1. SLS DUBAI HOTEL & RESIDENCES
Dubai, UAE
Whimsy and opulence combine at SLS Dubai Hotel &Residences, the first outpost of the über-cool, US-born lifestyle brand this side of the Atlantic. Set in a soaring 75-storey tower in Downtown Dubai, designed by Beijingbased architectural firm Aedas, the hotel is home to an eclectic collection of 254 rooms and suites designed by UAE-based interior studio Bishop Design – each in a delicate palette of lilac and violet with rose gold accents, contemporary artwork and panoramic balconies – as well as 371 private residences and 321 hotel apartments.
The landmark tower is crowned with the aptly named Privilege, a rooftop lounge that’s home to two of the highest infinity pools in the Middle East, serving light bites and cocktails throughout the day and night. On arrival, guests are transported from ground level to the giddy heights of the 71st floor, where a magnificent Sky Lobby affords stunning views of the Dubai skyline. If you didn’t have time to grab a coffee at EllaMia on the ground floor, you can take a pew here and soak it all in with an aperitif, before taking a seat at one of the hotel’s restaurants: Tuscany-inspired steakhouse Carna by Dario Cecchini, Italian eatery Fi’lia, run entirely by female staff, or 12 Chairs, an ultra-exclusive caviar bar reserved for just 12 guests.
2. MANDARIN ORIENTAL RITZ MADRID
Madrid, Spain
When it first opened in 1910, Hotel Ritz Madrid was the only luxury hotel in the Spanish capital, a Belle Époque beauty that became the de facto home from home for dignitaries, royals and celebrities. Just over a century later, the hotel has reopened after a six-year renovation as Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, with its sights set on becoming, once again, the leading hotel in the city.
Spanish architect Rafael de La-Hoz has overseen the interior remodelling of the historic property, which now features 153 guestrooms and suites, five restaurants and bars and the Fitness & Wellness spa, created in partnership with Spanish wellness firm The Beauty Concept. Guestrooms have been reimagined by French design duo Gilles & Boissier, who have balanced original architectural features and antique furniture with contemporary elements. One of the hotel’s iconic turrets is home to The Royal Suite, onetime favourite of regular guest Yves Saint Laurent, which is now adorned with an enviable art collection. Michelinstar chef Quique Dacosta has overseen the creation of five restaurants and bars, including the signature Quique Dacosta restaurant and a Champagne Bar, the perfect spot to toast the rebirth of this Spanish icon.
3. ONE&ONLY PORTONOVI
Boka Bay, Montenegro
Montenegro’s Boka Bay is the stuff of fairy tales, a shimmering expanse of Adriatic coast surrounded by green-carpeted mountains, medieval castles and centuries-old churches. Now home to the first One&Only resort in Europe, a waterfront palace set in 60 acres of manicured gardens with colonnaded walkways, inviting pools and terracotta rooftops.
Chief among the 113 guestrooms and suites is Suite One, a presidential abode for two, with outdoor dining area, a wine cellar for 268 bottles and mountain views. Families will be enchanted by the expansive Villa One and Villa Two: a pair of three- and two-bedroom villas with private gardens, swimming and hydrotherapy pools and sunset-view terraces with outdoor fireplaces. Well-heeled visitors can invest in their own One&Only Private Home: 10 three- or four-bedroom villas with swimming pool, Venetian-style courtyard and private beach with jetty, and there’s space to moor the superyacht at the neighbouring 238-berth D-Marin Portonovi Marina. Wellness is front and centre at Chenot Espace, while for decadent pleasures, Sabia by Giorgio Locatelli promises healthy Italian cuisine with a focus on seafood.
4. ALILA HINU BAY RESORT
Mirbat, Oman
Head in any direction from the Omani capital and you’ll find vast swathes of wilderness untouched by human hands, a rugged landscape of mountains and deserts flanked by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. At the southern tip of the Sultanate is Dhofar, a patchwork of green hillsides, rocky desert and pristine natural environments, where Alila Hotels& Resorts is set to open its second Omani outpost this month.
Set on 45 hectares of beachfront on the outskirts of Mirbat, Alila Hinu Bay Resort is home to 112 rooms, suites and villas that blend a modern, minimal aesthetic with traditional Arabian design, featuring clean architectural lines framing spectacular views of the wild terrain. Local touches abound, from the Omani archway corridors and traditional majlis to the ancient falaj water features leading to Spa Alila, where all-natural products are used in indulgent therapies. An on-site garden will grow fresh, seasonal produce used in The Orchard and Sea Salt restaurants, which promise farm-to-table dining accompanied by sublime views. Surrounded by nature, guests will have access to plentiful local experiences, from excursions into the Dhofar Mountains and the spectacular greenery around Wadi Darbat during the monsoon season, to tours of the natural reserves, ancient tombs, caves and waterfalls that make this region unique.