How would you like to own your own chain of tropical islands in the Coral Sea? The Conflict Islands near Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific are up for sale for $8.5 million. This string of 23 islands, most more than an acre in size and many with sandy beaches, covers over 925 acres and surrounds a five mile wide blue-green lagoon. The islands are mostly undeveloped, with only a worn down runway which would most likely need to be replaced. The Conflict Islands, in their history, have served as a copra plantation and a pearl fishery. 

UPDATE: This posting has been updated with a new URL which better reflects the Conflict Islands (originally labeled as Louisiade Atoll).

Filed under: Estates

Conflict Islands originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 04 May 2005 18:50:35 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With the big party day known as Cinco de Mayo coming up tomorrow, Forbes has been kind enough to provide us with a list of tequilas to celebrate with. Being Forbes, we aren't talking the cheap bottles you buy at the corner liquor store. Instead, we are looking at top shelf stuff (similar to what you find in the $21 a glass margarita I had last week, but that's another story) with prices ranging around $100 per bottle and up. Along with their expensive list, Forbes also provides a nice run down of how to tell the good stuff and what it took to make Americans see beyond $3 margarita happy hours.

Filed under: Spirits

Top Tequilas originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 04 May 2005 13:05:37 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now that Wynn Las Vegas is up and running, Steve Wynn is turning his vision across the Pacific towards the Chinese region of gambling friendly Macau. Enter Wynn Macau - a gambling resort Wynn is developing which has a scheduled opening in the third quarter of 2006. The Wynn Macau will consist of 600 hotel rooms, 10,000 square feet of casino gambling, seven restaurants, spa, salon and entertainment facilities. There are already plans afoot as well for an early 2007 expansion with more gaming space, dining options and a theater.

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Wynn Macau originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 04 May 2005 12:37:34 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This post might actually be worthy of room on my credit card. Westin is finally sharing their Heavenly Bed with the masses beyond just their website catalog. Announced today, the luxurious bed mattress and linens which have wrapped many in a wonderful night of sleep will be found at select Nordstrom stores nationwide. The Westin Heavenly Bed At Home Collection will be priced at $35 to $300 for the sheets and $1,250 to $1,450 for the mattress. The entire ten-layer setup can be purchased for upwards of $3,600.

Filed under: Decor

Westin Heavenly Bed At Home Collection originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 03 May 2005 15:40:24 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luxury car shoppers will be happy to know they have a new website to research their next pricey car purchase. ForbesAutos.com, which was officially launched today, brings automobile related content from Forbes.com and combines it with interactive photo galleries, a searchable luxury auto database and other decision related features. The ForbesAutos.com staff also plans to review two to three cars weekly, giving our sister blog Autoblog a slight run for the money. One of their first reviews out the gate, written by Stephen Wilkinson, talks about the 2005 Porsche Boxster.

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

ForbesAutos.com originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 03 May 2005 15:20:02 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Set in the beautifully rural Santa Ynez Valley near Los Olivos, California is the 200 acre parcel known as Painted Hill Ranch and Vineyard. An up and coming vineyard which has seen some positive press in recent years, this $12 million property is up for sale. With the purchase price comes 45 acres of planted wine grapes, a two mile private paved road, winery and a main ranch home with panoramic views. The home is in a French country style and has an award winning kitchen, tennis court, viewing gazebo and freeform pool.

Filed under: Estates

Painted Hill Ranch and Vineyard originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 03 May 2005 10:23:35 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's an eBay auction for the history buff willing to take a risk. On the block is an 18th century Chinese tea chest said to have been thrown into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party. It is one of only three known surviving chests from one of the key events which started America's war for independence. The ornate black paint and ink decorations depict men on horseback, flowers and butterfiles among other things. The starting bid is $750,000.

Filed under: Decor

eBay Auction: Boston Party Tea Chest? originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 02 May 2005 19:34:02 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want to know what the wealthy desire? There is a new monthly newsletter which may answer that question. Called the Wealth Report, this $995 a year subscription from the Luxury Institute is designed to "provide insights about key trends" affecting the lives of "wealthy consumers and professionals who cater to them". Topics to be covered include "wealth management trends, travel and leisure, philanthropy, marketing, the Internet, education, and emerging life-changing trends".

Filed under: Services

Luxury Institute "Wealth Report" Newsletter originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 02 May 2005 18:52:41 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wish you could travel like someone who has way more money than the average mortal? Though most of us may never be able to enjoy the jetsetting lifestyle of the rich and famous, Forbes does a nice job of giving us a peak inside. Their article highlights who helps the high society plan their traveling, the plush estates they stay in, the security that escorts them and the credit card they use to pay for it all. Happy daydreaming as you read.

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

How the Other Half Travels originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 28 Apr 2005 23:46:21 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Opening Day at Wynn Las Vegas originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 28 Apr 2005 23:25:44 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We here at Luxist sure have a thing for ranches. Though not your traditional estate listing, there's still a lot of wow factor to be had about owning hundreds of gorgeous acres. Our latest entry is case in point: the Cross Bar Ranch in Colorado. Set on 4,400 acres, the Cross Bar is surrounded on three sides by national forest lands. The property itself has roughly 12 miles of fishing creeks running through it, irrigated meadows, hunting grounds for elk, pine and aspen forests and tons of mountain scenery. The main 4,800 square foot home is loaded with more than enough features to make any cowboy ready to kick his boots up at the end of the day. 

Filed under: Estates

Cross Bar Ranch originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 28 Apr 2005 23:09:38 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's a new credit card set to debut in June which may make those who are luxury minded happy. Lexus has teamed with Visa to launch the Lexus Pursuits Visa Card. The card has an incentive rewards program which will allow those desiring a Lexus to use their accumulated points towards a discount on a new car purchase. Existing Lexus owners will be able to use points for parts and services at their local dealership.

Filed under: Services

Lexus Visa originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 28 Apr 2005 23:00:06 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Off the Caribbean island of Curacao is the tiny islet of Isla Kiniw. On the market for $2 million, one three building villa takes up much of the land. It features a large porch, four two person bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The rest of the island includes a private beach and tropical garden, while included extras on Curacao consist of a private parking and docking area.  

Filed under: Estates

Isla Kiniw originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 27 Apr 2005 18:09:28 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dallas Mavericks owner and Weblogs blogger Mark Cuban sure knows how to treat his players to a star experience in their luxury dressing room, according to Sports Illustrated. Cuban recently spent several million dollars to, among other things, outfit each player's locker with satellite television, DVD player and Playstation 2, create eight individual shower stalls with heads that are nine feet high and develop a state of the art hydrotherapy area with whirlpools that can hold four very big guys.

Filed under: Services

Dallas Mavericks Dressing Room originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 27 Apr 2005 17:54:21 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever looked through the Frontgate catalog? They have some truly amazing and expensive items for sale, including this new 16-foot wide SuperScreen outdoor theater system. Priced at $9,999, the SuperScreen is giant and inflatable, with a 13' x 16' screen which blows up within five minutes. The screen comes with a portable DVD player to play the movie, a DLP projector and stand for displaying the movie and dual 15" speakers with stands to pump out the sounds. Pool and floating chairs not included.

Filed under: Gadgets

SuperScreen Outdoor Theater System originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 27 Apr 2005 13:15:13 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking to upgrade from your old run down 'hood to one of the more opulent spots? Forbes has a list of the most expensive locations you might want to check out. The list was compiled using the median home sale price in 2004 for a given zip code. Topping the stack was swank Atherton, CA, where stately mansions and Silicon Valley millionaires combine for close to $2.5 million per abode. It was followed in the top ten by several other hot California markets, proving the known fact that many of the bling bling set love to call the Golden State home.

Filed under: Estates

2005 Forbes List of Most Expensive 'Hoods originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 26 Apr 2005 17:24:59 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Wine

WineBid Auction: 1921 Petrus originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 26 Apr 2005 16:48:12 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa has opened an interesting new addition to their award winning Thalasso Spa. Known as the Spa at the Rocks, two treatment villas are perched atop natural rocks located at the base of the cliff the resort sits on. The illusion they've tried to create is that the spa is suspended above the Indian Ocean. Each treatment room comes with a rain shower, oversized bathtubs filled with rose petals and commanding views of the ocean. The Spa at the Rocks is only accessible via a bridged walkway.

Filed under: Spas

Ritz Carlton Bali's Spa at the Rocks originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 26 Apr 2005 16:28:45 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is up for sale - this time on eBay. This particular one of the 1,400 cars made from this model and year has gone through a complete "nut and bolt restoration" and is finished in fire engine red with natural leather interior. The original belly pans were also restored and the 66,045-mile car equipped with the correct Dare luggage. With a little less than two days left, seven bidders have thus far driven the price to over $275,000.

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

eBay Auction: 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:36:53 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Estates

Vista Verde Ranch originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:03:19 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest and greatest from luxury hotel operator Four Seaons is the Four Seasons Hotel Doha in Qatar. This 232 room (a quarter of which are suites) resort is crowned by domes of intricate latticework and features amenities like a private beach, multi-level grotto pools, 110-berth marina and a duplex-style "Royal Suite". The hotel's location on the Arabian Gulf provides amazing views from many of the rooms. Adjacent to the hotel is a three story spa and fitness center which features a mix of traditional and indigenous treatments.

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Four Seasons Hotel Doha originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 25 Apr 2005 14:33:15 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crushpad, a community winery located in San Francisco, is already well known for their program which allows people to produce their own small lot, premium wines on site. They are now taking this up a notch by unveiling their "My Cult Cab" program, which essentially allows wannabe winemakers the honor of paying $10,000 a barrel to make Cabernet whose grapes are sourced from extremely high end vineyards. Crushpad says the wines produced will be comparable to $100 to $200 retail cult wines.

Filed under: Wine

Crushpad "My Cult Cab" Program originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 20 Apr 2005 23:46:48 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest luxury wine country lifestyle catalog from NapaStyle hit my mailbox the other day. What immediately caught my eye on the back page was the Set of 32 Giant Chess Pieces. Designed with an Old World flair, each piece (ranging in height from a lowly pawn-like 21" to a kingly 39") is carved from chomcha wood and can be placed indoors or out. Think of it as Alice in Wonderland meets your backyard - all you need do is provide the giant chess board and some servants to move the pieces around.

Filed under: Decor

NapaStyle Set of 32 Giant Chess Pieces originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 20 Apr 2005 12:19:55 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With a little over a day left before the auction is over, this life size humpback whale and calf statue carved from a California redwood on eBay has thus far drawn no bids. The statue, which measures 33 feet by eight feet at its widest point, was taken from a single 41 foot long log which was found on the property of a defunct sawmill. The statue traveled as part of a music tour in 1995 to raise awareness of environmental issues related to endangered speices and trees. Proceeds from the sale will be split by two non-profits.

Filed under: Decor

eBay Auction: Humpback Whale & Calf Redwood Sculpture originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 19 Apr 2005 18:34:14 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On the market for a cool $17.9 million is the White Pine/Double Heart Ranch in Gunnison, Colorado. This amazing parcel brings together a working cattle ranch and hunting lodge on 6,800 acres of deeded land, with an additional 45,640 leased from various governmental agencies. The topography has everything you want out of prime Western land, ranging from wide open spaces to a private fly fishing creek. Highlights include the 11,430 ft. Tomichi Dome and the White Pine Ranch Lodge, a hunting lodge which can accommodate 20 and offers luxury accommodations alongside a large dining hall and outside deck.

Filed under: Estates

White Pine/Double Heart Ranch originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:46:24 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking for that perfect little tropical paradise to own? Little Eden Cay off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua is for sale, reduced from $3.25 million to $2.95 million. This 26-acre haven sports a main residence, two homes for guests and a full time staff, an organic vegetable garden, a heli-pad, high speed satellite Internet and telephone service, mangrove forest, white sand beaches and a spring fed pool.

Filed under: Estates

Little Eden Cay originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 13 Apr 2005 17:02:16 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Dining

Blvd at The Regent Beverly Wilshire originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:16:10 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luxury hotel operator Four Seasons welcomed a new jewel into their crown today with the official opening of Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia. This resort features 91 rooms (starting at $410 a night), 20 beach villas measuring over 2,600 square feet each and a spa which offers six treatment rooms and outdoor plunge pools set amongst lush gardens. The setting of the hotel itself is extremely stunning, located on one of the Langkawi islands' best beaches.

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Four Seasons Langkawi originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:34:37 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On the auction block at eBay right now is a very impressive looking 18th century silver chandelier. The main body measures 53 inches tall, 53 inches at its widest point and has 15 arms sprouting from it. It is unmarked as all silver from the Colonial Period and certified by an expert as coming from Peru. With a starting bid of $75,000, the current owner expects it will end up in a mansion or castle.

Filed under: Decor

eBay Auction: 18th Century Silver Chandelier originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:46:47 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luxury lodging on the Las Vegas Strip, be it hotel by night or condo ownership, continues to heat up as more players open shop. One of the latest is the new Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino. Located next to the Bellagio, this $1.5 billion development will mix luxury condos with upscale hotel rooms.  It will be managed by Hyatt under their Grand Hyatt brand and, when it opens in 2008, will feature two hotel and condo-hotel towers, a casino, 50 or 60 high end shops, 10 to 12 quality restaurants and a five-acre pool deck overlooking the Strip.

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 11 Apr 2005 12:08:40 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's one hot "Magnificent Jewels" auction getting ready to happen at Christie's in New York on April 12. Highlights of this uber-jewelry event include a 34.15 ct. diamond ring estimated to sell at between $600,000 and $800,000, a 24.84 ct. diamond pendant necklace (pictured right) estimated to sell for between $1 and $1.5 million and, in what looks to be the star of the show, a 50.01 ct. diamond set in platinum and flanked by baguette-cut diamonds which Christie's hopes will fetch upwards of $4 million.

Filed under: Jewelry

Christie's Magnificent Jewels Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 28 Mar 2005 20:54:44 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Estates

Twin Ponds originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 22 Mar 2005 21:09:21 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Spa at Seabourn, it was announced today, received the highest ranking in 2005 for shipboard spas, according to the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Poll. The spas, located on the ultra luxury all suite Yachts of Seabourn, provide a full service spa experience with a mix of European and Asian based spa treatments. One example of their service is the "Ceremony of Tranquility", a five hour indulgence which includes aromatic stone therapy with massage, manicure, oxygen face lift and a body wrap for detoxification.

Filed under: Spas

Spa at Seabourn originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 22 Mar 2005 20:45:39 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Steve Wynn's Encore originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 21 Mar 2005 16:49:43 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• The winner, a companion and four others are flown to Hollywood and picked up in a limo which will take them about town.

• Lodging will be in the form of luxury suites at the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills.

• A dinner to be hosted by Rick Frank, owner of Frank Family Vineyards, Steve McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment and Teri Hatcher at the chef's table of NORMAN's restaurant on Sunset Boulevard. The meal will be prepared by Chef Norman Van Aken and accompanied by Frank Family Vineyards limited release wines.

• A walk on role in Hatcher's show, Desperate Housewives.

• A take home collection of Frank Family Vineyards wines. 

Filed under: Wine

Auction Napa Valley & Teri Hatcher originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 21 Mar 2005 16:11:23 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's something for the luxury collector with Victorian or, ummm, macabre tastes? An eBay listing for a Victorian (made in the 1860s, according to the listing) horse drawn hearse carriage. It has "elegant beveled windows, hand carved fluted wooden columns and a domed roof". I assume the horses and casket are not included. The current bid at the moment (19 total so far) is $9,900.

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Victorian Horse Drawn Hearse Carriage originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Mar 2005 15:27:56 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Emirates Palace originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Mar 2005 15:02:27 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you an American who flocks to luxury? This Reuters article is a good read for you then as it talks about the growing glutton of brands catering to those wishing to live the grand lifestyle. There may be some black in the silver lining however...too many luxury brands threaten to dilute the market and a slow down in the overall economy might send many of those brands packing. For now though, Uncle Sam says to spend, spend, spend...

Reuters Take on Luxury Market originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Mar 2005 14:22:52 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Set in the mountains of Colorado is the nearly 20-acre The Lion and the Rose Castle. It was completed in the year 2000 and has seen life as a bed and breakfast. The Lion and the Rose consists of five bedrooms and bathrooms, a great hall, gourmet kitchen, parlor, theater, safe room and more. 24-karat gold finishes run throughout the castle, as do museum quality furnishings valued at around $850,000. Exterior touches include medieval statues and a waterfall.

Filed under: Estates

The Lion and the Rose Castle originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 17 Mar 2005 18:40:52 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It has been quite awhile since we blogged on a NapaStyle luxury wine country lifestyle item. I introduce you therefore to the NapaStyle Barrel Stave Sleigh Bed & Bedside Table. Much more likely to grace a Napa Valley mansion then my tiny condo, the bed and table are hand crafted from "reclaimed oak taken from vintage wine barrels". The wood is then sanded and rubbed by hand to create the distressed look.

Filed under: Decor

NapaStyle Barrel Stave Sleigh Bed originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 17 Mar 2005 18:07:32 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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