On the 6th February 1952, Princess Elizabeth was crowned the Queen of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
She was the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne. During her reign, the late Queen travelled the globe extensively.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite hotels:
Queen Elizabeth II made 22 official visits to Canada and seven to Toronto. Here she has predominantly stayed at the Fairmont Royal York. The hotel is enormous and offers over 1300 rooms across 18 floors. There are five contemporary room types, which range from 21.5 square metres to 46.5 square metres. The bathrooms feature marble floors and Le Labo amenities. Opened in 1929, the hotel was fully renovated in 2019. When in Toronto, The Queen stays in the Royal Suite - just like her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother did before her.
Dine in REIGN restaurant, bar and bakery for international dishes created using local produce. The 14th floor urban rooftop garden was one of the first in Canada, providing the hotel’s kitchens with flavourful herbs, organic vegetables and edible flowers. Home to over 300,000 bees, their honey is used in dishes across the restaurants and sent to the local Mill Street Brewery which is made into a local ale - served only in the hotel. On floor H is the hotel’s Health Club. It features a skylit indoor swimming pool. There’s a wading pool for small children to splash in, as well as a whirlpool, sauna and steam room for adults. The Merle Norman Spa offers every kind of beauty treatment and there is a fully-equipped fitness centre including a gym.
Toronto’s landmark hotel, the Fairmont Royal York has featured in many blockbuster films, including the Robin Williams masterpiece - Mrs. Doubtfire.
View more images and find the best rates for Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
Huka Lodge, New Zealand
Huka Lodge boasts of a luscious setting amid 17 acres of immaculately manicured grounds, ranked as a Garden of National Significance. Dating back to the 1920s, the ambience of this lavish country home is enhanced with carefully curated antiques and objet d'art. There's even a cosy Trophy Room adorned with taxidermied African animals. You won't be short of options for outdoor activities with croquet, tennis, pétanque, fly fishing and mountain biking. Lazy days are best spent at the heated outdoor pool, spa and gym.
Expansive suites with French doors that open up to a wooden terrace offer uninterrupted views of the Waikato River to appeal to the dreamer in you. Think simple, elegant furnishings, sumptuous bed linen and generously sized baths. Extend the limits of indulgence by choosing one of the two stunningly designed private cottages. The Owner's Cottage can accommodate up to eight guests in four bedrooms, while the Alan Pye Cottage has two bedrooms for four guests. Plan a celebratory evening with an alfresco dining table under the starlit skies.
Read the BusinessClass.com review and find the best rates for Huka Lodge, New Zealand
Raffles, Singapore
A legendary 1887 property named after the founder of Singapore, the Raffles is not just a historic hotel but also a National Monument. A living ode to colonial-era splendour, it celebrates the bygone era with aplomb like few other properties can do. From the antique grandfather clock to the bohemian chandelier in the Neo-Renaissance style lobby, prepared to be swept away by the romance of vintage appeal. The old-world theme continues in the elegantly appointed rooms, featuring ceiling fans, teak wood flooring, wicker chairs and outdoor verandas. For the choicest accommodations, pick the State Room Suite in the Bras Basah Wing or a Palm Court Suite overlooking the Palm Court.
The impeccable hospitality standards are pushed several notches up with personal butler service. Local specialities and award-winning French cuisine will pave the way for a gastronomic adventure during your stay. Don't forget to sip the national drink, the iconic Singapore Sling, in the Long Bar, home of the cocktail. Reserve a languorous afternoon at the world-class spa and rooftop swimming pool.
Read the BusinessClass.com review and find the best rates for Raffles, Singapore
Principe de Savoia, Milan
This historic hotel, part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, takes gracious living to new heights with exacting, traditional hospitality. Centrally located in Piazza della Repubblica, close to the financial district of Porta Garibaldi and the bohemian Brera district, the Principe de Savoia is one of the much-loved emblems of the glamorous city. A Neoclassical façade sets the tone for the grandeur that awaits you inside. Art Deco elements are paired with ornate chandeliers, marble-mosaic embellishments, hand-painted frescoes, inlaid wood furniture, and sumptuous fabrics.
Consider splurging on the top-floor Presidential Suite with three bedrooms and a spacious lounge. With a "Pompeii-style spa", a private swimming pool, whirlpool, Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath, you will feel like turning into a permanent fixture yourself. Several rejuvenation treatments are available at the rooftop spa, fitted with a heated swimming pool and a world-class gym. Epicureans can look forward to gourmet Italian meals at Acanto Restaurant, located on a delightful veranda facing a fountained garden.
Read the BusinessClass.com review and find the best rates for Principe de Savoia, Milan
St Regis, Washington
This iconic hotel, located at 55th Street in the heart of Manhattan, has been the very epitome of a ritzy lifestyle since it opened in 1926. It oozes drama from the word go, starting with a familiar canopied, red-carpeted entrance to the lobby's hand-carved wood ceiling with gold leafing. The exquisite interiors, decked with marble, chandeliers and Florentine gold ceilings, are surprisingly warm and welcoming. Settle into your plush Beaux-Art accommodations, where a white-gloved butler is available to service your every wish.
Blow up your money on the 2,510 square foot Presidential Suite for the ultimate indulgence. And when you need to step outside, just hail the Bentley House Car. The Astor Benedict: seven eggs with Maine lobster, jumbo lump crab, and caviar, served with a virgin red snapper, is the signature dish at the Astor Court, so don't miss it for the world. Evenings are best spent tasting the Bloody Mary, the signature cocktail of the King Cole Bar.
Read the BusinessClass.com review and find the best rates for St Regis, Washington
Occupying an enviable location at the Brandenburg Gate, this posh hotel seamlessly blends old-world glam with contemporary glitz. The palatial lobby is a vision in white marble under a giant stained-glass and gold leaf cupola and a resplendent elephant fountain gifted by the Maharaja of Patiala, India, in 1930. The lavish rooms and suites, sporting mahogany-cherry furnishings and classic black granite bathrooms, score high on decor and creature comforts. Indulge in the three 2000-square feet Presidential suites and be rewarded with terrific views, a personal butler, limousine service and bullet-proof glass windows.
Surprise yourself with a grand piano when you book the Royal Suite. Reserve some time to unwind and recharge at the Adlon Spa by Resense when you're not exploring the exciting city. The hotel has three restaurants, including the two Michelin-starred Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer. Fancy a currywurst embellished with gold flakes? Order it at the Adlon Kempinski, Berlin.
View more images and find the best rates for The Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta
This Art Deco hotel with a gorgeous old-world limestone facade, located beside the main gates of the capital, Valletta, is a revered Malta icon in its own right. The Palm Court lounge and bar is a remarkable space with glass doors leading to the Phoenix Restaurant. 7.5 acres of landscaped gardens, limpid pools and a vast terrace with views of the citadel walls have been thoughtfully incorporated into the architecture.
If art is your poison, you will love the private collection of works by Maltese artist Edward Caruana Dingli that dress the ground floor walls. The accommodations flaunt a relaxed Mediterranean vibe, Maltese tiled floors, floral curtains and balconies, while the larger suites feature separate baths and showers. The Harbour View rooms look out onto the natural harbour. The generously planned wellness centre run by the French spa company Deep Nature is a self-contained haven with five treatment rooms for salt, sauna, steam, and an indoor pool.
View more images and find the best rates for Phoenicia, Valletta, Malta
Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica
This 400-acres all-inclusive resort, named after the crescent-shaped bay, has its origins in 1954. The island property, set on sweeping manicured lawns with two private beaches, is a picture of colonial charm with authentic Caribbean influences. The expansive lobby with classic marble floors and vintage photographs in black-and-white is a seamless blend of heritage and modernity. You will be spoilt for choice with accommodations that include the original West Cottages, newer Hibiscus Suites or Half Moon Villas.
All rooms are decked in traditional colonial Caribbean style with earthy, eco-conscious materials, extra-large marble bathrooms and whirlpool tubs. Treat yourself to a variety of wellness therapies at the Fern Tree Spa. Or head to Half Moon equestrian centre for various activities, including riding, jumping, polo lessons and beach rides. Avid golfers can tee off at the resort's 18-hole course. Plan a meal at the Sugar Mill, an award-winning restaurant set in a restored sugar mill and be assured of an unparalleled gourmet experience.
View more images and find the best rates for The Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Fairmont Empress, Victoria, BC
Built in 1908 with French-chateau architecture as inspiration, this historic monument overlooking the inner harbour is known for its classic elegance trademark Fairmont service. The decor is decidedly subtle yet sophisticated, from the dazzling chandelier in the glamorous lobby to the vintage posters and wood-panelled lift. Each of the 464 rooms is well-appointed with views of the harbour, gardens or city. The Fairmont Gold rooms come with a private waterfront lounge. The bathrooms are luxurious with marble accents, bathtubs and high-pressure showers.
Dining options are plentiful with avant-garde Pacific Northwest cuisine at the Q at the Empress. Don't miss the traditional afternoon tea ceremony; it has been a staple ever since the hotel began. When you feel the need to revitalise from a hectic day of sightseeing, consider booking the Salish Sea Vitality at the Willow Stream spa.
View more images and find the best rates for Fairmont Empress, Victoria, BC
RAAS Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The 18th-century private palace and garden retreat of Jaipur's royal family has been refurbished as one of the finest heritage boutique hotels in the country. Palatial leaning on grandiose, the property is an ideal choice to reimagine the lavish lifestyle of the Indian Maharajas and Maharanis. Stroll in 10 acres of manicured grounds, practice yoga on the terrace, laze on the pool loungers or bump up your workout routine in the well-equipped gym.
The eclectic Indian Art Deco interiors are studded with family heirlooms, custom wallpapers and vibrant colours like tropical colours like teal, mint green and fuschia. All 13 accommodations in this exclusive property are decadently decorated, but the piece de resistance is the 3126 square feet Maharaja Suite. It is fitted with a living area, bar, private terrace, dining room for eight people, and personal butler service. Fine dining at the 51 Shades of Pink restaurant, afternoon tea on the lawns and cocktails in the Polo Bar will keep gourmands sated.
View more images and find the best rates for RAAS Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The Goring, London
This family-owned hotel dating from 1910, is located across the road from Buckingham Palace, but that is not the only reason for it being one of the most fashionable addresses in London. Typical English in spirit and seeped in understated luxury, it is decorated with sparkling chandeliers, sumptuous furnishings, Chippendale-style furniture, hand-gilded silver-leaf wallpaper and silk curtains. The 69 rooms, done up in pastel tones, are homely and grand with antique dressing tables, fine Italian linens and marble bathrooms. The two-bedroom Royal Suite on the top floor is rich with handcrafted accents, Georgian glassware and royal artefacts.
Order the signature Rosehip Royale at The Goring Bar. Then prepare for a royal repast of traditional British cuisine served in the Michelin-starred Dining Room under glittering Swarovski chandeliers. It also happens to be one of the favourite restaurants of the Queen!
View more images and find the best rates for The Goring, London
BusinessClass.com searches hundreds of travel sites at once to help you find the best premium travel offers.
