Stanley Ho recently matched his own world record price paid for a truffle when he bought a couple white truffles for a total cost of $330,000 at a truffle auction.

The billionaire made his winning bid through representatives at the event held at his own Grand Lisboa hotel in Macau last week end.

Ho’s winning bid bought him a giant truffle from Italy’s central Tuscany region that weighed about 900 grams and a smaller one of about 400 grams.

Las Vegas impresario Steve Wynn has opened an all-suite hotel and casino adjacent to the Wynn Macau, mirroring his firm’s properties in Las Vegas.

Encore at Wynn Macau, which opened on April 21, consists of 414 suites and villas which Wynn describes at the “loveliest hotel in the world.”

The property includes a 205,000 square foot casino, six restaurants, 46,000 square feet of retail space, a health club and pool.

It also hosts Spa at Encore, which offers eight private therapy suites, each with their own steamroom, sauna and aromatherapy bath and shower.

Tourism in 2009 defied the credit crunch, gave us even more spectacular resorts and offered up unparalleled levels of luxury.

A round-up of the year’s best luxury travel places and openings.

1 -The New Yorker Hotel

Located in an 80-year-old Art Deco building, the legendary New Yorker Hotel completed a five-year $70 million renovation project in January.

2 – Mandarin Oriental Sanya, China

Private villas with individual plunge pools are standard lodgings at the Mandarin Oriental Sanya resort on Hainan Island, just off the Vietnam coast.

The resort opened in March.

Macau’s Ponte 16 casino will display next year ten pieces of iconic Michael Jackson memorabilia, including the cream leather rhinestone glove he wore for his first Moonwalk performance on television.

Michael Jackson’s glove was sold to Hoffman Ma, deputy chief executive of the casino, at New York’s Julien’s Auctions at a whopping US$350,000.

“We’re a bit surprised that we were able to acquire the glove, as there’s a high demand for it among bidders.”

Michelin has added a cheap restaurant category to its new Hong Kong and Macau guide unveiled Thursday, after critics accused the culinary bible of ignoring the cities’ food-stall culture.

Twenty-nine “simple shop” restaurants received star ratings in the guide’s second edition, with its highest three-star rating awarded to a pair of French restaurants and one Chinese in Hong Kong and another in nearby Macau.

We previously reported on the 2008 Macao Business Jet Rendez Vous at the MGM Grand Macao from 24th – 26th October 2008.

The third edition, once again, brought China’s elite business leaders to the most exclusive business aviation platform in Asia.

A record number of the best aircraft, including Bombardier, Cessna, Cirrus, Dassault, Embraer, Eurocopter and Gulfstream were on display at the Macau Business Aviation Center (MBAC), culminating in a much anticipated event attended by over 150 VIPs and aviation experts.

The celebrated event was held at the MGM GRAND Macau and MBAC from October 24th to 26th, attracting China’s most distinguished aircraft owners and potential jet buyers. The event organized by Jet Asia-Pacific magazine offered a unique occasion for the industry to showcase the latest capabilities in the field of business aviation.

For this year’s edition VIP guests were flown in from Beijing, Dalian, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen via private jets and helicopters to the MBAC.

“Following the previous years’ success, we were able to generate more support from the industry to enhance this unique event” said Mr. Walter Wang, Jet Asia-Pacific magazine editor-in-chief.

Aircraft on static display comprised Bombardier’s Challenger 650 and Challenger 850, Cessna’s Citation X, Cirrus S22, Dassault’s Falcon 2000 and Falcon 900, Embraer’s Legacy 600, Gulfstream’s G200 and G450. The Eurocopter EC120 and EC 135 were also on hand at the venue for exclusive helicopter demo flights.

“This event brings a unique true experience to Chinese entrepreneurs and leaders. During their flights to and out of Macau, they can benefit from the advantages offered by business aviation: flexibility, comfort and privacy. I am confident that Chinese will rapidly consider Business Aviation as a support tool to their international development.” said Mr. Jerome Desmazures, Director of Sales for Dassault.

Apart from sampling impressive private aircraft, guests also indulged the unique service, accommodation and facilities at the MGM GRAND Macau. On the first night’s event, guests enjoyed the ‘Jet and Art’ dinner in the Grande Praca dazzled by exclusive masterpieces brought by Opera Gallery. A one-time opportunity to view Chagall, Botero, Chu The Chun, Dali outside their natural exhibition room in this beautiful arena.

On Saturday, various activities were running in parallel. Ladies enjoyed the Bulgari Exclusive Jewellery and Watch Workshop where they were able to preview over 60 pieces of exclusive jewellery and complication watches that are being shown in Macau for the first time while gentlemen were more focused on the Private Jet Workshop, the Exclusive Maybach Experience and the Longfor’s Summer Palace real estate developments.

At night, Mr. Olivier Burlot, Managing Director of Blu Inc Media (HK) Limited and Ms. Pansy Ho, Managing Director of MGM GRAND Macau gave a welcome speech to commence the Gala Dinner. “Undoubtedly, the annual Jet Rendez Vous serves as a networking occasion for business elites to exchange business information and share opportunities with each other. This year, many guests have travelled in private jets from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau to MGM GRAND Macau, one of the world’s leading and most respected hotels and luxury entertainment resort. I hope all guests enjoy top-class lifestyle and be content with all the activities and entertainment organized” said Ms. Pansy Ho.

The event culminated in a prestigious ‘Jets and Jewels’ Gala Dinner with an astonishing Bulgari jewellery model show featuring 14 sets of exquisite High Jewellery especially flown in to Macau for this event. This year’s gourmet dining also featured a selection of the finest things in life including champagne from Perrier Jouet and Martell cognac.

Given the success of the event, expect Jet Rendez Vous to be a regular fixture in Asia’s luxury aircraft calendar of events.