Today's Luxury Pulse
Luxury brands expand across Siam Piwat’s flagship malls
More than 40 luxury houses and concept stores have opened since 2023, adding over 14,000 sqm of premium retail space at Siam Paragon and IconSiam as Bangkok climbs to fourth place globally for new luxury openings.
BYD to Challenge Defender with New Seven-Seat Hybrid SUV
Chinese automaker BYD will launch the Ti7, a seven‑seat plug‑in‑hybrid SUV, in the UK later this year to take on the Land Rover Defender. The Ti7 features BYD’s new DM‑p powertrain—a 1.5‑litre turbocharged engine, dual electric motors and a 35.6 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery—delivering a 0‑62 mph time of 4.8 seconds and an electric‑only range of 79 miles. Priced above the Sealion 7, it will sit near $75,000 USD, positioning it as BYD’s flagship model for the market. A debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed is expected in July.
Inside the Rosewood CdB Golf Cup, Europe’s Rising Luxury Golf Tournament
Castiglion del Bosco, a Tom Weiskopf‑designed course in Tuscany, was sold in 2022 for an estimated €400 million (≈ $460 million). The new owner opened the previously members‑only club to Rosewood hotel guests, launching the bi‑annual Rosewood CdB Golf Cup. Membership fees now sit at...
New Hampshire's Oldest Hotel Has Been Updated And Transformed With Upscale New England Elegance
The Inn at Hancock, New Hampshire’s oldest hotel dating to 1789, reopened on May 1 2026 after a three‑year, upscale renovation. The historic property now features 15 uniquely designed suites that blend New England elegance with bold, maximalist décor. Its new culinary...
Video: Michel Nydegger, CEO of Greubel Forsey on the New Tourbillon 24 Seconds Architecture
Greubel Forsey has announced the final edition of its Tourbillon 24 Seconds Architecture, a piece originally limited to 66 units over five years. After delivering 55 watches, only 11 remain, now featuring darkened movement plates that push the hands and polished components into...
TAG Heuer Unveils $2,250 Limited‑Edition Indy 500 Solargraph Watch, 1,110 Pieces
Swiss luxury brand TAG Heuer released a 1,110‑piece limited edition Formula 1 Solargraph x Indy 500 watch, priced at $2,250. The timepiece combines a stainless‑steel case, solar‑powered TH50‑00 quartz movement and design cues from the iconic Indy 500 race, underscoring the brand’s...
BMW 328 Bügelfalte Wins Best of Show as Vision ALPINA Debuts at Villa D’Este
BMW’s 1937 328 Bügelfalte was crowned Best of Show at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2026, earning owner Stefano Martinoli a bespoke A. Lange & Söhne timepiece. At the same event BMW unveiled the Vision BMW ALPINA grand tourer, a concept that blends heritage styling...
Inside Louis Vuitton’s Hidden Museum: A Century of Heritage Preserved
Louis Vuitton maintains a discreet museum on the outskirts of Paris where more than a century of trunks, sketches and artifacts are stored. Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière and family descendant Pierre‑Louis Vuitton oversee the archive, using its history to inspire...
Cathay Pacific Removed Its First-Class Lounge Cabanas. That Tells You Where Luxury Travel Is Heading
Cathay Pacific has removed the iconic private cabanas from its Wing First Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, replacing them with seven pre‑bookable massage booths called The Retreat. The redesign, completed after an 11‑month renovation, reflects a broader shift...
Watches & Wonders Geneva Unveils 13 Flagship Timepieces for 2026
Watches & Wonders Geneva presented 13 new luxury watches, headlined by a fresh Rolex Daytona, the return of a midsize Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Grand Seiko’s most impressive dive watch ever. The showcase underscores a market shift toward ultra‑limited editions...
Denali Ultimate Trim Elevates GMC’s Acadia
GMC’s 2026 Acadia Denali Ultimate trim earned the Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX award, highlighting its upscale cabin upgrades. The package adds heated, ventilated massaging leather seats with plaited contrast stitching, real Paldao wood accents, and embossed topographical maps. Technology upgrades include a...
Gucci Got Tom Brady and Cindy Crawford to Strut Their Stuff in Times Square
Gucci staged an unprecedented takeover of a Times Square block, converting the pedestrian triangle between Broadway and Seventh Avenue into a live runway for its new cruise collection. The event featured a star‑studded audience including Tom Brady, Cindy Crawford, Kim...
Four Seasons Cairo Rolls Out Luxury Eid Al‑Adha Escape Along the Nile for 2026
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza announced its 2026 Eid Al‑Adha programme, a luxury staycation built around a fifth‑floor oasis, designer pool‑side suites and a series of celebratory meals. The offering targets affluent Egyptian and regional travelers seeking a...
Emirates Palace, LEAD Development, and Mandarin Oriental Unveil Plans for 35 Private Residences
Emirates Palace Company, LEAD Development and Mandarin Oriental announced the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Mansions, a collection of 35 private residences to be built within the iconic Abu Dhabi landmark, with completion slated for 2029. The project marks the first...
Hilton Puts Diamond Status Signs On Breakfast Tables — VIP Recognition Or Coupon Shaming?
Hilton Hotels have begun placing “Diamond Guest” signs on breakfast tables to indicate that elite members receive complimentary meals. The practice, observed at properties from Krakow to Bangkok, elicits mixed reactions: some guests feel valued, while others perceive it as...
Ever Wondered How Much Ultra-Luxury Travel Experiences Actually Cost? Here’s Your Answer
A recent study by Kuoda, a private‑tour operator in South America, quantified the cost of ultra‑luxury travel experiences. The analysis ranked ten high‑end offerings by average price, from private jet trips at $181,000 down to Northern Lights excursions at $1,000....
Swatch‑AP Royal Pop Watch Triggers Global Resale Frenzy, Stores Shut Down
Swatch temporarily closed its UK stores and faced police tear‑gas deployment in Paris after the Audemars Piguet × Swatch Royal Pop pocket watch sold out within hours. Resale listings have surged to $5,800 in Singapore and £16,000 ($20,300) in the UK, prompting...
Hublot Unveils Second Daniel Arsham‑Designed Watch, the MP‑17 Meca‑10 Splash
Swiss watchmaker Hublot has launched the MP‑17 Meca‑10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire, its second timepiece co‑created with American visual artist Daniel Arsham. The new model expands a partnership first sparked by the 2024 Arsham Droplet pocket watch and underscores the...
Three Suites That Will Change How You See
Luxury hospitality is moving beyond amenities toward "atmosphere as architecture," where rooms are engineered to evoke specific emotional states. The article spotlights three summer‑ready suites that embody this shift: Patina Maldives’ One‑Bedroom Water Pool Villa, which blurs interior and lagoon;...
Aston Martin Names Lamborghini Veteran Andrea Baldi as Chief Commercial Officer
Aston Martin Lagonda has hired Andrea Baldi, a 15‑year Lamborghini veteran, as its new chief commercial officer. Baldi joins the executive committee to steer the ultra‑luxury brand’s go‑to‑market strategy and boost global demand.
Useful New Award Option: Redeem Qatar Airways Avios On Philippine Airlines
Qatar Airways has expanded its Privilege Club partnership with Philippine Airlines, allowing members to redeem Avios for Philippine‑Airlines flights worldwide. Business‑class awards range from roughly 18,000 to 154,500 Avios one‑way, with the Manila‑New York route at the top end. Bookings are...
Wynn, Four Seasons, Nobu: Ras Al Khaimah Is Doubling Its Hotel Rooms
Ras Al Khaimah is accelerating its transformation into a luxury tourism hub by planning to double its hotel inventory to roughly 20,000 rooms by 2030, up from the current 8,700. The emirate has secured marquee operators—including Wynn, Four Seasons, Nobu,...
The BMW M3 CS Returns With A Manual Gearbox Surprise
BMW is ending the current‑generation G80 M3 with a limited‑run 2027 M3 CS Handschalter, the first M3 offered exclusively with a six‑speed manual transmission. Weighing roughly 75 lb less than the standard model, it features extensive carbon‑fiber construction, a 473‑hp rear‑wheel‑drive...
Rolls‑Royce Unveils Five One‑of‑a‑kind Cullinan Black Badge SUVs with Artist Cyril Kongo
Rolls‑Royce has launched a limited run of five bespoke Cullinan Black Badge SUVs created in partnership with celebrated artist Cyril Kongo. The hand‑crafted vehicles feature a four‑zone colour scheme, a 591‑bhp V12, and a custom Starlight Headliner with 1,344 fibre‑optic...
Gucci Turns Times Square Into a Night‑time Runway for Cruise 2027
Gucci closed the central pedestrian plaza at 48th & 7th Avenue in Times Square to stage its Cruise 2027 runway, commandeering the iconic LED billboards for a night of AI‑generated ads and high‑profile guests. The spectacle blends luxury fashion with urban advertising, signaling...
Why Lamborghini’s Miura Still Captivates the Supercar World 60 Years Later
At the Lamborghini Arena festival in Imola, 450 Lamborghinis—including a fleet of yellow Miuras—paraded to mark the Miura’s 60th anniversary. The event highlighted the brand’s signature bold color palette, contrasting sharply with the monochrome trends dominating modern car markets. Lamborghini...
Sofitel Legend Metropole Taps Michelin-Starred Chefs for Exclusive May Dining Series
Sofitel Legend Metropole’s flagship restaurant Le Beaulieu will host Japanese chef Hiroyuki Matsumoto and French chef Louis Gachet for a two‑day dinner and a Sunday brunch in late May. Prices run from $205 to $308 per head, with limited seats and...
The New Longines Legend Diver 59 Brings Real Diving Pedigree Back to the Surface
Longines has revived its 1959 Legend Diver with the new Legend Diver 59, a 42 mm stainless‑steel watch that blends vintage styling with modern engineering. The model features an internal bi‑directional bezel operated by the crown, ISO 6425 certification, and a COSC‑certified ETA‑based...
Luxury Hotels Lead Indonesia Rebound
Indonesia’s luxury hotel sector has rebounded to pre‑pandemic occupancy levels, outpacing all other hotel classes. Luxury occupancy for the 12 months to March 2026 matches 2019 benchmarks, while mid‑scale and economy segments lag 5.5 percentage points. Average daily rates rose 42 percent since...
Minor Hotels to Develop Anantara Resort and Residences in Egypt
Minor Hotels has signed a development agreement for Anantara Somabay Resort & Residences, expanding its Anantara brand on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The integrated project will deliver 300 hotel keys and 150 branded residential units, combining sea‑view rooms, lagoon villas...
Huawei-Backed Maextro to Launch S800 Grand Design in June
Huawei‑backed luxury auto brand Maextro will debut the S800 Grand Design in June, priced at about 2 million yuan ($293,580). The new variant adds a two‑tone silver and blue‑green exterior and will be offered as both BEV and EREV, sharing the...
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I’m a 5-Foot Tall Travel Writer, and I’m Eyeing Tons of Styles From This Vacation Shop That Won’t Need Alterations
Travel writer Destinee Scott, who stands 5 feet tall, spotlights Quince’s new vacation shop, featuring eight petite‑friendly pieces ideal for travel. The collection, priced from $30 to around $80, includes organic‑cotton dresses, linen pants, and lightweight cardigans that promise a high‑end...
Veronica Beard to Open First Paris Boutique in Triangle D’Or Luxury District
Veronica Beard will launch its first Paris boutique on June 4, occupying a 2,335‑sq‑ft corner space in the Triangle d’Or luxury district. The two‑floor store, previously a Givenchy men’s shop, will showcase the latest collection, accessories and exclusive pieces such as...
Porsche Automobil Holding Posts Q1 Loss After Volkswagen Impairment
Porsche Automobil Holding announced a net loss for Q1 2026 after writing down its Volkswagen stake, weakening adjusted profit and sparking a board‑level review of its investment strategy. The loss underscores the vulnerability of luxury‑car groups that rely heavily on...
Bottega Veneta Throws Floating House Party at 61st Venice Biennale
Bottega Veneta celebrated its 60th anniversary with a floating house party that ran alongside the opening week of the 61st Venice Biennale. The event wove together fashion, contemporary art and Venetian nightlife, drawing artists, curators and collectors onto the lagoon’s...
Cate Blanchett Wore Givenchy To The ‘Garance’ Cannes Film Festival Premiere
Cate Blanchett stepped onto the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a Givenchy Fall 2026 ensemble for the premiere of “Garance.” The look featured a floral‑embroidered halter dress paired with leather gloves trimmed in coloured horsehair and dramatic sleeves. Fashion commentator...
Tesla Hikes Model Y Prices by up to $1,000, Marking First Increase in Two Years
Tesla raised U.S. prices for its Model Y premium all‑wheel‑drive to $49,990, premium rear‑wheel‑drive to $45,990, and Performance AWD to $57,990, the first adjustment in two years. The move signals shifting dynamics in the luxury‑electric SUV market.
You Can Buy The First Ferrari 430 Scuderia Ever Built
Ferrari’s chassis 155217, the first 430 Scuderia ever built, is now for sale through Aatelier M. The blue‑over‑gray model, owned by Ferrari until 2008, has only 23,000 km and remains in pristine condition. While no price is listed, analysts expect a low seven‑figure...
Built for a Family of Five, This Italian Countryside Home Resembles “a Small Village”
Italian architect Massimo Adario has completed Castel Madama, an eight‑year, ground‑up project east of Rome that functions like a small village for his extended family of five. Inspired by Alvar Aalto’s 1930s Experimental House, the design blends Scandinavian minimalism with Roman...
Namibia Launches Luxury Travel Market, Zambia Touts Tourism as Job Engine at Indaba
During Africa's Travel Indaba in Durban, Namibia's Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism launched the Namibia Luxury Travel Market to attract high‑value visitors, and Zambia's Permanent Secretary highlighted tourism as a major job creator, underscoring a shift toward sustainable, high‑yield...
Lotus to Relaunch Esprit in 2028 with 1,000‑hp Hybrid V8
Lotus announced that the iconic Esprit will return in 2028 as a hybrid V8 supercar capable of more than 986 horsepower. The limited‑run model will be built at Hethel and priced at roughly $490,000‑$530,000, signaling a strategic pivot away from...
Gucci Stages $100‑million Times Square Runway, Celebrity‑filled "GucciCore" Show
Gucci turned Times Square into a runway on May 16, unveiling its "GucciCore" collection. Creative director Demna Gvasalia staged the show with celebrity walkers like Tom Brady, Paris Hilton and Cindy Crawford, while front‑row guests included Mariah Carey and Kim...
Transfer Citi ThankYou Points To Preferred Hotels & Resorts With Bonus
Citi’s ThankYou rewards program is running a limited‑time promotion that adds a 30% bonus when members transfer points to Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ I Prefer Hotel Rewards. The standard 1:2 transfer ratio becomes 1,000 Citi points for 2,600 I Prefer points, and...
Travelzoo Cuts 47% Off South Place Hotel Stay, Adds Champagne Breakfast
Travelzoo announced a new Club Offer giving members a 47% discount on an overnight stay at the 5‑star South Place Hotel in London, priced at £199 ($253) including a champagne breakfast. The limited‑inventory deal, available for summer dates, also provides...
Why Saint-Tropez Endures as an Epicenter for Luxury Living
Saint‑Tropez continues to cement its reputation as a luxury epicenter, drawing jet‑setters, film crews, and high‑net‑worth buyers. Recent headline purchases include hedge‑fund billionaire Ken Griffin’s $92 million waterfront estate and LVMH’s Antoine Arnault acquiring a $19 million villa. The hospitality sector is buzzing...
Audemars Piguet X Swatch's Affordable Watch Launch Sparks Lines Across World
Swiss luxury brands Audemars Piguet and Swatch have unveiled the “Royal Pop,” an affordable mechanical watch priced between $400 and $420. The launch has triggered massive queues in cities such as London, New York, Tokyo and Dubai, with some shoppers...
Brabus Launches €1 Million V12 Bodo Grand Tourer, Limited to 77 Units
German tuner Brabus unveiled the V12 Bodo, a bespoke grand tourer priced at around €1 million ($1.09 million) and limited to 77 units. The car, built on an Aston Martin Vanquish platform, marks Brabus’s first V12‑powered model and a bold entry into the...
This Interior Designer Designed Her Art Deco Loft Conversion Bedroom With a Clever Open-Concept Bathroom and a Coffee Station Hidden...
Interior designer Chizitera Pennington transformed the attic of her 1930s Brockley home into a self‑contained loft bedroom suite, adding a bathroom, dressing area, and a concealed coffee station. The design respects the original Art Deco architecture while integrating her English,...
Shoppers’ Frenzy for ‘Royal Pop’ Pocket Watches Forces Swatch to Shut Stores
Swatch shut dozens of stores worldwide after crowds surged for its new Royal Pop pocket watch, a collaboration with Audemars Piguet. The pop‑art‑styled watches retail for $400‑$420 and triggered lineups from Geneva to New York. Police were called to several locations, with reports...
Dua Lipa Goes Mirror Monochrome in Silver Le Silla Sandals at Cannes
Dua Lipa stepped onto the Nespresso Beach photocall at the 79th Cannes Film Festival wearing Le Silla’s Shirley silver sandals, a $836 pair with a 120 mm stiletto heel. The mirror‑finish shoes complemented her archival Jean Paul Gaultier spring‑2009 mini dress and Bvlgari Serpenti...
Penthouse Living at Ground Level: 2000 Large Luxury Sedan Comparison Test
Car and Driver’s November 1999 comparison test evaluated five $70,000‑plus luxury sedans—Jaguar Vanden Plas, Mercedes‑Benz S430, Audi A8 4.2 Quattro, Lexus LS400 and BMW 740iL. The BMW 740iL claimed first place, praised for its road‑feel, chassis grip and driver‑focused seat features. Lexus earned second, offering...