Luxury Magazine Fall/Winter 2021 by Luxury Card

LUXURY MAGAZINE

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Fabio Mesa. The Dreamers. www.fabiomesa.com

Developed by G&G Business Developments LLC SALES CENTRE 300 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD WAY, MIAMI, FL Riverwalk East Developments, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, is the owner of the property on which the Condominium is being constructed and the seller of the units in the Condominium and is for purposes of the Florida Condominium Act the “developer” of the Condominium (“Developer”). Developer has engaged G & G Business Developments, LLC. (“G & G”) to assist with the development and marketing of the Condominium and its units and Developer has a limited right to use the trademarked names and logos of G & G pursuant to a license and marketing agreement with G&G. Any and all statements, disclosures and/or representations relating to the Condominium shall be deemed made by Developer and not by G & G and you agree to look solely to Developer (and not to G & G and/or any of its affiliates) with respect to any and all matters relating to the development and/or marketing of the Condominium and with respect to the sales of units in the Condominium. All images and designs depicted herein are artist’s conceptual renderings, which are based upon preliminary development plans, and are subject to change without notice in the manner provided in the offering documents. All such materials are not to scale and are shown solely for illustrative purposes. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER, FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

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Issue 27

36 THE FRONT PAGES WHAT’S WHAT From art exhibits and hotel openings to wine tastings and space travel.

44 JEWELRY SYMBOLIC GESTURES The latest trends in pendants, medallions, and charms.

50 WATCHES TIME OF THE YEAR An autumn palette makes for a season of rich colors.

58 TECH 10 GIFTS WORTH GIVING From wearable devices to kitchen aids to throwback game consoles, and more.

62 TECH TICKETS TO RIDE The way we will travel in the not-so-distant future.

68 GETAWAYS THE NEW SUPER SUITES Private, secluded, and selfcontained hotel suites and penthouses for buyouts.

80 ADVENTURE UP THE ANTE Colorado’s Ouray Ice Park is for both novice and expert ice climbers alike.

86 AUTOMOTIVE LE GRAND RETOUR The return of the road trip has elicited a great GT comeback.

94 FASHION UP, UP, AND AWAY Fall is in the air on a fashionable weekend escape to wine country.

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REINVENT YO U R G A M E FA L L / W I N T E R A P PA R E L 2 0 2 1 V E R S AT I L E D E S I G N S T H AT TA K E YO U B E YO N D T H E C O U R S E . PXG . C O M / A P PA R E L

AT L A N TA | C H I C AG O | DA L L A S M I N N E A P O L I S | S C OT T S DA L E | S E AT T L E

PXG A P PA R E L I S O N LY S O L D D I R E C T BY PXG

114 WINE THE WINE SCIENTISTS Robots, big data, and machine learning are splicing the romance of winemaking with science fiction.

116 ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN HOME’S NEW FRONTIER Residential architecture is moving into a new era.

126 FURNISHINGS ROUND THE CORNERS Curvy, serpentine objects and the latest hightech appliances. Plus, customizing your way.

132 THE LUXURY LOOK PLAY ROOM Fun is what it’s all about.

136 DESIGN HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE Professional-grade sports amenities for the home.

144 SPORTS TRAVEL LET THE GAMES BEGIN From Monaco to Kentucky, bucket-list sporting events have resumed.

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SKIN CAVIAR NIGHTTIME OIL INDULGE IN THE LINE-EFFACING POTENCY OF CAVIAR, TONIGHT AND BEYOND.

LA PRAIRIE’S SCIENTISTS EXPLORED THE UNCHARTERED REALMS OF THE NIGHT AND CREATED A NEW SWISS CAVIAR INCARNATION, CAVIAR RETINOL. A UNIQUE BLEND OF CAVIAR-DERIVED RETINOL AND LIPIDS, IT REVEALS THE ELUSIVE STRENGTH OF CAVIAR BEYOND LIFTING AND FIRMING. THIS INDULGENT OIL, IMBUED WITH CAVIAR RETINOL, UNCREASES, FIRMS AND SEALS — THE NIGHT’S LAST GESTURE. DISCOVER MORE ON LAPRAIRIE.COM

152 SPORTS POWDERED PERFECTION For thigh-deep skiing, Japan is it, bar none.

160 TRAVEL DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW The secret season at top dude ranches is all about winter fun.

180 ART GRAND OPENINGS Museums around the world set their sights on a post-pandemic future.

190 ART ARTFUL BEAUTY Since the 1930s, La Prairie has had an intrinsic link to art.

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168 DESIGN HOTELS OF THE FUTURE A safe haven with robots— and there will be robots.

192 ARTIST PROFILE COLOR HER WORLD Photographer Andrea Hamilton captures magic in her photos.

174 REAL ESTATE CITY HOME The trend of having a nice flat in the city is coming back around.

204 THE LAST PAGES WHAT’S NEXT From new restaurants, bars, and spirits to feel-good fashion, shopping, and books.

On the Cover

hen Andrea Hamilton’s family moved from Lima, Peru, to Mexico City during her childhood in the 1970s, they enacted a ritual. Every weekend they left their home in the city and headed to the beach, where Hamilton found herself mystified by the effects of the changing tide, light, and color-scapes—something she has now dedicated more than two decades to exploring as an artist. Hamilton’s oceanic typologies and extensive collection of photographs that span portraiture, still life, long exposure, and landscape focus on her primary muse, the all-encompassing nature of water. At times, her seascapes feel evocative of a Rothko painting. At other moments, they acquire the black-and-white sharpness of photographer Ansel Adams. As an artist, Hamilton is driven by the sense of wonder and expansion that pervades the work of abstract mystics like Hilma af Klint. Her work, at its nucleus, might best be understood as a study of humanity; an invitation for viewers to trace the vast contours of the ocean with the vast contours of the human experience. “I like to think that some of these views have remained the same since the beginning of time,” says Hamilton. In Luminous Icespaces, a series of photographs developed in Alaska and southeast Iceland, icebergs exist as living fossils. In some images they appear like diamonds scattered on the beach, in others they are immense walls whose aquamarine hue has been ominously soiled with dirt. Staring into the ancient layers, viewers confront the scale of time and how it bends. The photographs capture the fragility of something that is at once mammoth, and—as it melts—fleeting.

LUXURY MAGAZINE’s profile of Andrea Hamilton begins on page 192.

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LUXURY MAGAZINE

PUBLISHED BY LUXURY CARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Deborah Frank CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Fahey SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Shawn Sullivan SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Marie Sumino PHOTO EDITOR Kristen Hill COPY CHIEF Jennifer Ashton Ryan COPY EDITORS Kersten Deck Jenna Sims

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jorge S. Arango Bailey Stone Barnard Emma Blum Chris Brinlee Jr. Mark Ellwood Mark Hacking Jason Edward Kaufman Brooke Mazurek Larry Olmsted Irene Rawlings Shaun Tolson Frank Vizard CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS Paul Frederick Heidi Meek CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Frankie Batista Jack Guy Jonathan Pozniak CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Matthieu Dougherty

VICE PRESIDENT OF NEW BUSINESS Caren Kabot caren@luxurymagazine.com ADVERTISING SALES WEST COAST Trica Baak Baak Media tb@baakmedia.com Rima Dorsey rima.dorsey@gmail.com SOUTHEAST Jana Robinson jana@robinsonmedia.net Katie Darling katherine@robinsonmedia.net DETROIT Dan Flavin dflavin@flavinandassoc.net DUBAI/UAE Alexandra Young alex@konexinternational.com ENGLAND/UK Rick Plata Gravitas Sales & Marketing rick@gravitassales.com

Produced exclusively for Luxury Card members. All contents of LUXURY MAGAZINE are the intellectual property of Black Card Mag LLC and/or Black Card LLC d/b/a Luxury Card (“Publisher”) and/or the respective photographers, writers, artists, advertisers, and advertising agencies; and are protected by intellectual property laws; and may not be reproduced, republished, distributed, transmitted, displayed, broadcast or otherwise exploited in whole or in part in any manner without the express written permission of the intellectual property owners. © 2021 Black Card Mag LLC and Black Card LLC d/b/a Luxury Card. All rights reserved. Views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Publisher, which makes reasonable efforts to verify its content. Publisher expressly disclaims and does not assume responsibility for the validity of any claims or statements made, including content errors, omissions, or infringing content. Any reliance placed on such content is strictly at reader’s own risk. Advertisements and offers are the responsibility of the individual advertising entities, and do not constitute a legal offer by Publisher. Publisher is not responsible for price fluctuations. Prices are based on those accurate at press time. Please consult with a Luxury Card Concierge for current prices. Luxury Card marks are property of Black Card LLC. BLACKCARD is a registered trademark used under license. Luxury Card products are issued by Barclays Bank Delaware pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated, owner of registered trademarks MASTERCARD, WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD and the circles design. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2021 Black Card LLC.

HE RE, E VE RY DAY

feels like an escape.

Just east of Atlanta, Reynolds Lake Oconee is a private waterfront community where Members from around the country thrive, and where passions and friendships flourish. With six championship golf courses, a lakefront Ritz-Carlton® and a range of acclaimed restaurants, shops and amenities, the vibrant destination is a favorite choice for families looking to retire, relocate or even just change course and reset.

B O O K Y O U R R E A L E S T AT E P R E V I E W to experience our friendly club and community for yourself as part of our lifestyle visit. Enjoy up to three nights in one of our cottages or at The Ritz-Carlton®, two rounds of golf, a two-hour boat rental and more. Cottage packages are $299 per night and hotel packages start at $399 per night, subject to seasonal rate changes.*

Homesites from

$100K-$2.5M •

Homes from

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*Rates and availability are subject to change and excludes holidays. Club credit for promotional purposes only. The Ritz-Carlton seasonal rates start at $399 November-March and $499 April-October. Real estate and other amenities are owned by Oconee Land Development Company LLC and/or other subsidiaries and affiliates of MetLife, Inc. (collectively, "OLDC" or “Sponsor”) and by unrelated third parties. Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties, LLC ("RLOP") is the exclusive listing agent for OLDC-owned properties in Reynolds Lake Oconee. RLOP also represents buyers and sellers of properties in Reynolds Lake Oconee which OLDC does not own ("Resale Properties"). OLDC is not involved in the marketing or sale of Resale Properties. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy OLDC-owned real estate in Reynolds Lake Oconee by residents of HI, ID, OR, or any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. As to such states, any offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy applies only to Resale Properties. Access and rights to recreational amenities may be subject to fees, membership dues, or other limitations. Information provided is believed accurate as of the date printed but may be subject to change from time to time. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is a private commercial enterprise and use of the facilities is subject to the applicable fees and policies of the operator.

For OLDC properties, obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Void where prohibited by law. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR DISQUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. An offering statement has been filed with the Iowa Real Estate Commission and a copy of such statement is available from OLDC upon request. OLDC properties have been registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen at 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-6100 and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection at 1700 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. Certain OLDC properties are registered with the Department of Law of the State of New York. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE IN AN OFFERING PLAN AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR. FILE NO. H14-0001. Notice to New York Residents: The developer of Reynolds Lake Oconee and its principals are not incorporated in, located in, or resident in the state of New York. No offering is being made in or directed to any person or entity in the state of New York or to New York residents by or on behalf of the developer/offeror or anyone acting with the developer/offeror’s knowledge. No such offering, or purchase or sale of real estate by or to residents of the state of New York, shall take place until all registration and filing requirements under the Martin Act and the Attorney General’s regulations are complied with, a written exemption is obtained pursuant to an application is granted pursuant to and in accordance with Cooperative Policy Statements #1 or #7, or a “No-Action” request is granted.

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What’s What

Helen Frankenthaler is best known for her largescale, soak-stain abstract paintings, but her equally groundbreaking woodcuts are the centerpiece of Helen Frankenthaler: Radical Beauty (right), including the acclaimed triptych, Madame Butterfly (2000). Through April 18, 2022, at London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery. dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Andy Warhol, the most famous of the Pop Artists, had a love affair with Aspen, Colorado, returning often to ski and party. December 3, 2021, through March 27, 2022, at the Aspen Art Museum, Andy Warhol: Lifetimes presents a selection of his works alongside archival and direct-source materials, giving viewers an opportunity to see how his work paralleled his life. The presentation will be the sole US venue for this major retrospective. aspenartmuseum.org James deCaires Taylor creates underwater sculptures (below) made from non-toxic, pH neutral marine-grade cement. Works of art, yes, but also useful structures for fish and

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foundations for rebuilding coral reefs. His newest project is an underwater forest with statues of children playing among cement trees at the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, off the coast of Cyprus. underwatersculpture.com Thierry Mugler, Couturissime showcases the French fashion designer’s haute couture and theater costumes, including pieces that were inspired by animals and insects, the Belle Epoque, 19th-century fashion, the corseted (hourglass) female figure, and future fembots. Through April 24, 2022, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. madparis.fr Mirror Mirror: Cultural Reflections in Fashion offers a rare opportunity to see archive pieces by designers including Hussein Chalayan, Helmut Lang, Hiroaki Ohya, Walter Van Beirendonck, and Junya Watanabe. The showstopper of the exhibition is Chalayan’s Afterwords (2000), in which four slipcovered chairs are transformed into four postmodern dresses and the coffee table becomes a skirt.

Through April 18, 2022, at the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art, Luxembourg. mudam.com In summer, Pritzker Prize– winning architect Frank Gehry unveiled The Tower, a futuristic, stainless steel– clad building that’s the centerpiece for LUMA Arles art center. According to Gehry, the design references Roman architecture, nearby mountains, and Van Gogh’s Starry Night. luma.org Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass showcases work by 33 indigenous artists, plus legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly. Some pieces reinterpret traditional stories and designs, while others address contemporary issues affecting indigenous nations. Through June 16, 2022, at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico. indianartsandculture.org Salon Art + Design returns to New York’s Park Avenue Armory November 11–15, 2021, for its 10th anniversary edition. Expect a highly curated mix of historic and contemporary design, and

blue-chip art from 50 top galleries from around the world. thesalonny.com

Titian: Women, Myth & Power (above)—six bold, beautiful paintings that were created for the 16th-century artist’s most important patron, King Philip II of Spain, are shown together for the first time in more than four centuries. Through January 2, 2022, at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. gardnermuseum.org Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie, a modern art museum designed by Bauhaus pioneer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, reopens after a six-year renovation with Alexander Calder. Minimal/Maximal. The exhibition shows the sculptor’s most important works through February 13, 2022. smb.museum 

Courtesy Images, From Top: 2021 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc./ARS, NY and DACS, London/Typer Graphic Ltd., Mount Kisco, NY; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston; Musan/Jason deCaires Taylor

ART, CULTURE & DESIGN

LUXURY re-imagined.

You know what it’s like to renovate, right? Half the fun is sharing the big reveal with friends. That’s why we’re excited to unveil a multi-million dollar re-imagination of our Forbes Five-Star retreat, planned for completion in late 2021. We’ve infused the vintage Palm Beach glamour of our social spaces and restaurants with a new, dynamic sophistication. Come stay with us soon. Can’t wait to see you (and show off just a little). FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 844 236 6396 OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL.

Learn more about our re-imagination

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What’s What HOTELS individual parties may book a room, but the island is typically sold for the exclusive use of up to 30 guests for $40,000/night, all-inclusive with a three-night minimum. aerialbvi.com

Guest rooms at The Langham, Boston (above) feature classic American décor and marble baths. The signature Loft suites’ two-story brass-framed windows are left from the hotel’s days as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Murals by legendary artist N.C. Wyeth adorn the former bank president’s office, now an event space. Guests who purchase access to The Langham Club receive access to the exclusive lounge on the eighth floor and culinary offerings throughout the day, including premium bar service. A partnership with XO private aviation provides priority access to the company’s dedicated fleet of super mid-sized jets. From $525; langhamhotels.com Tennessee’s famed Blackberry Farm resort is branching out into North Carolina and Wyoming. With a private

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lake, small cottages, and forested hiking trails, High Hampton Resort (from $595; highhampton.com) in Cashiers, North Carolina, was a popular family destination when it opened in the 1930s. The mountain property remains charmingly rustic, but now enjoys the knowhow and hospitality genius of the Blackberry Farm team. In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Sandy Beall, co-founder of Blackberry Farm, has become a personal investor in the outdoor activities–oriented Snake River Sporting Club (from $2,400; snakeriversportingclub .com). In addition to fly-fishing, horseback riding, golfing, shooting sporting clays, and hiking, expect a new lodge (below) and culinary upgrades as the property begins operating year-round. The historic ranch will also be restored for weekly rodeos.

Shou Sugi Ban House, a popular wellness retreat in the Hamptons, expands its footprint to include the adjacent Shou Sugi Ban Inn. There’s the five-room bed-andbreakfast, which includes three suites and two rooms, and two standalone residences separate from the inn with five or seven bedrooms for shortterm rentals—all decorated in a relaxing, Japanese minimalist style. Enjoy plantrich breakfasts designed by Mads Refslund, co-founder of three-Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen. Inn residents have priority access to Shou Sugi Ban House’s spa and wellness offerings while on property. From $795; shousugibanhouse.com Perched like a fortress on the private, 43-acre Buck Island in the BVI, The Aerial is a restorative retreat with nutritionist-chefs, yoga instructors, and other wellness practitioners on staff. Activities can include watersports, guided writing workshops, immunity-boosting treatments, and nature walks. The five rustic-luxe residences feature big window-walls that completely open to nature. During select getaway weeks,

Opening in Montenegro’s “New Riviera” on the idyllic Boka Bay is One&Only Portonovi (below), a sprawling 60-acre resort with 123 spacious rooms, suites, and villas looking out to the Adriatic and the Black Mountains. Sabia, helmed by Chef Giorgio Locatelli (his London restaurant has a Michelin star), serves southern Italian cuisine. The poolside Tapasake Club offers pan-Asian dishes, sakeinspired drinks, and chill DJ sets. Personalized, multiday wellness programming from Swiss-based Chenot. From $580; oneandonlyresorts.com

Thompson Austin opens in January with 212 rooms and suites. The design celebrates the Texas college town’s rebel spirit and Hill Country heritage: concrete walls warmed by dark wood, soft leathers, and lush greenery. Chef Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano put a Texas spin on Southern food at Diner Bar. Stop at Wax Myrtle’s Club + Pool on the fourth floor for great views, clever cocktails, and bold bites. From $330; thompsonhotels.com

Courtesy Images, From Top: The Cloudveil/Ryan Sheets; Beaverbrook Town House; The St. Regis Bermuda Resort. Opposite, Courtesy Images From Top: Langham Hotels; One&Only Portonovi/Rupert Peace; Snake River Sporting Club

Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid has been reimagined as a serene and elegant private residence, albeit one with 155 rooms and suites decorated to reflect their location in the historic, sophisticated Salamanca district. Tardeo bar offers both indoor and terrace dining and at the Rosewood signature Sense Spa, find an authentic Turkish hammam. From $760; rosewoodhotels.com At The Cloudveil (above) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a 3,000-pound boulder serves as the front desk and sets the tone for the 100-room hotel that is a part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Find the property centrally located on the Town Square, but with a nod in design to Wyoming’s ranching heritage. Guest rooms have spigotinspired taps, horseshoe-shaped towel racks, saddle-like benches, and leather-covered chairs. From $450; thecloudveil.com Located on the water in New York City’s Battery Maritime Building (formerly a Beaux-Arts ferry terminal), the 47-room Casa Cipriani has been transformed with nautical themes and custom Italian furniture by interior designer Thierry Despont. Many rooms have private balconies with views of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. From $850; casacipriani.com The first and only property of its kind from the Swedish luxury mattress company, Hästens Sleep Spa Hotel opens in Coimbra, Portugal. The bathroom in each of the 15 rooms is adorned with 1,200 hand-carved and gold-plated book spines—a tribute to the

UNESCO-listed Biblioteca Joanina just next door. An even bigger draw: the rooms’ handmade Hästens beds, which have a cult-like following worldwide. From $600; cbrboutiquehotel.com

The new Beaverbrook Town House (above) in London pairs with sister property Beaverbrook in Surrey to create the quintessential townand-country experience. The 35-room estate in the Surrey Hills rekindles the spirit of the roaring twenties, honoring its charismatic former owner, Lord Beaverbrook, a press baron and wartime MP. Beaverbrook Town House, with 14 suites, recalls the Lord’s colorful life in London, where he hosted his illustrious friends, including Ian Fleming, Winston

Churchill, Rudyard Kipling, Elizabeth Taylor, and Laurence Olivier. The atmosphere of both hotels is like staying in the home of a generous, eccentric friend. From $615; beaverbrooktownhouse.co.uk In the UNESCO World Heritage town of St. George’s and overlooking the white sands of St. Catherine’s Beach, The St. Regis Bermuda Resort (below) has 120 guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony. The cuisine is certainly island-centric, but also includes BLT steak. There are separate adult and family pools, as well as a spa and 24-hour fitness facilities, a children’s club, and the brand’s signature Butler Service. From $595; stregisbermudaresort.com

Restored over 20 years by noted art collector Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, the fiveroom, exclusive-use-only Lopud 1483 resides in a 15th-century fortress-monastery on the carfree island of Lopud in Croatia and is filled with significant art, from antiques to contemporary photographs. From $11,560; lopud1483.com Welcome Beyond is a Germanybased website for cool and unusual accommodations: beach houses, artist houseateliers, 18th-century hunting pavilions, and restored townhouses in medieval cities. Locations span the world—from Iceland and South Africa, to Brazil and Indonesia. welcomebeyond.com 

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What’s What ADVENTURE & TRAVEL Tucked among vineyards and rolling hills with dark skies above, Montage Healdsburg (left) is an ideal place to view the dazzling and wondrous night sky with the help of the hotel’s Constellation Concierge. With The Sky’s the Limit package, guests enjoy a private tour with the experts at the Robert Ferguson Observatory, as well as stellar wines and private jets. $95,000/six guests; montagehotels.com

Explore the enchanting world of classical children’s literature in real life. Take Me on a Story are adventure-filled family trips inspired by books like Call of the Wild: navigate glaciers and pan for gold in

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Alaska’s wilderness; travel via helicopter and floatplane; stay in isolated cabins with butlers ($37,750/person/ nine nights). Treasure Island incorporates pirate school, underwater treasure hunts, and a private catamaran to remote Caribbean islands ($7,500/person/seven nights). Or choose your own favorite children’s book and Black Tomato will create a bespoke adventure. Each journey includes a photographer to capture the magic moments. blacktomato.com/story The 13,000-acre Sonora, Texas, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa hosts cowboy cookouts and pit wood-smoked barbecue; turkey and upland bird hunts; and off-roading excursions on horseback or ATV. There’s a walk-in humidor on-site, as well as wine tastings and yoga in nearby Texas Hill Country vineyards. The private airport is big enough for a single-engine Cessna or a Gulfstream 650. From $400, two-night minimum; jlbar.com

STEEPED IN TRADITION Have a taste for tea? Do indulge. Fortnum & Mason: Time for Tea by award-winning food writer Tom Parker Bowles presents readers with a brief history of tea as well as many tea recipes and pairings. In the book, Bowles laments that it’s hard to get a decent cup of tea, and thus describes how to properly steep, blend, and prepare the beverage. “There is a lot more to tea,” writes Bowles. “Tea has a lot of variety, depth, and excitement.” Overall, the author swears by his religion and states that preparing his morning cup of tea is not only meditative, but a great source of caffeine and antioxidants. fortnumandmason.com Experience the crystal-hued Grand Salon during afternoon tea at Baccarat Hotel New York (below). The tea service starts with Champagne served in handcrafted Baccarat crystal and moves forward to an indulgent selection of boutique blends by In Pursuit of Tea. Beverages are paired with canapés, house-made scones, and petit fours that are almost as beautiful and delicate as the shimmering crystals cascading from the chandeliers. baccarathotels.com  —Emma Blum

Courtesy Images, From Top: Montage Hotels/Christian Horan; Black Tomato/Christopher Lund; Baccarat Hotel New York

Soaking in warm water is one of Iceland’s national pastimes. The just-opened Sky Lagoon (below) is a huge, warm infinityedge pool (nearly three times the size of a basketball court), thermal spa, and swim-up bar with views across the ocean to volcanoes on the Reykjanes peninsula. Enjoy front-row seats for rosy sunsets and winter soaks under the northern lights. skylagoon.com

A Destination Where Time Stands Still ESCAPE TO A PRIVATE WINTER GETAWAY

Winter is here and it’s time to head somewhere stimulating, secluded and totally serene. The Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection is among Travel + Leisure’s top resort hotels in the United States, and offers some of the most tranquil moments you’ll ever experience. Carve unending first tracks on the private 600-acre Green Mountain, savor farm-to-table dining in its truest sense, and immerse yourself in the ultimate winter escape. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY

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What’s What ADVENTURE & TRAVEL

Satori (from $127,000/ week; satoriyacht.com) is an elegant wooden schooner (above) that evokes the chic sophistication of the 1920s but offers all the modern conveniences, including five palatial cabins with marble baths and three sundecks with sink-into sofas. The ne plus ultra is a dinner (available for an extra cost) prepared by celebrated Italian chef Massimo Bottura—a sevencourse tasting menu crafted while Bottura entertains guests with anecdotes from his storied career. Many guests also spend a few days at the small, exquisite Borgo Santo Pietro (from $775/ night; borgosantopietro.com), an estate (owned by the same family as Satori) tucked in among the gardens and vineyards of Tuscany. Use Winerist to plan ahead for wine breaks in Europe in the fall of 2022: The boutique, wine-focused tour booking company will be sending clients through Tuscany, the Loire Valley, Portugal’s Douro Valley, and Moldova’s

often overlooked wine caves. Recommendations favor small, family-owned wineries for tastings, cooking classes, and dinners. Stay in a castle in Tuscany, a 15th-century mansion in Chignon, and a fivestar resort in the Douro Valley. From $1,360; winerist.com Meliá Koh Samui resort on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand is close to Samui Elephant Haven, an ethical sanctuary where rescued elephants play, bathe, and forage for native plants. Guests learn about the plight of rescued elephants and can contribute to their care. From $160; melia.com Wildlife and adventuretrekking specialist Gane and Marshall launches a new collection of off-thebeaten-track, small-group Eco Challenges in Ireland, Norway, Kenya, and Tanzania. The itineraries, geared toward families with older children and small groups of friends, range from 4 to 10 days and can include trekking, biking, and kayaking. From $790; ganeandmarshall.com

The Salon at PS, in its own terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, feels like a comfortable living room with design by LA designer Cliff Fong, local artwork, coffeetable books, and an outdoor garden. The space is the newest amenity at PS, which has 12 private suites, showers, and offers spa services. It makes flying commercial feel like flying private. $4,500/annual individual membership; reserveps.com u —Irene Rawlings

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Courtesy Images, From Top: Satori/Stuart Pearce; Space Perspective; Mauna Kea Beach Hotel/Gray Malin

Following the successful January launch of the Gray Malin at the Mauna Kea photo series, Hawaii Island’s Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has partnered with the famed photographer to create a first-ever Gray Malin Beach Club Experience (below). Guests are invited to become “part of the art” by reserving their spot in one of the dreamy scenes from Malin’s 32-image beach photo collection. Beach Club package from $1,254/night through December 17, 2021; maunakeabeachhotel.com

Space travel—with a cocktail in hand. Spaceship Neptune (below), a pressurized capsule with reclining seats, wraparound windows, a fully stocked bar, and great Wi-Fi (so you can send selfies to your earthbound friends) carries eight passengers and a pilot. Propelled by a space balloon the size of a football field, it rises from Kennedy Space Center at a leisurely 12 mph to a height of 100,000 feet. Six-hour, history-making flights are set to take off in 2024. $125,000; spaceperspective.com

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Symbolic Gestures

The latest trends in pendants, medallions, and charms embodies the unifying spirit of strength, power, and love. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN POZNIAK MARKET EDITOR PAUL FREDERICK ILLUSTRATIONS BY MATTHIEU DOUGHERTY

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MILAMORE Swimming Goldfish charm with diamonds, $5,300; Turtle Shell charm with diamonds, $9,250; Classic Chain, $5,600; milamorejewelry.com

RUSH JEWELRY DESIGN Lotus charm with diamonds, $3,390; rushjewelrydesign.com

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PIAGET Magic of Dawn ring in rose gold with diamonds, price upon request; piaget.com

“It is what wakes up our planet, lights our morning sky, warms us through the day, and delights us every evening as it bids us farewell.” —Piaget, inspired by the sun

SORELLINA La Ruota Tarot Card with mother-of-pearl, diamonds, and emeralds, $17,500; sorellinanyc.com

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TEMPLE ST. CLAIR Beehive amulet, $9,500; Classic Oval chain, $6,750; templestclair.com

“Part of the Tree of Life Collection, celebrating all creatures that roam the land, air, and sea, this amulet pays homage to the bee’s mighty work of turning flowering nature into nurturing honey.” —Temple St. Clair

DAVID YURMAN Petrvs Small Bee pinky ring, $1,600; davidyurman.com

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VISNJA JEWELS Courage pendant, $3,800; visnjajewels.com

“The lion and lioness symbolize courage. I wear this when I need to make things happen. It is my reminder to be unstoppable, to be fearless.” —Visnja

ROBERTO COIN Leo Zodiac medallion pendant on a Paper Clip chain, $4,300; robertocoin.com “It’s the fifth sign in the zodiac, a fire sign known for passion, truth, and dedication.” —Roberto Coin

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FOUNDRAE Air Badge medallion with lapis, $2,650; Sister Hook medium Belcher chain choker, $3,965; foundrae.com

“Representing new ideas, mental faculties and movement, air brings the winds of change.” —Foundrae

From top: ANA KATARINA Four Elements Air Flip ring with lapis and diamonds, $15,445; anakatarina.com PAMELA LOVE Eye earrings with lapis, onyx, white jade, and white diamonds, $1,800; pamelalove.com

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Time of the Year

An autumn color palette of brown, burgundy, red, and orange makes for a season of riches. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN POZNIAK MARKET EDITOR PAUL FREDERICK

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H. MOSER Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Tiger’s Eye, $75,900; cellinijewelers.com

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CHOPARD Happy Sport, $21,600; chopard.com PIAGET Altiplano Origin, $18,500; piaget.com

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PANERAI Piccolo Due Madreperla, $16,900; panerai.com

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BREITLING Endurance Pro, $3,150; breitling.com

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HERMÈS H08, $5,700; hermes.com ULYSSE NARDIN Diver X Skeleton, $22,200; ulysse-nardin.com

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JAEGER-LECOULTRE Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds, $24,300; jaeger-lecoultre.com CARTIER Tank Must, $2,730; cartier.com

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CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY. CONTINUING THE LEGACY.

Since 1970, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has showcased Napa Valley’s amazing wines to the world. Experience timeless terroir with acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon from our historic estate vineyards and continue the legacy with us.

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TECH

10 Gifts Worth Giving

From wearable devices to kitchen aids to throwback game consoles, a guide for the connoisseurs on your list.

FOR AUDIOPHILES Simply put, the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amplifier delivers an unmatched, immersive listening experience. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers, which need to be tethered to a separate computer or streaming device, this unit is an independent musicstreaming system that allows users to access their digital music library, as well as radio stations, podcasts, and a variety of webbased streaming services. The device can even accept traditional speakers and power amplifiers, converting it into a compact, streaming pre-amplifier. $3,290; naimaudio.com The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level portable, Wi-Fi speaker will change how you enjoy music and other audio programming. As the first-ever certified cradle-to-cradle speaker—meaning aspects of its design and componentry can be upgraded and replaced over time—the Beosound Level features versatile functionality. Depending on its orientation, whether standing upright, lying flat, or hanging on the wall, the speaker adjusts its tuning to deliver optimized sound output. It also boasts a moderate dust and splash water resistance rating, which means it’s fit for temporary outdoor use as well. From $1,500; bang-olufsen.com

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Courtesy Images From Top: Naim Audio; Bang & Olufsen. Opposite, Courtesy Images Clockwise From Top Left: Atari VCS, LLC 2021; Vive; Valve Corporation; 11 Ravens

BY SHAUN TOLSON

FOR FUN SEEKERS

You have to be of a certain age (translation: not a millennial) to remember the Atari VCS of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although revolutionary for its time, the VCS was just a gaming system—and a rudimentary one when compared to today’s elaborate consoles. Fast forward almost four decades and the brand has relaunched the Atari VCS, only this time the system offers web browsing, Google’s G-suite of productivity apps, a PC mode compatible with almost any operating system software that allows users to create a customizable PC experience on a TV or desktop, and an Atari mode—capable of delivering those nostalgic games and entertainment. From $300; atarivcs.com Soccer has long been known as “the beautiful game,” and the 11 Ravens Avettore Foosball Table embodies that notion in a tabletop version of the sport. Rooted in minimalism and inspired, in part, by the sleekness of birds—specifically the company’s eponymous raven—every table is custom built from your choice of hardwoods and finishes. As shown here, the Avettore Foosball Table features benang blue lacquer on maple with Lucite accents (an $8,000 upgrade). $37,210 (as photographed); 11ravens.com

FOR GAMERS

The real world is quickly becoming a virtual one, at least as far as high-tech gaming is concerned. While there are many virtual gaming systems on the market, the Vive Pro 2 distinguishes itself for what and how players can see. The system’s 5K-resolution headset works in tandem with a 120 Hz refresh rate to deliver remarkably detailed graphics and silky-smooth animations. The headset also features a dual stacked-lens design, which increases the field of view to 120 degrees—an angle that better aligns with the human eye and allows users to see more naturally and comfortably. From $800; vive.com Positioned as a VR system for virtual reality enthusiasts and dedicated PC gamers, the Valve Index has most impressed users with its state-of-the-art controllers, which feature handles equipped with sensors that track each individual finger. This advanced technology creates a more natural feel for gamers and allows them to use their hands to their fullest virtual potential. Best of all, because the Valve Index is compatible with Vive’s infrastructure, gamers can pair the Valve controllers with the Vive Pro 2 headset. It’s a combo that delivers the best of both worlds. $280; valvesoftware.com 

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Wearable body sensors are nothing new, but the Whoop 4.0 strap represents the latest and greatest, featuring new technology with upgraded sensor configuration for better accuracy. Not only is the device equipped with five LED sensors and four photodiodes, it’s also programmed with advanced algorithms to deliver more precise heart rate measurements. New features include a sleep coach function with haptic alerts (to keep users on optimal sleep cycles) and a pulse oximeter, which calculates blood oxygen levels. Even with all those advances, the 4.0 strap is 33 percent smaller than its predecessor and boasts a five-day battery life. From $18/month, strap included; whoop.com Self-guided yoga sessions are great in theory, but with no one offering feedback, the benefits can fall short. That’s where the Nadi X Yoga Pants come in. Designed by Wearable X, the pants are equipped with integrated sensors that pair with your smartphone (through a Bluetooth Low Energy clip that attaches just behind the left knee). As you work out, the smartphone app delivers audio instructions and gentle vibrations in various sensors to help guide you into a pose. $250; wearablex.com

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FOR GOURMANDS

If you’re a coffee enthusiast who prefers your cup o’ joe brewed cold, you know the process typically requires lots of patience. Now it doesn’t have to. That’s the proposition delivered by the Osma Pro cold brew coffee maker, which utilizes a patentpending process to quickly extract all the flavor compounds from ground coffee via the formation and collapse of microbubbles of carbon dioxide that are released when the coffee interacts with water. That may sound complicated, but all you really need to know is that the machine can brew a complex cup of cold brew coffee in less than two minutes. $695; drinkosma.com The GoSun Fusion is a hybrid solar- and electric-powered oven capable of cooking a variety of dishes. The 14-pound device is equipped with an evacuated tube and cooking tray, which can accommodate up to 145 ounces of food. It can reach temperatures as hot as 550 degrees, which means meals can be cooked in 60 minutes or less. $600; gosun.co u Log on to luxurymagazine.com for more cutting-edge products featured in “The 100+ Best Gifts to Give & Get.”

Courtesy Images Clockwise From Top Left: Whoop; Osma; GoSun; Wearable X

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TECH

Tickets to Ride The way we will travel in the not-too-distant future is out there. BY FRANK VIZARD

SUPERSONIC FLIERS that promise a Newark-to-London run in 3.5 hours. Flying at 60,000 feet at a speed of 1,304 mph (1.7 times the speed of sound), the new plane will make a flight time similar to the larger Anglo-French Concorde supersonic flier retired in 2003. The Overture carries 65–88 passengers in business class–style aboard

a long, tapered aircraft (no middle seats) whose shape is designed to minimize noise. Most routes will be over water with a speed drop over coastal buffer zones around cities. In addition, Overture will use a new type of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.

Courtesy Boom Supersonic. Opposite: Courtesy Thierry Gaugain (2)

Fly anywhere in the world in four hours for $100. Achieving this goal may be a decade beyond the 2029 debut of Boom Supersonic’s (boomsupersonic.com) airplane, but it speaks to the audacious plans of the Denver-based aerospace company. United Airlines has ordered 15 of the company’s Overture planes

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LONG-DISTANCE TRAINS

Photo Credits

This is the train you won’t want to get off, assuming you can afford to get on. Thierry Gaugain (gaugain.net), best known as a designer of superyachts, has turned his attention landward with the design of a $350 million palace on rails that is part Orient Express and part Snowpiercer. The 14-car G Train caters to just a few with a love for long-distance rail trips of 10 hours or longer, featuring 18 suites in addition to an oversized owner’s suite, a dining car, a spa, and a “sanctuary” garden. One car has wings that fold down to create an al fresco terrace for special events, and the caboose holds the cars and recreational vehicles available for excursions. Highlights of the interiors include smart windows and ceilings that switch from clear to opaque at the touch of a button. A buyer isn’t lined up yet, but Gaugain estimates the train will take 2.5 years to build. The required expertise—ranging from coach builder to glass maker—has signed on. They are just waiting for a green light. 

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The military’s V-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) craft is a veteran performer, so it was perhaps inevitable that VTOL would be adopted for civilian use. A VTOL aircraft can hover, take off, and land vertically—the bestknown example is a helicopter. The new spin, though, is that forthcoming craft use electric propulsion (aka eVTOL) to power an array of maneuvering fans, an attractive option for quiet flying and zero emissions. Expect eVTOLs to come in a variety of sizes. The iFLY by NeXt (nextuas.com) is a personal, autonomous VTOL—just tap the onboard map and it flies to the selected destination. United Airlines has ordered 200 five-passenger VTOLs called Maker made by Archer Aviation (archer.com), which are scheduled to be airborne in 2024. Maker has a top speed of 150 mph and a range of 60 miles that will get you from downtown to the airport for a price comparable to a much slower Uber ride. American Airlines’ copycat move was to order 250 eVTOLs from Vertical Aerospace (vertical-aerospace.com). Similarly, Lilium (lilium.com), Joby Aviation (jobyaviation.com), Volocopter (volocopter .com), and Rotor X (rotorxaircraft.com) envision a flying taxi that would transport between four and six passengers. Going big are GKN Aerospace (gknaerospace.com) and Kelekona eVTOL (kelekona.com), both with larger aircraft proposals that would fly 30–50 passengers from park-and-ride style “vertiports” over congested areas, or act as one-hour shuttles between San Francisco and Los Angeles, for example. Radical design is a byword. The Kelekona craft, for example, uses four banks of fans to power a wide, chunky hull with a slight teardrop shape that provides lift in lieu of wings. Ultimately, eVTOLs are expected to be autonomous but initially most flights will have an operator on board as a trust-builder. Expect eVTOL aircraft to be airborne circa 2025.

From top: Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation. Opposite, from top: HyperloopTT, Virgin Hyperloop.

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Courtesy Images From Top: Archer Aviation; Joby Aviation. Opposite, Courtesy Images From Top: HyperloopTT; Virgin Hyperloop

VTOL AIR TAXIS

HYPERLOOP: THE FAST TRACK Imagine hurtling comfortably in a capsule through a gigantic tube at speeds of around 700 mph to significantly reduce travel time between distant destinations. That’s the dream that Virgin Hyperloop (virginhyperloop .com) and HyperloopTT (hyperlooptt.com) are rushing to turn into a reality. Both companies utilize magnetic levitation technology to propel 20–30 passengers per pod through a lowpressure tube in a near nonstop stream that could move thousands of passengers per hour. A New York–to–Washington, D.C. run would take less than 40 minutes, for example. While the technology’s timeline is unclear, tests indicate the validity of the concept. Hyperloops would also significantly reduce carbon emissions. A keener eye, though, belongs to freight companies that see hyperloops as a very fast way to move cargo from harbors inland, and it’s likely that this would be the technology’s first implementation. 

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SPACE HOTEL A space hotel is not as otherworldly a destination as you might think due to the privatization of space launches (such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX program) substantially lowering payload costs. Axiom Space’s (axiomspace.com) orbiting hotel is being taken very seriously, as it’s shepherded by Michael Suffredini, the former manager of NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) program. The general idea is that Axiom will launch a series of modules starting in 2024 that will attach to ISS. When ISS retires in 2028, as many project, to free

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up funds for deep space exploration, the Axiom modules would be spun off to create Axiom Station with rooms to rent. Axiom Station will be lusher than ISS, with interiors of the egg-like habitation module designed by Philippe Starck. The most ambitious proposal comes from Orbital Assembly Corporation (orbitalassembly .com). The company’s Voyager space station would be the largest man-made structure ever assembled in space with room for 280 guests and a crew of 112. Voyager would be like a giant ring with

lunar gravity. Hotel suites would be available for stays ranging from 3.5 days to one month, while larger villas for 16 people would be available for purchase as a second home. Prices would range between $5 million and $25 million, with access to amenities such as a restaurant, bar, and an event center—all optimistically open for business in 2027. But be prepared for a strict exercise regimen at the gym: after seven days in space without exercise, muscle power, volume, and endurance start to decline. So, pack your workout clothes.

ELECTRIC BOATS Turning boats into green machines is inherently difficult because of the weight of batteries onboard and the relatively limited range that battery power provides. The solution may be electric boats that, rather than gliding across the water, actually fly above it. The $335,000 Candela C-8 (candela .com) uses a technology already familiar to America’s Cup racing fans. At speeds above 16 knots, the eight-passenger boat rises out of the water on hydrofoils to achieve a top speed of 30 knots. The hydrofoils are linked to a computer that adjusts the blades 100 times per second for stability. Electronic flyby-wire steering offers precise handling. The C-8 also operates silently at lower speeds, thanks to a newly developed C-Pod directdrive electric motor. With the lightweight, carbon-fiber 27-footer riding above the waves to reduce drag, range increases to 50 nautical miles at 22 knots while using less power. By comparison, the operating cost of the C-8 is 90 percent less than a fuel-driven boat its size.

Courtesy Images From Top: Ford; Candela. Opposite: Courtesy Axiom Space (4)

AUTONOMOUS TAXI Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are looking to take the driver out of the equation, although the transition might be measured in years rather than months. Lyft, for example, is partnering with Ford (ford .com) to deploy autonomous vehicles (with a safety driver onboard for emergencies) in Miami this year and next year in Austin, Texas. Companies like Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox are headed in a similar direction and will likely add sophisticated sensors like lidar to their vehicles to supplement cameras and radar. One interesting variant is devised by Halo (halo.car): Use an app to order an electric car, which is driven by remote control to your location for your use, then remotely driven to its Halo home when you’re done with it. Autonomous vehicles may not have an unlimited run, and countries like the UK are considering a cap on their number. u

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The New Super Suites

Privacy has always been the ultimate luxury—a fact that the pandemic has only emphasized. It’s never been more appealing, or important, to book a room that is secluded and set apart, more like a hotel within a hotel than a simple suite. A few properties around the world intuitively understand that instinct, and offer penthouses that are completely self-contained, often occupying an entire floor; some even have standalone wings that can now be booked by a single guest. Here, some of the best buyouts from Monte Carlo to New York, with four finds in Switzerland alone. BY MARK ELLWOOD

HOTEL METROPOLE Monte Carlo This Belle Epoque grande dame, built in 1886, sits down a private drive off Casino Square; it’s at the heart of the principality but far removed from the bustle. Likewise, the hotel now offers guests a similar option: the entire top floor. This buyout combines the seven best suites in the hotel into a 4,300-square-foot super-suite; it includes two Prestige Junior Suites with views overlooking the city, plus three large Prestige Suites, each with a private balcony. Turn the smallest room—a lavish, 645-square-foot Deluxe Suite—into a dressing area or study; it adjoins the Suite Carré d’Or, the hotel’s most opulent space of all. This 2,500-square-

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foot penthouse suite was recently refreshed by interior designer Jacques Garcia, who masterminded the hotel’s last renovation. It’s airy and light-flooded, with a huge terrace that overlooks the Mediterranean; curl up there with one of the books from the suite’s own library, a curated selection of French language classics. In a nod to the hotel’s opening, they’re all from the late 19th century, and feature everything from classic illustrations to a 10-volume history of France. A stay here can be entirely self-contained, with check-in handled in-suite, a full-time butler at your service, and helicopter transfer from Nice airport. $56,000/night; metropole.com 

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Courtesy Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo (6)

MAISON PRIVÉ, BACCARAT HOTEL New York In fall 2019, the 114-room Baccarat Hotel in Midtown Manhattan introduced a new concept: Maison Privé. More like a hotel within the hotel, the area occupies the entire 12th floor, with space for 30 guests across 11 rooms; a private, direct-access elevator whisks them up from the lobby. One of the Baccarat’s guest experience managers provides on-call expertise, while the hotel’s two-Michelin-starred Culinary Director Gabriel Kreuther will create custom in-room dining menus, featuring his singular haute cuisine that reimagines rustic Alsatian dishes (request the signature sturgeon and sauerkraut with caviar mousse). The suite’s plush bedrooms include details like a red enamel minibar with Baccarat glassware, custom toiletries by Parisian perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, and a bedside telephone with a bonus button—press for Champagne to be delivered in a fluted Baccarat glass. The best berth, of course, is the 1,740-square-foot Baccarat Suite, which stretches throughout a network of saloninspired spaces like a private penthouse. There’s a glamorous bedroom with lacquered walls and a four-poster bed, and an in-suite bar stocked with wine by the hotel’s wine director, Christian Fentress (the hotel’s Champagne list is the largest in the country). $50,000/night; baccarathotels.com 

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Courtesy Baccarat Hotel New York (6)

Just as Table Mountain looms large over the city at Africa’s southernmost tip, so this fourbedroom penthouse caps the One&Only Cape Town on the V&A Waterfront. The buyout spans 13,724 square feet and two floors, and is largely open-plan and ringed with floor-to-ceiling windows. These help make the most of its superb location, offering unobstructed views not only of the mountain but of other local sights, from Lion’s Head to Robben Island (the prison where Nelson Mandela was famously incarcerated). There are four bedrooms, including a 1,150-square-foot master, and each is individually decorated: look for the one with the oversize bathtub where the ceiling above is studded with twinkling lights like stars. Every amenity of a hotel is included here too: There’s a private gym and sauna (one personal training session is included in the rate), a library, a study with its own fireplace, and two dining areas (one formal and the other ideal for a casual family breakfast). What this space was designed for, though, is entertaining: On each of the two floors there is an outdoor terrace with its own pool; opt to cook your own meals on the barbecue at either, or arrange for the hotel’s chef to handle lunch and serve it at the long dining table on the lower terrace. Don’t forget to book a pianist to play at the black grand piano indoors. From $10,465/night; oneandonlyresorts.com 

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Courtesy One&Only Resorts (2)

DEVIL’S PEAK PENTHOUSE, ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN South Africa

AS FAITHFULLY AS THE TIDES

From the moment you enter the palm-studded harbor, touch down on the runway or pass through the gates of Ocean Reef Club, you begin to sense a very Unique Way of Life. One that has been attentively upheld, polished and passed down to succeeding generations of Members. Situated on the northern reaches of Key Largo, beside America’s only living reef, Ocean Reef Club boasts a world-class marina and yacht club. Its own private airport and accompanying ﬂying club. Two championship golf courses. A tennis and games center. An art league and cultural center, croquet, racquet and rod and gun clubs. A museum, library and theater, medical center, restaurants and gracious residences. Even a school for your children, an array of summer camp options and a vet for your pet. In essence, all the comforts and services of a small but sophisticated town. There are also comforts of a different kind. Among them, a tangible sense of privacy, security, tradition and values, and perhaps most important, a sense of belonging unlike any other club on earth. There are only two ways to experience Ocean Reef Club’s Unique Way of Life – as a guest of a Member or through the pages of Living magazine. Visit OceanReefClubLiving.com or call 305.367.5921 to request your complimentary copy.

In 2020, LVMH-owned Belmond introduced a new concept: Exclusive Places. Under this program, Belmond properties across the world carve out corners that allow guests to create their own stand-apart oases. El Encanto in Santa Barbara, California, for example, now offers the chance to reserve every suite in one of its multiunit cottages; Cipriani, at the heart of Venice across from St. Mark’s Square, offers an even more lavish option: an entire palazzo for your private use. The 16-room, 15th-century Palazzo Vendramin has long been operated as an adjunct of the main Cipriani site; it’s separated by a private walkway wreathed in flowers and now offered as a self-contained villa. Accommodations range from singles to the Dogaressa Suite, which is more like a museum than a simple hotel room. Decorated with original Coromandel screens from the 18th century, the design is a throwback to the headiest days of Venetian glamour and excess. Stand at its four Gothic windows and you’ll be looking straight into St. Mark’s Square. If you arrive by speedboat at the palazzo’s own private dock, no one need know you’re even staying at the hotel; the paparazzi-proof garden here is a bonus al fresco space that guests can enjoy entirely alone. If you don’t bring your own boat, just book the hotel’s best charter, the vintage 1960s sailboat Edipo Re, once owned by director Pier Paolo Pasolini. Take it to the island of Torcello for lunch of a little moeche, Venetian soft shell crab. From $18,000, minimum three nights; belmond.com 

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Courtesy Belmond (2)

PALAZZO VENDRAMIN, CIPRIANI, A BELMOND HOTEL Venice, Italy

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Carlton Hotel, St. Moritz

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Courtesy Images From Left: Carlton Hotel St. Moritz; Royal Savoy/Robert Miller; Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; La Réserve. Opposite: Courtesy Carlton Hotel St. Moritz

Switzerland

THE CARLTON PENTHOUSE, CARLTON HOTEL St. Moritz

PENTHOUSE PRIVATE FLOOR, THE ROYAL SAVOY Lausanne

IMPERIAL RESIDENCE, MANDARIN ORIENTAL Geneva

LA RÉSERVE EDEN AU LAC Zurich

The quandary you’ll enjoy facing when staying in this 4,155-square-foot penthouse, which occupies the entire eighth floor of the 60-suite Carlton Hotel, is which of the five terraces to frequent. Surrounding the penthouse, they offer 360-degree views of the Engadine Mountains and the countryside, including the Lake St. Moritz. This suite, the largest in town, also showcases those panoramic views indoors from around the fireplace. The three-bedroom layout features a library and a kitchen, so chefs from the hotel’s two restaurants can cater a private meal in situ. After a hard day on the slopes, soak your muscles in peace: Guests of this suite have their own exclusive enclave in the hotel’s spa. From $16,000/ night; carlton-stmoritz.ch

This grand, Art Nouveau– era hotel offers a truly regal stay in a 7,640-square-foot indoor/outdoor space that commandeers the top floor of the hotel’s Garden Wing. The suite shuns the flouncy, overstuffed aesthetic common to so many upscale European suites; instead, the interiors here are refreshingly modern and masculine (think dark gray and mahogany, like a billionaire playboy’s apartment). The private floor configuration brings together three enormous bedrooms with a living room and a private gym and wellness room. Then again, it’s probably better to book an al fresco massage on the 3,900-squarefoot terrace. Plan dinner in the private dining room from the hotel’s executive chef. $10,300/ night; royalsavoy.ch

Opened in 1950, the Mandarin Oriental was the first new hotel built in Europe after World War II. Overlooking the Rhône river and the city’s Old Town, a destination for visiting dignitaries and VIPs ever since, it recently introduced the Imperial Residence concept. The 6,210-square-foot space combines the hotel’s two best rooms. The Royal Penthouse on the seventh floor and the Royal Suite below it; connected by a private elevator, they become a six-bedroom duplex. The former is an openplan space that comes with a 1,885-square-foot private terrace, a hammam-inspired bathroom, and its own fireplace and entertainment room. The latter is an equally lavish threebedroom. From $54,700/night; mandarinoriental.com

Hospitality magnate Michel Reybier spent two years overhauling the only luxury hotel perched on Lake Zurich. Reybier partnered with Philippe Starck to refresh this 111-year-old property, which first welcomed guests in January 2020. The renovations added everything from the rooftop PeruvianJapanese restaurant La Muña to a smoking lounge. Starck retained key elements of the French Empire–style hotel, like the original main wooden staircase and iron elevator, while adding his signature witty modern touches. The very private 635-square-foot, one-bedroom Lake View Suite on the top floor is the room to book with its attic-style ceiling and cozy details. From $3,300/ night; lareserve-zurich.com 

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Shop Where You Sleep

A hotel suite in Italy’s Lake Como combines lodging and retail.

The future of luxury retail is increasingly experiential. Top-shelf furniture companies, especially famed Italian brands, have temporarily outfitted apartments in coveted real estate projects, inviting clients to see how their designs live in functional spaces rather than showroom vignettes. Now comes a new concept—the permanent, shoppable hotel suite—from Il Sereno in Lake Como. A joint endeavor of Luis Contreras, owner of Sereno hotels, and prolific architect-designer Patricia Urquiola, the 5-year-old hotel is lauded for bringing contemporary verve to a resort town known primarily for its elegant neoclassical architecture. This year Contreras and Urquiola teamed up again to outfit a stunning penthouse in an adjacent building. “The concept of the shoppable penthouse actually came from our clients,” says Contreras. “As a hotel that has design in its DNA, we get innumerable requests from our clients as to who makes what and how to purchase the various objects we have on display.” The suite reinterprets architectural ideas of Carlo Scarpa, particularly his affinity for sensual materials, evident in Canaletto walnut ceilings, Verde Alpi stone walls, and terrazzo floors. The décor mixes contemporary pieces by Urquiola with work by postwar Italian icons such as Franco Albini, Gio Ponti, and Gino Sarfatti, as well as accessories by Ettore Sottsass and Aldo Londi. The city of Como itself inspired fabric choices, mostly silks for which the region is famous. Urquiola, who has designed everything from tile and fabrics to furniture and lighting, contributes rugs she created for CC-Tapis and Warli, a bathtub from Agape, an outdoor sofa for B&B Italia, and seating for Moroso. Among the classic Italian designs accompanying these: Albini’s Infinito bookshelf and Luisa chair, Ponti’s Luna lamp for Tato and Leggera and Superleggera chairs, Magistretti’s Atollo lamp for Oluce, the Rocchetto vase from Sottsass, and Aldo Londi accessories. Penthouse from $4,115/night; ilsereno.com u —Jorge S. Arango

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Courtesy Patricia Urquiola (6)

Up the Ante

When temperatures drop, ice climbers both novice and expert descend on Colorado’s Ouray Ice Park—the United States’ premier ice climbing destination never disappoints. WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS BRINLEE JR.

mong the rugged alpine terrain of Colorado’s remote southwest is an old, still presently active mining town called Ouray. For many, utterance of the town’s name—pronounced like hooray and affectionately bestowed in honor of a revered Uncompahgre chief— elicits visions of turquoise lakes, expansive vistas from atop 14er hikes, and high-altitude 4x4 roads passable only by the toughest Jeeps and off-road vehicles. And for most of the year, those are the area’s main draws. Wintertime lures Ouray’s other set of visitors. The transition may not be obvious walking down Main Street, but you’ll see telltale signs; the first being that the cars are all parked along the curb, right against the plowed banks of snow. Instead of highclearance Jeeps, you see lifted Tacomas with camper shells. The Subaru Outbacks have dispersed, replaced by generic crossover SUVs. The family minivans have been driven

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home and the built-out Sprinters driven in. The occupants of these numerous vehicles compromise a spirited yet subtle crowd who have come to Ouray for one reason: to climb the ice. The sport is as masochistic as it sounds; you finish cold, wet, exhausted, and spared potential hazards that surpass those of rock climbing. There is always the danger of being pummeled by hanging chandeliers of ice that can break off. Sometimes entire curtains of ice delaminate from the bedrock they’re bonded to—with climbers still attached. And yet, ice climbing is a ton of fun. Renowned alpinist, the late Alex Lowe, named his pinnacle first ascent “The Winter Dance.” Practitioners utilize specialized equipment—carrying technical ice tools in their hands and wearing mountaineering boots with crampons on their feet—to ascend vertical floes of frozen water. The movement is rhythmic and graceful with undertones of urgency, thrill, and novelty. Conducive

conditions in the United States last at most two or three months and vary annually based on precipitation and temperature changes. Colloquially known as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray lives up to its nickname by having a seat among the impossibly steep geographical relief of the San Juan Mountains. Here is arguably the best—and most accessible—waterfall ice climbing in the United States, consistent from around midDecember through the end of February. In January the annual Ouray Ice Festival and ice climbing competition is held at the Ouray Ice Park (ourayicepark.com)—a mile-long canyon with hundreds of climbing routes that’s just a 10-minute walk from town. Inclusive of the treacherous realities, ice climbing can be experienced independently with the right skills and equipment, but initially climbers should hire a guide service to provide climbing instruction and mitigate risk. The expert and personable staff at Peak Guides (peakguides.com) can be found on 

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Main Street in Ouray, a few minutes from the ice park. Booking an instructional weekend jaunt into the park provides an ample introduction to the equipment, movement, and ice conditions—essentially, Ice Climbing 101. Most people catch on fairly quickly, and after meeting some prerequisites, can graduate to more exciting potential adventures, such as multi-pitch ice climbing in the backcountry. There’s much that makes Ouray Ice Park incredibly unique. Most notably, it’s a free-toaccess public park, maintained and operated by the nonprofit organization Ouray Ice Park, Inc. Memberships and donations allow access to remain free and for operations to continue, but ultimately, when you walk into the facility there’s no ticket booth, no turnstile, and no wristbands. It exists as a public resource. Once you’re inside, it’s divided into several sections along the Uncompahgre Gorge— the geological feature that makes the park’s existence possible. An intricately designed sprinkler system runs along a one-mile-plus section of the gorge’s south rim; the steep terrain, sprayed water, and freezing temperatures combine over a period of weeks to form the ice that you climb. The routes are then periodically maintained throughout the season by spraying water during nightly freezes. Deep South and South Park are the most remote sections and require the longest walk to reach. They’re about 20 minutes from the entrance, but offer a diverse array of routes, short to long, easy to difficult, in an incredibly scenic arena. New Funtier is closer to the entrance, featuring climbing routes in the more tightly constricted section of the canyon. School Room, as its name implies, is a great place to learn; it’s relatively close to 

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the entrance and features routes of moderate difficulty. Near the upper bridge is Pic O’ the Vic and the Lead Area, which are home to the park’s longest, steepest, and most difficult routes. These are spectacular, albeit difficult climbs, definitely worth working up to. Their proximity to the road and bridge also allows for clear spectator positions. North from the upper bridge is the Lower Bridge area and Scottish Gullies. Both are visible from the road and offer climbs from easy to difficult, as well as dry tooling routes (rock routes climbed with ice tools and crampons). The Scottish Gullies is home to the competition wall—a unique feature that enables challenging, custom-set routes that measure the mettle of even the best climbers in the world. Finally, the Five Fingers area houses steep, long, and challenging routes. Once you’ve cut your teeth in the ice park, you can venture out with a guide into the backcountry. Climbing inside the park offers a somewhat controlled environment that’s ideal for learning, while backcountry ice is wild and naturally formed—and there are routes that go on for hundreds of feet. Dexter Creek Slabs can be an appropriate introduction to moderate difficulty, multipitch, backcountry ice. Charmin’ Tube and Horsetail Falls are a bit more difficult and longer, with the payoff being rock features that place climbers in truly incredible positions. For more advanced climbers, Bridal Veil Falls in nearby Telluride and Whorehouse Hoses and Stairway to Heaven, both positioned outside of nearby Silverton, offer the ultimate adventure so long as both you and the ice are in optimal condition.

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G E A R U P

CLOTHING The North Face Summit Series apparel is designed in conjunction with TNF Athletes, who represent some of the best climbers on the planet. As such, it’s no surprise that SS apparel is well suited for ice climbing. The L5 Ventrix Jacket ($550) functions as an excellent action layer; utilizing TNF FutureLight waterproof breathable technology, layered with Ventrix stretch synthetic insulation to keep you warm, dry, and mobile when climbing. The L3 50/50 Down Hoody ($475) features innovative boxbaffled insulation mapping that provides excellent warmth and ventilation for standing around on a chilly belay as well as when activity levels ramp up. thenorthface.com EQUIPMENT Ice climbing is virtually impossible without sharp, metal objects to stick into the ice. CAMP, founded in the Italian Alps, makes everything you need. The XDream Alpine Ice Tools ($600/pair) are aggressively shaped for climbing steep ice and perfectly balanced with heavy heads for confident, single-swing sticks. The Alp Mountain Harness ($70) dons with crampons on; and the Storm Helmet ($100) will protect your head from falling ice. camp-usa.com BOOTS As important as crampons are for kicking into the ice, they are nothing without a pair of sturdy ice climbing boots to attach to. The SCARPA Phantom Tech ($700) are light, warm, and stiff—everything you want in a pair of ice boots; the built-in supergaiter will ensure that your feet stay dry too. scarpa.com

All Images Courtesy Listed Manufacturer

BACKPACK Constructed from futuristic woven Dyneema fibers, which are 15 times stronger than steel, the water-resistant Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism Pack ($395) can take a beating and keep on going. Slick attachment points keep your gear exactly where you need it on approach; a removable top lid and waist belt slim its profile for climbing long routes where it’s necessary to carry gear. hyperlitemountaingear.com GLOVES The golden rule of ice climbing is to always have at least three pairs of gloves ready to go at all times. Hestra Ergo Grip Active gloves ($110) offer decent protection from the elements while remaining incredibly dexterous, making them the perfect glove to wear while swinging tools. Ergo Grip Czone Tactility Long ($200) are fully waterproof gauntlets, perfect for handling ropes. Finally, the Army Leather Expedition Mitts ($275) offer all-out warmth for cold belays. Keep whatever pairs you’re not currently wearing tucked inside your jacket so they remain warm and can dry in between pitches. hestragloves.com DRINKWARE Here’s another pro-tip: hot drinks in the ice park warm the soul and are a great way to make friends. Fill a Yeti Rambler 64 oz Bottle ($65) with your favorite tea and it’ll keep all day; pour one out into a 14 oz Mug ($30) whenever you’re ready to drink up. yeti.com u

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McLaren GT

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Le Grand Retour

The return of the road trip has elicited a great GT comeback.

BY MARK HACKING

Courtesy McLaren

f you’re a true car enthusiast, a cross-country drive in something wickedly fast and stylish represents the perfect getaway. This notion gains even more momentum if your starting point is in Europe, where the countries are relatively small and the act of crossing one takes mere hours, not days. So it follows that the perfect vehicle for such an endeavor, the grand tourer (GT), was first conceived on the continent. The GT appeared in the 1930s before gaining prominence in the ’50s, powered by all-time greats such as the Ferrari 250 GT and Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Nowadays, the modern GT comes in all shapes, sizes, and configurations—and it’s arguably more compelling than ever before. 

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wheels via a dual-clutch 8-speed automatic transmission inspired by motorsports. The all-wheel drive system is calibrated to send more torque to the rear wheels, while the active rear differential and rear-wheel steering help sharpen cornering capabilities, giving the slick GT the skills of a purebred performance car. The run to 60 mph takes a mere 3.5 seconds; top speed rolls in at 208 mph. But what makes the Continental GT Speed a truly spectacular grand tourer is the way it effortlessly combines mind-bending performance with stratospheric levels of luxury. The passenger cabin provides 2+2 seating and there’s enough space for a pair of smaller motoring enthusiasts in the rear seat.

There’s the choice of many different leather hides to cover the interior and the availability of Alcantara inserts for an added measure of sporting satisfaction. The interior can also feature piano black veneer panels, a center console finished in dark aluminum, and diamond seat quilting with the word “Speed” stitched into the headrests. To finish everything off in fine style, the GT Speed also makes a profound statement when it pulls up to the curb. The dark tinted grilles, unique fender vents, carbon-fiber side skirts, and 22-inch wheels give the big coupe a low, menacing appearance. This is a brooding performance machine, but one that envelops you in rich materials and ultra-high degrees of comfort. $274,900; bentley.com

Courtesy Bentley Motors. Opposite: Courtesy McLaren

If your tastes veer toward the traditional, you like your grand tourers as they did in the early days: engine in the front (most of the time), driven wheels in the back (not exclusively, mind you), two doors, and two seats in the middle. Classic, no? But even with this iconic approach to grand touring, there are plenty of variations to the theme. Take, for example, the new Bentley Continental GT Speed, the latest muscle car from the staunchly British marque. Although the brand has committed to electrification in the future, the engine under the hood here is decidedly not electric—it’s a twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine that churns out a prodigious 650 hp. All that muscle is routed to all four

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If it seems like McLaren releases a new supercar every few months, well, that’s precisely what they’ve been doing for some time now. But two years ago, the British concern launched the McLaren GT and this authentic grand tourer has continued on largely untouched ever since—with no bumps in performance, no model variations, no replacements on the horizon. The brief presented to the design and engineering teams must have been relatively straightforward: Capture the essence of a modern McLaren’s performance, then package it in something more suited to longer drives and weekend excursions. Simple enough. Yet the way in which the McLaren GT transforms from lamb into lion is remarkable. The platform and suspension system

on the GT are shared with the McLaren 720S, while the engine is a variation of that supercar’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. In this instance, the mid-mounted engine generates 612 hp and, with the added benefit of the launch control system, can send the GT to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. For the record, that’s quick. For added perspective, it’s especially quick for a car that’s intended for more leisurely drives along scenic roads and on unlimited-speed highways. Sure, the GT has track settings for both the powertrain and chassis, but it also has two cargo areas (one under the hood, the other under the rear hatch) with a combined 20.1 cubic feet of space available for golf clubs, weekend bags, you name it. Tapping into the dual nature of the GT is a relatively easy task. The dials controlling the

three powertrain and three chassis modes are situated just below the 7-inch touchscreen. In its most relaxed setting, comfort mode, this McLaren rides softer than any other in the current fleet. The GT has a 7-speed dualclutch automatic transmission derived from racing, but will shift itself in automatic mode, resolutely at low revs in the name of more relaxed motoring. All things considered, the McLaren GT is an inspired response to the idea behind the original grand tourers. Sitting in the perfectly contoured and supremely adjustable driver’s seat, it’s easy to imagine powering down to the south of France for the weekend with your favorite co-driver by your side. The only challenge? Keeping your right foot in check and the car’s 203-mph top speed securely off in the distance. $200,000; cars.mclaren.com 

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To be clear, the Roma is not the fastest or most powerful thing bearing the iconic Prancing Horse symbol these days. But who cares? With just one look, the timeless appeal of the Roma descends like an angel: the beautifully proportioned 2+2 shape, the long sloping hood, the subtle grille, the sensuous lines around the rear wheels, and the quietly confident stance. From the driver’s seat, the Roma is comparable to other cars in the Ferrari lineup: the Formula One–inspired steering wheel, the large shift paddles set immediately behind, the manettino dial used to select the one of five drive modes, the digital instrument panel, the centrally mounted touchscreen display. Everything is engineered to give the driver maximum control over the proceedings.

But there’s also the sense that the aesthetic needs of both the driver and co-driver are being met. The Roma features beautiful materials throughout, and the dedicated twin-cockpit design marries technology with sheer elegance and a surprising amount of functionality. The trunk has 12 cubic feet of space, the rear seats offer some additional room, and the options list includes a customized multipiece luggage set. When it debuted, the Ferrari Roma captured the prestigious Red Dot Award and the jury highlighted the car’s lack of superfluous details and minimalist design. They further reasoned that the Roma captured the essence of la dolce vita as it was in Rome in the 1950s and ’60s—in other words, it’s been mission accomplished for Ferrari. $218,670; ferrari.com

Courtesy Ferrari. Opposite, Courtesy From Top: Karma; Mercedes

The automotive industry has been wildly volatile of late, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see the Ferrari Roma on our streets. The fact that one of the original GT carmakers is still in a position to offer a modern-day interpretation—and such a compelling one at that—is a wonderful thing. In some corners of the world, enthusiasts are bemoaning the death of the automobile. Here, with the Roma, the brain trust at Ferrari seems to be saying: Not so fast! Every modern Ferrari is a mechanical masterpiece—this Ferrari is no exception. Power comes courtesy of the brand’s twinturbocharged 3.9-liter V8, shared with the Portofino M, F8 Tributo, and F8 Spider. The engine offers a tornado of performance: 612 hp for the Roma, a 0–60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 199 mph.

Let’s say you’re the sort of person who likes the idea of a grand tourer, in theory. But you also want to be seen as an early adopter and a free thinker. If so, here are two interesting choices: the Karma GS-6 and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance four-door coupe. But how can a four-door be a GT? Well, this is the point in the story where we move away from the classic definition of “grand tourer” to investigate a generation of vehicles breaking new ground. Example: The Karma GS-6, which is a new derivation of the Karma Revero GT, a luxury plug-in hybrid sedan that showcases stunning design and no small amount of performance. Positioned as the resurgent brand’s entry-level model, the GS-6 employs a pair of electric motors that create 536 hp, all sent to the rear wheels. The 28-kWh battery pack provides enough juice to run in EV mode for some 80 miles before the range-extending gas engine—a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder from BMW—kickstarts an onboard generator to supply the electric motors with power. When sport mode is selected, the Karma draws upon both the electric motors and the gas engine for quicker acceleration. The sprint from 0–60 mph takes around 4.5 seconds, and is accompanied by a surprising growl from the small turbocharged engine. The passenger cabin of this eco-chic grand tourer is an aesthetically pleasing space, complete with optional carbon fiber or reclaimed wood accents, leather seating surfaces, ultracomfortable front seats, and rear seats that can accommodate most adults comfortably. The digital instrument panel is ultra-slick and the 10.2-inch touchscreen follows suit. $83,900; karmaautomotive.com Introduced at the 2021 Munich International Motor Show, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance four-door coupe is the most powerful production Mercedes ever, until the forthcoming AMG One hypercar arrives on the scene. The secret to this four-door missile is the high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain. In the front of the car, there’s a twinturbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine; at the back, there’s an electric motor that provides supplementary power to the rear wheels alone. The result: a staggering 831 hp combined, a 0–60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, and a top speed of about 196 mph. (Yikes.) The 6.1-kWh battery pack in the GT 63 SE Performance is designed to trigger increased performance off the line (see above stats) rather than whisper-quiet motoring; under electric power alone, the car has a range of less than 10 miles. But this four-door coupe also features technology inspired by Formula One: a multistage regenerative braking system, including an extreme setting intended only for track use. Sheer power aside, this GT is also a dynamo when it comes to style and presence. The inherent beauty of the car’s shape is enhanced with a more aggressive front fascia, a charging port in the rear bumper, and an optional 21-inch wheel package. Inside, the race-inspired theme continues with a flat-bottom steering wheel. The instrument panel and infotainment screen blend into one display and, of course, there are amenities galore, including seamless connectivity and voice-activated controls. Pricing not available at press time; mercedes-benz.com 

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In the base version, the two motors combine to produce 469 hp (522 hp with boost mode), while the RS e-Tron GT ups the ante to 590 hp (637 hp with boost mode). This level of output, combined with an innovative 2-speed rear transmission that’s also shared with the Porsche, gives the Audi super-quick acceleration off the line and effortless cruising at high speeds. Accelerating from 0–60 mph in the RS e-Tron takes just 3.1 seconds, plenty quick for a supercar, let alone a four-door sedan. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but would be capable of much more, if left to its own devices. The estimated range for the e-Tron line hovers around the 230-mile mark. While the performance figures for the Audi RS e-Tron are impressive, they only tell part of the story. This electric sedan comes equipped with a regenerative braking system with three driver-selectable modes, operated by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The most extreme mode harnesses maximum

kinetic energy, replenishing the battery pack and generating a dynamic driving experience. The batteries are mounted in the floor, promoting a low center of gravity and responsive handling; an optional rear-wheel steering system and optional air suspension further support the effort. Of course, style is part of the equation here as well. The RS e-Tron GT has a low, wide, aggressive stance, not dissimilar in approach to the current Audi R8 supercar. In considering the exterior design, perhaps the most appropriate compliment would be this: The Audi RS e-Tron GT looks like a performance car first, an electric car second. Inside, it’s a story of advanced technology and raised eco-consciousness. The vibrant digital instrument panel features customizable information and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen to control many functions. The standard seats are leather-free Dinamica vegan. Audi e-Tron GT, $99,900; Audi RS e-Tron GT, $139,900; audi.com

Courtesy Audi. Opposite: Courtesy Porsche

For an even less traditional example of a grand tourer, look no further than the Audi RS e-Tron GT and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo. This dynamic duo shares some technology and much philosophy, bringing to market the notion of a highenergy four-door GT that emphasizes smooth, silent, long-distance motoring. There are two versions of the Audi e-Tron GT available: the base model and the RS. Both are built upon the same 800-volt architecture as the Porsche Taycan lineup, an approach to electrified vehicles that is lighter, less prone to overheating, and allows for faster charging. The e-Tron GT features an 83.7-kWh battery pack and is powered by two electric motors—one is dedicated to driving the front wheels; the other, the rear wheels. This powertrain design gives the Audi true all-wheel drive, a configuration the brand became famous for decades ago in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Introduced for the 2021 model year, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is the inspired addition to the wildly successful allelectric line of Taycan vehicles. There are four different versions available, ranging from the base Taycan 4 Cross Turismo all the way up to the Turbo S. All four versions feature the same 800volt electric vehicle architecture, 93.4-kWh battery pack, and 2-speed rear transmission. The differences among the four come down to the amount of power each version produces and a corresponding impact on range. The 4 Cross Turismo rolls in at 469 hp, while the Turbo S generates a massive 750 hp, good for a sprint time to 60 mph of 2.7 seconds. The Taycan Cross Turismo is, of course, based on the Taycan sedan. When connected to a fast-charger, the battery pack can zoom

from a 5- to 80-percent charge in 22.5 minutes. The estimated range for the Cross Turismo is 227 miles. All the Cross Turismo models come standard with all-wheel drive, higher ground clearance than the Taycan, and an adjustable air suspension system that raises ride height further when the “gravel” drive mode is selected. Speaking of gravel, the Cross Turismo is available with an optional Off-Road Design Package that adds toughness through additional body cladding. Even without this add-on, the Cross Turismo cuts an imposing figure. Compared to the Taycan sedan, the roofline is longer and flatter, providing both front- and rear-seat passengers with more headroom. There’s increased cargo space as well: a total of 2.9 cubic feet in the front trunk and

42.8 cubic feet in the cabin with the rear seats folded forward. The options list, which includes a roof cargo system and rear-mounted bike rack, extends functionality even more. Of all the vehicles featured in this rousing round-up, the Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo is the least traditional GT of all. There are two motors instead of one, four doors instead of two, and up to five seats in total. Looking at the muscular exterior of the Porsche, you might be inclined to call it a shooting brake rather than a grand tourer. But make no mistake: With electric charging stations popping up all over Europe, this high-voltage model would be a great choice for your next road trip on the continent. Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, $92,250; Turbo S Cross Turismo $188,950; porsche.com u

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UP, UP, AND AWAY

Fall is in the air on a fashionable weekend escape to wine country. Look the part in checkered tweeds, classic knits, flowing midis, and suede staples. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK GUY STYLING BY HEIDI MEEK

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RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION blazer, $3,990; ralphlauren.com ALAÏA shirt, $1,730; maison-alaia.com TOM FORD jeans, $1,150; tomford.com MANOLO BLAHNIK boots, $1,595; manoloblahnik.com Shot on location with SONOMA BALLOONING, which offers the perfect wine country pairing: a Balloon & Blending package. $380/person; sonomaballooning.com LM FALL/WINTER 2021

IRO sweater, $595; iroparis.com HUTCH dress, $275; hutch-design.com GIANVITO ROSSI boots, $1,695; gianvitorossi.com

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MARGOT92 coat, $1,690; margot92.com ULLA JOHNSON dress, $495; ullajohnson.com 3.1 PHILLIP LIM boots, $895; 31philliplim.com

Opposite, from top left: ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA cardigan, $2,995; zegna.com RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL shirt, $495; ralphlauren.com DOLCE & GABBANA jeans, $645; dolcegabbana.com TAFT boots, $325; taftclothing.com STETSON hat, $105; stetson.com MONTCLER vest, $1,150; montcler.com BUGATCHI sweater, $250; bugatchi.com RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL shirt, $495; ralphlauren.com IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN watch, $5,500; iwc.com

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A.P.C. jacket, $525; apc-us.com IRO sweater, $400; iroparis.com GIORGIO ARMANI pants, $595; armani.com JOHN LOBB boots, $1,815; johnlobb.com

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BALENCIAGA blanket coat, $2,350; balenciaga.com GUESS turtleneck, $98; guess.com DEREK LAM pants, $495; dereklam.com JIMMY CHOO boots, $1,095; jimmychoo.com DAVID YURMAN earrings, $2,850; davidyurman.com

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MONTCLER cape, $1,260; montcler.com LONGCHAMP turtleneck, $195; longchamp.com KHAITE jeans, $340; rodeojh.com GUCCI boots, $1,590; gucci.com

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From left: IRO jacket, $2,695; iroparis.com LONGCHAMP dress, $890; longchamp.com JIMMY CHOO boots, $1,095; jimmychoo.com ISABEL MARANT belt, $480; isabelmarant.com HERMÈS scarf, $485; hermes.com BUCK MASON jacket, $175; buckmason.com DOLCE & GABBANA shirt, $795; us.dolcegabbana.com GIVENCHY jeans, $1,225; givenchy.com BRUNO MAGLI boots, $395; brunomagli.com LUCCHESE belt, $349; lucchese.com

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BRUNELLO CUCINELLI jacket, $7,995; brunellocucinelli.com RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL jeans, $895; ralphlauren.com JOHN LOBB boots, $1,815; johnlobb.com PAUL SMITH scarf, $175; paulsmith.com 2022 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 XS EDITION, from $71,900; landroverusa.com 102

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From left: DSQUARED2 dress, $1,865; dsquared2.com ANNIE COSTELLO BROWN earrings, $225; rodeojh.com ULLA JOHNSON tote, $925; rodeojh.com ACNE STUDIOS jacket, $2,000; acnestudios.com BUCK MASON shirt, $95; buckmason.com FENDI jeans, $890; fendi.com RRL belt, $295; ralphlauren.com Shot on location at Russian River Valley’s FARMHOUSE INN, featuring the awardwinning property’s new Wellness Barn. farmhouseinn.com 104

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LORO PIANA jacket, $4,295, and turtleneck, $1,385; loropiana.com OUTERKNOWN pants, $128; outerknown.com BELL & ROSS watch, $4,500; bellross.com

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LOVESHACKFANCY dress, $795; loveshackfancy.com ULLA JOHNSON boots, $895; ullajohnson.com FREE PEOPLE belt, $198; freepeople.com RENEE LEWIS necklace and locket, $17,000; reneelewisjewelry.com LANA JEWELRY rings, $5,250; lanajewelry.com CARTIER ring, $1,170; cartier.com GIGI PIP hat, $154; gigipip.com Opposite, from top left: KHAITE hoodie, $3,200; rodeojh.com BRUNELLO CUCINELLI jacket, $4,995, and pants, $1,175; brunellocucinelli.com

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BRUNELLO CUCINELLI vest, $11,800; brunellocucinelli.com NAKEDCASHMERE sweater, $295, pants, $325, and throw blankets, $495—$1,000; nakedcashmere.com

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From left: ETRO jacket, $1,930; etro.com ULLA JOHNSON dress, $675; ullajohnson.com MONTBLANC belt, $410; montblanc.com LORO PIANA jacket, $4,895; loropiana.com BUGATCHI sweater, $298; bugatchi.com RALPH LAUREN PURPLE LABEL shirt, $495; ralphlauren.com RAG & BONE pants, $225; rag-bone.com TAFT boots, $325; taftclothing.com RRL cap, $295; ralphlauren.com Shot on location at Healdsburg’s LANDMARK VINEYARDS HOP KILN ESTATE, landmarkwine.com

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ALTUZARRA dress, $1,695; altuzarra.com GUCCI boots, $1,590; gucci.com MAISON MICHEL fedora, $700; michel-paris.com HERMÈS scarf, $485; hermes.com ISABEL MARANT bag, $1,395; rodeojh.com Opposite, clockwise from top left: LONGCHAMP dress, $640; longchamp.com CARTIER ring, $1,170; cartier.com BRUNELLO CUCINELLI jacket, $3,995; brunellocucinelli.com JOHN ELLIOTT shirt, $348; johnelliott.com RODD & GUNN blazer, $398; roddandgunn.com BUCK MASON jacket, $225; buckmason.com ZANELLA pants, $428; zanella.com NAKEDCASHMERE beanie, $70; nakedcashmere.com BELL & ROSS watch, $4,500; bellross.com DEREK LAM sweater, $395; dereklam.com MARCIANO pants, $198; marciano.com HUNTER boots, $160; dsw.com UGG socks, $24; ugg.com ETRO dress, $3,350; etro.com

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From left: ALANUI hoodie, $2,385; alanui.it RAG & BONE jeans, $350; rag-bone.com NAKEDCASHMERE beanie, $75; nakedcashmere.com IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN watch, $5,500; iwc.com 8 BY YOOX dress, $180; yoox.com NAKEDCASHMERE beanie, $70; nakedcashmere.com CARTIER ring, $1,170; cartier.com PENDLETON blanket, $490; pendleton.com

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The Wine Scientists Robots, big data, and machine learning are splicing the romance of winemaking with science fiction. BY BAILEY STONE BARNARD

hristian Palmaz is a data guy. He’s also single-handedly ruining the romance of winemaking, according to the legendary French winery Château Margaux. But the cofounder of Palmaz Vineyards shrugs off the anecdote. As he sees it, winemaking has plenty of poetry; what the industry needs is more science. From his pragmatic perspective in Napa Valley (a quick drone flight from Silicon Valley), Palmaz is using data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to observe the wine, not manipulate it. That task is left to Tina Mitchell and Mia Klein, the acclaimed winemakers at his family’s winery who use petabytes’ worth of those observations to create highly praised wines that, according to Palmaz, are only getting better with the support of technology. Ovid, Jackson Family Wines, Seven Stones, and others in Northern California are following suit, pioneering the viticultural marriage of artistry and technology. And while it may indeed remove some of the romance from the process, this technology is giving today’s foremost winemakers more control than ever when composing the poetry they bottle.

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Clockwise From Left: Courtesy Palmaz; Adobe Stock (2)

Palmaz Vineyards was founded by Palmaz’s parents in 1997. The 144-yearold estate sits in the southern shadow of Mount George in Napa Valley and was the first winery in the world to use artificial intelligence to monitor its winemaking process. Since 2015, the Palmaz team has employed two primary systems, each identified by acronyms that sound like names of robotic lab assistants: Vineyard Infrared Growth Optical Recognition (VIGOR) and Fermentation Intelligence Logic Control System (FILCS). “VIGOR is basically an airplane that flies at about 8,800 feet,” says Palmaz. “It carries a nine-bore multispectral camera that weighs about 220 pounds and gives us 160 megapixels of infrared raw-capture data.” The system takes pictures of the vines in the infrared spectrum, relaying information about how “vigorous” the plants are, Palmaz says. That information is correlated to soil moisture readings and an algorithm helps adjust irrigation to even the growth patterns. “This system is so accurate that if a broken pipe shows up under three vines, it’s going to throw off the data,” he says. “And then we can see that and address it, rather than waiting until harvest for the winemaker to taste the fruit and notice a difference.” After VIGOR helps produce healthier, more consistent grapes, the fruit goes into fermentation tanks at a facility called simply “The Dome,” where Palmaz’s computer sidekick FILCS (pronounced “Felix”) steps in. Inside the cathedral-like Dome are two tiered rings of tanks: one fixed, one rotating. Data sets are projected onto the domed ceiling above them and digital readouts are available in real time. Palmaz and his winemakers control the system from a command center on a platform cantilevered above the tanks. “FILCS gives us over 3.5 million points of discrete temperature data inside each tank,” says Palmaz, who uses this data to interpret everything that is happening

to the juice inside each tank. “This is where the winemakers really get to unlock their potential, because they have more situational control over what’s going on in the fermenter so they can make more educated decisions and take more risks without jeopardizing the wine.” The next advancement will be a system of sensors to go inside each barrel of wine to better observe the aging process. Palmaz says that Mitchell and Klein do frequent tastings and continue to determine the blends for each vintage the old-fashioned way. “So much of what we do in the wine industry is driven by tradition or done because someone somewhere

Technology develops better systems of control and leaves the power in the hands of the romantics. had success with that method—it really is a black box,” says Austin Peterson, winemaker at Ovid in St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley. “This new technology allows us to shine a little light in there and see how our choices impact the way vines behave and what impacts the wine.” Ovid’s latest experiment involves redox chemistry, which measures the electrical charge of wine and reveals that negative charges result in a slower evolution of flavors and aromas. After measuring this throughout the life of his wines, Peterson and his team began to reconsider everything from fermentation to aging. “All of this tech allows us to ask more questions and start to parse out some answers,” he says. One of the answers that came from

this research is Ovid’s newly released Experiment series of wines, aged in varioussized barrels and monitored using redox chemistry. The result is a superb set of wines that has been well received by critics and consumers alike. At the nearby Seven Stones Winery, winemaker Aaron Pott uses technology to monitor growth and fermentation and emphasizes that his systems rely heavily on human interaction. Each of the winery’s tanks, for example, is equipped with automated pump-over devices that strategically move the juice to give Pott and his team more control over the fermentation process. During an intense period of extraction, which Pott determines by taste, he may choose to run 48 separate pump-overs during a 24-hour period. “This makes it so there is never a difference in temperature between the top and bottom part of the tank during the heat of fermentation,” he says. Other Northern California winemakers utilize technology for efficiency, which is especially relevant given California’s frequent droughts. “We use drones throughout our estate vineyards to monitor vine health and identify soil densities with different water needs,” says Katie Jackson of Jackson Family Wines, which is based in Northern California’s Sonoma County and owns wineries in six countries. At one of its wineries in Sonoma County, the company installed specialized technology to recycle wastewater from its barrel-washing system three times. They are also trialing reverse osmosis technology that would enable them to recycle the water up to 10 times. Ultimately, technology can be a force for good in the winemaking world, despite critics who perceive that it diminishes the crucial creative human element of the ageold tradition. But for Christian Palmaz and pioneering vintners like him, it’s not robots making the wine. Technology develops better systems of control and leaves the power in the hands of the romantics. u

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Home’s New Frontier

Residential architecture is moving into a new era, driven by advances in 3-D printing and environmental technologies that address evolving live-work space realities. BY JORGE S. ARANGO

JINHAI LAKE, BEIJING Architecture: Tighe Architecture, tighearchitecture.com; John V. Mutlow Architects, mutlowarchitects.com Square Feet: 10,300 Bedrooms: 6

In an era defined by Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry, unusual architectural geometries aren’t new. But this twin villa has specific reasons for its idiosyncratic faceted form. First, says Patrick Tighe, “We wanted to take a very ordinary material for that region—concrete, which we perceive as big and heavy—and create a striking form articulated in a way that feels light.” It also tweaks ancient Chinese courtyard home typologies in a contemporary way, creating a central, glass-sheathed void that, Tighe explains, “is the connector that allows for circulation between the homes, as well as ventilation and circulation of light.” Windows that resemble fissures among the facets give views a sculptural quality. Aside from maximizing passive heat, the natural light enters in intriguing ways to animate rooms with a play of light and shadow. The villa is buried into the ground, creating thermal mass, so it’s cooler in summer and warmer in winter. 

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Courtesy Tighe Architecture

Solution for Tomorrow: A faceted form that captures light and passive heat in unusual ways while preserving complete privacy for the building’s occupants

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Architecture: Peter Pichler Architecture, peterpichler.eu Square Feet: About 37,700 Bedrooms: 7 Solution for Tomorrow: Culturally derived, site-appropriate forms and motifs for thoroughly contemporary living

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Courtesy Peter Pichler Architecture (3)

Six is a providential number in Arab architecture. It determines the sections of mosque domes, and it’s showcased in the hexagons of lacy mashrabiya screens, which invite in light while preserving privacy. This villa, to be completed in 2023, uses the number to tweak the archetype of a single-family Arab residence. Architect Peter Pichler created six buildings he calls “rocks,” which he positioned around a courtyard—the central feature of Arabic residences. The angular rocks create “canyons” between them that mimic the surrounding desert. Each limestone-clad trapezoidal structure serves a different function. Clockwise from the entry, there is the men’s majlis (a gendered social space), a kitchen, a fitness center, a larger “rock” accommodating bedrooms and family spaces, a dining room, and, finally, the women’s majlis. Natural light filters through powder-coated aluminum mashrabiyas. “The home is a contemporary interpretation of vernacular architecture, incorporating specific cultural norms and traditions of place,” says Pichler. 

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ANYWHERE, EARTH Architecture: Terreform ONE, terreform.org Square Feet: Variable Bedrooms: Variable Solution for Tomorrow: Living plants as building material that “grow” homes over a basic armature

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“There’s no more future in building with carbon-intensive concrete and steel,” says Mitchell Joachim of Terreform ONE. “These materials played a significant role in decimating our biosphere. Growing homes with living materials is the most effective way to dwell sustainably on this planet.” The idea is to create and graft an aluminum armature onto existing trees that directs the growth of young woody plants, which eventually become the primary structure and building material of the residence. “It’s more than being sustainable,” says Vivian Kuan, executive director of this innovative architectural research and urban design group. “It’s the idea of growing things rather than depleting our natural resources. It’s a positive contribution to the environment.” The group foresees extending ELM (engineered living materials) to interiors too. “What if we could actually grow our furniture using mycelium? Grow our homes out of actual plants?” she asks. What if, indeed?

LONDON Architecture: Undercurrent Architects, undercurrent-architects.com Square Feet: About 2,150 Bedrooms: 3–4

Courtesy Undercurrent Architects (2). Opposite: Courtesy Terreform One

Solution for Tomorrow: Reclaimed green space and sensitively designed housing in dense urban centers

Innovative architects and urban planners are reclaiming and creating green spaces in densely populated cities, bringing life into even the densest of concrete jungles. That’s what London did in the 1980s, when the city rewilded a decommissioned railway running through an ancient ring of hills that had been lost under pavement. The concept for this structure, dubbed “House of the Lost Forest” by Undercurrent’s founder Didier Ryan, proposes Douglas fir slat siding that “provides pattern, depth, and texture in a very natural way.” Dark slate areas frame vertical, cathedral-like windows facing the woods and emphasizing the connection between the oak and ash treetops and understory habitat now populated by bats, owls, foxes, and deer. “Planting woodland, rather than planting a traditional garden, creates a broader ecosystem,” Ryan says. “Luxury doesn’t necessarily equate with wide-open space and the absence of neighbors. Here, it’s a centrally located, highly personalized space, connected to both nature and the city.” 

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA Architecture: Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, eyrc.com; Mighty Buildings, mightybuildings.com; Palari Group, palari.com Square Feet: 864–1,440 Bedrooms: 2–3 Solution for Tomorrow: 3-D-printed prefab housing that is affordable and can be built quickly

The innovation of 3-D-printing technology has taken prefab housing to a new level. The first 3-D-printed house happened in Russia in 2015, and a Dutch firm recently delivered keys to the founding residents of a 3-D-printed community in the Netherlands. In the United States, a new community of Mighty Homes is currently taking shape throughout California, including a multi-unit development in Rancho Mirage designed by Palari Group. Made of panels that are flatpacked à la IKEA and shipped to the site of a pre-built slab foundation, the process reduces construction times from an average of nine months to nine weeks, says EYRC Architects partner Mathew Chaney. “The material is like a resin-impregnated powder similar to Corian. The highly resilient panel is sprayfoam-injected into a honeycomb matrix. It becomes the exterior and the water barrier in one.” Wood-frame houses are “nowhere near as resilient” and cost much more to build, making these prefabs relatively affordable. The design can also incorporate solar panels.

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RED ROCK, UTAH Architecture: Superficium Studio, Ltd., superficium.com Square Feet: Adaptable Bedrooms: 15 (as seen here)

Courtesy Superficium Studio (2). Opposite: Courtesy Mighty Buildings (3)

Solution for Tomorrow: 3-D-printed biopolymers and bioplastics to be used as building materials

Last year, Superficium co-founders Samuel Esses and Jon Wong entered an architectural competition with a broad directive: generate ideas for the homes of tomorrow. Their Biohacker’s Residence, says Wong, “expands the idea of at-home, DIY biology labs beyond something that’s done in garages.” Rather than steel and glass, every aspect of the structure would be 3-D-printed using biopolymers and bioplastics that appear as boulders in the desert. At the center of the individual bedrooms is a communal open lab where DIY biologists can exchange ideas and experimental practices. Esses notes: “It’s a retreat outside the city, a protective, but also enabling, space where biohackers can operate out of the public eye, but that also supports their emerging practice. The skin is like a cellular organization and allows you to take more ownership of your space based on user needs.” Additionally, they envision the space being responsive and adaptable to the user’s occupancy and environmental comfort, enabled through advanced 3-D printing technologies. 

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ISTANBUL Architecture: Carla Bonilla Huaroc, carlabonilla.net; Samia Kayyali, skayyali15@gmail.com Square Feet: 160–215/one-bedroom unit, plus 430/common space Bedrooms: 1–2/module Solution for Tomorrow: Modular treehouse design devised for the cohabitation of humans and native animal species

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“Many forests around Istanbul are being wiped out to accommodate development,” says Architectural Designer Carla Bonilla Huaroc. She and architect and landscape architect Samia Kayyali responded with a concept for treehouses made of individual bedroom-bath modules connected by looping pathways to a common living space, as well as various recreational spaces. Made of 3-D-printed ECOncrete, an aggregate material containing recycled waste products, the fantastical forms of the modules accommodate humans as well as squirrels, lizards, and birds. “The walls have pockets built into them in sizes and shapes informed by the form of the habitats that the different species build for themselves,” Bonilla says. This provides habitat for both humans and native species. The project, she says, “negotiates the relationship between what’s already there—the forest—and inhabited built space.” Some of the modules would use the trees themselves for support, while others would have footings on the ground. The community can be expanded throughout any forest.

THE MOON

Courtesy Images, From Top: SOM/Slashcube GmbH (2); SOM. Opposite, Courtesy Carla Bonilla Huaroc & Samia Kayyali (3)

Architecture: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, som.com, with European Space Agency, esa.int Square Feet: 1,120 Bedrooms: 4–6 Solution for Tomorrow: Lunar habitat with open central space that is nearly dwell-ready upon landing

Rather than resorting to 3-D printing like many proposed lunar dwellings—which requires equipment and human supervision over some time—the basic module for this Moon Village, planned for the rim of the Shackleton Crater, is inhabitable after inflation and some relatively easy setup. It’s like prefab housing for outer space. Once modules are set down on the surface and the shells inflated, they offer complete environmental protection. They also harness near-continuous daylight for energy, and for growing consumables. Frozen volatiles and water stored in the crater can be tapped for life-sustaining resources and rocket propellant. Finally, modules are designed to be interconnected, enabling free circulation. “Designing a self-sustaining settlement on the moon in such a hostile environment will teach us invaluable lessons about sustainable and resilient design,” says SOM Design Partner Colin Koop. “It will help us prepare for a changing climate on Earth and pioneer new methods of building for a variety of environments.” u

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FURNISHINGS

Round the Corners

These curvy, serpentine objects favor sensual lines, with no right angles in sight. BY JORGE S. ARANGO

Studio Twentyseven commissioned French designer Arthur Vallin to create this limited-edition (10 total) Ipséité coffee table, composed of five surfboard-thick layers of richly figured oval Quattro Stagioni marble resting on a textured brass ball. Price upon request; studiotwentyseven.com

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Earlier this year, Slovenian-born, Londonbased designer Lara Bohinc collaborated with Roll & Hill on her first lighting collection, Moonrise, which features a chandelier and two sconces. All available in brushed brass or anodized aluminum. $1,100–$15,625; rollandhill.com

Vladimir Kagan is the grandaddy of slinky, curvaceous furniture. Now Holly Hunt has partnered with Vladimir Kagan Studio to revive the Barrel sofa, originally designed by Kagan in 1947. It’s got all that Jetsons cool but interpreted with sophistication and wit. Price upon request; hollyhunt.com

All Images Courtesy Listed Manufacturer

For MoMA Design Store’s fall/winter catalog, the Museum of Modern Art collaborated with Sargadelos (the 200-plus-year porcelain manufactory in Galicia, Spain) on exclusive colors for its classically curvy Forma dinnerware. From $95 for four dessert plates; store.moma.org

After witnessing cork trees survive a 2017 fire in Portugal, French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance created the made-toorder Burnt Cork collection for Made in Situ. Each piece, including this chaise, is carved from calcined cork tree bark. From $9,600; madeinsitu.com

Brussels-based Xavier Lust turns metal into seemingly pliable loops, as exhibited in his Eagle console; a limited edition of eight is debuting this fall at Ralph Pucci in New York. The ribbon-like stainless-steel form boasts three finishes (satin, black patina, and mirror polish) in each single piece. $150,000; xavierlust.com; ralphpucci.com

Designer Achille Salvagni, whose love of 1920s- and 1930s-era Italian sexiness is no secret, is out with the new Alligator sofa. Luxuriously long and voluptuous, the piece is upholstered in plush mohair and rests on gold-leafed feet. Price upon request; maisongerard.com

Armani/Casa has introduced many bar cabinets over the years. But the Royal, a limited edition of 88, is the first to sport an oval shape. True to Giorgio’s fascination with Japanese aesthetics, it’s woven of paper and fabric to resemble tatami mats. Price upon request; armanicasa.com

Longaberger, the almost-50-yearold manufacturer and distributor of American-made artisanal products, is now offering this curvy, 24-inch-long charcuterie board made of hickory wood. $198; longaberger.com 

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A trip to Kathmandu inspired Lebanese artist Roula Salamoun to design the Strata collection of wooland-silk rugs for Iwan Maktabi, a Persian family of rug dealers based in Dubai. Designs resemble the concentric lines of topographical maps. $2,000; iwanmaktabi.com

On Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, the new West Coast outpost of New York’s Gilded Owl design gallery showcases a collection by the design firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero. The sculpturally wavy aluminum tables (also available in bronze) are reminiscent of irregular swimming pool shapes. From $3,000; thegildedowl.com

The Carlyle rug, from Loomah’s South Beach Collection, simultaneously evokes streamlined Tropical Deco hotels of Miami Beach, the locale’s fashion-forward attitude, and its burgeoning art scene using 100 percent New Zealand semiworsted wool. From $1,130/square meter; loomah.com

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As You Like It

Customizable products let you play designer.

All Images Courtesy Listed Manufacturer

Corail by Roche Bobois is a game changer for the home furnishings industry by making it possible for you to be part of the design process in the local creation of this concrete table base. Corail, the French name for coral, was the obvious inspiration for this fluid shape, designed by Antoine Fritsch and Vivien Durisotti. The coil-built method of 3-D printing is ideal for producing these undulating reef-like structures, but it can also extrude the wet concrete in a way that mimics a woven effect. With an in-store advisor or using software available on the company’s site, customers create their own variation on the design—choosing one of five sizes and controlling the shape and amount of the weave they want. The resulting unique “genetic code,” a 23-digit sequence, is simply sent to a local printer with 3-D capabilities, who then fabricates it, thereby reducing the carbon footprint usually associated with the logistics of furniture transport. From $11,735; roche-bobois.com

Czech glass house Lasvit has taken a concept primarily commissioned by hotels and restaurants and adapted it for the home using a modular format with tremendous versatility. Lasvit Art Walls began with projectspecific architectural glass installations called Crystal Wall and Liquidkristal. But the new designs—Impasto, Tapestry, and Curtain—are composed of modules with multiple color and finish options, offering the ability to devise completely unique partitions in your own home. Impasto, for instance, comes in six shapes, 10 colors, and four types of pipe/wire fastening components. The modularity brings the rudimentary glass brick partitions that were popular in mid-century houses into a thoroughly contemporary, bespoke new form. And glass— clear, smoked, or colored—is a material that offers rooms a degree of intimacy without sacrificing the flow of light. Priced by scope and complexity of project; artwalls.lasvit.com 

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Chef’s Specials

The latest high-tech appliances dish up home kitchens that are sleeker and more efficient. BY JORGE S. ARANGO

The Ooni Karu 12 portable pizza oven (it weighs just 26 pounds) is a great way to enjoy true Neapolitan pizza. The 950 degrees Fahrenheit temperature can be achieved by using wood, charcoal, or a separately sold gas burner. It’s great for steaks, chicken, and fish too. $350; ooni.com

Thermador now offers one-stop shopping with nine Leap Into Luxury appliance packages at three price tiers. All include the new 72-inch freestanding refrigerator and a 24inch Emerald dishwasher; one also includes the new Masterpiece 30-inch single and double wall ovens, as well as ranges, hoods, microwaves, and blowers. $10,000–$13,300; thermador.com

The 400 Series downdraft ventilation system from Gaggenau is their quietest yet; it self-regulates ventilation power, pulling odor and steam from the surface. Its modularity allows variety in the number of systems desired and placement with any 400 Vario series cooktops. $3,300; gaggenau.com

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All Images Courtesy Listed Manufacturer

The 800 Series French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator from Bosch is the first to feature a glass-front beverage drawer with five pre-programmed settings, making whatever you’re stocking—from sodas to Dom Pérignon—conveniently visible. $4,540; bosch-home.com/us

Among various innovations in Dacor’s new 36-inch, counter-depth French-door refrigerator with dual-reveal door is a triple cooling system that allows you to program the lower right space for refrigerator or freezer functions, all from your mobile device. $4,400; dacor.com

Fisher & Paykel introduces its 24inch Combination Steam Oven, one of the largest on the market at 3 cubic feet. It adds a new sous vide steam function among 22 other convection oven and steam oven functions, and requires no water line. $4,800; fisherpaykel.com

Among Bertazzoni’s recent introductions is the Collezione Metalli collection, a custom knobs-and-finials package that allows gold, copper, and black nickel plating on any of its acclaimed Heritage Series Suite of appliances, including ranges, dishwashers, and refrigerators. From $1,200; us.bertazzoni.com

Full-size beverage centers are the “it” appliance for large families (or anyone who loves to entertain). The new True Residential 30-inch version, available in 10 colors, is perfect for pantries, pool cabanas, game rooms, home theaters, and gyms. $11,500; true-residential.com

Wolf’s new 48-inch dual fuel range with French top goes from 300 to 20,000 BTUs and combines gas and convection. There are 50 presets for the oven and 10 cooking modes from roast to dehydrate—all Wi-Fi enabled. $16,225; subzero-wolf.com u

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THE LUXURY LOOK

Play Room

Whether splurging on an avant-garde, sculptural game table for the home or keeping it simple with a putting mat in the office, fun is what it’s all about. PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANKIE BATISTA STYLING BY HEIDI MEEK

his year is the 10th anniversary of the inception of 11 Ravens, a Los Angeles–based company co-founded by former professional table tennis player Michael Zaretsky, who partnered with graphic designer Bernard Semerdjian to create a design firm that has revolutionized the aesthetic of game room tables. Offered in a variety of styles, including mid-century modern, transitional, and modern/futuristic, every 11 Ravens game table is bespoke and all game types can be accommodated—from billiards and table tennis to air hockey, foosball, and shuffleboard. The firm’s best-selling table is a 3-in-1 design: a billiards table that operates as a dining surface on one side and a table tennis surface on the other. The piece functions with a dual-conversion top made

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of competitive-quality ping-pong material in the client’s choice of colors. The Theseus Air Hockey table (from $18,675; shown here) features a black, powder-coated steel frame with a walnut wooden rail. Upgrading to a Lucite base adds $8,000, while the aforementioned table tennis and dining room conversion top costs an additional $4,000. Typically, an 11 Ravens commission requires 12 to 16 weeks from inception to delivery; however, challenging new concepts can sometimes require four to eight weeks of additional time. For avid golfers looking for a simple yet effective way to improve their skills, the 13-foot Wellputt training mat ($179) lets them do so in the home or office. “It’s the tool that’s going to help you develop better accuracy and better speed control,”

says Cameron McCormick, a PGA of America instructor and Jordan Spieth’s longtime coach. The mat’s alignment aids help players properly line up their putters behind the ball—an overlooked aspect of the putting stroke that deters many amateurs. Additionally, the mat features two rows of ball markings that can train players to stand so their eyes are directly over the ball when they putt. The stroke amplitude guides allow players to practice distance control. As for speed training, the mat’s cut-pile surface is developed to accurately replicate a medium-to-fast green, with a speed of 10 on the Stimpmeter in one direction and 11.5 in the opposite direction. The Wellputt mat also features a dedicated iPhone or Android app to guide users through more than 50 exercises and training drills to improve their precision.

—Shaun Tolson

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VINCE sweater, $395; vince.com FRAME jeans, $218; frame-store.com SUPERGA sneakers, $75; superga.com MESSIKA bracelet, $15,520; messika.com 11 RAVENS Theseus air hockey table, from $18,675; 11ravens.com

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VUORI Yosemite bra, $48, and Daily leggings, $84; vuoriclothing.com ONAKRIS running shoes, $139;akris.com on-running.com jacket, $3,990; MIANSAI $350,$85; and bracelet, JAMES necklace, PERSE T-shirt, $950; miansai.com jamesperse.com THE ROW jeans, $590; therow.com KICHGO resistance bands,$149; part of an ON RUNNING sneaker, 8-piece set for $65; kichgo.com on-running.com NADRI earrings, $345; nadri.com Opposite: MESSIKA bracelet, $12,600; LULULEMON tank, $58, sports bra, $58, messika.com and scrunchie, part of a six-pack for $28; lululemon.com WELLPUTT putting mat, $179; ALO leggings, $108; aloyoga.com wellputt.com ONSCOTTY running shoes, $139;putter, on-running.com CAMERON from $399; NADRI bracelets, two-piece set for $98; scottycameron.com nadri.com HYDROW rowing machine, $2,245, plus $38/month membership fee; hydrow.com Previous page: SWEATY BETTY sweatshirt, $138; sweatybetty.com MIANSAI earrings, $350; miansai.com NADRI studs, $40; nadri.com KICHGO bag, $65 (includes 20 videos); kichgo.com

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Photo Credits Courtesy Fusion Bowling

Home Field Advantage

Photo Credits

If you’ve ever fantasized about installing a professional-grade sports amenity at home, there’s likely a specialized company that can make that dream a reality. Whether you love the idea of bowling strikes or sinking putts— even dribbling on pro-quality parquet courts, skating on smooth sheets of ice, or shredding on a never-ending wave—the following businesses can make your residential fantasy a reality.  BY SHAUN TOLSON

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Lucky Strikes

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Courtesy Fusion Bowling (5)

owling can be an excellent social activity, so it makes sense that homeowners with a penchant for entertaining love the idea of adding a few lanes to their homes. Retrofitting a residence with regulation-size lanes, however, isn’t an easy task, since a couple of lanes typically require an area 100 feet long and 15–20 feet wide. “That type of room usually has to be designed into the house from the beginning,” says Ryan Claxton, the cofounder of Fusion Bowling. “It’s an optical illusion that bowling alleys seem shorter, but they do actually take up that much length.” Claxton acknowledges that his company most often designs and installs lanes for new homes, where the house’s entire floor plan is effectively designed around the shape and location of that room. When Fusion Bowling has retrofitted an existing house, the lanes have been installed in a basement, so long as the residence occupies a large footprint. In most cases, the homes that feature

Fusion Bowling’s lanes average between 20,000 and 25,000 square feet. Because Fusion Bowling specializes in residential lanes, the company utilizes the industry’s best-performing machinery—Brunswick pinsetter machines and Samsung commercial monitors with touchscreen controls. “Homeowners don’t have a mechanic on duty like you do at a bowling center, so reliability is key,” Claxton explains. “You want to know you can turn it on and it just runs.” Fusion Bowling also readily takes on custom projects, which typically include unusual wood tones—dark maple or faded gray, for example—and other aesthetic features. To date, one of Claxton’s favorite projects involved the installation of four lanes in the basement of a sprawling Hawaiian villa. “The room was filled with exotic hardwoods on the floor and ceiling, and the back wall behind the lanes featured a backlit stylized wave pattern,” he says. “It was just a cool-looking room.” fusionbowling.com 

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Ice Breakers

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Courtesy Custom Ice Inc. (2). Opposite: Courtesy SportProsUSA

wenty-two years ago, former NHL player Dave Gagner commissioned the design of a private outdoor ice rink for his backyard, which sparked the creation of Custom Ice Inc., a company that now specializes in private residential skating surfaces that start around $30,000. “The biggest thing that changed was scope and scale,” says Glenn Winder, the company’s vice president and partner. “We’re now building full-size NHL rinks for people’s private homes.” For residences located north of the 40th parallel, Custom Ice can build permanent outdoor rinks that make skating possible for about 16 weeks out of the year (generally from Thanksgiving to St. Patrick’s Day). The company also designs and builds insulated indoor rinks that can be based anywhere in North America. Those indoor, insulated projects typically carry a 40-percent premium over outdoor rinks of the same size, due to the necessary infrastructure. Although Custom Ice doesn’t build the structures that will house a year-round rink, its team will work closely with general contractors and architects, sharing CAD designs, installing the rink components, and guiding those builders through additional insulation requirements. “We’re a design-build company,” says Winder, “so we’re well prepared for that.” With more than 1,000 ice rink projects under its belt, the company can capably handle a vast array of special commissions. Over the years, it’s produced rinks outfitted with full player boxes, score clocks, sound systems, strobe lighting, in-ice logos, and luxurious dressing rooms. “Not many people will go to that extreme,” he says. “But we do get people who want the whole ice arena look.” customicerinks.com

Supreme Courts

ant to bank in a layup on the New York Knicks’ parquet floor or shoot a step-back jumper for three at the Staples Center? SportProsUSA makes these dreams come true—sort of. While the company can’t get you into either arena—and it certainly can’t put you on their respective basketball courts—it can design and build an indoor court for your home that offers the same quality playing experience. “We’ve added scoreboards and [wall] graphics and NBA

seats that you can put along the sidelines,” says Thomas Petersen, the company’s president. “You can take it to the extreme. We can make your court look like you’re standing in the middle of Madison Square Garden.” SportProsUSA has specialized in highend residential basketball courts since Petersen founded the company in 2006, and today it can install those courts with basketball systems produced by a company that has equipped NBA arenas for almost 25 years. Although new home builds are easier projects to execute, Petersen says that

retrofitting homes is also possible. In both cases, basement installations are the most efficient approach, so long as they’re dug (or re-excavated) to the proper depth. For home projects in New York and New Jersey, SportProsUSA can handle all aspects of the installation (half-court projects typically range from $35,000 to $75,000). For projects based in other states, Petersen and his team offer guidance and design help, and they’ll connect clients with trusted partners and affiliates to undertake the physical construction. sportprosusa.com 

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f you’ve taken a Royal Caribbean cruise in recent years or visited one of several hundred water parks that feature a FlowRider stationary wave system for surfing, you’ve likely been impressed by its capabilities. What you may not know is that those same FlowRider systems can be installed in private residences. To date, about a dozen of those residential installations have been completed, though that number could soon increase dramatically with the company’s latest model, the FlowRider Edge. Occupying a footprint that’s about half the size of a FlowRider Double (the company’s most popular commercial model), the FlowRider Edge also carries a lower price tag—$475,000 compared to about $1 million. “Either of those products could go in your backyard, it’s just a function of space and cost,” says Marshall Myrman, the company’s president. “It’s probably most relevant to

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Southern California, the Southwest, and the Southeast—warmer climate regions. But I wouldn’t put it out of reach for someone living in the Northeast.” According to Myrman, every FlowRider model is an extension of the same stationary wave system. In the case of the FlowRider Edge, the wave height was lowered by 6 inches and the device features an inflatable ride surface, rather than a trampoline, which makes it less intimidating (and more comfortable). “It’s much more enjoyable to land on this than anything else I’ve experienced in the stationary wave industry,” Myrman says. As for what the FlowRider experience is like, Myrman acknowledges that it can be a hybrid of surfing, but it really simulates all board sports, including the winter ones. “Riding a flowboard,” he says, “is like snowboarding in powder.” flowrider.com

Courtesy Flowrider. Opposite: Courtesy Back Nine Greens

Wave Catchers

Backyard Bunkers

vid golfers who are looking to squeeze in a bit more short-game practice can do so with style and minimal maintenance thanks to the artificial putting surfaces that are designed and built by Back Nine Greens. For more than two decades, the company has outfitted the backyards of discerning golf enthusiasts, including tour pros. One such former player even joined the company as a partner. “I wanted a tour-speed green,” says Dave Stockton Jr., who played as a professional for more than a decade. “They did it perfectly, which is why I got involved in the company. I couldn’t believe what they built in my backyard.” Stockton Jr. now oversees the company’s luxury division, which designs and builds elaborate putting greens accented by artificial bunkers in various shapes and sizes. Those lifelike bunkers are made

of a more wiry style turf than the styles used for rough, fringe, and the actual putting surface; and Stockton Jr. asserts that it realistically simulates sand-filled bunkers. “You have to make the same kind of swing you would in a normal bunker,” he says. “Sweeping underneath it and finishing high.” The cost of a simple Back Nine green without bunkers starts at $18 per square foot, whereas the company’s contoured, bunker-accented luxury greens can cost as much as $40 per square foot. For luxury commissions, Back Nine Greens also employs a shaper who previously worked with many revered course architects, including Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus. “We construct it just like you would a golf green anywhere,” says Dominic Nappi, the company’s founder and president. He’s quick to add: “Some tricks of the trade are also involved.” backninegreens.com u

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Let the Games Begin

From Monaco to Kentucky, major international sporting events have resumed. It’s the return of bucket-list sports travel and these experts are the ones to know to secure VIP access, including all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it.

he biggest and best spectator sports events are draped in rich traditions, but many of those crashed to a halt during the 2020 pandemic season. For instance, the first Saturday in May has belonged to the Kentucky Derby since 1875, making it the longest continuously held major sporting event in the United States— until last year, when the “Run for the Roses” was first postponed, then held without fans, devoid of all the pomp, circumstance, and fancy hats. The Masters was similarly pushed back and held fanless, leaving the world’s best golfers befuddled when they reflexively turned to wave at crowds before remembering they were all alone. Now sports are back, and travel is returning at a blistering rate. All options from safaris to Machu Picchu are high priorities, with travelers realizing that life is short, the future uncertain, and those “someday I want to see that” moments are better not put off. This is especially true for sports, which has so many “musts,” and some that are held just every two or four years.

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Sports travel is about a lot more than just getting a coveted ticket. Most events are bookended with parties, festivals, sightseeing, and entertainment that make the actual 60 minutes of action even more special. In the case of the Derby, it is days of balls, VIP stable and bourbon tours, the Kentucky Oaks the day before, after-parties, and milliner visits that make the trip so much more than the two-minute sprint. Former TV sportscaster turned luxury travel adviser Chad Clark made a multiyear pilgrimage to personally see every top event or championship in every major sport worldwide, from the Rugby World Cup in South Africa to the Olympics to Heavyweight Championship bouts, the Masters, Wimbledon, and eclectic events like Siena’s Palio alongside the World Series, Final Four, and Super Bowl. Now his eponymous Chad Clark Travel Ventures (chadclarktravel.com), a Virtuoso agency in Phoenix, helps clients enjoy these in high style, and he has very strong opinions. “Football is America’s most popular sport, so the Super Bowl is on top of many bucket

lists,” he explains, “but it’s not even in my top 10. It’s so corporate, so expensive, and your team probably is not playing. I prefer events that are not just two teams, where half the audience always leaves bummed out. “For the World Series or NBA Finals, you really want to go to Game Seven, but most years there is no Game Seven. The events that go on for days or weeks and draw international crowds are much more fun. That’s why I love the Olympics (Summer or Winter), and I’d put the Kentucky Derby, Masters, Monaco Grand Prix, and Royal Ascot in my top five, but it’s so hard to pick. The Indy 500, FIFA World Cup, and Rugby World Cup are tremendous as well. “But whichever you do, plan on being in town two to three days early because that’s when all the fun happens: the galas, the strawberries and cream. The first time I went to the Indy 500 I missed a lot by not going early. You also need access to the VIP or behind-the-scenes events, to be on a yacht in Monaco and attend the Ferrari party—that’s what makes it amazing. When I plan a trip for clients, I do it as if I were going myself,” 

Hoch Zwei/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

BY LARRY OLMSTED

Photo Credits

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says Clark, “Whatever the event, once the horn sounds to start the game, your trip is essentially over.” Location may also drive an event up your short list. If you dream of the Super Bowl, wait for a marquee host like New Orleans or Phoenix, rather than far removed venues like Dallas or New Jersey’s Meadowlands. If you love tennis, Wimbledon is the ultimate, but if you have always dreamed of visiting the Great Barrier Reef, maybe the Australian Open is a better Grand Slam event for you. “When the World Cup was in South Africa, clients used it as a reason to see Victoria Falls or go on safari,” says Duane Penner, vice president of Roadtrips (roadtrips.com), a luxury sporting event travel specialist. “I always tell people that the real excitement is all the events around the event. Seeing sports live is spectacular but running into a past legend of the game at a restaurant, or staying in the same hotel as the team, that’s the story you are going to be telling for years.” Fans may have a favorite sport, but the most fun events might be outside your box—you don’t need to have ever seen a race to get swallowed up in the feverish fun of the Derby or Grand Prix. There are travel specialists who do nothing but high-end sports travel, and these are their most popular events.

KENTUCKY DERBY Takes Place: Late April When to Book: The previous April The Saturday Derby caps a two-week festival and two full days of hoopla at Churchill Downs. Friday is Kentucky Oaks day, just as festive as race day, with the same hats and fancy attire but featuring a different signature cocktail: the vodka-based Oaks Lily (Derby Day is all about Mint Juleps). Most luxury packages include the same seats for both days, so the Oaks is a good dry run. There are several days of private balls beforehand, plus after-parties, the most important of which includes the championship presentation inside the museum at Churchill Downs. Specialists can provide tickets to all of these, as well as local tours, and race-day access to one of several private in-track hospitality lounges with their own betting windows, food, and free-flowing adult beverages. Alternative: Clark highly recommends the races at England’s Royal Ascot, which have similar fancy dress and an electric atmosphere. “For the well-heeled, it is just a fantastic event, and it’s the best time to be in the UK. You also have the Chelsea Flower Show, the Henley Royal Regatta for rowing, and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.” 

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Alex Evers/CSM via ZUMA Wire/AP Images

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MONACO GRAND PRIX

Takes Place: Every two years

Takes Place: Late May/early June

When to Book: One year out

When to Book: As little as a month out

It’s relatively easy to get tickets and accommodations through specialists, so it’s worth waiting for a great venue. Fewer Americans may be interested in the 2022 Beijing Winter Games than, say, 2026 when they will be held in Milan and Cortina, combining the world’s biggest sports gathering with universally beloved Italian travel, including a great ski vacation option. The spectator-free 2020 Tokyo Summer Games would have been a fantastic trip, but there’s another world-class luxury travel destination to look forward to in 2024, when the Olympics revisit Paris after 100 years. “You can add on cultural tours as well as culinary delights,” says Chris Pronger, president of Well Inspired Travels (wellinspiredtravels.com), a top provider of VIP access for Protravel International’s Global Travel Collection. Pronger is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman who was a senior adviser of hockey operations for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.

The entire municipality is transformed into a big fancy party. There are two strategies: Stay in the city and drink it in 24/7 or stay outside, in Cannes or Cap Ferrat, and split the festivities with escapist luxury. “Clients could be a guest of team Ferrari with pit seating at Red Bull Paddocks, but we also have exclusive access to The Automobile Club of Monaco that is a transformed art studio overlooking more of the course than any other vantage point,” says Sandy Garcia of Protravel International (protravelinc.com). “For the Amber Lounge invite-only party, we simply slip an invitation under our clients’ doors and they get to take part in the most exclusive party of the year. There is no experience during the Grand Prix that we cannot gain access to.”

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Alternative: “The combination of a sporting event and a destination is big now, and we are seeing more and more interest in the Singapore Grand Prix. The food and hospitality there are off the charts,” says Roadtrips’ Penner.

From Left: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/AP Images; Bertrand Langlois/AFP/Getty Images. Opposite: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire/AP Images

OLYMPICS

INDIANAPOLIS 500 Takes Place: End of May When to Book: Several months ahead Averaging over 300,000 fans, the Indy 500 is the most attended single-day spectator sporting event on Earth and caps a nearly month-long run-up of special events and big-name concerts. After more than 100 years, the city handles the surge surprisingly well, and both good tickets and top hotel rooms are available with advance planning. VIP options include pit passes, garage visits, and the chance to take laps on the famous oval in a pace car or actual Indy car with a driver who has raced here, paired with hospitality suites near the finish line (vital, as it is often very hot in the grandstands). Alternative: France’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, popularized in the hit 2019 film Ford vs. Ferrari. 

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WIMBLEDON

Takes Place: Every four years

Takes Place: Late June into July

When to Book: As soon as possible

When to Book: Less than a year out

Soccer is the world’s favorite sport and the 2022 event is in Qatar. According to Penner, “The World Cup is the biggest sporting event on Earth. For fans to experience their favorite sport in a luxury way in such an exotic locale is something we have seen amazing levels of interest in.” The 2026 edition will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 North American cities, with the finals in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

“Everyone wants the quintessential event in ‘their’ sport, and for tennis it’s to see the best play on grass at the All England Club,” says Penner. For luxury travel agents this is one of the easiest, greatest sports trips to arrange, though it does fall during London’s peak tourism season.

Alternative: The Women’s World Cup. “A lot of families have a daughter who played in high school or college, and in 2019 we got families who loved the chance to relive that passion in cities across France. It’s a great family trip,” says Penner. The 2023 event will be in New Zealand and Australia.

The List Can Go On and On

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Alternative: “The French Open comes next, as it has just as much cache,” says Jeff Sackmann of Tennis Abstract, a stats and history website and tennis podcast. “But you really can’t go wrong with London, Paris, New York, or Melbourne. All four Grand Slam venues are close enough to their respective city centers that you can watch matches all day and take in a show in the evening.”

And it includes the finals in any of America’s big

some other top prospects include the quadrennial

four sports leagues and college basketball’s Final

America’s Cup, the oldest international competition

Four, but for those seeking to combine a world-class

in any sport; rugby’s World Cup (every four years)

sporting event with a memorable, exotic vacation,

and its raucous annual Hong Kong Sevens, which

From Left: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images; Steven Paston/PA Wire/AP Images. Opposite, From Left: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images (2)

WORLD CUP

SUPER BOWL

MASTERS TOURNAMENT

Takes Place: Early February

Takes Place: Early April

When to Book: No rush

When to Book: At least a year out

Always the biggest day on America’s sports calendar, the Super Bowl is one of the easiest events to attend as long as you are willing to pay, because almost no tickets are offered to the public. All of the big specialists and league partners like Hall of Fame Experiences (hofexperiences.com), the official travel provider of the Pro Football HOF Experiences, offer packages including tickets, hotel rooms, transportation, and extras like private, in-stadium VIP lounges, pro athlete meet and greets, and pre- and post-game parties. To take it up a notch, attend the marquee events: the Commissioner’s Dinner or Alumni Dinner. The 2022 game will be in Inglewood, California, and 2023 is in Scottsdale/Phoenix.

The most coveted ticket in sports is driven by exclusivity, with very limited entries and little nearby lodging, so the tournament is always intimate and worth your time and expense. “It’s the priciest of all the events in this country, but to me it’s still the best value because it’s so amazing—10 out of 10 and all class,” says Clark. Pronger recommends planning as far out as possible and suggests foregoing the main event entirely for the pre-tournament practice rounds. “Airplane slotting is a crucial part of the experience with the airport managing a vast supply of private jets. Pre-tournament rounds can be very fun for golf die-hards who can see how the pros prepare for a tournament of this magnitude.” You can also make plans to play regional destinations such as Sea Island, Kiawah Island, Hilton Head, and the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.

holds records for fan beer consumption; the Tour de France; a world championship boxing or mixed martial arts bout; and golf’s oldest Major, the Open Championship, especially when it is held in the birthplace of the game, the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Alternative: The Waste Management Phoenix Open, known as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” is the most attended golf tournament on Earth, a famously huge open-air party. As Clark notes, “It’s just the most fun golf event in the world, complete with post-tournament concerts.” Every few years it overlaps with the Super Bowl, including 2023. u

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Powdered Perfection

For thigh-deep skiing, Japan is it, bar none. And unlike other destinations that get a lot of perfect powder, it lasts.

o place gets more or better snow than Japan. It’s that simple. Except it is not. There are a lot more benefits of this winter vacation destination, from cultural immersion to daily hot springs bathing to incredible lodging and cuisine. Some Japanese ski and snowboard resorts average two to four times the annual snowfall of very good seasons in Utah or Colorado. Japan holds the record for the deepest snow recorded on earth, and thanks to the “Siberian Express” weather system, locals in Northern Japan expect epic powder days four or five times a week, all season long. So if this summer’s Olympics got you interested in a visit, winter is the time to go. “You can’t understand how spoiled we are here,” says Jen Veilleux, an expat American who has run Japan Powder Connection, a Hokkaido guide service, since 2013. “We go out in the morning and ski thigh-, waist-, or chest-deep powder. It starts snowing around lunchtime, snows all afternoon and night, and then the next day we do it again. That’s our normal.” Veteran ski travel expert Sarah Plaskitt owns Scout, a boutique custom tour planning agency focused on the luxury market. She helps enthusiasts plan exceptional ski vacations all over the world but sums up the appeals of Japan succinctly: “It’s got the world’s best snow and the world’s best food and it’s a ton of fun. Why wouldn’t you go there?” Powder is what put Japanese skiing and snowboarding on the map around the world, but in pre-pandemic years the country enjoyed record tourism year-round, and a lot of that had to do with where visitors stayed and what they wanted to eat. “The mountains have the same low-key base lodge cafeterias as the United States, but everything is made-to-order, 

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AdobeStock. Opposite: Menno Boermans/Cavan Images

BY LARRY OLMSTED

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The Details

Traditional Japanese meals at Hoshino Resorts

Most skiers use Tokyo as their gateway. Nagano is less than two hours by direct Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo station, but if you’re going straight to the slopes to or from Narita airport—especially with skis—it is less cumbersome to use a ski shuttle van and go door-todoor with all your gear in about six hours, as it takes two-plus hours just to get to Tokyo Station. Nagano is also close to Kyoto, which is worth an added vacation extension. Likewise, from Tokyo itself, the easiest way to get to Sapporo (Hokkaido) is by train (four hours), but arriving or departing from abroad, it’s a short and frequent flight connection from either Tokyo airport. You can also fly directly into Sapporo via Asian hubs such as Hong Kong, Seoul, or Taipei. It is a two-hour drive from Sapporo to the Niseko region, with lots of private car or SUV transfers available.

really good, and surprisingly cheap,” says Pat Gallagher, a financial industry executive and avid ski traveler. “For the same price as a mediocre burger and stale fries you get ultra-fresh sushi, tempura, tonkatsu, ramen, and karaage, which is crazy-good Japanese fried chicken. It got to the point where we had to have karaage every day. Plus, there’s sake, beer, and fantastic whisky.” If you love skiing or snowboarding and travel, the question is not whether you should go; it’s where. Japan has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in two key regions, Hokkaido and Nagano (there are others, as Japan has more than 500 ski resorts). Both share unbelievably prodigious powder but offer very different experiences. An ideal first trip combines a week in each, but those with less leisure time have to make the difficult choice between the two. Either way, most skiers bookend the trip with a couple of nights in Tokyo and possibly Kyoto for a full Japanese immersion. Hokkaido gets slightly more snow (the most anywhere) and has the largest resorts, including more that offer out-of-bounds backcountry skiing. Among the region’s hundreds of resorts, Niseko is well-known by foreign skiers. It’s Westernized to the point where it is easier to find a burger or taco than tonkatsu or negimaki. Most service industry employees 

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Courtesy Hoshino Resorts (2). Opposite: Courtesy Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

GETTING THERE

Yukibana restaurant at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Hokkaido

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Menno Boermans/Cavan Images. Opposite: Gabe Rogel/Cavan Images

are Australians or New Zealanders; English is widely spoken; and there are many major international hotel brands. It feels quite a bit like Vancouver’s Whistler. This winter, it welcomes the highly anticipated Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve— already touted as the top ski resort hotel in Japan, and arguably, the world. The opening is expected to be the tipping point that puts Japanese skiing on the global luxury radar, and this will only increase when Aman opens its boutique resort here in 2023. Another large ski resort is neighboring Rusutsu, which has just a small village but spreads out among satellite developments with many luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, stores, and amenities. It is one of Japan’s most popular resorts, with 18 lifts, and very popular with Chinese, Taiwanese, and Singaporean travelers (do not visit over the jammed Chinese New Year’s holiday period). Nearby Kiroro, a must-do day trip for experts and backcountry skiers, lacks a town, but has excellent lodging and frequently features in American ski and action sports films. As a result, virtually everyone in the parking lot these days is American, Canadian, or Australasian, carrying the transceivers and avalanche gear and gunning for the backcountry gate. Another great day trip is to Mount Weisshorn, a defunct ski resort now used exclusively by Niseko Weiss Powder Cats, for private cat skiing with a maximum of 12 guests. In sharp contrast to the Hokkaido region, Nagano is very traditional, with few English menus and little English spoken. This makes the experience both more authentic and more difficult to navigate, especially since Nagano has more smaller mountains and requires moving around (to ski, not stay). Among several small ski towns, the best known is Nozawa Onsen, with a medium-

size namesake ski mountain and large cross-country center used in the Olympics. Many visitors stay here even if they also ski other resorts like Shiga Kogen, Madarao, and places in the Hakuba Valley. In Nozawa Onsen, a charming ski town and the nation’s birthplace of skiing, there are no chain hotels, and almost every restaurant is Japanese. There are, however, lots of onsens—mineral-rich hot springs run as luxurious soaking pools that also serve fantastic food. While Nagano gets marginally less snow, powder can be easier to find. In Japan, locals avoid it, preferring groomers over even inbound glades. Thus, thigh-deep powder is left untracked in full view of busy chairlifts lingering into mid-afternoon (unheard of in the Rockies). Nearby, the immense Shiga Kogen is the highest-altitude ski resort on Japan’s main island, and in European-style, is 18 interconnected small resorts with a shared lift ticket. Skiing here is a must, but as it is set in a National Forest, there is slopeside lodging but no town. The Madarao resort is so famous for glade skiing that its nickname is “MadaPow!” For years, tree skiing was off limits in Japan (at some resorts it still is), but Madarao was the first to create designated glades, and leaves most terrain ungroomed. It remains the Holy Grail for tree skiing fans, but with no village, it is a day trip from Nozawa Onsen or Shiga Kogen. Hakuba Valley is home to 10 smaller resorts that have a shared ticket but are not physically interconnected. So in short, Nagano is more complex and more Japanese, welcoming a sense of exploration and cultural immersion, while the biggest resorts of Hokkaido are self-contained, modern international ski destinations with a more turnkey experience. And if you do have to choose, either way, there will be lots and lots and lots of powder.

EXPERTS FOR HIRE To navigate language differences, flight and airport options, ground transfers, ski passes, ryokan and restaurant bookings, and local transportation, use a ski travel specialist who is familiar with Japan such as Scout Ski (scoutski.com), a boutique custom ski trip planning consultancy; Alpine Adventures (alpineadventures .net), a full-service luxury ski travel agency; or Aspen-based Ski.com (ski.com), which has five decades of ski travel experience and offers à la carte trip planning. Ski.com also operates several annual Japan guided group trips. Incredibly valuable are local regional specialists who offer private ski guiding, as well as providing travel services like ground transport, lodging, restaurant reservations, sightseeing, lift tickets, and advice. In Hokkaido, Japan Powder Connection (+81.80.6746.7796) has a bilingual crew of locals, while in Nagano there is Go Ski Nagano (goskinagano.com), owned by a passionate local skier who lived in Colorado for years and understands the American market. 

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In most resort towns there are two main lodging options: Western-style resort hotels and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). Ryokans typically require guests to take off footwear upon entering, include elaborate breakfasts, have onsens, and encourage wearing yukatas (Japanese robes), even to restaurant dinners. As much a cultural experience as a place to sleep, a ryokan stay is a must for the more adventurous visitor. Hokkaido On Japan’s northernmost island, home to its two largest ski resorts, neighboring Niseko and Rusutsu. Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (ritzcarlton.com) opens in December as the first Reservebrand mountain destination and fifth property worldwide from Marriott’s highest-tier luxury brand. Among the 50 rooms and suites are a spa, onsen, a lounge, and two restaurants, including an omakase sushi specialist, something surprisingly lacking in Niseko. Ski rentals, a ski school with multilingual instructors, and, in summer, two private golf courses are also available. The same owners operate the adjacent ski-in/out Hilton Niseko Village (hilton.com) and Green Leaf Niseko (thegreenleafhotel .com), both in an on-mountain village. The Hilton is the area’s largest full-service hotel, with indoor and outdoor onsens, a fitness center, a spa, a bar, and six restaurants. The more residential Green Leaf has plush lodging and its own spa, onsen, bar, and restaurant. Another new

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Courtesy Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (2)

LODGING

Onsen-style soaking tub in a suite at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Right: A treatment room at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s Spa Chasi La Sothys

luxury hotel, the Park Hyatt Niseko (parkhyatt.com), opened last winter, and top local operators include the Ki Niseko (kiniseko.com) and AYA Niseko (ayaniseko.com), both ski-in/out with luxury residences instead of hotel rooms, Western and Eastern cuisine, bars, and numerous amenities. The region is also home to one of the most acclaimed luxury ryokans in Japan, Zaborin (zaborin .com), named to countless “world’s best” lists for boutique hotels, culinary, and ski lodging. The compound-style contemporary ryokan has 15 freestanding villas, each with two private onsen baths— indoor and out—a cigar lounge, fine art on the walls, and Japanese antiques throughout. For a more Eastern experience at Japan’s most Westernized mountain, there is no competition. The fabulous property is outside Niseko Village but chauffeurs skiers to the mountain and wherever they want to go. In Kiroro, the self-contained luxury resort The Kiroro, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel (kirorohokkaido .com) has stores, six varied restaurants, a spa, a fitness center,

and Hokkaido’s most extensive onsen complex with indoor, outdoor, and specialty baths. In Rusutsu, the best hotel is the 5-year-old Westin Rusutsu Resort (marriott.com), with 210 oversize modern guest rooms, onsen, and two restaurants, plus additional eateries and shops surrounding it in the small base village. Nagano Among the best Nagano lodging options is Ryokan Sakaya (ryokan-sakaya.com), an intimate retreat with multiple restaurants, exceptional food, and onsen baths. Shiga Kogen has several large ski-in/out hotels across its slopes, the best of which is the Prince Kogen Yakebitaiyama (princehotels.com). Prince is one of Japan’s largest upscale hotel brands, and this full-service property sits at the base of a lift, with a spa, outdoor onsen, and eight bars and restaurants. In Hakuba Valley, an excellent option is the Kai Alps (hoshinoresorts .com). Kai is the contemporary brand of Japan’s most luxurious hotel company, Hoshino Resorts. u

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Dashing Through the Snow

The secret season at America’s top dude ranches is all about winter fun.

resh corduroy groomed just for you—between every single run. On-demand access to a dozen winter sports and required gear. On-mountain dining with a personal chef in a private yurt. A chef-cooked barbecue tailgate lunch. If this does not sound like your typical ski vacation, that’s because it’s not. These are the one-of-a-kind winter amenities offered by America’s best luxury guest ranches, and they are just the tip of the iceberg, along with world-class Nordic skiing, private snowmobile tours, extravagant food, and opulent lodging, plus unexpected activities from ice fishing and ax throwing to state-of-the-art shooting facilities. The best guest ranches are among the best luxury resorts of any kind, and winter is the secret season at places like Montana’s lauded Triple Creek Ranch (triplecreekranch

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.com) and The Ranch at Rock Creek (theranchatrockcreek.com). The latter (above) has just 29 accommodations, from glamping cabins to five-bedroom homes, set on 6,600 acres. In sharp contrast, the nation’s smallest five-star ski-in/ski-out hotel has more than three times as many units (most regular hotel rooms), all in one building. “Unlike a traditional ski resort luxury hotel, we have maybe 30 to 60 people here in winter, on a huge property,” says The Ranch at Rock Creek’s General Manager Jon Martin. “When you book a luxury ski trip to Jackson, Aspen, Telluride, wherever, it is very snow dependent. Here we have this great hedge of flexibility, and even if you don’t go skiing at all, you are always going to have a great time because there is so much to do. Maybe one day you were planning on not skiing and going horseback riding instead, but then

it snows a foot overnight, so you decide to ski. Or it doesn’t snow much and you go snowmobiling. Our philosophy is you can come here and do whatever you want.” “Whatever you want” can mean staggering choices at these properties, which are much busier and better known as summer destinations, built around a vast slate of outdoor (and indoor) activities. This same variety is offered in winter, but on a far more intimate scale for fewer guests. The big change in recent years has been the addition of skiing and snowboarding to many of the best ranches, most of which already had cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, fat-tire biking, dog sledding, ice fishing, and skating, as well as winter horseback riding, sporting clays, a spa, and yoga classes. “I grew up skiing, and we added it here as part of our all-inclusive rates in 

Courtesy The Ranch at Rock Creek (2)

BY LARRY OLMSTED

Photo Credits

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2018,” says Martin. To do that, The Ranch at Rock Creek purchased a complete fleet of topof-the-line skis, snowboards, boots, and even goggles, helmets, and apparel to get interested guests kitted out. “You can show up here in February in flip-flops and shorts, and we provide literally everything you need to ski, ride, fish, shoot, or do any activity. It’s something our owner believes deeply—you come here and whatever you want is included.” The ranch teamed up with nearby Discovery Mountain, a hidden gem that enjoys Montana’s reputation for prodigious powder, but not crowds. “It’s not a massive mountain, but they get a lot of snow and have seven lifts, challenging expert skiing off the backside, powder, groomers, and no lift lines, even over the holidays.” Once a week (more often over holiday periods), the resort’s chef sets up a gourmet tailgate lunch party in the parking lot for ranch guests, who are shuttled over on demand, and typically ski once or twice in a five-day stay while also enjoying all the other activities. Triple Creek takes a very similar tack with another hidden gem, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, which gets 300-plus inches of snow each winter covering more than 50 trails with an impressive 1,800-foot vertical. Guests are chauffeured to the mountain, armed with a boxed gourmet lunch, hot beverages, and cookies, and like The Ranch at Rock Creek, lift tickets and all gear are part of resort rates. In fact, this is one of the most truly all-inclusive of the all-inclusives, from wines and spirits to cooking classes, even on one of the specialty

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Courtesy Images, From Top: The Ranch at Rock Creek/Michael Chilcoat (2); C Lazy U Ranch. Opposite, Courtesy Images From Left: Triple Creek Ranch/Pam Voth; The Ranch at Rock Creek/Athena Lonsdale

vintner or guest chef weekends. They offer a 15-mile Nordic trail system plus off-site skate and classic skiing at the nearby Chief Joseph Pass Trail system, angling, yoga, horseback riding, and meditation, as well as the newest offering, frontier skills, which includes hatchet throwing. Culinary excellence is a year-round highlight, with a Montana rugged menu that has been honored at New York’s James Beard House and changes nightly, but always includes an option like locally raised wagyu, quail, elk, or bison. Uniquely, the luxury ranch accepts only guests 16 and over, and is very popular with honeymooners, anniversary celebrants, and groups of couples traveling together. Lodging is in 25 one-, two-, and three-bedroom cabins and luxury ranch homes with oversized steam showers, and decks with hot tubs. Colorado’s acclaimed C Lazy U Ranch (clazyu.com) teams up with two nearby mountains, Winter Park, a major destination ski resort, and the smaller Granby Ranch, just 15 minutes away, so avid skiers can go out repeatedly without feeling limited. C Lazy U has been operating as a guest ranch for over 100 years, but when they started they did not own the fleet of snowmobiles they have now, so they can offer twice-daily guided tours without using outside sub-contractors. The cross-country and snowshoe trail system that sprawls across the 8,500-acre property is so extensive it was ranked the second-best snowshoe destination on earth. The ranch closed for a few months in late 2020 and early 2021 due to the nearby East Troublesome wildfire, and used the downtime 

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Courtesy Images, From Top: Lone Mountain Ranch; Vista Verde Ranch (2). Opposite: Courtesy Lone Mountain Ranch/Teri Bocko

for a ranch-wide renovation, including upgrades to its 40 guest cabins. An especially family-friendly resort, C Lazy U has a robust program with supervised child and teen camps for those as young as 3 years old. Also in Colorado, Vista Verde Guest Ranch (vistaverde .com) accesses Steamboat Ski Resort and offers optional (extra fee) off-site cat skiing with Steamboat Powdercats. Because the transfer is an hour long, Vista Verde is more popular with those who want a day or two of alpine skiing and is especially known for its excellent Nordic offerings, including groomed skate skiing, tracked classic, and on-site backcountry touring using the wider, metal-edged crosscountry skis. In addition to the usual snowmobiling, yoga, and such, one specialty here is expert-led photography lessons. All lodging is in one- to four-bedroom cabins with hot tubs and either a gas fireplace or a wood-burning stove, and for most of January and early February it is adults-only. Montana’s Lone Mountain Ranch (lonemountainranch .com) has gone a similar route, except it partners with the biggest of them all, adjacent Big Sky Resort, which is among the largest ski areas in the country, with 38 lifts and over 300 runs. But the most impressive stat is the skier-to-acreage ratio: Even on the busiest days there are about two acres of terrain for every visitor. Lone Mountain is just 15 minutes from the lifts and 18 miles from the Yellowstone National Park boundary. The ranch itself has been named the top Nordic ski destination in the country, with over 50 miles of Nordic trails, a staggering amount—plus 19 additional miles of dedicated snowshoe trails. All this is for guests of oneand two-bedroom cabins with fireplaces and decks or patios. For larger groups, there is a four-bedroom home and the luxe six-bedroom Ridgetop Lodge, a contemporary residence with a hot tub, multiple decks and fireplaces, a billiard room, and a commercial kitchen, and every single lodging boasts a signature touch: record players and an assortment of vintage vinyl. All the Lone Mountain naturalist guides are also certified Yellowstone guides, so they routinely take guests on cross-country or snowshoe jaunts in the nearly empty national park, America’s oldest. They also have immediate access to backcountry skiing in the thousands of acres of adjacent wilderness, from off-track cross-country to fullblown Alpine Touring, as well an Orvis-endorsed winter fly-fishing program on famed blue-ribbon waters like the Gallatin River. For a truly unique winter experience, Lone Mountain offers guided full-moon snowshoe tours. 

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Courtesy Brush Creek Ranch/Jack Schroeder

But the most unique winter ranch experience of all is likely the skiing at Wyoming’s Brush Creek Ranch (brushcreekranch.com). Instead of partnering with a nearby resort, Brush Creek built its own, private Green Mountain. Use is limited to a dozen skiers and snowboarders per day, and guests who sign up for the full-day experience (extra fee) get outfitted the evening before at the ranch with any rental gear they need, from skis or snowboards to goggles and complete sets of Patagonia outerwear. Green Mountain has 640 acres of skiing and a 1,100-foot vertical drop, and sits high in the wilderness of the Sierra Madre Mountains near the top of the Continental Divide, totally off the grid. Guests are shuttled to the property by snow coaches on treads, and as it has no lifts—all the skiing and boarding is by snowcats, set up to groom on their way up and down. “I tell guests they are going to have either fresh powder or perfect corduroy on every single run, guaranteed,” says Director of Activities Matt Anderson. “It’s perfect for mixed groups where some are really into skiing, and some are a little into skiing. There are trails up to 1.25 miles long, plus glades and more challenging off-piste terrain. You get four to six runs in the morning, then stop at our second yurt, up on the top, for a chef-prepared lunch (guests pick their menu with chef the night before), and then a couple more runs after lunch.” Brush Creek sits on 30,000 acres of Wyoming wilderness, and back at the main campus, there are 50 miles of hiking/snowshoe trails, three miles of private river fishing access, and snowmobile tours. You can also go horseback riding, ice fishing, Nordic skiing, sporting clay shooting, and skating. Brush Creek has a special emphasis on yoga and culinary offerings, with multiple indoor and outdoor yoga venues, from a platform cantilevered off a 1,000-foot cliff to a yurt that practitioners reach by snowshoe. At The Farm at Brush Creek, the kitchen has a seed-to-table philosophy, growing over 100,000 pounds of fresh produce on-site each year, and also operates a full-production bakery, a creamery crafting cheeses from its goat herd, a brewery, and even a distillery. Cooking and baking classes are offered weekly, and lodging consists of 14 twoor three-bedroom log cabin residences with gourmet and outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, multiple decks, patios, fire pits, and fireplaces; as well as 11 cabin suites and 13 rooms in the main lodge. All of these properties are world-class vacation destinations from spring to fall, but for skiers, winter may be the best time of all. u

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Hotels of the Future

A safe haven with robots—and there will be robots.

rystal balls are notoriously cloudy, and yet as the science fiction writer William Gibson famously said: “The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed.” Uber may have predicted in 2017 that by today we would be getting around in flying taxis, when reality is the opening in December of Lake Nona Wave Hotel (lakenonawavehotel.com) in Orlando, Florida. The hotel gives credence to Gibson’s notion, billing itself as the centerpiece of the innovative, master-planned community Lake Nona, “a smart city with soul.” Tech is central to life in this community, as it is to the hotel, which incorporates standard issue smart windows, in-room tablets, and a mobile app for accessing guest services. Robot lawn mowers take care of the grounds and autonomous shuttles spirit guests to off-site attractions nearby. Technology extends into the visual sphere with a kinetic chandelier and multiple pieces of digital art designed to stimulate the imagination. Starting in 2025, Lake Nona expects hotel

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guests to arrive via the state’s first Vertiport, a new type of airport made specifically for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft made by Lillium, a German aviation company, that operate like an emissions-free air taxi. For the whole of the hotel industry, making predictions about hospitality trends is a big business. By gleaning from reports and focusing on a few forward-looking hotel projects now in development, it’s possible to glimpse what your hotel stay of the future may look like in Lake Nona and beyond. In a nutshell, the hotel of the future needs to be seen as a safe haven, both in light of guests’ experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic and their awareness around sustainability. Hoteliers are responding to both realities with a new mantra: high tech, not high touch. This even applies to the number of hotel staff you encounter, which becomes a tricky proposition in many ways. At what point does a hotel in the hospitality business become inhospitable? Here’s what you can expect to experience. 

Courtesy Images From Top: Lake Nona Wave Hotel (2); Lilium

BY FRANK VIZARD

Clockwise from opposite: Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando, Florida; Lake Nona Destination Town Center, part of the master-planned community where tech is the focal point; Vertiport, a new type of airport made specifically for electric vertical takeoff and landing craft that will operate like emissions-free air taxis.

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DIGITAL ASSISTANCE The most important tool for navigating the hotel of the future is already in your hand. The mobile phone will be used for a variety of contactless communications via hotel apps and direct messaging. It will also handle your virtual check-in, serve as a room key, operate various amenities ranging from the TV to the thermostat, and link you to a plethora of guest services. The cell phone is likely to change how you pay for a room—instead of a flat rate, you may be able to cherry-pick amenities you are actually going to use. Some MCR Hotels (mcrhotels.com) already ask guests to pay $25 more for pool access on weekends in a move designed to keep the basic hotel room rate low. But the role model may be Lucy, the “personal comfort assistant” app used by Virgin Hotels (virginhotels.com). Lucy’s skill set continues to grow with every upgrade. Cashless tipping of staff is among her newest abilities, as is room lighting in an era when Zoom calls are routine. Many of these trends were already in

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CLEANER AIR place pre-pandemic, but COVID-19 has accelerated their adoption. With people already accustomed to using voice-controlled digital assistants like Siri at home, guests will likely expect to use this same tech during their hotel stays to order room service, for example. An analysis by the research firm Statista suggests there will be 8.4 billion digital voice assistants in use by 2024—that’s more than the population of the planet. The Westin Buffalo (marriott.com), for example, has already put Echo devices in each of its 115 rooms so guests can access services like Spotify and Pandora. Managed by a software company called Volara, Alexa can now answer questions about hotel services typically asked of staff. When a guest checks out, the devices are automatically cleared of all personal data. Concierges, meanwhile, remain a critical contact, even if it’s only by a high-speed video link, as they may not only need to be knowledgeable about local sites but also the current health protocols associated with them.

When it comes to hotel stays, the big question regarding a choice of hotel room may be: Who has been here before me? The hotel experience was always expected to be sanitary. Now hotels may need to prove it’s not potentially deadly. It can be argued that the visual austerity of 20th-century modernism, with its smooth surfaces, clean lines, and rejection of ornamentation, was the direct result of deadly experiences with cholera, tuberculosis, and flu pandemics. The white subway tiles in most modern bathrooms were a response to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic because they were easy to clean and projected a sanitary environment. Expect hotels to promote what had been behind-the-scenes cleaning processes that weren’t of paramount concern previously. Where a hotel once may have trumpeted its designer wallpaper, it may soon focus guests’ attentions on a special anti-microbial coating on the walls that purifies the air for a year and even eliminates noxious odors. Hotel Ottilia (brochner-hotels.com) in

Courtesy Images From Left: Savioke/David Fischer; Cecilia.ai. Opposite, Images From Left: Getty Images; iStock

ROBOTS Copenhagen is using a self-sanitizing wall coating called ACT ClearCoat at an attentiongrabbing cost of $2,500 per room. Guests also will want to know about air purification systems: a HEPA hospital-grade filter becomes an item on the guest checklist. Some air purification systems, however, may be distinctly green in nature. The Ludlow Hotel (ludlowhotel.com) in New York City already uses a system created by CleanAirZone (CAZ) that mixes air into falling water that’s then treated with natural enzymes to break down pollutants, thereby eliminating the need to later dispose of filters, use chemicals, or replace ultraviolet lights. While still in the experimental stage, researchers at University of Michigan and University of Tokyo have developed a way to deliver electricity over the air to turn a room into a wireless charging zone. Multimode quasistatic cavity resonance tech delivers 50 watts of power using magnetic fields routed through lumped capacitors built into the walls.

At least one change will seem like something from a futuristic film. Robots are the children of the pandemic, as their use can increase as enablers of social distancing norms and frontline workers ensuring a safe environment. Robots that bathe a room in ultraviolet light that kills bacteria and germs work between stays in guest rooms while also prowling common areas like the lobby, café, and bars. If you think that sounds like science fiction, note that two are already on the job zapping the invisible in the 273 rooms of the Westin Houston Medical Center Hotel (marriott.com). Robots also are likely to attend to other backroom tasks, operating behind an eversmiling human shield wall. With hotels already keen to reduce labor costs, these jobs will likely range from baggage handlers to line cooks to security guards like the two “Xavier” robots fielded in a Singapore mall on the lookout for “undesirable social behaviors” such as smoking and the illegal hawking of goods. A growing number of hotels already use a robot

butler called the Savioke Relay, aka “Chip,” to make room deliveries. As gathering spots become more diverse and decentralized to reduce crowd sizes, robots may be most noticeable as bartenders. Cecilia.ai is already a step in this direction— it features an on-screen virtual bartender that guides customers through the drink order using artificial intelligence and speech recognition tech. A mixed drink is available in 30 seconds. Meanwhile, a humanoid bartending robot named Rob that can chat in eight languages started mixing cocktails this year on a MSC cruise ship. The recently completed Glass Vault project, a collaborative effort involving, among others, the influential architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (shepherds of the towering Project Commodore hotel on Manhattan’s 42nd Street scheduled for a 2030 completion), demonstrated how robots could be used to construct large, complex glass structures with humans applying the glue as needed. 

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NATURAL LIGHT But what about the hotel room itself? It’s certainly curtains for curtains. Smart windows that automatically adjust to sunlight intensity minimize heat and glare and reduce energy consumption. View Smart Windows (view.com) do double duty as high-definition displays for videoconferencing, digital whiteboards, and screens for film watching. Smart glass use is being accelerated as a response to the pandemic. It’s a lot easier to clean a glass surface than it is a window treatment, a move that echoes the historical disappearance of bacteria-collecting armoires and the rise of closets. Smart glass that changes from clear to opaque in milliseconds with an app will be used as a partition between the bedroom and the adjoining bathroom for similar hygienic reasons and as a way to distribute more sunlight. Smart glass won’t be just a feature of new construction. A company called PriWatt Film (smartglasstech.com) upgrades existing windows with a coating to alter transparency with a phone app. This year AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead (marriott.com) installed smart glass in its rooms and removed curtains from the fitness center and pool areas.

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NEW-AGE DÉCOR Since sleep is almost a luxury item in itself, expect beds equipped with artificial intelligence that learn your sleep patterns over successive nights. The Bryte Restorative Bed is already a fixture at hotels like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Cavallo Point in San Francisco, the London West Hollywood, and the Park Terrace Hotel on Bryant Park. An embedded sensory network inside the Bryte bed detects biometrics like heart rate and breathing patterns to identify when the sleeper enters the first stage of sleep, triggering cooling features to lower the body’s core temperature and lull sleepers into a deeper rest. One hundred computer-controlled air cushions continually recalibrate support to encourage a longer and more restorative sleep. The bed can even softly nudge the sleeper when it’s time to wake up. Expect bedding material to be anti-microbial, of course. Desks won’t go away, as they become work centers for travelers or even locals enjoying a “work from home” variant. But some hotel amenities are likely to vanish as they are potentially risky “points of contact.” These include former mainstays like the buffet table, replaced by a wider selection of room service options from local restaurants that have partnered with the hotel—delivered by a robot like one named Rosé already in service at the Hotel Trio (hoteltrio.com) in California’s Wine Country—more grab-and-go meals, and in-room kitchen facilities. Another likely change is the disappearance of the gym packed with exercise equipment in favor of

in-room workouts with exercise equipment already in place—think smart exercise mirrors linked to a trainer—or sanitized gear delivered to the room, perhaps by a robot. Alternatively, more workout experiences like yoga classes may move outdoors more often. Likewise, that small, exclusive restaurant on premises may give way to a more desirable expansive setting partially or completely outdoors. Another hotel amenity likely to be transformed are spa treatments that move in-room, executed in larger bathrooms that become private relaxation spaces. Massage apps like Soothe and Zeel have already inspired the spa-less hotel experiences. And here again, smart mirrors in bathrooms will offer everything from news to hotel services. Decorative pillows, hard-to-clean rugs, and in-room print magazines may disappear while other amenities—even coffee—are in sealed bags. Also on the way out are menus and wine lists, a trend evident in the increased use of QR codes accessed via your phone’s camera. That binder in the drawer that describes hotel services will be replaced by a tablet (if it hasn’t been already). And in the name of sustainability, you may also be more responsible for keeping your hotel room clean—current coronavirus guidelines from the American Hotel & Lodging Association say guest rooms occupied by the same customer over multiple days should not be cleaned daily, unless requested. One small item likely to become widespread, however, is hotel-branded face masks.

iStock (2). Opposite, From Top: Courtesy Bryte Bed; iStock

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE Sustainability will be a major driver of change and it represents a challenge to energyintensive hotels. One novel concept is for a circular floating hotel in Qatar, designed by the Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio, which spins to generate its own electricity like a giant hydro generator. A vortex-shaped roof collects rainwater and wind turbines double as sun umbrellas. A more near-term example of sustainability is set to open in New Haven, Connecticut, in 2022. A Brutalist office building, characterized by floating concrete modules designed by the iconic Marcel Breuer in 1967, is being

rehabilitated after lying vacant for decades as a 165-room boutique accommodation that runs completely on solar power and meets net-zero energy standards. As it happens, the building’s compact shape means it’s naturally energy efficient so it would use significantly less energy than a comparably sized hotel to begin with. More than 1,000 solar panels are to be installed on the roof of the hotel and adjacent parking structures with 500 kilowatts of battery storage for emergencies. Expect to hear more about solar energy as the Biden administration moves to up solar power use in the USA to 40 percent from the current 4 percent by 2050. u

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REAL ESTATE

City Home

We’ve reached the pied-àterre stage of the pandemic. The trend of having a nice flat in the city is coming back around, with buyers who moved to their country houses during the lockdown days now pining for easy, urban second-home options. BY IRENE RAWLINGS

maller, part-time apartments in big cities around the world are enjoying a renewed popularity with people balancing their lives in new ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A pied-àterre can make financial sense for professionals who spend a lot of time on the road, empty nesters who live in the suburbs but enjoy a faster-paced urban lifestyle, and parents of students who see the college-town pied-à-terre as a long-term investment property. “During the height of the pandemic, people wanted more space as they were working from home and spending time with family,” says Michael Altneu, vice president of luxury at Coldwell Banker. “As restrictions lift, many of our agents across the globe are seeing an increase in interest from people who are looking to return to major cities.” Marc Castillo of Coldwell Banker Realty in Atlanta notes that empty nesters are looking for

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Coldwell Banker listing in Lisbon

places that provide walkability and an opportunity to entertain in town. As places open back up, Dawn McKenna of Coldwell Banker Realty in Chicago is seeing buyers gravitating toward new construction, often opting for smaller luxury condos in brand-new buildings like the St. Regis Chicago. In Mexico, Coldwell Banker’s Alejandro Blé is seeing a rise in demand for pieds-à-terre mainly in secondary markets like beach and resort communities. Paris-based Laurent Demeure, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker France & Monaco, says that sales of small luxury apartments have bounced back thanks especially

to young professionals who have a double income and no kids. Also enticing to buyers: Pricing is down in some of the most exclusive parts of Paris, London, and cities like Lisbon, due in large part to pandemic travel restrictions that limited international buyers. New York–based Sarine Atamian, associate vice president and managing broker for Christie’s International Real Estate, says, “In the case of COVID, when NYC became one of the epicenters of the pandemic, many New Yorkers left town, unsure if they were going to return. Now things are looking different. After a year away in the Hamptons or

the outer suburbs of the city, New Yorkers are missing their former lives.” Atamian is seeing a record number of buyers flock to new construction. “Not only are these units move-in ready, but they provide the amenities that became wildly popular during a pandemic when we were mostly stuck indoors,” she says. Buyers are looking for condos with outdoor spaces and a room (no matter how small) for a dedicated home office. One prime example are the pieds-à-terre at The Saint Germain, a full-service cooperative building in New York City’s West Village, priced from $775,000 for a 775-square-foot one-bedroom.

Courtesy Paris Perfect (2). Opposite: Courtesy Coldwell Banker Europa Realty

With 25 years’ experience in remodeling and renting jewel-like piedsà-terre in gorgeous Parisian buildings, Paris Perfect launched Paris Perfect Shared in 2019, allowing buyers to purchase fractional ownership in small, chic, centrally located apartments. “It is perfect for anyone who has fallen in love with the Parisian way of life but can’t live in Paris full time… and wants to avoid the full cost of ownership and any of the headaches of maintenance,” says Madelyn Byrne, who co-founded Paris Perfect with Philippe Willems. Expats want apartments (with views) in beautiful old Haussmann-style buildings (with elevators) in authentic neighborhoods with boulangeries and bistros, wine shops, green grocers, and open-air markets. The 6th and 7th arrondissements (Rive Gauche) are the most popular, followed by Place Dauphine on the Île de la Cité and the Marais (older buildings, smaller streets, but most buildings lack elevators). Paris Perfect Shared gives each owner a one-month stay in Paris, divided into two two-week segments. “This is the most popular formula so owners can enjoy Paris in every season,” says Byrne. She notes that owners may trade weeks or extend their time, depending on availability. Paris Perfect takes care of the management and service of the shared apartments. Most apartments sell out the moment they are listed; one project is scheduled for completion in late 2021 and several more will be completed in 2022. Contact sales@parisperfect.com to be put on the waiting list. From $210,000/share; parisperfect.com 

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THE HARRISON San Francisco A palatial, two-story lobby with a grand piano sets the tone at the top of Rincon Hill, with cinematic views of the Bay Bridge (below), Twin Peaks, the city, and the marina beyond. Designer-to-the-stars Ken Fulk was tapped to create the interiors. “The goal was not just to create pretty rooms, but to tell a beautiful story,” Fulk says. The smartly scaled one-bedrooms

(around 800 square feet) have open-concept floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, and professional-grade kitchens (Bertazzoni and Sub-Zero appliances). Some have balconies. A 24-hour concierge can assist with everything from move-in services to scoring reservations at Michelin-starred SPQR or Atelier Crenn. From $1.13 million; theharrisonsf.com

FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES New Orleans The former World Trade Center, a 33-story landmark tower designed by legendary modernist architect Edward Durell Stone (Radio City Music Hall, MoMa, the Kennedy Center) sits right at the edge of the Mississippi River. After a three-year, nearly $500 million redo by Four Seasons, the building has been transformed into 341 guest rooms and suites and 92 hotel-serviced private residences (above right) with views of the river and the city. Residents enjoy access to all Four Seasons Hotel facilities and amenities, including the signature spa, a 24-hour fitness center, a crescent-shaped infinity pool overlooking the river, the show-stopping Chandelier Bar, and signature restaurants by acclaimed chefs Alon Shaya and Donald Link. The 24-hour concierge staff can arrange the seemingly impossible, from drinks and a private dinner with one of the city’s top chefs to one-on-one music lessons with a local jazz legend. From $2 million; twocanal.com

Courtesy Images, Clockwise From Left: The Archer/Sean Litchfield; Four Seasons Hotel Preserve/Binyan Studios; The Harrison/Tim D. Coy. Opposite: Courtesy The Leyton/Binyan Studios

THE ARCHER RESIDENCES Beacon Hill, Boston Converted from two sixstory buildings dating back nearly a century, with a new penthouse-level addition, The Archer (above left) is a relative newcomer (condo occupancy began in 2021) in Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods known for prewar (the Revolutionary War, that is) charm like cobblestone streets with gas streetlights and handsome Federal-style brownstones. Nearly all of The Archer’s 62 residences have a unique floor plan. High ceilings (9 to 16 feet tall) and oversized, double hung windows make the one-bedrooms (from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet) seem spacious. Among high-end finishes are natural stone bathrooms and stainless-steel kitchens. The full-service building includes a 24-hour concierge, valet parking, a fitness center, a rooftop terrace, a club room, a children’s playroom, and a pet spa. Logan Airport is a convenient 10 minutes away. From $1.45 million; thearcherresidences.com

Under Construction The building of high-end residential towers and resort communities is booming—from skyscraping developments in big cities to beachfront contemporaries. With the right location and amenities, many projects sell out as soon as they are announced. What are high-net-worth buyers looking for? Exceptional views, bespoke interior features and finishes, private marinas, and hotel-style services such as concierges and signature spas. 

The Leyton Penthouse roof terrace in New York

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THE LEYTON New York Thirty-eight residences—ranging from one to four bedrooms, full-floor homes, and a duplex penthouse—in a glass-andstone, Art Deco–inspired 37-floor tower on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Expect generously scaled great rooms (some with marble fireplaces), sleekly functional kitchens (Gaggenau appliances), walk-in wardrobes, and protected views of the entire New York skyline through floor-to-ceiling, high-performance windows. The 24th-floor Brandy Room is a club-style lounge with a circular fireplace that extends to a sprawling outdoor terrace with Central Park and East River views. Two-bedrooms from $2.26 million; theleyton.com

THE STRAND Turks & Caicos This pristine and protected stretch of Cooper Jack Bay on the Caribbean Island of Providenciales opens in 2023 and was developed by Jack Fair, who was behind the transformation of Grace Bay Club. Among the luxurious, open-plan hideaways are two-bedroom oceanfront villas; four- to six-bedroom residences prime for plunge pools, courtyards with outdoor kitchens, and even one-bedroom guesthouses; plus, a handful of undeveloped custom homesites. Amenities include yacht slips, a toes-in-thesand restaurant, and a beach and tennis club. Villas from $2.24 million, residences from $6.8 million, and custom homesites from $3.5 million; thestrandtci.com

Courtesy Images, Clockwise From Left: The OWO/Grain London; The Leyton/Binyan Studios; The Strand. Opposite, Courtesy Images From Left: Aston Martin Residences Miami; Winch Design; MRH/Jeff Brink

THE OWO RESIDENCES BY RAFFLES London A majestic example of Edwardian architecture with 14-foot ceilings, marble floors, and grand windows, the palatial Old War Office building (Winston Churchill worked here) is undergoing a five-year transformation into 85 unique-and-opulent residences, ranging in size from studios to five bedrooms. Set to be completed in 2022, the centrally located London landmark will also comprise the capital’s first Raffles hotel; homeowners will benefit from having the facilities and services of a world-renowned hotel on their doorstep. Two-bedrooms from $7.9 million; theowo.london

ASTON MARTIN RESIDENCES Miami British automotive brand Aston Martin has always represented prestige and unequaled craftsmanship. Its new 66-story tower (designed to look like the sail of a ship) echoes this heritage, offering expansive floor plans with panoramic views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. First-class amenities include two movie theaters, an infinity pool, and a spa and fitness center. Butlers can arrange everything from home management to VIP event access. A superyacht marina is also available. Penthouses (with private pools) from 8,800 square feet. Residences from $750,000 to $8.5 million, penthouses from $16.7 million to $25 million; astonmartinresidences.com

SOMNIO Superyacht Seafarers who want the benefits of yacht ownership without the headaches, paired with luxurious condo living, are lining up for a by-invitation spot on the first-inthe-world “Yacht Liner,” a 728-foot, sixdeck superyacht. Thirty-nine residences, scheduled to be completed in 2024, range in size from 1,960 to 10,366 square feet (with the services and amenities of a world-class hotel, including a 10,000-bottle wine cellar) and are customizable to each owner’s requirements. Focusing on slow-paced travel, Somnio will explore the globe—from ports in the Mediterranean and islands in the South Pacific to expeditions in Antarctica. From $11.1 million; somniosuperyachts.com

HARVEST HOMES AT MONTAGE RESIDENCES Healdsburg, California Set in 258 acres of meadows, vineyards, and groves of heritage oaks, the treehouselike, completely furnished Harvest Homes (four bedrooms with 4.5 baths) have access to the signature services and amenities of the newly opened Montage Healdsburg. Each of the two-level, 4,500-square-foot residences features numerous terraces, a plunge pool, and temperature-controlled wine storage. The homes, to be completed in the spring of 2022, are eligible for Montage Healdsburg’s full-service private rental program. From $5.35 million, estate homesites (including architectural plans) from $1.8 million; montageresidenceshealdsburg.com u

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Grand Openings

New and remade museums around the world set their sights on a post-pandemic future. BY JASON EDWARD KAUFMAN

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HUMBOLDT FORUM Berlin Architecture: Franco Stella Opened: July 2021

Courtesy Humboldt Forum/Alexander Schippel (4)

Conceived as an interactive center to celebrate world cultures, the Humboldt joins under one roof several museum collections encompassing ethnological, historical, scientific, and societal materials and artworks. The $800 million structure was named for 19th-century naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and his philosopher brother Wilhelm, and built as a reconstruction of the Prussian royal palace that was severely damaged in World War II and demolished by the East German government in 1950. Critics would have preferred a more forward-looking piece of architecture, rather than a neo-imperial showcase for objects whose colonial-era provenance is drawing scrutiny. (In response to calls for repatriation, the city has pledged to return the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria beginning next year.) The institution’s leaders promise to bring an enlightened perspective to their offerings. Ongoing installations examine climate change, Berlin’s cosmopolitan character, and humanity’s tragic use of ivory (through November 28). humboldtforum.org 

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LUMA ARLES Arles, France Architecture: Frank Gehry Opened: June 2021 Swiss pharmaceutical heiress and contemporary art collector Maja Hoffmann via her LUMA Foundation bought a 27-acre former rail yard and converted warehouses into spaces for exhibitions and artist residencies. The capstone of the project is the 184-foot tower by Gehry. One façade is a twisting stack of disjointed stainless steel blocks that Gehry says alludes to the region’s rocky landscape and to Vincent van Gogh’s interest in light (the artist once lived in Arles). The building, whose glazed cylindrical base echoes the city’s Roman amphitheater, contains administrative and event spaces, a café and galleries, and serves as the entryway to the LUMA campus’ landscaped parkland and exhibition venues, where current offerings include work by international stars Urs Fischer, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Pierre Huyghe, Olafur Eliasson, Carsten Höller, John Akomfrah, Anri Sala, and Christian Marclay’s celebrated 24-hour film montage The Clock (2010). luma.org

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Images Courtesy M+, Hong Kong, Clockwise From Top Right: Fang Lijun; Samson Young; Virgile Simon Bertrand; Isamu Noguchi; Virgile Simon Bertrand. Opposite, Images Courtesy Luma, Arles, From Top: Iwan Baan; Marc Domage

M+ MUSEUM Hong Kong Architecture: Herzog & de Meuron Opens: November 2021 The centerpiece of the West Kowloon Cultural District, a development on a landfill peninsula in Victoria Harbor, M+ aspires to present a new conception of 20th and 21st century visual culture, focusing on Hong Kong, mainland China, and the rest of Asia. Like two perpendicular playing cards, the $760 million waterfront building consists of a vertical tower seemingly balanced in the middle of a flat horizontal base. The latter contains 33 galleries, three cinemas, and a subterranean gallery that surrounds the pre-existing rail tunnel. The tower houses offices, a members’ lounge, the museum’s research center, and restaurants, and its LED-covered façade serves as a giant screen for digital artworks, commissions, moving images, and messages that beam across the harbor. In less than a decade the institution has amassed 8,000 works, including visual art, design, and architecture (furniture, electronics, textiles, building models), and moving images (animations, films and videos, digital installations, video games, software, web-based art). There are pieces by Huang Yong Ping, Nobuyoshi Araki, Sopheap Pich, Isamu Noguchi, Yang Fudong, and a range of talent less familiar to Westerners. The anchor is nearly 1,500 works of Chinese contemporary art partly donated by Swiss businessman and diplomat Uli Sigg. The survey represents 350 artists who worked from around 1970 to 2012, a crucial period when Chinese contemporary art increased in recognition and value. It remains to be seen if censorious “national security” laws imposed by Beijing will allow the museum to operate with intellectual and aesthetic freedom. mplus.org.hk 

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The first museum dedicated to the handmade art and design movement that arose in reaction to the Industrial Revolution houses the 2,000-item collection amassed by the institution’s founder, local philanthropist Rudy Ciccarello. The five-story building showcases some 800 examples of furniture, jewelry, ceramics, leaded glass, paintings, woodblock prints, and photographs, most created between 1890 and 1930. Artists and companies represented include Gustav Stickley, the Byrdcliffe Colony, Charles Rohlfs, Rookwood Pottery, Tiffany, and Greene and Greene. The inaugural temporary exhibitions look at the Roycroft craftsmen of upstate New York and Pictorialist photography (both through January 9, 2022). museumaacm.org

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Courtesy MAACM/Joe Brennan (2). Courtesy Images from Left: Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection; Maxime Tétard, Studio Les Graphiquants, Paris

MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT Saint Petersburg, Florida Architecture: Alfonso Architects Opened: September 2021

BOURSE DE COMMERCE–PINAULT COLLECTION Paris Architecture: Tadao Ando Opened: May 2021 Luxury-brand billionaire François Pinault leased the city’s 19th-century stock exchange Bourse de Commerce—situated equidistant from the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou—and hired Ando to convert it into a showcase for contemporary art. The Japanese architect, who worked on two Pinault museums in Venice, inserted a 30-foot-tall concrete cylinder to house the main exhibition space beneath the building’s frescoed dome and fitted out surrounding spaces for display of the collector’s post-1960 works—including media stars Damien Hirst, Tadashi Murakami, and Jeff Koons— and for temporary shows of “the art of today.” Inaugural displays (through December 31) include Urs Fischer’s slowly melting wax-candle replica of an Italian Renaissance sculpture, a group show of photographs by Richard Prince, Sherrie Levine, Cindy Sherman, and others, and a solo show of American artist David Hammons that offers a wry critique of racism in the United States. pinaultcollection.com 

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MUNCH Oslo, Norway Architecture: Estudio Herreros Opened: October 2021

THE COURTAULD RENOVATION London Architecture: Witherford Watson Mann Opens: November 2021

GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM Cairo Architecture: Heneghan Peng Architects Opens: Late 2021

Gehry’s signature metal-clad sculptural forms are nowhere to be seen in his expansion of the museum’s iconic 1928 neoGreek temple on a hill. All the work took place inside, where he opened up spaces to improve circulation and reclaim space for visitor services and galleries. The key moves were to replace the auditorium with a central atrium connecting the upper and lower floors, and to reopen a magnificent 600-foot-long vaulted corridor on the first floor that had been closed for half a century. The project adds large swaths of public space and galleries for expanded presentations of American, modern, and contemporary art—all without increasing the building’s footprint. The next phase of the expansion will construct a suite of galleries for contemporary art under the plaza atop the Rocky steps. This season the museum hosts half of a Jasper Johns retrospective, the other half of which is on view concurrently at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York (September 29, 2021–February 13, 2022). philamuseum.org

Norway’s greatest painter Edvard Munch (1863–1944) bequeathed to Oslo his entire estate, including more than 28,000 artworks, letters, photographs, and personal possessions. In 1963 the city built the Edvard Munch Museum, a modest building on the outskirts of town, but the artist’s growing fame demanded a more prominent facility. In response, the institution—renamed simply MUNCH—has built a 13-story tower that overlooks the fjord in the city center, near the National Opera and new Oslo Public Library. The new building quadruples the museum’s previous space and offers a rooftop bar with panoramic views. The expanded survey of Munch’s career features multiple versions of The Scream (1893) and two colossal studies for his mural cycle at the University of Oslo. The museum intends to show how Munch relates to and influences contemporary artists, beginning with a show of British artist Tracey Emin (through January 2, 2022) and followed by a Munch-inspired musical work by Norwegian black metal band Satyricon (March 26– June 19, 2022). munchmuseet.no

The great private collection of textile tycoon Samuel Courtauld spans the Middle Ages to the early 20th century and has long been housed at Somerset House, an 18th-century government building facing the Thames. A three-year renovation—funded by French brand LVMH and Ukrainian businessman Leonard Blavatnik— has refreshed the ornate interiors and created modern spaces that improve displays and circulation. The Great Room has been restored and hung with French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, including Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère (1882), Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (1889), a trove of Cézannes, and canvases by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, and Seurat. Old Masters have their own suite of galleries, with works by Botticelli, Cranach, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, and Rubens of special note. Inaugural shows include British works on paper, a gift of modern drawings (both through January 2022), and photographs of Kurdistan in the 1940s from the Courtauld’s huge image library (through May 2022). courtauld.ac.uk

A billion-dollar, state-of-the-art mega-museum will open on the edge of Cairo, about a mile from the Giza pyramids and a short drive from the new Sphinx International Airport. Billed as the largest archaeological museum in the world, the alabaster façade of the trapezoidal slab extends more than .3 miles long, clearly intended to evoke the monumentality of the pyramids themselves. The interior space measures on par with a major airport terminal and houses a 39-foot granite sculpture of Ramses II, presiding over the atrium where a grand staircase lined with pharaonic statues ascends to a dramatic vista of the actual pyramids. On exhibit are more than 100,000 statues, mummies, papyri, regal paraphernalia, and other objects gathered from museums across Egypt. The greatest treasure is the tomb of King Tutankhamun, a cache of 4,549 personal items that includes his gilded chariot and iconic golden funerary mask. Another highlight is the world’s oldest surviving boat, a 4,600-year-old cedar ship unearthed near the Pyramid of Khufu. grandegyptianmuseum.org

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Courtesy Images From Left: Philadelphia MoA/Hall+Merrick; Munch Museum; Courtauld Gallery/Sam Francis Foundation, California/DACS 2021; Mohamed El-Shahed/AFP via Getty Images. Opposite, Images From Left Courtesy Kunsthaus Zurich: Succession Picasso/2021 ProLitteris, Zurich; John Chamberlain/2021 ProLitteris, Zurich

PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART RENOVATION Philadelphia Architecture: Frank Gehry Opened: May 2021

KUNSTHAUS ZURICH EXPANSION Zurich Architecture: David Chipperfield Architects Opened: October 2021 A freestanding addition to the main building on Heimplatz doubles the museum’s gallery space and enables Switzerland’s largest art museum to present more of its collection of Western art since the Middle Ages. The three-story wing showcases art post-1960, temporary exhibitions, and the long-term loan of around 200 French Impressionist and PostImpressionist works from the collection of Emil Bührle that includes masterpieces by Daumier, Manet, Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and others. Bührle was a Germanborn arms dealer to both the Nazis and Allies who acquired art looted from Jewish owners, making the ethics of presenting his collection controversial. The new building’s public spaces feature a Calder mobile, a large abstract canvas by Robert Delaunay, and a giant painting by Max Ernst in the bar. Planned for 2022 are exhibits of Yoko Ono, Federico Fellini, and the sculptor Aristide Maillol. kunsthaus.ch 

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ROYAL TREASURY MUSEUM Lisbon, Portugal Architecture: João Carlos Santos Opens: November 2021

NEUE NATIONAL GALERIE Berlin Architecture: David Chipperfield Architects Reopened: August 2021

MUSEUM OF ART PUDONG Shanghai Architecture: Jean Nouvel Opened: July 2021

Gas billionaire Leonid Mikhelson has established a new contemporary art center in a decommissioned 1907 power plant overlooking the Moskva River. Piano converted the main building into a cavernous skylighted openplan venue for performances and installations. Adjoining structures include a former vodka warehouse, house artist residencies, galleries, an auditorium, and eateries. The pristine white-brick complex is the latest addition to Moscow’s planned Museum Mile, an urban pathway linking the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, State Tretyakov Gallery, and Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. v-a-c.org

Portugal’s last royal residence, the never-completed neoclassical Ajuda National Palace, has added a modern wing to house the crown jewels of the former monarchy. More than 1,000 items in gold and diamonds represent Portugal’s erstwhile monopolies in Brazil, encompassing the Braganza crown jewels, honorary orders and ritual objects of the monarchy, diplomatic gifts, liturgical objects, and royal coins and medals. The project was partly funded by an insurance payout for jewels stolen while on display in the Netherlands in 2002, and considering the $1 billion heist from Dresden’s Green Vault in 2019, where diamonds are concerned, there is no such thing as too much security. palacioajuda.gov.pt

The Neue has undergone a six-year renovation of its 1968 building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The glass-and-steel jewel box, located among the cluster of galleries and theaters in the Kulturforum district, displays the city’s renowned collection of European and North American modern art from the 20th century, including masterworks of German Expressionism, and works by Paul Klee, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, and others. Inaugural shows present Alexander Calder (through February 13, 2022) and local cinematic artist Rosa Barba (through January 16, 2022). Eventually, the Neue’s post-1945 art will be housed nearby in the Museum of Modern Art, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and slated to open in 2026. smb.museum

Located directly below the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower in a development zone run by State-owned Lujiazui Group, the latest opus of French starchitect Jean Nouvel (Louvre Abu Dhabi, National Museum of Qatar) is a gleaming six-story, white-graniteand-glass structure that looks like a sleek modernist coffee table. Its multi-level window facing the Huangpu River and a rooftop restaurant afford views of the Bund. The kunsthalle will host international and Chinese exhibitions, beginning with Joan Miró, gunpowder drawings by Cai Guo-Qiang, and 100 loans from the Tate in London, which is advising the fledgling museum and promises to mount additional shows for three years. museumofartpd.org.cn

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Courtesy Images From Left: GES-2/Yuri Palmin; Idom/Jorge Matias; Neue Nationalgalerie/2021 Calder Foundation, NY/ARS, NY.; Jean Nouvel Architects/Chen Hao. Opposite, Images From Left Courtesy Academy Museum Foundation: WHY Architecture; Josh White, JW Pictures

GES-2 ART CENTER Moscow Architecture: Renzo Piano Opened: October 2021

ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES Los Angeles Architecture: Renzo Piano Opened: September 2021 It’s hard to believe that Los Angeles has never had a museum about film. The Academy—the organization that hands out Oscars—has corrected course, opening an institution about the history and technology of filmmaking, film culture around the world, and of course, Hollywood. The core exhibition, Stories of Cinema, includes vignettes on Citizen Kane (replete with his sled Rosebud), The Wizard of Oz (featuring Dorothy’s ruby slippers), and sections about Bruce Lee and Spike Lee, among others. Housed in a converted department store next to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the museum added a spherical film theater in the back with a rooftop terrace for events. The inaugural temporary show looks at the career of Japanese animated film director Hayao Miyazaki. academymuseum.org u

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Artful Beauty

BY DEBORAH FRANK

eauty cognoscenti can instantly recognize the cobalt blue packaging of lotions, creams, and serums as belonging to Swiss luxury skincare brand La Prairie (laprairie.com). And that’s because a chance encounter in 1982 with celebrated feminist artist Niki de Saint Phalle led to a creative exchange that resulted in the artist’s favorite color becoming the inspiration behind La Prairie’s iconic Skin Caviar Collection. Saint Phalle’s striking use of cobalt blue, which she described as “the color of joy and luck,” along with other vibrant primary hues, symbolically represented her modernist, progressive views of femininity, audacity, and strength. This resonated with the skincare brand’s pioneering spirit and its founding belief that the scientist’s creative process is akin to that of an artist. In celebration of the collection’s newest addition, Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil, La Prairie generously supported the exhibition Niki de Saint Phalle: Structures for Life at New York’s MoMA PS1 earlier this year, and collaborated with French digital artist Mathieu Le Sourd, aka Maotik, on his Sense of Blue installation at the 2021 edition of Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland. The starting point of the commission revolved around the iconic cobalt blue, which Maotik brought to life through an immersive journey of the senses to plunge viewers into the depths of night. Through motion sensors, video projections, and digital algorithms, the interactive work aimed to

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transport viewers into, as Maotik put it, “an alternate universe guided by discovery of what the night holds.” The multi-sensory experience proved a fitting tribute to cobalt blue and Saint Phalle, and even to Skin Caviar collection’s Nighttime Oil. The secret ingredient in the face oil is natural retinol, which La Prairie’s scientists identified as an elusive component of caviar that thrives only at night. Retinol is coveted for its line-effacing efficacy and in Nighttime Oil the caviar-derived retinol is combined with vitamin D, triglycerides, and omega-3, -6, and -9 to eliminate creases, firm skin, and seal in moisture. During the night, the skin’s focus is primarily on regeneration; whereas during the day it is mainly about protection. La Prairie created the oil to work with the skin’s circadian rhythm to help counteract the aging process. The collection’s nightly routine begins with applying Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion to cleansed skin followed by Liquid Lift, Eye Lift, and Luxe Eye Cream, then the fast-penetrating Nighttime Oil. When extra indulgence is needed, Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask can be used in place of the oil. Having wrapped up its fourth year at Art Basel in Switzerland with Maotik’s Sense of Blue debut, La Prairie is turning its attention next to Art Basel in Miami Beach (December 2–4), where it has had a presence in the Collectors Lounge at the VIP pavilion since 2018. In addition to a public artistic peformance yet to be announced at press time, the brand will tease its first skincare launch of 2022. u

Courtesy La Prairie/SCNO. Opposite, Images Clockwise From Top Courtesy La Prairie: Charles Roussel; Niki de Saint Phalle; SCNO

Since its inception in the 1930s, Swiss luxury skincare brand La Prairie has had an intrinsic link to art. Its latest collaborations uphold that tradition.

Caviar retinol is the key ingredient in La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil, the last step in the collection’s bedtime ritual. Above from left: Maotik’s Sense of Blue installation at Art Basel; Niki de Saint Phalle’s Last Night I Had a Dream (1968–1988) on view at MoMA PS1 earlier this year. Opposite: The Skin Caviar Nighttime Ritual.

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Atlantic Ocean, August 1, 2016, early morning.

Color Her World

Photographer ANDREA HAMILTON captures a certain magic in her photos, one that she’s painstakingly unearthed via a careful, methodical process. Her current focus? A groundbreaking digital platform. BY BROOKE MAZUREK

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T Atlantic Ocean, July 10, 2018, late evening.

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here is a rare type of geologist in the mining world who will walk into the middle of a field and simply say: “Here.” In very remote regions and sometimes against the hard, quantitative facts of science and technology, they’ll stand on a stretch of unremarkable earth and say: “This is where you dig.” “Companies will spend millions of dollars to put a hole in the ground and they won’t [return] with anything,” says visual artist Andrea Hamilton. “But then there are these four or five people in the world who can marry everything. They look at the science but then look at the earth and through their connection with it, have this sixth sense. They know where the silver vein is.” In the years before conceptual art became Hamilton’s central channel, she worked as a mining analyst traveling the remote expanses of Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. She wrote reports about each place, and on her own time, she says, “I took all the photos I wanted.” But much like the geologists engaged in a process of excavation, Hamilton, who is 53, with long blond hair and stormblue eyes, began to probe the metaphysical depths of water. She has spent more than two decades photographing the ocean, which she describes as “a mirror to the vastness we carry inside.” Her imagery has captured the weight of the icebergs in Alaska and the sky in the Arctic Circle. It’s a study of scale and time that feels a lot like a gust of migratory birds; a reminder that time is fleeting and eternal, and that we have always been a part of it. It also maps the interconnectedness of her past and present, her journey from land to sea.

The influence of geologic inquiry—the way it fuses science and intuition, logic and non-logic—is evident in The Library of Sea Colour, Hamilton’s collection of 16,000 images that comprise the world’s most comprehensive catalog of natural maritime color. In the spirit of the scientific method, the project began with a question: What would happen if a single location and perspective on the beach were photographed over and over again? Working predominantly with a Hasselblad large-format digital camera, Hamilton began documenting the natural light, deliberately shooting within three f-stops. Sometimes the sky was cloudless, other times misty. But always the photos were unaltered, and always they encouraged her to leap from the realm of precision into what she calls “the magic” through the colors they revealed. For millions of years, humans have stood on the ocean shores and looked toward the horizon, observing the same infinite dimension of color that Hamilton was capturing. Yet what she found herself wondering was whether the emotion tethered to those colors could somehow be captured, too. Her forthcoming online platform, The Colour Project, is the response to this question. It will refract color through the lenses of language and art. “Someone could say, ‘Oh, I really vibrate with this green.’ And then discover artists and writers, connect with their work, and interpret what they felt about that color,” she explains. To speak with Hamilton is to experience a real-time slice of this vision—to journey to India and Sweden, delve into the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the fossils of Mary Anning, only to discover how these things connect to a single shade of oceanic gray. 

Horizon 101 Blue

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All image courtesy and copyright of Andrea Hamilton

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What is your earliest memory of the sea? [That] would be from my birthplace, Lima, Peru, where the water is ice cold, the sand dunes are high, and the air is thick and white due to the Humboldt current. The next would be the Gulf of Mexico, where I spent a lot of my childhood after my family moved to Mexico City. We went to the ocean almost every weekend to escape the business and pollution of the city, and this established a pattern that has stayed with me for life—a need to return to blue spaces. As we continued to move as a family, the ocean came to represent the one constant in our lives. Later, my parents settled in Vero Beach, Florida, and I have been returning to that coastline ever since. I feel lucky I was able to go there during the pandemic and be literally next to the sea.

Theory of Love]. I’m finding emotional words for the sea. When I was at Brown University, one of my subjects was comparative literature. Do you know Marguerite Duras?

How has life and your artistic process changed amid the pandemic? I made a decision that I really just wanted to work, and write, and make things. I’m not as interested in the marketing, the selling, all of that side. I decided that as much as possible, I wanted to free myself. I have all of these projects that I’ve started. There is so much I want to do. So much I want to create and write, and I have a limited amount of time and energy. In a way, that’s what the pandemic has shown me: Choose where you’re going to place your focus. So meanwhile: [She holds up Canadian psychologist John Alan Lee’s Color Wheel

How did you make the leap from studying comparative literature and politics at Brown to life as a full-time artist? I had a mother who was an amazing artist, but she felt that her role as a mom came first, so she worked as a closeted artist. She did an MFA in Minnesota after we moved from Mexico. Everywhere we went, she was creating, but she always did it in the quiet.

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Yes. The Lover. I wrote a thesis in French. Thirty pages about the tension between love and desire, Eros and Agape, in the works of Marguerite Duras. And now my current research, this color wheel, literally has Eros and Agape in it. It links them to different colors. I think life is a really weird circle. Everything I did in college, I’m now coming back to. So I’ve just been in this place of honoring that and accepting it as my life’s work. Maybe some ancestors started this and I’m finishing it.

What was her work like? She painted beautifully. She did more figurative art, but had a great sense with color. It’s so funny that I’m now “Miss Color” because I never liked it. I was a monochrome, black-

and-white kind of person. When I was a kid, I did well in school, so my mother was always dissuading me from the arts. She was like, “You need to be like Maggie Thatcher, be a lawyer”—because it’s so hard to be an artist and support yourself. Photography and the darkroom was always this thing I did, but my mom told me I could be an artist later. So I worked as an intern in Chicago for [Victor] Skrebneski, a fashion photographer, and saw that you had to do catalogs all of the time. I did the law thing but did not like it. I was not fired up. Then I got the job as a rolling equity research analyst. I was on the road traveling, getting to go to all of these mines. I was lucky, because I got to be in nature a lot— really wild nature. But by the time I got to my early 30s, I was like, “It’s time to have babies, retire, and go straight to the darkroom.” And your father? Even though my dad was in business, he’s really interested in history. He was always keeping photography albums and documenting our life. We have probably 150 albums from Peru and Mexico. He wrote about where we went, what we saw, how we experienced it as a family. We have all of these beautiful albums in leather, they’re almost like sculptures. At that time in our lives, my mom was always taking us to old antique markets. We were always exploring and hunting for treasure. And that’s what The Colour Project is: treasure hunting. 

Enchanted Islands No. 2

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Tidal Resonance No. 17, 2014.

Treasure hunting in what sense? Imagine you have this leaden gray sea. The thing about gray as a color, is the shades can go a little lighter and be so beautiful. And then darker, the color of ominous clouds, tying it to the weather and to a feeling. In researching that color, it took me to Emily Dickinson’s “After Great Pain, A Formal Feeling Comes.” I lost my mom to cancer, and what the poem is about is when you lose someone that you really love, you go into this kind of automatic mode. You become machine-like. You’re trying to organize the funeral, but you’re not feeling anything. And you think: Why am I not feeling when I’ve lost the greatest love of my life? The poem describes “the hour of lead,” and what it says is: it’s okay. It’s okay to be a little like the robot going through the steps, because that’s your protective armor. It’s

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your survival mechanism, and it’s a part of the process. So to make the jump from the color in the ocean to a poem that honored an emotion I didn’t know how to express—the experience that happened between those two things, that’s what I’ve been trying to figure out with The Colour Project. Van Gogh painted the sunflower 11 times. Yellow can veer toward the sun in health and well-being, but it can also turn brown and jaundiced. And there was Van Gogh, painting the sunflower over and over again, and all the while becoming more ill. Much of your work is captured from a vantage point above ground, but you also used to do underwater photography. What’s it like diving deep into the ocean? It’s heaven. It’s silent. That’s the most beautiful

thing, I think, the silence. When you really get down to the ocean floor and you’re exploring, it’s a whole new world. Probably as exciting as going to the moon. As we know from [marine biologist] Sylvia Earle, there’s so much to learn and so much to understand. But due to bursting my eardrum, this form of exploration has been put on hold. I was on a dive in Sicily when it happened and no one really told me that once it ruptures, you have to be really careful. There are all of these other things that can happen when the inner-ear is open to the elements. So three years after it happened, I was on a plane back to London [where I live] and the day after I landed, I lost my eyesight completely. I went to see a neurologist and all I could do was sit in a dark room and listen to the radio. For three weeks, I sat there like a lemon and I wasn’t getting any better. 

Tidal Resonance No. 25, 2013.

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From top: Muskox (Ovibos Moschatus). The Bellows, Discovery Harbor, Northern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada–American Museum of Natural History, NY. Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík, 2020

How did you recover from it? I remembered reading about acupuncture, about how it cleared the energy channels. So I called the best place in London, and I said, “Please get me your best doctor.” He came morning and night, morning and night—and I could feel the heat moving across my face. Within a week, I got to the point where I began to see fragmented vision. And from there, it took another year of healing. I went to Florida, to the sun and sea, and I got better. Though I couldn’t go underwater anymore, I thought: Maybe I can look at the surface of the sea forever and examine it that way. One door shuts and another one opens. You can always find a different portal. Your writing on the ocean, which is so intertwined with your imagery, reminds me of nature writer Rachel Carson’s work. The thing with Carson is, she’s able to bring [nature] alive in a non-sciencey way. She has all of the scientific footnotes in the back of the book. But then she brings the wonder, and that’s what I’m trying to get to: the wonder and the magic and the feeling that we get. What I’ve become interested in is the emotional state we are brought to from the experience [of the ocean], and trying to really understand it on different levels without forcing anything on anyone. Is it the language that inspires us? Or is it the imagery? The music? There’s something really magical in the wave, the energy that’s happening. Through color, a whole world can open up and it can help you understand yourself; it can become a mirror. u

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What’s Next FOOD & DRINK

RESTAURANTS Acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton opens two new eateries: Mozza at Costa Palmas (costapalmas .com) is her first restaurant in Mexico. “Imagine the Mozza wood-fired oven and grill sizzling with the glorious bounty of the Sea of Cortez,” she says. With sailboats, yachts, and fishing boats as a backdrop, the bright, colorful, and open-to-the-outdoors restaurant features Silverton’s playful menu informed by the daily catch (below). In LA, Silverton debuts The Barish at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. It’s a handsome dining room with a menu that’s centered around world-class, dry-aged beef and also offers pastas baked in a wood fire. Tabletop pieces are some of Silverton’s European flea-market finds. thehollywoodroosevelt.com

The Pig at Harlyn Bay, in one of Cornwall’s most historic 16thcentury houses, joins the eight other boutique Pig restaurants scattered throughout the English countryside. Each restaurant operates some rooms to rent, appointed with English country house charm— plaid and toile. The big draw

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at Harlyn Bay is all its food is sourced within 25 square miles: fresh-from-the-harbor seafood and award-winning English wine, game, and cheeses (above). thepighotel.com Lutèce (the ancient name for Paris) is a tiny restaurant whose mirrored walls make it look a little bigger. The Georgetown restaurant’s cozy Continental vibe is inspired by the Parisian bistro scene, as is the small menu. On a recent visit: fresh-tarragonand-Comté-cheese gnocchi with wild mushrooms, fall-off-the-bone roasted chicken, and brussels sprouts roasted in duck fat. For brunch: pain perdue, ricotta toast, caramelized grapefruit, and dark-as-night espresso. lutecedc.com New York City’s Michelinstarred Korean steakhouse Cote opens its first outpost outside the Big Apple, in Miami’s Design District. Order the Butcher’s Feast—a prodigious selection of the chef’s choice cuts along with vegetables and kimchi, egg souffle, rice, and homemade soft serve for dessert.

$58/person (a steal by both New York and Miami standards); cotemiami.com Named after the butcher in Fiddler on the Roof, Philadelphia’s Laser Wolf is a traditional IsraeliMediterranean skewer house that serves grilled meats, veggies, and fish alongside hummus with fresh-from-theoven pita. Locals swear by the lamb-shoulder shawarma. laserwolfphilly.com Perks of the Jordan Estate Rewards loyalty program include invitations to winerysponsored events like summer dinners, harvest lunches, lavish holiday parties, and overnights in the estate’s château suites. The grand, French-inspired, antique-filled suites in California’s Alexander Valley can only be reserved by the private wine club’s members. jordanwinery.com With interiors by design world impresario Ken Fulk and a culinary program helmed by husband-and-wife power team Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu, Lutie’s Garden Restaurant is a jewel of the

new 10-acre Auberge Resort Collection’s Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Texas. Dine on charcoal-grilled chicken or Texas beef beneath whimsical, foliage-covered ceilings. luties.com Tacos Güey from French Laundry alum Henry Zamora is a 72-seat restaurant in New York’s Flatiron District that is decked out with Oaxacan tapestries and large murals by well-known Mexican artists. Expect comfort food inspired by Zamora’s mother’s recipes, including sweet-and-spicy birria tacos, potato-andcheese flautas, sea bass ceviche, and scallop aguachile. tacosgueynyc.com Stephanie Izard, the first woman to win Top Chef, takes her burning-hot Chicago concept to Los Angeles’ Arts District. Girl & The Goat serves fearless, in-your-face flavor combinations like grilled lamb sirloin with yuzu-cilantro and pickled rhubarb relish. Locally grown vegetables are spiced and wood grilled. Of course, there’s Izard’s signature sautéed green beans. girlandthegoat.com

Courtesy Images, Clockwise From Left: Ritz Carlton Paris Bar/Jerome Galland; Sothebys/Alexis Cottin; High Goal Luxury Gin/Frederick R Alway. Opposite, Courtesy Images From Top: The Pig at Harlyn Bay/Jake Eastham; Mozza at Costa Palmas

BARS Opened in September during Paris Fashion Week, the Ritz Bar (above) at Ritz Paris reinterprets the opulent-andexotic spirit of the Belle Epoque with 12 astrologically inspired cocktails, served at a round bar under a monumental brass lantern that projects a map of the night sky onto the ceiling. ritzparis.com Caviar, Champagne, and live music combine at Thomas Keller’s very trendy, very chic pop-up Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge in Yountville, California. The indoor space by designer Ken Fulk is a luxe mélange of leather, linen, and marble. Opt for a tasting flight of Regiis Ova Caviar. Champagnes are offered by the glass, bottle, magnum, or jeroboam. regiisova.com A seafood tavern that’s inspired by the daily catch of California’s Central Coast and the cuisine of Europe’s seaside towns (think Marseille or Hvar), Bar Le Côté in Los Olivos, California, pairs drinks—Champagne, local beer, sake, or saffron lemonade—with plates of oysters, sea urchins, and crab claws. For a hungry

group, order a bucket of steamed little neck clams or the whole roasted sea bream. barlecote.com In the historic Fulton Market district of Chicago’s West Loop, Rose Mary (named after the chef’s two grandmothers), is an ode to the convergence of Italian and Croatian culinary traditions. Chef Joe Flamm calls it “Adriatic drinking food.” Order grilled clams, tuna crudo, pork ribs with Calabrian chile agrodolce, and grilled chicken wings. To drink: Italian lager, Croatian pilsner, Serbian pale lager, and dozens of wines by the glass. rosemarychicago.com Forget Me Not in Denver’s chic Cherry Creek neighborhood is sleek with fire-engine-red banquettes and a walnut-and-marble bar (there’s a vintage feather chandelier hanging over it). Ease into eye-catching cocktails with names like Lil’ Mama and Nobody’s Angel. Choose among dozens of bubblies to pair with small plates of tea sandwiches, Maine lobster rolls, or sardines right out of the tin. forgetmenotdenver.com

IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE Sotheby’s The Distillers: One of One (sothebys .com) auctions 40 lots of rare Scotch whiskies (above) to benefit the Distillers’ Charity, which provides support for disadvantaged youth. The first auction is December 3 at Barnbougie Castle near Edinburgh. Two more will be announced in 2022. The One Drop Foundation (onedrop .org), the prestigious French auction house Artcurial, and world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse partner in an auction of exceptional wines to support One Drop’s critical mission of ensuring sustainable access to safe water and sanitation to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The gala gastronomic dinner is on November 19, but you can bid online for the wine lots.

NEW SPIRITS Dom Pérignon releases two exceptional Champagne vintages: 2012 ($200) and 2003 Pléntitude 2 ($395). Each is complex, energetic, and harmonious, beautifully blending both the 17th-century monastic tradition and the daring of the modern chef de cave. domperignon.com Sip High Goal Luxury Gin straight up like whiskey. Drink it without ice to enjoy a rich sweetness—or on ice (below) for a more pronounced taste of its botanicals of mint, juniper, coriander, cardamom, and Meyer lemon. One of the brand’s co-founders is a worldclass polo player; hence the name, which is the term for the highest level of play in the sport. Made in small batches in Charleston, South Carolina. $50; highgoalgin.com 

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What’s Next SHOP

SLEEPING BEAUTY FINDS

GAMES FOR GROWN-UPS Après ski, après turkey dinner, on a snowy Sunday afternoon— wherever we gather with family and friends, it’s game time. These versions are visually stunning enough to leave out after your guests go home. The wooden Man Ray Chess Set ($680; store.moma.org) includes a knight like a sinuous, scroll-shaped violin finial. The Edie Parker Checkers Set ($1,895; edie-parker.com) comes in burnt agate and white faux marble (below). Jonathan

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Adler’s Tic-Tac-Toe Set ($195; jonathanadler.com) shines in polished brass and marble. A leather and sterling silver Monopoly set by Zontik Games (from $9,843; zontikgames.com) makes a winning statement right out of the box. If puzzles are a calming antidote to the digital age, then Liberty Puzzles’ (from $44; libertypuzzles.com) laser-cut wooden versions (above) up the ante; their nontraditional shapes provide a next-level challenge.

SPIRITED GIFTS Japanese single malt Karuizawa 1981 (legendofasama.com) is being sold as a signed and numbered set of two single-cask bottles packaged with two Glencairn crystal decanters and cut crystal glasses for $100,000. Just 30 sets will be released over a three-year period. For cognac lovers, Grand Marnier’s Quintessence (grandmarnier.com) has been blended from personal reserves of the Marnier Lapostolle family cellars and is available in a specially designed Baccarat carafe for $3,000. Casa Dragones and TANE Mexico 1942 (tane.com) debut a new barrel blend of Añejo Tequila in a 750 ml glass bottle accompanied by a handcrafted silver flask from the vaunted Mexican silver house. Limited to 160 signed and numbered sets priced at $3,400.

Tribute Goods Fine Linens in Houston imports artisanal Italian linens woven with Egyptian cotton sateen in natural white. Thus, these sheets only get softer with each washing. Pillowcases can be embroidered with classic motifs or your own heraldry. The shop also carries a vibrant selection of vintage Hermès silk scarf pillows. tributegoods.com

Italian goods purveyor Mozzafiato (above) has put together exquisite bundles of scents and sensations from 18 heritage Italian brands, including Acqua di Bolgheri, Borghese, and Farmacia SS. Annunziata 1561 is included in the Italian Spa Package for Her ($319). The justlaunched Italian Beauty Year seasonal subscription boxes ($297/year) are designed to soothe and delight and are a great way to discover new beauty brands. mozzafiato.com

FEEL-GOOD FASHION

Courtesy Maison Atia (3). Opposite, Courtesy Images From Top: Liberty Puzzles; Mozzafiato; Edie Parker Checkers

Chloe Mendel, fashion designer and furrier, creates faux fur coats inspired by an effortlessly chic French aesthetic. Seated on the living room floor in her home in Chicago, Chloe Mendel, the co-founder of Maison Atia (maisonatia.com), a couture faux fur brand, discusses her new collection of chic and sustainable coats and accessories. She likes working with faux fur because it allows her to create designs that would not be possible with real fur. “There is more creativity in it,” she says, holding up a vest from her new collection that features patterns of wild cat, coyote, black, and red faux furs (inset). The patterned design is fastened together by two pankou knots. This embellishment is a nod to Mendel’s Taiwanese heritage, and the Parisian-style couch situated behind her also tells of her upbringing and lineage. Mendel learned her craftsmanship and techniques while training in the French atelier of her father, who is the fifth-generation member of the house of Mendel, and she works alongside her cofounder Gustave Maisonrouge, a former Hermès fragrance specialist. Together, the pair is well-versed to disrupt the faux

fur market and appeal to millennials with fresh, high-fashion designs. Mendel is inspired by many French designers, such as the well-admired Yves Saint-Laurent, as well as the transformative years that took place between the ’60s and ’70s in Paris and London. Maison Atia’s latest collection references the 1970s in France and the French women who dressed effortlessly yet chic. Mendel envisioned a woman who was both elegant and embracing the London underground rock scene that developed during the mid-1960s. After mastering her family’s trade, Mendel created Maison Atia in hopes of providing people with the option to wear faux fur. Maison Atia has been supporting PAWS Chicago through its #BuyACoatSaveAPuppy campaign. At New York Fashion Week 2020, the brand introduced MA by Maison Atia, a collection made out of Koba fabric, which is made from plants and recycled water bottles. The company promotes zero waste by using all fabric leftover from coat

production to create accessories, and it donates other unused fabric to FABSCRAP, a nonprofit that recycles textiles and scraps from artists and designers. Working closely with professional furriers, Mendel translates their traditional manufacturing techniques to the modern fabrics she creates. “We make faux furs with old-school craftsmanship and understand that it is equally important to educate and help these generational furriers to create businesses that can modernize,” she says. Her team works closely with fabric mills to develop faux furs that look and feel beautiful through the eyes of the furrier, often in vibrant hues, even leopard prints. Maison Atia’s Autumn/ Winter 2021 collection includes three lines: MA by Maison Atia, which incorporates the Koba fabric and is 100 percent sustainable; Classic Collection (top left and right), which is crafted by small family-owned fur ateliers; and Pink Label (inset), which features hand-embroidered, limited-edition —Emma Blum designs. 

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What’s Next SHOP

BOOKS

STORE OPENINGS Japanese jewelry house Mikimoto has a new twostory, pearl-focused flagship boutique on New York’s Fifth Avenue (above). Expect minimal elegance: glass chandeliers, glass water panels, and an alabaster opalescence. mikimotoamerica.com The gently undulating façade of Louis Vuitton’s Ginza Namiki-Dori boutique in Tokyo was designed by Japanese architecture firm Jun Aoki & Associates and unveiled this year. It shimmers like a pillar of water and the aquatic theme continues inside with sea life– inspired chandeliers and light fixtures. us.louisvuitton.com Los Angeles’ 3,000-square-foot Terminal 27 concept store on Beverly Boulevard is essentially an innovative workshop where hip creatives in fashion, music, technology, and architecture can

showcase their work. Expect a mix of pop-up shops (with vintage purveyor Middleman, for example), collaborations with chefs, film screenings, and gallery exhibitions. terminal27.com The eco-minded company Glasshouse Helsinki has opened a bright new retail, gallery, and meeting space to celebrate Finnish minimalism, nature-inspired art, handcrafts, and sustainable design. Shop for everything from Alvar Aalto Foundation paper napkins to Nikari wood-and-linen chairs. glasshousehelsinki.com Fashion designer Adam Lippes opens his first-ever brickand-mortar in Manhattan’s Brookfield Place. Custom-built and antique furniture and soft pink walls provide an inviting backdrop for Lippes’ rotating mix of handmade clothing and jewelry. adamlippes.com

Moto Guzzi: 100 Years recounts the history of the storied company, founded in 1921 with the purpose of designing high-performance motorcycles. Moto Guzzi quickly became a world leader in innovation and speed and now the brand, no longer just a motorcycle but a style statement, is favored by superstars like actor Ewan McGregor and designer Tom Dixon. $80; rizzoliusa.com Safari Style: Exceptional African Camps and Lodges by Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of luxe travel outfitter Indagare, presents the sustainable design of 21 of Africa’s new generation of safari camps. The book celebrates their role in developing responsible travel as well as preserving threatened wildlife and irreplaceable wilderness. $75; vendomepress.com Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: A Timeless Legend on the French Riviera by Alexandra Campbell includes an intro by longtime Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and goes on to detail the haven on the French Riviera for royalty

and Cannes Film Festival A-listers. The ever-elegant 150-year-old resort’s history is full of romance, mystery, and capers by celebrities. $85; editions.flammarion.com Gio Ponti was created in close collaboration with the Gio Ponti Archives and its founder Salvatore Licitra to chronicle the life and 100-plus buildings by the first modern starchitect (1891–1979). XL Edition, $250; Art Edition, $3,500, including an actual coffee table and four numbered prints; taschen.com Yachts: The Impossible Collection by Miriam Cain showcases yachts in all their ultimate-status-symbol glory from the 1851 ship for which the America’s Cup was named, to long-and-sleek J Class racing yachts of the early 1900s, to the current high-tech megayachts. Page through photographs of classics with their timeless silhouettes and head-turners that broke the mold with daring design, redefining their era. $895; assouline.com The Men’s Fashion Book is a comprehensive A–Z celebration of the 500 greatest names in men’s fashion, including people and brands that have produced and inspired the most memorable looks in menswear and are advancing today’s global renaissance in men’s clothing and style. $80; phaidon.com u —Irene Rawlings

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Courtesy Images, From Left: Mikimoto; Rizzoli; Vendome Press; Flammarion

In Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci, the acclaimed actor (Big Night, Julie & Julia, and the 2021 Emmy Awardwinning HBO series Searching for Italy) pens an ItalianAmerican-family-around-thetable memoir with recipes. $28; simonandschusterpublishing.com

You never forget how. When you’ve had enough screen time, riding a bike is a nice change of pace. So is fishing from a bridge. Or swinging in a hammock. Maybe taking a kayak out. You never forget how. And we think you’ll enjoy remembering.

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