Vol. 7, No. 28
Switzerland’s most luxurious residences

Insider reviews of unique experiences from VIP supercar tours of Italy, treks to see the Polar Bears, safaris in Africa, Cuba by private jet and previews of top suites and villas at hotels and resorts across the USA, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brasil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Seychelles, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, plus on the high seas aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Seaboard Encore, Crystal Esprit, Crystal Mozart, Crystal Symphony, Norwegian Breakaway, and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
 

Luxury Swiss Residences


While Switzerland is known for its fine hotels, the newest trend is ultra-luxury residences, perfect for families, friends, business meetings, and events. With unsurpassed privacy, amenities, and five-star services, Distinguished Residences, the newest venture by villa specialist Elegant Mexico, has selected the best homes for rent in Europe. This week, we look at the Alpine nation.

PREMIUM CONTENT is here!

• Best jet cards for flights under 35 minutes
• These jet cards let you cancel with 12 hours’ notice…or less
• 18 jet cards with no peak day surcharges

JET CARD DECIDER 2.0 from PRIVATE JET CARD COMPARISONS

Welcome to JET CARD DECIDER 2.0 exclusively by PRIVATE JET CARD COMPARISONS. It’s a new, improved way for subscribers to find the right private aviation solution for their needs.

- Is a jet card right for you?
- What about full, fractional, or shared ownership?
- Should you just charter flight-by-flight?



The automated solution enables users to request a custom analysis online via smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The entire process takes minutes.

Answer brief questions about your private aviation flying needs and click the submit button. Within 3 business days, you receive a customized analysis based on your specific needs along with the option of a follow-up telephone consultation. There are no extra charges - It’s included in your subscription.

I hope all of your travels are amazing!

All the best,

Doug Gollan
Founder/Editor
douggollan@dgamazingexperiences.com

                   
Table of Contents 

A.   Private Aviation Headlines
B    Private Jet Performance Guide
Switzerland’s Best Luxury Rental Residences
1.   Geneva
2.   Crans-Montana
3.   Megeve
4.   Gstaad
5.   VIP Contact
6.   Executive Security Reports
7.   Best Of DG Amazing Experiences Library
8.   Jet Card Provider Directory



A.  Private Aviation Headlines

1.  Velocity Jets suspends new jet card sales for 30 days
2.  Analyst upgrades Air Partner as jet card sales jump 36.8%
3.  Wheels Up adds Porsche luxury auto discounts for members
4.  July 4th private jet flights surged 44% compared to 2019
5.  FlyExclusive appoints Sowers president of charter operations
6.  Recruitment key as Air Partner grows in the U.S.
7.  NetJets puts Phenom 300, Citation XLS jet cards, shares, leases on waitlist
8.  Buying a private jet: How to find a good aircraft broker
9.  American Express selects Wheels Up as Premium Private Jet Program partner
10. Wheels Up/Amex: Should you buy Wheels Up through American Express?
thousands of dollars

Partner News:
Fine Dining, Golf, Shopping, and Fun...


You want to come back to Vegas. Wynn Las Vegas wants you back. Why not start with the best? Voted #1 by readers of Travel + Leisure's in its 2020 World’s Best Awards, awarded 5-stars by the inspectors of Forbes Travel Guide, Wynn Las Vegas is ready to welcome you back. There’s fine and fun dining, golf, shopping, the famous pools, private cabanas, the spa, and of course, gaming.

Where to stay? How about a 3-bedroom penthouse with a billiard room? Or maybe a villa with your own private pool overlooking Wynn Golf Course. Perhaps, your perfect suite has its own massage room. Click here to start planning your Wynn experience.



Private Aviation Special Reports

1.   Comparing the Private Jet Sharing Options
2.   Understanding Part 135
3.   Fractional Ownership and Leases - The Pros, Cons and Options
4.   Booking On-Demand Charter Flights
5.   On-Demand Charter vs. Jet Cards - Which One Is Right For You? 
6.   How Not To Get Burned When Buying A Private Jet Membership Program
7.   101: Our First-Timer Guide to Private Aviation Options
8.   40 Steps To Buying A Private Jet For First-Timers



B. Private Jet Performance Guides

Flight Time Calculator

How long is your flight? Our calculator factors in live or seasonal winds for over jets, props, and helicopters between more than 5,000 airports

NEW: Popular Private Jets and Turboprops

• Beechcraft King Air 350
• Bombardier Global Express guide, including Global 7500, Global 6000, Global 5000, and Global Express XRS
• Bombardier Challenger 650
• Bombardier Challenger 350
• Bombardier Challenger 300
• Bombardier Learjet Guide
• Cessna Citation Latitude
• Cessna Citation X
• Cessna Citation XLS, XLS+, and Excel
• Cessna Citation CJ3/CJ3+
• Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet
• Dassault Falcon 7X
• Dassault Falcon 900
• Dassault Falcon 2000 
• Dassault Falcon 50 and 50EX
• Embraer Praetor and Legacy Guide
• Embraer Phenom 300
• Embraer Phenom 100
• Gulfstream G700
• Gulfstream G650
• Gulfstream G550
• Gulfstream G500
• Gulfstream G450
• Gulfstream G280 and 200
• Hawker 800 Guide, including Hawker 750, Hawker 800, Hawker 800SP, Hawker 800XP, Hawker 800XPR, Hawker 850XP, Hawker 900XP, and Hawker 1000
• Hawker 400XP Guide, including Beechcraft Beechjet 400, Beechjet 400A, Beechjet Hawker 400XP, Beechjet Hawker 400XPR, Nextant 400XT, and Nextant 400XTi
• HondaJet HA-420
• Pilatus PC-12
• Sikorsky SK-76

Switzerland’s best rental villas and residences

Feature Story

Ultima Grand Villa Geneva is the latest addition to the Ultima Collection and the first of a series of Ultima properties to be in and around Geneva that will offer both city center and country surroundings.



This 21,500-square-foot, nine-bedroom villa is on the outskirts of Geneva, 20 minutes from the city center, minutes away from Lake Geneva, and comfortably close to Geneva International Airport. The location makes this villa perfect for business meetings, celebrations, and getaways demanding a focus on wellness, quiet, and convenience.

A mixture of South Beach, Beverly Hills, and the tasteful, design-forward minimalism that infuses Ultima Collection’s rarefied properties, Ultima Grand Villa Geneva is sweet on the eyes and warm on the heart. Find pale hues and cushy furnishings within cathedral spaces bathed by natural light coming in through floor-to-ceiling glass. 



Contemporary lines and traditional architecture are complemented by the brand’s signature design aesthetic of leather and natural materials, nubuck, sumptuous textiles, and rare marble sourced from Italy and Brazil. And, of course, find bold art pieces, including an Alec Monopoly piano, playing stunning backdrop to the villa’s muted furnishings. 

Ultima Geneva Grand Villa sleeps up to 18 guests, featuring a master bedroom with a private terrace and pool and gardens views from the first floor, and seven other bedrooms with ensuite baths and vanity areas amid the villa’s various levels. A separate one-bedroom villa attaches to the residence for added guests or personal staff. 



A spacious living room with sunken sofa seating looks onto a garden of greenery with trees. A dining table there sits 12 guests under elaborate chandeliers and 14-seat Teppanyaki dining arrangement is available on a lower floor. 

The outdoor patio by the pool provides space enough for parties and events, or large family and friend get-togethers. Guests can have a quiet barbecue dinner surrounded by lush gardens and quintessentially Swiss tranquility. 



Parking is available for up to 10 cars, including a separate glass-cased space for the Bugatti or Tesla. The villa includes a 2,000-square-foot wellness area where guests can choose from a creative menu of holistic therapies. 

Anesthetics clinic is on call for more specialist treatments. Guests have use of a private and well-equipped fitness center, as well as a heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. An indoor hammam and sauna help detoxify and relax muscles. In addition, find a cigar lounge, bar, wine cellar, and cinema room, and a welcome state-of-the-art sound system at your disposal as you wander the three elevations of the property. 



Ultima Grand Villa Geneva can be booked with or without professional staff depending on preference. For those who prefer to be looked after, a private chef is on hand to manage menus and pair the food with wines from the villa’s cellar. Night service with bar staff is on hand to manage the fully equipped lounge. A dedicated concierge service, housekeeping, laundry as well as return airport transfers are villa staples.

You won’t get closer to terrace views of Switzerland’s iconic Matterhorn than Ultima Crans-Montana, cuddled by the Alps in the country’s southwestern frontier near the border of France. 



This mountain chalet spreads to nearly 50,000 square feet as its own private resort with ski-in/ski-out access to the fabulous Crans-Montana ski slopes.

The modern-meets-rustic-meets-Luxe Gothic Transitional decor keeps eyes entertained and inspiration piqued through two exquisite and expansive chalets that can be booked together for a large gathering, or separately.



Whatever the need, find plenty of places to wander at Ultima Crans-Montana. Together these chalets, sleep up to 38 people in luxurious spaces and plush sleeping quarters that make them large enough to be together and at the same time alone amid stunning and intimate relaxation.

Crans 1 makes up the larger footprint with 10 bedrooms (including two expansive children’s dormitories). Each bedroom is a suite with its own sense of style. Adjacent Crans 2 can accommodate up to 12 guests in similar flair across six en-suite master bedrooms with dressing rooms and balconies. 



Together they share a buzzworthy marble, glass, and teak underground spa and salon area with massage therapists, medical staff, and cosmetologists on call and at the ready. Indulge in beauty treatments under Baccarat chandelier lighting. 

Enjoy a starlight hammam experience followed by a cooling snow blizzard session, and a warming chromatic shower. In the evening, watch Netflix or a first-run film on a movie screen sitting on soft couches while the chalet’s staff brings made-to-order popcorn and cocktails. 



A billiards room, a cigar lounge, private bars, and a dining room that can seat 16 with entrees created by the in-house private chef comprise just a few of the wows here.

In winter or summer lie by the outdoor pool and take in the majesty. The pool is heated and makes a refreshing dip as fresh snowflakes swirl around you. Ultima Crans-Montana is in a prime ski-in/ski-out location, allowing guests to ski onto the Les Planches ski slope and optimize time on the ski trails. To get to other ski areas, the center of the ski village is just five minutes away by chauffeured car or 20 minutes by a brisk walk.

This mountain villa in the French Alps becomes the perfect ski chalet in winter and private getaway in summer offering breathtaking views of iconic Mont-Blanc in any season.



Ultima Megève is a mélange of ultra-luxurious chalets and is expansive enough to sleep 18 people in sumptuous comfort in its nine one-bedroom suites. Composed of stone, marble, and teak these spaces fan out to more than 16,000 square feet – perfect for a multi-generational family vacation or even an elite corporate retreat. 



Consider Ultima Megève your own personal private resort. That means you will have your own spa and salon, your own interior swimming pool, cinema, chef, cocktail lounge, and concierge – even your own nightclub.

The location of this French mountain villa is just a few minutes' drive from the town center of Megève and the Jalliet ski lift.

Find high-quality, made-to-measure appointments in Ultima Megève’s open-plan living designs. Interiors blend sleek modern concepts with natural, raw edges and exposed wooden beams. Spaces become warming cocoons complemented by a roaring fireplace, following a challenging day on the slopes, as private staff serves aperitifs and appetizers ahead of an expertly crafted dinner. 



Each bedroom is its own suite with vanity and marble bath with plush towels, and high thread count linens bearing the clients’ initials. This luxury villa also comes with its own private wellness facility that includes a yoga and fitness studio, a hammam, and an indoor swimming pool with wide-open views of snow-dappled trees and mountain peaks. 



Order up an indulgent massage treatment or try a new look in the chalet’s private salon. Following a casual or formal meal conceived and created by Ultima Megève’s dedicated chef, settle in for a film in the villa’s cinema room or work off the calories in the chalet’s private nightclub with DJ standing by. Top off the night with Champagne chosen from the chalet’s in-house wine cellar.

Some call it Swiss Bliss. Ultima Gstaad is a little bit of heaven in the lower altitudes at 3,400 feet, a 10-minute stroll from the quaint pedestrian village of Gstaad in the shadow of glacial peaks and a celebrity slope scene.



Ultima Gstaad is the perfect private complement to a busy ski day. It’s a five-star boutique chalet resort with 11 suites and six private residences. Find comfort in cozy fireplaces, large marble bath areas, soft textiles and furs, riveting mountain views, and a bar-none wellness spa featuring La Prairie beauty treatments, esthetic medical boosts, and healthy elixirs.

Your quarters are just 1,300 feet from the Eggli lift. And when the ski day is done, then all is done for you – from private chef dining or dinner at Duchessa to bespoke smokey cocktails crafted at the lobby bar, to hors d'oeuvres and treats served between meals and during the evening entertainment.

Enter a fantasyland of transitional contemporary décor where cascading crystal chandeliers, mixed exposed hardwood surfaces, gleaming glass, and veined Northern Italian marbles meet indulgent furs, leathers, and plush beige appointments set off by Victorian red accents. The 11 suites, range in area from 600 square feet to 2,600 square feet, each with its own style and dominant color tones. 



All suites have fireplaces, large marble bathrooms with luxury-branded amenities, walk-in closets, swiveling TVs, and iPad-controlled ambiance settings. Special touches, such as bucket-sized candles by the fireplace, unusual sculptures, and coffee table hardbacks, provide an air of hominess. 

Every room has at least one balcony, whether overlooking Gstaad or the Diablerets massif, as well as a Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of homemade biscuits. A complimentary minibar provides a selection of two wines, a bottle of Bollinger, and edible gold treats. 



Ultima Gstaad’s six residences range from 1,700 square feet to 2,700 square feet and come with two to four bedrooms. All accommodations draw dedicated butler service to handle anything from dining in or dinner reservations out to special bath and bedding requests. 

A key amenity of Ultima Gstaad is its in-house spa that drips with luxury throughout its fantastical interiors. The 8,600-square-foot cathedral sanctuary includes a hammam, a 50-foot pool, and a lounge area in a floor-to-ceiling windowed interior looking out onto the peaks. 



Also find a Jacuzzi, six treatment and massage rooms, a health bar, and a state-of-the-art gym. All treatments feature products by La Prairie, renowned for precious anti-aging cellular therapies. The spa’s collaboration with Aesthetics Clinics offers guests the opportunity to turn a vacation in Gstaad into a wellness vacation with comprehensive medical consultations and a battery of minimally invasive therapies and beauty fixes.

Ultima Gstaad offers a supremely private Swiss luxury chalet experience with old-world Swiss mountain designs that fit right in place. The property accesses endless hiking and mountain biking trails in the warmer months. An elevator and attention to disability codes mean that all family members are welcome in this complex that can sleep as many as 34 guests across 17-bedroom suites. In-resort driver service can be summoned, or guests can take the complimentary shuttle buses equipped with onboard San Pellegrino bottles to area lifts and attractions.

1.   Executive security insights for HNWs
2.   What you should consider before you get behind the wheel in Cuba 
2.   Preventing a robbery while traveling   
3.   How to survive a terrorist attack 
4.   Seven ways your flight crew can improve security 
5.   Six travel security scenarios you should be prepared for  
6.   Family travel safety and security advice 

Going back to Las Vegas

5-star dining atop 5-star hotels



If you hate having to rush across town to dinner when you’re traveling, with the help of our friends, we’ve curated a list of 143 restaurants in over 60 cities around the world each with memorable views, cuisine to match, and all are located on the top floors or rooftops of leading hotels. Read more about rooftop dining...



Fishing, castles, and Harry Potter in Yorkshire


Voted Europe’s Best Travel Destination at the World Travel Awards, the first time the award went to a non-city, Yorkshire in northern England is known for its Roman and Viking heritage, Norman castles, medieval abbeys, national parks, and cities that were the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Read more about Yorkshire...

Better Bahamas: The Cove at Atlantis 



If you are looking for a warm-weather getaway, fine and fun dining, award-winning accommodations, lots of watersports options, fishing, golf, tennis, and fun for all ages, The Cove at Atlantis has long been popular. Without having to fly into the deep Caribbean, its Paradise Island location is just a walking bridge to the shops of Nassau – if you even want to leave. Read more about The Cover at Atlantis.

Amazing luxury residences in Los Cabos



Escape to a gated luxury community in Los Cabos with beautiful private residences and 5-star level service. These expansive homes span up to 12,000 sq. ft. and come with on-site home management, your personal chef, and full concierge services. They are perfect for family celebrations, including long stays or short vacations. Read more about Los Cabos luxury... 



60,000 square feet of luxury in Punta Mita



Hidden behind a thicket of foliage and nestled amongst stands of palms, Casa del Oso is four miles from Four Seasons Punta Mita, if you are looking for a landmark. It’s designed to accommodate family reunions, corporate incentive travel, birthday parties, special occasion celebrations, and groups of couples up to 30 guests. There are 10 bedrooms spread over 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. Read more about Casa del Oso...



Yacht charters starting under $40,000

These yachts are perfect for first-timers. With availability in Florida, the Caribbean, and Europe, these floating resorts are perfect for a socially-distanced vacation. Once you charter a yacht, you’ll be back. Here are a few of the best options to get you headed out to the fun seas. Read more about chartering a yacht…  

Dining, Shopping, Spa, and Golf in Las Vegas

If you are somebody you know desires some retail therapy, amazing dining, some spa relaxation, and maybe a round of championship golf, we have the solution. Best of all, it's all under one roof. Click here and you'll say Viva Las Vegas...

Highland adventures in Scotland



The Fife Arms restores a Victorian-era coaching inn with modern touches and over 14,000 pieces of original art and artifacts. Perfect for outdoor activities from hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and shooting to golf and skiing, and a great venue for celebrations or even corporate retreats, you can make easy helicopter transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh. Read more about luxury in Scotland...




8. Jet Card Provider Directory and News Pages

Our sister site Private Jet Card Comparisons is the authority on private jet cards and memberships. For each of the more than 50 companies in our database, we also provide an updated news index. Just click on the link below for the company you want to track.

• Able American Jets
• AeroVanti
• Air Charter Service
• Air Partner, Inc
• Airshare (formerly Executive Airshare)
• Airstream Jets Inc.
• Ajax Jets
• Alliance Aviation
• Amalfi Jets
• Clay Lacy Aviation
• Concord Private Jet
• Delta Private Jets, Inc.
• Dominion Charter, Ltd.
• Dreamline Aviation
• Dumont Group
• Executive Jet Management
• Exec 1 Aviation
• ExpertJet
• Flexjet
• Fly Aeolus
• FlyExclusive
• FXAIR
• GlobeAir
• GrandView Aviation
• Hopscotch Air
• International Jet
• Jet Algo
• Jet Aviation Flight Services, Inc.
• Jet Edge
• Jet Linx Aviation
• Jetlogic, Ltd
• Jet the World
• JetSet Group
• Jets.com
• Jettly
• LunaJets
• Luxury Aircraft Solutions
• Magellan Jets
• NetJets / Marquis Jet
• Nicholas Air
• Northern Jet Management
• ONEFlight International
• Outlier Jets
• Paramount Business Jets
• Priester Aviation
• Private Jet Service Group (PJS Group)
• PrivateFly (including Skyjet)
• Prive Jets
• Qatar Executive
• Quantum Jets
• Sentient Jet
• Silver Air Private Jets
• Silverhawk Aviation
• Solairus Aviation
• Starflight Aviation
• Star Jets International LLC
• StraightLine Private Air
• Tradewind Aviation
• Unity Jets
• Vault Aviation
• Velocity Jets
• VistaJet
• Wheels Up
• XO (formerly XOJET and JetSmarter)

About DG Amazing Experiences

My name is Doug Gollan. I am a strong advocate of the private aviation industry.  You can read my frequent coverage of private jets and luxury travel at Forbes.com.
 
I’ve chosen you to receive DG Amazing Experiences because I believe you share my passion for both business aviation and the best travel and luxury experiences in the world.
  
DG Amazing Experiences is your e-newsletter guide to the best places and experiences for private jet travelers like yourself. The content is personally selected by me with the help of some of the smartest and best travel advisors in the world. My goal is to give you a look ahead at what's new, what's hot, and the best of the best. To make it easy for you, the stories are short but detailed, and I provide plentiful links to additional, relevant information.

If you are looking for private aviation solutions from on-demand charter to jet cards, fractional, and even full ownership, please visit our sister website Private Jet Card Comparisons to access our buyer’s guide to over 250 jet card programs and our exclusive on-demand charter guide. Our VIP assistance program can help you decide which solutions are optimal for you.