I believe a hotel can make or break a vacation, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion. If you’re spending your hard earned money on a well deserved holiday, then you should make sure you’re staying somewhere unique, comfortable, and with five-star service.

These are some of the best hotels in the world, all of which deserve a spot on your bucket list!

#1 Conrad Maldives: Rangali Island

Underwater hotel room – need I say more? The Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island has been is an award winning hotel, voted the “Best Hotel in the World” twice and is the true definition of luxury in paradise.

Recently, the Maldives has had a major surge in tourism and popularity (perhaps due to a certain Jonas brother’s honeymoon and other celebrity getaways). It is one of the most beautifully unique spots in the world and should certainly be added to your travel bucket list if it’s not already! It isn’t the easiest spot to get to from the US, but I guarantee the relaxation will come as soon as you arrive.

If you book the Muraka residence, you will arrive by private seaplane and then escorted along the Muraka jetty by your personal island host. You will then experience the first of its kind luxury two-level residence with a master bedroom submerged 16 feet below sea level in the Indian Ocean. If that’s not one of the worlds best hotel rooms, I don’t know what is!

If that doesn’t satisfy your desire to be underwater, the hotel also offers the Ithaa Restaurant where you can dine five meters below the surface of the ocean. This is the world’s first undersea restaurant, with panoramic coral garden views and fusion menus matched with fine wines. Sign me up!

#2 KA BRU Forest: Itacaré, Brazil

KA BRU Forest is a more modern interpretation of a whimsical children’s tree house, with all the luxuries of a five-star hotel. Built in the middle of the Atlantic Rainforest in the state of Bahia, Brazil, this one of-a-kind jungle villa allows you to experience nature from within. This would be an unforgettable romantic hideaway for a honeymoon, and can certainly compare to the nicest hotels around the globe. 

Not only does it look stunning, but KA BRU Forest is ethically crafted from 60-year-old demolition woods. The villa rental has a fully equipped kitchen, a one bedroom with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom with an open-air rainforest shower. Additionally, there is another open area bathroom with two rainforest showers, a private yoga deck and a private pool.

Some of the many things you will enjoy during your stay include: private lunch and dinner prepared by your personal chef, adventure day trips by boat, massages, and private yoga, capoeira, surf and cooking lessons. Even more daytime activities include: diving, fishing, surfing, river rafting, stand-up paddling and whale watching. Good luck trying to run out of fun things to do here!

#3 Belmond Sanctuary Lodge: Machu Picchu, Peru

If you’re making a bucket list trek to Machu Picchu, you need to experience this luxury hotel. Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the only luxury accommodation right next to the amazing site. Because of this, you’ll be perfectly positioned to feel the heartbeat of this ancient wonder of the world.

At this magical property, you can sit out on the terrace and enjoy Peruvian cuisine with fresh produce grown on the Lodge’s own land. This delightful hideaway is the ideal place to relax after a day packed with adventure.

I was fortunate enough to experience this grand property in person recently when I visited Machu Picchu and you can read more here! This was one of the nicest hotels I experienced in Peru. 

#4 Giraffe Manor: Nairobi, Kenya

This is another viral hotel experience known as the only spot in the world where you can feed giraffes while enjoying breakfast and tea in their dining room!

Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, located in the indigenous forest of Nairobi, Africa. The property is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings set on 12 acres of private land. The historic manor house has a history that dates back to the 1930s, when European visitors first came to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, luscious green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests usually say that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa. In fact, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen. This is also why it is often referred to as one of the most instagrammed properties in the world.

The most noteworthy feature of Giraffe Manor has to be its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes. These gentle giants may visit the dining area morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hopes of a treat, before retreating to their forest home. Giraffe Manor can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made safari.

#5 Hotel Kakslauttanen: Lapland, Finland

This hotel isn’t just a five star property – it’s known as a million-star hotel. That is because the rooms are comprised of glass igloos where you can see all the stars at night and even the northern lights if you’re lucky!

Hotel Kakslauttanen is the original glass igloo resort in Finland opened in 1999 in the city of Kakslauttanen, Lapland. The city is one of the world’s best places for viewing the Northern Lights. The aurora season lasts from late August until the end of April. So if viewing the northern lights has ever been on your travel bucket list, this is definitely the place to do it!

You can stay here during the winter for Northern Light viewing and a visit to Santa’s house. Some other winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, reindeer rides and a snowmobile safari. But you can also travel during the summer to experience the midnight sun! Summer nights in Lapland are as bright as day from the end of April until the end of August because of the magical midnight sun. It truly is a unique sight to see!

#6 Longitude 131: Yulara, Australia

Australia is blessed to have some truly stunning luxury hotels located in many unique locations.

Located amongst the red-rust dunes of the Central Desert are sixteen luxury tents, each offering an amazing outback view as well as a glamorous base from which to explore the incredible Red Centre. Here you can discover vibrant Aboriginal art or relics from the region’s explorers, along with a bar and restaurant offering contemporary Australian dining with friendly staff.

After a good night’s sleep, you can explore the natural and cultural heritage of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) led by the lodge’s naturalist guides. Shared stories and first-hand experiences offer a wonderful understanding of this unique area. You can even opt for the Uluru photo safari package for a 5-day photographic expedition.

7. Nimb Hotel at Tivoli: Copenhagen, Denmark

Fairytales are real at this five-star hotel located inside one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, Tivoli.

Built as a castle in 1909, Nimb Hotel manages to preserve its grand Moorish past while combining modern-day Scandinavian style. The architecture of the building features domes, spires, and almond windows. It is stark white on one side, with incredible detail, and bright green terraces on the other side (not to mention, the peacocks in the park down below). Today, it is a luxurious boutique hotel in Copenhagen, featuring 38 unique guest bedrooms and suites with unparalleled quality of personal service.

This is a beautiful and comfortable hotel next to the thrilling, action-packed rides of Tivoli Gardens. It has one of Copenhagen’s most beautiful bars, four restaurants, a bakery and a rare-for-the-city rooftop pool.

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