7 Astounding Hotel Suites In Iconic Settings
When visiting an eminently popular destination, how do you ensure the utmost in privacy and seclusion? By checking in to your own piece of paradise. Here, KATIE BERRINGTON rounds up seven exquisite hotel suites around the world, where magnificent design and luxurious amenities meet a superlative setting
Imperial Suite, Four Seasons Otemachi, Tokyo
The gasp-inducing views from the soaring Four Seasons Otemachi are a two-fold sight to behold – first, the majestic gardens of the Imperial Palace below, and then across to the incredible Tokyo skyline beyond. Up in the clouds, 39 storeys high, every ultra-polished, contemporary corner of the hotel is imbued with elegant, decadent detailing and modern accessories – from the dazzling, sleek spa and swimming pool to the moody and romantic Virtu bar, picture-perfect roof terrace and the impressive Michelin-starred restaurant, Est. The aptly named Imperial Suite is the most regal space of all, offering guests a panoramic perspective of the palace via its floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a beautiful and light-filled space with two bedrooms (and the option to add a third), a separate study, and capacious, open-plan dining and living room.
Ocean Villas at Amanpuri, Thailand
With a privileged position at the tip of the peninsula above the Andaman Sea, Amanpuri’s ocean villas give guests the height of tranquility. These standalone, multiple-bedroom properties have been beautifully designed to evoke the Buddhist architecture of ancient Ayutthaya, and the peaceful interiors flow out to capacious terraces and centerpiece private pools, which then give way to the picture-perfect turquoise waters beyond. Better yet is the dedicated chef on hand in the villa to prepare a tantalizing array of local dishes.
The Castaway at Soneva Secret, Maldives
If complete seclusion is the goal, then the most recent opening under the ultra-luxe Soneva umbrella offers the ultimate ‘do not disturb’. Soneva Secret is a dreamy collection of villas located in Haa Dhaalu, the Maldives’ most remote atoll. There are only 14 residences in total, including the first floating villa in the area, which gives guests the opportunity to drift in the endless blues. The Castaway is accessible only by sea (and expertly designed to be unaffected by wave movements), with a highlight feature being the slide-away roof in the master suite so that you can sleep beneath the starry sky.
The Claridge’s Penthouse, London
The pinnacle of grandeur above London’s Mayfair, The Penthouse at Claridge’s is a new icon that has arrived in this storied part of town. A six-year renovation was undertaken to transform the entire rooftop of the legendary hotel into a magnificent 1,500-sqm apartment, complete with an expanse of private terrace (and 360-degree, sky-skimming vistas), a heated pool, and a statement piano pavilion housed in a copper and glass structure with a front-row view of the skyline at sunset. The contemporary and elegant design is courtesy of the visionary Rémi Tessier, and, most excitingly, features the world’s largest private collection of Damien Hirst artworks.
Grand Riad at Royal Mansour, Marrakech
At the Royal Mansour in Marrakech, the sublime array of accommodation comes in the form of individually decorated, three-storey riads sprawled across the medina and connected by alleyways and secret doors. The most impressive of them all is the Grand Riad, entered via an olive-tree-lined patio leading onto a lush landscaped garden and palm-shaded swimming pool. The superlative four-bedroom abode is swathed in opulent fabrics and adorned with beautiful objects – and boasts its own hammam for added relaxation and indulgence.
Cave Royale at Six Senses Ibiza, Balearics
Overlooking the breathtaking bay of Cala Xarraca on Ibiza’s northern tip, Six Senses Ibiza melds the island’s restorative powers with its renowned bohemian music, art and culture scene. The Cave Royale suite is the epitome of this amalgamation, with laid-back, minimalist interiors, a verdant terrace that leads directly down to the water and features its own oversized outdoor bathtub, a fully stocked indoor bar and outdoor dining space – and even private access into the retreat’s state-of-the-art recording studio.
Suite Bellini at Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy
The largest suite in Lake Como is a jewel in the crown of the much-celebrated, 18th-century villa Passalacqua. A retreat that has been lovingly and meticulously restored throughout its historic walls and grounds (visited over the centuries by the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill), Suite Bellini has been impeccably designed in homage to Italian Baroque style. Beneath striking chandeliered, vaulted ceilings, large windows look out over the shores of the lake. At the center of the palatial suite is the neoclassical music room, which is the very spot that Vincenzo Bellini sat down to compose passages in the 19th century, inspired by the sweeping views.