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Luxury Hotel Guide Selector

Top 10 A Century of History Leading Stadiums of the World

In the Footsteps of Greatness

Seeing the sites of past Olympic Games offers the opportunity to relive the great events that broke records and made headlines. These Leading Hotels of the World provide incredible comfort and style, allowing for an inspiring trip filled with memorable sightseeing.

SWIM

Swim laps in the serene pool of this hotel adjacent to the stunning Borghese Garden, in homage to American swimmer Jeff Farrell, who qualified for the Olympics just days after undergoing surgery.

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GAZE

Gaze across the Amstel River in the first city to have an official Olympic torch (at the 1928 games) at this classic but beautifully updated hotel.

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DREAM

Dream about Gaudí architecture and Catalan cuisine in the sumptuous beds of this recently renovated hotel, while based in the city that hosted the U.S.'s basketball Dream Team in 1992.

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LUXURIATE

Luxuriate like a dignitary in this pampering ski chalet in the Trois Vallées, where the International Olympic Committee stayed during the 1992 Albertville games.

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DISCOVER

Discover the 'Dignified Luxury Program' at this LECS-certified Paris hotel, designed to preserve its local environment.

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EXPERIENCE

Experience Treatment fit for a queen at this historic Old Town hotel, located in the only city (so far) to have its Olympics opened by Queen Elizabeth II-until London, this month.

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DINE

Dine at this modern hotel's restaurant, Les Menus, run by the three-Michelin starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, in the capital that hosted an Olympics that broke over two hundred records.

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SEE

See mexico City (host of the 1968 Olympics) by bicycle on Sundays, when the pretty boulevard in front of this modern, centrally located hotel is closed to cars.

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APPRECIATE

Appreciate tradition at this classically decorated hotel in the South Korean capital where Florence Griffith Joyner set the-still-unbroken-record for the 200-meter race.

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Some of the 20th century's most important historical events affected Olympic host cities and vice versa, setting a dramatic stage for commentary and analysis around the world. The sites of these Winter Olympics have gone down in European history, which guests of these Leading Hotels of the World still sense during their visits. Set in glorious regions, the properties can be enjoyed in all seasons.

Badrutts Palace Hotel

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Badrutt's Palace Hotel, in the center of St. Moritz, has been synonymous with glitz and glamour since the resort opened as the Palace Hotel in 1896. Illustrious guests have included Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin, and today's jet set continues to embrace the luxurious vibe. Le Grand Hall, the spacious lobby, is a favorite see-and be-seen, whether après-ski or during the summertime when the hotel bustles with wellness seekers who come for the region's magnificent landscapes, as well as for the hotel's renowned spa, the Palace Wellness. Everything at Badrutt's Palace Hotel is high-profile and big name. Each of the rooms and suites comes with personalized butler service, and King's Club is St. Moritz's most buzzed-about nightclub.

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Cristallo Hotel Spa & Golf

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Nestled in the Italian Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo has been one of Europe's premier see-and-be-seen resorts since the early 1900’s, when royalty and high society wintered here. Even better than the people-watching, however, is the stunning setting: the town lies in a vast valley surrounded by jagged mountain ranges. No hotel boasts better views of the limestone cliff-faces than the Cristallo, thanks to the property's elevated hillside position. First opened in 1901, the hotel has beautiful interiors, full of hand-painted ceilings, boiserie and chandeliers. The acclaimed Transvital Swiss Beauty Center offers the latest in wellness and fitness technology. Most guests come here for the great outdoors (hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter), but the Cristallo is also a perfect perch for those craving relaxation.

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Hotel Continental

Oslo, Norway

Hotel Continental has been a beacon of luxury since its opening in 1900. Ideally located for business travelers, the property is just 25 minutes from the international airport, and has nine meeting rooms on two floors for conferences and events. Each bedroom is individually designed in a classic or contemporary style, and guests can choose from a tranquil courtyard view, or rooms looking out to the Oslo fjord. The legendary Vienna-style restaurant, Theatercaféen, is on the New York Times list of ten most famous cafés, and features portraits by Henrik Lund and Pedro and Ulf Aas. The hotel is closely connected to the art world and the largest privately owned collection of Edvard Munch paintings hang in the lobby bar, Dagligstuen.

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Olympic arenas are built to impress. These architectural feats are often decades ahead of their time, bringing pride to their host countries as the world's spotlight turns to them during the games. Visitors can tour the stadiums, and many cities have repurposed them to host sporting events and concerts.

Divani Apollon Palace & Spa

Athens, Greece

A stunning beachfront location combined with the most luxurious Thalassotherapy center in Europe make the Divani Apollon Palace & Spa a destination for well-being and relaxation. The 3,500 square– meter spa focuses on traditional techniques and state-of-the-art facilities, with 27 treatment rooms, Roman baths with two saunas, two Turkish baths and two exfoliation rooms. The sea views can be admired over the landscaped gardens from the two outdoor swimming pools, or the direct-access private beach where guests can relax under an umbrella or try sailing, snorkeling and jet skiing. The restaurant, Mythos of the Sea, offers Mediterranean cuisine plus spectacular views of Kavouri Bay, while afternoon tea and cocktails can be enjoyed on the outdoor verandah of Atlantis Lounge.

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Palace Hotel Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

The Palace Hotel faces the expansive grounds of the historic Edo Castle, today part of the Imperial Palace, and the moats and Wadakura Fountain Park, a view that can be enjoyed from guest’s private balcony when the hotel completes its extensive rebuilding in early 2012. The sleek modernization will breathe new life into a property that opened in a blaze of glory in 1961, with a lavish party for over 5,000 guests. Many of the best-loved details were kept and restored, including the Royal Bar that was designed by then-head-bartender Kiyoshi Imai. The location itself, next to the grounds of the Imperial Palace, but in the heart of the financial district is unbeatable. With its legacy of innovation and contemporary new look, the Palace Hotel is slated to make a splash in Tokyo’s hotel scene.

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Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel

Munich, Germany

Munich’s The Charles Hotel is an enclave for art lovers thanks to an abundance of original works displayed throughout: paintings by Franz von Lenbach, photography by Hubertus von Hohenlohe and Faber Castell sculptures. The location is equally culture-centric; it’s an easy walk to the Neue Pinakothek, the acclaimed museum focused on 18th- and 19th-century art. Part of The Rocco Forte Collection, The Charles Hotel (named after Sir Rocco Forte’s father), boasts some of the largest hotel rooms in town, with cheerful modern interiors and spacious limestone-clad bathrooms. Most have views of the Botanical Gardens and Munich’s pretty historical houses. The bustling setting is also the main draw of Davvero restaurant, whose leafy terrace is a lovely enclave during the spring and summer.

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