Luxury Travel Tips

Looking for something different to do as Labor Day and summer draw to a close?  Escape the Miami and South Beach heat with a fishing boat charter!  Our 51’ Hatteras charter is awesome for that day trip out to sea on the marbled Atlantic coastline.

If you haven’t indulged, the view of Miami from sea is absolutely gorgeous.  Just a few minutes offshore in a luxury fishing charter makes you feel like you have escaped into a new world.  It is similar to that feeling we all get when we drive to the Keys for a long weekend, feeling a million miles away from our everyday worries and responsibilities.  Not to mention that the waters of South Florida and the Caribbean are famed for our large game fish, abundant marine life and natural reefs!

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I will be in Miami for a week to celebrate Labor Day with a group of friends.  I do not think a traditional luxury hotel will suffice, and would prefer a residence rental Miami style to ensure that all of my guests are comfortable.  What luxury hotel also offers residence or condo rentals?

  I would also prefer that it be located within proximity of South Beach’s nightclubs, restaurants, shopping and hot spots. 
 

Thanks,

Scott, Manhattan

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I like to scan your website for stories and information on awesome cars.  My birthday is coming up soon, and I think I want to rent a luxury car for the first time.  The problem is that I am overwhelmed by the options, can you recommend a good first time luxury car rental? 

After checking out all of your cars, I have only narrowed it down to the fact that I prefer a convertible, and not a luxury SUV rental this time. 

Any input is appreciated greatly, and I am really excited to try this out.
 

Thanks,
Toby, Miami, FL
 

Wouldn’t life be so much easier if you could easily conduct business transactions without having to ‘watch your back’ constantly?  It seems to be the most frustrating in the automotive arena, with sales people, mechanics and even unsavory rental car people.  Here are some tips for avoiding luxury rental car scams and practices.

Renting a car or luxury car should be a simple and straightforward deal.  But as things often go, many rental car companies are just out there trying to scam and squeeze their customers. 

Not only is South Florida flocked to by scads of tourists annually, it also happens to lay claim to the title of the ‘yachting capital of the East coast’.  With hundreds of miles of intercoastal waterways weaving throughout the lower corner of the Sunshine state, it is also lovingly referred to as the Venice of the United States.  So what does that mean for you?

Yes, with plenty of dock space, luxury waterfront hotels, inlets and waterways to explore, South Florida draws in mega yachts, luxury yachts, sport yachts, boats and many other vessels from all over the world.  South Florida is also just a short jaunt to the Bahamas, a popular tourist attraction and the Florida Keys.

Thinking of hitting the high seas in high style, but feel that a luxury yacht charter is too large for your needs?  Have you considered a sport yacht charter, like the 68’ Azimut yacht charter?  These smaller yachts still pack the exotic punch, without the mega size.

Yes, a 68’ yacht charter is just the ticket for smaller groups and excursions.  It maintains stunning lines and sleek aerodynamics, with superior performance cues.  This Azimut luxury yacht rides on a hull with a deadrise of 16 degrees at the transom, and slides across the water to a top speed of approximately 40 miles per hour.  The comfortable cruising speed for this yacht charter is around 32 miles per hour.

For the performance junkies, the 68’ Azimut charter is powered by a 1,150 bhp MTU diesel engine that provides a smooth ride while propelling the luxury yacht through the waters.  The vessel stays below four degrees, at all speeds and thanks to the perfect amount of V, the hull slices through waves like butter, while still shallow enough to perk up and run.

As for the interior, there is a complete master suite that is just as upscale as any luxury hotel can provide.  The Azimut does however provide a better view, if I do say so myself!  So if you have been searching for a new way to enjoy a long weekend, or even to make a memorable Saturday afternoon, a smaller yacht charter could be your creative solution to escape the everday.

Contact us for more tips and information on luxury yacht charters in Miami and South Florida, New York, Chicago and LA.  Also check out our fleet of luxury car rentals while you are looking at our available yacht charters!
 

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

It seems that South Florida has something to feel good about, other than the constant sunshine and marbled Atlantic coastline!  The local hotel industry is reporting increases for the first time in a while, which should help to bolster the economy.

The economic downturn, depression, however you prefer to label the financial catastrophe that has rocked the entire globe and changed so many lives seems to be retreating somewhat.  The South Florida Business Journal has reported that local hoteliers are experiencing higher occupancy rates, figures that are surely needed.

Recent national events deserve a nod of gratitude for this increase, such as the Pro Bowl, Super Bowl, Food Network’s South Beach Food & Wine Festival, FASHIONmiami and other luxury events that attract guests to our sandy shores and into our plethora of hotels, residences and luxury condos.

I think I have discovered the most expensive round of golf in the world!  It seems that Barbados attracts more than those seeking the sand, sun and surf-it also beckons to golf lovers.  For $2,300 per game, you could consider golf a luxury sport on this swanky island!

So how do they charge so much for 9 holes?  Well, the actual fee for a round of golf at one of Sandy Lane resort’s three courses, the Green Monkey, the Old Nine and the Country Club is $300. 

The infamous and wildly popular “Robin Hood” like media child, Colton Harris-Moore (dubbed the Barefoot Bandit), seems to have developed expensive tastes!  The clever kid has fled to Miami, where he has continued to evade officers in some jaw-dropping luxury cars!

Yes, just when the world thought the sinewy saga of the Barefoot Bandit had come to an end when the youngster was snagged in the Bahamas, he seems to have made a slippery escape to Miami.  Upon reaching Miami, the Bandit swiped a bright red Ferrari F430 rental from a valet; it is unclear how he accomplished this feat. 

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I will be coming to South Beach soon for a business trip, and assume I will be left to my own devices often.  I am free to stay where I please and would really like a luxury accommodation with a concierge who is knowledgeable of Miami.  I feel that the last time I visited I missed out on much of what Miami has to offer.  Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mark, Sacramento, CA
 

You did not misread the headline, I did say “Restaurant” and “Toilet” in the same sentence.  This is a luxury concept restaurant that serves up edible excrement, that is, dinner served up in a decidedly dumpy way!

Diners at the Modern Toilet are seated on acrylic toilets, with the lid down of course.  The toilet seats are stenciled with images of seashells, roses or Renaissance paintings, to add a touch of class.

Mega yacht O’mega has been drawing attention to herself for many years.  O’mega may be a bit older than most luxury yachts in her class, but she remains among the elite, with a coveted spot on the 2008 list of the World’s 100 Largest Yachts, by Power and Motor Yacht magazine.

Miss O’mega has undergone a bit of “work”, with major refits in 2004 and August of 2009.  She was born in Japan in 1985, at the cost of $50 million Euros.  She can now be chartered, for a mere 70,000 Euros per day.  Talk about a return on an investment!

I learned a few new things today.  It seems there are actually things to do in Las Vegas other than gamble  (can you imagine?)!  This information threw my imagination into overdrive, and I decided I must pass on these Vegas travel tips to my readers.

I won’t keep you in suspense, the top 5 things to do in Vegas other than gamble are:

1.    Shop
2.    Experience the national parks, recreation and unique spots
3.    Dine
4.    Shows
5.    Outstanding museums, galleries & exhibitions
 

There are many ways to travel, many of which are well above “first-class”.  For instance, there are private jet charters, which seem to be the preferred method of transport for the world’s elite and the wealthy.  Like paparazzi favorite, Paris Hilton.

When your parents are literally made of money, it seems traveling is not so tiresome.  Recently, Paris took off to South Africa, where the World Cup was being hosted in a luxury aircraft charter, from which she tweeted photos to her followers.

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I will be heading to Chicago next weekend and I am looking for a vehicle for a day to entertain some clients with.  I currently have the option of renting a limousine with a driver, and my company has used this limo service in the past.  I was wondering if you could advise on what advantages renting a luxury rental car might provide myself and/or my clients over a lmo. 

Dave, St. Pete