Window shopping #30
The most expensive hotel renovation ever, Delta’s unexpected jet upgrade, and some of my favorite products this month
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.
Is this the most expensive hotel renovation ever? The iconic Waldorf Astoria New York, which has been closed since 2017, is finally nearing its reopening—but not without major financial drama. The revamp is now $1 billion over budget, ballooning to over $3B total. Design revisions, the usual delays, and shifting real estate trends have turned this into one of the priciest hospitality renovations ever.
A regulatory delay turned Delta’s newest jet into a domestic unicorn. Delta’s newest A321neo jets were never meant to fly domestic routes, but a regulatory delay forced the airline to get creative. So instead of keeping the aircraft grounded (as they have been for months, effectively hemorrhaging money), Delta is putting them to work: starting next summer, up to seven of these jets will take to the skies with a temporary all first-class configuration. But here’s the catch: These will not be lie-flat seats, but 44 recliners in an unusually large premium cabin—the most first-class seats Delta has ever offered on a domestic plane. It’s not necessarily a win for passengers, but it’s a fascinating peek at what happens when regulation meets revenue pressure at 30,000 feet.
As September winds down (can you believe how fast time has been flying by lately?!), here are a few things I’ve been loving lately:
Isla Beauty primer: A new staple in my travel beauty kit. Light, dewy, and keeps everything in place without feeling heavy.
Suede clogs: I nearly pulled the trigger on a $200 pair and found these at a Zara Home in Amsterdam for 50 Euro instead. They’re the perfect airport shoe. Easy on, easy off, and somehow chic and cozy.
Vintage leather trench: Scored this gem at one of Amsterdam’s many vintage stores, and I still can’t believe my luck. It’s buttery soft and instantly elevates everything.
Zielinski & Rozen perfume: One souvenir I love picking up in a new city is fragrance. I found this shop in Amsterdam (they don’t ship to the US) and haven’t stopped wearing this beautifully woodsy scent since. This particular fragrance was also inspired by the perfumer’s travels across Europe, which felt apt.
Citizens of Humanity jeans: The incredibly soft and wearable, dark wash, loose-fit jeans my wardrobe was missing. I never want to take them off!
Ostermoor down pillow: If you’ve been here for a minute, you know I take comfort seriously, especially when it comes to sleep. This Dutch-made pillow is a literal dream.
Goodonya electrolytes: Drinking one makes me feel like I’m drinking a perfectly sweetened lemonade (made with real lemons!).
Cashmere sweater: For $50, no less? Sold. Picked this up for Amsterdam’s chillier temps, and it’s already in heavy rotation. It was the first thing I reached for after landing (a sure sign of a great buy).
De Dugerdam — Amsterdam, Netherlands
It’s just a 20-minute drive from central Amsterdam, but once you arrive, it feels like a different world entirely. Set in a quiet harbor village once home to fishermen and sailors, De Durgerdam reimagines a row of 17th-century cottages as a quaint, design-forward escape. There are only 14 rooms, each wrapped in warm wood and offering views of the water or village rooftops. Downstairs, you’ll find unfussy fine dining at the hotel’s restaurant, De Mark, where we had a truly unforgettable, candlelit meal just after sunset.
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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.