Hotel penthouse suites in Asia offering the ultimate luxury stay

It is no surprise that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wanted to host her baby shower in the penthouse of The Mark Hotel in New York. Aside from the panoramic views, exquisite decor by renowned French interior designer Jacques Grange, a living room with 26-foot-high ceilings, a conservatory and six bathrooms, hotel concierge services, valet parking and catering are already at hand in the 12,000-sq-ft home-away-from-home.

The penthouse suite is now the most exclusive accommodation one can book in some hotels, taking over the usual presidential suite. Ranim Ben Romdhane, general manager at The Singapore Edition agreed: “The penthouse category is the most premier tier of rooms, offering guests an elevated, new and unique experience. It was created for guests seeking a private sanctuary while having access to the full catalogue of signature Edition services and amenities, as well as the compelling dining experiences found in every Edition hotel. Most penthouses also come with 24-hour concierge services.”

Not surprising then, hotel penthouses come with hefty price tags – costs start at USD$75,000 (S$100,824) per night for The Mark Hotel’s penthouse – so they cater to a very select crowd. Aside from dignitaries, target guests are “C-suites and executives looking to entertain while in Singapore for business, celebrities, artistes and multigenerational families who want the privacy of a large space,” Romdhane highlighted. They are also gaining popularity as venues for luxury brands to host intimate events for top-tier clients.

Here, we highlight six hotel penthouses in the region with more modest footprints and prices than what Markle paid for but are no less exquisite.

BELLUSTAR TOKYO

Opened in May 2023, Bellustar Tokyo is the first in the Pan Pacific Hotel Group’s (PPHG) global portfolio with penthouse suites. The hotel is housed from levels 39 to 47 at the new 47-storey Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in the heart of Shinjuku. The top floors are home to the Sky Private Villa, which incorporates five penthouses inspired by nature and the “celestial Tenku scape” (or sky scape) viewed through seven-metre-high windows.

Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa collaborated with Copenhagen-based architecture studio Norm Architects to design the penthouses, as well as an all-day-dining private lounge for penthouse guests, three restaurants and a spa. These spaces are furnished with elegant furniture from Karimoku as part of Case Study 09 of Karimoku Case – a project where notable architects and designers furnish an interior designed by them with the Japanese furniture brand’s pieces.

The interiors of the penthouses’ organic forms and natural materials make them havens of calm. “We hope that guests will first experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Shinjuku Kabukicho district of Tokyo, and then enjoy the serenity of the penthouses’ interior [looking down at the view] as if the lively Tokyo scenery were like a Zen temple’s karensansui (dry landscaped garden),” explained Ashizawa.

Each penthouse offers a distinctive feel, with the largest penthouse, Sora (meaning ‘sky’) indulged with ceramics by Hiroki Kanazawa, its own spa treatment room and a jet bath overlooking the city. Private dining experiences with chefs in the penthouses’ kitchens can also be arranged. Costs start at ¥1,265,000 (US$8,404), including tax and service charges.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BANGKOK AT CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

In the 4,844-square-foot Riverfront Penthouse suite of the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, there are three bedrooms, a private bar, a dining area, double-height ceilings and a stunning river view that is an ideal backdrop for both private enjoyment as well as hosting events. “It is also the only suite in the hotel featuring a private plunge pool overlooking the river,” said Daniel J Schacter, the hotel’s regional director of public relations.

One highlight of the penthouse (it’s on the 10th storey) is its rooftop terrace. “This space is not just a vantage point; it’s also a stage for unforgettable moments. The terrace serves as a stunning backdrop for hosting exclusive events, be it intimate gatherings or grand celebrations,” said Schacter, who shared that prices start at THB 394,400 (US$11,000) a night (depending on seasonality). Penthouse guests also enjoy 24-hour in-room dining services.

Belgium-born architect Jean-Michel Gathy, whose oeuvre includes hotels like Aman New York and Capella Sanya, introduced a rich palette for the Riverfront Penthouse. Materials include an assortment of timbers, marble, copper, leather, silk, linen, hand-spun oxidised metal and ceramics.

“Attention to detail was given to every surface, whether it is a bespoke handmade bronze table or door pull enhanced with a special inlay of eggshell, shell from mother-of-pearl, pen shell or clam, or inlay natural fibre materials like husk or rope inlay with resin,” described Gathy on the luxurious touches.      

For S$15,000 a night, one can enjoy the luxuries of the penthouse suite at the newly opened Artyzen Singapore. “From the entry via a private sky garden to the special layout, the penthouse feels like a beautifully appointed home in the sky,” described Australian Nic Graham who oversaw the interiors and overall creative direction. The architecture is by Ong&Ong.

The 4,820-sq-ft penthouse, which comes with soaring four-metre-high ceilings, is one of the largest suites in Singapore. Located on the 20th floor (just below the rooftop pool), it offers guests a panoramic view of the lush Bukit Timah Nature Reserve from the open plan living and dining area. There is also a fully fitted kitchen, a study room, a private sitting room, private gym equipped with TechnoGym equipment and a walk-in wardrobe.

“The one-bedroom suite connects to four standard rooms, providing added flexibility for the travel needs of guests, which include celebrities, ultra-high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and dignitaries,” said Graham. It is furnished with luxurious furniture, such as sofas by Paola Lenti and Oiphorique T PE lamps from Parachilna that move like an accordion when switched on.

The luxurious finishing includes “rose travertine walls, gold leaf ceilings and cabinetry panels, an oversized custom chandelier inspired by gold coins and traditional Chinese art motifs etched in gold aluminium, providing an elegant setting for private events,” Graham elaborated.

THE UPPER HOUSE, HONG KONG

Designing The Upper House in Hong Kong launched Andre Fu’s career in 2009, and the introduction of the Andre Fu Suite in 2021 is a nod to his success. The 1,960-sq-ft suite is one of two penthouses on the 48th storey of the hotel, offering panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. For fans of the designer – he has dressed many luxury spaces including Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, as well as the The Fullerton Bay Hotel and Andaz Singapore – this space is the perfect opportunity to be fully immersed in his world.

The one-bedroom suite documents Fu’s personal journey with the hotel through original concept hand-sketches of the property, a collection of art and design books from his personal library as well as items from the Andre Fu Living collection. It also features a different palette from the other guestrooms – a calming mix of mineral blue, dusty mink and pale ivory, accented with natural oak, Turkish limesone and antique bronze.

There are two bathrooms, a pantry with an oven, a spa room, and a dining table that seats 18 people. “Every year, the Andre Fu Suite forms the backdrop for my company’s festive dinner, attended by industry leaders from the design and fashion industries for an intimate evening, starting with cocktails in the living room, followed by a lavish family-style feast in the dining room,” shared Fu. Prices start at HK$60,000 (US$7,670) a night, depending on time of the year.

Opened in 1986, the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore had a US$100 million facelift recently, oversaw by Kuala Lumpur-based interior design firm Designwilkes. The renovation, completed in September 2023, introduced new suite categories including the four-bedroom Royal Marina Bay Penthouse in the hotel originally designed by American architect John C Portman. Prices start at S$23,600 a night.

The 4,230-sq-ft space, perched on the uppermost floor of the hotel, offers unblocked views of Singapore’s skyline, the Marina Bay and the sea beyond through full-height windows. Guests can step out to a furnished private balcony and have meals prepared in the fully equipped chef’s kitchen.

No expenses have been sparred to provide the most luxurious experience through exquisite materials, antiques, and artworks. “Cerused oak but in a lightly darker tone than used in the normal guestrooms elevate the look. Cream fabrics provide the base, with accents in teal, gold, chartreuse and touches of magenta for the penthouse. Leather-finished marble with accents of stone in steel grey and blue are used in the bathroom, where vanity fronts are clad in mother-of-pearl that reflect the various colours in the room and add a sophisticated lustre,” described Wilkes.

Aside from enjoying the MO Curators Service, penthouse guests have access to the executive lounge Haus 65 that has partnered with Mandala Club to offer premium hotel guests access to Club experiences. A specially arranged Porsche Drive Experience is another perk for penthouse guests.

THE SINGAPORE EDITION

The Singapore Edition is the first Southeast Asian outpost of the hotel brand conceived by Ian Schrager. Its modern architecture by Moshe Safdie and DP Architects is matched with a stylish, white-hued interior designed by Hong Kong’s Cap Atelier. The property is washed in tropical light during the day and enhanced by plenty of greenery that reminds guests of its tropical locale.

The penthouse suite is housed at the top floor of the low-rise hotel. The 2,152-sq-ft one-bedroom suite comes with a kitchenette, as well as separate living and dining areas bathed in natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. For guests seeking additional space, there is the option of a connecting room. The penthouse is a minimalist cocoon with an all-white palette, down to the rugs, oak floors and hand-sewn damask throws on the bed.

The architecture of the hotel features a courtyard layout, with lush landscaping and black-tiled feature pools filling the central void. The penthouse overlooks this oasis, which can be intimately enjoyed via a wraparound private terrace with a private Jacuzzi and day beds. Private alfresco dinners can also be arranged.

Ranim Ben Romdhane, general manager at The Singapore Edition said: “Every detail of the penthouse has been detailed to ensure that the experience of spending the night or a longer stay is as seamless and soothing as it is sophisticated, appealing to guests-in-the-know.”

Prices start at S$14,000 a night.