Top luxury hotels
Even among the world’s finest hotels, quality may vary
Which luxury brands are best? That’s a matter of opinion.
Here’s a rundown on some top luxury brands with hotels in the United States. Most also have hotels in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Four Seasons: Beautiful, sophisticated surroundings married with friendly, unpretentious service have made Four Seasons one of the world’s most vaunted luxury names.
Each of the 62 hotels — 33 in the United States — is designed to fit its surroundings. Result: The Georg V in Paris presents a different world from, say, the Four Seasons in Bali. What is the same: attentive staff that is concerned and genuine, but professional and ever-so-slightly Old World.
Details: Most hotels have 200 to 250 rooms. All have children’s programs; concierges make an extra effort to find activities families can do together. Room rates vary widely, from $800-plus in some European cities to $290 in Chiang Mai, Thailand; packages often available. (800) 819-5053; www.fourseasons.com.
Leading Hotels: It’s not just the sheets and marbled baths that qualify hotels for membership in Leading Hotels of the World, said public relations manager Karen Preston: “A lot of what (inspectors) are looking for is service — paint on the wall, the corners of the bathroom.”
Leading Hotels of the World has 415 members, with 55 in the United States. Unlike some other marketing associations, hotels may also be members of brands such as the London-based Dorchester Group, the Ritz in Paris, the Guanahani in St. Barts and the Peninsula in Hong Kong.
Hotels are inspected anonymously when they apply and twice more during the next three-year period. All must offer 24-hour room service.
Details: The average rate is $375. Some hotels have children’s programs; others do not allow children under a specified age. Packages and specials are noted on its Web site. (800) 745-8883; www.lhw.com.
Mandarin Oriental: The Mandarin Oriental group takes its name from two of Asia’s best-known hotels: the Mandarin in Hong Kong and the Oriental in Bangkok, legendary for its 125-year history of service. In the United States, the company has hotels in Hawaii, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., with two in New York City (Mandarin Oriental and The Mark). Hotels are under construction in Boston and Cancun, Mexico.
Each Mandarin Oriental hotel is individually designed to reflect its location, said Wolfgang Hultner, CEO of the Americas. Still, each has a hint of Oriental style, though it tends to be subtle and gracious rather than cloying.
Each hotel prides itself on its signature restaurant, such as Miami’s much-lauded Azul, run by award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. In the past several years, the hotel group has also become known for its luxurious spas.
Details: Most Mandarin Oriental hotels have 150 to 300 rooms. The company holds an ownership position in some hotels; in others, it is the manager only. Some — but not all — have children’s programs. Rates vary widely by location; in Bangkok, they run about $250 per night, in New York $600 and up. Toll-free (866) 526-6567; www.mandarinoriental.com.
Relais & Chateaux: Only 11 percent of the hotels that applied to Relais & Chateaux were admitted to the prestigious association this year.
Worldwide, about 450 privately owned boutique hotels are members. What differentiates Relais & Chateaux hotels is their attention to gourmet dining.
Hotels have an average of 30 rooms. “Not only must the service be exceptional, the hotel must offer an individualized experience. We want you to feel like staying in someone’s home,” said Brenda Homick, director of North America, where Relais & Chateaux has 45 members.
Members are inspected repeatedly and anonymously.
Details: Rates start at about $250 at some properties but can run much higher. Children’s programs vary, but many do not allow young children. (800) 735-2478; www.relaischateaux.com.
Ritz-Carlton: Ritz-Carlton is the homegrown luxury brand, with grand sweeping spaces and the distinctively American goal that guests are “treated like family,” said Bruce Himelstein, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
The company — which manages but typically does not own its 60 hotels, 28 in the United States — has gold standards of friendly service throughout the brand.
Detractors argue that Ritz-Carlton hotels are simply a dressed-up version of sister brand Marriott, with a cookie-cutter style.
That’s changing. Today, Ritz-Carlton still has its “classic” hotels — Newport style, found in Naples, Manalapan and Key Biscayne, all in Florida. But most of its new hotels are individually designed to reflect a sense of place.
Details: Most hotels have 200 to 250 rooms; all have the Ritz Kids program. Most have a spa and serve afternoon tea. Rates generally start at $250 or higher, but specials are sometimes available. All Ritz-Carltons have a club-level floor, typically priced at $100 above the regular rate, where guests get complimentary snacks and cocktails. (Hint: Unless you’re into heavy dining, you can eat lightly at the club throughout your stay and feel quite satisfied.) (800) 241-3333; www.ritzcarlton.com.
Small Luxury Hotels: Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a consortium of 300-plus independently owned lodgings, with more than 40 members in the United States.
Though hotels pay to belong to the network, the group maintains high standards, said Lanny Grossman, director of public relations and marketing in the Americas. Neither a restaurant nor spa is required, though many lodgings have both.
Hotels are inspected by a mystery shopper when they apply for membership, and every other year after they’ve been admitted. In 2004, for instance, 150 applications were rejected and 44 accepted, said Grossman. And yes, hotels have been kicked out for not maintaining standards.
Details: The average number of rooms in member hotels is 55; the largest, Banyan Tree in Bangkok, has 200 rooms. Lodgings include city hotels, resorts and country houses. Some offer kid-friendly programs; others don’t allow children under 16. The average room rate is about $300. (800) 525-4800; www.slh.com.