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: 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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Mandarin Oriental signs celebrities for hotel ads

by Melanie Nayer on

Would you stay at a hotel because Harry Connick Jr. told you to? Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group thinks you might, and is launching a series of new global print ads featuring Connick, as well as Hélène Grimaud and Sa Ding Ding, two internationally known musicians.

The ads will star the three celebs as part of the ongoing campaign dubbed “He’s a Fan/She’s a Fan.” The premise? Each celebrity dishes on their favorite Mandarin property.

Connick, for example, is a fan of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, where he performed in 2009 in one of his most intimate affairs. The concert took place in the hotel’s MO Bar. French pianist Grimaud enjoys staying at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, as she often performs in the city’s famous music venues. Rising star Ding Ding, a product of modern China, was also photographed at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, for the ad.

The new ad campaign is said to combine Mandarin Oriental’s recognized symbol with fans and celebrities who stay at the hotel. Previous celebrity endorsers include Jane Seymour, Jerry Hall, Vivienne Tam, Liam Neeson, and Helen Mirren, among many others. In appreciation of the celebrities’ support, the Mandarin Oriental makes donation to each individual’s charity of choice.

We want to know what you think about this campaign. Are you more likely to consider a hotel because of its celebrity endorsement?

Daily Pampering: Diamond and 24ct Bang & Olufsen sound system

by McLean Robbins on

Envision pimping your pad or yacht with this blinged-out sound system. Can’t make it to the clubs in Ibiza? Bring the tricked-out sound systems to you with Bang & Olufsen’s latest Beosound technology, made luxe by the 24 carat gold and diamond-encrusted bespoke exterior.

The entire tower was crafted by London impresario Stuart Hughes, who is known for his propensity towards the extreme – he’s already created diamond-encrusted iPads, iPhones, televisions and more. the system is bedecked with 32 kilos of solid gold, 70 diamonds (0.75 carats each) and Aventurine and Topaz stones.

But, like all good things – there’s a caveat. Only five of these babies are available for sale, each at a cool $1.85 million.

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[Source: Extravaganzi]