Where to Stay

Hidden in a forested garden on the way to Kinkakuji. Possibly the most serene hotel in Japan — stone paths, a secret forest garden, and hot spring baths.

53 private riads in a self-contained city-within-a-city, created by royal command. Personal butler per riad, private plunge pools, and the finest spa in Africa.

New Zealand's finest lodge — 12 suites above Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables as a backdrop. Extraordinary service, private lake access, and the best view in Queenstown.

A private island resort with just 11 villas, a rewilded ecosystem, and a guest list that has included royalty on their honeymoon — the single most exclusive stay in the Indian Ocean.

The most celebrated ryokan in Japan — 300 years old, 18 rooms, tatami floors, kaiseki dinner, and dawn tea ceremony. Guests have included world leaders and film directors.

39 private pool villas above a secluded bay north of Phuket. One of Asia's great hideaway hotels — the snorkelling off the private beach is outstanding.

A 1912 mansion above Bantry Bay with 13 rooms, private art collection, two pools, and arguably the best panoramic view in Cape Town.

Positano's defining hotel — a family-run palazzo of extraordinary taste, overlooking the bay. The rooftop pool and La Sponda restaurant are pilgrimage destinations.

A colonial estate on Sentosa Island surrounded by rainforest. The most serene luxury hotel in Singapore — two pools, three restaurants, and extraordinary service.

A cliffside hotel of extraordinary taste 10 minutes' walk from the Old Town. Every room faces the Adriatic, private beach, boat shuttle to the Old Town gates.

A 1930s manor house in Karen where Rothschild giraffes poke their heads through the breakfast-room windows — twelve rooms only, booked out months in advance.

The finest hotel on the Chao Phraya River. Two restored colonial-era buildings, riverfront infinity pool, and possibly the best service in Southeast Asia.

Salvatore Ferragamo's 14-suite boutique on Via Condotti. Steps from the Spanish Steps, rooftop terrace, and the most personal service in the city.

The hotel that launched the Aman brand in 1988. 40 Thai pavilion suites in a coconut grove above Surin Beach — still the benchmark for understated luxury in Asia.

Six floors atop the converted Zeitz MOCAA museum — the most dramatic hotel in Africa. Blown-glass windows, pillow-menu, and Table Mountain views from the rooftop pool.

A restored 18th-century palace in Santa Catarina with a spectacular rooftop pool, azulejo tile interiors, and Tagus panorama.

The finest overwater resort on the island. Private beach motu, exceptional snorkelling directly from the water bungalows, and a spa that is among the world's best.

The finest hotel in Ipanema — Philippe Starck interiors, rooftop pool with Sugarloaf views, and the most sophisticated atmosphere in Rio.

Siem Reap's original grand hotel, open since 1932. Colonial architecture, manicured gardens, and a genuine sense of history a few minutes from the Old Market.

A sleek, art-filled property blending French-colonial and Khmer design, right on the edge of town. Consistently rated among the best service in Cambodia.

A 17-room Relais & Châteaux lodge on a 10,000-acre estancia near El Calafate — all-inclusive dining, guided excursions, and unbroken Patagonian steppe views.

Fifteen white-domed private villas on a forested hillside above Kendwa, each with its own pool, garden, and butler — Zanzibar's most architecturally distinctive stay.

The only resort in the pristine Laamu atoll — 97 villas on stilts above a lagoon with some of the most untouched reef in the Maldives. Solar powered, plastic-free.

The best luxury hotel on Passeig de Gràcia — rooftop pool with city panorama, world-class spa, and the finest location for Gaudí architecture.

A 55-room boutique hotel in Chiado with a rooftop terrace offering the best view of the Tagus. Impeccable service and the finest address in Lisbon.

An 11th-century palazzo in Ravello with an infinity pool that appears to hang over the sea. The most spectacular pool view in Italy.

Churchill's favourite hotel — a Moroccan palace surrounded by 8 hectares of garden that have been here since the 18th century. The benchmark for Moroccan luxury.

Three interconnected buildings — Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary — on the Vltava riverbank directly below Prague Castle. The finest address in the city.

Clifftop resort above Cala Conta with infinity pools at different levels, suites overlooking Es Vedrà, and the finest spa on the island.

A 19th-century Ottoman palace on the European shore of the Bosphorus. Room views of the strait, ferries passing below, and suites opening onto private terraces.

Queenstown's most atmospheric hotel — an 1860s lakefront building with 5 suites and a legendary lakefront bar. The finest address in the town centre.

The benchmark Hawaiian luxury resort — on Wailea Beach, multiple pools, extraordinary whale-watching from the beach November–April, and the best service in the state.

Built in 1901 — the most historically significant hotel in Southeast Asia. Graham Greene wrote part of The Quiet American here. Underground WWII bunker tours included.

The most quintessentially British grand hotel — Art Deco public rooms, the most famous afternoon tea in London, and a level of discreet service that defines what 'old money' luxury means.

The hotel with the world's most spectacular view of the Opera House — directly across the cove on the Rocks waterfront, with sandstone architecture and impeccable service.

A rice-terrace resort in the Mae Rim valley, 30 minutes from the Old City. Private pavilions, elephant-friendly excursions, and one of the most serene properties in northern Thailand.

Occupies the top floors of Lotte World Tower, Korea's tallest building. Michelin-starred dining, sweeping Han River views, and some of the best service in the city.

The only hotel where you can hear and feel the spray of Victoria Falls from your own veranda — colonial-style luxury on the Zambian riverbank, a five-minute walk from the falls themselves.

A private-peninsula resort on the east coast with an eco-certified lagoon, six restaurants, and some of the most spacious suites in Mauritius.

Ultra-luxe suites in Oia with private plunge pools, butler service, and arguably the most dramatic sunset views on the island.

Adults-only overwater resort with direct lagoon access, a house reef ideal for snorkelling, and optional all-inclusive. Speedboat transfer from Male.

A soaring tower in Ploenchit with some of the most striking interiors in Bangkok. Thai botanical art, exceptional F&B, and a sky-high pool.

The most recognisable hotel on earth. A sail-shaped island tower with butler service, helicopter landing pad, and rooms starting on the 18th floor. An experience rather than just a hotel.

A Dorchester Collection property on the Via Veneto with the finest rooftop terrace view in Rome — city panorama, Borghese Gardens, and St Peter's dome.

The finest hotel on the Upper East Side — across from the Met, Jean-Georges restaurant, and a lobby that functions as the best people-watching in the neighbourhood.

A music-themed boutique in Malá Strana — each floor dedicated to a different genre, with a garden overlooking the castle and one of the city's best rooftop terraces.

A restored 1860s Ottoman sultan's palace on the Bosphorus — the most historically significant hotel in Istanbul, with the most dramatic outdoor pool in the city.

Perched on a lava field 45 minutes from Reykjavik — the Northern Lights visible from the hot tubs, surrounded by Þingvellir National Park. Extraordinary.

The finest boutique hotel in Roma Norte — pool lined with murals, Mexico City's best hotel garden, and a restaurant that anchors the neighbourhood's creative scene.

The most theatrical hotel in the USA — designed by Baz Luhrmann, with a taxidermied mammoth in gold leaf in the lobby, the finest pool on Miami Beach, and extraordinary service.

Sydney's most quietly luxurious hotel — set inside the heritage Department of Education building near Circular Quay, with elegant interiors and Sydney's most refined urban spa.

A restored 19th-century teak homestead turned 30-suite boutique hotel, steps from the Ping River. Colonial charm, personalised butler service, and genuine historic character.

Central Gwanghwamun location a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace, with a spa, indoor pool, and one of Seoul's most polished dining scenes.

A polished tower directly beside the Petronas Towers, with sweeping KLCC Park views and some of the city's best dining and spa facilities.

Buenos Aires's most historic grand hotel, in Recoleta since 1932 — Louis XV interiors, white-glove service, and the city's most traditional afternoon tea.

Barefoot-luxury villas with private plunge pools on Malolo Island, solar-powered and locally sourced down to the restaurant menus.

A jungle hideaway perched above the Campuhan Ridge in Ubud. Rice terrace views, a treetop infinity pool, and one of the island's best spa programmes.

The famous hotel from Lost in Translation, still delivering one of the most atmospheric Tokyo experiences available. Floors 39–52, sky-high pool, extraordinary service.

The finest address for watching the Dubai Fountain from your room. Steps from the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, with a rooftop pool and remarkable service.

The widest lagoon frontage of any Bora Bora resort. Overwater bungalows with private pools, butler service, and views of Mount Otemanu from every room.

A 17th-century palace in the Centro Histórico converted into a design hotel with a rooftop bar overlooking the Metropolitan Cathedral. The most atmospheric address in the city.

The most iconic hotel in South America — a 1923 white palace directly on Copacabana Beach. The pool overlooking the beach is one of the world's great hotel views.

Firmdale's Soho gem — bold Kit Kemp interiors, a private courtyard garden, and the best location for theatres and restaurants in central London.

Directly overlooking KLCC Park and the Petronas Towers, with the city's largest club lounge and a widely rated best-in-KL rooftop infinity pool.

A converted 16th-century monastery in the heart of Cusco — vaulted ceilings, colonial art, and an oxygen-enriched room option for altitude relief.

The 'Pink Palace' since 1912 — a Beverly Hills institution with its famous Polo Lounge, banana-leaf wallpaper, and a poolside scene that's hosted a century of Hollywood deal-making.

A dramatic lodge in the Seronera Valley with its own waterhole, drawing elephant and buffalo past the infinity pool without anyone needing to board a vehicle.

The benchmark caldera-view property in Oia. Cave-style suites carved into the cliff face, infinity pool, private terraces, and the island's best breakfast.

The definitive luxury address in Barcelona — a 44-storey tower overlooking the Olympic port, beach, and city. Two pools, Frank Gehry's fish sculpture at your door.

25 interconnected 17th-century canal houses transformed into 225 rooms. The most characterful luxury stay in Amsterdam — private gardens, canal suites, world-class bar.

Perched on the cliff above Monterosso with the best sea-facing terrace in the region. Family-run since 1959, with rooms that frame the Ligurian sun like paintings.

Ibiza's oldest hotel (1933) on the Vara de Rey promenade — beautifully restored with harbour views, rooftop bar, and the most central location on the island.

The only hotel at the end of the Road to Hana — a working farm, healing arts centre, and the most peaceful hotel in Hawaii. Miles from the nearest traffic.

5-star hotel directly below the city walls with a private beach platform and Old Town views. Swimming literally beneath the medieval walls.

A former 17th-century convent in the Old City, converted into Cartagena's most storied luxury hotel — cloistered courtyards and a pool built into the old chapel gardens.

The Strip's most iconic resort, home to the Fountains of Bellagio, the Conservatory botanical garden, and Cirque du Soleil's O.

A former royal hunting lodge at the base of the Giza Plateau — many rooms look directly onto the Pyramids, a view no other hotel in the world can offer.

Tokyo's most architecturally interesting luxury hotel, occupying floors 47–52 of Toranomon Hills tower. Rooftop infinity pool, panoramic city views, free minibar.

Intimate 37-room hotel near the Tuileries Garden. All-white interiors, a full underground spa, and an extraordinary breakfast buffet — one of Paris's best small hotels.

Reykjavik's oldest luxury hotel (1930), directly on Austurvöllur Square. Art Deco interiors, impeccable service, and the most central address in the city.

An all-suite oceanfront resort at the Hotel Zone's northern tip, with every room facing the Caribbean and three distinct specialty restaurants.

The coolest hotel in Seminyak, attached to the iconic beach club. Raw concrete, upcycled materials, and direct beach access in Seminyak's best location.

SoHo's defining luxury hotel — dog-friendly, industrial design, rooftop bar, and the best location for exploring downtown Manhattan.

The infinity pool on the 57th-floor SkyPark is the most famous image in Singapore. Three towers connected by the world's largest rooftop public space.

65-storey tower with a rooftop observation deck and pool. Panoramic views of the entire city and West Lake — excellent value for the standard of luxury.

The hotel that defined the Miami Beach design revival in 1995. Philippe Starck interiors, the famous pool at the edge of the beach, and a place where the design still holds up 30 years later.

Riverside high-rise luxury on the Yarra in Southbank, with commanding views and some of the largest suites in the city.

Sixteen elevated tented pavilions with unobstructed Uluru views, all meals, drinks, and guided experiences included.

A Soho House-era boutique hotel in the 2nd arrondissement. Rooftop bar, garden courtyard, excellent brasserie, walking distance from Le Marais and the Centre Pompidou.

Former bank converted into a members' club with hotel. Rooftop pool, inventive food, and the most stylish crowd in the city.

A converted wharf on Sydney Harbour — playful Aussie design, free breakfast and minibar, and a 10-minute walk to Circular Quay or the Royal Botanic Garden.

Host of the first-ever Academy Awards in 1929, right on the Walk of Fame — a Spanish Colonial landmark with a famously lively pool scene.

The best-located five-star in central Cairns, a five-minute walk from the Reef Fleet Terminal where most reef boats depart.

A five-star blending luxury and wellness, with one of the largest private contemporary art collections in New Zealand on display.

The hotel that defined east London's modern hospitality scene — playful design, an excellent lobby restaurant (Hubbard & Bell), and a price point that makes Shoreditch accessible.

Widely considered Moorea's best resort, with calm, exceptionally clear lagoon water directly off the overwater bungalows.

The Gold Coast's original designer hotel on the Broadwater, with an enormous lagoon-style pool and double spa baths in every room.

An Edwardian-manor-style lodge on a private 350,000-acre concession in the Western Corridor, with exclusive off-road and night-drive access.

Three restored 17th-century colonial houses joined around a courtyard aqueduct — Cartagena's most intimate luxury address, with a private beach on Barú.

An all-inclusive lodge inside Torres del Paine National Park on the shore of Lake Pehoé, with daily guided excursions built into multi-night stays.

Five rooms above Vernazza's harbour with private terraces facing the sea. The most coveted small property in the region — book 6 months out.

Authentic overwater bungalows at a fraction of resort prices. Family-run, genuinely Polynesian experience, and extraordinary lagoon access.

A stylish, French-Cambodian owned boutique hotel with mid-century Khmer design and some of the warmest service in Siem Reap, a short walk from the river.

An eco-lodge in a cloud-forest garden on the edge of Aguas Calientes, with its own orchid collection and the best base for an early ruins entry.

Consistently rated the Strip's best-run resort — an 18-hole golf course, a domed conservatory, and the city's most polished service standard.

A colonial-styled boutique hotel in quiet Karen with butler service, Ngong Hills views, and an easy transfer to Wilson Airport for Mara flights.

A large but well-designed resort on Mahé spanning 120 hectares between two beaches, with five restaurants and views over the Port Launay Marine National Park.

Chic, design-forward villas on Kendwa's west-facing beach, surrounded by spice gardens, with some of the island's best sunset views.

A polished, service-forward Nile-front hotel with nine restaurants and panoramic river views, well placed for Downtown and Zamalek.

Clifftop infinity-pool suites above Kata Noi with panoramic Andaman views. Excellent value for the quality — private pools at mid-range prices.

Excellent boutique hotel in the Old Quarter — consistently one of Hanoi's best value mid-range stays. Spa, rooftop bar, and genuinely attentive service.

A Philippe Starck-designed hotel in a converted Puerto Madero grain warehouse — theatrical red interiors and the best rooftop pool in the city.

A sprawling east-coast resort with two championship golf courses, a long white-sand beach, and one of the best spa programmes on the island.

A cosy Alpine-style B&B a short walk from El Chaltén's Fitz Roy trailhead, with mountain views and a warm welcome cup of tea on arrival.

A grand 1904 Edwardian hotel on the Zimbabwe side, with a famous 'Bridge of the World' view of the Victoria Falls Bridge and gorge from the terrace.

An elegant, understated five-star opposite Fitzroy Gardens and St Patrick's Cathedral, favoured by travellers who want quiet luxury over spectacle.

Boutique design hotel in the bohemian Poble Sec neighbourhood, near Montjuïc. Pool, yoga, great breakfast, and a local neighbourhood feel.

The most-photographed plunge pool in Marrakech — emerald water, rose petals, white arches. Small, intimate, beautifully maintained riad in the Medina.

1926 colonial building in Fort Canning Park — one of Singapore's most characterful hotels. Good food, outdoor pool, and an extraordinary historical setting.

The best budget pension in Bora Bora — warm welcome, good breakfast, beach access, and all the lagoon tours bookable from the front desk.

Suite-only boutique in Cihangir — Bosphorus views from every suite, self-catering kitchen, and the best location for exploring the non-touristy Istanbul.

A boutique courtyard hotel built around a 200-year-old tamarind tree, right in the heart of the Old City. Northern Thai design, walkable to every major temple.

A colonial-style boutique four blocks from Cusco's main square, with reliably good breakfast and an on-site spa.

An adults-only all-inclusive beachfront resort known for its swim-up pool scene, sensory spa, and consistently strong service.

Consistently rated Europe's best budget hostel. Vintage design, free breakfast, central location, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city.

Excellent value boutique in Condesa — beautiful Art Deco building, small pool, rooftop terrace, and the best location for exploring Roma and Condesa.

Inside the Old Town walls — 8 rooms in a restored 16th-century building on the Stradun. The most atmospheric mid-range option in Dubrovnik.

The most social hotel in Miami — the Broken Shaker cocktail bar and garden terrace are the best in the city, with hostel dormitories and private rooms at excellent value.

A bright, eco-conscious mid-range hotel a 15-minute walk from Petronas Towers, with spacious rooms and kitchenettes.

A design-forward boutique in Palermo Soho with a well-regarded in-house restaurant and a genuinely quiet rooftop pool.

Excellent value boutique resort in the heart of Ubud. Contemporary rooms, a good pool, and walking distance to the monkey forest and central market.

Reliable and well-priced business hotel in the historic Asakusa district. Clean, compact rooms, excellent transit connections, and next to the Sensoji temple complex.

Dubai's best mid-range brand — clean, design-forward, and superbly located near Downtown. Pool, free wi-fi, and a relaxed vibe that doesn't feel budget.

Kyoto's best mid-range hostel — private rooms, excellent common areas, expert local staff, and perfect location for temple access.

Consistently rated Lisbon's best hostel — beautiful tiled interiors, central Chiado location, and expert local advice from the staff.

Right on the harbour in Manarola — the dining room and several rooms have direct rock-and-sea views. Solid mid-range that delivers above its category.

A converted 13th-century convent in Amalfi town with sea-view pool, cloister gardens, and the best value caldera-view property on the coast.

Design hotel in a renovated 1920s building in the New Town. Pool, sauna, excellent breakfast, and walking distance to Old Town Square.

A clifftop guesthouse in Sant Antoni with legendary sunset views — the best value sunset-watching spot on the island, with a bar and small rooms.

The only hotel directly on the Arpoador promontory — stunning views of both Copacabana and Ipanema beaches from the front rooms. Excellent value for the uniqueness of position.

A colonial mansion inside the walled city with a courtyard pool and décor inspired by Palenque culture — excellent value for an Old City address.

A design-forward, playful hotel in the CBD theatre district, excellent value for the style on offer.

A 271-room resort on Natadola Bay, widely considered Viti Levu's finest beach, with an 18-hole championship golf course.

Well-priced Fira hotel with caldera views, a full spa, and pool. Better value than anything comparable in Oia, with a 15-minute walk to the main sights.

Stylish mid-range hotel in the Silom/Sathorn district. Great value, rooftop pool, walking distance to BTS, excellent breakfast.

The finest budget guesthouse in Rome — American-owned, beautifully designed, with a café, garden, and a community feel. Near Termini but a world away in quality.

Sustainable design hotel opposite Vondelpark. Smart rooms, great breakfast, eco-credentials, and excellent value for an Amsterdam city break.

Smart, compact rooms in NoMad with a rooftop bar and great location for both Midtown and Downtown. New York hotel value rarely gets better than this.

Each floor themed around a different facet of Portuguese culture — poetry, Fado, wine, cinema. Excellent location in Chiado/Bica.

Singapore's best hostel — rooftop bar, social events, excellent location near Clarke Quay, and private rooms available.

Family-friendly resort directly on the beach at Cala Llenya on the quieter east coast. Excellent value for Ibiza, pool, and genuinely beautiful cove.

Centrally located mid-range hotel on Laugavegur — the main shopping and restaurant street. Practical, clean, and the best value for the location.

Dubrovnik's best budget hostel — outside the Old Town in Gruž harbour, with excellent ferry access for island hopping and a genuine local neighbourhood feel.

A large all-inclusive complex split across two connected properties, offering solid value on a genuinely good stretch of Hotel Zone beach.

A half-scale Eiffel Tower and Parisian streetscape theming right in the centre of the Strip, with solid rooms at a fraction of neighbouring luxury rates.

A round, kopje-style lodge built into the central Seronera landscape, with reliable year-round game viewing and full-board rates that undercut most competitors.

A restored Stone Town seafront property built into two historic buildings, giving easy walking access to the old town at a fraction of villa-resort prices.

Waterfront five-star directly on the marina with views over the yachts and reef boats departing each morning.

A waterside five-star on the Viaduct with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling harbour views.

A playful, design-led five-star just off Surfers Paradise with a distinctive vintage-Australiana-meets-Miami aesthetic.

The best social hostel in Canggu — pool, co-working space, and great breakfast. 10 minutes' walk to Echo Beach.

The best value full-resort experience in the Maldives. One of the largest islands, with a dive centre, 30+ water sports, multiple pools, and an excellent house reef.

The original artsy Paris boutique hotel in Pigalle. Each room decorated by a different artist, excellent garden restaurant, and great access to the 9th's café scene.

Rooftop terrace above the famous market square. Characterful, no lift (it's Rome), but extraordinary location and a morning view that's hard to beat.

Thailand's best design hostel brand. Pool, great common areas, private rooms, and the only budget stay in Patong worth recommending.

Well-priced boutique hotel in Tamboerskloof with Table Mountain views, rooftop pool, and an easy walk to Kloof Street's restaurants.

Well-run budget guesthouse in Sultanahmet, rooftop terrace with Blue Mosque views, and genuinely helpful family management.

Good value hotel with mountain views, walking distance to the main street, and the best-priced pool with lake panorama in town.

Reliable mid-range option on Waikiki — steps from the beach, rooftop pool, and the most practical base for O'ahu with the best price-to-location ratio.

Reykjavik's most characterful hostel — a former biscuit factory on the harbour, with a bar, live music, excellent food, and private rooms available.

Rio's most-reviewed budget hostel in Botafogo — rooftop bar with Sugarloaf views, social scene, and the best free city advice in Rio.

Clean, modern mid-range hotel right at the edge of Myeongdong's shopping streets, with excellent subway access.

Cusco's best-reviewed hostel — a restored colonial courtyard building near the main square with a genuinely social atmosphere.

A playful, design-forward boutique in Hollywood with an award-winning rooftop bar offering 360-degree city views.

A leafy, secure budget camp in Langata offering tents, dorms, and simple rooms, close to the Giraffe Centre and popular with overland travellers.