Gear up for the 6 Series M Sport Limited Edition recently announced by the German supercar maker. All set to arrive in April this year, the limited edition version of the sports car is made even more appealing by the fact that it arrives in all three variants— coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe. Modifications include a Sonic Speed Blue Metallic paint that’s new to 2017, aggressive 20 inch M light allow wheels with a bicolor paint scheme, and even carbon fiber sideview mirror caps. The interiors will include fine-grain Merino leather seats in black and fjord blue that are exclusive to the edition along with a flurry of little extra features. Some of those features include blue piping on the seats, carbon fiber interior trim, and door-ill mounted blue lights that read “M Sport Limited Edition.”
NEW AGE TRAVEL | Boutique hotels like Suryagarh in Jaisalmer provide a very authentic local experience along with offering all the luxury amenities of a 21st century five-star hotel
In the time that it takes you to read this article, a lot of people will have decided their next travel destinations, others will have finalized their itineraries for the same, most will be checking-in at that plush hotel, while others will be uploading pictures on facebook to show the world what they did and others didn’t. I am just stating facts.
As we know, GenX now is no longer interested in parking their hard earned money in large pieces of land or in magnificent houses or in buying the shiny metal that our forefathers loved to stock for ever. They work smart and they spend smart.
So if you too, fit the bill, here are some of our suggestions to make your travel experiences even more unforgettable.
Niche Hospitality
THE IMPERIAL | Built in the 1930s, this hotel has been successfully providing guests with a stellar five-star experience and retains the magnificence of a bygone era
With the growing demand for authentic indigenous travel experiences in any destination, more travelers see staying at local independent hotels as an intrinsic part of their itinerary. Independent hotels are often borne of entrepreneurial hotel owners with a passion for the art of hospitality – focusing on service and the personal touch rather than providing a simple lodging solution. These independent hotels deliver the authenticity of a destination – featuring the unique characteristics of specific cultures within their own brand of hospitality that allows discerning travelers to “live like the locals” so that they get a true sense of their surroundings. Independent hotels are also able to offer their guests a more bespoke style of hospitality during the stay – affording personalized yet unobtrusive service that is in tune with each guest’s itinerary and requirements, says Arpit Pant, Regional Director- South Asia & Middle East, Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
The Imperial New Delhi is situated in the National Capital, New Delhi. Built in the 1930s, this hotel has been successfully providing guests with a stellar five-star experience and retains the magnificence of a bygone era.
Suryagarh is yet another prominent independent resort located in Jaisalmer that offers guests the modern conveniences of a 21st-century five-star hotel, from fine dining to chic décor, intuitive service to world-class amenities.
Residences, not just rooms
Today’s generation of travelers see time as a priceless commodity, and therefore, multi-generation family travel is on the rise. Larger family units tend to be limited to interconnecting rooms or extra beds, which may compromise the quality of their family getaway. Thus, the concept of residential accommodations is the newest emerging trend. These apartment-style hotel rooms provide the privacy and utilities (kitchenettes, separate living spaces), of a home away from home, alongside vital hotel services such as 24-hour security and gym, spa and restaurants.
VACATION RESIDENCES | Preferred Residences by Preferred Hotels & Resorts provides travelers with dozens of options in cities around the world
Preferred Residences by Preferred Hotels & Resorts provides dozens of options in cities around the world. Palazzo Versace Residence offers a timeless getaway to travelers visiting Dubai for an extended stay, with 169 grand, residence-style accommodations ranging from residences and condominiums to penthouses and villas. “Family-run Hotels also give the feel of ‘residences’ and not that of a cookie cutter hotel room. There has been a huge growth in the ‘family owned family run’ segment which is giving the larger chains a run for their money in terms of quality and service, and charge just as much, if not more. As a traveler, I do not want to be known by my ‘room number’ – in a 50 plus room hotel you will mostly always be a room number!” sums up Himmat Anand of Tree of Life Resorts
Recognition for Loyalty
As competition in the hospitality space increases, consumers more than ever show an affinity for brands that commit to providing personalized service and strong recognition for their business and loyalty. As travelers look for more personalized touch points when choosing a hotel, be it for business or leisure, brands must find unique ways to cater to their interests and make them feel welcome and valued. Millennials in particular are more interested in unexpected, instant, and personally relevant rewards, rather than postponed gratification or recognition that has no hard value. A glass of complimentary wine or room upgrade offered upon check-in as a nod to a guest’s loyalty is more appealing now compared to in the past when the promise of 10,000 free membership points to be accumulated for a reward down the road could sway a decision. Reward programs offered by hotels encourage guests to use the hotels more often, thus creating a loyal clientele.
Hot favorite Domestic and International destinations
HOT SPOTS | Eastern Eastern Europe and the Balkans are popular destinations and also increasing in popularity is South America and Scandinavia
According to John Boulding, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Balkans are popular destinations and also increasing in popularity is South America and Scandinavia.
“We have seen a number of Indians traveling to Sri Lanka in the last couple of years. Eastern Europe has long been a favorite for Indians with its fascinating history and culture and affordability and this trend is moving towards the Baltics now. Another hot favorite this year is Japan and I expect the arrivals from India to go up distinctly.” says Yeishan Goel, of Privy hotels.
In India, people are spending a lot on outdoors. The preference clearly is nature and wildlife. Rajasthan and Kerela are one of the hot spots of tourism in India. The coffee plantations in Karnataka— Coorg and Chikmagalur— are also fast gaining popularity.
Luxury with a touch of personalization
According to Insight vacations, every traveller has different needs so as a travel company they cater to these different needs by giving them the flexibility to choose what they want to do on the tours. From multi-country journeys to easy pace trips that stay longer in each travel destination, we have different touring styles to enable our guests to travel in a way that matches both their personality and desires. With Insight Vacations, guests can enjoy intimate VIP experiences like VIP fast track entry or visiting a museum in the after-hours or a dinner with the locals in their home.
Preference to the outskirts than city
THE HIMALAYAN | Built in the Victorian Gothic Revival style and perched at an elevation of 2003 metres, The Himalayan is the premier luxury resort in Manali
The other most important trend is people prefer to stay near the outskirts of the city, far from the hustle bustle, near to serene areas, points out Shailender Pandey, Delhi-based Travel expert. Travelers may do city tours in the day but prefer coming back to the outskirts for some peace – like they may do day tours in Rishikesh but plan to stay a little away at Anandas. While at Bharatpur, they would prefer Amanbagh, which is again a little far; in Jaipur, they would prefer Samode palace, or in Udaipur, Devi Vilas.
Living like a local
Travelers are no longer seeking comforts of a 5-star hotel accommodation with the conventional offerings. According to Yeishan Goel, CEO, Privy hotels, “luxury is something that’s rare but close to the heart. With globalization and the emergence of new inbound and outbound markets the definition of luxury has changed over time. Travelers are no longer seeking comforts of a 5-star hotel accommodation with the conventional offerings. People want to travel better, on a deeper emotional and personal level and brands which offer an immersive, local, authentic, and adventurous travel are faring better than the others. The rudimentary outlook to travel has given way to an exciting new trend which is all about discovery – discovering a destination, the local influences, people, food and a new way of living. In order to make the most of this evolved travel behavior, hotels are constantly innovating and introducing new experiences to appeal to this demographic trend.
MIHIR GARH | The Rajasthan resort offers an exceptional Shikaar Dinner experience in the vast wilderness surrounding the hotel, under the canopy of the stars
For instance, Mihir Garh in Rajasthan offers an exceptional Shikaar Dinner experience which is organized in the vast wilderness that surrounds the hotel. Guests can enjoy the rugged landscape of the Thar Desert, dining under the magnificent night sky on a canopy accompanied by soft tunes of the Rajasthani folk musicians.
Emergence of boutique hotels
According to Yeishan Goel, there has definitely been a growing interest from the Indian traveler to indulge in exclusive and experiential travel offered by luxury boutique hotels. This trend can be attributed to the evolving traveler choices and their buying attitudes. Till about two decades ago, the Indian traveler was mostly interested in International travel to popular destinations. Fast forward to today, and we find domestic tourism is on the rise and luxury travelers prefer to experience small and intimate boutique hotels more than ever before. These quiet retreats with their distinct character offer guests a culturally immersive holiday and allow them to connect with the local community, history and cuisine.
Technology and Tranquility
“On one end are the global hotels who are using technology as a ‘luxury tool’ and are giving the most amazing gizmos to their guests from the time they drive to the hotel from the airport – your welcome letter already comes to you on your App and even tells you the room which has been assigned to you. In-room, there is just one remote which takes care of the air conditioning, television, window blinds, all the room lights etc etc. This, I guess, is more for the luxury-oriented guests in the corporate world. Recognition by name is another huge expectation of this luxury segment. On the other end are hotels driven by the need to be hand held at every step – not because they cannot manage on their own, but they want that personal attention of human contact. So butler service, individually crafted menus, a slow pace with no timings at all – is another trend of this segment. However, what is common to both is an increasing demand of space,” says Himmat Anand, Tree of Life Resorts
Bespoke Experiences
SUSHI AT THE TAJ | The Tah Mahal Hotel New Delhi offers one of a kind experiences to guests including sushi rolling tutorials with expert chefs at Wasabi
The luxury traveller today is seeking experiences tailored to his or her wants and liking. For instance, despite its legacy, The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi is going that extra mile to offer bespoke experiences to its guests. “Our one of a kind experiences include the sushi rolling tutorials with expert chefs at Wasabi by Morimoto, exclusive cooking sessions with the master chefs at our gourmet Indian dining destination Varq as well as the unique rickshaw tours of Old Delhi which have a loyal fan following amongst patrons. Each of the dining experiences at the Hotel are completely tailor made, with great ambience, specially crafted menus created by the Chef with handpicked ingredients of the season, a special customized label of Champagne as well as customizable gifts to take away as memories. The idea behind these unique experiences is to let customers take bespoke dining to the next level through a series of courses, where each entails a series of surprises. The unique experiences extend beyond dining. The Chambers at the Taj Mahal Hotel also curates bespoke hampers for guests complete with an exquisite selection of gifts which includes culinary delights, limited edition designer accessories, signature brews as well as exotic crystal ware,” says Satyajeet Krishnan, General Manager, The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.
So now you can take your pick from this plethora of new-age options for your next luxe travel experience.
The Hollywood Airship is the most artistically extravagant bespoke jet you could think of. Created by Embraer, the jet is inspired by old Hollywood films and flaunts backlit crystal structures, marble detailing, and 3D sculpted leather reliefs depicting Sunset Tower, Howard Hughes’ flying boat from the Spruce Goose, and head-turning cars from the 1930s. The $80 million jet has been designed by Embraer’s vice president of interior design, Jay Beever and Eddie Sotto. Its sister jet, The Manhattan Airship, carries the same price tag and comes adorned with mahogany interiors with gold and brass accents as well as a metallic entry mural that pays tribute to the Leif Neandross-designed work in the lobby of the Empire State Building. Both the Art Deco inspired aircraft have been proposed as charter jets.
After the recent introduction to the Meteorite version of the Senturion carkeys, here’s another luxe object for your wrist that boasts of hobnobbing with particles from outer space. It’s the newest tourbillon by De Bethune that boasts a 5000-year old meteorite dial sourced from the meteor graveyards of Santiago del Estero, Argentina, unearthed by scientists early last year. The DB28 tourbillon features a deep blue disc in place of a regular dial, which is formed from a heated alloy of iron and nickel that predominantly makes up its muse. The mysterious touch to the dial is completed with the depiction of a star-studded sky in blued hand-polished iron meteorite with white gold stars. The case, in blued and hand-polished titanium, measures 42.6mm x 9.7mm and is water resistant to 30 meters. It also showcases a double AR-coated sapphire crystal within. The watch features a screwed case back in polished 18 carats rose gold. The look is completed with an alligator strap with alligator padding and a mirror-polished and blued titanium and 18kt rose gold ardillon buckle. Priced at $277,940, this watch is literally something else.
Feast your eyes on the gorgeous 2017 RUF CTR Yellow Bird that is based on the iconic 1987 model which was the world’s fastest sports car of its times. It is super limited edition too, with only 30 of the new models being created. The Yellow Bird features a bespoke design created with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and body panels, and even the seats are made of carbon fiber. Only the crash structure and roll cage are non-composite steel. This speeding bird combines a lightweight body with a twin turbo flat 6 cylinder engine mounted behind the tires in the rear. It can pump out 710 hp with 649 ft-lbs of torque, sprinting from 0-100 in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 362 kmph. With a six-speed manual gearbox, the Yellow Bird puts all its power in the hands of the driver. Happy Soaring!
Colette is celebrating its 20th anniversary by releasing, all through 2017, a slew of collaborative products, of which the highlight is the Air Woven limited edition collection created in partnership with Nike. Only 213 pirs of the shoes will be made, each of them making use of the Parisian boutique’s signature blue and white color scheme. Future collaborations with brands like Converse, Club75, Dr. Martens, Pedro Winter are something to look forward to.
The humongous 887-carat La Gloria Emerald will be auctioned off on April 15 by New York based auction house Guernsey’s. The La Gloria is the biggest stone from the Marcial de Gomar Collection of rare emeralds, and is also one of the largest museum-quality emeralds in the world. The stone has previously been featured in a joint exhibit in 2002 with Arthur Groom & Co. and the Smithsonian Institute in New Jersey. It will be sold in New York at a live event at Americas Society at 680 Park Avenue, along with 20 other loose emeralds (both cut and rough) and 13 pieces of extraordinary emerald jewelry. Also included in the collection is the marcial de Gomar Star, one of only eleven star emeralds known to exist in the world, with the added distinction of being perhaps the only double sided star emerald in the world.
Chanel has partnered with the Palais Galliera to create the first permanent fashion museum in France. Slated for an opening in late 2017, the gallery will be named Salles Gabrielle Chanel, The Gabrielle Chanel Rooms and will be situated in the 670-square-meter basement of the Palais Galliera. The space will be devoted to the history of fashion from the 18th century to the present day, and the museum’s permanent collections, which comprise some 200,000 garments, accessories and documents.
In the age of supercars, now you have a superkey too. The Senturion is a key that fits on your wrist like a band, creating a unique luxury wrist-wear. It integrates the existing encrypted security system into your device so that it becomes fully compatible with your supercar form the get-go, literally, from the moment it arrives. Every piece of Senturion is created as part of a limited edition series of just seven, with over 70 hours invested in the creation of a single piece. There are also extra special meteorite editions which actually carry parts of an asteroid that has traveled the Universe for about four billion years—more than the age of our planet! Their extra-terrestrial pattern is unique for each piece and non-replicable, which means that no two Meteorite versions will ever be alike. Talk about exclusivity!
Following the dazzling debut of the McLaren 720S at the Geneva Motor Show, McLaren Special operations (MSO) has gone ahead and created the bespoke Velocity version to showcase the myriad luxe customisation options for the vehicle. The most prominent feature of the 720S Velocity is the two-tone paint scheme. It takes 300 man hours to blend the two pearlescent hues of red, including a new ‘Nerello Red’ on the side, front and upper body panels, which fades into ‘Volcano Red’ that covers the sides and rear of the car. This two-toned look is enhanced by lightweight alloy wheels done in ‘metallic bronze’. Additional changes include a red carbonfibre bonnet, sill cover, deck vents and a rear aerobridge finished in glossy carbon treatment. The interiors feature an abundant use of carbon-black Alcantara, contrasted with red Harissa leather on the low-slung sports seats, steering wheel, door inserts and all over the dashboard too. It is worth noting that the Velocity is just one of the five themes from MSO for the 720S, the other four being – GT, Pacific, Track and Stealth. McLaren says the 720S Velocity as a complete vehicle will cost around £335,000—approximately Rs 2.72 crore—a whopping £100,000 more than a standard 720S. Now that’s what we call riding in style!
