Most hotels are owned by faceless corporate chains and venture capital groups. But just occasionally, someone far better known decides they’d like to dabble. They don’t tend to dabble for long – the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Robert Redford, Russell Crowe and Bono have sold theirs in recent years. But sometimes, the stars aren’t just about the hotel rating…
The Greenwich Hotel
New York City
The Greenwich Hotel really doesn’t fit in all that well with the surrounding hipster lofts of Tribeca. It throws a lot into the decoration, with flowery sofas, Moorish tiles, oak floors and liberally used palm trees. The tropics, Arabia, and Far East influence the marvellously out-of-place look. And it was the opening salvo of Robert De Niro’s ever-growing hotel empire, which includes the Nobu hotels. See thegreenwichhotel.com
Palazzo Margherita
Bernalda, Italy
De Niro’s sometime collaborator Francis Ford Coppola also has his fingers in the hotel business. The Palazzo Margherita in the south of Italy has an opulence befitting a Godfather, following Coppola’s comprehensive restoration of the 19th century villa. There’s a pool set among the sprawling gardens, and one room was designed by Coppola’s director daughter, Sofia. See thefamilycoppolahideaways.com
Hotel Rival
Stockholm, Sweden
When it opened in 2003, the Hotel Rival boasted that it was the first boutique hotel in Stockholm. The rooms are kept deliberately colourful, with massive photo feature walls behind the beds, and the art deco cocktail bar is a delight. Most unusual, however, is the Rival’s 735-seat theatre. All the flamboyance makes sense when you learn that the co-owner is ABBA’s Benny Andersson. See rival.se
Cromlix
Perthshire, Scotland
In 2010, tennis player Andy Murray was best man at his brother’s wedding at Cromlix House, just outside his hometown of Dunblane. Three years later, Murray bought the 15 room Victorian mansion and spiffed it up into being a five-star hotel. Cromlix is set in 34 acres of woodland, and has a restaurant overseen by TV chef and Michelin Guide regular Michel Roux. See Cromlix.com
The Cardozo
Miami Beach, USA
This classic art deco hotel, built in 1939, features in films such as There’s Something About Mary and Any Given Sunday. Right on Ocean Drive, the Cardozo is now owned by Gloria Estefan, and has been given a thorough makeover to put it into the luxe bracket. Expect lots of white, lots of natural light and an inkling that you’re on a movie set. See cardozohotel.com
Hotel MiM Ibizia Es Vivé
Ibiza, Spain
The art deco, all white thing seems popular amongst celeb owners, because exactly the same applies at football superstar Lionel Messi’s hotel in Ibiza. Rooms are on the small side, but you can do rooftop yoga classes and DJs spin mellow tunes by the pool. Messi’s hotel empire is now four strong – he also has MiM hotels in Sitges, Mallorca and Baqueira. See mimhotels.com
Hotel Football
Manchester, England
Not all footballer-owned hotels go for the achingly cool approach. Hotel Football in Manchester unashamedly pitches towards football fans. Some rooms have views of the Old Trafford football stadium, while the rooftop events space is Astroturfed. It comes as no great surprise to learn that it is owned by five former Manchester United players – Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. See hotelfootball.com
Musha Cay
The Bahamas
Illusionist David Copperfield isn’t exactly subtle about his ownership of this high-end island resort. He’s even renamed the neighbouring bay as Copperfield Bay. You can only stay if you book out the entire island, and that gives you a private chef, 40 beaches, a heated pool plus a two-kilometre sandbar to yourself. If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it. See mushacay.com
Hotel Villa Angela Taormina
Sicily, Italy
Romance is the aimed-for vibe at this 27 room hotel in Taormina. There are splendid views of the Ionian Sea and Mt Etna from the furnished balconies and hilltop pool. Somewhat surprisingly, the owner is Jim Kerr, lead singer of rock band Simple Minds. He first visited Taormina in 1982, fell in love with the place and regularly stays at his own hotel. See hotelvillaangela.com
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
The Gold Coast, Queensland
Of course, Australia has its own fair share of hotel owners far better known for something else. Hugh Jackman is behind this spa retreat in the Tallebudgera Valley, where the emphasis is on deliberate low tech, wellness seminars and organic everything. Guests aren’t allowed to bring cigarettes, alcohol, or even caffeinated drinks onto the premises. See gwinganna.com
