Audi A8L Protection - Safest luxury car that a civilian can buy? We think so

It is called a BRV (Bullet Resistant Vehicles) and they are as luxurious inside as they are safe.  They can withstand bullets, fire, explosions to a certain agree and should you come under attack; they have their own "communication boxes" that can pitch into back-up frequencies to ensure that you are rescued before you know it. Mercedes has one, BMW has a safer one, but now Audi is giving them a serious run for their ... niche market share!

I was a big fan of the new Audi A8 when it came out two years ago and was amazed when they pinnacled their top of the line model when they introduced the "A8L" model.  Here was an Audi I would not mind being chauffeured in.  I must say, in the past the Audi A8 gave me the impression of a luxury vehicle that the executive could drive themselves, but it was just not a car that a dignitary would want to drive if they had equal opportunity to get the more chauffeur friendly Merc S-Class or Bentley Continental. This all has changed.  

Audi, probably realized that they have a winner and that the dignitaries that like sitting in the back seat might need a more secure cabin.  As I write this, Egypt's revolt has just come to conclusion, but there are anti-government uprisings in Libya, Iran and Yemen.  Something tells me Audi has chosen the perfect time to launch an amoured "president-carrier!!" 

Asus S6 Leather bound Notebooks - Luxury Computing

Okay. So do you wanna know what I bought with the money made on the deal named in the Diana Carmichael article? I bought myself the Leather bound, luxurious S6 Laptop from Asus. Pictured is two hide options. I have the lighter colored one.

If you absolutely need to impress clients or colleages. Get this beauty. I love to go down to a street cafe during lunch. But being the busy person that I am, I take my notebook with me to get some work in while munching on my ceaser's salad. So many people, strangers, come up to me just to feel the soft leather coat of the computer.

This little luxury goes a long way...

Club Sportiva - Partial Sportcar Ownership (Carsharing)

A business associate of mine, Markus, and I had a very good meeting yesterday. He owns his own printing and distribution company and usually makes a good impression in front of potential clients, tailored in Hugo Boss suits, Ralph Lauren shoes and the Breitling watch. He walks into every room with an aura of success: He owns the room.

But he usually does something in every meeting that makes it hard for me to fully concentrate: When he sits down, he takes his car keys out of his pocket and places it on the boardroom table in front of him. I cannot help to notice the keys... Yesterday it was Aston Martin keys. Strange thing is, at our first meeting back in January, the keys were those of a Ferrari and the time after that it was BMW. So obviously I started thinking the printing business must be doing reaaaaally good. Let's forget online, it pays to go offline!

But yesterday I walked him to the car. Yes, there stood a beautiful 2006 Aston Martin DB9 Vantage, its silver body gleaming in the hot sun. I said to Markus: "Beautifull car buddy. What happened to the Ferrari?" He smiled, slipped the Polo Sunglasses on his face and told me the secret... Carsharing. He was part of an exclusive carsharing club. The consortium owns a collection of cars and that both the Aston and the Ferrari were part of the collection. He reserves a sport car every time he wants to impress clients. He makes sure that he does not pitch up at a client with the same car twice! “Markus, Markus, Markus… The tailored suits are enough, buddy!” I thought to myself.

But if you would like to go Markus’ route; here is the phenomenon of carsharing consortiums.

Wikipedia describes carsharing as such:

“Carsharing is a system where a fleet of cars (or other vehicles) is
jointly-owned by the users in distinction from car rental or cars in private
ownership. The users are organized as a democratically-controlled company,
public agency, cooperative, ad hoc grouping. The fleet is made available for use
by members of the carshare group in a wide variety of ways. The costs and
troubles of vehicle purchase, ownership and maintenance are transferred to a
central organizer (the Carshare Operator or more familiarly CSO).”

I searched the net and came to site of Club Sportiva, the Bay area’s largest partial-ownership club. Instead of owning one sportscar and being responsible for all the maintenance of the car, you buy into the hassle-free consortium and instead of having access to only one sportscar, you can have a whole collection to choose from. On Monday you can drive the Lamborghini Gallardo to work, followed by the Porsche 911 Turbo on Tuesday, the vintage Ferrari 348 on Wednesday and so forth. Members do not have to worry about maintaining these bad boys, as they have a professional mechanic shop worrying about the cars’ well-being.

Club Sportiva has a $8 million car collection which includes brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Lotus, Corvette, Jaguar, Bentley, Morgan, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz. The cars vary from new and vintage sport cars to luxury sedans. In some consortiums you car even drive away in the Muscle Cars of yesteryear.

The concept to me is sound. The benefits excellent, and the service that comes with these partial ownership worth the while. BUT, dear Markus, you do not NEED to drive a new car every day to make a deal, but it could help…

American Express Centurion Card - Once you go Black...

In the words of my father: “To be successful, you have to visualize success now”. No other picture does this better than the one left.

My Branding Communications lecturer told us that to him the BMW brand symbolizes “Going Places” and Mercedes symbolizes… “You’ve arrived”. Granted it was 2003 and she had not seen the new2006 X5! (But that is another future posting). Nothing symbolizes “You’ve arrived” better than the black Centurion Card from American Express.

So, when I visualize success, I see myself do what so many celebrities like to do: Whip it out to stun unexpected onlookers. Only the top 10,000 American Express clients could qualify for all the associated benefits of the card:

No predetermined spending limit
Airport Club Access – At airlines like Delta, Continental, Virgin Atlantic, and US Airways. And includes one night free at a Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
A VIP Concierge Service at hotels, airports and spas.

The card could literally be used to buy your new Rolls Royce at the swipe of the card. Retailers would swoon at the mere sight of it and they will let you date their daughter just to get you to use in abundance at their shop. Celebrities loves to flaunt it, executives makes damn sure their friends at the country club sees it and the ladies loves to tell their mothers that their man has got one… It actually buys the approval of you mother-in-law.

Drive 495 - Golf Fitness in Manhattan

So I love my golf; nothing beats spending a 4 hours on a beautiful green course, trying to beat my personal best. I only resently broke 90 and am trying to break 85. You know what they say: "There is only one thing better that breaking 85... and that is breaking 75!"

But sitting in Manhattan for a couple of months, I gettin' out of shape... golf shape that is. So I mentioned this to the native NY, account exec at the company and he took me to Drive 495.

Drive 495 is a golf fitness gym in the heart of Soho. The club consists of two floors, the bottom you'll find a fully equiped fitness studio with cardio and weight areas and the top loft consits of a golf studio. Here you can exersize the body and sharpen you shot in front of virtual driving ranges.

Appatently you can play a full similated course to sharpen your skills with each club. Play St Andrews, Valderama or Pebble Beach without leaving Manhattan! Skilled personal trainers help sculpt your body for perfect golf fitness. Members include celebs like Michael Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas, Hugh Grant, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Donald Trump. For more info, visit their comprehensive site.

I enjoyed the experience (did not join, but was tempted), but I still enjoy the real thing. I cannot wait to return to NV to play my favourite courses! BUT when in Rome... vitually escape it!

La Modernista Diamonds – The most expensive pen in the world

$265,000

At $265,000 you’d better be signing a billion dollar merger deal, a multi-million dollar recording contract or sign the register at your wedding to Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor / bachelorette!

The La Modernista Diamonds is a creation of Swiss company Caran d’Arche who made the pen as an ode to the late architect Antonio Gaudi. This one-of-a-kind, rhodium-coated, solid silver pen has an 18-carat gold pen tip and is pave set with 5,072 diamonds and 96 half-cut rubies.

When the lucky owner bought this at Harrods, London in 2002 for $265,000, the masterpiece was given the title of being the most expensive pen in the world!

The Most expensive fakes in the world

In this week’s newsletter we take a look at some of the most expensive fakes in the world. Even though these items are fakes, they still remain extremely valuable and have become rare collectables due to their fame! Come and play spot the real 'McCoy' with us


Most expensive fake coin in the world – $250,000


A Deka or not, it’s still so expensive, it’s priceless. When the Carchemish-hoard, buried in 425 B.C., was discovered it contained more than 3000 coins and also 15 Athenian Dekadrachms. Some of the Dekas came in possession of the Classic Numismatic Group (CNG), a world renowned ancient coin seller. When trying to establish the authenticity of one of the coins, it was revealed that the coin was in fact, a fake. After numerous tests by the International Bureau for the Suppression of Counterfeit Coins to be certain, a ‘condemnation-certificate’ was issued. This awarded the Deka with the title of most expensive fake coin ever!


Most expensive fake wine bottles - Over $100,000 each


A toast to forged wine bottles! In 1985 more than a dozen of vintage wine bottles were found in a walled-up cellar in Paris. Four of the bottles; a 1784 and 1787 Château Lafite, and a 1784 and 1787 Château Branne-Mouton, were bought by a billionaire wine collector in Florida. When the Boston Museum of Fine Arts asked the billionaire wine collector to prove the authenticity of the four bottles, a team of former intelligence agents, wine and glass experts, and even a nuclear physicist, concluded that all the bottles apart from the 1787 Lafite were fakes. This made the bottles the most expensive fake bottles of wine in history.


Most expensive fake painting – Value unknown, estimated to be well over $1 million


A painting with quite a story! Known as one of the most dramatic art scams in history, was the forgery of a Vermeer painting by H. van Meegeren, an average Dutch artist. In 1937 a respectable art historian was approached by a lawyer who claimed to be the trustee of a Dutch family estate, and was asked to take a look at a painting. The art historian quickly disputed its authenticity after a short examination, and labeled it a fake. The scam created such a stir in the art world that its fame has made it one of the most expensive fake paintings today! Apparently this is not the only valuable forgery created by H. van Meegeren.


The Messiah - $20 million


Playing a false note? The most celebrated Stradivarius violin in the world was allegedly found fake, after a conservator of musical instruments at the Metropolitan Museum had a close look at it. Although this was never proved, the American Violin Association hasn’t disapproved the allegations either, generating doubts whether the violin is real or fake. The Messiah is one of the most valuable Stradivarius violins because it has never been used in a performance and still in mint condition. All extremely admiring if it is indeed the real McCoy?

'The Help': Making the lives of the rich and Famous more comfortable

In this week’s newsletter we take a look at some of the people who cater for the rich and famous' each and every whim and make sure that their lives run smoothly. They are the assistants to the wealthy stars, and even get to experience the glamorous lives of the rich and famous.

Butler – earns $100,000 or more per annum.


Taking care of things! You’re a hip hop star or busy executive, and don’t want to answer your own door, then a butler will suit your lifestyle perfectly. A lot of movies have portrayed the role of the butler, but what they don’t show is just how glamorous such a career could be. Imagine; you could meet some of the most influential people in the world if your boss was a high profile celebrity or even a well known entrepreneur, and don’t forget about driving around in luxury cars. A butler is the one person that takes care of your household, the front house manager that ensures that you, your guests, and home are taken care of at all times.


Celebrity Personal Assistant – earns over $120,000 per annum.


A job most people can only dream of! Being a celebrity personal assistant your job is to help your celebrity plan their schedule, screen phone calls and even plan parties. It is a fast pace career since you’re always traveling, going to special events and ensuring that your celebrity boss gets everything they need. Some of the perks include meeting famous people and receiving VIP treatment, as well as going behind the scenes of film shoots. Madonna and Angelina Jolie each have their own personal assistants, who get to experience their glamorous lifestyles and live like stars at the same time.


Private Chef – Earns between $125,000 and $250,000 per annum.


Cooking for the stars! Hip hop star Jay-Z once hired a private chef to cook over 100 chicken wings for him and his friends a night! Gwyneth Paltrow on the other hand, got herself two chefs - one for sweets and one for savory – to help her with her macrobiotic diet! If you’re a celebrity with a busy lifestyle or want someone to cook you diet specific meals, then get yourself a personal chef that you can even take with you when going on holiday. Celebrities tend to get fussy about their food since most of them can afford the best, and that’s when they go for personal chefs to satisfy their craving for something luxurious. The chef not only cooks the meals, but also does the shopping and cleaning afterwards. A nice way to have anything you want at any time you want it!


Nanny – Earns $100,000 per annum plus benefits.



Taking care of the kids! Celebrity moms always get nannies to look after the kids when their away on work and being a nanny means that you have to feed, dress, bath, do laundry and take the kids to school. Although looking after someone else’s kids does not seem like fun, the paid holidays, own cell phone, gym membership and vehicle along with a big salary and a chance to meet famous people, definitely makes up for it. Abbie Gibson had the opportunity to look after David and Victoria Beckham’s kids in 2005, and not only traveled around with them, but also a stole the spotlight on a few occasions.

The First Class Cabin on Etihad Airways

Blog Exclusive:

If you have the exposable cash; fly first class. From this insert you can see a shot of the whole first class cabin on an Etihad Airways flight, en-route to New York.

The cabin is well laid out and has a relaxing cream-colored cabin filled with large LCDs, privacy pannels, to well equiped hidden compartments stocked with all the essentials.

Notice: The image on the LCD screen is actually a real-time feed from external cameras on the plane's nose! You are seeing what the pilots are looking at!

First class luxury - Comparing the top airlines

In this enty we take a look at first-class flying, and realized it’s something all people, from celebrities to businessmen aspire to. The luxurious treatment is definitely extraordinary, and a lot better than flying in economy class. So this week we take a look at some of the airlines that really go out to make their passengers feel like royalty.


Cathy Pacific - approx. $13,000 for long distance flights

Take a nap next to a calming indoor water feature! Cathy Pacific has long been one of the best first-class carriers, and even has their own rice cooker on board (That would be a person, not a utencil). There are only 12 seats per first-class cabin, which are fully reclining seats with. Passengers can order food as many times as they like and for the extra long business trips, Cathay Pacific has also included a shower in the first-class cabin. On board entertainment include television screens, high-speed Internet connections as well as audio and video selections.


Emirates – approx. $10,000 for long distance flights

Service that make long distance flights seem like a stay at a hotel! Flying to more than 70 global destinations, Emirates is well known for their impeccable service, and you can expect nothing less from their first-class service. Their package includes a chauffeured limousine transfer to and from the airport, and once you get onboard the plane; every first-class passenger can enjoy on-demand seven course meals and a personal video system in the comfort of their own enclosed first-class suite, equipped with flat beds and closing doors.


Gulf Air - $5,000 – $10,000 for long distance flights

The most exclusive cabin in the world! With only eight passengers per cabin, the first-class cabin is a luxurious experience with cabin service managers, chefs, nannies and flights attendants standing ready the minute your BMW 7 Series drops you at the VIP terminal. Once on board, passengers are welcomed with a variety of European and Middle Eastern dishes as well as a great selection of vintage wines. To make your flight as comfortable as possible; you can recline your chair and relax, or make use of your own private entertainment system.


Lufthansa – approx. $10,000 for long distance flights

The roomiest first class seat! If it is space you want, then the Lufthansa first-class seats are some of the roomiest you’ll find. The head and shoulder rests are adjustable, and each passenger has their own entertainment system. Passengers flying from Frankfurt can enjoy the private first-class terminal, which has its own cigar lounge and bakery. When you arrive at the airport, the concierge checks your luggage for you, as a Porsche Cayenne drops you right at the plane, on the tarmac. On board cuisine includes caviar and Scottish smoked salmon.

Sweet Indulgence - When the Rich has a sweet tooth...

This entry is all abaout luxurious treats. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you’ll love these…


Chocolate Sundae – $1,000

Grand Opulence! If you ever thought of taking a drive and going for a cold Sundae on a hot day, be sure to stop at the New York Serendipity Restaurant. This sundae is the grand supreme of all sundaes and is even served with an 18K gold spoon. Every bite of the sundae is sweet luxury and is made with 5 scoops of Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, then topped with Amedei Porceleana ice cream, which is then covered with chunks of Chuao chocolate. The highlight of the decoration must be the 23K edible gold leave, which beautifully boasts its elegance and the tasting sensation you’re about to experience.


Noka Vintage Collection – $850 per pound

Quality time with your taste buds! The Noka Vintage Collection is the dark chocolate fan’s most priced chocolate fantasy, and that’s no wonder since it’s made from a fusion of dark chocolate which have been sourced from select plantations in Venezuela, Trinidad, Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador. With 75% of pure cacao and 0% artificial additives, the Noka Vintage Collection is also one of the most expensive chocolates in the world, but those who are crazy for dark chocolate wont mind the price in this case; its true value will melt in your mouth.


Chocopologie by Knipschildt – over $2,000 per pound

Multi-layered luxury! Truffles are one of the world’s most popular treats, and the chocolatiers at Knipschildt (Norwalk, Connecticut) are clearly very serious about their truffles. With French black truffle on the inside and using 70% Valrhona cacao blended into creamy ganache to create the truffles, the Chocopologie range is a sweet delicacy. You won’t necessarily find these in stores, and will have to preorder to introduce your taste buds to perhaps the most expensive truffles available.

The world's most expensive PEZ Dispenser – $32,000

Candy with value! Known as the 1982 Astronaut B, this PEZ dispenser never made it into production and is believed to be 1 of only 2 Astronaut dispensers to have ever been created. PEZ fans went crazy when the PEZ dispenser went up for auction on eBay, and recently sold for over $30,000. The other Astronaut dispenser that never saw the shelves has a blue stem and we’re quite interested to see just how much that one will sell for.

When the Rich wants to Get Away from the Rumble

I decided to devote this week’s theme to all the ladies, and the guys will agree that they too wouldn’t mind a relaxing trip to the spa…

Cing Mondes Spa, Lausanne Switzerland – $1,660 for two nights

A haven of relaxation! Hidden behind the Alps in a garden of natural settings, overlooking Lake Leman, The Beau Rivage Palace is home to the famous Cinq Mondes Spa. Richard Gere and Rod Stewart have once stayed here, but that was long before the Cinq Mondes Spa offered a variety of traditional treatments like Japanese oil flower petal baths and Papaya body scrubs as well as full-body Balinese massages, which have become some of the main attractions among the rich and famous. With 39 Cinq Mondes beauty treatments taken from all over the world, Cinq Mondes aims to relax body and mind, and even features a private suit with its own Hammam (Turkish bath) where guests can soak in the best luxuries available.


Earth Spa by Six Senses, Evason Hideaway, Thailand – $500+ dollars per night

Traditional Thai to balance your energy! Surrounded by tranquil ponds that make buildings seem as if they float, The Earth Spa by Six Senses is a place of meditation and natural healing. Most of the ingredients used in treatments are grown at Evason Hideaway, and ensure that guests feel naturally refreshed. The Spa consists of four treatment rooms with a private outdoor Jacuzzi, a meditation cave and 2 steam rooms. Outdoors activities like snorkeling, windsurfing and fishing are also on offer, for a most relaxing experience.

Evian Bathing Experience – $5,000

The most expensive bath in the world! Relaxation comes in many forms, and last year introduced a more extreme, yet luxurious alternative. Serena Williams was the first to bathe in pure Evian water, and the whole experience is most definitely one to remember. Together with illuminating candles, Champagne and caviar, guests of a prestige hotel in Miami are able to indulge in absolute lavishness. The service is by far unique, and one can only imagine what a thrill it must be to bath in purity.

The Rich's Luxurious Thingamajigs

Last week we showed you what you could buy with half a million dollars, and I guess you’ll all agree that most of the items were really fascinating. So, this week we decided to show you even more of the most extraordinary gadgets on the market. And you won’t believe that the majority of these items are actually the most expensive around!


GoldVish Illusion cell phone - estimated at $1 million

Mobile luxury to the extreme! Forget any top of the range phone you’ve ever seen before, the GoldVish Illusion has arrived! At 1 million dollars the Illusion is by no doubt the most exclusive phone ever made! Encrusted with tiny diamonds, the phone comes with a sapphire glass display and you even have a choice whether the casing needs to be in solid platinum white, or 18ct yellow or rose gold. The phone comes nothing short of the latest technological features, and those that seek alternative methods to conceal valuables, the Illusion even has a secret compartment! The back of the phone is equally mesmerizing and delicately finished in Crocodile or Stingray leather.


Kaleidoscape Movie Server - $27,000

Compact entertainment that saves space! If you’ve got stacks of DVD’s and music CD’s, but have no idea where to store them, then the Kaleidoscape is what you need. The Kaleidoscape is a multimedia server which allows you to convert all those discs to digital form, letting you access them at the push of a button. You can even access your collection from any player you can set up around your house! If you haven’t got an exceptionally large collection, but wish to own one, then you can pre-order your Kaleidoscape with some of the best titles around.


Sphaeron Excalibur Speaker - $325,000

Speakers with horns? They might look like speaker sculptures, but in fact the Excalibur is setting new standards. Equally fascinating for being the most expensive speakers in the world, with a Guinness Record to prove it, these speakers reproduce music three-dimensional, thus making the sound so crisp and clear you’ll feel as if your part of an orchestra. Those willing to pay the bulky asking price can get their speakers in a unique color of their choice to blend with the surroundings.


iPod Presidential MP3 - $45,000

The most expensive MP3 player in the world! With the MP3 market completely over crowded, iPod decided to launch a new Presidential range to set them apart from the rest for good! Claiming to be the king of MP3 players, the Presidential range allows music fanatics to decorate their iPod in tiny diamonds, which are positioned according to their taste, as well as pick from a variety of exclusive colors. We are unaware of the specific features, but can imagine that for 45,000 dollars you should be able to load as many songs and video clips as you best well desire.

Take a golf swing in luxury - This is how the rich plays

Here’s a look at some of the most luxurious Golf accessories that will make you stand out right even before you’ve played your first stroke…

Majesty Prestigio Clubs - 2,000 dollars, Fair Woods 1,700 dollars, Irons 6,000 dollars (set)

This is what every golfer dreams of! If you’re in the market for high-end Golf equipment, then the Majesty Prestigio clubs from Maruman Golf is what you need. Maruman means “ripple of money” in Japanese and these super hard fullerene titanium clubs will make your game soar with luxury. Not only do they look like they can deliver an elegant swing, but are crafted to perfection with high-strength steel, unique designs and precision laser soldering. With these clubs, taking a swing at luxury becomes a whole different ball game.


Escalade Golf Car - starts at 15,000 dollars

Cruise in style while swinging it easy. Created by General Motors, the Escalade is a fairway version of the Cadillac Escalade SUV. Imagine taking a ride around the course with stylish Golf car that is powered by a 48-volt electric system! The 4-seater Escalade Golf car can reach 20mph and travel up to 30 miles per overnight charge. Options include a CD and DVD player, leather seats as well as fog lamps and many more…


Damier Geante Golf Bag from Louis Vuitton - 8,400 dollars

This luscious tooled bag is a Damier Geante canvas golf bag from the house of Louis Vuitton. With this golf bag you will not only look like you’ve got a good swing, but will most definitely stand out from the crowd. This golf bag features a zip-up hood, rolling travel cover, umbrella for the rainy days and also numerous pouches and pockets for all the equipment that will make your game of golf a fabulous on par extraordinaire.

John Lobb Golf Shoes - 5000 dollars

If playing Golf means looking good then these John Lobb Golf shoes are out to stun the fiercest of competitors. Made from the finest leathers, these Gold shoes are made to measure and take over 5 months to produce. Step out in style and talk down the fairway with probably the most lavish Golf shoes ever created.

The Bentley Continental GT - The Big Brother to the Popular GT Coupe

If beautiful cars make your heart beat faster, please consult your physician before looking at this one. The Continental GT from Bentley comes with a new feeling of power and freedom, being grand touring at its utmost best. The Bentley Continental GT is the fastest four-seat coupe in the world, even it its size and weight. A revolutionary Grand Tourer that offers high torque at low revs. At the heart of its taut, predatory form lies one of the most formidable engines ever built combined with the spirit to break boundaries. The Continental GT brings with it unsurpassed style, comfort, craftsmanship and true supercar dynamics. The only other car close to it, would be it's Coupe version; seen as 2004-6's best millionaire must-have.

The four-wheel drive car offers 550bhp with supreme levels of torque to match, through a six-speed transmission and boasts a six-litre engine with its 12 cylinders, cleverly packed into a two-bank W formation. It can fly off from 0-60 mph in an imaculate 4.7 seconds! The engine is a piece of pure innovation: Instead of using two long lanks of six cylinders, like normal V12s, a 'W' formation was developed, uniquely creating two narrow angle V6 engines. Short but powerful it led to a dominant, purposeful bonnet with minimal overhang.

The cabin has a feeling of comfort and room: This car was design with CEOs and Royalty in mind. The pillarless design provides an uninterupted flow of glass from front to rear, so that true light can fill the cabin. The design of the seating gives the feeling of impeccable attention to detail; rear passengers sit well apart with deeply scalloped recesses for their elbows and tangible extra legroom sculpted into the rear of the front seats. Four people, with their luggage and even four sets of skis can be carried with consummate ease. This due to a clever move of the fuel tank to a mid-position under the car that creates ample legroom and ample boot space.

Only the best wood veneers and premium quality leather is used in the GT. The smell does fill your senses and if there ever was a smell to success, I would guess, this is waht it would smell like. Bentley continues it's partnership with Breitling in the new GT as the centrally mounted analogue clock is by Breitling

The Personal Commissioning principle provided by Bentley Auto ensures that no two Bentleys are alike. Customers can choose from an array of options to customise their Bentley. The specialist division - Bentley Mulliner - caters to the most personal demands and builds a car that is tailored and is a mirror image of the concept in mind.

The Rich's Expensive Hotel rooms - Rooms with a view

When you’re on the move, you’re on the move… high flyers and jet setters are often traveling from one city to the next, and when you’re living life in the fast lane, there’s only one place to rest when you’re away from home: in the lap of luxury – 5-star accommodation that caters for your every need in the style that you’re accustomed to.

So this week, we’ve taken a look at the 5 most expensive hotel suites in the world… not just rooms with a view, but with a view from the very top. All it takes is just one big jackpot win, and you too could have the pleasure of one of these luxurious hotels experiences… all you need to do is play...

1. The Atlantis, Bahamas – Atlantis Bridge Suite: $25,000 per night

In the Bahamas, it’s all about location. The Bridge Suite is located on top of a bridge that connects the two Royal Towers buildings, and overlooks the entire resort and marina. The experience comes with its own butler, bar lounge and entertainment center as well as 12-foot ceilings. The master bedroom has a sitting area, his-and-hers closets, and hand-painted linens. There are also two separate master bathrooms, each with chaise lounges and marble baths.

2. The Martinez Hotel, Cannes – Presidential Suite: $18,000 per night

Experience the luxury of Cannes whilst looking out over the entire bay. Each suite has two bedrooms, a Turkish bath, kitchen, and personal sauna. The wraparound terrace is 2,000 square feet and can comfortably hold 100 people. It also has a Jacuzzi. Included are Bose plasma screen televisions and a DVD library. A private butler is on call 24 hours a day and you have access to the use of a limousine and open bar.

3. The Plaza, New York – Presidential Suite: $15,000 per night

This luxurious two-level Presidential Suite occupies the entire 18th floor of the hotel with two living rooms, a parlor, and a library. Guests also have access to a rooftop area. That's in addition to six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The suite also has a private wine cellar, four balconies and a staff of maids, a butler and chauffeur with a Rolls Royce. And if you feel like a snack, there's even a private chef on call at any hour of the day.

4. President Wilson Hotel, Geneva Switzerland – Royal Floor: $9,090 per night

Located on Lake Geneva, this suite is indeed spacious – taking up an entire floor. In addition to fantastic views of the beautiful lake, guests of the Royal Floor can gaze through bay windows or from a private terrace at the Alps and the Mont Blanc. The suite also has a spacious living room and elegant dining area. The hotel boasts a security system that is up to par for royalty and the biggest celebrity guests.

5. Hotel Ritz, Paris – Coco Chanel Suite: $4,300 per night

Coco Chanel made the Ritz her home for 37 years, and guests can relish the same garden view from the bathroom or gaze upon the Place Vendôme from one of the two balconies. This luxuriously decorated room in this statuesque hotel is located in the heart of Paris near the Louvre and the Museé d'Orsay and has hosted such famous guests as England's King Edward VII, Marcel Proust, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.

Get the VIP Treatment you deserve

From the ski slopes of Aspen to the beaches of the Hamptons, even celebrities need some time off to rest and rejuvenate when they’ve been playing too hard. At Golden Riviera Group casinos, we’re used to delivering star treatment to our players, so this week we thought we’d inspire you by taking a look at some of the world’s top luxury escape spots.

And you can go there too, simply by trying your luck at Golden Riviera Group casinos! All you need to do is play hard and hit that one, big jackpot, and you too may be flying off to one of these exquisite locations sooner than you think…

Sea Mountain

Rated the top celebrity spa four years in a row, this private, secluded spa exists in a secret location just outside LA, in order to ensure the most private VIP experience. Even celebrities themselves don’t know where they’re going until the limousine picks them up! Once they arrive, however, they are waited on hand and foot, enjoying mineral spring water whirlpool massages, herbal steam baths and saunas, heated swimming pools and reclining in top class accommodation whilst enjoying gourmet cuisine and specialty drinks. Regular guests include Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, Leonardo di Caprio and Brad Pitt.

Wakaya

The Wakaya Club resort in Fiji is an exclusive private island resort that accommodates only 20 people at a time. Guests can stay in one of nine thatched roof huts – each surrounded by wide verandas, tropical gardens, and its own private stretch of beach – or in Vale O, which is a 12,000-square-foot home divided into three pavilions that come with a driver and personal chef. The top villa costs $5,950 a night and the island can also be hired out. This fabulous getaway has hosted stars such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Celine Dion and Pierce Brosnan.

Gstaad

The prestigious Palace Hotel in Switzerland attracts an international mix of jet-setters such as David and Victoria Beckham, who go there for the excellent skiing and the social scene. No less than six restaurants provide the finest possible cuisine in lovely settings, whilst the state-of-the-art bedrooms are warm, spacious and comfortable. The hotel’s La Prairie spa offers a range of relaxation treatments, such as back massage followed by the application of special self-heating mud. The treatments are then personalized by a therapist using a combination of massage techniques and marine ingredients.

Mustique

The private island of Mustique in the Caribbean has long been a playground for royalty, musicians and celebrities since the 1950s – when Scottish eccentric Lord Glenconner bought the island and invited his blue-blood friends over. Princess Margaret also owned a house there, Les Jollies Eaux, which can be rented for up to $32,000 a week. There is also the magnificent six-bedroom Plantation House, which costs a whopping $60,000 a week. Cars are not allowed on the island, and the only nightlife is funky beach bar Basil's. Visitors include Oprah Winfrey, Tommy Hilfiger, Mick Jagger, Kate Moss, and Claudia Schiffer.

The Rich's Electronic Must-haves 2006

Here, the high life is within your grasp, and it’s yours for the taking… Playing big is all about winning big, and the lifestyle that goes with it. Look good, feel good, and why not? You deserve it! There’s nothing better than sitting down to play knowing that your next bet could be the big payout, and dreaming about ways in which to spend your winnings. And as an extra bit of incentive this weekend, we’ve put together a list of some of the trendiest gadgets around –must-have accessories for any high roller!

Panasonic MiniDV Camcorder

Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this trendy new camcorder isn’t short on innovative features. It compensates for any hand movement intuitively, so that every shot is crisp and clear. It also features a sophisticated Leica Dicomar lens, able to capture subtle differences in tone of light and shade – perfect for if you decide to take a luxury holiday with your winnings!

Magellan eXplorist 210 Handheld GPS Unit

Compact, shockproof and water resistant in design, this item is very helpful should you find yourself navigating a private yacht around Cannes. Weighing a mere 6.1 ounces - and able to download and store up to 22 megabytes of maps while providing precise three-meter positioning - this pocket-sized trendy gadget is an outdoors enthusiast’s dream.

Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera

Crafted to capture every pose, the V530 camera is equipped with 5-megapixel resolution. And it’s tiny, making it a pleasure to carry or store. The Kodak Easyshare v530 is able to blend still photography and video as well - turning videos into stop-action still pictures perfect for printing and sharing.

Dolce & Gabbana Motorola RAZR V3i

There are only 1000 of these exclusive cellphones available, so ladies you had better hurry up and hit that big jackpot soon! Featuring a personalized background with screensaver, a tailored sound for power up and down, an exclusive polyphonic ring tone and a video clip illustrating 20 years of Dolce & Gabbana brand history, its more than just a phone – it’s a lifestyle essential!