Window shopping #16

A fictional vodka hotel, a real Riviera reopening, and a credit card refresh with questionable perks

This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new and noteworthy in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.

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Before we dive into this week’s travel headlines, I need to acknowledge yesterday’s tragic Air India crash that happened shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London. Events like these can understandably trigger heightened anxiety around flying, but it’s important to remember that accidents of this nature are extremely rare and never result from a single, isolated failure. Plane crashes are typically caused by a chain of factors—bird strikes, pilot error, maintenance lapses, mechanical faults, all happening at once—and aviation investigators spend months tracing every link in that chain to ensure it never repeats in that same way again. My heart is especially with the families and communities impacted, and with anyone traveling today feeling unsteady or unsure.

Portofino’s gem is back: Belmond Splendido reopens. After a multi-year restoration overseen by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the legendary Belmond Hotel Splendido has reopened its main building, cocktail bar, and Dior spa, ushering in a new era of Riviera glamour. For design-minded travelers, it’s a must-see revival of Italian elegance with a contemporary edge. I, for one, am dyinggggg to see it with my own eyes.

Your favorite travel card might be getting prettier—and pricier. Chase just teased an overhaul of its flagship Sapphire Reserve, including new card art and the upcoming launch of a Business Sapphire Reserve. But if the recent overhaul of Chase’s United cards is any indicator, don’t be surprised if a higher annual fee follows. In that update, the benefits added—like expanded lounge access and spending bonuses—sounded impressive but were difficult to actually use. This is becoming a trend: credit card perks that look luxe on paper but don’t meaningfully improve your travel experience. It’s all part of a broader shift in the points world, where performative perks are used to justify steeper fees. If you’re eyeing a new travel card, this is your sign to read the fine print—and think critically about what you’ll actually use.

I’ve been saying it: the new frontier for liquor brands? Travel as lifestyle. Grey Goose just unveiled “Grey Goose Hôtel,” a fictional, European-inspired luxury retreat fronted by Zoë Saldaña in a new cinematic campaign. It’s not a real hotel, but it is part of a broader trend of spirits brands using the language of travel to sell escapism and emotional indulgence. Don Julio’s duty-free activations and Stella Artois’ genius Airport OOHs that reframed the pain of flight delays are other great recent examples. Each taps into the same wanderlust-fueled aspiration that’s made travel one of the most seductive status symbols of modern life.

The best part of coming home from any trip? My own bed. After nonstop travel, nothing feels better than crawling into a bed that’s both familiar and luxurious—especially when it’s made up in Brooklinen. I’ve been winding down in their percale sheets and duvet cover and I have to tell you, it’s giving boutique hotel softness, but with the added bonus of being mine. I love that you can mix and match styles with their bundles (mine’s a perfect pairing of stripe and solid in the color ‘Pebble’), and I finally feel like my bedroom looks as chic as the ones I feature here each week. And you can build your dream setup too, because Brooklinen offers 15% off with your first order. (No code needed at checkout).

Braccialieri—Sicily, Italy

Just outside Noto, Braccialieri offers a bold, design-forward escape that rewrites the rules of Sicilian hospitality—and it’s very high on my wishlist. I’m a sucker for a great pool and a slower pace of travel, and this place promises both. Set within a working olive grove, the hotel blends Italian nature with playful interiors: checkerboard tiles, citrus-print wallpapers, and colorful eco-villas tucked between almond trees and biodynamic gardens. I love how irreverent and alive it feels in a place that’s usually so restrained. It’s slow living, yes, but with a wink.

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Today’s newsletter is graciously sponsored by Brooklinen.

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.