A Matter of Taste: The CEO’s Choice of Iconic Hotels
An inside look at the hotels our CEO returns to, time and again.
Every seasoned traveller has a shortlist of hotels that feel like touchstones — places that capture the essence of a city and deliver something deeper than comfort: a sense of belonging. For our CEO, these properties are more than destinations; they are benchmarks of elegance, history, and atmosphere. Each one tells a story about the art of hospitality and the emotional resonance that great hotels create.
Hassler Roma – The Icon Above the Eternal City
Perched at the top of the Spanish Steps, Hassler Roma holds one of the most enviable positions in the world. Its hilltop terrace opens onto a panorama of domes, rooftops, churches, and soft Roman light - the kind of view that stays with you.
Founded in 1893, the Hassler quickly became a favourite retreat for royalty, writers, and discreet travellers seeking both privacy and grandeur. Its interiors blend polished marble floors, hand-carved wood, chandeliers and fresco details - an unmistakably Italian signature.
But the true magic occurs at sunset, when the city glows and the signature terrace aperitivo feels like a private audience with Rome itself. Romance, history, and elegance - all distilled into one unforgettable stay.
Ritz Paris – A Masterclass in Parisian Elegance
Few names in hospitality carry the emotional weight of the Ritz Paris. Overlooking Place Vendôme, the hotel stands as a symbol of timeless Parisian refinement - the kind that never tries too hard and never fades. Opened in 1898 by César Ritz, the hotel has welcomed Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, and generations of cultural icons. Every element - gold-leaf detailing, silk fabrics, antique furniture, mirrored salons - feels like stepping into a beautifully preserved world.
Guests drift between the Chanel Spa, the intimate Hemingway Bar, and suites inspired by the great characters of French history. It is, in every sense, Paris at its most polished and poetic.
Hotel Sacher Vienna – The Soul of Imperial Vienna
Across from the Vienna State Opera, Hotel Sacher carries the spirit of a bygone era. Founded in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, it has long been a meeting place for aristocrats, artists and thinkers - a salon of ideas wrapped in velvet and crystal. Inside, you’ll find the quintessential markers of Viennese grandeur: deep red interiors, gilded mirrors, oil paintings, and chandeliers that glow like jewels. The hotel feels like an extension of the city’s cultural heartbeat.
And of course, there is the legendary Sachertorte, handmade daily according to a secret family recipe - still one of the sweetest rituals in European hospitality.
The Dolder Grand, Zurich – Art, Nature & Quiet Modern Luxury
High above Zurich, with sweeping views of lake and mountains, The Dolder Grand is what happens when classic aristocratic architecture meets contemporary vision. It historical façade nods to 19th-century elegance, while inside, the hotel exudes contemporary flair with an extraordinary art collection featuring Dalí, Warhol and Hirst.
The Junior Suite Deluxe reflects modern Swiss elegance: spacious, serene, flooded with natural light. But the emotional centre of the hotel is the 4,000 m² Dolder Grand Spa, offering saunas, hammams, pools, and quiet spaces to disconnect and reset.
While The Dolder Grand occupies the same city that played a crucial role in Einstein’s education and development — a place where world-changing intellect met Swiss calm — the hotel channels that legacy in a very different way: here the genius is in the service, the setting and the sensation of escape. It is a sanctuary - a place where sophisticated travellers come to breathe deeply, move slowly, and reconnect with themselves.
The Mark, New York – Upper East Side Attitude
On the corner of Madison Avenue and 77th Street, The Mark is where classic Manhattan heritage meets bold creative energy. Designed by Jacques Grange, the hotel blends Art Deco lines with striking black-and-white marble, modern artworks, and a confident, cosmopolitan vibe. Its guest list reads like a who’s who of the fashion, film, and art worlds - people drawn to its mix of privacy and polish. The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, the stylish Mark Pedicabs, and the hotel’s private yacht add to the sense of curated exclusivity.
It’s a place that captures the rhythm of New York: fast, elegant, expressive, and unforgettable.
A Final Note: Taste is a Personal Story
What these hotels share, beyond their beauty, service, and heritage, is a certain sensibility. Each one embodies the character of its city in a way that feels authentic, lived-in, and quietly magnificent. For the CEO, these properties are not simply favourites; they are touchstones that reflect a personal philosophy of travel: that true luxury lies in atmosphere, storytelling and emotional resonance.