Here’s a round-up of luxury travel stories that have caught the eye this week. To make sure you receive these new weekly alerts in your web browser, please click on the red bell icon in the bottom right hand corner of the page and click ‘subscribe’ (works on desktop only – for other ways to subscribe, please click here). This will also alert you to any other posts on the blog. Should you wish, you can unsubscribe at any time, by clicking on the icon again and selecting ‘unsubscribe’.
The most ridiculous travel requests rich people make including a sea view room at an inland hotel
Luxury travel specialists have revealed some of the strangest and most outlandish requests from celebrities and VIP customers. From a hamster babysitter to a hand-delivered new iPhone in Venice, money is no object to some of these clients. The bonkers requests, as told to Conde Nast Traveller, reveal how the 1 per cent truly live – and some of the insane feats “travel fixers” have to pull off to please their clients… [read more]
Is this the world’s most forward-thinking city?
Halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo, on a rocky Swedish coastline, lies the largest non-capital in the Nordics. Gothenburg has always played second fiddle to its big sister Stockholm. Historically seen as a lesser city – more Volvo-industrial Sweden than sexy Spotify Sweden – this salty seaport has spent the past few decades completely reinventing itself after the collapse of its vital shipbuilding industry in the 1970s… [read more]
10 best hotel pools in Singapore
In Singapore’s tropical climate, there’s nothing more welcoming than a dip in the cool waters of a hotel pool after a day of exploring the city in the hot and humid weather. Fortunately, many hotels in Singapore have built spectacular swimming pools, often with views of the city’s skyline or the water. From rooftop infinity pools, pool terraces, and lazy rivers, these are the best hotel pools in Singapore… [read more]
First native Zika cases in Europe confirmed as experts warn climate change could bring more
The first native cases of Zika in Europe have been confirmed after three people became infected with the virus in France. Experts warn that climate change could lead to more cases emerging across the continent. Three people caught Zika in Hyères, southern France, in August this year, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has confirmed… [read more]
The man who made the Maldives a luxury mecca
When Lars Petre first stumbled upon the Maldives as a young Swede on vacation in 1985, the whole trip was a happy accident. After a ski vacation was canceled because the ski resort had to close due to too much snow (imagine – what a problem to have!) Petre and a friend detoured to Geneva and hopped on a flight to Colombo instead. “We were planning a ski holiday but ended up in Sri Lanka,” Petre recalls with a smile. “I’d heard of some small islands in the Indian Ocean, so I thought – shall we take a look?”… [read more]
We really enjoy hearing from our readers and would love to hear your views on any of these stories! Please click on the comments below and share your thoughts. Thank you.
Have a story you’d like to share? Please contact us for details.
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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10 Comments
Ok. So, I have heard about the Zika virus before but never knew that the implications of the infection in a pregnant women are that severe!!! I mean hearing loss, neurological disorders, delayed development….that’s really shocking! I think it’s time that the relevant authorities take action to spread awareness amongst the masses particularly those who are travelling or wish to do so.
Can’t stop laughing at the idiotic requests made by the passengers and travellers. The fact, that these were made by some of the most renowned and respected personalities makes it even more hilarious. I swear, now I am soo damn curious to know who these butt-head celebrities were :D
Paul, can I suggest you to include funny news like these in the blog, more often? Thoroughly enjoyed the read!!!
Heard that the world’s highest pool at Marina Sands Bay is only accessible to the hotel guests. Is it so?? That’s soo demotivating. My sister resides in Singapore so ultimately I will stay at her place during my upcoming visit- which will come at the cost of being deprived of this luxury experience. Too badd!! Can’t we pay an hourly fees or so to enjoy a refreshing dip in their pool?
You can only access the pool if you are a paying guest of the hotel. This is not uncommon and ensures the privacy of paying guests is protected. You can pay to visit the observation deck at the top of the hotel, however.
Yes, there are some hilarious requests here from the rich and famous. But if they’ve got more money than sense it at least allows some people to earn a decent living from their quirks. I wonder what qualifications and training you need to become a hamster baby-sitter? Doesn’t sound like too much hard work.
Gothenburg is supposed to be beautiful with its quaint cafe areas and canals, a nice blend of nature and urban amenities. It’s good to see it’s developing with the needs of the population and going forward with the research hub and University, while putting sustainability at the top of the agenda. Hopefully more places will follow suit as there’s an increasingly keen focus on eco-friendly initiatives lately.
I hadn’t realised it’s the world’s second most sustainable place in the world though. I like what the head of the tourism board said about wanting to make it a loveable place where the residents love to live first and foremost, which means tourists will then love it too. It’s good to see that care for the people that live there because I think that can be put second in favour of simply trying to boost tourism, often then to the detriment of those that live there.
A hamster getting its own seat on the plane and a handler to deliver it to its owner? That’s more consideration and help than most disabled travellers get! I do love that scavenger hunt someone arranged, that’s so sweet! I’d rather that than be placed, donned in a ballgown, on a pony and trot towards a butler waiting with a glass of champers. Actually, that doesn’t really sound too bad!
From all developed countries to now even the developing world, Vegan food is being prepared in more or less all big and small restaurants, hotels, pubs, inns and street food corners…what an incredible trend setting in! When I visited Maldives back in 2017, to be frank I didn’t see any point of visiting this largest underwater glass restaurant at Hurawalhi due to the absence of any vegan meals. Merely observing and not ordering food in a restaurant sounds quite de-motivating you know! But now with the introduction of some kick-ass vegan cuisine, can’t wait to explore the eatery on my next visit.
The most ridiculous travel requests rich people make including a sea view room at an inland hotel
Luxury travel specialists have revealed some of the strangest and most outlandish requests from celebrities and VIP customers. From a hamster babysitter to a hand-delivered new iPhone in Venice, money is no object to some of these clients. The bonkers requests, as told to Conde Nast Traveller, reveal how the 1 per cent truly live – and some of the insane feats “travel fixers” have to pull off to please their clients… [read more]
The most ridiculous travel requests rich people make including a sea view room at an inland hotel
Luxury travel specialists have revealed some of the strangest and most outlandish requests from celebrities and VIP customers. From a hamster babysitter to a hand-delivered new iPhone in Venice, money is no object to some of these clients. The bonkers requests, as told to Conde Nast Traveller, reveal how the 1 per cent truly live – and some of the insane feats “travel fixers” have to pull off to please their clients… [read more]
Is this the world’s most forward-thinking city?
Halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo, on a rocky Swedish coastline, lies the largest non-capital in the Nordics. Gothenburg has always played second fiddle to its big sister Stockholm. Historically seen as a lesser city – more Volvo-industrial Sweden than sexy Spotify Sweden – this salty seaport has spent the past few decades completely reinventing itself after the collapse of its vital shipbuilding industry in the 1970s… [read more]
10 best hotel pools in Singapore
In Singapore’s tropical climate, there’s nothing more welcoming than a dip in the cool waters of a hotel pool after a day of exploring the city in the hot and humid weather. Fortunately, many hotels in Singapore have built spectacular swimming pools, often with views of the city’s skyline or the water. From rooftop infinity pools, pool terraces, and lazy rivers, these are the best hotel pools in Singapore… [read more]
First native Zika cases in Europe confirmed as experts warn climate change could bring more
The first native cases of Zika in Europe have been confirmed after three people became infected with the virus in France. Experts warn that climate change could lead to more cases emerging across the continent. Three people caught Zika in Hyères, southern France, in August this year, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has confirmed… [read more]
The man who made the Maldives a luxury mecca
When Lars Petre first stumbled upon the Maldives as a young Swede on vacation in 1985, the whole trip was a happy accident. After a ski vacation was canceled because the ski resort had to close due to too much snow (imagine – what a problem to have!) Petre and a friend detoured to Geneva and hopped on a flight to Colombo instead. “We were planning a ski holiday but ended up in Sri Lanka,” Petre recalls with a smile. “I’d heard of some small islands in the Indian Ocean, so I thought – shall we take a look?”… [read more]
We really enjoy hearing from our readers and would love to hear your views on any of these stories! Please click on the comments below and share your thoughts. Thank you.
Have a story you’d like to share? Please contact us for details.
Ok. So, I have heard about the Zika virus before but never knew that the implications of the infection in a pregnant women are that severe!!! I mean hearing loss, neurological disorders, delayed development….that’s really shocking! I think it’s time that the relevant authorities take action to spread awareness amongst the masses particularly those who are travelling or wish to do so.
Can’t stop laughing at the idiotic requests made by the passengers and travellers. The fact, that these were made by some of the most renowned and respected personalities makes it even more hilarious. I swear, now I am soo damn curious to know who these butt-head celebrities were :D
Paul, can I suggest you to include funny news like these in the blog, more often? Thoroughly enjoyed the read!!!
Heard that the world’s highest pool at Marina Sands Bay is only accessible to the hotel guests. Is it so?? That’s soo demotivating. My sister resides in Singapore so ultimately I will stay at her place during my upcoming visit- which will come at the cost of being deprived of this luxury experience. Too badd!! Can’t we pay an hourly fees or so to enjoy a refreshing dip in their pool?
You can only access the pool if you are a paying guest of the hotel. This is not uncommon and ensures the privacy of paying guests is protected. You can pay to visit the observation deck at the top of the hotel, however.
Yes, there are some hilarious requests here from the rich and famous. But if they’ve got more money than sense it at least allows some people to earn a decent living from their quirks. I wonder what qualifications and training you need to become a hamster baby-sitter? Doesn’t sound like too much hard work.
Aww…Zika in Europe. Changing climate is showing its effects. It’s a wakeup call for Europe as well as the world
Gothenburg is supposed to be beautiful with its quaint cafe areas and canals, a nice blend of nature and urban amenities. It’s good to see it’s developing with the needs of the population and going forward with the research hub and University, while putting sustainability at the top of the agenda. Hopefully more places will follow suit as there’s an increasingly keen focus on eco-friendly initiatives lately.
I hadn’t realised it’s the world’s second most sustainable place in the world though. I like what the head of the tourism board said about wanting to make it a loveable place where the residents love to live first and foremost, which means tourists will then love it too. It’s good to see that care for the people that live there because I think that can be put second in favour of simply trying to boost tourism, often then to the detriment of those that live there.
A hamster getting its own seat on the plane and a handler to deliver it to its owner? That’s more consideration and help than most disabled travellers get! I do love that scavenger hunt someone arranged, that’s so sweet! I’d rather that than be placed, donned in a ballgown, on a pony and trot towards a butler waiting with a glass of champers. Actually, that doesn’t really sound too bad!
Now Europe is also in danger. I hope these kinds of alarming news make the developed country awake and drag them to united against global warming.
From all developed countries to now even the developing world, Vegan food is being prepared in more or less all big and small restaurants, hotels, pubs, inns and street food corners…what an incredible trend setting in! When I visited Maldives back in 2017, to be frank I didn’t see any point of visiting this largest underwater glass restaurant at Hurawalhi due to the absence of any vegan meals. Merely observing and not ordering food in a restaurant sounds quite de-motivating you know! But now with the introduction of some kick-ass vegan cuisine, can’t wait to explore the eatery on my next visit.