Banyan Tree, Seychelles
By Zahra Al-Kateb

Be the first to know about the latest in luxury lifestyle news and travel, delivered straight to your inbox each week.
Be the first to know about the latest in luxury lifestyle news and travel, delivered straight to your inbox each week.
Mountain View Suite This camp runs on solar power and is geared toward eco-friendly tourism. The Mountain View Suite has its own dining room for enjoying the retreat’s bush cuisine paired with local wines. The “star-gazing” bed on the veranda is a great sleep-out spot. From $480 per person + 264 – 61 – 230… View Article
Galaxy Sancturies This looks like a Bond villain’s hideout dropped on a Caribbean hilltop and its rough concrete and quarried stone outline of Jade Mountain is an iconic sight in St Lucia. From the 900 sq ft infinity pool, guests have a stunning sea panorama. One of the walls in the 2,000 sq ft suite… View Article
River View Apartment From the bed in this Tom Dixon-designed apartment on London’s South Bank, guests can see the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. It is a good base for exploring Tate Modern, Royal Festival Hall, the National Gallery and Globe Theatre, as well as the London Eye. Or just pop up to the hotel’s… View Article
Tribeca Penthouse One of the most stunning suites in New York sits atop this hotel, owned by Robert De Niro. Designer Axel Vervoordt and architect Tatsuro Miki have created a unique, 6,800 sq ft, three-bedroom space that channels the ancient Japanese art of wabi with natural materials and a muted color palette. Finishing touches include… View Article
The Suite The Swedish term, Ett Hem, means “a home”, which is precisely the feeling captured by this Stockholm hotel’s elegant suite. Designer Ilse Crawford, founder of Elle Decoration, filled the dove-gray, 581 sq ft space with curated artworks, mid-century Scandinavian furnishings, a handsome freestanding marble bathtub, custom brass cocktail cabinet and ceramic-tiled stove. Expect… View Article
Osprey Pavilion Acclaimed as Australia’s version of the Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is an untouched wilderness of rugged coast, wild ocean, white beaches and starry skies. At this sophisticated outpost, the curved Osprey Pavilion is the premium choice for the ocean views alone. From the hand sculpted granite bathtub in the open bathroom, guests can look… View Article
The Retreat There are two retreats overlooking the sea at either end of this remote resort on Oman’s Musandam peninsula. Each rustic-chic retreat – with internal and external space of 12,000 sq ft – comes with its own pool with thatched garden huts, gates opening onto the beach and a butler to provide cold towels… View Article
Master Villa The wood-clad minimalist box that is the Master Villa at Awasi Patagonia comes with its own hot tub and fireplace, as well as cozy timbered interiors. But no matter the style inside, all eyes will be on that sensational panoramic view of the jagged peaks of the breathtaking Torres del Paine, Patagonia’s most… View Article
Villa Penthouse The Villa Penthouse is 1,117 square feet of louche, laidback Miami luxury, and was designed by Lenny Kravitz. The décor is a combination of modern and Art Deco, with warm Cyprus wood, Thassos marble, and sleek furniture. A kitchen and wet bar, spa, oversized bathtub, and 47-inch HD TV seal the deal. The… View Article
Loft This eight-story Bauhaus-inspired building, complete with rooftop pool and private cinema, sits in the heart of Berlin’s most fashionable district – and it’s the hangout of choice for visiting celebrities including George Clooney. The four new lofts, each 2,690 sq ft, are kitted out with cool mid-century style Eames chairs, massive wooden dining tables, Moroccan… View Article
Deluxe Tent These jungle perches are located at the point in Chiang Rai, north Thailand where the Ruak River becomes the Mekong in what’s known as the Golden Triangle. The camp offers elephant trekking and world-class service in elegant, colonial style tents. Book them for the 581 sq ft of living space and the timber… View Article
Singita Serengeti House Perched above a watering hole on the slopes of Sasakwa Hill, part of the renowned wildebeest migratory route in the 350,000 acre Grumeti Reserves, Singita Serengeti House is an exclusive-use property for up to eight guests. It comes with use of a Land Rover and guide, chef and house staff. There’s an… View Article
Room by Antony Gormley From the outside, this suite, designed by artist Antony Gormley, looks like a giant, crouching cuboid figure. Inside is an oak-clad bedroom and living room, decorated in Art Deco style. Located in London’s Mayfair, The Beaumont is the first hotel from restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, who are behind The… View Article
Ponte Vecchio Suite The key to this suite is its location: it extends along the riverfront and its full-facade riverfront terrace looks directly over the River Arno and its famed bridge. The Ferragamo-owned hotel espouses the spirit and elegance of the dolce vita years, and its décor reflects the heritage of Italian fashion and design,… View Article
Hemingway Presidential Suite The well-stocked bar is just one of the attractions at this silk-swaddled Venice suite. You can sit in the famous writer’s chair and watch the traffic on the Grand Canal. Ernest Hemingway stayed here often and handed down bottles to passing gondoliers – but you may want to keep the wine for… View Article
The Fitzgerald Suite This swanky 700 sq ft suite transports guests to the Jazz Age in honor of F Scott Fitzgerald, one of The Plaza’s most famous guests, and his novel The Great Gatsby. The Art Deco décor has been designed by Catherine Martin, designer, and co-producer of the Baz Luhrmann-directed film of the book…. View Article
The Shangri-La Suite Perched on the top floor of the hotel – a 1966 addition – the Shangri-La Suite looks directly onto the first level of the Eiffel Tower. Furnishings are a mixture of Art Deco and classic French from the Empire period. And with 2,370 sq ft of living space, it certainly feels palatial…. View Article
Riad D’Honneur This hotel within a hotel (the city’s most exclusive place to stay) is a self-contained, ornately decorated riad with three bedrooms, a library, dining room and living areas surrounded by a private garden filled with fountains and trees. It has a private pool and a terrace with Atlas mountain views, plus its own… View Article
Owner’s Villa Designed by Jean Michel-Gathy, one of the world’s top hotel architects, the three-bedroom Owner’s Villa and accompanying guest villa are set on their own island a short boat ride from the main Cheval Blanc Randheli resort. There’s an 82ft pool, a grand piano in one of the living rooms, an outdoor cinema, a… View Article
Room One With its traditional thatched roof and recycled wood interior, Room One sits at one end of the property so is utterly private. It has a plunge pool, hammock and deck overlooking the cactus garden and beach. Next door is Casa Wabi, an artist’s residence designed by Pulitzer-prize winning architect Tadao Ando. From $420… View Article
The Fleming Villa Imagine sitting at the desk where Ian Fleming wrote his James Bond novels, looking out over Oracabessa Bay. This three-bedroom villa, once owned by Fleming (and later by Bob Marley), comes with two satellite guest cottages – it sleeps up to 10 in total – and the private Fleming Beach. There is… View Article
Villa Eleana Scenically set on the southernmost tip of the Cap d’Antibes, this legendary hotel represents the glamour of the French Riviera and its illustrious history. This oceanfront setting gives the villas exceptional privacy as each one is discreetly positioned amid the coastline’s trees, and offers the services of a personal butler and chef. The… View Article
Exclusive Villa Billed as “a masterpiece of modern design”, the D-Hotel Maris in Datca, Turkey certainly boasts fine designer credentials. But it also offers plenty of natural beauty. Perched on the spot where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet, there are five private beaches for guests, with silky white sand imported from Egypt (it’s… View Article
The Kennedy Cottage John and Jackie Kennedy checked into this two-bedroom stone cottage in Santa Barbara during their 1953 honeymoon. Measuring 2,000 sq ft, it includes a landscaped courtyard, canopy beds, Italian linens, oak floors, Persian rugs, fireplaces and huge bathrooms with crystal chandeliers. The living room has French doors onto a private deck, overlooking… View Article
Cliffside Camp Tent Suites This luxury ranch resort, surrounded by the unspoiled wilderness of Montana, is set on a working cattle ranch. The Cliffside Camp Tent Suites are located on top of a soaring cliff overlooking the Blackfoot River. If available, request the honeymoon suite, which comes with a copper bathtub for two. From $1,255… View Article
The Boathouse William Avery Rockefeller built this retreat in the North Woods in Adirondack, upstate New York, roughly a century ago. The open and airy 950 sq ft Boathouse allows you to enjoy the mountains in comfort, while soaking in the bathtub for two, or lazing on one of two beds suspended from the ceiling… View Article
Casa Laguna The terrace of this private three-bedroom, 6,500 sq ft villa is the ultimate wildlife viewing platform to spot egrets and turtles in the surrounding lagoon. If you feel like exploring, just board your private rowing boat, or take a tour with the resort’s biologist. Your chef will have cocktails and dinner waiting for… View Article
Vice Regal Suite If Winston Churchill or Marilyn Monroe were still alive, this is the suite they would choose – and many heads of state make this choice when visiting this mountain castle. It has two bedrooms and a large living room with commanding views of the fir-coated Bow and Spray Valleys. From $1,950 1… View Article
Tom Wilson Suite This recently-refurbished 850 sq ft suite is a ringside seat of one Canada’s truly great panoramas: electric-blue lake waters that change color with the time of day and season, and soaring mountain peaks that frame hanging glaciers. Tom Wilson, a Canadian Pacific Railway employee and the first non-native to visit the lake… View Article
Walsingham Suite It is hard to beat the unobstructed views of the Harrington Sound and Castle Harbour from the two-bedroom, 1,650 sq ft Walsingham Suite. The only way to improve on the view from this open plan suite is to have the hotel charter a sailboat for a private dinner cruise. The suite comes with… View Article
Trump Sky Suite Truly a suite in the sky, the 2,300 sq ft, two bedroom Trump Sky Suite has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Toronto city skyline to the west and Lake Ontario to the south. The hotel’s chef can cook dinner for you and up to 10 guests in the suite’s dining room…. View Article
Presidential Suite This is the suite Tony Blair calls home when he’s in Beijing. Set 17 floors up in the Valley Wing, it has dragon’s-eye views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows – taking in modern landmarks such as the Central TV Tower, with its revolving restaurant, and the misty, forest-shrouded Western Hills. From $4,850… View Article
The Wellesley-Pole Suite This lavish 700 sq ft suite in a beautifully reimagined country mansion near Dublin has some of the best garden views in the country – all rooms look out across the sensational terraced cascade. The suite has its original Sienna marble fireplace, as well as beautiful antique china lamps. From $1,375 +353… View Article
Royal Suite The two-story Royal Suite in Dubai’s most iconic skyscraper is the perfect venue to put the world’s largest fleet of 24-hour butlers to the test. The suite has a lavish 12-person dining room, multiple sitting rooms, majlis-style living room, private cinema and panoramic views of the Persian Gulf. From $8,900 +971 4 3665000… View Article
Firehouse Suite The cozy living room of the Firehouse Suite, with its open fireplace, sink-into sofa and windows overlooking the courtyard and Chiltern Street, is large enough for a small gathering. It is also the ideal place to crash after a night of celebrity spotting at Michelin-starred chef Nuno Mendes’ restaurant downstairs. There’s a vast… View Article
Grand Sunset Residence A private road leads to the three-bedroom Grand Sunset Residence, which sleeps seven across two villas. The residence comes with 21,527 sq ft of private beachfront. It also has a 538 sq ft pool, a covered pergola that’s perfect for yoga or spa treatments and two golf buggies for exploring the island…. View Article
The Villa The VIP service touches at this self-contained 4,305 sq ft, two-bedroom residence include a concierge, a private chef, and a personal attendant to unpack your clothes and draw your bath. There’s a wine and cigar bar, an indoor-outdoor sound system, 3D television, and a hammam spa. A series of interconnected terraces overlook the… View Article
Villa Segera Two wooden buildings connected by a swing bridge. The bedroom wallpaper depicts letters from Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa. These are just two of the features that make this villa for two a real one of a kind. There is also a private garden with a salt-water pool, a rock bath… View Article
Presidential Villa This glamorous island residence lies on a stretch of white sandy beach on Benguerra Island. The 4,574 sq ft villa accommodates up to six and comes with its own butler and chef. An infinity pool spans the front of the villa, and an elevated deck is a quiet spot from which to enjoy… View Article
Villa Rose The Matteo Thun-designed resort is set on its own private island, and the supreme residence is the 2,315 sq ft Villa Rose – set on two levels with garden, pool and shimmering views across the lagoon to St Mark’s. From $5,450 +39 041 296 8111 [See also: Top suites in the world –… View Article
The Peninsula Suite Land your helicopter on the roof of this Bangkok hotel and you’ll be sitting in the 34th floor Peninsula Suite in seconds. This 3,885 sq ft suite comprises a master and guest bedroom, a butler’s room, two marble bathrooms, gym, study and a dining room for 10. There is also a telescope… View Article
The Royal Penthouse At 5,000 sq ft, The Royal Penthouse is the largest two-bedroom luxury hotel residence in London. It has a view of the River Thames from its terrace, a private elevator direct to the residence and the bedrooms have bathrooms in honey onyx and Skyros marble. From $33,400 +44 (0) 20 7930 8181… View Article
Belle Mont Farm Villas These villas combine classic Caribbean style – high ceilings and airy verandas – with 21st century service, such as chefs on standby to rustle up organic meals straight from the garden. Golf is on the doorstep – the course is edible, and “Pick Me” signs show the ripest fruit. From $1,896… View Article
The Kohinoor Suite The hotel is just 650 yards from the Taj Mahal and this suite has unrivalled views of it. Perhaps that’s why Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Nicolas Sarkozy have all stayed here on state visits. The suite itself has a majestic style: white marble elephants, domed ceilings and mirror-inlaid walls. The shower… View Article
Ellerman House Villa One A stunning five-bedroom, three-story villa in Cape Town, with views of the ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The minimalist modern building houses a sleek kitchen – which comes with a private chef and staff – a TV lounge, dining room, study, and library, plus a pool and spa. From… View Article
The Terrace Suite This 1,560 sq ft, one- or two-bedroom suite with handcrafted furniture and bespoke fabrics, is the choice for those who value design and a joyful, colorful décor over all-out glamour. The hotel is in the heart of London’s theatreland and surrounded by Soho’s bars. Or shut out the chaos, and take dinner… View Article
Aman Suite These four roomy (1,500 sq ft) suites take up the 35th to 38th floors of the hotel in the Otemachi Tower, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens and the Tokyo Skytree. Inside there is a mix of classic Japanese décor and cutting-edge technology. Look out for the deep furo, a traditional… View Article
Presidential Suite With its 19th-century setting in the aptly labeled Golden Quarter, the Park Hyatt is near the fashion houses and boutiques of Vienna’s Kohlmarkt. This 1,829 sq ft suite is bang on the money with its mother-of-pearl bed canopy, but the real riches are to be found in the chandelier-lit bathroom: lapis-lazuli walls, and a… View Article