Suites & Baths

Suites and baths today must entice the senses while pamper the body, mind and soul of the traveling public.

By Rebecca Oliva, Associate Editor -- HOTELS Magazine, 8/1/2001

Suites today must entice the senses while pampering

the body and mind. They must exude a sense of place, whether by showcasing

the world's most enchanting views or by housing lush amenities to

pamper the most discerning of guests. Fine fabrics, furnishings and

elegant spaces alone do not satisfy the high-end traveler. Attention

to detail in linens, furnishings and décor enhance the value

of suites and make them unforgettable to guests. Materials and craftsmanship

authentic to the location make sure guests are immersed in the atmosphere.

Each of the following hotels offers more than mere upscale goods and

services, rather, they seek to provoke a sense of wonder. The Mark Hopkins,

San Francisco, offers impeccable views of the city as a backdrop to

luxury. The Hotel, Lucerne, Switzerland, uses film photography to stimulate

the mind in addition to pampering the soul with its plush items. Soneva

Fushi, Maldives, uses its natural surroundings to provide furnishings

such as coconut wood desks and chairs. The Westin Grand, Singapore,

provides surprises in its completely glass bathroom. Here, HOTELS presents

an inspiring array of suites and baths that awaken the senses.

Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental, San Francisco

Newly renovated luxury suites, the Penthouse and

California, share the 18th floor of this 75-year-old hotel, located

in the prestigious Nob Hill neighborhood. Each suite is decorated

in a style that matches a flavor of the city-modern, European, Asian,

or Californian. Lining the suites are original wood paneling and silk

wallpaper that matches the custom-designed green leaf patterned draperies.

Rich golden yellow color schemes evoke an "at home" feeling.

Seating arrangements are designed to take advantage of the three enormous

picture windows with views of the city and bay. Each suite includes

a king bedroom, living room, dining room and two bathrooms, totaling

more than 1,500 sq. ft. (138 sq. m). Oversized bathrooms include Spanish

and Italian marbles on the floors with black granite vanity tops,

Jacuzzi tubs and double-headed showers.

Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

Described by General Manager Charles L. Morris

as "luxuriously

back to nature," Soneva Fushi, with 62 rooms, takes full advantage

of its location. The 2,000 sq. ft. (185 sq. m) Presidential

suite is a resort in itself. The master bedroom is accessible only by

a flight of stairs that leads to a bridge. Two double beds and bedside

tables made from coconut wood embellish the bedroom. Wall lights are

shaped to resemble a snake and a coconut wood desk is adorned with a

fish bone desk lamp and cowhide shade. Plantation chairs made out of

teak dress up both the master bedroom and balcony. The bathroom entirely

opens up to the private beach garden with a twin basin and separate

bathtub and shower. Sitting rooms are decorated in hues of orange and

scarlet, with bright golden throw pillows. The dining area is situated

near the 15-ft.

(4.5 m) plunge pool, which is surrounded by water-resistant,

linen-tweed day beds and teakwood lounge chairs. "The island of

Kunfunadhoo has many trees and plants," says Morris. "We conserve

our island's natural beauty because we love nature and

believe our guests love the island this way, as well."

Hotel Martinez, Cannes

At more than 5,000 sq. ft. (464 sq. m), the penthouse

terrace suites are the largest in France. Set on the Bay de Cannes,

the 400-room hotel has played host to many celebrities during the

Cannes Film Festival. Following a demand by guests who requested views

of the bay, General Manager Jean-Louis Bottigliero converted the space

into two luxurious penthouse suites. Each has two bedrooms and two

bathrooms with ideal views of the bay, a Jacuzzi on the adjoining

terrace, a kitchen, living room and personalized butler service. Catering

to the film industry, the suites include flat-screen televisions with

screens that double as computer monitors, DVD players, Web camera

for video-conferencing and a remote that controls virtually anything

electric. In keeping with the Art Deco style of the rest of the hotel,

the décor is muted,

using natural tones to emit an outdoor feeling. Curtains

are made of silk-lined satin; teak wood is used both in the room and

on the terrace. There is even a pillow menu.

The Hotel, Lucerne, Switzerland

Located in the heart of Lucerne, The Hotel is full of surprises. The

25-studio and- suite hotel combines spirituality with

elegance. This boutique hotel differentiates itself with a mix of eclectic

art and design nouveau. The goal of the French architect, Urs Karli,

is not only for guests to sleep and eat, but also to be

entertained.

Suites encompass ceiling art with scenes from

25 films intended to provoke and stimulate interactivity. Furnishings

bear a link to art, as each piece combines nature in the form of wood

and technology in the form of stainless steel; all vertical panels

are made of wood and all horizontal panels are made of stainless steel.

Each suite has a view of the patio garden. Bathrooms are filled with

generous amounts of bamboo to evoke a "shower among the jungle" feel.

The Peninsula, Chicago

Bathrooms take the prize in this new 339-room hotel in the heart of

Chicago. They are tiled in warm, polished stone and include a separate

shower and soaking tub and television with steam-free screen set for

perfect viewing from the bath. A large window is located next to the

tub for a full view of North Michigan Avenue. Details include mood lighting,

a terry-cloth covered scale, two basins and a hands-free phone, which

automatically mutes the television when it rings.

The Westin Plaza, Singapore

Located in the heart of the Singapore business district, the 769-room

Westin Plaza's renovated suites encompass a clean and contemporary look

and feel. They are designed around a palette of taupe and muted gold

rich with dark wood color schemes. Each room has high-speed Internet

access. Bathrooms were updated to include separate baths and showers.

The sink, counter and shower doors are made of clear glass complemented

by aromatherapy and essential oil toiletries.

The Giraffe, New York

Located on Park Avenue South, this 73-room luxury

boutique hotel has an award-winning space perched atop the 12th floor.

The Penthouse suite, at 1000 sq. ft. (92 sq. m), includes a six-foot-high

limestone fireplace, and 26-foot high barrel-vaulted ceiling. A baby

grand piano sits near glass French doors, which lead to the 175 sq.

ft. (16 sq. m) balcony. The salon of the Penthouse suite is draped

with velveteen upholstered chairs and sofas. Beds are covered with

satin bed covers and surrounded by framed photos from the Art Deco

period. Bathrooms are adorned with massage showerheads, limestone

floors and terra cotta-colored tiles. Rooms include high-speed Internet

access and remote-controlled blackout shades to guarantee a perfect

night's sleep. "The whole feel of

the hotel tries to make you feel like you are at home," says General

Manager John Flannigan.