Suite talk

The Cinema Suite, 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites & Residences, London, UK

Since opening in November, the Cinema Suite, created by acclaimed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, has already been declared "one of the world's most sumptuous hotel rooms" by the Daily Telegraph.

Taking its lead from 1940s and 1950s Hollywood, with some 1950s-era Indian cinema thrown in for good measure, the 1,832ft² two-bedroom suite features a vast array of movies, books and film soundtracks.

Directors including Francis Ford Coppola and Ingmar Bergman are referenced in the imposing study, the living room incorporates world cinema stalwarts such as Pedro Almodóvar and Wong Kar-wai within its kitsch interiors, and echoes of The Stepford Wives can be found in the kitchen. Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe make their presence felt in the first bedroom, while the second draws on colonial inspiration and renowned Indian artists such as Guru Dutt and Bimal Roy.

This is all underpinned by some serious hardware. The 85in plasma cinema screen, with a 3D state-of-the-art home theatre system, is one of the largest private screens in any London hotel suite. It is assisted by a world-class Steinway Lyngdorf cinema system - a fully immersive cinematic experience that raises the bar in terms of in-room audiovisual offerings. The system has been preloaded with a repertoire of 300 international films, books and music.

The Couture Suite, The St Regis, Rome, Italy

The initial driving force behind design team The Gallery's vision was the St Regis's 'passion points': fashion, art and literature. A design narrative was shaped around how these ideas have been exemplified in Rome's culture and the city's renowned fashion studios, as well as drawing upon the legacy of the hotel itself.

A predominant muse was the couturier Valentino, whose fashion house was founded in Rome in 1965. His timeless grace, emphasis upon flowing shapes and meticulous attention to detail were all touchstones for the design team, which sought to weave such elements into the hotel's interiors. The inspiration provided by his illustrious collections is particularly evident in the ballroom.

Greeting guests upon entry to the Couture Suite is an impressive art collection. A mélange of fashion-inspired sketches and photographs, as well as historical black and white portraits, act as mementoes of the hotel's many celebrity guests, including Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Maria Callas and Anita Egberts.

In the central living room, a high ceiling and neutral, linen-textured walls form the backdrop for intricate embellishments, such as the nailhead trim on the timber panelling and millwork, and the softest Italian leathers and finely stitched embroidery. Three large windows frame views of the city and, in a clever twist, a 44in flatscreen television rests in an easel, adding to the comfortable yet refined artistry rather than dominating the space.

In the Couture Suite's library are Roman art and literature collections, including an anthology of Italian cinema classics from the master Federico Fellini. Audio-docking stations allow guests to individualise the suite's ambience.

Adorning the corner suite is a dressmaker's form, the curves of which reflect the suppleness of the cerulean chaise longue, the 'scribbles' of the wool rug and the fashion design studies on the wall.

Suite ME, ME London, UK

Completing the grand sweep of buildings that make up an imposing 1920s crescent, ME London has gone a long way towards restoring a little lost glamour to the heart of the West End. This flagship Melià property is the first hotel in which everything, from the shell of the building through to the bathroom fittings, has been designed by Foster + Partners.

This triangular site, located on the corner of Aldwych in the midst of London's theatreland, is steeped in a rich cultural history. The hotel occupies the site that was formerly home to the Citibank Building, Marconi House - the original London home of the radio - and the popular Gaiety Theatre, which opened in 1903.

The ultra-luxurious Suite ME is a two-storey penthouse located in the turret of the building, complete with private terrace. Topped with a glass dome - a contemporary reinterpretation of a vaulted roof from the Edwardian period - is the lounge, which boasts a 360° panoramic view of the city.

Luxury features include two 46in 3D interactive TVs, a 55in 3D interactive TV, two Sony PlayStation 3 consoles, in-room bar service and an integrated digital media hub. The suite also has private access to the ME Roof Bar and can be made even bigger through connection to the adjacent suite.

Paltrow Suite, Capri Palace Hotel & Spa, Anacapri, Italy

A two-bedroom presidential suite of 150m², Paltrow is located on the top floor of the Capri Palace, a five-star hotel with arches, vaults and columns that evoke ancient Neapolitan palaces of the 1700s.

The hotel is surrounded by stunning landscapes. From its main terrace and spacious garden, guests enjoy a 360° panoramic view that takes in the green slopes of Monte Solaro hill, the village of Anacapri, the islands of Ischia and the enchanting bay of Naples.

This luxury suite is an homage to the actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Rather than bestowing exotic names upon their progeny or pushing macrobiotic diets, however, the hotel's interior designers have busied themselves combining elements of art deco aesthetic with the elegance of a bygone era, from the use of black marble flooring through to the careful selection of antique furniture and objets d'art.

The main bedroom has a bathroom with separate shower, walk-in wardrobe, chimney and ceiling window, from which guests can admire the Capri moon.

The Paltrow Suite also has two private pools: a swimming pool in the main terrace and a plunge pool.

Imperial Suite, Hôtel le Bristol, Paris, France

This is one for the traditionalists. Guests benefit from a VIP welcome - including a bottle of 2002 Dom Pérignon, chocolates and a large fruit basket, as well as Hermès amenities in the bathrooms - but it is the interior décor, overseen by owner Maja Oetker in collaboration with Pierre-Yves Rochon, that leaves the lasting impression.

The dining room, with its Versailles parquet, overlooks the hotel garden and can host up to 12 guests. The adjacent lounge, filled with furniture obtained from Taillardat, is decorated with high-quality fabrics in gentle shades from the house of Canovas, creating a friendly atmosphere brimming with pure Parisian style.

Bathed in natural light, the main bedroom is decorated with floral fabrics from Canovas and Veraseta. Boasting a lounge area and a large walk-in wardrobe, this 30m² bedroom provides an opportunity for guests to enjoy a moment of relaxation.

The second bedroom is bright and spacious, decorated with sky-blue floral fabrics, antique prints and artwork; a particular highlight is a William Henry Hunt watercolour.