The new skyscraper – Aykon Tower, adjacent to the iconic Thames River in London, will be fifty seven stories high and offer incredible views of London. There will be 360 luxury apartments in total once built. The luxury units will be designed with the “elegance and sensuality” of Donatella Versace.

Get ready for sticker shock. Entry prices for a studio apartment began at a staggering £711,000 (Euro) or $781,056 (US Dollars.) If you think you have time to decide, think again. All units have been sold in a “pre-sales” period.

No doubt there will be luxury amenities galore for a true VIP experience. For example on the 23rd floor of the Aykon Tower, find a private cinema, state of the art gymnasium and spa, plus full-length swimming pool!

The Aykon Tower will be built by one of the largest construction companies in Dubai, UAE. What can residnets expect when they can finally move in and live in opulence? The property’s brochure states, “live the complete Versace lifestyle, a fantasy turned into reality.” It unabashedly proclaims that “Versace is the true celebration of life.”

But don’t expect all the perks to be free. A parking spot for example will cost you £50,000 extra! But don’t stress about the ski-high price. The brochure reads, “Just arrive home and we’ll do the rest”, with concierge and valet services taking care of residents’ needs and whims.” Well there you go.

Even for those whop already purchased a luxury luxury apartments, may be waiting quite a while. Construction completion is not expected until the year 2020. Maybe you can just hang on and flip the property once ready for move in and bank on the expected price appreciation at Aykon Tower over the next five years.

Many Aykon Tower owners are likely interested in renting out their luxury apartment. It’s estimated that rental rates for the entry level studio units bcould be as high as £27,300 a year.

Although the Aykon Tower luxury apartments in London are all sold out, contact us for the latest luxury properties around the world. We work with the best luxury realtors and can help find you your dream home. If you like reading about luxury real estate, follow this luxury blog for the latest news.

Source: The Guardian
Photo (artist impression): JLL Residential Homes

Remy Martin has announced they plan to open their first members club – La Maison Remy Martin. The club will is ideal for cognac lovers but will only be open between November 25 and December 6, 2014 in London, England.

The new club will consist of two bars serving Remy Martin cognacs and offer creative workshops plus the chance to meet talented craftsmen of London.

The La Maison Rémy Martin concept will be a first for any cognac brand but access is extremely limited. The cognac club will only be accessible for members only and personally invited by Remy Martin. For the public, if you want a chance to attend, there will be a competition where 100 lucky people can win the chance to become a member of La Maison Remy Martin.

Located in the SoHo area of London, La Maison Remy Martin can be found at 19 Greek Street and will cover all four floors of the building. On the first floor, members can experience the VSOP Bar & Lounge and enjoy the work of five talented mixologists from London. These are five of the every best and include Erik Lorincz from The American Bar at The Savoy, Alex Kratena from the Artesian and Agostino Perrone from The Connaught Bar. They will develop an inspiring cocktail menu specifically designed for La Maison Rémy Martin.

The club’s second floor will host the “Cognathèque”, whch is a retail space that features a gorgeous seating area. Mmebers can sample and buy Rémy Martin cognacs that are currently sold around the world. worldwide. Also enjoy a Rémy Martin cognac masterclass to be hosted by the International Brand Ambassadors of the house.

The third floor will host “L’Atelier Rémy Martin” which is an exclusive space where Remy Martin will collaborate with selected lifestyle brands to offer creative workshops. You can also view selected pieces of Remy Martin’s latest Futur Heritage project in partnership with ECAL,

On the fourth floor of the La Maison Remy Martin club is the Remy Martin XO lounge. The bar provides an opportunity to try Remy Martin XO serves.

If you are interested in visiting the La Maison Remy Martin in London, and taste some of the best cognacs in the world, please contact us for more information or visit lamaison.remymartin.com. Follow this popular luxury blog to read about the latest luxury industry news.

A visit to London, England anytime of the year is a wonderful experience. London will be offering a wide variety of events and exhibitions that shouldn’t be missed.

London offers a wide variety of accommodations for visitors. Two new hotels are scheduled for opening this year including The Beaumont Hotel and M by Montcalm. The Beaumont Hotel is the first created by famous restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin.

The luxury M by Montcalm is a 200-room hotel is part of a 23-story tower London development. The new hotel was designed to blend which fuses large scale art, sculpture and architecture …. all in a futuristic looking tower.

One unique experience can be found at the Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood. The exhibit is titled “Small Stories: At Home in a Dolls’ House.” it opens December 13 and takes visitors on a fascinating journey of the history of each home in addition to the dolls who lived there.

London is well known for incredible theater productions. Opening December 2 is “The Wind in the Willows” at the Vaudeville Theater. On December 6 is “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” at the Royal Opera House and on December 13 will be the opening of “The Little Match Girl” at Sadler’s Wells.

Learn about the First World War in the Air at the famous Royal Air Force Museum. Opening in December is a new exhibit in the museum’s historic Grahame-White Factory. See how fighter plane pilots, ground crews plus factory workers come together during World War I at the birthplace of aerial power.

Ring in the New year in style and enjoy the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display. Located at the famous London Eye, as Big Ben “bongs” at midnight, the fun in the sky will start. It’s the UK’s largest annual fireworks display and continues to be a very popular event in London.

Theater lovers will also enjoy the opening of “Golem” which opens Dec 9 and runs through January 21, 2015. Golem follows the huge hit The Animals and Children took to the Streets. First premiered in 1927, Golem is one of the most anticipated new shows of 2014. Enjoy the play’s premise – what can happen when man and machines become almost interchangeable.

If you would like to make travel plans to visit London this year, contact The Life of Luxury today. One of our luxury travel specialists can assist you with your entire itinerary and reservations. Return to this luxury blog to read about other travel destination news and announcements.

Visitors to London this fall will be able to enjoy The Paddington Trail. Now you can follow along the trail of the world’s favorite Peruvian explorer – Paddington Bear – and discover many of London’s major cultural and landmark hotspots.

Fifty life-size Paddington Bear statues will be located around London, England, allowing visitors to learn about the city’s museums, shops, parks, and other landmarks. It’s a great luxury travel experience you don’t want to miss.

The new Paddington Trail launches this October. You can go to VisitLondon.com/Paddington and download the trail map, plus share your favorite photos along the trail. Read about the stories behind each Paddington Bear statue and trail location.

The Paddington Trail is part of the publicity plan leading up to the film’s highly release in U.K. cinemas on November 28, 2014. The film will debut in U.S. theaters in late-December 2014.

The highly anticipated movie is based on author Michael Bond’s original tales of a young, stowaway bear who’s all alone in London. He is invited to stay by the Brown family. Feeling welcomed and more secure, he begins his journey discovering the big city of London.

You can view a trailer of upcoming Paddington movie here:
(Note: the video is no longer available)

Boris Johnson is the current Mayor of London and was quoted, “As a long-time fan of Paddington Bear I’m delighted that this world-famous, marmalade-loving, duffle-coat wearing, polite but notoriously accident prone bear will be celebrated by Londoners and visitors to our great city, with the launch of this fantastic trail.”

3DEye is a design company based in London and helped create the three-foot six-inch tall, Paddington Bear statues. The statues will be auctioned off later this year. The money raised will support various charities including the NSPCC who supports protecting vulnerable children and trying to keep them safe.

In addition to the NSPCC, the trail will benefit the children’s charity – Action Medical Research. Paddington Bear has been the official mascot of this fine charity for over 35 years!

To make vacation plans to visit London and tour the Paddington Trail, contact us today and we can assist with planning and booking your stay. Follow our luxury blog to read about other luxury travel special events.

In the new Mastercard Global Cities Index report, London was announced as the most popular tourist destination in the world. London tops both Bangkok and Paris.

The Mastercard Global Cities Index report states that London is forecasted to have 18.7 million international visitors during 2014. In 2013, Bangkok – Thailand held the top spot. But projections show London will surpass Bangkok this year by 300,000 visitors.

This is the fourth year for the Mastercard Global Cities Index report. The organization evaluates and ranks 132 of the most traveled cities around the world.

The top cities for 2014 include London and Paris from Europe, Bangkok, Singapare plus Dubai in the Middle East.

Europe had a strong showing with 8 of the top 20 most traveled cities. In addition to London and Paris, the list includes Istanbul at #7, Barcelona at #11, Amsterdam at #12, Milan at #13, Rome at #14 and Vienna #17.

Boris Johnson is the current Mayor of London and was quoted after hearing the news about his city, “With nearly nineteen million visitors this year London is the world’s favourite place to visit. Our city perfectly combines history, heritage, arts and culture, not to mention vast amounts of green space and major events that are the envy of the planet.”

Last year, London set an all-time record of international visitors with a total of 16 million. This is according National Statistics International Passenger Survey. If the 18.7 million international visitor forecast comes true, that’s a 17% year to year increase and will be another new high for travelers to London.

London has long been a popular luxury travel destination. There is so much to do and the city offers a true cultural experience. There is Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Thames River, London Eye, British Museum, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Royal Opera House, Hyde Park, Royal Albert Hall and much more!

Marking the 100th Anniversary of World War I, London is the place to be. The Imperial War Museum re-opens this month to honor the event. Travel visitors can also view the ‘Great War in Portraits’ exhibit at the amazing National Portrait Gallery.

For those you looking for a rewarding cultural experience, this year London is hosting some amazing events, including – ‘Ming: 50 Years that changed China’ at the British Museum, ‘Rembrandt: The Final Years’ at the National Gallery, in addition to ‘Constable: The Making of a Master’ at the V&A.

If you are interested in booking a luxury travel vacation to London this year, please contact The Life of Luxury. One of our travel concierge specialists can help plan and book your entire itinerary. If you enjoy reading about luxury travel and VIP experiences, follow our luxury blog.

Photo: Westminster Abbey / VisitLondon.com

The luxurious Corinthia Hotel London is housed within a beautiful Victorian building and features 294 rooms that include 36 suites plus 7 penthouses, all serving up amazing views across London’s most popular city landmarks.

The five-star Corinthia Hotel London is now offering an incredible package for its hotel guests that includes an exclusive outing to the historic Petworth Estate.

A day’s outing to this English country estate, allows Corinthia guests to go hunting for game, and offered a tour of the ancestral home of Lord and Lady Egremont. At Petworth House, guest can also view the largest private collection of artwork by Turner, plus enjoy a traditional English Afternoon Tea in the scenic, British countryside.

The gorgeous Petworth estate was designed by renowned English landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown back in 1752. The property is part of the National Trust.

Start your day with an early morning pick up from the hotel in Whitehall Place (Range Rover or helicopter options available) and travel to the Petworth Estate in West Sussex. You will be greeted in the gun room by Head Keeper/Deer Manager David Whitby. There you’ll be fitted with everything from hearing protection to guns and cartridges.

Your country stately home experience continues with a morning of simulated game shooting followed by an afternoon drive of live game, type depending on the time of year. From October to January the focus is on birds such as pheasants. Between April to September it’s simulated stalking and shooting of live deer when available.

For fishing lovers during the summer, try your luck with fly-fishing for rainbow or brown trout on the estate’s rivers or eight lakes.

With a busy schedule of hunting and shooting across the estate, you’re appetite will need to be dealt with. Corinthia’s Executive Chef Garry Hollihead will prepare an incredible breakfast and picnic lunch (depending on weather). The meals will be served to the guests by butlers and estate staff. And of course, an afternoon tea is also included.

At the end of the day, Corinthia Hotel London guests may be given oven-ready game birds, fish and/or venison, which Corinthia London can prepare for their dinner when they get back to the hotel in the evening.

If game hunting is not your thing, then you can also enjoy a day at Petworth with a guided tour of the main house (which houses the largest private collection of Turner paintings), horse and cart tour of the estate (weather permitting), and a look around the plethora of local antique shops.

Interestingly, the ancestral 17th century home Petworth House includes a section that is still inhabited by Lord and Lady Egremont.

Pricing for this one-day outing to the Petworth Estate includes all shooting equipment and tuition (tailored to all levels), food and drink and transport to and from the Corinthia Hotel London – begins at £2,500 (approximately $4,000).

The luxury Corinthia Hotel London provides unrivaled world-class luxury and amenities, and is a must for anybody staying in London. The hotel’s Northall restaurant serves the best in British produce throughout the day. Also try modern Italian cuisine at Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar and the musically inspired Bassoon Bar.

If you are interested in booking a trip to London and staying at the luxury Corinthia Hotel London plus the Petworth Estate visit, please contact The Life of Luxury and speak to one of our travel concierge specialists to help with your arrangements.

The buzz of the royal birth by Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William is still the rage, it’s time to consider exploring England and stay at one it its many luxury hotels.

The new Prince of Cambridge, His Royal Highness will for sure spend a large portion of his his childhood at London’s world famous Kensington Palace. Of course, Kensington Palace is where the Duke and Duchess reside and will now make it home for the newborn baby boy.

The nearby Hilton London Kensington created a ‘Tot-ter Around Kensington’ package to celebrate the arrival of the royal baby. Hotel guests will be able to enjoy a two-night shopping break, ideal for mother-daughter bonding and moms-to-be.

This hotel package from the Hilton London Kensington includes a two-night stay at the stylish Hilton London Kensington, with each guest receiving a VIP card for Westfield London Shopping Centre, which is located directly opposite the hotel. The VIP card entitles shoppers to offers and discounts of up to 20% from over 80 stores and restaurants.

Stylish moms-to-be can stock up on baby treats from several stores including – Mamas & Papas, Bébé Bisou and Atelier de Courcelles.

Another wonderful London property is the Grosvenor House Hotel. The hotel has transformed one of its luxury suites into a five-star nursery for jet-setting babies.

This luxury hotel teamed up with bespoke nursery designers Dragons of Walton Street and the transformation of of the Premium Park View Suite is amazing. The result is a stunning English nursery that was truly designed and tailored with a royal baby in mind.

The luxurious Grosvenor House Hotel is located on London’s Park Lane and long been a popular stay for the affluent and guests who want to experience the best of London.

An interesting, historical Royal fact is that both William and Harry in addition to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie all grew up in a Dragons nursery.

It’s an amazing site as the suite was inspired from idyllic views of Hyde Park and the hotel’s legendary history. The baby nursery is fitted with bespoke, hand crafted and painted furniture.  The pièce de résistance is a beautiful dolls house toy closet hand painted to represent Grosvenor House’s signature architecture.

Choose from three unique travel packages, which are priced beginning at from £2,230 / $3,428 per night.

To make your travel reservation to visit England and stay at either the Hilton London Kensington hotel or Grosvenor House Hotel, please contact The Life of Luxury.

Photo: The Draycott

The Draycott hotel in London, is the British city’s most refined and charming boutique hotel.

The Draycott Hotel can be found in a stunning 19th century townhouse at 26 Cadogan Gardens in Knightsbridge, inside the borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

As one of the premiere hotels in London and offering five-star accommodations, The Draycott is now offering an incredible package for its guests.

You can have the opportunity to enhance your summer wardrobes with the help of personal shopper and fashion stylist, Ghaz and the world class boutique shopping of Chelsea and Sloane Square.

Photo: The Draycott

The full package is based on a two night stay that also includes morning breakfast for two people plus afternoon tea.

After you’re ready to get your day started, hotel guests will meet with Ghaz, who offers a unique experience for those in search of the most enviable summer wardrobe.

Ghaz is well respected and provides a highly individualized personal styling, wardrobe planning and accompanied personal shopping service for both men and women across the entire London area.

This truly bespoke service is a one of a kind and features a four-hour VIP shopping experience that allows you to take in vintage, new designer and couture shopping throughout the boutiques of Chelsea, Sloane Square and Kings Road.

The Draycott package includes the following:

· Full English Breakfast
· Half day personal shopping and consultation with Ghaz
· Afternoon Tea for two including tea or infusions, a selection of sandwiches, traditional homemade fruit cake, scones, handmade preserves, butter and clotted cream

Hotel package rates are based on a two night stay (rates include VAT):

· Superior Double: £690
· Deluxe Double: £835
· Suite: £979

When you are done with your memorable shopping indulgence, it’s time to head back to The Draycott to enjoy a well-deserved afternoon tea for two served in the splendid drawing room designed by Nina Campbell. This beautiful room overlooks the private garden, and at 6pm – hotel guests can enjoy further pampering with a complimentary glass of champagne.

To book your reservation at The Draycott hotel in London, please contact The Life of Luxury using the form below.

St Ermin’s Hotel

The luxury St Ermin’s Hotel is now offering a spy package that is ideally timed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ian Fleming’s first Bond book “Casino Royale,” which gave life to his legendary character. Now hotel guests have a chance to be James Bond 007 like Daniel Craig and live like a spy!

St Ermin’s Hotel in London’s St James’s, which completed an 18-month, £30 million renovation in the summer of 2012, is distinctly individual, contemporary and welcoming with 331 newly designed stylish rooms, including 41 luxurious suites.

With a rich history of espionage, undercover activities and even a secret passageway to British Parliament, London’s recently renovated St. Ermin’s Hotel, offers young 007 fans a chance to be special agents with its “Budding Bonds” package.

Families can use their own undercover abilities with the hotel’s “Budding Bonds” package which lets kids test their code breaking and observational skills. At check-in, each child receives their own Top Secret briefing pack containing confidential information on the hotel’s links to the intelligence community. A book of codes and tips help budding agents develop spy skills, while a series of searching questions.

The briefing pack also takes them on a London Spy Walk Challenge enabling them to win a coveted ‘iSpy for St. Ermin’s’ identity card before being rewarded with their very own shaken not stirred, non-alcoholic cocktail.

For avid James Bond 007 fans and die-hard enthusiasts, the luxury London hotel can arrange a private London Spy Walking Tour, which highlights major points of interest in the country’s history of espionage, much of which took place nearby.

The “Budding Bonds” package is priced at £550 (approximately USD $831.00 based on a family of four sharing) inclusive of VAT for a two-night stay. It includes a Family Room accommodation which sleeps five – two Queen-beds, a full-size day bed and two bathrooms – on a bed & breakfast basis. And, of course, a St. Ermin’s Secret Agent Package per child, including the London Spy Walk Challenge. A minimum two-night stay is required. Offer is subject to availability and is valid till December 31, 2013. Blackout dates may apply.

In 2012, St. Ermin’s Hotel made the Condé Nast Traveler “Hot List” as one of the world’s best new hotels.

To learn more about the St. Ermin’s Hotel “Budding Bonds” package in London or make a reservation, please use the contact form below.

St. Ermin’s Hotel
2 Caxton St
London, SW1H 0QW

Photo: Ellenborough Park

Located in the spectacular rolling countryside of the Cotswolds, Ellenborough Park is a 16^th century country house hotel offering the perfect mid-week getaway for those seeking a deluxe male relaxation experience.

Just over two hours from London, the incredible scenery of Ellenborough Park’s grounds and surrounding landscape offers guests a further opportunity to escape.

Guests can escape their daily routines and indulge themselves in ultimate comfort and luxury through a rejuvenating spa experience, exquisite fine food and wine, along with enjoying the extensive grounds and facilities at this luxurious 5-star award-winning hotel.

The Indian-themed spa offers the ideal venue for relaxation with three separate secluded treatment rooms.

Hotel guests can relax and wind down in the hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room. if you’re feeling more energetic, then take advantage of the property’s amazing fitness suite facilities or outdoor swimming pool, heated to a perfect 31 degrees.

Ellenborough Park is part of Mantis, a collection of five star boutique hotels and eco-escapes around the world.

Ellenborough Park which was sensitively restored back in 2011 and has proudly been awarded a number of prestigious accolades since re-opening, most recently winning Leading Country House Hotel and Leading Spa Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2012, along with being voted Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice No. 1 UK Luxury Hotel.

Gentleman’s Luxury Retreat at Ellenborough Park is available Tuesday – Friday from £625

· Overnight stay in a luxury room
· 1 hour – 25 minute spa treatment of back massage, manicure and pedicure
· 3 course fine dining with 3 selected wines specially selected by hear sommelier Clio Giudici

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request for a stay at the Ellenborough Park hotel. We will promptly get back to you.

Corinthia London

Look Left Look Right invites everyone to “take the stage” as you journey through a night of adventure and suspense at the Corinthia Hotel London, a 294 room Victorian building including 36 suites and 7 penthouses with breathtaking views across London’s most popular landmarks.

A thrilling series of theatrical performances, entitled Above and Beyond, by the award-winning interactive theater company, Look Left Look Right, will take audiences on an exhilarating adventure. Hotel guests are invited to enjoy vivid performances through one-on-one interaction followed by world class luxury accommodations.

Located in the heart of London, Corinthia London is home to the flagship ESPA Life at Corinthia, a next-generation spa housed across four floors, plus its own Daniel Galvin hair salon. Enjoy fine dining at The Northall, serving the best in British produce throughout the day; modern Italian cuisine at Massimo Restaurant & Oyster Bar, and the musically inspired Bassoon Bar.

Corinthia London

Production of this play required the theatre company’s Artistic Director Mimi Poskitt and writers Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Katie Lyons to take up residency at Corinthia London for a month. Stories about the hotel’s past and present will form part of the interactive experience.

With 24 performances per night scheduled, each participant will be guided through a number of mysterious encounters set around the Lobby Lounge and Victorian Ballroom to the previously unseen back of house areas. The play lasting 70 minutes will allow individuals to take part in approximately 15 scenes lasting ten seconds to seven minutes long.

Available March 18 through April 14, 2013, this unique luxury package includes 2 tickets for the Above & Beyond play held at Corinthia Hotel London and a one night stay in luxury accommodations followed by an English Breakfast for two in The Northall (based on two adults sharing).

You can learn more about about other luxury Corinthia Hotels in Europe.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request. We will promptly get back to you.