Mardan Palace Hotel: Russian billionaire Telman Ismailov is thumbing his nose at the very idea of a recession happening anywhere in the world. He’s so confident in the oodles of money that must be floating around somewhere, he’s pushing forward with the opening of his hotel, located on the Turkish Riviera. This $1.4 billion property (built with TI’s own money, natch) will have the honor of being the most expensive hotel in Europe (take that Hotel Martinez!). The Mardan Palace was inspired by the Ottoman empire and modeled after the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.
Though the hotel has 560 rooms, only 2 are considered “royal suites.” To be worthy of such royalty, which includes your own private golden (!) swimming pool, and a 24-hour butler, it’ll cost you a cool $18,000 a night. If you’d rather buy a car or house instead of staying a week or so in the royal suites, the regular rooms only run about $300 a night. Beyond the rooms, there’s a two-acre spa, a “vitamin bar,” and a Champagne bar (now we’re talking). In addition, there’s a large botanical garden, several huge aquariums, two dozen restaurants/lounges, and a 900-person outdoor amphitheatre. There’s also a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course for those who want to play a few rounds. The hotel is planning to open in June.
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