Article by Naomi Webb
Very few people go to a town or city specifically because of the hotel, but fine temporary accommodation can make or break a stay. Excellent accommodation – with glorious views, service and food and staff willing to go the extra mile – is unforgettable, and an inherent part of the journey. Travellers, families, those on business and those just passing through often try to recreate the décor of their rooms by buying from sites such as http://howtospendit.ft.com/ in an attempt to relive hotels such as these:
Travel and Leisure scored this Rajasthan hotel – sitting on its own island in Udaipur – with a score of 99.29 from 100. That mark bagged it the top spot in its 50 best hotels in the world; one glimpse of the lake, the courtyard, the wildlife and deer on-site, and the 18th-centruy Bada Mahal palace and its splendid frescoes, confirm the reasoning.
Singita Grumeti in Tanzania
Set in 350,000 acres of scrub next to the Serengeti, one would presume that once you’ve seen the migrating herds of buffalo and groups of elephants, giraffe and gazelle that you probably wouldn’t care if you slept on the floor. However, this collection of four permanent properties and one camp, comprising everything from colonial manor houses to tents in wooded country, is perfect for the dream safari. Here’s what Conde Nast thought when bestowing the title of top hotel in the world.
A stunning 12,000-acre resort that is perfect for the whole family, on a site that boasts everything from hunting and mountain biking to cookery classes. The Highland golf course is ranked No.1 in Virginia and in the top 100 public courses in the country by Golf Digest, playing across ridge tops and over valleys with a view of the Dan River Gorge. Once you’ve played, you can return to the fantastic rooms including the Pinnacle cottages with private balconies to view the 2800ft elevation.
The St Regis on Fifth Avenue dates back a century, and despite a recent renovation still retains its grandeur and magisterial feel the moment one strolls into the marble foyer. The King Cole bar and salon is described as one of the stateliest in the city (and oversaw the birth of the Bloody Mary), while day and night Bentleys were added to the hotel’s car service last year for anyone wishing to tour or do business in luxury.
Ranked No.1 for luxury hotels on TripAdvisor in the UK, the Chester Residence describes its designer townhouse apartments near Princes Street as the jewel in the crown for the city. Among the attractions in the Rothesay Place ‘owner’s residence’ are a jacuzzi and media room complete with Playstation and Sky HD. It also boasts ‘bespoke designer furnishings by Louis Vuitton and Armani Casa, iridescent textured wallpaper throughout and low mood lighting which creates a decadent, sensual atmosphere.’
Set inside a late 19th century Haussmanian building, the Peninsula is only a walking distance from the city’s greatest monuments. It’s got history: The Paris Peace Accords were signed in the bar, and Gershwin wrote An American in Paris while staying in the rooms. A plethora of different suites should cater for all needs, but for real opulence plump for the 318 sq metre Peninsula Suite – the largest one-bedroom suite in the city – complete with office, grand piano, dressing rooms and breath taking furnishings.…