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A ROYAL PRICE TAG

Although he acceded to the throne in September last year upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III was officially crowned with great pomp and pageantry in May. But what was the cost of the lavish ceremony? Estimates put it as high as US$126 million, far exceeding the price tags associated with previous coronations – a disparity commentators attribute to the high security costs associated with the modern monarchy.

Wondering how the bill compares with those of his predecessors? Check out this comparison, according to media reports, with the amounts adjusted to take inflation into account.

2023: King Charles III  US$63–$126 million

1953: Queen Elizabeth II  US$26 million

1937: George VI  US$31.3 million

1911: George V  US$21.9 million

1901: Edward VII  N/A

1838: Victoria  US$7.8 million

1830: William IV  US$4.5 million

1820: George IV  US$26.3 million


BEAUTY BOOST ON THE FLY

Ultra-luxe cosmetics brand La Prairie has been spreading its industry-leading knowledge with travelers around the world, opening beauty lounges at some of the world’s busiest airports. Earlier this year, it opened its Sydney lounge in partnership with Heinemann Tax & Duty Free, with a lounge already in operation at Singapore Changi Airport.

La Prairie Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Rosi Fernandez reveals she has been struck by the diversity of lounge visitors since it first opened its doors.

“We initially expected that the audience would be La Prairie devotees and those wanting to try the brand,” she said. “What we have found is that there is great demand for this type of immersion. From people who are wanting to indulge and look after their skin pre-travel, to others simply wanting a quiet moment of luxury to begin their trip.”

Treatments, available to all travelers, can be booked online and in advance.

“Long-haul travel is taxing on the skin,” Fernandez warned. “These treatments offer our guests the opportunity to better protect their skin, achieve a state of relaxation and arrive more refreshed and glowing at their destination.”


Although completed in 2018, the building’s 47th-to-71st floors are newly home to Vinpearl 81 Landmark, a glittering addition to the Marriot’s prestigious Autograph Collection. According to the hotelier, the new 223-room hotel is a “proud symbol of Vietnam’s sparkling new era of prosperity and rise to prominence on the world stage”.


NO MORE BAGGAGE BLUNDERS

Sick of always grabbing the wrong suitcase at the baggage carousel? A range of personalized luggage from July means you will never be confused at the end of a long flight again.

July offers a range of fonts and a vibrant selection of case colors, so you can choose the most eye-catching design that promises to solve your baggage claim woes for the foreseeable future.

Strategically placed reinforcements mean the luggage is long-wearing with a host of other carefully considered features upping the innovative range’s travel credentials. Check it out at July.com.


SCENIC ECLIPSE II CHRISTENED

The newest ultra-luxury discovery yacht was christened with a traditional ‘smashing of the bottle’ ceremony performed by NASA scientist Kathy Sullivan in Spain on 3 June. But in keeping with the ship’s indulgent facilities, that’s not the last the vessel will see of Champagne on its upcoming voyages.

Scenic Eclipse II has a capacity of 228 guests (limited to 200 in polar regions) and features two six-guest helicopters and a six-guest submarine that can dive down to 200 meters, as well as 10 dining options, a state-of-the-art spa and indoor and outdoor pools.

The vessel, which completed its maiden voyage in April, is now sailing to Lisbon. It will sail across all seven continents. Find out more at scenic.eu.


AN EPICUREAN EXPLORATION

Glassworts, sea purslane and sea asparagus are some of the unlikely heroes of this season’s new menu at Michelin-starred La Passagère at the French Riviera’s iconic Hôtel Belles Rives.

Chef Aurélien Véquaud looks to the Mediterranean Sea and its many unexplored culinary treasures when devising his menus, as well as considering the importance of evoking fond memories through his food.

To do both, Véquaud ensures he is on a first-name basis with his suppliers who include fishermen who travel daily from Menton to Sète, including Mathieu Chapel, Founder of Coté Fish, and Cyril Lorenzi, President of Les Pêcheries de Menton, a family-owned business known for its octopus.

Vegetables come from Marielle Marconcini at the Marché Provencal Chez Marina et Marielle while cheese is supplied by Carole from La Marmite Végétale.


WINNING AT WELLNESS

As interest in wellness tourism continues to expand and grow, traditional hotel spas are no longer enough to cater to the intensifying appetite, according to Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs.

It’s a trend that has been stoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, with today’s travelers looking for more in a holiday than just sea and sand and seeking an additional wellness element. But rather than mere spa treatments, they want treatments that will have a real impact – on their bodies and even their minds.

Speaking to The CEO Magazine from the hotel group’s head office in Singapore, Jacobs revealed the innovative ways Six Senses is working at the forefront of wellness.

Already, the company has launched a purpose-designed bio-hacking lounge in Switzerland.

“It’s a great place to do it because people are out on the slopes skiing for much of the day, so there are a lot of aches and pains,” Jacobs says.

The lounge offers access to ‘toys’ such as decompression boots, LED therapy and massage guns which offer benefits for the circulation.

Meanwhile, its longevity-focused offering in partnership with RoseBar at its Ibiza property takes anti-aging to the next level with a program that “combines diagnostics with nutritional guidance and anti-aging treatments to achieve greater vitality, clarity of mind and a youthful appearance at any age”.

Jacobs is proud of Six Senses’ position at the forefront of the wellness world, looking to the future.

“We’re always looking for new modalities,” he says. But at the same time, the company places great emphasis on more ancient therapies such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The company is also exploring energy medicine from South America, incorporating it into its wellness program.

“Many people are talking about mushrooms and ayahuasca – that’s stuff we don’t do because it’s illegal, but there’s more to energy medicine than that,” he says.

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