Memorial Day is a time to show respect and honor the many men and women who have given their lives while serving in The U.S. armed forces.

It doesn’t matter if you are spending time with friends or family, a great tasting cocktail is always popular at any party or social gathering. Cruzan Rum is produced in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The rum maker was founded in 1760 and has been called “the most honored rum distillery in the world.”

Cruzan Black Strap navy style rum has the sweet flavor and unique aroma of blackstrap molasses and is perfect to be drank alone, or mixed into a creative cocktail.

A “tot” is a daily ration of rum sailors enjoyed dating back hundreds of years. The longtime tradition ended in the late 20th century. Now relive the past with the Cruzan Black Strap Navigator cocktail from Cruzan Rum. The cocktail has a dark color from using Cruzan Black Strap and tastes incredible!

Try this unique Cruzan Rum cocktail recipe:

Cruzan Black Strap Navigator
Created by Cruzan Mixologist, Jesse Card

– 2 parts Cruzan® Black Strap Rum
– 1/2 part Fresh Lime Juice
– Ginger Beer

Method:
Build ingredients in an Old Fashioned glass over ice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.

If you enjoy trying new cocktail recipes, consider the Cruzan Black Strap Navigator from Cruzan Rum. Follow our luxury blog to learn about other great tasting spirits and cocktail recipes.

Photo: Cruzan Rum

Once a Portuguese colony, Macao is rich with both culture and history. Macao was named by Lonely Planet as one of the “Top 10” regions to visit in 2015. One of our top picks to stay is the luxurious Sheraton Macao Hotel – Cotai Central.

In China, Macao continues to become a popular leisure destination and the offers visitors a chance to view several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With its booming gambling industry and luxury casinos, Macao has been called the “Las Vegas of Asia.”

Located across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong, Macao bustles as an exhilarating entertainment center in Asia, with beautiful vacation spots to enjoy a luxury vacation.

The Sheraton Macao Hotel also is an appealing, luxury property for families who desire a VIP experience. The luxury hotel is offering various family-friendly packages this summer. Here is a summary:

· Junior Hotelier Program – Sheraton Macao Hotel gives kids a unique chance to learn about running a luxury hotel while also having fun. while having fun. This existing program has been so popular, the Sheraton Macao Hotel is extending it throughout this summer.

· Suites and Meals – Sheraton Macao Hotel offers it family guests the DreamWorks-themed family suites. Great for all ages. Enjoy breakfast with Shrekfast. It’s a truly entertaining morning meal for kids who get to meet their favorite Shrek movie characters.

· Planet J – Known as the world’s largest indoor theme park, Planet J opens this summer. The luxury theme park is a beautifully decorated 100,000 square-foot indoor fantasy world. Take a magical journey through the Magic Stone Kingdom. Each guest uses their own “magic scroll” smart phone that comes loaded with Planet J apps for a terrific interactive, experience. Now that’s having fun – VIP style.

Ready for a great family experience and to visit Macao for your next vacation? Contact The Life of Luxury and we can book all your travel plans including a stay at the luxury Sheraton Macao Hotel in China. Read this luxury blog to learn about other luxury travel packages.

Photo: Sheraton Macao Hotel – Cotai Central

Looking for a luxury mansion in beautiful Brentwood, Tennessee? Now is your chance to buy one – Pickney Manor – at an upcoming auction from Supreme Auctions – supreme-auctions.com

Pickney Manor is located in the heart of Nashville. This amazing mansion was designed by architect Mitchell Barnett and built by Bill Akers.

Built in 2004, Pickney Manor features five bedrooms, six baths, as well as multiple living spaces. The interior of this Nashville mansion was created by interior designer Kathryn Broadwater and showcases intricate design details and exquisite finishes.

For those who love to cook and entertain, this luxury home offers a masterful chef’s kitchen. It comes with high-end, Viking appliances plus gorgeous, custom light cabinets. If you love hosting events, you’ll enjoy utilizing the generous catering area.

Included in the duPont Registry, Pickney Manor has been seen in many television shows. This single family residence is luxury through and through and includes 12,874 square feet of living space. The house resides on three acres and overlooks 700 acres of surrounding, picturesque farmland.

If interested in Pickney Manor, the auction will be held on May 28th, 2015 by Supreme Auctions.

The Life of Luxury works with the best luxury real estate professionals and can assist you with your buying or selling needs. Return to watch for other luxury homes featured in our luxury blog.

Photo: Supreme Auctions

Christie’s International Real Estate released a recent study on luxury real estate and 2014 was a year for the record books. Combining both luxury properties that were either listed or sold, the total exceeding $100 million was the highest ever!

The Christie’s International Real Estate report is clear – $100 million has now arguably become the billionaire benchmark price point for ultra-rich properties. This achievement level was driven by the sharp increase in global billionaires.

The research from Christie’s International Real Estate included the world’s top 10 cities for elite properties. The report also looked at 70 additional regional markets with a goal of understanding the key dynamics in the luxury real estate around the world.

During 2014, large cities such as New York, Paris and Sydney remained very strong but started to stabilize a bit. The leader as the hottest luxury market is Toronto, Canada. Toronto was the only city studied that experienced a 37% year over year increase in luxury home sales.

Dan Conn is the chief executive officer of Christie’s International Real Estate and stated, “Whether for safe storage of wealth, lifestyle upgrades or the pure passion of the investment, the intrinsic recognition of the sheer value of prime property ownership could not be stronger among these consumers.”

Second home resort markets were also sizzling last year. This segment led the luxury property sales growth. High net worth people not only drove strong primary home sales, but also pushed the secondary home markets.

Dubai was the most popular city ranked for second home purchases with 75% of total sales. Also showing strong second home sales were London at 44% and Miami with 40%.

Traditionally, $1 million and higher was the benchmark for the luxury real estate industry. According to Christie’s International Real Estate, this segment was 16% higher than in 2013.

If you want to go for the priciest markets, look to Beverly Hills, California and London, England. $2 million is the average starting price per square foot around the world. But in Beverly Hills and London, that starting price is a lofty $8 million.

Another key measure reported by Christie’s International Real Estate was price per square foot. The highest value found anywhere for a luxury home was in Cote d’Azur. Known as the French Riviera, this gorgeous area of France is found on the Mediterranean coast was the highest at a staggering $22,577 per sq. ft.

Although the real estate market crashed last decade and devastated home owners and economies around the world, it’s definitely rebounded very strongly. Based on the high-end luxury market results reported by Christie’s International Real Estate, money is pouring in like never before.

Looking for a luxury home? Contact The Life of Luxury today. We have partnered with the best realtors in the luxury real estate markets around the world. Let the experts assist with your very important luxury home purchase. Return and follow this luxury blog and read about the latest luxury home news or Christie’s International Real Estate reports.

A world record was set last week when a Pablo Picasso painting from 1955 sold for a a staggering $179.4M! The previous record was $142.4M for a painting titled “Three Studies of Lucian Freud” by British painter Francis Bacon. That prized painting was sold in a 2013 art auction by Christie’s in New York City.

The final auction bid price for the Picasso painting was $179,365,000. For now, the painting buyer has decided to remain anonymous.

The Picasso painting was titled, “Women of Algiers (Version O).” The painting was part of the 15-piece collection by Pablo Picasso, he created between 1954 and 1955. Each piece was assigned a letter, thus “Version O” for the “Women of Algiers” painting. The art was previously owned Victor and Sally Ganz, who are well known American collectors.

Many art experts feel prices for high art prices like the Picasso painting will continue to rise. It’s a result of the huge investment value, combined with art collectors, both established and new, who desire the best art pieces from the most famous artists.

To back up the spike in fine art art auction prices, in 2014 Christie’s has stated their global sales of impressionist and modern art totaled an eye popping $1.2 billion. That value was 19 percent higher than in 2013.

The Picasso painting wasn’t the only world record broken that night. A prized sculpture from Alberto Giacometti sold for $141.3 million, this becoming the most expensive sculpture ever sold.

Have you desired to own a great piece of art to display in your home or add to your prized art collection? Contact us as we have many contacts with private sellers of fine art or can keep you posted on upcoming art auctions. Keep up with the latest luxury art news by reading this popular luxury blog.

The London West Hollywood Hotel is scheduled to unveil its luxury penthouse on May 18. The luxury L.A. hotel will also announce three new Metropolitan suites that will range in size from 1,600 to 2,200 square feet.

At 11,000 square foot, the new luxury penthouse will become the largest hotel suite in Los Angeles. The penthouse and three Metropolitan suites are the final phase of the luxury hotel’s $25 million renovation projected that has lasted 15-months.

The incredible penthouse was inspired by iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Along Richmond Design, Westwood assisted with the design of the new, bi-level penthouse suite. The incredible suite will feature custom furnishings as well as exclusive art and décor

Offering intimate ambiance, the penthouse suite is a massive 6,000 square feet in size. Located on the tenth floor of the luxury hotel, guests can enter via a contemporary-styled corridor.

Jeff Kulek is the General Manager of The London West Hollywood Hotel and was quoted, “We are proud to unveil the city’s largest, most lavish and fashion-forward hotel suite, inspired by renowned designer Vivienne Westwood, and we look forward to impressing our discerning guests with all it has to offer. The new penthouse, along with our three impressive new Metropolitan Collection suites, not only offer superior overnight accommodations, but also provide unparalleled entertaining opportunities found nowhere else in Los Angeles.”

Enter the suite through double entry doors and quickly realize the gorgeous decor and endless luxury amenities. The large foyer blends into a 2,000 square foot Grand Salon. This spacious entertaining space showcases large corner sofas, polished stone floors, custom cabinetry and rich furniture, all accented beautifully by Vivienne Westwood upholstery and cushions.

The Master Bedroom Suite is jaw dropping and actually consist of several luxurious spaces. You’ll notice a stunning contemporary King-sized four poster bed beneath a coffered ceiling. A handmade tapestry from Vivienne Westwood is 125 x 125 cms in size. The tapestry is hand-stitched in wool and surrounded by a wooden frame.

The penthouse suite’s marble bathroom is incredible. It includes hand drawn Westwood tartan, white on white, soft cotton towels. The bathroom’s ceiling light creates a lovely ambiance, gently shining down up on free-standing bathtub. Step outside on the penthouse’s amazing 5,000 square foot rooftop terrace. It’s massive and can hold up to 300 guests. A terrific place to hold an outdoor party or social gathering. Look out and enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of Los Angeles.

Pricing for The London West Hollywood Hotel luxury suite is $25,000 per night. Included are numerous designer, VIP experiences such Her gift bags from Vivienne Westwood upon check-in; a one hour of private shopping at the Vivienne Westwood store in West Hollywood with special discounts, in addition to Vivienne Westwood-branded amenities found within the suite.

The hotel’s three Metropolitan Suites are quite spacious with open floor plans and can be found on the second floor. Offering one and two-bedroom suites, they range in size between 1,600 and  2,200 square feet.

To make a reservation at The London West Hollywood Hotel, contact The Life of Luxury today. We can help plan and book all your travel reservations. If you enjoy reading about new luxury travel news, be sure to return to our luxury blog.

Photos: The London West Hollywood Hotel

For those of us who love traditional camping, the idea of pulling out a dirty, smelly, musty (oh you get the idea) tent from your garage is not a pleasant thought. Thermo Tents could be the answer and the future of camping!

Derek O’Sullivan is an Irish native and founded Thermo Tents in 2013. The company clams to have developed the world’s very first properly insulated tent, both thermally & acoustically.

Their latest product is Thermo Tent 6 and not only does it offer campers a comfortable temperature inside the tent, but it also does an excellent job of insulating from those annoying, outside noises that can sometimes ruin your camping trip.

The new Thermo Tent 6 was designed utilizing cutting-edge, insulation technology made from several breathable materials, including cotton-based and poly-cotton insulation. The end result is the luxury tent provides surprising enjoyable indoor temperatures and eliminates noise from the outside.

Including the porch, the external tent measures 23 feet (7 meters) long, 13 feet (4 meters) wide and 7.2 feet (2.2 meters) high. Interior wise, the tent is 7.6 feet (2.3 meters) long, 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) wide and 7 feet (2.1 meters high.

THERMO TENT 6
The new Thermo Tent 6 from Thermo Tents is pure quality. The fully insulated sleeping quarters is split into two separate rooms – 2 berth and 4 berth. Each room has its own door. Try the world’s very first correctly insulated camping tent and to enjoy the most comfortable night’s sleep in any tent.

• Flysheet – Poly-cotton (65%35%) with Ripstop, 7,000 HH
• Groundsheet (Sewn In) – 210D Strong Oxford, 10,000mm HH.
• Poles – HT Steel, 12mm.
• Inner Tent – 2 layers of extra breathable Polycotton come together to sandwich our special TTinsulate insulation which boasts very low thermal conductivity and a high density.
• Fire Retardant – All of our materials are FR, and exceed ISO EN 5912 (2011) standards.
• Pegs – Our plastic pegs are the most durable in the marketplace and they won’t turn in windy conditions as some other cheaper products do.
• Night visibility – Our pegs and guy lines are reflective and so easy to see, even in darker conditions.
• Mesh – B3 standard (Top possible quality).
• 48kgs weight total

THERMO TENT 3 PERSON SLEEPING TENT
The sleeping section from the Modular Tent from Thermo Tents can be bought as a either a standalone or three person insulated sleeping tent.

• Flysheet – Poly-cotton (65%:35%) with rip-stop, 7,000mm HH on Dome.
• Poly-cotton (65%:35%) with Ripstop on sleeping tent, along with 30mm TTinsulate high performance insulation.
• Groundsheet (Sewn In) – 210D Strong Oxford, 10,000mm HH.
• Poles – HT Steel 12mm on dome and 9mm fibreglass on sleeping tents.
• Fire Retardant – All of our materials are FR, and exceed ISO EN 5912(2011) standards.
• Pegs – Our plastic pegs are the most durable in the marketplace and they won’t turn in windy conditions as some other cheaper products tend to do.
• Night visibility – Our pegs and guy lines are reflective and so easy to see, even in darker conditions.
• Weight – dome 35kgs, sleeping tent 11kgs.

THERMO TENT MODULAR
Thermo Tent Mod is the latest addition to the Thermo Tent family of tents. It has a unique design, combining the space of the large living along with the privacy of separate, insulated bedrooms. Each bedroom can sleep up to three people. This tent model has both storage compartments and pet compartments that you can zip on or off, depending on your needs.

• Flysheet – Poly-cotton (65%:35%) with rip-stop, 7,000mm HH on Dome.
• Poly-cotton (65%:35%) with Ripstop on sleeping tent, along with 30mm TTinsulate high performance insulation.
• Groundsheet (Sewn In) – 210D Strong Oxford, 10,000mm HH.
• Poles – HT Steel 12mm on dome and 9mm fibreglass on sleeping tents.
• Fire Retardant – All of our materials are FR, and exceed ISO EN 5912(2011) standards.
• Pegs – Our plastic pegs are the most durable in the marketplace and they won’t turn in windy conditions as some other cheaper products tend to do.
• Night visibility – Our pegs and guy lines are reflective and so easy to see, even in darker conditions.
• Weight – dome 35kgs, sleeping tent 11kgs.

If you enjoy reading the latest travel industry news like the new Thermo Tents, then follow our luxury blog. We can also help plan and book all your luxury travel reservations.

Photo: Thermo Tents

Another Royal Family milestone was achieved with the recent birth of Royal Baby – Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Proud parents Duchess Kate Middleton and Prince William have added another heir to the throne. Princess Charlotte is now fourth on the list after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and her older brother George.

In celebration of the Royal Baby birth event, the luxury Trump International Hotel & Tower New York has announced their Central Park Princess Package.

Designed for the discerning traveler, the Trump International Hotel & Tower New York is located at 1 Central Park West) and offers guests 35 deluxe hotel rooms and 141 luxury Manhattan suites. The high-end property is on the corner of on Columbus Circle between Broadway and Central Park West.

So to make each hotel guest feel like royalty, the luxury hotel’s Central Park Princess Package is a great way to experience New York in VIP style! The package includes the following luxury activities and amenities:
· Accommodations in a park-view suite
· Princess Rhinestone-Studded Tiara
· Four Tickets to the Following Family Attractions of Your Choice: Central Park Zoo, Manhattan’s Children’s Museum or the Museum of Natural History
· $100 FAO Schwartz Gift Card
· Kid’s DVDs to Watch In-Room
· In-Room Milk and Cookies from Jean-Georges
· Coloring Book and Crayons Upon Check-In
· All Trump Kids Services and Amenities (special children’s menus, swimming lessons, board games, and children’s books, etc.)

This package is great to explore the Big Apple with museum visits and shopping sprees. The new Trump International Hotel & Tower New York package is now available and will run until September 7, 2015. Package pricing begins at $1,700 per night for reservations in a one-bedroom park-view, luxury suite.

To take advantage of the Central Park Princess Package at the Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, contact us to help plan and bool your trip. If you enjoy reading about the latest luxury travel news and packages, follow this popular luxury blog.

Photo: Trump International Hotel & Tower New York

Tesla Motors is the poplar manufacturer of electric-cars. They recently announced a new base model car – Tesla Model S 70D – to be part of their battery-electric, luxury sedan portfolio. The “D” stands for dual motor.

What is surprising is that the new entry level car will actually be pricier than Tesla’s more expensive starter vehicle. With a price tag of $75,000, the new Tesla Model S 70D is an all-wheel-drive Model S. The car has a 240 mile range rating and is powered by a 70-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

The Tesla Model S first was introduced in the 2012 model year, and has gone through several changes over the last few years. This year brings a welcome feature many have been waiting for – all-wheel-drive!

The Tesla Model S 70D electric car is a five-seat luxury sedan but his some real speed. With an all-wheel-drive, 514 horsepower engine, the car takes only 5.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.

The Tesla Model S 70D will come with lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic keyless entry, parking sensors, as well as GPS-enabled Homelink system.

The previous, Tesla entry vehicle from the Model S line was the 60. It did not offer all-wheel drive and had a price of $71,100. It also lacked several features such as a navigation system, automatic keyless access, and blind-spot monitor. The Tesla S 60 required more frequent stops to recharge and the cars acceleration was slower.

Another nice perk is with the Model S 70D base model, you can receive free electricity at any of the Tesla SuperCharger locations. The Modle S 70D is now available for sale.

Although the S 70D base price tag is $75,000, you can take advantage of a federal tax credit that can drop the cost to own your own Tesla to $67,500. Tesla officials have stated they feel the their new model go up against both the BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Series luxury sedans.

If you are ready to finally own your own Tesla electric-car, including the new Tesla Model S 70D – contact us for assistance. We can help assist you during the buying process. Come back soon to read about other luxury car industry news and product announcements.

Photo: Tesla Motors

Who wouldn’t want to sail on a luxury yacht and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the ocean. Silver Star has an awesome portfolio of luxury yachts, including the largest yacht in their fleet – M/Y Serene superyacht.

To receive the ultimate luxury yacht charter experience available, the M/Y Serene is 134 meters in length and has been described as one of most technically advanced superyachts that has ever been constructed. That is saying a lot since there are some incredible luxury yachts around the world.

M/Y Serene was built in 2011 by Italian shipyard Fincantieri. The stunning superyacht can accommodate up 24 guests, has a crew 52 people and features 12 luxurious cabins.

For those who want to simply relax and soak in the sun’s rays, M/Y Serene offers several different swimming pools, steam room, a jet stream swimming pool, hot and cold spa pools and even a snow room!

If you are an adventurous type and want to enjoy your time on the open seas to the fullest, M/Y Serene features – sea kayaks, sports fishing safeboat with full diving support, deep sea fishing equipment, various inflatable toys, two lasers, plus water skis and wakeboards. In addition, there’s a storage area for a submarine and a large internal seawater swimming pool, plus even two helicopter platforms for your VIP escape to the mainland.

The interior of this incredible superyacht was designed by famous yacht interior designer- Reymond Langton. The yacht’s decor is stunning and guests will even find a drop-dead gorgeous spiral staircase.

The twelve luxury staterooms include a principal’s suite, VIP staterooms and guest staterooms that come in both double and twin configurations. The spacious principal’s stateroom includes an oversize California King bed, a beautiful en-suite bathroom and a full walk-in dressing area. The attached deck has a hot tub located on the private terrace.

For those families bringing children, no worries. M/Y Serene yacht is equipped to keep the little ones busy at all times. Children can have fun in the playroom, equipped with its own climbing wall. Between the yacht’s decks, kids can try the slide or visit the magical Nemo Room. For gamers, you are in luck. The yacht’s own game room comes with video games consoles, large toy collection and even a cinema to watch your favorite movies.

The superyacht M/Y Serene is available for charter on the Mediterranean. So if you are looking for a memorable VIP experience aboard a luxury yacht, then fulfill your dream and cruise along the Amalfi coast of Italy in style.

Please contact The Life of Luxury if you are interested taking a luxury yacht charter. We work with the best yacht charter companies around the world and can also help plan and book your entire trip itinerary. Follow our luxury blog to stay abreast of the latest luxury travel industries news and tour packages.

Photo: Silver Star

For anybody that has laid outside to soak in the sun’s rays, knows that a common annoyance is getting up to shift your chaise lounge chair to align with the moving sun. Remmus has solved that problem with the luxury Remmus sun lounger.

Finish firm Remmus is the maker of a luxury lounger that can be found on yachts, high-end resorts and villas around the world. The ultimate in luxury decor.

The stylish Remmus sun lounger can actually rotate 360 degrees so it effortlessly follows the moving sun, thus maximizing your sun exposure. No more hassling with repositioning yourself throughout the day.

Remmus was created by Finish designer Tapio Anttila and the sun lounger automatically rotates to face the sun and has been labeled the “revolution in luxury sunbathing.”

Remmus features a waterproof safe locker to keep your valuables safe while you relax in the sun. Once the day heats up and you want to enjoy your favorite beverage, the sun lounger even has a built-in cooler box. For those extra warm days, cool off with built-in misters.

Some people can never leave their hi-tech gadgets behind, so you’ll appreciate the wireless charging station to power up your smartphone or tablet.

Once the sun sets, don’t think you need to leave your Remmus lounger. Just turn on the ambient LED lights. Great for reading a book or socialize with friends with perfect mood lighting. Ready for a cocktail? No worries as you’ll find the built-in service button to call a waiter and place your cocktail order. What a VIP experience!

The lounger has an adjustable powered back rest and includes a breathable padded mattress and built to withstand heavy wear, salt water and UV rays. The polished metal fixtures are made from “acid-proof steel” to prevent corrosion.

If you like reading about luxury decor and amazing luxury travel destinations, then be sure to come back often and read this luxury blog. It’s the best way to follow the latest news and product announcements in the luxury industry.

Photo: Remmus