Klima Edit - January

Feb 20

Written By Sybil Pool

Fun News:

We are so excited to add the singular Tenuta di Murlo to our client roster! The sprawling, centuries-old Umbrian estate is steeped in history and spans an expansive 18,000 acres (for context, Manhattan is 14,600 acres). Murlo has been cared for by the Carabba Tettamanti family for over 300 years and has remained peacefully unchanged, with the exception of the meticulous transformation of nine rustic farm houses into beautifully appointed private villas, alongside a central guest area with three deluxe rooms, an intimate restaurant (Il Caldaro), an artisan shop, and a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen.

Happenings and trends:

Right when Ashwin Balani opened Juban in Chelsea, he also took home an adorable Shibu Inu named Koji. The adorable black and tan pup pops up all over the restaurant, from little drawings behind the bar to emblazening the Juban t-shirts (on which Koji is sweetly imagined holding chop sticks in his mouth.
The Christopher in St. Barth has its french bulldog mascot, with a bright orange statue greeting you upon arrival.
New York’s Algonquin hotel has had cat mascots since the 80s, alternating between Hamlets for boys and Matildas for girls. (Hamlet in honor of former resident John Barrymore and his greatest stage role.)

2026 sees the rise of “glowmads” - travelers seeking wellness and beauty experiences on their journeys

Ocama’s hands-on concierge can create an entire, customized wellness getaway for guests. A day can begin with private yoga on the deck followed by a light breakfast of fresh fruit and yogurt; continue with a hike to hidden beaches followed by a massage on the beach, and ending the day with a relaxing facial and delicious freshly grilled local seafood dinner. (Or swap out any of those for facials, body wraps, personal training…)
A stay in Villa Molinella at Tenuta di Murlo gives guests their own mini spa. The jacuzzi nestled under the living room, the outdoor sauna, and the riverside hot tub let guests create their own hydrotherapy circuit. To take it a step further, the concierge can arrange private yoga, personal training, or massages and beauty treatments in the villa.

There has been a rise in private dining clubs - from Casa Cruz and Casa Cipriani in New York to the Carriage House in Palm Beach. For those who don’t want to drop upwards of $200k on a membership, under-the-radar private rooms are the way. Juban - the hidden gem Izakaya in Chelsea - has a private room tucked behind the glassed-in sake fridge. It can seat between 15-20 people, making the perfect intimate spot for a birthday dinner or a big group dinner out. The menu can be completely customized with dishes like Cauliflower Tempura, Tsukune (Chicken Meatball skewers), Spicy Scallop Roll and Yellowtail Carpaccio, along with custom sake or cocktail pairings.

In Umbria, just a drive away from Tenuta di Murlo, the little town of Spello hosts its annual Infiorata - a festival where local artists transform the town’s medieval streets into nearly a mile of intricate, ephemeral carpets and religious “paintings” made entirely of fresh and dried flowers.
New Yorkers can pretend they are in Tokyo for Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival by heading to Chelsea’s neighborhood favorite, Juban, for an authentic Japanese experience - sake, agedashi tofu, Tsukune (Chicken Meatball skewer)...
The Samanà peninsula in the Dominican Republic is abuzz during Semana Santa (Holy Week) around Easter. La Terrenas celebrates with a mix of religious traditions and beach activities. Guests at Ocama can join the fun, then retreat to its private beach to unwind.

Sybil Pool

KLIMA