Heading to Copacabana? If you want to take a break from run-of-the-mill hotels, check out the quirky little place called Hostal Las Olas Guesthouse. It’s a complex of ten private villas, all of which come in different shapes and with unique interiors (my personal favorite is the seashell). Las Olas …

As the name suggests, Le Moulin du Roc was initially built as a water mill. It was later converted into a hotel with some rooms in the historic mill and some in the newly added building. Today, Le Moulin du Roc is a quiet and charming sanctuary in southwestern France. …

Located in Georgia (the country, not the state), this hotel is a spectacular, historic place to stay. This is the only hotel in the Caucasus region placed inside the walls of the historic fortress Rabath. In the historic center of Akhaltsikhe, right inside the Rabati Fortress, this hotel features a …

A quiet escape in Portugal, the Vila Monte Moncarapacho is the perfect spot to find solace and simplicity surrounded by nature’s pure greenery. This farmhouse-style hotel set on an orange grove is just a ten-minute drive from the beautiful Praia do Homem Nu beach. There are two pools, a tennis …

One of the few venues that hosted an “end of the world party” on December 21st, 2012. Congratulations on surviving the apocalypse, and what better way to celebrate than to visit the Gyreum Ecolodge? Billed as the most extraordinary building in Ireland, the huge yurt-like structure is powered only by …

The Relais Cattedrale offers a stunning oasis in the heart of the medieval town of Asti, Italy. Surrounded by the bustling life of Palazzo Curbis di San Michele, this boutique hotel provides the perfect setting to begin your tour of Monferrato and unwind after a long day of exploration. The …

La Scuola Guesthouse is the culmination of the owners’ dream to create bed and breakfast in the heart of the Asiago Plateau. The former schoolhouse has been transformed into charming accommodations for guests seeking to experience the spectacular scenery, rich history, and romance of the region. Perfectly situated between the …

Situated inside the city walls of Guimarães, Portugal, the Casa do Juncal allows guests to experience over 900 years of the city’s illustrious history. In recognition of its historical significance, the building was officially declared a World Heritage Site back in 2001. The hotel was originally built as a manor …

Brocket Hall is a beautiful exclusive use manor house in England that offers a wide variety of amenities and sporting activities for the active traveler. Set within 543 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside with two 18-hole golf courses and traditional butler service, Brocket Hall provides a unique and luxurious stay. …

Located in Gevaudan - an area of France with a long history going back to Roman times - Château d'Orfeuillette is traditional châteaux. Renovated in 2010, you will find the interior contemporary and charming. Like any of the furniture? Well, you can buy it. Yes, it's all for sale here, …

Chiva Som means 'Haven of Life' and is a beautiful Thai resort popular with celebrities. Bazar magazine called it “the gold standard by which all destination spas are measured”. High praise indeed. The spa is set in a peaceful tropical forest with murmuring brooks, gushing waterfalls and pristine beaches. The …

This hotel is hewn out of the very living rock on the Amalfi coastline. Want to go to the beach? Then take the lift through the rock to the sand below. Your vine-hugged balcony has some of the finest views you will ever see - from the sea to Positano. …

A relaxing get-away in the suburbs of Bangsar, Sekeping Tenggiri is a surprising mix of art and garden taste. The ambiance of country living is immediately visible in the vine-covered screen marking the patio entrance. The feelings become more pronounced as you enter the enclosed courtyard. Virulent greenery and carefully …

This hotel is an Organic Bed & Breakfast and Ecology Resource Center which means they have amazing gardens overflowing with flowers, hand-built guestrooms using ethically-sourced materials, and a lovely courtyard and tea room. Much of the hotel has been made from recycled materials. There are buildings made from straw-bale and …

For thousands of years, the most popular pastime in Europe was killing your neighbors. England and France win the prize for managing to have a war that lasted for 100 years. Because of a readiness for violence, castles began to sprout all through Europe’s green hills and many survive to …

Located in a prime position in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront this hotel has an amazing view of Table Mountain – Cape Town’s most iconic landmark. It straddles a number of canals and two artificial islands - one has an infinity pool (exclusively for guests), and the other is where …

In Tuscany, there is a beautiful villa that has been restored. With only seven rooms, this exclusive hotel has married modern furnishings with the traditional style. The half-ancient wooden beams hold up the ceiling as you sit in front of a 200-year-old fireplace next to a stone wall that was …

This was originally the home of a Turkish ‘pasha’ or high ranking military officer. In the 19th Century, it became home to a Swedish and American ‘colony’ who were all members of the ‘Christian Utopia Society’. The colony lived a communal lifestyle and engaged in philanthropic work for all the …

This fortified village on the Spanish/Portugal border has seen its fair share of action over the last millennium. Conquered and occupied by everyone from the Romans to the Moors the castle lies in ruins. The old village remains in good condition and is an amazing place to visit. When you …

For hundreds of years, The Medicis were one of the most powerful families in Europe. If anyone knew the most beautiful spot in Italy it was them. Their summer houses were legendary. Now you can stay in one of their great buildings located in the Val d'Orcia which is a …