This is Window Shopping, a weekly briefing from Window Seat. Every issue covers essential news in luxury travel, spotlights one exceptional hotel, and shares personal updates or recent product discoveries.
Great news for travelers who find themselves frequently passing through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: American Express just opened its first Centurion Lounge in continental Europe there yesterday—and I got a first look at a media preview earlier in the week. The 6,000-square-foot lounge marks the 33rd opening in the network. Inside, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows, a full bar plus buffet dining with local-inspired cuisine (like bitterballen: deep-fried meatballs that are a quintessential and delicious Dutch pub snack), Dutch artists and motifs featured prominently throughout, a color story that mirrors the waterways Amsterdam is so famous for, and—my personal favorite part—a dedicated Blue Roast Coffee Bar with locally-sourced coffee and teas on offer. You’ll find it located between Concourse E and F (follow signage for “Airline Lounge 50”).
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 officially crowned its winners in Paris this week. Rosewood Hong Kong retained the top spot for the second consecutive year, solidifying its place as the world’s premier luxury stay, while both Rosewood and Four Seasons earned the most placements on the list.
I’ve been playing tourist in my own city lately, and honestly, New York is so much more fun when you pretend you’re visiting for the first time. I just wrapped up a staycation around town, and while mapping out the details, I decided to test out the new Adobe’s new Plugin ininside ChatGPT. It basically lets you tap into Adobe’s creative tools directly within your chat window, which—if you’re like me and constantly toggling between both—is a gamechanger. I used ChatGPT to do things like plan the weekend, map out my outfits, and draft a shot list, then leaned on the Adobe plugin in ChatGPT to create visual itineraries and edit my photos as I went.
Case in point: as a travel writer, I’m always trying to capture hotel spaces without a crowd of strangers in the frame. I loved the below shot, but wished it could have been a photo sans people. Instead of painstakingly editing everything out by hand like I used to, I just asked the Adobe Plugin in ChatGPT to clear the background in seconds. It couldn’t be easier to use; you just describe your vision, and the Plugin finds the right Adobe tools to make it happen.
Wanna know the best part? The Adobe Plugin will help you go from idea to super high-quality content directly within the flow of a ChatGPT conversation, making it very user-friendly regardless of your goals. Later this month I’ll be sharing a letter dedicated to staycation itineraries in New York: which neighborhoods to stay in and how to pick them, how to plan them, and how tools like the Adobe Plugin in ChatGPT can make it all easier.
EDITION Hotels — New York City
It’s no secret I’m a big fan of EDITION Hotels. Wherever I travel, if it has an EDITION, it’s always a must-do to check it out. Beyond New York, I’ve been to the properties in Tokyo (Toranomon), Miami Beach, West Hollywood, and, most recently, Reykjavik. What consistently draws me to the brand is its unique blend of boutique design and high-energy nightlife, all delivered with luxury-level service. I was recently invited for a staycation at both New York City properties to experience how two distinct personalities reflect the same brand DNA: The Times Square EDITION, an airy oasis offering a much-needed respite in the heart of the theater district, and The New York EDITION, its moodier older sibling housed in a historic clock tower near Madison Square Park.
At the New York EDITION, historic grandeur meets intimate luxury. The design centers on dark woods and warm lighting, while guestrooms offer sweeping views of Madison Square Park or the entire downtown skyline. The Lobby Bar offers an intimate neighborhood living room vibe, but the real highlight here is Spa de La Mer, which might as well be heaven on Earth. Even more R&R is offered via The Altar, a newly opened recovery space just down the street, which offers complimentary access to its sauna and cold plunge pools for hotel guests. This is the stay for you if you’re after a romantic, design-focused getaway steeped in historic, sophisticated character.
In contrast, the Times Square EDITION acts as an elevated, tranquil escape from the sensory overload awaiting you just outside its doors. Towering above 7th Ave, the hotel is a bright and airy space draped with lush greenery, while guestrooms prioritize natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy al fresco dining on The Terrace, a workout thanks to the property’s partnership with Solidcore, or a bit of nighttime fun at Paradise Club, the hotel’s nightlife concept created with House of Yes. This is the spot for you if you want a sanctuary where workout perks and lush plant-filled terraces balance out the energy of Broadway right outside.
Window Seat covers the intersection of luxury hospitality, aviation innovation, and the culture of modern travel, written by Tori Simokov, a writer and designer based in New York. For partnership opportunities: tori@v1projects.com. You can also connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, or ShopMy.