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Welcome to the April 2007 issue of WOWConfidential, Kiwi Collection's exclusive insider's newsletter by Mary Gostelow, editor-in-chief of WOW.travel, our online luxury magazine for discerning global travellers.
Please enjoy this month's WOW.travel. Our Insider is Stephen Brandman, visionary of the trend-setting Thompson Hotels, and our monthly concierge is Raffaele Sorrentino at Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin. Away-night is the Peninsula Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and we have Seven Sensational places for your grandmother.
As always, there are hosts of exciting entries in both VIP and future events and happenings. Around The World includes the Virtuoso meeting in St Petersburg, Russia; fishing in British Columbia; tiger-viewing in India; philanthropy in Africa; the style of London-based yoga specialist Katy Appleton and the first Kiwi Collection Inc global leaders' think-tank.
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The Royal Bengali tiger, the national animal of India, is an incredible sight
One of the hottest must-do experiences is meeting up with a Bengali tiger - and that is exactly what my Kiwi Collection colleague Bradley Cocks (photo) and I have been up to. We had the joy of experiencing a couple of days at Mahua Kothi, the five month-old ultimate luxury resort right in the center of incredible India. Share my excitement on www.kiwicollection.com/around_world.php.
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Hindustan Times Mint Luxury Conference
My visit to India coincided with the Hindustan Times Mint Luxury Conference, at the Taj Palace Hotel, Delhi. It was opened by two charismatic politicians, Christine Lagarde, Trade Minister of France (photo) and her Indian counterpart, Minister for Commerce & Industry, Kamal Nath. I predict we will certainly see a blast of strong French consumer brands throughout India, where there are more billionaires than in Japan. President of Chanel (and Chairman of Comité Colbert) Françoise Montenay said that her first Indian boutique, which opened in The Imperial New Delhi, November 2005 has unleashed endless potential. Expect Jean Paul Gaultier to be among others opening in Delhi soon.
The Imperial New Delhi, New Delhi, India
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The newly opened Ritz-Carlton Tokyo offers a unique turndown service
At the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, GM Ricco de Blank, his wife Virginia and their children Christiana and Riccardo (photo). The 248-room hotel opened, as expected, precisely at 9am on March 30, 2007. One of the many special features that GM Ricco de Blank has arranged is a Rolex partnership at night turndown. Once a month, now through December 2007, one lucky guest will find a note under the pillow that invites them to pick up a watch from the Rolex store in the hotel (the recipient is chosen by an outside audit firm). www.ritzcarlton.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Experience true luxury while staying in the Royal Suite at Baglioni Hotel London
As more and more top travelers are accompanied by family or friends, they want suites with extra bedrooms. Baglioni Hotel London, has converted two former suites into a stunning first-floor, three-bedroom Royal Suite. The 2,500 sq ft area, in a Bordeaux color palette (designer Gil Dez), comes with four bathrooms, three working fireplaces, two parlours, one Moreno chandelier and a 180 sq ft terrace with views over adjacent Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace, London home of the late Princess Diana. www.baglionihotellondon.com
Baglioni Hotel London, London, United Kingdom
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Inkaterra introduces its guests to the natural wonders and indigenous cultures of Peru
Jean Pierre Magnet composes and plays such soul-touching contemporary Peruvian jazz that a journey flies by when listening to the Serenata Inkaterra CD featuring his work. Our favourite pieces are numbers four and five, Llamas in Freedom and Whispers from Lake Titicaca. Inkaterra, based in Lima, is headed by artist and environmentalist Jose Koechlin von Stein and his wife Deny: they own and run the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Inkaterra Villas in the Urubamba Valley, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica on Madre de Dios River (photo) and this year they open Casa Cusco, in Cusco. www.inkaterra.com
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360° Leti launches four futuristic luxury cottages high in the Himalayas
This month, 360° Leti launches its four futuristic luxury cottages, 7,000 ft high in the Himalayas. Bijoy Jain's design, built by local Leti villagers, uses local stone topped by a huge canvas windsail: you have wood fires, finest fittings, fabulous mountain air. There are two chefs, fine wines, an onsite organic greenhouse. One of the Banyan Tours team, chairman Jamshyd Sethna, Lucy Davidson or Gemma Hyde, is your host. Best arrival sounds like light aircraft to Pantnagar, then a Banyan Tours car. www.banyantours.com
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Feel like a billionaire with Marquis Los Cabos’ three-night package
Marquis Los Cabos, in Mexico's Baja California promontory still has its three-night billionaire package available - you get your private helicopter and visits to wineries. I would also take time to look at the stunning modern Mexican art in and outside the 237-room hotel - I especially liked Jorge Marin's Icarus metal sculpture at the top of the lobby level ornamental pool, a pool that cascades down two levels to the beach terrace below. Architect of this gallery-like hotel is Jacobo Micha, a school friend of the owner, Jose Kalach. www.marquisloscabos.com
Marquis Los Cabos, Los Cabos, Mexico
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The Airbus A380 is the largest and most lavish private jet on the market
Edése Doret is literally taking interior design to new heights - he is theming the interior of the only Airbus A-380 so far ordered as a private jet. The $150 million commission includes installing a 147-foot master suite with 600 sq ft main bedroom, and an overall desert-like environment. Doret was born in Haiti, graduated from the Pratt Institute in New York and founded Edése Doret Industrial Design Inc. in 1998. He has worked with every private jet type flying today, including the Boeing BBJ and BBJ2 increasingly favoured by Russian oligarchs (WOW.travel and its parent www.kiwicollection.com will be happy to settle for something more modest, perhaps a mere Gulfstream GIV.) www.edesedoret.com
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Red Rose Journey’s offer seamless door-to-door luxury, with Lufthansa and Shangri-La
Many talk about seamless service, but few really achieve it. Lufthansa and Pudong Shangri-La Hotel, Shanghai offer a Red Rose Journey for those flying First Class between the Frankfurt area and the hotel. The airline picks you up, within a 30-mile radius of the airport, and in the dedicated First Class check-in terminal a concierge makes such arrangements as CHI Spa reservations at the hotel. You are VIPed through emigration, and immigration on arrival, and all the way to the hotel. www.redrosejourney.com
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SeaDream Yacht Club is making airline travel easier
SeaDream Yacht Club is also making it easier for travellers to avoid the increasing hassle of getting out of and through airports and their necessary, but irksome, security. You can pay for your bags to be picked up from anywhere in the north-east area of the USA and you find it waiting for you in your cabin, onboard. The service is organised by Luggage Express, based in Boca Raton, FL. www.seadreamyachtclub.com
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The Putman, boutique-style hotel apartments, to be launched Spring 2007
Andrée Putman (photo) is one of the most respected designers in the business. She made her name with Pershing Hall, Paris, which has a vertical garden up a wall in an inner courtyard - she is also designer of the sensational Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg, Germany. Now she has given her name to The Putman, a 28-suite lifestyle concept in Hong Kong's Central district that is aimed at long-stay guests. GM is former tennis pro John Hui. www.theputman.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg, Germany
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David Richards, owner of Prodrive, purchases Aston Martin from Ford
Although it was rumoured that Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère were interested, in fact former rally driver David Richards (photo) led the successful £479 million purchase of Aston Martin from Ford. Richards, who owns Prodrive, will be launching his own Formula One team in 2008: for the Aston Martin buy-out, he got financing from Kuwait, from Mustafa Al-Saleh's Adeem (whose hotels include Grosvenor House, JW Marriott London, and the forthcoming Monarch on the 'Australia' island on Dubai's World) and from Investment Dar, led by Adnan al-Musallam. Another key person in the purchase was Houston investment banker and Aston Martin enthusiast John Sinders, MD of Jefferies International Ltd. www.astonmartin.com
Grosvenor House Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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The Gupta Empire: The Golden Age of Indian Civilisation exhibit
Le Grand Palais in Paris - built in 1900 for a World Fair - is currently exhibiting The Gupta Empire: The Golden Age of Indian Civilisation, now through July 2nd. The exhibition shows around a hundred sculptures and bas-reliefs on loan from India. The Gupta Empire, which covered most of northern India and what is now eastern Pakistan and Bangladesh, spanned the period roughly 240-550 AD. A time of peace and prosperity, it represented the 'Golden Age' of ancient Indian culture, and the show traces the evolution of Gupta style from its genesis to its maturity.
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Bene Benissimo wellness is offered at Hotel Splendido
This month, for the second year, Bene Benissimo wellness is offered at Hotel Splendido, Portofino, one of Italy's greatest luxury hotels. April is the month that opens the season of life, perfect to be in splendid form: the program is based on holistic philosophies, with Ayurveda and aromatherapy, the calm of yoga and the energy of Pilates, massage, and walks in the open air. The hotel's spa is surrounded by pine and olive trees, and other specialities it offers are anti-ageing and anti-stress treatments, and the ever-popular hot stones. www.hotelsplendido.com
Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy
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Baselworld 2007: home to priceless watches and jewellery
This is that time of year in Basel, when the Swiss city yet again becomes temporary home for the jewellery and watch industry: Baselworld 2007 takes place April 12-19. Watch collectors will also congregate in Geneva mid-month. Antiquorum chairman Osvaldo Patrizzi is hosting Omegamania, an auction of priceless timepieces, at the Mandarin Oriental du Rhône, Geneva April 14-15 (among lots are examples of the Speedmaster Moon Watch that have been official wrist wear of the US space program since 1965, and one of a 555-edition Michael Schumacher 2002 World Champion watch, with his signature, photo).
Mandarin Oriental Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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The Movimentos Festival Weeks in Wolfsburg
This year's Movimentos at Autostadt, Wolfsburg, runs from April 14 through to May 20. One of the highlights will be Bryan Ferry, appearing on May 12th: also appearing throughout the event are Bale de Bahia, Brasil; Emanuel Gat Dance, Israel; Sankai Juku, Japan; Cullbergballeten, Sweden; Batsheva Dance Company, Israel. Events are held in the magnificent brick power station, and catered by the adjacent Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg (one of the most memorable hotels WOW.travel has seen - see a future Away-Night). www.movimentos.deThe Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg, Germany
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Special guests, including Ignatius Chan, to indulge in an exclusive dinner at The Regent
In Singapore on April 15th, a hundred lucky people will sit down to dinner cooked by Executive Chef Claudio Rossi and colleagues at The Regent (which has a new GM, Martin Sinclair). One star will be Dorin Schuster, chef of Iggy's, run by connoisseur Ignatius Chan, photo. Black truffle highlights that night included a martini glass of truffle mousse topped by soft-boiled free range egg, and linguine with black winter truffle, melted Vacherin with black truffle salsa, la ratte potatoes and mache salad. www.fourseasons.com
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Enjoy Mediterranean creations with a five-day program with the Hotel Gritti Palace
Foodie and gourmet writer Nancy Harmon Jenkins will be participating at the Hotel Gritti Palace Esperienza Veneziana on April 16th. This is part of a five-day enriching Venetian gourmet experience at the hotel. There are also themed culinary lessons by Club Del Doge Executive Chef, Daniele Turco, working with visiting guest chefs, and visits to the Rialto Market: you also dining in authentic local “osterias”, and learn about mask-making and masquerade dinners. The hotel is part of Starwood's Luxury Collection. www.luxurycollection.com
Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy
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The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta takes place on the waters in the Caribbean
The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta takes place April 19-24 2007, and sponsors include Caribbean Coffee, Laurent-Perrier and Mount Gay Distilleries. The Antigua Race Week was formalized in 1967, and in those days all of the yachts were classics. In 1996 it created the “Spirit of Tradition Class”, which gives the “New” classics, built along the lines of the old, a chance to sail alongside their sister-ships. In 1999 the Regatta saw the first race between J class yachts in 60 years. www.antiguaclassics.com
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Visit Cornwall’s beautiful, bright gardens while staying at Hotel Tresanton
Visit beautiful English gardens April 29 April to May 2, and stay at Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall. Exclusive tours of Cornwall’s beautiful gardens, at their best and most colourful now, are led by gardener Charles Fox, a descendant of the Foxes who planted several of the most impressive Victorian gardens. www.tresanton.comHotel Tresanton, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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Coming up in May
Coming next month, we have Insider Suzanne Aaronson of Suzanne's Files; Concierge Corner is Maurice Dancer, of The Pierre, New York, and Away-Night Eichardt's Private Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand. See also Seven Sensational breakfasts. Note: if you have not yet signed up for our complimentary emailed newsletter, I invite you to do so now. Have a great month!
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