Best of The Rich Traveller

It has been busy week in the world of travel.
Hotel offerings continue to get better with the New York Marriott Marquis’s $39mn makeover. The windy city will see two iconic properties as the Radisson Blu makes its US debut with a aquatic skyscraper, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago and Langham announced plans for the Langham Chicago in the iconic IBM building. At the Waldorf Astoria, the trendy, lush new Guerlain Spa has reopened to pamper its guests.

Across in the Middle East, Beirut is set to become home to the most luxurious hotel in the region with the opening of Le Dix, Beirut. Dubai has once again kept up the city’s reputation of ‘unparallel luxury’ with two hot-off-the-press announcements – first the opening of a luxury pet hotel and the opening of Dunhill’s third Alfie Restaurant & Lounge, at the Boulevard at Jumeirah Emirates Tower. In Muscat, The Chedi Muscat has unveiled a brand new Spa & Fitness facility. The Formula One season too, has reached the Middle East as Abu Dhabi announces its celebrity line-up featuring the likes of Britney Spears, Incubus, The Cult & Paul McCartney. The emirate’s national carrier Etihad Airways announced plans to offer Wifi onboard the aircraft by year-end.
It has been a iconic week for the aviation industry as the first Boeing Dreamliner was delivered to ANA.
New trends continue in travel with plans for a $40mn luxury solar sailboat while a new spacecraft, set to launch in 2014 promises to cut down travel journey from London to New Zealand to two hours! Travelers flying Virgin through Heathrow – Lo & behold, the airline has opened a Grey Goose Loft at Heathrow T3 Clubhouse.
Before we sign off, check out this extremely impressive Facebook campaign launched by The Ushuaia Beach Hotel, Ibiza using RFID technology. This one is a winner!