Travel

Not to sound like a broken record but it's basically ski season. If you don't have a Rocky Mountain home or haven't decided where to make your reservations yet, then check this out. The Northstar project is a $55 million village in Lake Tahoe. It seems business has been pretty bad so a new travel package is being advertised to attract more skiers. The package celebrates the addition of more black diamond terrain that has been made on the mountain. If you are unfamiliar with skiing, black diamonds are the most challenging trails and terrain.

Thus, what is called the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort's black diamond ski package features seven nights of lodging in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite. Plus, six day lift tickets for two kids and two adults, lessons, equipment rentals, a spa package. Plus, $1,225 in dining and food credits, oh, and $10,000 black diamond necklace. The black diamond necklace that Northstar nonchalantly throws into the mix is being provided by one of the stores in the village. We haven't seen it, so chances are it's probably hideous but we appreciate the concept. The Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort's black diamond ski package goes for a mere $26,653. Talk about desperation.

What could possibly be missing from Aspen, Colorado in the Spring? Apparently the fashion mecca of the ski world didn't have an official fashion week. Prada, Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton have all maintained full stores in Aspen and now they have a spring fashion week to look forward to. For anyone who doesn't know, Aspen is the posh ski spot that's more about who you're wearing and who you are than skiing. If that's not your scene then don't go to Aspen; for unpretentious skiing, go to Telluride, Colorado.  

Aspen's first-ever five day fashion week will launch March 1, 2009. There will be nightly fashion events, instore presentations, and après-ski soirees to glamorize the "Mountain Lifestyle." By winter 2009/2010 the hope is for 15 high-fashion designers to show collections on full-scale runway productions, think Bryan Park glamour but in the Rockies.

Aspen Fashion Week 2009 will be a winter sports-ware forum filled with the ultimate A-list. Considering that the winter sports market is up and coming and took in nearly $3 billion last year it seems relevant. "Winter sports and resorts attract 6 million of the most affluent, influential, and athletic consumers in America, and while more and more leading designers are catering to this A-list group, up until now there have been no flagship fashion events to reflect this trend," said Lisa Johnson, the mastermind behind Aspen Fashion Week and former vice president of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA). "With Aspen's status as the king of ski resorts and winter culture, Aspen Fashion Week is ideally suited to be an important stop on the annual fashion week circuit." The confirmed sponsors worth mentioning are W magazine, Veuve Clicquot, Plum TV, The Sky Hotel, St. Regis Aspen Resort, The Little Nell, Limelight Lodge, and Aspen Peak magazine.

Skeptics that think an Aspen Fashion Week won't make it in this economy, well, think what you want. Lisa Johnson has publicly mentioned the realities of our economy, the plan is to start small and grow with the power of the Aspen brand. "Aspen likes its events," Johnson says. "And Aspen Fashion Week is one that will never leave and go somewhere else. We have a perfect fusion of fashion, function, mountain lifestyle and winter wear. There's no place this really works but here." Come on, it even rhymes, Aspen and fashion can't be wrong.

As we speak, resortwear is here to prepare you for December holiday. Warm weather get-a-ways break up the monotony of winter, so hopefully you are headed towards the beach. If you love winter skiing then you're a lunatic, because springtime is the best ski-time. Besides, resortwear is a fabulous excuse to expand the wardropbe. Designer Ralph Lauren is continuing his ultra-luxe collection, with his just released offering for men. Ralph-y's Garda Alligator Diver shoes are perfect for this coming winter-break. He's put five bright twists on the classic Italian driving shoe, Emerald Green, Cherry Red, Marine Blue, Purple, and Black. The Ralph Lauren genuine alligator skin shoe is $3,800 a pair.  Ladies this is a win, win situation for you. Check it, you can get him a nice holiday gift, plus ensure that he is excellently dressed on your vacation. A sophisticated man does colorful, genuine alligator loafers by day, not Nike pool shoes. Think about that.

Ok, ya'll are probably more interested in looking at the sexy Victoria's Secret models then reading about them. For now here are some pictures to obsess over from the runway show. If you still have no clue, the show was held last Saturday November 15th at the renovated Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

The festive lingerie show had  a full orchestra, a glitter-flooded runway, 35 supermodels and two performances by Usher. Victoria's Secret senior Heidi Klum walked the runway just a few times, her mega-glam gift-bow wings were the ave dersane (goodbye). Basically you could put those girls in anything and they would still look good, case and point. The Rynway show turned out to be more of a costume show of girls prancing around in bra's and wings but we don't mind. We still have even more to fill you in on from Saturday night before, during and after the show, which is way before the December 3rd airing by CBS so stick around.

Samsonite the 97-year-old luggage firm has a history of partnering with high-end fashion designers. Samsonite's newest collaboration is with the man who is probably one of the most influential fashion designers ever, Mr. Alexander McQueen. Samsonite Black Label by Alexander McQueen is a useable and revolutionary-looking collection. This season the Black Label collection received two updates by McQueen, the limited edition Hero piece and the Crocodile Skin Travel piece.

The McQueen Hero piece usurps design inspiration from the human rib cage, whatever he's genius. McQueen used a real male torso mold and worked from there. “The human ribcage protects our vital organs as we move about in the world. Luggage takes on the same role as we travel and pack our worldly possessions inside for safe transport, ” said McQueen at the Samsonite new collection launch.  The Hero piece has a ribcage and sternum outline in front, and a backbone in back. Sort of sickening and semi-melodramatic for a carry on but  that's what we love about Alexander Mcqueen. The Hero piece comes in bone, black, chocolate brown, and blingtastic silver with a pricetag of $775.

Samsonite Black Label thanks to McQueen's design flair gives the historic luggage a revamped appeal. The collection is for the sophisticated traveler who has finally decided to give their old Louis Vuitton luggage a rest or a recycle.

We have noted the Setai Hotel on Miami Beach in a number of blogs because the hotel warrants attention. One more reason to check out the lavish beachfront hotel is because of it's penthouse. The 6,500 square foot Setai penthouse is just $30,000-per-night.

The Setai penthouse is designed in a chic Asian aesthetic with exotic woods and luxe finishes. The penthouse encompasses a double living room that stretches across the entire eastern end of the 40 story glass tower. The living room imbibes full panoramic views of the horizon. There are two master bedrooms with soaking tubs and stunning beach views. Plus,  3,000 square feet of terraces and balconies.

Throughout the Setai penthouse are touch panel LCD screens which give total control over lighting, audio-visual and building systems. There is a private recording studio built in which was designed by Lenny Kravitz himself. One of the things we love most about the penthouse is the private sunken edge stainless steel pool on the terrace.  Complete with a very sexy waterfall and coral stone-enclosed hot tub. Take spa services in the penthouse for the weekend or host a posh gathering. Whatever you decide to use the Setai penthouse for, you won't be sorry.  

If you can't build the World's tallest building then how do you get into the record books? You pick another less contested category just as the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) have done in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the country's largest emirate with over 1.6 million residents, an abundance of wealth and prestige.  ADNEC is working on a building project called Capital Gate, this building will enter the Guiness Book of World Records as the "World's most inclined tower."

Capital Gate will put the naturally inclined Tower of Pisa to shame by leaning four times as far, at an 18 degree angle. The intentional lean will require extra steel reinforcements to counteract the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures. The top of the building will be a dense mesh of reinforced steel, which will sit on top of 490 piles, drilled about 32 yards deep into the ground. Plus, Capital Gate will feature 728 custom-made diamond-shaped glass panels, each one fitted in a slightly different angle to adjust with the lean.  "Capital Gate will be one of a kind," added David Pringle, CEO, RMJM Asia and the Middle East. "Its graceful, asymmetric diagonal structure, known as a ‘diagrid', supports the tilting external load of the building and we believe that this is the first building in the world to use a pre-cambered core."

The leaning Capital Gate Tower is part of a $2.2 billion business and residential project that will be part of an entire micro city. Capital Gate will be host to a five-star Hyatt Hotel fittingly named, "Hyatt at Capital Centre." Plus, some of the most coveted office space in all of Abu Dhabi. The concept is kind of stellar  and the engineering ingenious but, honestly, staying in a building that leans 18 degrees would probably make us vomit. Vulgar but true, check it out for yourself, though, if that sort of record breaking excites you.

Haven't heard of the Yamu yet? Shame on you. The Yamu is a five-star hotel being built and designed by the General Hotel Management (GHM) company. If you aren't familiar with GHM projects then we don't know what rock you live under, this company has some of the most outrageous hotels and resorts around the globe. The Setai Hotel on Miami Beach, Florida is the first in America and may give you some bearing on just how insane their establishments are. The Yamu Hotel is on a private peninsula of Phuket's east coast and will raise the bar on previously held notions of privacy, tranquility and luxury.

There is always some anticipation when hotels of this calibre are set to open but the Yamu is highly anticipated. Hopefully the names Zecha, Gathy and Starck mean something to you. The world renown trio went into collaboration on this project in Phuket. Industry guru Adrian Zecha chairman and director of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts, acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Gathy and French interior designer Philippe Starck are creating a hotel that is magnificent, we don't have words.

The Yamu Hotel will not encroach on surrounding natural beauty, thanks to the architectural genius of Jena-Michel Gathy. In keeping true to Thai spirit, Gathy constructed large outdoor living rooms, interconnected open rooms, and functionality between indoor and outdoor spaces. He accomplished his goal of intensifying natural beauty without disrupting existing nature.

The  interior 63 rooms overlook the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea. Interior designer Philippe Starck has also taken design cues from surrounding nature. Again he has created stunning accents and opulence that are of another world. Best known for being startling and sumptuous,  the Yamu will still be inviting in an elegant yet casual fashion as only Starck can do. We are convinced that the Yamu Hotel, graceful, sophisticated and timeless will breathe new meaning into the word vacation.

Not to mention featured facilities galore. The Yamu has a stunning 160-person restaurant that will serve Thai, Western, and Chinese influenced cuisine. A to die for spa and 100 metre swimming pool. Oh and, five glass cubes within the estate that will serve as a wine room with wine cave below, a cigar lounge, a chocolate room, a private kitchen and a designer boutique.

Around the hotel will be 12 privately owned Villa Estates, operated as part of the hotel when owners are away.  Each villa will have master pavilion with a lounge, a master bedroom, kitchen and maids' quarters. Plus, a 23.5-metre swimming pool, garden and outdoor showers.  The Club Complex at the Yamu boasts personal butlers, unsurpassed privacy, and convenient access to facilities, achieving the ultimate luxurious vacation environment.

Plus, Yamu Hotel projects out into Phang Nga Bay and has a private marina with 39 berths. There are 84 islands sparkling across the bay, plus several small private beaches, hidden caves and quiet anchorages. The privileged few who can afford to own and vacation at the Yamu Hotel and Residencies in Phuket, will experience unrivalled tropical beauty and marvelous marine life in sever comfort.

The Hotel, the Villa Estates and Club Complex, are infused with the visionary intellect of Gathy and Starck to achieve an extremely rare synergy of style and than run by the best. The chic Yamu Hotel doors will open next Summer, 2009. Private investment opportunities are available for sale, we recommend you hustle to. We are booking like tomorrow!

For the jetsetter, mega-millionaire in you, the Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons New York got a serious facelift. Designer Peter Marino and architect I.M. Pei came out of retirement to help Ty Warner put together the most exclusive and expensive hotel room in the World. The 4,300 sq. ft. penthouse, spans the hotel’s 52nd floor.

The nine-room penthouse suite has towering, 25- foot floor-to-ceiling bay windows, with stunning views of Manhattan’s prominent skyline . Possibly the most fantastic city panorama in the world. Plus living room walls inlaid with pieces of mother-of-pearl. An indoor-outdoor Zen garden, a private spa room with a living bamboo screen, and a book filled library, boasting centre piece a grand piano. The penthouse comes with its own private butler and a private chauffeur who will drive you around New York City in a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach.  For a one night's stay at the Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons it's $34,000. For 34K you get one of the most luxurious pads, if not the most expensive in the World, and crucial bragging rights.
   

Ya'll were probably too busy in the action packed James Bond flick, Casino Royale, to notice the Real Bond girl who only got her 5 minute debut. No need to worry, we are about to tell you all about the bodacious Bond girl named Predator. Her size is 108, that is 108 feet and she was birthed by Sunseeker.  What kind of girl name is Predator you may ask? it's a fierce model name for the fiercest of motoryachts.   If you can afford the $10 million Megayacht pricetag then give her any girly name you want, she'll always be a Predator.

Her 84 tons half-load weight is hefty but she is no laggerd, the Predator skillfully advances to 40 knots ahead. That may not seem fast to you land lovers, so let us put it into terms you can understand.  The Predator 108-foot's weight is on par with the combined weight of 42 Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds. Now, imagine what it's like firing up 42 Rolls at once,  while casually sitting in a Besenzoni helm chair. One hand on a carbon-fiber wheel, the other on a set of MTU electronic engine controls Then  accelerating from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just under one minute, incredible. The Sunseeker Predator 108 has big, Arneson drive-powered, performance engines and was built to Italian classification society RINA's 100 A-1 specifications. She's available in twin straight-inboard and triple-Arneson versions, and there are two basic layouts.
Strict R& R is the 108's only raison d'etre, not cheap practicality. The saloon/helm area is gorgeous, the ceiling height is of palatial proportions. Niceties include a dumbwaiter from the galley below; a lofty helm area with four inviting Besenzoni helm chairs; a top-shelf Linn home-theater system with hard-disc music library and 42-inch retractable LCD TV; a dining table for eight; and easy sliding-door access to a BBQ in the cockpit. The Sunseeker Predator 108 is to play and party under the open stars, people buy 108's for a whale of a time, no pun intended. She is luxurious, highly evolved, elegant and we assure you, in a class all her own.