As someone who has spent years navigating the glamorous world of Hollywood, I must say that this article paints a vivid picture of how the rich and famous spend their holiday seasons. From Courchevel to Zermatt, Mozambique to Antarctica, it seems that these stars are checking off their bucket lists in style.
Ideas of what constitutes the ideal vacation range from tracking gorillas to collapsing on the beach with a Negroni, but one thing is clear: whatever the preference, festive week is an excuse for nearly everyone to escape work and put projects on hold while they regroup and reenergize.
As a devoted fan, I’ve been curious to know where the glitterati are jetting off to this week. Some classic spots like St. Barts and Aspen continue to charm the entertainment world during Christmas season. Meanwhile, destinations such as Sepert Island near Antarctica, visited by Liev Schreiber last year, or Mahabalipuram in Southern India, where Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones spent their holidays, have their moment in the limelight.
As a fervent admirer myself, I can’t help but share that St. Barts is once again a popular destination, according to Jacelyn Sienna India, the visionary behind Sienna Charles, a prestigious luxury lifestyle firm. The experiences they offer, ranging from $75,000 to an impressive $250,000, truly reflect the allure of this enchanting locale.
It’s reasonable to anticipate that frequent attendees such as David Geffen, Barry Diller, and Jeff Bezos, who often dock their own yachts, will return for another round of festivities. However, some people opt for quieter island destinations instead.
Michael Torbiak, proprietor of M. Domo Travel, a luxury concierge service, notes that while some clients are eager for the lively atmosphere of St. Barts, others prefer a more secluded and tranquil experience. He explains that restaurants in this locale are tiny and the demand for tables is high, making it quite challenging. Additionally, there’s an abundance of traffic from yacht parties, which can be overwhelming for some clients, leading them to opt for a more private setting instead.
Palm Beach continues to be a favorite among East Coast’s entertainment elite, with Vista Jets reporting it as their busiest holiday destination alongside St. Barts. Similarly, private jet service Slate Aviation lists Palm Beach and Turks and Caicos as their top destinations. As Rob DelliBovi of RDV Hospitality puts it, “The Breakers is a hotspot for well-known producers and directors, despite the fact that a standard room can cost $3500 per night. They don’t seem to mind who you are.” Additionally, he is also arranging bookings at the Four Seasons Surf Club in Miami.
According to Torbiak, the preferred hotels in Turks and Caicos are Parrot Cay, Amanyara, The Shore Club, and Grace Bay Resorts. He noted that these hotels offer spacious villas for ample privacy. Additionally, it’s reported that Parrot Cay has been a favorite among celebrities like Keith Richards, Donna Karan, and Christie Brinkley who have listed their own homes there for rentals. Torbiak also mentioned that Amanyara is highly praised by clients due to its large 5 and 6 bedroom villas, with Beyoncé being the latest celebrity to rent one. This season, two new luxury resorts have emerged: The Strand, boasting its own boat, and South Bank from Grace Bay Resorts – a resort where all villas are surrounded by water and accessible via boat concierge for yacht owners or guests seeking an excursion.
Cap Jaluca in Anguilla is also drawing honchos, thanks to its new Guerlain wellness enclave. “They spent $10 million on the spa and it’s beautiful,’’ said Torbiak.
The Four Seasons Ocean Club, Harbor Island, and Albany in the Bahamas continue to draw high-profile individuals. As India points out, “Harbor Island is a popular spot for many celebrities such as Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, and Ryan Reynolds, while celebrities flock to Albany.
People are opting to rent exclusive villas on Mustique, an island renowned for its privacy and high-profile residents such as Mick Jagger, Kelly Ripa, Tommy Hilfiger, Bill Gates, Denzel Washington, and Paul McCartney. Known for intimate dinners hosted by individuals like Maguy Le Coze, the owner of Le Bernardin and a resident herself, this Caribbean island is notoriously difficult to secure due to its limited accommodations. This year, one prominent Hollywood producer from L.A. is planning a family trip with multiple generations, two pets, and a private chef, creating an exclusive atmosphere reminiscent of a private club, with only those who have previously visited granted access in 2023.
The Yellowstone Club in Big Sky is a place that only members can access. India explained, “Either you need to own a property there or receive an invitation.” She added, “In the dining room, you’ll find some truly extraordinary individuals. Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry are among its owners, along with Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, and Tom Brady.
Each year, Aspen attracts notable figures – last week during the festive season, Kate Hudson performed, with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell in attendance. Moreover, several actresses are currently renting properties there, as per India’s reports, and there’s speculation that Demi Moore might join them soon. On the other hand, it seems that the European ski resorts are especially popular this winter.
According to Dee Branciforte, executive VP of Fischer Travel, popular destinations like Courchevel and Zermatt have seen an increase in popularity. At Fischer Travel, membership initiation costs $150,000 and annual fees amount to $25,000. Branciforte emphasizes that these locations offer a unique blend of exceptional service, gourmet dining, refined atmosphere, sophistication, and picturesque alpine charm, which is not commonly found in the United States.
Couri Hay, a respected social figure, notes that Courcheval boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other location,” highlights the fact that this resort has attracted royalty like Prince William and Kate Middleton, along with fashion icon Kate Moss.
In Zermatt, India is leasing a residence for a well-known actress and her family, which comes with quite a hefty price tag – between $10,000 and $20,000 per night. To ensure everything is in order, security personnel need to inspect the place ahead of time. It seems that some celebrities are so famous that they can’t stay at hotels during peak seasons due to the high demand.
2021 sees a significant increase in Christmas celebrations across Japan, as prominent figures flock to major cities and ski resorts. DelliBovi remarks, “I’m spending a lot of time in Tokyo.” He explains that multiple high-profile individuals are traveling there with partners or families, while others are heading towards northern regions for skiing. Luckily for skiers, Niseko has several newly built upscale resorts, where Branciforte has been arranging reservations for her esteemed clients.
Rest assured, you’ll continue enjoying the delightful pictures of actors cuddling with penguins and elephants.
“People are really checking off their bucket lists,’’ said
Natalie Monzingo, a representative at Strong Travel, mentioned that one of her clients is taking his wife and daughter to Antarctica for more than two weeks. They’re particularly interested in seeing penguins and have booked a cruise on Silversea. Interestingly, they’ve opted to rent their own boat instead of the two assigned state rooms, which amounted to $90,000. This move allows them to observe leopard seals basking in the sun on ice floes. As India pointed out, it seems that extravagant spending is quite prevalent this year.
The Kisawa Sanctuary situated on the Bengerra island in Mozambique is currently a popular getaway spot, as stated by Torbiak. He described it as “a recently established haven that was founded by a member of the Danish royal family, offering an exclusive and luxurious escape from the usual tourist trails.
Regardless of how basic or rustic a destination might appear, Hollywood celebrities are always meticulous about their travel arrangements. As Jeff Rose, owner of Attitude chauffeured transportation in New York, explained, “Our clients often request that we pick up food from places like Nobu or EAT before they board the plane, because they’re unsure about the quality of the food onboard.” Rose has been catering to some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry since his first client, Barry Diller. He shared an example of an Oscar-winning composer who requested a bed be set up in the back of his car for travel convenience. Another client asked the driver to deliver gifts to family members upon arrival. In an interesting anecdote, one client even asked the driver to don a Santa suit and red rubber nose while making these deliveries!
This tale was previously published in the December 13th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Why not consider a subscription to get more such stories? (Click here)
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2024-12-21 20:55