72 Hours Before the Met Gala: Inside a NYC Hotel

By Dan Howarth

Hey [HAP]ers!

Okay, last Italy newsletter for a while, I promise!

Amid all the usual talk of the hottest installations, best exhibitions, and chicest dinners during Salone del Mobile in Milan—which I yapped about last week—a new question emerged as a hot topic during the press previews and aperitivo hours: “Where are you going afterwards?” This year, the biggest flex for attendees appeared to be decompression destinations they would travel to following the chaos of design week.

I’ve added extra days to my annual Milan trips for many years now, capitalizing the occasion to visit destinations like Cinque Terre, Amalfi, and Lake Como that are a relatively easy train ride (or two) away from Italy’s bustling business hub. I’m sure many other US-based visitors have done the same too. But in 2026, it became evident that luxury hospitality brands caught onto the opportunity, and invited esteemed guests who would already be in Italy for Salone to experience their new or revitalized properties post-event. 

For example, a strong contingent went to The Lake Como Edition (including Martha Stewart) or nearby Grand Hotel Tremezzo to unwind, while another group featuring the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow attended the lavish reopening celebration for Belmond’s Villa San Michele perched above Florence. Others journeyed to the historic Hotel Sacher in Vienna, and a few more scattered across the continent to extend their trips at luxury spots everywhere from Paris to Puglia.

My choice this year was Tuscany, where I’d already spent a week prior to Milan, but I decided to come back for more. In lieu of more parties and dinners, I was ready for some alone time, off the beaten path. So I took the fast train to Rome, then a regional line up to Monte Argentario—a peninsula off the south Tuscan coast that’s a favorite summer spot for Romans. The location has gained global notoriety as the home of Hotel Il Pellicano, but I stayed around the coast at the other luxury property, La Roqqa, in charming, low-key Porto Ercole. Read more about my two-night refresh below, and dive into Ruby Gregg’s news bites too.

Grazie mille, and back to NYC I go! D x

- Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor

By Dan Howarth

Porto Ercole is a real Italian seaside town. It’s not quite as photogenic as Portofino or Positano, which seems to have saved it from international tourists (for now). However, it’s still very picturesque and authentically charming, snuggled against the green slopes of Monte Argentario and the shallow bay they form below. The only road in and out is via the island town of Orbetello and a causeway that connects with the volcanic peninsula, also aiding its isolation from the tourist hoards. Many Romans have summer homes here, but April is still no way near warm enough for many of them, so the town feels slow and sleepy despite the sunshine.

Overlooking the marina’s collection of small yachts, sailing boats, and fishing vessels from a lofty perch is a cayenne-colored building that houses the relatively new La Roqqa hotel (read Emma Reynolds’ earlier review for HAP here). Opened in 2023, following the renovation of a dilapidated guest house by designers Palomba Serafini Associati, this 47-room boutique spot has received a fair bit of attention for its 1960-70s interiors and vibey beach club. The common areas present a catalog of Italian furniture design classics, while the guest rooms are drenched in terracotta, sage green, and sky blue depending on which floor they’re located (the larger suites are off-white). The rooftop restaurant, Scirocco, was admittedly a little chilly for al fresco dining on crisp April mornings and evenings, but the Tuscan dinner menu by Executive Chef Francesco Ferretti was immediately warming. Cocktails include a tomato-inspired selection and specials based on paintings by Italian master Carravagio, who spent his final days in Porto Ercole before his death in 1610.

Since I was here primarily to recover from Milan design week, I spent the day between my nights largely horizontal at the hotel’s idyllic Isolotto Beach Club. A short but steep walk away—a shuttle is available, and advised for the uphill journey back—this little piece of whitewashed heaven unfolds down a series of terraces to a rocky beach below, where parasol-shaded loungers face the impossibly blue water. While I wasn’t totally alone, it was extremely quiet compared to how lively I’m sure it becomes during the summer. Basking under the sun in a very comfortable 68-degree heat, I moved very little while friendly servers brought me spritzes and snacks, and helped fend off a hungry seagull. Lunch under the restaurant’s raffia umbrellas involved a perfect panzanella salad—a local staple that mixes croutons with tomatoes and greens. Although a private event cut my day there a little short, I returned to the town to find a marina-side pizzeria for a diavola and a Peroni, before crawling into bed at 9:30pm.

The next morning, I wandered down into the Spanish medieval walled town, or borgo, at the base of Fort La Rocca that once guarded the strategically located bay. The “Carravagio route” guides visitors through the narrow, switchback streets, under corbeled archways and past clouds of fragrant jasmine clinging to ancient stonework, to the hospital where the artist spent his final days. It’s a relatively unassuming site, but the walk through the charming fortified town is worth following the trail anyway. Between the aimless strolling, beach club lounging, and relative solitude from other tourists, this was the perfect place to refresh and recharge after Milan design week. If you attend next year, this could be your post-Salone flex too.

By Ruby Gregg

I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]

Set along the California–Nevada border, Cal Neva Resort & Casino is undergoing a $298 million revival as Proper Hospitality prepares for a 2027 debut, with design led by Kelly Wearstler. Expect a stylish reset that nods to its mid-century heyday while introducing a new standard of alpine luxury on the lake.

Louis Vuitton is expanding further into hospitality with a highly anticipated London hotel concept, merging fashion, design, and immersive retail. While details remain under wraps, the project marks a bold step in the brand’s growing experiential footprint.

At Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, afternoon tea becomes a multisensory affair with the debut of a new signature scent woven into the experience. The offering pairs refined pâtisserie with fragrance storytelling, elevating a classic ritual into something far more transportive.

La Grande Tablée has returned to Pigalle, transforming the neighborhood into one long, convivial dining table. The second edition promises an even livelier celebration of Parisian food culture, bringing chefs and locals together in the spirit of shared indulgence.

Casa Tua is bringing its classic blend of dining and nightlife to Hotel La Palma, infusing the Capri icon with fresh energy. The transformation introduces a vibrant beach club and social scene designed to carry guests from day to night.

Belmond’s Villa San Michele Reopens After 18 Months

After an 18-month closure, Villa San Michele has reopened with refreshed interiors and a renewed sense of quiet grandeur. Nestled above the city of Florence, the former monastery continues to deliver one of Tuscany’s most serene, and scenic, stays.

By Brandon Berkson

Met Gala week transforms the Upper East Side into one of the most closely watched stages in fashion, where precision and privacy matter as much as the looks themselves. At The Surrey, we spoke with Managing Director Pradeep Raman about how the days leading up to the first Monday in May unfold behind a carefully managed rhythm—part preparation, part performance—where every detail is calibrated to feel effortless for the guests at its center.

Brandon: Met Gala week is one of the most electric stretches of the year on the Upper East Side. Walk us through what's happening at The Surrey in the days leading up to the first Monday in May—what does the property look like behind the scenes that guests don't usually get to see?

Pradeep: Preparation begins months in advance, but that final stretch is when everything becomes incredibly focused and precise. Across departments, our entire team comes together to support property operations, as we prepare to offer an experience that speaks to the discerning tastes of fashion’s A-list. Across the hotel, suites are thoughtfully adapted to support fittings, hair and makeup, and final styling, with layouts configured alongside each guest’s team. There is very close coordination between our teams, stylists, and fashion houses to ensure everything functions seamlessly. What guests don’t always see is how carefully timed everything is. Every movement is planned, every detail is considered, but the goal is for it to feel effortless. Even as the pace and anticipation build, we remain very intentional about maintaining a calm, residential atmosphere throughout.

Brandon: The Surrey sits just steps from The Met. How does that proximity shape the role the hotel plays during Gala week, and what kinds of moments or requests come through your doors that you simply don't see any other week of the year?

Pradeep: Our proximity to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is critical. Being just minutes away allows us to operate as a true home base, where guests can prepare in a calm, private setting and then transition seamlessly to the red carpet. Our position on 76th Street, combined with the ability to control access to the street, also offers an added layer of privacy and ease. It allows guests to avoid much of the congestion and complexity in the surrounding area during Gala week, which is incredibly valuable from both a logistical and an experience standpoint.

Brandon: If you had to describe the energy of Met Gala week at the hotel in three words, what would they be—and what's the one detail you're most excited for people to discover this year?

Pradeep: Calm. Clockwork. Teamwork. What I’m most excited for people to discover is how that sense of calm is intentionally maintained, even during one of the year's most high-pressure moments. There is an incredible level of coordination behind the scenes, but for our guests, it should feel seamless, intuitive, and deeply personal.

The full interview goes live on our Instagram this Sunday.