Monday 3 February 2014

Top 50 luxury Hotels in the world

   Compiling a list of the world's 50 best hotels is a difficult task. The amount of top quality hotels in the world today is enormous and seems to grow by leaps and bounds every year. Our goal in compiling this list was not just to include those hotels offering the most luxurious settings and finest service, but also to provide a wide variety of experiences, highlighting the many different ways excellent hospitality can be enjoyed. In the making of this list, many outstanding hotels had to be left out due to lack of space. Perhaps your favorite hotel is not here, then again maybe it is! Whatever your choice, you are sure to discover here a world of luxurious options waiting to be explored. Enjoy!

 Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, China
The 130 year old Mandarin Oriental provides the perfect balance between East and West. High-tech wizardry next to old world charm and ambience. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide a stunning view of Victoria Harbor. The hotel prides itself on incredible service and even better food – wonderful modern French cuisine at the Pierre and legendary breakfast buffets.   Visit site

Trump International Hotel & Tower, New York, United States
Designed by Philip Johnson and Costas Kondyli, this super modern 52-story high rise is a Forbes five-star hotel with style to spare. Huge floor to ceiling windows provide an incredible view of Central Park. Features a five star French fusion restaurant on the main floor.
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  Langham Hotel, London, England
Victorian high society pristinely preserved, the 150 year old Langham is considered Europe's first Grand hotel with classic luxury to spare. Thanks to a $120 million renovation it has lost none of its charm. Features an incredible indoor pool located in a former bank vault, glamorous Artesian bar, and fantastic modern European cuisine at Roux at The Landau. Visit site

Soho House Berlin, Germany
Set in an fabulously restored 1928 Bauhaus building, this sexy eight floor hotel has 40 individually designed rooms all with unique amenities. Features the Club Floor restaurant, Cowshed Spa, a rooftop pool, 30 seat movie theatre and famous Red Room resting space. The only problem with this magnificent boutique hotel is that it's for private members only ! Visit Site

Hotel Amigo, Brussels, Belgium
 
Classic luxury art it's finest. The 174-bedroom Flemish-styled Hotel Amigo in Brussels is the epitome of Belgian chic. Featuring Flemish tapestries and Surrealist paintings alongside characters from Tintin storybooks! For outstanding cuisine check out the incredible Italian and Mediterranean dining at Ristoranti Bocconi, cocktails at the wonderful Martini Club, and tea at Bar Amigo. The hotel was bought and refurbished by the Rocco Forte Hotel Group in 2000. Visit site

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii, United States  
Looking for high-level luxury? Pamper yourself with five-star treatment at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. This incredible hotel includes seven unique swimming pools from saltwater ponds to infinity pools as well as deluxe spa services. Prefer the ocean? Check out the beautiful beach with bungalows carved into black lava and private tiki huts. Visit site

Wentworth Mansion, South Carolina, United States
Built in the late 1800s, the elegant Wentworth mansion combines old world charm with new world amenities. Enjoy the huge rooms with chaise lounge, bay windows and Jacuzzi tubs! Little touches like complimentary hors d'oeuvres and evening brandies and sherries make for a special atmosphere. Staff are extremely helpful. Includes an on-site spa.  Visit site

Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest, Hungary
Acclaimed as one of the finest examples of art nouveau architecture in central Europe, Gresham Palace features 19th-century stained-glass portraits and gold mosaic towers. Includes a beautiful inner courtyard and fantastic view of the Danube. Classic luxury at its finest! Visit site

Hotel de Crillon, Paris, France
Built for King Louis XV in 1758, this ornate palace hotel comes with suites and salons stuffed with gilt, mirrors, and Baccarat crystal, as well as Aubusson carpets and Wedgwood medallions.  Don't worry about being lost in the past, because the hotel has been updated with flat-screen televisions and high-speed Internet. Temporarily closing in autumn 2012 for major renovations. Visit site

Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy
Le Sirenuse, is a fabulously restored 18th-century villa with museum-quality antiques and hand-painted ceramic-tile floors. The 63-room hotel features an alfresco champagne-and-oyster bar, Aveda spa, and a small fleet of vintage wooden speedboats for sightseeing up and down the spectacular Amalfi coastline. Five-hundred candles are lit each night in its romantic restaurant overlooking the tiled dome of the town's Renaissance church. Visit site

Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, China
Arguably the largest and most luxurious rooms available in China, each one features onyx panels, Chinese artwork and fresh flowers. Penthouse suites feature living rooms with fireplaces, oversized bathtubs and walk-in closets. The lobby is designed in Shanghai’s 1930s Art Deco style with dark woods and chrome. Other public areas feature Spanish sandstone and marble, silver leaf covered walls and Chinese lanterns. Located in the top floors of a contemporary 58-story tower in the city’s financial district. Visit site

Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street, China
Located in the city’s business hub, in a beautiful 2007 chrome-and-blue-glass tower featuring huge white marble yin and yang sculptures. The interior is reminiscent of an English country manor. Incredible burnt-orange and celadon rooms are covered in off-white wallpaper. Includes a large 1,500-square-foot spa, with aqua-therapy. Visit site

Peninsula Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
Designed by architect Kuzukiyo Sato to look like a huge Japanese lantern, this 24-storey amber property is made entirely from Namibian granite. The Peninsula is a successful combination of traditional Japanese hospitality with simple luxury. The two-story lobby has ivory walls and wooden lattices, as well as a huge 1,300-bulb concave chandelier that resembles a swarm of fireflies. Spacious rooms feature horse chestnut sliding doors and gold-painted ceilings.
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Amandari, Bali
For by tranquil and peaceful vacation nothing compares to the minimalist Amandari. Overlooking the rice terraces of the Ayung River Gorge are a gathering of private villas designed as a Balinese village. The "rooms" are free-standing thatched-roof suites surrounded on three sides by glass and featuring private gardens and Balinese stone gateways. Visitors can consult with a bomo or local faith healer or get Ayurvedic massages. Visit site

Amansara, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Located close to the Angkor Archaeological Park the majestic Amansara hotel is the former guesthouse of Cambodia’s King Sihanouk. Built in French colonial style, the resort features minimalist gray and white low-slung chalets. Public areas graced with white lotus blossoms and orchids. Includes a beautiful slate pool for bathing. Visit site

Domaine des Hauts de Loire, France
Two hours from Paris, in the Loire Valley, on a 178 acre forested plot lies a beautiful 19th-century hunting lodge turned into a magnificent hotel with 32 empire-style guest rooms.  This small, intimate hotel arranges hot-air balloon and helicopter rides giving a spectacular view of the region as well as tours of a neighboring chateaux. Best of all, the price is only $250 a night. Visit site

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
Given its extreme age the Ashford Castle has gone through many evolutions. It was built in the 13th century as a crenellated castle. The current central building, a French style chateaux, was added in the 1700s and the entire structure was redesigned as a hunting and fishing lodge in the 1800s. Today as a hotel it has 80 spacious bedrooms with soft traditional furnishings in relaxing shades and heavy sash curtains on the windows. Considered one of Ireland's finest five-star resort hotels. Visit site

The Lanesborough, London, England
A St. Regis Hotel, the opulent Lanesborough is located in a Georgian-style building just off of Hyde Park. This luxurious hotel features oak paneled walls and high ceilings (check out the Buckingham Suite for a good example). Each visitor is treated a private guest and cared for by personal butlers. Now that’s class. Visit site

Villa San Michele, Florence, Italy
What happens when you turn a 15th-century Franciscan monastery with wonderful views of Florence into a luxurious resting spot for travelers? Simple, you get one of Europe's most delightful and picturesque hotels in Europe. Spectacular artwork abounds here including a 1642 Last Supper fresco by Nicodermo Ferruci and a facade attributed to no less than Michelangelo. Visit site

The Stafford, London, England
A country house feel in the middle of London? It's possible if the name of the hotel is the timeless Stafford. Located behind Green Park, this stately town house hotel comes with its own 17th century stable courtyard. Famous for its incredible wine cellar, the Master Sommelier will be happy to give you a private wine tasting of the hotel's best vintages of Burgundy or Bordeaux. Visit site

Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Looking for a tranquil and peaceful environment in which to recoup and reenergize? Thailand's Chiva–Som meaning "Haven of Life" is the perfect place. Staffed by over 80 health and wellness professionals, the staff is expert at rejuvenating wellbeing of mind, body and spirit. The resort's physical design perfectly matches its function fusing Western utility with Eastern calm. 57 beautiful rooms with private balconies or terraces provide spectacular ocean views. Thai gardens and a carp filled lake add to the all-encompassing tranquility. Visit Hotel Site

Four Seasons Hotel, Milan, Italy
Luxury and history combine at the Four Seasons Hotel Milan to create an unforgettable experience. The hotel is located in a beautifully refurbished 15th-century convent with walls stunningly frescoed with depictions of Milanese nobility. Choose from any one of 118 intimate rooms and suites of pure extravagance and relax in the hotels famous Il Foyer lounge. Close to the city's hottest shopping district. Visit hotel website

The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland
Perched in a beautiful forest high above Zurich, this sophisticated luxury hotel offers breathtaking views of the city. Guest rooms are a stylish combination of earth colored Jura limestone and hardwoods. On the fun side there are also four signature suites inspired by pop icons and famous artists. Topped off by the spectacular Dolder Grand Spa, the Dolder is the perfect combination of pleasure, relaxation and exclusivity. Visit hotel website

Villa D’Este, Cernobbio, Italy
The most esteemed hotel in an area famous for its resorts, the Villa d'Este is an opulent hotel built on a regal 25 acre, 16th-century estate, overlooking the stunning Lake Como.  The splendor and grandeur are moderated by distinctive quaint touches. Guests, for instance, are invited to join the hotel chefs as they gather herbs in the garden for the day's meals. Visit hotel website

Bauer Il Palazzo, Venice, Italy
In the heart of Venice, lies a highly unique boutique hotel combining soul, romance and culture. Built in the Venetian-style palazzo, the Bauer combines an eclectic mix of the finest Italian décor including Rubelli and Bevilacqua fabrics, Murano glass chandeliers, sconces, sculptures and deco furniture.  A truly unique blend of style and luxury. Visit hotel website
  
Hotel D'Angletterre, Copenhagen
Arguably the most beautiful hotel in all of Scandinavia, the famous 300 year old Hotel D'Angletterre is the epitome of beauty and grace. Some 120 rooms and 20 suites are all furnished with the finest antique furniture and feature marble bathrooms as well as incredible views of the green gardens. Enjoy the in-house spa and many other five star amenities. Located just minutes from the Royal Palace, Royal Theatre and famous Stroget shopping district. Visit hotel website


The Venetian Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, United States
Towering above Las Vegas in shimmering white, the Venetian Resort and Casino is an outstanding hotel in a city famous for its outstanding hotels. Part hotel, part amusement park/fantasy world - the Venetian is one experience you will not soon forget. Features include the quarter mile long Grand Canal waterway complete with gondola rides and performances along the walkway, the 70,000 square foot Canyon Ranch spa, a 120,000 foot casino, the Grand Canal shopping center with 80 world class boutiques, Madam Tussaud's famous wax museum, and entertainment by world class acts. Visit hotel website

The Adolphus, Dallas, United States
Built in 1912, the Adolphus is considered a Baroque masterpiece, that helped usher in a new age of sophistication and European charm in American hospitality. Venetian tapestries provide a background to a Victorian Steinway and other ornate furniture. Home to the rich and famous, the guest registry is packed with name of VIPs. Located in the center of Dallas. Visit hotel website

Hotel Regina , Paris, France
The imposing Hotel Regina offers high class accommodations in the finest style of the Belle Époque. The hotel's interior boasts antique furnishings and artwork, molded cornices, and beautifully restored frescoes. The hotel's 120 rooms all sport fine linens and frescoes. Enjoy world class French cuisine at the in-house restaurant or check out the stately English Bar and Tea room. Just a short walk from the Louvre. Visit hotel website

Chelsea Hotel, Soho, New York, United States
Located in one of New York's most vibrant neighborhoods, the historic Chelsea Hotel has been home to the rich and famous for over a hundred years. No two rooms in the spectacular hotel are the same, from funky art deco, to Baroque to Belle Époque, the Chelsea has it all. No wonder this eclectic hotel has been immortalized in film, literature and song. Not to be missed. Visit hotel website

St. Regis Hotel, New York, United States
1904 Beaux Arts landmark, New York's St. Regis hotel is home to the rich and famous when they visit New York. Recently renovated to the tune of $100 million, this spectacular hotel features the gamut from Louis 15th furniture to dozens of hi-tech amenities. Located next to one of the hottest shopping districts in the world. Visit hotel website

Huka Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand
Rustic luxury at its finest, the Huka Lodge, provides a rich, warm environment in which to relax and experience nature. The main building features its own library, conservatory and hunting lodge complete with weapons and trophies. Throughout the hotel are large fireplaces with warm log fires, richly woven carpets, wool fabrics and fine decor. For guest rooms the hotel provides some 20 spacious suites all decorated in the finest New England style. Visit hotel website
  
Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai
 
Hidden among the red sand dunes of the Al Maha desert and wind peaks of the Hajar Mountains lies an incredible oasis located amongst the palm groves. Resembling a Beduin camp, the Al Maha Desert Resort features luxury tents each overflowing with original artworks and antiques. Organic meals featuring the finest and freshest western and eastern dishes are provided to the guests. A cornucopia of thrilling physical activities completes the offering including safaris, horseback riding and camel trekking, jeep rides, falconry and archery. Visit hotel website

Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy
This five star hotel frequently tops the list of Italy's best hotels. Located in a spectacularly refurbished 12th century palazzo, the hotel's suites feature 17th century antiques, Frette and Bulgari appointments along with Vietri tile floors. Offers an incredible view of the Mediterranean sea. Visit hotel website

Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa , Oman
Inspired by royal Arabian palaces the Shangri La offers six star service in the middle of a rugged mountain strewn desert. The hotel's 180 luxury suites all have views of the sea, balconies and terraces along with butler service and complimentary pre-dinner cocktails served in your room. The excellent in-house restaurant looks out over the hotel's private 100m Mahhara beach. An in-house spa provides a venue for soothing relaxation and rejuvenationVisit hotel website

Hotel Plaza Athene, Paris, France
Built in 1911, with a view of the Eiffel Tower, this opulent luxury hotel is frequently named as France's best. The rooms are overflowing with Art Deco, Regency and Louis XVI furnishings. The cuisine is out of this world thanks to world famous chef Alain Ducasse's French restaurant featuring a 35,000-bottle wine cellar (ask for a private wine tasting).  If you prefer simpler fare, the house bars include La Terrasse Montaigne and Le Galerie des Gobelins, featuring harp music and delicious pastries. The in-house Dior spa helps complete the package. Visit hotel website

The Four Seasons Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Elegance and style permeate the Four Seasons Hotel Prague located on the banks of the Vltava River with spectacular views of the Prague Castle. The hotel is an eclectic mix of the finest neo-Classicist, Baroque, and neo-Renaissance styles making any guest feel immediately like royalty upon entering. The hotel offers a world class spa and fine dining in the Cotto Crudo Italian restaurantVisit hotel website

Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Brazil
Located in Brazils' finest wine region and surrounded by a 35 acre vineyard, the Cavas Wine Lodge offers wine lovers a rustic getaway in a spectacular location overlooking the Andes. The grape reigns supreme here and canopied 50 year old grapevines provide cover for guests as they walk to their rooms. Even the house spa therapies use grape skins and seeds. A truly unique experience. Visit hotel website        
  
Four Seasons, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Nestled in the Thailand's lush northern region, lies a luxurious yet intimate hotel – The Four Seasons of Chiang Mai. The hotel creates instantaneous tranquility with its Zen like atmosphere and helpful staff legendary for their attentiveness. Unique touches include its famous outdoor cooking school and recently added Four Season’s Kid’s Club, making this a perfect location for family vacations in the Far East. Visit hotel website

Four Seasons at Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
Hyper-modern luxury perhaps best sums up the Four Seasons at Marunouchi, located in the Tokyo business district. Rooms are all equipped with 3-D televisions, surround sound speakers and egg-shaped tubs along with wall to wall windows providing full skyline views. Suites tend to be small, elegant and strongly sound-proofed. For exercise and rejuvenation hop on a hotel supplied Bianchi bicycle and take a ride to the nearby Imperial Gardens or enjoy a special Raku massage at the in-house spa. Visit hotel website

Montage Beverly Hills; Beverly Hills, California, United States
Looking for a luxurious sanctuary among the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles? The Montage is a spectacular Spanish Colonial-style hotel located in the heart of Beverly Hills. Rooms come equipped with mosaic-tiled marble bathrooms and flat screen televisions. But it’s the little touches which make the difference, such as pillows custom-embroidered with your initials. Visit hotel website

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina, United States
Rustic charm with a down South atmosphere, the Inn at Palmetto Bluff provides a first class experience with a unique South Carolina feel. Located along the May River are 50 cottages each featuring pine floors, a personal fireplace and Italian bed linens.  First rate entertainment opportunities abound including an on-site Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course or fly-fishing and alligator spotting in the marshlands. In the evening, enjoy an incredible fresh seafood dinner at the inn's River House restaurant. Visit hotel website

Anavilhanas Lodge, Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil
Considered one of Brazil's foremost hotels, the Anavilhanas is a "Jungle Lodge" featuring wooden rooms with crisp white linens located in the middle of a pristine rain forest on the banks of the Rio Negro river. Visit your neighbors (monkeys, macaws and dolphins!) by canoe or foot or explore artisan studios in nearby Novo Air village. Visit hotel website

Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa
Famous for what is outside the hotel as much or more than for what is inside it, the Sabi Sand offers three luxury lodges in the middle of a world class game reserve. Herds of elephants, leopards, giraffes and zebras are frequent guests of the area and provide for breathtaking viewing. Suites are designed by up and coming African designers and include private fireplaces and outdoor showers. If you prefer to "eat out", you can share a meal with locals in a nearby village. A vintage safari feel infused with glamour and elegance. Not to be missedVisit hotel website

Amstel Intercontinental, Amsterdam
Grand European Elegance at its finest, the Amstel has some 80 traditionally yet impeccably furnished rooms and suites. Located on the banks of the Amstel River, the hotel presents an island of tranquility and beauty right in the middle of the city. The hotel's main restaurant, La Rive, has a four starred Michelin rated cuisine. Visit hotel website

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India


The Taj is an 18th century palace situated on a manmade island in Lake Picola with a view of the Maharaja’s palace. Opulence and extravagance abound here with endless courtyards and corridors, stone inlay, gilt moldings and mirror. The many exclusive rooms and suites boast mosaics, stained-glass windows, silk bolsters and hand painted motifs. Excellent rooftop restaurant called the Bhairo. Visit hotel website

  
Westin Bund Center, Shanghai, China

Only ten years old and already famous, the Westin Bund is built to resemble a throne with a crown on top – fitting for a hotel that makes one feel like a king.  Guest rooms made of marble and glass boast oversized shower heads, Jacuzzis, embroidered lanterns and spectacular views of the 400-year-old Yu Garden. The wonderful Stage restaurant allows guests to watch as the chefs publicly prepare their amazing dishes. Visit hotel website

  
Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, United States


Built in 2005 using local timber and stone, Whiteface Lodge is all-suite resort that exudes warmth and friendliness along with plush luxury. Perfect for family vacations or those looking to get away with friends, the Lodge is considered a home away from home for many aided by the extremely friendly staff. The sepia-tinted suites all boast slate floors and cast iron fireplaces. Rustic elegance at its finest. Visit hotel website


Ritz-Carlton New York, United States


An elegant refuge in the middle of a frantic city, the Ritz Carleton is a 33-story town house like tower located on Central Park South. Dark hardwoods and polished brass abound here lending an air of a well-heeled gentlemen’s club. Guest rooms all feature Frette linens, brocade drapes and seven pillows. An outstanding hotel that makes one feel like royalty. Visit hotel website


Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore


An art-deco hotel that draws its inspiration from the royal palaces of Bangalore? Whatever the motivation, the result is spectacular. Outside a feast for the senses, with a cornucopia of marble fountains and waterfalls. Inside opulence beyond imagining, including copper domes, endless chandeliers, gold leaf paintings, timber floors and hand tufted rugs. The in-house Jamavar restaurant is not to be missed! Visit hotel website

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