These high-end luxury lifestyle havens create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime, and are the stuff of poignant nostalgic recall. Noted for their endearing warmth, hospitality, and superlative design, these uber-luxury suites combine uncompromising comfort standards with privileges that are deemed incomparable, simply given the benefit of a personalised experience
BURJ AL ARAB, DUBAI — DELUXE LUXURY SUITE
This magnificent epitome of hospitality needs to be explored first-hand, to gain a sense of what it means to be at the world’s most luxurious seven-star hotel, on its own private island. The 335 sqm spectacular suite commands two lavish, superlative levels and presents marvellous aquamarine views of the Arabian Gulf. It includes a smart lounge, a gilt-edged bedroom with ceiling mirrors, bespoke signature design and custom-crafted décor elements, a private dining room, master bathroom, private bar and butler’s kitchen — all marked by a royal dose of contemporary Arabian opulence.
The add-ons are endless, as the Burj lines up the world’s largest array of trained 24x7 butlers, offering in-suite check-in and check-out facilities, personalised private bars for guests both at the top and lower levels, a separate, roomy dining room for six guests, and a daily sumptuous breakfast buffet for four guests — available at the hotel’s in-house restaurants, Junsui or Bab Al Yam, or in the privacy of your suite. The separate staff entrance and private butler’s kitchen, meanwhile, speak for the gilded service standards.
Our personalised experience ascended further with complimentary sparkling fruit and date juice, as our butler served us some premium white wine from the en-suite bar, with choice hors d’oeuvres by sunset, and an assortment of Arabian sweets. For gourmands, the rooftop Al Muntaha, with 180-degree vistas, offers fine international fusion gourmet paired with top wine labels. Raising a hearty toast, we acknowledged, ‘Ahlan Wasahlan’.
Packages start at `90,150 approximately.
THE RITZ-CARLTON HONG KONG, CHINA — CARLTON SUITE
The vistas from the grand stand Victoria Harbor silenced us into awe. That’s our first introduction! The hotel’s distinguished guests are escorted directly to their rooms, and privately checked into their discreet and svelte luxury suites. World-class privileges score on every level of excellence here. An expansive King Bed, plush terry robes and exclusive Asprey bath amenities, a 42-inch flat-screen LCD TV (a bathroom LCD TV as well), Blu-ray DVD player, 160GB Classic iPod and iPod docking stations, internet access, wired and wireless high-speed internet access — are all just starters for this ultra-exclusive rollercoaster ride.
The fabled 24-hour panoramic Club Lounge Access, with six complimentary food and beverage presentations daily, cocktail hours, dedicated Club Concierge workstations, meeting rooms, library area (with Wi-Fi) are immensely valued, we discovered. Perhaps the best-kept secret for ‘in the know’ guests seeking reservations for the Club and Suite accommodations, is the traditional afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge. Elegantly layered on a three-tiered stand — complete with scones, sandwiches and at least five specially selected teas — this is the crowning experience, at this upper-crust hospitality address.
Packages start at `27,650 approximately.
THE ST REGIS MUMBAI, INDIA — PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
This lifestyle haven in the heart of Mumbai’s busy business district, overlooking the green expanses
of the race course and the Arabian shores beyond, offers an appealing blend of elegance, dedicated space and sophisticated grandeur — and is easily among the finest in the country. The sprawling suite is redolent with custom-made handcrafted rugs, eye-catching artefacts and the choicest furnishings synergised with warm, luminous and glowing tones. The expansive master bedroom is graced by a King Bed at its centre and a walk-in wardrobe, while the adjoining spa bathroom features a Jacuzzi that overlooks the city’s wide-angled vistas. Additional rooms spell out a formal 10-seater dining room boasting the finest glassware and cutlery, an impressive bar, and a well-appointed premium wine cellar, apart from a finely crafted study, a stately living room and fully equipped kitchenette. The décor radiates charm in detailed attributes, thereby elevating the experience with bespoke accents.
The grand 290 sqm suite includes liberal perks for its distinguished occupants. The custom-designed
St Regis bed, with 300 thread-count bed linens, feather or foam pillows and feather down comforters, set the grade for the hotel’s world-class standards of comfort. Guests also get iPod Docks, a refrigerator and fully stocked mini bar, turndown service, a 40-inch LED TV with local and international channels, a Remède spa treatment, a personal executive writing desk — and, an in-room Jacuzzi, to highlight the elite touch. You also get the privilege of having the super-efficient St Regis Butlers by your side, with a personal attendant accompanying you throughout the stay, for packing and unpacking courtesies, beverages at hand, garment pressing and eButler assistance. To cap it all, the Signature Experiences span Afternoon Tea at The Drawing Room, a Mumbai Mary Experience, a Champagne Art tour, a chef-curated Turn Down Amenity, and more! Suite inclusions tick off a buffet breakfast at Seven Kitchens (all-day dining) or in-room American breakfast, airport pick up (in a BMW) via the airport concierge, VIP access to the Penthouse clubs — XXO and Luna, and personalised chef assistance at the restaurants. The privileges extend to Cocktail Hours at Luna Nudo, Meeting Room usage,
and access to The St Regis Athletic Club (24 hours) and swimming pool. Now, that’s regal living to the hilt.
Packages start at `15,000 approximately.
CASTADIVA RESORT & SPA, LAKE COMO, ITALY — LUXURY SUITE IN VILLA ROCCABRUNA
Bright deep shades of pink, lavender and sienna stimulate your senses, as the expansive panoramas of the placid Lake Como, beyond the wide windows, offer a breathtaking contrast of natural colours. Our classically designed luxury suite lived up the bold, unconventional and assertive Italian style accents in every corner. A period floor dressing in brown and crème tapestry, lends unusual harmony to the drapes in bright, checked pink and deep lavender, while the seductively large sink-in soft, oversized bed and retreating zone encouraged us to chill out and do absolutely nothing — apart from nursing a chilled Proseco flute glass, that is!
Design synergy in terms of blended tones and shades is achieved effortlessly in this premium lifestyle haven, allowing the lakeside environment to waltz in at all times of the day and night. Living up the evocative surrounds to the fullest, the smooth, nerve-stilling air melded with the meditatively soft renditions of a Vivaldi classic, mesmerised us into a deeply pacific lull.
Packages start at `29,999 approximately.
HOTEL MAXIMILIAN, OBERAMMERGAU, BAVARIA— DELUXE BAVARIAN HOCHZEITSSUITE
Nestled in the quaint picture-postcard Bavarian village of Oberammergau, this charming five-star deluxe suite radiates unique Alpine warmth in its deeply seductive living tones and shades. Alpine pinewood rafters, rough-hewn timber cladding and customised interior elements, a lucullan king bed with the choicest embroidered Bavarian covers, drapes and comfort zones add to the inviting appeal. The wide windows open out to leafy Alpine overgrowth and quiet village lanes, lending a few nursery rhyme undertones to an exceptional accommodation. This is where the eco-friendly and earthy meet modern moods in terms of facilities, soft lighting and sumptuous seating that are sure to appeal to the romantic at heart. Toasting the hallowed corridors with a finely chilled signature Franconian Sylvaner white wine, you also get to indulge in some homemade uber-fusion Bavarian cuisine at the very chic, landmark fine-dining eatery, Restaurant Maximilian. Prost!
Packages start at `16,500 approximately.
HOTEL ZUR TENNE, KITZBÜEHEL, AUSTRIA — SUPERIOR TYROLEAN SUITE
A crackling open fireplace welcomes you to an enchantingly unique and all-embracing Tyrolean Alpine warmth. A separate bedroom and living room, and a comfortable seating area with handcrafted Alpine teakwood furniture invite you to lounge back at this fairytale haven that sits at the heart of the most exotic skiing paradise in the world.
A panoramic wooden balcony with spectacular views of the Tyrolean Alps, and the ever-busy ski runs, stirs up a sense of adventure and excitement. This Tyrolean country cottage-styled luxury suite, furnished by reputed designer Siegward Graf Pilati, juxtaposes elegant French fabrics with Tyrolean country design, utilising wood aged 100 to 200 years. What endears to guests and romantic couples in this singular luxury lifestyle is the cosy, and magical Alpine ambience, enhanced by plastered walls and quaint artworks. To herald our stay here, a limited edition, award-winning Austrian red wine — a Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 ‘Kitzbüehel — The Legend’ was the evening’s exalted pick.
Packages start at `15,000 approximately.