Travel is exciting experience, no doubt and for some people it is a completely luxurious adventure. Though in case you are not James Bond 007 or Oceans’11 the stay in the lux 5* hotel might be just a boring sleep-eat-spend-too-much-for-nothing stay. Okay, that is my opinion and don’t take it for granted.
Recently Travel+Leisure, one of the leading travel magazines, announced its World Best Hotels. Are you a dreamer? Okay, join me on this world squander trip.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, Udaipur, India (www.oberoiudaivilas.com)
The hotel is located in the heart of Rajasthan. As the very hotel claims it “offers an experience created exclusively for those who know there is nothing like too much luxury”.
Every “room” or “suite” has private walled courtyards and silken parasols, bathrooms are made of marble. Not satisfied? The Luxury Suites are 1150 sq. ft. and have private pools and dining pavilions. The pearl in the crown no doubt is the Kohinoor Suite with Private Pool, 2,650 square feet of palatial comfort with fountained courtyards, massive private pool, sitting room with real fireplaces, and its own wooden sauna.
Prices start from $600 in the most budgeted option in the low season and hit $3800 for Kohinoor Suite in high season.
Singita Sabi Sand/Kruger National Park, South Africa (www.singita.com)
If you wonder where is this, open your Atlas and search for Mozambique, Zimbabwe or Lesotho. Well, it’s almost here. Wood and stone create unique atmosphere where each tent is in modern synchrony with the nature. Prices start from $850 per night per person and hit $15000 per night for the whole villa. And while this includes walking safaris with experienced game rangers, horse riding or mountain biking, the fellow visitors should pay for some basic things such as champagnes and spa facilities.
The Oriental, Bangkok (www.mandarinoriental.com)
Offering the traditional spa, leisure and dining, the Oriental is run by Mandarin. If the name sounds familiar, they also have hotels in New York, Geneva, London, Tokyo and another 16 will be ready by 2010, all of them shaping the luxurious face of the modern cities. All rooms and suites are designed in the typical rich and lavish Asiatic style. No bad feelings but I personally prefer the Scandinavian plain and simple design. However it seems that for some people rich means dolled up which is okay as far as I am not in. Prices start from the moderate $230 per night and hit $1700 per night if you prefer any of the royal suites.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Turkey (www.fourseasons.com)
If you ask me, I love Istanbul, it is so vivid, colorful and amazing that it is a shame of you book a hotel to stay in and enjoy its indoors program when the world outside is so tempting, calling and absolutely fabulous. Four Seasons will try to tie you in with obvious and manifested good services. The rumor has it that once upon a time this building was a real prison. Wow! Today people pay from $420 to $3500 for a night in it.
The Milestone, London (www.milestonehotel.com)
This hotel is romantic, royal and ornated. It offers ipods and bose docking stations in each room, also Bentley car service and perfect location overlooking the Kensigngton palace and gardens. Notting Hill? It’s across the corner. It’s very, very English. In addition, if you check the AboutUs section, you will be able to download their podcasts. I love this! Prices are fair. They start from $630 and go above $1600.
Get the full list of top unreasonably expensive hotels here:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2007/results.cfm?cat=hotels
