Courchevel

Ukranian Billionaire Flys in Ducasse, Cirque du Soleil for $6 Million Birthday Bash

Ukrainian billionaire Viktor Pinchuk (above) is spending more than $6 million on an opulent 50th birthday bash for himself in the posh French ski resort of Courchevel tonight, flying in the Cirque de Soleil and superchef Alain Ducasse for the occasion. The steel magnate and contemporary art collector, whose has an estimated fortune of over $3 billion, is sparing no expense for the 300 guests invited to the event, the London Telegraph reports. It has taken 50 workmen two weeks "under difficult climactic conditions" to set up an enormous marquee to showcase the Cirque du Soleil, the world-renowned Canadian circus troupe, the paper notes.

Ducasse's haute cuisine will be accompanied by oceans of the finest champagne, vodka and top grand cru vintage wines. The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display before guests retire to the resort's 11 five-star hotels, all booked out for the occasion. Pinchuk, who owns one of London's most expensive houses, has his own private museum in Kiev housing major works by Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Louis Vuitton collaborator Takashi Murakami. He has a number of philanthropic projects and arts sponsorships in the works with the likes of Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Steven Spielberg, George Soros and Bill Clinton, all of whom could turn up at the birthday blowout.

Tags: Alain Ducasse, billionaire, Cirque de Soleil, contemporary art, Courchevel, Damien Hirst, events, france, Jeff Koons, museum, oligarch, parties, Paul McCartney, Russian billionaires, Takashi Murakami, Ukraine, wealth

LVMH to Open New Luxury Hotels

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

cheval blanc hotel
Luxury Goods conglomerate LVMH, owner of Louis Vuitton, plans to open a series of new luxury hotels starting in Oman and Egypt. The hotels will incorporate LVMH brands such as Vuitton and Dior boutiques and Givenchy spas. The company has created LVMH Hotel Management to "oversee the group's activities in the luxury hotel sector" and "maximize the value of its brands". The two new hotels, named Cheval Blanc after one of LVMH's famed Bordeaux vineyards, are slated to open in 2012. The move follows the successful 2006 opening of the LVMH-backed Cheval Blanc hotel in Courchevel, France (above). The Maison Cheval Blanc in Oman is sited on the 11 square- kilometer island of Al Sodah and will include 32 private villas. The development in Egypt is on the private island of Amoun in Aswan and will include about 40 suites overlooking the Nile. LVMH notes that "other projects are currently under study in exceptional destinations". The company won't own the real estate or finance construction, but will instead run the resorts under management contract.

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Tags: Cheval Blanc, Courchevel, Dior, Egypt, Givenchy, hotel, Louis Vuitton, LVMH, Nile, Oman

Ski in Royal Style in Courchevel

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping, Sports

When Prince William took his girlfriend Kate Middleton on a skiing vacation last winter, there was little doubt about where they would go; Courchevel in the French Alps has a fair claim to the title of world's most exclusive ski destination, and it's become increasingly popular with Russian oligarchs looking to rub elbows with royalty as well. The luxe five-star Hotel de Charme Les Airelles (above), which recently unveiled a $50 million renovation, is the place to stay for those who don't have private villas. The elite resort has only 37 guestrooms and 14 suites, as well as a 7,000-sq.-ft. spa, an exclusive Valentino boutique, and three eateries including the sumptuous Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant. For the ultimate in luxury, the 5,900-sq.-ft. Apartment Suite on the stop floor features four bedrooms all with private baths, a private spa, screening room and a 1,600-sq.-ft. terrace with an outdoor Jacuzzi and a view of the coveted Courchevel 1850 (referring to the elevation) slopes.

Tags: British royalty, BritishRoyalty, Courchevel, French alps, FrenchAlps, Hotel de Charme Les Airelles, HotelDeCharmeLesAirelles, Prince William, PrinceWilliam, skiing, Valentino

Russia's President Cracks Down On Luxury Trips

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

U.S. government and business officials aren't the only ones facing scrutiny over lavish trips. Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev has warned senior officials to stay out of the international spotlight. He issued a document telling his administration members and key ministers to tell him where they are going away for vacation. The new rules came down after newspapers showcased high-profile Russian officials partying it up in the luxurious French ski resort of Courchevel. Medvedev is worried that this type of display is bad for the country's image and could upset the people who have lost their jobs as Russia is experiencing similar economic pressures to the ones we have here in the States.

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Tags: courchevel, dmitry medvedev, dmitrymedvedev, russia

Courchevel Lacroix Ski Set

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

For those with the money to make it to the most exclusive ski resorts, you need a luxury travel trunk. The Courchevel Exclusive is a limited edition of just ten trunks which each hold a pair of 'Courchevel Exclusive' skis, Lacroix Smartrack bindings, full carbon ski poles, leather ski gloves, ski goggles and two leather pouches. The trunk was custom made by Pinel & Pinel of Paris (whose luxury cases we've swooned over before). It has sleek details of carbon fiber and steel with full-grain leather upholstery inside and outside, with a drawer and corner-mounted wheels. The trunk also comes with a full one-year 3 Vallées ski pass, maintenance service, storage and delivery. It sells for 50,000 euros.

[via Classic Driver]

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Tags: courchevel, lacroix, pinel, skis