What are 7-star hotels?
Let's get to the point: '7-star hotel' is not an official certification. The star rating only goes up to 5, but some hotels went overboard and they came up with a new category. These hotels are so over-the-top luxurious that they can't be rated with the same stars as ordinary hotels. Thus, they are popularly known as '7-star hotels'.
What are we talking about? Think personal butlers, suites as big as your house (or even bigger!), furniture that looks like something out of a palace, and golden details everywhere. If the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai rings a bell, you're correct! This was the hotel that started the 7-star trend, dazzling the entire world with its sail-shaped architecture and a level of luxury that no one had ever seen before.
These hotels are not for everyone; they are for those who want to live like royalty (literally) during their stay.
What are the main features of 7-star hotels?
If you thought you’d seen it all in luxury hotels, get ready! Seven-star hotels are in a league of their own, with features that make five- and six-star hotels seem... well, ordinary. Here's a look at what makes these hotels so mind-blowing:
1. Unique location (Yes, truly UNIQUE)
Forget about hotels on a lovely downtown street. These hotels are in locations that will leave you speechless. A private island? Of course! A skyscraper that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie? You bet! For instance, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is on an artificial island so that guests feel like they are in their own mini-kingdom. They don't mess around here.
2. Out-of-this-world design and architecture
The interior design here isn't just pretty; it's spectacular. Marble, crystal, gold, extravagance and quality to the highest level.
Everything is designed to amaze. Some of these hotels resemble luxury museums, where every corner has a touch of opulence. For example, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi sparkles (literally) with its golden ornaments and marble brought from all over the world. It's like sleeping in an actual palace!
3. Rockstar-level customer service
In these hotels, personalized service is not a gimmick; it's a promise! 24/7 personal butler? Of course. Arriving by helicopter or limousine? Obviously. Here, every guest is treated as if they were the most important person in the world (and, in fact, they probably are). At the Town House Galleria in Milan, they even have butlers and limousines ready to fulfill any whim or special request.
4. Dream amenities
Do you like spas? Here they have spas that look like temples. Do you like swimming pools? Here they are private and huge, with breathtaking views. Food? The dishes are prepared exclusively by Michelin-starred chefs. Nothing is out of reach! The Laucala Island Resort in Fiji, for example, offers private villas with infinity pools and direct access to the beach. It's a dream come true.
5. Attention to detail on a microscopic level
Every single detail is carefully thought out. From the scent of the room to the pillow menu (yes, you can choose whichever one you want), everything is designed to make you feel like you're in another world. At the Pangu 7 Star Hotel in Beijing, the level of detail is so extreme that even the smallest details are customized just for you. Here they make you feel like a real VIP!
6. Sci-fi technology
Here you can control everything with a finger or even your voice. Rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to offer comfort of the highest level. Would you like the lights to match your mood? Done. Do you want the perfect sleeping temperature? Easy. At the Burj Al Arab, each suite has a full automation system.
7. Luxury cuisine (food that is too beautiful to eat)
At these hotels, the food is a work of art. Only renowned chefs, dishes with ingredients you didn't even know existed, and gallery-like presentations. Everything is special! If you love great food, get ready for the feast of a lifetime.
8. High level of privacy and security
These hotels are not only exclusive in terms of luxury, but also in terms of privacy and security. Private access, exclusive elevators, and a security team that is always alert to ensure guests are relaxed and stress-free. Here, privacy is sacred.
9. Sustainability with a touch of glamour
Despite all the opulence, many of these hotels are concerned about the environment. From sustainable energy to water conservation programs, they strive to be as sustainable as possible, all while maintaining their glamour intact. Yes, even 7-star hotels have an eco-friendly side.
10. Unique experiences and tailor-made adventures
These hotels not only offer a place to sleep (in gorgeous beds), they also provide unique experiences and fully customized adventures. A romantic dinner on top of a cliff or in an oasis in the middle of the desert? Private cooking lessons with a renowned chef or a hot air balloon expedition? All that and a lot more is possible! Some hotels even have “experience designers” who are dedicated solely to creating extraordinary programs for each guest. Yes, they go that far to make you feel like you're in paradise.
The world's only 6 seven-star hotels
Let's talk about some of the few hotels that have been unofficially awarded the exclusive '7 stars'. Let's go from the most famous to the most exclusive:
1. Burj Al Arab (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Probably the most famous of them all, and the one who started this whole '7 stars' phenomenon. Its sail-shaped design is one of Dubai's landmarks, with luxuries that are on another level: two-story suites, Rolls-Royce service to take you around the city, and even a helipad (because, of course, what 7-star hotel doesn't have one?).
2. Emirates Palace (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
This hotel feels like a royal palace. Its marble and gold decoration makes you feel like you're in a tale from the One Thousand and One Nights. And, as if that weren't enough, it features stunning gardens, fountains, and even a private beach! Here everything shines, literally.
3. Laucala Island Resort (Fiji)
When you picture paradise, it surely looks like Laucala Island Resort. This 7-star hotel is not just a luxury resort, it's an entire island! Here you don't just find rooms, but private villas surrounded by jungle, with infinity pools and direct access to white sand beaches. Everything is so exclusive that you could forget about the outside world; it's like your own luxurious tropical hideaway. And if you want to do some exploring, they'll take you out in their private submarine. Yes, you read that right: they have a submarine! Here, luxury is both underwater and on land.
Image from Trey Ratcliff
4. The Mark Hotel (New York, USA)
Located in the heart of the Upper East Side, this hotel takes New York luxury to another level. With one of the largest penthouses in the city and a team that anticipates your every whim, the Mark is synonymous with urban exclusivity. Staying here isn't just about visiting New York; it's about experiencing it in style.
5. Pangu 7 Star Hotel (Beijing, China)
Less famous than the previous ones, but certainly not less impressive. This hotel blends modern luxury and traditional Chinese features. They offer spacious rooms, decorated with all kinds of luxuries, and stunning views of the Chinese capital.
Image from Andrey Belenko
6. Hotel Seven Stars Galleria (Milan, Italy)
Located in the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this hotel only features seven suites. That means customized attention to every detail, right in the heart of Milan. Here, exclusivity goes hand in hand with privacy, so get ready for practically one-on-one service.
So there you have them, from the most famous to the most exclusive. Each of them redefines the meaning of luxury accommodation. After staying at any of them, you may not want to go back home!
Conclusion
So now you know: 7-star hotels aren't just for sleeping, they're just like a dream where every detail is carefully designed to make you feel on top of the world. You get butlers who look like they're straight out of a movie, suites so huge you can get lost in them, and luxuries that seem like they're from another planet.
Would you like to experience something like this? Well, to do that, you'll first need a next-level budget, but dreaming is free! In the meantime, you can always picture yourself driving around in a Rolls-Royce or relaxing in a bed surrounded by gold and marble... or as the song says: We’re driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
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