11 Incredible Hotels Around the World

Jade Mountain Resort is a top choice for a luxurious getaway on one of the most beautiful isles in the Caribbean: Saint Lucia. It’s perched on a lush slope above the popular and laidback Anse Chastanet Beach. Each of the resort’s 29 open-sided luxury suites (referred to as ‘sanctuaries’) feature infinity pools overlooking picture-postcard views of the forested peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton rising above cobalt blue Caribbean waters.

Jade Mountain Club – the award-winning onsite restaurant – makes good use of the view, or you could order the in-sanctuary dining option. A chef will come to your suite to prepare everything for an opulent, VIP treat. Further unwind at Kai En Ciel Spa with its extensive choices of luxurious treatments, including packages specially tailored for couples.

Rayavadee offers a luxurious boutique stay blessed by the most dramatic natural surroundings on the Railay Bay peninsula. The stunning location is cradled by limestone karsts, forested cliffs and hills, and 3 separate white-sand beaches close by. It’s a true tropical escape by the Andaman Sea. For a touch of added adventure, the only way to get there is by a 10-minute boat journey from the hotel's private pier.

Once on the Railay Bay peninsula, you can walk to Railay West (one of Thailand's finest beaches) and Railay East (with its easygoing bars and seafood restaurants). Besides leisurely pursuits, you can enjoy speed boating, kayaking, diving or even hiking and rock climbing. The south-facing Phra Nang Beach is where you'll find The Grotto, Rayavadee’s exclusive and breathtaking cave dining experience.

The unique and colourful architecture of the canalside Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam is one worth bragging about. The hotel’s visually stunning facade of 70 ‘stacked’ houses comprises various traditional woodhouse designs found in the historic Zaan region.

Inside, it’s bright and modern with rooms that also reflect the rich history of the area through the use of traditional furnishings and decor – fanciful touches like historical photographs or murals of vintage Westzaan cocoa powder brands cover the guestroom walls. The location itself is a top place to stay for a feel of 18^th- and 19^th-century Dutch life, with windmills, bakery museums and cheese factories lining the quaint streets and canals.

Staying at the Mihir Garh is like spending a few extraordinary nights inside an oversized sandcastle fortress, right in the middle of the Rajasthani desert. This architectural gem of a hotel surely looks the part with its series of towers and arches. And 'sandcastle' is no overstatement as it was actually built with sand from the dunes of Jaisalmer.

As Rajasthan’s leading eco-hotel, Mihir Garh sits on a 6-metre-high dune that’s surrounded by desert land that has been left to nature for local indigenous flora and fauna to thrive. It has 9 huge suites, each with private outside spaces offering open views. Each one is colourfully furnished with Rajasthani antiques, exotic local embroidery, and woodcarvings. The hotel also features 3 courtyards with gardens and fountains, 2 lounges, a sunset terrace, 4 indoor pools, and an outdoor pool.

Hanging Gardens of Bali has one of the most Instagrammable jungle infinity pools on the tropical island, if not of all the Indonesian islands. The award-winning hotel’s stunning pool is a key highlight for a swim and a snap, with bragging rights.

The resort is set in a lush and secluded rainforest north of the popular art centre of Ubud and overlooks a sequestered portion of the scenic and winding Ayung River valley. Its 44 private riverside villas are spread out over one side of the valley – most feature private pools suspended over the lush rainforest. Candlelit dining with specially designed setups on the infinity pool is another top option for honeymooners and romantics.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort offers an exotic getaway up in Oman’s cool and famous Green Mountains. The resort is remarkably perched on a canyon edge on the Saiq Plateau and offers dramatic views from its private villas. You can even take in the vastness of the canyon from a dedicated viewing platform where Princess Diana once stood.

The hotel has 6 restaurants serving Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and global cuisines. You can even arrange for a romantic sunset dinner by candlelight, set against the dramatic canyon. Besides a cliff-edge infinity pool and an outdoor movie theatre, the resort also has a luxurious spa with an indoor pool and hammam rituals. Families are also well-catered to, with a dedicated kids' club on-site.

At Dubai’s Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, you’d be topping your ‘amazing stays’ bucket list with a premium 7-star hotel experience. Another of Burj’s superlatives relates to its iconic facade. At 321 metres, it ranks among the tallest hotels in the world.

You’ll be able to get a taste of true Arabian luxury at one of the lavish suites of this striking sail-shape-designed hotel, which seemingly ‘cruises’ on the water. Luxury dining abounds with 9 restaurants and 2 nightlife venues. Hit the private beach for beachside drinks or have fun at either the 3 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools, or the free water park.

Far from any rundown or ancient cavern, Kayakapi Premium Caves is a uniquely luxurious boutique experience. It features opulent yet cosy suites and even full ‘mansions’ with modern furnishings fitted into fully restored heritage cave structures. What better way to spend your Cappadocian getaway than inside a cave that was first occupied by the Seljuq Empire in the 10th century? 

The award-winning cave hotel harks back to the unique architectural features of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed region, particularly the rock-hewn monasteries and distinctive ‘fairy chimneys’ of its underground cities. The main restaurant serves Cappadocian and international specialities and Kayakapi Spa features Turkish baths and a sauna. Cappadocia's regular hot-air balloon flights simply add to the magical sights.

Many travellers dream of staying inside a majestic Victorian castle and that’s made possible at Ashford Castle in Galway. This magnificent 13th-century castle on the Mayo-Galway border has been rebuilt, restored and expanded by several different owners over the following centuries. It was turned into a 5-star luxury hotel in the 20^th century and has garnered accolades ever since. The castle served as a filming location for The Quiet Man (1952) starring John Wayne as well as the Reign (2013) TV series.

Over the years, Ashford Castle has received notable guests, from presidents and royalties to global film and sports celebrities. You’ll feel like royalty yourself and enjoy all the ‘faded grandeur’ within. In addition to the 82 rooms arranged over 3 floors, there’s an exceptional spa that occupies a former bronze conservatory. Just across the River Cong and County Mayo is The Lodge at Ashford Castle, which overlooks gorgeous estate grounds and the serene Lough Corrib.

Wine-loving travellers should take note of Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Spain's Basque Country. This stunning landmark hotel in the town of Elciego stands out among the rolling vineyards with its amazing 21^st-century architecture. Designed by acclaimed visionary architect Frank Gehry, who’s also responsible for the striking Peggy Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, the hotel features an eye-catching interplay of massive titanium ribbons tinted in gold, pink, and silver – a ‘flowing’ homage to La Rioja’s hues of wine.

This 5-star hotel has 61 guestrooms and suites offering views of the otherwise medieval town and breathtaking countryside. It further embodies the famous wine-producing region’s strong cultural traditions and celebrated cuisine through its fine-dining venues: Restaurante 1860 Tradición and Marqués de Riscal Restaurant. Even the luxurious spa treatments at the Vinothérapie® SPA Caudalie Marqués de Riscal make good use of the region’s winning varietals.

The Bellagio is one of the most vibrant and glamorous hotels on the planet. With its vast manmade lake and must-see balletic fountains elegantly dancing to Elvis hits and classical pieces up front, this luxury casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip is nothing short of iconic.

Inside, airy and elegant rooms are adorned with luxurious art and feature marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. Lavish suites come with private lift access, whirlpool tubs and butler services, which are all very welcome features after each exciting night out with lady luck at the casino’s 2,000-or-so slot machines and 40 poker tables. The Bellagio has numerous fine-dining restaurants, a spa, and 5 distinctive outdoor courtyard pools, as well as bars and lounges with nightly live shows.