Ask A Concierge

Ask A Concierge Ask A Concierge® is an online platform, blog, and video series hosted by Sarah Dandashy, an award-winning concierge and travel expert based in Los Angeles.

Ask A Concierge® is an online travel show and blog hosted by Sarah Dandashy, an award-winning, Les Clefs d'Or concierge and verified travel expert based in Los Angeles. Covering things to do in LA and around the world.

When was the last time you planned a trip that genuinely excited you? ☀️It's easy to fall into the habit of revisiting t...
07/09/2026

When was the last time you planned a trip that genuinely excited you? ☀️

It's easy to fall into the habit of revisiting the same destinations or booking what's familiar. But every year brings a new opportunity to experience somewhere that changes your perspective.

Maybe it's waking up over crystal clear water in the Maldives. Exploring ancient temples in Egypt. Wandering the colorful streets of Portugal. Slowing down in Croatia. Sipping wine through the French countryside. Or finally taking that bucket list trip to the Galápagos, Mexico, or the UK.

The best vacations aren't always about checking places off a list. They're about choosing experiences that leave you with stories you'll still be telling years from now.

So here's your sign to start dreaming a little bigger for Summer 2026. 🌎✨

If you could book one destination today, where would you go first? Tell me in the comments. 👇

05/18/2026

📍 just became my new NoMad HQ!

Okay but for reals… the hotel is stunning on its own, super modern and fun.

Buuuut the reason you NEED to stay here?

Three words: rooftop, restaurant, speakeasy.

🌟 is giving collegiate cool meets grown-up playground… we’re talking boozy Capri Suns and a PB&J served in a retro lunchbox, 15 floors up with skyline views. I mean, come on.

🌹 is their Italian-American restaurant on the ground floor and honestly the vibe alone is worth it… floor-to-ceiling windows with front row seats to one of NYC’s most iconic corners. Handmade pastas, tableside vermouth cart… yes please!

🍸 And then there’s . Look for the orange door on 30th Street. Head downstairs. Trust me. (Shhh, don’t tell anyone!) Named one of NYC’s best cocktail bars this year, retro lounge vibes, incredible craft cocktails and the BEST playlist. It’s designed to feel like a secret… and it totally does.

Park Ave address. Three insane experiences. All under one roof.

05/14/2026

Yoooo, I rarely get THIS excited about travel news these days, but this is different! You can now book travel straight from a social media video on !

Bets on how long until , , and roll out a similar capability!??

This is going to have a profound impact on the industry… and quite frankly, a change that’s needed to happen for a loooooong time.

Have you started dabbling with yet?

Weee!

05/11/2026

We are so used to being on all the time … checking, scrolling, replying, consuming … that I think a lot of us do not even realize how overstimulated we’ve become.

Loved joining with and to talk about digital detoxing … and not in the dramatic “throw your phone in a lake and disappear for 3 days” kind of way.

I mean the real-life version.

The version where you put the phone down a little more often. Where you stop reaching for it out of habit every five seconds. Where you create even a little space from the noise and remember what it feels like to let your brain breathe for a minute.

Because sometimes the issue is not that we need more information … it’s that we have way too much of it, all the time.

And honestly, protecting your peace a little more these days? That feels less like a luxury and more like survival.

Thanks for having me, 💛

digital detox, CBS LA, mindfulness, mental wellness, screen time, lifestyle, balance

Big personality. Zero fuss.Some hotels just have a point of view... and The Maxwell Seattle definitely does.This is a p...
04/13/2026

Big personality. Zero fuss.

Some hotels just have a point of view... and The Maxwell Seattle definitely does.

This is a property, so there’s already that signature fun, quirky, dog-friendly energy built in... and you feel it. It’s playful, it’s memorable, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which honestly makes the whole stay feel more inviting.

But what I appreciated most is that it wasn’t just fun for fun’s sake. It also felt easy. Even the check-in process was simple, quick, and low-fuss... which, let’s be honest, matters more than hotels sometimes realize. A big part of that comes from the tech working quietly in the background, and that’s where comes in.

Brand personality is what makes a property memorable... operational ease is what gives the team room to be human.

That’s the sweet spot... personality and practicality. A hotel that feels distinct, but still makes the guest experience smooth from the start.

More personality, less friction... which is a combo, as a hotelier and traveler, I will support every time. 🍍

Hotel tech, travel tech, hospitality tech, boutique hotels

04/12/2026

Just another Monday… because work doesn’t wait for the perfect conditions. 😉

The last few weeks have looked a little like this: Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Southern California, Seattle, and a whole lot of airports in between.

All while filming TV segments, recording for Skift, creating content, and staying fully on for the part of my work most people don’t see… supporting my private concierge clients from wherever I am.

And yes… apparently that now includes taking calls from a kayak on the Iguazu River.

Travel is my industry, but it’s also very much my real life. I’m not just talking about it, I’m living it… and somehow answering emails in places that probably shouldn’t have Wi-Fi.

A little chaotic? Maybe.
On brand? Absolutely.

And honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Cheers to a great week!

04/06/2026

Cabo… but make it flexible. 💁🏻‍♀️✨

What’s cool about is that it gives you a city stay option in the heart of Cabo San Lucas… so you’re closer to the marina, restaurants, and all the action. Buuuuut if you’re also in the mood for a little all-inclusive experience, you can add that on too… and even dine at sister properties like , , and , plus spots in .

So basically… you’re not stuck doing Cabo just one way. And honestly, we love options. Am I right?

Nicely done, ! 👏🏼

04/04/2026

Tried the Forme posture bra and pants… and now they’ve officially made their way into my go-to travel outfit. Comfortable, easy, supportive, and especially great for long travel days. ✈️

03/24/2026

Haven’t enrolled in PreCheck Touchless ID yet? No worries, I’ve got you covered.

Touchless TSA PreCheck is one of those airport upgrades that can actually make a difference… WHEN it’s available. And right now, with all the airport chaos, we need all the help we can get.

Once you opt in through a participating airline, check in on the app and look for the green Touchless badge on your mobile boarding pass. At the airport, head to the Touchless ID lane, scan your face, and keep it moving.

A few important things:
You need a mobile boarding pass for this to work.
Printed boarding passes will not.
And yes… still bring your REAL ID or passport as backup, because airport tech loves a plot twist.

Participating airlines currently include Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United.

Have you tried it yet?

TSA PreCheck, touchless ID, airport travel tips, airport security, travel hack, frequent flyer, airline app, travel expert

03/18/2026

📍

There is something really special about returning to a hotel and realizing it does not just feel familiar… it feels like home.

This was my second time staying at the Waldorf Astoria Berlin, and somehow it felt even more meaningful this time around. Maybe that is the beauty of coming back to a place that gets it right. The comfort is already there. The trust is already there. And from the moment you walk in, you can just exhale.

From the stunning views over Berlin to the exceptional, anticipatory service, this hotel truly does everything right. It is the kind of place where the experience feels effortless… and we all know that kind of ease does not happen by accident.

Now that I am back home and looking back on my time in Berlin, one thing is very clear: I already know where I will be staying the next time I return.

And yes… I will admit, I am a little biased.

For those who have been following for some time and know my history, you know why this hotel holds an even more special place in my heart. My dear friend , Head Concierge at the Waldorf Astoria Berlin, is part of that connection and part of why this property feels so personal to me.

Thank you to the Waldorf Astoria Berlin for always making me feel at home. And most especially, thank you to Christoph for making me feel like family every single time.

I cannot wait to come back.

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