Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category
Sofitel Launches Its IPad Application “The Kiosk”
French hotel chain Sofitel launched an iPad newspaper service for guests July 26, in a move that could mean a fresh start for the dwindling tradition of the morning newspaper in hotels. The luxury chain has launched “The Kiosk,” a customer-only iPad app which offers a selection of interactive daily magazines and newspapers and will be provided to guests on an iPad for the duration of their stay. Guests can choose from publications such as Le Monde in France, the Independent and Vogue in the UK, Bild or Die Welt in Germany or La Repubblica in Italy. The app was designed to deliver both convenience to guests and an environmental benefit, as guests will be able to browse the news using their iPad rather than on paper. Last year, both Marriott and Hyatt announced that they would scale back their newspaper offerings to guests, citing declining interest from guests and waste reduction.
The Makr iPad Case
The Makr iPad Case. One large piece of leather is folded, hand sewn and edge painted to create this magnificent case. Find out more here You must visit their blog here. Some outstanding photography.
The World’s Best Hotel Rooftops
The view from the top of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel has been ranked the best hotel rooftop view in the world by users of price comparison website Trivago. The luxury Dubai hotel, which offers views of the Persian Gulf from a manmade island accessible via a walkway or from the 24th floor “Uptown Bar” in the main building, topped the list of global hotels that offer impressive views. In second place was the Lebua hotel at State Tower in Bangkok, which offers sprawling views of the Thai capital from its protruding bar on the 63rd floor. 1. Jumeirah Beach Hotel (Dubai) 2. Hotel at Lebua State Tower (Bangkok) 3. Hotel de Rome (Berlin) 4. Bairro Alto Hotel (Lisbon) 5. The Ritz-Carlton (Moscow) 6. NH Parque Central (Havana) 7. Hotel Gansevoort (New York) 8. Grand Hotel Central (Barcelona) 9. Hotel U Prince (Prague) 10. Terrass Hotel (Paris) 11. Hotel St. George Roma (Rome) 12. The Trafalgar Hotel (London) 13. Fresh Hotel (Athens) 14. Palms Casino Resort (Las Vegas) 15. The Marmara Pera (Istanbul) List and links done...Enjoy!
Singapore Airlines offers private jet transfer service
Singapore Airlines is to offer private jet transfer in Europe to passengers flying from Australia, the airline confirmed last week. A partnership with Lufthansa’s Private Jet services will mean that passengers flying to one of Singapore Airline’s 14 European destinations will be able to continue their journey on a private jet to one of over 1,000 airports in Europe. The model is almost exactly the same as PrivateConnect, the British Airways tie-up with CitationAir announced earlier this year which provides private jet connections in North America for passengers arriving on BA flights. The European service, which is provided by Star Alliance partners Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa, uses a fixed price and is based solely on distance (from €6,900), regardless of the number of travellers. A dedicated “Private Jet Manager” is on hand to arrange catering, baggage transfer, limousine services and customs clearance for passengers using the top-end service. The service is likely to be popular with Singapore Airlines’ first class passengers, who enjoy suites aboard the A380 services to London, Paris and Zurich — albeit at a price tag which starts at around €12,000 return.
Hair salon by moomoo architects
Polish studio moomoo architects have introduced mirrored columns, slanted walls and a clothes shop to the interior of this hair salon in Warsaw, Poland. Inclined wall planes are bisected by horizontal cuts which open shelf space for the exhibited hair products along with the functional sink surface.
Marc Newson: next generation check in for qantas
Qantas has launched their new next generation check-in experience designed by marc newson at perth, australia's airport. Qantas executive manager customer experience, Ms Alison Webster, said the next generation check-in elements had been developed with Qantas creative director Marc Newson, who provided direction on each of the components, including design and aesthetics. The 'next generation' check-in should provide greater speed and ease through the airport terminal by eliminating airport queuing, based on a new qantas frequent flyer card,a Q card reader and bag drop facility. The new qantas frequent flyer card features an 'intelligent Q' smart chip and will act as a permanent boarding pass, replacing eligible customers’ existing frequent flyer cards. The card will be used at various points throughout the experience, including at check-in, at bag drop, and to board the aircraft. Customers arriving at the airport who have not yet checked in online or via their mobile device, will be able to simply touch their card at an all-new Q card reader located throughout the check-in hall. the Q card reader will provide both visual and audible recognition of successful check-in. all customers traveling with bags will be able to use the new bag drop service at next generation check-in airports. ...
NYC Type. Typography and lettering from the streets of New York City
NYC TYPE is a photo blog of found street typography. Founded by Jason Powers, supported by Matthew Anderson and Alejandro Santandrea. Great site.
Popbar frozen sweet outlet opens in New York City
Hot town, summer in the city, and the perfect antidote for sweltering temperatures has just moved in to New York's West Village. The eye-catching and delicious popsicles of Carmine Street's latest arrival Popbar, are the new old shape of sweet treat refreshment. Served on a stick, Popbar's all-natural gelato, sorbetto and frozen yoghurt add an artisan twist to the classic popsicle - or for some, ice lolly.
88 days later…
This graphic really puts things into perspective...
Recession and the new idea of luxury
USA Today reports that for Americans, the meaning of luxury has shifted with the ongoing recession. While the affluent class is still spending money on luxury, its on things that add value to their lifestyle, be it expensive yet useful home appliances or top-end technology products, both of which create a life-long experience. Then there are people who are buying luxury items only when they are available on discounted prices. Seeing this trend, luxury companies too responded by having regular discount sales and launching new lines of ‘economical’ products. USA Today comments: "It wasn’t long ago that luxury primarily meant the accumulation of designer clothes, expensive jewelry and fancy cars. For some, it still does. But for many consumers, the new luxury is something seriously different. The new world of luxury is less about designer labels and glitz and more about shopping savvy and an I-feel-good-owning-this mentality". USA Today article