Top 10: world’s most luxurious, large city hotels

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Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today (March 24, 2014): Top 10 world’s most luxurious hotels located in large cities.

Today, I present you my selection of the 10 most luxurious urban hotels in the world. It should come as no surprise that some of these hotels are managed by the world’s most exclusive hotel brands and located in the world’s most beautiful cities.

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

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10. FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM, VANCOUVER, CANADA

This downtown Vancouver hotel combines the best of the Pacific Rim in its plan, décor, and culinary offerings. Designed with five-star standards and amenities, the 377-room Vancouver hotel – belong to the portfolio of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts – features spacious guest rooms with lavish appointments, naturally inspired materials, comfortable furnishings and state-of-the-art technology. The higher floors enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Coal Harbour, Stanley Park and the North Shore Mountains.

Hotel website: Fairmont Pacific Rim
Other top 10 accolades: Fairmont Pacific Rim also features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Canada.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).
Hotel review: read here my review of the Fairmont Pacific Rim.

9. MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK, NY, USA

Enjoying a prime location on top of the Time Warner Center at the southwest corner of Central Park, this luxurious hotel enjoys an unbeatable setting in the midst of the action. Stunning floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Hudson River, Central Park and Manhattan’s glittering skyline, while the 244 sumptuous rooms and spacious suites offer the ultimate blend of style, comfort and luxury. The spa is one of the best on the island of Manhattan.

Hotel website: Mandarin Oriental NY
Other top 10 accolades: Mandarin Oriental New York also features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in New York.

ROOM, MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK, NY, USA

8. AMAN AT SUMMER PALACE, BEIJING, CHINA

Just steps from the East Gate of the Summer Palace, the 46-room hotel – managed by Aman, the world’s most exclusive hotel brand – is housed in a series of pavilions, some of which date back over a century and were originally used by guests of the Palace awaiting an audience with the Empress Dowager Cixi. A serene retreat, with peaceful internal courtyards embracing traditional Chinese architecture, the property provides easy access to cultural landmarks as the Great Wall as well as Beijing’s restaurants, art galleries and contemporary delights.

Hotel website: Aman at Summer Palace
Other top 10 accolades: Aman at Summer Palace also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in China, the best Aman hotels in the world, and the world’s most stunning indoor hotel pools.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and one lunch for two).
Review: read here my review of Aman at Summer Palace.

7. ST REGIS SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA

In a city of inimitable grace and style, the luxurious St. Regis San Francisco hotel embodies extraordinary hospitality with modern-day sophistication. Located in the vibrant SoMA district and adjoining the renowned San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the 260 hotel rooms and 46 suites offer guests magnificent views of the San Francisco cityscape. Guests will take pleasure in the signature St. Regis Butler service, ready to attend to every need with discreet precision.

Hotel website: St Regis San Francisco
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and one lunch for two).
Review: read here my review of the St Regis San Francisco.

6. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, PARIS, FRANCE

Built in 1896 as the private home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, the hotel achieves a balance between Asian Shangri-La hospitality and French art de vivre. Most of the 101 rooms enjoy mesmerizing views of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine. The old-world elegance of the room, lovingly adorned with the fine work of craftsmen, is mirrored in the city that lies just below. Don’t forget a culinary voyage at L’Abeille, the hotel’s French gastronomic restaurant (2 stars in the Michelin Guide).

Hotel website: Shangri-La Paris
Other top 10 accolades: Shangri-La Hotel Paris also features in my top 10 lists of the most luxurious hotels in Paris, the world’s most stunning indoor hotel pools, and Europe’s best hotel rooftops.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit).

5. ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

This urban chic resort, located in Cape Town’s Waterfront, set a whole new standard for South Africa hotels when it opened 5 years ago. Offering an unprecedented level of luxury and style to one of the world’s most fascinating cities, the hotel will overwhelm you from the very start with the spectacular Table Mountain views from the spectacular lobby. The spacious room and oversized bathroom interiors are adorned with fabrics and furnishings recalling the warm, muted tones of Africa’s savannahs.

Hotel website: One&Only Cape Town
Other top 10 accolades: One&Only Cape Town features in my top 10 lists of the world’s best urban resorts and the world’s best luxury hotels.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, welcome gift from the Chef, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
Review: read here my review of the One&Only Cape Town.

4. BULGARI HOTEL, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Located in Knightsbridge on the edge of Hyde Park, London’s Bulgari Hotel is both a haven of calm in the centre of the city and yet under a minute’s walk from famous landmarks like Harrod’s department store. Elegant contemporary architecture and Bulgari’s legendary flair for design are matched by class-leading quality of service. The 85 light filled rooms and suites are the largest in London. The hotel also has a 47 seat cinema and a unique Cigar Shop.

Hotel website: Bulgari London
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, welcome amenity, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).

ROOM, BULGARI HOTEL LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

3. ARMANI HOTEL, DUBAI, UAE

Nestled in the world’s tallest tower, iconic Burj Kalifha, the hotel occupies the concourse level to level 8 and levels 38 and 39, hereby offering sweeping views of the city. The hotel, with its 160 rooms and suites, promises a home-away-from-home experience: sophisticated colors, clean lines and unique textures blend together seamlessly with the tower’s stunning architecture and natural light to create an atmosphere of calm serenity where guests can retreat into a world of minimalist elegance.

Hotel website: Armani Dubai
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, one lunch or dinner for 2, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, $50 USD spa credit, free WiFi, and access for two at The Top, Level 124 in the Burj Khalifa).
Other top 10 accolades: Armani Hotel Dubai also features in my top 10 list of luxury hotels owned by celebrities.

2. PARK HYATT SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Seated majestically on one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, Park Hyatt Sydney perfectly personifies contemporary harbourside luxury with its coveted location between the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Reminiscent of an exclusive harbourside residence, the hotel has 155 spacious guestrooms and suites with contemporary interiors and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to private balconies. The rooftop pool and sundeck offer spectacular views of the surrounding landmarks.

Hotel website: Park Hyatt Sydney
Other top 10 accolades: Park Hyatt Sydney also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most spectacular hotel rooftops, the best luxury hotels in Australia, and hotels loved by celebrities.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, welcome gift from the Chef, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).
Review: read here my review of the Park Hyatt Sydney.

1. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ISTANBUL AT THE BOSPHORUS, TURKEY

Located along the Bosphorus, in one of Istanbul’s most naturally beautiful neighbourhoods, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosporus is a former 19th-century palace transformed into a hotel sanctuary of luxury and comfort. The 145 guest rooms and 25 suites are an airy fusion of traditional Ottoman architecture and contemporary furnishings. The pillared underground swimming hall (with classical musicplaying underwater) and hammam are not to be missed!

Hotel website: Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bospohorus
Other top 10 accolades: The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Turkey, the world’s best urban resorts, and the best luxury hotels in Istanbul.
Tip: enjoy free VIP amenities when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, welcome gift from the Chef, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food and beverage credit).
Review: read here my review of the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus.