Bernard Lackner, general manager of New York’s Hôtel Plaza Athénée, knows a thing or two about taste. As the leader of one of Manhattan’s top hotels, understanding the best of the best and where to find it is a vital part of the job. A Hamburg, Germany native, Lackner was born into a family of hoteliers. Here, he shares with Luxury Travel Advisor just some of his must-have things in life and favorite places.

Vacation Spot:

St. Barts (pictured below, right)

 

Favorite Hotel (not your own):

Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg. 

 

Top New York Hot Spot (not your own):

Bagatelle in the Meatpacking District.

 

First Travel Memory:

The island of Sylt, two hours north of Hamburg. I remember the spectacular beach during the day and the water completely disappearing in the evening. 

 

Car Crush:

Vintage model Mercedes-Benz 300SL convertible.

 

 

Restaurant:

Manhattan’s Le Bilboquet (try the Cajun chicken).

 

Watch:

Hamilton.

 

Mobile Phone:

BlackBerry Curve.

 

Music/Bands:

Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett.

 

Laptop:

Mac.

 

Suit:

Whitcomb & Shaftesbury.

 

Bottle of Wine:

A 1982 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

 

Book:

"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.

 

Cologne:

Bulgari.

 

Hobbies:

Tennis, golf, classical music and politics.

 

Collection of Items:

Old wines and spiritual books.