Million Air Winter 2022

EDI TOR’ S CHOICE by Samantha Coles

Shambala Private Game Reserve, NelsonMandela Villa SOUTH AFRICA A historically signi fi cant suite, the Nelson Mandela Villa at Shambala Private Game Reserve was built for the former president and anti-apartheid activist by the reserve’s owner, Douw Steyn. Mandela spent many years at Shambala (which means ‘place of peace’ in Sanskrit) and wrote his memoirs at the villa; the desk he used is still there. The enormous fi ve-bedroom villa has a dining room seating 14 guests, living room, two lounges, two studies, a business center, boardroom (Mandela held many important meetings here) and a striking indoor/outdoor swimming pool. The villa is also home to an exceptional collection of artworks, as well as carefully considered details — the intricate beadwork found on the lampshades and curtains was threaded and stitched by women from local communities. From $5,700 per night. Contact reservations@saxon.co.za, +27 112 926 000, shambalaprivategamereserve.co.za

Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé, Baron’s Suite LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

Royal Mansour, Grand Riad MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

A strong contender for the most lavish suite in all of Europe, the Baron’s Suite was built for Baron Jaques Pineau de Viennay, who insisted on the fi nest furnishings and fi nishes. The 2,120-sq-ft suite is all grand proportions with soaring 17-ft ceilings and Versailles patterned oak fl oors. The one-bedroom abode has fabulous views of the neoclassical gardens from the large casement windows (there’s a private entrance to the suite directly from the west garden) and from the marble-clad bathroom with walk-in shower and bathtub. There’s a petite salon and a private library with a collection of French literature. The suite is adorned with a carefully selected art collection and antiques; the grand living room, Salon Chinois, is named for the canvas-covered walls painted in the Chinoiserie style by 18th-century artist Jean-Baptiste Pillement, whose work can also be seen in the Louvre and in Marie Antoinette’s private castle within the gardens of the Palace of Versaille. From $15,000 per night. Contact Michael Gregory, managing director, info@chateaugrandluce.com, +33 255 484 040, chateaugrandluce.com

One of the world’s most beloved suites for a very good reason, the Grand Riad at the Royal Mansour is the stu ff of legend. The three-story riad has more amenities than some entire hotels within its 19,375 sq ft — four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an o ffi ce, two dining rooms, a Moroccan lounge, bar and snooker room, three sunrooms, home cinema, hammam, gym, swimming pool, a landscaped private garden and a roof terrace with views of the Atlas Mountains. The decor throughout is nothing short of jaw-dropping, too — think ornate moldings, glittering chandeliers and intricately carved cedar wood. The riad also has its own private entrance through an olive-tree-lined patio and comes with butler services. From $43,500 per night. Contact Mohamed Attaf, reservations manager, mattaf@royalmansour.ma, +212 529 808 080, royalmansour.com

Porto Zante Villas & Spa, Imperial Spa Villa ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE

A new addition to Elite Traveler ’s Top 100 Suites list, Porto Zante Villas & Spa is a boutique, family-run resort on a private beach overlooking the Ionian Sea. Porto blends all the advantages of a private villa with the top-notch services of a fi ve-star hotel. There are nine villas to choose from but the most magni fi cent is the Imperial Spa Villa. The villa is technically two-in-one as there is one three-bedroom villa with a private pool and an adjacent one-bedroom villa (also with its own pool); the two are connected via a walkway in the leafy gardens. The larger villa has a kitchen, huge living and dining room with a dining table for eight guests, plus a fi replace and an o ffi ce space with an iMac Desktop. Both villas have direct access to a private area on the beach. From $14,600 per night. Contact Panagiota Vatista, reservations manager, reservations@portozante.com, +30 210 821 8650, portozante.com

Photos Elsa Young, Michael Spengler, Paul Thuysbaert, Dewandra Djelantik