If you’re traveling the world in style and the nearest Hilton suite just won’t suffice, don’t worry. There might be a seven-star hotel nearby.
Of course, five-star hotels are always nice. There aren’t many options more exclusive than one of the 7 star hotels listed below, though. These resorts are reserved for the world’s truly elite. They include some of the most expensive suites featuring the most luxurious amenities imaginable. It’s hard to say which of these 7 star hotels come out on top, but it’s equally as hard to go wrong with any of the resorts on this list. I’ve tried to include some 7 star hotels from all corners of the world. It's my hope you can live in the lap of luxury wherever you go.
Common features of 7 star hotels
For most of the hotels on this list, the 7 star rating is unofficial. Five stars are fairly common in travel guides, so the innovators behind the world’s most opulent resorts say they need more stars to describe the level of service and quality offered to their guests. These hotels jump past 6 stars to join the exclusive club of 7 star hotels available to those travelers who know where to look. Nonetheless, you can expect to find everything you would in a 5 star hotel, and more, including:
- Concierge service
- Room service
- Turn-down service
- Fine dining
- Access to pools, fitness centers, and other amenities
- Exceptionally crafted details and design
7 star hotels you don't want to miss
You’ll notice many of these hotels make similar claims to defend their place on this list. Whether you demand the most attentive service, the finest dining, or the most luxurious amenities, look no further than the following 7 star hotels.
1. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Credit: GoodFreePhotos
No proper list of seven star hotels would be complete without the granddaddy of them all. So let's start with this opulent resort in Dubai. The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah was the first of the 7 star hotels to receive that designation shortly after it opened in 1999. It was originally called the world’s first 7 star hotel in an article about what was then the third-tallest building in the world.
The architecture makes the Burj Al Arab look like a sailboat hotel at first sight, but its designer actually based its unique form on the sail of a traditional Arabian fishing vessel known as the dhow. Once inside, you’ll find 30 types of marble and 24-karat gold leaf. Other features include a stunning central fountain and waterfall. Among the more than 200 suites include some massive rooms occupying more than 8,000 square feet.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
Staying at the most expensive hotel in Dubai doesn’t come cheap. Even still, you get what you pay for when you’re shopping for seven star hotels. You can choose to be greeted in luxury as soon as you land at the airport. For an extra fee of about $300, you can make the trip to the biggest hotel in Dubai in the seat of a chauffeured white Rolls Royce Phantom.
Staying at the most famous hotel in Dubai can be as inexpensive as $1,000 per night in a one-bedroom suite during a slower season. But prepare to pay up to $20,000 to spend a night in the coveted two-story Royal Suite.
Enjoy dinner on the 27th floor restaurant and bar while you enjoy the breathtaking views of the Persian Gulf and the surrounding United Arab Emirates.
2. The Centaurus in Islamabad, Pakistan
Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Obaid747
Located on nearly seven acres in Pakistan’s capital city, the Centaurus is the definition of seven-star luxury. The design is infused with breathtaking Arabic design elements and cues. Its uniquely curved architecture will leave you in awe before you even arrive. Once inside, though, the service and style will remind you that this is more than just its captivating form.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
A five-story shopping mall was designed to be the nation’s largest retail destination. Architects melded form and function to create a cluster of towers that now hold anything a discerning traveler could need or desire while staying in Islamabad.
Enjoy shopping and unrivaled views without leaving the property, not to mention the world-class food and its close proximity to all of the must-see landmarks Pakistan has to offer. In a short trip from your room, you can visit government buildings including the Parliament and presidential residence as well as countless other attractions you won’t find anywhere but Islamabad. Its massive footprint tucked inside the capital city also means you’ll be staying in safety and security -- not to mention the lap of luxury.
3. Hotel Seven Stars Galleria in Milan, Italy
Credit: TownHouse Galleria
If the Burj Al Arab in Dubai was the first to embrace the 7 star label, Hotel Seven Stars Galleria in Milan made it count. This is the seven-star resort you’ll want to book when planning your trip to Italy. Its founder made it clear he wanted to make sure the designation carried some weight.
The hotel sought certification from SGS, a firm based in Geneva that designated a set of standards specifically so that this exclusive resort could officially have the distinction of being among the world's 7 star hotels. All of the service and amenities you would expect from such a hotel are obvious the moment you arrive at its entrance. The hotel itself is tucked within the breathtaking scenery of Milan’s Galleria Victor Emmanuel.
Architect Ettore Mocchetti’s exquisite work combines the features of seven expansive suites -- one for each of its seven stars -- to create the flawless beauty of this hotel’s outer appearance. His unique design perfectly melds traditional elements like a 19th century dome with modern elements. The unique view is one you won’t see again until your next visit to Milan.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
Inside, find unmatched luxury in every feature. Enjoy the latest in technological advancements and the world-class dining and fine Italian wines offered at the Sinfora salon and restaurant. This is one of the world's 7 star hotels that is all about luxury. While you’re there, try to venture outside of this luxurious hotel long enough to do some shopping. Among the nearby stores are shops operated by some of the finest Italian designers.
There is simply no better alternative if you’re looking for the most luxurious stay during your travels across northern Italy. Like the Burj Al Arab, you can arrive to your destination in the epitome of style. Options include being chauffeured from the airport along with your bags in a stunning Bentley. From there, the attention to detail and expert service only gets better. You can choose your favorite type of bedding before arrival and it will be awaiting you in your suite. For anything else you could possibly dream of, an attentive butler is just a call away.
4. Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea
Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Neroson
South Korea’s entry into the seven star hotel market opened in Seoul to rave reviews from the luxury-minded travelers. Many of those lucky enough to be among its first guests offered glowing endorsements. If you’re looking for the most opulent suites on the Korean peninsula, look no further than the resort accommodations nestled inside of the Lotte World Tower. This 1,820-foot building was recognized as the fifth tallest in the world.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
Many of the features and services you will find at this luxurious hotel are the best the nation has to offer. Amenities include an unmatched selection of champagne and exclusive helicopter transfers to and from the tower.
As with any of the world's 7 star hotels, though, the luxury doesn’t come cheap. Prepare to pay the highest price in the nation for one of the Signiel Seoul’s premiere suites, which command as much as $18,000 per night.
5. The Pangu 7 Star Hotel in Beijing, China
Credit: Flickr, Andrey Belenko
Also known as the Pangu Plaza 7 Star Hotel, the Morgan Plaza is China’s take on the seven star resort. It was opened in anticipation of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. Now the massive hotel provides the far east’s answer to abundant luxury and unmatched service. If the Burj Al Arab in Dubai set the benchmark for what 7 star hotels should be, the Pangu 7 Star Hotel ups the ante for any world traveler looking for the pinnacle of refinement in their hotel choice.
If that’s you, I think you’ll especially enjoy the attention to detail you find as soon as you walk through the magnificent entrance. You will feel embraced in opulence from the massive pillars of marble on display throughout the structure to the intricately carved and exceedingly rare onmosia henryi wood adorning its ceiling.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
A stay in any of its 234 rooms is sure to meet even the highest expectations for service and style. But for those who need some extra room, suites range in size to more than 5,000 square feet. And don’t worry if you need the comforts from home. Even Western travelers will find their every needs met in abundance by the staff at the Pangu 7 Star Hotel. You can relax on furniture from the United States. Then, wash up with cascading fixtures from France and listen to the premium Bose stereo system. Enjoy it all while ensconced in the traditional decor of your host country. Dragons and other traditional Chinese artwork mingles seamlessly with Western touches. The design and service from staff will make you feel at home no matter where you traveled from.
Among the nearby landmarks are pavilions and a world-renown Japanese restaurant. A temple and an array of structures erected specifically for use during the 2008 Olympic games are nearby. You won’t need to leave the hotel for world-class dining, though. An impressive array of restaurants are on call, featuring delicacies and fine dining for any palate.
Regardless, the Pangu 7 Star Hotel is not for every budget. Some reports place the cost of renting an apartment at somewhere around $800,000 per year. If you’re travel allowance won’t provide for an entire year of elegance, some of the smaller suites can be had for just over $300 per night.
6. The Mark Hotel in New York City, United States
Credit: The Mark Hotel
If you travel to the most populous city in the United States often, you have probably heard of the Mark Hotel. If you’ve already stayed there, you know why it’s such an iconic figure in its prominent spot along Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Not only is this historical structure reminiscent of the city’s influential years at the dawn of the 20th century, it also provides its guests with nothing short of the best in amenities and service.
What will strike you first is the eye-catching design with unusual and unexpected design choices you won’t soon forget. Beyond the avant-garde style of the Mark Hotel lies the seven-star treatment that sets this resort apart from its other unique hotels throughout New York City.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
When it’s time to dine, you can choose from some of the world’s finest restaurants, but you won’t have to. Make a reservation at the Mark Restaurant and Bar. There you’ll find a menu brought to you by the expert culinary mind of Chef Jean George Vongerichten. Once you try one of his dishes, you’ll understand why his name carries so much weight in the industry.
The hotel has attracted some of the most discerning travelers from around the world. Prominent figures including former U.S. President Bill Clinton have been among its guests. The staff treats each of their guests like a VIP, though, so there won’t be any need to show your credentials. But you will need to show your credit card. Suites at the Mark Hotel can fetch as much as $86,000 per night.
That price will include some incredible perks including a Frederic Fekkai Salon hairstyling treatment in your room. You can also take advantage of custom tailoring at any hour from the staff of Bergdorf Goodman. And if you travel with a pet, custom dog beds and special menus are just some of the services the Mark Hotel provides.
7. Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Credit: Flickr, Rob Alter
Finally, we end this list where we began. The reason is because there are just so many opulent hotels in the United Arab Emirates. The 7 star hotel trend is attributed to its predecessor, Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. But the nation’s capital spared no expense in staging its entry into the game.
Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
It doesn't matter which of the nearly 400 opulent rooms and suites you reserve. The experience will be unlike any other luxury resort you might have booked before. The Emirates Palace sets itself apart even from the Burj Al Arab in terms of luxury and style. You can relax at a private marina or beside flawlessly maintained pools. You’ll also have access to one of the most beautiful beaches on earth.
Inside of the beautiful tower, you’ll find any amenities you could desire. Guests say the staff's hospitality is the seven star treatment expected at a resort like this.
Luxury accommodations await you at any of the world's 7 star hotels.
Of course, there are few choices that make a deeper impact on your travel plans than your choice of accommodations. That's why we've put together the top picks for the best resorts from around the world. If it's your plan to make the most out of your time away, any of the seven star hotels in this list are sure to please.
Have you stayed at a 7 star hotel? If so, we want to hear about your experience in the comments!
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