There’s a sentiment that accompanies a marvelous stay at a five-star hotel: “I wish I could live here.” That wish can come true, as today’s luxury residences feature many of the same perks and privileges as the world’s ritziest resorts.
Room Service in Summery Tel Aviv
Shelly Belzer Shmelzer – Israel Sotheby’s International Realty
For many, the perfect holiday takes place somewhere with postcard-worthy palm trees swaying in an ocean breeze, and the perfect hotel boasts a luxurious rooftop lounge and a beautiful pool. There’s a lively city center nearby, but there’s also peace, tranquility, and history.
This perfection exists in the Jaffa Residences in Tel Aviv, where the penthouse has its own rooftop terrace and garden, and the resident has full access to a top-of-the-line pool, spa, and fitness center, as well as room service from the onsite Don Camillo and Golda’s Delicatessen. The ultramodern apartment, with its modular marble walls and light wood floors, complements its surroundings — the urban architecture of the White City, the ancient heritage of Old Jaffa, and the openness of the Mediterranean.
A Multipurpose Masterpiece in New York City
Nikki Field and Benjamin Pofcher – Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage
For a truly five-star hotel, variety is one of the highest virtues. They feature recreation, entertainment, and areas to work and relax. And this convenience is created in stunningly constructed environments that showcase design and craftsmanship from the best artisans in the world.
That’s the experience offered by this Manhattan penthouse. On the lower floor, the primary suite alone would provide an experience akin to an extravagant hotel getaway, with its immense windows, private library, and deluxe ensuite with a soaker tub hewn from a single piece of top-grade white marble. But the upper floor delivers indoor-outdoor living at its finest, with its wet bar and wine fridge, kitchen and grill, and 30-foot infinity pool.
The Ultimate Indulgent Spa Treatment in Paris
Agnes Pinaire – Propriétés Parisiennes Sotheby’s International Realty
While a top-tier hotel holiday in a major metropolitan center should be filled with world-class art, culture, and cuisine, there’s no denying that spa, bedroom, and bathroom amenities make all the difference. Crisp white sheets, fluffy white towels, and luxe fixtures give guests permission to pamper themselves.
In Paris, a signature feature of the finest hotels are the therapeutic aromas that fill these spaces — favorites include rose and cassis. Now imagine those scents in any of the spacious bathrooms found throughout this rare gem of an apartment. Though the building dates back to the early 20th century, the interiors are the epitome of modern, glamorous minimalism — as evidenced by the gold-accented bathrooms, with their exquisite wood paneling and rain shower heads.
Rest and Recreation on the Beaches of Dubai
Honey Deylami – LUXHABITAT Sotheby’s International Realty
The ultimate business-class retreat would take you somewhere with warm sandy beaches, tennis courts and cabanas, and the glittering glass towers of global finance and commerce a short jaunt away. Of course, the hotel would be a haven of understated luxury, with clean chic lines, smoothly burnished surfaces, and fully automated functionality.
When a group of the most audacious architects, designers, and developers created Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, this is the lifestyle they were going for — and these private accommodations in Atlantis the Royal Residences pull it off with panache. The apartment itself is a work of art, with dedication to flawless detail and seamless comforts. But its surroundings take it to the next level, with a luxury spa, sauna, steam room, pool, and gym onsite, along with fabulous restaurants and bars.
Fashion-Forward, Full-Service Living in Sydney
Michael Pallier – Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty
When staying at a luxury hotel, there’s nothing like a conscientious concierge. Need to rent a room for a business conference? Taking the lift to the spacious, subterranean parkade? Want to reserve the outdoor entertainment deck for a private event? They’ve got you covered.
At a condo development like “The Residence” in Sydney, the 24-hour front desk staff is always ready to assist the building’s occupants. Whether it’s access to the impressive wine room or a supper provided by the onsite professional caterer’s kitchen, each day spent living here recreates the effortlessness of the five-star hotel experience. So does the fashionable parkside property, adjacent to the Central Business District, the Botanic Gardens, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
An apartment building with a recreation center, rooftop terrace, and conference room is certainly utilitarian. But a luxury development that delivers these amenities in their finest form is utopian. With homes like these, the five-star hotel treatment is no longer a rare novelty, but a lived reality. Still in vacation mode?
Make sure to take a tour of a French provincial-inspired home.
