A luxurious new membership package aimed at deep-pocketed racing buffs just hit the market. Apex Motor Club, a private racetrack and experiential motorsports lifestyle community in Phoenix, has launched the ultimate membership for enthusiasts, bundling a brand new McLaren with a custom, trackside man cave. The $2,000,000 package is an all-inclusive opportunity for anyone looking to live out their professional racing fantasies. It kicks off with a new McLaren supercar, provided by McLaren Scottsdale, that’s immediately ready to hit the track.

But an exotic, ready-to-race ride needs a proper home. The membership includes a private, customizable trackside garage condo with direct access to the track’s Pit Lane. To transform this space into the owner’s personal sanctuary, the package allocates $250,000 toward creating a customized man cave. Apex even offers an interior design service to help owners turn their private garage into a personalized motorsports haven.

The value of the membership extends beyond the hardware. Forty hours of professional driver coaching are included to elevate skills on the track, along with entry into the Apex Challenge series of races to allow members to compete like a professional. Members get their choice of an all-inclusive Formula 1 VIP Experience or a Monterey Car Week VIP Experience, both featuring first-class transportation and exclusive event access.

The package also includes a fully custom race suit and helmet, a customized Louis Vuitton personal shopping experience with $75,000 to spend, and the ability to name a turn on one of Apex’s signature racetracks. Finally, the package wraps up the membership initiation fee and three years of annual membership fees.

Apex Motor Club features three private racetracks in Phoenix. Its newest track was designed by race industry veterans Darren Law and Ian James and integrates iconic design features and turns from legendary international tracks, including the Nürburgring, Silverstone, and Monaco.

Recently, a mansion made splashy headlines the world over for its record-breaking purchase. And while you might think the draw would be the $55 million that architect and developer Aldo Stark of Prestige Design Homes earned from its sale, it’s actually the abode’s opulent Ferrari-themed design that dropped jaws. Casa Maranello, as it’s so eloquently named, is not only an ode to lavish living, but to the Italian supercar maker whose identity ripples through the DNA of the 2.5- acre lakefront campus like the crimson flags flown by Ferraristi the world over.

The Prancing Horse obsession starts as soon as you pass the gates and walk by an expansive fountain at the home’s entrance. Floating on the pool-like water, a defiant horse rears on its hind legs—a life-size Ferrari logo fully manifested in bronze. Walk through the imposing front double doors to the grand salon and you’ll see a replica of one of the planet’s most valuable cars centerstage. There in the room’s pole position, a reduced scale Ferrari 250 Testarossa reminds all who enter the abode where its name was born (the Italian city being, of course, the home of Ferrari).

From that vantage, you can also catch a view of Casa Maranello’s focal point: the 12-car garage, outfitted in photos with a lust-worthy suite of gleaming Ferraris—and a lone Rolls-Royce Phantom. Unfortunately, none of these vehicles are included in the sale, but that’s OK. The glass-walled garage allows the proud owner to park his own collection for stunned onlookers to enjoy from the comforts of the living room, viewed behind glass like an adult-size Hot Wheels collection.

While Italy plays prime muse, its Douglas Elliman agency states the home was “inspired by European artistry and precision.” And that inspiration emanates not just from Italy but also Switzerland—specifically the iconic “Goldfinger Route,” aka the Swiss Alps’ Furka Pass through which Sean Connery escapes the titular Goldfinger’s goons in his Aston Martin DB5. Located in what is humbly dubbed “Billionaire’s Row” in the prestigious Stone Creek Ranch development of Delray Beach, Florida, Casa Maranello is clearly built with one focus in mind: revelry. But beyond the ample hosting capabilities of the 21,725-squarefoot mansion lies a profound ability to relax, recharge, and meditate.

Despite its hefty price tag, Casa Maranello seems not to have been imagined as a first home, but rather more of a Miami party pad. Small hints to its festive purpose abound: the 20-person Brazilian onyx dining table in the dining room, crystal chandelier-festooned high-ceilings, and a marble-lined 30-foot-long cocktail lounge dubbed the Maranello Bar all seem to suggest Casa Maranello might be more of an afters-at-mine destination for one of Magic City’s sports superstars. Perhaps the perfect pad for Tua Tagovailoa or Bam Adebayo to call home.

Should any of your new friends want to sleep over, the halfdozen bedroom suites, including a pair of primary suites, supply five-star resort levels of comfort. Each boasts walk-in closets and en-suite spa level bathrooms. For your other playmates, you can offer four well-appointed guest suites which still ensure both lavish style and privacy in case anyone should need it.

Of course there are plenty of distractions outdoors should you want to keep the party going the next day—centered around the 95-foot pool plucked directly from an Aman Resort. Most of the verdant campus looks out onto the glimmering lake, all landscaped for decadent daytime soirées. Drinks can be served from the pool cabana’s bar, which also comes equipped with a full kitchen and bathroom. Or guests can elevate the rest and recovery to the next level by indulging in the home’s insane Bulgari-inspired spa. The five-diamond wellness oasis boasts its own indoor pool, as well as a Himalayan salt room, sauna, and steam room.

If action is more your bag, Casa Maranello also entertains with its own basketball court that doubles for pickleball. There’s even a putting green and its own private soccer field. Because what would a $55-million Ferrari-dedicated mansion be without its own pitch? One amusing detail reported is that Casa Maranello was not merely paid for via cash or loan, but was partly swapped for a nearby $26 million 18,000-square-foot mansion. Like trading baseball cards, but for the G800 crowd.

This article originally appeared in Maxim’s September/October 2025 issue.

The idea that one can snap your fingers and be transported to a different locale entirely is an intoxicating prospect, but the new Shinola Hotel City to Shore Travel Experience is about as close as one can get to an instantaneous change of pace.

Arriving just in time for peak fall leaf-peeping, the exclusive travel package brings together the lovely tranquility of Northern Michigan’s recently opened Otis Harbor Springs alongside the mix of Motor City grit and modern refinement that is the Shinola Hotel, as Maxim found out during an exclusive visit to both properties earlier this season.

Both share a curious, highly stylish throughline in terms of handsome design DNA: Former Shinola Creative Director Daniel Caudill was at the helm of the Otis Harbor Springs, as well as the impeccable Shinola Hotel, which brings the illustrious Detroit watch brand’s vision to life in stunning clarity. Complete with a Shinola boutique in the hotel and access within minutes to the company’s Cass Corridor HQ and production facility, you could very well say that the Shinola Hotel is the most stylish property in Detroit. Now, it has a northern Michigan partner to match in the Otis Harbor Springs.

Available now for $2,400 plus taxes and fees across select fall dates, the Shinola Hotel City to Shore Travel Experience sees lucky travelers start their journey across the lovely autumnal scenes of Pure Michigan with two nights in Detroit at the hip boutique hotel. To kick off a prime fall weekend, guests then embark on a self-guided journey north to Harbor Springs for a two-night stay at the revamped, luxe Otis Harbor Springs. At the Otis, custom furnishings, Flamingo Estate grooming products and a chic outlook on Mid-Century Modern design speak to Caudill’s vision for a fashionable and yet heritage-minded update to a long-running motor lodge.

The experience kicks off in elevated fashion, bringing visitors into an elegant Shinola Hotel Cass King room. Each property is offering $100 in dining credits, plus breakfast for up to two guests. It’s as if each property thought of every carefully considered detail, then improved upon even that high bar for hospitality.

In addition to prime access to buzzing Motor City culture (and the hotel’s excellent San Morello restaurant), the Shinola Hotel watch lending program is an astoundingly cool draw for guests who stay in suites on the property. The VIP personalized concierge visit gives you the chance to select your choice of a luxury Shinola timepiece during your stay. To say that Shinola watches add some wrist game flair alongside an Old Fashioned is an understatement. There are even rarities like Shinola’s Petoskey stone dial watch available through the program: Putting a covetable Shinola watch on one’s wrist only heightens the entire experience.

Guests at the Shinola Hotel are also encouraged to visit the property’s speakeasy-esque Evening Bar, where cocktails like the Spirited Away (a rich and sumptuous blend of rye and cognac, plus a smoky hint Scotch and a dash of honey) are especially delectable.

San Morello’s rich, elevated Italian-American cuisine also serves as hearty sustenance ahead of an evening exploring Detroit’s many delights on foot. The property’s culinary offering includes more casual fare, like tantalizing fried chicken at Penny Red’s or refreshing steins of beer at The Brakeman.

The same meticulous attention to detail can be found further north after one’s journey to the bucolic, revamped motor lodge at the Otis Harbor Springs. Set across 10 acres and boasting a “long-spanning legacy of Mid-Century Modern design,” the Fireplace Lounge is an utterly cozy, luxe-meets-rustic place for a round of cocktails.

Complete with its original stone fireplace and sturdy wooden beams, the Fireplace Lounge boasts a visitor-favorite Otis Fashioned (a buttery blend of maple, rye spice and walnut bitters), while the About Last Night delivers the spice of mezcal and habanero with a cutting touch of floral blanco. Seasonal cocktails and small plates deliver suitably premium, utterly delicious variety for a weekend visit, and the bar’s mixology team says the destination is even popular among locals.

The property blends rich and warm tones with a considered take on Mid-Century Modern design, with one story of 31 exclusive rooms set around an inner courtyard complete with lawn games and prime access to a series of lovely rolling meadows. In nearby Harbor Springs, perfectly classic autumnal Michigan pursuits await, from blazing lakeside sunsets to vibrant dining at NOMAD Harbor Springs (don’t miss out on its spritz menu, boasting Fernet, CYNAR and more).

For those who crave the modern style of the Shinola Hotel (and the chance to try a Shinola watch on for size), the new Shinola Hotel City to Shore Travel Experience is a prime introduction to the famed brand. And just in time for gorgeous fall foliage, the program’s offerings at Otis Harbor Springs couldn’t be more perfectly suited. Book your Pure Michigan getaway now, and be on the lookout for future partnerships between the two premium properties.

Alila Ventana Big Sur, the iconic “luxury inclusive” resort rising from the cliffs of California’s Central Coast, recently unveiled a multimillion-dollar, property-wide revamp in celebration of its 50th anniversary—and the results are phenomenal. Back in 1975 movie producer Lawrence A. Spector built the Ventana Inn using profits from the cult classic Easy Rider starring Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson, establishing the first true luxury retreat in then-bohemian Big Sur and helping to make the town into a cultural touchstone and byword for rugged, coastal cool. 

We’ve been hearing about the legendary Ventana for years, and after staying at Alila’s epic Napa Valley property in Saint Helena, we knew to expect great things from the brand; waiting until the 50th anniversary turned out to have been a brilliant move. Alila are masters at revamping and rejuvenating existing, sometimes historic, hotels, and doing something completely new while preserving tradition. The Big Sur property first became part of the impressive Alila portfolio following it’s last major transformation in 2017, and it has thrived ever since.

Alila Ventana Big Sur features 54 guest rooms, suites and villas, most with working fireplaces; the stunning Spa Alila; two pools with outdoor Japanese hot baths; and a widely acclaimed restaurant, Sur House. “Alila Ventana Big Sur has always been a place where people come to reconnect: with themselves, with nature, and with something larger,” says General Manager Matt Skaletsky. “As we celebrate 50 years in this special community, we’re thrilled to unveil a thoughtful evolution of the Ventana experience—one that honors our roots while looking boldly to the future.”

Set in 160 acres of rolling meadows, majestic redwoods and ocean vistas, guests can partake in complimentary Signature Activities such as fitness classes, daily guided nature walks, Tai Chi, meditation, and nightly s’mores at Social House, the property’s hub. The resort’s Alila Experience Program offers one-of-a-kind mind, body, and soul experiences, including falconry, wild foraging hikes, photography and axe-throwing workshops, plus a number of immersive hiking excursions.

Guest rooms and suites have been artfully reimagined with sustainable materials and modernizations that “pay homage to the rich history, character, and singular spirit of Big Sur,” the property notes. “The aesthetic reflects a refined natural minimalism—clean architectural lines paired with soft, organic textures, local craftsmanship, and warm, tonal surfaces that draw the outside in. Every element has been carefully considered to remove distraction and elevate calm, resulting in spa-inspired spaces that feel simultaneously modern and deeply grounded.”

In addition to the guest room refresh, Alila Ventana Big Sur has also made major upgrades to The Sur House, its beloved indoor-outdoor restaurant with panoramic ocean views and a “Mediterranean‑inspired, California‑sourced” vibe. The Sur House has debuted a new dinner menu “marrying vibrant coastal flavors with California’s finest hyper‑local ingredients, including herbs and produce sourced from the resort’s organic garden.” As the property’s rates now include an inclusive experience—an “all encompassing, highly customized approach” that includes meals and more, you can make the most of it.

Signature Sur House dishes include a 24-oz bone-in ribeye served with shishito peppers, duck‑fat–dusted potatoes, and peppercorn au poivre, plus an exclusive caviar add‑on option from San Francisco’s The Caviar Co. House‑made pasta offerings include a squid‑ink dish that pays homage to nearby Monterey Bay. A new brunch menu has also been introduced showcasing shareable plates and Mediterranean flavors. The wine and cocktail lists are also impeccably curated, and you’ll find some of the most knowledgable and genuinely friendly service at any coastal California resort here.

“Throughout the property, we’ve reimagined our culinary approach to reflect a sense of place, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean while remaining deeply rooted in California’s seasonal abundance,” says Ventana’s Executive Chef Andrew Lauer. “It’s about creating food that feels both elevated and grounded, where every dish tells a story of our surroundings and the people who craft it. From garden-grown herbs to locally caught seafood, every dish is rooted in a sense of place.”

One of the most appealing offerings at the property is the Classic Cars, Classic Highway experience, which allows you to choose from a carefully-selected fleet of 40 classics provided by Monterey Touring Vehicles, from vintage Porsche Spyders to classic Shelby Cobras and even a DeLorean, with which you can “create your ideal adventure vibe with the car of your dreams,” and explore the beauty of the coast roads around Big Sur along the famous Pacific Coast Highway.

To commemorate the resort’s golden anniversary, Alila Ventana Big Sur has also debuted a limited-time, ultra-luxury 50th anniversary Legacy Package offered at $50,000. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes first-class airfare from select cities paired with private jet service by Schubach Aviation into Monterey Airport, plus a three-night stay in one of the resort’s newly refreshed guest rooms.

Guests arrive at Monterey Airport to be greeted by a vintage car circa 1975; upon arrival, they are invited to toast with a rare 1975 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Carte Or Brut, and enjoy the dedicated services of a private butler throughout their stay. The package also features an exclusive spa experience, a private dinner in the property’s Glass House, and a private garden breakfast with live culinary stations and ingredients foraged fresh from the property’s organic garden.

Alila Hotels and Resorts—the name means “surprise” in Sanskrit—was founded in 2001 by Franky Tjahyadikarta, Mark Edleson, and Frederic Simon. The brand emerged from a takeover of two hotels in Bali, The Serai and The Chedi, which later became the very first Alila properties. The company’s focus is on “creating unique, sustainable luxury experiences that blend contemporary design with local culture and natural surroundings.” Part of the Hyatt portfolio since 2018, the next Alila set to open will be in Mexico’s iconic Mayakoba, which we hope to visit in the new year.

Extensive spa services, rooftop bars and Michelin-star dining are all signs of a stellar hotel, but The Joseph in Nashville is offering a truly next-level amenity that’s sure to turbocharge your stay: 200 miles of road-tripping in an Italian supercar.

The Marriott-owned hotel’s new Luxury Auto Escape package puts its guests behind the wheel of either the Ferrari 488 or Lamborghini Huracan EVO for a two-night stay. As gearheads know, those are some serious rides with sub-three-second 60 mph times and 200 mph-plus top speeds. The Prancing Horse was deemed “Supercar of the Year” by Top Gear in 2015 and Motor Trend‘s “Best Driver’s Car” in 2017, thanks to a phenomenal twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 that puts down 661 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Raging Bull, powered by a 5.2-liter V10, also won Motor Trend‘s “Best Driver’s Car” title in 2020.

The Joseph’s package practically ensures its guests will get the most out of the vehicles by including a curated driving itinerary. The route visits the storied Natchez Trace Parkway, a national park site that follows a historic route trekked by early settlers, Victorian downtown Franklin, and the peaceful rural community of Leiper’s Fork. Also included is a Taste of Italy starring Burrata cheese, Sicilian tapenade and focaccia bread that greets travelers upon arrival, breakfast for two, and nightly valet parking.

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The Joseph’s Luxury Auto Escape is one of several packages offered by Marriott as a part of its Iconic Drives series, which also includes luxury automobile loans at The Ritz-Carlton locations in Maui, Amelia Island and Portland, as well as the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. The choice in vehicle varies from a Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette to a Range Rover Sport, depending on location.

For The Joseph’s Nashville Luxury Auto Escape, tap here to learn more or book—prices start at around $1,500 per night.

Luxury is coming to the links. Mandarin Oriental is set to open its first-ever golf resort in Dubai, a destination that promises to blend world-class golf with the luxury hotel brand’s renowned hospitality and wellness offerings. The Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, slated for a 2030 opening, will be the group’s third property in the city and will feature 97 private branded residences.

Located in the serene Jumeirah Golf Estates, the resort is designed to be more than just a destination for golf lovers. With a strong emphasis on wellness, it will offer guests and residents a tranquil sanctuary. The resort will feature 121 beautifully designed rooms and suites, complemented by expansive villas for residents. Each villa comes with its own private amenities, including a lounge, meeting space, pool, and fitness areas, ensuring a true sense of exclusivity, according to the brand.

At the heart of the property will be the Spa at Mandarin Oriental. Nearly 5,000 square meters will be dedicated to holistic well-being, featuring male and female-only pools, an outdoor meditation area, and three additional swimming pools. Residents and guests will have access to a full range of signature wellness, beauty, and massage treatments, creating a peaceful retreat from the city.

For those who come for the golf, the resort won’t disappoint. As part of the larger Jumeirah Golf Estates, the Next Chapter development, guests will have access to exceptional facilities, including an 18-hole championship golf course, a driving range, and a Golf Clubhouse. There will also be a dedicated Equestrian Centre and Clubhouse with indoor and outdoor arenas.

The resort will also offer six distinct dining venues, including two restaurants at the Golf Club, and a variety of meeting and event spaces, including a grand ballroom. This new venture underscores Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to expanding its presence in the region and offering a unique, lifestyle-focused destination for well-heeled golfers who appreciate luxurious living and a focus on wellness and nature.

Check out the first official rendering of the Dubai golf resort above, and see where Mandarin Oriental landed on the LTI-Luxury Travel Intelligence list of best hotel brands of 2025 here.

The dreamy concept of “luxury” in the humid jungles of Costa Rica just might clash with reality, despite what glitzy Instagram reels might suggest. One cannot be shocked when a spider the size of a cantaloupe brazenly crawls along the edge of the Infiniti pool before you, or if a giant millipede slithers across your terrace while enjoying a morning cappuccino. At times the rain, the all-encompassing wet of the tropics, may fuel a curmudgeon’s grump. And simply getting to your remote destination from the Central American country’s twin major airports can seem like an Odyssean affair in itself—an epic journey of buses, ferries and damper-challenged taxis laboring over pitted roads that will test the patience of most adventurers. To be totally honest, a Costa Rican jungle vacation is not for everyone. 

But for some, to be sure, it is heaven. Or better said actually, a Garden of Eden. Simply because of the Genesis-level wildlife that scurries, swings and flaps from all directions. When you stand in the solace of your private terrace and stare out to a rolling canopy of jungle, listening to the frogs chirping and cicadas chittering through the dense jungle, every minute of the long trek becomes worth it. The scene that plays out before you so raw, so abundant of nature, you almost expect to hear Richard Attenborough narrating the King Vulture soaring overhead.

And yes, there are hours when torrential rains soak the mountain fat, and it is all wonderful and sublime and at times even terrifying. But the drama makes you feel alive. And the flip-side of the coin from those lightning storms are other moments, like mornings when we awoke to a sky so Halcyon bright it appeared like one of those movies when the hero dies and transitions to Saint Peter‘s Gates, eyes flooded in golden, unreal light. If that vision is the sort of thing that gets you off, then Costa Rica’s Hotel Three Sixty is for you.

Sitting nearly 1,000 feet above the South Pacific Puntarenas coastline on a private 58-acre rainforest reserve, the adults-only Hotel Three Sixty was conceived as a mountaintop sanctuary where sweeping views, impenetrable tranquility, and excellent service—especially in Costa Rica, where the pura vida philosophy can feel at odds with lofty American expectations—do your vacation’s heavy lifting. The boutique hotel is small in scale, just a dozen villas, but massive on horizon and architectural design. 

After a long drive to this remote jungle—although there is a small airport nearby for puddle jumpers to save time—we arrived through the canopy into a breezy, sculptural lobby that frames the coast like a cinema screen. A dry pool of polished stones plays central hub in the courtyard… at least till the rains come, when it transforms into a tropical fountain. An open-air lobby, curving infinity pool, Kua Kua restaurant and 360 Bar surround it, positioned so the sapphire Pacific and emerald mountains play both centerstage and backdrop in every direction.

From there paths lead to freestanding villas where floor-to-ceiling sliding doors dissolve into your magical terrace; outdoor showers borrow the forest as a “feature wall,” and custom furnishings keep the palette tropical-modern rather than rustic. The rooms are large and well equipped with firm king-size Simmons Beautyrest Recharge mattresses and potent air conditioning. But the real stars here are the aforementioned terraces—you’ll spend every free moment possible on your 130 square-foot balcony, greeting mornings with breakfast delivered to your room (fresh juices, coconut water, well-cooked farm eggs, French toast piled with fresh fruit, dark roasted Costa Rican coffee, etc.), all set to the ceaseless soundtrack of the jungle.

The guiding hand here at the Hotel Three Sixty is its owner, founder and visionary Trevor Ling—an English expat who pivoted from three decades in wealth management to hospitality. Ling opened Hotel Three Sixty with investor friends in 2017/2018, and during a sunny lunch at Kua Kua he summed up its ethos as “authentic, laid-back luxury.” Translation: solace over opulent pageantry, nature over noise, and helmed by a staff who know when to appear and when to melt away into the ferns. Ling’s philosophy shows up in the intimate scale, the remote setting built high away from neighbors, and the sophisticated tone—utterly grown-up, but without any pretension. Or screaming children, arguably the best blessing of all. 

Ling’s ethos also reveals itself in the property’s sustainability choices: minimizing the built footprint to under 8% of the land, using ecological products and toiletries from Costa Rican brand RAW Botanicals in the bathroom, sourcing local ingredients for nourishment, and planting a tree for every night a guest stays through a partnership with One Tree Planted. To be transparent, we did lament the reliance on single-use plastics at times, including the morning coffee cup. Ling explained the at-times tenuous recycling complications of Puntarenas, so we’ll take his word. 

The culinary heart of the Hotel Three Sixty is Kua Kua, aka “butterfly” in the local Boruca language—a nod to the transformational quality of the place. With well prepared sushi offerings, as well as comfort options like fried chicken sandwiches and tempura vegetables, Executive Chef Fernando Gamboa also leans on his Tico roots for plates like his whole snapper, oven baked and served with patacones and Costa Rican Caribbean sauce. The adjoining Bar 360 underscores the quality of Ling’s team, as whoever stocks the shelves with the Cascahuin Tahona Blanco—one of the finest, and tough to source tequilas on the planet—deserves a raise. 

Back to the design for a moment. Architecture here does more than hold up the walls; it is a storytelling device. Understandable, as high from this epic vantage point—that which gives the hotel its name—you want the view to play protagonist, any structures hiding off to the side, staying offstage as much as possible. Our favorite spot being the infinity pool, wrapping the edge of the main building so the view shifts as you swim, providing a cool respite from the torrid jungle heat. Hours are happily invested here sipping cocktails, scanning details of the rainforest fading into the Pacific below. At sunset, the pool becomes a mirror for the Gauguin-painted sky.

The name isn’t marketing puff; you really do get 360-degree vistas that run from the famed white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park in nearby Quepos down to the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Boasting over 400 species of birds, its exotic wildlife also includes sloths, tapirs, squirrel and howler monkeys, and even the rare jaguar. But you don’t have to travel two hours to the Corcovado National Park to see some of these spectacles, as several afternoons a pair of yellow-throated toucans came and perched 20 feet from our tumblers full of Cascahuin. Frequently a troop of capuchin monkeys migrate their way to the surrounding trees, hanging from their tails and leaping with absurd agility from branch to branch, seemingly just for our amusement. Of note, the hotel just launched a partnership with Swarovski Optik supplying binoculars to better view these spectacles with greater detail. 

As aesthetically rewarding as the location is, the Hotel Three Sixty’s sense of place in Costa Rica really clicks when you step off-property. Minutes downhill are Ojochal’s quiet beaches—Playa Tortuga for tidepool wandering, Playa Piñuela for low-key swims, and Playa Ventanas, where the jungle tumbles to a crescent of sand punctured by sea caves (the eponymous “ventanas,” or windows) that sigh open with the tide. The hotel sits close enough for a spontaneous beach run (about a 15-minute drive), but far enough to keep the soundtrack confined to birds and warm breezes.

Our favorite destination by far, however, was the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (aka Whale Marine), one of Costa Rica’s most singular stretches of coastline—and the hotel’s crown jewel natural playground. At low tide, two beaches meet at Punta Uvita to form the famous “Whale Tail”: a sand-and-rock tombolo that from a birds-eye view looks exactly like its name implies. In the morning during the the ebb we strolled almost a mile out along the tail deep into the sea, turning for a breathtaking view of the palm-studded wilderness behind us. At flood, the two bodies of water zippered up to the shore determinedly, waves colliding with violence, erasing the tail entirely. A very cool aquatic event to witness while sipping coconuts in the sun. The fact that a geological “whale’s tail” somehow exists on a coast considered one of the best places on Earth to witness the migration of humpbacks wasn’t lost on us: it’s the sort of cosmic punchline that delivers this divine stretch of Costa Rica’s magic.

Follow our Deputy Editor on Instagram at @nickstecher and @boozeoftheday.

From Silicon Valley to Wall Street, longevity is the latest status symbol. What’s the point of sporting a $20,000 Rolex if your ticker is down to its last tick? In 2025, the real power move is squeezing more healthy years out of your body. And it’s not just the elite athletes and multi-million dollar tech titans like Bryan Johnson and Dave Asprey (who says he wants to live until 180 years old). It’s CEOs trying to stay sharp for another decade. It’s professionals in their 40s and 50s who’ve watched friends get sick too soon. It’s anyone who thinks it’s worth dolling out the cash to catch disease before it happens, not after.

Enter Biograph, a new preventive health and longevity clinic in San Mateo and New York. Instead of the rushed 30-minute annual check-up, Biograph offers a six-hour check-up, down, and all around. Members go through more than 20 assessments: a DEXA scan that maps bone density and body composition, a coronary CT scan that looks for plaque in the arteries, a whole-body MRI that scans for hidden cancers, aneurysms, or early signs of neurodegeneration, and a VO₂ max treadmill test that measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen under stress. 

Biograph’s model is based on five health pillars: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, brain health and neurodegenerative disease, cancer risk and early detection, and quality of life metrics. “This is not your typical annual physical,” says Dr. Michael Doney, the Executive Medical Director at Biograph. “We want people to walk in and realize they’re starting a different kind of health journey—one that’s proactive, not reactive.”

Curious to see what happens when a check-up goes way beyond “turn your head and cough.” I booked a visit at their Bay Area location. Biograph looks nothing like the sterile, fluorescent-lit doctor’s office. There are no weathered issues of People magazine in the waiting room. The lighting is soft, the design sleek and modern.

My waiting area was actually a private office, outfitted with cozy furniture, healthy snacks, and a bathroom featuring one of those Japanese toilets that lifts its lid automatically when you walk in. Instead of paper gowns, I was given a robe, workout clothes, and slippers. A concierge walked me through the day’s schedule, which also appeared on a flatscreen in the room so I could follow along step by step. The whole experience was designed to take the edge off the anxiety of medical testing.

It worked for me. I’ll admit I’ve always had a streak of hypochondria, which makes me both the perfect and the worst candidate for a place that promises to scan every inch of your body for hidden disasters. That tension eased a little when the day began not with a needle but a luxurious shower. Then came the first test: my favorite, bloodwork. But this blood letting was administered in perhaps the most comfortable setting I’ve ever given blood. Instead of a stiff chair in a fluorescent exam room, I reclined in the medical equivalent of a medical La-Z-Boy. I was then given a series of tests measuring my hearing, eyesight, mental dexterity, and even my anxiety.

Next up was the video movement analysis (DARI), where numerous cameras tracked my joints and posture as I moved through a short sequence of squats and lunges. The idea was to reveal weaknesses in balance, flexibility, and mobility—things that can become predictors of frailty later in life. The intensity picked up with the VO₂ max. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing this, basically, it measures how much oxygen your lungs, heart, and muscles can pull in and use when you’re working as hard as possible. Professional athletes obsess over high VO₂ max. I obsessed over surviving the test. 

You strap on what looks like a fighter-pilot mask, hook into a web of wires, and start jogging on a treadmill. Every few minutes the incline and speed ratchet up until your legs are on fire and your lungs are about to explode. The silver lining is that this test tells you something most doctor’s visits never do: how fit you actually are, which in my case is, is not very.  Other tests map your fitness and your risks in detail, but the crown jewel is the full-body, 60-minute MRI. For anyone with claustrophobia, that might sound like 60-minutes in a coffin. The Biograph team knows this and goes out of their way to make it comfortable. You’re given headphones, a video screen, even the option of watching your favorite streaming service. I watched HBO’s NFL docuseries Hard Knocks, while the machine scanned me from head to toe. Easy peasy. 

When I was done, a scrumptious lunch and latte awaited me in my private suite. This was much appreciated since I’d been fasting since 7 p.m. the previous night. A few weeks later, I received an in-depth, in-person Zoom call about my health, including an instagramable picture of my brain. Dr. Doney could not have been more helpful and informative. I am pleased to report that I have no serious health issues. But this isn’t always the case. 

“Overall, about one in six people who visit Biograph will find something urgent or life-altering,” he says. “It could be a silent cancer, or a blockage in the heart with no symptoms at all.”

He told me the story of one patient who came in with no obvious warning signs. Their blood markers looked fine and they felt perfectly healthy, but a coronary CT angiography revealed a critical blockage in the heart. Within a week, that patient had a stent placed. “These are things you would never pick up in a standard annual physical, and catching them early can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life,” Dr. Doney says. In the next few weeks, I will receive a personalized fitness and nutrition plan designed specifically to remedy the issues that need to be addressed. I won’t get too personal. But let’s just say I have some fat where it shouldn’t be. 

Membership to Biograph does not come cheap. The Core package starts at $7,500 and covers the full day of diagnostics and follow-up. The Black package costs $15,000 and adds concierge-level services, ongoing consultations, and access to specialists throughout the year. But Dr. Doney argues the price should be weighed against what’s at stake. “If you think about what people spend on cars and vacations, this is the one investment that can actually buy you more healthy years,” he says.

In other words, maybe get the Ferrari after you know your heart can handle it. 

For those planning getaways not around location but five-star service and opulent amenities, LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence has compiled a list of the top 15 hospitality brands to consider. The UK-based members-only organization caters to affluent travelers, providing detailed reports on hotels, restaurants, spas and nightlife. Researchers extend their efforts past just reporting on independently funded stays to engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from CEOs of rated brands to thousands of management personnel, staff and guests.

To rank the world’s top 15 luxury hotel brands, LTI identified 130 key touchpoints relevant to the luxury hotel sector that encompass entire brands, not just individual properties. Each touchpoint was assigned a weighted score, culminating in a maximum of 4,663 points. Ongoing investments and their effective utilization, particularly concerning new properties and the refurbishment of existing ones, were considered carefully.

In light of LTI’s latest report, company founder Micahel Crompton elaborated on the state of the luxury hotel industry. “In 2023, we raised a concern about the evident global shortage of exceptional management and staff to match the substantial investments in increasingly impressive ultra-luxury properties. This mismatch between capital investment and human resource development is now becoming critical and, if not addressed, it could threaten the reputation of several top-tier brands. Relying on well-meaning but inexperienced locals under the guise of offering a ‘sense of place’ or ‘relaxed luxury’ is no longer acceptable. Today’s discerning luxury traveler demands and deserves flawless service and professional management.”

He continued, “While there is no single quick fix, it is essential for brands to proactively invest from the outset, ideally during the construction phase, to recruit and train management and staff. This investment would allow them to align with the brand’s ethos and service expectations by gaining experience at more established properties. As part of our commitment to tracking excellence in the sector, LTI will significantly update its algorithm from 2026 onward to monitor how brands are confronting this challenge.”

LTI makes a point of informing its audience that they are not in the travel business—they don’t sell vacation packages, host booking engines, or even advertise. Membership fees are its only source of revenue—interested parties can join here using the code INVITE350, which has a $350 value.

Check out LTI’s list of the World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brands 2025 below:

15. Raffles

As a cornerstone of Accor’s luxury portfolio, Raffles Hotels & Resorts operates a collection of properties known for historical significance and local cultural immersion. The brand is recognized for its iconic flagship hotel in Singapore and for creating unique “legendary” guest experiences that often involve fine art and a sense of place.

14. Banyan Tree

Part of the Banyan Tree Group, this brand focuses on high-end, ecologically sensitive resorts and spas. With properties often set in natural surroundings like rainforests or deserts, Banyan Tree is noted for its emphasis on sustainability, wellness, and a “sanctuary for the senses” philosophy.

13. Peninsula

The Peninsula Hotels, an offshoot of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group, operates a small but highly regarded portfolio of luxury properties. Known for a blend of classic elegance and modern technology, the brand is celebrated for its grand lobbies, opulent interiors, and a distinct Asian heritage.

12. Dorchester Collection

Owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, the Dorchester Collection is a global portfolio of nine iconic, landmark hotels, including The Dorchester in London and the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris. The group is defined by its reputation for timeless luxury and a commitment to preserving the unique character of each of its historic properties.

11. Belmond

Acquired by LVMH in 2019, Belmond operates a collection of luxury hotels, trains, river cruises, and safari lodges. The brand specializes in curated travel experiences that celebrate heritage and culture, with notable assets including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train and Hotel Cipriani in Venice.

10. Four Seasons

Since its founding in 1961, Four Seasons has become a global leader in luxury hospitality with over 120 properties worldwide. The brand is defined by its consistent, high-standard of personalized service and is a joint venture between founder Isadore Sharp, Bill Gates’ Cascade Investment, and Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Company.

9. Auberge Resorts

Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of intimate, boutique hotels and resorts primarily located in the Americas and Europe. The brand focuses on “one-of-a-kind” experiences that connect guests to the local environment and culture through custom-designed properties and curated activities.

8. Rocco Forte

Founded in 1996 by Sir Rocco Forte and his sister Olga Polizzi, this is a family-run collection of 15 luxury hotels and private villas located in Europe’s most significant cities and destinations. The brand’s identity is rooted in its Italian and British heritage, with a strong emphasis on interior design that reflects the local culture.

7. One&Only

One&Only is a brand of ultra-luxury resorts primarily located in tropical or remote destinations. The brand, which is part of Kerzner International, is known for its spectacular locations, exceptional architecture, and for offering a high degree of privacy and exclusivity.

6. Rosewood

Acquired by Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotel Group, the brand operates a collection of hotels with a distinctive residential-style feel. Rosewood is recognized for its “A Sense of Place” philosophy, where each property’s design and service are specifically tailored to the local history, culture, and geography.

5. Six Senses

Owned by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Six Senses is a luxury brand known for its commitment to sustainability, wellness, and a remote, eco-friendly approach to hospitality. Its properties often feature organic gardens, wellness programs, and a focus on integrating with the natural environment.

4. Oetker Hotels

Oetker Hotels is a portfolio of “Masterpiece Hotels” owned and managed by the German Oetker family. Its properties, such as Le Bristol Paris and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, are known for their historical significance, prestigious locations, and a legacy of refined, traditional European hospitality.

3. Bulgari

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts is a luxury brand and joint venture between Italian jeweler Bulgari and Marriott International. The properties are noted for their contemporary Italian design, often featuring dramatic architecture and high-end materials that reflect the brand’s jewelry heritage.

2. Aman

Aman is a privately-held company known for its exclusive and minimalist resorts located in remote and culturally rich destinations. The brand is famous for its discreet, highly personalized service and low-density properties, which often have a small number of rooms to ensure maximum privacy and seclusion.

1. Mandarin Oriental

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental operates a portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, and residences globally. The brand is distinguished by its dual Asian heritage and a reputation for legendary service that combines a sophisticated, modern style with traditional hospitality.

The classic Philadelphia cheesesteak—that famously greasy indulgence beloved by late night revelers and overeaters alike—has long been a mainstay of the city’s sandwich repertoire, even if it can be a less interesting option than the perfect hoagie or roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. The cheesesteak has recently seen a resurgence outside Philly at New York’s Danny & Coop’s, a buzzy shop from Danny DiGiampietro of Angelo’s in Philly fame and actor and native Philadelphian Bradley Cooper, which still draws lines serving up Cheese Wiz-adorned delights in the East Village.

The Philly food scene has now seemingly fired back with a more elevated cheesesteak take, courtesy of The Bellevue hotel’s Cheesesteak Maître D’ Service. This fancified room service treat is hand-delivered on a silver platter by a white-gloved hotel attendant and features chopped Wagyu steak, caramelized onions, cremini mushrooms and aged sharp provolone topped with truffle shavings on a seeded roll from South Philly’s hallowed Sarcone’s Bakery. Priced at a decidedly upscale $100 on the hotel’s in-room dining menu, it’s served with fries, Italian Long Hot peppers, pickles from Fishtown Pickle Project, and roasted garlic aioli on the side, along with a Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer to wash it down.

“The dish reimagines a Philadelphia classic as a true luxury experience,” declares the hotel’s Executive Chef Kevin Kaser. “From premium cuts of beef to freshly baked bread and pickles sourced from trusted local partners, every detail reflects the highest quality ingredients. The service itself adds to the experience, with a maître d’ tableside presentation, generous shavings of truffles and a personalized touch that can’t be found elsewhere.”

Kaser said the hotel launched the curiously high-brow cheesesteak experience on August 27 in a bid to entice well-heeled football fans watching games in their rooms. “We expect it will appeal not only to guests who want to stay in and watch the game, but also to those who may not be sports fans yet prefer to enjoy dinner in their room after a long day or crave a late-night bite,” he said. “There has already been strong buzz throughout the city and five orders placed on property since launch, and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum.”