This is a very sexy notebook. I mean, it is great but also sleek and clean and sturdy, it is visually stunning, and exudes quality. It is not what I would call luxury because what is luxury? Is it made out of gold with ivory and hippo and zebra skin? So also, it is functional, because I'm not taking my silk gold ivory hippo zebra notebook outside where it rains and people might feel tempted to touch or steal it. This has it all except that, and as far as the paper and ink goes, I can't comment as I haven't had time to write in it, yet. It feels nice. I use it to write, not paint or draw. I always order another notebook when I get halfway through my current one. I don't use gel pens, I just use whatever is cheap and readily available. By the time I've finished my journalling, I have used a bunch of different pens, none of which are fountain or metallic or gel or anything like that. I hate spiral coil notebooks, they are too small, either you write on top of a coil or you avoid it and only half the page can be written on. I also hate writing with my hand over the edge of the notebook so the corner presses into my hand while I think what to write next. So, I tend to prefer notebooks wider and not so tall. And this is a great one for me.