Tag: luxury

Tips on How to Burst Out of Travel’s Luxury Cocoon
Travel

Tips on How to Burst Out of Travel’s Luxury Cocoon

“We ran into some locals who said, ‘Come with us.’ They knew of a dam across the river,” Mr. Creery said. “So we went past big ‘Verboten’ signs, carrying our bikes over barbed wire, but what are you going to do? We got where we needed to go.”New and expanding bike trails and reserved bike lanes on city streets in many parts of Europe, Australia, Japan and elsewhere are encouraging tourists to pedal around. And whether by biking, walking or running, getting out of a vehicle always gives the better view, according to Ms. Dresser, the film producer, who is a frequent traveler for work and for pleasure. “You’re going to see a lot more and you’re in contact with people,” she said. “You get the feel for the place so much more.”Attend Religious ServicesCultural values are readily on display in f...
Japan Offers Luxury Train Travel
Travel

Japan Offers Luxury Train Travel

Japan’s public transportation is known for its punctuality, efficiency and high-quality service, which means train travel is a great way to see the countryside and to experience Japanese culture — even if you’re squeezed into Tokyo’s crowded Yamanote line at rush hour or experiencing the popular high-speed Shinkansen bullet train.But many savvy visitors crisscross the country in another way, using luxury trains that resemble five-star hotels on rails.Luxury rail travel appeals to “someone who wants slow travel, the experience of excellent service in a contained environment, the finest dining, the most exquisite accommodation with private bathrooms,” Simon Pielow, co-founder of the Luxury Train Club, said by phone from Wiltshire County, England. “Things that many people have no idea is pos...
Finland Is Expanding Its Luxury Appeal to Tourists
Travel

Finland Is Expanding Its Luxury Appeal to Tourists

When construction at the Hotel Maria is completed in June, 159 chandeliers will hang from the ceilings of its 79 rooms, 38 suites and public areas. Its bar will serve 31 types of Champagne. And the renovations on its four buildings — two of which opened in December — will have included the restoration of 42 kilometers (26 miles) of original moldings.Those are just some of the things that will distinguish the Maria as a “true five-star city hotel,” according to Heli Mende, its commercial director.The Finnish capital is no stranger to luxury. It already has several high-end hotels, including Hotel Kamp and the St. George. There are upscale boutiques and department stores; the Palace restaurant, which has two Michelin stars; and a handful of other single-star spots. (In May, the city is sche...
Four Seasons opens Suzhou urban luxury resort – Business Traveller
Travel

Four Seasons opens Suzhou urban luxury resort – Business Traveller

Four Seasons has announced the grand opening of Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou, in China’s Jiangsu province. Situated on a private nine-hectare (22 acre) island in Jinji Lake, Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou is easily accessible to key commercial areas and cultural landmarks via a dedicated bridge, just minutes away from the vibrant city. The hotel’s Suzhou-style garden landscape is spread across public and villa areas, with winding lakefront and garden paths revealing views of Jinji Lake. Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou has119 guest rooms and suites, along with 11 independent villas featuring private courtyards, offering a blend of comfort and privacy. Comprehensive recreational and fitness facilities, an outdoor infinity pool and kids’ pool, a spa, and tailored wellness programmes cater to guests’ ...
Marriott’s Luxury Collection debuts in Georgia – Business Traveller
Travel

Marriott’s Luxury Collection debuts in Georgia – Business Traveller

Marriott International has debuted its Luxury Collection brand in Georgia, with a hotel in Tbilisi. Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel is located in a contemporary building with a double-curved glass facade that reflects its surroundings. The hotel features design by architectural firm Hausart Georgia which blends the old with the new, while interiors by HAT Design Paris are influenced by the centuries-old Georgian clothing chokha and traditional ornaments with geometrical patterns. The 220 guest rooms and suites feature a warm colour palette, leather and velvet furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows, wine fridges stocked with local Georgian bottles, and large bathrooms with bespoke amenities. The property also boasts five restaurants and bars, curated by the award-winnin...
Marriott boosts Vietnam luxury pipeline – Business Traveller
Travel

Marriott boosts Vietnam luxury pipeline – Business Traveller

Marriott has announced the signing of deals to open three new luxury resorts in Vietnam. The signings mark the expected debut of two new brands into Vietnam – Ritz-Carlton Reserve and The Luxury Collection – on the little-known Hon Thom Island in Phu Quoc. Additionally, Marriott also announced Vietnam’s third JW Marriott Hotel, set for Trang An, the UNESCO World Heritage destination in northern Vietnam. The Luxury Collection Resort, Hon Thom Island The resort is slated to open in 2029 and will be located on the Northwest coast of Hon Thom Island. The Luxury Collection Resort, Hon Thom Island is expected to feature 305 rooms and suites, ranging from 50 to 250 square meters and including family accommodations. Plans call for two pool areas, a kids’ club, activity center, fitness cente...
Elegant Hotel Collection launches with 25 luxury properties – Business Traveller
Travel

Elegant Hotel Collection launches with 25 luxury properties – Business Traveller

A new collection of independent luxury hotels has launched under the Elegant Hotel Collection banner. The soft brand initially counts 25 properties under its portfolio, including Stapleford Park in Melton Mowbray, Sunborn Hotel Gibraltar, Paresa Resort Phuket in Thailand,  La Sultana Oualidia in Morocco, and Cresta Palace Hotel in St Moritz. Six hotels under the existing Exclusive Collection have also joined the collection – Royal Berkshire, Pennyhill Park in Surrey, South Lodge in Sussex, Lainston House in Winchester, The Manor House in Wiltshire, and Fanhams Hall in Hertfordshire. The collection will operate under an invitation-only basis, with plans to expand to 50 properties globally by summer 2024. The group said that member properties had been selected “to embody the five elements ...
BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse Concept Gives the Storied Brand a Future-Friendly Face
Technology

BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse Concept Gives the Storied Brand a Future-Friendly Face

If you’re a cynic, you’d say that the lack of physical switches and chunky tech is a cost-cutting measure. BMW would almost certainly prefer you think that keeping things simple is the future—even though the trend for touchscreening all the things is, in various places, being judged as something of a bust. Even at the highest end of the scale there’s a mix of touchscreens and hard buttons.You’ll be most familiar with the iDrive screen slap bang in the middle of the dash. You can control it and its myriad functions with your hands, multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, or BMW’s own voice control. The iDrive wheel that came with the system at its inception in 2001 is nowhere to be seen.Photograph: BMWThat’s all standard so far—"car has touchscreen" is not groundbreaking news. BMW Pan...
London’s former Park Lane Mews hotel to be converted into luxury boutique property – Business Traveller
Travel

London’s former Park Lane Mews hotel to be converted into luxury boutique property – Business Traveller

Plans have been unveiled for a new boutique hotel off Park Lane in London’s Mayfair district. Bain Capital Special Situations and Orka Investments Limited have received planning permission to convert the former Park Lane Mews Hotel into an 82-room luxury property, featuring a signature restaurant, lobby bar and café, and a private members’ space. The development – which is located towards the bottom end of Park lane close to upmarket hotels including the Four Seasons, Intercontinental and Sheraton Grand – will also see the creation of 16 luxury residences across two restored townhouses on Hertford Street. “The opportunity to design and deliver a new hotel in Mayfair is rare and privileged one,” said Timothy Shepherd, managing director at architects Buckley Gray Yeoman. “We have approache...
The 9 Best Luxury Luggage Collections of 2023
Travel

The 9 Best Luxury Luggage Collections of 2023

When traveling in style to an extravagant vacation spot (here's looking at you, Bora Bora), you may strive to look your best when boarding the plane with a designer outfit. Why not have a luxury luggage set that shows off your stylish side as well?These luggage designs not only look beautiful: They are also durable, spacious and accompanied by standout features. Choose from a variety of styles and materials, such as hard- or soft-sided; carry-on or check-in; and made from leather, linen, rattan or polycarbonate.The jet set will drool over these luxury luggage brands that add style while on the go. To curate this selection of the best luxury luggage sets of 2023, U.S. News researched review sites, online retail sites and more.(Note: Prices and stock availability were accurate at the time t...