Worshipped for his elegance and his flashy, martini-fueled lifestyle, it’s fairly safe to say that at some stage, we’ve all been jealous of Britain’s top secret agent.
In anticipation of the release of Spectre, Booking.com has compiled a list of the world’s best hotels when it comes to Bond’s three major passions – tech, martinis and casinos – including the epitome of all things 007, the impossibly suave Hôtel de Paris, as featured in both GoldenEye and Never Say Never Again.
Check out these suite digs below:
Tech:
Hotel Blow Up Hall 5050, Poznań, Poland
The state-of-the-art interior and facilities at Hotel Blow Up Hall 5050, smack dab in Poznań’s city center, will make you feel like you’ve stepped right into Q’s office. Ultra-modern suites and hi-tech features include an iPhone that works as both a room key and a way to communicate with hotel staff, TVs at the foot of the bed and sleek, monochrome décor.
Eccleston Square Hotel, London
Perhaps surprisingly, given its grade II listed Belgravia exterior, the Eccleston Square Hotel prides itself on its technological offering. All rooms have an iPad, which can fine-tune the room lighting, curtains, sound and the 46in 3D TVs, as well as provide a full concierge service. The luxury marble bathrooms also feature a hidden TV in the bathroom mirror, massage showers and a ‘smart glass’ wall that turns opaque instantly at the touch of the button.
Martinis:
Iebua at State Tower, Bangkok
When it comes to scenic settings to sip on a cocktail, the world-renowned and award-winning Sky Bar at Iebua, State Tower, in Bangkok is legendary. 820ft up in the air, it is one of the highest rooftop bars in the world and is easy to imagine that it would be one of Bond’s favorite haunts. Lit up at night, the atmosphere is almost ethereal, with mixologists whipping up innovative cocktails while guests enjoy incredible views of the city.
Pan Pacific, Singapore
Another Asian cocktail hotspot is the five star Pan Pacific Singapore. Drinks are served in the Atrium, a collection of seating pods floating over a reflection pool. As Asia’s longest bar, at 44m, it’s a surreal and very Bond-like setting to enjoy a martini, or a variety of other premium beers, wines, spirits and Pacific-inspired cocktails.
Casino:
Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel, Casino & Spa, Argentina
While you may not quite match Bond’s almost unrealistic talent at poker, The Regency Casino at the Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel is a great place to practice and experience the thrill. Live games include roulette, black jack, Caribbean Poker and more. Adjacent to the hotel, the Casino offers 656 slot machines and 22 game tables over three floors, all decorated in a contemporary style that seems perfectly conducive to a Bond film.
Hôtel de Paris, Monaco
Featured in both Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye, a visit to the famously extravagant Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo is a must for Bond fans. Sat right next to the Casino de Monaco, a few steps from the instantly recognizable Place du Casino, the hotel is in prime position for a spot of gambling à la 007. The hotel’s façade is adorned with marble colonnades and elaborate sculptures, while the plush interior features an American-style piano bar and enough crystal chandeliers to make James Bond feel right at home. Plus its restaurant, Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris, boasts an impressive 3 Michelin stars.
