If you want to enjoy an unforgettable getaway that begins from the moment you step into the lobby of your hotel, these spectacular hotel lobbies in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels around the world are sure to win you over, going well beyond the norm when it comes to grand first impressions.
Raffles Singapore, Singapore
The Raffles Singapore has been a destination in its own right since opening back in 1887, epitomizing the romance of the Far East. This colonial-style hotel offers a very Victorian feel, home to one of the most impressive collections of wool carpets in the world, some proudly displayed in the magnificent lobby, renowned as one of the grandest on earth. There are few hotels with such a rich and colorful history, immortalized by writers like Rudyard Kipling, Alfred Hitchcock and Ernest Hemingway. Names like Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor are just a few who’ve stepped through its ornate wrought-iron portico and into the imposing, classic lobby that retains its original elegance, practically unaltered from the turn of the century. This graceful landmark also offers retail therapy with a shopping arcade featuring upscale shops like Louis Vuitton, as well as a luxurious spa, an outdoor pool, beautiful gardens and antique-filled common areas.
Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Oman
Nestled between an idyllic stretch of private beach at the edge of an azure sea and the rugged Al Hajar mountain range, this Ritz-Carlton property is a hidden jewel among Muscat hotels. It welcomes guests with a reception area that is truly palatial. Arab and art deco influences infuse the resort with an elegant ambiance, particularly in the majestic, 124-foot high domed atrium lobby – nearly 10 feet longer than the Taj Mahal dome. At its center is a massive crystal chandelier. This lavish retreat features a long stretch of desert white sand in front and five palm-lined pools among its acres of impeccably manicured gardens, all steeped in ancient traditions with contemporary comforts. Each of the gigantic rooms and suites boasts state-of-the-art amenities including palatial bathrooms and private balconies for gazing at the spectacular mountain, sea or garden views.
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa - Patagonia, Chile
The interior architects for the Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa aimed to bring the outside in and did a breathtaking job accomplishing it. The lobby boasts a grand sweep of immense floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views over the deep blue waters of Lake Sarmiento all the way to the magnificent peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, the centerpiece of Chilean Patagonia. Constructed almost entirely from native lenga wood, the great room seamlessly unites a sitting area with a circular fireplace, bar and a dining space. The rooms and suites display the same aesthetic and are appointed with simple but attractive furniture that imparts a Shaker-like elegance, enveloping guests in warmth amid the wilderness.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco - San Francisco, California
Located on the bay in the Embarcadero, a mesmerizing 20-floor atrium greets guests to this stunning property that’s considered a local attraction itself. It holds a title in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest hotel lobby in the world, at a massive 42,000 square feet. Some travelers say that’d stay here just for this soaring lobby with lights that create a breathtaking falling star effect as you ascend via a glass elevator to your especially spacious room with Heavenly beds – some with to-die-for Bay views. As you walk through the open space, stop to admire Charles Perry’s Grand Eclipse, a hollow, multi-dimensional sphere that alters perspectives and casts captivating shadows. All chic rooms line the perimeter of the dramatic atrium, where dozens of light ropes stretch from the ceiling, illuminating the lobby.
Veranda Resort & Villas Hua Hin Cha Am - MGallery, Thailand
Hidden in the hills that surround Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, Veranda Resort & Villas Hua Hin Cha Am was designed for an especially rejuvenating, relaxing getaway that begins at the property’s open-air reception with its long, shallow pool opening to a full-sized pool, and finally, the tranquil, cerulean waters of the sea. The sleek rooms are set within five acres of Feng Shui gardens with water features, tropical palms and evergreen trees. For the best of the best, choose the opulent Sky Pool Villa, where you can swim in a private rooftop infinity pool while taking in breathtaking views over the Gulf of Thailand. Sign up for a cooking class, practice yoga or play beach volleyball, then treat yourself with a pampering massage and facial at Veranda spa.
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo rises above the historical merchant district of Nihonbashi and enjoys unsurpassed city views along with a sophisticated, modern oasis of calm. Your visit will be impressive from the start, where the stunning lobby on the 38th floor is sure to take your breath away. From here, you can see what feels like the entire city of Tokyo, with its sweeping views across the metropolis. Along with extraordinary service, this property features hushed public areas that complement its stylish rooms, all with the latest and greatest tech amenities, include massive TVs. Continue your unforgettable escape by indulging in treatments at the award-winning on-site spa with a steam room, pools, sauna and unique rituals like Japanese kiatsu, a technique that involves acupressure and energy work, performed in rooms that offer more incredible vistas. Dine at exceptional restaurants, like the French-inspired Signature and Sense, offering Cantonese cuisine. If you want something more unique, make a reservation for one of just eight seats at the intimate Tapas Molecular Bar.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
The Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, with its distinctive sailboat-shaped silhouette emerging from the sea as a dazzling architectural marvel in the middle of the Arabian Gulf. The hotel, which opened in 1999, declared itself the world’s first 7-star property, though the rating doesn’t technically exist, it certainly is over-the-top in every way imaginable. The two “wings” spread in a V to form a massive “mast,” while the space between them is enclosed in the massive, 590-foot-tall lobby which features a central fountain and cascading waterfall with columns embellished with 24-karat gold leaf. There is so much gold about the place – not just the furniture, but the flush on the toilet and the bidet taps, gold-plated iPads and iPhones in the gift shop and gold leaf sprinkled on top of your cappuccino instead of chocolate. There is also a fleet of white Rolls Royce vehicles on the forecourt, while fireworks launch from the bridge to announce the arrival of VVIPs. And, no just very important doesn’t cut it.
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain
There is no shortage of architectural stunners along Barcelona’s main thoroughfare. The ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental Hotel is a top pick, set within a converted 19th-century bank building that features a towering white atrium and floating “catwalk” that leads from the elegant Passeig de Gracia, flanked by Tiffany and Brioni boutiques, up to a cream-and-gold-hued lobby. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola plays with light and space with mirrored ceilings, sliding crystal doors and intricate latticework. The public spaces have Asian touches that reference the Mandarin Oriental group’s Eastern origins, while stylish rooms are light and airy, done in ivory with clean, minimalist lines, hardwood plank floors and accent carpeting. Guests can enjoy the plunge pool on the rooftop terrace and another, larger pool in the spa, which, with its lavish treatment cabins.
Four Seasons George V, Paris
The lobby of the Four Seasons George V is steeped in gorgeous period pieces, from original tapestries and spectacular bronze sculptures to a glittering Florence chandelier, along with a bounty of continually refreshed floral displays. Admirers come from around the world to see this breathtaking decorated space that serves as a showcase for the roughly $1.5 million per year the hotel spends on flowers alone. The property features elegantly appointed rooms and suites – even the entry-level Superior Rooms are the largest of their kind in Paris, at 400 square feet. Decked with sumptuous fabrics and Louis XVI trimmings as well as marble-trimmed bathrooms with TVs hidden behind the mirrors, no detail is missed. The spa and fitness center includes private treatment rooms and an indoor pool.
ITC Grand Chola - Chennai, India
The lobby of the ITC Grand Chola hotel is even more impressive when its procession of elegant, sari-clad staff members are lined up to greet guests, but it’s an imposing space either way. Gleaming marble abounds, while the hotel as a whole boasts a million square feet of hand-carved marble. The luxurious property channels the glory of the Chola Dynasty, one of the greatest and longest-ruling maritime dynasties in the history of southern India. The vast spaces, splendid columns, alabaster granite, and marble walls and floors, sweep you along the corridors to elegant rooms upholstered in rich fabrics with delicate hues as well as a collection of lavishly appointed, serviced apartments.
The Roosevelt Hotel - New Orleans, Louisiana
The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans has hosted a long list of VIPs, including Hollywood stars, presidents and royalty since its opening in 1893. The hotel stands out as a gem, exemplifying the city’s glamorous side. The grand lobby is a highlight, a welcoming, block-long art deco hall, lit up by crystal chandeliers. (Its Christmas decor is particularly spectacular!) As one of the city’s truly iconic hotels, everything is impressive, from its renovation that uncovered the original tiles floors and impeccably detailed moldings to its monumental “Paris Exhibition Clock” statue, the classic rooms, rooftop pool, historic eatery and exemplary service. Though it was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, all the glam is back, with its historic Sazerac Bar and legendary Fountain Lounge. Guests can also take advantage of the world-class European spa and fitness center.
Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade - Cleveland, Ohio
Step into the stunning 7,000-square-foot lobby at the Hyatt Regency Cleveland, and look upward to take in the 85-foot-high vaulted skylight made up of 1,800 panes of glass. You might wonder if this five-story indoor atrium is actually a very fancy mall. And, that’s because it is. It occupies the five-story Arcade, one of the country’s very first indoor shopping malls, located just off Lake Erie in the heart of downtown. Constructed in 1890, and modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, this iconic Cleveland landmark continues to function as a retail center housing shops, cafes and restaurants. The Victorian styled iron-and-glass-vaulted ceiling spans the entire 300 feet of the space, allowing sunlight to pour in throughout the day.
Hotel Icon - Kowloon, Hong Kong
The Hotel Icon in Kowloon, Hong Kong is home to the largest indoor vertical garden in Asia, set within its magnificent lobby. French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc designed the feature, which measures nearly 60 feet in height and covers almost 2,500 square feet. Made up of a multitude of native plants, the vertical garden functions as a welcome natural sight within the congested city center. The majority of the bright, unfussy rooms offer great views of the harbor, and all feature a complimentary mini-bar. The hotel also has a small spa and 24-hour gym.
The Liberty Hotel - Boston, Massachusetts
The Charles Street Jail was once the home of famous inmates like James Michael Curley and Malcolm X, but was transformed into the luxurious Liberty Hotel in 2007, leaving its original brick structure intact. The hotel masterfully repurposed what was once the main jailhouse into a sleek lobby with three-story windows that mark its corners. Balconies line the perimeter of the lobby on every floor. The atrium features cast-iron chandeliers outfitted with Edison Bulbs, while atmospheric prints of trees extend from the floor to the high ceiling. Guests can dine in remnants of the original jail cells at the hotel’s cleverly named Clink restaurant, or sip a drink in the bar that was once a drunk tank.
Old Faithful Inn - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
This National Historic Landmark was built in 1903-1904 with local logs and stone, becoming what’s considered to be the largest log structure in the world. Located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, the inn offers the very best viewing spot for “Old Faithful,” the famous geyser which erupts, on average, every 91 minutes. The towering lobby boasts a massive stone fireplace with four hearths and a hand-crafted clock made of copper, wood and wrought iron serving as focal points. Lights on each of the supporting wooden columns add a particularly warm glow, while the aromas of pine and cedar fill the air. Even if you don’t spend the night here, be sure to walk through, or even take the free guided tour to admire the lobby. You can also watch Old Faithful from the second-floor outdoor decks.
