The camping season is still in full swing around most parts of the country, but swiftly cooling temperatures (especially at night) are beginning to weed out all but the most hardcore of tent-pitching types. The good news? You don't have to be hardcore to enjoy camping during this season, or any other, thanks to a new trend called "glamping."
Glamping (makes me laugh every time I say it) is a term derived from the phrase "glamorous camping," and the idea is to bring nature and luxury together. Amenities vary depending on where you go, but many glamping packages include things like big, plush beds in your tent, personal butlers, gourmet food, wi-fi internet access, spa services (in a tent), and top shelf wine, liquor, cigars, etc. Rates start around $695 a night for a couple and can go as high as $50,000 a week for a family.
It used to be that having a mobile phone was a fairly expensive treat but oh how things have changed. In a strange twist it now seems that owning a landline has become the true luxury.
A recent Nielsen survey found that not only have 17% of homes already gone landline-less but that number is predicted to jump to a full 1/5 of the population (20%) by the end of the year.
So what's causing this trend? Finances, for most. It's a cold hard fact that for most people cell phones are cheaper to own and operate than landlines, all factors considered, and in today's ever-tightening economy luxuries like home phone service are getting cut out. Who would have thought, expensive and fancy as cell phones are getting these days, that the real status symbol would become the clunky home phone?
As much as celebrities make good copy here at Luxist, I confess some days I'm plumb celebbed-out from their overexposure on TV and in print. But I really couldn't stop myself from sharing the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow thinks she knows best, and wants to share it all with you real soon on her unfortunately-named website, GOOP. Not much to offer yet, but the home page urges readers to "nourish the inner aspect." And then you can select a category to explore further: make, go, get, do, be, or see. These all go to the same place, Paltrow's mission statement. If you sign up for the GOOP newsletter, Paltrow will send you some tips as well as an alert when the site officially opens. Too bad she won't be sending Coldplay tickets ... (BTW, if you're not a Paltrow fan, you can join in the making fun of her site here.)
From Turin to Genoa, Venice to Naples and more, four- and five-star hotels, resorts and restaurants dot the Italian landscape offered through THI Collection. They provide traditional Italian style, art and history with innovative and modern strokes along with exclusive, personalized spa services. One of their restaurants, the Principe Cerami in Taormina, was recently awarded the coveted Michelin Star in the 2008 Guide. Specialty packages available include individual cooking lessons with a chef in Turin, gourmet weekends in Genoa or Sicily, and exquisite chocolate tastings...yum! Check out the gallery for a taste of what THI has to offer...
If you must have a medical emergency, best do it in Stuttgart. Stuttgart just received a pair of custom-designed Porsche Cayennes to use as medical emergency transport. The duo of Porsche Cayennes combine speed and agility to climb Stuttgart's mountainous region but perform equally well in its urban areas. These new models will feature cutting edge alarms including a "hissing" sound that has been proven to alert bystanders more quickly to an oncoming emergency vehicle, meaning the roads clear faster. At least after onlookers get used to the ambulance-chic SUVs whirring by.
A few days ago I had the privilege of being a guest of American Express at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2008 in NYC. Aside from agonizing over what to wear (and realizing that of course no one was looking at me), it was a fun experience, and one I'd likely never get to have without this invite. As an AmEx guest, I got to go to a special "Skybox" to view the DKNY Spring 2009 show along with about 20 AmEx Platinum Card members, who were there (at the cool price of $700 each) to enjoy the day's events and luxuriate in special amenities as part of AmEx's "By Invitation Only" program. Also on hand were staffers from various companies associated with AmEx, who made sure the guests were comfortable and enjoying themselves. I chatted with one guest, who took advantage of the complimentary hair and makeup services that morning. She did have excellent hair. The room was too dim for me to see her makeup, but I'm sure it was lovely.
AmEx, a major Fashion Week sponsor for the second consecutive year, has long associated itself with fashion icons. On display in the tent's main lobby, front and center, was an AmEx booth that featured three iconic photos, used as part of AmEx's "I'm a Card Member" ads: Sammy Davis Jr., Diane Von Furstenburg and Venus Williams. Word is the photos changed throughout the show. Other sponsors also had booths in the main lobby, from the usual suspects, such as Judith Ripka and the Italian Trade Commission, to unexpected companies, such as Office Max and M&M's.
Domino magazine, "the guide to living with style," has a fun column called "The Deal Hunter," penned by young Columbia alum Nick Olsen, that features a plethora of style for (mostly) low prices. I know here at Luxist we're often about the high-end, big ticket items, but I think it's OK to watch the finances now and then in order to keep affording the big stuff. Olsen writes in that chatty, bloggy style (which I haven't mastered, alas) and regularly finds things from all ends of the home decor spectrum. Just to show he's not all about the cheap stuff, he recently featured a $950 table from Mecox. Check out his blog if you're looking for a deal but still want lots of style or something colorful for your home.
Polo Ralph Lauren will soon be offering American shoppers the ability to shop for goods via mobile phone. The technology itself is only about a year away (something about integrating codes for download) but the company expects Americans to warm up to the idea only very slowly after that. Although foreign consumers like the Japanese have been using similar technology for years, Americans are thought to be a little less comfortable with cutting edge shopping methods.
Do you think that's really the problem? Couldn't it be that we just have too much fun shopping to reduce the whole experience down to a tiny cellphone screen?
Hm, maybe that's just me. If you're interested look for the service to appear soon on a cell phone screen near you.
The Matthews Hospitality Group has announced via press release that two model residences in its Point Breeze development are open for viewing. Half of the 29 private residences within walking distance of Nantucket's cobbled downtown are already under agreement. (Because Nantucket real estate, like the island's timeless preppy togs, simply defies market trends.) Each owner will receive complimentary membership to Point Breeze's "ultra-elite" club, which features world-class spa, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, five-star dining and concierge service. Nantucket property owners and frequent visitors can join in the fun by becoming members of the Club at Point Breeze.
A one-bedroom condo in the historically-inspired development starts at $1.5 million. The company has also broken ground on a similar project on Palm Beach Island, meaning your summers and winters are now covered.
The One Key Travel Card is a like a membership card to a time share but more upscale. It includes first-class homes, personalized service, and local knowledge, without a significant outlay of upfront capital or whole ownership. Members have access to a worldwide portfolio of selected homes, as well as a dedicated member services representative. Cards are available by number of nights: 15, 25 or 45, for $34,900, $49,900, or $84,900, respectively. Use the nights in any combination. Pricing includes access to One Key Homes, daily housekeeping, and member services. Inquire about membership here.Choices of home style / themes include beach, city, mountain, leisure, and "hidden gems."
I'm all for getting creative and doing your own thing when it comes to weddings (I did the 'run off and get married on the beach' thing myself), but if you feel like it's all been done before and you're looking for something that's truly different have you considered getting married in space? The Japanese company Rocketplane Kistler Japan has paired up with wedding planner First Advantage to offer a marriage ceremony 62 miles up in space. For just $2.2 million you and your sweetie can exchange vows while orbiting the Earth.
Do you think they make space suits with veils and white lace?
Cittadini, founded 18 years ago, specializes in high-end, luxury linens. Made in the region of Florence, Italy, the styles are detailed and feature much embroidery. You can order custom bed or table linens, as well as towels. Select from 10 flange styles, 50 towel colors, 100 sateen colors, and 200 embroideries (0 up charges). If you're in the NYC or Long Island area, there's a showroom on Fifth Avenue (by appointment) and a boutique in Manhasset. For more info and prices, contact the company.
If you are -- or long to be -- part of the NYC social and moneyed scene, Quest is a must-read. Distributed around NYC, seemingly for free (though it has a $5 cover price), this sometimes snooty publication tracks the party scene with pages of pages of photos of dressed-up socialites and tuxedoed men, snapped by editor David Patrick Columbia at fetes and charity events. The magazine occasionally has a feature of some depth but mainly has light articles. For Luxist readers who love our "Estate of the Day" feature, Quest's Web site is great -- it is in magazine format and includes ads. That means you can scan ads featuring home listings in NYC, Connecticut, the Hamptons and so on, plus see ads for high-end jewelry, handbags, clothing, shoes, art galleries, luxury home accessories and cultural events. Click once on the page you want to view to make it bigger. You also can subscribe (tab at top of home page) if you want the hard copy ($36/one year/12 issues or $47.97/two years/24 issues).
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported on a trend that's already hit some other big cities: the napping spa. An egg-shaped, computerized sleeping pod inside Rejuvenate, an atrium-level storefront spa at one of downtown Atlanta's busiest buildings, provides a haven in which to take a 20-minute, or longer, nap. The spa, which opened in November 2007, offers five snooze suites, each separated by chocolate-colored curtains. Nappers can adjust the temperature, add lavender or citrus aromatherapy and a cool breeze for their necks. Some pods vibrate and calculate the number of calories burned while catching 40 winks.
In NYC, Yelo opened in 2007, promising brief power naps and cashmere blankets. But many spas across the country, especially getaway ones, are introducing sleep treatments, including everything from feather beds and lavender mists to overnight sleep observation. I find the whole "pod" idea claustrophobia-inducing, but the environment at a spa seems so much nicer than what the ladies at my office have -- a sofa in the bathroom. Ick. Pass the lavender, here's my cash and wake me in 20.
Rejuvenate offers timed naps (you're wakened by a gentle chime) at $14 for 20 minutes, $19 for 30 minutes and $35 for an hour. Employers can purchase bulk packages.
If you travel a lot it having nice places to stay can get really expensive. The May Fair Hotel in London is looking attract those types of travelers by offering them a way to defray those costs a little: buy one of their hotel suites for an entire year. Of course the price tag is not cheap at $585,000 but it does represent a savings of 60% compared to their regular nightly rates.
It might be nice to be able to leave some things in the suite and treat it like an apartment of sorts (an apartment that includes a daily maid and room service!) but you'd really have to travel a lot to make the cost economical. What do you think, would you do it?
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