10 Best Bucket List Hotels Around the World

Finnish Lapland is blessed with some of the clearest skies in the world, and a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is one of most magical places to enjoy these unforgettable views. Adventure seekers flock here looking for the elusive sight of the Northern Lights swirling through the Arctic skies, lighting up the night in shades of green and purple.

The glass igloos are the most distinctive rooms at the hotel, but larger groups and families might prefer the rustic log cabins. The best time to see this natural spectacle is in the winter months, although the hotel is open throughout the year and has activities suitable for every season. Think sled rides and skiing in the winter, with cycling and boating popular in summer.

Le Sirenuse is an iconic property with jaw-dropping coastal views over Positano Beach and the Tyrrhenian Sea. With just 58 rooms, the family-run hotel can offer intimately personalised service that goes above and beyond for its guests. But that’s not to say its short on facilities. Featuring an award-winning spa, outdoor pool, and a champagne bar on the rooftop terrace, the whole resort evokes romance.

The on-site restaurant, La Sponda, serves intricate Italian cuisine in a candle lit dining enhanced with seasonal flowers and vines. The steep cliffs and winding roads of the Amalfi Coast are an Italian icon, and Le Sirenuse is one of the regions standout luxury hotels.

The Don CeSar has been an iconic feature of St. Pete Beach since it opened in 1928, but a stay here isn’t like spending a night in a museum. The rooms that once hosted the Jazz Age rich and famous like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Al Capone, and Franklin D. Roosevelt have been updated with modern styling and amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and Wi-Fi.

The striking Pink Palace still boasts the sort of facilities that made it popular with the personalities of the time, including a large on-site spa, 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor pools, and a fitness centre. And, of course, the sandy St. Pete Beach is just a few steps away.

The cave hotels of Cappadocia are like something out of a fairy tale, with ancient dwellings literally built into the rock. Mithra Cave Hotel is in the centre of Göreme village – a popular tourist neighbourhood in Cappadocia – and is one of the best cave hotels. It’s filled with maze-like subterranean passages and stunning views from makeshift terraces poking out of the iconic fairy chimneys.

This quaint boutique hotel has 39 individually decorated rooms, which come in a range of room types that vary in price and size. For an authentic stay, choose the Fairy Chimneys Room. You’ll find plenty of nooks for relaxing throughout the property. But make sure you head to the rooftop patio to watch the hot air balloons taking to the sky throughout the day, and especially the stunning sunset vista.

V8 Hotel Motorworld Region Stuttgart is a dream come true for petrolheads. This luxury car-themed hotel celebrates Stuttgart’s esteemed motor heritage with iconic vehicles throughout the properties, and even in some guest rooms. Other highlights include an on-site restaurant, spa, and 24-hour fitness centre.

The hotel is connected to Motorworld Stuttgart Museum so you can explore hundreds more luxury cars including many rare Porsches and Lamborghinis. Although located on the outskirts of Stuttgart, you can take a train to the city from Böblingen train station in 20 minutes.

This cutting-edge mountain spa retreat is the ultimate escape for rest and relaxation in the Austrian Alps. The Aqua Dome hotel is part of an expansive complex located in the Ötztal Valley in the Tirol region. It includes Sauna World, Spa 3000 and an impressive fitness centre. You’ll find a range of hot springs, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy treatments.

In total, there are 3 indoor pools and 5 outdoors in the hotel complex, with certain areas dedicated to families and others for adults only. The water used throughout the spas has been filtered directly from the glaciers surrounding the hotel. Guests at Aqua Dome can enter the spa facilities 2 hours earlier than outside guests, meaning you can soak up the majestic Alpine scene in absolute tranquillity.

The beautiful Azulik resort gives you the chilled-out beach hut vibe, but with first-class luxury on the inside. Some rooms are treetop nests poking out of the forest canopy, while others feel like hippy driftwood constructions overlooking a private beach. It’s a very natural, peaceful place to decompress, both in the resort grounds and in the 48 rooms and suites.

The facilities available to enjoy in this relaxing escape include 3 outstanding restaurants, a beach club, a full-service spa with sauna and steam room, and an outdoor pool. It even has its own fashion boutique, so you can dress the part.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is exactly what its name suggests – a castle right by the vividly turquoise water of a glacial lake in Banff National Park. The views are spectacular, as are the hiking trails around the lake and up into the mountains behind it. The town of Banff and all its great outdoor activities are just a short drive away, too.

The hotel itself is old-world luxury from the early 20th century but upgraded to modern standards. Think dark wood furnishings in light, minimalist décor, with facilities including an indoor pool, full-service spa, and ski rental. There are also 3 restaurants offering a choice of American and Alpine cuisines.

The regal Four Seasons Gresham Palace sits on the banks of the Danube and is an Art Nouveau icon in Budapest. This restored palace has been exquisitely renovated and is packed with luxe touches.

As a Four Seasons property, you can expect flawless service and attention to detail, from the 2-million-piece mosaic tile floors to the soaring winter gardens. Head to the concierge to learn more about the hotel’s bespoke activities, such as speedboat rides down the river and art tours of this grand European capital.

As bucket list experiences go, a stay at the modernist Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is hard to beat. You can sleep with the fishes here and wake up looking into your own private aquarium. While there are different room types available, the underwater rooms with views into a vivid aquatic world are the real highlights.

Located on the outskirts of Shanghai, around 90 minutes from downtown, this eco-friendly hotel has been built into an old quarry and has everything you need for a relaxing break. Beyond the aquarium that houses around 6,000 aquatic animals, there is a fantastic collection of 5 restaurants here, a children’s club, glass walking trails around the quarry, and light shows over the quarry every evening.