People with a strong bonding with their 4 legged friends, would go to any extent trying to make them feel comfortable and well cared for. When it comes to their vacationing, the moneyed animal lovers would even go to the extent of lodging their pets in luxury hotels, such as the Hanrob Pet Hotel. Now, our latest discovery is the Urban Tail Pet resort, which would render a complete 7-star treatment for your 4 legged friends.

Aideen O' Mara, who founded the Urban Tail Pet resort wanted to create something unique which would relief the owners from the task of pet lodging and safety while they remain out of town. Using her skills with animals, Ms. Mara created the resort in Dubai, that can pamper your dogs and cats with suites having television sets, air-conditioning, gymnasium, pool, playground, personal butler, and if needed, a pet limo for short city tours (for the royal suite costing Dh395 a night). Other services include doggie boot-camp for dogs' training activities, long term or short term lodging contracts, pet care specialists for cuddling your pets at fixed intervals, and also the constant monitoring during your pet's stay at the hotel. The owners are given a tracker id, which they can use to log on to the net and monitor their pets' condition 24×7.

All throughout the building, the flooring has been done up in rubber epoxy fabric, which makes sure that the dogs and cats don't stress their joints, and the gymnasium also has special flexible agility equipment to ensure that the pet stays healthy and fit during its vacation at this resort. At the end of the stay, you also get to carry along an album which has pictures and memories of your pets' time with the members of the staff and other 4 legged guests.

Please do take a look at our coverage of Longcroft luxury cat hotel and the Portland Sniff dog hotel which also fall in similar purview of luxury pet vacations. Being animal lovers, there is a lot of enthusiasm within us, but the only shortcoming would be the extra cash needed for this resort.

Contact: +971 (0)4 8848847

Via: Urban Tails/ Gulf News

When Schopfer Yachts was created, it came with a singular objective of combining aero dynamicity with designing creativity to construct modern luxury sporting yachts. We had earlier shown you such an example in the Audax yacht, and now it will be the Audax 130 that will bring in the sporty theme along with technology for the adventurous cruises at sea.

On a closer look at the yacht, one can notice the obvious streamlined hull, which captures the energy of the ocean at its best. The well-rounded corners and muted lines lend the obvious aesthetic appeal on the outside. The credit for it goes to E. Kevin Schopfer, who has also lent his expertise for the interior aesthetics. The naval architects are the team from Sparkman & Stephens. The lowest deck is from where you gain access to this 130-foot long yacht's interiors and open areas, and also happens to be the place where the water scooters are parked inside the hull. The deck above this has the large open sun-bathing area, and also the dining, lounge and pilot cockpit area. The lounge and dining spaces have curved large glass panel windows, which let in plenty of sunlight, and sport white curved finishing all around. The upper most deck is where the 4 luxury suites are, which can accommodate 4 guests and additional ones for the crew members. There is also another smaller private balcony on the uppermost deck.

The back of the yacht has the area from where you can indulge yourself in water sports, fishing and snorkeling by occupying the sky blue staircases. The engine of the boat is a twin format diesel MTU engine, which generates a top speed of 30 knots for the yacht. However, experts would testify that 21 knots would give you the optimum experience. The capacity of the fuel tank stands at around 3710 liters.

For further information on luxury yachts, please do refer to our listing of Most expensive super yachts.

Via: Audax 130

There are few furniture pieces that do more than just lending an aesthetic value to your living room. Furniture makers have started creating more and more of such pieces that not only look good but serve many purposes. One such designer Alexander Rehn has designed fascinating Cay Sofa that can anticipate the user's movements.

This unique sofa is shaped to provide maximum comfort and is made up by using resourcefully placed hinges. The sofa is fixed with different geometric shapes and hence can be moved in any position. The user does not have to change the position and that will be done automatically according to the position of the user's body. One can use the sofa for sitting spin straight, reclining, using it as a lounge or can also be used as a bed. This Cay Sofa has structure design of human body. It can be seen from the curve that covers the sofa. The well-placed hinges and angled legs make the sofa completely perfect for the shape shift.

The sofa acts as the most striking feature of your living room, and can be adjusted anywhere in the room. Being ideal for reading book or just reclining near fireplace, the Cay sofa is perfect for anyone and everyone.

Via: Fastco Design/Alexander Rehn

Scottish whiskey maker Macallan has become an enviable name for the scotch whiskey enthusiasts. Macallan has earned its name by selling world's most expensive whiskey 1926 Macallan and also marked its presence by introducing 50-year-old bottle of Macallan whisky that sold for a record $18,650 at the world's biggest whisky sale. Yet again, Macallan and renowned crystal house Lalique have partnered to come up with the fourth edition of the decanter in The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection after the three successful decanters.

This edition is filled with rare 60 years old single malt whiskey in a beautifully designed bottle by legendary French crystal house Lalique. The bottle is definitely a collector's item and hence the production is restricted to only 400 bottles. This 60 years old whiskey was obtained from five sherry butts and was produced from a blend of American and Spanish oak. The bottles were filled on 9th and 10th of November 1950 and since then it's left to age to render a perfect taste to the whiskey.

Director of Macallan Whiskey states:

Via: ScotlandOfFoodandDrink

You definitely want to cherish your good memories and treasure the objects (gifts, memorabilia) presented to you by your loved ones throughout the life. But many a times, you are left with no space to keep those items safely and you often end up dumping them in the attic because of which they lost the charm. Hence, luxury furniture brand The Ministry of Design has designed an opulent tower (safe) that is an epitome of elegance and an useful example of a place where you can treasure your lifetime memories.

The luxury safe won the best design award at the Saporiti Design Award Exhibition. The exhibition had nine contestants in all but the Ministry of Design won the award for this innovative and useful concept. The director of the design Colin Seah took the inspiration for this design from a Shakespeare's poem "All the world's a stage,". The tower has 6 modular compartments i.e. infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, judge and pantaloon that represent six stages of life. Infant section is made of raw pine wood which is a simple box to store the infant's favorite clothes, toys, first shoes etc. The schoolboy section is crafted from leather with monochromatic plaid printed.

The lover section that has to be special is made of etched smoke mirror in which you can keep all the cherished memories. Soldier part is made of rough and tough brushed steel that can store few memorabilia of your first job. Judge cabinet that represents the age of 50 plus is crafted in gold finish to keep old days memories alive and last is the pantaloon that is crafted from petrified timber.

Every section can be detached and when placed together on a metal frame forms a very elegant safe that can be kept in any corner of your room. The luxury tower has a protective metal case over the safe that stands nearly two feet tall. The luxury safe is made of hi-quality materials and surely meant for the opulent people. There is no detail available regarding the price but it is surely going to cost a fortune.

Safe lovers may also check out the most expensive safe by Karl Lagerfeld & Doettling.

Via: Ministry Of Design/Saporiti

The cradle for creating crafted cars showed its earliest signs since 1960s, when the Wiesmann brothers took a liking to cars and started creating different models. After going through numerous trials and tests, in 1985 came the glory moment of the award at Essen Motor Show. Since then, the bar of standards has been raised, and in 1993, the company introduced the MF3 roadster, which went on to become another success story. At the Frankfurt Motor Show this year, the MF3 made its final appearance as the production of the car will now be closed for good.

The MF3 is every fast convertible car lovers' must-have. Powered by a 3.2 liter straight 6 cylinder engine, it generated 343 HP of power, taking the car to a top speed of 255 km/ph, and reached from 0-100 km/ph in just 4.9 seconds. The transmission is usually a 5 speed manual one, but there are options of the 6 speed version too. The limited edition series of 18 vehicles, showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show, displayed 18 different paint jobs of this convertible race car. As per choice, the interiors can also be handpicked for the perfect shade and texture of leather that might suit the buyer. We have managed to show you a couple of them here.

The fans of the brand will sure wage war to grab hold of one of these special edition cars! When you have something of such fanfare going out of production for good, there is bound to be the extra demand to cope with, even with the premium that might be on offer. However, another example which we showed you of the Wiesmann brand, the MF5 sports coupe is for you to read and know what the company is truly capable of.

Via: World Car Fans/ Autonews

Billionaires amass their personal wealth and increase their corporate footprint in many ways, and one of them is investment in diversified business segments. From residential and commercial real estate, to media concerns, the palette is rather diversified when it comes to this niche group of the wealthy individuals. This current listing takes a look at a few of those billionaires, who have made their fortunate out of their investments in the hospitality and real estate segments across the globe:

The MGM is virtually synonymous with MGM Studios, but the umbrella concern of MGM International doesn't own the studio anymore after 1990, since it sold of its stake to Sony Corporation. However, MGM Resorts still remain a part of this umbrella brand, which has diversified interests in gaming, entertainment and hospitality establishments like resorts and hotels. The crowning glory of the concern is the ultra modern setup called the ARIA Resort & Casino, where gaming and luxury accommodation go hand-in-hand. One of the benchmarks of this establishment is the strict adherence to American Gaming Association's code of conduct for ethical gaming, which befits both the state as well as the visitors. The company has been decorated with numerous philanthropic awards for initiatives towards community development and diversity.

Situated in the pristine surroundings of the Queensland state in Australia, this 324 room resort is a part of the holdings of Mr. Clive Palmer who has various interests in the mining sector and is worth a total of $5 billion, out of which he has spent $15 million for its world class sprawling resort. With 5 different themes of dining joints including its Bruscheta bar, along with 9 pools, gymnasium, and facilities for tennis, camp Hyatt and creative arts gallery, this resort has every component to become a world class recreation facility. The local attractions close by the resort include the Australian zoo, underwater world and the Noosa shopping markets.

Kauri Cliffs are a part of the same group which owns Matakauri lodge, which has been built alongside the bay region in the city of Queensland in New Zealand. The area is known for its peaceful ambience, natural beauty and a world class zone for golfers; professional and amateurs alike. Owned by Julian Robertson, this resort with its settings has been rated as one of the 101 best hotels in the world by Tatler Magazine, and many people have acknowledged the Kauri Cliffs to be rejuvenators to the human soul. Architect David Harman was given 2600 yards of space close to the cliffs to create a clubhouse and 11 luxury cottages, apart from landscaping the cliff area according to golfing needs. The 15-hole course covers a large 7100 yard space, with each hole in the midst of scenic beauty.

The Carlyle Hotel is one of the iconic establishments in the hub of the Upper East Side, of Manhattan in New York State, USA. Some days back, Chinese billionaire Cheng Yu Tung spent $570 million to acquire this property, as a part of his garland of high profile purchases done through the New World Development Corporation. The hotel is known for its lobby based bar, Bemelmans where the big-wigs of the showbiz world and political circles mingle together. Also, the property highlights include the gold ceilings of this bar, the luxury suites, and also the opportunity to listen to Woody Allen on a weekly basis, for his jazz performances.

Located in the Noosa River near the province of Queensland in Australia, this island was bought by British entrepreneur Richard Branson in 2003, and opened to the general public much later. Currently open for hire at $8,000 a night, this natural heart-shaped island provides accommodation for 22 guests in its Bali house or Bures along with recreational opportunities in the 500,000 liter lagoon pool, bar, beach area, spa, and tennis court amongst others. As a matter of fact, this island was bought by Sir Branson for the purpose of holiday making for the Virgin Australia airline employees, but later business kept flowing in when the public was allowed to come in.

We had earlier told you that Chinese investor Huang Nubo has shown active interest in acquiring the Grimsstadir Farm in the North East of Iceland, which is currently reeling under a financial crisis. With active support from the Icelandic president who seems to have supported the project, there will be $8.8 million paid for the entire 300+ sq kilometers of land and more than $200 million for development of facilities within the resort. Based on eco-tourism concepts, the resort shall have a racing course, horse farm, golf course and several villas and cottages for accommodation. However, due to strategic and legal reasons, the project is on hold, but looking at the President's eagerness, the project might as well become a major success in the future.

Italian business tycoon Flavio Briatore, in joint partnership with Lebanese Pragma Group, is now developing a prime area in Dubai's Media City which is going to be called Billionaire's Square. Apart from having a boutique hotel, this area will feature Billionaire's bar and grill, along with other sister restaurants and fitness clubs. The total investment needed to be put into the project is to the tune of $60 million, apart from the $150 million initially invested to acquire the piece of real estate in the prime location of Dubai.

Fashion icon Georgio Armani had spent more than $205 million to acquire this island, located near the western coast of Greece. Though much isn't known about the island, a majority of it still remains in virgin condition, with no settlements developed. It is said that the former owner Aristotle Onassis, his son and daughter all spent their last days on the island and were buried there. Also, Mr. Onassis used this venue as his wedding spot to former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

9) Name of the establishment: Trump International Hotel and Tower

As the name of the building suggests, it is named after its owner which is real estate mogul Donald Trump. Located in downtown Chicago, this building stands at a height of 423m, making it the current 10th tallest building in the world. The hotel provides a number of personalized services such as personalized stationary, personalized stacked up bar and room amenities. For recreations, there is the fitness center and 23,000 sq ft spa, apart from the 55 ft indoor pool which is pre-heated to suit the guests' liking. As for dining, it has the famously known Jean Georges restaurant serving gourmet French cuisine, and the Nougatine restaurant, which is a casual dining space. There hasn't been a particular signature known, but is supposedly worth more than $70 million in legal rights alone.

Steve Wynn was one of the most crucial figures in the city of Las Vegas, and still continues to be so for his role since the 1990's resurrection of the city. He has considerable interests in the area of real estate and gaming, and one of his crowning jewels in the Las Vegas is Wynn Hotel that spells sprawling luxury every bit of the way. Amenities on the property include the spa, salon, fitness center, golf course, multiple swimming pool and poolside eateries, shopping gallery, and also a wedding venue. Also, there are numerous show artists performing to keep the guests entertained. For accommodation, there are the Wynn & Encore deluxe rooms and towers. For dining options, there are specialty restaurants for French, Oriental, and Italian cuisine, along with a wine cellar containing some of the most exclusive wines.

'Singita', which translates into 'the place of miracles', is one of the premier resorts offering authentic African Safaris to tourists visiting Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Ever since its inception as a hotel chain in the 90's, it has carried community and conservation as integral part of its theme as it is based around eco-tourism principles. In South Africa, there are 2 kinds of lodges, namely the Singita Sabi Sand and Singita Kruger National Park. In Tanzania, there are the 3 Singita Grumeti Reserves, and in Zimbabwe there is the Singita Pamushana Lodge. Based around the local condition of environment, all the lodging establishments offer luxurious accommodation, dining, and recreation activities including African safaris.

The Marina Bay Sands hotel is perhaps a little elaborate to be described in short, but is known to have several credits in its kitty, and one of them being host to the World's 2nd most expensive casino. Apart from that, the hotel is known to have 2560 suite rooms, shopping malls, specialty restaurants, shopping plazas, exhibition center, and even an events plaza. Also, one of the world's largest known infinity pools is known to cater to guests, located on the 57th floor of the hotel. What also strikes aesthetically about the property, is the unique design which makes it the hotel appear like a boat supported by 3 tall towers, along the pristine sea shore.

Managed by Millennium Resorts of the Al-Kharafi Group, the Port Ghalib Resorts stand as some of the most unique ones in the Middle East, and more specifically, in North Africa. The Port Ghalib Resorts are situated on the banks of Port Ghalib which is a part of the south of the Red Sea. Based partly on main land and waters, the hotels are excitingly themed, and offer plenty for every kind of visitor of these hotels. Some prominent establishments include the Conference Center, Citadel Resort and Spa, Caravans and dessert based village, Coral beach diving resort, the Corniche, Entertainment Island, International Marina Hotel, and the Tower Village, all of which would allow you to indulge in different activities of the region.

Ritz Carlton as a brand is under the aegis of the Four Seasons Group, known across the world for its various chapters of hospitality establishments, especially the premium variety. The Ritz Carlton in Chicago is one such prime example, which has 434 rooms divided into various varieties of guest rooms and suites. It is also known for the famous spa at the Carlton club which offers a wide variety of exotic treatments, and also is known to have some great value packages along with the main dining space in the hotel, the Deca bar + restaurant. This dining space, as per consumer needs, can offer various kinds of ambiance for a supreme experience, and not to forget the variety of food. Other amenities include the fitness centre, business and conferencing center, and also the golf club.

The $145 million resort is managed by the Kingdom Hotel Investments Group, which is a sister concern of the Kingdom Holding Company, chaired by Prince Al-Waleed. The Seychelles Resorts is located with its face towards the Indian Ocean and the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Vallee de Mai. This resort has 500 meters of beach space, along with 30 hectares for 86 villas. Also in the property would be the Raffles residential apartments, which will be available in 3, 4, and 5 bedroom options, and starting price of these residential spaces is $ 3.5 million. This project was launched after the group acquired significant properties across Europe, Middle East, Asia and North Africa.

Apart from running his F1 interests, Bernie Ecclestone is known for his numerous real estate investments and luxurious properties. One of the them is the Glacier 3000- Les Debleretes Resort, which translates into 'little devils'. This ski-resort is one of the unique ones because it allows for skiing from October to July each year without any trouble. This is perhaps one of the reasons why the place manages to get around 120,000 visitors each year but looking at the potential, the numbers need to go up further. Mr. Ecclestone is looking to further develop the project that shall aim to double the number of visitors in the years to come. One of the feature highlights of the resort are the restaurants which are located at heights of 3000 meters and the other at 10 meters above sea level, which also mark the path along which the skiers generally move around. Apart from that, there are numerous sporting activities such as snow bus, winter hikes, and dog sledge rides amongst others.