My favourite hotels in the world
10 of the best, show-stopping hotels around the globe that I would return to in a heartbeat
“What’s your favourite hotel in the world?” It’s the question I get asked the most, and one that I often struggle to give a simple answer to. There are so many properties around the globe that I would count among my favourites, that whittling down my answer to just one hotel is a seemingly impossible task.
I’ve ruminated over the question a fair bit, and am sharing 10 of the very best hotels that I’ve stayed at below (part 2 to follow soon, as the total list of hotels is around 20!).
I’m not interested in ‘Instagram hotels’ that simply look good on social media: each of the hotels included below are award-winning properties that go above and beyond in every regard. Think razor-sharp service that anticipates your every need, spectacular facilities and interiors, excellent food, and most importantly, a sense of place.
Below are 10 of the very best places I’ve ever visited around the globe: the hotels I’d return to in a heartbeat, and the once-in-a-lifetime kind of getaways that offer a real “pinch me, is this real?” experience.
Adventure Hotels
NIHI Sumba, Indonesia
Perched on the edge of wilderness on the largely untouched island of Sumba, NIHI is a household name when it comes to adventure-based luxury. Originally built as a surfer’s paradise, the hotel overlooks an endless, unsullied stretch of sand, with guests bedding down in thatched, Crusoe-chic villas clinging to the cliffside: expect complimentary minibars (stocked with a personalised selection of your favourite treats), along with outdoor bathtubs, and private pools. There are endless activities for thrill seekers to get stuck into, including treks through the jungle, surfing the waves, and swimming with horses (yes, really) - and if you’re less of the adventurous type, there’s still lots to enjoy, from pampering spa safaris to visits to local villages.
Tierra Patagonia, Chile
This incredible property nestled just outside Torres del Paine national park in Chilean Patagonia (and seemingly placed at the edge of the world) may be a trek to get to, but it’s oh-so-worth the expedition. Snaking into the horizon, the hotel is camouflaged among the surrounding landscape, with bedrooms offering panoramic views over the spectacular scenery, and showcasing wooden accents and textured fabrics. Every day, the hotel’s team of expert guides will lead you on private excursions in and around the national park: after a day of adventuring, unwind in the luxurious spa and feast on hearty, flavourful fare back at the hotel.
Beach Resorts
Jumby Bay Island, Antigua
A short hop from the Antiguan mainland (you’ll be whizzed over in a sleek catamaran), this private island paradise sprawls across 300 acres, boasting miles and miles of palm-fringed beaches to strew yourself across. Everything here has been designed so that as soon as you check in, you won’t need to utilise a single brain cell: airy villas are keyless (so there’s no chance of misplacing your keys), rates are fully inclusive (no need to worry about signing checks on the beach, because who really wants to deal with that faff?), and water sports are all included too, from tubing to waterskiing. The food across the hotel’s clutch of restaurants is excellent - and you’ll be kept well fed throughout your stay, thanks to daily afternoon tea and candlelit barbecues on the beach. This is the kind of sun-soaked sanctuary where you can fully switch off because every need of yours is always anticipated by the cheery, whip smart team.
Soneva Fushi, The Maldives
The Maldives has no shortage of show-stopping resorts, but this is my favourite of them all. Castaway-chic hideaways are hidden among the tropical thicket, each with their own pools and direct access to the powder-soft beaches encircling this private island. Dining experiences are far from ordinary, from the sushi restaurant where you can waterslide directly into the sea to suppers among the treetops that you have to zip-line to - oh, and there are 24/7 chocolate, cheese, and gelato rooms that you can graze from whenever you wish. Hundreds of bunnies hop across the island, there are kitchen gardens to wander, and all sorts of activities to partake in (from dolphin sunset cruises to astronomy). Sister property Soneva Jani is similarly spectacular if you fancy hopping between atolls.
The remainder of this post is for paid subscribers only…