According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2018 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, Singapore, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong are among the 10 most expensive cities in the world. Check out the full list of affluent locales and discover where to enjoy a luxuriously lavish stay in the world’s most culturally rich cities.

PARIS

Photo Credit: Peninsula Hotels

PENINSULA PARIS

The Peninsula Paris is a hotel that truly embodies haute living. Its prime location—just steps away from storied landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Élysées—is just one of its assets. Its overall opulence is another. The property’s top suites—the Historic Suite, Katara Suite and Peninsula Suite—are all inspired by haute couture. The latter, at 3,425 square feet, is the largest and most decadent, dotted by rich silks and brocades by Prelle, trimmings by Declercq and traditional carpets courtesy of Tai Ping. For all the Parisian feels, though, stay in the Rooftop Garden Suite, an elegant duplex with a garden terrace that features gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower. Another way to enjoy the City of Lights venture is through the brand’s experiential Peninsula Academy, which is offering up a VIP golf package. Guests will receive member access to three prestigious and highly sought-after exclusive clubs in Paris—Chantilly Golf Club, Fontainebleau Golf Club and Saint-Cloud Golf Club, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower—including an 18-hole round of golf, professional caddie, ground round-trip transportation to and from the course of choice, as well as a three-course meal at the course’s clubhouse. Ooh la la, indeed.

19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris, France

TEL AVIV

Photo Credit: Assaf Pinchuk

THE SETAI TEL AVIV

Perched on the Mediterranean Sea on the edge of the ancient city of Jaffa is The Setai, a new luxury hotel that opened its doors to much fanfare this year. The property was initially constructed as a fortress during the Crusader kingdom’s rule over Jaffa in the 12th century and as a result, its five-building complex, referred to locally as the “Kishle,” or “jailhouse” in Turkish, is among the most important properties in Israel from a historical, cultural and architectural standpoint. Modern luxuries meet the historic past here: Artifacts uncovered during the extensive archaeological digs pre-renovation are prominently displayed throughout the hotel, while guest rooms feature rich walnut furnishings and white sea stone from the building’s original structure; spear-tipped bars remain outside the windows of many guest rooms as a charming reminder of the building’s past life. Guests should make sure to check out the hotel’s full-service spa, which includes a traditional Turkish hammam and an extensive menu of classic massages and Eastern-inspired treatments, its fully equipped gym and its breathtaking rooftop infinity pool, which offers some of the most majestic views of the Tel Aviv skyline imaginable.

David Razi’el St 22, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

SINGAPORE

Photo Credit: Ritz-Carlton

RITZ-CARLTON MILLENIA SINGAPORE

Singapore is the most expensive city on the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, and there isn’t a more perfect place to enjoy the lap of luxury than The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. This luxe hotel has the distinction of being the first La Mer hotel partner spa in Asia-Pacific—offering exclusive La Mer facials and unique experiences like a massage synchronized with live melodies played by a cellist—and its Cantonese restaurant, Summer Pavilion, has been recognized with a Michelin star accolade for its third consecutive year. Pleasure seekers will also appreciate a hedonistic luxury in a butler-drawn bath from the hotel’s specially curated bath menu which includes a champagne bath for unparalleled decadence, best enjoyed from the 6.5-foot-long Jacuzzi tub in the marble-tiled bathroom of The Ritz Suite. In addition to awesome panoramic views of Marina Bay and the city skyline, the suite features museum-quality art pieces by the likes of Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, and a wall-flushed bar stocked with liquor and spirits.   

7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799

OSLO

Photo Credit: The Grand Hotel

GRAND HOTEL

Oslo’s Grand Hotel is perhaps Norway’s best-known and prestigious hotel. This luxurious locale first opened its doors in 1874, and for over 140 years has been host to world leaders, celebrities and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. World-renowned author Henrik Ibsen made the hotel one of his favorite daily haunts, and as such, there is a suite dedicated in his honor. The most lavish of the 283 rooms is The Grand Penthouse Terrace Suite, which, in addition to panoramic views of Oslo, the fjord and the Royal Palace, offers an adjustable Jensen bed, a fitness room and access via private elevator, as well as a recently installed oil painting by contemporary artist Ulf Nilsen.   

Karl Johans gate 31, 0159 Oslo, Norway

HONG KONG

Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is where it all started―“it” being the brand itself. The inaugural property opened its doors in 1963, and to this day remains one of the most timeless and luxurious hotels in Hong Kong, with a fan base that includes everyone from royals to A-list celebrities. Stay in the sensational Mandarin Suite, a two-bedroom presidential palace for up to 12 guests, which includes a kitchen, powder room, a spa and a balcony that runs the entire length of the living/dining room and is sublimely finished with priceless antiquities, restored furniture and handcrafted pieces (as well as luxe touches like silk kimonos, duck feather pillows and Bottega Veneta products). Make absolutely sure to book a Krug Room experience. This must-try for visiting gastronomes, created in partnership with the House of Krug, offers diners sips from the largest collection of Krug Champagne in Asia. It’s an evening guaranteed to make one bubble over with happiness.

5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

GENEVA

Photo Credit: Hotel President Wilson

HOTEL PRESIDENT WILSON 

Facing the magnificent panorama of the Alps and Lake Geneva, there’s no doubt that Hotel President Wilson, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is one of Switzerland’s most breathtaking properties. The hotel is most famous for its Royal Penthouse Suite, which has been recorded as one of the most expensive suites in the world at around $81,000 per night; it’s also hands-down the largest at 5,512 square feet. The price tag includes 12 luxury bedrooms with bath products by Hermès, a Jacuzzi facing the lake, a wraparound terrace with a telescope for star-gazing, a fitness room, private chef and chauffeur, and the world’s largest TV screen, the BeoVision 4-103 home cinema set by Bang & Olufsen. All guests of this luxe hotel can indulge at its Spa La Mer and Michelin-starred Bayview Restaurant.

47, Quai Wilson, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland

SEOUL

Photo Credit: Four Seasons Seoul

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SEOUL 

Constantly surprising and always captivating, Seoul is a city of contrasts, where deep tradition lives in harmony with innovative technology and leading-edge fashion, along with imaginative pop culture, fiery food, trendsetting style and a playful attitude. At its heart is the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, the first luxury hotel in the city, which has retained its top spot in the area for its sheer attention to detail and unfailing decadence. In addition to finding a customizable Four Seasons bed in each of the 317 rooms and suites, guests have an extensive choice of dining and drinking options—seven, including the Prohibition-era speakeasy Charles H. It also includes a spa that caters to the culture’s obsession with wellness and beauty with treatments like the indulgent three-hour My Gift of Beauty, Ginseng Slim and the Purifying Experience, a luxurious and modern take on Korea’s most historic and enduringly popular treatment beginning with relaxation in the Korean Sauna followed by a Korean traditional Scrub, as well as the Nail Bar.

97 Saemunan-ro, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

ZURICH

Photo Credit: The Dolder Grand

THE DOLDER GRAND   

The Dolder Grand has seen its fair share of famous faces since opening in 1899, including Sir Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Henry Kissinger and even The Rolling Stones. 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of this iconic property’s modern-day renovation by British architect Lord Norman Foster, including a 43,000-square-foot spa that highlights brands like La Prairie and Dr. Burgener Switzerland, over 120 works of art by the likes of Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Fernando Botero, as well as the fare of chef Heiko Nieder at the two Michelin star eatery, The Restaurant. Guests looking for the ultimate hotel experience can luxuriate in one of four Dolder Grand top suites: the Maestro Suite, an homage to Herbert Von Karajan; the Carezza Suite, inspired by the works of Alberto Giacometti; the Masina Suite, named after Italian actress Giulietta Masina; and Suite 100, named after London’s 100 club—all of which have on-call butler service available. Those looking to explore this luxe Swiss city by car have access to a selection of BMWs, including the BMW 6 Series Convertible, BMW X5 and BMW i3.

Kurhausstrasse 65, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland

COPENHAGEN

Photo Credit: ’Angleterre

HOTEL D’ANGLETERRE

For more than 260 years, Hotel d’Angleterre—affectionately known as “The White Lady” by locals—has been Copenhagen’s most elegant address, welcoming countless notable guests (including royals) through its doors. The opulent touches here are rife: Above the reception desk is an “anti-Winterhalter,” a limited edition of Andy Warhol’s silkscreen portrait of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Stay in one of the d’Angleterre Suites, each of which is inspired by historic Danish authors and artists such as Karen Blixen, Hans Christian Andersen and Bertel Thorvaldsen, all of whom stayed at and drew inspiration from the hotel. The crown jewel in the hotel’s collection is its 1,615-square-foot Royal Suite. This suite is opulence personified thanks to gilded paneling, plush carpeting, grand chandeliers and stunning views of the old Kongens Nytorv square, regal Royal Theatre and the iconic Nyhavn from its sweeping balcony. All guests can dine at the hotel’s signature eatery, the Michelin-starred Marchal, which also features a Sunday brunch widely considered to be among the best in the world as its perennially booked status should indicate; the wait list for this sublime spread spans months.

Kongens Nytorv 34, 1050 København, Denmark

SYDNEY

Photo Credit: Langham Hotels

THE LANGHAM SYDNEY

As a brand, The Langham is known for its supreme elegance, and its Sydney property follows suit. Located in The Rocks, one of the most idyllic neighborhoods in Sydney, this boutique property has plenty of boasting rights: Not only does it have magnificent views of Sydney Harbour and some of the largest guest rooms in the city, but it’s also home to the most high-end afternoon tea service in Sydney. Its hotelwide art collection was curated by Sotheby’s, and every element of its interiors was specifically custom-made for the hotel. Additional features include a tennis court, private butler service and a holistic spa with a 65-foot indoor heated pool famed for its ceiling―a star-dotted night sky. And now, the hotel is offering guests an unparalleled opportunity: the chance to buy out the whole property for $1 million AUD. With the Pure Decadence package, guests can take over all 98 rooms and suites as their own private residences—and have 110 hotel employees at their disposal for two nights. The package includes French champagne on demand, a jazz trio to entertain every night, daily pampering body treatments at the spa, specially designed meals, five on-call luxury town cars and a welcome gift.

89-113 Kent St., Millers Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia