For those interested in joining the elites (and their staff) in sequestering from modern threats in luxury, Avenue has rounded up some resources to do so. Long live the bubble!
Dining
Like Balazs and his collection of hallowed hangouts, legendary London members-only club Annabel’s is also primed to take over the world, making landfall on US soil at the end of the year with the opening of Oswald’s — named for owner Robin Birley’s grandfather — on New York’s Upper East Side.
Travel
Exclusive Resorts is a club without a clubhouse: a private travel service that offers its 4,000 member families access to the largest privately owned portfolio of villas in the world, with more than 400 vacation homes worldwide. Despite travel restrictions and economic decline, the service saw a 540 percent increase in sales this April. After the $100,000 initiation fee for a ten-year membership, each holiday night costs $1,395 for any property in the collection.
Transportation
The CARES Act suspended the federal excise tax on domestic flights, both commercial and private, chopping 7.5% off rates; low fuel costs and the need to keep pilots of grounded business planes licensed are also contributing factors to noticeable the dip in pricing. Call luxury planner Meredith Broder to skip the major airports and commute — or travel — around the country using crowd-free FBOs (fixed-base operators).
Wellness
Build your own spa with Goop’s curated items, like a Theragun, which approximates a masseuse’s hands as it unclenches muscles. Then, upgrade your home gym with Peloton’s new, top-of-the-line Bike+ or get a Mirror — recently acquired by Lululemon for $500 million — which streams live Pilates, barre, and yoga classes, if you’ve grown tired of FaceTiming with your personal trainer.
Medicine
Concierge health services like Forward or One Medical offer unlimited access to privatized care and may put you at the front of the line when a Covid-19 vaccine is released. Or, for $30,000 a year per adult, join the invite-only Private Medical, which, sources tell us, caters to only 800 families with its elite care.
