When describing the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong, you are likely to run out of superlatives, for not only is it the tallest hotel in the world, it is also one of the most innovative. It has the first ever Chocolate Library, the highest bar in the world and one of the largest ballrooms in Hong Kong. Other bold moves are the floor-to-ceiling mirrors – in the shower – and the fitness room equipment which reads your weight settings and preferred routines onto each piece of high-tech equipment from your personal USB drive.
Above the infinity-edge swimming pool the LED screens on the ceiling change from moods to scenes. They feature everything from calming seas to the beauty of the seasons and from modern art to the night sky. Every visit will be a new experience.
In a country known for its tea, this exceptional luxury hotel in Hong Kong has a tearoom with a bedazzling choice of dozens of teas, all stored in special tea caddies in the floor-to-ceiling cubbyholes. Not to be outdone, the wine wall wraps around the walls of the restaurant and displays over 6,000 bottles to choose from.
Non-residents can pop in and take the express elevators to the Ozone, which has unrivalled views over the city from the 118th floor windows. If you want a clearer view, all the guest rooms come with a telescope on a tripod, not for looking up at the stars, but for looking down at the world in miniature below!
by Gillian at Luxique Luxury Hotels
The luxury brand LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) has announced that it’s to expand its luxury hotel business.
LVMH, which is the world’s largest luxury goods manufacturer, is to open two further luxury hotels under the ‘Cheval Blanc’ brand and is considering other venues.
It said the luxury hotels would open in Egypt and Oman in 2012. The Egyptian development is on a private island in Aswan, while the one in Oman is on the island of Al Sodah and includes 32 private villas.
LVMH owns more than 60 brands, among them some of the world’s most recognisable labels, including Louis Vuitton, Moët et Chandon, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Thomas Pink, TAG Heuer and Donna Karan.
The existing Cheval Blanc, in the exclusive French ski resort of Courchevel, offers 34 rooms with a Givenchy spa and a ski store stocking high-end accessories.
LVMH have just announced a 13 per cent rise in sales in the three months to the end of March, suggesting that high-spending consumers are showing renewed confidence after the recession.
by Andy Moreton
Staying in a luxury hotel suite is one thing – but for the super rich, a private airliner cabin is the ultimate indulgence.
It’s true – some airlines have begun to offer exclusive accommodation for those who are not quite in the private jet set, but want absolute seclusion on their journey.
Aimed at business executives, sportspeople, celebrities and rich couples on their honeymoon, the cabins come complete with king-sized bed, leather interior, wash unit and room service. Three airlines have them so far: Singapore (of course!), Etihad and Emirates.
The private luxury hotel room-in-the-sky also boasts a 23” TV, in-built massager, cordon bleu cuisine and fine Champagne.
The President of Emirates, Tim Clark, said: “International premium travellers are highly aspirational. You have passengers coming out of luxury hotels, and you can’t have them getting into something that is out of the dark ages in terms of the airplane. So we brought the service up to high levels, and then went beyond that.”
A one-way cabin ticket from Heathrow to Dubai with Emirates costs around £2,225, compared with £1,628 for business class and £332 for economy.
by Andy Moreton
