What's Your Fancy: Radha Arora Shares His Favorites for Being at Home or Away

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

"I’ve reached a point where I’ve traveled so much that now I get away from travel by going home," says Radha Arora, the president of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. "I’d been traveling for about eight months and have been home for the past three weeks, which has been great, but this weekend I’m back to Europe.”

It's a hectic schedule, but not one without perks. After all, Rosewood—which helms beloved hotels, including legendaries properties like the Carlyle and the Hôtel de Crillon, in 18 countries—is about to open a new property in Munich ("one of my favorite cities," Arora says) and will mark the 10th anniversary of its London property this fall as well, meaning Arora will visit both of those places and see them through the eyes of Rosewood guests.

"Munich may not previously have been on your bucket list, but what we’ve found is that our clients say, 'if you built it, we will come,'" he explains. "They want to see destinations through our eyes because our guiding philosophy is a sense of place; we don’t just use that as a tagline, it’s really behind everything we do. What’s happened is that we’ve found locations, partnerships, and relationships so we can grow thoughtfully and carefully in destinations we feel clients will want to understand."

Here, Arora shares the items he can't travel without, and the ones that make him feel at home wherever he may be.

Palomino Original Soft Pencil

"I have so many of these, and they all have to be sharp. I use them all the way down to a nub. We’re in the aesthetics business; I work with great designers and architects, and I’ve seen them use these pencils, so when I have one I feel like I too can contribute in some way. Another thing I like about these pencils is that when they’re in my hand I feel like my handwriting is better."

Bemelmans Bar Martini Box

"In 2020, we moved our annual holiday party to Zoom. We still wanted our guests to have an experience that transported them to one of our favorite places for celebrating, so we pulled together a kit of all the best bar fixings from Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle, including everything you needed to make their signature martini. People began reaching out to ask how they could get their hands on the kits, so when the hotel launched its commerce platform, we knew we needed to offer one. I have this at home, so I feel like I can be transported back to Bemelmans any night."

Maison Bonnet Eyewear

"I was 16 when I first started wearing glasses; I didn’t need them but just thought it looked good! Maison Bonnet is a very well-respected custom framer—they've made glasses for presidents and for Yves Saint Laurent. They fit so well on your face, you don’t need to push them around. It’s the only place that does them so flawlessly. I’ve become addicted to them, so every time I need new eyewear—sunglasses or regular glasses—I get them to make it for me. Going to the showroom in Paris is a very intimate experience, too."

SEE AVAILABLE STYLES HERE

Capri Peacoat

"Isaia is an Italian brand and I think the quality is just excellent. I have a great pea coat. Why? It can go over a suit or be worn casually, and when you travel a lot it’s easy to hang and to wear. I carry it everywhere."

Un Jour Mini Leather Briefcase

"The briefcases that I have, I’ve had for a good long time—the more weathered they are, the better—and these bags are so well made, they add an air of elegance to any outfit."

Giza cotton pocket square

"Pocket squares are one of those things that, if I wasn’t wearing one, I’d feel underdressed. They’re as important as a tie though they must not match your tie or you’re trying too hard. I’ve acquired a collection of them over the years, and these days Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli are my favorites; they’re chic and understated."

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

"There are so many varieties of headphones that we’ve all tried. Why? Because we tend to lose them, so we try a new one each time. I’ve gone through several different brands, and at the moment I’m settled on Bose. These headphones are the first things I put in my bag when packing for a trip. I’d rather forget my passport than my headphones."

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game