Falstaff Magazin International Nr. 3/2022

travel / INTERVIEW At

travel / INTERVIEW At the beginning of this year, The Madrid EDITION (above left), the first urban luxury lifestyle resort, opened in the Spanish capital. The hotel favours subtle colours and is a model of elegant understatement. In complete contrast, The Sanya EDITION (below left and right) in southern China features dark design elements that radiate a warm and welcoming sense of sophistication. The glamorous image is completed with natural design features such as wood-panelled ceilings in the lounge area and a reflection pool carved out of solid black granite and framed with bamboo. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE’RE ALL SELLING THE SAME THING: A BED FOR THE NIGHT. BUT IT’S ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A HOTEL STAY AN EXPERIENCE. IAN SCHRAGER ENTREPRENEUR < what we were trying to accomplish. He compared other hotels to big department stores and said that ours was more like a boutique retail store on Madison Avenue. It has nothing to do with the size of a hotel. But with the fact that – similar to entering a boutique store – you will find that they are focused on a very specific customer and they have a specific attitude Every hotel that you’ve created ended up becoming “the place to be.” How do you do it? And how would you explain the “magic” of Ian Schrager? I wish I could tell you. There are people out there who say I should write a book about it, but I can’t. That’s because it’s all done step by step and instinctively, every single time. It’s not unlike the way a woman dresses when she goes out at night: She puts her makeup on first, then she chooses IAN SCHRAGER DISCO DADDY Studio 54 wasn’t Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell’s first nightclub. They had previously tested their concept in Boston. BEHIND BARS The business partners landed in jail - for tax evasion - not long after launching their iconic disco. MOST POWERFUL Schrager was recently named “one of the 100 most powerful people in hospitality” by the International Hospitality Institute. PATCHWORK FAMILY Schrager has two children from his first marriage, as does his current wife; they share a son together. Photos: Nikolas Koenig, Enrique Marco, Photofest, supplied 42 falstaff winter 2022/23

Ian Schrager’s rapid rise to fame was due to the legendary success of his Studio 54 (above left and centre). He brought the feeling of luxury and exclusivity from the disco to the hotel industry – and each of his hotels is a one-off. This is evident in the idyllically situated The Hotel Bodrum EDITION (top right and bottom right). Guests at the trendy The Miami Beach EDITION (bottom left and inset) are also drawn to the hotel’s refined atmosphere. a dress from her closet. After that, she selects earrings to go with the dress, later shoes. In the end, she picks a perfume and all of a sudden: Boom! She’s standing in front of you and it’s perfect. It’s just like that for me, too. Every city, every building is different. I try a bunch of different things and I feel if it’s working or not. Then I change it up until I feel exactly the right vibe. Your newest hotel is the Edition in Madrid. What goal were you after when you designed the property? Madrid is a very special place. The people of Madrid are very elegant and sophisticated, they value a good life and enjoy eating good food. Madrid doesn’t attract as many tourists as some of the other cities in Europe do. So we had to create something that would also work for the locals. And what does luxury mean to you in a hotel? At the end of the day, we’re all selling the same thing: a bed for the night. But it’s the little things like elegant design, a cosy lobby bar and fantastic service in the bars and restaurants that make a hotel stay a special experience. It’s about being able to enjoy, relax and feel secure. It’s not about material things: Luxury is a feeling. < EDITION HOTELS MARRIOTT X SCHRAGER The EDITION hotels are a collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott International. The first hotel opened in London in 2013. THE CONCEPT The luxury boutique hotels are inspired by the culture and style of the cities and countries in which they are located. CURRENT LOCATIONS Right now, you can stay in an EDITION hotel in 15 cities, including New York, West Hollywood, London, Tokyo and Shanghai. FUTURE LOCATIONS EDITION plans to welcome guests in Doha, Rome and Lake Como in the near future. winter 2022/23 falstaff 43