Reel to Reality: From On-screen to On-location

Some journeys begin long before we board a plane. A sweeping landscape, a familiar melody, a fleeting scene — all the things that remind us what it feels like to see the world with fresh eyes.

Film and television have a way of rekindling that feeling. They transport us. They let us rediscover the wonder of place: how a view, a sound, or a story can take us somewhere we’ve never been, yet feels instantly familiar. Step into the story with these destinations that bring the world of film to life.

Yellowstone — The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana

At The Ranch at Rock Creek, the Yellowstone world feels close enough to touch. Nestled in a private valley near Philipsburg, this Relais & Châteaux retreat reimagines ranch life with quiet sophistication. Days unfold in rhythm with the wilderness — fly-fishing in clear streams, riding through open meadows, or simply pausing to watch the sun slip behind the mountains. Evenings bring wood fires, farm-to-table dining, and starlit skies so vast they seem part of the story.

The Talented Mr Ripley — Le Sirenuse, Positano, Amalfi Coast

Set against the sun-drenched allure of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, The Talented Mr Ripley follows ambition, desire, and deception, where glamour and intrigue shimmer at every turn. At Le Sirenuse in Positano, that golden age of Mediterranean sophistication lives on. Once a private villa, now a timeless icon, it offers sweeping views of the bay from rooms scented with lemon blossoms and sea air. Days unfold languidly — an aperitivo by the pool, a long lunch overlooking the water, a sunset that seems to stop time itself.

Out of Africa — Angama Mara, Masai Mara, Kenya

At Angama Mara, perched high above Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, those same cinematic vistas stretch endlessly before you. Inspired by the film itself, the lodge is a masterclass in understated elegance — glass-fronted suites floating above the savannah, the Maasai Mara unfurling beneath you like a living story. Mornings begin with coffee as hot-air balloons drift across the horizon; evenings end with lantern-lit dinners under a canopy of stars.

Emily in Paris — Hôtel Le Bristol, Paris

At Hôtel Le Bristol Paris, Emily's ambitous spirit unfolds with exquisite grace. A Parisian icon on the elegant Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, it offers a world of timeless refinement — from Michelin-starred dining and private garden courtyards to suites filled with soft light and subtle luxury. It’s a setting worthy of its own screenplay, where every moment feels effortlessly chic and distinctly Parisian.

Lost in Translation — Park Hyatt Tokyo, Japan

Much of the film unfolds within the Park Hyatt Tokyo, a modern sanctuary above Shinjuku’s skyline. Its minimalist design, panoramic views of Mount Fuji, and cocoon-like calm offer a contrast to the world below. The New York Bar, where Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray’s characters first meet, remains one of the city’s most atmospheric spaces — all soft jazz, amber light, and an almost cinematic melancholy.

Spectre — La Valise, Mexico City, an SLH Hotel

Bond’s chase through the city sets the tone for intrigue, danger, and drama, and inspired the creation of a real-life parade, now celebrated each November.

To experience this for yourself, La Valise, Mexico City, an SLH Hotel, offers a stay as cinematic as the setting. Tucked within a restored townhouse in the vibrant Roma Norte district, this intimate hotel blends contemporary design with local artistry. Each suite is a carefully curated space, where handcrafted details, rich textures, and open-air terraces create moments of quiet luxury above the city’s vibrant pulse.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel —Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India

Once home to Jaipur’s royal family, Rambagh Palace embodies that same spirit of rediscovery and wonder. Marbled corridors and peacock-filled gardens whisper of another era, while impeccable Taj service ensures every moment feels deeply personal. Sip chai on a shaded terrace, listen to the echo of evening prayer across the Pink City, and feel the pulse of Rajasthan’s timeless magic.

The Lord of the Rings —Blanket Bay Lodge, Glenorchy, New Zealand

Few landscapes stir the imagination quite like New Zealand’s South Island — a realm of snow-dusted peaks, mirror-still lakes, and ancient forests that feels born of legend. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Blanket Bay Lodge marries cinematic grandeur with quiet, restorative luxury. Days unfold at nature’s pace — helicopter flights over Fiordland, forest walks beneath centuries-old beech, or simply drifting across the lake as mist curls around the mountains. Inside, stone fireplaces and timber beams echo the landscape beyond, offering warmth, stillness, and a sense of belonging.

Films and television have a unique way of transporting us — not just across the globe, but into the very soul of a place.

I will bring these cinematic dreams to life, curating journeys that capture the essence of each destination — from iconic landmarks to hidden corners only locals know. I can help you turn the stories that move you on screen into real-life adventures that linger long after the credits roll.