After rapper Kanye West proposed to reality star Kim Kardashian, she told People magazine that they would probably pick “somewhere destinational – perhaps Paris or Italy,” for their wedding.
“Maybe I’ll pick the place and then he can plan it,” Kardashian said.
We suspect he could do a pretty good job. After all, he proposed to her, on her 33rd birthday, in front of a crowd of well-wishers at a San Francisco park that People says he rented for the occasion.
But just to help him out, we thought we’d suggest a few hotels that might work perfectly for a celebrity destination wedding – two in Paris, two in Italy, and one, because something entirely unexpected often turns out to be a happy choice, in French Polynesia.
Paris
Eiffel Tower suite at Hotel Shangri-La, Paris
Shangri-La Hotel Paris
Not as well known as some of the other Paris luxury hotels, but every bit as exquisite a setting, the Shangri-La Hotel, a former home of Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew, Roland, is a favorite of ours for the views alone, which are so close to the Eiffel Tower that a couple on their wedding night might be have to ask the concierge when the tower’s light display is finally shut off for the evening. (Around 1 a.m.) The venues, which include the Grand Salon and the Salon Roland Bonaparte, don’t have that stunning view. But they can host up to 300 people for a cocktail reception, and, because we assume K&K will want to lead their guests onto the floor, up to 150 for dinner and dancing.
Le Meurice, Paris
Le Meurice
Talk about fit for a star, or a pair of them, Le Meurice is an 18th century palatial wonder given a modern makeover by designer Philippe Starck. Its restaurant, three Michelin-starred Le Meurice, is overseen by Alain Ducasse. And just outside its doors are the Tuileries Gardens. Not to suggest that the Kardashian-West party might display any wedding day eccentricities, but the staff would certainly know how to cope. After all, Le Meruice’s long list of celebrity guests includes many kings, among them Alphonse XIII of Spain, who used to bring his own furniture, and an even longer list from the fashion and art world, including Salvador Dali, who once called room-service for a herd of sheep, which he then proceeded to shoot at with a pistol. Hopefully, there’ll be none of that at this event.
Italy
Hotel Splendido Portofino, Italy
Hotel Splendido Portofino
Long a celeb favorite, the alla moda Hotel Speldido Portofino should appeal to the event planner in Kanye West, as it offers not only reception venues for up to 120 people, with sweeping views of Portofino harbor, but can arrange entertainment that includes everything from acrobatic barmen to operatic waiters to caricaturists. The 69-room hotel closes in winter, which shouldn’t interfere with K&K’s summer wedding plans. But as the timing of these things has been known to go awry, a sister property, the 16-room Spendido Mare, on the Portofino waterfront, is open year round.
The Hotel Hassler, Rome
The Hotel Hassler, Rome
The Hotel Hassler Rome is past due for a refurbishing—and a high-profile wedding could be just what it needs to kickstart a reno. But when romance is the key, this grand dowager trumps all with its location at the top of the Spanish Steps, where more grooms have popped the question than perhaps anywhere else in Rome. The Steps, which are often elbow to elbow with people from sun-up onward, is not a venue possibility, but the view from The Hassler’s various terraces, looking out across Rome, is one the bridal party will remember long after the People covers have faded.
French Polynesia
Wedding chapel, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
They’d still have to go to the Bora Bora city hall (no hardship assignment) to do the legal stuff, but what fun a couple like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West could have with a traditional Polynesian wedding at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora: the groom’s arrival by canoe, the torches, the dancers, the flowers on the beach. And, ok, sure, Europe has its beauty spots, but look at the view from the Four Seasons Bora Boara’s wedding chapel, and try to name one that compares. It’s enough to make you turn lyrical — even if you’re not a rapper.
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Want to know more about planning destination wedding travel? Our travel partners at Coastline Travel Advisors, a Virtuoso agency, are ready to help.
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