Luxury Catering Options At Our Properties

Luxury hotels offer a wide range of catering options for high-end events such as weddings and corporate parties, tailoring their services to meet the specific needs and preferences of clients. These events often require exquisite food and drink offerings, with meticulous attention to detail and presentation. The catering teams at luxury hotels generally work with the client to customize a menu that reflects the theme, tastes, and dietary restrictions of the event, while also ensuring an exceptional dining experience for all guests.

Food & Presenation

Food preparation is one of the cornerstones of luxury catering services. For weddings, the focus is often on creating a memorable, multi-course dining experience, with options ranging from plated meals to lavish buffet spreads. Wedding receptions may feature anything from elegant hors d’oeuvres and intricate canapés to a full three- or four-course dinner. Corporate parties might involve a similar approach but could also include more casual fare, such as gourmet finger foods, food stations, or interactive chef stations where guests can customize their dishes. In all cases, chefs at luxury hotels emphasize the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients and often incorporate local or seasonal produce to elevate the menu. Special dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-conscious dishes, are carefully planned to accommodate every guest.

At many luxury hotels, the food is not only delicious but also visually stunning. Plating is an art form, with each dish being carefully composed to enhance the presentation and make it visually appealing. Food stations, for example, may be beautifully designed, offering a variety of options like seafood bars, sushi stations, or made-to-order pasta stations. Chefs work in front of guests at these stations, ensuring both freshness and an engaging experience. Buffets are similarly designed with elaborate displays of beautifully arranged food, featuring large-scale dishes like carved meats or display cakes, all accompanied by thoughtfully selected garnishes to create a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

The Drinks Will Be ICE Cold & Flowing

For drink preparation, luxury hotels typically offer a premium selection of beverages, including signature cocktails, fine wines, and top-shelf liquors. For weddings and corporate events, the bar area is often a focal point, with expert bartenders mixing cocktails and serving drinks according to the guest’s preferences. Special attention is given to the style of drink service, whether it’s a traditional cocktail hour, a flowing champagne reception, or unique drink pairings with food courses. Some luxury hotels go the extra mile by providing custom cocktails tailored to the event’s theme or the couple’s or company’s brand, adding a personalized touch to the affair.

In regard to drink storage and preservation, using the best ice packs and coolers play an essential role in ensuring that drinks remain cold throughout the event. Luxury hotels often utilize large, commercial-grade coolers for champagne, wine, and other beverages that need to be kept chilled. These coolers are strategically placed at bars or drink stations, allowing for easy access while ensuring the drinks are at the ideal temperature. For outdoor events, additional portable coolers or ice chests may be brought in to store extra ice and beverages. Ice is usually stored in large bins, which are regularly replenished during the event to ensure the drinks remain cold throughout.

Luxury hotel catering for weddings and corporate parties involves a high level of customization, attention to detail, and professional execution. From food preparation using only the finest ingredients to expert drink service, these events are designed to impress. The incorporation of special touches, such as customized cocktails or personalized food stations, enhances the experience, making it unforgettable for guest

Architectural Highlights Of The Finest Hotels Around The World

Luxury hotels around the world are often a testament to the finest in architectural design, blending elegance, opulence, and a sense of timelessness. From grandiose facades to intricate interior details, every element is meticulously crafted to offer guests a lavish and unforgettable experience. Custom moldings, arched casing, stunning paintings, and murals all play a key role in defining the atmosphere of these high-end properties, creating spaces that feel both unique and immersive.

Custom Molding & Interior Designs

Many luxury hotels feature custom moldings that add depth, texture, and sophistication to the space. These ornate moldings often extend along ceilings, doorways, and windows, transforming simple architectural elements into works of art. Intricately carved crown moldings, cornices, and baseboards are often used to highlight the height of the ceilings, which in some cases stretch to extravagant proportions. These details enhance the sense of grandeur, making the rooms feel expansive while maintaining a sense of intimacy. Custom moldings can also be tailored to complement the design style of the hotel, whether it’s a classic European-inspired palace with Baroque influences or a sleek, modern hotel with minimalist lines that incorporate more subtle, angular moldings.

Arched casings are another defining feature in luxury hotel design. The soft curve of an arch creates a graceful and inviting atmosphere, drawing attention to key areas such as doorways, windows, or even entryways to suites. Arched casings, often embellished with decorative touches like gold leafing or marble, add a sense of refinement. This timeless feature, which echoes classical architecture, brings a sense of warmth and continuity throughout a hotel, enhancing the visual flow from room to room. In some hotels, arched casings frame not only passageways but also panoramic views, encouraging guests to appreciate the stunning landscapes or cityscapes beyond.

Breathtaking Paintings

Another hallmark of luxury hotel architecture is the presence of breathtaking paintings and murals that serve as focal points in both public and private spaces. Murals, often custom-painted by renowned artists, adorn walls in grand lobbies, hallways, or dining areas. These murals can be thematic, reflecting the culture and history of the destination, or they may simply depict majestic, abstract scenes that evoke a sense of tranquility or elegance. The intricate brushwork and vibrant colors of these murals create an immersive environment that transports guests into a world of artistic beauty. Similarly, paintings in the rooms and common areas of luxury hotels are often chosen with the utmost care, with many properties displaying a curated collection of art that complements the hotel’s design and ambiance.

Historic Beauty Vs Modern Design

In some luxury hotels, the architecture integrates historic features with modern luxury. The adaptive reuse of historic buildings often involves maintaining key architectural elements like original stained glass windows, stonework, and wood paneling, while blending them with contemporary furniture and amenities. This harmonious balance creates an atmosphere that feels both rich in history and forward-thinking, offering guests the best of both worlds. Custom moldings, arched casings, and art pieces are thoughtfully incorporated into these renovations, allowing the past to inform the present while maintaining the grandeur expected of a high-end hotel.

Whether it’s the luxurious detailing of custom moldings, the grandeur of arched casings, or the captivating beauty of paintings and murals, these architectural highlights work together to create an environment where every corner exudes refinement and style. Luxury hotels use these elements not just to beautify the space but to evoke a particular mood and sense of place, ensuring that guests are enveloped in an atmosphere of sophisticated elegance.

Luxury Hotel

Features Never Found In Luxury Hotels:

If you have ever stayed in 3 or 4 star hotels (as I am sure many of you reading this have over the years), there are a number of “features” or experiences that you will no doubt have had, that you will never experience at a luxury hotel.

Now, that is not to say that luxury hotels are lacking in any way, rather the opposite is true. Read on to discover some of these “features” or experiences that you will never endure at luxury hotels:

Extended Waits Checking In and Out:

3 and 4 star hotels are used by the vast majority of holiday goers, as they are somewhat cheap and cheerful. However, once check in time arrives, people seem to descend from everywhere, clamoring to get checked in to drop off their bags in the room.

The same is true of check out time. This does not happen in luxury hotels, as it is the staff’s top priority to ensure that you have the very best experience possible, right from the start.

Some luxury hotels enable you to check out, before you even leave your room, meaning all you have to do is drop off your room key before heading off on your journey home.

Sub Par Bedding:

They say that there is nothing like your own bed at home. Perhaps the person or persons who came up with this phrase never experienced beds in luxury hotels however!

3 or 4 star hotels all seem to have the same beds and bedding materials, usually hard mattresses (to ensure that they are acceptable to a range of tastes, and are hard wearing), while some luxury hotels will allow you to choose your preferred mattress and bedding material type, ahead of checking in.

No more rock hard mattress or scratchy blankets!

Food Choice – What Food Choice?!

3 or 4 star hotels normally have just 1 restaurant, and while there may be different cuisines on offer, these are usually a shadow of what the authentic cuisine should be, prepared with substitute ingredients, that have been stocked to cater to the wide ranging menu.

Luxury hotels will usually have several restaurant options on site, with specialized and authentic menu options, often prepared by a chef who specializes in that particular cuisine. You will know the difference immediately, as the correct ingredient will be used to ensure the freshest, tastiest experience possible.

This too is true of vegan or vegetarian options, as 3 or 4 star hotels may have only just 1 item on the menu to cater to your tastes, while luxury hotels will have a massive range to choose from.

General Surroundings:

3 and 4 star hotels are “adequately” decorated in both their rooms and public areas. Often favored by business people for meetings and “off the street” customers for food etc, these hotels are perfectly fine for short stays.

However, luxury hotels are prepared to the highest standards, ensuring that no matter where guests look, they are witnessing the very finest.

Burj Al Arab

The Very Best Luxury Hotels In Asia

Hot on the heels of our piece on the best luxury hotels in Europe, comes this article on the best luxury hotels in Asia.

Asia seems to be the “new frontier” for a lot of holiday makers, especially in the last decade, who maybe have become a little weary of the same old beach holidays in Spain or Portugal for example, or for those looking for a little more than traditional holiday destinations can offer.

Here are some of the finest hotels you will find in Asia.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE:

One simply cannot begin an article on luxury hotels in Asia without first mentioning the Burj Al Arab. The self proclaimed “World’s Most Luxurious Hotel” is famous the world over.

And while they may be lofty claims by the hoteliers, the are also well founded. Staying here is usually a once per lifetime experience, and is the ultimate in decadence.

From the butler service on every floor, to the seven different restaurants on site, to the 24 carat iPads in each room, this hotel is kitted out to ensure that each guest comes away knowing they will certainly never experience another hotel like this.

Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand:

Built to resemble a Burmese temple, this hotel is the top hotel in all of Thailand. Featuring 123 rooms, you will be met by a horse and carriage service at the gate upon entering. Villas have their own private plunge pools and some of the best spas in the world can be found here.

If you are a little bored of an evening, you can choose from over 5000 books or DVDs to while a few hours away. Food choices are vast, ranging from fine French cuisine to royal Thai offerings.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, China:

The Ritz-Carlton is renowned for the levels of luxury offered to guests, and this is no different. Of all the hotels spread across this massive city, this is the finest.

From the plush beds to Nespresso coffee makers in each room, the owners sure do like to ensure that guests have everything they could ever want. There are even iPods and iPod docks in each room, so you will never be bored while staying here!

Perhaps best of all, this hotel is connected to a shopping mall, meaning you do not have far to travel to get some retail therapy!

Banana Island Resort Doha, By Anantara, Doha, Qatar:

Although the name is quite a mouthful, this resort is set on a private 32 acre island. Situated off the coast of Doha, you can look forward to features such as a holistic wellness center, huge pool in the style of a lagoon, amazing crescent beach that is kept spotless, bowling alleys and much more.

Food options are vast, spread over seven different areas, ranging from American style cuisine to Tapas.

These are a small slice of the luxury hotels that are available in Asia. No matter where you choose to go, there is likely a luxury hotel available to you!

 

Hotel

The Best Luxury Hotels Europe Has To Offer:

Europe is such a huge place, filled with many different cultures, languages, customs, cuisines and fascinating architecture. Spread over 10 million kilometers (America is just over 9 million by way of comparison), you could visit every single country in Europe (there are currently 51) and still not see everything that this amazing place has to offer.

And of course, across all those countries, there are an amazing array of luxury hotels for you to choose from. These are the very best that Europe has to offer:

The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland:

Upon first laying eyes on this fine establishment, one could be forgiven for mistaking this hotel as a fine museum. Featuring fine art and exhibition pieces from the likes of Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, this is a sight to behold.

In addition, the spa is spread over 43,000 square foot for the ultimate in relaxation. For the foodies, an 8 course meal is available, prepared by Michelin starred chef, Heiko Nieder.

Canaves Oia Santorini, Greece: 

Looking as if it was ripped straight out of a James Bond movie, this hotel has 41 rooms, and is in high demand. Build into a cliff side, with panoramic balconies and infinity pools for guests to enjoy, the Canaves Oia Santorini is a truly unique setting.

Eccleston Square Hotel, London, England:

London is literally packed with luxury hotels, so it can be hard to choose between them. However, the Eccleston Square differs from what a lot of others have to offer.

The focus of this family run establishment is technology – each room comes with a specialized iPad, enabling guests to do everything from making dinner reservations to even ordering a new toothbrush, should the need arise. The best room to request is one with a balcony, overlooking the gardens.

The Lodge, Ashford Castle, Mayo, Ireland:

Many people traveling to Europe for the first time hope to travel to Ireland at some point, even if just to see what all the fuss is about. If traveling to this Island, why not stay in the very best hotel you can while there? The Lodge at Ashford Castle, set on 350 acres overlooks Lough Corrib, and is truly an unforgettable setting.

While here, ensure to have dinner reservations at Wildes at the Lodge, named in honor of William Wilde, a very well known surgeon who lived in the area. Oh, and he was also father to a guy named Oscar something or other!

Waterford Castle, Waterford, Ireland:

Finishing with Ireland, Waterford Castle in County Waterford is really a unique place. Built on a private island, the hotel is a restored 16th century castle.

The restaurant, the Munster Room, is fantastic, and has been awarded with the Michelin star. You can try Irish classic cuisines such as smoked haddock with caviar, before finishing your banquet with fresh Irish Cheeses.

The choice for luxury accommodation in Europe is vast, but hopefully this piece has been of some assistance to you in making a decision.

breakfast

Choosing The Right Luxury Hotel

When you are browsing the internet or through brochures for your hotel to stay in while on holidays (or other travel plans), it can become pretty easy to get bogged down in the sheer amount of choice there is available. Of course, this will depend on your holiday destination of choice, but often times, there will be a choice between at least 2 places to stay.

And when it comes to luxury hotels, while there may be fewer of them to choose between, it can be hard to choose just one. That is why it is worthwhile having a checklist of sorts that you can revert to, in order to make the choice easier for you. Here are some ideas you can use for your checklist:

Food Choices:

While you may choose to eat out on many of the nights that you are on holiday, you may prefer to have an early night on at least one of your nights staying in a hotel. Therefore, having a great choice of food is pretty important.

Consider what types of food you would like to experience while staying in the hotel and ensure the one you choose matches your desire.

Additional Benefits:

Does one hotel offer additional benefits that outweigh those of another you are considering.

Things such as free breakfast every morning, perhaps a free dinner on some of the nights you are staying, air conditioning in room and television channel choice could all be deciding factors for you. Add these to your list also!

On Site Laundry Service:

Some hotels offer on site laundry service. Now, you may never need to avail of this service, but anything can happen while out in the wilds on your travels, so it is at least beneficial to have this as an option.

And indeed, many travelers like to wash their clothing before packing and heading home, leaving one less job to do when they arrive back in their home destination. IS this something that you would consider important to you? If so, add It to your list!

Location:

This may be one of the greater deciding factors in choosing your ideal hotel. Depending on where that hotel is located can mean the difference between walking easily to everywhere you wish to visit while on your holiday, or having the expense and bother of using public transport to get about.

If you have a choice of 2 hotels however and you find they are both a little off the beaten track, do not dismiss them, as there may be shuttle services available. And these hotels will have chosen their location to build wisely, so there may be some astounding scenery that you could be potentially missing out on, some historical monument or building that you have overlooked or other.

If in doubt, contact the hotel directly (many hotels offer free contact services via their webpage), in order to obtain a little more information.

Good luck in choosing your luxury hotel – enjoy!

Hotel Swimming Pool

Why a Luxury Hotel Beats Out A Mediocre One Every Time

The time is fast approaching, where people all over the world decide it is time to book their holidays, in order to unwind, relax and cast off life’s stresses, if even for a little time.

For many out there, this is the one or two week period they look forward to most all year, so should it not make sense to try and ensure that the accommodation you choose while on that holiday is amongst the best possible?

Here are some reasons why a luxury hotel will beat out a mediocre one, every single time.

Services:

Some 3 or 4 star hotels are perfectly fine, decorated to high standard and quite comfortable. But often, there is something missing. Be it laundry service, room service options or the ability to get food at any time day or night, you will often find that lesser hotels are not exactly everything your heart desires.

You will often find that you need to make compromises to get the experience you really desire. Not so with a luxury hotel, who will usually do everything that a guest asks, to ensure that their experience is the very best possible.

The Comfort Factor:

It is safe to say that pretty much everybody reading this will have experienced 3 or 4 star hotels at least once while on their travels. Perhaps many of you have never experienced luxury hotels however. Comfort levels are night and day between the two.

While 3 and 4 star accommodation may seem comfortable at the time, once you have experienced the level of comfort offered in luxury hotels, you will find it next to impossible to ever revert back to booking 3 and 4 star hotels ever again.

Food Choices:

Again, 3 & 4 star hotels are perfectly fine when it comes to food offerings, that is if you are pretty easy going, and choice is not an issue for you. And indeed, many great chefs work in these hotels.

However, with that being said, luxury hotels will often have many different offerings, in many different settings (they may have different restaurants for different styles of cuisine, such as Italian or Asian).

Another issue you will often find, especially if you are vegan or a vegetarian is that, while your needs are catered to somewhat in 3 or 4 star hotels, there often is only just one choice on the menu for you – it does not take to long to get sick of seeing “”Nut Roast” on every single hotel menu you see!

Overall Experience:

The overall experiences between luxury and lesser hotels is totally different. While many in 3 or 4 star hotels simply return there in the evening, maybe have something to eat, and head for bed, repeating the next morning, those in luxury hotels find it hard to leave their surroundings – at all! You really need to experience the differences for yourself!