Sometimes, you need a hotel room—and sometimes, you need a hotel room with its own en-suite basketball court. Or a two-story loft at sea with two balconies and two outdoor whirlpools. Or a romantic table for two, 16 feet under sea level… You get the idea. When a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience is in order, look no further than these five unbelievable options.
Take to the seas in a Royal Caribbean Royal Loft Suite
A 1,640-square-foot suite—on a cruise ship. Yep, you read that right. This two-deck-high stateroom with designs by Genevieve Gorder of HGTV has panoramic views, an open-plan living and dining area with a dry bar, and a separate media room that converts into a spare guestroom. (The space can sleep up to six in all.) For dining al fresco step out to your private wraparound balcony off the living room with an outdoor dining area, seating area and a whirlpool. Upstairs, the balcony off the master bedroom has another whirlpool. You know, for when you’d rather not walk downstairs.
Fly Singapore Airline’s Suites Class
Designed by a French luxury yacht designer, this class-beyond-first-class offers complete privacy at 35,000 feet: A sliding door with blinds separates you from other travelers and staff. The airline’s A380 aircraft has 12 of these luxury suites on offer, and each boasts a standalone bed, a leather armchair hand-stitched by a master Italian craftsman, a 23-inch TV—and your choice of Krug or Dom Pérignon Champagne. Traveling as a pair? The staff will configure a double bed.
Check in to the 25th-floor Royal Suite at Burj Al Arab, Dubai
The iconic sail-shaped resort, which sits on a manmade island just off Dubai’s coast, has declared itself the “world’s first seven-star hotel.” If the opulent Royal Suite is any indication, the spot just might live up to that claim. A personal elevator takes you to the two-story space, which has a 24-carat gold iPad, a cinema, a four-poster rotating canopy bed, and two bathrooms with Jacuzzis and five-head rain showers. Then there are the other amenities: an attached heliport, a fleet of Rolls Royce, and a staff-to-room ratio of 8 to 1.
Snack on caviar at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Maldives
One of 12 restaurant options at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Ithaa is located 16 feet below sea level—its all-glass construction means you’ll nosh on lunch or dinner while taking in 180-degree views of the Indian Ocean, surrounding coral gardens, and resident whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and fish. The menu’s decidedly surf and turf, with courses like lobster carpaccio, green mango and papaya salad, and black angus beef tenderloin.
Ball in the Hardwood Suite at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
Gather some friends for the most epic two-on-two tournament in history. This two-story suite includes an indoor basketball court, scoreboard, professional-level locker room, a pool table, and 24-hour butler service. Two bedrooms, a master and guest, have a king and queen-sized bed, respectively. But on the court? Three extra-long (“NBA-sized”) murphy beds are at the ready, to fold down over the hardwood for some slam-dunk dreams.
