As Kiwi Collection continues celebrating 20 years of hotel curation, which kicked off with unforgettable stays, our gaze turns to the special properties that have held court in our collection since the early days. These icons of hospitality have stood the test of time and, through enduring attention to detail and continual enhancements, never once rested on their laurels. Standing out in their settings—the bustling Big Apple, seaside Côte d’Azur, South African savannah and beyond—these 20 hotels are truly timeless.
In Iconic Cities
The icon roll call starts with storied hotels in historic cities. Perched above Old Quebec within Canada’s second oldest city, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a grand dame in the truest sense. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1893, it’s now a designated National Historic Site which boasts themed suites in honor of special guests, such as Queen Elizabeth II. Across the border, The Plaza Hotel also exemplifies the Château Style. A New York City institution since opening in 1907, the hotel is a popular filming location, having shown up in North by Northwest, Home Alone 2 and 2013’s The Great Gatsby.
Another Plaza on the other side of the Atlantic, Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris, will always be associated with Carrie Bradshaw, as the Sex and the City main character famously stayed here in the culminating sixth season storyline. The 110-year-old French hotel embodies a couture spirit in all the ways, from Michelin star cuisine to a Dior Spa (yes, that Dior). Over in London, England, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park boasts two Michelin stars, for its Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant, and an illustrious guest list over its 121 years that includes Rudolph Valentino, Mahatma Gandi and members of the British royal family who enjoy a separate Royal Entrance.
Flying east, we arrive at the oldest urban hotel on our list, Raffles Hotel Singapore. Established in 1887 and made a national monument in 1987, the hotel’s registry of bold face names includes Rudyard Kipling, Noël Coward and Elizabeth Taylor. Within, the famed Long Bar takes credit for creating the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail. Approximately 1,600 miles as the tern flies, The Peninsula Hong Kong has stood since 1928, making it the oldest in the harbour city. In true five-star form, the property is known for its fleet of luxury cars all painted Peninsula Green that can be requested for airport pick-up and drop-off.
Then there’s a special subcategory of big-city hotels that simultaneously offer a front-row seat to the beach. Built in 1932, in celebration of a century of Brazilian independence, Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel is named for the iconic stretch of Rio de Janeiro sand it looks out over. The famed hotel celebrates its own 100th birthday this year.
Over in Oman’s capital, The Chedi Muscat, which opened the same year Kiwi Collection launched, gives guests a private beach on the gulf to enjoy—along with 21 acres of gardens and three pools. Set on the shores of tidal Dubai Creek, the palatial Park Hyatt Dubai features a 100-metre infinity lagoon which opens onto a private sandy beach.
On the Water
Serving up beachfront life with decidedly less urban hustle is The Breakers. Spanning 140 acres, the Palm Beach hotel has faced Florida’s warm Atlantic waters since 1926 and never stopped elevating its offering—now there are four pools, a 6,000-square-foot oceanfront fitness centre and activities galore, just to name a few of its flourishes. In another wildly popular beach town, Los Cabos, Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection has been an icon of quiet luxury since 2002. Right on the shore of the Sea of Cortés, its rooms all face onto the sand and surf. Naturally, celebs love it here, including Naomi Watts, who we booked in for a three-night stay earlier last year.
Away from everything, the 30 Bill Bensley-designed villas of Anantara Maia Seychelles are tucked on 30 acres of a private peninsula fringed by impossibly white sands. Making it even more luxurious is the brand’s “Beyond All Inclusive” concept at play here, which includes à la carte dining at any time. First founded by a friend of Oscar Wilde in 1900, Côte d’Azur’s Cap Estel has been a chic hotel since the 1950s, attracting glitterati, including the Beatles (apparently Paul McCartney used to play his guitar by the oceanfront pool). Its bijou private beach with a raised deck of lounge chairs is the epitome of charming.
Those who love water but don’t care for salty dips can perch themselves on the Positano cliffside at Le Sirenuse. In 1951, siblings turned the 18th-century family villa into a hotel. It’s rich red exterior is can’t-miss, and inspiring color isn’t shied away from elsewhere either—all in complement to those big, blue Amalfi Coast views. For the freshwater inclined, there’s Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India. Completed in 1746, it’s surrounded on all sides by Lake Pichola, giving it the appearance of a floating mirage. It’s so striking a visual that we featured it on the cover of 2007’s Overnight Sensations – Asia Pacific coffee table book.
In the Countryside
From still waters to the rolling hills of Tuscany. Here, amid the Chanti wine region, COMO Castello del Nero lives within a restored 12th-century castle where preserved frescos are juxtaposed by modern Paola Navone-designed interiors. Michelin star dining, at La Torre, and a particularly sublime spa experience, as it’s now in the hands of COMO, too. Pastoral perfection to put it simply.
Approximately 800 kilometers southwest of those Tuscan hills, at around the same elevation, lies another historic gem. In the Mallorcan village of Deià, a long-time enclave for writers, artists and musicians, La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel occupies two manor houses that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. As a hotel since 1984, it has hosted Princess Diana, Sting and Gwyneth Paltrow, and this year it claimed our Most Romantic Hotel award. Climb higher still to yet another icon with its own long list of notable guests: Gstaad Palace in the Swiss Alps. The vision of a village teacher, this family owned, fairytale-style hotel set in a prime ski destination has stood for 110 years. The skiing is great, but the après is off the charts—from the fondue restaurant to the 1,800-square-meter spa.
Surrounded by very different but no less impressive natural forms in Arizona’s Red Rock Country is Enchantment Resort. Reopened in February of this year following a $40 million renovation, the 36-year-old Sedona resort is renowned for its extensive menu of experiences, including mountain biking, hiking and other outdoor adventures all run out of its Trail House—no wonder it took home 2023’s Best Family Hotel award. Speaking of adventure, a safari is the pinnacle for many and all-inclusive Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Sabi Sands Reserve has been serving up bucket-list game viewing since 1998. In fact, with its location on a hilltop overlooking a watering hole, the eight-suite lodge grants guests a wildlife show without having to go anywhere. Still, no one comes all this way not to venture out in a Land Rover in search of the Big Five—seeing these icons of the savannah in their natural habitat is one of life’s greatest thrills.
