Luxury Living Blog

Ask Imagine: Concierge Concerns

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?
Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals
Thanks,

Mark, Sacramento, CA
 

 

 

 

Hello Mark,

Thanks for reaching out to us for advice on your pending trip to Miami.  Your concerns are quite understandable, as there are always events going on in Miami, and some fall under the so-called radar.

A knowledgeable concierge is certainly the ticket to a good time, as it is their job to remain up-to-the-minute on Miami entertainment, luxury events, dining options, new trends, the best beaches, killer shopping, and well, anything you request! 

We love the new W Hotel South Beach, the Setai South Beach, Gansevoort South Beach, Shoreclub and so many more, follow link for the Top 10 Most Fabulous Hotels on South Beach.  If you love food check out our Top 10 Culinary Styles in South Beach and The Top 5 Best Luxury Restaurants on South Beach.

All of these exotic and luxury hotels provide stellar concierge service, and all are located in some of Sobe’s prime spots, close to the very best in outstanding, upscale and unforgettable local entertainment, international dining options and beach lines.  Most of these hotels feature their own unique flavors, complete with their own restaurants teeming with culinary concoctions intended to dazzle.

In addition to insider information, a concierge, such as ours at Imagine Lifestyles can also assist you with:

•    Housekeeping
•    Spa Reservations
•    Personal Security
•    Nanny/Babysitting
•    Decorating Services
•    Landscaping
•    Auto Services
•    Realtor Services
•    Messenger & Courier
•    Dry Cleaning & Laundry
•    Fitness Training
•    Masseuses
•    Financial Planning
•    Emergency Services
•    Estate Planning & More

 

We recommend any of these Miami luxury hotels without hesitation, and also invite you to check out our fleet of luxury rental cars Miami for your stay!

Hope this helps you out Mark, give us a call if we can assist you further with your trip details, concierge service and luxury rental needs.
 

 

Sincerely,
Imagine Lifestyles

 

 

 

 

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Luxury Events: The World’s Greatest Catwalk Slinks Closer

With fashion season smoldering, the chatter has turned its attention to the rapidly approaching “WWorld's Greatest Catwalk Logoorld’s Greatest Catwalk”, set to strut its sultry stuff on August 14th.  This luxury event will start at 3pm, culminating Copenhagen’s Fashion Week for summer of 2010.  So what makes this fashion show unique?

For starters, uber-status supermodel Helena Christensen will be patroness for the show, which is expected to draw in approximately 100,000 spectators and guests.  This is no ordinary catwalk, however.  You see, the long-legged models on this runway (220 of them to be exact) will walk a full mile (1.609 km), in hopes of breaking the record for the longest catwalk ever!   Imagine walking a mile in stilettos, under such scrutiny!  I am dying to see this.

The World's Greatest Catwalk Imagine Lifestyles Luxury RentalsThis is certainly a progressive and creative event, touting a vibrant and edgy glow.  It has been tirelessly organized by Copenhagen Fashion Council.  Production company Stage 7 has been asked to construct the massive mile-long pink catwalk, lighting, sound, tribunes and scene, and arrange big screens along the mile for guests to view.

Design agency Femmes Regionales will be coordinating the 500 Scandinavian brands on the 220 models, while teams of 100 make-up artists and hair stylists from two industry leading forces, Max Factor and Wella, bring the clothing and visions to life.  Two of Denmark’s fashion powerhouses are supporting the World’s Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen Fur and Vero Moda. 

Copenhagen Fur is the world’s largest fur auction house and luxury fur provider (and likely Peta target), and Vero Moda is one of Europe’s principal clothing lines for young women. This is an end of summer, which will be highlighting the fall line for men, women and children. 

 

 

Want more?  Check out our Luxury Rental Cars, Aircraft Charters and Yacht Charters

 

 

 

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Bugatti Hits Auction Block Following 73 Years Underwater. Still Considered a Luxury Car?

When people think of the Bugatti, they envision one of the top luxury cars on earth.  A Bugatti, no 1925 Bugatti Type 22<br />
Roadstermatter how old, can fetch big bucks, even if it has spent 73 years at the bottom of a lake!

Yes, a Bugatti Type 22, built in 1925 has spent 73 years submerged as a sort of luxury submarine.  That means it only spent a mere 11-12 years or so on land before meeting its watery demise at the bottom of a Swiss lake. 

Now for the shocker:  this particular Bugatti has fetched $370,000 while under the hammer at an auction in Paris this year!

The selling price is certainly amazing, because for far less one could purchase a brand new Lamborghini, Ferrari or similar exotic or luxury rental car. It makes sense that the buyer was willing to shell out so much for this murky wonder when you consider that the proceeds will benefit the diving club that recovered the Bugatti, benefiting a charity preventing youth violence.

The Type 22 Roadster Bugatti Brescia will be displayed in its current condition, as only 20% of it ended up being salvageable.
 
According to the saga, the Bugatti was taken to Switzerland in the 1920s or 1930s by a French owner.  The import duties and taxes were not paid and the owner abandoned the luxury car.  The car was 10 or 11 years old, and not worth as much as the money owed, and a customs official was legally obliged to destroy it.  So, the official was officially fed up, and pushed it into the lake.  

I wonder how painful it must have been for said official to drown a luxury legend.  Of course, after this incident, the sunken Bugatti became local legend and part of folklore.  This makes perfect sense, as the 1925 Bugatti Type 22 was an extremely lightweight luxury car, with a 1.5-liter engine capable of reaching 100 miles per hour, on just 4 cylinders!

 

More onBugatti and our Luxury Car Rentals?  Check out our fleet of Chicago exotic rental cars, luxury rental cars Miami.  Follow Links!

 

 

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Luxury Restaurant or Not? Taiwan’s Modern Toilet Restaurant

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!Modern Toilet Restaurant

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.

Children and students love this theme restaurant, as well as adults still in-tune with their inner-child.  So why all the fuss?  How would you like to perch yourself on a decorative toilet, and be served curry in a toilet shaped plate under the ambiance of poop-shaped lighting fixtures?  It is a child’s dream, diarrhea for dinner.  

Everyone dines at a glass table, fitted with a sink underneath.  Dishes are placed on a mini-toilet bowl, which adds convenience, as the dish is closer to your mouth.  No magazine racks are required, as the inventive entrees and drinks are the entertainment.

 Drinks are served in a mini-urinal, which then becomes a souvenir.   Dinner at Modern Toilet is wrapped up with a special dessert, ice cream served over a paper squatty (Squat holes are predominant in China, as opposed to Western toilets).

Dishes available include curries, pastas, Mongolian hot pot, chicken dishes and more, all designed to resemble various forms of human waste.  The shaved-ice desserts are intricate, featuring names that demand attention, such as “diarrhea with dried droppings” (chocolate), “Bloody poop (strawberry), or “Green dysentery” (kiwi).   For the faint of heart, there are folding chairs and regular cutlery available…butt where is the fun in that?  You likely do not need to valet a fancy luxury rental car to fit in here.

Modern Toilet is the brainchild of owner Wang Zi-wei, a 29-year-old former banker.  The inspiration for the theme restaurant was drawn from a Japanese robot cartoon character, Jichiwawa, who had a thing for playing with excrement on a stick.   Wang then began selling chocolate ice cream swirls on paper squat toilets, and following their success decided to open an entire restaurant in 2004.

Modern Toilet now has seven locations in Taiwan, one in Hong Kong, and more coming to China, Macau, Kuala Lumper, Malaysia and Shenzhen.  You could deduce that the Modern Toilet is certainly a royal flush, with the distinctive smell of success!
 

 

 

Check out our fleet of Chicago exotic car rentals and Luxury Rental Cars Miami.

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Top 10 Crazy and Funny Rolls Royce Luxury Car Pictures

Rolls Royce is arguably the most prestigious manufacture of luxury cars in the world.   When you have the funds to purchase a luxury car from the Rolls Royce, then you know you have succeeded.  A Rolls Royce driving down the street instantly demands respect.  Below, these Rolls Royce owners seem to downplay the mystic and greatness of the powerful and luxurious Rolls Royce.   Instead of cherishing their Rolls Royce luxury car they have taken it to a whole new level.  

 

 1. Woodstock and Rolls Royce are not like peanut better and jelly.

Rolls Royce Vintage with funny custom Paint Job

 

2. Hope this car came with lifejackets.

Rolls Rocye floating in a Pool Funny

 

3. Even a Rolls Royce needs gas.

Rolls Royce Phantom Pumping Gas Funny

 

4. 2 words, Pickup Truck.

Vintage Rolls Royce Pulling a trailer with a Motorcycle Funny

 

5. Rolls Royce Drophead sitting in handicapped spot on the red line. They can affort this ticket.

Rolls Royce Phantom smashed in Handicapped

 

6. Do I need to say anything?

Mirah Cary Printed on the side of a Rolls Royce Phantom

 

7. Love Pink, Love my Rolls.

Pink custom Rolls Royce Custom Paint Job Funny Luxury Car

 

8. Was the front of the car optional?

Rolls Royce Phantom Couch in a Living Room Funny

 

9. The only way to see a safari.

Zebra Skin Painted Rolls Royce Phantom Funny Picture

 

10. Whattttt????

Rolls Royce Phantom Paint Stripped Down Wow

 

11. One for good luck:  Love the Beatles and love John Lennon even more, but John remember when it comes to Rolls Royce, "Live and let live."

John Lennon Custom Painted Rolls Royce Luxury Car

 

 

Ok, so now we are still hyperventilating, stop and take a deep breath.  This proves that money does not buy good taste. I recommend that if you like to take a spin in a Rolls Royce go to a luxury rental car agency and rent one for the day.  If you decide you want to paint it a funky color, put it in the pool, splash Mariah Carey pictures on it, then give the car back immediately.  A Rolls Royce rental car is what I consider that the perfect litmus test to see if you can handle the luxury car as it is suppose to be.

Another check to see if you are up for the test, check out our fleet of Chicago exotic rental cars, Miami exotic rental cars, take one for a spin and see if you like the car for who the car is and not for who you would like the car to be. 

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Most Expensive: Cheers for Beers!

If you are a beer fan, you love to swill the succulent sauce, but may sometimes turn your nose up at the bar tab.  While some places charge “too much” for what are considered “regular” beers, there are still others that are semi-unbelievable to most bar patrons.  Meet some of the world’s most expensive brews!Ville Von Secours Beer

Topping the list is Ville Bon Secours, a luxury beer available only in a bar called the Bierdrome in London.  This is an exclusive brew you may not want to buy a round of, as it is $1,000 per bottle!  Well, if you have the means and a taste for this particular beer, it certainly would be a special occasion.  You can indulge in a luxury rental car for that price! 

Up next is an exotic beer brewed by the Boston Beer Company, which comes in at a significantly less damaging rate.  You can buy a Samuel Adam’s Utopia beer for around $100 per bottle, which is still pricey, but seems palatable next to the Ville Bon Secours! Samuel Adams Utopia Brew

The Utopia brews are sold in fashionable copper bottles intended to resemble and represent the copper brewing kettles that have been used historically by beer brewing companies.

The Sam Adams Utopia beers are also listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the strongest beer in the world, coming in at 25% alcohol content.  Hey, at least you won’t need many!  Interestingly, the company sells around 8,000 bottles per year, as it takes approximately 12 years to make the beer.

Tutankhamen BrewThird on our illustrious beer list is Tutankhamen Brew.  This exclusive beer is prepped according to a recipe and brewing method unearthed by the University of Cambridge archaeologists/Egyptologists in the Queen Nefertiti’s Temple of Sun in Egypt.  Sound cool?  It is, but it will cost you $52 USD per bottle to take a sip of history. 

The temple is believed to have been built by King Akhenaton, King Tutankhamen’s papa, hence the name.  Production is also limited, and the edition is numbered.
 

Remember this is nothing like a smooth drink on a nice day!!

 

Thirsty for more?  Follow links for the Most Expensive or to take a peek at our Luxury Rental Cars!
 

 

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Top 10 Things Overheard at our Chicago Launch Party

Imagine Lifestyles recently had their launch party at Underground in downtown Chicago.  Throughout the evening, we overheard a number of different people conversing about the event.  Below are a few of the favorite conversation pieces we overheard. 

1) I really want to drive that sick Lamborghini parked out front. Lamborghini Gallardo

2) I think that is Jay Cutler, the Bears quarterback.

3) This party is insane, I cannot believe the Stanley Cup is here.

4) I cannot believe I just got to drink out of the Stanley Cup.

5) There is some really cool memorabilia up for auction tonight. 

6) The Lamborghini rental car out front looks like The Batmobile.

7) It is so cool that Greg Olsen is so involved with his charity.

8) I just took shots with Jonathon Toews, this is the best night ever. Jonathon Toews

9) I cannot believe how small the Blackhawks players are without pads.

10) That Bentley GTC rental car is the most beautiful car I have ever seen in person.

We would like to thank everyone who came out to the launch party and made it such a success.  It really was an epic party and a night most of us will never forget.  Please contact Imagine Lifestyles with any questions regarding renting a luxury car here in Chicago. 

Click here to see video's of Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals Chicago Launch Party  and here for our Launch Party Recap and last for our Launch Party Flyer.

 

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LeBron’s Relocation Revamping Miami Luxury Real Estate and Restaurant Pricing?

After much fuss and hype, 25-year-old NBA star LeBron James has opted to make Miami his new home.  Now that the decision has been made, some feel the effects are being seen around the city already, in the form of price fluctuations.LeBron James Chooses Miami

Yes, LeBron’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers met with much opposition, as he turned his decision making process into a reality show of sorts, choosing to don the Miami Heat jersey in the end.  Now that LeBron will be joining us in sunny South Beach and Miami, some feel that real estate and restaurant pricing is changing slightly. 

So where will LeBron decide to make his new home?  What Miami real estate will be chosen by the NBA player to serve as his new “crib”?  I am having flashbacks now of the former hit series “Mtv Cribs”…and feel a bit relieved it is a thing of the past.  But the burning question on everyone’s mind is:  Where will LeBron James live in Miami?  It is an excellent inquiry.

If LeBron’s Cleveland castle is any indicator, he will be purchasing a sizable home.  In 2008, the star built a 35,000 square foot luxury home including such amenities as a bowling alley, theater, barbershop, Starbucks, recording studio, casino and even an ATM machine.

And even as Miami Heat tickets are selling, so are luxury hotel reservations, resort bookings, and other beach accommodations.  The upscale restaurants dotting South Beach are preparing for a new influx of celebrity clientele for basketball season, with some regular customers already inquiring if their table will be secure once even more celebs begin to pile in.  I wonder if he will be hanging out with the Kardashians...who are similarly spotlight-loving, and who also love Miami.

The Shake Shack has already taken the initiative to name a sandwich after LeBron, dubbing it the Luxury Real Estate Miami“Le-Brat James” bratwurst.  Clever…that is sure to get you an autographed photo on the wall of the spotlight-loving NBA star.

As far as luxury Miami real estate, in light of his obvious flair for the extravagant, I cannot picture LeBron downsizing to squeeze his lofty tastes into a luxury condo.  It seems far more likely that he will take advantage of the current real estate buyer’s market and select a luxury home in South Florida.  The star could get a real steal, landing a Miami luxury property for a bargain right now.  Not that money seems to be a problem for the young athlete.
 

For more on celebrities, sports and luxury news, follow links to our luxury blog.  Also check out the Top 5 Luxury Cars we are saving for LeBron!
 

While you oare in Miami watching the heat play check out our fleet of Miami exotic rental cars.

 

 

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Luxury Car Rentals Coming Soon: The 2011 Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera

The luxury lifestyle never gets sluggish…as there are new toys constantly emerging from the imagination to the production phase.  Like the Lamborghini Superleggera LP 570-4, which is coming in 2011.

This 2011 Lamborghini is estimated to hit the $240,000 pricing mark, pretty standard for exotic car2011 Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera Supercars and luxury car rentals.  That does not, however, indicate that this is in any measure a standard luxury car!  The regular Gallardos are around $200,000, so expect to shell out the extra $40-$50k for the specialized Superleggera.

The Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera boasts a powerful 5.2-liter V10 engine kicking out 562 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque.  This is the lightest Lambo to date, as the engineers have shaved off 154 excess pounds, thanks to the wonders of luxury carbon fiber.  The name Superleggera actually means “super light”.  So why all the fuss about its weight?  I mean, it isn’t an attention-starved supermodel.  The answer is simple:  Lighter supercars go faster. 

In fact, the 2011 Superleggera has the bragging rights of hitting the famed 0-60 mark in 3.3 seconds, which is worth the extra $40,000 buyers will gladly shell out for that.  Tenths of a second are priceless when it comes to track time.  You can’t be racing your buddies in your new Lambo on the weekends and come up short- it is considered poor performance.

This Lambo has a 6-speed automated manual, and gets decent mileage for a luxury car, 14-mpg city and 20 highway.  Complaints in track testing include a wiggly rear, which you would not expect on such a hot and tight body. 

The Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera is in direct competition with the likes of the new Ferrari F430 Scuderia. We did get a snap shot of this car at the Setai in Miami during the Lamborghini LP 570-4 Supergeggera unveiling, click here to view.  I think it would make a stunning addition to any fleet of luxury rental cars, and look forward to meeting it up-close and personal next year! 
 

 

Check out our Lamborghini rentals, Ferrari rentals and other luxury rentals on your way out!
 

 

 

 

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Most Expensive Pizza in the World

Imagine Lifestyles Chicago would like to assume they know a thing or two about good pizza.  Chicago does have a decent reputation for making a mean pizza, no matter how much New Yorkers refuse to admit the fact.  I think Chicago and New York will both gladly take a back seat when the Luis X111 from Italy is thrown into the hat for best pizza argument. 

This masterpiece of a pizza is constructed by Chef Renato Viola and does not come cheap.  Chef Viola, who resides in Salerno, Italy, is apparently not trying to sell pizza by the slice anytime soon.  This 8-inch pizza, extremely small by U.S. standards, will run you $12,000.  Yep, that is $12,000 for 8 inches of cheese and dough.  Well actually it will be 8 inches of cheese, three types of caviar, lobster, salt, and your own personal team of chefs to prepare it.  I am sure you were also wondering what kind of salt Chef Viola uses.  He will coat each pie with pink salt from Australia’s Murray River.  Each grain will also be hand picked to ensure maximum flavor.  

So sit down Chicago and New York, our pizzas won’t hold a candle to Chef Viola’s culinary creation.  Personally, I think we will stick to our deep-dish pizza and be content.  However, for those looking for pursue the ultimate in luxury, stop by next time you are in Agropoli and grab a pie from Chef Viola.  Make sure to call ahead though because he rolls the dough out 72 hours in advance so it has plenty of time to rest.  Book your flight to Italy today on our luxury aircraft charters, I think we are going to stick to our exotic rental car business in Chicago in the meantime. When you do finally make it to Italy to grab a piece of this expensive pie make sure you drive to Chef Renato Viola and do it in a Ferrari rental car.  A $12,000 pizza deserves to be picked up in ultimate luxury and style.