10 destination hotels to plan an unforgettable trip around

Travel wish-lists are nothing new — and in our case, never ending — but what about turning a trip on its head, and making the journey for a hotel so special that it’s become a destination in its own right? Hotel-centric holidays still come down to location, to a certain extent, but it’s about homing in on the only hotel with that particular offering. For example, there are lots of ski chalets to choose from, but how many sit at the top of the range’s highest peak?

Personalised, hyper-local experiences also underpin the best destination hotels, from exploring the Sahara by day and sleeping under the desert skies to joining the chefs around the kitchen table in a Swedish townhouse to plan your next meal. Read on to discover the allure of the Finest Collection, which extends beyond each hotel’s doorstep — these properties stand out in the world’s most sought-after destinations, where no two stays are like anything you can experience elsewhere.

1. Dar Ahlam, Morocco

If anything hints at the magic behind Dar Ahlam’s doors, it’s the Arabic meaning behind its name. ‘House of Dreams’ is the best possible description for this Sahara-skirting, rule-breaking Kasbah, which is masterminded by Thierry Teyssier, the visionary who conceptualised the world’s first nomadic hotel. On the fringes of the Moroccan desert, this terracotta-hued haven arranges wellness treatments and hosts intimate meals across its manicured lawns and shaded groves of palm, citrus, and fragrant almond blossom.

Days at Dar Ahlam are shaped around ultra-personalised experiences which immerse guests in Berber culture, from sleeping beneath the stars in a traditional tent, sunrise tea ceremonies in the Sahara, to locally led treks into the Valley of Roses, and visits to hilltop villages which date back to the 12th century.

Dar Ahlam

4. Cap Rocat, Spain

Architecturally spectacular and steeped in heritage, Cap Rocat is a wonderfully secluded former military fortress built atop Cap Enderrocat to protect the Bay of Palma. Wrapped up within 88 acres and stretching along the coastline for two kilometres, the adults-only retreat continues to raise the bar amidst Mallorca’s ultra-luxury landscape, with its spectacular drawbridge, bunkers and suites (restored and refurbished by the famed Mallorcan architect Antonio Obrador) set in old shooting buttresses, and dazzling infinity pools cut into the cliff.

The underground, naturally lit hammam is carved deep into the rocks, bathed in golden sunlight which filters 12 metres down to the saltwater pool, and the rugged beach has direct access to the sea and jetty for casting off aboard the hotel’s private yacht. Dining options offer the best of both worlds; the waterfront, open-air Sea Club serves island classics cooked in a traditional Mallorcan firewood oven and grill, while La Fortaleza, headed by chef Víctor García, is known for its avant-garde techniques using seasonal produce sourced from local ecological farms.

5. Castle Hot Springs, USA

As you arrive at Castle Hot Springs, you can almost hear the thermal springs bubbling up all around this Arizona retreat — creating the sense of a natural, luxury oasis amid the sun-soaked canyons. Star-seekers should opt for the Sky View Cabins, which are set on an elevated foundation overlooking the lush grounds with breathtaking views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. Each cabin has an expansive wood deck equipped with a telescope for stargazing and a private outdoor claw-foot tub ready to be filled with natural hot spring water.

Wellness is on the wild side at this Bradshaw Mountain-backed resort, where treatments draw directly from the mineral-rich springs, and you can go straight to the source at the canyon swimming holes. Spa services are delivered in custom cabanas along the spring water creek shaded by towering palm trees, with fully customised therapies using hot stones from the springs. Included in every stay is a whole host of immersive activities, from paddleboard yoga and guided hikes to mind and body classes and tours of the organic closed-loop farm cultivated by skilled agronomists and ‘flavour farmers’ to supply the Harvest Restaurant.

Cap Rocat

9. Emiliano São Paulo, Brazil

Located in São Paulo’s exclusive Jardins neighbourhood along the ultra-stylish Oscar Freire Street, Emiliano São Paulo is undoubtedly one of the most prized addresses in the city (not to mention coming with its own helipad if you like to make an entrance). Plump for the split-level Cubo Suite, and enjoy a 180-degree vista across São Paulo’s rooftops while swimming in the private, heated pool right in the middle of your living room.

When it comes to relaxation, there’s no need to leave the hotel’s cocooning confines — from long, city-renowned brunches, to downtime in the Santapele Spa, and evenings spent in the expert hands of the sommelier at the country’s first champagne and caviar bar, where more than 80 brands of bubbly and rare Beluga roe await.

10. Bay of Many Coves, New Zealand

Way off-the-beaten-track in the Marlborough Sounds, the clear cool waters, sheltered coves and native bush backdrops provide a spectacular setting for wildlife watching at Bay of Many Coves. Playful dolphins, fur seals, and island birds can be spotted from your private balcony, and there are kayaks and paddleboards to borrow for up-close encounters with the bay’s abundant marine life.

Captain Cook chose this area as his favoured anchorage while visiting New Zealand, and there over six kilometres of private walking trails from the hotel’s doorstep that link to the internationally renowned Queen Charlotte Track. The spacious, wood-clad apartments frame views of the bush-backed shoreline and are designed to make you feel as though you’re a million miles away from everything (and everyone) else.

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