Top 5 Swankiest Hotels in the World

We can't all be billionaires. But that doesn't mean we can't appreciate their lifestyle. Indeed, from thousand-dollar meals, to multi-mullion-dollar mansions, we all revel a little bit in the lives of the extravagant, delighting in the different ways the über-rich spend their money.

And nowhere is there a better example of that than in hotels, institutions that, oftentimes, are the most decadent in the world. In honor of that we have listed, below, five of the craziest, most unbelievable, most over-the-top hotels in the world, places that may be unreasonable to stay in, but sure are fun to look at!

5. The Westin Excelsior, Rome

One of the preeminent landmarks in Rome, this hotel, facing the luxurious Via Veneto, is certainly worth a stay . . . if you have the money to pay for it. Opened in 1906, everything about the Westin Excelsior whispers of beauty, from the name, to the (almost entirely marble) interior decoration, to the famed $30,000 a night suite in the Villa la Cupola suite. The uniquely Mediterranean feel is also something you can't get anywhere else - a testament to both the heritage of Southern Italy, and the unbelievable opulence implicit in the spirit of the Excelsior.

4. Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez, Cannes, France

One of the most beautiful places in the Southern Riviera, Cannes' "Hotel Martinez" boasts some of the best accommodations in the world. From its beautiful Art-Deco design to the private beach out back, this hotel has everything that's great about France without the hustle and bustle of Parisian city-life. However, the most remarkable thing about the hotel is its unique clientele. Indeed, as it turns out almost all A-List actors and actresses have stayed in the Hotel Martinez at least once during their heyday, meaning, on top of the normal amenities, your stay might see you trading a drink with Quentin Tarantino or Brad Pitt.

3. The Four Seasons, New York, New York

The definition of luxury for most Americans, the Four Seasons place on this list is inarguable. And for good reason. Indeed, the New York branch of this Canadian luxury chain is one of the most beautiful in the country, housing some of the best views of New York to be found anywhere in the city. The sheer expense is also remarkable. Rooms at the Four Seasons start at $1,200 and the famous penthouse at $41,000, literally more than most people make in a year.

2. Hotel President Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland

Coming in at the number two spot, the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the most idyllic in the country. However, the most remarkable thing about this luxury hotel is its penthouse. Rated as the "most expensive hotel room" by CNN, the Royal Penthouse Suite features panoramic views, a private elevator, and twelve rooms, including a ballroom, a billiards table, and a library. All of which could be yours for the astronomical fee of $65,000 a night, a price-tag that denotes luxury if ever there was one.

1. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

However, even that pales in comparison to 2005's "Emirates Palace," a literal mansion in Abu Dhabi that has some of the most outrageously luxurious accommodations of any place in the country. From $15,000 bottles of cognac, to thousand-dollar plates of caviar, the unbelievable expense of the Emirates Palace makes it stand out. What gives it the edge, however, is its "million-dollar package," a special seven-night accommodation that includes a trip to the Dead Sea, a private golf-lesson, and complimentary pearls, all for the price of, you guessed it, $1,000,0000 USD. Which is why the Emirates Palace is definitively, the most extravagant hotel in the world, one that reminds us just how strange, how extravagant, and how fun watching people spend their money can be.