Calm Refuge: Sanctuary-Like Primary Suites

March 7, 2025

Like all of civilization’s markers of wealth, status and power, the luxury home has evolved over time. The Victorian “great houses” were justly famous for their gloriously grand public spaces—not for their drafty bed chambers and dank bathrooms.

The 20th century brought increased attention to the home’s private spaces. Not the drawing room, but the bedroom and the bath. New and different kinds of creature comforts emerged in service to changing lifestyles.

Today’s luxury home treats the bedroom as a necessary retreat, providing a calm, comfortable refuge from the day’s occupations. The owner’s suite, however, is the pristine apex of that trend: Minimalist paint schemes, lighting and sound systems set the mood for rest and relaxation. Sitting rooms and fireplaces offer intimacy and “decompression” space. Big walk-in closets and separate dressing rooms put wardrobe and makeup immediately at hand. The bathroom too is a sanctuary, akin to a personal spa with a deep soaking tub, steam shower, and sauna.

Surely, the luxury bedroom offers more than simply sleep. This edition of Luxury Defined offers five masterly exemplars of homes with the ultimate primary suite.

1. PH41 at The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester, White Plains, New York

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See-forever views of New York and Westchester County are on display from the primary suite of the 41st-floor penthouse just north of Manhattan.

P41 at The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton Westchester, New York, is the ultimate destination for luxury living just north of New York City.

This spectacular 41st-floor home extends to more than 10,700 square feet of carefully curated living space adorned with exquisite, imported marble and other materials and finishes of the highest quality.

The views are also on display throughout the elegant social spaces and the six luxurious bedrooms, among them a primary suite wrapped in glass to frame the seemingly endless vistas of the land- and cityscape.

Additionally, residents enjoy access to a full suite of amenities at the Ritz-Carlton: a fully attended lobby; a new resident lounge; new media and conference rooms; two outdoor terraces; two fitness centers; and an indoor pool, spa, and salon.

There’s also the added convenience of downtown White Plains, with its top-rated dining and shopping. The nearby Metro-North Railroad station offers direct service into Grand Central Station.

2. Sky Palace at Waldorf Astoria Residences, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

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All five bedrooms at this lavish residence exude an air of quiet luxury, but the principal bedroom is an oasis of calm high above the cityscape.

Sky Palace is one of the luxury homes at Waldorf Astoria Residences Ras Al Khaimah, set to open in 2026.

The interiors impart a sense of relaxed refinement and are generously scaled—9,784 square feet in all—meticulously crafted for an unparalleled living experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a bird’s-eye view of the Persian Gulf. The private, wraparound terrace has a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the sea and the cityscape.

The bedrooms are similarly sophisticated, with sleek finishes, parquetry, spacious wardrobes, curated artwork and sweeping sea views.

Polished marble floors, bespoke finishes, and curated artwork are overseen by smart-home technology controls and a designer kitchen outfitted with the latest appliances.

The Waldorf Astoria Residences’ unmatched amenities include fitness and wellness suites, cinema and cigar lounges, a library, nine restaurants, and a starlight terrace inspired by Waldorf Astoria New York.

3. Lalique Pointe Estate in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

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The primary suite at this Caribbean villa is one of four suites, all designed in a soothing coastal contemporary aesthetic.

This cool, white Caribbean villa is in the gated Crystal Harbour resort, minutes from the white sands of Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach.

The property extends to more than half an acre with 8,088 square feet of serene space, elegantly appointed across three levels, including a stunning kitchen and family room, a private office, and double garage with EV-charging stations.

There are four suites in the main house, each adorned with soothing, earthy colors and textures. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest cottage has its own office and a custom-designed “man cave” with a bar and full bath.

The outdoor spaces are designed for the resort lifestyle, from the tropical gardens to the waterfront terrace with its pool and spa and outdoor kitchen. There’s also a play zone with a trampoline and life-size chess board. To cap it all, the private beach comes with a sunset view over Crystal Harbour and a fire pit for s‘mores under the stars.

4. Frame in Los Angeles, California

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The hills of Bel Air embrace this dramatic contemporary home, with future-forward finishes and fittings.

A private gateway and a 250-foot driveway framed by a colonnade of pepper trees introduce the Scandinavian-inspired glass and gabled façade of Frame, a masterful, AADS-designed private compound in the affluent L.A. neighborhood of Bel Air.

Inside, a soaring 30-foot atrium crowned by a custom concentric Bover chandelier, leads to the sunken living room, where a discreet built-in motorized media screen rises from the sculptural travertine fireplace.

The adjoining formal dining space is served by a Molteni&C-designed kitchen with book-matched Calacatta marble, a PITT stovetop, double islands, multiple seating spaces, and a fully appointed chef’s pantry augmented by a 190-bottle, wine closet.

With interior space of 11,818 square feet, Frame offers eight sumptuous bedrooms and 12 marble-clad bathrooms. The primary suite, with its center-pivot windows and private balcony, has dual bathrooms with floating vanities, clad in floor-to-ceiling travertine slabs.

Outside, the 3.5-acre plot includes a detached, two-bedroom guest house with a gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, and massage suite; a travertine infinity pool; and a tennis/basketball court. The car-collector’s garage features a 40-foot, “moment-framed” mahogany hangar door.

Seek more than a good night’s slumber? Find it here.