10 of the Most Beautiful Hotels in the World
There’s much to be said for not visiting the same spot twice. With so many unique cultures around the world, it’s easy to keep seeking out fresh places to explore in search of new experiences and broadened perspectives. Sometimes, planning a trip may start with choosing your dream hotel, then building out the rest of your itinerary around it. These gorgeous stays around the world are sure to spark major wanderlust, from jungle treehouses to opulent palaces, historic mansions and remote island paradises. Here, we’ve rounded up 17 of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the world. Read on for some serious trip-planning inspiration.
The Green O in Greenough, Montana
Only a dozen glass “hauses” tucked deep into the woods at The Green O, a new adults-only resort from the same family behind The Resort at Paws Up, create an ultra-exclusive feel. Each home’s design is unique and designed to help you feel one with nature, from the Round Haus, with curvilinear windows, to the Green Hauses, with expansive skylights above the plush king-size beds to admire the stars.
One&Only Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Much consideration for the history and natural beauty of this region went into the design of eco-conscious luxury retreat One&Only Mandarina. Mexican art, crafts, and design are woven throughout the treehouse and cliffside villa accommodations, public spaces, and restaurants. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular spot to enjoy natural wines and cocktails than The Treetop bar at sunset.
Amanyara in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
The ocean really is this blue at North West Point Marine National Park adjacent Amanyara, a magnificent coastal resort comprised of 36 timber-shingled pavilions, with private terraces and sundecks, and 20 villas, each on 1.5 acres and with their own private chefs and hosts. Find ultimate luxury floating in the private infinity pool at the four-bedroom Tranquility Villa.
Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina
An easy drive from Savannah or Charleston, Montage Palmetto Bluff is Low Country hospitality and scenery at its finest. The resort is part of the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff community that includes private homes and an expansive nature preserve filled with live oaks and Spanish moss. A wide range of accommodations, from large homes to rooms in the main inn, are rooted in traditional Southern architecture, with large porches built for slow afternoons.
St. Regis Bora Bora in French Indonesia
You’ll never want to leave your overwater villa—one of the largest of its kind in the South Pacific—at St. Regis Bora Bora, bedecked with an Italian marble bathroom, large open-air living space and glass-paneled floor revealing the aqua-colored lagoon below. Catch a sunset with the majesty of Mount Otemanu as the backdrop and marvel at design details like sculpted columns and Venetian stucco wall treatments throughout the resort.
Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland, Australia
Part of Bailie Lodges, the luxurious Silky Oaks Lodge offers an unparalleled experience for guests seeking seclusion, nestled between Australia’s Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll feel part of the jungle itself tucked away inside nature-inspired, contemporary treehouses beneath the rainforest canopy. Freestanding outdoor stone bathtubs are a standout in each of the treehouse suites.
Joali on Muravandhoo Island, Maldives
The Maldives is a bucket-list destination for many, and Joali, an immersive retreat focused on art, is the first and only one of its kind in the area. Architecture and interior design in the 73-villa property blend with the natural elements of the island, with a focus on layered textures and integrating indoor living space with the outdoors. The on-site Joali Art Studio & Gallery features works from artists around the world as well as local artisans.
The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur in Rajasthan, India
The breathtaking Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur has views of City Palace, an iconic symbol of grandeur constructed in the 17th century. Its majestic qualities are carried through to the resort, conceived as a traditional Indian Palace. Fountains and reflecting pools throughout the grounds pay homage to its location on the banks of Lake Pichola, while richly appointed guestrooms with private terraces (and some with swimming pools) are a perfect jumping-off point for exploring the surroundings of the world’s oldest surviving dynasty.
Ellerman House in Cape Town, South Africa
Opened in 1992 in the heart of Cape Town, the celebrated Ellerman House underwent a major renovation five years ago and emerged more spectacular than ever. With only 13 bedrooms in the main house, plus two villas ideal for families, it’s wonderfully intimate. View its private collection of contemporary South African art and enjoy wine on the expansive deck overlooking Bantry Bay.
Eden in Nairobi, Kenya
Started by fashion designer Anna Trezebinski and her husband, Tonio, the boutique hotel Eden gives travelers an intimate connection to the Kenyan capital. Each of the property’s eight double bedrooms are outfitted in traditional patterns from the Samburu and Maasai peoples, layered with natural materials and European elements. There’s also an extensive private art collection on property, along with Anna’s design studio.
