30

ON FINE WATCHES…The first generation of “smart” watches is finally

here, by Samsung on its Galaxy Gear platform.

At $299, it is less than the cost of the clasp or a

replacement strap for a high-end mechanical

watch, and is probably equivalent to lunch and a

glass of wine for two at a fine-dining restaurant.

If you couldn’t care less about mechanical

watches (although many folks like you do—elite

travelers account for over $9 billion in mechanical

watch purchases annually), the smart watch may

or may not catch your attention. As someone who

has come to enjoymechanical watches, the launch

of “smart” watches is a good opportunity to talk

about what I’ll refer to as “genius” watches.

Look up Intel cofounder Gordon Moore’s proc-

lamation, “The number of transistors incorpo-

rated in a chip will approximately double every 24

months.” In other words, the pace of progress in

the high-tech world is without doubt supersonic.

Unlike the technology that powers the just-

launched smart watches, most of which has been

developed in the past decades and probably the

last six months, the technology behind “genius”

mechanical watches dates back more than 300

years. While it has been refined, improved, and

enhanced, when it comes to accurate timekeep-

ing, the same engineering principles that were

created and applied in the Swiss Alps centuries

ago have, at best, been incrementally beaten by

the powers of the modern world. The beauty of

mechanical watches for those that appreciate

and that’s fine too—I find it spectacular that in

a constantly evolving world of technology, the

art of keeping time is something that was near-

ly perfected several hundred years ago. That

said, I am sure Samsung and Apple will do just

fine, as well. In the meantime, I am looking for-

ward to attending the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie,

the “Oscars of the watch industry,” in Geneva in

November to see the latest generation of “ge-

nius” watches.

ELITE TRAVELER TV

At Elite Traveler Media Group our goal is to pro-

vide content that’s of interest to elite travelers, a

group we describe as folks who traverse the

world on private jets. Earlier this year we re-

launched Elitetraveler.com with over 60 destina-

tion guides providing VIP contacts on shopping,

pictorials on top suites, and everything you need

to “know before you go.” Using a responsive tech-

nology platform means that whether you are ac-

cessing us from a tablet or smart phone (as 40

percent of you do), or from a laptop or desktop

computer, the website provides a great experi-

ence without the need to download various apps.

Our digital library of Elite Traveler print publica-

tions over the past five years provides fingertip

access to stories you read about recently or want

to reference again. Coming up in 2014 is our

“Best Residential Developments” list, as well as

our ever-popular compilations of the world’s “Top

Restaurants” and “Top Suites.”

them escalates into the many complications one

can have, from minute repeaters to a perpetual

calendar that will take into account the earth’s

erratic rotation for the next 100 years. And it’s a

special fact that many of today’s watchmakers

are descendants of those farmers and still live in

or around the same small villages where the in-

dustry was born.

Of course, no industry is foolproof. Steam en-

gines became diesel engines, which morphed into

electric bullet trains; biplanes transformed into

DC-3s, then jets, and then jumbo jets. Each rendi-

tion brought dramatic improvement in speed or

capacity. The famed “Quartz Crisis” crippled the

mechanical watch industry in the 1970s, until the

trade was rescued by Nicolas Hayek, the legend-

ary founder of Swatch Group, and the likes of

Jean-Claude Biver (today chairman ofHublot, who

was then a young gun at Blancpain).

My bet is that this new wave of technology is

barely a ripple, particularly for the intricate time-

pieces that can range five, six, and seven digits in

cost. If one judges by the recent Only Watch auc-

tion in Monaco, where a Patek Philippe watch

was bought for nearly three million euros and 33

timepieces were sold for over five million euros,

undoubtedly there is a large interest in fine

watchmaking. In a world that changes so fast,

this is something that has endured for generation

after generation.

While there are many elite travelers who en-

joy nice watches as a way of accessorizing—

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

REF. 5004T

/ PATEK

PHILIPPE

FAWAZ

GRUOSI / DE

GRISOGONO

JORDAN

HANSELL /

NETJETS

SINGLE MALT

“YOICHI” /

NIKKA WHISKY

Currently we are launching Elite Traveler TV

on Elitetraveler.com, as well as ElitetravelerTV

on Youtube.com. To date, we have about two doz-

en videos, including tours of top suites, dining

insider info with our award-winning food critic

Andy Hayler, lessons in mixology, and CEO inter-

views under the banner “Elite Traveler Meets.”

The interviews include top jewelry designers

such as DeGrisogono founder Fawaz Gruosi and

NetJets CEO Jordan Hansell, who shares an

amusing story about what it’s like to place the

largest order of private jets in the history of avia-

tion, and working for Warren Buffett.

NEW HOTELS

During an average year, I visit at least 150 hotels

for site inspections. I don’t stay at the properties,

just check out the suites and facilities. At least

half of what I visit is preopening, or to put it an-

other way, an active construction zone. The idea

is to preview what you will be experiencing.

Many times I end up doing five or six inspections

in a single day, such as during my recent trip to

Bali, an idyllic island that has become the literal

epicenter of luxury hotel construction and expan-

sion. There are multiple new hotels under con-

struction, including Luxury Collection and Ritz-

Carlton properties that complement recently

opened hotels from Regent and independent op-

erators (you can look forward to our “Top Suites of

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

32

All the best,

Group President and Editor-in-Chief

doug.gollan@elitetraveler.com

key partners who help us get Elite Traveler to

you. Athens, Georgia, may be best known as the

home for R.E.M and the University of Georgia.

However, while there is only a single scheduled

airline serving the town (with several flights a day

to Nashville), the general aviation at its local air-

field is bustling with as many as 20 flights a day,

and peaks into the hundreds when the Bulldogs

are playing a big-name opponent. The weekend I

visited, Georgia was ranked number seven in the

country for college football, and some 95,000

people attended the game. Along with the univer-

sity there is also a nice hub of businesses that

have manufacturing or key facilities here, and

since Athens is about a one-and-a-half-hour

drive from Atlanta International Airport, the

community is a great example of how private avi-

ation helps grease the wheels of local economies

largely ignored by commercial airlines. Watch

our interview with Jordan Hansell, who does a

good job of hitting on this in his discussion with

Elite Traveler TV.

Bali” articles in the January/February 2014 issue

and the winter Asia Edition of Elite Traveler). At

the same time, existing properties have not only

been refurbished, but expanded, in particular,

adding new villas and grand suites. With new pri-

vate jet facilities due to open on the island and the

G20 and Forbes CEO Conference shining a spot-

light, it was an interesting time to visit.

Closer to my New York base, the much antici-

pated Salamander Resort and Spa opened at

the end of August in Middleburg, Virginia, about a

half hour west of Dulles International Airport

and at least a century back in time. I had already

seen the place while the hammers were still in

full force a few weeks earlier. The brainchild of

BET cofounder Sheila Johnson, the 340-acre re-

sort is destined to become a haven for equestrian

lovers with its extensive stable and riding trails.

Perhaps best described as an East Coast version

of Montage Laguna Beach, the resort blends

nicely into Virginia’s picturesque Blue Ridge

Mountains. Its 168 suites and rooms, a

5,000-square-foot ballroom, extensive confer-

ence facilities, plus 50,000 square feet of indoor

and outdoor space for events make it likely to be

a popular meeting venue. Leesburg Executive

Airport, with its 5,500-foot runway, provides easy

access as well, if you are coming by private jet.

As I am traveling, and when security permits

access, I like to pop in on private jet terminals,

COURTYARD / SALAMANDER RESORT AND SPA

SHEILA JOHNSON

/ SALAMANDER

RESORT AND SPA

DOWNTOWN AT DUSK / ATHENS, GEORGIA

PURA ULUN

DANU BRATAN

TEMPLE / BALI

XKR / JAGUAR

34

COME SAIL AWAYMy gig at Elite Traveler offers me ample op-

portunity to explore many of my personal pas-

sions, but while the glimmer of the recent Or-

acle Team USA’s America’s Cup victory is still

vibrant and on everybody’s minds, I can happily

report on two particularly apropos adventures

I recently had that beautifully blended some of

my favorite things: Fine watches, luxury cars,

and outstanding sailing. While I didn’t make it

to San Francisco for the Cup races this year, I

did manage to get a little wind time in, and in a

couple of very memorable and satisfying ways.

HEAD OF THE HARBOR

Late in the summer, I wound my superb test-

drive Jaguar XKR convertible (get more details

on the XKR in this issue’s Test Drive on p. 134)

EDITORIAL TEAM LETTER

energy for the patients is obvious, but the par-

ticipating sailors I spoke with at the host yacht

club (as well as other participants at Marble-

head’s Boston Yacht Club and Eastern Yacht

Club) were positively beaming when they told

me about their experiences with the charity. If,

like many yachtsmen, you’re just itching for a

particularly good excuse to get out on the wa-

ter, check out the website.

A harbor full of gorgeous vintage racers (in-

cluding the 1970 vintage, 40-foot Valiant, re-

habbed NY50 vessel Spartan, and the overall

winner, Black Watch, a classic yawl circa 1938),

some terrific wind conditions in Boston Harbor,

and the proud US public debut of Panerai’s stun-

ning Regatta timepiece presented by President

Rafael Alvarez made for a memorable long

weekend. As an appropriate aside, the Regatta

up to Marblehead, Massachusetts to cover the

Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge races at the

Corinthian Yacht Club. While news of Jaguar’s

new F-Type roadser is dominating the luxury

automobile sphere, this super-charged version

of the company’s classic, elegant touring cou-

pé offers a stately option for those who prefer

their speed with a dash of civility.

Marblehead is as gorgeous and iconic a

New England harbor town as you’ll find, and I

know this well since I grew up in and around

there. The regatta benefitted the growing Sail-

ing Heals organization (www.sailingheals.org),

which dedicates itself to matching up yacht

owners and patients struggling with serious

illness with the simple and noble goal of pro-

viding a much-needed “day off” on the water

for patients and their caregivers. The healing

A7 / AUDI

REGATTA

TIMEPIECE /

PANERAI

EDITORIAL TEAM LETTER

3636

Kind regards,

MIKE ESPINDLE

Group Editor

mike.espindle@elitetraveler.com

watch features a special countdown function for

regatta start times, as well as a flyback chrono-

graph and three-day power reserve.

AUSSIE RULES

Next, I enjoyed some of the new additions to

Qantas’s excellent first-class service (get more

details on p. 46) on my way to the gorgeous and

remote setting of Hamilton Island in Austra-

lia’s Whitsunday Islands. I was invited to cover

the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, a sailing

event nearly as popular as the legendary Syd-

ney Hobart Yacht Race. As I was whisked in a

sleek Audi A7 sport sedan to my villa at qua-

lia, one of Oz’s top luxury resorts, I was struck

by this gateway to the Barrier Reef’s charm; a

favorite port of high-end Aussie boaters, it’s a

kind of St. Barths of the Pacific Rim.

I proudly test-wore a Corum Admiral’s Cup 48

chronograph, which came in quite handy for

logging start time lags in the relatively calm

winds that pushed the clumps of boats around

Hamilton Harbor. But one of the great things

about sailing is that if the wind isn’t so de-

manding, the scene back at the harbor bars

just gets better.

In addition to qualia (see p. 152 for more on

that resort’s stunning top accommodation), the

island is home to several family-friendly re-

sorts, a plethora of multimillion-dollar homes,

a winning Peter Thomson-designed golf course

and clubhouse on its own private island in the

bay, and a small but state-of-the-art marina

and harbor village—all the vision of Austra-

lian vintner Bob Oatley, who has spent upwards

of $350 million on reinventing the island. The

island itself feels very private, with a scrubby,

tropical ecosystem that is a little like Hawaii

meets Cape Breton Island... quite gorgeous re-

ally. The Audi races combined several classes

of vessels, from vintage schooners that looked

almost like pirate ships to modern ocean rac-

ers like Oatley’s own Wild Oats and the overall

IRC winner Hooligan. For my activities at sea,

SAILING HEALS VOYAGE / VALIANT

ADMIRAL’S

CUP 48 /

CORUM

CATCHING THE WIND / WILD OATS

Raphael le Masne de Chermont,executive chairman of Shanghai

Tang, talks expansion and evolu-

tion while preserving a beloved

founder’s style.

www.elitetraveler.com/

rlemasnedechermont

Nira Hotels & Resorts Chief

Executive MPS Puri shares what

he’s learned from over 40 years

in the hotel business and his own

unique vision.

www.elitetraveler.com/mpuri

Larry West, “king” of pink

diamonds, delves into supply

stats and the current fascination

with these exquisitely rare

precious stones.

www.elitetraveler.com/lwest

Arnaud Bastien, president and

chief executive Asia for Graff

Diamonds, explains how the

London-based brand has expanded

over the years, specifically into

Asia and the watch market.

www.elitetraveler.com/abastien

Asia/Pacific Managing Director of

A. Lange & Söhne Franck Giacobinirecalls the tradition of German

watchmaking and discusses new

developments in Asia.

www.elitetraveler.com/fgiacobini

Asia Pacific regional Piaget Presi-

dent Dimitri Gouten discusses

what’s next for the brand and the

market for luxury in Asia.

www.elitetraveler.com/dgouten

38

ENJOY ENHANCED COVERAGE OF THE PRIVATE JET LIFESTYLE, INCLUDING:• Tips on Where to Travel Now

• Million-Dollar Weekend Getaways

• The Week in Pictures

• Photos and Coverage of VIP Events Worldwide

• Elite Access Event Listings

• The World’s 101 Top Suites

• 60 Destination Guides with VIP Intel and Contacts

• A Guide to the Best Watches on the Market

• A Guide to the Year’s Most Dazzling Jewels and Jewelers

• Top 100 Restaurants in the World

NOW LIVE ON ELITETRAVELER.COM

INTRODUCINGELITE TRAVELER TVElite Traveler meets the movers and shakers of

the luxury lifestyle space. Exclusive interviews

with USVI’s Beverly Nicholson, Puerto Rico’s Ingrid

Rivera, de Grisogono’s Fawaz Gruosi, NetJets’

Jordan Hansel, and jeweler extraordinaire Mimi So

are now live on Elitetraveler.com.

www.elitetraveler.com

40

TIMELY UPDATES FOR THE PRIVATE JET LIFESTYLENEWS+PREVIEWS

BVI BOUNTYBalinese spirit has echoed throughout the 74 magical acres of Necker Island ($60,000

a night for up to 30 guests) ever since Richard Branson completed his ultimate private

island in the British Virgin Islands almost 30 years ago. The debut of the brand new Great

House this fall proves neither fire nor lightning can stop this Virgin Island from becoming

even more intoxicating than before. Located on the island’s most elevated point, The Great

House is still the resort’s highlight, as it was when Harrison Ford, Oprah Winfrey, and the

Rolling Stones were on shore. Eight rooms, each complete with en-suite bathrooms and

private balconies, celebrate Balinese lifestyle and design, while the 1,500-square-foot up-

per levelMaster Suite stuns with panoramic views of the BVIs. Other accommodations on

Necker Island include six Bali Houses and the Temple House, which has its own pool and

views of a flamingo-filled lake.

Whether it’s the healers at the spa anticipating your call or the surprise flower-decorated

kayaks floating sushi in the pool at

lunchtime, the Branson/Virgin vibe—

cool, casual, and luxurious—will truly

define your stay.

Contact: General Managers Kenton

and Leesa Jones, (212) 984-3070;

enquiries@virginlimitededition.

com; www.virginlimitededition.com

CONFIDANTE BY MARY GOSTELOW

It seems everyone is getting into the private jet mar-

ket. Emirates, the airline that first turned its first class

“seats” into private cabins with Hollywood-stylemirrors

and much else beside, is considered by many to be the

leader when it comes to luxury aboard scheduled car-

riers. Now it is launching Emirates Executive, a cus-

tomized A319 with a maximum capacity of 19 guests.

Dubai-based Ali Albwardy is a polo-loving supermar-

ket king who is also into resorts. Back home, he owns

Desert Palm, which has four working polo fields. He is

big on Africa at themoment. Last year he put a different

label on his Bilila Lodge, a luxury safari resort in the

Serengeti that is now, following extensive renovations, a

Four Seasons. He rather likes the brand; he co-owns

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and is working on

the transformation of the historic, village-likeWestcliff

in Johannesburg, also to become Four Seasons. But the

entrepreneur does not put all his eggs in one basket.

Per Aquum, in which colorful American entrepreneur

Bill Heinecke’s Minor Hotel Group recently acquired a

sizable stake, manages Desert Palm. Similarly, Albwar-

dy gave the venerable Kilimanjaro Hotel in Tanzania’s

commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, to Hyatt who, it is

rumored, may well run the project Albwardy has just

purchased in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Heinecke is also getting to know Africa well. From

his Bangkok base he seems to roam the world piloting

his own Gulfstream V. In September, he arrived in Paris

as a passenger on another G550, as part of a 10-strong

group of Bangkok-based wine connoisseurs, most of

whom hail from Scandinavia. The group had been invit-

ed to France by Per Enevoldsen, Danish-born founder

of PANDORA jewelry, which in 2010 achieved an IPO of

$2.1 billion. Enevoldsen is now also based in Bangkok,

where he successfully bid, at a charity auction, for a lav-

ish week in France. The lucky group devoured a Dan-

ish smorgasbord courtesy of The St. Regis Bangkok

on the initial flight, ate at Michelin-star spots in Paris,

where they were based at Le Meurice, and drank noth-

ing but the finest champagnes when they were hosted

by LVMH at various cellars in Epernay and Reims.

Private planes were in their element at the recent

wedding of Elle Macpherson and Jeffrey Soffer at Lau-

cala Island, on the 12-square-mile island of the same

name in Fiji. The Laucala airstrip conveniently—at least

for keeping paparazzi away—only takes private jets.

Laucala, which has just 25 villas but a staggeringly

large workforce of 329, is owned by Red Bull master-

mind and co-owner, the Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz.

MAIN ROOM / THE GREAT HOUSE

ESTATE OF GRACESir Charles Coote and his Lady Caroline built their lavish Irish country estate Ballyfin in

the 1820s as a showplace intended to impress, and, perhaps, intimidate guests. The guest

of honor would be hosted in the grand house’s grandest suite with a large bow window

overlooking a fountain and the lush Pleasure Grounds. Following the estate’s extraordi-

nary renovation and its reopening as a boutique hotel in 2011, the room was rechristened

the Sir Christopher Coote Suite (from about $1,600 a night), named for the 15th baronet

and elder Coote ancestor who has closely followed the restoration of his great-great-great

grandparents’ country residence. The 430-square-foot suite is decorated in creamy shades

with accents of crimson and sage that complement fragments of

18th-century Chinese wallpaper panels. A marble fireplace, Chi-

nese Chippendale antiques, and a canopied four-poster bed create

a relaxed residential ambience and a long marble bath spies the

roof of the glass conservatory. Following a day of country living—

hiking, fishing, and horseback riding on the estate’s 610 acres—

and a delectable gourmet dinner in the State Dining Room, you

can retire to your suite feeling like the lord and lady of the manor.

Contact: General Manager Aileesh Carew, 353-5787-55866;

info@ballyfin.com; www.ballyfin.com

SIR CHRISTOPHER COOTE

SUITE / BALLYFIN

MASTER BEDROOM / THE

GREAT HOUSE

42

THE FUTURE AFLOATFresh from its successful debut at the recent Monaco Yacht Show (where it was certified by the Reg-

istro Italiano Navale as one of the quietest yachts ever built), the 131-foot Cacos V exudes an almost

military vibe with cutting-edge décor and technology that serves as the signature of Italian yacht

design firm Admiral Tecnomar. Chairman Giovanni Costantino said, “Cacos V perfectly embodies

our vocation for excellence that distinguishes our work: It is a jewel of design and technique, and

the RINA certification is the full demonstration of our ability to

constantly innovate and improve the standards of the market.”

Replete with a shimmering bronze-hued hull, large living and

dining areas, a bow-located Owner’s Suite with its own office and

full-beam cabin, and four guest cabins, Cacos V was designed in

conjunction with naval architect Luca Dini and interior firm Group

Style Center.

Contact: Admiral Tecnomar Marketing’s Federica Lo Franco,

39-0585-506-217; flofranco@admiraltecnomar.com;

www.admiraltecnomar.com

ROMAN HOLIDAYWhen the Roman villa of Queen Margheri-

ta of Savoy was being redone, she took up

temporary residence at a hotel just across

the Via Veneto—which, in honor of that royal

visit, was later renamed the Regina Hotel

Baglioni. Over a century after the famous

sojourn, the elegant hotel, located a short

walk from the Spanish Steps and shops of

Via Condotti, has just launched a top-level

suite worthy of modern-day royalty. Opened

in summer 2013, the 6,028-square-foot, eighth-floorRomanPenthouse (from about $18,605 a night)

was designed by Milan’s Rebosio + Spagnulo to blend contemporary elements and modern artwork

with the hotel’s signature Art Deco-meets-Classical style. The three bedrooms, dining room, and

multiple living spaces are surrounded by 3,122 square feet of multilevel private terraces, complete

with an al fresco Jacuzzi and glass-walled gym; major landmarks like the Pantheon and Colosseum

feature in the 360-degree views. Along with the plush surroundings, guests of the Penthouse enjoy a

roster of perks, from butler service, a dedicated concierge, and airport and in-town limo service, to

an in-room chef and a barman who will create personalized aperitivos and lead wine tastings (chef

and barman for three and two hours per day, respectively). A stay of three nights or more includes a

bonus three-hour private tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Contact: General Manager

Luca Virgilio, 39-06-42111;

l.virgilio@baglionihotels.com; www.

romanpenthouse.baglionihotels.com

NEWS+PREVIEWS

CACOS V / ADMIRAL TECNOMAR

THREE BEDROOM SUITE / THE SEBASTIAN VAIL

LIVING ROOM / ROMAN PENTHOUSE

COLORADO COUTURESet on the site of Vail Village’s very first hotel,

at the gateway to some of North America’s

top-rated skiing, The Sebastian Vail and its

hotel-meets-private-residence hybrid repre-

sent alpine luxury at its apex. Begin in one of

the property’s Three Bedroom Suites ($3,450

a night), where 1,850 feet of custom-furnished

appointments open to expansive slope-facing

balconies. After you’ve spent an afternoon

shredding Vail Mountain’s epic Back Bowls,

The Sebastian also offers welcome respite

from the mountainside, at Bloom Spa. De-

veloped in collaboration with San Francisco’s

acclaimed Francis & Alexander, Bloom’s six

core treatment types—Thrive, Nourish, Flour-

ish, Luxuriate, Glow, and Refresh—are sure to

revive aching muscles for another day on the

slopes. Amid the tranquil, chalet-dotted town’s

many gastronomic spoils the one-two punch of

The Sebastian Vail’s Frost Bar and Leonora

Restaurant is unrivaled. Warm your bones

with one of Frost’s signature cocktails (drink-

able anywhere on the property) just like local

Olympic ski legends have done before you.

Afterward take a seat around Leonora’s 1,000

bottle wine-silo, where Executive Chef Sergio

Howland pairs Mexican-influenced tapas with

locally inspired entrées like the Lava Lake

Lamb, a dish that provides a perfect end to any

day, on or off the slopes.

Contact: General Manager Lance Thompson,

(970) 477-8010; lthompson@thesebastianvail.

com; www.thesebastianvail.com

COZY RETREAT / THE SEBASTIAN VAIL

SUNDECK /

CACOS V

TERRACE / ROMAN PENTHOUSE

NEWS+PREVIEWS

44

PRIVATE DINING BY ANDY HAYLER

Guy Savoy is an iconic French chef, one of

a select group (others were Paul Bocuse,

Pierre Troisgros, and Michel Guerard) who

transformed high-end French cooking in the

1970s. These chefs rebelled against the stric-

tures of the rich, classic

French cuisine codified

by Escoffier, and started

cooking a lighter style of

food, with natural flavors

and greater emphasis on

presentation. This “nou-

velle cuisine” is the basis

of muchmodern cooking.

Savoy grew up in the

Savoie region of France,

where his mother ran

the local café. After working at the Troisgros

restaurant in Roanne, Savoy opened his epony-

mous eatery in Paris in 1980, quickly gaining

two Michelin stars. Restaurant Guy Savoy

was awarded its third Michelin star in 2002, an

accolade that it has retained ever since.

If you want to try several dishes, then of

course opt for a tasting menu, but an undocu-

mented feature of the menu is that the restau-

rant is happy to serve half portions, allowing

you to choose your own path through the meal.

A signature dish is artichoke soup with black

truffle and parmesan, served with brioche

stuffed with wild mushrooms and covered with

truffle butter; it has great depth of flavor, and

the bread served with it is stunning. A common

flaw of many aspiring chefs is a tendency to

overcomplicate dishes, but the confidence in

the cooking here can be seen in a simple but

perfectly executed risotto, elevated above its

humble roots by a grating of white truffles from

Alba (entrées from about $84 to about $171).

Service is as good as expected, but man-

ages to avoid the excessive formality some-

times found in Parisian eateries. In addition to

the main dining room, there is a private dining

room that can seat up to 16 guests (private din-

ing prix fixe menus from about $197 to about

$434). For a larger party, the main dining room

can be hired en bloc, seating up to 80 people.

Contact: Restaurant Manager Christophe

Leboursier, 33-1-43-80-40-61; reserv@

guysavoy.com; www.guysavoy.com

PRIVATE DINING /

RESTAURANT GUY SAVOY

VENETIAN GEMThe newly restored 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, on Venice’s Grand Canal between the Accademia

and Rialto bridges, houses Amanresorts’ first Italian property. A lavish example of neo-Renaissance

and Rococo styles, the architectural gem abounds with exceptionally rare frescoes and reliefs. One

of five Signature Suites, the Alcova Tiepolo Suite ($4,600 a night), is crowned by a vibrant ceiling

painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, the 18th-century Venetian virtuoso who elevated the art of fresco

painting. The highlight of the Sansovino Suite ($3,300 a night) is an original fireplace designed by

Jacopo d’Antonio Sansovino, one of Venice’s most revered 16th-century architects. Blessed with such

structural extravagance, designer Jean-Michel Gathy practiced restraint with minimalist contempo-

rary furnishings and a subdued palette that do not compete for attention. Though only 24 suites inhabit

the expansive palazzo, the Aman Canal Grande touts the amenities of a larger hotel. Culinary choices

include Italian, Thai and the portfolio’s third Naoki restaurant, specializing in French kaiseki fare.

Escape the hustle and bustle in the third-floor spa, or on the roof terrace with sweeping views over the

canal and the rooftops of San Polo, or simply immerse yourself in the serenity of two verdant gardens,

a rarity in this ancient city.

Contact: General Manager Olivia Richli, 39-3420723512; orichli@amanresorts.com;

www.amanresorts.com

SANTA MONICA STARPerched above the Pacific in Santa Monica, Oceana Beach Club Hotel is a sleek, Art Deco resort tout-

ing a lobby, courtyard, and restaurant newly renovated by award-winning designer Anthony Baratta.

While guests enjoy the amenities and service of a top beach destination, it’s the laid-back, barefoot-in-

the-sand attitude that really wins themover. Sure, there’s a fitness room, but no one needs to use it be-

cause the hotel offers complimentary outdoor yoga, surfing lessons, guided hikes to Temescal Canyon,

and beach cruisers to explore Santa Monica’s Abbott Kinney Boulevard and Third Street Promenade.

Although many of the 70 rooms and suites feature lovely furnished balconies, go for the Signature

Ocean View Suite ($650 to $1,250 a night), which boasts a spacious, sun-splashed living room, bed-

room, and a large bathwith a rain shower, soaking tub, Frette bath linens, and C.O. BigelowApothecary

toiletries. Come evening, head down to two-Michelin-star chef Josiah Citrin’s farm-to-table Tower 8—

open only to hotel guests—and savor a quiet al frescomeal by the pool and outdoor fireplace, or in the

posh new dining room overlooking the ocean.

Contact: General Manager Christoph Moje, (310) 656-6028; cmoje@oceanabeachclubhotel.com;

www.hoteloceanasantamonica.com

TOWER 8 / OCEANA

BEACH CLUB HOTEL

GUY SAVOY

FRESCOED CEILING / ALCOVA TIEPOLO SUITEMASTER BEDROOM / ALCOVA TIEPOLO SUITE

AUSTRALIAN AIRQantas continues to provide exceptional VIP customer service as

the Australian flag carrier (just ask Taylor Swift, who is using the

airline exclusively for her upcoming tour down under). Several new

innovations in first-class service may just drive Qantas’s popularity

with elite travelers into overdrive, however. A new Select on Q-Eat

program lets passengers preorder their meals quickly and easily

via the Qantas website (and even includes extra “web-only” special

dishes on certain routes). First and business class passengers have

a selection of up to 12 main courses, paired with a choice of over

300 Australian wines now. A380 fliers can also visit the self-serve

snack cabinet for a complimentary quick bite. A new Qantas First

Lounge in Sydney presents an ultra-contemporary vibe by designer

Marc Newson and features a vertical garden with over 8,400 plants, a

Payot Paris day spa, and a 48-seat open-kitchen restaurant by Aus-

tralian celebrity chef Neil Perry, who also created the new in-flight

menus for the airline. First class round-trip fares from New York to

Sydney are averaging about $14,000.

Contact: Qantas First Class Services, (800) 227-4500;

www.qantas.com

NEWS+PREVIEWS

POSH PETS IN TOW BY KELLY CARTER

POOCH PERFECT A water bowl outside The

Surrey’s entrance door is the first sign that the

luxurious hotel on New York’s Upper East Side

treats dogs as well as humans. Featuring a

“Posh Pets” program that is the cat’s meow, the

Relais & Châteaux property spoils four-legged

guests with a curated biscuit menu and box of

treats from Bocce’s Bakery, a size-appropriate

Surrey monogrammed bed, bowls, and a wel-

come amenity. The hotel also recommends a

dog-walking service, groomer, dog parks, and

pet specialty services, such as picking up doggie

cupcakes at Sprinkles and foie gras dog biscuits

at Bouchon Bakery. Plus, the concierge is happy

to make reservations at pet-friendly restaurants.

www.thesurrey.com

CLOUD FELINE Pampered pawsengers on pri-

vate planes can be catered to in the same man-

ner as their two-footed guardians with Sit ‘n Stay

Global, which offers pet flight attendants and

more to its high-profile business and entertain-

ment industry clientele. Experienced corporate

flight attendants are also trained in pet first aid

and CPR, and travel with pet oxygen masks, seat

harnesses, and life vests to make sure pets are

as safe as the people on board. Sit ‘n Stay Global

flight attendants, trained by Le Cordon Bleu and

CIA chefs, also prepare and serve canines gour-

met meals on china, bring along pet beds and

blankets so Fifi can curl up for a snooze.

www.sitnstayglobal.com

RED ROVER There’s no need to leave Fifi be-

hind when escaping for a retreat at Red Moun-

tain Resort in St. George, Utah. Special deluxe

accommodations are available to those who

bring their four-legged pals with them to this

scenic resort. Organic treats and food and water

dishes are supplied for Rover, who has plenty of

room to run in Red Mountain’s spectacular 55-

acre backyard and nearby Snow Canyon State

Park. The resort charges $50 per pet, per week.

Or for those who don’t bring their own pet and

want some puppy love, Red Mountain has part-

nered with Ivins City No-Kill Animal Shelter to

offer a Pound Puppy Hike, where guests can

take a shelter dog for a 1.5 mile hike at the base

of Red Mountain.

www.redmountainresort.com

MASTERFUL MARSEILLEThe five-star InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu opened this April in France’s ancient

Mediterranean port—the European Culture Capital for 2013. The 18th-century building long

served as the city hospital, and its transformation has retained the original staircases, stone

tiles, vaulted passageways, and sections of limestone walls, one dating from the Renaissance. A

skylight over the soaring lobby tops a minimalist path bordered by ceramics that resemble an-

cient Greco Roman urns. Of the 194 beautifully appointed rooms, 72 showcase panoramic views

overlooking the Vieux Port to the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica. This dramatic vista fronts the

expansive terrace, gastronomic restaurants (where

Michelin-starred Ducasse disciple chef Lionel Levy

reigns), the 800-square-foot private balcony in the

Presidential Suite (about $6,762 a night), private

terraces outside 15 Junior Suites and three walls

of 15-foot-high windows surrounding the spacious

Prestige Suites. Throughout the hotel, neutral tones

enhance the contemporary décor and art reflects

the sea theme; one notable work is a triptych of

17th-century Marseille. Shimmering glass tiles

repeat the motif in the 3,000-square-foot Clarins

Spa, complete with indoor pool, hammam, sauna,

and six treatment rooms.

Contact: General Manager Madelijn Vervoord,

33-4-13-42-42-01; madelijn.vervoord@ihg.com;

www.intercontinental.com/marseille

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

/ INTERCONTINENTAL

MARSEILLE - HOTEL DIEU

46

READING MATERIAL /

QANTAS FIRST LOUNGE

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE /

QANTAS FIRST LOUNGE

TERRACE / INTERCONTINENTAL

MARSEILLE - HOTEL DIEU

HIGH-ROLLER SUITEReturn visitors may not recognize the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, which recently underwent a

complete renovation. With a new, welcoming lobby and sophisticated lobby lounge PRESS, the hotel

oozes energy. For a sure bet, check into one of the five new Presidential Strip-View Suites ($3,000 a

night). There’s one per floor; the hotel’s guest rooms and suites occupy floors 35 to 39 of the Mandalay

Bay Tower. Step into your 2,225-square-foot haven and prepare to be wowed by the panoramic views of

the glittering city below, afforded by the wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows; sumptuous furnishings;

and bold designs that dazzle like only Vegas can. A lavish, separate dining room with an eight-seat table

situated beneath a showstopping light fixture, expanded living room with a 55-inch flat-screen LED TV

andmedia hub, plus a large kitchen pantry that includes a full-size refrigerator facilitate entertaining. Or

simply relax in the Art Deco-styled sanctuary, highlighted by a stylish four-poster bed and master bath-

roomwith an integrated TV. Modern art pieces add flair, while fresh orchids enhance the surroundings.

Contact: General Manager Mark Hellrung, (702) 632-5000; mark.hellrung@fourseasons.com;

www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas

NEWS+PREVIEWS

DINING ROOM / PRESIDENTIAL

STRIP-VIEW SUITE

FLYING FABULOUSMilan-based furniture and interior designers

Visionnaire (funded by the Cavalli family) has

given its distinctly whimsical vibe of tufted

residential opulence a new home in the sky.

Working with aviation firmBlu Jet Capital and

a team of UK-based aviation designers, this

project, dubbed Open Air, comprises the refit-

ting of private jets in the firm’s signature style.

The first aircraft project is a 12-seat Dornier

328 VBJ that not only features a plush interior

redux, but also carries the brand’s logo and

style points on the fuselage. “The secret is in

the personalization,” Visionnaire CEO Leopold

Cavalli told us. “Our client loves collecting

unique pieces, possibly handcrafted, with ap-

plications of unique and precious materials.

Each of our jet projects is unique and respects

the same criteria we offer our clients for big

residential projects.” Visionnaire has already

received interest from other clients in the

Emirates, and plans for Open Air include a

worldwide expansion as well as the redesign

of large-airframe jet interiors.

Contact: Visionnaire CEO Leopold Cavalli,

39-023-651-2554; info@visionnairemilano.com;

www.visionnairemilano.com

DORNIER 328 VBJ / VISIONNAIRE

MASTER BEDROOM /

PRESIDENTIAL STRIP-VIEW SUITE

LIVING ROOM / PRESIDENTIAL

STRIP-VIEW SUITE

PETAL PERFECTIONFor the ultimate in holiday sparkle, few baubles can compare to this unprecedented, one-of-a-kind necklace exclusive to

The One and Only One Collection. Part of a set that includes a matching pair of earrings (not pictured), the Garden of Eden

Blue Diamond Suite showcases delicate blooms crafted from pink diamonds and carved mother of pearl—all the better to

set off a staggering eight pairs of extraordinarily rare, round brilliant fancy blue diamonds. Its crowning glory: A 7.03-carat,

pear-shaped blue-diamond detachable pendant that’s no less breathtaking when worn alone as a brooch. With its host of

hard-to-find, highly coveted fancy color diamonds, it’s no surprise this beauty took five years to complete—we’re sure one

lucky wearer will be able to attest that it was worth the wait (price available upon request).

Contact: www.TheOneandOnlyOne.com

BLOOMING BEAUTY / THE

ONE AND ONLY ONE

48

REGAL RENOVATIONPerched on historic Syntagma

Square, King George, a Luxury

Collection Hotel, Athens has

been welcoming visitors to the

heart of the capital city’s Golden

Quarter since 1936, its beautiful

neo-classical façade since be-

coming, like the nearby Acropo-

lis, a true Grecian landmark.

Today, however, the King George, fresh off a rejuvenating three-month renovation and its in-

troduction into the Luxury Collection portfolio, retains its old-world charm without sacrificing

the amenities of the modern world. As a shining example, the magnificent Penthouse Suite

(about $11,610) unfolds over 3,770 square feet of silk and satin-draped opulence, made all

the more exclusive by private elevator access and original 19th-century artwork. The beauty

continues outdoors as well, where a secluded terrace and open-air Jacuzzi offer a stunning

Athenian panorama. Below, Tudor Hall—the hotel’s famed seventh-floor restaurant—furthers

the experience with a combination of classic Greco-Roman design and modern Greek cuisine,

including signature dishes like roasted lamb saddle with rosemary pesto and potato cream. A

newly renovated ballroom—capable of hosting 400 guests—and a carefully restored lobby with

towering ceilings and rich marble flooring put the finishing touches on this truly singular stay.

Contact: Complex Managing Director Tim Ananiadis, 30-210-330-802;

tim.ananiadis@starwoodhotels.com; www.kinggeorgepalace.com

LONDON LUXEBy usual city standards, London is teeming

with memorable neighborhoods, but none

boast a name quite like Marleybone, the

proud home of The Landmark London. Be-

ginning its life as The Great Central Hotel in

1899, The Landmark London today reflects

the wealth and power of that bygone era with opulent design—including an eight story, glass-

roofed atrium—and a total of 51 stunning suites. Measuring in at 1,722 square feet and outfit-

ted with everything from a white marble bathroom to cutting-edge entertainment systems,

the Presidential Suite sits proudly atop the hotel’s hierarchy, offering privacy, exclusivity, and

beauty throughout (about $4,105). The Winter Garden continues in similar fashion beneath

the gleaming atrium, capturing the London lifestyle with one of the most renowned afternoon

teas in town, but it’s the Spa & Health Club that allows guests the best opportunity to relax.

The 90-minute Lazy Day treatment, designed to tone and hydrate skin while simultaneously

detoxifying and renewing your body, is a sure highlight, combining acupressure, Thai mas-

sage, and an organic seaweed body wrap into one

truly transporting package. In the evening enjoy

one final indulgence at the Mirror Bar, where

the clinking of fine cognac recalls a time that, al-

though gone, is not forgotten.

Contact: General Manager Andrew Batchelor, 44-20-

7631-8000; andrew.batchelor@thelandmark.co.uk;

www.landmarklondon.co.uk

50

GLITTERATI ON THE GO BY KELLY CARTER

USING HER VOICE During her recent trip

to Kigali, Rwanda, multi Grammy award-

winning singer and star of The Voice

Christina Aguilera brought attention to

the hunger problem in the war-torn coun-

try. The experience of serving food to hun-

gry children who walk miles to and from school

each day to receive a hot meal through the UN

World Food Programme’s school meals initiative

and spending time with mothers and children at a

refugee camp, listening to how they escaped vio-

lence in theDemocratic Republic of Congo, left her

emotional. “I’m deeply moved by the many hungry

mothers and children that I met in Rwanda,” said

Aguilera, who serves as the global spokesperson

for Yum! BrandsWorld Hunger Relief effort and as

an Ambassador Against Hunger for the WFP.

CHEERIO! Hollywood actress and Brit

Thandie Newton was among the first to

check out British Airways’ A380, which

this fall launched its “Red Carpet Route”

between Los Angeles and London. “[The

plane is] like a grand hotel in the sky,” she

said. In addition to being the first BA flight to of-

fer three different champagne options (Laurent-

Perrier Grand Siècle, Henriot Vintage Brut 2007,

and Balfour Brut Rosé 2007), first-class passen-

gers can also enjoy afternoon tea on board as

part of the menu partnership with The Langham,

London. Sleeper suits and slippers, an Egyptian

cotton duvet, full turndown service, and electric

windows with mood lighting are other pleasing

perks. Celebsmight catch one of their own perfor-

mances since BA’s in-flight entertainment system

has more than 130 Hollywood blockbusters and

classic movies on the A380’s new larger screens.

NAMASTE Now that the 2013/14 NBA

season is underway, Miami Heat star

Chris Bosh’s travels probably seem fairly

mundane after his exotic off-season ad-

ventures to Dubai and India with his family.

They visited the Dubai Aquarium&Under-

water Zoo, walked the streets of Agra, toured the

Taj Mahal, and saw cows, elephants, and monkeys

out and about. “Just being able to experience the

culture has been great,” said Bosh, a two-time

defending champ who altered his personal travel

plans to promote his league in Mumbai.

LIVING ROOM /

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

LIVING ROOM /

PENTHOUSE SUITE

INFINITY POOL /

PENTHOUSE SUITE

THE WINTER GARDEN /

THE LANDMARK LONDON

PENINSULA PREPThe Peninsula Academy is back in ses-

sion with a host of new learning and activ-

ity programs at each of the nine Peninsula

Hotels. To keep both kids and adults “in

class,” each property features a WOW!

Program of once-in-a-lifetime bespoke

experiences, many of which make use of

Peninsula’s legendary transportation services. In Hong Kong, sip champagne in the pri-

vate China Clipper on the hotel’s top floor, then helicopter off the roof for a scenic flight

over the city, where a yacht transfer for a tour of the harbor and a chauffeured Rolls-

Royce follows. Other dream deliveries include a behind-the-curtain close-up of a hit

Broadway show in New York City; princess training for aspiring young ladies that includes

a horse-drawn pumpkin carriage ride and shopping spree in Chicago; an elephant ride

and wine tasting in a Thai vineyard; a beach day that includes surfing and paddleboard

lessons from a pro at the former Malibu estate of Olivia Newton-John; a private World

War II helicopter and a tram tour of historic Corregidor Island Fortress outside Manila;

and in Shanghai, a 1930s retro-noir historical adventure in traditional Chinese attire, pri-

vate access to the Propaganda Museum, a guided tour of the city’s heritage buildings, and

a photo shoot in your Rolls-Royce Phantom limousine.

Contact: Director of Communications Sian Griffiths, 852-2840-7239;

siangriffiths@peninsula.com; www.peninsula.com/academy

52

HELO EXCURSION / PENINSULA ACADEMY

DIVINE AVIATIONThere was a time when flying was not an inconve-

nience, but instead something special and luxurious;

a marvel of the rapidly modernizing world. While in-

flight expectations have since become based on point-

A-to-point-B utility, SkyAngels, a private jet staffing

organization, strives to recapture that original sense of

wonder on every flight, with a focus on precise training,

custom staffing, and immaculate service propelling

them to the pinnacle of customer-service standards.

SkyAngels and their eponymous crew of highly trained

in-flight professionals’ single-minded service commit-

ment has proven infectious as well, with 90 percent of

the brand’s clients, including Ashton Kutcher, Relativity

Media, and Silicon Valley tech moguls, stepping aboard

as repeat guests. Some have even gone as far as to

alter their scheduled flights in order to accommodate

the availability of a SkyAngel, each of whom is inter-

viewed, vetted, and trained to embody the brand’s core

values of sincerity, selflessness, and anticipation. This

success, achieved over a relatively short period of time,

has prompted 2014 expansion into Asia and plans for

a permanent training academy, further reinforcing the

fact that once you experience SkyAngels, flying without

them just isn’t flying.

Contact: Founder Steffany Kisling, (310) 421-8153;

steffany@flyskyangels.com; www.flyskyangels.com

READY FOR TAKEOFF / SKYANGELS

CHAUFFEURED ROLLS-ROYCE /

PENINSULA ACADEMY

GAME ONWhile Monte-Carlo, Macau, Las Vegas, or even Atlantic City quickly come to mind when you mention high-stakes gaming, at over

six million square feet of nonstop casino, entertainment, and dining excitement, Foxwoods Resort Casino in eastern Connecticut

is the largest gaming destination in the Western Hemisphere. And with the right itinerary, it can also be one of the most luxurious.

Base yourself out of the Grand Pequot Tower hotel’s 5,000-square-foot duplex Mashantucket Villa. Sporting three bedrooms,

six baths, dual winding staircases, a formal dining room, full bar, en-suite elevator, and more, this sky pad is strictly reserved for

high rollers. The resort doesn’t share the nightly rate, but the staff keep about $10,000 worth of truffles on hand for villa guests,

so that should help you ballpark a price. Fine dining options abound throughout the property, with a signature David Burke Prime

representing the higher end. Try the 75-day Himalayan salt dry-aged rib eye, a meat-based epiphany to be sure. While there are

variants on nearly every casino game known to man at about 350 tables, thousands of

slots options, and a race book, look into a night at the StarGazer Casino on the top floor of

the Pequot Tower. This European-style private salon will ensure you and your guests have

endless high-stakes fun in a secluded, secure, and luxurious environment.

Contact: VP Resort Hotel Operations Jason Guyot, (860) 396-3504;

jguyot@foxwoods.com; www.foxwoods.com

GRAND PEQUOT TOWER /

FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO

LIVING ROOM /

MASHANTUCKET VILLA

NEWS+PREVIEWS

54

NEWS+PREVIEWS | SHOPPING

For the ultimate glamour girl, Guerlain’s cult favorite KissKiss lipstick

comes dressed in 18K yellow gold and diamonds (199 to be exact, for a total

of 2.2 carats), available at Saks Fifth Avenue this holiday. Designed by jeweler

Hervé Van Der Straeten, the ultra-luxe lipstick case can be engraved with

a name or personal note, and—not to worry—is easily refilled with one of

15 customizable shades ($62,000).

Contact: John Cruz at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, (212) 753-4000;

www.guerlain.com

British accessories designer-of-the-moment Charlotte Olympia, known for her

endearingly quirky designs, pays homage to an American icon with the launch

of a limited-edition line inspired by the long-running Archie Comics series. The

cartoonishly cute capsule collection includes retro pumps, platform wedges,

and clutches featuring prints of original covers and comic strips ($1,095).

Contact: Jason Fletcher at Charlotte Olympia in New York, (212) 744-1842;

www.charlotteolympia.com

See the bigger picture: The new,

ultra-thin Curved OLED HDTV from

LG is now available stateside for the

first time. Weighing in at less than

38 pounds at 55 inches in size, its

unique, gently curved screen design

and revolutionary WRGB technology

turn your home entertainment

system into an IMAX-caliber viewing

experience ($9,999).

Contact: Customer Service at

Magnolia Design Center at Best

Buy in New York,

(212) 366-1373; www.lg.com

The brainchild of Wharton

grad Nadine McCarthy Kahane

and former W Accessories

Director Brooke Magnaghi,

Stone & Strandmakes it easy

to shop for fine jewelry online

(even custom and one-of-a-

kind designs) with a carefully

edited roster of jewelry design-

ers—everyone from talented

up-and-comers like New York-

based Alison Lou to estab-

lished names like red carpet

favorite Stephen Webster.

Launching for the holidays,

these one-off Ana De Costa

stunners showcase breathtak-

ing Gemfields emeralds and

were designed exclusively for

the site ($85,000).

Contact: Stone & Strand CEO

Nadine McCarthy Kahane,

(917) 972-1235;

www.stoneandstrand.com

LICENSE TO THRILLMake all their days merry and bright with this

holiday season’s most decadent buys.

Combining the craftsmanship and expertise of the

prestigious houses of Hermès, Jaeger-LeCoultre,

and Les Cristalleries de St. Louis, the Atmos Hermès

clock is at once a deceptively complex timepiece

(composed of 190 precision-assembled parts) and

a painstakingly wrought work of art (just 176 pieces

were produced). Rendered in handcrafted crystal, it

makes for a commanding desk accessory ($38,500).

Contact: Denise Persad at Hermès in New York,

(212) 751-3181; www.hermes.com

56

NEWS+PREVIEWS: SHOPPING

Featuring graceful, organic shapes rendered in gleaming precious metals and pavé

diamonds, the newWillow collection from David Yurman was inspired by the tranquil

trees surrounding the iconic jewelry designer’s Hamptons home. This standout cuff

wraps sensuously around the wrist for

a look that’s equal parts soft and strong

(five row Bypass Willow bracelet in 18K

yellow gold and diamonds, $19,500).

Contact: Cara Scalsani at David Yurman

in New York, (212) 752-4255;

www.davidyurman.com

For those discerning gentlemen who prefer their drinks shaken,

not stirred, the Bond Mixologist Box from Ralph Lauren offers

everything he’ll need to outfit his home bar—from a custom

Laguiole paring knife to buffalo horn bowls—all housed in an

automobile-inspired, carbon fiber embossed Italian leather box.

007 would certainly approve of the exclusive set, a numbered

limited edition of only 50 ($6,995).

Contact: Richard Blanchette at Ralph Lauren in New York,

(212) 434-8000; www.ralphlaurenhome.com

Set in red and cream leather with Macassar ebony wood and walnut

detailing, Linley’s Bespoke Monopoly Set is a luxurious update on

everyone’s favorite board game—not to mention a timeless heirloom

that will be treasured for years to come (about $7,970).

Contact: Michael Willis at Linley in London, 44-20-7730-7300;

www.davidlinley.com

Beloved by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor

for his showstopping jewels, David Webb—much like his

designs—was one of a kind. In honor of the 65th anniversary

of his eponymous marque, Assouline has released a

limited-edition, leather-bound tome entitled David Webb:

The Quintessential American Jeweler. Just 65 will be sold,

each accompanied by a zebra brooch made especially for

the occasion. For the passionate jewelry collector, there’s

no better gift—except one of Webb’s original baubles, of

course ($5,000).

Contact: Customer Service at David Webb in New York,

(212) 421-3030; www.davidwebb.com

Available in decadent fabrications like croc and heavily studded

pony hair (in addition to the house’s unmistakable plaid),

Burberry’s cheeky take on the teddy bear, released just in

time for the holidays, is less cuddly, more chic—and makes

the perfect gift for modern moms-to-be ($1,095).

Contact: Customer Service at Burberry in New York,

(212) 407-7100; www.burberry.com

Launching in November, Louis Vuitton’s

spring 2014 Icons collection was in-

spired by the life, work, and wardrobe

of noted architect, designer, and

photographer Charlotte Perriand. The

new capsule collection is a streamlined

series of classic wardrobe staples

(both ready-to-wear and accessories)

that were designed to be mixed and

matched with ease—a must for the

well-heeled traveler (Piment Damier

Couleurs Mobil tote, $2,360).

Contact: Liz Egusquiza at Louis

Vuitton in New York, (212) 758-8877;

www.louisvuitton.com

ELITE ACCESS

58

AUSTRALIAMARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE

When: November 22 to 24

Where: Gourmet Village at the Leeuwin

Estate and various other venues,

Margaret River

Contact: Sally Morris, 61-2-9332-9000;

sallym@brandevents.com.au;

www.gourmetescape.com.au

MEXICOBEST OF BAJA CULINARY WEEKEND

When: November 14 to 17

Where: Rancho Pescadero, Todos Santos

Contact: Don Morris,

(910) 300-8891 or 52-1-612-135-5849;

don@ranchopescadero.com;

www.ranchopescadero.com

SOUTH AFRICAFRANSCHHOEK CAP CLASSIQUE &

CHAMPAGNE FESTIVAL

When: November 30 to December 1

Where: Grand marquee on the lawns

surrounding the Huguenot Monument,

Franschhoek

Contact:Darielle Robertson, 27-21-876-2861;

events@franschhoek.org.za;

www.franschhoekmcc.co.za

UAECOUTTS POLO AT THE PALACE

When: November 22 to 23

Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Contact: Rachel Roullier, 44-207-936-5284;

rachel@cityevents.uk.com;

www.citypoloseries.com/poloatthepalace

USAFLORIDA

ART BASEL IN MIAMI BEACH

When: December 5 to 8

Where: Miami Beach Convention Center,

Miami Beach

Contact: Amanda Rowley, (212) 415-8440;

axaartcommunications@axa-art-usa.com;

www.artbasel.com

SOUTH CAROLINAEARL KLUGH’S WEEKEND OF JAZZ

When: November 7 to 9

Where: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island

Golf Resort, Kiawah Island

Contact: Stephenia Griffin, (843) 768-2715;

stephenia_griffin@kiawahresort.com;

www.kiawahresort.com/weekend-of-jazz

58

HOT HAPPENINGSYOUR GATEWAY TO ELITE EVENTS BY TOVA SYROWICZ

90 POWER

90 ULTIMATE 210 POWER TRIMARAN114 CHE

WORLD LEADERIN CUSTOM CATAMARAN-SUPERYACHTS

www.sunreef-yachts.cominfo@sunreef-yachts.com

tel: (1) 954-999-5121

60

2

8

Elite Traveler’s booth at the Quail event

during this year’s Pebble Beach Concours

d’Elegance shared the work of partners like

Camper & Nicholsons (Andrew LeBuhn and

Agnes Howard were there), Trunfio Jewels

(represented by Amy Rosi, Nicole Trunfio,

and Sophie Potts), Patrón, Mercedes-Benz

(Chris Fedorak attended), and Clearjet (rep-

resented by Drew Kemp, Clay Curtis, and

Chad Nielubowicz) with the event’s automo-

bile- and luxury-loving attendees.

ELITE TRAVELER—QUAIL EVENT /PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA

1 Andrew LeBuhn, Agnes Howard

2 Amy Rosi, Nicole Trunfio, Sophie Potts

3 The Patrón cocktail team

4 Getting the scoop on Camper & Nicholsons

5 Sitting pretty in the GL63 AMG

6 Lining up for Patrón pops

7 Chris Fedorak with the GL63 AMG

8 Nicole Trunfio assists a shopper

9 The scene at the booth

10 Drew Kemp, Clay Curtis, Chad Nielubowicz

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Elite Traveler’s Group Editor Mike Espindle

joined Panerai‘s Rafael Alvarez and Mi-

chele Gallagher at this annual vintage sail-

ing event at Marblehead’s Corinthian Yacht

Club. The regatta benefitted the Sailing

Heals charity that was founded by the watch

company. The races drew the northeast’s

top sailors, including Trevor Fetter, the

skipper for overall winner Black Watch, and

involved the Eastern and the Boston Yacht

Clubs, as well.

PANERAI CLASSIC YACHTSCHALLENGE / MARBLEHEAD,MASSACHUSETTS

1 Sagacious catches a puff

2 Lined up in Boston Harbor

3 Celebration at Eastern Yacht Club

4 Sailing Heals patients aboard Valiant

5 Rafael Alvarez awards Trevor Fetter

6 Michele Gallagher, Rafael Alvarez

LANGHAM PLACE—TOAST TOTENNIS/ NYC

Langham Place, Fifth Avenue, was the scene

of a fête to kick off the U.S. Open that drew

out No. 12 ranked player and host Sloane

Stephens, as well as other tennis pros like

Victoria Azarenka, Li Na, and John Isner (and

hotel General Mananger Francois Luiggi and

Marketing Director Anne Maurice). Party-

goers enjoyed the cuisine of Executive Chef

Jeffrey Seizer.

1 Jeffrey Seizer

2 The scene at Measure Lounge

3 Victoria Azarenka

4 Anne Maurice, Sloane Stephens,

Francois Luiggi

5 Li Na

6 John Isner greets party guests

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Director Paul Schrader and actors Joshua

Jackson, Dianie Kruger, and Carmen Chap-

lin were but a few of the luminaries who

joined Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Daniel Reido

and master watchmaker Christian Laurent

for the storied watch company’s 180th An-

niversary celebration at La Fenice Theatre

in Venice.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE 180THANNIVERSARY/ VENICE

1 Paul Schrader

2 Joshua Jackson, Diane Kruger

3 Daniel Reido, Carmen Chaplin

4 Christian Laurent

5 The scene at Le Fenice

BUGATTI LIFESTYLE LAUNCH/MILAN

The fabled carmaker launched its new ap-

parel and accessories line during the recent

Milan Fashion Week at the Brera Academy

of Fine Arts. The event brought out actor

Adrien Brody, Vogue Italia editor Franca Soz-

zani, and many other admirers to congratu-

late Bugatti President Wolfgang Schreiber.

1 Bugatti’s signature “dancing elephant” icon

2 Adrien Brody

3 Wolfgang Schreiber, Franca Sozzani

4 The scene at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts

5 Crocodile bags on display

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1 Two power players: Learjet 85 and Aston Martin

2 Deanna White addresses the crowd

3 The scene at the USS Intrepid

4 Classic aircraft in the museum

5 Learjet 85 interior

BRETT JOHNSON COLLECTIONDEBUT / NYC

Elite Traveler’s Greg Licciardi, Tameka Porte,

and Sahar Khan were all on hand to congratu-

late designer Brett Johnson (and company

CFO Corey Printup and agent Ivan Domin-

guez) on the debut of his new collection in

Manhattan. NAACP Legal Fund Director To-

rian J. Robinson, V Magazine editor Tom Van

Dorpe, WNBA Washington Mystics President

Sheila Johnson, and singer Maxwell were all

fans, too.

1 Torian J. Robinson, Brett Johnson

2 Ivan Dominguez, Tom Van Dorpe

3 Corey Printup, Greg Licciardi, Brett Johnson,

Sahar Khan, Tameka Porte, Sean Griffith

4 Sheila Johnson

5 Model sporting Brett Johnson creations

6 Maxwell

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66

Fractional ownership operator Flexjet de-

buted its “Legends Redefined” tour at the

Hudson River piers in New York to celebrate

the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Learjet

with the first public displays of the new Lear-

jet 85 (as well as luxurious offerings from

Aston Martin and Royal Salute scotch). Pres-

ident Deanna White was present to welcome

the luxury aficionados who attended.

FLEXJET—LEARJET 50THANNIVERSARY/ USS INTREPID,NYC

LIMITED TIME

Two contemporary watchmakers situated in very different regions of

Germany master the art of sublime simplicity.

BY ELIZABETH DOERR

GERMAN SIMPLICITY

RAINER BRAND RB 13 PANAMA

Though Rainer Brand is probably not a common name in watch circles

outside of Germany, he has been a staple of the Teutonic watch scene

since the early days of the mechanical renaissance when he left his job

at Chronoswiss to follow an inner voice and design his own timepieces.

This man of few words with a watchmaking degree earned in

Pforzheim loves harmonious, simple designs. The proportionate watch

styles he produces are characterized by their easy attention to detail:

Understatement, precision, perfection, and aesthetics are top priority in

the quiet world of this watchmaker located off the beaten watch path in

the Spessart region, the geographical center of Germany.

Brand founded his ownworkshop in 1992, at a time of flourishing horo-

logical economics. The Panama model, initially christened Havanna, was

his first, and the automatic Panama has become a classic staple of his

collection, performing both entry-level and best-seller duties.

Twenty years later, the Rainer Brand collection contains several Pan-

ama styles in updated, contemporary versions. The RB 13 Panama—the

anniversary model celebrating 20 years of this solitary watchmaker’s

atelier—whose stainless steel case has a contemporary yet classic

40mm size, is available in five color schemes for about $4,800 each.

The Panama’s solid sterling silver dial is available with gold-plated nu-

merals, markers, and hands, or blued elements, but also in silver tone-

in-tone or with a black dial and natural stainless steel elements or gold-

plated elements. Allmarkers and numerals are hand-applied and -riveted.

The Panama model is also available in other sizes, such as the 36mm

RB 12, which comes in feminine color schemes and would function

perfectly as a “partner watch” (about $3,333). Brand is naturally quite

amenable to customizing his models according to his clients’ wishes by

adding diamond-set bezels and the like.

In Brand’s timepieces, form follows function, both set against a backdrop

of purism,while the symbolic owl that forms the company’s logo represents

the wisdom and sustainability of the Spessart’s natural surroundings.

Contact: Petra Anja Brand, 49-6092-5372; pab@rainerbrand.de;

www.rainerbrand.de

RB 13 PANAMA /

RAINER BRAND

DANIEL MALCHERT SCHLOSSBERG

Daniel Malchert is more than certainly unknown, even in watch circles.

It stands to reason: This 32-year-old watchmaker has spent most of his

career working for Nomos in Germany’s horological mecca, Glashütte.

Just a few years ago he gave up his leading position at Nomos, hav-

ing advanced from apprentice to a master watchmaker working on the

brand’s most difficult pieces within the span of 11 years, to return to the

city of his birth and continue his family’s legacy.

Malchert was born in Quedlinburg, a small town located in Saxony-

Anhalt in former East Germany. Malchert is the fourth in a line of

watchmakers originating there, and returning to the shop that his great-

grandfather established was a longtime dream for him.

However, Malchert is taking his creativity a step further: In addition

to service and repair, he has begun a line of his own wristwatches, the

first of which is named Schlossberg after the historical church made

of local sandstone that towers over Quedlinburg. This church confirms

its presence at every turn within the small city, and so Daniel Malchert’s

presence is slowly but surely being felt in the German watch industry,

coming out from behind the shadow cast by the larger brand he once

worked for.

The Schlossberg is driven by a base movement that is only available

in one other place: It is a hand-wound Nomos Caliber Alpha. But if you

think that it is the same movement by the time Malchert houses it in his

36mm stainless steel case, you would be mistaken. Almost each one

of the 100 components making up this movement is finished by hand.

Graining (also known as frosting) the movement gives it a matte visual,

while gold plating makes it bright, beautiful, and luxurious. Looking

closely, one also discovers that the edges have been precisely beveled

and polished, while the jewel bushings, screw heads, and all other steel

parts have been mirror-polished.

Then there is the unusual minute hand. “Looking around in my grand-

father’s spare parts box for pocket watches, I found a hand like this and

I immediately fell in love with it,” Malchert revealed. What will perhaps

first register with the casual observer is the idiosyncratic circle at the

end of it ensuring that the very clean dial will look very different at any

given moment of the day. Malchert only makes a handful of watches per

year, and this one can be ordered directly from him for about $4,593.

Contact: Daniel Malchert, 49-3946-5283449; mail@malchert-uhren.de;

www.malchert-uhren.de

SCHLOSSBERG /

DANIEL MALCHERT

70

HOROLOGY

FREE LUXURY INSIDER NEWSLETTER! ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT www.elitetraveler.com or email webinfo@elitetraveler.com

LAURENT FERRIER, GALET

CLASSIC TOURBILLON DOUBLE SPIRAL

It was an honor to have this quiet yet ambi-

tious independent brand well-represented at

Only Watch, where I had the privilege to view

the piece in person: It has an aesthetic qual-

ity similar to the tranquil beauty of a Zen gar-

den. The Galet (meaning “pebble” in French)

is sublime to the touch as its exact curvature

has been calculated with micrometer preci-

sion. The grand feu enamel dial in soft brown

pictures a dove to represent peace. The

movement is highly complicated, its tourbil-

lon fitted with a double balance spring in or-

der to achieve a level of precision qualified by

Geneva’s strict chronometer Besançon Ob-

servatory board. Flawless attention to detail

appears effortless in this unique timepiece

that fully realizes Ferrier’s aesthetics and

raised about $177,039 at auction. Stateside

collectors should look out for a greater local

presence from Laurent Ferrier.

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5004T

As Patek Philippe is one of the most sought-

after watch brands in the world, all eyes

were focused on how well this watch would

do at auction, and it did not disappoint,

bringing in about $2,165,890. Ref. 5004T is a

modern interpretation of the now discontin-

ued Ref. 5004, an iconic complicated design

that touts a split-seconds chronograph, per-

petual calendar, moon phase, leap year, and

24-hour indications. The unique Ref. 5004T

is cased in titanium, an atypical case mate-

rial for the brand. The lightness of the case

is matched by the sporty dial design featur-

ing a guilloché carbon fiber pattern with a

red hand as an accent. The textile strap,

meanwhile, has a geometric design mimick-

ing the carbon fiber dial design down to its

red stitching. For a Patek Philippe collector,

a piece like this comes around only once in a

lifetime, and likely remains in one’s collec-

tion for a long time.

For more information about the Only Watch auction, contact: Valeria Chevchenko, 41-22-909-28-50; valeria@antiquorum.com; www.onlywatch.com

ZENITH, EL PRIMERO STRATOS

FLYBACK STRIKING 10TH TRIBUTE TO

FELIX BAUMGARTNER, PROTOTYPE 1/1

If there were only one “groundbreaking”

watch at this auction, this would be it. The

same model was worn by Felix Baumgartner

during the first supersonic dive from space

back to earth that broke the sound barrier.

This watch, which sold at auction for about

$61,149, was carefully created and preci-

sion-tested to meet the needs of Baumgart-

ner’s feat, to withstand the temperature and

gravitational differences between space and

earth. The movement consists of silicon in-

stead of traditional metal to account for tem-

perature changes. Once again a watch has

been associated with great human achieve-

ment, just as Rolex is still remembered as

the watch that Mercedes Gleitze wore when

she first crossed the English Channel and

the Omega Speedmaster as the first watch to

reach the moon.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTSHeld on September 28, the 2013 edition of the charitable Only Watch auction in the beautiful seaside setting of Monaco was not only a celebration of

fine watchmaking but also a coup for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research, the beneficiary of 100 percent of the auction proceeds—just under $6.9

million this year, topping last year’s total by more than a million. BY SAORI OMURA, WATCH DIRECTOR ANTIQUORUM, LEADING AUCTIONEER FOR TIMEPIECES

72

HOROLOGY

747474

1 The Kalla Pampilles watch from Vacheron Con-

stantin has a secret: The timepiece itself is hid-

den away beneath an asymmetrical smattering of

39 princess-cut and 184 round-cut diamonds that

sparkle down the wrist. The 40mm-by-56mm white

gold watch is home to a manual-wind caliber 1005

movement (about $748,440).

Contact: Michel Ly at Vacheron Constantin

in Shanghai, 86-215-228-7881;

www.vacheron-constantin.com

2 Don’t give up sugar entirely! de Grisogono’s Sug-

ar collection features colorful gem-covered watch-

es with stones that cascade gracefully off the bezel

onto the wrist. The rose gold and white diamond in-

terpretation is particularly striking and just as sweet

as its namesake (price available upon request).

Contact: Daniel Morales at de Grisogono in New

York, (212) 434-4220; www.degrisogono.com

3 The honeycomb design of Chaumet’sBeeMy Love

makes for another sweet option. The white gold

quartz movement watch has a 19.5mm case, a be-

zel covered in 24 pavé diamonds, a dial boasting 164

pavé diamonds, and a slender bracelet and buckle

with 68 diamonds—Chaumet’s gemstone setters

have been busy bees indeed (about $113,226).

Contact: Patricia Phang at Chaumet in Hong Kong,

852-2196-8668; www.chaumet.com

4 The 36mm Premier Glacier watch from Harry

Winston has a fractal, icy beauty about it. The

quartz movement timepiece (only five will be made)

counts 254 baguette diamonds on its shimmering

bracelet and another 130 baguette diamonds on its

white gold case. The dial motif is so complex that

only about half a dozen diamonds can be set a day

by the house’s master gem setter ($782,200).

Contact: Laurie Adorno at Harry Winston in New

York, (212) 399-1000; www.harrywinston.com

5 The serpent has long been a symbol of inspiration

forBoucheron, andon thequartzmovementAjourée

Amvarawatch, it assumes the role of protector, coil-

ing around the off-center, mother-of-pearl dial. The

white gold snake has scales of round-cut diamonds,

while the piece’s openwork design adds 3D energy to

the cold-blooded creature so elegantly guarding the

passage of time (price available upon request).

Contact: Alfred Koh at Resorts World Sentosa in

Singapore, 65-6723-8022; www.boucheron.com

VIEW OUR COMPLETE SWISS WATCH GUIDE AT www.elitetraveler.com/swisswatch

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DIAMONDS ARE FOREVERWe all know that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but these dazzling timepieces have us

convinced that the coveted gemstone is getting pretty cozy with haute horologists as well.

BY JESSICA MICHAULT

WATCH TRENDS

767676

6 Patek Philippe’s latest Nautilus Haute Joail-

lerie rose gold watch, the 7021/1R, uses a “grid-

less pavé” designed to give the gems more access

to light and thus sparkle even brighter. The 33.6mm

watch features a Caliber 324 S C mechanical self-

winding movement and a sapphire crystal display

case back ($334,200).

Contact: Christine Donahue at Patek Philippe

at Tiffany & Co. in New York, (212) 755-8000;

www.patek.com

7 The all-white Cat’s Eye Snow Tourbillon from

Girard-Perregaux balances more than 1,000 snow-

set diamonds with the dial in a very modern way. The

dial has been crafted frommother-of-pearl but cut to

resemble a multitude of round pearls. The in-house

designed GP09700 movement features a tourbillon at

6 o’clock and has a 70-hour power reserve ($292,500).

Contact: Caroline Anderson at Girard-Perregaux

in New York, (646) 495-9915;

www.girard-perregaux.com

8 The Royal Oak Selfwinding watch from Aude-

mars Piguet maintains an air of machismo. The

37mm brushed white gold case, prominent lugs, and

case screws act as counterpoints to the pavé and

brilliant-cut diamonds, anchoring the timepiece—

complete with a 60-hour power reserve and a display

case back—in a masculine universe ($78,100).

Contact: Goly Noghrey at Audemars Piguet in New

York, (888) 214-6858; www.audemarspiguet.com

9 Carrera y Carrera’s latest timepiece, from its

Circle of Fire collection, is dramatic yet feminine.

The 38mm watch’s black backdrop is the perfect

canvas on which to display a white diamond-covered

dragon. The mythical creature stalks the watch, its

claws ready to strike, guarding the quartz move-

ment timepiece at its center ($42,300).

Contact: Lauren Goldsmith at Cellini in New York,

(212) 751-1555; www.carreraycarrera.com

10 The distinctive look of thePiaget Limelight Gala

collection, with cases whose bezels seem to be try-

ing to escape by curling along the watch straps, is

the perfect place to play with diamonds. The 38mm

18K rose gold version, set with 413 brilliant-cut

diamonds and paired with a crisp white satin strap,

has a lovely, sun-kissed freshness to it ($71,000).

Contact: Jared Maclane at Piaget in New York,

(212) 246-5555; www.piaget.com

DOWNLOAD A FREE SWISS WATCH GUIDE AT www.elitetraveler.com/swisswatch

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WATCH TRENDS

RUNWAY REPORT

he music industry has long had a major influence on the direction of fashion,

but this season, is it not so much the sartorial choices being made by the

current crop of music industry stars that has gotten the fashion industry’s

creative juices flowing. Instead, the past musical movements of the ‘80s

and ‘90s have bubbled back up to the surface of style. The rebellious

spirit of punk, the disgruntled and disheveled grunge movement, and the

androgynous aesthetic of singers like Patti Smith have flooded the catwalks

with their distinctive attitude.

The Met’s Costume Institute’s “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” exhibition,

which closed on August 14 and whose theme was announced way back in

September of last year, obviously played a role in inspiring the trend. The

gala opening of the exhibition eachMay is now considered a “Fashion Oscars”

of sorts, and a number of designers used their fall runways to propose to

industry insiders their take on the highly original form of dress.

Donatella Versace went with a very literal interpretation of the style,

cutting her second-skin dresses in vinyl; tricking them out with studs,

spikes, and zippers; and then covering them up with optional tartan print

coats. Junya Watanabe’s take was a bit more of a mash-up, blending a red

perfecto jacket with tartan fabrics and denim blue jean accents on a dress,

or slicing a double-breasted jacket through with a smattering of industrial

zippers. A seriously sexy version of the trend came from red-hot designer

Anthony Vaccarello, whose metal-eyelet-embellished outfits had a cool

handicraft feel.

Fashion’s grunge movement was led by Hedi Slimane and his creations

for Saint Laurent. The collection could have been mistaken for vintage were

it not for the crystal embellishments. Other big players in the new grunge

were the dark and sporty visions from Givenchy and Rodarte’s California-

cool (read tie-dye) renditions.

As for those androgynous options, the best way to pull the look off (besides

having a stick-figure frame) is to go for something that envelops the body.

Designer Ennio Capasa of Costume National has made it his life’s work to

figure out a way to dress women sexily in traditionally male attire. Other

leaders in this particular look are Ann Demeulemeester and Rick Owens,

two designers who revel in ambiguity.

This winter let your musical muses lead you in a new sartorial direction—

you might just like dressing to a new rhythm.

PUNK AND GRUNGE ARE BACK, BUT ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STAGE… FROM THE INFLUENTIAL HALLS OF THE MET TO THE HOTTEST RUNWAYS

TO YOUR STYLISH WINTER WARDROBE. BY JESSICA MICHAULT

T

SAINTLAURENT

COSTUMENATIONAL

ANTHONYVACCARELLO

ANNDEMEULEMEESTER

RODARTE

JUNYAWATANABE

VERSACE

RICKOWENS

78

PUNKREDUX

FASHION FINDS

IN THE BAGDie-hard fashionistas have discovered the charming Brazilian handbag designer

Paula Cademartori. Her colorful Italian-made bags have been seen on the armof many a fashion world It girl. They are easy to spot with their distinctive clasps,

created by Cademartori to represent the symbol for “pi”—a choice that makes more

sense once you learn that she earned a degree in industrial design before getting

her master’s in fashion accessories and graduating magna cum laude from the

Istituto Marangoni. A tangible representation of the designer’s own character, her

bags are practical, original, and a perfect blend of girly and graceful.

80

RUNWAY REPORT

WHERE TO BUY.AGNONA. Contact: Customer Service, (305) 571-8018; www.agona.it .ANN DEMEULEMEESTER.Contact: Sophie Depret, 32-3-216-01-33; www.

anndemeulemeester.be .ANTHONY VACCARELLO.Contact: John Capizzi, (212) 872-8708 .COSTUMENATIONAL. Contact: Fabio Falconieri, (212) 431-1530; www.costumenational.com .GIVENCHY.Contact: John Capizzi, (212) 826-8900; www.

givenchy.com .JUNYA WATANABE. Contact: SandyPark, (212) 604-9200; www.comme-des-garcons.

com .PAULA CADEMARTORI. Contact: SusanPitcher, (805) 565-1253; www.paulacademartori.

com .RICK OWENS. Contact: Maleko Vuong, (212)627-7222; www.rickowens.en .RODARTE. Contact:Customer Service, (310) 230-3882; www.rodarte.

net .SAINT LAURENT. Contact: Customer Service,(310) 271-4110; www.ysl.com .VERSACE. Contact:Rosanne Sandor, (212) 966-8111; www.versace.com

INSTANT GRATIFICATIONDesigner Stefano Pilati is already making majorwaves in his new design role at ErmenegildoZegna, among them his decision to make

the company’s 60-year-old womenswear line

Agnona a seasonless label. Pilati has listenedto the needs of his customers and is already

offering for sale the label’s purported spring/

summer 2014 collection—no need to wait. These

collections (the first is called Collection Zero)will come out every few months and focus on

staple yet directional designs. For the debut

collection the designer was inspired by the

Hawaiian Islands, so there are some tropical

blooms and traditional checkered prints, but

everything is done in ultra-luxe fabrics like

double-faced cashmeres, raw silk, and crocodile

skins. As Zegna produces its many lines in its

own factories, the quick turnaround of product

doesn’t pose as much of a stumbling block as

it will for other brands that try to follow Pilati’s

lead. And follow they should, as this “see it now,

buy it now” mentality is the future of fashion.

AGNONA (3)

PAULACADEMARTORI (2)

BOTTEGAVENETA

In winter, a man’s coat often creates the first impression,

so the choice is an important one. It is critical to invest in

a style that is flattering but also finds the right balance

between “on trend” and “timeless”—something that will

age well as a foundation piece in your wardrobe for a few

years to come.

This season, menswear designers explored new and

creative ways for guys to confidently wear fur, and they

also experimented with the proportions of the classic

silhouette of a straight wool and cashmere blend coat.

And that old standby, the leather jacket, appeared in a

myriad of alternatives, making it easier than ever to find

the one that fits just right.

A man in a fur coat is not an easy sell. Thoughts of

the heavy full-length coats worn by 1920s money men or

seedy 1970s street hustlers are often the first thing that

comes to mind, but don’t dismiss pelts so fast. A lot of

progress has been made in the fur industry over the past

decade to transform fur into a material as malleable as

textiles without losing its supple “touchy-feely” appeal.

This season designers offered up some interesting

and very unconventional fur options, including a mélange

of different types of furs in the same coat, and pairing

fur with other materials to give it a trendy edge. Top fur

options came from Lanvin, Alexander Wang, and Jil

Sander, brands that cut fur in sporty styles. For something

a bit more over the top, it doesn’t get much better than the

pieces mixing pelts from Maison Martin Margiela.

The go-to coat for most professional men is the classic

straight and long option. But, just as we’ve seen in

womenswear this season, there is a general move to make

these coats more roomy. Structure and fit have given way to

a looser shape, one with minimal seams that cocoons the

body in muted shades such as those seen on the catwalks

of Alexander McQueen, Mugler, and Burberry.But if there is one sure bet for outerwear this winter it’s

a leather coat. Leather was all over the fall/winter 2013

runways, with everything from jackets, shirts, trenches,

and even trousers shown in an array of colors, ready to

add a touch of rocker glam to your wardrobe. Leather

jackets are a perennial favorite for men, rarely falling

from the graces of the fashion world. Of course, the staple

has been slightly updated for this season: In addition to

coats cut in the oversized shapes that have become a

major trend this fall, leather was bonded to other fabrics

in hybrid outerwear pieces, as seen at the Bottega Venetaand Valentino shows.

So as temperatures drop, instead of dusting off last

year’s winter coat, stay both warm and in style with new

options that run the gamut from elegant to edgy.

Remember all those message t-shirts that

seemed to go out of date almost as soon as

they were worn for the first time? Well, their

evolutionary descendants have found a clever

way to survive.

With Givenchy designer Riccardo Tiscileading the way, highly artistic graphic design

t-shirts for brands like Alexander McQueen,

Raf Simons, and Lanvin are becoming a

seriously cool Saturday night option for men.

Just pair with a well-cut blazer, and presto—art

meets designer attitude.

82

RUNWAY REPORT

WHERE TO BUY.ALEXANDER MCQUEEN. Contact: Catherine Flynn, (212) 645-1797; www.alexandermcqueen.com .ALEXANDERWANG.Contact: Customer Service, (212) 977-9683; www.alexanderwang.com .BOTTEGA VENETA. Contact: David Lim, (212) 897-5780;

www.bottegaveneta.com .BURBERRY. Contact: Clifton Royal, (877) 217-4085; www.burberry.com .GIVENCHY. Contact:

Customer Service, (212) 826-8900; www.givenchy.com .GUCCI. Contact: Sabina Ibanez, (212) 826-2600; www.gucci.com .JILSANDER. Contact: Customer Service, (212) 753-4000; www.jilsander.com .LANVIN. Contact: Darrin Mewhorter, (212) 812-2866;

www.lanvin.com .MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA. Contact: Elena Campos, 33-1-44-53-63-20; www.maisonmartinmargiela.com

.MUGLER. Contact: Customer Service, (212) 966-7145; www.mugler.com .RAF SIMONS. Contact: Customer Service,

(877) 535-3677; www.rafsimons.com .VALENTINO. Contact: Tracey Ling, (212) 772-6969; www.valentino.com

WINTERWARRIOR

WARDROBEWAKE-UP

Gucci and Lapo Elkann are a match made in sartorial heaven. In the past, Gucci

Creative Director Frida Giannini and Elkann teamed up to launch a limited-

edition Fiat 500 with Gucci interiors. Car buffs know that Elkann is the grandson

of Gianni Agnelli and currently a creative force at Fiat. But besides being an

innovator in the automotive field, Elkann is also known for his uniquely Italian

style of dressing—a style so distinctive it put him in Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed

hall of fame by the time he hit 30.

Now comes a new collaboration between these two Italian icons of style. It’s a

made-to-measure capsule collection by Gucci fittingly called Lapo’s Wardrobe.

It is filled with suave and timelessly chic pieces, like a double-breasted blazer in

the perfect shade of navy with buttons crafted from titanium, and jackets lined in

vintage Gucci prints that have an Italian bravado about them.

ITALIAN INGENUITY

FROM SPORTY FURS TO UPDATED LEATHER PIECES, IT’S TIME TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COATS

THAT WILL SHIELD YOU FROM WINTER’S COLD WHILE SHEATHING YOU IN STYLE. BY JESSICA MICHAULT

82

LANVIN

MAISONMARTIN

MARGIELA

BURBERRY

VALENTINO

LAPO’SWARDROBE (2)

MUGLER

T-TIME

ALEXANDERMCQUEEN (3)

ET: What motivated you to launch your eponymousmenswear line?BJ: This has been something that I’ve wanted to do since I was 10 or 11. Back then I was very

passionate about activewear andwanted to have a company like Nike or Adidas. As time passed,my

style continued to evolve, leading to the creation of BJC.Motived froman entertainment background

through my parents, I felt as though there was no apparel company that truly spoke to creatives. I

strongly believe BJC will become that brand.

ET: What was the inspiration behind the fall/winter 2013 collection?BJ: The collection is heavily inspired by travel. Most creative types are focusedon exploration and discovering new things, so I wanted to give our customers

items that are comfortable for travel, yet can be worn for any occasion such as

work, nightlife, fine dining, or during their next creative endeavor.

ET: Your line is produced in Italy—clearly, craftsmanship is tantamount tothe brand. How hands-on are you in the production of the collection andwhy is the manufacture so important to you?BJ: I always believe in quality over quantity. I want to create pieces that are

going to last for years and not just a few months. I think a lot of people skimp

on the quality goods just to make a dollar rather than giving the consumer

sustainable goods. I am hands-on from design concepts to selecting the

fabrics and leathers to choosing the models for the ad campaign. If you want

things done right, do it yourself. Not to mention there are no other African

American male designers that have taken the leap into luxury menswear like

this, so I take a lot of pride in building this brand to the

best of my abilities.

ET: What are some of the key pieces the BJC man will be gravitatingtowards for fall?BJ: There are four pieces that really stand out for me: Our lambskin and

shearling bomber vest, the quilted leather hoodie, the leather trimmed

peacoat, and the high-top sneakers. These are must-haves for this season!

ET: Tell us about the new ad campaign—what kind of tone wereyou trying to set for the brand and what was the creative processlike behind the scenes?BJ: The setting for the ad campaign is a country escape. I think

I speak for most people when I say that it’s imperative to take

time away from work and just relax. The peace and serenity that

suburbs provide for city dwellers is extremely rejuvenating and

allows those individuals to recharge their batteries to be able to

function at elite levels.

VISIT WWW.BRETTJOHNSON.CO TO SHOP THE FALL/WINTER COLLECTION

BRETT JOHNSONCOLLECTION

AT JUST 24 YEARS OLD, BRETT JOHNSON HAS ALREADY CARVED OUT A NICHE FOR HIMSELF

IN THE COMPETITIVE MENSWEAR MARKET WITH HIS HIGH-END EPONYMOUS FASHION LINE.

LAUNCHING FOR FALL/WINTER 2013, THE BRETT JOHNSON COLLECTION OFFERS LUXE, WEAR-

FOREVER INVESTMENT PIECES WITH A COOL, CONTEMPORARY EDGE. ELITE TRAVELER CAUGHT

UP WITH A JETSETTING JOHNSON TO FIND OUT WHAT DRIVES THE YOUNG DESIGNER AND

ENTREPRENEUR, AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HIS BURGEONING FASHION EMPIRE.

SPECIAL PROMOTION

83

BEST SUITES OF BANGKOKWhether you prefer to base your Siam sojourn in a space replete with traditional

Thai motifs or sleek design that speaks to the mystique of modern Bangkok, you

won’t want for choice: Our selection of urban retreats spans spa sanctuaries to

party pads to refined residences—a suite to suit every purpose and fancy.

BY MARGIE GOLDSMITH

GLITTERING SKYLINE / BANGKOK

TOP SUITES

THE ST. REGIS BANGKOKTHE PENTHOUSE AT THE RESIDENCES

Key selling points | Perched on floor 44, this two-story

penthouse—adorned with Yul Brynner’s costumes and other

memorabilia from The King and I—features three bedrooms,

dining for 16, a wine room, spa treatment room, and a balcony

boasting a 22-foot infinity pool and panoramic city views.

Standout service |When a guest left his wallet in a tuk-tuk,

the bellman went to the tuk-tuk gathering spot, found the

driver, and returned the wallet to the guest.

Style | Sophisticated elegance, by Studioaria with personal

decorative touches by the hotel owner, 2013

Special amenities | 55- and 65-inch Panasonic HD flat-

screen TVs, Remède bath amenities, Technogym equipment,

tropical fruit replenished daily, turndown teddy bear for

children, kid-size bathrobes and slippers, 24-hour butler,

personalized shopper for market list, personal sommelier

Square footage | 8,611

Number of bedrooms in suite | Three

Number of bathrooms | Four and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 227, including 51 suites

Who’s slept here? | This brand new suite is sure to draw

global celebs aplenty.

Nightly rate | $11,000

Location | 159 Rajadamri Road

Contact | General Manager Krister Svensson, 66-2-207-7777;

krister.svensson@stregis.com; www.stregisbangkok.com

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, BANGKOKSIAM SUITE

Key selling points | A supremely spacious living room and

dining room combine with fine appointments for a truly

sumptuous, inviting suite complete with floor-to-ceiling

windows, private balconies touting wide views of Bangkok’s

magnificent River of Kings, and access to the exclusive

Horizon Club Lounge.

Standout service | To celebrate the birthday of a young

Malaysian princess, staff decorated the suite’s living area

with pink rabbit balloons, created a playhouse full of snacks,

and served a birthday cake in the shape of a Barbie doll.

Style | Elegant East-meets-West, by Wilson & Associates, 2010

Special amenities | Bulgari bath amenities, 50-inch

Samsung flat-screen TV, Grohe bathtub and Jacuzzi, TOTO

shower, in-room exercise machine

Square footage | 2,529

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | Two

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 802, including 72 suites

Who’s slept here? | Heads of state and royalty from China,

Brunei, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, UAE, and beyond

Nightly rate | About $4,708

Location | 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak

Contact | Vice President and General Manager Kieran Twomey,

66-2-236-7777 ext. 6000; kieran.twomey@shangri-la.com;

www.shangri-la.com/bangkok

8888 FREE LUXURY INSIDER NEWSLETTER! ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT www.elitetraveler.com or email webinfo@elitetraveler.com

TOP SUITES

LIVING ROOM / THE PENTHOUSE

AT THE RESIDENCES LIVING AND DINING ROOMS / SIAM SUITE

MASTER BEDROOM / SIAM SUITE

THE PENINSULA BANGKOKTHE THAI SUITE

Key selling points | This spacious one-bedroom suite has

a vast formal living room with sensational river views. The

exquisite original Thai artifacts and textured silk fabrics echo

the interior of a traditional Bangkok home.

Standout service | During the tsunami, a hotel guest’s rela-

tive was vacationing in Phuket, but the frantic guest didn’t

know where. The staff called every Phuket hotel, but to no

avail, so the hotel hired a helicopter to fly the guest to Phuket

where the relieved guest was reunited with his relative.

Style | Contemporary Bangkok meets traditional Thai, by

Glen Texeira, 1998

Special amenities | Personalized amenities, a bottle of

Peninsula champagne, Peninsula gift basket, Thai fruit

carving, 42-inch Samsung flat-screen TV, Sony and Pioneer

DVD player

Square footage | 1,600

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 370, including

65 suites

Who’s slept here? | Sports and movie stars

Nightly rate | From $2,054

Location | 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan

Contact | General Manager Katja Henke, 66-2-861-2888;

katjahenke@peninsula.com; www.peninsula.com

THE SIAMPOOL VILLA RIVERVIEW

Key selling points | This antique-filled, yet refreshingly

contemporary suite comes with its own lush garden, private

plunge pool, and open-air roof terrace with river views—pri-

vate enough to sunbathe in the nude should you wish to.

Standout service | A guest went to the lap pool every day at

6 a.m. and ordered an espresso after his workout, so on the

third morning, staff anticipated the request, and delivered an

espresso as the guest finished his last lap.

Style | Black-and-white Art Deco chic, by Bill Bensley Design

Studio, 2012

Special amenities | Jaspal bedding, memory foam pillow-

top mattress, Robeworks bathrobes, Java coffee machine,

complimentary movies, butler service, Wi-Fi, boat shuttle

service, seasonal fruit bowl replenished daily, 55-inch Sony

Bravia Internet TV

Square footage | 1,400, inclusive of outdoor space

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 39 suites

Who’s slept here? | Royals from near and far

Nightly rate | $525 to $1,200

Location | 3/2 Thanon Khao, Vachirapayabal, Dusit

Contact | General Manager Jason Friedman,

66-2-621-2296; jason@thesiamhotel.com;

www.thesiamhotel.com

9090

TOP SUITES

MASTER BEDROOM / POOL VILLA RIVERVIEWMASTER BEDROOM / THE THAI SUITE

W BANGKOKEXTREME WOW SUITE

Key selling points | Expect to be thoroughly wowed by this

top-floor suite, where custom-designed chrome furniture,

a padded platform bed, games room, skylit living room,

screening room, and a master bath with floor-to-ceiling

windows come together for a sleek, luxe look dominated by

white marble and black lacquer.

Standout service | This brand new hotel offers the W brand’s

signature Whatever/Whenever service—your wish is their

command.

Style | Clean-lined modern with pops of gold, by SODA, 2012

Special amenities |W signature bed, 55-inch Samsung flat-

screen LED TV, touch-screen room controls, Docking Sound

Bar system for audio and video, Bliss bath amenities

Square footage | 2,314

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and two half-baths

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 403, including

34 suites

Who’s slept here? | A-listers the world over are expected to

flock to this spanking new suite.

Nightly rate | $4,980

Location | 106 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak

Contact | General Manager Nick Heath,

66-2-344-4200; nick.heath@whotels.com;

www.whotelbangkok.com

TOWER CLUB AT LEBUA, BANGKOKHANGOVER SUITE

Key selling points | Located on the 56th floor, this three-

bedroom, four-balcony suite is where the stars of Hangover

Part II stayed during their break. With its premium liquor

setup and staggering views, it’s the ideal party spot. Limo

service, an on-call doctor, and private in-suite meals courte-

sy of top restaurant The Dome’s chef round out the offerings.

Standout service | For a guest’s father’s birthday, staff

arranged a champagne and caviar breakfast on a private

riverboat tour and videotaped the entire adventure.

Style | Modern and stylish, by lebua’s in-house design team,

2011

Special amenities | Acca Kappa bath amenities, Nespresso

coffee machine, Downia mattress topper, white goose-down

linens and pillows, 40-inch Samsung LCD TV and home the-

ater, Electrolux washer and dryer, Tower Club access

Square footage | 2,863

Number of bedrooms in suite | Three

Number of bathrooms | Two and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 221 suites

Who’s slept here? |Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis

Nightly rate | $1,329

Location | 1055 State Tower Bangkok, floors 51 to 59, Silom

Road, Bangrak

Contact | General Manager Marco Metge, 66-2-624-9511;

marco@lebua.com; www.lebua.com

9292 SEE MORE GREAT SUITES AT www.elitetraveler.com/top101

TOP SUITES

LIVING AND DINING ROOM / HANGOVER SUITELIVING ROOM / EXTREME WOW SUITE

SIAM KEMPINSKI HOTEL BANGKOKROYAL SUITE

Key selling points | This three-bedroom, antique-filled suite

has a secluded 1,291-square-foot terrace with a Jacuzzi, as

well as a spacious living room, separate dining room, private

bar, private gym, study, and kitchenette.

Standout service | A repeat guest was disappointed to find

that a small shop selling handmade walking canes had

closed since his last visit, so staff tracked down the shop’s

former owners and had an exquisite made-to-order cane

sent to the guest at his home.

Style | Chic, contemporary Thai, by HBA, 2010

Special amenities | 60-inch Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TV

with video on demand, Tencel bedding, Molton Brown bath

amenities, Jim Thompson silk décor, fresh tropical fruit bowl

replenished daily

Square footage | 4,520, inclusive of terrace

Number of bedrooms in suite | Three

Number of bathrooms | Two and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 303, including 42 suites

Who’s slept here? | Actor Adam Brody and Gossip Girl starlet

Leighton Meester

Nightly rate | From $12,900

Location | 991/9 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan

Contact | General Manager Alejandro Bernabe,

66-2-162-9000; alejandro.bernabe@kempinski.com;

www.kempinski.com

MANDARIN ORIENTAL BANGKOKTHE ROYAL ORIENTAL SUITE

Key selling points | Touting panoramic views of the Chao

Phraya River, this two-bedroom suite also boasts fine artwork

and soothing furnishings, two balconies, and 24-hour butler

service. A living room with an adjoining sitting room and din-

ing room means plenty of elbow room to relax, or entertain.

Standout service | The hotel had a special acupuncture bed

delivered, and arranged for Bangkok’s top acupuncturist to

treat a Hollywood celeb in the comfort of her own suite.

Style | Timeless, refined elegance, by LTW Designworks,

2009

Special amenities | 48-inch Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TV;

Acqua di Parma, Aromatherapy Associates, and Asprey bath

amenities; fresh fruit daily; goose-down bedding; wireless

entertainment system that can sync with five devices

Square footage | 3,175

Number of bedrooms in suite | Two

Number of bathrooms | Two and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 393, including 35 suites

Who’s slept here? | Bill Gates, Mick Jagger, David Beckham,

Pierce Brosnan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Kofi Anan

Nightly rate | From $5,913

Location | 48 Oriental Avenue (Soi 40, Charoen Krung Road)

Contact | General Manager Amanda Hyndman,

66-2-659-9000; ahyndman@mohg.com;

www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok

9494

TOP SUITES

MASTER BEDROOM / ROYAL SUITE LIVING ROOM / THE ROYAL ORIENTAL SUITE

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BANGKOKRAJADAMRI SUITE

Key selling points | Decked in rich teakwood with Thai-

styled art and furnishings, this elite expanse has a living

room that can accommodate up to 18, and a formal private

dining room/boardroom for 12. Pops of lavender and yellow

brighten the regal master bedroom.

Standout service |When a US guest bought a puppy too

young to be vaccinated, which would necessitate a long

quarantine in the US, the concierge offered to adopt the dog,

and, four years later, still emails the guest pooch updates.

Style | Lavish comfort with traditional Thai accents, by P49

Design & Associates, 2011

Special amenities | Traditional and modern fabrics by Jim

Thompson, Bulgari bath amenities, massage treatment

room, special Thai desserts and fresh tropical fruit bowl,

42-inch plasma TV with DVD player

Square footage | 3,703

Number of bedrooms in suite | Two

Number of bathrooms | One and two half-baths

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 354, including 35 suites

Who’s slept here? | Royals and heads of state

Nightly rate | $2,660

Location | 155 Rajadamri Road

Contact | Regional Vice President and General Manager

Rami Sayess, 66-2-126-8866; rami.sayess@fourseasons.

com; www.fourseasons.com/bangkok

CONRAD BANGKOKPRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Key selling points | Located on floor 32, this immense

retreat boasts a full kitchen, dining room, tricked-out media

room, and sizable work station, plus a spacious spa-style

bath with his and her showers, steam shower, and Jacuzzi.

Standout service | A bellman noticed that a guest had left

belongings in the backseat of a taxi, but couldn’t catch the

driver’s eye as he raced away, so he hopped on a motorcycle

and chased the driver down to retrieve the items.

Style | Contemporary Asian, by Wilson & Associates, 2013

Special amenities | Custom Serenity bed; pillow menu;

Herman Miller office chair; iPod docking station; Sony Play-

Station; Bang & Olufsen home theater; private check-in and

checkout; choice of Shanghai Tang, Tara Smith, or Aroma-

therapy Associates bath amenities; executive lounge access

Square footage | 2,561

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 391, including 20 suites

Who’s slept here? | Hillary Clinton, Ricky Martin, Colin Farrell,

Oliver Stone, Nelson Mandela

Nightly rate | From $2,086

Location | 87 Wireless Road, Phatumwan

Contact | General Manager Herald Feurstein,

66-2-690-9999; herald.feurstein@conradhotels.com;

www.conradbangkok.com

9696 FREE LUXURY INSIDER NEWSLETTER! ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT www.elitetraveler.com or email webinfo@elitetraveler.com

TOP SUITES

MASTER BEDROOM / PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

MASTER BATH / PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

MASTER BEDROOM / RAJADAMRI SUITE

SHERATON GRANDE SUKHUMVIT,A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELTHE RAMA SUITE

Key selling points | In Thailand, kings are called rama, an

apt name for this tranquil, wood-filled suite featuring Thai

furnishings and works of art, a 1,765-square-foot garden,

two Jacuzzis (inside and out), and a sprawling living room.

Standout service | When a guest lost her passport, staff

accompanied her to the Chinese embassy to get a temporary

travel document and remained with the guest at the airport

until she successfully passed through immigration.

Style | Authentic, regal Thai, by HBA, 2013

Special amenities | Bespoke Luxury Collection bed, Jaspal

linens, 46-inch Samsung LED TV, 19-inch Samsung LED TV

in bathroom, indigenous THANN toiletries, complimentary

minibar, tropical fruit daily, 24-hour butler service

Square footage | 3,000, including a covered terrace and

private garden

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 420, including 46 suites

Who’s slept here? | Hollywood and Bollywood royalty

Nightly rate | About $1,211

Location | 250 Sukhumvit Road

Contact | General Manager Richard Chapman,

66-2-649-8888; richard.chapman@luxurycollection.com;

www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com

BANYAN TREE BANGKOKPRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Key selling points | This stunning, two-story glass dome of a

suite has a rooftop terrace, a spiral staircase leading up to a

loft bedroom, and a bathroom with a bubbling jet pool. Make

use of the executive boardroom if you’re in town on business,

then to unwind, have the vast living room converted into a

private spa treatment space.

Standout service | A guest wanted an authentic Thai experi-

ence, so the concierge invited him to his own home, where

they shared a traditional Thai meal and the concierge intro-

duced the guest to his neighbors.

Style | Thai-infused contemporary, by Architrave Design, 2008

Special amenities | Banyan Tree Club Lounge access, com-

plimentary minibar, laundry or pressing of up to four pieces

daily, Internet/Wi-Fi, limo airport transfers, 4 p.m. checkout,

hi-fi TV with DVD player, Banyan Tree Gallery bath amenities

Square footage | 2,195

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 327, including 68 suites

Who’s slept here? | Famous singers, actors, and athletes

Nightly rate | From $1,136

Location | 21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon

Contact | General Manager Nopparat Aumpa,

66-2-679-1200; nopparat.aumpa@banyantree.com;

www.banyantree.com/en/bangkok

9898

TOP SUITES

LIVING ROOM / PRESIDENTIAL SUITEMASTER BEDROOM / THE RAMA SUITE

GARDEN JACUZZI / THE RAMA SUITE

THE OKURA PRESTIGE BANGKOKIMPERIAL SUITE

Key selling points | Guests of this suite enjoy dramatic

180-degree views of downtown Bangkok from the spacious

living area. There’s also a dining area with a fully fitted

kitchen for private in-suite dining. A spa sanctuary of a master

bathroom comes complete with a steam room and sauna.

Standout service | When a guest lost his wallet, staff helped

him to file a report with the police and cancel his credit

cards, and arranged for the police report to be translated

from Thai to English.

Style | Contemporary, silvery elegance, by PIA Interior, 2008

Special amenities | 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens,

52-inch Panasonic flat-screen Internet TVs in the bedroom

and living room, Bulgari bath amenities, high-tech TOTO

lavatory

Square footage | 3,250

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | One and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 240, including 18

suites

Who’s slept here? | Top CEOs, architects to the stars

Nightly rate | From $4,900

Location | Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57, Wireless Road

Contact | General Manager Samir Wildemann esq.,

66-2-687-9000; phichaporn.li@okurabangkok.com;

www.okurabangkok.com

THE SUKHOTHAI BANGKOKTHE SUKHOTHAI SUITE

Key selling points | Elegant and private, this top-floor, one-

bedroom haven sports a Jacuzzi in the enormous teakwood-

floor bathroom, a prime spot for serious pampering. Rich

Thai silks and a grand piano punctuate the living space, while

a dining room and full kitchen make entertaining easy.

Standout service | A couple on honeymoon was welcomed

with a magnificent rose bouquet, rose petal hearts on their

bed, complimentary sparkling wine, and congratulations

from every single member of the staff.

Style | Gilded glamour with traditional touches, by Edward

Tuttle, 1991

Special amenities | Molton Brown toiletries, 42-inch Philips

LCD TV, Bose media center, Bang & Olufsen audio system,

fast-track airport service, in-room check-in, fresh fruit platter

Square footage | 2,132

Number of bedrooms in suite | One

Number of bathrooms | Two and one half-bath

Number of rooms and suites in hotel | 210, including 84 suites

Who’s slept here? | Nelson Mandela, Ricky Martin, Beyoncé

Knowles, Kelly Clarkson

Nightly rate | From $3,000

Location | 13/3 South Sathorn Road

Contact | General Manager Gregory Meadows,

66-2-344-8888; gregory.m@sukhothai.com;

www.sukhothai.com

100100 SEE MORE GREAT SUITES AT www.elitetraveler.com/top101

TOP SUITES

LIVING ROOM / THE SUKHOTHAI SUITEMASTER BEDROOM / IMPERIAL SUITE

LIVING ROOM / IMPERIAL SUITE

EXCLU

SIVEPREVIEW

SASAMPLINGOFSPECIALHIGH-ENDPRODUCTS,SERVICES,ANDOFFERINGSFORELITETRAVELERREADERS

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CARUSOCaruso is the sartorial clothing brand madein Italy, and most important, preferred byItalians. Remember: “In menswear, do as theItalians do.”www.carusomenswear.com

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challenge of creating an innovative styleand a new market position. Taken directlyfrom Latin for “guardian,” the name Cvstoswas inspired by the boundless creativityof an exceptional team of talented people.Illustrating a powerful holistic concept, theCvstos style embraces a particularly modernapproach to design, one that manifests itselfin the perfect balance between traditionalwatchmaking and state-of-the-art innovation.www.cvstos.com

THE DALMOREThe Dalmore Constellation Collection bringstogether the complete spectrum of vintagescreated in The Dalmore’s iconic Highlanddistillery from 1964 to 1992. Consisting of 21individual releases, these magnificent, boldwhiskeys have spent their lives finessingin the finest casks from around the worldbefore being bottled at cask strengthto ensure that none of the collection’scharacter has been diluted.constellation@thedalmore.com;www.thedalmore.com

DEWITTClassical audacity: Every DeWitt timepieceis built by a dedicated master horologist andincludes an audacious twist on the classicalwatchmaker’s art.www.dewitt.ch

FOREVERMARKForevermark is built on the promise thateach diamond to earn our name must bebeautiful, rare, and responsibly sourced. TheExceptional Diamond Collection representsthe pinnacle of that promise.forevermark.com/exceptionals

FRANCK MULLER USAThe Franck Muller Group was founded in1991 by Franck Muller and Vartan Sirmakeswith the aim of creating exclusive timepiecescharacterized by complicated movementsand an original sense of design. Thanksto its ability to innovate in the numerousfields of horology, this young company hasrapidly grown into a symbol of boldness andcreativity. Its original design has shaken anypreconceived ideas about watchmaking, andits complicated movements have won thehearts of both watch experts and collectors.www.franckmuller.com

GIRARD-PERREGAUXGirard-Perregaux, a true Swiss manufacturerknown for its legendary timepieces, combinessharp design with innovative technology suchas the three gold bridge tourbillon. Recentlyit unveiled the Constant Escapement, theonly movement housing a true constant forceescapement.www.girard-perregaux.com

GRAN PATRÓN TEQUILAGran Patrón Platinum tequila is producedfrom the highest-quality agave grown in theHighlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This uniquetequila is triple distilled and then restedin oak tanks for a short time, making itextraordinarily smooth and full bodied. Everyetched label bottle is a handcrafted crystal(lead-free) piece of art that is hand polished,signed, and numbered.www.patrontequila.com

HUBLOTFor Hublot, polo is a byword for excellence:The Argentine ambassador Facundo Pieresis the embodiment of the inspiration andsupreme talent that this sport demands.www.hublot.com

INDIA TOURISMCome and discover Incredible India’s vibrant,modern mood and ancient cultural heritage.(212) 586-4901; www.incredibleindia.org

ITALIAN DESIGNItalian Design is a jewelry company createdby young Italians with the goal of making theessence of Italian Design products knownaround the world.www.italian-design.it

JACOB & CO.Founded by Jacob Arabov more than 25years ago, Jacob & Co. draws on the finesttraditions of design and craftsmanship forconnoisseurs both present and future. Whatbegan as a small design and manufacturingoperation in the heart of the jewelry industryin New York City has become a brand carriedby the world’s finest watch and jewelrystores and seen on a variety of celebrityambassadors and notables.www.jacobandco.com

JAEGER-LECOULTREA leading player in watchmaking historysince 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre hasmastered the over 180 skills required todevelop and produce the most prestigioustimepieces. Committed to a constantquest for excellence and supported by auniquely inventive spirit, Jaeger-LeCoultrealso perpetuates the tradition of GrandeComplication models introduced by themanufacture through a succession ofextraordinary creations.www.jaeger-lecoultre.com; (877) JLC-1833

KOREAN AIRKorean Air, America’s largest Asian airline,flies frommore cities in the Americas to moredestinations in Asia than any other airline inthe world. FlexJet Connect is Korean Air’sbranded private jet connection from anywherein the US.www.koreanair.com

THE LEADING HOTELS OF THEWORLDWhen extraordinary and one-of-a-kindintersect, you have likely found a LeadingHotel. The Leading Hotels of the World isan exceptional collection of 430 independentluxury hotels and resorts throughoutthe world.www.lhw.com

LEBUA HOTELS & RESORTSUniquely memorable, infinitely personal, andsimply exceptional. lebua Hotels & Resortsoffers distinct luxury hotels and innovativerestaurants and bars. Locations includeBangkok, Thailand; Jaipur and Udaipur, India;and Lake Rotorura, New Zealand.www.lebua.com

LILA DELMAN REAL ESTATEA passion for distinctive properties in coastaland historic Rhode Island. A commitment tothe fine art of delivering exceptional resultsfor all of our clients.www.liladelman.com

LLADRÓWhether you are looking for the ideal gift ora great accent piece for your home, Lladróporcelain is perfect.www.lladro.com

LOUIS GLICK & CO.Only extraordinary diamonds...Unsurpassed in beauty and quality, thediamonds of Louis Glick & Co. are eachhand selected from the best the earthhas to offer and then cut and polished torelease their innate character. Louis Glick& Co.’s exclusive jewelry pieces, createdin-house, are one of a kind and showcasethe diamonds’ brilliance and color. With aclientele ranging from prestigious retailjewelers to heads of state and internationalroyalty, Louis Glick & Co.’s diamonds anddiamond jewelry remain among the mostsought-after and highly prized gems inthe world.(212) 259-0300; info@louisglick.com;www.louisglick.com

LUFTHANSA FIRST CLASSThe new Lufthansa First Class: Fromhumidified air and sound-dampeningmaterials to one of the widest full-flat bedsin the industry, every amenity is designed tooffer tranquility and comfort.www.lufthansa.com/first-class

MASTOLONIFor over 80 years, Mastoloni has established

itself as the leading American importer andmanufacturer of fine quality cultured pearljewelry; revered for quality, meticulousdesign, and craftsmanship.(800) 347-3275; www.mastoloni.com

MEXICO TOURISM BOARDExperience Elite Mexico... A luxuriousworld where style and sophistication meethistorical, cultural, and natural wonders toentice and excite the imagination. Mexico.Beyond Your Expectations.www.visitmexico.com

OFFICINE PANERAIOfficine Panerai combines Italian design andSwiss horlogical perfection to create highprecision timepieces with a strong identityrooted in distinction, aesthetics and function.www.panerai.com

THE ONE AND ONLY ONE–PADULO PRIVEPadulo Prive is a luxury brand marketingagency whose mission is to define beauty,style and design for some of the most famousnames in fashion and jewelry since 1967. Pastand present clients include: Ambrosi, Autore,Bayco, Black Starr & Frost, Cellini, Dorfman,Eiseman, Molina, Picchiotti, Prince Dimitri &Stefan Hafner, and others.www.paduloprive.com

RICHARD MILLEEstablished in 2001, Richard Mille timepiecespoint resolutely towards the future, whileholding steadfast to the time-honoredtraditions of fine watchmaking.www.richardmille.com

SCOTTSDALE CVBScottsdale is a world-class destination withpremier resorts, spas, and golf coursesnestled into a peaceful Sonoran Desertsetting. Plan your vacation getaway today.www.experiencescottsdale.com

SHAMBALLA JEWELSMads and Mikkel Kornerup establishedShamballa Jewels in 2005, creating jewelryinspired by spiritual principles. With theirjewelry, the brothers hope to encouragepeople to find their inner Shamballa, amythical Himalayan kingdom inhabitedby enlightened, compassionate people.Shamballa Jewels crafts customizablebracelets, necklaces, cuff links, earrings, andrings that are set, braided, and polished byhand in Copenhagen, Denmark.www.shamballajewels.com

SIMON G.Combining old-world tradition and the pursuitof perfection, Simon G. Jewelry’s modernworkshop produces some of the world’s mostinnovative and timeless jewelry.www.simongjewelry.com

TIFFANY & CO.Tiffany & Co., the world-renowned jeweler,presents their anniversary collectionfeaturing gemstones that Tiffany introducedto the world. Handcrafted by master artisansand mounted in custom settings, theselegendary gemstones—morganite, tanzanite,Tsavorite, and kunzite—are the finest tributeto Tiffany’s 175th anniversary.www.tiffany.com

ULYSSE NARDINMakers of fine mechanical and technicallyinnovative timepieces since 1846.(561) 988-8600; www.ulysse-nardin.com

WALDORF ASTORIAThere’s more than one Waldorf Astoria. Theoriginal luxury hotel experience can be foundat over 20 properties worldwide.www.waldorfastoria.com

WESTIMEVisit Westime in Beverly Hills, La Jolla,and now its newest location on SunsetBoulevard in West Hollywood, California,for extraordinary watches, jewelry, andlifestyle luxuries.www.westime.com

THE BLUE TRAINTop cabin | Luxury Suite

Key selling points | These elegantly designed suites, decorated with rich chest-

nut wood finishes, feature Italian marble bathrooms with gold-plated fixtures

(plus a choice of a standup shower or full bathtub). The ultimate in comfortable

luxury, these suites transform from a spacious lounge into an inviting sleeping

space. Enjoy watching the beautiful passing landscape through the oversized

picture window, while your personal butler attends to your every need.

108108 FREE LUXURY INSIDER NEWSLETTER! ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT www.elitetraveler.com or email webinfo@elitetraveler.com

TOP LUXURY TRAIN SUITES | AFRICA

ROVOS RAILTop cabin | Royal Suite

Key selling points | Comprising half a carriage, the stately Royal Suite is

outfitted with gorgeous wood paneling, period Edwardian pieces—such as

wingback armchairs in the lounge—and rich textiles and fabrics. The large

bathroom boasts a standup shower and a Victorian claw-foot tub with a view

of the ever-changing panoramas through large windows.

Standout service | The crew stopped the train on a bridge near Victoria Falls,

cleared the observation car, scattered rose petals on the open-air balcony, and

left a bottle of champagne and two glasses for a guest who wanted to propose

to his girlfriend at sunset.

Style | Pre-war glamour, by Rohan and Anthea Vos, 1989

Special amenities |Granny Goose linens, African Extracts bath amenities, Rovos

Rail slippers, complimentary postal services, plastic goggles (for guests who

want to stick their head out the window so they can shield their eyes from debris)

Square footage | 172

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 36 suites

Who’s slept here? | Sports professionals and notable businessmen

Rate | From $2,730 for a two-night itinerary

Route | The train operates eight different routes: Two-night excursions from

Pretoria to Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Durban; a nine-day Golf Safari, African

Golf Collage, or Namibia Safari that all originate in Pretoria; a two-week Cape

Town to Dar es Salaam journey; and a 28-day Cape Town to Cairo trip.

Charter | Rovos Rail operates separate trains for private charters that,

depending on availability, can travel along any railway line in Southern Africa.

They can also allocate one leg of a scheduled departure to a private charter.

Contact | Owner Brenda Vos, 27-12-315-8311; brenda@rovos.co.za;

www.rovos.com

Standout service | For a guest recovering from a stomach virus, the chef

prepared a plain dish of pasta, but as she wasn’t able to eat even that,

crew left Diet Cokes with sliced lemon by her nightstand—the only thing

that helped calm her stomach.

Style | Elegant with African touches, by Quantum, 2012

Special amenities | Round-the-clock butler service, Dreyer & Statham

linens, individual climate control, remote-controlled blinds, international

direct-dial phone, flat-screen LG HD TV with movie and music channels,

complimentary water, wines, and spirits

Square footage | 160

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | There are two trains: One with 40 suites and

one with 26 suites.

Who’s slept here? | Nelson Mandela, Quincy Jones, Desmond Tutu,

Mia Farrow, Naomi Campbell, Elton John, Kylie Minogue

Rate | From about $1,410 per person for an overnight journey

Route | The train travels between Pretoria and Cape Town on one-way

overnight journeys.

Charter | The Blue Train is available for charter for overnight journeys

or on a short-term basis, such as for high tea or dinner service. A

minimum of 20 passengers is recommended and rates are subject to

time of year and train availability.

Contact | Executive Manager Hanlie Kotze, 27-12-315-2241;

hanlie.kotze@bluetrain.co.za; www.bluetrain.co.za

LOUNGE / ROYAL SUITE

SLEEPING CABIN / LUXURY SUITE

AERIAL VIEW / THE

BLUE TRAIN

HILLSIDE EXCURSION / ROVOS RAIL

110110

TOP LUXURY TRAIN SUITES | EUROPE

MAJESTIC VISTAS / THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN

THE ROYAL SCOTSMANTop cabin | Double State Cabin

Key selling points | Highland country house meets Edwardian elegance in

these comfortable, posh cabins, which come complete with a dressing table,

full-length wardrobe, opening windows, and a private bathroom with shower,

sink, and lavatory. Exquisite marquetry work lines the wood-paneled walls,

while sumptuous tartan fabrics adorn the furnishings.

Standout service | For a surprise proposal, the crew arranged for a scuba

diver to go into the water at the beach at Morar Sands, come out of the water

with the engagement ring, and present it to the couple.

Style | Scottish traditional, by James Park, 1990

Special amenities | Complimentary cocktail on arrival, individually controlled

heating, high-quality foam pillows and hypoallergenic duvets, crew members

on-hand 24 hours a day

Square footage | Approximately 85

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 19, including two Double State Cabins

Who’s slept here? | British royalty and celebrities

Rate | From $3,710 per person for a two-night itinerary

Route | The train travels 10 routes that all originate and end in Edinburgh

(plus one that terminates in London) and makes stops in destinations

including Keith, Glasgow, Perth, and Ardlui.

Charter | The Royal Scotsman is available for private charters for one-day

excursions or one- to four-night journeys.

Contact | General Manager Michael Andrews, 44-845-217-0799;

mandrews@royalscotsman.co.uk; www.orient-express.com

EL TRANSCANTÁBRICO GRAN LUJOTop cabin | Suite Privilege

Key selling points | There are 14 identically sized suites on board, each

with its own unique style and charm, but the exquisite Suite Privilege is

the newest. It boasts a full bathroom designed by Roca with a sauna and

hydromassage shower, beautiful wood paneling, an intricate stained-glass

window, and a leather sofa in the lounge area that faces large windows

showcasing the Spanish countryside.

Standout service | The crew accommodates any guest requests, including

restaurant reservations for those who wish to dine out during the journey

and securing tickets to landmarks like the original Altamira Caves.

Style | Classical with a modern edge, by José Antonio Rodríguez García, 2009

Special amenities | Italian tapestries, La Viuda de Tolrá linens, Loewe

cologne and skin cream, two flat-screen Samsung TVs

Square footage | 108

Number of bedrooms | One

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 14 suites

Who’s slept here? | Top actors, sports stars, politicians, and presidents

Rate | $5,640 per person for a seven-night itinerary

Route | The train runs from San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela,

and vice versa, along the Cantabrian coast.

Charter | El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo is available for charter and tailor-

made trips whenever there are no regularly scheduled departures. The

duration of the trip and the number of passengers are flexible, though the

minimum duration is one day and the maximum number of passengers is 28.

Contact | Executive José Antonio Rodríguez García, 34-902-555-902;

jarodriguez.garcia@renfe.es; www.eltranscantabricogranlujo.com

EDWARDIAN-INSPIRED SPACE /

DOUBLE STATE CABIN

BEACHSIDE VOYAGE / EL TRANSCANTÁBRICO GRAN LUJO

112112 SEE MORE GREAT SUITES AT www.elitetraveler.com/top101

TREN AL ANDALUSTop Cabin | Superior Suite

Key selling points | These recently refurbished suites, within carriages that

were built in France in the 1920s and used by the British monarchy, still retain

their stunning Belle Époque style, like wood paneling with gold accents. But

now they sport all updated amenities such as independent climate control,

well-stocked minibars, and full bathrooms.

Standout service | The crew has arranged for dance classes to take place on

board, as well as special “show cooking” performances, so guests can watch

and interact with the chefs preparing their meals.

Style | French, by José Antonio Rodríguez García and Cintratec-España, 2011

Special amenities | Large wardrobe with a personal minibar, independent

temperature control, daily newspaper and magazine, transportation for

off-train excursions, onboard musical performances

Square footage | 75

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 32 suites

Who’s slept here? | High-profile politicians and dignitaries

TOP LUXURY TRAIN SUITES | EUROPE

Rate | $4,310 per person for a five-night itinerary

Route | The train journey begins and ends in Seville and stops in Córdoba,

Úbeda, Baeza, Granada, Ronda, Jerez, and Cádiz.

Charter | Tren Al Andalus is available for private hire outside of the regular

season, with trips of one day or more, for a maximum of 64 people. Itineraries

can be organized anywhere in Spain.

Contact | Executive José Antonio Rodríguez García, 34-902-555-902;

jarodriguez.garcia@renfe.es; www.trenalandalus.com

VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESSTop cabin | Cabin Suite

Key selling points | Stepping into one of the cabin suites is like stepping

back in time as all were restored to their former glory and retain the charm

and vintage inspiration of the 1920s and 1930s. Each suite, which consists of

two interconnected cabins for additional space, features rich mahogany wood

paneling, large picture windows that open, and an en-suite washbasin

(a mosaic-tiled full bathroom is shared by the carriage guests).

Standout service | For one guest who wanted to propose to his girlfriend on

board the train, the train manager helped coordinate everything from the

flowers to the champagne.

Style | Old-world charm, by Dunn, Maple, Morrison, Nelson, and Prou, 1982

Special amenities | Complimentary cocktail on arrival, complimentary

slippers and dressing gown, mahogany paneling, crew members on hand

24 hours a day

Square footage | 72

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One half-bath

Number of cabins on train | 111 cabins, including a possible total of

38 cabin suites

Who’s slept here? | Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Stewart, J.K. Rowling,

Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel

Rate | From $990 per person for a one-day itinerary

Route | The train offers 22 direct and indirect routes between European

cities including Paris, London, Venice, Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, Vienna,

and Istanbul.

Charter | The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express can be chartered for up to

182 guests for one of the scheduled departures, or guests can choose the

destination, duration of the journey, and all onboard activities instead.

Contact | General Manager Claude Ginella, 44-845-217-0799;

claude.ginella@orient-express.com; www.orient-express.com

BELLE ÉPOQUE-STYLE CABIN / SUPERIOR SUITE

COUNTRYSIDE PASSAGE / VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS

SLEEPING

QUARTERS /

CABIN SUITE SEATING AREA / CABIN SUITE

114114

THE GOLDEN EAGLETop cabin | Imperial Suite

Key selling points | These lavish sanctuaries are the most spacious cabins

on any train in Russia and feature large double beds, a lounge area with a

dressing table, a small library, two picture windows, and a private en-suite

bathroom with a power shower (no need to worry about wavering pressure)

and heated floors. Done up in tones of blue and yellow with rich wood

accents, the suites are as regal as they are serene.

Standout service | One passenger discovered she was of Russian heritage

and her great-grandfather was buried near Moscow, so the train’s tour

manager arranged for her to visit the cemetery during her trip.

Style |Modern, by Russian Railways’ design team, 2012

Special amenities | L’Occitane toiletries, dedicated butler service,

complimentary bottle of Dom Pérignon upon arrival, private car and

guide for off-train excursions, laundry service

Square footage | 120

Number of bedrooms | One

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 56 cabins and two suites

Who’s slept here? | The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent have

traveled on The Golden Eagle.

Rate | $29,995 per person for a 14-night itinerary

THE DANUBE EXPRESSTop cabin | Deluxe Suite

Key selling points | The Danube Express is the only private train in

Central Europe that offers guests en-suite facilities, and when you book

one of the Deluxe Suites, you’ll be treated to a plush living area with three

chairs by day that converts into a sleeping area with two cozy beds by night.

Dark wood paneling, luxurious brass fittings, a full-length wardrobe, and

a large picture window complete the space.

Standout service | After one guest requested a beverage that was not

available on board, the crew picked it up at the next destination for the

guest to enjoy for the duration of the trip.

Style | Classic, by owner Howard Trinder and designer Agnes Zsigmond, 2008

Special amenities | 24-hour cabin attendant, fresh flowers, complimentary

mineral water and most beverages upon request, Fusion toiletries,

individual air-conditioning

Square footage | 83

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 19 suites

Who’s slept here? | A-list celebrities and royalty

Rate | $4,550 per person for a three-night itinerary

Route | The train runs four-day journeys from Budapest to Istanbul,

Istanbul to Budapest, and Budapest to Prague, and a 10-day journey

from Istanbul to Prague.

Charter | The Danube Express is available for private charters carrying

up to 38 guests, with flexible departures and destinations.

Contact | Business Manager Alyson Moorfoot, 44-1-462-441-400;

amoorfoot@danube-express.com; www.danube-express.com

TOP LUXURY TRAIN SUITES | EUROPE/ASIA PACIFIC

VIADUCT CROSSING / THE DANUBE EXPRESS

LIVING AREA / DELUXE SUITE

LOUNGE CAR /

THE DANUBE

EXPRESS

GOURMET DINING / THE

DANUBE EXPRESS

Route | The train runs fromMoscow to Vladivostok, via Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.

Charter | The Golden Eagle is available for full buyouts for regularly

scheduled departures.

Contact | President and Founder Tim Littler, 44-161-928-9410;

tim.littler@goldeneagleluxurytrains.com or mail@goldeneagleluxurytrains.com;

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

LOUNGE / IMPERIAL SUITE

116116 FREE LUXURY INSIDER NEWSLETTER! ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AT www.elitetraveler.com or email webinfo@elitetraveler.com

MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESSTop cabin | Presidential Suite (Navratna)

Key selling points | Reserve this tony cabin, also known as Navratna,

which means “nine precious gems,” and you’ll have an entire railcar

to yourself—just like a modern-day maharaja. Reminiscent of a bygone

era, the suite’s two plush bedrooms (one with skylights), two bathrooms,

and a sitting and dining area will make you feel more like you’re staying

in an apartment than a train carriage.

Standout service | One guest forgot his camera in his hotel room in

Mumbai, so the crew arranged for the it to be shipped from Mumbai

to the train’s next destination before the guest ever even needed it.

Style | Lotus-inspired, by Elizabeth Kerkar, 2009

Special amenities | Kohler-fitted bathtub, two 26-inch Sony flat-screen

TVs, fresh fruit replenished daily, private vehicle and translator,

complimentary house wine, spirits, and beer

Square footage | 448

Number of bedrooms | Two

Number of bathrooms | Two

Number of cabins on train | 43, including 23 suites

Who’s slept here? | Oil company board members, a former top

Microsoft exec

Rate | From $12,900 per person for a three-night itinerary

Route | The train offers five routes, three of which start and end in Delhi,

one that starts in Delhi and ends in Mumbai, as well as one that runs the

reverse from Mumbai to Delhi. Some destinations along the way include

Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ranthambore National Park, and Agra.

Charter |Maharajas’ Express is available for a full charter on existing

TOP LUXURY TRAIN SUITES | ASIA PACIFIC

LIVING ROOM / PRESIDENTIAL

SUITE (NAVRATNA)

EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESSTop cabin | Presidential Cabin

Key selling points | The largest and most opulent accommodations on board,

the Presidential Cabins have their own separate dressing areas with an

en-suite shower and lavatory, plus a deluxe lounge decorated with intricate

marquetry that converts into a cozy bedroom with two single beds at

night. Here, guests can relax and gaze out the oversized picture windows

while enjoying the services of a cabin steward 24 hours a day.

Standout services | The staff has assisted with guest requests ranging from

coordinating a personalized birthday menu to specially baking and decorating

a cake for a couple who was celebrating their anniversary on board.

Style | Asian colonial, by Dunn, Maple, Morrison, Nelson, and Prou, 1993

Special amenities | Bulgari bath amenities, fresh fruit and flowers,

complimentary dressing gown, complimentary minibar

Square footage | 120

Number of bedrooms | One open-plan space

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | 66, including two suites

Who’s slept here? | Andrew Lloyd Webber, Robin Leach, Neil Young

Rate | From $2,170 per person for a one-night itinerary

Route | The train runs along six different routes that originate and

end in Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, and visit destinations

in Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia.

Charter | The Eastern & Oriental Express is available for a full charter

for up to 80 guests for one of the regularly scheduled departures, or

tailored journeys can be arranged.

Contact | General Manager Nicolas Pillet, 44-845-217-0799;

nicolas.pillet@orient-express.com; www.orient-express.com

routes for a minimum of 53 people. For charters along other routes, special

arrangements can be made based on requirements and inclusions.

Contact | General Manager Sunil Tarneja, 91-971-764-0602;

starneja4453@irctc.com; www.the-maharajas.com

SLEEPING COMPARTMENT / PRESIDENTIAL CABIN

THE SCOOP ON PRIVATE CHARTERSPlane, train, or automobile? Whether you’re looking to host a birthday party,

corporate outing, or simply because you’re a rail enthusiast, make like War-

ren Buffett and Bill Gates, and consider chartering a private railcar for a luxe

personalized journey. While many tourist trains are available for full buyouts,

there are also a host of privately owned carriages that can be chartered on a

single-car basis and tailored specifically to your needs. Just think of them as

hotels on wheels as most come fully outfitted with kitchens; living, lounging,

and dining areas; separate sleeping cabins with en-suite bathrooms; and

sightseeing features like observation windows or outdoor platforms. Many

private railcars, which ordinarily sleep six to eight guests comfortably, date to

the 1920s through 1950s, and while some maintain the style of this erstwhile

era, most have been thoroughly updated with all modern amenities to make

your journey as comfortable as possible.

Sourcing privately owned railcars and coordinating logistics can be laborious

though, so it’s best to employ insider consultation services, such as those pro-

vided by PTSI Transportation, who can help pave the way for your private rail

journey. They handle everything from procuring a suitable carriage, to securing

clearances to travel along Amtrak rail lines in the US, to providing compre-

hensive onboard food and beverage services. PTSI Transportation Managing

Director Michael Weinman suggests that you start looking into chartering at

least three months in advance, though six months is ideal. While pricing varies,

Weinman noted that a recent three-day, round-trip journey he coordinated from

New York to Pittsburgh started around $9,000 for the train and transportation

clearances, plus another $4,000 to 6,000 for onboard services including all trip

arrangements. So for your next trip, forget the planes and automobiles, and

travel in style by train. If you decide you want to own your own private railcar,

PTSI can also assist you in selecting, acquiring, and upgrading it.

Contact: PTSI Transportation Managing Director Michael Weinman,

(201) 933-5530; mrw@ptsitransportation.com; www.ptsitransportation.com

THE GHANTop cabin | Platinum Cabin

Key selling points | The private lounge space with ample seating and a

movable table in this premium cabin takes in postcard-worthy views through

panoramic windows and becomes a comfortable double-bedded (or twin-bed-

ded upon request) sleeping space where you can relax at night. An additional

interior window allows you to catch the action on the inside of the train too,

just in case you get tired of the passing Red Center landscape.

Standout service | A Platinum Service traveler celebrating her 60th birthday

on the train was welcomed aboard with balloons and streamers.

Style | Bygone luxury, by in-house team, 2004

Special amenities | Appelles Apothecary bath amenities, private transfers

at the beginning and end of journey, cabin steward service, complimentary

wines, beers, and spirits

Square footage | 83

Number of bedrooms | One

Number of bathrooms | One

Number of cabins on train | Variable, but typically inclusive of

10 to 20 Platinum Cabins

Who’s slept here? | Australian country music singer James Blundell

Rate | $3,390 per person for a two-night itinerary

Route | The train travels through the heart of Australia, operating on scenic

routes between Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Darwin, and taking in spec-

tacular natural wonders like Red Center and the ancient Nitmiluk Gorge at

Katherine.

Charter | Though not available for private charter, The Ghan

does offer private carriages.

Contact | VIP Services, 61-8-8213-2147; www.greatsouthernrail.com.au

TOP LUXURY TRAIN SUITES | ASIA PACIFIC

118

LOUNGE / PLATINUM CABIN

SLEEPING SPACE /

PLATINUM CABIN

122

SPECIAL PROMOTION

EXPERIENCE CHINESE ICONS WITHTHE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLDAs the world's largest luxury hotel collection, with more than 430 of the world's greatest properties in over 80 countries, The Leading Hotels of

the World seeks out the exceptional, connecting you with iconic hotels around the world and unique experiences no one else can offer. With a

portfolio that includes historic grand palaces, intimate city hideaways, ancient castles, sumptuous safari tent villages and more, each property in

the collection strives to celebrates the culture of its destination. Leading Hotels selects only hotels that meet the highest standards of quality and

distinctiveness. If you are seeking the ideal cultural experience in China, that includes the very best of the region's legendary service and commit-

ment to high-end luxury, consider the exceptional Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, a grand dame property steeped in heritage and gravitas, and

the Fuchun Resort in Hangzhou, an idyllic countryside getaway that offers unparalleled relaxation along with world-class golf and other activities.

FAIRMONT PEACE HOTELSHANGHAI, CHINA

The Sassoon Presidential Suite

One of the most prestigious luxury hotel suites in Shanghai, the 2,885-square-

foot Sassoon Presidential Suite occupies the entire 10th floor penthouse of

Fairmont Peace Hotel, where the hotel’s creator and former owner, Victor

Sassoon, once lived. An entrepreneurial businessman and hotelier from the

Sassoon banking family, Sir Victor transformed the city, establishing various

commercial entities to support rapid development, particularly on the Bund.

The suite features a spacious bedroom and a grand living room, both overlook-

ing the breath-taking view of the Bund, the Huangpu River and Pudong Skyline.

The Leading Hotels of the World offers a one-of-a-kind experience at the

Sassoon Presidential Suite (LOK). The Historical Shanghai Experience

starts at about RMB 38,888 ( USD 6,366) and includes:

• Three nights in the Sassoon Presidential Suite

• Daily breakfast, two-way airport limousine transfer and complimentary

pressing

• Dinner for two in the Dragon Phoenix Chinese restaurant; afternoon tea in

the Jasmine Lounge; welcome roof-top drinks; a Willow Stream Spa treat-

ment for two; private tours to Shanghai’s famous Silk Market, 33 historical

buildings and an historical water village.

FUCHUN RESORTHANGZHOU, CHINA

The Fuchun Villas

Grouped in small clusters according to traditional Chinese village-style, the

Fuchun Villas meld traditional design elements with modern comforts to

create an atmosphere of casual elegance. The villas are concealed quietly

in the embrace of mountains, and offer distinguished guests a secluded and

cozy spot to conduct business dining or a private holiday environment with

24-hour butler service. While most city dwellers tend to escape to the sea-

shore, Shanghai natives head inland to experience the beauty, rest and re-

juvenation offered at the Fuchun Resort. The property, set amidst a hillside

tea plantation in the lake district of Fuyang, near Hangzhou, was inspired by

a 13th-century painting by Huang Gongwang. Serenity is also found within at

the renowned spa that offers sessions of Himalayan yoga.

The Leading Hotels of the World offers an exclusive Fuchun Villa experience

that combines the resort’s stunning 18-hole golf course and club with the re-

sort’s signature Mingqian Longjing tea. The Fuchun Tea Picking Experience

and Golf program gives guests access to the the international-standard 18-

hole, 72-par course designed by Daniel J. Obermeyer, as well as a tea ceremony

in the property’s amphitheatre at sunset--an experience not to be missed.

For details of these exclusive experiences,

kindly contact a Leading Hotels Representative

(800) 223-6800 . www.lhw.com

DUSK/FUCHUN RESORT

SASSOON PRESIDENTIAL SUITE/FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL

GRAND PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

/ TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE

14 DAYS

124

14 DAYS: THE INDIA LESS TRAVELEDJourneys to India are as intense as its colors are vibrant; senses become alive, and even

chaos resonates with beauty. But India becomes its most profound when you truly live it. Ker

& Downey’s new Experiential Luxuries of India does just that. Designed as the ultimate India

dream trip, this 14-day itinerary weaves together the best of India outside the major cities, and

with customized “wow” experiences in each destination, this unique private jet tour of the

subcontinent promises unparalleled access that gives a total sense of place. BY SCOTT GOETZ

THE DIVINE SOUL OF INDIA, VARANASI

At Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, your Ker &

Downey rep ushers you through customs

and introduces you to Indradjeet, an expert

Varanasi guide. On the way to your hotel,

learn about one of the oldest continuously

living cities in the world and why India’s

spiritual center is important to many major

religions. Pass through the gates of your

first—and with only 10 suites, the most in-

timate—royal residence, the Taj Nadesar

Palace. Gong chimes, incense, chanted

blessings, jasmine garlands, and a vermil-

lion bindi placed on your forehead combine

to give you an unmistakable sense of place.

Like Queen Elizabeth, you’ll stay in the Royal

Suite (from about $781 a night). After lunch

and a rest, experience Aarti, a daily sunset

ritual at the ghats of the Ganges that has

been taking place for hundreds of years.

Back on the terrace of your palace, a cham-

pagne toast and an introduction to Banarasi-

Varanasi cuisine complete your day.

Taj Nadesar Palace: General Manager

Ahmar Siddiqui, 91-9044000551; ahmar.

siddiqui@tajhotels.com; www.tajhotels.com

1 RITUAL & PURITY, VARANASI

Jet lag is on your side for a sunrise boat tour

on the Ganges. A riot of temples, shrines,

and humanity line the shore of this sacred

spot where the river turns to look back at its

source in the Himalayas. Witness morning

bathing rituals, offerings to Mother Ganga,

and Hindu funeral pyres as your boatman

paddles past the ghats. Acquire your Ru-

draksha prayer beads from a Sadu before re-

turning to the palace to immerse yourself in

luxury with Jiva Spa’s Abhisheka purifying

bathing ritual, which combines pure source

water from the Ganges, rose petals, yogurt,

honey, and a sandalwood scrub. In the af-

ternoon visit Sarnath, where Buddha first

preached his Dharma Deshana, then return

to the hotel for a tour of the palace grounds

in a centuries-old horse-drawn carriage.

After sunset, make your way to the palace’s

400-year-old temple for Aarti, then follow

the sitar to your Baradari Dinner celebra-

tion, a mogul’s feast with fireworks.

Jiva Spa: Director Sushmita Sarangi, 91-

2266651285; sushmita.sarangi@tajhotels.

com; www.tajhotels.com/jivaspas

INDO-EUROPEAN

SPLENDOR, HYDERABAD

Jet to the gateway of Southern India,

Hyderabad, an ancient city famous for its

pearls and diamonds. Head by Jaguar to Fal-

aknuma Palace, which Taj Hotels spent 10

years restoring to its 19th-century glory. A

cascade of petals confirms your royal status

as you retrace the paths of the nizam, once

the richest man in the world. Ascend the

grand marble staircase past French tapes-

tries and a two-ton pipe organ to meet the

palace historian for a champagne tour of the

fascinating property’s 22 halls whose high-

lights include a huge Venetian chandelier

collection. In the afternoon, designer Vinita

Pittie will swathe you in the height of mod-

ern Indian fashion, you’ll shop at the Laad

Bazaar, famous for its carved bangles, and

fourth-generation ittar perfume makers will

customize a scent for you in time for your pri-

vate dinner for two at a dining table measur-

ing 108 feet, and seating 101.

Taj Falaknuma Palace: General Manager

Girish Sehgal, 91-40-6629-8585; girish.

sehgal@tajhotels.com; www.tajhotels.com

2 3

126126 DOWNLOAD EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION GUIDES AT www.elitetraveler.com/destinationguides

14 DAYS

REVITALIZATION, LAKE KUMARAKOM

Wake up with the sun’s rays hitting coconut palms as you float past the

morning fishermen. Cruise to Vembrand Lake, the largest in Kerala for

breakfast and try to spot otters on the shoreline. After fishing on the lake

check into the Presidential Suite ($1,200 a night) with a private pool at

Kumarakom Lake Resort and make your way directly to the spa. Kerala

is the home of Ayurveda, and it’s here that you’ll meet with an Ayurvedic

doctor who will prescribe the right mix of herbs for your Sirodhara treat-

ment that, when blended with warm coconut oil and applied in a gentile

stream on your head for 45 minutes, reduces stress and mental tension.

Follow this up with a therapeutic massage and relax in your suite until

evening, when you’ll taste regional specialties from the sea in Ettukettu,

an eight-sided mansion commissioned by King Marthanda Varma as a

gift to his martial arts tutor.

Kumarakom Lake Resort: General Manager Neelkantan Damodaran,

91-9995318000; neel@thepaul.in; www.kumarakomlakeresort.in

6

UNVEILING HYDERABAD

Wake up in the two-story Grand Presidential Suite (from about $11,410

a night), the largest in India, and plunge into the suite’s pool while your

exemplary butler Himanshu sets your breakfast table with Versace. Ex-

plore the city’s past and present at the Charminar monument/mosque,

Chowmahalla palace, and several private residences where a biryani

cooking demonstration will lead to lunch at Taj Krishna’s Firdaus,

known for the best biryani in town. Freshen up back at Falaknuma be-

fore your meeting with the visionary designer credited with returning the

palace to its former glory, Her Highness Princess Ezra, in her private

residence on palace grounds (subject to prior arrangements). Savor your

Shikaar Kaa Khaana Hunting Experience Dinner on the Royal Terrace,

2,000 feet above the sparkling lights of Hyderabad.

LOCAL TRANQUILITY, KERALA BACKWATERS

Fly south to decompress in Kerala where after meeting your guide Rad-

hika, you head to Alleppey for a houseboat tour of the gentle backwaters.

Totaling 560 miles, these narrow, intertwining waterways just inland of

the coast are lined with lush vegetation and palms. An overnight on a

local houseboat is an undisputed must, and you’ll do so in style aboard

Injourni, the best in the region (about $1,500 a night). Cantilevered nets

dip in and out of the water as you make your way past small fishing vil-

lages, where you’ll glimpse colorful flashes of a simpler way of life. Put

your feet up, take in the passing scenery, and completely unplug as you

cruise deep into the narrow channels and your private chef prepares de-

licious meals on board.

Injourni: Pooja Kapoor, 91-9810362052; poojakapoo@hotmail.com

CULTURAL IMMERSION, COCHIN

An early morning transfer through tea, cardamom, pepper, and rubber

plantations ends at the Arabian Sea-side town of Cochin. Take the ferry

across what is believed to be the finest harbor in the world and the old-

est European settlement in India. Check into a Deluxe Sea Facing Suite

($715 a night) at historic, 22-room Brunton Boatyard Hotel. Try the

chef’s fish curry at lunch then head out to explore the 500-year-old Fort

Kochi before walking through rambling alleys resplendent with Dutch

and Portuguese architecture to Jew Street, a designer’s paradise full of

brass sculptures, old wooden carvings, and antique nautical items. Mar-

vel at an evening performance of Kathakali, an ancient art of silent facial

expressions and dance. Afterwards, join the cast of the Cochin Cultural

Center for the ultimate Kerala photo session, where they’ll transform

your party into the characters, an exacting process involving facial and

body prosthetics, heavy makeup, headgear, bells, and, for the purists,

sollanum seeds to redden the whites of the eyes.

Brunton Boatyard Hotel: General Manager Radha Krishna Shenoi,

91-484-3990500; radhakrishnashenoi@cghearth.com;

www.cghearth.com/brunton-boatyard

4 5

7

CHARMINAR / HYDERABAD

WATERSIDE LIVING /

KUMARAKOM LAKE

RESORT

HOUSEBOAT ON THE

BACKWATERS / KERALA

DINING AT DUSK / BRUNTON BOATYARD HOTEL

127

LIVE LIKE A MAHARAJA, JODHPUR

Jet off to Jodhpur, known as the Blue City, where, well before landing,

you’ll see your Chittar sandstone palace proudly standing on a 26-acre

hilltop overlooking the desert capital. Royal butler Sikander and your Ker

& Downey guide escort you home in a vintage Jaguar, where live music,

showers of rose petals, and champagne welcome you into the Umaid

Bhawan Palace. This royal splurge is worth every rupee when checking

into the Indo-European/Art Deco masterpieces that are the Maharaja

and Maharani Suites (about $12,225 a night). Built by Maharaja Umaid

Singh between 1929 and 1943, this wing of two separate his-and-her

private residences has hosted Madonna, Elizabeth Hurley, and other lu-

minaries. Whether Sikander is teaching a lesson in nine meters of preci-

sion turban tying, delivering fresh cool towels by the subterranean 1930s

Zodiac-themed pool, assisting in photo shoots during a historical tour, or

serving cocktails and canapés in the maharaja’s former living room, this

star butler is at your service to help you enjoy the palace, creatively and

authentically, throughout your stay.

Umaid Bhawan Palace: General Manager Vincent Ramos,

91-291-251-0101; vincent.ramos@tajhotels.com; www.tajhotels.com

10 EXPLORING JODHPUR

The sun illuminates the cliffs ofMehrangarh Fort as Sikander serves an

Indian breakfast on the maharani’s private terrace. Prior arrangements

allow for exclusive pre-opening access to the fort, where you make your

grand entrance upon a painted elephant. After touring the residence of

maharajas past, built in 1459, visit Chamunda Temple and Jaswant

Thada, then lunch in the gardens at On the Rocks with the maharaja’s

nephew as your host. Fill your jet with antique pashminas, linens, and

other treasures woven for Etro and Hermès by Maharani Textiles. Back

in the suite, Sikander outfits you in traditional attire and the royal jeweler

delivers an exquisite array of finely cut emeralds from the same collec-

tions with which he supplied Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Fireworks light

up the palace during your private Royal Rajasthani Thali Dinner in the

garden, a feast that continues to surprise with a parade of singers, danc-

ers, and sitar players who accompany each course. A nightcap in the

Trophy Bar crowns another day fit for a king.

Maharani Art Exporters: Owner Mukesh Jain, 91-291-2639226;

maharanitextile@sify.com

11

BEACH BLISS / THE LEELA GOA

UMAID BHAWAN PALACE / JODHPUR

JASWANT THADA / JODHPUR

SAND, SUN, AND FUN, GOA

As commercial connections aren’t the easiest to Goa, a jet definitely maximizes time and affords the opportunity for a true beach break as you make

your way to Northern India. From Dabolim Airport head south through the jungle past centuries-old Portuguese mansions and fishing villages to

Margao’s Fatorda District to shop at Fab India for contemporary Indian home décor and clothing that makes great resort wear. At The Leela Goa your

butler welcomes you into your 4,305-square-foot Presidential Suite (about $2,834 a night). The time is yours to recharge: Take a dip in your private

plunge pool or Jacuzzi, play a round on the 12-hole golf course outside your door, or work up an appetite by strolling on the pristine beach just beyond. A

driver stands by to deliver partiers to the legendary nightlife and internationally renownedmusic scene at Gaudí-esque LPK, aka Love, Passion, Karma.

The Leela Goa: General Manager Shridhar Nair, 91-832-6621234; shridhar.nair@theleela.com; www.theleela.com

8&9

DESERT ESCAPE, JAISALMER

Skip the six-hour drive to Jaisalmer: Ker & Downey has

cleared you for landing in the Golden City where no com-

mercial planes fly. Check into The Serai, a 21-tent luxury

camp on the edge of The Great Thar Desert. The Royal

Suite ($1,131 a night) harks to the days of maharajas’ lav-

ish hunting safaris, and boasts a private garden, spa, out-

door pool, and separate tents in which to dine, lounge, and

sleep in the air-conditioned comfort of this 100-acre oasis.

Dining at thisRelais&Châteaux destination is as delicious

as the silence is serene and the views breathtakingly vast.

The Serai: GeneralManager Jtin Sahni, 91-2997-200014;

manager@the-serai.com; www.sujanluxury.com

JAISALMER ADVENTURES

After a leisurely breakfast in your tented compound, venture into the 800-year-old Jais-

almer Fort, identical to what was seen by 12th-century merchants on camel caravans.

Shopping is fun but touristy, so get out quick to spend more time at your next home,

Suryagarh, a newly built haven that combines modern and ancient, while sensually

celebrating the exotic. By creating tailored experiences for each guest, hotelier Karan

Singh delivers an uncompromising sense of place with the magic of Prospero. Full moon

Dinners on the Dunes with desert performances, camel excursions to opium tea cer-

emonies, desert rallies in fortified Humvees, haunted midnight hikes into an abandoned

village, and spiritual awakenings in both the Rait Spa and out on the dunes are all pos-

sible for those who are open to letting the desert, and your host, take the reins for a day.

Suryagarh: General Manager Karan Singh, 91-299-2269269; karan@suryagarh.com;

www.suryagarh.com

THE LAST MEALS, JAISALMER & DELHI

Wake up in the Jaisalmer Suite (about $1,216 a night) before dawn and head out to a surprise destination for a scotch and cigar breakfast in the company of

hundreds of wild peacocks who join you to greet the sun. Afterwards, relax in your suite’s rooftop pool to savor your last moments in the Thar before pointing the

jet to Delhi. Ease back into civilization in the Presidential Suite (about $4,809 a night) of the new Oberoi, Gurgaon close to the airport. Butler Sumit Vashisht

packs and takes care of airport formalities while you attend a farewell dinner at Amaranta, where a tasting menu of freshly caught seafood has been flown in for

you. The Indian breads sprinkled with salts and spices from each of the regions you visited, along with Kerala fish curry, butter paper garlic crab from Goa, and

lobster in banana leaves inspire conversations of recently made India memories that are bound to become stories of a lifetime.

The Oberoi, Gurgaon: General Manager David Mathews, 91-124-2451234; david.mathews@oberoihotels.com; www.oberoihotels.com

12 13

14

SPA / THE SERAI SWIMMING POOL / SURYAGARH THE OBEROI, GURGAON / GURGAON

14 DAYS

BEHIND THE SCENESHandling VVIPs in India is the Ker & Downey tradition. These top pros take true interest in their clients, and are adept at getting to know them and anticipating

their wishes. Selling luxury travel for a decade, Ker & Downey’s India luxury specialist Sunita Hedaoo grew up on the subcontinent and now returns twice a year to

consult with her A-list connections. She scouts out the best experiences so she can craft incredibly personal itineraries that unveil India’s cultural soul, and works

with like-minded hotels, such as the Taj Group, so that an entire on-the-ground India team can facilitate fantastical events for guests—events like the takeover of

the Mehrangarh Fort for clients, who, on elephant back, joined a procession of musicians and dancers, or a personal bejeweling session with the nizam’s jeweler in

the presidential suite where the nizam would throw diamonds into his private pool.

On the jet front, Taj offers an exclusive charter service, Taj Air, with the new Taj Air Falcon 2000/2000LX and P.180 Avanti II turbo-prop aircraft, which give

the choice of 130 destinations across India (compared to 71 commercial stops). A mere four hours of advanced notice makes extensions to this 14-day itinerary

possible so you can remain royal at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur and Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur; head to Mumbai’s Taj Lands End, where the royal butler will pack

while you escape for a day in Bollywood; and jet to a tiger safari at Taj Safaris, Mahua Kothi on the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park.

Contact: Ker & Downey Vice President David Jones, (281) 371-2500; djones@kerdowney.com; www.kerdowney.com

FINANCE

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With one of the globe’s major yacht shows, Monaco, just wrapping up, the stage is set for an unforget-

table yachting season for the New Year. Here are a few top vessels from leading charter firms that

really turned heads at this year’s show. BY MIKE ESPINDLE

SHOWSTOPPERS

SAI RAM

Also garnering a lot of attention

along the quay in Monte-Carlo, the

170-foot, 2004 Benetti-built Sai

Ram was represented by Edmis-

ton. Winter charter rates are about

$284,000 a week, and she stands

as a uniquely modern example of

cutting-edge yacht design, thanks

to close cooperation between the

shipyard, architect Stefano Natucci,

and interior firm Lazzarini Picker-

ing Architetti. Wide open spaces and

contemporary furnishings blended

expertly with Asian antiques from

the owner’s private collection await

12 lucky guests. Ample deck space

means nearly 30 guests can climb

aboard if the opportunity to throw a

party arises, and it should.

Contact: Edmiston Monte-Carlo’s

Tomaso Polli, 44-20-7495-5151;

tp@edmiston.com;

www.edmistoncompany.com

CARPE DIEM

Charter firm IYC brought both the

170-foot Feadship Dream and the

191-foot, tri-deck Trinity yacht

Carpe Diem to Monaco, providing

a double vision of naval beauty for

attendees. Comfortably sleeping

12 in six staterooms, Carpe Diem

features no fewer than three full-

beam master suites for your party.

Another unique feature: The Je-

tovator, a high-tech one-person

water jet-pack that propels you 25

feet in the air and allows you to be

towed around with the yacht’s wa-

verunner! Not something you’re

going to find on just any charter

yacht, to be sure. Expect to pay

about $395,000 a week for all the

fun you can handle.

Contact: IYC’s Frank Grzeszczak,

(954) 522-2323; fg@iyc.com;

www.iyc.com

CLOUD 9

Burgess Yachts brought this 196-

foot, 2009 CMN build to Monte-Car-

lo Bay this year and impressed the

crowd with the vessel’s many ame-

nities, including a cinema, pro gym,

Jacuzzi, zero-speed stabilizers, and

more. Cloud 9 will be cruising in

Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean

this winter and features seven guest

cabins (five doubles and two twins)

to accommodate up to 12 guests.

Expect state-of-the-art communi-

cations and entertainment technol-

ogy as well as a full complement of

water toys, like a 23-foot Novurania

Chase tender and a Sport Nautique

ski/wakeboard boat. Charter rates

for the winter run about $463,000

a week.

Contact: Burgess Yachts’ Craig

Cohen, (212) 223-0140;

ccohen@burgessyachts.com;

www.burgessyachts.com

IN PROFILE / SAI RAM

AT SEA

LEADING THE WAY / EUROCOPTER EC175

French manufacturer Eurocopter’s latest product promises to set new standards in seating, range,

and, in its VIP execution, comfort and style for the industry. Find out more about this twin-engine,

medium-class helo’s unmatched appeal and functionality. BY MIKE ESPINDLE

Since its announced launch in 2008 on through its first production model flight in 2012, curious customers and

next-gen helo fans can now rest assured that, according to recent reports, certification and first deliveries of the

much-anticipated EC175medium-class helicopter are on track for early next year.

Although Eurocopter worked closely with operators to design a new craft that could serve a multitude of missions,

from offshore search and rescue to medevac operations, the EC175’s cutting-edge technologies (advanced Helionix

avionics and a four-axis autopilot system among them) will benefit elite passengers, as well. With a largest-in-class

cabin featuring ergonomic seating and separate climate control systems for the cabin and cockpit, VIP comfort should

be unrivaled. Oversized sliding doors port and starboard and larger windows provide both flawless access as well as

panoramic views to passengers. The five-blade Spheriflex main rotor, a system time-tested on the company’s popular

EC225 helo, delivers a quiet, low-vibration flight, adding even more to the passenger comfort checklist.

“The EC175 is the first helicopter to be truly designed with customers in mind, taking into account extensive

consultation with operators and end users,” said Eurocopter President and CEO Lutz Bertling. “Feedback from

throughout the EC175’s US demonstration tour confirms our success in meeting their needs.”

FOCUS ON

EUROCOPTER EC175IN FLIGHT / EUROCOPTER EC175

FAST FACTSEUROCOPTER EC175

Price: Estimated at about $8 million

Passengers: Up to 18

Certification: Expected early 2014

Range: 680 NM (about 782 statute

miles)

External dimensions (with rotors):

17.52 feet high; 59.24 feet long;

48.54 feet wide

Internal dimensions: 434 cubic feet

Cruise speed: 150 ktas (172 mph)

Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada

PT6C-67Es

Contact: American Eurocopter Pres-

ident Marc Paganini, (972) 641-0000;

marc.paganini@eurocopterusa.com;

www.eurocopterusa.com

JET FOCUS

Customer focused.A dedicated professional service.

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INDULGE INA WESTERNADVENTUREIn a powerful grand tourer like the Bentley

Continental, the drive from San Francisco to

Vegas becomes a real-life Western adven-

ture. Race through wild, unspoiled desert

and dense, prehistoric forest as the miles

melt away, until the glittering oasis of Vegas

takes shape on the horizon.

SPECIAL PROMOTION

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GO TO EXTREMES

This 745-mile odyssey through the American West

includes ancient forest highlands and the sun-

baked floor of Death Valley, bookended by the Gild-

ed Age splendour of San Francisco and, at its cli-

max, the vibrant majesty of Las Vegas. But let’s face

it: to do this journey justice, you need the right car.

A fast, luxurious grand tourer like the Bentley Con-

tinental will transport you and your passengers at

speed and in style. With 616 horsepower and all-

wheel drive, there’s no better way to indulge your

inner runaway and head for the horizon.

As you embrace the open road, the drop-top allows

you to decide exactly how much of it you and your

companions enjoy, from the elemental thrill of to-

tal, top-down exhilaration to a serenely insulated

cruise through some of the most dramatic scenery

on the planet. San Francisco represents a natural

jumping-off point. The city has always been asso-

ciated with auspicious beginnings, combining the

birthplace of Beat poetry with the spiritual home of

the modern high-tech startup. Heading east across

the Bay Bridge, you soon leave the city’s legendary

mists behind. Before long, you’re in pure Ameri-

cana – where pickup trucks on monster tyres prowl

the highways, the scent of pine trees all around as

you climb through the Eldorado National Forest to-

wards the pristine Lake Tahoe.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO VEGAS

The primeval wonders of Yosemite National Park,

with trees that date back more than two millennia,

give way to high-desert driving at its best, an en-

vironment the Continental was made for. Whether

it’s a pre-dawn drive, taking in the sleeping desert’s

cool air, or the full hypnotic glory of midday, Death

Valley offers the archetypal Western experience –

the feeling of making your way across inhospitable

territory in a supremely capable vehicle.

Every extreme needs its antidote, which brings us

to Las Vegas, rising from the sands at the end of

the journey. It’s one of the world’s great tributes to

chutzpah and oneupmanship, its casinos and res-

taurants competing over the decades to offer the

most lavish and outlandish experiences. There are

Michelin stars aplenty, reflecting the decision of

many of the world’s top chefs to open their flagship

restaurants here, in the middle of the desert. Sa-

vour the irony – but remember, the drive back is its

own reward.

Bentley Continental GT Specs

Powerplant: 6 litre twin-turbocharged W12

Max power: 567bhp / 423Kw / 575PS @ 6100rpm

Max speed: 195mph / 314km/h

CO2 emissions (combined): 347g/km

1. St. Regis San Francisco – A luxurious hotel

in a tower with an impeccable architectural

pedigree, the St Regis boasts one of the city’s

best Japanese restaurants, Ame.

2. The Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco’s

most famous landmark and a triumph of Art

Deco engineering, the bridge is an American

icon on an incredible scale.

3. Yosemite National Park – Trees that date

back 2,000 years, glaciers and hot springs that

still erupt – Yosemite offers a spectacular, pre-

historic vision of America.

4. Death Valley – The lowest location in the

United States and one of the hottest on Earth,

the Valley is the ultimate place to experience

the extreme conditions of the untamed West.

5. Las Vegas – A town that needs no introduc-

tion. An unforgettable spectacle, Vegas is both a

culinary hotspot and an entertainment destina-

tion like no other.

For more information call +44 (0)845 689 1629 from UK, +1 (0)866 369 4450 from USA or +44 (0)117 244 1804 from elsewhere. www.theluxuryofspontaneity.com

Continental GTC fuel consumption: EU Drive Cycle in mpg(l/100km): Urban 14.1 (20.1); Extra-Urban 27.7 (10,2); Combined 19.0 (14.9). CO2 Emissions 347g/km. EPA Drive Cycle in USmpg: City driving 12,0; Highway driving 20,0; Combined 15.0.

134

QUICK TAKESMERCEDES-BENZ

E250 BLUETEC

TheMercedes-Benz

E250 BlueTEC die-

sel-powered sedan

benefits from an actual price reduction over its pre-

decessor while delivering a host of improvements.

A new 2.1-liter, four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel deliv-

ers V8-equivalent torque, 4MATIC all-wheel-drive

is optional, and there’s a choice of luxury or sport

versions distinguished by two different front-end

designs. Inside, refinements include the three-tube

instrument cluster. Base price: $51,400

Contact: Mercedes-Benz USA, (800) 367-6372;

www.mbusa.com

JAGUAR XKR

CONVERTIBLE

With Jaguar’s new

F-Type dominating

auto news, fans of

a more civilized approach to top-down sport tour-

ing should not overlook the elegant supercharged

Jaguar XKR. A growling 5.0-liter, 510hp V8 adds

over 100 hp to the standard version, and its blend of

thrilling road dynamics and gentlemanly style puts

it in a league of its own. Base price: $103,500.

Contact: Jaguar USA, (800) 452-4827;

www.jaguarusa.com

S63 AMG 4MATIC / MERCEDES-BENZ

GET MORE BREAKING LUXURY CAR NEWS AT www.elitetraveler.com

INSIDE OUT

As is to be expected, the specs on the new S-Class flagship’s top-of-the-line model, the S63 AMG

4MATIC, are truly impressive. Powered by a direct-injection, 5.5-liter twin–turbo V8 engine, this power

plant produces 577 hp and pushes the car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The hand-built AMG engine,

which features start/stop technology for better fuel economy, is mated to a multi-clutch, seven-speed

automatic transmission that is sheer poetry. In fact, all of the new S-Class variations are simply stellar

performers on the road, but the story I want to relate is all about the inside. From headlights to tail-

lights, the big sedan can be outfitted with game-changing driving assistance and safety systems you just

won’t find in any other vehicle, as well as technology for pure luxury’s sake.

A new adaptive cruise control system keeps the vehicle centered in the lane or, if no lane markings

are visible, behind a leading vehicle. The system uses radar and a stereoscopic camera to detect vehicles

ahead and to the side. It works at speeds of up to 124 mph and around slight bends, but not around sharp

curves. Similarly, a new brake assist system uses the camera to detect other vehicles and pedestrians

about to cross in front of the car and boosts braking power or automatically brakes the car to avoid hitting

a detected pedestrian at speeds of up to 31 mph. It can also sense an impending rear-end collision to the

car and applies brakes and tenses the seatbelts to mitigate whiplash injuries. A revolutionary night view

system, meanwhile, uses a thermal imaging camera to detect both pedestrians and animals at the side

of the road and automatically shows what it sees on an LCD screen behind the steering wheel.

Parking is made easier with technology that will accelerate, brake, and steer the car into any paral-

lel or perpendicular parking spot, relying on the driver only for shifting the transmission into drive or

reverse with or without his foot on the brake pedal. The technology worked flawlessly in my tests.

But the engineers’ influence goes well beyond advances in safety and convenience and into the realm

of aesthetics. This new S-Class is the first vehicle in the world with no lightbulbs inside or out. In-

stead, there are LEDs—almost 500 of them. The taillights house another world first for a car: Automatic

brightness control. Inside, the high-tech hits keep coming with surround sound systems with up to 24

speakers from a new supplier, Germany’s Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH.

Massage seats (including a “hot stone” simulator), an interior air freshener system that dissemi-

nates any aroma the owner desires, two airplane-style folding tray tables and two thermoelectric cup

holders in back, state-of-the-art entertainment systems…the list of enviable options goes on and on.

Base price for the S63 AMG is about $140,000, but technology options will add to your final price.

Contact: Mercedes-Benz USA, (800) 367-6372; www.mbusa.com

While Mercedes-Benz has historically used its flagship S-Class sedan as a gorgeous canvas for presenting the latest and greatest technology

from its workshops, this year’s models make particularly compelling, future-shock advances that will entice and excite new luxury car buyers.

BY ROBERT E. CALEM

TEST DRIVE

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BEACH HOUSE POOL / QUALIA

BEACH HOUSE DINING AND LIVING SPACE / QUALIA

PURE DECADENCE

DECADENCE DOWN UNDERBY MIKE ESPINDLE

Hamilton Island, Australia’s resort mecca developed as the vision of local vintner/sailor Bob Oatley to the tune of about $350 million, is the luxury gateway to the

Great Barrier Reef. The unparalleled qualia resort, comprising 60 eco-forward villas nestled in the eucalyptus groves on the north-most edge of the island, is the

Oatley family’s crowning achievement. And the 2,583-square-foot, two-bedroom Beach House (about $3,454 to $4,164 a night) is the jewel of that crown. Deemed

a perfect introduction to Australia by Oprah Winfrey, this accommodation was

the media star’s first stop on a recent visit to Oz a couple of years ago.

The harmonious “haute-hut” design by architect Chris Beckingham roots

guests in the scrubby, tropical environmentwithout giving up a single inch of the

latest residential comforts. To wit: Cutting-edge entertainment technology, a

10-person dining area, separate guesthouse for the entourage, and a full-sized

private swimming pool (all situated a few privacy-ensuring steps away from

the resort’s public pool/beach club hub) combine to serve as your luxurious re-

treat among wandering wallabies and friendly sulphur-crested cockatoos. Get

out on the water (or under it) during the day, by all means. Hamilton sports its

own small but fully equipped marina and harbor center. When you return from

your aquatic adventures an incredibly idyllic, silent, and Zen-worthy spa awaits

(try a signature Li’tya Kodo “melody” massage), as does the exceptional cui-

sine of Scottish chef Alastair Waddell, who melds the bounty of the Whitsunday

Islands’ seafood varieties with Australia’s own multicultural mosaic. Another

plus: Brand new GMMatthew Taverner is theman who pretty much established

Bali’s legendary Begawan Giri resort as a jetsetter must-visit.

Contact: General Manager Matthew Taverner, 61-1300-780-959;

reservations@qualia.com.au; www.qualia.com.au