Suite Sophisticates

Big, bold and beautiful, spectacular suite designs honor the past while luxuriously sweeping into the future.

By Monica Rogers, Contributing Editor -- Hotels, 7/1/2008

Communicating modern and luxury in the same gesture, today's sumptuous suites make bold statements. New color palettes and patterns pop. Custom-designed furniture and fabrics give fresh and clever articulation to each design message—even with historic renovations. A widened array of materials on walls and floors add interest and texture. Glass, for example, is no longer restricted to windows, but frequently offers a sexy segue of frosted mystery between private and public spaces in interiors that flow capaciously from one suite area into the next.

There is nothing stuffy about the result: A relaxed but upbeat casual elegance is apparent in residential-styled kitchens, bedrooms and baths that feature highest-end appliances, custom features and spa-like experiences. Spacious sense of place has also become a highlight, with top suites opened as never before to stunning views of surrounding landscapes via rooftops, balconies, decks and windowed expanses. And rather than trumpet high-tech innovations, best-bred suites seamlessly fit advanced features into easy-to-intuit touch panels and handheld devices, while taking advantage of the svelte profiles wireless technologies afford.

The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Florida

The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach's cheeky take on the presidential suite is a conjoined-yet-independent space created by Wendy Mendes, RTKL Associates, Miami. Billed as the “Commander” and the “Chief,” the two-in-one executive suite has a dual personality. One half of the suite is a slightly risqué salute to the risk-taker, including a billiards room, a glowing onyx bar with trompe-l'oeil image of fishnet-clad legs and a hot-red lounge area with feather-adorned light fixtures. A frosted glass wall between foyer and shower gives shadowy glimpses to figures beyond. The suite's gentler half includes writing desk and dining area with a glass bubble chandelier overhead, and a sweeping ocean panorama visible from wrap-round balconies. The bedroom has textured mother-of-pearl walls, a sheer-covered canopy bed and spicy red crocodile chaise. Just beyond, a wellness room is provided for yoga classes, salon or spa treatments. For a truly presidential experience, Ritz-Carlton will arrange for a past president to deliver a suite speech, in person. Suites are priced from US$4,000 to US$6,000 a night.

Stafford Hotel, London

Reinterpreting the meaning of a posh pad, London's Stafford Hotel opened its newly refurbished Guv'nors Suite in March. Modeled after central London's toniest flats, the 1,000-sq.-ft. (93-sq.-m), two-story suite has an open-trussed ceiling, creamy white palette, cherry woods, gold fixtures and red and brown accents. The space is fronted by a 22-ft. (6.7-m) window. Lounge, library, dining room and full kitchen fill the first level; a winding stair leads to an open, king-sized bedroom and two baths. New techie features include remote-controlled air conditioning and blinds, plus four phone lines and high-speed Wi-Fi. The nightly room rate starts at US$2,363.

The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona

There are plenty of places to feel pampered and presidential in a casually elegant way at the renovated Phoenician resort in Scottsdale. Two 3,000-sq.-ft. (279-sq. m) presidential suites at The Phoenician offer vistas of the Sonoran Desert, two bedrooms with separate bathing and dressing areas, oversized living and dining rooms, Steinway baby grand pianos and full-service kitchens with separate entrances. But double that and then some: There are now two more 3,000-sq.-ft. (279-sq. m) presidential perches with the same features, plus 38, 1,200-sq.-ft. (110-sq. m) “regular” suites at The Canyon Suites—Starwood's new resort-within-a-resort boutique hotel that debuted on the property last year. All renovated suites exude warm-hued plushness with dark walnut sculptured furnishings and custom fabrics in soothing shades of cream, blue-gray, green and gold by designer Lorraine Francis of Cadiz Design Studio, who sought “timeless sophistication and a residential-scaled intimacy.” Taking luxe all the way? A private chef, sterling-silver coffee and tea service each morning, afternoon wine tastings and chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz service are included in the US$550 to US$5,700 a night suite experience.

The St. Regis Washington, D.C.

New York-based design firm Sills Huniford's stated design objective for lavishly redesigned suites at The St. Regis Washington, D.C., was to embrace a residential motif while imparting a fresher, brighter, more modern aesthetic. Guests, say the designers, should feel suites are their own D.C. pied-a-terres. St. Regis' 25 suites—from the 2,510-sq.-ft. (231-sq.-m) Presidential to the 620-sq.-ft. (29-sq.-m) Metropolitan, have a classical feel—but lightened, with graceful, custom-designed furnishings and refreshing hues of steel blue and spring green. Technology, while pervasive, is unobtrusive here, from the in-mirror TVs in bathrooms, to the Sub-Zero appliances tucked into the presidential butler's pantry. Carved wood console built-ins enclose closets, mini-bars, safes and TVs to place greater emphasis on artwork and views. And bathrooms feature marble sinks, standing showers and large soaking tubs.

Faena Hotel + Universe, Buenos Aires

Whether you thought Philippe Starck's Bel Epoque-fantastique design at the Faena Hotel + Universe weird or wonderful, the Buenos Aires hotspot now has three new Starck suites high rollers can call their own for US$2,500 to US$8,000 a night. Of these, the very-red, 1,291-sq. ft. (119-sq. m) Faena Suite is billed as the “most exclusive in Latin America.” It occupies the sixth floor of the hotel with two bedrooms, three bathrooms, living and dining rooms, kitchen and library and best-yet panoramic views of the Faena Art District and Buenos Aires' city center. In keeping with the hotel theme, there are more Bel Epoque design touches here—plenty of plush red velvet and dark lapacha wood, and ornate gilt, mirrored and Tuscan-marbled bathrooms—just larger scale and with more luxurious detailing and multiple new technologies.

Breidenbacher Hof, A Capella Hotel, Düsseldorf

Originally opened in 1812, Düsseldorf's historic Breidenbacher Hof has undergone several rebirths, including reconstruction after World War II. The hotel's newest, nine-story incarnation as a Capella Hotel and Resorts property was unveiled in May, with richly realized interior design by Peter Silling of Cologne-based Hotel Interior Design. Six Capella suites feature mahogany furnishings and bathrooms of Estremoz marble with glass mosaic tiles. Eight Grand suites welcome guests with cherrywood floors, crystal chandeliers, burlwood furnishings and Nero Portero marble fireplaces. But the premier Präsidenten Suite outdoes all. Here, Nepalese silk carpets soften inlaid cherrywood floors and custom burlwood bookshelves stocked with rare books link living, working and dining spaces furnished with brown-and-beige-patterned sofas and chairs. Cozy up by the Black Gold marble fireplace, or soak in the bathroom's Black Gold marble and glass Jacuzzi under a starry, Swarovski crystal sky.

Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale's recent US$17 million makeover included a complete renovation of 22 suites. Dallas-based designer Paul Duesing sought to bring a more residential feel to the property with vibrant purple, pink and orange color accents, hardwood flooring, a complete soft goods makeover and handpainted Mexican sinks in the bathrooms. The Presidential suite, and all two-bedroom suites, also have honed stone flooring, new bathroom tile, upgraded outdoor furnishings and new luxury accents.

Shangri-la Hotel, Chengdu

East meets west in Hirsh/Bedner Associates' design for suites at Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu, overlooking the Jinjiang River and Heijiang Pavilion in Sichuan province. Sixty-one of the 593 guestrooms are suites, priced from US$275 for the Executive, to US$4,364 for the Presidential. Bamboo and organic patterns have a gracious Asian lilt. Warm champagne, gold and blue tones communicate elegance; contemporary furnishings add a dash of Western aesthetics. HBA used locally produced art, wood veneers and stones for sense of place and residential aspect. Five-fixture bathrooms are marble.