The tastemaker: Ori Kafri, CEO of J.K. Place
The co-founder and CEO of the achingly-cool J.K. Place hotels group shares his personal taste on film, food and flowers
J.K. Places are if you know sorts of places. Just ask any travel editor – although there’s a good chance the globe-trotting scribblers might not want to share their secret, should they have to compete with you and your kin next time they’re trying to wangle a free press stay. Selfish travel editors.
Ori Kafri was just 26 when, in 2003, he opened the first J.K. Place in his home city of Florence. Named after his father, Jonathan Kafri, with whom Ori had founded his company three years earlier, the duo’s original hotel took over a historic building close to Piazza di Santa Maria. With just 20 elegantly-appointed bedrooms and a home-from-home feel, the design-led, art-filled hotel set the blueprint for a hospitality group that now operates upscale boutique hotels in Capri, Paris and Rome.
Next year, Ori Kafri will open the largest J.K. Place to date – it will still only have 40 rooms, mind – in the former offices of Versace. I spoke to the perennially well-presented Florentine in London – where, he says, he’d love to open a hotel, one day – to learn a little more about the man behind the best-kept secret in luxury travel. (Seriously, though, now you know, do us all a favour and don’t let anyone else know. Right?)
Water pressure, proper heating, air conditioning and a comfortable bed and pillows.
Being a Florentine, I would have to say Leonardo da Vinci.
If you create your own luck, you start to believe in fate – because things begin to happen. But luck doesn’t come without working hard. Fate will follow.
Either my scarf or my hat – the two items I am most likely to have when travelling.
I love Kiton, a brand from Naples.
Hermès, Patek Philippe and Loro Piana.
I love orchids.
The future! In 50 years’ time.
I am neutral, I’m not in love nor do I hate social media – it’s just part of this phase of our lives. Each generation has a new method to communicate. It’s just another facilitator.
In no particular order: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara; The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield; and the Bible.
Top Gun
You can find inspiration anytime, anywhere – it never stops. I am in love with Uruguay and [the town] José Ignacio. It is so underrated and special.
Spaghetti alla carrettiera – a spicy tomato sauce. Delicious!
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