A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…
Michael Groux is CEO and President of justLUXE Magazine and Founder and CEO of The Privileged Collection brand. justLUXE was launched in the summer of 2004. It resides under the parent company, LUXEmont, a luxury lifestyle publication. justLUXE focuses on the affluent lifestyle of world travelers. The magazine covers, luxury air travel, mega-yachts, fine real estate, world shopping and exotic destinations. Think of it as your ultimate portal to everything luxurious. The Privileged Collection is an online magazine publication that branches off the justLUXE name. The Privileged Collection is also a luxury lifestyle portal however it is dedicated only to air travel. It is one of the few online publications focusing only on luxury aviation. It is your source for news, current events and trends when flying like the rich and famous. Whether it be chartering your own private jet or flying first class from New York to Tokyo, The Privileged Collection covers it all.
What is it that you do exactly?
I am currently working on launching another branch off the Privileged Collection Brand called, JETprivileged.com. JETprivileged.com is a luxury travel concierge. Through JETprivileged.com you can charter a jet, purchase an aircraft, sell an aircraft and even be accommodated with luxury services ranging from chauffeurs to personal security details. With so much competition in the private aviation industry, JETprivileged.com saves the hassle of searching for a reliable and reasonable charter company when flying exclusively. JETprivileged.com is expected to launch Fall 2008.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love having the flexibility of overseeing the two companies; justLUXE and The Privileged Collection. It allows me to expand my knowledge of the travel industry and my markets as well as develop my multitasking skills when overloaded with challenges from both companies. I work closely with a small group of people. We don’t have any big offices or headquarters spanning over states or continents; however even though we might operate from small hubs and even some of us, from home offices, our reach in our market is as if we had an office in 10 major cities around the globe. A small group in a large business in a selective niche market, allows us to really focus on the little key points that make our companies succeed.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
One remarkable place I stayed at was, the Conrad Hotel in Tokyo Center, Japan. It was quite some time ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. If you are travelling to Japan and don’t mind laying down up to $800 a night on a standard suite, this is definitely the place. Everything is white glove service with the finishing touches.
I recently stayed at the Howard Swissotel London in the city center. Everything about this hotel is done with Swiss tradition; prompt, clean and extraordinary. They focus on the little things that make your stay all worth it. For $550USD a night, you’ll have a spacious suite with views of the River Thames.
A few years back I was fortunate enough to score an upgrade at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas while on vacation with my family. For $6,500 a night you’ll be pampered with butlers, maids and chauffeurs and taken care of as if you were royalty. If you have the extra cash and have nothing better to do with it, I’d say it was worth a try.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
I remember taking a road trip with my father and grandparents through the Swiss alps and into the French speaking side of Italy, Lugano. The restaurant was called Les Falaises, which is French for The Cliffs. The small, family-owned hotel and eatery was situated on the cliff of a mountain overlooking the bay and marina down below. From the hillside you had magnificent views and could just sit there all day with a drink and good book and gaze out. The food was excellent. The eatery as well as the hotel itself attracted locals as well as tourists travelling through the village.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
Well here in New York City, you can be walking down the street and catch Bill Cosby walking his dog down Madison Ave, or be standing in line at the grocery store next to Ralph Lauren or even see Lindsay Lohan partying it up at one of the trendy meatpacking nightclubs, and not even know it the whole time. To see a celebrity here in the city is an everyday thing. We don’t get excited over it because it is so common and natural. I will say I’ve had the pleasure of bumping into and starting a pleasant conversation with Hillary Clinton (as she lives 10 minutes from my father’s house), rapper, DMX and legendary actor, Chevy Chase, just to name a few. Hopefully with the launch of JETprivileged.com travel concierge, I will be privileged enough to meet some new exclusive clients.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
I would definitely have to say, Bangkok, Thailand or Rio, Brasil. I have seen so many European and Middle Eastern cities, Id like to make my way to the other side. I hear the beaches are amazing in Rio as well as the nightlife and that the culture experience and dining experience in Thailand is one to live.
Thanks, Mike. Funnily enough, I shall be flying into Lugano from Zurich in just a couple of weeks. Does that restaurant/hotel still exist, do you know? I can’t seem to find it on the ‘net…
Come back tomorrow for the best in the South Pacific!
With 550 seats, you’d think there’d be no problem getting a table at Tokyo’s Tofuya Ukai restaurant. But you’d be wrong - this place books up weeks in advance. On arrival, the first thing that will strike you is a replica of the Eiffel Tower and a lavish Japanese garden. Inside you’ll be treated to delicacies such as jellied duck slices and other specialties. Expect lunch for two to set you back over $100, but enjoy the experience to the full!
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…
A Japanese ski resort on the island of Hokkaido, Niseko, is curiously behind a new Mazda MX5 that is about to be on sale in the UK. Only 240 soft tops and 560 roadsters of this limited edition Mazda will be on sale from 1st January 2008, with entry level prices starting from £17,995. Niseko is one of Japan’s most prestigious ski resorts.
One for some of the business travellers among you! Nissan is to unveil a new mobile office concept at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show which begins this Friday. Their NV200 concept has a rugged exterior and a rear packed with features. This latest model happens to be specially deisgned for professional ocean photographers and is kitted out with diving gear, oxygen tanks and equipment for organising and editing digital photographs.
The Jicoo floating bar is Japan’s answer to futuristic travel in Tokyo Bay. Once on board you’ll find the floor of the vessel changes colour, apparently enhancing your mood and perception of the journey. Failing that, head for the bar and unwind somewhere away from the psychadelic lights. If sharing this experience with strangers is too much for you, you can always hire the vessel exclusively for a private party.
Situated in the business district of Marunouchi, and near the shopping capital of Ginza, The Peninsula Tokyo opens today. The 24-storey hotel offers commanding views of the Tokyo skyline, Imperial Gardens and Hibiya Park; it has 314 guest rooms, including 47 suites. If you want to be really lavish, go for The Peninsula Suite on the 23rd floor: this 347 sq m suite has its own balcony from which, on a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji. Peninsula have really gone to town with their eighth hotel worldwide - it comes with five unique restaurants, a modern lounge bar, two ballrooms, six elegantly-designed function rooms, a wedding chapel, a Japanese ceremony room, The Peninsula Spa by ESPA,a fitness centre, and three luxury jewellery retail outlets.
Heather Holman is the owner and architect of Hotels of the Rich and Famous. She currently resides in the United States near the Capital of Washington D.C., has travelled to over 20 countries and visited hundreds of luxury hotels. Her hobbies include wine tasting, shopping, photography and, of course, travelling. Heather hopes to one day open her own luxury hotel in either the United Kingdom or France, two of her favorite countries.
What is it that you do exactly?
I let people know where their favorite celebrities like to vacation by searching the popular media such as television, magazines and of course the internet. Also I receive tips from hotel guests and workers via my website.
A typical day for me… I wake up, let my dog out in to our yard, brush my teeth then off to work! Luckily for me I run Hotels of the Rich and Famous out of my home office so the commute isn’t too bad at all! I first check my emails and tips then get to searching for luxury hotels and celebrity hotel related stories. Afternoon I head to the gym and flip through celebrity magazines with my notebook ready to take any notes while on the treadmill or bicyles. When I get home I watch the travel channel and E! with my laptop on my lap. I’m a huge fan of Samantha Brown, I’d rather have her job but mine isn’t too bad!
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Traveling! Last summer my husband and I spent 2 months in Europe. This fall we have a cross country vacation planned in America. I also love talking with celebrities for interviews - it’s fun!
I wanted to combine two billion dollar industries in to one unique idea. People love hotels, people love celebrities – why not have both? Hotels of the Rich and Famous was born! I get excited when I get my tips via email of people spotting celebrities at hotels. It lets me know it’s not just me who loves to share their hotel and celebrity experiences and that I do indeed have a target audience.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Well, until my website is a bit more established my limit on a hotel room is $1,500 a night which limits me but I’ve still stayed in some pretty great places, Here are my favorite 3:
Chateau d’Etoges in the Champagne region of France.
The Borgata in Atlantic City – it really has brought a higher level of class to the whole town, the suites are amazing!
Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel – my husband and I were married here. It’s an amazing hotel with a deep history and is very luxurious.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
I don’t know if this is because I just wrote an article on it and its fresh in my mind but Chateau d’Etoges comes to mind again. If you’ve ever eaten in France you know its quiet a culture shock with the level of service from waiters. I’ve been told the French like to be left alone while they eat and so the waiter only takes your order, drops off your food, and then gives your check an hour later. As an American, I hate this! What if I run out of beverage? What if something is wrong with my food? I don’t want to go chase someone down if I need something - I want to be checked on! At the chateau the wait staff almost out-numbered the dinner guests and it was almost a full house. They also took stand near the wall and watched to see if people’s drinks were low or there were any problems and dealt with this before I even noticed my glass was low. I loved it.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
I’ve seen Eminem and his posse at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia, Jesse Metcalf from Desperate Housewives at The Borgata, I’ve also interviewed Hal Sparks from Queer as Folk and Mike Holman (no relation but it did get me the in to talk to him) from Jackass on MTV. I have a few upcoming plans for interviews but I don’t want to jinx them so I won’t mention them yet!
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
Japan! I’ve seen so many European countries, I’d like to start seeing some Asian ones! Also the country is so rich in history but still so technosavy! It will be a blast!
Thank you, Heather. And good luck with the site.
Talk about expensive water! If you thought Bling H20 - at $24 for a 750ml bottle - was expensive, then think again. Kona Nigari water from Hawaii is apparently selling at $33.50 for a mere 2 ounce bottle. Yes, you read that right… that’s seawater at more than $2,000 per gallon. The only saving grace is that this is a concentrate and to be mixed with normal water. The reason for the hype and sky-high prices? The Japanese have a thirst for the stuff. Desalinated deep-sea water is being marketed as a dietary supplement out there, and is said to aid weight loss, stress reduction, skin tone and digestion.