11 Beautiful Hotel Staircases to Inspire Your Wanderlust

Le Bristol Paris, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, has been the go-to place to stay since the 1920s and was the first hotel in France to obtain "Palace" status. And the Matignon staircase is partially to thank. The wrought-iron staircase stretched from the ground floor to the seventh floor and was painted with gold leaf. It was recently restored and now boasts a gorgeous glittering sculpture with hundreds of light bulbs by Belgian artist Jan Pauwels that runs through the center.

Who says all remarkable stairs have to be indoors? At The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort in the Bahamas, another American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property, there is an enchanting historic outdoor staircase in the one-of-a-kind designed Versailles Gardens. It features multiple landscaped terraces with stone steps lined with purple bougainvillea, European statues, and fountains. Lastly, the top is adorned with restored white marble 12th century Augustinian cloisters that overlooks Nassau Harbor. Not surprisingly, it's a popular spot for photoshoots and weddings. 

Tucked away in NoMad New York is a two-level eye-popping Library with walls filled with books. It's here where you'll find the stand-out original spiral staircase that was imported from the South of France. The piece is so remarkable that it's actually not for use, and the hotel included it purely for aesthetic purposes. 

The Shanghai EDITION, which opened in October 2018, was designed by famed Chinese studio Neri & Hu and overseen by Ian Schrager. So, you can imagine the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property would feature a spectacular contemporary centerpiece. And that is the aged bronze spiral staircase that winds continuously down three floors from the rooftop garden. It leads up to the 35-seater, reservation-only Punch Room bar and out onto the rooftop, where guests can take in stunning views of the historic Bund.

When staying at this American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property and Rocco Forte Hotel in Brussels, you'll want to forgo the elevator and take the grand wide staircase instead. When looking up or down from the stairwell housed in the 16th-century building turned hotel, you'll feel as if the oval spirals are hypnotizing. The impressive staircase is highlighted even more by the property's fine art collection and antiques on display.

Given that the Belmond Charleston Place was designed to fit in with the other grand residences in Charleston's historic district, it was bound to have a stunning staircase. Guests are welcomed by a Georgian open-arm staircase set underneath a hand-blown Venetian chandelier. During the holiday season, American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property is even more of a must-see as it's wrapped in garland and "hugs" a replica of the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train placed underneath it.

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The 128-room luxury hotel sits on a storied property, built-in 1914 on the historic Recreation Pier overlooking the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. Wanting to embrace the city's rich history, the property included a Grand Staircase in its design. Guests are greeted by this elevated pathway covered in rich red carpet and surrounded by marble walls. It's since become an iconic entrance required for all guests and a favorite of brides.

You probably recognize this double staircase. Why? Well, it was the backdrop for the Spice Girls' "Wannabe" video. But before it made it into pop culture star status, the 19th-century stairwell was already a stand out in what was the Midland Grand Hotel (opened in 1873) thanks to the rich red walls and carpeting as well as the towering windows in the center. Fun fact: it was designed to be extra wide so posh ladies in bustle dresses could easily pass each other. 

Oia in Santorini, Greece, is known for its winding staircases built into the steep cliffs. So, American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property Katikies Kirini hotel, located on the island, incorporated this tradition into its design. Although seemingly simple, the crisp white stairs that connect the cave-style luxury boutique property's levels provide some of the most incredible views in the world. While walking up or down a flight, you'll be treated to sweeping vistas of the Aegean Sea below. 

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Inspired by the dizzying skyscrapers of Manhattan, the grand staircase at the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown features an art installation called Upside-Down Skyscraper by Hirotoshi Sawada in the center. Stretching from the second-floor event space down to the lobby level, that stairwell designed by Yabu Pushelberg wraps around this mesmerizing piece made from thousands of linked hand-crafted strips. It moves and gleams as if it has a life of its own.

It feels as if you've been transported to another world when entering this American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts property in Thailand's capital. That's because of the opulent and grand staircase at the center. It was designed by New York's Yabu Pushelberg, who used multiple levels of wave-like and rounding pathways to connect several floors. Then, hanging at the center is a hanging installation by Japanese artist Hirotoshi Sawada that resembles a floating vortex.