Sense of PlaceSleeps
Stays that truly immerse you in a destination
Going well beyond a place to simply rest your head, these properties embody the wider destination they call home through their art, architecture, food offering and more.
Reviewed by
Jacqui Agate, Oliver Berry, Nicola Brady, Gareth Clark, Laura Field, Lyn Hughes, George Kipouros, James March, Chris Moss, Tebogo Pin-Pin and Qin Xie
Taupō, North Island, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Huka Lodge
Back in the 1920s, this leafy stretch of the Waikoto River, downwind of the thundering sky-blue waters of Huka Falls, was a simple fishing camp. Over the following century, however, it would become the blueprint for every luxury lodge in New Zealand.
Rooms, all inclusive, from around £1,330 p/n (two-night minimum)
In fact, the word ‘lodge’ is a bit misleading; Huka is more of a country estate. Its grounds sprawl several hectares of manicured parkland, fenced in by orchards and towering firs. Queen Elizabeth II was a frequent visitor, and both the junior suites and coveted owners’ residences offer enough privacy to imagine that all this belongs to you. A recent renovation has returned the lodge to its best.
•••
Hotel Sacher Vienna
If you were to sum up ‘Classical Vienna’ in a single building, the 149-year-old, family-run Hotel Sacher Vienna would be it. Few escape the city without trying its eponymous torte, and the in-house perk of guests being able to skip the long wait list in the imperious Café Sacher Wien is not to be overlooked.
Rooms from around £490 p/n
Everywhere you turn, you’re reminded that this is Viennese hotel royalty, from silverware ‘gifted’ by short-on-cash Habsburg nobles to its portrait gallery of famous guests, including former live-in owner Anna Sacher, an eccentric dog-lover and gifted manager who raised the hotel to its pre-war heights. There has been little resting on laurels since.
•••
JW Marriott El Convento
The shimmering artwork in the lobby here pays homage to the Inca sun god Inti, with 76,500 Swarovski crystals.
Rooms from around £280 p/n
One of Cusco’s grandest hotels, El Convento doubles as a museum, showcasing its Augustinian cloister and Inca foundations. Beautiful flower arrangements and contemporary Peruvian artworks complete the experience, while the decor in the 153 rooms is understated by comparison.
Qespi restaurant serves dashing Peruvian tiraditos (a saucier ceviche). There’s also a pool, steam room and sauna, plus yoga sessions and market tours.
•••
Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Set between the rugged Al Hajar Mountains and the sparkling Gulf of Oman, this architectural marvel embodies the opulence of the Omani Sultans.
Rooms from around £195 p/n
Built in 1985, the hotel’s 38m-high domed lobby gives it a regal presence. Intricate Arabic latticework and hand-carved doors echo the craftsmanship of ancient Omani forts.
A private beach, rich culinary offerings and activities like dhow cruises and souk visits make this the ultimate gateway to the Sultanate’s enchanting culture.
•••
Taj Lake Palace
You never forget your first sight of the Taj Lake Palace. Seemingly floating in the middle of Lake Pichola, its dazzling white marble reflecting in the waters, it’s hard to believe it’s not part of a fairy tale.
Rooms from around £350 p/n
Built in 1746 as a summer palace for the House of Mewar dynasty, it was then abandoned around 200 years later. In the 1960s, however, work started on turning it into a hotel. It has dazzled ever since. The romance begins on arrival as guests are showered in rose petals. The 65 rooms and 18 suites are opulent – think sumptuous silks, teak furnishings and hand-carved latticework.
The views looking out to the palaces and lakeside ghats of Udaipur and the Araveli Hills are no less impressive. There are four restaurants, but for something unique, you should try the candlelit dining experience on a 150-year old hand-made barge.
•••
Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
Bab Samhan
Dubbed the ‘City of Earth’, Diriyah is the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is also being redeveloped, with architects working in the traditional Najdi style, using exteriors of mudbrick to blend in seamlessly and increase ventilation and insulation.
Rooms from around £430 p/n
Dozens of new hotels are in the pipeline, but the first to open is Bab Samhan, part of the Marriott Bonvoy
Luxury Collection. It is situated just a ten-minute walk from the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif. And what a dazzler to lead the way! Its style echoes At-Turaif itself, with Najdi architecture and decor throughout.
The earthy palette of the buildings is accented by bright reds and blues in the upholstery. Prints of Arabian horses cover the walls. Foodies are spoilt for choice with three restaurants, and if you need a change, you can saunter down the road to Bujairi Terrace, home to 15 restaurants and cafés overlooking At-Turaif.
•••
Tierra Atacama
It is a remarkable thing to make such an inhospitable place – the world’s driest non-polar desert – into somewhere as plush as this cattle corral-turned-boutique escape.
All-inclusive rooms from around £1,250 p/n (three-night minimum)
Flower- strewn paths lead from the eye-catching lobby and restaurant building to standalone rooms where floor-to-ceiling windows display the Andes. Day and night, there is always something to see, from perfect starry skies to excursions to crystalline rivers.
Afterwards, plunge into the infinity pool (filled from an onsite well) in view of Licancabur volcano.
•••
The Xara Palace
Mdina was the capital of Malta until the mid-16th century. Today, the citadel is a serene yin to the noisy yang of modern-day Valletta. Its quiet, honey-hued alleys are a joy to lose yourself in when the daytrippers leave.
Rooms from around £198 p/n
It’s then that The Xara shines. This is one of only two hotels in Mdina, and the oldest by far. Its aristocratic roots show in the art and antiques filling the halls and highceilinged rooms of this 17th-century palazzo. The restaurants scatter the citadel, including the Michelin-starred De Mondion, where the rooftop doubles as a breakfast spot with views across the hills.
The pool lies in neighbouring Rabat, where you can combine a dip with a visit to an underground necropolis.
•••
Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise
This hulking, 539-room hotel commands one of Canada’s knockout locations: on the edge of the Rockies’ most famous lake, with a horizon filled by spiky summits.
Rooms from around £290 p/n
In winter, you can even walk out the door, strap on your skates and glide straight out onto the ice. And while the building looks curiously incongruous in this setting – more Las Vegas casino than mountain hotel – there’s no denying the luxury level or the grandstand mountain view from the rooms.
There are several restaurants to choose from, as well as an impressive spa. Staff can also arrange activities ranging from canoeing to horseback treks.
•••
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Being able to watch a family of elephants arriving to slake their morning thirst at a watering hole from a 4WD is one thing; doing so from your own private pool is something else entirely.
All inclusive suites from around £930 p/n
The 72 rooms and five suites of this luxury lodge in the Serengeti are linked together by raised walkways, though everything here is geared around the onsite water hole. Rooms line the route to it, so guests can see the animals parade past, while the restaurant, infinity pool and deck area all face onto the water itself, which frequently draws elephant herds as well as the odd predator.
Safari purists might baulk at the idea, but for those wanting a tad more luxury than glamping offers – a spa, gym and even a cinema showing wildlife documentaries – this is the perfect spot to end the day after taking advantage of a packed menu of experiences: game drives, balloon flights, visits to Maasai rock-art sites, rhino-spotting in Ngorongoro Crater. And come the Great Migration, you’ll have front-row (or pool) seats.
•••
Milaidhoo
A hidden gem in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo offers an unspoilt escape for those seeking a deeper connection with the natural beauty and culture of the Maldives. Unlike larger resorts, Milaidhoo embraces a philosophy of low-impact luxury, ensuring that its presence enhances rather than disrupts the delicate ecosystem.
Rooms from around £800 p/n
The locally owned and operated property stands out with its homage to Maldivian traditions and architecture: guests are welcomed by the dhoni-shaped fine-dining restaurant and whisked to thatched-roof villas crafted from sustainable wood; these blend seamlessly into the island’s lush foliage, while overwater bungalows offer direct access to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Decorations throughout the property include the finest Maldivian lacquerware handicrafts and locally made furniture with unique designs. The highlight of Milaidhoo’s culinary experiences is its unique boat-shaped fine-dining restaurant, Ba’theli Lounge and Restaurant, a stunning tribute to the country’s ancient dhoni vessels, which have sailed Maldivian waters for centuries. Perched over a shimmering lagoon, the restaurant offers sea-to-table dining, with chefs preparing freshly caught reef fish, hand-dived scallops and spiced Maldivian lobster, all paired with exotic coconut-infused sauces and locally harvested herbs.
Guests dine beneath a canopy of lanterns, with uninterrupted views of the ocean evoking the experience of dining on a drifting dhoni under the stars. What further sets Milaidhoo apart is its commitment to marine conservation and local engagement. Guests can join marine biologists on reef restoration projects, take part in traditional Maldivian fishing excursions or visit the many nearby local islands to experience the rich culture of the Maldivian people. A visit to Milaidhoo is a journey into the heart of Maldivian heritage and its fragile, awe-inspiring marine world.
•••