From the Monocle Quality of Life Conference

This week we bring you a special edition of The Concierge from Monocle’s recent Quality of Life Conference in Munich. Our panel – consisting of our editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, our editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, our Tokyo bureau chief, Fiona Wilson, and our design editor, Nic Monisse – answer au…

Merano, Kardamyli and Hamburg’s Aircraft Interiors Expo

We speak to Annalena Messner of the Miramonti boutique hotel about why our next trip should be to Merano. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Isabella Jewell writes to us from her favourite Hellenic hangout, Kardamyli, and Ed Stocker is in Hamburg to check out the Aircraft Interiors Expo. Plus: we spe…

S’Agaró, Lisbon and Net-a-Porter

We speak to Alberto Deapu, general manager of Hostal de La Gavina, about the end of the season in sunny S’Agaró and Monocle’s transport correspondent, Gabriel Leigh, updates us on the latest travel news. Also in the programme: we sit down with Libby Page, market director at Net-a-Porter, who tells …

Lake Como, Block Island and Estonia

This week we ask Vera Mazzoni, front of house manager at Villa d’Este in Lake Como, about summer on the water. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Chris Lord tastes the salty air on Block Island, New England and we speak to Maurizio Orlacchio of Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast – the first new hot…

Hong Kong, Venice and the Big Mamma Group

Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, joins us on the line from Hong Kong to discuss the best that the city has to offer. Also in the programme, Charlotte McDonald-Gibson is in Venice to tour the newly opened Venice Venice Hotel, we speak to the CEO of Big Mamma Group, Victor Lugger and Ed Sto…

Sicily, Saint Barths and Bratislava

This week, we speak to Toru Machida, president of Clefs d’Or Great Britain and head concierge at The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Milan correspondent, Ivan Carvalho, takes us to sunny Sicily to explore some of the region’s breathtaking offerings and Mary Holland chats …

Charleston, Taiwan and Basel

This week we speak to Ali Smith, the general manager of the boutique Pinch Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina and Clarissa Wei reports from the stunning northeastern coast of Taiwan. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Tom Webb explores the world of retail tourism with Sacha Zackariya, CEO of Changeg…

Antibes, Ontario and London’s Carl Friedrik

This week we speak to Gilles Bertolino, concierge of the renowned Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, about summers on the French Riviera. Also in the programme, we speak to the co-founder of London-based luxury luggage brand Carl Friedrik, who tells us how his work goes hand in hand with the world of travel. P…

Tokyo, Timor-Leste and Croatia

This week we speak to Aiko Imaizumi, chief concierge of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, about her recommendations for summer in the Japanese capital. We also meet Eliad Cohen, the Israeli DJ behind the Papa Party club night, and Naomi Xu Elegant tours Timor-Leste. Also in the programme: Raul Leal, CEO of SH…

Whistler, Zürich and Taipei

This week, Luc Frieseisen, senior concierge at The Dolder Grand in Zürich and president of Les Clefs d’Or Suisse, tells us about the illustrious organisation. We also speak to hotel furniture designer Pierre-Yves Rochon about his eclectic career and upcoming projects, and Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs …