Spliced into a hillside of the Peloponnese peninsula, the first of the luxury brand’s openings in Greece has its phasers set to stun. And boy, does it: dressed in shades that reflect the area’s sun-drenched palette (sand-hued soft furnishings, earthy terracotta and dwarf olive trees on the balcony), the rugged beauty of the surrounding Messenian landscape is on full display. Make like a Greek and worship the near-eternal sun from the poolside Ormos Beach Club, a lounge overlooking the Ionian Sea or, if you’ve secured a pool villa, your own private plunge pool.

Taking its cues from the traditional Roman bathhouse, Six Senses Rome – just five minutes walk from the Trevi Fountain – bills itself as an “urban retreat”, stretching its spa-like tranquillity from the lobby and beyond. You’ll find more than the run-of-the-mill treatments here, too – the on-site biohacking offering puts your body through its recovery paces inclusive of everything from compression therapy to diet shifts. 

Striving to tread lightly on the earth adopts a fresh urgency in Kenya, where the ecosystem is as vulnerable as it is mighty. Angama Amboseli rests among it all – the fever tree forests, super tusker territory and in the heart of Kimana Sanctuary, a conservation area managed by a collective of 844 Masaai family members. At the feet of Mount Kilimanjaro, the property’s 10 suites look out to the inimitable landscape through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. For closer views, there’s a morning “pajama safari”. 

See Sydney from all its stunning harbourside angles at Capella, where generous apartment-like rooms offer much more than a peep of the CBD. Fanning up from the lofty central atrium adorned with a blooming installation from multidisciplinary Dutch artists studio DRIFT, the hotel never ceases to amaze with its soaring ceilings and sharp interior design. This is where special occasion stays should happen. 

Expect the typical Capri tropes at Hotel La Palma and then turn up the dial. At this chalk-white hotel, there’s no shortage of decorative arches, bougainvillea-veiled awnings and gelato-coloured corners (see the bright lemon tables in the dining room of on-site eatery Gennaro’s). What sets it apart from other stays is its exceptional dining experiences, direct beach access via the hotel’s nearby beach club Da Gioia by La Palma and that view, glimpsed from an abundance of balconies.

If anyone can make extreme isolation look desirable, it’s the Norwegians. Case in point is The Bolder Lodges: four new exceptionally sleek self-contained cabins that teeter on the edge of pine-fringed Lysefjord in the country’s far south-east. The architecturally designed boxes clad in Canadian cedar give rightful focus to the views, with enormous windows collecting the fjord’s pristine beauty for guests to admire from the cosy lounge (and bed) room. This is one cabin where you wouldn’t mind being snowed in.

Clean lines and a neutral palette define interior architect Raphael Navot’s vision for the Latin Quarter’s Hôtel Dame des Arts. It sets the tone for a quiet kind of comfort; a departure from the sometimes frilly interpretations of Parisian charm other properties embrace. The thoughtful amenities speak to this approach: think Diptyque toiletries, biodegradable coffee pods stuffed with locally roasted grinds and a refined collection of objet d'art in every room. Also, because you’ll need to know, the views from the rooftop bar are exceptional. 

Hoxton properties are the antithesis of cookie-cutter – you know one when you stay at one. Much like its siblings dotted around Europe and the United States, The Hoxton in Brussels has a distinct personality gleaned from its host city. In the former IBM headquarters, that means vintage furniture sourced at flea markets and stores, walls adorned with art from local artists and a Peruvian on-site eatery, which speaks to the city’s diverse food scene. 

The skyline isn’t the only thing The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne has transformed. This 257-room property elevates guests to a dramatic new level of luxury, with spacious suites, a fine-diner hovering 80 storeys above the CBD and an entire level dedicated to wellness spanning hydrotherapy pools, saunas and ice chip stations. 

Nothing is done by halves in Dubai. The explosive opening of Atlantis The Royal was nothing short of spectacular, with Beyoncé twinkling brighter than the sweeping trail of fireworks that illuminated the geometric façade of the 795-room hotel. The hotel itself is in no way anticlimactic, with the requisite over-the-top additions we all expect: namely, a tank with 2000 jellyfish, a staggering 90 pools with a stunner of a rooftop infinity version and a helipad for VIP guest arrivals. This is Dubai, after all. 

Is there such a thing as too much marble? Not according to the interiors of Bulgari Hotel Roma, where lashings of the distinctive limestone are tastefully layered throughout the property. The jewellery brand is known for its extravagance and it’s only right that its Italian accommodation arm, just steps from the Tiber River, follows the same design ethos of “more is more”. 

A few leaps over from beloved Bali, the island of Sumba remains relatively under the radar in comparison to its more popular neighbour. Cap Karoso has the kind of laid-back, rainforest-fringed charm that could just put it on the map for the adventurous few. If you’re searching for somewhere that’s remote and rugged but with a few creature comforts, this is your place. There’s an on-site spa, in-room deep soaking tubs and excellent dining, propped up by the hotel’s farm project. 

While it may be mere metres from the bustling boulevard of Orchard Road, you’ll forget all about Singapore’s exciting energy the minute you enter the calm, contemporary space that is COMO Metropolitan. The hub of the hotel’s tranquillity is certainly the sprawling wellness space on the fourth floor, where guests can be treated inside and out, with holistic health programs spanning body composition diagnostics and deeply therapeutic massages.

Less an evocation of the jungle and more of an immersion in it, the Yucatán Peninsula’s Maroma embraces the natural landscapes of the Riviera Maya. That’s why you’ll find umpteen lazy palms overhead at the pool, or fringing the sand-coloured interiors of your thatched suite. The restorative power of nature is complimented by the hotel’s dedication to exceptional experiences, from aromatherapy turndowns and an on-site apothecary, for Mayan-inspired recipes.  

Aman’s “little sister” Janu, which takes its name from the Sanskrit word for “soul”, has a unique vision for its first property in the new suburb of Azabudai Hills and wellness enthusiasts will adore it. Once opened, the property will have one of the largest wellness spaces of any luxury hotel in Tokyo, and its inclusions are an impressive checklist of must-visits. A generous hydrotherapy and thermal area: tick. Two spa houses: tick. Five movement studios and a 25-metre heated lap pool: tick. You’ll be exhausted just trying to choose how to relax.

The estate that now houses the bucolic beauty of Kent’s Boys Hall dates back to the 17th century. At this restaurant-with-rooms, the building’s age proudly shows, with original character features displayed throughout the intimate nine room property. In many you’ll find mullioned windows; in some, hefty antique oak beams and carved wall panelling. In all, there’s expertly chosen antiques, ensuring the whole place is a very English affair indeed. 

So much of Waikiki Beach’s accommodation veers towards the block-standard high-rise style. At Wayfinder, the area’s newest boutique offering, there’s a comparatively cosy 228 rooms, each with their own version of tropical flair. If you’re in any doubt of the set the space attracts, just take a look at the details: in-room yoga mats, rattan furniture and fresh-from-the-ocean food in the onsite eatery, Redfish (poke bowls and avo toast, anyone?). Yep – this is for the clued-in crowd and, with an entry per night price of US$186 in what is a very pricey part of town, it might just pay for you to be part of them, too.

Blow your mind (and the budget) in one fell swoop at Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands. Intended to make your jaw drop, the villas – of which an additional 40 were recently unveiled – on this private island paradise are beyond expansive, all with views of  the pristine, powder-blue Caribbean Sea. Activities on the island are exhaustive, too, with complimentary sailing lessons, tennis courts and a spa with restoratively deep massages. Accessible only by boat or helicopter, this is once-in-a-lifetime territory. 

A total of four Bosphorus-straddling buildings comprise the impressive expanse of The Peninsula Istanbul. From its incredible frontage the property is afforded on the city’s European bank, you can even see the city’s ancient drawcards, from the tip of Topkapi Palace to the dome of Hagia Sophia. In the mood to break the budget? The Peninsula Suite should do it: it includes a private rooftop, mini gym, movie screening room and even its own Marmara-tiled hammam.

A jewel in the crown of the brand’s accommodation expansion, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo doesn’t dial down the shine of its sleek black Yaesu property. There are glittering mosaic feature walls, an 8-seat sushi eatery with an attached zen garden, an enormous pool that peers out over the city through floor-to-ceiling windows and a fabulous location near the Imperial Palace.

The intersection of Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige is a particularly picturesque part of the Italian countryside; tiny towns dwarfed by craggy mountains punctuated by green trees. Lake Garda is the country’s largest lake and it’s here, on its banks, that wellness hotel QC Termegarda sits. The outlets for relaxation are endless: Vichy showers, aroma saunas, massages, sensory pools and saunas decorated in an array of inventive themes. So it’s best to stay as long as you can.

There are just 24 rooms at Crescent Head’s smart-looking Sea Sea Hotel, opened in May. But its size isn’t the only thing that makes it feel homey. The abundance of walnut wood – on the walls, in the side tables and frames of occasional chairs – does a good job of giving the place a warm, welcoming ambience. This is cool incarnate, with curated in-house radio, an excellent eatery and bar and a generous pool (just in case the nearby shorebreak doesn’t do the trick, that is). 

Attention to detail is the modus operandi of shoe designer extraordinaire, Christian Louboutin. His first hotel – a 13-room place of splendour with abundant azulejos, frescoed ceilings and geometric flooring – is an ode to Melides, the area he’s been frequenting since the 1990s. On-site, there’s more than just great design: a garden designed by Louis Benech (who has the Gardens of Versailles on his resumé) and Xtian, a Portuguese-inspired restaurant with cherry-red window frames.

The vast and lonely desert on the banks of southern Morocco’s Dakhla Lagoon colours this singular stay. It’s the view from almost every window in the hotel – from the edges of the curved outdoor pool, through the floor-to-ceiling glimpses from rooms and beyond the cacti in Levante, the restaurant that expertly mixes Latin American and Moroccan flavours. The oases of the nearby lagoon is a watersports-lover’s paradise, with wind- and kite-surfers often spotted skimming the surface.

Slated to open this month, even the well-travelled have likely never seen (or been) to a place quite like &Beyond Punakha River, in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Astride the Mo Chu River, where rice and chilli farms abound, the hotel is immersed in nature, with just six luxury tents and two suites. Guests will be encouraged to explore along hiking trails, trips to local monasteries and soaking in a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath.

There’s little doubt as to where this New York gem, slated to open its doors on 16 October, is located. Smack bang in the centre of Manhattan, the hotel named for its streetscape is proudly maximalist, with ornate wallpaper, bold colours and eclectic décor – the only aspect free from colour are the bedsheets. The food is a fusion of Italian and French but, led by Andrew Carmellini of Locanda Verde fame, is all New York.

It’s taken three years for Kangaroo Island’s beloved Southern Ocean Lodge to find its feet again after the devastating bushfire that destroyed it. But come December 2023, it will welcome visitors once again from its spectacular perch above Hanson Bay. Much of what made the original lodge so beloved remains – the stellar service, the exceptional food, the Great Room with its teardrop-like suspended fireplace and, most importantly, those stunning views.

It’s the curve the whole of Sydney has been watching. Finally, from 12 October, W Sydney will unfurl from its lofty perch above Darling Harbour. Expect rooms that brim with decorative character, will-travel-for-food-level dining experiences, an other-worldly spa and, of course, an enormous pool where you can carry on the party. In other words, everything you’d expect from a W hotel – and then some.

Late September ushers in a new era of luxury with the opening of Raffles London at The OWO. The stately building, located in Whitehall, impresses upon entry with its sweeping marble staircase, soaring ceilings and intricate chandeliers. The rooms offer a more understated glamour – unless you opt for the suites, where open fireplaces, walk-in wardrobes and 24-hour butlers take opulence to a whole new level.

You couldn’t get a better location than The Peninsula’s, tucked into the beautiful neighbourhood of Belgravia in central London. But that’s not the only reason guests will book a stay here: the hotel chain is famed for its extravagance, exemplified by its fleet of luxury vehicles, including a hybrid Bentley Bentayga, a now-electric 1960 vintage Austin taxi and a 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom, all of which guests have access to while in residence at the hotel. 

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