• Superyachts are known to be a favorite toy of the ultra-wealthy.
• Photos of a superyacht rumored to belong to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos circulated the internet in August, but the company told INSIDER that the yacht does not belong to him.
• DreamWorks Animation cofounder David Geffen and Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke are all confirmed yacht owners, however.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It has become normal for the world's wealthiest individuals to drop millions, even billions, on lavish superyachts.

Oil Sheikhs and Russian tycoons alike are spending their holidays on massive yachts with swimming pools, basketball courts, and even concert halls.

Rumors circulated online in August that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had dropped $400 million on a superyacht called the "Flying Fox" with 36 guest cabins, a 12-meter swimming pool, and a helicopter pad. However, an Amazon spokesperson told INSIDER that the yacht does not belong to Bezos.

Read more: The 15 most popular private jet destinations for the ultra-wealthy right now, from Spain's most famous party town to the Bahamas

Keep reading to see 11 of the most expensive superyachts on the planet, ranked from least-exorbitantly expensive to most expensive.

SEE ALSO: Inside the exclusive Italian resort that plays host to Google Camp, the secretive and star-studded annual conference that draws billionaires, CEOs, and celebrities

DON'T MISS: Wealth tax explainer: Why Elizabeth Warren and billionaires like George Soros alike are calling for a specialized tax on the ultra-wealthy

Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke owns the Aquila, which is estimated to be worth $150 million.

The 281-foot yacht was spotted in Antibes in during the Cannes Film Festival in May, Business Insider previously reported.

The estate of Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen once owned a 414-foot yacht dubbed the Octopus. It's valued at $200 million.

The yacht has 41 suites and cost a whopping $200 million to build, Business Insider previously reported. The Octopus comes with a pool, two helicopters, and a movie theater. If that's not enough, there's also a basketball court and recording studio.

Business Insider also reported that the yacht was spotted at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

The Al Mirqab, a $250 million luxury yacht that can accommodate 24 people, was built for Qatar's former Prime Minister, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.

The yacht won the Motor Yacht of the Year award in 2009. It has two VIP suites that each come with a bathroom, living room, and double bedroom, according to Superyachts.com.

The Dilbar, the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage, was built for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov for $256 million.

The yacht weighs 15,917 tons (over 31 million pounds), Business Insider previously reported. The Dilbar has two helipads, an indoor swimming pool, and 3,800 square meters of living space.

The $300 million Al Said yacht was built for the Sultan of Oman in 2008.

It is 509 feet long, making it one of the biggest megayachts on this list, according to The Guardian. There's not much information about the Al Said's different amenities. It does, however, have a concert hall that can fit a 50-piece orchestra.

The gigantic $400 million Dubai yacht measures 532 feet and is currently owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Emir, or ruler, of Dubai.

The superyacht features a mosaic swimming pool, circular staircase, and helipad, The Guardian previously reported. It can fit 24 guests overnight.

Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko owns Motor Yacht A, which is worth $400 million.

The yacht has seven luxurious cabins that sleep 14 guests, Business Insider previously reported. It also has three swimming pools, one of which has a glass floor.

The Serene Yacht was purchased for 500 million euros (roughly $560 million) in 2015 by Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

The Serene is the largest yacht to have ever launched into Italian waters, according to The New York Times.

David Geffen, a billionaire entertainment mogul, has owned the $590 million Rising Sun since 2010.

Geffen originally shared the yacht with Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Business Insider previously reported. The 454-foot superyacht comes with a basketball court and can fit 18 guests. In April 2017, Geffen hosted the Obamas on the megayacht.

The owner of the $600 million Azzam yacht is unclear, but many speculate it is owned by the royal family of Abu Dhabi.

The yacht is also rumored to have its own submarine with a missile defense system, Business Insider previously reported.

At 590 feet long, the Azzam has long held the title of the largest superyacht in the world.

The $1.9 billion Eclipse yacht was delivered to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2010.

The yacht comes with two helicopter pads, 24 guest cabins, a disco hall, two swimming pools, and several hot tubs, according to The Daily Mail.

• Bruce Willis' island mansion just sold for $27 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• Located in Turks and Caicos, the estate features a five-bedroom mansion and two smaller guest villas.
• It's the second-most expensive home sale in Turks and Caicos history.
• Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

Bruce Willis sold his Turks and Caicos mansion for $27 million— $6 million less than its original $33 million price tag.

But even with the price cut, it's still the second-most expensive home sale in the country's history, coming second to a property that sold for $27.5 million in 2016.

The 11-bedroom, 13.5-bath estate isn't the only celebrity home to hit the market this year.  A Beverly Hills mansion once owned by Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt was listed this past May for $49 million.

Read more: Step inside the most expensive home for sale in the Seattle area — a $45 million waterfront mansion that's minutes from Bill Gates' house and once housed a $317 million art collection

The Caribbean estate sits on nine acres of property and includes a five-bedroom main house along with two guest villas. It also has access to a private beach, a nearby resort, and an onsite pirate-themed playground.

Keep reading for a complete look at the Parrot Cay residence.

SEE ALSO: Inside one of the oldest and most expensive mansions in Charleston, which is selling for $15 million and was once owned by Abraham Lincoln's granddaughter

DON'T MISS: Former NFL quarterback Joe Montana's California estate is on the market at a 41% price cut — and it comes with an equestrian facility and a shooting range. Here's a look inside.

Located on the exclusive Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos ...

Source: Google Maps

... the home can be reached via a short flight from Miami, along with a 35-minute boat ride to reach the property.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate, Robb Report

Known as "The Residence," the complex includes a main house with five bedrooms, along with two three-bedroom guest villas.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Actor Bruce Willis purchased the property in 2000, and the massive compound was completed by 2004. The property also includes access to the nearby COMO Parrot Cay resort.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate, The Wall Street Journal

Located on the property's 1,000 feet of private beach, the main house is the center attraction.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Like the rest of the estate, the main house was renovated in 2018. The compound sits on nine acres of property.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

The living room includes plenty of sofa seating ...

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

... along with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead out to the patio.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

The modern kitchen offers new appliances and clean, white countertops.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

The bedrooms, which feature hardwood floors, can be found upstairs ...

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

... and at least one of the bedrooms has balcony views of the Atlantic Ocean from the third floor.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

The all-white master suite — complete with a canopy-covered bed under a lofted ceiling — takes up the entire second floor of the main house.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate, Robb Report

Though all bathrooms include frameless mirrors and modern light fixtures, each differs slightly. One bathroom is decorated with blue, brick-patterned tiles ...

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Bathrooms include minimalist, freestanding bathtubs, and one also has an outdoor shower.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

The estate boasts an additional 17,000 square feet of outdoor deck space, including lounge seating, a pool, and a dining table.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

"The Residence" also features a pirate ship playground for young visitors.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

Each of the two guest villas also features its own private pool, along with three separate bedrooms.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate, Robb Report

A sectional couch faces the outdoor dining area ...

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

... while a smaller round table for four is located inside.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

While the villas are smaller than the main house, they still include a full kitchen ...

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

... and each bedroom faces the ocean.

Source: Sotheby's International Real Estate

• Billionaires can afford toys that most people can only dream of: private planes, penthouse apartments, and even entire islands.
• While some tech executives like Amazon's Jeff Bezos prefer partying on the yachts of their rich friends, others have purchased their own ritzy yachts complete with movie theaters and dance floors.
• Here are some of the tech elites who own private yachts.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Some billionaires, like Elon Musk and Bill Gates, buy private planes to take control of the open skies — others purchase yachts to access the open seas.

There aren't too many tech billionaires who own personal yachts. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, for instance, doesn't have a yacht himself, but that doesn't stop him from cruising the ocean: he was pictured recently aboard the superyacht belonging to entertainment mogul David Geffen.

Read more:Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez partied with Lloyd Blankfein and model Karlie Kloss aboard billionaire David Geffen's superyacht

But the tech billionaires who do have yachts, like Google's Sergey Brin and Larry Page, reflect the view that yachts are for play: Their boats are decked out with amenities like gyms, spas, pools, nightclubs, and movie theaters.

If you want to find out what life is like aboard these multi-million-dollar yachts, some of them are available to rent out for a few nights or weeks at a time. For instance, chartering the yacht owned by Alphabet President Sergey Brin has cost past customers $773,000 a week.

Here are the yachts owned by tech billionaires:

SEE ALSO: Chocolate for breakfast and freshly killed goat for dinner. Here are the diets of notable tech billionaires.

Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison owns a 288-foot yacht named Musashi that he acquired in 2013.

Source: Forbes

Ellison previously owned a bigger, 454-foot yacht called Rising Sun, which was designed specifically for the CEO in 2005. That yacht reportedly has 82 rooms, a movie theater, a wine cellar, and a basketball court. However, Ellison sold off the Rising Sun to music mogul David Geffen for a reported $300 million.

Source: Forbes, Boat International

Ellison's Musashi is a sister ship to the yacht of another billionaire, Sears CEO Eddie Lampert. However, the yacht, named Fountainhead, is often mistaken for belonging to billionaire investor Mark Cuban. "The guy who owns the boat tells everyone that it's mine," Cuban told Page Six in 2016. "It’s so crazy ... I don’t even own a boat."

Source: Page Six

Ellison's yacht reportedly influenced the decision of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs to get a boat himself. However, Jobs never set foot on the boat — the yacht was commissioned in 2008, but wasn't completed until 2012, a year after his death.

Source: Business Insider

When Jobs died in 2011, his yacht — along with his $14.1 billion fortune — was inherited by his widow, Laurene Powell Jobs. The 256-foot yacht in named Venus, and is worth $130 million.

Source: Business Insider

The Google cofounders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, are two of the richest people in the world, at No. 10 and No. 14, respectively. The two billionaires are known to splurge — in addition to each owning a superyacht, they both own private planes as well.

Sources: Forbes, Business Insider

Alphabet CEO Larry Page owns a yacht named Senses, an 194-foot boat costing $45 million that he bought in 2011 from a New Zealand businessman. The yacht has a private beach club with a Jacuzzi and sun beds, both indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a helicopter pad.

Source: Boat International

Meanwhile, Alphabet President Sergey Brin owns a longer, 240-foot yacht that he bought for a cool $80 million in 2011. It's reportedly the world's fastest superyacht, and is equipped with a dance floor and open-air cinema.

Source: Business Insider

Brin's yacht is named Dragonfly. The boat shares a name with Google's once-secret project to launch a censored search engine in China. It's still not clear whether Google has totally abandoned the project or not.

Source: Business Insider

But Brin and Page aren't the only two high-powered Google figures with yachts. Former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt owns a 194-foot yacht name Oasis. The yacht reportedly features a pool and a gym-turned-nightclub. He bought the boat in 2009 for a reported $72.3 million.

Sources: Business Insider, GQ

For Skype cofounder Niklas Zennstrom, his interest in yachts skews toward racing and competitive sailing. Zennstrom has gone through a succession of boats named Ran, and his most recent purchase is the seventh in the series.

Source: CNN

The latest yacht, appropriately named Ran VII, is the most technologically advanced of all of Zennstrom's boats. The racing yacht uses electrical power, which Zennstrom says makes it "lighter, less drag, quieter, and most importantly it is environmentally friendly."

Source: CNN

The 40-foot yacht will compete in regattas through the racing team owned by Zennstrom and his wife, Catherine. The Ran Racing team launched in 2008 and has won some prestigious regattas.

Source: CNN

Barry Diller, chairman of digital media company IAC, co-owns a $70 million yacht with his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

Source: Business Insider

The sailing yacht, named Eos, is 350 feet long with six bedrooms. The power couple has hosted many celebrities over the years — a few that have been spotted aboard Eos include model Karlie Kloss, actor Bradley Cooper, journalist Anderson Cooper, and singer Harry Styles.

Source: W Magazine

For Jim Clark, the cofounder of Netscape, one yacht hasn't been enough. Clark has owned boats for more than 30 years, and in 2012, put up two of his sailing yachts for sale.

Source: Business Insider

Clark listed the boats for a combined $113 million: the 136-foot Hanuman for $18 million, and the 295-foot Athena for $95 million. However, as of 2016, Clark had yet to offload Athena. Clark also previously owned a 155-foot yacht named Hyperion, and currently also owns a racing yacht named Comanche.

Source: Boat International

Charles Simonyi worked at Microsoft until 2002 and oversaw the creation of Microsoft Office software. A few years before he left, Simonyi decided to purchase a yacht. He told the designer that wanted his yacht to be "home away from [his] home in Seattle."

Source: Boat International

The product of that conversation in 1999 is Simonyi's yacht named Skat, meaning "treasure" in Danish. The yacht measures 233 feet long, and is unique with its nontraditional design and gray color. Skat features a matching helicopter, a gym, and motorcycles.

Source: Yacht Charter Fleet

Opulent British billionaire Richard Branson owned a yacht, until he sold it this past September. The 105-foot catamaran sold for $3 million, significantly lower than the €8.5 million ($9.6 million) price Branson listed the boat for in 2014.

Source: Business Insider

Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, bought the boat in 2009. He named it Necker Belle, a nod to his private Caribbean island, Necker Island.

Source: Business Insider

• British Airways recently launched new business class Club Suites, and Business Insider was invited to be among the 30-ish journalists who were the first to experience them.
• The suites are being introduced on board the airline's new A350 planes, and the inaugural commercial flight from London to Madrid took place on Monday August 5.
• The journey was significantly shorter than a transatlantic flight, but as a first time business class flier, it gave me a taste of what long-haul travel in the new Club Suites will be like.
• I wasn't disappointed, though the journey wasn't completely flawless.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Long-haul flights in first or business class are, for some people, more exciting than the holiday itself.

For me, at least, a whole day of reclining in a comfy bed, being brought endless food and drink, watching films, and snoozing has always sounded like a dream.

Until this week, however, I'd only ever flown economy.

In what is being considered something of a game-changer in the aviation industry, British Airways recently launched its brand new business class Club Suites on board the airline's newest plane, the ginormous A350 — BA's most eco-friendly plane yet, with 25% reduced CO2 emissions and cabin air which is completely refreshed every 2-3 minutes.

At the length of a soccer field (74 metres!), the Airbus A350-1000 is the largest A350, and BA is the third airline to use it.

Read more:I flew American Airlines international business class for the first time. Here are the things that surprised me.

Its Club Suites, meanwhile, have been named as such because each seat can be shut off into a private booth, and each traveller will have access to the aisle — as someone who hates clambering over fellow passengers to get out for a bathroom break, this was already a win for me.

Business Insider was invited to join a group of journalists on the A350's first commercial flight this week, when it travelled from London to Madrid.

While the aircraft will soon travel between London and Dubai, Toronto, Tel Aviv, and Bangalore, for August, the plane will only be flown between London and Madrid to allow for crew familiarization. 

The journey was significantly shorter than a transatlantic flight, but it gave me a taster of what long-haul travel in the new Club Suites will be like — and at what business class travel is like in general.

Here's what it was like:

I arrived at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 and made my way to the Premium BA desks, where I was greeted by BA's PR team and proceeded to have the friendliest check-in experience of my life — perhaps unsurprising given this was not just the inaugural flight but also a press event.

After skipping the security queue and sauntering through the fast-track checks, it was time to make my way to the lounge. Evidently not a seasoned business class traveller, I got lost and ended up at the wrong lounge. It turns out there are loads of British Airways lounges at Heathrow, and ours was a bit of a trek to get to.

Finally, I made it to the right place (the B Gates Galleries Club Lounge) and after a friendly welcome was shown to a designated press area where we were offered a selection of breakfast nibbles and canapés.

There were fruit skewers with a yoghurt dip, pastries, smoked salmon blinis, and mini frittatas. This wasn’t the usual lounge offering, though — we were being served separately for a press conference.

There was also English sparkling wine (complete with a label commemorating British Airways’ centenary, which is this year), regular wine, juice, and water on offer.

It was strange to me that there was no tea or coffee, but those of us who asked for one were brought hot beverages from elsewhere.

I may also have had a sparkling beverage, just to get into the mindset of the business class flier, you understand. And it had been stressful trying to find the lounge.

The lounge itself was not as fancy or luxurious as I’d imagined — the decor was pretty dated, but at least there was a nice view of the planes. BA's CEO Alex Cruz told us that the airline is working on not only opening new lounges across the world but also redoing existing ones, so perhaps this area will be given a makeover soon.

Soon it was time to board, but not before munching on a celebratory cupcake, which were on offer for all the passengers on the flight.

Frequent business class travellers probably feel fairly blasé about it, but when it’s your first time, boarding a plane and turning left feels pretty awesome.

It was clear straight away that the suites were very luxurious, shiny, and new. The configuration is 1:2:1, which means you can avoid clambering over the sleeping passenger next to you to get to the aisle (and get that much-needed bathroom break).

I had one of the central seats with no window view, but I wasn't complaining.

There are 17 rows, so 56 Club Suites altogether. On this flight, they were all reserved for journalists and bloggers, and we boarded before the rest of the plane's passengers so we could look around and take pictures.

While the World Traveller Plus (premium economy) cabins were certainly more basic than the Club Suites ...

... you could still tell that they were brand new.

The World Traveller (economy) still looked far nicer than what you'd get on a budget airline, too.

After a quick look I headed back to the Club Suites, desperate to make the most of all my time there.

The first thing that struck me was the size of the screen (18.5 inches wide) and the amount of legroom — when fully flat, the bed is 6'7" long, which enough for even the tallest of people. I certainly wasn't in economy any more.

There was a plush pillow with a crisp White Company case covering it and a BA Centenary velvet cushion waiting for me on my seat.

Pretty much the whole suite is in shades of charcoal, but for our flight there was a special headrest cover marking the inaugural flight. A nice touch, although who knows what they'll do with them afterwards.

I took one final look around the cabin before settling into my suite.

I may have been just a touch excited about it.

A seatbelt came out from above the shoulder which ensured I felt nice and snug in my seat, but it also meant I couldn't reach down and pick anything up off the floor with it on, as it wouldn't stretch far enough. As someone who drops things a lot, this was somewhat annoying.

Pretty much as soon as I sat down, I was offered a glass of Champagne (in a real glass, might I add) and a little dish of roasted nuts and crispy peas, which were delicious. If you didn't want Champagne you could have any other drink, but I took one for the team and kept my bubbles.

Cruz had told us the suites were designed with the small details in mind, and that was clear. There was a lot of storage space (apparently 40% more than before), such as this magazine holder where I placed my magazines and duly ignored them for the whole flight.

There was a divider between the two aisle seats, meaning if you're travelling with someone else and want to talk to them you can, but you can also have your privacy if you're alone, which was good. Needless to say I closed mine immediately — I was not there for small talk.

The overhead locker was huge — there was way more space than any one person could fill — and after you opened it, it lowered itself down. Very slick.

A little reading light popped out from the side of the chair, with the option to choose the angle of it.

The leg room was one of the main highlights, though — I'm 5'9" (so not a short lady), and I had ample space.

The tray table pulled out and had three position options — halfway out ...

... the full way out ...

... and folded out fully.

There was a handy water bottle holder, since nearly everyone carries a reusable water bottle these days.

To the left of the seat there were two storage areas where you could pop bits and bobs like your glasses or phone.

Next to that was another storage area which also included the remote for the TV and pretty much any power outlet you could need.

I was impressed that you could close the lid properly even with a cable coming out.

Beside my seat, there was also an upright door which opened to reveal ...

Me! The vanity mirror is a new addition to the business class offering, and although it seemed a bit unnecessary to me, presumably there are people who want to check themselves out mid-flight or perhaps use it to apply toiletries and freshen up before landing.

There was a sizeable arm rest on the inner side of my seat — what a joy not to have to fight someone else for it! — and one on the aisle side which could be raised up or down.

I was soon given this special edition leather pouch, which looked and felt very luxurious and contained goodies from upmarket British brand The White Company.

There was an eye mask, socks, toothbrush and paste, ear plugs, a pen, lip balm, moisturizer, and a relaxing pulse point roll-on. Passengers wouldn't normally be given these on a short-haul flight, but we were essentially being given the long-haul experience in a short-haul taster.

While the screens worked before take-off, Wi-Fi wasn't available until we were in the air. It's not free though — you could pay £4.99 ($6) for 25MB, £11.99 ($15) for 75MB, or £17.99 ($22) for 150MB. As press, we were given codes for the top level so that we could experience everything, and while it did work really well, I wouldn't have paid for it myself, even on a long-haul flight.

Along with the WiFi instructions, shortly after take-off I was brought a menu and a hot, damp towel, which is always nice even though I'm not really sure what you're meant to do with them.

One of my favorite things about long-haul travel is being able to watch endless movies, and the wide touchscreen was certainly a huge upgrade from anything I've ever experienced (you could also control it with the remote).

I decided I'd watch "Crazy Rich Asians," but it was going to be tight given the short flight time. I plugged the comfy headphones in and cracked on while we were still on the ground, however I did think it was slightly odd that there was no option for people to connect using their own wireless Bluetooth headphones.

I was really pleased to find there was room for me to cross my legs even with the table fully out, as this isn't usually the case on plane seats.

There was a lot to play with and to take in even before we'd taken off. I noticed even the "fasten seatbelt" and "no smoking" signs had had a makeover.

With the pillow behind me, the seat felt very comfy, although I actually would've liked to have been able to raise the headrest a little. It seemingly wouldn't move. Still, the suite felt very spacious.

I put the socks on, and we took off. It felt a little odd as the seats face diagonally, but it was only for a few moments.

The doors to the suites were open for take off, but we could close them afterwards. As someone who likes her own space and privacy, I really enjoyed being able to close off my area, but I think it would've been better if the doors and walls were higher — they were eye-level for me when seated, and they could have been raised a little more while still allowing cabin crew to talk to you when passing.

Next, I perused the menu — we were going to be served everything at once rather than as separate courses due to time constraints, so were asked what we wanted from the two main course options in advance.

We were still given a choice of pre-flight drink, though, and there were plenty of options: English sparkling wine, Champagne, rosé Champagne, two white wines, two red wines, port, two gins, vodka, rum, three types of whisky, Baileys' Cognac, Cointreau, three beers, four juices, various soft drinks and mixers, and tea and coffee.

Lunch was served! I chose the curry.

There was a starter of burrata with rocket, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, a mini bread basket featuring three types of pull-apart bread, chicken curry with courgettes, a mini bottle of olive oil with balsamic vinegar, butter, and a chocolate mousse.

We were being served a hybrid of a Club World and Club Europe meal due to the length of the flight. It was a joy to be served on proper crockery with silver cutlery (including separate knives and forks for each course) and a real napkin, however there was a small stain on the grey material covering my tray. Tut tut.

I loved that there were three different types of bread, which were all warm and soft, and the pull-apart aspect was a fun touch. Unfortunately the butter was too cold to spread, though, and I quite wanted a little dish to pour my oil and balsamic for bread dipping purposes.

The burrata was really rather delicious and delightfully big, however it too was a touch cold.

I had been mildly concerned that my curry would get cold if I ate my starter first, but it was still piping hot when I got to it. Mild and coconutty, with lots of tender chicken and sticky rice, it was delicious — however I could've done with more than three pieces of courgette.

By this point I was pretty full, but there was no way I was leaving dessert — it was a delectable chocolate mousse with a berry compote base and little pieces of millionaire's shortbread on top. Just as I got to it, I was offered a tea or coffee — I opted for tea, which was served to me in a real cup with milk already added, but it was too strong and actually not quite hot enough. It was still better than drinking from a cardboard cup and adding UHT milk sachets, though.

After the meal was over, I checked out the bathroom, which was pretty standard — but there was White Company soap and hand cream.

Feeling very full, and conscious that it wasn't long before we would land, I decided to test out the seat's reclining capacities, which would look like this if you had the full bedding of a long-haul flight.

We didn't get the full bedding, but I did sample a blanket which was brought out to show press and was delightfully cosy and soft, also made by the White Company.

The seats have three different pre-sets: upright, halfway reclined, and fully flat. However, you can also recline it to any angle you like, which is a feature I would quite like on the sofa in my flat. I was confused about how the reclining would work seeing as there was nowhere for the chair back to go, but then I realized the chair slides forward. Clever.

Having room to lie down fully flat was great, and I felt like I had plenty of space. Some of the more seasoned business class travellers in our group said the seats were more narrow than other competitors' offerings, but I had nothing to compare it to. When sitting up I could even sit cross-legged with my legs under me on the chair, which I always find comfortable.

I lay down for approx. five minutes before I was told we were coming in to land, so I'd need to put the seat up and open the door to my suite. I was devastated. And also concerned about whether I was going to finish my film.

It ended up being timed to perfection. Spoiler alert: just as the couple got engaged at the climax of the film, we touched down. I tried not to cry, both due to the romance of the moment and the flight being over.

Everyone on board was offered the centenary cushion to keep, which was a nice touch to mark the inaugural A350 flight. I took every opportunity for a photo op.

So what did I make of the new Club Suites?

In short, they're pretty spectacular. As someone who hadn't experienced business or first class travel, I was very impressed, but other high-fliers might be pickier.

Sure, there were a few tiny things which weren't perfect — there could've been a higher foot rest or a designated area to put my rubbish — but overall British Airways appears to have thought of pretty much everything.

The main draw of the suites is the space and privacy they offer, rather than the food or the plush bedding. I almost forgot I was even on a plane, especially being in one of the central seats. Feeling like you're in your own cocoon is awesome.

Read more:An economy passenger says they sneaked into business class on British Airways — and got away with it for an entire 8-hour flight

The suites have been designed to promote a sense of wellbeing, apparently, and are meant to offer a significantly quieter flying experience. I didn't notice this massively, but the flight was almost too short to tell. I did feel pretty good when we landed, but to be fair, that may have been the Champagne.

The treatment was pretty flawless too, but of course, this was a press trip, and staff knew that we were all reviewing our experiences. That said, every time I've flown BA in the past I've been impressed by the friendliness of the cabin crew.

Although the A350 (and thus the new suites) will be rolled out on long-haul flights from September following the short-haul trials to Madrid, it looks like it may be a while before all of BA's existing planes have been replaced — but the airline is certainly stepping up its game.

The question is, is it worth it?

Return business class flights from London to Madrid start from £163 ($198), though this would usually be in Club Europe (the short-haul business class seats, which are essentially the same as economy just with better food). For August, however, you can book one of the new Club Suites for no extra cost (which would be very worth it).

When the long-haul flights launch, a return in Club World from London to Dubai, for example, will cost from £1,928 ($2,343). 

Currently, I'm not in a position to spend this much on my air travel — but if I had more cash to splash, why not? It's a splendid way to fly and would definitely make long-haul travel just as fun as the holiday itself.

• Apple is selling iPhones that cost more than $1,000, in line with the company's strategy to be known as a luxury brand.
• But when Apple first started selling its computers, the company was regularly pricing its products in the thousands — and sometimes, at five-figure costs.
• The most expensive products Apple has ever sold include not only some of its oldest desktop computers, but also some newer laptops and wearables.

Apple has always been known for its steep prices. From phones to computers, tablets to cases, if it's coming from Apple, it will probably be one of the priciest options available.

This reputation for being expensive has spawned a nickname that has become popular with critics of the company: "Apple tax." The thinking went that customers were willing to pay more to have the famous Apple logo adorn their products.

It seemed that Apple may have been moving away from that image, when its Apple Watch and AirPods were being sold at more affordable prices. However, its newest line of iPhones cost more than $1,000, bringing back the idea that Apple is becoming a luxury brand once again.

We took a look back on some of the most expensive products that Apple has ever offered. 

Nick Vega contributed to an earlier version of this report. 

SEE ALSO: The hype around foldable phones has reached a fever pitch — here’s every company working on one right now

21. Apple III (1981) — $3,815

The Apple III provided an update to the company's lucrative Apple II line of computers. The Apple III was advertised as twice as fast as and having twice the memory of its predecessor.

The Apple III went for $3,815 with the monitor included. This line of computers was discontinued in 1984, after just four years, with only 65,000 units sold in total.

20. Macintosh XL (1984) — $3,995

The Macintosh XL was actually first named the Lisa 2/10, because it borrowed much of the technologies from the Lisa computer. But when it went to market, the Mac XL was branded as the "first high-end Macintosh."

The Macintosh XL was made available as a free upgrade to owners of the first-generation Lisa, but those who didn't own a Lisa model paid up to $3,995 for the Macintosh XL. 

19. Macintosh SE/30 (1989) — $4,900

The SE/30 was the second generation of Mac's compact computers, providing a smaller version of the Mac IIx, but with more power. With a hard drive, the SE/30 cost $4,900.

It was discontinued in October 1990.

18. Pro Display XDR — $4,999

Apple's Pro Display for its new Mac Pro measures 32 inches and boasts a 6016 x 3384 Retina 6K display. The screen is more than 40% larger than that of Apple's Retina 5K display, and the company claims its polarizer technology should deliver accurate colors even when viewing the display off-axis. 

17. Macintosh IIcx (1989) — $5,369

This Mac IIcx was a successor to the Mac IIx model, except the IIcx was smaller than the previous model. The IIcx had a modular design so the Mac could be more easily manufactured and put together, which Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassée demonstrated by assembling one live on stage.

Purchasing the Mac IIcx cost users $5,369.

16. Macintosh II (1987) — $5,498

The Mac II was actually the first Apple computer with a modular design, and was the first in a line of modular design versions to come. It was also the first Mac with color, which could be added using a graphics card.

Though the version running a floppy disk system was lower in price at $3,898, the Mac II with a 40 MB hard drive cost $5,498.

15. PowerBook G3 (1997) — $5,699

Nicknamed "Kanga," this portable computer helped to launch several generations of G3s to come (like the Wallstreet and Pismo models).

It was only on the market for six months before it was replaced by its more powerful successors. 

14. Macintosh Quadra 700 (1991) — $5,700

The Quadra 700 is the first Apple computer to be housed in a tower-like, vertical-situated case. Before, Apple's computers adhered to a form where the computer would be positioned as a base for the monitor to stand on.

The new-and-improved desktop model cost $5,700 when it was first sold.

13. Mac Pro (2019) — $5,999

The newest version of Apple's Mac Pro is a powerhouse of a computer that starts at roughly $6,000. It runs on Intel Xeon processors that can be configured up to 28 cores, is compatible with Apple's new Afterburner accelerator card that makes it possible to play back three streams of 8K RAW video at once, and features a new modular design.

The company unveiled the Mac Pro during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2019 and will release it in the fall. 

12. PowerBook 3400c (1997) — $6,500

At the time of release, the PowerBook 3400c was advertised as the world's "fastest notebook computer." Its speed was comparable to some of the desktop Mac computers at the time, which was a rarity.

The PowerBook 3400c went for $6,500 fully loaded.

11. Apple LaserWriter (1985) — $6,995

The draw of the Apple LaserWriter was that it could be shared by over a dozen Macintosh computers. This ability made the $7,000 price tag — nearly $16,000 today — a bit easier to swallow for businesses that ran on Macintosh. 

The LaserWriter was one of the very first laser printers available on the mass-market, and it helped usher in the desktop publishing revolution. 

Still, though, that's a really expensive printer. 

10. Mac Pro (2013) — $6,999

As we wait for Apple to unveil its new Mac Pro in 2019, the model currently being sold is from 2013. Still, the Mac Pro is a powerful workstation designed for creatives that need professional video and photo editing.

The Mac Pro starts at $2,999, but maxing out its built-in features — a 12-core processor, 64GB of memory, 1TB of storage — will cost you $6,999.

9. Macbook Pro (2016) — $7,049

The MacBook Pro is a super high-powered, high-performance laptop that can run complex photo and video editing software. Instead of a row of function keys, the keyboard has a Touch Bar so you can control certain apps right from there.

Selecting the bigger 15-inch model, and picking the best customizable features — 2.9GHz processor, 4TB of storage, 32GB of memory, Vega 20 graphics — will cost you $7,049.

8. Macintosh Portable (1989) — $7,300

In September 1989, Apple unveiled its first "portable" computer. I put "portable" in quotes because although the computer wasn't connected to the wall by a cord, it still weighed a back-breaking 16 pounds — not unlike schlepping around an enormous bowling ball.

For the privilege of being able to lug around this machine, the company asked only that you write them a check for $7,300 — about $14,300 today. 

7. Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (1997) — $7,499

The Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh — or TAM, as those in the know called it — was a truly unique piece of technology. It was released in March 1997, but despite not fitting into any Apple product line, it was the prehistoric ancestor of the modern-day iMac, with all the components held in a slim body behind the screen. 

What set it apart from the pack was that it was significantly more expensive than any other Apple offering at the time. The TAM could be had for $7,500, which would be about $11,200 today. 

However, in a little less than a year, the price got slashed to $1,995 to clear stock. When the TAM was finally sold out, it was discontinued. 

6. Macintosh IIci (1989) — $8,800

The Mac IIci came after the IIcx, providing more power and RAM to the desktop computer. The design was also a bit sleeker than its predecessor.

With a 40MB hard drive, the IIci cost $8,800 when it went on the market in 1989.

5. Macintosh IIx (1988) — $9,369

The IIx came out in 1988 as an update to the original Macintosh II, meaning that this computer powered a color display as well. At the time of its release, Apple lauded the IIx as a computer that would "reinforce our position in key business and higher education markets."

With a 80MB hard drive, this computer was sold at $9,369.

4. Apple Lisa (1983) — $9,995

If you saw Aaron Sorkin's 2015 biopic "Steve Jobs," you'll likely remember the Apple LISA. Jobs, played by Michael Fassbender, spends most of the movie saying the computer wasn't named after his daughter Lisa, until he finally admits it was. 

What the movie doesn't spend too much time on is the fact that the LISA cost a whopping $9,995 in 1985. For those keeping score at home, that means the LISA would cost just over $24,000 today, after inflation.  

For that price, buyers in 1985 were getting a true technical pioneer — the LISA was the first mouse-operated computer to have a graphical user interface system. 

3. Macintosh IIfx (1990) — $12,000

By the time the IIfx was released in 1990, Apple had been making computers for 14 years and had sold 15 different models before this one. Apple marketed the computer as an ultra-fast system that could make an impact in the "workplace market," but the IIfx lagged behind other PC computers in existence at the time.

Its intention to a be computer for the workplace led Apple to price the IIfx at $9,780, running upwards to $12,000.

2. iMac Pro (2017) — $13,199

Apple's most expensive computer is aimed at those who need crazy amounts of computing power — such as audio and video editors, and software developers.

The iMac Pro with its default configurations is already impressive, and costs $4,999. But maxing out the computer's upgraded features will put the iMac Pro at $13,199.

1. Apple Watch Edition (2015) — $17,000

The Apple Watch hit stores in 2015 with the somewhat-reasonable price of $349 for the baseline model. Watch collectors, however, are not usually known for paying somewhat-reasonable prices for things. You see, a nice watch is as much a statement piece as it is a time-telling device. 

Apple was more than happy to scratch that itch for collectors, announcing a version of the Apple Watch, called "Edition." The price started at $10,000 for a watch with rose gold casing, and went as high as $17,000 for one that came with an 18-karat yellow or rose gold case and clasps. 

It soon became apparent to Apple that most people — other than Beyonce— had no interest in a smartwatch that cost as much as a car. By the time the Apple Watch Series 2 rolled around, the Apple Watch Edition was given a ceramic casing, was being marketed as a fitness device rather than a style piece, and topped out at $1,300. Apple discontinued the Edition altogether last fall. 

• Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, is known for its lavish wealth.
• One study estimated that nearly one in three people who live there are millionaires.
• Its famous Monte Carlo district is home to world-famous casinos where high-rollers and VIPs go to gamble.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A few things come to mind when most people think of Monaco: gambling, yachts, and the ultra-wealthy.

Indeed, one study estimated that nearly one in three people who reside in Monaco is a millionaire. And one in every 56 residents has assets totaling at least $30 million, according to the study by wealth tracking firm Wealth-X.

Monaco is arguably a playground for the wealthy, partially thanks to its reputation as a tax haven. It also draws millionaires and celebrities from all over the world to its prestigious Monaco Yacht Show each year. Its famed Monte Carlo district is known for being the gambling spot of choice for the world's high rollers.

Here's a peek inside life in Monaco. 

SEE ALSO: This $145 million superyacht just won a major award for its ultra-luxurious interior at the Monaco Yacht Show – here's a look inside

Monaco is known for its yachts, gambling, and lavish wealth.

About 38,300 people live in the compact city-state.

Source: IMSEE Monaco Statistics

Locals enjoy mild weather year-round in Monaco, which has an average temperature of 75 degrees in July and 50 degrees in January.

Source: Holiday Weather

The official language of Monaco is French, but English is also widely spoken, especially in restaurants, bars, and hotels.

Source: See Monaco

Each year, celebrities and billionaires come from all over the world to see the latest luxury yachting innovations at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Many of the yachts cost hundreds of millions of dollars and are owned by celebrities such as Ringo Starr and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.

Source: Boat International

It also hosts the Formula One Grand Prix.

One of the reasons the 1% are attracted to be Monaco could be its identity as a popular banking destination and a known tax haven — it has no income tax.

Source: Money

Monaco's location, close to France and Italy, is a draw for wealthy residents more than other offshore tax havens, Yolande Barnes, a director at real estate consultancy Savills World Research, told CNN Money. "People don't want to feel exiled," she said. "It's the right location for a significant number of the world's wealthy."

Source: CNN Money 

Monaco has one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. The average property price was $5.2 million in 2017.

Source: Soma International Realty, IMSEE Monaco Statistics Office

Monaco residents have access to fresh, local produce and plenty of seafood.

Source: Every Culture, See Monaco

Open-air markets are open every day of the week, year-round.

Source: See Monaco

The people of Monaco can shop at one of the 80 stores found in the luxurious Metropole Shopping Center ...

Source: Metropole Shopping Center

... or hit the streets to find luxury boutiques that include Hermès, Chanel, and Cartier.

Residents are usually in close proximity to royalty. The Monaco royal family lives at the Prince's Palace, a fortified palace that began as a fortress in 1191.

Source: Palais Princier de Monaco

The royal family includes Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, and their twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco.

Source: Palais Princier de Monaco

Residents have access to a ritzy nightlife scene in Monaco, which is home to one of the French Riviera's most popular night clubs: Jimmy'z , where Leonardo DiCaprio and Lionel Richie have both been spotted.

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Source: Boat International Media

Another favorite is a swanky jazz club called Le Bar Américain.

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Source: Trip Advisor

At the heart of Monaco's gambling district, Monte Carlo, is the world-famous Monte Carlo casino, where high-rollers and VIPs go to gamble.

Source: Business Insider

In the main gaming room, Salle Europe, you can find Blackjack, Texas hold-em poker, and English and European roulette. The slot machines can be found in the Salle Renaissance and Salle Amérique, while the other two rooms are open to the general public for gambling. And don't think you'll get in wearing a t-shirt and jeans; jackets and ties are strongly recommended for men in the evening.

Source: Lonely Planet

Luxury cars are a common sight in Monaco, with the sounds of drivers loudly revving their engines often heard around town.

Source: CNN Money

Monaco's old town is full of beautiful architecture and charming narrow alleyways.

Source: Visit Monaco

The rest of the city, however, is not entirely so picturesque. Many of the views are dominated by high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.

Source: Lonely Planet

Monaco is home to its fair share of famous residents, one of them being Camille Gottlieb, Grace Kelly's 20-year-old granddaughter.

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Source: W Magazine

On Instagram, she posts photos of herself posing in front of yachts and luxury boutiques.

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U2 singer Bono is also a common sight in Monaco.

Source: See Monaco

Monaco is known for being one of the safest areas in the world, with a 24-hour video surveillance system that covers the entire town. It also has one of the largest police forces per capita, according to Money magazine.

Source: Money

• Bugatti has created and sold the most expensive new car ever.
• The car, called La Voiture Noire, is being sold for $18.7 million after-tax to a secret buyer
• The hypercar was created to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Bugatti and the company's French heritage.
• La Voiture Noire is making its US debut at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance in California.
• Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

Bugatti will give its La Voiture Noire, the world's most expensive new car, its US debut at Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance which begins Tuesday in Monterey, California, according to CNBC.

The car — which saw its original debut at the Geneva International Motor Show — has a price tag of $18.7 million. Only one example will be made and sold, and it's the exact car being exhibited.

The La Voiture Noire was made in celebration of Bugatti's 100th anniversary and pays homage to the company's history. Founder Ettore Bugatti's son Jean developed four Type 57 SC Atlantic coupes in the 1930s and drove one of his creations, naming it "La Voiture Noire."

The modernized and reinterpreted one-off supercar has already been sold to an anonymous male buyer, who agreed to purchase the car before it was even made. The mystery man won't get their hands on it for another two years at least, however.

Take a look at the world's most expensive and exclusive new car:

SEE ALSO: 9 car companies that aren't named after their founder

The La Voiture Noire is a one-of-a-kind car with a price tag of $18.7 million. The car's pretax price stands at €11 million, or $12,306,470, according to Bugatti, and the rest of the price comes from taxes.

The deep-black glossy car has an all-carbon-fiber body, making it extremely light.

From a stand-still, it can hit 60 mph in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 261 mph.

Its 16-cylinder, 8-liter, quad-turbo engine will be arranged in "W" pattern.

This gives the Batmobile-esque car 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque.

The French “La Voiture Noire” fittingly translates to “The Black Car."

La Voiutre Noire pays homage to the Type 57 SC Atlantic of the same name. Details, like the six tailpipes, pay homage.

The original "La Voiture Noire" was Jean Bugatti's most famous creation, according to Bugatti.

The car still needs at least two years to be completed, Bugatti told Motor1. It is not currently fitted with either an interior or the engine. Bugatti started building the car in 2018 after the buyer agreed to the La Voiture Noire proposal.

Source: Motor1

• Vetements, a luxury fashion brand known for its satirical approach to clothing and consumer spending, has created fluffy teddy bear slippers that were a '90s novelty.
• The Hug Me Bear slippers are made from alpaca, cotton, and mohair. They also feature a rubber sole so you can wear them outside.
• The slippers have a hefty price tag of $990.

• Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

Vetements has built its entire brand identity around a satirical approach to fashion and consumer spending habits but its latest drop is taking the tongue-in-cheek appeal to a whole new level. Demna Gvasalia has recreated a classic childhood piece – fluffy teddy bear slippers and reworked it in plush materials, resulting in a pretty hefty price tag.

The Hug Me Bear slippers bring to mind the cozy, novelty slippers that were big in the '90s and therefore everyone probably was gifted a pair in the shape of some character or another on occasions like Christmas. This luxe rendition is made in Italy from a cotton, alpaca and mohair blend. Resembling a classic, tan-colored bear, the arms and legs feature Velcro® tabs so you can move and secure the positioning of the bear's limbs as you desire. Rounding out the look is a rubber sole and a simple black tab with white Vetements text branding on the lateral side.

You can cop these nostalgic slippers at retailers like Net-A-Porter for a whopping $990 USD – far more than what the more mainstream iterations cost. In related news, have you seen Vetements' "Happy Birthday" dress set?

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 lesser-known benefits of Amazon Prime

• Tumblr is being sold off to a new owner— Automattic, the company behind website publisher WordPress — for less than $3 million, Axios reported this week.
• That's a huge discount compared to the $1.1 billion that Yahoo (since acquired by Verizon) spent to buy the blogging platform in 2013.
• Here are 13 things — including an empty lot in San Francisco's Bay Area, a rare bluefin tuna, and a racing horse — that are worth more than Tumblr in 2019.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Blogging platform Tumblr is reportedly being sold for less than $3 million— a mere fraction of the $1.1 billion spent to purchase the website over five years ago.

Tumblr's current owner is Verizon, who took over the platform when it acquired Yahoo in 2017. But Verizon has apparently been looking to unload Tumblr since the beginning of this year, and now has agreed to sell it to Automattic, the company that oversees website publisher WordPress.

Tumblr has more than 475 million blogs using its service, but the platform's value has plummeted since its glory days. Tumblr lost droves of users following its the decision last December to ban any posting of "adult content,"defined as media that depicts "real-life human genitals or female-presenting nipples." Automattic's CEO Matt Mullenweg has already shut down any hopes that Tumblr reinstate NSFW content under its new owner, saying that"adult content is not our forte." Business Insider has reached out to Tumblr for comment on the company's dropoff in valuation.

It remains to be seen how, or if, Tumblr changes under its new owner. But to put Tumblr's current valuation into perspective, check out this list of items worth more than Tumblr's reported sub-$3 million price tag.

SEE ALSO: Tech CEO denies that Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, is hiding out at his house

$58.4 million — 'Balloon Dog' sculpture

A piece of artwork from famed sculptor Jeff Koons sold at a Christie's auction in 2013 for $58.4 million. The sale set a record for the most expensive piece of art by a living artist sold at auction.

The artwork, called "Balloon Dog (Orange)," is 12-foot-tall orange metallic sculpture designed to look like a balloon animal.

$10 million to $20 million — Reddit when it was acquired in 2006.

Publishing powerhouse Condé Nast purchased mega-forum platform Reddit in 2006 for a price estimated between $10 million and $20 million.

The difference in price between Reddit and Tumblr makes sense: Reddit saw almost 1.7 billion visits in July, while Tumblr had around 380 million visits last month, according to web analytics firm Similar Web.

$9 million — An empty lot in Palo Alto

Rent in Silicon Valley is absurdly expensive. One example showing just how expensive real estate has become is this 11,000-square-foot property in Palo Alto, located at 1628 Bryant Street.

The lot is completely bare, and is listed for $9 million. Realtors have said the price is so high because of its neighborhood: It's in Old Palo Alto, home to some of the tech industry's most rich and most famous, and is only blocks from Stanford University's campus.

$8.9 million — Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' earnings in one hour.

Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, is the richest man in the world, even after a recent divorce saw his net worth slightly diminish.

But calculations by Business Insider in January broke down how much Bezos makes every second of every day. The estimations found Bezos earned almost $2,500 every second, and $8.96 million each hour. Current estimates are likely slightly lower than these projections: Bezos' net worth was $137 billion in January, but stands at $110 billion at time of this article's publication.

Read more:We did the math to calculate how much money Jeff Bezos makes in a year, month, week, day, hour, minute, and second

$8.4 million — A thoroughbred racing horse

In 2013, a one-year-old thoroughbred horse was purchased in the United Kingdom for a record-at-the-time $8.4 million. The horse was sold to Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, a member of Qatar's royal family, and set a record for the highest price for a horse in European auction history.

$5 million — Beyonce's wedding ring

Beyoncé and Jay-Z got married in a secret ceremony in 2008, and the wedding ring that appeared on Beyoncé's finger afterwards was hard to miss. The jeweler behind the 18-carat diamond ring priced the rock at more than $5 million.

$4.5 million — 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster

When the 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster debuted at a Geneva auto show, the car was priced at $4.5 million. The car is open-air, and can reach maximum speeds of 221 mph, but the carmaker says it's "fully road legal." 

Only nine of the ultra-exclusive car were put in production.

$3.9 million — an 1,850-square-foot New York City apartment

Units at Gramercy Square, a massive building located in New York's Gramercy neighborhood, range in price from $1.4 million studios to $6 million four-bedrooms. One two-bedroom unit measuring 1,850 square feet is currently available for an asking price of nearly $3.9 million.

$3.5 million — A platinum bottle of Ley tequila

Luxury tequila brand Ley produced the most expensive bottle of tequila in the world. While the tequila is top-notch liquor, the bottle itself puts the purchase at $3.5 million. The two-piece Ley Diamante bottle is made of platinum and features more than $4,000 white diamonds.

$3.2 million — A diamond-encrusted iPhone 3GS

Designer Stuart Hughes is known for producing luxury electronics, yachts, and clothing for the world's richest. The Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme was created in 2009 for an Australian businessman. The phone was outfitted with over 130 individual diamonds, including a rose gold Apple logo and a gold home button.

$3.2 million — First-edition Superman comic

The comic book in which Superman makes his debut sold for $3.2 million on eBay in 2014. The comic book, "Action Comics #1," cost 10 cents when it was first released in 1938. There's estimated to only be about 50 to 100 copies around today of the original Superman comic.

$3.1 million — A 613-pound bluefin tuna

The owner of a chain of sushi restaurants bought a bluefish tuna in January at an auction in Tokyo. The fish weighed 613 pounds, and sold for $3.1 million. Kiyoshi Kimura, who bought the fish, told reporters he paid "a little too much."

$3 million — Victoria's Secret 2016 fantasy bra

Each year (except for this year), the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show spotlights a multi-million Fantasy Bra laced with Swarovski diamonds and other pricey jewels. One of the most expensive bras in recent years is the 2016 Bright Night Fantasy Bra, worn by model Jasmine Tookes. The $3 million bra reportedly took over 700 hours to make, and sported more than 9,000 gems.

However, the 2016 bra isn't actually the most expensive bra to grace the VS catwalk: Those in other shows, worn by big name supermodels like Heidi Klum and Gisele Bundchen, have topped $10 million.

• Cruise Croatia is searching for someone to eat and drink their way around Croatia for free while also getting paid $555.
• The luxurycruise liner is looking for a "Taste Tester" to take its new gourmet cruise for a spin, offering seven nights of island hopping, winery tours, and plenty of food. 
• The cruise sets sail from Split and ends in Dubrovnik, with stops along the way to the medieval city of Sibenik and the islands of Vis, Hvar, and Korcula. 
• Many local food and drink experiences are included in the tour, such as fresh oyster harvesting and a traditional Croatian village dinner party.
• Cruise Croatia's gourmet cruise sets sail from October 10 to October 17, 2020. You can fill an entry form to enter the contest here. 
• Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

A luxury cruise liner is searching for someone to eat and drink their way around Croatia — while getting paid. 

Cruise Croatia wants to find a "taste tester" to take its new gourmet cruise for a spin, offering seven free nights of island hopping, winery tours, and, of course, plenty of food. 

There are four-course lunches, private "Games of Thrones" tours, and waterfall swims, plus the taste tester gets paid $555 (€500) for their time. 

The luxury yacht sets sail from Split and ends in Dubrovnik, with stops along the way to the medieval city of Sibenik and the Dalmatian islands of Vis, Hvar, and Korcula from October 10 to October 17, 2020. 

The taste tester will be required to try out all food on board the 38-passenger ship, from daily breakfast buffets to four-course meals at every lunch, according to Cruise Croatia's website. 

They will also partake in many local food and wine experiences being offered throughout the  trip, including fresh oyster harvesting, a traditional Croatian village dinner party, and a home-hosted "farm to table cooking experience." 

And there will be plenty to drink, with winery tours in Vis, Hvar, and Korcula to sample all the local offerings. A wine expert will also be on board the yacht to offer lectures about Croatia's vast wine region — which includes 64 distinct grape types and more than 800 wineries. 

The taste tester must provide feedback on all the meals and dining experiences during the trip, according to Cruise Croatia's website, but it won't be all work and no play. 

The cruise liner's website says guided walking tours will be given in the medieval old towns of Split and Dubrovnik, where you can also take a private tour of all the iconic filming locations used for "Game of Thrones."

The itinerary includes a visit to the Krka Waterfalls National Park as well, where you can swim in front of the Skradinski Buk waterfall, and a tour of the salt lakes in Mljet National Park. 

Read More:The most expensive burger on Earth costs $5,000

Applicants don't need to have any prior experience to apply for the taste-testing position but should have a love for travel, food, and wine, according to Cruise Croatia's website. 

But you may want to brush up on the latter just in case, as it also notes that the taste tester should "know their Cabernet from their chardonnay." 

All you need to do to enter is fill out a form on Cruise Croatia's site and say why you deserve to be given the chance to set sail on the luxury trip. 

Entries for the contest close on September 4. 

• Read more:
• Norwegian Cruise Line is giving away free cruises all summer. Here's how to win one.
• George R.R. Martin says HBO's 'Game of Thrones' wasn't 'very good' for him
• A lawyer who represents cruise passengers reveals the one thing you need to know before getting on a cruise ship
• Someone filmed a cruise ship crew member waving 'bye' with a giant foam hand as the vessel floated away from 2 late passengers

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Slack and Flickr, says 2 beliefs have brought him the greatest success in life

• The Jackson Hole valley in Wyoming has become a ritzy vacation destination where celebrities and the ultra-wealthy go to ski, hike, and explore two national parks.
• On a recent trip to the area, I visited two different vacation spots and found that they offer two distinct types of luxury.
• At a $975-a-night luxury resort with an infinity pool and a decadent spa, the luxury comes in the form of tailored experiential offerings and wellness amenities.
• And at a dude ranch that starts at $2,170 for six nights (about $362 per night), where there's no cell phone service and limited WiFi, the ultimate luxury is seclusion and disconnection from the outside world.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The Jackson Hole valley, which sits between the Teton Range and the Gros Ventre Mountain Range in Wyoming, is known for its dramatic natural beauty. Anchored by the ritzy resort town of Jackson, the area has become a magnet for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy.

Read more: I spent 3 days in Jackson, Wyoming — the most unequal place in America, where the 1% makes more than $16 million a year

On a recent trip to Jackson Hole, I visited two very different destinations. One was Amangani, a luxury resort 10 minutes outside of Jackson that starts at $975 per night and goes up to $2,100 per night. It has valet parking, an outdoor infinity pool, and luxurious suites with soaking tubs.

The other was Gros Ventre River Ranch, a dude ranch nearly an hour from Jackson that charges visitors between $2,170 and $4,100 for a six-night, all-inclusive stay, which comes out to about $362 per night to start. At the ranch, guests can get a taste of modern cowboy life, sleeping in cabins or lodges and learning how to wrangle cattle.

I found that each resort offered its own distinct version of luxury.

Tailored experiences and a focus on wellness

At Amangani, where hedge funds, oil and gas companies, and auto companies hold corporate events and a wedding buyout can easily cost well over $100,000, the standout feature is a heated outdoor infinity pool with mountain views. The five-star hotel's wellness space includes four spa treatment rooms and an exercise studio with his-and-her steam rooms.

Amangani also partners with local businesses to give guests access to customizable outdoor experiences that include skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding or riding in horse-drawn carriages, as well as scenic helicopter, plane, and hot air balloon rides. 

After my visit, it was clear that Amangani delivers on some of the major preferences of affluent travelers today: personalized experiences and wellness amenities.

Seclusion as the ultimate luxury

At Gros Ventre River Ranch, on the other hand, the main draw is just how secluded and disconnected it is from the rest of the world. 

The dude ranch is a 50-minute drive from Jackson, instead of a 10-minute drive, like Amangani. There's no cell phone service at Gros Ventre, and WiFi is available only in the main lodge, not in the guest accommodations. That forces guests to disconnect from work and other distractions. But there's plenty to do instead: Guests can go horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and even learn how to wrangle and pen cattle.

Wyoming, as the least populous US state, offers a degree of seclusion no matter where you stay. That, combined with the varying luxury offerings, could explain why Jackson Hole has become such a hot destination for wealthy travelers and home buyers.

"We've seen it change from a nice little quaint cow town to millionaires," local rancher Jane Golliher told me. "And now billionaires are coming in buying out the millionaires."

Jackson: A hotspot for luxury, but what about budget travelers?

For those who aren't millionaires or billionaires, Jackson offers fewer options.

Finding an affordable place to stay on my trip was nearly impossible — especially because I was booking only about 10 days before my arrival. I scoured Airbnb but found nothing at all available in the town of Jackson. The closest thing I found was a room in someone's house in Driggs, Idaho, more than a 45-minute drive away, for $100 per night.

Even the two-star hotels in Jackson were astonishingly pricey. A room at the Motel 6 on the outskirts of town cost more than $200 per night, and it was completely booked. I ended up at the second-cheapest option, a Super 8 with no elevator and unbearably slow WiFi, for $245 per night.

So, while the area is flush with options for travelers who are flush with cash, those don't want to spend around $200 per night on accommodations might want to rethink where they're staying. 

SEE ALSO: I toured a $975-a-night luxury resort in Jackson Hole, and I found that it delivers on 2 of the top desires of wealthy travelers: privacy and experience

DON'T MISS: I toured a Jackson Hole dude ranch where people pay more than $2,100 to try living like a cowboy for a week. Here's what it looks like.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet the photographer behind the 'I Spy' books that captured millions of readers' imaginations

• Glamping, or "glamorous camping," is a luxurious alternative to regular camping that's become increasingly popular in the last decade.
• There are many ways to glamp, from sleeping in a heated domed pod on the salt flats of Bolivia to renting out a luxurious tent with electricity and 1,500 thread-count linens on an island in New York City.
• Some of the most high-end methods of glamping can cost more than staying in a luxury hotel.
• A two-night minimum stay in a pod at a Bolivian dome resort will run you $1,980, while an ultra-luxury motor home can cost as much as $3 million.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Glamping, or "glamorous camping," is a luxurious alternative to traditional camping — and it can get really over-the-top.

Instead of sleeping on the ground in a typical tent, glamping might entail sleeping in a king-size bed with 1,500-thread-count linens or in an eco-friendly pod with a shower and kitchenette.

From egg-shaped pods to tricked-out RVs, here are some of the ways people are taking glamping to the next level.

SEE ALSO: I visited 2 very different luxury resorts in Jackson Hole, and the contrast between them helped explain why the area has become such a hotspot for celebs, CEOs, and the ultrawealthy

DON'T MISS: There's a new type of traveler dishing out thousands of dollars for high-end safaris. The business director of a Botswana-based company says it’s all because of the millennial tech boom.

Glamping, or "glamorous camping," is an upscale alternative to traditional camping.

Glamping can take many different forms, from ultra-luxurious tents with king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms to egg-shaped pods and tricked-out RVs.

A company called Ecocapsule makes luxurious egg-shaped pods designed with solar panels and 750-watt retractable wind turbines so they can be 100% self-sufficient in a variety of environments.

Source: Insider

The pods include a work space, kitchenette, toilet, and shower.

Source: Insider

The bed can be folded out to sleep two people.

Source: Insider

Each pod costs $89,000 (€79,900), and some have been sold to private owners for individual use, according to Ecocapsule.

Source: Insider

The company is engaged in deals to sell pods to glamping and hotel companies in Europe, Australia, and the US, with expected guest costs of $200 to $277 (€180 to €250) per night, an Ecocapsule representative told Business Insider.

Source: Insider

A luxury resort in Bolivia called Kachi Lodge is made up of several domed pods located 12,000 feet above sea level on the largest salt flat in the world.

Source: Insider

Each pod comes with a private bathroom, a double bed with hotel-style bedding, heating, and a lounge area.

Source: Insider

According to the Kachi Lodge website, the camp is run using sustainable energy, with the goal of leaving a minimal impact on the environment.

Source: Kachi Lodge, Insider

A two-night minimum stay in one of the resort's domes costs $1,980 per person, and additional nights start at $990 per person.

Source: Insider

A campground in Germany offers both glamping pods and glamping lodges.

Source: Campingpark Rerik

The heated pods include a kitchenette and fridge, table and chairs, a bathroom, a double bed and a pullout sofa bed.

Source: Campingpark Rerik

The campground's African safari-inspired lodges can sleep up to five people and include a bathroom and shower, a sitting room with a satellite TV, and a fully equipped kitchenette and refrigerator.

Source: Campingpark Rerik

The Ranch at Rock Creek, a luxury resort in Montana, has 10 "canvas cabins" that sit in a wildflower meadow on the banks of the namesake Rock Creek.

Source: The Ranch at Rock Creek

The glamping cabins range in size from 790 square feet to 1,300 square feet. Some have multiple bedrooms, gas stoves, and soaking tubs.

Source: The Ranch at Rock Creek

The cabins have their own private bathrooms.

Source: The Ranch at Rock Creek

In the Sweet Grass cabin, the only three-room glamping cabin, guests can soak in a cedar tub on the patio. The cabins start at $1,800 per night in the winter and $3,200 during the summer and peak holiday season.

Source: The Ranch at Rock Creek

At the Capitol Reef Resort in Utah, guests can glamp in covered wagons based on 19th-century designs. But beyond the exterior, these wagons are nothing like the ones pioneers slept in.

Source: Capitol Reef Resort

They come with air conditioning, one king-size bed, and twin bunk beds, and there are private bathrooms just a few steps away. A night's stay in one of the wagons starts at about $229 per person.

Source: Capitol Reef Resort

Luxe trailers are yet another way to glamp. In the United Arab Emirates, about 85 miles from Dubai, is the Sedr Trailers Resort, which calls itself a "trailer hotel."

Source: Sedr Trailers Resort

Each air conditioned, 194-square-foot trailer includes a shaded private deck, a modern bathroom, Wifi, a TV, and the option to configure the trailer to sleep a family of two adults and two children.

Source: Sedr Trailers Resort

A night's stay in one of the trailers starts at about $617.

Source: Sedr Trailers Resort

In upstate New York, travelers can stay in a luxurious, 18-foot-tall tepee that sits in the woods on a 10-acre property at Bellfire Farm.

Source: Bellfire Farm

The interior has cedar floors, custom-made furniture, wool carpets, a kitchenette, and a fire pit.

Source: Bellfire Farm

The tepee can be booked for $145 a night on Airbnb.

Source: Airbnb

And glamping doesn't necessarily have to be limited to secluded wilderness areas. "Urban glamping" locations have been popping up in cities like New York and Chicago. On Governors Island in New York City, people pay up to $700 a night to sleep in luxury tents with a view of the city.

Source: Business Insider

Collective Retreats, which also has locations in Texas, Montana, and New York's Hudson Valley, opened its Governors Island location — just an eight-minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan — in July 2018.

Source: Business Insider

In the luxurious Summit Tents, guests sleep on 1,500-thread count sheets with a down comforter and a designer-curated blanket.

Source: Business Insider

Each Summit Tent has a private, en-suite bathroom with a rainfall-style shower and Turkish robes "for optimal lounging."

Source: Business Insider

Even luxury hotels are cashing in on the urban glamping trend. The Gwen Hotel in Chicago lets guests stay in a luxury tent on the terrace of the hotel's top-floor Gwen Lux Suite during the summer months.

Source: Business Insider

The Gwen Lex Suite costs $3,500 a night, and the glamping tent on the terrace is an additional $2,000, bringing the total cost per night up to a minimum of $5,500.

Source: Business Insider

Inside the tent is a queen-size bed, lamps, and floor cushions.

Source: Business Insider

With the addition of the tent on the terrace, the two-bedroom Gwen Lux Suite can sleep six guests.

Source: Business Insider

If glamping in your own backyard is more your style, you can buy a translucent garden dome on Amazon.

Source: Business Insider

The wind- and snow-resistant dome sits on a 107-square-foot base area and has a maximum height of seven feet and two inches, making it large enough for most people to stand up inside.

Source: Business Insider

The dome was recently selling for $1,199, but it's currently unavailable.

Source: Business Insider

Then there are luxury RVs, which are nicer than most people's homes and can cost between $1 million and $3 million.

Source: Insider

Canada-based manufacturer Prevost makes swanky RVs with luxe kitchens, slide-out all-around windows, and expansive floor space.

Source: Insider

Some luxury RVs, like those from Oklahoma-based company Newell Coaches, even come with in-unit washer and dryers and multiple LED televisions. Newell Coaches' RVs cost about $2 million.

Source: Insider

But for the ultimate RV glamping experience, there's the EleMMent Palazzo Superior from Marchi Mobile. At $3 million, it's the most expensive motor home in the world. It includes a king-size bed, a huge kitchen, a rainfall shower, a 40-inch TV, and an expandable rooftop deck.

Source: Insider

Glamping has also made its way to music festivals. The Coachella music festival in California has added glamping as an amenity for wealthy attendees.

Source: Business Insider

Safari Campground is the festival's priciest on-location campsite, with luxury tent rates starting around $10,000 for a four-night stay.

Source: Business Insider

The fully furnished tents come with a small refrigerator and air conditioner.

Source: Business Insider

• Russia's first post-Soviet luxury limousine went on sale in Moscow on Friday.
• The car is part of the Aurus brand, the same type of car used by President Vladimir Putin at his inauguration last year.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia opened a showroom on Friday selling its first post-Soviet luxury limousine under the Aurus brand, a type of car used by President Vladimir Putin at his inauguration last year.

Russia has been trying to reduce its dependence on imported goods and technology, a drive that gathered speed after Moscow was hit by Western sanctions in 2014.

The Russian-built limousine is intended to become the heir to the ZIL sedans that for decades transported Soviet leaders.

Priced at 18 million roubles, or $274,000, the Aurus, in its basic configuration, targets customers in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as European and Chinese buyers.

SEE ALSO: Vladimir Putin gave China's Xi Jinping ice cream for his 66th birthday

"We expect a similar showroom will appear in China in 2020-2021," Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said at the opening ceremony. The Russian state has invested over 12.4 billion roubles, or $189 million, in the Aurus limousine project since 2013.

The vehicles are produced by a Russian research institute known by the acronym NAMI in partnership with Russian carmaker Sollers. Friday's ceremony featured the Aurus Senat sedan.

"The minivan and the SUV Komendant are at the testing stage. I hope to see the latter at the (Moscow International) Automobile Salon in 2020," Manturov said.

A hybrid or fully electric version of the Aurus is expected to be ready by 2024-2025. There will also be an extended sedan and a shortened limousine.

Aurus CEO Adil Shirinov said potential customers were not only government officials but also businessmen: "We believe the audience will be quite wide."

Aurus is taking orders, but no retail sales are planned this year, he added.

(Reporting by Olesya Astakhova; writing by Anna Rzhvekina; editing by Andrew Osborn and Gareth Jones)

• In Aspen, Colorado, Red Mountain, nicknamed "Billionaire Mountain," is home to the rich and famous.
• The Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke and Jeff Bezos' parents have houses there.
• Billionaire Mountain boasts record-breaking real estate that sells for as much as $49 million.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Aspen, Colorado, is America's most expensive ski town — but it gets even pricier the more skyward you get.

Towering over Aspen is Red Mountain, also known as "Billionaire Mountain." It's home to high-end real estate, with sales prices as high as $49 million, staggering square footage, and scenic views of downtown Aspen and the surrounding mountains.

Read more:An anonymous buyer just broke 2 Aspen real-estate records by dropping $24.2 million on a ritzy 'Billionaire Mountain' lot — and it's totally empty

It's a haven for the 1%. From the candy mogul William Wrigley Jr. to the casino magnate Neil Bluhm, many notable names have had a home there.

Here's a glimpse at what life (and real estate) is like on Billionaire Mountain.

SEE ALSO: What it's like to vacation in St. Moritz, the hidden gem in the Swiss Alps where celebrities, billionaires, and royalty go to ski

DON'T MISS: A 'mountain' towering over Los Angeles, once listed for $1 billion and scoped out by Jeff Bezos, has finally sold — for just $100,000

Once a small mining town, Aspen is now the most expensive ski town in America — and only one of four ski destinations in the world where homes consistently sell for over $25 million.

Source: Business Insider (1, 2, 3)

You can find Aspen's 1% on Red Mountain, aptly nicknamed "Billionaire Mountain" by a former Forbes staff writer, Morgan Brennan, in a December 2012 article. It's known as a popular winter destination for the rich and famous.

Source: Business Insider, Forbes

Divided into upper and lower neighborhoods, Billionaire Mountain boasts views of downtown Aspen, peaks in the Elk Range, and the Aspen Snowmass, which comprises all four of Aspen's ski mountains.

Source: Aspen Sojourner, Forbes

Aspen's center is about a five-minute drive down the mountain, which is also near outdoor adventures, from fishing in Independence Pass to biking alongside Roaring Fork River.

Source: Carrie Wells Real Estate

Billionaire Mountain's "phone book reads like a Davos VIP list," Brennan wrote for Forbes.

Source: Forbes

"It's always been a cornerstone of residential real estate in Aspen," Joshua Saslove of Douglas Elliman told Forbes.

Source: Forbes

The Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, the oil billionaire Sid Bass, the candy mogul William Wrigley Jr., and the casino magnate Neil Bluhm have all had houses there, ranging in price from $7.4 million to $38.4 million, per Forbes' December 2012 report.

Source: Forbes

Billionaires' family members also call the elite neighborhood home. According to Forbes, as of 2012, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' parents had a 10,600-square-foot home valued at $20 million in Lower Red Mountain, and Dell CEO Michael Dell's grandparents owned a $10.5 million, 8,520-square-foot home in Upper Red Mountain.

Source: Forbes

The 1% pays top dollar for Billionaire Mountain's pricey real estate —properties now on the market there range from $2.45 million to $33.5 million.

Source: Realtor.com

The active average home price on Billionaire Mountain as of June 2018 was $15.8 million, with an average cost per square foot of $2,225, according to the Aspen Sojourner, a local magazine.

Source: Aspen Sojourner

Billionaire Mountain's real estate is quite literally record-breaking, especially when it comes to America's most expensive homes.

There you'll find the 90-acre Hala Ranch, which is larger than the White House. Once the most expensive home in the US, it was listed by the Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan for $135 million in 2006. It sold to the hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson for $49 million in 2012.

Source: Mansion Global, Business Insider

The Summit House sits atop Billionaire Mountain on nearly 6 acres of land. It was Colorado's most expensive available home when it was listed for $65 million in 2014. Its current asking price is a slightly more manageable $39.5 million.

Bill Koch put his Aspen compound on the market for $80 million, according to Curbed, but that property was "not listed for public consumption"— making Summit House Colorado's most expensive house, according to Realtor.com.

Source: Sotheby's International Realty

The 17,000-square-foot lodge boasts seven bedrooms, seven full baths, four half-bathrooms, and a 4,150-square-foot deck.

Source: Business Insider

But Summit House is far from the only high-profile, ultra-luxurious property in the area. In March 2019, an $18 million ranch on Billionaire Mountain's largest, most private lot went on the market. Known as Erickson Ranch, it's owned by one of Aspen's founding families, the Paepcke family.

Source: Business Insider

Nestled at the base of Billionaire Mountain, the 6,802-square-foot property sits on 12 acres of land and includes seven bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths.

Source: Business Insider

Even the neighborhood's undeveloped land carries a hefty price tag. In May 2019, an anonymous buyer broke two Aspen real-estate records, dropping $24.2 million on an empty 4.4-acre Billionaire Mountain plot.

Source: Mansion Global via Business Insider

At the time, it was the most expensive empty residential lot ever sold, and the highest residential sale in 2019.

Source: Mansion Global via Business Insider

It was previously part of a massive 40-acre estate owned by Marian Rubey Lyeth Davis, whose family started the company that eventually became Maxwell House Coffee.

Source: Mansion Global via Business Insider

Most of these homes are vacation homes. Billionaire Mountain is "best known for large, mostly vacant mansions," Scott Condon wrote for The Aspen Times in 2008.

Source: Aspen Times

But resident homeowners also put the land to other use. In 2018, the Red Mountain Ranch Homeowners Association donated a 55-acre parcel to Pitkin County for its Open Space and Trails Program. The parcel extends about 150 yards up the mountain from the top row of homes.

Source: Aspen Times

A minority of homeowners wanted to sell the parcel to the highest bidder, according to Jerry Murdock, the president of the homeowners association. He told Pitkin County commissioners at the time that he persuaded the majority to support the donation. He didn't reveal how much the property would've been worth on the open market.

Source: Aspen Times

Billionaire Mountain continues to attract new residents. There's a particularly high demand for remodels and new homes there, according to Carolyn Sackariason of the Aspen Sojourner.

Source: Aspen Sojourner

Local brokers told Sackariason in 2018 that Billionaire Mountain had an "aging inventory" but was still one of the highest-performing neighborhoods on the market. Single-family-home sales increased by 100% from 2016 to 2017.

Source: Aspen Sojourner

As Sackariason wrote, "when it comes to this level of exclusivity, criteria like lifestyle and prestige tend to outrank price."

Source: Aspen Sojourner

• Luxury travelers in 2019 want more than just Champagne and infinity pools, according to the business director of a luxury safari company.
• Chris Roche, the business development director at Wilderness Holdings, which owns luxury safari company Wilderness Safaris, told Business Insider that big-ticket travelers in 2019 have high expectations of their travel experiences.
• They want authenticity, they want to make a positive impact on the places they visit, and they want to be inspired to be better versions of themselves, he said.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Luxury travelers today are no longer satisfied with Champagne, caviar, and infinity pools. In 2019, they're looking for impact, according to the business director of a luxury safari company.

"They want authenticity and genuine engagement, they want to feel like they're a meaningful contributor to all of this, and they want to be inspired," Chris Roche, the managing director for business development at Wilderness Holdings, which owns luxury safari company Wilderness Safaris, told Business Insider.

Wilderness Safaris, which was founded in 1983, operates customizable safaris in seven African countries including Botswana, Kenya, and Rwanda. A typical safari costs about $8,000 per person for a five-night stay, but costs vary by country and type of lodging. The company bills itself as a sustainable ecotourism operator that combines luxury hospitality with conservation.

According to Roche, the experiences they offer align perfectly with what high-end travelers are looking for today. 

Luxury travelers today want authenticity and genuine hospitality instead of formulaic service.

Travelers today want to meet real people, according to Roche.

"They don't want the polished, you know, silver service with some guy wearing a cummerbund and he's got a towel over his arm," he said. "... You want to meet a person, you want to hear about their background, you want to know how they came to work in that space, and where they're going beyond that."

Roche says one of the highlights for guests at Wilderness Safaris is connecting with the staff.

At one of their camps in Rwanda, for example, a couple of guests told Roche about how the camp's bartender, a local who'd never worked in a luxury establishment before, had brought the guests their drinks and then poured himself a drink, sat down on the barstool next to them, and they talked about his life.

"I met them in Kigali afterward and they said, 'That's what made it different. That's what made it real,'" Roche said. "... It's not about service by menu or by rote. It's about genuine hospitality."

Travelers want to have a positive impact on the places they visit.

Overtourism is a growing problem in 2019, with frequent reports of popular destinations being destroyed by the sheer number of visitors and tourists damaging ancient monuments or protected spaces.

Read more:13 places around the world that are being ruined by tourists

Yet according to Roche, luxury travelers in 2019 want to have a meaningful, positive impact on the places they visit and the people there.

Roche recounts the story of Maria, a Rwandan woman who was left widowed after the 1994 genocide. Wilderness Safaris provided her with a sewing machine and hired her to make napkins, tablecloths, staff uniforms, and other textiles for their camp. 

When they hear her story, "guests are almost always moved to say, 'How can we help Maria?'" Roche said. "And so they'll ask the lodge manager. And if the lodge manager's doing their job, they'll say, 'You know, there are a thousand Marias here.'"

Those efforts to give back to the local communities extend further, too: Wilderness Safaris employs locals to work at their camps and lodges; buys fresh produce and other products from local communities; and works on water projects, such as helping provide technology for people to expand their capacity to collect rainwater.

The company also runs conservation camps for children, where they teach them about the environment and health and nutrition. 

And finally, Roche says, people are looking for inspiration in their travels. 

"They see this and they say, 'I can do better. I can be a better version of myself,'" Roche said. "And I think people come here and they get inspired to do that."

SEE ALSO: There's a new type of traveler dishing out thousands of dollars for high-end safaris. The business director of a Botswana-based company says it’s all because of the millennial tech boom.

DON'T MISS: I spent 5 days on a Tanzanian safari and saw wild lions, elephants, and rhinos — but it made me realize there are 2 factors that can make or break your trip

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The US women's national team dominates soccer, but here's why the US men's team sucks

• There's a surplus of multimillion-dollar luxury ranches out west, as baby boomers' children don't want to take over their parents' sprawling ranches, Katherine Clarke reported for The Wall Street Journal.
• The ranches held a Hollywood, Wild West allure for previous generations, but millennials find them too labor-intensive and expensive.
• The oversupply of luxury ranches is on trend with the overall luxury-real-estate market in the US, from a surplus of penthouses in New York City to a glut of mansions in Los Angeles.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Millennials aren't wild about everything in the West.

As baby boomers in western states age, their luxury ranches are going up for sale — but younger generations, namely millennials, view the properties as more labor-intensive and expensive than appealing, Katherine Clarke reported for The Wall Street Journal.

"Their children aren't necessarily always as interested in operating the properties," Ken Mirr, a local ranch broker, told Clarke. "Sometimes the kids just see cows and think 'What should I do with this?'"

It's led to an oversupply of luxury ranches in the real-estate market, mostly in Colorado, the report said. Buyers aren't in a hurry to make a purchase, leading to price cuts — and some ranches have sat on the market for years, Clarke reported.

Most ranchers don't disclose how much they paid for properties, and public records aren't always transparent, making it hard to assess property values, but they've sold for as much as $175 million, an agent told Clarke. Operating costs vary but can be in the millions, Clarke said.

There's the professional golfer Greg Norman's 12,000-acre ranch, listed for $50 million, and the late real-estate developer Ronald Boeddeker's 221,000-acre ranch — his children put it on the market for $100 million in 2017, but it's since received a $30 million price cut, according to Clarke.

And last year, a $180 million lottery winner put his 16,000-square-foot California mountain estate, which comes with a fully operational buffalo ranch, up for sale, Business Insider's Katie Warren reported. Originally listed for $26 million, it was cut by $6.9 million in August.

Read more: NYC has a penthouse problem, LA has a mansion problem, and Miami has a condo problem

There's an abundance of luxury real estate across the US

The surplus of luxury ranches is indicative of the state of the US luxury market.

In New York City, penthouses have been sitting on the market for months to years. Many of those properties eventually receive drastic price cuts or get carved into two smaller apartments, Warren previously reported.

"Like any commodity, when the market is saturated with them, their value declines," Jason Haber, an agent at Warburg Realty in Manhattan, told Warren. "If under every rock you found a diamond, diamonds would decline in value. That's what is happening right now."

Meanwhile, Los Angeles has a glut of empty mega-mansions, as Clarke reported in a separate article for The Journal. Real-estate agents and developers are employing extreme measures to get those mansions off the market, from themed parties and gimmicky amenities to $100 million price cuts.

And in Miami, luxury condos are sitting on the market a hair too long — some are taking four to six years to sell, Jerry Iannelli reported for the Miami New Times last year.

Read the full article at The Wall Street Journal »

SEE ALSO: There are too many multimillion-dollar mansions for sale in Los Angeles, and real-estate agents are going to extreme lengths to get them off the market

DON'T MISS: The suburban mansion may be losing its spot as part of the American Dream, and it highlights just how different millennials' and baby boomers' worlds are

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Slack and Flickr, says 2 beliefs have brought him the greatest success in life

• Burning Man, an annual nine-day arts-and-culture festival in the Nevada desert, kicked off this past weekend.
• Among its 80,000 attendees, Silicon Valley elites and high-rollers are known to pay thousands of dollars for chef-prepared food, pricey campers, and luxury accommodations.
• One such campsite, called Humano the Tribe, was banned in February from this year's Burning Man for violating the festival's "leave no trace" rules and having Fyre Festival-like conditions.
• Humano the Tribe offered accommodations up to $100,000, and Burning Man attendees complained that the camp's portable toilets burst into flames last year.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A luxury camp attracting high-rolling influencers and featuring $100,000 campers won't be one of the thousands of attractions at this year's Burning Man.

Burning Man, the nine-day arts-and-cultural festival in the Nevada desert, kicked off this weekend. The desert city is expected to draw up to 80,000 attendees for its many art installations, musical performances, and general mayhem.

Despite organizers touting principles including radical inclusion and decommodification (there's no money exchanged on the grounds), Burning Man has attracted Silicon Valley elites and influencers ready for a luxury experience.

Read more:Everything you've been wanting to know about Burning Man, the wild 9-day arts event in the Nevada desert frequented by celebs and tech moguls

But one such campsite, called Humano the Tribe, won't be at Burning Man this year. Burning Man organizers banned the camp in February after reports that it had not adhered to the festival's rules and was disrupting attendees' experiences.

In 2018, Humano the Tribe offered luxury tents and campers ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, as well as "raw and purely organic foods" made by private chefs, Mashable reported.

Meanwhile, the costs of tickets for this year's Burning Man range from $210 for low-income attendees to $1,400 for presale admission.

But on top of Humano the Tribe's luxury offerings being shunned by regular festivalgoers, the campsite ran into some other major problems that have led some to draw comparisons to the failed Fyre Festival.

A Reddit thread last year outlined that the biggest issue was with the group's private toilets, which Mashable said weren't installed with proper plumbing and leaked black water contaminated with fecal waste. One Reddit user said they saw the Humano toilets "go up in flames" at the festival.

In its blog post announcing Humano's ban, Burning Man organizers wrote that Humano was a "strain on resources" and had a poor record of adhering to the festival's "leave no trace" policy of cleaning up and leaving the desert in a better state than it was found.

Burning Man organizers also described Humano as one of the many "turnkey" or "plug and play" camps, favored by "sparkle ponies," a term for the models and Instagram influencers who use Burning Man as a place for photo ops while dressed in elaborate costumes.

Burning Man is also known to attract Silicon Valley elites, whose most powerful members have taken up a luxury stretch of the festival dubbed "K Street Black Rock."

Tech executives including Elon Musk, Eric Schmidt, and the Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have previously been spotted at Burning Man.

SEE ALSO: YouTuber PewDiePie got married to his longtime girlfriend — see the photos from their wedding day

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• The Empathy Suite, designed by artist Damien Hirst, is the most expensive hotel room in the world at $100,000 per night with a minimum two-night stay.
• The suite was included in Time Magazine's Greatest Places of 2019 list.
• Located off the Las Vegas Strip in the Palms Casino Resort, the two-story sky villa features two luxury master bedrooms, a 13-seat bar, and six standalone Hirst art installments.
• The suite was unveiled on March 1 with a private party hosted by Hirst.
• It is one of six recently renovated villas at Palms, part of a $690 million remodel for the property.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The world's most expensive hotel room doubles as an art gallery.

Featuring work by world-renowned — and oftentimescontroversial— contemporary artist Damien Hirst, the Empathy Suite at the Palms Casino Resort is now available for booking. At $100,000 per night, the Empathy Suite tops last year's high-ranking Royal Penthouse Suite at the President Wilson Hotel; the Geneva hotel charged$80,000 per night for its top accommodation.

Read more:The world's 10 most expensive hotel suites

The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath villa was recently included on Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Places of 2019 list.

Keep reading for a complete look at the exclusive suite, from the Hirst-designed balcony pool to the in-house bar.

SEE ALSO: Inside the exclusive Italian resort that plays host to Google Camp, the secretive and star-studded annual conference that draws billionaires, CEOs, and celebrities

NOW READ: The 15 most popular private jet destinations for the ultra-wealthy right now, from Spain's most famous party town to the Bahamas

The Empathy Suite is the crown jewel of the Palms Casino Resort.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

It's located just off the infamous Las Vegas Strip.

Source: Palms Casino Resort, Google Maps

The hotel includes 1,200 rooms across three towers, several restaurants, a concert theater, and, of course, a casino.

Source: Palms Casino Resort, Google Maps

The Empathy Suite is located in the resort's middle building, known as the Fantasy Tower.

All six of Palms' sky villas were renovated as a part of a $690 million upgrade to the hotel, which was first established in 2001 and is now owned by the Fertitta brothers of Station Casino. Other villas range from $25,000 to $50,000 a night.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

The suite's designer, Damien Hirst, is a well-known contemporary artist whose work first appeared in the late 1980s.

Hirst is known for boundary-pushing collections, ranging from formaldehyde preservations to carefully arranged pill bottles. In 2017, his work filled the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana in Venice, two art museums funded by billionaire art collector François Pinault.

Source: Gagosian Gallery

On March 1, six of his art installments were unveiled in Palms Casino Resort's newest sky villa, also designed by Hirst.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

Damien Hirst hosted the party ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... which included several celebrity guests, such as chef Gordon Ramsay and architect Peter Bentel.

Bentel's firm, Bentel & Bentel, is responsible for projects including MoMa and Yale University cafes, and the Garden Terrace Room at New York Botanical Gardens.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

Upon check-in to the Empathy Suite, guests receive 24-hour butler service, chauffeured car service, a private art tour of the hotel property, and a $10,000 credit to use at the hotel.

The Empathy Suite was formerly known as the Hugh Hefner Suite, and in 2012, CNN Travel ranked the suite No. 5 on a list of most expensive hotel rooms. Originally $40,000 per night, the new luxury renovations have spurred a $60,000 price increase.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

At 9,000 square feet, the villa features plenty of seating space throughout its two floors to entertain up to 52 people.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

The center point of the villa is a 13-seat curved bar, below one of six standalone Hirst art pieces.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

Guests can walk from the bar out to the balcony ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... which includes a Hirst-inspired pool overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

Both of the master bedrooms include California king beds, along with glass windows that overlook either the lower level of the suite ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... or the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

The bathrooms are just as luxurious ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... complete in gray marble with Hirst-style accents.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

Pill wall-covering designed by Hirst is featured throughout the villa.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

The villa includes a game room complete with a pool table ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... and butterfly embroidery decorates the villa's massage chairs. The suite also includes a gym.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

The dining room seats eight people comfortably ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... with additional space in the media room nearby.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

The large windows include Hirst-inspired decals ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... to complement Hirst's original artwork ...

Source: Palms Casino Resort

... which can be found scattered throughout the villa.

Source: Palms Casino Resort

Hirst gained recognition in 1991 for his first art installment utilizing animals preserved in formaldehyde.

Source: Gagosian Gallery, Reuters

The technique soon became a series called "Natural History" and included a variety of animals preserved through taxidermy over 22 years.

Source: Gagosian Gallery, Reuters

Hirst's work has appeared alongside other notable contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons and was recently displayed at several Venice galleries. The Palazzo Grassi art museum hosted Hirst's exhibition during the summer of 2017.

Source: Gagosian Gallery

His artwork can also be found in restaurants, including a pharmacy-themed restaurant of his own creation. Pieces of the now-closed restaurant sold at Sotheby's auction.

Source: Reuters, Business Insider

• Many of the world's top-rated hotels go above and beyond when it comes to amenities.
• These amenities range from surprising complimentary items to extremely expensive excursions.
• Keep reading for a look at 35 of the most over-the-top amenities offered by luxury hotels around the world.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

For those of us who are content with a white robe and complimentary toiletries when we travel, the following list of hotel amenities may come as a pretty serious shock.

However, these luxury amenities are not always free of charge. While some — such as renting Fender guitars at any Hard Rock Hotel — are complimentary, others come with steep additional fees, ranging from a $95 makeover to a $5,600 helicopter ride.

Read more: Luxury travelers want more than ever before, and hotels are borrowing a tactic used by Netflix and Amazon to keep up

From personalized fireworks displays to ski slope picnics, keep reading for a selection of some of the wildest amenities you can enjoy during your next stay.

Talia Avakian contributed reporting to an earlier version of this article.

SEE ALSO: Forget Champagne and infinity pools: High-end travelers today want to make an impact on the places they visit, according to a luxury safari operator

NOW READ: The legendary hotelier behind some of the world's top boutique hotel brands says luxury hotels are going to transform in 2 major ways in the next 10 years

Drive a Rolls-Royce Ghost for a day

The Acqualina Resort in Miami takes car service to the next level. Unveiled this year, the resort's newest suite — the Grand Deluxe Three-Bedroom Oceanfront Suite— comes with many luxury amenities, though its top perk is arguably your own Rolls-Royce Ghost to use during your stay.

According to a recent report by Robb Report, guests who book the room for three nights or more will have access to the luxury vehicle for a full day during their vacation. The report also said, "[Acqualina] is home to the world's largest collection of independently-owned Rolls-Royces found at a single hotel."

Private art tour and $10,000 hotel credit

Guests in the Empathy Suite, one of the Palms Resorts Casino's recently redesigned villas, get plenty of perks. Though the cost is steep — at $100,000 per night, it is currently the most expensive hotel suite in the world — guests receive a $10,000 credit to spend at the Las Vegas hotel.

In addition, guests get a private art tour of the hotel. Finally, Empathy Suite visitors receive 24-hour butler service and complimentary massage treatments in the villa's designated spa rooms.

24-hour butler service

You don't need to dread packing anymore. The Lodge at Sea Island in Georgia has a 24-hour butler service to do everything for you.

From packing your suitcase when you leave, to laying out milk and cookies at night or running you a rose petal bath, butlers are on hand to help with your every need. Their services are available to all guests who stay at the hotel, and the cost is included in the price of the room.

Fender guitar rentals

The "Sound of Your Stay" program, which is available at any of Hard Rock Hotels' 23 hotels and 11 casinos, includes free rentals of a Fender guitar with a Mustang floor amplifier and Nixon headphones so you can rock out in your room.

You can also get exclusively curated playlists and DJ mixing systems sent to your room.

Recovery concierge

Nursing a bad hangover? Well, you're in luck — during Mardi Gras, The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans offers a recovery concierge who can help nurse you back to health.

From fixing you a Bloody Mary to delivering you a smoothie, this concierge can help make your stay all the more comfortable and hangover-free. 

Champagne bubble bath

At the Il Salviatino hotel in Florence, Italy, guests can request the ultimate bubble bath: A private bath filled to the brim with Prosecco, Spumante, or French Champagne.

An additional bottle is chilled and provided for drinking. The service starts at $9,000, though prices range based on your choice of bubbles. 

For those who prefer something sweeter, there's always the "chocolate fountain" bath, which comes with fresh fruit to dip and costs $2,700.

Private recording studio

Book the Villa Rockstar suite at Eden Rock St Barth's, and you'll have the chance to record a soundtrack in its private recording studio.

Complete with drums, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, a Fender Jazz Bass, amps, and a Yamaha piano synthesizer, the studio doubles as the Caribbean villa's cinema room and is said to host the same Neve music-mixing console that was used by John Lennon to record "Imagine."

24-karat gold iPads

Considering the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai is known as one of the world's most luxurious hotels, it should come as no big surprise that its amenities include the use of 24-karat gold iPads.

They're given to each guest upon arrival and are programmed to include access to all guest services and hotel information.

Read more: I didn't think the $1 billion hotel considered 'the most luxurious in the world' could possibly live up to the hype. I was very wrong.

Costume room

The Ballyfin hotel in County Laois, Ireland, has a costume room with 40 different period costumes from Chicago's Lyric Opera Company. Inside, you'll find an antique bureau packed with accessories, a personal dresser, and a photographer who can take your photo.

You can even arrange to host a themed banquet. Costume hire costs around $50 for women and around $40 for men.

Complimentary smartphone

You no longer need to worry about massive charges on your phone when you go abroad. International traveling just got easier — that is, at least, if you're staying at the Dorsett Mongkok, Hong Kong.

Guests can access free smartphones with unlimited data, a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, and the ability to make free local and international calls to nine countries. It also includes a local restaurant guide. 

Helicopter glacier tours

Explore the stunning snow-covered peaks and glacier fjords along the coast of British Columbia through a private helicopter tour at Sonora Resort.

Starting at $4,290 for one hour and $6,160 for 2.5 hours, the tour takes guests to breathtaking destinations that very few get to see. Later, they'll stop at a remote mountaintop to enjoy a gourmet picnic with 360-degree views.

Genealogy research

If you've ever wondered what your ancestors were like, the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, will help you find out. An elite genealogist can help you discover your family history for around $200.

Cirque du Soleil fitness classes

Club Med Punta Cana can teach you how to become an acrobat. Its "CREACTIVE" fitness program teaches guests more than 30 different acrobatic skills used in real Cirque du Soleil productions.

You will learn everything from trapeze flying and bungee exercises to tightrope and aerial skills, all under the supervision of Cirque du Soleil staff at the Dominican Republic resort. The service is free to all guests staying at the hotel.

Test drive a sports car

Located in Gateway, Colorado, Gateway Canyons Resort sits in a stunning desert setting that's perfect for off-roading adventures. With the "Driven Experiences" program, guests can try out a fleet of high-performance cars, including the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, Mercedes-Benz SL550, and Ford Mustang Shelby GT.

Seasoned instructors will lead you through the two-mile desert training facility before letting you embark on your own adventure. Prices start at $150 for a four-hour experience.

Workout concierges

Westin Hotels make it easy for you to stay in shape. The so-called "running concierge" leads runs for guests, gives recommendations on the best running routes, organizes healthy meals, and will even help guests prepare for races.

For those who would rather work out alone, in selected locations you can book a room with a treadmill or a stationary bike. You can't even use the excuse that you forgot your workout gear. For $5, they will deliver New Balance shoes and clothing to your room.

Surf hosts

Monarch Beach hotel in Dana Point, California, makes sure its guests enjoy the waves.

The hotel's "surf hosts" offer private one-on-one surf lessons and make sure that when you come out of the sea, a towel, umbrella, and lounge chairs are ready and waiting for you.

Private tequila tour and tasting

Tequila lovers can take a behind-the-scenes look at how the drink is produced with a tour organized by the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico.

The package, which is $23,000 for two people, includes a private helicopter ride to the family-run Jose Cuervo distillery in Tequila, Mexico, where an expert will give you an exclusive tour. After, you'll sip tequila while listening to live, local music.  

Paragliding tour

Enjoy views unlike any other while paragliding from the top of Zighy Mountain at the Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman.

The hotel's professional paraglider can take guests around the edge of the mountain, where they can explore the bay from as high as 960 feet. The trip costs $183 per person.

Helicopter cave tours

The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler has partnered with Headline Mountain Holidays to create one-of-a-kind luxury adventures for guests.  

Take a private helicopter ride over Canada's largest and southernmost ice cap, and enjoy a guided tour through the ice caves. It costs $1,395 a person.

Personal makeup artist

Guests can be pampered with just the touch of a button at the WestHouse Hotel New York, thanks to the hotel's connection with NOMI Beauty experts.

Reserve hair and makeup services straight to your Manhattan room. Prices for the service start at $95 for a blowout. 

Stargazing

Thanks to its location at the top of a mountain in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, Primland provides guests with an incredible environment for stargazing.

The resort has an observatory dome that has a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 series telescope, and resident astronomers schedule telescope and dome presentations for guests throughout the week. The "Star Walk" experience starts at $35 per person and consists of a 45-minute program.

In-room bartender

At Cavallo Point in San Francisco, the In-Room Bartender program allows guests to customize cocktail packages that are either prepared by an in-room bartender or premade and delivered to the room.

Guests can also have the cocktail ingredients sent directly to them so they can mix the drink themselves. The service is available any time and costs $50 excluding tax, gratuity, and a delivery fee.

After-hours private pool time for adults

Feel the romance when you take advantage of the private after-hours use of the adults-only Serenity Pool at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in Hawaii.

From dusk until dawn, guests can schedule everything from a personally prepared gourmet meal near the pool to couples' massages under the stars. 

Personal shopper and stylist

Shop from the comfort of your room at the Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas.

The hotel has partnered with fashion and lifestyle store ByGeorge to curate a styling session for guests. A wardrobe stylist will bring curated pieces from the company's collection to your room, free of charge.

Private firework display

With the press of a button, guests at Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Mexico can create a completely customizable fireworks display directly outside their window.  

Using a specially designed iPad app, you can select a pre-designed show or create a completely unique display of pyrotechnic effects, all in your favorite colors and timed exactly how you want.

Time on the slopes with an Olympian

Guests of L'Apogee Courchevel, a five-star hotel in the Alps, can spend the morning skiing with Jean-Luc Lefrançois, who is both an experienced skiier and the hotel's chef.

After the guided tour, guests enjoy a gourmet picnic on the slopes, prepared by the chef himself. After returning to the hotel in the afternoon, participants can also enjoy a culinary display and champagne toast.

Jet lag gurus

Previously called The Mandarin Oriental, the newly-rebranded Waldorf Astoria recently made headlines for hiring Jet lag gurus to conduct personal consultations with guests to design a custom treatment package.

Among other suggestions, some examples at the Las Vegas hotel include specialized baths with essential oils and detox lunches.

Personalized dinner on the beach

Located on a remote island off the coast of Qatar, Banana Island is full of unique amenities. However, its most impressive may be the “dining by design” option for a dinner by the sea.

In addition to its impressive restaurants, guests can opt for a customized menu option: Seated at a table set up on the beach, guests can rattle off suggestions — and a waiter will deliver the message to the chef.

Private helicopter trip to a French vineyard

Recently named the No. 1 hotel in Europe, La Réserve in Paris — like other hotels — includes a personal butler, along with its hidden smoking room. In addition to these luxuries, guests who want to take their wine tasting a step further can board a private helicopter and head to the French countryside.

The helicopter drops guests off at La Réserve’s sister hotel in Bordeaux, where guests can escape the city and enjoy the hotel’s surrounding vineyard. After a one-night getaway, a helicopter will return guests to the French capital to finish out their stay.

Snorkeling lessons in an on-site pool with over 4,000 tropical fish

One of the property's seven on-site pools, King's Pond at the Four Seasons Hualailai in Hawaii is home to over 4,000 tropical fish. There, guests can rent snorkeling gear, and lessons are available from on-site staff.

Northern lights-viewing and hot springs tour

Rated one of the top hotels in Europe, Deplar Farm in Iceland acts as home base for many unique excursions. However, its most impressive offer may be the chance to view the northern lights during the winter season.

Meanwhile, in the summer, guests can enjoy tours of the nearby hot springs, along with horseback riding through the Viking landscapes. 

A custom cake topped with a diamond necklace

One of Vegas' well-known hotels, The Venetian recently unveiled its latest extravagant amenity: a $450,000 stay including a custom cake topped with a diamond necklace.

Known as the "Want The World" option, other featured items include Swarovski-covered Moët & Chandon Champagne bottles.

A champagne vending machine

In March, the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida unveiled a champagne vending machine in its hotel lobby. Guests purchase a $25 gold coin at reception, which is inserted to dispense one of two Moët & Chandon varieties.

The machines, stocked exclusively with 200 mL bottles of Moët & Chandon, are growing in popularity. Currently, other locations include hotels in New Orleans, Baltimore, and Las Vegas, along with temporary installments at several bars.

Ensuite sauna

Business Insider's Katie Warren recently traveled to Russia and stayed in Moscow's Ritz Carlton. After receiving an upgrade to the presidential suite, Warren found that the room had a private sauna in addition to the jetted soaking tub and separate walk-in rain shower.

The suite, which is almost 2,500 square feet, costs $18,000 per night on average.

Glamping tent on the balcony

For the second year in a row, The Gwen Hotel in Chicago offered an "urban glamping" experience.

The two-bedroom, 2.5-bath Gwen Lux Suite always includes VIP service, but during the summer months, guests have the option to sleep on the terrace in a tent. Guests who choose this addition also have access to an exclusive food menu — beginning at $125 per person— along with the rest of the suite's usual amenities.

According to a representative from The Gwen, "This package has been booked for birthday celebrations, anniversaries or just booking it for the unique experience. The suite and tent can comfortably host up to six guests, so it is also great for family vacations."

Rates for the package begin at $5,500 per night, and bookings are available from June through September.

• There's an abundance of luxury real estate across the US, and it may be a warning sign for an upcoming recession, reported Robert Frank for CNBC.
• New York City penthouses, Miami condos, LA mansions, and luxury ranches out west aren't selling.
• But the picture is bigger than that: The wealthy are spending less overall in the US, from retail to houses, and it could threaten economic expansion, an economist told Frank.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

America's lingering luxury real-estate market is waving a red flag.

The wealthy aren't buying homes as much as they used to, leaving a surplus of empty high-end real estate across the US, reported Robert Frank for CNBC. According to Frank, luxury real estate hasn't been this bad since the financial crisis.

While tax changes play a role in this decline, it's also part of a broader trend in which the wealthy are saving more and spending less in luxury retail, classic cars, art, and houses — and it could "trickle down" to a recession, he said.

"If high-income consumers pull back any further on their spending, it will be a significant threat to the economic expansion," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told Frank.

From NYC to LA, luxury real-estate markets across the US are seeing a slowdown. 

In New York City, penthouses have been sitting on the market for months to years. Many of those properties eventually receive drastic price cuts or get carved into two smaller apartments, Business Insider's Katie Warren previously reported.

"Like any commodity, when the market is saturated with them, their value declines," Jason Haber, an agent at Warburg Realty in Manhattan, told Warren. "If under every rock you found a diamond, diamonds would decline in value. That's what is happening right now."

Read more: NYC has a penthouse problem, LA has a mansion problem, and Miami has a condo problem

Down south, luxury condos in Miami are sitting on the market a hair too long — some are taking four to six years to sell, Jerry Iannelli reported for the Miami New Times last year.

And out west, multimillion-dollar luxury ranches have been undergoing price cuts and sitting on the market for years, Katherine Clarke reported for The Wall Street Journal. While they held a wild west allure for previous generations, millennials find the ranches too labor-intensive and expensive, she wrote. 

Consider the 16,000-square-foot California mountain estate, which comes with a fully operational buffalo ranch, that a $180 million lottery winner put up for sale last year, Warren reported. Originally listed for $26 million, it was cut by $6.9 million in August.

Clarke also said that Los Angeles has a glut of empty mega-mansions. Real-estate agents and developers are employing extreme measures to get those mansions off the market, from themed parties and gimmicky amenities to $100 million price cuts.

SEE ALSO: Millennials aren't buying baby boomers' luxury ranches — and it's a sign of a much larger problem in the US real-estate market

DON'T MISS: There are too many multimillion-dollar mansions for sale in Los Angeles, and real-estate agents are going to extreme lengths to get them off the market

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