The Greatest Luxury Of All—Relationships—By The Lauren Berger Collection

Photo Credit: Lauren Berger Collection

When it comes to the business of indulgence, hostess and entrepreneur Lauren Berger knows that it’s all personal.

Maybe we’ve become too cynical. Ask fellow guests at your next cocktail reception for one word to describe what  motivates the world’s most successful business owners. You’ll hear responses like driven, ruthless, hyper-focused. Rarely if ever will you hear the word that drives Lauren Berger.

Love.

For someone who has created an international luxury brand that caters to some of the world’s wealthiest, most demanding travelers, Lauren is an outside-the- box success story. The Lauren Berger Collection, which arranges mansions, yachts, exotic automobiles, and one-of-a-kind experiences for her discerning guests, was built on love and Lauren’s innate sense of hospitality.

Hospitality is never authentic when it’s forced, but in Lauren’s childhood home, hospitality was simply how her mother treated guests. Lauren grew up in New York watching her Greek mother nurture and care for family and friends. Lauren naturally followed in her mother’s wake, emulating the matriarch’s penchant for creating comfortable havens and catering to the comfort of those she welcomed into her home.

“It wasn’t something I thought about,” she says now, years later. “It was just what my mother did and what I learned from her.”

That intrinsic geniality and concern for others continued to flourish when Lauren wed Dr. Sidney Berger, a world renowned, most brilliant, respected, loved and gracious Doctor of Implantology. “Sidney’s high-profile patients traveled to New York from all over the world to see him,” she recalls. “They needed care and craved privacy. They were privileged, and so required a certain level of luxury to feel at home.”

Dr. Berger loved bringing his patients to his own residence to recuperate, and Lauren loved taking care of them. So Dr. Berger and Lauren designed a home to make his patients feel “at home.” And truly indulged.

That was really the start of it all,” Berger explains. “They came to us as patients, but left as family. So it was quite natural that when they wanted to return to New York for business or holiday, they would call to ask if she could help with the arrangements. Thus the concept of the Lauren Berger Collection was born.

Just as her mother once went out of her way to cook meals for friends and welcome guests into their home, Lauren has created an enterprise that goes beyond simply providing access to some of the world’s most distinctive properties. To put a fine point on it, guests of the Lauren Berger Collection are not merely hosted, they are welcomed as family. Lauren’s passion for creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for her guests is simply what she lives for. “Luxury can be purchased, but genuine hospitality can only be given.”

That could be the motto of the Lauren Berger Collection.

Nonetheless, the collection of eye-catching, refined, and exquisitely located properties provides a significant wow factor that can’t be overlooked. Beachfront hideaways, impressive castles, sophisticated and spacious apartments in the world’s most exciting capitals—these and other such residences are gems in the roster. The Lauren Berger Collection has more than 250 exquisite properties in its portfolio—each identified and acquired through a seemingly endless web of relationships that Lauren has formed over a lifetime.

But it’s when those homes are sprinkled with some of the Berger pixie dust that the magic happens. Indeed, where Lauren is concerned, nothing in the guest experience is left to chance, minor details are given major consideration, and no request is too great for her guests. A guest may want to host a formal dinner for forty; Lauren has it all, from the George Jensen silver, Minton china, Baccarat crystal with killer views.

Lauren Berger, through long experience and her innate sense of hospitality, understands that luxury is subjective, defined by the details. She isn’t satisfied unless her guests have an experience as bespoke and unique as themselves.

But even the most accomplished hostess occasionally requires some additional expertise. And in the case of Lauren Berger, that global lineup of talent is nothing if not impressive. Included in the laudable list of associates are:

Maggie Draycott who has worked for British Airways in London for 29 years until recently managing the end to end customer experience of their top global client base that includes CEOs of global FTSE companies, Heads of State, Royalty, and Celebrities from the Film and Fashion world.

Maggie managed on a day to day basis the prestigious “invitation only” Club for British Airways most influential client base and created the current loyalty program for their high net worth clients which is hugely successful. Maggie has been voted one of the top 50 most influential travelers by Conde Nast traveler and in Tatler magazine 100 most invited in 2017.

Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness—a coalition of CEOs, university presidents, national laboratory directors, and labor leaders committed to driving U.S. productivity and prosperity.

In recognition of profound transformative global challenges and opportunities Deborah founded the Global Federation of Competitiveness and serves as the President of this unique coalition of global leaders committed to advancing sustainable economic growth, inclusive prosperity and security.

It’s an elite group of luxury travel and lifestyle specialists, eminently suited to foster Lauren’s brand of-reputation for customized travel.

“Hospitality is truly about loving all people,” she explains. “The relationships I have are at the heart of everything I live for. My husband Sidney, who can only be described as my magic treasure, the love of my life who is responsible for what I am made of today and which none of this would have been possible without him. My mother, my world, who has always been my Rock of Gibraltar, my family, whom I could not love more, have been there every step of the way, my team, who are invaluable to me, my associates, of whom I could not be more proud of, my property owners, who have been beyond amazing, and last but not least my treasured guests for their continued trust and loyalty, who have made my life complete.”

LE CHALET DES SENS

Megeve, France

Photo Credit: Lauren Berger Collection

Le Chalet des Sens® is an exceptional ski-in, ski- out chalet, situated on the slopes of Mont D’Arbois– Megeve. With Le Chalet des Sens® you get the ultimate in comfort, style and service, matched with a phenomenal vantage point from which to explore the world’s finest ski resort.

The chalet has been exclusively designed in collaboration with the highest luxury maisons creating an opulent palace with decadent detailing and luxury finishes, expanding over 3 floors you and your guests can truly expect the ultimate escape. Le Chalet des Sens® master suites are selectively located both at the top floor and at the garden floor with a fantastic terrace, the additional 3 bedrooms can accommodate up to 12 people in exquisite luxury.

Inside this exclusive retreat you will find a wealth of conveniences and luxuries, all designed to afford the ultimate in comfort and relaxation for the discerning traveler.

Between excursions to the authentic slopes of Megeve you can enjoy an exceptional private spa – Nuxe® – and wellness center, this luxurious retreat expands across two floors, offering impeccable service with its luxury swimming pool and indulgent spa experiences. You can also entertain guests in your own playroom/ nightclub (billiard and table football) and cinema room, while savoring the delights prepared by your personal chef in the professionally-equipped kitchen (French cuisine, world cuisine, Asian, Russian, Gastronomic…). The fully dedicated staff Sens Ô Riel composed by a private chef, a butler/driver, a masseuse, and a cleaning lady, will ensure you a timeless stay.

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 5

Sleeps: 12

www.laurenbergercollection.com

VILLA CRISTAL

France, Europe

Photo Credit: Lauren Berger Collection

Villa Cristal is truly one of the most breathtaking properties in Southern Europe, luxury is more than included in this property its part of its soul.

Villa Cristal has 8 incredible en-suite guest rooms, sweeping panoramic views over the sea, mountains, Cannes and on a clear day as far as St Tropez.

To assure that your stay is as comfortable as it is luxurious the villa has an onsite full Spa including indoor pool, steam room, sauna, massage center as well as a hair and nail station.

The lower level of the villa is home to the activities with the full bar, cinema, pool table as well as the enormous gym with full size boxing ring.

For your comfort the outdoor infinity pool has a swim up bar as well as sound system.

Putting the final touch on the luxury are the onsite staff which include a Private Chef, Personal Butler, Villa Manager, Full Housekeeping team and dedicated Concierge – all of which are at your disposal to assure you want for nothing during your time at Villa Cristal.

So much more than just a Villa, be part of the revolution in Luxury.

Bedrooms: 8

Bathrooms: 8

Sleeps: 16

www.laurenbergercollection.com

ON THE BEACH

Westhampton Beach, New York

Photo Credit: Lauren Berger Collection

This is a rare opportunity to spend your vacation in this truly unique, luxuriously finished oceanfront home meant for the most discerning of beach bums. Have a laid-back summer in this splendid Westhampton Beach home. You will feel like you are in Mykonos the minute you step inside this beach home located on the Great Dune Road.

An open floor plan makes this the perfect home for entertaining family and friends. This designer built, and owned home is unlike anything else you will find on Dune Road, West Hampton Beach. It is a 2-bedroom, 4-bath home, the den has 2 sleeper couches to accommodate more guests. The master suite features his and hers baths with steam showers and ocean views. The entire ocean side of the house is glass and can be completely opened to wraparound terracing that offers 270-degree view of ocean and bay.

Step inside the breathtaking beach home and you will never want to leave. With a right of way to the bay and the ocean, your days will be filled with sun, fun and wonderful memories to cherish forever.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 4

Sleeps: 6

www.laurenbergercollection.com

ESSEX HOUSE

Manhattan, New York

Photo Credit: Lauren Berger Collection

This sensational fully-equipped three-bedroom apartment in the historic Essex House, J.W. Marriott at 160 Central Park is situated in a premier location overlooking Central Park.

With its Art Deco architecture, the building is easily one of most beautiful building standing in New York City today. When it comes to amenities, few luxury buildings can successfully contest with the services offered at the Essex House. Access to amenities include a state of the art fitness center, a spa, a business center, Tony Chi Restaurant and bar.

The Essex House is close to excellent public transportation, high-caliber restaurants and world-class shopping.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Sleeps: 10

www.laurenbergercollection.com