6 Locations to Offer Driving Sessions in New Lamborghinis, Including Aventador S
Waldorf Astoria and Lamborghini are joining forces to offer hotel and resort guests seat time in some of the newest raging bulls.
A professional Lamborghini instructor will lead Gold or Diamond Hilton HHonors guests staying at select Waldorf Astoria hotels and resorts through customized 30-minute drive routes. Participants will be able to drive Lambos such as the Huracan Spyder and Aventador S past the sights of several countries, including France and the United Arab Emirates.
Thanks to Gear VR Oculus goggles, participating Waldorf Astoria guests can also digitally visit some of the company’s other locations, including the Trianon Palace Versailles near Paris, and go for a virtual, three-dimensional drive. Check this video out to see one of the 360-degree video simulations:
If you plan on traveling (in style) in the near future and you want to take part in one of these experiences, don’t wait too long to make your reservations. The next Waldorf Astoria Driving Experience is in March – and one of only six events scheduled around the world in 2017:
-March 17 – 19 – La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (La Quinta, CA) – During BPN Paribas Open, Indian Wells -May 12 – 14 – Waldorf Astoria Chicago (Chicago, IL) – In conjunction with the World of Lamborghini program -July 14 – 16 – Trianon Palace Versailles, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (Versailles, France) – During Bastille Day -August 25 – 27 – Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian (Edinburgh, Scotland) – During the Edinburgh Fringe Festival -November 3 – 5 – Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Boca Raton, FL) – During the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show -November 16 – 18 – Waldorf Astoria Dubai – Palm Jumeirah (Dubai, UAE) – During the Dubai International Motor Show
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
