Luxury Hotels

Pangkor Laut is a private island just off the Malaysian coast. It is 300 acres (121 hectares) in size, and most of it is pristine forest. The buildings of the resort have been woven into the verdant hillside creating a tranquil atmosphere. There are various kinds of villas available, from …

Located just north of San Diego in the small beach town of Del Mar, this hotel is a world of pleasure. Your room is large and has a bar, Nespresso machine, balcony, and stunning bathroom – more like an apartment than a hotel room. I have even heard a rumor …

This hotel commands a view of the Aegean Sea built, as it is, onto a rocky hillside on Rhodes. The architecture takes inspiration from the traditional buildings of the island, mixes a little minimalism, and lets in a sweet breeze. Nearby is the village of Lindos where the sound of …

Who can afford the ₤150,000-a-week it costs to charter a superyacht? Not many. But thanks to the Sunborn London you can still experience the life of a sexy sea-dog. It is a 394ft superyacht that has been converted into a luxury hotel. Permanently moored at Royal Victoria Dock, the financial …

This newly restored hotel was first opened in 1927 and brought luxury to the distant western coast of Canada. Over the years celebrities such as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Katharine Hepburn have visited this grand hotel. The restoration cost over $120 million and no wonder when you consider the art …

In C.S Lewis’ classic Narnia tale, The Magician’s Nephew, Polly Plumber – a little girl – finds a secret part of her house and pretends it is a smuggler’s cave by leaving some empty beer bottles in there. Luckily these caves are better than that. A whole lot better. For …

Perched 800 meters above sea level, this hotel sits on the edge of the Ramon Crater which is the world’s largest makhtesh – a landform unique to Israel where water erosion creates deep craters. Despite being located in the middle of the desert landscape, the temperature is cool all year …

This boutique hotel is located in the “Valley of the Kings” where Balinese royalty once cavorted. Stay in one of 25 private villas each with a furry thatched roof, private terrace, and treatment room where relaxation is the order of the day. Each villa has a private pool, gazebo, and …

This amazing Napoleon III building is situated 15 minutes from Cannes in 22 acres of private parkland. Built in 1870 it was originally intended to serve as a writer’s retreat but that didn’t work out and the property became a luxury hotel that still attracted famous writers and artists. Yes, …

One of the most incredible structures on Earth, the Burj Al Arab, was built in the shape of an Arabian dhow, or yacht's sail. The planners wanted a monolithic structure, but neither did they want to cast a shadow over downtown Dubai, so they built it 919 feet (280 meters) …

Opened in 1890 by Japan's aristocracy, by 1922 a nearly completed second generation Imperial Hotel building reopened with a design by the legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It contained a revolutionary floating cantilever design which allowed it to withstand the Samson-shaking earthquake of 1923 on the very day of …

Back in the olden days, Europe was rather like Game of Thrones except we didn’t call them “White Walkers” instead we called them “Swedish”. Anyway, Portugal was like King’s Landing and in 1640 a new king had ascended to the Portuguese throne, King Joao IV. Unfortunately the Spanish and a …

This quaint hotel has been restored carefully with the needs of the cosmopolitan traveler in mind. The three sun-gleamed buildings were built in colonial times, and original frescos and wood-beamed ceilings remain key features of the new design. The location is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Cartagena de Indias …

Like the Pharaohs' pyramids and Nebuchadnezzar’s hanging gardens, rich men have long sought to build the ultimate thing. Mardan Palace is considered to be one of the most expensive resorts in the world, costing $1.4 billion to build. There are 546 rooms separated into three wings: Dolmabahce, European, and Anatolian, …

Costa Rica has a long tradition of ostentatious hotel-building but today’s travelers often prefer a smaller, wiser experience. Enter then, Kura Design Villas. Located on the esoteric Osa Peninsula halfway up a rainforest-clad mountainside, these properties balance perfectly on that fine line between rustic and luxury. Awake then, to the …

Known as the city of royal palaces and shimmering lakes, Udaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan, is a fine location for The Oberoi Udaivilas – a traditional Indian palace. Come and walk through the complex courtyards, musical fountains, pools and lush gardens. The architecture was inspired by the old palaces …

This romantic castle in the wilds of Wales was built in 1849 by Sir John Hay William Baronet of Bodelwyddan and his wife Lady Sarah Hay Williams. The exterior was designed by Lady Sarah who was captivated by the French chateaus she saw on her holidays. It was built to …

This castle, which you can rent for a luxury break, was the winner of a TV show entitled, I Own Britain’s Best Home. Owners, Terry George, and Michael Rothwell spent four years doing the place up until it spanks the butt of any competition. In the old days, castles had …

This early 20th Century mansion has a prestigious location and a grand history. Built by architect and painter, Mario Tosatto, the house has been passed down generations of his family all of whom have dedicated the space to the pursuit of art. And what a fine location for a worthy …

“Glamping” is an unfortunate portmanteau combining the words “glamorous” and “camping” the idea being that you get all the joys of camping with none of its rigors. And boy, do you get just that and more at Sandat Glamping. There is a range of accommodations. Stay in a lumbung – …