[ad_1]
Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today (May 11, 2015): top 10 most outrageous, over-the-top hotel experiences in the world.
These days, the world’s most luxurious hotels try to lure their high-end clients with spectacular pools, magnificent lobbies, exclusive locations (such as private islands, high atop cliffs or along the world’s best beaches), and – last but not least – rooms that come with private plunge pools and phenomenal bathrooms. But some super-rich, refined jet-setters want more – a lot more – from the properties where they choose to spend their holiday. That’s why some ultra-luxurious hotels now offer unique, totally over-the-top, lavish experiences to cater their extremely well-heeled VIP clientele, that often includes celebrities. I hereby present you my top 10 of the most extraordinary hotel experiences in the world.
There is more information below the slideshow. Think I missed one? Share your most amazing hotel experience in the comments section, or take my poll below!
*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
10. BOOK A 20 HANDS MASSAGE AT GRAND WAILEA, HAWAII, USA
Hilton’s flagship hotel in Hawaii, Grand Wailea (part of the Waldorf Astoria portfolio) offers the globe’s most lavish spa treatment: a 20-hands duo massage. This luxurious treatment is recommended for experienced spa-goers only, due to the overwhelming stimulation of 10 hands simultaneously massaging each body. One therapist is focused on the scalp, one on the lower left-side of the body, one of the lower right-side of the body and two on the upper portion of the body including back and torso. The Swedish massage technique is performed in perfect unison.
- Hotel website: Grand Wailea
9. LAND WITH A HELICOPTER ATOP DUBAI’S BURJ AL ARAB HOTEL, UAE
The distinctive sail-shaped silhouette of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, a glittering architectural marvel in the middle of the Arabian Gulf, is more than just a stunning hotel, it is a symbol of modern Dubai. Connected to the mainland by a slender, gently curving causeway, there’s no better way to arrive at this iconic hotel than by a dedicated helicopter transfer service. A 15 minute birds-eye-view of the desert city’s glimmering skyline, culminates in a dramatic landing on the hotel’s helipad on the 28th level.
- Hotel website: Burj Al Arab
- Other top 10 accolades: Burj Al Arab also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most expensive hotels, the world’s most amazing hotel lobbies, and luxury hotels with private helipads.
- Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, daily breakfast, and a complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two people, per room).
8. ARRIVE BY PARAGLIDER AT SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY, OMAN
If a heli landing on Dubai’s most iconic hotel will not do it for you, there’s an even more outrageous way to arrive at a hotel about a 2 hour drive to the east of Dubai. There, on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. you will find one of the world’s hidden gems, a resort as spectacular as its setting, with dramatic mountains on one side and a 1.6 kilometer (1 mile) sandy beach on the other. For the ultimate arrival experience, the hotel’s guest can travel as a companion passenger with the Six Senses’ professional paraglider.
- Hotel website: Six Senses Zighy Bay
- Other top 10 accolades: Six Senses Zighy Bay also features in my top 10 lists of the best health spas in the world, the world’s most amazing beach resorts, the best luxury hotels in Oman, and restaurants with views that match the food.
- Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two people, per room).
- Review: to read my review of Six Senses Zighy Bay, click here.
7. BOOK YOUR PRIVATE JUNGLE CINEMA AT SONEVA KIRI, THAILAND
At Soneva Kiri, you can watch classic movies under the stars in a return to the old traditions of Hollywood enjoyment. The magnificent resort’s Cinema Paradiso marries three passions close to the founder’s – Sonu Shivdasani and Eva Malstrom – heart: classical beauty and elegance, immersion in nature and relaxed indulgence … a luxury that lets its hair down and kicks off its shoes. Films screen in the resort’s open-air “theatre”, a jungle-enshrouded auditorium of cascading cushions over the waters of the reservoir lagoon.
Contact me to receive a complimentary room upgrade at the time of booking when you decide to spend your holiday at Soneva Kiri (which I highly recommend!).
- Hotel website: Soneva Kiri
- Other top 10 accolades: Soneva Kiri also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most beautiful hotel beaches, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, the world’s most amazing beach resorts, the best private plunge pools in the world, the world’s best family hotels, the world’s best luxury hotels, the world’s most remote hotels, and luxury hotels with private airports.
- Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when you book via Virtuoso (e.g. villa upgrade, breakfast, early check-in , late check-out, welcome Champagne with Thai tapas on arrival, and a 30 minute spa treatment for two).
- Review: to read my review of Soneva Kiri, click here.
6. INDULGE IN CAVIAR UNDERWATER AT CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND
Rated ‘the most beautiful restaurant in the world’ by the New York Daily News in 2014, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s Ithaa restaurant sits five metres below the surface, offering 180-degree panoramic views of the vibrant coral gardens surrounding it. Expect indulgences such as caviar in a six-course set dinner menu while the four-course lunch menu offers lighter fare, with colourful fish all around you. Ithaa (meaning ‘mother of pearl’ in the Maldivian language of Dihevi) restaurant can be transformed into a wonderful, private bedroom ($11,710 per night).
- Hotel website: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
5. FLY IN A DESIGNER SEAPLANE TO CHEVAL BLANC RHANDELI, MALDIVES
Some resorts are so exclusive that they can only be reached by private plane. And so is Cheval Blanc Randheli, which uses an exceptional seaplane, exclusively designed for the Maison, to transfer its guests. Prior to take off at Male airport, a private lounge awaits guests to relax and freshen up. Aboard the plane, leather interiors and high technology equipment welcome passengers for a 40-minute panoramic voyage that will undoubtedly make a mark. Each guests receives a cooling kit, which includes towels, amenities and bottles of ‘Island Chic’ scented water.
- Hotel website: Cheval Blanc Rhandeli
- Other accolades: Cheval Blanc Randheli also features in my lists of the best new luxury hotels of 2013 and the top 10 best luxury hotels in the Maldives.
- Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $150 USD food & beverage credit).
4. ENJOY FINE DINING ATOP A TREE AT SONEVA KIRI, THAILAND
Soneva Kiri takes 2 spots in our top 10 list! The childhood’s desire to climb into a leafy canopy and find shelter amidst a simple wooden construction – where imagination soared and dreams were born – inspired Soneva’s Kiri unique Treepod Dining experience, taking fine dining to new heights. From a bamboo pod high up into the ancient rainforest, you can gaze out across the boulder-covered shoreline dancing with gentle waves, as you savour gourmet delights and your chosen wines, delivered via the zip-line acrobatics of your personal waiter.
Contact me to receive a complimentary room upgrade at the time of booking when you decide to spend your holiday at Soneva Kiri (which I highly recommend!).
- Hotel website: Soneva Kiri
- Other top 10 accolades: Soneva Kiri also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most beautiful hotel beaches, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, the world’s most amazing beach resorts, the best private plunge pools in the world, the world’s best family hotels, the world’s best luxury hotels, the world’s most remote hotels, and luxury hotels with private airports.
- Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when you book via Virtuoso (e.g. villa upgrade, breakfast, early check-in , late check-out, welcome Champagne with Thai tapas on arrival, and a 30 minute spa treatment for two).
- Review: to read my review of Soneva Kiri, click here.
3. BE PAMPERED BY EXCEPTIONAL FOUR SEASONS SERVICE AT 30,000 FEET
Four Seasons, a regular in our top 10 lists, is your ticket to the globe’s most fascinating destinations. But now, the ultra-luxury hotel group is taking luxury to new heights – literally – as you can travel the globe aboard the custom-designed Four Seasons Jet, enjoying exceptional service at every point of the journey. The Four Seasons Jet experience offers a variety of extraordinary itineraries that crisscross the globe and allow you to discover up to 10 international destinations on a single private journey.
- Hotel website: Four Seasons
2. MAKE EXCLUSIVE AMAN RESORTS YOUR HOME FOR ONE YEAR
Aman is the world’s most exclusive hotel brand. And if you have ever wished – in your wildest dreams, perhaps – that you could make your Aman experience go on endlessly, then we have a spectacular idea for you. Ampersand Travel & Aman offer the most phenomenal luxury tour to date: it entails a trip of epic proportions journeying across the world staying in every single Aman resort over the course of 1 year, which an average of 11 nights at each Aman. Year at Aman starts from $340,000 per person, but that includes Business Class flights and lots of extras.
- Hotel website: Aman
1. CRUISE IN YOUR OWN SUBMARINE AT LAUCALA ISLAND, FIJI
Laucala Island in Fiji has purchased a million dollar, two–person winged submarine for the exclusive use of its guests that want to explore the waters of the South Pacific Ocean without getting wet. From barrel-rolling with whales to flying down a wall that disappears into darkness, to cruising over shipwrecks, the submersible craft promises an exhilarating and safe adventure. Designed for comfort and 360 degree viewing from acrylic domes, guests can sit back and relax while observing the coral reef, abundant fish, and sharks, among other marine life.
- Hotel website: Laucala
- Other top 10 accolades: Laucala Island also features in my top 10 list of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts, the world’s most expensive hotels and luxury hotels with private airports.
*** Follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
[ad_2]
source link
