When In Rome…Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection – an update!

We had a troop of traveler’s traipse through Hotel Eden this summer, all with rave reviews and plans to return!

Hotel Eden, Rome
Hotel Eden, Rome

Benjamin stayed two years ago and loved his stay, a video call revealed a tailor in his suite hemming his pants! Although the summer heat slayed me, I wanted to discover the refurbishing and dropped in for a 5-hour leisurely lunch site inspection day. SWOON!

Italian-inspired sophistication awaits you at Hotel Eden. The legendary 98 room hotel is dressed to the nines with style and panache. Located in the heart of Rome, it’s merely a nine-minute walk to Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Historic 19th century property two blocks from Villa Borghese, Michelin starred restaurant La Terrazza, with drop dead views of the Eternal City, ringed by private gardens that act as a buffer from the outside hustle and bustle of the city.

In the elegantly paneled La Libreria on the ground floor, guests can relax with cocktails mixed and served on spot from the drinks trolley, background piano music- Inspired!

La Libreria, Hotel Eden, Rome

The legendary rooftop bar, Il Giardino is not to be missed, delightful aperitivo spot or long 5-hour lunch as I enjoyed! Uncompromisingly beautiful rooms and public spaces, luxurious and forever elegant.

Sophisticated rooms and suites all have enormous bathrooms to die for – the marble sinks are breathtakingly beautiful, absolute decadence in gold and white, and for me, the pièce de résistance, deep soaking tubs.

Since 1889, this grand dame has been known for legendary service. The hospitality has attracted celebrities since the Golden Age of Hollywood, many of whom are captured in the enthralling black-and-white photos lining the staircase leading to the rooftop restaurants.

Eden Indeed!

Hotel Eden, Rome- Highly Recommend!

Summer Sojourns 2022 Looking Forward !

Many of our clients have already spirited themselves to the South of France and returned from delightful à la française seashore jaunts. Italy, Rome has hosted a flock of peeps from our Travel Tribe. One adventurous sea going client has chartered our favorite yacht for multiple experiences: Greenland, the Canary Islands, Sicily, and multiple turquoise sea Caribbean jaunts. On the horizon for fall and the holidays: Cheval Blanc in the Maldives and Le Meurice, Paris. Istanbul is hot again! My recent holiday reminded me of why all our original clients visited, we are reserving the Four Seasons in Istanbul, they still love our clients! Nothing better than a sunset yacht cruise up the Bosporus and docking at Four Seasons Aqua Terrace for a divine dinner! Did you know Aman has launched a chic outpost in New York City?

Havana, Cuba

Morocco is said to be the hottest scene for 2023, I am besotted with the country and the charming friendly people. Several clients have visited and more arrive in November for a Camel Caravan.

Morocco, embraced by the darling locals!

I once told a magazine writer I’m certain I was born with the DNA of a gypsy. For my 8th grade graduation, I coveted a small leather suitcase – at that age I never went further than my best friend’s house 4 blocks away or maybe to my grandparent’s home which was only 15 miles away. My parents surprised me with a hard-sided, stitched baby blue suitcase, lined in silky pale blue satin; a small lock and a gold key on a narrow blue ribbon guaranteed the safety of my valuables! I treasured it for my overnight getaways.

High school graduation yielded a trifecta prezzie: a full set of luggage, including a lady’s leather travel cosmetic case. I didn’t have an itinerary, in my heart, I knew adventure lay beyond the

Beatrice Wood

Avant-Garde artist and potter Beatrice Wood lived in Ojai; as a young girl, I was mesmerized by her stacks of shimmering wrist bangles, enormous ethnic silver necklaces and riotously decorated costumes – a mysterious bohemian gypsy – she truly represented uncharted territory – a different realm, somewhere far from the little burb of Ojai. Had I known she had spent time with Duchamp and lived in Paris, I might have worked up a petite bit of pluck and uttered a few words to her; but sometimes mystery is better than reality; don’t you sometimes find that to be true about people you meet?

but sometimes mystery is better than reality; don’t you sometimes find that to be true about people you meet?

Travel creates a teaching environment, we learn, we are challenged; I find travel the absolute essential antidote to everyday routines. When I pack my suitcase, I am usually completely pre-occupied with all the tasks that must be accomplished before I can escape. The ever-growing list of must do prior to departure creates some stress; slowly each item is crossed off. Lock the gates and off to the airport. On arrival at the airport lounge, I let out a sigh of relief and let the pure sense of excitement wash over me.

“To get away from one’s working environment is, in a sense, to get away from oneself; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.” ~Charles Horton Cooley

My comfortable routines are dismissed, and the anticipation of a new far-off destination begins to sink in. Fresh vistas, foreign languages, interesting foods, curious customs, and people in indigenous dress – seeing places I’ve never seen before. A pleasing adventure of searching new locales for client travel, the pursuit never gets old.

Istanbul

There are times certainly that the luxury of my soft little pillow is missed, the paradox of travel – the comfy reminders of home – while enjoying the adventure at hand. Certainly, the brave seafaring explorers in tall, masted ships, civilizations crossing boundless lands and seas to explore new countryside felt the tug of home. The spark of curiosity about uncharted territory overruled the dilemma experienced by all civilizations that left their comfort zones to search the world.

Chefchaouen, The Blue Pearl City of Morocco

Travel means edging out of your habitat, traversing new pathways, being alive in an unknown place, a Journey.

Wonderful to be out in the world meeting my business colleagues again!