It’s been six years since 007 last hit our screens, but the release of the hotly anticipated Bond film, No Time To Die is now scheduled for the 30th of September 2021 (at least in the UK). It’s the 25th film in the franchise and will mark Daniel Craig’s final spin as Fleming’s secret service agent. Though Bond is most well-known for his love of martini’s, fast cars, and gadgets from the Q branch, he’s also particularly well-travelled, having visited a number of exotic destinations over the years. So, to celebrate the upcoming film, we’ve created a guide to some of the most memorable luxury hotels featured in the various Bond films throughout the decades.
Peninsula Hong Kong
The Peninsula Hong Kong was featured in 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun, during Roger Moore’s stint as Bond. Though the hotel’s iconic exterior features in the film, the inside does not – it is where the cast and crew stayed while they were filming in Hong Kong. As Bond tracks Scaramanga’s paramour Andrea Anders to Hong Kong, she evades him in an emerald green Rolls Royce, something which, Bond is reminded, the Peninsula Hong Kong owns 14 of them. Guests today can still make use of the cars, as well as the hotel’s luxurious suites and gourmet dining.
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Hong Kong
Langham Hotel London
The Langham in London has cropped up in several films and television shows, usually celebrating its quintessential Britishness. Its appearance in 1995’s Goldeneye, therefore, was a little more unexpected as its exterior was transformed into Russia’s Grand Hotel Europe and sees Bond (this time played by Pierce Brosnan) successfully evading Xenia Onatopp’s attempt to kill him. It’s only the exterior shots of the Langham that feature, as the interior was filmed on a set. Though a Union Jack hangs instead of the Russian flag as pictured in Goldeneye, you can stay at the Langham and make the most of everything the hotel has to offer, from the first-class service and gorgeous rooms with views of London to the brand-new spa, Chuan Body + Soul.
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in London
Fontainbleau Miami Beach
One of the most memorable scenes from 1964’s Goldfinger is the moment where Sean Connery discovers Jill Masterton (the villain Goldfinger’s girlfriend) dead, covered in gold paint. That scene and lots of the sequences preceding it were all filmed at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. Indeed, during the film’s opening credits, we see the hotel’s recognisable curved white façade and its pool. Today’s guests can expect an entirely relaxing time, soaking up the beautiful views from their room, treating themselves at the Lapis spa and enjoying the award-winning food.
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Maimi
Hotel Atlantic, Autograph Collection Hamburg
Tomorrow Never Dies (released in 1997 when Pierce Brosnan played Bond) sees Bond sent to Hamburg to stop World War Three, where he checks into the Hotel Atlantic. Later in the film, Bond climbs onto the rooftop and the hotel’s exterior is shown several times throughout. Brosnan and the director also stayed there during filming. For those staying at the hotel now, its location directly on Alster Lake provides the perfect location from which to explore the city and its various attractions, whilst its architecture evocative of the turn of the century exudes timeless elegance.
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Hamburg
Hotel Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel Costa Smeralda
The Spy Who Loved Me saw Bond (this time played by Roger Moore) driving off in a white Lotus Esprit to Sardinia’s Hotel Cala di Volpe. He later seduces KGB agent Anya Amasova in his hotel room, before they drive off again and the car becomes a submarine. Visitors to the hotel today can enjoy a drink in Bond’s sumptuous suite as the hotel’s piano bar was transformed to become the hotel room.
Hotel Danieli Venice
Venice’s Hotel Danieli is the only location on this list which has featured in two Bond films. Towards the end of 1963’s From Russia With Love, the action takes place in Venice and Sean Connery’s Bond checks into the hotel. The luxury hotel then makes another appearance in 1979’s Moonraker, where Roger Moore delivers the iconic line “Bollinger? If it is a ’69 you were expecting me” to Dr. Holly Goodhead in the lavish Suite del Doge.
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Venice
Taj Lake Palace Udaipur
Octopussy, released in 1983, was Roger Moore’s penultimate turn as Bond. In the film, Bond infiltrates an iconic floating palace, the lair of Octopussy. The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur serves as the extremely ornate island. The historic palace is believed to have been built between 1743 and 1746 and underwent a renovation in 2000. You can still stay there and enjoy or cocktail or two in the same bar that Bond did.
Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf
In one of the opening sequences of 2012’s Skyfall, Bond (purportedly in Shanghai) is seen swimming lengths in a gorgeous turquoise rooftop pool with breath-taking views over the city. Those scenes were filmed at the Four Seasons in Canary Wharf, as was the infamous shower scene (filmed in room 712, to be precise).
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Canary Wharf
