Window shopping #14
A JFK comeback, scene-stealing stays in Manhattan, and a Portuguese mansion with a secret disco
This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new, noteworthy, and next in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.
Sézane is summering in the Hamptons. French fashion brand Sézane has popped up at East Hampton’s Maidstone Hotel, reimagining the boutique hotel’s lobby and offering a curated selection of their breezy summer staples. This marks a continued trend of design-forward hotels collaborating with lifestyle brands to create immersive, IRL experiences for their guests while offering locals and weekenders more than just a place to sleep.
You’ll soon be able to fly United out of JFK again. After a decade-long absence (and a brief return during the pandemic), United is finally regaining footing at JFK due to a surprising partnership with JetBlue: a flight-swap agreement dubbed Blue Sky, which could launch as soon as 2027. The move is spurred by chaos at United’s Newark hub, where ATC staffing shortages have led to hellacious delays. Under the deal, JetBlue flyers will gain access to United’s global routes, while United passengers can earn MileagePlus points on JetBlue’s East Coast flights. It’s a savvy maneuver that expands reach without merging while signaling a bigger trend in loyalty reciprocity, cross-branding, and easing friction for travelers navigating increasingly congested skies.
The NYC stays I’m manifesting: I recently got to peek inside two local hotels: The Twenty Two New York and The Fifth Avenue Hotel—both are drop-dead gorgeous, design-forward properties that feel like a blend of old-school glamour and downtown cool. Neither are your average NYC hotels; they’re the kind of places you want to dress up for, linger in, and pretend you live in. Very much on my radar for a future staycation or hosted visit.
A third layer I’ll actually pack on every trip: NYC’s weather has been all over the place lately, but one silver lining? It gave me the perfect excuse to pull out my new Jenni Kayne sweater, gifted to me by the brand. It’s the ideal third layer: soft but structured, neutral but elevated. I’ve already worn it out on a few chillier days, and it’s definitely coming with me on every vacation this summer. It’s the perfect final touch to my airport outfit and exactly what I’ll reach for on breezy summer nights in Menorca—just picture it with silky shorts!
Marqi—Sintra, Portugal
Just 45 minutes from Lisbon in the storybook town of Sintra, you’ll find this 1980s mansion reimagined for the modern tastemaker. Danish photographer Mikkel Kristensen transformed the space into a stylish escape that pairs Mediterranean villa charm with the warmth and simplicity of Danish design, layered with pieces he’s collected on his travels. In terms of things to do, there’s a pool surrounded by lush gardens and the beach at Praia Grande is only a short walk away, but the real gem might be Nando’s—a private, by-request, marble-and-bouclé club hidden inside the old owner’s former disco room.
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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.