Ocean House’s Bevy of Benzes
Photo Courtesy of Ocean House
Bicycles and scooters are quaint amenities, but when it’s time to do some serious shopping or eating, two wheels probably aren’t the best way to go. Luckily for travelers on the move, a number of Forbes Travel Guide-rated hotels have gotten into gear when it comes to making sure you get wherever you need to go during your stay in the most stylish way. From rare Mercedes-Benzes to customized Mini Coopers, these properties know how to put the pedal to the most polished metal possible.
Wynn Macau
In a place as flashy as Macau, an over-the-top car is a must. Our choice is Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Wynn Macau’s fleet of nine spacious Rolls-Royce Phantoms, which are decked out in a bespoke Wynn Bronze color and soft moccasin tan leather upholstery. They come loaded with perks, including a studio-grade audio system with 13 speakers, beverage coolers and a high-speed Wi-Fi connection.
Expect a top-notch chauffeur — each driver must undergo specialized training with a Rolls-Royce expert.
The Langham, Boston’s Eye-Catching Taxi, Photo Courtesy of Langham Hotels International Limited
Langham Hotels
Langham Hotels around the world have a signature vintage London-style house car you absolutely won’t be able to miss. Why? It’s pink — bubblegum pink. The luxury hotel brand’s Pink Taxi service will transport you to nearby locations for free. For example, Four-Star The Langham, Boston will ferry you to popular destinations (Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill) within two miles of the hotel on Thursdays through Sundays.
Four Seasons Hotel Milano
If you’ve always wanted to emulate the impossibly cool driving scenes in classic Italian films, now’s your chance: this Four-Star Milan hotel will arrange a full day of Lake Como sightseeing behind the wheel of a 1961 Giulietta Spider, an Italian icon. Pop the roof down and spend the day exploring the area’s charming villages, villas and vistas.
Ocean House
If you’re a guest at this regal Five-Star Rhode Island estate located on scenic Watch Hill, then chances are you know a thing or two about the finer things in life, which, in this case, includes driving one of four Mercedes-Benz house cars. Check one out complimentary (it’s first-come, first-served) and tour the area behind the wheel of E350 Cabriolet, SL550 Roadster or an ML350 SUV.
Those who prefer to be driven can hop in one of the chauffeured Benz fleet, too.
Gateway Canyons Resort
Because helicopters, ATVs and customized Baja trucks are always fueled up, getting around is almost too easy at this Four-Star Grand Junction escape. But you’ll want to pull up to the Driven Experiences building. More of a means to live out a Hollywood fantasy than merely a place for a house car, Driven Rentals allows you to take a vehicle — the roster of 22 dreamy rides includes four Bentley Continentals and one neon-green Jeep Wrangler — out for a four-hour spin, nine-hour jaunt or full-day getaway.
The Peninsula New York’s Mini Coopers, Photo Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels
The Peninsula New York
Back in 2009, Peninsula Hotels unleashed a playful side by adding custom-made Mini Coopers to its Hong Kong property’s collection of Rolls-Royce Phantoms. Since then, other locations, including the Five-Star New York address, have debuted the hunter-green pocket-sized cars. Book a suite at The Peninsula New York for access to a chauffeured Mini Cooper S Clubman for three hours.
The Setai, Miami Beach
The Setai recently released a line of beach-cruising bikes that are ideal for romantic rides along the sand. For those destinations that may be too far to foot, the Five-Star hotel has another set of wheels, a Mercedes S-Class, at the ready. Reserve a time and a driver will take you to Miami Beach’s hottest restaurant and nightlife spots nearby.
The Little Nell
The majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains make for the ultimate road trip backdrop, especially when you’re in one of The Little Nell’s luxury SUVs. If you take one of the 2017 Audi Q7 3.0Ts out for a complimentary two-hour ride, the concierge will provide driving itineraries, maps and recommendations for stop-offs. The Five-Star Aspen hotel reports that guests love borrowing the Audis, and that demand is particularly high for the free service in the summer.
Riding in Style at Nemacolin, Photo Courtesy of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Thanks to 2,000 acres of lodging, links and Five-Star dining at Lautrec, there is an awful lot to see around Nemacolin’s campus. Whichever destination you choose, the resort’s Rolls-Royce Phantom will happily shuttle you there. Equipped with mink carpeting, soft leather seats and a flat-screen TV, the 453-horsepowered beauty glides through the property. There’s just something special about seeing a Phantom in the Southwest Pennsylvania hills.
Flagler Club and The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
When checking into Flagler Club, The Breakers Palm Beach’s 25-room hotel-within-a-hotel, you get a bevy of VIP amenities, including an exclusive club lounge and private terrace. But the house car service is among the best. A dedicated driver will chauffeur you around a six-mile radius in Palm Beach in a sleek, dark gray Tesla.
If you want to get behind the wheel, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers a Tesla Driving Experience. It includes ocean-view accommodations and a Tesla Model S for your own joyrides during your stay at the Four-Star Northern California hotel.
Excelsior Hotel Gallia’s Maserati, Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
Excelsior Hotel Gallia, A Luxury Collection Hotel
When traveling down the streets of Italy’s fashion capital, you need a ride just as stylish your surroundings. You’ll find it at this Four-Star hotel, where three Maseratis await to zip you around Milan. Bonus: Stay in the Design, Gallia or Katara suites and receive complimentary Maserati service to and from the airport.
The hotel also takes style cues from the Italian car company. In the Cigar Lounge, you’ll spy Maserati memorabilia on display. And Terrazza Gallia restaurant’s private dining room draws inspiration from the luxury vehicles with walls made of tufted white leather.
Skylofts at MGM Grand
One can’t knock the Five-Star, all-suite hotel for going all out with its house car (it is Vegas, after all). The Las Vegas hotel will send a Rolls-Royce Ghost — a favorite among our Forbes Travel Guide inspectors — to whisk you from airport to check-in. The free service is based on availability, so get your request in early.
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires
When you need top-of-the-line transportation in Buenos Aires, this Four-Star hotel can set you up with transfers in a Mercedes-Benz E- or S-Class. The service incurs an extra cost, but opt to book the Recoleta hotel’s grand La Mansión Presidential Suite, and you’ll receive airport pick-up and drop-off in a Mercedes sedan as part of your stay.
