Jules Maury, Head of Scott Dunn Private

I first met Jules Maury, head of Scott Dunn Private, on a media trip to Mallorca with PR founder Julia Perowne, who kept calling her friend “The Duchess.” The nickname fit: tall, elegant, rarely without a Hermès scarf and pearls, she cuts a grand figure. But Jules is also warm and wickedly funny, the kind of dinner companion whose travel tales—she’s lived everywhere from Hong Kong to Switzerland, France to Australia, Vietnam to South Africa—leave everyone cackling into their cocktails. That gift for storytelling fuels her work: orchestrating the yearly travel plans of Scott Dunn Private’s high-net-worth and most loyal clients, and designing tailor-made journeys from scratch. It also keeps her perpetually in motion, hopping from lounge to airport to hotel room, gathering scoops and intel, some which she shares with us here, along with a few memorable bon mots.—Alex Postman

How often do you travel?

Every month, it seems, when I checked the diary—in some form or another.

Most recent passport stamp?

Marrakech! And on my French passport, Peru (as I often travel on my French passport to avoid stamps within Europe).

What’s your travel uniform?

White shirt (either Anne Fontaine or Naracamici), navy trousers (always Raffaello Rossi) or white jeans (I pick up about 5 pairs every year when I go to Cape Town), navy/cream blazer (NM Peal and Stella McCartney), and always one of my large statement Hermès scarves. I have wonderful loafers I have made at Lachoix in Lisbon that I pick up every year in a few colours—perfect for traveling. Always my South Sea pearls.

Go-to luggage for a short trip? Long trip?

Always my Samsonite luggage and BRIC carryon—I cannot travel with hand luggage. Long haul up to three suitcases!

Hardest-working item you bring?

My Birkin

Airport routine? I try to make it 1.5-2 hours at least as the “get to gate and board” gets earlier and earlier—especially if the plane is running late and turnaround time gets shaved right down. Also gives me a chance to pop into the Hermès shop, which is my happy place.

Favorite airport?

St Barths. It is such fun arriving on that epic tiny strip of cement with ocean at the end and to walk through the quickest baby airport straight into the Eden Rock car to drive three minutes to have your feet in the sand and champagne in your hand—heaven! It screams glamour!

Favorite airport lounge/club?

Qatar Doha, as it is the cleanest, slickest check-in on departure straight into that truly amazing lounge. And on arrival, whisked straight through into the Al Mourjan Lounge, where everything is done for you before you are guided to your car. And Fireblade Aviation in Johannesburg: you are either on the private Lear jet to Miavana, with a helicopter at the end, or eased into the Tswalu private plane down to Tswalu. The Oppenheimers own both Fireblade and Tswalu—two of my favorite destinations. So civilized, and if you want a shower and to freshen up before you connect, they have day rooms.

Best duty-free you always stop in and for what?

Dubai or Doha for Hermès scarves, Chanel sunglasses, and cigars for my husband.

Window or aisle? Go-to seat number?

Window 1F on short haul. BA: Window 3 rows back from the beginning of Club Class, usually on long haul. If the Airbus A380, then 52F window (I hate being right at the front). Or row 2 First Class window.

Any in-air rituals?

I always scoop up all the back copies of CNT, T&L, The Week, Tatler, and Country Life that I have not had time to read, and podcasts I have not had time to catch up on. I have a friend who makes endless playlists for me, which are brilliant and suit every country I am heading to. The latest is country & western for my trip to Texas! My go-to skincare has been German skincare brand QMS, and their day and night serum is brilliant at the beginning and end of a long-haul flight.

What’s always in your carry-on?

My personal Bric carry-on (a personalized edition) was a gift from a friend who owns one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. Apple Air Pods. same for chargers. White Company cashmere socks. Apple iPad. Dell laptop. Silk eye mask purchased at Xigera in Botswana! Hermès silk and cashmere large scarf (if I am not wearing) ultra lightweight cashmere and cotton gilet from Falconeri (I love this if it gets cold!). Qatar or BA First pajamas if I am on other flights where they do not give you PJs! Small makeup bag, Phizz rehydrate tablets, hairbrush and small Elnet hairspray. Earplugs—forgotten the name, but will not travel without them! Apple Air Tag and Pingu my penguin jellycat, who protects me from everything!

Three favorite hotels in the world?

Passalaqua (Lake Como), Singita Ebony (Sabi Sands, South Africa) and Miavana (Madagascar)

Consistently favorite hotel brand?

Belmond and Oetker 

Most compelling recent discovery?

Many years ago I worked for the now Sultan of Oman, when his uncle Qaboos was Sultan. Recently, sitting down and talking to one of the owners of The Malkai, a circuit of camps that will open next year in Oman, was a fascinating trip down memory lane. Also the yet-to-be-finished 6-suite Crocodile sur le Nil dahabiya. 

Most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling? Crystal, lobster and caviar years ago when First Class used to be just that! I was married to the head of Air France Asia and Africa for 11 years, and their First Class served fabulous champagne, food and wines.

Any jet-lag wisdom?

Melatonin and Stilnox. For me, the only way through severe time zone changes are drugs!

Go-to room service order?

Club sandwich with extra mayonnaise and fries

Tricks for making a hotel room feel like home?

Room spray and pillow spray I take from the Hotel Bristol—which I love—just in case I do not like the signature hotel scent! My magazines laid out on the coffee table. I am terrible with “lotions and potions,” which probably contribute to my huge weight allowance—but once laid out in the bathroom, it feels like home!

Best in-room amenity you’ve come across?

Eden Rock St. Barths’ heavenly shower hat, leather manicure set, rose quartz facial roller, make-up bags, personalized beach bag, divine signature red flip-flops, along with signature Champagne and homemade chocolates. Passalaqua cannot be discounted with their gorgeous Venetian-style slippers, silver earring box engraved with initials, personalized passport holder, luggage tags and oh so much more….

Best hotel gym?

He was my butler in one of the Amans. Oh, I see gym, not Jim. It’s something I avoid like the plague!

Favorite destination spa/wellness retreat?

I love the whole Spa Safari at Nihi Sumba, which is so much more than a spa!

Your favorite airline/hotel rewards program?

Qatar – BA for the rewards, as I am so locked into the Avios system and BA is so handy for short-haul destinations.

Your dream airplane would have…

A bedroom and gorgeous ensuite stocked with Bvlgari products, which I love. I know Andrew Winch Design and would entrust them with the spec. Their pared-back style today would be perfect to design the interior. Taupes, creams, beiges and a slash of orange to reflect my inner Hermès obsession. A state-of-the-art kitchen. Definitely a bar where you could hang out.

Best in-flight conversation/seat-mate encounter?

On my way to Santiago after the sudden loss of a family member from my husband’s side, I was engulfed in grief, but continued with the long-planned business trip. In that fog of misery, two moments reminded me that someone up there was looking out for me. First, by sheer luck, I knew the captain, who arranged an upgrade to Club Class and asked the crew to be gentle with me. Then, despite my tearful state, the young man beside me introduced himself as George. I tried to retreat into silence after explaining my red eyes and sniffles, but he gently offered: “You can either cry all the way to Chile, or I can at least entertain you through drinks and dinner.” He did just that. A well-connected figure in the copper industry, he even showed me a raw diamond he’d sourced in South Africa for his soon-to-be fiancée, asking my advice on how to propose—after learning I’d had three husbands! I laughed, cried, slept, and woke up feeling like a new day had begun. George guided me through Santiago airport, handed me to my driver, and vanished. A true guardian angel for one unforgettable night.

First thing you do when you get home?

Unless I’ve been on safari, I pack all my clothes on hangers in dry-cleaning plastic and fold them into the suitcase. First thing I do when I’m home is hang them all up, shower, and sit down with a cup of coffee. Or, if it’s the evening, I light a candle, put on some music and pour a glass of wine with my husband.