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This issue also brings together an exceptional group of artists whose work reflects the many ways a creative life can unfold. We spotlight Jessica Capshaw as she enters an exciting new chapter with 9-1-1: Nashville, bringing the intelligence, warmth and strength that have long defined her performances.

Actor Jack Reynor joins us during a particularly prolific moment in his career, with multiple projects that demonstrate his extraordinary range and instinct as a performer.

We are equally pleased to feature Bethany Joy Lenz, whose talents extend far beyond the screen. As an actress, writer, musician and gifted storyteller, she continues to reveal new dimensions of her creative voice.

Fashion also takes center stage in this issue with a stunning editorial photographed at the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York. For generations, the hotel has occupied a singular place in New York society, welcoming world leaders, Hollywood icons and the city’s most distinguished figures through its doors. Its timeless glamour and storied interiors provided an extraordinary setting for our fashion story, creating images that celebrate both the grandeur of old New York and the energy of the city today.

Travel has always been an essential part of the Gio Journal experience, and producing this issue gave us the pleasure of once again exploring the world through its most remarkable hotels and resorts. From the seductive coastline and warm hospitality of Mexico to the quiet refinement and exquisite traditions of Japan, each destination offered its own distinctive sense of place.

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And then, of course, there is Italy, my perennial favorite. No matter how many times I return, I remain captivated by its beauty, history, design, food and effortless approach to living well. Italy understands that true luxury is not simply about grandeur. It is found in atmosphere, authenticity and the pleasure of a moment perfectly enjoyed.

As we continue our journey, Gio Journal remains devoted to introducing you to the world’s most intriguing celebrities and transporting you to its most unforgettable destinations. Our goal is to celebrate lives lived with curiosity, creativity and style, while offering a perspective that feels both elevated and deeply personal.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR-----------------------RACHEL HILL PHILANTHROPY DIRECTOR---------- IRENA MEDAVOY

ART DEPARTMENT ART DIRECTOR------------------- RYAN CARANDANG PRODUCTION DIRECTOR--------- KENNETH WALLER PHOTO EDITOR-------------------- HUDSON GRAHAM DIRECTOR OF VIDEO--------------------------TAS LIMUR PRODUCTION ARTISTS --------------------- RENE LOPEZ

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Thank you for joining us. I hope this issue inspires you to discover someone fascinating, travel somewhere extraordinary and, perhaps, see the world a little differently.

John Russo

Founder/ Creative Director

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR------------------------JOHN RUSSO

LETSCHAT@GIOJOURNAL.COM PHONE

323.653.7774 2024©GIO JOURNAL, INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL CONTENT IS THE PROPERTY OF GIO JOURNAL, INC AND/ OR THE RESPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS, WRITERS, ARTISTS, ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAWS.

PHOTO BY { JOHN RUSSO

LETTER FROM the FOUNDER

There is something extraordinary about a career that not only endures, but continues to evolve. For this issue of Gio Journal, we are delighted to welcome Rob Lowe to our cover as we celebrate his iconic career, undeniable charisma and enduring place in American culture. Few actors have navigated Hollywood with such longevity, versatility and grace. Rob remains as compelling today as when audiences first discovered him, and it is a privilege to share his story with our readers.

Imagine those memorable moments where time stands perfectly still.

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DISCOVER LIFE, WELL LIVED

(707) 979-9000

DEER VALLEY | HEALDSBURG | KAPALUA BAY | LAGUNA BEACH | LOS CABOS | PALMETTO BLUFF BIG SKY (Opening in 2021) | BAHAMAS (Opening in 2023)

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7 ............................ ENTHROLLED BY IT: DAVE ANNABLE 21 ............................................................. FOX NFL SUNDAY 13 ...............GRIT AND DETERMINATION: JACK RAYNOR 23 ....................................... NO LIMITS: BETHANY JOY LENZ 31 ...........STAYING IN THE PRESENT: JESSICA CAPSHAW 39 .......................................OPEN FOR BUSINESS: ROB LOWE

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71 LIVINGgood 41 ....REDEFINING BOUTIQUE LUXUR: CASA POLANCO 47 ....................................................ELEGANCE AT THE EDGE: .................................................. GRAND VELAS BOUTIQUE 55 ............................WHERE HISTORY BECOMES LUXURY: ....................................................... HACIENDA XCANATUN 63 .....................WHERE SNOW BREATHES: SETSU NISEKO 71 ...................................A QUIET REBIRTH ABOVE KYOTO: ..................................................SEIRYU KYOTO KIYOMIZU 77 ....................... NATURE, ELEVATED.: HOSHINOYA FUJI 83 ........................................... ELEGANCE ABOVE THE CITY: ............................................................... PENINSULA TOKYO 89 ..............................................CULINARY DISCOVERIES AT ................................................ THE INTERCONTINENTAL: 95 ........................................... INTERCONTINENTAL OSAKA 101..................................A RICH HISTORY: PATRIA PALACE 111............... WHERE GLAMOUR NEVER CHECKED OUT: ...................................... WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK 125...........................................LACEY CHABERT ON TRAVEL

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Chronograph measuring elapsed time from 10 minutes down to 1/100th of a second

Ref. CT2 - Centigraphe Case and bracelet in Gold, also available in Platinum or Titanium Manual winding movement in 18 K rose Gold Geneva made

“I invented and made it”

The Boutiques New York +1 212 644 5918

Miami +1 305 993 4747

Los Angeles +1 310 294 8585

Geneva Paris Tokyo Hong Kong

fpjourne.com

“I invented and made it”

INVENTED AND MADE FOR THE PAST FOUR DECADES, FRANÇOIS-PAUL JOURNE HAS BEEN CREATING INNOVATIVE WATCHES THAT MARRY HIS DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY OF CHRONOMETRY WITH MODERN INGENUITY TO CONQUER AGE-OLD HOROLOGICAL CHALLENGES.

The F.P.Journe Manufacture building

The Maison F.P.Journe Miami

François-Paul makes it a point to use his unmatched technical skills to create watches that honor traditional processes and craftsmanship with ultimate precision, performing many tasks manually and assembling each watch individually- not in a production line. Each watch is completed entirely by one watchmaker, from assembly through testing. While this isn’t the most cost or time efficient process by any means, it creates a direct relationship between each watch and its watchmaker and this traditional way is the only way François-Paul sees fit to complete his watches. Every day, FrançoisPaul himself is at his bench, creating the next F.P.Journe innovation.

Because of the intensive manual work performed on the watches and the one-to-one production method, F.P.Journe produces fewer than 900 pieces per year.

The striking mechanism watchmaking atelier

While creating never before seen avant-garde movements, F.P.Journe keeps traditional assembly techniques and philosophies alive, including the ultimate goal of chronometry- precision. François-Paul Journe remains the designer and master watchmaker of his eponymous brand along with being the majority owner and president, giving him freedom and independence to create and release the watches he, the watchmaker, desires. Along with fabricating 95% of all watch components, the Manufacture owns their own dial and case-making facilities, further controlling and integrating the process from conception to production. Beneath the F.P.Journe logo on each watch is the line ‘Invenit et Fecit’, Latin for ‘Invented and Made’. Through FrançoisPaul’s extensive control and the full integration of the production process, F.P.Journe confidently states that their watches are entirely conceived and created in the Geneva workshops.

Yet François-Paul manages an impressive innovation streak: 26 distinct calibers have been released in the 20 years since the company’s founding! Of these, 7 have won awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) including 3 Golden Hands, the most coveted prize and the most of any watchmaker.

F.P.Journe exists in a state of balance between history and modernity, art and horology, with all four being important and indivisible from the watch. François-Paul has said he does not wish to create what has been produced before, but his watches have authentic historical ties. The innovations reimagine the function, design, and purpose of the watch. By starting the conceptualization of a watch with a design of the dial, design garners an importance comparable to technical excellence.

The Boutiques New York +1 212 644 5918

Miami +1 305 993 4747

Los Angeles +1 310 294 8585

Geneva Paris Tokyo Hong Kong

fpjourne.com

VERTICAL ENDEAVORS IN 1977, A 20-YEAR-OLD FRENCH WATCHMAKER EMBARKED ON AN ATYPICAL QUEST — TO CREATE HIS OWN TOURBILLON, NOT TO SELL OR SHOW, BUT TO PROVE TO HIMSELF THAT HE WAS ABLE. NEARLY SIX YEARS LATER FRANCOIS-PAUL COMPLETED THIS FIRST WATCH, A TOURBILLON POCKET WATCH WITH A SPRING DETENT ESCAPEMENT. IN 1999, THE 1ST WATCH BEARING THE NAME F.P.JOURNE IS, A TOURBILLON NATURALLY, THIS TIME FITTED WITH A CONSTANT FORCE MECHANISM, THE REMONTOIR D’ÉGALITÉ. THE PURPOSE OF THE REMONTOIR IS TO MEDIATE THE POWER DELIVERY FROM THE MAINSPRING TO THE ESCAPEMENT BY RELEASING ENERGY ONCE PER SECOND TO THE ESCAPEMENT, AVOIDING THE INEFFICIENCIES OF A WOUND SPRING.

20 years after, François-Paul revolutionized the tourbillon by rotating it 90 degrees. Mounted perpendicular to the rest of the movement, the 30 seconds tourbillon remains true to the original concept of the tourbillon, to counteract the concept of gravity on the escapement. In a pocket watch, a traditional tourbillon performed this task, however, on the wrist, the most common positions of the wrist leave the tourbillon operating horizontally.

By being placed vertically, the functions of the tourbillon remain

constant with equal amplitude whether the watch lies flat with a pin buckle or is placed on its side when fitted with a folding clasp.

The tourbillon rotates in 30 seconds, faster than the usual time of one minute, making the technical prowess even more visually astonishing. Surrounding the cage, a cone-shaped mirror-polished ring concentrates light, reflecting the tourbillon cage. A second reflector was created on the movement side to provide light around the tourbillon cage.

— THE 4N ROSE GOLD BRIDGES THAT FORM THE DIAL ARE DECORATED WITH “CLOUS DE PARIS” GUILLOCHE F E A T U R E S A N 48 - H O U R P O W E R RESERVE AT 12 O’CLOCK AND SMALL SECONDS AT 6 O’CLOCK; THE REMONTOIR D’ÉGALITÉ IS LOCATED AT 7 O’CLOCK. THE 42 MM CASE IS AVAILABLE IN PLATINUM OR IN 18K 6N GOLD. LIKE ITS PREDECESSORS, THE VERTICAL TOURBILLON FEATURES A REMONTOIR D’ÉGALITÉ FOR CONSTANT FORCE AND A TIME DISPLAY AT 3 O’CLOCK IN GRAND FEU ENAMEL TO REMIND THE VERY FIRST F.P.JOURNE TOURBILLON POCKET WATCH.

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GRIT AND

DETERMINATION Jack Reynor may very well be The Busiest Man in Hollywood.

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INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS STYLING BY { LINDA MEDVENE VIDEO BY { KEN WALLER MEDIA LOCATION { LOS ANGELES, CA

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GROOMING BY { JENNY NELSON FOR THE WALL GROUP

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From beautiful Ireland to Hollywood, it sounds like a dream. When did you know this was going to be your destiny?

I think I was very young, only five or six when I sort of got the sense that I wanted to be an actor and that it was not so much about the acting as it was

I am sure the kids love all that!

Exactly.

So then after that you have this spy thriller Citadel, Season Two is coming out in May. Yeah it’s great. I think for me, the big things about

the opportunity to visit the kind of places that I

that were I was going to work with Joe Russo again,

was seeing on TV. It looked so exciting in all these

who is a very good friend of mine and Stanley Tucci,

different worlds that I would see in the films that I

who I had shot Transformers with ten years before, it

would watch and the shows that I would watch. And

was just great to get to close the lid with those guys.

I wanted to experience that. So that was where my

They are such wonderful people just to be around

sense of being an actor kind of came from initially.

and brilliant people to work with. So just the prospect

And then obviously as I got older my understanding

of spending three or four months with those guys in

of it evolved and I watched just so much film

London was unturndownable. And we had so much

throughout all my time in school and just really had

fun with it, I met other people who I hadn’t worked

the sense that what I wanted to do was go into film.

with before on that movie who I loved. Priyanka and

And that was it.

Richard are both legends and lovely people. And similarly Matt Berry, who is so much fun, he’s like one

You have three different projects going on, you are one busy man! Let’s talk about The Mummy. How does it feel to be part of such an iconic franchise?

of the funniest men on the planet Earth and I had

It was great. And for me, I love horror films and

show ever. It’s about actors, about jobbing actors in

horror films have always kind of been a big part

London, so funny. And yeah, we had Lena El Arabi

of my life. And obviously there’s not that much

on it as well who is a legend, and just great, great

that’s happening in cinema these days outside of

people and a really fun time. I think Joe had a sense

horror films and superhero films, and so even to

that he wanted to change the tone of the show from

have a movie to be front and center of something

Season One so it would be a little lighter in tone, a

that is really opening in the cinema, that’s just a

little bit more comedy I think if maybe you think of it

real blessing. And I am a huge fan of the legacy of

more in terms of the Roger Moore Bond films rather

Mummy films and Hammer horror really is the thing

than the Sean Connery ones if that makes any

for me, so like the Mummy films with Christopher Lee

sense. (laughs) So yeah we had a great time with it

and Peter Cushing, those are the ones I really love.

man, it was a lot of fun.

been such a fan of his stuff growing up, particularly The Toast of London, that was the funniest fucking

And I just loved all of the Hammer horror stuff from the 50s and 60s and even the 70s. So yeah it was a big kick to be a part of this legacy of The Mummy.

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And I just also was like super proud to do it in Ireland

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What do you think are some of the keys to create longevity in an actor’s career?

Time spent away from the industry, critical,

and Lee is a wonderful director and a great guy and

absolutely critical. I think that you generate the

I had worked with so many of my friends, people

bandwidth needed to be able to work in this industry

who I had been working with for fifteen years were

by being completely outside of it and living life. I

on that movie which was great, even my wife was

think that the most important place where you can

working on that movie. So it was a whole family affair

hone your craft as an actor is in the real world. It

really, which was amazing. But yeah, I am thrilled, I

comes down to your capacity for empathy and

am really happy with it and the reception from horror

compassion and your curiosity and interest in society

fans has been absolutely fantastic, which is great.

and in people and in places. And how broad do you cast your net when you are looking for cultural

I am going to see it tomorrow night.

context? How diverse can you be when you are

I hope you are not queasy, it’s a real body

considering whose shoes to put yourself in? That’s

horror movie man, it’s in the same vein as David

really, really, really critical. And I think that yeah, that

Cronenberg’s stuff or just gross, gross body horror.

all comes from living life in the real world. So I would

(laughs)

say that that’s probably the number one thing for me for longevity in your career. Secondly, and it’s very

JACK REYNOR

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tricky, it’s almost a paradox because I think there’s so many people in the film industry and in entertainment more broadly speaking, people who are very neurodivergent people, that’s obviously a label. But I think that oftentimes neurodivergent people struggle with consistency of lifestyle. And so one of the more challenging things I think for a lot of actors and certainly it was for me throughout my 20s, was building good habits. Like actually being able to consistently be on top of good nutrition, sleeping well, just keeping regular hours rather than being up at four o’clock in the morning all the time. These are things that, you can do that stuff for a certain amount of time and I guess in your 20s and probably even your 30s to an extent, but all that stuff catches up with you and your really have to look after your physical and mental health because you want to have longevity as an actor I think. Some people get away with it, but I think the best practice is you fucking look after yourself, you know what I mean?

So from spending time with you I can tell that you are a very humble and down to earth guy. Sometimes fame changes people and not always for the best. How do you remain grounded in your career and in your life?

Well again, I think on merit of the fact that I live in the community that

I grew up in and everybody there knows me and nobody really gives a fuck about the fact that I am an actor. (laughter) Of course when I go home to Ireland, people are going to talk about The Mummy and tell me what they think about it or whatever, but when I go into my local shop or I go and sit down in the pub, people want to talk to me about what’s going on in their lives. And I am really blessed that my community has known me from the age of three years old all the way till now. And I think that as long as I connected with my community and I think as long as I am able to contribute to my community and to really be a part of it, I think that would always keep me grounded, no matter how much of that sort of element of fame would come along. I also think it’s partly about the way you carry yourself as well because I know some really, really famous people who I can go out and sit down in a bar with them and have a beer or I can go and have lunch or whatever and people don’t, it’s like people don’t see them and they don’t come up to them, because those people carry themselves just like normal people. And so it’s almost like they kind of go sort of incognito because it’s just the aura that they are giving off is that they are just like anyone else. And then sometimes you meet people who are very, very self-consciously famous.

And those people are looking around to see who is looking at them all the time. If you are looking to see who is looking at you, people are going to look at you I think. So it’s funny, there’s definitely like a chicken

One hundred percent. At the end of the day, we are all just people.

Literally man. And I will say that I’ve been blessed to meet more of those kinds of nice people in the industry than the other kind.

To learn more about Jack follow him at @jack_reynor

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Amen to that. Thank you.

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and the egg element to that, isn’t there?

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NO LIMITS With “Hope Valley 1874” and a new book, “The Betrayal of Cora Wexford”, on the horizon, Bethany Joy Lenz is proving to be the ultimate Renaissance woman.

INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS HAIR BY { JAYCEE MNIRAJD MAKEUP BY { SAISHA BEECHAM STYLING BY { JOANN BLACK

LOCATION { LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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I am so excited to talk to you — you are like the Renaissance woman to end all Renaissance women. The author, the actress, the singer. What can’t you do? What are you not doing?

Since I, begrudgingly, have so much experience with

other way. I’ve tried! Even when I was young, I tried to fit

that great Ingrid Bergman film Gaslight a few steps further. I

(laughs) That’s it, really. I just don’t know how to do life any

into that box — standardized testing, regular school hours — and I just could not stop daydreaming. I’d stare at the cinder block the room was built out of and wonder why they painted all the walls the same color, or imagine what else you could make out of cinder blocks besides schoolhouses.

My brain was and is always imagining and creating, which is so fun — but it does have its downfalls. I can be distracted easily if my present moment is lacking stimulation, and it makes math a particular challenge. (laughs) But I’ve learned a lot of patience over the years and gained an appreciation for

of time for daydreaming about the Victorian era. How to take wanted to explain what it feels like to be inside a relationship with a covert narcissist, and what it does to the entire community involved, but write it in a way that I would enjoy.

I wasn’t looking for a slog through abuse. Much like Dinner for Vampires—my aim was to wrap a difficult truth in a world where the reader would still want to spend time.

Once I realized my timeline was during the Whitechapel murders (who we now call Jack the Ripper), I saw how the theme of physical violence or murder and the dismissal of

What’s so cool is that your first book, Dinner for Vampires, came out in 2024, became a bestselling memoir — and then you just decide: I’m going to do another book. Tell me about that thought process. How does your mind make that leap?

long period of time without ever recognizing what it is, or

to write a book one day, but it’s such a huge task and I didn’t know where to start, despite having always been a writer of things- I wrote songs and journaled furiously when I was young. I started a book when I was twelve, got about ten chapters in, then abandoned it and moved on to something

psychological murder. Many people experience that over a being validated or protected by their community of friends and family. I wanted to shed light on that and ask the reader some hard questions.

What conversations are you hoping readers will have after they finish it?

I’ve been thinking about this, because I’d love to release

some kind of discussion companion to go with the book. I want people to examine all the ways we excuse coercive or manipulative behavior not just perpetrated against ourselves, but even as witnesses to it being done to others.

else — very true to my neurodivergence. (laughs)

There’s a conversation about community complicity that

Later, it was musicals, librettos, short stories, poetry, scripts.

ever been nice to me, or I don’t want to get in the middle of

It’s in my bones, but I was focused on acting, then being in a cult really stole the next 10 years of my ambition. When I left One Tree Hill I was exhausted and surviving as a single mom while trying rebuild my life. There were a lot of detours. When I was given a chance to write my story and finally arrived on these literary shores, if you will, I knew there would be no

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found myself missing my exits on the highway or losing track

humanity, connected directly to what I was exploring: slow,

I would often walk through a bookstore and think, I’m going

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lemonade, that seemed like the right place to start. Soon, I

the magic of ordinary days.

Once I’d finished Dinner for Vampires — something clicked.

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narcissists, and I seem to be pretty good at making

needs to happen. How many of us think, well, he’s only your drama? The truth is that people surviving this kind of abuse need backup. They need someone to say, “Hey, that was weird — are you okay?” or “I’ve noticed you seem to be shrinking a lot more than usual when he/she is around. Are you feeling that?”

going back.

I want people to ask themselves: Where in my community,

So, The Betrayal of Cora Wexford is your first work of fiction, releasing October of this year with Simon & Schuster. What inspired the move into historical psychological thriller? Was that always a genre you loved?

Where am I too afraid to interfere? Where am I afraid to get

to Hitchcock films as a kid, and later to more sophisticated

What sums it up perfectly is: who in my life can I stand up for? And I think a lot of readers would love a place to ask questions — because sometimes you finish a book and there’s no one to talk to about it. Some people might also carry shame around it, that feeling of I don’t want to look like a victim.

It is a genre I’ve always been drawn to. From Goosebumps works like A Clockwork Orange, 1984, anything by Agatha Christie and Daphne DuMaurier… I’m an Engram 5 through

and through—an Investigator. I’m fascinated by (and I think I have a healthy fear of) our capacity as humans to rationalize anything.

who in my life, might need me to stand up for them? messy? Rather than leaving each to their own and brushing discomfort under the rug. We really need to be and have loved-ones who are generous, but also loyal and brave.

Exactly. And it’s worth noting that a huge piece of this

puzzle is healing and forgiveness. I don’t know how else to

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escape the “I’m a victim” mentality, because the nature of

and legacy at such a young age. As I matured, I really

this kind of abuse is that it’s cyclical. It puts you between

wanted to carry that torch forward. I started showing up

a rock and a hard place. If you talk about it, you can almost

at conventions more, supporting the rewatches people

sound like a crazy person because the manipulation is so

were doing with their kids. There’s a whole new generation

subtle that the individual examples seem like nothing in

discovering the show. It feels like not just a second wind but

isolation. Out of context, they’re not important. It’s only in

a gift that keeps giving — and a responsibility I hold dearly.

the context of the pattern that they become significant

In terms of how it objectively shaped my career: God used it

— which is why it’s so essential to have people in your life

to open every career door I have walked through. There’s no

you’re constantly communicating with. Not to complain,

way around that. I’m just hoping every day that I continue to

not to talk badly about your partner, but just to say things

steward it well.

out loud. Because you need someone who can eventually say: “You know, this is the seventh time you’ve told me something like this.” You need that reflection. If you’re not talking to anyone, no one can give it back to you.

Even this conversation is making me think about past relationships. That’s what it’s all about — putting it out there, getting people to ask questions. That’s how we grow.

It’s beautiful that you’ve embraced it rather than running from it. A lot of actors pull away from their most iconic work, but you’re now part of two generations’ lives. That kind of longevity is rare.

It’s something I wouldn’t have if I were still holding onto

the fear. At some point, you have to let go. I understand strategizing your career, but when you just let the creative juices flow — and as a person of faith, when you trust that

I am such a supporter of asking questions.

God is arranging things and pointing you in the direction

Incessantly. (laughs) The truth is cream — it always rises to

you’re meant to go — so many beautiful things come. If you

the top, but you won’t find it if you stop asking. Even when

don’t hold too tightly, if you stop being so precious about

I think I’ve found it, I keep asking. Better to have the truth

everything, it’s amazing what finds its way to you.

rediscovered than to plateau.

Now — you also created the artwork for the book’s cover.

How does your visual art influence your storytelling?

And now you’re going back to the 1800s — back to 1874, to Hope Valley. Maybe you were supposed to live in another century.

“And the book’s about a painter?” Yeah. “Well — why don’t

this might be it. This might be my era.

My editor, Sean Manning, said, “You paint, right?” I said yeah.

(laughs) I know — between Cora Wexford and Hope Valley,

you paint the cover?” I was stunned. I don’t paint people.

I paint abstract things. But I thought — what the hell, I’ll try. I just kept chipping away at it. I’m not a master painter; anyone who looks at that cover will be able to tell. But I do

Tell me about this new project. Fun? Exciting? Right up your alley?

I was so excited — and I almost turned it down! The time

think there’s something raw and genuinely a little creepy

commitment, the location, it wasn’t in my plans. My daughter

about the image that conveys the point, which really is

is in school. I was content. And then—like I said, God was

all I can ask of art—not perfection but to feel something. I

arranging things. The shooting schedule worked around

enjoyed painting it, and I think the ambiguity is exactly right,

my daughter’s school, and she was given an opportunity to

for whatever technical flaws may exist.

explore the “family business” as I call it. I come from a long line of performers. So, to have her audition and get a great

You get asked about One Tree Hill constantly, I’m sure — but looking back, how did that role shape your career?

role was valuable to both of us when we thought about the

It’s one of those open doors you walk through and have

I love horses, I’ve been riding on and off since I was about

absolutely no idea what’s on the other side. And then it’s

eighteen. Everything about it fell into place exactly as it

Narnia. It’s Oz. Everything else changes. We had no idea

should — which, again, is what happens when you let go and

the show would be as popular as it was. I had no idea Haley

stop trying to control your own plan.

future. Plus, it’s a period piece which genuinely thrilled me.

There was so much I never could have anticipated.

So, now I’m driving wagons and riding horses in big wet costumes with corsets and a remarkable cast of generous, kind people, and a crew that works so hard. We all got tight

anything besides this character. So, I tried to distance

so fast — three months of pushing through rain and mud

myself from it for several years. And then I got some life-

and sleet and long hours does that. You just lean on

lessons in gratitude and realized what an extraordinary

each other.

blessing it was to have been given that kind of wild success

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When the show ended, I was scared I’d never be seen as

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would become part of the cultural zeitgeist the way she did.

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Where did you film?

Vancouver. In winter. (laughs) Brutal. Absolutely brutal. But so fun. What I’ve noticed — and I think it comes from growing up in musical theater — is that this kind of job uses every single gear at once, unlike many of my tv roles which feel smaller and more contained. Theater demands your whole body and all your strength, even if it’s only for two hours a night. That’s what this feels like: no time to be precious, you’ve got to dive in fully, get your hands dirty, stomp through the mud. And I got to write and perform the show’s opening theme song, so I’m even using my voice! It’s working everything all at once. I’m loving it.

It’s great that you finally got your period piece — and who knows where it leads next? So the very clichéd but essential question: what’s next for you?

I would love to get back to theater. People who haven’t read the memoir may not know this, but as a musical theater kid I trained heavily in that world, and I was offered Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. I turned it down because…I was in a cult.

Long story — read the book. (laughs) Performing in the West End or on Broadway is a dream that hasn’t gone away. Now that I know my schedule for the next few years with the show, I’m hoping to get back onstage, maybe in 2027 or 2028. I’ve started brushing back up on my dancing and singing, getting myself back in shape for it. And I’ll keep writing, keep making music, and whatever else is set before me.

You’re doing it all. And that really is the joy of it — just keep creating. You never know what one thing leads to.

It’s so true. I’m realizing this for the first time even as we’re

talking, but writing and painting have always been the two things I’ve done entirely for myself. Privately, with no audience in

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mind. Just as a catharsis. And all that preparation has somehow led to a place where I’m finally publishing a novel, and my painting will on the cover of a published book, which is just — I still can’t quite believe it. I think that’s the lesson: if you keep pursuing the things that give you peace and make you happy, you never know what they might turn into. Opportunity meets preparation to bring what you are meant for. So, keep preparing, keep dreaming. If you build it, they will come. (smiles)

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

To learn more about Joy follow her at @msbethanyjoylenz

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STAYING IN THE PRESENT Jessica Capshaw is on a wild ride in 9-1-1: Nashville

INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO PRODUCED BY { PHOTOHOUSE PRODUCTIONS HAIR BY { XAVIER VELASQUEZ FOR A-FRAME AGENCY MAKEUP BY { ARCHANGELA CHELSEA

FOR TOMLINSON MANAGEMENT GROUP

STYLING BY { CAT POPE FOR THE WALL GROUP LOCATION { LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Are you in New York?

I am, and we are now getting our spring, and it is amazing every single day. I have lived everywhere – I am originally from the Midwest and then New York and then Los Angeles and then back again and all of that stuff. I did a straight run in Los Angeles long enough to forget the magic of all four seasons. I completely overlooked spring. To me, it used to be the thing in between winter and summer and I could skip right over it. Now, every single day, my kids laugh at me because I am like “that green was not there yesterday! (laughter).” And the next day I will be like “that was not there either!” I am really enjoying having all these seasons. Winter was rough this

back in the day. But then when I joined Grey’s, I think I joined Season 5 to 14. So, it was already going.

So these emergency response dramas often balance high stakes action with emotional storytelling. How do you personally prepare for scenes that require both?

Honestly, I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I’m like, you just have to be game. We had an episode

Yes I do not miss the cold weather at all. So let’s dive right in! What initially attracted you to join the cast of 9-1-1: Nashville?

there’s tumbles and this and that. There was no way

That, as well as it not being very often that you get to

there was all the preparation of being ready for the day,

Normally you are starting from scratch and you hope it works. But with it being a franchise and knowing how passionate people were about the original 9-1-1: Nashville and then Lonestar, it was kind of comforting to join something where the water is warm, that people are interested in this and we had the opportunity to create something new, but in a world that

and trekking through the wilderness. There’s falls and to prepare for it, except just show up and be ready and literally fall on a pile of horseshit if necessary. You just kind of have to go with it, you know what I mean? It’s like which obviously includes being on time, the preparation, the learning of lines, all that. It helped to be ready but also to be nimble. We move fast too, we do a lot and we move fast.

So you just kind of wing it and do it.

It’s a little more than winging it, but you have strong convictions that are very loosely held, because you are

we know seems to work.

not sure where it’s going to go, right? So that’s the part

I have to say the whole 9-1-1: Nashville franchise is very cool. It’s like every single episode takes you somewhere in terms of the suspense & drama. I think it’s super fun, I love it, It’s one of the best things on TV. A total escape.

So what has surprised you the most about working on a show centered around first responders in crisis situations?

well received. I think like anything, not to be a total

to work and they are all coming out with their gear

I think we are living in a time where that is being very

movie/theater/stage nerd, that we move through times where different things hit in more successful ways. I think right now, for many reasons, we are living in a time where the hyper real is comforting because like you said, it’s just such an escape. So watching the episodes, they are so hyper real, but they all are grounded in some original and real story but made TV-worthy I guess. (laughs) But it’s like these have happened, but you just can’t believe it.

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the David Kelley show “The Practice” in Season 5, I think,

where my character ends up getting thrown off a horse

sort of know that something’s been tested and liked.

So how does your role on the show challenge you in ways that differ from your previous television work?

This season was almost over, we had almost finished

shooting the whole season, but I didn’t realize it until we got picked up for a second season. I did a bunch of failed pilots and my longest running jobs on series, I joined when it was already working. So for me, the greatest

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No. I mean from episode one, yes. But for me, I joined

year. It was long and there was a lot of snow.

Originally, the hot take was the Ryan Murphy of it all.

challenge was creating a whole new world. We were all in the same boat and it took a ton of teamwork and getting things right and getting things wrong and then figuring out how to redo them or live with the fact that they weren’t exactly what you wanted. But as we move on, we are going to know that that curve ball is coming at us. So I think the challenge was creating something from scratch.

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Is this your first kind of full time series? No?

that makes it kind of exciting.

The thing that’s surprised me is how much I am enjoying not being a first responder on the show. (laughs) I get and they are sweaty or they are freezing or they are whatever and they are on ropes and doing stunts, and I am thinking that I am so glad that that’s not me. I get pulled into a couple of the shenanigans but for the most part, I get to sidestep that and I really enjoy that.

Being a first responder must be the most mentally and physically challenging careers and the stuff that you see, how do you not take that home with you and think about your workday, how do you turn that off, to me, that would be the most mentally taxing aspect.

Yes.

Can you share a memorable moment from the set so far that really captured the spirit of the show?

I think it was the last scene shot of the season, but

we didn’t always go in order, so we didn’t stay on one episode at a time. And at the very end of the season, we owed this one scene. We did eighteen episodes and we owed a scene from episode twelve or thirteen.

The weather had completely changed so our costumes probably didn’t make much sense, it was freezing cold and we were not in jackets. We had to go back and shoot this one scene but pretty much all of us were in it. We were freezing cold, it was the end of the season, we had all come to know and love each other and we just got

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through it, in a way that we probably wouldn’t have in the same

I think it’s interesting. Then again, as a consumer, my algorithm

way if it had been the beginning of the season. But because

is hilarious to us because we watch the reels and we get stupid

we’ve earned the relationships that we all had, there we were

pet tricks and “Get Ready With Me”s and we find it fun. But most

just freezing our butts off, but we were happy to celebrate

of the time it’s humorous, so again, it brings us joy. But if I find a

succeeding and getting a season under our belts and creating

different algorithm it might be different, I don’t know.

the thing. And we don’t have complainers, we don’t have any, it’s really fantastic, we don’t have any complainers on our team.

So your cast is camaraderie at best, everyone is cool, fun, and loves their job for the most part.

Yes, they really do.

And as you said, you choose to engage or not, it’s not like someone is twisting your arm, you turn it on or turn it off whenever you want it.

Yes. I do think that that’s true, except for when people get level 10 addicted, which I probably does happen. But yeah, I don’t feel pressure to and I look at it this way: if it ceases to be additive,

I love to hear that, that you get to go work in an environment where everybody is nice. So looking back on your career journey, what experiences have best prepared you for where you are today?

I think being on a show like Grey’s for ten years, you get

comfortable being ready for anything. That’s something that I know I didn’t have when I started. I wasn’t comfortable with anything being thrown my way. I thought I always had to be

then I would not engage in it. I think it’s additive right now, but if it ever started to be draining, or a burden or a chore, or awful, then I would not do it.

Sometimes it does feel really good when you see these amazing positive comments about what you are doing, so that aspect of it for me I think is beautiful.

Oh yes, I agree. I say to my girls all the time, because obviously

prepared, know what I’m doing, and check my boxes, and that

they look and they don’t have social media accounts but they

because I am the oldest daughter in my family, I get it all right

are likely to, if things stay the same then they are going to end

and blah, blah, blah. Now, I am far more comfortable having

up with them. So they look at comments and they are like “mom,

things be looser and being ready for anything.

they are all positive and they are this and that” and I am like yes.

That’s great and that absolutely fills me up, but if that is true

The acting industry has changed significantly with streaming and social media. What shifts have you noticed most from an actor’s perspective?

then the other has to be true as well, so if there were negative

I don’t know if it’s from an actor’s perspective or it’s actually

balance, and that is the part that I think is hard to navigate on

from a consumer perspective. As an actor, I think the work is the

an emotional level, because the validation does feel so yummy

work, right? And you go do the work. But from the consumer

and wonderful but there’s another side to it and if you are not

perspective, I think it’s just been that you have just such

getting it, then great, but if you are then I would be like, throw

incredible variety now. And it’s so diversified. Which is great but

that baby out with the bathwater.

comments I would have to consider, would I be believing them as much as I am believing the positive comments? I think that is the

also confusing. Now when you sit down to watch something, you don’t even know where to start. There used to be this, however many channels there were, plus you started getting bonus cable channels and now it’s like I mean, just the sky is the limit, it’s like where do you even go, what’s the hub?

I know we talked about the rise of the streaming platforms.

How do you think they have influenced the kinds of roles and stories available to actors today?

I don’t know. I feel like that’s more of a creator question,

because I don’t really know. It’s definitely above my pay grade

So social media… I always find this interesting when I talk with actors about social media, a lot of actors think it’s a curse and a lot of actors think it’s a blessing. And obviously some people think it’s a combination of both. Where do you fall on that line?

to understand how the systems work and what’s in demand and

It depends on what lens you are looking through. The way that I

time. It’s no longer some random Nielsen box somewhere, now

choose to look at it is that it is a platform where you can engage

they are able to genuinely understand how many downloads

with people who somehow found you. There is something about

and how many eyes and what the age demo is of those eyes

what you are putting out that they are interested in. So they

and what kind of things that person buys and how to advertise

sign up for your updates, if you will. My mind and my heart goes

to them and everything else. It gets much more, forensic? You

to, how do you create content that’s joyful? And content that

can mine for how it’s landing in a way that you couldn’t before.

gives people who signed up to follow you a sneak peek or a

So my guess is that it’s all such an experiment, and I am sure

window inside what the other eyes would only see. In that way,

it’s additive in some ways and that in other ways it really robs

I really enjoy it. It brings me joy and I hope that it brings people

everybody from just letting something breathe, like creating a

who follow it joy. I don’t really engage in anything besides it. And

season of a show and not necessarily knowing every step that

yeah, I do think another aspect of it is that it is a layer of work.

you take, how it’s landing on people.

“oh, this is terrible.” But we live in a world now where you can actually measure and ascertain how well things are doing in real

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lens of someone who wanted to share my photos with my friends

and I get so excited to hear this stuff. But the artist in me is like

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I think that’s not the same as if I were looking at it through the

what does well. From an actor’s standpoint, I think it’s interesting

or my family. It’s a little more intentional and tailored to that. But

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Yeah like old school back in the day.

Exactly right. You would do a show… and you didn’t know what the weather would be like next Tuesday.

I must say you are a very kind person and confirmed everything I had heard about you.

Awww, thank you. It fills my cup and for me, it’s just the

way to be. We get these moments and ultimately, I think

What advice would you give aspiring actors trying to break into the film industry during this rapidly evolving time?

with what we do, you could be under the impression that

There’s two sides of the coin, and it seems there’s

you are on a job. We all came together in that studio that

far more opportunity to number one: create your own

day to do a job. You could show up lots of different ways,

content if that turns you on. Number two: if you want

and you have so much experience so you have seen all

to not create but just take part in it, it seems far easier

the different kinds of ways, and I just feel like showing

to get yourself out there. That being said, that means

up with positivity and showing up ready and nimble is

that there’s now more voices in the room and it’s hard to

really the way for me. I don’t want to do it a different

rise above them. So I think that ultimately my old school

way. I don’t want the stress, I don’t want the inflexibility, I

analog advice would be to focus on your own race. Do

don’t want the “oh my gosh, I have to, I don’t have to” – I

what turns you on, focus on your work and then see

get to. I get to be on a television show, I get to go have

where that takes you. Make big choices, be bold, be you

beautiful photos taken and I get to talk to you today and

and see what happens.

now I get to go pick up my kids from school in a minute.

we are all just showing up voluntarily and we are all just magical friends, but you always have to remember that

(laughs) I get to do all these things. And is life hard? Yes,

That is so true, I love the idea of creating your own vehicles, especially like with the I phones being so incredible, you see people that do a feature film with an I phone and I think creating your own vehicles to me is one of the best things ever that technology has brought. So I love that.

Yeah, I agree.

As you continue this new chapter, what types of roles and stories are you most excited to explore in the future?

I love my job so much right now, I really enjoy the

people that I work with, and I love telling these stories.

Every script is a surprise and that keeps me on my toes and excited to do my job. That has made me realize that I really want to focus on the present, and I just want to be where I am. I commute to Nashville so there’s a level of being on-the-go during the season, and then I am in full mom mode when I am home so I am present in that and then I get out my wheelie bag, (laughs) and I head to the airport and then I am in actor mode. Being present does definitely limit your awareness. For me, being present makes me feel really full right now. I did used to be very future forward and I missed out on the present. So, I am sort of in that

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mode right now. I am kind of not thinking about the

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future. I am trying.

At the end of the day, all we have is now, when you really think about it.

Yeah, that is very, very true. You get one life.

really hard sometimes, but if you don’t enjoy this part, then what are we here for?

I adore you, keep shining bright my dear!

To learn more about Jessica follow her @jessicacapshaw

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OPEN FOR

BUSINESS Although they shut down the Movie Star Factory, Rob Lowe continues to work overtime.

INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO STYLING BY { ANNIE PSALTIRAS

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GROOMING BY { CHRISTINE NELLI

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VIDEO BY { KEN WALLER

What do you understand about acting now that you absolutely did not understand when you were 25?

When I was a young actor, I didn’t appreciate that there are two goals: serve the character and story with honesty

Hollywood is notoriously bad at knowing what to do with actors as they get older. You seem to have made aging into an advantage. Was that deliberate?

Yes, I always thought I could have mac-opportunities past

and simplicity and yet, plant your personal flag somewhere,

my 40s. All my favorites did their best work in the last

somehow. Ideally, you should feel that you are the only

third of their careers. As long as you continue to learn,

actor who could’ve played the role, and the audience

experience and live life, you have more emotional ammo to

should feel the same way. Also, the ability to “hold a

use in your work. It’s been important to me that “Hollywood”

closeup” came with experience. It takes confidence, life

and all its machinations is viewed in a paper context. It’s a

experience, technique and truthfulness to simply let the

privilege to earn a living as a craftsman in multiple areas, it’s

camera do its work.

important work, humanity needs storytellers, always has.

But perspective is hey, being famous doesn’t automatically

You’ve had several careers within one career. What makes you say yes to something now?

make you an expert on subjects outside your experience

Am I excited in any way by the opportunity?

You’ve played Presidents, Cops, Firefighters, Politicians, Doctors and now a Middle-School Principal who is essentially the villain in a war over a school musical.

What was it about Principal Brady that made you say “I want to be this guy?”

and we are not curing cancer.

Here’s my checklist:

Who will be my partners?

Can I make a difference, can I bring something unique?

Is the juice worth the squeeze, timeframe, commitment, economics, travel, etc.

The script was one of the most audacious I have ever

You’ve become increasingly comfortable being funny about the idea of “Rob Lowe.” When did you realize that your own celebrity could become material?

read. I love “Borat” or “Team America” or Alexander Payne’s

All my heroes have the ability to rib themselves. None of my

movie world. And I had a very specific take on a part that

favorites are in any way overly self serious or pretentious.

could have been played in a lot of different ways.

“Election.” All are stories that you can’t believe actually got made. Particularly in today’s corporate/safe superhero

JFK, Cary Grant, (Paul) Newman, all of them “get the joke.”

Any one of them could’ve been precious and preening but they came off like guys who get it. From the beginning these were my models.

When you look back, do you see a career you shaped intentionally or one you survived cleverly?

There’s something wonderfully absurd about Rob Lowe, the longtime Hollywood leading man, playing a man obsessed with winning a Blue Ribbon for his middle school. Did you lean into the ridiculousness of that?

The more ridiculous the better! Always! That’s one of my mottos!

Both. And equally so. In show business there are no set paths to success. You need to be lucky, you need to be good and you need to be nimble. In terms of planning, your main opportunity is being honest with yourself about your status, trends and which way the wind is blowing and recalibrate if you can. Move to TV, Drama to Comedy, etc.

You’ve had one of those careers that feels distinctly American - heartthrob, cautionary tale, comeback story, establishment figure. Which version of Rob Lowe feels most true to you now?

First of all, thanks for that observation. I had to learn all of

those descriptions in life! I’d like to think my journey has put

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You came up in a Hollywood where becoming a movie star was a very specific thing. Is the concept of a “movie star” even the same anymore?

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They’ve shut down the movie star factory. They simply

aren’t made anymore. There are a few, Rob Pattinson and others, but they simply aren’t made anymore.

me in a place of happy authenticity of today’s version: Grateful, ensconced, relevant.

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So much of your career has unfolded in public. Do you think people ever really see you or do they mostly see the mythologies they’ve attached to you over the decades?

I’m most grateful that over the years there and projects there isn’t

one main theme or takeaway. People approach me about West Wing, sobriety, 80s hell raising, podcasting, The Outsiders. Today an 18 year old told me she and her friends are obsessed with “The Musical.”

You’ve managed something very few actors pull off: reinvention without seeming desperate for it. What did you understand early about longevity that other actors maybe didn’t?

I’ve never had a fear of what others think. I don’t know if that’s always a good thing, but it’s the key to staying relevant. I’ve always tried to do stuff on the edges and not just down the middle expected. When I did West Wing, TV was still considered a “down market.” When I wrote my first book, that was usually done if you were old or needed money and willing to gossip. I wanted to do The Floor because I love trivia and felt the game would be fun for a big audience. I love and don’t fear working in multiple disciplines.

You’re heading into another season of The Floor. What have you learned about hosting that you didn’t know when you started?

I wasn’t prepared for how much fun and challenging it is. It is like being an air-traffic controller/standup comedian/coach/therapist/on-the-fly editor and director all at once. You need to facilitate the gameflow, stakes and rules while making it seem easy. You gotta support the player. You need to remember folks are watching at home. It’s a lot. I enjoy the challenge.

What category would you absolutely destroy if you were a contestant?

Yacht Rock Icons One Hit Wonders MLB/NBA Icons

Great Movies Politics

What advice would you give a 22 year old actor who suddenly finds himself becoming famous overnight?

Remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint (if you’re lucky). The world

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American History

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The 80s

hasn’t stopped to wonder what your next move will be. Go back to work sooner than later, in the best project available. Do big AND small roles. Surprise people where possible. Own your fame. Don’t pretend you’re not successful, it’s insulting to those who truly aren’t. Enjoy your good fortune, or quit.

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REDEFINING BOUTIQUE LUXUR

LIVING GOOD

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CASA POLANCO, MEXICO CITY

ANE ECHEVERRIA

PHOTOGRAPHY { CASA POLANCO INTERVIEW BY { TERESA MAUREL LOCATION { CASA POLANCO, MEXICO CITY

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What is the first thing you want guests to feel the moment they walk through your doors?

I want them to feel as though they have stepped into a

beautiful, dreamed home, the noise of the city should fade away, and they should instantly sense calm, warmth, and privacy. An intimate, elegant refuge where they can relax and feel at ease.

How do you preserve the historical soul of the mansion while blending in contemporary comforts?

Casa Polanco occupies a 1940s mansion, catalogued for

its historical and architectural value, restoration was a long journey.

The original structural details and architectural character were preserved gracefully yet the mansion was complemented with a modern extension that also honors the history with its design, showcasing secret spots to admire the historic building, like the modern windows on the staircase or the rooftop. A thoughtful contemporary intervention, so that guests enjoy it all, heritage, design, and comfort.

Can you share the story behind the artwork or design elements chosen for the hotel?

Santiago Toca, art curator of Casa Polanco works hand-in-hand with the owner to achieve two things at the same time: Give a sense of place, so that it’s very clear that you are in Mexico.

And being Mexico City a global art capital, and that many of Casa Polanco’s guests are part of a sophisticated international audience, abstract art plays an essential role in the hotel’s visual narrative. Abstract pieces more as a playfully invitation to a quiet reflection.

There is no reproduction in Casa Polanco’s art collection— every piece (over 50 at the moment) , whether in a guest room or a public space, is an original work.

The fun fact here, this an ongoing never-ending project as the beautiful art collection continues to grow and expand every month. Santiago and Octavio enjoy this so much. In 2025 three more pieces of the renowned Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide came into play. Her black-and-white photographs, modest in scale yet powerful in impact, have become iconic within the canon of contemporary Mexican history. She is one of the owner’s favorite artist. And also, a very special piece of the acclaimed French Canadian photographer, Robert Polidori, showcasing his work in Mexico.

Are there any daily rituals or traditions within the hotel that create a sense of home for guests? relax, and enjoy calm moments of conviviality. You can see guest gathering between the Veranda, library, and front porch.

Some just enjoying a good book, a cigar, a glass of Clase Azul, just unwind paces designed to feel like at very dear friends’ living room rather than a hotel lobby.

Refined, understated, intimate and comfortable. Each room or

suite is a retreat: with natural light, high ceilings, elegant decor, fine-wood floors, artwork and carefully selected amenities

LIVING GOOD

How would you describe the atmosphere you aim to create in the rooms and suites for your guests?

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Breakfast for sure ,and our “Tea Time” an invitation to pause,

(quality linens, marble bathrooms, bespoke textiles, Dyson air drier, Xinù Amenities). The idea is privacy and serenity, a space where you can rest fully, feel cocooned, and sense that detail and comfort matter.

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Do you have a favorite hidden spot in the hotel that most guests only discover once they settle in?

Yes the library is something special. Quiet, cozy, an elegant place to read or have a quiet conversation. It feels like the common room of a private home in a refined old district. And also, the terrace on 3rd floor is a little rare gem: a calm vantage point where urban life softly flows below while you enjoy peaceful moments.

How does the hotel incorporate tranquility and relaxation into the overall stay, especially in a city as vibrant as Mexico City?

Although we are in the heart of a lively, dynamic city, Casa Polanco

offers a sheltered, intimate refuge. Our location facing Lincoln Park in an upscale residential neighborhood helps. Inside, everything from the design to the services is conceived to give calm and softness: privacy (only for hotels guests), light-filled rooms, thoughtful materials, spa and wellness offerings, quiet common areas. It’s the kind of place where you feel protected from the urban rush yet just steps away from the city’s best cultural and gastronomic experiences.

In your view, what makes Polanco one of the most special neighborhoods in Mexico City for visitors seeking culture, luxury, and authenticity?

Polanco combines elegance, history, culture and cosmopolitan

vibrance: beautiful tree-lined avenues, refined architecture, arts, top-tier gastronomy, design boutiques, museums and yet maintains a residential, calm quality.

From Casa Polanco, guests are walking distance away from museums and galleries, fine dining, high-end shopping, and yet enjoy tranquil residential charm. That blend of metropolitan sophistication with understated exclusivity makes Polanco ideal for travelers who want both authenticity and comfort.

How do you cultivate a sense of exclusivity without feeling formal or distant?

With warmth, attention to detail, discreet but genuine hospitality, and by preserving the “boutique house” scale — only 19 rooms only for hotel guests.

This allows us to offer personalized, intimate service, and a level of care that feels more like being hosted in a friend’s elegant home than staying in a large impersonal hotel.

The design, atmosphere and amenities reflect sophistication, but we want guests to feel welcomed, comfortable, relaxed — not detached or intimidated.

When guests check out, what emotion or impression do you hope they leave with?

I hope they leave with a gentle nostalgia: the sense that they

experienced something intimate, authentic, elegant and thoughtful their own home. That they carry with them a memory of calm, comfort, taste, personality and a desire to return. I love when they tell me that they want to move to Casa Polanco!

If Casa Polanco had a personality, how would you describe it?

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, that they were cared for, inspired, and felt at home, even far from

I would describe it as a refined, discreet, elegant but playful and from the heart, and a quiet but unmistakable sophistication. A personality that welcomes with warmth, attention to detail and generosity, while offering privacy, intimacy, and a sense of timeless elegance

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soulful host. With Mexican roots, a love for art and design, hospitality

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ELEGANCE

AT THE

EDGE

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GRAND VELAS BOUTIQUE LOS CABOS

ANDREAS SCHMIDT GE N E R A L M A NAGE R

INTERVIEW BY { TERESA MAUREL PHOTOGRAPHY { GRAND VELAS BOUTIQUE LOS CABOS LOCATION { LOS CABOS, MEXICO

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What defines the Grand Velas Boutique experience in your eyes?

Adults only, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos is a stylish sanctuary, its own world of relaxation, pampering, with the personal service for which Velas Resorts is known.

Highlights include 79 luxurious suites, a two star MICHELIN consulting chef with creative dining experiences, wine selection inspired by the proximity to Mexico’s fine wine region, and innovative spa treatments inspired by Mexican culture, among others. A special perk, guests of Grand Velas Boutique will have access to sister property Grand Velas Los Cabos’ five gourmet dinner restaurants led by top chefs and four bars with no additional charge.

Every detail, from the arrival experience to the culinary journey and wellness programming, is designed for adults to feel thoughtful, calm, and exclusive.

How does this property differ from the main Grand Velas Los Cabos?

Grand Velas Boutique was intentionally designed for adults only, catering to travelers seeking privacy. Guests still benefit from access to the larger resort’s amenities next door, including MICHELIN-starred dining experiences like Cocina de Autor, but return to a much more intimate environment.

What was your vision when opening an adults‑only boutique concept?

We saw a growing desire for boutique-style luxury that still offers the comfort, ease and service level of a world-class all-inclusive resort. Adults-only allowed us to shape a more tranquil atmosphere focused on relaxation, connection, and immersive experiences tailored specifically to couples, wellness travelers, and sophisticated guests seeking something more personalized.

Which design or service detail best captures the resort’s soul?

As a Mexican owned and operated company, Mexico’s history and culture are at the heart of everything we do at Velas Resorts. From the very beginning, we have drawn inspiration from the vibrant traditions, art, and natural landscapes of our heritage. Our resorts are designed by Mexicans to reflect the beauty and spirit of the country, with architecture and interiors that incorporate local materials and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a traditional Mayan treatment at SE spa, authentic Mexican cuisine, or the art and cultural experiences inspired by Mexican traditions, we provide an immersive experience that honors Mexico’s rich heritage while delivering the highest standards of luxury. Grand Velas Boutique was designed to feel connected to Los Cabos itself — the desert landscape, ocean views, natural textures, and warm neutral palette all create a sense of calm sophistication.

But maybe even more so, the service at Velas Resorts is also deeply influenced by Mexican culture, particularly the warmth and hospitality that is so intrinsic to our way of life. Our company, all employees are passionately hard-working, feel part of the Velas family, and take pride in what they do. Our team feels very grateful that travelers are choosing our resorts and will do everything possible to make it the best experience for them.

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commitment to the best is not only from the owners and managers. As a family-run

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How are you elevating wellness for today’s luxury traveler?

Today’s luxury traveler views wellness as something holistic. We’ve focused on integrating wellness into the entire guest journey

What sets your culinary program apart in a destination known for great food?

Los Cabos is an incredible culinary destination, so we knew our

approach had to go beyond simply offering a great restaurant. We

elevated mocktail programming, personalized spa experiences,

focus heavily on storytelling through food, personalized dining

mindfulness, sleep, movement, and opportunities to reconnect

experiences, warm hospitality, and creating moments that feel

with nature. Signature treatments include “Sounds of the Ocean,” a

memorable long after the trip ends. At the center of the experience

relaxing massage harmonized with vibratory bowl sound therapy, and

is Loto, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos’ signature restaurant,

the energizing “Ice and Fire Therapy,” which combines the heat of

which offers a refined, adults-only dining atmosphere fusing the rich

obsidian stones and cool effects of marble stones to stimulate blood

culinary traditions of Mexico and Asia while incorporating other global

circulation and energy balance.

influences and locally sourced Baja ingredients.

Guests can choose from a range of other treatments including

Guests can also dine next door at Grand Velas Los Cabos, where

massages, mindfulness therapies, “Experiences with Approach,” and

restaurant options range from refined regional Mexican cuisine

harmonizing rituals, all tailored to balance and rejuvenate the body

using exceptional local ingredients to globally inspired fine dining,

and mind.

including MICHELIN-starred Cocina de Autor. Guests also have access to unique culinary experiences - such as the Tequila Connoisseur Certification - and curated pairings — such as mole and mezcal and/

designed to help guests truly disconnect and reset. Every treatment

or local oysters paired with Sauvignon Blanc — are included as part of

includes the signature seven-step Water Ceremony, a multi-sensory

the all-inclusive rate. Most recently, we launched a Salts of the World

hydrotherapy journey featuring a sauna, steam room, ice room,

Pairing Experience, built on the premise that one ingredient, given

sensorial shower tunnel, and magnesium pool with bubble chaise and

the right context, can carry as much complexity as an entire dish.

therapeutic jets. Additionally, the spa also offers immersive wellness

The program, framed around the concept of the terroir of the ocean,

therapies inspired by - and in view of - the Baja landscape, sunset

invites guests to explore that complexity through six distinct salts

sound healing experiences, sleep-focused rituals, and high-tech,

sourced from around the world and across Mexico, each paired with

restorative relaxation lounges.

ingredients or spirits chosen to highlight its individual profile.

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At SE Spa, we’ve incorporated innovative wellness elements

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through restorative spaces, wellness-focused culinary offerings,

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WHERE HISTORY BECOMES LUXURY

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HACIENDA XCANATUN, ANGSANA HERITAGE COLLECTION

ALFREDO RENTERIA

PHOTOGRAPHY { HACIENDA XCANATUN INTERVIEW BY { TERESA MAUREL LOCATION { HACIENDA XCANATUN, MERIDA MEXICO

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Hacienda Xcanatún was recently chosen as the venue for the launch of The Yucatán Weddings Book. What makes the hacienda such an iconic setting for weddings and special events?

Hacienda Xcanatún stands as one of Mérida’s most timeless

wedding stages, a place where history, architecture and nature converge with effortless beauty. Its 18th-century stone walls, towering palms, and serene tropical gardens create a poetic atmosphere that feels both intimate and grand. Couples gravitate to the hacienda not only for its visual romance, but for the sense of legacy it brings to their celebration. Every corner whispers a story, making each event feel like a chapter added to a centuries-old narrative. This, combined with our personalized service and refined culinary approach, has solidified our place as an iconic destination for weddings

How do you balance welcoming new generations of travelers while preserving the property’s historic Yucatecan character?

Our philosophy is rooted in evolution without erasure. The hacienda’s historic character its architecture, textures, craftsmanship, remains at the heart of everything we do. We restore with intention, honoring traditional techniques and original materials. Yet we also embrace the expectations of today’s traveler, weaving in modern comforts with a light, respectful touch. The result is an experience where heritage and contemporary sophistication coexist naturally, ensuring that new generations connect with the spirit of Hacienda Xcanatún without losing sight of its origins.

How does your team weave local culture, craftsmanship, or culinary traditions into the guest experience?

Yucatán is not just our setting it is our identity. Our culinary

team celebrates its flavors with reverence, working with local producers, heirloom ingredients and regional recipes that we reinterpret with contemporary expressions. The hacienda is adorned with artisan-crafted textiles and décor that preserve traditional techniques, while collaborations with local creators bring a living cultural dialogue to our spaces. Whether through a wellness ritual inspired by ancient practices or a private tasting led by our chefs, guests experience the region’s heritage in a meaningful, sensorial way.

Have any recent enhancements or improvements had a particularly positive impact on guest experience?

Recent refinements have subtly yet significantly elevated the guest journey. Enhanced landscaping and lighting have deepened the hacienda’s evening ambiance, making weddings and outdoor experiences even more magical. Updates to select suites, new wellness offerings and expanded cultural Each enhancement is guided by the same principle: to elevate without altering the estate’s essence.

What emotions or impressions do you hope guests feel the moment they arrive at the hacienda’s historic grounds?

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activities have also enriched the sense of place and comfort.

We hope for an immediate sense of wonder the kind that

something extraordinary. The hacienda invites a feeling of serenity, of connection to the land and its history. There is an undeniable emotional warmth in arriving here, a blend of nostalgia and discovery. Above all, we hope guests feel

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makes guests pause, breathe and feel they’ve stepped into

welcomed into a place where time slows, beauty surrounds, and every detail feels intentionally crafted.

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What upcoming projects, collaborations, or experiences can guests look forward to at Hacienda Xcanatún?

Hacienda Xcanatún is entering an inspiring new era. By the end of 2026, we will introduce exclusive private

residences, spaces designed for those who wish to experience the hacienda not just as guests, but as longterm custodians of its tranquility. These residences will offer an elevated way of living in harmony with the

In 2027, we will unveil a new banquet and events area that expands the creative possibilities for celebrations.

Thoughtfully integrated into the property, it will offer a contemporary complement to our historical venues while preserving the romantic soul that defines Xcanatún weddings.

design and culinary approach while honoring its heritage. The renewed space will deepen our gastronomic storytelling, giving guests an even more expressive taste of Yucatán’s culinary richness.

These projects represent our commitment to evolve gracefully, enriching the guest experience while staying anchored to the spirit that has made Hacienda Xcanatún a beloved landmark.

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Simultaneously, Casa de Piedra our signature restaurant will undergo a sensitive renovation, refreshing its

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estate’s rhythms and landscape.

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SETSU NISEKO:

WHERE SNOW BREATHES

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SETSU NISEKO HOTEL, HOKKAIDO

M IC H I KO TA MO T O HOTEL MANAGER

PHOTOGRAPHY { SETSU HOTEL INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER LOCATION { HOKKAIDO, JAPAN 69

What does earning a Michelin Key mean for Setsu’s identity?

A One MICHELIN Key means that we provide a very special stay that has personality and a service that goes the extra mile and that is exactly what we envision for Setsu Niseko to be to our guests. To be more than just a place to sleep, but to be a destination in its own right.

While Niseko is a destination worth traveling to, we want our guests’ stay at Setsu Niseko to be an experience worth traveling for. Through consistently outstanding service and warm, heartfelt hospitality, we strive to create moments that feel truly special to every guest. It is this dedication that has led to our recognition as a One MICHELIN Key Hotel for the second year in a row — an honor for which we are deeply grateful.

What makes Setsu Niseko distinct within the Niseko luxury landscape?

What makes Setsu Niseko distinct within the Niseko luxury landscape is the stay experience our guests have with us.

From its architecture to the thoughtful service we provide, everything is carefully designed for our guests to have special experiences as soon as they enter our doors.

A defining part of this experience lies in the hotel’s architecture and design. Taking advantage of Niseko being flanked between two mountains and its central location in the village, the hotel was conceived as a perimeter block centered around a landscaped courtyard garden. In doing so, our guests are treated to either a view of the famous Mt. Yotei, the muchloved Mt. Annupuri, the bustling Hirafu Village, or the serene private garden within our walls, no matter which room they end up staying in.

Simon Cheong, Founder and Chairman of SC Global Developments and the developer of Setsu Niseko, envisioned the hotel to be built with a strong sense of place. He wanted to avoid a generic luxury hotel design that could be found anywhere in the world. From the offset, his ambition was to create a hotel that felt so inherently Japanese that even if you didn’t know Setsu’s location, one would instinctively know they were in Japan.

Beyond design, we always look for ways to create these magical moments for our guests throughout their stay. From our annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to mark the start of winter, to the Niseko Jazz Festival we host in the summer, these events are designed to be both meaningful and people together where we not only welcome our guests, but also the local community. These occasions let us create special moments of community and discovery among our guests and locals which we hope to do more of in the future.

Wellness is fundamental to the Setsu experience, shaped

by Niseko’s natural beauty and relaxed pace of life. Across the seasons, guests may arrive for skiing and snowboarding in winter or cycling and mountain biking in summer, yet the

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How much of an importance does wellness play in shaping the stay experience at Setsu?

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memorable. What makes these events so special is it brings

enduring appeal lies in the opportunity to unwind, restore and immerse oneself in the rhythm of the landscape.

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Wellness lies at the heart of the hotel’s design philosophy. The result is one of the largest wellness centers in the area consisting of a 24-hour gym, public and private onsens, a yoga studio, and a spa. Guests yoga studio, Studio En, offers reformer pilates and an array of yoga classes from relaxing to more dynamic styles, while Rikka Spa provides signature treatments designed to relax and heal the body, along with a variety of body conditioning and facial treatments centered on Eastern medicine.

of the Setsu experience, an essential counterbalance to Niseko’s adventurous spirit, allowing guests to slow down, reset, and fully embrace each season with renewed energy.

fine snow that feels like you’re riding through powder - a dream come true for most skiers and snowboarders. They say that once you’ve experienced Niseko’s powder, you just have to keep coming back for more.

But for some, more than the snow, they come for the food. A hearty meal or a quick bite complements a great ski day, and with Hokkaido having one of the best regional cuisines in the country, having delicious food to fill you up at the end of the day just makes the whole ski experience complete and is what makes Niseko such a great skiing

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This way, wellness is not simply an add-on but a natural extension

Niseko is known for receiving massive amounts of fluffy, light, dry and

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are welcome to use our gym and onsen facilities at their leisure. Our

Why do skiers and snowboarders travel from around the world specifically for Niseko’s snow?

destination.

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How does Setsu curate its culinary program, and what role does local Hokkaido produce play in shaping the dining experience?

An island surrounded by sea, with vast farmlands possessing

nutrient-rich soil – Hokkaido is blessed with some of the country’s best produce of vegetables, meat, and seafood. Having such natural treasure accessible to us, we want to champion local Hokkaido ingredients while still letting our restaurants showcase culinary traditions from different parts of the world.

From AFURI serving classic Japanese ramen made with local ingredients, to Luke’s Alpine Club offering timeless American dishes featuring Hokkaido specialties such as Akkeshi oysters and Shiraoi wagyu beef. Meanwhile, under the guidance of Michelin-starred chefs, Tempura Araki and méli mélo -Yuki No Koe- ’s menu offerings vary with the finest local ingredients available each season. A reflection of the Japanese word, shun (旬), which refers to the harvesting and eating ingredients at its freshest and most flavorful.

This gives our guests an opportunity to enjoy a different dining experience every time while still presenting the best flavors and produce of Hokkaido for the season.

Niseko has become a global destination. How does Setsu balance international expectations with the authenticity of Japanese culture and traditions?

Our team at Setsu Niseko is a diverse group composed of both

Japanese and international staff - with most of its full-time staff having experience in hospitality both in Japan and abroad. This diversity in our team and our experiences have allowed us to anticipate the expectations of our international guests while still maintaining our sense of place and rootedness.

We have always strived to be a hotel that has a strong connection with Niseko and with the local community that we are a part of. You could see this with our room interiors – reminiscent of a traditional Japanese house from the tatami space, the shoji screens, and the window daybed – or the curated art pieces displayed throughout our hotel which are all creations of Hokkaido artists, including unique pieces from the indigenous Ainu tribe.

Recognizing that we are in a unique position to be a bridge between Japan and the world, we use special events as a great avenue to introduce Japanese culture and traditions to our international guests while allowing our Japanese guests to celebrate familiar traditions even on a holiday. On New Year’s Day, we organize interactive events such as the rice pounding – called mochitsuki – ceremony, a traditional mochi-making practice done during the New Year. For the Lunar New Year, we would celebrate the day with a traditional Japanese lion dance called shishimai.

Traditional taiko performances would be done throughout the year, and even simple customs such as writing one’s wishes on paper during the Star Festival (Tanabata) would be prepared inside our

Ultimately, this balance is what defines the Setsu experience.

By pairing international standards of comfort and service with authentic expressions of Japanese culture, we create a place that feels both welcoming and deeply rooted. Whether through thoughtful design, meaningful cultural encounters, or moments genuine connection to Japan—one that feels natural, immersive, and quietly memorable long after their stay.

As we are now accepting bookings for summer and the upcoming

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shared with the local community, Setsu Niseko offers guests a

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kids’ playroom.

winter season, I always feel that Niseko is something that can’t be fully described, you have to come and experience it for yourself and when you do we will be ready to welcome you.

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A QUIET REBIRTH ABOVE KYOTO

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THE HOTEL SEIRYU KYOTO KIYOMIZU

RY U IC H I RO M AT S U MO T O EXECUTIVE CHEF

INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER PHOTOGRAPHY { THE HOTEL SEIRYU KYOTO KIYOMIZU LOCATION { THE HOTEL SEIRYU KYOTO KIYOMIZU, KYOTO JAPAN

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How would you describe the culinary philosophy that guides your kitchen here at Seiryu, and how does Kyoto’s heritage shape it?

For us as chefs, presenting these locally grown vegetables

rooted in the spirit of washoku. This traditional Japanese

guests the subtle turning of the seasons and the quiet vitality

At The Hotel Seiryu, the foundation of our cuisine is always

culinary philosophy is deeply intertwined with Kyoto’s unique history and heritage. Carefully preserved over generations,

without diminishing their inherent character is a source of deep fulfillment. Kyo-yasai stands as a symbol of Kyoto’s culinary culture, and through a single dish, we aim to convey to our of the land from which these vegetables are born.

ensuring the enduring spirit of Japanese cuisine.

How do you collaborate with local farmers, artisans, or producers to bring authenticity and terroir into your menus?

What defines Kyoto cuisine, in particular, is its intimate

a vital source of inspiration for our cuisine. Ingredients cultivated

it is passed down to younger chefs who continue the legacy,

connection with the seasons. We select ingredients at their peak, and the art lies in highlighting their natural bounty while expressing the subtle shifts of the seasons in every dish.

At The Hotel Seiryu, we offer not only Japanese cuisine but also Western dishes. Even in Western preparations, we incorporate elements of washoku, creating plates that reflect Kyoto’s

We regard our relationships with local producers and artisans as with patience and care, along with techniques honed over many years, are always accompanied by stories. Listening directly to these voices and understanding the intentions behind their work forms the very foundation of our cooking.

When it comes to local vegetables, we place particular

traditions and the natural rhythms of Japan’s seasons.

importance on visiting the growers themselves—taking the time

Above all, our greatest joy comes when a dish is served and we

harvest—before bringing those ingredients into our kitchen.

see our guests’ expressions from the open kitchen. When a dish lingers in the heart and inspires the thought, “I want to return to

to understand the dedication, labor, and spirit invested in each Translating the producers’ aspirations into our dishes is both our responsibility as chefs and one of the most meaningful ways to

The Hotel Seiryu,” that is, for us, the most meaningful reward.

share Kyoto’s culinary culture with our guests.

Kyoto is known for its seasonality and subtlety. How do you translate those traditions into a modern luxury dining experience?

Our mission goes beyond simply sourcing ingredients. We strive

into a modern luxury dining experience, we approach space and

hope our guests can sense the living breath of Kyoto’s land and

To translate Kyoto’s sense of seasonality and refined sensibility

to deepen our understanding of each season’s nuances and every ingredient’s individuality, elevating them into cuisine that reveals their fullest expression. Through such dishes, we

cuisine as a single, inseparable whole.

culture.

“restaurant library” within the hotel offers a distinctly Western

Guests at Seiryu come from all over the world. How do you balance global palates with the quiet, refined flavors Kyoto is known for?

setting, yet it serves Japanese cuisine. This deliberate contrast highlights Kyoto’s unique aesthetic—marked by restraint, depth, and subtle nuance—creating a dining experience of exceptional

To ensure that guests from around the world can fully

refinement.

experience Kyoto’s delicate flavors and refined aesthetic,

In the evening, “restaurant library” transforms into a bar offering

cuisine.

sushi. Temari-sushi, deeply rooted in Kyoto’s history, represents one of Japan’s enduring culinary traditions. While Japanese cuisine encompasses a broad range of styles, we remain true to its essential principles—seasonality and delicate flavor—while allowing freedom in presentation and expression. In doing so, we elevate tradition into a form that resonates with the modern

we place particular emphasis on the visual expression of our

A traditional Kyoto-style Japanese breakfast is one example.

This uniquely Japanese culinary form combines seasonal ingredients and meticulous presentation within a single box.

From the moment the lid is lifted, the unfolding colors, aromas, and seasonal cues become part of the experience. Even the

What ingredient or dish best represents the spirit of Kyoto to you, and why does it resonate so deeply?

In Japanese cuisine, great care is given to expressing

of Kyoto is Kyo-yasai, the region’s traditional vegetables.

flowers, garnishes, and subtle decorative elements. The choice

Kyo-yasai is a collective term for heirloom vegetables cultivated

perception of flavor. For this reason, we value every detail—from

For me, the ingredient that most profoundly embodies the spirit

within Kyoto’s distinctive climate and terroir. Each variety, passed down through centuries, has developed its own unique shape, flavor, and texture—truly an expression of place shaped by time.

element as part of a carefully orchestrated narrative.

seasonality not only through ingredients but also through of vessel can transform both the visual impression and the the food itself to the tableware and presentation—as essential to conveying the beauty of Japan. Together, these elements create a sensory experience that communicates the rhythm of the seasons and the quiet breath of the land.

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vessel itself is integral to the story, inviting guests to savor each

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guest.

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HOSHINOYA FUJI:

NATURE, ELEVATED.

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HOSHINOYA, FUJI

J U M PE I K ATAOK A GENERAL MANAGER

INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER PHOTOGRAPHY { HOSHINO RESORTS LOCATION { FUJI, JAPAN

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HOSHINOYA Fuji is often described as Japan’s first luxury glamping resort. What core idea or emotion defines the property for you today?

of the architecture itself, following the natural slope of the

seeking their accustomed elegance even while on expeditions,

disrupt the forest’s natural contours. Here, attention shifts away

While the roots of glamping trace back to European aristocrats the modern interpretation has evolved into a style of travel that allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the richness of nature without compromising on comfort. Since its opening in 2015 as Japan’s first luxury glamping resort, HOSHINOYA Fuji has embraced its role as a pioneer, nurturing and shaping this

woodland. The pitch of the roof, the subdued exterior tones, and the placement of decks that weave gently between the trees— all of these elements were thoughtfully designed so as not to from the grand symbol of Mount Fuji toward the subtle, intimate changes of nature at one’s feet: moss-covered ground, dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, and the sound of the wind moving through the forest.

culture within Japan.

Through this architecture, we seek to express a distinctly

At the heart of our philosophy is a simple yet profound

overwhelming beauty in the distance and delicate signs of life

experience: cherishing nature and opening oneself to its everchanging dynamism.

The forest at the northern foot of Mount Fuji, where HOSHINOYA Fuji is located, was born from the raw forces of volcanic activity and has transformed over more than a thousand years into the rich ecosystem we see today. Here, visitors encounter the delicate transitions of Japan’s four seasons alongside the

Japanese reverence for nature—one that honors both close at hand, valuing each with equal respect.

Guests come here seeking nature, but also comfort. How do you balance wilderness authenticity with the standards of a luxury hospitality brand?

We define true luxury not as mere “ornate decoration” or

“standardized service,” but as the ability to immerse oneself in a richness that can only be experienced in that moment and in

overwhelming presence of Mount Fuji.

that place.To balance nature with comfort, we reinterpret the

Whether it is listening to birdsong from the terrace, admiring

experiences that free the mind and heighten the senses.

the flora rooted in layers of volcanic lava, or gathering around a bonfire at night while feeling the forest breathe—every moment of the stay is carefully designed for our guests to experience the beauty, abundance, transience, and solemnity of nature with all their senses. Our purpose is to provide more than just a luxurious stay; we seek to create a profound, almost primal

natural limitations of the environment not as hardships, but as

Of course, any physical inconveniences in accommodation or dining are thoroughly eliminated—our facilities are designed to provide complete comfort. Yet nature is always in motion.

Sometimes Mount Fuji is hidden behind clouds and rain; in winter, temperatures can drop below freezing.

experience where guests feel truly connected with the natural environment of this land.

In such moments, we encourage guests to experience the

The architecture blends so quietly into the forest that it almost disappears. How intentional was that restraint, and what story does the design aim to tell?

rain not as an obstruction that hides the mountain, but as

intentional. Given the unique setting within a national park, we

and guiding guests to a new perspective, we transform nature

As you rightly point out, this sense of restraint was entirely

believe that nature itself should remain the true protagonist, while the architecture should serve as a “vessel” to amplify

music that nourishes the forest; to feel the winter cold not as something to endure, but as a spice that accentuates the warmth of a bonfire. By providing a comfortable environment as it is—unpredictable, ever-changing—into an irreplaceable and profound experience. This is the form of luxury that HOSHINOYA

its beauty.

Fuji strives to offer.

The story this design tells unfolds in two chapters, each offering

What is one experience - big or small - that you believe captures the essence of staying at HOSHINOYA Fuji?

a contrasting way of engaging with nature.

All guest cabins feature deliberately minimal exteriors that emphasize the raw texture of concrete, with interior color palettes reduced to the bare minimum. By stripping away visual “noise,” we allow the colors of Mount Fuji beyond the window to emerge with greater intensity. The windows, designed masterpiece—its expression shifting from moment to moment—

This fire begins its day with guests and staff walking together through the forest to gather firewood. Each morning, guests kindle the flames with their own hands and savor coffee brewed over the fire. During the day, they toast marshmallows or fruits, and at night, with a drink in hand, they gather around the fire, accompanied by music and the gentle rustle of the forest.

Throughout the day, someone is always tending the flames,

and invite guests into a quiet, almost meditative state.

carefully keeping the fire alive. As the day comes to a close, the

The second chapter is an experience of immersing oneself in the

stillness.

vitality of the forest. The Cloud Terrace, located on the upper

fire is quietly allowed to fade, and the forest returns to deep

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like scopes, act as frames that capture Mount Fuji as a living

I would highlight the ever-present bonfire on the Cloud Terrace.

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The first is a moment of facing the grandeur of Mount Fuji.

portion of the site, was designed to minimize the presence

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Fuji from the cabin window, and the shifting colors and movement of

silence—this entire cycle goes beyond a mere activity. It seems to

clouds throughout the day help determine the pace and rhythm of

embody the rhythms of nature itself and the cycle of life. Around this

one’s time. In this way, Mount Fuji effectively designs the flow of the

intangible fire, guests converse with nature beyond words. It is this

guest’s day.

primal yet luxurious experience that, I feel, truly encapsulates the essence of a stay at HOSHINOYA Fuji.

Yet its influence goes far beyond the practical. To spend time in the presence of Mount Fuji’s immense, unwavering grandeur naturally

Mount Fuji is a powerful symbol in Japanese culture. How does its presence shape the guest journey, both practically and spiritually?

settle, and guests find themselves reflecting on what truly matters to them, recognizing both their own smallness and their own value.

been revered since ancient times as an object of faith and awe—a sacred presence. At HOSHINOYA Fuji, we feel that Mount Fuji serves as

In this sense, Mount Fuji becomes a mirror for the self. What

a “quiet reference point,” subtly guiding each guest’s journey.

guests carry away at the end of their stay is not only a memory of breathtaking views, but also a renewed sense of self—shaped and

Practically, the entire design of the resort and its activities is oriented

inspired by time spent under the watchful, empowering presence of

around the mountain. Each morning begins with a view of Mount

the mountain.

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For Japanese, Mount Fuji is not merely a beautiful mountain; it has

draws one inward. Thoughts scattered by the noise of the city begin to

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To kindle the fire, nurture it, gather around it, and finally return to

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THE PENINSULA TOKYO:

ELEGANCE ABOVE THE CITY

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THE PENINSULA TOKYO

MARK CHOON GENERAL MANAGER

INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER PHOTOGRAPHY { THE PENINSULA TOKYO LOCATION { THE PENINSULA, TOKYO, JAPAN

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The Peninsula brand is synonymous with timeless luxury. What does “Peninsula luxury” mean in the context of Tokyo, a city defined by contrast and constant reinvention?

The Peninsula is known for its legendary service. What is one behind-the-scenes practice or philosophy that ensures consistency at such a high level?

For The Peninsula, luxury has always

The Peninsula has been synonymous

been rooted in a heritage of elegance,

with consistent service, with an embrace

craftsmanship, and deeply personal

of unsurpassed luxury and warmth

hospitality—values that the brand has

for over eight decades ever since

upheld since its founding in 1928. This legacy

The Peninsula Hong Kong opening in 1928.

provides a steady, timeless foundation

Now as then, all efforts are dedicated to

even as the world around us evolves. At

providing luxurious comfort, modern facilities

The Peninsula Tokyo, “Peninsula luxury”

and intuitive technology combined with our

becomes the art of harmonizing our

“Peninsula Service Principles”, which also

long-standing traditions with the city’s

been shared in each property including

modern dynamism. Our approach embraces

The Peninsula Tokyo. The Peninsula Service

precision, intention, and emotional

Principles are new guiding principles which

connection rather than excess. We draw

highlight engagement, stressing the

inspiration from Tokyo’s duality: its forward-

importance of showcasing the individuality of

thinking creativity and its enduring cultural

each staff member. We believe that each and

rhythm shaped by omotenashi, refinement,

every one of our staff has the opportunity

and meticulous craft.

to connect with each and every guest

Founded by Kadoorie family,

to provide a memorable experience with The Peninsula Tokyo will be celebrating our

personalized service.

20th anniversary in 2027. We believe that our presence of nearly two decades in Tokyo is one of our key strengths. Today, we have a nice balance between the next generation hoteliers surrounded by very seasoned, experienced team members who understand then go beyond what a guest expects.

Tokyo attracts a wide spectrum of travelers - business leaders, cultural explorers, families, creatives. How do you design an experience that feels personal to each of them?

As previously mentioned,

our Peninsula Service Principles now seeks

Your location overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens is extraordinary. How does that setting shape the guest experience from the moment they arrive?

to empower our employees to showcase

The Peninsula is a brand that selects its

Behind the scenes, our teams discuss

locations with extraordinary intention and

and share daily “stories” about

care. We believe that choosing the right

these Peninsula Service Principles can

location is not simply a matter of prestige,

be brought to life and the impact on our

it directly translates into guest satisfaction,

guests. We share insights, preferences,

comfort, and ease of access.

and small observations that help us create

their personalities and true selves, enabling them to provide a more authentic and engaging service.

personalized moments. This culture of Our setting beside the Imperial Palace

thoughtful communication is what allows

Gardens shapes the guest experience in

our service to feel intuitive, seamless, and

profound ways. Tokyo can be exhilaratingly

consistently warm across every touchpoint.

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energetic, but when our guests step into

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the hotel, they are greeted by an immediate sense of calm and location. The exceptional views of the Gardens—with its seasonal colors, its serenity, its heritage— has a grounding effect, creating a one-of-a-kind first impression.

This contrast between the natural landscape and the surrounding metropolis becomes a

The Peninsula Tokyo is almost a living gallery, with museum-level works integrated throughout the property.

How do you curate an art collection that feels both culturally rooted in Japan and emotionally accessible to international guests moving through the hotel’s spaces?

The Peninsula Hotels has long been

defining part of the guest journey. Whether

committed to embrace the relevant local

a guest is arriving from a long international

culture, style and history where the hotel

flight or a busy business day, the views of

is located. Also, The Peninsula Tokyo

the Palace Gardens with sweeping Tokyo

showcases Japanese culture and traditions

skyline offers a moment of pause, a gentle

through art which Mr. Yukio Hashimoto

reset that frames the rest of their experience

carefully selected works by the most

with us.

skilled craftspeople, artists and designers

to complement The Peninsula Tokyo’s contemporary yet distinctly Japanese architecture.

We believe that a hotel should not merely exist in a city—it should reflect, honor, and thoughtfully interpret the local heritage. This philosophy shapes not only our architecture and interiors but also the art we curate. Based on this philosophy, Mr. Yukio Hashimoto desired to showcase traditional Japanese artisans’ techniques and so selected only the most skilled of craftspeople and artists.

This ranges from iconic two-stories high ivory walls with wooden lattices, echoing the senbongoshi of old Kyoto, which also chestnut sliding door, to The Peninsula Spa including the refreshing swimming pool and relaxing treatment rooms.

Our most recent example is an homage to one of Japan’s most celebrated artistic traditions. The hotel features three exclusive designs, each interweaving elements of the past and present, all set

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The Peninsula Tokyo’s original ukiyo‑e series—

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continues to be reflected to guestrooms,

against the backdrop of The Peninsula Tokyo.

These pieces are available for purchase as personal keepsakes, and we hope they will become cherished works of art for guests and colleagues alike for years to come.

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CULINARY

DISCOVERIES

AT THE

INTERCONTINENTAL

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INTERCONTINENTAL, OSAKA

CHEF SHIBAHAR A CHEF

INTERVIEW BY { KEN WALLER PHOTOGRAPHY { INTERCONTINENTAL OSAKA LOCATION { OSAKA, JAPAN

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How would you describe the culinary identity of Pierre today, and what makes it distinct within Osaka’s dining scene?

How does the rhythm of Osaka - its energy, its markets, its people influence the way you design your menus?

authentic French cuisine, enhanced with carefully selected spices that

ingredients to showcase the true essence of authentic French cuisine,

bring each creation to life and invite guests on a journey of new culinary

rather than following local culinary trends. By carefully selecting the best

discoveries.

seasonal produce and spices, the menu invites guests to explore innovative

Pierre, our specialty restaurant, offers the finest seasonal dishes of

When designing the menu, our chef prioritizes the finest seasonal

combinations of tastes, flavors, and visual appeal, engaging all five senses Being a Michelin-starred establishment for nine consecutive years in a

throughout their dining experience.

city renowned as the “Capital of Food in Japan” is a testament to our commitment to excellence.

Beyond the exceptional cuisine, Pierre’s unique atmosphere features a

What role does seasonality play in your process, especially when balancing French foundations with Japanese terroir?

Japan’s rich seasonal ingredients provide the foundation for Pierre’s culinary

blend of natural stone and wooden tables, complemented by the vibrant

expertise, allowing our team to showcase these flavors through the lens

energy of an open live kitchen.

of authentic French cuisine. This commitment to highlighting seasonality

Our head chef, Shibahara, elevates this experience further, crafting dishes

defines the distinctive Pierre style.

under the concept of “Contemporary Luxury”—where authentic stone

With Japan’s diverse regions offering subtle variations in the same

elements harmonize with warm wooden accents.

ingredients, our careful selection and refinement process enables us to craft unique flavors that set Pierre apart from other restaurants in the city.

Pierre holds a Michelin star. How do you balance the pressure of maintaining that recognition with the desire to evolve and take risks?

We are proud to have been listed in the Michelin Guide for nine consecutive

At Pierre, we are committed to offering the finest seasonal ingredients,

team consistently upholds the highest standards of service and cuisine,

thoughtfully combined with spices to create a dynamic sensory experience.

fostering a culture of collaboration that inspires continuous improvement in

Located in Japan, we take advantage of the freshest local produce while

the dining experience.

preparing each dish in the authentic French culinary tradition—an approach that transcends nationality and invites all guests to enjoy Pierre’s cuisine.

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years and look forward to celebrating a decade of recognition. The Pierre

When international guests dine here, what do you hope they understand about French cuisine as interpreted through a Japanese lens?

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that reflect both tradition and innovation within a dining space designed

For instance, our wine pairing menu is the result of a collective effort, where both the culinary and service teams engage in thoughtful discussions

One of the most memorable experiences at Pierre is discovering how

to select wines that perfectly complement each dish. This collaborative

Japanese ingredients can be beautifully integrated into French cuisine,

approach ensures that every pairing enhances the flavors and elevates the

captivating both our French and Japanese guests alike.

overall experience for our guests.

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A

RICH HISTORY

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THE PATRIA PALACE, IN THE ANCIENT CITY OF LECCE, IS PUGLIA’S BEST KEPT SECRET.

M A T T I A

PHOTOGRAPHY BY { JOHN RUSSO INTERVIEW BY { JOHN RUSSO LOCATION { LECCE, ITALY

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D E

G E N N A R O

OW N E R & M A N AG I N G D I R E C T O R O F H O C O L L E C T I O N

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What specific challenges did you face in adapting this historic structure to meet modern luxury hotel standards without compromising its original architecture?

are protected because they are not straight, so it’s part of

this building is protected by the State. So everything we do

was one floor at the beginning and then the second floor

That’s a nice and not so common question. Because first of all here, we need to ask permission, a commission, which is not related to the town, nobody, with politics, it’s just to preserve the building and its historical heritage. So the first challenge is to do something that is acceptable for this commission.

And they have no time to answer you, so if you ask something they can also have years, it takes years. So this is important.

I think we tried to make people understand that this was a noble house, but it was not that classic noble house. So the idea is to create a modern house in an historical palace, so to try to replicate the spaces you find in a house like solotto, orangerie as more for conversation in Barbas or the terrace on the rooftop without compromising the idea that still this is a palazzo, this is a house. It’s not something far from it. And since we have no tradition of luxury furniture, we decided to go with the Italian model and design. So the idea was to keep what was actually original as it was and what is new, is something that you understand is new. So to preserve the past, we decided that what is new is clearly new, you can understand that. So probably that was the key of the latest renovations. Of course the challenge is in the room space, the views, because you need to respect the former architecture, and so maybe some rooms are smaller, some are newer internal, or the bathrooms are not big as we would like to do. But we need to respect the original architecture of the place. So I think the idea was actually to make people enter an historical palace, but then clearly understand where there was a new touch on it.

the building and it goes with the building. So the nice part is that actually it follows what was around the building and the different steps of the construction, because actually this and the third floor came much later. So we have pictures of this building with the chariots in the front and without the third floor. So those stairs are actually the bone of the building. And when they said you can touch it because it’s not straight, it’s something really Italian, not so common I would say. And in the front there this face of the man who bought this building in 1880 and he is related also to the origin of the building because this was the first locanda in Lecce. Locanda in English, so a place for people just coming here. And so we found out this small furniture is related to the beginning of the hosting works made here in the late 19th Century, because it was first a noblier palace for a family from Naples and then it was abandoned for fifty years and then became an orphanage and then again a locanda and la patriota, the name itself is related to the Italian independence worth, so patriota in English means…

Patriot, the State, the origin of the State, so it’s related to that period, the late 19th Century. So it’s kind of part of the Italian story inside this place, as is the church in front of us. Because the church was built on the Jewish Market. When the Spanish people, the church fought the Jewish and pushed them away from the city, they built the best thing in the most important place, which was the market for the Jewish, important. And indeed, every road around us has the name both in Italian and Jewish, if you go around.

Is there still a Jewish culture here?

How do you approach the maintenance and preservation of traditional Pietra and historic local features like star vaulted ceilings?

There’s also a small Jewish museum close to here. And in

cannot give to anybody some work in these places. So there

the last 300 years.

Well, the important thing is to find the right artisans. So you are still some people, rare people, who know how to work with stone. So we select the companies that work with us, to restore it in the original way. Another thing we have done, for example for the spa, was to engage an architectural firm, a studio, they work a lot with massarias, so they work a lot with the preservation of these kinds of places. So I think it’s value of a vault and the difference between a vault and keep them the right importance, so then they don’t need to change them, because they know that they will be the protagonist of

related to this Jewish tradition. So it’s like this palace was overlooking a lot of things going around the Italian history of

How do you balance the integration of invisible modern technology of climate control, smart room features, high speed Wi-Fi, with the ancient bones of the property?

(Laughs) That’s nice. Well my idea of technology in a hotel

is that it should be invisible and easy. So when something technological is too difficult, it’s not useful. And also because we have business hotels, the other hotels are mainly business, so people stay one night, so if I am tired after a day of work, I don’t want to understand how this works. So this idea of a home is the same for a TV, a TV like yours, it’s

Can you share a story about a specific architectural element or historical detail discovered during the renovation that maybe you thought to uncover, preserve, something that you saw that was really cool that you did not want to get rid of and you wanted to play up on?

channel. On the other side, what we have used in the recent

Well one particular part of the building is the stairs that

not something I need to find a way to see Tele Uno, our main years are wireless connections. So fire alarms or some of the air climate controllers are wireless. So only in some places the walls are so thick that the signal doesn’t work. I think wireless is an opportunity now to give technology without wires and so without breaking these amazing walls.

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important to find the right designer who understands the

Puglia we have, and in Martina Franca and other places

goes from the ground floor to the second floor.Those stairs

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I know you touched on local artisans and historians, master craftsmen to ensure the interior decor and restoration work will remain deeply authentic and regional. I think that’s what we noticed, because sometimes you go to these historical properties and they hire artisans that just don’t know what they are doing. And I feel like with this property, the spa and other aspects of the property, you guys have kept the architectural integrity and it’s refreshing to see that has not been bastardized as people do all over the world, just to cut costs and just to get it done faster. So is that something that you as an owner kind of put your foot down and was like it’s got to be this way or no way?

Yes, also because we have an internal, two interior designers, a group. So we supervise all the projects we do. And it’s really important to keep an eye on what they are doing. As I said before, the most important thing is who you choose to do the work. So if you go cheap and you choose the one who does the apartments, it’s hard for them to understand the value of what they are doing. While here are mainly couples, father and son, working, I saw the balance of the work in the spa and it was like seven hundred hours of work, these two guys. Because if you make them work by hand and we do everything by hand here, because we cannot have big trucks around, cranes, and so that we have here, which is related to the land and also the name of the spa, which is IDUME, because this was the river beneath, because they say there is a river here. And actually there is water . There is a palace next to the church which is called Palazzo Adorno and it’s a palace owned by the province. And they have this library and you go there, to a public library and they say don’t go there, two steps and there is water, on the ground floor. So water comes from the land. And the name of this water is IDUME and it arrives in the military and there is the river that because it goes on the walls. And there are people who know who to work with stone to avoid that. So for example, I put some fake brass on a roof to make it nice and we had a problem and had to take it down, because if you leave the stone, it dries in the right time so you don’t get the water inside. If you put something, a plastic, then the water beneath cannot dry and so you get the water inside. So if you work well you do not have problems with the water coming into the building. So it’s something in the long term, tells you if you have done the right work, that people

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goes on the surface like twenty meters from here. And so the problem of this property is to keep the water down

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forth, and so everything is made my hand. So if you choose the right people, they work as you want. One problem

have learned in years, or you have done something that is fast and cheap and the building will tell you.

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And I think that is so important, spending the money to produce a high quality product, because I feel that there are certain people like myself and Ken. We travel all over the world and stay in the best hotels, there are so many things that stand out that are great and there are so many things that we walk away and we are like they were so close but they just missed that one thing. How do you stay on top of those aspects, how do you stay on top of what people want, what resonates with people and what is missing and how do you improve what constantly needs improving, for the guests of luxury travel?

Well keeping the staff is not easy now. Fortunately in Lecce,

the market is evolving, because the market is always fast.

but they have a person who has feelings and you should be

I think there are two aspects. One is from the outside, so how So getting with other owners of leading hotels for example is useful and to understand what are the trends, what people are asking for anywhere in the world. And on the other side is to stick to what you want to offer, because if you start following the trends, okay, let’s change this room every year, every two months, saying okay, what can I do to improve this space to be what I mean it should be? So I think it’s to get to the details and improve each detail that you can every time, which is tough sometimes, it’s expensive and you need to have a strong team working on that, because we have a group, so I am here once a week. So you need a whole team working to improve that experience together. So I think it’s important to imagine what you want to offer, listen to guests, to the world and to what your tell people you and then say okay, my vision of this space is this, how can I improve this further? So I think it’s a matter of making things better every time, looking at the details of what you want to offer and not just I like the statue and I would put the statue there, that’s not the point, which is often the case, especially in family owned hotels, like my mother likes that, let’s put that there, no. It’s not easy. So one should decide, but everyone should contribute to that decision and the vision that you want to bring to life.

arriving here, working with us, is something they want to keep, that’s good. I think the other part is going over the standards, which are standard, so everybody has them. And working together and sharing a vision of service. Fortunately here in Puglia, in Italy generally but in the South of Italy especially, we have this warmth inside. So if we are able to keep the light on, the fire inside them, they will express that more easily than in other parts in Italy or in the world. But the most important thing is that they understand that in front of them they should not just have a customer or a number, empathetic with those feelings and try to create a connection with them, because people don’t remember probably the size of the room but they remember how they felt when they were there. So it’s really important to share with the staff the vision of having like friends in a house, which is something we know, something related to our culture. So we share, we divide the training in a more technical operating part and the part related to emotional intelligence. So the part related to the emotions, the feelings, how people are seen and heard during their stay. So it’s a multi-directional way, it’s not only I listen, I tell, do you want something, but it’s also I listen to what John told me and what Ken told me and to elaborate on that to make their stay even better. It’s not easy, so the idea is when you find a person with this attitude, we work on the essentials, because you can work on the essentials, on the operation, you cannot create a good person even if it’s technically perfect. So we look for those attitudes and then work on the technicals.

That’s a good answer. I love how you said that even though the room is very important, you are so right that people forget the room itself but they don’t forget a certain interaction with the staff or the spa or the restaurant, that is very true, how you feel when you leave is so important.

Yeah they say there are two moments you always remember, the peak, which is the moment something happened that was the most important part and the end. So these are the two points you need to really work on. For the peak you need to create something wow, something maybe that wasn’t expected and the end is something you can work on, because fortunately there is always an end to a stay. (laughs) to learn more about the Patric Palace https://patriapalace.com

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I think that finding the right staff, training the staff, so there is a kind of uniformity across, there are guidelines and standards. We notice that is a lot, everywhere we go, some staff excel and some staff just don’t. We found that this property definitely excels, from knowing your name to greeting you to talking about the property.So how do you keep your staff or train your staff, to have that uniformity across the whole spectrum, from housekeeper to chef to doorman to waiter?

we are considered an achievement for most of them, so

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WHERE GLAMOUR NEVER CHECKED OUT WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK PHOTOGRAPHER { JOHN RUSSO STYLED BY { CANNON

MAKEUP BY { DISCO & GRANT KARPIN HAIR BY { LINH NGUYEN

VIDEO BY { K EN WALLER MEDIA

MODELS { RENETA GUBAYEVA &

ASHLEY STROHLEIN

There are luxury hotels, and then there is Waldorf Astoria New York—a place so deeply woven into the fabric of Manhattan that it has long been less of a hotel and more of a cultural institution.

For generations, Waldorf has been New York’s ultimate stage, where royalty, presidents, Hollywood legends, fashion icons, and the city’s social elite all played their part beneath glittering Art Deco ceilings.

Long before celebrity culture became a global obsession, Waldorf Astoria New York perfected the art of being seen.

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Its story began in the Gilded Age, when rival Astor family mansions gave way to two neighboring hotels that would eventually merge into the legendary Waldorf-Astoria. The famed Peacock Alley became New York’s original social runway, where impeccably dressed guests strolled not simply to reach dinner, but to see and be seen. It was society’s living room, where fortunes were made over cocktails, marriages were whispered into existence, and every entrance was an event.

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When the original hotel made way for the Empire State Building, Waldorf Astoria didn’t disappear, it reinvented itself. In 1931, it reopened on Park Avenue as the world’s largest and most ambitious luxury hotel, an Art Deco masterpiece that instantly became the city’s most glamorous address. The new Waldorf Astoria elevated hospitality itself, introducing innovations that today feel commonplace, from in-room telephones and 24-hour room service to elegant private entertaining on an unprecedented scale. More importantly, it became the preferred New York residence for world leaders, royalty, and cultural icons. Every U.S. president from Herbert Hoover through Obama has walked its halls, while guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Cole Porter, and countless luminaries who defined the twentieth century.

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For New Yorkers, however, Waldorf Astoria New York has always been about more than famous guests. This is where debutante balls sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers, where one of the first Met Galas was held, where the Tony Awards was born, where charity galas became society’s biggest nights, and where Manhattan dressed in black tie simply because it was Tuesday. To step into Waldorf Astoria was to participate in New York at its most sophisticated.

After closing its doors in 2017 for what would become one of the most ambitious hotel restorations in America, the question lingered: Could a legend be reborn without losing its soul? Eight years later, the answer is unmistakably yes.

To capture that spirit, the hotel turned to acclaimed celebrity and fashion photographer John Russo, whose cinematic style and timeless portraits have long defined modern luxury. Rather than simply photograph beautifully restored interiors, Russo was entrusted with reimagining Waldorf’s enduring glamour through a contemporary lens, creating images that feel as though they belong to another era while remaining unmistakably modern.

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Complementing Russo’s vision was celebrated fashion stylist Cannon, whose impeccable eye for couture and editorial storytelling brought the hotel’s grand spaces to life. Flowing gowns sweeping across marble floors, impeccably tailored evening wear beneath glittering chandeliers, and sophisticated silhouettes moving through the legendary Peacock Alley recall the elegance of New York’s golden age while speaking directly to today’s luxury traveler. Award-winning videographer Ken Waller was brought on to translate the hotel’s extraordinary legacy into motion, adding a moving-image perspective to the story of a hotel that has defined New York glamour for generations.”

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In many ways, the collaboration perfectly mirrors the hotel’s remarkable restoration. Just as every architectural detail was painstakingly revived, Russo and Cannon have resurrected the feeling that made Waldorf Astoria legendary: effortless sophistication, cinematic glamour, and the unmistakable allure of New York at its most fashionable.

The result is a visual celebration worthy of Waldorf Astoria itself: timeless, sophisticated, and unmistakably New York. Just as the hotel has welcomed generations of tastemakers, world leaders, artists, and cultural icons, its new imagery invites a new generation to discover why this legendary address remains the city’s ultimate symbol of elegance and why, once again, it is the place to see and be seen.

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CANNON @thecannonmediagorup @ateliermgmt Waldorf Astoria New York @waldorfnyc Linh Nguyen @linhhair using AMIKA @amika and SEE Management @seemanagement MAKEUP { Grant Karpin @gkarpinmua using @viseart Disco from SEE Management @seemanagement using NARS @narsissist @makeupbydisco MODEL { Reneta Gubayeva @renatagubayeva MODEL { Ashley Strohlein @ashleystrohlein FASHION TEAM { Maggie Walsh @magswalsh11 Winnie Noan @winnie_noan Madison Gu @madisonwengu Alex Bliss @alexb11ss Drithi Abbineni @drithiabbineni Sarina Hingorani @sarina_hingoran

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STYLIST { LOCATION { HAIR {

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LACEY CHABERT

ON TRAVEL

Best Jet Lag Hack?

Taking family pictures there at the Eiffel Tower is such a special

plane. Once I arrive at the destination I do my best to stay awake

I’ll never forget. Seeing the tower light up with sparkly lights up

I always try to take an overnight flight so I can sleep a bit on the all day until it’s bedtime in the new time zone. It helps to get out of the hotel and go for a walk and have a coffee. Jet lag is always so

Most unusual thing you always pack?

the opportunity to do it in such a special location is something I’ll

bracelet. Julia and I are extremely close so it’s really sweet to have something with me from her. Celluma light-it really helps my skin recover from all the makeup from filming.

Sometimes I bring my own pillow from home. It’s nice to have a small

memorable night. I love my job as an actress so much and having always be grateful for.

Celebrity Friend who makes the best travel companion?

My dear friend Kimberly J. Brown. We are both very organized about traveling but in different ways which makes us a good fit. We also both insist on getting to the airport early. Very early.

comfort from home with me.

Something you always do before a big trip?

The most Jaw dropping place you have been?

but that ends up leading to me just overpacking because I keep

was spectacular.

pieces of luggage even if it’s only an overnight trip! But my best

A hotel that exceeded your expectations?

luggage is lost. So if I’m going on a press trip and I know I’ll be on

Always A Good Idea” and it was fantastic. Being located directly by

carry-on bag just in case!

Iceland. Seeing the Northern Lights, the ice caves and waterfalls

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a rainstorm moved through. Shockingly, it even started snowing!

My summer wardrobe for that scene wasn’t ideal, but it was such a

for me to carry on my trip-a stuffed animal or charm off of her charm

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close was spectacular. The weather was unexpectedly very cold as

difficult though!

My daughter usually gives me something special that she chooses

We stayed at Hotel Le Clef Louvre while filming in Paris for “Paris Is the Louvre was just perfect.

I start packing a few days before the trip in an effort to be prepared, adding things! I may or may not be known for traveling with mulitple advice though is to always carry on the essentials in case your live TV once I land, I put at least on or two business outfits in my

A favorite road trip you have taken?

A destination you can view time and time again and it never gets old?

When I was a teenager my parents took me and my brother to

always enjoy it. The gorgeous sunrises and sunsets on the beach

being such a fun trip where we made great memories. Yosemite is

Maui, Hawaii. We’ve stayed at the Grand Wailea many times and are my favorite part. It looks like a painting. The fresh pineapple is so delicious!

Yosemite National Park. We weren’t that excited about the road trip because we wanted to go to a theme park instead, but it ended up stunning. I want to take my daughter next year.

Who is the first person you text when you land?

Favorite Filming location?

My husband and daughter. I always call immediately once the plane

In Space” My parents took me and my brother to visit Paris for a

to let her know I’m safe and sound. Now that I’m a mom myself I

Paris. I first visited Paris when I was 14. I was in London filming “Lost weekend and I absolutely loved it. I returned with my husband years 125

memory. Filming on the Eiffel Tower is a moment in my career that

later and then a few years after that we brought our daughter.

touches the ground to check in with my family. I also text my mom understand even more what it means to her to always let her know I’m ok.