From drugs and escorts to trashed rooms and private chefs (not to mention massive illusions of grandeur), there are a lot of things that go on at luxury hotels that neither guests nor staff want you to know about.Enter: the following Reddit thread. Taking to the r/AskReddit community, Reddit user u/catstevenseagal asked: “People who work at 5 Star Hotels: what type of shit goes on that management doesn’t want people to know?”. The thread was commented on 13.6k times and saw many stories anonymously shared by 5 star hotel workers.“Obviously, drugs and escorts are a classic,” one Reddit user, who claimed to know a luxury hotel worker, wrote. “He showed me 20 phone numbers of drug dealers in his phone to be able to get whatever drugs to the customers (he never buys though, only gets people in contact).”“And for harder tasks, he goes through professional concierges who charge A LOT.”

“You want a new Prada dress at 2AM for the party you are about to attend? Sure thing, let’s wake a few people up, charge triple the price and split the benefit between people involved. Have a good night madam.”

Another wrote: “My husband worked at several luxury hotels and residences” and said it wasn’t just about the state the rooms were left in that surprised him, but it was the behaviour of the ultra rich.

“I’m not talking businessmen and doctors. I’m talking Saudi Princes and Heirs to Dynasty families. The level of comfort and technology these people have come to expect is things we cannot imagine.”

The same user continued, sharing statements her husband had overheard while working like: “What do you mean there isn’t there access to intercoms next to the bathroom for when I need services while going potty?” and “The television inside the shower is only a 40 inch and there is no gold in this room I need a better suite.”

Oh and the ever-present: “I’m gonna need you to go out, buy me better bedding, remake my bed, and then do it again tomorrow because I won’t sleep on the same bedding twice.”

Classic.

Another epic tale shared in the thread is as follows: “I spent 10 years in the boutique and 5 star hotel world. Got stories for days. But here is my favorite that sums up hospitality (former anyways).”

“Our concierge was Les Clefs D’or, had all the connections, this dude could get you into the French Laundry same day. He would often greet guests with sangria and sprigs of mint from his garden. Sometimes he had lemon slices from his tree too! He loved to tell guests all about his garden and they ate it up.”

“Yeah that’s all bullshit. Mint, lemon, and any other garnish we got from the local grocery store. The sangria? Cheapest boxed stuff we could find. But he sold the story like no other. At the end of the day, it worked.”

It doesn’t end there. A number of years ago, Arik Kislin, co-owner of the Gansevoort Hotel Group, told Insider a few more of the secrets that luxury hotel management doesn’t want you to know (or think about). First of all, he said that tipping really does change how you are treated: “The more you treat the staff well and compensate them for the services they are providing, the better they will accommodate you.”RELATED: Everything ‘The White Lotus’ Taught Us About Hotel Etiquette He also said that celebrities sometimes get to stay for free (infuriating, but true) and that some hotels document your behaviour in the hotel common areas, and your interactions with staff.As Insider reports: Kislin said that hotels do this to remember what their guests like and don’t like.“When people make weird or special requests, we always make note of them so the next time they stay with us, we are fully prepared for anything they might need. Our guests are our number one priority and we want them to feel at home with every stay.”Insider adds: “On the other hand, if you behave in an unfavorable way — like causing a scene over a small grievance — that may be recorded, too.”Another Reddit thread, this time dedicated to the wildest things hotel workers had found in rooms after guests had left, showed that guests often leave behind some mind boggling things – from “a literal crack pipe in the freezer” to “a gun underneath a mattress” to “live crickets all over the room.”There’s more. A Quora thread from 2017, which asked “What are things about 5-star hotels that they do not want you to know?”, revealed even more about the world of luxury which hotels don’t want you to know (mainly about how important it is to maintain guests’ privacy if you want them to keep coming back).

A man called Bruce Claver, whose profile indicates that he has 20+ years of luxury hotel management, wrote a lengthly screed, illustrating the lengths luxury hotels go to in order to ensure the privacy of their guests.

He wrote: “Five-star hotels do not want you to know anything concerning anybody famous or otherwise, currently staying in the hotel or who has ever stayed at the hotel, no matter how ‘juicy’ the story or facts are. In fact, the employees themselves are required at many upscale hotels to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to employment agreeing to not disclose anything about anybody and that includes after employment has been terminated.”

He continued: “Employees will rarely speak to each other about what they learn because they risk immediate termination if management finds out staff have loose lips. While they do speak to their immediate co-workers because many times it is necessary to ensure everyone is on the same page in order to maintain service standards, they will not share detailed information with other departments unless there is a need-to-know circumstance in order to maintain that service consistency.”

His story then got a little more detailed: “If the public really knew what these celebrities were up to, it would not only be a PR nightmare for the celebrity, but the hotel as well because it would highlight the lax security celebrities and affluent guests depend upon. Anybody in this group is a target of the media and the media reaches millions of people.”“An affluent married person (a judge, Senator, movie star, musician, business owner, etc.) having an affair in a hotel room is risking millions and millions of dollars in addition to his/her reputation, family reputation, and business. Divorces at this level are legendary and always played out on the front pages of the tabloids. But it is not just shady activity that is protected, it is safety as well.”

“For example, if Taylor Swift were staying at the hotel and someone came up to the front desk and asked, ‘Is Taylor Swift staying here? I’m pretty sure I just saw her!’ The standard answer would be (after looking in the computer), ‘I’m sorry, I do not have a guest registered under that name’ which would be the truth since famous people never stay under their real name and we allow people to be registered under an alias or as an NRG, non-registered guest, so their name does not pop up on the computer screen if the front desk agent types it in.”

He then illustrated his point with an example: “Here is what happened when a celebrity was outed after he stayed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in the early 1990’s. This celebrity, who was married at the time and is still active on TV today, had a mega-suite, ordered room service, made phone calls to escort services, and partied with ‘dancers’ in his suite. Some idiot in room service decided to make some money and sold the information to the National Enquirer who then published the story along with details including the name of the suite and the tower where the suite was located.”

RELATED: American Tourist Arrested For Negative TripAdvisor Review Of Thailand Hotel 

“His picture wound up on the front page of the tabloid along with a detailed story inside. At the time, we pulled up his folio and called the phone numbers he had called from his room (this was pre-cell phones) and sure enough, they were ‘adult’ oriented. The story appeared to be true and someone breached the guest’s security. There was an investigation and we were all questioned at the front desk but the culprit was believed to be someone in Room Service.”

He then shared another tale, this time of a woman calling up the hotel and explaining that she’d had a one-night stand with a man ten months prior (in the hotel) and knew his room number and what country he was from but not his name (and didn’t have his contact information). She then asked the hotel for his home phone number so she could tell him he was now a father. He said the hotel denied her request, such was the hotel’s emphasis on privacy.

He finished with the following: “All the five-star hotels compete to have celebrities and affluent guests stay with them, and considering they have the financial means to choose any hotel they want to, trust with one’s security/privacy and impeccable service go hand-in-hand to maintain a healthy and long-lasting relationship.”

“Therefore, it is the secrets and names of guests that five-star hotels do not want you to know. Oh…and even the best-maintained hotel kitchens have some roaches. That too.”

Read Next

• Cruise Ship Staff Reveal The Wildest Things They’ve Seen On Board
• Hotel Staff Reveal The Wildest ‘Rich Person’ Requests They’ve Ever Recieved

The post 5 Star Hotel Workers Reveal Everything Management Doesn’t Want You To Know appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Owning a Lamborghini is one’s way of announcing to the world that “you’ve made it.” Visually dramatic, insanely fast, rare and refined… The Italian performance car brand is a by-word for excess, exoticism and luxury.

Australia’s cheapest Lambo, however, is none of those things. It’s not even a car. But it is only $18,000 – or about a tenth of what you’d expect to pay for even the cheapest Lamborghini supercars. Meet the Lamborghini 1060 Premium.

That name might not have the same cache as, say, ‘Aventador’, but its stats might impress you. It’s got a 60-speed transmission, four-wheel-drive and is powered by a 6.0L straight-six. It also makes 395.1Nm of torque at only 1400rpm. That sounds insane! But it also only makes 78.3kW, it’s a diesel, and it weighs over 4 tonnes.

In case you hadn’t guessed by now, the cheapest Lambo in Australia is a tractor. Which might leave you with a few questions. Since when did Lamborghini make tractors?

Actually, Lamborghini’s been making tractors longer than they’ve been making cars. Ferruccio Lamborghini, an enterprising mechanic and thrillseeker from Northern Italy, built his fortune making tractors and farm equipment using left-over military equipment in the wake of WWII, eventually becoming one of Italy’s richest men and one of Europe’s major tractor manufacturers.

Indeed, Signore Lamborghini only entered the car business after a negative interaction with Enzo Ferrari. The apocryphal story goes that Lamborghini, dissatisfied with the after sales service and general reliability of his Ferrari 250 GTs, raised his misgivings with Old Man Ferrari himself – who rudely dismissed the tractor magnate.

Lamborghini was then inspired to make his own sports car; one more luxurious, reliable and higher performance than Ferrari’s offerings. Lamborghini’s first production car, the 350 GT, launched in 1964 and was an immediate success… Much to the chagrin of Ferrari, we imagine.

RELATED: ‘Lamborghini’s Huracán Evo Is The Most Impressive Car I’ve Driven In A Long Time’

Lamborghini Trattori is now a completely separate business entity to Automobili Lamborghini, but continues to produce high-quality tractors and farm equipment to this day. They’re not really the supercars of the tractor world or anything like that, though.

The tractor brand recently received a publicity boost when former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson bought a modern Lamborghini Trattori R8 270 DCR for the filming of his new TV show, Clarkson’s Farm.

RELATED: Land Rover’s Newest Defender Labelled ‘Pointless’ By World’s Top Motoring Journalist

Anyway, back to our 1060 Premium. Up for sale in Rossmore, an outer rural suburb of Sydney, this Italian Stallion is a bit of a bargain. Yes, the aircon needs a re-gas and the 3 point linkage needs new draft control sensor (we’re not going to pretend as if we know what that means) but for only $18,000, it’s a hell of a lot of tractor… And a hell of a lot of Lamborghini.

Let’s face it, you’re not going to win any drag races and you’re not going to pick up any dates in it (it’s only got one seat anyhow), but we can’t think of a better way to get into Lamborghini ownership. Except maybe buying an NFT or something.

Check it out on Facebook Marketplace before we decide to pull a Clarkson ourselves…

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• World’s Most Desirable Lamborghini Pops Up For Sale In Queensland
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The post Australia’s Cheapest Lamborghini Is Only $18,000… But There’s A Big Catch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A truly awkward economy seat design has left travel lovers furious – the flex lounge. The economy seat idea, which was designed before the pandemic hit in 2020, involves a seat set-up where you can sit facing your friends or family. 

As the designers – German aviation company, the Heinkel Group – wrote on Facebook: “Our concept, the Flex Lounge, gives the opportunity to book the first two seat rows and make it your own private little area. Your time together starts after takeoff!”

The problem is – what happens when you’re not travelling with friends or family?

I’d rather be put in the luggage hold than have to sit like this on a plane https://t.co/jCCZzsAXXO

— Emily (@emilyhardinggg) January 29, 2020

There would be a lot of scope for irritating behaviour, as many commenters beneath a recent news.com.au article pointed out. “I never want to sit next to people, no way I want to face them,” one commenter wrote. “Hello….privacy is the #1 desire of every traveler” wrote another.

“Ridiculous, I wouldn’t sit like that with family, friends or anyone!” another added. Oh and not to be outdone, another person wrote: “I did this on the train from Paris to London. It was absolute torture for all.”

Despite these online complaints, the flex lounge was, believe it or not, short-listed for a competition in 2020. That didn’t stop it getting a bunch of grief on Twitter though.

Certain people already like putting they toes through the crevices of the window and seat in front of them. BOI if I see a toe raised up anywhere near my elbow rest/thighs????? pic.twitter.com/L1XTq7XbFQ

— Gimmie my money Old Lady Punk!!! (@classy_cutie03) January 29, 2020

One Twitter user suggested that in 2020 scientists had lost their way – rather then designing things to improve our lives they must be conspiring to actively make them worse (in all caps, too).

“2020 SCIENTISTS HAVE STARTED WORKING ON INVENTIONS THAT PROVIDE DISCOMFORT TO HUMAN LIFE.”

Another wrote: “Exciting ideas… for sadists.” Further comments included: “Their feet are LITERALLY touching. Please spare us this idiocy,” and “Do you want murders to happen mid flight? Because this is how you get murders in mid flight.”

Another user joked that it could be a great way to get a seat to yourself. He wrote: “I will wear a crop top with nipple holes cut out of it and pick my nose nonstop until the people across from me leave. Btw I’m a bigger man with a beer belly so let that sink in.”

Another Twitter user said they actually didn’t mind it, and said it’s quite common on trains.

I love all the Americans who have never been on a train getting triggered by this. It’s common everywhere else I the world. Like this train I’m on now. pic.twitter.com/45QLtw5Pwk

— David Brown (@4dmbrown) January 28, 2020

On news.com.au another user made a similar point: “I flew with Czechoslovakian Airlines in 1985 from Prague to London in this seating arrangement. There was a table we could put up between us and I found it very comfortable. Mind you, I was only 26 and travelling with friends…”

Finally, another Twitter user pointed out a massive hole in everyone’s logic, explaining that the seat swivel was not set in stone: “Since nobody read the story, I’ll just put it out there that this is a flexible configuration. Meaning families and groups traveling together can sit facing each other if they want. Otherwise, the front row seats are positioned facing forward the normal way.”

One question remains though: why put us through all that stress in the first place? As Natalie Reilly for news.com.au pointed out, the design doesn’t seem to take basic laws of human interaction into account.

“And while they [the Heinkel Group] stipulated that it was for family and friends, I must query if they understand how basic relationships work?” Reilly wrote.

“Because, if you are a family, you know that someone – most likely a child – is going to yell ‘bags not sitting backwards!’ and then they’ll be fighting with another child for the rest of your 18-hour flight, or until the child with the weaker tummy vomits on you after sitting backwards.”

She added: “As for friends, sure, this might be tolerable if you’re travelling from Hamburg to Paris – that’s 1 hour and 40 minutes of zero screen time, just the aggressive level of intimacy that comes from staring at each other non-stop. And maybe you’re into that.”

Food for thought – and not a design we anticipate seeing in the skies any time soon. If COVID wasn’t enough of a travel killer for one decade, perhaps this supremely awkward economy seat design has what it takes to kill your desire to travel for good…

Read Next

• New Invention Could Change Economy Travel Forever
• This Futuristic ‘Formula One’ Seat Design Could Redefine Business Class

The post Flex Lounge Economy Seats Just Might Ruin Air Travel appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you think of Daniel Craig, you most likely also think of James Bond, but the British actor has been in so many other iconic roles; including Detective Benoit Blanc in the popular film, Knives Out.

After Knives Out’s release in 2019, it was announced in 2020 that a sequel was in the works and this morning, the first trailer (which you can watch below) for the upcoming film was released. So, here’s everything you need to know about the film – called Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Australian Release Date

Netflix – who bought the rights to the Knives Out sequel in early 2021 – has announced that Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will be released on the streaming platform globally on December 23rd 2022.

The Knives Out sequel will also be released in select theatres, although Netflix is yet to announce what date cinemas will begin showing Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Trailer

The Cast & Crew

Knives Out 2 AKA Glass Onion will have no relation to the events of the first film; Rian Johnson, the writer and director of both Knives Out films, has made it very clear that the only connection between the first and second film will be Detective Blanc (Craig’s character), who will be investigating and trying to solve a new mystery. This sadly means none of the original cast members like Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, or Jamie Lee Curtis will be in Knives Out 2.

Fortunately, a new stellar ensemble cast was announced for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in June of last year. Of course, Craig will star but he’ll be joined this time round by Dave Bautista, Madelyn Cline, Kathryn Hahn, Ethan Hawke, Jessica Henwick, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton, and Leslie Odom Jr.

The Plot

Sadly, nothing about Knives Out 2‘s plot has been revealed. All we know is that there will be a new whodunnit mystery set in Greece and Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Craig, will attempt to solve it.

As soon as any new information is announced – including more plot details and reviews – we’ll be the first to let you know!

Read More

• Ricky Gervais Is Not A Fan Of Daniel Craig And His James Bond Movies
• Thor Director Taika Waititi New Comedy Series Is Hitting Australian Screens

The post First Trailer For Daniel Craig’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Drops appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Chris Hemsworth is known for maintaining a ridiculously ripped physique, courtesy of a series of intense workouts and maintaining a strict diet (albeit one with a high number of calories). He’s also known, of course, for being a Hollywood megastar, appearing in the likes of Thor and Extraction. But, at the end of the day, he’s human just like the rest of us, and a recent Instagram post proves he enjoys a sweet treat as much as the next guy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)

Taking to Instagram this morning, Chris posted a picture of himself alongside his wife Elsa Pataky at Hans & Gretel UK – a dessert cafe in Camden Town, London, England – enjoying a “bubblegum flavoured ice cream dipped in sprinkles and wrapped in cotton candy.”

Chris goes on to admit that this one ice cream is “4 weeks of cheat meals in one hit”, but adds he has “no regrets.”

We’ve previously discussed cheat meals, even alluding to their importance. Chris Hemsworth himself has put forward the message that cheat meals are important, previously showing himself enjoying a birthday cake.

Fellow muscle mountain The Rock has spruiked the importance of cheat meals, especially if you’re someone who is attempting to put on as much weight as possible, to turn into muscle, since a cheat day can provide a huge influx of calories. Of course, they’re only useful if you’re regularly going to the gym and don’t have the overall goal to lose weight or fat.

For Chris, having this one ice cream is unlikely to make his stomach balloon, but if his claim that it represents four weeks worth of cheat meals in one hit is true, he may want to hold off on the cake for the rest of his trip. Talk about holding yourself to a high standard…

Learn how to get ripped like Chris Hemsworth in the video below

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The post Chris Hemsworth Enjoys ‘Four Weeks Worth Of Cheat Meals’ In One Hit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There’s a time in every young man’s life when sleeping in dodgy hostels with other young travellers is the ultimate adventure.

There also comes a time in every slightly-older man’s life when he thinks, “Screw that! Give me 5 stars or give me death.” For that second stage, we did some recumbent research.

After wetting our lips on the finest gin London has to offer, resting our heads on the softest of pillows and waking up with the suave demeanour of Mr Bond himself—let’s just say we doubt you’ll miss the 10 bed dorm. Read on and explore our top 14 picks for cool London hotels.

Hotel Cafe Royal

Recently renovated and reopened, Hotel Cafe Royal is a luxury dream come true right in the heard of London’s West End. Located on Piccadilly Circus and walking distance to most of London’s designer attractions and shops, Cafe Royal is perfect for work or play. It offers stylishly appointed rooms, incredibly attentive staff, high-end restaurants, cool cafes and a number of bars. Their gym and pool is amazing and worth staying at for this alone. We’ve stayed here and we love it.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $795 per night

The Nobu, Shoreditch 

From its Executive Room to its Studio Suite the Nobu Shoreditch marries Japanese and East London aesthetics with style. A unique creation, Nobu Shoreditch is an expression of Design Hotel’s iconic creative expression, and is one of just 10 hand-selected hotels in the boutique chain. Highlights include a cavernous below ground restaurant, its proximity to old street station and Shoreditch High Street, top notch service and facilities (including a pilates studio, treatment rooms and a Technogym). And of course it has a range of rooms to suit single travellers and families alike, so you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to base yourself while experiencing everything Shoreditch has to offer.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $277 per night

L’oscar, Central London 

Designed by Jacques Garcia—the French designer behind Hôtel Costes in Paris, La Mamounia in Marrakech and NYC’s NoMad—this former baptist church is now one of London’s most decadent hotels. As you would expect from Garcia—a master of mixing reverence for the historical with dramatic bohemian opulence—L’oscar has a super-sexy interior set against a traditional periphery. In other words, it’s a tribute to what the Victorian era was all about: maintaining a classical rigour while leading a private life of craziness and debauchery. If this lavish mis-en-scene tickles your fancy, and you’re keen on staying in an avant-guard hotel in the heart of Holborn (one of London’s coolest high-end districts), amongst a thriving mix of bars, shops and restaurants, this one’s a no-brainer.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $363 per night

Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden

Henrietta Hotel is a two minute stroll from the Savoy theatre, and is one of the best rated locations in London. Set at the top floor of no. 15 Henrietta Street, the Grand Henrietta (we cannot recommend this room highly enough), gives you stunning views of London from your private balcony: rooftops, landscape and landmarks including the London Eye are all at your fingertips. And all rooms in this hotel are romantic escapes in of themselves, complete with intimate details, exclusive finishing and exquisite furniture. There’s also rainforest showers and (in some rooms) a claw foot bathtub—for ultimate relaxation.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $449 per night

The Ned, Poultry

Condensed, The Ned experience is “Sitting by the pool on the rooftop of a 100-year-old building, looking out over St Paul’s Cathedral and beyond.” Expanded? We’ll leave that to your imagination. Check in here if you want to experience a historical masterpiece worthy of Game of Thrones’ favourite short-lived character.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $334 per night

The Distillery, Portobello Road

Located a mere 1-minute walk from Portobello Road Market, The Distillery in London features a top shelf bar and gin collection. Situated in the heart of the Kensington and Chelsea district, the nearest airport is London Heathrow Airport, 18 km away. This area is a great choice for travellers interested in architecture, monuments and entertainment.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $200 per night

Sanderson

The Sanderson is a 5-star boutique experience located in the electro-beating heart of London’s infamous Soho district. The landmarked 50s building has been gentrified by Philippe Starck into an ethereal jazz of baroque and modern design that makes the Hilton look like a gold-polished turd. Its mad hatter design blends extravagance and simplicity, making it feel like you’ve followed Alice into Wonderland. Who knows: after a few whiskies, maybe you have?

BOOK @ Booking.com From $387 per night

ME London, Central London 

ME London hangs atop the southern tip of Covent Garden. The 57 guest rooms, including 16 suites, offer (arguably) a better view over the major local landmarks than you get from London Eye: the City-Skyline, Trafalgar Square, London Bridge, and the River Thames can all be seen through floor-to-ceiling windows. In 2013, ME London was honoured on the famous Conde Nast Traveller Hotlist, and in April this year the head concierge received the prestigious ‘Golden Keys’ hotelier industry award.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $416 per night

Belgraves, Central London

The Belgraves blends traditional British hospitality with an American bohemian attitude. A mere stone’s throw away from Victoria Station, Belgraves is the first European instalment of the Thompson Hotels luxury experience, and is located in one of the London’s most affluent neighbourhoods. If the hotel’s 80-seat restaurant, intimate library bar, and fitness center don’t keep you entertained, check out the nearby internationally renowned shops, sites, and the bustling Sloane Square.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $164 per night

Shoreditch House, Shoreditch 

Guests of Shoreditch House, a private members’ club tucked away in East London, are treated to 26 bedrooms kitted out with vintage AM/FM alarms, hot water bottles, fresh Cowshed cosmetics, shampoo’s and soaps from the adjacent spa, powerful rainforest showers, and a range of classic books, toys, and games that they are encouraged to borrow. Rooms are open to both members and non-members. One for the bucket list. 

BOOK @ Booking.com From $262 per night

Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

Located a two-minute walk (or a three hour pub crawl) from Piccadilly Circus, the Ham Yard’s rooms are all tailor-made, and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with excellent views of the surrounding city. If you stay, make sure to make the most of the quirky add-ons, such as the fitness centre with a hypoxic chamber (a fitness tool, which simulates altitude), a cinema, a rooftop garden and a 1950s-style bowling alley.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $701 per night

The Curtain, Shoreditch

The Curtain is nestled among among Shoreditch’s premiere bars and eateries in an artsy neighbourhood. With everything you would expect from a hip, upscale hotel like this (and more) you’ll be blown away by more than the service. Bonus features include being close to both Old Street tube station and (2 miles from) the Tower of London.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $267 per night

The Principal London, Bloomsbury

If you like literature, history or architecture, the Principal London, Bloomsbury, is the place to be. A Grade II* listed landmark building, The Principal occupies the eastern flank of Russell Square in Bloomsbury. We won’t give too much away, but the opening of this 334-room hotel really restored the original building to her original glory—while administering a shot of adrenaline to the heart of London’s most literary neighbourhood.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $338 per night

The Mandrake, Fitzrovia

Harry Potter’s hallucinogenic plant (the mandrake) with the scary goblin face whose screams can kill a person is probably not on your mind as you enter this hotel. However, although the Mandrake hotel doesn’t exactly dominate the small street in Fitzrovia that it’s in, it should invoke an involuntary double-take upon arrival, such is the class and luxury on offer.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $541 per night

The Pilgrm, Paddington

The Pilgrm, Paddington describes itself as a “refreshing break from the ordinary.” With a pared back design, at once modern and antique, it has achieved its aim, paying homage to its history and location. If you appreciate old world design and British craftsmanship you’ll feel right at home.

BOOK @ Booking.com From $186 per night

RELATED: The Ultimate Men’s Shopping Guide to London

The post Cool London Hotels You Must Visit In 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Vancouver is one of the few world-class cities exclusive to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Known for their scenic nature, friendly people and artistic communities, the area has become a growing destination for travelers and businesses alike. Experience rugged, outdoor adventures followed by retro cocktails at night. Modern art galleries and local craft goods.The city has unique activities even the most savvy globetrotter will enjoy. To stay ahead of the trend, check out our list of cool Vancouver hotels before you book for the best Northwest experiences in town.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

For the magnificent bastard, a stay at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a must. Take a trip into the Roaring 20’s, where your drinking is characterized by vintage cocktails and prohibition style bars. Grandeur spaces distinguished by tones of chocolate and ivory accompanied by opulent chandeliers and luxurious furnishings. Timeless, yet modern. Embrace this cool hotel in Vancouver’s relaxing spa treatments, private rooftop terraces (when booking suite) and decadent gastronomic endeavours on your next trip to this unique city.VIEW OR BOOK

L’Hermitage

In the heart of Vancouver lies the Euro-chic, boutique hotel of L’Hermitage. More than the average overnight stay, this is one of the cool Vancouver hotels that offers opulent guest homes, fully-equip with high-end appliances and luxury comforts. Indulge in a little extra. For select rooms at L’Hermitage boast Italian marble baths, furnished walk-out balconies and a unique solarium room. It’s no surprise L’Hermitage has continued to win TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award the past three years in a row.VIEW OR BOOK

The St. Regis Hotel

The St. Regis Hotel houses the finest contemporary comforts within the walls of a traditional Edwardian building. From an elegant lobby to your personal soak tub, the interior showcases a refined, modern feel. A serene environment, offering visually soothing tones complemented by dark wood finishings. By booking at the St. Regis, you are granted exclusive access passes to the Steve Nash Sports Club in Downtown Vancouver. If you’d rather hit the bars, take advantage of the city’s First Craft Beer Experience Tour offered only by this cool hotel in Vancouver.VIEW OR BOOK

OPUS Hotel

The OPUS Hotel is a trendy boutique hotel located on the marina near downtown Vancouver. Located in a glass and brick building, the industrial exterior certainly doesn’t reflect what’s inside. What marks OPUS as unique is their tendency to intrinsically design each room around a solid wall color. These well thought-out, sequencing rooms are playful, cozy yet luxe with amenities like an ergonomic chair and heated tile floors. Enjoy the iconic False Creek waterfront, great restaurants and relaxing lounges only minutes away by foot.VIEW OR BOOK

Loden Hotel

The Loden Hotel meets the necessary requirements of a high-end hotel. Fine furnishings, luxury comforts and contemporary designs…but what sets the Loden Hotel apart from the rest? Aside from their renowned hospitality, this cool hotel in Vancouver offers unique amenities which suits even the most demanding of needs. An entire floor of rooms free from allergens. Garden terrace habitats equipt with yoga journals, mats and blocks. Movable walls which create ambient, naturally lit spaces. By booking at the Loden you’re doing more than just staying overnight at a hotel. You’re booking an experience unparalleled by other hotels in the warm and welcoming city of Vancouver.VIEW OR BOOK

The Listel Hotel

Deemed “Vancouver’s most art-full hotel”, Listel leads the city in eco-friendly and artist driven hospitality. Tasteful elegance bound by abstract designs, this cool hotel in Vancouver will inspire and move any traveller who appreciates art. The floors double as local galleries, as well as pay homage to the culture of British Columbia. Listel proudly showcases two well-appointed farm-to-table restaurants, Forage and Timber and is overall an innovative play on hotels. Exciting, cozy yet luxe at best, book at Listel Vancouver for an unforgettable experience next time you’re in town.VIEW OR BOOK

The Sylvia Hotel

Built in 1912, the Sylvia Hotel has become a cultural landmark of Vancouver. Timeless and endowed by nature, this old-world building stands proudly amongst the modern architectural pursuits of a bustling city. This cool hotel in Vancouver is located on the West End, meaning easy access to the iconic Stanley Park and the beach. Perfect for those who want to get away from it all when they are traveling. Families, businessmen and trendy travellers attract to the Sylvia for their spacious comforts and charming aesthetic.VIEW OR BOOK

Shangri-la Hotel Vancouver

It’s safe to say that when you hear Shangri-La, you automatically associate luxury… correct? If you agree, the sentiment continues to hold true at their 5-star hotel in Vancouver, BC. Asian-influenced rooms with golden hues, fine Italian furniture and dark woods are signature to your stay. 3 of the 4 suites offer private balconies, while all greet the eye with impeccable views of the city. Working up an appetite? Head down to the onsite restaurant Market, where Michelin three-star chef Jean George Vongerichten is whipping up the finest seasonal tastes. Whether business or pleasure, consider the renowned luxury of a Shangri-la Hotel next time you go to book.VIEW OR BOOK

The Granville Island Hotel

Located on the harbor, it is one of the cool Vancouver hotels because it offers a relaxing and luxurious space right on the outskirts of town. A perfect arrangement for the maritime man. Chic, modern interiors and prominent location sets this boutique hotel apart from the rest. Enjoy quiet morning runs along the seawall, or stroll the Granville public market for local art and brews. Dine and drink with panoramic views of the city, accented by the harbor’s finest ships and sailboats. If you’re looking for something different, take to “Vancouver’s Island Oasis” for a unique stay on your next trip to the city.VIEW OR BOOK

 

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There are more than 2,400 wineries across 65 wine regions in Australia, but no Australian winery is more famous than Penfolds.Founded in 1844, Penfolds is one of the oldest and most influential wineries in the Southern Hemisphere, and its flagship product – Penfolds Grange – is one of the world’s most desirable cult wines. No Australian wine collection is complete without a bottle or two of Grange, and the rare wine is widely coveted as an investment opportunity.Naturally, Grange isn’t cheap: a contemporary vintage will set you back anywhere between $400 and $800, with older, more desirable vintages commanding four or five-figure price tags. But what about an entire ‘set’ – that is, a collection containing an example of every vintage since 1951? How much would that set you back?Well, wonder no more: national liquor store chain Dan Murphy’s just sold a complete collection of Penfolds Grange for a whopping $400,000 in what’s widely believed to be the largest individual purchase ever made at an Australian liquor store.

It’s impressive that Dan Murphy’s was able to collate a complete set of all 71 vintages – but most impressive was that they were able to track down a bottle of the very first year of Grange, 1951.RELATED: The Best Australian Wine You Can Buy Right Now“It is believed there are only a few dozen of the 1951 Penfolds Grange bottles in circulation, and this vintage is particularly coveted among collectors to complete a set,” Dan Murphy’s Managing Director Alex Freudmann told 9 News.A single bottle of Grange 1951 sold last month for $157,000 (making it the most expensive Australian wine of all time), meaning it represents as much as 40% of the entire sale price – although, of course, the set is worth far more than the sum of its parts. Indeed, this set of Penfolds Grange might just be the biggest bargain of the century.

Why is it such a bargain? Well, when you consider that single bottles of some American or French cult wines – like Screaming Eagle or Château Lafite-Rothschild – have recently sold at auction for over $400,000, getting a complete set of Grange (including the prized 1951) for $400,000 seems like a much better deal. 71 bottles is better than 1, right?It also speaks to the fact that Australian wines, even those as famous as Penfolds, still don’t have quite the same cultural cache as wines from the Old World or other parts of the globe. But that’s actually a good thing in this instance: as Australian wines continue to grow in esteem; in prominence, the value of collections such as this one will only grow. It means the buying’s still good.It’s also worth pointing out that Dan Murphy’s last sold a complete Penfolds Grange set back in 2018 for $320,000 – so a 25% increase in sale price in just under four years. That also bodes well for a Grange set’s performance as an investment opportunity.As individual bottles become more and more scarce and it becomes harder to assemble a complete set, we can only imagine the value of this Grange set will grow exponentially. In that sense, it’s a bloody steal.Read Next

• Italian Sommelier Resurrects Long Lost Method Of Wine Opening…Using $15,000 Bottle Of Pétrus
• How Much You Should Spend On A Bottle Of Wine, According To Experts

The post Penfolds’ $400,000 Wine Sale Is Actually The Bargain Of The Century appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Spotify made waves around the world in 2020 when it signed the globe’s biggest podcaster – Joe Rogan – for US $100 million. The deal meant that all new episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience would appear exclusively on Spotify, and Spotify would be able to upload all of Rogan’s old content to its platform (minus a few, which it decided to spike).

Speaking of things Spotify doesn’t want, the streaming service also created a bunch of problems for itself when it took on Joe Rogan and his (estimated) 11 million listeners per episode. How so? Rogan regularly creates headaches for Spotify in two ways. Firstly: by inviting controversial guests onto his show. Secondly: by airing his own ‘layman’ opinions on controversial topics (some view this as Rogan simply enjoying his uncontroversial right to “think out loud,” and others – typically those who disagree with Rogan’s opinions – view this as irresponsible at best and bigoted at worst).

Essentially, his fans characterise any attempt to steer him in a certain direction as hysterical censorship, and his detractors – or those with different world views to Rogan – often characterise him as a money gobbling menace to public health, who needs to be muzzled. Then there’s a third school of thought which is that it’s great Rogan is interviewing a wide variety of people, but that to do it responsibly he needs to challenge those with potentially dangerous ideas much harder.

What Culture put it well when they said: “Depending on your belief, The Joe Rogan Experience is either a format where the masses can be misinformed and therefore misled by a myriad of ‘bro-science’ or a platform where public figures, with differing views and opinions, can share their messages with the world all in the name of entertainment and dialogue.”

This tension point has always been there, with Rogan previously inviting controversial figures like Alex Jones (who has been banned by Youtube, Facebook and Apple) onto the show. The tension has hit new levels, however, during the pandemic, with Rogan inviting the likes of Dr Robert Malone – a vaccine scientist who The Washington Post and The Atlantic (among many others) report is spreading vaccine misinformation and scepticism – onto the show.

Canadian-American singer-songwriter Neil Young is one of those who is very much against Rogan’s air-timing of vaccine-sceptic views. The musician made waves this week when he told his management and record label to tell Spotify that he didn’t want to have his songs available on the same platform that was offering Joe Rogan’s podcast.

As the ABC reports, “Earlier this week, Young published a letter addressed to his manager and record label, Warner Music Group , accusing Rogan of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, and demanding that Spotify no longer carry his music.”

Then, on Wednesday, Young thanked his record label for “standing with me in my decision to pull all my music from Spotify,” and encouraged other bands and songwriters to do the same.

Young’s website called Rogan’s podcast “lies being sold for money” and said “I realised I could not continue to support Spotify’s life-threatening misinformation to the music-loving people,” the ABC reports.

Spotify said it worked to balance “both safety for listeners and freedom for creators” and had removed thousands of podcast episodes related to COVID-19 in accordance with its “detailed content policies.” It has decided, for the time being, though, to keep Rogan, and to remove Young’s music, as per his request.

“We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon.”

Since this move, many have called for other musicians to follow suit. If this were to happen, Spotify would have a rather larger problem than $100 million on their hands. As it currently stands, however, no huge names have as of yet stepped up to the plate to follow Young. Spotify has done the maths, it seems, and decided Rogan hasn’t contravened their policies (they reckon) and so they are allowing him to remain a $100 million dollar problem (and remain on their platform).

They won’t participate because Spotify basically has a monopoly on the distribution side of the entire music industry. That stranglehold will keep them in check. I don’t know anybody but myself that still has CDs or even uses iTunes. https://t.co/RljbJGXapT

— Lard of Dorkness (@LardFDorkness2) January 27, 2022

Veteran rockers aren’t the only ones unimpressed with The Joe Rogan Experience. At the beginning of January, 270 scientists and medical professionals signed a letter urging Spotify to take action against Rogan, accusing him of spreading misinformation. Also in January, Australian journalist Josh Szeps appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and fact-checked him on one of the common vaccine-skeptic talking points Rogan had clearly had buzzing around his head since his conversation with vaccine scientist and accused misinformation spreader Dr Robert Malone.

RELATED: Is Joe Rogan A Menace To Public Health Or A Modern Day Plato?

Szeps also, however, appearing on an Australian news podcast after his appearance on Rogan’s podcast, came to Rogan’s defence, and said he didn’t believe Rogan to be a deliberate spreader of misinformation.

He told The Briefing: “What I wasn’t expecting [with Joe Rogan] was any conversation about myocarditis and the side effects of vaccines. I wasn’t at all prepared for that but it was a three-hour conversation. These sorts of things come up and he mentioned something and I knew it was a right-wing talking point and I knew it was something he was concerned about. But the ‘Josh Szeps slaps down Joe Rogan’ moment that went viral was frankly a fluke.”

The Briefing host Tom Tilly then said: “So this is a classic case where you can misuse information to scare people about increased risks from the vaccine but not contextualise it properly and you were able to call him out on this. So I wonder – he doesn’t really have many arguments left about the vaccine so it was really interesting to hear you do that.”

Szeps responded: “Joe gets a lot of criticism for being an anti-vaxxer or a spreader of vaccine misinformation. My take on him is that he’s a comedian, he’s an ultimate fighting commentator, he’s just a nice bloke who sort of is interested in having conversations with people from all across the aisle and is interested in having conversations with people specifically who contradict conventional narratives or who question what everyone else believes. So in the context of vaccines there are skerricks of truth – he’s not a person who is pumping out vast quantities of knowingly false material.”

Tilly replied: “That’s a really good argument and you’re right – the sort of subcultures of certain companies could then dictate all kind of rules and stuff that we don’t want to sign up to… but I guess that debate has really been tested during the COVID era because it’s life and death, it’s not a hypothetical.”

Szeps then said: “I agree these are grey areas and if someone was a persistent and aggressive firehose of nonsense then at some point you would want them to appeal to basic standards of logic, decency and fact. But as I said earlier I think in this particular instance what you’ve got is someone who is interested in having conversations with dissenters – and in my case he just bumped up against someone who is not a dissenter on this particular question of vaccines.”

Read more about their debate here.

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The post ‘Lies Being Sold For Money’: Spotify’s $100 Million Joe Rogan Problem appeared first on DMARGE Australia.