New direction for The Social Diary in 2026 and beyond! What about this new direction? We are returning to our Hospitality and Entertainment roots.
Motorsport coverage will remain strong in Newport with the Audrain Automobile Museum. The Social Diary are also Fellowship members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC). Our social hub expanded to include NYC with “inspired” tastings, festivals, gatherings and more.
Soirees, Exhibitions, Premiers to Black Tie Socials
The Social Diary is about first-hand account story telling that is in-depth, detailed and with a pinch of etiquette and manners when necessary. In addition, look for our “Hospitality Notes,” a new feature requested by our members. We will provide our expert opinions on food, beverage, service and more.
But why stop there? We will also expose some “bad deals” and shady business practices. For instance, did you know that Stoneacre now operates The Carriage House at The Elms? Busted by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2023 for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, they must repay $554K1, to 125 employees impacted, by March 2026. Additionally, Stoneacre has to pay over $11K in civil money penalties to the department.
Additionally, did the Preservation Society of Newport County “steal” a member’s idea, without giving full credit during acknowledgments for The Gilded Age Screening on August 10th? We added a footnote.
About Our Unique Perspective
A lifetime in certain social circles gives us a unique perspective in the storytelling and hopefully insightful to those reading. This is especially true for foodies since The Social Diary are avid Foodies, collectors of menus and experienced in fine dine outings.
We previously referred etiquette and manners to other leading professionals, but as subject-matter experts ourselves, there was no longer the need to outsource. Moreover, we don’t live vicariously through others. Our stories cover lifestyle socials and altruistic events, from Watch Hill to Newport, Rhode Island, and in 2026 expanding to NYC and other historic communities.2
Our stories generally post on Mondays, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Currently, we post stories every month. However, starting in January 2026, we are streamlining our story telling and will post “noteworthy” relevant features and events, coupled with our ongoing commentary on hospitality, service, etiquette, fashion and the Platinum lifestyle.
The Social Diary leads an active lifestyle. Our monthly excursions can sustain a book, but for the purposes of meaningful story telling, we are carefully curating a catalogue of impactful experiences. It’s also fun to take a peek behind the curtain.
Further, don’t forget to check out our Community page, which provides additional tidbits. We also investigate businesses and organisations and take enquiries 24/7. Protecting members, donors, Patrons and the public since 2001.
About Our Methodology
We cover social events and local fayre (fare). From casual outings to extravagant black tie affairs, we’ll keep you updated on all the exciting social happenings. We do so with a critical eye, since perfection is never the goal, but putting one’s best front forward is. That’s why honesty is an important aspect of our reviews and storytelling.
Along the way, we may impart some etiquette and manners. And, everyone can gain from a refresher or two of the “Do’s” and “Don’ts.” For instance, what to do in a receiving line? Gloves on or off when eating and drinking? How to manage multiple courses with silverware?
Likewise, fashion topics and place settings remain consistent throughout our pages and posts, however, we may on occasion post Member queries3. That’s because we believe in transparency. Our stories provide the full experience, not just “rainbows” and “sunshine.” If something is amiss, we will tell you about it. For instance, exposing security flaws and subpar professional appearance at The Hope Club!4
It is in keeping with our nature to maintain high standards. Therefore, we will also point out establishments self-aggrandising as “world class 5-star” and “award winning” who fall short of the mark. Award shows never impressed us. So take these accolades with a grain of salt, since a review is only as good as the reviewer, who is sometimes more concerned with closet space than table settings, organisation, service standards and dress codes. That’s all you need to know about AAA Diamond reviews.
Social Standards: The Gilded Age
Maintaining high social standards is important. And these points are very achievable. Deportment, manners and kindness advances society. Vitriol, crudeness and cruelty does not.
Julian Fellowes brilliantly depicts life during the Gilded Age, in the popular show. Additionally, it showcases the harmony and synergy between the upstairs and downstairs. Lord Fellowes is adept in writing about the social classes. He does so confidently in Downton Abbey to The Gilded Age. Additionally, his keen observations provide authenticity to the dynamic stories between the masters and mistresses (upstairs) and their servants and staff (downstairs).
Standard of service during this period was exceptionally high, and the dedicated servants and staff took great care to ensure that everything ran seamlessly. If you want to immerse yourself in this captivating era, you can watch the Lord Fellowes rendition of The Gilded Age on HBO/MAX in the United States.
About Ratings & Reviews
Unfortunately, it is evident that service standards have declined, even at prestigious five-star Relais & Châteaux luxury hotels. This despite receiving numerous accolades and awards. The pretentious ones list these accolades in a thread at the bottom of their website. Sometimes you wonder what they are hiding or compensating for, because if you have to mention how important you are, you probably aren’t5.
The issues of Top down management are glaring. When the President and Managing Director of a renowned establishment neglects to adhere to the dress code for a “black tie” event at his own hotel, it raises concerns about the value of those accolades and awards. It is disheartening to witness the diminishing level of service in an industry that prides itself on exceptional hospitality.
Not all “five-stars” are alike, so buyer beware!
In addition to the correspondences we sent to these establishments and our compilation of their website mistakes, we also offer our astute observations on their attire and behaviour. If manners define a person, then style and outward image are the defining features of initial impressions.
The Social Diary selection process
About Social Engagements
The Social Diary selects events and programmes to attend based on certain “best practices”6 for practical reasons. For instance, whilst the Newport Polo Ball Gala is a worthy “charity” event, we did not believe the service was to the highest standard it could be. We provide examples here. However, this is not to say that we completely dismiss an otherwise worthy event. With additional training and eye for more detail, these events could become the “Platinum” standard.7
Additionally, after attending one New Year’s Eve Ball at the Ocean House, we will not be returning. Future events may exceed expectations, but sometimes, it only takes one experience to limit participation. However, we were more impressed with their Black & White Ball because of its ‘giving‘ nature. The Social Diary supports community charities, especially when it concerns our furry friends.
The Newport Wedding Show practices “data farming” and we are not talking about agriculture. The Social Diary discovered this in 2024 and they continued to be a “fail” in 2025. If you plan on going in 2026, create a separate email account. If planning to attend their opening reception, decline their “free” magazine offer, so they don’t capture your mailing address.
The costs of attending these special events may have gone up, but the quality and services provided have not, in many cases. Therefore, buyer beware. More importantly, be a discerning consumer.
About Membership Selections
Our selection process extends to memberships as well. Whilst we still maintain ties to our “Legacy memberships,” we have explored other general, social and organisational memberships, evaluated annually. We have added and deleted these adjunct memberships based on certain criteria.
The bottom-line and the most basic criteria is “efficiency.” The issues plaguing many well-meaning 501(c)3 non-profits is not staffing. It’s organisation. If you call the main line and no one picks up, that’s a problem. When you register for an event and they tell you it’s at capacity, but they fail to check anyone in at the event, allowing the non-registered to “walk-in.” That’s a problem! Additionally, if they “lose” your mail in their offices for three weeks, that’s a problem too!
Our financial acumen does not allow for frivolous expenses.8 We don’t mind spending money and spreading the wealth. We don’t throw away money on things that don’t meet our standards. High standards are achievable, but many make excuses for their own shortcomings. Excuses should not belong in people’s vocabulary. Full stop.9
As others have noticed on Yelp, Google and Trip Advisor, standards are sadly slipping across the board. Moreover, top down management continue to make excuses for their own failures. The worse kind of ‘weakness’ is to say, “I’m sorry” after the fact. Don’t be a jerk, then there is no need to apologise.
- Correction. Previously noted as $570K. ↩︎
- The About page is a companion of Beyond Yelp. Both pages provide insight and details on our selections and processes. ↩︎
- Member requested queries occur when there is additional information to an already published story. ↩︎
- The “dress code” is emphasised where necessary, such as Private Members Clubs and black tie events. ↩︎
- The Social Diary believes in the “Golden Rule” of “less is more.” ↩︎
- Changed from ‘etiquette.’ Best practices notes a policy change. ↩︎
- Platinum standards can be achieved with the right mindset, people and training. ↩︎
- The Social Diary hates waste, this includes money. We don’t waste money on low standards. ↩︎
- Adjunct memberships are evaluated annually based on attitude, honesty, communications and standard of care. ↩︎