Super-luxe travel in 2011

IF money's no object then there's no shortage of ways to spend it - here's Lonely Planet's rundown of the best wallet-walloping holidays next year.

Say goodbye to jetlag with the double-bed suite on the Singapore Airlines A380. Picture: Singapore Airlines

IF money's no object there's no shortage of ways to spend it.

Here's Lonely Planet's rundown of the most wallet-walloping holidays and some must-have extras, as seen in their new book, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2011.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES' DOUBLE-BED SUITES
When you're engaged in a perpetual battle for the bums of some of the world's richest people on your seats you've got to pull out all the stops. So when Singapore Airlines turned their minds to how to fit out the First Class cabins of their A380 behemoths they hit on a novel idea.

Why not blast all arguments about legroom out of the water by creating a double-bed suite, created by a French luxury yacht designer, complete with privacy blinds? One word of warning: if you attempt what the airline terms 'inappropriate activity' you'll be asked, probably very politely, to stop. Singapore Airlines Suites with double beds are only available on routes served by A380.

Fares vary but we were quoted about $6691 per person for a return flight from London to Singapore, so double it.

SUPERCAR HIRE
Sometimes that Toyota Prius with unlimited mileage just isn't enough. Happily, several companies exist to cater to your needs. Should you dream of roaring round rural English lanes, Dream Car Hire can fix you up with everything from a Ferrari 430 F1 Spider to a Bentley GT Convertible.

Around £500 ($804) a day is what's needed to get you into the serious machinery realm, but that'll be pocket change compared to what you could end up paying in speeding fines. A Lamborghini Gallardo for three days with 200 miles allowance will cost $3497 at www.dreamcarhire.com.

YOUR OWN DESERT ISLAND
Always dreamed of being a castaway? Island broker Farhad Vladi can help. He rents and sells exclusive island retreats all over the world where the amplewalleted can escape the stresses and strains of everyday life and not have to worry about meeting anyone else.

Choose from a Spanish island with a castle on it (sleeps 16, $2093 per day) or Fiji's Dolphin Island, a tiny coral paradise costing $6843 for four nights for up to four guests. And if renting's not enough, how about Cornish Cay in the Bahamas, on offer for you to buy outright for close to $9 million?

Vladi also sells rare editions of  Robinson Crusoe should you want something to read. Vladi Private Islands can help you if you want to rent, buy or even sell an island. Artificial duckpond islands don't count.

THE MUST-HAVE SUBMARINE
Virgin supremo Richard Branson got into the island-buying game years ago with his purchase of Necker Island, and its exclusive appeal is no secret. His yacht, the Necker Belle, is also available for hire for $91, 239 per week.

Doing that will also allow you, for a further $25, 920, to take charge of Necker Nymph, the three-seater submarine for the week. The sub is modelled on a fighter jet and as you use it to explore the clear blue Caribbean seas you can console yourself that it might be expensive, but at least you get to disturb the billionaire tycoon's buttock grooves in the driver's seat.

Necker Island and Necker Belle can both be booked through www.virginlimitededition.com

GENEVA'S BIGGEST-TICKET HOTEL ROOM
Even by the standards of superlatively priced luxury hotels in Switzerland, a country not celebrated for its value, the Royal Penthouse Suite at Geneva's President Wilson Hotel is pushing it a bit. For a mere $67, 392 a night you get a private lift, a massive suite with unbeatable views over Lake Geneva and a team dedicated to providing you with anything you might conceivably desire.

Visiting dignitaries attending pow-wows at the UN or World Economic Forum are the most regular guests. Perhaps oddly, haggling is the name of the game when booking such a suite. The quoted 'rack rate' is rarely paid. Give the hotel a call on [phone]. They'll probably cut you a deal.

SOLID GOLD TRANS-SIBERIAN
Anyone who has squeezed into a four-berth compartment for the week-long ride across Europe and Asia on a Trans-Siberian train, look away now. Billed as the world's most luxurious train ride, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express will take some beating.

Cabins can be up to seven sq metres - that's bigger than many hotel rooms. Some come equipped with under-floor heating and private entertainment systems, and meals are taken in restaurant cars serving top-notch regional cuisine.

And unlike the public Trans-Siberian trains, there won't be a sozzled Russian soldier trying to ply you with vodka in sight. Fifteen day Moscow-Vladivostok trips travelling in Gold Class start at $16, 376, booked via GW Travel.

THE ULTIMATE LUGGAGE
Forget matching Vuitton luggage sets, what sets the discerning traveller apart from the pack is a HENK suitcase. Or, as HENK's motto states 'No suitcase'. Each one is custom-built to unique specifications and boasts retractable wheels, central gravity handle and a capacity of 30L.

It also complies with IATA hand luggage restrictions, which is just as well as at around $20, 736 each you wouldn't want it roughly manhandled in the hold.

BEEF BEEFS UP THE BILL
Wine normally tips the cost of a meal from merely being expensive into the 'You what?' category, but Aragawa, in Tokyo's Shinbashi district, relies on its main ingredient, the world's finest Kobe beef.

This unassuming steakhouse uses only meat from the seriously pampered Sanda-gyu herd, who during their life have regular massages and are fed beer and, rumour has it, given special treatments by carers to stimulate blood flow. The price tag ensures that only gourmands with deep pockets need try for a table.

Two seafood appetisers, a 200g piece of Sandagyu sirloin and tea or coffee will set you back $384 per person. There's no website, but your hotel concierge is the best person to get you a table at Aragawa. Failing that, try the concierge at a more expensive hotel, and tip them.

THE WORLD'S POSHEST SAFARI
Upmarket safaris have become common currency in recent years, so those aiming to attract the super-rich need to go a step further. Ol Lentille in the foothills of Mt Kenya is four luxury private houses which come with a private butler, your own safari guide and - what else - a dreamy horizon pool overlooking classic African scenery.

It's $778 a night per person in peak season or for $13, 997 six of you can have full run of the sumptuous Chief's House for three nights.

ASK JEEVES
Sometimes it all gets a bit too much and, with all that money to spend, you need someone to help out with day-today life. What you need is a butler, and a professionally trained one at that.

The best butlers don't come cheap, but then, as they'll end up travelling the world with you, packing and unpacking your shirts, folding napkins and generally being the soul of discretion, you should be prepared to pay a bit.

The International Guild of Professional Butlers can advise you on recruiting the right sort of chap.

This is an extract from the new book LONELY PLANET'S BEST IN TRAVEL 2011 - the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year - out now.

(c) Lonely Planet 2010. RRP: $24.99. www.lonelyplanet.com