Before saying their “I do’s” in the most hush-hush Venetian wedding imaginable, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez took Europe for a spin. And it wasn’t just any romantic jaunt. It was A-list bachelor and bachelorette parties, yacht days in Portofino, pit stops at iconic hotels, and the Monaco Grand Prix. Naturally. If you’re plotting a similarly outrageous getaway (or just want to live vicariously), here’s the full rundown—from tapas to truffles, five-star suites to superyachts.
Madrid
Madrid doesn’t try to impress you. It just is impressive. The streets are wide, the energy is high, and everything smells like jamón ibérico and orange blossom. The locals are impossibly stylish and somehow always have time for a three-hour lunch. You can wander through El Retiro Park, which feels like a royal garden (because it was one), and then stumble into the Prado to stare down a Velázquez. Plaza Mayor is touristy, yes, but even that feels charming with a caña in hand. But the late nights are where Madrid shines: dinner at 10 p.m., cocktails at midnight, and dancing till your heels give up. There’s something magnetic about a city that refuses to sleep—and Bezos clearly felt the pull. His bachelor party took over some of the city’s most elite spots, but if you’re looking for a home base, there’s one obvious choice.
Where to Stay: Mandarin Oriental Ritz
Built in 1910 and recently re-imagined with all the right kind of polish, the Mandarin Oriental Ritz is a Madrid classic. It has 153 rooms and suites, but don’t expect anything cookie-cutter. Rooms are dressed in creamy neutrals and gold accents with views over the Prado or the city’s lushest streets. There are five dining options, including Deessa, the two-Michelin-star restaurant led by Quique Dacosta, where foie gras and lobster live happily ever after. There’s an indoor pool, a dreamy wellness area, and a lobby that feels like the living room of a very fancy Spanish aunt. It’s elegant, old-money Madrid without trying too hard.
Paris
There’s no city that plays hostess quite like Paris. Everything is prettier than it needs to be: the balconies, the coffee cups, even the street signs. It smells like butter and perfume. Lauren Sánchez chose it as her bachelorette base, which makes perfect sense—it’s a city that knows a thing or two about seduction. Wander the Marais and pretend you’re a French film star. Shop on Rue Saint-Honoré or grab a terrace seat in Saint-Germain and do absolutely nothing — which is the entire point. Then there’s the Seine, always waiting for your best “I’m having a moment” gaze. Paris doesn’t care who you are, but it will always offer good light and a killer cheese board.
Where to Stay: The Ritz Paris
Let’s just get this out of the way: this is not a regular hotel. The Ritz Paris is a mood, a legacy, a whole lifestyle. There are 142 rooms and suites, and every single one looks like it could host a royal tantrum in style. Go for a Prestige Suite if you’re feeling particularly theatrical. The hotel’s bars are legendary—Bar Hemingway if you’re chasing literary ghosts, Bar Vendôme if you’re chasing champagne. The spa is Chanel-branded, which means you’ll exit smelling better than your own memories. Dining? L’Espadon is the high-end spot, but honestly, even room service here feels couture.
Portofino
If Italy had to send one village to represent its charm on an international stage, Portofino would be it. Pastel houses stacked like macarons, a tiny harbor filled with boats that cost more than houses, and seafood so fresh you can still hear it splash. The whole place feels like it was invented for people with yachts and nowhere to be. You come to stroll, to tan, to linger over Aperol spritzes with your phone on airplane mode. Portofino is not trying to entertain you—you entertain yourself by being here. Bezos and Sánchez’s yacht was spotted docked in the bay, looking appropriately enormous.
Where to Stay: Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel
This hotel is the perfect front-row seat to Portofino. Splendido Mare has only 14 rooms and suites, which makes it feel more like your fabulously wealthy friend’s villa. The design is fresh and bright, with nautical touches, soft wood, and marble bathrooms that encourage extended mirror time. DaV Mare is the house restaurant and does elevated Ligurian food with a thoughtful kick—go for the sea bass. There’s no spa here, but you’ll find its sister property, Hotel Splendido, up the hill with a full wellness offering and pool. A shuttle connects the two, so you can float between harbor glam and hillside calm.
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is what happens when you combine tax perks with Mediterranean sunshine and a love for sparkle. Everything here is shiny: the buildings, the watches, the people. It’s tiny but jam-packed with indulgence. You can lose an afternoon at the Casino, get distracted by yachts longer than the street you grew up on, and casually pass three Ferraris before lunch. The food is impeccable, the champagne flows freely, and if you’re into fast cars, the Monaco Grand Prix is the peak of the spectacle. Bezos and Sánchez were seen soaking it in from the best seats money can buy.
Where to Stay: Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Somehow, this place is both old-world charm and 21st-century comfort. It is all about soft lighting, ceiling frescoes, and terraces with gasp-worthy views of the harbor. There are 277 rooms and suites, many of which open onto private balconies with sea views. It’s connected to the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa (one of the best in Europe), with a heated seawater pool and treatments that cost a small fortune, but feel worth it. Yannick Alléno, the three-Michelin-starred chef, oversees the restaurant Pavyllon, where the tasting menus are practically edible jewellery. If you’re going to play Monaco for real, this is where you do it.
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FAQs
Q: Where did Jeff Bezos celebrate his bachelor party?
A: Jeff Bezos celebrated his bachelor party in Madrid.
Q: Where did Lauren Sánchez have her bachelorette party?
A: Lauren Sánchez had her bachelorette party in Paris.
Q: Where was Jeff Bezos’s yacht spotted during the trip?
A: Jeff Bezos’s yacht was spotted in the bay of Portofino.
