After their lavish wedding in Venice this past weekend, which was thought to have cost approximately £40 million, Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos are reportedly heading to Sicily by superyacht. All eyes are on the island once again.
San Domenico Palace in Taormina, the Four Seasons hotel that played a major part in the second season of The White Lotus, is said to be their ultimate destination.
We shouldn’t be shocked that such an A-list couple would choose such an A-list hotel for such an important event, however, since it has been attracting the wealthy and famous for decades, and its history goes well beyond its small-screen fame.
There are hotels, and then there are hotels—those magnificent, globally recognized buildings that have endured and gained notoriety on their own. They are renowned for their thrilling, intimate settings, flawless service, lavish décor, mysterious pasts, and an ever-changing guest list of usually wealthy patrons, including movie stars and nobility. By updating the design with a reference to the original and adding contemporary facilities, the majority in this league will have made sure their legacies continue to live on, satisfying the needs of every contemporary traveler while being faithful to their legacy.
I have been to hundreds of hotels over the course of my fifteen years as a travel writer, many of them for my book Grand Hotels of the World. I like snooping about the common areas of a well-known hotel, much as I would in a department shop or museum, when I’m touring a place. In order to get access to those visitors who are less amenable to prying eyes, I often remain for a drink at the bar or schedule a spa session. Entering these worlds of glittering lobbies, uniformed bellhops, and jet-set visitors is an eternally thrilling experience. Naturally, this is especially true if you’re fortunate enough to be staying in one. My favorites are these.
1. The Four Seasons hotel in Italy, San Domenico Palace
Season two of The White Lotus is set in the charming, peach-exterior San Domenico Palace, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the well-known hilltop Sicilian town of Taormina. As gorgeous in real life as it is in the HBO series, fans will adore the extremely picturesque, iconic pool, sun-drenched terrace, and piano bar. Since its opening in 1896, the hotel, which is housed in a former convent, has hosted celebrities including Audrey Hepburn and Liz Taylor. When it reopened as a Four Seasons hotel in 2021, many of its original characteristics were restored, capturing all that has made Sicily a timeless destination. This contains a perfumed courtyard and immersing gardens in the former cloister. With magnificent views of Mount Etna, the Princess Cecilie suite is one of the most sought-after of the 111 elegant suites.
2. The Astoria Waldorf New York, USA
There are a lot of upscale, well-known hotels in New York, so choosing one is difficult. There are the rock ‘n’ roll Hotel Chelsea and the movie-famous Plaza, but the Waldorf Astoria, which debuted in its Park Avenue location in 1931 (the previous site was demolished for the Empire State Building), is the best option for a taste of classic New York high society elegance. After eight years of closure, the shiny Midtown property is about to undergo a massive makeover. The original art deco architecture’s grandeur and beauty have been preserved, but it has been updated with modern furnishings that honor its history, such as fluted columns and brass light fixtures.
In addition to 375 individual apartments on its top floors, the hotel reopens with fewer but larger rooms (down from a staggering 1,400, which will be among of the biggest in Manhattan; bookings are now being accepted starting in September). Both residents and visitors are welcome to relax at the opulent Guerlain spa, host parties in a brand-new, opera-inspired grand ballroom that is poised to become the focal point of the New York social scene, and eat inventive, in-season American fare at the two-story, pastel-colored Lex Yard restaurant.
3. England’s Claridge’s
For a taste of classic elegance, refined luxury, and impeccable service, check into this five-star institution in Mayfair, London. It’s an exciting experience to enter via its renowned rotating doors. One of the most opulent historic hotels in the world, Claridge’s has drawn celebrities and aristocracy since its opening in 1856. Claridge’s still seems very much rooted in the Jazz Age, when it was converted into an art deco classic with a new entrance, 80 more rooms, and a spectacular ballroom. This is even after its recent multi-million-pound major renovation that included the construction of a basement spa.
Pastel-colored, recently renovated rooms are attractively equipped with velvet seats, antique dressers, and marble baths while staying faithful to the original design. In the meantime, its renowned Foyer & Reading Room is a hit for breakfast, lunch, and Claridge’s Afternoon Tea, a London institution with over 20 tea flavors, freshly baked scones, and Claridge’s famous strawberry and vanilla jam, in addition to a delicate selection of handmade pastries and delicate sandwiches.
4. The Four Seasons hotel Beverly Wilshire in the United States
Most famous for being the Pretty Woman hotel, this enormous Californian estate is ideally situated where Wilshire Boulevard and the world-famous retail avenue Rodeo Drive converge. The Beverly Wilshire has become a must-see for fans of the 1990 movie, even though it only had a brief appearance on screen (many interior sequences were shot elsewhere, and just the facade and the iconic brass elevator within it were shown). In 1992, it was converted to a Four Seasons hotel (although the management of the brand is scheduled to leave in December). It is well-known for its exceptional service, destination spa, and eye-catching arrangement of fresh flowers on a circular table in the main lobby, which has marble floors. Its Mediterranean-style pool, which is modeled after Sophia Loren’s private residence in Italy, is less widely known.
Inside, it’s a comfortable, elegant, and sophisticated space with a vibe of modern design mixed with vintage Hollywood. The 10-story Wilshire Wing and the 14-story Beverly Wing, which are divided by a private lane called El Camino Real where uniformed vehicle valets assist distinguished visitors in making a quiet arrival or speedy departure, are home to elegant suites in light greys.
5. Singapore Raffles
Surrounded by tropical grounds, this 115-suite grande dame hotel has a long history. Since its opening in 1887, it has drawn the wealthy and well-known, taking up a whole block in Singapore’s ancient civic center. Writers Rudyard Kipling, William Somerset Maugham, and Joseph Conrad are among the famous visitors to the white-fronted hotel; each of them has a suite named after them.
High ceilings, ivory white walls, and dark teaks are blended with traditional elements like ceiling fans and oriental carpets in exquisitely renovated rooms that honor their colonial past. The hotel’s Long Bar is a well-liked location; many guests come only to sample the Singapore Sling, a cocktail said to have been created here in 1915 to mimic fruit juice for women who were prohibited from consuming alcohol in public.
6. Monaco’s Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Located directly on the F1 Monaco Grand Prix circuit, this luxurious five-star hotel is next to the Casino de Monte-Carlo and offers one of the city’s greatest sites. The hotel was constructed in 1864 by French businessman François Blanc, whose goal was to establish a lavish hub of upscale gaming and entertainment. It has undergone modernization throughout the years, and in 1909 it had a complete renovation with arched doors and a new façade in the characteristic belle époque style.
Two of the world’s most opulent suites, the Prince Rainier III and the two-story Princess Grace, both costing more than £50,000 per night, were installed during a multi-phase renovation between 2014 and 2019. The Princess’s favorite books and poetry are among the personal items and decorations that adorn them. There is also an abundance of excellent dining options. Le Grill, a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant with a retractable roof, offers expansive views, and Le Louis XV—Alain Ducasse a l’Hôtel de Paris, which has three Michelin stars.
7. Morocco’s La Mamounia
La Mamounia has been a shining example of elegance and Moroccan hospitality since it debuted in the 1920s in the upscale Hivernage neighborhood of Marrakech, close to Djemaa el-Fna square. Grand Moorish doors greet you as you enter the opulent, dimly lit lobby area, where a platter of dates, a drink of almond milk, and a steaming hot towel await the tired traveler on a plush red velvet couch.
Arriving at night, when the ancient 20-acre garden is enchantingly illuminated by hundreds of lantern candles and lines of fairy lights, is particularly evocative. With hundreds of olive trees, some of which are over 900 years old, as well as orange, jacaranda, cactus, bougainvillea, and delphinium trees, the garden is well worth visiting throughout the day. With arched headboards, mosaic tiling, and balconies that overlook the gardens, each of the 209 renovated rooms exudes a feeling of place. You’ll be well nourished here thanks to four top-notch eateries serving a variety of cuisines.
8. Brazil’s Copacabana Palace, a Belmond hotel
The stunning art deco Copacabana Palace, Rio’s oldest luxury hotel with a view of Copacabana Beach, is affectionately known as “the Copa” and is the epitome of Brazilian splendor. Since its opening in 1923, it has enticed everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Princess Diana with its flawless service and opulent amenities, which include a Michelin-starred restaurant and a rooftop tennis court. The hotel’s enormous chandeliers and plenty of marble echo the opulence of the early 20th century. Everything from the apartments to the grand foyer is made of polished Brazilian wood.
9. Austria’s Hotel Sacher Wien
Since its opening in 1876, Vienna’s Hotel Sacher has been a stand-alone, family-run five-star establishment and an Austrian icon. With its hefty, vintage décor—a wood-paneled jewel box of creams, rich reds, dark greens, and bright blues—and its 19th-century artworks, crystal chandeliers, and silk damask furniture, it evokes old-world Vienna. Despite the hotel’s many renovations over the course of its more than 150 years in business, it nonetheless exudes a genuine warmth that is uncommon in upscale lodging. For a taste of the original Sacher-Torte, which was created in 1832 by the father of the hotel’s founder and served in its distinctively Viennese coffee shop, Café Sacher, expect to see visitors lining up down the street.
10. India’s Taj Lake Palace
Set within a former 18th-century white marble castle that floats on a four-acre island in the center of Udaipur’s artificial Lake Pichola, the Taj Lake castle is a hotel unlike any other. Just looking at it, much alone checking in, is a dream. Every visitor is treated like king here, regardless of their identity; upon arrival, expect to be showered with rose petals. There are impressive elements wherever you look, from the weathered sculptures of Hindu gods in the sculpture garden to the floating spa on a tugboat, all surrounded by well-kept gardens, fountains, and planted courtyards. The 83 rooms and suites include elaborate furniture, Indian fabrics, and a color scheme of deep reds, greens, and golds.
Four restaurants are available for dining, including Neel Kamal, which serves wood-fired Indian specialties, and Rooftop Bhairo, which serves succulent steak cuts. As an alternative, a butler may arrange a private table at any location on the island that you want. The hotel gained notoriety in 1983 when it starred as the residence of the seductress-in-chief in the James Bond film Octopussy. The fact that Jackie Kennedy, Vivien Leigh, and the late Queen Elizabeth II all stayed here is not surprising.
Disclaimer:
This material is produced only for editorial and informative reasons. All brand references, hotel names, and trademarks referenced in this text belong to their respective owners. Any reference to well-known people, places, or opulent homes is based on data that is accessible to the general public. No hotel, brand, or person mentioned in this article is associated with, supports, or sponsors us.