
The group has invited a highly select collection of tastemakers and high-profile personalities to share their favorite haunts and travel tips for each Rosewood destination.
The Curators have not suggested typical tourist attractions but instead offer insider knowledge that allows Rosewood's sophisticated and curious guests to engage in the local culture of each destination.
Guests staying at Las Ventanas al Paraํso will be able to discover fashion designer James Perse's secret surfing spot on the deserted beaches on the East Cape of Cabo San Lucas while keen shoppers checking into The Carlyle can browse journalist Nina Garcia's favourite New York bookstore for rare, out-of-print books.
Foodies at Rosewood Sand Hill can take a seat at former US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice's favourite steakhouse in Palo Alto, CA or share in the best street food in Beijing, as recommended by film director Johnnie To, when Rosewood Beijing opens early 2014.
In keeping with its guiding philosophy, A Sense of Placeฎ, Rosewood established its new Curators program with the belief that today's "affluential explorer" is more interested in "the journey" than "a trip." The group believes that today luxury is defined by experiences, not by things and that delight is achieved through discovery, not display.
"We are thrilled that such a dynamic and accomplished group of luminaries from across such varied fields have shared their insider secrets with us," said Radha Arora, president of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. "We are always striving to ensure our guests have the most memorable experiences possible and what could be better than recommendations directly from some of the world's most well-travelled and discerning people."
The Rosewood Curators program will commence with 14 inaugural Curators and will go live on the brand's new website, rosewoodhotels.com, which also launches today.
Additional Curators will be added on a regular basis and select Curators will create unique experiences, affording Rosewood guests a special opportunity to meet the high profile individuals in the destinations they so highly regard.
Current Rosewood Curators include:1. James Perse, fashion designer Los Cabos, Mexico
2. Johnnie To, film director Beijing, China
3. Mei Zhang, founder of WildChina Beijing, China
4. Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State Menlo Park, California, US (
Photo)
5. Piers Morgan, journalist and television host London, UK
6. John Bills, art director at Opera San Miguel San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
7. Heather Nova, musician Bermuda
8. Nina Garcia, fashion journalist New York, US
9. Kim Schlegel Whitman, author Dallas, US
10. Abdulla Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Real Estate Entrepreneur Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
11. Nicole Ammerman & Susan Curtis, co-owners, Santa Fe School of Cooking Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
12. Simon de Pury, auctioneer London, UK
13. Sarah McLachlan, musician Vancouver, Canada