Welcome to the second of our three-part blog series that covers some of the most famous hotels in the world. For readers who might have missed the first post, we covered some of what can only be described as heavyweight hotels. We looked at The Ritz in Paris, The Plaza in New York, Raffles Hotel in Singapore and Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Let’s get straight into this post and discover more of the biggest, best and most famous hotels.
Claridge’s – London
If you are into art-deco, then Claridge’s is one of the worlds shining examples. Befitting for heads of state, including the kings and queens of Yugoslavia, Norway and Greece, who all stayed during World War II, to avoid potential danger in their own countries.
One interesting fact around Claridge’s, which isn’t necessarily known by everyone, occurred during the aforementioned war. The encumberment Winston Churchill declared suit 212 Yugoslavian territory. The reasoning behind this was that it then allowed Crown Prince Alexander II to be born on sovereign territory. In addition to royal figures, the hotel has been a massive hit for the likes of Jackie Onassis, Aristotle, HM The Queen Mother and also saw Kate Moss throwing her 30th Birthday bash. 5 Star luxury in the heart of London’s Mayfair has never been more decadent than it is in Claridge’s.
Sofitel Legend Metropole – Hanoi
A quick trip the other side of the globe to Southeast Asia sees us turn our focus to the one and only Sofitel Legend Metropole. Owning the title of one of the most iconic hotels in this up and coming region, the Metropole is a sight for sore-eyes.
Built at the turn of the 20th Century (1901, to be precise), it has seen pretty much anyone and everyone of importance stay. The guest list includes none other than Charlie Chaplin, Graeme Greene, W. Somerset Maugham and Joan Baez. It is perhaps no surprise that this hotel has consistently been shortlisted for some of the most prestigious hotel awards, including an array of prizes on the World Travel Awards website.
GoldenEye – Jamaica
Ian Fleming, the man behind the James Bond novels, moved to Jamaica during World War II when the Royal Navy sent him to investigate U-boat activities in the region. Once the conflict was over, Fleming embarked on a stunning project of building his dream home which, when built, was named GoldenEye.
If you are lucky enough to stay at the hotel, you will be able to witness the desk area where the legendary writer first wrote about the legendary British hero. For the ultimate experience in luxury, guests who are looking for complete privacy may rent out the Fleming Villa where, aside from its own staff and pool, visitors can also enjoy their very own beach area!
Hopefully you have enjoyed reading about more of our picks of the most famous hotels in the world.
Did you know about Claridge’s and the World War II connection? Or was finding out more about Ian Fleming a bit of an eye opener?
Stay tuned for our third and final installment.
