Nebuchadnezzar II built the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon for the benefit of his wife, who was homesick for mountainous scenery. These hanging gardens were created for those who enjoy modern hotels with a twist.

Located in Ubud (meaning “healing”), the location is home to some of Bali’s great artists and cultural guardians. The local medicinal plants and laughing rivers make this the perfect setting for a five-star boutique hotel. Stay in your own villa with a thatched roof, rain shower, and pavilion, and then head down to the split-level infinity pool, lined with Batu Chandi stone and built from a wall of solidified volcanic ash and swim into a view of the veiled jungle.

Take a walk through local rice-producing villages and then climb the nearby volcano. How about horse riding on the beach? And then head back to the spa that uses indigenous ingredients such as avocado, ginger, and cocoa to deliver a fine wellness menu.