Photo: The Macallan

The Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky has recently partnered with Oakley to introduce The Macallan | The Flask. Flasks go all the way back to the Middle Ages and began as hollowed out fruit or pieces of rawhide sewn together.

Today, flasks have clearly evolved and are used to pour your favorite spirits using these ingenious containers.

Made possible by the world’s most advanced structural technologies, The Flask’s striking armored body is designed to protect the investment that accompanies it: The Macallan’s first-ever, single cask All American Oak Scotch Whisky.

So now you can feel safe if your flask is dropped out of a helicopter or pulled behind a fast moving car. Your fine Single Malt Scotch held within will be safe.

Definitely one of a kind, this carefully considered and expertly executed Flask is the last word in dynamic and premium craftsmanship from the inside out.

The inner flask, laser welded and made of food grade steel is wrapped in carbon fibre composite as well as treated to an intensive passivation and electro-polishing procedure to ensure perfection. Clad in black anodized 5-axis machined aerospace grade aluminum, the sophisticated mechanics of The Flask are unparalleled.

Carefully thought out and designed, The Flask utilizes a rubberized bottom for non-skid grip as wells as a small rectangular air vent on the side of the funnel to allow for ventilation. Every potential circumstance and environment of usage has been considered.

The Flask, from The Macallan and Oakley is clearly a celebration of technical design and the merging of heritage and performance.

This limited edition The Flask from The Macallan is available in thin supplies. Only 550 will be sold accompanying the 22 Years Old liquid. SRP for the set is $1,500, making this an unrivaled, iconic collectible and the ultimate accessory for the single malt whisky aficionado.

SLS Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – Photo: SBE

SBE, a creative national and international hospitality company and proven leader in the real estate industries, will officially break ground on the SLS Hotel & Casino Las Vegas (or SLS Las Vegas), a fully-integrated, entertainment-driven resort and casino with more than 1,600 guest rooms and suites.

Having built a reputation for managing and operating award-winning hotels, restaurants and nightlife, SBE will now bring new life to the north end of the Las Vegas Strip on the grounds of the iconic, former The Sahara hotel.

Scheduled to open in fall 2014 and designed to be one of the most energetic hotels on the Vegas Strip, the SLS Las Vegas is expected to pour $400 million into the local economy and create an anticipated 8,600 direct and indirect jobs.

Stockbridge Capital Group of San Francisco, a real estate investment management firm, is an equity partner in the project.

“We’re creating a mix of approachable offerings with established brands under one roof that are managed and owned by one company,” said Nazarian. “As a result we’re able to align operations and program a seamless guest experience throughout every square foot of the property.”

The new SLS Las Vegas luxury hotel will feature a collection of restaurant concepts including The Bazaar by José Andrés, Katsuya by Starck and Umami Burger plus the Griddle Café commended for their breakfast, lunch, dessert and cocktail menus. Party at four nightclubs including a reinvention of Shelter, and The Sayers Club known in LA for their exclusive live music venue.

Fred Segal-branded high end boutiques will be the exclusive retailer occupying a 10,000-square foot property offering a wide range of fashionable and sophisticated merchandise.

“With our proximity to a resurgent downtown community and the convention center, and our mix of nationally relevant brands, SLS is ideally positioned to appeal to locals, destination tourists and conventioneers,” added President of SLS Las Vegas, Rob Oseland. “Today is a day we’ve all been waiting for, and we’re thrilled to be a part of reinvigorating a legendary section of the Strip.”

Duke’s Waikiki restaurant

Duke’s Waikiki on Oahu was named after legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Duke’s is a fun restaurant and lively bar, ideally located on Waikiki Beach.

The views from Duke’s Waikiki are amazing. Enjoy seeing surfers and the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean, plus possibly the best views of world-famous Diamond Head.

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was born in 1890 and died in 1968. To this day, the legendary surfer and swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku, is still considered as the greatest athlete in the history of the Hawaiian islands.

Duke is often called the “Father of Modern Surfing” and we reported in a recent article that Duke Kahanamoku Beach was rated the #3 Best Beach in the United States.

Duke’s Waikiki is truly a Hawaiian icon. The beachfront location offers ones of the most popular meeting places in all of Waikiki.

You can find Duke’s in the lobby of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, between the Royal Hawaiian and Royal Hawaiian hotels on Waikiki Beach. Duke’s provides an atmosphere that is fun and lively, serving up a whole lot of Hawaiian culture.

Fresh fish, and juicy steaks have made Duke’s one of the most popular restaurants anywhere in Hawaii.

Duke’s restaurant guests can enjoy numerous, delicious dishes of original Hawaiian-influenced cuisine. Duke’s Waikiki is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Duke’s Waikiki restaurant

Just a few popular appetizers include Crab and Mac Nut Wontons, Maui Onion Soup, or Crispy Coconut Shrimp with a Spicy Lilikoi Sauce.

Entrees choices are endless, including fish, steak, huli huli grilled chicken and BBQ ribs.
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So experience the true Aloha spirit ay Duke’s Waikiki restaurant and don’t forget to have at least one dinner there, and take in one of the unforgettable sunsets you will ever see.

Duke’s Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
808.922.2268

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your Hawaii travel request. We will promptly get back to you.

Bentley – Flying Spur

The new Bentley 2014 Flying Spur luxury sedan is scheduled to make its debut at the upcoming 2013 Geneva Auto Show on March 5th and once again in New York City in April.

Iconic Bentley offers the unique combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology.

The luxurious four-door sedan has a sportier, contemporary aesthetic look but still keeps Bentley’s signature attributes of bespoke craftsmanship and using only the finest materials.

As the successor to the prestigious Continental Flying Spur, Bentley’s new Flying Spur will have a top speed of 200mph and feature unparalleled performance and driveability with striking interiors.

For those on the go, the new Bentley offers mobile connectivity with its top-of-the-line Wi-Fi hotspot and mobile entertainment system. There’s an optional eight-channel, eight-speaker audio system with Balanced Mode Radiators that will provide high quality sound clarity, with the 1100W Naim® for Bentley premium system.

The Flying Spur utilizes Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin turbo W12 engine, along with a ZF eight-speed transmission. Offering greater power than any other Bentley four-door in history, the new Flying Spur delivers a staggering 0-60 mph time of only 4.3 seconds, plus a top-speed of 200 mph (322 km/h).

Providing all road and weather condition driving, the new Bentley features all-wheel drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split and a 14 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.

The Flying Spur will deliver 625 PS (616 bhp) at 6,000 rev/min and a staggering 800 Nm (580 lb ft) of torque from only 2000 rev/min.

You can purchase the Bentley Flying Spur in either four- or five-seat configurations. The luxury sedan features redesigned front and rear seats that are beautifully trimmed in natural premium-quality leather. The new custom seats are made with a softer, but more durable hide that’s unique to Bentley and available in twelve different colors.

The sleek exterior is “pure Bentley” with a lower and wider appearance with sharp lines and gently curvaceous surfaces. The new model has a lower roof line, deeply sculpted panels, precise feature lines and a muscular rear haunch give the Flying Spur a more aggressive stance and a powerfully dynamic profile.

Bentley – 2014 Flying Spur

The front of this luxury sedan comes with a more upright chrome grille situated between the jewel-like LED pair of headlamps. The outside lamps are the larger of the two. Beneath the front grille, the lower intake is now full width with no vertical divisions, but instead with a chromed horizontal accent that completes the dramatic face of the new Flying Spur.

A new 19-inch Classic wheel is fitted exclusively to the new Flying Spur, either bright-painted or with a diamond turned finish. The new design consolidates a wider range of 20-inch five-spoke, 21-inch six-spoke and 21-inch ten-spoke wheels available as cost options.

The interior is just as stunning. The ultimate high-luxury Flying Spur sedan utilizes almost ten square metres of sustainably sourced natural wood per car, and features book-matched and mirror-polished veneer to the fascia panels, consoles, waistrails and picnic tables. The car’s roof lining and pillars are also trimmed in natural leather.

Bentley customers can specify an optional glass sunroof at no additional cost. Behind the central rear armrest, a nine-litre bottle cooler can be specified to keep drinks perfectly chilled. The interior designers also focused on improving interior stowage around the cabin, whilst including new electronic technologies discretely throughout the interior.

Photo: CNNMoney

In Buckhead, which is a wealthy neighborhood in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, you can now own a luxury home that has the unique distinction of being featured in several Hollywood movies and TV shows.

This incredible, Mediterranean-style mansion for sale boasts 40,000 square-feet of living space and is situated right across the street from the Governor’s Mansion. It comes with 9 bedrooms, 7 kitchens and 15 bathrooms!

Built in 2008, the luxury mansion for sale first went up at a staggering $25 million but can now be had for $19.9 million.

The nine-bedroom, Buckhead home has been featured in “Zombieland” as the home of comedic actor Bill Murray and the recent “The Three Stooges” movie. The mansion was also seen in the MTV reality series “Teen Cribs”, and “Million Dollar Rooms” on HGTV. It will be featured in the upcoming TV show “Devious Maids.”

Buckhead is a distinguished community that consists of a wide variety of beautiful luxury homes, distinctive estates and executive homes, in addition to many historic Atlanta Mansions.

As most expensive home for sale in Atlanta, it boasts everything from hand laid mosaics and 24-karat gilded ceilings throughout, a stunning home theater with seating for 16, a cigar bar, plus its own nail and hair salons.

Source: CNNMoney

W San Francisco hotel

The W San Francisco is a stylish, luxury boutique hotel that’s located in downtown San Francisco, California next to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Enjoy the local South of Market (SOMO) area of beautiful San Francisco and take in the stunning panoramic views of the city’s skyline and a breathtaking view of the Bay Bridge from your luxury hotel room.

Until the end of March, you can enjoy fantastic packages at W San Francisco. This trendy luxury hotel offers endless luxury amenities and is welcoming guests to “Ignite the Night” with two amazing weekend package options:

W San Francisco hotel

Turn Up the Romance
– Overnight accommodations in a Spectacular room
– Dinner for two in TRACE
– Trio of in-room dessert tastes with champagne pairings
– Overnight parking
– Late check-out
– Promotion code LZPKG10-15
– Pricing starts at only $359 per night

Amp Up Anti-Valentine’s Day
– Overnight accommodations in a Spectacular room
– Reserved private cabana in UPSTAIRS bar
– Bottle service
– Overnight parking
– Late check-out
– Promotion code LXPKG10-15
– Pricing starts at only $329 per night

W San Francisco hotel

For additional information, please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request for a stay at the W San Francisco hotel. We will promptly get back to you and assist with your travel reservations and trip planning.

Backes & Strauss

The second generation of luxury timepieces from Backes & Strauss pushes the boundaries of technique and design to create an ultra thin new era watch.

Piccadilly Renaissance Collection by luxury watchmaker Backes & Strauss is a sort of rebirth collection. The new watches offer greater excellence with the distinctive reborn sleek and slim look.

The new Backes & Strauss luxury collection offers a truly modern haute horlogerie watch for gentlemen.

Known for their ultimate quality and design, Backes & Strauss watches are highly respected around the world. It’s the perfect blend of creativity and quality.

The Piccadilly Renaissance Collection of luxury watches are extremely slender, just 6.1 mm in depth. They are crafted in either 18kt white or rose gold. The elegant watch cases are either lavishly set with the finest ideal cut round brilliant diamonds in two or three rows, or Classic, without diamonds on the
case.

These extraordinary slim watches from Backes & Strauss proudly represent both British elegance and European style. The timepiece’s Roman numerals are hand set on a choice of dial colours to match alligator skin straps with an 18kt white or rose gold buckle.

Each distinctive timepiece has a single diamond hand set in the crown, the Backes & Strauss signature “Jewel in the Crown.”

The mechanical movement of the watch is just 2.5 mm in depth. It’s decorated and fully revealed through a stylish, transparent case-back of sapphire crystal.

Please use the <em>Contact Form</em> below to submit your Backes & Strauss watch request. We will promptly get back to you.

Photo: Zillow

The all American actor, producer, and musician, Bruce Willis, has dropped a mere $8 million on a Central Park West luxury apartment in New York.

Moving from an apartment in Trump Tower in New York City, Bruce, his wife, Emma Hemming, and toddler Mabel, will make this their new home. Willis is no stranger to Central Park West, he once lived there with ex-wife Demi Moore.

Located in the El Dorado building, his new pad has been home to other celebrity superstars such as Alex Baldwin, U2 bassist Adam Clayton and Clayton’s band mate Bono.

Seated on the fourth floor, the apartment features a 38 foot-long gallery, a spacious living room with terrazzo floors, custom-built cabinetry, slate countertops and top of the line appliances. In addition to the three bedrooms and four baths, the large master suite offers views of Central Park. And if you want to whip up a quick meal, there is plenty of room in the 22-foot long eat-in kitchen ideal for cooking and just spending time.

The 57 year old actor also owns multiple properties in Sun Valley, Idaho, Los Angeles, Malibu, and a beach home in Turks and Caicos.

After starting his career on the television show Moonlighting, Willis continued both in television and film. Most known for his roles in the highly successful Die Hard movies, Bruce also appeared in Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Fifth Element, Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Sin City, Looper and Moonrise Kingdom.

Bruce Willis is considered to be one of the most in-demand leading men around, as his Hollywood films have grossed more than $3 billion at the U.S. box office alone.

Source: Radar Online

Club 23

Enjoying a cocktail “Down Under” just got a whole lot more expensive! Australian bartender Joel Heffernan is offering a new cocktail for a staggering price of $12,916!

The new drink named “Winston” (after Winston Churchill) becomes the “World’s Most Expensive Cocktail.” What makes this cocktail so expensive is the 1858 Croizet cognac. This famous liquor retails for around $160,000.

Heffernan, who at the Crown Casino’s Club 23 in Melbourne, created this cocktail with the following ingredients – two nips of an 1858 Croizet cognac, Grand Marnier Quintessence, Angostura Bitters, Chartreuse Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolonge, and of course some chocolate nutmeg dust.

The previous record for World’s Most Expensive Cocktail was from London’s Salvatore’s Bar by Salvatore Calabrese – a $8,835 cocktail.

It was reported by the Wall Street Journal that the first anonymous buyer of the $12,916 Winston cocktail took only a couple of sips … then left.

If you are planning a trip to scenic Lake Tahoe then you might find the lake’s history interesting and allow you to appreciate one of the most beautiful places anywhere on earth.

First things first. Lake Tahoe is a fresh water lake found in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is the largest alpine lake in North America and also the second deepest lake in the entire United States.

As you can imagine, this deep blue alpine lake has been around for a long time. What many people may not realize is that Lake Tahoe has been around for over two million years.

Lake Tahoe is part of the Lake Tahoe Basin and the area that now exists was formed all the way back in the Ice Ages.

It can be an incredible rush of excitement and amazement that your luxury Lake Tahoe hotel room overlooks a stunning lake in between reading a novel or maybe try your luck gambling at one of the many lakeside casinos.

It’s quite possible that many years ago, early man viewed this very same lake. You will quickly notice that Lake Tahoe’s water is extremely clear and that the views of the surrounding mountains are simply stunning.

It is therefore no wonder that Lake Tahoe has become a popular place for tourists to visit, whether they they are in Nevada or California.

The area surrounding Lake Tahoe offers so much depending on the month you visit. The world class ski resorts in particular are very popular from Winter into Spring.

If nature is not your thing, there are plenty of casinos where you can spend many a happy hour. Many people love coming to Lake Tahoe to gamble.

Some of the best casinos anywhere can be found in Lake Tahoe.

But all year round, people come just for the amazing Tahoe Basin scenery. The Sierra Mountains and Lake Tahoe itself are breathtaking.

If you ever get a chance to visit Lake Tahoe …. please do it! It will be a memorable experience.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your Lake Tahoe travel request. We will promptly get back to you.

There’s always reason to celebrate on a Friday and this year you can celebrate while sipping on a margarita … Friday, February 22 is National Margarita Day! The drink so loved and consumed by millions has its own day set aside as February 22 of every year.

The exact individual responsible for creating the classic margarita remains a mystery, although it was sometime during the 1930’s or 1940’s. Later in the 1970’s frozen margaritas were invented when a bartender converted a soft serve ice cream unit into a frozen margarita machine.

Whether your preference is a classic margarita on the rocks or frozen, this sacred tequila, triple sec and lime drink is America’s most popular cocktail. And if flavor is what you desire, you have a variety to choose from.

The more popular flavors include Strawberry Margarita, Mango Margarita, Limeade Margarita, Watermelon Margarita, Pomegranate Margarita, Raspberry Margarita and Blackberry Margarita.

But nothing beats the Tuna* Cooler made with Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice, prickly pear purée and agave syrup created by mixologist Don Lee. Tequila Don Julio Blanco is known for its fresh agave expression and citrus notes, thus, the luxury tequila of choice in Mexico is often called upon to make the ultimate margarita.

Don Lee, a software engineer by trade and documentary photographer by schooling, is now a mixologist by choice. He rose through the ranks and became skilled at mixing cocktails. After spending hours at perfecting a properly-made drink, Lee has created the perfect recipe to celebrate National Margarita Day. So raise your glass and toast to tequila lovers’ favorite holiday.

Tuna* Cooler (Spanish for Prickly Pear)

“This drink is inspired by a soda commonly found in southern California called “Cactus Cooler,” and is a twist on a traditional Margarita with the addition of prickly pear purée to the recipe. This drink is, easy to make yet, unique and delicious, making it the perfect recipe for the novice at-home mixologist looking to celebrate the holiday.”

Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 ounces Tequila Don Julio Blanco
– 1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
– 1/4 ounce Prickly Pear Purée
– 1/4 ounce Agave Syrup

Preparation:
1. Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice, prickly pear purée and agave syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass (salted rim optional).

Ideal Serving Glass:
Coupe glass

Yield:
1 drink, no drink contains more than 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol

Tequila lovers can also try the great tasting Tequil​a Don Julio 1942​