When you think of the World’s best places to vacation you may imagine cities like Paris or New York, but there are a few hotel properties that serve as amazing destinations of their own. From luxurious to rugged, these coolest hotels in the world offer some of the greatest travel experiences on the planet.
Giraffe Manor
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya is known for having the Big Five of African Wildlife – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, and wild buffalo. However, at this colonial mansion, you can add a 6th – giraffe. Located around ten miles outside the chaotic city center of Nairobi, the vine-covered Giraffe Manor is an oasis of peacefulness.
Staying in any of Giraffe Manor’s ten luxury suites or watching the sunset over the Ngong Hills from the Karen Blixen Terrace is amazing, but the magic happens at mealtime. Every day for breakfast and dinner the windows are opened and the majestic giraffes become your dinner guests, literally sharing a sport right at your table!
The experience is one of the most unique and beautiful in the world. Make a special note that the property is closed each year for the entire month of May.
Conrad Hilton
Rangila, Maldives
Out of all of the amazing hotels in the Maldives, the Conrad Hilton is by far the coolest one. Located on Rangali Island – a 30-minute seaplane ride from Male, this hotel takes the lagoon experience to the next level. Many of the Hilton’s stilt hut villas are complete with sections of see-through glass flooring, and private freshwater pools, but some also have beds that rotate 270 degrees to follow the sunset.
There are eleven restaurants to choose from at the Conrad Hilton Maldives from the underwater Ithaa, to others with perfect sunset views. Throughout your stay, you will have amazing Maldives activities waiting at your fingertips.
You can dive with manta rays, snorkel with whale sharks, stroll the white sand beaches, look for dolphins, plus get up close and personal with sea turtles and a vibrant coral reef aboard the Nemo Submarine. The submarine can go up to 100 feet below the surface and it gives you a perspective that only brave scuba divers can normally get.
Anantara Golden Triangle
Sop Ruak, Thailand
From storybook scenery to dreamy activities, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort may be the most romantic hotel on this list. The location, 90 minutes North of Chiang Rai, is right at the heart of the Golden Triangle where the countries of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos all meet. You can also meet the friendly elephants and enjoy a ride into the dense and dark forest of South East Asia.
Ashford Castle
Cong, Ireland
The Ashford gives you the ultimate chance to stay in one overnight stay at a medieval castle. From your entrance through the impressive gate and wall, the Ashford separates itself from other castle hotels by its sure size alone. This massive castle was built over a number of centuries, starting with the first mansion built here in 1228. In 1589 protective fortifications were built, but it took until 1715 for the Ashford name to stick when a French-style chateau wing was added.
Over the years, powerful guests from Mary Queen of Scots, King George V, Princess Grace, Brad Pitt, President Ronald Regan, and more have stayed here. The author Oscar Wilde was even here as a kid as his dad had a neighboring home.
Dhara Dhevi Resort
Chiang Mai, Thailand
A stay at The Dhara Dhevi Resort in Chiang Mai will make you feel like you have been transported back in time to the height of the Lanna Empire. The sprawling property looks more like a palace than a resort, and you’re bound to feel the royal treatment. The 118 suites circle a huge old-world farm and rice field, reminding you of the days when palaces were self-sustaining cities on their own.
The Dhara Dhevj is the only resort in Northern Thailand to have its own on-site craft village. Regular daily programs for arts and crafts demonstrations include basket making, bamboo weaving, rice pounding, paper cutting, and flower arranging.
Kebek Cave Hotel
Goreme, Turkey
During the pre-history of Turkey, the nearby Mount Erciyes Volcano covered the area with ash. Centuries of wind and rain later carved the thick layers of ash into formations resembling fairy chimneys. In the early Middle Ages the two chimneys, which are now part of the Kebek Cave Hotel, were used as a monk’s chapel before becoming a family home. Traditional arch homes were later built into the chimneys which today help to give the Kebek Cave Hotel’s 36 rooms.
Londolozi Tree Camp
Kruger National Park, South Africa
It is fitting that both the Londolozi Tree Camp and Kruger National Park were established in 1926 as they have both gone a long way toward wildlife preservation in Africa. For the first few decades, the camp served as the primer bush camp and mainly hosted exclusive guests such as presidents and princesses. By the 1970s they went all on the conservation side of things and officially changed their name to Londolozi, derived from the Zulu word “To Protect”.
(Text and Image Courtesy: Bigboytravel.com)
