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shawngunn on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 in Companies to Watch, Culture, Gadgets & Gear, Mobile, Services, Sports | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Not long ago, we witnessed Italian luxury car maker Ferrari roll out a program that caters to their elite buyers club and now the auto company has upped the selection of perks that cherished customers can receive in appreciation. The name of the program is appropriately dubbed “Tailor Made” because the Ferrari elite will get to personalize the new Ferrari’s before shipping.
The elite club already reserves and extends first refusal of new cars but three new customization packages have been added with the Tailor Made program. Customization options include the Scuderia sporting package, the Classica package based on classic GT styling and The Indita package that has a versatile choice of options to create a totally unique Ferrari. Learn more about the Tailor Made package at Ferrari.com.
shawngunn on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 in Art, How to Blow Your Bonus, Luxury, Services, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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The waiting room. Photo courtesy of HBI.
In London, there are two kinds of travelers: those who arrive at Heathrow an hour early to shop, and those who zip straight to the gate. For the latter group, airport travel just got a lot more luxe. For the first time, the international hub will offer Heathrow By Invitation, a service formerly exclusive to kings, queens and heads of state. For a single fee, individuals or groups of up to six may get from ground to air without ever seeing another passenger, much less the paparazzi. Guests arrive at a private entrance and are escorted to a VIP lounge, where they can sit back in Eames chairs and sip refreshments. The typical airport rigmarole—check-in, luggage drop-off and security clearance—takes place in private. When it's time for takeoff, a limousine will drive the group to the aircraft for direct boarding. Upon arrival, VIP passengers will receive their luggage directly and may arrange onward travel by helicopter or limousine. It is, quite literally, the royal treatment. $2,370 plus tax per one-way journey for up to six passengers; heathrowbyinvitation.com.
The Jet Class: Everything you need to know about plane charters and fractional ownership.
shawngunn on Monday, 14 November 2011 in Luxury, Services, Transportation, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Company: MoviePass
Founders: Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watts
Location: New York, NY
Funding: Raising a round now and is backed by AOL Ventures, True Ventures, Lambert Media, Moxie Pictures, Brian Lee, Diego Berdakin, MJ Eng, Ryan Steelberg and Adam Lilling.
Why it's innovative: MoviePass lets users attend all of the movies they want in theaters for a fixed price. It's great for theaters, which have been having trouble getting people in seats. It also collect data on movie goers.
If MoviePass takes off, it could cast aside sites like Fandango and become an entirely new way for movie buffs to purchase tickets.
shawngunn on Tuesday, 08 November 2011 in Companies to Watch, Entrepreneurs, Mobile, Services, Venture Capital, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Founded in 1997 by mother/daughter duo Colette Roussaux and Sarah Lerfel, Colette is a unique concept shop on Rue Saint-Honore in the heart of the Parisian fashion district. An 8,000-square-foot space covering three floors, Colette–besides the clothes–also encompasses a bookshop, a highly-curated music lounge, as well as a rotation of appeasing exhibits from artists to graphic designers to illustrators. Here, a visual landscape of one of the globe’s most inspirational high-end boutiques.
shawngunn on Monday, 07 November 2011 in Companies to Watch, Fashion, Services | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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shawngunn on Friday, 04 November 2011 in Apparel, Art, Fashion, Luxury, Product Placement, Services, Sneakers, To - Do Before You Die | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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< Back to Concierges' Guide to London
AMAN SPA LONDON AT THE CONNAUGHT The Asian hospitality brand’s "first and only" spa that does not reside within an Aman resort. Set in a serene contemporary space in the Connaught’s basement. (AH) +44.20.3147.7305, www.the-connaught.co.uk
BLISS At the U.S. spa chain’s first London outlet, in Chelsea, expect a "youthful" staff that handles the basics well. A "great" spa choice for "young girls." (BM, ST) +44.20.7590.6146, www.blissworld.co.uk
BOURDON HOUSE, THE LONDON HOME OF ALFRED DUNHILL A barbershop and spa are among the highlights at this "discreet" flagship store. Enjoy a "great shave and a massage" in "an interesting little room." (MB, AD) +44.84.5458.0779,www.dunhill.com/en-cn/thehomes/london/
CLARIDGE'S SPA Located on the sixth floor of the hotel, this spa offers La Prairie skin-care treatments and Old Hollywood–themed spa packages that evoke "timeless glamour" (for women) and "debonair style" (for men). "A lot of guests step off the airplane and come in for a massage first thing." (MB) +44.20.7409.6565, www.claridges.co.uk
THE DORCHESTER SPA After a treatment at this recently remodeled spa at The Dorchester hotel, retire to The Spatisserie for light lunches, afternoon tea, or spa cocktails. (AD) +44.20.7319.7109, www.thedorchester.com
GENTLEMEN'S TONIC "A very masculine" and "modern" traditional barbershop that "caters in everything from a haircut and a shave to waxing and God knows what else." Staff provides "absolutely amazing" shaves, as well as grooming advice—seeing that "a lot of men don’t know how to shave properly." Several London locations. (AH, BM, CS, ST)www.gentlemenstonic.co.uk
GEO. F. TRUMPER For a "very traditional" barbershop experience, book "an old-fashioned shave" at one of the oldest salons in London, affectionately known as Trumpers. "As soon as you walk in, you can feel the tradition." "Prince Charles used to go there. Kings going back 100 years have gone there. We have clients whose grandfathers have gone there, and their own sons will go there. It’s just a thing that you hand down." (MB, MDC, AH, BM, GM, CS, MW) Original Mayfair location, +44.20.7499.1850; St. James’s shop, +44.20.7734.1370; www.trumpers.com
GUINOT Guinot in Mayfair is "one of the most exclusive" day spas in London. Recommended for "a very discerning" client who is "looking for a specialist in skin care." (ST) +44.20.7491.9971, www.rrobson.co.uk
HERSHESONS "Cutting-edge" women’s salon founded in the ’90s by "fashionable hairstylist" Daniel Hersheson. Expect catwalk-style looks, as well as traditional cuts, color, and styling. Several locations, including three blow-dry-only bars. (GM) +44.20.7434.1747, www.hershesons.com
JO HANSFORD Known as the go-to tinter, stylist Jo Hansford "is the best in London for hair color." But "any staff member will do" at this Mayfair salon, which employs more than 40 colorists, stylists, and assistants. (AH) +44.20.7495.7774,www.johansford.com
KX A "stylish" and "elegant" private members’ club in Chelsea with a spa, gym, and restaurant. The KX Spa—devoted to the balance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being—is the only area of the club open to nonmembers. (GM) +44.20.7581.7250, www.kxgym.co.uk
MICHAELJOHN For nearly 50 years, this "marvelous" Mayfair salon has "constantly remained very, very good." Find hair coloring and styling, facials, waxing, manicures, tanning, and other services. (MB) +44.20.7629.6969,www.michaeljohn.co.uk
MURDOCK LONDON Recommended for men’s cuts, shoe shines, and wet shaves, as well as grooming accessories. Four locations in London, including a newer shop on Stafford Street. "Around the corner and a little bit more down to the ears, but still in Mayfair." (ST) +44.20.7495.7310, www.murdocklondon.com
NEVILLE "A serious salon" on Pont Street, led by its namesake celebrity hair stylist and a team of stylists and colorists.(CS) +44.20. 7235.3654, www.nevillehairandbeauty.net
NICKY CLARKE Cuts, color, and a "full range" of beauty treatments at the Mayfair salon of one of Britain’s best-known hair stylists. Clarke is available by appointment on select days. (MDC, AD, GM) +44.20.7491.4700, www.nickyclarke.com
NYUMBA Stylist Michael Charalambous opened this "trendy and modern-funky" hair and beauty salon on Mount Street in 2003. The "young" staff is "very good at what they do"—including "making you feel very welcome." "You wouldn’t be offered a cup of tea, but a glass of Champagne." (AH) +44.20.7408.1489, www.nyumbasalon.com
THE REFINERY Indulge in the "clubby atmosphere" at this "sophisticated" grooming emporium for men. "The place to go" for "great" shaves, as well as manicures, skin care, and spa treatments with "fantastic" products. The "very professional" staff "really knows what it’s doing." Locations in Mayfair and in Knightsbridge at Harrods. (AH, GM, CS, MW) Brook Street, +44.20.7409.2001; Harrods, +44.20.7893.8332; www.the-refinery.com
THE RITZ SALON Recently "revamped" and reopened with a "new team," the hotel’s seventh-floor salon is worth a visit. In-room treatments also available. (MDC) +44.20.7493.8181, www.theritzlondon.com
SANCTUARY SPA An elegant, full-service day spa in Covent Garden featuring an atrium pool, Jacuzzis, more than 40 treatment rooms, and a restaurant with afternoon tea service. Originally designed as a place for the female dancers of the Royal Opera House to relax and unwind. Still "for women only." (BM) +44.84.4875.8447, www.thesanctuary.co.uk
SPA AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LONDON AT PARK LANE Opened in March, this glass-walled, rooftop retreat has "striking" 360-degree views of London. Nine treatment rooms plus steam rooms, saunas, and a "skylit" vitality pool. (GM) +44.20.7499.0888, www.fourseasons.com/london/
SPA ILLUMINATA A "fantastic" day spa in Mayfair that’s "beautifully" modeled after traditional Roman-Greco spas. Treatments for both men and women, including the must-try "hot-stone massage." (AH) +44.20.7499.7777,www.spailluminata.com
THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, LONDON A rejuvenation oasis offering full- and half-day bespoke spa packages, traditional Chinese medicine consultations, and soothing facilities such as an amethyst crystal steam room, vitality pool, and Zen color therapy relaxation lounge. "Everyone absolutely loves it." (MW) +44.20.7838.9888,www.mandarinoriental.com
TAYLOR OF OLD BOND STREET "Old-school gentlemen’s shop" (located on Jermyn Street) that sells shaving accessories, manicure sets, soaps and oils, and an array of grooming products and gifts. (BM) +44.20.7930.5544,www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk
TRUEFITT & HILL Established in 1805, this St. James’s Street barbershop gives "cut-throat shaves with hot towels—the traditional way." Maybe that explains why "Prince Philip still goes in there." (MDC, ST) +44.20.7493. 8496,www.truefittandhill.co.uk
URBAN RETREAT AT HARRODS This "very high-profile" beauty bastion is "the place to see and be seen." Pop in for facials, treatments at the medi-spa, or diet and "intuitive healing" consultations. Also find hair, nail, and makeup services and products, and a perfumery. (GM, CS, MW) +44.20.7893.8333, harrods.urbanretreat.co.uk
—Compiled by Lisa Sweetingham, Jennifer Ryan, Bruce Wallin, and Amanda Millin
shawngunn on Friday, 04 November 2011 in Health, Services, Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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shawngunn on Monday, 31 October 2011 in Companies to Watch, Current Affairs, Entrepreneurs, Mobile, Services, Venture Capital, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Owning a high-end performance auto is one thing, knowing how to drive it is another. At theMercedes AMG Driving Academy (€370; roughly $530 and up), you can do everything from take a tour of the factory and get acclimated to the car to take racing lessons behind the wheel of the high-powered, race-ready SLS AMG GT3, all under the watchful eye of Mercedes' instructors. Oh, and we hear the beer in Germany is pretty good, if you're into that sort of thing.
shawngunn on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 in Services, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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