Sep 23, 2020 • 2 min read
A picture-perfect vista from a Penthouse Apartment at Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt © Michel Figuet /Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt
How big can you dream? When it comes to the world's most luxurious hotel suites, the penthouse and the ocean floor are the limits. Whether you're looking to go big and not go home or you're vision-boarding a future windfall of cash, these hotel suites are the toast of high-line luxury. From sweeping, panoramic sunsets just off the Bay of Cannes to sleeping under the sea in the Maldives, here's your chance to see behind the closed doors of the world’s most expensive hotel suites.
The Muraka Suite at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Cost: $50,000 per night, four-night minimum stay
Taking overwater bungalows to a whole deeper level, The Muraka Suite at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island lets you sleep in a master bedroom submerged more than 16-feet below sea level in the Indian Ocean. It is a first-of-its-kind and costs $50,000 per night but with a four-night minimum stay, it is actually the most expensive suite on our list as you’ll be shelling out at least $200,000 to stay. Still, that rate includes a lot of cool perks from 24-hour access to a personal chef to a film crew who will document all your adventures.
You’ll arrive at this two-level ultra-modern residence separated from the rest of the resort by private seaplane transfer from Male, where the international airport is located. Once here you’ll be greeted by a dedicated team that will be at your disposal exclusively throughout your stay. You’ll also have a speedboat and jet skis to use for the duration of your vacation. A fitness trainer and masseuse are also on call.
Above water, the residence includes living and dining space, two bedrooms and a bathroom with a sea-facing tub, and an outdoor deck with an infinity pool. But the real star of the show is down a spiral staircase or elevator taking you beneath the ocean. The space is an architectural masterpiece and personal aquarium. The master bedroom has a 180-degree curved acrylic dome that lets you see unobstructed as fish, sharks and rays float above. There are floor-to-ceiling windows in the bathroom and a dedicated tunnel viewing theater.
Unless you’re coming from Asia, the Maldives is a long way from anywhere. From the US it takes about 30 hours of flying to reach this island nation south of India. If you don’t just charter your own plane, the most convenient way to get here comfortably is to book the Q Suites on Qatar Airways, which has multiple flights daily to the Maldives via its Doha hub. The Q suites are the most extravagant business class experience in the world. With sliding doors, they offer total privacy in roomy pods with flat-bed seats. The service is impeccable and the food and drink selection impressive.
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Royal Penthouse Suite at Hotel President Wilson, Geneva
Cost: Around $80,000 per night
The Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva is famous for being Europe’s largest suite at 18,083 square feet and one of the most luxurious hotel rooms in the world. It routinely hosts celebrities and heads of state – Geneva is the European headquarters of the United Nations after all. Prices fluctuate but pre Covid when it was business as usual, it was also recognized as the world’s most expensive hotel suite with a staggering rate of $80,000 per night.
Taking up the entire top floor of the Hotel President Wilson, the suite has stunning Lake Geneva views from its panoramic terrace that also boats a telescope. Accessed via a private elevator, it has 12 opulent bedrooms so you can bring all your friends (or if you are running a country, your entourage) along. There are two master bedrooms with giant walk-in dressing rooms and a marble bathroom with a jacuzzi facing the lake. It also has a separate steam room and shower. Bath products are by Hermés.
No need to dine with other hotel guests, you’ll have a private chef at your disposal, while a chauffeur will transport you around the city in style. Because the suite sees so many VIPs, security is paramount. It is fitted with bulletproof windows, emergency alarm buttons and a reinforced state.
Penthouse Suite at The Mark, New York City
Cost: Around $75,000 per night
New York City is known for its sky-high real estate prices, so it is not really a surprise that it is also home to one of the world’s most expensive hotel suite. And now that the Empathy Suite at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas is closed, The Mark Penthouse at about $75,000 per night, is also one of the priciest hotel rooms in the US.
At 10,000 square feet with a 2500 square foot rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it takes up two floors and also is the largest penthouse suite in the US and one of the nicest hotel rooms in the country.
A private elevator takes guests directly to their VIP sleeping quarters that were styled by French interior designer Jacques Grange. The space is opulent with 26 foot high ceilings in the living room that occupies the historic hotel’s iconic copper roof turret and doubles as a grand ballroom should you want to throw a party.
There are five bedrooms, six bathrooms, four fireplaces, two wet bars and two powder rooms spread across the floors. There is also a full-sized chef’s kitchen, an expansive library lounge and a formal dining room seating up to 10 guests. The rooftop terrace is reached via a grand staircase designed by Eric Schmitt.
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Penthouse Apartments at Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt
Cost: Price available on request although rates are rumored to hover around $50,000 per night
In town for the Cannes Film Festival and want to throw a red-carpet-worthy party? Book the Isabelle Huppert and Thierry Frémaux penthouse apartments that share a 13,455 square foot space on the top floor of the Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt. With panoramic views over the Bay of Cannes and richly appointed interiors, they make up one of Europe’s largest and most luxurious suites.
The Hôtel Martinez has been the French Riviera’s most iconic and fanciest hotel since opening in the 1920s. Over the last hundred years it has hosted everyone from world leaders to celebrities like Jake Gyllenhaal, Sienna Miller, Robbert Pattinson and Eva Longoria and established itself as the place to stay for the world’s most famous film festival.
The two apartments are uniquely decorated and pay homage to their namesakes with books, photos, art and music playlists personally chosen by the individuals themselves. The Isabelle Huppert Apartment is done up in light shades of wide and gold with a variety of textures from leather to silk, a generous amount of natural light and custom rugs.
While the Thierry Frémaux Apartment has a masculine boudoir look with bold furnishings, black-and-white tiling and cooler tones. There is also a bathroom designed to look like a celebrity dressing room.
Each apartment has a signature scent created by renowned Mane perfumer Julie Massé. Both apartments also have a special menu by the hotel’s two-star chef Christian Sinicropi of the hotel’s La Palme d’Or restaurant.
The Hotel Martinez wouldn’t tell us the cost per night to stay here, but it is rumored to be around $50,000 per night.
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The Owners Villa, Chevel Blanc, Maldives
Cost: Price available on request
The Maldives is the only country to make our list twice. But as a destination with a reputation for catering to the world’s richest people and being a favorite with the celebrity crowd — Paris Hilton, the Kardashian/Jenner clan, Serena Williams. Leonardo di Caprio and Madonna are just a few of the A-listers who vacation in the Maldives.
After all every resort in the Maldives is located on a private island, which makes it perfect for celebs wanting to escape the paparazzi. But for the ultimate private island escape, you’ll want to book The Owner’s Villa at Cheval Blanc Randheli. The 10,763 square foot villa is located away from the main resort on its own one-hectare island accessible from a private berth and jetty.
The villa comes with a dedicated team, including a personal chef, who cater to your every whim. Whether this is diving or snorkeling the Maldives thriving coral reefs or organizing a 12-course tasting dinner, just say the word and it will be organized.
The indoor and outdoor spaces, here, epitomize modern island living with bespoke furniture and original artwork. There are three separate reception rooms, a grand piano, bar, spa treatment room, fitness center and a 25-meter-long outdoor pool with an adjacent jacuzzi. The villa can accommodate up to eight guests in the main house and a separate smaller guest villa.
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