From a hotel with a Rolls-Royce dealership inside to a resort so exclusive even we don’t know who’s stayed there, this is the Luxury Link list of the World’s Most Opulent Hotels.
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
The Burj Al Arab is probably the most famous luxury hotel in the world. Shaped like a sail, this hotel is also one of the tallest buildings in the world clocking in at 1,053 feet or 321 meters. The hotel is situated on a private island just off the coast of Dubai, and is so exclusive that you can’t even cross the bridge to the hotel without being a guest there or having a reservation at one of the restaurants.
The Penthouse suite at the Burj Al Arab
The Boulders Resort & Spa
Rated one of the best hotels in Arizona by Travel + Leisure, The Boulders leaves the swanky decor up to Mother Nature, as it’s impossible to compete with surreal 12-million-year-old rock formations. There’s also an über private gated Villa Retreat for celebs seeking anonymity. PR rep Deborah Bridges says, “Our clientele is among the wealthiest in the world, but we’re not allowed to talk about who our VIP guests are until they’re dead.”
Breathtaking natural beauty at The Boulders Resort & Spa
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
The new Post Oak Hotel, built by Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, is already famous for its on-site Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Bugatti car dealerships. The 5,000-square-foot Presidential Suite goes for $12,000/night, but when Fertitta’s own 15,000-square-foot personal penthouse is finished later this year, it will be available to anyone who wants to pay its $100,000/night (before tax) tab.
A 2-story luxury car dealership onsite boasts a car for every taste.
Blanket Bay
Described by Sir Ian McKellen as “paradise on Earth,” Blanket Bay is so called because the original pioneers from Europe would shear their sheep on the shore, protected from the elements by blankets. The sheep are still there, but the blankets have been replaced with a luxury lodge with only 12 rooms— and often at least one is reserved for a security detail for high-profile holidayers.
Stunning scenery and luxurious accommodations at Blanket Bay.
Mandarin Oriental, New York
With a bird’s eye view of Central Park and New York City, the Mandarin Oriental New York is one of the city’s most in-demand hotels. Architectural Digest ranked the 3,300-square-foot suite perched on the 50th floor as one of the 15 most expensive hotel suites in the world. From $36,000/night, guests enjoy an extensive record collection by New York’s Academy Records and a kitchen worthy of a Michelin-starred chef.
Silk-lined walls and a panoramic view of New York City from your presidential suite.
The Mulia
While Bali is known worldwide for its luxury hotels and gorgeous beaches, The Mulia takes opulence to an entirely new level. According to Forbes, “Room service is an experience in itself, given that the crew manning the phones could sell ice to Eskimos. Be sure to carve a good 10 minutes out of your schedule for delivery, when your waiter will set a meticulous table and proudly take you through every dish (and condiment) that awaits you.”
Anything your heart (or stomach) desires can be arranged by the room service team at The Mulia
Ashford Castle
Ireland’s oldest castle, built in 1228 on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib, also doubles as one of its most beautiful and beloved hotels. It is decked out in Connemara marble and adorned with brocade silk, crystal chandeliers, and antiques. Once the Guinness Family estate, Ashford Castle has since opened its doors as an exclusive luxury hotel in 1939. Its 82 rooms are individually furnished, though most have four-poster beds, fireplaces, and claw-foot tubs.
A full view of the 350 pristine acres of land on which the castle sits.
Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa
Clay roof tiles, wooden shutters, and pebble mosaics add to the property’s low-key charm, while palms and olive-tree-filled gardens help it blend into the wild landscape. From the main pool and private beach, guests can enjoy breathtaking views over the Cretan Sea and the island of Spinalonga. Blue Palace was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Hotels in Europe for 2018.
Views of Spinalonga Island sitting just across the water.
Hotel Savoy
The Duomo Presidential Suite is a large two-bedroom suite occupying its own wing of The Savoy. A distinctly Florentine aesthetic, the suite is opulently decorated with bronze tables and gold leaf mirrors made by local designer, Il Bronzetto. Large windows let natural light flood the rooms, and provide splendid views of Brunelleschi’s stunning Duomo.
Olga Polizzi’s well-appointed rooms at Hotel Savoy, showcasing contemporary Italian design.
Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
Condé Nast Traveler proclaims “Everything at the hotel is meant to be larger than life, and it is, including a huge indoor pool from which you can swim directly to the heated outdoor pool, a ‘lagoon’ with a sand floor meant to be reminiscent of being at the beach, and a Mediterranean garden that’s a miniature riff on the same at the Villa Euphressi, the former Rothschild residence.”
The first of 3 pools available to guests of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
The Oberoi Rajvilas
The Telegraph notes: “The ancient temple in the middle of the property allows interested guests to engage in a ceremony of their choosing. The spa offers an unusual chakra-balancing Himalayan stones massage, daily yoga, and meditation. The concierge can arrange unique expeditions including a trip to The Oberoi home where tea and cookies are served in the courtyard while an elephant safari is organized.”
A reflecting pool in the impeccably manicured gardens of The Oberoi.
Halekulani Hotel
The Halekulani Suite was decorated by Vera Wang and the pool’s floor is set with 1.2 million pieces of glass tile to form an orchid-shaped mosaic. Most rooms offer exclusivity with private gardens, plunge pools, butlers, even interactive cooking lessons with a Halekulani chef. The Halekulani Hotel is one of Hawaii’s most celebrated 5-star resorts, and with 30 years of impeccable service behind them they can only continue to collect accolades.
The iconic heated pool with its South African glass mosaic.
