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.