Window shopping #34
Sky delays, hands-free directions, and caviar in the city
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.
Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, and for all the kind words after 100 issues of Window Seat. I read every single one. 💙 Congratulations to the winners: Ava, who won the product bundle, and Erin, who won the $500 Luxury Escapes voucher. More giveaways to come!
If you’re flying soon…Godspeed. (Me, today.) More than 13,000 air traffic controllers have now gone over a month without pay as the government shutdown drags on. Starting today, 40 of the nation’s busiest air corridors will be cut by 10%. Travellers should brace for cancellations, delays, and long security lines.
Google just unveiled its first truly conversational driving experience for Maps, powered by Gemini. You can now ask layered, hands-free questions like Find me a vegan restaurant with parking along my route and it’ll do the rest. I love that you can add real context to what you’re asking; it feels conversational in a way tech rarely does. I don’t drive every day myself, but I can see this being incredibly helpful (and safer) for those who do.
As part of its centennial celebrations, Delta debuted a new uniform collection that revives the brand’s signature navy. and crimson hues. Designed by Lands’ End and accented with Missoni scarves, the looks were unveiled during a full-on fashion show at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta. There’s something really satisfying about seeing Delta return to its roots with a look that feels both timeless and unmistakably its own.
Last week, I was invited to stay at the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria New York with Hilton Honors and American Express, and it was every bit as special as I hoped. I spent a couple of nights in a Lexington Avenue Junior Suite, which had one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in, and was among the first guests to experience the just-opened Guerlain Wellness Spa. As part of the treatment, you’re able to choose a Guerlain fragrance to accompany your massage, and I surprised myself by picking Herbes Troublantes, a bright, citrus-floral scent I wouldn’t normally reach for but completely fell in love with. The hotel’s food and beverage program is equally impressive, but the standout to me was Yoshoko, a kaiseki restaurant that served one of the top ten meals of my life.
Then, earlier this week, I attended what might be my most ideal event…ever? Petrossian Caviar and Pringle of Scotland hosted an intimate “Cashmere & Caviar” evening at the Park Hyatt New York. It was a meeting of masters: three brands operating at the top of their craft in caviar, cashmere, and hospitality. The collaboration introduces a new in-suite experience for Park Hyatt guests, who can now indulge in a private caviar-and-champagne service wrapped in Pringle cashmere. The kind of partnership that just makes sense.
Asaba Ryokan — Shizuoka, Japan
Founded in the 1670s and still run by the same family fifteen generations later, Asaba Ryokan has long been a sanctuary for Japan’s creative class, from Yukio Mishima to Toshiro Mifune, who came seeking silence and renewal. Set in Shuzenji Onsen, its open-air baths overlook the koi pond and offer immersive tranquility. If I could transport myself anywhere right now, it would be here to sit cross-legged on a cushion, gazing out at the still water and cedar trees beyond. Every season offers a different vista, but each one feels equally cinematic.
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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.