Hotels

River Hawk International Limited review of luxury desert palace Anantara Qasr Al Sarab in the Abu Dhabi desert. Read more.

The 200 guest rooms at the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2016, are modern, fresh and stylish, with plush, white linen–clad beds, upholstered furniture in creams and plum and full-length, floor-to-ceiling windows with gorgeous city views. As can be expected with Four Seasons properties, the service is flawless and every modern luxury is taken into consideration.

Located on Al Maryah Island, the Rosewood Abu Dhabi is a smart and sophisticated addition to Abu Dhabi’s ever-rising skyline.

With a secluded cliffside perch in eastern Salina, what makes Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia luxurious is its surrounding natural beauty.

In the same family since the 1960s, the hotel Raya is an Aeolian institution. The reception, concierge, restaurant, nightclub and some rooms are right in the harbor of San Pietro, while most of the other 36 rooms and suites are housed in a multi-story, peach-colored villa that stacks up the hillside like a vision straight out of Dr. Seuss. Walking between the two Rayas takes no time, but it’s up the hill through narrow passages, and at night it can be quite dark. Suffice it to say that at check-in, guests are handed flashlights.

Our review of the Oberoi Amarvilas, where all rooms in this grand Mughal-style hotel have views of the Taj Mahal.

A luxurious haven for adventurers, the five-bedroom Sheldon Chalet sits on the only privately-owned land in the mountains of Denali National Park, Alaska, offering unmatched views of Mount Denali’s summit from the comfort of your bed.

One of the top luxury properties in Alaska, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers numerous onsite activities and modern amenities.

Vila Joya is a gorgeous, secret little hotel in the Portuguese Algarve. On a coast teeming with big hitters, it is a lovely alternative to hole up and hunker down, enjoy peace—a perfect escape without the children—and eat outstanding two-Michelin starred food that’s not in the least bit fussy. Just a forty minutes drive from Faro, the hotel itself is old-fashioned and family-run.

A 45-minute drive from Faro Airport, Vila Vita Parc is located in Porches, a seaside oasis. The hotel is beloved for its bottomless inventory of amenities and services—a trip here is an escape in the truest sense of the word. Rooms are spacious and simply-but-beautifully decorated, seamlessly blending together the stunning outdoors with the indoor spaces. Few guests, however, spend much time in their rooms with seemingly endless amenities, activities and dining options.

Boasting impeccable views, this secluded hideaway, the size of a small village, offers the very best in casual resort living. Martinhal Sagres comprises more than a hundred houses, villas and rooms, along with a spa and relaxation lawn, a kids club and beach.

The sixty-two-room Le Sirenuse is built into the steep hillside of Positano and exudes an uncanny mix of serenity and elegance in the midst of the town’s sometimes overrun and overheated streets.

A short drive from Positano, Italy and perched on the edge of a stunning cliff 240 feet above the sea, the sprawling Il San Pietro has some of the best views along the coast. The fantastic outdoor spaces include a large terrace where cocktails are served; a separate pool patio; and beautifully planted gardens.

Belmond Hotel Caruso, located in the hills of Ravello, is a choice destination for travelers looking for peace and sanctuary above the Amalfi Coast, Italy.

The brainchild of Diesel Creative Director, Wilbert Das, UXUA is made up of nine one-, two-, and three- bedroom casas, over half of which date back to the 16th century Jesuit settlement of the region. After a careful and loving restoration of these units, four additional ones were constructed and all subsequently outfitted with reclaimed materials, local handicrafts as well as Bahian antiques and art.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Gisele Bündchen made this property famous years ago, which means, unfortunately, that if you are not a regular or have one who is willing to pull some strings, it can be nearly difficult to secure a room during the high period.

Alila’s Villa Uluwatu outpost seems as if it was planned by a fleet of cutting-edge architects, who happened to also know plenty about creature comforts. Designed by Singaporean-based WOHA architects, each villa has its own plunge pool and peaceful outdoor lounge areas with plenty of privacy. Palatial bathrooms come with huge showers and stone tubs, and bedrooms exude Zen calm with Balinese touches. Using only local, recycled and sustainable materials like bamboo and lava rock, the resort has also become a model for eco-luxury in the region. The designated butlers—completely discreet but helpful—are a highlight of the property, and can plan everything from daily excursions to babysitting when parents head to the spa or a yoga class.

COMO Shambhala Estate's guesthouses are situated in one of five themed residence clusters named Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Forest.

The entrance to Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property on the outskirts of Ubud, is forgettable: after driving for nearly two hours north from Denpasar, Bali’s capital, the car suddenly turns left and navigates down a narrow alleyway flanked on both sides by high stone walls. After driving through a checkpoint and down a steep hill, you arrive at a courtyard shaded by towering trees and are greeted by a slew of gracious staff members and given a traditional Balinese bracelet that is believed to offer protection. Look up and you’ll see why the stunning property was placed here, on the edge of a cliff that leads down to the Ayung River and facing another cliff on the rushing water’s other side.

This legendary property, located right on the Chao Phraya River, opened in 1876 with 14 rooms (used mostly by Western traders passing through Siam) and immediately became famous for its sumptuous interiors. In its more-than-100-year existence, the Mandarin Oriental went through several expansions, and most of the guest rooms still houses a host of suites as well as the Authors’ Lounge, which was restored in early 2016 and where high tea is served every afternoon).

A beautiful riverfront property tucked away in the oldest part of Bangkok, The Siam hotel offers a charming and intimate oasis.