Luxury 5-star hotels on 4 continents

5-star hotels (*) are considered places of prestige and luxury. This is actually the highest possible rating of the hotel, although for marketing purposes we also have 7 stars today. We would expect all hotels in a particular category to offer the same level of service. However, this is not the case. The number of stars means what they offer you in addition to the bed in the room. The set of these amenities varies between countries, but some general guidelines still remain. Slovenia is part of the European organization Hotelstars, which unifies the rules for 17 European countries. Below I describe my experience in hotels of this category on four different continents. First is a list where the hotels are ranked according to my experience, followed by a brief description of this experience in chronological order.

My ranking

1. Chateaux Otočec hotel – good quality, top location (castle experience), great food, helpful personnel
2. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore – top quality, the infinity pool experience is great, personnel not best
3. Kempinski, Portorož – top quality, beautiful location
4. Classyc, Hanoi – good location, great personnel
5. Radisson Blu Hotel, Djerba – good quality, nice view and great breakfast
6. Hyatt Regency Oryx, Doha – nice interior, good service, not great spa, cheap, close to the airport
7. River Hotel, Firenze – good quality, good location, bad view, helpful personnel
8. Grandezza Hotel, Brno – good quality, great location, confused staff
9. Intercontinental, Abu Soma, Egypt – good quality, new kitschy equipment, big pool
10. Evergreen Laurel, Bangkok – good location, average
11. Buta boutique hotel, Minsk – good location, ok staff, closed restaurant, chandelier
12. Intercontinental Ljubljana – good quality, new equipment, great view, small mistakes
13. Gorrion Hotel, Istanbul – average quality, bad location, good staff
14. Corniche Hotel, Abu Dhabi – average quality, nice view, smokers’ room
15. Lake Palac, Baku – bad quality but very cheap so not the worst experience
16. Eurostar, Panama City – poor quality, not clean, all equipment worn, rooftop pool
17. La Maison Blanche, Tunis – equipment worn, good breakfast

There is definitely a huge difference between 5 * hotels. It is probably related to the development of the country. The more developed the country, the higher the standard for obtaining these stars is. Before booking such a hotel, check the comments of people who have already visited these hotels. Having in mind what has been said so far, I suggest that if you have the opportunity to stay in such a hotel, take the chance. I agree that it is necessary to cover the widest possible spectrum and thus also sleep in a room for $ 3. Whatever you choose on your journey I hope it leaves you with a positive experience.

Classyc, Hanoi, Vietnam, Asia, 2025

On my last night before returning home, I had a rest at the Classyc hotel in Hanoi. I found discounts again and got a good price of 60€. The hotel was in a great location, on the edge of the old quarter. The room was average but they had great staff who went the extra mile. I arrived at 6am, too early for check-in, but they welcomed me, went through the formalities, gave me some snacks and a welcome drink (2x). After returning from the tour, I settled into my room, went to the rooftop pool. I had a cocktail at the bar (voucher for €7). Next morning I had great breakfast. Finally, I received a gift upon check-out. One of the best experiences so far.

Evergreen Laurel, Bangkok, Thailand, Asia, 2025

I was in Bangkok for one day on my way to Vietnam. I decided to rest at the Evergreen Laurel hotel. With some discounts I got a room for 50€. The location was good (Silom business district), right in the middle between the two airports. The hotel was tidy, I got a welcome drink, the room was as it should be. However, the hotel had no soul.

Hyatt Regency Oryx, Doha, Qatar, Asia, 2024

On a long layover in Doha, I got a good deal for this hotel from Qatar Airways. The receptionist from Tunisia upgraded me to a room with a view after I said some good things about his country. It was close to the airport. The spa area had some minuses. This hotel serves alcohol.

Hotel la Maison Blanche, Tunis, Tunisia, Africa, 2024

On the last night of my trip, I found a cheap 5-star option. The hotel in the financial part of the city was a bit shabby, not 5-star material, but ok for the price. Also, breakfast was nice.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Djerba, Tunisia, Africa, 2024

After intense traveling, I took a day of rest at this luxury hotel. It had good equipment, and a partial view of the sea, but for me was the best breakfast with great choice.

Buta boutique hotel, Minsk, Belarus, Europe, 2023

I visited Minsk and with that, this was the last country in Europe to visit. I stayed there in the Buta Boutique hotel. This small hotel had good equipment, a central location, and ok staff, but the restaurant was closed. I liked the Chandelier over all 7 floors.

Gorrion Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey, Europe, 2023

On our way to Bishkek, we missed a connecting flight in Istanbul and got a hotel from Turkish Airlines. We stayed in a 5-star Gorrion Hotel in the Yeni Bosna neighborhood. The hotel had average equipment, its location was far away from the center but close to the old airport and the personnel was really helpful.

Grandezza Hotel, Brno, Czech Republic, Europe, 2023

On my trip to Ireland, Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Austria I stopped in Brno to visit a friend. I stayed there in the Grandezza Hotel which is located in the central old town, overlooking Zeleny trh – Vegetable market, a great location. Interior was good. The staff was a bit confused.

Lake Palace, Baku, Azerbaijan, Asia, 2023

The hotel had all the need for 5 stars, but all things were a bit off, cleanliness, room size, and equipment. I would put it with a solid 3-star hotel by the price I paid, less than 30 €. So in general I didn’t expect too much and was not disappointed. I got what I paid for in Baku an expensive city, more than expected.

Corniche hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Asia, 2022

On my trip to the Middle East I was many times in Abu Dhabi because it is a hub for Wizzair flights. I tried the different categories of accommodation. Among them was also 5* hotel Corniche. It was not too expensive, 112 € compared to other possibilities. It had all the amenities this type of hotel should have. I had a choice, a room for smokers with a view or a nonsmoking room without a view. Of course, I chose the view, but maybe not the best choice.

Chateaux Otočec hotel, Otočec, Slovenia, Europe 2021

I chose this hotel to spend a COVID voucher and accepted the price of 200 €. Chateaux Otočec is a hotel in a medieval castle on a river island. This location puts it on the top of the list. Also, we had included a Michelin plate dinner with great wine. The personnel there was professional and at the same time very helpful. Just walking inside these historical walls or around the island in the mist was an experience in itself. Maybe the equipment was not the best I have seen so far, and the bathroom design could be improved. But nonetheless, if you can afford to stay at this place I would recommend it.

River hotel, Firenze, Toscana, Italy, Europe, 2021

On my week-long trip to Italy, I also stopped in Firenze. After a lot of movement, I choose a more comfortable hotel. River Hotel is located next to the Arno River, on the southeast edge of the city center. It was a bit over 100 €. It had all the comfort this kind of venue requires. The Interior was in black and white, good bed, and a large bathroom with all amenities. The view was of the courtyard and not the river because I took the cheapest room. The personnel was very helpful in my search for the phone.

Intercontinental, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Europe, 2021

I was on holiday, the weather was bad and an unused € 200 voucher was waiting for me. So I decided to visit a five-star hotel in my hometown, Intercontinental. I definitely have to compliment the view of the city and the huge tub in the bathroom. However, there are some minor shortcomings, an empty minibar, an inaccurate clock, and staff who do not speak good English or Slovenian.

Eusrostar, Panama City, Panama, Amerika, 2018

After we were in San Blas in a Robinson-style accommodation we wanted a little comfort and took a room at the Eurostar hotel. After a long time, we again had a hot water shower, a comfortable bed, and a rooftop pool. Still, the hotel was missing a little bit of everything. So I was a bit disappointed with the quality.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, Asia, 2014

We also stopped in Singapore on our trip to Southeast Asia. We spent the night at a hotel that is a landmark in the city. The quality of the Marina Bay Sands hotel differs from anything I have experienced otherwise in Asia. But also in general, Singapore is an orderly point in the chaos of Asia. The quality of the hotel was top. A minor note is to the staff who were slow. The highlight is the infinity pool on the roof of the hotel.+

Kempinski, Portorož, Slovenia, Europa, 2013

I was at a conference in Portorož for the first time in 2008, but I did not sleep there. 5 years later I was on business in Portorož again, this time I also slept in a hotel. The hotel is located in the old Palace Hotel building with an extension. The equipment there was of superior quality. I was also delighted with dinner. The staff was at the expected level.

Intercontinental, Abu Soma, Egypt, Afrika, 2007

My first experience with 5 * hotel was in Egypt. The hotel itself is located between Hurghada and Safaga. The location of the hotel was isolated so it was peaceful. The hotel was built a year earlier and was part of the Intercontinental chain (today it is no longer part of that chain). The hotel equipment was new, maybe a bit kitschy. The food was delicious, but most had indigestion. Even though this was my first experience of such luxury, I slept two nights on the bus in one week because my restless spirit did not give me peace to just lie down and enjoy (Egypt).