The royal family is always criss-crossing the globe for official tours and state visits, but where they choose to spend their personal time is another matter. While the queen and Prince Philip vacation every Summer in their Scottish home Balmoral, their children and grandchildren prefer to spend their time in exotic and luxurious destinations around the world. From Africa to the US, India to the Alps, we take you on a whistle-stop tour of some of the royals’ favorite holiday hangouts.
1. Hotel du Palais — Biarritz, France
When William, Kate, George, and Charlotte escaped on their Summer holidays this year, the Hotel du Palais is where they spent their time. Built in 1855, the grand dame of a property exudes old-school elegance, with sumptuous fabrics in rich colors, gilded furniture, marble floors, and potted palms.
2. The Kubu Queen — Okavango Delta, Botswana
The luxury double decker houseboat has been Prince Harry’s go-to holiday spot on more then one occasion. He took then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy there several times, and also celebrated his 21st birthday on board with a group of friends. Located on the beautiful African waterway, the boat is paneled entirely in wood and hung with wildlife pictures.
3. Hotel Walserhof — Klosters, Switzerland
The classic Alpine hotel has been Prince Charles’s favorite snowy retreat for several decades — it is traditional on the outside, but the rooms are fresh and contemporary with light decor and blond wood. It was here that William and Harry first learned to ski, and where William and Kate’s relationship became public knowledge when they were photographed kissing on the slopes.
4. Villa Aurora — Mustique, British Virgin Islands
As the Middleton’s regular rental, Villa Aurora is where William and Kate have laid their heads on more than one occasion. The contemporary colonial style property incorporates separate little cottages around a central pool, and a pretty plunge pool on the wrap-around veranda.
5. Wynn Hotel — Las Vegas, NV
The impressive Encore tower of the Wynn hotel has played host to Harry on more than one occasion — not only during his infamous trip to Sin City in 2012, but also the previous year he also cut loose there with a group of male friends. The party stayed in the Tower Suite, which has a private lift, butler service, a massage table, and mohair-padded walls that absorb sound.
6. The Arlberg — Lech, Austria
While Prince Charles has always favored the Swiss ski resort of Klosters, Diana’s preferred spot was Lech in Austria. The Arlberg hotel there brings together a blend of classic and contemporary decor with a fresh, bright color scheme, and pictures of Diana now hang in the lobby.
7. Karma Kandara — Bali, Indonesia
The cliff-side resort is sprinkled with luxury villas that each have their own tropical courtyard and private pool, and is where Zara and Mike Tindall have vacationed. Mike even said it was the most relaxing place he’s ever been, adding, “I did very little. The whole setup is designed to inspire relaxation.”