Discover Ted Gushue's hotel shortlist

What are your favorite ‘smug offices’?
I’ll always love working by the fireplace at the SoHo Grand Hotel. I spent roughly three years either DJing there or working in the marketing office. Still feels like home to me.

What's the most off-the-grid travel experience you've had lately?
I drove an Aston Martin through Tuscany at great speed with no cell service and found this sunflower patch that went on for a couple of miles. A super zen moment, if a little too awesome to be true…

Akin to Super Bowl winners saying, ‘I'm going to Disneyland!’ after the big game, what's the one destination you immediately think of as a reward after a big launch?
Chateau Marmont for a Bloody Mary by the pool. Don’t tell them but I somehow ended up with a pool key. Shhh.

Finish this sentence: I would switch to a middle seat for _____________.
A good story.

Do you have any favorite travel hacks?
Dress like business class, pay like steerage.

What are your thoughts on out-of-office messages? Leave one? Don't leave one? Keep it simple? Make it poetic?
If you’re out over a week, go for it. I find that it’s a very European thing though, and can come off a little ‘screw you’. Essentially you’re thumbing your nose at the recipient that you’re on the beach somewhere in an unflattering bathing suit getting skin cancer. Better to be a bit mysterious and just spam the hell out of their Instagram feed. Or not, whatever.

Of all the roadways in the world, what's your ideal drive? And with what car?
Solstice Canyon, Malibu, California. In my ’76 911S.

True or false: a genuine road trip requires no planning? And why?
If you have to explain why you already know why it’s true.

What songs are always on your vacation playlist?
Early Stones.