New Zealand

Netscape Billionaire Refits $100 Million Superyacht

Netscape Billionaire $100 Million Superyacht

At 295 feet, Netscape billionaire Jim Clark's Royal Huisman yacht Athena is the second largest sailing superyacht in the world. Just behind Barry Diller's 305-ft. Eos and just ahead of the famed Maltese Falcon at 289 feet, the stunning Athena is a sight to behold wherever she sets sail.

Now Clark, who's said to have paid under $100 million for the craft back in 2004, is having her refit in New Zealand – the largest such project ever carried out in the country – at a cost of tens of million of dollars including many high-tech additions.

Upgrades are reportedly being carried out at the behest of Clark's much, much younger new wife, former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model Christy Hinze. He's 67, she's 31. We had dinner with the Aussie stunner once and found her charming.

Hinze apparently wants to freshen up the somewhat stodgy, old-guy interior done up in dark wood and hotel suite-type furniture. The yacht's deckplan features an open air lounge, media center, formal dining salon, library, main salon with wet bar and an alfresco dining area.

The Athena can currently accommodate ten guests in five cabins, with the lower deck comprised of a full-width master cabin with a Jacuzzi, study and walk-in wardrobe. Hinze will want to enlarge that, no doubt.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: Netscape Billionaire Jim Clark's Superyacht

Tags: Athena yacht, billionaire, Christy Hinze, Internet billionaires, Jim Clark, Jim Clarks yacht, Maltese Falcon, models, Netscape, New Zealand, Royal Hiusman, sailing yacht, supermodels, superyacht, worlds largest yachts, yacht

Sen. John Kerry's Sailing Yacht for Charter

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Sen. John Kerry's Sailing Yacht for Charter

Earlier this month we reported that Sen. John Kerry had joined the superyacht set in St. Barth's aboard his 75-ft. sailboat Isabel (above). Now the classic yacht is available for charter with rates beginning at about $45,000 per week. The sleek $7 million craft built by Friendship in New Zealand last year features plenty of luxe touches including a wet bar and wine storage in the pilothouse. The Edwardian-style interior is finished in glossy varnished teak, and the yacht can accommodate four guests in two VIP main staterooms with en-suite baths. Tenders and toys include a 13.5-ft. Zodiac and on board there are all the bells and whistles a busy politico needs, from satellite communications to Wifi. In the past Kerry caught flack for dodging a big tax bill on the yacht by mooring her in Newport, R.I.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: John Kerry's Yacht 'Isabel'

Tags: John Kerry, New Zealand, politician, politics, sailing, sailing yacht, yacht, yacht charter

Lake Okareka Lodge Begins Offering Individual Room Rates

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

New Zealand's Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua, which hosted Luxist earlier this year and we're sure is the second home of The Big Guy when heaven gets too noisy, is now offering individual room rates. Previously, guests booked the lodge and its three rooms exclusively. Now the 1,400-square-foot Lake Okareka suite, and the 731-square-foot Rotorua and Garden suites can be had on their own.

The pricing structure has been changed, but the amenities haven't: rates are inclusive of breakfast, pre-dinner drinks with canapés, and 5 course dinner prepared by your personal chef, and 24-hour butler service. Each room also still comes with a lake view, sitting areas, walk-in closets, plasma TV and DVD player, Sonos music systems, individual climate control and marble bathrooms with underfloor heating and Bvlgari amenities. And your neighbors like the will still be the most inviting kind, like the Polynesian Spa and the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest.

Those are just a few of the reasons it was voted the World's Best Luxury Country House at the 2009 World Luxury Hotel Awards, and New Zealand's Leading Resort at this year's World Travel Awards. Rates vary throughout the year, with the Lake Okareka Suite going for NZ $4,590 ($3,466 U.S.) right now during high season, dipping down to NZ $2,500 after April 1, 2011. The Garden Suite is currently NZ $2,475, settling at $1,600 ($1,208.20 U.S.) in April. The rates, per night per couple, will also be levied with Zealand's 15% GST, but the experience, we promise you, will remain 100% priceless.

Gallery: Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua

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Tags: hotel deals, lake okareka lodge, new zealand, rotorua

Million-Dollar Supercar Collection for Sale Linked to Sultan of Brunei

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

An unprecedented collection of exotic sportscars has gone on sale in the South Pacific which reports link to the world's top collector, the Sultan of Brunei.

The collection, which is being brokered out of New Zealand and thought to be currently located in Singapore, contains a dazzling array of European exotics. Among those being offered are 3 Lamborghinis, 2 lightweight Porsche 911 Turbos, a Jaguar XJ220, one of only eight Cizeta V16s ever produced, the ItalDesign BMW Nazca and no fewer than 25 Ferraris. Included in the latter are an Enzo, an F50, an F40, and a custom 512 TR Spider.

The cars are all worth in the six and seven figures, and many of them have never been driven beyond the original factory mileage. They may belong to the sultan himself, or possibly his brother Prince Jefri who has been the subject of controversy of late. Follow the link to the collection's dedicated sales site and peruse the image gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: 25 Ferraris, 3 Lamborghinis, 2 Porsches and more

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Tags: brunei, cizeta, cizeta v16, collection, exotics, ferrari, italdesign, italdesign nazca, jaguar xj220, lamborghini, nazca, new zealand, prince jefri, singapore, sultan of brunei, supercars

The Ten Best Family Vacation Destinations Around the World

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Children

Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island's Kona Coast.

Luxist readers have selected their favorite luxury vacation spots for families around the world. From Scotland, France, New Zealand, and South Africa to Hawaii, Colorado and the Galápagos Islands, these destinations offer wonderful programs tailored specifically for children, in addition to luxurious accommodations and other incredible amenities.

The top ten vacation destinations for families, according to our readers, include:

Abercrombie & Kent's River Barge Cruise Through the Burgundian Countryside (France)
Abercrombie & Kent offers many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for family vacations, but one of the most special trips has got to be its river barge cruise through the Burgundian countryside. A chartered seven day cruise aboard La Belle Epoque, A&K's 126-foot-long, 16.5 feet wide barge, is a luxurious and relaxing way to travel and taste award-winning Burgandy wines.

The barge, which is equipped with six cabins, all outside facing and each equipped with en-suite bathrooms. There's one deluxe double cabin; one deluxe twin/double; two twin/double cabins and two cabins each with twin beds. There's also a small swimming pool, a sauna and several sun decks. Bicycles are also available for anyone in the family wanting to cycle in the towns the barge visits. A gourmet chef is on board to prepare all of the meals, which are included in the cost of the excursion.

Tags: Abercrombie Kent, awards-main, Beaver Creek, best family vacation, Burgandy, Cruise, Ebony Lodge, family vacations, galapagos, GalapagosIslands, gleneagles, Gleneagles Hotel, Grand Wailea, Hawaii, Kenya, kona village, Kona Village Resort, Lindblad Expeditions, luxist-awards, Maui, National Geographic, New Zealand, Sabi Sand Reserve, Singita Game Reserve, south africa, treetops, Treetops Lodge, TreetopsLodge, Vail

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Win a Trip to New Zealand from Steinlager Pure

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Lion Nathan, the leading brewer in New Zealand, has announced the U.S. introduction of Steinlager Pure this month, a beer brewed using only the finest water, barley, hops and yeast the country has to offer. Wholly sourced from New Zealand, the "purest place on Earth", Steinlager Pure is totally preservative and additive-free.

To celebrate its introduction to the States, Steinlager Pure is launching a contest offering lucky beer drinkers (21 and over) the chance to enjoy the heady brew straight from the source. Entrants must describe the first moment they experienced its natural and refreshing taste; the author of the "purest" narrative will win a trip for two to New Zealand. Check out SteinlagerPureNzTrip.com for details.

New Zealand's unique natural elements including rich volcanic soils, pure water sources and unrivalled clean air, contribute to the taste and freshness of Steinlager Pure. Barley is harvested from the sweeping landscapes of the North and South Islands, while the hops are grown on the northernmost tip of the South Island. Together, they create a beer with a light hop nose, a clean, natural finish, and a smooth, perfectly balanced flavor.

The new, state-of-the-art Steinlager Pure brewery follows rigorous sustainability practices in order to maintain the unaffected nature of its surroundings and allow for environmentally friendly brewing. Located on the outskirts of Auckland, The Pride Brewery uses 10% less energy in the brewing process, low energy lighting, and harvests rainwater for non-brewing purposes. Steinlager also has a record of reduced water use and CO2 emissions, as well as recycling, reusing or value-adding more than 99% of the solid waste generated.

Tags: Auckland, beer, brewery, contest, New Zealand

U.S. Billionaire Snaps Up New Zealand Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

A luxury New Zealand resort is now in American hands. Wharekauhau Lodge is a tranquil getaway in southern Wairarapa that has played host to Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, Bill Gates and many other rich and famous individuals. Billionaire William P Foley II is the new major shareholder. Foley is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Fidelity National Financial Inc. He is also the developer of Rock Creek Cattle Company, an 80,000-acre working Montana ranch with a golf community and real estate development. He has not stayed at Wharekauhau before but has invested in New Zealand wine businesses. The sale price of the lodge hasn't been disclosed. The Dominion Post says that the new owners are planning a complete makeover of the property.

Like Foley's Montana property, Wharekauhau is a working farm. The estate is home to Romney and Texel sheep and Angus and Simmental breeds of beef cattle. The farm is 5,500 acres and has a main lodge that resembles an Edwardian country mansion. There's also a small group of guest cottages and Chateau Wellington, a three-bedroom house with views of Palliser Bay. The recreation center includes a heated indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court and outdoor jacuzzi.

Tags: new zealand, wharekauhau lodge, william p foley ii

Prince Charles Presides at Cartier International Polo

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

HRH Prince Charles presided over the Royal Box at the 26th annual Cartier International Polo Day at the UK's Guards Polo Club in Great Windsor Park the other day. The celebrated event, previewed in The Classicist's column on the English summer social season, is the sport's most prestigious. The bands of the Welsh and Irish Guards and the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company performed prior to the contest. The Prince, who arrived in his vintage Aston Martin, was joined by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones and Sir Ben Kingsley to watch as England triumphed over New Zealand to capture the coveted Coronation Cup. VIP guests were served a luncheon by chef Anton Mosimann of champagne, Scottish lobster and Chateaubriand followed by Grand Marnier parfait with raspberry coulis. James Beim, captain of the New Zealand team, was awarded the trophy for Most Valuable Player.

Gallery: Cartier International Polo 2010

Tags: Aston Martin, Cartier, equestrian, New Zealand, Polo, Prince Charles, royalty, sporting, sports, Tommy Lee Jones, UK

A Night At The Museum...Hotel

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Art

Upon my arrival in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, I was met by the Corporate Cab driver. After he picked up my luggage, he said, " You are going to The Museum Hotel?" I said that was correct. He then asked, " Have you been there before?" I said I hadn't. He then said, " Well, you will have in interesting time with all that ART."

It was the way he said ART that made me ask, " What do you mean?"

" Well' he said as we drove, " It is a unusual collection. Not ART as usually defined by many people. You'll see what I mean. Like, for example, he has a MOTORCYCLE in the lobby!"

Oh well, I thought, should I tell the Corporate Cab driver about a young entrepreneur I interviewed last year who had a 1950s Porsche lifted onto the mantelpiece of his new condo because he so enjoyed the clean lines of this great work of art? No, I figured I would just remain circumspect, and contemplate the hotel's history.

The Museum Hotel, owned by Chris Parkin, is one of the top ten art hotels in the world, according to Yahoo. It lies near the harbor in Wellington, NZ, and is across the street from the world renowned Te Papa Museum, dedicated to the history, art, and life of the Maori people. But the Museum Hotel was named prior to the Te Papa Museum being built. It was, in fact on the exact spot that the Te Papa was built. In 1993-4, Chris had the Museum Hotel MOVED across the street, a major engineering project, so the Te Papa could be built where it is today. But, where it was and where it is now, The Museum Hotel is a living repository for Chris's evolving and growing art collection.

Gallery: The Museum Hotel, New Zealand

Tags: museum hotel, new zealand, new zealand art, new zealand travel

Continue reading “A Night At The Museum...Hotel”

New Sailing Superyacht with Interiors by Christian Liaigre

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Famed French interior designer Christian Liaigre's services are coveted by some of the world's richest and most talented men – Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld and Rupert Murdoch are among his better-known clients. Most of Liaigre's projects keep him on dry land, but his newest multimillion-dollar commission is a 220-ft. sailing superyacht. Built by New Zealand's Alloy Yachts with naval architecture by Philippe Briand, the AY41 (above) is a high-performance sailing yacht capable of comfortable world cruising, with an aluminum hull and superstructure, with carbon fiber spars and standing rigging. The unnamed owner of the yacht instructed Liaigre to create an "urban at sea" environment for the interior of the sleek craft, set to launch by the end of the year. Accommodations include five staterooms and a convertible gym housing 12 guests along with 11 crew.

[via JamesList]

Tags: Alloy Yachts, Calvin Klein, Christian Liaigre, interior design, Karl Lagerfeld, New Zealand, Rupert Murdoch, sailing, sailing yacht, superyacht, yacht

In Harmony: New Zealand And Emerging Luxury Travel Trends, Part 1

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

In my recent Luxist articles,The Dawn Of A New Economy, and Is The Recession Over?, I have discussed a multiplicity of luxury trends, derived from the Luxury Summit discussions and research, and from the American Affluence Center Research, Spring 2010. These new trends suggest changes in high end spending and saving, redefining what is newly important to consumers. Such changes have been enhanced by the recession that has at best lightly touched and at worst deeply affected both the aspirational and inspirational high net worth populations. Much of this research suggests changes in purchasing attitudes that range from a more conspicuous to a more conscious consumption, allowing for less artifice and more authenticity, less presumption and more purpose, less spending and more investing – all in material and experience that mean more than just acquiring more stuff.

Within the past year also, a greater interest has emerged in high end, authentic adventure travel, multi -generational family travel, and all with a greater eco-sensitive outlook. These luxury travel trends correspond, and indeed harmonize with high end travel offerings found in New Zealand, the youngest, least populated (still more sheep than people, 16 million sheep, 4 million people), and arguably one of the most unspoiled, green, eco-sensitive and adventurous and adventuresome country left in the world.

Tags: adventure travel, adventuretravel, air new zealand, christchurch, george hotel, laffluent reserach, maori, new zealand, New Zealand affluent travel, new zealand travel, remarkables mountain, treetops, TreetopsLodge

Continue reading “In Harmony: New Zealand And Emerging Luxury Travel Trends, Part 1”

Magrette Baselworld Piece Unique Watch With Diamonds

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Mixing beautiful engravings with diamonds - upping the luxury level to a higher degree, Magrette of New Zealand showed off this one-of-a-kind timepiece totally covered with beauty at Baselworld. The Maori-inspired designs are hand-engraved on the steel case by master engraver Andrew Biggs. This model, known as the "Magrette Baselworld 2010" piece unique (you can read more about it here on Magrette's website), was specially made for a single Magrette customer, but fans of the brand can appreciate the piece, that helps put the unique Kiwi brand in more of a spotlight among the decorated watch crowd.

The watch further has one of Magrette's newer, more updated watch dials with an embossed brand logo and bright LUM-TEC brand luminant. Each time Magrette does a new engraved piece they get nicer. The designs are a clever mix between classic European floral scroll designs and traditional Maori myth and legend images. The 44mm wide steel case has 60 diamonds totaling 1.73 carats - I love how they are arranged as well. I can't wait to see what Magrette will do next. While diamond decorated watches aren't in their standard collection, you could always ask for them to make you one really nicely...

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Magrette Baselworld 2010 Watch

Tags: 2010, baselworld, diamonds, magrette, new zealand, watch

Limited Edition Lord of the Rings Sword

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Art

The Lord of the Rings trilogy has inspired a great deal of impressive movie memorabilia and collector's items, and now master swordsmith Peter Lyon has added Strider's Sword to the mix -- the sword Aragorn carried when he lived as a ranger in the wilds. Designed by Ben Wootten and made in New Zealand, it's available in a limited edition of only 10 -- just 3 of which are still available. All are delivered in a wooden display case along with a certificate of authenticity and a DVD about the making of the Master Swordsmith's Collection. $8,000

Via Bornrich

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Tags: aragorn, Lord of the Rings, LordOfTheRings, memorabilia, new zealand, sword, sword collection, tolkein

Luxist Gets a Lesson in Living Well at Lebua's Lake Okareka Lodge

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

When your bread and butter is acquired by trotting around the world to tell tales of man- and womankind's finest offerings, you get used to the finest. Akin to being a jeweler, when everything you touch sparkles because everything is a gem, it takes a jewel of the extraordinary variety to get your attention. After hopping on four planes to spend 24 hours in the air traveling from London to New Zealand, all to visit lebua's Lake Okareka Lodge, we expected to encounter another fine, shiny object.

What we did not expect – but what we got – was a the finest 4-day stretch of living we've had in years, and a persistent lesson in what the best living is like. We hadn't been on the property two minutes, and upon seeing the view from our suite we realized we had discovered one of the universe's finest secrets: this is where God goes on vacation.

Gallery: Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua

Tags: hotel review, HotelReview, iebua, lake okareka lodge, LakeOkarekaLodge, new zealand, NewZealand, resort review, ResortReview, travel review, TravelReview, trip report, TripReport

Continue reading “Luxist Gets a Lesson in Living Well at Lebua's Lake Okareka Lodge”

Magrette Tane Hand-Engraved Watch From New Zealand

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Magrette of New Zealand presents the Tane "Lord of the Forest" hand-engraved watch. Part of a very limited edition of just 10 pieces, the watch is decorated by a single master engraver and displays a classic Maori myth as seen in images all over the watch. While Magrette offers high quality reasonably priced watches, their higher end collection specializes in these beautiful engraved works of art. The 44mm steel case is almost totally covered in engravings. This includes, the bezel, case, lugs, and even on the exposed rotor of the automatic Swiss movement. Despite all the decoration, the watch is still very masculine.

The detail is stunning, and so are the images. In addition to native Maori decor, the watch has faces and characters that really liven it up. New for Magrette is an upgraded dial done by American LUM-TEC. This means the dial has their special in-house MDV GX luminant for impressive darkness viewing and visual appeal. Magrette fans will notice the upgraded dial immediately. The watch is attached to a black leather strap with red stitching. Inside is a Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic movement that has a decorated rotor like you've never seen before on any other brand's watch. The watch is available now, and each of the 10 pieces are priced at a reasonable $4,485.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Magrette Tane Watch