Meets the bar

Fat Approved

Fat Approved means a property has earned its place in the Fat Voyage collection without reaching the Favorite or Legend tier. Real strengths balanced against honest weaknesses. A Fat 16.0 isn't a soft pass — it's the editorial floor, the minimum we'll cover.

31properties

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme — Paris, France

Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme occupies a rare position in the Paris palace landscape: it's the anti-Ritz, a temple of understated modern luxury just steps from Place Vendôme that prizes discretion over gilded excess. Ed Tuttle's design — all warm stone, sculptural forms, and controlled palette — reads as genuinely sophisticated rather than decoratively opulent, though multiple guests note the interiors are beginning to show their age in ways that register more acutely at current cash rates north of $1,000 per night. Where the property consistently dazzles is service: the concierge team earns repeated, specific praise for going well beyond standard duties, and staff recognition of returning guests is genuinely impressive rather than performative. The breakfast buffet has achieved something close to legend status among Hyatt Globalists, and the on-site restaurant has historically held a Michelin star — though recent F&B consistency has drawn some pointed criticism. This is emphatically a points-sweet-spot hotel: on Hyatt awards or Globalist rates it competes at the very top of Paris's luxury tier; at full cash rack rates, the dated room technology and comparatively modest spa make the value equation harder to defend against newer rivals.

Belmond Copacabana Palace — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Belmond

Belmond Copacabana Palace

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Copacabana Palace stands as Rio's undisputed grand dame—a 1923 Art Deco masterpiece that captures the essence of Brazilian glamour better than any competitor. Its prime Copacabana beachfront location is unmatched, offering guests exclusive access to one of the world's most famous stretches of sand. The hotel's historic charm and impeccable service create an experience that feels authentically carioca, from the personalized attention to local touches like mate Leão tea amenities. However, the dining falls short of expectations for a property of this caliber, with several guests noting overpriced, mediocre food that doesn't match the hotel's otherwise stellar reputation. Recent construction noise has also impacted the pool experience, though the hotel's legendary New Year's Eve celebration and iconic status continue to draw discerning travelers seeking Rio's most prestigious address.

Mandarin Oriental Bodrum — Bodrum, Turkey

Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental Bodrum

The Mandarin Oriental Bodrum stands as Turkey's flagship luxury resort, perched dramatically above Paradise Bay with some of the most breathtaking Aegean views you'll find. The property's contemporary architecture, designed by Antonio Citterio, cascades down verdant hillsides in perfect harmony with the natural landscape. Service remains the hotel's crown jewel — guest ambassadors like Nupelda and Öykü create genuinely personal connections that rival the best Asian properties in the MO portfolio. While the resort can feel bustling during peak season with day visitors flooding the retail areas and restaurants, and dining carries the expected premium pricing, the overall experience justifies its position as Bodrum's luxury standard-bearer.

The Peninsula Istanbul — Istanbul, Turkey

The Peninsula

The Peninsula Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

The Peninsula Istanbul commands Istanbul's most coveted waterfront position on the Bosphorus, where four restored heritage buildings create a sophisticated compound that feels both grand and intimate. The location is genuinely transformative — you're steps from Galata Tower and Karaköy's dining scene, yet wake to unobstructed Bosphorus views and the quiet luxury of waterfront gardens. Service consistently impresses with genuine Turkish warmth elevated by Peninsula polish, from the welcome tea ritual to staff who remember your preferences after a single visit. The spa's Roman-inspired pool beneath soaring domes justifies the journey alone, though a few operational inconsistencies and the occasional ferry noise suggest this ambitious property is still finding its rhythm.

Ritz Paris — Paris, France

Independent

Ritz Paris

The Ritz Paris delivers exactly what its legendary name promises: unapologetic French grandeur wrapped in impeccable service. After its four-year renovation, César Ritz's original vision feels both preserved and refreshed — think Louis XV furniture, marble fireplaces, and golden swans everywhere, but with modern touches like underwater classical music at the pool. The Place Vendôme location remains unbeatable, and the staff's intuitive service creates genuine magic, from remembering your breakfast preferences to orchestrating flawless arrivals. Yes, the aesthetic is maximalist luxury theater, but that's precisely the point — this isn't understated, it's the Ritz. The dining doesn't quite match the hotel's stature, and some guests report inconsistent experiences with staff attitudes, but when the Ritz is on, it's transcendent.

Six Senses Fiji — Malolo Island, Fiji

Six Senses

Six Senses Fiji

Malolo Island, Fiji

Six Senses Fiji delivers the brand's signature wellness-focused luxury in one of the South Pacific's most pristine settings. The 24-villa resort on Malolo Island strikes an impressive balance between intimate scale and comprehensive amenities, anchored by genuinely warm Fijian hospitality that consistently wins over guests. The spa earns particular acclaim as one of Fiji's finest, while the coral gardening program and marine biology center add meaningful substance to the sustainability messaging. However, dining remains inconsistent for a resort at this price point, and the location's remoteness — while offering authentic tranquility — can feel limiting for guests seeking variety beyond the property.

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez — Saint-Tropez, France

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez

Saint-Tropez, France

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez occupies a prime waterfront position on Flamands Beach, delivering the polished LVMH hospitality experience in a compact but supremely well-executed package. The property's greatest strength lies in its exceptional service — guests consistently rave about staff who remember names, anticipate needs, and create genuine warmth without the stuffiness often found at luxury hotels. While the rooms are notably small by luxury standards (a persistent complaint), they're beautifully designed with sea views and private terraces that effectively expand the living space. The three-Michelin-starred La Vague d'Or anchors an impressive dining program, though the hotel's intimate scale means limited facilities — the tiny pool and artificial beach won't satisfy those seeking expansive resort amenities. Location cuts both ways: you're walking distance to St-Tropez's shops and restaurants, but the shuttle dependency after 1 AM and main road proximity detract from the serenity you'd expect at this price point.

Rosewood Villa Magna — Madrid, Spain

Rosewood

Rosewood Villa Magna

Rosewood Villa Magna sits on Madrid's golden mile in Salamanca, delivering sophisticated luxury in one of Europe's best shopping districts. The modernist granite bones from 1972 have been beautifully transformed into mid-century elegance, with light-filled rooms and multiple courtyards that feel more residential than hotel-like. The location is unbeatable — El Corte Inglés across the street, luxury boutiques steps away, and the Prado a short walk. Service runs the gamut from exceptional (concierges retrieving passports at midnight) to inconsistent (hostess attitudes, basic breakfast service gaps), suggesting a property still finding its operational rhythm. The lack of a traditional lobby and pool puts it at a disadvantage against Madrid's Four Seasons, but the intimate scale and neighborhood integration create something uniquely Madrid.

Six Senses Rome — Rome, Italy

Six Senses

Six Senses Rome

Six Senses Rome succeeds brilliantly at creating an urban wellness sanctuary in the heart of the Eternal City, housed within a beautifully restored historic palazzo that seamlessly blends centuries-old Roman elements with contemporary design. The hotel's greatest triumph is its authentic Roman Baths experience — a two-floor spa with traditional thermal pools, saunas, and steam rooms that feels genuinely restorative rather than gimmicky. The rooftop restaurant Notos delivers both spectacular city views and solid Mediterranean cuisine, while the location near Trevi Fountain puts you steps from major attractions without the circus atmosphere. However, at €3,000+ per night, the service doesn't quite match the price point — expect friendly but inconsistent attention that occasionally lacks the intuitive anticipation found at true luxury peers, and rooms that, while beautifully designed, feel notably compact for the investment.

Four Seasons Bosphorus — Istanbul, Turkey

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Bosphorus

Istanbul, Turkey

The Four Seasons Bosphorus occupies one of Istanbul's most coveted waterfront positions, delivering spectacular views that make even seasoned luxury travelers stop mid-sentence. The architecture and public spaces achieve genuine grandeur — this is palatial hospitality done right, with spacious rooms that maximize those famous strait vistas. However, service inconsistency prevents this property from reaching its full potential. While some guests develop genuine relationships with staff over multiple visits, others encounter the kind of uneven attention that shouldn't exist at this price point, particularly noticeable in the breakfast service where efficiency lags behind the setting's promise.

Rosewood Beijing — Beijing, China

Rosewood

Rosewood Beijing

Rosewood Beijing delivers the brand's signature residential luxury in China's capital, with thoughtfully curated rooms that feel more like a sophisticated private library than a hotel. The property excels in the details that matter—spacious suites with genuine art and books, exceptional concierge service that handles complex requests, and what many consider Beijing's finest hotel pool. While the CBD location lacks the cultural immersion of newer hutong properties, it compensates with easy access to business districts and reliable Western-standard service that particularly appeals to first-time China visitors.

Rosewood Miramar Beach — Montecito, USA

Rosewood

Rosewood Miramar Beach

Rosewood Miramar Beach delivers genuine luxury on California's coast, with Rick Caruso's vision manifesting as polished bungalows scattered across manicured grounds like a high-end village. The Michelin-starred Caruso's anchors exceptional dining, while the adult pool and private beach create proper sanctuary moments. However, the freight train that bisects the property remains a jarring intrusion — guests report loud whistles throughout the day, and the adjacent freeway construction adds industrial noise. At $1,500+ per night, these disruptions feel particularly grating, though the service team's warmth and the property's undeniable beauty keep many returning despite the acoustic challenges.

Aman Kyoto — Kyoto, Japan

Aman

Aman Kyoto

Kerry Hill's forest sanctuary occupies a three-generation garden in Kyoto's foothills, delivering Aman's signature minimalist aesthetic within 32 hectares of maples and bamboo. The 26 pavilions feel like a modern ryokan, with hinoki baths and tatami accents, but the property's isolation — 30 minutes from central Kyoto — demands commitment to the retreat experience. Service fluctuates between exceptional personal attention and surprising gaps for a $4,000/night hotel, while the lack of a gym or pool may disappoint some luxury travelers. The onsen and Taka-An restaurant justify the splurge, but this works best as a forest recharge between city stays rather than a Kyoto exploration base.

One&Only Reethi Rah — North Malé Atoll, Maldives

One&Only

One&Only Reethi Rah

North Malé Atoll, Maldives

One&Only Reethi Rah occupies one of the Maldives' largest resort islands, offering genuine variety with 12 beaches sprawling across six kilometers of coastline. The speedboat accessibility from Malé removes seaplane logistics, while the island's scale provides both social energy at the Beach Club and secluded pockets for privacy. Service operates at the anticipatory level you'd expect from One&Only, with staff consistently recognized for going beyond standard luxury hospitality. The dining program impresses with quality that seems impossible on a remote island, though the lack of house reef means snorkeling requires excursions rather than villa-front access. At this price point, a few operational inconsistencies around billing transparency and room maintenance feel more pronounced than they should.

The Peninsula Tokyo — Tokyo, Japan

The Peninsula

The Peninsula Tokyo

The Peninsula Tokyo remains Tokyo's most reliable luxury choice, trading cutting-edge design for unmatched service consistency and an unbeatable location. While the rooms show their age with dated carpets and 1990s tech, the spacious layouts—enormous by Tokyo standards—and that prime Ginza-Imperial Palace position keep drawing savvy travelers back. The service is legendary Peninsula: staff remember names, anticipate needs, and deliver the kind of intuitive hospitality that puts competitors to shame. Yes, you'll pay premium rates for rooms that need refreshing, but when you want guaranteed excellence in the heart of Tokyo, few hotels deliver with such dependable grace.

Rosewood Hong Kong — Hong Kong, China

Rosewood

Rosewood Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China

Rosewood Hong Kong is the most architecturally arresting hotel in the city — a curved, mirror-clad tower by Kohn Pedersen Fox rising directly above Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, with rooms so generously proportioned and views so theatrical they'll stop you mid-sentence. The Manor Club is the property's strongest differentiator: a 40th-floor lounge with all-day food presentations, butler service, and a personalization culture that genuinely delivers — staff remembering tea preferences, names, and room setups without being asked. The F&B program is the most ambitious in Hong Kong, with eleven restaurants and bars including the Michelin-recommended Legacy House, the standout CHAAT, and the cult-status Butterfly Patisserie. The weakness — and it's a real one, surfaced consistently across multiple recent stays — is uneven frontline service: missed luggage assistance, forgotten breakfast orders, inconsistent housekeeping, and a hierarchy in attentiveness that some guests have found uncomfortable. The property's scale (413 rooms) works against the intimacy its residential design suggests, and peak periods expose staffing gaps that the Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental rarely show. Book a Manor Club room, ask for a corner harbour-facing suite, and this becomes one of Asia's great hotel stays — but the base experience without those upgrades can feel merely expensive rather than exceptional.

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa — Baden-Baden, Germany

Oetker Collection

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa

Baden-Baden, Germany

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa delivers the kind of old-world luxury that feels increasingly rare—a 150-year-old institution set in Baden-Baden's famous park that genuinely earns its reputation. The recent renovation has breathed new life into the Villa Stéphanie while preserving the property's timeless elegance, creating spacious rooms with limestone bathrooms and vault-like doors that provide complete tranquility. The medical spa program is genuinely world-class, offering everything from detox treatments to holistic wellness regimens that feel more European clinic than hotel amenity. Service can be inconsistent—some guests experience flawless attention while others encounter frustrating delays—but when it works, it's the kind of intuitive hospitality that makes you feel like a treasured regular.

Mandarin Oriental, Paris — Paris, France

Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental, Paris

The Mandarin Oriental on Rue Saint-Honoré occupies one of Paris's most coveted addresses but struggles to justify its Palace designation against fierce local competition. While the location directly on Place Vendôme is unbeatable for luxury shopping and the service follows MO's polished global standards, the hotel feels somewhat clinical for Paris—lacking the theatrical grandeur of Le Bristol or the intimate charm that defines the city's best properties. The modern aesthetic, while executed well, doesn't capture that ineffable Parisian magic that makes you fall in love with the city. It's a competent luxury stay that delivers exactly what you'd expect from the brand, but at these prices, expectations run higher than competence.

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl — Hof bei Salzburg, Austria

Founders' Verdict

Rosewood

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl

Hof bei Salzburg, Austria

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is one of the most architecturally compelling hotel openings in Europe in recent years — a 15th-century hunting lodge for the princes of Salzburg, famously immortalized by Romy Schneider's Sissi films, now restored with Old Masters on the walls and stucco unearthed in the tower. The setting on crystalline Lake Fuschlsee is genuinely world-class, and at full strength, the service matches it: staff who remember birthdays, relocate rooms for post-surgical dogs, and throw first-birthday parties with teepees and toys. The honest caveat is that this hotel opened as a Rosewood in 2024, and a two-year arc of reviews reveals a property still completing its operational adolescence — early stays produced real misses in housekeeping consistency, restaurant pacing under full occupancy, and maintenance details that shouldn't exist at this price. The trajectory is clearly upward: guests from late 2025 and 2026 report meaningfully fewer operational stumbles, and the structural offering — six dining venues, Asaya Spa with indoor-outdoor heated pool, lakeside chalets, and proximity to Salzburg — has always been exceptional. Come for the castle and the lake; the service has largely caught up, but book a suite or chalet and arrive with a car.

Four Seasons Bora Bora — Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Bora Bora

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Four Seasons Bora Bora occupies one of the most dramatic natural settings on the planet — 100 overwater bungalows strung across two pontoons in a turquoise lagoon with Mount Otemanu as a backdrop — and on that dimension, it simply cannot be beaten. The bungalows themselves are the largest in Bora Bora, with glass floors, open-air showers, and direct lagoon access that make waking up here feel genuinely surreal. Where the property falls short of its price tag is in the consistency of the details: maintenance lapses (spiderwebs in the villas, aging spa facilities, occasional mold complaints) and uneven service suggest a property that coasts somewhat on the grandeur of its setting rather than obsessing over the full luxury stack. Dining lands above average for the region — the breakfast buffet and Ari Moana Mediterranean restaurant draw consistent praise — though food in French Polynesia broadly disappoints, and pricing is aggressive even by island standards. Against local competitors, Four Seasons edges out the St. Regis on grounds, room quality, and mountain views, though St. Regis counters with stronger marine life and sharper service. For couples and honeymooners willing to accept some roughness around the edges in exchange for the most jaw-dropping overwater address in the Pacific, this remains the right choice.

Explora Atacama — San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Independent

Explora Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Explora Atacama delivers an extraordinary expedition experience in one of Earth's most otherworldly landscapes, but it's not luxury hospitality in the traditional sense. The low-slung desert architecture integrates beautifully with the environment, and the location inside the Atacama puts you minutes from flamingo lagoons and Valle de la Luna. What sets this apart is the guide program—these aren't hotel tours but genuine explorations led by passionate locals who know every geyser and salt flat. The all-inclusive model works brilliantly for active travelers who want to focus on adventure over amenities. However, rooms feel spartan with basic furnishings and thin walls, service can be inconsistent despite friendly staff, and the food, while decent, lacks the refinement expected at this price point. This is expedition luxury, not resort luxury—come for the unmatched access to the desert, not pampered comfort.

Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon — Lisbon, Portugal

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal

The Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon is Lisbon's grand dame — a palatial 1950s landmark perched above Parque Eduardo VII with sweeping city views, an extraordinary art collection, and the kind of unhurried, warm service that Four Seasons does best. The concierge team is genuinely exceptional, the bar is one of the most civilized rooms in the city, and the gym and pool rank among the best urban wellness setups in Portugal. The honest caveat: this is an aging property in the middle of what appears to be a phased renovation, and some rooms show their age with tired carpets and inconsistent maintenance — most notably thermostat reliability, which has drawn repeated complaints. If you need cutting-edge minimalist design, newer properties in Chiado will suit you better; if you want grande dame gravitas, a superb breakfast, and staff who actually follow through, the Ritz delivers something few competitors in Lisbon can match.

Amanyara — Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Aman

Amanyara

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Kerry Hill's architectural masterpiece delivers an undeniably stunning hard product — those soaring pavilions overlooking Northwest Point beach are among the most photogenic in the Caribbean. The 18,000-acre nature reserve setting creates genuine seclusion that money can't buy elsewhere in Turks and Caicos. But Amanyara suffers from a service culture that falls short of Aman standards, particularly compared to the brand's Asian properties. Local staff training remains inconsistent, with Turkish seasonal reinforcements often outperforming the permanent team. The dining is adequate but uninspired for this price point, and facilities like the gym feel dated. Still, for pure architectural beauty and that unparalleled sense of private sanctuary, few Caribbean resorts match this level of visual drama.

Four Seasons Resort Nevis — Charlestown, St Kitts & Nevis

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Charlestown, St Kitts & Nevis

Four Seasons Nevis is the Caribbean's most quietly compelling resort — a low-rise, casita-style property draped across a volcanic coastline with Nevis Peak as backdrop and wild monkeys wandering the golf course. The setting is genuinely extraordinary, and the Nevisian staff carry a warmth that routinely outperforms the brand standard at flashier Four Seasons addresses. What holds it back from the top tier is a physical plant that is unmistakably showing its age: multiple recent guests flag mold in showers, peeling surfaces, and maintenance oversights that feel incongruous at this price point — though renovations are reportedly underway. Dining has improved markedly and Mangos at sunset is a legitimate highlight, but the on-property food program still trails what you'd find at FS Anguilla or Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Think of Nevis as the anti-scene Caribbean resort: priced 30–40% below comparable Four Seasons properties, ideal for families with young children, and utterly indifferent to being fashionable — which for the right traveler is precisely the point.

One&Only Cape Town — Cape Town, South Africa

One&Only

One&Only Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa

One&Only Cape Town occupies a unique position as Cape Town's most accessible luxury resort, combining the polish of an international brand with an unbeatable location at the V&A Waterfront. The property delivers on service excellence that One&Only is known for, with staff who remember your name and preferences from day two. While the design feels more resort-like than authentically Cape Townish compared to boutique competitors like Ellerman House, the dramatic scale works — especially the lobby bar's Table Mountain views and the expansive pool deck. The location is the trump card: you can walk safely to shops, restaurants, and attractions while enjoying genuine luxury amenities. It's not the most soulful choice in Cape Town, but it's the safest bet for travelers who want five-star reliability in the heart of the action.

One&Only Mandarina — Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

One&Only

One&Only Mandarina

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

One&Only Mandarina occupies one of Mexico's most spectacular settings — a 565-acre jungle-meets-ocean sanctuary where Kerry Hill's architectural vision creates private villas suspended between canopy and coastline. The property delivers genuine drama: standalone treehouses with infinity plunge pools, panoramic Pacific views, and coati sightings from your outdoor shower. But the magic comes with meaningful friction. The buggy system that defines daily life here consistently frustrates guests with 20-minute waits that transform simple movements into hour-long odysseys. Service ranges from transcendent (hosts who learn your mango preference by day two) to surprisingly amateur for a property charging $2,000+ nightly. When it works — which it often does — Mandarina feels like a private estate borrowed from nature itself. When it doesn't, you're trapped in paradise, waiting for a ride.

The Mark Hotel — New York, USA

Independent

The Mark Hotel

The Mark delivers Upper East Side glamour in spades, with Jacques Grange's maximalist interiors creating an Instagram-perfect backdrop that feels more like a chic private club than a hotel. The location opposite Central Park is unbeatable, and when the service clicks—particularly the legendary concierge team led by figures like Suzana—it's genuinely world-class. But consistency remains elusive. Too many guests report basic operational failures: broken key cards, poor room maintenance, and front desk confusion that shouldn't happen at this price point. The Jean-Georges dining program feels increasingly tired, and the famous hot dog cart outside has become more novelty than necessity. It's a hotel that trades heavily on its Met Gala mystique, yet recent experiences suggest the substance doesn't always match the style.

Park Hyatt Tokyo — Tokyo, Japan

Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt Tokyo

The Park Hyatt Tokyo — freshly reopened after a nearly two-year renovation — remains one of the city's most quietly compelling hotels, anchored by a dining program and wellness floor that genuinely compete with Tokyo's best. The 41st-through-52nd-floor setting in Shinjuku's Sumitomo Triangle Tower delivers the kind of elevated remove that few properties in the city can match, and the New York Bar and Grill, with its nightly pianist and panoramic skyline, is still the room that defines the hotel in the popular imagination. What the renovation has delivered is harder to pin down: guests consistently report rooms that feel refreshed but not reimagined — comfortable, spacious by Tokyo standards, and quietly beige in a way that a city this aesthetically confident probably deserves to outgrow. The sharper concern is service, where multiple recent guests flag meaningful gaps — unreturned pre-arrival emails, absent turndown, status recognition that ranges from warm to nonexistent — suggesting that the hotel's human infrastructure hasn't yet caught up with its restored bones. At the right rate, with Globalist benefits unlocking complimentary spa access, this is still a deeply satisfying place to anchor a Tokyo trip; at full cash price, the inconsistency is harder to forgive when Four Seasons Otemachi and the Bulgari are raising the bar nearby.

Six Senses Fort Barwara — Sawai Madhopur, India

Six Senses

Six Senses Fort Barwara

Sawai Madhopur, India

Six Senses Fort Barwara stands as a triumphant restoration of a 14th-century fort in Rajasthan's Aravalli Hills, where ancient grandeur meets contemporary wellness luxury. The property excels in its architectural integration — seamlessly blending heritage stonework with modern amenities while preserving the fort's royal character. The sprawling suites and dramatic pool areas genuinely make guests feel like maharajas, and the spa treatments consistently earn praise as world-class. However, the dining experience proves inconsistent, with authentic Rajasthani dishes sometimes missing the mark despite the property's premium positioning. Service, while warm and well-intentioned, lacks the polished anticipation expected at this price tier, occasionally feeling understaffed during peak periods.

One&Only Wolgan Valley — Blue Mountains, Australia

One&Only

One&Only Wolgan Valley

Blue Mountains, Australia

One&Only Wolgan Valley was Australia's most immersive luxury wildlife sanctuary, offering an extraordinary encounter with native animals in their protected habitat. Set in a dramatic Blue Mountains valley three hours from Sydney, the 40 heritage-listed villas featured private heated pools and fireplaces, creating intimate sanctuaries where kangaroos and wombats wandered freely across the grounds. The property's conservation focus and all-inclusive dining made it a standout eco-luxury experience. However, the resort closed in 2024 due to road access issues, leaving a significant gap in Australia's luxury landscape that many guests still mourn.

Rosewood London — London, United Kingdom

Rosewood

Rosewood London

London, United Kingdom

The original Rosewood London occupies an Edwardian Belle Époque masterpiece in Holborn, offering genuine old-world grandeur with Belle Époque architecture, soaring ceilings, and the celebrated Mirror Room. While the location sits outside Mayfair's golden triangle, it delivers authentic British luxury with exceptional afternoon tea and the world-renowned Scarfes Bar. Service hits the mark with genuine warmth and professional competence, though it occasionally lacks the intuitive anticipation of London's very finest. The suites are genuinely spacious by London standards, but some room categories feel underwhelming given the price point. This is classic luxury done right, though it's now overshadowed by the brand's spectacular new Chancery property in Mayfair.