The coveted Oscar goody bag –officially called the “Everybody Wins at the Oscars Nominee Gift Bag” – is known for its eclectic gifts. But nobody was expecting a $55, 000 first-class trip to Israel to be included in this year’s Academy Awards swag bag.
The VIP trip to Israel was first announced by The Daily Beast.
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While a trip to Israel is not cheap, for $55, 000 visitors can really expect to enjoy themselves in style at the country’s best hotels, restaurants and sites. Hollywood’s top celebrities could stay in a luxury suite at one of the country’s best hotels like the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem (seventh best hotel in the world and the best in the Middle East, according to a 2015 Conde Nast survey), where an Ambassador Suite starts at $2, 000 a night. Or, split a stay over in Tel Aviv at the David InterContinental’s newly renovated luxury suites ($3, 500 per night).
Or they could easily fit in a weekend stay at the tony Beresheet Hotel, which sits on the edge of the Ramon crater (machtesh in Hebrew), the biggest natural crater on Earth. The Presidential Villa starts at $5, 900.
Israeli cuisine has taken the spotlight of late and VIP guests will want to sample some of this delectable fare. Hollywood’s VIP will be in good company at high-end restaurants like Catit, Machneyuda, Herbert Samuel or Mizlala ($115 range, per person, for a full-course meal).
And while it is unknown if the $55, 000 Israel package includes a guide, the actors taking up the offer might want to grab a VIP view from above of some of Israel’s top sites. They could rent a hot-air balloon ($250 per person) or try a flight along the Mediterranean coast in a Cessna 122 for $200.
The surprising Israel trip is just one of exclusive items in the Oscar goody bag, of course.
There’s also a 15-day walking tour of Japan ($45, 000) included; a year’s worth of unlimited Audi car rentals from Silvercar ($45, 000); three private training sessions with “celebrity wellness expert” and star of ABC’s “My Diet Is Better Than Yours” Jay Cardiello ($1, 400); Ultherapy—a laser skin-tightening procedure ($5, 530); a lifetime supply of skin creams from Lizora ($31, 200); a Fit Club TV Ultimate Fitness Package in a private villa ($6, 250); a Haze Dual V3 Vaporizer valued at $249.99; and something called a “Vampire Breast Lift” ($1, 900).
Distinctive Assets, the company that puts together the bags, said in a press release that this year’s bag is “once again a blend of fabulous, fun and functional items meant to thrill and pamper those who may have everything money can buy but still savor the simple joy of a gift.”
According to reports, the Oscars 2016 loot bag is worth over $200, 000. And, as the exclusive goodies are only given to nominees in the main acting and directing categories, Israeli fans can be sure that their paparazzi missions to snap a photo of a Hollywood star won’t turn into some B-list adventure. Only top celebrities will be able to take advantage of the free trip.
Get your cameras ready.
