Arts and Culture
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam: A Journey Through Living History and Parisian Elegance
Stepping into Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam feels like waltzing into a living chapter of Dutch history.
Once a 15th-century convent and later the city’s former Town Hall, the building now blends centuries of heritage with warm French elegance. During our stay, we discovered not only the comfort and charm of this storied hotel, but also the quiet magic of Amsterdam at its most authentic.
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European Christmas Markets Luxe Tour: 5 Must-See...
There’s cold, and then there’s European Christmas market cold, the kind that nips at your fingers until the first sip of mulled wine hits. Christmas can feel different depending on where you are, but if you're seeking a quieter experience laced with luxury, you can usually count on European cities. In London, head to the likes of Mayfair and Covent Garden for glowing shopfronts, giant trees and the faint smell of roasted chestnuts and expensive perfume. Stragsboug, meanwhile, transforms into a winter wonderland with wooden huts and technicolour lights.
Big Hair, High Society: The Role of Hair and Makeup in...
There are television shows that transport, and then there's Palm Royale. Equal parts satire, soap and style, it's a sun-drenched escape into a hyper-feminine fantasia. Set in 1969 Palm Beach, the series tells the story of Maxine Simmons. Played to shameless perfection by Kristen Wiig, Maxine is a social climber who came from humble beginnings but is determined to infiltrate the elite social circle of high-society women. It’s camp, it’s colourful and it’s a masterclass in character-building through hair and makeup.
The 10 Best Jazz Clubs in London for an Elegant Evening Out
Jazz and London go way back. It was in the early 1900s, when the first clubs began to spring up. After the Second World War, Soho quickly became a bustling hub for jazz with exclusive late-night sets and saxophone solos reigning supreme. Though the old-school charm is still prevalent, the recent jazz landscape in London is more about elegant candlelight settings, plush velvet booths, exclusive cocktails, and outstanding music. If this is the vibe you're after, then this guide is for you.
What’s On Our Radar This Month: August 2025
Ask anyone who lives in London, and they’ll surely tell you there is no shortage of exciting openings, launches and events taking place each month — the trouble is usually hearing about them. From a hot, new restaurant opening to a newly-launched wellness product to add to your wishlist, consider The Sybarite your luxury barometer when it comes to the noteworthy newcomers each and every month. Below, find our curated list of launches and openings to add to your calendar this August.
Amazing Graceland — Building The 'Priscilla' Movie
Women living in invisible cages is a hallmark theme of Sofia Coppola’s work. From the doomed Lisbon sisters in The Virgin Suicides to the isolated queen in Marie Antoinette, Coppola has historically fixated on girls and women at odds with their surroundings. Her 2023 film Priscilla was no exception. Based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me, the storyline of Priscilla spans 1959 to 1979, tracking her initial meeting of Elvis through to their split. In between, it focuses on Priscilla’s time spent at Graceland and its impact on her. The film’s production designer Tamara Deverell, tells The Sybarite it’s about a “woman who is shadowed by a male presence in her life.” This shadow was cast by Elvis Presley, played by Jacob Elordi. The larger-than-life rock ’n’ roll star was a force of nature. In 1959, he met a then-14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, played by Cailee Spaeny, while he was serving with the US Army in Germany. The fact he was 10 years her senior didn’t seem to phase him. If anything, Elvis viewed her youth and naivety as the ideal means for moulding his perfect woman. Their relationship was complicated and lasted 13 years. During that time, the couple were married and welcomed a daughter, Lisa Marie. “It’s a true story and it’s ultimately a love story,” Deverell argues, in spite of the aspects of their relationship that still raise eyebrows.
7 Best Private Clubs in America for Exclusive Membership
Members-only institutions are havens for creatives, intellectuals, and idea seekers. While certain clubs preferred to only make themselves available to a particular community – enter university-specific clubs like the Harvard or Yale Club – others open themselves to a crowd of a varied yet select group of candidates. Scroll down to discover some of the best within America’s social club scene, with some boasting historic pasts and others waltzing in as the new kids on the block.