Stayed in Newport, RI at Hydrangea House for about 450 per for 2 nights back in mid-May of this year. Can't say it wasn't worth it, place was beautiful, served a great formal breakfast, but I've been to Newport a few times and it was a little high comparatively to others. (But I'd go back).

Our most expensive hotel room:
an over the water bungalow at the Sheraton Moorea Resort in 2004. We paid a little over $800/night for 3 nights before embarking on the Paul Gauguin for a 7 day cruise. It was paradise, and worth the cost.

I second that the De Russie in Rome is worth every Euro we spent.

And so is the Bauer Il Palazzo in Venice. It was pricey and we had one of the cheaper view rooms.

In both places the service and amenities were unbelievable.

Hotel Lutetia in Paris was worth it the first trip (everything is amazing on your first trip to Paris) But on return, Paris seemed as special as always but the hotel didn't. We'll probably stay somewhere else next trip

Hello ekscruncy, if memory serves me right probably the most expensive hotels I have stayed at are both in Florence. The Hotel Excelsior one visit, we had a suite for a week.

And time the Hotel Savoy we stayed there in a large room for about five nights.

I don't remember the price but compared to now it was inexpensive as the Lira was weak compared to the dollar.

While envious of all who spend more on hotels than I spend on trips I keep thinking of what seemed like the biggest splurge in my lifetime - $50 per night for the Bahama Princess in Nassau on my honeymoon in 1971. Of course back then my take-home income for 2 weeks working 80 hours as an RN was $125.
Pro-rated to my salary today it's a splurge in the same ballpark as most of the posters here! (And yes, it was worth it!)

The Hoel Quisisana on Capri, definitely worth it!

BC

Tripgirl ~ I love that you were so honest!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let us know how the Africa trip goes!

morgie,

I will!

We can't wait!!!!!

Tripgirl - You are going to have a blast at Singita! Which lodge? Singita Ebony or Boulders? I liked the look of Boulders. Or are you going to Lebombo or Sweni Camp?
Sorry Fodorites - I know this is Europe but you guys need to take a peek at this place on the web. Amazing!
PS. We are spending Xmas & New Year in Kruger National where its safe amongst the wild animals. LOL!

Tod: I have seen the pics of Sweni and Lebombo and am in a swoon over them.

The most expensive room that I actually paid for, was last month at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in the Sabi Sands, South Africa. But the price of the room included all food and wines (mini bar stocked with full bottles of Chivas, Jameson, etc) and the incredible game drives. This was the experience of a lifetime and I have to say it was well worth the astronomical cost. Those SA lodges are really in a class by themselves because the rooms, although over-the-top luxury in many cases, are just a small part of the experience.

What a buncha pikers! 600$ per at the Pulitzer in Amsterdam. Least? In 1958 in Madrid. Hotel Amberes(?) on the Gran Via. 2.50$ per night

Sorry. Addendum to Hotel Pulitzer post. We got one helluva brkfst w/ that.

tod,

We are going to Singita Boulders!!!

This is going to be the most expensive trip to date, but who cares?? A total of over $22,000, ( although we've come close on many other trips)but its going to be one of THOSE experiences!

Now its 6 months to go.......!

Schlosshotel Bühlerhöhe, near Baden Baden Germany - April 2007, about $400 a night with the poor performance of the USD vs. the Euro. The hotel was almost empty, is in the most beautiful location and was completely worth it. Had the hotel been full, however, I don't think I would feel the same way.

Hotel Raphael, Paris - November 2003, about $2300 for 6 nights. A lovely small suite, with a spiral staircase and a terrace offering incredible views of both the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

Not in Europe but the most we've ever paid was $865US/night at the Sanctuary Lodge at the gates of Machu Picchu - and it was worth every penny! (included all food/beverages but with the altitude we didn't take much advantage of the latter).

We will be staying in a $600.00 a night hotel room in South Beach next month. It's a gift from a group of frieds for our 30th anniversary. I'll tell if it's worth it when we get back.

espinach1,

Which one? We are in South Beach all the time; know the hotels very very well!

Rooms at the Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, Italy for DD wedding were over $600 a night. Our room was nothing "special" but we had a huge balcony (18x20') with an amazing view of the Bay of Naples. DD room had paintings from floor across the ceiling (beautiful) and a balcony that was larger than ours with the same view. Was it worth it--YEP
The hotel was the perfect setting for the wedding and a great background for breathtaking wedding photos.

michel_paris: we stayed at the Sheraton in Antalya in '94 for $110 a nite and thought it was a real bargain. Don't know how I'd feel about $450.
Sobster: $600 at the Pulitzer? Whew time is really marching on.

We spent for us at the time (1987)... $210... for a fabulous room at La Mamounia in Marrakesh (can't think what it would be now.)

Our last trip we paid over $500 a nite for nice ...but certainly not spectacular hotels in London and Paris... and London was a Sofitel. (Pont Royal in Paris.) Trouble is.. we're getting too old to rough it. I like the comforts money brings, but we sure did have more stories to tell when we stayed cheap -

That would be NYC upper westside of Manhattan $699 at On the Avenue.

Only hotel available week after Thanksgiving. We are leaving Wednesday for five days. Seems to be the busy week with the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.