A Place We Like by Leone

For some travelers, a hotel is simply a place to stay. For LEONE, it is an experience shaped by atmosphere, people, and a sense of belonging. His third book, *A Place We Like*, grew out of a years-long search for that elusive feeling. Published as the inaugural title under the Leisure imprint of C41 Magazine, the project serves as both a visual guide to some of Europe’s most remarkable hotels and a personal reflection on the meaning of hospitality.

Traveling across the continent, LEONE visited an eclectic collection of destinations, from refined boutique hotels to secluded retreats and private residences. What connects them is not luxury alone, but a distinctive character forged through architecture, design, and human connection. The book unfolds like a map of carefully chosen places where light, textures, and thoughtful interiors create environments that encourage visitors to pause, observe, and fully inhabit the moment.

The selection process was driven largely by intuition. LEONE was drawn to locations with a strong emotional and visual identity, spaces capable of telling stories through their details and atmosphere. Rather than approaching each destination as a documentarian, he immersed himself in the surroundings, allowing natural light, materials, and everyday interactions to guide his photographic process. His images seek to capture not only the beauty of these places but also the intimacy and emotion they evoke.

What distinguishes *A Place We Like* from many travel publications is its attention to the people behind the experience. Beyond elegant rooms and carefully curated settings, LEONE turns his lens toward the staff whose work sustains these environments. By including employees in the narrative, he reveals the often-unseen labor behind hospitality, bringing a more honest and human perspective to spaces frequently portrayed as effortless and flawless.

An award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and the Creative Director and CEO of C41, LEONE continues to explore storytelling across disciplines. Following the publication of *What Would Beyoncé Do* and *Friendly*, *A Place We Like* further demonstrates his interest in the intersection of people, places, and the emotions that connect them, offering a thoughtful meditation on travel, hospitality, and the search for belonging.