In the world of luxury social distancing is being taken to the next level. Thank goodness the hotels are offering such spacious luxury but it does come at a price. Below are four of the most luxurious suites and most expensive where you can savour your own breath while delighting in the hedonistic pleasures. Prices are in US dollars and are approximate but loose change for some. Kerry Packer was once at a casino on a high rollers table when a guy was close by making a fuss that he wasn’t allowed on to the table. “I’m worth a hundred million,” he announced loudly. “I’ll flip you for it,” said Kerry.
1. The Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland – $80.000
This suite has bullet proof windows and its own private elevator so no wonder it is attractive to heads of state and celebrities. Yet it offers more than just security. First there are the panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps. Then there is the Brunschwig billiards table, the Steinway Grand piano and the 103 inch Bang & Olufsen LCD flat screen TV—the brand’s largest but in case you weren’t satisfied with this there are three other 55-inch TVs located in additional living areas. One must have a private fitness room equipped with a Technogym® treadmill, a stationary bike, and a cross-trainer and then there is the décor.
Regal hues of warm orange and bold wood create the ideal background for rich textiles, plush velvet, and satin. Art Deco vases, paintings, and Persian carpets complement such elegant furniture as richly upholstered sofas, chairs, and lacquered wooden tables.
There are two dining rooms – one seating up to 16 and one up to 26. Each has a kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave, and a Nespresso® coffee machine. A personal assistant, a chef, and a butler are available to address the needs and special requests of every guest.
A dozen spacious sleeping quarters boast flat screen TVs and king-size or twin beds, private bathrooms featuring Hermès bath amenities,—some with a combination bathtub and shower, others with separate walk-in rainforest shower. And if that doesn’t satisfy you, choose between the two oversized master bathrooms with lake view, a glass-enclosed steam/rainforest shower, a hammam, a Jacuzzi, and two washbasins.
2. The Mark Penthouse – the Mark Hotel, New York $75,000
It’s been a few years since I set foot in The Mark but the memories are with me. This hotel was chic but not pretentious. I still have my t-shirt from the hotel which reads “No Jacket. No Tie. No Attitude.” It was here that I learned what the most important item was to have in New York. Without it you would never be let in anywhere. It was polished shoes. All doormen look at your shoes I was told by the Marketing Manager at the time. I raced out to buy a pair just to go into the designer stores along Madison Avenue where the Mark is located.
My suite was amazing but the penthouse suite is mind blowing with five bedrooms, six bathrooms set over two stories and 10,000 square feet . It is the largest penthouse suite in the US with the piece de resistance being the 2500 square feet of rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and beyond. It also offers a Conservatory, Library Lounge and dining room. The Living Room (which can be transformed into a full-sized Grand Ballroom) boasts 26-foot ceilings, a fireplace and adjacent wet bar. Decorated with custom furniture designed by Jacques Grange, every piece is unique to The Mark. (One family rented it for 16 months!)
3. The Muraka Suite – The Conrad Maldives $AUD72,000 per night (minimum four night stay)
The Muraka, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Photo credits: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island | Justin Nicholas Photography
The overwater bungalow has been overtaken by the underwater bungalow. No longer content with a view of the ocean, luxury means being under it and the Conrad Maldives Muraka Suite is the place to experience this suite. This 180 degree curved acrylic dome has floor to ceiling windows and an underwater viewing tunnel set 16 feet below sea level. Besides a private butler and chef, you will have access to a fleet of jet skis, a speedboat and an above sea deck with an infinity pool. At $AUD 72,000 per night there’s a minimum four night stay. You can continue the underwater theme at the resort’s fish tank style restaurant – Ithaa or eat above ground at one of the other 11 eateries. You can’t get much more novel than this in 2020.
4. The Grand Riad, The Royal Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco – $43,00 per night
The most palatial suite in Morocco is at the Royal Mansour Luxury Hotel. This four bedroom riad spans over three stories and 1800 square metres. There is a private swimming pool and your own landscaped gardens. The private cast iron lift takes you to the first floor where you will discover three bedrooms with adjoined dressing rooms and independent bathrooms. The boudoir next to the main suite can be converted into an additional room. In this silky universe, surrounded by mashrabiyas and marble, sleeping and bathing take on a new dimension. Just above, on the roof terrace, are views of the Atlas Mountains, bettered only by that of the Koutoubia Mosque, right in front of you. There is a private gym, a private cinema, and a hammam. The final touch is the butler, who is there to cater for your every need.
For more information visit travelmanagers.com.au
