60 Unique and unusual places to stay

While most Moroccan properties established in historic kasbahs, or inspired by hilltop fortresses, opt for a rustic-chic style in keeping with the rural mountain location and modest adobe villages, Sir Richard Branson’s extravagant retreat is sumptuous and palatial, more in keeping with the flamboyant personality of its owner.

Expect sprawling gardens, grand staircases, opulent tented suites with antiques, a colossal infinity pool and additional indoor pool for winter, tennis courts, and plenty of turrets, terraces and domes.

Food and drink are top-notch and served on enchanting dining terraces with stupendous views of the surrounding mountains and local Berber villages.

If you’re in the mood, there are multiple activities available in and around the retreat on request, including hiking, mountain biking and horse riding, plus cooking lessons, yoga and tennis.

It’s a one-hour drive to Marrakech, so not the choice is you’re coming for sightseeing (though of course a day trip to the city to see the main sites is not unreasonable). For a luxurious get-away-from-it-all escape though, it’s hard to beat.

Surprisingly under the radar for such an icon, the original QE2 cruise liner (now retired) sits quietly in Port Rashid. Permanently harboured in Dubai, it’s been transformed now into a luxury hotel.

Her 215 rooms, spread over 13 decks, harken back to her life on the open seas, with interiors that still have a touch of the 1980s, original art pieces, quirky details and carpets from her heyday.

Rooms range from cosy (i.e. tiny) to the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary Royal Suites, once reserved for members of the royal family, with a conservatory and private terrace.

‘Dubai’s oldest pub’, the Golden Lion, is also onboard, and sundowners at The Pavilion, on the aft deck, harkens back to the days of maritime glamour.

While the QE2 may not have the facilities offered by many of Dubai’s beach resorts, you’re staying in an icon of maritime history. Guests can also join one of the excellent heritage tours, led by a former Cruise Director, who’ll regale you with stories from his time onboard.

To stay a night at one of Japan’s ryokan (traditional inns) is to immerse yourself in living history – the oldest hotel in the world is a ryokan, established in 705 and still going strong 51 generations later.

Ryokan can be modest or uber-luxurious, but there are defining traits.

Almost all have tatami mat rooms and futon beds, staff wearing traditional attire like kimono, and an air of calm and quiet. Many have in-house onsen baths, and serve traditional kaiseki-ryori dinners (if not the full 12-course extravaganza, then at least simpler multi-course dinner that focuses on local produce and specialities).

But it won’t be for everyone. Kids can find ryokan a bit dull – and the food challenging. The service, though often superb, can also be inflexible, with mealtimes locked into narrow windows and many mid-range and above ryokan not offering room-only stays. The best approach is to stay for just one night.

Set on the Bosphorus, this large, five-star luxury retreat is set in an opulent 19th-century marble Ottoman residence, spilling out into several newer buildings.

The main palace building houses seven suites, popular among visiting royalty, heads of state and Hollywood stars.

The Ciragan Palace provides guests with every conceivable mod con – indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam, fitness centre, gardens, and even the occasional classical concert – alongside mesmerising views of the Asian side of town and the Bosphorus Bridge.

There’s a superb breakfast buffet, too – pricey, but could keep you going until the evening.

Lounging in the hotel’s heated infinity pool, watching ships sail down the Bosphorus strait, is a total luxury. After all, you are staying in a real Sultan’s palace.

Set above rustic Neemrana village on the shoulders of a stark ridge in the Aravalli Hills, Neemrana Fort-Palace is a sublime confection of medieval fortress and fairy-tale palace.

Originally built in the 1460s and expanded down the centuries, by 1947 it was abandoned and rapidly deteriorating. Its bold, late-1980s restoration has been bolstered by appealing, almost ‘Indo-Tuscan’, additions.

With almost 80 rooms and suites spread over 14 levels, it’s a lovely, relaxing and essentially rural hotel with charming terraces and gardens plus a welcome pair of swimming pools.

For a different perspective, a spectacular zip wire spans the lofty ridge above and behind the property – with awesome views of the fort-palace.

For a more sedate experience, the hotel arranges simple camel-cart tours of the locality – a mode of transport still used by some villagers throughout rural Rajasthan.

Set in the largest privately-owned garden in Florence of 11 verdant acres, the Four Seasons is effectively an urban resort within a city. 116 rooms and suites are spread across a frescoed heritage villa and former convent.

On-site facilities are impressive: there are three restaurants (one Michelin-starred, another serving top-notch pizza), an outdoor pool and a fabulous spa, perfect for a post-sightseeing wind-down. Service is flawless – as you’d expect from a Four Seasons hotel

The hotel combines the advantages of a country resort with proximity to the city’s main attractions. It’s convenient for the Accademia Gallery and the Museo San Marco, but a 15-minute walk (or short taxi ride) to Florence’s historic centre.

A Tudor royal pleasure palace set in 60 acres of gorgeous formal gardens and 750 acres of parkland. Anyone with the remotest interest in English history will get a kick out of exploring this sprawling Tudor and Baroque estate, where the infamous Henry VIII lived, loved and held lavish banquets.

Navigating the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze, commissioned around 1700, is something of a rite of passage for British kids, with families often opting to visit the gardens alone (maze-only tickets are available). But don’t miss the Great Hall and royal apartments, the elaborate dome in the Chapel Royal or the gallery – reputedly haunted by Henry’s fated fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

You can also play Mary Poppins with a walk on the palace roof, on guided summertime tours that take in the intricate brickwork and chimneys and give VIP views of the estate.

The grandest Dame of Venice’s classic hotels, the Gritti lords it over the Grand Canal from a superb spot across from the Salute church and just 10 minutes’ walk from Piazza San Marco.

A hotel since 1895, this 15th-century palazzo was once home of Doge Andrea Gritti; expect opulent interiors stuffed with antiques and grand master paintings, glittering Murano glass chandeliers and lots of polished wood and marble.

A major refurb in 2013 brought the hotel into the 21st century without compromising the old-world appeal and unmatched old-school service.

Breakfast or evening cocktails on the waterside terrace are memorable as is a dinner of taglierini with lobster at the shamelessly romantic Club dei Doge.

History blends with romance at this gorgeous, 19th-century Viscount’s palace – now a sumptuous 5-star hotel – set in sub-tropical gardens just outside Lisbon.

Thoughtfully renovated to retain the palace’s original style, it combines original Portuguese 19th-century style with art deco, colonial and native Pombaline styles.

Set in sub-tropical gardens, it has an outdoor pool and a spa, gorgeous views towards the river, and luxurious Portuguese furniture and fabrics.

Buses link it to the centre; the Janelas Verdes and church and garden of Estrela are in walking distance.

It’s ideal for romantic couples on a city break, but families are very welcome, too.

Built in the early 20th century, this glorious bourgeoisie palace is a cultural, historic and architectural gem.

Decorated throughout in traditional Moorish style with zelliges (mosaics), zouaks (paintings on wood) and stuccos, it’s a showcase of Morocco’s famed artisan craftsmanship.

Berber carpets and old photos of Fez’s medina evoke an atmosphere of authentic Arab-Andalusian tradition.

This Neoclassical / Art Nouveau beauty – known as the Algarve’s Pink Palace – was built in the 1840s by the Viscount of Estoi.

It’s now a luxury 5-star hotel, with all mod-cons, famous for its pink rococo facade, Versailles-style gardens and an elaborate rococo-style interior of frescoes, panelling, ornate stucco ceilings, and gilded furniture.

This magnificent 1,441-room Rococo palace was once the summer residence of the ruling Habsburg Dynasty – one of the most prominent dynasties in European history – until 1918. It was built as a wedding gift for Empress Maria Theresa on an artesian well – Schonbrunn translates as ‘beautiful spring’. Franz-Joseph – Austria’s longest serving emperor and uncle to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was born here. His nephew’s assassination, of course, triggered World War 1.

Built in 1746, this stunning marble palace (and famous Octopussy cult hideout) was the winter palace of Maharana Jagat Singh II of the royal dynasty of Mewar.

Mesmerising from the outside, inside it houses a peacock-filled central garden, with fountains, pillared terraces and shady courtyards.

Rooms are traditionally furnished and come with views out onto the lake and to the city of Udaipur in the distance.

Taken over and restored by a luxury hotel chain, you must be a hotel guest to visit. But it’s worth the price tag to stay and experience an authentic taste of royal Indian life. The Royal Butlers are descendants of the original palace retainers, and serve guests with Maharanan grandeur and tradition.

Occupying the slopes above the renowned Pigeon Valley, this sublimely sited luxury hotel has some of the best views in Cappadocia.

From terraces, the Seki Lounge and many of the rooms the panorama is magnificent. It’s also exceptionally good-looking, with lots of wood and glass to complement Cappadocia’s statutory bare stone interiors.

Prolific decks, patios and courtyards, as well as the light-flooded Seki Lounge, make this as much a resort hotel as a mere B&B base.

There’s an impressive range of rooms, some with their own pools, all in cave style, but with plenty of natural light.

This extraordinary 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom cave house has been carved into an eye-popping natural cavern in the Ozark mountains, on a private 256-acre estate.

This is the real deal, with rooms, fittings and furnishings complementing exposed, natural craggy rock and the occasional stalactite.

Step outside for hiking, canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding.

Granada has a long history of cave communities, notably in the soft-rocked suburb of Sacromonte, formed by those expelled as undesirable by the city: gypsies, Jews and Muslims.

So it’s perhaps not surprising to find this complex of unusual, man-made 18 cave ‘houses’, set in a restored farmhouse in nearby Benalua. Each is uniquely designed, with a cave-like interior.

Set into hills, surrounded by acres of wild bushland, you’ll find this one-bedroom, self-contained cave, cleverly carved into the natural contours of the local rock.

There’s a modern kitchenette, fireplace and views out onto a forested valley. A true wild cave sleep experience, without sacrificing on home comforts.

This spectacular nature reserve, three hours from Cape Town, is home to a unique spa resort and its ten unusual ‘cave suites’.

Although the facades are man-made, the suites are cleverly integrated into the surrounding rock topography to be almost indistinguishable. Cave-like interiors and uninterrupted landscape views reconnect you with your primitive self.

You can also opt for one of their two ‘open-air suites’, situated away from the main lodge for more privacy and utter tranquillity. Guests sleep out under a carpet of stars, and wake to sunrise and uninterrupted views of the bushveld.

The Loire Valley was for centuries famously home to ‘troglodytes’, local residents who lived in caves dug into the soft bedrock. Today, you’ll still find troglodyte homes, restaurants, zoos – and hotels.

This cosy four-star is one of the best, with calming, luxurious ‘troglodyte’ rooms carved into the neighbouring cliff. There’s a fine seafood-theme gastronomic restaurant and lovely views over the Loire River.

It’s close to Tours, making it an excellent central base to explore the Loire Valley’s main attraction.s

If you want to unwind and recharge, look no further. This family-run hideaway is a labour of love – the owners built it themselves, with great respect for local traditions.

It’s blissful tranquillity – an aura of absolute calm surrounds this secluded hideaway. There are sweeping views of the caldera and Oia whichever way you look.

Carved out of the terraced cliff face, each of the 20 studios and suites is unique in layout and location. Splashes of fuchsia and lilac brighten up the dramatically sparse, whitewashed interiors.

The infinity pool has spawned countless imitators, but none can rival it.

Phenomenal views of the flooded volcanic caldera make it hard to leave your private patio. But there’s a superb spa, gym, yoga shala and lap pool should you feel the urge to move.

This unique retreat hidden within 3 acres of woodland, took thousands of man-hours to sculpt, and required the excavation of over seventy tonnes of rock.

A site occupied for nearly 800 years, today it’s a one-bed, self-contained accommodation and an uber-romantic, get-back-to-nature getaway for couples.

Staying at Amberley Castle is rather like appearing in your very own version of Shakespeare in Love.

The castle dates back over 900 years and the beamed bedrooms, suits of armour in the dining room, gleaming wood panelling and ornate tapestries all create a feeling of stepping back in time.

Happily, beneath the historic decor lies a smoothly-run 21st-century hotel, with Michelin-esque dining and staff who achieve that tricky mix of informality and absolute professionalism.

It’s a wonderfully romantic retreat – surrounded by the tranquil landscapes of the Sussex South Downs – although worth bearing in mind there is no spa or pool.

Ashford Castle was originally built in 1228 as the stronghold of the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family. Over the centuries, an 18th-century French-style chateau and 350 acres of grounds were added to the estate.

Today, this luxury 5-star countryside retreat offers a castle-themed experience of original medieval features and furnishings, four-poster beds, and falconry displays.

The 67km, UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is home to 40+ castles, reflecting the importance of the Rhine as a trade route over centuries.

This 1100s Burg has been reconstructed to retain many of its original features. Its 24 guest rooms, while contemporary, are in the heart of the complex.

This 13th-century, fairytale-like castle is home to a 38m tower that’s rumoured to have inspired the tale of Rapunzel.

There are 22 hotel rooms integrated within the original medieval structure, with four-poster beds, secret doors and passages, low, beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls creating an authentic castle ambience.

Originally a roman-era defensive fortress dating back to AD 46, the current castle complex is a culmination of centuries of additions by a long history of counts, barons, and lords.

The 50 rooms, in the castle’s heart, feature suitable period styling and furniture and have views down over the valley and villages.

One of the best-preserved Gothic castles in Aragon, Castillo de Grisel is an iconic 11th-century fortress that bewitches with its machicolations, crenellated walls (battlements), defensive towers and walkways. Inside, the contemporary decor blends seamlessly with original features.

It hosts regular history and cultural events and activities, and groups can book a ‘medieval experience’ or exclusive use. There are 8 bedrooms, but no restaurant.

This imposing 11th-century fortress, with an enormous moat, has been the home of both Catholic monarchs and powerful bishops; it’s featured in centuries of political intrigue and warmongering.

Today, it’s a more tranquil 4-star hotel, beautifully restored to retain even the smallest, original architectural detail. The gardens include a medieval maze and vineyard.

This character-filled Rhine castle is one of its most famous, rich in the legend of feuding brothers. A small, family-run hotel now operates in the 13th-century main tower.

Original features predominate – exposed stone walls, low beamed ceilings and a medieval dining room.

The restaurant serves up traditional German dishes in the ‘Knights’ Hall’, and there are tranquil valley views from the panorama terrace.

This 800-year-old chateau-castle was built by a powerful lord, Guichard d’Oingt, in 1217, complete with high-wall fortifications and a moat.

Beautifully restored, mixing contemporary with historic features, it’s now a luxury hotel offering an authentic taste of wealthy French bourgeoise life; better yet, it’s located in the Beaujolais Wine Region, surrounded by world-class wine.

Note – it closes during the winter months.

Built in 1848, this enchanting 3-storey stone tower rich in local legend, sleeps just 2.

Stone walls, spiral staircases, panelled ceilings and single-floor octagonal rooms combine to create a homely, castle-esque atmosphere.

Stand on the parapet for spectacular views of the surrounding rolling hills, home to some excellent walks.

This 13th-century castle-come-manor house is best known as the former home of Henry VIII’s ill-fated second queen, Anne Boleyn.

It’s a beautifully-preserved historic gem, with evocative interiors of elaborately-panelled rooms, grandiose four-poster beds and walls bedecked with tapestries and portraits; the exterior features battlements and protective moats outside.

All-in-all, it’s a fascinating museum – and you can stay in it. Rooms can be booked in the Astor and the Anne Boleyn Wings.

This 12th-century Rhine castle was the home of the Dukes of Schonburg, who ruled the town of Oberwesel and levied customs on the Rhine’s flourishing trade.

Today’s 27-room hotel has many original features, including four-poster beds; you dine in the ‘Knights Room’ and views from the terrace are fit for royalty.

This majestic and authentic Kasbah-style hotel is located on a remote hilltop in the Ourika Valley, overlooking a picturesque river and citrus and olive groves, surrounded by vistas of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Decorated in Moroccan crafts, it was built by local Berber artisans.

The 26 rooms are split between the original house, and a newer building set within the gardens, alongside a private villa.

The cuisine is a first-rate mix of Berber, Arabic and international dishes. Lovely walking and hiking of the area can be arranged with local, knowledgeable guides.

It’s an isolated property, 40 minutes from Marrakech, so a more suitable choice for second-time visitors and travellers looking for an authentic stay, and to get away from it all.

If you’ve ever dreamt of bedding down in an ancient castle, it might well have looked like this bijoux bolthole.

Straight out of the pages of a romantic novel, 16th-century Kilmartin Castle lies in a wild, windswept west coast glen, once owned by the Campbell clan. Now a luxurious five-bedroom B&B, it’s been sensitively converted, retaining the stone-flagged floors, barrel-vaulted ceilings and spiral staircases.

It’s a tiny castle with bags of attitude and quirky touches, flickering fires, a record player and stack of vinyl and freestanding copper tubs. Best suited to history lovers, wild romantics and ‘Outlander’ fans, wanting to live the craggy-castle dream.

This bewitching artillery fort, built 1502, is now a one-bedroom, 2-room historic hideaway.

Interiors are contemporary, with all the home comforts you’d expect, but sufficient original features remain – from thick stone walls, low, beamed ceilings and passageways to bedrooms, to evoke the sense of history.

The bedroom is on the ground floor, the living room is on the upper floor, and there’s a roof terrace with lovely views across the estuary to Dartmouth Castle.

Built in 1350 and previously home to lords, ladies, viscounts and earls, this is one of the few medieval-fortified castle hotels in England.

Now a luxury 4-star hotel, it’s been carefully beautifully restored, retaining every original feature – exposed stone walls, tapestries on the walls, oversized fireplaces and four-poster beds.

This 5-towered, hill-top former Arab fortress overlooks an idyllic river valley in Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha region.

Inside the imposing walls, 14 atmospheric bedrooms feature modern comforts blended in with exposed stone walls and original features.

Authentic local Cuenca cuisine is served in the castle dining hall, as it would have been 13 centuries ago.

This imposing, 9th-century medieval fortress – a forbidding complex of moats, towers and walls – commands views over the Cardoner river valley from atop a hill above the town.

Now a 4-star hotel, the interiors are a mix of original and contemporary, atmospheric and bland; the Catalan cuisine is decent, the terrace lovely, and it’s only 1.5hrs from Barcelona.

This 5th-century Moorish castle was conquered and converted to a bishop’s palace in the 12th century; it opened as a 4-star hotel in 1964 – 700 years later.

The interior features a wealth of authenticity: suits of armour, giant banners and chandeliers, rooms with four-poster beds, and an impressively long, stone-vaulted dining room.

This majestic castle was originally built in 1437 for the Duke of Feria. The exterior features your classic imposingly-high, crenellated walls of stone, defensive towers and walkways.

The interiors blend luxury finishes with original features. Rooms spread across the nine towers. There’s a central courtyard with a restaurant, and a seasonal pool.

The pretty town of Zafra is outside the gates.

Built in the late 12th century, to fortify the Welsh border, this small, 6-bedroom castle features your classic thick stone walls, arched windows, stone staircases leading to single-storey tower rooms.

Interiors are contemporary, so ideal for those who are willing to compromise on authenticity for their home comforts. Also available for exclusive hire.

This dreamy 19th-century fortification has been beautifully restored into an exquisite 3-room micro-hotel.

Stone walls, low ceilings, stone staircases and tower rooms, giving that authentic castle flavour, complement luxury mod-cons and spellbinding, unobstructed sea and mountain views. An intimate restaurant serves superb Greek specialities using locally-sourced ingredients.

It’s only open from May to October.

This 1511 Tudor castle, turned luxury hotel, once hosted King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn on their honeymoon. It was also the home of Queen (then princess) Mary I.

Dripping with royal history, it’s everything you expect from a castle: Tudor-style interiors, spiralling tower staircases, suits of armour, large open fireplaces, and panelled rooms with four-poster beds.

There’s even good old-fashioned archery and falconry in the grounds.

A hotel fit for a king (or queen). Children over 8 only.

A room with view? They don’t get better or scarier than these glass-walled pods pinned to the side of a sheer cliff-face above the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas. 

No one notices the room interiors – which are all-glass and with little more than a bed and bathroom. It’s all about the views – if you can get over the vertigo. The Urubamba River winds below, ridges of snow-capped peaks hover above, and the ancient Inca fort at Ollantaytambo clings to the face of the mountain opposite. 

Stays are not for the faint of heart. Arrival is by a breathy mountain climb followed by a harness ride to the pod itself (wearing a hard hat and gloves). Guests return to earth via zipline.

This brilliantly unique treehouse hotel offers you the chance to sleep in a UFO, a bird’s nest, a biodome and a mirrored cube. Brainchild of husband and wife team Britta and Kent Lindvall, it was inspired by the Swedish film Tradalskaren (The Tree Lover).

The 8 unique treehouse rooms  – each designed by leading Scandinavian architects – are suspended 4-6m above ground in pine tree forest, accessed by step ladders. It’s the ultimate ‘nature getaway’, uber-romantic for seclusion-seeking couples.

Facilities are minimal but more than sufficient. There’s a restaurant serving up inventive local food, a sauna and a riverside hot tub.

The hotel is an hour’s drive from Lulea airport; Lulea is a 70-minute flight from Stockholm. The Swedish Lapland location is slap bang in the middle of the Aurora Belt, meaning you have an excellent chance of seeing the Northern Lights in all their full glory, in season.

Charming, authentic and classy, this secluded, 17th-century chateau in Eze (between Monaco and Cap Ferrat) is fit for a prince. Literally, in fact: for years it was the summer residence of Prince William of Sweden.

With unforgettable views over this verdant, fabled sliver of coast, lapped by turquoise sea, the hotel’s rooms and suites are ideal for honeymooners, with four-posters, ornate, traditional furnishings and private terraces – some with Jacuzzi tubs. There’s no swimming pool, but it’s only a short drive to lovely local beaches.

Although hard to leave, it’s convenient for popping down to the sights and beaches, but worth returning for dinner at its panoramic restaurant terrace, one of the Cote d’Azur’s most romantic dining spots.

If you like to be in the thick of things, book a stay at Brooks, a relaxed boutique guesthouse slap-bang in the heart of Bristol’s buzzy centre.

The 27 bedrooms here are simple but cosy – think big squishy duvets, power showers and a breakfast picnic basket – but

It seems a shame to come to Brooks’ and not treat yourself to a stay in one of the four gleaming Retro Rocket airstream caravans on the grassy roof.

Brooks call this ‘urban glamping’ – inside each caravan is a double bed, a seating area and a bathroom. They may not be super roomy, but these vintage beauties make a stay in central Bristol tremendous fun, and offer panoramic views over the city.

The New Forest without Chewton Glen would be like London without the Savoy. Luxury and good old-fashioned glamour go hand-in-hand with sumptuously cosy lounges, a gorgeous mock-Roman spa and 130 acres of lush English countryside to explore.

A hotel since the 1960s (and a private house for 200 years before that) there’s an easy charm to proceedings; kids gambol across the lawns, gin and tonics are sipped in lounges and staff are wonderfully welcoming.

Rooms are spacious, and have a luxy, country-house feel without a hint of chintz, but it’s the stunning tree-house suites that are the real draw; suspended 35 feet above the ground, with views over the tree canopy. If the budget can stretch (and it’s quite a stretch) they’re a unique experience.

In spite of its status as one of the UK’s most luxurious hotels, the Glen is hugely welcoming to families, with a free kids club, mini-treatments in the spa and family swim times. Children under 5 also stay (and eat) free.

You’re not officially in the Forest here – New Milton is a pleasant town outside the park boundaries, but it’s close enough for forays, and also few minutes from the beach.

Tucked into the cloud forest on the outskirts of Santa Elena, this intimate little B&B is comprised of a series of bungalows that are built right into the trees.

The bungalows sit in five hectares of misty cloud forest, dotted with orchids and bromeliads perched over a jungle-filled valley. This area is rife with exotic life, including hummingbirds, toucans, capuchin monkeys and the occasional slow-moving sloth.

Rooms are rustic – in warm woods and fronted with large terraces overlooking the valley. Some have Jacuzzis and the largest is big enough for a family of five (min age for kids though is 15).

Best of all are the vistas: the lodge is perched on a hillside with extravagant valley views.

Uluru, the world’s largest rock monolith, is synonymous with Outback Australia. Alongside the Sydney Opera House, it is perhaps Australia’s most iconic sight.

But The Rock is at the centre of a living cultural landscape known as the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a vast area of desert containing several other major draws – the domes of Kata Tjuta, Walpa Gorge and The Valley of the Winds. A few hours away, in neighbouring Watarrka National Park, is another extraordinary natural phenomenon – Kings Canyon.

It’s the place to come to experience the Australian outback, Crocodile Dundee-style. As well as admiring the jaw-dropping geology, you can sleep out in swag bags, sample bush tucker, dine under a billion stars and spot kangaroos.

Now under the control of its traditional owners – the ‘Anangu’ – the park offers a unique opportunity to experience and learn about the planet’s oldest living culture – the indigenous Aboriginal people. The local Anangu people offer a variety of excellent tours and activities – from guided walks to didgeridoo lessons and dot painting workshops.

If you want a dress circle view of Uluru, look no further. This secluded, low impact ecolodge – Uluru’s most prestigious accommodation – is a bucket list experience in itself.

It consists of just 15 luxury tents perched on the red dunes outside Yulara. Each pod is equipped with a lounge, bedroom, bathroom and private balcony.

Treatments at the Spa Kinara include rejuvenating facials, Swedish massage and body exfoliation. It’s designed for well-heeled couples; children under 10 are not permitted.

Not only is its location extraordinary, but also an ideal base for exploring the park. The lodge itself offers a wide range of its own guided walks, indigenous art tours and bespoke dining experiences. Scenic flights, camel rides and Outback cycling tours are also available.

The oldest elephant camp on the continent, Abu specialises in elephant-back safaris, and allows incredible interactions between guests and these imposing beasts. The camp’s small herd of resident elephants is trained to transport guests through the surrounding Okavango Delta, so they can spot game from above.

This is the best African camp for seeing elephants up close – they have been handled here for more than two decades, so guides know what they’re doing. The Big Five can be seen in the area, among lots of other game – and you can take water safaris by local mokoro boat.

Camp decor is cool, contemporary and understated, decorated in shades of greys and creams, its furnishings made of light woods, leather and rattan, its textiles natural. The communal living space is spacious and airy, and houses a good library (with lots of books on elephants). Interiors are African-themed, but not traditional or particularly local: chandeliers made of shells, walls decorated with black and white photographs. Each tent has a deck overlooking the Delta with beautiful views, shaded by large jackalberry and fig trees. One suite has a private pool.

It’s one of the area’s most expensive camps, thanks to its exclusive set-up – just six A-frame tents on 180,000 private hectares, set high on wooden decks overlooking the Delta. As such, Abu regularly hosts presidents, royalty and Hollywood glitterati, who come for some of the best food, wine and service available in Botswana.

A pioneer of luxury travel in Namibia, Wolwedans offers a range of enigmatic lodges set amid the sands of southern Africa’s largest private reserve, balancing 5-star luxury with desert escapism.

Choose between Dune Camp (12 tented chalets), Dune Camp Private (a 2-bedroom villa), Boulders Camp (5 tented chalets), Desert Lodge (9 tented chalets), the Mountain View Suite (a 1-bedroom villa with option to add two beds for children), and the secluded Plains Camp (a 4-bedroom villa).

The under-canvas suites combine jaw-dropping views and perfect privacy, with outdoor ‘star beds’ for dune sleep-outs.

Nature walks and desert drives add a dose of adventure, with a swimming pool and spa ensuring plenty of downtime.

Imagine swimming in the crystal-clear waters of a billabong and gazing up at a cloudless blue sky. This is just one of the many astonishing experiences that await you at Silky Oaks.

Situated on the banks of the Mossman River just 20 minutes’ drive north of Port Douglas, and surrounded by 80 acres of rainforest and sugarcane plantations, this well-established eco-lodge is the epitome of wilderness chic.

The number of guesthouses – choose from treehouse or riverfront – has been kept low to preserve the sense of intimacy. Each lodging enjoys total seclusion and provides a high level of comfort.

The award-winning Healing Waters Spa taps into the energy of this ancient landscape, and there’s an excellent restaurant too.

It’s a stylish base from which to explore the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, and a perfect get-away-from-it-all experience.

Unique is an over-used, often inaccurate description, but this wildly flamboyant restaurant with rooms, hunkered beneath Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile, is truly unlike anywhere else.

Created by Edinburgh restaurateur royalty, James Thomson, the nine theatrical suites, hidden in turrets, accessed by steep spiral staircases through a warren of medieval buildings.

Each takes decadence to a new level; think four-poster beds draped with opulent red and gold damasks, roll-up tubs for two, a smattering of antiques and gilt-framed oil paintings, and the odd suit of armour. Yet there are all the mod cons you’d want too – all suites are equipped with Amazon Echo systems, adjustable mood-enhancing lighting, Nespresso machines & fridges.

Breakfast can be taken, by candlelight, in the Witchery restaurant or delivered to your room in an indulgent hamper.

This is one for lovers and history lovers who want to step back in time.

This extraordinary hotel, beautifully set on the edge of one of Finland’s greatest national parks, offers a wealth of outdoor adventures for adults and kids including snowmobiling, husky tours, ice fishing, hiking, mountain biking, reindeer safaris and even gold panning. You never really need go anywhere else for your Lapland experience.

But what it’s really known for is its igloo-esque rooms; constructed of thermal glass that functions like a two-way mirror – you can see out but no-one can see in – they allow you to lay in bed and stare at the starred universe. If you’re lucky, you may even see the famed Northern Lights – from the comfort of your thermal-blanketed bed.

There are two things that make the Iglu-Dorf stand out among Zermatt’s many hotels. Firstly, the views – guests are treated to front-seat views of the Matterhorn as it turns pink and orange in the setting sun. Secondly, the sense of adventure. Located at 2,700m, just off the Riffelhorn piste on the Gornergrat sector, the igloo village is accessed by foot via a snowy path, or by skis via the slopes.

The igloos are basic but fun, and there’s a dining igloo for supper (meats, cheeses and fondue). It’s best for families with older children – rather like camping, with a wintery feel.

Built each winter, this icy architectural showcase has become one of Lapland’s – and indeed Finland’s – biggest draws. Designed by a different architect each year, it always includes the castle, a restaurant, wedding chapel and the infamous ‘SnowHotel’. Bedecked with dramatic ice sculpting enhanced by colourful lighting, it’s a unique visual spectacle that will captivate adults and children alike.

The castle contains bedrooms for guests to stay over in; beds made from of ice and room temperatures a chilly 0°C to -5°C. Thick furs and sleeping bags are provided, but one night is usually enough.

There’s also a restaurant (open to anyone) that serves up Finnish cuisine on tables made of ice; choose between a 3-course menu or a simpler menu of soups and pastries. Drinks include fresh juice from pressed local berries, mulled wine or hot chocolate if you need some warming up, and a fully licensed bar. It’s open for lunch and dinner.

Sitting in gardens at the end of a long avenue, south of Chinon, Marcay provides a perfect combination of countryside calm and authentic chateau splendour, with crenellated towers and ancient stone walls straight out of a fairytale.

The 33 rooms are split between the 15th-century chateau itself and an attractive converted pavilion.

The hotel is a true gourmet stop, with a great restaurant, kitchen garden and truffle plantation, alongside its own vineyard. They organise tours of their wine cellars and wine tastings every evening, and can also help organise visits to other nearby vineyards.

Step back into the atmosphere of Imperial Russia with a stay at the exquisite Four Seasons – a hotel whose elegance, and opulence matches the city outside its doors. A grand 19th-century palace, just steps away from the State Hermitage, the luxury interiors encourage guests to channel their inner aristocrat, with butter-soft carpets, marble floors and sumptuous fabrics throughout.

This is a place to relax and indulge, with an afternoon of pampering at the luxurious Luceo Spa, or caviar and champagne in the classic, wood-pannelled lounge. Staff are renowned for their knowledge of the city and attention to detail – nothing is too much trouble. An ideal choice for a celebratory weekend, or a truly indulgent break.