Friends of RG: Jack
Friends of RG: Jack
Jack is one of the most kind, warm and humble people around. I got to know Jack (via his wife Tanja) when he moved to Stockholm from L.A. at the same time as us and we hit it of right away (I know there many, many beers involved). J&T could only take one dark and grim Swedish Winter before we lost them back to California (I fully understand why). Jack, who is originally from Weymouth on the English south coast is a true jack of many trades: he acts, he makes kombucha, he plays the guitar, he is a tech wizard, a fitness monster (as you might understand from the photo above) and he makes a mean cappuccino. And just like me, he is a hotel-fanatic.
What hotel were you staying at when you first realised that you were a hotel-fanatic?
I got to visit quite a number of cool hotels when I was working at Google. We had clients in Southern California and I got to be at some cool spots in Santa Monica and Orange County (the Hyatt in Newport). Also the Standard in New York felt so cool to me when I got to stay there for a company meeting. Now, my wife and I just love to travel, and luckily we have very similar taste in hotels.
What kind of hotels do you usually go for?
Not too big or impersonal. Clean and relatively minimal decor, ideally with a nice breakfast or bar area. Mainly these days I obviously go for hotels Selected by RG.
What has been your most memorable hotel stay thus far? And why?
Tanja found this amazing place The Mill in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast, and we had the room that had the actual mill in it! We had an incredible view north west, up past Positano, which was the backdrop for stunning sunsets from our balcony. That place was special. An honorary mention is Korakia in Palm Springs - I love that place.
3 of your musts when staying at a hotel?
Funky vibe, multiple areas to enjoy lounging, good food and drinkies.
If you have stayed at any of the hotels featured on SbRG, which one is your favourite?
We stayed at Guldsmeden Oslo on Selected By RG’s recommendation, it was so cool! Perfect breakfast and bar area with open windows out onto the street. Great coffee and cocktails!
Jack enjoyed his time at this place, the cozy Guldsmeden Hotel in Oslo.
Which of the featured hotels on Selected by RG are on the top of your wish list to stay at?
Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway. Clearly, I have amazing film taste and so I’m naturally obsessed with the film Ex Machina, which was shot there. It just looks beautiful and remote. Clean and expansive. I can’t wait to go!
Jack’s wet hotel fantasy is to stay at the amazing Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway.
Are there any hotels you think should be featured on Selected by RG in the future?
There’s a place we had coffee in Covent Garden that we found out was a hotel, I think it was called the Henrietta - it seemed so cool and funky! Good coffee!
