Last year, I stayed in some incredible hotels Sri Lanka: The Fortress Resort & Spa near Galle was particularly dreamy. As I start planning my travels for 2025, I've been reminiscing about some of the other beautiful places I've stayed in over the years. I've put together this selection of my most unique and memorable stays around the world. I hope it helps inspire your own holiday plans!
My travel style leans towards mid-range accommodations, but what my budget stretches to varies wildly depending on the destination. That's why this list includes a number of places in Southeast Asia — where luxury accommodation is more affordable — and none from the USA, for example, where high-end hotels are usually much too expensive.
Price isn't everything, of course. A welcoming atmosphere, stunning location, or unique features can make a place truly unforgettable. Take Levona Garden Resort in Habarana, Sri Lanka — one of the nicest places I've stayed and extremely affordable too. (It didn't quite make my short list as I only included one place per country.)
From cruises among thousands of karst islands, to blissful beach resorts and cool city breaks, there's something here for every travel style and taste. Dive in and get inspired for your next trip!
Luxurious relaxation on a coffee plantation (Bali, Indonesia)
At Munduk Moding Plantation, experience the perfect blend of caffeination and relaxation: my dream! I spent a couple of blissful nights there on a trip to Bali in 2022. It was a pleasure to stay at a coffee plantation, exploring the gorgeous grounds and learning about the coffee growing and production process.
The rooms and facilities are beautiful too, with views over the countryside and across to Java from the incredible infinity pools (yes, plural). Northern Bali is one of the quieter parts of the island and there are lots of interesting places to visit nearby, from rice terraces to waterfalls. If you can tear yourself away from the pool or the spa, that is! The service was world-class too: the accommodating staff members all helped to make it a stay to remember.
Book here. Read my full write-up.
Follow in Attenborough's footsteps (Borneo, Malaysia)
When I was planning my trip to Malaysia, a friend highly recommended a wildlife tour in Borneo featuring visits to Turtle Island (squee!) and Sukau Rainforest Lodge. So, I booked it! While I didn't score Sir David Attenborough's lodgings (villa no. 9), my room was comfortable and tastefully decorated with a window seat perfect for wildlife viewing.
The main draw of the lodge is the wildlife safaris you get to take several times a day. I saw dozens of bird species including kingfishers and hornbills, countless monkeys, crocodiles and even a pygmy elephant. That's four of the Borneo 'big five.' I also enjoyed relaxing at the lodge, at the small swimming pools or enjoying the delicious food.
Book here. Read my full write-up.
A boutique hotel with art at its heart (Budapest, Hungary)
When my mum and I booked a city break to Budapest, we wanted to stay somewhere central, stylish and characterful. Brody House more than delivered. Located centrally in the former residence of a 19th century Hungarian prime minister, Brody House's quirky rooms are all named after different artists. We stayed in the Ludo Room, which was spacious, comfortable and funkily decorated. We also enjoyed relaxing in the the communal 'club room' areas, taking advantage of the honesty bars.
Book here. Read my full write-up. (Budapest, Hungary)
Karst away in the South China Sea (Ha Long Bay Vietnam)
It's been nearly a decade since I visited Vietnam and I still have many happy memories from the trip. One highlight was the two nights I spent aboard Indochina Junk's Dragon's Pearl as we sailed through the stunning landscapes of Ha Long Bay, punctuated by countless limestone karst islands. We kayaked, we swam and we even had a barbecue dinner inside a UNESCO-listed cave one night!
A lot of different operators run boat trips in Ha Long Bay: prices, durations and quality vary wildly. You really get what you pay for and I have no regrets about splurging with Indochina Junk: the crew were excellent and so was the food. I'd also recommend taking a two-night trip to get the most out of the experience.
Book here. Read my full write-up.
A serene beach escape with impeccable service (Koggala, Sri Lanka)
The Fortress Resort & Spa in Koggala, near Galle on Sri Lanka's south coast, was the hotel that inspired this post in the first place! It was my favourite of all the special places I stayed in while in Sri Lanka. Located right on a perfect stretch of palm-fringed beach, the resort is elegant and luxurious, with staff members who can't do enough to ensure you have a wonderful stay.
Fearing stormy weather, I splashed out on a Beach Splash room (check out my room tour), which came with its own private pool looking out on the Indian Ocean. The room itself was large, attractively decorated and very comfortable.
As it turned out, the weather was great so I spent a lot of time relaxing in and by the 50-metre infinity pool, strolling along the golden sand, watching the local stilt fishermen and enjoying a wonderfully soothing treatment in the spa.
The food and drink was delicious too, though sadly the Fisherman Indulgence dessert was a *little* out of my budget!
Book here. Read my full write-up.
Tropical paradise on the Andaman Sea (Ko Lanta, Thailand)
On my trip to Thailand in 2023, I stayed in so many beautiful hotels (the Banyan Tree and Villa De Pranakorn in Bangkok and Hotel Ping Silhouette in Chiang Mai, to name but three). But my stay at Pimalai Resort & Spa — a late 40th birthday treat to self — was truly superb.
You start the experience with an airport pick-up by speedboat, a taste of the luxury to come during the rest of your stay. The staff were incredibly welcoming — with many honeymooners and other couples among the guests, I felt just as welcome as a solo traveller. My room was spacious and beautiful and the resort itself boasts tropical gardens, traditional-style buildings and sea views.
There are two lovely infinity pools and a private beach where you can swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard or simply relax on a lounger with a cold drink. When it was time to check out, I didn't want to leave, but at least the speedboat airport transfer softened the blow.
Book here. Read my full write-up.
Volcano views and natural wonders (La Fortuna, Costa Rica)
The town of La Fortuna was the first place in Costa Rica my friend and I visited after leaving San Jose. The big-ticket item in the area is Arenal Volcano, whose 1,670-metre peak looms over La Fortuna. And where better to appreciate the beauty of the volcano than at Hotel Campo Verde, whose cabins are within a (lava) stone's throw? We relished the views from our private porch and through our cabin's huge windows.
We also took a guided tour that took us onto the volcano, as well as the Catarata Fortuna waterfall and one of the many local hot springs. La Fortuna was a great place to get over our jet lag and get set for the rest of our Costa Rican adventure.
Book here. Read my full write-up.
Sunrise at the Sun Gate (Machu Picchu, Peru)
The most luxurious place to stay near the Peruvian site of Machu Picchu has to be Sanctuary Lodge, overlooking Huayna Picchu Mountain. But for the full experience, I recommend hiking the four-day Inca Trail instead.
Camping might not be quite so glamorous but my trek with Llama Path was one of my all-time favourite travel experiences. And after three-and-a-bit days of early starts, steep climbs, breathtaking views, and llama encounters, I felt I'd truly earned that magical moment watching the sun rise over the 'Lost City of the Incas.'
I have a detailed blog post about my whole experience, including when to go, how to pack and how to get the most out of your trip.
Traditional Japanese hospitality on 'Deer Island' (Miyajima, Japan)
During my time in Japan, I wanted to stay in a ryokan, a traditional inn often featuring tatami rooms, communal Japanese-style baths and local hospitality. Ryoso Kawaguchi is located on the island of Miyajima, a short ferry ride from Hiroshima. Miyajima is famous for its tame — and often hungry — deer that roam the streets, and for Itsukushima Shrine, whose red torii gate appears to float at high tide.
As for Ryoso Kawaguchi, it's a wonderfully relaxing place to stay, with simple but elegant Japanese-style rooms, shared indoor baths and delicious Japanese food. If you have time before taking the boat back to the mainland, I'd recommend taking the ropeway up Mount Misen to take in the amazing views of the bay.
Book here. Read my full write-up..
Sun, sea and Sorrentine sophistication (Sorrento, Italy)
I spent several days in Sorrento for a family wedding and the Bellevue Syrene was a glamorous, yet peaceful place to escape the crowds — and the August heat. The hotel dates to 1820 and is carved into the cliffside, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, with views over the Sorrentine Peninsula and Mount Vesuivus.
My room was large, bright and elegant, with a balcony facing the sea (view pictured above): I never got tired of opening my curtains each morning to take in that spectacular view. I spent a lot of time on the loungers on the hotel's pontoon, but there's also a small but lovely swimming pool if you tire of the Med (is that possible?). The meals we ate there were excellent: I enjoyed taking breakfast in the pretty gardens.
Book here. Read my full write-up.
15 more fabulous hotels I loved
Asia
- Komaneka at Monkey Forest — Ubud, Bali
- Ren i Tang — Penang, Malaysia
- Levona Garden Resort — Habarana, Sri Lanka
Europe
- Hotel Telegraaf — Tallinn, Estonia
- Hôtel Martinez — Cannes, France
- Ergon House — Athens, Greece
- The Coleridge — Valletta, Malta
- The Hoxton — Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Rosa et Al Townhouse — Porto, Portugal
- Vander Urbani Resort — Ljubljana, Slovenia
- The Queensberry Hotel — Bath, UK
- The Balmoral — Edinburgh, UK
Americas
- Hotel Casona Solar — Arequipa, Peru
- The Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park — Chicago, USA
- The Gild Hall — NYC, USA
- Hotel Theodore — Seattle, USA
Looking for more inspiration? Check out my full collection of travel guides for everything you need to plan your next dream getaway.
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