6 of the best hotels for VIPs in the world

Renowned for its faultless staff and scrupulous attention to detail for more than 100 years, The Plaza is New York’s crown jewel when it comes to VIP luxury right from the moment you step through its famed revolving door.

The hotel looms over Central Park in an enviable Fifth Avenue corner location, perfect for high-end shopping and one-of-a-kind sightseeing in this iconic city.

Regular guests include Hollywood A-listers, Broadway stars and world prominent leaders and the hotel features a plethora of world-class services to cater to their every whim.

The hotel’s 282 rooms and 102 suites are classically designed with all the contemporary amenities you would expect to find at a five-star establishment.

The spacious suites in its Legacy Suite Collection go all out with between 900-2,100 square feet of living space and top VIP status, including a dedicated white glove butler service, fresh flowers, dedicated reservations line to the concierge desk, and personalised pre-arrival concierge services.

Highlights:

• The Plaza Boutique retail experience and Eloise Pop-up shop under one roof
• The iconic The Palm Court restaurant offers American-style fare afternoon tea, showcasing custom fine china made exclusively for The Plaza
• The Champagne Bar overlooks the elegant Pulitzer Fountain and proves a gorgeous spot for a drink or two

It’s hard to pinpoint one specific resort in the Maldives that outshines the rest as they are all sublime, delivering world-class services that complement their utopian location.

Four Seasons Private Island at Voavah stands out for its combination of the intimacy and exclusivity of a private tropical island alongside the excellence of the Four Seasons brand. And the result is utter perfection.

Positioned in the Baa Atoll, a recognised UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the entire five-acre island can be booked as a secluded hideaway for you and up to 21 guests.

Incredible private features include a 62-foot yacht to explore the surrounding reefs at your leisure, excellent dive centre with state-of-the-art water sport activities, and beautiful spa with multi-award-winning therapists at your service.

The wonderful Beach House is a relaxing hub with gym, library, living and dining rooms for hanging out together when not lolling on the flour-white sands or splashing in the crystal waters.

VIPs are well catered for with anonymous access to and from this mid-ocean island via private jet and private seaplane transfers, as well as 24-hour onsite security patrols, CCTV, and night-vision cameras.

Your holiday comes complete with a dedicated island-based team who will take care of everything you require, from personal chefs and personal water sports instructors to world-class nannies and local culture specialists.

Highlights:

• Adrenaline-fuelled water sports activities include X-Jetblades, kitesurfing, jet skis and Seabobs with instructors on hand
• Villas and Suites include panoramic Mezzanine Suites, a Two-Bedroom Water Villa, and a Three-Bedroom Beach Villa—all are spacious, bright, and luxurious with a home-from-home vibe
• The Ocean of Consciousness Spa is perched over the lagoon and offers a sumptuous menu of bespoke treatments as well as yoga, meditation, and hair and beauty therapies

It would be remiss of us to not mention the inimitable Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

As one of the most recognisable hotels in the world it has one of the highest reputations for luxuriousness and five-star VIP hospitality with a staff-to-suite ratio of 8:1, which provides round-the-clock indulgence and personalised service for every guest.

Everything at this palatial all-suite hotel is designed to ensure its guests have an unforgettable experience, from the moment you step into the lobby’s 180-metre-high atrium, which features 21,000 Swarovski crystals embedded into the ceiling, to sleeping amid the bold and lavish interiors of the dazzling suites. 

The hotel boasts a wealth of VIP amenities such as impeccable 24-hour butler services, a fleet of luxury supercars to hire, a private helipad, unlimited access to Wild Wadi Waterpark™ and even a 24-carat gold iPad to use as a ‘virtual concierge’ for guests.

For a true slice of luxury have the concierge charter your very own private yacht, complete with butler, hostess and chef on board so you can discover the cerulean waters of the Arabian Gulf at your leisure.

Highlights:

• The Terrace—a first-of-its-kind luxury beach facility covering 10,000 square feet, with pools, Jacuzzis, cabanas, restaurant, and man-made beach
• Join in with Dubai’s committed conservation efforts at its dedicated Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary and meet rescued sea turtles before they are released back into the wild 
• An abundance of ocean-based activities at the Water Sports Centre like paddleboarding, wakeboarding, banana boat rides, and water-skiing to name a few

A legendary hotel on the exquisite French Riviera, this five-star landmark exudes a different level of class from its position overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Timeless in its ambience and effortless in its elegance, the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat has been welcoming VIPs for decades from Hollywood royalty like Elizabeth Taylor to prominent world leaders like Winston Churchill. 

For guests who want to book a VIP stay at one of the world’s top luxury hotels, the ultimate accommodation option here is the exclusive Villa Rose-Pierre, which sleeps up to 10 people.

Elevated above the sea with its own private pool and private terraces and gardens, this magnificent villa is nestled away amid the pines and boasts a full staff on hand 24 hours a day to attend to your every need.

Offering a true VIP experience, the villa includes daily breakfast, in-room spa treatments, sauna, private tennis court, kitchen for your catering staff, and a fitness studio for private yoga sessions.

Four Seasons resorts always go the extra mile and offer a unique range of private experiences for guests, and Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat is no exception.

Dine and stargaze under the night sky with a world-renowned planetary scientist, take the hotel’s 1960s vintage convertible for a spin to nearby Nice or Monaco, or enjoy a private customised dinner by a Michelin-starred chef at Club Dauphin, for example.

Highlights:

• Since 1939 Club Dauphin has been the hotel’s iconic centrepiece and is cited as one of the world’s most beautiful swimming pools
• Gastronomic delights include fine dining at Le Cap by Michelin-starred Chef Yoric Tièche and casual fare at La Veranda and Club Dauphin’s poolside grill
• Tailored wellness programmes including yoga and outdoor sports, relaxation treatments such as massage and aromatherapy, nature-based activities, and culinary courses

Notorious for its legendary hospitality and meticulous attention to detail, The Peninsula is a historic hotel in Hong Kong’s popular Kowloon district and has set the benchmark worldwide for five-star luxury since 1928.

Affectionately known as the ‘Grand Dame of the Far East’, this gorgeous hotel marries old-school elegance with modern-day comforts in a beautiful East-meets-West style, making it a hit with celebrities, dignitaries, and VIPs from around the world.

Rooms and suites have typically luxurious interiors with stunning features like unique freeform art installations and intricate artisanal detailing on the walls, as well as state-of-the-art in-room technology with fully customised interactive digital tablets by your bedside.

Daily fruit baskets and daily digital newspapers for each room are a lovely touch to add to the hotel’s great services. Also, ‘Peninsula Time’ allows guests to make the most of their room with early check in from 6am on arrival day and check out as late as 10pm on the day of departure.

Hong Kong is known for its culinary excellence and The Peninsula doesn’t disappoint on that front.

The hotel delivers stunning global cuisine across seven restaurants including Japanese, Cantonese, French, and Swiss fine dining as well as continental and international fare, plus The Bar is a sleek and intimate spot for a cheeky nightcap during your stay.

Highlights:

• The Peninsula Arcade is the hotel’s exclusive retail haven with dozens of high-end designer shops, located directly within Kowloon’s shopping and dining district on the ‘Golden Mile’
• The award-winning Peninsula Spa offers a wide range of personalised treatments and services with striking views over Victoria Harbour 
• The fitness centre provides state-of-the-art equipment and plenty of excellent fitness programmes, including unique wellness experiences like the fantastic Midweek Victoria Harbour Night Run

Hotel President Wilson is one of the most prominent addresses in the city of Geneva, which is home to the main European headquarters of the UN and frequently plays host to a multitude of dignitaries, heads of state and even royalty. 

Its luxurious Royal Penthouse Suite is the largest in Europe with 12 bedrooms and accompanying bathrooms for your friends and family, or more likely for your entourage if you happen to be previous guests Rihanna, Bill Gates, or Michael Douglas for example.

Prioritising safety and security for its eminent visitors, this phenomenal suite features bulletproof windows, a sophisticated alarm system, panic button, reinforced safe and private elevator for discreet entry and exit.

Highlights:

• Minutes away from beautiful parks and world-class designer shopping along the illustrious Rue du Rhône
• Dine at the Michelin-starred Bayview Restaurant by Michael Roth or the most popular Lebanese restaurant in Geneva: L’Arabesque
• The hotel Spa is the first in Switzerland to offer the esteemed La Mer skincare products and signature treatments