united states

Forbes Magazine just released their picks of the most expensive homes in the US for 2006. The real estate market may be slowing somewhat, but that fact didn't stop the average price of a home on this list from jumping up to $71 million from $58 million. In a change from last year's list, the $75 million asking price of the top home from 2005 - the Three Ponds, in Bridgehampton - was surpassed by two houses: Donald Trump's Maison de L'Amitie in Florida, with an asking price of $125 million, and the Portabello Estate in California, also listed at $75 million. Other picks include Martin Zweig's apartment and a limestone mansion in San Francisco.

Using decor and service, as well as food quality and taste, the Zagat guide has compiled a list of the 100 best restaurants found in hotels across the United States. Most of these hotels use their restaurant not as money making ventures, but as a way of enhancing the reputation of the hotel, giving it an added layer of luxury by offering some of the finest dining in their city. Looking at the whole list, twenty of the top restaurants are in California and thirteen are in Massachusetts, followed by Nevada , Texas and Florida, with eleven, eight and six, respectively. The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas actually has four restaurants on the list. Most of these fine dining experiences come with a high price tags, but the outstanding service, ambiance and, of course, the food, are well worth it. The full list is available here, but these are the top ten:

1. The French Room at The Adolphus Hotel, Dallas, TX
2. Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
3. Dining Room at the Little Palm Island Resort, Little Torch Key, FL
4. Inn at Little Washington at The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, VA
5. Maestro at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, McLean, VA
6. Hampton's at the Harbor Court Hotel, Baltimore, MD
7. Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, MA
8. La Mer at the Halekulani Hotel, Honolulu, HI
9. Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead , Atlanta, GA
10. Picasso at the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Hotel prices are rising so quickly that it's a wonder anyone can keep up with them. The situation isn't helped by the fact that everyone ones to be the one to offer the most expensive, most luxurious suite possible. The average hotel room costs around $90 per night and that number increases every year. Some hotels, of course, are simply not equipped to offer $25,000 per night rooms, but it won't be long before the benchmark set by the Atlantis is surpassed. In fact, rumor has it that New York's Four Seasons Hotel is about to offer a room for $30,000 per night.

Forbes has the newest list of the US's most expensive hotel rooms. Starting at $10,000 per night, these super suites offer a super stay to celebrities and business people every day of the year. The highest priced suites include:

The Penthouse at The Setai in Miami costs $25,000 per night. It includes a personal butler, Andrew Marston, who used to supervise the Buckingham Palace staff. The suite also has four bedrooms, two of which are master suites, and twin living rooms.

While the German team stays in Berlin, the US World Cup Team has made arrangements to stay at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. The hotel is located in the center of the city and, while not having quite the same historical significance of the Schlosshotel Berlin, it is hardly lacking. The 282-room hotel occupies the top floors of the Levantehaus building, an old but historic warehouse that has been stripped and luxuriously finished. Ultramodern with a hint of old-fashioned charm in its decor, the rooms are largely minimalist. It offers all the usual amenities found in modern hotels, including high speed internet and satellite television, as well as an indoor pool and health club.

The largest room at the Hyatt is the Presidential Suite. At 1,500-square feet, the suite offers views of the city from the living room and, in addition to the highly detailed decor throughout the suite, a marble bath with a waterfall shower. Access to a private concierge is also provided.