Maison Elite

30/07/2026

30/07/2026

Florence has no shortage of beautiful hotels. This one has a story most don’t.

In 1808, Napoleon chose this hillside monastery in Fiesole as his military headquarters during the French occupation of Florence. From this same terrace — the one guests now sip Chianti on at sunset — he oversaw command of a city he’d claimed as his own.

The building’s history goes back further still. Franciscan monks lived here for centuries before Napoleon ever arrived, in a monastery gifted by the Davanzati family, its façade attributed to Michelangelo’s own school.

218 years later, the walls that once held an emperor’s war room now hold something quieter. Restored. Reimagined. Still perched above the same city, still watching the same view.

Some buildings survive history. This one keeps living inside it.

— Curated by Maison Elite.

Photo courtesy of Villa San Michele

08/06/2026

For more than 800 years, Ashford Castle has stood on the shores of Lough Corrib, witnessing centuries of history, heritage and remarkable stories.

Once home to the Guinness family, today the castle welcomes guests from around the world to experience a place where timeless elegance and modern luxury exist in perfect harmony.

Some destinations are visited.

Others are remembered.

After 800 years of history, the story continues.
What would your chapter look like?

Image courtesy of Ashford Castle.

06/06/2026

A love letter to Ireland.
From historic estates to timeless boutique sanctuaries, saving these gems for the ultimate curated itinerary.

04/06/2026

There’s visiting w**e country, and then there’s being there when the grapes are actually being picked…. Mendoza and Marlborough are harvesting right now. Tuscany, Bordeaux, and Douro Valley lock up fast for fall.

**e

03/06/2026

Mist-shrouded highlands, historic castles, and the timeless allure of heritage hospitality. Scotland is a masterclass in quiet luxury.

Swipe to explore our curated edit:

The Urban Escape:
Tartan-accented warmth at Gleneagles Townhouse and iconic grandeur at The Balmoral.

The Refined Retreats:
Thermal serenity at Kimpton Blythswood Hotel & Spa by IHG and grand baronial vistas at Cameron House.

The Culinary Journey:
Exceptional dining at Cail Bruich and local soul at The Flying Stag.

The Sights:
Historic Edinburgh Castle and the dramatic ridges of the Isle of Skye.

Let the poetry of this landscape inspire your next journey.

📥 DM us to receive our full, bespoke Scotland Travel Guide.

22/05/2026

The Hotel Behind the Orient Express Mystery

Between Europe and the East stands a hotel filled with stories.

For decades, passengers from the Orient Express arrived at Pera Palace — diplomats, writers, spies.

And perhaps, Agatha Christie herself.

Some mysteries don’t begin in books.

They begin in places like this.

Some places are destinations. Others are stories.

13/05/2026

In February 1952, Princess Elizabeth was staying at Treetops Lodge in Kenya — a quiet treehouse hidden deep within the African wilderness.

That night, while she slept beneath the forest canopy, King George VI passed away in England.

By morning, she was no longer a princess.
“She went up a tree in Africa a princess and came down a queen.”
— Jim Corbett

One of the most iconic moments in modern royal history did not begin inside a palace.
It began in a treehouse.

Sources: Historical archives, Treetops Lodge Kenya, royal records.

21/04/2026

Before we select a property, we study the soul of architecture.

Maison Elite begins where standard travel ends. Places like this—rich in heritage and quiet grace—serve as the blueprint for our curation. We look for these same echoes of history and character in every estate we select for our members.

Experience travel through a more refined lens. Inquire about our private portfolio via DM.