When Mike Kelly set up his first few Airbnbs in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2023, he figured it would be a successful move. It was meant to be an investment project for him and his daughter to work on together. But as more people moved away from bustling and expensive urban centers and landed in the Midwest, their hopes were quickly shattered.

The Fort Wayne housing market boomed. High demand for homes, coupled with the city's low housing stock, has kept costs relatively high — a Redfin analysis of housing data found home prices were up 9.2% in October compared with last year. The hot housing market has translated into higher property taxes, which is throwing off the short-term-rental business model. "The houses we purchased to turn into Airbnbs have been assessed so much higher than what we put into them that we almost can't afford to keep them," Kelly said. "The return on equity wouldn't be as high."

Owners of short-term rentals across the country have faced a similar reality, sharing stories of declining revenues over the past few years as the market was flooded with new rentals. AirDNA, an analytics firm that tracks the short-term-rental market, found that revenue per rental decreased by nearly 2% in 2022 and by more than 8% in 2023 due to an overabundance of units available for rent. AirDNA forecast that revenues would move back into the green in 2024 as the market corrected. But as short-term-rental owners felt signs of an "Airbnbust," some realized they needed to pivot.

On one end of the market, however, it's a different picture. While overall demand for short-term rentals rose just 1.8% in 2023, according to AirDNA's data, demand for stays priced at $1,000 or more increased by nearly 8%. For stays over $1,500, demand jumped 12.5%. In fact, demand for rentals costing over $1,000 a night has increased by 73% since 2019. While cheaper rentals are slowing down, luxury, niche, and themed stays are filling their place. Wealthy vacationers are increasingly going after luxe properties such as a secluded Malibu beach mansion or a modern cabin beset by pristine woods — like something off Cabin Porn. Meanwhile, Airbnb alternatives are jumping into the market to cater to the growing demand. A lust for luxury is propelling the short-term-rental market to new heights.

Over the past few years, more travelers have pushed back against the Airbnb model, complaining of outrageous cleaning fees, extensive cleanup requirements, and outright scams. As a result, some travelers have opted to stay in good old-fashioned hotels thanks to their consistent service.

These complaints, however, tend to focus on rentals on the low end of the market — the $200-a-night stay you might book to visit a family member or get out of town for a weekend. The luxury end of the rental market fills a different role. These spots boast plenty of hotellike amenities — such as contactless check-in, high-speed internet, bathroom toiletries, and coffee makers. Because of the high price point, luxury rentals also tend to standardize their cleaning services. Unlike a hotel room, though, a house or apartment comes with a lot more room to host guests, plus amenities such as a kitchen or private pool. When split between multiple guests for a night or weekend, some of the eye-popping price tags end up being surprisingly affordable.

Among high-income travelers, who made up an increasingly large share of vacationers this year, hotels are on the way out. Deloitte's 2024 summer-travel report found a 17-point drop in people who earn over $200,000 opting to stay at full-service hotels compared with the summer before. While middle-income travelers moved toward budget accommodations like bed and breakfasts and RV rentals, high earners shifted toward private-home rentals.

One brand capitalizing on the growing demand is Wander. Launched in 2022, Wander owns all of its 200 properties, each beautifully designed with stunning landscaping. Its founder and CEO, John Andrew Entwistle, had the idea of making a vacation rental feel like a luxury hospitality brand after a disastrous ordeal renting a cabin in Colorado. "The whole experience felt broken, the type of thing all of us has had at a vacation rental one time or another: The place didn't look like the photos. The beds were uncomfortable. The list goes on and on," he said.

He wanted a rental home with heart and soul, where the building was designed around the landscape and high-speed internet flowed across the house. Wander rentals are often in remote spots to give guests a sense of privacy and quiet. The cleaning service is standardized so guests don't have to worry about cleaning up after themselves, and customers can check in on their own through their smartphones. Every unit, which costs an average of $900 a night, also features sleek workstations for digital nomads.

Other travel brands have found similar success in the luxury market. There's Mint House, a cross between a hotel and short-term rental that has 12 properties across 10 major US cities. Visitor experiences are personalized — for instance, guests can request that the refrigerator be stocked with their favorite groceries before they arrive — and there's 24/7 customer care. The apartments, which can be studios or have multiple bedrooms, are priced similarly to hotels and feature bespoke furniture and decor, along with all the necessities of modern accommodations. To explain the brand's success, Christian Lee, the CEO of Mint House, pointed to the company's ability to provide consistent experiences. "Unlike other short-term listings that lack security and guest care and often require a guest to perform chores at checkout, all of our properties are professionally managed to ensure the utmost safety, security, and cleanliness," he said.

The luxuriousness only goes up from there. Rental Escapes, a full-service luxury-villa-rental company founded in 2012, offers over 5,000 villas in more than 70 destinations worldwide. They start at $500 a night — though most go for tens of thousands. Amase Stays, a collection of $10 million rental estates founded this year, creates bespoke experiences for its top-of-the-line properties, with dedicated concierges who can arrange everything from private chefs and spa services to customized excursions.

Chris Lema, a business coach and product strategist, is a Wander superfan. "These are places that are architecturally beautiful, and the land that they sit on feels like a national park," he said. He likes that the company provides attainable luxury — he's stayed in 13 different Wander locations and hopes to "collect them all," he said. He has even started planning trips around Wander rentals.

"I thought this is where Airbnb was going to go with its business model," he said. "If you go to Airbnb's website now, they have these different categories like 'amazing views' or 'lakefront.' But none of these rentals push forward on the issue of experience. There's the Luxe category — but it's not the same thing."

In Airbnb's Luxe category, homes might cost anywhere between $200 and hundreds of thousands of dollars a night. When the category launched in 2019, an Airbnb press release said the homes would have to pass a slate of design and experience criteria, including higher standards for cleanliness and amenities like towels and toiletries. Unlike at other Airbnb properties, a company representative has to walk through Luxe properties to verify them. Despite that, Lema hasn't been impressed.

"They seem to rank Luxe based on the niceness of the residence," Lema said, "but that isn't really the point of what that kind of experience should be."

An Airbnb spokesperson said, "We're proud to be the only travel platform that offers stays for nearly any desired travel experience." They added: "We're also proud of the growth of our Luxe category supply and look forward to expanding the offering."

So far, Wander's model is working out. It launched with only three locations, and two years later, it has 200 houses and an average occupancy rate of 80%, Entwistle said. By the beginning of 2025, Entwistle hopes to launch locations in Mexico and Canada.

Back in Fort Wayne, Kelly ended up pivoting his Airbnb business to cater to this demand for luxury. "We focus on four-bedroom-plus homes where groups can gather for weddings or reunions," he said. Houses with pools and hot tubs are especially desirable, he's found. Kelly has also amassed a thriving collection of themed Airbnbs. He designed one house to look like the childhood home of the fictional character Fawn Liebowitz from the cult classic film "Animal House." He's working on another rental themed around Indiana University sports teams.

"At the end of the day, the 'luxury' houses are more affordable than staying in multiple hotel rooms," he said. Plus, offering something unique, like a theme, helps homes stand out from the crowd. With the new focus, Kelly's Airbnbs are rarely empty, he said.

Part of the shifting demand stems from people viewing luxury rentals as a destination unto themselves — if the place you're staying is cool enough, you don't need to get out much. Others are drawn to them as a means to get away from the hubbub. "In today's globalized world, travel destinations have become more and more homogenous and tourist-burdened," Spencer Bailey, the editor of the new book "Design: The Leading Hotels of the World," said. "People are seeking out distinctive experiences away from the crowds and searching for a certain sense of intimacy, craft, and care." It's not just about top-rate service, intricate design, or even a Michelin-starred restaurant. "It's about being in nature, engaging in local culture, and creating discrete, felt experiences that encourage quietness and slowness, not an Instagram moment," Bailey says.

A private rental is often more secluded, meaning travelers can prioritize spending more time alone with their loved ones. "Travelers are increasingly wising up to the fact that time — and where, how, and with whom you spend it — is the greatest luxury," he said. Michelle Steinhardt, the founder of the luxury travel blog The Trav Nav, wrote about her recent stay at a secluded beachfront property rental in Punta Mita, Mexico: "Even though we were only a few minutes from the local town, our party felt like everyone else was miles away."

Increasingly, getting away from home isn't enough. We also want to get away from other people. For those who can afford it — or have enough friends — luxury-travel companies are more than happy to accommodate.

Michelle Mastro covers lifestyle, travel, architecture, and culture.

• Robb Report curated the gift bags for the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards.
• The selected products and experiences are worth $1 million in total.
• The gift bag includes a private flight and stay in Finland to see the northern lights.

The gift bags offered at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards are, in a word, luxurious.

Hollywood's biggest stars will descend on The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 5, 2025, to attend the 82nd Golden Globes ceremony. Emmy-nominated comedian Nikki Glaser will host the event.

Not every nominee will snag a coveted award that night, but they can at least leave the venue with an impressive swag bag offering 28 products and experiences totaling $1 million. Each celebrity will also walk away with an Atlas Bespoke Weekender Bag.

Lifestyle outlet Robb Report curated this year's selection to encompass a wide breadth of interests, including culinary, beauty, and travel. Robb Report also curated the gift bag for the 2024 Golden Globes, which were valued at $500,000. Robb Report and the Golden Globe Awards are brands under Penske Media Corporation.

Luke Bahrenburg, head of luxury sales at Penske Media Corporation and the president of Robb Report, told the outlet that this year's gift bag is "the pinnacle of luxury."

The gift bag includes more than two dozen offers, but not every participant can take advantage of every offer. Although all 100 participants can opt for a one-night stay in a L'Ermitage Beverly Hills suite worth $1,500, only one can secure a private flight and vacation to Finland to view the northern lights. That trip is valued at $48,000.

The gift bag also advertises a $33,800 five-night vacation and wellness experience at Joali Being in the Maldives. A two-night vacation and whisky experience in Tasmania, Australia, is valued at $4,935.

Other gifts include a $469 LED light therapy face mask and a $2,000 rare bottle of Komos XO tequila. A wine tasting and dinner in Bordeaux, France, cost $272,000.

Representatives for Penske Media Corporation did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• I visited LGA's Chase Sapphire airport lounge to check out the meals, drinks, entertainment, and spa.
• Chase Sapphire lounge access is free for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders.
• However, travelers without the card can enter for free with a Priority Pass membership once a year.

A Chase Sapphire airport lounge opened in January at New York City's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. There are also Chase Sapphire lounges in Boston and Hong Kong.

I got an exclusive tour of the credit-card lounge in LaGuardia's Terminal B in February.

The 21,850-square-foot space felt like a luxury hotel lobby.

I spotted thoughtfully designed seating areas, an upscale bar, a complimentary restaurant and buffet, extensive coffee bars, a peaceful coworking space, an arcade with an old-school jukebox, and a spa offering free facials.

Upstairs on the second floor, there were private suites as well as a mezzanine full of plants.

The lounge at LGA is open from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily and is free for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cardholders to visit whenever they have a flight departing within three hours.

All they have to do is activate their complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge membership that comes with the credit card.

However, during my tour from general manager Ioannis Tzielekis, I was surprised to learn that Chase Sapphire lounge access doesn't necessarily require a Chase card. In fact, you can get all the same complimentary amenities free of charge.

How to get into the airport lounge for free

There are two ways to get Chase Sapphire lounge access for free without the card, both of which require a boarding pass for a flight up to three hours away.

The easiest way is to travel with a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder who is allowed two free guests per visit. Any additional guests cost $27 per person.

Travelers don't have to know a Chase cardholder for the second option.

A Chase Sapphire representative told Business Insider that those who hold a Priority Pass membership without the card can enter for free once a year. Each additional visit costs $75.

The pass is complimentary with various travel credit cards from other banks, or it has a starting rate of $99 for those without any of the partnered card programs, according to the Priority Pass website.

While I was only visiting the lounge for a tour, knowing I could have a pleasant experience before boarding a long flight made me excited for my next trip to the airport — and keen to get a Priority Pass membership.

• I spent three nights at Singita Sabora Tented Camp, a luxury lodge in Tanzania.
• While it was technically a canvas tent, the lodge was filled with high-end amenities.
• My safari experience included welcoming staff, delicious food, and endless animal sightings.

The moment the bush plane touched the runway at the Sasakwa Airstrip in Tanzania, I knew the safari experience at Singita Sabora Tented Camp would be different.

Just 20 minutes earlier, I was at the Seronera Airstrip in Central Serengeti. I joined dozens of safari vacationers waiting for flights out of the national park. I met airport staff at plastic tables, where my name was crossed off a sheet of paper and I was handed a ticket with my flight number written in pen. Among the groups of tourists and safari guides, porters bustled about carting off luggage.

As my plane barreled down a dirt runway, I waved goodbye to a parking lot of 20 safari vehicles and guides waiting for the next batch of tourists.

When I landed at Sasakwa, things were quiet. A serene tent sat empty. Plastic chairs were swapped for cushioned couches. Restrooms were not only stocked with toilet paper but also perfumes and bug spray.

If this was the airstrip, I wondered what Singita's accommodations were like. I quickly discovered the answer.

Singita owns some of the most expensive lodges in the region — a night at Sabora, for example, starts at $2,045. Business Insider received a media rate for a three-night stay. Along with that cost came a safari vacation filled with endless animal sightings, delicious food, and more.

The Singita lodges sit in the Grumeti Reserve

After disembarking the plane, my guide for the morning, Yusef, heaved my 30-pound backpack into our open-air Toyota Land Cruiser, and we were off to Sabora Tented Camp — one of Singita's three lodges in the area.

Yusef gave me a quick rundown: Singita has exclusive use of the Grumeti Reserve, a 350,000-acre private concession on the northwestern border of the Serengeti National Park. The reserve is managed by the nonprofit Grumeti Fund in partnership with Singita. Within the concession, Singita operates three lodges and four private villas and camps.

Minutes later, our conversation was interrupted by a herd of giraffes. As we turned another curve, Yusef pointed to a buffalo carcass. Less than two miles down the road, we spotted another.

It was my fifth day in the Serengeti, but it was my first time seeing a dead animal without swarms of vultures or hyenas. Yusef read my mind.

"Welcome to Grumeti," he said. "There's such an abundance that predators don't even need to finish their kill."

For the next four days, I saw that abundance firsthand. I spent the rest of my time with guide Peterlis Kibwana. With so much land and so few people, we rarely encountered other visitors during our game drives.

We checked in on hyena puppies one evening and sipped sunset drinks near a herd of zebras the next. We observed countless elephants and giraffes, spotted lions, and tracked down hippos.

The animals were incredible, but so was Kibwana's guidance. After learning that I had been in the bush for five days and seen popular African animals, Kibwana shifted our focus to the creatures people sometimes miss on a safari.

On our first afternoon, we pulled over to watch a leopard tortoise scurry through the grass. We gasped as we spotted a martial eagle fly away with its prey. Kibwana identified countless birds: grey-breasted spurfowl, Coqui francolin, and superb starlings. Watching these smaller animals offered a new perspective on the Serengeti.

Each game drive ended with drinks in the bush. As the sun dipped below the horizon, I battled a mix of emotions: I didn't want to leave the wildlife, but I knew I was heading back to one of the most luxurious properties I'd ever visited.

The Sabora camp consists of nine canvas tents

Singita's properties, which range in cost, are some of the most expensive lodges in the region. For instance, its newest lodge, Milele, costs upward of $35,000 a night.

In 2024, guests at Sabora paid between $2,045 and $2,975 per person, depending on the season. I visited during October, where rates were $2,585 a night. The price includes meals and beverages, daily game drives, laundry service, and road transfers between the Sasakwa airstrip and the lodges.

I was surprised when I arrived at my canvas tent for the first time.

From the outside, the tent is simple. Canvas panels stretch across a metal frame. From the front, there aren't any windows into the tent, and the space didn't look particularly large.

Stepping inside was a different experience. The open-concept tent was far larger than I had guessed. The back walls of the tent were a combination of screen and glass, ushering in plenty of sunlight.

A bedroom area had a large bed and two leather chairs. There was a kitchenette and living area, along with a closet and a massive bathroom with a two-sink vanity, standing tub, and shower. Attached to the tent was an outdoor shower, meditation platform, daybed, and alfresco dining area.

"The style and design here is very straightforward compared with other lodges," Hamisi Abdi, Sabora's assistant lodge manager, told me one morning. "It's a tented camp, but it's in a modern vibe."

What stood out was the attention to detail. Local art was featured on the walls, a stocked pantry offered sweet and savory snacks, and bathroom amenities like bath salts and toothpaste were within arm's reach.

It was impossible not to relax. Between a comfortable bed and chamomile tea waiting for me after dinner each night, my three nights at Singita was the best sleep I had during my 20-day trip.

Abundance defined my stay

As I left Singita after my third night, I reflected on Yusef's original mention of abundance. It was everywhere at Singita.

Beyond game drives, wildlife can be spotted throughout the day since Sabora is unfenced. On two of my three nights, I safely encountered lions prowling the grounds — once with a guard and the second seated in the dining area.

Abundance continued outside my tent. The lodge's main camp had plenty of places to relax. Each evening, guests gathered around a communal fire to sip cocktails and share stories from the day.

In the morning, tables were placed in the grass for breakfast and lunch. A small pool with daybeds was nearby, and a fitness center and spa were a short walk away.

The all-inclusive dining was also impressive. Singita's executive chef, Mia Neethling, explained that the lodge's kitchen revolves around a "deli" concept. Throughout the day, a small deli was stocked with salads, fruits, yogurts, desserts, fresh juices, and drinks so guests could dine at the lodge, in their tents, or out in the bush with their guides.

Plated meals were also served three times a day, with ingredients grown by farmers in nearby villages.

My days were filled with highlights beyond the traditional game drive. I spent a morning on a guided walk through the bush and an afternoon visiting the nearby community, both of which have additional costs. If my stay had been longer, I could've commissioned a hot air balloon ride, booked spa treatments, and spent longer at the pool.

It wasn't just what Singita offered; it was how they offered it. At times, it felt like the staff could read my mind. Shafuu, my waitress, quickly learned my taste preferences and made suggestions, like trying the fish fritters. Another night, the lodge's sommelier picked wine pairings for each course of my meal.

Three days passed by too quickly, and as I sat on a wicker couch waiting for my flight out of Sasakwa, I reflected on what made the lodge worth the price.

Hearing lions roaring at night and antlers colliding in the morning from my king-sized bed was magical. Eating meals cooked with passion was unforgettable. And getting into the bush with Kibwana was thrilling.

"We were in such a beautiful place," Kibwana told me. "That's what makes this place so special."

I couldn't agree more.

• I recently stayed at Hotel Yellowstone, which opened in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in August.
• The luxury adults-only resort offers views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley.
• My 600-square-foot room with a private balcony starts at $1,600 a night. Take a look inside.

In August 2024, the luxury ski town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, got a brand-new, adults-only resort.

With unobstructed views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley, Hotel Yellowstone is located five miles from Downtown Jackson and only welcomes guests aged 21 and up. (It does accommodate adults as young as 18 when accompanied by a guest who is at least 21.)

During a September trip to Jackson Hole, I booked a one-night stay at the resort in a room with a starting rate of $1,600 a night.

After seeing and experiencing my room's thoughtful design and luxury comforts, it was easy to see why the price was so steep.

"Hotel Yellowstone's design pays homage to the American West while seamlessly blending influences of modern design," a representative of Hotel Yellowstone told Business Insider. "The intricate design components pull inspiration from Jackson Hole's history, proximity to national parks, and locale on a wildlife refuge — allowing guests to view Jackson Hole's native animals from the comfort of their suites."

Roughly two hours after arriving at Hotel Yellowstone in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I accidentally fell asleep.

Perhaps the serenity of the adults-only resort overlooking Grand Teton National Park and Snake Valley is to thank. It was the quietest hotel I'd ever been to.

I blame the ultra-luxe room.

I thought it epitomized cozy mountain luxury.

"The overall design style can be best described as a harmonious blend of tranquility, serenity, and modern sophistication," the representative said of the rooms.

The 36 guest rooms are spread throughout 9 buildings on the four-acre property.

Each accommodation is 600 square feet, sleeps two, and has a private balcony.

Depending on the view, starting rates range between $900 and $1,600 a night. Some rooms offer views of the mountains, while others are positioned toward the valley. Some showcase the pond on the property, and others combine multiple scenes.

As I stepped inside my room, I was surprised by the surplus of natural light that brightened the space.

I booked a room with views of the Teton Range. BI received a media rate for the one-night stay.

Wide, floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the back wall and a portion of the left wall.

"The color palette for the walls, furniture, and bathroom was thoughtfully chosen to highlight the surrounding landscape and the unparalleled views of the Teton Mountain range," the hotel representative said.

When I took off my shoes, I felt the soft give of the cushy carpet beneath me.

Restoration Hardware furnishings filled the room, from a king-sized bed and two cozy sitting areas to Western-inspired decor.

My room had all the basic amenities you'd expect at a high-end hotel, from an espresso machine to a mini-fridge. A TV hung above a fireplace across from the bed.

I spotted nods to the environment, too. The representative said the floor lamp that resembled antlers came from AntlerWorx, and the furry accent chairs were made from pure New Zealand sheepskin.

"Both pieces showcase natural materials and textures with the Moose Antler lamp serving as a tribute to local wildlife — particularly the seasonal resident moose who frequents the property," they added.

Sliding glass doors at the back of the room led to a private balcony.

The balcony was my favorite part of the accommodation. The spacious upper deck had two cushioned lounge chairs and a side table.

The view of the valley dotted with herds beneath the Teton range was one of the most epic I'd ever seen.

Unlike most hotel balconies I've experienced, the space was quiet. Not even cars on the highway were audible from the resort. And I didn't hear one voice the entire time I was out there.

After checking out the views, I decided to take a warm bath.

I'm not typically one for baths, but the Calacatta marble bathroom was spa-like. While warm water filled the large, free-standing tub, I turned on the floor and towel heaters to ensure top-tier comfort upon exiting the bath.

The most surprising part of my bath was the mountain views.

The bathroom was behind the bed with a sliding door in front of the tub, so I could view the Tetons while bathing.

"The room layout, windows, wall-to-wall sliding doors, and the beautifully crafted boiserie bathroom door enable guests to fully immerse themselves in the stunning views from every angle of the suite," the representative said.

Once cleaned up, I headed to the closet across from the bathroom to retrieve a robe.

I always look forward to hotel robes, and this one was more comfortable than most. It was made of thick fabric that felt like soft terry cloth.

Then, I cozied up on the bed, pressed the fireplace button, and turned on the TV.

Once I dried off, I jumped onto the cloud-like king-sized bed that felt endless when I cuddled up in the middle.

I grabbed the tablet on the nightstand with smart controls for the room, from mood lighting and curtains to room service.

With a plan to relax for just a bit, I turned on the TV for one episode of Modern Family.

Minutes later, I was fast asleep.

After an unplanned two-hour nap, I ended the night with a glimpse of what appeared to be the northern lights.

I woke up as the sun was setting and promptly headed outside in my robe to catch the end of it.

Once it was dark, I saw something I'd never seen before — and never thought I would see in the US — faint streaks of purple and green glided among the stars. I think it was the northern lights.

I could barely see them myself, but once I took a 30-second exposure on my camera, I was pretty sure I was right.

The northern lights were a massive surprise that made my stay even more meaningful. The quiet, peaceful resort made them even more mesmerizing.

• Luxury brand Hermès is best known for its handbags, which can start at around $10,000.
• Its artistic director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, said they were not "expensive," but "costly."
• Expensive is "a product which is not delivering what's supposed to deliver," he told "60 Minutes."

Would you call a $10,000 bag expensive? Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the artistic director of the luxury brand Hermès, would disagree.

In an interview on "60 Minutes" that aired Sunday, Dumas said the 186-year-old luxury fashion house's bags weren't "expensive" but "costly."

Hèrmes is perhaps best known for its Birkin bag, a tote the brand introduced in the 1980s that starts at around $10,000 but, in some variations, can cost six figures.

Expensive means "a product which is not delivering what it's supposed to deliver, but you've paid quite a large amount of money for it, and then it betrays you," Dumas, 58, said.

He said a "costly" product is priced highly because it is made "properly, with the required level of attention, so that you have an object of quality."

Dumas, who became artistic director of Hermès in 2005 and whose father was CEO of the Hermès group, said each bag the company sell is hand-sewn with its saddle-stitching by artisans trained for the task for years.

The limited resources and time required to complete a product contribute to the final price, which can also depend on size and materials.

Even the rich struggle to get their hands on Hermès bags

Even if Hermès clients have the money to splurge on a Kelly (named for Grace Kelly) or a Birkin (named for British actor Jane Birkin), they might have to wait years for it.

Martin Roll, global business strategist and senior advisor at consulting giant McKinsey, told Business Insider Hermès' brand identity is centered on the scarcity of its product.

Roll said this strategy was critical to the brand's longevity and ability to withstand tougher economic cycles, such as the slumping demand in China that is hitting the luxury industry.

"They know very well that, like all the luxury brands, Hermès could run the risk of being over-saturated," Roll said, adding that the brand's continued family ownership is also an advantage.

"You have that stability in the ownership," he said. "And you have leadership stability."

On "60 Minutes," Dumas dismissed rumors that Hermès artificially drums up the scarcity of its product, saying, "That would require a marketing department, which the Maison doesn't have."

"I always like to say Hermès is an old lady with startup issues," he said.

He also denied that the brand withholds bags to add to their scarcity.

"Whatever we have, we put on the shelf, and it goes," he added.

• As a personal stylist, I think the quiet-luxury look is easy to achieve.
• Look for high-quality pieces in classic silhouettes, which can be found on sale or secondhand.
• Accessorize with simple pieces and avoid wearing too many designer logos.

As a personal stylist, I love trends like quiet luxury that encourage people to buy quality pieces that can be worn for years, or even decades.

After all, quiet-luxury style is all about using high-quality, understated pieces to create effortless looks.

Some celebrities have really nailed it. One example that comes to mind is Gwyneth Paltrow and the outfits she wore during her 2023 ski-collision trial.

Her chic, understated looks were covered closely by fashion publications like Vogue and consisted of lush sweaters, fitted blazers, and leather boots in various neutrals. Her classic outfits managed to say, "I'm rich" without screaming it.

Some fictional characters — like many in the final season of HBO's "Succession" — have also exemplified the quiet-luxury look by mixing quality neutrals and timeless silhouettes.

Fortunately, the quiet-luxury trend is really easy to duplicate. Here are five tips to keep in mind if you want to nail this look.

Don't go overboard with logos.

Head-to-toe looks covered in logos from expensive brands can scream, "I'm trying too hard to look rich."

Quiet luxury stresses the quiet. Items that fit this trend tend to look luxurious when they don't have visible branding.

The good news is that avoiding logos can make creating high-end looks for less very easy.

Whenever I'm unsure if a piece feels quietly luxurious or not, I ask, "Would a Nancy Meyers heroine wear this while meeting her architect for an espresso in her recently renovated kitchen?"

Many of the lead characters in the director's movies have mastered understated-yet-chic outfits, so the piece is a winner if my answer is "yes."

Check the tags before buying a garment.

Get into the habit of checking what garments are made of, especially since higher prices doesn't always mean you're getting higher-quality materials.

Clothing made of natural materials tends to last longer and look richer than pieces made of artificial fabrics such as acrylic and polyester.

You'll want to prioritize cotton, linen, cashmere, wool, and silk.

Do your best to invest in quality.

Despite having "luxury" in its name, this trend does not have to break the bank.

To start, I suggest upgrading your basics to the highest quality you can afford. One way to do so on a budget is seeking out sale finds at luxury department stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom, or their discount spin-offs, Saks Off Fifth or Nordstrom Rack.

Also consider buying high-end pieces secondhand. I've had good luck finding luxury items at The RealReal, an online marketplace.

I recently purchased a 100% cashmere Giorgio Armani blazer there for the price of a marked-down Banana Republic jacket.

Quiet luxury is all about a relaxed silhouette.

If you're trying to lean into this look, leave your shapewear and skintight pieces at home. Embrace wide-leg pants, pleats, relaxed jeans, button-up blouses, and simple sweaters that are a little bit loose.

When choosing pieces, picture yourself as the kind of low-key chic person who replies to compliments with, "Oh, this thing? I just threw it on. I've had it for years."

Simple accessories subtly up the ante of a look.

One (or two) false moves and quiet luxury can look more boring than quiet. The easiest way to avoid this is with simple accessories.

Some of my favorite ways to elevate an outfit are with understated gold or silver hoops and a simple belt. A pearl or gold stud earring, simple chain necklace, or architectural ear cuff can also add an instant pop of chic to a simple look.

I also suggest investing in classic pieces that can instantly make you look more put together — like a trench coat or leather belt — and wearing them often.

• I'm a luxury travel advisor, and these are destinations I'll be recommending to clients this winter.
• For a sunny and sandy getaway, I suggest going to Palm Beach or Oil Nut Bay.
• St. Moritz and the Dolomites are popular ski destinations for my clients.

I'm a luxury travel advisor based in Los Angeles and I book five-star hotels and vacations for my wealthy clients around the world.

Many of them try to travel to upscale destinations with luxury hotels that feel exclusive without the large crowds of tourists.

These are a few destinations I recommend to my clients looking to get away this winter.

Palm Beach is a solid pick within the US.

I've found that this tiny island in the south of Florida is quickly emerging as a popular destination among wealthy travelers for its beaches, shops, and sunshine.

One highlight is Palm Beach's Worth Avenue, a retail paradise with a range of designer stores and high-end restaurants.

I recommend staying at The Breakers Palm Beach, a historic hotel with a golf course, tennis courts, and four pools. It's especially great for couples and families with kids.

The area also has exciting developments in the works for 2025. World-renowned chef Thomas Keller plans to open a new restaurant and The Vineta Hotel is set to open in the spring.

St. Barts is a popular escape from cold temperatures.

This French-Caribbean island is where many jet-setters and celebrities vacation during the winter months.

Its many beaches are great for families with kids, and its vibrant nightlife scene can be great for young couples who want to have fun.

I suggest travelers also stop by the nearby Colombier Beach — a stunning white-sand beach and natural reserve that is mainly accessible by boat.

Most of my clients stay at the luxurious Eden Rock St. Barths, a five-star hotel adjacent to Nikki Beach and Gypsea, two lively beachfront lounges.

I recommend the Dolomites for those who want snowy slopes.

For clients looking to hit the slopes, I recommend the Dolomites, a chic Italian mountain town and a great alternative to the Swiss or French Alps.

The mountain range is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 18 peaks.

I've also got my eye on the many luxury hotels sprouting up there in the next few years, including The Aman Rosa Alpina, set to reopen in 2025 after extensive refurbishments, and Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which is being rebranded into a Mandarin Oriental.

St. Moritz is also a great choice for skiers.

This small resort town in Switzerland has a monthslong ski season, so I recommend it to clients who love to ski.

A popular spot for celebrities and royalty, St. Moritz is dotted with designer stores, cozy restaurants, and high-end hotels including the glamorous Badrutt's Palace Hotel St. Moritz and Grace La Margna.

St. Moritz also has plenty of nightlife and entertainment options.

Billionaire St. Moritz — an experience combining fine dining and live entertainment — debuts at the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski this season. I've also heard the exclusive, members-only club Dracula is worth a visit if you can manage to get an invite.

Lastly, if you're headed to St. Moritz in February, you won't want to miss the International Concours of Elegance, where you can watch rare cars zip across a frozen lake.

For those who want to relax on a beach all day, I recommend Costa Palmas in Mexico.

Costa Palmas is the perfect place for travelers who want to lay low and relax.

This exclusive community in Baja's East Cape is home to nearly 2 miles of swimmable beaches, a yacht marina, and a small village with special restaurants like Mozza by Nancy Silverton and Delphine by chef Ludo Lefebvre.

My clients typically stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Costa Palmas, but an ultra-luxury Amanvari is set to open in 2025, so that's also on my radar.

Oil Nut Bay is my pick in the British Virgin Islands for larger groups.

This serene private island in Virgin Gorda is perfect for big groups or families with its beautiful turquoise beaches, rentable villas, and range of activities.

Oil Nut Bay has a private marina, heliport, beach club, and resident-owned luxury villas that can be booked for short-term stays.

Villas typically have one to seven bedrooms, and some can accommodate a dozen guests. To make the trip more luxurious and laid-back, you can arrange for private-chef service throughout your stay.

Oil Nut Bay also has water activities, a spa, hiking trails, sunset boat charters, and a nature center so there's something for everyone without even leaving the property.

• Le Labo is known for its luxury fragrances, including its famous Santal 33 scent.
• However, perfume fans say there's a dupe on the market: Jungle Santal from the Target brand Fine'ry.
• I tried both products and found they were similar in almost everything except the price.

Sitting at my desk with a cat on my lap, I slowly typed each credit card number into Le Labo's website.

Buying a sample of the brand's Santal 33 fragrance made me feel like I was entering a club I've long been an outsider to. The perfume, which can cost up to $1,095 for a bottle, is favored by celebrities, businesspeople, and other fragrance fans.

I was reminded of the scent — and the fact that I'd never smelled it — while interviewing successful men about their favorite colognes. Many of them mentioned Le Labo.

To feed my growing curiosity, I tried the brand's most popular scent. While I was at it, I figured I'd also experiment with a potential dupe: Jungle Santal by Target's fragrance brand Fine'ry.

Quickly, I realized that Le Labo fans might want to switch to the cheaper alternative.

Santal 33: a fragrant and expensive status symbol

I ordered my Santal 33 sample — which cost $12.79 with shipping and tax — on a Thursday morning, and it was delivered to my doorstep the following day.

Despite its minuscule size, the sample embodied Le Labo's understated aesthetic. The glass tube was wrapped in cardboard, and a yellow sticker displayed its ingredients and origin.

I've heard many fans say that Santal 33 is "refreshing" and "smells expensive." One social-media user said the scent reminded them of a pricey hotel in New York City.

Though I originally expected something light, almost like a spa scent, I altered my expectations after reading the perfume's description on Le Labo's website.

With notes of iris, violet, sandalwood, and leather, maybe it would smell sharp but floral, with a lingering musk.

I didn't expect the perfume to smell like pickle juice — a comparison that social media has shown is common among Santal 33 critics and fans alike.

Cat Chen, the founder of the fragrance brand Skylar, previously told BI that the reason perfumes can smell bad to you and great to others is likely related to your body chemistry — or, more specifically, your skin type and pH balance.

In my experience, the fragrance first smelled deeply earthy with a floral touch. As it settled, the musk kicked in, creating a mixture that reminded me of a spice cabinet and, again, an open jar of pickles.

I found it unpleasant and overpowering. Ultimately, it was not for me.

Once the perfume was on, its odor could not be ignored. So, I put my distaste aside and tested the scent's lasting power.

It was most fragrant in my hair, where I could smell it strongly for the first two hours I wore it. Four hours after application, the scent had nearly vanished from my skin.

I even asked friends and family if they noticed my perfume. They said they only smelled it faintly when we hugged.

The quick fade in scent surprised me. If I had spent $107 on the smallest bottle of Santal 33 or $1,095 on the largest, I'd savor every spray.

Purchasing the sample also did not include a coupon to save a few dollars on a larger bottle — a fairly standard practice in the perfume industry. Representatives for Le Labo did not respond to a request for comment.

Target's version isn't exactly the same — but it's close enough

Fine'ry doesn't claim to make dupes, as it told Fast Company in April. The brand aims to bring luxury scent trends to consumers shopping at a lower price point.

Still, on "PerfumeTok" — the fragrance-obsessed side of TikTok — numerous fragrance fans have said the brand's Jungle Santal perfume, sold at Target as a $29.99 perfume and $14.99 body mist, matched Le Labo's Santal 33.

I ordered the more expensive bottle that Thursday, which arrived by Sunday morning.

I was quickly impressed. The perfume, packaged in a plastic-wrapped box with a modern design, looked more high-end than expected from a big-box chain.

One spray proved that the Jungle Santal perfume isn't an exact dupe for Santal 33 — but they're similar. Both scents feature notes of cardamom and wood and are equally strong and musky.

While Le Labo's perfume quickly reminded me of pickles, Fine'ry's initially smelled more masculine with a stronger spice. Still, when the two fragrances settled on my skin, they were almost indistinguishable.

One thing I preferred about Fine'ry's scent is that the perfume features a note of black oolong tea, which I felt calmed the fragrance.

Most noticeably, they lasted the same amount of time, about four hours, on my skin.

The Fine'ry perfume did seem to fade more dramatically. Whereas Le Labo's perfume slowly drifted away, the more inexpensive fragrance seemed to lose a large chunk of its scent every half hour.

Representatives for Fine'ry did not respond to a request for comment.

Money versus fragrance

What's considered a good perfume will always be a matter of personal preference. While I like sweet gourmand scents, others despise anything in the category.

So, I can't say I enjoyed wearing either fragrance simply because I'm not a fan of musky, spicy scents.

However, based on lasting power, price, and aesthetics, it's hard to see why fans wouldn't swap Le Labo's pricey perfume for the Fine'ry option.

It lasted as long as the more expensive fragrance, was packaged in a pretty and minimalistic bottle, and cost significantly less than the designer option.

• Martin Kuczmarski was COO of Soho House before stepping down to open The Dover restaurant in London.
• He says its success shows that old-school hospitality is still valued.
• Kuczmarski thinks some members' clubs have lost their way.

Martin Kuczmarski has a bone to pick with private members' clubs.

Since stepping down as COO of Soho House in 2022, he's watched on as operators including restaurant group Cipriani and hotel chain Aman have opened their own ventures — and is not entirely impressed.

"The original idea was to get the right people in the right room for the right objective," Kuczmarski told Business Insider. "The purpose of members' clubs has changed — and a lot of people have become greedy."

Kuczmarski worked in luxury hospitality at Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels before being recruited by Soho House founder Nick Jones. Over 15 years, he helped turn the business with a handful of locations in London and New York into a household name.

By the time Kuczmarski left, Soho House had about 120,000 members across dozens of sites in 10 countries.

About a year later, Kuczmarski opened his first solo project: The Dover, a New York-Italian restaurant in London's ritzy Mayfair neighborhood.

The dishes are simple yet elevated — think spaghetti meatballs and burgers served on fine-bone china. Kuczmarski, who has Polish and Italian heritage, jokes that the menu he crafted is basically food he'd ask for if he knew it was his last meal.

The Dover has since become one of "the hottest" restaurants in London, which Kuczmarski says proves that old-school hospitality is still valued amid a wider industry push for tech-driven innovation.

"What I've done with The Dover is go backward," he said. "Maybe it's time for the members' club to go backward."

Putting old-school hospitality back on the menu

If you manage to clinch a reservation at The Dover, for which Kuczmarski said he spends up to four hours a day fielding requests, it won't take long to catch what he means by going backward.

Upon entering, you're greeted by staff who, instead of whipping out a tablet, flick through a large reservation book scrawled with handwritten details. Wait staff behind the bar and on the floor wear double-breasted jackets.

You'll hear the Kuczmarskis' private record collection playing on vinyl — featuring the likes of Bill Withers, Bob Marley, and Sade. The music will be audible, but not so loud you'll have to raise your voice to be heard or miss the clink of forks on china plates.

Through the bar and into the dining room, you'll see a black-and-white checked floor inspired by The Ritz in Paris and a curved wooden-paneled ceiling — nods to the Orient Express and the French Riviera.

Each bespoke table is covered in three layers of white tablecloths, which Kuczmarski says helps absorb noise, and topped with real flowers and candles.

Each detail is intended to evoke intimacy and connection, key elements of classic luxury hospitality that Kuczmarski believes are disappearing.

Although A-listers such as Paul Mescal have been spotted at The Dover, Kuczmarski says, "You don't have to be loud, you don't have to be big, you don't have to be arrogant, you don't have to be expensive, to succeed."

The next mission

Ahead of a stock market listing in New York in July 2021 as the Membership Collective Group, he says his schedule morphed into endless conferences, Zoom meetings, and flying between cities, leaving little time for the people-facing tasks he prefers.

In a way, Soho House lost its soul. "The personality, the human touch, was disappearing," Kuczmarski says.

Some Soho House members may agree, with some believing its origins as a meeting place for creative types is at odds with rapid expansion.

A year ago, the company said it was pausing new memberships in London, New York, and Los Angeles amid criticism about the quality of service and overcrowding.

The shares were priced at $14 for the IPO but have since struggled and closed on Monday at $4.71, valuing the company at $917 million.

Kuczmarski wouldn't be drawn on Soho House specifically, but says he's proud of what he accomplished alongside Jones, who stepped down as CEO in late 2022, and that the company's new management team is "very good."

Given his time at Soho House, Kuczmarski says it's only natural that people ask if opening his own club is on the agenda.

With the success of The Dover under his belt, it seems he may consider the idea: "Something in my stomach is burning now to show how to do members' clubs — to get it right."

In the meantime, Kuczmarski is also planning a second restaurant in London, which he hopes to open next summer, as well as a 60-room designer hotel in Italy.

• I ate at Kwame Onwuachi's new restaurant, Dōgon, in Washington, DC.
• We ordered coco bread, piri piri salad, chicken and rice, oxtails, and rum cake.
• Our tasty dinner was $244, and I'm already looking forward to my next meal there.

Kwame Onwuachi was only 25 when he appeared on "Top Chef: California" in 2015.

Just four years later, he was named Rising Star Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation, Chef of the Year by Esquire, and one of the best new chefs by Food and Wine — all thanks to his restaurant, Kith/Kin, in Washington, DC.

Although I didn't get to visit Kith/Kin before it closed in 2020, I was excited to be able to dine at the chef's latest DC venture: Dōgon.

The Afro-Caribbean restaurant's buzzy opening has been covered by the likes of Vogue, Forbes, and Eater — but, as a restaurant critic, I was curious to check it out myself.

Here's what it's like to dine at Dōgon.

It was tough to get a reservation.

Dōgon is located in the DC-area Salamander hotel, close to the city's southwest waterfront.

I had to make my reservation at Dōgon nearly a month in advance. Although 5:15 p.m. felt early for dinner, it was the only time I could get so I happily took it.

The cozy, basic hotel lobby didn’t prepare me for Dōgon.

The lobby's subtle yellows, browns, and blues contrast greatly with the chain-link curtains that beckon diners into the hotel's restaurant to the left.

Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the dark atmosphere. Music blared from the dining room to the hostess counter.

But once I was seated across from the bar, an illuminated glass ball provided sufficient light for me and my camera.

More light glowed from the open kitchen.

When I walked to the back of the restaurant, I was drawn to the view of the open kitchen.

A large group of chefs appeared to be working in harmony to bring the menu to life.

It was tough to decide what to order.

Onwuachi's menu includes dishes with influences from Nigeria, Jamaica, Trinidad, and New Orleans.

Several staffers helped throughout my meal, but my primary server, Andrea, especially stood out. When she found out it was our first time dining at Dōgon, she walked us through her favorites.

Our party had an allergy, which eliminated a few options from the menu. However, Andrea offered to adjust some dishes so that we could enjoy them.

Andrea’s first recommendation was the coco bread.

Andrea suggested we order the coco bread, and although the $15 price tag of it horrified me, I'm glad we did.

The five petite balls of sweet, buttery dough were far lighter than coco bread I've had at Jamaican restaurants. I was impressed with the bread's cloud-like texture and how easy it was to spread the malted-sorghum butter that came with the dish.

The piri piri salad was so good I had to finish it with a spoon.

The piri piri salad was smaller than I'd hoped for, especially given its $22 price tag. But any complaints I had quickly vanished when our server arrived to pour papaya dressing over the flower-adorned salad.

The thick papaya sauce was flavored with garlic and chiles — the same mixture used in the hot sauce that Andrea had already brought to our table.

The sauce helped accentuate bites of cucumber, tomato, cape gooseberries, and grapes, along with the almond-butter-filled avocado half.

The salad's balance between creamy and crunchy textures and spicy and sweet flavors made it extremely compelling. Once I'd eaten all that I could with my fork, I spooned the remnants into my mouth, savoring every last bite.

My favorite dish was the chicken and rice.

For years, I lived and worked in Houston, where I frequently indulged in food from the Nigerian community and became mildly addicted to skewers of suya and jollof rice.

Although Onwuachi's $63 chicken wasn't as spicy as the dishes at the mom-and-pop restaurants I used to frequent, he still brought some heat to the dish.

The roasted half chicken that dominated the plate barely required a knife. The tender meat was rubbed in a paste flavored with an earthy spice mix known as berbere and crowned with an herb salad.

The rice — made with tomatoes, chiles, and complex spices — tasted just like a grandmother's comfort food.

The deceptively simple dish was also plated with half a lime, more berbere paste, and a sweet-and-creamy mix of ricotta and honey. It was fun to mix and match these toppings to make each bite taste slightly different.

Onwuachi recently brought his famous oxtails back to the menu, too.

The Caribbean-style oxtails that Onwuachi made at Kith/Kin returned to DC on November 1, just days before I dined.

At $65, they weren't cheap, but I ordered them over the $110 wagyu short rib I'd been considering. The sugar and collagen in the sauce made it delightfully sticky — the dish felt like a beefy dessert.

Extracting the pillowy meat from the bones reminded me of gamja-tang, my favorite Korean stew made from a pig's neck bones. It was tougher to get the meat off without the chopsticks or gloves usually provided at Korean restaurants.

However, I did my best to finish every bite, spooning the sauce over the coconut-infused rice and peas to experience the unique flavor combination of sweet heat and flesh.

I didn’t have room for dessert, but I ordered it anyway.

I didn't get any pressure from Andrea or the other servers to order dessert, but I didn't want the meal to end just yet.

There were only two desserts on the menu, so I chose the $17 rum cake over the spiced cherry sorbet — and I'm glad I did.

Although the sweet treat sounded a little boring on paper, the crisp edges and fluffy center of the two slabs of cake made it a textural delight. It was squiggled with a vanilla whip and then finished with mint leaves and boozy, blistered cape gooseberries.

I'll definitely be returning to Dōgon.

Dōgon took some of my favorite dishes from around the world and elevated them to levels I had never imagined.

I can imagine the dining experience will be even more eye-opening for guests who haven't tasted as many world cuisines.

Either way, Dōgon is a must-visit restaurant in DC. I spent $244 there on dinner for two with no alcoholic beverages, and I would happily do it again.

• I've stayed at all-inclusive resorts around the world and seen first-timers make the same mistakes. 
• Don't go overboard with frozen drinks, and never fill your plate during the first pass at a buffet.
• Check out water-sport rentals and amenities at sister properties — and pack an insulated travel mug.

Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is very appealing for many travelers — and with good reason.

Being able to budget before you arrive and not having to worry about toting around cash or credit cards can alleviate a lot of travel headaches.

As a travel writer, I've been to dozens of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, the Maldives, and more. During my stays, I see guests overlook many details that could make their sojourns more enjoyable.

Whether you're planning your first trip to an all-inclusive resort or this is already your preferred style of vacation, here are 10 mistakes to avoid.

Not researching before booking

Not every all-inclusive resort is designed equally. Some have gorgeous pools and underwhelming beaches, or vice-versa.

Some cater to families with dedicated kids' and teens' clubs and activities, but others prohibit guests under 18.

I've stayed at resorts that run the gamut.

The point is that having everything included in and of itself isn't necessarily enough of an appeal. Think about what you're looking for in a vacation, do your research, and look beyond the slick marketing and touched-up, wide-angle photos on the resort's website.

Overlooking the VIP and concierge-level room options

The term "all-inclusive" doesn't mean what it used to.

These days, some resorts offer upgraded rooms and suites in certain areas of the property, with perks that may include butler service and dedicated lounges, restaurants, pools, or beach areas for these VIP guests.

Although spending more for these amenities isn't for everyone, they can bring a sense of luxury and civility to your vacation, especially if you're staying at a crowded resort where guests are forced to set out towels before breakfast to claim lounge chairs.

Not making dinner reservations when you check in

You may have access to a slew of restaurants at your resort, but that doesn't mean you can roll up to the host stand and automatically get a table, especially at peak dinner times. Remember, everyone wants 7:30 p.m.

To avoid disappointment, book tables for the popular spots right after you check in or before you arrive, if that's an option.

Keep in mind that depending on how many nights you're staying, you may be entitled to only a limited number of reservations for the à-la-carte concepts, so choose wisely.

My advice is to prioritize places that serve local cuisine. After all, you can get steak or pasta just about anywhere.

Filling your plate at the buffet before checking out all the options

All-inclusive resorts are often known for over-the-top buffets any time of day, with omelet and freshly-pressed-juice stations at breakfast and salad bars, local specialties, carving stations, and all the desserts at lunch and dinner.

Grabbing a plate and reaching for the serving spoons before giving the area a look-see is a rookie move that can also lead to overeating and wasting food.

Before tackling a buffet, take a walk around, as options can change not only from meal to meal but daily as well. And make it a point to take a spoonful of something you've never tried.

Forgetting to bring an insulated travel mug

I used to roll my eyes at resort guests who'd tote their travel mugs up to the bar to be filled with their beverage of choice.

I thought they were being overly indulgent and exploiting the concept of "all-inclusive" — but now I think they're on to something.

For one thing, insulated tumblers keep drinks colder for much longer and reduce the number of trips to the bar.

Beyond that, they're more environmentally friendly than all those single-use plastic cups. If you're bringing your Stanley and asking the bartender to fill it, though, tip them for going above and beyond.

Not tipping

Speaking of tipping, I'm aware that some all-inclusive resorts invite guests to "leave their wallets at home."

But unless the property you're staying at has a strict policy against it, small tips can go a long way. Tipping the bartender at a crowded swim-up or lobby bar when you first order, for example, can result in quicker service for your second and third rounds.

If you have a fabulous server at dinner, it's a nice gesture to leave them some cash on the table. And don't forget about the housekeeping staff, who keep your room free of sand and endlessly replenish your towels.

Ordering drinks wrong

Not all drinks at all-inclusive resorts are created equally.

I often suggest a stop at the lobby bar, which tends to stock top-shelf liqueur. Upgrade your piña colada by requesting it with dark or aged rum instead of white, which gives it much more flavor.

If you see Aperol or Campari on the back bar, you can be sure to get a decent spritz. Craft your own low-ABV libation by asking for sauvignon blanc or rosé mixed with club soda and a dash of simple syrup, garnished with a lemon wedge.

Definitely try the local beer or wine if it's available.

… and going all in on fruity, frozen drinks

A piña colada is decidedly delicious — I like to have one mid-morning, which I half-jokingly refer to as a "breakfast smoothie."

But if you keep hitting the swim-up bar to order blended concoctions, you're probably going to end up drinking a zillion calories and getting a stomachache or killer hangover to boot.

If you're on a quest to keep the buzz going, maybe switch things up a bit with a spirit mixed with soda water or a wine spritzer. Don't forget to hydrate with actual water to counter the effects of all that heat and sunshine.

Not taking advantage of the amenities at sister properties

Some resorts are part of sprawling complexes with several adjacent properties owned and operated by the same parent company.

If your stay includes reciprocity (such as a "stay at one, play at three" policy), you'll get access to other facilities, including additional pools, fitness centers, beach areas, and restaurants.

Making use of them is a great way to avoid boredom and make it seem as if your vacation includes stays at multiple hotels.

Not borrowing non-motorized equipment for water sports

Although Jet Ski, hoverboard, and parasailing rentals can be pricey, your all-inclusive may allow you to borrow simpler equipment such as stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, floats, and even Hobie-Cats at no extra cost.

Still, I often see them lined up on the beach all day, barely being used. Consider signing the waiver, donning a life jacket, and just trying them.

If you're staying at a place where these water sports are popular, add your name to the wait list first thing in the morning.

• Scottsdale, Arizona, has become a popular destination for luxury travelers.
• The Phoenician and Hermosa Inn are among Arizona's top luxury hotel offerings.
• I stayed in both and had two completely different experiences.

Arizona is a hot spot for luxury travelers.

The state is known for its award-winning travel offerings, from high-end resorts and spas to pristine golf courses and awe-inspiring desert landscapes.

This is especially true in Scottsdale.

In 2023, the city outside Phoenix hosted roughly 11.2 million tourists, from day-trippers to overnight visitors, who spent a total of $3.5 billion, according to a 2024 business report by the Government of Scottsdale.

I visited the Southwest desert town in April and stayed at two of Arizona's four-star hotels — The Phoenician in Scottsdale and the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, a nearby town known as "the Beverly Hills of Arizona."

The Phoenician was named "Arizona's Leading Resort" in the 2023 World Travel Awards. It also received the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award in 2024 for the 22nd time in a row, according to the hotel's website.

Meanwhile, the Hermosa Inn is a boutique establishment that Travel + Leisure named the best hotel in Arizona in 2023.

I had top-tier VIP experiences at both establishments, but the vibes at each couldn't have been more different. Ultimately, I think they were made for two different vacations.

I spent my first night at the Phoenician, a gigantic resort with 645 rooms.

From the moment my cab turned into its entrance, the Phoenician felt like a mega-resort. The 600-acre property was dotted with fountains, golfing greens, and several large buildings.

A winding road led to the main building, where the lobby and several accommodations, restaurants, shops, and event spaces were located.

After exploring the entire resort on foot the next day, I got lost on the way back. It took me about 30 minutes to find my room from the far end of the site.

Inside, the lobby had a warm color palette and modern decor.

Open since 1988, the luxury Marriott Hotel has gone through several interior renovations. Most recently, the accommodations were redesigned in 2016, and public spaces were revamped in 2018.

The lobby was huge. The warm hues of beige and red paired with geometric patterned fabrics reminded me of the desert landscape and Southwestern style.

My room was 600 square feet, with a bed, a sectional couch, and a balcony.

The deluxe room I booked typically costs about $800 a night when booked a month in advance, according to a search on the company's website. Business Insider received a media rate for the one-night stay.

I thought the furniture and decor were modern, like in the lobby, but there were more grays, making the beige elements feel like accents.

I had a comfy, king-sized bed across from a TV and storage cabinets holding a safe, a mini-fridge, and a Keurig coffee maker.

The bathroom was spacious, with a shower and a large tub.

The bathroom felt luxurious, with marble flooring and counters. There were two robes hanging inside, too.

From the balcony, I could see the building's unique architecture.

The geometric building paired boxy edges with a curvature. I thought it was a neat shape for a hotel.

But most of the fun took place in the communal resort areas such as the pool complex.

The complex has five pools, including one water playground and one adult-only pool. The pools are surrounded by lounge chairs, cabanas, and palm trees for shade.

During my stay, there seemed to be enough space for each guest to have a secluded experience. I didn't see crowds in the afternoon.

The Phoenician has eight restaurants and bars on-site.

The resort houses the award-winning restaurants J&G Steakhouse and Mowry & Cotton, and the award-winning lobby bar, Thirsty Camel.

The resort is home to an award-winning five-star spa.

The Phoenician Spa, which won the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award in 2024 for the fifth consecutive year, has 24 treatment rooms, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a sauna, and a room dedicated to peace and quiet. There's also a boutique, a dry bar, and a nail salon.

Near the spa, there's an athletic club.

The athletic club has several tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.

There's also an 18-hole golf course on-site with a driving range.

The course is surrounded by views of the Sonoran Desert.

The resort has a cactus garden, too.

The garden is behind the main building on a secluded, shaded trail. The short walk is dotted with 250 different kinds of plants.

After my night at the massive Phoenician resort, I checked in at the Hermosa Inn for a different experience.

A road in Paradise Valley lined with hilly fields and grand estates led to the Hermosa Inn. The hotel's entrance was a small, traditional adobe structure just a few yards from the main road.

The six-acre property has 43 casita accommodations in individual buildings of the same design style rooted in history.

In 1936, cowboy and artist Alonzo "Lon" Megargee built the now-hotel to serve as his home and studio until 1941, when it opened as the Hermosa Inn.

Inside and out, the decor maintains a traditional Southwestern style.

Unlike the Phoenician, there's nothing modern about the Hermosa Inn's interior design.

Instead, it transports visitors to the early 20th-century West from the moment they check in, with adobe bricks, wooden beams, and high-quality rustic furniture. The lobby and rooms also showcase some of Megargee's artwork.

Winding garden paths lead to the casitas.

Instead of being in a secluded space like at the Phoenician, the gardens lined the pathways around the resort.

Guests can access bikes on the property, but I explored on foot.

It was a peaceful and quiet walk to my room. I passed through archways and spotted fountains and vibrant flower beds.

My room was a deluxe casita at the back of the property.

At the end of the garden path, I had a secluded deluxe casita with a patio.

The room costs about $600 a night a month in advance, according to a search on the company's website. BI received a media rate for the one-night stay.

Inside, the 600-square-foot room had a seating area, a king-sized bed, a bathroom, and a fireplace.

The interior design was as Southwestern as the lobby, with wooden window shutters and a bed with wooden posts that made me feel like royalty.

Apart from the balcony, this room had all the same amenities as the Phoenician accommodation, from a safe to a mini-fridge.

The bathroom had a similar rustic flair.

Apart from the style, the bathroom at the Hermosa Inn was much like the Phoenician's. It was spacious, with a roomy shower and a soaking tub.

The pool area was much smaller at the Hermosa Inn.

The Hermosa Inn has one pool and one whirlpool. During my stay, I saw only a couple of guests using them at a time. Like the Phoenician, the Hermosa Inn also has a spa.

There's one restaurant and bar at the Hermosa Inn.

LON's was named the most romantic restaurant in Arizona by Food & Wine Magazine in 2022. It serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner and has a massive, garden-side outdoor patio as well as indoor seating. LON's Last Drop is the bar next to it, which has an outdoor adobe fireplace.

A wine cellar beneath the restaurant hosts guests with an exclusive tasting menu.

The underground room is always kept at 57 degrees.

There's also a library on-site with limited-edition art books and a fireplace.

The library is often used for wedding receptions and hosts up to 32 guests.

The hotel has a small fitness center.

The fitness center at the Hermosa Inn is small, but this makes sense, considering there are so few guests at a time compared to the Phoenician.

The Phoenician seemed great for families, while the Hermosa Inn provided a more unique, secluded, and cultural experience.

The Phoenician provided so many amenities, restaurants, and activities that guests could spend their entire vacation on the property. The resort is ideal for families and those looking to spend their days playing sports and chilling by the pool.

While much less extensive, the Hermosa Inn provides a unique experience for those looking to appreciate culture, peace, and quiet.

• After years of budget flights with bare-bones amenities, I'm increasingly springing for upgrades
• I often take my tween with me — but when we travel he now expects lounge access and premium seats.
• As a parent, I'm trying hard to keep him grounded with transparency about prices and gratitude.

After boarding a plane on a recent trip, the flight attendant greeted us over the intercom with some humorous words: "Welcome aboard Spirit Airlines. And to those of you who swore you'd never fly us again, welcome back!"

I laughed. My tween son, however, groaned. He'd been disappointed ever since I told him we'd be flying with the budget airline.

And I get it — the flight attendant's statement was an accurate assessment of my feelings about Spirit, which I've sworn off numerous times only to be lured back by attractive pricing and convenient schedule options.

But, like my son, I would much rather be in seats with ample legroom and in-flight amenities.

After decades of scrimping on the journey and instead splurging on the destination, I've found myself upgrading my travel experience and prioritizing comfort more than ever.

These days, I'll pay for lounge access at the airport and invest in premium seating — and, as my frequent travel companion, my 11-year-old is reaping the benefits as well.

But I'm noticing my tween protesting and moaning on the occasions when I choose not to spend extra for these luxuries.

Sometimes I worry that I'm spoiling him too much by exposing him to fancy upsells at such a young age, but I'm also working hard to keep him grounded.

I'm teaching him what upgrades cost and how to balance upscale and affordable experiences

The first time I took my son into an airport lounge, he was hooked.

Chugging down mocktails and loading his pockets with gummy bears, he declared that he never wanted to be stuck sitting on a stiff bench in the dusty terminal ever again. And who could blame him?

Soon, I found myself shopping for credit cards with pricey annual fees that included lounge access, but I stopped short of signing up for any.

Instead, I sat my son down and showed him the costs associated with the lounge lifestyle. Seeing how this figure impacted our overall vacation budget really helped put things in perspective for both of us.

Now when we splurge on lounge visits, we offset the added vacation cost by doing less expensive activities, like hiking, at our destination. Or we save this experience for trips with especially long layovers.

Handling upgrades this way shows my tween that indulging can be great, as long it's done in moderation.

Exploring the world is important to me, but I want my son to understand his privilege

This year, my family took our longest flight yet from Florida to Japan.

Craving comfort for this journey, I splurged for United Premium Plus, which offers recliner-style chairs, bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, and premium dining options.

It was well worth the $300 per person I paid for the upgrade, and it made a noticeable difference in our enjoyment during travel.

After this upgraded experience, it's no surprise that my son is having a hard time going back to flights on budget airlines.

But having the ability to travel at all is a privilege, and I've worked hard to make sure that my son understands that our lifestyle, even when flying economy, is a luxury.

Traveling is important to me, and by exploring the world, my tween is exposed to a wide variety of cultures and sees firsthand a vast disparity of living conditions. This provides additional opportunities for us to discuss — and for him to reflect on — his fortunate circumstances.

I want our family vacations to be relaxing and fun for everyone, including my tween

Hearing my son request lounge access or premium seats feels entitled, but I do think everyone's preferences should be taken into consideration when planning a family vacation.

For me, choosing to pay more for flight upgrades my tween will enjoy is no different from when I splurged on pricey trips to Disney parks when he was little. And because these upsells benefit me, too, I'm even more inclined to agree to them.

I think it's only natural that as my son grows up, his travel wants and needs will continue to evolve. The bigger he gets — and the smaller airline seats become — it makes sense that physical comfort is something that's top of mind for him.

Ultimately, as a parent, I want vacations to feel relaxing.

If travel upgrades leave my family feeling well-rested and ready for adventure when we land, then investing in them is just as valuable as the excursions we book at our destination.

So, even if traveling in style is spoiling my tween, I'll continue to upgrade us whenever it's within our budget.

• Modern factories, supply chains and Amazon have turned 'stuff' into a commodity. 
• The same inevitable supply-and-demand dynamic could wash over us again with generative AI.
• The ultimate outcome may be a new limited-edition luxury item: Humans. 

"Live experiences are the new luxury good," Kevin Hartz said in 2013 when Eventbrite, the ticketing startup he cofounded, got a big new funding round.

By that point, modern factories, supply chains, and Amazon had boiled down "stuff" to a commodity. You can now buy an overwhelming variety of tennis shoes, or spatulas, or sweatpants online. This abundance has taken much of the satisfaction away from purchasing physical things. This is why experiences, which by definition are finite, became more valuable.

There are only a few opportunities to see Taylor Swift on stage, versus the availability to purchase more than 20,000 kinds of tennis shoes on Amazon. So the price of Eras tickets soar, and shoes are cheap.

The same inevitable supply-and-demand dynamic is about to wash over us again with large language models and generative AI.

The ultimate outcome could be a new limited-edition luxury item: Humans. 

Unlimited content vs 'finite resources'

AI models can now automatically generate text, software code, medical diagnoses, images, voices, music, video, and lots more. The barriers to using this technology are falling away quickly. Anyone can fire up ChatGPT, GPT-4, DALL-E and other tools to produce an almost unlimited quantity of content.

This should be a boon to society. Many tasks will be completed more efficiently, making products and services more affordable and accessible, as venture capitalist Marc Andreessen recently explained.

There will be a reaction though: In a world of machine-generated abundance, human-centered services and experiences will become increasingly rare, valuable, and therefore desirable.

"The world's information is being turned into 1s and 0s and all this is being commoditized," Hartz told BI. "What can't be commoditized is finite resources like real estate, travel, seeing the sunset on Mediterranean, or surfing in Fiji. These are the luxury goods of the power elite."

Cooks, tutors, and robo-advisors

The more that AI automates restaurants, the more we'll want personal chefs such as John Barone, who cooks five days a week in the home of a wealthy Silicon Valley couple.

As AI tutor bots proliferate in education, the richest will pay for more exclusive access to the best human tutors for their kids.

The more robo-advisors handle our money, the stronger the urge of the wealthy to recruit savvy human experts to manage their family offices.

A new flood of automated emails

Email marketing is a simple example that some technologists are already worried about.

Generative AI tools are making it much quicker and easier to write marketing copy. The end result will be a flood of new emails that will overwhelm recipients and make them even less likely to open the messages.

"And our own machines will read those AI automated sales emails," Hartz quipped.

So, either your marketing email won't reach the humans you're trying to engage, or another AI bot will open it and you'll never be quite sure who read the message. A hand-typed email from a real human will be, relatively speaking, a rare and beautiful thing (complete with typos).

AI tutors versus small classrooms

AI models are beginning to revolutionize education, according to Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy. His organization has been working with OpenAI models to coach students in powerful new ways and help teachers develop class plans.

The gold standard throughout history has always been to have a personal tutor, and AI models can help personalize the education experience to bring some of this curated approach to more students, he explained during a No Priors podcast earlier this year.

"We don't have the resources to give everyone a tutor," he said during the podcast. "A generative AI tutor supporting students. That's going to be mainstream in 3 to 5 years," he added.

Pricey schools and a personal carpenter

And yet, Silicon Valley's top private schools, where many tech execs send their kids, are all about getting access to human teachers in small group settings. 

Castillja in Palo Alto highlights a student to faculty ratio of 7 to 1. Nueva, a Silicon Valley school for gifted kids, promises a similar ratio. The Menlo School in Menlo Park says it has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 in the upper school.

These institutions cost $58,000 to $60,000 a year and I don't see any drop-off in demand among the tech elite. They're still jostling to get their kids into these bespoke, human-centered learning environments.

One persistent, apocryphal Silicon Valley story illustrates this point. On weekends, one tech billionaire has been known to hire a personal carpenter to hand-make wooden toys for their kids build and play with.

Who manages the money?

What about when it comes to managing fortunes amassed by successful tech entrepreneurs? The wealthiest rely on talented financial advisors who are hired directly to oversee this money in family offices.

Bill Gates has his own private investment firm, Cascade, which has been run by money manager Michael Larson since 1994. Elon Musk's family office, Excession, has been run by a former Morgan Stanley banker called Jared Birchall for years.

Using AI for trading has been tough so far. AI models are trained on masses of data from the past. When new situations arise, they struggle to adapt quickly enough.

Even quantitative hedge fund firms, which use machine learning and other automated techniques, rely on humans. Two Sigma, a famous quant firm, is for the first time exploring ways to add traders who rely on their human judgment to make money, Bloomberg reported recently.

"The major challenge with using things like reinforcement learning for trading is that it's a non-stationary environment," AI researcher Noam Brown said on the No Priors podcast in April. He's worked on algorithmic trading strategies in the past and was a researcher at Meta before recently joining OpenAI.

"So you can have all this historical data but it's not a stationary system," he explained, referring to how markets respond swiftly to world events and other developments.

Part of the problem relates to what he calls sample efficiency. Humans are good at learning quickly from a small amount of data, while AI models need mountains of information to train on.

"Humans are very good at adapting to novel situations," he added. "And you run into these novel situations pretty frequently in financial markets."

Social media bots vs. martial arts

AI is making social media increasingly machine-driven, too. Soon, human content creators will be vying for attention with content generated by AI models.

Last month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled more than 25 new AI assistants with different personalities that use celebrities' images. Users will be able to interact with these bots on Meta's platforms in the future.

In a recent podcast, he described this new supply-and-demand situation well, saying human creators can't keep up with demand from followers.

"There are both people who out there who would benefit from being able to talk to an AI version of you," Zuckerberg explained. "You and other creators would benefit from being able to keep your community engaged."

So Meta will make an AI version of celebrities that can post constantly. Again, this will be infinite. And actually interacting with the real human celebrity will become more rare and valuable.

Meanwhile, when Zuckerberg is relaxing outside of work, he spends some of that time pursuing a very human pastime: Rolling around with other humans in martial arts contests.

Medical models and human doctors

AI models, such as Google DeepMind's Med-PaLM 2, are becoming incredibly good at answering medical questions and analyzing x-rays and other health data. But when wealthy parents have really sick children, they will still seek out the smartest doctors in the relevant fields of medicine.

You can see this in Silicon Valley's embrace of medical concierge services that provide special access to doctors and other human health specialists.

One Medical succeeded by offering better access to human doctors, and Amazon ended up buying it for almost $4 billion.

"We're inspired by their human-centered, technology-forward approach," an Amazon executive said when the deal was announced.

'Utility, value and signaling'

Hartz, a venture capitalist who now chairs Eventbrite's board, says successful technologists will continue to spend heavily on human experiences. But he says this depends on the activity and the motivations behind different actions.

He breaks this into "utility, value and signaling."

Many standard, common situations can be handled by software bots or even physical machines. Repetitive tasks at work and some educational functions are examples of these utility-type solutions.

In other situations, users will get more value from having machines handle the work, so humans can focus on more valuable tasks. If you're a well-paid machine-learning engineer, it will be better to have a robot clean your house so you can focus more on your job, he explained.

And then there will still many situations where humans will want to enjoy their success and signal the fruits of their achievements. And these activities will increasingly focus on finite human resources and experiences, Hartz said.

"You can't put on headset and pretend to be in Fiji," he added.

• My group of 20 went on a multigenerational trip to Austria and stayed in a castle for a week.
• Our stay cost about $151 per person per night, which felt surprisingly affordable for all we got.
• We had a great time and especially enjoyed exploring the spacious grounds and castle amenities.

The average price of a hotel in Austria tends to be over $200 a night — even higher if you want a five-star experience.

But if you get a group of 20 together and everyone chips in, you'll each pay around $151 a night to stay in a castle for a week.

That's about what my family did last summer when our large group booked a stay in Castle Wasserburg, a 12th-century marvel in Austria.

As expected, our multigenerational family vacation in a European castle ended up being pretty wonderful.

We were after the castle life, and we got it

To be clear, castles are not palaces.

Castles were traditionally built to defend people and places, whereas palaces were built as symbols of extreme wealth. Still, castles tend to be large and impressive, often with incredible grounds.

The castle we rented sleeps up to 20, with 10 bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The rental comes with a staff member who does basic cleanup and prepares a breakfast every morning for guests.

Redesigned in baroque style, Wasserburg's ground floor opens to a small entrance hall, a great hall with an open fireplace, a small salon, a sauna, and an elevator.

On the first floor there's a large, gilded salon we nicknamed "the WiFi room" because it had the best cellular reception.

There was also a library with a fireplace where the older generations liked to gather, and a secret back room adjacent to the library that my son discovered one afternoon.

Most memorably, the castle has an enormous dining room with a table that seats 24, a vast balcony overlooking the grounds, and a kitchen with an external dumb-waiter that lowers down to the grill area.

The dumbwaiter proved to be an invaluable tool so we could avoid running up and down narrow stairways with heaving platters of dishes. Even the youngest members of our clan had fun operating it.

Otherwise, we spent most of our time in the kitchen playing cards, creating nightly feasts, sampling too many local libations, and oversharing.

But our time enjoying the grounds was arguably the most memorable part of our trip.

The castle is situated on a large park with a moat, pond, private swimming pool, tennis court set in a rock garden, small forest, horse stables, and gravel-lined walking paths throughout.

There was a lot of charm and fun to be found nearby, too

Although we could've spent days around the grounds, the castle's prime location in St. Pölten meant we were within driving distance of some exciting spots.

One of our favorite excursions was to the Wachau wine region less than an hour from the castle. There, we explored vineyards producing full-bodied, fruit-forward but razor-sharp riesling and Grüner Veltliner.

Austria's capital city, Vienna, is also less than an hour away and worth visiting for at least a full day. We also visited Salzburg and Bratislava, both a few hours' drive from the castle.

I'll never forget our incredible stay

We would've had fun no matter where we stayed, but our time in the castle still resonates with me.

The castle was the destination and it's one of my favorite spaces we've rented as a clan over the years.

Staying in such a fascinating place helped us embrace the history of the region we were visiting — its culture, traditions, food, and drinks.

Living, cooking, traveling, and laughing together, even just for a week, reminded all of us of our shared history and traditions and gave us hope and energy to face a future united despite everything that may distract and divide us.

• The Four Seasons Jackson Hole offers exclusive penthouse suites for high-paying guests.
• These luxury suites cater to bachelorette parties and multi-generational families.
• The Granite Residence provides a home-like experience with ski-in and ski-out access.

In a hallway off the lobby at the five-star Four Seasons hotel in Jackson Hole, there's an exclusive elevator nook for the highest-paying guests.

The elevators lead to the ski-in, ski-out resort's 31 private residences. These penthouse suites with full kitchens and up to five bedrooms commonly host bachelorette parties and multi-generational families, Kim Cole, the director of public relations for the Four Seasons, told Business Insider.

On a recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I got an exclusive tour of one of these suites — the Granite Residence — and it felt more like a luxury home than a hotel accommodation.

The penthouse suite is in the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, a luxury ski resort in Teton Village.

Just beneath the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Four Seasons is well-located for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park visitors.

Cole told BI that while the Four Seasons maintains top-tier service across all 133 locations, each is designed uniquely to suit the destination.

"There's a sense of place at every Four Seasons," she said.

With a "mountain modern chic" brand, this location of the 63-year-old, high-end hotel chain was ranked the best stay in Jackson Hole by US News.

Rates vary by season. In the peak winter season, the Granite Residence starts at $11,000 a night.

The stay includes ski and snowboard rentals for kids under 12 from mid-December to early January.

I knew the penthouse would epitomize Jackson Hole from the moment I walked through the door.

On the ninth floor of the resort, I stepped into a foyer with leather coat hooks and a pair of matching ottomans beneath. A framed, purple buffalo stared me in the face.

I felt like I was in a Western film — and that was the intention, according to Sarah Kennedy, CLB Architects' principal and lead design director of the penthouse suite.

"The majority of people who come to Jackson are really coming here to immerse themselves in nature," Kennedy said.

Cherry-wood cathedral ceilings made the living and dining space feel large and luxurious.

When CLB redesigned the penthouse, completed in the summer of 2024, Kennedy said the team maintained the hotel's style while elevating it.

"They had accented it previously with a bunch yellows and warm whites. So in terms of trying to modernize it, we kept the base palette of rich cherries and redwoods and offset it with whites," she said.

CLB selected a neutral color palette.

"The color palette is very simple, with natural textures," Kennedy said. "When we did try to bring color there, it was being inspired from the outside, like the soft blues and the greens of the natural landscape at the resort."

Windowed doors led to a balcony at the back of the living room.

"The interesting thing about doing interiors here in Jackson is that the quality of light filtering into the space in peak winter and peak summer is completely different," Kennedy said.

So, CLB selects tones that complement light filtering into the interiors throughout the year.

"For example, I'm looking out the window now, and the amount of yellow and orange from all the leaves that are coming in is crazy," she said. "But you have to make sure that that same palette looks really good when there's a bunch of blue coming in from all the reflection of the snow."

"The subtle picking of these soft blues and neutrals is the way that we allow that palette to really feel immersive in nature but also stand the test of the seasons throughout the year here," she continued.

The dining table seated up to 10 people.

When sourcing furniture, Kennedy worked with an approved list of vendors, including Restoration Hardware and more local vendors. Select pieces also came from showrooms around the US.

The kitchen was a small, pentagonal room off the dining room.

The full kitchen had a gas stove. Guests can book a private chef to cook meals for them.

Next to it, there was a spacious pantry with an additional fridge, freezer, and other appliances.

This huge pantry had all the kitchen appliances anyone could need, from blenders to crock pots.

Next to the closet, I came across the smallest — and coolest — room in the entire penthouse.

Nestled in a corner of the penthouse, I opened the door leading to the guest powder room. It was the smallest room, with just a sink, toilet, and counter.

In such a luxurious space, I wasn't expecting to be wowed by the guest bathroom.

But I was wrong.

It was a guest bathroom with a bold wall covering.

"The bread and butter of what we do here is connect people with nature," Kennedy said. "As it relates to pieces within the space, there are some wall coverings, particularly the one in the powder room that's got a mountainous scene."

The bathroom was covered in white wallpaper with simple black sketches of mountains on them. A gold and gray painting of a fox on the right matched the finish of the faucet.

It was a simple room, but every aspect felt thoughtfully considered, which is why it stood out to me.

On the other side of the penthouse was an additional living space with cozy seating.

Kennedy told BI that the penthouse design is as much about comfort as it is about nature.

"We're giving people the ability to feel like they're living a luxurious experience," she said.

That's why the penthouse boasts two living spaces with cozy seating.

"After you've been skiing all day, you don't really want a super flimsy thin profile chair. You want something that feels like it's hugging you," Kennedy told BI. "There's an element of, 'I'm just going to sit here and sip my hot chocolate and not move for four hours.'"

The second living space led to a hallway decorated with custom Western art.

Cole told BI that much of the art in the penthouse was custom-made for the space, and guests can purchase the pieces.

The hallway led to the five guest rooms, each with its own bathroom and balcony.

The master bedroom also had a fireplace.

In all five bedrooms, CLB selected soft colors for the fabrics.

All five had an en-suite bathroom complete with marble.

These bathrooms screamed luxury, with oversize tubs, multiple shower heads, and separate toilet rooms.

There was also a laundry room in the penthouse.

I thought it would be convenient for long-term guests and large families.

Throughout the penthouse, there was a crow's nest view of the mountains surrounding the resort.

After I toured the Granite Residence, I thought it screamed Jackson Hole and the Wild West inside and out.

From the walls to windows and terraces, it was impossible to forget where I was while exploring the vast penthouse.

• I'm an interior designer who's worked with wealthy clients with large budgets.
• Lately, more clients have been asking me to include expensive conversation pieces in their homes.
• My wealthy clients also gravitate toward eco-friendly materials and statement stones, like onyx.

As an interior designer, I always love working with clients to create spaces that showcase their personalities and values, no matter their budget. But recently, I've had the opportunity to peel back the curtain and see what the wealthy are asking for in their homes.

Over the past year, I've been working with high-profile clients — from influencers to a CEO — with large budgets. So, I feel like I have a front-row seat to the latest trends in luxury home decor.

Here's what the wealthy are currently loving in their homes.

Clients are constantly asking for conversation pieces.

This might sound odd, but some clients insist on incorporating seemingly random, vintage (and, in my opinion, extremely overpriced) items into their homes.

These pieces have ranged from a salvaged fireplace from a 17th-century home in France to a weathered wooden door from an abandoned Italian villa. But honestly, I'm all for it.

Having something interesting to talk about when people walk in never hurts. Imagine someone complimenting your fireplace and casually replying, "Thanks, I shipped it from France." Talk about a conversation starter.

Custom art is becoming more popular among my clients.

I recently worked with clients who wanted art pieces that reflected their personalities.

Instead of picking something off the shelf, I made custom art that fit my clients' visions. Many of these pieces, which required large paintings or paper canvases, were very expensive to make.

Still, my clients loved being part of the creative journey, tweaking and perfecting their masterpieces until they felt just right. As a designer, seeing someone light up when they look at a one-of-a-kind piece hanging on their wall is fulfilling. 

Sustainability is definitely in.

Many of my affluent clients search for materials that look stunning and are made with sustainability in mind — think energy-efficient lighting, reclaimed wood, and renewable-energy sources.

For example, I've recently sourced sustainably made mattresses for a bedroom and salvaged boards from a barn for a kitchen backsplash.

I believe the future of interior design, especially in luxury homes, will revolve around sustainability. Over the next few years, I expect more designers to ask questions like, "How can we reuse marble to give it a second life?"

Statement stones like onyx and exotic marbles are popular among clients.

Gone are the days of plain countertops and all-white rooms that lack personality. Many of my high-end clients embrace bold statement stones like onyx and exotic marbles that showcase rich lines in the stone and make a striking impact.

Picture a kitchen with a stunning onyx backsplash or a bathroom countertop that elicits a "wow." Statement stones can elevate an ordinary space into something truly unique.

Custom-made furniture is definitely a favorite.

Custom-made furniture can be a game changer. I love the satisfaction of perfectly sizing a sofa to fit into a tricky corner or coordinating the trim on dining-room chairs with the fabric on a living-room couch.

Though custom pieces aren't essential — many of my favorite couches come from Ikea and other big-box stores — customizing furniture provides a chance to create unique items that reflect personal style and needs.

Clients who choose the custom-furniture route can select their preferred styles, source unique fabrics, and find ideal cushion fillings.

I've recently been incorporating ambient lighting into my clients' homes.

Have you ever walked into a nice restaurant and noticed a cozy vibe from the lighting? Ambient lighting — soft, glowing light that usually serves as a room's primary source of illumination — instantly makes everything feel more inviting.

Lately, my clients with big budgets are asking for custom ambient lighting in every corner of their homes. These fixtures, which range from LED strips tucked away in architectural details to beautifully designed lamps that cast a warm glow, create a luxurious, relaxing atmosphere.

Organic mattresses seem to be all the rage.

Some mattresses contain polyurethane foam, which can emit chemicals known as volatile organic compounds. Some of these chemicals can be harmful, so lately, I've been furnishing my client's bedrooms with organic mattresses instead.

I recently stumbled upon Avocado Green Mattress, a company specializing in organic mattresses and luxury bedding. So far, I've used the brand's mattresses and furniture in two of my projects, and they've been a hit.

Linen materials are everywhere.

Luxurious linens are popping up everywhere, and honestly, I couldn't be more excited about it.

Linen has proved to be so much more than just a bedding essential. The fabric has an effortlessly luxurious aesthetic, has great breathability, and is versatile enough for furniture, bedding, and window treatments.

Imagine draping your windows with stunning linen curtains that filter light and add a chic touch to your living space. Or how about reupholstering an old chair with some high-quality linen? This fabric can easily give your space a fresh new personality.

• I took my girlfriend on a luxury trip to Morocco but only had to pay $250 out of pocket.
• Using points, we stayed in beautiful five-star hotels throughout the trip.
• I'm so glad I learned how to maximize my credit-card points for travel.

My girlfriend always dreamed of going to Morocco for her 40th birthday.

Travel is something we've connected on early in our relationship. We took several domestic trips to states she'd never visited before to ensure we didn't rip each other's heads off before traveling to the other side of the world.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic stopped us in our tracks. However, while we were stuck inside in 2020, I started learning all about the world of credit-card points and reward miles.

There are a lot of videos and resources out there for free, depending on your needs, but I personally found the online course system Tricks to Travel to be useful.

It taught me how to maximize points and miles using the best credit cards for my spending habits and gave me a great base of knowledge for getting the best deals on luxury travel.

With two full years to build up points before her big birthday, I turned earning strategically into a game so I could make her dream trip a reality — and more luxurious than I ever imagined.

Booking our business-class flights was so gratifying

I knew I wanted to fly business or first class. I took to the private points and miles group I'm in from my Tricks to Travel class to ask if anyone had been to Morocco recently.

Several people told me to book business class on Royal Air Maroc, so I started searching for flights. I found a great roundtrip option with fully reclining business-class seats that cost me 115,000 miles and $93.18 in taxes per person.

My girlfriend had never flown business class before, so I was especially excited to surprise her with this.

I had to get creative to dig up the points for our luxury accommodations

Next up was our hotel accommodations — her only request was to stay in a riad in Marrakesh.

That made things a little more difficult since most of the elaborate houses-turned-hotels are boutique-style and don't have a points system I could tap into.

I decided to start with an easier task by planning the second half of the trip, which would be in Tangier.

Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort and Spa is a lovely five-star hotel, and I happen to have diamond status with Hilton Honors, so it worked perfectly for us.

When I booked with points, I was even able to get our fifth night free.

Our five-night stay in a standard room cost us 156,000 points (no extra taxes). However, with my status, I also got a complimentary upgrade to a suite and free breakfast.

After a few months of researching the best way to book a riad with points, the travel gods threw me a bone: Marriott added a riad to its portfolio.

Luckily, the chain had the same great rewards deal — when you book with points, you get the fifth night for free.

I booked a six-night stay for 120,000 points plus about $27 in taxes.

We had an amazing time without breaking the bank

Earlier this year, my girlfriend's dream trip became a reality.

Before learning about points, I never would've been able to make this trip as amazing as it was. But after a couple of years of building up my rewards portfolio, I only paid about $250 for 12 days in the lap of luxury.

Points and miles have completely changed how I travel, and I look forward to booking more business-class flights and five-star hotels on future trips.

• Patek Philippe watches are some of the most coveted in the world.
• That's because they're high in quality and have industry-leading features.
• Watch experts said that buying one requires lots of money, strong social skills, and patience.

Phil Reid, a luxury watch seller based in London, first came across Patek Philippe timepieces "on the back of a magazine."

"No one in my family had a Patek; I didn't come from that sort of wealth," the 30-year-old said, "but they'd be on billboards and in magazines. The marketing would talk about how you'd buy a Patek and pass it down generation to generation. That stuck with me."

By 1845, the Swiss brand, founded six years earlier, had patented key watch features like keyless winding and hand-setting systems, attracting its earliest fans, who included iconic figures like Queen Victoria.

Ever since, it's been known for its status-symbol watches, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars when bought directly from the brand or millions each on the resale market.

Still, getting one of the timepieces on your wrist is a tricky task, equivalent to buying a Birkin or Kelly handbag from Hermes.

Reid and Craig Karger, another watch industry professional, told Business Insider that purchasing a Patek Philippe timepiece typically requires patience, a solid relationship with an authorized sales associate, and a lot of money.

"Patek kind of has a stepping stone system to getting the watches that you want," Reid said.

Here's what that path can look like.

Where can you buy a Patek Philippe watch?

Karger, a former lawyer who now runs a publication called Wrist Enthusiast, said that Patek Philippe "generally doesn't own their own stores."

Aside from a handful of boutiques spread across cities like Miami and Lisbon, the Swiss brand sells its products through authorized retailers worldwide. Watches of Switzerland and Bucherer are two popular examples.

Karger recently visited the former to see if he could buy the brand's new Cubitus watch off the shelf. Spoiler alert: He couldn't.

At such retailers, the two experts said you typically need to form a relationship with a sales associate and purchase from them regularly.

"You could buy Rolex. You could buy Cartier. You could buy IWC, whatever the store has, but you're going to have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars with them — and probably more — before they start offering you something that's on the very rare side," Karger said.

That's only the first step.

After developing a purchase history of various watches, you'd likely be introduced to Patek Philippe's classic pieces. These variations are luxurious, of course, but not as highly in demand as other Patek watches, like those in the Nautilus and Aquanaut families.

Still, Reid added, completing that step is no small feat. He said these simpler pieces are offered "almost as a privilege," and buying one is another necessary step to being offered more popular styles.

"If you're really buddy-buddy with the salespeople or if you are an influencer or a celebrity, maybe you can bypass some of these steps," Reid said, "but Patek is probably the strictest amongst all the brands with who they allocate watches to."

"They're very, very selective, very careful," he continued. "They will vet everybody meticulously to make sure that they don't resell."

Representatives for Patek Philippe did not respond to a request for comment from BI on its sales processes.

Pay your dues, or pay a hefty premium — the choice is yours

If buying directly from Patek Philippe sounds too daunting, there's always the secondary market. That's where many Patek pieces end up, Karger said.

Some shoppers find buying resale largely beneficial; they can find rare watches and discontinued pieces and save time and money.

"If you have somebody that doesn't want to put in two or three years and spend $50,000 to $100,000 on stuff that they don't want, they can come to businesses like mine," Reid said.

On the flip side, you have to be prepared to pay premium prices.

"Some watches may retail for $50,000 but sell for $150,000 on the secondary market," Krager said. "As long as you're willing to pay that, you can get it leave with it on your wrist that day."

The new Cubitus design is a perfect example. While Patek Philippe's suggested retail price ranges between $41,240 and $88,380 each, the pieces are currently on the resale market for between $127,500 and $238,000 each.

Reaching the level of Patek Philippe

When collectors, jewelers, and other fans discuss Patek Philippe watches, awe almost always enters their voices.

The luxury brand "stands above the likes of Rolex and Audemars Piguet, just because of their quality," Reid said, adding that other high-end watches have "service issues" and don't last as long as they should. "I've never really heard anybody have issues when they've bought a Patex Philippe watch."

Variety also plays a huge role in the appeal of Patek watches.

"As a luxury brand, it's kind of different from everyone else," Krager said of Patek Philippe. "They make something that could fulfill any kind of itch you have at that time — whether it's a sports watch or something crazy with really high-end complications."

But maybe the most attractive quality to shoppers is that owning one is still extremely rare, no matter how many Patek watches are on the resale market. Both Reid and Krager, for example, have yet to have Patek pieces in their personal collections.

But if you are one of the lucky ones who's bought a Patek directly from the brand? You basically got a two-for-one deal: a luxury watch and the bragging rights to say you bought one of the most exclusive offers in fashion.