Are you planning a romantic getaway or want to pamper yourself with the finest luxury? Look no further than one of these top hotels for an unparalleled experience.
These grand establishments have even been immortalized in movies and songs. TripAdvisor recently listed the world’s most famous hotels.
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab, one of the world’s most iconic hotels, is shaped like the sail of a traditional wooden cargo ship. Completed in 1999, it stands as the highest building of its kind at 321 meters high.
Tom Wright designed the hotel’s architecture, drawing inspiration from Dubai’s maritime heritage. To guarantee its stability, 230 40-meter concrete piles were used for its foundation. Furthermore, an 18-story atrium is enclosed by 12 individually tensioned two-layer membrane panels to create a breathtaking focal point.
When staying at this hotel, you can enjoy access to its private beach featuring 10 million gold and azure mosaic tiles. You can also relax in one of the pools or a cabana for ultimate relaxation.
If you want to make the most of your time in Dubai, booking a room at Burj Al Arab is highly recommended. It’s one of the world’s top luxury hotels and boasts numerous amenities such as its helipad and fleet of chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce limousines.
Choose from 202 suites, ranging in size from the smallest 1829 sq ft to the largest 780 square meters. Each one boasts its butler to assist you with anything that may arise during your stay.
These rooms are decorated in luxurious opulence, featuring moire silk walls, mirrored ceilings over beds, curlicue high-backed velvet chairs, and inlaid bathroom tiles displaying scenes of Venice. Plus you’ll get a full-size Hermes toiletries package to pamper yourself to your heart’s content!
At Burj Al Arab, guests have two exclusive dining options: Al Muntaha Restaurant with modern French cuisine and Sky View Bar & Restaurant for tapas-based cuisine. Both are open only to guests with reservations required.
Day and night, guests at this private beach on the other side of the bridge can enjoy complimentary access to its private beach. The sand is imported from Saudi Arabia and the pool is made of white quartz stones for ultimate relaxation.
The King David Hotel
If you’re searching for an unforgettable place to stay in Jerusalem that is rich with history and offers stunning views of the Old City walls, minarets, and domes, look no further than King David Hotel. This prestigious member of The Leading Hotels of the World is a favorite among world leaders and celebrities for its superior service, stunning panoramas of Old City walls, minarets, and domes as well as its incomparable amenities.
The hotel is conveniently situated in Yemin Moshe, just a short stroll away from Mamila Mall. From here, guests can easily explore Jerusalem and visit its top sights like the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Via Dolorosa, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
King David Hotel boasts an Egyptian-inspired Art Deco design and elegant public areas, making it a must-stay for visitors to Israel. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed, many offering breathtaking views of the Old City. For something extra luxurious, try one of their Royal Suites which feature both separate bedrooms and living rooms.
Guests at Cristina Spa and Fitness Center can take advantage of its luxurious facilities, such as its outdoor pool with Beluga cabanas for relaxing. Furthermore, there are various restaurants on-site as well as other services and amenities.
In the past, this hotel has hosted many notable political figures and high-ranking officials. It remains a popular destination for diplomatic, and business travelers, as well as tourists.
This hotel’s illustrious status is evident throughout its rooms, which feature historic motifs and artworks. The lobby floor features inlaid names of some of its famous former guests, adding to the atmosphere with an added personal touch.
The hotel’s 237 guest rooms and suites provide luxury amenities, like marble bathrooms and private balconies. All are set amidst lush gardens with breathtaking views of the Old City walls.
La Regence offers fine dining with a Middle Eastern flair and an extensive menu of international cuisines. Additionally, The Oriental Bar provides an eclectic selection of wines and spirits from around the world.
The Savoy Hotel
The Savoy Hotel is one of the top hotels in the world and is renowned for its legendary service. Since 1889, it has been a go-to choice for both travelers and celebrities alike.
The hotel is conveniently situated in the heart of London, making it convenient to access all the city’s top attractions and experiences. Plus, it’s within walking distance to Covent Garden and some of London’s premier theaters and restaurants.
At The Savoy Hotel, rooms are elegant and furnished with classic furnishings. However, they also boast modern conveniences like iPod docks and modems for U.S. and U.K. devices, along with two-line telephones and LCD TVs.
Aside from its convenient location, The Savoy is renowned for its exceptional service. Its staff is always ready to assist you and ensure that you have an enjoyable stay.
Another impressive aspect of The Savoy is its location on the Thames River, just 5 minutes from the British Museum and Royal Opera House.
It is also close to some of London’s premier shopping destinations, including Knightsbridge and Mayfair. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s concierge services and enjoy onsite amenities like the V Hotel Spa – an ideal spot for relaxation after a long day of sightseeing or shopping.
The Savoy Hotel is renowned for its diverse dining options, which feature both local and international cuisine. Restaurants such as The Thames Foyer, Simpson’s in the Strand, and The Savoy Grill provide guests with an unforgettable dining experience.
At The Savoy Hotel and Casino, guests can sample a wide variety of food from seafood to traditional roasts and Italian cuisine. Several bars and restaurants like The American Bar (where Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe enjoyed drinks) or Beaufort Bar feature character cocktails honoring famous guests.
Experience London’s famed afternoon tea at The Thames Foyer, a spacious domed atrium with a gazebo in the middle. During the day, piano players take up residence here while in the evening the space transforms into an auditorium for concerts. Truly breathtaking scenery aside, this spot serves some of London’s finest afternoon tea dishes!
The Ryugyong Hotel
The Ryugyong Hotel, situated in Pyongyang, North Korea’s city center, was intended to be the tallest hotel in the world. Unfortunately, it took North Korea almost three decades to construct this towering structure which remains unoccupied today.
Construction began in 1987 on a 105-floor, 330-meter-high pyramid that would house up to 3,000 rooms and five rotating restaurants. Its unusual shape was achieved due to being constructed using reinforced concrete instead of steel – a unique construction type for today’s world. Though rare in North Korea, this type of construction may have been done as an attempt to replicate natural pyramidal formations found there.
At its inception, North Korea’s luxury hotel project cost a whopping $750 million – almost two percent of North Korea’s gross domestic product at that time. Unfortunately, with the collapse of Soviet Russia in the late 1980s, an economic crisis struck North Korea and put paid to the construction of the hotel.
After an extended lapse in construction, it was revived in 2008 by an Egyptian company. Following two years of renovations, the building received a new logo and signage in both Korean and English.
For one year, Seoul’s iconic light show has been illuminated with LED lights to create an incredible visual spectacle. This captivating sight draws tourists to the city and underscores the North Korean government’s dedication to tourism development.
The hotel’s ‘pyramid top’ lights up each evening to depict an animated image of the North Korean flag. This spectacular show can be viewed from multiple viewpoints around town.
In addition to being a stunning nighttime sight, the building also hosts performances by North Korean arts troupes. These shows often serve as propaganda vehicles and feature images and slogans the government wishes to promote.
In 2018, the building underwent a facelift and its LED lighting was changed to show animated movies on its sides. Additionally, it had an entrance that would enable stretch limousines to pull up and serve wealthy guests who have extra money to spend.