11 Over The Top Maximalist Hotels that Celebrate the "Extra"

I love a good maximalist moment and typically seek out anything that's "extra" (in decor) when I travel. Over the top finishing mixed with lots of colors and textures and patterns and tiles and furnitures and decorations, it's never enough for me. Today, I'm sharing 11 over the top maximalist hotels that celebrate the extra with me. I've never been to any of these hotels, so I'm just as excited about seeing them as I wish I was there. (crying on the inside) (WARNING: lots of photos that would induce FOMO, check with your bank account before proceeding)

11. Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey

Images courtesy of Pera Palace Hotel

The Pera Palace Hotel, located in the Pera district of Istanbul, is a museum hotel built in the 1800s. The main purpose of the hotel was to host travellers on the Orient Express. I am absolutely obsessed with the Orient Express. Just lightly mention the Orient Express and I'm yours. The hotel went under a major renovation and reopened not even 10 years ago in 2010. Will you just look at the photos? The old time opulence mixed with the mysterious Turkish decor style. hmmmmmmmmmmm It looks so good, I wanna eat it. (Does anyone ever feel the need to devour something non edible? Just me?)

10. Royal Mansour Marrakech in Marrakech, Morocco

Images courtesy of Royal Mansour Marrakech

Once I came up with the idea of writing this blog post, the first place I researched on was Marrakech. It's no surprise to anyone that Marrakech is an epic central of maximalism. The Royal Mansour Marrakech was built under the instructions of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, with literally no budget, 1500 skilled workers, and 3 years building time. So you can expect the result to be luxurious and over the top. I also love this hotel because the purpose from the King is to show off the traditional craftsmanship of Morocco. If you're interested in this hotel, I highly recommend you reading this article by Forbes - it'll make you drool.

9. Residenza Ruspoli Bonaparte in Rome, Italy

Images courtesy of Residenza Ruspoli Bonaparte

Italian decor is well known for being ornate, so it's no surprise that this 16th century palace would make it onto this list. Residenza Ruspoli Bonaparte checks off everything on the list of opulence: intricate textiles on wallpaper and furniture (check), Rococo style decor, (check) lots and lots of gold embellishments (check). Oh, and did you look at the ceiling? The best part about all this is you get to stay a night where an emperor once lived!

8. Banyan Tree Ringha, in Shangri La, China

Image Courtesy of Banyan Tree Ringha

You may be surprise seeing the photos that this hotel is located in China. Lots do not know this, China is made of 55 ethnic minority groups in addition to the Han majority. The Banyan Tree Ringha hotel is located in the border of Yunnan province and the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, both of these regions are well known hometowns of many ethnic minority groups. The hotel celebrates the lesser known Chinese culture by transforming traditional Tibetan farmhouses into the beautiful accommodations that you see in the photos. You can even have a traditional Tibetan meal in a Mongolian yurt.

7. Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, USA

Images courtesy of Jefferson Hotel

Opened in 1895, the Jefferson Hotel in Virginia is among the oldest hotels in the US. You know the hotel is grand from the moment you walk in - from the amazing stained glass, to the sculptures, to the beaux arts architecture style, it is definitely over the top. I love the curved lobby ceiling in particular. The preservation of the hotel is done meticulously, I can almost image the guests walking through the doors in the 1900s.

6. Palace Hotel do Bussaco in Luso, Portgual

Images courtesy of Palace Hotel do Bussaco

Portugal is one of the places I've been dying to visit. I am so in love with azulejo, Portuguese and Spanish ceramic tile art, like the ones in the Palace Hotel do Bussaco. In fact, the hotel has preserved all of its original artwork from 1888. Another work commissioned by a king, it is no wonder Palace Hotel do Bussaco still stands out with its traditional elegance.

5. Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Images courtesy of Buj Al Arab

One of the tallest buildings in the world, the Buj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE was built to be an iconic symbol of Dubai. And that certainly has came true. You might have recognized the famous sail boat structure but did you know the inside is a super extra over the top hotel? From the interior architecture, to the boldly colored decor, to the various uses of textures, not one detail is missed, every corner you turn speaks splendor. It is definitely on my bucket list to stay at the Buj Al Arab.

4. Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes, Rwanda

Photos courtesy of Bisate Lodge

When I first saw Bisate Lodge, my reaction was WHATTTTTTTTT?!?!?!??!?!? How is this place real? Immediately, I mentally added it to my bucket list of places I MUST visit. Bisate Lodge is located in Volcanoes, Rwanda and is extremely exclusive as it only has 6 of these pod-like villas. Not only is it a luxury hotel, it is also an eco-sensitive safari camp that is dedicated to ape research for the conservation of mountain gorillas, a critically endangered species. If that doesn't make you wanna visit, I don't know what will.

3. Art Deco Imperial Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic

Images courtesy of Art Deco Imperial Hotel

Located in Prague, the Art Deco Imperial Hotel is a historic building that traces back to the 14th century. Even though the decorations do not look as grand as the other hotels on this list, I love this hotel because of its understated opulence. The lack of colors on its walls only shows off the detailed craftsmanship of every surface. If you love a lot of details but not a lot of colors, this hotel is for you.

2. Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Images courtesy of Emirates Palace

Ever since I watched Sex and City 2, I've been wanting to visit Abu Dhabi. (I just quickly googled and sadly found out it was actually filmed in Morocco) And when I do visit, the Emirates Palace is on the top of my list of places I would want to stay at. I'm just gonna put this out there: it cost 3 billion US dollars to build this hotel. No wonder why it's called the Emirates Palace. Think it looks a little familiar? The hotel was featured in the movie Fast and Furious 7. The Emirates Palace is the epitome of over the top. The hotel is humungous with a 1.3 km beach, majority of the suites are furnished in gold and marble, and there are 6 penthouse suites reserved for royalties only. This is why it's plaecd as No. 2 on this list.

1. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Photos courtesy of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

First of all, I know this isn't a traditional hotel but the extraness and the accommodation deserve a spot on this list. Ok, now that's out of the way... Ugh, where do I even begin? Like I mentioned earlier, I am OBSESSED with the Orient Express and the early 1900s traveller style and just anything art deco really. It is my #1 MUST DO on my bucket list to travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice. I want to live my vintage traveller to the mysterious East fantasy. Even though this "hotel" is a train, it is not lacking in comfort level and luxury value, it is meant to be an over the top experience after all. All of the details are there for you to fully feel like you are living in that time period. Not feeling London or Venice? They also got other destinations like Budapest, Paris, and Vernon.


Alright, everyone, here are 11 over the top maximalist hotels that celebrate the extra. Hope you all like it, don't forget to share and pin this post!
xx
Kim