Think 5-star hotels are the pinnacle of luxury? Think again. There’s a 7 star hotel in some of the world scoffing at your unsophisticated taste. In today’s hedonistic world of ornamental excesses, some hotels, in their outlandish grandiosity, have wholly skipped the 6-star ranking and darted straight to seven. These are the best 7 star hotels in the world.
If you’re not a big shot, the gilded experience can be catastrophic to your wallet: a single night can cost you between $1,900 to $18,000, but don’t fret. You frequently get what you pay for in these hotels made for modern kings and queens.
A slew of luxurious (and sometimes outlandish) amenities backs up the price tag, including a team of personal butlers, helicopter transfers, submarine rides, caviar facials, gold-dusted cappuccinos, and hallways decked ceiling-to-floor with every precious metal you can think of.
If you’re curious about the lives of the rich and famous, here’s everything you need to know about 7 star hotels, along with a list of some of the world’s most outrageously opulent accommodations.
Here are some of the world’s most beautiful and best 7 star hotels.
TL;DR: Top Picks by Category
| Category | Product Name |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Hotel Burj Al Arab |
| Best in Europe | Taj Falaknuma Palace |
| Best in Asia | Signiel Seoul |
| Best in Middle East | Emirates Palace Hotel |
Best 7 Star Hotels in the World
1. Hotel Burj Al Arab
Price: A one-bedroom suite in Dubai’s most iconic hotel costs nearly $1,900. The Dubai 7 star hotel price of The Royal Suite, often listed as one of the world’s most expensive hotel suites, costs $18,716 per night.
Address: Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As mentioned, Hotel Burj Al Arab is partly responsible for coining the term ‘7 star’, and as such, one can only expect glitz and glamour here. This self-proclaimed ‘world’s most luxurious hotel’ is situated off the coast of Dubai on its independent island.
Its awe-inspiring facade is only a taste of the opulence you’ll encounter indoors. The designer, Tom Wright of WKK Architects, created a building synonymous with Dubai with a lasting impression akin to Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Sydney’s Opera House, and London’s Big Ben.
The building, meant to resemble an Arabian water vessel, stands 321 meters high. Over 202 luxurious suites may be accessed from one of the world’s tallest atriums.
Almost every aspect of this 7 star hotel in Dubai is meant to evoke extreme decadence: from its fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms and 24-hour butler service (there are multiple attendants dedicated to each suite) to its lavishly decorated ultra-modern interiors, helicopter transfers, and caviar facials.
Guests can also enjoy Instagram-worthy panoramic ocean views from its upscale duplex suites, access to its private beach, and complimentary tickets to the Wild Wadi Waterpark. If you’re looking for a sinfully rich experience, the Burj Al Arab will make your gold-plated dreams come true.
2. Taj Falaknuma Palace
Price: Booking a Historical Suite with gorgeous city views starts at approximately US$585 a night.
Address: Taj Falaknuma Palace, Engine Bowli, Fatima Nagar, Falaknuma, Hyderabad, India
The Taj Falaknuma Palace touts itself as the only 7 star hotel in India. Built during 1884, this 7 star palace-hotel located on a hill southwest of Hyderabad was once owned by Hyderabad’s ruler, who was considered the richest man in the world at that time. Today it is managed by Taj Hotels and restored to its 19th-century beauty.
Outside from a bird’s eye view, this 7 star hotel in India is shaped like a scorpion with two stings spread out like wings. Inside, the hotel draws from two main inspirations: the White House and Buckingham Palace.
If you’ve ever wondered what a Dubai 7 star hotel inside looks like, the Taj Falaknuma Palace is a great example. Expect all sorts of grandiosity – Japanese Satsuma vases and Art Deco chandeliers, walnut floors, French Baroque ceilings, and an extensive jade collection.
The lounge houses a billiards table with an ivory snooker table. And while there are only two of these in the world (the other belonging to the Queen), guests are more than welcome to play with this one.
Entry-level rooms have antique-style rolltop baths and rain showers, but if you’re looking for a princely experience, book any of the three historic suites for period furnishings and balconies with city views. The original owner’s wife’s beautifully preserved bedroom is on the ground floor. If you peek at its bath, you’ll see three taps: ‘cold,’ ‘hot,’ and ‘perfume.’
Upon arrival, expect an opulent procession. Guests are escorted into the hotel by a gold horse-drawn carriage. As part of the turndown service, guests are offered fragrant baths.
PRO TIP: Visiting India without insurance is not recommended to cover medical emergencies. Make sure you’re covered by finding a policy with TravelInsurance.com.
3. Emirates Palace Hotel
Price: Rooms are priced from $5,989 to $12,251 a night.
Address: Emirates Palace Hotel, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Emirates Palace Hotel makes us want to live the good life. Imagine yourself strutting out of your service limo with luxury sunglasses. Decked out in a suit, you smell of Dior and cigars. A team of butlers takes your coat. It’s hard not to fantasize when looking at this three-billion property!
Touted as one of the world’s most expensive hotels, the outrageous opulence of Emirates Palace Hotel is mind-boggling. Stately on the outside and elaborate on the inside, this 7 star hotel features 12 outdoor fountains, 114 domes, 128 kitchens, 600 acres of exotic park grounds, and marble imported from over 13 different countries. In addition, there’s a marina and a two-helicopter helipad for when you’re looking to sail or fly in.
The interiors are oozing with luxury – floors, ceilings are decked out in gold, some of the world’s largest 1000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers hang from ceilings, and state-of-the-art technology grace every corner.
Emirates Palace Hotel’s 7 star hotel facilities list goes on and on. Three bars, four restaurants, and several cafes offer various food and refreshments. Take a sip of gold-dusted cappuccinos and $15,000 cognacs, or try the real Albino caviar priced at $113,630 per kilo.
Looking to relax? Two swimming pools and a luxurious on-site spa offer an elaborate menu of diamond-infused oils and 24-karat gold facials. The long stretch of nearby private beach is one of the hotel’s biggest draws.
4. Signiel Seoul
Price: Rooms will set you back around $376 to $1,258 per night.
Address: Signiel Seoul, Sincheon-dong, South Korea, Seoul
Perched on the sixth tallest building in the world and towering over one of Seoul’s most elite districts, Signiel Soul is a 7 star hotel that offers views as spectacular as its service.
The opulent experience begins the moment you step in. Arrive in style via VIP car service or enjoy elegant transfers in a Rolls-Royce. After being escorted to your 7 star luxury hotel bedroom, you’re served Royal Tea, an exclusive blend available only at the hotel developed by tea producer Osulloc and renowned chef Yannic Alleno.
Every room in Signiel Seoul features super-premium bedding, luxurious marble bathrooms with double vanities, and toiletries from the luxury French brand Diptyque.
For spectacular cityscapes from the comfort of your bathroom, book a Premier Suite! Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe interiors with plenty of light; press a button when it’s time to sleep, and the curtains close for you.
If you’re looking for a more traditional stay, opt for the 900-square-foot Korean Suite Room, which features ceramic tea sets, dark wood paneling in the living room, a butterfly mural, and a black marble bathroom with a rustic wooden tub.
Besides its stellar service and amenities, food is one of the hotel’s biggest draws. STAY features chef Alleno’s fine French fare, while executive chef Jun Kwangsik’s Bicena offers more local specialties like fish noodles served in savory anchovy stock and steamed abalone.
Hop to the upscale Bar 81 for live DJ performances every Friday and Saturday. It houses one of the country’s largest champagne collections amidst magnificent sky views!
5. Pangu 7-Star Hotel Beijing
Price: Standard rooms are more pocket-friendly at US$241.67 per night. A stay at the ultra-luxurious Sky Courtyard will set you back around a whopping $146,165 a night.
Address: Pangu 7 Star Hotel, 27 N 4th Ring Rd Middle, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Claiming its 7-star ranking loudly and proudly is Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing. If you’re looking for celebrity treatment, this dragon-shaped luxury hotel offers only opulence and will not disappoint. With stunning views of the China National Convention Center & Olympic Village, this 7-star hotel is one of the best spots to discover Beijing.
Its strategic location is one of its biggest draws. The airport is only 35 minutes away, while some of the city’s most popular attractions, like the National Zoological, the China National Convention Center, and the China Science Academy National Tianwentai, are only a couple of steps away.
Designed by globally-renowned Taiwanese architect CY Lee, Pangu 7-Star Hotel features 234 luxurious rooms that meld traditional Chinese design, contemporary European glamour, and feng shui principles.
Spacious rooms feature large bay windows, digital fireplaces, modern decor, and a neutral color palette. Bathrooms are studded with marble, featuring branded toiletries and rain showers for a truly pampering experience. For the ultimate in luxury, book a night at the Sky Courtyard, a two-floor private residence complete with a wading pool, a rooftop garden, and an electronically retractable glass roof.
For food and entertainment, Pangu doesn’t fall short of options. First, try traditional Cantonese cuisine at Wenqi Chinese Restaurant and delicious buffet fare at Auspicious Garden. Then, once night falls, hit up Karma Lounge for refreshments and a live performance or Happiness Lounge for cocktails and cigars.
Other amenities include a heated swimming pool, a well-appointed fitness center with professional trainers, and spacious banquet halls and meeting rooms for parties, conferences, and celebrations.
6. Seven Stars Galleria
Price: Room rates begin at US$1121 a night.
Address: Seven Stars Galleria, Via Silvio Pellico, 8, 20121 Milano, Italy
What’s in a name? Quite a lot, especially when you’re dealing with hotel rankings. To one-up self-proclaimed 7 star hotels, Seven Stars Galleria hired a company to create a European ranking to officially snag the 7 star rating for themselves. This makes Seven Stars Galleria the world’s only 7 star hotel and the only official 7-star accommodation on this list.
They’re not all talk, however. Many of this European hotel’s guests are billionaire entrepreneurs, heads of state, and celebrities, which is no surprise. Guests are offered an experience meticulously tailored to their preferences, from ambient music and meals to their butler that speaks their language.
As the only 7-star hotel in the world, expect exclusivity. There are only 20 rooms available, and its narrow entrance, guarded by security 24/7, is pretty easy to miss on Via Silvio Pellico.
Each suite in Seven Stars Galleria is inspired by great Italian musicians. It has an en suite bathroom with a shower, a king-size bed with individually regulated heating and air conditioning, a bathtub, and a hairdryer.
For fine Italian, continental, and nouvelle cuisine, head to the hotel’s 24-hour dining a la carte lounge restaurant, La Sinfonia. The menu changes each season while the chef develops a new gourmet menu daily.
Wealthy guests in Italy looking to splurge on shopping will find paradise at Seven Stars Galleria. Ride the property’s private lift and drop off at Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II, Italy’s grandest and oldest shopping arcade.
See Related: How Much is a Trip to Italy: Average Cost Per Day
7. Laucala Private Island
Price: A night in a 1-bed villa will cost you US$4,200
Address: Laucala Private Island, Fiji
What was once Malcolm Forbes’ private refuge in 1972 is now Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz’s private-island holiday home. This breathtaking tropical hideaway is four square miles of coconut groves and a private forest studded with pools, waterfalls, and a golf course. The villa-to-staff ratio is remarkable. With 25 villas and over 350 staff, service is guaranteed impeccable.
A night’s stay starts at US$4,200, but you get what you pay for with over-the-top luxury and unrivaled privacy. The 25 unique villas are sophisticated versions of traditional Fijian homes, each with a private pool.
Inside, everything is tailored to provide a luxurious stay: giant plasma TVs, Bose sound systems, a bar stocked with champagne, seashell-shaped sofas, and granite bathtubs.
Outside, there’s plenty to do. Grab some grub at any of the five restaurants, play tennis, hit the beach, swim in several pools, sail on a yacht, go diving or jetskiing, or hit the green at the 18-hole David McLay Kidd-designed golf course. Once you’re done and need to relax, drop by the spa for treatments with organic, island-made oils.
What is a 7-star hotel?
In official terms, there is no such thing as a 7 star rating. The term was said to have been coined by an unnamed journalist covering the opening of Dubai’s Burj Arab Jumeirah in 1999.
The journalist used the term ‘7 star’ to describe the outrageous grandiosity of the hotel, noting that five stars aren’t enough to recognize the decadence of the accommodation. She then suggested that it must be the world’s first 7 star luxury hotel.
Hotel ratings are not globally standardized, and even 5-star ratings vary between countries. This is mainly because rating organizations differ in their classification systems. For example, in the U.S., companies like the AAA or the Forbes Travel Guide classify hotels. In Europe, it’s the Hotelstars Union and the Automobile Association in Great Britain.
In other countries, the tourism department’s job is to look after the system. Other times, only online booking agents like Orbitz and international hotel groups like Small Luxury Hotels of the World set the ratings. In a nutshell, hotel ratings can be complicated.
While the exact specification of a hotel that deserves a 7 star rating is murky, there seems to be a common denominator between accommodations that market themselves as seven-star: they’re outrageously luxurious with the flashiest and glitziest extras you can think of.
FAQs
How many 7 star hotels are there in the world?
The concept of 7-star hotels is not officially recognized by any governing body, but the term is often used informally to signify opulence beyond the standard five-star rating. There is only one hotel, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, frequently called a ‘7-star’ due to its luxurious and extraordinary services.
What are the best 7 star hotels in the world?
The term ‘7-star hotel’ is not officially recognized but is often used to describe the ultra-luxurious Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Although there are no formally designated 7-star hotels, other properties sometimes associated with this superlative level of luxury include the Town House Galleria in Milan, Italy, and the Pangu 7-Star Hotel in Beijing, China.
What does 7 star mean in hotels?
A “7-star” rating in hotels is an unofficial term used to denote ultra-luxurious hotels that exceed the standard five-star classification. Official hotel rating systems do not recognize this designation. Still, media and travel agencies often use them to describe properties offering an extreme level of luxury and service beyond traditional 5-star hotels. A “7-star” hotel’s features include private butler service, multiple fine dining options, personal chauffeur service, and opulent room design.
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