Seatmates: Jordan Rose

On being a luxury travel advisor and photographer, using fashion to tell a story about a place, and the Nile cruise she can't stop thinking about

This interview is part of Seatmates, a Window Seat series where tastemakers, travelers, and creatives share how they move through the world—what they pack, where they stay, and the travel rituals that shape their lives.

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One of the best parts about writing this newsletter has been the community I’ve cultivated along the way. Window Seat has been the bridge to building relationships with so many talented and wonderful people—comments and DMs have turned into coffees and drinks, and subscribers have turned into friends. This is especially the case with Jordan Rose, who you may know as the tastemaker behind the luxury travel newsletter

Atelier Le Monde

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Jordan and I first bonded over our shared passion for travel souvenirs and a deep appreciation for Hotel Costes. I quickly fell in love with her incredible travel photography, and once I learned she was also a luxury travel advisor, we swapped voice notes about her experience getting into the industry. And when I say she’s a tastemaker, I don’t mean that lightly. Her taste is top-notch—from the itineraries she crafts for her clients to her jet-set style—which is why I’m thrilled she’s our latest Seatmate.

Read on to learn how she’s mastered the “airport look,” why one hotel from her six-week Italian honeymoon was a standout, and what country she’s temporarily relocating to (plus what’s on her must-see list while she’s there!).

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in California and am currently based in Manhattan Beach, but I spend about half of every year relocating for my husband’s job in the film industry. I’m a luxury travel advisor, and I absolutely love it. I thrive on moving around—experiencing new places and sharing those experiences with my clients—though I always enjoy coming back to our home base with friends and family nearby. My favorite drink is a chilled red, I love listening to Leon Bridges and Etta James, and will always order fries if they are on the menu. I want to open a boutique hotel one day, and To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant is one of my favorite films.

From your perspective as a luxury travel advisor, what emerging trends are you seeing in the market? Have client preferences evolved in recent years?

It’s been really interesting to see how client preferences are shifting. While the classic Italian summer or Caribbean winter escapes remain popular, I’m excited about the different requests I’ve been getting lately—like Egyptian cruises, babymoons in the British countryside, yacht charters in Turkey, safaris, and honeymoons in Japan. People still want their usual favorites, but they’re also starting to explore less conventional destinations, which makes my job even more interesting. I’m also noticing that more people are turning to travel advisors to maximize their experiences, especially with hotel prices rising. It’s incredibly gratifying when I can secure perks like complimentary upgrades or early check-ins after a long flight, with a refreshing green juice or cocktail on arrival.

Amanjena in Marrakech, a property Jordan plans to visit next year

You’re also a travel photographer. How do you balance capturing images with fully experiencing the places you visit? Do you have a specific approach to conveying the spirit of a destination?

This is a great question. It’s definitely a balancing act because you never want the process of capturing a place to take away from the experience of being there. I usually go into a trip with a few ideas of what I want to capture, but I try not to let it dictate my entire day—unless, of course, it’s for a client like a hotel, in which case I’m married to the shot list. But honestly, the photos I love the most are the ones that come naturally without too much planning.

I love your series “Hotels + Outfits”, where you style outfits to evoke the vibe of swoon-worthy locales. How do you use fashion to tell a story about each destination? Do you think of the outfits as a form of narrative that complements the location?

I’m so glad you love it! This series has been such a fun, creative outlet for me, combining two of my favorite things—travel and fashion. When I’m at home, my go-to is usually jeans, a white tank or tee, and either kitten heels or sneakers. But when I travel, I love to express the vibe of the location through what I wear. It’s like “dressing the part” to really complement the destination. For example, in Morocco, I’d pack clothes that reflect the environment and experiences, respect the culture, and embrace the local style. It’s all about telling a story through fashion that pairs perfectly with the place. Honestly, planning outfits for a trip is my Roman Empire—I think about it all the time.

Drooling over this look.

You recently shared that you’ll be relocating to Budapest for seven months. Can you share any places you’re eager to check out in the area? Any must-try eats or places to shop?

I’m so excited about Budapest! We lived in Prague two years ago, and I’ve heard Budapest has a similar vibe, so I’m eager to explore. I can’t wait to see Budapest Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Opera House, but I’m also really excited about how easy it’ll be to travel to other places from Budapest. I love big markets, so the Great Market Hall is at the top of my list. For dining, I’m looking forward to trying places like Borkonyha Winekitchen, MÁK, Textura, Hilda, Costes, Babel, Salt, and Stand. I’m also intrigued by the Ruin Bars, which are old buildings turned into unique bar spaces. And, of course, I’d love to do a cruise down the Danube and explore nearby wine regions like Etyek or Lake Balaton. For shopping, I’m excited to explore antique stores and flea markets, skincare at Omorovicza, Spark le Monde concept store, MONO art & design for trinkets, and Veritas for wine. Also, the European Mango and Zara stores are always so good for fun pieces. 

What’s been your most memorable hotel stay?

That’s a tough one because there are so many incredible stays, and so much goes into making a stay memorable. But if I had to pick, I’d say Mezzatorre in Ischia. It was the first stop on our six-week Italian honeymoon, and it was pure magic. The island itself is a lesser-known cousin of Capri, with amazing restaurants, thermal pools, and a castle, but without the huge crowds. We were there in October, so the weather was perfect, and the hotel felt like our own oasis, with gorgeous interiors and exteriors, a private beach club in a secluded cove, and a thermal spa that had everything—cold plunge, sauna, steam room, you name it. The service was impeccable, too. It was everything you could want in a stay.

Is there a destination or property at the top of your wishlist?

I feel like I’ve been talking about this forever, but I’m dying to do an Egyptian Nile cruise, and I’ve been looking into this company called Nour el Nil. My husband and I had planned to do it for our second anniversary—October is a great time to go, and since cotton is the traditional second-anniversary gift, I thought it would be perfect to pick up some Egyptian cotton goodies while we were there. But we had to postpone, so it’s still on the list. We’ll be in Morocco for a bit next year, and I’m also really looking forward to staying at Amanjena in Marrakech and pairing that with Farasha Farmhouse. 

BRB, adding a luxury cruise down the Nile to the top of my bucket list…

What are your must-haves when it comes to luggage and items you travel with?

Feeling good while traveling is so important, especially on long flights. I actually wrote an article about this called “What’s in My Bag.” For long-haul flights, I always make sure I have my non-negotiables:

• Moisturizer:  Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask or Avène Cicafilate +

• Hand sanitizer: I love lavender-scented ones for a bit of relaxation

• Rich Hand Cream:  Malin+Goetz or Typology

• Eye Masks & Cream: Peter Thomas Roth + an eye cream

• Hair Accessories: Hair scrunchie or a hair clip

• Lip Balm: My little Officine Universelle Buly Lip Balm with my initials on it—it’s so cute and makes the perfect gift

• Facial Mist: Elemis Superfood or Caudalie Travel Beauty Elixir

• Essential Oil Roll-On: Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy roll-on  or this lavender roll-on, which is always in my purse

• Gua shua and facial oil: Perfect for keeping my skin fresh on long flights and helping with lymphatic drainage

• Tech Essentials: Kindle, laptop, blue light glasses, notepad, pen, Bluetooth adaptor for headphones, portable charger, noise-canceling headphones, Airtags in anything and everything

• Luggage: I love my Away carry-on because it fits so much (the bigger size). My husband also got me a beautiful Ralph Lauren Heritage leather duffel that I adore, and I’m eyeing the Rimowa aluminum checked luggage because it’s so sleek.

What is your go-to airport outfit?

There’s an undeniable satisfaction in mastering the “airport look”—finding the perfect balance between comfort and style. My go-to is a cozy lounge set (Skims foldover pants + t-shirt) paired with a cashmere wrap—I always get cold on flights, so it’s perfect. If I’m headed somewhere colder, I’ll layer with a classic trench or an oversized coat (saving coveted luggage space), and sneakers or easy loafers are a must. For shorter flights, I usually go with linen pants, a tank top, a light cardigan or a crisp button-down, and comfortable shoes like sneakers, flats, or loafers. I just added these suede flats to my cart, and I think they’ll be great for traveling.

Do you have any rules or rituals when it comes to air travel?

Honestly, I just love feeling clean, put-together and prepared. I always take an “everything shower” the night before a flight and pack everything except my toiletries and chargers. I also try to sync up with the time zone of my destination as much as possible before I land to avoid jet lag.

Last question: aisle or window seat?

For long flights, definitely the window seat—and aisle for domestic flights. Preferably business.

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To learn more about Jordan’s incredible taste, subscribe to Atelier Le Monde and follow her on Instagram. Interested in being featured in Seatmates or know someone who should be? Drop me a line here.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you).

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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.