Luxury Lifestyle, Design & Architecture blog

A Japanese railway operator today unveiled a new super-luxury train it hopes will appeal to well-heeled travellers who don’t mind splashing out to have their every travelling need fulfilled. Kyushu Railway’s “Nanatsuboshi” — Seven Stars — service has a lounge car with a piano and a bar, top-end dining and 14 private suites. Each wood-panelled bedroom has plush beds and a desk along with an ensuite bathroom with a shower and toilet, equipped — of course — with a heated seat. The train travels around the rural southern island of Kyushu, with a four-day, three-night package costing up to 1.13 million yen per couple. The company’s website boasts of a “refined and dignified” design that is a “fusion of Japanese and Western and of new and old”. The train goes into service in October this year, but is already fully booked until June 2014.

Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay The growth of emerging markets led by China has made Hong Kong the most expensive shopping area in the world. A study done by Cushman & Wakefield reveals that New York has given way to Hong Kong as the retailers located in the luxury area of Causeway Bay paid an average of $2,630 per square foot. This was a growth of over 34% compared to the previous year and was fuelled by about 30% growth in sales driven by the tourists and mainland residents. London may be the most expensive when it comes to the super prime real estate but its Bond Street slipped out of the top ten list of the most expensive shopping area resulting from a weak national demand. We bring for you the top ten most expensive shopping area in the world. Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay Average annual rent: $2,630/square foot The luxury goods on Causeway Bay witnessed greater demand mainly by mainland residents who find the prices in Hong Kong cheaper. Causeway Bay overtook 5th Avenue as...

Yes, we all love luxury and dream of it at every turn of your lives. Luxury has always been instrumental in bringing the feel-good factor into a hectic 21 st century lifestyle that is predominantly ruled by work pressure and the maddening race to excel. The hospitality industry has a for a long time been at the vanguard of the luxury revolution, bringing the very best of service and amenities to its esteemed guests. However, even with the presence nearly hundreds or thousands of luxury hotels, there are some that stand at the very top of the list, not only because of their impeccable guest service standards, but also due to their astonishing prices. These hotels are sort of a crème of the luxury hospitality industry and offer a truly unforgettable experience for the guests that spend their time in these luxury intensive hotels. We decided to take a closer look at the ten most expensive hotels in the world that are scattered throughout some of the most breathtaking l...