Words by Deanne Kaczerski, Shari Mycek, Becca Hensley, Brandon Perlman, Ann Abel, Jake Emen, and Kathryn Romeyn. Each hotel is being equally honored in no particular order.
There’s something about a hotel suite — a truly over-the-top hotel suite — that softens the soul; prompts a deep exhale. For some, it’s the lavish outdoor terrace complete with a fireplace and a private plunge pool. For others, it’s the elongated window in the floor of an overwater villa, offering views of the marine life below. (We literally gazed for hours.) Still others favor the deep soaking tub overlooking the sea (or lake), the jungle-inspired outdoor rain shower surrounded by lush greenery and tropical flowers, the grand piano in the living room, butler service, and meticulous private chef-prepared meals.
Following are our favorite finds for Very Best Over-the-Top Suites (2026) — each personally vetted and experienced by our in-house editorial team and small group of trusted contributors — and each guaranteed to evoke a state of bliss.
Atzaró Okavango, Botswana, Africa
Helicopter across the Delta to Atzaró Okavango, a setting so romantic it feels straight from “Out of Africa.” An elevated boardwalk leads to each of the 12 tented suites, which from the outside look basic — one might even call it “campy” with its octangular shape and khaki-hued walls. But step inside, and it’s a wow. Billowy white mosquito netting (closed at night) hangs in wispy tulle from the bed, a living room filled with French mid-century furnishings, parquet flooring, and stunning artwork spills onto a massive deck with sun loungers and a private plunge pool overlooking tall grasses and watery lagoons (at night, hear the hippos calling). Two showers (one indoors, the other outside) complement the exquisite soaking tubs: black onyx (indoor), and a copper soaking marvel (outside overlooking the grasslands). Other detailed touches include crisp linens, eclectic antiques, coffee and tea service, jars of housemade cookies, and a 5:30 a.m. knock on the door to start the morning game drive.
Veligandu Maldives Resort Island, The Maldives
We were among the first to see (and stay) at Veligandu Resort’s new overwater villas. Following an 18-month renovation that catapulted the private-island resort from four to five-star status, the property reopened (November 2024) with stunning two-bedroom villas over the sea. Standout features include indoor deep soaking tubs, sunset (and sunrise) views, private decks with plunge pools and ladders leading directly into the Indian Ocean (slip on the complimentary snorkel masks and fins). But the most decadent (and addictive) feature is the glass floor, set immediately inside the foyer, where guests can watch the marine life below: giant fish, colorful starfish, even the occasional shark.
Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno, Torroja del Priorat, Spain
Priorat is not yet a stop on the global wine lovers’ itinerary, but this tradition-bound corner of Catalonia is more appealing than ever, thanks to the recent-ish arrival of Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno. The hotel’s historic buildings, which were once a monastery and later a private residence, are now home to 24 elegant suites. The work of trendy Barcelona-based design firm Astet Studio, the original stone masonry has been tricked out with natural stone, pale oak, and a wine-inspired burgundy color palette. The best room, Bruno’s Suite, stretches over 1,300 square feet and is an architectural masterpiece, with its Roman tub, fireplace, and graceful colonnade of arched windows showcasing lovely views of the vineyard.
The Point Luxury Villa, Costa Rica
Set on one of Tamarindo’s most coveted parcels of land (high on a cliff overlooking the sea), The Point Luxury Villa is located in the Guanacaste province, a recognized Blue Zone because of the high volume of centenarians living here. The mesmerizing sea-facing view from the villa’s primary suite offers tangible insight into why residents here live so long. Through the circular floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoy the aquamarine ocean as far as the eye can see. The sense of calm and tranquility exudes throughout the suite from the deep soaking tub to the handmade furnishings and vanity crafted from a reclaimed Costa Rican mango tree. The villa was reimagined in 2022 by Todd Dane and Lindsey Gaston following a $1 million remodel.
Augustine, A Luxury Collection Prague, Czech Republic
Chanting distance from Charles Bridge in mystical Prague’s historic Lesser Town, the St. Thomas Monastery continues to serve as a sanctum for prayerful monks. But its 13th-century walls also hold one of the city’s most evocative luxury hotels: Augustine, A Luxury Collection Prague. Hewed from seven ancient buildings, including the monastery, the hotel has common areas by design superstar Olga Polizzi, evincing her deft use of lush fabrics, unexpected art pieces (some reproduced from the monastery’s collection), and pops of color. But the hotel’s unique suites take top honors — and it’s impossible to choose just one. Art lovers must book the Fresco Suite, a haven with original frescoed walls. For a view of Prague Castle, roost in the bi-level Tower Suite, kitted out with contemporary flourishes. With two bedrooms, The Moser Suite pays homage to the Czech Republic’s celebrated art glass, displaying a precious collection of Moser’s handcrafted crystal.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
To truly live like a VIP at Hong Kong’s most iconic hotel, aka the ‘Grande Dame of the Far East,’ book into The Peninsula Suite, a palatial retreat occupying the top floor of The Peninsula Tower. Often reserved by celebrities, dignitaries, and power players for good reason, this dazzling suite offers an eagle’s-eye view over Victoria Harbour. Floor-to-ceiling windows mesh with an eclectic mix of modern and antique furnishings as well as a prestigious international gallery. Beyond the guest rooms, kitchen, and living room, guests can enjoy private movies in their very own screening room and a mid-day workout in their own gym.
Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna, Austria
In a neo-classical palace built to impress the 1872 World Exhibition with pointed, braggadocio-driven royal flourishes, the reimagined Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna was originally designed by Emperor Franz Josef’s star architect, Theophil Edvard Hansen, to showcase the glamour of grand Vienna in his era. Reopened last year as a modern interpretation of Habsburg glory, the column-flanked hotel uses history as its springboard, but ensures a comfortable bolthole for contemporary travelers. It offers over-sized, penthouse-style suites, including the 3,000-square-foot Presidential Suite, the largest in Vienna. Choose it for its private lift, French balconies that overlook the Ringstrasse, grand piano, private bar, and pampering amenities (think Dyson hairdryer and private bar).
Salamander Washington DC
Salamander Washington DC’s newly reimagined Presidential Suite does not disappoint. The creation of internationally renowned designer Thomas Pheasant, the spacious suite stands apart as one of the city’s most refined luxury accommodations. Drawing inspiration from the neoclassical architecture of the Tidal Basin and the surrounding Monumental Core, the suite blends modern sophistication with a distinctly residential feel, featuring custom natural-material furnishings, a soaring 20-foot ceiling living room, and sweeping views of the Jefferson Memorial and Potomac River. Its expansive layout includes two bedrooms (with an optional third), a full dining room for eight, a butler’s pantry, office, kitchen, media room, and dedicated butler service.
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, New York City
Once a posh residential hotel for Jazz Age celebrities, The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel New York was reconceptualized last year with haute interior designer Martin Brudnizki at the helm. Bringing the aging beauty back to life, Brudnizki eschewed his Maximalist tendencies to explore the hotel’s Upper East Side swagger and sophistication. More urbane and understated than the designer’s usual projects, The Surrey rises to the occasion to exude Manhattan’s palpable urbanity. All guest rooms reference the property’s Art Deco roots and offer a high-toned luxury apartment vibe. But the four Signature Suites truly embody the spirit of swanky city dweller domain chic. Sleek and stylish, each in this category is named (and themed) for a bridge in Central Park. The two-bedroom Surrey Suite, inspired by the Bow Bridge, turns heads with artwork by Jasper Johns and Helen Frankenthaler.
Beau-Rivage, Geneva, Switzerland
The two-floor Saint-Exupéry Penthouse Suite within the grande dame, Beau-Rivage, pays homage to the aviator-author who once called Geneva home. Flooded with natural light and overlooking Lake Geneva, the suite evokes timeless romance through elegant antiques, manuscripts, and personal artifacts. With its own private terrace and butler service, it captures the spirit of refined adventure that defined Saint-Exupéry himself. Separate upstairs and downstairs entrances allow guests to either return directly to the upstairs bedroom or downstairs parlor area at their whim.
Hotel Jerome, Aspen, Colorado, USA
The Presidential Suite at Hotel Jerome channels Aspen’s frontier spirit through the lens of modern luxury. Spanning 1,265 square feet, it features a primary bedroom with marble bath, separate living and dining areas, and a second full bathroom for guests. Overlooking Aspen Mountain, it blends leather, stone, and heritage details with Auberge’s signature modern warmth. Whether hosting intimate dinners or unwinding in the sun-drenched sitting room, the suite eloquently captures the timeless essence of this gilded age icon reborn for the contemporary traveler.
Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Set high above the Engadin Valley, the Tower Penthouse Apartment at Badrutt’s Palace might be the most recognizable residence in town. This crown jewel of alpine hospitality — spread across three floors and four bedrooms — blends local pine craftsmanship with “grand tour” European elegance. Two private terraces frame sweeping views of Lake St. Moritz, while a dedicated butler ensures every detail feels effortless. With a dining salon that seats 30 and the intimacy of a private home, it remains one of the Alps’ most storied addresses.
Les Suites Cinabre, Paris, France
Hidden behind a quiet façade in the 9th arrondissement, Les Suites Cinabre redefines the Parisian guest experience across two sumptuous apartments. Created by Alexandre Chapellier, founder of bespoke menswear brand Cinabre and official tie maker to the French Presidency, the suites combine the intimacy of a private Parisian home with the artistry and craftsmanship of a fashion atelier. Each suite is a study in local decadence from Pierre Frey tapestries, Hästens bedding, and vintage Hi-Fi with an audiophile’s dream vinyl collection. It’s a space where fashion, art de vivre, and hospitality converge in perfect harmony.
The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland
The 4,300-square-foot Maestro Suite, named for the legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan, harmonizes culture and comfort at Zurich’s grandest hilltop address. Panoramic views sweep from the lake to the Alps, while a grand piano, library, and private spa underscore the refined intimacy of the space. It is the ideal sanctuary for all aesthetes who see travel as an art form.
Hotel de Sers, Paris, France
We love all three top-floor suites at the newly reimagined Hotel de Sers, Paris. The Eiffel Suite features uninterrupted views of the iconic landmark: think warm wood and ivory tones and bespoke furniture that pairs sleek lines with inviting comfort. There are also two furnished terraces, one extending from the living room and another from the bathroom, both offering spectacular views of the Iron Lady. We also love the Panoramic Suite with its living room beneath a glass roof, wraparound sofa, marble writing desk, expansive windows framing the rooftops of Paris and (more) breathtaking Eiffel Tower views. Also on our radar: the Marquis’ Apartment, which resembles a large Parisian family home.
Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Collection, Massignac, France
Auberge Resorts’ takeover of a family estate in France resulted in one of the most fanciful openings in recent years. Its crown jewel, the Venus Signature Suite, is nearly 1,600 romantic square feet decorated with both contemporary fine-art photography and an original “Star Wars” poster. The living room is joyous with natural light during the day, and warm lighting from Fabio Cappello fixtures makes it feel cozy by night. It’s filled with antique furnishings, has several inviting areas to sit, includes a parlor room that works well for private dinners, and is completed with an enormous bathroom with double showers and a freestanding soaking tub, which has more than enough room for two.
The Dominick Hotel, New York, New York
Cue the Frank Sinatra — or the Jay-Z, if that’s more your style — because The Dominick Hotel’s Landmark Sunset Penthouse Suite will have you feeling like the king of New York. This prestige offering is an enormous two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath suite that includes full living and dining rooms. The 42nd-story suite offers 180-degree views of the city, providing a sweeping look across town from the Brooklyn Bridge to One World Trade and beyond. There are few offerings like it anywhere in the city, and it’s the icing on the cake for a stay that might also include a booking at its hidden-gem wellness retreat, Sisley Spa, or a day of leisure at its outdoor pool terrace.
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, Thailand
Phulay Bay was the original entrant in the ultra-exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, and it has set a standard that’s hard to match. With 54 villas and suites spread across a lush 30 acres, there’s no bad choice of room category. But for the ultimate, select the Royal Beach Villa. It clocks in with a staggering 500 square meters of indoor and outdoor space, including an enormous private pool large enough to do laps in, an extravagant hammam-style bathroom, an indulgent soaking tub, and an outdoor shower. Everything is supersized, from the ceiling height to the furniture, to the largest bed this contributor ever slept in (or seen), and the suite is filled with entrancing Thai décor, crafts, and artwork.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio, Italy
Decadence is baked into the experience at this Lake Como summer palace that has operated as an exceedingly glamorous hotel since 1872 — think deluxe fabrics, Murano chandeliers, antique frescoes, and the signature plump Como-silk duvets hand-stitched inhouse. But in a few special suites, it’s even more extravagant. The Helmut Newton Suite is named for the famed photographer who adored it, and it is the sole accommodation — 850 square feet boasting intricate molding gleaming gold — with private Centenary Garden access. The Queen of Sweden Suite is equally decadent, with a bathroom and jacuzzi tub clad entirely in stunning green marble, plus two lake-facing balconies and lavish walls and finishes.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Hôtel Plaza Athénée’s Prestige Suite feels like stepping into an atelier. Set along Avenue Montaigne, it has that haute couture energy the hotel is famous for — silk walls, a wink of crystal, and just enough Plaza-red to remind you where you are. The Eiffel Tower sits perfectly framed outside the windows, like a very charming neighbor who knows they’re part of the appeal. Inside, the spaces flow together effortlessly: a salon begging for a glass of Champagne and caviar service, a walk-in closet large enough for any serious shopper, and a bedroom that’s adorably romantic. The marble bathroom is the kind you want to spend time in. For anyone coming to Paris for love, for shopping, or simply for the love of shopping, the Prestige Suite hits exactly the right note — luxurious, stylish, and unforgettable.
Singita, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
All canvas and glass, the river-facing suites at Singita Ebony Lodge embody the safari experience so wholly that guests may be tempted to never leave (though they must). Everything from elephants to rhinoceros regularly parade through the sandy vista visible from guests’ private swimming pools — quite elevated, not to worry — and plush decks. At the cast iron and marble desk, guests may happily paint watercolor impressions, while sipping a gin and tonic from their bar cabinet. Naturally, the mozzie net–swathed four-poster beds, claw-foot baths, and oversized South African photography are a continuation of the enchanting dream.
La Residence Franschhoek, South Africa
True to form, this Royal Portfolio showpiece in the bucolic, glowing green hills and vineyards of Franschhoek has only individually decorated accommodations and, as always, hotel owner Liz Biden manages to make each and every ginormous bed an art piece in and of itself. The saturated technicolors — from lime green to magenta to royal purple and rusty red — are candy for the eyes, especially when paired masterfully with equally vivid African art, unique to each abode. Freestanding tubs, ethereal mountain views, beautifully stocked minibars (plentiful local vino, of course), free-roaming peacocks, and drapey silk bathrobes make the high-ceilinged accommodations — some sitting beside private pools — absolute dreamscapes of bold wine country living.
The Oberoi, Mumbai, India
At more than 2,000 square feet, the presidential palace (aka Kohinoor Suite) at The Oberoi, Mumbai, in every way fit for royalty, is the hotel’s crown jewel. Arabian Sea views from floor-to-ceiling windows stretch out along the entire side of its extravagant footprint, topped with a dramatic coffered ceiling. From its very own treadmill to a grand piano and all-silk furnishings, the suite is perpetually fragranced by fresh bursts of floral arrangements. There’s a dedicated 24-hour butler with his own entrance to surprise guests with Champagne and more, but beyond that, don’t be surprised to find personalized towels, bathrobes, and monogrammed pillowcases.
Feature image, courtesy, Veligandu Maldives Resort Island
