Where Nothing Is out of the Realm of Possibility
The most luxurious hotels in the world exist in a realm of wealth that most people can only dream of. While luxury travel in general doesn’t have to be out of the realm of possibility for those with a little more cash to spare or when it comes to the occasional splurge, sometimes it’s fun to go the extremes and see what true luxury looks like.
You can opt for small luxury hotels where all the amenities you can dream of are at your fingertips with a more personalized experience. But today we are going big. In these lavish buildings, suites are priced in the tens of thousands of dollars and guests’ every whim is catered for. Here’s a look at the top 10 luxury hotels in the world.
Burj al Arab Hotel, Dubai
The sail-shaped silhouette of the Burj al Arab is unmistakable. The unique exterior is just a hint of the exclusive luxury you can find within this hotel.
To give you an idea of the extravagance behind the creation of this building, it sits on a man-made island. Inside, there is an underwater aquarium restaurant, cappuccinos come sprinkled with gold dust and a fleet of Rolls Royces is kept on hand to serve guests.
This is opulence to the extreme, and with incredible views to match! Anyone wanting to experience this sultan-esque lifestyle should be prepared to spend around $20,000 on their room.
The Plaza, New York City
You can’t miss the castle-like building of The Plaza, located opposite Central Park. This five-star Manhattan hotel is Luxury with a capital L.
The iconic hotel has an old-world atmosphere with the beaux-arts décor underlining the lavish nature of the building. The suites have the largest square footage of any in New York and are fitted with features like gold-plated bathroom fixtures, commissioned art and mosaic floors.
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Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
This palatial building is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, built to showcase the best of Arabian culture. As well as having nearly one mile of private beach available for guests, the hotel is surrounded by 85 hectares of gardens.
The hotel cost around $3 billion to build. No expense was spared, a fact that is evident in the final product — most of the rooms are furnished in gold and marble.
Mardan Palace Hotel, Turkey
This hotel is one of the leading luxury hotels in Europe. Located in Antalya, the hotel’s architecture takes its inspiration from the elegance and sophistication of Istanbul.
Built by a Russian billionaire, the hotel boasts gold leaf and crystal and Italian marble accentuated décor. As well as the largest swimming pool in the Mediterranean, there are 10 restaurants, 17 bars and a lavish spa to keep guests happy.
Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
The Ritz-Carlton in Moscow comes with all the trimmings you would expect of a luxury five-star hotel. A beautiful combination of old world elegance and contemporary luxury, the Ritz-Carlton’s interior captures the gilded extravagance of 20th century classicism.
There are three restaurants and a rooftop lounge, plus some of the most spacious suites in the whole city — all moments away from the Red Square. In the most impressive room of all, the Ritz-Carlton Suite, the massive floor space, Russian Imperial decor, and unparalleled views of the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral come with a price tag of $18,000 a night.
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The Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
French elegance and charm is concentrated in this glorious hotel. The eight-story building has more than 200 luxury rooms, a jaw-dropping art collection, and a three-Michelin-starred restaurant all under one roof.
Antique furniture and crystal chandeliers put the finishing touches on what appears to be something straight out of a modern fairy tale.
The aptly-named Royal Suite sets guests back a cool $25,000 a night, which gets them a room that has a fully-equipped kitchen, a sauna and a walk-in dressing room.
Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez
The queen of the French Riviera, this exclusive hotel brings five-star luxury together with a view of the Mediterranean. When the Cannes Film Festival comes to town, this is the kind of place the rich and famous would stay, with palatial art-deco style rooms, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant and a private beach.
The Penthouse Suite is the fourth most expensive in the world, coming in at $37,000 a night.
North Island, Seychelles
The North Island resort is located on its very own private island in the incredibly beautiful Seychelles. Tropical palms and untouched white-sand beaches surround the 11 exclusive villas.
This luxury escape transports guests far away from the rigors of everyday life. This is the island dream, where people keep busy strolling barefoot on the soft sand and indulging in massages.
Its location solidifies its paradise status — the only way to get there is by helicopter.
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Ivory Lodge Lion Sands, South Africa
This incredible lodge adds a safari twist to the idea of a luxury hotel. The location is beyond compare, set in the wilderness of Kruger National Park where some of the most fantastic animals on the planet roam.
Some of the villas come with a private land rover, so guests can explore the bush veld themselves. There are private pools, wonderfully luxurious interiors, and even a telescope for spotting wildlife or viewing the African stars.
A stay at the intimate lodge is an experience in itself, standing out for the element of natural beauty that embraces each villa completely.
Hotel President Wilson, Geneva
This hotel isn’t for everyone — it caters to the kinds of people who need to spend the night behind bulletproof glass. The Royal Penthouse Suite is believed to be the most expensive hotel room in the world, priced at around $65,000.
The suite takes up the whole eighth floor and includes everything from a private gym to a Jacuzzi to a Steinway grand piano.
The rest of the hotel isn’t too shabby either, with views of the Swiss Alps and rooms that blend timeless elegance with modern comforts.