Travel
Originally published on Tuesday, 23rd July 2013
AT YOUR SERVICE
The old ‘rules’ of travel – like checking in 2 hours before your flight – are changing, as are the services attached to it. Vivienne Westwood is designing uniforms for Virgin, baggage excess no longer has to be a problem, and renting a car doesn’t have to have anything to do with Hertz. Read on for the most innovative (and fun!) services on the travel scene this year. The only thing we wish we’d see more of – 24-hour spas a la Oberoi in Dubai.
THE ART OF PACKING
Oh to pack, the dreaded pre-cursor to travel. Lucky, then, that we have some helpful friends. Louis Vuitton's interactive Art of Packing may seem whimsical at a first glance, but it's got some nifty packing tips for frequent flyers (the hold-all instructions are especially helpful). After that, all you have to contend with is the check-in weigh-in – but for that we have First Luggage. They've just launched a new service, Luggage Delivery Company, for Europe-only travel (you can send a 20kg suitcase from London to Paris for £32.99). They will also transport cases of any shape or size – surfers, we're looking at you.
First Luggage
The Art of Packing by Louis Vuitton
ALTERNATIVE RETREAT
A recharge and reboot is necessary before September's back-to-school rush. Instead of a mere detach-and-relax, though, try a retreat with a dash of self-improvement. The Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman has partnered with DJ Dispensary to offer a 4-6 night DJ retreat. DJs Matty Wainwright, Brendon P and Stephen Day hold daily morning and afternoon tutoring sessions, with a party and solo spin-off to end the trip (which is live streamed). And, when you're not at the decks, you can lounge by your private villa pool, rent a speedboat, or duck into the ice cave for a cool off.
Six Senses Zighy Bay DJ Retreat, September 20 – 27 and December 6 – 13, £2,120 per person for 4 nights, £3,950 per person for 6 nights – both based on two people sharing a Pool Villa on a half board basis and more. Visit the website or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
NEW LUXE
LE Miami, the world's newest travel tradeshow, is a self-confessed "travel rebel". Established this year by Beyond Luxury Media's Serge Dive and Sarah Ball (Wallpaper*'s Sara Henrichs is also attached), the fair is for a new generation of contemporary, luxury travellers who want more creativity than the "branded blandness" of big 5-star dogs. Back in June they held an inaugural event in – guess where? - Miami, which featured talks and networking opportunities with industry heads, parties-a-plenty and an awards ceremony – forget the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, here categories include Greatest Innovation/Disruption (ACE Hotels won), Most Original Campaign (Design Hotels) and Most Innovative Food/Beverage (Town Hall London). If you can't wait until next year's fair, check out their website for interviews, news and editorial.
AIRPORT DINING
Mega-chefs cashing in on transit is nothing new – Wolfgang Puck's Express restaurant is in airports all over the US – but on home soil there's little choice, until now (and it's healthier than Puck's pizzas). Gordon Ramsay's airport restaurant chain Plane Food means Pret sandwiches and in-fight plastic trays no more. The dishes, which are simple, light, seasonal and fresh are available at all times of the day – so you can have your breakfast Eggs Norwegian for dinner, if you so wish. You can also take away a Plane Food Picnic (in a bright orange lunchbox, no less) for the flight. Watch this space for more openings to follow in Vegas, LA, NY and Chicago.
Plane Food,Terminal 5, Wellington Road, Heathrow Airport, TW6 2GA
SWIMMING POOL
Forget the waves of Aus, Indo and El Salvador – it's all about Wavegarden, a personal lagoon with the perfect wave… in your back garden. They'll design it anywhere you have space for it (but probably not a rooftop). The engineer behind the brand, who previously worked with skate parks, has created flawless, clean, surf conditions, with waves sized between 1.2 to 1.9m, and an 18-second ride duration. Gnarly.
Wavegarden, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details
AIRPORT STAY
Pod living isn't our usual choice of holiday digs, but when it comes to airport accommodation we're all ears. There are rumours that daddy of the pod, Yotel, is planning to go into JFK airport, while its Gatwick outlet is getting a South Terminal rival. BLOC will be situated right next to the terminal's departure gate with a view of the runway (any closer and it would be on the runway). The hotel has teamed up with Samsung to use Near Field Communication, which means you can use your phone to check in, check out, and as a door key. The best bit? The monsoon-drench showers and the fact you can in check bags the night before.
BLOC Gatwick, Gatwick South Terminal, opens November 2013
Rooms from £60
RENT-A-CAR
The Rancho Valencia resort in Santa Fe has recently teamed up with Porsche to give guests the crème de la crème of the rent-a-car experience. Guests can take vehicles – which include a 911 convertible, Panamera Hybrid and Cayenne GTS – for a drive on a complimentary basis at any time as long as you return it on the same day. Plus, the Rancho's concierge can make recommendations – down the Highways of 101 or the beaches of La Jolla, for example – to make the most of your ride. When you're not out cruising, enjoy the hotel's recent $30mil renovation, which includes poolside cabanas, a polo-inspired bistro and heaps of Californian charm. Pimp my ride indeed.
Rancho Valencia, 5921 Valencia Cir Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, casitas from $700 per night
