naples

Naples, Florida Gets New Art Fair

Filed under: Events, Art

Each year we mention Naples, Florida for its annual luxury wine festival but the tony warm weather enclave will have a new annual event to draw the rich, the first Naples Premier Art and Antique Fair, which takes place from Feb. 24 to March 1 at the Naples International Pavilion. The event is being put on by David and Lee Ann Lester, founders of International Fine Art Expositions which also organizes the Miami International Art Fair, Art Palm Beach, American International Fine Art Fair, The London International Fine Art Fair and SeaFair – the floating art fair.

The new fair brings over 60 art, antique, and jewelry dealers to Southwest Florida in a newly renovated 55,000 square foot facility. The fair features old master paintings, impressionist paintings, modern and contemporary art and sculpture, furniture, decorative arts, silver, ancient arts, haute couture and period jewelry, and rare books. Luxury jeweler Graff will be showcasing some of its fine diamond and colored gemstone jewelry. A painting by Renoir will also be on display and a historically significant portrait of President Abraham Lincoln will be presented by the 19th Century Shop.

Tags: antique fair, antiques roadshow, art fair, art fairs, naples, naples art and antique fair, naples florida

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$40 Million Eco-Luxe Columbus 199 Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Green

For $40 million you can get one of the most stylish and most eco-friendly superyachts ever built – the new Columbus 199 designed by Hydro Tec, currently under construction at the Palumbo shipyard in Naples, Italy. The sleek 199-ft. steel and aluminum superyacht s being built to RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) Green Star code, a classification identifying yachts which are designed, constructed and operated in such a way as to ensure maximum respect for the environment. Slated for completion in 2012, the five-decked craft boasts low fuel consumption, awe-inspiring maneuverability and reduced draft in addition to Italian supermodel looks. Her by twin MTU 16V 4,000 M60 diesel engines produce a top speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots, with a range of 5,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. She can accommodate up to 16 guests in seven staterooms, including four cabins on the lower deck, two VIP cabins on the main deck, and a full-beam master suite on the upper deck, along with 13 crew. Luxe touches include a gym, spa pool, beach club area aft of the tender garage, and elevator serving four of the decks.

[via JamesList]

Tags: Italy, Naples, superyacht, yacht

Isaia to Launch Sartorial Sneaker Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

Isaia, one of the world's last remaining Neapolitan sartorial brands, known for its beautiful tailored clothing, is launching a luxe new line of sneakers that bridge the gap between dress and sport. The sartorial sneakers take the classic wingtip brogue dress shoe and give it a dose of sporty sprezzatura. They will be available in a variety of fabrics combining luxurious leathers, suede, wools, and even water-resistant cashmere, in rich hues of navy, camel, chocolate brown and shades of grey, with a patterned wool option available as well. The sneakers can also be custom ordered with specific suiting fabrics from the firm's made-to-measure tailoring program. All parts of the shoes are handmade, with the leather and fabric materials matched and dyed with all natural bee's wax. The new line will be available this fall at select stores including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue with a suggested retail price of $425.

Tags: cashmere, Isaia, Isaia di Napoli, Italian fashion, Naples, sneakers, tailoring

Escape to the Naples Ritz, Hide in the Spa and Go Green ... All at the Same Time

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas, Green

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort – and its sister property, the Beach Resort – are making it easy to hide from the world for a few days this summer. And, I can tell you from experience, the twin Ritz properties are great places to hide. With the Spa Escape Package, you can be treated as you deserve (or, in my case, better), for a mere $259 a night ($299 at the Beach Resort).

The spa at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort services both Naples, FL properties. As part o this program, a stay at either hotel will get you a $200 spa credit, which includes both services and retail. You'll also pick up a $50 gift card for the properties' on-site stores.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa integrates organic and eco-friendly options to mitigate environmental impact without degrading the quality of the treatments provided. The Eco-Luxe Facial and Eco-Luxe Cocoon are conducted in the Eco-Room, which features soft materials made from organic cotton and bamboo and washed in a separate machine with fragrance-free and sulfate-free cleansers. The floor and chair are made from bamboo, and the massage table was crafted entirely from sustainable materials.

With domestic flights cheaper than ever (except when I'm flying, it seems), getting to Naples won't be painful, and JetBlue has countless flights into the area. And, the perks that come with the Spa Escape Package basically make the room free. I hit this spa last summer and might just make it an annual experience.

Tags: eco, eco-friendly, environment, environmental, environmentalism, environmentally friendly, environmentallyfriendly, florida, golf, green, green travel, GreenTravel, naples, resort, resorts, ritz, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton, RitzCarlton, spa, spa therapy, spa time, spa treatment, spa treatments, SpaTherapy, SpaTime, SpaTreatment, SpaTreatments

The Big Price Drop At Aria At Park Shore

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Condos prices in Florida have been falling for the last few years but the luxurious area of Park Shore beach in Naples has been one spot that hasn't been as deeply discounted. Now that's changing as multimillion dollar condos like the Aria on Park Shore are selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than their listing prices. The Naples Daily News reports that the overall median sales price in the Naples area has declined 25 percent this year but most of that activity has been taking place on the lower end of the market. It's only been recently that the luxury condos have been seeing the big price reductions. Aria is the final high rise for The Lutgert Cos. on Park Shore beach off Gulf Shore Boulevard and is an 18-story tower with 65 units. Aria includes 13 penthouses. Every condo offers views of the Gulf of Mexico and Venetian Bay. As far as Florida real estate goes, Naples is a pretty good place to go bargain hunting because it is an established area with a history of high real estate prices.

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Tags: aria, condominiums, florida, naples

The Classicist: Bespoke by David Chu

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style, The Classicist

Last month we wrote about the timeless appeal of classic men's tailoring as epitomized by Savile Row, especially during times of economic uncertainty. There's no need to travel all the way to London however to indulge in custom-tailoring of the highest quality and style that transcends trends and fads, if you know where to look. In New York City, David Chu, founder of the Nautica brand who has since gone on to revitalize luggage maker Tumi, operates an ultra-chic Bespoke shop at his gorgeous Townhouse in Gramercy Park.

The Bespoke shop (above) is located in the penthouse of the Townhouse, which is home to Chu's design studio and other businesses. Ebonized and limestone floors, marble fixtures and a collection of contemporary artwork and Chinese antiquities create an elegant, polished and modern atmosphere. French doors open out from the shop onto a landscaped roof deck with captivating city and park views. "The bespoke experience is about understated elegance," Chu tells Luxist. "It's more for yourself. You put it on, it feels great, and that's the most important thing."

David Chu Bespoke "blends the best of Savile Row and Neapolitan tailoring, marrying craftsmanship with modernity." Garments are hand-cut and stitched by a master tailor based in Naples. A gentleman can order anything he requires to be custom made, from suits, overcoats, tuxedos, and sport jackets to trousers, shoes, scarves, and 12-fold ties. The emphasis is on classic, luxurious fabrics such as super 150's wool, worsted spun cashmere and vicuna sourced from the world's best mills.

Gallery: David Chu Bespoke

Tags: David Chu, DavidChu, Gramercy Park, GramercyPark, Naples, New York, New York City, NewYork, NewYorkCity, Savile Row, SavileRow, Tailoring, Tumi

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THI Collection Offers Luxuriant Italian Hotels

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

From Turin to Genoa, Venice to Naples and more, four- and five-star hotels, resorts and restaurants dot the Italian landscape offered through THI Collection. They provide traditional Italian style, art and history with innovative and modern strokes along with exclusive, personalized spa services. One of their restaurants, the Principe Cerami in Taormina, was recently awarded the coveted Michelin Star in the 2008 Guide. Specialty packages available include individual cooking lessons with a chef in Turin, gourmet weekends in Genoa or Sicily, and exquisite chocolate tastings...yum! Check out the gallery for a taste of what THI has to offer...

Gallery: THI Collection Hotels

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Tags: genoa, italian-resorts, Italy, luxury hotels, LuxuryHotels, naples, rapallo, taormina, THI, THI Collection, ThiCollection, torino, turin

Naples Wine Festival Raises $14 Million

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Auctions

This year's Naples Wine Festival didn't top last year's record of $15.6 million but $14 million isn't too shabby in this economy. The Florida festival always brings the big spenders. Tickets to the festival cost $7,500 per couple but the real money, which is all donated to less fortunate families and children, comes the extravagant auction items. Some of the high-end wine lots included $190,000 for a three-liter bottle of 1990 Vega Sicilia, plus a visit to the winery, $220,000 for a case of 1961 Bordeaux and $240,000 for six magnums of Screaming Eagle cabernet and two commemorative Harley Davidson motorcycles and gear. The festival also always features high-end cars. This year Mr and Mrs Monte Ahuja bid $450,000 for the rights to own the first U.S.-delivered Bentley Brooklands coupe. The auction also features walk-on parts in television shows, front-row seats at fashion shows and trip to the Oscars. Perhaps what's most amazing about this event is that all that money comes from just 500 guests bidding on over 70 lots. Over eight years the auction has raised nearly $70-million for children and families.

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Tags: bentley, florida, naples, naples winter, NaplesWinter, wine auction, wine festival, WineFestival

Bidders Go Car Crazy At Naples Wine Festival

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Events

The bidders at the Naples Winter Wine Festival really went hog wild this year setting a new record for the luxury auction. The Naples News reports that the well-heeled bidders managed to spend $16.5 million during the auction that ended the festival on Saturday and $18.3 million at the event total. Overall the festival has raised, in seven years $55.26 million for Collier County children's charities. The wine and travel lots all brought in plenty of money but the cars proved to be very hot items. Somebody really, really wanted to get their hands on a limited edition 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead convertible. Raymond Lutgert, founder of a Naples development firm spent a record $2 million for the car. He wasn't the only one to overpay for a car, Monte Ahuja, a business man spent $1.3 million on a Bentley that he could have purchased for $350,000. The Bordeaux-colored 2007 Maserati Quattroporte, which was being raffled off brought in $790,000 and a Lexus LS 600h L Luxury Hybrid Sedan sold for $280,000.

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Tags: florida, naples, rolls-royce, wine festival

Naples Wine Festival Announces Auction Prizes

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wine, Auctions, Events

The lots have been announced for the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the poshest auction events each year, and as usual they are spectacular. Up for bid are lots that include a private tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum, dinner with Robert Redford, a walk-on role on the hit TV show Grey's Anatomy, the chance to dine with Martha Stewart, and many lots of rare vintages and winery tours. There are 71 lots total and the profits benefit underprivileged and at-risk children. And of course, it wouldn't be a Naples auction without pricey cars. This year's auction will showcase the first new Rolls-Royce Convertible to be delivered to a customer in North America, a 2007 Bentley Continental Grand Touring Convertible, an all-new 2008 Lexus LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan; and a 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival Maserati Quattroporte will be raffled off. The three-day event will be held Jan. 26-28 in Naples, Florida and raised $12.2 million last year. It is a magnet for celebs and those with the money to bid on these amazing items. This year's tickets are $7,500 per couple and $20,000 for reserved seating at the same vintner dinner for two couples.

[via Naples News]

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Tags: auction, event, florida, naples, wine

Venetian in Naples, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

New Florida McMansions can often leave me cold but this one has one thing that really endears me to it, an expansive enclosed lagoon pool area that includes a spa, koi pond and an outdoor kitchen. The two-story five bedroom home also has a a club room, library/office, yoga/meditation room, servants suite and a three-car plus golf cart and a one and two-car garage. The house was built in 2004 and is full of echoing marble floors, faux finishes galore and a style that is classic Florida lavish with a bit of a faux French kick (it looks like the refrigerator is tucked into an armoire in the ktichen). The home is listed at $10.5 million. After the jump, do you think the neighbors would mind if you decided to live outdoors.

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Tags: estate of the day, florida, mansion, naples, real estate

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The Pink Palace, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

This pink palace in Naples Florida, has a prime spot on the beach and is located in the exclusive Port Royal neighborhood. Port Royal is considered one of the finest neighborhoods in Naples and Port Royal home owners are eligible for membership in the exclusive Port Royal Club.The Port Royal Club is comparable to the most distinguished private clubs in the United States and offers fine dining, tennis courts, a heated swimming pool and numerous other luxurious amenities.

This home is on 1.9 acres and has five bedrooms in the main house. There are also two guesthouses and a pool with a view. The decor is all sherbet tones and white trim with plenty of French doors ready to be popped open at a moment's notice to catch an ocean breeze. This expansive Florida estate is listed at $24.9 million. After the jump, but isn't she pretty in pink?

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Tags: estate, estate of the day, florida, naples

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Naples Home Tour 2006

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

It's time again for the Naples, Florida home tour. The 2006 Greater Naples Luxury Home Tour which takes place in February features homes from $1.5 million to $3.8 million located throughout Collier and Lee counties. The self-guided tour of luxury model homes built will include the Nautilus I model from Koogler Homes. The home is lcoated on the waterfront in Cape Coral and has nearly 6,000 square feet of space with details that include a foyer with 26-foot ceilings, a kitchen with a custom walk-in butler's pantry and a half-bath, a veranda with a covered outdoor living room and kitchen, and a swimming pool and spa with lighted fountains, cascading waterfalls and a pool bar.The home also features a interactive, multi-room audio/visual system. A tour passport to check out this and the other nine model homes in the tour costs $20 in advance.

[via Naples News]

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Tags: florida, luxist, luxury, luxury homes tour, model homes, naples