The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025

Since opening in May, the new Rosewood Amsterdam in the historic Palace of Justice has been a “gamechanger,” says Gwen Kozlowski, one of several Travel Masters who raved about the property. It was easy to make it our top pick this year: Start with its privileged status as one of the last hotels to have permission to open in the UNESCO-listed Canal District. Add choice: 134 ultra-luxe rooms and suites, done by Dutch designer Piet Boon, with canal, city, or courtyard views; or opt for one of five houses beneath traditional sloping beams, each with butler service. All guests have access to the indoor pool, Asaya spa, and standout restaurants—book a lunch at hyper-seasonal Eeuwen and try the house-distilled jenever (Dutch gin) and baked samosas out of the Tandoor oven at Advocatuur. But what really sets this Rosewood apart? “It’s the concierge that makes it,” says Scott Dunn Private’s Jules Maury. They can pull strings for everything: private Anne Frank tour, helicopter over the tulip fields before the crowds turn up, private entrance to the Rijksmuseum. “It’s one of those rare city hotels that somehow manages to feel both exciting and like home,” she says.

From $1,049 per night

There was also an overwhelming response for Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, housed in three adjacent Renaissance-era buildings in the hills just north of Florence. No expense was spared to renovate the former boarding school, chapel, and theater—and it shows. Making good use of its bones—original hand-painted frescoes remain in some suites, while views stretch from the Duomo to the Tuscan countryside—the owners have created an elegant Florentine campus, all the way down five levels of terraced Baroque gardens to a 115-foot-long outdoor pool and pool bar. The crown jewel, says Andrea Grisdale, is the Residenza la Quercia within the Palazzo Moderna, with its own private rooftop plunge pool, Duomo views, and dedicated concierge and valet. Expect great things under the visionary leadership of GM Lorenzo Maraviglia, who spent nine years leading the now-White Lotus–famous Four Seasons in Taormina. “Think candlelit jazz in the courtyard one night, truffle-scented turn-down treats the next,” says Authentic Explorations. “It will be iconic for sure.”

From $1,410 per night

If Judi Dench were a hotel, she’d be Claridge’s. This grande dame of the London hotel scene is a beloved, determinedly British institution that’s been part of English life for decades, yet it retains a youthful vigor. The hotel, which opened in 1812, outpaces even the 90-something legend; it keeps reinventing itself, most recently pulling off a major coup, luring superstar GM Thomas Kochs from the Corinthia London, as well as partnering with chic spots from around the world, as with the summer 2025 residency of N.Y.C. cocktail den Dante. What other hotel can count both the late Queen Elizabeth II—a regular, protocol-stretching lunch guest—and Mick Jagger as devotees? Unique Properties and Events co-owner Cédric Reversade recommends truffle French fries in the foyer, washed down with a dry martini, and calls the new spa “divine.” And be sure to book one of the new “so chic” penthouse apartments, he adds: “You have the impression there that Princess Margaret is joining you for a gin and tonic.” Ashley Isaacs Ganz from Artisans of Leisure puts it more simply: “It’s my home away from home in London.”

From $1,250 per night

Think of La Mamounia as a Moroccan fantasy made real, a too-much-is-never-enough maximalist fever dream that just underwent another refresh during the pandemic. Come here to idle in the gardens while nibbling on a Pierre Hermé macaron or sashay round the sceney pool in a couture kaftan; make sure to book a room that overlooks the gardens and that pool and sip a glass of Champagne or two on the balcony. It’s been a boldfaced bolthole for decades, whether acting as the de facto winter home of Winston Churchill or as a shorthand for tasteful luxury for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and, more infamously, Anna Delvey. “It’s iconic and legendary, but it still stays current,” says Isaacs Ganz. “I love the Moroccan design throughout, the colorful tiles, the gardens where Churchill painted, the hidden courtyards and the traditional hammam.” Bonus points for its location, a few minutes’ walk from the souk.

From $499 per night

The Finca Cortesin–powered makeover of this 31-room hotel in the hills above the Mallorcan village of Puigpunyent has arguably eclipsed even the original in the two years since it’s been open. The owners tapped designer Lorenzo Castillo to indulge his maximalist magic to its ultimate extent, lavishing the interior with layers of exquisite detailing: carved wooden ceilings, upholstered walls. The vibe here is, unabashedly, too much is never enough. Castillo turned what Reversade called “a local elegant family home” into “the place to be while in Mallorca.” “That pool? My God, it’s massive,” Reversade swoons. Cari Gray puts it more succinctly, warning that “it’s impossible to keep your mouth closed” while moseying around the extraordinary gardens. Where to stay? Jaclyn Sienna India of Sienna Charles always recommends room 20, which she calls “the best suite in all of Spain,” or try the two-bedroom villa, rooms 50 and 51, which comes with its own private pool.

From $689 per night

There’s a frisson of je ne sais quoi to this 34-room hotel in the Francophone Caribbean, a burst of witty subversiveness amid the po-faced pantheon of luxury, somewhere that Jason Squatriglia calls “the tried and true gem of St Barts.” Look for its signature scarlet color everywhere—think bright-red rubber ducks and nail varnish in bathrooms—and decor that’s quirky and off-beat, with the latest wood paneled suites drawing direct inspiration from an old-school superyacht. Credit superstar GM Fabrice Moizan with striking such a distinctive note, which combines an insouciant geniality with an obsessive attention to detail that means nothing’s ever overlooked (and always goes “above and beyond,” according to Squatriglia). John Clifford of International Travel Management calls the hotel “the best of the best on the island” right on St. Jean Bay, and recommends Villa Rockstar, the six-bedroom standalone penthouse suite, complete with its own full-sized private pool and recording studio.

From $1,050 per night

Owned by investor Chris Burch (ex to famed fashion designer Tory Burch), Nihi Sumba is back on the list this year as a shining example of sustainable tourism—“the way it should be,” says Cari Gray. Nihi keeps a light footprint across 667 acres of pristine Indonesian island, setting up impeccable thatched villas with private swimming pools, traditional Indonesian architecture, and fresh flowers at every glance. Yet it goes way beyond perfectly appointed rooms and 24/7 concierge service. Staff come from nearby villages, trained through Nihi’s hospitality school, and the resort also connects guests with purposeful experiences through the Sumba Foundation, says Clifford: “It’s the leader in eco-conscious luxury. It walks the walk of giving back.”

From $1,300 per night

One of the most lauded openings of 2022, this authentic working sheep station sits on 36,000 acres of pristine South Island wilderness. While the first guests arrived not too long ago, the homestead property actually dates back to 1857. Today, it can accommodate just one group of one to eight people at a time. It comes with a private chef (who will fully customize your menus), glass-wall views of the Southern Alps, and an action-packed itinerary of activities—including hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, caving, and stargazing. You’ll probably want to board a helicopter, too. And when they say working farm, they mean it: There are 11,600 sheep and 450 head of cattle here. You can even play farmer for yourself, should you choose. “The clincher: It’s right next door to Castle Hill—Kura Tawhiti in Maori—also known as the birthplace of the gods to the pioneering voyagers from Easter Island, the Rapa Nui,” says Sandy Cunningham. “It was described by the Dalai Lama as the spiritual center of the universe.”

From $7,300 per night, with a two-night minimum

The Oetker-operated Bristol sits in one of the best spots in the City of Light, per Red Savannah’s Edward Granville. “It’s the ultimate location in the city boasting amazing views across the skyline, including Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower,“ he says of the property on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The hotel has its own appeal, too. Don’t miss the trompe l’oeil–decorated swimming pool on the sixth floor, and make sure to pause to pet Socrate, Le Bristol’s most important permanent resident: its in-house cat. Book dinner, too, at Epicure, its gourmet restaurant overseen by chef Arnaud Faye; try the macaroni stuffed with black truffle, artichoke, and foie gras or the on-site chocolate factory, which focuses on grand cru cocoas from around the world.

From $2,332 per night

Tangier is emerging as a new hot spot in Morocco, as we told you last year—in no small part thanks to this Best of the Best winner, overseen by fashion designer-turned-hotelier Jasper Conran. Conran didn’t plan to add another outpost to his hospitality efforts (he also has a riad in Marrakech’s medina) but ended up smitten by Tangier after trekking there, he claims, to buy some stripey fabrics he’d spotted at a friend’s home. Soon, he had started lobbying the estate of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé to turn over the designer’s former hideaway here to him, an Art Deco–era villa that he has lovingly, and lavishly, rebooted as a boutique hotel with his signature panache. “You must do a dinner in the gazebo,” says Reversade of the Madison Cox–inspired alfresco private dining room, tucked in one corner of its nook-crammed gardens. Reversade also raves about the GM, Luca Ravera, whom he likens to a magician: “He can give you all the local tips you need to make a stay unforgettable.”

From $550 per night

Whether you’re putting on the Ritz or sucking up the sun in Italy, Europe’s time-honored hotels practically invented the white-glove service we’ve come to expect. New to the list this year, in the Austrian Alps, is a reimagined 15th-century hunting lodge fit for a prince—because it was.

Sure, this five-star, 232-room resort in Perthshire an hour or so outside Edinburgh might be considered golf’s spiritual home: It has three landmarks, 18-hole courses, and a storied history as the site of the first playoff between Brits and Americans that’s now better known as the Ryder Cup. But you don’t have to be a putt-prone golf devotee to stay here, according to Isaacs Ganz, who calls it a “destination in and of itself for anyone who wants a luxurious getaway in the beautiful Scottish countryside.” Come to hike—the 11-mile Blackford route is a bracing way to explore the rolling landscape nearby—and to enjoy a snifter or two of whisky; Perthshire’s roster of distilleries may not include many household names, but some of Scotland’s oldest distillers are a short drive away, including Glenturret, which claims to be the oldest still-working site dating back to 1775.

Country rooms from about $533

This is less a hotel than a mythical place made real, a Second Empire villa turned five-star pile wreathed in glamorous mystique: F. Scott Fitzgerald used it as the basis for the Hôtel des Etrangers in his Cote d’Azur–set novel Tender Is the Night, while Taylor and Burton had one of their honeymoons here. When the French Riviera became a summertime playground for the fast set in the 1920s (via pioneers such as Coco Chanel), this hotel was one of its de facto clubhouses. It retains that role today, albeit for a more globe-trotting clientele. The star wattage remains undimmed, especially when it hosts the annual AmFAR gala each spring, a legacy of its close connections to Elizabeth Taylor; this year, Demi Moore chaired the fundraiser. Don’t miss a martini made from the hotel’s house gin, a custom recipe cooked up using botanicals from its grounds by the nearby Distillerie de Monaco, and it’s okay to marvel when you sidle up to a lounger on the first day after check-in. “It has the most iconic pool, one that continues to shine year after year,” says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal of Fischer Travel.

From $1,291 per night

Few hotels manage to become instant icons, but the newest property from Grand Hotel Tremezzo owner Valentina De Santis pulled it off just a year after she rebooted a private villa from the 1780s on the shores of Lake Como as this 24-room hotel. “It goes above and beyond any other place in Italy,” says India—and she warns visitors not to oversleep and miss the exceptional maritozzi or whipped cream-filled donuts served up every morning at breakfast. It has the largest suite on the lake, too, in the 2,700-square-foot Bellini, named after the composer who once played the piano here, as well as delightfully playful touches, such as a series of tunnels that lead to the new spa, which is accessed by a secret staircase.

From $1,300 per night

It was a true homecoming when Rome-born jeweler Bulgari—which started right in the Golden Triangle here, on Via Condotti—opened one of its five-star hotels last summer, its entrant among the numerous new luxe spots crowding into the Eternal City. It‘s a decidedly different offering, though, than the palazzo-style hotels that are commonplace here; instead, it co-opted a Fascist Era-building, in the Realist style Mussolini championed, close to the Ara Pacis. The bombastic structure has been reborn as an exquisite hotel, courtesy of Milan-based architect Antonio Citterio and his team. Maury recommends it to clients because “everyone seems to log your preferences and idiosyncrasies after a few hours of being on the property.” Don’t miss the supersized roof terrace, either, she says. It’s the ideal place for a sunset aperitivo where you can always find a seat.

From about $1,900

Just outside of Salzburg, this “showstopper resort in the Austrian countryside” is a destination unto itself, says Kozlowski. Picture what was once a 15th-century hunting lodge for the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, set on the banks of Lake Fuschl, that morphed into a castle hotel offering a storybook setting where pictures just don’t do it justice. Each of the 98 guest rooms—including six lakefront chalets with fireplaces, private saunas, and terraces for lingering from coffee to cocktail—feels contemporary and tasteful, all warm hues and rounded edges with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms. It’s also probably one of the nicest pet-friendly properties in Europe. “There is simply no other product like this in Austria,” concludes Kozlowski.

From $700 per night

Come here for “old-world elegance and incredible, lake-view rooms, not to mention close proximity to the Lavaux wine region” says Isaacs Ganz. Lausanne might be a minnow compared to Geneva on the same lake—it’s barely half its size—but as a destination, it’s far more appealing than that cash-and-cachet-powered city, with an emphasis on good living and luxury that’s epitomized by this hotel (and many of its past regulars, who included the Duchess of Windsor). None of the 95 rooms at this palatial property, which first opened in the 1860s, is the same, and the decor is an eccentric mishmash that combines every era since then, from Victorian fripperies to sinuously streamlined Art Nouveau. The modern spa is a major plus, with its own full hammam and indoor and outdoor pools—though why not just take a swim in the lake, where the water’s disconcertingly clean?

From $404 per night

Sure, it’s a cliché, but for good reason: The Ritz has been synonymous with effortless Parisian glamour for decades, an insouciant ultra-luxe spot for the world’s most luxurious travelers since Cesar Ritz and chef Auguste Escoffier opened it in 1898. It was the backdrop to not one but three Audrey Hepburn movies in the 1950s and ’60s, yet still retained enough rock-star cachet to be the place where Johnny Depp and Kate Moss decided to fill a bathtub with Champagne. (The recently retired head bartender here, Colin Field, was in charge of cocktails at the model’s later wedding to Kills guitarist Jamie Hince.) Fischer-Rosenthal calls it a “crown-jewel hotel” and recommends the Coco Chanel suite, named after its most famous resident; the designer lived here for more than 30 years and often used the staff entrance to access her apartment for complete discretion.

From $2,146 per night

New York? Los Angeles? Sorry, it’s all about the great outdoors for our Travel Masters and their discerning clientele. From five-star farms to ritzy ranches, you’ll want to pack your hiking boots for these escapes (or swap them for flip-flops if you are heading down to Riviera Maya).

The original luxury Relais & Chateau farm resort that lured private jets to East Tennessee, Blackberry Farm is still on top of its game after decades. Spread over 4,200 acres, this much-imitated, family-owned, working farm property offers just 68 five-star rooms. “Their local flare and over-the-top high-end service deliver the ultimate in luxury,” says Kevin Jackson. “The property has redefined farm-to-table food, and the wine cellar, attention to detail in every room and the grounds are amazing. But for us, it’s the sense of place, warmth of the staff and southern hospitality that sets it apart.”

King Historic Rooms from $1,195 and suites from $2,245 per night

This high-end camp in the remote forest of Vancouver Island sets a benchmark in barefoot luxury, with tented camp rooms that don’t skimp on conveniences (think heated floors in the bathrooms), the perfect perch for adventuring round the untouched landscape: Expect days filled with whale-watching, bear-spotting, biking, and rain-forest trekking. Its isolation is core to its appeal, the hard-to-reach resort is worth the 45-minute plane ride from the city. “Arriving by float plane is always exciting,” says Maury. “And we saw bears, whales, eagles, and more as we took zodiacs around deserted beaches and sleepy backwaters in this extraordinary area.” Conservation is core to its mission, too: For more than 20 years, the lodge has worked with the government and local Indigenous people to help bolster native salmon stocks in and around the waters here—the more of these fish found in the river, the better the overall health of the ecosystem.

From $1,120 with a three-night minimum

Fawn Bluff Private Lodge is so new, so remote, Google Maps barely recognizes it. Yet within British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest (traditional Xwémalhkwu First Nation territory) are 340 acres of ancient woodland, glacier-fed lakes, and misty shoreline, along with an exclusive-use lodge bought and renovated with hand-hewn timber to be the ultimate place to reconnect with nature. “What makes Fawn Bluff extraordinary is its balance: rugged landscapes paired with refined living,” says Maury. Whether arriving by seaplane, yacht, or helicopter from Vancouver Harbour or Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, guests step into a world where grizzlies roam the shoreline, eagles soar overhead, and the only sounds are wind through the trees and waves against the dock.

From $14,175 per night

“I was blown away by the indoor-outdoor spa,” says Sunil Metcalfe, who calls the service here “best in class.” And we’d agree—that’s why the reimagined Maroma earned one of the slots on our Best of the Best list in 2024. The 72-room spot, originally built as a private home, was much in need of an overhaul, and the gut-renovation conducted by LVMH, its deep-pocketed newish owners, was as much a reimagining as a renovation. The rooms have been deftly designed by rock-star British interior designer Tara Bernerd, who added her signature swagger to the decor, combining locally made details, such as custom tiles and turquoise barware, with a boho glamour—the floaty cotton caftans are a major upgrade from conventional robes and ideal to wear on the beach or in the room. It doesn’t hurt, either, that it sits on one of the best stretches of beach in the Riviera Maya, wide swathes of secluded golden sand that are postcard perfect.

From $742 per night

“The new era of luxury ranches is privacy and exclusivity,” says Jackson, and Smith Fork Ranch, a historic dude ranch sitting in the middle of a million acres of national forest in Colorado, raises the bar with its buyout-only concept. “It’s your ranch, your way,” the website reads, teeing up an all-inclusive experience across six fit-for-a-billionaire log cabins, including a main lodge with six suites, a chef’s kitchen, and gym, redesigned in 2025. (Take your pick of bedrooms across the property: There are 19 that sleep 38 comfortably.) Everything is immaculately done, and the response has been big—the ranch had a soft opening in 2024 and is nearly fully booked for 2025. Look to next year’s calendar for overnight glamping opportunities in the mountains and customizable programs for multi-gen families or retreats.

Price on request

Call it the Big Deal of Big Sur. The one-time motel sitting on the PCH was reimagined as an upscale, 30-room hotel 30 years ago and has become a mainstay of luxury hospitality in the three decades since (and it’s added 10 more rooms). Those are impressive, of course, slickly designed with their own private hot tubs, and the restaurant on-site serves up delicious, modern Californian food. But who comes to this region for the resort itself? The spectacular setting is its real draw, perched 1,200 feet above the crashing waves of the Pacific—think Big Little Lies meets Castaway. “Early one morning I breakfasted alone looking down the Pacific Coast blinded by the cobalt sea, aquamarine skies, and emerald-green and taupe shaggy coastline,” Maury says. “Sunset was arguably even more spectacular.” There’s no issue too big or too small for superstar GM Tim Lee to tackle, she adds.

From $1,825 per night

The Atacama Desert. The Peruvian highlands. These are the sports for alt-safaris, where beautifully crafted luxury lodges come with expert guides who will dive deep into the region—a type of access that intrepid wayfarers crave above all else.

This 11-year-old, centrally located hotel sits in its own gardens, with rooms ranged around the property, the decor a winning collision between Inca-referencing stone walls and gold-heavy details that nod to its colonial-era origins as a private home. The redeployment of this onetime convent emphasized some of its most endearing quirks, too, retaining many of the murals painted on the walls—look for one suite, with a coffered ceiling festooned with pink roses, that is believed to have been where the Mother Superior would have slept. And no detail has been overlooked: Don’t worry about fitful sleep at 12,000 feet above sea level in a suite at this hotel, since oxygen’s piped into the 55 rooms to improve the air quality. Jean Sanz Bernay of JSB Journeys sums it up this way: “beautiful city views, personal butlers, and pisco classes on the terrace.”

From $868 per night

This Panamanian archipelago property is a destination in and of itself, in the Gulf of Chiriquí off the country’s Pacific Coast. “It offers a smorgasbord of activities: e-foiling, diving, deep-sea fishing, and extreme picnicking,” says Henry Cookson. A world-record holder and lifetime adventurer, he admits that even he was dazzled by the assortment in the hotel’s kit room, including the Laird Hamilton paddleboards. Make sure to book a marine safari by catamaran, Cookson adds, as Beny Wilson, the conservation manager, is a world-class guide. The best overnighting option is the newly opened owner’s villa, designed for resort owner Louis Bacon, which opened earlier this year. It sits on a more private corner of the island and has spectacular sunset views, though the other dozen thatched-roof chalets are impressive, too. One other must-try: a cocktail by Carla, the bartender, whose signature drink is a smoky, herby specialty.

From $3,000 per night, with a three-night minimum

Fresh off a $20 million renovation under new owners, Australia’s Baillie Lodges, the all-inclusive Tierra lodge is now tops in the Atacama Desert—more intimate and elevated, shrinking from 32 to 28 rooms, with indoor and outdoor pools, spa and gym, yoga, and four new private-pool suites overlooking the pink-to-purple Licancabur volcano, which steals the show every sunset. Excellent guide/driver combos take guests off-roading on geological Big 5 safari drives to see salt flats, geysers at 14,000 feet, canyons and dunes that rival Jordan and Utah, and a string of volcanoes that make this part of Chile one of the most active sites in the world. Back at the ranch, the lodge draws from a new color palette inspired by its natural surroundings, “browns from the desert vegetation and blue from the unfettered night skies,” says Metcalfe. “There is a harmony of being when you are here.”

From $1,870 per night

Tinajani is one of our new favorites in Peru: a luxury tented camp (open since April) on a private nature reserve within the dramatic sandstone canyons of the Peruvian highlands. It’s a haul to get to, at nearly 13,000 feet on the road between Cusco, Puno, and the Colca Valley, but so worth the effort: Each of the six camps comes with two safari-style tents—one a bedroom with en-suite bath, the other a lounge warmed by wood-burning stove—with a private terrace, hot tub, and panoramic views of towering red rocks. Guests explore the raw beauty of the Altiplano by day, and by night, gather beneath some of the clearest stargazing skies in South America. This is “the ultimate in unplugged Peruvian luxury for the intrepid wayfarers out there,” says Cunningham.

From $1,320 per night

New Zealand’s Southern Alps remain as hot with high-end travelers as they are cold. That’s thanks to the growing demand for eco-friendly excursions, which also benefits the greenest of Polynesian escapes. Yet Australia emerged the star of the region with its coastal retreats and an Outback lodge that all ages can enjoy.

Though this Australian Outback lodge has been around since 2019, our Travel Masters rate Mt. Mulligan an underdog that consistently exceeds expectations. Southern Crossings’s Stuart Rigg loves it because it’s one of the few luxury Outback lodges to welcome children of all ages, offering a deep activity menu that can keep everyone entertained. Guests can go hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, barramundi fishing, tour an old gold mine, or enjoy a guided tour of the cattle station. Junior Rangers can learn about animal tracks and traditional bush medicines while their parents can kick back and enjoy a chef-prepared picnic, followed by sundowners overlooking the cliffs. Thanks to some strategic upgrades, including new glamping tents in 2023, this is now properly a top-tier property, says Maury: “It’s always had that wow factor, being totally remote and wild . . . but the experience is now wonderfully considered. It’s a real outback adventure, without sacrificing comfort.”

From $1,975 per night

Rising from the clear coral seas near the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Townsville, the newly opened Pelorus Private Island is accessible only by helicopter charter or private yacht. It gets better from there. It’s home to a single residence made up of five luxurious suites. While the white-washed exterior sports a modern coastal aesthetic (by Melbourne-based firm Dubois), inside the suites are filled with handmade designer furniture and textiles, French linen, duck down pillows, and LaGaia amenities. If bragging rights are of top concern—of course they are—check this out: It’s the only luxury private island home in the region. Your stay includes meals created by your private chef, Veuve Clicquot Champagne (as well as everything else), and a slew of activities, including snorkeling, Jet Ski tours, fishing, and, of course, reef excursions. “You enjoy a brand-new, purpose-built private villa and exclusive-use of a whole island,” says Rigg. “This is the ultimate way to enjoy privacy, privilege, and personalization on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.”

From about $13,357 per night, with a three-night minimum

It was never any secret in Australia that Kangaroo Island was home to one of the world’s best resorts. It’s just taken a devastating fire and dramatic rebirth for the rest of the world to take notice. In 2020, the wildfires that incinerated nearly half of the island took the Southern Ocean Lodge, too. Four years later, it reopened in December. Max Pritchard, the property’s original architect, has created a near replica of the original. With 25 suites projecting from a central lodge—with the exception of a new four-bedroom suite looking over the entire property down toward the dramatic oceanfront—the mood here is serenely residential. The restaurant is ultra-refined, serving hyper-local ingredients, and the central bar is self service (as is the entire wine cellar, just grab what you want). Most come here for island excursions focused on stunning formations, rugged views, and unique wildlife, from penguins to koalas. “It’s the epitome of Australian contemporary coastal style and a luxurious gateway to uniquely Australian nature and wildlife experiences,” says Rigg. “Not only are there spectacular Southern Ocean views from every room but exclusive signature experiences included in every stay—like guided cliff top walks, stargazing, sundowners, and canapes served with the local kangaroos.”

From about $2,200

In the era of reef smashing, litter, and Tiki Bars—long before “sustainability” became a marketing buzz word—the one-and-only original Hollywood activist Marlon Brando made it his mission to preserve the atoll of Tetiꞌaroa with a 99-year lease. Brando is no longer with us, but his mission lives on today in the form of a LEED-platinum-certified, all-inclusive, 36-villa resort, opened in 2014. Each of those villas—beyond sustainable construction—is built for quiet, so that when the windows are closed, you’re in your own private sanctuary. In fact, thanks to the space and privacy, it’s easy to feel like you’ve rented out a private island. “This is where the epitome of indulgence and sustainability come together seamlessly,” says Rigg. “You can enjoy the ultimate extravagances here with a conscience as clear as the waters that surround you.”

Villas from $4,694 per night

Naturally, on a continent the size of Asia, the flavors of its ultra-exclusive stays are as varied as its cuisines. From the palaces of Rajasthan to the modern miracles of central Tokyo, there’s a little something for everyone here.

Since opening in 2014, Aman Tokyo—the first city edition of wellness leaders Aman Resorts—has been a consistently outstanding urban hotel: “beautifully run, faultlessly designed, and remarkably calm” given its location in the heart of the city, says James Jayasundera. Set on the top six floors of a 38-floor skyscraper in Otemachi financial district, the scene is decidedly more zen than it sounds, with light-drenched spaces, white washi paper ceilings, onsen-style baths with skyline views, and (of course) a glorious spa with an 82-foot swimming pool, saunas, and steam rooms. In a city crammed with high-end hotels, Aman Tokyo should be the go-to choice for travelers who want a world-class hotel with traditional Japanese style and design.

From $1,800 per night

One of the earlier sites for this luxe chain opened in the Aravalli Hills outside Jaipur when the group was still under the esthetic iron grip of founder Adrian Zecha; it remains one of the standouts. The rooms here are Mughal inspired—think elaborate latticework and domed roofs on individual villas—and the best, the Pool Pavilions, have their own private swimming spot (though don’t be surprised to see curious monkeys scampering around it, too). Sienna India loves the wellness programs offered here with customized programming and superb Ayurvedic cuisine, while Wix Squared’s Alex Wix raves about its location, where you’ll easily access often overlooked ancient Rajasthani ruins with few other tourists nearby. One true standout, per Wix, is the private dining options offered by Amanbagh. “They will serve dinner for clients not just in the hotel grounds, but also in and amongst nearby ruins,” she says.

From $850 per night

While you may be able to rent one of the six beachfront villas à la carte, Banwa is also a true private island rental capable of housing up to 48 friends of one billionaire. Situated in the Philippines’s eastern Palawan province, the island is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Sulu Sea—ideal for diving or a casual snorkel. The villas, which are smart, modern, white structures with pools, sleep two to eight. Dinning here is alfresco, and the chef’s menus of world cuisine and Filipino classics change daily. “This is one of the world’s most exclusive private islands,” says Cookson. “It’s set in a marine-protected sanctuary and we love it for its incredible diving—it’s possible to scuba alongside whale sharks as well as encounter the rare Hawksbill turtle and black tip reef shark.”

Villas from $2,650 per night, with a three-night minimum. Full island rental rate upon request. 

You’d never know you were minutes from the airport at Capella Taipei, a stately modern mansion designed by starchitects André Fu Studio to be a long, slow breath in the capital city of Taiwan. Here, guests can enjoy afternoon tea in the all-day lobby lounge, stillness in the spa’s flotation pod, omakase at restaurant Mizue (one of five places to eat), or work with a Capella Culturist to explore art districts like Taze-Neihu and Huashan 1914 Creative Park. Catherine Heald loves the terrace pool suites with private plunge pools, and recommends you visit soon, before more American travelers find out what they’ve been missing: “Taiwan as a country is still under the radar for most Americans, despite having a very vibrant capital city with an exciting food scene and world-class museums.” And this is the perfect place to start your journey.

From $600 per night

This long-awaited addition to the Kyoto scene delivers Six Senses’s signature wellness philosophy to Japan’s cultural heart. The highlight of the hotel, says Wix, is the state-of-the-art spa with its Watsu (aquatic bodywork) pool, bathhouses with saunas and steam rooms, and treatments like Ah-Un therapy, a combination of massage and vibrational sound healing. Serenity comes easily in this oasis in the historic Higashiyama district; the hotel’s 81 rooms and suites are designed with light timber, clean lines, and neutral tones. Omakase meals are made with “micro-seasons” in mind, changing every two weeks. Though there’s a lovely Japanese garden in the central garden, Heald recommends the garden suites: “I love having my own private Japanese garden.”

From $800 per night

For many, a trip to the Himalayas is high on the travel bucket list—likely more so once they hear about the new Shakti Prana mountain lodge, opening October 1 (season: October to April). Set at 7,000 feet in the Himalayan foothills, this reimagined retreat has seven luxury cabins built by hand—stone by stone (it is remote)—with sitting rooms and fireplaces, an ideal spot for yoga, meditation, stargazing, or just enjoying those gobsmacking views. It’s perfect for privacy, serenity, and guided hikes, says Wix, who enjoyed “seeing white Himalayan monkeys, tasting rhododendron juice, and sharing authentic village life with locals” on highly immersive guided walks—what Shakti is known for. Along the way is the (also new) Shakti Panchachuli house and luxury cottages, which could be a stopover to Prana or a destination unto itself.

From $6,426 per person for six days, five nights

Originally opened a decade ago in Dehradun, in the foothills of the Himalayas in India’s far northeast, Vana was reborn last year. Now a Six Senses, the wellness resort is still doing what it does best: healing with Ayurveda, yoga, Tibetan Medicine, and natural therapies. Set on 21 acres with 66 rooms, 16 suites, and four “casas,” it draws seekers looking to heighten, well . . . their sixth sense. Programs run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and include various traditions of yoga, meditation, Raag therapy, fitness sessions chanting, and music offerings—to name just a few. The resort also offers five-to-21-night retreats with personalized goal management. “Whatever your goals are, you will leave lighter, brighter and with a sense of serenity—even if just from the separation from your phone,” says Tanya Dalton of Greaves UK. “They tailor your journey no matter how soft or severe your approach. The Ayurvedic therapies, beautiful rooms, pools, and delicious, yet somehow healthy, cuisine, are all exceptional. Making ancient Indian treatments and therapies accessible to all is not an easy feat.”

From $750 per night

Sonu Shivdasani has helped make wellness a central tenet of hospitality, via both Six Senses, the chain he cofounded and sold, and Soneva, the tiny cluster of hotels he continues to operate. (He earned a legendary accolade in this year’s Best of the Best thanks to that vision.) This 14-villa site, on the remote Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is the ultimate expression of his ethos, combining unstinting luxury with an emphasis on sustainability and connection with the natural world; each of those rooms, for example, has a retractable roof so you can look up at the stars each night. There’s a dedicated chef for each accommodation, as well as endless activities on offer, from sunset dolphin cruises to a picnic on a deserted island to even a castaway dining tower and observatory in the lagoon, reachable by zipline, a nod to the playfulness that’s a Soneva signature—each villa has its own water slide, too. Wix loves that it surpasses even its ultra-luxe sister properties in the Maldives and Thailand and that the focus on never signing a check. “We can book an all-inclusive Soneva Unlimited rate, so everything is paid for upfront,” she says.

From $3,200

Constant motion isn’t always a good thing. This majestic floating antique in the center of Lake Pichola in Udaipur (as seen in Bond flick Octopussy) was constructed in the 1740s as a summer palace for Mewar royalty, and it still boasts the same white marble and magnificent gardens that it always did. While it has seen changes—including the creation of 65 rooms and 18 grand suites—its last update was way back in 2000. According to Dalton, there’s nothing to fix. “I find it hard to resist the charms of an antique palace hotel floating on a mirrored lake, surrounded by the romantic white city of Udaipur,” she says.

From $372 per night

Saudi Arabia has more five-star hotels in the pipeline than probably anywhere else on planet Earth. But it’s not on this list (yet). Instead, perfect hotels in milder locales made the grade.

The mountain getaway in the Middle East’s most welcoming nation, Alila Jabal Akhdar, is famous for its vistas and minimalist architecture. The property offers incredible views from every room. But while its location high in the Al Hajar Mountains, a two-and-a-half hour drive from Muscat, might sound intimidating for those who like their feet on horizontal ground, this 84-suite, two-villa resort also offers literally grounded wellness programs. “It has fantastically challenging hikes, and a via Ferrata [climbing section] just in front of your room,” Wix says.

From $486 per night 

Widely recognized as Dubai’s swishest stay since opening in December 2017 on the manmade, seahorse-shaped Jumeirah Bay Island, Bulgari’s property managed to up the ante in this already ridiculously ritzy emirate. Designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel as an “urban oasis” resort, the hotel has 20 Bulgari villas and 101 rooms and suites, as well as the brand’s first Marina and Yacht Club, capable of housing 50 boats. Everything here is on a grand scale, including the spa, which weighs in at over 18,000 square feet. “It has the best rooms, linen, spa design, and facilities,” says Deborah Calmeyer of ROAR Africa. It also has the best Italian food in Dubai, with Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito under the toque. 

From $580 per night 

There’s nowhere else like it, so go ahead and turn on the Toto. Southern Africa stole the show this time around, but we dare anyone to snoot at the Kenyan setting for Out of Africa.

The Al Moudira experience begins when a vintage stretch panna cotta–colored Mercedes arrives at the airport, whisking you off to the quieter west bank of the Nile, where acres of date palms and newly built, beyond-chic private villas await. Big enough for large families or groups of friends, the villas have beautifully hand-painted interiors, antique furnishings, domes and arches, while making space for modern comforts like luxury baths. The location is also ideal, says Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, just minutes from iconic sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Hatshepsut, and local felucca-riding experiences (a traditional sailboat)—yet still peaceful and far removed. A special mention for the “food of magician Gioconda Scott and the ultra-stylish shop with Malaika embroideries,” says Reversade, who also recommends a walk through the farm and vegetable gardens: “And always book a massage with Ramesh!”

From $245 per night

Angama’s perch on a clifftop almost 1,000 feet up overlooking the Mara makes it one of the best safari lodges in the world; make sure to spend time idling in the fire-pit-like sofa at this prime spot for unforgettable sunsets. “The views are untouchable,” Alder says. There are 15 standalone tented suites, each with wide, floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize those views. The decor is a departure from what has become the safari default, all leather and colonial khaki. Instead, think of the scarlet-accented interiors here as African Art Deco, bursting with joie de vivre. But don’t worry, you can still indulge some throwbackish fantasies here—many scenes from Out of Africa were filmed right here, and the hotel will set up lunch, on request, at the exact spot where the movie’s poster image was shot.

From $1,775 per person per night

The Seychelles has long been a popular spot for luxury travelers, but the hotels haven’t always lived up to the mind-boggling setting. LVMH-owned Cheval Blanc is changing that, with its 52 butler-staffed villas, five excellent restaurants, a Guerlain spa, and an exceptional on-the-ground team that anticipates guests’ needs before and during their stay. Though villas come beachside, opt for the ones up in the hills. “They’re completely private, with views that are just ridiculous,” says Maury. I imagine some guests just hole up and never leave. And honestly, who would blame them? It’s the kind of place you stay one night and genuinely consider cancelling life just to stay put.”

From $2,800 per night

Tswalu in the Kalahari Desert is the largest privately protected wildlife reserve in South Africa (with the lowest ratio of guests to the wilderness and owned by the billionaire Oppenheimer family). Its newest and most luxurious slice is Loapi. Meaning “the space below the clouds” in the Setswana language, Loapi is less of a camp and more of a homestead. It’s composed of six individual one- and two-bedroom tented safari homes—spaced so generously that each seems to disappear into the environment. Because these are individual homes rather than villas surrounding a central lodge, you won’t be asked to share anything. The accommodations come with dedicated staff, a private chef, private guides for your game drives, and plunge pools. “It’s designed for anyone desiring complete privacy while exploring the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve,” says Premier Tours’s Julian Harrison. It’s a camp that caters especially well to those with a little safari experience. You won’t see the Big 5 here (there are no elephants in this desert), but what you will see are Africa’s most precious and elusive animals—not to mention friendly meerkats galore.

From roughly $3,300 for two people

Bold, glamorous, and anything but a traditional tented camp, Masiya’s is the latest by owner Liz Biden of the Royal Portfolio Group (Silo Hotel, Royal Malewane, La Residence). Opened in June on 37,000 private acres in Greater Kruger National Park, Masiya’s trades canvas for floor-to-ceiling glass, pop-up TVs, and vibrant, art-filled interiors. Think Indian doors, Persian rugs, and Marrakech-style pots: a hard left away from the traditional neutral colors of safari camps to a pop of color, “making it all the more romantic,” says Harrison. Dining is fully bespoke, wines served by the glass, and guiding, led by one of Africa’s top teams, honors legendary tracker Wilson Masiya. “This is safari reimagined with fearless flair,” raves Cunningham.

From $2,870 per person, per night

The 14-villa property on its own private island off the northeast coast of Madagascar is a Brigadoon-like vision, shimmering into view on the helicopter transfer from nearby Diego Suarez as if out of nowhere. Villas are contemporary in style, with plunge pools, outdoors showers, and sleek, aqua-accented furniture that’s more Saint-Tropez than Out of Africa. Roam around the island on quad bikes or take a boat trip to another in the archipelago for tern-spotting and alfresco picnic; the water sports center is fully equipped, with the wind pattern here making it especially appealing for surfers of all kinds. Don’t be deterred by the logistics of getting here: The hotel now runs its own private-jet service from Johannesburg, an approximately four-hour jaunt on a Learjet 45. “A paradise on the edge of a world caught up in time from the original Portuguese explorers until now,” says Maury.

From $3,700 per person per night

“It’s an architectural trifecta of three cultures: European, Mukololo and Bayei,” says Cunningham. A hotel in the second largest game concession in Botswana, this camp is a passion project for photographers and conservationists Beverly and Dereck Joubert. The pair owns a dozen or so camps around sub-Saharan Africa, but this five-year-old property is a standout, located in the northern reaches of the country. It pioneered a focus on high-end low-density tourism, which is now being aped around the continent. Stay in the two-bedroom Selinda Suite for the best experience, says Cunningham: “It’s themed to resemble the thatched villages of Sangwali, which loaned the great explorer David Livingstone 200 men during his travels. It’s reachable via boat along the Selinda Spillway—the ultimate 007 arrival!”

From $1,330 in the midseason, per person per night

This hotel sits at the heart of 320,000-acre private Malilangwe Reserve in southeastern Zimbabwe, an already-dreamy locale bolstered by its specific perch. “Its setting is right on a hill, surrounded by boulders, a dam, yellow and gold masa trees, and 1000-year-old baobabs,” says Calmeyer, who counts it among her favorites in the continent. The reserve teems with wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and several rhinos—both white and black, thanks to determined anti-poaching efforts, and it’s a particular highlight to track them on foot with the hotel’s guides. There are just eight suites, each with its own private infinity pool, and one five-bedroom villa here, so there’s little risk of any wildlife spotting being ruined by a raft of Jeeps clustered together.

From $1,795 per person per night