For every hotel or motel that exists just to put a roof over your head when you’re traveling, there are more that serve as destinations in their own right, whether for their history, architecture, or status as a world-class resort. Here are just 15 of the most legendary hotels from around the world. If you get a chance, make your way to one and see what all the fuss is about (all prices in U.S. dollars):
1. Hotel Chelsea (New York City, New York, USA)
Located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, Hotel Chelsea is a landmark renowned for its place in pop culture as the long-term residence of numerous artists, including Bob Dylan, Sid Vicious, and Dylan Thomas, to name just a few. The building no longer accepts long-term stays, capping residences at 24 days, but the iconic location lives on in film, music, and books.
Cost: A one night-stay with a king-size bed will run you $249.
2. The Hotel Ritz (Paris, France)
The oldest Ritz Hotel in the world (it was established in 1898), this Parisian getaway is one of the most luxurious hotels on the continent. It was actually built in the early 1700s as a private residence, and housed a business before Cesar Ritz converted it to a hotel. The hotel came to define luxury and opulence to such a degree that the name Ritz became synonymous with high-class surroundings, and the adjective “ritzy” was coined to imply the same concept of quality.
Cost: Expect a night in a basic suite to set you back $715.
3. Kempinski Palace Hotel (Portoroz, Slovenia)
Originally called Hotel Palace, this hotel dates back to 1910 and has hosted famous guests including Orson Welles and Yul Brynner. In 1983, the hotel and adjoining park were declared to be items of historical heritage, and though the hotel closed in 1990, it reopened in 2008.
Cost: A one-night stay with a king-size bed is about $180.
4. The Savoy Hotel (London, England)
The Savoy opened its doors in August 1889, and it was the first in the line of Savoy hotels and restaurants overseen by the Richard D’Oyly Carte family. (It’s now part of the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts system.) The hotel has been a key part of London culture for more than 100 years. Claude Monet and James Whistler both stayed there, using the views from their rooms to create paintings of the River Thames, and Bob Dylan stayed there in 1965 and shot the classic video for “Subterranean Homesick Blues” in the nearby alley. Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier met there, and eventually married. Its kitchen is the birthplace of Melba toast.
Cost: The hotel closed for repairs in 2007 but is set to reopen in 2010.
5. The Peninsula Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Hong Kong’s oldest surviving hotel is also one of its most legendary. First opening in 1928, the hotel suffered massive damage during World War II but was restored and repaired afterward, when the colony returned to British control. The hotel also is home to one of the oldest fashion arcades in Hong Kong, hosting top-level brands including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Gucci. The Peninsula uses a fleet of 14 Rolls Royce autos painted a specific shade of green, as well.
Cost: Rooms start at $540 a night and go up to $8,757 for the Peninsula Suite.
6. Hotel Metropol (Moscow, Russia)
Constructed between 1899 and 1907, Hotel Metropol is notable for being the only surviving hotel in Moscow that was built before the Russian Revolution in 1917. Its mix of architects give it a distinct feeling: Each of the 365 rooms has a different shape or decorative pattern, meaning it’s possible to spend a year there and sleep someplace different every night.
Cost: Rooms start at a little over $400 a night.
7. Taj Mahal Palace & Tower (Mumbai, India)
What’s there to say about the Taj Mahal? It’s one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world, and the hotels guests have included royalty from many nations as well as some of the biggest players in politics and culture. (The Beatles, the Clintons, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis are only the tip of the iceberg.) The hotel resort opened in December 1903, and has been a world-class destination ever since.
Cost: Rooms range from $275 a night to $1,455 for the top-level suite.
8. The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (New York City, New York, USA)
Originally located on the block that’s now home to the Empire State Building, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel currently resides at 301 Park Ave. in Manhattan. At times in the 1950s and 1960s, Herbert Hoover and Douglas MacArthur lived in suites there, and the hotel’s also been home to stars like Marilyn Monroe and gangsters like Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano. The Waldorf-Astoria is also the origin site of the Waldorf salad, consisting of apple, walnuts, celery, and mayo. The lobby currently houses Cole Porter’s Steinway grand piano.
Cost: A king-size bed for one night starts around $450.
9. Chateau Marmont Hotel (West Hollywood, California, USA)
The Chateau Marmont began life in 1929 as an apartment building but switched to a hotel in 1931 thanks to the crunch of the Depression. Because of its Los Angeles location, it was built to withstand earthquakes, and the roof has weathered tremors pretty well over the years. The hotel also owns nine cottages built next to it. Located on Sunset Boulevard, Chateau Marmont is a classic piece of Hollywood history that’s been home to dozens of film and music stars for decades. It also hosts a popular restaurant.
Cost: Standard bedrooms start at $370, suites start at $605, and the bungalows start at $1,800. (That’s all just for one night, too.)
10. Rose Tower (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
At 1,093 feet, the Rose Tower is the tallest hotel in the world, stealing that title from another Dubai building that’s farther down this list. Construction finished in 2007 and the hotel opened to guests in December 2009, and is notable for being alcohol-free, though it does boast a 24-hour coffee shop. All told, there are more than 480 rooms, suites, and penthouses.
Cost: Rooms can range from $95 to $230 a night.
11. Raffles Hotel (Singapore, China)
Named for Singapore founder Sir Stamford Raffles, this colonial-design hotel opened in December 1887 and has been one of the region’s leading luxury hotels ever since. The hotel managed to withstand World War II and was named a national monument in 1987. The hotel bar also has a claim to fame: It’s where the Singapore Sling was invented.
Cost: Standard rooms start around $500 a night.
12. Grand Hotel Europe (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
One of the major five-star hotels in Saint Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe dates to 1875, when it began drawing elite visitors like Turgenev, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and more. The lush interiors and quality of living make it one of Russia’s premier tourist destinations even after more than a century.
Cost: A one-night stay for one person starts around $625, and the honeymoon package runs about $962 a night.
13. Burj Al Arab (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
The second-tallest hotel in the world, the Burj Al Arab sports a unique sail shape that makes it one of the most recognizable sites in Dubai. The hotel is located on an artificial island a thousand feet offshore, supported by concrete pillars in the sand. The opulent features make it one of the area’s premier hotels.
Cost: Rooms for one person start around $1,000.
14. The Beverly Hilton Hotel (Beverly Hills, California, USA)
This Southern California hotel is best known for hosting the Golden Globe Awards, which it’s done since 1961. The hotel was owned by Merv Griffin from 1987 to 2003, during which time its glory faded a bit, but recent renovations have returned it to the top of the rankings.
Cost: Booking in advance and paying in full can lower your nightly rate to $184, but the suites can run much higher.
15. The Hotel Windsor (Melbourne, Australia)
This five-star grand hotel in the capital of Australia is the country’s only surviving grand hotel from the 19th century. The nation’s constitution was drafted there in 1898, as well. The luxurious building hosted kings and stars, but it almost disappeared after losing its luster in the 1960s and 1970s. However, a renovation in the latter part of the century restored the hotel and helped it reclaim its title as one of Australia’s best hotels.
Cost: Traditional rooms start around $160, but suites can fetch $470 a night.
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