Hotels
Most expensive hotel in the world: 8 hotels with suites in a class of their own
Bulletproof windows, a bedroom under the sea and art by Damien Hirst. These are the hotels most often named when people ask about the most expensive hotel in the world, and what you get for the money.
There is no single answer to which is the most expensive hotel in the world, because the rates for the biggest suites are rarely public and change all the time. The hotels named most often are Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and Burj Al Arab and Atlantis The Royal in Dubai. In Europe, Paris and Cannes stand out.
What they share is that it is not the room you pay for, but everything around it: a butler around the clock, a private lift, your own chef and a view nobody else has. You do not need to book the most expensive suite to experience these hotels. All of them have ordinary rooms too.
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How we chose the hotels
The hotel has a suite often named among the most expensive in the world in international rankings and travel media.
We do not give prices, as they vary widely and are rarely public.
Hotel facts come from Hotels.com and the hotels' own descriptions of their suites.
The record suites: the ones that usually top the lists
Geneva
The hotel sits on Lake Geneva, a few minutes from the United Nations office in Geneva.
Geneva, Switzerland: Hotel President Wilson
The record: the Royal Penthouse Suite, often described as one of the most expensive suites in the world.
Hotel President Wilson sits on Lake Geneva, and the Royal Penthouse Suite takes up the entire top floor. The suite is known for bulletproof windows and views over the lake and the Alps, and has hosted heads of state and celebrities. The standard rooms share the same lake view.
See the hotel: See rooms at Hotel President Wilson
Las Vegas
Palms sits just west of the Strip in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, USA: Palms Casino Resort
The record: the Empathy Suite, designed by Damien Hirst and described as one of the most expensive hotel suites in the world.
Palms Casino Resort sits just off the Strip in Las Vegas. The Empathy Suite, created by the artist Damien Hirst, was launched as the world's most expensive hotel suite, with artworks, a pool cantilevered over the city and a dedicated butler. The rest of the hotel is more Las Vegas than museum.
See the hotel: See rooms at Palms Casino Resort
The Maldives
Conrad Rangali sits across two islands on South Ari Atoll.
The Maldives: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
The record: The Muraka, a villa with a bedroom below the surface of the sea.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is known for The Muraka, a villa where the bedroom lies under water and fish swim past the glass wall. The resort also has the underwater restaurant Ithaa, so you can have lunch under the sea without staying in the record villa.
See the hotel: See rooms at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Dubai: luxury on a grand scale
Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island, shaped like a sail.
Dubai: Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
The record: the Royal Suite, over two floors with a private cinema and its own lift.
Burj Al Arab stands on its own island off Jumeirah Beach, and is often called the world's first seven star hotel, although there is no official seven star rating. Every room is a suite over two floors, with a butler included. See also our best luxury hotels in Dubai.
See the hotel: See rooms at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
Atlantis The Royal
Atlantis The Royal sits at the tip of Palm Jumeirah.
Dubai: Atlantis The Royal
The record: the Royal Mansion, a penthouse with an infinity pool high above Palm Jumeirah.
Atlantis The Royal opened in 2023 at the tip of Palm Jumeirah, and the Royal Mansion is among the largest and most expensive suites in Dubai. The Aquaventure water park is next door, and the restaurants are among the most talked about in the city.
See the hotel: See rooms at Atlantis The Royal
Europe: palace hotels in Paris and on the Riviera
George V
The hotel sits just off the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement.
Paris, France: Four Seasons Hotel George V
The record: the penthouse suites with terraces facing the Eiffel Tower.
Four Seasons Hotel George V sits just off the Champs-Élysées, and is known for the flower displays in the lobby and several Michelin starred restaurants. The penthouse suites have terraces looking over the rooftops of Paris to the Eiffel Tower.
See the hotel: See rooms at Four Seasons Hotel George V
Crillon
Hôtel de Crillon stands on Place de la Concorde.
Paris, France: Hôtel de Crillon
The record: Les Grands Appartements, designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
Hôtel de Crillon is an 18th century palace on Place de la Concorde. Its two suites Les Grands Appartements were designed by Karl Lagerfeld, with a terrace overlooking the square and towards the Eiffel Tower.
See the hotel: See rooms at Hôtel de Crillon
Cannes
Hôtel Martinez sits on La Croisette, the seafront promenade in Cannes.
Cannes, France: Hôtel Martinez
The record: the penthouse suite on the top floor, with a huge terrace above La Croisette.
Hôtel Martinez is an art deco hotel on La Croisette in Cannes, with its own beach and views over the bay. During the film festival in May the hotel is the centre of the star circuit, and the penthouse suite is among the most sought after on the Riviera.
See the hotel: See rooms at Hôtel Martinez
How to get the luxury without the record price
Stay in a standard room and use the public spaces: the bar, spa, pool and restaurants are the same.
Book lunch or afternoon tea instead of a night. Ithaa at Conrad and tea at Burj Al Arab are popular.
Travel outside high season. Rates in Dubai and the Maldives drop a lot in summer.
Rather stay somewhere special in a different way? Read 8 of the world's most unique hotels.
Frequently asked questions about the most expensive hotels in the world
What is the most expensive hotel in the world?
There is no official answer, but Hotel President Wilson in Geneva and the Empathy Suite at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas are named most often. Both have suites among the most expensive in the world per night.
What is the most expensive hotel room in the world?
The most expensive hotel room in the world is usually a large suite, not a standard room. The Royal Penthouse Suite at Hotel President Wilson, the Empathy Suite in Las Vegas and The Muraka at Conrad Maldives are named most often. Rates are rarely public.
Is Burj Al Arab a seven star hotel?
Burj Al Arab is often called the world's first seven star hotel, but there is no official rating above five stars. The phrase is used for hotels with an exceptionally high level of service.
What is the most expensive hotel in Europe?
The most expensive hotels in Europe are in Geneva, Paris, London and on the Riviera. Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Hôtel de Crillon and Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, and Hôtel Martinez in Cannes are often named.
Can you visit the most expensive hotels without staying?
Yes. Most luxury hotels have restaurants, bars and spas open to visitors. Afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab and lunch at Ithaa at Conrad Maldives are popular ways to experience them.