Car lovers, prick up your ears. Last Saturday, 21st May, an Aston Martin Bulldog V8 Engine, 5300cc, 1979, was deemed Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este in the annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. It’s a one-off vehicle, built for an enthusiast who wanted to achieve 200 m.p.h. Currently being tweaked for owner Philip Sarofin, 35, a venture capital founder, it could once again speed up ‘next year’, though presumably Sarifin’s local Beverly Hills police won’t be happy.

Six new members have joined The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio in its latest “Spring Collection” which now boasts 400+ hotels in over 80 countries.

The Setai Miami Beach has a volunteer Ambassador, Bob Fetty. He lives in one of the hotel’s residences and every morning he posts the real-time view from his balcony (see above). Over the last few years the affable sculptor has amassed a following of over 2.5 million worldwide.

Staying in Cannes at Hôtel Majestic Barrière, a Leading Hotel of the World, gives the best insider’s view of ILTM, the definitive gathering of nearly 5,000 luxury travel suppliers and buyers that was so adequately covered in last week’s LATTE. Just after ILTM, by the way, the two most influential new-gen, New York-based buyers, said ‘best week of my career’ (Jack Ezon, EMBARK Beyond) and ‘best LTM ever, for serious business as well a fun’ (Michael Holtz, SmartFlyer).

Honestly, overnighting at the heart of the USA, the White House, is not usually an option. To stay as close to the Pres as you can, however, choose The Hay-Adams, a distinguished Leading Hotel of the World a mere 300 metres north of the White House, across leafy Lafayette Park.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has welcomed Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel to its portfolio, in the process marking the brand’s debut in Italy.

The Leading Hotels of the World has introduced a new learning and sales companion for travel advisors.

The Leading Hotels of the World has welcomed eight new members to its portfolio and a pipeline of 13 highly anticipated new builds debuting in 2021.

The Leading Hotels of the World has welcomed 12 new members to its portfolio. LHW’s fall collection is defined by their independence and their deep cultural connections within their destinations. Property additions include hotels around the globe that are set in restored monasteries, luxurious tented camps, expansive farm estates, and even new waterfront masterpieces.

Mid-way between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysées, where the heart of Paris beats, you’ll find La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa, overlooking the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower, the Pantheon and the Concorde obelisk.

Jumeirah Group will open the doors for the first time for its new Italian asset, Capri Palace Jumeirah, starting the season on 25 June 2020 and operational through until 30 September 2020.

I was amazed that the idea of combining retail with lodging is 110 years old. In 1910 the management of Le Bon Marché department store, which had been founded by Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut in 1852, decided to open a hotel for their most favoured customers, but instead of calling it Le Bon Marché they named it Lutetia, the original Roman name of Paris. Obviously, the store was doing well. Sculptors Léon Binet and Paul Belmondo, father of Jean-Paul, were commissioned to decorate the façade in Art Nouveau style. Now, all these years later, the 184-room hotel’s seven-floor exterior is as iconic worldwide as is, in a different way, Frank Gehry’s design for the Elciego Marques de Riscal hotel.