Tag Archives: luxe

Travel

New Regent Seven Seas Grandeur Ship Showcased Canada Fall Colours

Leave a comment

 
 

Did you know Regent Seven Seas Cruises, widely regarded as the epitome of luxury ocean travel, offers a real cruising jewel: Seven Seas Grandeur.

A Heritage of Perfection.

Described by Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., as “breathtaking,” to which I can attest having sailed on the spectacular ship, Seven Seas Grandeur stands as a testament to refined style, matchless elegance and captivating beauty.  
 

The ship, designed by the award-winning Studio DADO and constructed by premier shipbuilder Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, is a masterpiece that not just exemplifies, bit wholly embodies, luxury travel at sea. 

“Seven Seas Grandeur is the most anticipated new luxury ship to set sail this year, an achievement made possible through the combined craftsmanship and exquisite eye for design excellence by Studio DADO and Fincantieri, who together with our team at Regent, have delivered a truly remarkable work of art,” said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Each feature of this ship is more jaw-dropping than the last, from the world-class collection of art and tantalizing epicurean experiences, to the lavishly designed suites, restaurants, bars and lounges. Seven Seas Grandeur sets a new standard for service and comfort in the travel industry, and we are delighted to present this incredible new ship to discerning travelers as they explore the world with Regent.” 

The maiden season of Seven Seas Grandeur, under the command of Captain Luciano Montesanto, continues to treat guests to Caribbean exploration, two transits of the Panama Canal as well as an itinerary sailing the U.S. Eastern Seaboard before sailing back across the Atlantic from New York to Barcelona to explore the Mediterranean.

Seven Seas Grandeur witnessed the colors of Fall in Canada and New England in September and October, then finally culminated in a luxurious year of travel by exploring more of the Caribbean to close out 2024.  


With a gross tonnage of 55,500, a crew of 548 staff and a capacity for only 746 guests, Seven Seas Grandeur promises one of the highest space- and staff-to-guest ratios in the industry thus ensuring guest needs and wants will be swiftly attended to. 

All-Inclusive Opulence 

With all Regent Seven Seas Cruise, unlimited complimentary shore excursions are available in every port, making it the only truly all-inclusive cruise line. Voyage fares also include round-trip business-class air on intercontinental flights from the U.S. and Canada; gourmet cuisine in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco dining venues; fine wines and spirits; entertainment, unlimited internet access; free valet laundry; gratuities; ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel packages for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher. 

Stay, Sip & Savor 

Inspired by the past and reimagined for the future, Seven Seas Grandeur offers an array of transformative experiences from the moment guests step on board. The ship boasts 15 accommodation categories ranging between 307 square feet, to over 4,443 square feet with online virtual tours of each available. This includes the lavish $11,000 usd / $14,876 cad-a-night Regent Suite, contemporary Distinctive Suites and beautifully appointed Spacious Suites that are all designed to evoke an elevated, residential feel.  

The ship’s dining experiences offer guests an unrivaled culinary journey. Epicurean perfection has been enhanced across the ship’s eight exquisite and complimentary dining experiences, including in its five specialty restaurants, with 130 new dishes created exclusively for Seven Seas Grandeur. The unrivaled dining experience on board will be delivered by a dedicated crew including the very best chefs, sommeliers and serving professionals in the industry. In addition, the culinary experience will be enhanced with captivatingly reimagined designs for signature restaurants Compass Rose, Prime 7, Chartreuse and La Veranda. 

For guests looking to broaden their culinary skills, the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen offers hands-on classes, special demonstrations and more, in a professional-grade culinary teaching facility led by highly experienced chefs. A wide curriculum of classes are inspired by the global destinations explored by the entire Regent fleet and include lessons in French food and wine, the meat and seafood of New Zealand and tastes of the Pacific Northwest. 

Entertainment Extravaganza 

Guests aboard Seven Seas Grandeur can indulge in four new extraordinary productions: Pasión, Ignite the Night, Marauder’s Ball, and ICONS. These shows feature world-class performers, breathtaking choreography and the flair of Grammy Award winners and acclaimed Broadway directors, promising unforgettable moments for all on board. 

Holistic Well-Being 

The ship’s Serene Spa & Wellness experience takes luxury to the next level, offering exclusive spa treatments with indulgent options such as an amber and quartz crystal bed and a Zero Gravity Wellness Massage. For culinary enthusiasts, the Culinary Arts Kitchen provides hands-on classes and demonstrations led by highly experienced chefs, offering a diverse curriculum inspired by global destinations. 

Artistry at Sea 

Seven Seas Grandeur is home to a 1,600-piece art collection, featuring a custom-designed masterpiece – Journey in Jewels – the first Fabergé Egg to permanently reside at sea. The ship also introduces Regent’s first digital art tour, Art Experience, accessible through the new Regent Mobile App. Notable works include pieces by Picasso, a custom-made bronze and hand-cast glass Bonsai Cherry Tree sculpture, and “The Enchanted Tree,” a 40-foot-tall, hand-woven tapestry by renowned Brazilian artist Walter Goldfarb. 

As Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrates 30 years of unparalleled experiences, for its part the Seven Seas Grandeur experience has emerged as the epitome of the cruise line’s commitment to extreme luxury. With spacious suites, impeccable service, gourmet dining, and immersive shore excursions all included, Regent continues to redefine luxury cruising.  For the Silo, Merilee Kern.
 
Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the  “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. Merilee also hosts the Savvy Ventures Podcast & Radio show available globally on W4CY Radio—the #1 ranked live streaming radio station—among others as well as all major podcast platforms, including Pandora, Audible, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Streamyard, iHeart Radio and dozens more.  As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern. 
 
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.*** 
 

Culture

Watercolorist Designs Large Scale Homes That Integrate With Surroundings

Leave a comment

Beverly Hills Artist, Energy Guru & Landscape Designer Also Does Dreamy Homes!

Beverly Hills-based architect Brian Tichenor is a man of many talents, widely recognized for original, artful building designs that integrate large-scale residences and their surrounding landscapes. A graduate of UCLA, Tichenor is a member of the architecture faculty at rival school University of Southern California. Some of his most notable projects include the new LA Times Headquarters and Nantworks, a campus of DNA sequencing and R&D labs on reclaimed oil fields in the north Baldwin Hills that use methane capture, solar infrastructure, and co-generation to achieve energy self-sufficiency.

The Artist

In the art world, Tichenor’s colorful watercolors are found in the homes of many art collectors. And Brian has completed more than 100 gardens throughout the world. With his wife, fellow architect Raun Thorp, he is the author of Outside In: The Houses and Gardens of Tichenor & Thorp, published by Vendome Press in 2017.

A ten-acre estate in Alamo, thoughtfully designed by Tichenor, has been listed for sale at $17.75 million usd/ $24.4 million cad.

Known as Lark Ridge Estate, the property includes Tichenor’s trademark landscaping featuring Mediterranean-style gardens, a lion’s-head fountain with Emperador dark marble surround, a dark plaster pool, and an octagon-shaped spa, complemented by the property’s stunning views of Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valley.

Three houses sit on the grounds, protected by private gates. The 9,812-square-foot main house includes six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. The two-story mansion is the classic Mediterranean with a red-tile roof.  Exquisitely designed for indoor-outdoor living, the floor plan offers grand-scale entertaining spaces, casual living areas, sitting rooms, private bedroom retreats, enormous walk-in closets, spa-like bathrooms, dual-executive-office spaces, a gym, and a media room.

French doors, extensive use of Venetian gold from Italian artisans, antique fireplaces, rock crystal chandeliers, and custom onyx-and-marble countertops impart an air of decadent luxury. Each room is unique, with truly stunning wall coverings, including parchment and gold-leafed wallpaper in the executive office, pearlized Venetian plaster walls in the master suite,  custom hand-painted grass-cloth walls in the family room, and a fireplace from New York’s Plaza Hotel. Miele appliances, state-of-the-art AV & security systems, motorized shades, and a computerized lighting system offer the ultimate in high-tech living.

The 917-square-foot carriage house provides a one-bedroom/one-bathroom guest home with a full kitchen and laundry room over an impressive nine-car secondary garage. The 718-square-foot tennis house offers a similar one-bedroom/one-bathroom layout with a kitchenette. Perfect for entertaining, the tennis house opens onto the full-sized lighted tennis court with a basketball hoop and the entertainment deck with a two-way fireplace. An outdoor kitchen and bar, ample poolside lounging areas, and resort-inspired amenities are sure to charm even the most discerning guests.

Located 28 miles south of San Francisco, Alamo is a suburban community known for its bucolic feel and relaxed atmosphere, close enough to San Francisco and Silicon Valley for a comfortable commute but secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lark Ridge Estate sits just above the Iron Horse Regional trail, beloved by walkers, runners and cyclists. Numerous parks and wilderness areas surround the community, which has not yet been heavily developed. Celebrities who call Alamo home include Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, MLB record-setter Mark McGwire, and Oakland Raiders owner Marc Davis. 

The listing is held by Dana Green of Dana Green Team of Compass, Lafayette, California.

Photos:  Courtesy of Compass

Source: larkridgeestate.com

Fashion

Porsche Cayenne Minivan Built For Mark Zuckerberg’s Wife

Leave a comment
When a Porsche minivan doesn’t exist, billionaire Mark Zuckerberg makes one himself, with the help of West Coast Customs FOR HIS WIFE PEDIATRICIAN Dr. Priscilla Chan.

A Personal Touch to Porsche

In social media posts, Zuckerberg proudly shared his creation, revealing how he personally designed the vehicle. The customized SUV features a stretched wheelbase, lower ride height, and a larger rear spoiler. Additionally, the car sports black alloy wheels paired with yellow brake calipers, giving it a sleek, aggressive stance. This minivan, which still carries the DNA of a high-performance vehicle, adds a dash of Silicon Valley flair to the family’s collection.

The Porsche That Became a Minivan

Zuckerberg’s project began with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, a model already known for its performance and luxury. Fitted with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine producing up to 650 horsepower in updated form, the base model is an impressive machine. However, the tech mogul wasn’t content with the stock design. He wanted something more practical, particularly for family use. Thus, the Cayenne was stretched, and sliding doors were installed, giving it the feel of a minivan with the heart of a performance SUV.

Porsche’s Minivan Vision

Interestingly, Porsche itself once entertained the idea of a minivan with its Vision Renndienst concept, designed in 2018. The Renndienst, however, never went beyond the prototype stage. The Renndienst model had a futuristic design with six seats, placing the driver in a central position.

Although Zuckerberg’s minivan doesn’t replicate this setup, it opens up the possibility of what Porsche could achieve if they embraced the concept for production.

A Luxury Minivan Market?

While the luxury SUV market is saturated, the minivan sector, especially in regions like Asia, has seen growing demand for high-end models. Zuckerberg’s bespoke Cayenne reflects that trend, though it is unclear if the customization was purely aesthetic or if performance upgrades were made as well. With the ongoing development of a three-row electric SUV from Porsche set to release by 2027, one can’t help but wonder if the tech billionaire’s vision might influence the automaker’s future designs. For the Silo, Verdad Gallardo.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Cayenne minivan right here via our friends at Rennlist.com.

Fashion

Slam Dunk- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Marina Del Rey Home For Sale

Leave a comment

Considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time,  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was chosen as the NBA’s most valuable player six times and an NBA All-Star nineteen times during his storied twenty-season career for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Famous for his dunking skills, he was so dominant on the UCLA Bruins varsity squad that the NCAA banned the dunk after the 7’2″ superstar led his team to a 30-0 season and the first of three college national championships. He would go on to be the #1 pick in the NBA draft in 1969 and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year. He would win five more MVP awards before becoming an assistant coach for several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers.

In addition, he has made numerous appearances in film and television and published several best-selling books. 

photos- Noel Kleinman.

Now the swanky Marina del Rey pad Abdul-Jabber called home from 2011 to 2021 has hit the market. Across the street from the Ritz Carlton and the California Yacht Club, the luxe but laid back four-bedroom, three-bath residence is one of just twelve homes in an exclusive gated community. 

Kareem’s former home was thoughtfully designed for its very tall owner, featuring enlarged doorways and other modifications.

An airy open-floor plan connects the large living room and formal dining room area with a stellar kitchen, complete with granite counters, a spacious island, custom cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Sliding doors open onto a side garden patio. 

On the second level, find hardwood floors and a stunning primary suite with a fireplace, a massive walk-in closet, and a fantastic private balcony with views of the nearby marina. The luxurious spa-inspired bathroom includes dual vanities plus a separate Jacuzzi spa tub and steam shower. A third floor offers an additional bedroom perfect for a home office, with another patio offering views of the Ritz Carlton and the marina. An oversized garage offers space for two cars and four additional outdoor parking spaces. Additional features include a whole-house water filtration system, automatic lighting, and a monitored/remote-access camera security system.

Marina del Rey is a coastal community noted for its small-craft harbor, one of the largest in North America with over 5,000 boats.

A destination for kayaking, bird-watching, and recreation of all kinds, the harbor is often visited by harbor seals, sea lions, and dolphins. The home is just steps from the harbor and the Marvin Braude bike path. A short walk takes you to Trader Joe’s, the unique shops of Abbot Kinney and several world-class restaurants. Rapper Ice Cube has a home in Marina del Rey, while other celebrities keep their luxury yachts in the local harbor and frequent its shopping and dining hotspots.  For The Silo, Bob Walsh/ friends at toptenrealestatedeals.com

The listing is held by James Allen at Compass.