You’ve got the license to chill like Bond at these espionage-approved hotels around the world
The release of the latest James Bond instalment, Spectre, has once more unleashed a tirade of ‘wanderlust’ (longing to travel), among the many feelings the film is adept at extracting. Action-packed, fancy gadgetry and glamorous leading ladies aside, it’s the location that sets the mood for each scene. The good news is, your James Bond goals are not too far off a fantasy: here’s how you can live like espionage royalty at these hotels where 007 bedded in style.
Peninsula, Hong Kong
This hotel appeared in The Man With The Golden Gun, when Bond girl Andrea Anders is picked up in one of the hotel’s “Peninsular green” Rolls-Royce. Only the hotel’s driveway and entrance is visible in the scenes, but the glamour still remains a benchmark of Hong Kong luxury property. The famed “Grande Dame of the Far East” offers the best of Eastern and Western atmosphere, with a lavish 1100 square meter spa, seven restaurants, and if you like, a ride from one of the hotel’s famous fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce à la Bond style. hongkong.peninsula.com/
Four Seasons Canary Wharf, London
Live out the scene of Daniel Craig’s James Bond in the Skyfall film, swimming in the 20-metre heated rooftop infinity pool belonging to the Four Seasons Canary Wharf. In between laps, pause to admire the River Thames through the pool’s enclosure of specially designed floor-to-ceiling glass walls, with a beautifully manicured garden on the other side. The 5-star property boasts 142 rooms and suits, but aim for room 712, which was used as the shower scene for Bond and Severine. Location-wise, this Four Seasons hotel is conveniently located close to the hip and happening East End. fourseasons.com/canarywharf/
Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy
This luxury hotel is most recognisable in the Casino Royale scene where a high-speed chase took place after Bond had moored his yacht. This luxury hotel offers first-rate lagoon and garden views, and is just four minutes from St Mark’s Square by private shuttle boat. The legendary hotel is furnished with antique artwork, terraces with hot tubs, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, which so happens to be the only one in Venice. Located at the tip of the Guidecca island, balcony views open up to one of Venice’s key attractions, the Doge’s Palace. belmond.com/hotel-cipriani-venice
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India
Fans would distinguish this Bond lair as Octopussy’s impermeable ‘floating palace’ in the 1983 production. In real life though, the Taj Lake Palace is a stunning resort perched on the island Lake Pichola, which unlike the scene where Bond had disguise as a crocodile to swim across to, is actually more accessible with a mere luxury boat transfer. This resplendent hotel was originally built for the pleasure-seeking Maharana Jagat Singh II, and is one of India’s luxurious hotels today. Navigate your way around the ornate marble columns, marvel at ceiling frescoes and breeze through glasswork screens, and settle into opulent rooms with panoramic lake and palace sceneries. tajhotels.com/
Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, USA
In the opening scene of the 1963 Goldfinger film, Bond is lounging at the hotel’s poolside and enjoying a massage, and in another scene shot at the hotel, Jill Masterton meets an expensive fate, encased entirely in gold by henchman Oddjob. Today, this luxe property gives life to the pulsating Miami Beach nightlife, featuring contemporary and chic guestrooms, to lavish penthouses across nine-hectares of the four buildings, all of which are equipped with 20-inch iMacs, and private balconies. With its posh ocean-view spa and swanky restaurants, you’ll have a hard time leaving the property. fontainebleau.com/
Grandhotel Pupp, Czech Republic
Off the grid but not quite out of the Hollywood spotlight is this 228-room five star property that was the fictional Hotel Splendide in Casino Royale. Various exterior scenes were shot in this hotel, and the parking lot was where Bond took his Aston Martin DBS on a wild chase. Enter the dining room, and you’ll come face to face with the late night dinner scene of Bond and Vesper, also where the Vesper Martini was invented. This romantic hotel was also used to shoot movies like La Vie en Rose and Shanghai Knights. pupp.cz/en
Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
Throughout his length of stay in Istanbul, Skyfall’s Bond was kept busy on a motorcycle chase along the narrow alleys of the Grand Bazaar to fully enjoy the amenities at this resplendent hotel. From speed boat to helicopter pick-ups, you’re entitled to make swanky grand entrances, and refreshing dips in the heated infinity pool overlooking the azure waves of the Bosphorous. Retire into rooms and suites adorned with floor to ceiling windows, dazzling chandeliers and impressive parquet floors, on sultan-size beds. Freshen up in the gilded steam room before heading out for one of the establishment's elaborately prepared dinners. kempinski.com/
One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, The Bahamas
Tucked away along a white sandy shore sits Bond’s abode that features heavily in Casino Royale. Bond arrived at the hotel by waterplane then drove to the club in his Ford Mondeo, and later on, upon finding his car damaged, Bond heads to the lobby where he learns about the perpetrator, and plays a game of poker with him in The Library not far from the lobby. Bond then seduces the sensual Solange and escorts her to his Ocean Club villa that opens up to a fetching sea view. The contemporary, elegant resort with a grand colonial manor vibes is a playground of sorts and a delight to the eye with its impeccable grounds, but most of all, is the epitome of 007-approved Bahamian grandeur. oceanclub.oneandonlyresorts.com/
