Not getting enough celebrity sightings in your life? Check into a celebrity-owned hotel, where A-list owners and their famous friends have been known to kick back. From a restored inn in upstate New York owned by actor Richard Gere to a cool, contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Dublin envisioned by Bono and bandmate The Edge, these hotels offer all the creature comforts of your home in luxurious celebrity style.
Bedford Post Inn, US
Owner: Richard Gere
Thank Richard Gere and his wife for saving this historic building: a 1762 structure that survived the Revolutionary War. The couple transformed the space into one of New York State’s most intimate boutique hotels in 2007. Bedford Post Inn is romantic and stylish, with amenities like claw-foot bathtubs, Frette linens and working fireplaces. Dine in the Farmhouse, which sources locally for its Mediterranean-inflected American fare, and check out The Barn for a cup of coffee before embarking on outdoor adventures.
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Australia
Owner: Hugh Jackman
Opened in 2006, Gwinganna (meaning ‘lookout’) shares its name with the region itself, named by the local aboriginal people. The retreat offers visitors the opportunity to embrace health and wellness with fitness classes, a fully equipped gym with trainers, two infinity-edge pools, a yoga deck, holistic counselling and nutritionists. Sixteen accommodations showcase a rustic yet modern feel, along with commanding views of the Pacific Ocean and Tallebudgera Valley.
Palazzo Versace, Australia
Owner: Donatella Versace
The luxurious hotel, a vision of the late Gianni Versace, and currently owned by fashion maestro Donatella Versace, is the first ever fashion hospitality property. Situated in Queensland, Australia, the hotel exudes the exuberance of Versace’s soul in each of its services.
Ulusaba, South Africa
Owner: Richard Branson
A safari lodge in South Africa may not sound unusual, but a safari resort by Richard Branson is definitely worth the splurge. With 11 luxurious suites, the resort is the perfect location for honeymooners to kindle their romance in the wilderness of Africa. With luxury tree houses as suites, waking up to the rising sun in the jungle while taking a swim in your private pool is certainly what one dreams of.
Restorative Island, Belize
Owner: Leonardo DiCaprio
Oscar-nominated actor and the heartthrob from the romantic classic, Titanic, DiCaprio is gearing up to construct another environment-friendly project, set to open doors in 2018. This time, it is on his private island that is adjacent to the coast of Belize. Called the Restorative Island, it is an unpopulated private island that he purchased in 2005. The island that spreads across 104 acres on the Atlantic Ocean was listed for $1.75 million (approx R10.89 crore) when he purchased it.
Sundance Resort, US
Owner: Robert Redford
Sundance Resort is Robert Redford’s destination retreat, located at the base of Mount Timpanogos. Here, it’s all about entertainment in an outdoor setting, with plays, concerts and film screenings held at the Eccles Outdoor Amphitheatre, along with area attractions such as hiking, skiing, white-water rafting and mountain biking. The resort includes 92 rustic guest rooms built from local materials like stone, cedar, fir and pine.
Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa, US
Owner: Gloria Estefan
It’s hard not to do the conga at Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa: the property is owned by singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio. Opened in 2008, the resort on Vero Beach is a perfect getaway from these more high-traffic Florida hot spots. Here, it’s all about relaxation. The Wave Kitchen & Bar showcases Cuban-fusion, Continental and Peruvian cuisine, while the resort’s pool and beachfront are helmed by splash stylists who ensure top-notch service.
Blancaneaux Resort, Belize
Owner: Francis Ford Coppola
When iconic film director Francis Ford Coppola visited Belize in the 1980s, he fell so hard for the country that he opened several hotels. Blancaneaux Resort, his most famous, is set deep within lushy, dense jungles, alongside steep ravines, crashing waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers. The 20-room, eco-friendly resort is a favourite of families and honeymooners who want to be completely removed from civilisation.
The Greenwich Hotel, US
Owner: Robert De Niro
Visitors to the Big Apple who want an exclusive (and quite luxurious) stay, check into Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca. Amenities include a bar by renowned chef Andrew Carmellini, as well as the acclaimed Locanda Verde restaurant, Japanese-inspired Shibui Spa and a swanky Drawing Room and Courtyard, the latter two open only for hotel guests.
The Clarence, Ireland
Owner: Bono and bandmate
The Edge
It’s hard not to hum a U2 song when entering the Clarence in Dublin: the hotel is owned by Bono and bandmate The Edge. In 1992, the duo transformed an 1852 building, situated along the famous River Liffey and centrally located in downtown Dublin, into a 49-room boutique. Among the hotel’s attraction is the Octagon Bar, a prominent late-night destination among locals who gather for a pint.
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