ICEHOTEL – 365 Winter Days

All lovers of winter brace yourself. The winter has come and its planning to stay for 365 days with  Icehotel. Sweden’s Icehotel 365 is cool (take that as literally as you want) new twist on a frosty winter wonderland. Located in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland just 200 km north of the Arctic Circle the 2,100 square meter property features 20 suites, an ice bar that serves champagne and drinks, as well as an ice gallery – all created out of snow and ice by select artists from around the globe. 30,000 liters of water from Torne River were transformed into snow and several tonnes of ice have been harvested from the river to create both parts of Icehotel.

Source: luxurylaunches.com

Photo: Asaf Kliger/icehotel.com

Olympian skiing at L’Apogée Courchevel

This winter, guests of L’Apogée have the opportunity to explore the famous Three Valleys of Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens, with three-time Olympian Florence Masnada. Three-, six-, or nine-night ski packages are available March 12-30, 2017, and can be tailored to all ability levels.

Guests will stay in a Prestige room, Junior Suite, or Suite at the chic, slopeside L’Apogée hotel. After a morning warmup workout, Masnada will lead private groups on ski excursions, providing pointers on techniques for powder skiing and ski touring. Ski-specific nutrition tips and post-ski stretches proceed après ski cocktails.

Source: departures.com

Claridge’s Christmas tree by Apple

With Christmas just weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about setting up your Christmas tree! And if it’s inspiration you need, look no further than Claridge’s annual display of festive decadence. The Claridge’s Hotel is known for their fantastic trees (last year’s tree was created by Burberry!) and they are staying true to their tradition of excellence by seeing out Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson to collaborate over this year’s tree.

As of now, the project is completely under wraps and we’re as much in the dark as anyone else as to what the tree will look like – or even what it may be made up of! We can speculate that the design is likely to be super sleek and futuristic, perhaps it may even incorporate some innovative technology, but our guess is as good as anyone’s.

We’ll be in suspense for a while because the tree won’t be unveiled until the 18th of November, after which it will be open for public viewing. So if you’re in London next month, you know where to go for epic Christmas tree inspo!

Source: Luxurylaunches.com

Qatar Airways’ posh, new amenity kits

Qatar Airways, in partnership with Giorgio Armani, has launched its newly designed range of luxurious Giorgio Armani Fragrances and Beauty amenity kits, available to First Class passengers on select A380 flights.

Designed exclusively for Qatar Airways, the First Class amenity kits are designed in timeless black, the signature colour of Giorgio Armani, and feature golden accents reflecting the latest Giorgio Armani Fall-Winter 2016-2017 collection.Ladies travelling with Qatar Airways will receive a stylish Giorgio Armani Fragrances and Beauty amenity kit that doubles up as make-up or jewellery bag post-flight, while gentlemen will be given a smart travel bag made with a ribbed fabric that reflects the latest trends in male style and luxury. Whether travelling for business or leisure, passengers will find the amenity kits meet both their in-flight and post-flight needs.

Source: Qatar Airways

Winter Villa Escape in Beautiful Tuscany

This winter, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, the bucolic Tuscan resort founded by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo, will give guests the opportunity to stay at the estate for the first time ever during the colder months with the Winter Villa Escape. Available from November 27 to April 12, the Winter Villa Escape offers guests a tranquil retreat in one of the property’s ten luxury villas, providing a new, intimate way to experience the beauty of Tuscany during the off season.

Located in the scenic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val d’Orcia, the resort’s luxury villas are restored 17th and 18th century farmhouses, offering artisanal furnishings and modern comforts, including full-service kitchens, Tuscan-style fireplaces and accommodations that can sleep up to twelve guests. Ideal for romantic getaways and large family gatherings alike, the Winter Villa Escape includes a curated collection of immersive programming and ultra-luxurious services.

Read more: luxurytravelmagazine.com

First All-Villa Ritz Carlton Debuts in China

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will open its first all-villa property in one of China’s earliest UNESCO world heritage sites, Jiuzhaigou Valley. The Valley of the Nine Village Forts is a stunning location filled with waterfalls, blue lakes and verdant forests. The beauty of the nature reserve and national park you will be able to admire from your window of the new Ritz-Carlton property which will be open in 2017.

The Ritz-Carlton, Jiuzhaigou, will feature 87 stunning villas at the incredible 2,300 metres above sea level height. With three restaurants and mountain spa, the newest member of the astonishing hotel will be mesmerizing. 

Source: ritzcarlton.com

Zaha Hadid’s bold work continues in Antwerp

Zaha Hadid Architects’ design for the newly inaugurated Port House, Antwerp is a blend of historical reverence and an evocative vision of the future. Belgium’s Antwerp is Europe’s second largest shipping port, handling 26 percent of the continent’s container shipping but it lacked a central headquarters for its staff. The Flemish government’s department of architecture and the City and Port authorities thus organized a design competition for the new head office. The only requisite was that it preserve the fire station that was originally there.

The basis of Zaha Hadid Architects’ winning design was historical research, and follows a joint effort with a heritage consultant in the restoration and renovation of historic monuments. The elevated extension crowns the fire station building below in a clever juxtaposition of new volume and old Hanseatic design. The old fire station’s central courtyard is enclosed with a glass roof, in which visitors can access a public reading room and library. The new extension provides panoramic views of the city and port. Its exterior has a glazed surface that reflects the changing tones of the sky. Triangular facets, a mix of transparent and opaque, ensure sufficient sunlight, and make reference to Antwerp’s reputation as the city of diamonds.

This structure is among over 30 projects that were under development at the time of studio founder Zaha Hadid’s death earlier this year.

Source:Luxuo.com