Lussorian http://www.lussorian.com/ Luxury Lifestyle Resource en Ruth Miller Copyright 2010 2010-03-12T09:13:13+00:00 Beach Retreats, Cornwall - Review http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/beach-retreats-cornwall-review/2010-03-12/ For a UK based self-catering holiday with a difference check out Beach Retreats. They look after fabulous finished properties on the north coast of Cornwall, including stunning apartments in Watergate Bay, I checked them out last weekend to experience truly 21st century beachside living. They are currently promoting their collaboration with a holiday concierge service – the idea is that visitors have their every need and ‘diva like’ whim catered for. I was impressed upon arrival- after a stressful week at work and a late evening flight it was great to discover a fridge full of local Cornish delicacies and a perfectly chilled bottle of English wine! Fine Dining, Luxury Holidays, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Real Estate To Let Or Buy, Tried and Tested For a UK based self-catering holiday with a difference check out Beach Retreats. They look after fabulous finished properties on the north coast of Cornwall, including stunning apartments in Watergate Bay, I checked them out last weekend to experience truly 21st century beachside living. They are currently promoting their collaboration with a holiday concierge service – the idea is that visitors have their every need and ‘diva like’ whim catered for. I was impressed upon arrival- after a stressful week at work and a late evening flight it was great to discover a fridge full of local Cornish delicacies and a perfectly chilled bottle of English wine!

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]]> 2010-03-12T09:13:13+00:00 Buddha Bar, London – Review http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/buddha-bar-london-review/2010-03-11/ If ever you get an opportunity to visit the Buddha Bar... take it! We did, and our minds were pleasantly expanded into culinary excellence. The restaurant is situated about 3 minutes walk from Embankment tube. On entering you are immediately buzzed with the sense of cool meets gothic meets Asia and as you move through the main restaurant you can’t fail to see the 20 foot high gold Buddha, not something you’d expect in the heart of the Capital… but hugely impressive. The venue must have either been a ballroom, cinema or theatre at some point due to the dramatic open space, not to mention the high ceiling, which is adorned by humungous chandeliers. The lighting is ambient and the music ‘nu cool’ dance… this will give you a better idea of what the venue is about. Fine Dining, Tried and Tested If ever you get an opportunity to visit the Buddha Bar... take it!

We did, and our minds were pleasantly expanded into culinary excellence.

The restaurant is situated about 3 minutes walk from Embankment tube. On entering you are immediately buzzed with the sense of cool meets gothic meets Asia and as you move through the main restaurant you can’t fail to see the 20 foot high gold Buddha, not something you’d expect in the heart of the Capital… but hugely impressive.

The venue must have either been a ballroom, cinema or theatre at some point due to the dramatic open space, not to mention the high ceiling, which is adorned by humungous chandeliers. The lighting is ambient and the music ‘nu cool’ dance… this will give you a better idea of what the venue is about.

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]]> 2010-03-11T21:06:39+00:00 7thHeaven Properties - Puerto Rico http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/7thheaven-properties-puerto-rico/2010-03-09/ 7th Heaven is the UK’s leading specialist in the sale of top end Caribbean real estate investment, property and land for sale. They offer in depth information on the Caribbean, bespoke property search through their local contacts and information on upcoming hotspots that might be of interest to investors A good example of the type of properties on sale through the company is Trump international Hotel and Tower block located in the Punta Pacifica Peninsula which is a great tourist, residential and hotel complex of more than 2.8 million sq. ft. The development is being constructed in the strategic and most exclusive area of Punta Pacifica in Panama City where it is destined to become a world-class landmark and an architectural icon. The development will exceed a $400 million dollar investment and will be the largest residential Real Estate property in all of Latin America. Prices from £262,294 to £317,607.  Click here to view. Luxury Holidays, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Real Estate To Let Or Buy 7th Heaven is the UK’s leading specialist in the sale of top end Caribbean real estate investment, property and land for sale. They offer in depth information on the Caribbean, bespoke property search through their local contacts and information on upcoming hotspots that might be of interest to investors

A good example of the type of properties on sale through the company is Trump international Hotel and Tower block located in the Punta Pacifica Peninsula which is a great tourist, residential and hotel complex of more than 2.8 million sq. ft. The development is being constructed in the strategic and most exclusive area of Punta Pacifica in Panama City where it is destined to become a world-class landmark and an architectural icon. The development will exceed a $400 million dollar investment and will be the largest residential Real Estate property in all of Latin America. Prices from £262,294 to £317,607.  Click here to view.

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]]> 2010-03-09T02:08:06+00:00 Istana Phuket http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/istana-phuket/2010-03-08/ A stunning new development, Istana Phuket, has just been launched. Set on a breath-taking 24 acre site overlooking pristine Naithon Beach on the North-west corner of Phuket Island, the project has already been given the accolade of “Top Ten Luxury Project” by Asia’s most respected industry publications. Named Istana after the Sanskrit term for Palace, the guiding principal behind every design element of the Istana Phuket is the word FOO - which literally stands for Feeling of Opulence. The Istana Phuket development is made up of nineteen estates with un-beatable views across the Andaman Sea.  Each plot ranges between 1,600 and 3,200 square metres and is designed to blend seamlessly with the rain forest environment, offering a sense of total tranquillity. When it comes to the interior design there is also no expense spared and innovations include: • Sixteen-seat dinner tables and home cinemas • Italian Poliform kitchens and wardrobes • Lutron Hone Information Systems to give owners total control of the interior environment and allow them to summon staff from anywhere in the villa. • Huge back kitchen areas that can cater for social parties with up to a hundred guests • Home gymnasiums • Finely wrought stone and timber floors, Italian cabinetry and joinery, • Exquisite art works and the best of contemporary furniture • Southern Italian Travertine marble finishing • Separate au pair and staff quarters • Walk-in wine cellars in some of the villas Each Istana villa also has a bespoke cocktail station and bar, catering for up to 150 guests, complete with hand-crafted bar equipment and a unique signature cocktail list. As a testament to the estates popularity, nine of the opulent 4 to 6 bedroom villa estates have sold immediately and the remaining ten are for sale starting at just over £2 million or €2.3 Million. Luxury Real Estate To Let Or Buy A stunning new development, Istana Phuket, has just been launched. Set on a breath-taking 24 acre site overlooking pristine Naithon Beach on the North-west corner of Phuket Island, the project has already been given the accolade of “Top Ten Luxury Project” by Asia’s most respected industry publications. Named Istana after the Sanskrit term for Palace, the guiding principal behind every design element of the Istana Phuket is the word FOO - which literally stands for Feeling of Opulence. The Istana Phuket development is made up of nineteen estates with un-beatable views across the Andaman Sea.  Each plot ranges between 1,600 and 3,200 square metres and is designed to blend seamlessly with the rain forest environment, offering a sense of total tranquillity.

When it comes to the interior design there is also no expense spared and innovations include:

• Sixteen-seat dinner tables and home cinemas
• Italian Poliform kitchens and wardrobes
• Lutron Hone Information Systems to give owners total control of the interior environment and allow them to summon staff from anywhere in the villa.
• Huge back kitchen areas that can cater for social parties with up to a hundred guests
• Home gymnasiums
• Finely wrought stone and timber floors, Italian cabinetry and joinery,
• Exquisite art works and the best of contemporary furniture
• Southern Italian Travertine marble finishing
• Separate au pair and staff quarters
• Walk-in wine cellars in some of the villas

Each Istana villa also has a bespoke cocktail station and bar, catering for up to 150 guests, complete with hand-crafted bar equipment and a unique signature cocktail list.

As a testament to the estates popularity, nine of the opulent 4 to 6 bedroom villa estates have sold immediately and the remaining ten are for sale starting at just over £2 million or €2.3 Million.

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]]> 2010-03-08T02:05:07+00:00 Karen Hardy Studios, London – Review http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/karen-hardy-studios-london-review/2010-03-05/ Unless there’s sufficient lubrication involved (probably tequila or sambuca) you probably won’t find me on the dance floor. It’s not that I don’t enjoy dancing – I really do – it’s just that, like many of my friends and associates, I’d rather avoid the humiliation of not being very good at it. “So how about some lessons?” “Not likely!” ...or so I thought. But that was before I was invited to a free lesson at the studios of former world champion Latin American dancer (and winner of ITV’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’), Karen Hardy. How could I refuse and what a great opportunity to win some bonus points with my girlfriend! Luxury Events, Tried and Tested, Unusual Luxury Unless there’s sufficient lubrication involved (probably tequila or sambuca) you probably won’t find me on the dance floor. It’s not that I don’t enjoy dancing – I really do – it’s just that, like many of my friends and associates, I’d rather avoid the humiliation of not being very good at it.

“So how about some lessons?”

“Not likely!”

...or so I thought. But that was before I was invited to a free lesson at the studios of former world champion Latin American dancer (and winner of ITV’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’), Karen Hardy. How could I refuse and what a great opportunity to win some bonus points with my girlfriend!

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]]> 2010-03-05T11:39:11+00:00 The Crown Inn, Stoke By Nayland – Review http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/the-crown-inn-stoke-by-nayland-review/2010-03-04/ Reopened in November 2003, The Crown Inn in Stoke by Nayland has grown to become one of Suffolk’s best known fine dining restaurants and boutique hotels. The hotel element was launched in 2008 and took 12 months to complete.  Having heard some rather impressive things about the restaurant we were dead keen to see for ourselves just what all the fuss was about. The Crown is situated about 40 minutes from the M25 and getting there is in itself a pleasurable drive with quaint country villages and rural mansions scattered across the scenic countryside. On arrival it became immediately apparent just how highly regarded the restaurant is as the car park was packed – always a good sign! Fine Dining, Luxury Drinks, Tried and Tested Reopened in November 2003, The Crown Inn in Stoke by Nayland has grown to become one of Suffolk’s best known fine dining restaurants and boutique hotels. The hotel element was launched in 2008 and took 12 months to complete.  Having heard some rather impressive things about the restaurant we were dead keen to see for ourselves just what all the fuss was about.

The Crown is situated about 40 minutes from the M25 and getting there is in itself a pleasurable drive with quaint country villages and rural mansions scattered across the scenic countryside. On arrival it became immediately apparent just how highly regarded the restaurant is as the car park was packed – always a good sign!

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]]> 2010-03-04T06:27:38+00:00 Bedford & Strand, London – Review http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/bedford-strand-london-review/2010-03-03/ Take a stroll along the Strand and glance up Bedford Street and you’d be forgiven for missing Bedford & Strand. Its unassuming exterior is barely ten feet across and is little more than the top of a fairly uninviting, brightly lit staircase. Aside from the modest sign, some wall-mounted wine bottles and discreetly placed rosettes and awards, it’s not obvious that this is a bar and bistro at all. Don’t be put off. Take the stairs down and push through the double doors and it’s likely you’ll find yourself amidst some hearty lunchtime or after-work revelry. The atmosphere is extremely welcoming. Drinkers and diners relax and share stories in the surprisingly spacious combination of bar and restaurant, which fortunately retains many of its original fittings. Everything about this place has a tangible consistency – from the logo to the décor to the friendly service and the authentic menu – it all hangs together really well. Fine Dining, Luxury Drinks, Luxury Food, Tried and Tested Take a stroll along the Strand and glance up Bedford Street and you’d be forgiven for missing Bedford & Strand. Its unassuming exterior is barely ten feet across and is little more than the top of a fairly uninviting, brightly lit staircase. Aside from the modest sign, some wall-mounted wine bottles and discreetly placed rosettes and awards, it’s not obvious that this is a bar and bistro at all.

Don’t be put off. Take the stairs down and push through the double doors and it’s likely you’ll find yourself amidst some hearty lunchtime or after-work revelry. The atmosphere is extremely welcoming. Drinkers and diners relax and share stories in the surprisingly spacious combination of bar and restaurant, which fortunately retains many of its original fittings. Everything about this place has a tangible consistency – from the logo to the décor to the friendly service and the authentic menu – it all hangs together really well.

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]]> 2010-03-03T07:35:23+00:00 Natuzzi Furniture http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/natuzzi-furniture/2010-03-02/ Style up your living room with these chic pieces from Natuzzi Furniture.  Renowned for its high quality leather upholstery and contemporary styling this Italian furniture brand has launched two stunning designs for the Spring/Summer season – The Ciak and Metropolis models. The new Ciak sofa is perfect for when space is limited and the slightly slanted arms gives it a modern edge.  It is supported by a chrome frame and is available in three-seater, two-seater and armchair versions with either leather upholstery, fabric or a leather/fabric mix giving you the choice to decide what will suit your living room the best.  The new Metropolis sofa is inspired by the Chesterfield styles and radiates class and elegance.  Being extremely comfortable and luxurious it follows the fashion for English nostalgia and truly is a beautiful piece of furniture that would be sure to add a sophisticated air to your home.  It is only available in leather in three-seater, two-seater, armchair and ottoman versions. 2509 - Natuzzi Sound Chair from £1,520 in category 10 leather 2520 - Natuzzi Metropolis sofa in red leather from £1,860 in category 10 leather 2559 - Natuzzi Ciak sofa in orange leather from £1,440 in category 10 leather 2571 - Natuzzi Surround sectional sofa with audio from £5,160 for configuration shown in category 10 leather Luxury Appliances, Luxury Decor And Architecture, Luxury Furniture, Luxury Sound Systems Style up your living room with these chic pieces from Natuzzi Furniture.  Renowned for its high quality leather upholstery and contemporary styling this Italian furniture brand has launched two stunning designs for the Spring/Summer season – The Ciak and Metropolis models.

The new Ciak sofa is perfect for when space is limited and the slightly slanted arms gives it a modern edge.  It is supported by a chrome frame and is available in three-seater, two-seater and armchair versions with either leather upholstery, fabric or a leather/fabric mix giving you the choice to decide what will suit your living room the best. 

The new Metropolis sofa is inspired by the Chesterfield styles and radiates class and elegance.  Being extremely comfortable and luxurious it follows the fashion for English nostalgia and truly is a beautiful piece of furniture that would be sure to add a sophisticated air to your home.  It is only available in leather in three-seater, two-seater, armchair and ottoman versions.

2509 - Natuzzi Sound Chair from £1,520 in category 10 leather
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2520 - Natuzzi Metropolis sofa in red leather from £1,860 in category 10 leather
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2559 - Natuzzi Ciak sofa in orange leather from £1,440 in category 10 leather
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2571 - Natuzzi Surround sectional sofa with audio from £5,160 for configuration shown in category 10 leather
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]]> 2010-03-02T07:23:07+00:00 The Lecture Room & Library, Sketch Restaurant London Review of the Gourmet Rapide Lunch Menu http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/the-lecture-room-library-sketch-restaurant-london-review-of-the-gourmet-rap/2010-03-01/ Sketch is one of those amazing breaths of fresh air created by Momo’s Mourad Mazouz and three Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire. From its early days as a real trendy must be seen spots, this Grade II listed restaurant has survived by not only housing the fabulous Daliesque interior, but as well as providing a true dining and gastronomic experience. I always say that my memories of the most satisfying dishes are the ones that you can simply enjoy tasting all the flavours whilst feeling energised at the end of your meal without feeling too full so you can get on with your day. This is exactly how I would sum up my lunch in The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch. Fine Dining Sketch is one of those amazing breaths of fresh air created by Momo’s Mourad Mazouz and three Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire. From its early days as a real trendy must be seen spots, this Grade II listed restaurant has survived by not only housing the fabulous Daliesque interior, but as well as providing a true dining and gastronomic experience. I always say that my memories of the most satisfying dishes are the ones that you can simply enjoy tasting all the flavours whilst feeling energised at the end of your meal without feeling too full so you can get on with your day. This is exactly how I would sum up my lunch in The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch.

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]]> 2010-03-01T20:09:31+00:00 Corum’s Golden Bridge watches http://www.lussorian.com/luxury/comments/corums-golden-bridge-watches/2010-03-01/ The Golden Bridge RRP: £18, 500Launching at Basel Fair this March are Corum’s elegantly beautiful New Miss Golden Bridge and Golden Bridge watches. The Miss Golden Bridge is a classic beauty where the movement is housed in a unique new case.  It is adorned with engravings replicating the shape of tree ferns from the Jura Region.  A feminine watch design, the Miss Golden Bridge is available in 18 carat white or red gold, in non set and set versions with 90 full-cut size diamonds.  The hands are made of the same gold as the case making for a delicately decorated, gorgeous watch and no more than 333 pieces will be available a year.  A beautiful accessory which is bound to smarten up any outfit. Luxury Watches The Golden Bridge RRP: £18, 500Launching at Basel Fair this March are Corum’s elegantly beautiful New Miss Golden Bridge and Golden Bridge watches.

The Miss Golden Bridge is a classic beauty where the movement is housed in a unique new case.  It is adorned with engravings replicating the shape of tree ferns from the Jura Region.  A feminine watch design, the Miss Golden Bridge is available in 18 carat white or red gold, in non set and set versions with 90 full-cut size diamonds.  The hands are made of the same gold as the case making for a delicately decorated, gorgeous watch and no more than 333 pieces will be available a year.  A beautiful accessory which is bound to smarten up any outfit.

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