WHEN most of us check into a hotel, it’s likely to have a restaurant, a spa and a bar – but around the globe are some VERY luxurious ones with suites costing as much as £30k per night.
In a new Channel 4 series, First Dates star Fred Sirieix heads behind the scenes to see what exactly makes these hotels the best of the best.
In the show called Fred‘s Ultimate Hotel, the charming maître d’ explores four hotels; The Royal Mansour in Marrakesh, The Royal Madikwe Lodge in South Africa, Les Barmes de l’Ours in France and Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
All of the hotels are five-star with Michelin-star dining and experiences that make them a step above the rest.
Thanks to his history of working in hospitality, Fred can definitely make a judgement on whether these hotels live up to expectation.
Fred explained: “I’ve been doing this work from the age of 15 in hotels and restaurants – so I speak the lingo.
“Observing them, being a guest and then behind the scenes and working with the people there because this is all I’ve done all my life – and I wanted to see if these hotels were actually ultimate and why.”
Not only does Fred check-in at the hotels as a guest but he also goes behind the scenes as concierge and even bar staff – so here are the best ones he explored.
The Royal Mansour, Marrakesh
The first stop is at The Royal Mansour in Marrakesh which is owned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
It has 53 private riads with gardens, courtyard patio, roof terrace, swimming pools, hammams and each comes with a personal butler.
Fred said: “The most incredible thing is that this hotel was built from scratch and this started from the back of the house.
“They created the most efficient hotel, it’s aerodynamic – it’s like Formula 1 it makes for such fast service.
Fred continued: “I was an easy customer for the butler, by 6 o’clock I told him I was OK. I can call room service or make my own coffee from the machine in my room – but some customers use the butler for 18-hours a day.”
“These are the Premier League of hotels – and the way to be the best is to not say no. You have to deliver – they are working at the highest level.”
The Royal Mansour in Marrakesh ranked 13th globally and Best Hotel in Africa at the World’s 50 Best Hotels Awards last year.
Sounds incredible, right? If you’re looking to stay, you might need to start saving now as the top suite, the Grand Riad, costs over £30,000 per night.
The Royal Madikwe Lodge, South Africa
The next stop on his trip is safe to say one of Fred’s best, and possibly worst emotional experiences, at The Royal Madikwe Lodge in South Africa.
Fred explained: “The Royal Madikwe, out of all the places I have been in the world, I have never felt so emotional throughout.
“From the moment I arrived, I started to cry. It was so emotional – I almost died in the bush, sandwiched between an elephant and two rhinos.”
Luckily bush ranger Ernie came to Fred’s rescue: “He saved my life because of how he dealt with the situation.”
“The staff there were on another level – it was very touching. It was very different as well like when I was in the bush with Ernie because it was a very responsible job.”
The most expensive accommodation at The Royal Madikwe Lodge is The Sovereign House which racks up to £6,000 per night.
It sits by a well-travelled elephant path so guests are likely to see the creatures from the comfort of their room.
It has room for six guests across three spacious bedrooms, with a glass wine cellar, plunge pool and private boma.
Barmes de l’Ours, France
Tucked way in the French ski resort of Val-d’sère is the five-star luxury Les Barmes de l’Ours.
It’s safe to say that Fred, who was born and raised in France, had high hopes and luckily, they delivered.
Fred said: “These people are the embodiment of French hospitality – it’s a dying art that people do not practice anymore.
“From the moment I arrived, I was so impressed. It’s rare in life when you’re really impressed in life and you see excellence in people who want to do a good job.
“One thing about these hotels is that the five-star standard must be everywhere. If you’re walking down a corridor and you cross a member of staff – they must see, smile and say hello before you do that to them.”
The hotel in the mountains has North American-style lodges, alpine chalets and even contemporary lofts.
It’s the only hotel to sit at the foot of Face de Bellevarde – a black run which has a vertical drop of 850metres.
With the hotel guests can fly in via private helicopter and arrange paragliding flights from the slopes, it also has a two-lane bowling alley.
Here, the Bear Suite is the most expensive at over £3,500 per night – it has a private Jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and balcony overlooking the mountains.
When a hotel has former guests like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William and Princess Kate, and Elizabeth Taylor – you know it’s going to be amazing.
Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Raffles Hotel in Singapore is found on 1 Beach Road, the colonial-style hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and it has a huge rooftop pool.
It’s the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail which was invented at its Long Bar where Fred attempts to create the drink himself.
Its suites all have high ceilings with separate living areas. Guests get 24-hour butler service – and it’s in a league of its own with personalised itinerary and service.
Fred said the special touches from his butler makes the experience extra special.
He explained: “I arrived on Father’s Day and the butler there looked me up before I arrived.
“They prepared a Father’s Day card for me with pictures of my children and left it in the room – it was so special. I thought wow, this is a touch above the rest.”
Raffles Hotel started off as a 10-bedroom bungalow before being expanded into the grand hotel it is now with 115 suites.
The Presidential Suite in Raffles Hotel Singapore costs around £12,000 per night.
Fred’s Ultimate Hotel starts 31st August at 8pm on Channel 4.