The Leading Hotels of the World Recreates Film Fantasy in Uber-Luxury Trip: Around The World in 80 Ways
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The Leading Hotels of the World Recreates Film Fantasy in Uber-Luxury Trip: Around The World in 80 Ways
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Category: Worldwide -
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-02-13
Phileas Fogg’s 80-Day Around the World Race Updated for
Top Auction Lot Benefiting Elton John’s AIDS Foundation at
Oscar Viewing Party February 24
It was 80 years ago that two international legends were launched: the
Academy Awards and The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. And to celebrate that mutual milestone,
Leading Hotels has drawn on all the adventure, romance and excitement that made the Academy Awardwinning
classic “Around the World in 80 Days” so memorable to create an Oscar-worthy performance in
luxury travel: “Around the World in 80 Ways”.
Celebrating eight decades of international hospitality excellence, The Leading Hotels of the World pays
homage to this epic film, creating an extraordinary journey around the globe, retracing (loosely) the steps
of Phileas Fogg, brilliantly played by legendary actor David Niven.
The 28-day odyssey for one lucky couple will be a highlight of an auction to benefit the Elton John AIDS
Foundation, which will take place during the Foundation’s 16th annual Academy Awards viewing party,
February 24, 2008. The auctioneer for this stellar gathering will be David Niven’s son Jamie Niven.
The trip begins in London, the starting point for Phileas Fogg’s quest. It continues on to Paris, Dubai,
Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. The
winning bidders, who will be flying first class all the way, will stay in ultra-luxurious Leading hotels and
resorts in all 12 destinations, where they will enjoy exotic experiences and unmatched elegance.
In addition to exquisite suite accommodations throughout, just a few of the elements of this once-in-alifetime
trip include a camel safari in the desert, couture and bespoke wardrobes, dinner for two at Le
Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, a private cocktail cruise on the Arabian Sea, personal butlers, soothing couples’ massages, private dinner for two afloat on India’s Lake
Pichola, and Rolls Royce Phantom limousines. Every detail has been richly imagined.
To expand the pool of potential buyers beyond the exclusive venue of the viewing party, Scott Campbell,
executive director of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, has said that absentee bids at any level will be
accepted before the party. In making the announcement, Mr. Campbell said, "EJAF is pleased to partner
with The Leading Hotels of the World to offer this amazing opportunity during our annual Oscar party.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will benefit an important cause."
“The Oscars and Leading Hotels both began in 1928 and as we mark our 80th anniversaries together in
2008, it seems especially fitting that our ‘Around the World in 80 Ways’ package marries the Golden Ages
of travel and film in a remarkable experience,” said Paul McManus, president and chief executive officer
of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. “We are pleased and honored to take this opportunity to lend
our support to the ongoing efforts of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.”
Just a few of the highlights of “Around the World in 80 Ways” are:
London
A Green Park Suite at The Ritz; arrival and departure in a chauffer-driven Rolls Royce Phantom; dinner
for two in the Ritz Restaurant; tickets to an exhibition at the Royal Academy; couple’s treatments in The
Ritz Salon; original Isabell Kristensen couture gown created for the lady; Aquascutum trench coat for the
gentleman
Paris
A historic suite at Hôtel de Crillon; lunch at Les Ambassadeurs followed by a personal tour with Chef
Jean-François Piège of the gastronomic kitchens; limousine excursion through Paris; a gift from Baccarat;
dinner at Alain Ducasse’s Le Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower, overlooking the City of Lights
Dubai
The Presidential Suite at Al Maha Resort in the Arabian desert; couple’s spa treatments; falconry
presentation; camel or horse safari; guided tour of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve; intimate
dinner in the desert watching gazelles, rare Arabian oryxs and other indigenous species; hot-air balloon
ride over the desert; lunch with the resort’s general manager
Mumbai
The Rajput Suite with Champagne welcome at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower; personalized shopping
tour; cocktails aboard the exclusive Taj yacht on the Arabian Sea; specially prepared dinner in Chef
Oberoi’s studio; dinner for two at Wasabi by Morimoto; drinks at the legendary Harbour Bar
Udaipur
The Khush Mahal Suite, the former Queen’s chamber, at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur; vintage car tour
of the city; romantic candlelit dinner on the pontoon on Lake Pichola; tour of the palace grounds and Lake
Pichola
Jaipur
The Prince’s Suite with Champagne welcome at the Rambagh Palace; transportation in a vintage car;
rejuvenation therapies in the tented spa; dinner at Suvarna Mahal; a private visit to the Gem Palace,
showcasing the jewels of the Maharaja and Maharani
Hong Kong
The Premier Suite at the Langham Hotel; unlimited Champagne throughout the stay; helicopter tour of the
city; a selection of hand-tailored shirts; lunch for two in T’ang court; romantic dinner for two at Bostonian
Tokyo
The Premier Suite at the Imperial Hotel; traditional Japanese Kaiseki dinner for two; customized tour of
Asakusa, including a specially prepared lunch; traditional Japanese tea ceremony Honolulu
The Presidential Suite at the Kahala Hotel & Resort; arrival transfer via limousine; welcome heralded by
the Hawaii Symphony Pops Orchestra; Hidden Dragon Banded Jacket by designer Anne Namba;
couple’s massage in a spa suite; DolphinQuest experience; dinner with custom tasting menu by the Chef
in the hotel’s gazebo; curator’s tour of the Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop Hawaiiana Exhibit
San Francisco
Luxury Suite at Campton Place; en suite dinner for eight and in-room movie night following dinner, with
additional overnight accommodations in the California Suite; guided limousine tour of the city as seen
through Hollywood’s eyes; gift of 25 DVDs of films shot on location in San Francisco; limousine transfer to
Vine Cliff vineyard for dinner and wine tasting with vineyard owner; bottle of a rare vintage, etched with
winner’s name; case of personally selected fine wines to take home
Chicago
A one-bedroom Grand Deluxe Riverview Suite at Trump International Hotel & Tower; round-trip airport
transfers in a Phantom Rolls Royce; couple’s massage at the Spa at The Trump; intimate dinner for two
at Sixteen
New York
A Triplex Suite at The New York Palace Hotel; round-trip airport transportation in the hotel's Maybach; full
day of pampering for two at Cornelia Day Resort; luxury pajamas and robes for him and for her from
Donna Nadeau; dinner for four at critically acclaimed Gilt restaurant
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