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EmpireCLS’s commitment to luxury is highlighted by aligning with the world’s finest aviation and five-diamond hotel brands. One such historic hotel brand we proudly partner with is The Beverly Hills Hotel, part of the Dorchester Collection.
Known as the “Pink Palace” by locals, The Beverly Hills Hotel is Hollywood royalty’s favorite retreat—where A-list celebrities and Hollywood insiders come to lounge, relax and rejuvenate in the hotel’s pool, at one of the multiple gourmet dining spots and in private bungalows.
The Beverly Hills Hotel is deeply ingrained into the area’s legacy. Built in 1912, the hotel existed before the city of Beverly Hills did. As the sweeping hills and palm trees drew in permanent residents from the Golden Age of Hollywood, the hotel became a central hub of Hollywood life. Legends like Orson Welles and Elizabeth Taylor stayed here to temporarily retreat from the limelight. Recently, the hotel was granted historical landmark status.
Today, the Beverly Hills remains A-listers’ and executive travelers’ preferred hotel for luxury getaways and fine dining. The newly renovated rooms and lobby preserve the classic, Mediterranean-inspired style of the hotel’s original structure while updating it to suit the tastes of New Hollywood. Each of the 208 rooms and suites features pastel hues and plush furniture, and the 12 acres of tropical gardens are in bloom year-round. The hotel is home to four Zagat-rated dining establishments, including the Cabana Café, the Fountain Coffee Room, Bar Nineteen12 and the famous Polo Lounge, known for its Sunday Jazz Brunch and celebrity clientele.
The Beverly Hills was recently named the best business hotel in Los Angeles, and offers a package exclusively designed for traveling executives. Their guest amenities also include a high-speed Business Center and 12-seat boardroom for meetings. The hotel is family-friendly, as well, and offers a family package, including childcare for children under 12 and accommodations for family pets. Those who require the ultimate in luxury should consider one of the hotel’s spa or wellness packages, with spa services provided on-site by innovative luxury skincare leader La Prairie.
In addition to comprehensive concierge services, the Beverly Hills Hotel offers complimentary transportation within a five-mile radius of the hotel, courtesy of EmpireCLS. Our five-star, white-glove service transitions seamlessly outside of the hotel for exploring nearby Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard. We are also pleased to offer complimentary transportation between the Beverly Hills and its sister property, the Hotel Bel-Air.
We are proud to partner with The Beverly Hills Hotel and serve its clientele as the hotel’s dedicated chauffeured transportation provider. Discover more about our many hotel partner properties on our Partners page.
The rise of transportation network companies, as opposed to traditional chauffeured transportation companies, has led to an increase in reports of TNCs and their drivers mistreating passengers. These incidents lead some passengers to question exactly what they should expect from a transportation company.
The National Limousine Association has its answer in the form of its newly-launched Ride Responsibly campaign, an educational initiative that sets an industry-wide standard for how companies treat their guests while informing passengers about what they should expect from chauffeured transportation.
EmpireCLS proudly allies itself with the NLA in its Ride Responsibly initiative. As a luxury, chauffeured transportation company dedicated to providing secure, comfortable experiences for each of our guests, we lead the way in passenger safety and driver responsibility.
Both the Ride Responsibly passenger Bill of Rights and driver Duty of Care released by the NLA intend to ensure a safer ride for each passenger, during every trip. These rights apply to all passengers in any ground transportation vehicle, including sedans, SUVs, vans, mini-coaches and buses.
According to the NLA, passengers should expect that:
Drivers’ responsibilities are more explicitly detailed in the driver Duty of Care. These guidelines work in tandem with the passenger Bill of Rights to ensure that transportation providers know their responsibilities. According to the Duty of Care:
EmpireCLS meets and exceeds each standard put forth by both the passenger Bill of Rights and the driver Duty of Care. We have one of the most rigorous fleet maintenance standards in the country. Each late-model vehicle undergoes regular inspection at one of our in-house, ASE-certified maintenance centers. Although this consistent maintenance keeps our fleet in top condition, we still retire each vehicle after 24 months for maximum safety and luxury.
Before hiring, our drivers undergo an extensive background check and zero-tolerance drug testing. Only a select group of individuals are then trained at “EmpireCLS University,” a specialized, in-house training course covering passenger expectations for five-star customer service and educating drivers in Smith System defensive driving techniques. In short, EmpireCLS chauffeurs are dedicated to your safety and comfort.
For further safety and convenience, reservation specialists are available to process concerns and complaints to ensure our service exceeds expectations each time. Our Dispatchers track each vehicle and trip with the Silent Passenger GPS system.
Discover how EmpireCLS fulfills our responsibilities as a luxury, chauffeured transportation provider at the EmpireCLS website.
Photo credit: Abdullah AlBargan via flickr
Our expanding global transportation network testifies to EmpireCLS’s willingness to take you anywhere that you want to go. For over three decades, we have chauffeured our guests through dozens of luxurious locales. Today, we want to share four cities that have been on our minds in recent weeks.
If you’re planning a vacation to any of these or other cities serviced by EmpireCLS, log in to make a reservation with us, or click here to book as a guest, and let us guide you through some of the most remarkable destinations in the world.
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Home of the Formula One Gran Prix, Monte Carlo is rightly associated with glamorous, high-octane automotive travel. During your stay in this cosmopolitan Monaco haven, EmpireCLS can get you anywhere you want to go, in keeping with your fast-paced itinerary (though we recommend you take some parts of Monte Carlo at a leisurely pace). Your nights may be a whirlwind of dining and gambling at the Place du Casino, but the panorama of Mediterranean coastal cliffs and water asks for a lingering gaze.
Santiago, Chile
The country of Chile perfectly embodies South America’s landscapes. It boasts the busy, cosmopolitan city of Santiago, but is surrounded by miles of sprawling, breathtaking wilderness. With EmpireCLS standing by, you can experience both during your Santiago getaway.
Start your day in the city by relaxing in one of its many cafes, then wander through the streets until you happen upon an open-air market like the Mercado Central. When you’ve had your fill, fly from SCL airport to explore the Patagonia region’s lakes, mountains and volcanoes. Or, take a two-hour drive south to the Millahue Valley, the land and climate of which are perfect for vineyards like Viña Vik and Viña Aquitania.
No matter where you are in Chile, urban or rural, the majestic Andes will always be in view.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
This warm, convivial city and the surrounding region of Holland seems built solely to please the eye. Famous for its tulips, windmills, canals and rustic cafés, Amsterdam is a visual feast for any traveler. Biking may be in fashion here, but let EmpireCLS chauffeur you for a heightened luxury experience.
If you’re an art lover, you’d be remiss to not visit either of Amsterdam’s most famous museums: the Von Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, which house essential works by Dutch painters. For natural splendor, Amsterdam is famously rich in tulips, which you can find ready for sale at the Bloemenmarket or at the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, South Holland. Natural beauty also abounds at Amsterdam’s most well-known parks, Amsterdamse Bos and Vondelpark.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas—more familiar to English speakers as simply “Cabo”—is so notorious for its wild nightlife that its natural beauty is sometimes overlooked. By all means, indulge in all-night revelry at Cabo bars and clubs like El Squid Roe, but don’t forget to take in the gem-like waters off the coast and the arched coastal rocks of Land’s End to the south. Here, you can also enjoy every aquatic activity imaginable, from snorkeling to banana boating. Before you kick the night into high gear, let EmpireCLS chauffeur you to a quiet dinner at Sancho Panza, Cabo’s best wine bar and jazz club.
Where can we take you next? Call our global reservation center at 800-451-5466 for more information about the cities where EmpireCLS can transport you.
Photo credit: Daniel Diaz Vera via flickr
Transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber are convenient, but as we touched upon in a previous entry, it is unusual that a TNC meets the safety and hospitality services of a chauffeured transportation company. This is partly because TNC regulations differ in each state.
Recently, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker filed legislation to regulate TNCs for better industry and consumer safety. The stricter regulations call for consistent background checks of TNC employees and a regulatory framework through which states and municipalities can oversee TNCs. While this legislation is an improvement, it still approaches nowhere near the industry standards for chauffeured transportation companies like EmpireCLS.
At EmpireCLS, we take it upon ourselves to train our chauffeurs in the highest levels of hospitality and safety. It’s not because we’re required by the state to do so: we train our chauffeurs to offer five-star service because we believe our clients deserve nothing less than a memorable, safe transportation experience.
Before hiring any new staff member, we do fingerprint and social security number background checks in DMV, local and federal databases going back seven years. We also screen employees for drug and alcohol use and have a zero tolerance policy for driver impairment and illegal drug use. Furthermore, a clean background must be supplemented by passing a personality assessment test. We use this test to determine whether chauffeurs understand what it means to offer five-star service and treat you as our welcome guest.
Each chauffeur undergoes training through “EmpireCLS University,”our in-house training program built with the same customer service and hospitality standards as our five-diamond hotel partners. We teach our chauffeurs how to offer the level of customer service we call “chauffeured hospitality,” a standard that sets us apart from other transportation providers. In addition, chauffeurs learn about vehicle maintenance and safe driving techniques.
As a supplement to our own safe driving course, EmpireCLS uses the Smith System defensive driving standards. The Smith System is a defensive driving system used by Fortune 500 organizations to improve fleet performance and safety. We implement the “Smith 5 Keys” standards for chauffeurs to learn how to provide a smooth and comfortable ride while learning safe and defensive driving techniques. The 5 Keys are:
1. “Aim High in Steering”— Chauffeurs are taught to look further ahead down the road than other drivers so they see what’s coming and avoid any danger or obstacles more readily.
2. “Get the Big Picture”— Chauffeurs maintain a wide view of the road so that they are aware of dangers other drivers don’t see.
3. “Keep Your Eyes Moving”—Chauffeurs learn methods for staying attentive and alert.
4. “Leave Yourself an Out”—Chauffeurs learn to position their vehicle in traffic so that they can easily avoid collisions.
5. “Making Sure They See You”— Chauffeurs are trained to make their vehicle more visible to other drivers.
Drivers who know the Smith System, and know how to navigate traffic skillfully, are calmer and treat their vehicles with respect, creating a better experience for passengers overall.
Despite our thorough training, there are some qualities that can’t be taught. We attract individuals who are born with the crucial qualities that make a professional chauffeur. Our chauffeurs are innately passionate about service, dedicated to consistently exceeding our guests’ expectations and thoroughly reliable. These are qualities that can be neither taught nor feigned. Each time you travel with EmpireCLS, you’ll be chauffeured by someone who truly cares about your safety, comfort and luxury experience.
To stay in the know about how our ever-improving safety measures and levels of hospitality, stay up-to-date with this blog or visit the EmpireCLS website.
Photo Credit: Nate Steiner via flickr
Recently, lawmakers made amendments to NJ Law A-3765, which addresses safety regulations and requirements for transportation network companies, also called TNCs (Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, etc.), for tightening security on things like TNC drivers’ criminal histories and fare regulation.
We, too, approve of New Jersey’s concern for passengers who choose to ride with TNCs, and we will always support efforts to protect the livery rights of passengers. However, our concern is not assuaged by the amendments to A-3765, and the same holds for many other business owners in the ground transportation industry.
While these new amendments for TNCs are a step in the right direction, they are still lacking when compared to the established requirements for limousine and chauffeured transportation companies. For a better understanding of why this law has yet to catch up with the safety requirements for vehicles and passengers that EmpireCLS abides by every day, we have highlighted the key differences between the industry regulations for limousine companies and TNCs.
Vehicle Safety Inspection Requirements
Limousine and chauffeured transportation companies in New Jersey are required to inspect their fleet far more frequently than TNCs are, even with the amendments to A-3765 in place. Before driving on the highway with the intention of picking up passengers, chauffeurs must inspect the vehicle’s condition. Additionally, companies must have their vehicles inspected every other year by the state. During off years, the owner must submit a condition report to the DMV. At EmpireCLS, we go above and beyond these requirements by rotating our fleet through a strict maintenance schedule and weekly inspections.
By comparison, vehicles operated by TNC drivers only need to have their vehicles inspected once every other year. TNCs are not held to nearly the same safety inspection standards as chauffeured transportation companies.
Vehicle Equipment
In addition to requiring regular inspections, New Jersey law also requires that limousine companies carry standard safety equipment. All limousines and other chauffeured transportation vehicles must be equipped with a two-way communications system that can communicate with dispatchers within a 100-mile radius. Limousines must also have an accessible first aid kit and fire extinguisher, in addition to sideboards if the vehicle floor is ten inches or more from the ground.
As for TNCs? Even under Law A-3765, there are no requirements that operators of TNC vehicles carry safety equipment of any kind.
Medical Standards and Controlled Substance Testing for Drivers
Not only do New Jersey laws ensure the safe condition of vehicles, but they also require that their drivers adhere to safe behaviors. All limousine operators in New Jersey must prove that they meet medical standards for commercial drivers and submit proof to the MVC. TNCs still do not fall under any requirements for commercial driver medical standards.
Limousine owners are also required to test drivers for dangerous controlled substances, in order to reduce the risk of injury to their passengers. TNCs must implement a “zero tolerance” substance policy, but they are not required to drug-test drivers. The only “protection” from driver substance abuse offered by Law A-3765 is that the zero tolerance policy is posted on the company website so that passengers can complain should they suspect that their driver is in violation of said policy. But why put passengers in a potentially dangerous situation in the first place?
Clearly, while Law A-3765 is well-intentioned, it fails to hold TNCs to the same stringent standards of safety that chauffeured transportation companies like EmpireCLS already meet and exceed.
Photo Credit: Abdullah AlBargan via flickr
No luxury hotel stay is complete without a sumptuous dining experience. EmpireCLS is proud to be partnered with some of the world’s most glamorous hotels that boast globally-acclaimed dining rooms, lounges and bars. Here are five of our best-loved restaurants in our hotel partner properties.
1. Polo Lounge –The Beverly Hills Hotel
Part of the Dorchester Collection family, this glamorous, resort-like hotel is a favorite of Hollywood’s red carpet set. The fully renovated rooms, palm-lined pool and lounge-worthy cabanas make for a classic Beverly Hills idyll.
The Beverly Hills Hotel is the home of the famed Polo Lounge, which earned it the honor of being named one of Goyot.com’s “Top Brunch Hotels in the US.” A-list celebrities and the rest of the Hollywood elite gather here for private, bespoke-menu dining, sophisticated afternoon tea and the Polo Lounge’s famous Sunday Jazz Brunch, during which diners enjoy a prix-fixe menu while listening to some of Beverly Hill’s finest jazz acts. If you’re staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel, mingle with Hollywood’s finest at the Polo Lounge, or have elegant dining experiences at the Cabana Café, Fountain Coffee Room and Bar Nineteen12.
2. The Garden and TY Bar – Four Seasons NY
Few places that offer up magic and wonder as readily as New York City, if you know where to go. Look no further than the world-renowned Four Seasons. This modern, Deco-inspired building, designed by master architect I.M. Pei, is a bastion of refinement and style in the whirlwind of Midtown Manhattan.
Awaiting you within the Four Seasons are two elite dining experiences. The Garden restaurant is unlike anything else in the city, with intimate tables interspersed between the majestic trunks of African acacia trees. The fare here focuses on creative presentations and is made with only fresh and local ingredients. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch or lunch at The Garden, you will have an unforgettable experience. After hours, enjoy a drink and fine company at TY Bar, an art deco lounge that services bespoke and classic cocktails, craft beer and whiskey and bourbon from Hudson Bourbon.
3. Scarpetta – Montage Beverly Hills
Modern Italian cuisine meets Old Hollywood romance at Scarpetta. This restaurant is a heavenly marriage of celebrity chef Scott Conant’s culinary vision and the Mediterranean-inspired lavishness of the spacious, sun-drenched Montage Beverly Hills.
At Scarpetta, you’ll enjoy alfresco dining on a scenic patio overlooking the garden. Dishes like fennel dusted black cod, hen and prosciutto raviolini and chestnut tagliatelle have inspired Chef Conant’s bestselling cookbook, as well as rave reviews from around the world. Guests will enjoy dinner and dessert in an upscale dining room, and the restaurant has a gourmet vegetarian menu available. Scarpetta also serves its signature cocktails, champagne and wine.
4. SAAM, The Bazaar by José Andrés and Trés by Jose Andres – SLS Beverly Hills
If there’s a culinary experience not to be missed in your lifetime, it’s these restaurants by famed José Andrés. Chef Andrés is a global superstar and culinary innovator, hailed as a genius by his peers and best known in America for introducing the Spanish concept of tapas to the states. In addition to earning accolades like American Chef of the Year, Chef Andrés is also an advocate and educator who works to end global hunger.
Chef Andrés’ limitless creativity has given rise to not one, but three incredible dining experiences at SLS Beverly Hills. The first is SAAM, a luxurious and eclectic experience that must be tasted to be believed: guests will be surprised and delighted by the multi-course tasting menu that awaits them, which might include anything from smoking cocktails to s’mores made with foie gras. At The Bazaar, also located in the SLS Beverly Hills, the creativity continues in an indoor piazza with an intricate menu. Finally, Trés serves contemporary comfort food in a sanctuary-like atmosphere where guests can relax like never before.
5. Koi – Bryant Park Hotel
Built in 1924, the Bryant Park Hotel is an elegant retreat in Midtown, with 100 designer rooms and two rooftop lofts. These luxurious suites and their many boutique amenities draw cosmopolitan guests from all corners of the world and also attract members of New York’s fashion and art elite.
Join the “culturati” at Koi, Bryan Park Hotel’s Asian-fusion restaurant, bar and lounge where Japanese cuisine meets modern Californian flavor. The elegant décor and soft candlelight of this serene restaurant evoke traditional Japanese interiors, but the level of sophistication and service is pure Manhattan.
Visit the EmpireCLS website for more information on our partnerships that enhance your luxury travel experience.
The Knight Frank Wealth Report is an annual survey of almost 500 private bankers and wealth advisors who are asked by the global real estate consultants at Knight Frank to assess the attitudes and behaviors of their ultra-wealthy clients. Their clients are ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) with a combined wealth of $1.7 trillion. Their attitudes are indicative of global trends and help shape investment strategies. Here are a few key takeaways from this year’s report, courtesy of EmpireCLS.
1. Material Investments
In the past decade, UHNWIs have expressed rising concerns about the security of paper assets. Instead, they are turning to passion investments and luxury assets. The scarcity of material assets like classic cars, fine wine and luxury watches makes them an appealing investment strategy that, historically, is hedged against inflation. In addition to an increasing interest in passion investments, those surveyed by Knight Frank also noticed that property was increasing as a mainstream investment class.
UHNWIs interest rose most in art as a luxury asset, with many advisors confirming that the art market has completely recovered from the economic crisis. Fancy diamonds in rare colors like pink and blue have also seen a huge surge in interest from investors.
Advisors caution that the most common risks encountered by passion investors are fraudulent goods and poor portfolio diversification. Experts suggest a “multi-asset solution.”
2. Growing Wealth
The population of UHNWIs only continues to grow, with a surge of 61% in the past decade. Furthermore, 80% of those surveyed expect their clients’ wealth to grow in 2015. The North American region takes the lead in growth, with a 100% growth rate in 2014 and 100% growth projected again in 2015. Africa and Latin American are close behind in terms of past growth combined with projected growth for the next year.
In conjunction with growing wealth, most of those surveyed expect that their clients’ luxury spending will grow as well. The UK tops the spending growth list, with China, the single biggest consumer of luxury goods in the world, taking the second spot.
UHNWIs are also growing their spending in philanthropy, in addition to real estate and luxury spending.
3. Changing Concerns
The Knight Frank Report, in addition to identifying growth patterns and trends, also identifies widespread changes and concerns regarding money management for UHNWIs. The report found that the health of global markets had less impact on the attitudes of UHNWIs than did matters closer to home. The number one point of concern among UHNWIs last year was family succession, followed by the threat of increased wealth taxes and increased government scrutiny of the wealthy and their assets.
Other concerns had to do with the overwhelming influence of the Internet in daily life. UHNWIs reported a greater need for online reputation protection and management, as well as more pressing concerns about online security from privacy invasions and cybercrime.
The report also reflects changes in money management and lifestyle that indicate an adaptation to an increasingly globalized world. Millennials, especially, are UHNWIs to watch, as they come to control more wealth. Millennials have an even greater interest in philanthropy than their parents’ generation, and are turning to more sophisticated management techniques for their charitable causes. Another interesting trend noted that more non-Western Hemisphere UHNWIs were sending their children overseas for education at increasingly younger ages. This trend was most prominent among UHNWIs from Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States countries, with 60% of this population intending to send their children overseas for primary schooling.
For more news on luxury trends and lifestyles, check the EmpireCLS blog frequently and follow us on Facebook.
For three decades, the Lincoln Towncar was the workhorse of the chauffeured transportation and limousine industry. In recent years, chauffeured transportation companies have left the Towncar for newer livery vehicles like the Cadillac XTS luxury sedan.
As a proud partner of Cadillac, we chose the XTS as EmpireCLS’ flagship vehicle because it is one of the few luxury vehicles that meet our stringent standards for style, comfort and safety. And with the recent news from Cadillac, there could be a new luxury sedan added to the EmpireCLS fleet.
In March, Cadillac announced the next level of luxury and service with the premiere of the CT6 sedan, going into production later this year. The news of the new model has thrilled consumers, engineers and transportation company owners alike for its inventive design and next-level luxury features.
The body of the CT6—sleek and sophisticated as only Cadillac can make it—is constructed with aluminum and innovative welding techniques, while a powerful, 400-horsepower engine keeps this car ahead of the curve. The car’s interior sets a new standard for ground transportation, offering 40 inches of leg space and an improved design for maximum comfort and smooth handling. In addition to Cadillac’s signature detailing, the interior features a Bose sound system, individual climate control and seats that deliver five massage settings. The meaning of “luxury” will never be the same.
With its precision engineering and luxury amenities, we think the CT6 will make arriving at your destination even more pleasurable. EmpireCLS flips each vehicle in our fleet every 24 to 36 months, regardless of condition, and has also introduces luxury models to our fleet over the years to suit the ever-changing needs of our guests.
Do you want to see the Cadillac CT6 sedan in EmpireCLS’ fleet? Why or why not? We want to hear from you on our Facebook page about the CT6 or any suggestions you may have to improve your experience traveling with EmpireCLS.
We never understood why other chauffeured transportation companies put limits on their levels of service. When EmpireCLS introduces a service like our airport concierge program, or adds the latest vehicle to our fleet, we don’t sit back and feel satisfied: we immediately think of more ways to make your chauffeured experience as safe and luxurious as possible.
Here are five reasons how EmpireCLS’s fleet of luxury vehicles takes you to levels of luxury that other transportation companies simply cannot.
1. Fewer Vehicles Out of Commission
What would you think of a five-star hotel that couldn’t accommodate you—not because of availability, but because 15% of its rooms were in disrepair? On average, other ground transportation companies have anywhere from 10 – 15% of their fleet out of commission for various reasons. And that’s just unacceptable.
At EmpireCLS, we work tirelessly to make sure no more than 3 – 5% of our fleet in our corporate-owned markets is out of service at any time. And what’s going on with those vehicles? We’re rotating them through our strict schedule of vehicle repairs and servicing so we can continue to provide more vehicles on the road for our guests.
2. Full-Service Detail and Body Shop
EmpireCLS wants your experiences with us to be nothing less than luxurious. That’s why we run our own full-service detail and body shop centers to ensure our white-glove standards of perfection for every vehicle. Few other ground transportation companies can claim this level of service.
Whether you arrive at your destination in a Cadillac XTS, Rolls Royce Ghost or a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, you’ll get there in a vehicle that has been scrupulously buffed, waxed and washed, and is free of scratches, dents and exterior damage. Our service professionals know anything less than a meticulous attention to detail is unacceptable.
3. Vehicle Inspection
We hope that you’ve never experienced a service issue on the road while traveling with a ground transportation company. But if you have, we know that it must have been an infuriating experience and could mean losing your business.
EmpireCLS, takes precautions to prevent interruptions for chauffeurs and guests on the road. Regularly scheduled, 60-plus point inspections at our in-house, ASE-certified maintenance centers mean those potential issues don’t get the chance to disrupt your arrival.
4. Unparalleled Dedication to Safety
EmpireCLS provides superior security detail service when you need it, but our dedication to safety starts with the vehicle. We care deeply about our guests’ safety, which is why our fleet of luxury vehicles includes only those models with the highest safety ratings, from those manufacturers that understand both luxury and safety. On average, vehicles like the Cadillac XTS sedan and Cadillac Escalade SUV hold 5-star safety ratings. And our strict schedule of regular maintenance and inspection ensures further safety.
Style and peace of mind in a single luxury package: you’ll find it only at EmpireCLS.
5. New Vehicles
Some ground transportation companies may claim to have a fleet of late-model luxury vehicles, but when you’re picked up in a 2005 Lincoln Town Car with cracked leather seats, noticeable interior wear and tear, and a thick air freshener scent to mask years of use, it’s a sign that “luxury” isn’t in their vocabulary. At EmpireCLS, we flip our vehicles every 24 months, no matter how pristine their condition may be. Not only does a newer vehicle enhance the luxuriousness of your travel experience—and really, who doesn’t love that new car smell, it also guarantees fewer mechanical issues that other transportation providers usually encounter with high-mileage vehicles.
Where would you like to go next? With EmpireCLS, you’ll get there on time and in style. Talk to one of our reservation specialists today to plan your upcoming itinerary.
At EmpireCLS, merely being “on time” isn’t good enough for us, which is why our chauffeurs always arrive 15 minutes before pickup to accommodate your schedule. Your watch should be the same way: a luxury experience that puts your priorities as a busy person first. Today, we’ll share five of our favorite watch brands, perfect for staying ahead of schedule.
Audemars Piguet was established in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, two horologists with a dedication to craftsmanship and technological mastery. Its pedigree as one of the oldest and finest global watch brands has remained undiluted ever since. Since its inception, Audemars Piguet has been synonymous with innovation, from the development of the world’s first minute repeater wristwatch to its most recent improvements onthe carbon case and movement. This watchmaker is known for elegant classics like the Perpetual Calendar model as well as haute joaillerie like this season’s daring Diamond Punk cuff watch.
2. Hublot
The watchmakers at Hublot know better than anyone else that being distinguished doesn’t necessarily mean being staid or conservative. Founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco, Hublot is a brand that combines Swiss engineering with sartorial flair, Italian-style. Watches like the iconic Big Bang, sophisticated Classic Fusion and striking King Power have won multiple awards for their bold, unusual designs that incorporate technological vigor with aesthetics that are at once bold and playful. Their most recent creation is the Big Bang Full Magic Gold, the only scratch-resistant gold watch in the world.
3. HYT
Innately mysterious, time has been the subject of both philosophical and scientific inquiry. Most recently, quantum physics describes time as a fluid process. A revelation in our understanding of time requires a revelation in our means of capturing it, and the designers at HYT have brought just that to the luxury market. HYT’s H1 Titanium and other models jettison traditional watch engineering and replace them with exclusive hybrid engineering. To wit: this is the first watch brand in history to run on water. Since 2012, these hydro-mechanical watches have won multiple awards for innovation and design. Though the use of fluid is iconoclastic, a long tradition of Swiss precision and luxury flows through these timepieces.
Leave it to an American to whip Swiss business into shape. In the 19th century, Boston watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones left for Switzerland to found the International Watch Company. Not only was he successful in his goal of marrying Swiss engineering with American industrialism, but he also brought prosperity to the town of Schaffhausen. Four generations of watchmaking later, IWC continues to produce stately luxury timepieces like their celebrated Portugieser and Pilot’s watches. And their lineage of good works, too, remains unbroken: currently, IWC partners with altruistic initiatives like the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and it practices sustainable production.
5. Apple Watch The Apple Watch will not be released until late April of this year, but it is destined to change our perceptions of what a watch can be. The first wearable Apple product was designed with the person in mind, and will, according to Apple, adapt to multiple facets of your life. The Apple Watch syncs with your phone and customizes time displays to your lifestyle. And it seems that FaceTime was just the beginning of increased personalization with mobile communication: with Apple Watch, you can send a loved one the impression of your heartbeat. For those who want the best of the best, the only option is the ultra-luxurious Apple Watch Edition. This watch comes in eight iterations of one luxurious design, which includes an 18-karat rose or yellow gold case and sapphire crystal display.
For our west coast readers, visit our friends at Westime to see many of the brands listed above and more. These watch aficionados will help select a timepiece that’s perfect for you.
To learn more about luxury travel experiences with EmpireCLS, explore our website or talk to a reservation specialist today.
Photo credit: Manuel Rebic via flickr
