BRYAN-TOLOGY: SERVICE DONE RIGHT AT BACCARAT HOTEL
When it comes to opulence, Baccarat Hotel in New York nails it.
While visiting New York as part of Estate Managers Coalition expansion on the East Coast, I got to experience its lavishness first hand. Here’s your peek into it!
This is Kelvin – the best doorman in New York.
Here’s service done right… Arrived promptly at 4:45 simultaneously as my wake up call. Notice how they think ahead by providing you with a to go cup!
Rooms also come stocked with treats from Laduree.
The room. I didn’t want to leave!
BRYAN-TOLOGY: HOW TO PACK LIKE AN A-LISTER
As an estate manager in Los Angeles I am responsible for flawlessly overseeing everything that happens in one of my estates, which includes ensuring that my principals arrive at their destination with perfectly packed suitcases and carry-on bags that satisfy every need while they are en route.
This time of year, many of my clients are headed to tropical locales like St. Barths or for a winter ski break in Aspen, and there is both an art and a science to how I help them arrive wrinkle-free and with everything they need and nothing they don’t.
Photo via @damselindior
Every artful packer knows that we must start with an inventory of what we need for the trip. Obviously the location is key and the weather and type of trip will dictate what to wear and how many outfits you might need.
Everything I do in my daily job to manage a 10,000 square-foot estate starts with a list, and that is how to start the packing process. I use my iPad to walk through the closets to make careful lists of what I will need for every person I need to pack. It’s incredibly useful to have a visual of all of the clothing while I strategically make a list of what I will need.
Here are my top tips for how to pack like an A-lister:
- Save plastic bags from the dry cleaners and use those to carefully wrap delicates in, such as lingerie, cashmere sweaters or a pressed shirt or suit.
- Place the heaviest items at the bottom of the suitcase first, including shoes, heavy coats or curling irons. Use shoe bags for each pair of shoes to keep everything clean.
- Make the most of the space in your suitcase by folding everything and layering it neatly inside. My secret weapon, and don’t tell anyone, is wrapping each item in white acid free buffered tissue paper, it keeps each item fresh and clean and it makes for a pleasant unpacking experience.
- Use cardboard squares that dry cleaners use for exquisitely folded shirts; everything looks like it came from a boutique when I am done with it.
- Make sure toiletries are packed in bags lined in plastic in case anything spills, and then I double guarantee that nothing will spill by enclosing the toiletry bag in a larger plastic bag.
- If you’re not traveling with my principal, email him or her the original packing list, that way they can cross-reference when they return to ensure they don’t leave anything behind.
My clients always arrive with flawlessly packed suitcases and wrinkle-free clothing, which sets the tone for a successful business trip or a relaxing holiday.
Bon voyage!
PHOTOS FROM “LUXURY TRAVEL” ESTATE MANAGERS COALITION EVENT AT NETJETS
An evening to remember! Thank you to Netjets for hosting, Elite Luxury Travel for their generous raffle prizes to places around globe and everyone for coming out and showing their devoted support. This was the best EMC event yet!
A big thank you to the following companies, we could not do it without you.
Flowers by the Flower Box
Beverage and Bar Service by Black Lab Ventures
Catering by Choux Choux
Desserts by N.S.R.
Wine provided by Round Pond Estate
Lemonade provided by Hubert’s Lemonade
Photography and A/V by The Video Syndicate
Valet by Crystal Valet
Lighting by King Dahl
Rentals by Classic Party Rentals
See more photos from the Estate Managers Coalition “Luxury Travel” event on www.facebook.com/estatemanagerscoalition.
#1RESOURCE IN KAUAI, HAWAII
Loved meeting Stephanie Michaels of www.kauaibystephanie.com and welcoming her as a new corporate member of Estate Managers Coalition. She is awesome and I highly recommend her for all things Kauai, Hawaii!
PRIVATE AIR TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Check List Private Travel:
- Make reservation, acquire tail number and make initial food and beverage request 24hrs in advance call to confirm tail number and departure.24 hrs.
- In advance confirm departure time with principals and which FBO they will be departing from.Ensure car is clean if you are driving principals and filled with gas.
- Stock car with beverages and snacks if necessary also ensuring car is stocked with toiletries, chap stick, paper goods, pens, etc.
- Arrive early to pre-load car if you are not doing the packing assuming packing has already been completed.
- Have a list of topics and/or subjects to discuss with the principals that are important should they ask on the way, remember this is one of the key and rare opportunities that you have them as a captive audience so be prepared for it.
- Once you arrive at the gate to the tarmac, press the call button and announce the tail number.(Have this ready on a piece of paper, NOT YOUR PHONE!! You do not want to give them the impression that you text while driving their cars especially with them in the car!!)
- The ground crew will inform you as to which side to pull up to the plane.
- First and foremost open the door for your principals so that they can board as you simultaneously instruct the ground crew which bags get loaded and grant them access to the trunk or other bags.
- You personally carry on the principals carry-on luggage so that you can personally hand it to them and wish them a comfortable flight if you are not traveling with them and
A. check that the food and beverage order is correct.
B. Talk to the pilots and flight crew. I always use this opportunity to make sure they are not or have not been drinking the night before i.e. no blood shot eyes, smell of alcohol, disheveled look, etc.
Remember, this is your source of income they are flying and it is your responsibility to always have their back. If something should seem awry you can always approach the principal with the information and then ultimately it is their decision how they wish to proceed.If your principal likes cards i.e. solitaire, poker, etc. always have an extra 2-4 decks of cards in the car or placed in their carry on along with favorite magazines as it gives them an opportunity to catch up. I usually ask the flight company to do this for me, but have learned in the past that its best to make sure it gets done myself.Once above is completed and you have been cleared by ground crew you are free to leave. However, I prefer to pull the car over to the side out of the way and wait for take-off just in case they have forgotten something or I am needed for anything else.
PASSPORT CARDS
Be sure your principals and their kids have passport cards. They can be used in lieu of passport books in Mexico, Canada, Carribean an Bermuda and fit conveniently in your wallet much like a credit card. Apply today at www.travel.state.gov.
PRIVATE AIR TRAVEL IN LA
My Personal Favorite is Maguire Air Travel in Van Nuys. Ask for Amanda Sturges, who also works at the Hotel Bel Air. She is sweet and efficient.
