Top 10 Luxury Travel Trends & Predictions for 2013

Top 10 Luxury Travel Trends & Predictions for 2013
1: Hyper-local experiences: rediscovering inner-city ‘villages'
Last year, we reported on the rise of international experience seekers, from Bali to Thailand, using boutique hotel bases to tap into regional culture, activities and community programmes. Wherever we go we want to live like a local, and the movement has now come full circle, with travellers rediscovering inner-city ‘villages' in flagship cities from Berlin (Mitte) to New York (Brooklyn) and London (East London). The success of homes-for-hire website Airbnb, and sites such as Plus One Berlin, Nectar & Pulse and Valet, which pair visitors up with inspiring locals, ‘soul mates' or travel experts, are proof that we're increasingly looking for hosts in the know, insider tips and authentic neighbourhood immersion, with wise hotels quick to deliver the same. Extending the trend, forward-looking properties are hosting covetable local boutiques in-house: in New York the Library Lounge at The NoMad Hotel stocks rare tomes custom-curated by US bookstore Juniper Books. Singapore's New Majestic Hotel offers selected local souvenirs and BooksActually tomes care of the Space Program, part-museum, part-store and part-installation located in the lobby. Budapest's Brody House draws in a creative local crowd, with art events and readings. READ FULL ARTICLE >>

2: Effortless living
3: Heritage-modern havens
4: Fashion-forward food
5: Suits you, Sir: spa and sporty treats for men
6: Meet the concierge app: iPads, mobiles and more
7: The high life
8: Boutique family breaks
9: China calling
10: Hot spots

READ FULL ARTICLE >>

PICTURED: Das Stue, Berlin, new boutique hotel opened 2013