CNN's 10 Most Legendary Luxury Hotels

Striking the balance between its storied past and limitless future, The Plaza is the ultimate New York City luxury lifestyle destination - an iconic urban resort with a new and contemporary spirit. While traditions remain, such as the opulent grandeur of the Beaux Arts décor and the iconic Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court, exciting new offerings at this legendary hotel include the elegant Champagne Bar, the stylish Rose Club, The Todd English Food Hall, and The Plaza Food Hall. The Plaza Hotel offers 282 distinctive guestrooms, including 102 luxurious suites, which boast the largest square footage of any luxury hotel in New York City. From the sumptuous décor to the impeccable white glove service, The Plaza is an extraordinary hotel that offers every indulgence. For our suite guests, The Plaza is pleased to offer Butler Service 24 hours a day.

The Ritz Paris is reborn and invites you to experience anew the City of Light.

Now freshly restored, its grand décor and intimate salons welcome guests to rediscover a unique atmosphere and the inimitable French art de vivre.

It started life as a single house, but Claridge’s was soon transformed into an art deco masterpiece favoured by royalty and the most distinguished figures of every generation.

William and Marianne Claridge are running a hotel in a single house at 51 Brook Street. In an ambitious move to expand their business, they buy the adjoining five buildings in 1854. Claridge’s opens in its own right in 1856.

Perhaps the world’s greatest hotel, Raffles Singapore stands where it has always stood, at the crossroads of civilisation and culture, a colonial oasis in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting cities.

The history of Mumbai and The Taj Mahal Palace are dramatically intertwined. The hotel is Mumbai’s first harbour landmark (built 21 years before the Gateway of India) and the site of the first licensed bar in the city. For more than a century, the Taj has played an intrinsic part in the life of the city, hosting Maharajas, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe. To it is an world leader in hospitality and a favourite destination for discerning business travellers.

Affectionately known as the ‘Pink Palace’, The Beverly Hills Hotel is famous for legendary service and legendary guests

Over the past one hundred years, Hollywood stars have enjoyed the timeless glamour of this dramatically beautiful setting, attracted by the relaxed resort-feel and seamless service. Located on Sunset Boulevard in the center of Beverly Hills, the hotel is surrounded by 12 acres of lush, tropical gardens and exotic flowers.

Created in 1928, and Hong Kong’s oldest hotel, the legendary “Grande Dame of the Far East” continues to set hotel standards worldwide, offering a blend of the best Eastern and Western hospitality in an atmosphere of unmatched classical grandeur and timeless elegance. A stay at the hotel allows you to re-live the glamour of travel of a by-gone era and explore the many antiques and historical artifacts on display around the hotel.

Occupying the top floors of the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York City luxury hotel, The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria New York has set the standard worldwide for fine dining, historic rooms and elegant events for over a century. Step into our private 50th Street entrance, just off Park Avenue. Allow our Manhattan suites hotel Specialist to hand-select the ideal accommodations for your stay.

The Ritz London opened its doors on 24th May 1906 on the Piccadilly site of the Walsingham House Hotel, formerly the Bath Hotel. Conceived by renowned hotelier César Ritz, The Ritz owes its architectural design to the successful partnership formed in 1900 between Frenchman Charles Mewés and Englishman Arthur Davis.