Category Archives: milan

Travel Style – a #FriFotos Special Edition

Stylin’ & Profilin’

Lola's #Style is #lolafied

Lola’s #STYLE is #lolafied

I’m excited to share that I’ll be co-hosting #FriFotos on Twitter this Friday, April 26. In case you aren’t clear what #FriFotos is exactly, it’s a 24-hour chat that trends internationally. People worldwide share their photos that match the week’s theme and you can play along if you’re on Twitter or Instagram by following the #FriFotos hashtag and including it in your Tweets with your photos.

The usual hosts will be there: @FriFotos who can also be tweeted to as @TravelDesigned, @EpsteinTravels & @CharlesYap. I’m sharing co-hosting with ooo lala @purplepassport AND you can find me @LolaDiMarco. NOW onto this week’s theme. After a little discussion we decided on #STYLE. I think this is a fantastic topic for #FriFotos because it can apply to lots of things with regard to travel. Like is your #STYLE solo travel, backpacker or luxe? Is your accommodation #STYLE swanky, hip or budget? What’s your travel food #STYLE or even libations #STYLE? You get my point, right?! #STYLE is about the LIFESTYLE of travel too. Of course, I think the more creative the better and to help inspire you I’ve put together some ideas to show you LOLA’S TRAVEL #STYLE.

LOLAPINK

LOLAPINK

Theres no doubt about it. My travel #STYLE involves lots and lots of PINK wherever I can pull it off!

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Lola’s drink #STYLE of choice is COCKTAILS

Seen here are a Dark & Stormy at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Ultimate Gin & Tonic at SLS Beverly Hills, CA, 3 different versions of Negronis at Four Seasons Florence, Italy & the delicious Eastern Standard at Soho Beach House, Miami.

my travel #Style most certainly includes luxury hotel stays

my travel #STYLE most certainly includes LUXURY hotel stays

Don’t know what your #STYLE is for accommodations but mine’s definitely one where I’m looking for something special! These properties absolutely fit the special #STYLE bill. Seen here are two Four Seasons properties: Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, CA and Four Seasons Milan in Milan, Italy. AND two Relais & Chateaux properties: Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, Italy and Villa Galicci in Aix en Provence, France. I can assure you that I have never stayed in any Relais & Chateaux or Four Seasons property that didn’t meet every expectation in GREAT #STYLE.

Lola #Style also goes with HIP hotels

Lola’s #STYLE also goes with HIP hotels

My travel #STYLE enjoys finding the new hot spots too. These hotels certainly exude a HIP #STYLE. We’ve got Mondrian SoHo in NYC, W Barcelona in Spain, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas & The James Royal Palm in Miami. All very HIP. All very COOL.

FACT: Lola hearts the #Style of a beach vacay

FACT: Lola hearts the #STYLE of a beach vacay

It’s gotta be NO surprise that my travel #STYLE is definitely one that leans toward beach vacations. Sun, sand & the sea make me so happy! Here are a few of my favorite beachy spots: Miami Beach in Florida, Gouverneur Beach in St. Barts, Lucy Vincent Beach in Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Cas Abao Beach in Curacao.

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very important in my world…minibar #STYLE

One thing that I’ve found that really sets some properties apart is a beautiful, well-appointed minibar! First up is the BEST up so far – Soho Beach House, Miami. To the right is Mondrian SoHo, NYC. Below is Four Seasons Florence, Italy. To the left is W Barcelona, Spain. If you love a cocktail to start your evening off right or to have a night cap at days end, a minibar with serious #STYLE is essential! Just sayin’

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Lola’s #STYLE is definitely all about a FAB hotel pool

I don’t care if it’s not even warm enough to sun yourself, there’s something amazing about the #STYLE of great swimming pool. Granted, I prefer the sunshine & warmth option in my travel plans. Found here are Delano South Beach in Miami, W Barcelona in Spain, Petit Palace in Santorini, Greece and Soho Beach House in Miami. I ask you what’s not to LOVE about these pool’s #STYLE?

I hope these examples of #STYLE has got your creative juices flowing. It will be so FUN if you come PLAY along on Friday on Twitter with #FriFotos. Don’t forget to tweet to me @LolaDiMarco and add the hashtags #STYLE and #FriFotos to your photos. I look forward to seeing you & your travel #STYLE there!

xo – LOLA

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Filed under amalfi coast, barcelona, california, caribbean, cocktails, curacao, europe, florence, florida, france, greece, hipster hotels, italy, martha's vineyard, miami, milan, new york, spain, st. barts, swanky luxe stays, travel, USA, vegas

4 Reasons I Love Four Seasons Milano

Milanese Magnificence at Four Seasons Milano

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In the past year, I’ve been quite lucky to have stayed in my fair share of Four Seasons properties and I’ve come to expect certain things. Let’s just say something like excellence on many levels. A prime location. An amazing dining offering. An impeccable staff. And, if I’m really lucky, a unique, personal and memorable experience. Truly inspiring – Four Seasons Milano didn’t let me down with any of these.

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UNO – Property & Location

Four Seasons Milano, located in the heart of the Golden Quad area,  may have the best hotel address ever – certainly in Milan. The “quadrilatero della moda” or “the fashion” district is the square shape made by the intersection of Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’ Andrea and Via Manzoni – Italy’s most POSH, SLEEK & FASHIONABLE streets. Four Seasons Milano, a 118 room hotel housed in a 15th century convent that has been restored with historical references to its past , is nestled in this quad off the quiet Via Gesu. Milan, known as a private city due to much of its beauty being hidden behind closed gates that keep gardens, courtyards and terraces out of sight from the street, can be discovered here in the relaxed elegance of Four Season Milano. Like the view of the gorgeous inner courtyard, some rooms are decorated in shades of green with only the finest of timeless Italian linens from Frette.

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DUE – Unique One-of-a-Kind Experience

When I let Four Seasons Milano know that I was coming for an overnight and hoped to experience one of the things that Milan is most known for, SHOPPING, they did not let me down. They didn’t highlight a map and send me on my way. Nope. They asked a local in-the-know personal stylist to take me on a private tour. Melanie Payge took me to behind-the-scenes sample sales and showrooms and explained the heritage of the fashion design industry in Milan. It was interesting and a great lesson to learn about how fashion doesn’t fall far from the family tree! I loved discovering some of the up and coming Italian fashion superstars. Plus, it was bonus eye candy for this shopaholic and so much fun! I even scored a Fall 2013 item just off the runway. CHA-CHING! oh & Melanie’s tagline is “she knows Milan like the back of her handbag” which couldn’t be any more true or perfetto!

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TRE – Incredible Culinary Experience

Every Four Seasons I’ve stepped foot into has a unique flair for food in its own way. Four Seasons Milano absolutely blew me away with a special VIP invitation to a white truffle &  Barolo wine dinner at Il Teatro. For starters, the restaurant is consistently ranked in the top five in Milan – OOO LALA! Plus, the truffle business is not to be trifled with as it’s edible gold with a very limited season. Not only was this multi-course, multi-wine pairing meal amazing but the table company was wonderful. I had the continued pleasure of Ms. Payge’s bubbly personality, who stayed on after our shopping afternoon, as well as the company of the Four Seasons Milano Sales Manger, Dina, and two handsome wine & truffle reps. I felt like a true VIP to be in such lovely, interesting and fun company.

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QUATTRO – Phenomenal Staff

As soon as you step inside this urban sanctuary you will feel personal service that is exemplary. Greeted by multiple staff who know who you are and are there to ensure you have all that you need is just one of the things I found exceptional about Four Seasons Milano. It is said, the concierge team’s reputation extends city-wide to be the best for arranging almost anything under the Milanese moon. I was particularly impressed with how I was welcomed in as practically one of their own, especially during the special VIP dinner.

A note of gratitude to Four Seasons Milano for hosting my stay in Milan. I haven’t met alola_blackpink Four Seasons property that I didn’t adore but if I didn’t ‘Lola Approve’ it I’d say otherwise. The views here are mine, grazie!

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Filed under italy, milan, swanky luxe stays, travel