Lap of Luxury

Article by: Clifton Wilkinson, April 2008

If money really was no object, where would you go? What would you drink? Get some fuel for your cash-splashing dreams.

What's that rustling sound? Yes, it's a windfall - a lucky chunk of unexpected cash has landed in your lap. Maybe your lottery numbers came up or your reclusive aunt has left you the sole beneficiary of her will. Either way, you're now the proud owner of more money than you know what to do with. If you feel the high life beckoning, allow us to show you where to start splurging.

The world's most expensive cocktail - Manchester, England
To help you over the shock of your new-found wealth you're probably going to need a stiff drink - a stiff, fancy drink. Take some pink champagne, strawberry liqueur, lychee liqueur and lemon juice. Stir and garnish with an 18-carat white-gold ring with tourmaline and diamonds. Yes, you read that right. The world's most expensive cocktail, served up in the Manchester branch of Harvey Nichols, the UK's poshest department store, contains not just the usual alcoholic ingredients but a little something special at the bottom - security guards need to escort it to your table. And with a price tag of £15,250 (around US$30,000), this is definitely a drink to sip rather than gulp down in one.

The world's best restaurant - Roses, Spain
You've had your celebratory cocktail, now it's time to jet off to Catalonia (naturally offsetting your carbon emissions - no excuse now you're super-rich) to dine at El Bulli. For around €250 a head you'll be treated to superstar chef Ferran Adrià's 'molecular gastronomy' - try the breaded sea cucumber with coconut sponge and smoked oil. You'll need to hit the jackpot again, though: the restaurant is only open from April to September each year and bookings for the 8000 places are snapped up on just one day in October - meaning an average of 400 requests per table.

The world's only 7-star hotel - Dubai, UAE
Dubai's Burj Al Arab blows a five-star rating out of the glistening water and ups the ante to seven. So how does it earn those vital two extra stars? Well, first off it's currently the world's tallest hotel (reaching 321m) and its sail-like design and waterfront location are admittedly impressive. Inside, the decor is best described as luxury kitsch (think hi-tech meets Baroque meets Arabian splendour) and if you don't flinch at paying at least UAE$6000 (around US$1600) per night for your duplex suite, you won't mind splashing out a bit more in one of the many restaurants (including one with its own aquarium reached by simulated submarine ride). If you want to burn off a few gilded calories afterwards, why not have a game of tennis - on the rooftop helipad. Probably best not to chase those wide balls.

Enjoy your own tropical paradise - Necker Island, the Caribbean
If the thought of staying in a mere hotel isn't enough for newly wealthy you, how about taking over a whole island for a long weekend? You and 27 of your closest friends can enjoy the Caribbean delights of Necker Island for just US$47,000 a night (five night minimum). Just explain what you'd like to eat and drink and when, what sports you'd like to learn, what time you'd like to party until and so on, and management will sort out the details. In addition to the standard luxuries you'd expect at these prices - infinity pools, spas, tennis courts and so on - you get the services of fifty staff to see to your every whim and a calypso band to provide some locally flavoured background music while you drink your unlimited supply of champagne.

Really really get away from it all - in space
When your new-found wealth seems to bring a string of pleading 'friends' out the woodwork, what better way to escape them than by heading into space? For a cool US$200,000 you can take a suborbital flight on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo (well, you can book a spot at least - the first flights aren't leaving until 2010 or so). Or for a bordering-on-insane US$100 million you can hitch a ride with Space Adventures' Lunar Mission. Fly beyond the reach of those greedy relatives!