Top New Hotels Worldwide: Editors’ Best Picks 2025

A great hotel offers more than merely a place to rest your head and stow your stuff between sightseeing excursions. A truly standout property can offer new insight into a beloved place; bring fresh energy to a been-there, done-that neighborhood; even become a destination in its own right. That’s why we here at iBestTravel spend months obsessively tracking new openings and major overhauls, consulting our trusted network of travel pros and jetsetting writers, and traversing the globe in search of the most memorable, game-changing hotels of the year for our annual It List.

This year, our guide to the essential openings (and reopenings) of the past year took us to 32 countries in pursuit of the unforgettable. Over the course of 2019, iBestTravel writers and editors have trekked to a remote West Texas escape that feels like a supersize Donald Judd sculpture, hooked trout at a fly-fishing retreat in remote Patagonia, and soaked in the spring-fed baths of a Taiwan resort until their fingers went pruney — tough work, but we’re just that committed to the cause. This isn’t merely a list of the most high-end resorts, nor is it a who’s-who of major hotel chains, though you’ll find both splurgey stays and familiar brands in the mix. Instead, we’ve aimed to showcase the properties that are at the top of their game and adding something new to the conversation, whether they’re century-old stalwarts fresh off a major reno or intimate family-run boutiques that hit the sweet spot between hotel hospitality and vacation-rental hominess.

Ahead, you’ll find a stay for every style and mood. There’s a Loire Valley château, reborn as a grande dame for the modern era. A sleek beach retreat in Asbury Park challenges the notion that the Jersey Shore is merely a regional summer hang for the tri-state area, and in Queens, the converted TWA terminal has thrown down the gauntlet for airport hotels the world over. We’ve got end-of-the-world escapes in Bolivia and Namibia, chic city hotels in Cape Town and the UAE, and wellness resorts that will suit both hardcore health nuts and the merely spa-curious. Read on for all 72 properties on the 2020 It List — your next vacation spot awaits.

Edited by Lila Harron Battis & John Wogan

AFRICA + THE MIDDLE EAST

Jao Camp (Wilderness Safaris) — Okavango Delta, Botswana

In 2019, Wilderness Safaris’ Jao Camp — in the 150,000-acre Jao Reserve, a private concession in northern Botswana’s wildlife-rich Okavango Delta — went through its first rebuild since it opened in 1999. The result is light and modern, with two villas and five large, open-plan suites done in shades of amethyst, tan, charcoal, and gray-blue. Heavy thatch has been switched out for low-maintenance, recycled-plastic strips that look like the real deal from afar, and swing chairs dangle from lofty rafters. A giraffe skeleton stands in the “knowledge center,” a gallery/museum hybrid. Between private game drives, mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions, helicopter flights, and sundowners in the bush, you can chill in your private plunge pool and watch impalas, elephants, and swooping woodland kingfishers. Doubles from $1,285 per person, all-inclusive. — Heather Richardson

The Oberoi Marrakech — Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh offers an abundance of options when it comes to upscale resorts, but few can now compete with the Oberoi, which is set on 28 acres of olive and orange groves with views of the Atlas Mountains. Its central building is modeled on one of the city’s most famous historic sites, the 16th-century Medersa Ben Youssef, with ornate stucco and zellige tiles, cedar ceilings, and reflecting pools that seem to extend all the way to the horizon. I found enough to do on site that I almost forgot about the city beyond: each of the 84 guest rooms and villas has a private terrace and swimming pool, and there are fitness classes, hammam and spa treatments, falconry, wine tastings, and an ayurvedic wellness center that offers weeklong retreats. And — should you choose to stray off-campus — the enchanting medina is accessible via the house Mercedes at a moment’s notice. Doubles from $760. — Paul Brady

Zannier Hotels Sonop — Karas, Namibia

In the heart of the Namib Desert, Sonop is almost invisible, so well camouflaged are its 10 spacious tents on their hill of sun-warmed boulders. From inside my tent — a vintage-safari fantasia with a four-poster bed, a claw-foot tub, and pith helmets — the desert enfolded me in a vast, silent emptiness, with herds of oryx wandering the land and velvety pastels washing the sky at sunset. Days were spent exploring the desert with guides, lounging by the pool, or indulging in a spa treatment. Dinner was an elegant affair at a long communal table, followed by stargazing or billiards in the bar tent. The mostly local staff suffused even the smallest interactions with warmth. “Maybe you would like something?” they’d ask, and whether the something was a cocktail or a private alfresco movie screening at dusk, it was provided with a smile. It’s that meeting of the human and the sublime that makes Sonop so memorable. Doubles from $693 per person, all-inclusive. — Maggie Shipstead

Magashi (Wilderness Safaris) — Akagera, Rwanda

From the first glass of sparkling tree-tomato juice, Magashi sets out to impress. The latest opening from ecotourism operator Wilderness Safaris disrupts the notion that Rwanda is a destination only for costly primate trekking, offering travelers a front-row seat to see the comeback of sole savannah ecosystem, Akagera National Park, where the large mammal population has ballooned from 4,000 to 14,000 in the past decade. That’s plenty to wow guests, who have the exclusive on intimate, unhurried Big Five sightings by boat or adapted vehicle within a lush private concession. Six solar-powered tents, with king beds draped romantically in rose-colored mosquito nets, hug Lake Rwanyakazinga. Abundance is a theme that spills into cuisine, with family-style lunches and three-course dinners drawing from indigenous ingredients and tradition. When night falls around the fire pit, G&Ts and Virunga Mist beers fuel breathless tales of the day’s encounters — and build anticipation for the next. Doubles from $470 per person. — Kathryn Romeyn

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest — Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Travelers making the trek to see Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are now spoiled for choice thanks to several new luxury lodges. And those seeking outright opulence will be thrilled with One&Only Gorilla’s Nest. The property’s 21 rooms and suites are built tree-house style in a lush landscape created with thousands of plants and flowers tended to by a team of staff gardeners. The décor throughout is rich and textured, mixing African textiles and art with contemporary furniture and finishes. Every room has a fireplace and a deck, and the one- and two-bedroom suites have outdoor showers (the Virunga suite even has an open-air soaking tub). The food, in the hands of the talented husband-and-wife chefs Bryan and Louise English, is equally sophisticated, blending African and international techniques into daily-changing menus. After a long day mucking through the jungle, few things are better than a pair of slippers (provided while your boots are cleaned) and Louise’s pastries. Doubles from $3,485— James Rumney

Singita Kwitonda — Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Among the most striking symbols of Rwanda’s unlikely transformation into one of the world’s leading ecotourism destinations is the new Singita Kwitonda Lodge. The expansive property sits at the base of the extinct Virunga volcanoes, where the central African nation’s most renowned natural attraction — the 340-odd endangered mountain gorillas — live in jungles protected from poachers by armed rangers. The lodge feels as if it sprouted naturally from the location itself: Each of the dozen free-standing suites is handcrafted from locally made bricks and quarried stone, with interiors decorated with works by Rwandan artists, private hot tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer unobstructed views of jagged Mount Karisimbi. But the highlight of any stay is the hike to meet the majestic primates face-to-face in Volcanoes National Park. Every piece of trekking equipment can be provided by the lodge, from state-of-the-art footwear to trousers and walking sticks. After the day hike, the return to the lodge has its own otherworldly air with a fireside glass of bubbly, a gourmet meal (needless to say, the chefs are local and the ingredients come from nearby farms and the lodge’s own garden), or a massage on the table that sits in every suite. Doubles from $1,650 per person, all-inclusive. — Tony Perrottet

Camissa House — Cape Town, South Africa

What gives this eight-room bolt-hole an edge in a town packed with great hotels? To start, an exclusive address in Oranjezicht, one of Cape Town’s loveliest residential neighborhoods, right at the foot of Table Mountain. Then there are the quirky design details, including custom wallpaper depicting Cape flora and fauna in each room and rows of black-jacketed books in the library. Before heading out of Camissa House each morning, I feasted on banana-bread French toast, omelettes, or pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup and cinnamon-coconut cream. A complimentary shuttle service whisks guests to the beach, cableway, V&A Waterfront, or any of Cape Town’s host of excellent restaurants — and the general manager has many of the top spots on speed dial, which makes snagging reservations a breeze. Service, meanwhile, strikes a balance between formal and laid-back: mix your own negroni from the library bar if you choose, or have a butler whip up the perfect local craft gin cocktail for a sundowner on the top-floor terrace. Either way, you’ll feel less like a hotel guest and more like you’re staying in the home of a (very stylish) friend. Doubles from $605. — Jane Broughton

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge — De Hoop, South Africa

It’s all about location at this off-the-grid, solar-powered beach lodge in the 75,000-acre De Hoop Nature Reserve, 160 miles east of Cape Town. The property’s seven cabins, outfitted with bright, beachy décor and nature-inspired accents, sit in a row just 800 feet from the water’s edge — and that pristine beach is all yours. Between June and October, hundreds of southern right whales swim into the shallows to calve, making this the best spot in all of Africa for land-based whale watching. The rest of the year, other whale species, large pods of dolphins, and seals frequent De Hoop’s marine protected area, which extends three miles offshore. Days at Lekkerwater are jam-packed with activities, but there’s plenty of time to dip in the pool or ocean, whale watch from the deck, and follow up a beach barbecue with a soak in the wood-fired hot tub, where you can sip local wines under the stars. Guests have private access to four miles of the reserve’s 37-mile coastline, with in-house guide Billy Robertson at the ready to interpret the marvels of the intertidal zone’s rock pools, take you snorkeling at high tide, or explore the archaeologically rich sea caves. His secret power? Being able to summon the resident, territorial octopus in every rock pool. He’s also a botany geek, which makes hikes through the indigenous coastal fynbos feel as enriching as they are invigorating. Doubles from $253 per person, all-inclusive. — Jane Broughton

Mandarin Oriental, Doha — Doha, Qatar

As a city hurtling toward the future, Doha has perfected the art of combining the modern and the historic. Take, for example, the still-developing Msheireb district, where a just-inaugurated tram makes it easier to zip between traditional textile and gold souks, cultural institutions like the newly opened National Museum of Qatar, and the elegant Mandarin Oriental, Doha. The 158-room property has a playful sense of place, with swaths of marble in the lobby etched to suggest sand dunes and light fixtures that evoke the air bubbles expelled by Qatari pearl divers. In the spa, you can alternate between the pools and treatment rooms while enjoying facials and massages that incorporate local ingredients like frankincense and crushed pearls. And the lavish breakfast spread is inspired by the flavors of the Silk Road, with some of the best meze I’ve ever had. Doubles from $412. — Danae Mercer

Al Bait Sharjah — Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

A camel-milk soak in a standalone brass bathtub? Now, there’s a story. Similarly memorable experiences abound at Al Bait Sharjah, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, which recently opened in Dubai’s smaller, artsier, more traditional neighboring emirate. The resort’s 53 guest rooms are spread across 19th-century houses that were once owned by prominent families—including the Al Shamsi pearl-trading clan. The rooms are like exhibits themselves: four-poster beds with intricately carved wood; heavy goblets brimming with dates; low majlis-style seating that beckons you to lounge with a cup of saffron coffee. At the two restaurants, menus combine fanciful dishes like kangaroo katsu with Middle Eastern specialties — try the camel, which is braised for 24 hours. Head to the on-site post office turned museum for a lesson on Sharjah’s history, or wind through the same alleys and interconnected souks that once welcomed Bedouin traders on camelback. If you want to see more, the hotel will shuttle you around by Mercedes. Al Bait means “home” in Arabic; at Al Bait Sharjah, you’ll feel at home, but you will live like royalty. Doubles from $323. — Sara Hamdan

ASIA

Six Senses Bhutan — Bhutan

If time allows, you should complete Six Senses Bhutan’s five-hotel circuit of contemporary lodges in Bumthang, Gangtey, Paro, Punakha, and the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu, which are situated near some of the kingdom’s most stunning valleys, pine forests, and mountains. (That’s what happens when the king’s brother-in-law, Sangay Wangchuk, is leading the project.) But if timing is tight, it’s worth prioritizing Thimphu for the magical way the Himalayas are mirrored in the outdoor reflecting pools. The views seem to go on forever — or at least as far as Tibet — and I could have happily sat watching the clouds and the quicksilver light for an entire day. At all five, Six Senses rightly places sustainability at the forefront: water is purified on site, organic gardens supply the kitchens, and the soothing, neutral-toned rooms are clad in local timber and stone. Doubles from $1,500. — Kendall Hill

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong — Shanghai

High above the Huangpu River and a stone’s throw from the Bund, Marriott’s latest Shanghai property occupies a 60-story skyscraper. The glass-and-steel structure is fitting for this futuristic metropolis, and the floor-to-ceiling windows in all 515 guest rooms of the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong offer some of the best bird’s-eye views of the city. But the main reason to book a room is for easy access to the hotel’s four restaurants, including the soaring French-Cantonese eatery Le Manoir Ling — the seafood hot pot was a standout, as was the marble bar overlooking the river for cocktails. Luckily, there’s also an indoor lap pool to work it all off. Doubles from $226. — Robyn Dutra

Rosewood Hong Kong — Hong Kong

It’s no mean feat to make a 413-room skyscraper hotel in one of the world’s busiest cities feel intimate, but Rosewood Hong Kong, the new Kowloon flagship from the luxury hotel brand, does just that. The secret lies in designer Tony Chi’s affinity for plenty of nooks and crannies and softening touches. Little doorside consoles and comfy chairs make even the hallways feel warm and welcoming, and the guest rooms are deeply livable, with a patchwork quilt of colors, patterns, and textures that prompts you to let go of any stiffness or formality. The hotel’s whopping eight F&B venues double as art galleries (I spy Damien Hirst, Wang Keping, Joe Bradley…), which feels fitting in Victoria Dockside, where art venues of every stripe are popping up right and left. The views from the gym might actually inspire you to work out on vacation; if not, a lounge chair by the outdoor infinity pool overlooking the harbor is a worthy perch. Doubles from $394. — Claire Dixon

Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa — Uttarakhand, India

In Hindu mythology, when a river loops and flows back toward its origin, the land around it is considered blessed. By this measure, the Taj Rishikesh was auspicious from the start. Flanked by the dramatic Rajaji Forest in the Himalayan foothills, the Taj’s serene wood-and-slate structures, which house 79 rooms, dot a hillside that rises from a private sandy beach on the Ganges. The river runs fresh and green at this spot, not far from its glacial origins and 25 miles upriver from the holy but chaotic city of Rishikesh, where the Beatles sought wisdom in 1968. The eye is drawn to the Ganges from nearly everywhere in the resort, and the view, shot with sunbeams in the daytime hours, is spectacular to behold: from the outdoor yoga studio; from the terrace of the Rock Flour restaurant, where the chef serves Himalayan lentils and grains simmered with regional spices; from a hike along ancient pilgrim footpaths. Taj’s branded Jiva Spa halfway down the hill dispenses wellness with the Indian authenticity that resort properties in the West only dream of emulating. But perhaps the most singular remedy of all for today’s tech-weary traveler is to simply watch the holy Ganges and gulp from the Taj’s pocket of pristine air, just an hour by plane from New Delhi. Doubles from $300. — Marcia DeSanctis

Aman Kyoto — Kyoto, Japan

Far from the anonymous urban grids of central Kyoto and the manicured tourist neighborhoods of Gion and Higashiyama, the new Aman Kyoto sits in a small valley surrounded by forested foothills in the northeastern suburbs. Around it lie winding mountain roads edged with bear-warning signs, little-known temples, and serene cedar groves. The hotel is built on the Asimono estate, where a wealthy obi collector once hoped to build a textile museum. Instead he left behind something equally enduring: a meandering garden of huge boulders and flagstones, now covered with moss, which give the illusion of an ancient ruin. The Aman’s guest pavilions, all minimalist in style and largely made of cedar, are set along a mountain stream. The surrounding garden is landscaped with monumental stone walls and pathways. At night they are dimly lit, and you can feel the forest close by. The onsen is outdoors, surrounded by ornamental boulders, and the guest rooms overlook trees glittering with fireflies; the ofuro tubs in the bathrooms are made of aromatic cypress. The Aman aims higher than merely cosseting guests in luxury — it gives them a window into Kyoto’s past. Doubles from $1,015. — Lawrence Osborne

Shishi-Iwa House — Karuizawa, Japan

The mountain resort town of Karuizawa lies about 90 minutes north of Tokyo by train, but feels much farther. It’s a fitting home for one of Japan’s best new getaways: Shishi-Iwa House, a 10-room sanctuary designed to stimulate creativity in an isolated, rural setting. Pritzker Prize–winning architect Shigeru Ban prioritized the preservation of the densely wooded site: the two-story timber building was carefully angled to eliminate the need to cut trees while maximizing the views of surrounding greenery. Ban also designed the custom furniture for the spare, monochrome guest rooms, which provide a tree-house-style setting in which to bliss out. Doubles from $363. — Catherine Shaw

The Chow Kit — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Chow Kit was once synonymous with the seedier side of Kuala Lumpur. But with the opening of a namesake hotel last December, its transformation into the city’s hippest new neighborhood is complete. Rather than shying away from its sordid past, the Chow Kit, the 113-room debut property from Malaysia-based Ormond Group, celebrates it, thanks to the design vision of Brooklyn’s Studio Tack (Anvil Hotel, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge). Snug suites — some just 220 square feet — are meant to evoke gambling dens, while vanities and armchairs sport copper trim that recalls the area’s 18th-century history as a metal-mining boomtown. Even the coziest rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows to optimize sight lines in a building that stands only five stories tall. Downstairs, the ground floor lobby connects contemporary sleekness with local vernacular: the front desk, bar, and public space surround an open kitchen that offers new riffs on Malaysian street food. Doubles from $85. — Brad Japhe

Raffles Singapore — Singapore

At the legendary Raffles Singapore, the walls practically hum with history — Raffles opened as the island’s first hotel in 1887. It’s no wonder, then, that the property’s reopening last fall after a multi-year overhaul was so hotly anticipated. The 133-year-old property has emerged looking lighter and brighter, with its timeless design details scrubbed and polished to a like-new sheen. Enter through a set of palatial front doors tended by liveried doormen and walk into a glistening foyer. From there, wood-paneled corridors accented with lush greenery lead to stately spaces, including the Palm Court and the Jubilee Ballroom, and to the 115 suites, which have elegant sitting parlors and clawfoot bathtubs. The property’s longest-serving staff member, resident historian Leslie Danker, will be happy to tell you about the hotel and may suggest that you sit at the Long Bar, home of the original Singapore Sling — considered by many to be the national cocktail. Doubles from $582. — Ellie Storck

HOSHINOYA Guguan — Taichung, Taiwan

The thing that sticks with you long after leaving Hoshinoya Guguan is the sound of flowing water. Hot springs feed this 49-room property developed by Japan’s Hoshino Resorts, which sits near the Dajia River in a remote valley of northern Taiwan. You’re reminded of these springs at every turn. Small canals run through a garden of towering Luanta firs and white pines; a dip in the outdoor pool feels like you’re swimming in a forest. Each suite has a screened terrace with a soaking tub, which burbles away at around 106 degrees. It’s impossible not to feel at one with nature as you wade into the spa’s outdoor heated pools, which zigzag through heliconia, lilies, and maples. (The baths open at 5 a.m., in time to watch the sun rise over Lishan Mountain.) Once you’ve been soothed by the sound of the valley, you can taste it, too: the spa’s tea lounge serves bowls of shaved ice topped with a sweet powder made from pine needles, a local delicacy that’s the perfect treat after a steamy soak. Doubles from $598. — Alex Schechter

Hotel de la Coupole — Sapa, Vietnam

The grand newcomer to Vietnam’s popular mountain town, Sapa, has hotel designer Bill Bensley’s fingerprints all over it. Bensley collected antiques from Parisian flea markets for years before the opening of Hotel de la Coupole, a palatial resort inspired by 1920s French haute-couture and the textile traditions of northern Vietnamese hill tribes. His groundwork shows — a stay here is like a night at the museum: 500 vintage spools serve as backdrop at the concierge station,1920s sewing patterns are pasted on walls, lampshades resemble hill tribes’ headwear and jewelry. The 249 rooms go beyond luxury to offer a decadent sense of place — think jewel-tone walls, claw-foot tubs, and occasional views of cloud-cloaked Fansipan, the highest peak on the Indochinese peninsula. (You can, and should, take the cable car connected to the hotel all the way to the mountaintop.) The vast indoor heated pool, complete with green marble columns, towering bronze divers, and 20s-era murals, offers a steamy retreat after a day of trekking. At fine-dining restaurant Chic, executive chef Basha Shalik has created a menu that celebrates Sapa and French cuisine in equal parts — the sturgeon hot pot is comfort food made as special as its surrounds. Doubles from $152. — Eloise Basuki

AUSTRALIA

Mount Mulligan Lodge — Mareeba, Australia

The phrase “outback” often conjures mental images of Australia’s far-flung Red Center and its famed monolith Uluru — a three-hour flight from the nearest major cities. With the opening of cattle ranch turned resort Mount Mulligan Lodge, located a 3-hour drive (or 35-minute helicopter ride) from the Great Barrier Reef hub of Cairns, travelers now have a way to experience a rugged heritage region with greater ease. One of the newest additions to the Luxury Lodges of Australia portfolio, the secluded property stretches across almost 70,000 acres and accommodates just 16 guests at a time. Days are spent enjoying outdoor pursuits that take advantage of the tropical climate. Travelers can search for wildlife on guided ATV tours (wallabies are among the common sights), learn about the area’s Gold Rush history at a local mine, or try their hand at catching barramundi in the nearby weir. In an effort to preserve the surrounding ecosystems, sustainability features prominently: Chefs supplement locally sourced ingredients like tiger prawns with seasonal produce from the onsite garden and fruit trees, and solar power not only provides electricity for the main lodge, but also heats water for the guest rooms. Doubles from $1,150, all-inclusive. — Carrie Rossi

CARIBBEAN

La Finca Victoria — Vieques, Puerto Rico

In the two years since Hurricane Maria ravaged the tiny island of Vieques, Sylvia de Marco — the Puerto Rican designer behind Dreamcatcher, in San Juan — has transformed the bones of a funky, 40-year-old communal guesthouse into this luxe destination for modern Puerto Rican hospitality, sustainability, and wellness. Remote black-sand beaches are a main attraction on this sleepy isle, but La Finca Victoria bathes its guests in the forested seclusion of the Vieques hills. Guests stay in one of 12 private suites, each with its own unique décor hand-selected from De Marco’s collection of antique furniture and contemporary Puerto Rican art. The guiding principle is rejuvenation: house-made aromatherapy diffusions and herbal teas, outdoor showers, and private porches with woven hammocks are standard. After an (optional) morning yoga class, guests are treated to a gorgeous, vegan, poolside breakfast made with local ingredients — many grown on property. In the coming months, De Marco will expand La Finca’s offerings to include ayurvedic consultations and treatments, as well as evening tapas and live music open to the public. Doubles from $139. — Sara B. Franklin

Eden Rock — St. Bart’s

Like a swanning diva making her long-awaited comeback, the Eden Rock has reopened after a two-year renovation in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Glamorously nipped-and-tucked, full of verve and luxury and winking self-regard, the hotel is ready to reclaim its title as the island’s sexiest, buzziest, see-and-be-seeniest hotel place to stay. What’s new? An open-air bar/lounge that overlooks the Sand Bar restaurant, with interiors by Martin Brudnizki at his most tropical-louche; three signature suites on the rock, replacing the formal dining room; a spa featuring fragrant Ligne St. Barth products. What’s the same? Rooms and suites (37 total) that are spacious, residential, and well-thought-out, cuisine overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, prime people-watching on the beach, and the assurance that you’re staying at the island’s de facto social hub. Doubles from $1,860. — Peter J. Frank

Ambergris Cay — Turks and Caicos

If, for you, hell is other people and a true vacation means getting as far away from them as humanly possible, then you’ll love Ambergris Cay, a new private-island resort in Turks and Caicos. The minute you take off from the main island of Providenciales in the resort’s eight-seater Piper Navajo, the rest of the world falls away in a blissful blur; touching down on the 1.7-square-mile island twenty minutes later, you’re given the keys to a golf buggy and that’s it. You have the run of the place. And what a place it is: There are 10 dreamy guest villas, each with a private pool, dotted along a screensaver-worthy white-sand beach. Inside, the feel is beach hut luxe — pitched white ceilings, ikat pillows, Acapulco chairs. Make sure you keep an eye on the doors, though, because the island’s population of rock iguanas love to supplement their regular diet (the fruit of the native Turk’s Head Cactus) with the occasional helping of room service breakfast. Wildlife sightings continue on the island’s rugged eastern shore, where guests can snorkel and spot whales migrating along the Turks Island Passage. Doubles from $4,200, all-inclusive. — Flora Stubbs

CENTRAL + SOUTH AMERICA

Kachi Lodge — Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

Off-roading across the vast, blinding-white salt flats of Salar de Uyuni in southwestern Bolivia is a bumpy, exhilarating experience: glittering water, lakes mirroring the bright blue sky, and cactus-filled islands. And when six white-and-clear geodesic domes seem to appear out of nowhere, near the foot of the imposing (but dormant) Tunupa Volcano, it’s perfectly normal to think they’re a mirage. Thankfully, the gleaming suites of Kachi Lodge are entirely real, providing the first permanent accommodation located directly on the salt flats. The property, by Swiss glamping company Amazing Escapes, was designed to have minimal impact, so the domes are heated by energy-efficient pellet-fed stoves, use solar energy to heat well water, and rest atop sustainably sourced Almendrillo-wood platforms. Still, there are plenty of luxurious touches, like soap studded with locally grown quinoa (the perfect exfoliant); colorful sculptures, paintings, and photographs by Bolivia