The Best Luxury Hotels in 5 Cities

When it comes to staying in a city, you often seem to be spoilt for choice when choosing a luxury hotel. Sometimes, though, there is a hotel that stands out from the rest through an amazing location, unique facilities, or just the quality of its service. Some of these luxury hotels are renowned as the most famous or prestigious in their respective cities, while others are not as well known but remain the accommodation of choice for discerning visitors. Here are the hotels of choice for five of the most exciting cities around the world.

The City: Marrakesh
The Hotel: La Sultana

Staying at this luxurious Moroccan Riad is like taking a step back in time, as great efforts have been made to make La Sultana a real feast for the eyes. It is laid out in traditional style around a central courtyard, and each of the lounges and bedrooms are decorated with antique furniture, marble bathrooms, sculptured ceilings, and paintings alongside the traditional features of a luxury hotel room.

This hotel has more to it than just opulent d?cor. It is a complete spa hotel, with an amazing hammam, sauna, and a beauty centre offering numerous luxury health treatments. Rounding off the hotel?s features are a restaurant, elegant bar and a swimming pool. For a taste of traditional Moroccan luxury, hotels don?t get any better than this.

The City: Rome
The Hotel: Portrait Suites

There are plenty of big name luxury hotels in Rome, but if you are looking for something a little different, a stay at the Portrait Suites, located on the famous Via Condotti, could be perfect for you. Elegance and class are the essential qualities at this boutique hotel, and it?s no surprise ? the hotel is owned and run by the Ferragamo fashion house.

With only 14 studios and suites, this is a highly exclusive place to stay and, as you would expect from this ?fashion hotel?, the d?cor of the suites is stylish and tasteful. Particular importance is placed on the materials used, including boar skin and marble, and each studio is furnished with a bar corner, kitchenette and other mod cons.

The City: Paris
The Hotel: The Plaza Athenee

Since it first opened its doors in 1911, this luxury hotel has provided the very best accommodation in the heart of Paris. Located between the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, the Plaza Athenee is in a perfect central location. And with members of staff outnumbering rooms by three to one at this luxury hotel, a high quality of service comes guaranteed.

As well as being perhaps the best place to stay in France?s capital, the Plaza Athenee is also one of the trendiest places to drink thanks to its famous cocktail bar. If this wasn?t enough, Alain Ducasse, the most acclaimed chef in France ? with a total of 14 Michelin stars ? is Head Chef, making a stay at this hotel a serious culinary delight.

The City: London
The Hotel: Charlotte Street Hotel

For those looking for the finest boutique hotel in London, they need look no further than the Charlotte Street Hotel. Perfectly located in London?s West End, this hotel is filled with Bloomsbury paintings and bronze statues ? all adding to the warmth and difference of the place. Every bedroom is uniquely decorated with artworks and handmade furniture, and the d?cor is an elegant mixture of art-deco and contemporary. This boutique hotel also features a cinema showing black and white classics, a gym and classic cuisine is available downstairs at Oscars, the bar and restaurant of the Charlotte Street Hotel.

The City: Geneva
The Hotel: La Reserve

This luxury spa hotel is undoubtedly one of the finest places to stay for a visit to Geneva, even though it is located just outside the city itself! La Reserve is in the middle of a ten acre park on the edge of Lake Geneva and the city can be reached by a daily boat service. The d?cor of this spa hotel reflects its beautiful surroundings and mahogany and marble keep a classy and natural feel throughout. The magnificent spa offers a great range of health and beauty treatments and the hotel also features three outstanding restaurants. For a relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings, it is hard to beat La Reserve.

Stephanie Clarke is the Managing Director of Concierge Collection, providers of some of the finest luxury hotels in Europe. Stephanie and her team use their wealth of experience, expertise and contacts to achieve ?Beyond Special?.