1. New York – The Lowell, The Penthouse Suite
New York City has no shortage of spectacular suites, and while many of you have your favorite hotels and suites, variety is always interesting. The Lowell’s location on 62nd Street between Madison and Park Avenues is very good if you have business in Midtown or want access to the shopping and restaurants of the area. It is also surprisingly good if you are going to the Upper West Side or Lincoln Center as it’s a quick hop across Central Park avoiding the congestion of midtown.
Situated on the 17th floor with panoramic views of Manhattan, including four landscaped terraces and wood burning fireplace the three-bedroom, 3,000 sq. ft. Presidential Suite includes a full kitchen with built-in Miele espresso machine, Sub-Zero refrigerator and Miele cooktop and dishwasher making it good for hosting chef prepared dinners or lunch meetings.
There are Ralph Lauren opal glass sconces, Art Deco vanity, sterling silver mirror from John Roselli Antiques, mirrored glass Versilles desk by Nancy Corzine, cream sofas and chairs, white Louis XV-style fauteuil with olive green velvet upholstery. A 1940s-style mirrored dining table by Jean de Merry that reflects the room’s natural light is surrounded by Michael Smith chairs with leather seats and wood inlay detail. The suite is by interior designer Michael S. Smith (known for decorating the Obama White House. Hope we didn’t miss anyone, but you get the picture, few expenses were spared. In the Master Bedroom is a four poster bed and you can sleep six in the suite, making it a good choice if you are coming with the kids. Rates start from $14,935 per night.
2. Tokyo – Park Hyatt Tokyo – The Tokyo Suite
Some 50 floors above Tokyo’s bustling streets, this residence-like suite has floor-to-ceiling views of the city’s skyline from almost every room, with Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji, in the distance.
Decorated with the aura of a private apartment, this 2,368-sq. ft. suite is adorned with a Miao headdress and washi lanterns by Isamu Noguchi, designer and creator of The Noguchi Museum in New York. From the baby grand piano in the living room to the library collection of 1,000 books on the arts, this suite is a quiet and comfortable escape from bustle below.
3. London – The Connaught, The Apartment Suite
London, like New York has no shortage of hotels to select from. Designed in a palate of periwinkle and white, The Apartment at 3,068 sq. ft. with its upper floor locatle floods with natural light thanks to double-height ceilings, a nice feature when the sun breaks through the overcast skies.
The living area features a wood-burning marble fireplace and a vast library opening out onto a wrap-around balcony with panoramic views of Mayfair. If you get a creative urge, you can paint your own masterpiece using an easel and materials from Green & Stone art store found in the suite. Rates start at £14,000 per night.
4. Barcelona – Majestic Hotel & Spa, The Royal Penthouse Suite
Barcelona is increasingly an all year destination and more and more a central meeting point between South America, Africa, North America and the Middle East and Russia/CIS. At over 5,000 sq. ft. the nearly 100-year-old Majestic Hotel & Spa recently unveiled one the largest hotel suites in the city. Mallorcan designer Antonio Obrador oversaw the development of the Royal Penthouse and filled the space with local Catalonian fixtures along with furniture from Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. The suite comprises two terraces, three bedrooms, a dining room, and a spacious lounge with seating for up to 14 guests, and oak flooring runs throughout the space, contrasted by warm red and gold Iksel wallpaper. Rates start at $15,000 per night.
5. Havana – Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski The Presidential Suite
German hotel brand Kempinski has now established a true 5-star hotel in Havana with its restoration of a 100-year old six story building in the city’s historic area. Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana has 246 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, and a spa.
Rooms and suites range from over 400 sq. ft. to 1,650 sq. ft. and the Presidential Suite features 20-foot high ceilings, large French door windows and a patio with city views. There is a separate dining, separate guest toilet as well as a small kitchenette and separate bedroom with a king size bed and large walk in closet. The large bathroom features a Jacuzzi bathtub, shower cabin with rain shower, two sinks and a bidet.
In the hotel there is Evocación Tobacco Lounge with rums, cigars and spirits, and for dining there are options for seafood as well as locally inspired cuisine. There is also a rooftop infinity pool with views of the old city. The building was originally Havana’s first shopping mall. While it is being managed by the German company, the developer is an arm of Cuba’s military, so if you hold a U.S. passport, you will want to check with an expert before making direct payments to the hotel.
6. Across Europe – The Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express – The Grand Suites
In March 2018, the historic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train will unveil three new Art Deco style Grand Suites, each featuring private bathrooms with showers, double beds, and spacious living areas. The Grand Suite experience will begin even before boarding, with private transfers to the train station where you will then be greeted by your personal cabin steward. During journeys between London, Paris, and Venice – with an annual trip from Paris to Istanbul – Grand Suite guests will also enjoy free-flowing Champagne, private in-suite dining, and a complimentary art-deco bathrobe as a souvenir. A one-night journey from London to Venice, in a Grand Suite is priced at $6,160 per person.
