Ashlee and Jessica Simpson’s Very Private Performance at the Delano Hotel

Ashlee Simpson in the Delano 2005 Pre-nose job hottness and before divorce, Roma, Wentz, wedding and baby. When Ashlee Simpson was known as the not so cute, not so talented younger sis of Jessica Simpson, we spotted the sisters at the Delano Hotel. Along with the full family clan and Nick Lachey in tote, the girls were set to give a live exclusive performance in the Delano’s back Water Salon and Orchard Garden. Jessica Simpson sang the wrong songs first line and stomped off stage, good thing there were no cameras present or it would have been another Simpson lip-singing fiasco. If you’re wondering why this celeb gossip is relevant now, it’s really not but the point is, that the Delano Hotel was a posh celeb locale back in ’05 and in 2008 it still is. The Delano Hotel remains to be one of the most iconic hotels in South Beach.

Lenny Kravitz recently opened a lounge called Florida Room in the Delano Hotel. Florida Room @ the DelanoFlorida Room is a modern day piano lounge that boasts a see-through grand piano, that has been tickled by Kravitz himself and Jamie Foxx. A low, bronze mirrored ceiling and custom-designed chandeliers give the room back that classic South Floridian glamour of a bygone era. Over thirty specially concocted cocktails are infused with fresh exotic fruit and make getting drunk taste really good.

The Delano Hotel is located at 1685 Collins Ave, in South Beach is the lovechild of Philippe Starck and Ian Schrager. For those of you living under a rock, Philippe Starck is a famed French designer who is noted for his futuristic design style. Ian Schrager is an original founder of Studio 54, more importantly, he is the American hotelier and real estate developer who established the "boutique hotel" genre.

The hotel rooms are decked in all white and invibe a casual chic, urban resort feel. Chill in back by the surreal life-sized chessboard or take lunch on furniture placed whimsically in the pool. Let renowned chef Claude Troisgros serve up a modern French meal in the grand dining room or opt to alfresco on the terrace under the stars. Then hit up the lobby for some post-dinner drinks at The Rose Bar. There is a pool table, more mirrors and a la carte sushi all housed under custom Venetian chandeliers and opulent white drapes. Rose Bar has the most sophisticated and trendy social scene on Tuesday nights in South Beach.

Delano Pool     Delano Rooms   Rose Bar @ the Delano

 

 

 

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Pay to Play with your Food @ Barton G

Popcorn Shrimp @ Barton GBarton G Restaurant is a very contemporary American style scene that will encourage you to play with your food . The restaurant is located on 1427 West Ave, in South Beach.  The larger than life portions are served in a fantastically witty way that would make Barnum & Bailey proud. Cirque du Ceviche, Mouse Trap Mac & Cheese, Flashdance Grouper, Naked Tuna, Veg-G-licious or Sizzling Brick Chicken anyone? The naked tuna is served on a beach scene that looks like a high school book report and the chicken comes out on an actual red brick sans cement. Hungry yet? Well eat up because the leftovers could probably feed a developing nation but hey at least it’s amusing. Even if you’re gorged don’t leave without trying the Big Top Cotton Candy monstrousity, Cup Cake Picnic or the Chocolate Fun-Do for dessert to round out the full circus experience. Don’t worry though you won’t feel like you’re sitting in one of those side show freak shows but rather more along the lines of the always posh Cirque du Soleil. Barton G has taken hoity-toity out of upscale dining and given us relaxed sophistiaction and an undeniably multi sensory experience. 

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We Wouldn’t Give Kobe a Happy Ending

We might give Kobe Bryant a happy ending but this other Kobe, the Kobe Club Miami is getting nothing from us.  The new Kobe Club Miami restaurant is located at 404 Washington Avenue and harps on the current trend where New York City takes over South Beach. Yes, both cities are inhabited by extreme wealth, social hierarchy and everything fabulous but the similarities sort of end there. We like a touch of Manhattan in Miami Beach periodicly but a full fledge, replicated restaurant is a faux pas.

Restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow and his partner Charlie Walk tried to bring their premiere New York, Kobe Club steakhouse to South Beach, the key word here is tried. We get that the NYC dig is fabulous, we’ve been there and we know that Chodorow is the success behind other Miami hotspots, like Blue Door, China Grill and Tuscan Steak. Since the the initial media buzz wore off the restaurant is desserted, so what went so wrong? For starters Kobe Club Miami is just a smaller, less cool version of the original Kobe Club New York. When you can just jet to New York for the real deal, no sane person is going to settle for less. There is nothing intimate about the "intimate" 52 seat space designed by Chris Kofitas, nor anything remotely avante garde or Miami-ish. It’s almost as if the original Kobe Club New York defecated something sallow on the Miami Beach sidewalk, so gross.  

Kobe Club Miami Walking into 2,000 swinging Samurai swords wasn’t exactly a heart-warming welcome and a few secluded booths with heavy leather curtains didn’t exactly put us in the mood.  Overall the room was freakishly dark, heavy and drab; we know the dark brooding thing gets New Yorkers off but this is Miami Beach. The service at Kobe Club Miami was horrendous and although it’s hard to shock us these days in SoBe, the fact that the help didn’t speak English or Spanish left us speechless. The menu created by Corporate Chef Luke Rinaman, New York Regional Chef Scott Ubert of China Grill Management and Executive Chef Russell Titland of Kobe Club New York was just a replica of the New York Restaurant. Dishes like Kobe beef tartare  ($34) and 10 oz. Japanese Wagyu rib-eye ($240) where decent but we’ve all been there and done that. There was nothing exceptional we would ever go back to Kobe Club Miami for, especially when NoBu @ the Shoreclub Hotel kills it. Nobu made the City to City move gracefully, bringing a rich atmosphere, high quality service and food we now live for (including awesome Kobe Beef). The place got more popular in Miami Beach and to this day is celeb packed (Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, Anna Kournikova, Renee Zellweger, and on) and scene-y. Just proof that the high-end chain thing does work if it’s done by the right people.

On a daily basis Miami socialites are spoiled by beauty, impeccable service and refreshing cuisine, Kobe Club Miami missed every mark. It’s a bit condescending that no part of the restaurant was customized to fit our layed back, Miami Beach lifestyle. Here’s some advice, when something looks haggard in Miami we do reconstructive cosmetic surgery. Try a face lift and augmentation Kobe Club.

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SoBe Scene This Weekend

Stay up to date with the haute SoBe Scene. For Miami Beach clubs, events on the fly and dope nightly happenings stay on www.ImagineLifestyles.com
Weekend of August 14, 2008


Thursday: 
•    Florida Room @ The Delano Hotel
•    Skybar @ The Shoreclub Hotel
•    Rotten Apple Party @ Set Night Club
•    Rok Bar

Friday: 
•    Special Event Alert @ The Setai (9PM) Y-3, & MIAMI magazine celebrate the launch of the Y-3 Fall/Winter ’08 Collection. This Summer Style Series hosted by Ernesto Arambatzis & Erica Freshman
•    Love Hate Bar
•    Mokai

Y-3 Fashion Show @ The Setai Hotel

Saturday:
•    Mynt Lounge
•    Heathrow Night Club
•    Elements @ Aero Bar
•    So Late It’s Early @ Space Club After Hours

Sunday:
•    Black Sunday @ Bella Rose

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Passion Starts at Midnight in Miami

We spent this past weekend racing along the Miami Beach coast on a fishing boat. Don’t get the wrong idea this definitely wasn’t grandpa’s rinky dinky fishing thing, that is, unless grandpa dropped upwards of $400k. We played on a brand new Midnight Express, custom built 37 Foot Open Fish. If you don’t fish then just disregard that word because this boat is all about the lounge.  Midnight Express is a small family owned company that came to market in 1999 with fierce mariner passion and a cutting edge 39 Foot Center Console.  Midnight Express has been revolutionizing the marine industry ever since.  Their 39 Foot won Powerboat of the year by 2005, which put them in good company with reputable brands like Formula, Ebbtide, Cigarette and Douglas Marine/Skater. Midnight Express boats are characteristically long and open, with center deck, positioned steering as the name suggests. We aren’t talking about anything run-of-the-mill, on the contrary, every boat is individually designed and then handcrafted to meet the client’s expectations. While all along being overseen by an immediate founding family member.  

 

 

 

Sunset on the Midnight Express

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Yachts are Haute, Cruise Ships are Not

Say it again with us, yachts are haute and cruise ships are not. Cruise ships are so passe and will never compare to high-end luxe Yacht Clubs like the SeaDream I. SeaDream I is mariner bliss, filled with the creme de la creme in amenities and 5-star service.  SeaDream yachting is unlike big ship cruising because you will be waited on hand and foot by SeaDream’s 95 member crew and staff.  The epitome of luxury, privacy and personalization is SeaDream I’s purpose, all the comforts of a 5 star hotel on a deep sea voyage. With a max of 55 couples per voyage, the staff to guest ratio is 1:1.  In 2006, Conde Nast Traveler rated SeaDream I as the, "World’s Best Small Passenger Shipping Line." Small yachts are also able to explore the private harbors and ports of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Carribean, where large cruise ships are prohibited.

Luxury Cruise

All suites come with sea views, marble floored bathrooms, Bvlgari toiletries, down pillows and silken Belgian bedding. There are multiple jet massage shower heads, lighted magnifying mirrors, and each stateroom’s is equipped with an entertainment center including flat screen televisions, CD & DVD systems, and internet ready outlets in the living room area. There is also a personal bar in the room that will be stocked with your choice of vodka, bubbly and wine. Shack up in the stateroom and enjoy 24-hour room service or get a couples massage on the upper deck Balinese sun beds. To add to the romantic mood, intimate dining alcoves are available just for two and SeaDream’s Sommeliers serve hand selected wines at lunch and dinner. Nothing will ruin your amorous yachting experience, there will be no screaming babies or whining toddlers, as children are strictly prohibited on board. The SeaDream I culminates with a fabulous Champagne & Caviar Splash send off, this is how open sea exploration was meant to be.  

Luxury Yachts

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Big Girls Need Love Too! MayBach Luxury Car.

In a world of anorexic models, pocket dogs, Air macs and mini skirts, Maybach has taught us that bigger can be better. The Maybach 62 S sedan has 4-doors and a lot more to love, it features high calibre performance, spacious comfort and inimitable exclusivity.

Maybach 62 S luxury sedan                                    Cutting edge design speaks volumes for this high-end luxury automobile, whose crowning glory is the most powerful engine ever seen in a Maybach.  Displacement of a 6.0 liter, V12 engine, a custom exhaust system with twin turbochargers and an output of 604 horsepower. Torque peaks at a commanding 738 lb-ft @ 2000-4000 rpm and 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, are results of a meticulously artful program by the Mercedes-AMG production plant. Top off your Maybach 62 S luxury car, $432,280 priced ride with a full-time chauffer and flaunt unparalled sophisication.   Sit back and enjoy the ride in this exotic luxury automobile.

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A New Kind of Sidekick in the Bugatti Veyron

The second fastest production car in the world is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. The Veyron name pays tribute to the first French, Bugatti firm’s racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939. Bugatti’s are flawlessly handcrafted in an old Volkswagen factory in Château St Jean, France and have been in production since September 2005.Bugatti Veyron Exotic Car

The Bugatti Veyron exotic car can literally fly, with its 1,001 horsepower (746 kW) W16 engine, it effortlessly reaches speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour. Any semi-intelligent life form will realize the Veyron goes stupid fast.  It does a 60 mile per hour pickup in 2.5 seconds and can stop dead on command. The Veyron is a hot b****, that will illicit attention galore. Good enough to be your powerful, yet, attractive sidekick wherever the road may take you. However, the ultimate fabulousness of design cannot be grasped in a picture or from a computer screen, so check one out next car show around. Point blank, the Bugatti Veyron is easily worth the estimated $1,192,057 price tag.

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Mile High Club on Emirates Airline

First ClassIf you don’t own a plane but still want to travel in true international Jet set style, then you need to know about the Emirates Airline and their new Airbus A-380. Emirates is based out of Dubai and is the seventh-largest passenger airline in the world, but Emirates luxury experience is an unrivaled first.

If you think you know what flying first class feels like, you have no idea until you experience an Emirates flight because they are bringing luxury to an all new high. The Airbus A-380 is both a lavish and futuristic airplane built for the wealthiest people of the world. When flying First Class with Emirates you will be an elite member of the best kind of mile high club.

Your First Class private suite awaits you with electronically operated sliding doors, a mini-bar, adjustable ambient lighting, and a vanity table with mirror and wardrobe. Each seat has an adjustable massage system which can be converted into a full flat bed and if you are traveling with a lover, just lower the center privacy divider and enjoy each other’s company. We don’t recommend sleeping through the entire flight because you will be missing out on heaven. Play on the Emirates high-speed, in-flight wireless Internet while browsing through 1,200 On Demand channels, on your private 23" flat screen. In flight passengers are able to use mobile phones to call or text people on the ground and now there is a docking station for your iPod. The docking capability allows you to play your own iPod music, television shows and movies through the In-Flight Entertainment system, while simultaneously charging your battery.

The award-winning multilingual crew will serve you a la carte with selections made by world renown chefs. After your meal, take a walk over to the exclusive bar and lounge area where you’ll rub elbows with high society and sip world-class wines, selected by Emirates sommeliers. If your thirst for luxury still hasn’t been quenched, then indulge in the Airbus A-380’s Shower Spas. For the first time in history you can take a refreshing shower 43,000 feet above ground. Choose from the Spa Revive kit or Spa Relax kit, both made from the finest natural ingredients by Emirates. By the time the Emirates Airbus lands you will feel as if you had just walked out of a 5 star hotel.

The A-380 Airbus development program has grown to be more then an $11 billion operation, so in the scheme of things what’s $15,000 for a roundtrip flight? We say it’s a bargain. Inaugural flights between New York’s JFK and Dubai began on August 1st, 2008, international destinations are being added..

First Class Shower Spa

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When High-Tech Married Luxurious, Some Cars were Born

 

Cars that look unreal on the outside aren’t always high-tech on the inside. What we mean, is that if you’re not a true car enthusiast then speed, engine size and torque probably don’t get you off. Luxury doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated; there are cars out there that have been made to do all the work. Some of the cars we found automatically adjust to various driving elements and off-road conditions, while you can watch four different TV’s, make a CD and get a seat massage. Why not have it all?  Feel good on the inside while still looking good on the outside with any of the cars below. Meet High-Tech and luxurious all in one.

  • Audi TT Roadster 3.2 Quattro $44,500
  • BMW 335i Sedan $39,675
  • Cadillac CTS $32,500
  • Ferrari 430 Scuderia
  • Lexus LS600h L $104,765
  • Land Rover LR3 $49,300
  • Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport $37,275
  • Porsche 911 GT2

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