Sandra‘s Closet

You Cannot Be Serious! The Mark Serves Up a $500,000 US Open Weekend
(Aug 30 – Sept 13, 2026)

Imagine trading forehands with John McEnroe in the morning, spooning Caviar Kaspia above the rooftops of Manhattan in the afternoon and sailing past the Statue of Liberty on a private yacht as the sun goes down. The legendary The Mark Hotel in New York has bundled all of this into one spectacular package: the Grand Slam Extravaganza.

For $500,000, up to six guests check into the largest hotel penthouse in North America for four nights during the US Open. The itinerary reads like a tennis lover’s fever dream: exclusive tickets to the semifinals and the men’s final, menus by Jean-Georges, a private chauffeur, a sail through New York Harbor on one of the last original Herreshoff yachts in the world and a terrace with sweeping views over Central Park, all wrapped in the iconic design by Jacques Grange.

The true highlight happens on court though. John McEnroe himself gives guests a private lesson at his tennis academy. Whether a legendary «You cannot be serious!» is part of the deal remains, sadly, not guaranteed.

Between matches, there is plenty of time to recover in the private Technogym, take a cold plunge with skyline views or sip Champagne on deck. And because even the most extravagant luxury can do good, part of the proceeds goes to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, which supports young talent.

Game, set and match to The Mark.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of THE MARK
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Greetings from Greece! Whitewashed houses, blue domes and the Aegean below: Santorini is the most beautiful backdrop I can imagine. For my walk through Oia I chose a colourful look that stands out against all that white and blue.

The wind turned my hair into a style of its own, so I simply let it fly. A little movement makes every picture better. If you travel to Santorini, pack colour. The island rewards every bold piece you bring.

My look: Open-back puff-sleeve cropped blouse in pink by Isabel Marant, paisley print midi length skirt by Dior, tassel necklace by Etro, Chanel 19 bag in rose leather by CHANEL, Oyster Perpetual 36 with a turquoise blue dial by Rolex, GG0597S cat eye sunglasses by Gucci, and woven leather sandals in brown by Fendi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Son Net, Mallorca stages the most spectacular sunset of the year. On 12 August 2026, the sky above Mallorca will darken for a few minutes, and the island will fall into a silence that no one has rehearsed. At Grand Hotel Son Net, set into the foothills of the Tramuntana and surrounded by gardens that have been growing for centuries, that silence has been given a soundtrack. A concert composed for one evening only, for one celestial event, for a moment that will not repeat itself.

Percussionists from the Symphony Orchestra and the Conservatory of the Balearic Islands will perform a program of newly written works in which symphonic textures meet oriental instruments. The compositions take their cue from the eclipse itself: the slow drain of light, the strange chill, the return. This is not background music for an astronomical event. It is an interpretation of one, which is a rather more ambitious proposition.

As the sky shifts through its colours, the landscape becomes part of the staging. Stone, citrus grove and mountain ridge all take on the light that is left. Nature writes the dramaturgy, the musicians supply the reading, and for a few minutes astronomy, sound and terrain occupy the same frame.

The setting could hardly be better cast. Twenty minutes from Palma, on a private seventeenth century estate within the UNESCO listed Tramuntana range, Son Net holds just 31 rooms and suites. Lorenzo Castillo designed the interiors, and the house has kept what matters: rustic beams, stone floors and vaulting, carved wooden ceilings, antique fireplaces, an original seventeenth century courtyard, a spring fed fountain and a private family chapel. A curated private art collection hangs throughout. Outside, 57,000 square metres of grounds hold several pools with shaded cabanas, an organic vegetable and herb garden, a small farm and a private vineyard.

Those who miss it have one further chance, and it is worth marking now. Sister property Finca Cortesin in Andalusia will see a partial eclipse this summer, but on 2 August 2027 the region moves into the path of totality, which will make the south of Spain the address of the moment.

A cosmic event. A concert written for it. An evening that exists exactly once.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cortesin Hotels
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A Weekend at Portrait Firenze: My Five Star Nest Above the Ponte Vecchio

Florence in celebration mode is a beautiful thing. I travelled to the city for my dear friend Petra’s birthday weekend, and while the festivities took me to some of the most magical corners of Tuscany, my home for two nights was a place I have to tell you about: Portrait Firenze, right on the Arno, with my suite overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.

The interiors are the work of Florentine architect Michele Bönan, who designed every house of the Lungarno Collection and drew his inspiration here from local craftsmanship and the birth of Italian haute couture in the 1950s, which explains the mid-century lines, the handmade furniture and that warm, quietly glamorous palette throughout my suite as you can see in the photos below.

Let me start with the feeling, because that is what sets this hotel apart. Portrait Firenze, which is part of Leading Hotels of the World, does not feel like a hotel at all. It feels like your own elegant Florentine residence. Even the check in happens as if you were sitting in a friend’s living room, relaxed, personal, without a classic reception counter in sight. You arrive, you sink into a beautiful chair, and from that moment on, you simply live there.

The service deserves its own love letter. On a Saturday, of all days, I ran into a little crisis: I could not download my photographer’s pictures from the birthday celebrations because I was missing a memory card reader. The team went above and beyond to track one down for me, on a weekend, in the middle of Florence. This is the kind of effort that turns a lovely stay into an unforgettable one.

And then, the food. Breakfast here is truly next level. You all know I am a devoted room service girl, and enjoying my morning coffee in the suite with the Ponte Vecchio glittering right outside the window was pure bliss. One more detail every woman will appreciate: my suite had mirrors in every single corner, even inside the shower.

Caffè dell’Oro, the bar directly in front of the hotel, also facing the bridge, is the perfect spot for a glass of Champagne (I am sorry, Bella Italia … I am not into Prosecco) while watching the Florentines and visitors stroll by. People watching at its most glamorous, I promise.

In the adjacent building, part of the neighbouring sister property, the 4-star Gallery Art Hotel, you will also find the fabulous 701 Rooftop Bar, and great art exhibitions. Portrait Firenze is currently being expanded even further, so there is more to come.

Now for the detail that will make every fashion lover’s heart beat faster: Portrait Firenze belongs to the Ferragamo family’s Lungarno Collection. At check in, you receive a card with lovely privileges, including 10 percent off at Ferragamo and special benefits at the restaurants belonging to the group.

The bathroom amenities are all by Ferragamo, and the suite is filled with wonderful books, many of them dedicated to fashion. Flipping through beautiful fashion volumes with that view? My idea of the perfect day in.

Portrait Firenze is special in the truest sense of the word. Discreet, warm, impeccably run, and steeped in Florentine style and fashion heritage. My weekend there felt like nesting in the most luxurious way possible, a true five star nest experience in the heart of Florence.

Until my next Florentine adventure!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Oliver Rauh / Courtesy of Portrait Firenze
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London’s oldest luxury hotel has handed three of its finest bedrooms to Sir Paul Smith, and the result is one of the most charming things to happen in Mayfair this summer. Opening in July 2026, the Paul Smith Grand Suite at Brown’s Hotel is conceived as a private London residence rather than a hotel suite, with three generous bedrooms connected by a bespoke Paul Smith corridor.

The collaboration brings together two great British institutions: Brown’s, the grande dame of Albemarle Street, and one of Britain’s most beloved designers, Paul Smith, who started his design empire in a small Nottingham shop in 1970. Created with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, the new suite evolves the much celebrated Sir Paul Smith Suite into something larger, warmer and even more personal.

Everything here carries his handwriting. Curtains in the iconic Signature Stripe, developed with Maharam Fabrics, are tied back with original Paul Smith ties, a detail I find completely irresistible. Rugs from the 2026 collection with The Rug Company anchor the rooms, while Harris Tweed adds a quiet nod to his current ready to wear collection.

British craftsmanship runs through the whole apartment like a red thread. Hand painted porcelain lamps by Lyngard, ceramics commissioned from Charlotte Salt and Elaine King, glass pieces by Emsie Sharp and Stewart Hearn. Add English antiques, historic Japanese screens and Sir Paul’s own collected treasures, and you have a residence with layers, humour and a real sense of a person living in it.

Mayfair, tailored.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Brown’s Hotel
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The Alpina Gstaad x Harry’s Bar: A London Favourite Returns to the Alps

Gstaad is speaking with an Italian accent this summer. From July 18 to 31, 2026, the legendary London private members’ club Harry’s Bar returns to The Alpina Gstaad for its first ever summer residency, trading Mayfair for mountain air and bringing its celebrated Northern Italian cuisine to an al fresco setting in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

This collaboration holds a special place in my heart. As a Committee Member at Annabel’s, which belongs to the Birley Clubs family just like Harry’s Bar, I know first hand the magic these houses create: impeccable food, effortless glamour and that rare feeling of being among friends the moment you walk in. Seeing a piece of this world transplanted to Gstaad, where Harry’s Bar so rarely appears outside its London home, feels like a little gift to the Alps.

Expect long, convivial lunches in the alpine sunshine that melt into stylish evenings under the open sky, with the club’s timeless signature dishes taking centre stage. After a successful winter appearance in February, Club Director Luciano Porcu promises a summer entirely in the spirit of Harry’s Bar: excellent food, even better company. A presto!

When to go:
Dinner is served daily from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm throughout the residency. From Friday to Sunday, lunch is also available from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Alpina Gstaad / Harry’s Bar
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Salsa has rhythm, whether you dance it or spoon it. This summer, the Aquazzura Bar serves both at once with an exclusive taco that lands every Tuesday in the Secret Garden of the Hotel de Russie, styled with tequila, salmon and lime.

The Aquazzura Bar is the result of a remarkable collaboration between the Italian luxury brand Aquazzura and Rome’s legendary Hotel de Russie. Tucked into the hotel’s Secret Garden, it unfolds as a small oasis of calm where Mediterranean flair meets Italian elegance, the perfect hideaway for intimate summer evenings under the open sky.

Throughout July and August, every Tuesday brings exclusive tacos to the menu, created especially for Taco Tuesday and available for a limited time only. Fresh and smoked salmon meet creamy avocado, fiery jalapeños and the delicate citrus note of finger lime, a harmonious composition that pairs beautifully with one of the bar’s signature tequila cocktails. Taco Tuesday becomes a delicious summer ritual: relaxed, refined and full of intense flavour.

Taco Tuesday Experience: € 32

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Hotel de Russie / Aquazzura
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From Mayfair to the South Downs: Brown’s Hotel Unveils the Town & Country Retreat

Mayfair in the morning, the rolling chalk hills of East Sussex by afternoon. Brown’s Hotel in London and The Star in Alfriston have joined forces to launch the Town & Country Retreat, a four day journey that pairs the cultural riches of the capital with the quiet beauty of the South Downs National Park.

On paper, the two hotels could hardly be more different. In spirit, they are kindred: both family run, both shaped by the unmistakable hand of designer Olga Polizzi, and both devoted to seasonal cooking, personal service and experiences rooted in their surroundings. Together they reveal two perfectly complementary sides of England, one urban, artistic and full of possibility, the other rural, unhurried and exceptionally beautiful.

Two Nights at Brown’s Hotel, London

The retreat opens with two nights in a newly renovated Deluxe Room at Brown’s, Mayfair’s grande dame. A curated programme grants guests rare access to the city: private backstage tours of the Royal Opera House or the Royal Ballet, a walk through Mayfair’s celebrated gallery scene with art historian Maeve Doyle, including exclusive entry to the Colnaghi Gallery, or a stroll in the footsteps of writers, artists and royals with historian Andy Williamson.

Come Thursday evening, After Dark Jazz fills the Drawing Room Bar with cocktails and live music, before dinner at Charlie’s under chef Adam Byatt brings the London chapter to a delicious close.

Two Nights at The Star, Alfriston

From London, guests travel by chauffeur or train to Alfriston, one of the prettiest villages in the South Downs. At The Star, run by Olga and Alex Polizzi, the pace slows beautifully: gentle hills, historic lanes and English country house charm, paired with a kitchen that celebrates seasonal produce and Italian inspired cooking.

Days here might mean hikes along the Seven Sisters, walks through Friston Forest or cycling across the national park. Culture lovers can book private tours and tastings at Rathfinny Wine Estate, visit Charleston, the former home of the Bloomsbury Group, or admire the famous murals by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant at Berwick Church. Private watercolour workshops, a visit to the former home of Lee Miller and stargazing in the South Downs dark sky reserve round out the programme. Even inside the hotel, art is everywhere, with works from Olga Polizzi’s personal collection lining the walls.

Two addresses, one journey, and the very best of England in four days. I already know which side of the wardrobe to pack for each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Brown’s Hotel and The Star
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Some souvenirs gather dust. This one gets worn. For summer 2026, Hotel La Palma, Oetker Hotels’ first hotel in Italy, has joined forces with Borsalino, Italy’s most storied hatmaker, to create an exclusive design available only at the hotel itself, and it may just be the chicest thing to come off the island since the Capri pant.

Few accessories capture Italian elegance quite like a Borsalino. Since 1857, the maison has crowned Hollywood legends and Dolce Vita icons alike with its impeccable craftsmanship. Now, the iconic silhouette receives a bespoke hatband in the signature Mediterranean hues of Hotel La Palma, transforming a classic into a wearable memory of Capri and an instant collector’s piece.

The pairing feels destined. Opened in 1822 and reimagined in 2023 by star designer Francis Sultana, Hotel La Palma is one of the island’s most desirable addresses: just 50 rooms and suites, steps from the Piazzetta, with interiors that channel Capri’s glamorous jet set era through a thoroughly modern lens.

More than a product collaboration, the partnership celebrates what makes Capri eternal: artisanal savoir faire, timeless style and that inimitable island spirit where fashion has always been part of the holiday itself. With curated collaborations like this one, Hotel La Palma continues to position itself as the creative meeting point of the island, where design, fashion and hospitality merge into a modern interpretation of la Dolce Vita.

My advice? Pack light and leave room in your Rimowa. This hat is worth the trip.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hotel La Palma
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To celebrate the art of travel that Louis Vuitton holds dear and to capture the light of California, the Maison unveils a series of travel cases reimagined for three of its iconic Colognes: Sun Song, California Dream and Afternoon Swim.

Crafted in translucent resin, these innovative cases are clad in vibrant color gradients that evoke the sun-drenched brilliance of the West Coast. The Monogram motif, delicately applied across the surface, lends the case its timeless signature. Transparency magnifies each Cologne, creating a chromatic spectacle in which light enhances its distinctive hues.

Sun Song Travel Case

For Sun Song, the case reveals an intensely sunny palette, from bright yellow to incandescent orange. It captures the light of glorious days and all the joy of the sun caressing one’s skin, visually prolonging the radiant, summery essence of the Cologne.

California Dream Travel Case

For California Dream, the case is clad in a gradient that recreates the Californian sky at sundown, moving from translucent pink to sky blue. This chromatic harmony transforms the case into a visual extension of the fragrance, an invitation to hold on to the lightness of a moment suspended in time.

Afternoon Swim Travel Case

The invigorating energy of Afternoon Swim finds its reflection in a case with oceanic hues, shifting from azure to abyssal blue. This refreshing, crystalline gradient captures the brilliance and power of a deep-sea dive, embodying the promise of aquatic vitality.

Travel Case, €950
Each version is available in a limited edition of 100 pieces, starting on July 2nd, 2026.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
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