For some people, hotels are merely a convenient place to stay on a business trip or vacation. However, some hotels are so iconic that they become the entire attraction of your holiday. Here are some of the world’s most special and memorable places to stay.
The Plaza, New York City
New York is a city that is not short of iconic hotels, such as the Hotel Elysée, the Waldorf-Astoria, and the Washington Square Hotel. However, the majestic Plaza on Fifth Avenue is arguably the most well known of them all. It was built in 1905 and is a luxury hotel that at one stage had over 800 rooms.
The facade of the 21-storey building is made of marble and white brick and its design was inspired by the French Renaissance era. It has hosted countless famous guests and appeared in numerous movies and novels including The Great Gatsby.
Villa D’Este, Cernobbio
The ever fashionable Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Italy was built at the peak of the Renaissance era and has only grown in style and opulence since then. It was converted into a hotel in 1873, and has hosted the creme de la creme of Italian high society. It was also the summer holiday destination of choice for the movie director Alfred Hitchcock.
The Ritz, Paris
When it comes to hotels that epitomise luxury and glamour, it is the Paris Ritz that many people will think of first. The hotel opened in 1898 with en suite rooms equipped with electricity and telephones, almost unheard of at the time.
Such elegance soon attracted a string of the world’s most affluent guests, and the fashion designer Coco Chanel took up residency there. It was also a favourite destination for the writer Ernest Hemingway.
Claridges, London
The ultimate luxury destination for staying in London, Claridge’s in Mayfair has a global reputation for high-end hospitality. Since it was founded in 1854, it has hosted numerous world leaders, including Queen Victoria and Peter II of Yugoslavia, who lived there during the Second World War.
The hotel has undergone an extensive renovation programme over the past five years, and now includes a penthouse with a swimming pool and gym, and a five-level basement beneath the 1920s Art Deco extension. The hotel is also renowned for its cuisine and is a favourite tourist destination for afternoon tea.
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park
This Colonial Revival style building near the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park is famous for being the location of the TV miniseries of The Shining, a Stephen King novel. King said he and his wife stayed out of season when the hotel was almost empty, inspiring the creepy Overlook Hotel of the novel.
The Stanley Hotel was built in 1909, and has a reputation for high levels of paranormal activity. Guests can even go on a guided tour of the hotel’s supposedly most haunted spots.
It may not be possible to emulate the history of the world’s most illustrious hotels, but a visit can be made more memorable by installing a pleasant commercial air freshener for a hotel lobby.
