Luxury Lifestyle, Design & Architecture blog

Over water villas have become very popular with the luxury travelers and the lavish   St. Regis Resort Bora Bora   spread over 44 acres of lush unspoiled surroundings and pristine waters is way ahead of the competition.  Located on the idyllic island of Bora Bora in the Tahitian islands, the resort is a blissful Polynesian paradise and St. Regis’ signature service makes your stay the ultimate in luxury. Apart from the luxury, the privacy the resort offers to its guests has made it a favorite of A list celebrities from Hollywood.  Some of them like Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, and Alyssa Milano and her husband David Bugliari chose to spend their honeymoon at the St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora. The resort, in collaboration with Cecilie Melli, one of Europe’s young fashion sensations, has created the ultimate wedding program for those who want a lavish wedding at the resort.   The Package Was Auctioned at Beverly Hills The resort o...

Overwater villas have become the favorite of luxury travelers. The concept is extended further with the creation of a waterfall restaurant. The Villa Escudero’s Waterfall Restaurant in the Philippines is an extraordinary concept that provides an unmatched experience. We have seen underwater club and overwater restaurant but this is a first in the world and it is definitely a unique and a stunning experience. The Waterfall Restaurant serves local Philippines cuisine and the guests are seated in ankle deep water right in front of a waterfall. It is a new and unique experience that is difficult to recreate. Authentic Local Cuisine is Served on Bamboo Dining Tables You feel very close to nature. The lunch is served on long bamboo dining tables immersed in water. In fact it is flowing water that is coming from the waterfall. It is ideal for travelers who are interested in knowing the local traditions and food recipes. The Villa Escudero is located in the Quezon province of ...

This holiday season, those who do not have to worry about their bank balance can treat themselves to an ultra luxe holiday package at the Hazelton Hotel , Toronto.  I mentioned the bank balance at the very outset, because with a price tag of $199,000, this holiday package costs more than the annual salary for most of us. But the good people at this luxury hotel have tried to pack a punch into the two-night stay offer so that the visitors feel assured that they are truly getting their money’s worth.   Their public relations representative, Lindsay Tessis says that they came up with this luxury package because they wanted to create something that was long lasting and memorable for their guests. Their holiday package is especially tempting for those who love to shop. The guests will get a private shopping experience during their stay. These guys even take into account the fact that men and women have different interests when it comes to shopping. So the men will g...

Dubai is getting into the habit of creating world records. It was home to the world’s tallest building and the world’s largest shopping mall and now it can boast of the world’s tallest hotel. Guinness Book of World Records has declared that the 72 storied JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is the tallest hotel in the world. The luxury property is owned by the Emirates Group and it has the honor of becoming the first JW Marriott Marquis property outside of North America. The new hotel is the 59 th addition to the brands global portfolio and has raised the bar for luxury hotels with its decadence.  JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai Offers 7,500 Sq Meter of Event Space Rising 1,164 feet high, the architectural marvel is all set to become the ambitious city’s most desirable destination. The hotel is literally taking luxury to new heights. It shines brightly as a jewel in Dubai’s skyline. The hotel which is only 26 meters shorter than New York City’s Empire State building is positioned...

Maintaining the lifestyle of a celebrity is not easy. Your every move is being watched by the paparazzi. Celebrity homes often feature in magazines and they have to be careful in choosing the hotel and the suite when they travel. Even if they are personally not very fussy about these things they have to maintain a façade because one wrong move on their part becomes a topic for discussion and might affect their image. They have to make sure that they are seen to living in the midst of glitter and glamour. We checked out some of the hotels and suites which were the preferred choice of some of the A list celebrities. The Hotel: Gansevoort Park Avenue – New York, NY Price: Starts at $8,000. Kim Kardashian, while filming a season of Kim and Kourtney Take New York chose to stay at the Gansevoort’s Presidential Suite. It is a bi-level penthouse spread over 2,700 square foot. Apart from floor to ceiling windows the suite boasts of an expansive terrace with city views. Other highlights a...

World’s first underwater music club is now open. It is part of the newest resort by Per Aquum, Niyama in the Maldives. Called the Subsix, it is part of the overwater restaurant Edge. It is located 500 yards offshore and appears to float on the surface of the Indian Ocean. The restaurant and the music club are accessible only by boat and a staircase in Edge takes you six meters below the surface into Subsix. The floor to ceiling windows on the three sides allows the guests to enjoy the exotic marine life of the Indian Ocean including clown fish, manta rays and parrot fish. The intimate music club has a bar and DJ consul along the back wall and the seating is spread throughout. Tinie Tempah Performed Live at the Launch Event The launch of the underwater club was a grand affair with Tinie Tempah, the 23-year-old rap superstar performing live and belting out big hits including Pass out, Written In The Stars, Frisky, R.I.P and Till I’m Gone. The event was streamed live over the internet on...

Luxury hotels give a lot of importance to its location but can you ever beat the Admiralty Arch that forms a majestic gatehouse from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace?  It has been one of the top landmarks of London for exactly a century now and the government has now decided to give it away to be developed as a five star luxury hotel. The building was commissioned by King Edward VII and was completed in 1912. It was built to house the offices and residences of British Sea Lords but had become dilapidated over the years due to lack of proper maintenance. The building is large enough to house a 100 room luxury hotel complete with royal and presidential suites, a ballroom, spa and fine dining restaurant. The Developer Will Preserve the Period Features of the Building The Admiralty Arch was put up for sale last year and has been acquired on a 99 year lease by London based firm Prime Investor Capital for a consideration of £60million. The man behind the firm is none oth...

When you see the exclusive and luxurious all pool villa resort Banyan Tree Kerala , you realize why the Indian state is called ‘God’s Own Country’.  The operators have chosen the perfect location for their Indian debut. The resort is located on Kerala’s private island of Nediyathuruthu in the Alleppey district of the state. It is the perfect place to enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala as it is surrounded by the tranquil backwaters and swathed in swaying palm groves.  The new resort has 59 villas which have been created in Kerala’s highly stylized Kathakali style. The traditional woodwork of Kerala is visible everywhere. The structures and interiors have incorporated the aesthetic elements of Kerala. You can cut yourself completely from the madding world outside, though the resort is located just an hour away from the International airport at Kochi. The Resort Has the First Banyan Tree Spa The traditional woodwork has been done in deep brown teak. A...

The name Bora Bora evokes images of clear blue waters with cute hut-like villas on piers in the middle of the crystal clear waters and the name Four Seasons evokes images of luxury hotels, impeccable service. When the two combine, what you get is the most unbelievable holiday experience you can ever imagine. The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora figures in one of the best beach resorts in the world and really is a paradise in the South Pacific. Spread over 22 hectares, this luxury resort offers opportunity to laze off like a sloth, sipping your pina coladas, tanning near the infinity pool, immersing yourself in the rich local culture, or trying out adventure sports like outrigger canoeing, deep-sea fishing among others, whatever be your desire.  There are 100 overwater thatched bungalows and 7 beachfront villas, made from igneous rocks brought in from the nearby Taha’s Island, and merbau timber. They have tried to retain a more natural look by using such building ...

Jaeger LeCoultre is the renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker who has been in the forefront of the industry since 1833. The watchmaker is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year. They have created several commemorative designs for the occasion. However the highlight of the new designs is the Reverso Cordonnet Duetto jewelry wrist watch. It is a beautiful interpretation of the 1936 Reverso Cordonnet model. It is a fine example of their expertise and craftsmanship and a brilliant timepiece that will help enhance the beauty of the wearer. There is practically no space left on the watch or its strap that is not covered with diamonds. A Total of 1,250 Diamonds Have Been Set on the Watch The Swiss watchmaker is known for its gem setting expertise and it becomes more than evident when you see the Reverso Cordonnet Duetto jewelry wrist watch. A total of 1,250 diamonds have been set on the watch to cover the entire surface of the watch and the strap. More than a watch it has b...

The Glenlivet is launching a mysterious new single malt whiskey christened Alpha. I say mysterious because the manufacturers have revealed no cask information, age or tasting notes. Those interested will have to decipher its secrets by triumphing in a series of online challenges. Packaged in a sleek black bottle, nothing is given away until the whiskey is poured. Only 3,350 bottles have been manufactured by Master Distiller Alan Winchester at The Glenlivet Distillery located in Speyside. Their distillery is already known for its exceptional offerings and we are sure this one won’t disappoint either. The online challenges will engage each sense be it look, smell or taste with the help of a number of digital interactive tools. Alan Winchester feels that this task will make people better appreciate its flavour and expand their understanding of the complexity of this single malt whiskey. An online community will be created where the Master Distiller himself will offer cl...

ICEBERG Water is a great new offering for those who do not want to take any chances on the quality of our water supply. In a world where the purity of even bottled water is questionable, ICEBERG Water ensures that the water you are drinking is pure and pristine. The water in their bottles is derived from the Arctic ice shelves that were formed 12 thousand years ago. Hence it is bereft of any modern industrial pollutant. Infact it has the lowest mineral content in a ny bottled water in the world. Gradually these ice shelves broke away and migrated southwards towards Canada. It is from the Canadian coastline, that they harvest the water from these icebergs before they melt and become one with sea. For generations, the locals have harvested water from these icebergs. They believe this water to have healing properties. Now this gift of nature is available in the UK. Bottled in beautiful clear and frosted bottles with snowflakes pattern on them, they can be great for parties or as a gif...

Net-A-Porter, the luxury online store, prides itself on its super efficient delivery service. In fact they provide same day delivery service to its customers in New York City and neighboring affluent suburbs. They are now expanding this exclusive service to a larger area that will now cover East Hampton, Sagaponack, Amagansett, Bridgehampton, Montauk, Sag Harbour, Southampton, Wainscott, and Watermill. It was a challenge but they found a way to overcome it in collaboration with the Stnd Air. Yes, they are going to fly the articles directly to the doorsteps of the shoppers. This exclusive service is aimed at their elite customers who have their vacation homes in these areas and spend quite a lot of their time there. Orders Placed by 10 am will be Delivered Between 5pm to 9pm They have a loyal customer base who spend big dollars online on designer goods and the luxury online store would like to consolidate their hold on these customers by airlifting some of the most expensive dresses fo...

The news of the birth of the British Royal baby on 22nd July 2013 was received with joy across the world. The son of Prince William and Kate has been named George. To commemorate the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge the Royal Collection Trust is releasing a special edition cup made of English fine bone china. The tiny prince is third in line to the throne, after his grandfather and father. The limited edition cup will be the most expensive royal product being released on the occasion and would be priced at $260. The fine cup has been exclusively commissioned by the Royal Trust. The Cups are Being Handcrafted Using Traditional Methods The design on the cup will exhibit the unicorn and lion from the Royal Arms gracefully supporting the coronet of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The design will be surrounded by Oak leaves that have been taken from the coat of arms of the Middleton family. The cup which is being called the Royal Baby Commemorative Limited Edi...

A most expensive swimsuit worth $6,000 has been created by a mother and daughter team from Singapore FTV Beach Party slated to begin next weekend. Both the mother, Ms Christina Ho and daughter Esther Loh spent an entire week designing and then hand sewing Swarovski crystals on to the swimsuit. Esther is confident that the crystals will stay on even if the wearer goes for a swim, however she does not recommend it. It is more of the beauty pageant variety and they have sponsored the swimwear for several pageants in the past including Miss Singapore Chinatown 2012, Miss Bikini International Singapore 2012 and the Miss Universe Singapore 2013. Inner Desire is an Online Business Launched Three Years Ago The mother and daughter team are the founders of Inner Desire, an online business that they launched three years ago. They design and retail a range of luxury swimsuits, lingerie and sleepwear. Their designs are very affordably priced between $34 and $120. Ms Ho explained that it was th...

A simple piece of furniture or accessory can be turned into a luxurious item with the use of superior material and by incorporation innovative design elements.   Jim Zivic , the Ohio born and brought up designer has designed and produced a collection of furnishings that attracts attention because of the use of unusual materials. However, the highlight of the collection is a hammock which is called the Leather Link Hammock and carries a price tag of $42,000. You have to pay a premium for the designer’s creative inputs and the best materials available. The Collection Showcased in Ralph Pucci Showroom in LA Jim Zivic describes his collection as ‘industrial luxe’. He calls it that because of the materials he has used. He has extensively used materials like steel, leather, coal and aluminum. The collection is aimed at the elite who love luxury and are willing to pay for it. He has tied up with Ralph Pucci and his collection will be showcased in the Ralph Pucci showroom in Lo...

The first event of the World Luxury Expo series this year was held at Burj Al Arab, Dubai in January this year followed by one in February at the palatial Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. There has been a reasonable gap since the last event and the high-net worth private clientele from across the GCC region must be looking forward to the by-invitation only event. It is a unique event of its kind as it brings a broad selection of luxury categories under one roof. Where else can you see the fine art, high-end jewelry and fashion, hand-crafted time pieces, designer furniture and exquisite table settings, automobiles, fine dining, private aviation, and luxury travel suppliers at one place? Emirates Palace is the Location of the Event The World Luxury Expo to be Hosted by Abu Dhabi at the Emirates Palace The Event Will Continue Travelling in the GCC Region Porsche Dubai will be showcasing Porsche’s first ever Panamera Executive model. Moiseikin Jewellery has put together an ‘Imperial Collection’ ...

The Hakkasan at Las Vegas is the first nightclub for the restaurant brand. The chain has restaurants at many hotspots around the globe including London, New York City and Miami. The nightclub at Las Vegas is housed in MGM Grand Hotel & Casino and has been developed as a five-level culinary and nightlife mecca. The highlight of the nightclub is their bottle service which costs $500,000 and is easily the world’s most expensive service of its kind. The package they offer is called the Armand de Brignac Dynastie Collection that consists of nine bottles of the champagne. Three of the bottles in the collection are in new sizes and have been created specifically for the package. The Collection Created Exclusively for Hakkasan The bottle sizes are 4.5 liter for Rehoboam, 9 liter for Salmanazar and 12 liter for Balthazar. The collection has been created exclusively for Hakkasan and its high rolling guests. The gilded bottles have been specially designed and feature pewter ace of spades...

  Miami’s luxury real estate market remains upbeat and has witnessed the second $30 million transaction in less than a month. A waterfront estate on La Gorce Island called the Castello del Sol was purchased for $30 million on Monday. The property is a fine example of classic Miami opulence. It has been developed like a resort and boasts of all luxury amenities including a lagoon style pool overlooking the bay. It is a gated Mediterranean style compound that is now the third most expensive single family home in the Miami Dade County. The two properties that were priced higher were sold last year and are located on the nearby Indian Creek Island. The Estate Boasts of 349 Feet of Biscayne Bay Frontage The other real estate deal in the region that crossed the $30 million mark was the sale of two side by side penthouse condos in the up-and-coming Residences at Miami Beach Edition. The prestigious deal worth $34 million was concluded earlier this year. Castello del Sol is spread ove...

Vertu is known for designing some of amazing handsets and has partnered Ferrari on several occasions to create inspired products. The two iconic brands have come together again and the result is another classy limited edition smartphone.  The design of the new phone has been inspired by Ferrari’s fastest car on the road, F12 Berlinetta. The classy handset has been named Vertu Ti Ferrari Limited Edition. The stylish phone has the heart of Vertu but design elements of a Ferrari. The exterior of the handset is covered in Ferrari leather which gives it an appearance that reminds you of a Ferrari. The Prancing Horse Insignia of Ferrari is there on the Rear of the Set The exclusive headset also has red stitching around the shell similar to that found on the Ferrari’s seats. There are other elements that remind you of the fastest Ferrari car. The rear of the set has been designed in a way that it resembles the tail lights of F12. The prancing horse insignia of Ferrari is emblazoned...

 Gianni Versace’s former mansion on the Ocean Drive, Miami is headed for the auction block by the order of the US Bankruptcy Court. The villa has some sad history associated with it as the fashion icon Gianni Versace was shot dead in 1997 on its steps. The company that is managing the sale of the trophy home has assessed the value of the property to be above $50 million. Apart from its history, the mansion’s location also adds to its value as it is located just a stone’s throw from the beach on Miami’s Ocean Drive tourist strip. The palatial Miami villa also has several outbuildings on the premium property. The Mansion and its Outbuildings are Well Preserved The property is considered to be the Crown Jewel of Ocean Drive and is surely one of the most coveted trophy properties worldwide. Understandably the property is very elegant and stylish as it belonged to Gianni Versace. Called Casa Casurina, it is a one of a kind property as it retains all the Versace design elements. I...

Right now the royal news is about welcoming the heir to the British Monarchy. But couple of years ago it was all about the William-Kate Wedding.   There were stories about Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress , the luxury hotel Goring where the Middleton family stayed and its Royal Suite where Kate spent the night before her wedding.  The hotel which is a 69 room boutique hotel is back in the news as the British Queen has granted a Royal Warrant to it. As a result The Goring has become Royal family’s ‘Hotel of Choice’.  It is a 103 year old hotel with a rich history and is owned and operated by the same family that built it over a century ago. The tag line coined for the centenary celebration in 2010 was ‘One Hundred Years, One Family’. Goring Enjoys a Close Association with British Royals and Military This is the first time a luxury hotel is being awarded this distinction. The hotel has had a close association with the British Royal and military est...

St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort has come up with an interesting idea, which will allow its guests to try out any dress, shoe or accessory in their own hotel room. The Miami resort has roped in Neiman Marcus for this personal shopping experience, which is called the Neiman Marcus Closet. Before the guests check in, they will be given a questionnaire and their room or suite will be filled with a selection of outfits or accessories based on their preferences.  Neiman Marcus’ personal shopping team will use their expertise to select that perfect cocktail dress, or beautiful stiletto from their huge collection encompassing a 100 plus designers. After going through the collection sent to their room, the guests will have the choice of either buying whatever they liked or sending it back to the store through The St. Regis Butler.  They will get three days to decide upon their purchase. Hence, guests will have the opportunity to update their wardrobe with the...

By Roger Scoble Each year Forbes Magazine releases its lists of the world’s richest men and women. In the case of the women, much remained the same as the 2012 list including the fact that most of the women are not self-made, but instead inherited their money. Many of the richest women in the world are American. Here’s a list of the richest women in the U.S. 1. Christy Walton ($25.3 billion) Christy Walton is the widow of John Walton, son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. After John Walton died in a plane crash in 2006, Christy inherited his fortune including enough stock to make more than $220 million in dividends in just six months. With the recent price appreciation of Walmart’s stock, the Walton family’s wealth has continued to grow. 2. Alice Walton ($23.3 billion) Alice Walton is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and heiress to a portion of the Walton fortune. She recently opened an art museum with art being displayed from the Walton estate. Although she is actively in...