Blog 44: Celebrity Owned Hotels

Hotel it Out! is back with another exciting blog. We know some of you may not want to travel just yet, some of you may be planning a trip soon and some of us would rather stay at home and read about the hospitality world happenings (it's a small way to support the industry)! Either way, this blog is for you. We've all binged watched shows, movies and sports and now it's time to see if which of our favourite on screen personalities own hotels and resorts.

From actors, directors, singers to sportspersons, all of them seem keen to invest in a vacation home they can retreat to every once in a while to take a break from their busy public lives. Let's round up some of the best such hotels and resorts.

1- No. 11 Cadogan Gardens in London is owned by the uber glamorous Elizabeth Hurley. Built by Lord Chelsea in the 19th century, the property oozes Victorian charm and attracts aristocrats, politicians and bon viveurs. It is now a private members club retaining exclusivity and privacy. The hotel owned by a very glamorous lady is never going to be anything less than simply haute. The townhouse turned hotel even has a coveted entrance for high profile guests like Elizabeth Hurley herself. The only way to describe the hotel is 'Quintessentially British'!

2- Leonardo DiCaprio (I don't think he needs an introduction), a sustainability enthusiast purchased 104 acres of wild, unpopulated land off the coast of Belize and turned it into an eco-resort called Blackadore Caye. The resort is completely self-contained, and self-sustained with a total of 36 bungalows, and 36 villas. The actor calls this a “Restorative Island,” and intents on making it the greenest luxury development the world has ever seen. Well what can we say, Leonardo is set to revolutionise the hospitality industry as well!

3- The Marley Resort, Bahamas is owned by none other than the Bob Marley family. Formerly the Marley family's private vacation home, this townhouse was turned into a resort open to the public in 2004. The property has been remodelled with an Easy Skanking ethos and is the perfect place for a laidback holiday to Wake Up and Live. Of course, there is a music gallery on-site and a dining room that serves Jamaican delicacies. For all you Bob Marley fans, this place is a must visit!

4- Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Australia is part owned by the Wolverine star Hugh Jackman. Hugh Jackman is such a fan of the resort he's been known to stay here while training for roles, but loved it so much he ended up investing. Nestled in Tallebudgera Valley, just 15 minutes from the beach, is a place where A-list celebrities sit alongside everyday people as they share an organic lunch and the experience of being utterly overwhelmed by the chaos that is life.

5- Coming to sportspersons, ace tennis player, Andy Murray, owns the Cromlix Hotel close to his Scottish hometown of Dunblane. The hotel offers guests the chance to experience the sort of decadent lifestyle once enjoyed by the Lairds of Cromlix, redefined for the 21st century by sumptuous surroundings and impeccable yet discreet service. Andy previously said of the hotel: "By re-establishing Cromlix as a leading luxury hotel at the heart of the Dunblane community we will be able to attract new visitors to the area, create a number of new jobs and focus on supporting other local businesses. I’m pleased to be able to give something back to the community I grew up in."

6- Pestana CR7 Gran Via Madrid, owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, is a hotel designed for urban travellers inspired by the love of sport. CR7’s 9th floor is where you can find a Pizzeria with the seal of Chef Mauro Soggiu, one of the founders of what is considered one of the best pizzas in NYC, a Sports Bar where you can play foosball or watch a soccer match, and a spectacular Rooftop with different heights and a 360° view of Madrid’s skyline. Pestana Hotel Group has announced plans to open a Manchester property under its CR7 brand. Pestana said that the hotel “couldn’t be more appropriate – after all, this is the city where Cristiano Ronaldo started his international career with Manchester United back in 2003 and where he first used the number 7”.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it?! Who's looking forward to book some time off in one of these hotels? Let us know your favourite from the list in the comments below.

Until next time (and this time soon!)

Anubhuti