Boarding Group A

Gabrielle Brechner, Jill Albino, Angela Marini
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Semiweekly

A guide to the hotels, destinations, and decisions the most discerning travelers care about - hosted by three NYC Luxury Travel Advisors who live and breathe it. Each episode explores the instincts, access, and details that separate a good trip from an exceptional one. Built for travelers who expect more, this is luxury travel, done right.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Luxury Travel vs Social Media and AI

    Has Instagram ruined the joy of discovering a place for yourself? On this episode of Boarding Group A, Gaby Brechner, Jill Albino, and Angela Marini discuss how social media and AI are changing luxury travel—and why the most memorable experiences might be the ones you won't find on your feed. From overcrowded Nantucket streets to restaurants designed for the perfect photo op, the hosts explore what happens when destinations go viral and whether true luxury is becoming less about exclusivity and more about authenticity, privacy, and being present. They also discuss how travel advisors can use AI as a starting point while bringing the local knowledge, personal connections, and thoughtful customization that technology can't replicate. Plus, Angela shares how she helped honeymooners stranded by Mount Etna's volcanic ash find a way home, and the hosts spotlight Hotel Manapany in St. Barts, a beachfront retreat where exceptional hospitality, great food, and a laid-back atmosphere make the experience. In this episode: How Instagram and TikTok are changing the way we travel—and the destinations we choose.Why the best luxury experiences may be the ones that stay off social media.What ChatGPT and Claude are actually good for in travel planningWhy getting to know your clients is the key to creating truly bespoke itineraries.How to handle a travel disruption when flights are canceled and the clock is ticking.Hotel of the Week: Hotel Manapany, St. Barts.What to KnowHotels & Properties Hotel Manapany — St. BartsCheval Blanc St-Barth — St. BartsEden Rock – St Barths — St. BartsLe Fouquet's — discussed in the context of a St. Barts stayThe Ivy — Los AngelesDestinations Nantucket, Massachusetts — How social media is changing the character of a beloved summer destination.Sorrento and Taormina, Italy — Finding memorable local restaurants and experiences beyond the usual recommendations.Positano, Italy — A popular destination navigating the challenges of increased attention.Rome, Italy — When the perfect photo opportunity competes with experiencing a historic landmark.Sicily, Italy — Navigating flight disruptions caused by Mount Etna's volcanic ash.Patagonia, South America — How local experts can elevate an AI-generated itinerary into a more distinctive adventure.Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France — A Riviera destination the hosts discuss in the context of low-key luxury.Lofoten, Norway — A remote destination where thoughtful tourism and the right traveler fit matter.Osaka, Japan — Discovering traditional artisans and experiences through personal connections.St. Barts — A destination where choosing the right hotel, beach, and atmosphere can make all the difference.Follow Boarding Group A on Instagram at @boardinggroupa. And remember: luxury is personal. It's whatever feels exceptional to you.

  2. Oct 8

    The Best 4 or 5 Night Luxury Getaways

    What if you only have four or five nights—but still want a trip that feels like a real escape? This week Gaby, Jill, and Angela share their favorite destinations for a quick luxury getaway, from a Portuguese island in the Atlantic to the beaches of Anguilla and the mountains of New Mexico. Gaby recently spent four nights in Madeira, flying nonstop from New York, and came home convinced that the island deserves a spot on the quick-trip list. She compares the historic Reid’s Palace with the newer Reserve at the Savoy, shares her favorite experiences on the island, and explains why Madeira could be an especially good option for families, independent travelers, or a festive winter escape. Jill’s ideal five-night trip combines Albuquerque and Santa Fe, starting at Los Poblanos and then heading north to Santa Fe. She makes the case for getting outside the city, soaking at Ten Thousand Waves, exploring the local food and design scene, and taking in the art and landscapes that make the region so special. Angela heads to the Caribbean with a five-night itinerary in Anguilla, flying into St. Martin and taking a boat across to the island. She shares her favorite hotels, beaches, restaurants, and the joys of renting a little car and simply beach-hopping your way around the island. And Gaby has another destination on her radar: Stockholm, where she makes the case for one of her favorite city hotels, the Grand Hôtel, and talks about why Sweden—and the wider Nordics—can be such a great alternative to hot European destinations in the summer. Four nights. Five nights. One very important question: Where would we go? Plus: why you should always travel with an AirTag, the Madeira restaurant that may be one of Gaby’s top meals of the past five years, and the hotel cat who personally escorted Jill to her room.  What to KnowMadeira Reid’s Palace, A Belmond HotelThe Reserve at Savoy PalaceSavoy PalaceGazeboFunchalMadeira’s cable carsBlack sand beachesBoat trips4x4 Jeep toursNew Mexico Los PoblanosBishop’s LodgeTen Thousand WavesSt. Francis HotelSanta FeAlbuquerqueMadrid, New MexicoTaosGeorgia O’Keeffe MuseumGhost RanchSanta Fe OperaAnguilla Cap JulucaFour Seasons Resort and Residences AnguillaBelmond La SamannaVeyaBlanchardsLeon’sMoke rentalsSt. Martin to Anguilla boat transferStockholm Grand Hôtel StockholmThe Flag SuiteEtt HemVilla DagmarHotel DiplomatStockholm StadshotelletSödermalmFotografiska

  3. Oct 1

    Our Latest Luxury Travels: Thailand, Bali & Sicily

    Jill takes us through Thailand and Bali, from the riverside Capella Bangkok and 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai to Rosewood Phuket, Trisara, the Ritz-Carlton Bali, and Viceroy Bali. Along the way, the hosts check in on which properties are best for families, honeymooners, and multigenerational trips—and why the way a hotel is designed can completely change how a stay feels. Angela then takes us to southeastern Sicily, where she discovers some lesser-known properties around Noto and Ragusa, including Il San Corrado di Noto and Baglio Occhipinti. And one small hotel makes a particularly big impression, thanks not just to its beautiful setting and thoughtful design, but to the people who bring the place to life. That leads to a bigger conversation about what makes a hotel have soul. A beautiful room isn't enough. Neither is a famous name or a great restaurant. For the hosts, true luxury comes from the people, the personal connections, and the feeling that you actually matter to the place. Plus, Gaby shares a real-time travel dilemma involving a family's plans to visit Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day—and the tricky balance between giving clients your best advice and letting them make their own decisions. And the travel Myth of the Week: Should you pre-book your airport transfer, or just take an Uber?   What to Know: Thailand & Bali Capella Bangkok137 Pillars House Chiang MaiRosewood PhuketTrisaraThe Ritz-Carlton, BaliViceroy BaliSicily Il San Corrado di NotoSeven Rooms VilladorataQ92 Noto HotelBaglio OcchipintiVilla IgieaNotoRagusaPalermo

  4. Sep 24

    Fact Checking White Lotus, Mother Daughter NYC and Declaring Your Lemons

    What does The White Lotus get right about luxury travel—and what does it get completely wrong? Gaby, Jill, and Angela kick things off with one of their favorite luxury travel obsessions: The White Lotus. They discuss the real hotels behind the show, what the series gets right about luxury hospitality, and why travelers shouldn't assume everything they see on screen actually happened at the hotel they're booking. Then they're staying closer to home: New York City. As longtime New Yorkers and travel advisors, the hosts build the ultimate weekend in the city for a mother and teenage daughter visiting from Chicago. Think fashion, vintage shopping, museums, Broadway, afternoon tea at The Plaza, Central Park, great restaurants—and plenty of ideas beyond the obvious tourist stops. They debate where they'd stay, from The Fifth Avenue Hotel to Crosby Street Hotel and Soho Grand, and share some of their favorite spots in SoHo, Williamsburg, the West Village, and beyond. Plus, this week's Hotel of the Week, Hotel Esencia in Mexico, where the hosts talk about private beaches, turtle nesting, personalized service, complimentary minibars, and the little details that can turn a beautiful hotel into a truly memorable one. And in Travel Myth of the Week, the hosts tackle an important one: You don't have to declare your goods. Spoiler: Yes, you do. Even your lemons. What to KnowItaly San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel New York City Crosby Street Hotel Soho Grand Hotel The Fifth Avenue Hotel The Plaza Hotel The Peninsula New York The Pierre New York The Warren Street Hotel Mexico Hotel Esencia New York City — Museums & AttractionsThe Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) The Museum at FIT Tenement Museum New York Transit Museum Central Park High Line Little Island Chelsea Market Industry City Restaurants, Shopping & Other SpotsCasa Tua New York Sant Ambroeus Le Crocodile Din Tai Fung Serafina American Bar St. Theo's Mamo Frenchy Dirty French Cookshop LoveShackFancy Bergdorf Goodman Aritzia Subdued Amarcord Beacon's Closet

  5. Sep 17

    $10K, $25K, or $50K: What Do I Really Get?

    Luxury travel can mean very different things depending on your budget. This week, Gaby, Jill, and Angela break down exactly what different budgets can get you in two of the world’s most popular luxury destinations: London and Paris. Starting at $10,000 for four nights in each city, they work their way up through $25,000 and $50,000 budgets, talking hotels, room categories, neighborhoods, service, location, and where the extra money actually makes a difference. Along the way, they share some of their favorite properties, from Firmdale hotels in London to some of Paris’s most coveted palace hotels. Then, they tackle a travel myth that comes up constantly: “My friend said I should…” Your friend may have loved that hotel, that restaurant, or that itinerary—but that doesn’t mean it’s right for you. The hosts explain why the best travel planning starts with understanding how you like to travel, what makes you happy, and what you actually want from your trip. Plus: this week’s Hotel of the Week, Cheval Blanc St-Barth, and a conversation about the difference between a five-star hotel and truly five-star service. Because, as the hosts put it: luxury is about how you feel—not what it costs, and not what your friends think.What to Know:   Firmdale Hotels Broadwick Soho The Ned The Berkeley Corinthia London The Savoy The Emory The Dorchester Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square Cheval Blanc Paris Bulgari Hotel Paris La Réserve Paris Le Bristol Paris Shangri-La Paris Le Meurice official site Plaza Athénée Le Grand Mazarin Hôtel Dame des Arts Les Jardins du Faubourg Adele & Jules Monsieur Georges Cheval Blanc St-Barth

  6. Sep 17

    What Does Luxury Travel Actually Mean?

    What does “luxury travel” actually mean? For hosts Gabrielle Brechner, Jill Albino, and Angela Marini, it’s not simply about the biggest suite, the fanciest hotel, or the highest price tag. It’s about creating an experience that feels exactly right for you. In the first episode of Boarding Group A, the travel advisors pull back the curtain on how they think about luxury travel—and why the best trip can look completely different from one traveler to the next. They talk about why knowing a client matters more than knowing a destination, how they decide when a splurge is actually worth it, and why a hotel room can make or break an entire trip. They also get into the things you won’t necessarily find online: the rooms that are worth upgrading to, the hotels that are right for one traveler but wrong for another, the value of relationships with people on the ground, and why sometimes the smartest luxury decision is to wait until you can afford to do a trip right. Plus: their favorite hotels in Positano, why Italy keeps pulling them back, what they really think about using ChatGPT to plan travel, and the travel myths they wish clients would stop believing. Next up: how to figure out what your travel budget should actually be.What to Know:Santa Caterina (Amalfi Coast, Italy): https://www.hotelsantacaterina.it/ The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (Iceland): https://www.bluelagoon.com/accommodation/retreat-hotel Le Sirenuse (Positano, Italy): https://sirenuse.it/en/ Il San Pietro di Positano (Positano, Italy): https://www.ilsanpietro.com/ Four Seasons Hotel Osaka (Osaka, Japan): https://www.fourseasons.com/osaka/ Amanoi (Vietnam): https://www.aman.com/resorts/amanoi The George V (Paris, France): https://www.fourseasons.com/paris/ Le Meurice (Paris, France): https://www.dorchestercollection.com/paris/le-meurice Eleven Deplar Farm (Iceland): https://elevenexperience.com/lodge-destinations/iceland/eleven-deplar-farm

  • 6 Episodes

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A guide to the hotels, destinations, and decisions the most discerning travelers care about - hosted by three NYC Luxury Travel Advisors who live and breathe it. Each episode explores the instincts, access, and details that separate a good trip from an exceptional one. Built for travelers who expect more, this is luxury travel, done right.

Information

  • Creator
    Gabrielle Brechner, Jill Albino, Angela Marini
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Boarding Group A
  • Show Website
    Boarding Group A

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