Treat Yourself to a ‘Luxpedition’

Who says you can’t combine luxury with adventure? Or perhaps your idea of luxury is taking a vacation while your holiday shopping is being done for you. And, we all want to take a flight without all the hassle of navigating security and walking down long corridors to your terminal. It’s time for your next vacation to really “be” a vacation.

Malibu Beach Inn’s ‘Private Suite’ at LAX

If you are departing on your next air adventure from Los Angeles, the Malibu Beach Inn is offering the height of luxury air travel at LAX with the “Private Suite.” No, not at the prestige hotel along the swanky shores of Carbon Beach, but at LAX itself. The Private Suite is a newly-built private terminal — a new gate into LAX that’s far from the traffic surrounding the airport.  Members of The Private Suite don’t wait in crowded lines because private TSA screening is done right in their own terminal building. Members don’t walk down long crowded concourses, or line up at ticket counters and boarding gates. They don’t even deal with baggage.

The only thing you have to do? Spend your pre-flight time relaxing in totally private suites, each with its own bathroom, its own food-service pantry a two-person daybed, and a runway view of aircraft landing and taking off.

Here’s how it works: When it’s time to board, Private Suite members are driven across the tarmac, Head-of-State style, directly to their aircraft. A team of eight people is assigned to each member of The Private Suite. One gets members securely into their gated compound; another escorts members to their suites; two others manage any special service requests; another escorts members through private TSA screening and into one of the Private Suite’s runway-side BMW 7 Series sedans; another drives members across the tarmac to their aircraft; another serves as advance person waiting at the jet-bridge to escort members to the aircraft door; and lastly, an unseen eighth person deals with the luggage. (Rendering courtesy of Malibu Beach Inn)

Anyone can become a member of The Private Suite with prices varying for domestic and international trips. Membership also includes complimentary perks, such as pre-ordered complimentary meals, complimentary valet and eco-friendly waterless vehicle cleaning; complimentary in suite manicure, massage or haircut; concierge doctor on call; and complimentary use of a fully equipped video conference room.

Find all the details here.

Beachside ‘Personal Shopping’ in Waikiki

The most luxurious way to get your holiday shopping done this season might be as simple as going on vacation. For those who would rather spend quality time with family and friends instead of waiting in long lines or scouring the Internet to find a gift for everyone on their list, ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has the ultimate solution: vacation on the beautiful island of Oahu and let a personal shopper do the work for you. The island’s chicest destination has partnered with prestigious personal shopping expert Kim Smith of Kim Smith Style to make this holiday season the most leisurely one ever with their exclusive “Beachside Personal Shopper” package.

Here’s how it works: Renowned as a shopping mecca with an unmatched combination of exclusive designer goods from Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Gucci and more, along with one-of-a-kind local finds, guests will gain access to the best of Waikiki retail without ever having to step foot inside a store or stand in a line. When booking the package, guests will fill out a style and budget questionnaire to discover any likes and dislikes that may help in the customization process, along with a wish list if one so desires.  A call will then be arranged with Smith herself to discuss the questionnaire to ensure that she understands their vision. Upon arrival, a curated selection of gifts will be delivered to guests’ beachside suite so they can decide what they would like to keep, have wrapped and shipped back compliments of the resort or returned to the stores.  At the guest’s discretion, an in-person consultation can be arranged with Smith and further shopping can be booked.

ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach sits where the city meets the sand with a sophisticated, awe-inspiring design that pays homage to Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage.  With airy rooms surrounded by serene blue and green ocean, Diamond Head and Waikiki, ʻAlohilani offers a refreshing balance of energy and relaxation in a lively, beachside location, with exclusive amenities including two restaurants by internationally acclaimed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, a seascape pool deck with infinity pool, a soon to come signature beach experience, a captivating 280,000-gallon Oceanarium, a rooftop fitness experience including, sunset yoga, tennis lessons, batting cages and more.

Find the details here.

Find Adventure and Comfort on a Luxpedition

Want adventure and comfort on your next vacation? Make it a “luxpedition.” Cycle through Europe or Asia and rest your legs in luxury hotels. Reach the trails of the Alps by river cruise and train. Or explore the wilds of South America while enjoying fine dining. Here is an example of some trips that bring together some of the best active experiences and accommodations in the world.

Patagonia Excursions: Visit the Awasi Patagonia Lodge with Surtrek and explore in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park with a personal guide, selecting from excursions such as hiking to panoramic views, horseback riding beneath the towering spires or taking in the icebergs from Grey Glacier. https://www.surtrek.com/chile-hotels/awasi-patagonia-hotel-horseback-riding.html

(Photo courtesy of Surtek)

Alpine Cycling: On Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations’ new tour in France, explore the dramatic landscape of the Alps by bike and stay in luxury accommodations. Start at the picturesque lake in Annecy, ride a Tour de France climb and finish at the foot of Mont Blanc in Chamonix, resting at a Relais & Chateau hotel. https://gosojourn.com/bicycle-tours/chamonix-annecy-rhone-alps-france-hike-bike-tour/

(Photo courtesy of Sojourn Bicycling and Active Vacations)

Inca Trail in Style: Camp in style on a classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu in Peru. After acclimatizing in luxury accommodations in Cusco, enjoy hot showers, fine cuisine in a portable dining tent, a cot to sleep on and excellent service during the guided trek through spectacular Andean scenery to the Inca ruins. https://www.adventure-life.com/peru/tours/3573/luxury-inca-trail

(Photo courtesy of Adventure Life)

Biking Thailand: Cycle from Bangkok to Phuket, Thailand, with Grasshopper Adventures and take in the Gulf of Thailand, Khao Sok National Park and the Andaman Coast from the saddle, then rest at a four-star hotel, a golf resort and a beachside resort. https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/scheduled-tours/cycle-bangkok-to-phuket.html

(Photo courtesy Grasshopper Adventures)