Be it a study tour, work trip or a vacation at some exotic destination; we always find ourselves longing to have a warm and cosy accommodation. A temporary sanctuary is envisioned that would not only offer refuge but also soothe the soul after hours of intense city tours and explorations. Very seldom do we expect to be dazzled by the architecture of the selected hotels and find a place that entices an architect’s gaze. And while we sit back and lounge, a part of our soul desires to relish the structure’s architectural beauty. What if I tell you that the world is full of such architectural wonders and while they may not have been so generous with the wallet, they go very easy on the eyes. Here is a list of some of the world’s most expensive hotels that are worth having a look at!
1. Conrad Washington, D.C | Expensive hotels
A joint architectural venture of Pritzker Prize-winning firm Herzog & de Meuron and Houston-based Rottet Studio is the Conrad brand of Hotels, located in the heart of the District in Washington. The hotel features an elaborate arrangement of 360 rooms with a minimal architecture and an elegant but dynamic interior design. Its retail sprawls across an area of 10 acres and offers roof-top dining facilities to the guests. The enterprise houses a contemporary art collection inspired by the Washington Color School movement.
2. The Morpheus Hotel, Macau
When viewed from a distance, the external facade of the Morpheus Hotel appears as a lattice that forms the exoskeleton of the building. Imagined and produced by Zaha Hadid, the extravagant Macau Hotel is well-known for its sculptural form and futuristic conception. The 40 storey building contains 770 rooms and an ensemble of luxurious suites and ‘sky villas’. The guests can also avail the leisure of visiting casinos and feast at twenty fine-dining restaurants with a myriad of other sumptuous hotel amenities.
3. Belmond Cadogan Hotel, London | Expensive Hotels
An epitome of 19th Century English Architecture, the Belmond Cadogan Hotel in London was restored after a four-year-long renovation project that cost 48 million USD.
The guests enjoy a warm cup of tea in the old English Parlour with floral mosaic floor design and 130-year-old wooden panelling. Out of the 54 rooms offered by the Hotel, 22 are suites. Each of the guest rooms has private libraries with a collection of 600 books in all. The guests also have access to the private 93-acre Cadogan Estate Garden.
4. Kudadoo Maldives
The Kudadoo, literally meaning ‘small Island’ presents an exciting and interesting hotel architecture experience that is a mandatory know for architects! With the beautiful tropical setting, coconut water and eternal sunshine, the luxury resort in the Maldives offers a healing experience to its guests. The resort boasts 15 water villas floating around the main island which serves as the prime connection between land and water. The design, crafted out of locally sourced materials, is sustainable and conforms with the contextual expectations.
5. Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla, British West Indies | Expensive hotels
This picturesque island resort, looking upon the clear blue sky and pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean, is tucked away in the tropical heaven of British West Indies. Making it one of the most expensive hotels, this little architectural wonder in Anguilla features 66 rooms and 42 suites embellished with extravagance. The design pays homage to Anguillan heritage and is an embodiment of Greco-Moorish Architectural style. With an initial investment of 121 million dollars, the hotel offers several thrilling amenities, including an infinity pool, and four swank restaurants with a beach bar shack.
6. Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore
Away from the bustle of city life, hidden as an Island retreat, is a massive project by Resorts World in Sentosa, Singapore. Steered by Michael Graves, the design of the Hotel enterprise sprawls across a large area and embodies two theme parks, six hotels, museum, theatres and a large shopping centre. This exorbitant resort is a popular tourist destination and well known for its spectacular architectural manifestation through natural and organic schemes. A public, recreational and commercial expanse, the design emphasises making the pedestrian experience pleasant and wholesome.
7. Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia
The architecture of this exclusive lodge in Kangaroo Island, Australia forms a dialogue with the dramatic setting in which it is based. Conceptualised by Architect Max Pritchard, the Southern Ocean Lodge is ostensibly tucked away in the hillocks and offers an extensive view of the sensational beauty unfolded by the scene. The main lodge observes the stepped descent of 21 private suites. Intriguingly, despite its location in such a thick cover of trees, preservation of the surrounding vegetation was a priority for the designers.
8. Hotel Marqués de Riscal | Expensive hotels
Picture nursing yourself to a wine standing right in front of an architectural splendour by none other than Architect Frank Gehry. Hotel Marques de Riscal is a marvellous structure that houses 43 elegant rooms. The twirling titanium ribbons that substantiate the volume of the structure reflect not only the character of the design conception but also offer a deep insight into the spirit of the wine country context. The colour of the titanium metal bears symbolic resemblance to the colour of the grapes grown in the region.
9. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
The Marina Bay Sands, with a construction cost of 5.5 billion USD, is one of the most expensive hotels to be built. Helmed by brilliant architect Moshe Safdie, the Singapore based Hotel has three 55-storied towers with 2560 rooms and suites. The 200 m tall building hosts a variety of entertainment and recreational venues including breathtaking infinity pool, terrace gardens, several rooftop observation decks and a fine selection of dining and eateries.
10. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE | Expensive Hotels
Spanning across a 13 km private beach-front, the Emirates Palace of Abu Dhabi is an expensive hospitality venture that features 394 guestrooms and suites, 12 restaurants and bars, 40 meeting rooms. Known for hosting several Arab dignitaries, celebrities and high-profile conferences, the project designed by Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo is a perfect amalgamation of contemporary and Arab architecture.
References:
- https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/9-hotels-designed-by-famous-architects-2847225/
- https://theluxurytravelexpert.com/2020/03/09/most-expensive-hotels-ever-built/
- https://www.michaelgraves.com/projects/resorts-world-sentosa-master-plan/
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/top-design-hotels-2019
- https://design-milk.com/morpheus-hotel-zaha-hadid-architects-worlds-first-high-rise-exoskeleton/
- http://www.maxpritchardarchitect.com.au/
- https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/new-hotel-wonders/index.html
- https://www.adfwebmagazine.jp/en/architect/kudadoo-maldives-private-island/#:~:text=Designed%20by%20renowned%20architect%20Yuji,of%20Kudadoo%20speak%20for%20itself
