The world's poshest hotels (Travel News)

The world's poshest hotels

By Laura Tait

Are you one of those people who just wants somewhere to crash in between all your holiday sightseeing? Or do you want a Jacuzzi, a butler and 101 reasons not to have to leave your room? If you're in the latter camp then it doesn't get much better than this lot.

Burj al Arab, Dubai

Arriving over the private bridge in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, you'll find the world's original 7-star hotel, looking like a billowing sail, soaring to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai skyline and illuminated at night by choreographed lighting representing water and fire. In your suite you'll find a rain shower, Jacuzzi, sweeping staircase up to your bedroom, Hermes-stocked bathroom, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Dubai coastline and a dedicated private butler.

The world's poshest hotels Image: Nikolas Koening Chateau Marmont, LA Its West Hollywood location and Old Hollywood charm has turned the Chateau Marmont (featured in Sofia Coppola's latest film 'Somewhere') into a bit of a hedonistic hangout for celebs, from Greta Garbo to Lily Allen. Built in 1920 using blueprints drawn from a French castle in the Loire Valley, the general theme is simplicity, elegance and luxury, and despite some of its celebrity connections being notorious (John Belushi died of an overdose there in 1982), there's nowhere else in the world you'll feel more like an A-lister. Just don't smother yourself in food – that's how Britney got herself barred pre-breakdown. The world's poshest hotels Image: Roberto Patti Town House Galleria, Milan Located inside the historic 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II' built in 1876, with its hand-painted vaulted ceilings and large shuttered windows preserved, this intimate and exclusive hotel proves that the best things often do come in small packages. With seven stars and seven suites, it's the smallest accommodation on the list, but that means guests get that little bit more of a personal touch – your butler can take care of restaurant reservations, cocktail parties, private dining and theatre bookings, as well as fluffing your pillows and polishing the provided leather-covered laptop. The world's poshest hotels Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Australia Arguably the most luxurious hotel you'll find down under, it's hard to stop staring from the moment you arrive in the grand foyer – it's all marble, mosaics, vaulted ceilings hand detailed in gold with an antique chandelier from the grand State Library of Milan, and floor-to-ceiling glass with a view of the sparkling blue of the Broadwater. And that's all before you get to your room. There you'll find that the Versace furniture, linen and bath products in your room is glamorous, sexy and just the right amount of OTT.