A special celebration deserves a memorable setting, whether it’s a suite overlooking Central Park, or a sun-drenched terrace by Lake Como.
The most sophisticated suites for hosting a slick soirée
By Elizabeth Winding
December 19, 2022
Some occasions demand a very special setting – and these suites fit that description, ticking every box (and probably a few more besides). Think chef-catered dinners, big birthdays, or intimate cocktail parties, with drinks expertly mixed at your in-suite bar and sipped on your own private terrace. Whatever you have in mind, we’ve picked six standout suites – from a Hong Kong penthouse with the latest tech for the slickest of business pitches, to a suite like no other for a birthday spree, with glittering views over Manhattan. And, if one suite just isn’t enough, commandeer a whole floor in Paris or whisk your guests off to Marrakech, where an eight-bedroom penthouse awaits.
The Entertainment Suite at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
In a city accustomed to luxury, the Entertainment Suite at The Landmark, Hong Kong is in a different league, pairing old-fashioned glamour with state-of-the-art tech. It’s tailor-made for pitches and parties alike, with its laser projector, immersive audio and 13ft cinema screen. There are sommelier-selected wines on tap and a well-stocked mixology stand, plus a PlayStation, VR headset and in-suite DJ booth. Chefs from the hotel’s two-starred team can rustle up epic feasts, while a secret drawer is stocked with after-dinner Cuban cigars.
Need to know: Have a spin on the 1930s jukebox, whose rock’n’roll tunes run from ‘Peggy Sue’ to Little Richard’s ‘Tutti Frutti’.
Suite 5000 at Mandarin Oriental, New York
Dance the night away in Suite 5000, perched on the 50th floor of Mandarin Oriental, New York. It’s a 3,300sqft pad with skyline city vistas, whose palatial living space is perfect for parties. That might mean a decadent dinner for ten conjured up in the in-suite kitchen, or borrowing a bartender for precision-mixed martinis. Its New York-inspired stack of records, meanwhile, makes for the perfect soundtrack, whether it’s a Miles Davis album or burst of punk rock from the Ramones.
Need to know: There are two exquisite bedrooms, but our pick is the master suite, with its circular black-marble tub and statement chandelier.
Villa Del Lago at Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como
The Villa Del Lago may not strictly be a suite, but it’s worth bending the rules for, with its water’s-edge lawns, mesmerising views and private dock on Lake Como. It’s a backdrop like no other for big birthdays and ideal for extended family gatherings, with a games room for kids, a bar and library for the grown-ups and three spacious bedrooms. Lunches, ceremonies, dinners and drinks can be set up in the gardens – at their most romantic come sunset, when the sky is streaked pink and gold.
Need to know: For smaller get-togethers, book the Panoramic Suite with Private Pool, with its terrace dining, dreamy pool and distractingly lovely views.
The Penthouse Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona
Pull out all the stops at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, with a stay in its elegant Penthouse Suite. Occupying an entire floor, it’s ideal for a cocktail party, with second-to-none city vistas from its loggia-sheltered terrace. The Barcelona Suite, meanwhile, is smaller but impossibly romantic, with its private butler, bath-with-a-view and magnificent terrace (if a proposal is on the cards, this is the perfect setting).
Need to know: The guest experience team can assist with special requests, from arranging canapés and cocktails to ordering cakes and flowers.
Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
Thinking big? We know just the place; Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai’s expansive Presidential Suite. Set on the 25th floor, it’s on an epic scale, with a dining space that seats up to 30 (naturally, it has its own kitchen, fully staffed on request). The vast living room has a member’s-club vibe, not to mention a baby grand piano, while two sky garden terraces have scene-stealing views over the city and Huangpu River.
Need to know: The suite has a private wine cellar, to stock with your vintages of choice
The Presidential Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Luzern
Welcome to Mandarin Oriental, Luzern, a beautifully restored Belle Époque grande dame set on Lake Lucerne. It’s just the place for a special birthday or anniversary – especially if you’re checking into the Presidential Suite. Set in a fairy-tale turret, it’s a masterclass in understated luxury, with its cream-and-gold bedroom and sculpture-dotted living room. Below a hand-blown glass chandelier, its dining table seats up to six, with an Asian-inspired menu and the glossiest profiteroles.
Need to know: The Panoramic Rooftop Terrace Suite is another occasion-worthy stay, with mountain-backdropped views from its terrace.