Among the perks of being royal are deep pockets that allow you to stay in the nicest hotels. As a bonus, if the royals are traveling on official duties, their accommodations are paid for by the UK taxpayers. Pretty sweet deal — or should we say suite deal?
From Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, these royals know how to travel in style. They've frequented some of the most luxurious hotels around the world and stayed in the nicest rooms there, to boot. But while most of the suites are completely out of reach for us commoners, some of the hotels offer regular rooms at a much more reasonable price. You won't get the private terrace or the 24-hour butler service, but you can say you stayed where royalty stayed.
Here are 15 of the royals' favorite hotel destinations around the world.
The Carlyle in New York City
The Manhattan hotel has hosted the likes of Princess Diana, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and royals from Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and Greece. It's also a popular spot for American presidents to stay. Room rates hover around $1,000 per night, so the Cambridges shelled out quite a bit when they stayed for several days during an American tour in 2014.
The Drake Hotel in Chicago
The Drake so loved hosting Diana in 1996 that the hotel named a suite after her. Diana stayed in the Presidential Suite when she visited, but it was later renamed the Princess Diana Suite. You can stay in the hotel itself for as little as $163, but the Diana Suite is gonna cost you a pretty penny. They don't even tell you the price online; you have to call.
The Ritz in Paris
Diana infamously stayed at the Ritz in Paris right before her death. The hotel is owned by Mohamed al-Fayed, the father of Diana's then-boyfriend Dodi al-Fayed, who also died in the car crash with her. Prior to those final moments, the couple was staying in the grand Imperial Suite.
Lewa Safari Camp in Kenya
William popped the big question while staying with Kate at Kenya's Lewa Safari Camp. Guests stay in tents with verandas and en suite bathrooms, and the camp boasts a swimming pool and land cruisers to view the wildlife in. Condé Nast Traveller reported that a four-day trip for two would run about $2,500 per person.
The Goring Hotel in London
This impressive hotel near Buckingham Palace is where Kate and her family stayed the night before her 2011 wedding. According to the Evening Standard, her family rented the whole top floor. The Goring is the only hotel to be awarded the Royal Warrant by the Queen for its hospitality. Regular rooms at the hotel can run around $700 a night, and the "royal suite" is in the $10,000 range.
Raffles in Singapore
When abroad, it's only the best for the royals. When the Queen and Prince Philip visited Singapore, they stayed in the $14,000-per-night Presidential Suite. The suite comes with 24-hour butler service, a private balcony, a dining room, a living room, a personal pantry, and more. William and Kate later stayed at the same hotel when visiting in 2012.
Arosa Ski Resort in Switzerland
The royals love to ski — Kate and William were even pictured skiing on their first official public outing. So it's no surprise that they love to frequent ski resorts in their spare time. In 2013, Harry, William, and Kate all went to the Arosa Ski Resort in Switzerland. You can go there too for around $500 to $1,000.
Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire
Meghan Markle's bachelorette party was held at Soho Farmhouse, a rustic-chic getaway in the English countryside. It's a members' only club, reports Vogue, but an exception was made for the future duchess. Ordinarily, members pay $2,800 per year plus hotel fees to enjoy the various Soho House venues around the world.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Cliveden House in Berkshire
The night before her wedding, Meghan stayed at Berkshire's Cliveden House with her mother, Doria Ragland. Other royals who have visited include Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and Queen Elizabeth. According to the Observer, the luxurious getaway has pools, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a spa, and a nightly price tag of around $2,000.
The Half Moon in Jamaica
Royals who have enjoyed the Half Moon in Jamaica include the Queen, Philip, and Harry. The luxury hotel boasts a private beachfront, sparkling pools, a golf course, and more. Regular rooms can cost around $300 to $500 per night, but the villas and suites range into the high thousands.
Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The Fairmont Empress has hosted many royals since it was built in the 1900s. Edward, Prince of Wales, stayed in 1919. And the Queen herself stays at the hotel often when visiting the Commonwealth country. She also brought Philip along with her. The spa is one of the hotel's main attractions, in addition to its delicious dining, stunning suites, and sweeping views. It's also relatively affordable, with an average room going for around $300 a night.
Longitude 131 in Northern Territory, Australia
Longitude 131 provides a luxury camp experience that Kate and William got to enjoy when they visited Australia in 2014. Perhaps the couple raved about the Uluru/Ayers Rock location, because Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, reportedly went to the same hotel on her honeymoon. The "cheapest" experience costs $3,300 per person for a three-day stay. A five-day stay is $5,500 per person.
Williamsburg Inn in Virginia
The Queen doesn't often come to the US, but on the few occasions that she has, she's stayed at the Williamsburg Inn twice. Ahead of her 2007 stay, her suite was given a complete overhaul with a new king-size mattress, Egyptian cotton sheets, Egyptian cotton towels, and more. It took a month to redo the suite that comes complete with a foyer, parlor, and luxury bath. The regular rooms at the inn cost around $700 a night, so we'd love to know what the suite cost the Queen.
Heckfield Place in Hampshire
For their babymoon before Archie was born, Meghan and Harry reportedly stayed at Heckfield Place just 45 minutes away from their Frogmore Cottage home. The luxury hotel is known for its wellness spa, farm-to-table dining, and palatial grounds. Rooms run around $1,000 per night.
The Mark in New York City
Meghan's lavish baby shower took place at the Mark hotel in Manhattan, reported the Observer. The outlet reported that Meghan rented the two-story Grant Penthouse Suite at the five-star hotel. According to Condé Nast Traveller, the 12,000-square-foot suite costs $75,000 a night and boasts a kitchen, six bathrooms, four fireplaces, and a terrace overlooking Central Park.
