Redefining Luxury with Ritz-Carlton’s Simon Cooper

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston

The term ‘luxury’ is synonymous with glamour, grandeur and extravagance, and often accompanied by a hefty price tag. But what if you were told you could travel luxuriously without breaking the bank? That’s the concept of Ritz-Carlton’s brand strategy, and more travelers are finding that ‘casual elegance’ means living it up without breaking the bank.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has been around for nearly 100 years and has set the gold standard in luxury hospitality worldwide. Its first hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston opened on May 19, 1927 with a room rate of just $15 – mere pennies in today’s pockets, but a stretch for those recovering during the Great Depression. Throughout its century-long life, the Ritz-Carlton weathered the economic storms and continued to provide a level of quality synonymous with luxury.

I recently spoke with Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, to get his thoughts on how luxury, by definition, has changed over the years, and I also got a sneak peak at what’s to come in the next 100 years for the Ritz-Carlton.

Read my entire interview with Ritz-Carlton President and Chief Operating Officer Simon Cooper on Gadling.

Countdown to Oz: So Little Time, So Much To Do

In just a few weeks I’ll be sitting pretty in economy-class on 16-hour flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, courtesy of VAustralia. When I purchased the ticket I told myself, “Economy class will be fine! You can walk around, watch some movies, maybe you’ll make a few new friends… you don’t need to spend the extra money to lie down in business class.” I’m starting to rethink this decision.

In an effort to create a more comfortable environment for my pending economy-class seat I bought myself some new Gap pjs, had my favorite pashmina dry-cleaned and dug out my aromatherapy slippers for the flight. I’m totally ready to go! Now, what to do when I get to Australia?

Thanks to the chaos that has been my life for the past few months, I haven’t had two seconds to plan this trip. I know where I’m staying, and I think I called ahead for a car service from the Sydney airport, but as far as trip planning and reservations – there are none. So, the countdown to Oz is on… and I have no idea what to do. Here’s what I know I want to see/do – if anyone has ideas on how to get this accomplished, please drop me a line:

1. Bridge Climb: Despite my fear of death, I’m committed to doing the Sydney Bridge Climb. I’ve decided it’s best to plan this for one of the last days I’m in Australia – that way if I die from fear on the bridge, at least I would have seen most of Sydney before I go.

2. Sydney Zoo: I’m not really a ‘zoo’ person – I’m afraid many animals are mistreated at zoos – but I’m told the Sydney Zoo is nothing like the zoos in America, and that the animals reside in their own habitats. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I’m willing to give it a go.

3. Pet a kangaroo/koala bear: I can’t leave Oz without playing with a kangaroo or petting a koala!

4. Sydney Opera House: The Grand Dame of Sydney awaits! I want to play dress up and walk in the icon down-under.

5. Bondi Beach: I forget why I’m supposed to go to Bondi Beach, but it’s on my list so I’ll be going!

6. Chart the stars: The wanna-be astronaut in me is uber-excited about viewing the stars from the Southern Hemisphere. Good thing I’m staying at The Observatory Hotel in the Rocks, where I’m told there is a wonderful viewing room for star-gazing.

7. Shopping! I don’t know what I’ll buy, but you can bet I’ll come back with something fabulous from Sydney.

That’s my list as of today, but I know there’s so much more I’m missing. If you’ve been to Sydney, send along your recommendations so I can add them to the list!

24 Hours…in Mexico

The sun sets in Mexico

The beach, the tequila and the ocean air breezes through your window. The palm trees sway in the wind and the smooth sounds of the salsa waft through the air as you watch couples stroll by your ocean-view villa. You sip champagne as the sun sets over the ocean.  You have one night in Mexico, and it’s all yours.

The Riveria Maya is an intoxicating section of Mexico’s Gulf Coast. The white-sand beaches, private cabanas and moonlight massages create a sexy atmosphere even a single gal isn’t immune from. Room service is on the way – five cheeses, a bottle of Malbec and a hot brownie sundae appear and grace your in-room dinner table.

The water from the pool outside your room glimmers as mosquitoes fight their way through the humid air.

One glass of wine down. You find yourself lying in the day bed on your private deck, the open bottle placed perfectly within arms reach as you watch for shooting stars, guided by the man in the full moon.

A deep breath and the smells of chocolate-covered strawberries and jasmine flowers fill your senses. One night in Mexico is fast becoming the moment of solitude you’ve been seeking.

Simple Luxury: Style on a Budget

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Everyone wants a little luxury in their life. From food to clothes to travel, there’s room for luxury in everyone’s life, but what you spend on luxury is what dictates your ‘luxury status’. I live by a “simple luxury” motto: I set a realistic budget for what I want, and get the most out of what I have to spend. This is most important when it comes to travel.

I travel on average once every six to eight weeks and my destinations span the globe. But I’m a picky traveler – I’ve earned my wings and I enjoy a little hotel luxury, an upgrade to first class, and a spa treatment when I have time. I get asked on a regular basis, “How do you travel without breaking the bank?” The answer is simple: know what you want, and ask for it. Here a few of my simple luxury travel tips that any traveler can put into practice:

Set a realistic budget. Cheap flights and hotel deals are better than they’ve been in years. But, if you set your budget to reflect the prices from six months to one year ago (when travel deals were still lower than market) then you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you can afford and it’s likely you’ll come in below your set budget. Continue Reading…

Across the Pacific: Journey to Australia

Sydney Opera House

Amelia Earhart has always been one of my heroes. Her fearless journeys were inspiring, and while I won’t be piloting my own plane over the Pacific, I am heading west on a new exploration. Destination: Australia.

The land down under was always intriguing. Maybe it’s my love of animals that’s calling me to the Outback, or my love of wine that’s tempting me to try new vineyards on the other side of the world. Or maybe it’s the simple pleasure of travel that keeps me inspired, and prepared, for the upcoming 25-hour journey across the Pacific.

I called one of my best gal-pals and proposed the idea. We just returned from Ireland and traveling together wasn’t a problem, so it seemed a natural fit to bring her along for the ride. Her neurosis equals out mine, which makes long flights and turbulance, as well as last-minute crisis in foreign countries, manageable.

“I’ll plan the entire trip. Just tell me your budget,” I said.

A dollar amount later and I was on the phone making the plans. Continue Reading…

24 Hours…in Rome

Capuccino at the Hotel Homs

It started with my first cup of coffee. The foam on my latte was perfectly placed on top of the steaming brown cup of brewed beans. The barista finished off my much-needed caffeine fix with a heart in the center of the cup and asked me for me 2 euros.

I wasn’t in Rome for one hour and already love was being thrown in my face, and it was in my coffee – the only thing I needed to turn me from sleepless psycho woman to life of the party.

But surprisingly, Rome took a turn for the interesting…

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