Luxury travel is often brushed off as a plaything for millionaires to enjoy and the rest to envy, but in truth, adds a tremendous amount of value to our world, both economically and otherwise. Apart from being one of the largest job creating industries, luxury travel is at the forefront of many global efforts, including culinary excellence, environmental conservation and all around excellence. This month on our blog, we're featuring PureLuxe partner hotels that are at the forefront of the Luxury Travel inspired Revolution
Excellence and Luxury
Why is it that such excellence blooms and flourishes in Luxury Hotels around the world? Because a true luxury hotel values excellence and guest experience over all else, and is willing to go to any length to ensure it. This passion for excellence is why some of the world's best chefs, architects, artists and hoteliers to push the limits in the fields they love and given us some spectacular creations. Its very conceivable that today without the patronage of luxury tourism, many city skylines would be vastly changed, many medieval castles would not have been painstakingly restored, and many stories would forever be left untold.
Excellence in Gastronomy | Four Seasons George V | Paris
Christian Le Squer and the team of Le Cinq ***
While hundred's of PureLuxe partner hotels are home to michelin star restaurants, only one hotel in Europe boasts 3 restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide. Following the announcement of the 2017 Michelin Guide, the restaurants Le Cinq***, Le George* and L’Orangerie* at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris have been collectively crowned with a total of five Michelin stars, making it the first luxury Hotel in Europe with three Michelin-starred restaurants.
The crown jewel of this hotel is undoubtedly Le Cinq, with 3 michelin stars to it's name. Boasting beautiful views of the Hotel’s courtyard, the three-Michelin-star Le Cinq is an exquisite dining room, dressed in grey and gold. The tablecloths, china and silver were all created specifically for this legendary Hotel. Menus draw on classic French culinary techniques and also embrace newer, lighter cooking styles, always incorporating the freshest regional ingredients
Excellence in Design | Park Hotel Vitznau | Switzerland
On the shores of the picturesque Lake Lucerne, sits the majestic Park Hotel Vitznau. Behind the 100 year old walls of lies a wonderfully inviting interior. The extensively renovated jewel at the Lake Lucerne offers an individual hotel experience like no other. Characterized by the three main themes Wine & Dine, Art & Culture and Health & Wealth, a world where residences, suites and junior suites are individually designed with great attention to detail and furnished with state-of-the-art amenities.
The Classical Exterior of the Building blends seamlessly with state of the art technology and modern design features
Designed in 1900 by Karl Gottlieb Koller, who had already built such famous establishments as the Bäderhotel in Bormio (Veltlin) and the Hotel Schweizerhof in St. Moritz, the Park Vitznau closed in 2009 to undergo renovations and become the masterpiece it is today. One of the most striking aspects of the hotel is the infinity pool and spa, which seem to blend into the waters of Lake Lucern and maintains a constant temperature throughout the year. The hotel also boasts a vast wine cellar and a 2 restaurants recognised in the Michelin guide.
The infinity pool, One of the most stunning features of the hotel
Excellence in Tradition | Il Borro | Tuscany
While most people in India know of Il Borro as the estate owned by the Ferragamo Family, the truth is they are simply the most recent in a long line of notable owners of the estate. With a history dating back to 1254, Il Borro was once the site of bloody conflicts between local factions and nobility warring over control of the castle. In the mid-Fifties, Il Borro passed to Duke Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, and in 1993 the Duke sold the entire property to Ferruccio Ferragamo.
The Maison retains the look of a traditional tuscan village despite keeping guests in the lap of luxury
“An enduring act of faith”, as Ferruccio Ferragamo, who fell madly in love with the Il Borro estate in 1985, likes to say. For many years the Ferragamo family had rented the Tuscan estate until they made the decision to buy it. As soon as he had purchased the property, Ferruccio Ferragamo, aided by his son Salvatore (presently CEO of Il Borro) began extensive restoration and refurbishment of this ancient place, which still bore the scars of the Second World War. Today Il Borro still preserves the traditions and feel of a medieval tuscan village, complete with craftsmen, a vineyard and olive pressery, all while keeping guests in the lap of luxury.
All Around Excellence | Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
When it comes to rating hotels, the Forbes guide is the gold standard, and the Five Star rating is the most desired rating. While most hotels would be proud of just one five star rating, in 2017 the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong got 5 star ratings for 6 categories.
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong occupies a Stunning location on the Hong Kong Skyline
Forbes Travel Guide, 2017
Five Stars for Hotel
Five Stars for The Mandarin Spa
Five Stars for Mandarin Grill + Bar
Five Stars for Pierre
Five Stars for The Krug Room
Five Stars for Man Wah
With all four of the Hotel's restaurants, The Spa and the hotel itself earning the 5 star rating, it's clear that excellence is a part of the hotel's culture and the focus of everything they do.
