The Luxury Network International Africa Launch

The Luxury Network Launches in Sandton

The Luxury market in South Africa and Africa at large is undergoing a radical shift in the right direction due to the vision of two prominent and insightful businessmen - Jeremy Nel, CEO of LUXURY BRANDS, & Co-owner/ Director, Xolisa Gaca.

Together these two extraordinary mavericks have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with, having acquired the rights for Africa to manage The Luxury Network International – the world’s leading luxury B2B affinity marketing, partnerships and events group with 17 international offices (including Johannesburg and Cape Town) and over 250 luxury brand members, growing by over 20 new companies per month around the globe.

The 25 April 2013 marked the auspicious introduction of The Luxury Network to 16 carefully selected, potential members including American Express, Burberry, Ducati, Mala Mala Private Game Reserve, Quintessentially and Virgin Atlantic’s Ulusaba Private Game Reserve.The exclusive event took place at the exquisite Daytona Showroom in Sandton, where existing and potential members mingled and networked the evening away amongst McLarens, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces and Aston Martins.

Guests were treated to the opportunity of winning half a carat diamond to the value of R 16 000 from Uwe Koetter, a Visconti pen valued at R 6000 (both won by Nombini Mehlomakulu from Ogilvy) and a 2 night stay for 2 at the KarkloofSafari Spa, valued at R 36 000 (won by ElnaDennings of Decorex).

On arrival, each guest was given a glass of Champagne containing a Cubic Zirconia, which, when presented to the Uwe Koetter team, was measured for size, with just six individuals qualifying with a potential diamond. Each stone was tested by a diamond screening device, which revealed that the true ½ carat diamond was in possession of NombiniMehlomakulu of Ogilvy.

Special thanks to the following Luxury Network members who contributed greatly to the evening:

The Daytona Group, Constantia Glen, International Wine Co, Evian, Uwe Koetter Jewellers and LIVEOUTLOUD.

Additional thanks go to;

Moemas Catering for their outstanding canapés and deserts

Peroni for their bar and beverages

Silverflute Musicians for the entertainment

Visconti for donating a pen to the value of R 6 000 and

KarkloofSafari Spa for donating a 2 night stay for 2, valued at R 36 000.

Visit za.theluxurynetworkinternational.com

New Luxury Network South Africa members already include: The Daytona Group (Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Audi, BMW, Mini and McLaren) Pam Golding Real Estate, ExecuJet, Seabourn Private Ships, LiveOutLoud, Sunseeker Yachts, Luxury Brands, Crystal Cruises, Val de Vie Estate, Uwe Koetter Jewellers, Ottimo Cibo, International Wine Co, Evian, Visconti Pens to name a few… 

About The Luxury Network International

The Luxury Network exists to create extraordinary, powerful and successful business relationships between many of the world’s most luxurious brands – a synergy that enables our members to gain unparalleled access to valuable, pre-qualified, high net worth private clients from around the globe. We generate and develop brand awareness and exciting new sales opportunities in ways high-end companies cannot achieve on their own.

The Luxury Network is the world’s leading business to business and business to consumer luxury affinity marketing, partnerships and events group - private consortium of premium brands in each luxury capital of the world working together at senior director level for mutual business and client development.

The Luxury Network, launched in London in 2007, covers all areas of the top-end market including: Marine, Finance, Motoring, Concierge, Health & Beauty, Wealth Management, Aviation, Property, Travel and Resorts, Finance, Sports, Events, Jewelry & Watches, Entertainment, Media, Fashion and many more…

The Luxury Network’s objective is simple: to facilitate co-operation and new business development activities between top-end companies under the umbrella of ‘Affinity Marketing’.

Through The Luxury Network unique partnerships are created via brand partnering, joint collaborations, privilege and reward programmes, client incentive projects, product launches, roadshows, luxury showcases, media sharing and high profile business to business and business to consumer networking and sales events.

We offer ongoing support and a comprehensive pre planned programme of affinity marketing activities designed to maximise your relationships with other luxury brands and generate a significant ROI.

The Luxury Network are experts in luxury brand affinity and partnership marketing with over 20 years combined experience in this specific field. We are the professional team in the middle, proactively creating, facilitating and mediating unique partnerships for over 300 luxury brands and high-end service providers around the world.

In a nutshell we allow our members to access each other’s very valuable pre-qualified high net worth private clients in a number of endorsed, unique, highly effective and professional ways. 

www.theluxurynetworkinternational.com  

 

Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives

Not only has Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa been voted best beach hotel, it has also become a landmark for celebrities looking for privacy and a peaceful atmosphere. The April issue of Conde Nast Traveller UK features Gemma Arterton’s impression of her stay in the resort.

“I swam with the dolphins here, dived, went on boat trips and spent hours in the water – the corals’ incredible, I stayed in a wooden house over the sea. It all felt really relaxed: somewhere you could chill out, and do yoga, read, cycle around the island – and, of course eat delicious fresh fish,” Arterton said.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa has 132 villas, including two spacious presidential villas that measure up to 957 square metres and offer the choicest amenities and accessories. Each presidential villa has two large bedrooms, an extensive garden with a spa pavilion, a private pool, an outdoor designer shower with body jets, a sauna and a personal gym with a private courtyard and garden.

Round-the-clock in-villa dining can be enjoyed in the living room on timber-decked verandas or in the air-conditioned or al-fresco dining pavilions. A variety of dining options are also available at the resort’s five restaurants and bars.

Shangri-La’s all-villa Villingili Resort and Spa is the first luxury resort located south of the equator in the Maldives. It is also the first in the country to introduce its own nine-hole recreational golf course plus cultural tours on neighbouring islands. Surrounded by a striking coral reef, the luxurious hideaway resort is a lush, picturesque paradise with six kilometres of coastline and two kilometres of white sand beaches.

Serving as the guiding principle of the British glossy Conde Nast Traveller, the slogan “Truth in Travel” certified the authenticity of the recognition of Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives as Best Beach Hotel 2013 in the Gold Standards list issued for 2013. Conde Nast Traveller United Kingdom ratings, based on readers’ surveys and journalists’ reviews and coming out every winter, has become a popular feature and powerful encomium in the travel industry.

About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

The Hong Kong-based group currently owns and/or manages 78 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands with a room inventory of over 32,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.

Located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom.

Visit http://www.shangri-la.com/male/villingiliresort

Glen Grant 10yo Single Malt Scotch a Whisky Bible 2013 Award Winner

According to Jim Murray, who tastes, evaluates and grades the 4 500 whiskies alone, this year’s 10-year-old has excelled to the point of “taking the breath away.” Having been described as one of the most consistent whiskies for a long time, he says it is obvious that Glen Grant’s very high quality ex-bourbon casks and uniquely crisp barley are “meeting with rare panache.” “This is a tough category to win, but (Glen Grant) has done it with aplomb.”

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible for 2013 is the world’s leading whisky guide and Glen Grant 10-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the winner of the 10 Years & Under (Multiple Casks) Category. While each whisky is scored in four key areas, namely nose, taste, finish and balance, the Glen Grant 10-year-old achieved an impressive 95%. Murray says the whisky is “rich in colour” and “lingers with a soft, almond finish.” 

Since the founding of Glen Grant in 1840, the distillery has been famous for its light, crisp whiskies, its history of innovation and tradition, and its beautiful buildings and gardens on the banks of the River Spey in northeastern Scotland. The tall slender stills and purifiers, which were introduced by James “The Major” Grant over a century ago, continue to give the whiskies a distinctive fresh flavour and clean colour.

Interestingly, “The Major” was the first person in the Scottish Highlands to own a car and Glen Grant was the first distillery to have electric light. In keeping with its pioneering past and progressive future, it is fitting that the Duke of Rothesay (more commonly known as HRH Prince Charles of Wales) recently opened the distillery’s state-of-the-art biomass plant and whisky-bottling centre.

The biomass plant is designed to recycle the waste from the whisky-making process as animal feed, and creates electricity by burning draff and woodchips. The bottling centre produces 2 000 bottles an hour, mainly for export to Asia and Europe.

Glen Grant is one of the largest selling single malt whiskies in the world today. In South Africa, it is distributed by Edward Snell & Co. and is available at all leading liquor retail outlets.

For more information, go to www.glengrant.com. 

TASTING NOTES:
10-year-old (40% alc. Vol)
Appearance: Rich golden barley
Bouquet: Medium/dry, with a good balance of ripe orchard fruits
Palate: Creamy, fruity
Finish: Long, soft and nutty (almond)

About Glen Grant

Joining the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2006. The Glen Grant range includes the Major’s Reserve, 10-year-old, 16-year-old, 1992 Cellar Reserve and the 170th Anniversary Limited Edition. Founded over 170 years ago in Speyside, Scotland by former smuggling brothers, John and James Grant. The unique and seductively smooth taste (for which Glen Grant is renowned) is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and special purifiers that James “The Major” Grant, son of founding brother, James Grant, introduced over a century ago and that are still used to this day.

About Gruppo Campari

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (“Gruppo Campari”), is a major player in the global beverage sector. Founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group’s portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits, wines and soft drinks.

Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 14 plants and four wineries worldwide with a distribution network in 16 countries.

For more information, go to: www.camparigroup.com.

Bushmans Kloof Expands Family Fun with a Deluxe Room

Located just 270km from Cape Town, at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains amidst staggering rock formations and endless open plains, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat offers a fun and enriching experience for the whole family.

With the introduction of the Niven Family Deluxe Room, the lodge has expanded its family offer even further to accommodate parents with children aged eight and older in the main lodge. Throughout the year, families with children of all ages are also welcome in the private villa, Koro Lodge, whilst special Family Fun packages at the main lodge during school holidays, offer a special children’s programme for little ones, sharing rooms with their parents.

The beautifully appointed Niven Family Room is centrally located and features two spacious bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The master bedroom is king-size, while the second bedroom can be converted into a twin or a double, making it a convenient choice for families travelling together. In addition Niven also has a comfortable lounge area and a tranquil private terrace, perfect for a drink underneath a starlit sky.

Rates at Niven during low season (1 April – 31 August 2013) are from R2 100 per person sharing per night for adults (16 years and older); and from R1 130 per person sharing per night for children (8 - 15 years). The rate includes all meals, rock art excursions, nature drives and lodge activities.

For guests with younger children, or those wishing total privacy, Bushmans Kloof’s secluded, private villa Koro Lodge offers splendid luxury and exceptional comfort. Situated in the heart of the reserve, about 2km from the main lodge, the converted farmhouse provides an independently catered for experience and includes the services of a private chef, hostess and a guide with game viewing vehicle.

Accepting children of all ages, Koro sleeps up to four adults and four children and offers flexible accommodation options with two lavish suites and a fun loft bedroom. A spacious games and entertainment room comes equipped with two single beds and a bathroom for additional accommodation.

Winter rates at Koro Lodge are from R12 475 per night, fully inclusive for up to four adults and four children sharing - complete with all meals, drinks and activities. Bushmans Kloof’s special package, Koro Lodge Escape, allows guests to stay at the private lodge for four nights - for the price of three. (1 April – 31 August 2013 at a special rate of R37 425 for 4 nights - saving of R12 475)

BUSHMANS KLOOF WILDERNESS RESERVE and WELLNESS RETREAT
Tel: +27 (0)21 437 9278
Email: info@bushmanskloof.co.za
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Visit the www.bushmanskloof.co.za website

About Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat

Bushmans Kloof is a luxurious ecological oasis of 18 533 acres (7500 hectare), situated at the foothills of the breathtaking Cederberg mountains. Here majestic views, staggering rock formations, open plains, invigorating outdoor activities, 16 luxurious rooms and suites, award-winning Cape cuisine and a wellness experience deeply rooted in Nature, all combine to create an unforgettable, luxury wilderness adventure. Koro Lodge, the private villa, provides a fully independently catered for experience for families and friends travelling together, which includes the services of a guide with game viewing vehicle, and a dedicated chef and hostess.

Less than three hours’ drive from Cape Town, Bushmans Kloof is unequivocally recognised as a conservation success story, and was awarded the Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy (2007), in recognition of its exceptional environmental and conservation projects. In 2012, Virtuoso presented Bushmans Kloof with its coveted Sustainable Tourism Leadership Award, for outstanding leadership and commitment to sustainable tourism principles.

Malaria and predator free, Bushmans Kloof is a sanctuary for many indigenous plants, animals and birds, including the endangered Cape mountain zebra. It is also home to over 130 Bushman rock art sites, is recognized as one of South Africa’s Natural Heritage Sites, and is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It bases its entire business ethos on preserving the precious natural environment, while providing guests with the ultimate African wilderness experience in the beautiful surroundings of the Cederberg Wilderness Area, which forms part of the Cape Floral Region – a recognized World Heritage site.

A mere 270km from Cape Town, the 5-star Relais & Châteaux lodge, voted Best Hotel in the World 2009 (Travel + Leisure), is renowned for its warm, caring service and exceptional hospitality. In 2010 it was listed on the coveted Condé Nast Traveler USA, as one of the Top 50 Resorts in Africa in the World’s Best Awards, and for the past three years (2010 – 2012), was included in the Condé Nast Traveller UK Gold List for Best Hotels for Food in Africa, Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

About The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is an award-winning collection of five- and four-star family-run boutique hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Geneva, Florida and South Africa. Each property has its own individual character and unique location that reflects the local environment, culture and cuisine. They all share the qualities central to the Red Carnation’s ethos that win them so many prestigious awards – splendid luxury, generous hospitality, inventive and traditional cuisine, private art collections, passionate service and loyal staff committed to creating richly rewarding experiences for all their guests.