Looking for an unforgettable weekend getaway? To help provide amazing experiences that money can buy, Elite Traveler is launching a new series “Million Dollar Weekend Getaways.” To launch this editorial series, we created an inspirational ultimate jetsetter’s weekend getaway to Britain—the first in the series —that includes the private takeover of a luxury five-star London hotel, the London Eye and Tower of London for a cool $1.6 million.
In what promises to be a weekend of pure luxury, you will experience the “Best of British,” starting with a two-night stay in the unforgettable capital, during which you will take private residency at Dorchester Collection’s contemporary Mayfair hotel 45 Park Lane, followed by a day to take in Scotland’s breathtaking scenery (and age-old sport).
45 Park Lane Penthouse Dining Room
Day One – Private Takeover at Five-Star London Hotel – The London Eye & Tower of London Exclusively Yours – Banquet by BRETT GRAHAM
After arriving in London on your own private plane, you will be chauffeured to your hotel— which you will have exclusively to yourself, as well as the staff—in a specially appointed Rolls-Royce Phantom, stocked with Almas Caviar canapés (the rare roe sells for £25,000 per kilogram) and Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne.
Once settled in the hotel, you will set off for some sightseeing—and for a truly memorable dinner, courtesy of London’s top rated Chef Brett Graham. Head Chef at the Ledbury, Graham has two Michelin Star’s and was voted as London’s best restaurant in the Elite Traveler & Laurent-Perrier Top 100 restaurants in the world.
Starting with cocktails at the UK’s most visited paid-for attraction, the iconic London Eye, you will have the entire wheel to yourself so you can take in London’s far-reaching views in perfect privacy.
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Next on the itinerary is the infamous Tower of London, which will be opened after-hours just for you, and will include an up-close-and-personal viewing of the Crown Jewels followed by a Tower of London banquet, specially prepared and served by Brett Graham himself.
EDF London Eye
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Day Two – Personal Harvey Nichols Shopping Experience – Private Polo Match at Coworth Park – BUCKINGHAM PALACE TOUR – Cookery Lesson with Raymond Blanc OBE
Day two of the ultimate weekend break in the UK starts with a spa treatment by an award-winning therapist from The Dorchester Spa, which is located just a few steps away from your hotel, followed by a personal shopping experience at Harvey Nichols.
Next, you will embark on a helicopter tour of London, before flying out to enjoy the beauty of the English countryside at Dorchester Collection’s luxury country estate, hotel and spa, Coworth Park, in Ascot Berkshire.
At the 70-room resort set on 240 acres of verdant parkland, some of the world’s leading polo professionals will play just for you on the hotel’s private polo field, while former England captain, Andrew Hine, will provide lessons, as well as be on hand to comment on the action.
You will then enjoy an afternoon tea at Coworth Park designed in collaboration with The Dorchester’s executive chef Henry Brosi. Tea at The Dorchester has been a treasured tradition among the English aristocracy since the hotel opened in 1931.
After a quick helicopter flight back to the city, you will be chauffeured to Buckingham Palace. Here, you will enjoy a guided tour of the royal home and its grounds accompanied by the deeply knowledgeable Trea Martyn, author of Queen Elizabeth in the Garden: A Story of Love, Rivalry, and Spectacular Gardens.
For your second evening in the UK, you will be flown by helicopter to the Orient-Express owned Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Relais & Châteaux hotel, for a private cookery lesson with chef Raymond Blanc OBE, before sitting down to a nine-course dining experience in the hotel’s top suite, Blanc de Blanc.
As a memento, you will receive an exclusive piece of jewelry along with a signed cookery book, before being flown back to 45 Park Lane hotel for your second night in the capital.
Raymond Blanc OBE
Day Three – Golf with Colin Montgomerie – Exclusive Spa and Stay at Gleneagles – Helicopter Tour with Spectacular Scenery – Specially Designed Dinner at Andrew Fairlie’s
On your third day, you will jet to the world-famous Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, where you will find some of the most green and pleasant countryside ever—and have exclusive use of the award-winning spa.
First, you will enjoy a round of golf on the PGA Centenary Course, host venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup. Ryder Cup winning captain and Scottish golf legend Colin Montgomerie will join you for a round on the exclusive course, offering helpful tips and some healthy competition.
Colin Montgomerie
Lunch, served at the Sommelier’s Table in the Gleneagles’ atmospheric wine cellar, will feature some of the world’s greatest wines, coupled with classic British dishes, including lamb hotpot and pickled red cabbage, beer-battered haddock with goose-fat chips and pea puree and, of course, haggis.
Next, you will take in some of Scotland’s stunning scenery courtesy of a luxurious guided helicopter tour of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. From Gleneagles, you will take in Loch Lomond, the magnificent Inveraray Castle, the island-studded Atlantic, Ben Nevis, the length of Loch Ness and more – with a touchdown midway for high tea at the Inverlochy Castle Relais & Châteaux.
Gleneagles Hotel
This ultimate weekend getaway draws to a close with a private dinner by Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Andrew Fairlie, before you retire to the top floor of the hotel, which is yours until you fly home in the morning.
