Some people return from a long trip and comfortably settle into a life without room service and concierges, but these five luxurious hotel residences are aimed at those who can't bear to ever leave that level of service behind. Leading the pack is Florence's Palazzo Tornabuoni, a renovated 15th-century Medici palace now managed by the Four Seasons hotel chain. Transformed by designer Michele Bönan, the palazzo now houses 18 private luxury residences and a club. While the units are incredible in their combination of classic architecture and sleek modern fixtures, the amenities are the star here, like a communal living room with vaulted ceilings, a marble-lined spa, access the Four Seasons hotel spa and heated outdoor pool, a 24-hour concierge, a chauffeured Maserati, and memberships in the prestigious Circolo del Tennis club, the Centro Ippico Toscano riding school, and four nearby country clubs.
? For those with even deeper—nay, deepest—pockets, look no further than the Bulgari Hotel Residences in London. The sole remaining unit, a seven-bedroom penthouse, is currently one of the world's most expensive homes, offered quietly for north of $157M. Better yet, the nearly 9,300-square-foot unit comes completely unfinished, meaning the buyer will have to build it out at his or her own expense. Location is a big seller here, in the coveted Hyde Park neighborhood, next door to Harrods and not far from the One Hyde Park blockbuster. Then there are the hotel services, some of the best in London, which include a screening room, spa, and swimming pool.
? Extended-stay hotels are often associated with boring job training and other business assignments, but the Grand Hyatt Residences in Mumbai, India are aiming to change all that, offering a dose of style with their practicality. Available for between $240 and $575 per night, the apartments are pretty typically "hotel" in their decor, but the on-site services make the transition to Indian living smoother for Western business types. There are several restaurants in the complex, along with a bar, and even a slick, black marble and mirrored, hair salon. No, it's not exactly cultural immersion.
? As one of the most luxurious and discreet hotels in NYC, The Carlyle sees plenty of celebrity business. Some of them take such a liking to the hotel that they choose to purchase an apartment in the adjoining apartment house. But one need not be an international tennis superstar to purchase a pied-a-terre here, just be willing to fork over a fortune each month to pay for those hotel services. This near 1,400-square-foot unit, with a rare terrace on the 15th floor, is listed for $1.895M, but the monthlies will set the buyer back $15K each month, or a whopping $180K a year. That's in addition to whatever the inevitable redecorating costs.
? Love round-the-clock hotel services, but can't stand being stuck in one place? That's where The World comes in. It's a cruise ship, but, ostensibly anyway, attracts a more intellectual crowd. Constantly on the move, The World brings its owners to far flung corners of the world for cultural enrichment. That enrichment requires some serious material riches. Two bedroom, 2.5 bath units like the one above trade for around $3M apiece, while the luxe penthouse units command more than $13M. The expense doesn't stop there though, as monthly fees start at $20K and rapidly escalate from there, to help pay for fuel and crew costs.
· Palazzo Tornabuoni [Four Seasons Residences]
· The Most Expensive Properties on the Market in the World [Curbed National]
· Bulgari Hotel Residences [official site]
· Grand Hyatt Residences [official site]
· As Roland Garros Gets Rolling, Five Houses of Tennis Stars [Curbed National]
· 35 East 76th Street [Streeteasy]
· The World - Residences at Sea [official site]