It has been a lavish year of luxe openings. So much so that it may be tough to keep them all straight. Never fear – Luxury Travel Advisor has assembled a round up of our Top Luxury Hotel Openings for 2011. Here is our pick of the top 10 luxury hotel openings of this year. We looked for over-the-top accommodation that offer high-end twists on the old luxury classics.
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| Mondrian SoHo |
Mondrian SoHo
Debuted in March, this Manhattan SoHo-chic hotel was designed with fantasy in mind (think Jean Coucteau’s 1946 French fantasy film La Belle et la Bete, known for its grandeur and fairy tale set design). We love the accommodations, which include four suites with terraces. Rooms, which Mondrian likes to compare to “jewel boxes,” feature large dramatic windows and marble foyers.
W Taipei
W Hotels unveiled its latest Asian property this past Valentine’s Day in Taipei. The W Taipei offers 405 rooms spread over 31 floors. We hear that the guest rooms overlook the Yangmingshan mountain range and are equipped with balconies.
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| Mandarin Oriental, Paris |
Mandarin Oriental, Paris
One of the year’s most anticipated openings took place in the City of Light in June. The Mandarin Oriental, Paris is smack dab in the center of the chic first arrondissement—within walking distance to the Louvre, the Place Vendôme, and the majestic Opéra Garnier. We were on hand to visit the property and have concluded that it is nothing short of sublime from head to pedicured toe.
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| Istanbul EDITION |
Istanbul EDITION
The latest collaboration between Marriott International and the new brand’s creative advisor, Ian Schrager, the Istanbul Edition is a 13-story twoer within the city’s bustling Levent neighborhood. It houses 77 generously proportioned guest lofts, and a Penthouse Suite taking up an entire floor of the hotel.
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| Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong |
Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong offers staggering views from its lofty perch above the sparkling city. Located on the top floors of the International Commerce Centre, a skyscraper that soars 1,575 feet above the city, the new Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is the world’s tallest hotel.
The Oberoi, Gurgaon
Located just outside Delhi, the 202-room property is a sight to behold in India, with rooms starting at 620 square feet. We love the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the rooms and bathrooms, as well. The theme at Oberoi Gurgaon is urban oasis (think acres of landscaping with fountains and pools throughout).
Corinthia Hotel London
This London hotel made its debut in the building that once housed the iconic Hotel Metropole and, subsequently, the Ministry of Defense offices during World War II. Of the hotel’s 45 suites, the top picks are undoubtedly the seven signature suites, which boast such features as private internal elevators and are located inside historic turrets with terraces.
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| Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech |
Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech
Inspired by the nearby Medina, Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech offers a modern take on traditional Moorish architecture next to the Menara Gardens. Rose-hued pavilions with hand-carved details are surrounded by sunlit swimming and reflecting pools, gardens, pathways and fountains.
Trump Panama
The largest building in Latin America, the Trump Panama resembles an enourmous sail soaring above Panama Bay. It is home to 369 guest rooms, a floor of upscale shops, a casino, 46,000 square feet of meeting space, a private beach club, a Pacific-facing pool deck and a sprawling spa.
St. Regis Bangkok
St. Regis Hotels has exported its signature butler service to Bangkok with the opening of its first luxury property in Thailand. Housed in a 47-story skyscraper on Ratchadamri Road, the new St. Regis Bangkok offers sweeping views of the city skyline.