Luxury hotels are more than a place to stay; they offer some of the world’s most unique experiences from stays in historic castles to private islands, all backed by exquisite dining, impeccable services, and the most opulent bedrooms. Whether you prefer a city escape or a jungle retreat, here are 10 of the best luxury hotels in the world.
1. The Lodge at Bodega Bay — California
From sumptuous breakfasts at Drakes Sonoma Coast to exploring the most secluded beaches and visiting the local wineries, The Lodge at Bodega Bay is a quiet coastal retreat located in the Sonoma vineyards. Guest rooms and suites designed for comfort and rest feature ocean views with thoughtful amenities like binoculars.
Despite Qatar’s lack of beach appeal, Ritz-Carlton has created a tranquil haven in this emerging Persian Gulf metropolis. When the heat gets too intense, head inside to enjoy the seaside gym with indoor tennis and squash courts, a spa with a luxurious hammam where you can feel rejuvenated after an Arabic clay and kese exfoliation, and a beautiful stretch of sand and a freeform pool surrounded by palm trees. Naturally, a good deal of luxury is also on exhibit, in keeping with the area: In other words, the house has 264 chandeliers, including the largest in the Middle East, a Viennese Baakowitz masterpiece with 2,000 individuals
3. Hermann Bungalows — Palm Springs, California
It is the ultimate Palm Springs mid-century luxury, highlighted with the sumptuous details that play off the most beautiful natural landscape, including the poolside prime views of the San Jacinto Mountains. One is luxury while the other is “ultra-luxury.” The latter is Hermann Bungalows, a singularly stylish 24-suite lodge opened by designer-hotelier Steve Hermann in 2022. It’s next door to L’Horizon Resort & Spa 25 rooms, which Hermann opened in 2015 following a $10 million renovation of an existing mid-century property. The guests of the bungalow enter through the lobby into L’Horizon to reach their own fully contained hotel, whose design inspiration lies in mid-century-modernism architecture by Richard Nuetra. Hermann Bungalows has a pool, which guests can retreat into for privacy, along with access to the Spa and SO.PA restaurant.
Remember how some places used to get away with calling themselves an art hotel because they slapped a few dodgy artworks up on the walls? A big part of Oslo’s waterside regeneration when it opened in 2013, it has the kind of collection that most city galleries would kill for. There are works by Warhol, Richard Prince, Niki de Saint Phalle and Tony Cragg dotted about the public areas, plus a genuflecting bronze by Antony Gormley outside by the revolving doors and an animation by Julian Opie in the elevator. The Thief is the brainchild of Norwegian hotelier Petter Stordalen, who has banned bacon from his hotels on grounds of sustainability and drives a Ferrari powered by biofuel. It bestrides the sea on the land-filled islet of Tjuvholmen, a sparkling nirvana of glinting bridges and new
This Ritz-Carlton, set along the Kamogawa River, would be in a class of its own if there were a separate category for room view. The hotel offers views of the Higashiyama mountains, which are close by, as well as of its great waterfront position. Alternatively, you can see a classic Japanese Zen garden or the city of Kyoto. With a refreshing bath with Shabonya handcrafted soap, retire into the Garden suite in your Imabari bathrobe and slippers. Rooms are beautifully detailed down to shippo or a kind of cloisonné, or painted metalwork, which the city is proud of.
Sure, there are lots of great properties in D.C., but our favorite’s got to be the Viceroy, right downtown in the city. Its mood is decidedly different-the line between being funky and well-groomed beau might just be: A full-frontal bookshelf greets you when you first enter the lobby, positioned against an inlaid wood wall and surrounded by comfortable, supportive woolen armchairs perfect to sit and read the Sunday paper. The 178 guest rooms are larger than many other options in town, and the structure – once an apartment complex – has a contemporary home atmosphere. Well-known eating and drinking establishments on-site round out the selection – and explain why, when you sit down for a bite to eat or a drink, you’re just as likely to meet locals as visitors.
7. Colony Palms Hotel — Palm Springs, California
With a design from celebrated celebrity designer Steve Hermann, this lavish exclusive all adults hotel is centrally located in Palm Springs, evoking The Beverly Hills Hotel meets the desert, but is far more laid-back and discreet compared to its neighbors. It’s centered on a lush pool surrounded by palm trees, twinkling under the San Jacinto Mountains, firepits, and quiet corners. All room categories boast bold statement wallpaper, high ceilings, and ample greenery; suites even have private verandas with garden seats. At The Colony Club, chef Michael Hung has elevated poolside dining with scrumptious takes on California Mediterranean cuisine.
8. Gravity Haus Breckenridge — Colorado
When the 60-room Gravity Haus ski-in/ski-out boutique hotel at the foot of Peak 9 at Breckenridge Ski Resort opened in 2019, powder lovers had cause for celebration anew. The lobby-cum-lounge boasts an Alpine-sleek look courtesy of hardwood herringbone flooring, a roaring fire in a clean-lined hearth, lofted ceilings, pendant lighting, and wood-paneled walls. Guest rooms carry the contemporary lodge feel with wood and plaid rugs, a basic desk for the inevitable work check-in, and with eco-conscious features like natural bath products from EO Essential Oils. Part housing, part social club, the hotel is entirely given over to serving a specific hard-charging kind of outdoor lover. In addition, there will be an eatery, coffee shop, and co-working space on site, plus lanes to play duckpin bowling and a center for exercise and sport recovery.
There aren’t many places that could rival the understated luxury of The Hazelton and make one feel like they’re part of a very exclusive club. Upscale boutique hotel-in brick-and-white, with a circular entryway-it’s all natural elegance set against leafy, boutique-lined lanes in Yorkville. Walk past the see-and-be-seen outside patio-a local favorite-into the modern lobby with its polished metals, ostrich leather, and amber lighting. The 62 rooms and 15 suites feel like apartments, thanks to their spacious interior (575 square feet and above) and nine-foot ceilings.
10. Hotel Zena Washington D.C.
Girls trips take on a whole new meaning at D.C.’s “future is female”-themed hotel, complete with funky, feminist art and a souvenir shop that funds nonprofits around the world. On its exterior, in seven stories of moulded concrete, Hotel Zena’s theme is spelled out: a larger-than-life mural of two women warriors stretches across Hotel Zena, painted by an artist known as Miss Chelove. Inside, the lobby and lower-level Figleaf restaurant is lined with even more art inspired by women’s empowerment. The most talked-about piece must be Andrea Sheehan x Julie Coyle Art Associates’s portrait of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg constructed out of 20,000 painted tampons. Save for the soft glow of pink lighting above the headboard, the 191 rooms are decorated in creamy tones and furniture with clean lines. Transparent, pod-like showers are painted with murals of Artemis. There are floor-to-ceiling windows, which brighten things greatly, while its worth the splurge to book a Circle View room to look out onto landscaped Thomas Circle and the city skyline.
