Top 10: most expensive hotels in the world

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Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today (December 8, 2014): top 10 most expensive hotels in the world.

As the number of millionaires in the world grows, so to does the yearning for the best luxury accommodations made to quell the desires of the rich and famous. Some hotels are so expensive, that most of us can only dream of staying there. But for the lucky few with money to burn, here is my list of the 10 most expensive hotels in the world, with room rates depending on factors such as season and room category. It should come as no surprise that some of these properties are located on their own private island or managed by the world’s most exclusive hotel brands.

Tip: you can always try your luck at one of these properties (and save lots of money) by reading my tips tips for geting the best deal at a luxury hotel and/or receive free perks.

There is more information below our slide show. Think I missed one? Share your opinion in the comments section, or take my poll below!

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10. SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE, AUSTRALIA

Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s first true luxury lodge, offering a unique and exclusive travel experience on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Floating atop a secluded cliff on a rugged stretch of coast, the lodge commands peerless views of the wild Southern Ocean and pristine surrounding wilderness. Come face-to-face with sea lions, kangaroos, and koalas at South Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, called “Australia’s Galapagos” for its abundant wildlife. The lodge’s 21 eco-chic luxury suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the incredible view, sunken lounges that are perfect for relaxing, sandblasted limestone floors, and furnished outdoor terraces.

Room rates start at a ‘modest’ 1050 AUD per night per person for a ‘standard’ room, which includes all dining, open bar with premium wines and spirits, and island airport transfers.

Hotel website: Southern Ocean Lodge
Other accolades: Southern Ocean Lodge also features in my top 10 lists of the most spectacular hotel bathrooms in the world, the world’s most exclusive wilderness lodges, and the best luxury hotels in Australia.

9. BURJ AL ARAB, DUBAI, 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. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah oversized suite-only accommodation offers discreet check-in within your room, a private reception on every floor and a host of personal butlers, each a warm messenger of Jumeirah’s unparalleled hospitality. Here, you can glide between the two floors of your suite along a marble staircase, and soothe your soul in a spa-like bathroom with Jacuzzi, mosaic floor, and full-size Hermes products

Room rates start at 1400 USD per night for a ‘standard’ suite in low season, exclusive of food & beverages. In high season, you easily pay more than 5000 USD for a suite per night.

Hotel website: Burj Al Arab
Other accolades: Burj Al Arab also features in my top 10 lists of the most amazing hotel lobbies in the world, the world’s most outrageous, over-the-top hotel experiences and 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. AMANYARA, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

Set on the beautiful island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Amanyara is a secluded haven embracing the best elements of the Caribbean. Bordering the pristine reefs of Northwest Point Marine National Park, acclaimed for some of the world’s best wall and reef diving, the ultraluxurious resort is blessed with crystal clear turquoise water and a powder-white beach (with some rocky parts in between). Offering 40 timber-shingled Guest Pavilions tucked along the coast and a number of Aman Villas, the resort enjoys a contemporary layout and design, open to the sights and sounds of the turquoise sea.

Room rates start at 1500 USD per night for the cheapest villa category in low season (up to 30 000 USD per night for the most luxurious villa type in high season), excluding food & beverages (which easily add up another few hundred bucks a day).

Hotel website: Amanyara
Other accolades: Amanyara also features in my top 10 lists of the most beautiful hotel beaches in the world, the best Aman hotels in the world, the most beautiful overwater bungalows in the world, and the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean.
Tip: enjoy exclusive VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade on arrival, daily continental breakfast, one a la carte lunch for 2 persons, early check-in and late check-out).
Review: click here to read my review of Amanyara.

7. FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE, THAILAND

Sultry and remote, the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers an unforgettable experience of Northern Thailand, just south of Burma. On unique three- or four-night excursions, you’ll have the adventure of a once in a lifetime trekking on elephants through lush jungle and spectacular mountain trails. In between excursions, you can unwind in one of the 15 superb luxury tented accommodations, which feature stunning views and handcrafted furnishings. As the sun rises over Burma, you will hear monks chant at a nearby monastery, and enjoy watching geckos trilling in the trees.

Room rates start at 2200 USD per night for the cheapest tent category, including food & beverages.

Hotel website: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
Other accolades: Fours Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle also features in my top lists of the world’s most luxurious clamping sites, the world’s most remote luxury hotels, and the best luxury hotels in Thailand.
Tip: enjoy exclusive VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. daily breakfast and $100 USD spa credit).

FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP GOLDEN TRIANGLE, THAILAND

6. VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND, MALDIVES

An exceptional private luxury retreat in Noonu Atoll, with 45 all-pool villas, Velaa Private Island offers Michelin-star cuisine and one of the finest wine cellars in the Indian Ocean archipelago, to world-class watersports including its own private submarine. Exceptional facilities “beyond traditional resorts” extend to the only My Blend By Clarins spa in the Maldives and a ‘short game’ golf academy designed by two-time Masters Champion Jose Maria Olazabal. This is currently the Maldives’ most expensive resort.

Room rates start at 2400 USD per night for the cheapest room category (up to 23 000 USD per night for the most luxurious villa type), excluding food & beverages.

Hotel website: Velaa Private Island
Other accolades: Velaa Private Island also features in my lists of the top 10 best luxury hotels in the Maldives and the best new hotels of 2013.

5. MOMBO AND LITTLE MOMBO CAMP, BOTSWANA

Mombo Camp, situated in the northern point of wildlife-filled Chief’s Island in the Okavango Delta, is built under large, shady trees overlooking a floodplain generally filled with life. Its nine spacious en-suite tents are raised two metres from the ground, with a long veranda, a sala and indoor and outdoor showers. Mombo Camp’s main living, bar and dining areas are under thatch, while the boma adds traditional flavour to a delicious dinner under the stars. There are two plunge pools in which to soak and a gym to work off the excellent food. Little Mombo, situated on Chief’s Island, is a smaller and more intimate camp to its sister and has its own dining and lounge area and sparkling pool.

Rates at Mombo start at 1783 USD per night per person in low season. That does however include all meals and camp activities.

Hotel website: Mombo & Little Mombo Camp
Other accolades: Mombo and Little Mombo Camp also feature in my top 10 list of Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges.

4. THE BRANDO, FRENCH POLYNESIA

The Brando is a unique luxury resort on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful private island of Tetiaroa, an atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles northeast of Tahiti. The Brando offers carefree luxury in the midst of pristine nature. With access to the island by private plane, the resort features 35 villas on white-sand beaches frequented by sea turtles, manta rays and exotic birds. The resort is designed to reflect Polynesian lifestyles and culture. It was in this natural wonderland that the legendary actor Marlon Brando settled down, and finally found his home.

Room rates start at 3000 euro per night for the cheapest room category (one bedroom villa), including food & beverages.

Hotel website: The Brando
Other accolades: The Brando also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in French Polynesia and luxury hotels with private airports.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and 100 euro resort credit).

3. LAUCALA ISLAND, FIJI

A private island refuge in the South Pacific, Laucala unites dramatic rainforest-laced landscapes and white sandy beaches with unparalleled levels of luxury and privacy. It epitomizes the seclusion and graceful hospitality for which the Fijian archipelago is famed. No expense has been spared at the exclusive tropical hideaway, where 25 Fijian-styled villas are set amid coconut plantations, beside deserted beaches and atop the island’s volcanic mountains, overlooking fertile coral reefs and endless jungle.

Room rates start at 5500 USD per night for the cheapest room category (up to more than 10 000 USD per night for the most luxurious villa type), including food & beverages.

Hotel website: Laucala Island
Other accolades: Laucala Island also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts, the world’s most outrageous, over-the-top hotel experiences, and luxury hotels with private airports .

2. NORTH ISLAND, SEYCHELLES

Located in the Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean blessed with the most beautiful beaches in the world, it should come as no surprise that North Island is one the world’s most exclusive island hideaways. The island has only 11 opulent hand-crafted villas overlooking the pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters. The island’s lounge and dining areas, scenically located health spa and gym, library and dive centre, and a rim-flow swimming pool are all built into a granitic outcrop. The resort was the decor for honeymoon of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

Room rates start at 2765 euro per night per person for the lowest room category (presidential villa type), including food & beverages.

Hotel website: North Island
Other accolades: North Island also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts, the best resorts in the Seychelles, the world’s best luxury hotels, and the world’s best honeymoon resorts.
Review: read here my review of North Island Seychelles.

1. NECKER ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Sir Richard Branson’s 74 acre private island is unquestionably one of the most idyllic place in Caribbean. Branson first purchased the island in 1978 and it is now part of Virgin Limited Edition, Branson’s portfolio of unique retreats. There is a dedicated team of fabulous staff on island plus more than 200 flamingos who are all part of the Necker family! Necker Island made news for all the wrong reasons in August 2011 when a lightning strike set fire to the Great House, but after £9million restauration is open for business again after an extensive restoration.

The entire island can be rented. This will cost you $62,000 per night, but for that money, you can invite up to 30 adults, and you will be served by a team of approximately 70 staff members.

Hotel website: Necker Island
Other accolades: Necker Island also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts and the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean.