Covered with more than 10,000 glass panels lit by LEDs at night, Sunrise Kempinski's architecture had the world buzzing when it opened mid-November.
Sunrise Kempinski Hotel (Beijing) —
Covered with more than 10,000 glass panels lit by LEDs at night, Sunrise Kempinski's architecture had the world buzzing when it opened mid-November.
Kempinski Hotels S.A
After four years of restoration, The Peninsula Paris now has high-tech conveniences, such as control tablets. The original 1908 hotel was the first to offer en-suite bathrooms when it opened.
The Peninsula Paris —
After four years of restoration, The Peninsula Paris now has high-tech conveniences, such as control tablets. The original 1908 hotel was the first to offer en-suite bathrooms when it opened.
Courtesy The Peninsula Paris
Perched 2,000 meters above sea level, Oman's Alila Jabal Akhdar overlooks a dramatic gorge and neighboring Al Hajar mountains. The Jabal Terrace has the best views.
Alila Jabal Akhdar (UAE) —
Perched 2,000 meters above sea level, Oman's Alila Jabal Akhdar overlooks a dramatic gorge and neighboring Al Hajar mountains. The Jabal Terrace has the best views.
Courtesy alila jabal akhdar
Two former residences of La Hispaniola, the oldest city in the new world, have been restored into a hotel. All rooms at Casas del XVI come with GPS-enabled iPhones to navigate the surrounding UNESCO-listed Ciudad Colonial.
Casas del XVI (Dominican Republic) —
Two former residences of La Hispaniola, the oldest city in the new world, have been restored into a hotel. All rooms at Casas del XVI come with GPS-enabled iPhones to navigate the surrounding UNESCO-listed Ciudad Colonial.
Courtesy Casas del XVI
Luxury powerhouse LVMH unveiled Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France this year in the French West Indies. Butler-escorted sailing trips, lobster lunch on a pristine island and Guerlain spa treatments await.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France —
Luxury powerhouse LVMH unveiled Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France this year in the French West Indies. Butler-escorted sailing trips, lobster lunch on a pristine island and Guerlain spa treatments await.
Courtesy Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France
Draped over the side of a 180-meter-high cliff and overlooking the Mediterranean, Hacienda Na Xamena offers back-to-nature relief after partying in Ibiza's famed club scene.
Hacienda Na Xamena (Spain) —
Draped over the side of a 180-meter-high cliff and overlooking the Mediterranean, Hacienda Na Xamena offers back-to-nature relief after partying in Ibiza's famed club scene.
Courtesy Hacienda Na Xamena
The Four Seasons Moscow sits across the street from Bolshoi Theatre and is adjacent to Red Square. Guests get a Nespresso machine, Roberto Cavalli bathroom amenities and in-room iPad.
Four Seasons Moscow —
The Four Seasons Moscow sits across the street from Bolshoi Theatre and is adjacent to Red Square. Guests get a Nespresso machine, Roberto Cavalli bathroom amenities and in-room iPad.
Courtesy Peter Vitale/Four Seasons Moscow
Housed in a historic industrial building, Soho House Chicago features vintage radiators and chandeliers. The spa offering scotch 'n' shave for gents looks like a set from "Mad Men."
Soho House Chicago —
Housed in a historic industrial building, Soho House Chicago features vintage radiators and chandeliers. The spa offering scotch 'n' shave for gents looks like a set from "Mad Men."
Courtesy Soho House Chicago
Andy Murray opened his first hotel a few miles from his Scottish hometown, Dunblaine. Surprise! There's a tennis court in Wimbledon colors of blue and purple on the grounds.
Cromlix Hotel (Scotland) —
Andy Murray opened his first hotel a few miles from his Scottish hometown, Dunblaine. Surprise! There's a tennis court in Wimbledon colors of blue and purple on the grounds.
Courtesy Cromlix Hotel
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas and Spa is located on one of the best kite-surfing beaches in the world. Tanzania's latest beachfront hotel is powered by solar and wind energy.
Zanzibar White Sand Villas —
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas and Spa is located on one of the best kite-surfing beaches in the world. Tanzania's latest beachfront hotel is powered by solar and wind energy.
Courtesy Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
Sofitel So Singapore offers a refreshing splash of textures and colors. Karl Lagerfeld designed elements of the hotel and each room is fitted with iPad minis and iPhones.
Sofitel So Singapore —
Sofitel So Singapore offers a refreshing splash of textures and colors. Karl Lagerfeld designed elements of the hotel and each room is fitted with iPad minis and iPhones.
Courtesy Sofitel So Singapore
"Eclectic" is an understatement at Iniala Beach House in Phang Nga, Thailand. Ten designers created the hotel's varied spaces, leading to cocoon-like canopy beds, gold leaf-covered dome in the spa room and a "kids hotel" wing with mini-bathrobes and slippers.
Iniala Beach House (Thailand) —
"Eclectic" is an understatement at Iniala Beach House in Phang Nga, Thailand. Ten designers created the hotel's varied spaces, leading to cocoon-like canopy beds, gold leaf-covered dome in the spa room and a "kids hotel" wing with mini-bathrobes and slippers.
Courtesy Iniala Beach House
The Norman makes good use of Tel Aviv, Israel's celebrated Bauhaus architecture. In this case, two buildings decked out in classic furnishing with splashes of punchy colors.
The Norman (Tel Aviv, Israel) —
The Norman makes good use of Tel Aviv, Israel's celebrated Bauhaus architecture. In this case, two buildings decked out in classic furnishing with splashes of punchy colors.
Courtesy The Norman
URSO Hotel & Spa is Madrid, Spain's first five-star boutique hotel. Local artisans contributed to the restoration of the 20th-century former palace.
URSO Hotel & Spa (Madrid) —
URSO Hotel & Spa is Madrid, Spain's first five-star boutique hotel. Local artisans contributed to the restoration of the 20th-century former palace.
Courtesy URSO Hotel & Spa
Richard Branson added to his South African portfolio of Virgin Limited Edition hotels with Mont Rochelle, a 22-room hotel and vineyard near the Klein Dassenberg Mountains in Franschoek.
Mont Rochelle (South Africa) —
Richard Branson added to his South African portfolio of Virgin Limited Edition hotels with Mont Rochelle, a 22-room hotel and vineyard near the Klein Dassenberg Mountains in Franschoek.
Courtesy Mont Rochelle
Portrait Firenze in Florence, Italy, features interiors inspired by 1050's Italian haute couture. Guests are privy to privileges at the boutiques and special tours of Vasari Corridor.
Portrait Firenze (Italy) —
Portrait Firenze in Florence, Italy, features interiors inspired by 1050's Italian haute couture. Guests are privy to privileges at the boutiques and special tours of Vasari Corridor.
Courtesy Portrait Firenze
Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard literally towers over the competition in London. Spanning between the 34th floor and 52nd floors, the hotel has the highest bar in London.
Shangri-La Hotel (London) —
Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard literally towers over the competition in London. Spanning between the 34th floor and 52nd floors, the hotel has the highest bar in London.
Courtesy Shangri La Hotel, At the Shard
In keeping with Marlon Brando's passion for conservation and sustainability, the Brando in Tetiaroa, French Polynesia, has an on-site organic garden and "ecostation" staffed by research scientists.
The Brando (French Polynesia) —
In keeping with Marlon Brando's passion for conservation and sustainability, the Brando in Tetiaroa, French Polynesia, has an on-site organic garden and "ecostation" staffed by research scientists.
Courtesy The Brando
Accessible only by light aircraft, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a secluded tent resort in Namibia's mysterious Skeleton Coast. The 100% solar-powered camp features a swimming pool.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp (Namibia) —
Accessible only by light aircraft, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a secluded tent resort in Namibia's mysterious Skeleton Coast. The 100% solar-powered camp features a swimming pool.
Courtesy Hoanib Skeleton Coast
Kyoto's first globally known luxury hotel is like a Japanese ryokan but with modern amenities. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto features wooden tubs. Some suites offer futons on tatami floors.
Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Japan) —
Kyoto's first globally known luxury hotel is like a Japanese ryokan but with modern amenities. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto features wooden tubs. Some suites offer futons on tatami floors.
Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
Occupied in the 1900s by a girls' school, Miss Clara is named after the former tenant's headmistress. Interiors are minimalistic, featuring dark woods and white walls.
Miss Clara (Stockholm) —
Occupied in the 1900s by a girls' school, Miss Clara is named after the former tenant's headmistress. Interiors are minimalistic, featuring dark woods and white walls.
Courtesy Miss Clara
Maalifushi by COMO is an hour's transfer from Male, Maldives. Mostly unpopulated, the atoll of Thaa offers thriving reefs with manta rays, hammerheads and whale sharks.
Maalifushi by COMO (Maldives) —
Maalifushi by COMO is an hour's transfer from Male, Maldives. Mostly unpopulated, the atoll of Thaa offers thriving reefs with manta rays, hammerheads and whale sharks.
Courtesy Maalifushi by COMO
How many resorts can accurately have the address "Great Barrier Reef"? Not only can guests explore the famed coral reef at One&Only Hayman Island, they can get signature spa treatments out at sea.
One&Only Hayman Island (Australia) —
How many resorts can accurately have the address "Great Barrier Reef"? Not only can guests explore the famed coral reef at One&Only Hayman Island, they can get signature spa treatments out at sea.
Courtesy One&Only Hayman Island