8 Amazing Celebrity-Owned Hotels Around The World
It might not seem immediately obvious when perusing Expedia, but lots of hotels — both nationally and across the world — are owned by your favorite celebrities. That's no accident. Stars, who have stayed in some of the best hotels on the planet, are no strangers to luxury travel or the amenities that come along with it.
Plus, although it can be extremely risky to invest in hotels, it can also be very lucrative. For celebrities, many of whom have diverse streams of income, it's an investment they're able to make. However, it isn't all chaise lounges and infinity pools. When the economy tanks and disposable income shrinks, so does the hotel business. Plus, hotel popularity can be largely dependent on location and local competition.
But it seems like these star-studded celebrities are making it work — and likely getting a few free nights in the meantime. We're here to feed your curiosity about some pretty amazing hotels around the world, ranging from massive resorts to boutique inns, that are owned by some of your favorite stars.
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Queensland, Australia — owned by Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman has often starred in action movies, playing roles such as Wolverine in the "X-Men" series. However, this A-list actor is also down to take a breather. Jackman is one of the owners of Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, an Australian eco-resort that seeks to help both celebrities and the general population meditate and unload their worries. But it doesn't come easily — all guests of the country's biggest wellness resort must abandon their cell phones, alcohol, caffeine, and other vices to find their balance. In the meantime, they can do anything from reading a book to trying a movement program to working with a stress management therapist.
And, of course, the resort itself is encircled by natural beauty. The 33 rooms, which start at $1,230 for a weekend, are only a short drive from the shores of Queensland and have spectacular views of surrounding coasts and valleys, as well as vegetable gardens and infinity pools. Other amenities at the resort include tennis courts, walking trails, a spa, yoga studios, a gym, and more. It's all designed to help people learn how to cope with today's stressful world and live happier and healthier lives by eating organically, abandoning technology, and enjoying spa treatments. A stay here can range up to a week for optimal results, helping people return to their regular lives with new habits and philosophies.
Bedford Post Inn, Bedford, NY — owned by Richard Gere
Richard Gere was raised in upstate New York. So when he and a fellow local resident saw that a circa-1860 property in Westchester had become a shell of its historic self, the actor sprang into action. Soon, the boutique Bedford Post Inn was born, offering just eight intimate rooms, some with their own fireplaces or patios, to enjoy the natural beauty of the 20 acres surrounding the hotel. There's a fireplace outside, too, which is popular with visiting couples looking to find a romantic getaway. Nearby is a reflecting pool and patio filled with lounge chairs, ideal for relaxing or enjoying a meal. Or, for guests looking for some activity on their trip to the Bedford Post Inn, the hotel also offers bikes to borrow.
Back inside the inn's rooms, the décor features a mix of modern touches and country flair, with wood beams and clawfoot bathtubs combined with heated floors and luxe sheets. To find even more relaxation, there's also a yoga studio inside the inn that has a full lineup of classes, speakers, and trainers. Or, guests can book private sessions or even parties inside the yoga studio. Plus, it's all located just an hour's drive from Manhattan, making this hotel a popular destination for busy New Yorkers looking for a taste of the countryside.
11 Cadogan Gardens, London, England — owned by Elizabeth Hurley
Although Elizabeth Hurley has starred in plenty of American movies, she was born in the United Kingdom, so it's only natural that she wanted to return to her roots by opening five-star hotel, 11 Cadogan Gardens, in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood of London. Although the hotel is in a happening area near local attractions like the Saatchi Gallery and Harrods, it's situated on a peaceful street surrounded by homes that allow its guests to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Inside the Victorian-style hotel with 34 rooms and 22 suites, guests can choose from rooms that all enjoy colossal ceilings, bay windows, and eclectic décor — which makes every room different from the last. Plus, Hans' Bar & Grill is on-site, so guests don't even need to leave the hotel if they're looking for a meal. The classic eatery features an international menu with local ingredients served all day with dishes such as tuna loin, a beetroot burger, aioli pulled pork, and beef tataki.
But in London, you must experience afternoon tea, and here, there's a menu that won't disappoint. The session includes Laurent-Perrier Champagne, a selection of sandwiches, homemade scones, and pastries like macarons and pistachio and cranberry cake. Parties and weddings can also book the hotel.
Palazzo Versace Dubai — owned by Donatella Versace
Donatella Versace hails from Italy, and her hotel in Dubai with her namesake completely evokes the ornate Italian luxury that the Versace brand has always represented. Palazzo Versace Dubai, which also has some nods to Arabian style, contains 215 rooms with upscale extravagances in every corner. Those include silk linens, colossal windows with views of the nearby Dubai Creek and Jaddaf Waterfront, private balconies, Carrara marble, and pops of color amid white and cream color palettes. It's also all in the perfect Dubai location — just a 15-minute drive from the airport and eight minutes to downtown.
But it's not like you need to leave, either. Palazzo Versace has a whopping nine restaurants onsite, all with the luxe charm of Versace. Those include Mosaico, which is a mirror of Gianni Versace's own tastes; Iranian eatery Enigma, which has a menu that reflects the background of the Michelin-starred chef who leads the kitchen; Q's Bar and Lounge, which was named the best music bar in the entire city; and Giardino, which is bathed in green jungle patterns for a colorful meal in more ways than one. Outside, the hotel also includes three pools, perfect for escaping the Dubai heat, that feature tons of vibrant foliage, as well as a massive garden that hosts many weddings and events.
Greenwich Hotel, New York — owned by Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro was born to humble beginnings in Greenwich Village. But with minimalist furniture, an array of colors and styles, and a hip aesthetic, his Greenwich Village hotel is a far cry from the actor's own start in New York City. The simply named Greenwich Hotel includes 88 rooms and suites, all utilizing beds created with care across the pond. Each room is different from the next, but they all feature a subdued style with wood details, neutral tones, and open layouts, perfect for escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city. Some of the suites also have fireplaces, which are always favorite spots in NYC during the holidays.
Onsite is restaurant Locanda Verde, which has been known for its Italian comfort eats for more than a decade and frequently attracts tourists as well as New York City locals. Inside the eatery, diners can see their fare being created in an open kitchen and a wood-fired oven. During the warmer months, guests can also sit outside on the street or in the hotel's private courtyard. Patrons can also utilize the Japanese-style Shibui Spa, where they can attend yoga classes, use the indoor pool and gym, and even enjoy some Japanese tea. These hotel amenities aren't the only international influences throughout the space, though. Guests can also find rugs handmade in Tibet and colorful tiles imported from Morocco.
Hotel MiM Sitges, Sitges, Spain — owned by Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi doesn't just own a hotel — he uses his hotel, too. Per The Sun, Messi has stayed at his own property — Hotel MiM Sitges — during times when he's been injured and out of the game. And why shouldn't he? He spent $35 million to purchase the posh boutique hotel in 2017 in Sitges, which is known for its stunning beaches and proximity to bustling Barcelona. The hotel includes 77 guestrooms and tons of amenities, including a saltwater pool, spa, rooftop bar, gym, yoga studio, and restaurant.
Perhaps Messi had a hand in designing some of the amenities since they seem fit for an athlete. Guests can utilize personal trainers in the gym, and the spa has world-class services available, like a cold plunge bath — ideal for sore muscles — and hydrotherapy, which can help with pain. But it's clear that Messi doesn't only care about sports. The hotel was created with the environment at the top of mind, as a whopping 80% of it was created from recycled supplies. Plus, specialized tanks collect guests' water for use in the toilets and gardens after it's been disinfected. Visitors are also sure to spot the hotel's solar panels and wind turbines on the terrace, which power several parts of the hotel. Energy-conserving LED bulbs also keep the place light and bright.
Mission Ranch, Carmel, California — owned by Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood has played a Western hero in many of his movies, but he's also a Western hero in California, where he owns Mission Ranch. Eastwood saved the ranch in 1986 from impending doom when a condo development threatened to level the historic property that has been a dairy farm, private club, and military club throughout its many years in Carmel, overlooking both rolling meadows and the sea.
Today, the ranch includes 31 hotel rooms spread within 10 buildings over 22 acres, all from different time periods and reflecting different architectural styles, making for a unique and eye-catching experience. The most popular lodging is the Meadowview Fourplex, which has a patio and a front-row seat to the farm's animals. It's ideal for everyone from families, with its large spaces, to couples, with its romantic fireplaces and jacuzzies.
Luckily for locals, though, you don't have to shell out the cash for a Mission Ranch stay to enjoy some of its amenities. Its onsite restaurant features traditional American fare like prime rib, New York steak, and crab cakes, and it also overlooks the area's stunning scenery. Plus, it also has a gym and six tennis courts that are for guests as well as members.
Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy — owned by Francis Ford Coppola
Bernalda, a historic town in southern Italy, hardly makes it to many tourists' itineraries by accident. But to Francis Ford Coppola, it trumps anything that Rome or Florence has to offer since his grandfather was born there. That's why Coppola purchased a historic palazzo there in 2004 and got to work away from the film screen to make it into an inn. Soon, the re-imagined Palazzo Margherita was born. Coppola worked with French designer Jacques Grange to bring the palazzo's history to life, restoring its gardens, courtyards, hand-painted ceilings, and original marble floors.
Guests can choose from nine boutique rooms at the inn, which only holds up to 26 people for an intimate experience. In the eat-in kitchen, patrons can get to know the inn's chefs by tasting the fare that they see being made in front of them and also learn how to make Italian dishes themselves, thanks to regular classes. Some of the ingredients are grown right outside in Palazzo Margherita's garden, which is a storybook-like maze of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and a massive fountain. But after a big meal, there's nothing like collapsing in a Palazzo Margherita bedroom, some that open up into the garden or have amazing views of it thanks to their floor-to-ceiling windows.