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1080 Uptown Park Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056
1.888.Granduca
www.GranducaHouston.com
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COME HOME TO
HOTEL
GRANDUCA
society”: Greece’s PrinceNikolaos and
Princess Tatiana celebrated their 2010
wedding here, then returned for their
first anniversary. Located in a restored
Côte d’Azur–style chateau, the Posei-
donion is known for stunning views,
fantastic food and anüber-elite clientele.
It doesn’t hurt, of course, that the resort
is situated on a tiny patch of paradise
a mere few hours’ drive from the royal
palaces of Athens.
The lavish
Emirates Palace
hotel
is
such a favorite haunt of Abu Dhabi roy-
als that they have their own entrance,
which is reasonable, seeing as they
bankrolled the place. From the moment
you enter through its stately arch, the
Palace transports you into an appealing
parallel universe, where Italian marble
andgold leaf are commonplace. Out back
you’ll find the bluewaters of the Persian
Gulf—but youmaybe toobusy reclining,
emir-like, on lavender-scented pillows to
concern yourself with natural splendor.
Founded by Adolphus Busch a cen-
tury back, Dallas’ gilt-edged
Adolphus
has welcomed the aristocracy of sports
(The Babe), business (The Donald) and,
well, aristocracy (The Queen). A photo
of Elizabeth II hangs in the lobby, near
a Steinway grand that, legend has it, had
been earmarked for the
Titanic
. Guests
can also feast their eyes on Flemish
tapestries and Chinese jardinieres, and
the French Room restaurant is among
the finest anywhere. Not bad for a hotel
built by a beer baron.
Looking out on a landscape that
makes words like “paradisiacal” seem
flimsy, with an interior that makes the
average English country manor look
like a YMCA, the
Huka Lodge
is the kind
of place that leaves you disappointed
if you don’t spot a royal in the dining
room. The Taupo, New Zealand, resort
started out as a fishing lodge but has
since gained a reputation for comfort
and calmthat has a racted pre ymuch
every monarch in Europe. Queen Eliza-
beth II has slept here, more than once,
as have the royals of Holland, Belgium
and Denmark. If the clinking of regalia
gets to be too much, though, you can
retire to one of the decks, where the only
sound is the so whoosh of theWaikato
River, part of your own private kingdom,
sliding by.
28
APRIL 2012
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HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
ROYAL TREATMENT
A plush three-bedroom Palace Suite at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi;
below, the ultra-exclusive Owner’s Cottage at New Zealand’s Huka Lodge