Seeing the Under Water World... From a Luxury Submarine
For wealthy consumers who have it all already with their vacation homes, luxury cars, and private planes all equipped with only the finest things, a new trend is beginning to feed the hunger for more luxury. Luxury submarines are now available for sale, but customers need to think ahead, construction time is approximately 24 months for many of them. The wait will likely be well worth it, as many are equipped with over 5000 sq. ft. of interior space and 30 days of oxygen capacity. U.S. Submarines is one of the leading producers of these yacht-like vehicles, theirs being made with "rich fabrics, beautiful woods and replete with the finest leathers." They also have interior designers available for customers to consult, if they like.
So who drives the submarine you ask? U.S. Submarines will provide crew training for the owner and/or his selected crew or the crew itself.
Who buys them: According to U.S. Submarines, "The most interesting are the avid SCUBA divers and ocean aficionados who are very interested in the subsea world and view a luxury submarine as a vehicle for exploration. With 2300 megayachts operational around the world, some costing in excess of $150 million, the stakes in the game of one upmanship are rising. Some yacht owners like the idea of having a larger and more unique toy. The luxury submarine also attracts individuals who have never owned a yacht, but are fascinated with the idea of traveling beneath the surface of the world's oceans."
As spa treatments become more and more popular among travelers especially, people's willingness to pay big prices increases as well. Forbes Magazine recently featured some of the world's most expensive spa treatments.
At Spa V at Hotel Victor in South Beach, Florida, penthouse guests can sit in a bath filled with 1,000 bottles of Evian water and sprinkled with rose petals for the price of $5,000.
At New York's Mandarin Oriental, guests can enjoy a five-hour treatment including a massage with essential oils, an Awaken facial to increase circulation, and an exfoliating paraffin wax manicure and pedicure. Price: $1,034
At San Francisco's Spa Radiance, one can enjoy the Grand Luxe Facial for $750. Treatment includes Diamond Peel Microdermabrasion and Purikiss Microcurrent Disencrustation to clear out impurities. Next in the three hour experience, the skin is steamed while covered in an Italian herb healing mask, followed by a warm enzyme exfoliating hand treatment, a caviar eye treatment, hand softening protein drops and LED light therapy that promises to help heal years of sun damage and irritations from skin conditions like rosacea.
There is a new phenomenon is the world of travel. Soon, ocean-loving travelers and those looking for a different type of travel experience will be able to enjoy an unmatched view on the sea in the world's first underwater hotel.
The Poseidon Undersea Resort will have 44 rooms, each fetching $1500 per night and accessible via an underwater tunnel. With the push of a button inside the room, guests can feed the fish. Among the amenities and services will be a 550 square feet transparent space with a view of the spectacular coral garden.
A new luxury residence is under construction in Singapore. The 56-floor tower called Orchard Residences will stand 715 feet tall and have 46 residential floors. Three- and four-bedroom units will range from 1,800 square feet to 2,800 square feet, with penthouse units from 4,200 square feet to 5,000 square feet.
Soon Su Lin, chief executive officer of the joint venture company Orchard Turn Developments said, "One key feature of our residential development is the recreation of the ultimate private orchard for the exclusive use of our residents." Orchard, you say? Soon was referring to a 75,000-square-foot landscaped garden on the ninth level, which will have mangosteen trees, native to the region, and nutmeg trees, which used to be grown in the area and gave Orchard Road its name. Three garden units, ranging from 4,400 square feet to 6,500 square feet, will have direct access to the area.
The building, which will have an observatory on the 55th and 56th floors, is set to be entirely completed around Christmas 2009.
Making your travel more enjoyable every step of the way
These days, travel doesn't have to be the miserable experience it often is with unexpected waits and so many grumpy travelers. Frankfurt, Germany is the new home to a First Class Terminal of Lufthansa Airlines. Guests can relax in a comfortable chair, watch a film, read a magazine or have a hot or cold meal. Other available services include Wifi connection with rented laptop, if necessary in one of their office units. Private bathrooms allow tired travelers to freshen up by taking a hot shower or even a bath. Other luxury services available with Lufthansa include a personal assistant who whisks you through a fast-track security lane and a chauffeur who drives you to the plane in a Mercedes or Porsche. Of course, to take advantage of this serene lounge, you need to be a Lufthansa first class passenger or a member of the HON Circle travelling on one of the following airlines the day you are there: Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines Group, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Regional or SWISS.
Look for more of these luxury lounges on future travels to Berlin, Paris, Düsseldorf and New York.
of these yacht-like vehicles, theirs being made with "rich fabrics, beautiful woods and replete with the finest leathers." They also have interior designers available for customers to consult, if they like.
As spa treatments become more and more popular among travelers especially, people's willingness to pay big prices increases as well. Forbes Magazine recently featured some of the world's most expensive spa treatments.
