Luxury Lifestyle

Nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in the heart of Transylvania, a tiny Romanian town is now home to a fairytale come true in the form of  an adorable 10-room hotel built from clay and sand . The hotel’s Romanian name is   Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor , which translates to “Clay Castle of the Valley of the Fairies” in English, an absolutely fitting moniker for these ancient architectural accommodations. Construction was only recently completed, and the hotel will be open to guests very soon. The hotel’s owners, Razvan and Gabriela Vasile, sold their home in Romania’s capital city of Bucharest in order to bring this clay fairytale castle into reality. The Valley of the Fairies, situated near the tiny village of Porumbacu De Sus, is 24 miles from the city of Sibiu. Its remote location and jaw-dropping views add to the hotel’s charm and mystique, effortlessly giving visitors the sense that they have traveled not only distance, but also time, in ord...

Luxury travel has entered a new phase, in which conspicuous consumption is giving way to more meaningful and authentic travel experiences, and to an increase in the number of luxury travel companies converting to mobile technology, as a means of boosting the luxury cachet. Whilst sales in luxury hotels are being led by key developed markets like the US & EU, an increase in international luxury travel is expected in emerging markets, mainly driven by booming demand from the expanding middle class.. Luxury overhaul Luxury travel has entered a new phase, in which conspicuous consumption is giving way to more meaningful and “authentic” travel experiences. Leisure travel An increase in international leisure travel is expected within luxury travel, driven by growing tourism flows from emerging markets and aspirational middle class consumers. Middle East takes the spotlight Growing demand and substantial investment, with a strong focus on luxury hotels, ar...