When it comes to luxury brands and destinations, there’s no price tag too steep—especially now that many experiences are fully virtual. For example, why head to the Casino di Monte Carlo to play roulette or slots when various casino offers are available online—especially when you can sample different gaming brands during a single sitting?
The casino example is just the tip of the iceberg for those who want to swap remote convenience for OTT extravagance. And for the financially blessed, sampling some of the world’s finest destinations and specialities is as simple as flipping through their bucket list. There’s no casino too flashy, or menu too rich, or superyacht too luxurious.
Still, as luxury travel and experiences become a global affair, it can be difficult to find the next big thing. In fact, it’s harder than ever to dig through the weeds and figure out which opportunities actually deliver unforgettable extravagance. Let us take some of the hard work out for you. Starting with casinos and ending with private islands, let’s go through some of the world’s top luxury brands and destinations.
Wynn Palace, China
Wynn is a recognized name in luxury gaming around the world. Though many picture Las Vegas when they hear the name Wynn, the brand has a global presence. There are locations in Everett, Massachusetts and Ras al Khaimah in the UAE. But there’s one shining jewel in the Wynn cabinet that doesn’t receive nearly enough attention: the Wynn Palace in Macau.
Macau is China’s gaming capital located on an archipelago in the South China Sea. And if you think Las Vegas is the cradle of luxury gaming, think again. The Wynn Palace is one of three properties in Macau. And it’s the reason that Wynn Resorts has received more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards than any other independent hotel chain in the world.
Currently, Wynn Palace is home to more Forbes Five-Star restaurants than any other location in the world—this includes the world-famous Sichuan Moon.
Dubai Mall, UAE
Nestled right beside the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall is one of the world’s hot spots for luxury brands. In fact, back in 2011, it was the most-visited building on the planet, with around 54 million wandering its shops. But with so many people passing through, does it really deliver on luxury?
Absolutely. After all, Dubai’s speciality is large-scale extravagance. In the Dubai Mall, you can find an array of luxury brands, from BVLGARI to Roberto Cavalli. There’s Chopard Boutique, along with top culinary picks like Magnolia Bakery and Nando’s. Dubai Mall also includes some of the biggest names in haute couture, such as Gentle Monster.
Best of all, Dubai Mall also hosts events for luxury brands and new designers. Be sure to check out the events on offer when you book a trip.
K11 Musea, Hong Kong
Dubai Mall highlights all the best in luxury shopping—and benefits from being located in one of the world’s most lavish destinations. But Hong Kong has its own incredible K11 Musea shopping centre. Billed as a cultural-retail destination, there’s nothing else like it in the world.
Visitors can shop from brands like Aesop, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and much more. But these aren’t standard shops. Instead, they’re crafted with stunning production to be like mini-experiences. And that’s because the K11 Musea is designed with imaginative luxury in mind. Along with brand-name shops, visitors will encounter high-level architecture and artwork from leading thinkers, and even furniture that comes from top artisans.
OK, Motoryacht
At the moment, the superyacht OK isn’t for sale. It was last sold back in 2017 when it hit the market as one of the world’s most unusual superyachts—and for good reason. Built by the Oshima Shipbuilding Co. back in 1982, OK is a converted project that doesn’t look like any other superyacht. It was once a carrier for yachts that were being transported around the world. Though some are averse to the ship’s design, it’s got features that can’t be found anywhere else, land or sea.
OK can house up to 20 guests, who can anchor their own vessel to the ship. The ship also has a lawn, which is incredibly uncommon for seafaring vessels, along with OK’s double tennis court. It can even provide a landing strip for a seaplane.
However, the true luxury features are its fully enclosed botanical garden, sundeck spa pool, and outdoor cinema.
Ultraviolet, China
Some luxury shoppers aren’t focused on their next superyacht experience or brand-name pair of boots. Instead, they’re all about sampling Michelin-rated restaurants. For those who aren’t afraid to travel a bit, consider visiting Shanghai’s Ultraviolet, created by Paul Pairet. While the food is to die for, the culinary listings on offer are only one part of the overall experience.
The restaurant currently has three Michelin stars. But not all of the hype comes down to its delectable menu. Pairet bills Ultraviolet as the first ‘multi-sensory’ restaurant in the world. That’s because Pairet and his team use sight, sound, and smell to add to the culinary experience. You’ll have to try it out to understand just how innovative this project is.
Miavana, Madagascar
This project from Time + Tide isn’t just a leading tropical destination. It’s also one of the world’s most extravagant and OTT private island experiences. It perfectly blends adventure, exploration, sustainability, and natural splendor—something the company describes as ‘true barefoot adventure’. The idea is to let nature shine and add something that can’t be replicated by a luxury designer, from fresh air to a certain shade of blue on the horizon.
So what else makes this island worth ticking off the bucket list? First and foremost, visitors aren’t just staying on the island—they’re also helping save it. They’ll have to navigate to the island via private helicopter, where they’ll then be welcomed into a rugged and stunning landscape. Every cent helps to conserve and maintain. And a kind of zen tranquillity can be felt throughout the island, which is hard to find even with bottomless pockets.
Tags:
Burj Khalifa, Casino, Casino di Monte Carlo, China, Dubai, K11 Musea, Madagascar, Miavana, travel, Ultraviolet, Wynn Palace
