Wellness-Curious

If you’ve been interested in mindfulness but aren’t looking for an intensive retreat, Palmaïa offers a gentle introduction to many of its core practices. A typical day might include:

• Morning oceanfront yoga or a guided meditation session, followed by a smoothie or plant-forward breakfast at the health café.
• Several hours of unscheduled beach or pool time, with lunch from the beachfront food truck.
• An afternoon workshop focused on creativity, gratitude, or introductory sound healing, before a restorative massage at Atlantis Spa.
• Dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants, before an evening Rituals of Sound gathering during your stay.

For the Dedicated Practitioner

For travelers with an established yoga, meditation, breathwork, or spiritual practice, Palmaïa offers opportunities for deeper personalization. A stay may revolve around:

• Sunrise breathwork overlooking the Caribbean, before somatic or intuitive movement sessions led by the Architects of Life.
• One-on-one consultations with practitioners whose specialties align with your interests, before a plant-forward meal and dedicated time for journaling, reflection, or integration between sessions.
• A guided Temazcal ceremony or energy-focused spa ritual, paired with a cold-plunge or water-based recovery experience.
• Evening sound journeys and wellness gatherings to deepen your connection with your own practice.

For Couples and Shared Journeys

Palmaïa also works particularly well for couples, friends, or travel companions who want to spend meaningful time together without sharing the exact same schedule, while fostering intimacy and connection. A shared day may include:

• A morning yoga class together, followed by separate mid-morning experiences based on individual interests—maybe a creative workshop, astrology session, or meditation practice for one person, and a gym session or poolside afternoon for the other.
• Lunch and beach time together, before a shared Atlantis Spa ritual, such as the Atlachinolli Ritual for couples.
• An evening Rituals of Sound gathering with others, with time to reflect and relax before ending the evening with a robust plant-based meal.

Regardless of how you’re choosing to experience Palmaïa, to fully experience the breadth of the resort’s offerings, a stay of at least four nights is recommended. This gives you time to settle in, enjoy several wellness experiences, visit Atlantis Spa, attend a Rituals of Sound gathering, and still leave room for the unscheduled moments that often become the most memorable. Travelers interested in private sessions, ceremonial experiences, or more extensive wellness programming may find that five to seven nights provides additional flexibility. Before arriving, work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to review the weekly activity calendar and identify two or three priorities rather than trying to schedule the entirety of your stay in advance.

Getting to Palmaïa

Palmaïa is approximately forty-five minutes by car from Cancún International Airport (CUN) and about ninety-five minutes from Tulum International Airport (TQO). For international travelers, Cancún remains the most connected gateway to the Riviera Maya, with nonstop service to roughly 120 destinations across more than twenty-five countries and flights operated by more than forty airlines. Tulum International Airport offers a smaller but steadily growing alternative. Depending on the season, the airport currently serves approximately thirteen direct destinations across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, with additional seasonal routes added during the winter.

Ready for your Riviera Retreat? Contact Your SmartFlyer Travel Advisor

From the polished glamour of the  Costa del Sol to the grand boulevards of Madrid and the coves of Menorca, each Spanish destination offers its own interpretation of the country, and Meliá provides a natural throughline. Founded in 1956 in Mallorca, the brand has stayed true to its Spanish roots even as its footprint has expanded globally. Within Spain, rather than imposing one aesthetic across its wide range of properties, the brand lets each property take cues from its surroundings, relying on its own history to deliver authentic and compelling expressions of each place.

At ME Marbella, contemporary design and the social energy of Puerto Banús set the scene. In Madrid, Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá brings you into a restored nineteenth-century palace in the heart of the Habsburg district. On Menorca, Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá showcases the island’s whitewashed architecture, local cuisine, and coastal landscapes. Across this customizable ten-night itinerary through Marbella, Madrid, and Menorca, you’ll experience three distinct sides of Spain through its food, art, architecture, wellness, and nature—with enough time in each destination to appreciate what makes it more than simply a place to sleep.

For the style-minded, looking more closely at Paris’ people, maisons, and ateliers that define its symbiotic relationship with craftsmanship adds even more meaning to your stay. And when that stay is at Cheval Blanc Paris, your SmartFlyer travel advisor collaborates with the property’s stellar concierge to secure unparalleled access behind some of the fashion world’s most guarded doors. Join us as we delve into this face of Paris that thrums with ingenuity, history, and—without fail—beauty. You’ll notice it first at the hotel entrance. Jean-Michel Othoniel was given carte blanche for the hotel’s façade, creating Les Fleurs de la Passion, a fifty-five-foot bas-relief made from metal, glass, and gold. Othoniel describes Cheval Blanc Paris as “a Maison imbued with poetry, where art and life mingle,” adding that it is “a place that trusts artists and puts them forward, too.”

Few sartorial stages offer a more prominent display of style than Paris Fashion Week. Womenswear Spring/Summer Fashion Week runs each year from late September to early October, whereas the Menswear shows are in mid-January, followed by the Autumn/Winter Womenswear show in March. During these periods, France’s capital becomes a whirlwind of activity—The Devil Wears Prada almost undersells the flurry of flashing camera bulbs, VIP arrivals, and the way the streets turn into a living runway.

While the official runway shows may be invite-only, the high energy of Paris Fashion Week extends well beyond the presentations themselves, giving those visiting during this period the opportunity to feel the creative energy without even needing a seat on the front row. For the Womenswear Spring/Summer 2027 season, the showroom session will be held at the Palais de Tokyo, offering another glimpse into the fashion calendar while highlighting collections and designers before they enter the wider retail and editorial cycle.

With fashion forever being one of the defining characteristics of the city, there’s perhaps no better place to put yourself at the center of the action than with a stay at Cheval Blanc Paris. Since its highly anticipated opening in September 2021, its prime location in the First Arrondissement—combined with the building’s already rich history—has made this address one of the most well-positioned in Paris. Notably, the property is connected to La Samaritaine, a department store that had long been a part of Parisian life before reopening in June 2021 after a sixteen-year closure.

The long-beloved La Samaritaine began its legacy back in 1870 with a tiny boutique on Rue de Pont-Neuf, opened by Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ, which eventually expanded into the department store that became one of the city’s most prominent commercial landmarks. LVMH acquired La Samaritaine in 2001 and began its meticulous restoration a few years later. Following five years of revitalization and an alleged $750 million investment, the seven-floor landmark department store reopened in 2021, just months before the ten-story Cheval Blanc Paris.

Notably, the property is connected to La Samaritaine, a department store that had long been a part of Parisian life before reopening in June 2021 after a sixteen-year closure.

The LVMH connection between these two projects adds another dimension to the unparalleled access Cheval Blanc Paris offers its guests today. As one of only six hotels currently in the Cheval Blanc portfolio, guests can expect the same level of refinement as they’ve come to know across LVMH’s fashion brands, including maisons like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Celine, Fendi, Givenchy, Loewe, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, and Guerlain. This connection matters because it weaves your Paris Fashion Week stay into one elaborate tapestry: while each house retains its own identity, they sit within a larger fashion ecosystem that Cheval Blanc Paris will help you navigate as you explore the intrinsic connection between hospitality and fashion.

A Maison at the Door of Many Maisons

Your experience of staying at Cheval Blanc Paris begins with a sense of arrival anchored by its unparalleled views of Pont Neuf bridging the Seine. But even prior to setting foot on the property, the unparalleled access afforded as part of your stay will set the tone. Upon touchdown, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will ensure you receive a complimentary private airport transfer with dedicated meet-and-greet service at Charles de Gaulle and Le Bourget—the private aviation terminal—about one hour from the hotel, and Orly only about forty-five minutes away.

Wilfried Morandini, General Manager of Cheval Blanc Paris, describes the Maison as a place where “the art of emotion engages all your senses,” creating “a private and intimate getaway.” In a building that began as a tiny boutique in 1870, became one of Paris’ most celebrated department stores, and was eventually restored under LVMH, that experience is now part of a much larger story about how the group brings its maisons together in the city, particularly when all of Paris has its eye on Fashion Week.

Once you’ve checked in, the scale of the Maison, while still managing to feel like a boutique hotel, cannot be overlooked. The hotel has seventy-two rooms and suites, each designed to feel like your private home and featuring a large bay window overlooking Paris. Your dedicated butler will be sure to show you around, making themselves available for the duration of your stay. Depending on your suite selection, you’ll have a view of Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Pont Neuf, or the Seine. Éric Fratty, Director of Design and Construction, described the property’s hospitality philosophy succinctly: “Cheval Blanc Paris is all about uncompromising excellence: all the rooms have spectacular views and the same attention to detail.”

L’Appartement Suite doesn’t just grant you access to some of fashion’s most rare experiences…it gives you more than 10,000 square feet across the eighth and ninth floors.

Beyond the property’s jaw-dropping views, the architecture stands out. The rooms start at around 500 square feet and only get more spacious. The largest residence option takes the private home concept even further. L’Appartement Suite doesn’t just grant you access to some of fashion’s most rare experiences outside of the hotel; it gives you more than 10,000 square feet across the eighth and ninth floors. The residence includes seven bedrooms, several lounges and dining rooms, a wellness area, a projection room, a panoramic terrace, and a private swimming pool. For those who require even further discretion, a separate entrance lets you use the residence as an entirely secure base in Paris while retaining Maison services.

Access Money Can’t Buy

You’ll get access to several fashion moments that you couldn’t access at any other stay.

When you stay at Cheval Blanc Paris, the LVMH connection is undeniable. When you book a stay in the Ravel or Quintessence Suites—which, when combined, create the expansive L’Appartement suite—you’ll also get access to several fashion moments that you couldn’t access at any other stay. They aren’t even for sale; instead, you can select one of the following as part of the included excursions for guests of the two top suite tiers.

Your first option is a tour of the Dior Heritage archives; a truly rare opportunity. Dior opens the archive doors to very few of its VICs, only two or three times a year, and has granted exclusive access to Cheval Blanc Paris as well. The experience begins in the private library with a collection of books, artworks, and references that inspired Christian Dior himself, alongside his original sketches. The visit continues into the historic ateliers, where haute couture creations from the 1950s are restored. The last stop on this tour is the archive’s climate-controlled vaults, where some of Dior’s most iconic gowns are carefully conserved and kept completely out of public view. End the day with a reservation at Café Dior.

Then, there’s the option to choose a private visit to the Louis Vuitton workshops in Asnières, one of the Maison’s most emblematic sites just a few miles outside of Paris. It was where Vuitton moved after outgrowing his Parisian headquarters in 1859. The tour of the Art Nouveau house, still home to Asnières artisans who create those iconic LV trunks, is paired with an intimate teatime.

For those who want to bring home a new item, you’ll also have the option of private after-hours shopping appointments at Louis Vuitton or Dior, when you can have the store completely to yourself. You can also book a private styling session at the Louis Vuitton Hôtel Particulier, which Vuitton has completely redesigned to give the maison’s most valued guests an intimate experience.

Horophiles (watch lovers) have their own opportunity for an ultra-rare private encounter with the savoir-faire of LVMH’s Watches & Jewelry Maisons. This includes a Hublot mechanical watchmaking masterclass or a hands-on TAG Heuer movement workshop led by a watchmaker traveling from Switzerland, the watchmaking capital of the world. Jewelry lovers can choose between a private visit to Chaumet’s historic salon and archive, or to the Maison FRED Héritage, where exceptional pieces and archival treasures tell the story of the Maisons. For champagne lovers, there’s the private visit to the ultra-exclusive invitation-only Moët Hennessy Private Apartment, featuring exceptional pieces and a tasting tailored to your preferences.

Finally, for those who want to pair the runway with, well, running, your suite stay can secure you an exclusive matchday experience in a Hublot VIP box at Parc des Princes stadium, home to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Your ideal gameday seats will be preceded by a visit to the Hublot Vendôme boutique for the chance to outfit yourself with a watch before the match.

A Signature Design for the Design-Oriented

Part of the power of a Fashion Week stay at Cheval Blanc Paris is knowing the level of care and craftsmanship that goes into runway designs is rivaled by the property itself. Architecture fans will swoon over the details shaped by architects Peter Marino and Édouard François, who created the hotel. Marino approached his first hotel project as though he were designing a private residence, selecting individual works of art, furniture, materials, and craftsmanship to give the Maison its own character.

Interiors bring together more than twenty types of marble, alongside leather, parchment, hand-painted patinas, straw marquetry, woven metal, sculptural furniture, and bespoke lighting.

“At Cheval Blanc Paris, you’ll feel the energy and dynamism of the present,” Marino said. “Living in the moment, intensely.” His interiors bring together more than twenty types of marble, alongside leather, parchment, hand-painted patinas, straw marquetry, woven metal, sculptural furniture, and bespoke lighting.

The art collection further complements the architecture. Sonia Delaunay’s lithographs hang against lemon wood, while a vast blue canvas by Georges Mathieu commands the lobby. The staircase railing in L’Appartement was commissioned by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, while works by Vik Muniz, Philippe Anthonioz, and Laurence Montano appear throughout the Maison.

The art and architecture provide yet another link between the stay and the sartorial world. That is perhaps the most distinctive feature of staying here: the LVMH connection is not an abstract corporate relationship sitting behind the hotel.

For High Fashion and Every Moment in Between

The seventh floor of Cheval Blanc Paris provides another vantage point to savor the property and its ample amenities. A suspended garden extends around the Michelin-starred Le Tout-Paris, where the restaurant and bar open toward the Seine and a 360-degree horizon. It’s an optimal setting for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon drink, or even a nightcap. But it’s far from the only culinary destination on property. Chef Arnaud Donckele has created a three Michelin-starred restaurant centered on his distinctive approach to sauces, with his “Absolutes” evolving with the seasons, at Cheval Blanc Paris’s signature restaurant, Plénitude. Called “the pinnacle of fine dining” by the Michelin Guide, Donckele blends multiple European cuisines to deliver something entirely creative.

The exceptional fine dining doesn’t stop with Plénitude. Hakuba, awarded two Michelin stars, brings Japanese cuisine to the ground floor. Here, Chef Takuya Watanabe delivers perfected sushi, along with more inventive creations like shellfish dashi. Rounding out the culinary options is Langosteria, which introduces Italian seafood to the mix. Also located on the seventh floor of Cheval Blanc Paris, this brasserie is as tasty as it is trendy, with rooftop views of the Seine, a cool crowd, and a nice list of Italian-inspired cocktails.

The wellness facilities offer a way to find reprieve from the non-stop pace of Paris, particularly during Fashion Week. In keeping with its keen attention to detail, the property’s swimming pool is lined with handcrafted mosaics and accompanied by a fitness area, sauna, hammam, and Rossano Ferretti Salon. The Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris offers technology-powered treatments, including sapphire crystal micro-abrasion, bringing Dior’s beauty expertise to the Maison.

For those craving the energy found at the center of Fashion Week who still need to keep younger travelers’ schedules in mind, Cheval Blanc Paris has created a space for kids not yet runway ready. Families with littles have their own destination at Le Carrousel, where children up to twelve can take part in treasure hunts and activities beneath an interactive weather-themed ceiling. Connecting rooms and suites let several generations stay together, while opting to book L’Appartement affords even more space for large family celebrations and milestone occasions.

The LVMH connection remains present even when you return to your suite. François Demachy artfully crafted the property’s signature fragrance, which emanates throughout public spaces and accommodations alike. As a former in-house perfumer for Dior, he approached the project by asking, “How to interpret Paris through a perfume?” Demachy’s answer was to create two compositions for the property, because, as he explained, “the city is so multifaceted.”

A Department Store that Elevates the Stay

La Samaritaine itself is an essential part of the experience. As a guest of Cheval Blanc Paris, you’ll have access to an exclusive private entrance to the shopping complex. When you pass from the hotel to the store, you’ll be met with a stunning glass ceiling that showcases the shifting moods of Parisian weather—though, notably, without subjecting you to it. The wraparound peacock frescoes by Francis Jourdain hark back to the building’s history including Francis’ father, Frantz Jourdain, who designed the building.

But the secret star is L’Appartement Salon. In collaboration with the Cheval Blanc Paris concierge, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange a private styling and shopping appointment in L’Appartement (same name, but different from the 10,000-square-foot suite back at the hotel). Rather than doing your own perusing through the seven-level department store, this service allows you to save time by having a stylist who pulls options based on your wardrobe needs, your taste, and the season’s latest looks. Plus, fragrance provides another route into the city’s craftsmanship. At Guerlain in La Samaritaine, a bespoke consultation arranged by the Cheval Blanc Paris concierge and your advisor can take you through individual notes and compositions with specialists from one of France’s historic perfume houses.

These experiences, especially when paired with the exclusive moments offered when you book the Ravel or Quintessence Suite, are a particularly direct expression of what access can mean when a hotel, department store, and collection of luxury maisons all belong to the same group. The result is a Paris stay built around the city’s creative infrastructure during some of its most vibrant weeks of the year. Cheval Blanc Paris provides the address from which you can follow the threads—of garments and everything else. With the concierge coordinating the details, it is that the Maison gives guests a knowledgeable point of entry.

Your journey begins in Dublin, where you’ll enjoy a two-night stay at The Westbury. Perfectly positioned in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural quarter, it’s the ideal launch point to see the city’s highlights. From the capital, you’ll venture for a two-night stay at Ballyfin Demesne. Nestled within 614 acres of pristine private parkland, Ballyfin offers an unrivaled sense of exclusivity, tranquility, and personalized service. Your itinerary concludes with the dramatic beauty of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, and you settle in for two nights at Ashford Castle. Set within an extraordinary 800-year-old estate in County Mayo, Ashford Castle masterfully blends historic grandeur with modern touches. With the guidance of your SmartFlyer travel advisor, you’ll be armed to experience a version of Ireland that gives you more: more discovery, more wonder, more connection.

For decades, the hotel industry has organized the guest experience around a fairly rigid 24-hour clock: departures happen around midday, rooms are cleaned in the morning, fresh ones are made available in the late afternoon, and turndown happens during that sweet spot while you’re out to dinner. Any exceptions for early check-in or late check-out depend on occupancy and housekeeping schedules and are prioritized based on the channel through which you booked. For instance, when booked with a top partner like SmartFlyer, the hotel will put your early check-in or late check-out request at the top of their queue. But then there’s Peninsula Hotels, which decidedly took a different approach and turned the model on its head with the introduction of “Pen Time” in January 2021.

Nearly two decades ago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills began seeing a familiar pattern: international guests arriving in Los Angeles in the early morning after overnight flights, well before the conventional check-in hour. They wanted to shower, change, sleep, take a call, have breakfast, and start their day without spending the first several hours of their trip waiting for a room. Pen Time was their solution.

Available across The Peninsula Hotels’ collection of twelve properties around the globe, Pen Time is available with every booking made through your SmartFlyer travel advisor—any Peninsula property just needs seventy-two hours’ notice to prepare the rooms. Arrive as early as 6:00 am on the day of check-in and depart as late as 10:00 pm on the day of check-out. Rather than simply adding a few hours to the margins of a stay, the program effectively removes the conventional hotel clock from the equation, creating up to nineteen hours of additional room access around the standard check-in and check-out framework.

Arrive as early as 6:00 am on the day of check-in and depart as late as 10:00 pm on the day of check-out.

Those bonus hours matter. A 6:00 am arrival in Hong Kong can mean a proper shower and breakfast before jumping into one of the flagship property’s Rolls-Royce Platinum Extended house cars to your first meeting of the day. A 10:00 pm departure from Paris can turn a broken-up afternoon into what feels like a full day with a visit to the nearby La Dior Galerie rather than a prolonged wait between checking out and heading to Charles de Gaulle. In London, it might mean touching down from an early morning flight to Heathrow, settling into your suite, taking a swim in its expansive pool, and enjoying breakfast in the property’s airy lobby all before noon, as opposed to going having to deposit your luggage with the bellman and wait around. In Beverly Hills, an evening departure can leave enough time for dinner at Matsuhisa, a swim, and an outfit change before heading to LAX. Ultimately, Pen Time opens up an entirely different way to plan your next city stay with Peninsula.

Inspired by that flexibility, we’ve crafted six ways at six stays to take even more advantage of Pen Time.

• Hong Kong
• London
• Paris
• Chicago
• Istanbul
• Beverly Hills

Hong Kong: Begin Before the City Does

Skip that jet-lag-induced nap after an early morning arrival and instead dive straight into a spate of unique-to-Hong Kong delights.

The Peninsula Hong Kong has occupied its place on Salisbury Road since December 1928, earning its long-standing reputation as the “Grande Dame of the Far East.” Its character comes from the meeting of eras: traditional European hospitality, Chinese craftsmanship, harbor-facing grandeur and a distinctly modern Hong Kong that moves at an entirely different pace outside its doors. The Marco Polo Suite at this original Peninsula property exemplifies what makes it special. Each bedroom has its own en-suite marble bathtub, and each space is resplendent with hand-loomed rugs, silks, and antique décor, creating a thoughtful mix of tradition and timeless elegance. With so much heritage to appreciate, Pen Time is particularly useful here for travelers arriving on overnight flights. Skip that jet-lag-induced nap after an early morning arrival and instead dive straight into a spate of unique-to-Hong Kong delights.

6:00 am: Arrive and Reset

After an overnight flight, use your suite for what it was designed to provide: a proper reset. Shower, change, and have breakfast before the city reaches its morning crescendo. You can choose between having room service or dining at The Verandah, which opens at 7:00 am and is one of nine dining options on property. If you’re staying in the Marco Polo Suite, prepare to depart in a Phantom Rolls-Royce with your personal chauffeur—all included in your stay.

9:00 am: Bespoke Tailoring with Ascot Chang

Rather than spending the first morning moving between shopping districts, arrange a private appointment with Ascot Chang, the Hong Kong tailoring house known for its hand-finished shirts and bespoke work. Just a ten-minute drive from The Peninsula Hong Kong, this is your first immersion into the city’s thriving energy. Measurements, fabric selection and fitting can turn what might otherwise be a morning of shopping into a highly personal introduction to the city’s tailoring tradition. The appeal is as much practical as experiential: Hong Kong has long been a place where craftsmanship and commerce coexist up close, and a fitting gives you something bespoke to take home with you and remember Hong Kong long after you’ve left the city.

1:00 pm: Stop for Cantonese Lunch

Less than a ten-minute drive from Ascot Chang’s is The Chairman, a popular Michelin-starred restaurant serving Cantonese fare. One of their specialties is their in-house cured meat. Try their signature flower crab.

3:00 pm: Tea in Hong Kong Park

Move toward Hong Kong Park for a private tasting at Lock Cha Tea House, with an emphasis on vintage Pu-erh and the deeper vocabulary of Chinese tea. Give the tasting time to unfold, rather than treating it as another stop between attractions. The teahouse also offers calligraphy classes—an exceptional opportunity for anyone appreciative of the art form.

5:00 pm: Return to The Peninsula

Back at the hotel, the harbor becomes the backdrop for your final stretch of the day. When you’re on Pen Time, here’s still time for a spa appointment, a change for dinner, or simply an hour in the room before the evening begins. While traditional check-in hours would have meant that late afternoon was when your arrival day truly began, instead, you’ve already had time to familiarize yourself with three different facets of Hong Kong’s cultural scene.

London: Turn the Departure into a Full Day

Your final day can still include shopping, a dose of culture, and dinner, all while your suite is still available to you.

The Peninsula London occupies the corner of Grosvenor Place and Hyde Park Corner, beside Wellington Arch and within easy reach of Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair. It was designed to sit naturally among the surrounding heritage architecture and opened in September 2023 to great anticipation. Even with its traditional façade, it offers a distinctly contemporary interpretation of British craftsmanship, mixed with its Hong Kong roots, as shown by the hand-carved Chinese stone lions flanking its entrance. The Belgravia Suite is a sublime example of this mélange of influences—set on the hotel’s top floor, it offers a private terrace with incredible views of London and carefully curated furnishings. In addition to the ample space, there’s a dedicated entrance and elevator—ensuring maximum privacy. In London, Pen Time can make departure day feel less like a departure day and more like a true day of your trip. Your final day can still include shopping, a dose of culture, and dinner, all while your suite is still available to you.

11:00 am: Harrods by appointment

When you’d typically be finishing your check-out, Pen Time means you’ll instead be taking the short five-minute drive over for the personal shopping suite that your SmartFlyer travel advisor arranged at Harrods. There you’ll work with a personal shopper who can help you focus on the categories of your wardrobe calling to you most.

2:00 pm: Lunch and a pause

Take the short trip back to the hotel for lunch on property at Little Blue Noodle Bar, which honors The Peninsula’s Hong Kong origins and serves up noodles, dim sum, and Gweilo Beer. Take a beat after lunch to rest in your room—something to savor on departure day.

4:00 pm: The Tower after the crowds

Arrange a private tour at the Tower of London, with access to the Crown Jewels and a Yeoman Warder, the ceremonial guards of the Tower. The historic complex deserves more than a quick photograph; the extra hours allow the visit to sit comfortably within the day. As a more classic London experience, it’s also a fitting farewell to the city, and an experience you might not have fit in otherwise.

6:00 pm: Return, refresh, repack

This is where the late departure earns its keep. Return to the hotel, shower, repack, and change so you can depart feeling fresh.

7:30 pm: A Final Dinner

Have a final dinner at Pavyllon London, just four minutes from the hotel. The Michelin-starred restaurant serves modern and internationally influenced dishes—with British ingredients and French technique—from an open kitchen. The vibrant energy comes from its commitment to being a neighborhood restaurant, even as Executive Chef Yannick Alléno’s empire expands. It’s an excellent way to depart, knowing you’ll be back to London soon.

10:00 pm: A True Late Check-Out

Instead of spending your last hours in London at an airport lounge, you had the opportunity to fill your final day with tastes of London you might not have experienced otherwise. The benefit of Pen Time is the extra windows of time in cities that have endless ways to explore.

Paris: Make Your Arrival Morning An Anchor to Your Trip

Here, the value of an early arrival is less about racing through a list of sights and more about creating the kind of Parisian day best served with extra hours.

The Peninsula Paris occupies a restored heritage building on Avenue Kléber, within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and several of the city’s most important cultural and shopping addresses. Before becoming The Peninsula Paris in 2014, the building debuted as the Hotel Majestic in 1908 and eventually became the UNESCO offices before turning its keys over to Peninsula Hotels. Today, the Katara Suite makes for a pristine example of what The Peninsula Paris has to offer. The suite occupies much of the hotel’s sixth floor, pairing refined Art Deco interiors with a private rooftop garden and expansive terrace framing views toward the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Parisian rooftops. Here, the value of an early arrival is less about racing through a list of sights and more about creating the kind of Parisian day best served with extra hours.

6:00 am: Arrive in Paris

After your overnight flight, enjoy the efficiency of your VIP greeter, who will take you swiftly through customs and directly to The Peninsula Paris. If you’re staying in the Katara Suite, take time to settle in and enjoy the early morning from your terrace. Have breakfast at Le Lobby, which opens at 7:00 am.

9:00 am: A Quiet Stroll Through Paris

Begin with a walk through the neighborhood. The practice of being a flâneur is all about taking a leisurely stroll across the City of Lights, knowing that wandering aimlessly is how you truly sink into the city’s rhythm. From the hotel, the morning can bend toward the Trocadéro and the Seine before the day’s crowds fully gather. The point is not to maximize the number of landmarks, but to experience the city while it is still relatively unhurried. If you want to learn about the architecture and history while you amble, a private local guide can accompany you, sharing the secrets of Paris’s streets.

12:30 pm: A Long Lunch, Waterfront

Just like a slow meandering stroll, un long déjeuner is an essential part of the Parisian experience. Your walk will conclude at the Seine. From there, a private driver will take you on the fifteen-minute drive to Les Philosophes, where we suggest ordering the onion soup and taking the long lunch to people-watch as they pass by in the busy Le Marais neighborhood. After lunch, browse the abundant number of shops nearby before meeting your private driver, who will transport you the twenty minutes across town to your next stop.

3:30 pm: Private wine experience

Spend your afternoon indulging in the fine particulars of French wine, with a private tasting with a master sommelier at Le Taillevent. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on older vintages and grands crus, further expanding your palate and your knowledge. The collection includes more than 2,000 wines and spirits, so your SmartFlyer travel advisor will match you with a tasting experience that best suits your interests.

6:00 pm: Back to the hotel

Return to Avenue Kléber, passing the Arc de Triomphe on the short drive from Le Taillevent. With an entire extra day under your belt, you’re ready to continue the rest of your trip adapted to the local pace of the city.

Chicago: Give the Departure Day a Second Act

You don’t have to choose between one last museum visit and a comfortable pre-flight departure.

The Peninsula Chicago sits on East Superior Street at Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. The hotel combines the Peninsula’s signature Asian-influenced service culture with a distinctly Chicago setting and has maintained a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating since opening in 2001. In 2026, the property notably marks its 25th anniversary. The Lake Suite is a standout example of The Peninsula Chicago’s legacy; with sweeping views of the Windy City and ample space for the whole family, it’s a spacious home base. With cultural happenings within a manageable distance of the hotel, a late departure empowered by Pen Time becomes especially attractive. Chicago’s museums, restaurants and architecture lend themselves to a full final day. Keeping the room means you don’t have to choose between one last museum visit and a comfortable pre-flight departure.

10:00 am: Private Art Institute access

Instead of preparing to check out of the hotel, start your final day in Chicago by partnering with a private, docent-led tour of the Art Institute of Chicago before the museum opens to non-members. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange the experience, which is typically only open to members.

1:30 pm: An Exemplary Lunch with a Story

Chicago is a city where every meal comes with an origin story. Tzuco is a perfect example. Chef Carlos Gaytán was the first Mexican-born chef to win a Michelin star for his restaurant Mexique. Tzuco continues that excellence, where you can order dishes like his signature steak with chipotle goat cheese fondue. Less than a ten-minute walk or drive from the hotel, it’s an ideal spot to dig into more of Chicago’s rich culinary scene.

3:00 pm: Back to The Peninsula for the Spa

Take advantage of your room’s availability for a bit of a wind-down after lunch before heading to the spa for a treatment. For something particularly distinctive to The Peninsula, get the ninety-minute Blissful Marma Massage, a U.S. signature treatment from Subtle Energies available at The Peninsula Spas in Chicago, New York, and Beverly Hills. It combines massage, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic techniques, Marma point therapy, lymphatic drainage, and kasa bowl work.

7:00 pm: A Final Chicago Tasting

For an evening departure, arrange a special tasting at Alinea, where Chef Grant Achatz’s multi-course approach to modern gastronomy turns dinner into a carefully choreographed experience. Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, the two-Michelin-starred experience ties together art and food in an unforgettable way, ending your extra Pen Time in Chicago on a theatrical note.

10:00 pm: A Seamless Departure

Depart knowing you’ve maximized your final day in Chicago and taken a deeper dive into a city with an ever-evolving, exciting cultural scene.

Istanbul: Follow the Water, Not the Clock

Pen Time here is best used to avoid the two things Istanbul can make particularly difficult: wasted transit time and rushed shopping.

The Peninsula Istanbul sits along the Bosphorus in Karaköy, within Galataport, occupying four buildings—including three historic landmark buildings dating back to the early 1900s that were restored as part of the waterfront development. Opened in February 2023, the hotel is centrally located near Galata Tower, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, and the Blue Mosque. The Art Suite at The Peninsula Istanbul showcases just how connected you can feel to the city, while not sacrificing any comforts—it feels like a private residence and intimate gallery in one, with original paintings, drawings, photography, and sculpture by Turkish artists woven throughout its living spaces, alongside bespoke furnishings, traditional rugs, and richly textured fabrics. The setting makes the hotel unusually well positioned for a stay built around the relationship between the city, its splendid waterfront, and its transcultural history. Pen Time here is best used to avoid the two things Istanbul can make particularly difficult: wasted transit time and rushed shopping.

6:00 am: Arrive by Air, Land or Sea

After arriving early after an overnight journey, use the morning to settle into the hotel before traffic begins to build. Those arriving by cruise or private yacht can structure the day around the waterfront. Have breakfast delivered to your room or take your coffee in The Lobby, where you can take in the early morning bustle on the Bosphorus.

9:30 am: Private Artisan Appointment

Skip the busiest public corridors of the Grand Bazaar, just a ten-minute drive from the hotel, and arrange a private viewing with a specialist in fine jewelry. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can set up the appointment in an atelier or private showroom, depending on your preference, with a focus on provenance, craftsmanship, and the story behind individual pieces. For collectors, this is where additional time becomes particularly useful. There is room to inspect, ask questions, and learn the history behind special items.

12:30 pm: Lunch Along the Water

Return to Karaköy for lunch. You’ll cross the river again via private driver and be less than a ten-minute walk from the hotel when you sit down at Abdi Bey Lokantası, a modern Turkish dining experience in a historic setting near the Galata Tower. It’s a particularly apt choice for lunch, when the popular establishment is known for its calmer vibe.

3:00 pm: Private Bosphorus Transit

Rather than spending an afternoon navigating Istanbul’s roads, you’ll spend the afternoon on a private mahogany motor yacht and take to the Bosphorus. The route will pass the waterfront palaces and historic yalı residences while the city unfolds from the water.

5:00 pm: An Evening That’s a Beginning

After a day by and on the water, you’ve been able to soak in the rhythms of the city that quite literally bridges East and West. Now, you can step into the rest of your itinerary with a taste, a sight, and a feel for Istanbul.

Beverly Hills: Stay Until the Light Changes

With its jet-set and Hollywood clientele, The Peninsula Beverly Hills serves as the property where the idea behind Pen Time first took shape…

Open since August 1991, The Peninsula Beverly Hills has a different relationship with time altogether. Naturally, with its jet-set and Hollywood clientele, The Peninsula Beverly Hills serves as the property where the idea behind Pen Time first took shape—after all, Los Angeles is a city where the time between destinations can consume the day. Set among landscaped gardens, the hotel feels removed from the intensity of Los Angeles while remaining close to Rodeo Drive, West Hollywood, and the city’s cultural institutions. Its approach to service has always emphasized familiarity, with guest preferences remembered and stays shaped around individual routines. Timeless Hollywood glamor blends with the ever-evolving pace of Los Angeles. The property serves as a haven from the bustle of the world beyond. The pinnacle is the Executive Villa Suite, with a private terrace facing the Century City skyline and features like a crystal chandelier, two fireplaces, and a separate study.

12:00 pm: Lunch at The Roof Garden

Instead of checking out and existing in limbo, you’ll spend your lunch at The Peninsula at The Roof Garden, where the open-air setting and seasonal California cooking lend themselves naturally to a midday pause. Sitting under those iconic yellow umbrellas, you’ll enjoy the fresh, produce-driven menu while taking in the sunny ambiance—and maybe a cocktail to set the breezy tone for your last day.

2:00 pm: Languid Hours Spent by the Pool

Your afternoon can remain entirely within the confines of the hotel. Transition from sipping on cocktails to time lounging at the rooftop pool. This is especially valuable with Pen Time because you can head back to your room to shower afterward—and depending on your stay, time by the pool might be a bonus you wouldn’t have had time for otherwise.

6:30 pm: Dinner at a Beverly Hills Institution

Your final Beverly Hills meal should nod to the area’s rich history. Mr. Chow is a Beverly Hills institution and has served stars high-end Chinese food for more than fifty years. Just a five-minute drive down the road, you don’t have to go far for the iconic black-and-white dining room and the glitzy lore that accompanies it.

9:30 pm: The Final Freshening Up

Again, there might be no more valuable time in your hotel than the extra hours you get to spend making sure you’re totally ready for the next phase of your journey. Now’s your time to pack, rest, and change into your travel outfit.

No Matter Where, Pen Time Gives You the Power of More

The beauty of Pen Time is how it transforms arrival and departure days into opportunities for complete immersion in your destination. As our peek into what is available at each of the six properties showcases, there are a million ways to leverage this extra time. There’s no wrong way to do it—only your way. Work with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to find the way to make Pen Time work best for you.

For us, the honor of being considered a classic destination comes from a heady combination of art, culture, food, and natural beauty. The appeal of a repeat visit to these places derives from pairing familiarity with the promise of discovering something new—be that a restaurant, a charming street, or an experience that strengthens your connection to the place.

This is where Park Hyatt hotels come in: a brand that approaches hospitality through this lens, welcoming those who return by empowering them to embrace both familiarity and exploration. Across its global portfolio, the brand combines refined design, intuitive service, curated art collections, and culinary programs shaped by each locale across its twenty-seven-country footprint. Every Park Hyatt hotel is tied together by a throughline that promises you will experience something exceptional at each place.

Rather than applying a single visual identity across every address, Park Hyatt hotels creates stays that respond to their surroundings.

Rather than applying a single visual identity across every address, Park Hyatt hotels create stays that respond to their surroundings—something that permeates through all five senses. This philosophy has been a central tenet of the brand since its first opening, Park Hyatt Chicago, back in 1980. Now with fifty-one properties currently open or in the pipeline across six continents, that place-led specificity can take shape as you sip a cocktail at Writer’s Room Bar at Park Hyatt Toronto or stay on the ninety-third floor in one of the world’s tallest buildings at Park Hyatt Shanghai.

The brand’s belief that “Luxury is Personal” centers on its commitment to understanding how each traveler wants to spend their time. For a couple celebrating an anniversary, that may mean a thoughtfully arranged dinner, a private moment overlooking a city skyline, or a seamless itinerary built around shared interests. For families traveling across generations, it may mean connecting accommodations, flexible spaces, and recommendations that cater to everyone from the grandparents to the youngest littles in tow. For executives extending business travel into leisure, it may mean efficient service, exceptional dining, wellness facilities, and a smooth transition between work and personal time. Park Hyatt hotels’ power is that it meets all those very different needs—and then delivers that little something extra through its emphasis on exploration, too.

Across cities and resort destinations, a consistent standard of excellence runs through the portfolio, while each property bears its own distinct identity. The result is a portfolio designed for travelers who value familiarity, discretion, and quality while still seeking meaningful ways to discover the world. In keeping with this philosophy, we’re recapping our view on how six Park Hyatt hotels across six exceptional destinations are bringing this ethos to life.

Park Hyatt New York: A Different Side of Midtown

Located on 57th Street between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue, a stay at Park Hyatt New York places you in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, directly across from Carnegie Hall and just two blocks from Central Park. Occupying the first twenty-five floors of the ninety-story One57 skyscraper, the hotel provides a central base for exploring some of the city’s most prolific spaces while ensconcing you in a quiet haven above the hum of activity on the streets below. With an exterior by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, the property is a standout on the already impressive Billionaire’s Row.

Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the interiors draw inspiration from the proportions and comfort of a private Manhattan residence. Throughout the hotel, architectural screens, hand-woven custom carpeting, and layered textures deliver a sense of craftsmanship. Shared spaces are designed around a residential atmosphere, with The Study offering a quiet setting for reading or hushed conversation, while The Living Room provides a more relaxed gathering space with plush seating, fresh flowers, and city views.

Guestrooms and suites further build upon the Park Hyatt’s residential design approach with generous layouts, refined finishes, and artistic touches. Across accommodations and common spaces, you’ll find a collection of approximately 350 commissioned works created in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art, featuring artists such as Marc Swanson and Sigmar Polke. The artistic focus curated by Erica Samuels of Samuels Creative extends into smaller details, from artwork displayed on room key cards to Japanese artist Tetsuro Sawada’s plexiglass installation above the bar, composed of nearly 1,000 individual glass pieces.

The property’s eye-catching art is paired with an essential for any New York stay: a photo-worthy view. Many accommodations overlook Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The zenith of this creative effort is the Manhattan Suite. Located in a private twenty-fifth-floor wing, it features sweeping city views, two balconies, and 3,500 square feet. The space was brought to life by New York–based design studio Sawyer & Company—we especially love the blush-hued living room.

Here’s how we’d pair this stay with New York experiences you might have missed the first time around:

• Start (Early) with Central Park: Take an early morning walk through the park before the paths become crowded, then return to the hotel before heading out for the day. These quieter hours are when the park feels truly magical—and your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange a private tour of the park’s most iconic sights, giving you the lesser-known facts on one of the world’s greatest urban parks. Less than a five-minute walk from the entrance of Central Park, the park couldn’t be more at your fingertips.
• Explore Museum Mile: Arrange a privately guided after-hours visit to one of the iconic institutions along Museum Mile. With this exclusive and intimate access, you’ll be able to enjoy The Temple of Dendur at the Met, or Édouard Manet’s Before the Mirror at the Guggenheim without crowds. A private driver will take you door-to-door—or you can take the scenic route, walking through the park.
• See Carnegie Hall: Broadway is always a classic—but Park Hyatt’s location makes expanding your artistic intake particularly appealing. Build an evening around a performance at the legendary Carnegie Hall directly across the street from the hotel. Box seats in the first tier ensure you’ll have the best view of the performances that grace the stage.

Park Hyatt Tokyo: Explore the Neighborhoods Beyond Shinjuku

High above Shinjuku, Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the upper floors of Shinjuku Park Tower, Kenzo Tange’s landmark complex in one of Tokyo’s most dynamic districts. Since opening in 1994 as Asia’s first Park Hyatt, the hotel has been recognized for its elevated views, art-filled interiors, and sense of calm within one of the world’s busiest cities. And for film buffs, it’s worth noting the property is forever immortalized as the setting of many scenes in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 Oscar-winning film Lost in Translation.

Since opening in 1994 as Asia’s first Park Hyatt, the hotel has been recognized for its elevated views, art-filled interiors, and sense of calm within one of the world’s busiest cities.

Following a comprehensive restoration by Paris-based Studio Jouin Manku in 2025, the hotel reopened after a nineteen-month closure to a fresh chapter while preserving the qualities that have long shaped its storied reputation. The renovation introduced warmer materials, softer forms, and updated spaces while maintaining the intimate atmosphere and architectural character that have defined the property for decades. The hotel’s 171 guestrooms and suites occupy floors thirty-nine through fifty-two of Shinjuku Park Tower, offering views across Tokyo and, on clear days, toward Mount Fuji.

Designed with the proportions of private residences, each room features bespoke furnishings, contemporary Japanese artwork, and deep soaking tubs. Larger suites expand the offering with separate living and dining areas, private kitchens, libraries, grand pianos, and steam saunas. All suites feature Yoshitaka Echizenya’s artwork—dreamlike contemporary pieces that speak to the married energy and tranquility of Park Hyatt Tokyo. The standout suite, The Tokyo Suite, offers more than 2,300 square feet of space, plus a grand piano, a dining room for eight, and a steam sauna. Restored to its original 1994 design, the space is a testament that preserving a space with a story will always carry meaning.

Here are a few ways we’d dig deeper into a stay in Tokyo:

• Spend a morning in Kichijōji: Considered one of Tokyo’s most desirable neighborhoods, here you can delight in browsing independent bookstores, cafés, and small shops for a view of everyday of the city away from its major attractions. A private guide can help you maneuver the streets and bring you to the best spots the neighborhood has to offer just a twenty-minute drive from the hotel.
• Explore Jimbocho: A private driver can take you to Jimbocho in less than fifteen minutes so you can immerse yourself in the world’s largest used-book district. Your guide will help you navigate the charming shops away from the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, in what Time Out considers “the coolest neighborhood in the world.” Here, it’s not just vintage and rare books: you’ll find antique shops, vinyl record cafes, and the magic of being a place dedicated to just one thing—that’s the real rare commodity.
• Go small after dark: Visit the tiny izakayas of Omoide Yokocho, a nostalgic ode to the open-air markets from previous eras of Tokyo. With more than sixty bars and restaurants, each serving only a few customers at a time, exploration is the name of the game. Order Kirin and embrace the frenetic energy. The best part? This excursion is only about a five-minute drive or short walk from the hotel.

Park Hyatt Vienna: Spend More Time in the First District

With a noteworthy location in the former headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy Bank on Am Hof, Park Hyatt Vienna occupies one of Vienna’s oldest squares in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying here places you within the First District, where you can easily walk to city staples like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, the Albertina Museum, and the Spanish Riding School, while also giving you direct access to the quieter streets, courtyards, and historic passages that many visitors overlook when checking off the city’s major landmarks.

The building itself offers a unique experience baked into your stay, as long as you take the time to observe the architecture surrounding you. Original marble, grand columns, vaulted ceilings, and historic banking spaces have been preserved throughout the property, allowing you to spend time inside one of Vienna’s landmark buildings long after most historic sites have closed for the day. The interiors were appointed by Amsterdam-based design firm FG Stijl, and blend the building’s original character with a balance of warmth and stateliness.

Original marble, grand columns, vaulted ceilings, and historic banking spaces have been preserved throughout the property.

Signature features of the original bank building have been preserved or meaningfully reimagined. For instance, the vault has been transformed into a spa featuring a 50-foot swimming pool, while the hotel’s 146 guestrooms and suites rank among the largest in Vienna. High ceilings, generous living areas, and residential design create accommodations that work particularly well if you’re spending several days in the city. The space is paired with hallmark symbols of grandeur: Italian marble columns, mother-of-pearl finishes, and shimmering chandeliers. The two-bedroom Royal Penthouse Suite is the pinnacle of comfort: split across two levels, it has four terraces offering panoramic views of Vienna’s old town.

To complement the singular stay that lets you behind the curtain of one of the world’s most storied squares, here are a few ways we’d suggest finding a more intimate version of Vienna.

• Watch the Spanish Riding School rehearse: Seek out a morning rehearsal with the Lipizzaners for a less formal, incredibly intimate view of one of Vienna’s most recognizable institutions. Park Hyatt Vienna is just a few minutes’ walk away, and a private guide will take you through the famed institution’s secret door. After an aperitif, you’ll meet members of the team and get an up-close look at the stables.
• Delight in the Craft of Vienna’s Vineyards: The city’s vineyards are just a twenty-minute drive outside of the city, but you’ll feel transported to an entirely new environment. You’ll be matched with a local epicurean for private introductions to the families who own the wineries, then enjoy tastings and pairings that are not only a sensory delight but also offer a rich understanding of this region’s viticulture.
• Bring Home Something Made for Royalty: As a longtime seat for European monarchs, there is no shortage of ways you can connect with royal history while in Vienna. And there’s one way you can bring a bit of that home with you: Jarosinski & Vaugoin. This store in the Neubau district has been silversmithing since 1847 with its silverware placed on royal tables around the world. Notably, it’s one of the last silversmiths in the world to still produce their items entirely by hand. Not only can you walk away with your own set of cutlery, but your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange a private behind-the-scenes tour to get a peek into how the brand preserves its craftsmanship nearly two hundred years into its legacy.

Park Hyatt Marrakech: Slow Down the Red City

Located about fifteen minutes from the Moroccan city’s famed Medina, Park Hyatt Marrakech occupies a nineteen-acre estate in Al Maaden, surrounded by gardens, olive trees, and views toward the Atlas Mountains. The setting provides a quieter alternative to staying in the buzzing center while keeping Marrakech’s historic neighborhoods within easy reach. The resort’s sixteen ochre-toned pavilions house 130 guestrooms and suites, all arranged around courtyards, gardens, and calming water features.

A quieter alternative to staying in the buzzing center while keeping Marrakech’s historic neighborhoods within easy reach.

Continuing the brand’s dedication to making each property feel true to its surroundings, Marrakech-based designer Imaad Rahmouni created interiors for this new build—opened in July 2024—that reinterpret Moroccan architecture and materials in a contemporary way. More than 700 works of art from artists in Morocco, Senegal, Benin, Spain, France, Italy and Japan are displayed throughout the property, including a large-scale ceramic installation by Moroccan artist Mounat Charrat in the lobby. Every accommodation also features traditionally woven Berber carpets in pure wool and headboards representing the Tataoui motif—the pairing of the contemporary finishes, global art, and traditional craftsmanship is a fitting way to honor Morocco’s long history and ever-evolving future.

The lushest way to experience this desert oasis is through its one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas. Each is equipped with its own private pool, en-suite hammam, and a soaking tub. Plus, all face the stunning view of the Atlas Mountains, framed by the outlines of palm, olive, and jacaranda trees.

To deepen your connection with Marrakech beyond the highlights, here are a few ways we’d recommend spending your time in and around the Moroccan city:

• Return to the Medina at a Quieter Hour: Explore the souks and historic streets early in the morning, when there’s more time to appreciate the architecture and craftsmanship. With a private guide, you will learn how the medina operates, explore its expansive history, and meet local characters who give the streets so much life. The thirty-minute drive to this thriving center will feel tranquil in the early morning hours as the bustling city slowly rises.
• Visit Berber Artists: Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange private visits with Marrakech Berber rug weavers to learn the techniques behind the infamous Moroccan rugs. Beyond a private shopping experience, this meeting with craftspeople will provide a hands-on learning opportunity that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of the vast influences in Moroccan culture.
• See the Atlas Mountains from the Best Vantage Point: Explore traditional villages and mountain landscapes with an early-morning hot air balloon ride at sunrise, which provides stunning views of villages nestled in the valleys. Nothing quite compares to watching the sun slowly illuminate this storied landscape as a gentle breeze blows past. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange seamless door-to-door transport.

Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol: Follow the Landscape from Sea to Desert

The resort uses natural materials, handcrafted details, and open-air spaces to connect the property to Baja California Sur.

As the first Park Hyatt property in Mexico, the Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol had a heavy mantle to carry for the brand when it opened in December 2025. It bears the responsibility well, starting with its enviable location, sitting along the Golden Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, within the Cabo del Sol community on the Sea of Cortez. Designed by Mexican architecture firm Sordo Madaleno, interiors were thoughtfully done by Mexican designer Paulina Morán and George Wong Design. The resort uses natural materials, handcrafted details, and open-air spaces to connect the property to Baja California Sur.

Many guestrooms, suites, villas, and residences offer views of the Sea of Cortez, with the design intentionally oriented towards the stunning coastline it rests on. Throughout the property, you’ll find inspiration drawn from historic elements of Mexican architecture, sun-washed color palettes intended to deepen your sense of relaxation, and biophilic design honors and preserves the surrounding environment. The word that came during our recent stay scouting the property was “sanctuary.”

That connection to nature extends to the two- and three-bedroom ocean view villas. Here, a sense of serenity is extended to private lap pools, and the 1,995-square-foot living space is rivaled by the 1,575-square-foot private patio. The contrast between desert and ocean is best highlighted in this space, where you feel a kind of quiet reprieve.

While you could certainly spend your entire stay just pinging between the pool, spa, and your suite, here are a few ways to break up your time lying by the sea.

• Visit San José del Cabo’s Art District: Spend an afternoon visiting local galleries and join the weekly gallery walk every Thursday evening for a different perspective on the region’s creative scene. It’s a social way to connect with Cabo, and so popular that the government shuts down the streets to car traffic for it each week. Want the privatized version? Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can arrange a more intimate exploration of this blossoming art scene.
• Get Onto the Sea of Cortez: A private boat will take you offshore to snorkel and explore the marine environment, which offers a whole new perspective on the natural wonder of Los Cabos. Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium,” because of the endless abundance of wildlife in the turquoise waters. Spend the day diving beneath the surface and stopping at some of the 240 islands and islets.
• Explore the Baja Desert, Sport-Mode: To maximize the unique contrast of this environment, pair your aquatic exploration with an arid adventure—4×4 style. A local guide will take you into the desert, where you can find desert waterfalls and spot iconic birds like the Roadrunner as you race off-road across the dry, hilly terrain on ATVs. All the while, you’ll have those stunning ocean views to remind you a cool, refreshing dip is never too far away.

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour: Explore Beyond the Southern Coast

In 2017, Park Hyatt made its Caribbean debut on the southern tip of St. Kitts. Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour occupies a secluded stretch of coastline overlooking Banana Bay and Nevis. The unobstructed views are just the start of this special stay; the 126-room property features Kittitian-inspired décor and respects the island’s natural environment. With a Green Key Certification, the property’s sustainability practices on the property exemplify Park Hyatt’s commitment to place—it was the first property on St. Kitts and Nevis to receive the distinction.

Stone, timber, and locally inspired materials tie the buildings to the island…

Designed by Range Developments, which specializes in Caribbean resorts, it blends contemporary architecture with its more traditional design. The property emphasizes outdoor living, with guestrooms, suites, and villas opening onto private terraces facing the Caribbean or Nevis. Stone, timber, and locally inspired materials tie the buildings to the island, while the adults-only pool frames a view of Nevis through a distinctive stone arch.

Park Hyatt St Kitts’ three-bedroom Presidential Villa maximizes the property’s compelling design with a private infinity pool and numerous spacious terraces to take in the views. Even inside, you won’t miss out; as floor-to-ceiling windows accentuate every room, including the tranquil space where the soaking tub faces the water. Other fun touches, like a pool table and a private workout space, mean you barely leave the villa to make your way down to the crystalline waters.

But we’d advise you to take time to connect with the rich cultural and natural tapestry St. Kitts has to offer—the island’s history and volcanic landscape reward travelers who venture farther.

• Visit Basseterre and Brimstone Hill Fortress: Head to this historic UNESCO fortress and national park, built on a volcanic hill and offering expansive views over the island. A private guide and driver will make the journey seamless as you make your way to see the well-preserved example of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century architecture. Learn the history of the island and step through time with the unique historical vantage point.
• Take a Private Charter to Nevis: Depart from Fisherman’s Village for an afternoon on the neighboring island, just a ten-minute ride away. Explore the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton and Nevis’s cultural history with a local expert leading the way.
• Embark on a Rain Forest Excursion: Take a private, open-aired ride through the island’s lush brush, making stops at botanic gardens, former sugar plantations, and if you’re up for it, do a short hike through the verdant jungle. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will arrange door-to-door transit to the Central Forest National Reserve, just a forty-minute drive from the property, making it a perfect launch point for your adventure.

Rediscovering Familiar Destinations Through Park Hyatt

Across urban centers and resort landscapes, Park Hyatt hotels approach familiar destinations by focusing on the details that shape how travelers spend their time. In cities like New York, Vienna, and Tokyo, the brand places you near cultural landmarks while offering carefully designed spaces for privacy and comfort. In resort destinations including Cabo del Sol, Marrakech, and St. Kitts, the surrounding landscape informs the architecture, cuisine, wellness offerings, and activities available throughout the stay.

Each property presents a unique way to experience its location. Through design, cuisine, art, and service, each property offers travelers a way to return to familiar places while discovering something new.

In March 2026, Six Senses London opened as the brand’s first property in the United Kingdom and the twenty-seventh hotel in its growing global portfolio. This expansion is backed by a broader demand for wellness-forward stays; in 2026, McKinsey reported that younger consumers are increasingly looking to incorporate wellness into their leisure stays. As Six Senses’ expansion has demonstrated, not all of them are looking to take these resets in the further-flung corners of the world.

The duo behind Pretty Little London, Sara Santini and Andrea Di Filippo, have long served as a source of inspiration for those seeking London’s most sought-after hospitality offerings.

The duo behind Pretty Little London, Sara Santini and Andrea Di Filippo, have long served as a source of inspiration for those seeking London’s most sought-after hospitality offerings. So, we could think of no one better to share their experience staying at Six Senses’ newest urban wellness escape—which Di Filippo described as ultra-personalized. “You could quite easily come purely to relax and enjoy the spa, but if you’re interested in understanding more about your health and longevity, you can go much deeper,” Di Filippo says.

This latest London opening follows the brand’s expansion into other major global cities in recent years, including Six Senses Rome in March 2023 and Six Senses Kyoto in April 2024. These moves expanded the brand’s presence beyond its long-established resort destinations into bustling hubs where travelers are looking to pair cultural deep dives, museum visits, and nights at the theater with cold plunges, red-light therapy, and holistic therapies.

The setting for Six Senses London fits its tie to wellbeing—you’re nestled away from the hustle and bustle in a cozy corner of West London.

The hotel sits within The Whiteley on Westbourne Grove, a restored Grade II-listed building with a long connection to London’s commercial history in the Bayswater neighborhood. Whiteley’s opened in 1911 and became one of the city’s first department stores. The building’s original façade remains visible from the street, and several historic interior features have been preserved throughout the hotel. The long history and historic touches provide the perfect contrast to the state-of-the-art technology that defines Six Senses’ wellness offerings.

The setting for Six Senses London fits its tie to wellbeing—you’re nestled away from the hustle and bustle in a cozy corner of West London. The surrounding area includes Westbourne Grove’s independent shops and restaurants, Portobello Road Market, and residential streets that offer a different perspective on London compared with the city’s more traditional hotel districts. The neighborhood feels tucked away, while still offering proximity to iconic sites; it’s a ten-minute walk from the entrance to Hyde Park and a fifteen-minute walk to Kensington Palace. And as ever with its properties, the brand has incorporated wellness programming, sustainability initiatives, and experiences designed around its setting to deliver something singular from any other stay in London.

A Stay Custom Built for You

The newly finished interiors combine Art Deco references with modern materials…

Before we get into Six Senses urban wellness complex, let’s get into where you’ll actually be resting your head each night. The hotel features 109 rooms and suites alongside fourteen branded residences. Accommodation categories vary based on size, floor level, views, and terrace access, with many rooms offering private outdoor spaces that connect the interiors with the surrounding neighborhood. Of course, finding the perfect room for you is where your SmartFlyer travel advisor comes in. The Whiteley Suite serves as the hotel’s signature accommodation, featuring a 1,345-square-foot rooftop terrace and the option to create a private floor experience. The branded residences, designed by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Finchatton, extend the residential concept further through larger layouts, natural light, and long-term living spaces.

The arrival experience at Six Senses London centers around the original spiral staircase and domed ceiling of the Whiteley, which were both retained during the restoration. The staircase, inspired by Milan’s La Scala, rises through the heart of the building and connects the public areas across multiple levels. The newly finished interiors combine Art Deco references with modern materials, creating a contrast between the building’s historic structure dating back to 1911 and the hotel’s newer additions. Natural woods, textured finishes, and greenery appear throughout the public areas.

The property places particular emphasis on biophilic design, incorporating plants and natural elements throughout the building. The Alchemy Bar, inside the wellness wing of the hotel, provides one of the most distinctive examples of that approach. Two large eucalyptus trees frame the entrance to the space, which functions as a modern apothecary with herbal consultations, workshops, and botanical-focused experiences. The space includes copper stills, apothecary jars, and dried botanicals, creating a whimsical, restorative atmosphere.

The Power of Longevity and Everyday Rituals

Those who’ve had the pleasure of staying at a Six Senses property know there’s no place more emblematic of the brand’s commitment to wellness than its spas. That remains true at Six Senses Spa London, where the facility occupies approximately 25,000 square feet across the lower level of the hotel, marking one of the largest dedicated wellness spaces in London. The spa combines traditional wellness practices like massages and facials with recovery technologies like oxygen tanks and red-light therapy.

The facility occupies approximately 25,000 square feet…marking one of the largest dedicated wellness spaces in London.

The layout incorporates active and restorative spaces, with areas dedicated to fitness, recovery, relaxation, and consultation. This includes a contemporary gym, yoga studio, Pilates and spin studio, thirteen treatment rooms, and dedicated recovery areas. The Pretty Little London duo described the gym as “genuinely the best hotel gym we’ve experienced, both in terms of the equipment and the amount of space.” The spa also includes London’s first magnesium pool, along with cryotherapy and flotation facilities.

The property’s longevity offering comes to life through its partnership with HUM2N, a London-based longevity clinic specializing in functional medicine, nutrition, performance, and medical aesthetics. The clinic represents the third longevity center within the Six Senses portfolio and provides consultations and treatments focused on individual health goals. Services include in-depth health assessments, individualized wellness plans covering everything from sleep protocols to nutrition, and advanced therapies like IV drips and contrast therapy that support overall performance. Over the course of a multi-night stay, these diagnostic tools can provide long-term insight into how to live (and look) better.

Reflecting on their stay, Di Filippo and Santini shared that customized approach to the screening stood out the most. “The Wellness Screening was a really interesting introduction to Six Senses’ approach to wellbeing,” they shared. “The focus was on understanding your body and using the results to help tailor the wellness experience to you, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.”

“It also introduced us to the hotel’s wider focus on biohacking and longevity, which was something quite different from what we would normally associate with a hotel spa, especially in London,” the Pretty Little London duo added. “We later experienced treatments including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, a super nutrient IV Infusion with NAD+ 250mg and an advanced skin and facial aging analysis, so it felt much more comprehensive than a traditional wellness program.”

The Biohack Recovery Lounge brings together many of the technologies associated with the growing field of recovery science. The space includes PEMF therapy (low-frequency electromagnetic waves that reduce inflammation), compression boots, lymphatic suits, vibration platforms, inversion tables, sound loungers, electro muscle stimulation, and a Therabody zero-gravity chair. Designed as a recovery-focused environment within the city, the lounge allows you to incorporate shorter wellness sessions into your stay.

The Alchemy Bar and Earth Lab

Stepping away from the high-tech world of biohacking, Six Senses wellness programming also offers something grounded in the earth—literally. The Alchemy Bar extends Six Senses’ focus on traditional remedies and botanical knowledge through hands-on experiences. Led by Head Alchemist Charlotte Pulver, the space functions as a working apothecary where you can learn about herbs, plants, and natural ingredients through consultations, workshops, and customized blends.

The program draws from European herbal traditions while incorporating locally sourced botanicals and seasonal ingredients. During consultations, Pulver and her team create personalized recommendations based on individual needs and interests, while workshops explore topics including fermentation, natural remedies, and the relationship between plants and wellbeing. “This was one of the most unusual experiences of our stay,” Pretty Little London said. “We worked with the hotel’s expert Alchemist and learned about the properties of seasonal British herbs and their different traditional uses before creating our own bespoke botanical blend to take home.”

“Neither of us had experienced anything quite like it at a hotel before,” they continued. “The most memorable part was how hands-on and personalized it was; rather than simply being told about herbalism, we were actually involved in creating something specifically for ourselves.”

The surrounding design reinforces the connection between nature and craft, with copper stills, glass jars, dried flowers, and greenery…

The Alchemy Bar also produces wellness products used throughout the hotel and spa, while repurposing botanical by-products where possible. The surrounding design reinforces the connection between nature and craft, with copper stills, glass jars, dried flowers, and greenery creating a setting that resembles a Victorian greenhouse. Adjacent sustainability programming takes place at the Earth Lab, a dedicated space designed for discussions, workshops, and community activities focused on environmental initiatives. The space welcomes both hotel guests and Six Senses Place members to participate in conversations around conservation, biodiversity, and practical approaches to sustainability.

Programming includes experiences such as fermentation workshops led by the culinary team, where participants learn how natural bacteria transform ingredients such as vegetables, grains, and liquids through processes used in foods including sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, and kefir. Other experiences include guided walks through nearby green spaces, including Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, where herbalists introduce participants to local plants, trees, and fungi along with their historical uses.

Sustainability in an Urban Setting

Six Senses London incorporates sustainability initiatives throughout the hotel’s operations and programming, in addition to the work done at The Earth Bar and The Alchemy Bar. The building has achieved BREEAM certification, an internationally recognized standard for assessing sustainability in buildings. The property focuses on environmental efforts that connect with the surrounding community, like projects focused on protecting pollinator corridors across the city.

A butterfly serves as the property’s sustainability mascot, representing the importance and vulnerability of England’s native pollinators. Integrating this mascot into its practices, the hotel works with local organizations involved in urban rewilding, planting, and habitat protection to support bees, butterflies, and other species that rely on connected green spaces. Hotel guests and members—more on this members club later—can purchase knitted butterfly toys on property inspired by British species including the Large Blue, Brimstone, Purple Emperor, and Green Hairstreak butterflies. Proceeds support conservation and rewilding projects focused on protecting habitats and encouraging biodiversity.

Eat With Six Senses at Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar & Café

The culinary program at Six Senses London follows the brand’s “Eat With Six Senses” philosophy, emphasizing seasonal ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and menus designed around nutrition and wellbeing. Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar & Café sits in a setting inspired by a Victorian manor kitchen.

“We had the Chef’s Table experience at Whiteley’s Kitchen, where you sit overlooking the kitchen and watch the chefs prepare everything in front of you,” Di Filippo and Santini recounted. “We chose the ‘Trust the Chef’ menu, which meant there wasn’t a predetermined tasting menu; instead, the chefs created the experience around our personal preferences and the best seasonal ingredients available that day.”

Pretty Little London said the meal was most memorable because it felt bespoke and genuine. It wasn’t a standard tasting menu with a few adaptations. Instead, Di Filippo and Santini said that this intentionality ensured that “no two experiences were exactly the same. It was also paired with a selection of predominantly British wines, which we thought was a really nice touch.”

This all takes place in a working show kitchen featuring classic French hoods, green enamel equipment, brass details, and a large farmhouse table. Beneath the restaurant sits the hotel’s dedicated fermentation lab, where the culinary team produces fermented preparations. Executive Chef Eliano Crespi leads the culinary program, bringing more than twenty-five years of experience from kitchens around the world. The team works with local suppliers, including farms and producers specializing in biodynamic agriculture, sustainable seafood, and responsibly sourced dairy.

The sourcing strategy prioritizes British ingredients wherever possible, to obtain more than 80 percent of ingredients from UK producers. Partnerships include SHRUB, a supplier working with farms across the country; Orchard Eggs, a biodynamic farm in East Sussex; The Estate Dairy, which operates with closed-loop containers; and Fin & Flounders for responsibly sourced seafood.

The bar follows a similar approach by creating cocktails designed to work with or without alcohol while maintaining ingredient quality and flavor. One signature serve, Clouds Over Islay, combines Bruichladdich whisky with amazake and lemon hydrosol developed with the Alchemy Bar and produced in-house. The wine program highlights British producers alongside independent growers.

Something Entirely New at Six Senses Place

Six Senses Place introduces the brand’s first members’ club, combining the extensive offering of hotel amenities with spaces designed for a local membership community.

Six Senses Place introduces the brand’s first members’ club, combining the extensive offering of hotel amenities with spaces designed for a local membership community. The application-based club welcomes select London residents to the wellness facilities on property. All hotel guests can access the private club spaces during their stay, creating a connection between travelers and the local community that uses the building regularly. The programming follows the wider Six Senses approach, with workshops, conversations, and experiences focused on wellness, sustainability, food, and culture. A morning might include movement or recovery sessions, while evenings can move toward dining, talks, or social gatherings within the property.

The membership includes access to the dining, wellness, social, and educational spaces throughout the building. Programming includes talks, workshops, and experiences focused on wellness, sustainability, food, and cultural interests. The concept allows Six Senses London to operate beyond a traditional hotel model, creating shared spaces for both travelers and members, including some of the residents of the larger Whiteley building, which has 139 private apartments.

Who Six Senses London Is Best Suited For

The location and programming make Six Senses London particularly appealing for travelers who already know the city or who prefer experiencing London through its neighborhoods. For repeat visitors, the area provides an opportunity to explore parts of London that may not be part of a first visit itinerary. The property also works well for longer stays, when the spa, fitness facilities, and programming can become part of a daily routine rather than a one-time experience. Six Senses London introduces a different option for travelers looking to experience the city at a slower pace while remaining connected to everything that makes London one of the world’s most visited capitals.

The location offers practical advantages for shorter stays as well. Travelers using London as part of a larger itinerary or adding a final night before flying home can reach Heathrow efficiently through Paddington Station and the Heathrow Express.

This nine-day itinerary will guide you through the historic streets of Italy’s fashion capital before weaving you through the calm of Lake Como and ultimately ending on a high note, soaking up the classic majesty of Venice. This customizable itinerary includes two nights at Casa Brera, a Luxury Collection Hotel; three nights at Lake Como EDITION; and three nights at The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Each stop can be tailored to your preferences. If you want to spend more time shopping, there’s space for that. If you want to spend more time lazing in the sun, that’s also possible. That’s the beauty of northern Italy: with so much to offer, there’s more than enough for everyone to find plenty to delight in.

Commissioned by King Louis XIV at the close of the seventeenth century, the perfectly proportioned octagonal square of Place Vendôme was crafted as a commanding public space that would rival the grandeur of Place des Vosges—the oldest planned public square in Paris. More than three centuries later, its unified limestone façades remain remarkably intact, providing an extraordinary sense of continuity from the architectural language established at the Palace of Versailles in a city marked by its reverence for the past.

At its center stands the Vendôme Column, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810 following his victory at Austerlitz. Since then, the square has evolved from a symbol of royal and imperial ambition into the global epicenter of haute joaillerie, where many of the world’s most celebrated jewelry houses continue to uphold centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship. Today, Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, Piaget, Bulgari, Chanel, Rolex, and Dior occupy addresses surrounding Place Vendôme and neighboring Rue de la Paix, creating one of the most concentrated collections of exceptional artisanship anywhere in the world.

For generations, the street has been synonymous with haute couture, fine jewelry, and finest craftsmanship…

Just beyond Place Vendôme, Rue de la Paix extends this legacy. For generations, the street has been synonymous with haute couture, fine jewelry, and finest craftsmanship, drawing designers, jewelers, and tastemakers from across the globe. Now, Park Hyatt Place Vendôme provides intimate access to that lush history and influence while delivering a palatial stay to punctuate your time in Paname—a local term for the beloved city that you can add to your vocab before your arrival to sound like a real insider.

An Unparalleled Address

…you’re just steps from the flagship boutiques of the world’s leading jewelry and fashion maisons.

For Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, its location is far more than an enviable address; it defines the character of the property. “Rue de la Paix has long been associated with haute couture, fine jewelry, and craftsmanship,” says Isadora Piccoli from the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme team, when chatting with the SmartFlyer team. “Created under Louis XIV and later becoming the epicenter of French haute joaillerie and haute couture, Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix have long been synonymous with timeless elegance. Today, you’re just steps from the flagship boutiques of the world’s leading jewelry and fashion maisons, making the hotel an ideal base for experiencing the heritage and artistry that define Parisian style.”

The significance of No. 5 Rue de la Paix extends well beyond its enviable address. Long before Park Hyatt enlisted legendary architect Ed Tuttle to transform the hotel, the building housed Maison Paquin, one of France’s defining couture houses. Jeanne Paquin welcomed royalty, artists, and cultural figures through the doors while helping shape modern Parisian fashion at the turn of the twentieth century, and the property’s Café Jeanne now pays tribute to her legacy. According to the hotel’s archives, another chapter of design history unfolded in the same courtyard, where Rose Repetto developed the ballet slipper that would become an enduring icon of French style in 1947—the very same look that’s now adorning the feet of the fashion set today in major cities all over the world.

Together, these stories explain why Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme shares an intrinsic link with its surroundings. It occupies an address where architecture, fashion, craftsmanship, and cultural history have intersected for generations, allowing every stay to be rooted in a deeper understanding of one of Paris’ most influential neighborhoods.

A Parisian Residence Shaped by Design

Glancing at its façade, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme blends seamlessly into the historic rhythm of Rue de la Paix. But it’s only upon entering that you come to understand how the property remains one of the most remarkable architectural transformations in contemporary Paris hospitality. The hotel’s philosophy of wanting guests to feel like they’re at their own Parisian residence becomes apparent from the moment of arrival. Visitors enter through a traditional carriage entrance before being welcomed by the concierge while reception sits farther within the building, creating a measured arrival sequence that feels carefully composed rather than transactional.

…the property remains one of the most remarkable architectural transformations in contemporary Paris hospitality.

“The hotel was intentionally designed to feel more like a Parisian residence than a hotel,” says Piccoli. That philosophy extends beyond architecture into every interaction. Service is polished and deeply attentive without unnecessary ceremony, allowing the atmosphere to feel welcoming while maintaining the refinement expected from one of Paris’ most celebrated addresses. When acclaimed architect and interior designer Ed Tuttle was commissioned to create the hotel, he inherited five separate Haussmann-era buildings, each constructed independently during the nineteenth century.

Although these façades appeared unified from the street, their floor heights, structural layouts, and proportions differed significantly. Transforming them into a single, cohesive property required an extraordinary feat of engineering. “It was one of the most impressive aspects of the project,” Piccoli said. “Ed Tuttle didn’t design a new building. To make everything align, one of the buildings actually had to be raised by more than a meter so the floors and façades would connect properly.”

The technical complexity of the renovation remains entirely invisible today, allowing the property and its 155 rooms and suites to feel as though it has always existed as a single Parisian residence. That restraint guided every subsequent design decision. Rather than relying on decorative opulence, Tuttle created interiors defined by proportion, natural light, and enduring materials. Paris stone, dark mahogany, hand-finished bronze, and green onyx establish a warm, understated palette that feels deeply woven into the texture of the city beyond its walls.

Nearly every piece of furniture was designed specifically for the hotel, giving each room a cohesive identity while reinforcing the notion that you couldn’t be anywhere else but here. “Tuttle focused on proportion, natural light, and materials,” Piccoli explained to SmartFlyer. “Clean lines replaced decorative excess. The architectural details throughout the property make subtle references to Place Vendôme and the city of Paris.” Those references reward close attention.

…extensive use of Paris stone replicates the creamy limestone that defines the city’s Haussmannian architecture.

Café Jeanne’s striking glass roof recalls the facets of a cut diamond, an homage to the generations of master jewelers surrounding Place Vendôme. Structural columns echo the iconic Vendôme Column only steps away, while carpets draw inspiration from the saturated colors of precious gemstones. Throughout the property, the extensive use of Paris stone replicates the creamy limestone that defines the city’s Haussmannian architecture, dissolving the boundary between the neighborhood outside and the spaces within.

Art further reinforces the hotel’s identity. More than 5,000 custom bronze works by renowned sculptor Roseline Granet are integrated throughout the building, transforming door handles, sconces, furnishings, and monumental sculptures into part of the property’s permanent collection. Paintings and installations by internationally recognized artists including Sam Gilliam, Ed Paschke, Llyn Foulkes, Christiane Durand, and Irmgard Sigg appear throughout the public spaces, allowing every corridor to function as an extension of a contemporary gallery. Ultimately, every decision, carefully selected material, and artistic commission reflects the same guiding principle: Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme was conceived not as a standalone destination, but as a natural extension of one of Paris’ most storied neighborhoods.

The same thoughtful design language continues at the subterranean Le Spa by La Mer, where more Paris stone, mahogany, onyx, Zimbabwe granite, and shimmering gold mosaics create an atmosphere of understated sophistication. Signature treatments incorporate exclusive verbena and lemongrass oils developed for the hotel by French perfumer Blaise Mautin, extending the property’s commitment to craftsmanship throughout its wellness experiences.

Experiencing Place Vendôme with Incomparable Access

The true appeal of Place Vendôme is not only found in its celebrated names, but in the craftsmanship and creativity that continue behind its historic façades. For centuries, this neighborhood has attracted artisans, designers, jewelers, and cultural figures who have shaped Parisian style. Today, that legacy remains visible in the ateliers, maisons, galleries, and private residences that surround the square. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme provides a natural base for digging into this heritage. The hotel places visitors within walking distance of some of Paris’ most iconic cultural landmarks, including the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, the Opéra Garnier, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

…you’ll have access to the concierge team who can make private appointments with historic maisons…and personalized, intimate tours of cultural institutions.

Notably, Park Hyatt Place-Vendôme’s Les Clefs d’Or concierge team is led by Dominique Guidetti, President of Les Clefs d’Or France, a professional organization for the world’s most sought-after hotel concierges. This differentiation point helps bring the neighborhood to life through the team’s personal connections and local expertise in collaboration with your SmartFlyer travel advisor. Rather than offering a standard list of recommendations, you’ll have access to the concierge team who can make private appointments with historic maisons, introductions to emerging designers, behind-the-scenes access to artisan workshops, and personalized, intimate tours of cultural institutions.

Discover, for instance, the Hôtel de la Païva, a magnificent 19th-century hôtel particulier on the Champs-Élysées. Originally built for the famous courtesan Esther Lachmann, known as La Païva, and where Parisian high society once gathered for lavish soirées. Or explore the backstage areas of the Palais Garnier, including the legendary underground water reservoir beneath the stage. The mysterious atmosphere inspired countless myths and legends surrounding the opera house—most famously, the 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera.

For art lovers, you’ll have exclusive early-morning or after-hours access, accompanied by a private art curator, before your chosen museum opens or long after its doors have closed to the public. Gaze on the Venus de Milo at the Louvre without the tangle of crowds; Linger at Manet’s Olympia at the Musée d’Orsay without feeling rushed.

Staying at Fashion’s Front Door

Place Vendôme’s surrounding streets provide an opportunity to experience Parisian craftsmanship right from the source. Long-established houses continue traditions passed through generations to a French fashion legacy that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world. Boucheron first opened its doors in 1893; Cartier in 1898; Van Cleef & Arpels in 1906; and Chaumet in 1907. Beyond jewelry, you can find Schiaparelli, the storefront where Elsa Schiaparelli first launched her designs; plus, historic storefronts for Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.

Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will work with the concierge team to secure privileged access and private appointments to the city’s most prestigious luxury maisons, including Chanel at 18 Place Vendôme, Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme, Goyard, and L’Étrange. These bespoke experiences extend to those jewelry houses, like Cartier, Mellerio, Korloff, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co on Place Vendôme, too. Through your stay with Park Hyatt, you will have exclusive access to their iconic archives and private salons.

Depending on how you wish to weave through the fashion world’s gravitational center, your stay at Park Hyatt Place Vendôme should follow the sartorial calendar. During Paris Fashion Week—which takes place at the end of September into the first week of October—editors, stylists, designers, and collectors fill Place Vendôme as they move between runway shows, showroom appointments, and the neighborhood’s historic maisons. The buzzy energy supports the district’s position at the center of the fashion industry—and gives anyone who stays a front row seat to one of the most exciting weeks in the sartorial world. This happens again for Haute Couture and Menswear in the last week of January, and again in the first week of March, for the Fall/Winter collection.

Place Vendôme’s significance does not come only from its history, but from the artists, designers, and artisans who continue to shape its future.

Throughout the rest of the year, the pace softens, allowing the architecture, ateliers, and perpetual spirit of French savoir-faire to take center stage. If you want your Devil Wears Prada moment, plan to visit during PFW. If you’re looking for the romance of Funny Face, much of the rest of the year will better suit your needs, with spring and fall being favorites for the City of Light.

Regardless of when you visit, across every aspect of the experience, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme reflects the character of its address. The hotel’s architecture, art collection, cuisine, and service are all connected by the same philosophy: honoring Parisian craftsmanship while creating an expression of the city that’s meant to be fully explored. Place Vendôme’s significance does not come only from its history, but from the artists, designers, and artisans who continue to shape its future. You aren’t simply near one of Paris’ most iconic neighborhoods—you become part of the ongoing story that has defined it for more than three centuries.