The exotic and new drives our Luxury 50 List this year, now in its 5th Edition. These newly minted hotels all have secrets to uncover, whether in the stories of their inspirations, history, or in their unique experience of luxury––all designed for exploration of the world within and as oases from the modern world. Where relationships are the new adventure, and hunting for the best selfies the new safari.
Time + Tide Miavana
Togetherness where the destination is an experience
Miavana is Malagasy meaning “to bring together,” and they provide the most exotic and sustainable ways to do so at this hideaway designed by architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. Painted in pale-pink, Malagasy stone and dotted with palm trees, 15,000 hectares of marine sanctuary surround Time + Tide Miavana. Breathtaking Indian Ocean vistas stun at the refreshing pool and rooftop bar. Or maybe you just want to relish the beauty from the privacy of your luxurious, airy beach villa where you can ponder why they call Madagascar a land in a forgotten sea, from your sunken bathtub.
Madagascar
timeandtideafrica.com/miavana
Capella Shanghai
Contemporary elegance in the Paris of the Orient
Set amidst original Shikumen townhouses, a rarity here since two decades of development nearly wiped them off the map, you will become a part of living history through Jaya Design International’s interpretation of the spirit of Jian Ye Li, a Franco-Chinese fusion of elements. The villas’ courtyards provide a peaceful respite and interior spaces reflect Parisian inspirations. The Shikumen Grand Villas recall 1930s living interpreted in luxurious, spacious ways. Particular attention to relationships and symmetry of spaces is paid, with furniture and design accented by intricate chinoiserie.
Shanghai, China
www.capellahotels.com/en/capella-shanghai
The Bürgenstock Hotel
Breathtaking, iconic luxury at Lake Lucerne
First opened in the late 1800s, and hovering 500m above Lake Lucerne, The Bürgenstock Hotel was the hotspot for European captains of industry and Hollywood’s elite––where Audrey Hepburn wed and Sofia Loren frequented. Rooms and suites are a masterpiece of modern elegance and Swiss charm with the sophisticated Family Suite featuring contemporary designer furniture, custom-designed textiles opulent natural quartzite wall, walnut floors and bathtubs with floor-to-ceiling views of the lake. Billed as an experience between heaven and water, the Alpine Spa awakens your senses in addition to restoring your health and well-being.
Switzerland
Habitas Tulum
Pop-up inspired Mexican adventure
Habitas Tulum serves up chic serendipity where relationships are the new adventure, and hunting for the best selfies the new safari. Nothing stock about this resort which doesn’t do anything conventional, born out of retreat pop-ups that went viral. When a 150 person, 24-hour party births a brand, you know that you’ve entered a whole new level of hospitality. One that thinks not only of spraying you with lemongrass natural bug repellent upon arrival, but also uses a local tree resin to rid you of any nasty negativity hanging onto your spirit. Instagrammable, locally sourced, and farm-to-table of course.
Mexico
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi
Tropical retreat with spa and exotic sunsets
Set on the resort island of Langkawi, its ancient rainforest provides a romantic backdrop to the latest addition of the storied luxury brand, The Ritz Carlton Langkawi. Rooms feature pitched roofs, vertical lines, ceiling fans and carved screens––all attuned for the tropical climate. Enjoy a sunset cocktail at the adults-only infinity pool then take part in a truly one-of-a-kind spa with treatment pavilions inspired by bubu fish traps. With the island’s only overwater spa, the locally-inspired treatments are an added treat. 90 Rainforest Suites hidden in the jungle feature elegant Baba Nyonya moveable screens and doors for lovely open-air accommodations.
Langkawi, Malaysia
ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/malaysia/langkawi
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Art & design at play in Thailand
Housed in 27 floors above the Central Embassy mall, the Park Hyatt Bangkok offers plenty of ways to unwind from the heated rhythms of Bangkok. The building in itself is an architectural marvel––a stunning wave of glass and metal in an urban sea and is perfectly located for retail therapy. 222 elegant rooms and suites set in neutral tones are designed as a calming counterpoint to the vibrant city. Large bathrooms filled with light, and ceiling-to-floor windows comfort, pamper and provide a dash of awesome to the luxurious with stunning panoramas of the city. The top few floors are home to the Penthouse Bar + Grill, the place to be as the evening approaches. The Rooftop Terrace on the 36th floor is a union of dramatic views and signature cocktails.
Bangkok, Thailand
Canaves Oia Sunday Suites
A Greek love story
See what happens when a titan of luxury hospitality dips its toes into the azure waters of Santorini. CanavesOia carved not only elegant suites into the cliffs of the legendary island that defines romance, but also brought to life charming indulgences like its location in the village of Oia and extravagant digs. Take your pick of a variety of accommodations including the Honeymoon Suite with plunge pool featuring a circular bathroom and two rain showers, along with a private veranda; and a ten-bedroom villa that sets a new bar for extravagant luxury, the ultimate in Santorini.
Santorini, Greece
canaves.com/canaves-oia-sunday-suites/
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Luxurious discretion and the extraordinary
In the epicentre of tastemakers and dealmakers, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills serves up the California dream with a side of the extraordinary. Spacious rooms feature Pierre-Yves Rochon designed interiors where bigger is better with floor-to-ceiling windows that give you sweeping Hollywood Hills and city views. Indulge like a star at La Prairie Spa in the land where beauty and wellness are a science with unique treatments like sensual Diamond Perfection Duo. Close to some of the finest in world-class shopping, trendy Melrose Blvd., iconic Rodeo Boulevard, and glitzy The Grove are at your pedicured feet.
California, USA
waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com
Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences
Exceptional with a view
With a nod to the original Alvear Palace, 159 opulent rooms have either sweeping city panoramas, or vistas of the nature reserve and River Plate, all with extravagantly appointed bathrooms and marble-walled whirlpool tubs. In Puerto Madero, close to San Telmo, you’ll find plenty of five-star dining and lively bars within walking distance. Polished marbles, columns, high-ceilings and onyx walls exude classic luxury. Seventeen floors feature vintage light fixtures and old prints of Buenos Aires. Visit the rooftop bar Crystal which impresses with a range of Argentine aperitifs, bubbles and wines served up with magnificent views.
Argentina
Awasi Iguazú
Personalised adventure in the heart of Argentina
14 rooms along the Iguazú come with private guides and four-wheel drives so you can explore wherever and whenever you want. It’s about nature and getting back in touch with yours here in the wilds of the rainforest. After exploring the world-famous falls, enjoy swimming in your own private plunge pool while hundreds of different butterflies and birds buzz and twitter. An open-air, spacious restaurant and bar with high ceilings, leather sofas, and wooden tables calms and cools in the middle of the jungle, a perfect place to sip and appreciate a world-famous Argentine Malbec.
Iguazú, Argentina
Jabali Ridge
Sacred spaces and the beauty of Ruaha
Jabali Ridge might be the only place in the world that finds you experiencing the much-needed alone time where remote means elegance and sophistication in a luxury resort of only eight rooms. Enjoyment and solitude rule here at the infinity pool and spa with lots of places to be still throughout the property, elevated high on rocky Jabali Ridge, with the Tanzanian Savannah at your feet. Close to Ruaha National Park, you will enjoy a range of adventures from night game drives, to chimpanzee and gorilla trekking or summiting nearby Kilimanjaro.
Tansania, Africa
asiliaafrica.com/east-africa-safari/tanzania/ruaha/jabali-ridge/
The Murray
Legendary, luxurious urban sanctuary
The flagship of Niccolo Hotels preserves one of Hong Kong’s iconic landmarks on Cotton Tree Drive, a contemporary urban chic design hotel that emphasises sustainable architecture. Striking angled windows, designed in the late 1960s by modernist architect Ron Phillips, have been preserved with an eye to maintaining the integrity of the original historic structure of the building. 336 suites and rooms on 25 storeys welcome guests with natural elements including leather, rare stones and textiles, creating an oasis from the hectic pace of the city. Five signature destination restaurants cater to refined palates and feature Popinjay, a contemporary rooftop bar.
Hong Kong, China
niccolohotels.com/hotels/hongkong/central/the_murray
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Andamans
Find your rhythm on land and at sea
An eco-friendly jewel in the Bay of Bengal set amidst the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, this retreat finds one surrounded by a veil of pristine national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 72 villa hideaways nestle into the jungle of Havelock Island, setting the tone for a luxurious retreat that focuses on the stunning beauty of nature. The two-storey presidential villa comes with your very own butler service. All villas feature dark coconut wood, four-poster beds and walk-in closets, some with private pools attached.
Andaman Nicobar Islands, India
taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-exotica-andamans
One&Only Nyungwe House
Romantic and exotic in the rainforest
With tea plantations on one side, and rainforest on the other, this exotic resort set in the jungles of Rwanda stuns with fascinating panoramas and 22 unique rooms and suites tucked into six wooden villas. One&Only Nyungwe has taken the stately Nyungwe Lodge and turned it into an exclusive oasis. A stylish reception area, lighted wooden walkways, library, and bar overlooking the plantations with a fireplace and your choice of indoor or outdoor seating ups the romance. An outdoor infinity pool with fire pit and evening barbecues help you relax after a day’s excursion into this impressive biodiverse national park with 13 different primate species including chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Enjoy a trip to Kamiranzovu Swamps and waterfall walks.
Nyungwe Rain Forest, Rwanda
oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-nyungwe-house-rwanda
The Oberoi, New Delhi
Gracious service meets ancient wonder
Feel like royalty at The Oberoi, Delhi’s luxury icon where your room’s iPad controls everything from locating Mecca to opening the curtains. Luxury and comfort combine in 220 rooms with 34 suites featuring teak floors, Italian marble bathrooms, and sophisticated furniture that allows you to lavishly take in breathtaking views of the prestigious New Delhi Golf Course or UNESCO World Heritage site of Humayun’s Tomb. Attractive gardens on the property lure you off the busy road, worlds away from the city’s infamous bustle. Legendary, gracious Indian service sees to it that you experience everything in serene comfort.
New Delhi, India
oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-delhi
Rosewood Luang Prabang
Immerse in the exotic on the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers
From luxurious hilltop tents to private villas, this luxury resort provides the best in diverse, exotic retreats with cultural immersion in the enchanting setting of Laos. The former royal enclave, set amidst a rushing waterfall, features French-Lao architecture with interiors that echo the region’s UNESCO World Heritage temples. Spacious balconies and oversized daybeds find you enjoying nature in style while rain showers and classic bathtubs are effortless indulgences. Riverside villas and waterfall pool villas provide solace and fun with state-of-the-art technology and a workspace that helps you keep in touch with the world, if needs be.
Luang Prabang, Laos
rosewoodhotels.com/en/luang-prabang
Nobu Ryokan Malibu
Surf and simplicity at an exclusive Ryokan refuge
In the land that invented excess, less is more at Nobu Ryokan Malibu where simple lines and a mere 16 rooms invite you to experience the Malibu lifestyle. Grab your board and paddle out to the break in this surfing mecca. Then enjoy the unique features of your traditional Japanese Ryokan with teak soaking tubs. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces welcome foggy nights. Take in the sun like a celebrity on tranquil outdoor patios with forever Pacific views. Indulge like a champ where exclusivity reigns in rooms with elegant touches like yukata linens and Italian bedding. Chef Matsuhisa creates the best in Japanese-fusion at Nobu Malibu restaurant, only steps away.
California, USA
Casa Cook Kos
Bohemian luxury on the beach
Intimate and romantic, enjoy Greek island-inspired architecture at Casa Cook Kos, full of villas that hug gardens and patios creating the feel of a charming seaside town. Nestled in the golden sand in the shadow of the mountains, 100 rooms create a storybook atmosphere high on luxury without the crowds. Relaxed elegance carves out a tranquil retreat with classic rooms and villa suites, further nurtured by natural materials and exotic appointments. Let your bohemian-side rule on a minimalist canvas of interiors with polished, relaxed vibe that echoes the region’s fishing huts of old.
Greece
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Inspiration in paradise
Spacious Lagoon View Suites and stunning overwater villas featuring the extravagant Presidential Villas greet you with forever views of French Polynesia. Six restaurants and bars see to it that you would consider being marooned in this tropical paradise. Signature experiences serve up adventure and food to inspire and delight for as long as you prefer something other than indulging in solitude while stretched out over white sand beaches, before the soaring backdrop of Mount Otemanu, the mesmerising lagoon or a private islet. Hina Spa, located on the hilltop features stunning views of the sea.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bawah Reserve
Private sanctuary where anything is possible
About an hour’s seaplane flight from Batam you fall in love with one of Indonesia’s most beautiful and remote islands. A short walk from the main boardwalk are 35 unique accommodations––featuring beach villas, overwater villas and garden villas. Expansive verandas and Dedon sun loungers invite couples to experience stunning sunrises and sunsets. Chef Ardian’s innovative, distinctly personal, cuisine includes consultations at lunch to discover what you might like for dinner each night and blends traditional Indonesian faire with other Asian inspirations. Water and land adventures find you diving shipwrecks or trekking amongst the volcanic island’s rocky heights.
Riau Islands, Indonesia
One&Only Le Saint Gerán
Rebirth of an icon
Your private peninsula welcomes you to One&Only Le Saint Gerán, Mauritius, a white-sand tropical paradise. Renovated with an eye toward all things adventurous and romantic, the state-of-the-art beachy, spacious accommodations, barefoot dining, and call of the wild will appeal to those seeking solace or thrills. Terraced rooms feature Mauritian stonework and stunning Indian Ocean views. Families will enjoy the diverse activities from Club One just for kids to kayaking, diving and remote sails to simply drop anchor or bring back a fresh catch. Their fragrant tropical gardens are the exquisite setting for the perfect ‘I do.’
Mauritius
oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-le-saint-geran-mauritius
Park Hyatt St. Kitts
Golden beaches of Banana Bay
78 rooms and 48 suites hug the golden sand beach of St. Kitts with lavish suites and private rooftop plunge pools, including no less than three restaurants and the Miraval spa, a first for the islands. Tropical-zen reflecting pools greet you upon arrival filled with water lilies and framed by walls of exotic tropical foliage. Panoramic views of St. Nevis and the Caribbean define the experience in rooms with high ceilings, neutral colours and private verandas that help you beat the heat. The understated British-colonial aesthetic reflects the region’s history, providing a stately retreat.
Banana Bay, St. Kitts & Nevis
hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/saint-kitts-and-nevis/park-hyatt-st-kitts/skbph
COMO Uma Canggu
Luxury surf adventure in South Bali
Opened recently along the shores of Bali, experience bare-foot luxury as you savour a morning cup of Balinese coffee with a view of the ocean before hitting the surf. Seek adventures at six surf breaks within walking distance of the Como Uma Cangguu, set near the black volcanic sands of the up-and-coming coastal village of Cangguu, where you’ll leave the Seminyak crowds behind. The Como Beach Club, designed by Paola Navone, combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Amenities include Como Shambhala Spa offering a rich variety of Asian inspired therapies and a fitness centre with unique yoga class selections.
Bali, Indonesia
The Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
Old Havana’s first luxury hotel
With castles and UNESCO World Heritage sites only miles away, you can finally experience true indulgence in Cuba, in one of 246 opulent suites in the old communist outpost. Specialising in Caribbean seafood, San Cristobal Panoramic Restaurant provides stunning views of the city, while international and local specialities at restaurant Confluencia are guaranteed to heat up the culinary adventures. The majesty of the building’s turn-of-the-century heritage adds a touch of glamour to the stay. Find late-night fun at Constante Bar and enjoy Evocacion Tobacco lounge where you’ll enjoy sipping a fine Cuban Rum and smoking the finest Cuban cigar.
Havana, Cuba
kempinski.com/en/havana/gran-hotel-kempinski-la-habana/
The Setai, Tel Aviv
Urban chic meets modern luxury in Tel Aviv
Overlooking the ancient port of Jaffa and the Mediterranean coast, this chic urban oasis offers 120 luxurious rooms and suites in a one-time Crusader fortress and prison during the Ottoman period. Architectural heritage, culture and history come alive here in this extraordinary twenty-year restoration overseen by the Israel Antiquities Authority involving archaeological digs which unearthed 12th-century artefacts. Today the Setai comprises structures from the Crusader period as well as new auxiliary wings designed to reflect the ancient architecture.
Tel Aviv, Israel
The Retreat Hotel at Blue Lagoon
5-star renewal in Iceland
Welcome to the first no selfie-stick allowed, five-star 62-suite hotel resort on the infamous lagoon with a private lagoon to call their own. Finally, experience the wonder of the healing waters here without the crowds. The 800-year-old lava flow welcomes with floor-to-ceiling windows offering fantastic views from a resort that virtually disappears into the landscape. Sleek concrete walls and lots of natural light are the hallmarks, with the spa taking centre stage. A 10-seat chef’s table at Moss restaurant offers a delicious seven-course meal with a unique wine cellar underneath the hotel, carved out of lava.
Iceland
bluelagoon.com/accommodation/retreat-hotel
Bvlgari Resort Dubai
The city’s most expensive resort
High rolling luxury awaits at Bvlgari Resort Dubai in Jumeira Bay. The jewel in the desert sparkles brighter than any other as the city’s most expensive hotel offering mansions, private residences and a marina for high-net-worth travellers and their yachts. The Yacht Club reflects the heritage of the Bvlgari brand and the Italian love of the sea with small marinas including 50 births dedicated to boats up to 40 metres with a superyacht anchorage outside the bay. Over-the-top amenities include an opulent spa and a swimming pool lined with real gold mosaic tiles, green onyx, and Afyon marble.
Dubai, UAE
Andaz Singapore
New kid on the busy block
With interior design inspired by neighbouring alleys and shophouses, Andre Fu has created intimate spaces filled with whimsical touches like guestroom doorbells placed in unique post boxes and surprising artwork in public spaces featuring a metallic sculpture by Andre Mendes that seems to fly through the lobby. Conveniently located near Kampong Glam––Little India districts, the first Andaz in Southeast Asia lies at the heart of Singapore’s re-energised cultural centre. Earthy tones throughout and floor-to-ceiling glass windows frame stunning skyline views of Singapore, best seen from Mr Stork, the rooftop bar.
Singapore
singapore.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel/our-hotel.html
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
Safari in the Orient
JW Marriott Phu Quoc has a Vietnamese soul designed with the spirit of the university’s namesake French naturalist in mind. Recently renovated in a period style by architect Bill Bensley who has made a career out of turning fantasy into reality, the design pays homage to history, yet is full of whimsy. The shopping alley, Rue de Lamarck, has paper lanterns hanging above the boutique-lined walkway, emulating Hoi An’s iconic atmosphere. 244 rooms feature balconies and bright, airy European interiors. Check out The Presidential Villa’s infinity pool, steam and sauna with an outdoor bathtub to soak in views of the sea.
Phú Quốc, Vietnam
marriott.com/hotels/travel/pqcjw-jw-marriott-phu-quoc-emerald-bay-resort-and-spa/
The Middle House
Shanghai opulence
Set in the city’s historic Dazhongli neighbourhood, the opulent hotel features chic Shanghainese interiors and an Italian sensibility that soothes and provides respite from the mania of the city’s electric beat. 111 rooms and suites await guests, along with 102 fully-serviced apartments in a neighbouring tower. Traditional Chinese furniture inspires, as does dramatic dark woods and elegant white linens. Chef Gray Kunz brings a signature mix of European and Asian cuisine to Café Grey Deluxe. Sui Tang Li serves up traditional Chinese faire from Sichuan to Cantonese, alongside Chinese wines while MiXun, their day spa revitalises with various natural treatments.
Shanghai, China
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi
An island of secret pleasures
Perched on the pristine white sands of the Shaviyani Atoll a dramatic seaplane ride from Malé, this romantic and remote location with 120 villas––some over-water––gives you plenty of stunning horizons. Plenty of adventures here include diving jewel-like coral reefs and experiencing fascination in new ways as you swim the length of the island in the 200-metre swimming pool. Enjoy secret gardens on land where enchanting wooden structures and platforms allow you to gaze out at the sea while letting your feet dangle. Local fishermen keep the Azure Grill in plenty of snapper, lobster and tuna.
Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Lavish grandeur and whimsy
On Place de la Concorde, close to the Champs-Elysées and Jardin des Tuileries, this historic hotel exudes grandeur inspired by Architect Richard Martinet, artistic director Aline d’Amman, along with a staff of Parisian-based designers. The four-year renovation preserved this historic residence of Louis XV. Lavish appointments include amethyst chandeliers and whimsical courtyards. Balcony views of the Eiffel Tower can be had at the Ateliers D’Artistes suites. Unique indulgences are catered to at the wine cellar with aprés dinner treats at the cigar lounge.
Paris, France
rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon
Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
Luxury and imaginative cuisine
Indulge in the exotic on the shores of Colombo. The 35-floor tower includes the exclusive Horizon Club Lounge, the city’s largest club. Cherished local design elements like lotus flowers, basketry, inlaid chocolate-wood ceilings, and stylised restaurants set the stage for the social scene here. Enjoy a variety of culinary adventures at distinctive venues like the vibrant Capital Bar & Grill featuring live music along with steaks and seafood; DharshanNunidasa’sKaema Sutra serving reimagined small plates of Sri Lankan cuisine; and Shang Palace’s Chinese delicacies. Indulge in a moment of peace during high tea reminiscing about bygone colonial days.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
shangri-la.com/colombo/shangrila/
Nobu Hotel Marbella
Spanish Riviera’s latest sensation
Playfully decadent you will fall in love with your new address on Costa del Sol’s Golden Mile. Find your sanctuary in 81 adults-only, airy rooms with stunning Mediterranean views featuring creamy-toned, sophisticated interiors and open terraces. Elegant Ryokan-style detailing abounds in the public spaces at Nobu Marbella along with dark woods with a touch of Old Hollywood and urban chic. Enjoy kimono robes and a cocktail of choice with your turndown each night. Nobu Marbella provides the best in Japanese cuisine and nearby Plaza Village will find you on many of the city’s most celebrated culinary adventures.
Spain
Adare Manor
Castle living in Emerald Isle
Roam the distinctly Irish greens at the prestigious, romantic Victorian mansion that took over thirty years to construct. Enjoy the vast expanse of emerald green served up in a way only Ireland can on an 840-acre property where the River Maigue flows. Enjoy the view from the regal Lady Caroline Dunraven Suite overlooking the gardens and golf course. Castle-like interiors bathe in natural light and a symphony of colours with tapestries and stained glass windows.
Ireland
Amanyangyun
Elegant Palatial preservation, timeless beauty
Feel the luxury of being surrounded by history with a stay at these exquisitely preserved Ming and Qing dynasty dwellings in Shanghai. Amanyangyun is the perfect setting to open up to the world within, named after the idea that knowledge is a nourishing cloud-born in the fantastic forests. A spa, Russian banya and a hammam will joyfully invigorate you back to the present. Peaceful rooms feature incredible panoramic forest views with wood and bamboo interiors.
Shanghai, China
SLS Baha Mar
Lush and lovely in Nassau, Bahamas
A playful wave of Caribbean colour highlights the exotic SLS Baha Mar where nightlife takes centre stage. Walk-in showers in 299 rooms up the exotic here with interiors that reflect the best of Bahamian design. The Baha Mar delivers camera ready locales to pump up your Instagram feed including a Bungalow Pool framed with black-and-white cabanas. Located on famous Cable Beach, you’ll want to also hit the sophisticated cabana-dotted Privilege Pool. Indulge in the resort’s chaise-side meal service or at one of the 14 restaurants offering everything from beachfront conch salad assembly to Katsuya’s Japanese cuisine.
Nassau, Bahamas
Alila Fort Bishangarh
Luxury in the land of kings
The 230-year-old fort rises high upon a hill of granite on the famed Aravalli Mountain range, with sweeping panoramic views of Rajasthan. Its seven-year restoration offers extravagant suites with modern amenities and a gorgeous outdoor terrace restaurant Nazara. Rooms feature mighty details like heavy wooden-doors with light, bright interiors, ornate windows and marble floors. Enjoy mystery and intrigue at Spa Alila carved out of the granite in what was the dungeon of the Indian fortress. Mughal and British architecture feature fortified seven-foot-thick walls with their original cannon and gun openings.
Rajasthan, India
alilahotels.com/fortbishangarh
Four Seasons Hotel Megève
Top-secret luxury, seclusion in the Alps
With a speciality in aprés-ski Barons Edmond and Benjamin de Rothschild designed this extravagant retreat, nestled gondola-close to Mount Blanc. A world away from the everyday, the stunning chalet resort hosts unrivalled, intimate getaways no matter what the season. Stunning views of the Alps greet guests here featuring Le Chalet du Mont d’Arbois and Spa, 2-Michelin-star Le 1920, the Mont d’Arbois Golf course and a handful of restaurants for the whole family. Stay in the biggest hidden gem in the French Alps, La Suite Idéal, within the Chalet restaurant at an elevation of over 1800 meters for the ultimate in seclusion.
France
Berber Lodge
Simply serene traditional
Enjoy the serene life not far away from the bustle of Marrakech among ancient Olive trees near the village of Oumes. Nine Berber lodges in a village setting welcome you to a luxurious home-away-from-home near Lake Takerkoust, the ideal location perfect for exploring Morocco’s many mysteries. The two-bedroom Family Lodge features a dressing room, walk-in closet, and private terrace. All lodges feature sumptuous tadelakt and marble bathrooms and traditional materials like eucalyptus and palm beams, earthen bricks and vintage Moroccan fabrics. The stunning pool enhances the beauty of the garden close to an indoor and outdoor bar.
Marrakesh, Morocco
The Nomad
Old Hollywood glitz and glamour
Old Hollywood meets California casual at Giannini Place, a 1920s Bank of Italy Headquarters turned hip luxury hotspot in Los Angeles. Forget the beach, you may never leave the lusciously landscaped rooftop pool or the elegant bathrooms featuring freestanding bathtubs and gorgeous sculptural light fixtures. The 241 elegantly appointed rooms are located right in the heart of LA on the corner of 7th and Olive Street close to the Arts District, Fashion District, Flower District, Bunker Hill, Gallery Row, Grand Central Market and Disney Concert Hall, all just a walk away. Yes, you’ll even love walking in LA.
Los Angeles, USA
Hoshinoya Bali
Supernatural luxury
Set along the Pakerisan River, you feel a sense of release and awakening in this ancient place of healing and beauty in Bali. Close to the TirtaEmpul in Ubud, a mecca of sorts for rejuvenation and blessing, you may choose to bathe in the holy waters here among smoking incense and fragrant flower offerings to the sounds of gamelan music. Three pools connect exquisite single-storey open-air villas here at Hoshinoya. Inspired by the traditional Hindu family compound, the resort features expansive jungle views and Balinese art.
Bali, Indonesia
Narendra Bhawan
Journey through Indian tradition
At Narendra Bhawan you will live the story of the last reigning Maharaja of Bikaner, His Highness Narendra Singhiji, namesake of the resort. A repository that pays homage to his memory with unique interiors inspired by his distant, exotic travels. Elaborate themes set the tone of the rooms and feature eclectic modern nobility at its finest with echoes of Art Deco and the colonial. Bikaner terrazzo floors and Portuguese tiles are found in the Residence Rooms along with artwork and crafts by local artisans.
Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Jaya House River Park
Glamorous river oasis
This 36-room, art-deco-inspired boutique oasis along the Siem Reap River is only a tuk-tuk ride away from Angkor Wat. Spacious rooms and suites feature lush decor and either balcony, or direct access to the pool and gardens. With two large pools, one lined with real silver tiles, and daily breakfasts featuring their signature tropical juice mimosa––you’ll never want to leave this glamorous Cambodian home. Top off your adventurous days with sundowner cocktails at the rooftop Sky Bar on one of six swinging day beds.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
jayahouseriverparksiemreap.com
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Cocooned in nature
Stay in luxury tents that feel more like cocoons which seem to hug the Sri Lankan landscape, where the Indian Ocean meets the jungle on this rustic pristine beach nearby Yala National Park. A Nomadic Resort design with an eye for all things natural, fabric serves as architecture in stunning ways that blend in with the environment in playful shapes like a leopard’s paw. Called Cocoons & Urchins, they feature teak floors, leather chairs and freestanding copper bathtubs that will remind you of the adventures of the first great expeditions.
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
resplendentceylon.com/wildcoastlodge-yala
Hotel Casa Telmo
Historical, adventurous in Spain
Its namesake explorer and adventurer only settled down after discovering Minorca on his travels and you’ll discover why. Each room here reveals a bit more of the building’s history, designed by the Quintana Partners Studio. Historical appointments include claw-foot tubs, patterned tiles, painted cabinetry and eclectic design peppered with antiques. Outdoor courtyards call up the Moorish influences here. Neutral and warm tones remind you of home, offering five unique rooms with a travel theme from British to African cottages.
Minorca, Spain
Villa La Coste
Seduction in Provence
Near Cezanne’s home and Luberon Nature Park, set in the Château La Coste vineyard, Villa La Coste welcomes you home to one of the most popular destinations for art, architecture and natural beauty in France. Extensive gardens define the property with 28 Villa Suites, featuring light oak, marble and natural stone accents and stunning views of expansive vine and valley panoramas. The traditions of Provence are reflected in the pool, spa, library and bar. Surrender to the seduction of art and the luxury of joie de vivre.
Provence, France
The Ned
Gourmet time machine
Step into the roaring ‘20s when you enter The Ned’s former Midland Bank building in the heart of London, designed by Sir Edwin Ned Lutyens in the mid-1920s. The interiors of its 252 bedrooms make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time as do the hotel’s nine restaurants. You won’t go hungry with global choices that range from Malibu’s California-dreaming healthy superfoods, to Cecconi’s Venetian brasserie, to Kaia’s poke bowls. Rooms range from intimate crash pads to roomy suites with features like dome windows, original mahogany fireplaces, and gorgeous outdoor terraces with large dining areas.
London, England
sohohouse.com/bedrooms/the-ned
Avani+ Luang Prabang
Sunset river cruises in Prabang, Laos
Nestled in this UNESCO World Heritage town in the shadow of temples and on the banks of the Mekong, enjoy the charm of cycling through the streets or cruising down the river at sunset. Classically contemporary, this boutique hideaway nods to its architectural heritage as a former French officer’s quarters, adding a modern twist to its storied history. In addition to speciality restaurants, a digital experience gives explorers insights into local culture and hotspots, including trips and off-the-beaten-track experiences. 53 classical, intimate guest rooms and suites have open floor plans and balconies with French louvred wooden doors.
Prabang, Laos
minorhotels.com/en/avani/luang-prabang
Hotel Savoy Florence
Timeless Florentine fashion
The best in Tuscan cuisine and wine meets architectural and artistic marvels. Halfway between the Uffizi and the Duomo, The Hotel Savoy provides a beautiful location to explore all that Florence has to offer. 80 suites feature Florentine-fashion inspired, elegant yet homey interiors with Italian-style parquet floors, marble and mosaics. Choose from the opulent Presidential Suite or Grand View suites with their panoramas of Florence and elegant sitting rooms. Rooms are appointed with local artisanal lamps, cabinets and iron accents. Billed as a feminine, irreverent take on traditional Italian delicacies, FulvioPierangelini’s Tuscan Bistro IRENE surprises as much as it comforts.
Florence, Italy
roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-savoy/
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© This article was first published in Oct-Nov 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.
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