Christian Louboutin expands his presence in the hotel industry, Will Guidara shares what it’s like to work on the TV series The Bear, and 100 life-sized elephants begin their journey across the U.S. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Will Guidara opens up about working on The Bear
Restaurateur Will Guidara; photo by Sara Beth Turner
Hospitality veteran Will Guidara (who was interviewed on HD’s What I’ve Learned podcast) opens up to The New York Times about his involvement in TV series The Bear, which follows a fine dining chef who returns to Chicago to run his family’s struggling sandwich shop. Guidara, who ran and co-owned New York’s renowned Eleven Madison Park with chef Daniel Humm for 13 years, now claims a co-producing and writing credit in the show’s third and latest season. In his conversation with NYT’s Kim Severson, Guidara covers everything from getting the most minute details accurate on set to incorporating dreamweavers into scenes, people who practice what he refers to as “unreasonable hospitality.”
Christian Louboutin takes stake in Experimental Group
Cowley Manor is a luxury hotel part of Experimental Group’s portfolio; photo courtesy of Mr. Tripper
Christian Louboutin continues his expansion into the hospitality industry with his recent stake in Paris-based hospitality company the Experimental Group, making the fashion designer a minority shareholder, reports Skift. This follows on the heels of Louboutin’s debut of his first hotel, Vermelho, and signals a growing trend of fashion houses making moves into the sector as evidenced by properties like Palazzo Versace Dubai and Ferragamo’s collection of Portrain hotels. Experimental Group’s current portfolio comprises 10 hotels in Europe, along with six cocktail bars, four wine bars, and two beach clubs.
Uber expands boat options across Europe
An Uber ferry boat sails along the Thames in London; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Uber is expanding its boat options across Europe in hotspots like Ibiza, Venice, and Athens, the rideshare app told Travel + Leisure. The transportation options include private yachts, water limos, and more. In Ibiza, for example, riders can book a private yacht for the day through the app, which covers transportation to and from the boat in an Uber Black van, its own private skipper, a luxury F&B hamper, and goody bags—all for just over $200 per person. Starting today through August 3rd, Uber is launching Uber Cruise in Paris with free sightseeing tours on fully electric boats along the Seine, in time for the Summer Olympics, which begin July 26th.
A herd of life-sized elephants are journeying across the U.S.
The sculptural elephants, part of the Great Elephant Migration; photo by Corey Favino, courtesy of Elephant Family USA and Newport Restoration Foundation
A herd of elephants made from the invasive Lantana Camara plant will be making its way across several U.S. cities this summer, beginning its 3,500-mile journey in Newport, Rhode Island. Organized by Elephant Family USA and Art&Newport, the traveling installation draws focus on our relationship with wildlife, especially as the human population grows and encroaches on natural habitats, writes Colossal. Dubbed the Great Elephant Migration, the herd consists of 100 life-sized sculptures—some up to 15 feet tall and 800 pounds—made by the CoExistence Collective, an organization of 200 Indigenous artisans from the Nilgiri Hills in Southern India. The herd will be traveling across the country to cities including New York and Miami after its first leg in Rhode Island.
HD Platinum Circle names 2024 honorees
Hospitality Design will induct four distinguished hospitality leaders into the Platinum Circle, recognizing their lifetime achievements on Friday, November 8th at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York. HD‘s highest honor, which has honored industry titans including Ian Schrager, David Rockwell, Clodagh, and more over the past 35 years, will this year be awarded to Ave Bradley, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Alan Fuerstman, Montage International; Tom Ito, Gensler Los Angeles; and Liz Lambert, Lambert McGuire and MML Hospitality. Read more about the inductees here and purchase your tickets to the Platinum Circle Awards Gala here. We hope to see you there!
