From the luxury real estate ads in the Aspen airport to views of mansions from the town's gondola, it was clear from the moment I arrived in the ski town that owning property in Aspen takes a lot of wealth.

In fact, Aspen is the most expensive ski town in the country, with an average weeklong vacation costing $5,330 for one traveler in 2023. 

Blocks away from Aspen's downtown is Red Mountain, a neighborhood known for residents that are so rich it's nicknamed "Billionaire Mountain."

I toured the neighborhood, where famous faces like Walmart heiress Ann Walton and the Bezos family owned property.

Along the drive, I also spotted one of the most expensive homes ever sold in Aspen — a $72.5-million property bought by Patrick Dovigi, a former professional hockey player and the founder and CEO of the waste management company Green for Life Environmental, according to Aspen Daily News.

As I crawled up the switchback mountain roads, the properties became larger, and the entrance gates grew grander. 

I embarked on tours of five different mansions in Aspen with luxury real-estate agents Heidi Houston, Doug Leibinger, and Carrie Wells.

The homes ranged from $13 million to $51 million and came with extravagant features I could never imagine owning, like wet bars, indoor pools, and 12-car garages.

At the very top of Billionaire Mountain, I stopped at The Peak House, a 22,000-square-foot estate that sold for $40 million in 2022. 

The Peak House is the highest residence on Red Mountain and real-estate agent Heidi Houston pointed out features that earned the property its price tag. 

Beyond its sprawling size and grand views, the home had a wine cave, an enormous living room, and a 12-car garage. Plus, the estate also had its own set of uncommon additions. For example, there was an indoor pool and a secret bedroom built for the first owner's mistress.  

Aspen Park is a 15,000-square-foot home five minutes away from downtown Aspen. The house sold for $51 million by real-estate agent Carrie Wells.

On a tour of the home, I spotted two elevators, 10 fireplaces, and a Lamborghini-themed garage. I also discovered unusually extravagant amenities throughout the house. For example, an oxygen system that pumps extra oxygen into the room was placed in the primary bedroom. Its goal is to mimic different sea levels and reduce the effects of altitude sickness, as Wells showed me during the tour. 

Stepping into Dalwhinnie Farms, a dispensary in the heart of downtown Aspen, was the poshest cannabis-buying experience of my life.

Dalwhinnie's CEO, Brandon Barksdale, told me that the store was intentionally designed to cater to Aspen's elite. Within my first moments inside the store, I was greeted by scents of warm leather and views of crystal glassware sparkled from nearby shelves.

It's not just cannabis Dalwhinnie sells. Next to its display of edibles, flowers, and concentrates are Rolex watches, cashmere scarves, and jewelry with a $92,000 price tag. 

Aspen was one of the first times I slept in five-star hotels. The experience didn't disappoint.  

At the time, for $848 a night, I stayed in The Little Nell, Aspen's only five-star and five-diamond hotel. It has welcomed celebrities like Britney Spears and Beyoncé. Later, during my trip, I spent $700 for a night at The St. Regis Aspen Resort. The St. Regis also has five stars and is known for rich and famous visitors like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, and Paris Hilton.

With famous clientele and expensive rates came luxury offerings that made me feel a bit like a celebrity, too. 

I expected to see designer dogs playing fetch at the parks and lapdogs in Louis Vuitton purses, but I hadn't considered how hotels and restaurants would cater to pups.

At The Little Nell, for instance, dog owners could order the"Canine Delights Daily," which was served in dog-friendly bowls and included carrots, brown rice, scrambled eggs, and the owner's choice of protein. 

Most five-star hotels have a long list of amenities, but one of The Little Nell's biggest appeals is its ski-in/ski-out access and its own designated ski concierge.

The concierge will help guests coordinate ski lift tickets, rent gear, schedule ski school classes, and even preheat their ski boots each morning so they don't have to worry about cold feet. 

I've stayed at hotels that had free airport shuttles on buses and vans, but I never had access to luxury cars at hotels. 

At The Little Nell, I had access to a free electric Audi Q8 e-tron car rental.

To celebrate the transition from day to night, each evening, a saber was brought out to the courtyard for a dramatic Champagne popping. 

While I missed the ceremony on the first night, I happily accepted a glass of Champagne upon check-in. The ceremony felt overly grand for a daily ritual, but I'm also not one to complain about free bubbly. 

Small things in Aspen felt like shocking luxuries that I've never seen in cities like New York or Denver, like covering water fountains and bike stations for inclement weather.

In Aspen during the winter, the bicycle rideshares were closed, the bikes were stored away, and plastic covers were placed on the docking stations.

The same went for the town's water fountains. Each water station in Aspen had a snug cover that protected it from the colder temps.

To me, it seemed like the city of Aspen cared about its infrastructure. In the summer, I imagine the town's resources would be up and functioning — unlike the broken water fountains I remember from my time in New York. 

Good luck finding a McDonald's, Chipotle, or Subway anywhere in or near Aspen. The quaint ski town takes pride in its upscale food scene, which doesn't include fast-food chains.

In fact, the town's one and only McDonald's closed its doors in 2016. 

The most casual restaurants I visited during my stay in Aspen were The White House Tavern, where sandwiches cost between $21 and $26 without fries, and a pizza shop that served $6 slices. 

I arrived at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in jeans, a turtleneck, and a pullover sweater. This was much nicer than my typical airport attire of leggings and a T-shirt.

Yet I was by far the most underdressed traveler in the airport. In every corner of the small terminal, I noticed people with designer shopping bags and Louis Vuitton suitcases.

The airport had one eatery that sold warm food and snacks. Other than Coca-Cola products, Wrigley gum, and Flipz pretzels, there were few name brands. 

I spent about $8 on a pack of gum and a marshmallow treat. Although I'm used to airport food being overpriced, Aspen's airport set the bar even higher in terms of prices. 

At the food counter, travelers could order an $18 chicken cordon bleu sandwich, a $19 portobello rice bowl, or a $19 pork carnitas burrito. 

For snacks, options included a $15 bag of trail mix, caramel-flavored popcorn, and handmade marshmallow treats from The Crispery. 

Between a home oxygen system and room-service dog food, by the time I landed home in Denver, I had cataloged new luxuries I never dreamed of.

Previous trips to New York City and Paris had moments of indulgence, but in Aspen, I embraced the town's extravagance the moment I arrived.

Kim Appelt, a personal and celebrity stylist, told BI that tailored, relaxed blazers are easy to throw on and wear effortlessly.

"This is the ultimate 'power casual' piece, delivering sophistication without being too formal," she said. "They work with everything from jeans to silk slip skirts, creating an understated, polished look that feels effortless."

Some popular styles are those from brands like The Row or Celine that have clean lines for a sharp, precise look.

Desiree Miranda, a New York City stylist, a personal shopper, and the founder of Miranda New York, said many people opt for leather and suede pieces to elevate their looks.

"These pieces give off a feeling of prestige and status while also offering timeless style," she said. "When you find the perfect piece, whether it be a coat, pants, or a jacket, they will mold to your body over time, providing a unique and comfortable fit."

Leather shoes are versatile and go with both tailored and casual looks, making them ideal for everyday wear, the office, and more formal occasions.

"Timeless loafers, often penny styles from Hermès or Chanel, and sleek ankle-high leather boots are popular," Appelt told BI. "The quality leather softens beautifully over time, and because they never go out of style, they're the perfect fusion of comfort and class."

Lindsey Bernay, a leading fashion expert, a stylist, and the author of "You Can't Leave the House Naked," told BI that monochromatic looks are luxe.

"Monochromatic looks signal luxury through subtlety," she said. "Wearing one color head to toe, especially in neutral tones, creates a sleek, sophisticated look that feels both fresh and timeless."

The stylist emphasized the use of clean lines and high-quality fabrics for an extra bit of posh elegance.

Appelt told BI that handbags with minimal branding, like the Hermès Picotin and the Bottega Veneta pouch, are in demand.

"The understated look is the new status symbol," she said. "This shift toward subtlety shows a confidence in one's style without needing to prove anything — it's the ultimate 'if you know, you know' vibe."

Appelt said high-quality cashmere sweaters, cardigans, and turtlenecks in neutral tones are popular among rich clientele — especially when they're from brands like Loro Piana or Brunello Cucinelli.

"Cashmere lasts and gets softer over time, making it a true investment," she said.

The celebrity stylist said the knitwear is a good example of the influx of "quiet luxury" in the fashion world. They're well made and high quality while still being comfortable and low-key.

Accessories can be just as important as clothing in high-end fashion, and Appelt said bespoke jewelry is in.

The trend can include customized pieces, like a gold signet ring, and vintage fare, like heirloom-quality earrings.

"There's a lean toward pieces that tell a story or have sentimental value rather than flashy logos," the stylist said. "Custom jewelry feels intimate and luxurious, especially in an age when personal expression is key."

Kroll is an actor, comedian, writer, and producer known for Comedy Central's "The Kroll Show" and for creating and starring in Netflix's "Big Mouth" and "Human Resources," among other hit shows, but he's not the only success story in his family. 

His father, Jules Kroll, founded a corporate investigation company, Kroll Inc., which he sold in 2004 for almost $2 billion, Forbes reported in 2014.

Nick Kroll grew up in Westchester County, New York. In 2009, he told The New Yorker that he and his siblings had a relatively normal childhood. He also said that although he was grateful that his father made time for him despite his job, he felt embarrassed when Jules would arrive at his Little League games in a limousine.

Journalist and commentator Anderson Cooper is a direct descendant of the Vanderbilts, whom Britannica describes as "one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in the United States."

His great-great-great grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt, built his fortune primarily through investing in steamships and railroads. Upon his death in 1899, Cornelius had amassed $100 million — over $3 billion in today's money.

"He had more money than the US Treasury," Cooper told CBS in 2021.

Cooper's mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, grew up as an American socialite due to her family's status. She later became an artist, actor, designer, and author. She died in 2019.

His father, Wyatt Emory Cooper, was Vanderbilt's fourth husband. Before he died at the age of 50, he worked as an author and an actor.

Gwyneth Paltrow comes from a family of entertainment-industry natives. She spent her childhood at prestigious private schools in Los Angeles and New York City before dropping out of college to act.

Bruce Paltrow, her father, was a nine-time Emmy-nominated director and producer. His most notable titles include "St. Elsewhere" and "White Shadow." Meanwhile, her mother is Emmy- and Tony-winning actor Blythe Danner of "Meet the Parents," "Meet the Fockers," and "The Last Kiss."

Despite her parents' success, Paltrow refers to herself as "completely self-made." 

"People think, 'She's just a rich kid.' Until I was 18, I was. Then I was broke. I've never taken a dime off my parents. I'm completely self-made," she told Glamour in 2016.

Supermodel and actor Cara Delevingne is the daughter of Charles Delevingne, a successful real-estate developer, and Pandora Delevingne, a socialite. Her paternal grandmother was a socialite, and her paternal grandfather was a notable lawyer and politician.

But that's not where it ends. According to Vogue, Cara's maternal grandfather, Sir Jocelyn Stevens, owned Queen magazine, which is now Harper's Bazaar. Further, her maternal grandmother, Janie Sheffield, was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret, the sister of Queen Elizabeth II.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the great-great-granddaughter of Léopold Louis-Dreyfus, who founded the Louis Dreyfus Company, a merchant firm that deals primarily with agriculture, food, and shipping.

Her father, Gerard Louis-Dreyfus, eventually became chairman of the company. In 2006, about 10 years before his death, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $3.4 billion and named him the 200th richest billionaire in the world.

In 2018, the "Seinfeld" star told The New Yorker that her father's wealth is overestimated by the press and that she finds the term "billionaire heiress" to be "heinous."

Their father, Stephen Gyllenhaal, is an Emmy-winning director who has worked on films such as "Paris Trout," "Homegrown," and "A Dangerous Woman." Their mother, Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, is an Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe-winning screenwriter whose most notable film is "Running On Empty."

The Gyllenhaal siblings, Maggie and Jake, have had prolific careers since their costarring breakout roles in "Donnie Darko" in 2001.

In 2010, Jake told The Guardian, "My mother would say that there are people who have so much money who don't give any of it away, and there are other people who have much less money, who give more than the richest people in the world. It should all be about giving something back."

Pop artist King Princess — or Mikaela Mullaney Straus — is the great-great-grandchild of Isidor and Ida Straus.

Before the couple fell victim to the Titanic sinking, Isidor served as a member of the United States Congress and co-owned Macy's with his brother. Isidor and Ida Straus have been depicted in multiple movies and have a memorial garden in New York City.

In 2019, King Princess told Rolling Stone that she didn't inherit their money.

"They were very rich and Jewish, [but] I didn't inherit any of this money. It was a little frustrating, but whatever," she said.

The pop star's father, Oliver Straus, is also successful. He owns a recording studio in Brooklyn called Mission Sound, where world-famous bands like the Arctic Monkeys have recorded music.

Armand Hammer, Armie Hammer's grandfather, was an oil tycoon who managed Occidental Petroleum Corporation. According to Britannica, under Armand Hammer's leadership, Occidental went from the brink of bankruptcy to bringing in billions of dollars annually. In 1986, Forbes estimated Armand Hammer's net worth to be $200 million.

However, Armand Hammer's biographer, Neil Lyndon, referred to him as "the most satanic man of the second half of the 20th Century" and the "embodiment of sin [and] ruthless ego" in a 2022 docuseries, "House of Hammer."

"In terms of corrupting the political process, in terms of controlling people, and making them dance his tune, there is no comparison," said Lyndon.

Armie Hammer has also been mired in controversy. In 2021, multiple women accused him of sexual and emotional abuse. At the time, Armie said any interactions with his partners were consensual and denied the allegations. The Los Angeles Police Department investigated a claim of sexual assault but he was not charged. In 2023, he told Air Mail he'd been emotionally abusive to his accusers. 

Armie Hammer's fall from grace also appears to have impacted his wealth. In August 2024, he said he had to give up his truck because he couldn't afford gas.

Lana Del Rey, whose given name is Lizzy Grant, is the daughter of Rob Grant, the founder of WebMediaProperties.com. According to Who API, Grant's company operated 1,600 websites and owned about 800 domain names as of 2012.

A 2012 article in The Guardian by Paul Harris discusses how Lana Del Rey hid her real identity as she emerged as a star.

"People were suspicious of the way Grant's failed album, and all her social media websites appeared to have been scrubbed from the internet just before Del Rey appeared," Harris wrote. 

The same article also claims that her father backed her career when she was just starting out.

Grant released his first album, "Lost at Sea, " in June 2023. Although Del Rey has not commented on her father's success as a businessman, she has discussed his budding music career.

"This is either gonna be the beginning of something beautiful or take us all down," Del Rey said in Instagram comments in February last year, per Virgin Radio UK.

Actor Nicola Peltz Beckham, who has appeared in TV shows like "Bates Motel" and "Welcome to Chippendales" and movies including "Transformers: Age of Extinction," married Brooklyn Beckham — son of Victoria and David Beckham — in 2022. But even before her wedding day, she was part of a high-profile family known for its influence in business and social circles.

She was born in 1995 to parents Claudia Heffner and Nelson Peltz in Westchester, New York — her father is the founder of the investment firm Trian Fund Management, which, according to Forbes, is worth $1.6 billion. 

She began her acting career in 2006 with the film "Deck the Halls," and, most recently, wrote, directed, and starred in the film "Lola," which received negative reviews from several prominent film critics. In the film, she starred as a stripper.

In a 2024 interview with WWD, Peltz Beckham acknowledged that she didn't have an unbringing like her character's.

"I wanted to write a story from a person's perspective and another point of view that was not my personal view and not my upbringing. I am an actress and my dream is to get to look at the world from different perspectives," she said.

If you're looking for a truly medieval-feeling city in the UK, you can't choose a better spot than the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

I was mesmerized by the city's stunning mix of architectural styles, which makes the buildings appear larger than life. Most notably, Edinburgh Castle towers over the city and is visible from many different spots in town.

Edinburgh is also a treasure trove of history, whether it's Mary King's Close, a preserved 17th-century alley, or a whiskey tour in which I learned about the distinctive regional varieties of Scotch.

When the colder weather started getting to me, I was able to find a surprising number of hot-chocolate shops. I found that hot cocoa paired with a doughnut from one of the countless bakeries around town made for the perfect afternoon snack.

Amsterdam has a reputation as a party city, particularly its proclivity for marijuana and the Red Light District. Though Amsterdam is definitely a good place to have a great time, there is so much more to the city.

During my stay, I tried to avoid the tourist hot spots, favoring the local neighborhoods instead. One particularly enchanting walk along the canals led me to Foodhallen, a lively food market where I got to enjoy sushi, a corndog, and the Dutch snack of bitterballen — which can best be described as a deep-fried stew ball.

When I did venture to busier places, it was to tour the art and history museums. My favorites were the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, which were each powerful and moving in their own right.

I also enjoyed how much the city's layout differed from the other European cities I visited. Bikes and boats reign supreme, which make for lovely ways to explore the city.

Zurich is a gorgeous city, and sitting on the banks of the lake with a plate of currywurst was a top-tier European experience for me.

Though I found the city to be expensive compared with the other places I visited, the main reason I wouldn't return is because of Zurich's enviable neighbors: the villages of the Swiss Alps.

In just a few hours, you can leave the urban environment and arrive in towns like Wengen and Mürren, which look straight out of a storybook.

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit the capital of Wales was to tour Cardiff Castle, and the complex didn't disappoint. I learned about 2,000 years of history, from ancient ruling families to an underground bunker used in World War II.

But in my opinion, the rest of Cardiff wasn't quite as impressive.

Though I enjoyed the Victorian and Edwardian arcades (glass-roofed alleys with various shops), the city center felt a bit grungier than the others I visited because of some loose trash lying around. I also felt as if there weren't a ton of other activities to do in the vicinity.

But with 400 castles scattered throughout the country, I'll be sure to explore the more remote parts of Wales on my next visit.

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.

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. 

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?"

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 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.

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.

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.

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.