Sebastian Puga – Partner & SVP of Brand Development at Ten Five Hospitality

Sebastian Puga’s CV reads like a who’s who of the best in hospitality. A creative executive and global connector of ideas, he specializes in designing experiences for brand innovation and growth as SVP of Brand Development at Ten Five Hospitality. Previously, he spent four years as VP of Brand Marketing at Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC Hotels in NYC; and before that was at Sixty Hotels, Morgans Hotel Group and The Standard Hotels. All the hits, basically.

With over a 15 years of experience, Sebastian has worked with some of the world’s most recognized organizations, leaders, and brands. He’s happiest working from a hotel rooftop bar – we spent several remote office afternoons at the PUBLIC – or at his home in the East Village. However, he’s no NYC native; in fact, Sebastian has roots in Miami. In short, he’s a well traveled man, full of good travel advice.

Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).

Read on for travel inspiration from Sebastian Puga.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

La Granja, Ibiza, Spain. This is a beautifully designed farmhouse situated on the north side of Ibiza. There’s no sign for the hotel, just a dirt road from the main street, which is perfectly fitting for the feeling you experience once you arrive. The hotel is simple yet elegant, and small, with just six rooms in the main house, an amazing pool and a restaurant that produces its menu from the land it sits on.

Deer Mountain Inn, Tannersville, New York. Deer Mountain is an old turn-of-the-century home transformed into a six-room cottage, plus three additional guest houses. The design is rustic, warm and welcoming. There is an incredible restaurant and it has the perfect deck to enjoy long lunches during the summer months. In the winter, get cozy by the fireplace. You can hike around the property, without needing to leave, as there are 100 acres of land to explore. I love coming here anytime of the year, and and it’s a great excuse to get out of the city.

PUBLIC, New York, NY. This is the hotel I opened alongside the godfather of boutique hotels, Ian Schrager. It breaks the mold from what the big hotel groups were doing in the market at the time, by offering “luxury for all”, ie. a design hotel at an affordable rate. It’s exactly the style of hotel that was missing in Downtown Manhattan. My favorite part is the five bars, all of which serve a different purpose, design, and experience. It’s a one-stop shop when you are traveling to NYC.

What do you love most about working in hospitality?

A passion for service is embedded into my life, and there is nothing I can do to get away from that. Everything else just falls into place.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

A comfortable mattress, or I’m not coming back.

What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?

I prefer working in my hotel room. It’s quiet and I get distracted far too easily when I’m in a public setting. 

Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?

I travel to upstate New York as often as possible. And cell service is terrible up there, so it’s easy to forget about my phone.

What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?

Running shoes. It’s a great way to get to see the city and work up a sweat.

If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world at baggage claim, who would it be?

Johnny Depp.

If you’re going to a new place, and your friends have not been there, what do you consult for advice?

My friends website, A HOTEL LIFE for the best hotels.

Who is your dream “co-pilot” or travel partner?

Hunter S Thompson. I would love to have been in Puerto Rico while he was writing The Rum Diary. That was probably a lot of fun. Sunshine and rum!

What is your go-to read while traveling?

The New Yorker.

If you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in another country or on a remote island), where would you do it?

Working on this dream… in Tulum or Ibiza. Or any beach, actually.

Travel solo or with someone else?

With someone.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Lost luggage.

Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?

Bottle of Margeux.

Early check-in or late check-out?

Late check out.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.