Flying High: The New SWISS Senses on the A350

Flying High: My First Impressions of SWISS Senses on the A350

There are people who view flying as a necessary evil. I am not one of them. For me, stepping onto a plane is pure joy, a ritual I look forward to the moment I book a ticket. So when I flew the brand-new SWISS A350 to Boston and back to Zurich, I was already smiling before I reached the gate.

The SWISS Senses cabin concept is the airline’s most significant product investment in its history, part of a broader 2.5 billion Euro overhaul across the Lufthansa Group. And Boston holds a special place in this story: it was the very first intercontinental destination the A350 ever served, with flights launching in November 2025. So in a way, flying this route felt like being part of something historic.

The experience begins long before you board. One of the things I genuinely love about flying First Class with SWISS is the ritual of it: dedicated check-in, your own security lane, being driven to the aircraft. It sets a tone. It signals that the next several hours belong entirely to you.

The First Class cabin on the A350 is intimate by design. Just three suites, each a private sanctuary with walls nearly six feet high and sliding doors that close the world away. The bathroom is spacious and offers great amenities.

On my outbound flight I sat in 1K, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The aisle beside that seat sees almost no traffic, which means the privacy feels absolute.

On the return I was in 1A, which sits across from the middle suite. If you are travelling as a couple, 1A paired with the booked middle suite is actually a lovely configuration: you face each other across a natural divide and can keep your doors open to create your own little world within the world.

I would, however, caution anyone against booking the middle suite as a pair without thinking it through carefully. Sharing it means one person must essentially climb over the other to exit. There is only a single screen, so agreeing on what to watch becomes non-negotiable. And the absence of a window makes it feel surprisingly enclosed, almost claustrophobic. Given that it commands a premium over the already premium First Class fare, I struggle to justify the cost unless you are truly content to be in your own cocoon together.

The suite itself is beautiful. Thoughtfully designed, genuinely luxurious in feel. The iPad-based control system is a real improvement over what came before: intuitive, elegant, effortless.

The personal wardrobe with its proper coat hanger is a small touch that makes an outsized difference when you board with a longer jacket and simply do not want to fold it into an overhead bin.

Speaking of which: storage. This is where I must be honest. For a First Class passenger, especially one who travels as I do with a carry-on trolley and a weekend bag, the space is simply not generous enough. The under-seat compartment fits one; the other must find a home elsewhere. On both flights the crew was wonderful and accommodated my trolley in their own storage, but this should not be necessary at such a price point. In Business Class, the situation is even more pronounced because the central overhead bins were removed in the new configuration, creating a genuine shortage of overhead space throughout the cabin. Coats, too, must be managed independently in Business, where there is no equivalent of the First Class wardrobe.

The Business Class cabin is worth a visit, even if only to look. The SWISS Senses concept offers five distinct seat types: the Business Suite, Privacy Seat, Extra Space Seat, Classic Seat and Extra Long Bed Seat, all with direct aisle access. My personal favourite configuration from what I observed is the centre pair with a table on each side. For a solo traveller or a couple who enjoy their own space, it is genuinely excellent. However, if you are travelling as a family or with young children, the layout becomes challenging. Many seat pairings face away from each other into the aisle rather than toward one another, which makes the physical closeness of family travel oddly disconnected. It is one of those things the design did not fully account for.

I also took a brief look at the Premium Economy, and it genuinely impressed me. The value proposition there is real, and I can imagine recommending it without hesitation to someone who wants a step up without the full investment.

The food, as always with SWISS, was outstanding. I will never tire of eating at 35,000 feet. There is something eternally civilised about a beautifully set tray and a glass of wine above the clouds.

Now for two honest caveats. On my return flight, the iPad system failed entirely, which was frustrating in a way that would have been unthinkable in a more established product. We also had overhead lighting that could not be switched off and ultimately had to be covered with tape, which is not quite the first impression this extraordinary aircraft deserves. And the Starlink Wi-Fi, though very much a selling point, dropped in and out on both legs rather than delivering the seamless connectivity promised. These are early days for the aircraft on this route, and I fully expect the teething troubles to be resolved quickly. SWISS is too detail-oriented an airline to let these things linger.

What stays with me is the feeling. SWISS is an airline that genuinely cares about the experience it creates. My SWISS Senator status means I can access better seats without a surcharge and even use miles toward First Class, and I am reminded every time I travel with them why loyalty to a single airline is worthwhile.

The new SWISS Senses on the A350 is not a perfect product yet, but it is a magnificent one. If you have the opportunity to experience it, take it.

And if Boston is the destination, even better: you will be flying one of the most storied new routes in recent European aviation history. Bon voyage.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Portrait Hotels: Where Italy Feels Like Home

Portrait Hotels: Where the Ferragamo Legacy Meets the Art of Personalised Living

Some hotel collections are built on amenities. The Portrait Hotels are built on something far rarer: the belief that true luxury is not a standard to be met, but a life to be lived.

The Ferragamo S/S 2023 fashion show was held in the open-air courtyard of the Portrait Milano

Born from the Lungarno Collection, the hospitality arm of the Ferragamo family, Portrait is the brand’s most refined expression yet. Three iconic addresses, three Italian cities, one guiding philosophy: that a hotel should feel less like a destination and more like a home you never knew you had.

At the heart of each Portrait property is a dedicated Lifestyle Team whose sole purpose is to dissolve the distance between guest and city. Personal recommendations, curated experiences, and an instinctive attentiveness to individual preference transform every stay into something entirely one’s own. As proud members of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Portrait addresses occupy some of the most storied corners of Rome, Florence, and Milan.

Portrait Roma unfolds across 14 magnificent suites on the Via Condotti, Rome’s most distinguished address, steps from the Spanish Steps and the eternal theatre of the Dolce Vita. The crown jewel, the Penthouse Trinità dei Monti, opens onto a private terrace with views of one of the world’s most iconic monuments. A rooftop lounge completes the picture: breakfast as the city stirs, cocktails as it glitters.

Portrait Firenze is a suite-only sanctuary poised above the Arno, a quiet remove from the energy of the Ponte Vecchio and the boutiques of the Via Tornabuoni. Florentine architect Michele Bönan designed interiors that feel at once personal and timeless, translating the city’s Renaissance sensibility into the language of contemporary elegance. Here, the hotel does not surround the city. The city surrounds the hotel.

Portrait Milano, the collection’s most ambitious chapter, opened in 2022 within a magnificently restored former archiepiscopal seminary on Corso Venezia. Architect Michele De Lucchi oversaw the building’s meticulous transformation, while Michele Bönan furnished 73 rooms and suites with his signature blend of warmth and precision. At the heart of the property, the Piazza del Quadrilatero, a sweeping open courtyard of over 2,800 square metres, creates a new promenade connecting two of the city’s most elegant streets. The property also houses Longevity, a pioneering urban spa that fuses biohacking technology with the holistic principles of Blue Zone philosophy, a first of its kind in a major European city.

Across all three addresses, the Portrait spirit remains constant: craft over convention, intimacy over grandeur, and the quiet confidence of a family that has always understood that the finest things in life are made, not manufactured.

I had the privilege of experiencing this world first-hand at an intimate dinner in Zurich, hosted at Ornellaia alongside Valeriano Antonioli, CEO of the Lungarno Collection. The evening was a culinary journey through Italy in miniature: sparkling Bollicine from Trentino to begin, followed by a menu that moved gracefully from Milan to Florence to Rome, mirroring the very cities where the Portrait houses reside. To sit next to the man who steers this remarkable collection, and to hear the story of the brand told with such passion and conviction, was a reminder that behind every great hotel is a great vision. I left the evening with a deep appreciation for what Portrait Hotels represents and a genuine excitement to experience the properties themselves.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Portrait Hotels and © Sandra Bauknecht
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My Look: Kinky Boots

Red leather, knee-high. Lola knew what she was doing. A boot like this changes your posture before it changes anything else, and you feel it the moment you stand. I wore mine at L’Oscar London, which runs a Kinky Boots package until July 11, 2026 and which looks like a stage that has been waiting all day for an entrance.

Then the coat. Embroidered, a showpiece that could headline on its own. The rule says pick one hero piece. I wore two –  including the clutch, it actually makes three.

My look: Renata embellished maxi coat by Alice + Olivia, cotton-poplin and jersey bodysuit by Valentino, vintage red leather boots by Prada, rushed logo belt by CHANEL, hedgehog clutch by JW Anderson, and crystal heart clip-on earrings in gold-tone brass by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @georgiashane
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Haute Wellness Dior

HAUTE WELLNESS DIOR COLLECTION BY DIOR MASON

A tribute to personal fulfillment, the Haute Wellness Dior line – designed by Cordelia de Castellane – brings together creations dedicated to sports and well-being. In collaboration with Christian Dior Parfums, these items enhance the Dior wellness experience at its partner spas and hotels. Some pieces are available exclusively in boutiques and on the Maison’s website, as well as in Dior Spas.

It is composed of a routine devised around three pillars: gentle physical exercise, mindfulness, and sleep.

Blending comfort and a graphic conception, cannage – the House’s signature motif – is incorporated in gold thread on each piece, in shades of blue and ivory.

The fitness set celebrates the art of movement: three elastic bands, a yoga brick, rings, and weights.

A yoga mat, a Pilates mat, and charming water bottles complete the set. Wellness essentials prolong this interlude of calm with a silk pillowcase and sleep mask. As an ultimate surprise, the 5 Minutes Journal is an invitation to refocus and nourish the mind with thought-provoking questions and inspiring quotes. All these accessories are conceived for moments of rejuvenation synonymous with joy and freedom.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior
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Chopard Alpine Eagle Eden Rock St Barths

Chopard Alpine Eagle Eden Rock St Barths: 100 Reasons to Book a Flight

You cannot buy these watches in Geneva. Not in Paris, not in Zurich. Chopard’s four new Alpine Eagle Eden Rock – St Barths editions, each limited to 25 pieces, are sold in exactly one place on earth: at Eden Rock St Barths itself. I call that the most elegant sales strategy of the year.

Full disclosure: I am hopelessly biased. Eden Rock is one of my favourite hotels in the world, and I treasure the memory of being there with David Matthews, whose family turned this rocky promontory above St Jean Bay into Caribbean legend.

Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele I have known for years. One of my favourite photos shows us on a boat together with Anna Netrebko and Petra Němcová. So yes, this collaboration speaks to me on every level.

The watches themselves? Pure Alpine Eagle, dressed for the islands. 36 mm with diamond set bezels or 41 mm in clean polished metal, in Lucent Steel™Chopard’s high-performance alloy with an 80% recycled content – or 18 karat ethical rose gold. The white iridescent dials carry the collection’s signature sunburst inspired by an eagle’s iris, while a red seconds hand winks at the hotel’s famous red and white identity.

The sapphire caseback is engraved with the Eden Rock name, and both COSC certified movements, the 09.01-C and the 01.15-C, deliver the precision Chopard is known for.

Caroline says, «she wanted each piece to feel like a warm Caribbean breeze carried on the wings of the Alpine Eagle.» After last year’s Happy Sport edition, this is the second chapter between the Maison and the hotel, and clearly not the last.

Alpine soul, island light. See you in St Barths.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Watches: © Chopard
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When Berlin Meets Palm Beach

PALM BEACH CALLING: VEE COLLECTIVE AND OETKER HOTELS LAUNCH AN EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL BAG COLLECTION

Berlin and Palm Beach do not seem like obvious neighbours. But when Oetker Hotels tapped Vee Collective for an exclusive collaboration, the distance between the two felt suddenly irrelevant.

Vee Collective was founded in 2017 by Lili Radu and Patrick Löwe in Berlin, and the brand’s rise since then is the kind of story that makes you pay attention. Starting with a clear premise, lightweight, versatile bags in 100% recycled and vegan materials for women who actually travel, they have built a global following without compromising either the aesthetic or the ethics. B Corp certified with a score of 98.7, stocked in luxury department stores and concept stores worldwide, and still operating with a tight-knit team of fewer than twenty people. That kind of growth does not happen by accident.

Oetker Hotels, the group behind Le Bristol Paris, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, and Eden Rock in St Barths, has chosen the launch of The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, its first US property, as the setting for this new partnership. The timing is deliberate. The Vineta represents a new chapter for the group, and pairing it with one of the most interesting accessory brands to come out of Germany in years sets an interesting tone from the start.

Two exclusive models have been designed for The Vineta in the colourway Vineta Blush: the Essence Trench Medium Tote at € 299 and the Porter Weekender at € 329. The collection is available exclusively through vee-collective.com and The Webster in Miami Beach. Each Oetker property in the collaboration will receive its own bespoke version, which means this is a partnership built to evolve rather than disappear after a single drop.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Oetker Hotels / Vee Collective
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Louis Vuitton Horizon Aluminum

When Louis Vuitton launched its first collaboration with Marc Newson over 10 years ago, he was already the most celebrated industrial designer of his generation. His portfolio spanned virtually every field, from furniture to aircraft, and his futuristic aluminium chair, the Lockheed Lounge, had repeatedly commanded staggering sums at auction.

For Louis Vuitton, he created a limited-edition biomorphic rucksack in 2014 to celebrate the Monogram, and since 2016 has crafted an exclusive glass bottle for Louis Vuitton fragrances.

But another ambitious project, blending heritage and creativity, was quietly underway: to conceive a reliable and revolutionary suitcase that would be to 21st-century travellers what the trunk once was to Louis Vuitton’s contemporaries.

In 2016, the Horizon was launched. Reduced to its simplest form, the suitcase captures the boldness, sleek lines and innovative materials that define Marc Newson’s work, inspired by his own experiences as a seasoned traveller.

Over the past decade, the Horizon has established itself as an iconic Louis Vuitton piece. Available in canvas or leather, it can be personalised with colours and motifs from the House’s seasonal collections.

2026: The launch of Horizon Aluminum

To mark the 10th anniversary of this collaboration, Louis Vuitton is embarking on a new chapter with the Horizon Aluminum, the House’s first aluminum suitcase.

Renowned for its durability and boundless recyclability, aluminum perfectly embodies Louis Vuitton’s Art of Travel and Marc Newson’s creative vision. A signature material of the designer’s work, aluminium also echoes the House’s history, when, at the end of the 19th century, Louis Vuitton designed aluminum trunks for explorers. This fusion of heritage and innovation has produced a new generation of suitcases, crafted for the modern traveller.

Like so often in design, the simpler an object appears and the more fluid its aesthetic, the more complex its design tends to be. This is certainly true of the Horizon Aluminum, whose demanding specifications are rooted in durability and sleek lines. It was in the very qualities of aluminum and in Louis Vuitton’s heritage that Marc Newson found the solution.

The shell is created through a series of stamping and laser-cutting processes. This stamping process allows aluminum sheets to be shaped whilst retaining the rounded curves that form the signature features of the Horizon suitcase.

The final stage of the stamping process involves creating embossed patterns in the aluminum to reinforce the case’s structural rigidity. One of the technical challenges lies in embossing the Monogram motif instead of the usual grooves typically found on this type of case. More than simply a signature feature, the Monogram thus becomes a key structural element.

True to his minimalist aesthetic, Marc Newson then set about making mechanical components such as rivets and hinges invisible, as these would detract from the Horizon’s clean lines.

A true technical feat, to preserve the purity of the design, traditional rivets have been replaced by an ultra-thin frame system attached to the shell. This concept of shells crafted from a single-piece, full-depth 3D mould, with no folding or riveting, is a first in luggage design.

Horizon Aluminum is the first rivet-free aluminum suitcase on the market

Traditional external hinges have been replaced by innovative concealed hinges. Similar to an elegant watch mechanism, this new type of hinge is now integrated into the interior of the suitcase without taking up any additional space. Built to travel in all conditions and withstand any challenge, the Horizon Aluminum offers exceptional resistance to impact, yet bears any dents and scratches as cherished souvenirs, acquired during its travel adventures.

Another hallmark of excellence is the optimised interior capacity, designed to accommodate essentials and personal belongings. The Trolley system is located on the outside of the case, and the interior lining is thermoformed to create a perfectly flat main compartment, providing unrivalled capacity compared to other products on the market. The main compartment features two retaining straps, whilst the zipped upper compartment also houses a zipped pocket.

The innovative extra-wide telescopic handle provides exceptional grip and outstanding ease of rolling. The enlarged wheels, crafted from a flexible material, absorb shocks and vibrations, ensuring a smooth and noise-free experience. The high handle and the leather-covered side handle make it easy to carry by hand.

A signature feature of Louis Vuitton, VVN or black leather, with its natural and refined feel, adorns the corners and handles. Security is at the heart of this design. In addition to its highly resistant shells and frame, the Horizon Aluminum is fitted with TSA-certified locks (Transportation Security Administration), facilitating suitcase checks during security inspections.

A protective cover with openings for the wheels, top handle and trolley protects the suitcase during storage while allowing discreet mobility. The ingenious leather luggage tag can double as a bag hook to secure any extra bag on top of the suitcase.

Accompanying the Horizon Aluminum, the Vanity Case features the same aesthetic and technical design cues: aluminium embossed with the Monogram, no rivets, an ultra-slim frame, concealed hinges, an ultra-slim TSA combination lock, and VVN or black leather trim.

Its versatile interior features a patch pocket on the base, two small patch pockets at the front, and a central divider with a zipped pocket. The central divider is fully removable via a press-stud system, creating a single, more spacious compartment. An elastic strap on the back of the Vanity Case allows it to be secured to the suitcase’s telescopic handle.

Care and Repair

Built to stand the test of time, Horizon Aluminum incorporates innovative technology that makes maintenance and repairs easier. The lining is simple to remove in-store, offering access to all components, including the wheels. Leather elements can be restored or replaced on request. This focus on Care and Repair forms part of a local approach enabling all repairs to be carried out in- store or at Louis Vuitton’s regional workshops, bringing the service closer to the client.

Designed to stand up to the demands of the modern traveller, Horizon Aluminum embodies the Louis Vuitton Art of Travel, capturing the essence of the House passed down from generation to generation.

A high-tech masterpiece, a travel companion of exceptional elegance, a suitcase that sets a new standard in high-end luggage. Through its innovative engineering, clean lines and exceptional durability, the Horizon Aluminum marks a new chapter in the Louis Vuitton travel experience.

For tips how to pack your suitcase perfectly, click here for a photo shoot with Louis Vuitton about «The Art of Packing

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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My Look: Social Butterfly

Some backdrops are simply made for fashion. And L’oscar London, with its theatrical baroque interiors and that extraordinary butterfly wall, happens to be one of them. Before heading out to celebrate my dear friend Monica’s birthday, I took a moment in my hotel to capture this look, and honestly, the setting did half the work.

There is something deliciously dramatic about L’oscar London. The décor is bold, layered, and unapologetically opulent, the kind of place where every corner feels like a stage set. That butterfly wall in particular is pure magic, both whimsical and grand at once. The perfect mirror for a night that was about to unfold in equally spectacular fashion.

My Chicago girl chose The Berkeley for her London birthday celebration, and what a celebration it was. The kind of evening that reminds you why dressing up matters, why effort has its own reward, and why the best friendships are the ones that make you fly across cities without a second thought.

So yes, a social butterfly in every sense. Not the restless kind who flits from surface to surface, but the kind who transforms, who shows up, who makes the moment.

And the outfit? Very much part of the story.

My look: Rachel black jumpsuit by Nadine Merabi, Angel platform sandals by Gucci, VSLING mini top handle handbag in black with sparkling embroidery by Valentino, silver-tone crystal clip earrings and crystal-embellished snake necklace, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @georgiashane
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Dolce & Gabbana Takes Over Hotel Cala Di Volpe

Just in time for the summer season, the Costa Smeralda is getting its most glamorous and quintessentially Italian makeover yet. Dolce & Gabbana has partnered with the legendary Hotel Cala di Volpe to transform one of Europe’s most storied luxury retreats into a sun-drenched stage set worthy of a Vogue editorial.

The Cala di Volpe needs little introduction. Designed in the 1960s by French architect Jacques Couëlle and nestled into a breathtaking Sardinian bay, the property has long been regarded as a sculptural masterpiece, its whitewashed terraces and terracotta rooflines evoking the romance of a traditional fishing village. It is, in short, the perfect canvas for Italian fashion’s most theatrical house.

At the heart of the collaboration is the iconic Majolica print, one of Dolce & Gabbana’s most beloved and enduring signatures. Rooted in the centuries-old ceramic tradition of Sicily, the motif draws directly from the hand-painted tiles of Caltagirone, a city whose majolica staircases and intricate decorative craftsmanship have defined the island’s visual identity since the Arabs brought the art form to Sicily in the 9th century.

Domenico Dolce, himself a Sicilian, has woven this heritage into the brand’s DNA since the print first gained widespread attention with the S/S 2016 collection. What makes the Majolica print so compelling is its characteristic bi-chromatic palette: elaborate botanical and arabesque motifs rendered in rich contrasting hues against a light ground, evoking the hand of a master ceramicist translated into fabric.

Each season, Dolce & Gabbana reinterprets the print in a new signature colour. Last summer, that colour was a luminous lemon yellow (gialla). This year, the house has moved on to a vibrant orange (arancione). And it is that very yellow, from the 2025 season, that forms the backdrop of the Cala di Volpe takeover, tying the hotel’s sun-soaked aesthetic directly to one of the most talked-about print stories in recent fashion memory. I have the perfect outfit for the occasion, click here to see it.

For this exclusive partnership, the Majolica Gialla pattern envelops the two terraces of the hotel’s iconic Atrium Bar, the chicest meeting point on the entire coastline. Elaborately decorated cabanas and hand-painted vases complete the immersive tableau, turning every corner into a moment.

Beyond the visual takeover, the brand has opened an exclusive pop-up store directly within the hotel, offering a curated edit of ready-to-wear and accessories conceived specifically for this setting. Think effortless summer dressing with the unmistakable DG sensibility: bold, sun-kissed, and unapologetically luxurious.

For anyone fortunate enough to be on the Costa Smeralda this season, a stop at Cala di Volpe is more than a hotel visit. It is a full Dolce & Gabbana lifestyle experience, set against one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular backdrops.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cala di Volpe and © Sandra Bauknecht
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A Pool Takeover of the Highest Order

Marbella has always known how to seduce. I got married there. But this summer, the pool at Nobu Hotel Marbella has been transformed into something altogether more intoxicating. Amouage, the Omani luxury house whose perfumes read like love letters to the senses, has taken over one of the most storied pools on the Golden Mile with Love Hibiscus, the newest chapter of its Secret Garden collection. The result is an immersive sensory world that turns an afternoon in the Andalusian sun into something closer to ceremony.

Scarlet accents command the scene from every angle, from the sun loungers to the parasols, all united in a palette as vivid and unapologetic as the hibiscus blossom itself. The pool menu, naturally, has been reimagined for the occasion. A bespoke Hibiscus Iced Drink gleams in the afternoon light, accompanied by delicate Hibiscus Palm Hearts, a pairing at once refined and deeply sensorial.

«The heart note of salted caramel is a homage to the palm hearts of my childhood, soft, familiar, and yet surprising. Combined with the radiant luminosity of the hibiscus flower, what emerges is a composition full of warmth and sensuality. Opening the summer at the pool of Nobu Hotel Marbella feels like a natural continuation of that memory.» – Renaud Salmon, Chief Creative Officer of Amouage.

Pop-Up and Masterclasses: An Invitation Behind the Curtain

At the heart of the takeover stands a beautifully conceived pop-up store, designed around Amouage’s iconic Caterpillar Table and offering guests a rare point of access to the world of Love Hibiscus. Fragrance experts lead weekly sessions through the collection with a thoroughness that never loses its sense of wonder. Every purchase is accompanied by a hand-crafted silk flower, made in Milan, alongside an exclusive sample to carry the memory home.

For the true devotee, private Amouage Masterclasses take place poolside each week, limited to just ten guests at a time. These intimate gatherings offer a deep immersion into the secrets of the fragrance house, with hibiscus-themed culinary highlights, an exclusive gift, and the singular pleasure of having a resident artist create a hand-painted postcard tailored to each guest. It is the kind of personalised luxury that no algorithm can replicate.

From Suite to Reception: A Hotel Transformed

The Love Hibiscus experience does not begin and end at the water’s edge. On arrival, guests discover the scent already waiting in their rooms, introduced as the hotel’s new welcome amenity. At the reception, beautifully curated fragrance testers invite a moment of pause and discovery. For guests of the exclusive villas, the full Love Hibiscus bath collection awaits, including the Shower Gel and Hair Mist, each one a small ritual engineered for what can only be described as a perfect summer glow.

The DNA of a Collaboration

Amouage was founded in 1983 as «The Gift of Kings,» born from a commission by Sultan Qaboos bin Said as an exclusive offering for distinguished guests of the Sultanate of Oman. The house has since become a cultured obsession among perfume lovers and collectors alike, its creations consistently occupying a rarefied space where opulence and artistry meet.

Love Hibiscus, created in collaboration with master perfumer Jérôme Epinette, draws inspiration from the hibiscus of the Omani landscape. Scarlet, gourmand, and defiantly opulent, the fragrance finds its summer home with an elegance that feels almost predestined. The hibiscus, after all, grows in the gardens close to the hotel’s own shores, its petals catching the same sun-drenched light that defines the legendary Golden Mile.

The Amouage x Nobu Pool experience is open daily from 11am to 7pm. Pack your sunglasses. Summer in Marbella has never been this intense.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Nobu Hotel Marbella
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