Simply mention the name Ritz-Carlton, and immediately one’s thoughts turn to the ultimate in luxury hotels. They have built their reputation on catering to the needs of their clientele in a way that sets them apart from other luxury hotel chains. The Ritz-Carlton was the creation of Swiss hotelier, Cesar Ritz who was known as the “king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings”. The flagship locations in Paris and London defined luxury and the most famous chef from his hotels, August Escoffier, is known the world over for his fine dining and culinary skills. We are going to take a look at the most luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotels in Europe.
The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, Austria
Located in the very center of Vienna, directly on the famous Ring Boulevard, this location offers their “Club Lounge” that offers a customized experience including 24 hour access to the Club Lounge, daily food and beverages with an open bar, a selection of international papers, and additional complimentary time in the Guerlain spa. There are 202 guest rooms and 43 suites each with spectacular views of Vienna along the Ringstrasse and next to the Stadtpark. There is also a Chocolate Sommelier available for exclusive chocolate tastings. The Presidential Suite with Club Lounge access will set you back $5,500/night.
The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, Germany
Located on the famous Potsdamer Platz, this location is conveniently located amidst the soaring architecture and upscale shopping of the Mall of Berlin. There are 303 guest rooms and 39 suites, 1 Presidential Suite and one Ritz-Carlton Apartment. he Ritz-Carlton Apartment is 3,100 square feet of luxury and larger than most private homes and the cost of it is $15,000 per night.
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife Spain
This amazing resort is located in the enclave of Guia de Isora with views from the highest point upon the slopes of The Teide to the tranquil stretch of the sandy beaches. The hotel’s architecture has a Moorish inspired design that blends in beautifully with the surrounding terrain. There is a world class golf course to challenge the sportsmen and a relaxing spa to ease the mind and body at the end of the day. There are also two Michelin-star winning restaurants; M.B. which is Basque inspired, and Kabuki that offers Japanese fare. In addition to the rooms and suites, there is a spectacular Imperial Suite available. It is over 10,000 square feet of unparalleled luxury. It is set atop the Citadel with a rooftop terrace with heated swimming pool. There is also a private dining room that can seat up to eight guests or you can choose to dine outdoors with panoramic views. This amazing suite will run you $6,200 per night.
The Ritz London, England (a partner hotel)
Often noted as the world’s greatest hotel, this London landmark is located in Piccadilly and has catered to “the great and the good, the intelligentsia, the glitterati” as well as thousands of discerning guests. There are 137 rooms and suites and gourmet cuisine at The Ritz Restaurant. High tea can be had at The Palm Court and the Rivoli bar is famous for their exquisite cocktails and light fare. In this location, there is also a member only Club Casino with its own restaurant. The architecture and décor are antique many of which are Louis XVI appointments complete with 24 carat gold leaf details but housed within the hotel are all the amenities of modern technology. A one bedroom suite here will run you around $2,000 per night.
The Ritz Paris, France
The Imperial Suite at the Paris location is the penultimate in luxury. This location has breathtaking views of the Vendome column, 18 foot ceilings, and original and historical appointments. It gives the guest the feeling of staying in their own private palace. One secret about this hotel is that one of the rooms is an exact replica of a room of Marie Antoinette’s at the Palace of Versailles. This is the ultimate in luxury accommodations. This is the hotel that Coco Chanel made famous and was a frequent visitor. She famously said, “the Ritz is my home”. Ernest Hemingway was also a guest here and had said, “when I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz”. At the crossroads of fine dining, world class fashion and architecture, there can be no greater hotel in the world than the Ritz in Paris. Their most expensive suite costs $18,000 per night.
Photos from Ritz-Carlton
