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.
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.