Jade Mountain Resort – Saint Lucia
Sometimes you just want a glass of wine and a view of the ocean peppered with mountains in the background. If that is your vibe then head to the Jade Mountain Resort in Saint Lucia to get it all at once. This resort is only 90 minutes away from the St. Lucia airport and it is definitely worth the trip. The resort offers a private beach that is below the cliffside resort. You’ll see ocean, jungle, and mountains all from your window. Premier swimming pool designs are put on display here with the various private infinity pools that you’ll no doubt take advantage of. A night’s stay could run you anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.
Anantara Golden Triangle – Sop Ruak, Thailand
As you may have noticed we have put a premium on cool hotels that help us feel closer and closer to nature. Seeing the beauty of nature first hand is worth so much more than a cheap ticket to your local zoo. That is why we strongly suggest checking out the Anantara Golden Triangle which is located in Thailand. This gorgeous resort offers the sort of scenery typically reserved for Disney movies like the Jungle Book or Lion King. You’ll be settled into a gorgeous resort that is located between three different countries (the Golden Triangle) and there you will see all sorts of beautiful, friendly wild animals. You’ll be able to have meals with baby elephants, spend your evening touring local temples, and sleep with the absolute serenity of nature closing in around you. A nights stay will run you around $950 but you’ll be treated to the best of everything that Anantara has to offer.
Hotel Kakslauttanen – Saariselka, Finland
When we suggest sleeping in an igloo for your hotel reservation more than a few people will likely quirk their heads and offer a ‘hard pass’. Yet, one look at the Hotel Kakslauttanen will have you changing your tune. At this snow filled resort there are private igloos that are made out of glass and half submerged into the snow. There are 20 total igloos at this resort and they are completely secluded from one another, meaning that you get all of the privacy you desire. The glass ceiling opens up to an unrivaled night sky and the ability to watch the aurora borealis from your warm bed is something that money just can’t compare to. If staring up at the stars is a little too slow for you then head out during the day for some skiing and dog sledding which are activities offered by the hotel.
Giraffe Manor – Nairobi, Kenya
If you are a wildlife enthusiast then you probably don’t need anyone to twist your arm to head to Nairobi. While Africa is far from a popular tourist destination the city of Nairobi in Kenya offers some of the most magical wildlife views the world has ever seen and they are highlighted by the Giraffe Manor. Kenya is well known for their leopards, elephants, and rhinos but you’ll be getting up close and personal with their population of giraffes! This brick mansion resort was constructed in 1932 but in 1974 it turned into a preservation reserve. There are 10 luxurious suites that look out onto the countryside. At breakfast and dinner the windows are opened and giraffe will come up to eat a meal with you, sticking their gentle and long necks through the window. At $1,000 a night this is the sort of trip that seems beyond money.
Manta Resort – Zanzibar
If you love tropical environments, oceanic wildlife, and the absolute seclusion that luxury resorts can offer then you owe it to yourself to take a trip to the Manta Resort, located in Zanzibar. There you’ll find their famous floating hotel which gives you and a guest perfect views into the ocean from the privacy of your own room. The biggest hook for the floating hotel is not the beautiful ocean view from your deck, but the one that comes below the surface. Your room is submerged underwater via glass construction and during the day you are given literally a front row seat to all the ocean wildlife that you could want to see. At night if you leave your lights on you will attract octopus and squid right to your room. It can be a little nerve wracking if you are afraid of the ocean but if you trust the experience and embrace it then there are fewer hotels in the world cooler for a nights rest. Bring plenty of sunscreen and be prepared to spend significant amounts of time in and around the water. The views are gorgeous and the ocean is beautiful to dive in.
Harry Potter Hotel – London, England
Alright, you muggles need to pack up your suitcase and get your passport ready — we’re heading to Hogwarts. The Harry Potter Hotel is one of the latest attractions that has opened up its doors in London for Harry Potter fans around the world. This hotel offers you the chance to stay in rooms that are exact copies of the rooms at Hogwarts. You get to pick which house you stay in and from there you can delight in the magic of J.K. Rowling’s gorgeous and well thought out world. For the book work couple around what can be cooler than staying in a room from your imagination? Imagine cuddling up in the Gryffindor common room while eating a box of chocolate frogs and reading Pottermore. We dig it.
Ashford Castle – Cong, Ireland
If you want a little taste of the life of royalty then you owe it to yourself to head to Cong, Ireland in order to stay at the Ashford Castle. The Ashford Castle was first built in 1228 but construction on the castle wouldn’t stop until the 1900’s. Now the castle sits on an enormous 26,000 acres of property and it offers guests the chance to enjoy every inch of those grounds. Go horseback riding in the yard, explore the numerous wings, and stay in the same rooms that guests like Ronald Reagan, King George V, Oscar Wilde, and Mary Queen of Scots have all rested. Getting the royal treatment at this hotel will cost you $130 a night at the low end but individual rooms can run upwards of $600. Activities outside in the yard include falconry, archery, golf, fishing, and so much more.
Londolozi Tree Camp – Kruger National Park, South Africa
We are back in South Africa for yet another adventure lodge worth traveling across the ocean to stay at. The Londolozi Tree Camp, located in the Kruger National Park, offers guests the chance to live the life of a president or princess out on the range. This lodge costs you around $900 per night and with that price you’ll get a room, fine dining, and most importantly: game drives throughout the resort. You’ll see all of Africa’s finest wildlife up close and personal from elephants to cheetahs and everything in between. This resort was established as a camp back in 1926 but made the transition to full on preservation by the ’70s and now it is one of the most important places you can visit in South Africa.
Wanderlust Hotel – Singapore
Are you a fan of pop art? How about vibrant colors, surreal rooms, and a dining experience that’ll leave your mouth watering? We highly suggest heading to the Wanderlust Hotel to get a taste of all the vibrancy this beautiful place has on offer. The hotel was initially created in the ’20s but overtime evolved into the resort that we see today. This boutique hotel has 29 rooms spanning four stories and each one of them is designed by a premier artist from the country. Enjoy rustic French cuisine in the hotel dining room or hit the streets for all the local culture that Singapore has on offer.
The Batcave – Taiwan
This may sound a little bit cheesy but comic book fans can’t pass up on the opportunity to sleep in the actual Batcave. The Batcave is located in Taiwan and it is everything that your inner nerdy child could possibly want. Head to the Eden Hotel in Taiwan to live out your Batman obsession in real life. You’ll get a room modeled after the Batcave with a mini tumbler, private bar, and glorious set up to make you feel like the true Dark Knight.
The Conrad Hilton – Rangila, Maldives
We consider the Maldives to be one of the premier travel destinations on the planet so it stands to reason that one of their resorts makes our list. The Conrad Hilton is located on the island of Rangila in the Maldives and it is one of the prettiest places in the world. This hotel offers a lagoon like experience where you get the luxury of a proper resort with the isolation of living in your own underwater room. You’ll get a floating lagoon room with an underwater bedroom. There you’ll have access to gourmet dining, private ocean front property, and all of the scuba that you can want to experience. You can even ride in the Nemo Submarine if you’d rather not dive on your own.