Table for Two with Helen Nguyen
My next guest is Helen Nguyen, a sharp and stylish travel advisor whose instinctive taste, cheeky elegance, and effortless cool show up in everything from itineraries to personal style.
Table for Two is where I chat with tastemakers who inspire me with their stylish travels and distinctive perspectives. Helen Nguyen is all of that. She’s a luxury travel advisor, an unexpected confidant, and someone who doesn’t just plan beautiful trips—she designs experiences with intuition and edge.
She’s the person you text for the right hotel, the right outfit, or the right answer. Her perspective is instinctive, never performative—and she’s refreshingly unbothered by trends, leaning instead into timelessness, a bit of cheek, and what actually feels good. Whether she’s pulling off a 14-person Cabo trip with 24 hours’ notice or showing up to a 6 a.m. flight with a fresh blowout, Helen brings a certain effortlessness to it all.
In our conversation, we talk about travel rituals, fashion muses, her dream destinations, and the art of knowing what someone needs before they even ask.
How would you describe your signature style when designing a trip?
Intuitive and casual. Not every trip requires a luxury over-the-top experience, and my trips are always somewhere in between.
What types of clients do you feel most aligned with—and how do they usually find you?
Travelers who are curious and open-minded! I work best with people who are willing to try a mixture of classic and under-the-radar destinations and properties. People can reach out through a referral.
In an era of “must-sees” and social media influence, how do you keep things personal and unexpected?
I’m immediately turned off when someone reaches out with a list from Instagram, TikTok, or ChatGPT. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with learning about travel and destinations this way, but it’s just not that simple. Recommendations are so personal, and without context, they mean nothing to me.
I spend a lot of time learning about my clients' preferences. I also prioritize long-term relationships and consistency as opposed to one-off bookings. My clients know that every trip is personalized because I already know their special wants and needs.
I have an insanely tight operation, and my clients know what to expect every time they depart, whether it’s for a quick trip to New York or a multi-city European holiday. While the majority of their trip is planned, there’s always a cheeky element of surprise somewhere along the way. ~I’m the queen of surprises!~
What’s one perk or service you always try to include for your clients that might seem obvious—but often gets overlooked? (The little things that quietly elevate the entire experience.)
An airport greeter after an international flight. You should get off a flight and not stress about immigration lines or finding your driver.
For my VIPs, I’m overly communicative about my clients’ preferences. I make sure their keys are ready before they arrive, and there will always be a manager to take them directly to their suites. I don’t believe in long lines.
What’s a recent trip you plan that made you pause and think, *damn, that’s good*?
I had a client call me last Thursday at 1:00 PM. He wanted to fly his entire team and family (a total of 14 people) to Las Ventanas in Cabo the next morning. Financially, it was a really good booking, but logistically challenging. For that many seats, the flights were basically sold out. I had to pull a few strings at Private Suites and Delta VIP Select to clear the waitlist and organize drivers to take people to various airports in California to make it happen. I managed to guarantee an upgrade at Las Ventanas from a 2-bedroom premier villa to this stunning 3-bedroom oceanview villa during a sold-out weekend, in addition to booking extra rooms for his team.
Honestly, I’m still mentally recovering from this trip, but somehow I made it work.
What are three non-negotiables you look for in a hotel before recommending it?
The rooms - Is there good feng shui? Is it comfortable, or is it just aesthetically pleasing?
Service - How accommodating are the concierge and team? I love a proactive hotel concierge. Please email me before to ask me about my pillow preferences…
Location and Demographic - I don’t recommend hotels where the lobby smells like le labo or oud.
Favorite destination to plan?
France and Vietnam.
What’s a city—or hotel—you think everyone should experience at least once in their life?
Hong Kong. I love The Upper House.
What’s a dream destination, hotel, or experience you’d love to do next? Are there any exciting trips or plans on the horizon?
I want to experience Belmond’s Oriental Express and Les Bateaux soon! Otherwise, Kisawa Sanctuary in Mozambique is high on my list. My highly critical friend recently went and said it was one of the best stays of his life. As of now, I have Greece and France at the end of Summer.
Highs and lows—what’s the best part of your job, and what’s the most challenging?
High: The relationships I’ve developed. Our work is so special, and I’ve met so many incredible people (you included). Hospitality would be nothing without the people and relationships - no matter how hard people are pushing for AI.
Lows: The mental load. People assume that our job is super glamorous (which also means we’re doing a good job marketing), but there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes. When clients check into a hotel and there’s an issue, I’m the first person they call. Sometimes I feel like I’m constantly putting out fires, and it’s this never-ending loop. Nothing is worse than working on an itinerary for months and then a flight gets cancelled, so you have to rework all the details in a short period of time.
What’s a travel ritual you always stick to on your own trips?
I always take an everything shower the night before and give myself a blowout the morning of (even if that means waking up at 4 AM), followed by a lymphatic massage the moment I land.
Travel and style go hand in hand—and you embody an effortlessly chic, quietly cool presence. How would you describe your style?
Wow, I love you! I would say it’s sporty & simple, cheeky & fun, but always tailored! Somewhere between Saint Laurent meets Dries Van Noten meets Victoria Beckham with a dash of Agent Provocateur and Coperni?
Do you ever build your wardrobe around a destination?
Sometimes…it really depends on the destination. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten better at buying versatile pieces that can be worn in different climates.
Which place has influenced your style the most?
Paris and Milan. Parisians have a way of mixing highs and lows. Milanese are always sharp and sexy.
Who or what do you look to for inspiration, whether in travel and fashion?
I spend a lot of time looking at archives and visiting bookstores, and libraries. When I lived in Chicago, I loved looking through the archives at the Harold Washington Library. In Paris, I love the Bibliothèque National de France in the 2nd. The architecture is incredible! And the same goes for the Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City.
I also find inspiration in nature. In LA, I love the Self Realization Center in Mt Washington and the Huntington Library in Pasadena.
For fashion, nothing beats being out and about. In Chicago, I loved Sunday dinners at RL Restaurant. If you can request a booth to the left of the maitre d… the people watching is chef’s kiss.
City, country, or coast?
Ugh! City near the coast surrounded by mountains? I love Marseille for this very reason.
Early check-in or late check-out?
Early Check-in.
Hotel you’d move into tomorrow?
I’ll take a residence at the Carlyle as long as someone pays my HOAs; otherwise, a deluxe suite at Cour des Vosges.
Room service order, no matter the destination?
For Breakfast: oatmeal, fruit plate, green juice, and croissant. Breakfast is my most sacred meal. I do not want to be caught dead in the hotel lobby before I have my coffee.
Anytime after 12:00 PM: French fries and dessert @friesandbevs.
Favorite in-room amenities?
Turndown dessert! Nine Orchard has the best chocolate chip cookies. It’s a great treat when you come back. Oh, and a well-stocked (AND FREE) mini bar, The Greenwich Hotel does a phenomenal job with this. I’m already spending $1,000 ++ a night on a hotel room. I don’t want to pay $12 for a crusty m&m bag that’s been collecting dust.
Thank you for joining another conversation, and here’s to many more engaging chats this year with tastemakers defining what it means to live and travel well. From fashion and food to far-flung destinations, I hope these stories ignite your curiosity and inspire your next travels.
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The sweetest intro! It was so fun sharing my love for travel and everything in between xx
The best!