Words: Violet
With the spectrum of accommodation widening as each year passes, from luxury rental homes to quick-stop house sharing solutions, it can be easy to forget the very bliss of residing in the glorious surroundings of hotel splendour. As the market toughens up, selecting somewhere to stay in the ocean of online reviews and word of mouth can be an overwhelming feat. However, some hotels prevail amongst all others in unrivalled luxury and standards. The Gentleman’s Journal has selected 10 of the most achingly beautiful hotels in the world.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Drenched in gold, lightshows and an abundance of patterned carpet, the Burj Al Arab could very easily have fallen into the trap of gaudy over-kill. However, somewhere between the meticulous attention to detail, the water fountains and the two-floor suites, Dubai’s first 7 star hotel has gained a reputation as one of the most luxurious lodgings on the planet. And with its manmade beach, sky-high outdoor tennis court and helicopter landing pads, it is not difficult to understand why.
For more information, visit jumeirah.com
The Boulders, Arizona
A making of the Waldorf Astoria luxury hoteliers, the beauty of this place rests in its situation. Nestled amongst the 12-million-year-old rock formations of the Sanoran Desert, The Boulders plays host to a world-famous spa and two golf courses. The complex also boasts a Villa Retreat for any high-profile guests to enjoy some secrecy in their own sumptuous surroundings.
For more information, visit waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
A first-stop for outrageous luxury, Abu Dhabi is home to more than a few lavish hotels. But it is the Emirates Palace, which cost a reputed $3 Billion to build, which draws the rich and famous from all corners of the globe into its decadent grip. Inside, guests can marvel at the marble that adorns the interior, imported from over thirteen different countries, and the one thousand crystal chandeliers above. Add that to the limpid white sand beaches and the myriad of swimming pools outside and in, and it is easy to see how this fortress of luxury and well-being has remained a favourite with royalty and A-list stars the world over.
For more information, visit kempinski.com
The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Gracing the Eternal City since 1906, this palatial abode recently ‘updated’ their most prestigious room, Villa La Cuploa Suite, with a £7 million renovation. Prized as the largest suite in Italy, the luxurious layer spans two floors. The room is adorned with classical Renaissance and Baroque-inspired interiors, yet contains all high-tech gadgets required by its affluent clientele. Containing hand-frescoed domed ceilings, a personal fitness studio and spa, and a private dining room, this suite comprises the splendour of the city it inhabits, all for the astute guest willing to pay the price.
For more information, visit westinrome.com
The Plaza, New York City
Famed in films, music and literature, this has remained the hub of New York’s glitterati since its opening nearly a century ago. Slap bang in the heart of the Big Apple, the Plaza has hosted some of the world’s most illustrious parties and long remained the resting place of global icons. With a stay in one of the indulgent suites, guests can rely on their 24-hour butler service, with a brand new 1920s-inspired Fitzgerland Suite encompassing the sumptuous grandeur of this legendary hotel hotspot.
Mardan Palace, Turkey
There are few hotels more extravagant in detail and size than Turkey’s Marden Palace, built by Azerbaijani billionaire Telman Ismailov. Opened in 2009, this new development leaves little room for want, providing its guests with the largest swimming pool in the Mediterranean, complete with a sunken aquarium containing hundreds of exotic fish, and seventeen opulent bars. With stars like Richard Gere and Tom Jones attending the opening, the Marden Palace has already made its mark as one of the most revered holiday locations in the world.
For more information, visit mardanpalace.com
Intercontinental, Hong Kong
Famed for its stunning location on the Kowloon waterfront, overlooking the magnificent Hong Kong Island skyline, Hong Kong’s Intercontinental boasts Asia’s most luxurious hotel room. The Presidential Suite offers guests a 2500 sq. ft. terrace overlooking the sweeping harbour, private infinity pool and Jacuzzi. Equipped with a personal dining room, exquisite bedroom and bathroom, and a private gym, this suite combines the operatic views of the city with star-treatment in one of the world’s most exciting cities.
For more information, visit ihg.com/intercontinental
The Four Seasons, Paris
Globally renowned as the cream of luxury hotels, the magnificence of The Four Seasons brand is encompassed in their Paris location. A hop and a skip from the Champs-Elysees, the rooms at this legendary spot are draped with opulent tapestries and ceiling-high four poster beds, making it the stopping point for the rich and famous in search of pure Parisian splendor.
For more information, visit fourseasons.com,
The Palms, Las Vegas
Located in the playground of the elite, The Palms has surpassed each new hotel that has cropped up in the city through the years. Hugh Hefner’s suite, high up in the ‘Fantasy Tower’, is the legendary spot of playboys and celebrity icons who come to enjoy its private infinity pool and 836 sq. metre floor and drink away the memory of its eye-watering cost.
For more information, visit palms.com
The Raj Palace, India
In the heart of the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the Raj Palace boasts a world-famous restaurant, the largest chandelier in India, and all the decadent surroundings that prompted a recent Cartier representative to name it the ‘jewellery box’ of India.
For more information, visit rajpalace.com
By Meg Abbott
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