Daily Pampering: iPad finds a home in BMW’s back seat

by Melanie Nayer on

What once made your kids excited about car rides will soon be replaced with something even better…



Forget the back-seat video screens that used to keep the kids quiet (until the fights broke out over what to watch), the iPad is making its way into the back seats of BMWs.

USA Today is reporting that BMW will install optional brackets on the rears of the front seats of the next X3 crossover so back-seat passengers can read, watch movies, surf the Internet or play games while in the car on their Apple iPads. Revolutionary? Actually, yes. With this little enhancement, BMW buyers won’t have to spend extra installing the back-seat entertainment screens. Reports say BMW plans to show off the system at the Paris Motor Show next month.

This daily pampering is less about cost, and more about sanity. What better way to keep the back-seat quiet than with their own pre-loaded iPads that fit safely and snuggly in the brackets – no holding required. Kudos, BMW, for creating yet another way to occupy our kids so the adults can have a civilized drive that doesn’t end with one parent yelling, “Don’t make me pull this car over…”

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Daily Pampering: Hudson Hotel unveils new luxury vending machine

by Melanie Nayer on

Why stand in line at hotel gift shops or spend time searching for your needs in a city? The Hudson Hotel in New York has launched a new luxury vending machine offering guests everything from travel amenities to high-priced hotel packages (in the event you want to stay a bit longer).

Called the “Semi-Automatic”, the Hudson’s new oversized vending machine takes over part of a wall in the hotel lobby and is stocked with a curated combination of everyday necessities and a myriad of luxury items at the press of a button.

The vending machine is divided into five categories: Basics, Media, Fashion, Beauty, and GoFish. The touch-operated screen allows guests to choose what they want from some of the finest name brands including Malin + Goetz, Kiki De Montparnasse, Paul Smith and Haute Hippie.

Choose from paperback books, stylish toothbrushs, a retro Ouija Board, jewelry and clothes. If you’ve got a little extra to spend, rent a red Ferrari 599 GTB for $10,000 a week or purchase a personal portrait shoot with renowned photographer Ben Watt for $8,000.
For $4,500, purchase a two night penthouse package at Morgans Hotel Group’s newest hotel, Ames in Boston. The package includes dinner for two at Woodward, a special welcome amenity and a curated itinerary from UrbanDaddy.

The Semi-Automatic is available to guests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Daily Pampering: Luxury tours through the Himalayas

by Melanie Nayer on

Interested in seeing India with an expert? Forget the five-star hotels and populated cities of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Mumbai, Shakti is offering a chance to see the most remote and beautiful regions of India as seen through the experts who know them best.

Shakti was created from Jamshyd Sethna’s passion to share his beloved Himalayas with travelers looking for authenticity within luxury. Travelers venture into unexplored territory, and walk village-to-village walks in the awe-inspiring Indian Himalayas. Travelers walk three to 10 miles a day, stay overnight in village houses complete with Egyptian cotton sheets and cashmere throws, and enjoy freshly prepared meals from a personal chef all the while taking time to experience the meditative qualities of India. The expertly experiences are offered in three distinct areas of the Indian Himalayas:

Ladakh: live in villages, learn local customs, and experience Himalayan mountain life up close and first hand. 7-night stays start at $3,535 per person, based on two to three adults. Dates through Sept. 30.

Sikkim: prayer flags, colorful monasteries, and the presence of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain, set the background for this tour. 4-night stays start at $1,880 per person, based on two to three adults. October 1 – April 30

Kumaon: walk through forests of grey pine, cedar, and rhododendron, and pass through villages and by small shrines to Hindu gods. 3-night stays start at $1,245 per person, based on two to three adults. October 1 – April 30

Prices for the Shakti village experiences are inclusive of all taxes, accommodations, meals and beverages, activities, English-speaking, well-educated local guides, porters, a private chef, and vehicles when necessary. Prices depend upon the specific itinerary and number of travelers in the group; flights are not included.

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Daily Pampering: Chocolate Bar reopens in Boston’s Langham hotel

by Melanie Nayer on

September starts a new season of all things savory, including Boston’s two best culinary indulgences – chocolate and Sunday brunch. The Langham, Boston welcomes the return of Boston’s two favorite decadent buffets – the Chocolate Bar and the City Brunch.

The Chocolate Bar at The Langham is entering its 22nd year as a Boston staple. Pastry Chef Jed Hackney’s innovative creations featuring salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and savory flavors will delight any chocolate lovers palette. Desserts include Stuffed Soft Pretzels, Raspberry Filled Beignets, White Chocolate and Lemon Meringue Tart, and Chocolate Almond Financier. Several old favorites will also return including the legendary Langham Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding, Cotton Candy, and Whoopie Pies.

If you want something more substantial for breakfast, try the City Brunch on Sundays, which feature a variety of stations and buffet items. Executive Chef Mark Sapienza offers a variety locally sourced and produced foods, in addition to house-made items. Chef Sapienza has a direct relationship with local farmers and artisan food purveyors to offer the best meat, seafood, cheese, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The cost of this indulgence? Visit the Chocolate Bar in Café Fleuri every Saturday for $38 for adults/$25 for kids. Enjoy Sunday brunch at $48 for adults and $25 for children.

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Daily Pampering: Book $6 million Taj suite, name a Boston theater

by Melanie Nayer on

Always wanted to see your name in lights? Now you can, thanks to the Taj Boston.

For $6 million, you’ll get two nights in a Taj Boston suite and your name will grace The Boston Conservatory, Boston’s independent performing arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater. Naming rights are just the start of the perks…

The ‘$6 Million Boston Conservatory Suite Weekend’ at Taj Boston, October 15-17, 2010 includes:

  • Naming rights to The Boston Conservatory’s new theater building performance complex
  • Private round-trip jet transport from anywhere in the world to Boston for two, and limousine transfers to and from hotel
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Taj Boston Presidential Suite, a 1,540-square-foot space with large parlor overlooking the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue, dining room and kitchen area, spacious master bedroom and lavish marble master bath, with 24-hour butler service
  • Gift of a new Jaguar XJ to enjoy during your stay and then to take with you or garage in Boston, with lifetime valet parking privileges at Taj Boston
  • An exclusive itinerary of Boston Conservatory grand opening events, including ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours of “your” new theater building and Opening Note! performance on October 15; VIP reception, dinner and Opening Note! performance featuring guest artist on October 16, followed by post-performance Champagne and dessert after-party for patrons and performers Lifetime tickets for two to all Boston Conservatory performances, arranged by the Taj Boston concierge staff
  • A collection of commemorative items honoring your generous donation, including an engraved Christofle sterling silver platter, etched Tiffany Champagne glasses and a magnum of Cristal Champagne Rose
  • A festive farewell Sunday Champagne Brunch on The Roof at Taj Boston

Don’t have $6 million? No problem, for $4 million you can name The Boston Conservatory’s Main Stage Theater Auditorium and enjoy a weekend in Boston with all of the additional experiences, amenities and services listed above. For more information, contact Claude Dubois at Taj Boston, 617-536-6700.

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