The cheapest rooms in the world’s most expensive hotels

NEW YORK – Business Week magazine in the United States has compiled a list of the cheapest rooms at the world’s most expensive hotels.

But the magazine cautions, “cheap” is a relative term when it comes to luxury hotels, especially in Moscow or New York – not to mention Dubai – and by comparison Hong Kong and Shanghai will seem like bargains.

Among Business Week’s “bargains” are the following: Prices in US dollars.

Dubai
Burj Al Arab
Most expensive room: $14,974
. Cheapest: $2,314. 

With your own chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, discreet in-suite check-in, private reception desk on every floor, and an army of butlers to provide around-the-clock service, you can understand why this has been described as the most luxurious hotel in the world. 



Hong Kong
Island Shangri-La
Most expensive: $4,103. 
Cheapest: $339

. Known locally as “Island Shang”—because there is another Shangri-La on Kowloon—this elliptically shaped building has become a Hong Kong icon. Located in the heart of the city’s Central district, its 56 floors offer stunning views of The Peak, Victoria Harbour, and the distant mountains of China. 


London
Claridge’s
Most expensive: $10,642, 
Cheapest: $939. 

First opened in 1854, the current building was erected in 1898, but Claridge’s acquired its title of the art deco jewel of Mayfair after a 1929 renovation by the pioneer of the style, Oswald Milne. Long the home to visiting royalty, in 1947, just before the wedding of then Princess Elizabeth, a harassed diplomat telephoned Claridge’s and asked to speak to the King. “Certainly, sir,” was the response. “Which one?”


Moscow
Ritz-Carlton
Most expensive: $17,555
. Cheapest: $1,370. 

Located on the edge of Red Square, the hotel is a classically inspired but totally modern building that opened in 2007. Featuring the most spacious guest room in Moscow, it is also home to three-star Michelin chef Heinz Winkler’s new venture, Jeroboam.

Shanghai
Pudong Shangri-La
Most expensive: $5,938
. Cheapest: $283

. These rates might seem cheap in comparison to other hotels in this slide show, but by Chinese standards they are astronomical. The recently opened Grand Tower contains 375 luxurious rooms and suites, with the Premier rooms, at 54 square metres, being the largest in Shanghai and offering panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of the historic Bund. 


Singapore
Raffles
Most expensive: $5,209
. Cheapest: $830. 

Named for the famed adventurer Sir Stamford Raffles, who founded modern Singapore in 1819, the hotel is a nostalgic trip back in time, but one with all the modern comforts you might require. With its Bentwood furniture and rattan chairs it evokes images of tropical suits, solar topis, and Somerset Maugham. In fact, Maugham was a frequent guest and once remarked that Raffles represented “all the fables of the exotic East.”


Tokyo
Ritz-Carlton
Most expensive: $18,773
. Cheapest: $625. 

The Ritz-Carlton occupies the top nine floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower, the tallest building in Tokyo, and provides stunning views of the city. Opened in March 2007, the high point of Frank Nicholson’s dramatic classic design is the magnificent 81-meter-high sky lobby on the 45th floor.