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00:01There are nearly 800,000 hotels in the world.
00:05But for those for whom money is no object...
00:08What an amazing view.
00:09It's a special treat for us.
00:11Cheers, lad.
00:13With only the wealthiest and luckiest able to discover them.
00:16Best suite of the hotel. It's about 15,000 on a normal day.
00:21Whether it's a secluded, barefoot luxury escape...
00:24Look at that beer.
00:25How does a place like this exist?
00:28Or decadent pampering in a former palace.
00:31If a guest wants to have a stay in feel like a prince or princess,
00:35this is exactly what they are looking for.
00:37To living in the fast lane.
00:39We will also give you a supercar.
00:41You could change that every day.
00:43There really is no limit when it comes to opulence and grandeur.
00:48This is the best experience that the guest is gonna find in Monaco, for sure.
00:52I don't know how you're gonna find an even better hotel than this one.
01:06In one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods, a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and exclusive Knightsbridge,
01:15sits the Lanesborough Hotel, the epitome of British luxury.
01:22Butler!
01:23Boasting Regency-inspired architecture, with classic individual colour schemes,
01:28the Lanesborough Hotel, with 23-carat gold-leaf designs, and handcrafted and handmade carpets from the manufacturer who supplies the
01:37royal family, no less.
01:39The Lanesborough Hotel prides itself on its class and sophistication.
01:43The best room in the hotel, the Royal Suite, upwards of a staggering £20,000 a night,
01:49is where director Stanley Kubrick filmed Eyes Wide Shut.
01:53As well as opulent and luxurious bedrooms and surroundings,
01:56it's the concierge experience that this hotel is famous for.
02:01Anything is possible here, for those who can afford it.
02:05Simon is the man who'll make it happen.
02:07Concierge is quite unique.
02:09It's a vocation.
02:10You have to love interacting with people.
02:13A lot of the guests that come to the hotel, they might be money rich, but they're time poor.
02:18Luxury is giving the guests what they want.
02:20Ultimate luxury is giving the guests what they want before they know they want it.
02:25You know, it's defining something original, so they go, wow.
02:28For elite guests, the Lanesborough offers experiences and services you can't find anywhere else.
02:35What I'm very proud to say is I think we're the only hotel in the world that,
02:39with our signature suites, we give you a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce for the duration of your stay.
02:44And if you thought a Rolls-Royce was impressive...
02:47What is unique to the Lanesborough is that we will also give you a supercar.
02:51We have Ferraris, Lamborghinis, which is yours to drive as you feel free with or without a chauffeur.
02:57And you could change that every day.
03:00But a signature suite, with a supercar attached, can cost over £100,000 per week.
03:07Built and named after James Lane, the second Viscount Lanesborough in 1719,
03:13this Grade II listed building was originally an elegant country mansion for London's well-heeled elite.
03:19In 1733, it was turned into a hospital.
03:22And it wasn't until 1991 that a major refurbishment transformed it into the iconic hotel that it is today.
03:30And that classic renovation cost hundreds of millions.
03:35The Lanesborough is quintessentially British.
03:38It's as close as staying in Buckingham Palace as you possibly can.
03:41This collection of furniture, fabrics, art, the general feeling within the hotel is extremely British.
03:51The hotel also hosts 2,000 pieces of Regency art, the largest collection not housed in a London museum or
03:59gallery.
04:00Also 54 crystal chandeliers, the heaviest of which is 200 kilograms, hanging majestically in the restaurant.
04:09And there are over 5,500 handcrafted stencils showcased throughout the guest rooms.
04:20All of the 93 luxurious suites and rooms come with personal, on-call, 24-7 butler service.
04:28Butlers are allocated to guests for the duration of their stay to offer a seamless service.
04:35The head butler is Jocelyn.
04:38A butler service was started for the royal family back in the day, but that has been incorporated into the
04:44private households as well as the hotels.
04:46For elite butlers like Jocelyn, discretion is paramount.
04:50Whatever happens in the room stays in the room.
04:53And the butlers have a unique way of keeping one step ahead.
04:58In each and every room we have got infrared signals which monitors the guest moments.
05:04The guest asks for butler call, it will show us blue in colour.
05:07If the guest is out, it will show us yellow in colour.
05:10And if the room is on privacy, it will show us red in colour.
05:13So it's very important for the butler to know the moments of the guest.
05:17And we communicate the moments from the butler to various outlets.
05:21Today, butler Giacomo is on a deadline to deliver a five-star lunch.
05:26In-room dining and butlers are mixed together in this hotel, so we do both things.
05:32Very lucky couple is about to have not just any lunch, but lovely champagne lunch.
05:36So I have the honour of going to their room and presenting that for them, which is very exciting.
05:40We offer that extra special touch to make this not just a stay at any hotel,
05:44but a really memorable stay here with us at the Lanesboro.
05:48Butlers, good morning, madam. How are you today?
05:52Wonderful. May I come in with your lovely lunch?
05:55But it's not just the resident patrons that this luxury hotel welcomes.
05:59High-end fashion influencer Isabel has come for a fitting for the upcoming gala season
06:04with her award-winning couture stylist, Martin.
06:08Isabel, darling, how are you? Nice to meet you.
06:11So nice to meet you. Please come in.
06:13We're here today for a truly bespoke experience, and that's exactly what we do with these couture designs.
06:17Everything is usually fully bespoke, so it's all about the customer experience.
06:20They need to feel comfortable. They need to feel like it's private, like they can really express themselves.
06:24And a hotel like this is just perfect for that.
06:28Martin's brought over £50,000 worth of high-end haute couture pieces for Isabel to try on.
06:34Each dress can sell for more than £4,000.
06:39Oh, my God, look at you. You look fantastic.
06:41This feels amazing.
06:44No, it's perfect. Of course, it's too big for you because your waist is hardly even there.
06:47But utterly stunning. Honestly, really, really beautiful.
06:49I love it.
06:50We would raise the waistline for you a little bit just to get the proportions right.
06:54Beautiful. Okay, should we get to the next one?
06:56Yes, please.
06:57Yes.
07:00I thought I liked the last one.
07:02This is amazing.
07:03You look stunning. Oh, my God.
07:05Let's have a look. Let's see.
07:07I can't breathe.
07:08So, excellent. Should we take it in a bit more?
07:10More? I can't breathe as it is.
07:13Well, that's couture, darling.
07:20And what better destination to flaunt those fancy frocks than the Côte d'Azur?
07:26For the super-rich, this is the place to head for the ultimate glitz and glamour.
07:32Monaco, a tiny principality where royals live alongside the multimillionaires who make up a third of its population.
07:40It's home to some of the most prestigious events on the elite global calendar.
07:44The Rose Ball, the Super Yacht Show, and, of course, the Formula One Grand Prix,
07:50which attracts the glitterati and super-wealthy in their droves.
07:54Built in 1886 on land that formerly belonged to the Pope,
07:58the legendary hotel, Metropole Monte Carlo, is one of the grandest and most luxurious hotels in the country.
08:05Bonjour.
08:06Bonjour, madame. Good morning.
08:07Good morning, the mise-en-scene in the 125 rooms, of which 64 are suites,
08:12was created by renowned interior designer Jacques Garcia,
08:16who helped refurbish both the Louvre and the Palace de Versailles.
08:21Amongst the celebrities who've stayed here are Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez.
08:27A four-night stay during the Grand Prix can cost an eye-watering £200,000.
08:33But if the guest has to ask the price, it's probably not for them.
08:37General manager Mr Serge Ethouin and his staff are determined to deliver a unique experience.
08:43Attention to detail is my definition of luxury, but I have another one.
08:47And I always often say to my team,
08:50we've won the luxury battle when we were able to talk to people's heart and not to people's mind.
08:58Because you would come back in a hotel if you are emotionally touched.
09:02The main objective is to create an experience so that people will come again and again.
09:08The Metropole is full of features and amenities which guests won't find anywhere else in the world,
09:13including the signature La Suite Carré d'Or.
09:16The best suite of the hotel, located on the roof of the hotel.
09:20This is, of course, our most expensive room.
09:23It's about 15,000 on a normal day.
09:26The suite's interior is the brainchild of globally renowned designer Jacques Garcia.
09:32Using luxuriant fabrics of silk, damask and brocades,
09:36Garcia was influenced by a famous textile designer, Pierre Frey, and cost was no object.
09:43Natural light floods the room from the large floor-to-ceiling windows.
09:48And here we are in the master bedroom, of course.
09:51The spacious bedroom opens out onto a dressing area with a generous marble and gold bathroom.
09:58And then, there's the view.
10:01The sea, the sun, the casino, you are just in the centre of Monaco.
10:06This sells the destination and the principality Monaco as its best.
10:11The vista is truly one of a kind, and that uniqueness extends to the hotel's pool,
10:17created by the world-famous designer, Karl Lagerfeld.
10:21When you think that the price per square metre here is above 100,000 euros,
10:27a tower would have got a much higher return on investment.
10:31But the decision was made to allocate that space to the wellbeing of our guests.
10:36So that makes it probably one of the most expensive swimming pools in the world.
10:41And in order to retain those A-list guests, the hotel has invested in a brand new state-of-the
10:47-art spa,
10:48designed by legendary master perfumers Guerlain.
10:53Since opening its first boutique in Paris in 1828,
10:57Guerlain has established itself as one of the world's leading beauty brands.
11:01In charge is spa director Julie.
11:05Lucky guest Alex is having an exclusive trio of treatments, starting with a rejuvenating massage.
11:12So Marie is doing the Monaco Glow, that's her emblematic and signature facial here for Monaco.
11:19This isn't just any facial.
11:21These eye globes, designed to boost blood circulation and reveal a brighter complexion,
11:26contain 24-carat gold, yes, gold flakes.
11:29Three of the brochures, they are signature.
11:33So the Monaco Glow, Puissance du Rocher, the deep massage.
11:36And to finish the best, the golden sand.
11:40The full trio of exclusive treatments can stretch to four figures.
11:45I feel very good, it's very relaxed.
11:49The final treatment, golden sand, involves lying on a bespoke massage table,
11:55which has been filled with sand-like grains of warm quartz.
11:59The masseuse then gently moves the grains beneath the body,
12:02for a super-luxury, soporific experience.
12:05Here in Monaco, we don't have any competitors.
12:09This is the best experience that the guests are going to find in Monaco.
12:12The Metropole is not just about relaxation, it's also a place to be seen.
12:18I have favourite hotels all over the world, but there's something that makes you feel at home.
12:29For the super-elite in search of the ultimate five-star escape,
12:33where royalty and celebrities might rub sun loungers by the pool,
12:37then the Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo is the ultimate exclusive playground.
12:44This is Monaco at its most finest, most extravagant and definitely most indulgent.
12:53The hotel has three very exclusive restaurants.
12:57Yoshi, one of the French Riviera's most highly regarded Japanese eateries.
13:03Odyssey, located in a chic rooftop lounge designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
13:08And Les Ambassadeurs, the two-star Michelin restaurant, overlooking the world-famous racetrack.
13:15The food isn't the only unique offering in this haute cuisine emporium.
13:21Restauranteur Marco is in charge of all things front of house.
13:25What we have to try every single moment to be on the top of the top.
13:31And that ethos extends to dinnerware.
13:35And part of the experience of the guest is our show plate, unique in the world.
13:39These hand-blown glass plates have been exclusively commissioned for the restaurant
13:44by the award-winning Paris-based artist Jeremy Maxwell Wintreber.
13:49More like pieces of art, with works by Wintreber going for tens of thousands of pounds.
13:57The kitchen is run by multi-award-winning executive head chef Christophe Kusak,
14:02who combines monogasque and Mediterranean flavors to create exceptional one-of-a-kind dishes.
14:09Signature plates include marinated sardines with manton lemon,
14:14lobster lasagna with tarragon, as well as sea bream tartare.
14:19For guests who desire something sweeter,
14:21the patisserie here includes an incredible daily array of artisanal breads and mouth-watering desserts.
14:29But decadence comes with a price tag.
14:32Dining at Les Ambassadeurs can cost well over £500 for two.
14:36And when you've sampled the extensive wine list, that could be as much as four figures.
14:42Local businessman Frederick has been a regular customer for many years.
14:46Bon appétit.
14:47We have inside, he's done a very mollo egg, and then he's put on the right-hand side this exceptional
14:53caviar.
14:58Exceptional.
14:59Just, it hits at the back.
15:00It's brilliant with the caviar that comes in at the end.
15:02But it is, it's the reflection of the restaurant, of the hotel.
15:05Can I try?
15:06You've got to be able to come to this hotel, stay in the hotel, go down here for dinner, go
15:10to the bar for a drink afterwards.
15:11The whole thing has got to be on a certain level.
15:13You're coming for the whole experience from the moment you walk in that door.
15:16And that's where luxury starts.
15:20This hotel is a magnet for fashionistas, and is regularly used as a backdrop for exclusive luxurious photo shoots.
15:28Today, acclaimed and internationally renowned dress designer Isabel Christensen, who is a prominent Monogasque socialite, has exclusive use of one
15:37of the suites.
15:38We've chosen the setting of a hotel room because I very often fit clients specifically coming here for the Belle
15:45de la Croix Rouge, or for the Yacht Show, or for the Formula One.
15:49Like, yeah, interactive one.
15:52Isabel's haute couture pieces are as unique as the hotel itself.
15:56Her bespoke, one-of-a-kind dresses have sold for as much as £36,000.
16:02When you see one of the pieces, I'd like you to think of luxury, because it's very luxurious putting on
16:08a gown that's made specially for you.
16:10Yeah, that's beautiful. I love that, sitting down.
16:13For Isabel, this hotel is close to her heart.
16:16I have come to the Metropole very often.
16:19I have favourite hotels all over the world, but there's something that makes you feel at home.
16:24A hotel that's been receiving guests since 1889 has to work relentlessly in order to keep its magnificent luxurious status.
16:33Constant upkeep is essential to attract the world's elite, so current refurbishment is a priority for manager Jean-Marc.
16:42I'm very excited to be working on the renovation project, and luckily I had quite some extensive experience in renovations.
16:50With ten rooms and suites due to open next week, Jean-Marc and general manager Mr Ethuin are on the
16:57third floor, carrying out a detailed inspection.
17:03So, that looks quite good, huh?
17:05And when you look at the way that furniture is closing, this is really what we like, you know.
17:12No noise, I really enjoy that.
17:15They demand an exceptional level of precision.
17:19When you see the amount of work it takes just to do one panel, it's a piece of art in
17:24itself.
17:25Although classical in appearance, the new rooms have been updated with world-class state-of-the-art innovation.
17:31The idea of that is to separate the night part of the junior suite from the day part of the
17:39junior suite.
17:40So, as you can see, a mirror on one side, television on the other side, and they're never going to
17:47be built again.
17:48Unique to the metropole. That's what we like. Things you wouldn't find anywhere else in the world.
17:52From its award-winning world-class cuisine to its luxurious bedrooms and guest experiences, this hotel oozes class and sophistication.
18:02A magnificent sanctuary of opulence designed to be a home away from home for the Uber elite.
18:08Typically, as you enter the hotel through the archway, it's like entering a kind of oasis.
18:14And not everyone can access this part of the world.
18:17It gives them the feeling of being members, part of the club.
18:22The Metropole Monte Carlo, over the years, has always tried to differentiate itself from the competition of other hotels in
18:29the French radio era.
18:30That's extremely important for us.
18:33DNA, culture, authenticity, personality.
18:37When you're at the Hotel Metropole, you don't need to go anywhere else.
18:40So that means our guests are in confidence when they come to the hotel.
18:44We know what they expect, and we know how to make their stay memorable.
18:50And that's what makes a luxury hotel for me.
18:55But for those dreaming of slower days, warmer sands and tropical island bliss, there's another kind of hotel paradise awaiting.
19:05The island of St. Lucia is a jewel in the Caribbean's crown, where the super wealthy seek exclusivity, pampering and
19:13elite service.
19:14It's known for its lush rainforests, silver sand beaches, and world-famous piton volcanic spires.
19:23Perched majestically above a 600-acre beachfront estate and looking more like a James Bond villain's lair,
19:32The Jade Mountain Resort offers a striking blend of organic architecture that frames these awe-inspiring panoramas.
19:40This magnificent marble structure reflects the gemstone it's named after.
19:45If I had to describe Jade Mountain, I would be torn between magical and inspirational.
19:55Magical because when you see it for the first time, it's almost unreal.
20:00Inspirational because there's almost something in the air that you really want to forget about your everyday life.
20:07But guests won't want to forget those spectacular views.
20:11Every room offers breathtaking panoramas.
20:15And the open-plan design creates a feeling of being at one with nature.
20:21Rooms can cost over £3,000 a night and come complete with their own private infinity pools.
20:28This unique piece of architecture was the vision of Carolyn's late husband, Nick Trebetskoy.
20:36Nick, when he dreamt about Jade Mountain, he wanted to have his guests enjoy the surroundings without walls.
20:46Feeling part of the air, the sun, the water, the scenery, and as he always liked to put it, floating
20:53on a magic carpet.
20:57It took Nick over three years of painstaking labour and £35 million to make his creative vision a reality.
21:06A majestic curved behemoth adorned with verdant lush green foliage.
21:15The building's bold futuristic design makes it one of the most striking structures on the island.
21:21It is really finished to a very high level, your suite that is up to 900 square feet in size,
21:30where you have exquisite furniture and of course you have excellent service.
21:37Today, American couple Lara and Andrew have just arrived and are greeted by their personal butler, Teddy.
21:45Teddy is one of six butlers, or majordomos as they're known, who work at the hotel.
21:50Mr. and Mrs. Bianco, your signature drink, this is called a Bentley, freshly squeezed lime juice, soda water, pomegranate syrup,
21:57and the sugarcane stick is your story.
22:02Many of the major domos undertake months of intensive training by the British Guild of Butler's to deliver world-class
22:09stellar service.
22:10Our job is to ensure every client who steps in there is spoilt beyond. From arrival, we do packing, unpacking.
22:20Every request is honoured here at Jim Mountain.
22:23The ratio of five staff per guest means every wish is fulfilled, and your butler is always on call.
22:31So anytime you pick this up, all you do is hit the send button twice, and you could reach the
22:36butler at any given time.
22:38Lara and Andrew are celebrating their second honeymoon, so have spared no expense by staying in one of the hotel's
22:45top-of-the-range galaxy suites.
22:46There are 29 suites in total, and each is known as a sanctuary. Luxury, comfort, and minimalism are the themes
22:55here.
22:56Tropical hardwoods, concrete steel, and sustainably sourced furnishings adorn this hotel.
23:03But always in plain sight are those stunning, unrestricted views of the Piton Mountains and the Caribbean Sea.
23:12Kindly, take me this way.
23:13Oh my gosh.
23:15Oh my gosh.
23:17What do you think is this beautiful?
23:19Unbelievable.
23:20This is insane.
23:21Look at that view.
23:21How does a place like this exist?
23:24This will be your home for the next two weeks with us.
23:27Unbelievable.
23:28We might not ever leave.
23:31Our first impressions of the room were that this is just breathtaking.
23:35Unbelievably beautiful.
23:37To really feel like you're sleeping outside almost in this amazing natural environment.
23:45I can't wait to take a dip in the pool.
23:47I can't see how you could top it.
23:50So pretty.
23:55In London, in the heart of the bustling city.
23:59What the elite crave most is privacy, intimacy, and a haven of luxury.
24:05The Lanesboro Hotel has all three.
24:08One of the capital's most celebrated cocktail destinations.
24:13The library bar sits in a discreet corner of the hotel.
24:18Distinguished by its outstanding mixology, it's a venerable liquid museum of spirits.
24:25The bar is home to cognacs dating back to the 1770s and is staffed by a team of award-winning
24:31experts.
24:32Led by deputy bar manager Angel.
24:37People, they are coming here for experience of a spirit that they cannot find it in the world.
24:43They cannot buy it.
24:45It's not like, I call Amazon, oh, you can have this bottle.
24:48No.
24:49Those bottles, only collectors have it.
24:52This bar has one of the most extensive collections of vintage spirits in the world.
24:58But the prices are definitely not for the faint-hearted.
25:02You have over here are brandies or cognacs that they survived, literally, the French Revolution.
25:10We are talking about history.
25:12We are not talking about just a drink.
25:14We are talking about around £6,500 for a double shot.
25:21That's the price just for a little shot.
25:25And for a mere £120,000, guests can purchase a whole bottle.
25:31Although Angel has his own personal preference.
25:34There is one question from every guest.
25:37What is your favourite bottle?
25:39My favourite bottle, I'm saying, is the empty one.
25:45And for one lucky couple, they'll soon get to experience the hotel's full wining and dining experience.
25:53Happy wedding anniversary means celebration.
25:55And celebration means champagne.
25:57Cheers.
26:06In London, at the Lanesborough Hotel, the staff go to extreme lengths to provide impeccable service,
26:14especially with its fine dining and fancy drinking.
26:18Senior sommelier, Jules, has been studying his craft for well over a decade, developing his understanding and expertise at the
26:26court of master sommeliers.
26:282022 in Burgundy, for instance, has been spot on, you know, very sunny, more cool, cool vintage, higher acidity, less
26:37opulence.
26:37In the cellar, the hotel keeps upwards of 4,300 cases of wine and over 650 different varieties, celebrating some
26:46of the best vineyards and suppliers from around the world.
26:50This is your shot weekend, one of the best white wine in the world.
26:54And at £6,500 per bottle, it ought to be.
26:58Some classic vintages cost as much as £45,000 each, but it's not just about the price for Jules.
27:05Wine is a beverage which is made for drinking, not to be made for, to be complicated.
27:12The communication between the guests and us as a sommelier needs to be a discovery, a curiosity.
27:19It's about memories, it's about a souvenir.
27:23It's a special moment that we want to deliver to the guests.
27:28Meanwhile in the restaurant, Anita and Joseph are here for a special occasion.
27:33One of our guests tonight are celebrating their wedding anniversary and we do like to offer a glass of complimentary
27:40champagne.
27:41At over £200 a bottle, it's a pretty special celebratory glass of bubbly.
27:46Messieurs, dames, congratulations.
27:49Thank you so much.
27:51Happy wedding anniversary means celebration and celebration means champagne.
27:56Of course, always.
27:58We have the pleasure to offer a glass of Ruinard Blanc de Blanc for this occasion.
28:04Lovely, thank you.
28:06Lovely, thank you so much.
28:08You're welcome.
28:09This hotel would be an example of pure English luxury.
28:13It wouldn't be something we would do every weekend.
28:16It's a special treat for us.
28:18So, we save it every moment.
28:20Cheers.
28:20Cheers.
28:21Happy anniversary.
28:22Happy anniversary.
28:26It's a team, you know, it has to be a team effort.
28:29For example, you have some good players, some support players, but everybody works together to score those goals.
28:35And it really is the same in a hotel.
28:38That's the hard part of luxury service, not just cookie cutter and repeating something.
28:45It's about tailoring each stay to that particular person.
28:50And you can only do that if for the whole hotel, everybody is in tune with what that guest wants
28:57and treating them as individuals.
29:06Over 4,000 miles away in St. Lucia, at Jade Mountain, it's all about getting back to nature.
29:15Cool, clear crystal water hugs the black volcanic sands of the two exclusive beaches here.
29:23The resort is renowned for its commitment to coral reef conservation, so guests can snorkel and dive among marine wildlife,
29:31including angelfish, seahorses and turtles.
29:41Appreciating nature is part of this hotel's DNA, and guests are actively encouraged to explore the incredible surrounding landscape,
29:50including the resort's 30-acre organic farm, Manu is the hotel's guide.
29:56I love it, my brother, to show my people all the natural stuff we have around.
30:01I give them the walk, I give it in my open heart, and I share a lot with them, you
30:05know.
30:06Twice a day, I have the morning walk, and the afternoon walk.
30:11And guests even get the chance to sample nature's bounty.
30:16Cocoa beans pod. Chocolate. As young boys, you crack open the pod, the white stuff you suck on it, you
30:21call it the jungle M&Ms.
30:24I will crack it open so that you can see the beautiful stuff everybody loves.
30:29I will take one of those beans.
30:32Mmm, man.
30:38From bean to bar, creating and making organic chocolate is one of the hotel's exclusive culinary experiences.
30:46This is such an art.
30:48Oh, yes.
30:50Alex and Nate from Louisiana are celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary.
30:54They're being guided in the art of all things chocolate by the resort's resident chocolatier, Daniel.
31:02So, the longer you move it, the thicker the chocolate gets.
31:07Now, the thicker it gets, the better means it's cooling down.
31:11When you're doing this, you need to have some fun. Come on, let's go.
31:14This is where you're supposed to put the music on.
31:17Well, I don't have the music, but I can sing for you.
31:19That's fine.
31:21With the price of gourmet chocolate at an all-time high, Jade Mountain is working with some of the best
31:26beans St. Lucia has to offer.
31:28When it comes to our experience, it does add that luxury, because we actually engage our guests with the tours,
31:36which fascinates a lot of our guests.
31:38Just like drywalling, we fix up the holes.
31:43You make it look easy, so then I feel like I can do it.
31:49Just like that.
31:50This was my first time ever making chocolate or doing anything like this, so this was really special.
31:57Yeah, very cool.
31:58It's time, you can dig in, have a bite, have a taste.
32:01Here we go.
32:06The chocolate was the best chocolate I've ever had in my life.
32:10These are incredible.
32:12We will definitely be taking a lot of chocolate.
32:14We will take back as much as you can carry.
32:16As much as we can fit in our carry-ons.
32:20From the cocoa beans of the Caribbean, to a country which boasts its own culinary love affair.
32:32Paris, France, the ultimate chic luxury destination.
32:37The city exudes glamour with its exquisite architecture, exclusive high-end fashion and culinary prowess.
32:45Boasting over 123 Michelin-starred restaurants located in one of the most expensive real estate districts in the country, against
32:54a backdrop of jaw-dropping views of that famous Eiffel Tower, is a former palace which holds monumental historical status,
33:04the Shangri-La Paris.
33:05Very well.
33:10Here, Parisian style thrives, with its marble grand staircase, crystal chandeliers, priceless stained glass and abundant gold leaf accents.
33:25It's a cornucopia of luxury.
33:28With 100 rooms and suites, some of the privileged guests here get a room with a view, but not just
33:35any view.
33:36In order to experience the best view and suite in the house, guests may have to part with a cool
33:42£15,000 a night.
33:45Resident manager Pascal is passionate about her role here.
33:49I'm beginning my ninth year in this beautiful property.
33:53Love at first sight? Yes, it was.
33:55It's more than a hotel.
33:57It was a residence and now it's a beautiful architectural hotel.
34:02And this delightful mix between the beautiful location, the heritage, the building, the riches of all these decor elements and
34:13our hospitality mindset, I think makes the magic for our guests.
34:20This place is not just a luxury hotel, it's a real tribute to history here.
34:25Originally, this building has been built at the end of the 19th century for a prince called the Prince Roland
34:31Bonaparte.
34:31Prince Roland Bonaparte, the original owner of the palace, was the last male descendant of the Bonaparte line and was
34:39the great grand-nephew of Emperor Napoleon himself.
34:42He really was proud of his great uncle, Napoleon I. This is why here we still have a lot of
34:48signs about the symbols of Napoleon Bonaparte.
34:52The prince was famed for his love and appreciation of natural sciences, particularly anthropology and botany.
34:59So here it was not just a home, it was a home but also a big building of science.
35:05The prince traveled the globe searching out rare botanical specimens, so much so that the palace became the biggest private
35:12greenhouse in the world.
35:14And that botanical love has been preserved to the present day.
35:19Entering the lobby, the flora, fauna and aroma, as well as the palatial grandeur and ornate decoration, is what the
35:27super rich will encounter first.
35:29And it's atelier floral Emma's job, who has worked with Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton to ensure nothing is out
35:37of place.
35:37It is very important to have fresh flowers in the lobbies because it is the first impression for the clients
35:43when they enter in the hotel.
35:46We change the flowers three times per week.
35:49And the flowers are imported from nearby Holland and Italy.
35:52We don't buy flowers from outside Europe. We don't want the flowers to be transported by plane, only with trucks.
36:01Manager Pascal has come to check the displays, ensuring they're of the highest standard.
36:07Hello Emma. That's exactly what we wanted. The colours, the variety. It's going to be great for this week.
36:14And the team takes inspiration from events occurring in the city.
36:19A lot of clients actually take pictures. So we need to work on a theme every month, every season, depending
36:26on what's going on in the hotel, in the city.
36:30If there's something happening that will inspire our team, then we will, of course, create a flower decoration, like a
36:39sports event, fashion week or even the Tour de France.
36:45The impressive floor displays light up a building, bursting with heritage and fine art.
36:53You can see the beautiful staircase where you have different symbols, the African statue, which is a symbol of science
37:00and geography, bearing the light.
37:02And you can see here the angel on the hearse bearing the light as well.
37:05When you look at the ceiling, you have a map here of the world and around the map you have
37:10all the zodiac signs.
37:11The zodiac ceiling and a bronze statue of a child holding a torch is an ever-present reminder of this
37:19hotel's scientific roots.
37:22From ground to ceiling, its ornate opulence is on full show, culminating in its sweeping steel and brass staircase, known
37:31as the Staircase of Honour.
37:33It epitomizes the hotel's timeless grandeur.
37:37In 2005, the hotel underwent a four-year, multi-million-pound renovation by an East Asian billionaire who gave the
37:46hotel its distinct je ne sais quoi in order to transform it into the hotel it is today.
37:53And it's these quintessential touches that never fail to surprise.
37:58Look at the chocolate!
38:00Wow! Do you like that?
38:06At the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, the premium ambiance and the incredible surroundings are de rigueur.
38:13But it's the service which this hotel prides itself on, and the devils in the detail.
38:20Our job was to add a luxury touch with the way we welcome our guests, we take care, we surprise
38:30them, we enchant their stay. That is the other part of the luxury.
38:36We provide very exclusive experiences to our guests. They expect the best. Perfection is really what we always want to
38:44do, and there is no other way to do things than perfect.
38:48In pursuit of five-star excellence, new guests, business owners Rosalind and husband Graham, have arrived, along with six-year
38:57-old son, Leo.
38:58Hello. Nice to meet you.
39:00Hello. Nice to meet you, Robin. Nice to meet you.
39:04Nice to meet you. Welcome.
39:06Thank you very much. After you.
39:12Welcome to your suite.
39:14Oh, look! It's my favourite flowers.
39:17Yeah, the blue coral.
39:18Oh, thank you.
39:18And I'm changing for you, sir.
39:20Oh, thank you very much.
39:22Oh, wow. The Eiffel Tower, Mummy.
39:25What an amazing view.
39:26Do you think you could climb to the top?
39:29Yes.
39:30All the individually designed rooms and suites here have been lovingly restored to their original grandeur.
39:37An Eiffel view room with a view comes in at just under £3,500 a night.
39:43But if guests really want to live like royalty, then they'll have to fork out £15,000 a night for
39:50the hotel's pièce de résistance, l'appartement Bonaparte.
39:54Oh, mon Dieu!
39:56With its marble bathroom, period furniture, and crystal chandeliers, it really is fit for a king.
40:03So we are in one of our signature suites called the Apartment of the Prince Roland Bonaparte.
40:08This is actually the largest suite we have at the hotel.
40:10It's really where the private apartment of the prince was located.
40:14The suite itself is 3,390 square feet of living space and is over 23 times larger than the average
40:23Parisian hotel room.
40:24This is the dining room over here with a beautiful chandelier.
40:27And when we continue walking, we arrive in the beautiful bedroom.
40:34So this is the royal bedroom.
40:36So if a guest wants to have a stay in Paris and to feel like a prince or a princess,
40:41this is exactly, I think, what they are looking for.
40:44And guests need look no further than the hand-painted 16-foot-high ceilings embossed with authentic crown mouldings.
40:52Or the king-size luxury bed with its 1,000-thread count sheets to know they're in a regal boudoir.
40:59This is the actual design that it looked like at the end of the 19th century.
41:03But at one time, the view wasn't to everyone's taste.
41:08This is the kind of view the prince used to have.
41:10And you can see it's not the view on the Eiffel Tower.
41:13That was just because the Eiffel Tower was built just before this building in 1889 for the international exhibition.
41:21And actually, at the time, the Parisians did not like the Eiffel Tower.
41:24It was meant to be dissembled, so there was no point for the prince to have the view on the
41:28tower.
41:28So he chose to have the view on the street and at the front of his mansion.
41:33In the hotel restaurant, guests Rosalind and Graham are enjoying their stay and looking forward to their anniversary meal.
41:41Cheers.
41:42Our room has the most beautiful view.
41:44It looks directly out onto the Eiffel Tower, which is very romantic, isn't it, Graham?
41:50Very romantic.
41:51We have got Chinese tonight, which is one of my favourites.
41:54The couple will be dining at the Shang Palace restaurant, led by award-winning chef Tony Zhu Kungai.
42:01Tony delights in leading diners on a unique gastronomical culinary experience.
42:06My idea is to present authentic Chinese flavour.
42:12Actually, it's like mixing the French local product with a Chinese cooking technique and the flavours.
42:21Very authentic Chinese.
42:22Yeah.
42:25In a country of so many Michelin-starred restaurants, unsurprisingly, it takes years of experience to create this kind of
42:33fine dining.
42:34Chef Tony and his team of four culinary masters from Greater China ensure traditional tastes are blended with local influences.
42:44The technique in the kitchen, the work is the most difficult job.
42:49The intricacy and precision that goes into creating this level of haute cuisine is of the highest level.
42:58And an experience to savour.
43:03Well, that was an amazing anniversary. Thank you.
43:06Thank you very much.
43:06Very, very special.
43:07Don't know how you're going to find an even better hotel than this one.
43:10Can I make so?
43:13Luxury, it's sometimes unexpected touches.
43:18Luxury is an experience.
43:21Luxury is a surprise.
43:24Luxury is generosity.
43:27It's more than a perfect stay.
43:29It's the stay you remember.
43:33Happy anniversary.
43:35Oh, we've had an amazing weekend.
43:37Yeah, I really have had probably the best anniversary weekend I could have asked for.
43:43So, next year, we're back.
43:56Across the ocean, Caribbean cuisine is on the menu at Jade Mountain.
44:03In St. Lucia, diners have the enviable task of choosing from the ever-evolving menu.
44:09The award-winning Jade Mountain Club is its tour de force, taking farm-to-table concept to a completely new
44:17level.
44:18Only the freshest St. Lucian ingredients and organic seasonal produce are used and all grown on site.
44:25Definitely no buffets here. It's all a la carte.
44:30Taking responsibility for the quality of cuisine is Chef Elijah.
44:35The menu changes every night at the club.
44:37Imagine coming to a restaurant every night and getting a different menu.
44:41That's an amazing thing.
44:44But if leaving your room to eat feels like a stretch, then the award-winning chef can always come to
44:50you.
44:52On the menu today, we have ceviche.
44:54Anything that you just don't want to eat, you know?
44:56No, we'll try anything.
44:57OK, you guys are amazing already.
44:59That's right.
45:01You think it can't get any more special, and then you have the chef come to your own room and
45:06prepare a meal designed to your personal preferences.
45:11There is our ceviche ready to be served.
45:14It's like you're treated like royalty.
45:18Enjoy.
45:20So good.
45:21Elijah, this is great.
45:23Yeah? So good.
45:24Appreciate it.
45:25It was great. Cheers.
45:28Cheers, love.
45:29It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
45:31Getting to see all the things that you see here and experience the things that they present to you is
45:38absolutely unbelievable.
45:40Only 60 guests are permitted at the hotel at any one time, so detail and personal attention are key to
45:47its success.
45:49We really worked very hard on creating something truly unique.
45:55We have clients who've said this is a jaw-dropper. This luxurious place is a cut above the rest.
46:02This hotel's lush Caribbean environment, along with its dedicated team of staff attending to the super elite guests' wishes, keeps
46:10them in the lap of luxury.
46:12Visiting this island oasis is an experience they'll never forget.
46:16If I had to describe Jade Mountain in one word, it would be luxury.
46:20The service is unparalleled.
46:22It's incredible.
46:34David Baddiel has a feel for the feline, putting cats front and centre.
46:39He's making a strong argument for them being the superior pet.
46:42Catman starts Friday at 8.
46:44But next, who's bringing the main character energy to the workshop?
46:48It's all new from the Great Pottery Throwdown.
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