By Alice Tegg, Editorial and Marketing Assistant
If you like getting the VIP treatment on holiday, there’s one way to guarantee it – go where the celebs go. These hotels have hosted some of your favourite film stars, fashion icons and music legends, where they’ve gone to escape the public eye or cause havoc as only rockstars can. If you’re willing to splash out on the A-List lifestyle, you’ll be rewarded with the very best in style and service. So why not splurge – who says you have to be a star to live like one?
1 Le Sirenuse, Positano
We’ve all seen those photos of Positano on the Amalfi Coast, of celebs lounging on yachts in front of the cascading cliffside village, or leaning over balconies above the azure sea. Well, chances are those envy-inducing shots were taken at Le Sirenuse. It’s quite the Mecca of celebrity hotels: Hollywood royalty Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington have passed through this palazzo, while social media starlets Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid have taken a few viral pics while in residence.
This luxurious hotel conceals over 50 romantic rooms, where every comfort has been considered: Jacuzzi tubs, bespoke toiletries, marble minibars and balconies that’ll take your breath away. It’s expensive, but reassuringly these features come as standard, and almost all rooms have sea views, so you don’t have to fork out on the top suite to feel thoroughly spoilt. Though it can be overrun in peak season, there really are few places as spellbinding as Positano, and nowhere quite like Le Sirenuse. One to remember for that blow-the-budget special occasion.
Rooms from £671 per night
2 The Portobello Hotel, London
There are few hotels more ingrained in the rock and roll world than The Portobello. Some of the biggest names in music, film and fashion have holed up at this spot in west London over the years. Kate Moss and Johnny Depp once filled their in-room tub with champagne, while Alice Cooper filled it with a boa constrictor. Even the staff has had famous alumni; Damon Albarn worked as a barman here before becoming one of the biggest names in Brit Pop.
The interiors are suitably flamboyant, with bold wallpaper, velvet throws, heavy curtains and grandiose bed frames. Each individually designed room charms with unique character and quirky details, and they offer pretty decent square footage for London. Located in vibrant Notting Hill, a neighbourhood steeped in pop culture history, the colourful streets, independent businesses, bustling markets and a few of the liveliest pubs in the city are right on the doorstep.
Rooms from £185 per night
3 Como Parrot Cay, Caicos Islands
If you’re in the market for an island retreat that screams exclusivity, they don’t get much more on the money than Como Parrot Cay. This is high-end stuff: a resort set on a private island in Turks and Caicos, blended into unbelievably beautiful surroundings, where spacious rooms seamlessly meet the white sand beach, and discreet staff predict your every need.
Word of this slice of paradise has reached the stars, proving popular with Donna Karan, Sofia Vergara and Justin Bieber to name a few, and it’s easy to see why. The Como way of life is all about restoration: the food is nourishing and well-balanced, there’s a pampering Asian-inspired spa and a fleet of nannies if you need a break from being Mum, too. Pair all that with empty beaches and turquoise sea, and you’ll be healed from the inside out. You’ll be paying a small fortune for the privilege, but uninterrupted peace is guaranteed – some might say that’s priceless.
Rooms from £960 per night
4 The Greenwich Hotel, New York
In a city as saturated with hotels as New York, following the stars is a surefire way of finding a gem. And this one happens to have one of Hollywood’s brightest at the helm. The Greenwich Hotel is the passion project of Robert De Niro, situated close to the banks of the Hudson River in edgy Tribeca. Designed to be a place of respite from the busy streets and clicking cameras outside, the atmosphere of peace and privacy is a major draw for celebrities, and it’s enforced with one main rule – no photos allowed.
There’s been no expense spared to make every inch perfect, from specially imported Tuscan tiles to a Japanese barn dismantled, shipped, and reconstructed in the basement to create the blissful spa. The elegant suites are tastefully designed, dressed in antiques and artwork by De Niro’s father, and finished with beautiful marble and tile ensuites. There’s an airy courtyard, underground pool, a popular restaurant, and the wonders of the Big Apple just beyond the block (if you can pull yourself away from the ones sitting in the lounge, that is).
Rooms from £812 per night
5 Hotel Esencia, Mexico
Mexico is always a favourite getaway destination for celebs, perhaps for its laidback energy, or maybe its proximity to the States. And the jewel in the crown of Central American celebrity hotels: Hotel Esencia. Lupita Nyong’o, Suki Waterhouse and Gwen Stefani are a handful of names that have graced the guestbook at this secluded Yucatan resort, lying where tropical jungle meets pristine beach, hidden amongst palm trees to deter prying eyes.
40 brilliant-white rooms are scattered through the trees, some close to the shore, others just cresting above the canopy. Hang by the pool, beside the gin-clear sea, at the spa, or in one of the three restaurants; chances are you’ll rub shoulders with some big names, but be cool about it. They’re treated just like everybody else here, because the friendly and personal service from the ever-smiling staff makes every guest feel like a VIP, no matter how many awards they’ve won.
Rooms from £804 per night
6 Aleenta Hua Hin, Thailand
Along the east coast of Thailand, Aleenta Hua Hin is only a few hours from Bangkok but feels worlds away from the urban sprawl. The stylish resort, spread over two wings, takes pride of place on the golden beach in quiet Pranburi; thatched residences, pool suites and private villas enjoy epic sunrises and infinite views across the Gulf of Thailand.
The laidback vibe, little-known location and sophisticated style have attracted a few well-known couples in search of a romantic retreat. Regular guests Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes were there on our last visit, while the Beckhams are said to be big fans of the circular Penthouse room. This place has perfected understated luxury: the relaxed restaurants serve delicious fusion fare; the spa is revitalising but unpretentious; the rooms are large and beach-chic, yet prices are surprisingly low. That’s right, no need to take out a loan to holiday like Posh and Becks. Result!
Rooms from £82 per night
7 Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco
Lauded as the most luxurious hotel in the High Atlas, Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot has conquered the hearts of the rich, famous and mere mortals like us. The interiors skilfully fuse traditional Moroccan design, antique details and contemporary touches, creating rooms and suites that feel opulent yet rooted in their surroundings. After a lavish breakfast, head to the hills on guided treks to Berber villages or shopping trips to Marrakech, before escaping the baking sun in the courtyard spa.
The views from every corner of the hotel are staggering; from the dining terrace, the infinity pool, the extensive gardens or your bedroom window, the rugged red peaks of the Atlas steal the show. So it should come as no surprise that Madonna chose this spectacular setting to celebrate her 60th birthday, after spending a couple of nights at Branson’s sister’s Marrakech venture El Fenn. If it gets the Queen of Pop’s seal of approval, we’re sold.
Rooms from £826 per night
8 Post Ranch Inn, California
The star treatment begins before you even reach the front door of Post Ranch Inn, as you’re handed champagne while the valet parks your car. The 100-acre park comprises redwood forest, heathland, and a cliff edge that plummets into the Pacific. The dramatic Big Sur setting has been the site for many a celeb wedding, Anne Hathaway’s included, while the discreet rooms and suites, designed to maximise privacy and their wild natural backdrop, have hosted Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift (pre-break-up and subsequent number one album).
The organic architecture oozes West Coast sophistication, with huge picture windows, wooden ceilings, roaring fireplaces and terraces that immerse you in giant redwoods or jut out over the ocean. Between feasting on seasonal delights at the ridge-top restaurant, spend some time with the in-house astronomer or unwind with a complimentary yoga class. It’s that kind of a place. If you’re road-tripping along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, and if your bank balance allows it, save space in your itinerary for a night or two – you’ll never forget it.
Rooms from £1460 per night