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
NEW YORK, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Award-winning classic "Around the World in 80 Days" so memorable to
create an Oscar-worthy performance in luxury travel: "Around the World in
80 Ways".
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080212/AQTU175)
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-a-lifetime 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 couple's 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 Hotel de Crillon; lunch at Les Ambassadeurs
followed by a personal tour with Chef Jean-Francois Piege 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
For further information on placing absentee bids, please contact Scott
Campbell via telephone at (212) 219-0606, or via fax at (212) 219-0671.
About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious luxury
hospitality organization representing nearly 450 of the world's finest
hotels, resorts and spas, and is the operator of http://www.lhw.com and
http://www.lhwspas.com -- the online sources for your luxury lifestyle. As
the largest international luxury hotel brand, the firm maintains offices in
26 major markets across the globe.
Since 1928, the company's reputation for excellence derives from the
exacting levels of quality it demands of its members, each of which must
pass a rigorous, anonymous inspection covering 1,500 separate criteria.
High resolution images and press information on individual member
hotels are available for downloading at http://www.lhw.com/press. For
reservations and information, visit http://www.lhw.com or telephone
toll-free from the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands,
(800) 223-6800.
SOURCE The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
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Related links:
http://www.lhw.com
http://www.lhwspas.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080212/AQTU175
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Claudia Kozma Kaplan of The Leading Hotels of
the World, Ltd., +1-212-515-5708, ckozma@lhw.com
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