Smart luxury is the new quiet luxury. Smart luxury is the new quiet luxury.
Автор: karymsakov_qq4zn395
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Rolex Sold a Record-Breaking $14 Billion Worth of Watches Last Year: Report
The Crown is responsible for about 33 percent of the Swiss watch industry’s entire sales for 2025, too. The Crown is responsible for about 33 percent of the Swiss watch industry’s entire sales for 2025, too.
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This Exclusive Spirits Membership Will Get You Allocations of Rare Whiskeys From Lux Row Distillers
If you’re interested in being the first to try new whiskey, consider signing up for this plan. If you’re interested in being the first to try new whiskey, consider signing up for this plan.
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This New 125-Foot Superyacht Concept Is the Longtail of the High Seas
Delta Marine’s newest creation has an elongated aft designed for entertaining. Delta Marine’s newest creation has an elongated aft designed for entertaining.
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The Most Expensive Cigar Brands in the World
The most meticulously crafted cigars command suitably hefty price tags.

Whether enjoyed at home with a glass of whisky, shared with friends at a glitzy European beach club, or savored in a dedicated cigar lounge, the hand-rolled status symbol has long held a place in film, pop culture, and elite travel circles.
A great cigar – flavorsome, balanced, and slow-burning – demands patience and precision. Quality begins with the tobacco leaf, with the world’s best still coming from Cuba. Whole leaves are hand-selected and rolled by skilled torcedors, a process that requires years of training.
While enjoying cigars is rarely an inexpensive pastime, the rarest and most meticulously crafted releases can command extraordinary prices. Below, we explore the most expensive cigar brands in the world, which only produce the best of the best.
The world’s most expensive cigars and brands
Trinidad

©Habanos One of Cuba’s most exclusive cigar brands, Trinidad has long been associated with special occasions and diplomatic prestige. Established in 1969, the brand was created as a private label for foreign dignitaries visiting Cuba and was not commercially released until 1997.
Trinidad’s cigars are known for their medium body, refined construction, and layered flavor profiles, often marked by earthy, nutty, and subtly sweet notes. Like the finest Cuban cigars, all Trinidads are entirely handmade using filler and binder leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region. Signature details include pigtail caps.
Rare cigars have traded privately and at auction for more than $1,000 per stick, but, until recently, no new conventional release had reached that price point – that is, until the Trinidad Fundadores 55th Anniversary puro. Aged for a decade after rolling and presented in an S.T. Dupont humidor, Trinidad’s triple-banded cigar debuted at $1,150 per cigar, setting a new benchmark for retail Cuban cigars as one of the most expensive cigars in the world.
Gurkha
Founded in 1887, Gurkha is among the oldest cigar brands in the world. After a long hiatus, the brand was revived in 1989 by Kaizad Hansotia, who transformed it into a major force during the modern cigar boom. Today, Gurkha produces cigars across a wide range of price points, but it is best known for its ultra-premium and highly theatrical releases.
Among them is the Maharaja, a limited-edition blend featuring a Maduro wrapper with Dominican binder and filler. Medium-bodied and smooth, it is presented in a 10-count mahogany humidor, complete with individual piano-finish coffins.
Even more extreme is Gurkha’s His Majesty’s Reserve. The blend features a 15-year-old Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper and a 12-year-aged Dominican binder and filler, infused with a rare cognac once reserved exclusively for dignitaries.
At the very top of the spectrum sits the Gurkha Royal Courtesan, reportedly sold privately for $1.36 million. Crafted in Honduras and the Dominican Republic, allegedly, the torcedors rolled the cigars blindfolded, to avoid any distraction, with only a few artisans permitted to create the cigars.
The cigar features Himalayan tobacco, gold leaf wrapping, a diamond-studded band, Fiji water–treated leaves, and is infused with Remy Martin’s Black Pearl Louis XIII.
Davidoff

The Oro Blanco Special Reserve 111 Years @Davidoff Davidoff is a prestigious Swiss luxury brand, famous for its premium, handcrafted cigars, with the philosophy of ‘Caribbean passion, Swiss precision.’ The brand originates from Zino Davidoff’s family tobacco shop in Geneva, evolving from Cuban roots to current production in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, using diverse New World tobaccos.
The original Oro Blanco Special Reserve 2002 became Davidoff’s rarest cigar at the time, made using exceptionally aged tobaccos and produced in extremely limited quantities. Its success and scarcity led Davidoff to create a successor: the Oro Blanco Special Reserve 111 Years, released in 2024.
Presented in a refined toro format, the cigar is a Dominican puro composed of vintage tobaccos drawn from five distinct terroirs, one of which is no longer cultivated by Davidoff. In total, the blend combines seven tobaccos whose cumulative age reaches an unprecedented 111 years, making it the most tobacco-aged cigar Davidoff has ever produced.
Crafted exclusively by master roller supervisors with a minimum of 20 years’ experience, the cigar is released only once Davidoff’s master blenders agree it has reached peak maturity. The result is a full-bodied yet controlled smoke that evolves steadily throughout.
The Oro Blanco Special Reserve 111 Years is designed for slow, deliberate smoking and remains one of the most expensive and collectible non-Cuban cigars available today.
Cohiba
Cohiba is the flagship brand of Habanos S.A. and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Cuban cigar production. Created in 1966 exclusively for Fidel Castro, Cohiba cigars were originally rolled at the El Laguito factory and reserved solely for diplomatic gifts. Public sales did not begin until 1982.
The name “Cohiba” comes from the Taíno word for tobacco bundles smoked by indigenous Cubans – an early precursor to the modern cigar.
What sets Cohiba apart is its tobacco selection and fermentation process. Leaves are sourced from the finest Vegas de Primera in San Juan y Martínez and San Luis, within the Vuelta Abajo region. Uniquely, Cohiba subjects up to three filler leaves – seco, ligero, and the rare medio tiempo – to a third fermentation in wooden barrels, contributing to its distinctive aroma and depth of flavor.
The Cohiba Behike line is widely considered the finest standard-production Cuban cigar available today. Originally released in just 100 humidors of 40 cigars, demand quickly outpaced supply. The blend includes the elusive medio tiempo leaf, which grows on only a small percentage of tobacco plants, ensuring perpetual scarcity. The Behike 56, the largest in the range, delivers a smooth yet complex profile with notes of leather, coffee, dried fruit, and subtle spice.
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Arizona’s Healing Desert Is Drawing In Wellness Seekers
From Sedona’s red rocks to five-star desert retreats, how Arizona became a global hub for holistic luxury and restoration.

The state’s landscapes offer open horizons, dry Sonoran air, and a vastness that feels almost sculpted for self-care. In an age where wellness travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in global tourism – a market valued at around $1 trillion worldwide – Arizona has emerged as a standout place for experiences that blend top-tier hospitality with nature-based healing and holistic wellbeing.
See also: The Biggest Wellness Travel Trends Set to Shape 2026

©Unsplash Luxury desert resorts here aren’t just places to stay; they’re destinations in their own right, with trails that invite sunrise meditation hikes to spas drawing on indigenous botanicals and healing rituals inspired by centuries of Native American tradition. According to recent tourism data, nearly 44 percent of high-end visitors to Arizona choose 5-star hotels or resorts, and a significant number of travelers list relaxation and wellness experiences – including spa time and desert recreation among their top holiday motivations.
This intertwining of natural wonder, cultural resonance, and premier hospitality has formed the backbone of Arizona’s reputation as a wellness destination. Beyond the curated spa menus and bespoke fitness programs lies a deeper appeal; one rooted in the desert’s history itself. Here, where temperatures can dip below freezing at night and climb into the warmth by day, the landscape teaches a rhythm of balance that many come to mirror in their own lives.
See also: The Best Luxury Hotels and Suites in Arizona

©Unsplash Long before boutique wellness retreats arrived, the desert landscapes of the American Southwest were revered by Indigenous communities for their medicinal plants, spiritual significance, and restorative qualities. Native tribes – including the Navajo, Hopi and Apache – saw the Sonoran and Mojave deserts as places of spiritual clarity, where sacred rituals used desert herbs like sagewood and cactus flower for cleansing and healing.
In the early 20th century, the dry desert climate of Arizona began drawing visitors for health reasons – particularly for respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis. Physicians of the time prescribed sunshine, low humidity, and minimal allergens, laying the foundations for later wellness tourism. With the rise of holistic health movements in the late 20th century, the desert’s reputation evolved from therapeutic climate to mind–body haven. By the early 2000s, a handful of luxury resorts began incorporating the landscape into their spa programming, offering treatments that blended Western modalities with desert botanicals and Indigenous influences.
See also: The Best Wellness Retreats in the US
Today’s wellness scene in Arizona stands the, inviting travelers not just to relax, but to slow down, look inward and feel connected to a place that has been revered as a healing ground for centuries.
Best wellness resorts in Arizona
Enchantment Resort, Sedona, AZ

Enchantment Resort ©Enchantment Resort Perched against Sedona’s towering red rocks, Enchantment Resort is a sanctuary with natural splendor. The resort’s Mii amo Spa, recently revamped with new holistic journeys, draws inspiration from ancient Native American healing traditions and the energy vortexes Sedona is famous for. Guests can immerse in tailored treatments, sunset meditation hikes, and private stargazing sessions under some of the clearest skies in the US.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Marana, AZ

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain ©The Ritz-Carlton Set within 850 plus acres of unspoiled Sonoran Desert, The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, blends high-end luxury with nature-focused wellness. Its extensive spa and holistic healing center features treatments using desert herbs and gemstones, while guided hikes and yoga under the open sky encourage both physical and mental renewal.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale, AZ

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale ©Four Seasons Tucked into the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this Four Seasons property merges desert design with wellness programming. The spa’s signature treatments incorporate desert salt stones and indigenous botanicals, while outdoor activities in the desert terrain help guests tune into the rhythm of the landscape.
See also: Wellness or Woo-Woo? The Trending Experiences Everyone’s Trying
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley, AZ

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain ©Sanctuary A long-standing favorite among luxury travelers, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain offers an Asian-inspired spa experience complemented by dramatic views of the desert horizon. Its wellness offerings balance traditional spa therapies with fitness classes and mindful outdoor experiences; all set within a serene oasis that feels miles from everyday life.
The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale, AZ

The Phoenician ©Luxury Collection Set at the base of Camelback Mountain, The Phoenician has a world-class spa that taps into the restorative power of local desert botanicals. Guests can indulge in spa therapies, unwind by the pool, or explore hiking trails – all framed by sweeping views of the surrounding desert and mountains.
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Endo Kazutoshi’s No-Phones Omakase Residency is Mayfair’s Hottest New Table
The decorated chef brings an intimate, hand-to-hand dining experience to London. Elite Traveler’s Arianna Chatzidakis was among the first guests in.

The exclusive members’ club, founded more than six decades ago and now housed on Berkeley Square, has always traded in a certain theatricality – lavish design, low lights, the hum of money well spent – yet what lay upstairs felt altogether different. Stripped of spectacle, it was a room arranged around ten counter seats and a single man: Endo Kazutoshi.
Kazutoshi, the third-generation sushi master behind the Michelin-starred restaurant Endo at the Rotunda, has decamped to Mayfair for a five-month omakase residency while his west London restaurant lies temporarily closed following a fire in 2025. Last week, on the opening night of Endo, Upstairs at Annabel’s, I witnessed the celebrated chef back in the kitchen for the first time since the tragedy.

©Rusne Draz I had been advised beforehand to avoid wearing perfume, lest fragrances interfere with the menu’s delicate flavors, and upon entry to the room, phones had to be surrendered at the door – no photographs, no distractions. It’s a bold move in a city addicted to documenting itself, but one with clear instructions: you are here to pay attention.
See also: This Michelin-starred London Restaurant Just Opened in NYC
A soothing, spa-like soundtrack played in the background as I took my seat on the top floor. Kazutoshi quickly got to work, moving up and down the length of the counter, his team following in synchrony, embodying the principle of omotenashi – the art of selfless hospitality. The 14 courses arrived blind. There was no menu to consult pre-arrival, as I usually prefer, but omakase devotees can rest assured: this is a gamble weighted firmly in the diner’s favor.

©Rusne Draz The sitting began with a course coined as Kazutoshi’s ‘business card’: a standout handroll that hinted at the delights to come. It was followed by kasujiru, a soothing sake lees soup, then squid – scored with precision – and akami. Each piece was formed, pressed, and placed directly into my hand by Kazutoshi, in what is dubbed a ‘hand-to-hand’ dining experience – an intimate exchange between chef and guest.
There was crab shinjo, impossibly light, suspended in broth; scallops with a hint of citrus; and a cooling udon broth to reset the palate. Towards the end of the courses, the menu pivoted from the sea towards land and forest, weaving in the likes of morel mushrooms and wagyu. Sake pairings were served in ceramic cups designed and handcrafted by Kazutoshi, each piece unique, with subtle imperfections.
A soufflé with sake ice cream and matcha tea concluded the procession. Many dishes, Kazutoshi explained between movements, had been crafted using locally sourced British ingredients, from London to Brighton – a subtle nod to his home away from home.

©Rusne Draz The residency runs until mid-July, on Tuesday to Friday evenings with 6pm and 9pm sittings. It’s priced at £245 (approx. $330) per person, with optional sake pairings at £120 (approx. $160), or a more expansive drinks flight at £250 (approx. $337). Interestingly, while select services are reserved for members, the remainder are available to non-members via the Rotunda’s website – an unexpected gesture for an otherwise impenetrable institution like Annabel’s. Sittings, I am told, are already fully booked until the end of March.
For a parting gesture, I was gifted a signed menu and a pair of chopsticks to take home – tangible souvenirs of a night well spent. As I stepped back out into Mayfair, phone returned and senses sharpened, I must admit I felt faintly dislocated – as though I had traveled rather further than a few flights of stairs. And there were no photographs to prove I was ever there.
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Regent’s Luxe New Wellness Retreat in Bali Blends Ancient Indonesian Rituals With Modern Practices
And its design is a bit different than your normal retreat. And its design is a bit different than your normal retreat.
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This New 198-Foot Explorer Yacht Gives You 40 Days of Autonomy at Sea
Leapher’s newly launched Navix60 is a robust steel-hulled explorer with an impressive range of 9,000 nautical miles. Leapher’s newly launched Navix60 is a robust steel-hulled explorer with an impressive range of 9,000 nautical miles.
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The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World, Hidden Inside Hotels
Where history, design, and literature converge in the world’s most inspiring hotel spaces.

There is a particular kind of beauty reserved for rooms built around thought. Long before the rise of wellness spas and infinity pools, libraries were the original sanctuaries – places designed for stillness, focus, and quiet.
The most beautiful hotel libraries in the world are not simply shelves of books arranged for effect. They are spaces with gravity; vaulted ceilings that echo centuries of learning, wood-paneled rooms softened by lamplight, and contemporary libraries that treat design itself as a form of storytelling. Some are housed within former monasteries or palaces, others conceived by leading architects as modern temples to knowledge. What unites them is atmosphere. These are rooms that slow you down, inviting you to sit, read, reflect – or simply exist for a moment within extraordinary surroundings.
The most beautiful libraries in the world
Below, a curated selection of the most breathtaking hotel libraries across the globe, each offering its own interpretation of intellectual luxury.
Adare Manor – County Limerick, Ireland

The Manor House Library is home to a selection of books, including from Irish authors like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde ©Adare Manor Set within a neo-Gothic manor dating back to the 19th century, the elegant historic library room at Adare Manor is a masterclass in aristocratic grandeur. Originally part of the Dunraven family estate, the space retains its soaring ceilings, carved oak paneling, and towering bookcases that stretch from floor to cornice.
Exclusively for guests, the library can double up as a dining space for private bookings. It looks out onto picturesque views of formal French gardens and the rippling river Maigue, making it ideal for special occasions.
The Lanesborough – London, England

The library bar in The Lanesborough emulates a private members’ club ©The Lanesborough Housed within a former Regency-era hospital overlooking Hyde Park, The Lanesborough’s library bar channels London’s tradition of private members’ clubs and scholarly salons. Designed as an intimate yet stately retreat, the space is lined with leather-bound volumes, antique globes, and classical artwork that nods to Britain’s intellectual heritage.
Draped curtains, deep armchairs, and an unmistakable sense of order give the room a contemplative atmosphere – a counterpoint to the hotel’s grand public spaces. It’s a library that encourages privacy and conversation in equal measure, ideal for quiet reading, discreet meetings, or an evening digestif.
Fairmont Hotel Penthouse – San Francisco, USA

The Fairmont San Francisco’s Penthouse Suite library is popular amongst staying guests ©Fairmont Perched atop the historic Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill, the penthouse library is a hidden gem of old‑world luxury. Towering wood‑paneled shelves house a curated collection of books, while deep tones and classic furnishings evoke the elegance of a bygone era. Once part of the penthouse residence, the room’s secret doors and storied past – including discreet visits by cultural icons – add to its mystique. Though largely reserved for penthouse guests, the library embodies the Fairmont’s blend of history and architectural drama, offering a rare glimpse into San Francisco’s luxurious and storied hospitality.
Ham Yard Hotel – London, England

The Ham Yard’s library is an interior design haven ©The Ham Yard Tucked in the vibrant heart of Soho, Ham Yard Hotel is one of London’s most design‑forward boutique stays, and its library reflects the same artful spirit that defines the property. Designed by Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels, the library is a richly textured space where curated books meet bold interiors – walls lined with fabric, vibrant patterned upholstery, and large windows that flood the room with natural light, creating an atmosphere that feels both refined and welcoming.
The collection itself was hand‑selected by literary expert Philip Blackwell, covering topics from London’s history and culture to world literature, travel, and science, offering guests both inspiration and escapism.
Il Salviatino – Florence, Italy

This restored villa is home to a cozy reading room ©Instagram / Il Salviatino Nestled on the wooded hills of Fiesole overlooking Florence, Il Salviatino occupies a meticulously restored 15th‑century villa that blends Renaissance grandeur with contemporary Italian elegance. At its heart is a library that feels less like a hotel reading room and more like the private study of a cultured Florentine aristocrat. Rich wood paneling rises to towering shelves, antique leather‑bound volumes sit alongside curated classics, and deep Chesterfield sofas invite long afternoons by lamplight with a glass of Tuscan wine in hand.
Ashford Castle – County Mayo, Ireland

Ashford Castle’s mezzanine houses over 800 books ©Ashford Castle Once home to the Guinness family, Ashford Castle’s library reflects the tastes of Anglo-Irish aristocracy at the height of the Victorian era. Wood paneling, ornate fireplaces, and a carefully preserved book collection create an atmosphere of stately intimacy.
The mezzanine acts like a corridor gallery in the historic private estate, which feels residential rather than formal – holding over 800 antique books (and a guest book signed by the castle’s most distinguished and well known guests).
