Signature Aviation Winter 2024/25

GSTAAD PALACE, PENTHOUSE SUITE GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND

The original elite snowy playground (not least because its airport only accommodates private planes), Gstaad remains top of the list for skiing. And once the wheels of that jet touch down, where are we staying? The Gstaad Palace, of course. Seemingly plucked from a fairy tale, the hotel has stood in the heart of the town for over 100 years. For large groups, pick the Penthouse Suite. Blending Alpine charm (think: timber frames, fur throws and roaring fi res) with indulgent extras (a humidor, wine cabinet and two steam baths), Gstaad Palace’s three-bedroom penthouse is everything we look for in a top-notch skiing suite. The 1,615-sq-ft rooftop terrace features a hot tub and sauna inside a turret (told you it was straight from a fairy tale). For little guests, make use of the fun kids’ club — the hotel refers to them as VIKs (Very Important Kids); you can rest assured they’ll have a blast while you get a few extra hours of après-ski. Best for Families From $15,000 per night. Contact Florence White, sales executive, sales@palace.ch, +41 337 485 440, palace.ch

GRAND-HÔTEL DU CAP-FERRAT, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, VILLA BEAUCHAMP CAP-FERRAT, FRANCE On the grounds of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel lies a secret: three ultra-private villas, nestled into the hotel’s lush greenery. Of the three, Villa Beauchamp is our pick: a princely peach-toned, green shuttered abode o ff ering a slice of seclusion on the French Riviera. The villa has three double bedrooms, with space for up to 12 guests. Inside, she’s slick and stylish; OTT amenities include a media room, fi tness center, a sauna and a hammam. Outside, there’s 32,291 sq ft of private gardens, including a 52-ft swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen. Adjoining the main villa is a separate two bedroom pavilion — all but made for brooding teenagers in need of a little private space. Best for Privacy From $27,200. Contact Benjamin Raymond, guest relations director, benjamin.raymond@fourseasons.com, +33 049 376 5406, fourseasons.com

GRAND HYATT CANNES (HÔTEL MARTINEZ), PENTHOUSE APARTMENTS CANNES, FRANCE Way up on Hôtel Martinez’s seventh fl oor, overlooking the crystal-hued Mediterranean Sea beyond, is the hotel’s creme de la creme: the Penthouse Apartments. Inspired by Hôtel Martinez’s long-standing relationship with the Cannes Film Festival, the apartments pay homage to two cinematic icons: Isabelle Huppert and Thierry Frémaux. Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon sought to capture the unique identities of the two: Huppert’s rooms are delicate, light- fi lled spaces with highlights of gold. Frémaux’s, on the other hand, are darker, with cool blue tones throughout. The two conjoining suites can be booked individually, but if you’ve got a group in tow, go the whole hog and take both to create one mega four-bedroom, 13,455-sq-ft penthouse. There’s a huge outdoor terrace for cocktail hour, too (with more of those brilliant views of the Bay of Cannes). Best for Families Price on request. Contact Roch Girardot, rooms division manager, roch.girardot@hotel-martinez.com, +33 049 327 1234, hyatt.com

HOTEL BEL-AIR, PRESIDENTIAL SUITE LOS ANGELES

Claiming that a hotel suite is written into the history books may feel super fl uous — but in the case of Hotel Bel-Air’s Presidential Suite, it’s nothing short of the truth. Counting Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, King Charles III and Gary Grant as previous guests, the suite is as star-approved as they come. Inside its pink-hued walls, the one-bedroom suite is surprisingly demure given its roster of residents: Expect a muted color palette and clean, contemporary lines, brought together by Alexandra Champalimaud. Inside, there’s a formal lounge area and a separate dining room; outside, there’s a secluded terrace and a shady patio to escape that Los Angeles heat (as well as lounge chairs for poolside posing). Best for History From $18,000. Contact Sylvia Oken, area director of sales and marketing, sylvia.oken@dorchestercollection.com, +1 310 281 2953, dorchestercollection.com

Photos Oliver 63, Michel Figuet, Stefano Scatà