Paris Hilton tweets from her on-board bed in her private jet

by Melanie Nayer on

It’s good to be rich. For most of us, we’re lucky if we get upgraded from economy class to business class. For Paris Hilton, economy class and business class are like riding in the back of a Plymouth Pacer.

The multi-millionaire hotel heiress gave us a peak into her world at 35,000-feet when she Tweeted a picture of herself reclining on a bed on her private jet as she flew to Paris, France. She was on her way to the namesake city from London when she reminded followers via twitter how much she loves London. And who wouldn’t love London if you leave and arrive in this kind of style?

London’s Daily Mail grabbed a hold of some of the party princess’s pics of herself on the jet – one of her on a double bed and another of her posing on a leather sofa.

Who knew planes could be this roomy?

Gucci sues over branded hotel in Dubai

by Melanie Nayer on

Things are getting catty on the catwalk. Elisabetta Gucci’s plans to open a global chain of hotels under the Gucci name may be blocked by the luxury fashion company. Seems Gucci – the goods – doesn’t want any affiliation with Gucci – the hotel.

“Gucci wants to make clear that it has no relationship to Elisabetta Gucci Hotels and that it is not involved in any project whatsoever with Elisabetta Gucci Hotels,” the company said in the e-mail, obtained by Bloomberg news. “If necessary, Gucci will take any needful step to protect its rights.”

Elisabetta Gucci, daughter of late fashion mogul Paolo Gucci, plans to open an 87-suite property in Dubai’s Media World district by the end of 2010, as Gadling previously reported. The Dubai hotel will be first of 40 planned Branded EG Hotels by Elisabetta Gucci.

The EG Hotels by Elisabetta Gucci is set to open only a few months after the famed opening of the Armani Group’s Armani Hotel Dubai in Burj Khalifa. According to Bloomberg, EB Hotels is counting on drastically lower hotel rates than those charged at Armani Hotel, in an effort to increase travelers. Daily rates at the Elisabetta Gucci’s hotel would start at 1,500 dirhams ($408) compared with 4,000 dirhams per night at Armani.

[via BusinessWeek.com]

New luxury hotel to open in Kuwait

by Melanie Nayer on

Hotel Missoni announced it will launch its newest luxury property in Kuwait this fall. The hotel, set to open September 2010, will be succeeded by Hotel Missoni openings in South Africa (2011), Brazil (2012) and Oman (2012).

The Hotel Missoni Kuwait is the second property and the first resort to be launched under the new hotel brand. Hotel Missoni is part of the designer-turned-hotelier trend we’ve witnessed in the industry. The hotel group focuses on the style of the iconic fashion and interiors label, spearheaded by Hotel Missoni Creative Director Rosita Missoni.

The new Kuwait hotel will be located near the main shopping area of Kuwait City, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The hotel is part of a new development that also houses a large shopping mall, apartments and offices.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait will have a total of 169 rooms and suites, all of which have sea views. Each guest room has an in-suite bathroom complete with custom-scented Missoni bath amenities. The 63 suites range from 805 square feet to the 2,260-square-foot Presidential Suite, which also boasts a 970-square-foot outdoor terrace.

The Hotel Missoni Kuwait will also host a swimming pool with mosaic floor in a signature Missoni stripe; 13,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa; Rosita Missoni’s family recipes at Cucina restaurant; 18th floor bar with Arabian Sea views and private access to a mixed-use luxury retail development, which will include a Missoni boutique.

Daily Pampering: Luxury shopping at 35,000-feet

by Melanie Nayer on

Don’t you just hate it when you realize your favorite Chloe bag is at home, and you’re 35,000 feet in the air? Good news fashionistas: the savvy shoppers at Virgin America have found a way to ensure you aren’t without your favorite luxe items.

Virgin America and Gilt Groupe, the invitation-only online shopping site featuring hundreds of luxe-designers, have partnered to provide travelers with bonus Elevate points for shopping in style.

Here’s how it works: Make a purchase on Gilt Groupe using your Elevate number and receive 500 bonus points towards your Elevate Frequent Flier program with Virgin America. After 30 days from your purchase, members will get 500 bonus points. Thereafter, you’ll get 250 Elevate bonus points per $250 purchase.

Gilt Groupe offers Men’s, Women’s and Children’s favorite fashion and luxury brands at up to 70 percent off retail prices. Membership is free, so it won’t cost you to join. Gilt publishes new sales and designers on a daily basis and you have 36 hours to buy from that sale. You can check out the designers and upcoming sales during the preview period (usually a few days before the sale opens) and start picking your items.

Word to the wise from this Gilt Groupe shopper: Get online early and grab your item! It’s a first-come, first-served site so when the item is gone, it’s gone for good.

Want more? Get your dose of Daily Pampering right here.

Concorde Hotels turns up the heat with summer deal

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The euro has never been lower, and Europe is calling. With the Concorde Hotels & Resorts “Summer Offer,” you can get on a plane and out the door without breaking the bank. The Hotel Lutetia in Paris and Hotel de la Paix in Geneva are on the list, with rates as low as $159 a night – a savings of up to 30 percent.

Travel by the end of August, and you’ll also get a buffet breakfast daily and a special amenity (per person) waiting for you in your room every night, as long as you stay between two and four nights. And if Europe doesn’t turn you on, Concorde has locations in Japan and Africa, too.

Take advantage of the discounts now. With the economy turning around, 2011 is expected to be the first year of a hotel recovery.