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Cliveden House Luxury Hotel, Berkshire Razed to the ground and rebuilt twice since 1666, the Cliveden House has enjoyed a long and infamous history. Owned at times by dukes, an earl, a Prince of Wales and the Astor family, it was the glamorous backdrop to the Profumo Affair in the 1960s. On a 376-acre estate with stunning views of the countryside and the River Thames, the hotel has 39 richly decorated rooms named after important guests or visitors. 2
The Ritz Hotel, London Founded in 1906, this London landmark is lavishly decorated, with the emphasis firmly placed on opulence. There are 137 Louis XVI-style rooms and suites, decorated in peach, pink, blue or yellow and furnished with heavy silk curtains, elaborate light fittings and elegant antiques. There is a ‘no jeans’ rule and gentlemen must wear a jacket and tie in the restaurant and Palm Court. 3
The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh The Balmoral is the Grande dame of the Scottish capital overlooking the train station. The Number One restaurant and less formal Hadrian’s are both popular; the Palm Court is open for afternoon tea and champagne. There is a spa and 15-metre swimming pool. The 168 rooms and 20 suites are decorated elegantly using muted colours inspired by the Scottish landscape.
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Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris A grand palace hotel built in 1928 close to the Champs-Elysèes. There are 245 rooms and suites, many with private terraces. Public areas are impressive with high ceilings, serious antiques, tapestries, and lavish floral displays. 5
Hotel Cipriani, Venice The legendary Hotel Cipriani, managed by Orient-Express, is reaching the end of a massive, three-year refurbishment to renovate its rooms, spa and public areas. There are now 82 bedrooms and suites in the main building and 16 in the adjacent, 15thcentury Palazzo Vendramin. 6
Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin Close to both the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, this historic hotel is in a prime location. In business for just over 100 years, it was burned down in 1945, was rebuilt in 1997 and renovated in 2007. Some of the 304 rooms and 78 suites have views of the Academy of Arts. 7
Ellerman House, Cape Town With glorious views over Bantry Bay, this beautiful boutique hotel is the former home of shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman. Famed for its exten-
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sive art collection and 15,000-bottle wine cellar, it has just nine elegant rooms and two suites. There is a heated pool in the landscaped gardens, and a spa. The three-bedroom Ellerman Villa has a private chef and butler service. 8
The Oberoi, Mauritius Set in 20 acres of sub-tropical gardens on the north-west coast of Mauritius, The Oberoi has 71 villas and pavilions, all with four-poster beds and marble bathrooms. Each villa has a private garden; some have private pools.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai This Mediterranean-style resort on Jumeirah Beach is one of the smaller five-star properties in Dubai. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, it has 138 rooms, with either a pool, garden or sea views. Facilities include a Balinese-style spa and a kids’ club. 9
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai The venerable Taj Mahal Palace & Tower reopened its doors in December 2008, just a month after it was attacked by terrorists. The complete refurbishment has restored it back to its previous glory.
Source: www.cnntraveller.com
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