15 MOST EXPENSIVE HOTEL ROOMS IN THE WORLD.

THERE’S SHOESTRING TRAVEL, THEN THERE’S budget travel, then there’s travel, then business travel, and then elite travel. Way, way, way up — way higher than any of those — is megarich travel. It’s the type of travel that only happens on private jets and with chauffeurs. It’s “I have a pet tiger and I could easily get away with feeding someone to it” travel.

Naturally, this level of travel requires a certain type of accommodation. There are no hostels, no shared bathrooms, no trips to the ice machine at this level of accommodation. This is Wolf of Wall Street lodging. This is “I need a place to spend the night while my manservant replenishes my yacht’s cocaine vaults” lodging.

You get the idea. These are the most expensive hotels in the world. Here’s what spending more than the majority of the world’s annual income is on a single night in a hotel room looks like.

1. The Apartment at the Hotel Connaught1 in London

At $23,500 a night, the Apartment offers a private butler and menus designed by Michelin-starred chef Helene Darroze. It has a wrap-around balcony overlooking London’s incredibly posh Mayfair area.
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To get a good idea of just how over-the-top British blueblood opulent this place is, check out their interactive site regarding the Apartment — it includes stories of the butler flying to Paris after guests left to return the shoes they’d forgotten, and a guy who wanted to cook his wife a meal, and had a Michelin chef passing him tips behind a secret door. I mean, Christ.
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2. The Presidential Suite at the Hotel Cala di Volpe in Porto Cervo, Italy

At $26,000 a night, the Presidential Suite at the Hotel Cala di Volpe in Sardinia offers three bedrooms, a solarium, a private pool, and a fitness area.
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Each of the three bathrooms has a jacuzzi, an “oversized shower,” and “dual vanities of Sardinian marble.”
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3. The Shangri-La Suite at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Istanbul

At a mere $26,385 a night, the Shangri-La Suite takes up the entire top floor of the Shangri-La hotel, overlooking the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul.
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There’s a TV embedded in that bathroom mirror, by the way. The room has three private terraces that give you views of pretty much the entire Istanbul skyline.
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4. The Presidential Suite at the Mandarin Oriental in Shanghai

Located in spectacular, skyscraper-heavy Pudong, the best suite at the Mandarin Oriental is about $26,450 a night. It’s a two-bedroom apartment with its own wine cellar, and staggering 25th-floor views of the Shanghai skyline.
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It, of course, has butler service, and they promise flexible check-in and check-out, saying you can enjoy your full 24 hours in the hotel. I should fucking hope so.
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5. The Royal Suite at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris

The Royal Suite is the largest hotel room in Paris, with 450 square meters. It’s also $27,000 a night…$27,000 which totally couldn’t have gone towards paying off my student loans instead.
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The suite includes televisions concealed behind the mirrors, and “all the embroidery is done with gold thread.” In large part, what you’re paying for in this suite is proximity to gold.
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6. The St. Regis Villa at St. Regis Mauritius

The St. Regis Villa on Mauritius is the largest villa on the island and costs $30,000 a night.
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It includes a Jacuzzi, a lounge, a bar, and a private chef. The best amenity listed on the site by far, though, is that they specialize in “discreetly addressing guests’ needs.”
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7. The Royal Suite at St. Regis Saadiyat Island, in the United Arab Emirates

At $35,000 a night, the Royal Suite at St. Regis is the largest hotel room in the UAE. It has two floors, butler service, and a private theater.
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It also has a swimming pool and a games room. The master bedroom takes up pretty much all of the bottom floor and looks out over the ocean.
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8. The Royal Villa at the Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens

The Royal Villa, at $35,000 a night, once played host to Mel Gibson and Leonardo DiCaprio (I assume on separate occasions — you can only produce so much cocaine and booze on short notice). It has two master bedrooms, each with marble bathrooms with their own steam baths, as well as the butler’s quarters.
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There’s also a private massage area, a heated pool, and a private deck overlooking the beach.
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9. The Penthouse Suite at the Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez

At a quaint $37,500 a night, the Penthouse Suite at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes offers views of the Bay of Cannes (from a terrace Jacuzzi, of course), and two king-size bedrooms.
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Strangely, compared to the other suites on this list, the Grand Hyatt’s amenities list, rather than using the words “opulence,” “luxury,” and, “gold-leaf covered heated toilet seat,” lists things like “wireless internet,” “a bathrobe,” and “Windows that open.” Don’t let that understated description fool you, though — according to Billionaire.com it is the fourth most expensive hotel room in the world (though CNN says it’sthird).
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10. The Hilltop Estate Owner’s Accommodation at the Laucala Island Resort in Fiji

Not only is this villa $40,000 a night, but you can’t just book the room. You have to apply for the privilege of giving them enough money to pay the equivalent of most four-year in-state college tuitions over the course of a day.
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The entire island is owned by Red Bull’s billionaire owner (I know what you’re thinking: Red Bull was a billion dollar idea?), and consists of 25 villas, but this is the best. It has panoramic views of the island, free massages, horse rides on the beach, and I imagine it allows you to hunt the deadliest game of all: man.
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The webpage — which uses the word “opulent” like it’s a good thing — also says it provides a private cook, a chauffeur, and a private nanny. It will, and I quote, make your “undreamt of pleasures come true.” Which sounds like an underestimation of the weird pleasures people dream about.
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11. The Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons in New York

The Ty Warner Suite at the Four Seasons in New York will set you back a cool $45,000 a night. It’s the highest hotel room in New York, with a 360 view of the city, and it took 7 years and $50 million dollars to build. The room has its own art concierge and also a huge library. It only houses three — with accommodations for a child (and let’s be honest, the only child that will ever stay here is Prince George).
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Here’s their website’s pathologically detailed description of the bathroom: “The master bathroom is entirely clad in custom slabs of rare Chinese onyx and includes sinks carved from solid blocks of rock crystal, underlit with LED lighting. Unwind in a chromatherapy infinity soak tub or an oversized Dornbracht steam rain shower with six body jets. Other features include a Toto Neorest toilet with wireless remote, sensors and heated seat, and floors with radiant heat. The walls, ceiling and sink in the jewel-like guest powder room are fashioned from semi-precious tiger’s eye stone.”
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12. The Sky Villa at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas

At $40,000 a night, the Sky Villa offers a private glass elevator, a glass spa jutting out over the balcony with views of the strip, a dry sauna, and 24-hour butler service.
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There are actually a few Sky Villas, but the most luxurious one is called the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa. Because it’s Vegas, so of course.
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13. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai

No catalogue of the gaudily expensive would be complete without a mention of Dubai. While many of our other hotels on this list get a spot by merely having an absurdly expensive and luxurious suite, the Burj Al Arab gets on for having nothing but absurdly expensive luxury suites.
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All of their suites are duplexes, and the cheapest of them is $2,000 a night. Not including taxes and fees. The most expensive is $12,000 (depending on the exchange rate). This may well be — overall — the most expensive hotel in the world.
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The amenities? You can get around in their Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, and helicopter transfer services. Or take advantage of their personalized butlers. Also, you can go to their four swimming pools and private beach, or get free access to a nearby waterpark. It’s a great place to go to show your complete contempt for the concept of moderation.
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14. The Shahi Mahal Suite at the Raj Palace Hotel in Jaipur, India

$45,000 US. For a night. It’s got 6 bedrooms, a private theater, a library, and a private kitchen staff, but again: It’s 45 grand a night. It’s a particularly good fit if you’re a Bond villain, royalty, or need a nice place to get together with some friends for an old-fashioned partition of a third-world country.
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15. The Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland

At 60,000 Swiss Francs a night — or about $68,000 US depending on the exchange rate — this is the most expensive hotel room in the world. The suite has hosted the likes of Bill Gates and Michael Douglas, and includes its own private elevator, gym, and pool table; it has maximum security, a Steinway Grand Piano, and a panoramic view of Lake Geneva.
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10 more offbeat places to visit in India

The best view is atop the tourist bungalow on Sendra Island

Image courtesy: flickr /ch_15march/ CC BY 2.0

Since India is full of unseen places waiting to be discovered, we felt one list would simply not be enough. And so, here’s the second installation of 10 offbeat places waiting to be discovered in India.

Loktak Lake, Manipur

About 48km from Imphal, this shimmering blue lake is broken up into small lakelets by clumps of thick matted weeds (called phumdis). The lake is inhabited by local villagers who build thatched huts on these floating ‘islands’ and make their way about the lake in dugout canoes. More peculiar than floating villages are the large, perfectly circular fishing ponds created out of floating rings of weeds. The best view is atop the tourist bungalow on Sendra Island from where you can get a bird’s eye view of life on the lake.

Pochampally, Andhra Pradesh

Situated 42km from Hyderabad, Pochampally is a weavers’ village, where ‘ikat’ like designs on cotton and silk are painstakingly woven on mechanised and pit looms. Pochampally Handloom Weavers Co-op Society and Raj Kumar Handlooms are two of the best options when it comes to shopping there. The latter can also guide you to smaller villages where weavers work on pit looms in clusters of 20–25. There’s also a spartan museum, Chenethakala Kendram, and a temple dedicated to Vinobha Bhave Nagarjuna that’s worth a look.

Tharangambadi was first established as a trading post in 1620

Image courtesy: Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation

Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu

Not many know that the Danes discovered this part of the world well before the French or British. Tharangambadi (formerly Tranquebar) – the ‘land of the singing waves’ – lies 15 km north of Karaikal and was established by the Danish East India Company in 1620 as a trading post. The oldest, most imposing structure here is the atmospheric Fort Dansborg, which, today, is home to a fascinating museum containing porcelain figurines, crockery, yellowed manuscripts and other relics.

Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh

Nearly half of India’s biodiversity is said to be indigenous to Arunachal Pradesh. Most of this wilderness is gathered in the far eastern corner of the state, in and around the Namdapha National Park. Spread over 1985 sq km of dense forest land, this ecological hotspot contains a mindboggling array of animal and plant species, with habitats ranging from warm tropical plains to icy Himalayan highlands. Namdapha is the only park in India to have four big cat species (leopard, tiger, clouded leopard and snow leopard). It’s also a birdwatcher’s delight, with around 500 species recorded.

Varca is quiet, calm and almost entirely hawker-free

Image courtesy: Flickr/ Vinoth Chandar/ CC BY 2.0

Varca, Cavelossim & Mobor, Goa

Heading south from Benaulim, you’ll travel a road lined with beautiful Portuguese relics and paddy fields to drift into a 10km coastal stretch. The beaches of Varca, Cavelossim and Mobor dot the pristine shore here. A seemingly endless palm-backed strip of sand punctuated by the grounds of a luxury resort or a whitewashed church, Varca is quiet, calm and almost entirely hawker-free, making it easy to find a quiet spot all to yourself. Located 3km south of Cavelossim, Mobor is one of the most picturesque spots in Goa with simple beach shacks serving good food.

Mahakuta & Banashankari, Karnataka

Mahakuta is located 14km from Badami, and is connected to it by a secret, eucalyptus-lined 3km pathway, the gateway of which is flanked by skeletal figures of Kala and Kali. The main attraction of this walled complex is the Mahakuteshvar Temple, the surrounding 7th-century shrines and the large tank fed by a natural spring. Situated just 5km from Badami, Banashankari Temple is not as old as the rest of the temples of the region, but holds great importance for pilgrims. The structure has used some of the late Chalukyan columns, but the most awe-inspiring feature is its lamp-studded tower, which is lit only on special occasions.

There is diverse flora and fauna in the area to explore

Image courtesy: Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation

Topslip, Tamil Nadu

Topslip is a base to explore the Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) Wildlife Sanctuary. Regulated treks through the forest, accompanied by forest with vehicle and elephant safaris provide an excellent opportunity to experience the diverse flora and fauna of the area. You can also watch the safari elephants being fed at the elephant camp at 8.30am. For a more varied experience combine the trip with a visit to Parambikulam, 20 km away in Kerala.

Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

The massive statue of Bahubali, looking over the town of Shravanabelagola, is often seen in brochures of the Hassan-Belur-Halebidu circuit, and certainly deserves a detour. Though the town has no connect with the Hoysala temple trail, it can be conveniently clubbed on the same route. A centre for Jain pilgrimage, Shravanabelagola deserves a couple of hours. Also worth your time are the two temple hills of Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri. The monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara (Bahubali), 57ft tall, dwarfs anyone who ascends the steep rock steps of Vindhyagiri. Reach in time for the early morning prayers (8am), when devotees gather to chant. Mahamastakabhisheka, a festival celebrated every 12 years, is when the statue is bathed in consecrated water, milk, sugarcane juice and saffron paste. The next big day will be in 2018. Chandragiri, which houses an older set of Jain temples, is shorter and easier to climb; it has fewer tourists, so it is relatively peaceful.

Demoiselle cranes migrate here from Siberia

Image courtesy: Rajasthan Tourism

Kheechan, Rajasthan

This village, located 135km from Jodhpur, is famous for the Demoiselle cranes that migrate here from Siberia between the beginning of September and end of March every year. At sunrise and during late afternoon, the birds home in to an area in the western side of the village, where the people feed them grains.

Pragpur, Himachal Pradesh

Located 55 km from Dharamsala, Pragpur is an incredibly quaint and well-preserved village. Twinned with Garli, hardly a couple of kilometres away, it forms a unique visit-worthy heritage zone. Mud-walls, slate roofs, cobbled streets, taals and serais, juxtaposed with large colonial-style mansions, suffuse it with a distinct and pleasing old-world charm. You can easily spend many pleasant hours marvelling at the architectural and decorative features of the homes and havelis of the prosperous Sood clans.

If you’ve been to an offbeat destination, we’d love to know about it. Share your experience by participating inIndia Unexplored, a promotional campaign by Lonely Planet and Skyscanner. The campaign runs from 4 October to 17 November, 2014.

Top Famous Dishes of Delhi

Distance from Jaipur:  288 kilometres

If you ask a Delhiite what are two things that really stand out for them about the city, it would be the rich history and the mouth-watering food. Now, I have to admit this blog sure got me in a tizzy. It’s tough being born in a city which offers such a rich diversity of cuisines, add to that the fact I’m Punjabi, and boy do we love to eat! So without any further ado, I present to you my list of top 10 famous dishes ofDelhi.

1. Paranthas

From being the perfect start to a “healthy” morning in most Delhi households, to a meal for hungry college students and even a late-night snack, paranthas are definitely on the top of the list when it comes to my favourite food in Delhi. Choose from a plain one or select a stuffing of your choice - potatoes, cauliflower, radish, eggs, keema, bananas or even last night’s left over dal - the options are galore.

Where can I try this dish? Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk, whose past customers include the likes of Maharajah of Kashmir and even Prime Minister Nehru and his family; Moolchand Parathe Wala located in South Delhi was SRK’s favourite when he used to live in Delhi

2. Chaat

If there is one thing that keeps the Delhi food scene ticking it’s the Street Food. With a variety that is unmatched, eating on the streets of Delhi is a crash course in the history and culture of the place. Chandni Chowk is undoubtedly the Street Food Capital of Delhi, and while no guide book can actually pinpoint the best places for Chaat, there are some landmark food haunts that really stand out. Of course, if you aren’t willing to travel that far, fret not for there are plenty of options for street food in Delhi.

Where can I try the dish? UPSC building, Shahjahan Road; Bittu Tikki Wala, Karol Bagh; Daulat ki Chaat, Chandni Chowk; Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala, Chandni Chowk

3. Butter Chicken

Here’s an interesting story about the origin of one of the most gratifying dishes on this planet. It originated in the 1950s in Moti Mahal Restaurant, Daryaganj, a neighbourhood skirting the Walled City. Known for its Tandoori Chicken, the cooks there accidentally tossed the sauce consisting of butter, tomato and chicken juices with tandoori chicken pieces; the rest is history. Today, this dish can be found in almost every non-vegetarian restaurant and highway dhabas and is best enjoyed with rice or naan.

Where can I try this dish? Moti Mahal, Daryaganj; Havemore, Pandara Road

4. Kebabs

Whoever thought grilled chunks of meat or fish marinated in aromatic Indian spices couldn’t give you joy should think again. While we Delhiites have a lot to be thankful for to the Mughals, Kebabs are one of them. Whether it is Kebabs being delivered to your car, a quintessentially Delhi experience, to food stalls and fine dining restaurants across the city, try this popular dish and you will be hooked forever.

Where can I try this dish? Alkakori Alkauser, R K Puram; Ustad Moinuddin Kebabs, Lal Kuan; Ghalib Kebab Corner, Nizamuddin; Salim’s Kebabs, Khan Market; Aap Ki Khatir, SDA

5. Chole Bhature

Here’s a piece of advice: This dish is best enjoyed on an empty stomach. Rich, spicy and heavy, this is one of the most popular Punjabi dishes and is definitely on my list of top 10 must-try dishes in Delhi. Don’t be surprised if you find it on the breakfast menu of restaurants across the capital. It is generally accompanied with Lassi.

Where can I try this dish? Sitaram Diwan Chand, Paharganj; Chache Di Hatti Kamla Nagar

6. Biryani

A favourite of the Mughal Emperors, the Biryani has stood the test of time and is today enjoyed all over India. This poultry or meat based dish is prepared in an earthen pot and the lid is sealed with dough so that the spices, flavours and aromas are soaked in. The Biryani experiences in Delhi vary from the commercial chains and road side dhabas, to the Sufi shrines and five-star hotels.

Where can I try this dish? Dum Pukht in ITC Maurya; Al Kakori Al Kauser, R K Puram, Deez Biryani & Kebabs, Defence Colony

7. Nihari

As you enter Old Delhi and walk into the serpentine lanes, you can’t help but be drawn to the aroma of one of the region’s signature delicacies, the Nihari. This rich, spicy broth of slow cooked meat is served alongside hot tandoori rotis or preferably khameeri rotis. The dish was a favourite within the royal families, who used to feast on it in the mornings. Today it serves as the ideal nourishment for labourers, rickshaw pullers, coolies and many others looking to kick start their day.

Where can I try this dish? Bara Hindu Rao area; Karim’s near Jama Masjid

8. Rolls

Ok, so we aren’t going to take the credit away from Kolkata, where the original Kathi roll recipe was developed, but Delhi has its own delicious variants. From street stalls offering a variety of rolls, to supermarkets stocking up on frozen options and even the posh Delhi restaurants, Kathi rolls are a befitting food option for busy Delhiites on the go.

Where can I try this dish? Nizam’s, Connaught Place; Khan Chacha, Khan Market; Qureshi’s Kabab Corner, South Extension-II

9. Momos

This one bags the prize for being one of the most popular snacks, be it in office complexes, birthdays or even cocktail parties. It is not uncommon to find vendors outside almost every office building, housing area and market place selling Momos. These tasty dumplings are available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and are enjoyed with the fiery-red sauce.

Where can I try this dish? Kamla Nagar Market; Nagaland Food Stall in Dilli Haat;  Sikkim House,  Panchsheel Marg; Cafe Brown Sugar, GK market

10. Desserts

You are probably familiar with this line used across all Delhi households “Khaane ke baad kuch meetha ho jaye” (“Let’s eat something sweet after a meal”). With the extensive variety of desserts offered in the capital, it is hard to say no. From the piping-hot Jalebis and lip-smacking Rabri Falooda, to innovative Kulfis in flavours like Custard Apple, Tamarind and Aam Papad, the delicious Motichoor Ladoo made from pure desi ghee and Blueberry Cheesecake; Delhi sure loves its sweets!

Where can I try this dish? Giani di Hatti, Chandni Chowk; Old and Famous Jalebiwala in Chandni Chowk who has served celebrities like Late Raj Kapoor and Indira Gandhi; Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfiwala, Chandni Chowk; Big Chill Cafe, Khan Market; Ghantewala Halwai, Chandni Chowk

Now that you know my list of top 10 famous dishes of Delhi, it is time to head out and satiate your taste buds. Don’t forget to write back with your favourite place.