We caught up with Aurel Gross, a luxury travel expert and founder of VIP concierge service Elevate and More.
Aurel has over ten years experience in hospitality. His insider knowledge and close contacts allow him to fulfil the most extraordinary travel experiences in the world for VIP clients and celebrities such as Mohamed Hadid.
My car of choice
My dream car is a vintage Porsche by Singer Vehicle Design. They restore and reimagine 1989 to 1994 generation Porsche 911s. Prices start at over $475,000 and can reach $1.8 million. But with overwhelming demand from people who want a brand new, old 911s, the waiting list for a car is now five years, so they are very hard to come by. It will be at least 2027 before I can get my hands on one!
My favourite holiday destination
Being a travel concierge I am lucky to travel everywhere in the world and to some of the world’s most exclusive holiday destinations.
I am never in one country for too long, but my favourite place has to be St Tropez, where I am currently right now ahead of the 2023 summer season. My favourite spots are in the village, for breakfast I love to go to Senequier and then Club 55 for a nice chilled lunch. Spending the afternoon at La Plage de La Reserve is a must! Bagatelle, Verde Beach and Loulou, I also recommend. The nightlife is also great – BanH-Hoi located in the old town is great for a chilled evening, Kinugawa is a beautiful place for dinner with elegant vibes and Pablo is the best nightclub for good music.
My gadget I can’t live without
A gadget I cannot live without is my iPhone. Being the founder of luxury concierge service Elevate and More I have to be available 24/7 for my clients. The team is available day and night to take care of clients’ needs whatever they may be, quickly and effortlessly. I use my phone for anything from flight scheduling to last minute table reservations, yacht rentals, bespoke itineraries, private chauffeurs and villa rentals. Without my iPhone I simply would not be able to complete the demands of my clients and what is needed of me.
My go to fashion brand
My favourite fashion brand has to be Brunello Cucinelli. They are an Italian luxury fashion brand worn by Jeff Bezos and Angelina Jolie. Their clothes are simple with amazing materials and super comfortable. I love that the luxury knits are ethical, sustainable and they have a humanist approach to business. I like to invest in timeless luxury pieces.
My airline of choice
My airline of choice would have to be Emirates and Qatar airlines. They are the two best companies that I have travelled with. The airlines’ luxurious amenities, great gourmet cuisine, superb service, modern aircrafts and amazing in-flight entertainment system make the flight experience unmatched to any other I have experienced.
My favourite watch brand
My favourite watch brand is Audemars Piguet. I really like this brand, you feel that you are part of a family and heritage. In my opinion, it is the combination of luxurious and unique designs, fine craftsmanship, best quality materials and a rich history that makes the classic watches worth investing in for me.
My favourite restaurant
My favourite restaurant depends on which country I’m in. I have dined in some of the most exclusive restaurants in the world and so have many favourites. In London. I really like this new restaurant in Mayfair called Mister Nice, it has a really cool vibe and the food is delicious. In Paris, I really like this French bistro called Le Gourmets des Ternes. In Mykonos, my favourite one is La Maison Katrin in the town, it serves Greek and French cuisine. In St Tropez, BanH-Hoi in the village for dinner, it has the best Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese food and great vibes and the dishes are served at a sleek, low-lit venue on a terraced lane.
My guilty pleasure
As I am born and bred in France, my guilty pleasure has to be a good glass of French wine.
My favourite way to give back
My favourite way to give back is through charity. In my career I get to experience and see a lot of wealth and luxury, so with Elevate and More we are currently organising charity events for the future where we plan to host auctions and galas. For example, donating stays in my luxury villas in Mykonos, St Tropez and Courchevel for charity auctions, where my clients can donate for the stays, yacht trips, plane bookings and the money will go to a chosen charity.
As a VIP concierge ‘no detail is too small, no request is too large’. Elevate and More can organise any of the client’s needs from luxury travel, dining, planning, nightlife, VIP events and holiday rental. The concierge team is available day and night to take care of the client’s needs whatever they may be, quickly and effortlessly. From flight scheduling to last minute table reservations, yacht rentals, bespoke itineraries, day to day tasks, private chauffeurs, villa rentals and more.
