Meta Luxury City Breaks :The Best Big City Hotels

To compile a list of the best metro hotels in the world is a difficult task as it is humanly not possible to experience all that this world has to offer.

To the truly discerning and demanding traveler I would recommend the following hotels as truly meta-luxurious not in any particular order as all are too distinct in their character to be compared fairly. They all qualify with a true and unique blend of history, rarity and focus in their field along with being ultra luxurious and in a way exquisite works of art.

President Wilson Hotel, Geneva, Switzerland

Following a full renovation completed in 2010, the Hotel President Wilson remains an incomparable destination in the heart of Geneva. The choice of many dignified authorities, this elegant hotel offers a world of unique privileges. The hotel is just steps away from one of the city’s most beautiful parks and close to the main international organizations and chic boutiques. Take an enchanting stroll along Lake Geneva and experience an elegant combination of a distinguished location and modern architecture.

This elegant 5-star hotel is located on Geneva’s waterfront promenade, offering spectacular views of Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc and the Alps. It features a luxurious spa and an outdoor pool.

Westin Excelsior Rome, Italy

If Rome is your destination then the Westin Excelsior, Rome should be your address for that period. Located on the Via Veneto, Rome's most celebrated avenue, the 316-room Westin Excelsior is a monument to turn-of-the-century style, and is located approximately 19 miles from Fiumicino Airport. The hotel also features the largest suite in Europe, Villa La Cupola.

Located on the fifth and sixth floor underneath the cupola of the hotel, the suite covers 6,099 square feet and has an additional 1,808 square feet of balconies and terraces. While it only has two bedrooms, five more can be joined to it. The entire suite was just remodeled at a cost of around $7 million.

The Plaza Hotel, New York, USA

One of New York's most distinctive landmarks, The Plaza Hotel holds a special place in the city's history, hosting generations of the rich and famous, inspiring books, and starring in movies. The property has recently been renovated and restored to its former glory, reborn as a combination luxury condominium and hotel tower.

The 7,802-square-foot Presidential suite covers nearly the entire 18th floor of the Plaza, with views overlooking Central Park. The walls are covered in silk, the reception area has a 10-foot-wide stained glass window and the hand-painted piano depicts scenes from the French countryside.

The suite has five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, two living rooms, a dining room, powder room and sauna. There are also three marble fireplaces, a terrace and a 2,000-bottle wine cellar. The Presidential Suite also comes with the use of a secretary/butler and the Plaza's chefs are at your disposal.

The Ritz, Paris, France (Now Officially Closed for Renovation till 2014)

The Ritz Paris has closed its gilded doors. The legendary luxury hotel, which first opened in 1898, has closed for two years for a massive renovation project. Here's the letter the general manager sent out to guests (and anyone who's ever subscribed to their newsletter):

The legendary Ritz Paris has closed its doors to embark on a two-year restoration program.

 Rooms, suites, restaurants and bars, the spa and the famous Ritz Escoffier cooking school will all be carefully restored and recreated under the direction of the internationally renowned interior designer Thierry W. Despont.

 We will ensure that the charm and personality of the Ritz Paris is kept alive and that we continue to satisfy even the most discerning travelers.

 We certainly hope that you will follow our progress on www.ritzparis.com or through our social media channels.

 All of us at the Ritz Paris are looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming you back in 2014 for the reopening of your home in Paris.

 Sincerely,

 Christian A. Boyens, General Manager

 Frank J. Klein, President

The Lanesborough Hotel, London, U.K.

This legendary five-star luxury hotel was the country residence of Viscount Lanesborough, James Lane, until his death in 1724. The estate became St. George’s Hospital, serving its patients with quiet respite and country air through urban development until 1980.  Ten years later, a grand hotel emerged after extensive renovations restored the property to its early 19th Century splendor.

The hotel is situated just off Hyde Park in Knightsbridge, minutes from Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station, and Westminster Abbey. It offers six venues for private dining, a spa and fitness studio, and elegantly adorned Complimentary services include 24 hour butler service, on demand movies, and wireless internet. Rates range from an austere Deluxe Single at £355 to the ultra-elite Royal Suite at £7,500.

The Peninsula Hotel, Hongkong

The airy lobby of this 81-year-old institution on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is a trip back in time: to colonial-era decadence, white-glove service and the memories heavy-hitters past who indulged in the Peninsula's luxury. The legendary hotel serves afternoon tea in the dining room--Gaddi's--and dinner and dancing as the night winds down.

Ritz Carlton, Moscow , Russia

The Ritz-Carlton Moscow boasts a superb location, a 3-minute walk from Red Square and also lies within Moscow’s business centre.

The hotel offers class and sophistication with a grand 19th-century style. Its large, opulent rooms are stylish but also modern, and guests can control the curtains and lighting electronically.

The spa, hot tub and pool at The Ritz-Carlton are absolutely exceptional. Crystal lighting, candles and beautiful facilities create the perfect atmosphere, and a wide variety of spa treatments are available.

Enjoy wonderful views of the Kremlin from the rooftop Japanese restaurant. Caviarterra serves excellent Russian and Georgian cuisine.

Ritz Carlton fits right in with Moscow's over-the-top aesthetics. Gothic iron staircases and black pillars give the hotel a brooding feel, whereas cozy lounge areas in Russian imperial style provide secluded comfort.

 Suites with vibrant city views span 11 floors and come with marble bathrooms, heated floors, and well-appointed work spaces. The hotel's rooftop lounge and sushi bar fill with journalists, politicians, and business travelers who spill into the lounge for vodka and cigars.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, France

The celebrated Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris is the epitome of Parisian elegance and sophisticated comfort in a city renowned for European luxury and excellence.

An elegantly furnished room at the posh Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris is as celebrated and sought after as the famous sights of Paris so close by; the River Seine, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triumph and of course, the Eiffel Tower, are all within walking distance of this iconic hotel.

 Inspired by French sophistication and Parisian decor, but with all the modern amenities to fit the luxury travelers’ requirements, George V is a truly outstanding experience in a class of its own. Part of that experience should include a delectable evening at the hotel's famed and prestigious Le Cinq, where guests linger for hours over a tasting menu of courses that only improve with each serving.

St. Regis Hotel, New York, USA

With the classic elegance of New York City, this luxury hotel surrounds visitors with Five-Star & Five Diamond accommodations. In the heart of Manhattan, a refined atmosphere, gracious service and luxury accommodations rank The St. Regis New York among the finest hotels in New York City.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, U.A.E.

A glittering architectural marvel in the middle of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai's Burj Al Arab is a bastion of luxury in the new Middle East.

Emblematic of Dubai's futuristic architectural feats, sail-shaped Burj Al Arab soars high above the aquamarine Arabian Gulf, making it the second tallest hotel in the world. Even its tenacious perch on an artificial island off the famous Jumeirah Beach is a testament to its no-holds-barred opulence.

 Luxury doesn't begin to describe the pampering you'll receive in every one of Burj Al Arab's oversized rooms. Glide between the two floors of your suite along a marble staircase, and soothe your soul in your spa-like bathroom with Jacuzzi, mosaic floor, and full-size Hermes products.

Hungry?... Choose from six scintillating restaurants, including Al Mahara, only accessible by simulated submarine voyage. Or simply call room service for caviar, champagne, and strawberries.

 When it's time to soak up the cosmopolitan pleasures of Dubai, whether sunbathing or shopping at plush international boutiques, Burj Al Arab's fleet of Rolls Royces is at your beck and call.