Stars: News
Hotel Eden employees gather for first post-Covid party
Employees at Hotel Eden in Rome enjoyed an amazing night of retro fun at their first party since the pandemic. “We wanted the occasion to be something extraordinary and memorable, so we thought it would be great to go back to a different era,” says Emanuela Sulpizi, director of people and culture. “We all had a flashback that rewound us to the 1970s and 1980s – decades of freedom and creativity with an abundance of cultural and social events linked to fashion and music.”
The event space was decorated with lights, silver walls and strobe lighting effects. A DJ played music from the period, while there were Rubik’s Cubes and hula hoops to hand to add to the retro mood. The theme extended to the dress code, where some employees really outdid themselves.
Mirko Cattini, general manager of Hotel Eden, says: “It was amazing to spend time together, to connect with old friends and make new ones – and to have a lighthearted and fun night in such special surroundings!”
Employees at Hotel Principe di Savoia joined a charity run in Milan
Hotel Principe di Savoia employees
run in pyjamas for charity
Employees at Hotel Principe di Savoia were among the crowds who took part in the Pigiama Run to support LILT – an Italian charity that promotes cancer prevention and helps those who suffer from the disease.
A group of colleagues took part in this worthy initiative on 30 September as they walked or ran through the streets of Milan wearing their pyjamas – in solidarity with children with cancer, who, through illness and hospitalisation, often spend all day in their pyjamas. Hotel Principe di Savoia covered all the entry fees for those who took part.
“Taking part in my first pyjama run was a positive experience for several reasons,” says Massimo Sganga, chief accountant at the hotel. “Firstly, it helped me get to know new colleagues better and, secondly, we contributed in our own small way to a very worthy cause.”
Lobby art at Hotel Bel-Air
The Catastrophics, a special exhibition of works by contemporary American artist Seth Kinmont, was recently on display in the lobby of Hotel Bel-Air. Commissioned just for the hotel – and inspired by its Eden-like atmosphere – 12 small-scale, cast aluminium sculptures reflected some of the artist’s favourite rare works by contemporary and modern artists.
Kinmont projected these works millions of years into the future, as if transformed by the changing climate to become new forms with a new presence and meaning. For example, visitors to the exhibition could contemplate the fate of pieces such as Vija Celmins’ Pink Pearl Eraser struck by lightning in the desert and melted into a sand fulgurite under a giant fern.
A fourth-generation native of Deep Springs, California, Seth Kinmont studied neurology and studio art at University of California, Santa Cruz, followed by a stint as a fine art student at Yale. His work features in the collections of the Tate, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Glenn Fuhrman and Iwan and Manuela Wirth.
The Catastrophics was commissioned by leading private curator and art advisor Jim Hedges of Hedges Projects, based in Los Angeles and Paris. Each sculpture is painted with the same paints used by Porsche and comes in an edition of three for purchase.
Innovative new treatments with ishga and Swell at Coworth Park take guests on a tour of the Hebrides
Coworth Park and ishga
join forces for sound therapy
A unique partnership between organic luxury seaweed skincare brand ishga and wellness brand Swell has created a range of specialist sound therapy therapies now available at The Spa, Coworth Park.
A range of therapeutic sound treatments work in harmony with ishga’s award-winning products, and a 90-minute session takes guests on a journey through the Hebrides – the home of ishga. It begins with a meditation sequence introducing singing bowls and includes a full body massage, with reflexology points on the feet and an Indian head massage. Drawing inspiration from traditional Ayurveda, ishga’s warm base oil (with sweet almond, jojoba and thistle) is gently poured over the third eye, flowing over the forehead and onto the scalp. A soothing face massage with pressure points follows and concludes with a singing bowl awakening at the end.
Swell’s approach was created by international DJ and music psychology expert Brian d’Souza and uses a combination of sound therapy, music composition and biophilia to capture the essence of the ocean and ishga’s Hebridean home.
“We have built a strong relationship with ishga and are thrilled to have welcomed this unique sound therapy treatment to our wellness offering at Coworth Park,” says Teresa O’Farrell, global head of wellness and spa, Dorchester Collection, and spa director at The Spa at Coworth Park. “Relaxation is at the forefront of everything we do here, so we were excited to introduce this new bespoke experience to our guests.”
Hôtel Plaza Athénée hosts
Gray Malin’s Dogs of Paris
Fine art photographer and New York Times bestselling author Gray Malin has partnered with Hôtel Plaza Athénée to create a new series called Dogs of Paris.
The series takes the viewer on a glamorous getaway through the eyes of pampered pups enjoying a five-star stay at the hotel and captures the allure and romance of the city in Malin’s signature, playful style.
The dogs are seen indulging in Parisian food, fashion and culture, enjoying a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, strolling by the Seine and shopping for pastries at Ladurée.
“Shooting this collection at the legendary Hôtel Plaza Athénée was a dream come true for me,” says Malin. “In partnership with the hotel, I chose iconic locations including the captivating front entrance, La Terrasse Montaigne restaurant, the grand interior stairway, the Prestige Suite – also known as the Carrie Bradshaw Suite, and a beautiful rooftop terrace with exquisite views of the Eiffel Tower. My largest production to date, this series pays homage to the joy of escapism, our furry friends and the incredible fashion, food and culture of Paris.”
Isabelle Maurin, communications director of the hotel, says: “After the incredible work done at The Beverly Hills Hotel by Gray Malin, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, hotel of haute couture, had to have a series by this talented artist. Capturing dogs with a fashion twist in our mythical address on avenue Montaigne made sense, as they often join our elegant guests for a Parisian stay.”
Dogs of Paris launched exclusively on Gray Malin’s website on 27 September
Guests and friends pen
‘love letters’ to the Pink Palace
There was a fantastic response to the ‘love letters’ campaign at The Beverly Hills Hotel, with guests writing their thoughts about the Pink Palace on a specially designed letterhead. Part of celebrations marking the 110th anniversary of the hotel, the letters went on display before being archived to become a permanent part of the hotel’s rich heritage.
Le Meurice launches literary prize
After 12 years of celebrating art through the Meurice Prize for contemporary art, the hotel has turned a page by launching its first literary prize. With this accolade, the hotel awards an outstanding book, whether distinguished by its subject, its writing style or the personality of its author. The prize winners will also reflect the artistic and literary heritage of the hotel, which has hosted Salvador Dalí, Paul Morand, Roger Nimier, Florence Gould, John Irving and many more.
The inaugural winner, Louis-Henri de la Rochefoucauld, with his title, Châteaux, was announced this summer during a festive cocktail party in the hotel’s sumptuous Salon Pompadour.
Le Meurice general manager Franka Holtmann with winner Louis-Henri de la Rochefoucauld
Permanent outdoor dining terrace
at 45 Park Lane: CUT Out
This summer, CUT at 45 Park Lane opened its permanent outdoor dining terrace, serving dishes from Wolfgang Puck’s CUT menu and drinks from BAR 45.
An extension of CUT, the terrace is open daily for lunch and dinner from 12pm. It offers an additional 22 seats with a Captain’s Table, inspired by the glamorous mid-century design of a Riva yacht, which can accommodate up to six guests. The space is overlooked by the trees of Hyde Park and a sleek, frameless glazed screen creates a shelter to this light-flooded dining area, which mirrors the architectural design of 45 Park Lane.
Executive chef Elliott Grover has curated a number of new, lighter dishes for the menu, including chilled sweetcorn soup, carnaroli risotto primavera, grilled jumbo Australian tiger prawns, tempura onion rings, spaghetti pasta made in house with native blue lobster, alongside a wider choice of on-the-bone sharing steaks and Elliott’s signature dish: whole baked sea bass.
Guests enter CUT Out via 45 Park Lane’s lobby and through a rich, wood-panelled corridor. As they near the terrace, the outside comes in, with stunning butterfly hued optical resin leaves created by renowned artist Jill Berelowitz.
The Dorchester Rooftop took
guests to the Riviera for summer
Following its successful launch in summer last year, The Dorchester Rooftop terrace restaurant and bar was back in full swing.
Its Mediterranean menu concept was devised by Jean-Philippe Blondet, executive chef of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, and executed by head chef Bastien Bertaina.
The 64-cover rooftop restaurant offered views across London and showcased a Mediterranean menu inspired by Jean-Philippe’s childhood on the French Riviera, with an enticing cocktail list to accompany. The informal menu introduced delicious dishes with highlights including sea bass ceviche, citrus and cucumber; pissaladière, caramelised onion, anchovy and olives; and signature dessert, tarte tropézienne.
The Dorchester Rooftop remained open daily for lunch and dinner throughout summer to make the most of the longer days and sunsets across Hyde Park. Guests could be seen relaxing with a cocktail or glass of champagne while listening to a live band and DJ in partnership with Molto Music Group, Yamaha Music London and Pioneer. Tables were available for up to six guests and, in anticipation of the unpredictable British weather, terrace umbrellas, heaters and blankets were provided.
In partnership with Courvoisier, a new selection of cocktails was inspired by the picturesque towns dotted along the French and Italian Riviera, with an emphasis on their tempting range of herbs and fruits.