With the much-anticipated birth of the Royal baby upon us, hotel comparison website www.trivago.co.uk has put together a list of ten magnificent hotels associated with the British Royal Family.
From the Royal Suite where Kate prepared for her Royal wedding to the idyllic island paradise where William and Kate spent their honeymoon, these elegant hotels document favourite destinations among Royalty. Expect private beach villas, penthouse suites, award-winning Spa facilities, personal butlers and a plethora of fine dining options.
Hotels fit for Royalty
The Goring, London, UK(01 of10)
Established in 1910, London’s The Goring not only boasts one century of exemplary British hospitality, but was the chosen accommodation of Kate Middleton on the night before her wedding to Prince William. Boasting an unbeatable location in Belgravia, adjacent to Buckingham Palace, Kate could not have chosen a better hotel for her introduction to the British Royal Family. Wedding preparations aptly took place in the Royal Suite, a four-room suite stretching across the entire top floor of The Goring, boasting a private balcony with panoramic views over the hotel’s private gardens and the London skyline. The Goring was the first hotel to be awarded a Royal Warrant by The Queen for Hospitality Services, confirming its admirable service and favoured position amongst British Royalty.
Desroches Island Resort, Seychelles(02 of10)
Desroches Island is a four mile private island resort in the heart of the Indian Ocean, part of the Amirantes islands of Seychelles and located 230 kilometres from the main island Mahé. William and Kate chose this secluded island paradise for their honeymoon, spending two weeks here in May 2011. Desroches offers a variety of luxury accommodation, from one bedroom beach suites to five bedroom villas complete with private swimming pools. The romantic Beach Retreat suites are reserved for adults, located just metres from the white sand beaches and feature private plunge pools and outdoor showers. Guests are provided with double kayaks and bicycles to make the most of the island, which boasts 14 kilometres of untouched beaches and exotic vegetation.
Tschuggen Grand, Arosa, Switzerland(03 of10)
Tschuggen Grand boasts an unbeatable location in Switzerland’s Graubünden mountain range, featuring panoramic views of the Alpine scenery. William and Kate stayed here recently for a friend’s wedding, enjoying five star luxury and elegance at 1,700 metres. Tschuggen Grand prides itself for its cutting-edge futuristic design, including a private mountain railway which transports guests to the hiking and skiing area in less than two and a half minutes. The hotel contains an impressive 98 rooms, 32 suites and no less than seven bars and restaurants with a mix of both traditional and cosmopolitan locally-sourced cuisine. The exclusive 5,000 square metre Spa is the pride of this hotel, boasting 12 treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and various saunas and steam baths.
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India(04 of10)
The Taj Mahal Palace is a landmark on Mumbai’s harbour, built 21 years before the iconic Gate of India. This hotel contained the first licensed bar in the city, and features antiques, paintings and other valuable memorabilia at every corner. Steeped in history and hosting Maharajas, dignitaries and other eminent personalities, this hotel is the perfect Royal destination and has accommodated the Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke and Duchess of Kent and Princess Eugenie. The hotel boasts no less than 560 rooms and 44 suites spread throughout the palace and adjoining tower. The most impressive is the 5000 square foot Presidential Suite, featuring makrana marble floors, gold leaf paintings, hand woven silks, rosewood and teak panel doors and crystal chandeliers.
The Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California(05 of10)
The Beverly Hills is a renowned five star hotel boasting over 100 years of history on the world-famous Sunset Boulevard. Despite its central location close to the shopping and entertainment hubs of Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard, The Beverly Hills offers peace and respite in 12 acres of lush tropical gardens. William and Kate stayed here in July 2011, allegedly making use of the 122 square metres Presidential Suite. Located on the fourth floor, this suite boasts views over Los Angeles, a marble bathtub, two separate showers and a Jacuzzi tub. Guests will feel like royalty at The Beverly Hills, with public areas reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour, a palm-fringed swimming pool, leading Spa and choice of elegant lounges and bars.
Raffles, Singapore(06 of10)
Raffles Singapore claims it is “probably the world’s most famous hotel”, making it an essential destination for William and Kate during their Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tour in September 2012. Whilst William and Kate marked 40 years since Queen Elizabeth II first visited Raffles, this iconic hotel celebrated its 125th anniversary in the same month. William and Kate were accommodated in one of the two elegant Presidential Suites. These are the largest suites in the main building and are distinguished by their original 14-foot ceilings, private balconies, valuable antiques, original artwork and claw-footed bath tubs. Throughout the hotel, a colonial style is used to evoke the romance of the Far East. Guests can choose between 15 bars and restaurants, including the famous Long Bar, home of the original Singapore Sling.
Half Moon, Jamaica(07 of10)
Prince Harry is the latest in a long line of British Royalty to visit the idyllic Half Moon RockResort on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Harry took one day off from his first official Royal Tour, to commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, in order to relax on this 400 acre resort of landscaped gardens, pristine cottages and two miles of white sand beaches. The Prince stayed in one of the appropriately named Royal Villas, featuring two storeys, five bedrooms, a personal cook and butler and a private swimming pool. The RockResort also features six Jamaican fine-dining restaurants, eight bars, an equestrian centre, an award winning 68,000 foot state-of-the-art Spa, and even two resident Bottlenose dolphins. Other past Royal guests include The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada(08 of10)
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge boasts an unbeatable location within a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Canadian Rockies, with panoramic alpine views and a range of outdoor activities nearby. The Outlook Cabin, also known as the Royal Retreat, hosted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. Although the cabin was destroyed by a fire in 2000, it was recreated from original floor plans to welcome Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 2005. The 6,000 square feet Royal Retreat features a total of six bedrooms, conservatory, two majestic stone fireplaces and a terrace where guests can enjoy private barbecues. Nature-loving guests may want to try kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding, hiking or playing golf on Canada’s top rated Golf Resort Course.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, UK(09 of10)
This distinguished London hotel with an enviable Knightsbridge postcode earned the privilege of hosting William and Kate’s pre-wedding dinner and drinks reception. The Royal Gala dinner was hosted by The Queen and attended by the Royal families of Spain, Greece, Belgium and Denmark, amongst others. The guests appropriately arrived on the hotel’s red-carpeted private entrance in Hyde Park, and celebrated in the Grand Ballroom, complete with 24-carat gilding, chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows. This luxury hotel offers 173 guest rooms and 25 unique suites with marble bathrooms and views over Knightsbridge, Hyde Park or the picturesque courtyard. World-class dining is available at the French bistro-style Bar Boulud, or acclaimed British cuisine at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Waldorf Astoria, New York City, New York(10 of10)
The Waldorf Astoria New York is a landmark hotel, setting worldwide standards for luxury, elegance and hospitality for over a century. Ideally located on the famous Park Avenue, Waldorf Astoria is within walking distance of the Fifth Avenue shops, the Rockefeller Center, Central Park and Times Square. The Royal Suite is this hotel’s claim to fame, which accommodated Edward VIII and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor after its creation. This majestic two bedroom suite occupies the entire top floor of the Waldorf Astoria, featuring panoramic views over Manhattan. The suite is adorned with antiques and period furniture, whilst the elegant dining room can accommodate up to 16 people for formal dinners. Guests should visit one of the hotel’s many restaurants and try the famous Waldorf salad, which was created in this very hotel.