Conde Nast Traveler each year polls its readers for their favorite things travel from airlines to cities to hotels. The U.S. edition claims over 300,000 votes, and needless to say there are always surprises. For the end product, readers get dozens of lists with a numerical ranked listing. In my opinion, a 95 vs. a 94 doesn’t tell you much.
So to give you a bit of information you can use, we researched the best suites at the top ranked hotels in 15 global cities with a couple caveats, such as London and Sydney where the winners didn’t have full suites. In these cases we skipped to the second place hotel.
1. New York – The Surrey
2. Los Angeles – Montage Beverly Hills
3. Miami – Kimpton Epic
4. Vancouver – Fairmont Pacific Rim
5. London – The Soho Hotel
6. Paris – Mandarin Oriental
7. Rome – Portrait Roma
8. Zurich – The Dolder Grand
9. Dubai – One&Only Royal Mirage
10. Seoul – Four Seasons
11. Tokyo – Mandarin Oriental
12. Hong Kong – The Peninsula
13. Singapore – Shangri-la
14. Mumbai – Taj Mahal Palace
15. Sydney – Park Hyatt
1. New York – The Surrey
If the Conde Nast survey brought some quirky choices as top picks, The Surrey fits into the more classic mode, including its location on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Attributes include a private access roof deck that is pleasant in the summer and food by Daniel Boulud.
The Surrey’s Presidential Suite can be configured with one (2,800 sq.ft.) or two bedrooms (3,400 sq.ft.) and includes a furnished private terrace. There is a living room with fireplace and baby grand piano, dining room (seating up to 10), bar, and full kitchen. The master includes a King and features walk-in closets, an executive desk, and a library. Its bath is designed for two with dual private vanities and toilet rooms, an oversized soaking tub with its own LCD TV, glass-enclosed shower and sauna. The second bedroom is two Queens.
2. Los Angeles – Montage Beverly Hills
While Conde Nast’s top five hotels in Los Angeles included The Garland, JW Marriott at LA Live, The Beverly Hilton and Mr. C Beverly Hills ahead of The Peninsula, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Four Seasons, Montage Beverly Hills took the top spot.
The Montage Suite is one of the three Presidential Suites and reflects “the romance of a classic Hollywood estate.” There is a separate entertainment room with a baby grand piano, office, a kitchenette with private valet access and a dining table that seats eight. There are 1.5 mosaic, marble tiled bathrooms, the master with large tub, steam shower, dual sinks, and extra closet space. You get a fully-furnished terrace. The Montage Suite can be combined with two Garden Terrace rooms and the Hollywood Suite to create a 5,000 sq.ft., four-bedroom layout. On its own, it is 2,025 sq.ft. Views are of the Hollywood Hills.
3. Miami – Kimpton Epic Miami
Kimpton was acquired by IHG (InterContinental, Holiday Inn, etc.) in 2014 and has been moving from boutique to luxury lifestyle, positioned against W Hotels, now part of Marriott International (following the latter’s purchase of Starwood if you keep track of those things). In a city with several Ritz-Carlton hotels, a Mandarin Oriental, W and independents such as The Fontainebleau, The Biltmore and the new Faena, the Epic’s top Conde Nast rating is worth noting.
Epic Miami’s Presidential Suite is relatively small at 1,100 sq.ft. and comes with 1 King bed and 1.5 bathrooms, 2 private balconies, separate parlor with seating, sofa bed and dining area. There is adjacent nanny quarters with double/double beds and private entrance. You also get access to EPIC 29 concierge level and club access. Choosing a hotel in Miami probably has something to do with where your business is. Epic is off Brickell Avenue right before it crosses the Miami River and just to the north of Brickell Key (location of the Mandarin Oriental). It’s about a mile south of the American Airlines Arena.
4. Vancouver- Fairmont Pacific Rim
The Chairman’s Suite at Fairmont Pacific Rim is popular with CEOs and rock stars for its private elevator and array of entertaining options. Inspired by a Balinese Villa, the two-story suite covers 2,250 sq.ft., including an 8-ft. long Swarovski crystal chandelier. The master includes a fireplace, King bed and 500 sq.ft. master bathroom.
There are two living areas, a kitchen and pantry, making the suite good for meetings, events or private dinners. You get views of Coal Harbor and the North Shore mountains, and there is a gazebo, meditation pond and fire pit, along with tented rooftop terrace. You can connect to an additional room if needed.
5. London – The Soho Hotel
Conde Nast’s winner in London is the Eccleston Square Hotel, which has no suites, so we passed to second place and The Soho Hotel, part of the Firmdale group. You may know its Crosby Street Hotel in New York, which ranked No. 3 on this year’s CNT list of Big Apple hotels.
The Soho Hotel’s 2-bedroom Terrace Suite (floor plan above) is at 3,122 sq.ft. It includes a large drawing room, master bedroom, second bedroom and floor to ceiling windows. There is a wrap-around terrace giving nice London views. The master bath has a two-person shower and deep tub.
6. Paris – Mandarin Oriental
The Conde Nast Paris list has surprises, such as Hotel Plaza Athenee at 10 and Le Meurice at 14. However, in the top spot, Mandarin Oriental is not a surprising choice in a city filled with excellent luxury hotels.
If there was a list of best suites in Paris, the 4,381 sq.ft. J’aime Paris Penthouse Floor would be a worthy choice. It is located on the highest floor of the hotel, and the 3-bedroom, split-level suite combines the Royale Mandarin, Panoramic and Terrace suites, as well as access to a private lift within the Royale Mandarin suite. Designed using a palette of gold, white and plum, accented with touches of marble, velvet and silk, the suite’s features include a selection of bespoke artwork, a staircase fashioned from guilloche metal and private gym. The suite has two terraces offering views of the city’s rooftops, the Garnier Opéra and the Eiffel Tower. In addition to the suite’s three large bedrooms, there is a bathroom with gold cabochons scattered across the floor, a steam room and oversized bath. There’s also a spacious living room, dining room, kitchen, bar and two additional bathrooms.
7. Rome – Portrait Roma
Portrait Roma’s selection as tops in the city might be a bit surprising, perhaps reflecting the trend towards smaller hotels. However, its service and pedigree is definitely award worthy. It is part of the Lungarno Collection, owned by the Ferragamo family. Penthouse Trinita dei Monti is 861 sq. ft., and provides a well sized bedroom, large marble bathroom, fitness area with sauna, living room and a private terrace to enjoy views of Rome.
8. Zurich – The Dolder Grand
Set on a hill overlooking Zurich, The Terrazza Suite at The Dolder Grand covers 4,197 sq.ft., and is particularly well suited for longer stays, or once you check-in, you might want to stay longer.
The living area is accessible by lift from the foyer and office floor. Each of the 3 bedrooms has its own bathroom. The integrated dining area can be served from the en suite kitchen.
There is B&O satellite TV with radio and on-demand service, a B&O stereo system, 3 bathrooms, each with a separate shower and bathtub; whirlpool bathtub in the master bathroom, sauna in the master bathroom, walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom, and full butler service.
You are in a resort, about 20 minutes from the city, so if you want to walk out into Zurich, you are better off at the Baur au Lac or Park Hyatt. On the other hand, there is a large spa, large gym, and if you like to go cycling or running in nature, you’re in the right place. There is also a nearby 9-hole, 3,366 yard golf course. You need a handicap under 30 to play. There are also two noted restaurants, and Zurich’s airport is only about 20 minutes.
9. Dubai – One&Only Royal Mirage
Dubai has lots of 5-star hotels in all sizes and shapes. And while you may be there on business, One&Only Royal Mirage is a resort hotel, which enables you to enjoy a bit of the good weather between meetings. The 2-bedroom, 3,229 sq.ft. Beach Garden Villa Residence combines privacy and is steps from the beach.
Featuring Arabian architecture and a private driveway entrance, dedicated parking and a temperature-controlled swimming pool, both bedrooms (770 sq.f.t and 1,100 sq. ft.) face the sea and feature King beds. The rooms are separated by an Arabesque-styled lounge and dining area. The villa works well for hosting parties, both inside and out.
10. Seoul – Four Seasons
The 29th floor Presidential 3-Bedroom Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is 4,445 sq.ft. and includes a curated art collection, featuring sculptures, blown glass and paintings from celebrated local and international artists.
The living and dining room (with seating for 10) have a backdrop of a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, including views of the N Seoul Tower. There is a complete kitchen, media room and private office. The master bedroom includes a sitting area and desk, a large walk-in closet, as well as a steam shower, sauna and a treatment room allowing for private spa therapies. Mattress can be adjust to three levels of firmness. There are two additional bedrooms and access to the Executive Club Lounge.
11. Tokyo – Mandarin Oriental
The 2,691 sq. ft. 1-bedroom Presidential Suite at Mandarin Oriental (It’s located in Nihonbashi) provides 36th floor Tokyo views via floor-to-ceiling windows. It features a King bed and walk-in wardrobe, with adjoining spa bathroom, including Jacuzzi bathtub next to the window. There is a dining room (seating 8), a separate study, living room, pantry, and powder room. You can add a second connecting bedroom. The hotel has a dozen various restaurants and bars, several with extraordinary views.
12. Hong Kong – The Peninsula
The 4,111 sq.ft. Peninsula Suite comes with my personal recommendation, having accompanied a former boss who stayed in it. It is situated on the 26th floor of Peninsula Tower and has views of Victoria Harbour from the double-height living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and terrace. While I like The Ritz-Carlton, being 90 floors up is almost too high, like being in a plane, if you want to enjoy the harbor in detail. There is a 10-seat dining room, with adjoining kitchen and a living room, gym and media room. The suite is good for receptions, small events, meetings and hosting dinners that will be memorable. Location is Kowloon, and while it is an easy ride through the tunnel to Hong Kong Island and the Central business district, make sure you take the Star Ferry at least one time. The hotel also has a helipad, which makes for fast arrivals and departures and is convenient to get to and from the airport as well as Macau.
13. Singapore – Shangri-La Hotel
There are three separate wings at Shangri-La Singapore, with The Valley Wing being popular with VVIPs due to its own driveway, private entrance and reception area. In other words, you and guests don’t have to pass through the main lobby.
Located in The Valley Wing on the 17th floor, The Shangri-La Suite is 3,745 sq.ft. There is dedicated butler service, a private workout room, study, large living room, dining room and kitchen. Flooring is walnut timber flooring with handmade rugs. A large balcony has views of the hotel’s gardens and the surrounding skyline.
The two bedrooms contain Italian silk bedspreads, and each feature a marble en-suite bathroom. Globally it’s one of my favorites as you also have access to the large swimming pool and an excellent and extensive fitness center. You also get access to the Horizon Club executive lounge.
14. Mumbai – Taj Mahal Palace
At 5,000 sq.ft. the Tata Suite in the Taj Mahal Palace is large, particularly for a 1-bedroom suite. The floors are white Makrana marble and colonial furnishings give a regal feel combined with hand-woven silk draperies and crystal chandeliers.
Named for the hotel’s owner, the Tata Suite includes a private spa, steam room, sauna and on call professional masseurs. There is plenty of closet space, and having stayed in the suite, it is a good place to host meetings, parties and dinners. There is a large board room, and balconies from which you can look out onto the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India.
15. Sydney – Park Hyatt
In Sydney, we checked in with luxury travel advisor Michael Holtz who visits the city several times a year. With his counsel we bypassed Conde Nast’s No. 1 The Old Clare and went to the second place Park Hyatt.
The 2-bedroom Sydney Suite spans 3,850 sq.ft. and features a terrace with views of the bridge, harbor and opera house. The master features a King and a choice of King or twins in the second bedroom. You can seat up to 8 indoor or out for dinner, where the terrace spans 1,000 sq.ft.
