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Posts with tag traveling

Buy a May Fair Hotel Suite for a Year


If you travel a lot it having nice places to stay can get really expensive. The May Fair Hotel in London is looking attract those types of travelers by offering them a way to defray those costs a little: buy one of their hotel suites for an entire year. Of course the price tag is not cheap at $585,000 but it does represent a savings of 60% compared to their regular nightly rates.

It might be nice to be able to leave some things in the suite and treat it like an apartment of sorts (an apartment that includes a daily maid and room service!) but you'd really have to travel a lot to make the cost economical.
What do you think, would you do it?

Gallery: The Mayfair Suites Collection

L'Auberge Del Mar Opens


Last week L'Auberge Del Mar re-opened in Del Mar, California with a new design that's more like a high end private estate than a typical luxury resort. The renovation cost about $25 million dollars, or $200,000 per room, and the result is a combination of both upgraded appearance and upgraded services and amenities. There's too much detail to talk about it all here but some of the new features that caught my attention are the Waterfall Terrace (which includes a 14-foot illuminated waterfall) and the 4500 sq ft luxury spa. The rooms all have walk-in showers, marble-topped vanities, the best in technologically advanced amenities (i.e. 42" plasma TVs and iPod docking clock radios), and many have fireplaces. Where do I sign up?

Gallery: The New L'Auberge Del Mar

The World's Most Luxurious Airlines


Flying used to be a fun (or at the very least tolerable) but nowadays it's turned into an outright chore. Lines are long, seats are cramped, there are extra fees for absolutely everything, and forget getting served anything to eat (you're lucky if you get water and a few pretzels). That might be the case for most of us but it's not the case for everybody! There are some airlines (usually those flying overseas) that offer luxuries like champagne, caviar, private cabins, and lie-flat beds. Here's the list of the most luxurious airlines in the world:

Via Gadling

Gallery: The most luxurious airlines in the world

Virgin AtlanticEmiratesSingapore AirlinesBritish AirwaysThai Airways

The "Around the World in 80 Ways" Dream Vacation Package


Talk about the trip of a lifetime! The "Around the World in 80 Ways" package is, of course, a tribute to the famous film "Around the World in 80 Days," and was created by The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd. as part of a fundraiser benefiting Elton John's AIDS Foundation. The trip was created as a celebration of the coinciding 80th anniversaries of the Academy Awards and The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd., and is LHW's effort to combine film and luxury travel into an extraordinary "Oscar-worthy" experience. The package covers the globe with gourmet meals, luxurious spa treatments, and tours of the local landscapes in exotic locales like Jaipur, Dubai, and Hong Kong, plus some more close-to-home destinations like London, New York, and San Francisco. Sounds like a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience -- see the details below.

Gallery: The "Around the World in 80 Ways" Package

Hong KongSan FranciscoNew YorkHonolulu Paris

Cook with the Chef at Villa Mangiacane


In beautiful Tuscany sits Villa Mangiacane, a hotel that in addition to beautiful scenery and luxury sleep accommodations offers its own wine, olive oil, and now cooking classes.

As part of the "Flavours of Chianti" package you're treated the first night to a 4 course candlelit dinner prepared by Mangiacane's acclaimed Chef Massimo Bocus, which prepares you for the following day's cooking lesson with the Chef and a Villa Mangiacane wine and olive oil tasting. Among other treats (like cooking aprons, daily spa access, and fresh fruit in your room) you'll also get a Tuscan Cookbook and a bottle of Villa Mangiacane Chianti. €1270-€2450

Gallery: Villa Mangiacane

Travel Like A Celebrity (i.e. Better than First Class)


For millions of travelers every year who fly coach it's hard to walk past the spacious first class seats and through the little curtain to the cramped rows in the rear, but what do those first class passengers look up to? Those traveling better than first class, of course.

Many airlines offer "extra special" treatment to celebrities and other big names, and although the services vary from airline to airline some things are consistent across the board: little to no waiting in airport lines, extreme efforts to protect privacy, and extra security. Plus, of course, VIP lounges and premium food/drink. Not a celebrity? You can buy the services yourself and feel like one for only about $100.

Most of the airlines who offer special upgrades don't advertise their services, and many don't even post them on websites and flyers. Airport Assistance Worldwide, though, is one that isn't so secretive. On their website you can check out services and even make a reservation. Happy travels!

8 Reasons to Get A Private Jet


I hardly think that anybody with the means to fly in a private jet versus a public plane has need of being convinced which is better, but just in case this list of 8 reasons to get a private jet will certainly seal the deal. Massages, gourmet coffee and catered meals are just the beginning. Forget leg room and a lap tray, on your own plane you can have luxury sleeping arrangements (your own huge bed) and all kinds of other conveniences like wireless internet access, big screen televisions, and even a better view out the windows.

I was convinced at "massages."

Single this Valentine's Day? Luxury Trips for One

Hate being single on Valentine's Day? Some people don't care, but if you're somebody who can't help but feel bummed amidst all the lovey dovey couples why not take off on vacation? Take a luxurious trip for one to somewhere adventurous or relaxing (or both!) and leave all the sappy romantics behind. Ideas may not be what you're expecting, either, as some recommendations from Forbes include an African Safari, a 10 day biking trip through Morocco, or even a South American cruise. My personal choice would have to be the cooking classes in Tuscany -- see a beautiful country and learn a valuable skill in the process? Sign me up!

Branson's Latest Place to Play: The Lodge at Verbier


For many skiing is one of the saving graces of winter, one of the few things that make the snow and cold worthwhile. This time of year a trip to the Swiss Alps for great skiing, great food, and great comfort sounds like such a treat -- and it really will be if you're headed to Sir Richard Branson's latest resort getaway: The Lodge, Verbier.

The most expensive chalet in the Alps, it just opened last month. According to this review it's quite the haven of luxury and class, as well it should be considering costs will run you about £36,250/week.

Hotels Get Creative While Going Green


There have always been lots of things to consider when making traveling plans, and these days there's at least one more thing to add to the list: how "green" is the hotel you plan to stay in?

Thankfully, with more and more hotels going green in recent years it's getting easier to find somewhere to stay that's environmentally friendly. Some things, like encouraging guests to reuse towels to installing low-flow shower heads, are getting to be fairly standard efforts. But others are getting a little more creative with things like:
  • Putting designer recycle bins in individuals rooms
  • Switching to all organic menus
  • Offering incentives to employees who carpool to work
  • Routing undrinkable water to irrigate nearby golf courses
  • Offering parking incentives to guests who drive hybrid vehicles
  • Switching to non-toxic and organic cleaning supplies
  • Donating unused amenity bottles to local charities
  • Sending half-used bars of soap to companies who use them to make cleaning products
  • Recycling used coffee grounds as golf course tee-off mounds.
Come across something particularly creative and green in a recent hotel stay? Share with us in the comments!

The Strangest Hotels in the World


Believe it or not, staying in posh hotel after posh hotel can get old. After awhile they all start to look the same and you may find yourself longing for something different.

Different you say? How different??? Because you can go as "different" as you want, and most of the time you can do it without giving up the designer linens and room service. You can stay underwater off the coast of Florida, in a treehouse in the Carribean with your own private beach, or how about something cooler like the frozen glamour of Sweden's ICEHOTEL? If that's a little too extreme for you there's always the fun themes at the Pitcher Inn and Spa, or the strangely angular rooms in the Kube Hotel.

See the entire list in this slideshow...so where do you want to go first? I'll take me a treehouse in Nairobi.

Walking Tours Getting Luxury Upgrades


The luxury market is growing in all kinds of areas, vacations and getaways included. And now some trips that have traditionally been more rugged are getting luxurious touches and attracting more upscale clients. Features being offered more and more frequently are gourmet meals prepared by top chefs, massages, and several different options of what to do while out on the trip. Luxury walking tours are available all over the world, including my personal favorites a trek to see the mountain gorillas of uganda or tramping through the trails of New Zealand.

Luxist's Top US Ski Resorts

Winter weather has been a bit unpredictable this year and considering that some parts of the East Coast only just received their first snowfall and there was snow in Malibu, California about two weeks ago, can you blame us for waiting until now to start making our ski plans? We're not ranking these in order from one to ten, so you'll have to be content with the fact that these are some of our favorites for this ski season (or any other) from all the mountains to ski in the US.

Aspen - A perennial favorite, this resort seems to be geared towards adults, with few beginner runs on the ski slopes and lots of great restaurants and shopping in town, as well as a satisfying mix of romantic and luxury accommodations.

Vail - Lots of lifts and more groomed terrain than any other resort on the planet, Vail is great for skiing, but the resort is so large that you won't have a problem finding off-mountain activities, from luxury spas to excellent eateries.

Kirkwood (pictured)- This California resort is somewhat off the beaten path, but all the better for it, as it provides skiers with the steep slopes and great snow they could want, with plenty of relief from the crowds at other mountains. The town is quiet, but only a short drive from Tahoe.

Continue reading Luxist's Top US Ski Resorts

Cashmere Travel Set

This Cashmere Travel Set is a great stocking stuffer for the frequent traveler. Made of 100% exquisitely soft cashmere, it includes an eye mask and slippers in a satin-lined zip . pouch that can also be used for small toiletries or other relaxing things. The slippers have suede soles to prevent slipping wile walking, which is particularly useful on a plane where there can be some turbulence. The set is available in four colors: chocolate (pictured), garnet, camel and eucalyptus. Best of all, it's only $80.

Color on the Go Luggage

One of the worst things about traveling is checking your luggage. It is a drag to wait in line to drop off the bags and standing at the baggage claim after the flight, when all you want to do is get in your car and go, is even worse. The main problem is that it can be difficult to identify your bag on the carousel - especially if they're black. Diane Furstenberg's Color on the Go Luggage set completely solves that problem. The bags are made of durable polyester twill and come in either vibrant Turquoise or Fuschia, all with white, lizard-embossed faux leather trim. There are four bag styles to choose from and the rolling bags have in-line wheels and telescoping handles. It's all on special right now at Neiman Marcus, so there's really no excuse to be stuck with boring black bags.

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