| Economically speaking, a luxury good is one for which | | | | is the Hotel de Crillon, which offers a wonderfully |
| demand increases in proportion to rising income - | | | | romantic setting, with its intricate designs and |
| hence, the richer the world becomes, the greater the | | | | boutique shopping outlets. The Ritz Paris is a similarly |
| demand for luxury items will be. This applies perhaps | | | | classic Parisian luxury hotel, with a long historical |
| uniquely to luxury hotels and luxury travel, as the | | | | tradition, and is perfect for both business and |
| number of holidays people have been taking has risen | | | | pleasure. Rome's Via Veneto may appear to have |
| dramatically in the last couple of decades. | | | | the highest concentration of luxury hotels in the |
| So, as travel and tourism has become increasingly | | | | world, but how many of them actually deliver? |
| important within people's lives, the prevalence of | | | | Among the best luxury hotels in Rome are the St |
| luxury hotels in the world's most visited destinations | | | | Regis Grand of the Piazza Repubblica, a wonderfully |
| has skyrocketed. But while every four-star hotel may | | | | restored historic landmark that acts as a cultural |
| claim to provide luxury, the true nature of a luxury | | | | centre of the city as well as a place for fine dining. |
| hotel is harder to pinpoint. It relies on providing an | | | | The Westin Excelsior and Hotel Eden, both of |
| original service, as well as an authentic experience, | | | | Veneto, also offer fabulous luxury at the heart of |
| pleasing design and the utmost comfort. | | | | Italy's capital; Hotel Eden even provides a fabulous |
| Arguably, the top 5 luxury destinations in the world | | | | Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant. |
| are London, New York, Paris, Rome and Dubai. | | | | Dubai, as one of the world's youngest destinations |
| London, for example, possesses many eminent luxury | | | | for luxury holidays, has attracted a variety of global |
| hotels. These include the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park | | | | hotel chains as well as locally-owned luxury hotels. |
| in Knightsbridge, which overlooks Hyde Park and | | | | Among the best luxury hotels in Dubai are the |
| includes gourmet cuisine and a spa; Brown's Hotel in | | | | Metropolitan Palace Hotel, located in the prominent Al |
| Mayfair, which was famously refurbished by Olga | | | | Maktoum Street at the heart of Dubai's business |
| Polizzi, who also redesigned Tresanton on the Cornish | | | | district, and The Fairmont, which is conveniently |
| Coast; and, of course, The Dorchester also in Mayfair. | | | | situated in the centre of the city. The selections |
| Luxury hotels in New York include the Four Seasons, | | | | mentioned above, however, offer only a small taste |
| which is home to a spa, spectacularly designed suites | | | | of some of the world's best luxury hotels; faced with |
| and is even child-friendly; and Carlyle in New York's | | | | all this choice, it can be confusing when it comes to |
| Upper East Side, the hotel in which JFK had his | | | | choosing a luxury hotel for your own holiday. |
| notorious affair with Marilyn Monroe. | | | | However, a variety of travel websites, can help you |
| Luxury hotels in Paris tend to be concentrated on the | | | | pick the right one - so all you have to do is make the |
| Right Bank, or the Etoile and Champs Elysees region. | | | | most of your luxury holiday. |
| Perhaps the best French-owned luxury hotel in Paris | | | | |