5. ROSEWOOD
The ROSEWOOD story began in 1979 when a historic mansion in Dallas, Texas, was transformed into an award-winning world-class restaurant and hotel – the Mansion on Turtle Creek – and its success served as a blueprint for all subsequent Rosewood hotels and resorts. Today, Rosewood manages a portfolio of unique, highly personalized, luxury residential hotels worldwide, including world-renowned hotels such as the Carlyle in New York and the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. Led by a team of industry veterans, Rosewood Hotels’ attention to detail, positive attitude towards environmental sustainability and dedication to relationship hotels have won the group numerous awards and accolades. Each hotel offers a unique atmosphere and style in which location, culture, history and geography are part of the hotel’s fabric, reflecting the company’s “sense of place” philosophy.
4. ONE&ONLY RESORTS
The One&Only Luxury Hotel brand was created in 2002 by Solomon Kerzner – a South African accountant and business magnate – specifically for the luxury holiday market and now boasts some of the highest rated resorts in the world’s most idyllic spots such as the Maldives, Mexico and Cape Town. Award-winning collections continue to grow with the launch of One&Only Nature Resorts, such as One&Only Nyungwe House and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda, Building on the success of One&Only One&Only Emirates in Wogan Valley, Australia. Each resort in the One&Only collection not only offers a unique design and atmosphere that blends into the local environment, but also offers an unparalleled commitment to delivering the best possible experience on every possible level. The luxurious accommodation is made up of impeccable service, exclusive wellness shelters, a host of lively entertainment and activities, and exquisite culinary adventures from some of the world’s most accomplished chefs.
3. FOUR SEASONS
Four Seasons is probably the most recognizable luxury hotel brand in the world, with more than 100 properties on five continents and dozens of hotel projects in development. The Canada-based company has transformed the hospitality industry over nearly 50 years with constant innovation, significant expansion and a single-minded dedication to the highest standards. Four Seasons was founded in 1960 by young architect Isadore Sharp, but the brand’s real breakthrough came in the 70s with the opening of the Four Seasons London, which set the tone for the company’s future direction and pioneered many of the iconic Four Seasons services now offered worldwide. Although Sharp went public in 1986, the Sharp family, along with like-minded investors such as Bill Gates and Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, took the company private again in 2007 to protect the brand’s good reputation into the future.
2. AMAN
Carefully designed to frame a natural environment, the Amman Hotel is known for its breathtaking location, locally inspired architecture, and ultimate privacy. Each welcomes guests as if arriving at the home of a close friend, instilling a sense of peace and belonging in some of the most diverse natural and historical landscapes. The practice has changed little since 1988, when the first resort was built on Phuket’s west coast. It was named Amanpuri, which means’ place of peace ‘, and the luxury hotel brand Aman was born. Today, with 31 ultra-luxury hotels in 20 countries, Amman is one of the best ultra-luxury hotel brands in the world and continues to seek transformative experiences and awe-inspiring locations around the world.Award-winning collections continue to grow with the launch of One&Only Nature Resorts, such as One&Only Nyungwe House and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda, Building on the success of One&Only One&Only Emirates in Wogan Valley, Australia. Each resort in the One&Only collection not only offers a unique design and atmosphere that blends into the local environment, but also offers an unparalleled commitment to delivering the best possible experience on every possible level. Among Oman’s habitual crowd is an enthusiastic group of repeat customers – calling themselves “Amman fans” – who rave about the service and design aesthetics, and whose travel plans are dictated by the location in Oman.
1. SONEVA
In 1995, Indian-born British hotelier Sonu Shivdasani opened the now-world-famous Soneva Fu Resort on the desolate island of Kunfunadhoo in the Maldives, setting the trend for luxury vacations that go back to nature. He also built his own house there with his wife, Swedish fashion model Eva Malmstrom, who designed and furnished the unique resort. They had no idea that their strong personal vision of locally made villas and an environmentally responsible lifestyle would form the basis of successful world-class hotels, resorts and spas. But that’s what happened. In 2009, the Soniva Hotel Group built a second, more spectacular Soniva Kiri Hotel on the unspoilt island of Koh, Thailand. In 2016, Soneva opened the most spectacular hotel in the Maldives, and if the world had to choose the most spectacular hotel, it would be Soneva Jani. Based on a shared passion and a master of innovation, Soneva is a thriving community that works hand in hand with the environment to create beautiful experiences that go beyond customization to discover a way of life.
Other hotels include the Peninsula, the Fairmont Hotel Group, the Ritz-Carlton, the Waldorf Astoria, Capella and more. The message board is welcome to continue to add what you think of as luxury hotel brands!