Thanks to the HBO hit series Sex & the City, girls in New York City seem to love sipping on Martinis. Whether it be vodka, gin, up, on the rocks, dry or dirty girls just feel sexier. Thus, the newly renovated Algonquin Hotel in New York City took cue and added a "special" martini to the Cocktail list, a.k.a a glitzy gimmick. The Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel now features the Martini on the Rock, a martini that posseses a diamond inside. The $10,000 plus martini is basically for any guy who doesn’t know how to propose, lacks taste and or imagination.
The Belvedere vodka and Martini & Rossi vermouth plus olives martini comes with a pre-selected sparkling diamond on bottom, from in house jeweler Bader & Garrin. The clarity, cut and carat of the diamond you choose will influence the price up, duh. We smell desperation on Anthony Melchiorri, the hotel’s general manager, "This is a great lobby, where you can hang out and talk or where you can ask someone to marry you."  The Algonquin Hotel once attracted notable people like writer Dorothy Parker who said, "I love a martini — but two at the most. Three, I’m under the table; four, I’m under the host." Apparently the hotel needs some new attention.Â
Gents the martini must be ordered three days in advance and we sincerely hope she doesn’t choke on it. Our advice would be to take her to a Harry Winston, Cartier or Graff Diamond jeweler instead and get down on one knee the old fashion way. A martini may be thrown in your face as Samantha did on Sex & the City, but no girls turns down a Winston, Cartier or Graff.
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We have noted the Setai Hotel on Miami Beach in a number of blogs because the hotel warrants attention. One more reason to check out the lavish beachfront hotel is because of it’s penthouse. The 6,500 square foot Setai penthouse is just $30,000-per-night.
The Setai penthouse is designed in a chic Asian aesthetic with exotic woods and luxe finishes. The penthouse encompasses a double living room that stretches across the entire eastern end of the 40 story glass tower. The living room imbibes full panoramic views of the horizon. There are two master bedrooms with soaking tubs and stunning beach views. Plus, 3,000 square feet of terraces and balconies.
Throughout the Setai penthouse are touch panel LCD screens which give total control over lighting, audio-visual and building systems. There is a private recording studio built in which was designed by Lenny Kravitz himself. One of the things we love most about the penthouse is the private sunken edge stainless steel pool on the terrace. Complete with a very sexy waterfall and coral stone-enclosed hot tub. Take spa services in the penthouse for the weekend or host a posh gathering. Whatever you decide to use the Setai penthouse for, you won’t be sorry. Â
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The oh-so-popular Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is almost here and by here, we mean next week in Miami Beach (our hometown!). The 2008 sexed-up show will broadcast from the revamped Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. The Fontainebleau Hotel is one of the most legendary and architecturally stunning hotels on the Beach. Built in 1954, and originally designed by Morris Lapidus, the Fontainebleau was hailed as one of the most luxurious of its time. Â
The Fontainebleau Miami Beach sits oceanfront at 4441 Collins Avenue, the hotel was purchased in 2006 by the restored Fontainebleau Resorts Firm. Fontainebleau Resorts then set out to give the hotel a $1 billion dollar facelift over the next two years, taking vigilant care to preserve the circa 1950’s design elements like the famous "staircase to nowhere." The renovated Fontainebleau will debut with a 40,000 square foot spa, two brand new towers (Chateau and Versailles), 15,000 rooms, 11 restaurants and lounges, three nightclubs and an oceanfront "poolscape" with several pools. Plus, iMac computers in the ritzier rooms. If that wasn’t specific enough for you and you’re into name dropping, then here you go… Just to name a few, the Fountainebleau will feature: Gotham Steakhouse, Sprezza Italian restaurant, Hakkasan a Cantonese restaurant, LIV Nightclub, Blade Sushi bar and Glow the Pool Bar. Fun factoid, President elect Barack Obama also stayed at the Fontainbleau Miami Beach on a recent campaign tour of South Florida.Â
The remodeled and refashioned hotel brings us back to models and fashion. The Fontainebleau Hotel’s behemoth grand opening will be kicked off by the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on November 14. A virgin to Miami Beach, the famed lingerie runway show will be taped and broadcast by CBS for the sixth year in a row. The show will air on Wednesday, December 3 at 10:00 – 11:00 P.M ET/PT on CBS for all those not in attendance for the actual show, which was by invite exclusively.
We look forward to seeing Victoria’s Secret supermodels Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller, Miranda Kerr (also on this months issue of OceanDrive Magazine) and an army of other seductive Angels. Plus, Miami Beach will be flocking with celebs and games of whose who. Television audiences will get to see musical performances, red carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the world’s most eminent fashion shows a.k.a a totally commercialized circus. Past musical performances have been the Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake, Seal, Sting, and Mary J. Blige. This year Usher is rumored to be the main musical guest performance. Here’s to hoping the $1 bill Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach looks as hot as the supermodels. We are keeping our fingers crossed and we will be there to keep you posted, you know you’re totally jealous!
Haven’t heard of the Yamu yet? Shame on you. The Yamu is a five-star hotel being built and designed by the General Hotel Management (GHM) company. If you aren’t familiar with GHM projects then we don’t know what rock you live under, this company has some of the most outrageous hotels and resorts around the globe. The Setai Hotel on Miami Beach, Florida is the first in America and may give you some bearing on just how insane their establishments are. The Yamu Hotel is on a private peninsula of Phuket’s east coast and will raise the bar on previously held notions of privacy, tranquility and luxury.
There is always some anticipation when hotels of this calibre are set to open but the Yamu is highly anticipated. Hopefully the names Zecha, Gathy and Starck mean something to you. The world renown trio went into collaboration on this project in Phuket. Industry guru Adrian Zecha chairman and director of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts, acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Gathy and French interior designer Philippe Starck are creating a hotel that is magnificent, we don’t have words.
The Yamu Hotel will not encroach on surrounding natural beauty, thanks to the architectural genius of Jena-Michel Gathy. In keeping true to Thai spirit, Gathy constructed large outdoor living rooms, interconnected open rooms, and functionality between indoor and outdoor spaces. He accomplished his goal of intensifying natural beauty without disrupting existing nature.
The interior 63 rooms overlook the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea. Interior designer Philippe Starck has also taken design cues from surrounding nature. Again he has created stunning accents and opulence that are of another world. Best known for being startling and sumptuous, the Yamu will still be inviting in an elegant yet casual fashion as only Starck can do. We are convinced that the Yamu Hotel, graceful, sophisticated and timeless will breathe new meaning into the word vacation.
Not to mention featured facilities galore. The Yamu has a stunning 160-person restaurant that will serve Thai, Western, and Chinese influenced cuisine. A to die for spa and 100 metre swimming pool. Oh and, five glass cubes within the estate that will serve as a wine room with wine cave below, a cigar lounge, a chocolate room, a private kitchen and a designer boutique.
Around the hotel will be 12 privately owned Villa Estates, operated as part of the hotel when owners are away. Each villa will have master pavilion with a lounge, a master bedroom, kitchen and maids’ quarters. Plus, a 23.5-metre swimming pool, garden and outdoor showers. The Club Complex at the Yamu boasts personal butlers, unsurpassed privacy, and convenient access to facilities, achieving the ultimate luxurious vacation environment.
Plus, Yamu Hotel projects out into Phang Nga Bay and has a private marina with 39 berths. There are 84 islands sparkling across the bay, plus several small private beaches, hidden caves and quiet anchorages. The privileged few who can afford to own and vacation at the Yamu Hotel and Residencies in Phuket, will experience unrivalled tropical beauty and marvelous marine life in sever comfort.
The Hotel, the Villa Estates and Club Complex, are infused with the visionary intellect of Gathy and Starck to achieve an extremely rare synergy of style and than run by the best. The chic Yamu Hotel doors will open next Summer, 2009. Private investment opportunities are available for sale, we recommend you hustle to. We are booking like tomorrow!
For the jetsetter, mega-millionaire in you, the Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons New York got a serious facelift. Designer Peter Marino and architect I.M. Pei came out of retirement to help Ty Warner put together the most exclusive and expensive hotel room in the World. The 4,300 sq. ft. penthouse, spans the hotel’s 52nd floor.
The nine-room penthouse suite has towering, 25- foot floor-to-ceiling bay windows, with stunning views of Manhattan’s prominent skyline . Possibly the most fantastic city panorama in the world. Plus living room walls inlaid with pieces of mother-of-pearl. An indoor-outdoor Zen garden, a private spa room with a living bamboo screen, and a book filled library, boasting centre piece a grand piano. The penthouse comes with its own private butler and a private chauffeur who will drive you around New York City in a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach. For a one night’s stay at the Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons it’s $34,000. For 34K you get one of the most luxurious pads, if not the most expensive in the World, and crucial bragging rights.    […]
Wednesday night the 24th of September it poured rain on Miami Beach. We blogged about the Miami Fall Fashion Week begining on Monday, but there was not much to be excited for until Wednesday nights Escada Show. The Escada show was meant to be an outdoor lounge event (where we saw the Chloe Summer show) at the Setai Hotel. However, on account of the rain the entire event was haphazardly moved into the hotel’s lobby. Rain is unfortunate but in Miami Beach in September, it rains every 5 minutes and Ocean Drive should have been prepared.
As we walked up to the Setai Hotel a crowd of people were pushing to get past the velvet ropes. Literally pushing, some man who apparently works for a top level media out on Miami Beach, threw a hissy fit/ tantrum trying to get in. There aren’t even words to describe how rude or grotesquely embarrassing he was and it was totally unprofessional. Get yourself together man!
Normally members of the media are ushered right into events but last night amid the drama and chaos, we had to wait outside for about 10 minutes. That wasn’t even bad compared to most people who had been waiting for an hour in the rain. Then were turned away on account of the fire marshall. The scene was a mess and a half.
Once in the lobby it didn’t get much better, no one could move and it felt like a million degrees inside. The bar was a mess with bowls of olives and nuts spilled all over. The show was hosted by Orzel Vodka but there was no open bar, which came off cheap and tacky. We ran into the Orzel key account manager Nes Rueda and he didn’t have anything to say about it. No one knew the fashion show had even started because of the mob scene. Instead of an actual runway show, the models were sent to walk around, pause and pose for a few moments. What we did get to see of the ’08 Escada Fall Collection we liked. The long dresses were goddess-like and sophisticated and the separates were mature, yet sexy. It was such a shame that it had to rain and Ocean Drive didn’t have a suitable plan B.
On a nicer note, we spotted an attending guest wearing a full feather bolero jacket and out of curiosity asked her who she was wearing. She told us it was designed by her friend Carolina Fernandez. We were immediately introduced to Fernandez and found out that she’s a new designer just moved down from Manhattan. Carolina Fernandez began doing fur designs not too long ago and has slowly been expanding into other animal mediums, grrrr! Fernandez’s line is called Cariox and we are hoping for a sneak peak of her showroom designs immediately. She was adorable and has been in the industry for at least a decade.
We were handed an Escada gift bag that included the new Ocean Drive Mag, an Orzel beer bottle opener and a gift card for 10% off a Setai Hotel Spa service. Yawn! We left after an hour and there you have the highlights and low points of last nights Escada show. Ya’ll stay tuned for the Perry Ellis show experience tomorrow night, should be amusing…
Sunday is a day of rest and this is a typical Sunday in MIami Beach. After a long week of working and playing hard we like to give ourselves a little R&R Miami style. After a long night of partying at Mynt Lounge, the warm sun arouses us around 11 a.m. We throw on our swim suites and dark, dark designer shades. We head to the Setai Hotel on Collins Avenue for a light and always refreshing brunch by the pool. Then we hit the beach and get our tan on. The topless models and totally toned men are gorgeous, the salty air, cool breeze and glamorous aesthetic begin to revive us. The cabana boys are committed with fresh drinks, fresh fruit and routine Evian misting spray downs. The beach sesh is followed only by a trip to the insanely, lavish spa. We catch a 60 minute Swedish massage, then a Setai special Ayurvedic Facial. We finish it off with a good steam and voile we are bright eyed and brand new to take monday on. Sundays like this keep us young, fresh and happy all year around.
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Miamians never get to watch the leaves change color or the temperatures drop in Fall but we still have Fall Fashion Week, go figure. There is nothing like standing in 90 degree heat and watching Fall sweaters and boots strut down the runway. Regardless, we are still fashion junkies and wouldn’t miss the 2008 Fall Fashion shows for anything. Hosted by OceanDrive Magazine and a bevy of other companies, shows start on Septemeber 22.
Each night of the week has a different theme, which is cheesy but very Miami-ish. We aren’t talking Bryant Park but the events tend to be amusing. Where the night’s events become more about dressing to the nines and being photographed than the actual fashion. Always a true scene to be seen in if you are anybody or think you’re anybody. This year Fashion Week kicks off with designer Carlos Miele at the Biltmore Hotel & Residencies. There are only a couple shows next week that are somewhat high end, and that we are somewhat excited for. The first is the Escada show on Wednesday, September 24th, at the Setai Hotel. The second, is on Friday the 26th for Perry Ellis, a menswear designer so gay and straight men rejoice because this ones all for you. That show will be held at the National Hotel on South Beach.
If you were curious the nights are called, "Glamour, Rock, Sophisticated, Hip, Timeless and Universal. Like we said, there is a major cheese factor but beggars can’t be choosers right? Manhattan has better fashion but they also freeze every winter. By winter time in Miami, we are living like royalty and wearing ultimate high end fashionable frocks on a daily basis. We will be in attendance all week and keep you posted on the fashion, frills, fun and season’s must haves. Below is the week’s schedule but don’t kid yourself, events are exclusive and by invite only!
Upon completion this Spring the new, lavish W Hotel will be the most outrageous space on Miami Beach. Mark our words, when the W Hotel opens on March 1, 2009 it will be an awakening, great for the tourists and sad for the competing hotels. The W’s high brand name, along with Startwood Hotel’s experience, attention to glam and impeccable service will result in one of the most fabulous hotel to hit Collins Avenue. The sales office is to die for and the architectural models look bananas, the project is coming along on schedule and reservations will be taken as early as December for the March opening. All 395 rooms will have Atlantic Ocean views thanks to some serious architectural prowess.
Those who didn’t buy in the W will have to wait for re-sales (if there are any) because the building is sold out. The W Hotel & Residencies is in the heart of South beach on prime, prime real estate but we wouldn’t expect less from the 5 star powerhouse. Dine at the chic Mr. Chow or Serafina Restaurants, pamper yourself at Bliss® Spa, bask in the Living Room on the Ocean or play in the WET® pool.
Some of the most fabulous celebrities and wealthiest jetsetters will reside in the Penthouses and bungalows, which feature the best of resort living. Live luxuriously from the signature W bed to fully wired technology and the fabulously notorious Whatever/Whenever® service. Each room is furnished to the nines. Owners are offered a W package of fine glass wear, silver wear and a few other nicks and knacks for almost $20,000, the point is that no cost is too steep. Experience state-of-the-art aesthetics and rich comfort in the W Hotel, coming soon.
Imagine Lifestyles is here to give you the low down on wealth and Miami Beach. Listen up because at some point these little factoids will probably help you make money, make a trip to Miami or, at least, help you sound a bit more intellignent in an elitest world.
Facts:
•    25% of the World’s wealth is in Florida during the winter season Miami Beach receives a huge influx of Europeans, especially during the winter season, due to the falling dollar and rising Euro this demographic spends copious amounts of money.
•   South Florida is home to some of the richest communities in the world such as: La Gorce Island, Millionaires Row, Fisher Island, PineTree, Palm Island and Star Island, Naples, Palm Beach and Marcos Island, Coral Gables
•   Miami has the 2nd largest banking/finance industry after New York
•   South Florida has a massive international trade industry
•   Nearly 1,200 multinational companies, 41 of them billion-dollar companies, collectively manage over $200 billion in revenue from South Florida.
•   In Miami Beach alone, numerous celebrities and athletes like Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Gloria Estefan, Kelly Rowland, Lenny Kravitz, Dwayne Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Enrique Iglesias have homes here.
Plus according to the USB 2008 survey of the Richest 70 cities in the World, 
Miami was ranked:
•   the world’s 29th-richest city(net earnings),Only 4 U.S. cities were listed Miami, NYC, LA and           Chicago.

•   4th-richest in the United States

•   22nd in the World’s richest cities by purchasing power
Bottom line, if you have money then spend the coming winter months in sunny Miami Beach. You can’t go wrong!
Thanks to the HBO hit series Sex & the City, girls in New York City seem to love sipping on Martinis. Whether it be vodka, gin, up, on the rocks, dry or dirty girls just feel sexier. Thus, the newly renovated Algonquin Hotel in New York City took cue and added a "special" martini to the Cocktail list, a.k.a a glitzy gimmick. The Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel now features the Martini on the Rock, a martini that posseses a diamond inside. The $10,000 plus martini is basically for any guy who doesn’t know how to propose, lacks taste and or imagination.
