Window shopping #59
Fashion’s chicest hotel takeover, a travel card shake-up, and the essentials I’ve packed for my six beach trips so far this year
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.
Mandarin Oriental Bodrum and Jacquemus just launched what the French label is calling its biggest beach installation ever. Blue Beach is fully taken over for the summer with striped sunbeds, branded paddle boards, backgammon sets, and a 98-square-meter boutique stocked with the Resort 2026 Plage collection that’s all open through October. Bodrum is already on the radar of discerning European and Middle Eastern luxury travelers; Jacquemus gives it an aspirational cultural moment that will translate directly into content.
Chase Sapphire Preferred just got its biggest refresh in years, but is keeping the same $95 annual fee. Effective June 15th, Chase is adding 3x points on vacation rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) and gas, doubling the annual hotel credit to $100, adding a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit ($120 every four years), and tacking on Emergency Evacuation coverage—all with no fee increase. There is one catch worth flagging: the Hyatt transfer ratio drops from 1:1 to 4:3, effective October for existing cardholders. So if you’ve been parking points for a Hyatt redemption, (hi it’s me), this is your official notice to move them before October 1st.
Rosewood has teamed up with British artist and former Adidas senior designer Christian Jeffery on a limited-edition hand-painted jersey inspired by properties across its Americas portfolio. Featuring details like rosette millwork from the Mansion on Turtle Creek, cherry blossoms from The Carlyle crest, and oak leaves from Sand Hill, the jersey is the anchor of a broader summer program called The Spirit of Celebration, which also includes a new multi-destination itinerary series (Guided by Rosewood) spanning Mexico, Southeast Asia, Austria, and Bavaria. As someone who cut her teeth in creative strategy, I love when a collab makes sense strategically. Rosewood is using the World Cup as a cultural entry point without leaning into it too hard: property-level programming that feels local and specific, anchored by a collectible that connects their entire portfolio within a single object.
Paris Hilton is giving away a billion Hilton Honors points.
Six swim-worthy destinations in three months (Nassau, Sardinia, Sorrento, Grand Cayman, Palm Beach, Los Angeles) and more pool days, boat lunches, beach club afternoons, and hotel loungers than I can account for. I've packed and repacked the same essentials, which means I've had plenty of time to figure out what actually holds up in the water and everything in between.
I’m really into ruched cup-style bikini tops this year. I love this butter yellow option and this white style. You can pair the latter with this skirt for a more full-out resortwear look.
Sunscreen is never optional, especially on your face—regardless of weather conditions. For swimming days, I love this tinted one. If I need one to wear under makeup, this is my go-to.
This is my pick for travel-size friendly body sunscreen, and I love packing this little facial spray to hydrate and cool down.
La Posta Vecchia — Ladispoli, Italy
Earlier this year, I finally broke the seal on Italy. I’d somehow never been (crazy, I know), but after trips to Sorrento and Sardinia over the last month, I completely understand why people become obsessed. So when La Posta Vecchia kept surfacing on my radar, I paid attention.
Even before considering the setting, the hotel comes with serious pedigree. It’s owned by the family behind Il Pellicano, one of Italy’s most iconic hotels, which immediately puts it in rare company. Set inside a 17th-century Renaissance villa on the Lazio coast just outside Rome, La Posta Vecchia feels worlds away from the city despite being close enough for a long lunch. You’ll be greeted by frescoed ceilings, museum-worthy antiques, seaside gardens, and the sort of old-world glamour that Italy, I’ve learned, seems uniquely capable of pulling off.
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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.